Even if you're not currently offering a lead magnet on your website, you've probably seen them before - a free report for opting into an email newsletter, a free music download for filling out a survey, and so on.
Some small business owners go to great lengths to offer dynamic lead magnets, ... Views: 976
Many entrepreneurs think the best marketing tactics cost a fortune and require budgets of thousands per month.
The truth is that any small business owner with any budget can implement the following 3 marketing tactics with hardly any financial investment.
The best part? These tactics are ... Views: 975
You click send, take a deep breath, cross your fingers, and mutter 'the email frequency prayer':
Please let me be sending this at the best possible time.
Please let people actually open it.
Please let people click on the links.
Please don't let my email frequency be too ... Views: 973
Clarity about what you want in your business is absolutely priceless. If you've ever been stopped dead in your tracks because you don't know what to do first or where to go, you can appreciate that. Knowing what you want to accomplish, even if you have no idea how to get there, is the first step ... Views: 967
Fear is a natural part of our emotional make up. It is even helpful at times. For without fear, we'd certainly walk into many unnecessary dangers. When it comes to being successful in your Virtual Assistance business, you may have many fears that hold you back from making the progress that you ... Views: 967
Since we launched the current version of the Smart Simple Marketing brand back in 2009, by far one of the most effective marketing strategies we've used has been our email newsletter.
We've sent it out every week since March 2010 and have never missed a single issue. Because of that, every ... Views: 966
You've likely heard me say, "marketing is simply a matter of sharing solutions with people who are already looking for them." To get the results you're looking for (more clients, more income, more visibility, etc.) you must also market consistently.
I understand that it can be overwhelming ... Views: 964
The term analysis paralysis is fitting when a person over-analyzes a situation to the point where a decision is avoided or action is not taken, thus paralyzing the outcome.
Success ALWAYS responds to decisive action. So even if an action you take leads to an outcome you didn't expect, it ... Views: 960
You might think that only large organizations host educational events.
But according to a recent study I read, more than 40 percent of small businesses hold events. Of those small business that hold events, seminars and classes account for the highest percentage of events held.
What's the ... Views: 959
Joseph Ghabi once said: "Your life will begin changing the moment you decide that you want it to."
I've found that the same is true for growing your business. If you want to see different results than what you've seen in the past, you must make a heartfelt decision to do things differently. ... Views: 958
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." ~ Mark Twain
What makes you different?
One thing that makes humans amazing is that there are not (and never have been) two people that are exactly alike. Try matching your fingerprints or dental ... Views: 957
How many times have you checked your email inbox today? How many times throughout the day do you check for new messages? The answer to these questions is likely more often than you'd like to admit. The good news is, though... you're not alone! Most of the prospective clients and customers you ... Views: 956
Do you find that your marketing efforts are haphazard and all over the place? If so, you're not alone. Consistency is the one area where entrepreneurs often have the most trouble. It's an area to give careful attention though, because in order to grow your business and your income, you need to ... Views: 956
There's nothing small about the revenue potential of year-end (or holiday) season when it comes to small businesses.
It's the time of year when your ideal clients are spending big, and - if you've got the right plan in place - primed and ready to spend with you.
As the season approaches, ... Views: 956
When your website is set up correctly, and focused just right on your ideal clients, it can be a 24/7 sales and marketing tool for your business. Unfortunately, far too many small business owners are missing out on important keys that can make or break their businesses. Don't be one of them! ... Views: 955
When you're a service professional, you are only paid for the time you spend on client projects. Therefore, maximizing your work time is key to the profitability of your company. So, when you run your solo business from home, it's important to create a productive work environment where you ... Views: 954
Don't you love it when you receive a compliment?
You likely feel validated, intelligent, successful and helpful.
Don't you also feel more confident? Especially when the compliment has to do with your work and your business?
Of course you do!
Even better, don't you LOVE it when you ... Views: 951
You've heard me say it before. Marketing is simply a matter of sharing solutions with people who are already looking for them. So, the point of your marketing messages is to encourage your prospective clients to take the next step with you: hire you to help them solve their problems.
But if ... Views: 945
Your customers have specific needs, needs that you're working hard to fulfill and over-deliver with practical solutions.
The #1 rule of small business is that you can't be all things to all people. Sometimes your customers need things your business can't provide. When that happens, ... Views: 945
You see the need to stay in touch with your clients, prospects and supporters. You likely have great intentions of doing so.
But for some reason, getting your newsletter out the door consistently just isn't happening. You might be time crunched (but who isn't), don't have a clue what to write ... Views: 945
In order to grow your business and achieve your goals, you have to streamline your activities and focus your efforts. What does this look like on a practical level?
Learn to Say "No."
It means that you're going to have to say "no" to any nonessential activities in your business, in your ... Views: 945
Referrals are the lifeblood of your business. You need a consistent flow of referrals from your existing clients to achieve your weekly sales goals. A well designed referral program taps into your clients' networks rather than relying on you to make one-on-one connections.
Don't be one of ... Views: 942
Most of us went into business for ourselves in part because we wanted to be our own boss.
We wanted to call all the shots, choose how much or how little we worked and to have control over our income.
This sounds GREAT in theory, but if you aren't careful you can easily create a monster of ... Views: 939
Marketing your business serves ONE key purpose: creating awareness for the work you do and attracting ideal prospects who are looking for what you offer. With the dizzying array of marketing strategies available to you, it's easy to think you have to do 92 different things to get results. Such ... Views: 932
I just joined the Apple family by getting my first iPhone a couple of months ago! I've been having so much fun with all the cool features and completely understand why when you go Mac, you never go back!
If you are a new user like me or considering getting an iPhone, I wanted to share a few ... Views: 931
The world of technology is bold, beautiful and downright fancy. We have entered an age of doing almost everything at the push of a button or at the click of a mouse (or track pad you Mac lovers). One of the dangers of technology is that it may be adversely affecting our ability to focus, share ... Views: 929
A solid referral campaign is the most powerful - and least expensive - marketing tool you have at your disposal. An analysis of 500 salons showed that less than 3% have a defined referral program yet 80% of salon owners say they get most of their clients by referral.
Join the minority! Use ... Views: 925
Email marketing is, by far, the most cost effective online marketing strategy around. A recent statistic I read shared that for every $1 spent, $44.25 is the average return on email marketing investment. (Source: Experian)
To utilize email marketing, however, of course you must have a list of ... Views: 923
Content marketing has been the industry's hottest buzz phrase for the past several years, but what does "content marketing" really mean?
In short, it refers to the creation and distribution of great content that is either written, visual, or audio. Sharing your brand's message via content ... Views: 922
Skype is open. Instant message programs are pinging. Your unread email count is rising. Your browser has 8 tabs open. There are 5 documents open on your desktop. Your calendar alerts are popping up and you stop to send a quick text. Sound familiar? You probably think you're being efficient, but ... Views: 918
You may have noticed that some emails you receive from top marketing gurus are three or four sentences tops. Other emails contain paragraph after paragraph of long, scrolling copy that seems to go on forever.
Some small business owners swear by "the scroll," while others insist that short and ... Views: 918
Ka-boom! You've just had a brilliant idea for a new product. You rush to get all your ideas down on paper, shell out thousands to your web designer, and start building a new business that you're sure is going to change lives (not to mention make you a millionaire!)
Six months later no one's ... Views: 915
Can you relate to this: "How do I train myself to be able to focus like a laser and do things in a step-by-step process that makes sense?"
This is an excellent question because left UN-checked; this habit will create a never-ending cycle of wasted time, wasted effort and unfinished projects ... Views: 913
You need to have strong email marketing systems in place in order to effectively monetize your email list. Why? Because sending out email marketing without having systems in place is like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see if it sticks.
Without systems, your email:
-Might get opened, ... Views: 913
Entrepreneurs are great at coming up with ideas! But we're not always very good at following through and turning our ideas into reality. Too many business owners fall in love with an idea or project, but then quickly become overwhelmed when it's time to execute. Thus they give up and never reap ... Views: 913
Procrastination and distraction instantly derail your efforts to grow your business and achieve your goals. Follow these five steps to banish distraction and work more efficiently:
Step 1 - Get honest with yourself.
This step is hard for most people. It can be difficult to admit that ... Views: 908
Getting a straight answer when it comes to email marketing can feel like to trying to solicit tax advice from a four year-old. How the heck are you supposed to know who's wrong, who's right, what works, and what doesn't when it comes to your email marketing?
If you take a quick look online, ... Views: 906
It's clear that content marketing is the cheapest, most effective form of marketing that consistently creates results (aka dollars) for your business.
The next step for you as a busy entrepreneur is to find a way to consistently create the content you need to engage, educate and connect with ... Views: 905
According to HubSpot in 2010, 45% of all Americans are aware of podcasting, while 23% of Americans listen to podcasts. This has increased from 11% in 2006. It is also estimated that 70 million people have listened to or viewed a podcast.
So there's a high likelihood that a fair number of your ... Views: 899
For many entrepreneurs and small business owners, email marketing remains something of a mystery. You know you're supposed to be emailing your list, but when? How often? And what about?
Choosing a great email program takes a lot of the guess-work out of email marketing, because you can ... Views: 892
There is a fundamental truth about construction. Any building that is constructed has a better chance at lasting on bedrock than on sand. That is a guarantee!
This is why it is so important that your business has a solid foundation. How can you make sure that this is the case with your ... Views: 889
Let's face it. Most folks go to a networking event hoping to close new business. Is that the case with you?
If so, then you need a plan to make this happen. Simply showing up and collecting a few business cards, is NOT going to create new money in your business.
First, you need to research ... Views: 888
"Old-school" business marketing ideas can still help you greatly in your quest to bring in more ideal clients to your business. In today's post, learn about 3 ways you increase business.
Most entrepreneurs who do not currently have enough clients in their business are facing that challenge ... Views: 886
Developing high quality content is a critical component to being successful with your marketing efforts.
At the very least you need to decide what to say on your business card and on your website. If you decide to blog you've got to figure out what to write there, and participating in social ... Views: 885
A webinar is one of the most involved – and most rewarding – arrows in your marketing quiver. Because webinars include a lot of moving parts like opt-in pages, social integration, audio/visual components, and slide shows, it’s no wonder that many small business owners commit these 7 common ... Views: 880
If you’ve never created a webinar before, the thought of webinar marketing can be really intimidating. You’re probably wondering...
• How will I work out the technical aspects of holding a webinar?
• How do I give people access to the webinar?
• What platform should I use for hosting the ... Views: 873
Unfortunately being a fabulous interior designer, virtual assistant, financial planner or whatever profession you happen to be doesn't make you an automatic marketing expert. (Wouldn't it be great if it did?)
So as you strive to be of service to those who need you and generate an income to ... Views: 871
You craft an awesome email blast. Your subject line couldn't be better. You click send. And then you check your email stats. With all of those numbers and percentages, where should you even begin?
If you log in to the back end of your email program, whether it's Aweber or Constant Contact or ... Views: 870
Why do some of your emails get high open rates, while others sit in people's inboxes collecting dust? If your open rates and click-through rates are inconsistent, it could be because you're not following a strategic email blueprint.
This article will outline the specific elements that should ... Views: 869
How many times have you attended a networking event, had a number of great conversations with ideal prospects, collected a bunch of business cards and never followed up?
Perhaps more times than you'd care to admit.
The bad news: You likely missed out on a number of key opportunities to ... Views: 868