More Help So Your Message Breaks Through the Clutter

On February 22, 2012, in Generating Leads, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

I talk a lot about having an effective and compelling message as the basis of your marketing. Without it, just about every aspect of your business will be frustrating — poor reaction to campaigns, prospects who “need to think about it,” sales people who complain that leads are poor quality, price pressure, and on and [...]

Create a Compelling Marketing Message

On December 6, 2011, in Generating Leads, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

There’s one change you can make that has the potential to instantly improve the effectiveness of all your marketing — improve how relevant, targeted, and compelling a message you use.  If you are a small business owner seeking more high-quality leads, this should be one of the first things you review.  

How thinking like the “prize patrol” can generate more sales

On July 11, 2011, in Generating Leads, Maximizing ROI, by sherpabizdev

You know about the Publisher’s Clearing House Prize Patrol, I imagine.  They get to go around and give out big checks to sweepstakes winners.  Kinda cheesy I know, but I want you to think about one aspect of that job – do you think the prize patrol folks ever worry about intruding on the winners? [...]

Is Your Marketing Falling on Deaf Ears?

On May 17, 2011, in Generating Leads, by AndyM

When I conduct a workshop, as I did last week, I often get a lot of nodding and discussion when I present the slide that I show here (VERY short version, we as marketers, are on the left and our target clients are on the right).  Can you relate with the frustration of feeling like your [...]

Marketing Lessons From a Stalled Car: The Calendar Effect

On April 18, 2011, in Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

In the last post I talked about the risks of trying to launch or fiddle with multiple marketing strategies at the same time. I personally believe this is an essential lesson to embrace, so I want to make sure I am communicating this concept well. If my stalled car analogy left you scratching your head, please [...]

Business Growth Workshop in Pleasant Hill

On November 11, 2010, in Converting into Clients, Generating Leads, by AndyM

Had a good turnout Tuesday night at the free workshop sponsored by Contra Costa County SCORE, SBDC, and the library.  I always enjoy talking with business owners grappling with real challenges in attracting new prospects and building profitable relationships.  Here are a few pictures of  the event “Marketing: Small Tweaks Yield Big Results.” I will [...]

Frustrations About Marketing Your Business

On September 29, 2010, in Generating Leads, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

Getting new clients, patients, or customers can be a frustrating process.  Sometimes it’s not clear what to stop doing, start doing, or do differently.  So what is frustrating YOU?  I would love to hear what your biggest struggles are as you promote your business and attempt to obtain new clients. Post comments below.  This will allow me [...]

Generate More Leads Without Spending a Dime

On August 24, 2010, in Generating Leads, Maximizing ROI, by AndyM

Often it is easy to assume that getting more of something requires spending more money. Luckily, that is not always true. When working with a company that would like to generate more leads, I start by reviewing what they are already doing. In almost every case, there are a number of improvements we can make [...]

Breaking the Preoccupation Barrier

On August 10, 2010, in Generating Leads, by AndyM

People are busy. We’re all preoccupied with our own stuff. When trying to get the attention of our market, we first have to break them out of what they are currently thinking about.  We can’t get them to listen to what we have to say if they (figuratively speaking) have their headphones on with the [...]

5 Tips for Generating More Referrals

On June 21, 2010, in Generating Leads, Maximizing ROI, by AndyM

Provide a “wow” experience: we do a lot of work behind the scenes to provide our service, create or deliver our products, and help our clients and customers succeed. Our clients cannot be fully aware of this effort — they only know what they experience in brief interactions, engagement with our staff or (God forbid) [...]