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Sanity Saver Tip #3 Use one piece of work in many ways
May 12, 2011 | 
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If you are ‘working’ for yourself, you have probably noticed you wear a LOT of hats! It’s no wonder that overwhelm has a tendency to kick in on a regular basis.
One of the best ways to reduce that feeling of overwhelm re-use things you have done wherever possible, a great way to leverage your time.
When it comes to marketing your business, it’s possible to take one piece of information and apply it a few different ways, so that you maximise the exposure with minimum effort. It’s kind of like the beehive on the left. You do the work once, and then send it out into the world in different formats to make an impact in the market place, where YOUR customers are waiting for YOU!
Lets start with a page of information. Information that your clients (and potential clients), both need AND want. Something that can demonstrate your value, so they become interested in your products and services, and recognise that YOU are you are the one to help them.
Here’s 7 ideas to get you thinking. Start with 500 words (about 1 typed page) and turn it into:
- A blog article
- Share that blog article on Twitter
- Turn it into a powerpoint to use as a presentation
- Break it up into small bite sized chunks and share those hints on your Facebook status
- Put it in your newsletter to existing clients
- Use it as an info handout at a network with your card attached
- Record it as an audio (Blog talk radio is a good place to start)
So what do you think? See how one piece of information will help you to promote your business widely, without unecessary overwhelm? Does this feel doable to you? Perhaps you just choose to use the first 3. My main point is not to keep starting from scratch, but use the information that you already have in your filing cabinet and on your hard drive.
If you’d like some help, I’m here for you, so just drop me a line at krishna@healthymarketing.com.au or skype: healthbizmentor or simply add a comment below, which I will happily reply to.
Happy marketing!
Krishna
Posted in Overwhelm, articles, blogging, leverage, marketing, sanity saver | 
Tags: leverage | 
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Slash Your Advertising Budget by Using Article Marketing
I have a confession to make! Every mistake I see small businesses make, I have made myself in my own businesses. Not only that, I should have known better! Why? Because I worked in the field of newspaper advertising for 13 years.
Even so, I have made the same mistakes. They included: trying to get the attention of the ‘masses’, spreading ourselves too thin by having too many simultaneous marketing messages, and the big one, wasting way to much money on costly advertising, thinking that is was going to bring in the return, only to be bitterly dissapointed with the results!!
One of the most common questions I get is “should I advertise”?
The answer is, well….”yes” and “no”. Advertising can be effective if you can get a return on what you invest (immediately and directly), and connects specifically with your target audience. The truth is, you have to be very savvy to get an immediate response from your audience, before they turn the page, or take a toilet break. For an advertisement to work you need:
- To capture the immediate attention of your audience with a good headline
- To clearly communicate what the benefit is very specifically, and
- To have a compellling offer so that they take action.
The reality is that, although people are constantly seeking out services, that there is so much ‘noise’ out there that it is getting more and more challenging to attract the necessary attention we need to make ends meet. Now don’t get me wrong, I am pro-advertising, but for the small business owner, the cost often outways the benefit.
Enter article marketing…..
We are living in the information age, and seeking credible sources of information that can:
- Answer our questions
- Solve our problems
- Make our lives easier
My question to you is, what do you know that can, solve peoples problems, answer your clients questions and make peoples lives easier?
If you reacted positively to that question with thoughts of how things you know could assist others, then article marketing is may be what you have been looking for. The beauty of article writing is that they cost nothing to produce but your time. Even if you pay someone to write articles that can be easily shared in various places, they are excellent value.
Where to begin with article writing….
The easiest place to begin is with the most common questions you currently receive from clients and prospects. If they have asked them, then chances are there are many others with similar problems and concerns that are looking for answers, ones that you can readily provide. Don’t let them go elsewhere, make sure they come to you! It is much easier to demonstrate your value with a 500 word article, than it is with a small block of advertising space, and costs far less.
Creating articles around your area of expertise is an excellent way of building crediblity, being seen as a specialist, and sharing the value you are able to provide. This attracts clients to you without you having to hunt them down.
Articles can be added to your web site, incorporating your key words, so that your site is more easily found by Google. Be sure to include your geographical area, if you wish local clients to find you easily.
Blogging is a great way to share your articles. These can also be shared on social media, to quickly increase the number of potential prospects seeing your message.
Stay in touch with newsletters using articles, to remind your existing clients why they should use them, and to make it easy to refer others.
That is just 3 ways to begin, but the reality is that there are hundreds of places you can submit articles to if you know where to look, including press, online and offline.
Krishna’s 3 top tips….
- Write with your specific audience in mind
- Use a compelling headline and subheadings
- Make sure it is easy to find you if they want to know more
I will be holding a half-day article writing workshop on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 2 March, in Maroochydore. Visit here for full details and to book online: www.healthymarketing.com.au/workshops
See you there!
Krishna
Are newsletters worth the time and effort? You decide….
Newsletters have had some ‘bad press’ in recent times. Poor subscription rates, rejection by spam filters, not to mention the time and effort of putting them together!
But, when done well, they have the power to expand your client base, re-enforce your reputation, build your bottom line, and keep a stream of clients and referrals coming through your doors, or to your website, depending on how you do business.
So what is the right way to do a newsletter and where should you begin?
Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Anne Maybus of Clever Streak . Anne very generously shared the ins and outs of creating your newsletter, so it gets opened, meets the needs of your ideal client, and continually builds your relationship over time.
Here are 6 of the most common mistakes made creating newsletters that will stop them working for you and what to do instead:
INCONSISTENCY How often you send your newsletters will depend on who you market is and what you are trying to acheive. It could be weekly, fortnightly, monthly or even seasonally, but whatever you decide, stick to it. A sudden stop to your newsletters can indicate your business is in trouble, which is not a good impression on your clients. Think about what your target market needs and wants, then go from there.
TOO MANY LAYOUT CHANGES Imagine if the supermarket isles changed every visit. You would feel confused and frustrated. The same applies to your newsletter. Have a consistent layout means your clients will know where to locate your promotion, your interesting article and your inspirational quote. Moving things around messes with their brain!
TOO MUCH INFORMATION AND BLOCKS OF TEXT The purpose of a newsletter is not to overload with information, but to provide relevant information that is easy to read. Scannability is important, so use headlines and sub heading to make it easier for the recipient.
TOO MUCH SELL AND NOT ENOUGH CONNECTION When a newsletter is purely promotional, it can lead to apathy in your client, and they will stop taking notice. It’s connection that leads to a better relationship. Stories, articles or case studies that clients can relate to is far better than flogging products. They’ll soon turn off, and unsubscribe.
SPAMMY HEADLINES AND EXCLAMATION MARKS Words like discount, buy this, limited offer and FREE are pretty much guaranteed to end up in spam filters. Avoid this where you can.
FONT SIZE TOO SMALL If it’s difficult to read, your clients won’t perservere and your message will be missed.
THE CLEVER STREAK APPROACH TO CREATING GREAT NEWSLETTERS
- Use a catchy headline
- Connect with the reader personally – write to connect rather than sell
- Have a client focus (what’s in it for me) – know what your target market wants and cares about
- Keep it informative so that it’s still relevant in 12 months time
- Keep it simple
- Tell a story in your content
- Leave white space
GET YOUR NEWSLETTERS DONE FOR YOU HERE – You’ll receive
- Your own branded template
- 1 content rich article written for you monthly
- Product feature
- Monthy specials and promotions included
- Upload to your email system
- Scheduled for deliver
Only $495 for 6 months, or take 12 months for $997 and get an extra month at no extra charge.
68% of clients go elsewhere because of indifference, so staying in touch is an essential way to maintain your clients, educate them on your other services and encourage referrals.
Now is a great time to start.
What have you found are your challenges? Do you have an shortcuts you could share? I’d love to hear your tips or horror stories in the comments below.
To your continued success…
Krishna
50 Powerful Headline Ideas
Do you ever struggle coming up with article ideas and great headlines to match? One day I was experiencing ‘writers block’ creating my weekly newsletter, so I simply wrote a list of headlines instead. I surprised myself with what I was able to come up with!
They are my gift to you, to adapt to suit your business, your articles, and even your ads! I would love it if you could share your adaptations in the comments below.
Enjoy.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About……….
How to Relieve…………
How to Eliminate…………
Causes and Remedies for……………
The Most Common Complications For………..
How to Recognise You Have………..
Signs and Symptoms You May Be……….
Causes, Prevention and Cure of…………….
How to Choose the Right…………..For You
The Best Methods for ……………………
3 Effective Ways to…………………..
What to Do When You Think………………..
How…………..Can Help Your….
Home Remedies for ………………………..
How To Treat ……………………
How to Fight ……………….Naturally
Overcoming………….and………………….
How to Put a Stop to………………………..
Why Your ………………Isn’t Working
How to Live With……………………
………………. – What’s it all about?
Natural Ways to Relieve……………………
How to Tell You’re Ready for ……………………
How to Make Your Own………………….
10 Easy Ways to……………
Frequently Asked Questions About…………
10 Ways to Stop………
Fact or Fiction – How to Tell if……….
How to Survive…………..
So You’re Thinking About Getting/Starting/Trying……
The 10 Most Common………….
7 Tips for…………….
The 3 Steps of Overcoming…………….
How to Stop Your…………
The Top 10……… Products Review
Learning How to…..
Important Things to Consider When…………
Ways to Benefit From………..
The Best Ways to ………….
How to Make Your……….
20 Ways to Reduce…………
How to Avoid………
The Four Stages of ………….
How To Succeed With…….
The Answer to…..
How to Plan for…………
5 Myths About………….
The Effect of Diet on …………………………
Is There Life After…………………..
The First Step to………
To your article marketing and blogging success…
Krishna
How to Get Noticed and Hit the Ground Running in 2011
Are you ready? NOW is the time to manifest everything that you have had in your heart and head for your business and your mission to move it forward. No more procrastinating, over analysing or ‘justgonnaitis’. LET’S START!
To attract more clients to your business and build your credibility as someone who can help, it’s important to let people know how you can. This goes beyond sharing a business card, it’s about sharing the value you offer. Today I want to share three ways that can make it happen for you very very quickly.
1. Start blogging today – join the ultimate blog challenge. This is a 30 day challenge to get you blogging consistently, be encouraged by other bloggers who will read and comment on your blog, and build your profile using facebook and twitter. To get started and find out more about it go to: www.ultimateblogchallenge.com and get started!
2. Learn how to write articles that can help others solve problems. So you’ve decided to blog, start your newsletter and get some articles puplished, but you have WRITERS BLOCK! This coming Tuesday I will show you how to come up with a stream of ideas and how to structure different types of articles to make it easy to come up with lots of great content. Articles can help you to build the profile of your business, launch new projects and get free publicity. Register here at www.healthymarketingguide.com
3. Use social media to spread your message far and wide to people that RESONATE with you. You may be wondering how you are going to get noticed in the flood of information that is facebook and twitter. Once you have a blog and article content, it becomes easy to share your message with others who have similar interests OR are interested in what you have to say. By having clarity about who your article is for and building your following around your specific group – you will find an amazing connection with those people and the relationships that develop. This leaves you free to be authentic, share the REAL you, your personal thoughts and passions in a genuine way.
TO GET STARTED:
- Begin your blog and join the Ultimate Blog Challenge at www.ultimateblogchallenge.com
- Get your free HOW TO WRITE ARTICLES teleseminar by registering www.healthymarketingguide.com
- Create your facebook page if you haven’t already (then tell me what it is and I’ll send you some friends)
- Start your twitter account at www.twitter.com (then let me know your twitter name so I can follow you and give you a few more tips)
If you are stumped about any of these I want to help you! Let me know what you need and I will guide you past any obstacles you are having.
It’s not who you know or what you know - it’s who knows what you know that counts!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR! IT’S GONNA BE BIG!
To your healthy marketing success….
Krishna
How to Promote Yourself for Free Using Articles (Sunshine Coast Workshop)
THE WHAT AND HOW WORKSHOP OF WRITING YOUR OWN ARTICLES
Why pay for expensive hit and miss advertising when you can get publicity for nothing?
This workshop will provide you with so many ideas, you will never be stumped again for what to write about, and you will learn several ways to structure your articles to connect with your audience. You will also discover how to leverage your articles with the unlimited opportunities that are available. With articles you can:
- Increase your professional profile, so you are more accessible
- Position yourself as an expert in your field, which attracts clients
- Promote your products and services to help boost sales and be more profitable
- Drive traffic to your website of the right kind of client at no cost
- Connect with your existing clients so build the lifetime value of each client by retaining them for longer
- Help you to add value to your clients which encourages more referrals
By the end of this workshop you will have drafted an article for submission to your local newspaper, online article directory, blog, website, or use in your newsletter.
You’ll learn how to generate free publicity using press releases, and how to turn out an endless stream of articles that can expose you to more of the right kind of people both online offline to stimulate more new clients and referrals from existing clients.
All you need to do is know your topic. I will show you some simple ways to put that knowledge into articles that engage the type of clients you are looking for, as well as how to get the attention of journalists with press releases to get free publicity for your business.
For less than the cost of one advertisement you will have enough ideas to generate an ongoing stream of articles that attract new clients and more referrals though existing clients that will be worth thousands without the high price tag.
I won’t just tell you what to do, but show you how to do it, so you will actually understand the process and be able to repeat it again and again.
A must do workshop for ACTION TAKERS who want to attract more clients. Book now! 9am until 4pm. Aminya Natural Therapies Academy 651 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise
June 26 2010
$180 includes lunch and refreshments, and comprehensive workbook complete with your article writing tools and resources.
