If your marketing efforts are not producing the results you desire--then pay attention.
I have something exciting to share with you.
While surfing recently, I happened upon a site called the 1step system. Intrigued with both the product and the wealth building concepts, I signed up for the free teleseminar to learn more. The result?
It was the best 37 minutes I have ever spent on the phone!
For in that mere ½ hour, I discovered a powerful marketing system. A system that shows any marketer, no matter the skill level, how to utilize powerful, proven techniques to realize massive profits—with just a little effort.
The 1Step system offers a genuine opportunity for anyone to earn a substantial income marketing a product that millions of people need. The product is called The Ultimate Marketers’ Toolbox and is chock full of information that can help anyone to become a more successful marketer-- on the internet and offline.
The business opportunity is based on the 2 up system, where you are only required to pass up your first 2 training sales to your sponsor. After that you’re in a position of pure profit. Because you get to keep $500 of every $597 sale. Yes. That’s right. You pocket an incredible 83% on every toolkit you sell. It really is that simple!
But it gets better.
As you become a Qualified Associate, you are entitled to collect on the first two sales from each person that you bring into your team. Now the power of leverage kicks into high gear! Not only do you make $500 per sale from your own efforts, but you also get paid on the efforts of others. Can you see the financial potential here? Its huge! To discover just how leverage can make you wealthy, click here: www.1step.go2it.ws and sign up for the free ½ hour teleseminar.
The beauty of the 1Step system is that the very materials you are offering to others are the ones that you will personally use to become a more effective marketer for your own products and services.
If you don’t wish to join 1Step as a Marketing Associate, but you recognize the tremendous value of this information, you can simply purchase the Ultimate Marketers Toolbox (as a customer) and start applying the powerful techniques to your business immediately.
The choice is yours.
Numerous studies have shown that the number one reason why most businesses fail is lack of marketing skill.
The bottom line is this:
In order to attract business, you must understand how to market effectively.
The Ultimate Marketers’ Toolbox contains everything you need to be a stellar marketer--57 audio CDS, video tutorials, software and 8 manuals. The extensive collection of materials provide hundreds of proven strategies for marketers of all levels—beginner to Pro.
The Ultimate Marketers Toolbox is a marketers’ dream come true!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
How to Improve an Existing Product
You may have a niche marketing website that just isn't producing sales for you at the rate at which you had hoped it would.....or maybe it isn't producing any income for you at all or it could be that you haven't actually figured out that what you are selling is, in fact, a niche market product. You might need to do a little 'tweaking' and modify your strategies somewhat to get the site performing better. There really are some things that you can do to improve your existing product.
Step #1: Bill Cosby, the famous entertainer, once said, "I don't know what the secret of success is, but I know the secret of failure and that was trying to please everybody." He was right. You can't please everybody and you can't sell to everybody either. It's possible that you may simply need to narrow you market, identify you product as a niche marketing product and advertise it accordingly.
Step #2: To improve your existing product you have likely overlooked the most obvious solution of all. You could simply ask your customers what they think. They are, after all, the end users of the product or service that you are selling. There is nobody that knows how a product can be improved better than the people who are using the product.
Step #3: Analyze the competition. Take the time and put forth the effort to look at the product or service that your competitors are offering. Identify their strengths and weaknesses. Find out what your competition can't, won't or doesn't really like to do and set about doing those very things yourself.
Step #4: Are you selling your product at the right price? Pricing a product too low makes people think it won't be any good, pricing too high will discourage them from buying it.
Step #1: Bill Cosby, the famous entertainer, once said, "I don't know what the secret of success is, but I know the secret of failure and that was trying to please everybody." He was right. You can't please everybody and you can't sell to everybody either. It's possible that you may simply need to narrow you market, identify you product as a niche marketing product and advertise it accordingly.
Step #2: To improve your existing product you have likely overlooked the most obvious solution of all. You could simply ask your customers what they think. They are, after all, the end users of the product or service that you are selling. There is nobody that knows how a product can be improved better than the people who are using the product.
Step #3: Analyze the competition. Take the time and put forth the effort to look at the product or service that your competitors are offering. Identify their strengths and weaknesses. Find out what your competition can't, won't or doesn't really like to do and set about doing those very things yourself.
Step #4: Are you selling your product at the right price? Pricing a product too low makes people think it won't be any good, pricing too high will discourage them from buying it.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
How to Impress Your Customers
In business, every contact with your customer is an opportunity for expanding and growing the relationship. A phone call is nice but sending a business greeting card means that effort and consideration was put into the relationship. A greeting card can be sent as a reminder for an event, upcoming meeting or simply a thank you note. With the highly competitive market that we have today, having a good rapport with your customers is a way of getting ahead of the competition.
There are a lot of reasons why businesses send greeting cards. You may want to attract new customers, enhance a current business relationship or show appreciation to those who have faithfully supported your business during the year. It is essential though to carefully design the card as a well-meant card can actually offend the recipient when it is not done properly. Choosing a poor design can also mean a lot of things to the people you want to impress. The recipient can take it as a sign that the business is not doing well or that they are not properly given the attention that they deserve.
To avoid any trouble in getting the list of the persons that you would send the card to, update your list of names and addresses from time to time. For certain, you would gain new clients throughout the year. As you gain new contacts take time to add them in your list. This way you won’t have a hard time addressing your greeting card or embarrass yourself by sending the card to the wrong person.
It is also better to sign each card personally and handwrite the address as well. This may sound a lot work for you but if the business and the relationship are worth it, so is the extra effort. Remember that this is your chance to connect with your customers on a personal level so make it work. As much as possible don’t also use computer generated labels as they may seem impersonal and make your greeting look like a mass mailing.
If you are sending the card in time for a special occasion or holiday, make sure to mail them ahead of time to make sure that they arrive on the dot. And the best way to avoid the last minute greeting rush is to have all your envelopes addressed a few days before actually sending them out. You can have all the time in the world for designing, decorating and signing your greeting cards so make an effort to create them as stunning and pleasing as possible to make the recipients feel that they are well valued and appreciated.
There are a lot of reasons why businesses send greeting cards. You may want to attract new customers, enhance a current business relationship or show appreciation to those who have faithfully supported your business during the year. It is essential though to carefully design the card as a well-meant card can actually offend the recipient when it is not done properly. Choosing a poor design can also mean a lot of things to the people you want to impress. The recipient can take it as a sign that the business is not doing well or that they are not properly given the attention that they deserve.
To avoid any trouble in getting the list of the persons that you would send the card to, update your list of names and addresses from time to time. For certain, you would gain new clients throughout the year. As you gain new contacts take time to add them in your list. This way you won’t have a hard time addressing your greeting card or embarrass yourself by sending the card to the wrong person.
It is also better to sign each card personally and handwrite the address as well. This may sound a lot work for you but if the business and the relationship are worth it, so is the extra effort. Remember that this is your chance to connect with your customers on a personal level so make it work. As much as possible don’t also use computer generated labels as they may seem impersonal and make your greeting look like a mass mailing.
If you are sending the card in time for a special occasion or holiday, make sure to mail them ahead of time to make sure that they arrive on the dot. And the best way to avoid the last minute greeting rush is to have all your envelopes addressed a few days before actually sending them out. You can have all the time in the world for designing, decorating and signing your greeting cards so make an effort to create them as stunning and pleasing as possible to make the recipients feel that they are well valued and appreciated.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
How To Identify Good Ad Agencies
If you operate a small or mid-sized business, marketing is the fastest way to grow it by multiples. Done properly, it can empower any business to dominate their market space. Bar none!
If you agree, but don’t have the time or expertise to pull it off on your own, you might consider hiring a marketing consultant or ad agency to help you. But how do you tell who the experts are?
Ask these 5 questions knowing what answers to look for.
Q1 – “What System Do They Use To Create The Messaging For Your Ad?”
To entice you, ad agencies will showcase eye-catching marketing pieces they’ve done for other clients. Whether it’s print, radio, video or web design - for them, their end result is artistic design. These pieces may catch the eye but if the underlying strategy is wrong, they flop. Graphics must support the message – not the other way around. The real result is the number of leads generated, percentage converted to sales, and dollars that flow into your business. Don’t be fooled by glitz and glitter – marketing is science, not art. Ask what method they use to develop the message. If the answer is, “We ask the business owner”, walk away. That’s not a system.
Q2 - “Do They Know The Top-Ranked Customer Hot-Buttons For Your Business?”
Most ad agencies don’t understand what’s important to your customers. If they don’t know what drives prospects in your industry to buy from one provider instead of another, you can only expect dismal results.
Although too detailed for this article you can find your customer hot-buttons by going to our web site, click on “Industries Served” and then select your industry. They’re in priority sequence along with the marketing challenges you’re likely to face. Compare these answers with the marketing consultant you’re evaluating, then decide.
Q3 - “How Do They Measure The Effectiveness Of Your Ads?”
This is especially important if you’re running ads through different media. A great ad in the wrong place will produce dismal results. Suppose you’re running the same ad in 4 magazines and getting good call volume, you’ll probably continue running them, right? What if you learn that 80% of the calls are coming from one magazine? You’ll probably cancel the others and use the money for something else, right?
If you can’t measure it, you won’t know what works and what doesn’t. The only way to know is to have an “accountability tag” in each ad.
PS – Don’t let any marketing consultant fool you into believing that your receptionist will ask prospects which ad prompted them to call? When they’re busy they have no time to ask.
Q4 - “Do You Have A Program That Fits My Budget?”
Cost is always a factor. You’ll find that some ad agencies won’t return your call unless you are prepared to spend $15K to $20K for a monthly retainer. Look for ad agencies that have programs for small and mid-sized companies. In fact, depending on your management style, you might want to hire a marketing consultant that gives you the choice of a turnkey solution or a "shared effort" teaching and coaching program that encourages hands-on involvement on your part. It just depends on your business philosophy and budget.
Q5 - “How Long Before I See Results?”
Excellent results can’t be produced overnight, but seriously, should you have to wait 6 to 18 months just for the development phase of your marketing campaign? A typical ad agency can take this long or more. For small companies, this is too long a time period and it could actually be your death sentence. Expect some results within 60 days.
Summary
There is too much at stake to attempt “trial and error marketing” on your own. In this digital age you are better off working remotely with a marketing consultant who can pull it off than a local one that may not produce results.
Find an ad agency that can deliver the right marketing strategy the first time using a systematized development process. Be sure they use “accountability tags” so you’ll see exactly how effective (or ineffective) it is. If your budget is tight see if they have a program that allows you and your people to share some of the workload.
If you agree, but don’t have the time or expertise to pull it off on your own, you might consider hiring a marketing consultant or ad agency to help you. But how do you tell who the experts are?
Ask these 5 questions knowing what answers to look for.
Q1 – “What System Do They Use To Create The Messaging For Your Ad?”
To entice you, ad agencies will showcase eye-catching marketing pieces they’ve done for other clients. Whether it’s print, radio, video or web design - for them, their end result is artistic design. These pieces may catch the eye but if the underlying strategy is wrong, they flop. Graphics must support the message – not the other way around. The real result is the number of leads generated, percentage converted to sales, and dollars that flow into your business. Don’t be fooled by glitz and glitter – marketing is science, not art. Ask what method they use to develop the message. If the answer is, “We ask the business owner”, walk away. That’s not a system.
Q2 - “Do They Know The Top-Ranked Customer Hot-Buttons For Your Business?”
Most ad agencies don’t understand what’s important to your customers. If they don’t know what drives prospects in your industry to buy from one provider instead of another, you can only expect dismal results.
Although too detailed for this article you can find your customer hot-buttons by going to our web site, click on “Industries Served” and then select your industry. They’re in priority sequence along with the marketing challenges you’re likely to face. Compare these answers with the marketing consultant you’re evaluating, then decide.
Q3 - “How Do They Measure The Effectiveness Of Your Ads?”
This is especially important if you’re running ads through different media. A great ad in the wrong place will produce dismal results. Suppose you’re running the same ad in 4 magazines and getting good call volume, you’ll probably continue running them, right? What if you learn that 80% of the calls are coming from one magazine? You’ll probably cancel the others and use the money for something else, right?
If you can’t measure it, you won’t know what works and what doesn’t. The only way to know is to have an “accountability tag” in each ad.
PS – Don’t let any marketing consultant fool you into believing that your receptionist will ask prospects which ad prompted them to call? When they’re busy they have no time to ask.
Q4 - “Do You Have A Program That Fits My Budget?”
Cost is always a factor. You’ll find that some ad agencies won’t return your call unless you are prepared to spend $15K to $20K for a monthly retainer. Look for ad agencies that have programs for small and mid-sized companies. In fact, depending on your management style, you might want to hire a marketing consultant that gives you the choice of a turnkey solution or a "shared effort" teaching and coaching program that encourages hands-on involvement on your part. It just depends on your business philosophy and budget.
Q5 - “How Long Before I See Results?”
Excellent results can’t be produced overnight, but seriously, should you have to wait 6 to 18 months just for the development phase of your marketing campaign? A typical ad agency can take this long or more. For small companies, this is too long a time period and it could actually be your death sentence. Expect some results within 60 days.
Summary
There is too much at stake to attempt “trial and error marketing” on your own. In this digital age you are better off working remotely with a marketing consultant who can pull it off than a local one that may not produce results.
Find an ad agency that can deliver the right marketing strategy the first time using a systematized development process. Be sure they use “accountability tags” so you’ll see exactly how effective (or ineffective) it is. If your budget is tight see if they have a program that allows you and your people to share some of the workload.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
How To Handle The Top 10 SME Sales Objections - Part I
A Sale is considered closed when the buyer and seller reach agreement on terms for the buyer to take ownership of a product or service. To get to this stage, the seller normally has to “close” the sale, by asking the buyer for their business. This is where the buyer raises “objections”. Objections generally fall into three main types.
This article will explore the types of objection, how they arise and how to overcome and avoid them. Part II will then discuss the 10 most common objections, and how to handle them to close the sale.
Potential customers generally raise objections for three specific reasons. Two of these are easily handled. The third however, normally points to a fundamental breakdown in the sales process. All is not however lost, and while most of these can be overcome, it is important to understand why they arose, and ensure future sales do not fall into the same trap.
Sales objection Type 1 – Negotiation Tactics.
Assuming that your buyer fully appreciates the value that your product will bring them, some still need to get a “deal”. The range of people looking for a deal can be entrepreneurs, professional procurement and government departments.
You must get the customer to reiterate the value that they are getting first and foremost. This will strengthen your negotiating position. If it is confirmed that they really need this, and that they truly believe that you have the best solution for them, you must make a judgment call. This in effect means that you must also look at the lifetime value of the customer, and whether winning the immediate negotiation, could affect future relationships. Remember, we must always strive for a win-win scenario, since good customers become long-term partners!
If you feel you need to still do a deal, try and throw something into the deal that they need. Why – because a discount comes straight out of your profit. Giving them a value added service, not only costs less, but it gives them a deal, while making their life as a customer even better.
Sales objection Type 2 – Competitor Planted.
Very few sales professionals operate in a vacuum. They normally have to face competitors at many different stages in the sales cycle. The earlier you face them and help the customer reject them, the easier your job will become. Many top sales professionals, who know that their customers need to go out to tender, help the customers, write the Requests for Proposals (RFP). I always remind sales people that I work with – “if receiving an RFP is a surprise – losing it shouldn’t be!”
One of the competitive tactics, I teach, is to “Raise the Bar”. What this basically means is that if you’re neck and neck in a competitive bid, throw in some additional features or benefits, which the customer may need, that you know your competitor can’t deliver.
A great tactic, but what do you do if this happens to you? You need to test if this is a genuine requirement. You need to ask them how valuable to their business would having this requirement be. You also need to confirm whether or not it is a sale breaker. If it is, then either walk away, or see if you can match their need in a way that still benefits both parties.
Sales objection Type 3 – Genuine Concern, or an Expectation Gap.
The final type of objection arises normally due to a lack of qualification, or indeed not following an appropriate sales process. If at the close, a potential buyer is still not convinced, then either you have closed too early, or you have not addressed all their concerns.
At this stage, you need to find out exactly what the issue it is. It may be one of lack of authority – they can’t actually make a decision to purchase, or is could be because they have not matched the value your product can give them, with their needs and expectations.
Price should certainly not be an issue, if your customer appreciates the value of the product or service. Size and financial viability also fall into this category, and there are a number of ways of turning these around to appease the customer’s concern
The most common reason, and indeed the easiest to solve, is the “prove it” objection. Like all others, this should be confirmed as the last remaining question, by asking something like – “If we can do or show you that, will you go ahead”. A selection of proof points may be a pilot, a reference visit or maybe a factory tour if you manufacture your own products.
This article will explore the types of objection, how they arise and how to overcome and avoid them. Part II will then discuss the 10 most common objections, and how to handle them to close the sale.
Potential customers generally raise objections for three specific reasons. Two of these are easily handled. The third however, normally points to a fundamental breakdown in the sales process. All is not however lost, and while most of these can be overcome, it is important to understand why they arose, and ensure future sales do not fall into the same trap.
Sales objection Type 1 – Negotiation Tactics.
Assuming that your buyer fully appreciates the value that your product will bring them, some still need to get a “deal”. The range of people looking for a deal can be entrepreneurs, professional procurement and government departments.
You must get the customer to reiterate the value that they are getting first and foremost. This will strengthen your negotiating position. If it is confirmed that they really need this, and that they truly believe that you have the best solution for them, you must make a judgment call. This in effect means that you must also look at the lifetime value of the customer, and whether winning the immediate negotiation, could affect future relationships. Remember, we must always strive for a win-win scenario, since good customers become long-term partners!
If you feel you need to still do a deal, try and throw something into the deal that they need. Why – because a discount comes straight out of your profit. Giving them a value added service, not only costs less, but it gives them a deal, while making their life as a customer even better.
Sales objection Type 2 – Competitor Planted.
Very few sales professionals operate in a vacuum. They normally have to face competitors at many different stages in the sales cycle. The earlier you face them and help the customer reject them, the easier your job will become. Many top sales professionals, who know that their customers need to go out to tender, help the customers, write the Requests for Proposals (RFP). I always remind sales people that I work with – “if receiving an RFP is a surprise – losing it shouldn’t be!”
One of the competitive tactics, I teach, is to “Raise the Bar”. What this basically means is that if you’re neck and neck in a competitive bid, throw in some additional features or benefits, which the customer may need, that you know your competitor can’t deliver.
A great tactic, but what do you do if this happens to you? You need to test if this is a genuine requirement. You need to ask them how valuable to their business would having this requirement be. You also need to confirm whether or not it is a sale breaker. If it is, then either walk away, or see if you can match their need in a way that still benefits both parties.
Sales objection Type 3 – Genuine Concern, or an Expectation Gap.
The final type of objection arises normally due to a lack of qualification, or indeed not following an appropriate sales process. If at the close, a potential buyer is still not convinced, then either you have closed too early, or you have not addressed all their concerns.
At this stage, you need to find out exactly what the issue it is. It may be one of lack of authority – they can’t actually make a decision to purchase, or is could be because they have not matched the value your product can give them, with their needs and expectations.
Price should certainly not be an issue, if your customer appreciates the value of the product or service. Size and financial viability also fall into this category, and there are a number of ways of turning these around to appease the customer’s concern
The most common reason, and indeed the easiest to solve, is the “prove it” objection. Like all others, this should be confirmed as the last remaining question, by asking something like – “If we can do or show you that, will you go ahead”. A selection of proof points may be a pilot, a reference visit or maybe a factory tour if you manufacture your own products.
Monday, March 19, 2012
How To Grab Your Readers Attention With Your Subject
The race for supremacy in the internet based businesses has been really heating up and many sites have been put up to help others to get ahead for a small fee. But there are also ways in which you don’t have to pay so much to make yourself a good list of loyal followers. Having a satisfied web traffic and visitors allows you to put up a foundation wherein you can build an opt-in list and make it grow from there.
An opt-in list allows you to provide newsletters to your subscribers with their consent. When people sign up, they know that they will be receiving updates and news from your site and the industry your represent via an e-mail. But that doesn’t mean that all of those who subscribe read them at all. Many lists have been built due to an attachment with free software or for a promotional discount and such. Some are not really interested in receiving e-mails from companies and just treat them as waste of cyberspace and delete or trash them without so mush as opening the e-mail and scanning them.
You can change all that. While forwarding an email message is relatively easy after producing your newsletter. Getting people to open them is not as easy. You don’t want to waste all the time and effort used in making the newsletters, you want people to read them and have their interests piqued. Interested enough to go to your website and look around and most especially purchased and acquire your products or services.
One of the numerous ways you can tempt or persuade your subscriber is by providing a well thought out and well written subject. The subject of an email is what is often referred to when a person or a recipient of an email decides whether he or she wants to open or read an e-mail. The subject could easily be regarded as one of the most important aspect of your promotional e-mail.
Your subject must be short and concise. They should provide a summary for the content of the e-mail so that the recipient will have basic knowledge of the content. This is really vital in grabbing the attention of your readers and subscribers. You want your subject to instantly grab the attention of your subscriber and get them to be intrigued to open up your mail. Remember, it is not necessarily true that a subscriber opens up subscribed mails.
A good subject must always be tickling the curiosity of your recipient. It must literally force the recipient to open the mail. A certain emotion must be ignited and get them to open the mail. It is essential to use specific words to get the reaction you need. Keep in mind that the recipient or subscribers spends only a few seconds looking over each subject of the e-mails he receives. You must grab your reader’s attention right away.
There are many forms you can use for your subject. You can provide a subject that says your e-mail contains content that teaches them tips and methods on certain topics. An example of this is using keywords and keyword phrases such as, “How to” , “tips”, “Guides to”, Methods in and others like that.
You can also put your subject in a question form. These may include questions like, “Are you sick and tired of your job?” Or “Is your boss always on your case?” Try to stay on the topic that pertains to your site so that you’ll know that your subscribers have signed up because they are interested in that topic. This form of subject is very effective because they reach out to your recipients emotions. When they have read the question on your subject, their mind starts answering the question already.
You can also use a subject that commands your reader. Statements such as “Act now and get this once in a lifetime opportunity”, or “Double, triple and even quadruple what you are earning in one year”. This type of subject deals with the benefits your company provides with your product and services.
You may also use breaking news as your subject to intrigue your subscriber. For example, if you deal with car engine parts you can write in your subject, “Announcing the new engine that uses no gasoline, It runs on water”. This creates curiosity with the reader and will lead them to open the mail and read on.
An opt-in list allows you to provide newsletters to your subscribers with their consent. When people sign up, they know that they will be receiving updates and news from your site and the industry your represent via an e-mail. But that doesn’t mean that all of those who subscribe read them at all. Many lists have been built due to an attachment with free software or for a promotional discount and such. Some are not really interested in receiving e-mails from companies and just treat them as waste of cyberspace and delete or trash them without so mush as opening the e-mail and scanning them.
You can change all that. While forwarding an email message is relatively easy after producing your newsletter. Getting people to open them is not as easy. You don’t want to waste all the time and effort used in making the newsletters, you want people to read them and have their interests piqued. Interested enough to go to your website and look around and most especially purchased and acquire your products or services.
One of the numerous ways you can tempt or persuade your subscriber is by providing a well thought out and well written subject. The subject of an email is what is often referred to when a person or a recipient of an email decides whether he or she wants to open or read an e-mail. The subject could easily be regarded as one of the most important aspect of your promotional e-mail.
Your subject must be short and concise. They should provide a summary for the content of the e-mail so that the recipient will have basic knowledge of the content. This is really vital in grabbing the attention of your readers and subscribers. You want your subject to instantly grab the attention of your subscriber and get them to be intrigued to open up your mail. Remember, it is not necessarily true that a subscriber opens up subscribed mails.
A good subject must always be tickling the curiosity of your recipient. It must literally force the recipient to open the mail. A certain emotion must be ignited and get them to open the mail. It is essential to use specific words to get the reaction you need. Keep in mind that the recipient or subscribers spends only a few seconds looking over each subject of the e-mails he receives. You must grab your reader’s attention right away.
There are many forms you can use for your subject. You can provide a subject that says your e-mail contains content that teaches them tips and methods on certain topics. An example of this is using keywords and keyword phrases such as, “How to” , “tips”, “Guides to”, Methods in and others like that.
You can also put your subject in a question form. These may include questions like, “Are you sick and tired of your job?” Or “Is your boss always on your case?” Try to stay on the topic that pertains to your site so that you’ll know that your subscribers have signed up because they are interested in that topic. This form of subject is very effective because they reach out to your recipients emotions. When they have read the question on your subject, their mind starts answering the question already.
You can also use a subject that commands your reader. Statements such as “Act now and get this once in a lifetime opportunity”, or “Double, triple and even quadruple what you are earning in one year”. This type of subject deals with the benefits your company provides with your product and services.
You may also use breaking news as your subject to intrigue your subscriber. For example, if you deal with car engine parts you can write in your subject, “Announcing the new engine that uses no gasoline, It runs on water”. This creates curiosity with the reader and will lead them to open the mail and read on.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
How To Get Your Subscribers Begging For More
Just as an experiment, a friend of mine subscribe to ten different opt-in e-mail marketing lists to see which ones are effective. Many websites and online businesses have resorted to sending promotional materials to people who have subscribed to them in an effort to boost their sales or traffic. Opt-in email marketing sends newsletters, catalogs updates and many more promotional materials to website visitors who have agreed to be updated whether monthly, weekly or semiannually.
Through e-mail, an internet user that is on the list will receive their updates through email. If a promotional material piques their interest they will go to the site to learn more or to purchase outright. For the website operators or owners, this is a chance to remind their list of their existence and parlor their wares. With the numerous sites in the internet that offers the same products or services in one way or the other, the competition can get pretty tight and it is easy to be forgotten.
Back to my experimenting friend, he tried to find out which opt-in marketing strategies grabbed a person into begging for more. Some would send in very simple fashion, some would very outlandish while there are some that would just lie in between. The differences could easily be noticed and some have gotten the idea of an effective opt-in marketing strategy. He dubbed them effective because he felt like he just couldn’t wait to go their site and learn more, the more persuasive ones even got him halfway to reaching for his wallet and to his credit card before he realized this was only for an experiment.
Many companies and site present their promotional materials in a wide variety of concepts. Each has their own distinctive style and designs, but more than the outline and the presentation, the content and the articles are what keeps the attention of your potential customer locked on to your opt-in marketing medium. Creativity is the key here.
From talking to many satisfied opt-in list subscribers and forums, I have learned of what is essential in opt-in marketing and what makes the subscribers begging for more instead of lining up to unsubscribe.
Keep your promotional materials light, creative and original. Many people are stressed out as it is. Getting a stuffy business proposal rather than a light hearted e-mail may just agitate them more. A warm friendly smile or banter is always more welcome than a serious business meeting or proposal. While you do want your customers to take you and your products and services seriously, you also want to show them that you know how to have fun.
Splash some color in your emails as well as provide some photos and articles that can be related to you but show good news or good light hearted images as well. Provide a newsletter or promotional materials that will keep them in a light mood. Make your materials eye catching and grabbing that they wont be able to take their eyes of them. Pique their interests.
Have good content and article, even if it means investing in an experienced and professional copy writer to write them for you. An effective copy writer should be able to build trust between you and your customers. They should be able to establish your credibility in what they write. It must be informative but not too stuffy. Let go of the professional jargons and “talk“to your recipients.
A good article and content should be able to outline the benefits of your product and services and why they need what you are offering. But do not look to be overeager and too persuasive. It should be able to entertain as well as lead them to buying from you.
Your promotional materials should be clear. Don’t leave people guessing. You should lead them to you and not vice versa. Explain to them what they need to do in a manner that won’t be confusing. Try to anticipate also what your target client needs. Do your research and information gathering, many sites will be able to help you with that.
Provide clear and crisp images of what you are offering. If the people know what you have for them, they are more likely to beg for more. For example, if you are selling a car, provide them photos but only enough to encourage them to go to your site for more.
Through e-mail, an internet user that is on the list will receive their updates through email. If a promotional material piques their interest they will go to the site to learn more or to purchase outright. For the website operators or owners, this is a chance to remind their list of their existence and parlor their wares. With the numerous sites in the internet that offers the same products or services in one way or the other, the competition can get pretty tight and it is easy to be forgotten.
Back to my experimenting friend, he tried to find out which opt-in marketing strategies grabbed a person into begging for more. Some would send in very simple fashion, some would very outlandish while there are some that would just lie in between. The differences could easily be noticed and some have gotten the idea of an effective opt-in marketing strategy. He dubbed them effective because he felt like he just couldn’t wait to go their site and learn more, the more persuasive ones even got him halfway to reaching for his wallet and to his credit card before he realized this was only for an experiment.
Many companies and site present their promotional materials in a wide variety of concepts. Each has their own distinctive style and designs, but more than the outline and the presentation, the content and the articles are what keeps the attention of your potential customer locked on to your opt-in marketing medium. Creativity is the key here.
From talking to many satisfied opt-in list subscribers and forums, I have learned of what is essential in opt-in marketing and what makes the subscribers begging for more instead of lining up to unsubscribe.
Keep your promotional materials light, creative and original. Many people are stressed out as it is. Getting a stuffy business proposal rather than a light hearted e-mail may just agitate them more. A warm friendly smile or banter is always more welcome than a serious business meeting or proposal. While you do want your customers to take you and your products and services seriously, you also want to show them that you know how to have fun.
Splash some color in your emails as well as provide some photos and articles that can be related to you but show good news or good light hearted images as well. Provide a newsletter or promotional materials that will keep them in a light mood. Make your materials eye catching and grabbing that they wont be able to take their eyes of them. Pique their interests.
Have good content and article, even if it means investing in an experienced and professional copy writer to write them for you. An effective copy writer should be able to build trust between you and your customers. They should be able to establish your credibility in what they write. It must be informative but not too stuffy. Let go of the professional jargons and “talk“to your recipients.
A good article and content should be able to outline the benefits of your product and services and why they need what you are offering. But do not look to be overeager and too persuasive. It should be able to entertain as well as lead them to buying from you.
Your promotional materials should be clear. Don’t leave people guessing. You should lead them to you and not vice versa. Explain to them what they need to do in a manner that won’t be confusing. Try to anticipate also what your target client needs. Do your research and information gathering, many sites will be able to help you with that.
Provide clear and crisp images of what you are offering. If the people know what you have for them, they are more likely to beg for more. For example, if you are selling a car, provide them photos but only enough to encourage them to go to your site for more.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
How To Get Your Business Noticed
Many people will tell you that to get your web site noticed you need to 'optimize' your site for the search engines. You are then led up a path where you have to keep changing your web site as the search engines change their ways of listing things. As fast as you 'optimize' your site, Google and the others have moved the goalposts, meaning you have to keep optimizing over and over again.
Now consider some facts. Most people in the world are not users of the Internet. Let's repeat that. The vast majority of people who you want to reach don't use the Internet. It doesn't matter how well you optimize your web site, they simply will never find it.
Here's another fact. Some of the best Internet marketers make most of their sales 'offline'. They sell their books, CD-ROMs and so on at seminars, workshops and conferences. Indeed, for many 'Internet marketers' these 'offline' sales represent the bulk of their income.
So what do these facts tell us? They show us that 'offline' promotion is more important than online promotion. You may be able to optimize your web site to get high rankings in a search engine. But that doesn't mean you'll reach the vast majority of people who could buy your product or use your information.
This was confirmed recently by one study that showed most people go to an Internet address (URL) after having read it in a newspaper or magazine, been given it by a friend or colleague, or having heard it being mentioned by someone speaking at a meeting or on TV. In other words, it seems that significant numbers of people who get to your web site will do so having heard the URL somewhere outside the Internet.
You can get many people visiting your web site, even if you are not ranked highly by the search engines. You can do this in two main ways:
1. Write articles for use in regular publications - newspapers, magazines and so on. Always include your URL in the article and you'll get millions of people to notice your web site address.
2. Speak at every opportunity. Make presentations to business clubs, chambers of commerce, local societies - you name it, you should speak at it. Every time you speak, announce or your web site address.
Although these are the two principal ways of gaining offline publicity for your web site, don't neglect your business stationery, posters, car stickers and so on. The more your web site address is visible outside the web, the more visitors you will get regardless of how kind the search engines are to you.
Now consider some facts. Most people in the world are not users of the Internet. Let's repeat that. The vast majority of people who you want to reach don't use the Internet. It doesn't matter how well you optimize your web site, they simply will never find it.
Here's another fact. Some of the best Internet marketers make most of their sales 'offline'. They sell their books, CD-ROMs and so on at seminars, workshops and conferences. Indeed, for many 'Internet marketers' these 'offline' sales represent the bulk of their income.
So what do these facts tell us? They show us that 'offline' promotion is more important than online promotion. You may be able to optimize your web site to get high rankings in a search engine. But that doesn't mean you'll reach the vast majority of people who could buy your product or use your information.
This was confirmed recently by one study that showed most people go to an Internet address (URL) after having read it in a newspaper or magazine, been given it by a friend or colleague, or having heard it being mentioned by someone speaking at a meeting or on TV. In other words, it seems that significant numbers of people who get to your web site will do so having heard the URL somewhere outside the Internet.
You can get many people visiting your web site, even if you are not ranked highly by the search engines. You can do this in two main ways:
1. Write articles for use in regular publications - newspapers, magazines and so on. Always include your URL in the article and you'll get millions of people to notice your web site address.
2. Speak at every opportunity. Make presentations to business clubs, chambers of commerce, local societies - you name it, you should speak at it. Every time you speak, announce or your web site address.
Although these are the two principal ways of gaining offline publicity for your web site, don't neglect your business stationery, posters, car stickers and so on. The more your web site address is visible outside the web, the more visitors you will get regardless of how kind the search engines are to you.
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