Keep Your Business Growing ... Today's Way!

What Day Is Best For Sending Email Broadcasts?

2012-01-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

What is the best day to send an email broadcast? This question is asked by just about all my clients and more! To answer it one must start with looking at one's list and the lifestyle of the recipients. Then the best you can do, because people are checking their emails all day, every day, in today's world .. is go with your gut feel.

If the gut feel leaves you a bit "unsure" here is some recent research for the positives and negatives (of sending email broadcasts) for each day of the week. Enjoy!

Monday
Positive: Office work has not filled inboxes yet
Negative: Consumers are in work mode and won’t be focused on non-work tasks
Best Practice: Send emails late Monday morning, after consumers have cleaned the weekend spam from their inboxes

Tuesday
Positive: People have organized their week, and can find personal time for emails
Negative: Emails poised for a weekend response may be too early
Best Practice: Use Tuesday for emails that request action during the workweek

Wednesday/Thursday
Positive: Consumers are planning their weekends and gearing up for personal time
Negative: Time during the workweek is running short, and requested action may be pushed back to the following week, or even forgotten about
Best Practice: Focus leisure and weekend notifications during these key weekend planning days

Friday
Positive: Studies indicate fewer total emails sent compared to the rest of the week, increasing visibility among the myriad of other messages
Negative: Consumers hurry to leave the office early, and may not take time to view non-work related emails
Best Practice: Send emails early in the day to give consumers more time to take action. An unopened email from Friday will sort to the bottom of an inbox on Monday, and is often discarded

Weekends
Positive: People check emails on weekends, too, so weekends may have untapped potential
Negative: A weekend email may seem overly-intrusive to some people
Best Practice: If possible, try to avoid Sundays and focus on Saturdays, which may have a better response rate

Keep your business growing!
margie

Oh That "Captivating" Power Of The Internet! A Personal Experience!!!

2012-01-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo ... it's 2012 and a new commitment to my blog!!

It's been too long and I miss you. Hoping to keep it handy so as my blogging thoughts happen I can do what I'm doing now! Share them with you!

Most of you know how I have "always" promoted the power of the intimacy of the internet ...how you have so much opportunity via the hypnotic state people are in as they read your communications .... Right??

Just found myself in one of those modes and had to smile. Am sitting here at my computer and even though all I have to do to refill my coffee cup is stand up and turn to my left ... I was NOT budging because I did not want to take my eyes off the computer. Was I reading just one article? No .. was scanning from article to article on the Linkedin NEWS page.

Then it got worse! My left contact lens got realigned in my eye somehow and was causing discomfort and was kind of fluttering. There was a moment when I asked myself can I endure or "must" I leave this compelling screen. That's when I had to laugh and got up and fixed my eye and yes, refilled the coffee cup. BUT also thought what an example of what I preach.
The internet gives you a captive audience!! Maximize those interactions for your business success.

Happy New Year everyone! Anyone else have a similar story to share??

Keep your business growing ...
margie

How To Make A Transition To A WordPress Blog or Website!

2011-09-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hello ...

Once you know "if" WordPress is for you, what's the next step to take?

Making a transition to WordPress deserves serious thought as the entire direction of your online presence will at some point be supported by a content management interactive hub. It is the way the online world is headed for a multitude of good reasons! One major reason is the ability to have up-to-date information immediately available for your prospects and clients! A bit of a competitive "must" .. yes?

Right now the proven leader for an easy to use content management system is WordPress. It's an excellent platform to implement and will serve you well.

So where do you begin?

STEP 1: GRASPING THE CONCEPT
The best first step, from my experience, is to understand the WordPress platform. The end result of a WordPress product can look pretty similar to a traditional newsletter and/or website. However the "behind-the-scenes" - the how, where and why content is applied within the platform is a bit different and is what makes all the difference!

A kaleidoscope is a great analogy to what happens on a WordPress platform. Do you remember playing with one? Watching all those different shapes of colors of glass rearrange themselves and take on different looks based upon "reflections from internal mirrors."

In WordPress, the individual pieces of your business content and the pieces of the WordPress platform become the pieces of colored glass. It can appear in different ways for different types of buyers in different sections of your blog/website as the season, month and time of day changes!!! AND ... you get to do all this yourself .. without having to pay your web person!

For some of you, the above example might be a "stretch" .. but it gives you at a minimum the right mindset to continue.

STEP 2: IDENTIFYING YOUR COMMUNICATIONS
Once you have an understanding of the dynamics, you need to put your basics (the pieces of your business) on paper. It's the same exercise I have my clients do with a traditional website, blog or any communication. Who are you talking to? How many different types of people do you talk to? What actions do you want these readers to take? What do you offer, what information is needed, to make them take those actions? What are the different "seller to buyer" types of connections that will be required?

If you want to go slow you might want to pick just one segment of your business for the above exercise. Once these elements are identified you will want to think about how many different combinations, sorts, tallies, etc you will want to create from all your pieces. Again, what are the different "seller to buyer" types of communications that will be required? Get that nailed and you can move onto setting up your WordPress structure.

STEP 3: CREATING THE STRUCTURE
WordPress Themes are the heart and soul of your structure. They provide the basic components that will support the presentation of all your different seller to buyer communications identified in step #2. Themes all do different things and have to be chosen carefully. You do not want to be restricted by a theme and not be able to maximize your communications!

Within each theme, you create the pages of your WordPress blog and/or website. Each page (or communication) will have a different purpose. Which pages have postings? Which are static? Which are both? Where on each page do you want a sidebar? What type of "widgit" will support the type of info you want in a sidebar? What type of "sorting" of data do you need to give access to (archives, categories, etc)? Are any plug-ins necessary for supporting your varieties of content and/or coding,... and so on.

One very practical part of a theme is if you outgrow a beginning theme you can just change the theme and your content will find their respective home immediately on the new theme! It is a transparent transfer!!

Most people require some instruction on the above components of the
WordPress structure. Some components are pretty self-evident but not all. A good place to "play around" to get familiar before you get serious is on www.Wordpress.com. Activate a free WordPress blog on the WordPress servers and play!!

STEP 4: GOING FORWARD WITH YOUR BUSINESS
Transitioning your business to a WordPress platform can be done in different ways. It depends mostly upon your schedule, the amount of content, the timing, the desire, the ability and sometimes the budget!

Some people begin with a WordPress blog. Over time the blog is expanded and enhanced and before one knows.... they have a WordPress website. Anyone who begins this way is more apt to apply self-instruction! Not necessary as there is always instruction available, but often the case. There is a chance of missing some core capabilities if you are on a novice level.

Other people are ready to create a WordPress website immediately. There are many free themes available to use. However if you go this route of creating a website, let me recommend you invest in a custom designed theme. Get the layout, components, functionality, colors and other that you need for your unique branding and communications. Todays Way offers this service so make sure you speak with us before going forward without!

Know that Today's Way is here to help you with your transition, of any kind. Don't let yourself be left behind. On your own or with our help, go to www.wordpress.com for free themes and hosting. You can also go to www.wordpress.org for themes to install on a private web-hosted wordpress program. If you already pay for web hosting there is a huge chance that you have Wordpress already sitting there waiting for you to activate.

Visualize that kaleidoscope I previously mentioned and place your business communications inside of it. How great would it be to have the pieces of your business that were just presented to buyer A be able to appear for buyer B with just a click. As long as you submit your content to the platform ... you, yourself, can make all the updates, changes, and additions to your WordPress platform that will achieve this and more!

Structure, step #3, may require some assistance and I strongly suggest that you do get help in understanding "structure." It is your driver's license for driving your business forward into 2012. Well worth any investment

Check out my current Special on "all" of my trainings .. Back To School For Business Owners! There is a training listed for creating a WordPress blog for $110. 90 minutes plus a 30 minute follow-up call. Don't miss out!

Keep Your Business Growing!
margie

Small Business Online Marketing Resource Checklist

2011-07-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

Hi ..

Are you a small business? Using the internet? Got it under control or are you confused and overwhelmed?

Just sent out my weekly mailing with a checklist of online marketing resources for all small businesses. Trying to help businesses create a platform, upon which they can create a communications strategy. A strategy puts all the pieces in their place and allows a business to make sense of what they are doing!

Beyond the selections that work for all businesses some resources on the list were specified for retail and some for businesses who rely upon being "found" via internet searches. You can see my mailing here!

Am curious what "you" find to be your top 4 "must use" online resources? Can you share? Here's a list of what was included in my checklist: Local SE Directory Listings, Online Newsletter, Social Networking Presence, Video, and for the retail store- Four Square, for the retail store with a storefront window, QR Codes, and for the business who relies upon "being found" on the internet, Stumble Upon.   Websites and Blogs are mentioned as important but not, in most cases, what needs to be done first.

If you agree with some or all of my list please share your personal "why" .... it just might make someone out there jump in and give it a try for their business!    If you have an addition to my list please also share with us and include your "why" ... think we all love to know more about online resources. It's impossible to study them all. I welcome your contributions!

Can't wait to see what you have to say.....   and in the mean time,

Keep Your Business Garden Growing,
margie

What Do You Think About Google+ ??

2011-07-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

Hello all ... Happy 4th of July!

Google has been making some fireworks of their own this past week ~ wow, what a lot of announcements! Google+ was the BIGGEST announcement and I'm wondering what you think of it? (Visit my weekly mailing if you haven't reviewed it at all, click here!)

Am hoping that you look at each new social network as an opportunity for new ways to connect to your buyers. If you do take that approach you won't be overwhelmed with each new resource AND you won't see it as "another" social network. You'll see it as an additional "way" to create and strengthen connections.

That said, my favorite piece of Google+ is the new video chat. Never have I had any interest in using the live chat platforms in facebook or anywhere else for that matter. BUT, Google+ has what they call a "hangout" section that sounds more inviting and a bit more casual. They compare it to seeing some of your friends hanging out on the front porch as you walk by vs having to up and knock on the door! If it is really that convenient, I'm thinking this would offer more opportunity to get to know some of the "friends" I have that I really don't know well. Some of them being business opportunities. What do you think?

The other "piece" that I like is called Circles. It is where you can drag your friends, etc. into different circles based upon how you know them. Kind of like our email groups. This I really like for business reasons. Not sure yet how easy it will be to manage ... but sounds appealing right now.

Would love to know your thoughts! Are you looking forward to a new social network to use? Are you overwhelmed? Are you ready to leave facebook behind and move on? What do you think?

Please share!!

Keep Your Business Garden Growing!
margie

What's an APP? Which Ones Do You Use For Business?

2011-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone ...

Everyone is throwing around the word "app" lately like they are all tech gurus. You may be one of them, but do you really know exactly what an app is? I had an assumption and it turns out I was pretty right on, but I gave myself some room for doubt that made me want to check it out... just to be sure I wasn't missing a piece. You never know.

Then there are many who are clueless but act like they know what you are talking about. If that's you I hope this saves you from being in that "spot!" And "really" hope you're not one of the clueless that is actually using the word all the time without any idea of what an app really is (?) ... fess up!!
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Anyway .... it's pretty simple to explain an app. "App" is short for application and in its abbreviated format means a "specific" software application, i.e. software program, used in a mobile smart phone. It let's us do all sorts of things with our phones. If you want more info please visit my weekly mailing that just went out - Click here!

In this blog posting, I'd love to know which apps you use for business? More importantly ....just how much of your office are you now putting into your mobile phones? What can you share?

Some new ones I just found include:
Docs to Go - Allows you to change word, excel, and powerpoint docs on the fly.
RightSignature - Lets you fill in a form(contract) and add a digital signature.
NEOReader - Reads all sorts of barcodes for price shopping, inventory control, etc

Would love to know, again, which ones you use and where you go to find what's out there? The more we can use our smart phones for business while we are in transit or with clients, the more efficient we can maximize our time and increase our profits.

Can't wait to see what you use! Please share.

Meanwhile ...

Keep your business garden growing,
margie

Have You Heard About SQUARE?

2011-05-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone ....

Have you heard about SQUARE? It enables anyone in the US with an iPhone, iPad or Android device to sign up and accept credit cards in minutes. The app is free, the card reader is free, and the only fee is per transaction. It's true!

Have you ever been at a meeting where someone wanted to order something right there on the spot without a check or money and you had no way to accept their credit card?
Do you ever go to a trade show or expo and have no way to accept credit cards?
Do you have a seasonal business and refuse to pay monthly year round cc fees?
Has the length of a cc company's application turned you off to accepting credit cards?
Are you on the move all the time and need your phone to be your office?

SQUARE is for you if any of the above hit home. It takes about 10 minutes to sign up. All you need is a US Bank Account, a physical mailing address in the U.S. and a social security number. You may use a Tax ID number but they will still ask for your social security number.
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Security is high and the only cost is a transaction fee! Can't beat it. I ordered mine. Would love to know if anyone out there has experience using it? Is there anything we should know??
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For more details check out my weekly mailing:
http://www.todaysway.net/weekly/2011may03_square.htm
xxx
Keep your garden growing .....
margie

"ooVoo ME!" Where Are "You" At With Video Chat?

2011-02-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

ooVoo Me!

Has anyone asked you this yet? It's a relatively new video chat service! Much like Skype but with some variances.

A couple of advantages over Skype include:

ooVoo allows for your contacts who have NOT downloaded ooVoo, to still be able to talk with you from their web browser via the Web Video Calling feature. Great for those who may be on the move, at a public place, friend's computer, etc., who can't download the program, or don't want to for whatever reason.
ooVoo allows you to embed video onto your blog, website or social networking site via the web video chat feature. Great for building relationships, having meetings, etc.

Lots of its features are free.... all you need is broadband internet access and a computer with a webcam and microphone (and a headset works great if you have one).

There is a great breakdown of all the ooVoo features and a short comparison to Skype in my weekly mailing which you may access here! Take a peek! (If you would like to get on my mailing list go to my website.) As with all marketing resources, review and pick out what works best for "you."

All this leads me to asking you where "video chat" is in your marketing strategy? If you are a current Skype user, what are you using it for in your business? Do you think it works for trainings? Meetings? What works? What doesn't work?

My thoughts about ooVoo is that it is one more step towards video being a norm for communicating! More and more video, in the chat format, is like being there! ooVoo brings us more options for when we are on the run in that it supports communications with or without "both" ends having the technology. Not sure how many people are ready to be "seen" as they work, but that aside .... the time for video chat has arrived. Even in email ....something I personally would not support for a long time. Anyone thinking along the same lines?

As always, you want to enhance your business communications with you choice of marketing resources. It's not just having "video chat" that will increase your bottom line. It is what you are saying over video chat and where you have applied it within your communication strategy that will increase your bottom line.

If you are wondering about where you might apply video chat within your business communications please share your concerns here. We can all work together in getting some answers for you.

You may also be interested in my "weekly special" ....part of my weekly mailing that I opened up to my blog readers last week and will do again this week! The first two blog readers who respond will receive my weekly special ... just say "blog" when you call or email.

In the mean time ...

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Who? What? Which? When? How? Got Online Overwhelm?

2011-02-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

Ever find yourself looking at a new online resource and asking ... Who? What? Which? When? How? Happens to a lot of people as they get introduced to yet one more online resource that will solve all their online marketing problems.

The good news is that online overwhelm can be easy to solve. Believe it or not the core elements for marketing and selling online are the same as the traditional roles we all know so well - client, product, store/office, advertising, training, service, staff, sales, mail, phone, networking. No different, just different players! You just need to "breathe" ... and create a map.

A map allows you to assign a defined purpose to each of your online resources. It helps eliminate duplication, (the cause of much wasted time & confusion) and makes sure you have all your "crucial' bases covered! It also makes it easier to develop a strategy for all your resources.... making them work together with a goal of maximizing your results from the least amount of resources.

Give it a try. If you need an example, go to my weekly mailing, that I just sent out, where I outlined some of the basic assignments of the more popular resources. It will give you an idea of a basic map. You can access it by clicking here:

What I would love to know in this posting is what is "your" confusion? What makes you get online overwhelm OR how do you prevent it from happening?? Please share with us .... cause as this year evolves with web3.0 and more and more video and more and more mobile interactions, we all need to get control of ourselves and our businesses!

And also ... let me invite you to participate in my weekly special. Be one of the first two to contact me via phone or email and tell me you found out about the special via my blog. The special is any of my trainings listed here at 1/2 off. I'm feeling really good tonight so take advantage!

In the mean time ....
Keep your business growing!
margie

The New Facebook Business Page Look

2011-02-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hi ..

Did you upgrade yet? If you haven't heard, facebook business pages are getting some capabilities that lots of people have been waiting for! If you are a business owner you will really like the changes ... at least that is my prediction. Here are a few of the highlights:

Now you can LIKE other pages and leave postings on other pages as a business! It's optional, via settings, but something I believe many of you will want. There is still a personal touch available as page administrator profile images are shown at the top right hand corner of the page. A simple click will take you to their personal accounts.
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Another plus is that you can target post - per country, state, city and even language!
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You will be notified via email when a posting is left on your business page. This will be the same as you've been experiencing on your personal page. One addition - you can block profanity! Not that "you" would get such a posting, but good to know!
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You can choose via settings if first time visitors see only the page postings or all the postings. People who LIKE your page get the same options!

Take a look at a complete listing on my weekly mailing ....click here Take a look and tell me if you like these changes? What is your favorite? What don't you like? Would love to know ....
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Right now the upgrade is optional. You can preview and then go ahead and upgrade if you want ... however, once you do upgrade there is no going back. On March 10th everyone's business pages will receive this upgrade. I'd get myself ready now!!! Call with questions!
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Keep your business growing ...
margie

Join my weekly mailing list!

Foursquare - Did You "Check-In" Today?

2010-11-14T22:10:00.000-08:00

The word is out about foursquare ~ a web and mobile application that allows members to connect with friends and share where they are located.. People can learn about new places to go, where sales are going on and where foursquare is offering "specials!" It's becoming a fun game for users and a money maker for some businesses.

So, who's using foursquare? How are you using it? Share with us please!

Foursquare seems like a fun way for businesses to attract repeat business ... actually more than attract. They can actually "lure" clients to their venues. I would love to hear "live" actual stories of how people are using Foursquare as a business and as a user.

If you are not familiar with foursquare visit my newsletter this week. It explains it all: Click here!

Ok .. now I'm waiting to hear from you!

Keep your business growing,
margie

How Well Do You Target & Maximize?

2010-10-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

Hello all ....hope you had a fun Halloween!
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All the Halloween activity got me thinking about how even "trick or treating" is a study in communicating. Think about it ... we target homes within communities and we dress up in accordance with the holiday in order to please and receive candy! If we target those who know us best and they know they will be targeted, the odds are pretty good that the candy will be "really" good!
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It's the same thing in business. Various levels within the business process have different communities of conversation. Each of these communities needs to be worked to get the best results, i.e. candy. Prospects are a community close to, but not quite, the same community as customers. Your strategic partners are a community as well as your staff.
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How many communities does your business have? Have you ever stopped to think about it this way? I'm really curious and would love it if you would share.
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Upon identifying your communities it is so important to maximize your communications within each community ... engage, interact and build strong and loyal communities. Online resources can play a huge role in assisting you with this. My weekly newsletter covered some of the many.
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You can see my mailing by clicking here. Take a look and see if you use any of the online resources I highlight for the specific reasons I mention. OR ... are do you have some that are using you? If you know of others please share as well! Would love to hear from you.
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Keep your business growing ...
margie

QR Codes

2010-10-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

Do you have your QR Code yet? They are those square black and white boxes you are starting to see all over the internet and soon in offline places!
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QR stands for "Quick Response" and that's what happens with a QR code. They were created so that mobile phones can scan them and have instant access to what ever online information you want to provide access to! My weekly mailing goes over some specific sites where you can create your own QR Code as well as sites where you can find apps for scanning. Right now I'd love to know how you are using your QR codes? Do you have one yet? Are people scanning them?
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Looking at some of the uses I think the retail shop owner is going to have lots of fun. They can be put in store windows and connect people directly to Yelp accounts and Foursquare if you are using either site for local referral status. Also a great idea for offering giveaways! Or maybe a direct connection to your facebook page! The ideas are endless so let's share some.
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My facebook friend, Anise, first introduced them to me. Check out her QR Marketing Group on facebook. She has put them on T-shirts ... another great way to get your QR Code around town. It's possible to put the on coffee mugs also and of course hats and other promo items.
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What do you want people to have "Quick" access to? Create your QR code today! Here's what they look like.....this is my QR code for this blog!

Can't wait to hear from you ... but in the mean time ...

Keep your business growing ....
margie

What's "Your" Purpose For Social Networking?

2010-10-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

Hi ..

So what is "your" purpose for social networking? Do you have one? Hope so, cause it is the first step to take in order to justify your time on a social network.

It is imperative to have a purpose and/or intention if you are looking for business on a social network. Without knowing why you are there, how can you create any connections that will end up giving you new, repeat and referral sales? This is when people are wasting their time.

I just discussed 5 business reasons to use social networking for business in my weekly mailing. They are E-Commerce, Lead Generation, Branding, Research, and Customer Retention. You can read all about it by clicking my title here on my blog or if you are a subscriber, it should be in your inbox.
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My question in this blog is "what is "your" purpose? Is it any of the 5 listed? Other? Are you achieving your purpose via social networking? How are you doing it? Please share.
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Personally I have found all the power to be in the posting ~ knowing how to engage the reader with the benefits of what is offered so that the selling is almost transparent! It's powerful to experience. It's my "bait," as I like to say. ( click here for "Six Steps For Going Fishing On Social Networks )

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What do you find powerful? What works for you?
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Keep your business growing ...
margie

Google Voice ~ Have You Tried It Yet?

2010-10-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been here a month now ... have you tried Google Voice? I activated it when it was first released and have found some parts of it great and some ... well, let's say "less than great."

If you haven't tried it yet you can access it from your Gmail account. On the left side of your inbox there is a link. If you click on the Title line of "this" posting, you will be taken to my latest weekly newsletter which walks you through the setup and the basics of what you need to know.

Would love to gather your thoughts and discover what pieces of it make you love it or NOT!! The free calling, YES FREE CALLING (even to Canada), is nice. Beyond that I have a couple of things to share ....

First, what I like a lot. I connected "only" my cell phone number to Google Voice and the best part, for me, is the voice mail support. My voice messages are transcribed to text on my phone and also sent to my Gmail inbox as a message. When I access the text message in Gmail there is also a link to a "live" voice recording. LOVE being able to file my voice messages as well as to hear them. The transcription is "pretty good" all things considered ~ enough to be impressive.

What I don't like! Use of a Google number that can support all your telephone numbers is hyped. BUT when I went to choose a number you had to keep putting numbers in until you found one that wasn't already being used within your chosen area code! I spent over 20 minutes and came up with nothing. Does anyone know another way of creating a Google number?? Would love to know!

These are my highlights! Please share any of yours and lets really make use of Google's most recent service together!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Selling Without "Selling"

2010-08-08T18:54:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone ...

Does the idea of selling make you uncomfortable? I used to feel that way. What was really funny was that after someone would give me an appointment and spend an hour or more with me, I would still feel uncomfortable asking them if they wanted to buy my goods! Why was I there .. of course they planned to buy something! What was my problem?!

Now many years later I use a process I put together based upon primarily the Max Sacks training program and my own observations on "polite" communications. The end result is a sales process that I enjoy. I feel like a matchmaker and the best part is that the sales tend to close themselves!

Having been asked many time to share my sales process, I have finally created a 1-on-1 telephone training that I believe will change not only your selling success, but your life! At its completion you will be able to sell without selling! How great is that?

Check it out here and let me know your thoughts! http://bit.ly/cYUJ3d

Meanwhile ..

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Online Marketing Confusion?

2010-08-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

Anyone get confused about which online resources to use when? ... and where? ... and how? You are not alone. It can get "cloudy" out there!
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One way to help yourself clear up the confusion is to break your marketing functions down into the basic components you have seen over the years in traditional marketing. There is a central office or hub of operations with advertising, a sales force, and prospecting as the primary marketing components. Do you agree with that?

Now, take it a step further by realizing that each individual marketing function can and will multi-task all the functions, i.e. advertising will happen at the central hub, prospecting can obviously be a part of advertising, and I'm sure you have more examples.

The same thing happens with online marketing resources at an even higher rate ... which is probably why we can get sooooooo confused! Would love you to write a comment on where you see cross-utilization and are not quite sure which or what way to "best" use a resource ...or when?

A basic platform or guideline is:
Central Hub - Website
Advertising - Online Newsletter, Email Promo's & Ads
Sales Force - Blog for conversation on business specifics
Prospecting - Social Networking

Does this make sense? Let me know "your" thoughts. Again the above is a very 1st layer of "assignment" of roles and basically serves in assisting you in knowing where to start. The layers build and get more complex.
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TIP for success in assigning roles & priorities: Always keep your business needs "FIRST" and the resources second.

My weekly mailing adds lots more detail to this discussion ... if you are not on my list, please join us! There is a sign-up link on the right side of this page.
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In the mean time ...
Keep your business garden growing ..

margie

5 Email Subject LIne "DON'Ts"

2010-06-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hello to all .. .

Have been noticing an increase in "laziness" when it comes to creating our one-to-one email subject lines! Not a good idea as this is where ...

Your "first" impression begins.
Where your reader creates a mind-set for opening and then reading your message.
Where an emotion is created about you, the sender!!

Did you know all that was going on? I hope not!

HERE ARE 5 DON'Ts FOR EMAIL SUBJECT LINES

DON'T leave your subject line blank.
A blank subject line often, upon first glance, is seen as spam. No hope of getting it opened.
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DON'T put your message in the subject line.
Some people just read the beginning and assume the message is inside ( where it is supposed to be). When they open to a blank message area they get confused .. are not sure if something you wrote didn't come through, have to go back to the subject line and check to see if there is more ~ it all adds up to an unpleasant communication written obviously for YOUR convenience, not theirs.

You might say it is just a short message so it "is" for the convenience of the recipient. They still do not know there is nothing inside and upon seeing the blank interior can be left in a "grey" mindset where they really don' t know if there is more for them to know. Just does not work in your favor.
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DON'T grab an old email and keep the old email subject line for a new message!
Your recipient is sure going to feel less than special don't you think? Great way to build upon a relationship. You are also risking them not even opening it for thinking it is old news.

Take the 30 seconds it takes to grab that old email so you can find their email address, copy and paste their address into a "new" email with a new subject line. It will change your recipient's entire attitude about you.
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DON'T assume you are tho only person who sends emails to your recipient.
By this I mean if you make your subject line be about "lunch" ... identify the day of the lunch, purpose of the lunch, or even say lunch with you( by name). Make it easy for your recipient to know exactly what your email is addressing. Not everyone looks at the "from" name .. or at least not before confusion and discontent sets in ... subliminally or conscious wise.
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DON'T be cute or tricky.
No one these days opens anything that does not get to the point. It is usually regarded as spam and deleted before a "from" name is even looked at. See more on this under number 4"s description.

Bottom line .. be clear, concise, distinct and considerate. The more you can eliminate "any" need for the recipient to think about what the email is about, the more positively your email will be received in the reader's inbox. Upon passing this point, the more likely your email will be opened and read!
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Remember each and every one-on-one email is an opportunity to further develop your relationship with your recipient. Take advantage and make sure your emails are positive experiences.
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Keep your business growing ...
margie

Facebook Security - Are We Expecting Too Much?

2010-06-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hello ..

Just did a mailing on the new facebook security settings. The name begs me to ask if you think we are expecting too much from our internet resources in regards to "security?" What are your thoughts? Do you expect to have information you put on the internet be private?

It wasn't that long ago, and for many it still is, when we hesitated to use our credit cards online. So why now is the level of expectancy so high? We all "know" that encryption is required along with passwords for any type of true protection. Just because a company tells us all is private, are we that easy? How can we be so "trusting" or "stupid" .. which do you think it is?

I will concur that facebook had no right to lead us on .. but again I feel we each need to carry a personal responsibility. Basically it is lots more fun to just put data on the internet that we are comfortable sharing .. no worries!!

If nothing else, I for one, am changing my use of the word "security" to "control." What say you?

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Do You Like Facebook's New LIKE Button?

2010-05-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hello to all ..

Just did a mailing all about the facebook's new LIKE button! I like it .. what about you?
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Need to find a moment or two to add it to my pages but if your website gets visitors and traffic it is the way to go for sure.
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Basically you can have people "LIKE" your business page the very same way you did it before when the pages were FAN pages. BUT now in addition, there are plugins that you can put on your website pages, blog, articles that you write, etc. The plugins allow your webpages to operate like a facebook business page without being one. Visitors can share them, recommend them, and what I like the most is visitors can write a comment that will go their live feeds ...i.e. taking your webpage to live feeds that stretch way beyond your own. How much visibility is that????
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If you are not on my mailing list you may want to join. I go over all in easy to understand detail .. http://www.todaysway.net/weekly/gardengrowingmay242010_facebook.htm PLUS ..my weekly special is a 90 minute facebook training and coaching session for $60 to the first 4 callers! Can't beat that!
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If you already know about the plugins, please share with me what your thoughts might be about the LIKE button. Would love to hear from outsiders just what you think facebook is up to!!
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Keep your business growing,
margie

Do You Ever Struggle When Creating Online Postings For Your Business?

2010-01-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

Do you ever struggle with creating a social networking business posting? How many times do you head to your social network of choice and become clueless as to what to write and resort to something trivial from your day?

If this is you .... you are amongst many out there! There are so many telesminars on strategies for timing, types of postings, places to go to post, etc... but there is very little to help you actually create your postings.

There is no larger pond to fish in for new prospects for your business than the social networks ... so why is it that we don't know what to say about ourselves ( our businesses)? I would really love it if you would share what your specific thoughts are on this subject.

Social networking should be a core activity within our business marketing plan and we should have fun while we are doing it. I have some ideas of my own that I shared with my weekly mailing list to make it much, much easier for business owners. If you would like to get a copy you can subscribe to my mailing list at http://www.todaysway.net/welcome.htm#struggle. You can also find out a little bit more about what you will be receiving via this same link.

In the mean time I would still love to have your input on what "you" find challenging about creating social networking postings for your business. Leave me your comments, please!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

I've Done It! I Completed My 30 Day Challenge

2010-01-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

I've done it! I've completed my 30 day challenge or should I say Connie Ragen Green's challenge!

What a great feeling and I do thank Connie for getting me back into blogging! My blog has become my early morning friend that I share my first business thoughts of the day with. A little quiet time for me ... plus it's given me a good routine for placing my mind in perspective for the day.

For all of you who know you need to have a blog or need to use the blog you have more often, I do say to you .." just do it!" Just start writing something, anything daily. If you already have one that people read and you don't want to experiment with an audience, start a new one just for "your" fun. You will discover that each day gets easier and easier to think of your topics and to find time to write your postings. You will also discover that your blog will take its own direction and tell you its purpose. Do not worry up front about how you will use it.

The power of blogging (for you doubters) is much like Twitter to me! You have to experience both to understand their power. Their power cannot be explained.

So go out there and start writing some postings and have an adventure with it! If anyone wants help using blogger I provide that service. There are lots of other choices as well ... most blog platforms are free!

As always, please share "your" thoughts with me!

Keep your business growing ... .
margie

How Do You Answer Your Business Phone?

2010-01-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

How do you answer your business phone? Wow ... have you ever really thought about that one little moment that happens throughout the day?

The topic came to my mind as I was spinning some ideas on ways we all "secure our connections" throughout the day. I remembered a sales manager I had a long time ago who when he answered your call made you feel like you had made his day. It made me feel so good.

At one point while working for this boss, my desk was within hearing distance of his office. I learned that he answered all his calls the same way. It did not disappoint me, it impressed me. Such a simple little step to take to strengthen bonds!

It's not as easy as it sounds. I am still trying to implement it consistently and am going to make it be a point in 2010.

Think about it .... try it! I know some of you already do this ... well. Some of us do it with people we really want to hear from, but not everyone. And then there are others of us who can get off track with anyone who calls us, as we work at home alone with our thoughts.

Here's how my x-boss did it. You make a point of a pleasant hello. Upon hearing who is calling you simply say with joy, "John ... hi, how are you?" Saying their name out loud back to them always strengthens connections ( anywhere you use it .... good and bad :-) ) Don't over-do it, as that can look somewhat false .... just stick with pleasant as you begin and include that name.

So here's my challenge ... let's all try it, starting the moment you read this. We make "everyone" who calls us feel like they have made out day. We check back with each other in one month, February 8th ... just marked my calendar. I'll do another posting with my experiences and let you share yours as well.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Securing Business Connections ... 6 Easy Natural Steps!

2010-01-06T05:47:00.001-08:00

"Securing business connections" is a new term I am using for selling and/or closing business. Now that sales is a dirty word, I am thinking that our mindsets need to have a new perspective ... because we all must sell, right?

Securing a connection makes perfect logical sense and should be a more natural process for many who have made sales "seem" like a difficult feat. Take the steps found below and see what you think! Let me know what you come up with.

First lets go back to yesterday's posting where we talked about not forcing a connection to your service and/or product. There are matches out there for what you do that "fit" perfectly. You have the exact solution! That doesn't mean you will automatically get the sale because you will most likely also have some type of competition (good and bad) to deal with and your buyer may not even realize you are the perfect solution. So, what do you do?

Here are 6 steps to take upon identifying a quality "connection" for your product and/or service. Take special note that steps 1 and 2 are excellent for your use on social networks, The "securing" process starts within your prospecting activities online, in a 1-to-1 meeting, in a bar! Anywhere you find a "connection" you can begin to "secure" that connection ... very important to know!

Start asking questions.... making your questions be about the buyer.
Gentle questions that allow you further explore the buyer's needs. Simply ask them, from all angles, what they are looking for. Look to all the "whys" and potential benefits.
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The beginning of the "securing" process.
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Ask for agreement that your buyer sees that you have the perfect solution.
After several exploring questions from step #1 stop and "simply" ask your buyer, "would you agree that so far you've found in these last few items we've discussed what you need?" Notice that I say, "you've found" NOT "I've got!" Keep the focus on your buyer, not yourself.
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You have now "secured" some of the pieces.
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Summarize and ask for a final confirmation or "yes!"
After covering multiple "whys" and receiving agreements, as you walk through what the buyer is looking for, summarize and conclude. "Looks like everything we have talked about is here ... would you agree with that?"
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This step "secures" they want what you have!
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The Natural Close
Now you say, " If everything looks good, what do we need to do to put this together for you?" Or, "what do we need to do to get this for you?" Or ... some similar wording that you are comfortable with. This allows room for all the other issues that might prevent a sale from happening to be put on the table, up front! Price, decision maker, timing, payment process, etc. If there are none, you are done! Congratulations.
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You either secured a done deal at this step OR you have secured a process that serves as a check list of "to do's" in completing the deal. It works well especially if any objections occur along the way. At any point you can refer back to your plan that you "both" agreed to and explore the new objections or any new issues more "securely!"
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Solving Additional Issues With A Plan
Work with the buyer on any additional issues. The buyer has at this point said they want what you have. Start helping "them" get it! Become a consultant and together figure out a plan to tackle the remaining issues. Get final agreement on the plan so you can both reference it should any surprises occur.
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Now you are securing your relationship. Trust and loyalty is building!
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Celebrate A New Client
Plan completed ... you are done! You have a sale but also you have given birth to a new business relationship because you helped "them." Congratulations.
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You have now secured new business that is good for your client and good for you. Well done!

The great part of this process is when you receive the final sale you do feel as though your buyer did all the work! You simply facilitated the process. It's that easy and that fulfilling.

Hope you see how each step "secured" the final sale. The more agreement and confirmation of that agreement. the more secure you can be in getting that final "yes." It is also an easy way to make sure you are providing what the buyer wants.

Securing the sale continues after the first sale. How you provide follow-up, service, etc. or how you continue to build a relationship with this buyer is "securing' future new, repeat and referral business from this buyer. Something we all want!

I hope this new "mindset" can help you. Sales doesn't have to be a dirty word. We all would not exist without sales. As always, let me know your thoughts.

Keep Your Business Growing ...
margie

You Can't Force Connections!

2010-01-05T06:13:00.000-08:00

"You can't force connections." .... I heard this on The Bachelor last night and it stuck with me because it is so true of what happens in the world of sales. Do you see the parallel?

Sales is, in its most basic form, a series of connections. A person has a need or want and a business "connects" their product or service to that need or want as a solution. The goal is to make good connections, of course!

So if selling is so easy and good ... why does selling have such a evil image? Because people/businesses try to "force" connections - in so many ways!

Here are just a few examples of what some salespeople do that produce what we refer to as "buyer's remorse:" How many have you experienced?

Tell you that you can't live without their product.
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Once you've bought it and get it home, you realize it isn't really what you wanted and you resent the product and the business that sold you!
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Bury you in the features of a product - while not paying any attention to "why" you are looking to buy something.
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You get it home and perfect as it is in many ways ... it isn't answering your "why." An example would be buying a sweater because you need to be warm. You go shopping and a salesperson sells you on all the features of a sweater (what you are basically looking for), you love it, bring it home and realize it is a sweater but not one that will keep you warm!
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False lures ... price deals, bonus gifts, etc.
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I think we've all been here. You see a "two-for-one" special. Gotta have it! You get home and never use either one of the two items. You say, "but it was a good deal!"
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You fill in the rest! I think the list can go on and on. No wonder "sales" is considered a dirty word.

What can be equally as bad is something I read just yesterday online. It is almost right-on but still misses! There was a posting that was telling people not to push their product in front of people as it is not appreciated and would not create good relationships. This part I agree with totally. However, they went on to say that people like to buy from people (leaders), and that you should just go after making yourself a star within your industry and create personal connections.All they need and/or want to know is "you."

Well, personal connections are great and buyers do need to like (in most cases) and trust who they are buying from. But you still need to have a quality connection with what you need. You can't take the product and your "why" out of the package! If you do ... it is just another way of "forcing a connection" and it won't work in the long run or often even in the short run.

Start, or if you are already doing it, continue to "secure" your connections. Selling can be so much fun if you seek out where your good connections might be, identify people with the need you satisfy and again, work on the "securing" of quality connections. Simply find ways to "engage" and simply get enough agreement from your prospects so that they can "buy" with confidence. Your job is make sure the buyer is getting what "they" want ... NOT what "you" want. I will talk more about ways of "securing" your connections tomorrow!

Meanwhile, just remember ... "You can't force connections" ... true in love and business!

What are your thoughts on this? How do you look at selling? Are you having fun? Let me know!

Keep your business growing ...
margie