2 Great Examples

I’ve been on a rant this week about storytelling in marketing.  I happen to think it’s just that important.  If you want to stand out in a noisy marketplace the best way to do it is by being yourself.  But in case you would like a concrete example of someone who does this storytelling thing well, you’re in luck.  And I have overdelivered.  You get two awesome examples.  Just let me note that references to these individuals is purely coincidental.  I’m not getting paid, not getting famous, and not funding my daughter’s college education here.  Just sharing two great examples for your learning, listening, and implementing pleasure.

Click here to listen ==> 2 Great Examples

4 Ways to Save Your Monday Morning

It’s Monday morning and you have a lot of work to do.  When you don’t get a productive start to your morning, it’s hard to pick up momentum throughout the day.  From overflowing inboxes to voicemail boxes that can’t accept any more messages, it’s no wonder people dread Monday mornings.

Fortunately, there are ways to get started on the right foot to get the most out of your day.  The four options below don’t cost a penny, but they do require you to take control of your day (instead of letting others control it for you).  So read up (or down, as it were)!

[Read more...]

How To: Get More Bang for Your Marketing Buck Without Spending a Dime

Marketing can get expensive very quickly.  Unless you have exceptionally deep pockets, I am going to assume you’d like to invest your marketing dollars where they’ll get you the most bang for your buck.  The trick is to ask the right questions and gather the right information each and every time you speak with a prospect or garner a new client.  To do that you need a marketing log. 

Marketing logs are excellent, low-cost/no-cost tools for gathering information about the people you meet.  Documenting your first contact, getting a name, tracking the time until they make a purchase, and finding out how they heard about you are pieces of information you can use in your decision-making processes.  Below is an example of a marketing log you can use in your organization. [Read more...]

How to Drive Traffic to Your Site

If only traffic to a website were like moths to a flame.  It is the elusive goal for so many business owners.  There are myriad resources to drive traffic to your site.  And yes, size really does matter in this case.  If you want a robust online presence, you need a large audience to work from.  Only a few will be loyal in the end.  Others will be casual, and even more will stray.  You have to make the most of your site for the few who stick around.  In spite of all the social media tools out there, a solid website is still king.  So, what does it take to accomplish this?  There are always meta tags, keywords, and linking to and from sites.  But there are a few more tactics you can utilize on your own to build a presence that resonates with others whether they know you personally or only feel they do. [Read more...]

When Goals Hold You Back (And What to Do About It)

A lot is said about setting goals.  There are entire books on the topic, countless quotes, and self-help programs designed to help you stay the course.  In spite of the resources available, meeting goals is still a huge challenge.  Why?  Most people quit too soon.  And not always because they lose confidence or the drive to do it.  Often they don’t know where to start.  [Read more...]

How to Work Smart Instead of Hard

Do you ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels?  You are constantly doing “stuff” but see few results.  Your life is just a routine of pleasing others, reacting to your environment, and feeling out of control or disconnected.  If this sounds like you, then a reassessment is in order.  Being busy isn’t the goal of a successful small business owner.  Working smart is.  There is no award for the most calls placed or highest number of emails received.  There is glory in achieving goals and working effectively with the time and tools available.  If you aren’t sure whether you are working hard or smart, below are a few examples to differentiate between the two. [Read more...]

67 Ways to Get Your Name Out There Without Breaking Your Bank

Unless you have a rich uncle or a money tree in your backyard, I’m guessing you have to budget for your marketing just like you budget for shoes and chocolate.  Or maybe not.  But in reality, it’s a pretty smart move to get a general idea of what you want to spend (or can afford) on your marketing. 

Not all marketing ideas have to break the bank.  And there’s no need to lose your shirt in the process (unless you want to show off the incredible abs you’ve been working on for the last 6 months, in which case I’ll stalk you to learn your secrets). 

Bottom line:  below are 67 ways to get your name out there without having to spend a fortune. [Read more...]

5-Point Checklist to Move Your Marketing Ideas to Action

Have the same to-dos been on your list for weeks or even months?  Do you have ideas swirl in your head but never get them written down?  Perhaps you’ve looked back on old ideas and realized you forgot to implement them.  If this sounds familiar then read on.  Below is a checklist to help you move your marketing ideas to action, freeing up a little mental space in the process. [Read more...]

Holiday Tips: 9 Things to Do When Business is Slow

I’ve owned a business long enough to experience super-busy times and lulls.  I’ve had both during the holidays.  And I have to say that although getting new business is always fun and exciting (and necessary, according to my mortgage company), I have learned to embrace the lull that can come during the holidays. 

Granted, retailers need to be busy now in order to make their profit for the year.  But, if your business can survive a few weeks of small, unobtrusive projects, why not enjoy it?  Below are 9 ways to make the most of a business slowdown during the holidays.

[Read more...]

5 Steps to Follow When Clients Don’t Pay

Wednesday’s post focused on setting the groundwork for getting paid on time.  Totally helpful unless you already have clients who aren’t paying you.  Sound familiar?  Read on. [Read more...]