Small Business Marketing Show

Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up...if you would just fix your follow-up your small business would rocket forward. Marketing and sales would become EASY! In this call, I talk about the importance of follow-up and the right way vs. the wrong way to implement follow-up marketing. Listen Online: Resources mentioned on the call: Infusionsoft SendOutCards

In this call I share the ultimate small business marketing strategy... Listen online:  

In this call I share what I would do if I had to get clients in the next 30-days. Listen online:  

Have you ever experienced a “dip” in your business? In my work as a small business marketing consultant I see businesses in every stage of growth (and decline). Most come to me when they need to improve sales and get more clients in the door. Often they are going through what author Seth Godin calls “The Dip.” In his book of the same title Godin describes the decision of perseverance vs. strategic quitting. From my own experience it is one of the most difficult decisions that you and I as business leaders ever make. It presents itself as an obstacle (or series of obstacles). You as the leader must decide if you can and should...

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I walk you through how to build your marketing message to attract your ideal customer/client/patient. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... How to match your message to your market The problem with most marketing messages How to build a marketing message that works Marketing Maxin #1 - You are the marketer of your business Take Action A few simple steps will help you get a message that works... List the features of your product or service...then convert each one into a benefit for your customer/client/patient Brainstorm 3 ways you can do something outrageous in your marketing Build your marketing system What Do You Think? Have you "tuned-in" a message that speaks to your ideal prospects? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I walk you through how to identify your ideal prospects. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... Why is it important to identify your ideal prospect? What is an "Ideal Prospect"? A simple way to identify your ideal prospect? Questions to ask to help you zero in on the perfect prospect for your business. What to do if you sell to multiple types of customers. Take Action Answer these questions to help you identify your ideal prospects: Who do you work best with? Do they have an urgent pain or an irrational passion and are they aware of it and looking for an answer? What keeps them up at night? What is their level of knowledge or expertise related to what you offer? What are their values? What Do You Think? Are you zeroed-in on your ideal prospects or are you trying to sell to everyone? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I talk about the importance of being in front of your prospects and customers...everywhere they are. And, I share 13 ways you can make it happen. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... Why you need to show up where your prospects and customers hang out. How to multiply yourself to be everywhere at once (at least as far as your prospects are concerned). 13 places you can show up for your prospects Take Action List 3 places you will start "showing-up" for your prospects (that you're not already doing). Decide when and how you will accomplish your three "show-up" goals. What Do You Think? How important has it been to your business to "show-up"? What methods are you using to "show-up" successfully? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share with you the 8 things you should do when your starting a new business (or a new business within your business)... Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... The #1 question you need to answer to effectively market your business. What you must do before spending lots of money on a website. Where to invest your time to get maximum returns. What type of marketing to focus on in the beginning. How to avoid pissing off your family and friends and turn them into your greatest asset. Take Action Write down a profile of your ideal prospect. Answer the question "Why should they do business with you?" What Do You Think? What other advice do you have for surviving the startup phase? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share with you the #1 obstacle between you and your business goals... Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... The myth of certainty. How to get unstuck. The "Third Alternative" to marketing...that actually works! Take Action Write down the top three worries you have that are holding you back from really reaching for your goals. Ask yourself, what's the worst thing that could happen if my fears came true? Decide if you can live those worst case scenarios...if so, get moving and don't look back! What Do You Think? What fears do you have that hold you back from marketing your business more aggressively? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share a simple 3-step system for getting sales appointments...without making all those dreaded cold calls! Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... The fundamental conflict between buyer and seller. Why you need to stop "selling the appointment". Why you should sell "free" first. The essential system you must have to get more deals...automatically. Take Action Brainstorm ideas for an information "product" that you can give away. Decide how you will follow-up with prospects who get your free information. What Do You Think? What struggles have you faced with cold calling? How do you get new business without cold calling? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share the 12 secrets I learned from watching power networkers that helped me go from zero contacts to totally plugged into my new city in less than a year...and how you can do it too. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... How the most common piece of advice on networking actually kills your chances of success. The "behind-the-scenes" habits that separate the real pros from everyone else. How to make it easier for contacts to refer business to you. Take Action Identify two groups you can join this month where your potential customers are members. Develop your introduction and practice delivering it to get comfortable. Attend at least one networking event and make appointments with two strategic alliances. What Do You Think? What techniques have helped you network successfully in the past? What is your biggest obstacle to networking effectively? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share how you can build a customer alert system in your business to track each and every customer interaction...and profit from it. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... Why you're leaving big money on the table if you don't have this system in your business The best tool for building a customer alert system and putting it on autopilot. Take Action List 5 critical steps in your customer interaction/sales process. Brainstorm 3 ideas for free informational products that you can develop to attract and qualify new prospects. What Do You Think? How do you follow-up with customers and prospects now? How can you implement trip-wire marketing in your business? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share important research I discovered that will make you think twice about slashing your marketing budget in this recession. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... Findings from 40 years of research on the link between marketing efforts during recessions and business results during and after the downturn. Why this is the Golden Age of Small Business Marketing. How you can beat the big boys more easily than ever before. Take Action Decide what you will invest, in terms of time, money or both, to increase your marketing activity. List three things that make you and your business unique in your industry. What Do You Think? How have you creatively expanded your marketing efforts during the recession? What were your results? Have you seen other businesses expand during the downturn? What did they do to make it happen?

In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show I share the key shift in thinking you need to connect with the people in your market and launch your marketing to the next level. Download the MP3 In this episode of The Small Business Marketing Show... Discover how one simple shift in mindset will dramatically improve your relationship with your prospects and customers. Learn 9 questions to ask to reveal the real opportunity in your market. Learn how to build your marketing message to serve your ideal prospect. Links Sonia Simone's Article on Why Marketing is Hard. Take Action Answer these 9 questions to build a more effective marketing message. What pain do you heal for your customers? Why is it important for your prospect to be rid of that pain? What consequences will they face if they don’t address it (consequences that you want them to avoid)? What benefits will they feel when it’s gone. What new opportunity is now possible for them? How will their lives improve? What will they lose out on if they don’t act? Why is your message important? What trends are affecting them and what do they mean? What Do You Think? How have you successfully used advocacy to market your business? How have you seen these principles used by other businesses? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The New Year is just around the corner and if you're not already thinking about it, you should be outlining your marketing plan for 2010. If you're like a lot of small businesses, you're coming off of a rough 2009 without a lot of free cash to dump into new marketing. I hear you loud and clear...so here's a plan to boost your marketing and go easy on your wallet.