By Lauren Hobson
Marketing a small business online can be both easy and effective, especially with the abundance of online marketing strategies available today. But since there are so many ways to market your small business on the web, it can be a challenge just to decide which online strategies would be right for you.
Here are five online marketing strategies that typically work well for small businesses, and are popular with web users as well:
Video Marketing - Using videos to help market a business online has become very popular, and today it's common to see videos on web sites and blogs, as well as in e-newsletters or e-campaigns sent out to subscriber lists. Users vary in how they like to "consume" information, whether it's reading text on a web site, listening to a podcast, or watching a video, so it's typically a good idea to provide them with several different opportunities to receive your marketing message.
Studies have also shown that adding video to a small business web site can increase conversion rates and sign-ups, and can also help small businesses give a great first impression when customers and prospects visit the site.
Blogs - If you haven't started a blog for your small business yet, now is a good time to consider it. Taking advantage of this technology is one of the best ways to get visibility for your business and create new traffic and inbound links to your site. Blog posts don't have to be very long to be useful, but they DO have to be added regularly, at least once every week or so. Blogs are also a great place to post news items and upcoming events.
Social Networking - Social networking is a fairly recent internet phenomenon that enables people to use the web to stay connected to each other in a variety of ways. MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, and others have recently gained attention for their potential business applications, and businesses have started using social networking to connect with their clients effectively.
Depending on the type of small business you have, you may be able to use these new technologies to help you reach customers with announcements, build up your customer base (or following), get direct business referrals, and gain greater overall web visibility for your business. Using social networking as part of the marketing mix for your business can really give you an edge over your competitors, since this strategy is quite new to businesses and not everyone is using it yet.
E-Newsletters - Sending out regular e-newsletters is a highly targeted online marketing strategy that can also help establish credibility and expertise with your readers. E-newsletters also give your business a chance to communicate on a regular basis with customers and keep your company's name and message in front of them. That way, the next time your customers need something that you sell, they will remember your company and may call you first before contacting your competitors! Consumers have come to rely on e-newsletters as a primary information source for the products and services they are most interested in, which makes it a great choice for small businesses that want to stay "top-of-mind" with their customers and prospects.
E-Newsletters are also easily tracked, so results can be measured and analyzed. The tracking data can tell you if your message prompted any response (such as clicking on a link), or if your message was even delivered in the first place. Tracking stats can also reveal lots of other useful information, such as how many recipients actually opened the email, or how many emails "bounced" or were not delivered to a recipient (and why).
Web Press Releases - Distributing press releases to web outlets is a great online strategy for small businesses. Web press release outlets are typically lower cost and more accessible than traditional wire-service press outlets, and carry the additional benefit of generating new inbound links for your web site in several places on the web. The benefits can carry even further if your press release is "picked up" by other sources on the web, creating even more inbound links and improving overall web exposure for your business.
Of course, there are many other online marketing strategies available today, and depending on your type of small business, some will work better than others. But typically, the five strategies listed above (video marketing, blogs, social networking, e-newsletters, and web press releases) work well for most small businesses and are fairly easy and inexpensive to implement. The important thing to remember is that as online marketing continues to become more mainstream, small businesses can consider using these initiatives to improve their marketing results while keeping their marketing costs in check.
About the author: Lauren Hobson, President of Five Sparrows, has over 15 years experience in small business technology writing, marketing, and web design/development. Her articles reach 4,500+ readers each month. To subscribe, visit www.FiveSparrows.com.
Courtesy: MANTA.com newsletter
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Chocolate Story
Hello all!
It is hoped that you had a great Valentines's Day with a loved one...
And I felt that the following would be of special interest to you and yours...so, ENJOY!
Your Friend,
Jacques
-----
Chocolate comes of age as a health treat.
There are few foods that evoke as much passion as this decadent treat. Folklore from many cultures claimed that consuming chocolate instilled faith, health, strength, and sexual passion. Once an indulgence of royalty, it is now a treasured and accessible – and yes, even healthy – treat. So where did our infatuation with chocolate begin?
Where does chocolate come from, anyway?
The cacao tree, whose pods contain seeds that can be processed into chocolate, was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of the Americas. The first people known to have consumed cacao were the Classic Period Maya (250-900 A.D.). They mixed ground cacao (cocoa) seeds with seasonings to make a bitter, spicy drink that was believed to be a health elixir.
What was chocolate's great allure?
To the Mayans, cocoa pods symbolized life and fertility. The pod was often represented in religious rituals, including marriage ceremonies, and was referred to as food of the gods. In central Mexico, the Aztecs believed that wisdom and power came from eating the fruit of the cocoa tree, and that it had nourishing, fortifying, and even aphrodisiac qualities. The Aztec emperor Montezuma even drank liquid chocolate daily to enhance his libido.
Europeans get a taste of chocolate — and fall in love.
Europeans got their first taste of chocolate in 1519, when Montezuma offered the spicy drink to Spanish explorer Cortés and his army. The Spanish conquistadors brought cocoa seeds back to Spain, where they introduced new spices and sugar to the liquid concoction. The fad drink spread throughout Europe, where it remained a beverage of the elite for centuries.
Chocolate becomes known for its powers of seduction.
Chocolate's reputation as an aphrodisiac flourished in the French royal court. Erotic art and literature were inspired by the seductive substance. Casanova, the infamous womanizer, made a habit of drinking chocolate before his romantic escapades. Even today, romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac.
Chocolate goes global.
The first machine-made chocolate was produced in Barcelona in 1780, paving the way for the mass production of chocolate. Later, mechanical inventions made it possible to produce smooth, creamy, solid chocolate for eating – not just the liquid for drinking. The first solid chocolate bar was developed by British chocolate maker Fry & Sons in the early 1800s.
When did chocolate become associated with Valentine's Day?
"It's believed that during the 17th century, lovers began exchanging mementos on Valentine's Day – sweet treats were one of them. In 1868, the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates was introduced [by Richard Cadbury]," - says Susan L. Fussell, senior director of communications for the National Confectioners Association.
Three cheers for chocolate!
In 1875, the first milk chocolate was introduced to the market by Daniel Peter of Switzerland. Chocolate became so popular around the world that even during World War II the U.S. government shipped cocoa beans to the troops. Today, the U.S. Army includes chocolate bars in their rations. Chocolate has even been taken into space as part of the diet of U.S. astronauts.
Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac?
Not really, even though throughout its history, chocolate has been purported as one. Chocolate contains small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), a.k.a. the "love drug," and it's been linked to the regulation of physical energy, mood, and attention. A tiny amount of PEA is released at moments of emotional euphoria, elevating blood pressure and heart rate. There is no evidence that PEA found in foods increases PEA in the brain – although many chocolate lovers may beg to differ!
The 21st Century: Chocolate makes health headlines.
Dark chocolate (as opposed to milk or white chocolate) contains healthful flavonoids similar to those found in tea, red wine, fruits, and vegetables. Studies have shown that small portions of dark chocolate can improve blood vessel flow and may improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity to help reduce the risk of diabetes. But beware, chocolate candy has plenty of saturated fat and sugar, which can lead to weight gain, so enjoy small portions of as part of a healthy diet.
Courtesy: WebMD.com Newsletter
It is hoped that you had a great Valentines's Day with a loved one...
And I felt that the following would be of special interest to you and yours...so, ENJOY!
Your Friend,
Jacques
-----
Chocolate comes of age as a health treat.
There are few foods that evoke as much passion as this decadent treat. Folklore from many cultures claimed that consuming chocolate instilled faith, health, strength, and sexual passion. Once an indulgence of royalty, it is now a treasured and accessible – and yes, even healthy – treat. So where did our infatuation with chocolate begin?
Where does chocolate come from, anyway?
The cacao tree, whose pods contain seeds that can be processed into chocolate, was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of the Americas. The first people known to have consumed cacao were the Classic Period Maya (250-900 A.D.). They mixed ground cacao (cocoa) seeds with seasonings to make a bitter, spicy drink that was believed to be a health elixir.
What was chocolate's great allure?
To the Mayans, cocoa pods symbolized life and fertility. The pod was often represented in religious rituals, including marriage ceremonies, and was referred to as food of the gods. In central Mexico, the Aztecs believed that wisdom and power came from eating the fruit of the cocoa tree, and that it had nourishing, fortifying, and even aphrodisiac qualities. The Aztec emperor Montezuma even drank liquid chocolate daily to enhance his libido.
Europeans get a taste of chocolate — and fall in love.
Europeans got their first taste of chocolate in 1519, when Montezuma offered the spicy drink to Spanish explorer Cortés and his army. The Spanish conquistadors brought cocoa seeds back to Spain, where they introduced new spices and sugar to the liquid concoction. The fad drink spread throughout Europe, where it remained a beverage of the elite for centuries.
Chocolate becomes known for its powers of seduction.
Chocolate's reputation as an aphrodisiac flourished in the French royal court. Erotic art and literature were inspired by the seductive substance. Casanova, the infamous womanizer, made a habit of drinking chocolate before his romantic escapades. Even today, romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac.
Chocolate goes global.
The first machine-made chocolate was produced in Barcelona in 1780, paving the way for the mass production of chocolate. Later, mechanical inventions made it possible to produce smooth, creamy, solid chocolate for eating – not just the liquid for drinking. The first solid chocolate bar was developed by British chocolate maker Fry & Sons in the early 1800s.
When did chocolate become associated with Valentine's Day?
"It's believed that during the 17th century, lovers began exchanging mementos on Valentine's Day – sweet treats were one of them. In 1868, the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates was introduced [by Richard Cadbury]," - says Susan L. Fussell, senior director of communications for the National Confectioners Association.
Three cheers for chocolate!
In 1875, the first milk chocolate was introduced to the market by Daniel Peter of Switzerland. Chocolate became so popular around the world that even during World War II the U.S. government shipped cocoa beans to the troops. Today, the U.S. Army includes chocolate bars in their rations. Chocolate has even been taken into space as part of the diet of U.S. astronauts.
Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac?
Not really, even though throughout its history, chocolate has been purported as one. Chocolate contains small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), a.k.a. the "love drug," and it's been linked to the regulation of physical energy, mood, and attention. A tiny amount of PEA is released at moments of emotional euphoria, elevating blood pressure and heart rate. There is no evidence that PEA found in foods increases PEA in the brain – although many chocolate lovers may beg to differ!
The 21st Century: Chocolate makes health headlines.
Dark chocolate (as opposed to milk or white chocolate) contains healthful flavonoids similar to those found in tea, red wine, fruits, and vegetables. Studies have shown that small portions of dark chocolate can improve blood vessel flow and may improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity to help reduce the risk of diabetes. But beware, chocolate candy has plenty of saturated fat and sugar, which can lead to weight gain, so enjoy small portions of as part of a healthy diet.
Courtesy: WebMD.com Newsletter
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fear And Desire (Part 1)
On one end, we have to overcome our own fear, whether it be of failure or of success to breakthrough to new levels of personal success.
On the other end, we have to build the desire to break through those fears and build the desire in the minds of our prospects for what we have to offer in order to help them break through their own barriers and jump on board in our success wagon.
Mastering both fear and desire internally and externally will make you more than
a few dollars . . .
Today, let's talk about these two big pink elephants in the room in a candid way. I
must warn you. Some of the things I share will be very personal. I ask that you simply keep this between us.
First let's talk about the big bad wolf of fear and how it plays into our money and
recruiting getting efforts.
For me, when I began I had a HUGE fear of selling. Later that fear grew with each
rejection I endured trying to dial my way to millions.
It got so bad that just the thought of speaking to another lead got my heart racing.
Seemed like by the six or seventh month I had to literally psych myself up just to pick up the phone.
It was something of ritual . . .
I'd be on the drive home from work thinking about my little home business that "couldn't" and up would pop this lump in my throat.
All those thoughts of what had happened in past days trying make "it" work hurt.
Getting hung up on. Getting yelled at. Being called the lowest scum on the planet just for trying to grow a little old business.
Those things stung, and I did try to forget them, but they only seemed to lodge their
way deeper into my psyche.
If flat out scared me. I didn't want that pain any longer. Slowly but surely this lead calling thing started to loose steam, but then . . .
Up popped up good friend desire from somewhere deep down inside. He flashed visions of a fresh new future in my minds eye. He stoked the fire.
Desire picked me each time I was knocked down. Desire taught me new skills. Desire
carried me through to multiple stream of income and the promise of a new life.
But wouldn't you know it . . .
The checks started growing larger and a weird thing happened.
I got scared again. "What if this works? What then?" Again, with the same heart pumping anxiety and heavy feelings. I just couldn't figure it out.
Why the fear? I wasn't failing.
Ahh . . . This time it was not the fear of failure, it was his other face, fear of
success. How can you fear success? The the thing you had worked so hard for . . .
Less and less did I want to do the things that were working. I knew if they kept
working I just might make it out of that little old job I had, but then what?
People would look up to me. What would I say? I'd have more free time. What would I do with it?
This fear was not one of known failure, but one of the unknowns of success. And well, you want to know what happened next?
You guessed it . . .
My good friend desire showed up again.
This time he too had a different face. He wasn't the desire for more, my champion of
the past. He was different. Let me explain.
As a high school wrestler, I faced this same foe - fear.
First I feared loosing. And there my desire for success gave me the strength to win.
When I began winning, I began to fear winning big, and somehow in my largest matches I still found a way to loose.
Being a champion at that point was too scary for me. I folded, not for lack of skill, but fear of the responsibility of success. In those moments, I felt complete defeat.
Not physical, but self imposed and complete utter personal defeat. I hated myself for it.
I had betrayed myself. I told myself never again would I let that happen.
When that fear of success arose in me again in my business I remembered him from the past and . . .
I remembered my promise to myself and my desire to never let it happen again.
So I didn't.
Fear of failure was my first foe. He was defeated by the desire for a new future
at any and all cost.
Fear of success soon followed. He was defeated by my complete and utter desire to
never let myself down again.
Fear and desire have no face. They can arise in the best and worst of times. These foes are forever at battle within us.
Fear wins. We lose. Desire wins. We win.
The secret is . . . to find the desire in every situation which outweighs the fear.
You do this, and you will never be defeated.
We've spoken of personal fears and desires.
In our next meeting, we'll discuss how these titans wage war in the minds of your
prospects, so that . . .
Here's a hint. We always find a way to buy what we desire, so how do we build that desire in our in prospects?
I'll see you then with a few more pointers.
-----
JACQUES' REMARKS:
The above, courtesy of Daegan Smith, the self-proclaimed "King of Never Calling A Lead" is an online marketer and apparently successful. Let me know if you'd like to get in touch with him and I'll give you his contact data.
Happy Abraham Lincoln's Birthday! And All the Best to You and yours!
Your Friend,
Jacques
On the other end, we have to build the desire to break through those fears and build the desire in the minds of our prospects for what we have to offer in order to help them break through their own barriers and jump on board in our success wagon.
Mastering both fear and desire internally and externally will make you more than
a few dollars . . .
Today, let's talk about these two big pink elephants in the room in a candid way. I
must warn you. Some of the things I share will be very personal. I ask that you simply keep this between us.
First let's talk about the big bad wolf of fear and how it plays into our money and
recruiting getting efforts.
For me, when I began I had a HUGE fear of selling. Later that fear grew with each
rejection I endured trying to dial my way to millions.
It got so bad that just the thought of speaking to another lead got my heart racing.
Seemed like by the six or seventh month I had to literally psych myself up just to pick up the phone.
It was something of ritual . . .
I'd be on the drive home from work thinking about my little home business that "couldn't" and up would pop this lump in my throat.
All those thoughts of what had happened in past days trying make "it" work hurt.
Getting hung up on. Getting yelled at. Being called the lowest scum on the planet just for trying to grow a little old business.
Those things stung, and I did try to forget them, but they only seemed to lodge their
way deeper into my psyche.
If flat out scared me. I didn't want that pain any longer. Slowly but surely this lead calling thing started to loose steam, but then . . .
Up popped up good friend desire from somewhere deep down inside. He flashed visions of a fresh new future in my minds eye. He stoked the fire.
Desire picked me each time I was knocked down. Desire taught me new skills. Desire
carried me through to multiple stream of income and the promise of a new life.
But wouldn't you know it . . .
The checks started growing larger and a weird thing happened.
I got scared again. "What if this works? What then?" Again, with the same heart pumping anxiety and heavy feelings. I just couldn't figure it out.
Why the fear? I wasn't failing.
Ahh . . . This time it was not the fear of failure, it was his other face, fear of
success. How can you fear success? The the thing you had worked so hard for . . .
Less and less did I want to do the things that were working. I knew if they kept
working I just might make it out of that little old job I had, but then what?
People would look up to me. What would I say? I'd have more free time. What would I do with it?
This fear was not one of known failure, but one of the unknowns of success. And well, you want to know what happened next?
You guessed it . . .
My good friend desire showed up again.
This time he too had a different face. He wasn't the desire for more, my champion of
the past. He was different. Let me explain.
As a high school wrestler, I faced this same foe - fear.
First I feared loosing. And there my desire for success gave me the strength to win.
When I began winning, I began to fear winning big, and somehow in my largest matches I still found a way to loose.
Being a champion at that point was too scary for me. I folded, not for lack of skill, but fear of the responsibility of success. In those moments, I felt complete defeat.
Not physical, but self imposed and complete utter personal defeat. I hated myself for it.
I had betrayed myself. I told myself never again would I let that happen.
When that fear of success arose in me again in my business I remembered him from the past and . . .
I remembered my promise to myself and my desire to never let it happen again.
So I didn't.
Fear of failure was my first foe. He was defeated by the desire for a new future
at any and all cost.
Fear of success soon followed. He was defeated by my complete and utter desire to
never let myself down again.
Fear and desire have no face. They can arise in the best and worst of times. These foes are forever at battle within us.
Fear wins. We lose. Desire wins. We win.
The secret is . . . to find the desire in every situation which outweighs the fear.
You do this, and you will never be defeated.
We've spoken of personal fears and desires.
In our next meeting, we'll discuss how these titans wage war in the minds of your
prospects, so that . . .
Here's a hint. We always find a way to buy what we desire, so how do we build that desire in our in prospects?
I'll see you then with a few more pointers.
-----
JACQUES' REMARKS:
The above, courtesy of Daegan Smith, the self-proclaimed "King of Never Calling A Lead" is an online marketer and apparently successful. Let me know if you'd like to get in touch with him and I'll give you his contact data.
Happy Abraham Lincoln's Birthday! And All the Best to You and yours!
Your Friend,
Jacques
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