| Now that Social Networking is a hot topic, etiquette for networkers or netiquette is going out the window (or so it seems). With the new FCC laws for email marketing, we all have to be even more aware of what we're doing.
There's nothing more annoying than striking up a conversation online with someone through Facebook, LinkedIn or one of the Ning groups and then being bombarded within 24 hours with every manner of sales letter, newsletter, Joint Venture Offer or "money making opportunity" that someone has ever participated in. (It has happened to me more than once). Then you spend the next 24 hours trying to unsubscribe from everything, when what you should do is report the person for SPAMing. But you want to be nice and just unsubscribe.
Remember, if someone has not specifically subscribed to what you offer, do not send it to them! One suggestion is to send a nice note (ONE nice note) to them asking if they would like to subscribe to your newsletter(s) or hear about your latest products, events or whatever. If they do not respond or if they indicate they do not want what you're selling, don't send it. Simple as that.
10 Cheap Ways to Create a Professional Marketing Impression
It can be done! Honest!
1) Having a fancy graphic logo is often overrated and expensive. But you should have a unique look to your business name. Try looking at other company’s logos (not your competitors') for a font that gives the right impression. Then search the Internet for a similar font and download it to your computer.
2) Design a nice business card and have it professionally printed. Not sure how to design one? Look at a bunch of other people’s cards for ideas on layout or use a template.
You can now get 500 cards digitally printed for just $29.99. If you aren’t serious enough about your business to at least do this, you have a long, uphill road ahead of you.
3) Buy a domain name and hosting at www.godaddy.com (Disclosure: Affiliate link) for about $80 a year. Then put up at least a single page website with your products or services and contact info. Unless you market to senior citizens, this is a must.
4) Have your email connected to your domain name so it reads you@yourdomainname.com. This makes you look professional and drives people to your site. When you go to the effort to market your products as if you were a large company and then use a hotmail, google or yahoo account, it makes people wonder what else is hinky.
5) Create your own letterhead with your spiffy new business name and contact info. Then just add it to your documents in Microsoft Word and print as needed. And don’t pay for expensive envelope printing. Grab a pack of blank return address labels and print them out at home as needed. Most Avery label templates are already in Microsoft Word or can be downloaded from the Web.
6) Skip the spendy brochure. One-sheets (i.e., fancy fliers), articles, and tips sheets are easy to create on letterhead or with your logo at the top, and add credibility. Then just print them up at home. Or turn them into downloads you can offer from your Website. If you do want to print them, places like www.sircooper.com will print them for as little as $0.44 each for a two-sided, full color, trifold brochure
7) Get yourself online. Social networks offer an easy and inexpensive way to market your business, increase credibility and drive traffic to your Website. Pick a few like LinkedIn, Biznik, or ones that cater to your target market and set up a profile. Then be sure to include a link back to your site.
8) Make it easy for people to get in touch. Always include your phone number, email, and web address on all your marketing materials—especially business cards. And use either a cell phone or get an extra phone line at home (often no charge) so the impression is professional when they call.
9) No graphic design ability? Find someone else who does. Hire a college student. If you have no other choice, use the templates in Publisher, Page Plus or Front Page.
10) This should go without saying, but always, always, always dress the part. If you want people to pay you big bucks, you better look like you’re already making it. Marshall’s, Ross, and Macy’s sales are terrific places to pick up designer brands on the cheap. Remember you are your business, not the other way around.
Sites on WordPress
Not just a blogging platform anymore!
WordPress is a phenomenal platform for blogging. I used it in the .com format for years and loved it and then when I grew up as a blogger and switched to the .org or self-hosted version, OMG, I thought I had died and gone to the big blogging platform in the sky. So flexible, so expansive, so manageable -- plugins, widgets and thousands of themes to choose from. Whee! A different theme every week for awhile.
Then I started thinking and was noticing that some were actually creating whole websites using WordPress. Well, shoot! Why couldn't I do that? So I did, the first few versions were okay, they worked. So, let me share with you what I've learned:
- No matter how badly you want a front page, have changing content be your primary landing page. Build the rest of the site around the dynamic content, not the other way around. When folks come to your site, they want to see that something has changed since they were there last
- Websites are like newspapers; put the best stuff "above the fold" that is place it so your readers don't have to scroll down to find the juicy stuff.
- Make sure you have a contact page that lists where else your readers can find you as well as your basic information.
- On your About page, do more than just a quick bio. Tell people who you are, why you do what you do and why you decided to blog about it.
- If you have products to sell, make sure your shopping cart is seamless with your site.
- When you get a comment, reply and respond.
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This is your
February 2010 Issue of Solopreneur Insider
The 3 Things In this Issue:
- Social Networking and Social Responsibility
- 10 Ways to Market
- Sites on WordPress
Miss an issue? You can always read up on the back issues of all my ezines on my website in the archives.
Pre-Order Now I have two books coming out soon. If you pre-order now, I'll throw in a special audio CD (A $27 value) for free! Send me an email and tell me which book you're ordering.  Is The You Missing In Your Business? Get back to the business of your business. Available April 2010.   Living A Created Life The challenge of living a life of your own creation Available June 2010
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