Episode #54 – “I Wear This Shirt When I’m a Grouch’”

Websites and resources mentioned in the show:

The Promo Dashboard (Great New Resource to Help You Increase Profits Online)

‘Care About Color’ Report (Vital information for Your Business)

JustOneClubCard.com (combine all your store cards onto one)

NiftyClicks (discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Get a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business)

Buy This Week’s T-Shirt(from National Media Services)

Considering more people get struck by lightning than are catching swine flu, I’m thinking the frantic news reports are a little bit unnecessary, don’t you? There again, I’m guessing that governments are rejoicing at the chance to distract some attention from the economy!

I was at Chicago O’Hare airport the other day and as I was walking through the food court I glimpsed a hand made sign that made me look, then do a double take. I’ll show you the sign, and let you tell me what you think of the store manager who put it there.

Our question is all about what colors to use for a website design. Good question, because many people don’t think too much about it, they tend to opt simply for personal preference. If you want more on that topic, you can download a special report – there’s a link in the show notes below.

I don’t know about you but I have a lot of store loyalty cards and it’s a pain to carry them around with me, which is why I loved the nifty click resource that I discovered this week, courtesy of Adam Weiss, the podcaster. Let me know if it’s useful to you.

Finally, the BIG marketing lesson is from Coca Cola. They’ve implemented an intriguing twist on the ‘build-a-bear’ concept at their store in Disney’s EPCOT center in Orlando, Florida. Cool idea, and I want you to benefit from an important underlying principle.

Let me know (by posting a comment on this blog) your thoughts about the McDonalds sign.

Enjoy!

Regards,

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Episode #51 – “It’s funny how you think I’m listening”

I hope you’re well. In this episode I start off with some (hopefully) revealing information about how best to use ValPak or a similar coupon service to promote your business in your local area. There’s some common mistakes that you can easily avoid, and I’ll point out the 4 biggest blunders that business owners make in using ValPak.

Next up, there’s a question about whether to reveal your company’s pricing online. Or is it better to have people submit a request for a quote? What do you think? I’ll give you my opinion, and the reasons why I believe it to be the right approach. Let me know if you agree or disagree.

I hate checking voice mails, and now I don’t have to with PhoneTag.com – it’s an inexpensive service that automatically intercepts your voicemail, transcribes the messages to text, and then emails you the response. Very cool, it definitely suits the way I like to work. Actually, it’s also great for when I’m in a meeting because I can READ voice messages on my phone, even while I’m still sitting in the meeting!

The BIG marketing lesson this week is from DirecTV, the well known satellite TV service provider in the U.S. DirecTV know what customers want, and they’ve found a way to avoid lots of unnecessary customer service calls, so the company benefits as well as the customers. I’ll show you how you can apply the principle in your business.

Websites and resources mentioned in the show:

The Continuity Summit (details to join me in Stamford, CT May 15-17th.)

PhoneTag (converts phone calls to emails or SMS messages)

NiftyClicks (discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Get a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business)

Microwave Marketing (Your Monthly Business Training System – special low price offer for you)

T-Shirts for the show are supplied by National Media Services (check out their excellent service)

Regards,

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NOTE: I know the pop-up ads are annoying – just click on the ‘x’ on the right hand side to close them.  I’m working on trying to get these removed for you.

Episode #33 - We’re surrounded by bad customer service and this week I prove it to you!  You won’t believe some of the pictures I have to show you.

If you’re working too hard, you might benefit from getting some outsourced help.  But where from, I hear you ask?  Well, I’ll share 3 great resources that’ll definitely help you get more done.

The Nifty Click this time is all about customer service.  It’s your opportunity to give feedback to large companies.  You can also post a question or have a rant.  I’ll reveal this special website in the episode.

Siemens isn’t exactly a sexy company, but they provide a valuable marketing lesson for you.  One of their marketing techniques can be adapted by many other industries for great results.  What do a hearing aid and Concorde have in common?  You’ll soon find out!

Websites mentioned in the show:

Find Any Celebrity (find any celebrity for use in your marketing)

The Florida Seminar (join me in Orlando FL, Jan 23-25th 2009)

AskSunday (general outsourcing needs)

ODesk (skilled designers, programmers etc for projects)

AgentsofValue (full-time web designers etc, based in Phillipines)

NiftyClicks (discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Consultation for YOUR Business (with me, Andrew Lock)

Microwave Marketing Training System (special offer for viewers of this show)

Regards,

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NOTE: I need your help!  Take part in a new viewer survey and I’ll reward you with a valuable free gift you can download right away (no opt-in required and your answers will be completely anonymous).
Click Here to take the survey.

Episode #28 - The episode where I prove that I really do have legs! It’s my first time coming out from behind the desk!  I’d love to know what you think of this on-location episode, please let me know on the blog.

This was a really fun episode for me to put together for you. I decided to record my business and marketing discoveries as I traveled around New England and Canada a few weeks ago.  Before I set out, I really didn’t know what was going to happen, so it was kinda’ exciting to see it all unfold.

I explain why NCL cruiseline is going against the grain of how most cruise lines operate, and how that radical approach is winning them many new customers.  I should add that NCLhad no idea I was producing this episode, and I receive no compensation from them for praising them so highly (but I should

The format is a little different, mostly because I put together as my travels progressed, but there are many useful marketing lessons throughout, and of course some of my odd British humor.

Please let me know what you thought of this episode by posting your comments on the blog here.

Business Breakthroughs Webinar Replay (from last week)

NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Regards,

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Episode #17 – Dell are not in my good books.  I ordered a NEW 24″ LCD monitor and it turned up faulty.  When they sent a replacement, it was a refurbished unit!  Has anything like that happened to you?  Do you know someone that works for Dell?  It’s unacceptable!

The viewer question relates to how to use video to promote an online business.  I present 4 methods for you to implement.

The nifty click is a resource that enables you to acquire a ready made TV commercial for just $499!

Finally, the BIG marketing lesson comes from UPS, the courier company.  It’s not a happy story, and it highlights a classic problem that many large companies have.  UPS need to get their act together!

Resources and websites mentioned in this episode:

SpotRunner (ready made TV commercials)

Regards,

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Episode #11 – I attended the eBay Live! annual event in Chicago, and it was not pretty as I explain in this video.  Many eBay sellers are giving up because of the changes that eBay management has forced on them.  There’s a viewer question from a 70 year old lady who asks how to earn more from her speaking gigs!  The Nifty Click web resource helps you to manage your money (and it’s completely free).  And finally, the BIG marketing lesson comes from Costco, a company that deserves your business….you’ll soon see why.

Resources and websites mentioned in this episode:

Cruise Free (report)

Mint

Regards,

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