Saturday, October 30, 2010

Groupon Merchants Telling a Different Story - Website Magazine - Website Magazine

Groupon Merchants Telling a Different Story - Website Magazine - Website Magazine: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

I have heard similar stories from clients here in the Twin Cities. This is a case showing the danger of discounting and especially discounting to try and make someone purchase outside their normal buying cycle. You should not give them an "incentive" to buy from you, at least until you can communicate your value.
It is much more profitable to give someone an incentive on an up-sell, longer commitment, or referral.

Advertising HAS to be profitable, period. Step one is to be in front of ready-to-buy-now customers

Principles of Design - Website Magazine - Website Magazine

Principles of Design - Website Magazine - Website Magazine: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Creative vs Directional Advertising: What first and Why?

Both Creative and Directional advertising are important to the successful marketing and sales effort of any business or organization. Generally, with creative (TV, Radio,Newspaper, Billboard) you are "creating" the need by selling yourself. You need to have a strong, compelling, time-sensitive offer, and persuade customers to buy now rather than later or not at all. With directional (Search Engine Marketing,Internet Yellow Pages, print and online directories, Pay-per-click, Pay-per-action, direct response) you are "directing" an existing need by helping customers buy. You need to be found, then chosen.
I am firmly convinced that step one to any successful marketing platform is a strong directional advertising foundation. Before you need to worry about persuading or enticing a prospect to buy, you absolutely need to be able to allow prospects who are ready to buy right now...buy from you now. You need to be found, then chosen. You get found by where you are, you get chosen by what you say. The great part is that the very info you use to describe yourself (your uniqueness, what you do, how you do it and even why you do it) will automatically direct prospects who value and appreciate your approach, who "get you" to respond. It will probably also screen out those who don't think like you, but that's OK. You don't need everyone. The prospects who respond because they appreciate what you do and how you do it will spend more money, more often and be more enjoyable to work with over their lifetime value as a customer. They will also become more then just referral points, they will be advocates for you and your business.
Once you have that rock-solid foundation of directing ready-to-buy customers, THEN any creative advertising will be more efficient because the prospects whom you can't incentivize to act now, will hopefully at least, now have your name in their brain. When they have a need, your directional advertising can help convert them into customers
Here's a list I found regarding creative advertising and the number of times and advertisement is seen by a prospect:
1. The first time a man looks at an advertisement, he does not see it.
2. The second time, he does not notice it.
3. The third time, he is conscious of its existence.
4. The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it before.
5. The fifth time, he reads it.
6. The sixth time, he turns up his nose at it.
7. The seventh time, he reads it through and says, “Oh brother!”
8. The eighth time, he says, “Here’s that confounded thing again!”
9. The ninth time, he wonders if it amounts to anything.
10. The tenth time, he asks his neighbor if he has tried it.
11. The eleventh time, he wonders how the advertiser makes it pay.
12. The twelfth time, he thinks it must be a good thing.
13. The thirteenth time, he thinks perhaps it might be worth something.
14. The fourteenth time, he remembers wanting such a thing a long time.
15. The fifteenth time, he is tantalized because he cannot afford to buy it.
16. The sixteenth time, he thinks he will buy it some day.
17. The seventeenth time, he makes a memorandum to buy it.
18. The eighteenth time, he swears at his poverty.
19. The nineteenth time, he counts his money carefully.
20. The twentieth time he sees the ad, he buys what it is offering.
Thomas Smith, London, l885

Yes, from 1885! Creative works and can work BIG, especially with a good directional foundation

Friday, August 20, 2010

Inspirational Video - The Don't Quit Poem



It's not the number of times you get knocked down, but the number of times you get back up that count

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Achieving your goals from Brian Tracy-- Brian Tracy Success

Achieving your goals from Brian Tracy-- Brian Tracy Success: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

http://www.btisuccess.com/TBM/?p=10

Subject: VIDEO: Goal Setting by Brian Tracy
Hey,

Brian's people just uploaded another video about setting goals.
If you are like me, you know goal setting is important, but need
a clear process for picking and setting goals. Brian spells it out
for us in this great little video. You will like this one.

Here is the link:

http://www.btisuccess.com/TBM/?p=10

Thanks,

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Online Video Engagement is Higher on Mobile Devices - Website Magazine - Website Magazine

Online Video Engagement is Higher on Mobile Devices - Website Magazine - Website Magazine: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Positioning as an Authority for Marketing Success

Positioning as an Authority for Marketing Success
Online users are searching the Internet for information, products, and services every minute of every day. With the intense competition and wealth of information available on the Internet, people do not want to spend their time visiting a site that they do not believe is high quality, credible, and worthy of their time. They’ll allow you 8 seconds to grab their attention and that starts the beginning of a relationship – or breaks it.
Proven marketing tactics become increasingly valuable today with the increased competition and skepticism of many web users. If visitors do not perceive a site is high integrity, they quickly click their heels and scamper to another website because they know there are many more.
But people who believe your site has something valuable to offer and that is highly credible will stay around long enough to learn more. They’ll search your content for more information and as they become more intrigued by the content they begin to trust you and what you have to say. If you’ve deployed a marketing tactic that establishes your credibility, you are ahead of the race.
Think about your own buying patterns. If you do not believe you can trust a business, you are most likely to avoid stopping by to browse the products. It doesn’t matter if the business is offline or online. You want to know that you are talking to an expert in the niche.
And that’s how online web users feel too.
There are too many credible resources for them to waste their time on a site that does not meet their expectations of quality and credibility.
So, exactly how do you increase your credibility and attract a wider audience?
First of all, you must position yourself as an authority and as someone who truly understands what the customer needs. You must quickly develop a sense of authority by including valuable information, data, statistics, and compelling content on your website. It’s not just about the product you have to offer, but it’s about your own ability to respond to their needs and questions.
And it’s about your personal experience with the particular niche.
Having credentials related to a particular field can go a long way towards increasing credibility.
But so can experience and connections through a network of similar experts. Many marketers fear the mention of other experts in their field because they assume they will lose business to them. But people appreciate a marketer who is confident enough to talk about others who offer solutions. It actually increases your credibility and helps build a sense of loyalty.
When people know they can come to you for answers and that you will also redirect them to other credible resources, they are most likely to see you as a partner. Having relevant links to reputable websites that also offers information and solutions on a particular niche actually increases your credibility as an expert in the field.
In today’s world of technology, people have a vast array of resources available to them through the Internet. They don’t have to settle for one product or service anymore. They have freedom and flexibility to shop around and if they do not believe your site or products are credible, they will do exactly that.
Before you lose another customer to the click of a mouse, check your own content and information to see if it exudes confidence and credibility. If not, it’s time for an over-haul of marketing tactics that position you as an expert in the field.
Marketing tactics that include positioning yourself as an authority are more likely to land you at the finish line as the winner.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

DYR Promo Video

DYR Promo Video

Design Your Recognition

Design Your Recognition: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
About Design Your Recognition
Innovation is everywhere. It's not limited to Apple, Steve Jobs and businesses launched by twenty-somethings from dorm rooms. Sometimes it comes in well-established categories, like when a plastics salesperson named Howard Schultz had a vision for a coffeehouse that would change the way that Americans buy coffee forever. It also created a $20 billion dollar company in Starbucks.

Over the last 25 years, the founders of Design Your Recognition have repeatedly identified well-established industries and product categories ready for change and built successful businesses around them.

In 1999, they founded PaperDirect, Inc. by injecting their brand of innovation into the paper business.

By leveraging the growth of home laser printers and strategic alliances with HP, Apple and Microsoft, the amassed over 1 million customers and built a $100 million specialty paper business.

The big idea for their next business came from a small place.

Seeking inspiration for a gourmet popcorn business, they traveled to Popcorn, Indiana, a tiny farming community near Bloomington.

Invigorated by the image of a pure and simple town dedicated to corn, they founded Dale & Thomas and Popcorn, Indiana in 2004.

By reinventing the stale, ready-to-eat popcorn category, Popcorn, Indiana quickly became the first national, premium kettle-cooked popcorn brand.

Today, Dale & Thomas and Popcorn, Indiana products are sold in over 150,000 retail locations today.

Design Your Recognition is a great illustration that need is often the mother of invention. While putting together an annual charity basketball tournament, one of Design Your Recognition's founders spent the better part of a week procuring personalized awards for the winning teams. Design Your Recognition was inspired by his frustrating experience. Then that same year, the founder asked his assistant to purchase ten plaques for the annual company dinner. To say the least, the assistant wasted a lot of time going back and forth with the company's promotional product company.

Today, though a significant investment in people, technology, creativity and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, Design Your Recognition is changing the way the recognition products are merchandised, created and sold.

Once limited to the province of the local awards shop, buying recognition products could be a challenging.

Not only does Design Your Recognition make it super easy, it makes products that are both meaningful and relevant, making them more appreciated by the person being recognized. The founders often refer to the products produced by Design Your Recognition as "Recognition Art".
Copyright © 2010

Monday, June 7, 2010

The case for Relationship Marketing and Selling

9 Tactics to Create Strong Customer Relationships-
There is ONE absolute in the world of marketing. No matter if it is in traditional, web or social media. There is NO SUBSTITUTE for taking care of your customers. Your goal should not be to satisfy your customers, but to AMAZE them. If you do that one thing exceptionally well, every other marketing, sales, or promotional activity will yield efficient and effective results. Offline or Online users are always searching for something of value to them. Whether it’s information, products, or services, they are looking for an answer to a question or a problem. Online marketing tactics are especially important with the increase in competition across the world wide web.
One of the most important aspects of building any business is to create a business that values and appreciates customers and potential customers. This means marketing tactics that build a strong, trusting relationship with customers are important. Building trust starts with the first encounter with your receptionist, greeter and website and continues with every single subsequent interaction.
According to Nobel Prize-winning scientist Daniel Kahneman, we experience approximately 20,000 moments each and every day. A moment is the few seconds it takes for the brain to evaluate and record an experience. These experiences can be either positive or negative and your website, headlines, content, or responses can make a huge difference in how people record the experience – and their reaction also determines what people do next.
When people visit your web site, they quickly scan the headline to see if they want to read more. They continue reading if they are engaged and intrigued and they want to learn more about what you have to say. This is a great place to start building a relationship with customers. Be sure that you say what you have to offer and do not make false promises or you’ll lose customers quickly.
It’s important to build this connection with customers and website visitors to gain their commitment and loyalty. They will also become tremendous assets as their trust grows and they promote and advertise your website to their friends, colleagues, and social network.
Relationship marketing is a valuable marketing tactic for online entrepreneurs. It has been an important part of sales in the off-line world for decades and now it has found its way to the Internet.
But building a relationship online is different than having a face-to-face discussion and opportunity to persuade potential customers to make a purchase.
Some of the most effective tips and methods deployed to begin building a positive relationship include:
1. Make every customer interaction count.
2. Follow-through on commitments and claims about products or services.
3. Offer benefits and product value that responds to the customer’s desires.
4. Treat customers as individuals who are respected and valued.
5. Listen to customers – even complaints can be a gift if handled properly and quickly.
6. Be available and accessible when customers have questions, concerns, or comments.
7. Surround your customers with valuable information by using emails, website content, social media, and other methods of outreach – but do not be invasive.
8. Make your website user-friendly and easy to navigate for new and existing customers.
9. Create a blog about your business where discussion is more casual and inviting.
Relationship-marketing is not just a fad. It’s here to stay and people want to know that they are valued and appreciated as an individual. Creating long-lasting relationships helps to ensure long-lasting customers and repeat sales. It also encourages existing customers to refer their colleagues, friends, and others to your website.
Don’t take a single customer for granted. Each and every interaction with a customer is a gift and should be valued. If it weren’t already a great “life principal”, treating people well and respecting them would be the best thing you could invent to do, to ensure marketing and sales results

Sunday, May 30, 2010

An Introduction to Keyword Research

An Introduction to Keyword Research.

If you’re reading this article, then you probably already know you want to set up your own online business. But it can be difficult (and a little overwhelming) to know where to start. In fact, once you start doing your own research on where to begin, you may come across advice that could seem contradictory.

The fact that there is so much advice out there (some of which is sometimes contradictory) shouldn’t be surprising. Keyword research is as much an art as it is a science, and the Internet search engines that use keywords have very complicated (and proprietary) processes for determining which web pages show up in search results, and in which orders.

Although some of the inner workings of search engines are not made public (which leads to a number of different “experts” claiming that they have discovered the secrets), it’s generally accepted that one of the immutable truths for search engine success is the importance of keyword research. And despite the cacophony of viewpoints, keyword research, and the entire keyword optimization process, is a skill (or ability, depending on how you look at it) that anyone can learn.

Key Components of Keyword Research

Keyword research is ultimately designed to help you find highly targeted traffic, position yourself well in search engine results, and find a niche market that you can build your business around. Key components of keyword research include understanding:

* The definition of keywords and keyword phrases in the context of Internet search engines
* How Internet search engines use keyword phrases to provide the search results to their users
* The concept of “targeted visitors”, and how this is an essential part of your keyword research process
* Finding a niche market to focus your keyword research efforts
* The concept of competition for search engine traffic
* The various tools that you can use to perform quick, accurate, and generally free research
* Promoting your business and website by using the basic keyword concepts

Keyword research means your prospects will be able to find you when they’re searching for your valuable information. The search engines will position you in the top pages of their results. Your competition will be sidestepped, and eventually shoved aside, and you’ll be able to build a profitable business from the get go instead of struggling, throwing the metaphorical spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, and losing money along the way.

Keyword research, when conducted with a specific strategy, can lead you to a online business that sells. It doesn’t matter what your business model is, what you’re marketing or who your audience is, you and your business will profit when you integrate keyword research into your business building strategy from day one.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

A “KISS” for Profits and Cash Flow

A “KISS” for Profits and Cash Flow
Simple Marketing Tactics that Drive Sales

The “K.I.S.S.” method has been a tried and true rule forever in many areas in life and business. For this article, The KISS method stands for: Keep It Simple for Sales!
Marketing tactics can be extremely complex or quite simple. Ironically, the simple tactics are the ones that are most effective and successful. Value-added headlines, informative content, and visual appeal are simple tactics that can drive conversions and sales.
For example, one simple tactic is to make it quick and easy for web visitors and customers to view information on your website. Allowing adequate white space, creating short sentences, and keeping enough space between words, sentences, and paragraphs will make your site more appealing.
In addition, the strategic use of keywords and keyword phrases will attract search engines and keep site visitors scanning your content. Words that demonstrate how your product adds value will capture attention and focus the reader on “what’s in it for them”.
And these are also valuable search engine optimization techniques that will drive visitors to your website.
Simple marketing tactics
A very important tactic is to make everything simple. Some recommended options include:
1. Bulleted or numbered lists (like this one)
2. Use of bold to highlight keywords or important benefits (use sparingly to ensure emphasis without over-use)
3. Subheadings to create a logical flow and to break large blocks of content
4. Titles and subheadings in ‘sentence case’ since capitalizing most words tends to break attention span and create confusion
5. Graphics or pictures that are clearly relevant to the product and that showcase benefits and value
6. Highlighting unique information, benefits and value by using ‘call out boxes’, ‘pull quotes’ and other design elements
7. Since people tend to scan web pages rather than read them, snippets or short phrases with important information become vital for website content. People need to get the message quickly without having to think hard about what is being presented. Making sentences overly long or complex tends to be a distraction and you’ll lose the site visitor’s attention quickly.
These are just some of the recommended options when creating website content.
Not only is it important to integrate many of the basic and advanced marketing tactics into your marketing plan, it is also vital to include methods of testing their effectiveness. Watching and monitoring statistics that indicate how long visitors remain on your pages, among other measures of success, will help you refine marketing tactics and improve your marketing strategy.
Once you deploy some of the more advanced marketing tactics that are proven effective you will begin to see conversions increase quickly. And increased conversion rates lead to higher sales and repeat business.
Advanced marketing tactics include options such as the use of powerful copy that attracts readers, inclusion of questions that help you lead customers toward sales, and using authority positioning to increase site integrity and credibility.
If you’re searching for ways to grow your business, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to evaluate marketing tactics that will put you on the super-highway to success. Evaluate what others have already tested and proven successful. Create the winning formula for your website and enjoy the success that comes from hard work and vision.

How to Improve your ranking from MerchantCircle

MerchantCircle.com | MerchantCircle Journal Newsletters

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

5 steps to more-relevant marketing - iMediaConnection.com

"EXACTLY! The perfect opt-in, permission-based platform targeting ONLY ready-to-buy, active consumers with near-predictable ROI especially for local businesses....??? Got a guess? Wanna know the answer?"
Customers are demanding precision marketing. Follow these guidelines to ensure your message resonates, rather than repulses.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Article Marketing Made Easy

Search
engine optimization is getting more and
more difficult by the day. The search
engines are evolving at an incredible
speed, making it harder for us SEOs to
rank our websites highly.

With
that said, there are a few tried and true
principles that we need to do when optimizing
our website. The first of which, and the
one that I always tell people to concentrate
on is getting quality, 1 way links pointing
to your website.

The
more quality links you can get pointing
to your website, the higher you will rank,
period.


While
there are many black hat tricks and tactics
that you can do for short term gain, I
would suggest NOT spending your time on
those things. I would focus my entire
effort on figuring out how to get other
websites to link to yours without you
linking back to them. That is the biggest
key to ranking well in Google, Yahoo,
and MSN.

Doing
this is easier said that done. One of
the easiest known ways to get quality,
one way links is by finding website directories
and then submitting your website to them.
This can be a very tedious process, but
always a very rewarding process at the
same time.


You can either submit your articles to these directories manually,
pay someone to do it for you, OR you can use one of the article directory
submission programs out there. The best program for the money that we've found
is a program called "Article Submitter" created my internet marketing
expert, Brad Callen.


This program allows you to submit your articles to over 700
article directories and can save you an incredible amount of time in doing
so. You simply enter your article details into the software once, and then
select the directory you would like to submit to. The software will then,
automatically fill in all of the submission criteria for each directory and
allow you to quickly submit your articles.


Not only does this save you time in submitting your articles,
but it saves you an incredible amount of time in just finding these free directories
online. I highly suggest grabbing an article submission program if you decide
to take advantage of one of the easist ways to get quality, 1 way links to
your website.



You can learn more about Article Submitter and how you can
download your FREE copy here:

http://bblett.bryxen7.hop.clickbank.net