All of the tools and tech in the world won’t help you if you don’t have a video marketing STRATEGY, so here are a few tips to get you started

Tip # 1 – Small business is flocking to online video as a powerful marketing tool. Online video viewing is skyrocketing with uber-video juggernaut YouTube leading the way. Video marketing is here to stay, so entrepreneurs must lead, follow or get out of the way!

Tip # 2 – Online video is very effective because it creates a personal connection, helping to increase the “know, like and trust” factor among your prospects and clients. Video can also help you enhance your online visibility and stand out in a competitive environment.

Tip # 3 – While there are some common misconceptions about online video, the truth is it’s not expensive to get started. Using video is also less technical than most people think. While production quality is important, you don’t need a big Hollywood production to create compelling videos.

Read the rest of this post »

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a love affair with office supplies.

You know how some people love shoes so much that they buy every color available in a single style? I’ve heard that called “shoe therapy” or “retail therapy.” I guess for me, office supplies has always been my shopping fetish. If you need a post-it note, all I have to ask you is which color you want? I’ve probably got it.

Turn me loose in an office supply store and I can spend hours and hours and spend lots and lots of moolah. Usually on stuff that I really don’t need. Or at least I didn’t “think” I needed until I walked around the store, then getting home with it, trying to find some place to store it, and realizing that I REALLY didn’t need it.

Read the rest of this post »

In her great book, Confessions of Shameless Self-Promoters, author Debbie Allen shares a story about a pet shop that gives away free puppies.

Yep, they give the puppies away for free knowing that the new owners will spend a good deal of money right on the spot to buy high-profit food, treats, leashes, collars, grooming aids, training books and anything else one would need when bringing a new puppy home for the first time.

They also know that they will likely have a customer for life because they’ll keep coming back for more food, shampoo, treats, and other consumables relating to owning a dog.

Read the rest of this post »

Confirmed opt-in may reduce your opt-in rate, but ensures you have bona fide subscribers on your list.

Not everyone will confirm their subscription even if they had every intention of doing so. Hopefully, they’ll remember one day or return to your site.

And sure, that is lost potential because they could have been a qualified buyer.

The trade-off in losing a subscriber now and again because they don’t confirm is far out-weighed by the benefits derived from having a clean opt-in list.

Someone can accuse you of being a spammer later on but with a confirmed opt-in, that complaint will simply be dismissed.

Read the rest of this post »

Confused about the difference between “double opt-in” and “confirmed opt-in”?

Don’t be. They mean the same thing.

The operative word here is: opt-in.

You absolutely never ever want to be seen as a spammer by your readers nor by your internet service provider.

What’s the definition of SPAM? Any unwanted email is considered spam. That’s why you must always have your subscribers opt-in to your list.

Read the rest of this post »

This past week I was doing some work with a self-employed coaching friend of mine who is struggling to decide what it is she can offer to her clients. As we chatted, she started telling me about her history — her struggles, her fears, and how she’s managed to work through some difficult times. Talking about it nearly brought us both to tears.

And in a moment of frustration with herself, she said something very telling: “I just want to help other women in similar circumstances to get through their struggles easier and more quickly than I have.”

And I said, “There’s your answer! Your business – your offerings – can be found right there in your own mess. Use that mess to build your business. There are lots of people out there who could use your help.”

Read the rest of this post »

It used to be that when you were engaging prospects in a conversation about your business, say, at a networking event, they’d ask if you have a brochure. Today they ask if you have a website.

It’s a given that in the 21st Century world of business marketing you have to have a website to be seen as a credible business.

Sometimes this is a ploy to make you go away and leave them alone because they aren’t interested. You must be tuned in to that happening, of course, but if the person you’re talking to seems to be a likely prospect for you, and they show some interest in what you offer, they likely would want to pay a visit to your website.

Read the rest of this post »

Many people strive to be well-rounded in all aspects of their life. When they spot a personal flaw or weakness in talent, they’ll work very, very hard to improve it – often, they’ll spend a vast amount of time and money to make sure that this flaw isn’t as bad as it used to be. Unfortunately, this is entirely the wrong way to go about things, and often leads to frustration and dissatisfaction with the results.

A much better tactic is to work on your strengths. Because here’s the thing: our weaknesses are weaknesses for a variety of reasons. Either we’re lacking an inherent gift for them, or they’re something we really, really hate to work on, and so we never have worked on them, and they’ve languished, undeveloped.

Read the rest of this post »

Summer is right around the corner and that can be a loaded word for the self-employed.

For those of us who call ourselves “self bossers,” summer can be a scary few months.

Everything seems to get a little out of whack in the summer. Children are home from school. Vacation plans are pending and customers and clients begin to alter their schedules, too. It’s often a time of change and uncertainty.

So with the official start of summer about a month away, now is the time to take steps to prepare your business for the summer months…

Read the rest of this post »

Social media is good, but email marketing has a higher — and more easily measured — ROI.

The various social media outlets are great for getting the word out about who you are and what you do.

They’re even good for helping to build relationships with new people, but social media can only go so far, and is often a scatter-shot sort of marketing method.

You want to get as many people as possible that show interest in you onto your email marketing list so that you can really start building a relationship with them and to start the sales process.

Read the rest of this post »