Charlie Cook's MArketing for Success Insider's Club

 

The Top Experts Reveal Small Business Marketing Strategies
That Get Results In This Economy

Is Your Marketing Aggressive Enough?

By Charlie Cook   |   March 9th, 2010

Cathy, a business writer, emailed me and said, “Boy, do I need to work on my web site this year!” I gave her a couple of ways to improve her site and had her look at several websites that sell effectively on the Internet. Her response was a common one; she thought those sites were marketing aggressively and she worried about turning her prospects off with a “hard sell” >>(Read more)


How to Set Realistic Sales Goals

By Tom Hopkins   |   March 9th, 2010

Achieving sales volume goals for your business is one of the biggest challenges any owner or manager faces. There are so many factors that can affect that final number.

Hopefully, you have a staff of people who are dedicated, professional and motivated to help you achieve your business goals. If you do not, read no further. Instead, read up on how to hire the right people to sell your products and services.

Let’s assume for now, though, that you do have the right people in place. How do you set the sales goals you want and need without being pushy and demanding of your sales team? » (Read More)


Managing Energy, Not Time

By Jeannine McGlade   |   March 8th, 2010

Often when we give a talk or a seminar one or more participants come up to us afterward and say something like this: “Hey, I loved your program and creativity is important, but I don’t have the time to be innovative or creative.”  Ever feel like that yourself?

Let’s face it, even when we are not busy completing tasks, attending meetings, responding to emails, taking out the garbage, walking the dog or taking care of the kids, » (Read More)


How Publicity Can Put You On the Map

By Rick Frishman   |   March 8th, 2010

Publicity will put you on the map because it:

- Builds your identity.
- Increases your visibility.
- Generates name recognition.
- Gets your message across.
- Compels people to buy, invest, and do business with you. » (Read More)


What Your Small Business Can Learn From Toyota

By Kim Sheehan   |   March 7th, 2010

The car giant, Toyota, is facing shall we say a tough few months. Unless you’ve buried your head in the sand, you’ve noticed that Toyota has had a series of recalls on some of their popular vehicles. And the critics are pretty split whether Toyota is handling this well.

Every company has communication and public relations crises to deal with. The larger the company, the more likely these crises play out in the media. And there’s nothing like a crisis, coupled with a lot of media coverage, to start the negative word of mouth cycle. So what can your small business learn from Toyota’s troubles? » (Read More)


Focus on Your Prospect’s Experience

By Dan DeGreef   |   March 6th, 2010

As long as you follow this one tip, you will never make a mistake that will cost you your business.

Focus on the Lead’s Experience

Make it obvious that you are there for them. It is good to know that you are the best in the business and that you offer spectacular value, but if the customer does not feel you are out for their best interest, they will not care about the other things. » (Read More)


6 Ways to Lose Money In Direct Mail

By Jeffrey Dobkin   |   March 5th, 2010

1. Dash off a letter, then photocopy it on cheap bond, and send it with a business card… and call it a direct mail campaign.

Or worse yet – photocopy your old brochure and send it with a business card and call it direct mail.  Then, when it doesn’t work call me up and complain, “Yea, we tried direct mail and it doesn’t work.”  Real direct mail letters and literature are created from scratch with their original purpose defined as “to use as a direct mail solicitation,” and the objective of “To generate a phone call.”

And BTW, a real direct mail “campaign” isn’t a single mailing of anything.  Campaign = more than one mailing. » (Read More)


Broadcast Marketing Is Out – “Personal Channel Marketing” Is In

By Rick Braddy   |   March 4th, 2010

In the past, marketers were able to appeal to the masses and reach millions of people and effectively market to them with “broadcast media” – radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, billboards, the Yellow Pages, telemarketing and even cold calling.

Many of these “outbound marketing” techniques that worked so well in the 20th century are in danger of extinction today.  Why?  Because people spend their time differently today, have thousands of information sources to choose from, and now have ways to filter unwanted advertising out of their lives. » (Read More)


Why You Should Think About Your PR Campaigns Before Execution

By Shakira Brown   |   March 4th, 2010

National Entrepreneurship Week was February 20-27 (sorry if you missed it, mark it down for next year!). The Small Business Administration issued a press release on BusinessWire announcing a free youthpreneur webinar series that same week. They were hoping to stimulate entrepreneurship among students. The webinars took place from 11am-3pm that week and that is where this PR campaign seemed to go all wrong. » (Read More)


Top Marketing Blogs

By Charlie Cook   |   March 3rd, 2010

This blog ranked 6th out of the top 12 marketing blogs. And while I’m delighted to be near the top, I’m eager to know what you’d like to see featured here, what type of marketing information, resources, ideas and marketing strategies would get your attention and push us to the top.

Please include your comments and suggestions. For the full list of top marketing blogs and reason blogs publish lists like this… » (Read More)


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