12 Good Reasons to Start a Blog TODAY!

My friend and co-teacher of Develop Your Audience and Design Your Village with myself and creator of the courses, Russell Cox, is Your Book Publishing Coach. She’s written an article about why we recommend you start blogging today.

I’ll add a few comments of my own at the bottom of Diane’s article. Thanks you, Diane.

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Diane’s Article:  9 Good Reasons to Start a Blog

Do you have a blog yet?
 
If not, you should start one—today! As soon as you finish reading this article!
 
Why?
 
Here are at least nine good reasons why every author should have a blog.

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1. They are very easy to create, update, and maintain.

If you can write an email, you can create and keep up with a blog. Plus, it costs nothing! You don’t even necessarily need a web host (though it’s best to have it hosted on your own domain), a designer (most blogging platforms have templates from which you can choose), or anything fancy. You can literally set one up in five minutes or less.
 
You can go to www.wordpress.com  and set one up there for free. If you already have a web site, see if you can install WordPress on your site. (If you have a C-panel where your domain is hosted, they often have something called Fantastico, which allows you to install a WordPress blog. For instance, with my web host, HostGator, it installs with very few, simple steps.)
 
Although I personally don’t prefer blogger.com, that’s another quick, easy, and free way to create a blog. You simply go to www.blogger.com , and follow their simple instructions on how to set one up.

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2. The search engines will find you quickly.

While it may take up to six months for the search engines to index your regular Web site (unless it’s an XSite Pro site, in which case you have search engine optimization superior even to blogs, in my opinion), with a blog you get found and searched within 24 hours!
 
Plus, blogs tend to get you a higher listing in the search engines. Why? Because search engines love content, and blogs are almost always pure content. Search engines also like fresh material. All you need to keep the search engines regularly indexing your blog is to post at least one paragraph, three times a week. Surely you can do that, right?
 

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3. Blogs enable other people to find you easily.

Related to the point above, people searching on your topic will find you quicker through a blog.
 
Also, you can easily link to other blogs and Web sites that are related to your topic, and they to you. This will again help your search engine rank, it will drive traffic to your blog and/or Web site (mine doubles every month because of this), and allow you to begin to create a “presence” on the Internet.

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4. Blogs allow you to interact with your readers.

Blogs allow other people to interact with your ideas, because they allow people to leave comments.
 
You can ask people questions about what they are interested in knowing about your topic, which can help you create a better book or information product. You can test ideas. You can ask for feedback on an article, post, or topic. You can tell them about something you have available and give them a link to another page on your Web site.You can update your book’s material via your blog, or answer questions from readers.

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5. Blogging can get you into a regular writing routine.

Hard to find time to write? Get into the habit of posting to your blog regularly, and you’ll have established a routine for writing.  If you’re strategic about it, you can even write your next (for first) book via your blog—and get feedback along the way to boot!

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6. People can subscribe to your blog. 

People can subscribe to be notified whenever you post to your blog, and receive notice via email or a feed to their own news groups. This can bypass email and spam filters and get your messages read.

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7. Blogs help you cement your relationship with your audience.  

Readers love to feel connected to their favorite authors. If they know about your blog, chances are they will read everything you post. Don’t be afraid to share things about your personal life. Readers love it!

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8. Blogs help you establish your platform.

By keeping up with your industry and becoming a filter for your audience, you can establish your expertise via your blog. Find other people who are interested in your industry or topic, connect them to each other, and get them talking, debating, and sharing. In this way you become a thought leader, which leads me into the next reason….

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9. The media love blogs.

Media often pay attention to blogs. They too are looking for fresh content, new ideas, strong voices. They may find you, but it’s more effective if you  supplement your blogging with press releases and personal contacts with the media. Point them to your blog for more information, and let them be impressed enough to put you on their “contact these experts” list.

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Diane Eble is a book publishing coach who connects authors (aspiring and published) with the resources, skills, and ideas they need to be well heard and well paid for what they love to do. Sign up at her website for news of articles and teleseminars at http://www.wordstoprofit.com. Check out her blog at http:/www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com. You might also want to listen to the replay of a teleseminar she did on blog security with Cathy Perkins, “the WordPress Wizard,” at http://www.publishingcoachweekly.com/teleseminarreplays.html. Check out Cathy’s Wizard Weekly teleseminars at http://www.your-blog-coach.com.

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Here are a few of my own thoughts:

10. Establish youreself as an expert in your field.

In fact, it makes you a VIP with VIP:  A Very Important Professional with Valuable Information Products.

In case you’re wondering, Information Product is today’s buzz world for Intellectual Property. In fact, now you can get your knowledge, wisdom, and expertise, AKA your intellectual property, from your head into a multitude of media channels. Many of these channels serve as both the message and the channel through which you deliver your message. You become more visible and credible which leads to becoming more profitable.

And you can more easily than ever reuse and reuse and reuse the same information: a blog post can become a published article, a topic for discussion during a radio show online or off, which of course gets recorded and posted as a podcast as well as transcribed into another article.

Now you’ve got the makings of an e-book with a digital recording or two – voila, you’ve got a multi-media package. And it’s digital – once you’ve produced the original and set up the delivery channel – your website, clickbank, your blog, squidoo lense and more, the cost of selling additional copies is extremely low, which means your profit margin is extrememly high! Abd you’re now generating passive, residual income. How cool is that!

This is important to do if you’re looking to establish yourself as the go-to guy or gal in your profession.

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11. If you’re in career transition, start your blog right now!

Have you ever thought of starting a blog if you’re in or poossibly going to be in career transition?

If that’s you and you’re wondering yhy I’m recommending you start a blog, consider this:

If you were the person looking to hire someone, would you choose someone who is exactly who you’re looking for or someone who’s exactly who you’re looking for AND they’re a published author, well known in their field?

Having your own blog gives you a degree of credibility others won’t have.

And if you’ve got your own blog, you might get to start or take over the employer’s blog.

This two possibilities give you a strategic advantage. And how important is that in today’s competitive market.

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12. Turn your blog posts into articles.

With a little extra time you can polish a good post and turn it into a great article. Submit it to a few article banks, AKA article directories, and you’ve given yourself yet another strategic advantage. While search engines like blogs because they’re updated more frequently than the typical static website, they love articles archived at article banks that get a HUGE amount of traffic even more. Your article on selfgrowth.com, ezinearticles, and specialty directories like biznik.com will show up even higher in search results than your blog post. Check it out!

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Well, it’s after 8 am and I’m in Florida, so if I want to walk with my 5 pound dumbbells, I’d better get out there right now.

While I’m out walking, how about starting your blog, or if you’ve already got one, write a post and share it with me so I can comment.

And how about paying it forward! Find a friend who would benefit from having their own blog and help them start today!

Happy blogging!

Oh, how could I forget… having your own blog is one great way to take your message to YOUR World. Guess what?

That’s considered marketing! Breathe! I know many of you consider marketing a four letter word. Well, it’s abbreviation is. And that’s no reason to let your marketing resistance keep you from spreading the word about who you are, what you love to do, and who you want to serve, to help solve a problem, especially because they’re out there looking for you.

So, yes, you’ve just taken another huge action toward Shattering YOUR Marketing Resistance. Congratulations!

And if you know you suffer from Marketing Resistance Syndrome, if MRS is stealing your dreams, if you’re determined to be well seen, well heard, and well paid, and you’re ready to do whatever it takes to overcome YOUR Marketing Resistance, go to my website right now and register for my upcoming teleclass series, Shatter YOUR Marketing Resistance. The first session is free. AND there’s a huge savings if you register for the whole program before the first session. Instead of costing $197, you pay only $97, and you get to sign up a with Study Buddy for the same $97.

That’s a great deal, isn’t it? So before you start your blog or next blog post, go to my website and sign up with that buddy you’re going to help with their blog or someone else who’s ready to take their business to the next level and they know it’s time to shatter the resistance that’s been standing in the way

I’ll be announcing dates soon. And to insure we create a safe space for transformation through the class activities and sharings space is limited. So go sign up today and as soon as I’ve finalized all the details, you’ll be among the first to know.

Tags: Career transition, Develop Your Audience, Hi 5 Marketing message, Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals, VIP with VIP, Why Blog

3 comments June 27th, 2009

You Are Who You Need to Be to Be Well Seen, Well Heard, and Well Paid!

This post is my comment to what Hans van ‘t Riet posted on the LinkedIn Group, “Inbound Marketing for Marketing Professionals.”

The title of his post is The TRUTH about Online Marketing! The Comfortable Illusion vs. the Uncomfortable Truth. Here’s what Hans wrote:

The Comfortable Illusion —– The Uncomfortable Truth

Remarkable advertising sells —– Only remarkable products are bought
You can target consumers —– Consumers might target you
Claim & seduce the market —– Honesty invites good customers
Marketing is about control —– You never have control
Your time, place, message —– The consumers time, place, content
Push hard enough and it works —– You need to work very hard to get pull

He also asked a few questions and made a great suggestion:

What are your take aways when you read this? Do you have other examples which underline this further? Please let me know here or even better, let me invite you to join this and other interesting discussions/news like this in our Strategy, Marketing & Innovation Forum by clicking below link: http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1899487

Of course, I had to agree with Hans. I started what I thought would be a short comment. Half an hour later I was still writing. So I said to my VIP with VIP self, “Bonnie, this is good stuff. All professionals who want to be well seen, well heard, and well paid need to read this. Go add it to your blog right now. And then really polish it and submit it to a few article banks, like selfhelp.com, ezinearticles.com, and biznik.com. You’re an Information Marketing and Business Development Specialist. Model what you teach.”

So here’s my comment to Hans’ post:

Hans, thanks for being so honest. I know there are people making lots of $$$ online, many of them selling their products promising we can do the same ~ promising us instant success, no less! If only we’d buy and follow their proven method. I wish it were that quick and easy. As The Web Woman says, “Success on the Internet isn’t instant pudding.”

Because we all want a quick and easy path to success, we are vulnerable to thinking this guru or that product is the answer. We buy, maybe we read and/or listen. Then we find ourselves back where we started ~ suffering from Marketing Resistance Syndrome. If you’re feeling confused, overwhelmed and intimidated by what to do next and how to ‘do it all,’ welcome to MY World.

Maybe you’re uncomfortable promoting yourself and your product, maybe you don’t think you know how to language your message so ‘they’ get it, maybe you want to turn your knowledge, wisdom and experience into information products and don’t know where to start, maybe it’s how to package and price what you’re offering so your prospects KNOW you’re the right person for them.

The good news is these are obstacles we all face at one time or another. The difference between those who succeed and those who flounder? Those who persist and make continuous progress turning their dreams into reality are willing to overcome any obstacle that appears in their way whether it’s real or imagined. How? their dream, their passion, their purpose, their vision for a better future for themselves and their clients/customers is so BIG they are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

THIS IS HUGE! The attitude of “I CAN & I WILL!” assumes there is a solution ~ probably more than one, or two, or three. The challenge then is to find and implement one.

This is a much smoother path to success than what happens when we wonder, “Can I? Is there a way?” Why? because implied in those questions is the possible no. Then you have to convince yourself there is.

Having worked with thousands of professionals and spoken to thousands more, I’m convinced there are a first things we each need to do before we start another new marketing project:

* Shatter YOUR Marketing Resistance.

Start with believing YOU CAN!!! YOU WILL!!!

* Look at what you’re already doing and give yourself credit for those things. Then ask yourself, others you trust, and maybe even an expert or two, what you could do to make it better. I’ll share A simple example: what’s your email address? If you nave a domain, yet your address ends in aol, yahoo, gmail or the like, you’re hurting your professional presentation. Contact the company where you registered your domain name and have them set you up an email box that looks like this: YourName@YourDomain.com. That’s so easy.

A bit more challenging to set up a way for you to receive emails sent there. For example, I use Outlook so I had to set up Outlook to check my email box, bonnie@marketingtoyourworld.com. Notice I said only a bit more challenging. Either the customer support person at the domain registration company, or your web master, or a friend will help you do this. All you have to do is ask. For someone who’s done this before, it’s a very quick and easy task.

Then next time you get your business cards printed, change your email address. Go change it on your website, blog, all social networking profiles immediately.

You may think it’s only a small thing. And in one sense it is. Yet every little thing you do to build a solid, well-crafted and integrated brand is one more brick in your solid foundation. It’s one more thing you can feel good about doing. And taking action is one of the best ways to Shatter YOUR Marketing Resistance!

* Learn more about the “new-to-you” marketing tools and techniques.

While there are lots of them, there are only four, yes 4 ways to share and receive information… Yes, you read that right. Here they are: text, graphics, audio and video. Everything, yes everything you hear about uses one or more of these four to communicate: blogs, webinars, websites, articles, podcasts, ezines, e-radio… all new words used to describe unique ways of producing, packaging, and delivering information. I

* Develop a strategic plan to achieve your desired business outcomes.

It’s not instant pudding AND it’s not ‘one size fits all.’ If you know you don’t have the expertise to evaluate your current marketing / media mix, STOP! Before you choose the next thing you start, before you dive into the deep end ~ again ~ waste precious time, money, and energy, and worse ~ feel even more disappointed, frustrated and overwhelmed than before, spend the time and, if necessary the money, to evaluate what you’re already doing, how to optimize these, and what is the smartest, best, most powerful thing or things that are best for YOU to learn, do and master next.

A few things done well ~ woven into a Hi-5 Marketing Strategy ~ one that’s Heart-Inspired, Interactive, Integrated, Internet and Information-based ~ will produce far better results than many things done poorly, haphazardly, without focus of purpose.

And remember, marketing alone isn’t enough to produce the success of your dreams. While you are developing the strategic plan and taking daily actions to do what needs to be done, take the time to look at how you run your business. You want to have a solid business infrastructure with tested and proven processes for things like practice management and customer care so you can easily take exceptional care of new clients while treating your existing ones like gold. And remember, to look at your systems and procedures for managing basic business functions like finances, administration, human resources,legal and such.

In addition, it’s time to turn your expertise from words you repeate day in and day out into information products. Your clients and prospects would LOVE to take you home, learn from you at their convenience, and share with others how you’re helping them. It’s time to become known as an expert in your field.

The best way?

* Become a VIP with VIP ~ A Very Important Professional with Valuable Information Products.

You’ll be amazed and delighted at how easy this is to do and what it takes to market these products… when you develop a plan that’s right for YOU, your style, your budget, your current skill level, your available time and energy.

What I’m saying makes sense, doesn’t it? If you know in your heart you need to stop and build a solid foundation before adding anything new to your marketing, STOP! Take a deep breath, let it out slowly. Do that again… maybe a few times. Know there is hope. You have what it takes. KNOW THAT!

If you know that’s what’s next for you and know you can’t do it alone, find a coach, a specialist, a strategist who can help you evaluate, plan, and then execute a well-crafted marketing strategy. Everything you do from there will turn out far better, and produce far better results. The time, money and energy you invest in the big picture will more than pay for itself in the results you get. I promise!

And if you’re ready to Shatter YOUR Marketing Resistance, sign up now for my upcoming teleclass series. I guarantee you’ll be transformed from the reluctant marketer to VIP with VIP! You can do it! Yes, you can!

Tags: Branding, Hi 5 Marketing message, Information Marketing, Information Products, Marketing for Professionals, Marketing Resistance Syndrome

1 comment June 24th, 2009

Have You Checked Out BlitzTime, the Virtual Alternative In-Person Networking Events?

Tags: Marketing for Professionals, Social networking, word of mouth marketing

2 comments June 7th, 2009

How Sharing Your Expertise Via Inbound Messages & Media is Important to Your Success ~ No Excuses!

I’ve been thinking about the subject of this post for a long time.

I just read a great article in a great newsletter by Maria Marsala, CEO of Elevating Your Business, and am finally inspired to the point of taking action… ah, this comment of mine perfectly ties my post to the topic of her newsletter’s article So What’s Holding You Back? Which Excuse Is it?

I’m going to “Just Do IT!

When I evaluate someone’s mixed media tapestry, one of the things I look for is a dynamic balance between inbound and outbound messages.

An outbound message is one you send out to members of YOUR World who have granted you permission to connect with them. In other words, an outbound communication is one you send to your list, like an email, a newsletter, or an ezine.

An inbound message is one you put out into The World for anybody to find if they’re interested in andlooking for what you’re sharing. When people see or hear your message, they come into YOUR World to find out more. For example, advertising is inbound, as are all links to your website. Blogs, articles, and podcasts that are well designed for SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and are posted to online directories area also inbound messages. People search for what they want and if what you’re offering shows up high enough on their search, they’re inbound to learn more.

So what does this have to do with Maria’s article on excuses?

I really liked her article and her newsletter. Great value throughout the newsletter ~ otherwise I wouldn’t have known that Wayne Dyer has a new show on PBS ~~~ Thank you, Maria ~~~

“Did you see the latest Wayne Dyer PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) Special? It’s called “Excuses Begone” It is excellent, just what I needed to hear. Before you watch it take out a pad because I’m sure you’ll want to take notes. Click here to find Excuses Begone on your local station.”

I appreciated her honesty, transparency, and authenticity:

“The show was just what I needed right now as I go through some trying times. The show helped me realize that a good deal of my trying times is due to the fact that I’ve gone back to living my excuses. The last time I was in this space, I wrote an article about excuses myself.

“It’s this week’s tip. May it help you as much as it did me.

Stay positive and be confident,

Maria”

And I appreciated the article which I copied below.

Here’s the thing ~~~ I had to copy and paste all of the above into my blog post instead of simply copying and pasting the link to where I found the article.

This would have saved me time ~ copying a link takes way less time than copying and pasting all this content.

And, from Maria’s perspective, she would have created a powerful inbound message for others to find.

And here’s the good thing ~ because the newsletter is a private, outbound media, search engines don’t find and catalog it to offer in future search results. That means even though Maria has included the exact same content in two places, the search engines don’t consider it double content. Double content is when you post the exact same content on several different websites.And that’s good because you get penalized for having double content on the web.

So, the point of this part of today’s blog post is: If you have valuable information whether in the form of a tip, an article, or a link to another valuable resource (yours or someone else’s,) share it with people on your list AND with the rest of us out here in The World who might want to become part of YOUR World.

In other words, yes, include the info in your newsletter AND put it out into cyberspace for others who are hungry and searching for you and your expertise.

It’s a win for everyone. We who are looking for get what we need. And you get to be well seen and well heard so you can be well paid. And aren’t those both great reasons we’re here sharing our messages.

So, share your expertise every way you can.  

No excuses! Just Do IT!

Thank you, Maria, for motivating me to write this post and for your valuable article.

And now, Maria’s article  ~~~>

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So What’s Holding You Back? Which Excuse Is it?

Summary: Want to be happier? Start to remove all the excuses you use… and gain more time and energy too!

I’m not sure what the history of “excuses” is, except to know that a majority of the time excuses equal some sort of self-dishonestly.

They’re part of what we thought we “should do” vs. being a “must do”! Excuses come from us not being able to take our own “no’s”. They’re what we say to people so that we “don’t hurt their feelings”. Excuses are what we say so that others don’t hurt us. Excuses are part of what we’re tolerating in our life (that which draws out our energy and squashes it)!

Excuses come back to haunt us unless we look at them as gifts from clients or friends or even ourselves. Have you ever received an excuse for “something” and thought — Is that person kidding with that excuse? Why didn’t they just say NO? OH! … I am doing the same thing to “so and so”.

Say NO!!! Sometimes saying “NO” to someone means saying “YES” to someone even more important — YOU!

What can you do when you give someone a “no” that they don’t accept? Take the time to think about what type of answers you can give and things you can do to protect your boundaries so that you can raise your standards. Check out these Top Ten Lists about boundaries. They are just wonderful! “Things to say pleasantly when people attempt to invade your boundaries” by Coach Diana Robinson, Ph.D. www.topten.org/public/BG/BG1.html and another wonderful Top Ten by Coach Dennis Tesdell www.topten.org/public/BN/BN1.html

Integrity Lesson
This month, write down all the excuses you hear yourself giving others and giving yourself. Look for the patterns. Are you not setting boundaries? Are you setting boundaries and the person isn’t listening? Are you setting boundaries and you’re not enforcing those boundaries? Or what other patterns do you see.

And remember: Yes, No and Maybe are all complete sentences.

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© 2009 Maria Marsala is a Strategic Business Advisor, Speaker, Author and former Wall Street Trader. She supports and teaches high-achieving, big thinking business women to expand their businesses strategically and get results — faster. See where your business is leaking profits. Take our Business Check up today at www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com

Tags: Email marketing, Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals, Strategies for Success

3 comments June 6th, 2009

Introverts and Extroverts Alike Need to Honor Our Natural Born Talents and Preferences

Patricia Weber is a new cyberfriend of mine. I ‘met’ Pat years ago when I was signing up for every newsletter and teleclass I could get my hands on. I was impressed with her work and what she stands for ~ helping introverted sales people and other professionals be successful in business and in life by leveraging their true nature to their fullest advantage. Yet Isomehow lost touch with Pat along my journey.

I’ll let you in on a secret:  the phrase Marketing Resistance Syndrome, which I coined and helping professionals overcome Marketing Resistance Syndrome is one of the cornerstones of  how I serve them, was inspired by by Pat’s phrase “reluctant salesperson.”

Then a few months ago, I got an email from Pat telling me about this new networking thing called BlitzTime. It’s the coolest new virtual networking gig in town. You can click on this link if you just can’t wait for me to tell you more ~ which I promise to do in tomorrow’s blog. For now, back to our story.

I accepted Pat’s invitation, LOVED my experience on my first BlitzTime session, I joined immediately and have been attending BlitzTime sessions every week ever since.

Anyway, Pat and I ended up getting paired in our private BlitzTime sessions. While we talked we could see each other’s profiles on our computer screen. How cool is that!

This happened a few times. We decided to read the handwriting on the wall and connect intentionally outside the BlitzTime setting. And we’ve been connecting ever since. We’ve become part of the Fabulous Four ~ four like-minded professionals who met on BT, resonated together, and decided to support, encourage, cross-promote, and share tools, tips, and trade secrets ~ well, maybe not secrets ~ how to use certain social networking tools better, how to cross-promote each other, and things like that.

So thanks, Pat for showing up in my life!

And here I am cross-promoting and commenting on your blog post Introvert Tip – Three Ways Introverts Can Draw Boundaries.

Pat, as always, your posts inspire self-reflection, and I always love what I discover… even though I’m a flaming extrovert. Actually, I swing both ways. I, too, need my alone time ~ to connect with my deeper self and trusted higher source, to just be. I think is just that I also get LOTS of energy from people, too.

The thing is that this extrovert, and I’m wondering how many others would do well to take these 3 boundaries to heart ~ to practice and live by them:

First, am I going to let myself be fooled into thinking that I’m not good enough as I am? For any reason – for me it’s from being prone to sudden bursts of enthusiasm… even in business settings, oh my!

Second, I have some traits that could be helpful if everyone had them! Passion and compassion, energy, ideas, creativity to share and joyfully do, the ability to connect heart-to-heart with friends and strangers…

Third, there are certain skills that we are all smart to learn. How to play fair and care, how to cooperate and collaborate, how to co-create win-win resolutions to conflict, how to take good care of ourselves, how to shift our attention from what we don’t want to what we want, how to be grateful and appreciative for what we have and for what we’ve asked for and yet to see evidence of.

So thanks, again, for bringing to the forefront of my consciousness who I am and what’s really important to me.

The Energizer Bonnie
http://MarketingToYOURworld.com

Tags: Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals, Social networking, word of mouth marketing

2 comments June 3rd, 2009

Do email blasts work as sales/marketing tools?

John Flynn of Orlando, FL, posted this question to the LinkedIn Mastermind Networking Group.

Do email blasts work as sales/marketing tools?

We are exploring options to reach potential clients and we were wondering if email blasts are effective. I own a retouching studio in Florida with a good client base and portfolio but i need to create more exposure for us and hopefully land new business. Any suggestions?

Of course, I had a few. I hope you find they help you, too.

Great question, John! I know there are things you can do to improve the likelihood that your email would get opened:

* Use great headlines. You can do a search and read lots about how to create a great headline. Hint: search on both email subject lines, article titles, ad headlines.

* Be as clear, concise and compelling as possible about the purpose and benefits, the expected outcomes of your products/services —

* Do this above the fold – imagine what someone would see when they open their email without scrolling. They’ll scroll if you grab their attention above the fold.

* Include a clear and sizzling Call-To-Action and a link to where they take that action.

* Make sure the link takes them to exactly the page where they can take that action. If they can’t take that action on your home page, don’t take them there. They will leave unless you make it absolutely clear to them they are in the right place to do what they came to do.

* There are certain words and how you type them that increase the likelihood that your email will be flagged as spam. I don’t know where you can find this info – I just did a search on Google & Ask… no luck … so maybe someone else who reads this will know. If not, write me back and I’ll find out. My resources are not available at the moment…

* Plan on doing an email campaign. A single email will get you some results, especially if you do all of the above. But some will be deleted before they’re opened. Some might get lost in cyberspace.

For each follow-up email you send, your open and response rates go up higher and higher.

* Be sure you know the limitations your isp (internet service provider) imposes on sending out lots of emails. For example, some limit you to 50/hour.

To avoid getting into trouble with your isp AND if you really want to know how successful your email campaign is ~ bounce rate, open rate, etc. AND if you want to send out a sequence of emails AND you want to automate your email marketing campaigns, THEN you’ll want to use an email management software. The most popular on the market right now is Aweber. Some full-featured e-commerce solutions include automated email management software.

Tags: Email marketing, Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals

Add comment June 2nd, 2009

Join me live on the air Tues. June 2, and in person on Thurs. June 4

 Are you feeling disappointing, frustrating, and confusing
more often than you’d like in those relationships most
important in your professional and personal life?
 
Are you tired of repeating patterns that end up causing you
pain, breaking your heart, leaving you alone to lick your
wounds, to pick up the pieces, and rebuild your life?
 
Do you want to make sense of what you’re going through?.
 
Are you wondering “Why is this happening to me again?”.
 
If you’re ready to make changes in yourself, if you’re
think, feel, say, and do things differently in the future
so you spend more time in relationship living in joy and
love, then join Dr. Lynn Lawrence and me as we explore old
and new paradigm of relationships.
 
I’m going to be a guest on Lynn’s e-radio show, Ask Dr.
Lynn, tonight, Tues. June 2nd @ 9-10 PM Eastern.
 
We are all in relationships of various kinds. Many of us
are in or want to be in an intimate primary one. It’s time
to make them all the best they can be!
 
Listen in on http://askdrlynnnow.com/livecall.
 
You can also add to the conversation with comments from
your life experience or ask a personal question regarding
your relationship by calling by dialing: 724-444-7444 then
entering Caller ID 29240#. 

 
If you can’t be on the call and would like to hear the recording,
please send me an email ~ bonnie@MarketingToYOURworld.com ~
and tell me so I can get you a copy.

 
And if you live in Brevard County and want to see me in
person doing an interactive presentation on how to overcome
Marketing Resistance Syndrome so you can competently and
confidently take your message to YOUR world, I’ll be at the
Community Credit Union in Rockledge this Thursday, June 4,
8-9 am at their free networking breakfast. Reservations are
required, so contact Julie Clover at 690-2328.
 
Looking forward to co-creating dynamic conversations that
benefit us all. 

To your ever-expanding Joy and Success in all you want to
be, do, and have.

Tags: Information Marketing, Internet Marketing, Marketing for Professionals, Marketing Resistance Syndrome, Web 2.0, word of mouth marketing

Add comment June 1st, 2009

Top 7 Reasons Why Having a Powerful Profile is Important to Your Success

You know the importance of social networking and you’re actively engaged in the world of Web 2.0. Congratulations! You’re playing in the big league. Social networking is becoming more and more a critical part of your media mix for taking your message to YOUR world.

There are lots of social networks where you could already be a member. The top ones I’m in are LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

You may be a member of one of the many more niched ones, like these for professoinals, business owners and entrepreurs: Think Big Revolution, Biznik, StartUpBiz, to name a few.

And there are thousands of others to choose from. For example, CollectiveX and Ning are the popular platforms for creating your own network. Each has their place in your media mix.

Your presence on any and all of these sites is only as powerful as your profile. Here’s why:

1. Your profile is where someone gets to know you and discover what you have in common.

• Maybe you are interested in the same subject, you have friends in common, you live in the same town, city or state.
• You could have gone to the same school, be a member of the same organization, or be in the same or complimentary businesses.

The richer your profile, the more likely someone will discover what you have in common. This is a great starting point for building relationship.

2. Your profile includes your picture, right?

You’ve heard the saying your eyes are the windows to your soul.
You’ve had the experience where at first glance you know you like someone ~ this could be from seeing someone in person or looking at their picture. This works both ways.

So choose a picture that captures and shares your special energy.

3. Once someone knows about you, they can choose to reach out and engage in dialog with you. At first, this may only be via emails on the social network. That’s okay. This conversation builds trust.

4. Trust is the prerequisite for taking the conversation to the next level. The next level might be sharing private email addresses and writing without having to go to the network’s site.

5. Many online asynchronous dialogs on social networking sites and email will lead to phone conversations.

6. And guess where some of these phone conversations lead? To face to face meetings, of course!

“But we live thousands of miles apart.”

Who knows! You may travel to each other’s location on business or to attend a conference. And if the connection is strong enough, you may plan a trip just because you have to meet!

7. Once you know, like, and trust someone, you’re ready to explore how you might help each other.

• You could become a client of theirs or visa versa.
• You might have a referral for them and they for you.
• You could cross-promote each other’s products, programs, or services to each other’s lists and communities.
• You could comment on their blog posts or retweet their tweets.
• You might even create a joint venture project together.

These are real possibilities. How do I know? I’m doing all of the above with people I’ve met in the strangest of ways… on these new and unusual social networking sites.

So here’s my recommendation, my ‘Call-To-Action” for you:

If you’ve joined a social networking site and have yet to create a profile and upload your picture, do it ASAP!

Even if you created profiles when you joined your groups, I recommend you revisit and update them on a regular basis.

I’m always amazed when I read what I posted earlier. I’ve gotten clearer, more concise and compelling in the way I tell my story. I’ve got a new picture, or I’m just ready to see a different one, so probably are others. Each picture tells a different story all by itself, doesn’t it?

And be sure to be active in the communities where you’re a member. That doesn’t mean every day. Show up and partipate on a regular basis. Maybe rotate among them and spend 15-30 minutes becoming part of the buzz.

• Answer a question or ask one.
• Comment on someone else’s good news or information they’ve shared.
• Share a link to a resource you found helpful.
• Lend support and encouragement to someone in need.

And of course, mix in an update about what you’re working on and what you’re offering that might be of interest to them. Just don’t get pushy or self-centered. People will unfollow, un-friend, unsubscribe, and delete faster than you can say just about anything you could say

People want to spend time with and do business with people they know, like, and trust. In the world of social networking, this starts with your profile. So make sure yours is powerful. It’s the key to the city. It’s the invitation to your party. It’s your song from the mountain top.

Tags: Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals, Social networking, Web 2.0

4 comments May 30th, 2009

Can You Help Me Follow Discussions on Facebook & Twitter?

I love following relevant discussions on my favorite social networking and group collaboration sites.

I know it’s easy on LinkedIn and sites built with Ning and CollectiveX. With discussions on these sites, I see all comments regarding one discussion below the initial post. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since my last visit. It’s all in one place. I don’t have to go anywhere else to follow what’s been said or to post my own comment.

So far from what I’ve been able to figure out, the discussion threads on these Facebook and Twitter are spread out on different people’s profiles/sites. Things don’t seem to be archived for a long time either.

Is there any way ~ especially an easy one ~ to follow the threads of a discussion on Facebook and Twitter? I’m hoping I just need a few tips here and there to do this, right?

Thanks in advance to any of you who can help me (and I’m guessing many others) follow and participate in the great conversations happening out here in cyberspace.

P.S. Learning things like this one step at a time is one winning strategy for overcoming Marketing Resistance Syndrome. It helps so much to have specific know-how to take the fear out of jumping into the deep end. Having someone teach us how to swim or throw us a life preserver ~ either way we all win!

Tags: Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals, Marketing Resistance Syndrome, Social networking, Strategies for Success, Web 2.0

1 comment May 25th, 2009

Can Content Networking Help You Be Well Heard?

Content Networking ~ I’d not heard of it until I read a recent newsletter from Paul Myers of TalkBizNews. As soon as I read those words, I knew Paul was sharing something valuable. Thank you, Paul.

Content Networking is a way for people who need content, or who want to contribute content, to connect. How perfect is that for us self-employed professionals and soloprenerus who want to be well seen, well heard, and well paid for doing what we know and love to do.

Blogger Linkup is a very cool new free Content Networking service from Cathy Stucker – “The Idea Lady” that is all about helping YOU, whether you are a blogger or someone who wants to get the attention of bloggers.

Here’s what Cathy has to say about Blogger Linkup on her website:

Who Should Join? You should join BloggerLinkUp if you are:

There is never a charge to submit or receive requests. BloggerLinkUp is a completely free service. And your email will never be used for any purpose other than sending the request emails. That’s it. Easy as can be.

We professionals who have knowledge, wisdom and expertise to share need every Information Marketing tool, technology, and strategy that helps us get found and heard above our competition. BloggerLinkUp sounds like a valuable tool to help us do just that. So check it out and let me know if it’s useful for you and I’ll do the same.

Tags: Information Marketing, Marketing for Professionals

Add comment May 10th, 2009