The other day while tweeting I stumbled across a link from one of my followers that mentioned how much they loved a particular product. Due to my own dislike of the same product I was drawn to the link and clicked it! What I found was a website entitled MyLikes that is chalk full of people's opinions on anything from restaurants to fashion. Upon further investigation I discovered that MyLikes is a word of mouth advertising platform that drives traffic to websites and it's also another way to generate income!
Controlled and uncontrolled word of mouth campaigns are one of the oldest forms of advertising with bad news travelling first and fastest ;) With global communication via internet platforms such as these social hubs, people communicate which creates a buzz that generates traffic and in turn income... Do you remember Mrs. Oleson from Little House on the Prairie? She'd eat up and spit out gossip in a fury, imagine if she had a laptop...
MyLikes uses the power of the public and the influence they have over 'their' people to create an incredible spin-off of interested end consumers. MyLikes enables us as influencers to create paid and unpaid endorsements for products and services we like or don't like then post them to our website, blog, Twitter account or YouTube.
MyLikes believes that by paying the influencers on either a cost-per-click or cost-per-tweet basis they are more apt to make endorsements based on products and services relevant to their audience...a key component when selling ;)
Payments from MyLikes are made through PayPal (got that account setup yet?) or you may donate your earnings to charity. MyLikes also enables you to stock pile your earnings to create your own advertising campaign.
Showing posts with label advertising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advertising. Show all posts
May 4, 2010
Marketing and Promotion Techniques for Small Businesses on a Budget
As a small business owner cutting costs whenever and wherever possible is more than financially beneficial, it's often done out of necessity. Yet, the requirements of marketing and promotion don't disappear! You still require a cost effective marketing plan with a small budget or an exceptional no budget plan. So, how does a frugal entrepreneur ensure they are doing the most for their business while increasing their bottom line?
In order to accomplish successful, self promotion you need to consider numerous tasks that ought to be utilized to the best of your ability regardless of the nature or type of business you have. Marketing involves a healthy component of skill, talent, familiarity and passion. You will need to work at some techniques while others you will come more easily, naturally.
It's important to entwine all of the following marketing techniques at some point but initially begin with just a few then incorporate others as you learn, grow and gain confidence in your abilities. You'll be surprised at how simple personality traits such as your smile draw in potential customers, you are now your own walking billboard!
Promotion and Marketing Techniques for Small Businesses on a Budget...
- Public Speaking may make your toes curl but don't panic. Begin with baby steps like introducing yourself first, in a two on two conversation, that's a good start ;) Face to face marketing multiplied x 2...offer a firm handshake, a smile and speak. Get into some generic small talk with potential customers and be aware of your behavior, demeanor, personality and don't forget to listen and be confident you are being gauged. When you think you're ready for full on public speaking practise in front of the mirror first. Pace yourself, listen to your tone of voice, breathing patterns and pauses as well, know what you are talking about! Prepare an interesting, informative speech rather than a omg, is this ever going to end speech.
- Network marketing is like public speaking only way better because it has more of a social vibe and it isn't or needn't be so formal, staunchy or uptight. Nowadays, online social media marketing sites like Twitter and Facebook are huge marketing tools that generate traffic while you stay in your pajamas chatting about your greatest new gadget...
- Create brochures and newsletters, not one or the other ;) but both at some point. Newsletters are generally sent via opt-in emails on a monthly basis and contain current and future business operations such as upcoming sales, what's new and what's coming etc. While brochures contain all pertinent business information in a glance for a long term period and they are designed to get someone's attention, be informative and memorable.
- Low cost advertising takes on many forms such as placing an ad in the newspaper or posting signage on bulletin boards or even having you child wear a sandwich board in lieu of chores. I went through a drive thru one time and when it was my turn to order and pay the lady she said it was already paid for by the guy in front of me. Hmmm, nice! I check around and see his vehicle pulling onto the street and across the back is a 1-800 # and the name of his handy man business. I never needed him but certainly would have called him, if I did! Be sure to have a website, blog or some form of social media marketing platform or landing page. In today's day and age there is no excuse not to have one.
- Create a reason to draw attention to yourselves then prepare a press release to make the who's who aware of what you are doing. It could be a fund raiser for charity, the community or even the school. If you know someone famous that helps but if not just do something spectacular that shows your potential customers who you are, what you stand for and what you offer. Motivations shine with this one so be careful not to make it all about you!
- Cold calling potential customers and clients isn't easy but from a girl who's sold carpet cleaning, duct cleaning and raised funds via the phone, it does get easier. Prepare a general script to follow along with some common questions and answers you think they may ask. Have them both beside you along with a notepad. Grab the old phonebook and tear out page one in your contact area and begin making your cold calls. Keep general notes and specific notes if you have an interested client. Just jot down their name, contact info and what they're interested in or why they couldn't commit at this time etc. Familiarity on the second call makes things easier especially if you've confirmed it's okay to call back.
- Volunteer some of your 'extra' time by helping others in the community either at the school, church or selfless project you believe in. If you do this for no other reason than just because it feels good networking will occur naturally, all on it's own.
- Group your talents with other business owners and entrepreneurs to create a project based on your combined efforts. Choose a business/es that compliments what you have to offer for a win win scenario. Skills and talents are meant to be shared and learned; by grouping together you accomplish all sorts of short and long term tasks. It's also a great way to save time, money all while networking.
In order to accomplish successful, self promotion you need to consider numerous tasks that ought to be utilized to the best of your ability regardless of the nature or type of business you have. Marketing involves a healthy component of skill, talent, familiarity and passion. You will need to work at some techniques while others you will come more easily, naturally.
It's important to entwine all of the following marketing techniques at some point but initially begin with just a few then incorporate others as you learn, grow and gain confidence in your abilities. You'll be surprised at how simple personality traits such as your smile draw in potential customers, you are now your own walking billboard!
Promotion and Marketing Techniques for Small Businesses on a Budget...
- Public Speaking may make your toes curl but don't panic. Begin with baby steps like introducing yourself first, in a two on two conversation, that's a good start ;) Face to face marketing multiplied x 2...offer a firm handshake, a smile and speak. Get into some generic small talk with potential customers and be aware of your behavior, demeanor, personality and don't forget to listen and be confident you are being gauged. When you think you're ready for full on public speaking practise in front of the mirror first. Pace yourself, listen to your tone of voice, breathing patterns and pauses as well, know what you are talking about! Prepare an interesting, informative speech rather than a omg, is this ever going to end speech.
- Network marketing is like public speaking only way better because it has more of a social vibe and it isn't or needn't be so formal, staunchy or uptight. Nowadays, online social media marketing sites like Twitter and Facebook are huge marketing tools that generate traffic while you stay in your pajamas chatting about your greatest new gadget...
- Create brochures and newsletters, not one or the other ;) but both at some point. Newsletters are generally sent via opt-in emails on a monthly basis and contain current and future business operations such as upcoming sales, what's new and what's coming etc. While brochures contain all pertinent business information in a glance for a long term period and they are designed to get someone's attention, be informative and memorable.
- Low cost advertising takes on many forms such as placing an ad in the newspaper or posting signage on bulletin boards or even having you child wear a sandwich board in lieu of chores. I went through a drive thru one time and when it was my turn to order and pay the lady she said it was already paid for by the guy in front of me. Hmmm, nice! I check around and see his vehicle pulling onto the street and across the back is a 1-800 # and the name of his handy man business. I never needed him but certainly would have called him, if I did! Be sure to have a website, blog or some form of social media marketing platform or landing page. In today's day and age there is no excuse not to have one.
- Create a reason to draw attention to yourselves then prepare a press release to make the who's who aware of what you are doing. It could be a fund raiser for charity, the community or even the school. If you know someone famous that helps but if not just do something spectacular that shows your potential customers who you are, what you stand for and what you offer. Motivations shine with this one so be careful not to make it all about you!
- Cold calling potential customers and clients isn't easy but from a girl who's sold carpet cleaning, duct cleaning and raised funds via the phone, it does get easier. Prepare a general script to follow along with some common questions and answers you think they may ask. Have them both beside you along with a notepad. Grab the old phonebook and tear out page one in your contact area and begin making your cold calls. Keep general notes and specific notes if you have an interested client. Just jot down their name, contact info and what they're interested in or why they couldn't commit at this time etc. Familiarity on the second call makes things easier especially if you've confirmed it's okay to call back.
- Volunteer some of your 'extra' time by helping others in the community either at the school, church or selfless project you believe in. If you do this for no other reason than just because it feels good networking will occur naturally, all on it's own.
- Group your talents with other business owners and entrepreneurs to create a project based on your combined efforts. Choose a business/es that compliments what you have to offer for a win win scenario. Skills and talents are meant to be shared and learned; by grouping together you accomplish all sorts of short and long term tasks. It's also a great way to save time, money all while networking.
March 2, 2010
Do You Squidoo?
Squidoo & You...
Squidoo is an online community of individual users who create single page websites focused around one subject that is of particular interest to them. Squidoo offers an opportunity to create free web pages using a huge variety of tools, widgets and modules. They are provided to assist in creating a site that both informs and intrigues the viewers. Squidoo also acts as an excellent advertising tool, can provide revenue in multiple ways and enables charitable donations.Squidoo lens act as a 'hub' between the viewer and your own website with registered domain, your blog/s or both. When a topic is searched for by a viewer and your lens surfaces the content you provide either will or won't draw them in. If they enjoy or found value in your lens they may be further intrigued by your other material on the web!
This is the link to one of my most recent lenses entitled The Lens Factor you can see this reflected in the following web address as well http://www.squidoo.com/thelensfactor. It is a version of this blog post
that contains similar yet different information, please pop in for a visit if you have time.
How many Squidoo lenses do I need?
Factor in your possibilities & earn while you learn!
My version of success in it's simplest form is happiness however I've learnt that a smile doesn't pay the bills. I came across Squidoo in 2007 and created two lenses back, one to promote my current at home business and the other to portray my love of Halloween. They were easy to create. Simply fill in the blanks, click wait and repeat. Much like washing your hair only you want everyone to see!
If you build it they will come!...right? ...wrong!
Building a lens isn't rocket science but building a quality lens requires a contribution of time on behalf of the Lensmaster. Simply creating a random title, slapping up hundreds of affiliate links then walking away may attain a lens but will it be a lens worth retaining? Viewers want quality not quantity, sometimes less is more so keep that in mind.
Determine your reasons to Squidoo...
Once you know why Squidoo is of interest to you, it will be easier to plan your route. More lenses equal more exposure which leads to more money from a marketers perspective.
- Do you have another website to promote?
- Are you raising money for a local cause, club, school or organization?
- Is this the beginning step for creating your web presence?
- Are you afraid of HTML and want the bells without those scary whistles?
- Did you became an affiliate and want to post links?
- Do you intend to use Squidoo as an income generator?
- Are you sharing hobbies, recipes or factual knowledge?
If you are here to drive traffic to your website then focus on topics with similar content and interest level. Providing relevant information to your viewers on your Squidoo lens will leave them wanting more. You need to give them a reason to want to go to your other sites. If they don't like your content here they may never want to go there, so keep it interesting. Be sure to post a link or an RSS Feed from your website onto your lens!!You are considered a Giant Squid when you have at least 50 lenses. What I'd like to know is what eats a Giant Squid because that's what I wanna be!!
How many lenses do you need to succeed?
Okay, so success is subjective. I'd say earning at least $3000 with hope for unlimited residual income for life is a goal I've set for myself. Squidoo is a rung on my ladder to success with online branding and earning income. All rungs become important components such as my blogs, other lenses, my website, posted backlinks etc. They all feed off each other to form a strong base and drive traffic to my affiliate links. All of my eggs are not put into one basket nor will my version of success occur overnight. Dedication and hard work play a huge factor when striving for success with Squidoo, it's not a get rich quick anything.
From what I've found it seems you can have dozens of lenses yet only a few may be profitable, the others are pretty much just there. Lewis Smile states he earned $7500 with one niche Squidoo lens over a two year period. He has over 500 lenses but he also states that many of them are 'duds'. This translates to approximately $2500 per year or $200 per month. I've seen articles from Lensmasters that state having around 100 lenses and earning approximately $800 per month in total while another claims to have 69 blogs and earns $50 a month in total. One shared earning $50 per day with hundreds of blogs. You are considered a Giant Squid when you have at least 50 lenses. What I'd like to know is what eats a Giant Squid because that's what I wanna be!!
Two key phrases come to mind while trying to factor through the infinite riddle.
- The More the Merrier meaning the more unique, quality lenses you have will increase your chances of success.
- Trial and Error meaning what you think is an ideal lens could very well prove useless. Learn from it and move on to the next lens while continuing to improve all your lenses as you learn.
I'd suggest you start with just one lens so you can learn the in's and out's of the WSYWIG platform without feeling overwhelmed. You can then continue to repeat this same process over and over as you create each new lens. Taking your time at the start means you won't have to go back and make changes later, although easy enough to do.
Other tidbits...
If you would like to take part in Squidoo and you haven't already joined, you can Join Here!
Remember to just have fun with your lens and let them come naturally. Squidoo is loved by Google but it's not a do or die scenario it's just another way to generate traffic and earn income online. When preparing each lens, attack each one on a lens per lens basis. The old bait and switch technique to attract viewers isn't a favorable habit to get into although is widely done. If you have an abundance of ideas Squidoo does enable an unlimited number of published lenses, so create a new lens as each new topic surfaces.Squidoo is about finding a hot niche that you enjoy sharing. If you need help in narrowing down the perfect niche market for you to target on your lens, refer to this keyword generated software. Click Here!
I'd love to be the one who introduces you to Squidoo... Check it out here & start your own lens!
I'd love to be the one who introduces you to Squidoo... Check it out here & start your own lens!
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