Category Archives: small business marketing

Maximize Your Marketing Efforts in Any Economy

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Posted by admin on December 29, 2008 – 5:55 pm
Filed under Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, SEO, SEO copywriter, attract clients, blogging for business, grow your business, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, marketing trends, online advertising, online buying behavior, online marketing, press releases, small business marketing, social networking, target market, web traffic, website

How would you like to be able to keep growing your business no matter what the economy does?

Sign up for expert online copywriter Michelle Salater’s Online Business Marketing Bootcamp for Beginners, and she’ll show you everything you need to know to go where the customers are—online—and grow your business by maximizing your marketing efforts.

And do it in any economy. 

Over the course of 8 weeks, you will work one-on-one with Michelle as she shows you the same tips, tactics, and strategies she used to take her own business from flat broke to so busy she has to turn customers away…and she did this all within one year.

 

Because Michelle really wants to help you grow your business online without struggling so you can skyrocket your sales in 2009, she’s offering a $200 Early Bird Discount to those who sign up before January 4, 2008 (midnight PST). 

 

— http://www.marketingonlinebootcamp.com/

Now is A CRITICAL TIME for businesses to invest in their marketing. And the best way and most cost efficient way to do this is to market online.

A 2001 McGraw-Hill study found that aggressive recession advertisers / marketers increased their market share 2 ½ times the average for all businesses than in post-recession.

How would you like to increase your market share 2 ½ times?

If you’d like to skyrocket your online sales, increase website traffic, and save thousands of dollars by implementing online strategies on your own, NOW IS YOUR TIME to sign up for Michelle’s Online Business Marketing Bootcamp for Beginners. The course begins January 21st.

She can’t make it any easier for you than the 3-payment option she’s made available and the Early Bird Special (save $200) that ends at midnight January 4, 2009.  

Remember, this special offer won’t be available after January 4…

–http://www.marketingonlinebootcamp.com/

Marketing in Economic Crisis: Don’t Cut Back Another Second

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Posted by admin on December 26, 2008 – 5:57 pm
Filed under Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, attract clients, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, marketing trends, online marketing, online sales, small business marketing

When the economy is in crisis, it’s not the time for you to sit back and coddle your money to the point of suffocation. It’s the time to invest in your business and stand out above the competition.  

While competitors cut back spending, you have a great opportunity to rise above them. The economy will eventually rebound, leaving your business at the top of its game.  

It’s important to strategically spend money during this time. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a ton. Just know what to spend it on.

Focusing on customer behavior will ensure your marketing campaigns are worth the money. These tough times are a great opportunity to come out ahead of competitors by placing your focus on customer behavior. Be careful, but don’t be frugal. 

Provide customers with something of value to sell to them. Consumers don’t ever stop buying. They may cut back but never completely stop. They become more choosy than they may have been in a booming economy, which makes focusing on the value of a product in tough times an important aspect of selling your products / services.

 

Sell benefits to your consumers, not features. The more benefits customers see from your products / services, the more likely they’ll buy from your company as opposed to a competitor who has cut back on his marketing campaign. You’ll stand out to potential clients and bring in competitors’ clients as well.

 

Investing money into marketing campaigns to rewrite web copy, revamp web design, and rework selling points can take you way beyond your competitors. While they’re cutting advertising expenses, you’re strengthening yours, increasing SEO, staying up-to-date, showing customers you have a fresh outlook.  

 

Focus on customer satisfaction and customer service. Show them you’re there when they need you and you’re worth the money they’re investing into your products / services.

For more helpful tips on marketing in economic crisis and to learn about our many marketing services, visit Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC.

Increase Site Traffic with RSS Feed

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Posted by admin on December 15, 2008 – 5:40 pm
Filed under Marketing Tip, RSS Feed, attract clients, client attraction, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, marketing trends, online marketing, small business marketing, target market

The number of internet users has dramatically increased in recent years and is still climbing. More people are using RSS readers to provide them with new articles, blogs, website updates, and more from their favorite sites.

RSS feed stands for Really Simple Syndication, which is a file containing a brief amount of information (a headline and synopsis) and a link to the full content on the website / blog. Voluntary subscribers to the website / blog RSS feed will receive this information through their RSS readers. Some examples of RSS readers are My Yahoo, NewsGator Online, and Bloglines.com.

If a website has an RSS feed, it will alert people who have subscribed to it with links to new articles, information, and blogs, which have been posted on the site at that time. This saves people the time and aggravation of going through all the websites they enjoy to search for the newly added elements.

If you know you have a great site with useful information and excellent products / services to offer, then it’s important to recognize all the ways in which you can help increase traffic to your site and reach out to thousands of potential clients.

Bottom line: having an RSS feed on your website / blog will greatly benefit your site.

* It will bring people up-to-date on your achievements, tips, hints, industry news, and express your expertise to clients.

* Viewers who love your site will subscribe to your RSS feed and click on fresh updates from your site on their RSS reader, increasing traffic to your site.

* Newly added information will reach thousands of potential clients and increase SEO.

Keep Your Target Market Hooked to Your Website

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Posted by admin on December 9, 2008 – 10:18 pm
Filed under Copywriting, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, attract clients, client attraction, market in economic crisis, online marketing, online sales, small business marketing, target market, web copy, web traffic, website navigation

Keeping your target market interested in your website can be a tricky task, but when done correctly, it can attract thousands of potential clients, increase sales, and improve business recognition. There are several elements for an effective website—elements that can create extraordinary benefits for your company.

It’s imperative for any business website to keep information and aesthetic elements fresh and updated.

No one likes to visit a site that appears neglected.

Website appearance and web copy can sometimes be a consumer’s first impression of your company. It’s important for customers to associate attentiveness and success with your business. You can establish this by keeping up with industry news, site content, and site graphics on the company website.

If customers see a website that is frequently updated, they’ll most likely make the assumption that customers will be tended to as well. It’s essential for all companies to show the customer you’re there to provide constant company updates, great customer service, and dedication to customer satisfaction. Another way to express this is to have an area on your site committed to frequently asked questions by customers, testimonials, and business contact information.

One of the greatest chances you have in keeping the attention of website viewers is through compelling and concise web copy. Address your target’s need immediately, and assure them you’re there to help. Provide them with direct benefits they’ll receive from purchasing your product / service. Your customers’ needs and how your company meets these needs should be captured in engaging and informative web copy presented on your homepage. The marketing message must capture their attention and persuade them to take the next step in purchasing from your company.

For more helpful tips on marketing in economic crisis and to learn about our many marketing services, visit Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC.

Prevent Losing Customers Online

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Posted by admin on December 7, 2008 – 10:01 pm
Filed under Marketing Tip, attract clients, client attraction, increase site traffic, online marketing, small business marketing, target market, update webcopy, web copy, web traffic, website navigation

One of the greatest benefits of in-store selling is your ability to communicate one-on-one with consumers. Face-to-face communication is an excellent way to observe a customer’s body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Selling on the internet is the opposite and, as a result, often poses challenges to companies that are used to doing business in person.

It’s important to anticipate customer objections, questions, and comments when creating an effective website to simulate the immediacy and success of in-store selling. Since your website is working for you 24 / 7, it’s essential to ensure its result-driven capabilities.

Here are some elements of a successful business website, sure to bring in new customers as well as repeat customers:

·       Navigation must be simple and user-friendly. Viewers will get discouraged easily if they click on tabs that are ambiguous and roundabout. Navigation needs to be straightforward and clear without trying to be overly unique.

·       When customers send emails or comments to you, be timely with your response (usually within 24 hours). It will show customers your dedication to your company and to their satisfaction. The sooner the response the better.

·       Intriguing graphics and captivating web copy will keep the viewer interested and eager to continue searching through your site. Express your company’s personality and professionalism through website graphics, colors, wording, lines, and images.

·       Keep your website constantly updated and give viewers a reason to come back. Provide them with new information, products / services, news, and more. A fresh website will be much more successful than a stale one.

·       Make purchasing online for customers easy, safe, and quick. Assure customers your website has a privacy policy, allowing them to feel more secure to purchase products online.  

Increase Business in Economic Crisis and Strengthen Your Brand Name

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Posted by admin on December 3, 2008 – 8:07 pm
Filed under Business Goals, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, attract clients, client attraction, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, marketing trends, online marketing, press releases, small business marketing, target market, web traffic

During tough economic times, customers are more particular about businesses they’re buying from. Customers want to know you understand the current crisis and are there to help them with their needs. Showing clients you value their business during economic crisis expresses your dedication to customers and their satisfaction. Your company will appear as a helpful friend as opposed to a business looking for a quick buck.

Show customers your brand name symbolizes a business that cares about their families, their success, and their happiness.

·       Nurture relationships with customers. Sell them products / services with benefits that cater to their needs and be truthful about the benefits. Once customers recognize they have purchased a product / service worth their money, they’ll most likely come back. Strengthening brand loyalty is a great way to grab customers during this economic crisis and keep them when the economy rebounds.

 

·       Present customers with a mission statement on your website. When customers see a set of values on your site, they’ll be more likely to view your company as truthful and trustworthy. Customers are looking for businesses they can trust and who can satisfy their needs and the needs of their families.

 

·       Submit newsworthy press releases explaining company improvements and innovations during the economic crisis. This will show customers you dedicated to them.

Strengthening brand loyalty in tough times will gain customers now and keep them in the future. For more helpful tips on marketing in economic crisis and to learn about our many marketing services, visit Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC. 

Hiring the Right Professional Copywriter

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Posted by admin on December 2, 2008 – 4:45 pm
Filed under Copywriting, SEO, SEO copywriter, attract clients, ghostwriting, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, press releases, small business marketing, update webcopy, web copy, web traffic, website

If you’re ready to take your website to the next level and boost sales dramatically, it’s crucial to find the right professional copywriter.

It’s important to hire a copywriter with thorough knowledge of marketing an online business through web copy, website design, blogs, online articles, and other traffic-generating tools.

A copywriter with skills in various areas of marketing has the ability to see the overall picture for effectively marketing your business. He / she can introduce you to innovative, effective, and helpful solutions sure to send your business skyrocketing to success. 

Here’s what to look for when hiring a professional copywriter:

·       He / she offers several writing and marketing services for businesses. Someone who only does copywriting is most likely not as qualified as one who utilizes various marketing strategies through different writing / marketing vehicles. He may open your eyes to grand opportunities for your business, maximizing success and dramatically increasing sales.  

·       He has a reputable list of clients. Look over the list of past clients and what services he provided for them. Note any testimonials he may have from these clients. If he has created successful marketing strategies for one business, he can most likely do the same for yours.

·       View any sample work / websites she has worked on in the past to get an idea of her writing style, spectrum of ability, and thoroughness.

Your website is an extremely important marketing tool for your business. It’s crucial to find a dedicated professional copywriter with the right vision for your company, recognized clients, great work samples, and a list of result-driven writing services.

Increase Holiday Sales by Revamping Your Business Website

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Posted by admin on November 25, 2008 – 7:09 pm
Filed under Marketing Tip, attract clients, client attraction, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, marketing trends, online marketing, small business marketing, web copy, web traffic, website

According to the United States Census Bureau, e-commerce sales have increased 5.7% during the 3rd quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.

With the holiday season upon us, now is the perfect time to ramp up your online selling efforts.

The holidays mean prime time for shoppers to surf the web with credit card in hand. More people are shopping online to save gas, view various products from competitors at the same time, save time driving to the store, and looking for the best deal. Having full confidence in a well-crafted, effective, informative, and easy-to-use website is a must.

Even though the holiday season promotes increased consumerism, many business owners are still uncertain about generating marketing strategies during this economic downfall. Don’t allow the unstable economy to deter you from improving online marketing strategies and website promotion. If anything, it should improve your marketing efforts.

It’s an important time to place your company in the spotlight and to show customers you’re still successful when times are turbulent.

Tips on how to increase conversions, SEO, customer loyalty, and industry recognition with an effective website during the holiday season: 

·       Offer discounts on purchases and / or shipping in an obvious location on your homepage. When people see slashed prices, they’ll more likely stay on your site to shop.

·       Make sure your web copy is fresh and up-to-date with company goals, policies, products / services, and industry news. Effective web copy—copy that generates desire and calls the viewer to act—should not be overlooked. Web copy is as important as the design of the site. It’s worth the extra money to find a professional web copywriter who will get your exact message across in the most effective way possible.

·       Reevaluate website navigation. Make sure your website is user-friendly, unambiguous, and speedy. Being unique with your website navigation can backfire since it may confuse customers on where certain information is on your site. Be concise and to the point when it comes to navigation.   

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 to Grab Your Target Market Online

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Posted by admin on November 25, 2008 – 12:55 am
Filed under Copywriting, Marketing Tip, client attraction, increase site traffic, market in economic crisis, online marketing, small business marketing, target market, web copy, web traffic, website, website navigation

When creating or revamping your website, set aside your personal tastes. Instead, think about what your target market wants to see and know. They’re the ones who have to get something out of it in order for you to gain profits. Your website must speak to your target market and grab their attention within the first five seconds of their arrival to the site.

How to grab your target market in those first crucial seconds and keep them:

·       Use words, phrases, and a tone they’re familiar with and that speak to their wants and needs. Web copy is essential in gaining client interest and keeping them on your site. Quick and witty web copy attracts a much different clientele than smooth and seductive copy. Know what style will appeal to your target market and focus web copy around it.

 

·       The personality of your website must be attractive and satisfy a need your target market has. For example, if you own a luxury destination spa, your site design should look much different from a teen clothing company’s site. A sumptuous spa website needs to exude a feeling of lavishness in pictures and essence. It should appear calming, with photos inducing a sense of tranquility, accompanied by soothing colors and maybe even peaceful music in the background.

 

·       Visitors like to see a fresh website with web copy and design updates, news updates, company improvements and changes. This shows potential clients your company is constantly working to gain customers and is up-to-date with advances in the industry.

 

·       A user-friendly website is an absolute must. Potential customers will move to a competitor’s site as soon as they are frustrated and lost in navigating your site. Be simple, obvious, informative, and to the point.

Hiring a professional web copy writer can get your website on track and increase sales. Visit Michelle Salater Writing and Editorial, LLC, to learn more about our many result-driven writing services.

Changing the Way You Do Business

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Posted by admin on November 20, 2008 – 5:15 pm
Filed under Business Goals, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, market in economic crisis, online marketing, small business marketing

Change can be extremely scary, and it’s easy to fall into a pit of stress and worry when change is inevitable. Change should open new doors for your company and create new opportunities.

It’s not about the change itself. It’s about your actions in response to the change. Stress, anger, frustration, and worry aren’t going to get you anywhere. Thinking positively and constructively will create benefits to big changes. Positive thinking can have more of an impact than you might think. Even seeking out change is a great approach to improving business operations, products / services, customer service, and marketing campaigns.  

Change can have many positive impacts on your business and everyday work interactions.

·       Change can create a rejuvenating feeling that could lead to a more successful business. Your mind is clear for the future, and you see a fresh slate for something new to integrate into your company.

 

·       If you’re not reaching future goals as best you can, make some slight changes to your business—whether it’s the way you run business or the products / services you’re selling. Tweaking these things can lead to a smoother ride to business goals and eliminate obstacles that have been keeping you from reaching them.

 

·       Making changes can be stressful and unsettling. However, these feelings could create more unity in the business setting, since everyone is going through similar changes. Business members will most likely be in the same boat, creating support systems for all.

 

·       Changes open the door for many new things to come, and although it’s a big step, these changes should be embraced and evaluated for all the possibilities they create and maybe even lead you to re-evaluate past goals to benefit your company in the future.

 

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.