Now that it’s December there is going to be loads of Christmas Networking meeting to go. You have PLENTY of time to finish your shopping (or start! if you’re like me). You also have plenty of time to get ready for these networking events, the one where everyone comes all dressed up and looking great. The one that you always rush into feeling frazzled and disappointed by your outfit and your hair and your lipstick. THAT party.
Here’s a thought: if you start planning NOW you won’t catch you off guard.
Here are 7 simple things to do now, before the rush starts, so that you can sit back and enjoy the parties in style.
Get a Smashing Speech Ready
Create a smashing elevation speech that clearly communicates what you are looking for in a client: You gotta have something to say that will make them:
1. Want to work with you
2. Want to refer clients to you
A smashing elevation speech is a commercial speech you would use with an ideal prospect if you only had 20 seconds to get a message across. It’s meant to describe what you do in a very short amount of time, with the objective being that this person will not only want your card, but will also want to talk to you further.
Use my smashing elevation speech formula and you are good to go.
I work with (insert ideal client profile) who struggles with (insert client challenges) and would like to (insert result and benefits).
What separate my business from other (insert competitors) is (insert your unique selling propositions) and because of this clients receive (insert motivator and your claim).
I get a lot of attention with this formula.
Have a Client Attractive Business Card
Your business card should be a sales tool that gets you clients. Something that someone looks at and have a very good idea about what you can do for them. Put a compelling message that gives them a reason to call you. Or perhaps you want them to visit your site or sign up for your ezine. So the idea is to get prospects to take action just with your card.
Get a business card created that has your name, business name and phone number and have some pull marketing questions on the back that invites readers to consider working with you. Use your tagline too.
My business card has prompted several clients to refer potential clients to me. The information on the back of my card always prospect to self-qualify themselves as to whether they will be an ideal client of mine or not. It has an invitation to call saying “Call me to share your business struggles, ask key questions, and ask about solutions, free of charge”. I get a lot of calls because of this statement.
The objective of your business card is to get the ideal prospect to say “Wow, I need you!” Vistaprint.com creates nice business cards and they get them delivered within a week.
Use the Ultimate Icebreaker
Going up to someone you don’t know can be quite frightening. So try going up to someone or two people that are approachable. Have a big smile on your face and extend your hands to initiate a handshake. In an upbeat voice say “Hello, I don’t we’ve met yet” My name is ... What’s yours? Believe me; people will literally thank you for making the first move. Then ask them what they do for a living. Get them talking first so that it takes the pressure off you. After a short while, they’ll ask you.
Wear Clothing with Pockets
What will you wear to all these functions? Think, in particular, about when you will be getting business cards. Have you ever given someone else’s business card to someone instead of your own? I have in the early days. (It was a little embarrassing).
So I figured out a trick. Wear a jacket with 2 pockets. One for your cards and one for the cards you receive. It’s as simple as that, it’s a no brainer.
Pretend It’s Your Party
Another tactic I love using when I’m feeling overwhelmed by a room full of people is I pretend it’s my party. I’m a pretty social person and love to entertain. So when I throw a party and I see a guest that I don’t know, I just walk up to that person and say. “Hi, I’m Joyce. We haven’t met yet. What’s your name? Who did you come here with tonight” with a smile. So when I get slightly shy in a large room, I shift my thinking about the event and pretend it’s my party, then I use the ultimate ice breaker I mentioned before.
It always work and ‘am never nervous.
Get a Haircut, and Maybe Some Colour too.
Book your hair appointment before the event, because if you do not, I guarantee that you will wake up on the morning of the event and think ‘My hair looks horrible!’ Or, even worse, you’ll see the photos after the event and wonder why no one told you that your roots were a COMPLETELY different colour from the rest of your hair.
Try one new makeup trick or strategy. Smoky eye, false lashes, berry red lips — go all out this season! A new dress might not be in the budget, but I’ll bet you can do something special with your makeup, possibly without buying anything new at all. But practice now, when you’re not rushing to get out the door. Keep in mind, though, that you only want to do ONE dramatic makeup thing at a time — if you have the smoky eye, keep cheeks and lips neutral. But don’t go too dramatic, you know what I mean.
Have a Manicure.
If you’re really in the mood to pamper yourself this holiday season, get a manicure; in most places, a French manicure is less than $20, including a generous tip. To make your manicure last longer, choose a sheer shade that won’t show chips or dings. And make an effort to maintain your pretty hands — wear gloves, both when you’re cleaning up in the kitchen and when you’re out in the cold air, and slather on the moisturizer. So you have soft hands, no one want to feel your shaft hands
~ Joyce Oladipo
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing Mentor, is creator of the Profit Building system, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to grow your business fast without spending extra money on marketing. To Add $1,000's In Pure Profit To Your Business and receive her weekly marketing articles on dramatically increasing your income, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Start From Square One
Start From Square One.
The ultimate goal is maximum profit. But the first step is to identify specific markets that are hungry for the benefits your product or service provides. These are high-probability customers. Work those markets to cull grade "A" prospects... then work those prospects over and over again to convert the maximum number into first- time customers. Then serve those customers well so they continue to buy from you again and again.
1. MARKET - identifiable segment of the marketplace
2. PROSPECTS - expressed interest in your offer
3. CUSTOMERS - willing to spend money to acquire what is offered
4. SALES - actual revenue generated from first time buyers and repeat buyers
5. PROFIT - bottom line results
Related articles by Zemanta
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- Niche Marketplace for an E-book!
- Great Idea for Work at Home Internet Business
~ Joyce Oladipo
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing Mentor, is creator of the Profit Building system, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to grow your business fast without spending extra money on marketing. To get your F.R.E.E. report and receive her weekly marketing
articles on dramatically increasing your income, visit www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com.
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I'm not American But I Still Have Thing to Be Thankful For
QUOTE: "Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation."- Brian Tracy
I'm deeply grateful for my family and the life I live. To be honest there is nothing short of a phenomenal year for me, both personally and professionally. So many of my BIG dreams have come true, way beyond my expectations. For that, I am grateful beyond words. Now am living life like i mean so should you.
Most of the time i wonder if one can rellay have a business tht they love and acutally have a life. I guess it's possible.
My life is full of gratude. Thanks for being in my life and supporting what I do. It's because of you 'am living my purpose.
Related articles by Zemanta
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=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets Ways to Triple Your Income Secrets, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
The 99 Reasons Why People Respond To a Given Marketing
To get people to respond to your marketing, you need to respond to there needs. People are looking for help for a reason.
Here is a list of reasons why people will respond to your marketing. Touch any of these points are see your response rate go high.
To satisfy curiosity
To satisfy curiosity
To save time
To avoid effort
To achieve comfort
To enjoy health
To be popular
To gain pleasure or enhance enjoyment
To feel clean
To be praised and admired
To be in style
To satisfy an appetite
To own beautiful possessions
To attract the opposite sex
To be an individual, independent
To emulate others
To take advantage of opportunities
To get a surprise
To be successful
To make work earier
To gain prestige
To be sociable
To express creativity
To be efficient or more efficient
To protect oneself and family
To protect the future of a family
To be a good parent
To be liked
To be loved
To express a personality
To be in fashion
To avoid embarrassment
To fulfill a fantasy
To be up to date with the latest “thing”
To own attractive things
To collect valuable things
To satisfy the ego
To be “first” at something
To enjoy exotic tastes
To live in a clean atmosphere
To be strong and healthy
To renew vigor and energy
To get rid of aches and pains
To find new and rare things
To be more beautiful or attractive
To win the affection of others
To satisfy sexual desires
To bring back pleasant memories
To be lucky
To live longer
To feel important
To gain knowledge
To improve ones own appearance
To be recognized as an authority
To enhance leisure
To save money
To have security in old age
To overcome obstacles
To do things well
To get a better job
To be your own boss
To gain social acceptance
To “ keep up with the Jones’”
To appreciate beauty
To be proud of possessions
To resist the domination of others
To relieve boredom
To gain self-respect
To win acclaim
To win advancement
To seek adventure To satisfy ambition
To be among the leaders
To gain confidence
To escape drudgery
To gain freedom from worry
To get on the bandwagon
To get something for nothing
To gain self-assurance
To escape shame
To avoid effort
To have safety in buying something else
To protect reputation To “one-up” others
To be in style
To replace the obsolete To add fun or spice to life
To work less
To conserve natural resources
To protect the environment
To avoid shortages
To relax
To avoid criticism
To protect possessions
To avoid physical pain
To avoid loss of reputation
To avoid loss of money
To avoid trouble
To prevent unemployment
The underlying reason why your prospect wants what you’ve got exists somewhere on this list. It’s highly likely that there are several motivating forces on the list. Here’s a secret: make it your job to come up with the biggest, strongest, most compelling, single reason. Focus on this only. Keep this single idea in mind throughout the ad writing process. This is your strongest emotional trigger; get it working in your favor.
~~~~~~~~
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Here is a list of reasons why people will respond to your marketing. Touch any of these points are see your response rate go high.
To satisfy curiosity
To satisfy curiosity
To save time
To avoid effort
To achieve comfort
To enjoy health
To be popular
To gain pleasure or enhance enjoyment
To feel clean
To be praised and admired
To be in style
To satisfy an appetite
To own beautiful possessions
To attract the opposite sex
To be an individual, independent
To emulate others
To take advantage of opportunities
To get a surprise
To be successful
To make work earier
To gain prestige
To be sociable
To express creativity
To be efficient or more efficient
To protect oneself and family
To protect the future of a family
To be a good parent
To be liked
To be loved
To express a personality
To be in fashion
To avoid embarrassment
To fulfill a fantasy
To be up to date with the latest “thing”
To own attractive things
To collect valuable things
To satisfy the ego
To be “first” at something
To enjoy exotic tastes
To live in a clean atmosphere
To be strong and healthy
To renew vigor and energy
To get rid of aches and pains
To find new and rare things
To be more beautiful or attractive
To win the affection of others
To satisfy sexual desires
To bring back pleasant memories
To be lucky
To live longer
To feel important
To gain knowledge
To improve ones own appearance
To be recognized as an authority
To enhance leisure
To save money
To have security in old age
To overcome obstacles
To do things well
To get a better job
To be your own boss
To gain social acceptance
To “ keep up with the Jones’”
To appreciate beauty
To be proud of possessions
To resist the domination of others
To relieve boredom
To gain self-respect
To win acclaim
To win advancement
To seek adventure To satisfy ambition
To be among the leaders
To gain confidence
To escape drudgery
To gain freedom from worry
To get on the bandwagon
To get something for nothing
To gain self-assurance
To escape shame
To avoid effort
To have safety in buying something else
To protect reputation To “one-up” others
To be in style
To replace the obsolete To add fun or spice to life
To work less
To conserve natural resources
To protect the environment
To avoid shortages
To relax
To avoid criticism
To protect possessions
To avoid physical pain
To avoid loss of reputation
To avoid loss of money
To avoid trouble
To prevent unemployment
The underlying reason why your prospect wants what you’ve got exists somewhere on this list. It’s highly likely that there are several motivating forces on the list. Here’s a secret: make it your job to come up with the biggest, strongest, most compelling, single reason. Focus on this only. Keep this single idea in mind throughout the ad writing process. This is your strongest emotional trigger; get it working in your favor.
~~~~~~~~
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Have You Used Social Network Profiles to Grow Your Business Yet?
For the past few months have joined 3 social networks that have secured me big deals with clients and great joint ventures. I have a well detailed profile of what I do and how I help my clients. I’ve also listed the types of people I would like to work with
If you Google my name Joyce Oladipo, you will see a list of my profiles on Linkedln, Facebook, Twitter and Ecadamy on the very first page. The content on these social networks has made me come across as an expert in my field. I have had loads of people joined my network and gave good comments about my service.
I can email marketing tips to those on my network and tell them what I’m up too from time to time. This has given them a really good connection with me, that’s why I get some of them emailing me about how I can help them sort out some of the problems they are experiencing in their business.
By letting them into my world, I have a better chance of having them trust me.
So what would you say about social networking, have you found your hook yet?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
If you Google my name Joyce Oladipo, you will see a list of my profiles on Linkedln, Facebook, Twitter and Ecadamy on the very first page. The content on these social networks has made me come across as an expert in my field. I have had loads of people joined my network and gave good comments about my service.
I can email marketing tips to those on my network and tell them what I’m up too from time to time. This has given them a really good connection with me, that’s why I get some of them emailing me about how I can help them sort out some of the problems they are experiencing in their business.
By letting them into my world, I have a better chance of having them trust me.
So what would you say about social networking, have you found your hook yet?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I’ll Follow You on Titter
Just wanted to let you in on cool free tool
“Twitter”
Watch a short video at twitter.com and you’ll see how easy it is to use. It’s easier than explaining it here…
http://www.twitter.com
Here is how to get started using it:
STEP 1: Join twitter with your own account.
STEP 2: visit my twitter page here:
https://twitter.com/JoyceOladipo
Click on the “FOLLOW” button under my picture in the upper left hand corner
OPTIONAL STEP 3: Look through my list of “followers” and follow any one of them if you like.
Here’s what I’ll do…
I’ll follow you as soon as I get notification that you are following me! That means I’ll see your updates to twitter too.
Fun stuff…with some cool business applications too.
Let’s twitter!
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
“Twitter”
Watch a short video at twitter.com and you’ll see how easy it is to use. It’s easier than explaining it here…
http://www.twitter.com
Here is how to get started using it:
STEP 1: Join twitter with your own account.
STEP 2: visit my twitter page here:
https://twitter.com/JoyceOladipo
Click on the “FOLLOW” button under my picture in the upper left hand corner
OPTIONAL STEP 3: Look through my list of “followers” and follow any one of them if you like.
Here’s what I’ll do…
I’ll follow you as soon as I get notification that you are following me! That means I’ll see your updates to twitter too.
Fun stuff…with some cool business applications too.
Let’s twitter!
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Friday, November 14, 2008
Rotten Testimonials...
Last week, I talked about how you need to have a lot of testimonials and how powerful they are. But I didn’t let you in on knowing that some testimonials will actually hurt your response?
Here are some examples of bad testimonials:
"Amy did a nice job." - KM.
"We really liked working with you."- Mary S.
These are lousy because they appear to be fake. "KM" and "Mary S." seem like fictitious people because you're only using their initials. You at least need to use the person's
full name. Additionally, these "verge testimonials" say nothing other than,
"You were really, really adequate."
Here is an example of a great testimonial from someone who has worked with me:
"We have been implementing the Business Profit Building System for the past 10 months, and I mist say I am surprised about how it was. In this economic situation, we have more than doubled out income. Monthly sales have soared from €13,000 to €28,000.
If you run a service business and you want to increase your profit, I recommend working with Joyce’s Business Profit Building System.” David Farr, MN
Notice that it is specific and emotional - no fluff!
It’s not saying “I’m so wonderful”. It’s saying that you will increase your response and make a lot more money. When you have a ton of powerful testimonials, you can NOT over use them. If you have hundred of them, use them all. You'll love the results!^~ Joyce Oladipo
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Here are some examples of bad testimonials:
"Amy did a nice job." - KM.
"We really liked working with you."- Mary S.
These are lousy because they appear to be fake. "KM" and "Mary S." seem like fictitious people because you're only using their initials. You at least need to use the person's
full name. Additionally, these "verge testimonials" say nothing other than,
"You were really, really adequate."
Here is an example of a great testimonial from someone who has worked with me:
"We have been implementing the Business Profit Building System for the past 10 months, and I mist say I am surprised about how it was. In this economic situation, we have more than doubled out income. Monthly sales have soared from €13,000 to €28,000.
If you run a service business and you want to increase your profit, I recommend working with Joyce’s Business Profit Building System.” David Farr, MN
Notice that it is specific and emotional - no fluff!
It’s not saying “I’m so wonderful”. It’s saying that you will increase your response and make a lot more money. When you have a ton of powerful testimonials, you can NOT over use them. If you have hundred of them, use them all. You'll love the results!^~ Joyce Oladipo
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
You Need To Have this Stamped on Your Forehead
This weekend ‘am looking forward to hangout with other new Mons that are running the own business from home. I must say it’s been a really rewarding journey. I bet my five month old daughter- Zaina will have a great time while we Moms do some networking and masterminding
This is not my usual ezine but I thought I should let you in on this before I forget. I want to talk to you about a really important subject for any service business owner...
What do I want you to have stamped on your forehead "Where Are Your Client’s Testimonials?" Most of the marketing materials sent to me by clients to critique either don't have any at all or they have one or two very weak ones.
You need to put this in the palm of your hands:
What other people say about you is at least 1000 times more persuasive and powerful than what you say about yourself.
Even if you have the best copy a poorly written testimonial will get you better results.
You need get a lot of quality testimonials from your clients.
Someone may doubt one or two testimonials but it's a little
tough to brush away 500 people saying how great someone is!
Testimonial convince prospect that you can deliver on your promises. They also help you build credibility, and add value to your service.
What someone else says about you is infinitely more power than what you say about yourself ~ Joyce Oladipo
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
This is not my usual ezine but I thought I should let you in on this before I forget. I want to talk to you about a really important subject for any service business owner...
What do I want you to have stamped on your forehead "Where Are Your Client’s Testimonials?" Most of the marketing materials sent to me by clients to critique either don't have any at all or they have one or two very weak ones.
You need to put this in the palm of your hands:
What other people say about you is at least 1000 times more persuasive and powerful than what you say about yourself.
Even if you have the best copy a poorly written testimonial will get you better results.
You need get a lot of quality testimonials from your clients.
Someone may doubt one or two testimonials but it's a little
tough to brush away 500 people saying how great someone is!
Testimonial convince prospect that you can deliver on your promises. They also help you build credibility, and add value to your service.
What someone else says about you is infinitely more power than what you say about yourself ~ Joyce Oladipo
Joyce Oladipo, The Business Growth & Marketing, is founder of the Business Profit Building System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly cost-effectively grow your business, in record time...guaranteed. To Discover 19 Secrets to Dramatically Increasing the Income in Your Business visit
http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
How Obama won The Presidential Election…
How Obama won The Presidential Election…
Most of the newspaper in America has Obama advertising in it.
And the ad’s always tells you everything you need to know about why he should win the election.
He didn’t win because he’s the candidate of “change” or because he’s offering 95% of Americans a tax cut or because he’s an incredibly charismatic politician who’s mastered the art of soaring.
The only reason he won is because HE IS A GOOD MARKETER.
Well let me explain (Here is a truly fascinating MARKETING case study that you shouldn’t neglect studying, even if you don’t like politics).
~~~~~~~~~~MARKETING CASE STUDY~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obama’s team has created the most powerful marketing machine ever heard of.
His message is everywhere and his PRIMARY objective is - LEAD GENERATION.
When you click on any of Obama’s ad like the one that was on www.washingtonpost.com, you will be lead to a landing page where you are “squeezed” for your contact info before you can get any of the free “goodies.”
Why?
Well it’s because he want’s to build a list of supporters.
Here is another excerpt from www.Salon.com about Obama’s marketing machine. Love this.
~~~~~~~~~~Articles from Salon.com~~~~~~~~~~~
Barack Obama’s super marketing machine
He knows your neighbourhood, your favourite products and even when you open your e-mail. How Obama is betting on vast, corporate-style voter outreach to win the White House.
By Mike Madden
July 16, 2008 | WASHINGTON — About every week or so, you get an e-mail from Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, or top deputy Steve Hildebrand, or maybe Obama himself. They’re breezy and informal, addressing you by first name at the outset (before they ask you to donate money at the end). But that’s just the beginning.
You know, of course, that Obama has your e-mail address. You may not have realized that he probably also has your phone number and knows where you’re registered to vote — including whether that’s a house or an apartment building, and whether you rent or own. He’s got a decent estimate of your household income and whether you opened a credit card recently. He knows how many kids you’re likely to have and what you do for a living. He knows what magazines and catalogues you get and whether you’re more apt to get your news from cable TV, the local newspaper or online. And he knows what time of day you tend to get around to plowing through your in box and responding to messages.
The 5 million people on Obama’s e-mail list are just the start of what political strategists say is one of the most sophisticated voter databases ever built. Using a combination of the information that supporters are volunteering, data the campaign is digging up on its own and powerful market research tools first developed for corporations, Obama’s staff has combined new online organizing with old-school methods of voter outreach to assemble a central database for hitting people with messages tailored as closely as possible to what they’re likely to want to hear. It’s an ambitious melding of corporate marketing and grassroots organizing that the Obama campaign sees as a key to winning this fall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~END OF Article~~~~~~~
I believe that by now Obama would have grown his list past 5 million because this articles was written in July this year.
Because he had a list, he can email his supporters to vote with a click of a button. He can push more people, more quickly, easily and efficiently, to take action on his behalf, than any other politician, company or individual.
So why did Obama won, it’s because HE was A GOOD MARKETER.
So let learn from Obama, if you want to know what to create a cash surge in your business. You need to have your database in order. Compile ALL the information on your past and present clients, your prospects, PR contacts, strategic alliances, and entire sphere of influence and hub them in a common HUB, then use the information you’ve gathered to market your services.
I use ACT to manage my database and it works fantastically.
Excel is also another system but it has limited capabilities to maintain a database, It a basic tool for organizing basic info about your contacts.
But it’s far better to start with that to stuff names and addresses into your desk drawer.
Being a successful marketer requires identifying and leveraging your marketing assets.
There is no better way of leveraging than leveraging your client database. These are a list of people who know, like and trust you…and could buy from you.
So, if you want to win the game of marketing - if you want to dominate your local marketplace and quickly become the “obvious expert” in your area, you MUST start with building and utilizing an actionable database.
Pay close attention to this quote from the article…
“About every week or so, you get an e-mail from Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, or top deputy Steve Hildebrand, or maybe Obama himself. They’re breezy and informal, addressing you by first name at the outset (before they ask you to donate money at the end).”
This reveals three of the secrets to RELATIONSHIP building that are so crucial to effective marketing (and something the vast majority of business owners do incorrectly. Frequency is key.
Big hugs to you...
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Most of the newspaper in America has Obama advertising in it.
And the ad’s always tells you everything you need to know about why he should win the election.
He didn’t win because he’s the candidate of “change” or because he’s offering 95% of Americans a tax cut or because he’s an incredibly charismatic politician who’s mastered the art of soaring.
The only reason he won is because HE IS A GOOD MARKETER.
Well let me explain (Here is a truly fascinating MARKETING case study that you shouldn’t neglect studying, even if you don’t like politics).
~~~~~~~~~~MARKETING CASE STUDY~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obama’s team has created the most powerful marketing machine ever heard of.
His message is everywhere and his PRIMARY objective is - LEAD GENERATION.
When you click on any of Obama’s ad like the one that was on www.washingtonpost.com, you will be lead to a landing page where you are “squeezed” for your contact info before you can get any of the free “goodies.”
Why?
Well it’s because he want’s to build a list of supporters.
Here is another excerpt from www.Salon.com about Obama’s marketing machine. Love this.
~~~~~~~~~~Articles from Salon.com~~~~~~~~~~~
Barack Obama’s super marketing machine
He knows your neighbourhood, your favourite products and even when you open your e-mail. How Obama is betting on vast, corporate-style voter outreach to win the White House.
By Mike Madden
July 16, 2008 | WASHINGTON — About every week or so, you get an e-mail from Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, or top deputy Steve Hildebrand, or maybe Obama himself. They’re breezy and informal, addressing you by first name at the outset (before they ask you to donate money at the end). But that’s just the beginning.
You know, of course, that Obama has your e-mail address. You may not have realized that he probably also has your phone number and knows where you’re registered to vote — including whether that’s a house or an apartment building, and whether you rent or own. He’s got a decent estimate of your household income and whether you opened a credit card recently. He knows how many kids you’re likely to have and what you do for a living. He knows what magazines and catalogues you get and whether you’re more apt to get your news from cable TV, the local newspaper or online. And he knows what time of day you tend to get around to plowing through your in box and responding to messages.
The 5 million people on Obama’s e-mail list are just the start of what political strategists say is one of the most sophisticated voter databases ever built. Using a combination of the information that supporters are volunteering, data the campaign is digging up on its own and powerful market research tools first developed for corporations, Obama’s staff has combined new online organizing with old-school methods of voter outreach to assemble a central database for hitting people with messages tailored as closely as possible to what they’re likely to want to hear. It’s an ambitious melding of corporate marketing and grassroots organizing that the Obama campaign sees as a key to winning this fall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~END OF Article~~~~~~~
I believe that by now Obama would have grown his list past 5 million because this articles was written in July this year.
Because he had a list, he can email his supporters to vote with a click of a button. He can push more people, more quickly, easily and efficiently, to take action on his behalf, than any other politician, company or individual.
So why did Obama won, it’s because HE was A GOOD MARKETER.
So let learn from Obama, if you want to know what to create a cash surge in your business. You need to have your database in order. Compile ALL the information on your past and present clients, your prospects, PR contacts, strategic alliances, and entire sphere of influence and hub them in a common HUB, then use the information you’ve gathered to market your services.
I use ACT to manage my database and it works fantastically.
Excel is also another system but it has limited capabilities to maintain a database, It a basic tool for organizing basic info about your contacts.
But it’s far better to start with that to stuff names and addresses into your desk drawer.
Being a successful marketer requires identifying and leveraging your marketing assets.
There is no better way of leveraging than leveraging your client database. These are a list of people who know, like and trust you…and could buy from you.
So, if you want to win the game of marketing - if you want to dominate your local marketplace and quickly become the “obvious expert” in your area, you MUST start with building and utilizing an actionable database.
Pay close attention to this quote from the article…
“About every week or so, you get an e-mail from Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, or top deputy Steve Hildebrand, or maybe Obama himself. They’re breezy and informal, addressing you by first name at the outset (before they ask you to donate money at the end).”
This reveals three of the secrets to RELATIONSHIP building that are so crucial to effective marketing (and something the vast majority of business owners do incorrectly. Frequency is key.
Big hugs to you...
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Friday, October 31, 2008
"7 Magic Words That Beats a Competitor's Low Price"
7 Magic Words That Beats a Competitor's Low Price
by Joyce Oladipo
I remember a few months ago I told one of my prospects that I charge €350 per hours. The prospect responds by saying, "But the consultant I spoke to the other day charges only €175 per hour."
Well, what are the magic words I said?
“I wonder what they are not including."
In two seconds, I’ve shot a big hole in my competitor's bucket.
Now any credibility the competitors might have had with this prospect is fast spilling out all over the ground. With these seven words, I logically and reasonably emphasized doubt, aroused suspicion, and increased skepticism. And it's legitimate because neither I nor my prospect knows what the other consultant fee’s includes.
To get my point across I get out a piece of paper and divide the sheet into two columns. Put my name at the first column and my competitor’s on the other.
In the first column, I write down all what’s included in my package. (If you've read my past issues, you should have already created a list of your packages and what your clients will get from each package)
In the second column, I write down all what’s included in my competitor package. The certainty of knowing exactly what I provide will allow my prospect to see clearly on paper "what they will get for their money" when they hire me.
If your prospect ask the question at a seminar, at a networking meeting or over the phone, taking out a sheet of paper wouldn’t be practical.
So here's what you do instead. When you’re speaking about fees, speak with confidence and be specific. A specific, confident answer builds credibility. Explain to your prospect exactly what you offer and what problems you solve, clearly and carefully. Make sure you don't overwhelm them with technical stuff, tell them how you are going to solve their problem and what they will get from working with you.
When you refer to a competitor, emphasize that you don't know what your competitor’s offers because an uncertain answer emphasizes doubt, arouses suspicion and increases skepticism.And, since your competitor’s charges less than you do, it's easy and logical for you and them to conclude that the competitor’s provides less and this could mean fewer benefits, less time with you, and less information.
Most businesses do a bad job in creating a vivid picture of what their prospect receives when they hires them.
Prospects want a clear picture of what they will get when they write you a cheque. The more specific you are about your services, the more credible and trustworthy you appear to prospects.
Memorize this short sentence because rarely will you find words that work as well as, “I wonder what they are not including out."
Big hugs to you...
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
by Joyce Oladipo
I remember a few months ago I told one of my prospects that I charge €350 per hours. The prospect responds by saying, "But the consultant I spoke to the other day charges only €175 per hour."
Well, what are the magic words I said?
“I wonder what they are not including."
In two seconds, I’ve shot a big hole in my competitor's bucket.
Now any credibility the competitors might have had with this prospect is fast spilling out all over the ground. With these seven words, I logically and reasonably emphasized doubt, aroused suspicion, and increased skepticism. And it's legitimate because neither I nor my prospect knows what the other consultant fee’s includes.
To get my point across I get out a piece of paper and divide the sheet into two columns. Put my name at the first column and my competitor’s on the other.
In the first column, I write down all what’s included in my package. (If you've read my past issues, you should have already created a list of your packages and what your clients will get from each package)
In the second column, I write down all what’s included in my competitor package. The certainty of knowing exactly what I provide will allow my prospect to see clearly on paper "what they will get for their money" when they hire me.
If your prospect ask the question at a seminar, at a networking meeting or over the phone, taking out a sheet of paper wouldn’t be practical.
So here's what you do instead. When you’re speaking about fees, speak with confidence and be specific. A specific, confident answer builds credibility. Explain to your prospect exactly what you offer and what problems you solve, clearly and carefully. Make sure you don't overwhelm them with technical stuff, tell them how you are going to solve their problem and what they will get from working with you.
When you refer to a competitor, emphasize that you don't know what your competitor’s offers because an uncertain answer emphasizes doubt, arouses suspicion and increases skepticism.And, since your competitor’s charges less than you do, it's easy and logical for you and them to conclude that the competitor’s provides less and this could mean fewer benefits, less time with you, and less information.
Most businesses do a bad job in creating a vivid picture of what their prospect receives when they hires them.
Prospects want a clear picture of what they will get when they write you a cheque. The more specific you are about your services, the more credible and trustworthy you appear to prospects.
Memorize this short sentence because rarely will you find words that work as well as, “I wonder what they are not including out."
Big hugs to you...
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Friday, October 03, 2008
How to Generate Money Making Marketing Ideas Quickly
Here is today's article... "How to Generate Money Making Markting Ideas Quickly"
If you don't do it better, your competition will.
1. Focus
Before you can develop a successful marketing idea, you must have a plan that identifies a need, the problem and how you're going to solve that problem and expose the opportunity.
The most efficient way to do this is to research your present customers to find out what their needs are and how you are presently meeting those needs. With this information, you'll know the hot buttons to push to attract other people to your store, product or service.
2. Reflect
Once you know the problem and the opportunity, how do you translate it into a successful new idea?
Have you answered the "who, what, where, how, when and why" to define the problem?
Think about how you can make your product or service better. Reflect on new markets that you can enter, a more defined, benefit driven unique selling proposition and ways to tweak your product or service.
Plan a brainstorming session with your mastermind group. Throw ideas out on the table, don't criticize anything, and let your ideas flow.
Here are a few ways to jump start your ideas:
What if?
How can we improve....?
How can we streamline...?
What should we modify?
What could we replace?
What could we add?
What should we eliminate?
How can we simplify?
What two things can we combine to make it better?
Why?
3. Act
Prioritize the plan and detail the action steps to get it accomplished. Take action, no matter how small it may seem. Just do something to get your creative juices flowing. Test your creative impulses by listening to your inner voice. Write out your plan, first in broad terms, then down to the minute details.
4. Measure
Measure the action test and study possible conclusions. If your test works with one market, it might work with another market with a little tweaking. Test new headlines, new offers and guarantees. Offer bonuses for responding sooner rather than later.
5. Expand
Using your new measurements, expand your horizons into new territories. Find a niche market and develop a series of products that you can sell in a packaged system. Once this niche is successful, sell the method you used to sell to that niche and encourage others to follow your suggestions in 'their' niches.
Big hugs to you...
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
If you don't do it better, your competition will.
1. Focus
Before you can develop a successful marketing idea, you must have a plan that identifies a need, the problem and how you're going to solve that problem and expose the opportunity.
The most efficient way to do this is to research your present customers to find out what their needs are and how you are presently meeting those needs. With this information, you'll know the hot buttons to push to attract other people to your store, product or service.
2. Reflect
Once you know the problem and the opportunity, how do you translate it into a successful new idea?
Have you answered the "who, what, where, how, when and why" to define the problem?
Think about how you can make your product or service better. Reflect on new markets that you can enter, a more defined, benefit driven unique selling proposition and ways to tweak your product or service.
Plan a brainstorming session with your mastermind group. Throw ideas out on the table, don't criticize anything, and let your ideas flow.
Here are a few ways to jump start your ideas:
What if?
How can we improve....?
How can we streamline...?
What should we modify?
What could we replace?
What could we add?
What should we eliminate?
How can we simplify?
What two things can we combine to make it better?
Why?
3. Act
Prioritize the plan and detail the action steps to get it accomplished. Take action, no matter how small it may seem. Just do something to get your creative juices flowing. Test your creative impulses by listening to your inner voice. Write out your plan, first in broad terms, then down to the minute details.
4. Measure
Measure the action test and study possible conclusions. If your test works with one market, it might work with another market with a little tweaking. Test new headlines, new offers and guarantees. Offer bonuses for responding sooner rather than later.
5. Expand
Using your new measurements, expand your horizons into new territories. Find a niche market and develop a series of products that you can sell in a packaged system. Once this niche is successful, sell the method you used to sell to that niche and encourage others to follow your suggestions in 'their' niches.
Big hugs to you...
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Client Attractive Telephone Calls That Make's Money
Client Attractive Telephone Calls That Make's Money
by Joyce Oladipo
If you're like most small business owners, you know the value of speaking with a prospective client over the telephone before their first appointment. This initial conversation allows you to introduce yourself, establish a cordial relationship, ask questions, and decide whether to work with this person or not. For these purposes, the telephone is a quick, efficient way of collecting information.
On the other hand, the telephone is the least effective way and the most problematic way, of delivering your marketing message. Why? Because you can't see how your prospect responds.
You can't see the expression on her face, which alerts you to her understanding or bewilderment. You can't see whether she's nodding in agreement or shaking in fear. And when you quote your fee, you can't see whether her eyes convey "no problem," or whether they pop out of their sockets. Over the phone, you can evaluate only your prospect's voice. Often, this isn't enough.
Your marketing message deserves equal documentation. After all, you don't want a prospect to hire you based on what he thought you said, when you really said something else.
How often has a prospect repeated something that was exactly the opposite of what you said?
Regardless of whether your prospect is a naïve consumer or a sophisticated executive, you'd do well to put your marketing message in writing. This becomes even more important if your message contains details your prospect might find confusing, such as dollar amounts, time periods, rules and exceptions, benefits of your service, and more.
When delivering your marketing message, here's the tow things you must deliver: You must provide complete details so your prospect can make an informed decision. But the more information you deliver, the more likely you are to create confusion. To help make sure your prospect digests and understands your marketing message, follow these key steps:
Preparation
Write your marketing message to clearly explain what you want to convey. Anything you say during your first appointment can also be said in writing. Put your message in the form of a personal letter, including answers to frequently asked questions. Discuss everything from the problem your prospect faces, benefits of working with you, to how she hires you and her options. The more complete your presentation, the more efficient and effective your marketing message will be.
Action
When a prospect first calls to talk to you or schedule an appointment don't hesitate to speak with her briefly over the phone. After you introduce yourself and ask a few questions, explain that you have prepared helpful information you'd like your prospect to read and digest before your in-depth conversation. Then send your information by mail or e-mail, or explain where he can find it on your web site. I have a session on my site call the "Interview with Joyce". Here I answer all the question the prospect needs to know to work with me. I have been able to close all my sales me sending prospects to this section of my site before booking an appointment with me. At the end of this page, I invite them to email me to schedule an appointment or register for my programs.
If your prospect emails you after they've read your information, you can now assume our prospect is much better informed about her problem and the ways you can help her.
If your prospect doesn't contact you, then your marketing message has successfully screened out anyone that does not fit your profile as an ideal client.
Follow-up
After you're an in-depth conversation, send a letter that reaffirmed some important points, highlights the why they should work with you. The benefits of your service, and explains why she should act now. This gives you yet another opportunity to deliver key facts in writing, so the success of your marketing effort doesn't depend on her memory.
So to make the best impression on phone, just introduce yourself and establish a cordial relationship. Ask questions, and decide whether this person is an ideal client or not.
Follow-up with prospect efficiently by answering any questions thy might have read about what you do, then invite them to take action.
Do not use the telephone to deliver your marketing message. Instead, use the phone calls to collect key facts about the prospect. What is problem they want to solve? What does it mean to them have it solve, how bad do they want it solved. This will save you a great deal of time. Write marketing materials that will attract your deal client, then deliver your marketing message clearly and effectively.
Love and Abudance
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
by Joyce Oladipo
If you're like most small business owners, you know the value of speaking with a prospective client over the telephone before their first appointment. This initial conversation allows you to introduce yourself, establish a cordial relationship, ask questions, and decide whether to work with this person or not. For these purposes, the telephone is a quick, efficient way of collecting information.
On the other hand, the telephone is the least effective way and the most problematic way, of delivering your marketing message. Why? Because you can't see how your prospect responds.
You can't see the expression on her face, which alerts you to her understanding or bewilderment. You can't see whether she's nodding in agreement or shaking in fear. And when you quote your fee, you can't see whether her eyes convey "no problem," or whether they pop out of their sockets. Over the phone, you can evaluate only your prospect's voice. Often, this isn't enough.
Your marketing message deserves equal documentation. After all, you don't want a prospect to hire you based on what he thought you said, when you really said something else.
How often has a prospect repeated something that was exactly the opposite of what you said?
Regardless of whether your prospect is a naïve consumer or a sophisticated executive, you'd do well to put your marketing message in writing. This becomes even more important if your message contains details your prospect might find confusing, such as dollar amounts, time periods, rules and exceptions, benefits of your service, and more.
When delivering your marketing message, here's the tow things you must deliver: You must provide complete details so your prospect can make an informed decision. But the more information you deliver, the more likely you are to create confusion. To help make sure your prospect digests and understands your marketing message, follow these key steps:
Preparation
Write your marketing message to clearly explain what you want to convey. Anything you say during your first appointment can also be said in writing. Put your message in the form of a personal letter, including answers to frequently asked questions. Discuss everything from the problem your prospect faces, benefits of working with you, to how she hires you and her options. The more complete your presentation, the more efficient and effective your marketing message will be.
Action
When a prospect first calls to talk to you or schedule an appointment don't hesitate to speak with her briefly over the phone. After you introduce yourself and ask a few questions, explain that you have prepared helpful information you'd like your prospect to read and digest before your in-depth conversation. Then send your information by mail or e-mail, or explain where he can find it on your web site. I have a session on my site call the "Interview with Joyce". Here I answer all the question the prospect needs to know to work with me. I have been able to close all my sales me sending prospects to this section of my site before booking an appointment with me. At the end of this page, I invite them to email me to schedule an appointment or register for my programs.
If your prospect emails you after they've read your information, you can now assume our prospect is much better informed about her problem and the ways you can help her.
If your prospect doesn't contact you, then your marketing message has successfully screened out anyone that does not fit your profile as an ideal client.
Follow-up
After you're an in-depth conversation, send a letter that reaffirmed some important points, highlights the why they should work with you. The benefits of your service, and explains why she should act now. This gives you yet another opportunity to deliver key facts in writing, so the success of your marketing effort doesn't depend on her memory.
So to make the best impression on phone, just introduce yourself and establish a cordial relationship. Ask questions, and decide whether this person is an ideal client or not.
Follow-up with prospect efficiently by answering any questions thy might have read about what you do, then invite them to take action.
Do not use the telephone to deliver your marketing message. Instead, use the phone calls to collect key facts about the prospect. What is problem they want to solve? What does it mean to them have it solve, how bad do they want it solved. This will save you a great deal of time. Write marketing materials that will attract your deal client, then deliver your marketing message clearly and effectively.
Love and Abudance
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Get New Clients, And Get Your Existing Clients Coming Back.
Get New Clients, And Get Your Existing Clients Coming Back.
To Get New Clients
1) An ACTIVE - not passive - referral program. A systemised, generous referral program designed to get your best clients to refer their friends and colleagues. (Why 'best' clients? Because people tend to hang around with people like them. If you want impoverished, penny-pinching clients, sure, ask them to refer their friends.)
2) Lead-generating mailbox flyers, newspaper ads, street signs and window posters. Essentially, lead-generators involve making an introductory offer of some kind of FREE service - with restrictions on numbers, days available etc, to drive them in on days when your appointment book is empty anyway - with the purpose of getting the prospect's to work with you. When they call to get more information you send them the information by post. It when you make the series of follow up that you start the sell by then you would have gotten them interested in you.
Why would you offer something free? Because, you know that an average client is worth $X to you in a year… and you know if you get ten new prospective clients asking for information, you'll keep say 5 of them for the long term. Five times $X = ?
So what is X for you?
To Get Current & Past Clients Coming Back
1) Regular (Monthly!) Ezine. Anything less than monthly is a waste of time. It doesn't have to be glossy, 'professional'. In fact, the more it looks like it's been hammered out on an old typewriter on your kitchen table, the better. Personal stuff, about you, your kids, your staff… and with an offer in it.
I cannot stress enough the value of a regular ezine. They always produce sales, always bring in more than they cost. And they keep your clients close. And they generate referrals. "Oh, but they're too hard/I don't have time/I don't know what to put in them/I can't be bothered…" Well, you have NO excuses. It’s a most to getting more clients.
2) 'Raise the Dead' letters: go to your database, pick all the clients you haven't seen for three months or more…and send them a letter with an offer in it.
Do this every three months.
3) New Client Letters. If they don't immediately re-book, every first time client should be receiving a series of follow-up letters, offering them a Gift Voucher to re-schedule NOW.
4) Memberships. Want your clients to pay a year's worth up front? Or commit to a regular credit card payment every month? A member of your 'Premium VIP Club' who's paid for a year of services up front isn't going anywhere else. Plus, once they've spent the money, they'll soon forget about it….and spend more on your products every time you work with them.
5) Special promos. One of my new clients, once produced a series of promtions offering a range of value-add services ranging in price from a couple of hundred bucks right up to $500 or more. These offers were placed in location all over her town – at the doctors, hair salons, day care. And for a month, the she was receiving call from prospects wanting to know how they can work with her. She sold over $16,000 worth of her packages in a matter of days. And the more expensive ones sold best!
There you have it. If you employ only that handful of strategies, do it regularly, do it well, you cannot fail.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
To Get New Clients
1) An ACTIVE - not passive - referral program. A systemised, generous referral program designed to get your best clients to refer their friends and colleagues. (Why 'best' clients? Because people tend to hang around with people like them. If you want impoverished, penny-pinching clients, sure, ask them to refer their friends.)
2) Lead-generating mailbox flyers, newspaper ads, street signs and window posters. Essentially, lead-generators involve making an introductory offer of some kind of FREE service - with restrictions on numbers, days available etc, to drive them in on days when your appointment book is empty anyway - with the purpose of getting the prospect's to work with you. When they call to get more information you send them the information by post. It when you make the series of follow up that you start the sell by then you would have gotten them interested in you.
Why would you offer something free? Because, you know that an average client is worth $X to you in a year… and you know if you get ten new prospective clients asking for information, you'll keep say 5 of them for the long term. Five times $X = ?
So what is X for you?
To Get Current & Past Clients Coming Back
1) Regular (Monthly!) Ezine. Anything less than monthly is a waste of time. It doesn't have to be glossy, 'professional'. In fact, the more it looks like it's been hammered out on an old typewriter on your kitchen table, the better. Personal stuff, about you, your kids, your staff… and with an offer in it.
I cannot stress enough the value of a regular ezine. They always produce sales, always bring in more than they cost. And they keep your clients close. And they generate referrals. "Oh, but they're too hard/I don't have time/I don't know what to put in them/I can't be bothered…" Well, you have NO excuses. It’s a most to getting more clients.
2) 'Raise the Dead' letters: go to your database, pick all the clients you haven't seen for three months or more…and send them a letter with an offer in it.
Do this every three months.
3) New Client Letters. If they don't immediately re-book, every first time client should be receiving a series of follow-up letters, offering them a Gift Voucher to re-schedule NOW.
4) Memberships. Want your clients to pay a year's worth up front? Or commit to a regular credit card payment every month? A member of your 'Premium VIP Club' who's paid for a year of services up front isn't going anywhere else. Plus, once they've spent the money, they'll soon forget about it….and spend more on your products every time you work with them.
5) Special promos. One of my new clients, once produced a series of promtions offering a range of value-add services ranging in price from a couple of hundred bucks right up to $500 or more. These offers were placed in location all over her town – at the doctors, hair salons, day care. And for a month, the she was receiving call from prospects wanting to know how they can work with her. She sold over $16,000 worth of her packages in a matter of days. And the more expensive ones sold best!
There you have it. If you employ only that handful of strategies, do it regularly, do it well, you cannot fail.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
How Often Should You Contact Your Clients?
After send thing out this week’s ezine. I got an email from Sarah Jane a client of mine asking: can you contact clients TOO often?
I have a rather simplistic approach to this, one that sounds brutal - and frankly, most small business owners too shy to adopt it - but one that has help me though the years in my own business.
"Mail to them till they buy… "
But to explain: the best sales and marketing minds in the world agree that it's almost impossible to contact your clients too often. As a rule of thumb, your clients should get at least one 'touch' from you every single month of the year.
Sound impossible? Think for a minute. 48 touches a year doesn't mean you're pitching something to them every single week. A 'touch' can be any one of dozens of 'points of contact'.
Let's have a look at this in detail, and break it down into bite-sized chunks.
Ezine: you should be doing no less than one a month. That's 12 touches in a year. Your ezine is your 'Trojan Horse' - it turns you from being an 'unwelcome pest' into a 'welcome guest', because it provides a means by which you can make a 'soft sell', cloaked in useful/personal/newsy information. It's not ALL pitch.
And for those of you who moan "I don't have the time to do a newsletter every month", "My ezine without doubt makes me serious money every month." So, if you're complaining about lack of time to do a monthly ezine, what you're actually saying is that you're too busy working on the tools to actually make any money.
Birthday cards: once a year, obviously. But you can include a Gift Voucher.
Client Appreciation Evenings: not every client will come, of course, but you invite ALL of them by mail. Another touch, say four times a year.
Monthly specials: clients want to be alerted to special offers. Another 12 touches.
Special 'Event' Driven promotions: You can count more than a dozen of them without trying e.g. Mothers Day, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and so on… plus any number of others you can simply invent, eg National Bad Hair Day. Another dozen 'touches’ or more.
They add up, folks. I haven't done the sums, but just in the points above, there are probably 40 or 50 'touches'.
Here's the thing: If your clients feel they are getting 'too much' from you, they will tell you and unsubscribe. Those that unsubscribe will never buy anything from you anyway. Those that stay love it.
The crime is NOT sending enough information to your clients. Don't market timidly for fear of upsetting one or two of the masses. Market aggressively up to the point - but not beyond - where you pee everybody off. And only THEN back it off a little:-)
Sound like a lot of work but it's not?
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
I have a rather simplistic approach to this, one that sounds brutal - and frankly, most small business owners too shy to adopt it - but one that has help me though the years in my own business.
"Mail to them till they buy… "
But to explain: the best sales and marketing minds in the world agree that it's almost impossible to contact your clients too often. As a rule of thumb, your clients should get at least one 'touch' from you every single month of the year.
Sound impossible? Think for a minute. 48 touches a year doesn't mean you're pitching something to them every single week. A 'touch' can be any one of dozens of 'points of contact'.
Let's have a look at this in detail, and break it down into bite-sized chunks.
Ezine: you should be doing no less than one a month. That's 12 touches in a year. Your ezine is your 'Trojan Horse' - it turns you from being an 'unwelcome pest' into a 'welcome guest', because it provides a means by which you can make a 'soft sell', cloaked in useful/personal/newsy information. It's not ALL pitch.
And for those of you who moan "I don't have the time to do a newsletter every month", "My ezine without doubt makes me serious money every month." So, if you're complaining about lack of time to do a monthly ezine, what you're actually saying is that you're too busy working on the tools to actually make any money.
Birthday cards: once a year, obviously. But you can include a Gift Voucher.
Client Appreciation Evenings: not every client will come, of course, but you invite ALL of them by mail. Another touch, say four times a year.
Monthly specials: clients want to be alerted to special offers. Another 12 touches.
Special 'Event' Driven promotions: You can count more than a dozen of them without trying e.g. Mothers Day, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and so on… plus any number of others you can simply invent, eg National Bad Hair Day. Another dozen 'touches’ or more.
They add up, folks. I haven't done the sums, but just in the points above, there are probably 40 or 50 'touches'.
Here's the thing: If your clients feel they are getting 'too much' from you, they will tell you and unsubscribe. Those that unsubscribe will never buy anything from you anyway. Those that stay love it.
The crime is NOT sending enough information to your clients. Don't market timidly for fear of upsetting one or two of the masses. Market aggressively up to the point - but not beyond - where you pee everybody off. And only THEN back it off a little:-)
Sound like a lot of work but it's not?
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
There are only THREE ways to increase revenue.
There are only THREE ways to increase revenue.
Just three, no more, no less. No matter whether you're a huge small business owner or shoe maker.
Here they are:
1. Get more Clients.
2. Increase what each Clients spends with you.
3. Increase your prices.
It’s not rocket science. Business is actually very simple. People make it complicated. Profit is nothing more than the difference between your revenue, and your costs. If your costs are high, either reduce them, increase your prices, or better, a combination of the two.
However, do NOT reduce your marketing spend. Increase what you spend on marketing - it is the ONLY thing that brings clients in…. and that includes referrals, which is just word of mouth marketing.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Just three, no more, no less. No matter whether you're a huge small business owner or shoe maker.
Here they are:
1. Get more Clients.
2. Increase what each Clients spends with you.
3. Increase your prices.
It’s not rocket science. Business is actually very simple. People make it complicated. Profit is nothing more than the difference between your revenue, and your costs. If your costs are high, either reduce them, increase your prices, or better, a combination of the two.
However, do NOT reduce your marketing spend. Increase what you spend on marketing - it is the ONLY thing that brings clients in…. and that includes referrals, which is just word of mouth marketing.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Friday, March 28, 2008
Better Results With Less Money
You need to make sure your marketing message resonates with the audience you are targeting. Most business owners don't spend enough time in selecting who they are going to market to.
Not only do you have to select the right target market but you need to make sure that they want what you provide. Most people think they need to reach a lot pf people but that’s not true you need to reach the most qualified people.
The key to your success is shrinking the size of your target market so you can market to them over and over again. It is immeasurably better to contact a prospect list of 1,000 people continuously than it is to mail to 10,000 one-
time.
That is why I love lead generation marketing. You can mail some many times to a huge group of prospects and then only contact those who raise their hand and show they are interested in what you have to offer.
If you have an extremely small target market, you should probably forgo lead generation and just start contacting them at least once a month via email or by phone but if you have a huge list of suspects, then you should absolutely use lead generation advertising you start by sending letters to a small target audience to shrink the size of your list.
Bottom line: You need to shrink the size of our target market so you can contact your prospects repetitively.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Not only do you have to select the right target market but you need to make sure that they want what you provide. Most people think they need to reach a lot pf people but that’s not true you need to reach the most qualified people.
The key to your success is shrinking the size of your target market so you can market to them over and over again. It is immeasurably better to contact a prospect list of 1,000 people continuously than it is to mail to 10,000 one-
time.
That is why I love lead generation marketing. You can mail some many times to a huge group of prospects and then only contact those who raise their hand and show they are interested in what you have to offer.
If you have an extremely small target market, you should probably forgo lead generation and just start contacting them at least once a month via email or by phone but if you have a huge list of suspects, then you should absolutely use lead generation advertising you start by sending letters to a small target audience to shrink the size of your list.
Bottom line: You need to shrink the size of our target market so you can contact your prospects repetitively.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Don't Wait Until You Need Clients, Make TIME for Marketing NOW!
When your phone is ringing off the hook and you're busy working with clients, the last thing you're probably thinking about is taking time out to market and promote your business. (Big mistake!). You should always have time for marketing because that’s what keeps your pipeline full.
In fact, the two big mistakes most self-employed professionals make when it comes to marketing include: not making time for it, and not being consistent about the process when they do finally start. The longer you wait to put an effective system in place, the longer it will take to have a full appointment book month in and month out.
Think about it, if you don't drink until you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. It's no different when it comes to getting new business in the door. Don't wait. The time to start is not when you feel a thirst for new clients - it's NOW! Move "Generating More Clients" to the Top of Your Priority List! Grab your calendar right now and block off at least two full hours each and every business day for client-generating tasks. I highly recommend scheduling two consecutive hours, but if this is not possible for you, break up the time into shorter intervals of time that work for your schedule.
To make the most efficient use of your time, be sure to have a list of marketing activities at your fingertips, so if you happen to find yourself with a last minute cancellation, you can jump right into marketing without wasting time deciding on which activity to do.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
In fact, the two big mistakes most self-employed professionals make when it comes to marketing include: not making time for it, and not being consistent about the process when they do finally start. The longer you wait to put an effective system in place, the longer it will take to have a full appointment book month in and month out.
Think about it, if you don't drink until you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. It's no different when it comes to getting new business in the door. Don't wait. The time to start is not when you feel a thirst for new clients - it's NOW! Move "Generating More Clients" to the Top of Your Priority List! Grab your calendar right now and block off at least two full hours each and every business day for client-generating tasks. I highly recommend scheduling two consecutive hours, but if this is not possible for you, break up the time into shorter intervals of time that work for your schedule.
To make the most efficient use of your time, be sure to have a list of marketing activities at your fingertips, so if you happen to find yourself with a last minute cancellation, you can jump right into marketing without wasting time deciding on which activity to do.
=====================================================
Online entrepreneur Joyce Oladipo, "Business Growth and Marketing Mentor," is creator of the winning Business Abundance E-zine to Immediately and Exponentially Growing Your Business offline and online. To Discover the 19 Secrets to Immediate and Exponential Business Growth, visit http://www.BeAWealthyEntrepreneur.com
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