october 2007

http://lgbusinesssolutions.typepad.com/solutions_to_grow_your_bu/2007/10/customers-tell-.html

Whenever we write to our readers and clients or talk to them, they will respond. The same is true of our customers and clients. Perhaps not right away or even directly to us. But they are talking and if we want to keep them as customers of our writings, products and services, we need to hear what they are saying. And more importantly, we need to respond. Here is what I mean.

First, when I built and launched this blog, I had three specific audiences in mind: 1) other marketing and communications professionals, 2) other bloggers, and 3) current and future clients. In order to build readership, therefore increasing sharing and learning as well as business development and growth, it is clear that I need to learn what those attracted to my blog want and need. To do this, my strategies are twofold: 1) read and respond to every comment, whether here at bizsolutionsplus or at the other blogs where I contribute, and attempt to engage my readers in further conversation to learn what they like and what they don't like, and 2) pay close attention to the numbers.

blogs, broadcasting, business_growth, call_center, clients, conversation, customer_service, customers, hearing, listeners, listening, marketing, podcasts, readers, sales, social_media, speaking, writing

Tools of the trade change often, and whether or not we like those tools, we need to understand them and use them because our clients and our readers expect us to advise them as to their uses, good and bad. That's why we are called consultants. Our job is to become as expert as possible on the use of strategies and tools that can be used to grow a business through marketing (including advertising, public relations and communications) and then to share our views with our clients and with you, our readers.

The world of business strategies and tactics applied to getting businesses noticed and in conversation with their customers is slowly but surely investing in learning about and employing the tools of social media. If you are a business consultant or a business owner and you are not using or investigating the use of what we often call Web 2.0 but to me a better term is social media, your future is not bright. These tools include but are not limited to blogs, podcasts, vlogs and sites such as Facebook. Those consultants who understand both the traditional as well as the evolutionary social media strategies and tactics (too early to describe them as revolutionary) will be the professionals who can offer the best and the most valuable advice to businesses as we adapt, adopt and change to meet the wants and needs of our customers. Those who cling to the past, consultants and businesses, are doomed to fade into the darkness of the past.

Click here to read the original post: http://lgbusinesssolutions.typepad.com/solutions_to_grow_your_bu/2007/10/you-have-to-ent.html

http://lgbusinesssolutions.typepad.com/solutions_to_grow_your_bu/2007/10/can-they-afford.html

Understanding your ideal customer's profile is a must, as it determines who you market to and who buys your products and services and at what price. However, if you sell to small businesses and start-ups there will be more than a few prospective clients and/or customers who cannot afford to hire you but who do fit your ideal customer's profile, absent cash flow. So what do you do?