Business Coaching

Which Of These Marketing Excuses Do You Make?

The more clients I deal with, the more I see mindset as a big issue and that certainly applies in marketing.

People want to provide the product or service but they don't want to do the marketing and selling, partly because they're not very good at it and partly because it "just feels wrong".

This creates a vicious circle:

Lessons From The Marketing Legends

Wow I have just spent the last four or five hours listening to a superb presentation by Rich Schefren of the lessons from the marketing legends.

This is part of the trainings available from the Founders Club, his entrepreneurial support membership site.

Founders Club - compensated affiliate link

The actual Lessons from the Marketing Legends video / audio is just under 3 hours long but Rich was sharing so many pearls of wisdom that I couldn't keep up in my note taking and had to keep on stopping the recording.

Perhaps it is stupid to take notes a pdf transcript is also included but it helps me to think as I write.

What Is "The Lessons From The Marketing Legends"?

UK Postal Rates Increase 6 April 2010 & 2011

I've just received notification from the Royal Mail that postal rates are increasing from 6 April 2010 and this will impact everyone who uses the post but in particular those of use who believe in direct mail. Please see the comments section for th postal rates that apply from 6 April 2011.

The price of a first class stamp will increase to 41p from 39p (up 5.1%).

New Ways To Reach Your Customers All The Time

Twenty years ago we relied on direct mail, telemarketing and the Yellow Pages to reach potential customers.

Since then the Internet, email marketing and video marketing have become established as great ways to be found by those who are searching for solutions and to reach out and involve those who are getting ready to buy.

It seems we are on the cusp of another change.

What Would Your Ideal Prospect Say?

I have just watched a John Carlton video to promote his copywriting training and mentoring - Simple Writing System- see my Simple Writing System Review.

I wanted to share the idea with you for getting into the minds of your customers.

Imagine you are sitting in a bar, minding your own business.

A stranger walks in and sits on the next stool down and says to the bartender "I need a double Scotch. I've had a terrible day."

Conforming To Social Norms

Here is a funny video which shows the power of using the desire to confirm to social norms can have to influence our actions.

This has an impact in both marketing where we try to persuade people to buy and in the way we guide our teams of employees to do the right thing.

Outsourcing: Four Steps To Outsourcing Success

I believe you should play to your strengths - both as a way to get more success in less time and to keep you sane.

If you are not ready to hire employees because you are either looking for specialist help or because the tasks are big enough to just even a part time assistant, then outsourcing is a great way to go.

Scott Hallman On Video: Make The Time To Watch

One of my favourite business experts is Scott Hallman.

Scott is not that well known but he is definitely worth paying attention to if you want to grow your business and he's a nice guy too.

I found these seven short videos of Scott speaking at Eben Pagan's Get Altitude seminar and I really believe you should make the time to watch them.

If you can't spare the full hour now, decide to watch one or two a day and then start taking action.

Please don't make the classic mistake of thinking "I already know that." but ask yourself "Do you already do it?" and if you do, then ask "Do I do it really well and take maximum advantage of the opportunity?"

The Time To Do It Differently

I am very pleased to feature another article from top marketer and entrepreneur Dan Kennedy explaining why it is time to start to do things differently.

Over to Dan.

Why People Fail: A series of No B.S.  Articles from Dan Kennedy 

Now Is The Time To Do It Differently

“Help! – I Can’t Get Out Of The Box I Put Myself In!”

The fast food industry got the idea for drive-in windows from banks.

I guess there was a McDonalds executive sitting at the bank drive-through one day who thought, “I don’t think we can fit the milkshakes in these tubes, but…”   

The Brain Is Wired Wrong For Money

If you are struggling to build wealth and you seem to spend more than you earn, take a look at a new series of videos from Eben Pagan.

Eben Pagan is an internet marketer known for producing high quality - premium priced - programs but he's also known for issuing valuable content for free.

There is a series of videos starting with Money's Dirty Little Secret and you can read about it on my Eben Pagan blog.

No funny business, no affiliate links. Eben is releasing the Self Made Wealth program to his own list as a pilot but I thought you'd find it helpful. 

Working With Me

If you like what I write and you want help turning good ideas into profitable action, then check out my business coaching offer.

I am also introducing a new service to create small business mastermind groups so like minded small groups of entrepreneurs can work together to create success and share best practice ideas.  

Recruiting Staff: Best To Check Social Media To See What You're Getting

You know people lie on their CVs and say what they think you want to hear at an interview so how do you get to the real man or woman behind the mask?

You can check out the social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace and you may get to hear why they really want to leave their current employer and all kinds of other interesting information.

Small Business Survey Results February 2010

I've been thinking for some time about the idea of compiling various small business survey results to present an overall picture of what is happening in the world of small business.

Finally I have moved from thought to action so I hope you find these snippets of results interesting and thought-provoking.

There is no doubt things are tough out there for many small businesses so it is no wonder many have cut back sharply on their own spending.

I've given the source of the survey so you can search for more in depth information if something particularly hits the spot.

8 Factors To Make Your Business A Great Place To Work

Last weekend the Sunday Times announced the 100 best small companies to work based on a) companies needed to enter and b) the businesses were assessed by their own employees.

The factors used to assess the best places to work are in effect a guide on what you need to do if you want to get the best out of your employees and keep them happy and motivated.

The eight workplace factors that were assessed were:

Booked Solid University from Michael Port

I saw the emails from Michael Port announcing the creation of the Booked Solid University (compensated affiliate link) and thought to myself "That looks interesting."

Michael Port is a very successful business coach and best selling author who works with small business professionals - lawyers, accountants, architects, life coaches, fitness professionals...

When I reviewed his first book, Book Yourself Solid I wrote "I wish I'd written this book. That's how good it is."

Who Goes To Network Meetings To Buy?

If networking is about matching up potential buyers with potential sellers, it seems to me there needs to be a huge change of approach in many networking groups.

The network meetings I've been to have tended to be about Push marketing.

"This is me, me, me... please buy... or refer me to someone else who will buy... please."

What's Hot On The Blog February 2010

February 2010 saw the return on the Internet marketing product launch with a bang as two launches - on Facebook advertising and video marketing - made it into my top ten of what's hot on the blog.

Here's the top ten with links (January 2010 positions is in brackets):