Scott Ginsberg, our favorite Nametag Guy, offers, “Why your competitors are attracting more attention than you.”

Aleshia Howe, writer for Fort Worth Business Press, suggests many practical ways those in the real estate industry can harness the power of online marketing tools (you know The Marketing Twins are big advocates of blogging; she also talks about YouTube, email marketing and even texting as necessary marketing tools!)

Speaking of Fort Worth, it’s never too soon to break out the Santa hat and get started early on Christmas shopping:  Christmas in Cowtown is here, Oct 2-4!

On Oct 8, we’re interviewing a GOLD MEDALIST from the Beijing Olympic Games – and it’s a FREE conference call for you!  Register NOW!

And finally, I recently discovered Donor Power Blog, which could be a valuable read for those in nonprofit environments.  Jeff links over to the Duct Tape Marketing blog that makes this challenge:  make time for marketing!

Speaking of Duct Tape Marketing, here’s some articles showcasing the Ultimate Marketing System! In one article, John is asked about how small businesses can survive in uncertain economic times . . . his answer (in part below) might surprise you!

Buy more market share now but narrowing your focus. Get really good, right now, at serving the narrowest possible market like nobody ever dreamed of.

John says something similar in response to the headlines this week:  Owners Of Smaller Businesses Face Tightening Credit

Do greater things!

- Randy, Fort Worth’s Only Authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach!

Here are some great coaching tips regarding a simple 5-step process for creating fail-proof permission-based email marketing that will lead you on a road map to email marketing success! 

Step 1.  Start using permission-based email software such as iContact (the permission-based email system we love!) that allows you to easily create newsletters, automatically manage subscribes, unsubscribes, bounces, and view reporting statistics like opens and forwards.  iContact has whitelist agreements with major ISPs so clients can enjoy industry-leading deliverability (you won’t be viewed as sending spam!).

Step 2.  Decide on the type and frequency of email communication you will be sending. I recommend sending at least a monthly newsletter (at minimum!) but consider every 7-15 days if possible when sending relevant content to your subscribers.  You can even send multiple newsletters if you sell different types of products or formats.  Take us for example: We send out a “Marketing Twins Hightlight” bi-weekly and “A Word From the Marketing Twins” on the off weeks.  

Step 3.  Add a sign-up form to your website so you can start collecting subscribers and import any existing lists of subscribers that have already requested your communications. It is generally safe to import the names of anyone who has done business with you in the past year, provided you will be sending content relevant to what they purchased.  Make the sign-up form easy to find on your site and offer an incentive for people to sign up (like we do – you get a FREE REPORT!) as well.

Step 4.  Choose a good email template by using the templates provided within the email software, having your in-house team create one, or using the custom design services of the email software company. iContact provides over 300 design templates within the software that can be used free of charge.  In addition, the Marketing Twins can help you create your own banner to use in your template that includes your logo and basic contact information to give your emails a great, consistent look.  Let us know if we can help!

Step 5.  Develop quality, relevant content for your newsletter or message and send it out to your list. Continue sending your newsletters, announcements, or promotions with consistent frequency. As your list grows, you will notice increased traffic (and if applicable, increased sales) on the day of and the days following an email send.   That’s one of the benefits of using software like iContact – you can track and get great easy-to-read results!

So what are you waiting for – get started today!  If you are unsure about taking on this task yourself (or don’t have the time), we have affordable Email Marketing Packages where we come alongside to help you launch your email marketing!  Plus, right now, iContact  is even offering a 15% discount through the end of the month so now’s the time to take advantage.  Click here to start or contact us to get the emails going!

-Donny

p.s.  Don’t forget to register for our next FREE Double Take LIVE Broadcast with Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist, Stephanie Brown Trafton (Women’s Track & Field).  The call is Wednesday, October 8th at NOON CST but is initially limited to the first 50 people to register so sign up NOW!

John Jantsch, creator and founder of Duct Tape Marketing, offers some helpful ideas on using webinars and online technology to replace the traditional regional meeting where your company spends hundreds of dollars on gas driving in all your regional reps or employees.  “But we don’t want just a conference call, we need to deliver presentations and even see the participants face-to-face,” some may ask.  That’s the difference between CONFERENCE CALLS and ONLINE WEBINARS (seminars on the web). One of the coolest features of online webinars is that you can link to the host computer and everyone participating (from anywhere in the world) can see what’s on the host’s computer.  Need to make a PowerPoint presentation to a group?  Using webinar technology allows everyone to just stay put and not have to spend money on travel expenses and everyone can view the same presentation LIVE!  And depending on the service, the host can have his/her picture on the screen and invite feedback/questions from participants (either over the phone or better, typed into a forum box on the webinar screen).  Perhaps this doesn’t replace annual gatherings or a multi-day meeting, but for those monthly meetings or special presentations to potential clients or strategic partners (do you have a new product or promtion to roll out?), try using this technology.  See if it doesn’t save you some money!

-Randy

Registration begins immediately and will be initially open to the first 50 participants!

(Click image to Register)

FAITH & SPORTS SERIES: Inspiring Christian Business Leaders in the Marketplace

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