If You're Like Me, You Like To Save Time By Learning From Others

I've been in the marketing business my whole life, or so it seems. I've had a lot of successes along the way and my share of failures.

In those 35 years since college, I've learned what works and what doesn't in the areas where I specialize. Some things I studied and tried on my own, some I had to learn the hard way, and some things were pointed out to me.

If you’re like me, you like to save time by learning from others who have “already been there.” Why reinvent the wheel when it’s already been invented.

Here are some ideas that can help you save time and make more money.

1. One Small Step Can Change Your Life

The number one thing I've learned in all my years as a marketer is that one small step can work wonders. It's all about learning a new habit, a new way of being.

You've got to ease into any new behavior gradually and then keep at it.

I knew a woman who wanted to quit smoking. She'd tried many times but failed. She just couldn't get up in the morning without having a cigarette with her morning coffee, it was that deeply ingrained in her.

She couldn't do it on her own, so she took a program at a local hospital. She was taught, over the course of eight weeks, to gradually wean the cigarettes from her life.

The first morning, she had a whole cigarette with coffee, the next week, she only smoked ¾, the week after that, she had ½ a cigarette at breakfast.

She followed this regime, and at the end of eight weeks, she didn't want to smoke at breakfast. She had quit smoking with no withdrawals, no cravings, no hair pulling.

It wasn’t easy, but she did it.

Ease into your new behaviors gradually, in increments that you can handle easily.

Don't start contacting 100 people on the first day. Start off with 10. Move up to 20 the second week, 30 the third week and so on.

Before you know it, you'll have developed a new, constructive habit that will help you grow your business to amazing heights.

2. Nothing Substitutes For Experience

Nothing beats experience. And the only way to get experience is to get out there and DO IT.

You can only read so much about maximizing profits, driving more traffic to your site, and having successful affiliate programs. At some point you've got to experience it for yourself, see what it's like to set up you own site, and start the ball rolling.

Just get out there and go for it.

Remember: I'll always be here to help you through the tough spots.

Think of this site as an oasis of support. Come back here with your questions (and believe me, you'll have questions) and I'll get you the answer as soon as possible.

Leave comments here on my blog – I read them all and comment back. Let the community know how you're doing. Tell us about your successes as well as the things you'd do differently next time.

And if you find you want MORE help, maybe you’re ready for my next website with Dr. Marc Kossmann: PersonalSuccessMarketing.com – Click Here To Learn More!

3. Copy Successful Businesses

Is there a website that you admire? One that seems to be successful, one that provides a valuable service, one that you'd like to imitate?

Well, why not model your business after it? Find out what makes it tick, who's behind the scenes, and why it's as successful as it is.

Contact that person, make a new friend, see how you two can make things better for both of you.

There's nothing wrong with copying a successful business (NOT the specific WORDS, of course, but the ideas about how a business thrives). Many have done it before you and there's no reason you shouldn't take advantage of a tried-and-true practice.

4. Re-Purpose Existing Content

How many ways can you use the materials you create?

Let’s say you've produced a great article on the value of affiliate relationships.

How can you change the wording a bit, rework the format, and produce a press release? Or, turn it into a script and use it for the voice-over on a video. Shorten it up, condense the message, and use it as a blog post or tweet.

See how creative you can get repurposing your existing content?

It's fun and, if you're paying to have content written for your site, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck.

5. Keywords Are Key

Find out what prospective clients are looking for and let them have it.

An easy way (and it's free) to see what people are looking for is to search in Google or Bing “top internet searches.”

Research the results to see if you can write some content based on your findings. Why waste time creating something that no one is looking for? Create content based on search needs that already exist.

And when you do that, people will flock to your website to get your answers. And who knows, they may click on one of your ads or purchase one of your products.

Sounds like a good idea, right?

6. Be In-The-Know

Make sure you always keep up-to-date with the latest technological advances.

Keep current on new web developments, like Social Networking and Web 2.0.

Make sure you're aware of any new applications that are lurking behind the scenes and get to know how they work and how they can benefit you and your clients.

And when you learn something new from a website like this one or others, be sure to tell people through Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. It’s great to know new information, but it only helps others when you tell them.

Be the person that everybody goes to when something new hits the web.

Now THAT is a great way to build more traffic to your website!

7. Don't Get Suckered Into Fads

There is no magic formula for a successful internet business. And there are many different ways to create one.

You have to work hard at it every day. Don’t be sidetracked by those offering a miracle in the guise of a trendy new product.

Your business will grow like magic if you perform certain tasks every day, like promoting your business, creating content, and connecting with 100 people.

Sure, it would be nice to open a bright, shiny box and pull out a fix-all widget that you can plug into your existing website. But it just isn't going to happen.

Put your nose to the grindstone and make the magic happen on your own.

And be sure to study those who can tell you HOW to do what you need to do.

Working hard at the wrong thing heads you quickly into a dead end. Learn from websites like this one or my PersonalSuccessMarketing.com – be sure you’re headed in the right direction!

8. Focus On High Traffic Websites

To paraphrase the Pareto Principle, 80% of your results are produced by 20% of your actions.

In other words, 80% of your passive income is coming from 20% of your affiliates. Make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck by focusing on the high traffic websites.

A good way to find out which sites are high traffic is to check out Alexa.com. You can get some information for free, but more is only available if you pay. Check it out and see if it feels like it could help you in some way.

9. Promote Your Business Daily

Make a habit out of getting your name in the public eye. Find 5 or 10 areas, such as blogging, press releases, and Facebook, where you can promote your business every day.

Make this part of your daily routine. Soon you'll have created a habit and promoting will become second nature to you.

Now, some people tell me that they are shy and don’t want to be pushy. Let me help you with that.

Are you in business to HELP people? Is it fair if you know how to help them but you don’t tell them about it? Don’t you want to help as many people as you can?

If YOU don't let people know what you can do and how you can help them, how can they improve their lives?

There are people out there who need help that only YOU can provide. Share your fabulousness with the world! Promote, promote, promote.

It’s not pushy, it’s not forcing people to work with you, it’s not putting a gun to their heads. But if YOU don’t tell them about how you can help them, who will!??

10. Use Affiliates And Joint Ventures Judiciously

Invest a portion of your day developing affiliate and joint venture relationships. These can be very beneficial and lucrative to both parties involved. It's worth your continued effort to develop these income streams.

When you do form relationships, make sure your partner's product is something you're proud of and want your name attached to.

Don't pimp yourself just for the sake of having a little passive income each month.

We leave this life with our family’s love and our reputations and little else. Make sure ALL you do maintains yours to the highest standard.

Remember – It All Begins With The First Step

I hope these tips will help you in your business.

If you have any thoughts on this article, be sure to post your comments here. Let's get some good discussions going and support each other at the same time.

That’s how I started – people helped me and I helped them right back. It really does work that way!

And be sure to leave us a comment below – tell us what you think about this article and add your own information too!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

To learn more, stay in touch with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting. Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE To See More!

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and success-marketing coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and personal-touch marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, Facebook, and Twitter applications. Visit his blog at Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Marketing Suggestions – Charlie Seymour Jr's 10 Tips for Marketing Success

.

When You See Something Magic: Tell People

Brad Ross is that unique combination of performer, salesman, marketer, and carnival barker. Up close and personal he's a helluva guy: to his audiences he's a master.

Just watch this short video to see how well he markets to his audience of magician, requesting that they join us on a Webinar to talk about how to set up themselves online.

Brad is a guy to watch by MORE than creative performers.

He's a guy to watch if you want to be successful!

Brad Ross – Go to MakeMagicMoney.com to learn more about Brad – Click Here Now!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

To learn more, stay in touch with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting. Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE To See More!

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and success-marketing coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and personal-touch marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, Facebook, and Twitter applications. Visit his blog at Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Outstanding Customer Service – Look To Dr. Neal E. Bozentka

.

0

Ten Ingredients To Your Success

Success in business isn't a magic spell you can learn at Hogwarts nor a secret that's passed down among the world's elite.

Success is a recipe that has a few proven ingredients. When you mix those ingredients with love, thought, and care, you'll create something that will nourish you and your family for years to come.

Here Are Some Of The Ingredients I Find Important In The Recipe For Success

1. Happy Customers and Clients. Yep, that's the number one ingredient that successful businesspeople have in their entrepreneurial cupboard.

No matter what service you provide, it's all about the customer. If the customer isn't happy, she might not be back to buy another record, designer handbag, case of wine, your marketing service, or your web design service.

Whatever you do in your business, you should always think about the customer. Each and every action you take should be geared toward providing the best customer service possible.

Imagine yourself as your customer and visualize how you'd like to be treated. Use that as a beginning to establish your business's service guidelines.

One other thing to consider: if you don't know who you're selling to, you can't market properly. And if you can't market to the right audience, the folks you do reach probably won't have much interest in your product or service. Know who you're selling to so you can reach the places where they hang out.

2. Results. People expect things quickly these days.

Our attention span isn't what it used to be (darn all those TV commercials with 27 edits for each 30 second commercial!), so when customers come to you with questions, you've got to be Johnny-on-the-Spot with answers.

When they call with orders, you'd better have the product to them yesterday or they will go to someone who can get them what they want when they want it.

If you always have answers and products/services for customers/clients, you'll become the go-to-person, something money just can't buy.

3. Follow up. Part of keeping your customers happy is following up on an order, especially if there's some sort of snafu.

(Let’s face it – no matter how hard you try, no matter how conscientious you are, SOMETHING will go wrong at times.)

As a customer, it makes me smile when I get a call or email asking if I've received the order and if I'm happy with the product. This will only take a couple of minutes on your part, but will do wonders for your reputation.

Now, when your business really gets cooking and you've got dozens or hundreds of orders to follow up on every day, you might need to consider getting some help. But isn't that a great “problem” to have?

(And for those of us working online, drop-shipment houses and auto-responders help immensely!)

4. Reputation. Your reputation is something that will grow when the first three ingredients are blended successfully.

This might take a little time, but it’s well worth the effort. A good reputation is crucial to any successful business endeavor.

(Hey, if anyone has ever talked to you about “branding” then THIS is branding – earn a stellar reputation and keep it!)

Just remember – once lost, your reputation will be very difficult to get back. (It’s like flushing something down the toilet – “possible” to retrieve but REALLY difficult!) Make sure your product is as it's advertised to be. Make sure you follow up on promises. Make sure your customer is happy.

When you do those things, your reputation will grow and your business will flourish.

This also includes your relationship with your distributors and joint-venture partners. Make sure you pay your invoices in a timely manner. If you can't get the money to them on time, let them know when to expect payment. Keep the lines of communication open.

5. Promotion. Nobody is going to promote your business for you (unless you're paying them).

Take advantage of every opportunity to talk about your business and promote what you do.

Now, this doesn't mean jabbering at your neighbors until their eyes roll back in their heads. Just mention in passing that you can provide a service that they might need. Discreetly drop little tidbits of info into the conversation. Maybe one day they'll ask to know more about your business.

When you are tooting your own horn, it's imperative to keep an eye on your audience. Nothing turns people off faster than a self-promoter who doesn't know when to quit.

6. Selling. An important thing to remember is don't sell the product, sell the lifestyle.

In their TV ads, Apple doesn't tell you about the storage capacity of their computers, what motherboard they're using, or the size of their monitors.

No.

They show a hip guy (representing Apple) outsmarting a nerd (representing PCs). People don’t see themselves as the pocket-protector guy who can't hold up his end of a debate. Everybody identifies with the hip, laid-back lifestyle and Apple computers.

(Well, OK: not EVERYBODY – I know a few who live the life of the PC nerd – but there aren’t many like that – and the ones who are: I’m not aiming at nor attracting.)

When you're selling your product, imagine the perks your customer will get from using it. Sell the party where the wine will be poured. Sell the exclusivity of the designer handbag. Sell the eco-friendliness of the low-flow toilet. Use the customer's dreams to set the scene for your product and you'll see your sales climb as a result.

And while we're on the subject of sales, be sure to Ask for the Sale.

Customers generally don’t throw their money at you: at least I don’t know any like that. You need to lead them to the sale. Be like the little boy, Oliver, and ask for a “sale, please.”

(And while we’re on Oliver, always encourage him to come back to buy more so he says, “Please, sir, I want some more.”)

7. Volunteerism. If you volunteer with local organizations, you'll accomplish two things: you'll make valuable contacts and you'll show yourself as a competent worker.

Before you know it, you'll be getting business calls from folks you met at fundraisers who liked what they saw. It may be difficult finding time to volunteer, but it will pay great dividends in the end.

I know that I found that while I was my busiest, while I was most involved with community organizations or our local theater, I was most successful. See if that works for you too!

8. Professionalism. It's one thing to work in sweats when you're staying at home, alone. But if you're meeting with a client, dress for success.

Business casual is appropriate in most situations. Always be well groomed. Speak well, with carefully chosen words, and really listen to what your client is saying.

When someone who looks great enters the room for a meeting, you notice, right? They will notice YOU, too, when you look your best!

Take what you do seriously and others will do the same.

9. Bookkeeping. Know where each nickel goes and the dollars will take care of themselves, especially when you're just getting your business off the ground.

Can you reuse that paper? Do you really need to print that flier in color or can you save a few bucks and go with black and white? Is the ad you’re running providing great results or just taking up space (because you feel you need to be there because all of your competitors are there)?

I know a man who reuses price stickers in his California record shop. Yes, he's a penny-pincher, and his business is still thriving after thirty years and some pretty serious economic slumps in the area.

When it’s time to spend money, do it (and do it well). At other times, watch carefully where it goes and how it grows for you.

10. Relevance. Make sure you know what's going on in the world. This includes keeping an eye on the latest technological advances as well as marketing ideas and advertising strategies.

Subscribe to a few blogs, like this one. You'll get timely articles on the newest business trends and get to discuss issues with other blog members. (And be sure to check out AllTop.com, which I highly recommend – great blogs all in categories so you can find your niche quickly.)

Another easy way to keep up is join a business club or professional organization. You can pick up a lot listening to others, and let's face it: you just don't have the time to read every trade publication out there. By attending meetings, you'll get the condensed version of the latest issue of Business Week and be able to ask questions about it.

And you’ll be rubbing shoulders with others who, once they get to know you and what you do, will be open to working with you.

While you're garnering all this information, remember to offer something valuable in return. Ask if the latest Chinese embargo will hurt sales of frozen chicken parts. Then remark on how the latest mobile phone app has really saved you time on follow-up. Comments like these will get a conversation going and inform others without coming across like a know-it-all.

Focus On These Ten

There are other ingredients, but these are the one's I've found valuable. I'm sure you'll add some of your own to this list.

This isn't a complicated recipe, though it does have quite a few components. With time and practice, you'll know each one by heart and know exactly the right amount to add to your own personal recipe for success.

Great, you say: I've got all the ingredients here, but how do I put this together? What tools do I need to make this recipe work?

Glad you asked! Successful entrepreneurs have a few tools or traits in common. If you want to learn more, leave a comment here and then read my article Successful Entrepreneur – Can I Make It As An Entrepreneur? which is here on my blog!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

To learn more, stay in touch with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting. Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE To See More!

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and success-marketing coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and personal-touch marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, Facebook, and Twitter applications. Visit his blog at Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Successful Entrepreneur – Recipe For Success

.

Grow Your Business Online And From Home

Work-at-home entrepreneurs have many choices when it comes to marketing. Below you'll find 50 simple ideas that you can adapt to your own needs.

Some ideas are geared toward online audiences while some target your neighborhood and involve getting to know local businesspeople.

It's a good idea to choose a few methods from each category and make them work for your own business. Give each one a try to see which works best for you and your business.

Online Marketing Ideas

1. Start a Blog and write 2 – 3 times a week. Start simply at WordPress.com or Blogger.com.

2. Post articles online that others can use with your byline and signature information – visit EzineArticles.com.

3. Regularly comment on blogs that relate to your business – you can find some great examples at AllTop.com (which list the top blogs in the world and divides them into categories for easy searching). (In fact, look for my RaisingGreatFamilies.com blog there! We're proud to have it listed.)

4. Visit Meetup.com and instigate a gathering relevant to your line of work OR join an existing group.

5. Check out Podcamp.org or Barcamp.org to see if they work well for your business.

6. Create your own Facebook profile.

7. Join groups on Facebook that relate to your business and post regularly.

8. Create your own Facebook PAGE and use it like a mini website to promote your business.

9. Become a source on HelpAReporterOut.com.

10. Suggest a story about work-at-home entrepreneurs to a blogger or offer a post for other people’s website by joining BloggerLinkUp.com.

11. Write an ebook and offer it for free on your own website or Facebook Page.

12. Send a press release about your business to PRWeb.com or PRLeap.com.

13. Reply to questions on Wiki.Answers.com and similar sites.

14. Open a Twitter account and send 2-3 tweets a day about what you are doing in your business.

15. Distribute monthly eNewsletters to your clients (having captured their names on your website or Facebook Page).

16. Put your business in both online and print directories.

17. Use Google to search for forums that are in your niche (use your keyword followed by the work “forum” to find these) and become involved with the chatter on the forum (NEVER “sell” on these – participate and leave your name with your contact information below it).

18. Write pieces for other companies' eNewsletters.

19. Keep in touch with classmates through Facebook.

20. Search Twitter for people who tweet about your type business and begin to tweet back and forth with them (find them using keywords at Search.Twitter.com).

21. Optimize your blog by using keywords in the titles of your posts.

22. Videotape short weekly talks and publish them online.

23. See if Affiliate Marketing is right for you – search Clickbank.com.

24. Trade blog ads with other work-at-home entrepreneurs.

Neighborhood Marketing Ideas

25. Join groups like the Lions Club or the Chamber of Commerce to Network.

26. Ask potential clients about their needs and follow up with them – don’t be bashful: if they say “NO” you’re in the same place as if you hadn’t asked them; if they say “Yes,” then you have new business!).

27. Ask clients for recommendations.

28. Send out a mailing to local businesses and then follow up with two additional mailings (we call that Sequenced Mailings).

29. Get other work-at-home entrepreneurs to package their promo material with yours.

30. Offer referral bonuses to clients.

31. Offer the first meeting for free with a potential client.

32. Mark the end of large projects with your clients in a public place – make it festive, memorable, and fun.

33. Attend local business mixers to meet new people and collect THEIR business cards – it’s less important to give yours out (though certainly do that if someone asks for it). Then follow up with everyone you met and keep them informed about how you can do business together.

34. Print and distribute business cards, using BOTH sides of the cards (and make an offer on the back – something like “Email for my free report, 7-Steps To Business Success.”

35. Leave your brochures with businesses where your target clients might frequent – but make this brochure gives an offer for some free information NOT a three-panel brochure about your business that most people don’t want to read (just as you don’t read most other people’s brochures like that).

36. Sponsor a local event that would appeal to your target client and then tell them.

37. Print coupons and put them on local bulleting boards – again, offer some free information.

38. Speak about your business at local events.

39. Partner with an entrepreneur who has a business related to yours.

40. Schedule a regular mastermind meeting with several entrepreneurs in your area – make time to chat about what each is doing and find out how you can help each other.

41. Visit your local bookstore each week to plan your schedule (I call that my Dreaming, Planning, Scheming Time) and chat with folks who are there – you never know what other local business person might need your services.

42. Give a class in your area of expertise – local school districts often sponsor these.

43. Volunteer your time to local charities.

44. Write some ‘case studies’ that closely parallel work you just completed and send them with a PostIt Note greeting to prospects.

45. Contact local businesses to find the right person to invite for an early morning cup of coffee – and suggest s/he tell you more about his or her business – when you offer to learn about someone, they often tell you a LOT (much of which can help you find more business for THEM and for YOU).

46. Create a 3-part postcard mailing campaign to prospects in your area.

47. Keep in touch with former clients.

48. Develop a contact at an employment agency for leads.

49. Put coupons for your services in gift bags.

50. Track down local giveaways and donate something.

Some of these ideas will cost a bit of money but many of them are free and only require your time and thought.

Make time each week to explore a new marketing option. Be creative and see how you can tailor each item to your specific needs and let us know how you're doing.

Give us progress reports so we can all be inspired by each other's success. And leave a comment here with YOUR ideas that can be added to this list – let’s grow it to 100 Simple Marketing Ideas!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

To learn more, stay in touch with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting. Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE To See More!

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Marketing Ideas – 50 Simple Marketing Ideas You Can Use To Grow Your Business

.

Your own website is at the center but Facebook is VERY important!

People ask me HOW I do WHAT I do when it comes to Social Media Marketing, Online Marketing, Direct Response Marketing, Video Marketing and Email Marketing, and how I advise my consulting clients.

Here is a short video to show what I call the Universe Model of Marketing:

My Main Website is at the center like the Sun is at the center of our Universe.

Surrounding the Sun are Planets that point into the Sun (like Facebook, Facebook Pages, Hubpages, YouTube, Forums, Other People's Websites.

And pointing to the Planets from even further away are the stars (and in this analogy, these are Twitter, Article Marketing, and Bookmarking Sites, to name a few)

Now YOU Can Learn How To Use Facebook MUCH Better!

Facebook is becoming more and more important. If you want to learn how I do what I do (and even more!), you should look at these free videos and pdf files presented by Robert Grant and Ian David Chapman. These two really Get It… and they're helping LOTS of people already (as their materials will show you).

If you want to tell other people about this (and make some money from your efforts), click here:

Let Me Learn About The Affiliate Program These Two Have So I Can Earn Some Money – I'll Click Here!

If you aren't interested in making money but you want to use Facebook better in your marketing, click here:

Charlie, Please Show Me How To Use Facebook Better Through Robert's and Ian's Materials – I'll Click Here To Learn:

Now's your chance – I can't guarantee this material will be available past the end of this week, so go take a look right now.

Learn how YOU can use Facebook to explode your marketing's growth!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

To learn more, stay in touch with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting. Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE To See More!

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Marketing Lessons By Charles Seymour Jr – The Universe Model

.

Theatre Fun For Young People From Grade School Through High School

Young People's Theatre Workshop, located outside of Philadelphia, PA USA, is a place where kids can learn, have fun, and meet their new best friends. Theatre, games, fun, music, excitement: it's all here under the guiding experience of loving and talented faculty.

YPTW is about learning about theatre while learning about ourselves. Children involved in theatre learn to use their imaginations, to celebrate differences, to reach out to an audience and to one another, and to gain self-confidence through taking risks. And the classes they take in the fall and spring and the fully-stage productions in the Winter (through 8th grade) and Spring (through 12 grade) prepare them for more theater activities AND (we feel confident) for life: many of the skills they learn (team work, self-expression, projection, speaking on their feet, etc) will serve them well throughout their lives.

Many of the YPTW staff members are certified teachers who spend Monday to Friday with children yet they all recognize that their time spent with these students is somehow different.

They get to watch these children grow over a period of years. Many students start with YPTW in grade school and stay through high school. Some even come back to teach or help backstage after graduation.

But even if a student's visit to YPTW is short, they will leave with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the theatre arts and perhaps of themselves.

And then see the top of my blog by clicking HERE! See how I approach my passions with this website.

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon. Thanks!

Marketing The Arts – Young People's Theatre Workshop

.

You can still learn from institutional advertisers and still be a direct-response marketer

You've seen them, you love them (or hate them), and you recognize them because MILLIONS of dollars have been spent burning them into your brains.

Now, Advertising Week, the newspaper for institutional advertising, announces its 2009 Advertising Week Walk of Fame Candidates for Icons and Slogans.

Previous winners in the Icons Category include:

Chick-fil-A "Eat Mor Chikin" Cow, Orville Redenbacher, Geico Caveman, Serta Sheep

Geico Gecko, Juan Valdez, Colonel Sanders, Kool-Aid Man

Aflac Duck, M&M's Mr. Peanut, the Pillsbury Doughboy, and Tony the Tiger

Previous winners in the Slogan Category include:

"Ding! You are now free to move about the country." Southwest Airlines

"The few. The proud. The Marines." US Marine Corps

"We deliver for you." US Postal Service

"What can brown do for you?" UPS

"Imagination at work." GE

"When you care enough to send the very best." Hallmark

"Don't mess with Texas" State of Texas Dept of Transportation

"When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight." FedEx

"A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste" – United Negro College Fund

"Can You Hear Me Now" – Verizon

"Melts in your mouth, not in your hands." M&M's

"Sometimes you feel like a nut; sometimes you don't." Almond Joy, Mounds

"Where's the beef?" Wendy's

2009 Candidates Announced – Icons

Mr. Clean – Proctor & Gamble

Smokey Bear – US Forest Service

Vlasic Stork – Pinnacle Foods Group

Mr. Mucus – Mucinex

Snap, Crackle, Pop – Kellogg Co., Morning Food Division

Maytag Repairman – Whirlpool Corp, Maytag Home Appliances

MSN Butterfly

Subway Jared – Subway Corp

McGruff the Crime Dog – National Crime Prevention Council

Roaming Gnome – Travelocity

Test Man – Verizon Wireless

Michelin Man – Michelin North America

Ronald McDonald – McDonald's Corp

Toucan Sam – Kellogg Co

Budweiser Clydesdales – Anheuser-Busch Cos

Crash Test Dummies – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Keebler Elves – Kellogg Co.

Burger King – Burger King Corp.

Doublemint Twins – Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.

Little Debbie – McKee Foods

AOL Running Man – AOL

California Raisins – California Raisin Advisory Board

Fruit of the Loom Guys – Fruit of the Loom

Big Boy – Big Boy Restaurants International

Captain Morgan – Diageo

Jolly Green Giant – General Mills

2009 Candidates Announced – Slogans

"Just do it." Nike

"Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there." State Farm

"Only you can prevent forest fires." US Forest Service

"Priceless." MasterCard

"Six Flags! More flags! More fun!" Six Flags

"Take a bite out of crime" National Crime Prevention Council

"These guys are good." PGA Tour

"Think outside the bun." Taco Bell

"This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs." Partnership for a Drug-Free America

"Time to make the donuts." Dunkin' Donuts

"Virginia is for lovers." Virginia State Tourism Office

"What happens here, stays here." Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

"Have it your way." Burger King

"I love New York." New York State Dept of Economic Development

"I want my MTV." MTV

"Ideas for life." Panasonic

"If you see something, say something." New York Metropolitan Transit Authority

"I'm lovin' it." McDonald's

"Intel inside." Intel

"It's in the game." Electronic Arts

"All the news that's fit to print." The New York Times

"Because you're worth it." L'Oreal

"Friends don't let friends drive drunk." US Dept of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

"Give a hoot. Don't pollute." US Forest Service

"Got Milk?" California Milk Processor Board

What Can You Learn From These?

You don't have millions to spend on institutional advertising, so why do I even bring these up to you?

Because they're memorable (well, most of them are: "These guys are good" could apply to anything and "Ideas for life" really doesn't set the world on fire). Those you recognized immediately have worked. Those you recognized and knew what the PRODUCT or SERVICE was worked WELL. And those you knew the product, service, AND who sponsored it work VERY well.

Keep that in mind when building your own slogans or graphics to work with your materials.

Don't confuse SLOGANS with Unique Selling Propositions: "Time to make the donuts," "Think outside the bun," and "Virginia is for lovers" are NOT USPs. "When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight" IS. "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands" is close.

Many people confuse coming up with a tagline or slogan as their whole "reason for being." It's not. You still need a powerful reason for existing… and perhaps a tagline/slogan can help get your message across quickly and easily.

Oh, and one more thing: repetition really DOES work! YOU get tired of your own materials MUCH faster than your prospects, clients, and customers do… so keep with it for a while: changing your look, statements, logos, slogans too quickly leave a prospect confused, and a "Confused Mind Always Says NO!"

By The Way… if you want to vote, go here: Advertising Week Walk of Fame Voting – Click Here!

To learn more, stay in touch with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting. Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE To See More!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Icons and Slogans – Advertising Week Walk Of Fame Announced For 2009 – Vote For Your Favorite

.

Glazer-Kennedy Insiders Circle President Bill Glazer Visits Philadelphia, PA USA

Bill Glazer, one of the most celebrated direct response marketers in the world, visited the GKIC-Philly Chapter on September 9, 2009 to present his 10 Outrageously Effective Marketing Principals and share signed copies of his new book, Outrageous Advertising That's Outrageously Successful.

He spoke before a jammed crowd at a monthly meeting but this time the crowd swelled way past the group's normal meeting space at West Chester University's Business Campus and had to relocate to a ball room of a local country club.

But There Was A Problem With Bill's Presentation

Bill is known for his outrageous advertising… like when he was photographed in a straitjacket to emphasize that people thought he was CRAZY for offering so much for such a low price.

Or the time he was behind bars because you'd swear he was doing something illegal to keep his prices so low.

Or the time he was on a donkey and asked which one was the bigger ass (the animal for carrying Bill or Bill for offering such value at such a low cost).

But while his Recession-Busting presentation was superb, his math left something to be desired.

It wasn't so much a case of false advertising; it was a case of "Oops, how did that happen?"

Taking Notes For This Blog Post, I Discovered Bill's Mistake

Anyone who knows me (and all of you who come to this website) know(s) what a student I am of Bill Glazer and his business partner, the legendary Dan Kennedy.

(Did you ever hear the story that I was the drinking game when out for dinner with my family one night? Every time I'd say "marketing" or "Dan Kennedy," my family members took a drink. It took me 5 or 6 times before I realized what was happening… and that was all before dinner was served! Sometimes my family thinks I need a 12-Step Program to get me away from marketing!)

I listen to Bill at least once a month on a CD he sends to me. I read the monthly Gold Newsletter that is delivered to my door. I've read all of Dan's books (well, he's always writing them, so perhaps I missed one!). I've attended seminars where both have spoken. I live, eat, breathe, and dream about marketing.

I even gave the answer at last night's overflowing, crowded meeting when Bill asked about the most difficult part of creating a photograph with him dressed like Superman (answer: finding a phone booth – Superman would have NO place to change his clothes these days because phone booths are a thing of the past and a thing of museums. And that's where Bill found one – in a museum).

Help Bill Find Number Five

So… what was the mistake? Bill left out Principal #5 from his list.

"Where's number five," I asked as Bill advanced his Powerpoint presentation from four to six.

He backed up the presentation, and advanced it. Sure enough: NO number FIVE!

"I've given this presentation before and you're the first one to notice that I skipped number five," he said. Hey, Bill can admit when something's gone wrong and it wasn't earth-shattering… but we DID come for TEN and he only delivered NINE!

So I had a thought!

Let's help Bill find NUMBER FIVE!

Here's his list so you know what he presented last night (with my comments in parentheses after each title):

10 Outrageously Effective Marketing Principals

1. Your marketing piece isn't worth a damn if it doesn't get opened and read. (Work all you want on your sales letter, email, online marketing piece, but if people don't open it and then read it because you grabbed their attention, it isn't worth squat!)

2. The Headline is the MOST Important part of your advertising material. (And forget your name at the top – it means no more to your prospect than if I wrote "Joe's Bar And Grill" at the top of one of MY pieces – Grab their attention and draw them in!)

3. Testimonials – what other people say about you is at least 10 times more believable than what you say about yourself. (I always tell clients to come up with at least TEN things they want said about themselves and then get their customers to say that about them. Too many people omit testimonials… and they are THAT important.)

4. Copy – What you write is Salesmanship in Print. Your Goal is to SELL something. (Forget white space – last time I looked it hadn't sold ANYTHING – it's what you WRITE or what you SAY (in a video) that sells and since YOU can't be there 24/7 the way your marketing materials can, you have to be sure you put it all out there for others to understand what you are offering.

5. (Oops… where IS this one?)

6. Deadlines: No Deadline, No Offer. Bill likes 2 weeks from the date of receiving the mailing as the LONGEST deadline – he REALLY likes 4 days. (Have you ever seen a coupon where the expiration date is in the fine print like the company giving it out was ashamed to say they have a deadline by which it must be used? THAT'S WHAT DRIVES THE DEAL! Put a significant deadline on ALL your marketing materials, make it compelling, and then TELL people!)

7. Photographs – Use photos and graphics to help you sell more easily. (If I told you in a marketing piece that Bill Glazer was crazy for his rock-bottom prices you might understand it. BUT… put a photograph with Bill in a straitjacket and now you REALLY think he's crazy!)

8. Premiums will typically increase response by up to 30%. (Premiums, freemiums, giveaways to increase the VALUE of what you are selling really increases the desire people have to purchase from you. Did you ever see the free calculator being given away with a newspaper subscription? Or how about a free copy of last year's Swim Suit Edition to get you to subscribe to Sports Illustrated? THOSE are premiums.)

9. Sequence – Follow up at least 3 times in order to double response. (People who send ONE letter, ONE email, ONE anything are leaving Big Bucks on the table. If something is worth marketing, it's worth creating a SERIES of pieces, phone calls, post cards, etc – some of us have 14, 17, or even more steps in our sales campaigns to be sure to get all those who are inclined to purchase to get out their credit card and send us some money.)

10. And his Big Secret: Use S & D Marketing. (Find what works in one industry and adapt it to work for you. The wheel has already been invented – now adapt it to work for you!)

Enter The Contest Now! Nine Is Good – TEN Is Better

OK… there was his list – WHAT is missing?

You decide.

And let's make this fun.

Write in the Comment Space below what YOU think Bill left off his list.

The Grand Prize Winner, as judged by me, will receive a free copy of Bill's new book (it costs $19.95 but the information is priceless!), Outrageous Advertising That's Outrageously Successful, as a gift from me simply because you gave the best answer. (As they say: no purchase required!)

Deadline To Enter: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 2:37 PM EDT

I've gotten to talk with Bill over the past few years. He's a great guy, has lots of terrific ideas, is a charmer, and dresses really well (must be a hold-over from this days in Menswear when he owned two of the best producing retail stores in Baltimore, MD USA).

Let's help Bill complete his list.

The FIRST PERSON to come up with the "best answer" (before the September 15, 2009 deadline) will win (OK… I had to say that in case two or more people say basically the same thing here!)

What do the REST of the people leaving comments get? The recognition from everyone who sees this post that YOU are really knowledgeable about marketing. The chance to show your web address. A chance to show your Twitter user name.

Go ahead and put your website address below your name when you leave a comment… also your Twitter user name – BUT… just know that any comment with 3 or more links won't show up here because my system is set up to close that down. (And keep your language clean too… I'd hate for my former Sunday School Teacher to read anything I wouldn't write myself.)

Now's Your Chance But Time Is Running Out! Leave A Comment NOW!

Enter now. Come back with another idea if something comes to you. But do it NOW so you will be eligible to win Bill's book and show the world what a great marketer you are.

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: Do this now! You will NEVER come back to do it later (no matter what your brain tells you) and then you'll miss out on getting a free copy of Bill's terrific book and letting everyone know how smart you are in marketing. Deadline is Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 2:37 PM EDT (1:37 PM Central, 12:37 PM Mountain, 11:37 AM Pacific, and lord only knows what time in the rest of the world!). Leave us your thought about what Bill missed as Number Five and we'll let the world see what your through is. Who Knows: you might just get a new client from this AND people may follow you on Twitter!

PPS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPPS: Do you want to learn MORE than just these nine principals? Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Marketing Lessons – Contest: Help Bill Glazer Find Number 5 Of His Outrageously Effective Marketing Principals

.

Fallacies of Marketing

We fall into traps – traps of looking around, seeing what everyone else is doing, assuming they are doing a good job, and then we copy what they are doing.

Dan Kennedy, one of my marketing gurus whom I follow closely, always says that we should look around at what others are doing and either find someone else to follow OR do the opposite.

The Majority Is Always Wrong!

One of the things I teach is that we should look across industry lines to find what works best and then use as much of that strategy and tactic as we can.

But it IS difficult to see so many heading North and then YOU decide to head South.

We keep thinking that birds of a feather flock together and while that's true, we need to Lead, not Follow.

Doctors and Hospitals Need New Thinking

In his book, The Invisible Touch, Harry Beckwith uses doctors and hospitals as a great example.

You have an early morning doctor's appointment and you arrive on time KNOWING that you will sit there for 30 minutes or more before a doctor will see you.

Personally, I always take work with me… even into the examining room. When the doctor finally comes in to see me, I put away my materials and focus on what ails me. And I ALWAYS have a written list with me – so that I remember what I want to tell the doctor (rather than get home and remember that in addition to my sore chest, my left wrist is hurting too!).

And I love to study "systems" and see how we can improve them, which is what I do for consulting clients.

Two Nurses Improved The Systems In Salt Lake

Looking at the problems of doctors and hospitals, nurses Diane Kelly and Joan Lelis saw better ways and enlisted the help of those who could help them at Latter Day Saints Hospital in Salt Lake City.

They added valet parking, offered warm blankets, improved schedules for patients and doctors, required that blood was drawn when first putting in an IV (to keep the patient from being "stuck" again for blood work), and allowed patients who could walk to walk (so they wouldn't have to wait for an orderly to be available to push them in a wheelchair when they were perfectly capable of walking.

These Changes Helped Patients – What Did They Do For The Hospital's Bottom Line?

Hiring valets and heating the blankets cost money, of course, so how did the hospital do financially?

At LDS Hospital, patients woke up feeling better after procedures, spent less time in the hospital, and freed up much-needed beds more quickly (increasing the hospital's peak capacity by more than 50%). Now MORE patients can be seen in the same amount of time and space.

What Marketing Lessons Can We Learn From This?

• Every service industry can find ways to improve. Communicate with your clients and patients to find out what THEY want and find a way to give it to them.
• Industry Best Practices (or standards) seldom are the best way to go. They are the least-common denominator way to proceed. Too many people are looking to see what others do and then copy them. You don't want to follow, you want to lead.
• Look to OTHER industries, see what is going on there, and use the best of what they offer to help YOUR clients and patients.

Same is true for your marketing – break the molds, work on new ways to do things, and be sure to ask those you serve what THEY want.

They'll buy more from you when you give them what the want!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
Blogging, Podcasting, Consulting

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

009 The Invisible Touch – The Fallacies of Best Practices

Learn From Those Around You And Your Business Will Improve

There's a part of the brain that's called the Reticular Cortex. Here's how it work:

Do you know when you buy a new car and then you start to see the same car all over the roads? Did other people just buy the same car OR were they always there but you didn't notice them until you started to focus on them?

Right – the latter.

So… when you start to look for marketing lessons, you'll find them all around you.

And not those institutional ads you see many companies wasting their money on. I'm talking about direct response marketing ideas that you can use to make you some money.

Each week I go to Borders Books and Music near where I live (it's in Springfield, PA USA) (Read About My Borders Books and Music Here In My Piece Borders – Your Office Away From Home!) for what I call DPS Time – Dreaming, Planning, Scheming Time when I can work ON my businesses and not IN them. We spend so much time DOING but we need to spend more time thinking through what we want to do with them.

Recently I saw a marketing lesson I want to share. They are all around us if we will look.

At my local Borders recently there was a young woman (I'd say college age, comfortably dressed) walking away from the Seattle's Best counter with her drink and sandwich.

In the line waiting to order was a somewhat older woman: smartly pressed black pants over slow heeled boots, attractive blouse mostly covered by a black suit jacket, modest jewelry, nice red nail polish on well-groomed nails, and her hair looked like she just came from the salon.

Here was the interchange as the younger woman walked back to her table and stack of text books and laptop:

"Wow, what is that? It sure smells good," said the businesswoman.

"It's turkey and havarti. It's really good," replied the other woman.

"I'm really hungry – I think I'll get one."

That was it. Three lines. How many marketing lessons do you see there?

Let me suggest these:

• 1. We Sell What We Show. Having the sandwich right there (and in the display case) made it easy for each woman to purchase it.
• 2. Use As Many Senses As You Can. Notice the SMELL was one of the reasons the businesswoman wanted the sandwich, not just the appetizing appearance.
• 3. Price Wasn't A Factor. The businesswoman had made up her mind she wanted the sandwich before even asking for the price. She never asked the price (ok… so I didn't tell you that part) but even so, she had made up her mind when speaking with the younger woman.
• 4. Let others do the selling for you by using Testimonials. Even if the person behind the counter had said the exact same thing, the impact would not have been as great. Testimonials are KING (well, perhaps QUEEN in this case!).

Here are some other lessons that took place AFTER that exchange. And since I'm always coaching the people behind the counter I paid particular attention to find out what would happen next.

When the order for the sandwich was placed, here's what was said:

• 5. "Would you like a drink with that?" Ahhhh, the upsell… straight from the McDonald's Handbook ("Would you like fries with that?")
• 6. And pay attention here: just as the order was being rung up, the person behind the counter asked, "Would you like a cookie to take with you on the road?" You see, the sale had been made. What would one more small decision be? If the hungry businesswoman had been asked all these questions up front, she might have been overwhelmed, and we all should know that "a confused mind always says NO," so it's great that the person behind the counter waited. "Sure, that's fine."
• 7. Notice that the question about the cookie wasn't "would you like something else" or even worse (which is what I hear most of the time at other places), "Is that all." WHAT? Is the sales person tired? Does the sales person want to get rid of me? Isn't the salesperson there to find out "what I want and help me get it," so why do I hear "is that all" ever? But even "what else may I get you" isn't as good as a specific suggestion. Sure, it's still a close-end question, but at least this way the buyer has some idea of what the options are, rather than the very vague, "is there something else?"
• 8. And notice that NONE of this was institutional advertising. No "make them feel good" about what is going on. No "Frogs Drinking Beer" advertising (that's a phrase I've coined – Go here and click the audio player to learn more. Read About Frogs Drinking Beer Marketing Here!).

So… what else do YOU see going on here? Leave me a comment with the lessons YOU see here, ok?

To learn more, stay in touch here with my blog – I'll keep you informed so that YOU won't have to do the heavy lifting.

Charlie Seymour Jr's Blog – Click HERE!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!





Marketing Lessons – Turkey and Havarti at Borders

.

Internet Marketing Genius Brad Callen Releases Keyword Elite 2.0

I've been watching Brad Callen for a few years. And because I trust the work he does, I feature his products here on this site. (Remember – YOU make up your own mind – it doesn't matter that Brad makes money off this or I'm paid an affiliate commission when it sells – YOU decide.)

As if the software weren't already extremely powerful, Brad just keeps adding more requested features to it and has now published Keyword Elite 2.0. Here is a brief list of what the software can do for you:

• Easily generate keyword lists of over 10,000 keywords in a few short minutes
• Allows you to find extremely profitable, high paying Adsense keywords
• Analyzes your PPC competition to find exactly which keywords are making them the most money, as well as which ones are losing them money
• Get a quick glance at how competitive a market is in terms of organic search engine listings, as well as PPC listings
• This new keyword software program allows you to plug in a root keyword and it will immediately generate thousands of highly profitable Adsense keywords. Heck, it'll even create Adsense optimized web pages for you… but that's really a side benefit of the program.
• You can also monitor your Adwords competition to see which keywords are actually making them the most earnings each month… Then, you can steal their keywords and use them as your own!
• The software even allows you to create your own Adwords ads and them upload them to your Google Adwords account, without even logging into your account.
• Plus way more than I can list here… but Brad lists them on his website

Brad has several demo videos at the website to show you exactly what the software can do for you, so I highly recommend that you discover what he has: take a few minutes from whatever you're doing right now to go watch the videos.

I personally guarantee you've NEVER seen anything quite like this software. I was really surprised when I saw some sample videos he sent to his personal list of customers… this guy is the real deal and creates some great software.

Brad Callen's Keyword Elite 2.0 – To See Brad's Site, Click Here NOW!

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPS: Don't delay… I'm not sure how long Brad will leave the price at this really low level – for what this does, it's a STEAL – go now: Brad Callen's Keyword Elite 2.0 – To See Brad's Site, Click Here NOW!

Internet Marketing, Keyword Research – Brad Callen Does It Again

How does someone get to your website? Traffic You Control, Traffic You Don't Control

Have you ever thought about the traffic that comes to your website… not everyone came from the same place or for the same reason.

Perhaps they did a search on Google (or other search engine) and something from your website caught their attention in the "organic search results" in Google – you know, where the search results appear on the left side of the Google Search Results.

I call that traffic you don't control. Google "spidered" your website, indexed whatever it found, and listed you in their giant database. Interested people will click on the search result and go wherever Google sends them.

This is Traffic You Don't Control.

However… if you send out a tweet with a link to somewhere on your website, send out an email with a link embedded, or publish an article with a specific link embedded in the article, this is Traffic You Control.

NEVER send Traffic You Control to the head of your website: ALWAYS send it to a specific location INSIDE your website so that the interested person will go EXACTLY where s/he intends to go. You will eliminate much confusion this way.

What Are Most People Looking For When They Search Google?

They want information like why their heart is racing, how to fix their computer, what's the best fertilizer for their home-grown tomatoes.

They do NOT search for "how can I spend money?"

That's not to say that people don't buy on the internet… clearly they do. But let's see how you should best approach people who find your website and visit.

Dynamic vs Static Websites

I cringe when I see the "old-style" websites – you know, those places where you arrive at the front page, have no idea what the site is about, and they expect you to know which button to press to learn enough about them so you can make sense of what is in front of you.

And most of them are static, hardly ever change, and though they may be graphically appealing, they don't help the visitor and they don't encourage Google either.

Google LOVES dynamic information on a website, so keep yours active and refreshed.

What's The Biggest Problem With Most Websites?

Most websites are created by graphic designers who don't know marketing. But even that isn't the biggest problem with most websites.

Most websites are created without a Clear Goal In Mind.

What do you want your website to DO?

With most of my clients, they generally are building an email list, so THEIR goal is to capture the name and address of the visitor. Period.

Not convince them you are a genius. Not sell them three of your best products. Not to amuse or entertain them.

All of those are FINE goals, but YOU must define the ONE goal of your site and then be sure you meet it.

What Should You Do To Hold A Visitor?

Here is a quick list that should help your visitors once you get them to your site (getting them there is a whole other topic!).

• Always have a headline that calls out to your visitor. The NAME of your site or YOUR name means no more to any of them than Joe's Bar and Grille means to you. Give them a statement in a headline to tell them why they are at your site and what you want them to do.
• Offer something immediately – and it's best if it's free. A free downloadable audio. A free report in pdf. A free with shipping offer. GIVE something so you get their name and email address. THEN let them see more of your website. Most people search the internet for information, not something to spend their money on… so show them that YOU have that information and give it to them – when they want MORE, they can get it from you (and by then you will have their name and email address so you will be staying in front of them). NOTE – If you are a site where people go already expecting to buy something (like QVC, Staples, Amazon, etc) the rules are different because people DO want to purchase – give them a chance with very few clicks!
• Ask for as little information as you really need. JUST getting an email address is easier than and email address and name. And email address and name are easier to get than email address, name, physical address. Start where you know you want to begin, and that is, at a minimum, getting their email address.
• Take as small a step as you can when someone first comes to your site. Think of it as a conversation between two attracted people. Clearly you wouldn't see the person of your dreams and say, "Will you marry me?" But that's what LOTS of people do to people first coming to their sites: they want TOO much information and they ask the visitor to take a big leap of faith, trust them, and buy from them. Hey, it's not IMPOSSIBLE to sell to someone the first time s/he visits your site… but it's MUCH more difficult.
• Be different, stand out from the crowd, have people remember you and your site. Be sure not to use the same template that everyone else in your industry uses – people want to work with people, not a carbon-copy of someone else.
• Have a Welcome and a Welcome Video. Say hi to people when they join your site. Realize that lots of people view your website at work and often work does not allow speakers, so you need a text message there too. But welcome people, tell them quickly what your website is about and how they can use it, and then get their name and email address.
• And one more thing: check how your website looks in a variety of web browsers. For my OWN websites, I find that close to 40% of the viewers still use the very old Microsoft Internet Explorer 6… and with today's advances, that old browser doesn't correctly process all the new advance techniques. So check to see how you look to avoid any bad curb appeal.
• Once you get people onto your email list, be sure to stay in touch with them. Contact them immediately to thank them for joining you and then stay in touch regularly. Once a day may be too often for most people and once a month may not be enough. Set their expectations right up front by saying, "thank you for joining me for my weekly newsletter" or however you will contact them. You never want someone to ask, "who is this who is contacting me?" Stay in touch often enough so that when it's time for you to present an opportunity for them to buy from you, they will know, like, and trust you and follow your lead. To start out… contact them with a newsletter (can be a simple short email) weekly… and be consistent!
• And remember this: since most people found you by searching for information, continue to GIVE them information in the form of free teaching and coaching. You'll have plenty of time to sell them something, but build a relationship first and get them to see you as the expert you are. And use video and audio often as well.

There are SO many more things you can do… but these are a good beginning. And if you want to turn your words into gold, see my Say It So They Buy It information in the right side bar.

Hope this helps.

And then see the top of my blog by clicking HERE! See how I approach my passions with this website.

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
A Work At Home Dad since 1983, succeeding in this economy

PS: You can find me here:

http://twitter.com/UltimateWAHDads

http://facebook.com/CharlesSeymourJr

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesseymourjr

PPS: Do you have trouble writing? Turn Your Words Into Gold – Go Here To Learn More! NOW is the time to start.

Follow Charlie Seymour Jr On Twitter!

Keep this with this article, please:

Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

Friends, if you like this post, please leave a comment, join our email list to get updates sent to you, and retweet it. And I've made it easy to retweet – just click on the icon below. Thanks!

Website Design – Turn Your Words Into Gold