Category Archives: Business Communication

Ever Dream You Could Have Your Own Talk Show?

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Posted by admin on May 15, 2009 – 4:53 am
Filed under Audio Marketing, Business Communication, RSS Feed, attract clients, blogging for business, increase site traffic, marketing trends, target market

If you’re looking to interact with prospects in a unique and effective way, BlogTalkRadio is an excellent platform to look into. Not only is it free, but it’s also a fantastic way to increase online presence, gain brand recognition and credibility, and increase inbound links. With BlogTalkRadio, internet users can listen to a variety of channels, choose the category they’re interested in, and participate in a deeper, interactive experience.

Attracting your specific target market with BlogTalkRadio is simple. Choose from a wide variety of categories that best fit the description of your blog: dream, golf, culture, comedy, film, marketing, pets, spirituality, travel, and so much more. BlogTalkRadio is an excellent tool to use if you want to weed out those who are not in your target market—only the ones who are interested will click on your category.

So, what are the features and benefits of BlogTalkRadio for listeners?

• RSS feed, iTunes, and other feed readers, allow listeners to subscribe to shows and join in weekly for the next dish of news.

• No software download is required for using BlogTalkRadio—just a feed reader.

• No money is required to subscribe or listen to talk shows—they’re free!

• Listeners with questions have the opportunity to interact with the host and better understand the talk show content.    

What are the features and benefits of BlogTalkRadio for businesses?

• BlogTalkRadio is a revolutionary, online social networking tool that enables businesses that blog the opportunity to directly connect with their target audience. All a host needs is a phone and a computer.

• BlogTalkRadio offers hosts the opportunity to create live, call-in talk shows, which anyone can listen to. Once the show goes live, it will automatically be saved and can be used as a podcast in the future.

• BlogTalkRadio allows businesses to measure how many people are listening and downloading their talk shows.

• BlogTalkRadio provides hosts the opportunity to customize their personal profile by including a blog link, a link to their website, a video, or any other widget.

• BlogTalkRadio requires no software to be downloaded. All viewers and hosts need is a computer and phone.

• BlogTalkRadio offers hosts the opportunity for hosts and listeners to interact during and after the show. Listeners’ questions can be answered, and businesses can build credibility and online exposure.

Get Dressed For Work in 10 Minutes Or Less

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Posted by admin on May 11, 2009 – 11:20 am
Filed under Business Communication, Marketing Tip, attract clients, social networking, website copywriter

charleston-style-concierge-logo

Join Charleston Style Concierge owner Lee Heyward for her amazing FREE Teleseminar, “Get Dressed in 10 Minutes or Less,” on Thursday, March 14.

Taken from the Charleston Style Concierge Blog, Tips and Tricks From the Charleston Style Concierge:

Getting dressed can be quick and easy!

Do you stand in your closet staring at a sea of clothes feeling as if you have nothing to wear? Do you have the perfect outfit in mind but can’t find the quintessential piece in the depths of your closet?

We only wear 20% of the clothing we own. Creating a plan for both your wardrobe and closet will help you wear what you have more often, save time getting dressed, and help you spend LESS on your wardrobe. Join me and my special guest, Sean Johnson, an organizer extraordinaire, as we share these secrets with you in this FREE ONE-TIME ONLY TELESEMINAR.
(In a hurry, click here to reserve your spot now.)

This call is hosted by Sean Johnson, organizing expert and owner of Organized Bliss, and Lee Heyward, style expert and owner of Charleston Style Concierge.

On this call, you will learn:

•     How to wear what you already have more often.

•     What you can do to make your closet and wardrobe work for you without spending a dime.

•     How to use household items to help organize your closet.

•     How to make your wardrobe more versatile.

•     Why you always feel like you have nothing to wear.

•     How to keep unwanted pests out of your closet (and we’re not talking about the kids!).

•     Why less really is more.

For more information or to sign up for this seminar click here.

Interview with LinkedIn CEO Reid Hoffman

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Posted by admin on May 6, 2009 – 1:38 pm
Filed under Business Communication, Marketing Tip, attract clients, increase site traffic, online marketing, social networking

The above video is an interview with LinkedIn CEO Reid  Hoffman. View this video for some excellent information on LinkedIn and how it can help your company increase online exposure, rank high in search engines, and drive targeted traffic to your website.

YouTube Becomes Even More Interactive

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Posted by admin on April 17, 2009 – 4:34 am
Filed under Business Communication, attract clients, market in economic crisis, online marketing, website copywriter

In June 2008, YouTube added an application, called Collaborative Annotations, to video usage that allowed people to post links on their own videos, add stories, and post commentary at any point during the video. The person who posted the video was the only person allowed to add comments, links, and narration.

As of February 20, 2009, YouTube introduced an updated version of its Collaborative Annotations application. Today, other YouTube users can post comments on your video if you invite them to do so. No longer is YouTube simply engaging—it’s interactive.

The application update allows friends to create speech bubbles, complex narratives, notes, teaching tools, marketing campaigns, and spotlights on your videos.

The Collaborative Annotations tool works to stimulate conversation among audience members and allows you to receive feedback about the message of your video from viewers, colleagues, and friends. And it enables the audience to inform you about positive and negative elements of your video.

When you’re ready to begin using Collaborative Annotations, go to YouTube and click My Videos and copy the Annotations link. Send this link to friends, who can then add annotations to your video. Not crazy about what they write? You can always delete it.

Start using YouTube Collaborative Annotations today, and receive helpful feedback from others. Who knows, you might start doing things differently in response to viewer feedback.

See how effective YouTube’s Collaborative Annotations application can be by watching the video below:

Squash Negative PR on Social Media Sites

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Posted by admin on March 31, 2009 – 8:49 pm
Filed under Business Communication, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, market in economic crisis, online marketing, press releases, social networking

In the March 13 WebProNews article, “Fighting a Bad Online Reputation & Keeping a Good One,” author Chris Crum brings up some excellent points on how social media sites can spell disaster for some companies. Because there is so much interaction and freedom to say whatever you like, anyone could severely tarnish your company name.

There is always going to be someone on the web trying to bring your company down, and it’s extremely important to make an effort to be present on several social media sites in order to counter any negative opinions. Although you’ll never catch all the bad things people say, it’s important to keep your company in a positive light and build a strong network of loyal followers on these sites. This will counteract to the bad comments some people might be saying about your company. A strong and large network can silence these negative comments and keep your reputation intact.

In addition to building a strong network, Crum suggests using several online tools to find places harboring negative publicity about your company. According to the article, Trackur tracks blogs, other sites, images, and video. The article also provides a link to an article on Duct Tape Marketing, which provides a list of “34 online reputation management tools.”

In regard to the frightening publicity situation, Crum offers some wise advice to businesses:

“PR disaster is much more likely to strike when the business itself does not monitor its reputation. Tools are there for you to use. Don’t ignore them. Otherwise, it might be your company somebody tweets about having a poor product, leading to all of their followers seeing the negativity and possibly blogging about it which can then be linked to, and so on and so forth. I don’t think you want to go down that road. Just watch yourself.”

Start building a strong online network now, and begin using the tools Crum’s article mentions. Your company will thank you for the dedication.

To view the entire WebProNews article, click here.

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.

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.

How to Maintain Brand Loyalty through Your Website

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Posted by admin on September 29, 2008 – 4:01 pm
Filed under Business Communication, attract clients, client attraction, online sales, web traffic

All businesses strive to obtain brand loyalty and customer trust. Competition is fierce in the business world, and by working to build credibility for your company, more people will buy and stay loyal to your brand.

Websites are an excellent tool to solidify trust between the company and the customer. They’re an excellent commodity to have, even if they don’t provide sales transactions directly. For example, if you own a small shoe boutique and want a website but currently don’t have the manpower to accept online credit card purchases, don’t bale out. Websites can still benefit your company, providing company awareness and loyalty. Your website can entice internet users to come into your store and make the purchase. It’s worth the extra time and effort, even if you can’t receive sales directly from the site. 

A word of warning: a website can backfire if used incorrectly. Don’t jump the gun and try to sell, sell, sell. Your goal is to gain the trust of the customers and give them what they want. Show your visitors you care about their needs and want to satisfy them.

Here are a few tips on getting the right message across on your website:

·       Provide customers with product / service features that will make the decision to buy a simple, truthful, and fast process.

·       Accentuate the benefits of each feature and connect it to their needs.

·       Provide contact information that allows the customer to trust you’ll be there when necessary. If customers know you’re there to answer any questions and concerns and provide them with the best customer service possible, they’ll trust your business and continue working with you.

The key is to get inside the customer’s head. What is your target market looking for? What kind of tips and services can you provide for to ease them into purchasing your product / service? Many people compare products and information online to make a better purchasing decision. Don’t lose the customer to the competitor that provides useful tips and information about the product / service. Get on track, and you’ll see sales and brand loyalty increase.

Looking to punch up your web stats? Hire a webcopy writer.

Are You Sure Customers and Businesses Can Contact You?

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Posted by admin on July 25, 2008 – 11:34 pm
Filed under Business Communication, Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online marketing, small business marketing, web copy, web traffic, website, website navigation

One of my biggest pet peeves is going to a website, which contains minimal contact information.

The internet is too vital a place to neglect this important information, as virtually all people use some aspect of the internet to communicate with others. It’s crucial to give customers options for contacting your company.

Customers love options because it allows them to choose the most convenient way for them to contact your company. Many people use email everyday, and it might be easier for them to send your company an email with an inquiry, comment, or suggestion rather than picking up the phone and waiting through a recorded message and being on hold for five or ten minutes.

Items that should be on your “contact us” page:

·       STAFF: I can’t tell you how many websites don’t have a list of their most important staff members listed. This is important because it adds a personal flare to your company and allows the customer to feel as though they are contacting an actual person and not just a company. People may be discouraged from contacting your company via email if they do not have a specific name or title to use.  

·       PHONE NUMBER: Provide a phone number for those who want questions answered immediately and who want to speak directly with a person.

·       EMAIL ADDRESS: Provide an email address for general questions and staff email addresses for more specific inquiries and comments.

·       MESSAGE FORM: Provide a form so that the customer can fill in questions and comments right there and not go through the trouble of creating an email. A message form should have boxes for customers to fill in their name, company name, cell or business number, email address, and their questions or comments.

·        EMAIL AND MESSAGE FORM COMBO: Sounds like a meal at a fast-food place, doesn’t it? An email address and message form would add even more options for your customers to contact you. 

Want more small business marketing advice? Subscribe to Your Business Marketing Solution, a bimonthly ezine filled with marketing tips and informative articles.