Monthly Archives: October 2008

5 Tips to Get Organized and Be Less Stressed

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Posted by admin on October 23, 2008 – 7:04 pm
Filed under small business organization

The clutter is there. On your desk. In your office. In your car and briefcase.

Don’t ignore it.

Important documents, business cards, information, and, yes, sometimes bugs (especially in swampy areas where I live), can be found squashed between piles and piles of paper and folders. And when you need a document in that growing pile, it takes up too much of your time to sift through it all.

Creating a well-organized workspace will save you enormous amounts of time and frustration. And it will relieve unnecessary stress from your life. Solid structure is what keeps things from falling apart.

Here are some tips on getting your life on track with organization:

·       Hit delete. If your inbox is suffocating with the build-up of information you no longer need, toss it. It’s important to clear the way for new information and store any of the old in a folder on your computer. Seeing an organized inbox every day will make you feel less stressed.  

·       Store business cards and contact information in an alphabetical or categorical organizer. It will save you time when searching for a specific contact.

·       Organize important documents in folders, which should go in a file cabinet. It would be highly effective for you to have folders with personal information separate from business folders.

·       Finish a project before moving on to the next. This goes for business projects as well as home projects. Don’t put off what could be done today. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself overloaded with unfinished business and, therefore, more stressed.

·       Don’t save more than you need. Sometimes people save magazines, photos, books, newspapers, and other items that only create clutter. We even forget why we saved them in the first place. When going through a magazine, for example, take out the pages you need and place them into categorized folder. Throwing the rest of the magazine away will eliminate the extra space an entire magazine would take up.  

It’s not difficult to organize your life. With the right mindset and the right tools to get the job done, you’ll find yourself with more time and less stress.

Generate success for your small business and sign up for Your Business Marketing Solution, a biweekly ezine packed with marketing articles, tips, and stats.

Benefits Make the Sale, Not Features

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Posted by admin on October 21, 2008 – 3:12 pm
Filed under Business Communication, Copywriting, attract clients, increase site traffic, online marketing, small business marketing, target market, web copy

Getting product feature happy on your website could be fatal to sales levels. Simply focusing on what a product looks like and how it operates isn’t enough to actually sell it. Customers aren’t likely to buy a product based just on features. They want to know the product will satisfy a need and be worth their hard-earned money.

Telling customers the benefits of your service or product shows them you care about their needs and satisfying those needs.

Here are some ways to turn features into benefits and increase sales: 

·       Find out what your target market needs to satisfy some aspect of their life. Think about how your product will benefit the customer, and design the features around those benefits.

·       On your website, present the features of your products / services, directly followed by how it will benefit the customer. You’ll lose customers if you don’t present them with why a product is worth purchasing. It must be of some value.

·       Here’s an example of how to attach a benefit to a feature:

o      Feature: This face lotion eliminates the harsh appearance of wrinkles

o      Benefit: so that you look ten years younger and healthier.

Presenting the entire package of a product is what adds value to it and persuades the customer to purchase.

Generate success for your small business and sign up for Your Business Marketing Solution, a biweekly ezine packed with marketing articles, tips, and stats.

How to Write Successful Headlines

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Posted by admin on October 19, 2008 – 9:41 pm
Filed under Business Communication, Copywriting, Marketing Tip, attract clients, client attraction, headlines, increase site traffic, online marketing, small business marketing

Writing successful headlines for your business marketing materials is extremely important. The right headline will get the attention of potential clients and help increase site traffic.

There’s a certain formula for writing headlines. Magazine and newspaper headlines are usually witty, creative, fun, and clever. Headlines for ebooks, sales letters, press releases, online articles, and blogs need to be more direct. They need to be rich in keywords to increase SEO and site traffic and usually lack some of that witty repartee found in magazine headlines.

Choosing the best keywords for your title is crucial in grabbing the attention of viewers and ranking high in search engines. Once you understand the components of a well-crafted and result-driven headline, you’ll keep viewers interested in reading further.

Here are some templates for creating headlines:

·       How to…

·       Discover…

·       Have You…

·       5 Ways…

·       Three Tips…

·       Does Your Website…

·       How to Do…

·       Is Your…

·       Free…

·       Save…

·       The Truth About / Behind…

·       Make More…

There are many other combinations you can use to create effective headlines, but these are some of the most popular and effective.

Use a phrase about the topic of your blog. Place a colon after it, and then explain the importance of the topic. For example, “Website Effectiveness: Discover Your Return on Investment,” or “Web Design: Do You Need an Update Now?”

To learn about our many result-driven writing services and get more tips on writing effective web copy, visit Michelle Salater Writing & Editorial, LLC.

Ghostwriters: The Little Secret to Success

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Posted by admin on October 17, 2008 – 2:16 am
Filed under Copywriting, ghostwriting

You’re craving to share your industry expertise with the world but can’t quite put your knowledge into words. Crafting a brilliant written piece consumes a great deal of time. Time you may not have. Fear not, there are professionals who can put your brilliant thoughts into a symphony of words.

These miracle workers are called ghostwriters. They don’t go bump in the night as their name implies. They are writers who work for you and remain unknown to others. They can place your knowledge into various successful vehicles, such as ebooks, online articles, press releases, blogs, you name it. If you don’t have the time or the particular talent for effective writing, a ghostwriter will put your ideas in any writing vehicle, in a way that will effectively reach your target market.

What a ghostwriter can do for you:

·       Create keyword-rich writing that will increase site traffic, reach thousands of potential customers, increase your company’s credibility, and boost sales.

·       Grab the attention of any client with creative, concise, and clear wording, which gets to the point, fast and effectively. 

·       Save you time that could be dedicated to other aspects of creating a successful company.

·       Research your industry and target market to create a result-driven ebook, article, press release, or any other writing need.

Want to learn more about our ghostwriting services? Visit Michelle Salater Writing & Editorial, LLC. 

Networking: Where to Look for the Best Opportunities

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Posted by admin on October 13, 2008 – 7:10 pm
Filed under Business Communication, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, attract clients, small business marketing

Networking to some people sounds like a business operation, when, in reality, it’s more about being social in any environment you find yourself in. The woman next to you on a flight is networking when she strikes up a conversation with you about the weather. By the end of the flight, you’ve discovered she’s a boutique owner interested in the clothing line you just started. You exchange numbers. Aren’t you glad you decided to chat it up?

As a business owner, it’s important to socialize wherever you may be. You’re bound to run into someone that you can benefit from and vice versa. Networking relationships are born from simple day-to-day communication with people you’ve met for the first time. These relationships benefit both parties involved because each person listens, communicates, advises, and helps the other reach company and personal goals.

Know the type of people you are networking with to set goals for your conversations. Are you networking with potential clients, partners, employees, or sponsors? Your interaction, questions, and advice may be different for each person.

Where do you go to network?

·       Don’t forget, you can socialize anywhere. 

·       Industry events and organizations are great places to meet people with similar business goals, knowledge, interests, and experiences. The people you meet here could be potential clients, employers, or business partners. Many have had different industry experiences than you and can help you avoid future obstacles and further achieve your goals.

·       Joining a general business organization allows you to get free business advice, name recognition, and the opportunity to learn about the operations of other businesses. It also shows customers you’re a credible company because you are part of a recognized business organization.

·       Online newsgroups and discussion forums are hot spots for people from all over. Customers, business owners, and industry workers participate in the various online forums. It’s a great way to establish your expertise in the industry, get advice from others, and learn more about your target market. A simple online search will pull up dozens of newsgroups and forums related to your industry.

Generate success for your small business and sign up for Your Business Marketing Solution, a biweekly ezine packed with marketing articles, tips, and stats.

Press Releases: Get Your Company the Attention It Deserves

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Posted by admin on October 10, 2008 – 4:15 pm
Filed under Marketing Tip, attract clients, increase site traffic, press releases, small business marketing

If you’ve been marketing your business the same way for years now, it’s time to make changes and send your company soaring to success. Make the public aware you’re eager to lend your industry expertise and that you’re passionate about customer satisfaction.

Press releases provide an excellent opportunity to bring your brand name to life. If your business has remained at a steady rate for years now, the right press release can gain your company recognition, leading to growth and incredible success.

What makes a good press release?

·       Knowing what medium your target market is apt to use will allow you to structure your press releases towards those specific mediums and media members.

·       Newsworthy information will help you stand out to the media and public, to gain company recognition, and secure more business.

·       Press releases should encompass the elements that set your business apart from others in the industry.

·       Every bit of information in your press release must lend itself to the success and growth of your business. Let the public know you’re at the top of your game and are a solid investment for their time and money.

·       A press release must be newsworthy. News items include the following: new employees joining the team, involvement in the community, participating in fundraisers, important anniversaries, new and innovative products / services entering your market, important internal affairs, and much more. Your company deserves the spotlight as it goes through important changes.

Press releases need to sell themselves to the media, the crucial link between your business and the public eye. The media loves informative and edgy news, so flaunt it. Press releases require expert skills in writing, public relations, and selling. If you don’t have the right resources, skills, and time to create a powerful press release, hire a freelance copywriter to show off your company and all it has to offer.

For result-driven press release services, visit Michelle Salater Writing & Editorial, LLC.

Marketing Survey . . . Short and Sweet

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Posted by admin on October 9, 2008 – 2:45 pm
Filed under Marketing, Marketing Strategy, online advertising, online marketing, small business marketing

Dear Copy Doodle Readers and Those Who are New to my Blog,

I would love some feedback to the following questions:

1. What is the most important aspect in growing your business? And why.

2. If an expert were to offer free advice on two online marketing problems you face, what would those two problems be?

If you took the time to leave a comment, that would be great. Thanks for reading!

Green Marketing: Saving the Environment and Your Company

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Posted by admin on October 8, 2008 – 6:42 pm
Filed under Marketing, attract clients, client attraction, ecofriendly marketing, small business marketing

Being green has never looked so darn good. The green craze is not simply a celebrity fad. It’s a growing national movement. Green Movement consumers are on the rise, passionate about saving the environment, conscious of health hazards in food consumption, and keen on decreasing energy consumption. All companies can contribute to the Green Movement, whether it’s through participating in a volunteer program, selling green services / products, or paperless marketing.

How your company can market green:

·       Have a credo of values section on your website, allowing consumers to understand the goals and inner workings of your company. Mention in your mission statement ways your company participates in green practices, such as using minimal packaging that’s recyclable, conserving resources, and using services / products that decrease energy consumption and waste.

·       Join an ecofriendly organization to certify your company as green. For example, if you are developing a new marina or revitalizing an existing one, join a volunteer program such as The Certified Clean Marina Program. Joining organizations shows consumers you are a certifiably clean marina and comply with environmentally clean standards.

·       Create a green conscious product / service line. We’ve all seen this in grocery stores, with a variety of organic meat and dairy products. Clothing stores are doing it as well, designing lines of clothes made from organic materials.

·       Research ways the world is going green and cater your products / services around some of the actions people are taking. Knowing how people are buying and consuming is important to the success of your business.

·       Create customer surveys focused on the Green Movement, and research the top things people are doing to save the environment.

To get more tips on effectively marketing your business and learn about our many result-driven copywriting services, visit Michelle Salater Writing & Editorial, LLC.

Economic Crisis: How to Succeed in Difficult Times

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Posted by admin on October 4, 2008 – 4:48 pm
Filed under Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, attract clients, client attraction, small business marketing

Recent economic scares have placed fear into the minds of all business owners, big and small. It’s important during these times to think positively and put your best foot forward.

The key element to keeping your business alive is focusing on marketing strategies and thinking in the most positive light. We’re all going through the same thing. No one is alone. If you want to punch up business during these times, create ways to focus even more on what your target market wants. This economic crisis could be a good way for you to lend more focus to your marketing strategies and further delve into the minds of your target market.

This is a great time to obtain feedback from customers and get personal. Customer feedback can help you to create marketing campaigns with a streamlined focus, sure to capture any client in your target market.

The best way to get customer feedback is through customer surveys. Provide a link on your website to take a survey or email the survey to frequent customers. Customers may not have the time to take your survey, so find a way to make it worth their time. Provide them with an incentive, such as 20% off their next purchase, a free product / service or a free consultation.

Here are some steps in creating customer surveys . . .

·       Write a brief introduction to the survey, explaining to customers how their responses will help drive future company actions.

·       Notify customers taking the survey of your company ethics. Some questions may be personal and customers like to know they can trust you with information they’re providing.  

·       Focus your survey to a specific goal. For example, if you want to know what views consumers think about your service, tailor your survey to ask questions based around that central idea.

·       Create questions that are clear, easy to answer, and get to the point. Limit the amount of questions you ask customers. They don’t want to sit at a computer for 30 minutes answering questions.

Once you receive surveys from customers, identify patterns and similar responses. This should give you a greater idea of what your clients are looking for and allow you to provide it to them. You’ll see your sales go up and your business succeed in these times of economic struggle.

For more tips on how to market your business, sign up for Your Business Marketing Solution, a biweekly ezine filled with marketing stats, news, and tips.

How Blog Commenting Can Make Your Business Successful

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Posted by admin on October 1, 2008 – 3:23 am
Filed under Marketing Tip, attract clients, blogging, blogging for business, increase site traffic

Blogging is an excellent way to get thousands of potential customers, increase website traffic, and boost company credibility. One thing many bloggers don’t realize is the importance of commenting on other blogs. This is an excellent way to get inbound links to your site, gaining you more potential customers. Commenting on blogs is a powerful networking tool in the internet community and should not be overlooked.

Your comments should . . .

·       Add value and your expertise to what is being said in the blog.

·       Give positive feedback. Don’t be a Debbie-Downer, even if you disagree with what the author is saying. It’s important to give constructive criticism.  

·       Peak the interest of the author and other viewers. Authors who are intrigued by your comment may want to visit your blog and comment themselves. This creates even more clicks to your site.

·       Contain links to similar pieces you may have written about the subject. 

·       Be relevant to the blog topic. Make sure you’re on a site where your target market would visit and be interested in what you have to say, relevant to the topic of the blog. People may get frustrated if they click on a link that is not relevant to the topic, possibly creating a poor image of your company in the client’s mind.

·       Have a link to your email and website below comments you make. When people viewing the blogs see comments below that intrigue them, there is always the potential for them to click on these links to view your site or send an email your way.

Visit Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC, for more marketing tips and view our many writing services.