Results by you....

Ok, let’s take a moment and get real!  How many of you are:

• Members of a professional group
• Have an advertisement running somewhere
• Or started up a blog or newsletter

Yes, if you’re reading this blog 99% of you can answer yes to one or all of those questions.  Now, how many of you are not happy with the ‘results’?

I’m guessing over 78% of you can say you’re not happy with the results to one or more of those questions.

So here’s where I am going to get real with you and ask the question that those that accept accountability will ask, “What are you not doing?”.  For a good many the thought process is to throw the blame for lack of results in the opposite direction.  But, if we are truthful and take accountability in our actions or lack of we’ll start to see real results in our endeavors.

Take the first one; Member of a professional group.  If it is not working for you can you honestly say you are giving it due time to work the opportunities available?  Do you even know all the opportunities or are you waiting for someone to point them out? Are you devoting time to prepare prior to the meeting? Are you asking for support in a way that others can assist easily?  Remember even in asking for referrals or support from a professional team you need to meet them over half way by first making your ‘ask’ very specific and then by ‘following up’.

Take the second one; Have an advertisement running? Ask yourself is what you are offering have a juicy call to action or bland? Are you giving them something that you already offer to the masses or making each marketing venue’s offer special?  Have you asked for second, third even fourth opinions on the value of the content and if it is appealing.  Depending on the media form of advertising you are using time plays a factor as well as how you represent your offer.  Yes, you can use media wrong.  Not all offers or even industries get the same results across multiple media formats.  If you don’t understand who your clients are, where they frequent or even what their needs are… how can you expect your advertisements to work?

Let’s now look at the Third one;  Blog or Newsletter.  Does it have a purpose?  In what ways if any are you cultivating a network to view it?  If you have a network do you know their needs and are you answering it or just talking for the sake of pushing out content?  Your reason for having a blog or a newsletter will define the content but no matter the content if you are not providing a true value in this world of over saturated advertising venues you will not be followed let alone get any return on your time spent producing your content.

So let’s wrap this up with some value, when you are a member of a professional group, run an advertisement or produce a blog/newsletter the following items should be factored in at all times.

• Provide real value – don’t create just for the sake of creating
• Know your target audience and fill a need in the right place at the right time
• All advertising efforts take time – if you are producing value in the locations your consumers are at it will work
• Preparation in all things is key, just being seen or just showing up won’t produce any worth while results
• Get objective opinions (Objective being the operative word) if you ask your friend with no real vested interest they will more than likely tell you what you want to hear versus what you need to hear.
• Most importantly you get out of anything no more than what you put into it.  If it takes you a few moments to throw something together without investing time, research or money – don’t be surprised when it produces devoid return.

These are just a few of the things in business that I hear professionals say, it’s not working!  So going forward instead of throwing out negative auto responses to empty returns on the ways you market try instead to take a good hard look on your actual investment in it.  Even if you pay to have someone create or design your marketing needs, if you are not taking an active interest in it don’t be surprised if the results are less than spectacular.  It is good to have marketing support or a talented media agent but without your organic contribution to its success your results will be less than what you desire.  After all your customer is there primarily because of you so if you are not involved it will show in the results or the lack of.

Need help with getting real results that increase your profitability?  We’re here for you but the next step is yours…   call, email, stop by it requires action to take the next step!

Where’s your motivation level for 2014?

(More importantly how can you keep it?)

   Resolutions? Saying, “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” is like saying, “How’s it going”?  No one expects a real answer from a generic question said so many times with no real actionable results.  Motivational connections and mindset power is the wave that’s coming.  But only for those smart enough to leave the past where it belongs and ride the wave of challenge and progress. 

   We’ve survived an apocalypse, mourned the passing of Dave Hughes among many other greats, celebrated technology advancements like 3D printing and the BioPen, were somewhat effected by J.C.Penny – Saks Fifth Ave – Sears and other giants as they were sold or irrevocably changed, envisioned getting packages delivered by Amazon drones, watched as the sun reached its peak in solar activity, enjoyed the total eclipse of the sun on November 3^rd, read about the discovery of Earth’s closest exoplanet twin Kepler, rediscovered King Richard III beneath a parking lot, learned about ambitions to map the human brain, sipped our favorite java from a phase-change mug, saw an increase in contract hiring and recession for full-time help, and for a lot of us reveled in the Florida FSU spectacular season! (Yes, I had to throw that in there – GO NOLES!)

   So I say “Bring it on!” and I almost can’t put it into words the excitement I feel with the endless possibilities that 2014 will bring for those of us that embrace change and allow for the mindset of a visionary with actionable presence!

   Yes that was a mouth full and it sounds real good but what does it really mean, and how can we make it happen in our lives?  So glad you asked! I’m going to plug a few ideas into this reading material, a few tips and some steps that for those of you that decide to take it to heart will see results manifest in your lives both personal and professional!  So, let’s start by saying out loud no matter where you are or who is around you…. Don’t be shy I want you to shout it out… One simple four letter word (no, it’s not a colorful metaphor) Are you ready?  Here it is: “ROAR”

   Ok those that took it to heart and belted it out, might need to apologize to those that were startled and share this article with them as you are about to embark on an exciting adventure of possibilities because you are not afraid to make a change and stand out in the crowd!  How did it make you feel?  Were you out of your comfort zone or did you feel a moment of exhilaration? Well, either way if you did it congratulations – read on…

   First a couple of fun words that get used everywhere and if you think about it hold a lot of ‘deep’ meaning: Visionary & Motivation.  What is it? How do you get it and more than that how do you keep it?  For each of us it is different.  Some of us can wake up in the morning and be filled with it.  For others we need a pound of coffee shot directly into our veins with an added physical kick in the rear to get our visionary motivation on.  No matter which side you fall on or if you are somewhere in the middle the key to 2014 is getting it, using it and holding onto it with both hands. 

   When you are getting your motivation on each morning there has to be a purpose or it is a lifeless thing.  Ask yourself “what drives you?” If you said money take another sip of coffee and think again.  Money is empty and will not inspire the type of ‘motivation’ you will need to take 2014 to new heights.  It won’t warm, feed, help, enlighten or comfort you.   It will buy the things that warm, feed, help, enlighten and comfort you, but as its true form (paper or metal) it will not do those things for you.  What you are looking for as the actual answer to what motivation is can be found in what consumes you?  What do you start your day thinking about and end it still wanting?  Now, make a list of 25 things that ‘inspire’ you, like starting a business, a new boat, helping children, writing a book, building something, mentoring someone, visiting somewhere far away… Put in the order of importance.  The highest item should make you grin like a fool or your heart race when you think of achieving it.  That is where visionary motivation is formed and when it is something of true substance it will last longer than a New Year’s Resolution. 

  Now for the steps.  You have your list, but maybe you’ve made one before and nothing ever came of it?  This is where the next fun words come in, ‘actionable presence’.  In order to take this to the next level you have to want it more than breathing for it to last past the standard honeymoon period.  Take your list and reverse engineer the items on your list to include how much funding do you need, will you need help, how much time will it take and what steps can be taken today towards progress of completion?  Because a key part of keeping motivated is setting and completing tasks.  Without a plan of action that gives you a feeling of accomplishment on a regular basis you will fizzle out like all the resolutions of the past. 

   Okay, we have the true meaning behind motivation, steps to getting it & a plan of action.  Now for the tips to make it all work.  Positive, motivated, power connections find & cultivate them!  Accountability is hardest alone.  For a successful life in 2014 you need to surround yourself with positive and driven people!  Here is the last and strongest tip I can give you, “Do not envy what you desire”.  You cannot attract into your life what you envy; successful, positive, rich, joyful people.  So start today look into the mirror and say, “I deserve all that I desire and work honestly towards.  I am going to create the positive change in my life and the lives of others enjoying each sweet breathtaking moment of life starting now!”  ROAR!!

Kristi Kirkland – Answer Marketing Inc

Business Acceleration Marketing Firm
‘Adding Needed Solutions Working Every Relationship’

Marketing Your Business for the Holiday Season

It's here the glorious or for some dreaded Holiday season and for most of us it comes on quicker each year! The time is upon us to make sure we get the most of our marketing efforts to help insure sales success in the coming months.  

Social Media Contests - Hopefully your business has an established social media presence, as contests on Facebook are often a popular way spotlight your services or products and interact with customers. Remind them during the time when they are being bombarded with over 2,500 ads daily that your product or service exactly what they need and a great gift idea. Remember to keep it simple as you want to when possible gather information on your potential clients but making them jump through to many hoops will discourage most. Using a clever #hashtag so as to be found in more searches like: #Contest, #Free, #Gift, #Giveaway and an incentive such as a prize or discount on a service or product you offer, you can create an intense excitement around your company.  

Holiday Tips - Use your social media, emailed news letters and flyers to offer helpful tips during a stressful holiday season. Consider your industry, product or service and related advice you could offer to make customers’ lives easier. Making yourself seen as a useful resource for the holidays will make your business standout above the rest. Use an original #hashtag to maintain brand awareness across your media platforms - add it to your banners and posts explaining that it will be used during the holiday. EX: #AMIOffer #AMIHolidayTips

Loyalty Rewards - This is the time to make sure your loyal customers feel extra special. Taking care of those clients that have been there throughout the year will generate additional business and referrals. Do this by creating a special offer only for existing customers or providing a sneak preview, free shipping or secret sale that give them the VIP treatment. This will go a long way towards keeping your best customers thinking of your first during this hectic season.

Special Events or Open Houses - Your small business will rise above the convenience 'brand' stores when you host an open house or special event at your location. Use it to showcase seasonal gifts, new menu items and merchandise so customers can get a glimpse of your holiday goods in advance. Remember your Loyalty Rewards and offer an early 1 hour VIP access for existing clients. To get them to stay a little longer browsing what you have to offer include light refreshments: cookies, a mug of hot cocoa or a glass of cider to get people in the holiday spirit. On their way out, give a special offer or coupon that invites customers back to make their purchases at a discount. Macy's, JcPenny, Khol's all offer these types of incentives with great success.  

Email Blasts - Although I caution overuse, email remains inexpensive and easy to implement when it comes to maintaining contact with existing customers. Just remember to be effective, email marketing should be used with people you have already done business with or who have expressed an interest in your business and have requested email from you. (Have at your place of business a sign up sheet to help you with your list - offer a discount for anyone signing up) When making the email keep it short as possible while still getting your message across. Offer to partner with other businesses that support your company to share space or links on their emailed newsletters as well. Use clickable links to drive clients to your Facebook page or website for 'more' offers. Offer 'sharing' discounts for your subscribers. Also, make the title of your email campaign clear like 'Specials just for you', 'Holiday Tips & Treasures'. Lastly use festive designs take care to add the appeal so it is not deleted before your message has a chance to work.  

Remember when creating a marketing campaign think back on last year: 
What worked to grab your attention?
What made you choose the stores you shopped at?
What stood out as special or innovative?
Putting yourself in the shoes of a shopper and thinking what would you like to see if you are shopping for yourself or your family and try to implement it in your marketing plan.

Have an Very Merry Holiday - Remember the Reason for all our Seasons - Give Thanks for what we have - and count your blessings daily!

Happy Halloween - Thanksgiving Blessings - Merry Christmas! 
Kristi Kirkland 
Answer Marketing Inc

Seven Networking Tips:

Networking goes hand in hand with running a successful business.

But many of us dread walking into a room and introducing ourselves to a bunch of strangers. We get direct referrals through our A-Team but we need to be cultivating referral resources through our memberships & community connections.  Here are a few valuable tips:
1. Resist the urge to be fashionably late. It's almost counter-intuitive, but showing up early at a networking event is a much better strategy than getting there on the later side. As a first attendee, you'll notice that it's calmer and quieter – and people won't have settled into groups yet. It's easier to find other people who don't have conversation partners yet.

2. Ask easy questions. Don't hold up the wall or wait for someone to approach you. To get the conversation started, simply walk up to a person or a group, and say, "May I join you" or "What brings you to this event?" Don't forget to listen intently to their replies. If you're not a natural extrovert, you're probably a very good listener – and listening can be an excellent way to get to know a person. When first getting your feet wet bring someone with you - walk up to a group or single person and say, "Not sure if you've met..." & introduce the person you are with, then follow up with & by the way I'm.... Works every time!
3. Ditch the pitch. Remember, networking is all about relationship building. Keep your exchange fun, light and informal – you don't need to do the hard sell within minutes of meeting a person. The idea is to get the conversation started. People are more apt to do business with – or partner with – people whose company they enjoy. You don't network to sell a product or service you network to build a connection, that leads to a follow up meeting that ends in one or both of you getting or referring business!
**If a potential customer does ask you about your product or service, be ready with that one thing that makes you stand out from your competitors.
4. Be passionate. Win people over with your enthusiasm for your product or service. Leave a lasting impression by telling a story about why you were inspired to create your company. Talking about what you enjoy is often contagious, too. When you get other people to share their passion, it creates a memorable two-way conversation.
5. Smile. It's a simple – but often overlooked – rule of engagement. By smiling, you'll put your nervous self at ease, and you'll also come across as warm and inviting to others. Remember to smile before you enter the room, or before you start your next conversation.
6. Two ears ONE mouth. Some people who dislike networking may overcompensate by commandeering the discussion. Don't forget: The most successful networkers (think of those you've met) are good at making other people feel special. Look people in the eye, repeat their name & listen to what they have to say. Be a conversationalist, not a talker.

7. Remember to follow up. It's often said that networking is where the conversation begins, not ends. If you've had a great exchange, ask your conversation partner the best way to stay in touch. Some people like email or phone; others prefer social networks like LinkedIn. Get in touch within 48 hours of the event to show you're interested and available, and reference something you discussed, so your contact remembers you. Write on the back of their business card something you can refer to later so they know you were sincere.

Success is only one connection away - Kristi Kirkland
www.answermarketing.net

Increase Your Local Business Search Results

Are you still dragging your feet about getting a presence on the web or have you set up a basic profile on a few social media platforms and are asking yourself, now what? It's a brand new day guys and statistics say majority of consumers are researching on-line before they buy.   

What does your on-line presence say about you?

As business marketing becomes more competitive, making your online presence and other marketing efforts as powerful as possible should now become part of your total marketing efforts.  For all concerned more and more customers now go online first to find what they need locally making sure they find you and that something concerning what they find generates a call or visit is vital. 

The question now is: Will yours? 

Here are few things you can do to improve your chances of being found in the most cost-effective manner:

Top is not always best

Many online advertisers have been conditioned to believe that first position in a search ad results page is the best way to go. But it may not be the best value. Slightly lower positions in the paid search results (also known as SEM) can produce better, more cost effective leads. The reason is that the lower position will cost less per click, but still get you on the first search results page. The best approach is to test. 

Juice up your profiles

Local businesses with detailed online business profiles – including their products and services – get better results. Trouble is your business probably has profiles in more places than you know. Make sure your online listings are complete – including not just your location and hours, but as much detail as you can get in about what your business offers and what sets you apart from others. If you have a business video, include that too, along with your social media connections. A great way to monitor how your business appears online if you don't have the time to supervise it yourself is to use a reputation social media management service.  Ask around and do your on-line research as well before choosing a company.

Focus your spheres

A common mistake that local businesses make online is spending money on ads that appear outside their service area. By using locally focused websites, services, you will get more bang for your advertising buck.

Check it “check-in” services

With location-based or “check-in” services and applications, customers create a profile and sync up with friends by “checking in” when they visit a local business. Participating not only helps you get found, it’s a great way to reward customer loyalty. Look into Foursquare, Gowalla, Facebook and Google Places. 

G-Target your website and ads

G-Targeting, short for geographic targeting – means customizing your pitch to a specific city, state, region, profile or even neighborhood. One technique is to make sure your complete business address appears on every page of your website. The content on your site and in your ads and directory listings should also mention your city, as well as neighboring cities and neighborhoods that you want to cover or do business in.

Make it work for Mobile

Search engines are starting to give higher scores to business websites that include a “mobile optimized” version. The main rule for a mobile site is to keep it simple.  Having location keywords (city, neighborhood, street, etc.) are especially important to people searching for you on a mobile device. 

Get your social media platforms in order

Having an active presence in social media is vitally important for local businesses to connect with customers. At a minimum, make sure you have a Facebook business page and consider other networking sites such as LinkedIn, Merchant circle, Twitter and more. Make sure once on to keep active - don't use a roller-coaster as your guide.

Reach out and ask

Not everyone has the time to work their social media platforms or to find connections that will help them spread out.  Check with local clubs, organizations, groups, chambers for groups or teams you can join that will get you the return you are looking for. 

Social Media SOS

Jiminy Cricket social media is here with a vengeance and changing daily! Tweet who, Follow what, Tag where, Blog when,  Linked why??? SOS! 

Do you wake up in the morning just wanting to do the job you were hired for or create the product you love and social media is knocking at your door saying let me in or get left behind?  It's really okay you know to get overwhelmed about things a business owner or professional should be doing but doesn't have the time to manage or on occasion the desire to even do..

Businesses all over are being born from the need to help professionals appear to be everywhere on-line while in fact they are actually doing what they love; building a home, designing a gift basket, planning a festival, writing a book... All businesses use services based out of a need and desire to keep doing what they opened their business for in the first place - create, build, serve, dream!

Back in the day or so my Papa told me business owners did it all.  You walked into the barber shop to get your beard trimmed only to take a moment to have him pull a bum tooth out and then hand your payment to the shop owners wife (in the form of a small animal off your farm).  The owner of the shop did their own marketing (hanging a sign), they offered several services to make the most of your wallet, did their own accounting (tracking trade out), learned their trade, offered their trade, marketed their trade.  Okay so maybe we don't need to go back that far for you to get the point.  That was then this is now - Learning the ever changing techniques of your services is a full time job, Billing for your services is a full time job, Selling your services is a full time job, Tracking your receivables is a full time job - don't get me started on collections!  

So what does this mean for you?  If you hire a bookkeeper to keep your records straight, a tax accountant to file for you, a sales person to close on deals, an admin to answer your phones, a web designer to build your site, a business consultant to keep you going in the right direction, a banker to take care of your money (instead of using the jar buried out back - then erase the Social Media SOS out of the sand and hire someone who loves the intricacies of the web and let them build, create, design which is what they love to do and you can go back to doing what you enjoy offering your services to the traffic the social media planner directs through your front door! 

KK