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To blog or not to blog….that is the question!
June 29, 2010 | 
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Lately it seems that everyone is blogging, or at least thinking about it. Have you wondered if blogging is for you?
What is a blog? A blog is a web log of thoughts, ideas, images, audios or videos that appear in the order they are posted and can be viewed online. A bit like an online diary.
Why blog? A blog allows people to get to know you and what you stand for. It’s quick to set up; doesn’t cost anything (or very little); helps your Google ranking; can be used to send traffic to your website; allows people to engage with you using comments and feedback; can educate and drive change; can be used to test ideas; is not spam; you can lilnk it to your facebook and twitter pages in both directions; you can promote your products and services; it’s an easy alternative to newsletters and attracts targeted subscribers! Not bad eh!
Why not blog? You have the writing skill of a gnat, your time restraints don’t allow it, you don’t want to build relationships (you may want to inform, but not necessarily engage).
What are some alternatives to creating your own blog? If you don’t want to commit to a regular blog (it’s important to post regularly for them to be found), you can comment on other peoples blog; do a newsletter; create facebook notes or use twitter (mini blogs of 140 characters).
What kind of things can you blog about?
- Information that people want to know
- Interesting stories and adventures
- Recipes and tidbits
- Reviews of other peoples stuff that adds value to your readership
- Your articles
- Product and workshop announcements
- You tube videos
- Audios
Top 10 tips for good blogging
- Know who your audience is
- Write with your audience in mind
- Keep it simple and on topic
- Write regulary (the search engines love this and there is nothing worse than a dead blog!)
- Communicate with your readers – encourage comments and feedback, ask questions, do polls.
- Use sub headings to break up the content
- Link to your website to generate traffic
- Include a signup box if you would like leads for other products and services
- Intergrate into your website if possible. This is incredibly valueable if you would like your website to rank well
- Include an RSS feed so that people can be updated when new content is posted.
I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts about blogging, or any extra tips you can share to help new bloggers.
Happy blogging!
Krishna
How Choosing a Specialty is a Powerful Marketing Tool
Hi friends, I wanted to share a great example with you of how choosing a specialty can create impact around your marketing message. When it is clear WHO you are marketing to, HOW they can benefit from you and WHAT you can do to help them (your what’s in it from me message), it is much easier to recognise you as the go to person for their problem. This naturopath’s video is testimony to this. Enjoy! I’d love to hear your comments…..Krishna
HEALTHY MARKETING TELESUMMIT
Would you like to fill your appointment book?
Tune into and connect with 12 of the world’s best marketing mentors. They will be joining The Healthy Marketing Guide to answer your questions and help you to build a profitable and thriving health or coaching practice.
Subscribe at the top right corner for the launch and marketing updates.
STAY TUNED!
Newsletter Writing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
Relationship building is at the forefront of how we interact with our customers. No longer is promoting your business about who can grab the most attention in the loudest way. It is about how we make genuine connections with our clients or audience – your audience – that wants what you offer and recognises they need you. Regular newsletters help nurture this relationship. This week’s newsletter looks at 5 of the most common obstacles to doing them and offers tips on how to overcome them.
Obstacle 1: No Time
Yes, newsletters do take time. In fact, marketing takes time. The upside is that if you consistently make time for it, you will fill your appointment book. Newsletters are one of the best ways to build a relationship with existing clients, educate them about what else you can offer, and generate referrals.
Overcome time restraints – by keeping it simple. A single page newsletter is perfectly fine. Just one feature or story (500 words which is about half a page). You could include a promotion or product feature, or perhaps a case study/testimonial. Inspirational quotes from your favourite personalities add a nice touch.
Obstacle 2: No Computer Skills
Yes, this is still common, even in this day and age! But there are a number of remedies available for the technophobes out there. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: client retention, Free Publicity, Massage Marketing, newsletters | 
25 Comments »
Ways to Get Free Publicity Using Articles (even if you can't write)
Without a doubt, articles are one of the best ways to promote what you do because they can be used in so many ways; are a credible method of marketing; build your profile as an expert; and are free or low cost to distribute.
Some of the places your articles can be used and why:
•In the local newspaper to inform potential new clients in your geographic area
•In your client newsletter to educate and entertain, and potentially attract referrals
•On article websites to stimulate traffic to your website
•In trade publications or specialist websites to increase your profile as an expert in your field
•On your website to help people find your site easily when they search using keywords included in your article (higher rank on google)
•On your blog to build your profile as an authority where people can comment and interact with you
•On other people blogs where your knowledge can be leveraged
•As a Facebook note so that your ‘friends’ get a better understanding of what it is you actually do!
Quite frankly the opportunities are endless!
Tips for Making Article Writing Easier
•Write about topics you know about
•Write like you speak
•Record your voice then transcribe it
•Study other articles where you would like to be published to get a better understanding of how to approach it
•Get help from those ‘in the know’, such as ‘The Article Guy’ Jeff Herring who offers free article writing templates when you sign up for his newsletter. Visit www.jeffherring.com •Get someone to write them for you! For as little as $5 you could have an article written on any topic you choose. Try these sites for a freelance writer: www.odesk.com, www.elance.com or www.rentacoder.com Here you post an ‘ad’ for what you want done, and service providers bid for the job.
•Come to a workshop on how to write articles. The next one is on the Sunshine Coast, November 28 where you will actually get to draft one!
A few tips on writing an article
• Start with a compelling headline. Many people scan headlines before choosing to read an article, so be sure your headline will capture the attention of your target market.
•Open with a statement or question. Your opening line needs to be interesting so that your reader wants to continue. You may make a statement of a current trend or observation, or a question regarding a common problem.
•Present your information clearly and concisely following a logical progression – one main idea per article.
•Include a quote to add credibility to your article. This could be from an expert in the field (including yourself) that you are writing about, from a client, or from a scientific journal that backs up your point of view.
•Include a footnote that makes it easy for the reader to contact you. Some publications may accept a brief biography here.
•Have a few people proof read your article and provide an honest critique so that adjustments can be made prior to submission.
There are lots of ways to approach articles. In November I am holding an article writing workshop where you can choose from a few different formats (Sunshine Coast). You will actually leave with an article draft ready for your blog, newsletter or to submit online or to your local paper.
Happy writing!
Krishna
Does Your Marketing Plan Have What it Takes to Get the Job Done?
Mini Tip #72 – Evaluate
Don’t forget to evaluate all your marketing efforts, so you can do more of what works and discard what doesn’t.
“I know that half of my advertising dollars are wasted….I just don’t know which half” John Wanamaker
To your health practice success…
Krishna
7 Tips to Build Your Health Business During a Recession
Now is a great time to plant seed and be rewarded with a harvest. After all you reap what you sow. Here’s 7 tips to get you started.
1. GET CLEAR ON WHAT YOU WANT
This is no time to panic!! Get clarity on what you want to achieve and FOCUS. Focus allows you to find the shortest route between 2 points.
2. IDENTIFY A NICHE
Most small businesses have limited resources, which means that there is generally not adequate time and money to be all things to all people effectively. This does not mean “give up”. It simply means identify your ideal client who you can serve the best that will be profitable and actively work with them. The most efficient way to build your business is to aim for a target, not go swimming in an ocean!
3. CREATE A MARKETING PLAN
Once you have identified your niche, creating a marketing plan should be easy. Determine where to connect with your niche, what methods will be most effective. Do they congregate in groups, read newspapers or magazines, search online, or seek information though referrals? What message do you want them to hear, and how is the best way to send that message?
4. WORK WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT IN YOUR HAND
68% of your customers go elsewhere because of indifference! Does that shock you? Put your energy into your existing clients and you will increase their average spend. This means more profits for you. Build loyalty by staying in touch. Educate your clients about what other services you provide that they may not be aware of. Ask for referrals from satisfied clients, or start a referral or rewards program.
5. ACTIVELY PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS
Apathy. A six letter word that will suck the life out of your business if you let it. Now is not the time to sit back and let external circumstances dictate the outcomes of what is important to you. Difficult times can be used favourably to steadily build your market share, but you need to take ACTION. Once you have your marketing plan outlined begin to implement promotions that specifically reach your target market. Some suggestions include:
-Speak at networks that reach your identified niche
-Advertise on or offline in places that your target group access
-Use the unlimited free options available to you such as articles online and off, social media and free directories
-Activate your existing database by sending your latest catalogues and offers
-Run a competition or event that generates interest in you by your target group, and invite the media to be a part of it
Remember if your business is folds because you choose to do nothing, you only have yourself to blame, not the ‘recession’ which is a symptom that is temporary.
6. ALWAYS TALK IN ‘WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME’ TERMS
Your customer is not interested in ‘your business’ or even what it does. So don’t bore them with a long list of your attributes. They are interested in what perceived problem you can solve, so DO provide them with lots benefits you provide that can help them with their needs.
7. EVALUATE WHAT DOES AND DOESN’T WORK
You would have heard the claim that “half of my advertising works, I just don’t know which half”. Well, this is only partly true. You need to know where your customers are coming from and why, so remember to ask. List what types of promotion has worked in the past and do more of that. Ditch what hasn’t worked, or tweak where necessary.
“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” Vincent Van Gogh
To your health practice success….
Krishna Everson
http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: business, evaluate, focus, health, marketing, niche, plan, promote, recession, Uncategorized | No Comments »
What Does a Fit Business and a Fit Body Have in Common?
Fitness has been on my mind lately. It’s spring on the Sunshine Coast where I live and it is well and truly beach weather already. But is my body ready? No! This got me wondering about whether or not our businesses are ‘in shape’, so I thought I’d share my thoughts about business fitness.
A fit business is commited to healthy habits
What kind of habits are apparent with your business? Do you consistently spend time working on your business or only working in it? Consistently devoting regular time each week to marketing health, managing financial health and client followup will be sure your business stays in good shape.
A fit business is lean
What are you feeding your business? Are you spending time been busy or productive. I liken this to to the fit body analogy of eating foods that are high in calorie and low in nutrition, versus eating foods that are highly nutritious that your body will love. Are you feeding your business with nourishing activities that lead to positive results, or high energy, low nutritious activities. Don’t waste your energy on activities that fail to nourish.
A fit business builds it’s muscle
Are you exercising your business muscle? If you have exercised, you will know that some activities will be a little tough at first, but as your muscles become stronger, so too will your ability to function at your peak. The same applies your business. Try doing a SWOT analysis – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Once you have done this, spend some time capitalising on your strengths and buidling your weaknesses. If you have recognised areas in your business that need work, plan time to work on them. This could mean enhancing your knowledge or building your skills in a particular area. The main thing is not to ignore it, or you will be left behind in the wake of others who are more proactive.
Allocate time for business fitness
Just as in getting your body in shape, there is no point using time left over to get fit! It will never happen. It is imperaive that you set time aside in your schedule each week to work on your business. Allocate time to followup your clients, manage your database, reach new potential clients and learn new skills.
If you lack skills in effectively marketing your business, I can help. I work with health practitioners to give them the skills for do-it-yourself marketing that you can learn to do confidently. Drop me a line with your marketing question at krishna@vitalityoptions.com.au or visit my website at http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com for free tips.
To your health practice success….
Krishna
