Calm After The Storm
Forever & AlwaysWe often think of the 'calm before the storm', but rarely do we recognize or even witness the 'calm after the storm'. This sunset occurred less than an hour after a severe storm, near Otter Falls, MB, that brought down a hundred trees near a cabin we had rented. The clouds became soft like cotton balls (mammatus clouds) and the sky was at peace.
With the sand sliding between our toes, and walking hand in hand, there was no thoughts of #tweets, #likes or #snapchats.
Alleged Fact: In 1923 Walt Disney Declared Bankruptcy.
From the bottom of my heart I believe that anything is possible and hope you do to. Maybe you need inspiration or maybe you don’t, but every once in awhile I get slightly disillusioned with my ideas or projects that fail and need to remind myself that you sometimes need to fail hundreds of times before you succeed. Sure the odd time you hit a homerun on the first pitch, but it should never be expected…. or should it?
Is it strange to have the confidence to always expect to succeed and in the same breath the resilience and strength to accept failure? No it’s not strange, I think it’s a necessary combination for success in marketing, creating companies, relationships, and life in general. It is also a common trait of some of the most successful entrepreneurs on the planet.
So here is my dose of inspiration for when it’s needed:
Walt Disney, Frances Ford Coppola, Larry King and Donald Trump all declared bankruptcy at one point in their lives. So did 65 other famous people http://www.popcrunch.com/bankrupt-65-famous-people-who-lost-it-all-50-65/ Delta Airlines filed for Chapter 11 and so did Kmart…they just changed and moved on like many other high profile companies. http://www.rjabankruptcy.com/articles/famouscorporations.html Finally, Thomas Edison had 1093 patents for his inventions, which means he had massive failure and only hit a few major homeruns!
I hope that you or I will never have to experience bankruptcy or failure to the degree that Walt Disney or Donald Trump have, but at least if we do, we can rest assured we are in pretty good company.
I leave you with two quotes.
George Bernard Shaw:
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing.
Oscar Wilde:
Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.
So what do finger nails on a chalk board have to with marketing?
Well, for starters it is a statement that can often create a physical response. Many people, including myself, will feel their back curl when they hear the term, and subconciously visualize and even internally hear nails painfully scratching against a dry black chalk board. Ouch!
Creating a physical or emotional response can positively impact your marketing message. It can also have a negative effect if done improperly. Here are a few of the more effective advertising and marketing messages I have seen that use sound and imagery to drive home a physical response. Take notice if you a feel a physical response while watching these.
Canadian Work Safety Commercials (Warning this might disturb some people):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noFCekWiUGE [/youtube]
Baby Laughing:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXIfU-87TZo[/youtube]
Australian Anti-Smoking TV ads:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YjrkBYDDQM [/youtube]
Shell Ferrari Commercial:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mMoIlO5NV0 [/youtube]
If you have seen other good examples of marketing that evokes a physical response please post a comment and share.
So when you read the title of this post you probably made a quick assumption that you were going to hear something familiar or maybe even profound. But I hope when you arrived your assumption of hearing an old adage was turned upside down. It simply amazes me how many ways you can say the same thing, but with different imagery completely change the message. Pictures can indeed say a thousand words, but only in combination with words can you ensure that every person gets the same message.
In marketing this is powerful, and almost magical when done right.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbE5Nh68qPM[/youtube]
Nothing to buy here folks…!
Online marketing is dependant upon the PC’s, laptops and software we use everyday. If you sit back and analyze your online activities for a period in time, you may quickly realize just how much time you spend waiting for software programs to open, files to download and web page after webpage to painfully open. If your equipment and software you use, for your online marketing, is slowing you down, then its time for a seasonal marketing oil change. Quite simply, if you can increase the speed of your computer, download speeds and software, then you will spend less time waiting and more time marketing, virtually doubling your marketing effectiveness overnight.
Here is the equation:
(100x Online Marketing -50x Waiting) = 2x or Double Your Marketing Effectiveness 25x Online Marketing
Follow these free & simple steps to give your hardware and software a quick and easy fall oil change and double your online marketing effectiveness overnight. The amount of time you will save will astonish you. Remember to do this monthly (weekly is best) and you will be running at peak marketing efficiency all year long.
Before starting go to www.SpeedTest.net and do a test, write your download and upload speeds for reference afterwards. Also make note of how long it takes commonly used programs on your computer to open. This should improve dramatically once you are done.
Step 1: www.Adaware.com Download and run this free spyware weekly for maximum impact. The thousands of web pages you surf muddle up your computer with performance robbing junk spyware.
Step 2: www.CCleaner.com formerly called Crap Cleaner; CCleaner will remove temporary internet files, useless leftovers from loading software and a bunch of other stuff that is slowing your software and computer down. Make sure to also run not just the Cleaner but as well the Registry cleaner. If you have neglected your registry for sometime, this alone can double the speed of some computers.
Step 3: www.webaccelerator.google.com Download this free web accelerator from Google and watch the time savings add up quickly. For those more technical you can also tweak your own internet connection by using the free download TCP Optimizer found here www.speedguide.net/downloads.php
Step 4: Defrag your computer. You can use your Windows XP or Vista System Tools to do this, but for maximum performance I would recommend Ultimate Defrag 2008, of which you can get a 14 day free trial. Do this at bare minimum once a month!
Alternatively, if you wanted one piece of software that does almost all of the above, you could buy a software program like System Mechanic 7, which tweaks and maximizes your PC with just a few clicks. As all the programs I have mentioned and techniques just require a little elbow grease and are completely free. I hope you will take the time and save your hard earned money to enjoy life, or worst case scenario pay for some additional marketing efforts!
Once you have finished your cleaning and maximizing, go back to www.SpeedTest.net , and check your new download and upload speeds, and again note how long does it take for common programs to open. You should notice a dramatic improvement.
The time you will have saved can now be spent marketing instead of waiting, selling instead of loading, and enjoying double the marketing effectiveness from keeping your hardware and marketing software running at the same speed you do.
Constant Contact versus Aweber
If you are in business, run a website, blog, or are just thinking of building an email list, then no doubt you are thinking of emailing many people on an ongoing basis. If you aren’t using a service that specializes in email marketing, then you are losing out on increased sales, your valuable time and ultimately money. If you are still sending emails via BCC (Blind Carbon Copy), get with the times my friend as you are not only NOT personalizing your emails, you are potentially opening yourself or your company up for spam complaints and potential legal issues.
On to the task at hand comparing two of the world’s most premier online email marketing services, often referred to as auto responders. I have aimed to make this as impartial as possible, and ask that users of either services, or other competitive products, comment as to their thoughts and experiences.
Here is a side by side comparison of features & costs for their base service:
Last Updated March 7th, 2015
| Constant Contact | Aweber | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost Per Month | Tiered Pricing
|
Tiered Pricing
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Email Newsletters | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deliverability | 98% | 99% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Support | Free Phone, Email & Chat | Free Phone, Email & Chat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto Responders | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Email Templates | 400+ Templates | 600+ Templates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate Program | Commission Junction | Aweber’s Own | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website Integration | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Image Hosting | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spam Check | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surveys | Yes | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User Community | Yes | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blog Newsletter | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Native Shopping Cart Integration | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| API | Yes | Yes |
Both are great services. I have used both in the past, and feel you would be well served by either. Having said that, I am only currently affiliated with Aweber. If you aren’t currently an Aweber user, and are price conscious (obvious price difference), you an can try a free 1 month trial of the service by clicking on my banner below to get to the Aweber landing page.
Cheers,
Reference: Used senderscore.org for Aweber’s deliver-ability rate on 03-07-2015. Used ConstantContact stated deliver-ability rate off their site on the same date.
Recently, during the heavy vacation period of august I sent an email blast to my list. Not surprising at all, about 30% of the email messages came back with the standard: Mrs. Jane Smith is out of the office. I will be out of the office starting 20/08/2008 and will not return until 02/09/2008 If you need immediate assistance blah, blah, blah… Now, traditionally we could use this as an excuse to justify not working as hard during holiday periods, and say, “What’s the point! Half the people are gone to the lake. I will go hard as soon as people get back to work in September!” Just like 90% of other marketers and sales people. Or Start viewing the out of office message or vacation alert email as a gift of information. After all, you know exactly when your client, customer or prospect is returning to the office. In fact, you could easily diarize to give this person a few days to get back and caught up, then call or email them when they are still on cloud nine from their vacation. Be one of the first people to call or email them, and ask how their holidays went. You might just be pleased with the response, and valuable insights you get.
Warning: Skype is Addictive but there are NO EMERGENCY calls with Skype, it is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and can’t be used for emergency calling.
I have been using Skype almost since the beginning and although I love Skype and recommend it to almost everyone, there are a few things I wish I knew before using their many different services. Skype isn’t just for calling your friends for free over the computer anymore; it is a virtual gold mine alternative to using regular landlines, long distance, voicemail and more.
Update Jan 2010: My parents who are in their 60’s are now using unlimited long distance from Skype while they travel for several months (they were shocked that it only costs $2.95/month in North America!)…
I am going to summarize for you what Skype is capable of via features and hopefully point you in the right direction to save you time, money & headaches. I will leave out and assume you know that you can talk, instant message & video chat with anyone in the world for free, as long as both computers have downloaded the free version of Skype.
Skype Phone Number (SkypeIn): An online number is perfect if you have friends, family or business colleagues who don’t use Skype. Anyone can dial your online number from any phone or cell phone and hey presto, your Skype rings and you pick up the call – wherever you are in the world.
Skype Voicemail: People leave you messages when you’re unavailable. Personalize your voicemail greeting. Store your messages and listen later. Pick up your voicemails anywhere in the world. Voicemail is the simple solution to never missing a call. Your unanswered calls are sent to voicemail and you can listen to messages when you want, wherever you are signed in to Skype.
Unlimited calls to landlines with Skype: Starting from 3$ unlimited long distance with in your country to about $13 per month anywhere in the world. You can make calls any time of day, any day of the week without the need for a long term contract. All subscriptions contain online numbers that let your friends, family or business contacts reach you directly on Skype. And with your Skype To Go number you can reach your friends and family abroad at great rates using any landline or mobile phone.
Skype Out: You can pay as you go if you don’t want a monthly commitment. Calling rates as low as .02 cents per minute. Skype to Go: Service is no longer available.
Skype for Business: Now you’re up and running, utilize features that can help your staff keep in touch while they’re out of the office, like voicemail and call forwarding. You can also buy and distribute calling credit amongst your team so they can call phones and cell phones to talk to people who don’t use Skype, and save money at the same time. Plus you can set up online numbers so clients, partners and potential new customers have a number they can call you on from any phone or mobile, and you pick up in Skype.
Small Business Pack: Get business phones, headsets and everything you’ll need for your business on Skype.
Use Skype for cheap SMS (.09 cents): Sending a text message directly from Skype is perfect when you want to quickly reach a friend or colleague. You can even group a bunch of people together and send them the same message with one click. You can send text messages to phones on any network, in any country.
Take texting to a whole new level whether you are in school, in business or in love!
Hope you found this helpful, and again if you think I have missed an important feature (or feel something is out of date) please let me know and I will update this posting. You can connect with me on Skype using my user name leeraito. I decline all connection requests on Skype unless you send me a message commenting on my blog, or where you found me online. I would recommend you do the same if contacted by anyone you would consider a stranger online!
I was in the convenience store the other day and watched a lady buying Scratch & Win tickets. Her selection methodology, I am positive was based on pure emotion, color and the name on the scratch & win game itself.
Believe it or not this encounter got me thinking about sales conversion & statistics, so I made a mental note to check on this lady’s odds of getting lucky. I was amazed to find on the local lotteries website not only the odds of buying a winning ticket for each type of scratch & win game (e.g. 1 out of 3.51 or 1 out 4.96), but as well the amount of outstanding prizes and their dollar values. In other words, with some simple math, not only could you calculate which scratch & win tickets were more likely to pay out, but as well target which games still had the most money outstanding. This lady’s odds at 1:5 were much better than the regular 1 out of 6 Million Lotto 649, but unfortunately she chose a ticket that only had about 16 low value prizes left. In other words, she was statistically hooped.
So what does this have to do with sales conversions?
Well, just like the scratch & win ticket buyers selection methodology was skewed towards emotion, and not to the best statistical odds of winning. So too are many sales conversion efforts directed by emotion, gut & chance. This is not to say that luck and gut have no place in seeking sales conversions, as they often do, but if that’s the entire focus then you have lowered your odds of converting sales and like the lottery lady may be statistically hooped.
So in seeking sales conversions, there is a huge advantage for people willing to do a little research and ultimately track and test sales conversions.
Research your odds and set an acceptable ROI for your sales efforts, and this will force you to focus on activities that will provide a good Return on Investment and avoid those that don’t.
Online: As an example online, would you pay Google Adwords to send visitors to your page if it will cost you more than you can convert to sales? If you aren’t tracking and recording these numbers, how will you ever know the answer? Use Google Analytics or a similar service online to monitor and improve every aspect of your sales conversions. Who knows, maybe blue font on your page will pull 10% better than black…you just won’t know if you don’t track and test.
Offline: Regardless of what type of sales industry you are in, if you aren’t tracking your sales efforts, then how do you know your odds of converting sales. Quite simply you don’t and are similar to the lottery lady operating on gut feeling and emotion. If you excel and are a sales leader in your field, then of course this is all hogwash and doesn’t apply to you. Your experience far out weighs statistics. But, if you are part of the other 95% of sales people, then giving your self a statistical advantage is more than important. I would recommend tracking sales efforts offline with ACT or some other Customer Relationship Management program that can calculate conversions to sales.
Odds are odds, whether they are the unlikely odds of buying a winning Scratch & Win Lottery Ticket, or the odds of an internet visitor converting to a sale. With a little research and testing you can often give yourself an unfair advantage over your competition! Armed with the right information, odds are you’ll find yourself holding a winning ticket to better sales conversions.
Warning: This story is fictional. If this bears any similarity to sales people you may know or have seen it is purely coincidental!
Prospect: Glad you’re hear, I really need help with…
Interrupting Sales Person: I know what you need, we have this awesome product it would be great for you! It’s the number one product in its class, it wins awards every year, and all your competitors are using it!
Prospect: Umm… but what does it do for me?
Sales Person: It’s going to blow your socks off, it’s going to change the way you do business.
Prospect Blow Off: I just forgot, I have to get running to meet my partner for lunch, or I am officially toast. Call my assistant and reschedule next week and we will talk some more. Gotta run!
This may be a little exaggerated, but is always a good reminder when in a sales meeting, sales call or talking with your spouse to shut up and listen. If you don’t, you run the risk of never finding out what your prospect actually needs, so that you can have a snow balls chance in hell of selling a BENEFIT to your product or service. If your prospective client sees a strong benefit to doing business with you, they are ten times more likely to close. The only way any of this happens, sales or spouse related, is by listening first to find out what they truly need.
Most people, including spouses, don’t want the smoke & mirrors of feature after feature, accolade and awards. They want to converse and be heard, and for you to expertly help solve their problems or improve their life. OK, maybe that’s a stretch with you partner, but it’s sure true in sales.
Now… I’m going to shut up and listen!