Charlie Cook's MArketing for Success Insider's Club

Positioning

Suicide by opportunity

By Iman Aghay   |   May 22, 2014

A business with a great product or service often has several high-quality target markets. This potential often seduces entrepreneurs into pursuing several of these markets simultaneously … Read More »


Apple’s #1 Marketing Secret

By Iman Aghay   |   May 5, 2014

I’ve always been blown away by how Apple stands out from the competition.

I always knew they were using a secret sauce in their marketing message but I never knew what that secret sauce was until… Read More »


Positioning Yourself With PR

By Drew Gerber   |   July 23, 2010

You may have tried networking, Internet marketing or advertising only to come out in the end with fewer clients than you expected and yet, having more expenses. Or maybe you’ve tried to get publicity in the past only to find little or no response.

You want to attract loyal customers, increase your profits and enjoy more freedom in your life, but everyday it’s getting harder and harder to be seen. Well, PR can help. Read More »


Increase Awareness & Boost Exposure Online

By Drew Gerber   |   July 9, 2010

It’s no secret that the public relations and web marketing game is ever changing and that positioning yourself to be found online is becoming more and more important.

Ninety percent of journalists are finding all their information and sources online, and your potential clients are doing the same thing. No one flips through the Yellow Pages anymore. If they have a problem they need solved, they’re searching the web for a solution. So building a foundation online should be at the top of your priority list. Read More »


Are You Indispensable? How To Lynchpin Your Small Business

By Kim Sheehan   |   April 7, 2010

Prolific writer Seth Godin’s new book, Lynchpin, asks us “are you indispensable?” According to Godin, lynchpins are the people in business that get things done and make things happen: they figure out better products, streamline processes, and make everyone’s job easier.

Godin wants us all to be lynchpins: he writes “You have brilliance in you, your contribution is essential, and the art you create is precious. Only you can do it, and you must.” Read More »


The Rumors of WOM’s Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated

By Kim Sheehan   |   March 21, 2010

Public Relations giant Edelman recently published a study that starts the tolling of the death knell for social media and word of mouth. In their report, the Trust Barometer, the agency found that  the number of people whose friends and peers as credible sources of information about a company dropped from 45% in 2008 to 25% in  2010.

Also declining in credibility were consumer and customer employee testimonials. The credibility of CEOs, Academics and Financial Analysts all increased. Read More »


Word of Mouth is Great – Except When It’s Not

By Kim Sheehan   |   February 7, 2010

We all love it when a customer raves about our business. But what about when customers don’t rave about our business…or when they have a bad experience? What happens if they talk about this bad experience?

This idea scares so many businesspeople that they won’t even start a word of mouth campaign. Losing control of the message is a disincentive for some. However, in recent conversations with a few great small businesspeople, some great tips on dealing with negative word of mouth have come to light. Read More »


Word Of Mouth New Year’s Resolutions

By Kim Sheehan   |   December 21, 2009

It’s that time of year again…everyone is coming up with their New Year’s Resolutions. If you are committed to starting, building, and nurturing a word of mouth campaign, here are some resolutions to get you started with a great campaign. Read More »


Sell Locally? Here’s An Easy Way To Attract More Clients

By Kim Sheehan   |   December 7, 2009

Do you want to start a word of mouth campaign but need a good way to jump in?

One way is to give people information that they’ll be interested in…and once they are interested in it, they’ll also be interested in  sharing with other people they know.  Often this information is about your business, of course. But the information can also be not directly related to your business but to local business in general.

Many people know in the back of their minds that patronizing local business is good, but do they realize all the benefits local businesses bring to a community? Think about sharing this information with them and give them some food for thought…and I bet they’ll tell their friends. Read More »


How To Sell More With Expert Positioning

By Kim Sheehan   |   October 21, 2009

One way to develop some word of mouth for your business is to position yourself as an expert in your field. You don’t think you’re an expert? Of course you are: you’re an expert about your own business.

Do your customers come to you for Read More »