As we enter the new year, it's time to take a look at what we did last year, and what we should do this year.
Out with the old! In with the new!
But first, examine what worked and what didn't. Check out Tune Up Your Web Pages for the New Year, then tell me what you're doing new and better this time around.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Increasing Your Site's Search Engine Optimization
Plenty of gurus will tell you to post comments on other people’s blogs in order to create more links to your website – and thus increase your search engine optimization.
Today I read a long article that said it doesn’t necessarily work. On many of the sites where you might post, the links are automatically designated as “no follow,” which means Google isn’t supposed to use them. If they increase the traffic to your site, you’ll benefit, but the link itself won’t help.
So what you’re doing is adding content and increasing the SEO on someone else’s site. That’s a nice thing to do, but you want to increase the content on your own site.
What to do?
Take a page from Clayton Makepeace’s book… Write the first few sentences of your message and then insert a link that readers have to follow to get “the rest of the story.” Then (well, actually first) post the entire article on your own site.
The link still won’t give you more Google juice, but the added content and the added visitors will.
Mr. Makepeace does this with his e-mail letters, and it has always annoyed me, because when you have a slow Internet connection you don’t want to have to click and go somewhere else. That means his first sentences have to be VERY interesting or I don’t click.
But now that I understand why he’s doing it, I guess I’ll have to curb my annoyance. At least there’s a darned good reason.
Something else I learned – Google is the only one that pays attention to “no follow” so your ranking on Yahoo and others will increase when you keep posting those links on your blog comments.
Today I read a long article that said it doesn’t necessarily work. On many of the sites where you might post, the links are automatically designated as “no follow,” which means Google isn’t supposed to use them. If they increase the traffic to your site, you’ll benefit, but the link itself won’t help.
So what you’re doing is adding content and increasing the SEO on someone else’s site. That’s a nice thing to do, but you want to increase the content on your own site.
What to do?
Take a page from Clayton Makepeace’s book… Write the first few sentences of your message and then insert a link that readers have to follow to get “the rest of the story.” Then (well, actually first) post the entire article on your own site.
The link still won’t give you more Google juice, but the added content and the added visitors will.
Mr. Makepeace does this with his e-mail letters, and it has always annoyed me, because when you have a slow Internet connection you don’t want to have to click and go somewhere else. That means his first sentences have to be VERY interesting or I don’t click.
But now that I understand why he’s doing it, I guess I’ll have to curb my annoyance. At least there’s a darned good reason.
Something else I learned – Google is the only one that pays attention to “no follow” so your ranking on Yahoo and others will increase when you keep posting those links on your blog comments.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Did You Move With Me?
It's been a while since I moved my blog to wordpress so it could be part of my website. I hope you've followed me over, but just in case, here's a sample of what you might have missed:
How Your E-mail Links Can Drive Customers - AWAY!
How to Promote your business with Articles
A Big Telephone Mistake that Drives Customers Away
There's more - check the archives!
How Your E-mail Links Can Drive Customers - AWAY!
How to Promote your business with Articles
A Big Telephone Mistake that Drives Customers Away
There's more - check the archives!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Please Visit the Other blog...
When I switched to Wordpress and put my marketing blog on my website I intended to take this one down. But... people were still visiting. So I left it.
The problem is, I can't keep up with 2. Some days I can't even keep up with one.
So please come on over to the website and visit the blog there...
Just click here.
The problem is, I can't keep up with 2. Some days I can't even keep up with one.
So please come on over to the website and visit the blog there...
Just click here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Storytelling as good marketing
We all love stories - and we all know that we all love stories.
So why do we so often forget to use them in our marketing? A good story grabs attention, keeps your reader or listener engaged and curious, and is a fantastic way to demonstrate how your product or service can help someone.
Stories are also fine teachers. I remember going to real estate school and how much the lessons came alive when our instructor told about the things that happened to real live people when someone bent the rules we were learning.
Things like the crook who talked about 50 people into buying the same vacant lot and NOT recording the sale for 60 days. By the time the 60 days were up and all those people realized they'd bought the same lot, he was long gone. It must have been a hot market back then - or else the lot was priced so low that people were jumping to grab it.
Anyway - If he had merely told us that we needed to insist that our buyer's transactions were recorded immediately because bad things can happen, it wouldn't have made such an impression. Just think - I heard that story over 20 years ago!
So what kind of story can you tell that will somehow relate back to what you offer?
Can you tell a story that will teach your audience that they need what you offer?
Can you tell a story that will show how much you care about your customer's best interests?
Can you tell a story that shows how many ways your product can be used?
If you think about it, you probably have some true stories that would interest your readers. So... think about it!
So why do we so often forget to use them in our marketing? A good story grabs attention, keeps your reader or listener engaged and curious, and is a fantastic way to demonstrate how your product or service can help someone.
Stories are also fine teachers. I remember going to real estate school and how much the lessons came alive when our instructor told about the things that happened to real live people when someone bent the rules we were learning.
Things like the crook who talked about 50 people into buying the same vacant lot and NOT recording the sale for 60 days. By the time the 60 days were up and all those people realized they'd bought the same lot, he was long gone. It must have been a hot market back then - or else the lot was priced so low that people were jumping to grab it.
Anyway - If he had merely told us that we needed to insist that our buyer's transactions were recorded immediately because bad things can happen, it wouldn't have made such an impression. Just think - I heard that story over 20 years ago!
So what kind of story can you tell that will somehow relate back to what you offer?
Can you tell a story that will teach your audience that they need what you offer?
Can you tell a story that will show how much you care about your customer's best interests?
Can you tell a story that shows how many ways your product can be used?
If you think about it, you probably have some true stories that would interest your readers. So... think about it!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Is Your website safe?
If your web host suddenly disappeared, would you be able to quickly re-create your site with a different host?
Or would you be like a friend of mine - sitting there completely stumped over how to start over from scratch?
For starters, your domain name should belong to you - with you listed as the administrator. If it isn't, get it changed as fast as you can - while the person whose name is there is still available to authorize the change. Otherwise, you could be in for months of proving who you are - honest.
This happened to me when I bought my first domain name - and had no clue at all about how it all worked. When it was time to renew we almost lost the name because the "administrator" had moved away. It took 4 years before I had that domain name in my own name, because we had to go through the whole proof process every 2 years until it "stuck."
Another friend of mine had an employee set up her website, and he was listed as administrator. That was fine - they were friends and he wouldn't have done anything to hurt her. But - he died. She had to go through proving that he was positively unavailable, and then proving that she had a right to the domain which was her company name. I think in her case it took about 3 months.
So start out right - put that domain in your own name.
Next, make sure that all of your web files are backed up on your own computer. Then back them up further on an external hard drive or even a disk.
My friend had someone else build her site because she knew nothing about how to do it. So when that person decided he no longer wanted to do it, she was stuck.
So be assertive - make sure you have a copy of everything. If you have to hire a high school student to come and help you understand it all, then do it.
Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - and in this case, I think it's worth about a ton of cure.
Or would you be like a friend of mine - sitting there completely stumped over how to start over from scratch?
For starters, your domain name should belong to you - with you listed as the administrator. If it isn't, get it changed as fast as you can - while the person whose name is there is still available to authorize the change. Otherwise, you could be in for months of proving who you are - honest.
This happened to me when I bought my first domain name - and had no clue at all about how it all worked. When it was time to renew we almost lost the name because the "administrator" had moved away. It took 4 years before I had that domain name in my own name, because we had to go through the whole proof process every 2 years until it "stuck."
Another friend of mine had an employee set up her website, and he was listed as administrator. That was fine - they were friends and he wouldn't have done anything to hurt her. But - he died. She had to go through proving that he was positively unavailable, and then proving that she had a right to the domain which was her company name. I think in her case it took about 3 months.
So start out right - put that domain in your own name.
Next, make sure that all of your web files are backed up on your own computer. Then back them up further on an external hard drive or even a disk.
My friend had someone else build her site because she knew nothing about how to do it. So when that person decided he no longer wanted to do it, she was stuck.
So be assertive - make sure you have a copy of everything. If you have to hire a high school student to come and help you understand it all, then do it.
Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - and in this case, I think it's worth about a ton of cure.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A tale of excellent service
The other night my neighbor said he was thinking about buying a car, but this was the wrong time of year to drive to Montana.
Since there are plenty of car dealerships a lot closer than Montana, we asked him what Montana had to do with it. And he told us the story about the Montana salesman...
Many years ago he bought a pickup. Being a person who is careful with his money, he had shopped around and so knew that the price he paid for that pickup was more than fair. By the time he wanted another new pickup he had moved to a new town, about 6 or 8 hour's drive away, so he went shopping close to home.
But he kept thinking about that salesman in Montana who sent him a birthday card every year. And so, knowing exactly what he wanted and the going price for that make with those features, he called Montana.
The salesman was glad to hear from him, and listened to his list of make, model, features, etc. Then he gave our friend a price, which was in the same ballpark with the others. But, he added, since you have a long drive to get here, I'll give you back $200 for gasoline, put you up in a nice motel, and buy your dinner.
Of course he said yes.
The salesman had assured him that the pickup would be ready when he arrived - and it was. The extra features had been installed, the truck was washed and waxed, and the tank was full of gas. The paperwork was even completed, so taking delivery of his new pickup took minutes, rather than the hours most dealerships impose on customers.
And so, our friend will probably shop around and learn what is or isn't available on the car he wants. He'll find out the going price, too. And then he'll call Montana, because that salesman did two important things:
He gave unforgettable service, AND he stayed in touch, year after year, in spite of the fact that his customer had moved away.
Do YOU stay in touch with customers if they leave your neighborhood?
Since there are plenty of car dealerships a lot closer than Montana, we asked him what Montana had to do with it. And he told us the story about the Montana salesman...
Many years ago he bought a pickup. Being a person who is careful with his money, he had shopped around and so knew that the price he paid for that pickup was more than fair. By the time he wanted another new pickup he had moved to a new town, about 6 or 8 hour's drive away, so he went shopping close to home.
But he kept thinking about that salesman in Montana who sent him a birthday card every year. And so, knowing exactly what he wanted and the going price for that make with those features, he called Montana.
The salesman was glad to hear from him, and listened to his list of make, model, features, etc. Then he gave our friend a price, which was in the same ballpark with the others. But, he added, since you have a long drive to get here, I'll give you back $200 for gasoline, put you up in a nice motel, and buy your dinner.
Of course he said yes.
The salesman had assured him that the pickup would be ready when he arrived - and it was. The extra features had been installed, the truck was washed and waxed, and the tank was full of gas. The paperwork was even completed, so taking delivery of his new pickup took minutes, rather than the hours most dealerships impose on customers.
And so, our friend will probably shop around and learn what is or isn't available on the car he wants. He'll find out the going price, too. And then he'll call Montana, because that salesman did two important things:
He gave unforgettable service, AND he stayed in touch, year after year, in spite of the fact that his customer had moved away.
Do YOU stay in touch with customers if they leave your neighborhood?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Do you hide from your customers?
If you sell something on line, do your customers know who you are? Or are you hiding?
If you're hiding, they might well wonder why. Are you ashamed of what you offer? Will you be impossible to find if they have a problem with the purchase?
This one practice could be costing you sales, so think about it. Even if you don't want your name front and center on your home page, it should be somewhere. Perhaps in your "about us" message, or on your "contact us" page.
By the way, your "about" page can be a valuable selling tool. When you tell your visitors who you are and why you're offering what you're offering, you have the opportunity to convey your enthusiasm for your product or service - and people react positively to enthusiasm.
Go look at your website. See if it needs an addition or two...
Best success,
Marte
If you're hiding, they might well wonder why. Are you ashamed of what you offer? Will you be impossible to find if they have a problem with the purchase?
This one practice could be costing you sales, so think about it. Even if you don't want your name front and center on your home page, it should be somewhere. Perhaps in your "about us" message, or on your "contact us" page.
By the way, your "about" page can be a valuable selling tool. When you tell your visitors who you are and why you're offering what you're offering, you have the opportunity to convey your enthusiasm for your product or service - and people react positively to enthusiasm.
Go look at your website. See if it needs an addition or two...
Best success,
Marte
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Did you want money instead of gifts?
Plenty of people did this season.
Read all about it at: http://marte-cliff.com/wordpress/
There's also a new post there telling why internet scammers can promise you placement on page one of Google. Beware!
Read all about it at: http://marte-cliff.com/wordpress/
There's also a new post there telling why internet scammers can promise you placement on page one of Google. Beware!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy New Year!
To heck with the New Year Grinches... this is going to be a good year!
All we have to do is keep on keeping on, and not listen to any of the down-mouthers.
My suggestion: As soon as you get awake on New Year's Day, do something to promote your business. And then do another something on January 2, 3, 4, etc.
Doing one small self-promotion each day will add up to a big thing by the end of the year, so even if you've had way too much fun on New Year's Eve, think of something, and do it.
Make it your resolution to do something positive to market your goods or services each and every day this year. Even if it's nothing more than a phone call to a past client, it will make a difference.
Happy New Year!
Marte
All we have to do is keep on keeping on, and not listen to any of the down-mouthers.
My suggestion: As soon as you get awake on New Year's Day, do something to promote your business. And then do another something on January 2, 3, 4, etc.
Doing one small self-promotion each day will add up to a big thing by the end of the year, so even if you've had way too much fun on New Year's Eve, think of something, and do it.
Make it your resolution to do something positive to market your goods or services each and every day this year. Even if it's nothing more than a phone call to a past client, it will make a difference.
Happy New Year!
Marte
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Broaden your audience - use written words!
Darn I hate videos! Seems like everyone on line with interesting information these days is putting it on video - so I miss it!
First I have to wait until midnight so Hughes Net won't shut me down for downloading too much. But then, with a satellite connection, many videos come in little chunks. I forget what they're talking about in between the chunks.
I know, I know. Video is the really cool thing to use - and it takes less effort than refining your words to write them out. But since only about half of all internet users have high speed, that means you have half the audience you could have if you wrote down your information.
Think about that...
First I have to wait until midnight so Hughes Net won't shut me down for downloading too much. But then, with a satellite connection, many videos come in little chunks. I forget what they're talking about in between the chunks.
I know, I know. Video is the really cool thing to use - and it takes less effort than refining your words to write them out. But since only about half of all internet users have high speed, that means you have half the audience you could have if you wrote down your information.
Think about that...
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Do You Ask Your Customers and Clients for Testimonials?
You really should, you know, even if it's hard to do.
In a world filled with big promises, big claims, and marketers shouting "I'm best, pick me!" having a 3rd party endorsement can mean a lot.
But it is hard to do. So, go about it a different way - ask without really asking.
I made some suggestions about how to do that on my other blog... Come see.
In a world filled with big promises, big claims, and marketers shouting "I'm best, pick me!" having a 3rd party endorsement can mean a lot.
But it is hard to do. So, go about it a different way - ask without really asking.
I made some suggestions about how to do that on my other blog... Come see.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
A new look at your competition
Hi all -
It's been a while since I posted here, because I moved my blog to my website. I intended to take this one down, but then my son talked me out of it. Bossy kid.
Anyway, I don't have enough hours in the day to write on both blogs, so I'll give you a hint about the content, and ask you to please follow me, and Read today's post...
It's a new look at competition - and why maybe it isn't competition at all! Please join me for an idea that just might give your business a boost!
Marte
It's been a while since I posted here, because I moved my blog to my website. I intended to take this one down, but then my son talked me out of it. Bossy kid.
Anyway, I don't have enough hours in the day to write on both blogs, so I'll give you a hint about the content, and ask you to please follow me, and Read today's post...
It's a new look at competition - and why maybe it isn't competition at all! Please join me for an idea that just might give your business a boost!
Marte
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Please follow me to my new blog site
If you read about SEO then you know that your blog should be attached to your website. So now, mine is attached to my primary website: www.marte-cliff.com.
I thought there was a way to do that with blogger, but couldn't make it work, so I finally downloaded Wordpress, got some help from the friendly tech guys at Go Daddy, and made it happen.
The new blog still needs some work on layout, etc. but it's there.
So, please join me...
See you there!
Marte
I thought there was a way to do that with blogger, but couldn't make it work, so I finally downloaded Wordpress, got some help from the friendly tech guys at Go Daddy, and made it happen.
The new blog still needs some work on layout, etc. but it's there.
So, please join me...
See you there!
Marte
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Think about the benefits you offer to customers
Two weeks ago we were all whining about the heat and the lack of rain - now I'm whining about the cold and the rainstorm that did me out of a horseback ride on Monday. We've had frost a couple times in the past few days, and the air has a definite "fall chill."
What ever happened to gentle transitions between seasons?
Well, if nothing else, some retailers should be glad. The change in weather should get people started thinking about winter clothing, heating stoves, snow blowers, and even Christmas shopping.
Do you have a business that will benefit from the arrival of winter? If so, have you got your new promotions written? It seems soon to be thinking of holiday promotions, but if you start now, you'll produce good ads, and if you wait until November... Well, they might be the kind of thing that results from working in a hurry.
So stop now and think about how your product or service really benefits people during the holidays. Do you sell something that would make a unique gift? Do you offer a product or service that would ease holiday stress? Have you made a special purchase so you can offer a huge discount on some popular item? Can you offer extra service that your competitors don't?
Take out a paper and pen and write down 10 or 20 reasons why someone should do business with you this fall and winter. Why should they choose you instead of a competitor? If you get stuck, write down wild ideas, because they'll lead to good ideas if you keep going.
When you finish, pick out the 4 or 5 best reasons (benefits to the customer, remember) and base your fall and winter ad campaign on those reasons.
Now decide how you intend to reach out to your customers. Will you place ads in a newspaper? Will you send out flyers? Will you do an email campaign? Get out the calendar and schedule your marketing events, then write the ads.
Do it now. Because if you wait, all those good ideas will have flown from your head and you'll be facing the last minute deadline without good copy.
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
writer@marte-cliff.com
P.S. Remember, if you get stuck, I'm as close as your email, and I love writing promotions that create sales!
What ever happened to gentle transitions between seasons?
Well, if nothing else, some retailers should be glad. The change in weather should get people started thinking about winter clothing, heating stoves, snow blowers, and even Christmas shopping.
Do you have a business that will benefit from the arrival of winter? If so, have you got your new promotions written? It seems soon to be thinking of holiday promotions, but if you start now, you'll produce good ads, and if you wait until November... Well, they might be the kind of thing that results from working in a hurry.
So stop now and think about how your product or service really benefits people during the holidays. Do you sell something that would make a unique gift? Do you offer a product or service that would ease holiday stress? Have you made a special purchase so you can offer a huge discount on some popular item? Can you offer extra service that your competitors don't?
Take out a paper and pen and write down 10 or 20 reasons why someone should do business with you this fall and winter. Why should they choose you instead of a competitor? If you get stuck, write down wild ideas, because they'll lead to good ideas if you keep going.
When you finish, pick out the 4 or 5 best reasons (benefits to the customer, remember) and base your fall and winter ad campaign on those reasons.
Now decide how you intend to reach out to your customers. Will you place ads in a newspaper? Will you send out flyers? Will you do an email campaign? Get out the calendar and schedule your marketing events, then write the ads.
Do it now. Because if you wait, all those good ideas will have flown from your head and you'll be facing the last minute deadline without good copy.
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
writer@marte-cliff.com
P.S. Remember, if you get stuck, I'm as close as your email, and I love writing promotions that create sales!
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Law of Attraction and Time Management
I have to share a tried-and-true time management tactic that I've just begun to use, but first, have to share my excitement!
My copy of Money & the Law of Attraction arrived today! I got started reading over lunch, and can hardly wait to keep on. In fact, I'm going to block some time just for this book.
OK, back to time management. I keep CD's in my car and work on my education any time I have to drive somewhere. Early last week I gave a second listen to a Glazier/Kennedy CD and heard again about time blocking. So I tried it, and I really am accomplishing more. I'm also feeling better about it.
The idea is to block out a certain amount of time for each of the tasks you must accomplish - and of course to put first things first so you don't miss deadlines or put off doing the things that will bring you the greatest rewards. We humans seem to be experts at "busy procrastination" that keeps us doing trivial things and putting off the important ones.
My trouble always has been thinking that I had to do it all "today" and then ending up accomplishing nothing because I couldn't decide where to start.
With the time blocking method you know when you'll get at each project, and it removes the pressure of thinking you have to do everything at once. The only real problem is deciding which things can wait until another day. My method is deadlines and promises first, business-building activities next, and routine bookwork after that.
The second important benefit to time blocking is that time once blocked cannot be interrupted. In other words, you don't take phone calls or go throw a load of laundry in the washer. And you don't let your mind wander off to the other tasks you think you should be doing. You simply focus on the task at hand.
From a psychological standpoint, you're telling yourself that you will accomplish a certain thing within a set time frame - and the result is that you generally do so. The speakers on the CD didn't mention the Law of Attraction by name, but that's what they were talking about. You state an intention, you believe in it, you do it.
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
P.S. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, I recommend that you do. This book is really something!
My copy of Money & the Law of Attraction arrived today! I got started reading over lunch, and can hardly wait to keep on. In fact, I'm going to block some time just for this book.
OK, back to time management. I keep CD's in my car and work on my education any time I have to drive somewhere. Early last week I gave a second listen to a Glazier/Kennedy CD and heard again about time blocking. So I tried it, and I really am accomplishing more. I'm also feeling better about it.
The idea is to block out a certain amount of time for each of the tasks you must accomplish - and of course to put first things first so you don't miss deadlines or put off doing the things that will bring you the greatest rewards. We humans seem to be experts at "busy procrastination" that keeps us doing trivial things and putting off the important ones.
My trouble always has been thinking that I had to do it all "today" and then ending up accomplishing nothing because I couldn't decide where to start.
With the time blocking method you know when you'll get at each project, and it removes the pressure of thinking you have to do everything at once. The only real problem is deciding which things can wait until another day. My method is deadlines and promises first, business-building activities next, and routine bookwork after that.
The second important benefit to time blocking is that time once blocked cannot be interrupted. In other words, you don't take phone calls or go throw a load of laundry in the washer. And you don't let your mind wander off to the other tasks you think you should be doing. You simply focus on the task at hand.
From a psychological standpoint, you're telling yourself that you will accomplish a certain thing within a set time frame - and the result is that you generally do so. The speakers on the CD didn't mention the Law of Attraction by name, but that's what they were talking about. You state an intention, you believe in it, you do it.
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
P.S. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, I recommend that you do. This book is really something!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
How to make readers delete your mail
How silly would that be? But from the looks of my mailbox, plenty of people are working hard at it.
One that stands out today says something like "Why Jerry hated my article." But guess what? When I scrolled down, I saw no mention of Jerry or an article. It was just a whole lot of short blurbs urging me to click and go to dozens of different places.
I deleted it. I'm not that curious about Jerry or her article.
I've said it before - nearly everyone has said it before - be sure your subject line is not only interesting enough to make people open your mail, but has some relevance to the message below it. Otherwise, people won't just delete this time - after you've done it to them a couple of times they'll automatically delete without bothering to look at what you have to say.
One of our most well-known copywriting gurus is doing that now - his headlines promise some information,but when you scroll down you find that you'll only get the information if you buy something. I don't even bother to look any more. I really should take the time to opt-out of his stuff, but the speed of my satellite connection leaves a lot to be desired, so I don't want to take the time.
So - if you offer something in your subject line, be sure your visitors find it quickly when they open your mail. Otherwise, you'll lose your credibility and the trust you work so hard to build.
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
One that stands out today says something like "Why Jerry hated my article." But guess what? When I scrolled down, I saw no mention of Jerry or an article. It was just a whole lot of short blurbs urging me to click and go to dozens of different places.
I deleted it. I'm not that curious about Jerry or her article.
I've said it before - nearly everyone has said it before - be sure your subject line is not only interesting enough to make people open your mail, but has some relevance to the message below it. Otherwise, people won't just delete this time - after you've done it to them a couple of times they'll automatically delete without bothering to look at what you have to say.
One of our most well-known copywriting gurus is doing that now - his headlines promise some information,but when you scroll down you find that you'll only get the information if you buy something. I don't even bother to look any more. I really should take the time to opt-out of his stuff, but the speed of my satellite connection leaves a lot to be desired, so I don't want to take the time.
So - if you offer something in your subject line, be sure your visitors find it quickly when they open your mail. Otherwise, you'll lose your credibility and the trust you work so hard to build.
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Public speaking won't kill you - even if you think it will
This past week I helped the owner of a moving company in San Francisco put together a speech to give to a group of Realtors. He was, of course, terrified of getting in front of the group, but he did it anyway, because he'd like to earn their referral business. And you can too!
No matter what you're doing for a living, you have some expertise that others don't have, and you can share it with a group of individuals who care. This is effective marketing at only the cost of gas to get there - or the cost of a copywriter if you can't decide how to say what you want to say.
Who can do this? Anyone. Who can you talk to? Any group that has meetings.
For instance, if you're lender expert in reverse mortgages you could speak to the Senior Citizens group and let them know the pros and cons. If you sell insurance you could speak to this same group about the various and confusing Medicare plans.
If you're a Realtor you could talk to the Chamber of Commerce. Just fill them in on how the market is affecting real estate sales in your city, if more people are moving out than in, if people are still searching for commercial property in your vicinity, etc. These folks have heard plenty of rumors, so go tell them how things really are.
With the Chamber, you can give a short talk introducing any kind of services - because business people do like to know about other businesses in town.
If you're a farrier you could talk to the local 4-H Horse clubs about proper care of their horses' feet.
If you're a tutor you could talk to a parent-teacher group.
If you sell fund-raising materials you could talk to local service groups - and tell them the results of any studies you have about which promotional materials result in the most future sales.
If you're a leather crafter, go talk to the local gun club and show them how to choose the perfect holster (that you can create.)
Think about what you do, who your target market is, and then look for a group of people who meet regularly and would welcome expert information about their topic of interest.
You don't have to talk for an hour - in fact, they'll be glad if your talk is brief and to the point.
Be sure to prepare a little hand-out material. You can give your audience a brochure, coupons for $ off future service, or an informational piece with your name clearly displayed. And be sure to attach your business card. Make sure your photo and your web address are on one or more pieces that you hand out - so people will instantly remember who you are when they look at your materials later.
You really can do it - just prepare ahead of time so you know what you're going to say. You can take along your notes so you don't miss an important point, but try not to just read your speech.
Remember that this is a group who is interested in what you have to say - it's not anything at all like when I was a student teacher and had to get up in front of a class of kids who wished I'd just go away.
They won't expect you to be perfect - only real. So get out there and promote yourself!
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
No matter what you're doing for a living, you have some expertise that others don't have, and you can share it with a group of individuals who care. This is effective marketing at only the cost of gas to get there - or the cost of a copywriter if you can't decide how to say what you want to say.
Who can do this? Anyone. Who can you talk to? Any group that has meetings.
For instance, if you're lender expert in reverse mortgages you could speak to the Senior Citizens group and let them know the pros and cons. If you sell insurance you could speak to this same group about the various and confusing Medicare plans.
If you're a Realtor you could talk to the Chamber of Commerce. Just fill them in on how the market is affecting real estate sales in your city, if more people are moving out than in, if people are still searching for commercial property in your vicinity, etc. These folks have heard plenty of rumors, so go tell them how things really are.
With the Chamber, you can give a short talk introducing any kind of services - because business people do like to know about other businesses in town.
If you're a farrier you could talk to the local 4-H Horse clubs about proper care of their horses' feet.
If you're a tutor you could talk to a parent-teacher group.
If you sell fund-raising materials you could talk to local service groups - and tell them the results of any studies you have about which promotional materials result in the most future sales.
If you're a leather crafter, go talk to the local gun club and show them how to choose the perfect holster (that you can create.)
Think about what you do, who your target market is, and then look for a group of people who meet regularly and would welcome expert information about their topic of interest.
You don't have to talk for an hour - in fact, they'll be glad if your talk is brief and to the point.
Be sure to prepare a little hand-out material. You can give your audience a brochure, coupons for $ off future service, or an informational piece with your name clearly displayed. And be sure to attach your business card. Make sure your photo and your web address are on one or more pieces that you hand out - so people will instantly remember who you are when they look at your materials later.
You really can do it - just prepare ahead of time so you know what you're going to say. You can take along your notes so you don't miss an important point, but try not to just read your speech.
Remember that this is a group who is interested in what you have to say - it's not anything at all like when I was a student teacher and had to get up in front of a class of kids who wished I'd just go away.
They won't expect you to be perfect - only real. So get out there and promote yourself!
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
Monday, August 25, 2008
What if your marketing budget is small?
Look around - you'll find a ton of places where you can market for free - or almost for free. Start with Craig's list and search for more. Do this for both your services and your listings. Remember, the internet is a powerful tool - the place where over 80% of all home buyers begin their search. Make use of this power.
Remember also to market at the end of every email you send, so that no one can forget what you do.
In my ebook, Getting Clients, I outline many methods of low-cost yet effective marketing techniques. One of the first is wise use of business cards. They're so inexpensive that you could actually have different cards for different niches.
Try adding a tag line such as "Making short sales simple." Be sure to include your URL - to direct people to your site, where they can learn more about how you'll help them.
If you're strapped for cash starting out, go to Vista Print and get their free business cards.
The real challenge is in deciding how you'll present yourself, and making sure that everything you do shows the benefit you'll bring to your customers and clients. Your tag line needs to be short and attention-getting. So the first step is deciding what you're trying to accomplish, and then distilling the message down to a few words.
Now is not the time for "Me too" or "I'm here" marketing - it's the time to separate yourself from the crowd and show people how you can help solve their specific problems.
About those business cards - hand them to everyone! Hand them to people you've handed them to before, and if they ask why, tell the truth: "I hope you'll give this one to someone you know who needs my help."
Do you see a theme in what I've said? The more you focus on how you'll help people, the more business you'll have.
Above all, remember that the Law of Attraction is at work - so focus on what you want, expect to get it, and start each day with positive confidence!
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
Remember also to market at the end of every email you send, so that no one can forget what you do.
In my ebook, Getting Clients, I outline many methods of low-cost yet effective marketing techniques. One of the first is wise use of business cards. They're so inexpensive that you could actually have different cards for different niches.
Try adding a tag line such as "Making short sales simple." Be sure to include your URL - to direct people to your site, where they can learn more about how you'll help them.
If you're strapped for cash starting out, go to Vista Print and get their free business cards.
The real challenge is in deciding how you'll present yourself, and making sure that everything you do shows the benefit you'll bring to your customers and clients. Your tag line needs to be short and attention-getting. So the first step is deciding what you're trying to accomplish, and then distilling the message down to a few words.
Now is not the time for "Me too" or "I'm here" marketing - it's the time to separate yourself from the crowd and show people how you can help solve their specific problems.
About those business cards - hand them to everyone! Hand them to people you've handed them to before, and if they ask why, tell the truth: "I hope you'll give this one to someone you know who needs my help."
Do you see a theme in what I've said? The more you focus on how you'll help people, the more business you'll have.
Above all, remember that the Law of Attraction is at work - so focus on what you want, expect to get it, and start each day with positive confidence!
Yours for prosperity,
Marte
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Profiting from the real estate downturn, part III
Sad to say, many Realtors and others who serve the real estate market will drop out over the next few months. They'll buy into the gloom and doom and stop trying.
We have to be honest here, and realize that a whole lot of agents who got in when the market was hot weren't really trying much then, either. Just being there gave them enough business to keep them in the game. During my 19 years in real estate I met dozens of them who gave little effort to sharpening their skills - either as an agent or in marketing themselves.
Their decision to drop out is good news for you! They really were just cluttering things up and making it harder for customers and clients to find you.
Now is the time to sharpen your expertise - about all the homes for sale in your niche, and especially about how to deal with selling repossessed properties. And now is the time to market yourself as an expert.
Since many of those homes are in a pre-foreclosure state, it's also the time to learn all you can about handling short-sales. They do require an extra dose of patience and persistence. They also call for your use of compassion and kindness, because those home sellers are in a state of unhappy turmoil.
For those who serve the market in other ways, you may have to shift your idea of who your customers will be - for instance, instead of marketing exclusively to home sellers, also market to the agents who handle REO properties.
But think about this: Those people who are not in financial trouble, but who need to sell and move during tight times, may need your services more than ever. We all know that a sparkling clean and properly staged and landscaped home will sell faster than homes that merely look "lived in."
Your task is to show home sellers the advantage you can give them over their competition.
So get out there and present yourself as the professional they need! And if you have a hard time developing your marketing plan, get in touch.
This really can be a time of prosperity...
Marte
We have to be honest here, and realize that a whole lot of agents who got in when the market was hot weren't really trying much then, either. Just being there gave them enough business to keep them in the game. During my 19 years in real estate I met dozens of them who gave little effort to sharpening their skills - either as an agent or in marketing themselves.
Their decision to drop out is good news for you! They really were just cluttering things up and making it harder for customers and clients to find you.
Now is the time to sharpen your expertise - about all the homes for sale in your niche, and especially about how to deal with selling repossessed properties. And now is the time to market yourself as an expert.
Since many of those homes are in a pre-foreclosure state, it's also the time to learn all you can about handling short-sales. They do require an extra dose of patience and persistence. They also call for your use of compassion and kindness, because those home sellers are in a state of unhappy turmoil.
For those who serve the market in other ways, you may have to shift your idea of who your customers will be - for instance, instead of marketing exclusively to home sellers, also market to the agents who handle REO properties.
But think about this: Those people who are not in financial trouble, but who need to sell and move during tight times, may need your services more than ever. We all know that a sparkling clean and properly staged and landscaped home will sell faster than homes that merely look "lived in."
Your task is to show home sellers the advantage you can give them over their competition.
So get out there and present yourself as the professional they need! And if you have a hard time developing your marketing plan, get in touch.
This really can be a time of prosperity...
Marte
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