Archive for Traffic Generation
Networking Tips For Live Events
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Networking Tips For Live Events
Live networking events are a wonderful way to get prospects and is so much better than having to cold call for potential business. However, there are some things that one should avoid doing. So, the following are some networking tips for a live event.
Attending a Networking Event Without a Plan is not Smart Networking
While it is true that showing up is half the battle, knowing what one is going to do when there is the other half. It is always a good idea to have a plan of what you want to accomplish at a networking event. Know how many people to meet or which specific individuals to get to know before you arrive. Write a plan of how early to arrive at an event, how late to stay, and define the goals to be achieved will make a person a much more effective networker at live events. After all, how many other people at the event the think will have a written plan just for that event? Among all the networking tips for a live event, this one alone will make one a winner. That is why it is the first tip.
Do Not Be Caught without a Business Card
Every business professional should carry plenty of business cards, always. With the number of different business card cases there is no excuse not to have a good amount on hand. Plus, one knows that they are attending a networking event where they will be handing out business cards, so they should have plenty. It would be supremely embarrassing to be at a networking event and not have a business card. What does that say about the person who knowingly goes to a live networking event and does not have plenty of business cards? It would speak poorly about that person and reflects on the type of work that they do.
It would actually be good to have two business card cases full of cards when going to a networking event. It is not inconceivable that a person can run out of business cards, so plan for that not to happen. One could even keep a box of business cards in their car in case they needed to reload their business card case. The main thing is to never be without a business card when meeting someone new.
Do Not Spend Too Much Time with People You Know
Networking is about meeting new people. As a matter fact the whole reason to go to a live networking event is to meet new people. Therefore, when at a networking event, as diplomatically as possible, avoid familiar acquaintances. The more one knows a person the less amount of time that should be spent with them. That doesn't mean that anyone is ignored but a simple handshake and hello is all one really needs to give to familiar people. Avoid getting caught up into a conversation with them. If one is truly working the event as an experienced networker, then the networker should already be in conversations with people they don't know. That will alleviate any problems from people feeling ignored or snubbed.
Andy Horner’s True Story – Don’t Be Like Brady!
Posted by: | CommentsMy friend Andy Horner, chief development officer at Ace of Sales, put this video together for you. He is brilliant at creating salesmakers that help sales people make a sale. Watch this and then leave your comments on this blog post or at the Ace of Sales Facebook fan page. 
On Twitter, You’re More than Just a Number
Posted by: | CommentsIt was bound to happen.
We live in a society that judges people based on their appearance, their age, and material possessions – did you really expect Twitter to be any different?
True, there are more than a few users who will judge your Twitter status or efficacy strictly by the number of followers you have. They tend to collect followers like baseball cards, and fancy to count themselves among the Twitter elite.
Well, that’s all well and good, I suppose – but more isn’t always better.
The Pulpit, or the Parlor from a purely logistical perspective, how many genuine connections do you think you can cultivate, nurture and maintain – without spending every waking moment feverishly typing 140-character pleasantries? I don’t know about you, but the notion of trying to keep tabs on twenty thousand of my closest BFF’s sounds more than a bit daunting. In fact, it sounds downright impossible.
Even as I say this, there are sure to be some Twitter users who would vehemently disagree. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. For my part, I prefer to interact in a parlor, as opposed to a pulpit-style atmosphere on Twitter – and in order to do that, you can’t focus on developing a congregation. Instead, you focus on developing a camaraderie. This mindset will likely prevent you from ascending to the elite Twitterati status, but it won’t prevent you from being successful.
The most important things to remember about Twitter are:
* Be yourself. Mama said it best, and she was right.
* Be engaging. Offer insights, ask questions, and join the conversation.
* Be helpful. Retweet posts from others. Your followers will appreciate it, and so will the original poster.
* Avoid the pushy sales pitch. Folks buy from those they know, like and trust.
* Be grateful. Thank those who help you, and those who offer value to you.
* Recognize other Twitter users, and recommend them whenever you can.
* Remember the 80/20 rule – 80% of your business will come from 20% of your customers/prospects.
Of course, this isn’t to say that those folks with tens of thousands of followers aren’t successful (just look at Barack Obama) – but it is a safe bet that the dialogue between user and follower is dramatically different. Like anything else, your mileage may vary.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that Twitter is a tool, and the manner in which you use it will determine your overall success.
5 Incredible Lead Generation Ideas
Posted by: | CommentsIdeas for capturing new leads and converting prospects into customers
As an expert in your field, you’ve got a ton of really important information in your
head. But you’ve got to get it out of your head and into some useful format for
lead generation. Information is the heart and soul of marketing, so you’ve got
to have some idea about the products you want to develop as part of your
overall strategy. Let’s talk about the top five.
1. White Papers
“White paper” is the corporate, fancy-pants term for an online article. A white paper
usually ranges from two to three pages and stands alone as an item customers or
prospects can download. White papers work great as a lead generation tool when
you ask prospects to provide their email address in exchange for your
valuable”"yet free”"information.
2. Free Reports
A free report is like a white paper, just a bit bigger. From a lead generation
standpoint, it holds more value than a white paper and is usually several pages
long. Free reports are great products to use as an add-on to online purchases.
“Buy Product X and receive three Free Reports!” You can also use them like
white papers and offer them as free downloads in exchange for contact
information.
3. E-Books
E-books are the killer product that can create a lead generation bonanza! Like a real book, an e-book is going to be long…at least 50 pages. The fact that it’s a real book makes the perceived value huge. If the copy inviting prospects to download your e-book is well-written and compelling, you can generate several thousand new
leads from this one lead generation tool alone.
4. Audio Reports
An audio report helps prospects get a feel for what you and your company are all about. It’s a way for prospects to talk to you about doing business without really
taking to you. Using audio reports as part of your campaign can boost brand
loyalty and help you prospects commit to a sale. If you are well known in your
industry – or if you can hire someone who is – you have the power to generate a
LOT of leads using audio reports.
5. Webinars
No joke. Webinars can drive an endless stream of customers to your business. Like audio reports, they give customers a feed for your company. But webinars go way beyond teaser information. The power-punch of the webinar is that it lets you cover the entire sales pitch AND close the deal. Another bonus is that webinars can be recorded. That lets you leverage your time by making the pitch once and then playing the presentation again and again for new groups of prospects. Talk
about a time saver!
How Does It Work?
Here’s the way it works, in a nutshell. Read More→
The Global Phenomenon of Twitter
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The global phenomenon of Twitter has spread into every imaginable market, with more tools and uses becoming available all the time. Despite this, new users often pose the same question:
What in the heck am I supposed to tweet about?
Veteran Twitter users would find it difficult at best to answer this question with any amount of brevity (despite the 140 character restriction) – but, for business users, there is at least one universally applicable subject matter that you can start with, namely, your frequently asked questions, or FAQs.
Why Tweet Your FAQs?
Suppose you have a product that generates lots of user questions - whether it is assembly questions, installation, technical support, maintenance, accessory orders or the like, there are bound to be some questions that you receive on a regular basis. You’re already answering them on your website, (you ARE doing this, right?), so why not consider a quick tweet with the link to help direct Twitter users who may be in need of this information?
Some Other Examples:
* Link to the directory of local sales/maintenance representatives
* Link to short training videos you are hosting on your site, or at YouTube
* Link to your newsletter subscription page
* Link to welcome videos
* Link to free technical manual downloads, ebooks, coupons or other offers
* Link to event calendar with upcoming events and appearances
We all know that there “is no such thing as a stupid question,” but we’ve all felt reluctant to ask one at some point or another. Help make relevant information readily available, even to the shyest of customers by offering this information as tweets.
In addition, you can build customer loyalty and goodwill by encouraging them to send you their questions, and you can answer them in a public twitter “shout out.” Everyone loves to be made to feel special – consider offering a special discount or freebie to the best question each month in order to increase submissions.
Many Twitter users that may not have previously been aware of your company will be able to find you by way ofthe”search” tool on the Twitter website – think of your tweets as a 24/7 sales tool that serves double-duty as product information.
Twitter is a viable, free tool that can provide your company with immeasurable value. With just a small investment of your time, you can provide customer goodwill, product information and advertise - all with just 140 characters.
3 Secrets to an Effective Inbound Marketing Campaign
Posted by: | CommentsUtilizing effective inbound marketing properly is an excellent way for you to build your business, as well as to get traffic by the masses into your website. There are a number of different ways in which this can take place, but as with anything, there are always going to be some secrets which will help you to get more traffic. Here are 3 different ways that you can use inbound marketing in order to ramp up the visitors to your own website, and to increase your bottom line.
3 Tips to Integrating Social Media into Your Marketing Practices
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The Internet has really proven to be a great resource for local business owners, and many of them are just now discovering exactly how many customers it can send in their direction. One of the reasons why this is the case, is because people are now searching online for local businesses by name, or by what they have to offer. Along with that, many of them use social media networks regularly on their cell phones, and you can also use this to drive insane amounts of new and repeat business to your location.
A Better Faster Way to Grow Your Business
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are like most entrepreneurs, you are looking for a better, faster way to grow your business. And sometimes that can seem like an endless search.
Well, I have something new I want to introduce to you. It is from Infusionsoft (the leaders in marketing automation software). They call it the Double Your Sales Success Path and it is their proven path to growing a business quickly and profitably. The entrepreneurs who have adopted the path have easily:
- Reconnected with all of their prospects and past customers
- Generated tons of new sales
- Created long-term, profitable relationships with their contacts
- Automated many of the processes in their business
- Grown faster than with any other strategy/solution
You are looking for a better way. And I have to say, Infusionsoft has it. So take a minute and sign up for the FREE 15-day trial. During your trial, you will be introduced to the amazing Success Path and have access to the software that puts the path in place.
This is a great opportunity you do not want to miss.
To doubling your sales!