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Posts Tagged ‘relationships’

07
Jul 2011
Posted by Jasmine
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Get Support for Your Local Business from ASBA (and a Great Deal!)

It has been a while since we have posted to the blog. It is not due to laziness but rather a new focus. Being a small business owner myself, I have quickly come to see the importance of buying from other local businesses. What really excites me is that I have found a way to use my business to promote other local businesses. We have been working in a lot of directions and there will definitely be more to come about it. For now, I want to tell you about a awesome business organization that I recently joined, Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA).

ASBA is all about supporting local and small businesses in Arizona so the group is a natural fit for us. I have also agreed to be a part of their effort to help the small businesses of our area become more successful.  During the month of July, I have committed to share the benefits of ASBA membership with you and to personally invite you to join me as an ASBA Member.

Joining is easy!  Click here to join, and when you get to the last page, use my special promo code jasmine711 to join for only $100! That’s an $85 savings.

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Posted in: Blog, Resources

15
Dec 2010
Posted by Jasmine
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What Does Your Marketing System Look Like?

I recently read a post on the Duct Tape that mirrors an idea and article that I have been working on for my blog. I figured what the hey, why not combine the two into a hybrid weekly roundup? Though our shapes vary a bit, the basic idea is the same—marketing is a system and the whole point is to get prospects to know, like, trust, and ultimately buy from you.

7 Little Words That Sum Up the Entire Marketing Machine

To build your marketing system (online or otherwise), you have to set up mileposts that track the progress of the relationship. At mile 1, you and your prospect are just getting to know each other so the barrier for entry needs to be low—you have earn their trust before asking them to commit. By the time you get to mile 101, you should be pretty comfortable with each other and that is when you ask for the big sale.

I use a simple flow chart model with my clients to create these milestones. (Download a template to start your system.) John uses an hour-glass shape for his. Either way, you need to have those milestones in place or else your marketing efforts are going to fall flat.

Just like in marriage, you can’t rush in and propose to a gal on the first date. You have to get to know each other before you bring out the bling. What does your marketing system look like? Do you even have one?

Posted in: Blog, Marketing

09
Dec 2010
Posted by Jasmine
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Let Them Come to You

Last week I volunteered to be a Salvation Army bell ringer at our local Bass Pro Shop. Though I have walked by the bell ringers and collection pots a million times before, this was my first time on the other side. It seemed like a pretty easy way to give back to my community so why not?

I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly, chatty and generous people were. (Apparently not everyone is like me and skulks by because they never carry cash. Thought after this experience, I am going to change my bah-humbug ways.)

Since the bell ringing really does not require much thought and I did have some lulls in foot traffic, I did get to thinking about how bell ringing relates to marketing. The best marketing behaves just like the bell ringers—they make enough noise to get your attention but don’t get up in your face. The bell ringer does not harass or pursue the foot traffic instead they smile, look approachable and wait for you to come to them. This approach absolutely works. We collected an average of $25 per hour for the entire day. That isn’t too bad if you ask me.

I have been using this approach to marketing since I began my business and have experienced an abundance of growth year after year. It is a simple fact that no one wants to feel like they are being sold to—that is why direct mail and traditional advertising are struggling right now. They focus on the push not the pull. Just remember, don’t be pushy! Let the prospects come to you and so will success.

Posted in: Blog, Marketing, Marketing tips

17
Nov 2010
Posted by Jasmine
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Weekly Roundup: Tips for Creating a Strong Relationship

5 Ways to Let Prospects Sample Your Brilliance

This is a welcome article if you are struggling with the “close” in your marketing and sales. Many times when I am talking with clients, we discover that what is broken in their marketing in not the product or service but how it is being pitched. Especially in the case of high dollar services, prospects need to sample your expertise and try out your methods before committing their checkbook.

By rushing straight from the nice-to-meet-you stage in a relationship to buy my $1000 service, you scare them off. When spending that kind of money prospects want to feel confident that they are getting something that works, that they want and is worth the large price tag. Providing several smaller, free or low-cost offerings along the way helps lower the sticker shock and barrier for entry.

This post list a couple of solid strategies that can be worked into any businesses marketing plan and will give prospects the opportunity to try before buying. We use several of the techniques at 910 West and have had great success so we know first hand that it does work.

Turn Customers Into Stark Raving Advocates With a Customer Development System

I have been working on my own customer development system (though not is such fancy terms) for a few months now. It dovetails with a conversation that I with my business coach last summer. He told me that 70% of my marketing efforts (time and money) should be focused on my current clients. That is far above what I was doing (and most of the businesses that I work with too) so presented me with an opportunity to expand my marketing. So far, I have implemented a couple of programs and have a few more in the planning with great success. If you are struggling with this or just want to know more, this article will give you the steps you need to get your own program started.

Posted in: Blog, Marketing, Marketing tips

25
Sep 2009
Posted by Jasmine
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Every Business Needs a Fan Club

Four Reasons You Need to Build a Cult Following

It seems like every day there is some new way to build a following for your business: Facebook Fan Pages, Twitter, LinkedIn Groups, blogs. They all offer an ongoing point of contact for customers and prospects. Fan clubs are not something new—bands have had them for ages. (You know you joined one as a teenager.) And with the online tools available today, creating a loyal base of followers is easier than ever. But just because you can, does it mean that you should? Here are four reasons why your business needs a fan club:

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Posted in: Blog, Marketing, Resources

04
Apr 2009
Posted by Jasmine
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It's never to late to say "Hello, again"

A few tips to help you get back in touch with a client or prospect

For those of you have been subscribers for a while, you may have noticed that this newsletter is a little later than usual. I have to say it’s not late due to my lack of trying. I have been working on my newest edition for weeks now. This is the fourth topic that I’ve chosen—I could not seem to find one that just clicked. Then as I was driving home today, I was thinking about a question that my friend and client, Heidi emailed to me earlier this week. As I thought about it, I realized that anyone could benefit from the advice that I gave her. So here’s Heidi’s the story:

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Posted in: Blog, Marketing, Marketing tips

05
Jan 2009
Posted by Jasmine
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Make connections that will grow your business

Three steps to help you be “the one to know”

This fall I attended a luncheon at my local chamber of commerce and the presenter gave a great talk on making the most of networking events. He said one  thing  that really stuck with me: “You want to be the person that everyone wants to invite.” This season of holiday parties has me thinking even more about his advice.

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Posted in: Blog, Marketing, Resources

22
Oct 2008
Posted by Jasmine
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Marketing tips for uncertain times

Five low-cost ideas to promote your business

Unless you have been living and working under a rock for the past few months, you know that we are facing a lot of uncertainty in our economic future. These times can be especially scary for those of us in the trenches—the small business owner. To help safe guard against decreasing sales, most of us are looking for ways to cut costs. For many, the marketing budget is the first area to be cut. While it makes sense to carefully watch how you spend those marketing dollars, you are making a mistake if you stop marketing all together.

Good marketing sets you apart in a crowded market place. It keeps you in front of your customer so they remember you when they are ready to buy. It is crucial to make sure that you are still around when times get better. But good marketing does not have to cost a lot of money. Read on for five ways you can market your business for little or no cost.

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Posted in: Blog, Marketing, Marketing tips

26
Jun 2008
Posted by Jasmine
0 comments

How are you marketing your meatball?

Most small business owners are in the business of selling meatballs—those tried and true products and services that we use every day. These items are mainstays of our lives but don’t call out for excitement, especially online buzz. But as we have all seen, online buzz builds businesses and brands and can make their owners rich. Don’t despair! All businesses can use online marketing to their advantage.

While browsing the bookstore one afternoon, I came across this crazy book with a picture of a meatball slathered in whipped cream on front. Of course, I picked it up. This newest book, “Meatball Sundae: Is your marketing out of sync?” from marketing guru, Seth Godin offers great advice on how businesses like ours can benefit from the power on online marketing.

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Posted in: Blog, Marketing