This one has been around a long time, but it’s one of those stories we should all read several times a year. I wanted to share this since it’s almost time to put 2009 to bed and jump into 2010.
One evening a man told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.”
“One is Evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
“The other is Good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The grandson then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”
The man simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Do you know which one you feed?
Thanks to Kneale Mann at http://onemann.blogspot.com/2009/12/two-wolves.html.
Clients need your help in getting more customers, especially online. Most of them have no idea where to start – and not only will they pay you handsomely, but they will love you for taking this chore off their hands. These are just a few ideas meant to inspire you to come up with plans personalized for your clients.
1. ASK your clients what they need . . . just because your other beauty shop clients needed help with Craigslist ads, that doesn’t mean this one will too.
2. Closely related to #1 is Don’t assume anything. Your client may have a solid marketing background and just needs to know how to start a WordPress blog. To waltz in and assume he needs your services from A-Z is not only condescending and rude, but you’re going to lose business . . . to people who ASK.
3. What kind of list does the client have now? It may be mailing addresses only, in which case you can start a postcard campaign. It takes time to get this together and see results, so the process should be started right away and running in the background along with #4.
4. Gather contact information consistently, especially email addresses. You can use Aweber or Constant Contact to create a monthly newsletter with coupons and specials. Make sure that newsletter delivers quality content.
5. Create a blog or website. If nothing else, a Blogger site will do. The client may want to update the blog or website in-house but want you to train the staff who will be doing it. Or he may want you to take it over.
6. Don’t forget old clients. You may need to send them a “sorry we haven’t touched base” letter or postcard, but reactivating old clients can pay great dividends.
7. JV, JV, JV. Joint ventures are a big piece of the corporate money pie, but most small businesses have never heard of them. In a joint venture, two or more businesses leverage each other’s resources.
For example, a jewelry store that specializes in high-end diamond jewelry might work with a boutique in an upscale part of town. The boutique could send out a letter to its clients recommending the jewelry store, with an introductory special of 20% off for anyone who brings in the letter. The boutique gets 35% of the profit from the campaign.
All it cost the boutique was a little time mailing the letters, and the actual costs to put together the campaign could be taken off the top of the proceeds. The jewelry store has new customers they wouldn’t have had otherwise, and the customers got a great deal on jewelry.
A win-win-win situation for everyone.
Most business owners are so busy running their businesses (especially in this economy) that they don’t have time to learn how to market, much less to do it. Anything you can help them with will be much appreciated . . . remember, they are already used to paying for marketing and advertising.
- 2 heads are better than 1! http://bit.ly/5tZmrn #
- Contest for a free spot in Michelle Salater's online bootcamp!! http://bit.ly/5du68u #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
- Get paid for your tweets! Check it out: sponsored http://bit.ly/5bKahR #
- Free
teleseminar tomorrow on using landing pages to increase conversions by
engaging prospects. Anyone working… http://bit.ly/7v4Dvu # - Cool! @bellco_cu could make my auto loan payment – http://bit.ly/BellcoAutos #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Listen in Tuesday, December 8th from 2-3 pm EST as Michelle Salater of Sumer, LLC interviews Larry Feil, president of Precision Analytics Group.
On this call, you’ll learn some great ideas and info like . . .
* How to attract prospects with a landing page.
* The 7elements of a successful landing page.
* How to create an irresistible offer that will convert prospects every time.
* Best practices for using a landing page.
* How to track your success.
Sign up here. Did I already mention it’s free?
The call will be recorded…see you there!
- Win some beautiful kitchen stuff from The Kitchen Fork! http://dawnypoo.blogspot.com/2009/12/tuesday-tip-kitchen-fork-giveaway.html #
- A Christmas contest…check it out!! http://bit.ly/5aK6f6 #
- Tip of the Day: Take a typical business process and highlight it if no one else is – eg. if you sterilize containers, make sure people know. #
- RT @michelfortin How to Negotiate Better Copywriting Fees http://bit.ly/o2QqQ #
- I just downloaded #TweetGlide free! Get it too: http://tgli.de/DNW #
- More FTC guideline info – transcript of the interview I posted last week. http://bit.ly/8tEn9K #
- Reminder…new FTC guidelines go into effect December 1. Here's one take on it from legendary marketer Frank Kern: http://bit.ly/8Pshy6 #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Last week, I posted a link to an interview Jim Edwards did with an official at the FTC. Here is the link to the transcript of that interview:
http://www.igottatellyou.com/blog/ftc-interview/
Please…take a few minutes to read this and know exactly how these new rules will affect your business.
- Everything you write, publish, or send should have a call to action. Drive your readers to DO something…sign up… http://bit.ly/4SM3oF #
- What are you most thankful for in your business? http://bit.ly/7Kxvf8 #
- From the horse's mouth….an assistant deputy at the FTC about the new guidelines going into effect next week. If… http://bit.ly/83M1Ht #
- Here's an unusual way to see yourself through your customers' eyes. http://bit.ly/5G8EuS #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Jim Edwards did an interview last week with Rich Cleland, an assistant deputy at the FTC.
Get info about the new guidelines that go into effect December 1 here:
http://www.igottatellyou.com/blog/ftc-change-interview/
I have no material association with this site and am not compensated from Mr. Edwards in any way.
Nope, that’s not a typo.
Try looking, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting your company (brand) and your product. More precisely, you need to experience what your customer sees, hears, feels, smells and tastes . . . and how he or she reacts. Your brand perception is the end result of literally everything your customers’ and prospects’ senses pick up.
From your logo to product packaging to the paint job on your building to how your employees dress, think about what design and color say about you and your company. Are they broadcasting the right message?
What do your prospects hear from and about you in the media? Voice inflection, tone, and pitch tell your customers more than you might think. You truly can hear a smile or a frown over the phone. How does your customer service team handle incoming complaints? Are former and current customers likely to recommend you? Are your employees pleasant, and how do you answer your own phone?
In just a few seconds, prospects and customers get a sense of who you and your company are, sometimes as a “gut” feeling or a first impression that can be positive or negative. They don’t forget it, and if it’s negative it may never change no matter what you do. Do customers and prospects feel they can trust you? Do they feel your honesty and desire to help?
The sense of smell is one of the strongest memory triggers we have. Does your office smell clean or maybe not-so-fresh? Does your receptionist wear a lot of perfume?
Taste is often overlooked. Make sure your product tastes great (if it’s meant to be tasted) and that you don’t skimp on the quality of water or coffee you serve. If you have a vending machine, check to see that it is serviced regularly.
Take the time to look at yourself with all your senses. Once you see the message you are sending your customers, you can understand their perception of you on a deeper level. Most companies don’t do this, so you will be one step ahead.
