Get More Clients With These Ideas

In this Issue

1.   Help This Brainy Marketer
2.   Do a Good Deed and Blow Your Trumpet...Quietly!
3.   Shoestring Tips
4.   Reciprocity Can Get You to Yes
5.   Quote of the Week
6.   Now That You've Joined...
7.   A Little Fun
8.   Resources for Marketers & Entrepreneurs
9.   Smell the Coffee

PLEASE TELL OTHERS!
Please forward this to anyone who wants to attract more customers, close more sales, get more website traffic, and find resources to help them compete more successfully in today's market.

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1.  Help This Brainy Marketer

Today's question comes from Jackie Ford, who says: "I am about to retire and want to start an Internet business, but I cannot seem to decide exactly what route to take. Please
help."

Many of you Brainy Marketers have learned a thing or two about Internet marketing, and I know you'll be able to help Jackie, too. Send your comments and I'll print them next
week.


And Lois says...

About half the people who sign up for my Brainy Tidbits newsletter ask for help with Internet marketing issues, and the rest of my subscribers would like help getting clients
(or generating sales from existing clients), creating a passive income stream or learning how to market their businesses without investing much money. So you're asking
the million-dollar question, Jackie.

Everyone wants to make money like the big guys—Yanik Silver, Tom Antion, Jim Edwards and others. Some people make money right out of the gate, but many don't. What should you do?

First, research, research, research until you find a product in a market that isn't saturated, yet has a target market that's big enough for you to create a business.

The first key to making big bucks is having something to offer that is different than what others are selling. And the second key is to sell something that people want to buy.

If you're planning to sell marketing services, you'll probably have a tough time because there are tons of great marketing gurus and you probably don't want to compete with
them. But if you discover that retiring boomers have fallen in love with iguanas because they are the coolest pet today...and you're selling iguanas, cute little outfits for them and all the supplies anyone could want for their pet iguana, then you just might be onto something. Not only can you sell the pet, supplies and products, but you can also
start creating information products about how to take care of your pet iguana, how to provide for it after you die, where to buy the best ones and lots of other great
information.

There are many ebooks and seminars available for how to make money on the Net, but my favorite is Tom Antion's system that he presents in his ebook, Click: The Ultimate
Guide to Electronic Marketing for Speakers (even if you aren't a speaker).


And if you want to learn his system in an intense, fast- moving manner, then I recommend his Butt Camp CD (so named because you sit on your butt and learn everything you need
to learn to start making money on the Net).

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2. Do a Good Deed and Blow Your Trumpet...Quietly!


Instead of spending $$$ on advertising, think about providing a product or service for free to a charitable or non-profit organization or a local community group with little funding.

This offer has a two-fold effect—your client doesn't have to pay, so they will be thrilled—and they will likely tell EVERYONE about your kind gesture so you will become better known and be respected. Remember to do this with kindness in your heart, not just as a way to get publicity, however, because it's easy to see through a a gesture that is not
genuine.

Ask them if it's okay for you to write and distribute a press release (show it to them if they'd like to see it), then contact your local radio, TV, newspaper and business groups to pitch a story. Include a written testimonial from your client, and get a photo of the two of you if possible (with the product would be terrific).

Make sure the press release has a very catchy headline to grab the media's attention, and you'll probably discover at least a few media will contact you for an interview or publicize your kind gesture by printing (or announcing) your release. Include a link for your website in your press release. This will lead the media and its readers to your website where your other press releases and news links appear.

Make it easy for people to read your news—don't make them all PDFs unless you really have to. If you feel you must create your releases in PDFs instead of a simple web page,
make sure you put a note on the download page that tells them the documents are PDFs. You don't want to surprise your visitors by giving them a download if they think they're
clicking a link to a page.

Make sure you have some great photos photos of your website on this page, with a comment stating higher quality images are available to use in print publications.

You will feel great about doing a good deed for a worthy group or individual, and the benefits will keep coming back to you over time. This technique has really worked for me. I
contacted two art groups on opposite sides of the world and offered my services to build their websites for them—for free. By doing so I was able to put a link to my own website
on each of their pages. That has brought many website visitors over the past few years, and has resulted in clients I wouldn't normally have been able to reach.

Don't forget to let us know if this tip works for you!


Teena Hughes is an entrepreneur who loves to help people get their businesses online. From automated web builders, to hosting and domains, Build A Website Tonight is a one-stop shop. Other services include website content writing, proofreading, small business management and training. http://www.BuildAWebsiteTonight.com/brainy.html


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3. Shoestring Tips

Thanks to everyone who sent in your 'marketing on a shoestring' tips. I know y'all have great tips. Keep sending 'em in! Since I'm still working on the ebook (and it may
take me awhile), you have a chance to be included. Send in your best 'marketing on a shoestring' tip and get your website listed in this newsletter and in my new ebook.

And watch for information about a new teleseminar I'll be doing with Deb Schmidt, the Loyalty Leader! We're planning to do one on Shoestring Marketing in January. I'll let you
know more as soon as we set the date.

These brainy subscribers sent in some terrific tips recently:

Betsy Krome of Quail Run Potters in Toano, Va.
Lisa Tener of www.UltimateAngerBook.com and www.LisaTener.com

You'll read about them in my ebook, 'Marketing on a Shoestring,' when it's published (IF you buy the book, of course).


Do you have a great marketing tip? Send it to me.

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4. Reciprocity Can Get You to Yes

In my world—that is, the world of marketing—there are a few people who really stand out and who other marketers revere. One of them is Dr. Robert Cialdini, a professor of
social psychology at Stanford University in Calif., and the author of 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.' His research put 'teeth' in a few age-old principles of
marketing. In today's article, we'll cover the first one: Reciprocity.

If you give someone a present or do a favor for them, they are obliged to give you a present of equal value or do a favor for you, right? It's the old 'give and ye shall
receive' philosophy. But when we do something nice for someone, and they thank us for it, what do we often do? That's right. We say something like, 'No big deal'—even if we put a ton of effort into it.

Cialdini tells us not to fumble the opportunity away. Instead, say, 'You're welcome. Listen. I know if the situation were reversed, you'd do the same for me.' That puts them on notice so you can ask for a favor in the future.

He also says it can be helpful in business to use reciprocation with concessions. Even if you don't remember to do this, you do know the technique. Your kids ask, 'Can I go to my friend's house, watch movies and be home at 2 a.m.?' And when you say no, they ask, 'Well can I go there, but be home at midnight?' Although you usually only let them
stay out until 11 p.m., you readily agree to midnight because they made a concession, so you feel like you need to make one, too.

Dr. Cialdini actually did research on this technique. He and his students interviewed people on the street. They'd stop people and say, 'We're looking for people who are willing to chaperone 16 juvenile delinquents on a day trip to the zoo. Would you be willing to do that?' Seventeen percent of the people they asked actually said yes!

They continued to do research, but this time they asked the people if they'd be willing to become a Big Brother to just one juvenile delinquent, spending three hours per week for a
committed time of two years. And when the people said they couldn't commit to that amount of time, they said, 'Well, if you can't do that, would you be willing to chaperone 16
juvenile delinquents from the detention home on a one-day trip to the zoo?' Guess what they found? A full 50 percent of the people said they could do it!

So what does this mean to your business? Give your prospects and clients the opportunity to say yes, but if they say no, don't give up. Retreat to a more moderate position, and go
for yes.

In an hour-long interview I did with Adam Urbanski, The Marketing Mentor, called 'Secrets of Successful Networking,' we covered lots of ideas for generating more business. Don't
sit and complain that business is down. Do something to make it better. Read more about our teleseminar and order the CD, MP3 or electronic transcript.

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5. Quote of the Week

'There is a fountain of youth: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.'

~Sophia Loren, Actress
(1934-  )

What's your definition of success?
Email your comments to me.

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6. Now That You've Joined, Talk, Chat, Get Help!

Membership is growing. Let's talk. Do you have new products you're launching? Announce it in our Success Secrets Forum. Want help with getting more clients? Talk about it in the forum. If you post, I will reply! And if I don't know the answer, I'll find someone who does. Let's chat.

Oh? Haven't joined? There's still time. And the Success Secrets forum is still FREE!

Success Secrets of Women Entrepreneurs forum

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7. A Little Fun

Today is election day in the United States. In Virginia, we're electing a new governor and legislators. For the past couple of weeks, we have received lots of phone calls from political telemarketers, trying to sway our vote. Many of
these calls are automated, so I don't feel like I'm treating someone badly by hanging up.

I thought you'd enjoy these tips from Andy Rooney on how to deal with telemarketers.

Comebacks for telemarketers who bother you at home at inopportune times:

Tell them you're under house arrest and ask if they could bring you a case of beer and some chips.

After they have introduced themselves, cry out in surprise and ask them how they have been. This will set them back a few moments while they try to figure out where you
know each other from.

Ask them to speak very slowly as you are busy writing down every word they say.

Tell the telemarketer that you are busy at the moment, but if they'll leave you their home phone number, you'll call them back at suppertime.

Be sure to visit our past jokes and trivia at:
Marketing Jokes and Trivia and Fun Stuff

Take a look. You'll have fun!

Help keep the smiles coming...please send me your marketing, PR or sales jokes. I'll be happy to give you credit and list your website! Email me.

 

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8. Resources for Marketers and Entrepreneurs

• Internet Marketing Association of Information Marketers

  I'm a member of the NetAIM group, and you can be, too. It's a very useful membership site especially if you're interested in information marketing and the latest tips, tools and resources. You'll also be able to network with leaders in the field and participate in online forum discussions. I suggest you check it out.

• How to Pick a Shopping Cart System
  
  Tom Antion is a very successful Internet marketer. In fact, he's a multi-millionaire as a result of his efforts on the Net. Tom put together a short ebook called "How to Pick a Shopping Cart System that Makes You Money." And you can get
  it for just a buck.
  

• Photoshop Tutorial
  
  Photoshop is quite difficult for most of us to use, but this free tutorial can help.
  
  

• Want to Learn if Someone is Copying Your Writings?
  
  Use this little program to find out:
  

• How to Create Teleseminars
  
  Are you thinking about doing teleseminars for your business? It couldn't be easier than with Great Teleseminars. Owner Dan Janal is a master at recording and editing teleseminars. And he'll walk you right through the process in his ebook,
  'Secrets of Conducting No-Hassle, Highly Profitable Seminars on the Phone: Everything You Need to Know To Be The Perfect Master of Ceremonies!' Read more about it (click on bookstore).
  
  
  Dan recently did a teleseminar with me called, 'How to Use Teleseminars to Enhance Your Reputation & Build Your Business.' It's available in three formats: CD, a downloadable MP3 and a downloadable transcript so you can start learning right away. Read more about it or order it and get started now.
  

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9. Smell the Coffee...

We've been having trouble with our dryer. It's old and doesn't dry very well. I've had it looked at once and we also had the airflow tested a while ago to make sure the
vent wasn't clogged. Today we have a man here cleaning out the vent line. He found a bird's nest in the vent! It's a good thing we didn't have a fire.

Over the weekend our family participated in a service project for our Quaker Meeting, clearing brush and vines in a wooded area behind one of the schools in Harrisonburg. We
worked very hard! I was still exhausted the next day. I guess I'm not 30 anymore. ;-)

Have a very profitable and joyful week.

Peace & Light,
Lois

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