Today, I’m sharing a hard truth about marketing: People don't care about businesses (and that includes your business). What they care about is how your business's products or services can solve THEIR problems, meet THEIR needs and make THEIR lives easier. In other words, if you want your business to be successful, you need to know how to describe the benefits of your … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Creatively Power Up Your Marketing
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Quiz: Where Is Your Marketing Message Hanging Out?
Is your marketing message dancing in the spotlight, or cowering by the punch table? Take this quiz to find out. 1. Overall, you would describe your marketing as: A. Going strong. You consistently get lots of good leads and sales from your marketing efforts. B. Getting better. You're seeing some positive results, but you're always looking for ways to … [Read more...] about Quiz: Where Is Your Marketing Message Hanging Out?
3 Ways to Put a Fresh Spin on Old Marketing Concepts
Does your advertising or marketing campaign give you a sense of the “blahs”? If you're a small business owner, copywriter/graphic designer/marketing consultant, or other creative professional, and you know what I’m talking about here, you may be searching for a new twist to freshen up your campaign … to make it exciting again! And you might feel a little overwhelmed. … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Put a Fresh Spin on Old Marketing Concepts
5 Hot Ways to Market Your Book (and Your Biz) in 2020
I’m a strong believer that a nonfiction book can solve ALL your business marketing problems. A published book can do so much for you: boost your visibility and credibility, grow your subscriber list, attract paying customers and clients into your business, and build your influence. But, even more than that, leading with your book in your marketing efforts can be one of … [Read more...] about 5 Hot Ways to Market Your Book (and Your Biz) in 2020
7 Reasons to Get Creative with Your Marketing RIGHT Now
While it's true there is never a bad time to get creative with your marketing, I would argue that it's even more important to do so right now. How important? It's so important I'll give you not 1, not 2 but 7 reasons. Let's get started. 1. It's not your grandfather's communications model. Communications has drastically changed since, say, the 1970s when … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons to Get Creative with Your Marketing RIGHT Now
What the Movie “The Prestige” Can Teach You About Copywriting
Have you ever seen the movie The Prestige? (Quick synopsis: After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.) In it, one of the main characters dissects the elements of a magic trick. First, you show the object that will be manipulated (i.e. the rabbit in a hat that … [Read more...] about What the Movie “The Prestige” Can Teach You About Copywriting
Case Study: Low-Cost, Out-of-the-Box Marketing Ideas
Have you ever noticed how high school sports take on an even bigger importance in communities without big universities? That's what it's like where I live. But like everywhere else in the country, our high school sports teams are always looking for ways to make a few extra bucks. Enter the high school baseball sponsorship program. For a nominal fee (really nominal), … [Read more...] about Case Study: Low-Cost, Out-of-the-Box Marketing Ideas
Want Low Cost Ideas to Grow Your Business? Try Community Relations
Community relations is one of those marketing strategies that isn't talked about much, even though I venture to say practically every business owner out there ends up doing it at one time or another. In a nutshell, community relations is involving your business in your community. For instance: • Your business donates money to nonprofit organizations. • You or your … [Read more...] about Want Low Cost Ideas to Grow Your Business? Try Community Relations
Copywriting 101: How to Seal The Deal
It’s simple: If you want people to take action and buy what you’re selling, you’ve got to ask for the sale. Yet I can't tell you how many ads, websites, brochures, sales letters, branding campaigns, etc. are floating around out there without the ask—the “call to action.” Let's start by defining call to action (CTA). It's a clear statement that spells out the action … [Read more...] about Copywriting 101: How to Seal The Deal
The Secret to Writing Memorable Copy
Want to know the secret to creating MEMORABLE copy that actually stays with your customers long after they’ve finished reading it? It’s all about the imagery, baby. You must master the fine art of using words to create pictures in your customers' heads. Think about a favorite novel you’ve read that has stayed with you for some time. I’d be willing to bet that you can … [Read more...] about The Secret to Writing Memorable Copy