How To Get To The Top of The Marketing Food Chain
Are you tired of living off handouts from big-name marketers, earning meager affiliate commissions? If you truly want to live and breathe the rarefied air of the super-marketers, what you need is not a change in method, but a change in attitude and mindset. You need to start thinking like a top gun and create your own identity instead of feeding off the efforts of others. Here are some ways of achieving that goal. 1. Be Unique. Write Your Own Content Create, don't copy. You are never going to become a top marketer or ezine publisher if you keep publishing regurgitated information from other top guns. The only people who benefit from that exercise are the top guns themselves. Start writing about your own unique experience as a marketer and share it with others. Write your own unique website content, reports, eBooks if you want to become a "household" name in the marketing community. 2. Be The Content Creator, Not The Distributor Instead of publishing other people's newsfeeds on your website, think about how cool it would be to have YOUR own feed published on thousands of other sites. And then DO it. Create a feed using your own content like I did here and allow others to syndicate your articles. http://ebizwhiz-publishing.com/ebizwhiz.xml 3. Be The Product Seller, Not The Affiliate The ones who make the most money out of a product are the product creators. The affiliates and resellers are always lower in the food chain because they do the selling for them. No doubt affiliate marketing can make you a lot of money, but if you want to be at the top of the food chain and make the kind of riches that the top guns make, you do need your OWN product. It not only allows you to pay others to promote for you, but also builds your credibility in eyes of the marketing community. 4. Get Linked To Without Linking Back The marketing top guns have thousands of people linking to them... and they never have to provide a link back to them. How do you get people to link to you? Simple. Just use the steps I outlined earlier to - * Write content so good that others will WANT to link to it. * Create a product and start an affiliate program that pays others for linking to you. * Write unique articles and distribute them with your link in your resource box. Do these and you'll get thousands of people linking back to you without even thinking to ask for a link back. 5. Get Referrals WITHOUT Asking For Then Now again, why would people refer your services, when you could very well be a competitor? Simply because they stand to lose far more by NOT referring you. And how would you make that happen? Let me give you an example. A while ago, super-marketer John Reese published his "MarketingSecrets.com Newsletter" - a 17-page thumper of an issue full of excellent marketing information. I bet it also became the most well-circulated newsletter in recent internet marketing history. Why? Because it was so good, that other publishers practically BEGGED him to allow them to pass it on to their subscribers. They felt they would be passing on a valuable resource their subscribers would thank them for. So how do you do this if you are not John Reese? Well there are lots of ways you can create a resource that people would line up to offer to others. Some ideas - * Create and install a useful script on your website and allow others to link to it * Allow others to install your script on their site with a link pointing back to you * Write useful reports or ebooks and allow others to give them away * Create brandable reports and viral ebooks that others can tag with their affiliate link Allow others to benefit from giving away your information and they will gladly refer you and your products to their precious lists. 6. Become An Expert In Your Field Decide on an area of marketing that interests you. Read everything about your area of expertise that you can lay your hands on. Then write your own reports, preferably with your own unique insights and observations. Publish an ezine, and review products and services that target your audience. Don't be afraid to show off your knowledge. Your specialized knowledge is what will brand you as an *expert* and make people sit up and take notice when you speak or write about it. 7. Be A Leader, Not A Follower Be proactive and interactive. Take part in marketing seminars. Initiate discussions on controversial issues in your field. Start a forum and build a community of people in your field. Infuse your own attitude and enthusiasm into the subject of discussion. Leave your imprint on the minds of the people you touch everyday. Be a source of inspiration to others in your field. 8. Be An Early Adopter And An Innovator Be the first one to adopt new technologies and apply them to your field. Keep abreast of present and future developments. Keep innovating to stay ahead. The ones who apply new technology the earliest become the pioneers. Follow the road less travelled and everyone else will soon be following in YOUR footsteps. Copyright 2004 Priya Shah _______________________________________________ Priya Shah is the author of Number One In Your Niche and edits the newsletters Be a Whiz at eBiz! and The Glutathione Report _______________________________________________
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Ten Reasons Why Most Yellow Page Ads Fail -And Yours Does Not Have to
Grant Directory users are ready to buy Yellow Pages have a major advantage over all other forms of advertising. It's used precisely when people have decided to buy. They open the directory to check out options and sources. The directory doesn't create their desire, but assists in finding the products and services they want. A typical telephone directory has 18,000 display ads - a recipe for sensory overload. Even within any category, readers encounter page after page of look-alikes, all jammed together. So it's easy for advertisers to get overlooked. Catching the reader's attention is tough - unless your ad differs from the others in ways that matter to readers. Find out how to get more mileage from your ad at http://www.yellowpagesage.com a smarter way to attract Yellow Page customers. The ideal Yellow Page ad provides the answers readers want to find A great ad provides the connection between what buyers expect to learn before buying AND what your particular business offers. The more precisely a business understands its customers' frame of mind, the better it anticipates and answers their questions. It can provide specifics, instead of the general phrases appearing in every competitors' ads. Avoid these common reasons why directory ads fail, so you get more mileage from your ad dollars. And a higher percentage of callers and sales.
Fails to provide the information directory users want Information trumps images and expensive extras, like color. Readers are looking for specific answers. Use your ad space delivering them. Words provide persuasion's heavy lifting. If your message applies equally to the other ads around yours, you haven't sharpened it enough. Keep honing the copy until it embodies why people prefer YOU.
Fades into background - doesn't get noticed While larger ads can be overlooked, smaller ads have to work harder for the same shot at being noticed. Overlooked ads cost just as much as chosen ones. The solution isn't about changing the size, but focusing the words to match what readers want to know. It comes down to saying something unique and relevant to them.
Treats the business name or logo like a benefit It isn't. That's probably the least relevant information, as far as directory users are concerned. Yellow Pages aren't the way to build name recognition. But if you've already developed name recognition in other ways, you have a major chance of getting called.
Inconvenient business location Half of all users scan for location before actually reading the ads' information. They only pay attention to businesses that are convenient (within driving distance) and easy to find. (That distance varies depending on the product or service.) So make sure your location is prominent and findable (maybe a map). Or compensate for an undesirable location with house calls or free delivery.
Expects more than an ad could possibly deliver This problem isn't about the ad, but the advertiser's frame of mind. There's too much hype and biased statistics about what the directory can deliver. New businesses, especially, have unrealistic expectations. The longer a business is in operation, the less impact their listing has upon drawing new business.
Treats the Yellow Pages like a stand-alone marketing method It works best for getting new customers, to capture the "undecideds." But relying on mostly new business is an inefficient way to operate. An enterprise also needs repeat customers and referrals to balance out the high financial and effort costs necessary to keep attracting new ones. Therefore, a business needs a variety of strategies to keep, as well as find, buyers.
Trusts ad size and placement to do the work Industry statistics show that larger ads and those toward the front of the category get more calls. But that over simplifies what makes people choose a particular ad. If an ad doesn't fit the reader's preferences or match what they're looking for, it will be passed by (whatever its size).
Looks like the rest Too bad if your ad doesn't capture the eye in the two seconds it passed by - then landed somewhere else. That's all the attention most ads get. Look-alike ads were probably done for free by directory employees. They follow standardized guidelines and templates without much variation. And they don't have a clue about what's special about your operation. That's not the best way to go.
Fails to track the calls so you know why people call No getting around it, if you don't keep track of customers you can't tell how they find you. Or what's working (or not). Logging the source of new business shows how much credit to give to the Yellow Pages (or other marketing efforts).
Callers can't get information they want That ad did its job fine. But the customer still got away because the call wasn't answered or desired information wasn't forthcoming. Fielding calls effectively is crucial because unsatisfied callers just call the next ad. Develop a strategy that covers all your bases An attention-grabbing Yellow Page ad doesn't just happen. The business needs to back it up with additional promotion to get more than their share of calls. But when the directory works together with other marketing effort, they all do better.
©2004, Lynella Grant
The Surprise Inside!
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Direct Mail
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Please pick at least two that you're either not doing, or not doing that well - and MAKE A DECISION to add them to your marketing mix in the weeks ahead: Direct Mail Internet Marketing Email Marketing Advertising Telephone Marketing Direct Sales Strategic Alliances Referral Systems PR Additional Products/Services We will tackle these in order Direct Mail Direct mail is often overused and badly done. It's got a bad reputation over the years, mainly due to spammers, used instead of the telephone or by con artists seeking their next victim. There are a lot of myths and nonsense about mailings. You may want to print this out, because in my continuing efforts to help you reach success ? I am about to share the secrets of direct mail - I'd be surprised if the contents of this mail does not save you thousands of pounds over the next 12 months. By the way, if you are totally new to Direct Mail - "It's anything sent by post, sales letters, electronic mail or brochures etc" I want to dispel some things about DM to you. "Direct Mail doesn't work" . This ingenious conclusion is arrived at by the fact that most people throw most of the mail we get directly in the bin - therefore the thinking is that it's a waste of money. The truth is that 90 out of 100 people might throw your mailing in the bin, but if 5 people look at it, 5 more read it and one of those 5 buys from you - you may well have a highly profitable mailing. Last week I sent 400 emails to potential clients, and got 37 replies. That's to say that 37 people actually read my mail, and I got exactly 9 new clients as a result. Now what would happen if I doubled my mailings next week? I could expect from 800 mails, about 80 replies and maybe 20 sales! And that's easily doable by the way, because I've done it. But saying that, your mailing may not work ? it depends on what you say, price involved and some products may just not be suited to an email campaign. It's very much a numbers game, but one thing is certain, email is free! You have to enter this knowing that most of your mailings will go unread, but at least it's cheaper than other advertising methods. Large companies like Capital One, know their mailings DO work ? they've spent a fortune fine tuning and testing these campaigns. But just to warn you ? direct mail can fail, and they are the ones, usually, small to medium businesses send out, because they don't understand what they are really doing. If it's done right, it will make your profits increase dramatically, and when it's done badly ? it can eat into a budget, so be very careful! There are 2 types of mailings: Potential Customers Existing Customers If you don't do much mailing ? start doing some now. It's easy to not email out of fear of upsetting clients, scared of bombarding them with too many mails, thus losing a sale. That's crazy and it's to nobodys advantage. Actually, most sales emails are helpful and quite genuine. I was once told "You've got to be mad to not listen to a salesman ? they might have something you need!" So next time you receive a mail or telesales call, consider that it could well be in your favour. And there really is nothing wrong with sending out 2 mails each week.. So don't worry. I have noticed that many clients are sitting with 1000's of email addresses ? yet they aren't contacting these clients. That's like throwing money down the drain. They could say NO, then again they could say YES to your product. Imagine if a further 10 bought your services next week ? how do you feel about not emailing those customers now? Try it today?.. Think of something you can offer these customers, you must have something you can offer! Even something for free. Send them a letter and measure the response. If it works, mail them and measure the results. If it keeps on working, keep on doing it! The best email is a personal communication with a customer you know. It may read as follows: Dear----------- I wanted to follow up after your purchase of (your product) on (date) to see how it's working out for you and to thank you for your continuing business. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know by return email, or feel free to call my private phone number. Many Thanks Regards Mr X Your customer is going to open, read and appreciate an email like this. They may even respond to it, and even if they don't, it doesn't look like spam or bug anyone. And they probably will appreciate that. ------------------------------...Give it a go ? you'll be surprised. Regards Christopher Given www.busigen.com
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There Are Benefits... And Then There Are Benefits
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13 Lessons in Marketing, Super Bowl Style
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Use The Neglected Weapons In Your Marketing Arsenal
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Whats In a Business Card?
Over the years as I have attended trade shows, networking meetings, chamber events and more; I have noticed a few things about the successful and the not so successful. First of all, do you have a business card?
If you belong to a large corporation, you were probably issued business cards as a matter of course, almost as if it was a company perk. If you are in a small or home-based business, chances are you, personally, made the effort to get business cards, which entailed design, print and distribution. So if you went to all of the trouble of acquiring them, you should use them to your advantage. Here are a few tried and true rules for marketing with your card.
1. Never leave home without the cards. I have stopped for coffee already and had someone ask me for a card because they saw my car sign as I pulled into the local coffee shop lot. If you want people to discredit you as a businessperson, all you have to do is say "Oh sorry I forgot my cards today." I have even been to trade shows and fellow exhibitors were walking around without cards. You have not only lost an immediate opportunity to market your business, but you look like an amateur who doesn't deserve the business.
2. Is the information correct? The reality is that sometimes we change our contact information. If you know that there will be changes in the near future, then limit the number of cards you have printed. Do not, scribble out and hand write information on your card. Back to "Can anyone say amateur?" I said that to someone once and his reply was, "yes but business cards are expensive." That says two things to me: 1) he didn't shop around for a good price and 2) AMATEUR! The idea is to attract business not scare it away.
3. Does the card say what you want it to say? What message are you trying to get across? When designing a business card, think about the placement of information on the card. Is the key information in a prominent place on the card? Does the design work with the rest of your company image? Your business card should be an extension of your company just like your logo, stationery, checks, signage, website and more. They should all get across the same message and design.
4. Can prospective clients contact you easily with the information provided on your card? This is a big one!
Is your website up to date?
Do you check your email at least once a day? (and respond!)
Is your email address professional (not mycompany@genericfreeemail.com)
Is your voice mail message clear, concise and professional?
In this day of technology everyone assumes you must have email and a website for your business to be successful. This is not necessarily true. If you do not conduct business via email or internet then do not put that information on your card. No matter what you use, the key is to be accessible.
5. Are you marketing with your business card? Keeping them in your pocket is a waste of time and money. Be clear about who your target client is. When you see an opportunity slip in your business card. Do not be rude and pushy, but confident that the person could benefit from your services.
If you are not sure that your business card is getting you where you want, market test it. Give it to some friends and colleagues and ask them for their opinions. If your friends are not going to be honest with you, then try "strangers." At the next event you attend ask some people what they think of your design.
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Business marketing is one of the most important parts that your business needs to be addressed with careful attention and proactive thoughts. In last decade or so, the importance of business marketing has increased volcanically, as the advent of Internet and online business has ushered a whole new era in business. It should be noted that the competition and urgency among businessmen has increased due to the fact that Internet has rendered a whole world as a virtual world, and you never know when and from where a potential competitor has entered your territory unnoticed by you. And this is where proper business marketing strategies and sound business marketing plans play their part to make you the choicest businessman for your customers and dealers.
The Top 10 Wild and Wacky Ways to Market Yourself for Big Visibility
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The Power of a Survey
How many times have you been asked to participate in a survey? If you are anything like me then the answer is probably hundreds. I am often being stopped in the street and invited to take part in a survey that will only take a few minutes. I do feel sorry for these marketers as I usually decline and say that I am too busy. More often than not the survey is in relation to something that I am not interested in anyway. There must be a lot of people who do take the survey because opinion polls are constantly being quoted for a variety of issues. These survey results are extremely powerful in persuading consumers that a particular product has been voted the best in a survey. We are often influenced, possibly subconsciously, by these survey results and buy the particular product that came out on top.
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