Get out of the Virtual World and Create Your Life!

We love being online….its fun, informative, educational.  And, we make a living at it.  But, it seems sad to us that people actually mourn the loss of a virtual world.  To tap into an imaginary place, form connections, creating environments should be expansive and fun.  But to become so involved and immersed in a make believe environment seems such a sad waste.  Life is for living and creating what you want in this world…not a make-believe world.  Each of us have an innate power within us to create a real, living, breathing life.  Don’t waste your life on a cartoon world with make believe people, especially one which you still can’t control. (Disney controlled this one).

Contribute to the living in THIS world.  Make a difference in THIS world.  Become the person you want to be in YOUR life.  After all, only YOU can control who YOU are.   And, if you are a small business owner, you know this intuitively.   Create the business you want, making what you want, helping whom you want.  Then, get on line and promote your self to REAL people. You have more power than you know!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/tech/gaming-gadgets/closing-toontown/index.html

Credibility and Reputation is Really All Your Business Has

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. ” Abraham Lincoln

For you or your business to be a success, people need to trust you.  They need to trust you as being honorable, trustworthy and somewhat intelligent.  They need to believe you can do the job and will not deceive them.  Never lie to your clients or co-workers.  Integrity is key.

Take a look at the following article about a zoo in China. The Zoo was passing off a dog as a lion and rats as snakes.  It is hard to believe a kid called them out on it. Sort of like the Emperors New Clothes.  Deliver what you promise.  If there is a problem, fix it. But honestly, tell the truth !

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/16/world/asia/china-zoo-dog-lion/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

Google Glass could revolutionize the Medical Industry

One of the things that excites me most is how fast the world is changing due to technology and communications.  The Internet has changed the world as we know it. We see outrage around the world and we respond immediately.  People like Melinda and Bill Gates are donating billions of dollars to bring water to the millions who don’t have water or medicine to those without basic medicine.  It warms my heart.  I know that there are plenty of injustices in the world, but instant communication puts the spotlight on it and a new age is dawning where most people want to help others when they can.

So, I was very excited to read about Google Glass and its potential impact on the medical industry.  As the population ages and lives alone, the ability to communicate with them as individuals and read their vital signs allows the older generation to maintain its beloved independence while keeping costs lower.   Take a look at this infographic I found on Pinterest.  I think its very cool!

We salute Small Businesses

We work mostly with small businesses and we love it! These entrepreneurs have something special..a creative, confident spark and a need to give to the community.  Very rarely are they selfish or mean. They choose to face the business world alone rather than work for anyone else.  This means no health benefits or guaranteed pensions nor regular cash flow.  It’s tough…we know, being entrepreneurs ourselves.  We grow to love these small business owners.  They are our friends. Sometimes, we even hate to charge them.  But, we do salute them and hope for their success.  For, in our business, their success is our success.  If our internet marketing efforts such as a beautiful website designed with SEO in mind or an active facebook business page helps them grow, we are glad to help.

Recently, we launched a site for a talented young woman (25ish) whose school teaches young children music.  The gift of music is a wonderful gift that will last throughout that child’s life.  Like her facebook business page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Loughran-School-of-Irish-Music-Arts/127491370765581

Another client is a karate school.  This karate school teaches inner city kids from Yonkers.  His kids are leaders in their schools and are becoming world class athletes. The discipline learned in karate is carried thru their lives.  How about that for a wonderful lifetime gift!  Find his business page at https://www.facebook.com/guerreroubakarate

So, to salute small business, we include the following picture…sort of like life, it’s never a straight line!

The Beauty of E-newsletters

E-newsletters have the highest ROI of all marketing media.  They are a great, non-invasive way to keep in touch with different groups.  Here are a few tips:

1. Keep separate excel sheets on clients, prospects, business peers. All you need is first name, last name and email address
2. Have their approval to have emails sent to them
3. Create a layout that has the same look and feel as your other marketing material
4. Send tailored e-newsletters to each group
5. Keep the newsletters informative. Follow the 80/20 rule, educating 80%, selling only 20%
6. Upsell existing clients
7. Send them monthly.  If time constrained, send them at least quarterly.
8. Put links on the newsletter to your website and social media
9. Archive them on your website
10. We are Constant Contact Business Partners.  They provide statistics on who opened the newsletter, who did not, who has opted out (that is ok, saves you time), what email addresses are not good, etc., etc.

If you need help, go to our contact page and request a conference call. http://www.likingmarketing.com/Contact.html   We would love to hear from you!

Sundays allow you to be more creative….

Something about working on a Sunday allows you to feel like its not work.  It lets you be expansive, more creative….You don’t feel rushed by phone calls, meetings, or other business demands.  It can be nice, relaxing and productive.  Sometime, I get more done in 4 hours on a Sunday than I feel like I can accomplish in a whole business day. I think I need to look at that! ; ) 

Social Media should be done by a professional for your small business

Effective social media for small business is a science.  You need skilled people to create the strategy, the posts, the schedule, proofreading.  In the recent past, I blogged about putting your address on each website page.  But, do you think a young intern can understand the concepts of small business marketing?  Can they effectively handle an irate customer venting on your facebook page?  Do you think they really understand the concept of keyword research & implementation?  The answer in capital letters is NO.  Hire a professional, it is worth the price.  It will allow you to focus on your business while attracting new clients or strengthening your relationship with existing clients.  Think long-term for your business, not short-term.