Archive for August, 2011

Are you (REALLY) committed to achieving Super Success?

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 at 11:04 am  
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The world we’re living in is a constant state of change and it seems we’re faced with more new opportunities, challenges and learning curves every day… Bad news for some… but only if you’re one of those business owners that isn’t committed to learning new things and keeping current!

Unfortunately most business owners fit into the above category – they limit their learning to technical development in their industry or sector or they spend time learning more about stuff they already know – let me tell you something, if all you are doing is professional development then you’re missing a trick! A big one! You see…

There has NEVER been a more important time than NOW to learn about new ways to market your business!

Fact.

These days, you’ve GOT to understand social media, you HAVE to think big and set bold challenges for yourself – you NEED to keep on finding bold new ways to improve your customers experience, to grow your business and to create the super success you want.

There’s no status quo here folks, you’re either growing or you’re failing… and if you don’t commit to learning new things… you will continue to fail because everything has changed in the last few years and it will continue to change!

I regularly hear from business owners who are overwhelmed with trying to stay on top of Google Adwords, Social Media or whatever the latest ‘thing’ that everyone is talking about is – and they allow themselves to fall into the trap of burying their head in the sand and not implementing any of it.

This is not an option if you want to be super successful!

If you’re not committed to learning about what’s on the horizon, you’re going to fall so far behind that you’ll never be able to adapt.

So here’s my question to you today. Are you a learner? Or are you en route to being a loser?

What are you doing to make sure you stay current?

Twitter – Weekly Updates for 2011-08-26

Friday, August 26th, 2011 at 8:15 pm  
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What’s the single, most important part of direct mail?

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011 at 11:22 am  
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Direct mail has long been an effective and relatively cost – efficient way to reach your customers but many small businesses simply fail to see its value.

Maybe that’s an honest mistake? After all, you can tell from all the direct mail you receive (and then bin) that most of it is pure junk.

The watchword of reaching customers today isn’t as simple as some business owners believe. The solution isn’t Facebook. It isn’t Twitter. It’s not print advertising or blogging. No, the solution to reaching and influencing a maximum number of qualified buyers is in multi-channel marketing.

And direct mail is a channel that should have a greater role in many businesses’ overall marketing strategy, especially businesses with a local customer base.

Four ingredients for direct mail success

Direct mail is another way of reaching buyers. But there are four aspects your direct mail will need to have to be effective. It has to be creative, compelling and provide a call to action.

You and I both know that most direct mail is short on these vital ingredients. That’s why it doesn’t work.

But when it’s done right, direct mail does work. It’s certainly worked for me. Some businesses launch wildly creative direct mail campaigns that get you to stop and pay attention. Sometimes these are creative postcards or envelopes. Other times they’re dimensional mailers that tell a story. Either way, it makes sales. It works.

And the call to action, the offer, the hook – it’s incredibly important. Give them a fabulous reason to buy from you, not just to hear of you. Direct mail as branding is a waste of money. Use the opportunity to reach the buyer and incentivise them to action!

The single most important part of direct mail…

But wait, I did say there were four aspects in direct mail success. What’s the single, biggest, most important factor? The LIST.

Who you send mail to matters more than anything else.

A buyer, is a buyer, is a buyer. So I send all of my direct mail to buyers – people who have bought from me before. The day I worked this out my response rates sky-rocketed, and my return on investment went through the roof!

It will for you too.

If you are just starting out with direct mail then I urge you to mail your existing customers first. Make them an offer, give them a reason to come back and buy from you again. Many of them will – if you do it right.

As I said previously, if your database isn’t in excellent condition, you’re losing money. You’ll never know how many potential pounds are evaporating – every day. Poor quality data is so costly. Nowhere is this truer than with direct mail. It’s essential that your database be in pristine condition.

Don’t be one of those business owners who invents reasons for not reaching your buyers and not doing direct mail. Don’t make excuses. Make money!

Are you using direct mail as part of your marketing mix? How is it working for you? I’d be interested to hear your comments below.

Twitter – Weekly Updates for 2011-08-19

Friday, August 19th, 2011 at 8:15 pm  
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Emotions Run High in Leicester…

Thursday, August 18th, 2011 at 11:47 am  
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If you were at our monthly event in Leicester back in July you’ll enjoy watching this recap of what was a really phenomenal day.

There were well over 300 of our members from all over the UK there learning about how to Find, Hire and Keep Great People.

As you’ll see in the video, this wasn’t just a day for business owners with large teams or for those who are in a position NOW to start building their team – sole traders also got a L-O-T of value from coming along!

Leicester saw our most emotionally charged Hot Seat to date when “The Smartest Builder in Northamptonshire” took to the stage in the hope of finding a way to save his business which was at the time just a month away from going bust. That Hot Seat will go down in Entrepreneurs Circle history because of the pure giving that went on among the circle to help him out.

One of our members said afterwards on Facebook “Seeing so many people pulling together to help save a fellow members’ business was just fantastic.” and it truly was a sight to behold and it just goes to show how powerful being a member can be!

If you were in Leicester, leave us a message below to let us know what you got out of being there… and make sure you don’t miss the chance to be at the Bolton event on 19th September! If you haven’t already, call the team on 0121 765 5551 to book your place NOW!

Networking

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 at 1:46 pm  
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Let’s be honest, every networking group has it’s share of ‘losers’. You know what I mean.

They think small. They just don’t get it and, frankly, they frustrate the rest of us! You can offer them a perfect business love match and they won’t do the maths, make the connection and make the introduction. They’ll never bring you a quality lead. They’re useless to you. Beware the ‘loser’. Spend too much time with them and you become one!

Brilliant networkers are what Malcolm Gladwell refers to in The Tipping Point as ‘connectors’. They’re always looking for ways to link up trusted colleagues. They’re who you want in your network.

To build a network that builds your bottom line, you need to be where the power players are. Who you spend time with matters, and it matters big. Do you need to change your networking to kick it up a level and get to the heavy hitters?
To be a power networker, you need to make the most of your time. Konow who you want to meet, why you want to meet them and what action you’ll take once you get to know them.

But don’t think too narrowly. Give almost everyone a fair shot at first. I’ve received big business from some unlikely sources. Connectors are found all over the place! Make the connection and see what comes of it. Get to know new people. Take an interest in them. Listen.

OK, here are the two big changes. You ready?

The biggest smartest tip for networking in the 21st century
Focus on them – not you. Ask about them, get to know them, be interested in them and look for ways that you can help them.

The second biggest tip for networking in the 21st century
Don’t take your business cards. That way you can’t give any out – so you’ve got to get one of theirs and that way you’re in control of following up…

FACT Decision makers with money do business with people they LIKE, know and trust. They’ll never have a chance to get to like you and trust you if they never get to know you.

I’d be interested in hearing your comments! Please leave one below.

Twitter – Weekly Updates for 2011-08-12

Friday, August 12th, 2011 at 8:15 pm  
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Brooms & Rubber Gloves have never been so inspirational!

Thursday, August 11th, 2011 at 1:05 pm  
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There was a great article in The London Evening Standard website about the clean up campaign organised by artist Dan Thompson from Worthing through Twitter yesterday!

Hundreds of people have turned up (including Boris Johnson) on their local streets, brooms in hand to help clean up the aftermath of three days of rioting as a result.

“I thought there must be a way to help small shopkeepers, and starting talking on twitter about what simple thing we could do to help clean up the affected streets. We came up with the idea of getting people to go out into their local area and help clean up.” Thompson said.

Lots of celebrities helped to get the word out there through Twitter and clean ups have now taken place in Clapham, Brixton, Croydon, Lewisham, Peckham, Isle of Dogs, Camberwell, Ealing, Bethnal Green, Bow, Hackney, Camden and Chalk Farm and there are more planned. What an achievement!

In case you’d like to help out you can visit the site riotcleanup.co.uk to see events they have planned or follow @riotcleanup on Twitter.

Local businesses affected by the riots will need the support of their local communities now more than ever and these clean ups seem to indicate that this is exactly what they are going to get! Brilliant!

What will you be doing to help your local businesses in the weeks and months ahead? It would be great to hear from you so leave a comment.

Twitter – Weekly Updates for 2011-08-05

Friday, August 5th, 2011 at 8:15 pm  
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