What’s a SWOT Analysis? Not to be confused with the verb “to swat” (an action I was increasingly using in late summer as the flies invaded my house), the SWOT analysis came to mind while eradicating my kitchen of the annoying flying creatures. Why? (They do sound similar…) We need fast, efficient tools for making good decisions. SWOT analysis quickly provides great perspective, from multiple angles.
Recently I was asked about designing email signatures. I had designed (and redesigned) my own sig block long ago, complete with logo and links to my social channels. I had also designed a few for clients, keeping the design very simple, with just the basic elements included.
As the years have passed, however, I’ve begun to receive a few emails with elaborate signature blocks, including images, even video or animations (GIFs). And I’ve reminded more than […]
Anticipation. It fuels the world! Just like waiting for that perfect cup of coffee, every business owner has a vision of what will happen once their marketing campaign kicks in and sends a flood of new business to them. If you’re like the zillions of coffee lovers in the world, you anticipate the aroma of percolating coffee and espresso. You know exactly how you feel when you get that warm ceramic mug in your hands, watching the steam swirl above and dissipate into the morning air. Then there’s the warm ‘n’ fuzzy feeling of your coffee drifting down your gullet as you swallow the first sip. Ahhhhh! But what happens when you think you’ve waiting too long for that coffee to be served?
A recent report on Marketing Profs provided interesting statistics to see how businesses stacked up against one another on this topic. A key finding by research firm TrackMaven in the report, was the overall decline in consumer engagement. That wasn’t particularly surprising. But what got my attention was the sheer volume (or lack thereof) of work involved. And I’ve been pondering the results ever since to see how it compares with my own clients’ results. […]
For Bonnie Walner, owner of RE:Design in Sonoma, her work as an interior designer and master gardener is most satisfactory when the client beams with pride and joy at finally having the home of their dreams.
While many still incorrectly assume employing an interior designer is a luxury, Bonnie explains in this episode of “Marcia’s Medleys” that most clients actually save money using her services AND get a beautiful home all […]
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
This may be one of the most enthusiast patient referrals ever given. But unfortunately, as Rich Lee, co-owner of Arroyo Veterinary Hospital in Sonoma, Calif., likes to point out, “Pets don’t talk!” So we’ll never know if that was, “Arroyo Vet is great!” or “Let me at that postman!”
Thus, the need for a way to market excellent veterinary services is stronger than ever.
Our pets may be referring their dog and […]
Marketing any business can be a daunting task. But when you compound that effort with an array of obstacles, climbing that that mountain to success can appear to be more difficult to navigate than ever before. My guest on “Marcia’s Medleys” did just that: She trained for an entirely new career; moved across the country to launch it; had few contacts in her new hometown of Sonoma; and entered the medical profession — not exactly a field […]
You’ve overcome the obstacles of remembering to ask, or being afraid to ask, for testimonials. You’ve worked out the best methods for asking to get succinct and wonderful reviews from your clients. Now what?
It’s time to choose one or more methods to obtain them. The first obstacle to overcome is that those great reviews are still stuck in your customers’ heads. How do you get them onto your own site(s) so that they’re useful to […]
In How to Get a Great Testimonial (Part 1), we addressed how to overcome the initial hurdles of getting great testimonials. By now you should be past the fear of, or forgetting to, ask for raving reviews of your work.
You’ve now asked for the testimonial – at the right time (when the customer is most happy with her purchase), using the right medium (email, online, phone, snail mail…) How can you ensure […]
Ever since Amazon seamlessly melded products with their consumer reviews, B2B and B2C businesses have been working to incorporate reviews and testimonials into their on- and off-line communications. It’s understandable since rave reviews go a long way towards shortening the typical sales cycle and converting at a higher rate. (“If “Frustrated Jane” love this service, then the likelihood I will too just went up considerably.”)
Here’s a short list of obstacles […]
