Taking a leaf out of Obama’s marketing playbook – exquisite use of the internet Plan to make use of the Internet and Social Networking sites to market your product to consumers.
Obama’s expert use of the Internet probably won him the election; something you should take notes of and likewise plans an “exquisite use of the Internet as a marketing tool.” The social media marketing tool is a cheaper than traditional direct-to-consumer advertising.
“Barack Obama gets the Internet and social media the way that Kennedy got TV.” – Fast Company. “Staff finds White House in the Technological Dark Ages” – The Washington Post. The story goes on to explain that the outdated White House does not have Facebook to communicate to Obama supports, not outside e-mail log-ins, no instant messaging, etc. “…like going from an Xbox to an Atari.” according to Obama Spokesman Bill Burton.
What is Social Media?
Social Media are internet-based tools for sharing and discussing information. The content is user-generated, anyone can post (generally for free) and messages can go “viral.”
Social media is now used more often than email according to Nielsen” Social Nets Overtake E-mail” Adweek. In addition, Pew Research Center’s summary of findings states, “it’s becoming a more valued source of information.”
Social Media/Social Networking Trends
This still exists…
SEO and paid search
“Push” to site as call to action
(For example: for more information, visit www….)
Your brand is not my friend
Social networking among under-40s
The ‘citizen journalist’ (individual as messenger)
‘Firewalls’ around content owner/publisher control of context
Oversharing” – to much information all over the net
But now there’s also...
Content portability
Greater mobility and reach for your content; anything can become ‘viral’
Corporate engagement in social media expected; transparency is price of entry.
Social networking among over-50s
The ‘citizen broadcaster’ (individual as medium)
“Mashups” (loss of control of context from your content)
“Undersharing” – a move to exclusivity and discretion
Implications• All media is social media now, whether you like it or not
• If your current content creation/distribution processes do not fully address social media context – you need new solutions for managing your business
• Many old rules of marketing and public relations still apply but with a few new wrinkles:
News or buzz (positive or negative) can go viral in hours and stay online for years!
Traditional PR activities such as press releases can gain new legs online
Good content is still good content and the opposite applies
• The opportunities:
Reach new audiences in new ways
Build and sustain strong relationships
Be the most-trusted source of information about your company and products.
It’s not the social media medium, it’s the message
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/
Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Social Media Marketing: Twitter Deep Dive
What is Twitter?
Micro blogging goes to work
First time twitter was on the CNN news journalist described it as the newest micro-blogging tool to hit the internet. Over 1.2 million users are on Twitter according to the Oprah show aired in April 2009. There must be 2 million by now. If you think that Twitter is an absurd idea for business, guess again!
Twitter describes itself as: “Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”
• Twitter is a micro blogging service
• Twitter allows you to connect with your clients directly on their cell phone or computer in a non-obtrusive way with short posts
• Twitter lets you post short text updates (140 characters maximum) from a computer or handheld device that repeatedly answer the question, "What are you doing?"
• Your updates are listed chronologically on a personal page that can read like an energy-fueled day-planner.
• Others can sign up to follow your "Tweets," as they're called, and you can follow theirs
• You can set up a keyword, such as a company's name, and see how it is being used in the Twitter sphere.
Remember your children and grandchildren as it’s a snap shot in time to what the worlds doing what is Twitter? Mind what you’re saying as it is a historical record.
The beauty of Twitter is that you do NOT have to answer that question every time you tweet. In fact, it‘s better if you don‘t. Be creative. Use Twitter as YOU see fit, and how it works for YOUR needs.
Twitter Tip: Register your Twitter name without the use of spaces or underscores. Like what Oprah did @oprahwinfrey. There are many reasons why but the main reason is that underscores are a dead give away that you‘re a late adopter. It‘s a bit of a pain in the neck to get to the underscore when you‘re tweeting from an iPhone with no copy or paste feature.
It‘s perfectly acceptable to use your full name, and would advise you to lock up your full name (first and last name) if it‘s available. Just keep your name as short as possible. Challenges with using your full name arise when it‘s long and/or difficult for new friends/followers to remember the spelling. If that‘s the case, you may want to consider using your BRAND as your username instead. Twitter usernames will become valuable real estate just like Web sites were back in the 90‘s. So “ lock em up! “
Build your Twitter community:
When you join first Twitter, put a picture up immediately—before following anyone. I would not personally follow anyone without a picture. The company's that use icon type logos are to me a no-no as well.
- People want to network with people
- You select people to follow, and people choose to follow you.
- It’s about connecting with 10 people who reach 100 who reach 1,000
Understand Twitter Etiquette? It’s not recommended you add useless information. Ask yourself how useful the information is before sending. And Ask questions. It’s also fun to share pictures or refer individuals you like and connect with to your facebook account.
Sharing Pictures www.twitpic.com
Twitter me at TallCAGal@twitter.com
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Premier Certified Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/
Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Micro blogging goes to work
First time twitter was on the CNN news journalist described it as the newest micro-blogging tool to hit the internet. Over 1.2 million users are on Twitter according to the Oprah show aired in April 2009. There must be 2 million by now. If you think that Twitter is an absurd idea for business, guess again!
Twitter describes itself as: “Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”
• Twitter is a micro blogging service
• Twitter allows you to connect with your clients directly on their cell phone or computer in a non-obtrusive way with short posts
• Twitter lets you post short text updates (140 characters maximum) from a computer or handheld device that repeatedly answer the question, "What are you doing?"
• Your updates are listed chronologically on a personal page that can read like an energy-fueled day-planner.
• Others can sign up to follow your "Tweets," as they're called, and you can follow theirs
• You can set up a keyword, such as a company's name, and see how it is being used in the Twitter sphere.
Remember your children and grandchildren as it’s a snap shot in time to what the worlds doing what is Twitter? Mind what you’re saying as it is a historical record.
The beauty of Twitter is that you do NOT have to answer that question every time you tweet. In fact, it‘s better if you don‘t. Be creative. Use Twitter as YOU see fit, and how it works for YOUR needs.
Twitter Tip: Register your Twitter name without the use of spaces or underscores. Like what Oprah did @oprahwinfrey. There are many reasons why but the main reason is that underscores are a dead give away that you‘re a late adopter. It‘s a bit of a pain in the neck to get to the underscore when you‘re tweeting from an iPhone with no copy or paste feature.
It‘s perfectly acceptable to use your full name, and would advise you to lock up your full name (first and last name) if it‘s available. Just keep your name as short as possible. Challenges with using your full name arise when it‘s long and/or difficult for new friends/followers to remember the spelling. If that‘s the case, you may want to consider using your BRAND as your username instead. Twitter usernames will become valuable real estate just like Web sites were back in the 90‘s. So “ lock em up! “
Build your Twitter community:
When you join first Twitter, put a picture up immediately—before following anyone. I would not personally follow anyone without a picture. The company's that use icon type logos are to me a no-no as well.
- People want to network with people
- You select people to follow, and people choose to follow you.
- It’s about connecting with 10 people who reach 100 who reach 1,000
Understand Twitter Etiquette? It’s not recommended you add useless information. Ask yourself how useful the information is before sending. And Ask questions. It’s also fun to share pictures or refer individuals you like and connect with to your facebook account.
Sharing Pictures www.twitpic.com
Twitter me at TallCAGal@twitter.com
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Premier Certified Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/
Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
12 Ways to Live Up to Your Greatest Potential
If you want to make more of your talents - live up to your full potential - you have to learn to use them. You have the power to change your habits - to acquire new skills and fully use the skills you now have. You can improve your performance, your productivity, and the quality of your whole life.
What makes a high achiever? Is it luck, intelligence, talent, dedication? All of these things figure in - they all make a difference. But we all know intelligent, talented, hard-working people who do not consider themselves very successful or even happy. And we know people who are not exceptionally bright but seem happy and successful.
So there must be something else, some secret to success. Actually there
are several secrets to achieving your peak performance - living up to your
full potential.
Your success at business, friendship, love, sports - just about anything you try - is largely determined by your own self-image. Your unhappiness is something you choose. So, you're thinking no one chooses to be unhappy. Well, maybe not - but you have to consciously choose to be happy, self-confident, and successful.
Happiness is elusive when we go after it directly. So is self-confidence. Both seem to be more "side-products" than something you can achieve in and for it. So how, then, can consciously choosing to be these things be of any value? Well, the secret is to focus on other things.
1. FOCUS
First, focus on your potential. Begin by making a complete and accurate assessment of your potential. To do this you must take an inventory of yourself - you will make a few lists. Sit down and make a list of all the things you can do well. Be honest with yourself. When that list is done,
make a list of all the things you like to do, even if you think you can't do them well. Then, make a list of all the things you would like to do, if you could. Now list your hobbies.
Then, go back to the list of things you can do well. You are probably being much too hard on yourself. Most of us are. We have this little voice in our heads telling us things like: "You're so dumb," or "You can't learn to do that," or "You never do anything right," or similar nasty things. And even worse, we listen to that voice as if it's telling us the gospel truth. So now, shut off that voice - you can do it - and add a few more things to the list of things you can do well. Pretend you are your best friend - it's amazing how much more forgiving and charitable we are with our friends than we are with ourselves. Now that you are your best Friend, you should be able to add a few more items to your "do well" list. But do be honest - don't list things you feel you really can't do well.
Next, go to your list of things you like to do but you feel you don't do well. Speaking as your own best friend, do you think there are some things on this list that could be moved to your "do well" list? There probably are. If you like to do it, chances are you do pretty well at it. Treat your hobby list in the same manner.
Next, go to your list of things you would like to do if you could. Ask yourself, "Why can't I do this, if I'd like to?" Put your reasons on another list. OK. So you have a lot of lists going - what good is that going to do? Well, you have just made an assessment of yourself. If you have been truly honest in making these lists, it may even be a fairly accurate assessment. Probably it isn't, but that's OK. This assessment isn't carved in stone. It's subject to change. But for now we will work
with what's on the lists. At least you have a place to start.
2. ASSESSMENT
Look over your lists again. You are focusing on all the things you feel you can't do and the reasons why you can't do them, right? Well, don't. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO - FOCUS ON YOUR POTENTIAL. Make it a habit to focus on your strengths. Don't forget to include your undeveloped potential, as well. Train yourself to focus on your potential instead of your limitations.
Now that's not to say that you should ignore your list of reasons for not doing some of the things you would like to do. Not at all! But look at them from the viewpoint of your strengths. For instance, you'd like to play basketball but you think you are too short, so you don't even try. In
this case, you are looking at it from the viewpoint of your limitations. Now, when you look at it from the viewpoint of your strengths, you would say, "Well, I may be pretty short to play, BUT I am fast. I can handle the ball well. I have a lot of stamina. I can't change being short, but I can
refuse to let my limitations overcome my strengths."
You see the difference? Focusing on your limitations lets those limitations make your decisions for you. Focusing on your strengths lets YOU make the decision. To go back to our example: when you've decided to overcome your height limitations to play basketball - something you really want to do - you will be more determined to develop your strengths to compensate. You will do well, because you will be doing what you really want to do and you will be determined to develop the full potential of your strengths. Very few people concentrate on fully developing any of their strengths. That's where you will have the edge. You know your true disadvantages but your determination, your singleness of purpose, will inspire you to fully develop the talents and skills you do have.
OK. You probably have no interest in playing basketball. Then go to your assessment of yourself. What do you have a major interest in? What do you have a natural aptitude for? Go for it. Devote yourself to something you really like to do. Don't choose something just because you think you could make more money at it than you could by doing something else that you would
really rather work at. You won't work to develop your full potential. You may start out with enthusiasm, but you will soon flag. It will be a chore to go to work. You'll probably find yourself hating to go. It'll be difficult to work on improving your skills because you don't like what you
are doing. You probably won't be working up to your potential. Your success will probably be limited by your growing lack of interest and your happiness will surely be affected.
If, however, you devote yourself to something you really like to do, you'll enjoy your work, you'll be enthusiastic, and you'll probably find yourself working on improving your skills just for the sheer joy of it. You will be working to reach your full potential. You'll probably soon find you are
making more money at this truly interesting occupation than you ever dreamed possible. And because you like what you are doing, you will be happier.
When you know you are working to your full potential and you enjoy your work and begin to feel successful, you will find that self-confidence and happiness soon follow.
Although most people will be unnecessarily harsh in their assessments, it is easy to become too hopeful when you start breaking down barriers. If, for instance, you're extremely interested in and fond of music and would love to be a singer, it would be unreasonable to set a singing career as your goal if you can't sing a note (some talents are inborn). But if you are knowledgeable about the music business and would be happy being involved in some other capacity, then it would be reasonable to pursue a career in the business.
Be wary of making otherwise perfectly reasonable goals unattainable because of stringent time frames. When you set a goal, you will most likely set times for achieving certain steps along your way to achieving your final goal. I recommend you formally set time frames; you will probably
have a pretty good idea of how long you are giving yourself. It's wise to sit down and formally set these goals. Think about it and give yourself reasonable time to achieve them. Make a deal with yourself to view these time limits as firm. It’ll motivate you to achieve your goals and provide a
real sense of accomplishment once you meet them that will continue motivating you towards success.
Continue to encourage yourself even if things don't work out as planned. Sometimes finding our place takes both time and error. All of us experience failures of one magnitude or another. The key is to view the failures as a learning experience - if nothing else; failures teach us what not to do. Remain flexible. As long as you keep focusing on your strengths and potential- the right thing will come along - and probably sooner rather than later. But don't quit at the first sign of boredom. Even if you have truly found your niche, you will not feel enthusiastic 100 percent of the time.
Don't worry about others - don't compare your progress with that of others. No matter how successful you are, there will be someone else who, to you, looks like she's got it made - who looks like she's getting where you want to go faster and easier than you are. Maybe she is. Maybe she isn't. Who cares? Focus on your own achievements. Work to develop your skills and
talents to their full potential. Compete with yourself - your short term goals should be based on today's accomplishments. If you have reached Point A today, make Point B your next objective - improve yourself and don't worry about the other guy.
3. DEFINE
OK. You have decided what your ultimate goal is. Make sure it is a fully defined goal with a due date. "Someday I want to be famous" just won't cut it. Define exactly what you want to do. Define a reasonable time frame. Know what you have to do to get there. You don't need to know every little detail, but you do have to have the big picture and many of the details. If you have a goal in mind but don't know what it takes to reach it, then you need to find out. Do some reading, talk to people who know, ask questions and LISTEN to the answers. Think that sounds like a lot of work? Well, remember what you are preparing for - your success and happiness. Surely you want to put a little effort into that! Anyway, a little research into what it will take for you to reach your goals isn't too difficult.
4. RESEARCH
Train yourself into making this "research" the next focus of your life. You will be focusing on your strengths, on your purpose, and on learning and doing. If you have chosen a goal that is right for you, focusing on these things and devoting the necessary time should not be too difficult. It may take a bit of self-discipline at first, but your determination and interest will carry you through until the focusing process becomes a habit. When you have a real desire to accomplish something, initiative should only require an occasional shove - but you may need to give it a nudge now and again.
5. VISUALIZE
Get into the habit of visualizing your success with feeling or passion behind it. Now sitting around and daydreaming in generalizations about it is not what I mean. You need to visualize specifics. To return to the basketball example, daydreaming about being carried off the court on your teammates' shoulders is just daydreaming. Picturing in your mind how you will work a play if your opponent makes a particular move, picturing your exact response to it, is visualizing specifics. If you run through specific moves in your mind, you will be prepared when the need for those moves arises.
Don't be afraid to use your imagination to visualize new and better ways to accomplish things, as well. Here in your mind, you can try doing things in ways that are different from the usual. This is a creative process - you may have heard of creative thinking. Training yourself to think creatively is largely learning to let your imagination work on methods that are different from the "way things have always been done." It's breaking away from the idea that a thing can be done effectively in only one way. It's looking at a problem from all angles. Just play a game of "what if." Ask yourself, "What if I did this thing this way?" It's OK to get a little crazy sometimes. But, you must also spend some of your thinking time at specific visualizations of the moves you need to make to accomplish your goals.
6. PRACTICE
Visualizations are important but actual physical practice of your skills is important, too. Practice the boring little skills that are necessary as well as the skills that you enjoy. Don't let yourself rely on just the things that come naturally and easy to you. Develop your limited potentials as well as those that you feel are your assets.
Work on developing the more general attributes that are important to almost any goal.
Success comes more easily to those who have a pleasing personality. This is not to say that you should bend to everyone’s wishes or scrape and bow. Rather, develop an attitude that is respectful of other's opinions but true to your own beliefs. Be flexible - don't be so rigid that you can't accept another's opinion when it is superior to your own. Be willing, even eager,
to learn from others. Changing your opinion in light of more facts is a sign of strength of character, not weakness. Be willing to extend a helpful hand, be a team player. Develop a sense of humor. Be polite and caring - but be your own person.
Learn to guard against emotional responses. You are susceptible to errors of judgment when you let your emotions get in the way. Of course, everything we do is done based somewhat on our emotions, but strong emotions have little place in decision making. Hold your emotions in
check. Try to delay decisions if you are in an emotional state. Learn to ignore your emotions and use reasoning to arrive at your decisions.
Develop the habit of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm works like a magnet - it draws people and success. It's a pleasing personality trait that people like to be a part of. It seems to be contagious - the people around you become enthusiastic, too, and become more cooperative. Enthusiasm sparks
initiative and singleness of purpose.
We've talked of working to develop habits - the habit of focusing on your goals, the habit of focusing on your strengths, the habit of learning and "researching," the habit of visualizing, the habit of enthusiasm. Now we will talk of habits in a little different light - breaking them. First,
assess your habits looking for the ones that may be displeasing to others. Offensive habits can hold you back from success - they are often a part of an unpleasing personality. Look for things like grumbling or grunting at people instead of answering, gazing at anything but the speaker when conversing, smirking or sneering when you don't agree - anything that is an automatic, displeasing mannerism. It will be very difficult to assess your habits accurately. After all, a habit is something that we do without thinking much about it. You will have to spend some time at this and be very conscious of yourself. Ask someone you trust to help you with this assessment. It may take a lot of work to break yourself of displeasing habits. Try substituting a different, more pleasing behavior for the habit you wish to break.
OK. You have set definite goals, you have a definiteness of purpose, you have researched and know the specific steps to take to achieve the goals, you have resolved to be flexible and to develop a more pleasing personality. Now what?
As you advance toward your goals, you will undoubtedly run up against some difficult people (maybe even difficult bosses), and there will be times you'll need to deal effectively with them. Since you are working on becoming a nice, enthusiastic person and a team player, you already have half the battle won. Your attitude is as important as the other guy's attitude when you are dealing with difficult people.
Always keep in mind that your job is a training field for you. You are getting paid as you learn the things you need to know to achieve your goals. Pretty good deal, right? If you view your job as a paid opportunity to advance toward your goals, you will be an asset to your boss. You will also be a happier, more productive person. Viewing your job in this manner will allow you to view the difficult people you will inevitably need to deal with as an opportunity to grow. From them and the situations they create, you will learn to negotiate with, side-step around, and draw out the best in others without letting yourself become upset. Each time you successfully deal with one of these people you will gain confidence and probably friends to add to your support network. The skill of negotiating with difficult people and the confidence you have gained
from these encounters comes in handy when you are ready to ask for a promotion or raise - even if your boss happens to be a nice person.
7. NEGOTIATE
Successful negotiation is not a contest of wills - it is working together to solve a problem or come to an agreement. It is an opportunity to learn how others feel about the issue.
Always be prepared. Know who you are talking with. Always know as much as possible about the person. Know about the person's marital status, family, hobbies, education, difficulties, attitudes, and whatever else you can learn. The information may give you an understanding of the person. If you know the circumstances, you will more easily find the most effective way to get your point across. At the very least, the information will make the person seem more familiar which will give you more self-confidence.
8. DEFINE ISSUE
Know the issue - not just your opinions about it. Be able to back up your opinions with reasons and research. If you are asking for a promotion, know the demands of the job in question. Know and be honest about how much of the job you are already qualified to do and how much additional training you will need. If you may not be as qualified as someone else applying, be
prepared to negotiate for a smaller-than-offered salary until you are fully trained - remember the training is worth a lot to you. Be enthusiastic and focus on your strengths - don't boast but give an a simple and accurate listing of the strengths you feel make you a good candidate for this job. The strengths you cite can and should include specific job related skills, your present accomplishments on the job, your interest in the field (not just this job), your enthusiasm, your ability to work as a team member, and other personal traits that will be an asset on the job.
Always enter into negotiations with a calm and reasonable manner. Don't let emotion and emotional outbursts have a place at the negotiating table. You must be in control of yourself if you want to get your point across. People are more likely to listen to your views if you present them in a calm and reasonable manner. Present your ideas with conviction but don't
try to intimidate others or be demanding. State your views simply, completely, and orderly. When you are expressing an opinion rather than a fact, use a qualifying "I think" or "In my opinion." When others are expressing their views, listen carefully and ask questions if something
isn't clear. Don't disagree until you are sure you understand their position. When you do disagree, do so in a pleasant non-threatening way. "I see what you mean, but . . ." or "I can understand why you think that, but . . ." are a couple of good ways to begin a statement of disagreement. Be courteous and leave them a chance to save face.
Be prepared to face people who are not calm and reasonable. Don't let them get to you. Remain calm and reasonable and even be a little sympathetic. Let's say you have entered into negotiations with your boss for a raise and he blows up with, "I can't afford to give you a raise. This business isn't exactly a gold mine. Don't you realize how tough times are?" Remain calm.
Put yourself in his shoes. Try to find something you can agree and sympathize with. For instance, look sympathetic and agree, "I know you have a lot of expenses and you work hard to keep this business going. It must be really difficult for you sometimes." This will probably not be the response he expects. It will probably take the wind out of his sails. Most likely he will calm down, and since you are sympathetic to his problems, he'll be more willing to listen to you. If you remain calm, reasonable, and sympathetic, he will calm down. When he is calmer, discuss
with him the reasons you are a valuable asset to him. Don't threaten but calmly and reasonably discuss the bargain a small raise is. With that small raise, he'll be keeping a happy and fully trained employee who knows the company. When you consider the expense of finding and training another individual, giving you a raise is a bargain for your boss.
Play "Let's Make A Deal." Be prepared to deal. Don't expect to get everything you want. If you are willing to gracefully make some concessions, you will be more likely to arrive at a satisfactory deal. After all, a negotiation has at least two opposing sides. This means someone else has something they want, too - even if that something is simply to leave things as they are. Arrive at a compromise that everyone can live with. Remember, you are working at long-range goals, and you may be negotiating with them again.
Developing your potential more fully is a key to happiness and fulfillment. Although we have primarily discussed this in terms of a job, these same concepts can be used in many other areas of your life.
In developing your potential to its fullest, you will want to become a more efficient person - get more done in less time - so you can take full advantage of the opportunities that you make for yourself. You will note that most effective, successful people seem to accomplish a great deal.
It's true that this is partly due to enthusiasm, but there's more to it.
The first barrier to efficiency is procrastination - putting off getting started. Sometimes you know you are procrastinating. You may not want to do the task at hand so you keep putting it off until tomorrow. The thing to do is to look at it from a different angle. If it'll have to be done
sometime, tell yourself, "why not do it now, and get it off your back." And that's just where it is! On you’re back dragging you down. Putting things off makes everything harder to do. If you keep putting things off you'll soon have several things piling up, and then the sheer number of
tasks you have backed up will make it seem impossible to ever get caught up. This affects everything you do try to do.
Sometimes you don't even realize you are putting things off. You may keep yourself extremely busy doing things of little importance to unconsciously give yourself excuses for doing the things you really should be doing. You say to yourself, "Look how busy I am. I just can't get everything done." But the result is the same as when you know you are procrastinating. It soon bogs you down. All you are doing is "running in place."
9. BEAT PROCRASTINATION
So how do you beat procrastination?
The first step in beating procrastination is to admit to yourself how often you do it and assessing your methods of doing it. Not very difficult, really, when you become aware of the tactics some of us use to hide from ourselves what we are doing.
The key in overcoming procrastination and becoming more efficient is organization. Plan ahead. Know what you want to accomplish today, this week, and in the long haul.
10. MAKE LISTS
The lists for today will probably be more detailed than the longer-term lists. That's OK. Now look over the lists and rank the tasks in order of importance. Make three or four groupings based on importance. Within each group, star the things you least like to do.
Each day you will have a "today" list to work on. Tackle the tasks that are most important first. If you have several "most important" tasks on your list, take on the least liked things in that grouping before you do the better liked ones. When you have accomplished a task, check it off.
You'll be surprised what a good feeling you have when you check things off. What a sense of accomplishment! It's an incentive to do the next task on the list. When you have completed the tasks in the first grouping, begin on the list of next importance. Again do the starred items in that group first. Keep on checking things off as you get them done.
Do you see what is happening? You get the most pressing, least liked tasks out of the way early in the day when you are fresh and rested. As the day goes on you will feel less and less pressure. You have reserved the less important tasks for the end of the day when you will be more tired.
11. SYSTEMIZE
With this system you will have not only increased your efficiency but also reduced some of the stress in your day. Stress can get in the way of efficiency. Your new efficiency will help you develop your potential. It is, in fact, a part of living up to your potential.
Another important part of efficiency is in delegating work. If you are in a position where you have assistants or designated people under your supervision, you need to learn to delegate. If you are not in such a position yet, you still need to know - since you're working on developing
your potential you very likely will be some day.
12. DELEGATE
Delegating work is difficult for many people. Some find it hard to ask others to do things for them - others find it hard not to demand that others do tasks. Delegating is an art.
First, you need to realize that the people under your supervision are PEOPLE. Seldom, if ever, should you demand - that takes away self respect. In order to achieve a happy and co-operative crew, you need to help them build self-respect and self-confidence. A happy and co-operative crew is an asset to you. Demands do not promote self-respect and co-operation. Oh, it's probably effective to demand in the short run - but in the long run you will be better off to gain co-operation without demanding.
People who are asked to do a task, are given explanations and clear instructions, and are praised for a job well done will grow in self-respect. They will also respect you as a good supervisor. If you hesitate to ask for their assistance, your crew will feel that you do not trust them or have faith in their abilities. This affects their self-respect and, as a reaction, will affect their respect for you, as well.
When you delegate work, don't delegate just the "junk" tasks. Your crew needs to be given some important tasks to do as well as unimportant ones. The important task gives them a sense of the respect you have for them and the faith you have in their abilities. It's a good idea to save some
"junk" tasks for you. Perhaps the most respected and effective boss is the one about whom the crew says, "She never gives us anything to do that she wouldn't do herself." Why? Because, by her actions the boss is saying that, though her position is above theirs, she is still just "plain
people."
Delegation of tasks is important because you can gain in effectiveness and get more done if you properly supervise a crew. Don't feel embarrassed or hesitant about delegating work. If it helps you to shine, it helps your crew shine, too. A well-run, effective department is a credit to the whole team. With proper delegating, you can help your crew achieve their potential as well as achieving your own.
All of us have untapped potential - perhaps even areas of genius - that we have neglected to develop. Whether your concept of success has to do with business, love, friendship, sports, a combination of these or something else, more fully developing your potential will help you achieve your goals. If you can learn to assess your potential, set realistic goals, and go after those goals with determination, organization, and purpose, you will use your potential more fully, gain confidence, and be a happier and more successful person.
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for Americas Media Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at:http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/ Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
What makes a high achiever? Is it luck, intelligence, talent, dedication? All of these things figure in - they all make a difference. But we all know intelligent, talented, hard-working people who do not consider themselves very successful or even happy. And we know people who are not exceptionally bright but seem happy and successful.
So there must be something else, some secret to success. Actually there
are several secrets to achieving your peak performance - living up to your
full potential.
Your success at business, friendship, love, sports - just about anything you try - is largely determined by your own self-image. Your unhappiness is something you choose. So, you're thinking no one chooses to be unhappy. Well, maybe not - but you have to consciously choose to be happy, self-confident, and successful.
Happiness is elusive when we go after it directly. So is self-confidence. Both seem to be more "side-products" than something you can achieve in and for it. So how, then, can consciously choosing to be these things be of any value? Well, the secret is to focus on other things.
1. FOCUS
First, focus on your potential. Begin by making a complete and accurate assessment of your potential. To do this you must take an inventory of yourself - you will make a few lists. Sit down and make a list of all the things you can do well. Be honest with yourself. When that list is done,
make a list of all the things you like to do, even if you think you can't do them well. Then, make a list of all the things you would like to do, if you could. Now list your hobbies.
Then, go back to the list of things you can do well. You are probably being much too hard on yourself. Most of us are. We have this little voice in our heads telling us things like: "You're so dumb," or "You can't learn to do that," or "You never do anything right," or similar nasty things. And even worse, we listen to that voice as if it's telling us the gospel truth. So now, shut off that voice - you can do it - and add a few more things to the list of things you can do well. Pretend you are your best friend - it's amazing how much more forgiving and charitable we are with our friends than we are with ourselves. Now that you are your best Friend, you should be able to add a few more items to your "do well" list. But do be honest - don't list things you feel you really can't do well.
Next, go to your list of things you like to do but you feel you don't do well. Speaking as your own best friend, do you think there are some things on this list that could be moved to your "do well" list? There probably are. If you like to do it, chances are you do pretty well at it. Treat your hobby list in the same manner.
Next, go to your list of things you would like to do if you could. Ask yourself, "Why can't I do this, if I'd like to?" Put your reasons on another list. OK. So you have a lot of lists going - what good is that going to do? Well, you have just made an assessment of yourself. If you have been truly honest in making these lists, it may even be a fairly accurate assessment. Probably it isn't, but that's OK. This assessment isn't carved in stone. It's subject to change. But for now we will work
with what's on the lists. At least you have a place to start.
2. ASSESSMENT
Look over your lists again. You are focusing on all the things you feel you can't do and the reasons why you can't do them, right? Well, don't. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO - FOCUS ON YOUR POTENTIAL. Make it a habit to focus on your strengths. Don't forget to include your undeveloped potential, as well. Train yourself to focus on your potential instead of your limitations.
Now that's not to say that you should ignore your list of reasons for not doing some of the things you would like to do. Not at all! But look at them from the viewpoint of your strengths. For instance, you'd like to play basketball but you think you are too short, so you don't even try. In
this case, you are looking at it from the viewpoint of your limitations. Now, when you look at it from the viewpoint of your strengths, you would say, "Well, I may be pretty short to play, BUT I am fast. I can handle the ball well. I have a lot of stamina. I can't change being short, but I can
refuse to let my limitations overcome my strengths."
You see the difference? Focusing on your limitations lets those limitations make your decisions for you. Focusing on your strengths lets YOU make the decision. To go back to our example: when you've decided to overcome your height limitations to play basketball - something you really want to do - you will be more determined to develop your strengths to compensate. You will do well, because you will be doing what you really want to do and you will be determined to develop the full potential of your strengths. Very few people concentrate on fully developing any of their strengths. That's where you will have the edge. You know your true disadvantages but your determination, your singleness of purpose, will inspire you to fully develop the talents and skills you do have.
OK. You probably have no interest in playing basketball. Then go to your assessment of yourself. What do you have a major interest in? What do you have a natural aptitude for? Go for it. Devote yourself to something you really like to do. Don't choose something just because you think you could make more money at it than you could by doing something else that you would
really rather work at. You won't work to develop your full potential. You may start out with enthusiasm, but you will soon flag. It will be a chore to go to work. You'll probably find yourself hating to go. It'll be difficult to work on improving your skills because you don't like what you
are doing. You probably won't be working up to your potential. Your success will probably be limited by your growing lack of interest and your happiness will surely be affected.
If, however, you devote yourself to something you really like to do, you'll enjoy your work, you'll be enthusiastic, and you'll probably find yourself working on improving your skills just for the sheer joy of it. You will be working to reach your full potential. You'll probably soon find you are
making more money at this truly interesting occupation than you ever dreamed possible. And because you like what you are doing, you will be happier.
When you know you are working to your full potential and you enjoy your work and begin to feel successful, you will find that self-confidence and happiness soon follow.
Although most people will be unnecessarily harsh in their assessments, it is easy to become too hopeful when you start breaking down barriers. If, for instance, you're extremely interested in and fond of music and would love to be a singer, it would be unreasonable to set a singing career as your goal if you can't sing a note (some talents are inborn). But if you are knowledgeable about the music business and would be happy being involved in some other capacity, then it would be reasonable to pursue a career in the business.
Be wary of making otherwise perfectly reasonable goals unattainable because of stringent time frames. When you set a goal, you will most likely set times for achieving certain steps along your way to achieving your final goal. I recommend you formally set time frames; you will probably
have a pretty good idea of how long you are giving yourself. It's wise to sit down and formally set these goals. Think about it and give yourself reasonable time to achieve them. Make a deal with yourself to view these time limits as firm. It’ll motivate you to achieve your goals and provide a
real sense of accomplishment once you meet them that will continue motivating you towards success.
Continue to encourage yourself even if things don't work out as planned. Sometimes finding our place takes both time and error. All of us experience failures of one magnitude or another. The key is to view the failures as a learning experience - if nothing else; failures teach us what not to do. Remain flexible. As long as you keep focusing on your strengths and potential- the right thing will come along - and probably sooner rather than later. But don't quit at the first sign of boredom. Even if you have truly found your niche, you will not feel enthusiastic 100 percent of the time.
Don't worry about others - don't compare your progress with that of others. No matter how successful you are, there will be someone else who, to you, looks like she's got it made - who looks like she's getting where you want to go faster and easier than you are. Maybe she is. Maybe she isn't. Who cares? Focus on your own achievements. Work to develop your skills and
talents to their full potential. Compete with yourself - your short term goals should be based on today's accomplishments. If you have reached Point A today, make Point B your next objective - improve yourself and don't worry about the other guy.
3. DEFINE
OK. You have decided what your ultimate goal is. Make sure it is a fully defined goal with a due date. "Someday I want to be famous" just won't cut it. Define exactly what you want to do. Define a reasonable time frame. Know what you have to do to get there. You don't need to know every little detail, but you do have to have the big picture and many of the details. If you have a goal in mind but don't know what it takes to reach it, then you need to find out. Do some reading, talk to people who know, ask questions and LISTEN to the answers. Think that sounds like a lot of work? Well, remember what you are preparing for - your success and happiness. Surely you want to put a little effort into that! Anyway, a little research into what it will take for you to reach your goals isn't too difficult.
4. RESEARCH
Train yourself into making this "research" the next focus of your life. You will be focusing on your strengths, on your purpose, and on learning and doing. If you have chosen a goal that is right for you, focusing on these things and devoting the necessary time should not be too difficult. It may take a bit of self-discipline at first, but your determination and interest will carry you through until the focusing process becomes a habit. When you have a real desire to accomplish something, initiative should only require an occasional shove - but you may need to give it a nudge now and again.
5. VISUALIZE
Get into the habit of visualizing your success with feeling or passion behind it. Now sitting around and daydreaming in generalizations about it is not what I mean. You need to visualize specifics. To return to the basketball example, daydreaming about being carried off the court on your teammates' shoulders is just daydreaming. Picturing in your mind how you will work a play if your opponent makes a particular move, picturing your exact response to it, is visualizing specifics. If you run through specific moves in your mind, you will be prepared when the need for those moves arises.
Don't be afraid to use your imagination to visualize new and better ways to accomplish things, as well. Here in your mind, you can try doing things in ways that are different from the usual. This is a creative process - you may have heard of creative thinking. Training yourself to think creatively is largely learning to let your imagination work on methods that are different from the "way things have always been done." It's breaking away from the idea that a thing can be done effectively in only one way. It's looking at a problem from all angles. Just play a game of "what if." Ask yourself, "What if I did this thing this way?" It's OK to get a little crazy sometimes. But, you must also spend some of your thinking time at specific visualizations of the moves you need to make to accomplish your goals.
6. PRACTICE
Visualizations are important but actual physical practice of your skills is important, too. Practice the boring little skills that are necessary as well as the skills that you enjoy. Don't let yourself rely on just the things that come naturally and easy to you. Develop your limited potentials as well as those that you feel are your assets.
Work on developing the more general attributes that are important to almost any goal.
Success comes more easily to those who have a pleasing personality. This is not to say that you should bend to everyone’s wishes or scrape and bow. Rather, develop an attitude that is respectful of other's opinions but true to your own beliefs. Be flexible - don't be so rigid that you can't accept another's opinion when it is superior to your own. Be willing, even eager,
to learn from others. Changing your opinion in light of more facts is a sign of strength of character, not weakness. Be willing to extend a helpful hand, be a team player. Develop a sense of humor. Be polite and caring - but be your own person.
Learn to guard against emotional responses. You are susceptible to errors of judgment when you let your emotions get in the way. Of course, everything we do is done based somewhat on our emotions, but strong emotions have little place in decision making. Hold your emotions in
check. Try to delay decisions if you are in an emotional state. Learn to ignore your emotions and use reasoning to arrive at your decisions.
Develop the habit of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm works like a magnet - it draws people and success. It's a pleasing personality trait that people like to be a part of. It seems to be contagious - the people around you become enthusiastic, too, and become more cooperative. Enthusiasm sparks
initiative and singleness of purpose.
We've talked of working to develop habits - the habit of focusing on your goals, the habit of focusing on your strengths, the habit of learning and "researching," the habit of visualizing, the habit of enthusiasm. Now we will talk of habits in a little different light - breaking them. First,
assess your habits looking for the ones that may be displeasing to others. Offensive habits can hold you back from success - they are often a part of an unpleasing personality. Look for things like grumbling or grunting at people instead of answering, gazing at anything but the speaker when conversing, smirking or sneering when you don't agree - anything that is an automatic, displeasing mannerism. It will be very difficult to assess your habits accurately. After all, a habit is something that we do without thinking much about it. You will have to spend some time at this and be very conscious of yourself. Ask someone you trust to help you with this assessment. It may take a lot of work to break yourself of displeasing habits. Try substituting a different, more pleasing behavior for the habit you wish to break.
OK. You have set definite goals, you have a definiteness of purpose, you have researched and know the specific steps to take to achieve the goals, you have resolved to be flexible and to develop a more pleasing personality. Now what?
As you advance toward your goals, you will undoubtedly run up against some difficult people (maybe even difficult bosses), and there will be times you'll need to deal effectively with them. Since you are working on becoming a nice, enthusiastic person and a team player, you already have half the battle won. Your attitude is as important as the other guy's attitude when you are dealing with difficult people.
Always keep in mind that your job is a training field for you. You are getting paid as you learn the things you need to know to achieve your goals. Pretty good deal, right? If you view your job as a paid opportunity to advance toward your goals, you will be an asset to your boss. You will also be a happier, more productive person. Viewing your job in this manner will allow you to view the difficult people you will inevitably need to deal with as an opportunity to grow. From them and the situations they create, you will learn to negotiate with, side-step around, and draw out the best in others without letting yourself become upset. Each time you successfully deal with one of these people you will gain confidence and probably friends to add to your support network. The skill of negotiating with difficult people and the confidence you have gained
from these encounters comes in handy when you are ready to ask for a promotion or raise - even if your boss happens to be a nice person.
7. NEGOTIATE
Successful negotiation is not a contest of wills - it is working together to solve a problem or come to an agreement. It is an opportunity to learn how others feel about the issue.
Always be prepared. Know who you are talking with. Always know as much as possible about the person. Know about the person's marital status, family, hobbies, education, difficulties, attitudes, and whatever else you can learn. The information may give you an understanding of the person. If you know the circumstances, you will more easily find the most effective way to get your point across. At the very least, the information will make the person seem more familiar which will give you more self-confidence.
8. DEFINE ISSUE
Know the issue - not just your opinions about it. Be able to back up your opinions with reasons and research. If you are asking for a promotion, know the demands of the job in question. Know and be honest about how much of the job you are already qualified to do and how much additional training you will need. If you may not be as qualified as someone else applying, be
prepared to negotiate for a smaller-than-offered salary until you are fully trained - remember the training is worth a lot to you. Be enthusiastic and focus on your strengths - don't boast but give an a simple and accurate listing of the strengths you feel make you a good candidate for this job. The strengths you cite can and should include specific job related skills, your present accomplishments on the job, your interest in the field (not just this job), your enthusiasm, your ability to work as a team member, and other personal traits that will be an asset on the job.
Always enter into negotiations with a calm and reasonable manner. Don't let emotion and emotional outbursts have a place at the negotiating table. You must be in control of yourself if you want to get your point across. People are more likely to listen to your views if you present them in a calm and reasonable manner. Present your ideas with conviction but don't
try to intimidate others or be demanding. State your views simply, completely, and orderly. When you are expressing an opinion rather than a fact, use a qualifying "I think" or "In my opinion." When others are expressing their views, listen carefully and ask questions if something
isn't clear. Don't disagree until you are sure you understand their position. When you do disagree, do so in a pleasant non-threatening way. "I see what you mean, but . . ." or "I can understand why you think that, but . . ." are a couple of good ways to begin a statement of disagreement. Be courteous and leave them a chance to save face.
Be prepared to face people who are not calm and reasonable. Don't let them get to you. Remain calm and reasonable and even be a little sympathetic. Let's say you have entered into negotiations with your boss for a raise and he blows up with, "I can't afford to give you a raise. This business isn't exactly a gold mine. Don't you realize how tough times are?" Remain calm.
Put yourself in his shoes. Try to find something you can agree and sympathize with. For instance, look sympathetic and agree, "I know you have a lot of expenses and you work hard to keep this business going. It must be really difficult for you sometimes." This will probably not be the response he expects. It will probably take the wind out of his sails. Most likely he will calm down, and since you are sympathetic to his problems, he'll be more willing to listen to you. If you remain calm, reasonable, and sympathetic, he will calm down. When he is calmer, discuss
with him the reasons you are a valuable asset to him. Don't threaten but calmly and reasonably discuss the bargain a small raise is. With that small raise, he'll be keeping a happy and fully trained employee who knows the company. When you consider the expense of finding and training another individual, giving you a raise is a bargain for your boss.
Play "Let's Make A Deal." Be prepared to deal. Don't expect to get everything you want. If you are willing to gracefully make some concessions, you will be more likely to arrive at a satisfactory deal. After all, a negotiation has at least two opposing sides. This means someone else has something they want, too - even if that something is simply to leave things as they are. Arrive at a compromise that everyone can live with. Remember, you are working at long-range goals, and you may be negotiating with them again.
Developing your potential more fully is a key to happiness and fulfillment. Although we have primarily discussed this in terms of a job, these same concepts can be used in many other areas of your life.
In developing your potential to its fullest, you will want to become a more efficient person - get more done in less time - so you can take full advantage of the opportunities that you make for yourself. You will note that most effective, successful people seem to accomplish a great deal.
It's true that this is partly due to enthusiasm, but there's more to it.
The first barrier to efficiency is procrastination - putting off getting started. Sometimes you know you are procrastinating. You may not want to do the task at hand so you keep putting it off until tomorrow. The thing to do is to look at it from a different angle. If it'll have to be done
sometime, tell yourself, "why not do it now, and get it off your back." And that's just where it is! On you’re back dragging you down. Putting things off makes everything harder to do. If you keep putting things off you'll soon have several things piling up, and then the sheer number of
tasks you have backed up will make it seem impossible to ever get caught up. This affects everything you do try to do.
Sometimes you don't even realize you are putting things off. You may keep yourself extremely busy doing things of little importance to unconsciously give yourself excuses for doing the things you really should be doing. You say to yourself, "Look how busy I am. I just can't get everything done." But the result is the same as when you know you are procrastinating. It soon bogs you down. All you are doing is "running in place."
9. BEAT PROCRASTINATION
So how do you beat procrastination?
The first step in beating procrastination is to admit to yourself how often you do it and assessing your methods of doing it. Not very difficult, really, when you become aware of the tactics some of us use to hide from ourselves what we are doing.
The key in overcoming procrastination and becoming more efficient is organization. Plan ahead. Know what you want to accomplish today, this week, and in the long haul.
10. MAKE LISTS
The lists for today will probably be more detailed than the longer-term lists. That's OK. Now look over the lists and rank the tasks in order of importance. Make three or four groupings based on importance. Within each group, star the things you least like to do.
Each day you will have a "today" list to work on. Tackle the tasks that are most important first. If you have several "most important" tasks on your list, take on the least liked things in that grouping before you do the better liked ones. When you have accomplished a task, check it off.
You'll be surprised what a good feeling you have when you check things off. What a sense of accomplishment! It's an incentive to do the next task on the list. When you have completed the tasks in the first grouping, begin on the list of next importance. Again do the starred items in that group first. Keep on checking things off as you get them done.
Do you see what is happening? You get the most pressing, least liked tasks out of the way early in the day when you are fresh and rested. As the day goes on you will feel less and less pressure. You have reserved the less important tasks for the end of the day when you will be more tired.
11. SYSTEMIZE
With this system you will have not only increased your efficiency but also reduced some of the stress in your day. Stress can get in the way of efficiency. Your new efficiency will help you develop your potential. It is, in fact, a part of living up to your potential.
Another important part of efficiency is in delegating work. If you are in a position where you have assistants or designated people under your supervision, you need to learn to delegate. If you are not in such a position yet, you still need to know - since you're working on developing
your potential you very likely will be some day.
12. DELEGATE
Delegating work is difficult for many people. Some find it hard to ask others to do things for them - others find it hard not to demand that others do tasks. Delegating is an art.
First, you need to realize that the people under your supervision are PEOPLE. Seldom, if ever, should you demand - that takes away self respect. In order to achieve a happy and co-operative crew, you need to help them build self-respect and self-confidence. A happy and co-operative crew is an asset to you. Demands do not promote self-respect and co-operation. Oh, it's probably effective to demand in the short run - but in the long run you will be better off to gain co-operation without demanding.
People who are asked to do a task, are given explanations and clear instructions, and are praised for a job well done will grow in self-respect. They will also respect you as a good supervisor. If you hesitate to ask for their assistance, your crew will feel that you do not trust them or have faith in their abilities. This affects their self-respect and, as a reaction, will affect their respect for you, as well.
When you delegate work, don't delegate just the "junk" tasks. Your crew needs to be given some important tasks to do as well as unimportant ones. The important task gives them a sense of the respect you have for them and the faith you have in their abilities. It's a good idea to save some
"junk" tasks for you. Perhaps the most respected and effective boss is the one about whom the crew says, "She never gives us anything to do that she wouldn't do herself." Why? Because, by her actions the boss is saying that, though her position is above theirs, she is still just "plain
people."
Delegation of tasks is important because you can gain in effectiveness and get more done if you properly supervise a crew. Don't feel embarrassed or hesitant about delegating work. If it helps you to shine, it helps your crew shine, too. A well-run, effective department is a credit to the whole team. With proper delegating, you can help your crew achieve their potential as well as achieving your own.
All of us have untapped potential - perhaps even areas of genius - that we have neglected to develop. Whether your concept of success has to do with business, love, friendship, sports, a combination of these or something else, more fully developing your potential will help you achieve your goals. If you can learn to assess your potential, set realistic goals, and go after those goals with determination, organization, and purpose, you will use your potential more fully, gain confidence, and be a happier and more successful person.
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for Americas Media Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at:http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/ Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Top Ten Strategies to Marketing Online: Part Three: Email Marketing
Now that you have created your website and WoMB, your next rung on this ladder of successful marketing strategies is e-mail marketing. With steps one and two you provide yourself with a solid foundation and with email marketing you begin to construct your success.
To start your email venture you must first create your email address from which all of your email will be sent. Ideally it would be You@yourbusiness.com, and this is generally easy to achieve. Depending on how you set up your website, you can either ask you designers to do this for you or you can do it yourself. If you must do it yourself Google offers this through their “Gmail” service.
From there you must decide what your email marketing will do for you. Do you want to attract new customers? Do you want to keep veteran customers coming back? Do you want to create a newsletter the visitors of your website will sign up for? Do you want to accomplish all of this? If you answered yes to any of these questions I ask you to pay close attention to the rest of this article.
Attracting new customers is one of the biggest functions of email marketing. This is a basic process, where you can obtain email addresses from companies that specialize in the merchandising of bulk lists of e-mail addresses. These may come off as 'Spam' email, and some people will see it as such, but others will see it as a business reaching out to them. This is the risk/reward of it. Be shunned, or be visited. Being shunned should not be a big fear, it's not like these people are making you money at the moment anyway. These emails will allow you to reach a demographic which may otherwise have never heard of your website. Deciding on whether this is worth being blocked by the occasional 'spam' filter is up to you.
In order to keep your customers coming back you must offer incentives. Offering lower prices for people who sign up for a “membership” in which they provide you with their contact information (usually just an email address) is a good place to start. Once you have them signed up, start sending them reminders about your great product(s), low prices, and/or coupons which they would not receive elsewhere.
Keeping with the theme of returning veteran customers to your website, it is often advisable to offer some sort of referral program, so that if a loyal customer were to sign up, then talk a friend into doing the same they would receive some sort of special compensation, such as free shipping on their next order. Whatever it takes to keep them coming back!
A third strategy for email marketing is to create a newsletter; a newsletter being a regular article (Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or bi-monthly) in which you outline new products or services on your website. Make sure not to give too much away, as you want the newsletter to bring potential customers to your website, not to let them be contented in reading your newsletter alone. Even if they want to buy your product, they may lose interest in the time it takes to find the product on your site. Linking them from the shiny new promo on your email newsletter directly to the checkout page (With whatever new item you're demonstrating) with a one-time, negligible discount is a prime idea.
Now that you've decided what your email marketing strategy is to entail, you must discover how to implement it.
Finding New Customers
● Web services all over offer lists of email addresses to market to. Sometimes they even offer specific demographics. The PROBLEM is that some of these websites entertain shady business practices. I implore you to be certain of your particular company before you make a transaction that could come back to haunt you.
● That being said, the websites that are most likely operating below board are also likely the cheapest of the bunch. It is not my job to force my morality on you, so if you don't mind and are just scraping by, by all means do what you think is right.
● Once you have your target market acquired, design your email. It should be interesting but avoid making it overly busy or cluttered with images. This is a two-edged blade, as it could be a turn off to some people and overloading with images is one of the main ways spam blockers remove suspicious email.
● You can design your own email or use an advertising agency to do it. Ad agencies can be pricey; however, so I do not advocate their use.
● Creating your own email ad should be professional looking as it can be, but a home-grown feel does appeal to people in certain markets. If this is what your ad will be, make your weaknesses your strengths and play into it as hard as you can.
Veteran Customer emails/Newsletters
● The only difference in a veteran customer target market and one you would buy from an internet company is the way you acquire the addresses.
● Creating a membership setup (Either a section for your customers to visit or a list of preferred customers) isn't that difficult, and any good website design firm can make you one. I don't suggest making this yourself, as it requires understanding of PHP and SQL databases, and can take much of your now valuable time (You successful person you).
● Using your database, send out the emails outlined earlier in the article, sit back, and watch your customers come back.
● As far as newsletters go, unless you are a skilled writer it is probably best if you contract the work out. You can either have it 'Ghostwritten' in which someone writes it for you and you take credit, or you can just have someone write the articles and mention them on your website as your web-publication specialist.
● Last but not least, if you set up a schedule, stick to it. Tardy newsletters will definitively turn off your customers, especially if they are expecting the new coupons/discounts you are going to offer this time.
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Premier Certified Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/
Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
To start your email venture you must first create your email address from which all of your email will be sent. Ideally it would be You@yourbusiness.com, and this is generally easy to achieve. Depending on how you set up your website, you can either ask you designers to do this for you or you can do it yourself. If you must do it yourself Google offers this through their “Gmail” service.
From there you must decide what your email marketing will do for you. Do you want to attract new customers? Do you want to keep veteran customers coming back? Do you want to create a newsletter the visitors of your website will sign up for? Do you want to accomplish all of this? If you answered yes to any of these questions I ask you to pay close attention to the rest of this article.
Attracting new customers is one of the biggest functions of email marketing. This is a basic process, where you can obtain email addresses from companies that specialize in the merchandising of bulk lists of e-mail addresses. These may come off as 'Spam' email, and some people will see it as such, but others will see it as a business reaching out to them. This is the risk/reward of it. Be shunned, or be visited. Being shunned should not be a big fear, it's not like these people are making you money at the moment anyway. These emails will allow you to reach a demographic which may otherwise have never heard of your website. Deciding on whether this is worth being blocked by the occasional 'spam' filter is up to you.
In order to keep your customers coming back you must offer incentives. Offering lower prices for people who sign up for a “membership” in which they provide you with their contact information (usually just an email address) is a good place to start. Once you have them signed up, start sending them reminders about your great product(s), low prices, and/or coupons which they would not receive elsewhere.
Keeping with the theme of returning veteran customers to your website, it is often advisable to offer some sort of referral program, so that if a loyal customer were to sign up, then talk a friend into doing the same they would receive some sort of special compensation, such as free shipping on their next order. Whatever it takes to keep them coming back!
A third strategy for email marketing is to create a newsletter; a newsletter being a regular article (Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or bi-monthly) in which you outline new products or services on your website. Make sure not to give too much away, as you want the newsletter to bring potential customers to your website, not to let them be contented in reading your newsletter alone. Even if they want to buy your product, they may lose interest in the time it takes to find the product on your site. Linking them from the shiny new promo on your email newsletter directly to the checkout page (With whatever new item you're demonstrating) with a one-time, negligible discount is a prime idea.
Now that you've decided what your email marketing strategy is to entail, you must discover how to implement it.
Finding New Customers
● Web services all over offer lists of email addresses to market to. Sometimes they even offer specific demographics. The PROBLEM is that some of these websites entertain shady business practices. I implore you to be certain of your particular company before you make a transaction that could come back to haunt you.
● That being said, the websites that are most likely operating below board are also likely the cheapest of the bunch. It is not my job to force my morality on you, so if you don't mind and are just scraping by, by all means do what you think is right.
● Once you have your target market acquired, design your email. It should be interesting but avoid making it overly busy or cluttered with images. This is a two-edged blade, as it could be a turn off to some people and overloading with images is one of the main ways spam blockers remove suspicious email.
● You can design your own email or use an advertising agency to do it. Ad agencies can be pricey; however, so I do not advocate their use.
● Creating your own email ad should be professional looking as it can be, but a home-grown feel does appeal to people in certain markets. If this is what your ad will be, make your weaknesses your strengths and play into it as hard as you can.
Veteran Customer emails/Newsletters
● The only difference in a veteran customer target market and one you would buy from an internet company is the way you acquire the addresses.
● Creating a membership setup (Either a section for your customers to visit or a list of preferred customers) isn't that difficult, and any good website design firm can make you one. I don't suggest making this yourself, as it requires understanding of PHP and SQL databases, and can take much of your now valuable time (You successful person you).
● Using your database, send out the emails outlined earlier in the article, sit back, and watch your customers come back.
● As far as newsletters go, unless you are a skilled writer it is probably best if you contract the work out. You can either have it 'Ghostwritten' in which someone writes it for you and you take credit, or you can just have someone write the articles and mention them on your website as your web-publication specialist.
● Last but not least, if you set up a schedule, stick to it. Tardy newsletters will definitively turn off your customers, especially if they are expecting the new coupons/discounts you are going to offer this time.
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for America’s Premier Certified Media Placement Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com/
Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Top Ten Online Marketing Strategies, Part Two: Physical Word of Mouth
In a previous article “Top 10 Strategies to Marketing Online” ten separate ways were listed to create buzz for a business or product, but what wasn't detailed were the intricacies of each strategy. These marketing paths entail much more than what one could put into just a few short sentences, and it is of the utmost importance to provide everyone reading with every useful bit of knowledge that can possibly be bestowed. Each marketing tactic in “Top 10 Strategies to Marketing Online” has its own specific blueprint to success, with 'Word of Mouth' seeming the most straight forward. This is not the whole truth. Sure, someone can inform another of something, but they cannot be forced to tell people. What can be done is to encourage them to inform others of a mind-blowing business or product they just heard about. The problem then is transforming a person from being an interested loved one into a conduit through which beneficial Word of Mouth can flow.
Far too often even the most intelligent entrepreneur assumes their friends and family will increase the potential profitability of their business venture just by being friends and family. While these folks are essential, they are generally not going to take an interest in a business and assist in making dreams come true if they are approached completely passively. It will take a little work, but these loved ones can become a Word of Mouth Base, or 'WoMB'. It is inside this WoMB that a business will grow and thrive in its infancy. The WoMB will initially be just the creator of the business or the inventor of the product. As this business idea begins to grow and take shape, so must its WoMB. Think of a WoMB like a network. It starts with the focal point, the initiator of the business or the originator of the product, and it spreads outward like a web. This web connects to everyone the owner of the business knows, from any co-workers, to immediate family,to extended family, to friends, to class mates. Each of these connections would then connect to their own personal WoMB, their web of contacts. Take for example, friends. Each friend has a plethora of potential conduits, in that they all have their own co-workers, family, etc. It sounds enticing, but unfortunately it takes a bit of work to change a potential conduit into a spigot of favorable Word of Mouth.
Converting a natural circuitry of acquaintances into a valuable WoMB requires much less guile and tact than it appears. It is not necessary or recommended that manipulation be employed to produce a profitable market base from friends and loved ones. In most cases a simple network of connections can be revamped into a WoMB easily by communicating the main idea to those in the first tier of connections in a network. It is imperative that those in the WoMB don't feel like they are being sold something, but that an enticing new idea is being presented and that they would be doing a service to anyone they tell by informing them of it. This way a businessperson is not asking for favors, but helping others. It is this minor shift of ideal that allows for Word of Mouth to spread like wildfire. Customarily people like to feel like they have done a good thing. Presenting a business in such a way that it is a great, helpful thing allows a WoMB to expound on that feeling. This creates a central goodness to a business that allows it to succeed in a harsh world.
Unfortunately, Word of Mouth can be a hazard as well as a boon. If the product is incomplete or poor quality then a WoMB will be unlikely to form. Without a healthy WoMB full of people backing your product, no other marketing strategy will help you. If the product does not fill a need or if it is unnecessary then it will be impossible to market successfully. There are situations, however; where a great product can be labeled poor by disgruntled customers and/or toxic people. These individuals are a cancer on an otherwise healthy WoMB, and without direct action they can destroy everything they come into contact with. Dealing with these customers is tricky. It is possible, albeit unlikely; that they cannot be reasoned with, and that they simply are curmudgeons and refuse to respond positively to any effort made. More commonly there will have been a mix up or miscommunication somewhere along the line where they felt they were promised something they were not given. If this situation can be remedied, it should be done as quickly as possible, turning that person into a benign conduit of healthy Word of Mouth. Remember, if the person feels they were wronged, they were wronged. There is no arguing with an angry person. Putting someone on the defensive walls them off. Admit fault and they will open up, allowing for them to become a potential customer, rather than a problem.
Without productive Word of Mouth, all business ventures are destined to fail. If there is no way to create the seeds of a WoMB for a business, it is most likely unwise to pursue it. Taking a risk is tantamount to taking a leap of faith. If there is no faith, DON'T LEAP. There is little reason to fear a potential success, but it is unwise to dive headlong into a pursuit that is has virtually zero chance of succeeding. If it does not feel right to present a product as a good thing, it isn't one. Such a product will receive counter-productive Word of Mouth. When that is the case, look for a new idea. Everyone deserves success, but to achieve it requires a strong foundation. Do not allow it to be torn down before it begins. A businessperson must be sure of their idea before they can spread Word of Mouth. However, once they are sure, they must do all in their power to succeed.
Keywords: Internet marketing, online marketing, strategies, advertising, website, word of mouth, online marketing
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for Americas Media Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com. Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Far too often even the most intelligent entrepreneur assumes their friends and family will increase the potential profitability of their business venture just by being friends and family. While these folks are essential, they are generally not going to take an interest in a business and assist in making dreams come true if they are approached completely passively. It will take a little work, but these loved ones can become a Word of Mouth Base, or 'WoMB'. It is inside this WoMB that a business will grow and thrive in its infancy. The WoMB will initially be just the creator of the business or the inventor of the product. As this business idea begins to grow and take shape, so must its WoMB. Think of a WoMB like a network. It starts with the focal point, the initiator of the business or the originator of the product, and it spreads outward like a web. This web connects to everyone the owner of the business knows, from any co-workers, to immediate family,to extended family, to friends, to class mates. Each of these connections would then connect to their own personal WoMB, their web of contacts. Take for example, friends. Each friend has a plethora of potential conduits, in that they all have their own co-workers, family, etc. It sounds enticing, but unfortunately it takes a bit of work to change a potential conduit into a spigot of favorable Word of Mouth.
Converting a natural circuitry of acquaintances into a valuable WoMB requires much less guile and tact than it appears. It is not necessary or recommended that manipulation be employed to produce a profitable market base from friends and loved ones. In most cases a simple network of connections can be revamped into a WoMB easily by communicating the main idea to those in the first tier of connections in a network. It is imperative that those in the WoMB don't feel like they are being sold something, but that an enticing new idea is being presented and that they would be doing a service to anyone they tell by informing them of it. This way a businessperson is not asking for favors, but helping others. It is this minor shift of ideal that allows for Word of Mouth to spread like wildfire. Customarily people like to feel like they have done a good thing. Presenting a business in such a way that it is a great, helpful thing allows a WoMB to expound on that feeling. This creates a central goodness to a business that allows it to succeed in a harsh world.
Unfortunately, Word of Mouth can be a hazard as well as a boon. If the product is incomplete or poor quality then a WoMB will be unlikely to form. Without a healthy WoMB full of people backing your product, no other marketing strategy will help you. If the product does not fill a need or if it is unnecessary then it will be impossible to market successfully. There are situations, however; where a great product can be labeled poor by disgruntled customers and/or toxic people. These individuals are a cancer on an otherwise healthy WoMB, and without direct action they can destroy everything they come into contact with. Dealing with these customers is tricky. It is possible, albeit unlikely; that they cannot be reasoned with, and that they simply are curmudgeons and refuse to respond positively to any effort made. More commonly there will have been a mix up or miscommunication somewhere along the line where they felt they were promised something they were not given. If this situation can be remedied, it should be done as quickly as possible, turning that person into a benign conduit of healthy Word of Mouth. Remember, if the person feels they were wronged, they were wronged. There is no arguing with an angry person. Putting someone on the defensive walls them off. Admit fault and they will open up, allowing for them to become a potential customer, rather than a problem.
Without productive Word of Mouth, all business ventures are destined to fail. If there is no way to create the seeds of a WoMB for a business, it is most likely unwise to pursue it. Taking a risk is tantamount to taking a leap of faith. If there is no faith, DON'T LEAP. There is little reason to fear a potential success, but it is unwise to dive headlong into a pursuit that is has virtually zero chance of succeeding. If it does not feel right to present a product as a good thing, it isn't one. Such a product will receive counter-productive Word of Mouth. When that is the case, look for a new idea. Everyone deserves success, but to achieve it requires a strong foundation. Do not allow it to be torn down before it begins. A businessperson must be sure of their idea before they can spread Word of Mouth. However, once they are sure, they must do all in their power to succeed.
Keywords: Internet marketing, online marketing, strategies, advertising, website, word of mouth, online marketing
Deena McMahon is an author and entrepreneur for Americas Media Specialist, a continuing education and business development company showing people how to build business success. Get No Obligation Free Tips and Training at http://www.americasmediaspecialist.com. Find out if you qualify to be trained in having your own business at 1-800-719-8268 extension 34978.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Top Ten Online Marketing Strategies, Part One: Creating an Attractive Website
The first step to Internet marketing is the creation of your website. This will be your base of operations for all of your online marketing. From your website you will attain your name recognition, your database of customers for email marketing, and your advertisement revenue. Your website can be geared for e-commerce, a showcase for product, or an online service. These are the most successful internet ventures.
Initially, while your website is still in the idea stage, you must decide exactly what your website will do for you. While it is true that the first outline of most websites will be similar, the steps taken to customize your website must mirror the steps you took when designing your business plan. Better still, if you can create a plan for your website/online marketing concurrently with the plan for you business you are putting yourself in a prime position to succeed.
If you decide to gear your website for online purchases of your physical product then you will need to both showcase your product and provide a means to purchase directly from your website. Personally I suggest creating a separate bank account for any business transactions, regardless the size of your current enterprise. Once that is taken care of you must create your e-commerce system. Here are some easy steps to setting up your e-commerce system.
STEP 1: Identify Your Products
You will have to determine what you are going to sell online. The more products you have, the more your shopping cart will cost. You may only have one item, you may want to sell hundreds of items, or you may only wish to place your best selling items online.
STEP 2: Organize Your Products
If applicable, you should group your products into logical categories so customers can easily find what they are looking for. For example, if you were selling music you may wish to group titles in the following groups: country, rock, rap, pop, classical and jazz.
STEP 3: Photograph Your Products
The most effective way to share your products with clients is through pictures. If you want to sell, you'll need a digital image (preferably .jpg, .gif or .tif) of each product. If your photographs are sharp and clear, your website will look professional and customers will want to buy from you.
STEP 4: Receive Payment
You will need to decide how you wish to accept payment from customers. I suggest using pay pal, as it is the easiest to set up, and it does not require a fancy shopping cart program (which is usually pricey).
PayPal:
Sign up for Paypal Account
STEP 5: Ship Your Product
Unless you have a special preference, the cheapest shipping is going to be the united states postal service. They just released a new “Flat-rate box” promotion, which allows you to ship anywhere in the US for one price, which is very useful for the online business. All the USPS information on Flat rate boxes (Or other methods) can be found here:
http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm . Don't forget to include the shipping price into the pricing of your products.
When creating a website solely to showcase your product (This is usually reserved for things difficult to ship. For example: Real estate, Vehicle sales, basically any large big ticket items are included) the aesthetics of your website are your main concern. The appearance of your website should always be on your mind, but it will come directly to the forefront if you are trying to publicize your product. In this type of website your advertisements are going to have to be extremely calculated. Trading banner ads (Which will be discussed at length later in this series) will become important to bring motivated potential customers to your website. Your main goal in this type of website is to get your customers to contact you, so it is a great idea to post a bold link that states “CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION” in big bright shiny letters. While I am generally against it, this type of website can and is often expected to be flashy. Now, I don't suggest that you use cliché flashing pop-ups, but know what you're good at and over emphasize that point. For example, if you sell homes have the text of your heading bulge angularly in the center to create the semblance of a roof. Don't forget that flashy and busy are not the same thing. If your website is painful to look at or difficult to navigate you are going to drive away your customers in droves. While this is sage advice for any website it is doubly so for a showcase website. Making your product difficult to find will not do you any favors when trying to sell it!
An online service website can be many different things, from a blog to a multi-level marketing venture to a social networking website (Like Facebook). The creation of this style of website can be tricky. Your website will need suitable explanation, and more importantly publicity. Your online service can either be free or have a cover charge, but do not assume that because you offer your service for free that you will make less money. Just the word “Free” will increase your 'traffic' immensely, which will allow you to increase your ad revenue comparatively. Most commonly your advertisements will be your largest source of income for your online service website.
Your next step, now that you know what your website will be is going through the construction process. You have several choices when you are building your site. Typically business owners will contract both of the construction and maintenance to a web design company, but that is NOT the only option available to you. Taking a course and building your own website is a viable (and financially cheap) option. A third option is to hire a content management website company, and have them build your website. A content management website is a streamlined website with an easy to edit interface, which allows you to forgo the individual costs of each edit you may want to make to your spiffy new website. All of these methods are simple enough to put into motion, and if you follow these easy steps you will be well on your way.
Steps to Hiring a Web Design Company* :
● Produce a written plan of your website ideas.
● Get estimates from as many companies as you deem necessary (at least three).
● Make sure the cost per hour for website changes/edits are included in the estimate.
● Choose your company weighing both the quality of their previous work and cost.
Steps to Learning HTML & CSS to Create Your Own Website:
● Check into any local colleges for web design classes that fit into your schedule and budget.
OR
● Look online for free tutorials in the subjects your future website dictates you learn.
● Learn Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for optimum website design.
● Pay yourself. Keep track of your hours spent learning and working as if you were being paid whatever you believe you're worth, and if it becomes more expensive to pay yourself than it would cost to hire either a content management website company or a standard web design company it may be time to re-think your strategy.
● Remember to include the potential labor cost of future website edits.
FINAL STEP
● Put your brand new website to good use and START BEING SUCCESFUL.
*= These steps are the same for a content management website or a website from a standard web design company, with the exception of a higher monthly hosting cost for a content management site due to the easy to edit interface usually driving up the monthly price.
Initially, while your website is still in the idea stage, you must decide exactly what your website will do for you. While it is true that the first outline of most websites will be similar, the steps taken to customize your website must mirror the steps you took when designing your business plan. Better still, if you can create a plan for your website/online marketing concurrently with the plan for you business you are putting yourself in a prime position to succeed.
If you decide to gear your website for online purchases of your physical product then you will need to both showcase your product and provide a means to purchase directly from your website. Personally I suggest creating a separate bank account for any business transactions, regardless the size of your current enterprise. Once that is taken care of you must create your e-commerce system. Here are some easy steps to setting up your e-commerce system.
STEP 1: Identify Your Products
You will have to determine what you are going to sell online. The more products you have, the more your shopping cart will cost. You may only have one item, you may want to sell hundreds of items, or you may only wish to place your best selling items online.
STEP 2: Organize Your Products
If applicable, you should group your products into logical categories so customers can easily find what they are looking for. For example, if you were selling music you may wish to group titles in the following groups: country, rock, rap, pop, classical and jazz.
STEP 3: Photograph Your Products
The most effective way to share your products with clients is through pictures. If you want to sell, you'll need a digital image (preferably .jpg, .gif or .tif) of each product. If your photographs are sharp and clear, your website will look professional and customers will want to buy from you.
STEP 4: Receive Payment
You will need to decide how you wish to accept payment from customers. I suggest using pay pal, as it is the easiest to set up, and it does not require a fancy shopping cart program (which is usually pricey).
PayPal:
Sign up for Paypal Account
STEP 5: Ship Your Product
Unless you have a special preference, the cheapest shipping is going to be the united states postal service. They just released a new “Flat-rate box” promotion, which allows you to ship anywhere in the US for one price, which is very useful for the online business. All the USPS information on Flat rate boxes (Or other methods) can be found here:
http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm . Don't forget to include the shipping price into the pricing of your products.
When creating a website solely to showcase your product (This is usually reserved for things difficult to ship. For example: Real estate, Vehicle sales, basically any large big ticket items are included) the aesthetics of your website are your main concern. The appearance of your website should always be on your mind, but it will come directly to the forefront if you are trying to publicize your product. In this type of website your advertisements are going to have to be extremely calculated. Trading banner ads (Which will be discussed at length later in this series) will become important to bring motivated potential customers to your website. Your main goal in this type of website is to get your customers to contact you, so it is a great idea to post a bold link that states “CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION” in big bright shiny letters. While I am generally against it, this type of website can and is often expected to be flashy. Now, I don't suggest that you use cliché flashing pop-ups, but know what you're good at and over emphasize that point. For example, if you sell homes have the text of your heading bulge angularly in the center to create the semblance of a roof. Don't forget that flashy and busy are not the same thing. If your website is painful to look at or difficult to navigate you are going to drive away your customers in droves. While this is sage advice for any website it is doubly so for a showcase website. Making your product difficult to find will not do you any favors when trying to sell it!
An online service website can be many different things, from a blog to a multi-level marketing venture to a social networking website (Like Facebook). The creation of this style of website can be tricky. Your website will need suitable explanation, and more importantly publicity. Your online service can either be free or have a cover charge, but do not assume that because you offer your service for free that you will make less money. Just the word “Free” will increase your 'traffic' immensely, which will allow you to increase your ad revenue comparatively. Most commonly your advertisements will be your largest source of income for your online service website.
Your next step, now that you know what your website will be is going through the construction process. You have several choices when you are building your site. Typically business owners will contract both of the construction and maintenance to a web design company, but that is NOT the only option available to you. Taking a course and building your own website is a viable (and financially cheap) option. A third option is to hire a content management website company, and have them build your website. A content management website is a streamlined website with an easy to edit interface, which allows you to forgo the individual costs of each edit you may want to make to your spiffy new website. All of these methods are simple enough to put into motion, and if you follow these easy steps you will be well on your way.
Steps to Hiring a Web Design Company* :
● Produce a written plan of your website ideas.
● Get estimates from as many companies as you deem necessary (at least three).
● Make sure the cost per hour for website changes/edits are included in the estimate.
● Choose your company weighing both the quality of their previous work and cost.
Steps to Learning HTML & CSS to Create Your Own Website:
● Check into any local colleges for web design classes that fit into your schedule and budget.
OR
● Look online for free tutorials in the subjects your future website dictates you learn.
● Learn Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for optimum website design.
● Pay yourself. Keep track of your hours spent learning and working as if you were being paid whatever you believe you're worth, and if it becomes more expensive to pay yourself than it would cost to hire either a content management website company or a standard web design company it may be time to re-think your strategy.
● Remember to include the potential labor cost of future website edits.
FINAL STEP
● Put your brand new website to good use and START BEING SUCCESFUL.
*= These steps are the same for a content management website or a website from a standard web design company, with the exception of a higher monthly hosting cost for a content management site due to the easy to edit interface usually driving up the monthly price.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Internet Marketing and Business: Creating the Best Team
Successful teamwork, regardless of your business, requires building trust within each one on one relationship.
- Ensure everyone on the team understands the overall purpose, goals and values of your team. Not only should they clearly understand and support you team mandate they should agree on the approach to achieve them.
- Establish and communicate clear team procedures.
- Make sure your team members possess, or have access to, the skills necessary to complete your teams’ objectives by offering the best training.
- Establish and maintain a team code of conduct with your team members in order to set behavioral norms and encourage healthy and successful relationships among the team.
- Create an on-going team gathering, meeting, or team building to establish individual goals, set roles and responsibilities, offer tools and techniques to resolve issues and to encourage team members to be accountable.
- Continually improve the team by demonstrating trust, respect and support for all team members.
- Communicating openly and often about all issue, whether positive or negative is also key.
- Keep all commitments to one another and take all commitments seriously whether it’s to return a phone call or attend a meeting. Your commitment is your bond.
- Edify one another and do not disclose team concerns or shared information outside the team.
- Distinguish between what requires a decision versus what is only an information exchange.
- Preview agendas and information by emailing them out prior to actual event that so attendees have time to consider topics and prepare any questions to share.
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