Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Do you comparison shop?

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

While reading the local paper last week, I ran across a great article on comparison shopping. The author detailed a scenario in which while shopping for a computer, the add-on’s they try to sell you, don’t seem to expensive because you are comparing them to the overall price of the computer purchase. We’ve all done this before, building a “super computer online” by getting that extra 8GB of RAM and every other option, then hitting delete, starting over or not buying at all because of the price.

I digress a bit to say that the author of this article happens to be the President of local “New Media” company. (they seem to be springing up all around now-a-days). They are the “cool” company that can produce nice websites, for 5 to 10 times above “market” prices.

So back to the story. The author closes by saying that in business, you always need a comparison to your proposal…not only that, but he says, and I quote, “Make sure your buyers are comparing you to more expensive options.” He goes on to say the “brain likes to compare” and contrast leads to easier decision making. While reading this, I remember saying to myself, who the heck do they bring in to “compare” with them….no one is higher priced!

And now you know my 2010 sales strategy :-)

Is Social Media One Big Coupon Book?

Monday, November 9th, 2009

I recently read an article on Biz Reports that quoted a survey by Razorfish. Razorfish surveyed 1,000 “connected consumers” those that use social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. They found that 44% of Twitter users and 33% of Facebook users use those mediums to keep up to date with promotions and discounts from select marketers.

The article goes on to talk some mumbo gumbo ad speak that makes all big agencies feel good, but I like to put things in laymens terms for the “common joe” to understand, so here goes. Big advertisers like Starbucks, Dell and Whole Foods have found a cheap (can you say FREE) way to keep people engaged with their brand. A cheap way (FREE) to distribute coupons and special offers. Better yet, they are distributing these to “connected” people. People who will tell other people how great they are.

If Social Media does become one big coupon book, watch out Newspaper, Magazine, Radio, TV and Direct Mail (to name a few). The old school push model of coupon distribution may just go the way of the VCR.

5 SEO Myths

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Search engine technology is moving too fast; no one can keep up! Yes it is, but the underlying componets to good SEO aren’t; mainly create interesting and authentic content on a well designed website. If you can do this, you will usually be ahead of 90% of all other businesses

Submitting your website to the search engines takes forever.

Search engines do a good job of indexing your site for you, so if you want to submit your site, just submit one page.

SEO is dangerous and can get my site removed from search engines. Our motto is, “You can’t fool Google”. Follow that mantra and you will be fine.

Keyword and description tags are the most important part of SEO. Yeah, in 2001 (see blog below) Authentic content and relevant links rule now.

I’ll see results from SEO quickly.
Yes and I have some great ocean front property to sell you (we are in Indiana). Create a plan, execute the plan, monitor and if your good, test the plan. You will see results, just not overnight.

* Article inspired by .net magazine issue 195

3 Small Business Marketing “No Brainer’s”

Monday, September 28th, 2009

I run into small business owners everyday that want something great, for little costs, oh and by-the-way, I want you to do all the work as well. If this sounds like you, then please don’t read any further.

Ok, now that we have the small business owners who want to work hard, work smart and get something good, for just a little investment and planning, here goes:

1) Email Marketing – With so many online companies offering cost effective services, why aren’t you using email to help grow your business? For under $25 per month, you can mail promotionals, coupons etc to up to 5,000 of your opt in clients. And if the offer is good enough, watch out; that email will go viral.

2) Text Messaging – Why not add this component to your existing marketing to help judge what is working. For under .20 cents per message, you can market to people who are on the go. Collect phone numbers and use SMS like email – but more effective, after all, who doesn’t carry a cell phone 24/7 today?

3) Facebook Fan Page – Here is the real “no brainer” of the group, because it is FREE. C’mon; set up a page, come up with a 3 point strategy and execute it. It doesn’t have to be a 10 page plan, but do three things well and systematically on Facebook and the rewards could be great.

The ongoing saga of Presidential SPAM….

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

The White House has now come out and said yes, SPAM was sent from our server, but it isn’t our fault, blaming the SPAM on people (or action groups) who went to the Government site and put people on the White House list without their permission. (see full story at: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/17/questions-remain-unsolicited-white-house-e-mails/)

What is really comes down to is, as I stated in my last post, the opt in/confirmation process. If the White House was using a reputable provider for their email services, like Fat Atom, they would know that there is a process to go through to verify the actual email address inputted was done by the email address owner. This isn’t rocket science, but it was overlooked by the administration and their current ESP.

A great lesson to learn the hard way!

Now even the President is a spammer…

Monday, August 17th, 2009

and he isn’t even taking responsibility for it. The article is very interesting as I have been following this story from the beginning. It all started when a Fox news reporter questioned the White House Press Secretary last week on American citizens getting White House email that they did not ask for or sign up for.

Back and forth ensued and finally, this is what the White House states, “”We are implementing measures to make subscribing to e-mails clearer, including preventing advocacy organizations from signing people up to our lists without their permission when they deliver petition signatures and other messages on individuals’ behalf,”.

So basically they are blaming advocacy groups for putting people on the White House list. The President probably hasn’t heard the term “opt-in confirmation” before, but Fat Atom sure could help them.

The Older, The Wiser…

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Read some good quotes in a local publication and thought I would share them with you, as I think they are great, especially for my fellow entrepreneurs:

1) Don’t apply rules of reason to unreasonable people. resist the temptation to assume everyone is like you. They are not.

2) To the one who understands, no explanation is necessary. To the one who doesn’t, no explanation will suffice.

3) A prudent person sees trouble and seeks refuge. The simple keep going and suffer for it.

4) Stop finding reasons why something won’t work and start looking for reasons why something will work. Life is WAY more fun if you think like this.

I hope you enjoyed these. Please share any great thoughts, ideas, quotes you might have with me.

OMG – Social Networking ??

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Had to share with everyone, found this gem on You Tube. What is Facebook WAS reality? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlSkU0TFLs