Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

The Nine Warning Signs that You need a Sales Video

Corporate videos are an important sales tool that can often be overlooked in marketing budgets. We look at the top nine tell-tale signs that indicate whether your company is in need of an innovative and effective way to promote itself.1. No strong corporate “look and feel”You’re in a highly competitive industry. Yet, what makes you really stand apart from your competitors is your people and the. . .

How to Know If Your Brochure Works

Nothing in the business world is easy. Everything has to be done with hard work, purpose and good strategy. Let’s face it, most promotional materials especially brochures end up in the basket. Most companies spend their time writing everything about the company in the brochure instead of focusing on their services and products and its benefits. This is why most readers would not read beyond the. . .

“How and Why Do Women Buy?”

A woman wanted a cell phone that would work anywhere, not rack up high roaming fees, and be "cute," according to Martha Barletta, author of _Marketing to Women: How to Understand, Reach, and Increase Your Share of the World's Largest Market Segment_. Her husband researchs various plans and finds the one that most matched her calling and financial criteria. "What kind of phone comes with it?" th. . .

Proactive High Performance Teamwork

Proactive High Performance Teamwork is made up of nine proactive components and will provide the growth you are seeking in your practice. Two of the nine components are Performance and Opportunities.Performance=ProfitabilityHigh Performing Staff=High Performing Bottom Line!Successful practices excel in the filed of Patient Services**It's not about product...It's about Service!! ....your "Abso. . .

The Brand Called You

Every company has a reputation. Everyone you meet will form an opinion about your company, even if they have not done business with you yet. The challenge is to manage your reputation so that the opinion that people have of you is positive. This is what creates a brand.Brands have a number of strategic functions, enabling you to: Differentiate yourself from your competition Position your focu. . .

Perception … What Are Your Patients REALLY Hearing?

Never underestimate the power of perception! Perception plays a major part in what is actually said -vs- how it is heard. And to patients...perception is reality! For example, lets look at broken appointments, one of the biggest problems in your practice. Last minute changes and no show appointments account for thousands of dollars a month in lost revenue for the practice! Are you sending signa. . .

Dumb Money And Smart Money

One of my goals online is to give you the total picture and tell you everything you need to succeed in your own Internet Marketing Business. This internet marketing "stuff" has been a God send for me and it can be for Anyone of you who will apply yourself and be very, very serious with it, not get rich overnite - but I am talking about coming in to this "net marketing world" with the same attit. . .

Know The Fundamentals To Success

Internet Marketing is right for everyone. Unfortunately, not everyone is right for internet marketing. I have been involved in internet marketing now for over 4 years, I have earned some money here and there but had never achieved the kind of success I was seeking. I've tried several things that didn't work, but I've learnd a massive amount and now I have the knowledge and understanding to make. . .

A Corporate Facelift With Sound Bytes

If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then why don’t companies receive facelifts to improve their image as well? The telephone is the lifeblood of any business. Use it respectfully. Don’t leave your clients on-hold to listen to radio static or elevator music. With digital recording and delivery of sound files, professional production of on-hold advertising is both economical and nece. . .

Should You Write a Book?

One morning, you open your inbox and find several e-mails that will boost your business. There is an invitation to speak at a local group comprised of your best prospects. Several emails have arrived from people who've "heard of you" and inquire about your services.There is a message from a potential joint venture partner who has invited you to be a guest on a teleconference that will reach 500. . .

5 Magical Steps For Creating A Profitably Potent Affiliat...

There are a few reasons why your affiliate program isn't bringing in the traffic and profits you've always hoped for. And below, I've outlined 5 quick ways to change that so you can get more traffic and profits using the power of "super" affiliates.1) Make Sure Your Sales Letter Converts -- Nothing puts a damper on an affiliate program quicker than having affiliates sending you tons of traffic . . .

E-Newsletter Layout: Add White Space to Improve Readability

White space in newsletters is like pausing in conversation. Take a breath now and then to avoid overwhelming the reader. It’s tempting to pack a business e-newsletter tight with content. After all, goes the rationale, the piece appears more substantial, more authoritative.However, in the audio book, “Sound Advice on Publishing E-Newsletters,” author Michael Katz says that laying out text in b. . .

Are You Marketing to Your Potential?

Many small business owners struggle to grow their businesses only to find themselves stuck in a morass of marketing, management and delivery tasks. As your business becomes more complex and time consuming, the original vision of the business usually changes or gets lost, and it can become increasingly difficult to define and implement a marketing strategy that helps you achieve your business po. . .

5 Ways to Generate Leads with Your Web Site

If you sell services one of the biggest challenges is identifying qualified prospects who want what you have to offer and are ready to buy. It is possible to waste time on cold calls and other marketing activities that turn up little in the way of sales. Wouldn't you rather have a steady stream of hot leads, leads that not only include contact information but give you an idea of what the pr. . .

Testosterone Free Marketing for Women in Business

Are Your Lack of Marketing Skills Holding You Back From the Success You Deserve?Secrets of Success for Women Entrepreneurs Who Would Rather Get a Bikini Wax than Market Their Home-based BusinessBy Denise Michaels, Marketing MavenDoes the thought of marketing your business drive you to chocolate? If “getting the word out” makes you feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In my work. . .

12 Sure-Fire Steps To Improve Your Retail Sales

The purpose of any business is to bring in customers, and it can only be accomplished through marketing. If your cash registers don't ring, something is wrong and you had better find out what is wrong fast. Because in today's competitive retail world... getting results is what counts.Successful retailers aren't any more talented or intelligent than you are -- They simply have learned to do thin. . .

To Survey Or Not To Survey

I have learned over the years that when it comes to online marketing as I know it, it's not about what I want in my business.It's really about what people who visit my website want. For awhile I didn't understand that philosophy. How do I find out what people want?Finding out what people want is not something you, I or anyone else for that matter can pull out of thin air. If we are going to be . . .

Successful Sales People Know Which Differentiators Matter

Know where to focus. Not everyone evaluates product solutions with the same decision criteria.When sitting toe-to-toe with a prospective client, how well do you answer the question, “What sets you apart from your competitor?”Tom Snyder, vice president of Huthwaite – the creators of SPIN Selling – says in the audio book, “Sound Advice on Sales Strategies,” that professional sales people often h. . .

Balancing Your Promotions

Promotion of your online business may take a variety of directions. Some will bring more success than others. Every one is important to consider when you are trying to open the door to visitors to your site.This article discusses several of the more useful ways to promote and the necessity of keeping some balance in your promotional efforts.-- SEARCH ENGINESEveryone needs to make an effor. . .

Public Relations Strategies: Focus PR Campaigns with Medi...

Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the media coverage you’ve gained and dig deep into the coverage your competition has received.One of the first steps in defining a public relations strategy is to understand how you and your competition stack up in terms of media coverage. Taking the time to document and analyze press announcements, bylines, sourcing, thought-leaders. . .

Make the Media Your Friend

The media (newspaper, radio, television) can be of enormous help to the small and home based business. So, it is very important that you develop a relationship with them. When you first start your business, inform your local newspaper by using a press release that you are starting a new business. Almost all newspapers have a section which announces new businesses. So check out that section, cal. . .

How to Get Started on Your Marketing Plan

When developing or updating a marketing plan, knowing where to start is often a challenge. To better develop effective marketing strategies, begin by gathering information about both your business and the larger business environment (competition, trends, statistics, etc).Internally, the amount of information you gather about your own business will depend on your company size. Information can in. . .

Is Your Marketing Message Holding You Back?

Your marketing message is like a key. If you've got the right one, it will help you unlock doors to new business and start the process of converting them to clients. If you've got one that is the wrong size or poorly crafted you'll be locked out in the cold, wondering why your business isn't growing faster.Unfortunately too many independent professionals and small business owners market with me. . .

Top 3 Free Marketing Techniques

If you have zero budget then this is the article for you. In this article I will discuss the best ways to market your website for free.#1. Articles:An example of using articles to promote your website is this article. At the bottom of it should be my author bylines. If you are a good writer and know were to submit your articles then this can be possible they best traffic generator ever. By subm. . .

Tips for Increasing Your Profits with Gift Certificates

Offering gift certificates is an excellent way of increasing sales by solving your customers’ gift-giving problems. Often people would like to give your products as gifts, but are hesitant to choose a specific item for someone.I’m a jewelry artist, and when I realized I was losing sales to these potential customers, I started offering gift certificates – and discovered a wonderful sales tool.W. . .

Positioning For Success:

According to military historian David Chandler the campaigns of Napoleon Bonaparte consistently rose above the expected. For more than 20 years Napoleon showed genius and skill as a general on the field of battle.To what did Chandler attribute Napoleon’s great string of successes? First, he was a master of translating theory into action. And second, in addition to being a man of action Napole. . .

The Most Important Question To Ask About Your Web Site!

When you design a website how do you start ?Do you start with the banner graphics at the top, or the order page or maybe the sales letter ?All of those are areas that have to be created but they're really not the place to start.The place to start is by answering one simple question about your site. What do I want my visitor to do before she leaves? If she doesn't do that, what else would I lik. . .

Measure for Measure

Can you imagine playing hockey without a goal? Basketball without hoops and nets? Football without a goal line? Golfing without holes or greens? There may be leagues where it doesn’t matter whether anyone is keeping score, but not the big leagues. Champions of the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, the Masters can only be determined when there is someone keeping score. In hockey, keeping score. . .

Great Brands Depend on Attention to the Brand Architecture

Do you have the architecture in place to make sure each and every brand contact sends the right message?Thinking in terms of architecture, a building that looks great and catches your attention is probably designed so that each component looks perfect and enhances the overall effect of the building.In the audiobook, “Sound Advice on Brand Marketing,” author Tom Miller says, “Great architecture . . .

Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer

Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer: A Step by Step Guide for Developing Awareness, Building Credibility and Acquiring CustomersHave you ever watched a documentary about climbing Mount Everest? If so, you will undoubtedly remember one specific segment of the journey where the climbers cross a chasm, one carefully placed step after another, using aluminum ladders strung end to end. Fo. . .

Networking Basics Turn Yourself Into A Profit Making Giant

I would like to introduce you to one of my brick and mortar business I run. It is called AFM Computer Repair. This business takes me about 5 hours a week, yet I usually make a few hundred dollars cash in my pocket spending money a week. Now I know what everyone is thinking, "How the HELL do you run a brick and mortar business with only 5 hours of your time a week!". Well its quite simple. Its c. . .

10 Ways to Build Trust and Build Your Business

You wouldn't buy a car if you didn't think it could get you home. And you wouldn't purchase it from a dealer you thought was robbing you blind on the price and might not stand behind it if the engine fell out as you drove it off the lot.Before making a purchase from you, buyers need to trust that your products and services will do what they are supposed to. Does your marketing help establish th. . .

Ten Awesome Ways To Incease Your Sales In Holidays

Everybody thinks that the businesses will slow down a bit in holiday seasons. Ofcourse everybody thinks that people don't want to start new ventures in holidays too. But that is not true. People do spend money... a lot in holidays. On gift items, special discount goods, coupons etc. The only thing is to know how to do business in the holiday season using this attitude. Here are 10 tips to mai. . .

Avoid These Common Mistakes With Your Links...

Links are the main pillar of your website. To navigate from one page to another page in your website or to another website, you need to keep the links.You can also create page jumps in the same page or different pages of your website. If your links are not working properly, it is difficult to navigate and your visitors get '404 File not Found Error'. If your visitor wants to buy your product an. . .

Lack Of Business Isn't Always The Problem

When you're just starting out in business, it's a safe bet that you need more clients. But what if you have been up and running for a while, and you're still not making as much money as you would like? You may be in the habit of thinking that attracting new clients is the answer, but this isn't always the case. There are many reasons why a professional services business might not be earning en. . .

Breaking The Voice Mail Barrier

Even if you never place a cold call, you still have to reach people by phone. That customer who was so interested last month never called you back, and now you must call her. You call once, twice, three times, but you can't get her in person. How can you manage to close a sale if all you ever get is voice mail? Doing business in the age of voice mail can be extremely frustrating. While it is tr. . .

New Year's Revolution

No, that's not a typo in the title. Resolutions are easy; most of us make them at least once a year. A revolution, on the other hand, is something you may not have made since you started your business. Starting a business is actually quite revolutionary. When you began yours, there were probably many details of your life that changed. Some of those changes were intentional, others accidental; s. . .

The Information Publisher's Secret Resource Guide To Blow...

Have you ever heard the saying, "Give and you shall receive"? Well, with information publishing, this saying is one of the most important you will ever hear. Let me explain: Whether you are providing your information product in a book, an e-book, a manual, or a video, if you want your customer to buy from you again, you must provide in your product value that he or she can directly apply to his. . .

Job Hunting: “It’s Still The First Impression Stupid!”

In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville hung a sign in Bill Clinton's Little Rock campaign office that read, “It’s still the economy, stupid.” His intent? Simply to keep everybody focused on the most important issue of the day. History clearly demonstrates he was right and George Bush Sr. was soundly defeated.The lesson to be learned from this is that even the. . .

Telemarketers Don't Like Them? Here's An Idea For Ya!

Telemarketers... ooohhh... I'll bet we've all got a nice story to tell about these guys & gals don't we? Well here's a story i'll never forget and I'll show you how to turn a sales call into a sale for you! So I'm sitting in my office one day and mind you at the moment I didn't have a helper to screen my call for me and don't you know it, I get a telemarketer. See, I used to be in a few networ. . .

Don’t Expect to Bump Oprah From A Magazine Cover

“I want a pony, a tree house and the fastest bike in the world.”“I want the G.I. Joe with the parachute and camouflage Jeep.”Those wants from when we were children haven’t changed much now that we have traded in our play clothes for suits and ties. When I sit down with clients, I always ask them what they want out of their publicity campaign so I can create a realistic list of expectations.But. . .

Postcard Marketing Your Small Business

One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization can use is postcards. Even before the arrival of online postcard printing and mailing services, postcards had a good reputation amongst guerilla marketers because: They are fast, easy and relatively cheap - making them a boon to small business owners who are short on cash and time, yet need to build their brand and stay in front o. . .

What Successful Sellers Know - Others Don't ... The Subtl...

Ask any salesperson, "At what point in the selling process does the 'Close' take place?" Eight out of ten will answer, “at the End”. To be fair, they are not totally incorrect but they are, nevertheless, more wrong than right proving in principle and in practice, Perado's Law: Twenty percent of the sales force make eighty percent of the sales and profitability. The questions that should then be. . .

How My Friend Bob Went From Being A Failure To A Winner B...

Let me tell you story about a friend of mine who used to be a complete failure. His name was Bob. My friend Bob was the type of guy who always was looking for instant riches, but never could seem to find them. He jumped from one business opportunity to the next one and each time the people who sold Bob the business opportunity claimed they were going to make my friend Bob a millionaire, quickly. . .

Personalizing Your Emails? An Amazing Technique That Doub...

Are you publishing an ezine or offering an email course? Are you talking with your subscriber through your ezine or email course? If so what are you calling them?"Hello John"? or "Hello friend"? or "Hello"?If you want to feel the difference between the above three, stand infront of a mirror and call yourself with above three ways. Which one is more pleasing for you? The same with your subscribe. . .

Five Profitable Ways To Use Your Follow Up Autoresponder

What? You are not using a Follow up Autoresponder? Then better be. If you are SERIOUS about increasing your subscriber database, you need Follow up autoresponders.Web site promotion should start with search engines. Next comes your opt-in list. To maintain your opt-in list you need a mailing list manager or an autoresponder. You can publish your ezine or offer a free email course through your a. . .

Writing Business Newsletters: Avoid the “Me, Me, Me” Mistake

Effective customer newsletters find the right mix of promotional and ‘real’ content to maximize readership.It’s that time of year when the old college roommate sends ‘round his or her annual holiday newsletter. Admit it, you’re happy to hear from them, but it’s usually too long and it’s all “me, me, me.”The same is true about too many customer newsletters – printed or electronic. In the audio. . .

Four Ways To Increase Your Sales... Fast... In 2-4 Weeks?

You built a very good web site...You have a great product...You know that people are in NEED of Your service...AND ALSO You want to Increase your sales FAST...There is no wrong with that.As a webmaster you should promote your web site. There are many methods of web site promotion. Some takes a little time before you start getting profits from it. Some give fast results.Promotion methods like se. . .

Your Resourcebox Giving You Profits?

Rule number one - You must write ezine articles and submit them to publishers and content sites.Rule number two - You must include a resourcebox that gives you profits, subscribers, link popularity etc or what ever you want from your resourcebox.Tips how to get good response from Your resourcebox:***1. No more than 7 lines:Longer the resourcebox, it is difficult to scan through. Afterall most p. . .

Search Engine Marketing: Choosing Keyword Phrases

Selecting the right keyword phrases is the key to a successful search engine marketing campaign.Industry statistics indicate that as many as 85% of all initial Website visits begin with a search engine query, and according to researchers NPD Group, more online purchases originate from search engine listings than from any other source. It’s no wonder, then, that search engine marketing campaign. . .