Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Willie Crawford
It goes without saying that if you don't have website traffic, the other components of your web business can't work very effectively. Without eyeballs on your sales letter, you won't make any sales!
There are many ways to generate fast free website traffic, but many of them aren't readily available to the average, lesser-known marketer.
Joint ventures are an excellent way to get tons of others to send you there traffic. However, joint ventures hinge upon relationships/connections, and many of the people with the most traffic have tons of their own products to promote. Those who own large lists are also approached about joint ventures so often that they may have commitments that extend out past six months.
If you do have a large list, getting immediate traffic to your website can be as simple as sending a compelling email. However, it takes time to build a quality list. It also takes time to build strong relationships and trust with your list members.
Another one of my favorite ways to generate lots of free traffic is by creating an inexpensive product and then allowing others to selling it and keep 100% of the profit. However, that does require a product on a really hot topic, and you still have to recruit affiliates.
You are also giving away 100% of the money on the sale (sacrificing early profits), and your goal there is not so much traffic but to build a list. I do often do this, using a script called Rapid Action Profits, which deposits proceed from the sale directly into my affiliates Paypal accounts while adding the new subscriber to my list automatically.
However, for generating traffic that is free, fast, and even long-term, I recommend creating lots of content and putting it in the path of the search engines. In fact, I often do this when I'm launching a new product, or even promoting a new affiliate product. Here are the down and dirty steps that I take:
1) Do your keyword research, striving to identify the "buying keywords" that your target customers are using. One easy way to do that is to use the "Google External Keyword Tool" to research which keywords get the most searches. This tool is free to use, and will also suggest related keywords to you.
What you are looking for is evidence that people are searching on a given phrase, and that those people are spending money. The Google External Keyword Tool will tell you this.
You can also enter a keyword phrase that you plan to target into the regular Google search box, and look at how many Google AdWords ads display on the right side of the page. These are people paying for each click from people who search on that term, and then click through to their sites. Presumably, they wouldn't pay for those clicks unless these customers were spending money.
2) Use your target keywords to craft titles for 20 articles. In addition to the keywords make sure that your title also promises some benefit. The article title is what's going to get you the most traction in the search engines.
3) Actually write those 20 articles. They can be as short as 400 words. If you have trouble writing, go to several of the bigger article directories and read what others have written on the topic. Also Google the keyword and look at what experts have had to say on the topic. Then write the articles.
If you are still stumped, simply plug your mike into your computer and then talk about the topic. Most of us are certainly good at talking. Record your thoughts then go back and organize them and you have an article (or several articles).
Add a resource box to the article that tells the reader to go to your site for more information, or resources (your product) on the topic. When linking back to your site, use your keyword as the anchor text where permitted.
4) Turn each article into a video. The simplest way to do this is probably to put your main points on PowerPoint slides. Then as you read your article, flip through the slides, and record it using Camtasia screen capture software. As easy as that, you have a movie.
5) Turn each article into a podcast (an MP3). Just read the article and record it using software built right into your computer. You can also download free recording software for tons of places on the internet. One of my favorites is Audacity.
6) Write several press releases using the article titles as your topic. Here you need to get a little creative, but as an example, for this article I would use, "Website Traffic Expert Reveals How To Generate Free website Traffic Fast."
These press releases are being written for SEO purposes, so the exact wording is not so critical. You are going to share several point in the press release and then you are going to link to one or two websites that you want to call attention to. Your links will use your keywords as the anchor text.
7) Submit these articles, videos, podcasts, and press releases to article directories, video sharing sites, podcast aggregators, and free press release sites. Since I do this for numerous products and projects, I use an automated submission site. Being a very prolific writer, I have weeks when I may do 20-40 articles (while still running my web business).
8) "Rinse and repeat!" What happens over time is that you'll soon have so much content in cyberspace that you'll achieve critical mass. At that point you'll rank for your most important keywords as well as lots of longtail keywords. At that point, you'll be amazed at the traffic.
To speed up the process you can also post your articles to an optimized WordPress blog that's been configured to "ping" RSS aggregators, social networking sites, and bookmarking sites each time that you post. If you don't know how to do that, it's beyond the scope of this article, but most webmasters familiar with WordPress can set that up quickly for you. WordPress is very simple, yet very powerful.
There you have it, "How to generate free website traffic fast!" Yes, there is work involved, but when you see the results, you'll know that it was well worth it.
About the Author:
Willie Crawford has been marketing online for 13 years, and used article marketing most of that time (writing over 1500 articles). His favorite tools for automatically distributing his articles, videos, podcasts, and press releases is the automated submission site: http://EasyPushButtonTraffic.com/
Follow Willie Crawford on Twitter.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
How to Turn Casual Customers into Raving Fans
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Judy Murdoch
One piece of advice I'm hearing again and again is the importance of taking good care of your "core customers." The customers who have been working with you for years, who send you referrals, and who return again and again to buy from you.
Loyal customers are vitally important during difficult economic times like we're currently experiencing because they're less expensive to sell to: you don't have to spend weeks sometimes months building credibility because they're already sold.
But what if your business is relatively new and you just don't have many customers who are coming back yet? Or what if you just lost several of your business customers and you need to cultivate new relationships?
Can you do something to accelerate the process of turning casual customers into raving fans who sing your praises?
Enter the art of creating a fully satisfying customer experience.
=========================================
A Satisfying Experience is the Key
=========================================
A "satisfying customer experience" means that the many ways that your customers interact with and use your products are designed to satisfy in a meaningful way.
This goes far beyond solving the customer's basic problem.
And this is where the magic can happen.
=========================================
Dimensions of a Fully Satisfying Experience
=========================================
Customer experience is all about "how" a problem is being solved. And this "how" can be broken down into different types of experience including:
Physical senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch
Emotions that come up (happy, curious, interested, annoyed, amused)
Heart-based connection (feeling like the other people have empathy for your situation)
Intellectual connection (how you go about solving problems; how you learn; vocabulary you use)
The more of these dimensions that are touched in an appropriate way, the more satisfying your customer's experience will be.
=========================================
Customer Experience: Albuquerque Turkey
=========================================
I can't think of a better product that we can all relate to than food so I'll talk about my experience at Spinelli's Market, a local deli/grocery store to which I love going--especially for their awesome sandwiches.
Although Spinelli's sells some mainstream brands of snacks and soft drinks, the best parts of the store are the aisles of imported Italian foods, pastas, sauces, and olive oil and the deli counter where they sell salads and cut to order deli meats.
The awesome sandwiches are made at the deli counter in the back of the store.
You give your sandwich order along with your choice of sides (pickle, a deli salad or fresh fruit or chips) to one of the guys working behind the counter and they make your sandwich while you wait.
I usually use the time to browse through the stores aisles and pick something to drink.
When your sandwich is ready, the counter guy will call your name. You then take your sandwich wrapped in white butcher paper along with whatever else you're buying to the front to pay.
Sometimes I eat my sandwich in the store at one of the little metal tables in the front and sometimes I take my sandwich home.
Those sandwiches always make an impression. Every time I've brought a family member or a friend or a business associate to Spinelli's for sandwiches, they will ask from that time forward "when are we going to that great sandwich place again?"
Spinelli's sandwiches are a great example of a supremely satisfying experience. Here's why:
The ingredients of the sandwiches are always fresh
The Spinelli family is very mindful of where they source the ingredients. They support local farms and dairies and when possible, buy from family owned businesses.
You feel like someone took the time to really think about what to put in a particular sandwich. All the flavors meld together in unique and wonderful ways.
Everyone working at the store is friendly and you feel like they're truly glad to be working at such a cool place.
When you're done eating it's not just your stomach that feels full.
My heart feels full too because I've eaten something prepared with thought and care and because buying lunch from a local business is contributes to the health of the community I live in.
Now take a moment and compare this experience with visiting a big franchise place like Subway or Taco Bell.
=========================================
Creating a More Satisfying Experience for Your Customers
=========================================
So what about your business, what can you do to create a more fulfilling, satisfying experience with your prospects and customers?
Here are four steps I recommend to get you started.
=== Step #1 Remember Why You Started a Business to Begin with
Before jumping into the specifics, I think it's important to take a moment to remember why you started your own business. Was it because:
you saw a better way to do something than what other companies were offering at the time?
something you're passionate about that you wanted other people to experience?
something important to you that you wanted to actively support through your business?
And make sure your heart is fully engaged too. When your heart is fully engaged you enable customers to engage with their hearts as well.
=== Step #2 Ask Yourself, "How is the Reason Behind my Business Showing Up in My Products and Services?"
If you started your business because you care deeply or have a passion or have a true innovation, I imagine it's showing up in the products and services you offer. Even without deliberate effort.
Take a look at what you currently sell and in what ways is the care and love for your business showing up in your products and services.
For example, the Spinelli family supports the Slow Food movement, a grass roots movement which encourages people to eat locally grown and produced whole foods.
In addition to sandwiches, the Spinelli family produces and markets a line of Italian sauces and sells made-from-scratch entrees that busy customers can heat and eat at home.
=== Step #3 Ask Yourself, "Are There Ways Customers Can Experience More of What We Care About?"
My guess is that if you sell something special, your customers know.
But if you aren't talking about what goes into creating your products and services, they may not know how to articulate this difference to other people.
If this is the case, you and your customers are missing an opportunity for word of mouth marketing.
For example, one of my clients creates girls dresses using patterns and fabrics from the 1950's and 1960's. I love her work because the dresses are cute without being frilly or fussy.
But there are lots of cute kids clothing lines out there. I felt her products were something special
I suggested to her, as part of her marketing, to share the story behind how she found the pattern and why it appealed to her.
Her stories are funny and entertaining and they help store owners who carry her lines and the customers who buy the outfits feel involved in something special and unique.
=== Step #4 Choose One Small Change to Make so Customers Feel More Engaged and Satisfied
By far, the easiest change you can make is to tell your story to customers so they understand why you have the business you have and sell the products and services you sell.
Sharing your story helps people feel more engaged and satisfied for several reasons:
(1.) They have a way to articulate to others a reason for trying your products and services. Referring others helps your customers look good to others and you want to make it as easy as possible for them to do so.
(2.) It allows customers to feel like a part of something larger. When you share your story those who share your experience or point of view find a kindred spirit to be with.
(3.) Stories are easy to understand and remember because they touch us not only intellectually but emotionally. Human beings seem "pre-wired" to absorb and integrate information that comes in narrative form.
=========================================
Bottom Line
=========================================
To create more raving fans it's important to understand what makes your products and services uniquely satisfying to current customers.
This satisfying experience goes beyond simply solving a problem... a satisfying experience engages the senses and emotions as your customers use your products and services.
Four steps I recommend for creating a more satisfying experience are:
1. Think back to why you started your business to begin with
2. Ask whether that reason is reflected in the products and services you sell
3. Find ways in which your clients can experience what makes your products and services special
4. Find an opportunity to tell a story and more fully engage your Customers
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Follow Judy Murdoch on Twitter.
Copyright © 2009 Judy Murdoch
One piece of advice I'm hearing again and again is the importance of taking good care of your "core customers." The customers who have been working with you for years, who send you referrals, and who return again and again to buy from you.
Loyal customers are vitally important during difficult economic times like we're currently experiencing because they're less expensive to sell to: you don't have to spend weeks sometimes months building credibility because they're already sold.
But what if your business is relatively new and you just don't have many customers who are coming back yet? Or what if you just lost several of your business customers and you need to cultivate new relationships?
Can you do something to accelerate the process of turning casual customers into raving fans who sing your praises?
Enter the art of creating a fully satisfying customer experience.
=========================================
A Satisfying Experience is the Key
=========================================
A "satisfying customer experience" means that the many ways that your customers interact with and use your products are designed to satisfy in a meaningful way.
This goes far beyond solving the customer's basic problem.
And this is where the magic can happen.
=========================================
Dimensions of a Fully Satisfying Experience
=========================================
Customer experience is all about "how" a problem is being solved. And this "how" can be broken down into different types of experience including:
The more of these dimensions that are touched in an appropriate way, the more satisfying your customer's experience will be.
=========================================
Customer Experience: Albuquerque Turkey
=========================================
I can't think of a better product that we can all relate to than food so I'll talk about my experience at Spinelli's Market, a local deli/grocery store to which I love going--especially for their awesome sandwiches.
Although Spinelli's sells some mainstream brands of snacks and soft drinks, the best parts of the store are the aisles of imported Italian foods, pastas, sauces, and olive oil and the deli counter where they sell salads and cut to order deli meats.
The awesome sandwiches are made at the deli counter in the back of the store.
You give your sandwich order along with your choice of sides (pickle, a deli salad or fresh fruit or chips) to one of the guys working behind the counter and they make your sandwich while you wait.
I usually use the time to browse through the stores aisles and pick something to drink.
When your sandwich is ready, the counter guy will call your name. You then take your sandwich wrapped in white butcher paper along with whatever else you're buying to the front to pay.
Sometimes I eat my sandwich in the store at one of the little metal tables in the front and sometimes I take my sandwich home.
Those sandwiches always make an impression. Every time I've brought a family member or a friend or a business associate to Spinelli's for sandwiches, they will ask from that time forward "when are we going to that great sandwich place again?"
Spinelli's sandwiches are a great example of a supremely satisfying experience. Here's why:
My heart feels full too because I've eaten something prepared with thought and care and because buying lunch from a local business is contributes to the health of the community I live in.
Now take a moment and compare this experience with visiting a big franchise place like Subway or Taco Bell.
=========================================
Creating a More Satisfying Experience for Your Customers
=========================================
So what about your business, what can you do to create a more fulfilling, satisfying experience with your prospects and customers?
Here are four steps I recommend to get you started.
=== Step #1 Remember Why You Started a Business to Begin with
Before jumping into the specifics, I think it's important to take a moment to remember why you started your own business. Was it because:
And make sure your heart is fully engaged too. When your heart is fully engaged you enable customers to engage with their hearts as well.
=== Step #2 Ask Yourself, "How is the Reason Behind my Business Showing Up in My Products and Services?"
If you started your business because you care deeply or have a passion or have a true innovation, I imagine it's showing up in the products and services you offer. Even without deliberate effort.
Take a look at what you currently sell and in what ways is the care and love for your business showing up in your products and services.
For example, the Spinelli family supports the Slow Food movement, a grass roots movement which encourages people to eat locally grown and produced whole foods.
In addition to sandwiches, the Spinelli family produces and markets a line of Italian sauces and sells made-from-scratch entrees that busy customers can heat and eat at home.
=== Step #3 Ask Yourself, "Are There Ways Customers Can Experience More of What We Care About?"
My guess is that if you sell something special, your customers know.
But if you aren't talking about what goes into creating your products and services, they may not know how to articulate this difference to other people.
If this is the case, you and your customers are missing an opportunity for word of mouth marketing.
For example, one of my clients creates girls dresses using patterns and fabrics from the 1950's and 1960's. I love her work because the dresses are cute without being frilly or fussy.
But there are lots of cute kids clothing lines out there. I felt her products were something special
I suggested to her, as part of her marketing, to share the story behind how she found the pattern and why it appealed to her.
Her stories are funny and entertaining and they help store owners who carry her lines and the customers who buy the outfits feel involved in something special and unique.
=== Step #4 Choose One Small Change to Make so Customers Feel More Engaged and Satisfied
By far, the easiest change you can make is to tell your story to customers so they understand why you have the business you have and sell the products and services you sell.
Sharing your story helps people feel more engaged and satisfied for several reasons:
(1.) They have a way to articulate to others a reason for trying your products and services. Referring others helps your customers look good to others and you want to make it as easy as possible for them to do so.
(2.) It allows customers to feel like a part of something larger. When you share your story those who share your experience or point of view find a kindred spirit to be with.
(3.) Stories are easy to understand and remember because they touch us not only intellectually but emotionally. Human beings seem "pre-wired" to absorb and integrate information that comes in narrative form.
=========================================
Bottom Line
=========================================
To create more raving fans it's important to understand what makes your products and services uniquely satisfying to current customers.
This satisfying experience goes beyond simply solving a problem... a satisfying experience engages the senses and emotions as your customers use your products and services.
Four steps I recommend for creating a more satisfying experience are:
1. Think back to why you started your business to begin with
2. Ask whether that reason is reflected in the products and services you sell
3. Find ways in which your clients can experience what makes your products and services special
4. Find an opportunity to tell a story and more fully engage your Customers
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Follow Judy Murdoch on Twitter.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What Kind Of Backlinks Are Best At Helping Your Website In Google?
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Bill Platt
I was in the Warrior Forum, and someone asked what kinds of Backlinks are worth pursuing. This is my answer to that query.
As an article marketing guy, I bet you can guess my answer.
The answer is that you should have links everywhere your potential clients are looking to find you.
Very few link directories offer any real value to you.
Many article directories fall into the same trap.
The deal is that for your link to be worthwhile to you, it must meet one of two criteria:
1. It must be on a page where people actually go to find stuff.
2. It must be on a page that Google or the other search engines value as a reliable source of information.
If no humans will see your link and the search engines ignore that link, then your effort will have been wasted.
So, you will want to get your link on a page that someone will see or the search engines will value.
Article marketing when done correctly helps you achieve this, but you will find little value from most of the article directories.
Like I said, article directories must either be fully archived by the search engines, or people must find your article in the directory.
A lot of article directories are plagued by the fact that the only people using them are people submitting articles.
So it is important to try to give your articles an audience outside of the article directory, where your potential clients actually go to pick up information.
This is why quality content is most useful in article marketing. Sure, the cheap article spinners can give you a few links, but if those links do not meet the two criteria of human visitors or search engine recognition, then those links are worthless to you.
Pure link counts only serve to tease your ego. I don't consider an article valuable until it can put money in my pocket.
So I focus on getting my articles to publishers who will use the content - preferably publishers that have lots of loyal visitors and possibly even serious recognition from the search engines.
If the article delivers either humans or search engines, then your article will have paid for its creation. If the article delivers neither, you will have wasted your money, time and efforts.
So lead with great content, and seek publication on websites that cater to your target audience, especially when some of those websites are authority websites that your target audience appreciates and respects.
Links is one thing, but links that put money in your pocket should always be the goal.
About the Author:
Bill Platt has been providing article marketing services since 2001, including article ghost writing and article distribution services, through his website at: http://thePhantomWriters.com/ You can download Bill's free ebook titled, "Article Marketing: Beyond the Basics" on his blog. You can also listen to Article Marketing Tips and Tutorials at: http://ArticleMarketingConceptsRadio.com/
Read more Articles written by Bill Platt.
Copyright © 2009 Bill Platt
I was in the Warrior Forum, and someone asked what kinds of Backlinks are worth pursuing. This is my answer to that query.
As an article marketing guy, I bet you can guess my answer.
The answer is that you should have links everywhere your potential clients are looking to find you.
Very few link directories offer any real value to you.
Many article directories fall into the same trap.
The deal is that for your link to be worthwhile to you, it must meet one of two criteria:
1. It must be on a page where people actually go to find stuff.
2. It must be on a page that Google or the other search engines value as a reliable source of information.
If no humans will see your link and the search engines ignore that link, then your effort will have been wasted.
So, you will want to get your link on a page that someone will see or the search engines will value.
Article marketing when done correctly helps you achieve this, but you will find little value from most of the article directories.
Like I said, article directories must either be fully archived by the search engines, or people must find your article in the directory.
A lot of article directories are plagued by the fact that the only people using them are people submitting articles.
So it is important to try to give your articles an audience outside of the article directory, where your potential clients actually go to pick up information.
This is why quality content is most useful in article marketing. Sure, the cheap article spinners can give you a few links, but if those links do not meet the two criteria of human visitors or search engine recognition, then those links are worthless to you.
Pure link counts only serve to tease your ego. I don't consider an article valuable until it can put money in my pocket.
So I focus on getting my articles to publishers who will use the content - preferably publishers that have lots of loyal visitors and possibly even serious recognition from the search engines.
If the article delivers either humans or search engines, then your article will have paid for its creation. If the article delivers neither, you will have wasted your money, time and efforts.
So lead with great content, and seek publication on websites that cater to your target audience, especially when some of those websites are authority websites that your target audience appreciates and respects.
Links is one thing, but links that put money in your pocket should always be the goal.
About the Author:
Bill Platt has been providing article marketing services since 2001, including article ghost writing and article distribution services, through his website at: http://thePhantomWriters.com/ You can download Bill's free ebook titled, "Article Marketing: Beyond the Basics" on his blog. You can also listen to Article Marketing Tips and Tutorials at: http://ArticleMarketingConceptsRadio.com/
Read more Articles written by Bill Platt.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sincerity: the 'Secret Sauce' for Effective Marketing
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Judy Murdoch
A couple years ago, I was talking with someone who was, for me, a very challenging client. I'm all about cultivating relationships that result in opportunities to sell.
This particular client seemed allergic to cultivating relationships for reasons I never really understood.
I remember one such meeting, I was trying to explain to my client the wisdom of first creating trust and credibility before trying to get a sale. And my client was blocking me at every turn with reasons why relationship development would not work for their business.
It was maddening.
Finally, I cried with exasperation, "Well, why the heck do you want to keep working with me since my approach doesn't work for you?"
"Because you're sincere," the client replied.
"Who cares" I thought to myself since it didn't seem to be to helping my client grow their business.
Since that time I've changed me mind about the quality of sincerity. I think it's impossible to have sustainably effective marketing without sincerity.
===============================
The Importance of Being Sincere
===============================
The word, "sincere" is derived from the Latin word, "sincerus," meaning whole, pure, genuine.
When you think about today's business climate, sincerity isn't a quality that comes to mind. But it's a quality human beings need to perceive to be willing and able to buy.
==============================================
The Place of Sincerity in Your Marketing
==============================================
First, it's important to remember the real role of marketing in your business.
Marketing is NOT about making a sale. Marketing is about creating a relationship based in trust and safety so that a sale can occur.
Regardless of public sentiment towards business, people and companies still have problems that need to be solved and stuff that has to get done. Your prospective customers still need to buy stuff.
They want to be able to trust you because they need to buy what you sell.
The marketing you do is all about establishing visibility and credibility so that there's enough trust for the purchase to happen.
For example, if you regularly keep in touch with prospects via an ezine, you're not doing it to "bug" your customers. You're sending out that ezine because:
You can remind them that "Hey, I help people just like you solve these kinds of problems."
You can offer examples and helpful information about the kind of problems you solve ("Here's an example of how I helped a customer")
Or you provide helpful information for your prospects to better understand what they need to do to improve their situation.
Once prospective customers feel accepted for where they're at and trust you can actually help, they can then take the next step.
==============================================
It's About Sustainable, Effective Marketing
==============================================
Now there are also some relatively good-hearted entrepreneurs out there who use hard-sell tactics in their marketing. You subscribe to their ezine and get barraged with multiple emails every day telling you about some amazing program you "just gotta check out."
Here's what's important: there is no rest with this kind of marketing. You must work very, very hard to generate this level of noise.
And if you're spending so much time and energy with your own marketing, it's tough to put much time or effort into where--in my opinion--we should be making the difference: helping clients and customers get results.
That, to me, is why hype-centered marketing with or without a good heart fails. If you want to market your business in a way that brings in a steady stream of ideal customers without burning yourself into a crispy critter, sincere, heart-centered marketing is the way to go.
==============================================
Keys to Developing Sincere, Effective, Sustainable Marketing
==============================================
#1. Ask yourself, "what's my highest intention for my business?"
What's the best possible outcome for you, for your business, and for your customer?
Example: the highest intention for Highly Contagious Marketing is when we help clients create marketing that grows their client base and their bottom line.
When that happens, satisfied clients send us referrals which helps Highly Contagious Marketing succeed financially and there are more successful businesses in the world making a positive difference.
#2. Look at how your intention is reflected in your marketing?
Thinking of the many different ways you market your business, how is your intention showing up?
Example: In all the activities to promote Highly Contagious Marketing, I want to:
(1.) Provide information, a how-to, or a resource that gives the person who gets the marketing a little added value
(2.) Provide an offer and a clear call to action for anyone wanting to take the next step and get more help from us.
#3. Ask what one change can you make to your marketing to express your sincere desire to serve customers and make a difference?
Some specific actions you can take to show more sincerity in your marketing include:
(1.) Make your marketing message truly focused on your customer and their current problem. The first half of your message should be about your customer and their situation. If you're talking about yourself--your solutions and qualifications, your marketing is not focused on the customer.
(2.) Look for ways to leave anyone who encounters your marketing a little better off than they were before the encounter. Marketing that informs, coaches, inspires, even entertains all leave recipients a little better off.
(3.) Make sure your marketing reflects your values and if not, make changes. If you loathe hype in other marketing but use hype because "that's what everyone says I have to do," stop using hype. Create marketing that gets results without making you feel like you sold your soul.
==============================================
Bottom Line
==============================================
Remember, marketing is all about cultivating trust-based relationships so prospects can buy. And sincerity is a critical factor which enables trust to grow.
Can you market your products and services without sincerity? Sure. But you will have to work a lot harder to sustain sales because you won't be creating the quality relationships that give your marketing real momentum.
To create marketing in which sincerity shines through, take some time to remember what your business is in service for and take action so that your marketing better reflects what matters to you.
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Follow Judy Murdoch on Twitter.
Copyright © 2009 Judy Murdoch
A couple years ago, I was talking with someone who was, for me, a very challenging client. I'm all about cultivating relationships that result in opportunities to sell.
This particular client seemed allergic to cultivating relationships for reasons I never really understood.
I remember one such meeting, I was trying to explain to my client the wisdom of first creating trust and credibility before trying to get a sale. And my client was blocking me at every turn with reasons why relationship development would not work for their business.
It was maddening.
Finally, I cried with exasperation, "Well, why the heck do you want to keep working with me since my approach doesn't work for you?"
"Because you're sincere," the client replied.
"Who cares" I thought to myself since it didn't seem to be to helping my client grow their business.
Since that time I've changed me mind about the quality of sincerity. I think it's impossible to have sustainably effective marketing without sincerity.
===============================
The Importance of Being Sincere
===============================
The word, "sincere" is derived from the Latin word, "sincerus," meaning whole, pure, genuine.
When you think about today's business climate, sincerity isn't a quality that comes to mind. But it's a quality human beings need to perceive to be willing and able to buy.
==============================================
The Place of Sincerity in Your Marketing
==============================================
First, it's important to remember the real role of marketing in your business.
Marketing is NOT about making a sale. Marketing is about creating a relationship based in trust and safety so that a sale can occur.
Regardless of public sentiment towards business, people and companies still have problems that need to be solved and stuff that has to get done. Your prospective customers still need to buy stuff.
They want to be able to trust you because they need to buy what you sell.
The marketing you do is all about establishing visibility and credibility so that there's enough trust for the purchase to happen.
For example, if you regularly keep in touch with prospects via an ezine, you're not doing it to "bug" your customers. You're sending out that ezine because:
Once prospective customers feel accepted for where they're at and trust you can actually help, they can then take the next step.
==============================================
It's About Sustainable, Effective Marketing
==============================================
Now there are also some relatively good-hearted entrepreneurs out there who use hard-sell tactics in their marketing. You subscribe to their ezine and get barraged with multiple emails every day telling you about some amazing program you "just gotta check out."
Here's what's important: there is no rest with this kind of marketing. You must work very, very hard to generate this level of noise.
And if you're spending so much time and energy with your own marketing, it's tough to put much time or effort into where--in my opinion--we should be making the difference: helping clients and customers get results.
That, to me, is why hype-centered marketing with or without a good heart fails. If you want to market your business in a way that brings in a steady stream of ideal customers without burning yourself into a crispy critter, sincere, heart-centered marketing is the way to go.
==============================================
Keys to Developing Sincere, Effective, Sustainable Marketing
==============================================
#1. Ask yourself, "what's my highest intention for my business?"
What's the best possible outcome for you, for your business, and for your customer?
Example: the highest intention for Highly Contagious Marketing is when we help clients create marketing that grows their client base and their bottom line.
When that happens, satisfied clients send us referrals which helps Highly Contagious Marketing succeed financially and there are more successful businesses in the world making a positive difference.
#2. Look at how your intention is reflected in your marketing?
Thinking of the many different ways you market your business, how is your intention showing up?
Example: In all the activities to promote Highly Contagious Marketing, I want to:
(1.) Provide information, a how-to, or a resource that gives the person who gets the marketing a little added value
(2.) Provide an offer and a clear call to action for anyone wanting to take the next step and get more help from us.
#3. Ask what one change can you make to your marketing to express your sincere desire to serve customers and make a difference?
Some specific actions you can take to show more sincerity in your marketing include:
(1.) Make your marketing message truly focused on your customer and their current problem. The first half of your message should be about your customer and their situation. If you're talking about yourself--your solutions and qualifications, your marketing is not focused on the customer.
(2.) Look for ways to leave anyone who encounters your marketing a little better off than they were before the encounter. Marketing that informs, coaches, inspires, even entertains all leave recipients a little better off.
(3.) Make sure your marketing reflects your values and if not, make changes. If you loathe hype in other marketing but use hype because "that's what everyone says I have to do," stop using hype. Create marketing that gets results without making you feel like you sold your soul.
==============================================
Bottom Line
==============================================
Remember, marketing is all about cultivating trust-based relationships so prospects can buy. And sincerity is a critical factor which enables trust to grow.
Can you market your products and services without sincerity? Sure. But you will have to work a lot harder to sustain sales because you won't be creating the quality relationships that give your marketing real momentum.
To create marketing in which sincerity shines through, take some time to remember what your business is in service for and take action so that your marketing better reflects what matters to you.
About the Author:
Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances. To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers Crazy!" go to http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm
You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or judy@judymurdoch.com
Follow Judy Murdoch on Twitter.
Government Grants for Home Repair Really Do Exist
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Brendon Turner
How many times have you looked around your home, frustrated with the state it's in, but knowing you just don't have the cash to fix it up? It's a common problem, particularly these days when there are so many people out of work. Homes need constant upkeep and if you experience a severe storm or other event that leaves your house in shambles, it can get very costly very quickly. Government grants for home repair are often rumored to be a myth, but they actually do exist.
Government grants for individuals are not that abundant, so it can be fairly difficult to find them. There are many lists out there with government grants, but many of these are not complete and may not give you the information that you seek. Take some time to find the right grant list that is comprehensive and you will discover a number of financial opportunities that you never knew existed. If that means you have to pay a fee to get the list, then consider it an investment. After all, the amount that you will receive from using that list is considerably more!
The problem with this type of funding is that most people just don't believe the government would give away money to anyone. And the truth is, they don't. You have to apply and only if you pass the application process will you be awarded the money. That's why it is so very important to do a good job on your government grant proposal.
Your application is going to be what the decision makers use to decide if you deserve grant money or not. The process is the same, whether you are applying for grants to pay debts, renovate your home or simply start up a business. You'll need to give very good reasons for needing the money, as well as telling the government just what you intend to do with the grant if you are chosen. How you spend the money will be greatly dictated by what you say in your proposal, so keep this in mind when writing it.
You'll also need to provide timelines and a proposed budget. If you are like most homeowners, you probably already have the pricing for everything worked out so you can provide this information fairly easily. There are many other areas of the proposal that need to be covered, though. In order to make a good decision, the powers that be need specifics and details on everything you plan to do and this takes time to write up.
With the right information, a good list of government grants for home repair and some patience, you can apply for and get funding to repair or renovate your home.
About the Author:
Need help with applying for government grants for home repair? Government Grants Source not only offers a full list of government grants and other sources of funding, but also includes audio and video tutorials on how to apply for those grants. Written by Brendon Turner for http://www.governmentgrantsource.net/
Read more Articles written by Brendon Turner.
Copyright © 2009 Brendon Turner
How many times have you looked around your home, frustrated with the state it's in, but knowing you just don't have the cash to fix it up? It's a common problem, particularly these days when there are so many people out of work. Homes need constant upkeep and if you experience a severe storm or other event that leaves your house in shambles, it can get very costly very quickly. Government grants for home repair are often rumored to be a myth, but they actually do exist.
Government grants for individuals are not that abundant, so it can be fairly difficult to find them. There are many lists out there with government grants, but many of these are not complete and may not give you the information that you seek. Take some time to find the right grant list that is comprehensive and you will discover a number of financial opportunities that you never knew existed. If that means you have to pay a fee to get the list, then consider it an investment. After all, the amount that you will receive from using that list is considerably more!
The problem with this type of funding is that most people just don't believe the government would give away money to anyone. And the truth is, they don't. You have to apply and only if you pass the application process will you be awarded the money. That's why it is so very important to do a good job on your government grant proposal.
Your application is going to be what the decision makers use to decide if you deserve grant money or not. The process is the same, whether you are applying for grants to pay debts, renovate your home or simply start up a business. You'll need to give very good reasons for needing the money, as well as telling the government just what you intend to do with the grant if you are chosen. How you spend the money will be greatly dictated by what you say in your proposal, so keep this in mind when writing it.
You'll also need to provide timelines and a proposed budget. If you are like most homeowners, you probably already have the pricing for everything worked out so you can provide this information fairly easily. There are many other areas of the proposal that need to be covered, though. In order to make a good decision, the powers that be need specifics and details on everything you plan to do and this takes time to write up.
With the right information, a good list of government grants for home repair and some patience, you can apply for and get funding to repair or renovate your home.
About the Author:
Need help with applying for government grants for home repair? Government Grants Source not only offers a full list of government grants and other sources of funding, but also includes audio and video tutorials on how to apply for those grants. Written by Brendon Turner for http://www.governmentgrantsource.net/
Read more Articles written by Brendon Turner.
Teach To Learn
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Scott Bywater
Years ago, when I was in my teens I flicked through a book by Stephen Covey that you have probably heard of.
It's called "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
That was a long time ago and I must go and revisit that book.
However there is one idea I learnt that I believe applies to virtually every business.
The best way to learn something is to teach something.
Unfortunately, most people don't start teaching anything until they believe they are an expert. As a result, they hinder their progress.
So why does the concept of "teach to learn" work so well.
It's really quite simple.
When you teach, you are forced to think about what you know... to crystallize your knowledge... to answer your unanswered questions.
You get questions thrown back at you... and this really internalizes the knowledge.
So let's see how this could apply to the average person in business.
For instance, if you're a chiropractor or health practitioner.
Here's what I would do to implement the "teach to learn" concept and turn it into a profit.
I'd start a regular newsletter.
An offline newsletter once a month and an online newsletter once a month so your readers end up with a newsletter every couple of weeks.
And as a part of that newsletter I would include research and information on how chiropractic has been able to help with a number of ailments.
Everything from back pain to headaches to the common cold.
In doing so, I would dig up information on that topic... I would be forced to think about what really matters to my readers... and it would give me time to internalize what I knew and how I could better help my patients.
It would also put money in the bank.
Think about it: you would be "in the face" of your most interested prospects - your clients - encouraging them to come into your practice more and more often.
This would also stimulate more referrals.
The newsletter would be passed around (mail) or forwarded on (email).
You could use that content and throw it up on a blog somewhere to encourage traffic from the search engines.
And you'd learn a heck of a lot at the same time.
So if you want to learn more - teach more.
If you want to be respected as an authority in your field and have prospective customers chasing you rather than the other way around - teach more.
And if you want to make greater profits - then teach more.
Now there is no easier way than creating more customers from your teachings than learning how to create killer emails. And that's the topic I cover on lesson #18 of http://www.morecustomersmadeeasy.com/
I show you how to write them... which auto responders to look at... how to get more names onto your list... and much, much more.
About the Author:
As a direct response copywriter, Scott Bywater strives to educate business owners on how to generate more leads, get more of the "right type" of customers, differentiate themselves from their competition, and convert their leads into sales via his underground and "outside of the box" strategies. You can get his copywriting and marketing tips delivered to your inbox via his eye opening "Copywriting Selling Secrets" newsletter available at http://www.copywritingthatsells.com.au/
Read more of Scott Bywater's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Scott Bywater
Years ago, when I was in my teens I flicked through a book by Stephen Covey that you have probably heard of.
It's called "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
That was a long time ago and I must go and revisit that book.
However there is one idea I learnt that I believe applies to virtually every business.
The best way to learn something is to teach something.
Unfortunately, most people don't start teaching anything until they believe they are an expert. As a result, they hinder their progress.
So why does the concept of "teach to learn" work so well.
It's really quite simple.
When you teach, you are forced to think about what you know... to crystallize your knowledge... to answer your unanswered questions.
You get questions thrown back at you... and this really internalizes the knowledge.
So let's see how this could apply to the average person in business.
For instance, if you're a chiropractor or health practitioner.
Here's what I would do to implement the "teach to learn" concept and turn it into a profit.
I'd start a regular newsletter.
An offline newsletter once a month and an online newsletter once a month so your readers end up with a newsletter every couple of weeks.
And as a part of that newsletter I would include research and information on how chiropractic has been able to help with a number of ailments.
Everything from back pain to headaches to the common cold.
In doing so, I would dig up information on that topic... I would be forced to think about what really matters to my readers... and it would give me time to internalize what I knew and how I could better help my patients.
It would also put money in the bank.
Think about it: you would be "in the face" of your most interested prospects - your clients - encouraging them to come into your practice more and more often.
This would also stimulate more referrals.
The newsletter would be passed around (mail) or forwarded on (email).
You could use that content and throw it up on a blog somewhere to encourage traffic from the search engines.
And you'd learn a heck of a lot at the same time.
So if you want to learn more - teach more.
If you want to be respected as an authority in your field and have prospective customers chasing you rather than the other way around - teach more.
And if you want to make greater profits - then teach more.
Now there is no easier way than creating more customers from your teachings than learning how to create killer emails. And that's the topic I cover on lesson #18 of http://www.morecustomersmadeeasy.com/
I show you how to write them... which auto responders to look at... how to get more names onto your list... and much, much more.
About the Author:
As a direct response copywriter, Scott Bywater strives to educate business owners on how to generate more leads, get more of the "right type" of customers, differentiate themselves from their competition, and convert their leads into sales via his underground and "outside of the box" strategies. You can get his copywriting and marketing tips delivered to your inbox via his eye opening "Copywriting Selling Secrets" newsletter available at http://www.copywritingthatsells.com.au/
Read more of Scott Bywater's articles.
Don't Destroy Your Online Marketing Results with Bad Website Design
Article Presented by:
Copyright © 2009 Paul Marshall
So, you've embarked on a search engine advertising program, maybe even SEO. Whether you're doing this on your own or using an online marketing consulting firm, there are key points to become aware of.
If you miss these, you won't increase conversions.
What good is a Number 1 organic search engine ranking or AdWords ad listing, if you don't have increased sales or if you don't generate more sales leads?
Too often, we get all focused about the Internet marketing -- the ads, the offer -- that we don't think the whole process through step-by-step and consider the experience our website visitors will be having.
If we did, we'd be thinking "big picture" and we would head off some of these potential problems before they occur.
Overcoming Your Website Visitors Anxiety
When people come to our website it's natural for them to feel anxiety. After all, look at all the cr*p on the Internet today, all the too-good-to-be-true products and services.
But when you and I offer REAL products or services, we have to overcome that concern, even if we're treating our site visitors fairly and not making outrageous claims.
So, how can you overcome these anxieties?
1. Offer more than a 1-page website. Credible companies have multi-page websites, including Privacy Policy, Terms of Use | Service and About Us pages.
They also have more than 1 page about their products or services.
I'm surprised by the number of 1-page websites I see from companies using infomercials to advertise their products. Often, they have the purchase form right on their home page, their only page (and often their page isn't secured for credit card ordering).
Websites that are only 1-page don't seem credible. And having the purchase form right on the home page comes across as very pushy!
Doesn't this type of site seem all about the company and NOT about their customers? Why would we want to buy from that type of company?
What kind of online marketing consulting firm did these companies use...or did they use any??
2. Next to any sign up or contact form buttons clearly state that you don't sell your customers' private information and link to your Privacy Policy page.
3. Effectively communicate what your Value Proposition is, also called your Unique Selling Proposition. If you don't know why someone should buy your product or service versus your competitors', now is the time to figure it out. (And by the way, based on my experience, if you don't know this, you're not alone, by any means.)
But our websites have to be about more than just us. They have to be about our visitors. What's in it for THEM, to do business with us? What unique voids in the marketplace can we fill?
As a Small Business Owner, Personally Relate to Your Site Visitors and Communicate Directly with Them
People don't buy from websites, they buy from people! So, how can you apply this to your own website?
1. For many small businesses and solo proprietorships, their website text should speak to your visitors directly in first person.
This should be written from the voice of the Owner or President. They shouldn't use third person, institutional-sounding language, getting rid of "we" and "our", using "I" instead, speaking first person, in an actual conversation. Don't try to sound like you're Microsoft!
And while your at it, be careful about overuse of words about you...whether "I", or those words, "we", "our" or "us".
Check out the WeWe calculator (Google: wewe calculator). Make sure to focus on customer-focused words and NOT on words about you or your company.
2. Include your picture on your Web pages.
For a larger small business trying to make that personal connection with their website visitors, try the idea used by the nutritional supplement company Lumina. (Google: Lumina Health Contact Us)
In this execution, notice how Lumina gets you to relate to their customer service department. I still remember it was John I spoke with and that's been over 1 year ago that I called them!
Again, people buy from other people, not from websites.
For us as small businesses, why should we sound large, pretending to be something we aren't? And why should we run from our advantage of being small: low overhead, friendly, personal service and accountability, among other advantages.
Make Each Step in Your Marketing a Smooth Handoff from One Step to Another
Whether you're using AdWords, SEO, or both, make sure your title and description matches the experience your website visitor will have when they come to your landing page.
Quite often when I'm Coaching my small business owner clients or performing online marketing consulting, I find the wording for their organic listing or AdWords ad says one thing and their landing page says something that doesn't sound the same.
This causes confusion is the best case scenario. In the worst case, it causes a lack of trust. Dangerous!
We should understand our products or services. And we know what we want our visitors to do on our site.
Our potential customers may not understand either. We need to think like them, when we explain what we have to offer them and how to use our website to take advantage of what we have to offer.
And when "shifting" from one page to another, we need to hand-off from one page to another naturally and smoothly, like a car with a smooth automatic transmission.
Don't advertise one offer in AdWords or organic search, only to have your landing page sound like it was written for another advertising offer. I see this problem a lot!
Often times, having an affordable online marketing consulting firm reviewing what you're doing can offer easy, inexpensive fixes that can yield big improvements in your search engine advertising and SEO conversions.
Your Action Plan
Let's review what we've talked about.
First, overcome visitors anxieties by offering a multi-page website which answers questions about your company and your services or products, while inspiring confidence in your company. Effectively communicate your Value Proposition.
Second, personally relate to your site visitors. Avoid using the wrong words that may put off your site visitors. Use your picture on your Web pages.
Third, hand-off from one page on your website and one step in your selling process to another smoothly and naturally. We should understand what we want our site visitors to do, but they won't unless we make the process really clear.
Whether your using an online marketing consulting firm or doing the work yourself, if you take these steps, your search engine optimization | advertising plan will convert at a MUCH higher rate, when you take these steps.
About the Author:
Marketing online since 2004, Paul Marshall can help you market on a budget. He's an Online Marketing Consulting expert offering marketing services (and d-i-y Coaching). You can learn more about Paul on his Internet Marketing LinkedIn profile and at Strategic Web Marketing.net.
Read more of Paul Marshall's articles.
Copyright © 2009 Paul Marshall
So, you've embarked on a search engine advertising program, maybe even SEO. Whether you're doing this on your own or using an online marketing consulting firm, there are key points to become aware of.
If you miss these, you won't increase conversions.
What good is a Number 1 organic search engine ranking or AdWords ad listing, if you don't have increased sales or if you don't generate more sales leads?
Too often, we get all focused about the Internet marketing -- the ads, the offer -- that we don't think the whole process through step-by-step and consider the experience our website visitors will be having.
If we did, we'd be thinking "big picture" and we would head off some of these potential problems before they occur.
Overcoming Your Website Visitors Anxiety
When people come to our website it's natural for them to feel anxiety. After all, look at all the cr*p on the Internet today, all the too-good-to-be-true products and services.
But when you and I offer REAL products or services, we have to overcome that concern, even if we're treating our site visitors fairly and not making outrageous claims.
So, how can you overcome these anxieties?
1. Offer more than a 1-page website. Credible companies have multi-page websites, including Privacy Policy, Terms of Use | Service and About Us pages.
They also have more than 1 page about their products or services.
I'm surprised by the number of 1-page websites I see from companies using infomercials to advertise their products. Often, they have the purchase form right on their home page, their only page (and often their page isn't secured for credit card ordering).
Websites that are only 1-page don't seem credible. And having the purchase form right on the home page comes across as very pushy!
Doesn't this type of site seem all about the company and NOT about their customers? Why would we want to buy from that type of company?
What kind of online marketing consulting firm did these companies use...or did they use any??
2. Next to any sign up or contact form buttons clearly state that you don't sell your customers' private information and link to your Privacy Policy page.
3. Effectively communicate what your Value Proposition is, also called your Unique Selling Proposition. If you don't know why someone should buy your product or service versus your competitors', now is the time to figure it out. (And by the way, based on my experience, if you don't know this, you're not alone, by any means.)
But our websites have to be about more than just us. They have to be about our visitors. What's in it for THEM, to do business with us? What unique voids in the marketplace can we fill?
As a Small Business Owner, Personally Relate to Your Site Visitors and Communicate Directly with Them
People don't buy from websites, they buy from people! So, how can you apply this to your own website?
1. For many small businesses and solo proprietorships, their website text should speak to your visitors directly in first person.
This should be written from the voice of the Owner or President. They shouldn't use third person, institutional-sounding language, getting rid of "we" and "our", using "I" instead, speaking first person, in an actual conversation. Don't try to sound like you're Microsoft!
And while your at it, be careful about overuse of words about you...whether "I", or those words, "we", "our" or "us".
Check out the WeWe calculator (Google: wewe calculator). Make sure to focus on customer-focused words and NOT on words about you or your company.
2. Include your picture on your Web pages.
For a larger small business trying to make that personal connection with their website visitors, try the idea used by the nutritional supplement company Lumina. (Google: Lumina Health Contact Us)
In this execution, notice how Lumina gets you to relate to their customer service department. I still remember it was John I spoke with and that's been over 1 year ago that I called them!
Again, people buy from other people, not from websites.
For us as small businesses, why should we sound large, pretending to be something we aren't? And why should we run from our advantage of being small: low overhead, friendly, personal service and accountability, among other advantages.
Make Each Step in Your Marketing a Smooth Handoff from One Step to Another
Whether you're using AdWords, SEO, or both, make sure your title and description matches the experience your website visitor will have when they come to your landing page.
Quite often when I'm Coaching my small business owner clients or performing online marketing consulting, I find the wording for their organic listing or AdWords ad says one thing and their landing page says something that doesn't sound the same.
This causes confusion is the best case scenario. In the worst case, it causes a lack of trust. Dangerous!
We should understand our products or services. And we know what we want our visitors to do on our site.
Our potential customers may not understand either. We need to think like them, when we explain what we have to offer them and how to use our website to take advantage of what we have to offer.
And when "shifting" from one page to another, we need to hand-off from one page to another naturally and smoothly, like a car with a smooth automatic transmission.
Don't advertise one offer in AdWords or organic search, only to have your landing page sound like it was written for another advertising offer. I see this problem a lot!
Often times, having an affordable online marketing consulting firm reviewing what you're doing can offer easy, inexpensive fixes that can yield big improvements in your search engine advertising and SEO conversions.
Your Action Plan
Let's review what we've talked about.
First, overcome visitors anxieties by offering a multi-page website which answers questions about your company and your services or products, while inspiring confidence in your company. Effectively communicate your Value Proposition.
Second, personally relate to your site visitors. Avoid using the wrong words that may put off your site visitors. Use your picture on your Web pages.
Third, hand-off from one page on your website and one step in your selling process to another smoothly and naturally. We should understand what we want our site visitors to do, but they won't unless we make the process really clear.
Whether your using an online marketing consulting firm or doing the work yourself, if you take these steps, your search engine optimization | advertising plan will convert at a MUCH higher rate, when you take these steps.
About the Author:
Marketing online since 2004, Paul Marshall can help you market on a budget. He's an Online Marketing Consulting expert offering marketing services (and d-i-y Coaching). You can learn more about Paul on his Internet Marketing LinkedIn profile and at Strategic Web Marketing.net.
Read more of Paul Marshall's articles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)