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.  

Just Right: The Goldilocks Principle for Following Up

On September 22, 2011, in Converting into Clients, Generating Leads, by sherpabizdev

When should I follow up?  How often?  What do I say?  If you’ve ever been a business owner, in sales, or otherwise responsible for nurturing business relationships, you have grappled with this issue.  How often is “just right?” Just like Goldilocks and Papa Bear’s porridge, you’ve probably been burned a few times when your follow-up [...]

4 Essentials to Capturing Sales That Are “Yours to Lose”

On July 20, 2011, in Converting into Clients, by sherpabizdev

In the last post we covered the first element of what it takes to capture more of the sales that you deserve – a mindset of delivering profits. Think like the prize patrol and you’ll feel a lot less self-conscious about the following up with your prospects. One more mindset comment before I move on [...]

Why I’m Switching to MailChimp

On March 19, 2011, in Generating Leads, by AndyM

First of all, if you are using an email marketing system already, you’re likely in great shape. From my perspective, 90% of the benefit comes from using one at all, so don’t worry that you suddenly have  switch if you happen to be using a different solution.  The 1/2 dozen or so that I am [...]

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 [...]

4 Strategies for Getting Your Customers to Buy More Often

On July 12, 2010, in Maximizing ROI, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

Not only can inspiring your customers to buy from you more often reward you with higher profits, it can also translate to more predictable income.  Here are just a few tips for compelling your clients or customers to come back more frequently. A time-limited incentive — ever get a pizza delivered? What is attached to [...]

The Last of 7 Places to Look for More Profits

On April 27, 2010, in Converting into Clients, Maximizing ROI, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

I have recently given a few free workshops (sponsored by the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center and the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce).  In them I outlined how to increase profits without relying so heavily on generating new leads.  Check out the 4 minute clip above for an overview of what else you need to [...]

Don’t Answer the "What do you do?" Question

On April 19, 2010, in Converting into Clients, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

Ah, the cocktail party question.  How well do you do with it?  Ever wish you had a better answer at that chamber mixer or networking lunch?  There is lots of good advice out there to help you, and I encourage you to soak it all up.  There is nothing more important than answering that simple [...]

Writing a Press Release to Drive Traffic

On March 3, 2010, in Generating Leads, Strategy & Planning, by AndyM

With all the buzz about social media (justifiable as it may be), some useful, traditional marketing activities can get overshadowed. Take this post as a reminder that a simple press release can be a valuable tactic. Moreover, when submitted for online distribution, it helps your web presence as well. Include some links to your web [...]