january 2008

How would you describe your marketing? Do you jump in full force with an idea, only to start in on another idea a week later?

The problem with this type of "marketing" is you’ll never get enough traction to make it work. No matter what you do, if you don’t commit to it, it won’t have a chance to work for you.

So if you create a website and don’t touch it for a year, it won’t work.

If you create a blog and don’t touch it for a year, it won’t work.

If you create a MySpace account and don’t touch it for a year, it won’t work.

Marketing is all about commitment. Case in point is a wedding photographer  from Berkeley, California. He doesn’t have a blog. He hasn’t scored big on YouTube or MySpace. Yet he has found tremendous success by committing to posting on one site.

Commit to your marketing - it will make a difference.

Lori

Monthly Marketing Program

Have you ever typed up a web address, only to have it look like the page isn’t live, and still under construction?

In many ways, this is a lot like putting your phone number in the yellow pages before your phone is connected. You’re asking for people to contact you, then not being available when they do.

And in many cases, it’s simply a mixup.

Have you ever checked your web address to make sure it’s available by both:

ABCompany.com and

www.ABCompany.com

You would be surprised how many people don’t have both formats directed to their website. And if you only have the www.ABCompany.com live, yet tell people ABCompany.com, you may be losing precious traffic.

Go out and check today to make sure your designer has set you up correctly.

If not, what else has he missed?

Lori

Along with the New Year brings many resolutions. This year my top goal is to become more efficient in my work day, leverage myself more, rely on others to get more done, and spend more time doing things I enjoy - not have to do.

Are you like me? Juggling many different things each day, often leaving more on your list than you eliminate? I’ve been doing that for years. But I’m also getting better at creating lists that Iknow are important, and that I can get through in  a day.

So I thought I’d share with you my perfect work day. Keep in mind that this is my perfect work day - not something I actually do every day, though it is something I’m working towards.

6:00am meditate, read, clean up email, and set up my goals for the day

7:00am wake up my daughter, have breakfast with her and get her to school

8:30am - 12:00pm I have three areas of concentration: client work, production work, and self work. I work in each area every day. Mornings are my most productive time - I get as much done as possible.

12:00 - 2:00pm Have lunch, network with a group or a friend, get in a walk or exercise.

2:00 - 4:00pm Work through emails, phone messages, and any other customer contact, as needed. Finish up projects, and begin planning for tomorrow.

4:00 - 8:00pm Family time

8:00 - 10:00pm Writing time, and time to research and surf online. This is my dreaming and discovery time - time to plan for future projects and ideas.

I love reading books on this area as well. Some of my favorites are:

7 Spiritual Steps to Success - Deepak Chopra

The Power Of Focus - Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Hewitt

The Success Principles - Jack Canfield

In the traditional world, you can say things and not get in trouble – most of the time. It’s hard to hold someone accountable if you don’t have proof, and only someone’s word.

But online, what you say can be found “forever”.

If someone puts photographs up of you at a party and labels them with your full name, they’re findable.

If you comment on a political blog about your beliefs, it’s findable.

If you work for a charitable foundation, or are an activist on an issue and use your name, it’s findable.

Now I’m not saying that’s always a bad thing.

If you want people to know your beliefs on a subject, by all means post them.

Just remember that the Internet world goes on “forever”. And once it’s written online, it has the potential to be found, by anyone, anywhere.

People don’t buy because they have to. They buy because they want to.

When your message is so strong and powerful, they have no choice but to buy. And they’re happy doing it.

And the easiest way to help convince her she’s making the right choice is to offer her a guarantee. It gives her an steadfast reason to be comfortable with her decision to buy.

Here are 10 phrases you can use on your website and in your marketing literature to help produce the sale:

1. Grab this no-risk trial offer today!

2. Unconditional money-back guarantee!

3. Guaranteed for life!

4. 100% money back guaranteed – plus I’ll send you an additional $100 out of my own pocket for your inconvenience!

5. Double your money back!

6. Try it for free for 30 days – cancel anytime and never pay a dime!

7. 100% money back guarantee – plus you keep the $300 in bonuses, no matter what!

8. Guaranteed refund within 24 hours – no questions asked!

9. 365 day money back guaranteed!

10. Send no money now!

I’ll always remember watching the movie Back To The Future, when Doc Brown makes the comment about our President being a movie star and how he has to look good for tv.

Now we’re taking it to another level entirely.

Did you watch the debate on Saturday? It’s amazing to me to watch a race like no other. Not only did we get to hear from all the front runners, but we also got to contribute directly to the process.

The entire event was sponsored by Facebook. They even focused on questions and statistics being addressed on Facebook during the event itself.

It’s not just about the politicians anymore. It’s also about what we think. We have a direct, immediate effect on everything.

Likewise with your marketing for your business. No matter what you do, your critiques and your followers can have a direct impact on what you do, especially with things like Facebook.

Here’s to 2008, a great year to understand exactly how to use today’s technology to the max.

Lori