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Sage Economic Advice for Desperate Times

by Eugene Loj

First Published: January 14, 2009
Last updated: January 30, 2014

Drayton_bird A few days ago, I stumbled upon some YouTube videos of Drayton Bird.  A quick search on YouTube will pull up some of his videos. I encourage you to take a look. Drayton is a world renowned direct marketing expert from the UK ... Thirty years ago he was completely broke and in massive debt. He owed so much money that he was living under a false name.  At the time Drayton decided to start a direct marketing firm with two other partners, who were also broke. 

Three years after launching, Drayton’s firm was the largest direct marketing agency in Britain. Five years later his firm was bought out by the juggernaut Ogilvy & Mather for millions of dollars.

Some Sage Economic Advice
I understand that not everyone will be able to live Drayton's rags to riches story. But, there is always a lesson to be learned. Last year, Drayton was addressing a group of marketers at the Baltic Direct Marketing conference.  During his presentation Drayton shared some enlightening words on how one should view the economy and the current economic conditions (or any times of economic dispair).

“There is no such thing as the Economy. There is only your economy. The only economy that matters is your economy. Let everyone else worry about thee economy. All you need is a great idea, it doesn't matter what the economy is doing.”

– Drayton Bird

I understand that a number of people are facing tough times in a bad economy. But there is one of two ways to face a bad economic situation ...

  • You can either do something about your economy or let the economy do things to you or your business - what are you doing right now?




Your Event & The Economy
I've stated this previously but it warrants repeating. In the last six months, I know event organizers in various industries that have SOLD OUT their events in spite of the economy. Most people would say "They shouldn't have been able to do that!" The different events focused on leisure activities, not furthering education or knowledge based event. People still want to have fun, regardless of economics. Are you giving people a very compelling reason to open their wallet and spend their hard earned money with you?

Direct Response Advice
You can get more sound direct marketing advice from Drayton by visiting his web site or his blog. There are plenty of direct marketing tidbits to be found on his web site. Below I've included some direct marketing features on the late-great David Ogilvy.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 11:47 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (2)

Tags: Drayton Bird, Ideas, the Economy

How to Create Your Own Luck

One of my favorite activities is sharing success stories with friends and associates. I’ve always been inspired by people who turn a giving situation into extraordinary success.  For the longest time I thought that sharing success stories would inspire others to try something new or do something different.  To my surprise most people whom I share a success story with use the comeback “They got lucky!” or “They cheated.” Rarely is the response, “Hey, that’s awesome” or “How did they do that? Tell me more.” I believe that anyone can manufacture their own luck.  The equation is so simple that it is overlooked and discounted by most people. It goes like this . . .

  • The More Opportunities You Pursue the More “Luck” You Enjoy.

The concept is so simple that most people never make use of it. You can’t lock yourself in your room, do absolutely nothing, and hope to be lucky. One of my all time favorites, Thomas Edison, created his own luck. Edison was lucky because he tried more often. Most people don't remember Thomas Edison by how many times he tried, but what he accomplished. Try to be more Edisonian in your pursuits. The luckiest people put themselves in more favorable situations by trying more often. Consider the following . . .

"Babe Ruth is famous for his past home run record, but for decades he also held the record for strikeouts. He hit 714 home runs and struck out 1,330 times in his career (about which he said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.").

Source: http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/efficacynotgiveup.html

Improving Your Luck
You can further improve your luck by refining how you target a challenge or situation.  Let’s consider advertising for a moment. If you are trying to market a product or service narrow your scope. Consider how many companies make use of advertising and try to cast the widest net possible.  I believe that you’ll have better luck approaching ten thousand people who have a vested interest in what you provide versus a million people who might be interested. It pays to narrow the scope of your opportunities. Just be careful not to be too limiting.

Ask an Important Question
If you really want to get the most out of a “good luck” story ask yourself, “How did they do that?” Most people discount other people’s success. The smartest people learn from the success of others and integrate that success into their own approach.  Maybe there is a successful technique you can incorporate that someone else has already discovered.  You would be surprised at how many successful people are willing to give a few minutes of their personal time to share their stories.

It isn’t that difficult to get lucky if you are consistently aligning opportunities in front of you. Most people never take the time to explore the endless opportunities in this world. It isn't a matter of no risk, no reward.  It's no risk, no opportunity. Without opportunity you'll never get any reward.

Additional Article Resources:

 

Posted at 08:52 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: improve your luck, luck, risk reward, self help, success, Thomas Edison

Referrals and Setting the Bar High

Yesterday I had an interesting discussion with the partner of a very high end graphic design firm.  During the course of our brief conversation I asked her about how they generate business. The really interesting part about the graphic design firm's clients is their list of predominately high end clients. The person I was interviewing indicated they generate a good portion of new business as a result of referrals. This simple notion was a catalyst for my own insight into the referral process.

"What others say about you and your product, service, or business is at least 1,000 times more convincing than what you say, even if you are 2,000 times more eloquent."
- Dan Kennedy

You Need to Ask Before You Can Receive
The best way to get a referral is by asking for one. Yet, it's very common for business owners to be hesitant about asking for referrals. For all my years of business, I can't think of one client who referred me business without asking for a referral.  Don't be afraid to ask. My father always told me, "The worst they can do is say, No." Nobody will every think any less of you.

Go for the Cream of the Crop
All referrals are not created equal. I believe that any referrals you have an opportunity to approach have value. At the same time, I would argue that the more prestigious the client the better the referral.  If you have a product or service that you're confident works well, why not position try to position it as high as possible?  Some of my biggest business breaks came as a result of aligning my best services with very reputable clients. Look back a few years, I cannot think of a particularly good reason why any business should look to set the client bar as high as possible from the start.  If you have high end clients, chances are you are going to get high end referrals.
   
Eliminating Client Problems with High End Referrals
An important part of the business process is choosing the right clients.  Many businesses fall into the trap of taking on new business for financial gain.  At the same time, don't forget to consider all aspects of taking on a new client. It is very tempting to take a job that will pay nicely. Focus on the relationship aspects first, then the money part afterward.  Aaron Wall of SeoBook.com gave me some great advice during a telephone interview a few months ago.  You can eliminate 95% of your client problems by selecting the right clients.  Only do business with the people who are going to be a good fit for your product or services. The right clients shouldn't squabble about your price or second guess your methodology. The best thing you can do for your business is find clients that are a good fit.

Next time you think about a new client, take a few moments to consider the type of referrals they might be able to provide. Referrals are one of the best ways to generate new business. If you can get any referrals from your clients, at least get a testimonial.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 10:25 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: business relationships, clients, referrals, sales

"Can Your Computer or the Internet Kill You?"

"There I was . . ." rolling out after landing in a Canadian Harvard (AT-6 Texan).  I had landed the airplane on the runway and began rolling out.  During the landing there was a steady breeze from the right. Because of my lack of correcting for the wind the airplane's right wing started to rise, creating a very dangerous predicament. I was but a few seconds from wrecking a beautiful vintage World War II airplane. The stick abruptly moved on it's own to the right to correct the extremely dangerous situation. 

A second later a very stern voice came into my headset, "I just saved your ass! NEVER let that happen again!"  The quick control correction and stern voice was my Instructor Pilot, "Holiday," from the back seat.  In flying it's really easy to make a simple mistake that leads to a life threatening situation.  In retrospect, too many people approach their personal use of computers and the Internet as though they were piloting an airplane on their own for the first time. I don't know of anyone who has ever been injured or killed using a computer, trying to create a web page, or accessing the Internet from their home or office.  The biggest challenge to getting computer phobics to use a computer is their fear of "breaking it." There are things in this world we all do that can easily hurt us, using a computer isn't one of them.

Why Fear of Something That Can't Hurt You?
One of the best ways to overcome the fear of computers or the Internet is by immersing yourself in the experience. "I'm afraid that I'll mess something up" is a statement repeated by novice computer users on a regular basis. The irony is that in today's world computers have never been easier to operate.  It's perfectly fine to make simple mistakes on the computer. Gone are the days of DOS when all you had to do was delete a critical file sending the whole computer into a tizzy. Thomas Edison would agree that the more mistakes we make the more we learn.  The great Babe Ruth had 1,330 strike outs on his way to 741 home runs. Is he remembered for his strike outs (mistakes) or home runs?

Good SA Makes for An Easy Recovery
After years of wrecking my own computers and crashing perfectly good web sites, there is one technique that has assisted me in correcting more issues than any other technique: having good SA.  In the piloting world it's called SA (Situational Awareness).  The best pilots know exactly what is going on around them at all times.  If good pilot gets into a dicey situation, he or she quickly corrects the action based on knowing what just happened. You can apply good SA to dealing with computer problems. It is very important to be conscious of what you are doing at all times. Don't forget the standards like frequently saving the file(s) you are working on and having good anti-virus software. 

If your computer, or a web site your working on breaks, try to retrace your steps. The biggest challenge and frustration to anyone who's trying to troubleshoot a problem web page or problematic computer is figuring out what caused the problem in the first place.  "I don't know what I did!" Those words create more frustration for computer repair techs or your guardian angel computer geek trying to help solve a problem. The easiest solutions are those where the problem is easily identified and quickly retraced to the source. If the cause of the problem isn't known it could take hours to correct.

Provided the problem with your computer or web site isn't so bad as to knock out your Internet, you can find a solution on your own.  Go to Google and type in the problem in the search box.  In almost every instance you will be able to quickly find a solution. Goto a resident computer geek if you don't feel comfortable trying to solve the solution on your own.

Fear Not!
Computers can open up an amazing world of information and communication for anyone who is willing to try something new. There is no need to fear something that can't really hurt you. There are plenty of geeks around to help you out.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

 

Posted at 08:23 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: computers, fear of computers, Internet, myths

Money Saving Advertising Question

Last week I had an interesting business experience.  Someone tried selling me advertising in a local print publication.  As part of their sales pitch they gave me a number compelling reasons to consider in an attempt to get me to advertise with them. After they finished their presentation I asked a very fair question which quickly resulted in the salesperson getting upset with me and abandoning me as a prospect.  Over the years I found the question to be a simple yet effective way for staying clear of advertising that might not fit your product or service.

Guaranteed Success?
To be fair, no form of advertising can provide you with guaranteed ROI.  One of the most difficult tasks is being able to effectively track the ROI performance of traditional advertising.  The percentage of “keyed” ads for traditional marketing like radio or print is fairly low.  The ultimate responsibility of effective advertising falls on the company or person actually producing the ad.  If an ad doesn’t contain critical elements including a well thought out USP and call to action it is going to be difficult to be successful. It doesn’t matter how many impressions a media channel can guarantee. You need to demand results with your advertising!

The Question To Ask . . .
You can ask the question for almost any type of advertising: television, radio, print, billboards, online, etc. Direct the question to the person trying to sell you advertising.  Ask them “Can you give me a few references of companies who advertise (or have advertised) with you selling similar products or services to my own?  I would like to ask them some questions related to their ROI.” It’s a fair and honest question.  If a company can’t provide you with a few advertising references why buy advertising from them?  The question isn't meant to discourage businesses from advertising.  It's to discourage people from getting into the wrong advertising.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 06:40 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Advertising, Business, Marketing, Media, PR, Print, Radio

"Why Isn't the Web Site Updated Yet?"

Yesterday I received a concerning email from a client.  They expressed concern over a web page that hadn’t been updated in a few weeks.

About 30 minutes after receiving the original email someone further up the chain of command called me expressing their concern regarding web site updating.  They told me, “People are checking the web site and things aren’t up to date.  That’s creating problems for us.” More frustration was expressed.

Here is the funny part.  The web site had been updated almost two weeks prior.  Because of an undetermined reason the client’s computer had a cached copy of the site showing up that didn’t reflect the changes.  This simple problem probably wasted about an hour of time for everyone involved and created far too much unnecessary frustration.

The above example is experienced by web developers on a regular basis.  For whatever reason their browser wasn’t refreshing and displaying the most up to date web page.  Usually this is a result of a user browser caching problem or proxy cache issue.

Pick Up The Phone and Call
The above problem could have been resolved without frustration via a quick telephone call. In my humble opinion, too many people rely on email to conduct business. Emails don’t always get the point across effectively. Encourage your clients or customers to pick up the phone and call with problems.  I’m a big proponent of encouraging clients to call if they have questions and concerns.  If you can resolve an issue or question over the phone in 2 minutes versus multiple emails, go with the telephone route.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 22:16 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (1)

Tags: Customer Service, Email, Telephone

Business Problems and Customer Service

Everyone can recall examples of good and bad customer service.  Recently I witnessed the demise of a promising business. There were numerous factors that lead closing the business. Customer service was one of the largest issues.  In this case customer service took the form of a lack of communication with patrons.  Last Friday, I went to visit a business I kept a membership with for the last five year.  The doors were locked and a sign posted indicating they’re out of business.  I knew that the business had been having difficulty and that it would possibly be sold or closed down shortly.  Yet, the closing came with no advanced notice to most of their other patrons.  If you are experiencing an unusual challenge with your business let your clients or patrons know about the challenge. 

Regardless of the business situation, good or bad, keep the customers informed.  There are a number of instances when things are going bad and businesses aren’t forthright with their clients.  Most businesses won’t acknowledge problem until it is too late.  If you’re in a sticky business situation, let your customers know about the situation immediately.  You don’t have to divulge minute details. But at least acknowledge that there is a problem and a resolution is being implemented or planned.  It is always in your best interest to keep customers informed.

When customers start to speculate or become uncertain about a product or service they’ll start to look elsewhere for their needs.  This is exactly what happened in the situation I witnessed.  When people heard rumors about the business possibly shutting down they started to look elsewhere.  The customer’s loyalty became strained and they started to lose faith in the company.  Without customer support overcoming challenges can become significantly more difficult.

I’ll point back to an important statistic from a previous post: “95% of unhappy customers will do business again with you if their issue is resolved immediately.” (Source: Technical Assistance Research Programs) The problem was never acknowledged or resolved immediately. 

It is in your best interest to always keep your customers informed.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 11:20 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: customer service

Who Else Wants Great Clients?

Aaron Wall of SEOBook.com was good enough to give me a few minutes of his time today.  I called him up to ask about some of the challenges associated with Internet consulting, specifically as it relates to selecting the right clients. There are a number of people I know who have been on roller coaster rides with clients, myself included.  The advice Aaron passes along is a fresh take on things and helps refocus on the possibilities the Internet has to offer.

Here is a summary of some of the helpful advice he passed along with some of my interjected anecdotes:

Be Highly Selective of Your Clients
Finding_clients You can solve 90% of you client frustration problems by being highly selective of clients.  Match yourself and your services with companies who are a good fit.  Your interaction with another company or client is two way street.  Too many people focus on money they might get as opposed to the opportunity.  If you end up with a difficult client it can take the wind right out of your sails and you work will likely suffer. Aaron said he has been fortunate enough to work with some really good clients by virtue of being very selective.  The better the client the more you can accomplish together.

Brain Tracy has a great quote when it comes to selecting the right clients “Fish for Whales, not minnows. Remember that if you catch 1,000 minnows, all you have is a bucketful of fish. But if you catch a single whale, you will pay for the whole voyage.”

Develop Passive Revenue Streams
Aaron points out that it is easier to be more selective of clients if you aren’t worrying about money.  The Internet is full of opportunity, but you need to act upon it. Aaron has created a great ebook that you pay for and can instantly download.  It contains a plethora of helpful information on Search Engine Optimization and is being constantly being updated.  His book establishes him as an expert and generates leads every day.

Abundance Mentality
The Abundance Mentality goes beyond just being positive in everything thing you do. You need to realize that there is more than enough of anything to go around.  Focus on the infinite possibilities the Internet has to offer.  Stay focused on your goals, but don’t be greedy.  You can’t get anywhere online without the help and support of others.   

Provide People with Value
Give away great information with everything you do.  In his SEOBook, Aaron mentions the impact of his Blog in helping him sell his ebook "there is probably about a 99% chance you would have never bought this e-book if I did not write the associated blog.” Years ago one of my business mentors gave me the advice to give away as much free information as possible.  At the time I really didn’t think this was the best course of action.  Today I’ve changed my mentality.  The more you give away the more you get back.

To find out more about Aaron Wall and Search Engine Optimization, visit his web site at SEOBook.com.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 23:53 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Aaron Wall, Advice, Internet, Marketing, Selling, SEO, Small Business

Idea Generation Using Books

Are you stuck trying to come up with a new idea or solution? 

The methodology below outlines another simple system I use to come up with new ideas. The example below is based on using another source to trigger new ideas.  I found whenever I do research and start reading material my brain starts to come up with new ideas. Use this natural distraction to your advantage. 

I don’t know exactly why it works or how it works, but it works.  My educated guess is it has to do with your subconscious mind and synoptic learning.  When you view different sources of material you’ll naturally build relationships based on the various viewpoints on a given topic.  There are numerous good ideas hiding in your head and sometimes they need a little coaxing out. 

Where to Start
Write your challenge in question form on top of a blank sheet of paper: “What are important SEO factors?”  Try to keep the question specific, but keep your ideas open ended.  Your question needs to have purpose and act as a motivating factor.

Find Books Related to Your Question
Pay a visit to your library or local book store.  Find a few books related to the topic area of the question you listed.  Sit down with the books, a pen, and your headlined paper. Take 5 minutes to scan each book.  Resist the urge to read more than a few words. Scan through headlines and the index.  It is important to set a 5 minute limit or else you’ll start reading the book.  Save the reading part for a later time.  The objective is to quickly scan for ideas and set your own thinking process in motion.  Write down any ideas that jump into your mind.   After about 10 or 15 minutes you should have a full sheet of ideas. 

Mentally Play With Your Ideas
After you are done writing down ideas mentally play around with them. Try grouping your ideas or rearranging them.  Don't force yourself to come up with ideas or relationships. You might be able to come up with additional ideas or a different way of looking at your challenge. Good luck and have fun with it.

Additional Resources:

Posted at 10:21 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Creativity, Idea Generation, Ideas, Innovation, Marketing

Don't Quit Your Day Job Just Yet

In my experience I've seen a number of people quit their day jobs in hopes of success and riches in the entrepreneurial world.  In my professional opinion too many of these people were lured by the fantasy of quickly getting rich.  The cold hard truth is very few, if any, people get rich quickly in the entrepreneur world.  This also includes the Internet.  Wealth and success are built over time.  In addition most people who venture into their own business never make it past their first five years.  Ultimately those people give up being an entrepreneur and despondently return to the "real world." Before you make the jump into the entrepreneurial world consider some of the following thoughts.

I Have to Get Out of My Job
So many people I know complain about their work environment.  Either their boss is tyrannical or coworkers incompetent.  There was a strong quote by Michael Wade from his Career Manifesto.  He refers to the perceived hardships people face in the workplace: "Unless you're working in a coal mine, an emergency ward, or their equivalent, spare us the sad stories about your tough job. The biggest risk most of us face in the course of a day is a paper cut."  Too many people I know confuse their job for real high pressure occupations. This is a big reason why many are lured to make the jump into the small business world.  They think they can escape some of the workplace challenges and have an easier work environment.  That simply isn't the case.

Test Drive Being An Entrepreneur
Being an entrepreneur can put a tremendous financial strain on you. I challenge anyone to this little experiment.  Put 6 weeks of your salary into the bank.  You can't use it to pay bills or living expenses.  Leave only $500 accessible for your monthly budget.  Why would anyone do that ?!?! You need to give yourself a realistic taste of the small business world.  There are plenty of small business owners, including myself, who have gone more than a month without a paycheck.  For the people who say you planned poorly, guess what?  Not all clients pay on time, even the reputable companies.  You need to become accustomed with that fact.  Going to work for a month without getting paid a dime is a very sobering experience. You are forced to come up with ways to pay your bills.  You might not be able to go out with friends and you will face some real entrepreneurial challenges.

Work on Your Side Job During the Work Day
Here is a good place to start if you want to be an entrepreneur.  People say they don't have time during the day to work on their personal business projects.  I believe that whatever job you are working at allows you a certain amount of free time every day.  Almost everyone I know has a lunch break of 45 to 60 minutes.  Pack a lunch and work on your side projects during your lunch break.  Yes, you are going to have to make sacrifices.  But if you are serious about creating additional revenue streams you need to make sacrifices.

Be more Efficient with your Time
Take a time management course to show you how to maximize the time you have available.  One of my biggest pet peeves is people who complain "I don't have enough time!"  Hogwash! I'd argue most people aren't maximizing their time.  It's amazing how much free time we can get in the course of the week just by making some small sacrifices, e.g. Tivo your favorite TV programs.  You can cut out 20 minutes of commercials this way. Learn while you drive. If you really sit down and think about it there are all sorts of ways to maximize your time.

For all the considerations I have one simple recommendation.  When you make 2x as much net profit from your side business as you do in salary, quit your day job. Be wary the lure of the entrepreneurial world.  Make sure you are financially and mentally prepared to make the jump.

Additional Resource:

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 08:47 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Business, Entrepreneurship, Internet, Small Business, Startup, VC

Learning How to Be an Online Business Success

People always use the excuse that they never have time to learn. I'd argue that there is a decent amount of time to learn something new every day.  Learning takes dedication. You probably have an hour or more a day to learn going to and from work. With the advent of MP3 players and the availability of downloadable podcasts, the chance to learn how to be successful online has never been easier. 

To be successful online you need to be constantly learning.  You might not be able to work on our web sites at every free moment. Tweaking your web site on your laptop while in traffic doesn't strike me as the best idea.  But we can certainly make the most of time when we aren't actually working. I've identified two easy to implement ideas that are tremendously helpful to learning.  They won't work if you aren't dedicated.

Learn while you drive or take public transportation
Try giving up some of your radio time to learn something new.  While you are driving or commuting to work listen to a book on tape or CD about business or marketing.  The selection of helpful audio books is vast. Your library might have some great books on tape or CD, all for free! MP3 players allow you to listen to audio podcasts of various online gurus.  Depending on where you live you might be able to get a few hours of learning, just sitting in traffic or on the train. 

Learn while you exercise
If you have an MP3 player, use it during running or working out. Load it up with some useful podcasts and you're good to go as you exercise.  If you use a paper notebook to track your workout routine keep an area to write down new ideas that jump into your brain. 

Read while you wait
Another suggestion is always have a book to read.  Just one book at a time would suffice.  Bring it with you where ever you go.  Whenever you are waiting in line or waiting for an appointment, start reading.  If you put forth a decent amount of dedication you could probably finish a book in a week or two.

With all the technology at our disposal it has never been easier to learn something new.  You probably have your own ideas for learning sessions.  It's up to you to determine how you use your time. You can always make more money, but you can't make more time.
 
Additional Resources:

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 09:25 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (1)

Tags: Business, Education, Internet, Podcast, Tech Integration, Technology

Get A Free Event Marketing Education

There exists one of the most forsaken educational institutions on the face of Earth.  Anyone with a little dedication can get the equivalent of a college or masters degree in almost any subject area.  Any guesses as to what it might be?  No, it's not the Internet.  Most people already know that I'm hinting about the second most obvious choice, your local library. I firmly believe libraries to be one of the greatest of educational opportunities in the world.

Event_marketing_resource_library

Proven Information
The nice thing about the library, unlike the Internet, is that most of the information in libraries have a decent amount of credibility.  Though you can't ensure that everything in a library's collection is 100% accurate. I'd argue that it is far more credible than the Internet. Too many people read something online and consider it to be fact. It is difficult to know who to trust online.  It is only a matter of time before some inaccurate blog post creates a major international incident if it hasn't already happened.

Educate Yourself For Free  
Libraries are a great resource for any professional, entrepreneur, or event promoter.  It allows you to satiate your desire for knowledge. Best of all it is free - provided your library books aren't overdue.  I've acquired a vast amount of knowledge courtesy of my local library.  A nearby branch had the best collection of Internet resources available locally and I took full advantage of it.

The Human Search Engine
Libraries also have their own version of search engines known as Librarians.  Librarians do a great job of pointing you in the right direction and might suggest additional resources. 

Leveraging Amazon.com and Your Library's Catalog
One of my favorite research techniques is utilizing Amazon.com and my library's online catalog. Using the technique below will minimize your chances of reading books that aren't helpful or interesting.

  1. Go to Amazon.com and select "Books" from the Search drop down menu.
  2. Enter keywords on the desired topic area(s) into the search box and Press Go.
  3. After you get results, look at the "Sort By" pull down menu and select
    "Avg. Customer Review." Press Go.
  4. Note the top rated titles. Copy down the ISBN number or book title.
  5. Check your library's catalog to see which high ranking titles are available.
  6. BONUS: If the library doesn't have the book, they might be able to purchase it for you.

Your library is one of the great local services you have available.  Take advantage of it!

Event Marketing and Promotion Books

Below are some of the best books for improving your event promotion and marketing skills. You should be able to find the books in most local libraries or a nearby bookstore.

There's a Customer Born Every Minute:
P.T. Barnum's Amazing 10 "Rings of
Power" for Creating Fame, Fortune,
and a Business Empire Today Guaranteed!
Author:  Joe Vitale

ISBN-10: 0471784621
ISBN-13: 978-0471784623
Permission Marketing:
Turning Strangers Into Friends And
Friends Into Customers
Author:  Seth Godin

ISBN-10: 1416526668
ISBN-13: 978-1416526667
All Marketers Are Liars:
The Power of Telling Authentic Stories
in a Low-Trust World
Author:  Seth Godin

ISBN-10: 1591841003
ISBN-13: 978-1591841005
Getting Everything You Can
Out of All You've Got:
21 Ways You Can Out-Think,
Out-Perform, and Out-Earn
the Competition
Author:  Jay Abraham

ISBN-10: 0312284543
ISBN-13: 978-031228454
How to Write a Good Advertisement
Author: Victor O. Schwab

ISBN-10: 0879803975
ISBN-13: 978-0879803971

Tested Advertising Methods
Author: John Caples

ISBN-10: 0130957011
ISBN-13: 978-0130957016


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Posted at 07:35 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Amazon, Books, event marketing, Internet, Librarians, Library, promotion

Everyone Should Have a Business Mentor

I'm a big proponent of everyone having at least one good business mentor. If you don't have a business mentor go out and find one today. 

A mentor can steer you clear of making mistakes that will cost you time and money. Mentors are great sounding boards for business ideas.  Their advice might be a catalyst for your next great idea.  Perhaps they are able to show you a different perspective or alternative solution to a given challenge. 

Find a mentor who is genuinely interested in assisting you.  Perhaps they possess traits that you want to emulate as a business person or entrepreneur.  Ideally find someone outside your organization or base of friends. Doing so will ensure that you personal or professional growth doesn't cut off a great resource.

Your mentor might be inside or outside your business market.  If they are inside your business market you can leverage their experience and advice to accelerate progress in your field.  Having a mentor outside your field can also be an advantage.  An outside perspective can give you feedback and insight those inside your field might not consider.  You'll have a different looking glass on the world.

In most cases your business mentors never charge you for their time.  But make sure you don't monopolize their time.  Regardless of how busy my mentors are they always have a few minutes to pickup the telephone and talk.  Always check to make sure they aren't too busy to lend you a few minutes before jumping into a conversation.

Express gratitude to your mentor. Verbalizing your gratitude is a nice gesture.  But consider writing a hand written thank you.

Two brains are always better than one.  Don't delay in getting a business mentor.  The time invested in finding a good mentor will pay dividends down the road.

Additional Resource:
Inc. Magazine - Mentor Articles

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Posted at 10:05 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Business, Education, Entrepreneur, Mentoring, Social Networking

A Great Customer Service Example

Yesterday I flew home from my conference in Vegas.  My connecting flight was delayed in Chicago for three hours.  There were a number of people who were upset over the delay.  The airplane that we were scheduled to take to Rochester had not arrived in Chicago. How the pilot of our flight handled the situation made all the difference. His actions are a great example of good customer service.

The pilot and co-pilot waited with the rest of the people.  They were just as anxious to leave as all the passengers.  When the pilot knew there was going to be a problem he himself made the announcement to everyone waiting.  He apologized and offered to speak with people if they had any further questions.  I cannot recall the last time something like that happened on a delayed flight.  You usually have to deal with a company customer service person with far less customer service skills.

This is a simple example of great customer service.  The pilot had nothing to do with the situation.  But he was the face of the company at that time. Good customer service seems to be waning these days. Take an example from above and make the most of a bad situation.  Acknowledge there is a problem or mistake. Then try your best to amend the situation in a timely manner.  Regardless of how simple the remedy, very few companies can acknowledge a mistake or take proper corrective action to amend a customer service problem.  Make sure you don't do the same with your customer service.

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Posted at 18:14 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (2)

Tags: Business, CRM, customer experience, Customer Service

Bunnies, Martinis, and Brand

The airshow convention finished with a wonderful gala. Unlike some of the other gents I decided to stay in my tuxedo after the gala finished.  That decision would prove very useful later in the evening.

My adventuresome ways can get me into the most interesting situations.  After the gala I decided to head out to the Playboy Club. What better place for a young man to be adventuresome? 

I always try to learn something with each new experience. In this case it turned into a lesson in branding.  Very few companies truly understand how to market their brand. The Playboy Club does an excellent job of tastefully presenting their brand.  The branding starts when the elevator door opens up to the club.  Everything is branded from the bathrooms to the matches. But it isn’t over done.  There is history and stories to go along with their brand. After I picked up my Martini at the bar I started to peruse the surroundings. As expected the Bunnies are beyond beautiful.  Because of their beauty they become a dangerous distraction for young men seeking success at the card tables. I decided to stay away from the tables. During my adventure I did manage to meet some lovely ladies from California and chatted with them.

What can cotton tails and cufflinks teach you about business branding? Study other companies and how they implement their brand.  Business innovation usually stems from recreating current ideas or resurrecting old ideas.  Next time you are out and about take the time to observe your environment.  You’ll be amazed what you notice when you really study something.  Look for the business angle. Your next great idea might come from something most people will never notice.

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Posted at 21:02 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Branding, Business, Marketing, Playboy

The Value of Free Information

For the longest time I refused to give away free information.  If you wanted the information or service, you needed to pay me.  That ideology was a huge business mistake.  My business mentors told me to give away free information years ago.  I finally wised up. Today I give out tons of free information.  I encourage anyone with a unique service or product to do the same.

What if I give too much good information away? You can't, people love free information.  If you give them enough of it, they'll return for more.  High quality information positions you as an expert in your field. Businesses want to hire experts.  Experts in a particular field carry with them a high degree of trust and credibility.  Both of which are significant buying factors.  Experts also get paid more.

You don't need to give away your best information.  This is where you will make your money. You can tease people with good information and make them pay for the best information.  Just make sure your best information does what you promise. 

Go out there and give away great free advice.  It is one of the best, yet most under used of business practices.   This has led me to more sales leads than any other process I've used over the years.

Want to get more great info? Check out the articles below:

Posted at 23:18 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Entrepreneur, Free Advice, Marketing, Online Success, Small Business

Networks and Marketing

The airshow convention started today.  I spent most of the time catching up with friends and meeting new people.  One of the people I had dinner with might bring me a tremendous amount of business.  The ironic thing is he initially started a conversation with me because of the airplane polo shirt I was wearing. 

People always say "you need to be in the right place at the right time." My advice is make sure you put yourself into the right place at the right time! It is easier than most people think.  If you are passionate about your market get yourself out to all the conventions and trade shows.  You can accomplish so much by meeting new people who are passionate about the same thing. 

Years ago I came up with an industry specific business idea.  I spent years developing it and competing against business with more resources.  That business idea has been sitting on the shelf for a few years. Today I started a conversation that might allow me to join with one of my industry competitors and punch through a huge barrier.  All those years of work and money invested might actually pay off.

Because of the power of personal networks I've achieved what other people classify as "impossible." It is amazing what you can accomplish with a few drinks with someone. When you have a good network in place almost anything is possible.  "We live in a world that offers no guarantees, only opportunities." - Michael Michalko. Grab your business cards and get going!

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Posted at 20:34 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Entrepreneur, Marketing, Network Marketing, Online Success, Small Business

Magic Marketing Sales Technique

I'm reporting in from Chicago, Illinois.  Today has proven to be quite the flying challenge.  I'm heading out to the International Council of Airshows Convention in Las Vegas to speak on search engine optimization and online marketing.  During my wait in Chicago I took some time to look at a number of airport kiosks.  It is difficult to imagine how anyone can make money in an airport.  Many of the sales people are pushy and the products are not appealing. There is one exception that comes to mind.

During a recent trip to Florida I had a layover in Philadelphia.  There was a young gentleman performing magic tricks. Of all the kiosks and sales pitches I've ever seen at an airport this one was the best. He never came up to you, didn't need to shout, or interrupt your walk to get attention.  All he did was levitate a card.  You could see he was enjoying his work.  He was being passively unique and allowed people to come to his booth on their own.

After watching for a bit, I approached the magic kiosk and spent some time talking with the young gentleman.  I've been performing magic since I was a child and that made for a good personal connection. From our brief discussion he told me the trick was around $30.  When he told me how many he sold a day I was floored! He could of been lying.  But in the 5 minutes I watched him do his trick 10 people came up to him. One person purchased the trick.

Passively unique marketing also occurs in the airshow industry. All you have to do is fly a high performance airplane over a populated area and people will gather in mass.  I've witnessed this in the middle of a work day. There was a jet team practicing for an airshow in Rochester, New York.  The jets would fly a similar route near the downtown area.  Each successive pass brought more people outside to watch.  You had people in the streets and on rooftops watching in awe for over 30 minutes. P.T. Barnum would be proud.

The magic kiosk and airshow example illustrate a simple business lesson anyone can use.  If you are going to market something make it passively unique.  You'll sell so much more than the pushy and obnoxious sales person.

Posted at 15:33 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: air show, airport, magic, marketing, passively unique, SEO

Location Does Not Matter (Here)

There were a few personal experiences yesterday that rekindled a strong personal business belief.  We've all heard the business phrase "location, location, location." I firmly believe the Internet allows you to operate your business from anywhere. This is one of the oldest maxims of the Web. And, I'm not saying anything most people don't already know.  I bring the point up because every once and a while we need a reminder.  If you have a business idea, look at the online possibilities.

My friends would always tell me "if you're looking to do something big in business, it isn't going to happen in Rochester, New York."  I disagree with their assessments. Most young people end up leaving the area because of a lack of opportunity in the job market.  I agree that there might be a lack of job opportunity in comparison to other cities.  This happens all over the world.  But there definitely isn't a shortage of business opportunity. 

Because of the Internet it doesn't matter where you are located.  All you need to do is have access to the Web.  I know of friends and local businesses that are doing five to six figures in revenue per month within the greater Rochester area.  They are making that sum of money through their web sites.  In many cases the revenue doesn't include their retail sales.

For today my message will be short and sweet.  With the Internet, it doesn't matter where you live.  If you play your game on the Internet you enjoy the privilege of playing by a different set of rules.  Make the most of it.

Additional Resource:
Top 10 Dumbest Online Business Ideas That Made It Big Time

Posted at 11:51 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (0)

Tags: Entrepreneur, Internet, Small Business, Technology, Web

Stories and Connections

Yesterday, I had a very good meeting with a prospective client.  The meeting should have gone on for 45 minutes to an hour.  Ultimately the meeting ended up being almost three hours long.  Most people would assume that a three hour meeting would be completely boring and a waste of time.  In fact it was one of the best prospective client meetings I had in a long time.  I found a mutual connection with this person because of aviation. We spent half the meeting talking about airplanes and sharing aviation stories.  In business you need to find common ground, especially when you initially meet someone.

The ability to find common ground isn't an every day event, nor is it easy.  At the start of the meeting I had no idea that the person was passionate about aviation. On my business card I have "Specializing in Airshow Web Sites" under our logo. Even for people who aren't aviation buffs, the "Airshow" line gets more unique conversation than anything else. 

According to Dale Carnegie in How to Win Friends & Influence People ". . . even in such technical lines as engineering, about 15 percent of one's financial success is due to one's technical knowledge and about 85 percent is due to skill in human engineering - to personality and the ability to lead people."  Some of the most successful entrepreneurs I know personally are excellent communicators and charismatic.

Two topics I think every business student or entrepreneur should be skilled in are the ability to communicate effectively and storytelling. These skills help tremendously in building trust and creditability.  Clients want to work with vendors with whom they can relate.  Be sure you hone your communication skills. But don't forget to be a good listener, first!

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Posted at 10:02 in Business Philosophy | | Comments (1)

Tags: Aviation, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Small Business, Success

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