Publicize Via Social Networks
by Fern Reiss, CEO, PublishingGame.com/Expertizing.com
Join Fern’s Facebook Writing and Publishing group at http://harvard.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6138914001
‘Social networking’ has become the latest buzz phrase – but what is social networking exactly, and why would you want to get involved in it? The answer is that social networks—Facebook, LinkedIn, Ryze, Bebo, MySpace, etc—are fast becoming a phenomenon worth paying attention to, and are potentially poised to usurp many of the publicity and advertising dollars formerly vested in the more traditional media. In today’s world, you become known by the talks you give and the articles you write. In tomorrow’s world, you’ll be known by your online profile. If you’re an author, independent publisher, or small business owner, the earlier you jump in and get involved, the more connected you’ll be five years from now—and the better your business will be doing.
Here’s how to get started:
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Pamper Your Loyal Customers To Increase Sales
by Debra Schmidt
Customer service is selling. It is excellent service that inspires customers to return more often and purchase more products. According to a study by the American Management Association, loyal customers who make repeated purchases because they like the service could yield 65 percent of an organization’s sales volume.
Yet, there is a tendency for business owners, customer service representatives and sales representatives to focus their energy in the wrong direction. Things are out of balance when you’re spending more time trying to get new customers than you are on building solid relationships with your existing, loyal customers.
Then, why do so many people in business take their loyal customers for granted? It’s simple, they don’t recognize the incredible power this customer base has on their bottom-line results. Sales reps are constantly being told to spend their time prospecting for new customers. While prospecting is important, it’s self-defeating if it’s done at the expense of building loyalty with current customers.
Developing a Marketing Plan Outline and Writing the Plan
By Bobette Kyle
http://www.myfastype.com/ezine/articles/marketingplanoutline.htm
Do you have a written marketing plan to help guide your decisions throughout the year? If not, it is time to write one. The traditional time for plan development is at year-end, when budgets are being set. If you have formal budgeting in place, this makes sense. A marketing plan, however, can be developed or updated at any time because it helps with day-to-day, as well as long-term decisions.
Planning need not be scary or difficult. By taking the process a step at a time ― first creating the marketing plan outline, then writing the plan from the outline ― it becomes manageable. You will need to set aside quality time for creating your plan, whether a single day or several sessions. There are different ways to write a marketing plan, ranging from simple, one-day plans to book length documents. One way is to develop a marketing plan outline using a five-step process, then writing the plan at a level of detail applicable to your situation.
This is someone who operates using a frugal mentality, but refuses to spend any money to operate their business.
Speak Up and Make Money – January 2008
http://www.myfastype.com/ezine/January_2008.htm
Happy New Year, and welcome to all of our new readers. I hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some time off over the holidays … I sure did. It was just enough time to rest and relax and get ready for the new year. And boy … am I ready. I’m really excited about 2008, and expecting this to be one heck of a year!
As you all know, Fastype is now a Multi-VA Company, with a team of qualified Associate VAs. I introduced you to a few of them in our last issue, and would like to give you a closer look at the wide variety of skills and expertise they bring to the table. We are always in the process of assessing our client’s needs and trying to determine how to best serve our clients, and will endeavor to introduce new team members to meet those needs whenever necessary. We invite you to visit our Meet the Team page and take a look for yourself.
The subject of “marketing plans” came up while talking with a prospective client a couple of days ago; and over the course of our conversation, it became more and more evident to me how essential it is to have a marketing plan in place in order to grow your business. Trying to build a business with out a marketing plan is like going on a road trip without a map. If you don’t know how to get where you are going, how do you ever expect to reach your destination. In light of that conversation, this issue’s featured article is written by Bobette Kyle. Bobette, proprietor of the Web Site Marketing Plan Network, and offers some great advice about how to develop a marketing plan outline and write the plan.
Calling all article writers … do you have an article that you believe would be of value and benefit to my readers? If you do, then send it to info@myfastype.com and if it’s a good fit, we’ll include your article in an upcoming issue of Speak Up and Make Money!
To your success!
Terry
Social Media Telesummit – February 20-29, 2008
I don’t know many people who like to cold call. Not only is it so impersonal and intrusive, but it just doesn’t work. For every 50 cold calls you make, only 2 will result in an appointment.
My good friend, Leesa Barnes, hates cold calling. She relied on cold calling to get clients for her web
development business in 1997.
Two years later and heavily in debt, Leesa gave up on self employment and got herself a full time job.
When she was laid off in 2004, Leesa decided to try self employment again. But this time, she did things a little differently.
Leesa decided to use social media to find new clients and make money. Four years later, Leesa has published a book, is a recognized expert in podcasting and has tripled her income in just 12 months – all without cold calling.
If you think Facebook, MySpace, blogs and podcasts are only used by teenagers, you’re missing out
on one of the easiest ways to find new clients. If you want to learn how to use social media as a business tool and do it right the first time, I invite you to check out a virtual event taking place in February that’s hosted by Leesa.
It’s called the Social Media Telesummit and it features 26 amazing speakers (including moi!) who will teach you how to use social media for business.
There’s no fluff at this event. Each speaker will teach you a specific tip based on their practical, in the trenches experiences.
So, if you want to say goodbye to cold calling and use a fun and profitable way to find new clients, click here to read more about how this event will help you:
Virtually yours,
Terry
