General Marketing
Below are the articles in the General Marketing category. Each article title is followed by a brief summary introduction to the content.
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5 Steps to Reinvigorate Your Marketing Message
It can be easy for a business owner to let their marketing get out of control. Here are some steps they can take to bring the consistency back to their
marketing message.
As your business grows, it can be easy to let your marketing get out of control. Your message may change as your business changes. This can leave your
prospects feeling confused. Confusion leads to apathy and a decline in readers, subscribers and conversions and sales.
The good news is that a few steps can help you bring the shine and consistency back to your marketing message.
Step 1: Review Your Calls to Action
Generally there is a call to action on every piece of content that you publish. It may be as simple as a "read more" link. Or it may be a more advanced
statement designed to motivate a purchase. Review your calls to action.
5 Ways to Get Your Business Noticed
The internet can be an intimidating place for many business owners, but it's not that difficult to get noticed if they're willing to put
themselves out there in these ways.
So you've taken the leap and created your own business, but now what do you do?
Even in this age of technology, the Internet can be a large, scary place for many people, but don't be intimidated. Even though there are
many other sites competing for the attention of every Internet user, it's not that difficult to get noticed—if you're willing to put
yourself out there.
Get Interviewed
These days, there's a podcast for just about any subject, and with millions of people choosing to listen, it's easy to see why landing an
interview on a popular podcast can really drive traffic to your site.
6 Steps to an Attention-Getting Press Release
A great press release can gain media exposure and make a business soar and can also generate incoming links, awareness, visitors, and even sales. Discover how a business
owner can write a successful and lucrative press release.
If you want people to know what you are up to in your online business, shout it from the rooftop of Google. One way to do this is through the use of press releases
to promote your website.
A press release serves many useful functions. It makes the news media aware of your business. If they are interested, you can end up gaining media exposure and your
business will soar.
Additionally, because press releases are now published online, you can also generate incoming links, awareness and even visitors and sales. It pays to learn how to
write a successful press release!
Step 1: Make It Newsworthy
When something exciting and new is going on in your business, this is a simple but effective way to let people in on the good news.
11 Tips to Rock Your Networking (Even If You Don't Like It)
Some people love networking, but for others, the mere thought can make them break out in hives. However, networking is important for business success.
Implementing these 11 tips can rock a business owner's networking efforts, even if they're not a fan of it.
Some people love networking, but for others, the mere thought can make them break out in hives.
Still, you know that as a business owner, you’re going to have to get out there at some point, in some way, and meet actual live human beings in order
for your business to succeed.
If networking is right up there with "root canal work" and "cleaning the garage" as "Things I'd Love to Avoid Forever," try implementing the following
11 tips this year so you can rock your networking and your business marketing efforts!
1. Take Stock and Figure Out Your (Main) Block
Whatever the main source of your discomfort, taking a few steps ahead of time to compensate for your insecurities helps you bolster confidence and walk
into your event with your head high.
If it's your appearance, invest in a go-to outfit. If it’s your conversational skills, read up on a handful of current events just before you go. If you
fear being a "newbie" among seasoned pros, craft a few questions you can ask about other people's careers.
Digital Marketing—How to Capitalize on What It Is and Isn't
Marketing is the way businesses communicate with their audiences and how the word gets out about their products and services. Discover what digital marketing
is—and what it isn't.
Marketing is essentially the way that businesses communicate with their audience. It's how the word gets out about their products and services.
So what exactly is digital marketing?
It's essentially online marketing using a generally accepted specific set of marketing tools. In fact, digital marketing is trending right now in a big way.
The world of technology is growing and changing every day, and businesses that don't take advantage of it are going to be playing catch-up or, worse, go by the
wayside.
The good news is that it's easy for a solopreneur to take full advantage of the tools and benefits of digital marketing. You don't need to be a Silicon Valley
start-up or a blue-chip corporation to use digital marketing to further your specific business goals.
Finding Your Winning Marketing Mix
If a business owner wants their business to grow, it's essential that they invest in marketing. However, finding the right tactics or combination of tactics can be a
confusing process. Here's how they can find the right marketing mix for their business.
Marketing is an essential aspect of any profitable business. If you want your business to grow, you have to invest in marketing.
However, finding the right tactics or combination of tactics can be a confusing process. Here's how to find the right marketing mix for your business.
Start Small and Stay Focused
Don't try to tackle several marketing tactics at once. Choose one tactic. Create a goal for that tactic and a plan to achieve that goal.
For example, if you want to drive traffic to your website, you might create a free report and advertise that free report using PPC (pay per click) ads. Your
goal may be to get 1,000 subscribers. You’ll create a few ads to support that goal.
When you start small and stay focused, you're able to give your full attention to the success of your chosen marketing tactic.
Get Noticed Using Interviews
One way business owners can get people to talk about their business is to participate in interviews and this is how they can prepare for them.
One great way to get people talking about your business is to participate in interviews. Today there are a variety of different types of interviews
you can get from online sources such as a podcasts, Blog Talk Radio hosts, YouTube channels and online interview series (telesummits).
Getting an interview is a great way to spread the word about your products and services, as well as establish yourself as an expert within your niche.
Being interviewed can feel scary and as if you're out of control. But, it doesn't have to if you start out prepared. There is an art to it.
Know Your Goals and Objectives
Even though interviewers will have their own agenda about what they want to get out of interviewing you, it's best if you go into any interview with
your own objectives. If you don't have an objective of your own, you could end up doing the interview for no benefit at all.
How to Become Known as the Local Expert
Becoming a local expert in their field is a great way for any business owner—whether an online business or a brick-and-mortar store—to promote
themselves. These are 6 proven ways to become known as a local expert.
A great way to promote yourself as a solopreneur is to become an expert locally. It doesn't matter whether you have an online business or a brick-and-mortar
business, being seen as a local, go-to expert will increase your share of business.
Here are 6 proven ways to promote yourself locally.
Speak to Your Local Audience in Your Blog
Create a blog that is focused on your local area within your niche. Use a lot of locally-focused keywords and talk directly to your local audience about your
subject. You can use your blog as a repository for interviewing local people, writing information about your niche and educating the public about your niche.
How to Find the Right Networking Groups for Business
Networking is one of the most effective strategies to both build and grow a business and can help business owners learn and grow personally, but how do they find the right networking
groups? Here are ways to find the right groups for them, both online and offline.
Networking is one of the most effective strategies to both build and grow a business. Meeting the right people can practically ensure long-term success. Additionally,
networking helps you learn and grow personally.
However, finding the right business networking groups online or offline can sometimes be a challenge. Here's how to go about it.
1. Search online. This probably seems like an apparent step and perhaps it’s one you’ve already taken. Simply type your industry and the words “organization” or “association”
into your search bar and see what comes up. Often, you’ll hit the jackpot with dozens of top-level organizations to research.
2. Using the same technique, you can search for offline groups, as well. Many large networking groups like BNI offer local chapters. Additionally, you can search for your city
or state along with your industry keywords or the keywords “business networking.”
For example, if you live in Charlotte, North Carolina, you might enter “Charlotte business networking” or “Charlotte North Carolina business networking.”
How to Use Meetup for Business Building
There's a lot to be said for meeting people face to face. Meetup.com allows anyone to form an online group that can both collaborate online and meet in person, so
how can someone use Meetup to their advantage and begin using it to make connections and reach their business building goals?
Online business owners tend to do most of their networking and marketing online. If you provide virtual services or sell products online, it stands to reason that
you should be able to reach your target markets and make business connections via the World Wide Web.
But even in this age of electronic communication, there’s still a lot to be said for meeting people face to face.
That's the idea behind Meetup.com. Founded in 2001, Meetup allows anyone to form an online group that can BOTH collaborate online and meet in person. Some Meetups are
centered around common interests or hobbies. But many are business oriented, facilitating networking and helping small business owners reach potential customers.
You can use Meetup to your advantage as a group member or a group leader. Here are some ideas.
Look for groups that are made up of members of your target market. For example, if you sell workout clothing, look for fitness Meetups in your area.
Increase Your Visibility, Increase Your Business
Business owners may have a strong business idea and a great product, but they may not be doing everything they can to be seen by the right people. Find
out how they can increase their visibility and change the way potential customers see their business.
You may have a strong business idea and a great product, but are you doing everything you can to be seen by the right people? Increasing your
visibility can change the way that potential customers see your business.
Visibility is the glue that holds all other strategies together when it comes to achieving success as a business owner. Each strategy gets your
name out among other business owners, movers and shakers and potential clients. Being seen goes a long way with the word-of-mouth crowd.
Here are a few ways that you can increase your visibility.
Streamline Your Marketing for Ease and Success
Many business owners try several different marketing strategies without having a clear understanding of what they do and what they offer. Many times, they
find themselves disorganized and without any type of plan. Here’s how they can streamline their marketing and get it working for them and their business.
How many marketing tactics are you using right now? What are the goals of these tactics? Have you taken the time to evaluate if they are working?
If you don't know the answer to these questions, it's time to streamline your marketing.
When solopreneurs first begin, they often try many different marketing strategies without having a clear understanding of what they do and what they
offer. Even solopreneurs who started their business with a plan can find themselves marketing without rhyme or reason.
You try one marketing tactic, like Facebook, then you advertise in a magazine, then you send out an email to your list. None of it is organized,
integrated or consistent with any type of plan.
It's time to streamline!
Take Charge of Your Networking
Networking can take a small business and make it thrive. Business owners want to create partnerships with other business owners, broaden their brand awareness or drive traffic
to their website. What should they want to achieve with their networking efforts? They can take charge of their networking with these simple
Networking is often what turns a small business into a thriving and prosperous business. Many companies hire a networking expert or coach. However, you can manage
your networking on your own with a few simple steps.
Create Networking Goals
What do you want to achieve with your networking efforts? For example, do you want to create partnerships with other business owners? Do you want to broaden awareness
of your brand or drive traffic to your website? Do you want to increase credibility? Decide what your goals are and then you can move onto the next step which is to plan
how you're going to achieve your goals.
Choose Your Tactics
Once you have your goals, plan how you're going to achieve them.
The 4 Critical Phases of Marketing
Every marketing activity and marketing plan has four main phases that must all be addressed for it to be successful. Here's a resource for developing
solid marketing materials using these four phases.
Every marketing activity—and marketing plan—has four main phases that must ALL be addressed for it to be successful. One without the others
will be like a chair missing one or more of its legs.
But before delving into Phase 1, it's important to do some serious thinking on the questions that form the foundation for all of your marketing.
• What do you provide in your business?
• How are you and the business different from your competition?
• What kind of results does each of your services or products provide?
• What are you as an entrepreneur passionate about?
• What are you incredibly good at?
• Who specifically are your products and services best for?
Write out answers to these kinds of questions and keep this as a resource for developing any of your marketing materials.
Top 10 Tips to Network Like a Pro
Online or off, networking takes a bit of skill and know-how. It's not enough to show up or be present at networking events or on networking sites. People have to participate
and take an active role. Here are 10 tips to network like a pro.
Online or off, networking takes a bit of skill and know-how. It’s not enough to show up or be present at networking events or on networking sites. You have to participate
and take an active role. Here are 10 tips to network like a pro.
1. Ask Questions
When you meet people, whether you're at a networking event or just standing in line at the supermarket, ask questions about who they are, what they do and what they're
interested in.
Asking questions accomplishes several important goals. It signals to the person you're speaking with that you are interested in them. People are automatically drawn to
those who are interested in them. They'll like you and remember you. Asking questions also helps you learn more about this new person. It puts you in a position to help
them out and to maybe gain a new associate or friend.
2. Have a Juicy Introduction Ready to Go
Your thirty-second "Here's who I am and this is what I do" speech should be conversational and invite curiosity, NOT sound like a canned script. Have an answer ready
when people ask.