"Help! My Business Sucks!" Irreverent Marketing Videos for Small Business: Ideas and Tips for Marketing Your Small Business » small business

Episode #151: Doing Business in Dubai, A Report from the Road

locky — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:05:53 +0000

Episode #151 – “Doing Business in Dubai, A Report from the Road” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Marketing Related Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Ultimate Internet Boot Camp (get the full scoop on the 5 day event)

Special offer for Microwave Marketing (get a 50% discount as a viewer of the show)

Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

Subscribe to this show on iTunes for your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or other MP3 device. Click the link here to subscribe to Help! My Business Sucks! on Apple iTunes.

This is another special episode featuring small business marketing lessons from my travels in Dubai. Actually, admittedly there’s not so many lessons, this episode is more of a video diary of my experience in Dubai. Still, i think you’ll find it interesting to see how Dubai is playing a larger role in business on the world scene.

This episode of “Help!………..My Business Sucks!” is made possible by The Ultimate Internet BootCamp, the new way to build a profitable website from scratch, in just 5 days flat: www.MakeMoneyIn5.com – discover how to build the small business of your dreams, today.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

Feedback / Questions: I invite you to send me a message or question about your business via video – you just need a webcam connected to your computer, and a YouTube account – it’s fast, easy, and free. Note: You might be famous! In submitting a video (send to support@helpmybusiness.com), you agree to the possibility of having your video shown in a future episode of the show to assist other viewers with their small business marketing.

#150: Marvellous Marketing Lessons from London, for Small Business Owners. Presented by Maverick Marketer Andrew Lock

locky — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:36:59 +0000

Episode #150 – “Marvellous Marketing Lessons from London” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Marketing Related Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Ultimate Internet Boot Camp (get the full scoop on the 5 day event)

Special offer for Microwave Marketing (get a 50% discount as a viewer of the show)

Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

Subscribe to this show on iTunes for your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or other MP3 device. Click the link here to subscribe to Help! My Business Sucks! on Apple iTunes.

This is a special episode featuring small business marketing lessons from my travels in London. I talk about what companies like Hamley’s Toy shop, Apple Store, H&M, Gordon Ramsay, and many others are doing that you can
‘borrow’ in your small business.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#148: Jim Cockrum Interview – Free Marketing, 101 Low and No Cost Marketing Methods for Your Small Business

locky — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:14:25 +0000

Episode #148 – “The One With Jim Cockrum” – Small Business Marketing Tips

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Note: Your contact information is not shared with anyone, and you’ll receive valuable information.

Marketing Related Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Ultimate Internet Boot Camp (get the full scoop on the 5 day event)

Free Marketing (Jim Cockrum’s new book)

Special offer for Microwave Marketing (get a 50% discount as a viewer of the show)

Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

Subscribe to this show on iTunes for your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or other MP3 device. Click the link here to subscribe to Help! My Business Sucks! on Apple iTunes.

Jim Cockrum has been helping small business owners for many years, and I personally have the utmost respect for what he does, and how he does it. He’s one of the good guys, and his latest project solidifies that. All proceeds
from his new book are going to a terrific charity, Hope Village Detroit, that helps young entrepreneurs. The book is titled: “Free Marketing: 101 Low and No Cost Ways to Grow Your Business Online and Off.

In this interview, which was conducted over Skype, we discuss:

> Jim’s background as an eBay advisor

> How to be an expert in your niche

> How to be a great leader, and guard your character

> Interacting with your customers effectively

> An unconventional way to deal with BOTH unhappy but reasonable customers and habitual complainers

> Why Zappos irrational policies work so effectively both for customers and employees

> The ‘one marshmallow now’ principle

> The book “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely

> Why content is King, especially to build a list, and an audience

> How Jim Cockrum got Dave Ramsey to endorse and promote Jim’s new book: “Free Marketing”

> The power and importance of outsourcing.

> Why business concepts are more important than skills.

I strongly encourage you to get this book by Jim Cockrum for 2 reasons: (a) It’s great information that you can use, and (b) all proceeds are going to a phenomenal charity that helps young entrepreneurs. Click here to get the book: Free Marketing.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#147: Special Interview with Author Entrepreneur Rich Christiansen – The Zig Zag Principle

locky — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:25:10 +0000

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

Subscribe to this show on iTunes for your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or other MP3 device. Click the link here to subscribe to Help! My Business Sucks! on Apple iTunes.

In this economy the small business needs all the help it can get, and thankfully there’s a new resource from Rich Christiansen, prolific successful entrepreneur and author. Rich has a new book for anyone with an idea or a dream. It’s called “The Zig Zag Principle”. If you already have a small business, you’ll find plenty of good advice on how to structure your business in a way that ensures fast and consistent profits.

The Zig Zag Principle confronts most business books head-on. Where most books give you a straight, rigid path to follow; this one permits you to squirrel chase. It’s like no business book you’ve ever read.

Zig Zagging is a unique way to set goals, rewards, and boundaries. One of the most unique skills Rich teaches in the book is how to fail. “Failing efficiently is vital. If you’re going to fail, why drag it out? Recognize it, admit it, lick your wounds, and move onto your next venture.”

Rich Christiansen has started 33 business. 11 were failures, but 11 grew into multimillion-dollar successes. His experience and passion for business can help you too.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#146: Twinings Tea Trouble, How to Sell Advertising on a Website, an Online Conversion Tool, and BIG Marketing Lesson from Sit N Sleep.

locky — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:32:05 +0000

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

Do you subscribe to this show on iTunes, for your iPod, iPhone, iPad, or other MP3 device? If so, you may need to update your subscription, due to some recent iTunes changes. Click the link here to subscribe or update Help! My Business Sucks! on Apple iTunes.

Once again we have a live studio audience of small business owners in this episode. First up, Twinings tea are in trouble for replacing Earl Grey tea with a new blend called THE Earl Grey, which many customers apparently strongly dislike. Reminds me of New Coke – remember that debacle back in the 1980′s? Public feeling was so strong that within 3 months ‘original’ coke aka Classic Coke was reintroduced and New Coke was abandoned.

Our viewer question in this episode is all about how to sell advertising on a portal style site. Learn about ‘modeling’ what other successful online business owners have done, and you can apply this lesson to your own business, regardless of the niche you’re in.

Everyone needs to convert files from one format to another at some point – a PSD to a JPG, a PDF to a Word document, an AVI to an MPEG2, and so on. A nifty tool I’ve been using is Online-Convert, which takes the hassles out of the process, handles it all online, and best of all, is completely free.

Our BIG marketing lesson in this episode of “Help! My Business Sucks!” is from Sit n Sleep, a mattress chain in California. I’ve noticed their TV ads for awhile, and I’m impressed by how they market their products. This lesson relates to one particular TV commercial they’ve been using – it’s a very powerful visual, and you can adapt the principle for your business.

This episode of “Help!………..My Business Sucks!” is made possible by The Ultimate Internet BootCamp, the new way to build a profitable website from scratch, in just 5 days flat: http://www.makemoneyin5.com

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#142: Interview with Entrepreneur Marc Ostrofsky – Small Business Tips with the New Book: “Get Rich Click”

locky — Tue, 10 May 2011 05:23:20 +0000

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

This is an extended length episode featuring a great interview with Marc Ostrofsky, entrepreneur and author of the new book, “Get Rich Click”.

We talk about various topics including domaining, buying and selling businesses, and a lot more.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

Feedback / Questions: Send me a message or question about your business, you just need a webcam connected to your computer. It’s fast, easy, and free. Note: You might be famous! In submitting a video (just click on the reply button below), you agree to the possibility of having your video shown in a future episode of the show to assist other viewers with their small business marketing.

#141: Standing out from the Crowd, website tweaks, saving money on everyday items, and a BIG marketing lesson from Virgin Media

locky — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 22:52:22 +0000

Episode #141 – “Standing out from the Crowd, website tweaks, saving money on everyday items, and a BIG marketing lesson from Virgin Media.”

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

I start this episode by sharing a situation I encountered recently when buying a mount for my plasma TV. When browsing the local stores, there were many choices, and only one option stood out. Find out why I bought it, because it’s an interesting marketing principle you can use in your small business.

This week’s viewer question is via video, and relates to how people view your website when they first load the page. I suggest some tweaks that I hope you can take advantage of in your Internet business.

Do you like saving money? I do, which is why I share a popular resource to enable you to do just that in your local region, on all kinds of products and services.

This week’s BIG marketing lesson is from Virgin Media, a UK company that provides all kinds of utilities under one umbrella. Their marketing is a shining example of what you SHOULD do when communicating with your customers. See if you can identify with the obvious mistake that most businesses make by comparison.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#140: Interview with Garrett Gunderson of Freedom Fast Track – Financial Advice for Small Business Owners

locky — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:52:39 +0000

Episode #140 – “Interview with Garrett Gunderson of Freedom Fast Track – Financial Advice for Small Business Owners” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

Enter Your Info Below:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

This episode features a special interview with Garrett Gunderson of Freedom Fast Track, a company that helps small business owners to make better use of their money, including providing advice on how to save money. Look out for the special offer that Garrett makes, for a complimentary 7 step cash recovery consultation to help you see where your business is losing money.

Garrett is the founder of Freedom Fast Track, an Inc500 business, and author of “Killing Sacred Cows” a New York Times Best Seller.

In 2006, Garrett received devastating news – that his business partner died in a plane crash. It was a crossroads time, and something interesting happened to accelerate the publication of the new book.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#138: Interview with Jeremy Frandsen, Entrepreneur and Presenter of Internet Business Mastery Podcast

locky — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:10:48 +0000

Episode #138 – “Interview with Jeremy Frandsen of Internet Business Mastery Podcast.” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

Get Time Tips (more helpful productivity advice from Dave Crenshaw)

This is a special episode where I interview Jeremy Frandsen, cohost of the popular podcast, Internet Business Mastery.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#135: Las Vegas Shows Get Creative, Traffic from Twitter, a Free Survey Tool, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from JoAnn Fabrics.

locky — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:17:18 +0000

Episode #135 – “Las Vegas Shows Get Creative, Traffic from Twitter, a Free Survey Tool, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from JoAnn Fabrics.” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

Enter Your Info Below:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

I was in Las Vegas recently and they’re heavily promoting an offer where you get unlimited shows over a 2 day period for $99. Vegas is struggling right now, as this offer demonstrates.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#134 – “Bouncing Back, Duped in the Big Apple, a New Marketing Magazine, and a BIG marketing lesson from United airlines”.

locky — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:09:12 +0000

Episode #134 – “Bouncing Back, Duped in the Big Apple, a New Marketing Magazine, and a BIG marketing lesson from United airlines”. – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

Enter Your Info Below:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

It’s great to be back! Did you miss me? I missed you.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#133 – “An Unbelievable Way to Sell Online, Postcard Marketing, Free Video Training for WordPress, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Dotster.com”

locky — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:30:40 +0000

Episode #133 – “An Unbelievable Way to Sell Online, Postcard Marketing, Free Video Training for WordPress, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Dotster.com” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

Enter Your Info Below:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

I open up this week’s episode with a startling story that was first released in the New York Times recently. There’s an eyeglasses company in Brooklyn, New York that conducts their business in the most astonishing way. Apparently, they rely on BAD publicity. That’s right. They HOPE for bad reviews, because the more they get, the more prominent they become in the search engines, via natural SEO. Can you believe that? I think you’ll find the story jaw dropping.

Next up, our viewer question in this episode is all about postcard marketing. Is offline marketing dead? What about postcard marketing? Well, it’s not dead, but many marketers get frustrated when they try a postcard marketing campaign that doesnt work for them. Why not? Well, as you’ll see in the show, there’s all kinds of reasons why a postcard campaign may be ineffective. You need ALL the pieces of the puzzle, and usually one or two are missing. That’s what I consistently find with my coaching clients and mastermind group members.

Our nifty click resource this week is a helpful way to learn some nuances of the WordPress platform, via tutorial videos. It’s the official site for WordPress training, so you can rely on the accuracy of the information.

The BIG marketing lesson is from a domain registration and hosting company called Dotster.com. They do a great job at event based marketing. In other words, they tie their marketing into themed days or weeks that happen around the world. It’s an incredibly powerful concept to understand, and you can learn the details in the last segment of this show.

This will be the last episode of 2010 since I’m travelling and teaching extensively across the USA during the month of December. Additionally, I’m revamping the show for 2011, so look out for that.

Thank you for your support, love, comments and sharing this year, and I look forward to serving you in 2011.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#132 – “Creative Shopping Bags, New Vook, Rebranding a Business, Raising Money, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Hymans Seafood Restaurant”

locky — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:30:38 +0000

Episode #132 – “The One With the Shopping Bags ” – Small Business Marketing Tips

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

I’m always on the look out for examples of creative marketing (hint, hint) and viewer Waka Shinko sent me some great examples of creative shopping bags that promote all kinds of businesses. I’ll show you these in this episode, and let me know what you think of them.

I’m proud to announce that I have a new Vook! What’s a Vook, you ask? It’s a combination of a book, and a video, hence “Vook”. It’s a new format designed for the iPad, iPod touch, iPhone etc and it’s a great new way to consume information. The Vook that I’ve created for you is based around the theme of this show, “Help! My Business Sucks!” with 12 chapters (and videos) to help small business owners with their marketing. It’s all new information, and it’s just $6.99 from the Apple iTunes store. Let me know what you think of it, please

Is it appropriate to rebrand a business from time to time? That’s the subject we discuss in this week’s viewer question. I have strong feelings on this one, can you guess what they are?

Finally, our BIG marketing lesson is from Hyman’s Seafood restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. Here’s a fascinating study in the power of creating celebrity. Hyman’s has gone to great lengths to position their restaurant as having celebrity status, and it’s working! I’ll show you how you can transform your business in a similar way.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#130 – “Noisy TV Ads, Squeeze Page Suggestions, Searching Online Video, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Homewood Suites Hotels”

locky — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:03:18 +0000

Episode #130 – “The One With the Loud TV Ads ” – Small Business Marketing Tips

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NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources) Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show) There’s always a new report coming out on something or other, but I thought you’d relate to this one. TV commercials are annoyingly loud (due to technology which deliberately maximizes the volume as loud as possible without distortion), according to a report based on interviews and a year long study. The aim is for them to jump out at you, but most people switch over to another channel or mute the sound, so the strategy seems to have backfired! Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. Our question is all about squeeze pages, opt-in pages, whatever you like to call them. Should you reveal the price of your product or service on the squeezepage? Or should you tease the visitor? How long should a squeeze page be? Or should you even use one? With the proliferation of online video, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find what you need. For search we have Google, and now there’s a search tool for video called Truveo.com. Check it out, it’s great. We stayed at a Homewood Suites hotel in Colorado recently and it was a great experience. Suprisingly, it was something ridiculously simple that made us happy. You can learn from this marketing lesson, I’ll show you how in the episode. As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required. Enjoy the show! Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#129 – “Has Tipping Gone Too Far? How to Promote a New Local Business, International Newspapers with NewspaperIndex.com, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Mandalay Bay Hotel”

locky — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:20:15 +0000

Episode #129 – “The One With the Tipping Rant ” – Small Business Marketing Tips

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NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

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I have a bit of a rant at the start of this episode, on the topic of tipping. I get really frustrated at how tips have become nothing more than a service charge in the States. Anyway, I’ll let you watch the episode for more about that, and I’d love to know if you agree or disagree with me. I don’t have the answer quite honestly, I wish I did.

How can you promote a new local business? That’s our question in this episode, and I’ll share my suggestions for attracting buzz to get customers lining up to do business with you.

Our big marketing lesson comes from The Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas. They have a restaurant called Bayside Buffet, which gives customers the option of buying an ‘all you can eat’ all day option. This is very smart for a number of reasons, but the key lesson is all about increasing the average transaction size. Let me know what you think, I’d love you to implement that concept in your small business.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#127 – “Amazon Kindle vs Apple iPad, Your Marketing Budget, a Timezone Tool, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Tempurpedic”

locky — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:22:14 +0000

Episode #127 – “The One with the Kindle vs iPad ” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

Consult with Andrew (Via telephone, to help your business grow faster)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

What’s your marketing budget? I’ll come back to that in a moment, but think about it for awhile.

Have you seen the Kindle vs iPad ad from Amazon? It’s an extremely clever piece of marketing in the way that it focuses in on the one thing that Kindle does better than the iPad. Do you have an iPad or a Kindle, and if so, what do you think of this latest ad? Let me know.

I’d like to invite you to the Virtual Wealth Expo, happening October 18-23rd, in your home. How? It’s an online, virtual event, so you get to listen in for just $1. You’ll get access to more than 24 leading experts on the topic of wealth, and I know you’ll benefit greatly.

Okay, back to the topic of deciding on a marketing budget. How much do you think you should spend on marketing? Do you even have a marketing budget? If not, you should! Set aside a specific amount for paid advertising and marketing methods, and then closely monitor the results. Ultimately, ROI (return on investment) is what counts.

If you ever need to discover the timezone or current time of anyone, anywhere around the world, I have a great nifty click resource for you this week.

Our big marketing lesson in this episode comes from Tempurpedic, the futuristic mattress company. Let me know if you agree with my observations about their marketing. Or even if you disagree, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#124 – “Small Business Marketing Tips from Maui, Hawaii (Special Episode) with Andrew Lock”

locky — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 05:18:54 +0000

Episode #124 – “The One from Maui, Hawaii ” – Small Business Marketing Tips

Get updates, offers & the exclusive FREE guide: “7 Killer Methods for Marketing Without Money”:

Enter Your Info Below:

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Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

Consult with Andrew (Via telephone, to help your business grow faster)

Get Time Tips (Dave Crenshaw’s Website)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Ask a Question (about small business marketing – you could be featured on the show)

This special episode of Help! My Business Sucks! was filmed in the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui. Yes, marketing is everywhere around us, even in paradise! I’ve tried to cram in plenty of advice, tips, strategies, and secrets to help you with your small business marketing.

Hawaiian airlines is the subject for my first business lesson. They’ve been voted the #1 airline in the U.S. for a number of years now, and I experienced first hand why. They create a lively, fun, party style atmosphere even before boarding, with Hawaiian music as you walk down the jet bridge. On board, they offered us a choice of 5 entrees, with attentive service. As you know, the airline industry is ultra-competitive, yet Hawaiian HAVE managed to stand out from the crowd with creative marketing, attention to detail, and smart business decisions.

I like to plan for trips and “Maui Revealed” is my favorite guidebook for discovering what’s hot and what’s not in Maui. The writers have done a great job of conveying real world advice for everything you can think of as a visitor. They tell it as it is, often in a humorous style. I love that. I find most guidebooks stuffy, inaccurate, and boring. Apparently, “Maui Revealed” has been pulled from the shelves of a number of bookstores for ruffling the feathers of businesses on Maui. Again, that’s great news because it merely adds fuel to the marketing fire. The unconventional marketing lesson here is to go against the grain in a crowded market, come up with a unique angle, and don’t be afraid of attracting controversy – that’s exactly what you should want!

Our experience at two beach side restaurants in Lahaina and Kaanapali further demonstrated how important it is to provide oustanding customer service, especially when something goes wrong. In both restaurants, plenty of stuff got messed up, but the ‘service recovery’ couldn’t have been more different. There’s an important marketing lesson that you can adapt for your small business.

I hope you enjoy the other business and marketing lessons for your small business. I admire your interest in being an entrepreneur.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show to help your small business this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do, no registration required.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#110 – “How to Stand Out From the Crowd, Website Design Tips, Outsourcing Transcriptions, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from The Four Seasons Hotel chain.

locky — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:03:14 +0000

Episode #110 – “The One With the Oil Spill ”

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The Woo Themes (For WordPress Blogs)

WordsIntoProfits (Reliable transcription service)

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Get Time Tips (Dave Crenshaw’s Website)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

As a struggling small business owner, you must learn to stand out from the crowd. Every business has competition, so how do you persuade customers that you’re better a choice than the next company down the road? It’s tough, which is why I address this topic of getting noticed, in this episode.

Website design is fraught with difficulties, especially when you’re dealing with web designers who are in love with Flash. Yes, flash sites can look great, but they won’t get the traffic or response that non-flash sites get, that’s a fact. I’ll share 3 other website design tips from a BUSINESS stand point in this episode.

I’m a big fan of transcriptions, and you should be too, because it’s a great way to leverage existing content. But who can you trust to do a reliable, accurate job, fast, and inexpensively? Ah, I’m glad you asked!

Finally, a BIG marketing lesson from The Four Seasons Hotel chain. This is a laughably simple strategy that ANY business owner can implement for free, and it will work for you, just as it has worked for The Four Seasons group.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

Feedback / Questions: Send me a message or question about your business, you just need a webcam connected to your computer. It’s fast, easy, and free. Note: You might be famous! In submitting a video, you agree to the possibility of having your video shown in a future episode of the show. Click on the ‘reply’ button below…

#99 – “ATM Antics, Paid Blogging, Outsourcing Made Easy, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from The Cheesecake Factory.”

locky — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:22:27 +0000

Episode #99 – “Easily distracted by bright shiny objects…

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

Enjoyed meeting many of you at Yanik’s Underground Online Seminar in Washington, DC last week. It was a phenomenal event as usual. At the hotel for the event, I got short changed by an ATM, by $20. Has that ever happened to you? I couldn’t believe how difficult it was to sort out the issue. I finally had to call my bank. Very frustrating.

What’s your opinion about paid blogging? There are many companies that are willing to participate by paying you to write positive reviews of their products, but I think it’s a bad idea. You’ll lose credibility because you can’t be objective.

Managing outsourcing personnel is not easy when they’re located in a different area. However, I have a resource for you that will revolutionize the way you interact with remote workers. It’s called Twiddla, and it’s awesome. It allows you to collaborate in real-time, so that you’ll both see the same screen, and interact with it by pulling up websites, making notes, send and receive files, and chat like Skype. No registration required, and it’s completely free.

It’s been awhile since I gave you an update about GotBiz.tv. As you know, GotBiz was my original concept, but due to circumstances beyond my control, things didn’t go according to the original plan. Still, the good news is that Randy Charach has now taken over as CEO of GotBiz and he’s planning to re-launch the site on April 1st, 2010. Very exciting to see my original concept getting back on track again. It’s been a rocky road for sure, but Randy is enthusiastic and believes in GotBiz 100%.

Luci and I were at The Cheesecake Factory restaurant here in Salt Lake City recently. My order didn’t come out as I’d asked for it, but the server immediately took action. Watch the episode to see what he did, and how you can adapt the lesson for your business.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#89 – “Y2K, Buying Trends, Best eCommerce Shopping Carts, Goal Tracking Resource, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Evian Water.”

locky — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:35:01 +0000

Episode #89 – “Skynet”

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Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Underground Internet Marketing Seminar (March 2010 in Washington, DC)

Google Trends (Useful research tool)

ProStores Trial (Useful ecommerce shopping cart)

Habit Forge (Get daily reminders to help you stick to your goals)

Other Useful Resources:

Preview the GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education in 2010)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Consult with Andrew (Via telephone, to help your business grow faster)

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

Remember all the fuss about Y2K in 1999? Amazing that was 10 years ago, isn’t it? Well, it’s now a new decade and I’ve got some exciting new features to tell you about for the show.

The other day I went to Costco and I was impressed to see how they’d given so much thought to which products they would feature at this time of year, to tie in with people’s new years resolutions. Can you guess what products filled the front of the store near the entrance? Watch the episode to find out, and don’t forget to see how you can cash in on seasonal trends in your business.

There’s a confusing array of shopping cart software available for ecommerce transactions and there’s no single ‘one size fits all’ product that’s best for every situation. I’ll give you a couple of recommendations in this episode, and if you know of any other good providers, post a comment below.

Setting goals is the easy part – keeping them is the hard part, but this week I show you a new resource that can help you. Intelligently, it gives you a daily nudge to help keep you on track.

Lastly, our big marketing lesson comes from Evian water. I think you’ll be intrigued at the way they sell a product that’s normally free out of our faucet (tap) and manage to charge people $15-$20 for it. The lesson to adapt for your small business is…. well, watch the episode to find out

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Feedback / Questions: Send me a message or question about your business, you just need a webcam connected to your computer. It’s fast, easy, and free. Click on the ‘reply’ button below…

Note: You might be famous. In submitting a video, you agree to the possibility of your video being shown in a future episode of the show.

Having trouble viewing this week’s episode? Try the QuickTime version.

#85 – “In n Out Burger Special – Business and Marketing Lessons from the Popular Fast Food Chain”

locky — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:22:40 +0000

Episode #85 – “On Location Special from In n Out Burger…”

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Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Yanik Silver’s 2010 Underground Seminar (March 12-14, 2010)

In n Out Burger (In n Out Website)

Andrew’s Upcoming Events:

On Wednesday Dec 2nd at 8pm EST, join me for a webinar about how YOU can create a WebTV show in your niche. Register using the form above and you’ll receive more details.

Click here to register (for the webinar)

Other Useful Resources:

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Book a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business grow faster)

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

“In n Out Burger” is a fascinating company in the fast food business. They’ve bucked all normal trends to create a company that truly stands out from the crowd. In this episode I’ll reveal 4 big marketing lessons you can adapt from In n Out to use in your own business.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

#84 – “Zappos tour, how the little guy (or girl) can sell to big business, a free website creator, and a BIG marketing lesson from Bose.”

locky — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:02:46 +0000

Episode #84 – “Marketing is Everything…”

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Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Talk Show System (Discover the #1 secret to a successful interview, and checkout the system)

Get Weebly (Easy to use, free online website creator)

Andrew’s Upcoming Events:

On Wednesday Dec 2nd at 8pm EST, join me for a webinar about how YOU can create a WebTV show in your niche. Register using the form above and you’ll receive more details.

Other Useful Resources:

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Book a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business grow faster)

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

I spent some time with Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos.com last week. He graciously answered the questions posed by myself and other members of our small group which Nick Nanton arranged. Zappos is a fascinating company to behold. It’s extraordinary in every sense of the word. I’ll tell you more in this episode.

Do big businesses intimidate you as a small business owner? Have you ever had to pitch to a big business with fear and trepidation? Well that ends today. The fear I mean. Seriously, there’s no need to get all worked up because businesses don’t buy anything – PEOPLE buy. And they buy from other people that they know, like, and trust. That’s the topic of the ‘ask andrew’ question this week.

I have a great resource for you that’ll help you create a simple but good looking website for free. This is a particularly good resource if you need a quick personal site for yourself or your clients.

Finally this week, the BIG marketing lesson is from Bose.com, the audio equipment manufacturer. They use an advanced strategy in their advertising that allows them to track exactly where the responses come from. You can benefit from the same tip in your business, so look out for that.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

#83 – “My Personal Story, How to Post Videos Online, a Tool for Twitter, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Winco Supermarkets”

locky — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:37:59 +0000

Episode #83 – “I bought this t-shirt and all I got was this t-shirt…”

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Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Grasshopper (Virtual phone system for entrepreneurs)

MarketMeTweet (Easy to use Desktop twitter app)

Andrew’s Upcoming Events:

On Wednesday Nov 25th, join me for a webinar about how YOU can create a WebTV show in your niche. Register using the form above and you’ll receive more details.

Other Useful Resources:

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Book a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business grow faster)

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

Many of you ask about how I came to live in the USA, so I start this episode with my story, going back to my humble beginnings as a cameraman in Britain.

Do you resonate with any elements of my background and story? Let me know!

Our question this week is about online video, specifically whether its possible to embed a video in an email. Also, the best method for distributing videos online via a service that YOU control rather than a third party provider.

Attention Twitter users! I’m sure you’d agree that its a pain to do quick updates on Twitter because you either have to open a browser, or another software tool. Viewer Tammy Fennell has come up with a great solution in the form of a little app that resides in the corner of your desktop. Great idea.

The BIG marketing lesson is from WinCo supermarkets. Winco is a new provider in our area (Salt Lake City) and they have certainly got people’s attention with incredibly low prices. They used a specific strategy with their advertising that you should be incorporating in your business. Find out more in this episode.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

#82 – “The New Microsoft / Apple Stores, How to Sell Your DVDs Online, a Resource for Recording Video Interviews, and a Big Marketing Lesson from Hotels.com” with Andrew Lock

locky — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:29 +0000

Episode #82 – “Windows: Just Another Pane…”

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Grasshopper (Virtual phone system for entrepreneurs)

Kunaki (creates DVD’s and CD’s on demand)

Youreeeka (online publishing platform with pay ver view player technology)

WeToku (records 2 people in a video interview)

Andrew’s Speaking Engagements:

Peter Shankman and Nick Nanton’s Social Media Summit (Nov 15-17, Las Vegas, NV)

Other Useful Resources:

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Book a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business grow faster)

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

I was in Scottsdale, AZ recently and called into the local shopping mall. I passed an Apple store, did a double take, and realized it was in fact a Microsoft store! Seems like they’ve copied just about everything! Frustrating that Microsoft are getting such a whooping from Apple. And the ultimate irony in front of the store was…well, watch the episode to find out.

What’s your take on the Apple vs PC debate? Will you be upgrading to Windows 7, or will you convert to a Mac now? Tell me what you think.

If you’re looking for a way to outsource the production of DVD’s, I have a great resource for you. And if you want to charge people to watch your videos on a pay per view basis ONline, I have a resource for that too.

With so much attention being given to Web video these days, it’s no surprise that someone has come up with a handy way to record BOTH the interviewer and interviewee during a video interview. It’s a free service, it works well, and you can embed the recorded video in to your own website or blog.

This week’s BIG marketing lesson is from Hotels.com. They have what I consider to be the BEST loyalty campaign I’ve ever come across in ANY industry. There’s no sneaky small print or weasel clauses, and it frees travelers to book whatever hotel is most convenient at any given time. You can apply this lesson to your business, I’ll show you how at the end of the episode.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-de02caeecb189e47254ab20cbf90ccfe}

#81 – “Creative Advertising, Is Your Business Really Different, a New Tool for Copywriters, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Delta Airlines”

locky — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:07:17 +0000

Episode #81 – “Software doesn’t have bugs, it just develops random features…”

Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Grasshopper (Virtual phone system for entrepreneurs)

Copy Boosters / Doodles (to spice up your copywriting and make it more effective)

Andrew’s Speaking Engagements:

Terry Wygal’s Blueprint to Financial Freedom (Nov 6-8, 2009, Houston, TX)

Peter Shankman and Nick Nanton’s Social Media Summit (Nov 15-17, Las Vegas, NV)

Other Useful Resources:

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Book a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business grow faster)

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

Most viewers request show updates and special offers. Here’s how:

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I’m not a fan of conventional advertising, I believe it’s a complete waste of money most of the time. There are occasional exceptions, and I’ll show you some examples during this episode.

In this weeks question I came across an excuse that I hear from different people every week. It’s, “but my business is different – your marketing strategies won’t work in my field”. This makes me both smile and cringe at the same time. I smile because it’s funny how so many people think their business is unique and different, and cringe because these people just don’t get it. People are people, regardless of the niche, and buyers are buyers regardless of the niche.

I discovered a cool tool to spice up your copywriting called CopyDoodles, aka CopyBoosters. They’re hand drawn images that you can include in a salesletter, whether its online or offline.

The BIG marketing lesson this week is from Delta Airlines. I know, what am I doing recommending an airlines?! Delta did something that surprised me, that turned out to be an excellent marketing lesson for all.

Finally on this episode, stay tuned for an interview with Travis Miller and Jimmy Vee from ‘Bad for Business’, the new show on GotBiz.tv

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

#79 – “The Hilton Hotel Deception, Worst Case Business Survival Guide, How to get Sponsors, a Nifty Outsourcing Resource, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Haagen Dazs.”

locky — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:12:42 +0000

Episode #79 – “I’m Not Trying to be Difficult – it comes naturally”

Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Grasshopper (Virtual phone system for entrepreneurs)

WeLive2Care (Outsourcing service)

Andrew’s Speaking Engagements:

Terry Wygal’s Blueprint to Financial Freedom (Nov 6-8, 2009, Houston, TX)

Peter Shankman and Nick Nanton’s Social Media Summit (Nov 15-17, Las Vegas, NV)

Other Useful Resources:

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

Book a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business grow faster)

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

(* Required) Note: Your contact information is not shared with anyone, and you’ll only receive useful communications.

I stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel recently and they did something quite astonishing at check-in. I’ll spill the details in this episode. This week sees the release of “The Worst Case Business Survival Guide” by Mark Joyner, and I co-wrote one of the chapters. Available now from your local book store, or Amazon.

The question for this episode is all about how to acquire sponsors, so if you’d like to know my suggestions for doing just that, tune in.

I’ve discovered a useful outsourcing resource called www.WeLive2Care.com – I’ve used them for various VA type tasks including writing, research etc, and I’m happy to recommend them to you.

The BIG marketing lesson is from Haagen Dazs. Specifically, they used a coupon that had a specific design. You can copy and adapt the same idea to use in your business, watch the show to find out how.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

#78 – How to Have Fun in the Corporate Cubicle, Photographing Space for $150, a New Resource for all Your Graphic Design Needs, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from the Makers of ROM, the Fitness Machine. “Help! My Business Sucks!” is presented by Andrew Lock

locky — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:19:04 +0000

Episode #78 – “I Have Millions of Excuses – Which One Would You Like?…”

Websites and resources for your benefit:

Membergate (Grab the FREE Videos)

Hatchwise (Graphic design resource)

GotBiz WebTV Network (NEW Home for Unconventional Business Education)

NiftyClicks (Discover all the 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)

I’m so glad that I left the corporate world many years ago. I really didn’t fit in, and it took me too long to discover that. This week I’ll show you some creative ways that cubicle dwellers are spending their time, to welcome co-workers back from vacation.

2 MIT students have also been creative with $150. They hooked together a camera, GPS cellphone, beer cooler, and a weather balloon, to take some astonishing photos of space! If they can accomplish that with $1 think what YOU can do with a little money and a lot of creativity in your business.

99Designs.com has been one of the most popular ‘nifty click’ reccommendations that I’ve made, so I wanted to tell you about a similar service, Hatchwise.com. It works in a similar way, and I’m impressed, so I encourage you to check it out.

If you fly regularly you’ve probably seen he ad for the ROM fitness machine that appears in many high-end magazines. It costs a whopping $14,995 but the ads are obviously successful based on the fact that they’ve been running for years. There’s a key reason why. I’ll explain it during this episode’s ‘Big lessons from Big Brands’ segment.

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

#75 – “More Outrageous Business Signs, Dragons Den VC Pitches, How to Followup with a Phone Call, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Conde Nast Portfolio Magazine.”

locky — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:03:59 +0000

Episode #75 – “Being Vague is Almost as Fun as Doing This Other Thing…”

Websites and resources mentioned in the show:

Membergate (Grab the FREE Videos)

Mail Chimp (Scaleable Bulk Email Sending Service)

GotBiz WebTV Network (The NEW Place for Unconventional Business Education)

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)

I’ve got some more outrageous business signs for you this week, they’re hilarious! Might want to check the signage in YOUR business, too! Just in case

Have you seen Dragons Den, the TV show? It started in Japan, then went to the BBC, and now it’s on BBC America. It’s a great show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a group of 5 VC investors. They either shoot the idea down in flames, or embrace it and invest their own money. It’s fascinating to be a fly on the wall. I’ll show you a clip from an episode where a poor girl gets ripped to shreds. I felt sorry for her actually. The Dragons Den concept has now been adapted for U.S TV in the form of a new show by Mark Burnett (Apprentice / Survivor) called ‘Shark Tank’ on ABC, Tuesday evenings.

Our question this week is all about following up by phone. How long should you leave it before calling a prospect? And what should you say? Find out my top tips for telephone selling in this episode.

If you need a reliable email service you might want to try MailChimp. They offer a free version of their service – basic, but hey it’s free. Check out lots more Nifty Clicks at http://www.NiftyClicks.com

Sean Delisle is a man who implements! Find out what he did in this week’s success story…

Finally, a big marketing lesson from a big brand. This time it’s Conde Nast’s Portfolio magazine. Or more specifically, their marketing materials for getting new subscribers. They used a technique that’s little known, but very powerful and persuasive.

Let me know your opinion about the topics in the show – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,