Archive for the ‘Marketing/Lead Generation’ Category

Sometimes you may feel tempted to tell prospects what they want to hear, and make whatever promises to ”close a sale.”  

Nothing is more unattractive or harmful to your business or brand than hard sale tactics and sleezy marketing.

For long term sustainability it’s important to build a history of integrity and ethics. Establish a code of conduct that espouses your values, and let that code govern your actions with prospects and with others you contact in the marketplace.  By doing so, you will keep more of what you build and establish the know, like, and trust factor with your customers and clients. 

Not to mention you cut down on customer “churn,” and future sales get easier and easier over the life of your business. 

This entry was adopted by gosmallbiz.com.  Your business name should always have a great reputation.  Click here to learn how you can hire your very own team of experts to advise you on how to build a reputable business brand from start up to launch and beyond for less than $2 per day.

Writing an ad or a direct marketing piece involves using techniques that have been tried and proven effective: · Plan a beginning, a middle and an end. · Keep your sentences short. · Keep your paragraphs short. · Use verbs rather than nouns. · Use the first person. · Use effective punctuation.

This entry was adopted by gosmallbiz.com.   Click here to learn how you can hire your very own team of marketing consultants  for less than $2/day to provide more pointers on effective ad writing and marketing copy.

The number one rule of writing is to write material that others will want to read. The biggest mistake is using too many words. People want to read without effort. Use the fewest number of words that clearly explain your point. When you edit, strive to make it simpler.

This entry was adopted by gosmallbiz.com.  Click here to learn how you can hire your very own team of marketing consultants for less than $2/day to advise you on how to write better copy for your business.

New ideas are critical to the continued growth of a business. Regular brainstorming sessions and rewards for thinking “out of the box” provide the innovation that leads to new services, new channels, new campaigns, new techniques that yield better results, etc. Just because a dreamer comes up with a seemingly whiz-bang idea, however, doesn’t give cause for flying headfirst in that direction. The realist steps in with controlled testing, cost analysis, market demand information and the other proof of concept data that avoids horrendous mistakes. It’s a rare individual who can play both roles, so keep someone around who takes the opposite view. When you both agree, you can feel strongly about your chances for success.

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People like to think that they are buying a quality product. Your message must not focus on “Cheap”.   Do yourself a favor and don’t compete or price.  Someone can always come along a low ball your offer.  Instead focus on quality and value.  This way when the price is just right (yes do some research to see what the market will bear), you have a happy customer because they feel like the got a steal of a deal . This keeps them coming back for more and ultimately becoming your unpaid sales force.

Most products are sold subject to return. Consider delivering product for trial, with billing to follow. This tactic does three things:  instills trust, boost sales, and minimizes returns.  Make sure you deliver on your promise so that your return rate doesn’t exceed sales, even with a free trial period.

Your selling proposition should identify a need in the marketplace and respond to that need. It is critical that your response be focused, often within a small niche in the market. By staying focused, you will be able to consistently deliver on your promise. Consistent delivery on the promise will drive success.

I hear newbies saying, “Everyone is doing video in their business, I guess I’d better do it too!”  And yes, in many ways video can enhance your brand, get your name out there in a big way, and span your reach to ideal prospects.

Video provides an instant ability to connect authentically with your audience in a way that audio and written words can’t.  So should you use video — absolutely!  When used properly, it’s golden — a short cut to establishing the know, like and trust factor.  But when used improperly it can hurt your business and your brand.

Remember :  Be intentional in what you do…don’t create a video just to get one out there.  Have a strategy for how you will incorporate it into your business to reach results.

75 experts were asked for advice on how to make video work for their business.  Below are tips and strategies from experts across different industries.  Never be clueless about how to use video in your business again.

http://www.carolroth.com/unsolicited-business-advice/?p=5560

Check me out at  # 71.  Leave me a comment below. I want to know your thoughts.

Why scientific? Because scientists use the approach of: test – refine; test – refine; test – refine. This process goes on indefinitely and the result is the best possible formula. But that assumes you are willing to get your message out there in a big way. Are you holding back your marketing efforts based on fear of failure or lack of confidence? As the old saying goes, “Don’t knock it, before you try it!” In most cases, what’s done isn’t permanent. So get out there with your message and test what works and what doesn’t. This is the only way you will achieve maximum results.

Social proof or testimonials are critical to the sales process.  Often people may not believe you as the seller but they trust the feedback of others who have used your services or products.  Results based testimonials are the most impactful .  Ask your client(s) to tell a story about how you helped them achieve results.  It’s their “mess to success” story  or before and after story that can be the one thing that  prompts a prospective client to simply say YES to your service or products.  Be sure to include testimonials as part of the sales process without fail.

Use these three questions to tell the story:

1. What did you learn?

2. How did the service or product impact your life or business?

3. What you think of me as a _____________________ (put your title here: e.g. business success coach, wellness consultant, lifestyle trainer, etc)?