» General Marketing

2010 Kick in the A..

Pam Snell — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:01:56 +0000

You’ve all read about Robin Robins, our mentor for marketing our business. She has made such a difference in our success and I often quote her or one of her speakers here in Monday’s Marketing Minute. Well, when I read one of her blog articles, I knew that it had the impact that you may be needing right now as you look towards 2010. It was her day after Thanksgiving article and spotlighted the reason that she is invaluable to us – she gets us to do something! Working with her is hard – yes, I say that all the time. And, it’s been worth it! I hope her words motivate you as well as they have motivated us. Here’s her article:

“The thing I’m MOST grateful for in business is OPL or “other peoples’ laziness.” You heard me right…I’m really grateful that most people are completely and utterly lazy. And if you are a “get-r-done” kinda person like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

When you cut out all the whining and complaining, it really isn’t all that difficult to be successful. I actually think in the LONG run, it’s a heck of a lot more difficult to be unsuccessful or mediocre.

All it really takes to be ahead of the crowd is setting a clear goal and then taking consistent and persistent action towards achieving it. Maybe that’s a bit simplified, but I don’t think so. I truly believe that most people know EXACTLY what they need to do to be more successful, eliminate problems in their lives, overcome their biggest challenges, etc.; but most don’t like what they have in mind so they go in search of a faster, easier way because they’re too afraid or too lazy to do what they already know they should be doing.

That’s both good news AND bad news.

Good news if you’re in a crowded marketplace. Most of your competitors and going to be too lazy to consistently, continually and pro-actively grow and market their business. Bad news if you is one of them.

Just remember that the biggest crowd is at the bottom, clumped together by their inaction. Of course, they never CALL it LAZINESS…they’re more sophisticated than that. They blame their inaction on being too busy or not having enough money or not knowing how. They’ll look around and say, “Well geeze…I’m not doing that bad. After all, everyone ELSE is suffering with the same problems too.” Or they’ll simply get angry and blame their circumstances for their inability to get to the next level. Or worse yet…they’ll simply give up the hope of ever really achieving anything great because they secretly believe they’re not smart enough, cool enough, or whatever enough to pull it off (that’s the biggest shame of all).

All excuses.

So what’s the point to all of this?

First, as an entrepreneur, you have to learn how to pull yourself out of comfortable inaction. You get to be your own boss; therefore, you have to figure out how to self-impose deadlines, urgency and accountability. No one will do it for you. Those in the top 20% do — those in the bottom 80%, don’t.

Second, being successful is as much about what you do (or say yes to) as to what you DON’T do. Learning new things is not easy. It’s much easier to sit at home, stay the course, keep the money you have in your pocket, and not venture out into the wild. But no new breakthroughs can come of it. Personally, I live like a hermit. If the city of Franklin would let me, I’d have a moat of alligators surrounding the house. I hate to fly, hate crowds, hate hotels and hate trying to make polite conversation with strangers. BUT, I force myself to go out to seminars, industry events, master mind groups and the like at least once a month because that’s where I learn the most…from pulling my head out of the hole and looking around. And like you, I could think of a million reasons why I should stay home; but I force myself because I know it’s good for me.

Third, you have to discipline yourself NOT to get bored with the basics, thinking you “got” it. No one does. I’ve listened to the same Zig Ziglar tape on selling so many times that I can finish his sentences. But every time I listen, I get something new. Mastering the basics is NOT something the bottom 80% of the success pyramid do. They’re always on to the new thing…the new guru, the shiny new object.”

Robin’s closing comment was that she was grateful for all her clients, those people who believe in her and have helped her attain her success. We are also grateful for all our clients! You have made 2009 a wonderful year! Thank you for your confidence in us and your support!

We’re ready to take on 2010! We have written goals for 2010 and have an action plan to follow. We’ve had actual written goals for several months and one of the guys here in our office said “We should have made goals a long time ago – I can’t believe how we’re attaining them!” We’re excited about 2010 and I hope that you take Robin’s message to heart and follow your own goals for a happy, healthy, PROSPEROUS New Year!

It only takes a minute to get a new marketing idea so..

Let’s Get Business!

Last Minute Marketing = YOU!

Pam Snell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:33:19 +0000

It’s up to YOU, now, to be the marketing for your business if your business has anything to do with Christmas or retail. It’s too late to get an ad in the paper, to optimize your website or to run a new promotion.

If you are dealing with the public – YOU are your best marketing feature this week. Put on a smile, be genuinely thankful for the customers and give it your best because your attitude can make or break the sale, the season, your business.

I’m not telling you anything that you don’t already know – I’m reminding you of something that may have been pushed aside in the busy-ness of the time.

As an entrepreneur, you are also the example-setting leader of your business.so, if you are having fun, so are your employees.

Don’t forget those bag stuffers and other offers to bring people back next year. Make that great impression and then tempt them back.

From David and me and our whole team at ACTSmart, Inc, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanza!

TEASER: Be sure to read next Monday’s Marketing Minute! It will be sure to jump-start 2010 for you!

It only takes a minute to get a new marketing idea so..

Let’s Get Business!

RePurposing a Blog

Pam Snell — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:45:32 +0000

As I was reviewing a website for a redesign proposal the other day, I was going to suggest that the client add a blog to their website.

I know, I rolled my eyes too! Not another blog lecture! In the case of blogs, I’m a “do as I say, not as I do” gal because I haven’t updated my blog in months! All it gets is spam replies and it’s not pulling it’s weight. What’s worse – this very column could be an excellent blog post and I wouldn’t have to do anything but copy and paste it in!

Well, I had a revelation that EVERY client could take advantage of and it would benefit their website greatly: Don’t think BLOG, think ANNOUNCEMENTS!

How often have you wanted to post a quick message on your website? Just a few lines or maybe more:

“We are closed today for the holiday”

“Please welcome Jane to our team! Her extension is 209 and she’s happy to help you!”

“The winner of this week’s trivia contest is…”

“This week only – SALE! All Christmas ornaments half price!”

And, remember that they search engines love a blog – your postings could attract more activity to your site!

In another vein, don’t think BLOG, think CALENDAR! You can have a self updated calendar added to your website using Wordpress technology! Simple, efficient and all yours!

Think of all the uses that would fit your business! Give us a call, tell us what you’d like. For most websites, it will only cost $95!

It only takes a minute to get a new marketing idea so..

Let’s Get Business!

Marketing in YellowPages.com

Pam Snell — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:15:46 +0000

Maybe it’s because I don’t want to leave any marketing avenue unexplored or that I pretend to have an open mind; I took an appointment with John Holleran from AT&T YellowPages.com last week.

I have done lots of Yellow Pages advertising in my days. And advertised in that little book, what ever it’s name was, too. Over the years, we went from big ads with color to smaller ads, to boxed listings to bold header to “No, thanks, we don’t need anything but the free listing!”

This was not only true for our business, I handled all the marketing for Dr. Brodil’s office and went the same way. We found that the majority of those people who called from the Yellow Pages only wanted to have a “tooth yanked” and didn’t want to have a relationship with our practice that we wanted with a new patient. Patients who were referred by another patient (the BEST referral source you can get) might use the Yellow Pages to find you and you didn’t need a big ad for them to do it.

After a 2 1/2 hour meeting where we talked about the confusion about YellowPages, YellowBook and SuperPages.com as well as Google, Yahoo, AOL ….. we decided to advertise online on YellowPages.com

I’ll be posting more information on MondaysMarketingMinute.com’s website about what we are actually doing. Watch for it next week.

The networking meeting was too well attended!

Pam Snell — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:41:37 +0000

Thursday night, David, George, Devin and I went to a networking event at the Granite Links in Quincy that was sponsored by Steve Dubin’s company PR Works among others. We spent 20 minutes circling the parking lot like vultures with at least a dozen other cars.

Steve marketed the heck out of it and it was PACKED. The good news: I got a chance to spend time with Roland Lacey and we talked about his upcoming seminar. I KNOW I’m going to learn so much. If you are a client, let me know that you are attending and we’ll make some time after to discuss Roland’s ideas and how we can apply them to your site.

After the event, David and I stopped at Not Your Average Joe’s in Norwell for a quick dinner. We had never been there before and we were “WOWed!” The food was great (Oh, that bread…) and so was the service. After the meal, the manager came over because he heard that it was our first time at a Joe’s and gave us each a “First-timer” envelope with a $5 gift card, take out menu, manager’s business card and other information about the chain. It really made an impression! So, what impression are you giving your customers? Their idea worked – we will definately go back! And, we are revisiting our “New Client” packet!

What a Week!

Pam Snell — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:01:25 +0000

What a full week! On Monday, I met with Scott Otis to talk about his weekly newsletter “Connections.” You’ll read all about this great local networking resource inmy Monday’s Marketing Minute newsletter.

On Wednesday, I volunteered to head the marketing for the Marshfield Chamber’s Octoberfest to be held on October 3rd. As soon as we organize a little more, I’ll give you all the details – you’ll want to be involved, or at least come to this FUN event!

On Friday, David and I met with Joe Constantino to see how we could mutually benefit each other. More about that later!

I also added a “widget” to my ACTSmartWeb.com website so anyone can view my Twitter postings and well as a link to my Facebook profile and a sign up for this newsletter.

George has started posting color photo ads to Craig’s List for a client and, if successful, will offer that as an additional service.

We are marketing and it’s working – we got 3 new clients this week! Hope your week was as successful!

A Week Full of New…

Pam Snell — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:52:00 +0000

This week has been full of new things; a new server, new, high end color printer, new software to run our business to name the top changes. Along with the new has come the “challenges.”
We’ve been “down” on and off as the old server was transfered to the new server. Programs must be re-registered, “cookies’ are forgotten so passwords have to be looked up or requested. “Favorites” have to be restored. Thank goodness we have such great IT guys!!

Our printer is exciting and a huge learning curve! The panel that opens up when I print to it looks like it could launch the space shuttle! I’ll let you know how that goes.

Our new office management software is called “Tiger Paw.” We’re already taking online classes and learning our way around. It will be a super tool for us and a great asset to our clients! Among other things, it has a web portal that will allow clients to access their information including the account balances. It will also allow them to put in a “ticket” for service so everything can be tracked for better customer service!

I’m glad it’s Friday afternoon! It’s been a FULL week and we’re ready for a little warm weather and sunshine. I’ll still be reading and getting ready for next week – we are starting some exciting websites! I look forward to doing all that in the back yard!

Twitter For Business

Pam Snell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:31:59 +0000

Up until 10 days ago, I thought that Twittering was a way of twittering away your time and I am far too busy for that! What changed my mind? David and I were in Nashville for a 3 day marketing conference with our peers from across the country and the talk around the table was how much business they were getting from Twitter (and Facebook!) We were astounded!

Dan Hollings, a search engine optimization superstar and Twitter Genius was one of the headline speakers at the conference and he spoke for 2 hours on Search Engine Optimization and, especially, Twitter!

How can you use Twitter for your business? Well, we are already doing it for our clients’ benefits by announcing our website updates to our social networks. That way, we are getting their information out to our circles of friends and clients. And, we are emailing our clients when we update their sites, as usual, but adding that we have “Tweeted” their update with a link to our accounts so they can check us out, connect to us and grow our network. Who knows, it may spur someone to use purchase from one of our clients.

David sends out an announcement when he updates his blog with breaking techical news. He also “Tweets” when he posts his ACTSmart article to support his 95.9 WATD radio spot on Tuesday mornings.

I know that no one cares what I had for breakfast. I do think that they might like to know when the Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament online registration is available, or that Veronica’s Sweetcakes can create a cake for your event that is as spectacular as the “Ace Of Cakes” guy on the FoodNetwork! This is useful stuff delivered in 140 characters.

Check out Twitter for yourself!

All Marketing Points To Your Website!

Pam — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:51:10 +0000

Your website the the hub of your marketing, no matter what marketing you are doing. From your phone message to your Yellow Page ad, newsletter, truck sign, business card, letterhead, shirt logo…. the list is endless. EVERY marketing vehicle that you use needs to point to your website. There, you can expand on every thought and close many deals.

Let’s start with your email address. If you are not using your web address for your email address, you are missing a BIG opportunity! Sure, AOL or Comcast may be more familiar and therefore easier to use but who is going to check out AOL to see about your business. Which will potentially make a sale – David237@Aol.com or David@GoAmerican.com?

What opportunities are you missing?

Your voicemail can send them to your website where your hours, holidays and other methods of contact can be found. FAQs can answer common questions saving you time. A shopping cart can make the sale. Testimonials can help reinforce customer confidence and help close a sale.
Your newsletter can send them to get more information that can’t fit in 8 1/2″ x 11″. A form can gather client information or request a call back.
Your newspaper ad can send them to a “squeeze page” that gathers information for later marketing and gives more information in return.
You pay a lot for your Yellow Page ad – your website can pre-qualify potential customers, again saving you time.
Pages written especially for search engine searches can get you extra sales.

Have you looked at your website lately? Is it working hard for you? If not, why not? You should say “Thank goodness we have a website!” every day. It can be your most reliable employee.

Call us for more information about an affordable website redesign. 781-834-9208 Ext 2

“Brevity” for small businesses

Pam — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:29:03 +0000

I have joined this small business study group. As you know, David and I are always reading or listening to some kind of management or self improvement book. This seems like a great way to get more information faster. And, we all need new ideas in this economy!

If you join using this link, I’ll also get credit for it.

http://goBrevity.com/SmallBusiness/?x=1962070

Every Tuesday a new book is posted. Today’s was “Good to Great” and I found the information very helpful. It’s about making changes that are scary at first thought and the right decisions to make to grow your business.