Street Smarts Marketing & Promotions

A very underutilized strategy to build your online credibility

I don’t know of anyone doing online marketing and selling online who isn’t looking for ways to establish their credibility with potential clients and customers. With all the fluff and hype, it is more important than ever to position your expertise.

One of the most effective methods for you to enhance your credibility and trust with prospective clients is with strong testimonials. Everything you do will be enhanced by utilizing effective testimonials.

Simply put, testimonials are third-party evidence as to the benefit of what you are selling. They are much more likely to be believed than ads, direct mail or you telling the world how great you are. Often, the decision to purchase can be influenced based upon a testimonial.

A testimonial consists of a written or spoken statement about the experience someone has had with you, your product or service or your company.

The most common is a written testimonial. However, more and more people are moving toward an audio and/or video testimonial.

The world of Internet marketing has changed....drastically!

When I began my journey into the world of Internet marketing in the late 90’s, things were very different than they are today. Back then, there was very little competition, the methods we used were very archaic compared to today’s “slick” methods, and you actually looked forward to receiving emails announcing something.

Today, most of us are so overwhelmed that to have a day when we don’t get a bunch of “junk” mail is a glorious day. Everyday there is the next great idea, next “must attend” event and next “have to read” ebook or report.

Sadly, for many people trying to market online, they are simply going for numbers.  They seem to have forgotten there is a real person behind the email address they are sending something to. The fact is, things have become so dang impersonal.

Are you still singing “The Economy is Slow” Blues?

Over the last few days I have had several conversations with friends and clients about their businesses.

Many are thrilled with the fact business is picking up while others immediately go into, “The economy is still slow. That’s why my business isn’t picking up.”

For some, The Economy is Slow song may be one they have been singing for so long they don’t even realize how often they might be affirming this way of thinking.

The fact is, in many industries things are picking up. For some of us, we never felt a dip at all in the last year. Actually, there are some entrepreneurs who have had an increase in business rather than a decrease in 2009. How is this possible?  Read on…

During a recent conversation one friend said, “I know you don’t like to admit it, but the economy is slow.”

My response? “I’m not going to have this conversation. I’m not going to engage any energy in that train of thought.”

We both laughed at my response (because she has heard the same response numerous times from me) and started in on another topic of conversation.

Is my refusal to engage in conversations about a slow economy denial or is it smart? It depends on who you ask.  Believe me, there have been plenty of people are eager to “show me the error of my thinking.”

An Often Overlooked Step in Information Product Development

Many experts enhance their product offerings with high quality services. Regardless of what you make available to your market, you need to take one very important step.

Before you invest time, money or effort into product development make sure you understand the needs of your market. You must have enough information to address these needs. The more you know the more focused you will be on what solutions you create by way of products and services.

Pay attention to what your customers/clients are asking for. You can determine what your market wants by studying your own market, studying your competitors’ products and services and what your competitors’ customers are buying; and…. by asking.

The more you know, the more targeted your approach to development and delivery of products and services; this equates to higher revenues and higher profit margins.