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 Ahoy,
This is my 8th iteration of “Techniques of the Week” which is an ode to simple writing and marketing techniques that can be used immediately with measurable results in the Before, During, and After of your sales process. Before we get started, I’d like to thank you for being a Big Part of Techniques of the week as it’s the only time where my zany style of writing can be at the forefront of my blog. As always, I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. With that said, let’s be off… The Before Fact: No One Likes You Fact: Especially in the Very Beginning of Your Sales Process Fact: Which is why you need a Sales Funnel A Sales Funnel A sales Funnel is a series of contacts with a prospective client where you slowly build trust and ultimately have them use your product. Within this funnel is different levels of the sales process that you must do to get them to like you and ultimately make a sale. #1: Courtship Don’t sell them anything. Inform them of what you do. Tell stories of people just like them. Never, ever sell them. Telling them what you do and the stories of people you have done it for will elicit a response from people who are actually interested in what you do without alienating those who aren’t. This way you’re not being a pushy salesman, but just someone telling others what you do for a living. This is the key to courtship. When doing this in copy, you use information. This can be a free E-Book, Video, or Audio. The key here is to give them free information to see if what you do is what will work for them. How: #1: Build Exposure Step one is exposing your business to the world through any media format this can include both print, video/audio, and internet marketing. (Includes links to articles about each type of marketing.) · Direct Mail · Landing Pages o Landing pages are single web pages with sales letters that describe your offer, the free class, e-book, or other giveaway while asking for personal information through an online form. · 1-800 #’s – o Use 1-800 #’s to track people who call in from your advertising and allows you to call them back o The 1-800# should be a voice recorded message that tells people more about the product you sell and the offer your providing o Or should lead to a sales representative who can take care of the caller o The usefulness of an 1-800# is that it captures the phone number of your prospect so you can easily call them back to see if they would like a demo, e- book, or complete a sale · Email Database with Email Drip Campaigns · Marketing Materials – Brochures, E-Books, white papers, etc. · Webinar –Education Series webinar using an online webinar program · Audio – Build a Podcast, Broadcast, or other audio based content · Video – Build YouTube videos, commercials, and other video based content · Internet Marketing · In-Person Sales (One-on-one, Group, and Event) · Phone Lists – Getting the numbers of potential prospects and calling them #2: Build the Funnel Using the different types of exposure you can build a sales funnel. The beauty here is that you can mix and match each exposure technique to best funnel you prospects through the sale. Here are just a few examples: Direct Mail Campaign: · Mail out a post card, sales letter, or other piece of marketing material with an offer, discount, or Marketing Materials (free E-book/Merchandise) · Track response with either a response sheet, 1-800# to call, or URL to your website/landing page. · Mail up to 4 times to the same address over 1 to 4 months depending how you want to stagger them. (1 every 2 weeks, 1 every month, etc.) · Do it by buying a mailing list of your perfect prospect ($0.49 per parcel unless you buy a Bulk Mail Insignia $0.24 per parcel) or douse the area with Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM – ($0.17 per parcel) Pay-Per-Click/Display Advertising for Major Websites Funnel · Run Ad campaigns on Google, Facebook, Pinterest, or other major website that offers Pay-Per-Click / Display Advertising · Send them to your Website, Landing Page , or wherever you want them to go · Capture their information or get them to buy Cold Calling Series: · Buy or scour the internet for a list of your perfect prospects · Call Prospects with a Survey or a Discounted Service/Product · Offer Free E-Book for their time · Call them back a few days later to see if they enjoyed the e-book and would be interested in more · Offer more free information and attempt an in person appointment · Call back a week later to see if they enjoyed new material · Repeat until rejected completely or complete sale Content Marketing Funnel: · Have a Educational or Entertainment Series that keeps your prospect coming back · This can be videos, audios, or articles · Advertise your products and services to your audience as they consume your content The Webinar: · Advertise for your webinar using internet marketing, email campaigns, etc. · Educate people with useful information · Ask them to pay you at the end for information, product, or service *Sales Funnels – Funnel people into your business using internet, print, video, and audio. Anything to get them through the door. The During Sometimes people want what you sell, but don’t want to pay for it. Make them. Negotiations. Many times people want what you sell, but they will only buy if they feel like they win. This leaves you in a situation where you have to negotiate the price in the beginning so they will pay full price later. You can do this by giving built in concessions that allow the prospect to win while you still make money. Making it a win-win. This can include price discounts, free merchandise/extras thrown in, and anything else that incentivizes your prospect to buy. This works if the buyer has all the power. Another good technique is to start the transaction with a seller and use the time, money, and energy that everyone has put into the process as a hostage. Essentially putting the seller in a position of take my demands or I will take my business elsewhere *Negotiations – What will you have to do to make the sale? The After Follow-up Service Sometimes people want to buy what you do, but are more than willing to pay more for what you do after. This includes a warranty for your work, great customer service, technical support, as well as loyalty discounts, promotions or just updated information from a newsletter. Warranty for Your Work Be generous with making your client/customer happy after service. This includes replacing broken items for free or fixing any other issues. Follow-up Customer Service Ensure that you provide them with complimentary calls and have good customer service if they have any questions after the service and purchase. Technical Support If your product or service is technical in nature, ensure you have the support for any questions your customer/client may have after the purchase/service. Loyalty Program The best way to keep people coming back is with a loyalty program. This involves making them a member or part of the club that is your business. Have reward cards that give free product, discounts, and other incentives for members to keep coming back and shopping with your business. Constant Contact Some clients/customers just lover to stay up to date with your industry and service. This is especially true for investment type business like paper assets, real estate, and others that are based on the variable market. Follow-up Service – business is built on long-term relationships. Don’t burn your bridges after you’ve just started. And there you have it. Three ways to get your prospects and clients to knock down your door for your products and services. Let me know how you get people to knock down your door for everything you do in the comments.  Image management used to be much simpler. Before. You could have a private life and it would not affect your career and people’s opinions of you. Nowadays… Private Life is Disappearing. You can’t go anywhere without someone somewhere collecting information on you. Physically or Digitally. In fact, you can’t post on Twitter without the chance of getting backlash for an opinion tweet. Actually, you may not even be on social media, but may have had a picture taken of you with someone else, and the next thing you know. Facebook knows you. Even if the picture is really embarrassing! The worst part? It’s there forever. Which is why maintaining a professional online image is very important to your career. Important to impress recruiters when they search for you online. Important to impress clients when looking for your services. Important to your success. Therefore, avoid damaging your image and maintain your image management with these fine tips. #1: Everything you say can and will be used against you. So do NOT post comments that are detrimental to your reputation and are unprofessional. This may sound familiar and holds true in court as well as your online image. Because people will judge you solely on what you post about yourself and especially what others say about you. In fact, anything you have written in life such as college papers can in fact be dug up and used against you. Meaning: Do NOT post subjects and opinions that can anger others and be considered insensitive and juvenile. Avoid politics, religion, and others. This does not mean you cannot have your opinion. The idea is to avoid permanently being judged for an opinion you had years ago because it is associated to your social media and easily searchable. Because opinions change, but changing first impressions can be painful. #2: Do NOT post objectionable material such as pictures, videos, and other media. Avoid many topics and pictures that can give the wrong impression. Because everything and anything can be taken out of context, twisted, and advertised as fact. This includes videos, pictures, and other media that can misconstrued. Meaning: Every time you post pictures of being trashed and posting to all your friends that you blacked out. To include the pictures that they post which you have no control of. Will be on the internet and be seen by all current and future potential employers and clients. And no one wants to entrust their business to someone who can’t control their “intake”. Tip No. 3: Try to avoid joining groups, fan pages and applications that are detrimental to your image. Setting your profile to “private” does not mean it is private. Many times it’s shared through channels that are less than reputable. Also you can accidently accept friends who you do not know well and could be a potential employer or current employer collecting dirt from your profile. Meaning: Do not join controversial fan pages, groups, and applications that others can fuss over. Many times, people will look for any reason to complain and having liking risqué content gives them fuel for their fire. Tip No. 4: Provide useful information to the communities that your online image tailors to. If you’re a Financial Expert, and you want to impress clients or other financial experts than post consistently articles that are useful to them. If you are a psychologist, then post shareable content that pertains to what potential clients would enjoy. Having a long line of posts that are useful creates credibility and makes you a Thought Leader. Meaning: Post content that is useful for others. But this doesn’t mean you can’t have artistic flare. It is important to differentiate and get your content shared. So make sure all your content is entertaining and allows others to want to share it. Because one Viral Video can change everything. Tip No. 5: Request recommendations, join groups and answer the questions of other users after creating your social media. Participating online can be extremely helpful in building a professional online image. Writing articles displays leadership and knowledge in your given field can build a following that loves what you do. You also should contribute to the community by commenting on others articles and answer questions. Meaning: Be a part of the community you work in and create new content to help spur creativity in others. This lets you grow as not only a professional in your field, but an expert. Tip No. 6: Strategically write and publish in industry-related publications. The more credibility you have, the more business you have. This is true in all aspects of life. Therefore you have to publish your work in trade journals, magazines, and other publications that get you in front of the people who will value you most. Meaning: Make samples and get in with the publications best. If you’re a photographer, get featured on reputable photography site or magazine. If you’re a business person, do a conference or seminar. If you’re in education, get published in an academic journal. Once it’s published, use it in all your marketing to boost your appeal and professionalism. Tip. No. 7: Build a website that showcases you as a major player in your field. It is not the person who is the best at what they do that wins in the real world. It is the one who is most publicized to be the best in their field. Meaning: Do everything in your power to showcase your ability to the right people and you will have a higher chance to make it to the top. Market yourself as a professional. Build yourself as a Professional. Network yourself as a Professional. Final thoughts… Be diligent in your career and your image. No one will manage your career for you. But they will manage your image into oblivion.  Don't Let People Fade You and Your Image Into Oblivion.  Would it be awesome to learn how to speak at events? Would it be even cooler to be paid an extravagant amount of money for it? Well you can by becoming a professional speaker. All you have to do is follow these simple steps: First, You need to master the craft of PUBLIC SPEAKING. So immediately find a site to place your soapbox, such as a Toastmasters International, MeetUp.com, your Local Chamber of Commerce, or other speaking association to learn how to speak in public. Once, you are there. You must craft a portfolio of speeches, speaking programs, and videos of your speeches to use later for marketing. Until you get to the point where you feel you can speak in thee Free Circuit. Which is Second, Start speaking at free events. This will help solidify your ability and determine what type of speaker you would like to be. Anywhere from entertaining, motivational, informational, training, presentations, technical, or keynote are just some of many options. These can be found by talking with everyone where you’re currently speaking or connecting with local groups, clubs, or non-profits. The Third thing, Once you have enough material to make into a profile or website, you turn it all into an “I’m a Professional Speaker” Page. What it consists of: · Start with a two paragraph overview of who you are and the type of speaker and speeches you do · Then talk about speaking topics, with write-ups of presentations you’ve given · Followed with video presentations, a list for the people you have spoken for, and finally testimonials, where others recommend you. The Fourth Part, Now that you have mastered the craft, have experience speaking, and now have the marketing to prove it. It’s time to become a professional speaker by entering the Amateur Circuit. Here you will start getting paid. So it is imperative to figure out how much you think you are worth right now and how much you will you be worth when your experience grows. After some more events are done in this market, continue to build portfolio of speeches, speaking programs, and videos of your speeches to use later for marketing. This will help you into the final step. The Final Step, Enter the high-dollar professional circuit. Here you can hire an agent and work with speaking bureaus to help with booking shows. Make sure to impress them with a professionally done: · 3 to 5-minute demo video. · Great photos of you speaking. · A printed one-sheet with your programs. · A professional speaking-oriented website. Once you’re at this point just keep looking for the next big opportunity. Tips for throughout the process: · Build Credibility – use any and all features of you on any recognizable media outlets, big corporate events, or television · Network – knowing the promoter or conference organizer is key to success · Practice, Practice, Practice The hardest part of becoming a speaker is in fact the writing and editing of everything from the speeches to the marketing. Which is why you need a professional speech writer: · To save you time and effort · Providing the talking notes to speak from · And giving you a writing from an experienced professional  Affect them and they will come. Halloo,
This is my sixth iteration of “Techniques of the Week” which is an ode to simple writing and marketing techniques that can be used immediately with measurable results in the Before, During, and After of your sales process. Today, we will be going over 3 major parts of marketing that ensures that you will never be left without content, have a uniform marketing policy in place, and how to get underneath your customer’s skin. With that said, let’s be off… The Before – Marketing Policy Before you let your advertisers advertise, copywriters write, and google adders google ad. You need to know that you have a uniform campaign being run across all your media outlets spewing forth your single marketing message. Because without a combined effort, you are not benefiting from having a reputation and presentation that precedes you. And without this added effect, it will be that much harder for them to remember you when it comes time for your customers to refer you. As you are just like everyone else. Having a quick policy book will give your advertisers, copywriters, and google adders reference to build your marketing message further and let people know exactly what your business is about. Avoiding alienating customers by using marketing faux pas. Building your reputation as the person to call for business. What it’s all about… When creating your policy just have an idea of: · What is the marketing message you want to say to your customer o Cheapest Prices o Best Warranties and Guarantees o Most Trusted o Etc. · What is the atmosphere you want to create when people are dealing with your company o Safety o Comfort-ability o Rugged and Tough o Reliable o Etc. · Will this marketing tarnish or give mix messages about your company o Sex sells, but do you want it associated with your company o Is this marketing controversial or unethical o Do we offer the cheapest prices, but make people pay more for shipping Marketing Policy – Does this advertising meet what the company expects and represents… Of course it does! The During – Build an atmosphere to your product Building an atmosphere directly relates to your marketing message and could be the most important part of your company. Because the atmosphere you create is what brings your customers back. Just as a film affect the way a person feels during viewing it, you must instill the same theatrics to your business. The atmosphere you create affects all five senses, taste, smell, touch, hear, and seeing. And if you get it right, you get referred by your customers because they want to share the experience and atmosphere with their friends. In the other direction, if your company isn’t on par in any category, it could negatively affect your business. One bad experience could cost you hundreds of customers because people love to share bad experiences rather than good ones. And each new person told is a potential loss as they will not choose you based off what their friend told them. How it works Entrench customer in your product through their five senses. Ensure they know exactly what it feels, tastes, and smells like. And to do that you just have to answer a few questions about the atmosphere you want to create and how you can make it for your customers. Such as: · What is it that you want your customers to feel when they use your products? And when they are doing business with you? · How can you take those feelings and create an experience that makes them feel that and want to share it with their friends? · Techniques • Audio Email with written paragraph as you speak. End with a video of product. Atmosphere – Bring the theater to everything you do as the atmosphere you create will be what they remember most The After – Everything is Marketing Everything is Marketing. This simple quote establishes how important marketing is to your business. But is actually talking about how everything you do can be considered marketing. Everything from processes you do, the charities you give to, to the business trips you go on. If its record it, it can be turned to marketing. This technique is training your eye to not take things at face value, but to look deeper with a marketing eye. A marketing eye that sees how anything and everything you do can be marketed as a part of your business to reinforce your reputation. How it works Record everything. · Training events · Processes · Sales Calls · Operations · Business Trips And turn it into marketing or training material as one technique and event can boost the whole organization overall. Or affect one more prospect to become motivated to buy because they like what you’re about. Everything is Marketing – If it happened, market it. If it didn’t happen, market it.  11 TIPS FOR WRITING CLEAR COPY
In the world, tips are for the most part, are the most important things to us in any industry. They are helpful in remembering what you need to do as well as the seed to change your thinking, and views to turn your world upside down. Inspiring you to take the next step to your success. And the best part, they are easy to remember and many times roll right off the tongue. Now here are 11 tips to effective, clear copy 1. Put the Reader First Write not for yourself, but others. Unless all they want is you of course. You have to put the reader first. Not doing so ends in much confusion as they may not know what you know. This means you could be explaining for 10 pages, but you lost your audience on the 1st page because they don’t understand what you’re saying. 2. Carefully Organize Your Selling Points Organize your selling points logically and have them flow from one to another. This helps with communicating and with keeping the audience involved. a. Primary headline – main selling point i. Sub-Headlines enhance it b. Examples – i. Make a promise ii. How to Fulfill that promise iii. And the rest proves the product is everything that the copy says it is iv. How to order v. And how the price is insignificant to how much value the product creates 3. Break the Writing into Short Sections Break up the flow with easy to read and understandable pieces. Having them in this form make it easy for people to remember. c. Bullet list points d. Break five sentence paragraphs into three paragraph sentences e. Make simple sentences 4. Use Short Sentences The memory is fickle and remembers best in story-lines and bites. SO feed it small chunks of sentences. Sentence Chunks Scale: f. Best – 6-12 word sentences g. Good 14-16 words h. Passable 20 -25 i. Bad - Up to 40 j. Unreadable – 40 + i. Good punctuation to use to break sentences up 1. ------- 2. … 5. Use Simple Words Don’t use big words. People are not impressed, and don’t understand what you are saying. k. Use short words in comparison to large words i. The shorter the better ii. 7 and above is too much 6. Avoid Technical Jargon Use words only as select people know, and only a select people will know. Not much sense for the rest of us. l. Leave the noobs to the geeks, the electrons to the physicist, and the compounds to the chemists 7. Be Concise Write the best with the most. But slim it down to what you actually need and what people actually want. m. Write with vigor, then apply Occam’s razor to glean the best clarity from your work 8. Be Specific Don’t be ambiguous. Vagueness doesn’t tell people anything. n. Bullet list your points and give only what matters, and only that 9. Go Straight to the Point Go for the jugular. People understand quickly and effectively when you do. As there is not much room for interpretation. o. Don’t warm-up with fluff or try to explain background information to the reader in the first paragraph, the reader should know already what your selling p. We do this and this and this and that’s why you friggen want it. 10. Write in a Friendly, Conversational Style You don’t like monotony. I don’t like monotony. Nobody likes to read monotony. Don’t force it on others. q. Talk like I’m your lost best friend who wants to talk of good old times 11. Avoid Political Language Its best to avoid political incorrectness as it promotes emotions in the audience that distort anything else they read. r. Be politically correct or you will be in trouble. So… Use one or use them all to have clear communication to your prospects and customers. Because no one likes to not understand what someone is saying, especially when you’re trying to sell them something. 5 ways to get PAID! Welcome to the FIVE WAYS to get paid. If you have ever been interested in making money, then you are in the right place. Now just exactly how do you get paid, get paid right, and more importantly, get paid again. All you have to do is follow a few tested techniques that are fundamental in nearly every situation. And we start with... #5: Enhance people’s lives by creating value · Valuable Relationships (Enjoy your Company) o Create relationships that others value through combined prosperity, mutually gratifying amity, and general goodwill (People love to pay people they like.) · Valuable Advice (Mentorship) o Be there for people in their times of need. Give advice and guide them through the angles. Everyone needs someone sometimes. · Valuable Service/Work (Solve Problems) o Use your business not to sell people stuff, but help them solve problems. · Value (Make/Save them Money) o Help others make money or save money, and they will let you share in the spoils. #4: Reward and Appreciate Customers Customers are the lifeblood of your business. In good times and bad, customers can support you. They are what makes your business run. They are the people who grow you, the people who tell their friends about you, and the people you create value for. Treat them well and they will return the favor. Which is why the #5 way to get paid is to reward and appreciate your customers because without them, you are nothing. And the best ways to maintain those business to consumer relations is to keep them engaged with your business and appreciate them. Ways to keep them engaged… Ways to appreciate them… · Reward your customers by paying them for any work they do for you such as loyalty, referrals, and becoming a champion for your business. o This can go as far as having a loyalty program where you give prizes, merchandise, and discounts on future service and products. o And soft techniques such as Thank You Notes, Gifts, and shows of appreciation such as a follow-up phone calls, emails, and favors · Ensure the quality of your work and your products o If there are any errors in those things, do not hesitate to fix it by any means necessary, especially if they pay extra for it · For even more ways to keep them happy: o http://www.helpscout.net/25-ways-to-thank-your-customers/ #3: Build Relationships by Appreciating Others If customers weren't important enough, business cohorts are just as well. Suppliers, Advertising Partners, Sponsors, and any number of people who help your business sometimes without ever even using your products. Ways to keep them engaged… · Involve them in business events, if going to a large event, invite them, having a seminar, let them come. o Invitations to places where they can expand their business, meet new contacts, and learn something new is always a good way to keep them engaged · Keep them up to date in your business happenings. Let them know if you are unveiling a new product or service o The more they know, the easier it is to sell you as a referral · Refer them information that is useful to their daily lives. o Make their lives easier by giving them the information that pertain to their interests and they may need Ways to appreciate them… · Create goodwill with others in your business such as complimentary servicers (graphic designers, etc.), your suppliers, and partners o Refer them people to their products or cause and they will do the same o Wine and Dine them to show your appreciation and support of what they do · Having a large network of supporters allows you options in good times and bad o Stay in contact, remember birthdays, special events, and more o Always have a way to go that extra mile to show you care #2: Reward and Appreciate Employee In any business that relies on employees, it is always best practice to treat them well and have active ways to engage them in your business. As the old saying goes, happy/engaged employees don’t sabotage your business. In appreciating and rewarding employees, it takes advantage of the Pygmalion Effect: The Power of the Expectations. This Effect occurs when your expectations of an outcome help to make those expectations become true. So many times the expectations of your employees directly relate with their success. Therefore you have to keep them engaged and appreciated. This will help your Employees become successful, your business, and in turn, you will be successful. Ways to keep them engaged… 1. Give them a Tour. Take your employees for a tour of one of your vendors or suppliers' facilities. It’s a cool way to learn more about who you work with, and can be as fun as a field trip was in grade school days. 2. Give them a Way Out. Let your employee ditch one project they like the least, and you do it yourself instead. 3. Adult Education. Pay for one adult education class of their choosing. Maybe Cooking, Yoga, or Something else of interest. 4. Take them to Dinner. Take them and their family to dinner. Make it a nice restaurant of their choice. 5. Training and Conferences. Provide training opportunities to employees, or send them to an annual conference they’d enjoy. 6. Training Videos. Put employees in your training videos. This gives them exposure to the rest of the company and gives them a day to shine. 7. Talk About Anything. Converse with your employees. Ask them about Life, What they enjoy, and get to know them as people. It shows that you care. 8. Time. Give the gift of your time and attention. Offer to mentor or coach employees Ways to appreciate them… 1. Flexible Hours. Let your team work when they want to work. The flexibility can be worth a lot more than cash. Maybe they won’t need daycare services for their child, for example, if they can make their own schedule. 2. A Thank You Note. Saying thanks about something specific may be the ultimate reward. If you do it selectively yet authentically, a thank you note may be pinned above your employee’s desk for years. 3. Massage. Have a massage therapist come to your office for the day and give every recognized employee a chair massage. A chiropractor isn’t a bad idea either 4. A New Chair. Many employees sit for at least eight hours a day. Reward their exceptional effort with a new comfortable, supportive chair. 5. Acknowledge Employees in Meetings. When an employee has a good idea, performs above and beyond, secures a big win or account, or does something worthy, acknowledge him or her by name in meetings. 6. Know everyone’s Name. Learn everyone’s name and use it. Say, “Thank you, Carol,” not just “Thanks!” People love to hear their names, so use them and use them often, especially when acknowledging their efforts and achievements. 7. Close Early or Open Late. Close down unexpectedly early one day and give everyone the afternoon off. Or, open half a day later after a holiday like St. Patrick’s Day. 8. Show Respect in Everything You Do and Say. All your hard work and appreciation of an employee can be destroyed in an instant if you yell at them, disrespect or belittle them in private or public. They won’t remember the 100 times you said you appreciated them. They’ll remember the one time you didn’t. Bite your tongue, smile and always show respect regardless of your personal feelings. #1: Leverage it. Once you have all this goodwill and powerful relationships. Use it. Leverage it to get people excited about what you do, and grow your business. In fact, record everything as it all can be utilized as marketing. o Help a customer have a great day. Use as a Promotional video. o Bring a partner to your seminar. Interview him to see what he learned. o Appreciate an Employee’s Charity. Use the video at your next conference. o Take a tour of a supplier. Use as a Training video. Without leveraging everything you do. You are missing opportunities to get paid. You are missing bigger and better opportunities to get paid. And to use that to give back to those who got you paid. Your Partners, Customers, and Employees. There you have it... The FIVE WAYS TO GET PAID. All involving creating value for others and ensuring they are satisfied. Because no one likes to do business with people they don’t like.  Power of "Free" Things Greetings, This is my fifth iteration of “Techniques of the Week” which is an ode to simple writing and marketing techniques that can be used immediately with measurable results in the Before, During, and After of your sales process. Today, the Before, During, and After will instead be After, During, and Before. Which is not actually that exciting as During has not moved. With that said, let’s be off… The After – The 9 Word Email Many times, you have many prospects who show interest in your product or service and somewhere along the way of them making a purchase, they got sidetracked. Usually, silly YouTube videos on Facebook, shiny objects, or the bustle of life. When this happens, it’s best to get their attention back without trying to sell them something. As a hard sale may do more harm than good. In this situation, you need to be armed with the simple, but sweet, 9-Word Email. With this powerful tool, you can easily gain the attention of those customers who peaked interest, but didn’t stick. Now… How it works Essentially the email… · Is 9 words · Does not try to sell anything · Asks a Yes or No Question · Is intriguing enough that the prospect responds · And is personal enough as it appears that the email was sent just for them For Example… Hello friend, 1. Are you still interested in doing business with us? 2. Have you found someone else who does “Your Service”? 3. Just catching back up with you, are you busy? With the 9-Word Email, watch those thought-lost prospects come back more interested than ever. 9 word Email – I saw that you missed my last email, but I was wondering if you were still interested in “X”. The During – Funnel Method The During piece of today’s Techniques of the Week is the Funnel Method of Advertising and a unique customer experience that they can’t get anywhere else. In the Funnel Method, you have many different avenues and approaches to your products. Each tailored to the different sectors of customers who enjoy your products. The way a sales funnel works is that you have an entire system of advertising from email, mail, and others that is automatically and regular sent to your prospect. The difference is that each funnel targets different customer types based on their occupation, interests, personalities, tastes, and any other discerning characteristics. This helps increase your sales by “personally” knowing your customer and providing for their needs and wants. For example, you have services for both business people, technical professionals, and the regular consumer. For each you have different marketing and strategies. You need different ways to reach each and funnel them through the appropriate marketing. This can be done using… Self-Assignment – on your website, have separate parts of your site that cater to each of your specific sectors and ask which sector they belong when they first visit. This lets them self-assign themselves into the appropriate funnel
Logical Assignment – logical assignment is where you or your automatic systems place certain customers into a sales funnel by collected data (Business Owner Mailing List), the advertising that attracted them (Professional Trade Magazine Ad, etc.), and other none self-assigning strategies.
Funnel Method – Funnel people into different levels of your advertising and product lines. The Before – The Power of FREE STUFF In the Before of your sales process. The most powerful thing is the promise of something free. From services to products and everything in-between. This can be anything from… · Free samples – free service and free products customized to niche o Let them see if they like what you offer in small samples · Free Trials – let them see the benefit of your product immediately with no strings attached o Helps facilitate a lifetime customer as they will see the value of your product in using your product · Free gift – Give away free service or gift to indebt customer to you or be able to show your stuff off. Before, during, and after. · The “Bonus” Gift – Have someone pay for your product and instantly provide them with a limited time free bonus gift. o Bonus #1 = Get subscribed to our email drip o Free Ads or Ad Space · Free Product if you signup – Generate a customer list by promoting a free newsletter or consumer guide to educate consumer on product Free Stuff – Give away to success! Free stuff here, Free stuff there! Free stuff everywhere! And with that, you now have 3 more ways to start making more money today. Do let us know about your success with these techniques or techniques of your own that allowed you to succeed. P.S. My vacation in Taiwan has affected my ability to post my blog on schedule this week. For my failure, I am giving away a free 15 page info-product on creating your marketing business (6.99 value). Wish you had a quick list of all the ways to market yourself that you didn't know you needed?
Then the journey that is your life has crossed our paths. Which is a good thing. Now lets begin… Web Design and Development. Build your online foundation with an easily navigable and well maintained website. Professionally designed to more than appeal to your ideal customer. Allowing you to build a community of people that can’t go without your products and services. Mobile Advertising – Which includes a developed Mobile Website, applications, and the advertising avenues that go with it. And with your NEW Website up and running, generate traffic by developing ads and content for… Website Advertising. · Display/Banner/Frame Ads – See the texts that appear on the top, right, and sometimes the left of the content you’re trying to read? Then you know what Display, Banner, and Frame Ads are. And you know they use text, logos, animations, videos, photographs, or other graphics to persuade your prospects to traffic your site. Using Big Data Targeting to get your Message to those most likely to heed it. · Active Website Ads Such as… Pop-Ups/Unders that appear in a separate window above and below the window a prospect opens. Floating ads that appear superimposed over the content that a prospect wants to see. Expanding ads that pop up when a certain action takes place such as staying on a website for a certain time, hovering over a word or image, etc. And… Interstitial ads that ask for an email for people to access premium content. And with your intense use of Active Ads, you must harness the power of… Search Engine Advertising. · Search Engine Marketing (SEM) – Where everyone goes to find what they need on the internet. For entertainment, research, or to make a purchase, everyone goes through one search engine or another. And you need to be at the top. At the top with content, at the top with advertising, at the top with value. All through… · Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – … you can put yourself there by using the most up-to-date techniques so not only will search engines find you, but rocket you to the top. But if you can’t wait to get to the top organically, you can pay your way there and be first to meet that prospect ready to buy with… · Sponsored searches – Or Pay-Per-Click advertising, where you only pay when an interested prospect likes what they see. Placed at the top of Google, Bing, or other search engine. Now that you have your very own website with consistent traffic coming in. It is high time to take those who love your products and services. And build a good ol’ community for them to talk about and interact with your company. And to do that you need… Social Media Marketing. Getting it right will garner unprecedented publicity and establish your online presence. Not only improving your results on search engines, but molding your brand in the minds of others. Turning passive customers into Champions who build your community and get those ever-appreciated referrals. Because a company is only as successful as the community of people who support it, starting with your customer. Once your business is booming, your online presence growing, and your Mailing List is developing. You have only one choice… To GET EVEN BIGGER USING... Email Advertising. Getting your customer base who have purchased and those interested in purchasing from you updates on new products, services, and deals they just can’t miss. Or my personal favorite, giving them Info-products that tell customers new ways to use your products, services, and other generally useful information they need about your business, industry, or day-to-day. And just when you thought you had your hands in every advertising avenue possible. You can put your advertising into overdrive with… Affiliate Marketing. Where you get other people to find ‘you’ business and pay them a percentage of the sales they generate. Giving you the ability to pay only for performance as they pay for themselves. And just when you thought that was enough… LT Copywriting can help you advertise in all of these media. Actually developing all the content for you. And with the end of Part One, check out... Content Production. NEXT WEEK!!! Marketing Today The world of marketing has been turned on its ear. Because consumers now have every option available to avoid traditional marketing. Having been bombarded with advertising for years, most consumers now “surf”. Promptly ignoring magazine articles, online banners, and the billboards littering the streets. They record their favorite shows on DVRs, fast forwarding through commercials or avoiding television altogether by streaming it directly online. Even, going as far as downloading online applications like Ad Block Plus to thwart any attempts by marketers to reach their eyes. Thus consumers know what they want and how they want it. Making Content. King. Content is KING! Fast growing, content marketing is becoming the leading way for marketers to reach their audience. By instead of using traditional ways of propping ads next to content people want and forcing them to look at or sit through them for the ultimate prize. You intertwine your marketing into the content consumers want. Enshrining yourself as an industry expert and producer of valuable content. Making them come back again and again. Why video content will make you KING! And there is no better way today to present your valuable content and boost your bottom line than through Online Video Marketing. By making videos about specific topics from your treasure trove of articles and other materials you have about your business. You can turn them to 2-5 minute videos and distribute them to various video-sharing websites like YouTube for their 15 minutes of fame. Easily setting yourself apart from the crowd. First off, video brings a “wow” factor to online marketing. Adding punch that catches the eye and stimulates viewers in a way that text cannot. Instilling your marketing message and making your company memorable. Second, in fact, video marketing is more affordable than it has ever been with improving technology. Using video to portray your company in the light you want. Making it so easy now to put a face to your brand. A face that people get to know. That they will trust and respect. Third of all, video marketing allows you to convey complex information, clearly, and in a way that people easily understand. Because everyone loves to see a demonstration of something being done than it being described in words. As no one likes an instruction manual without pictures. And finally, videos are much more likely to go viral. If you produce buzz-worthy content, you can easily become the internet’s next big sensation. With viral sharing comes more eyes on your marketing message and your business as whole. Even riding the wave to nationwide exposure and maximum profit. Now What? Understanding what to do is only half the battle, now execution is key. You need to figure out a whole mess of things to properly prepare to create your own video content. And if you want to know what that mess is... fill below for your own video marketing kit! |
AuthorLucas Thomas, professional writer, entrepreneur, and business owner. Archives
October 2016
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