Archive for November, 2007
We close out each week with our Who Said That?, where we give some link love to other blogs and regular websites that we feel you may find interesting:
But before we get started: be sure to submit your best post of 2007 for our ˜Most Powerful Posts of 2007″ eBook. This is a great way to get some additional exposure and linkage! Space is filling up fast so be sure to get yours in while we’re still accepting posts!
Now on to this week’s notable posts!
Why do some people seem to get all the business while others struggle? Shane says stop worrying about making elevator pitches and scoring deals and start making the right kind of friends and thing will fall into place. Shane and Peter’s blog is a must read for every self employed business person!
The team over at Invesp Blog have put together a series of 6 posts on the topic of viral marketing. This is great stuff. If you’re planning on growing your business in 2008, viral marketing has certainly proven itself to be one the most cost effective ways to grow a strong client base.
If you’re the type that appreciates learning form the wisdom of others rather than learning everything the hard way, then this post by Skelliewag is not to be missed! Her own ˜lessons learned” about blogging is valuable in and of itself. However, the 45 comment discussion that ensues afterward makes this post a wealth of powerful blogging tips.
Some of the most successful people are great communicators (see the post from Shane and Peter for social proof!) So it only makes sense to learn how to become a better communicator if you’re goal is to become successful. After working with different organizations and remaining observant about the traits of those who rose to the top, Jay discovered that there were a handful of core assets that are consistently sought out and rewarded and list the 3 most essential here.
Chris Garret says: “You can tell when you are doing well with your freelance business, instead of chasing new work, clients come to you. The most successful have to reject work, it seems they are beating customers off with a stick.” How do you achieve this? Read this post!
**who**
Have a great weekend!
November 30 2007 | Who Said That? | No Comments »
Are you past the rush of building a successful business and now trapped in the daily activities of running it? I’ve been there and it’s a position I wouldn’t wish on any entrepreneur.
Getting out of the situation wasn’t altogether simple, but it taught me some valuable lessons that I can now share with you:
Anticipate the Future When Setting Pricing
If you’re doing freelance work, there are only so many jobs that you can take on because there are only so many hours in the day. However, there are probably many pieces of those tasks that you could outsource in order to maximize your time doing only the high level creative work that you are best at doing.
If you set your pricing based only on your ability to do these tasks, you’ll probably price too low while your customers pay too much for too little of your expertise. Ask yourself, what would I have to pay someone to do ˜xyz” tasks on a consistent basis? How much time is it going to take me to convey the information to that person that they will need in order to accomplish the task?
Even if you don’t outsource parts of the project just yet, if things go well, you will soon need to.
Create Sustainable Systems
Have you ever tried to work on someone else’s home made Excel spreadsheet? Yikes. If you’re keeping track of your projects and work in a cryptic tracking system, it would probably take you more time to explain the process of using the system than it would to just do it yourself.
If you ever expect to bring anyone else into the business as a subcontractor or as an assistant, you will need systems in place that are easy to understand and work seamlessly.
For example, with my writing business, I have clients that need specific things like articles or press releases every single month. In the past, I kept track of these on a cryptic Excel sheet that only I could understand.
However, when I started bringing in subcontractors, I moved to a web based calendar system that we could all access. Presto. Now I didn’t need to email my subcontractor every time I needed a document, it would just appear in my inbox right on schedule.
Document your Processes
If you have specific processes for doing things, be sure to document your process either in writing or by using a screen capture video like Camtasia. This will come in very handy when the time comes for you to pass this duty off to another person.
For example, I have spent more than a year developing a system for submitting press releases that provides the maximum amount of news visibility and backlinks possible at the lowest cost possible.
However, once I created the system, I got bogged down with actually doing the submissions, which took approximately 1 hour per press release. Not only was it terribly boring and draining, I was spending time doing busy work rather than finding ways to improve the process. Though precise, the process isn’t difficult and could be handled by virtual assistant at a much lower cost per hour than I charge.
The thought of having to explain this whole entire process to someone was so daunting, that instead of bothering with it, I just continued doing it myself. Big waste of time. Instead, creating a screen capture tutorial that could be emailed to someone as a training and reference tool would be the ideal way to handle this.
Don’t set prices lower than what you could to find someone else to do them for
When I started my very first business building websites I made the common mistake that many new entrepreneurs make of price my services WAY too low. At the time, I was so desperate for business, that I was willing to work for peanuts just to get the job.
However, because I had to wait on the client for much of the info needed to complete the project, many of these jobs strung on and on and on. Some lasted so long that I was already moving into another business model before the old jobs were finished.
Then I had the problem of trying find someone else to take over these clients. But there was absolutely no money to pay anyone to do this. I even tried giving away the whole entire business including the website as an incentive for taking over these clients and the hopes that the new owner could upsell additional web based services. But I had trained these clients to accept such a low rate, that no respectable person in their right mind would have ever taken over the business. Bad move on my part.
Though you may be excited about your business now, it’s very likely that you will want to move on in the future. By creating a sustainable, profitable business with fluidly working systems, it will be much easier to sell the business in the future should you choose to do so.
By taking these steps, you can free up your time so that you can
- Spend more time on the most critical higher level activities
- Take on more jobs
- Have the time necessary for big-picture thinking and business building
Most importantly, when you allow yourself the time to do the tasks you are best at while outsourcing much of the busy work, you’re also more likely to remain excited about your business rather than feeling trapped by it.
November 26 2007 | Business Building | 2 Comments »
It’s better to make a mistake with the full force of your being than to carefully avoid mistakes with a trembling spirit. – Dan Millman
November 25 2007 | Weekend Quote | No Comments »
We close out each week with our Who Said That?, where we give some link love to other blogs and regular websites that we feel you may find interesting:
But before we get started: be sure to submit your best post of 2007 for our ‘Most Powerful Posts of 2007′ eBook. This is a great way to get some additional exposure and linkage! Space is filling up fast so be sure to get yours in while we’re still accepting posts!
Now on to this week’s notable posts!
Henrick of Positivity Blog makes an awesome statement. To quote:
Setting personal goals is important because if you don’t then you’ll probably spend a lot of time working to fulfill the goals of others.
If you’re goal in life is not to spend all your time fulfilling someone else’s goals, be sure to look into Henrick’s list of 9 common goal setting mistakes.
Leave it to Tim Ferriss to find a way to streamline relationship building. In his post “How to Test Drive Friends and Irritate People,” Tim asks:
What if it were possible to fast-forward relationships, whether with new friends, business partners, or romances? To get past the honeymoon facade of niceties and see their true tendencies underneath all it all?
Then offers 6 ways to do just that.
Dave Navarro links to a call by friend Ben Mack that discusses a Case Study called How You Drive 300,000 Visitors in 90 Days for $100. This is really interesting stuff you probably haven’t heard before. Dave has also pre-launched his exciting new 30 Hour a Day product definitely check this out. Between now and December 11, you can get the program at a major discount.
Lodewijk of How to Be an Original did an interesting blog experiment with Cross Blogging that turned out to be a great success. In his post, “Results of the Cross-Blog Series” Lodewijk describes the process, explains the steps he took to execute the cross blogging strategy, and shares the results.
What’s a persona? According to Invesp Blog, a persona is a prototype of the many clients you have. Why does it matter? Because if your website copy doesn’t speak to the reader, you lose the sale. Ayat points out some common mistakes in website communication and shows an example of a copy makeover.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
November 23 2007 | Who Said That? | 1 Comment »
Coexistence: what the farmer does with the turkey – until Thanksgiving. Mike Connolly
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 22 2007 | Marketing | No Comments »
I have heard some people say that HTML title tags have no impact on a website.
That is complete and total BS!
Title tags might just be the most important part of the entire page. Here’s why:
- They matter to the search engines
- They are the link to your site in the search engine results
- They are used to create the text for ‘Favorites’ listings
- They display in the title bar of the web browser
First, they matter to the search engines. Title tags might not be the most important factor for getting good search engine results, but, everything else being equal the site with the best title tags wins. Your title tags should start with the main keyword phrase that you want the page to be found for.
It should not start with your company name! Unless your company name happens to be the phrase.
Second, they are the link to your site in the search engine results. Most search engines make the title tag of the page the main link text that you click on to get to that site. If your page is optimized for a keyword phrase and that phrase is at the start of your title tag, when someone searches for that phrase the link to your site has the phrase in it.
Most search engines will bold any words that were used in the search that exist in the title tag or the web page description. Which link are you more likely to click on, the one that just lists a company name, or the link with the key words you search for in the link?
Getting them to click on YOUR link is what it is all about.
Third, they are used to create the text for ‘Favorites’ listings. When someone is on your site and saves it in their favorites, most web browsers use the title tag as the text for the favorites listing. If they try to save more than one page on your site they will get an error if your title tags are not unique.
Also, if your title tag is done properly, the visitor will not have to type their own text when they save the favorite because your title will say it all.
Your title tag should say it all!
Forth, they display in the title bar of the web browser. This might not be as important as the other reasons, but, a well thought out title tag in the browser title bar can drawl the attention of the viewer. They know what the page is about just by the text in the browser title bar.
So, make the most of your title tags. Every title tag on your site should be unique. Every title tag should start with the key word phrase that best describes the page. Every title tag should read well and not just be a list of keywords. Keep your title tag length to 6 to 8 words.
Title tags really are jewels!
November 21 2007 | Marketing | 1 Comment »
Please spread the word about our e-Book. This is a great opportunity for bloggers of every level to get some free exposure. The e-Book will be promoted at community colleges across NC and on multiple websites.
If you haven’t left us a post with your post for the e-Book, please do so soon.
Thanks!
November 20 2007 | Marketing | 1 Comment »
Last week Michael Martine wrote a great post titled 4 Places Where Your Customers Are that really got me thinking.
Back in the old days (1997) before publishing was instant and blogging wasn’t a word, I did a little writing for consumer magazines.
Have you ever thought about writing for consumer magazines and trade magazines? Exposure in a consumer magazine can expose your business to a whole new audience and instantly give you credibility as an expert.
The process really isn’t so difficult, but does require a bit more time and planning than bloggers may be accustomed to.
Identify Niche Publications
One of a writer’s most valuable resources is Writer’s Market, a huge book that lists thousands of book publishers and consumer magazines along with:
- The editor’s name
- The type of articles they publish
- The pay per article
- The number of magazines in circulation
- The percentage of the magazine that is freelance written
- The number of times the magazine is published per year
In 1997, your only option was to buy the 1016 page book. Today, you can subscribe to the online version of Writer’s Market for just $3.99 per month and get the same information.
Develop Story Angles
When writing for magazines, you sell the idea before ever writing the article. After creating a list of target publications and finding out exactly they are looking for, you will likely begin to get ideas for story angles.
Information in and of itself is not interesting. It’s the way in which the writer can package and deliver the information that makes it so! Publishers are looking for solid information packaged in a way that is interesting and relevant to their readers. Once you’ve got some story angles developed, it’s time to pitch the idea.
Pitch the idea
Now it’s time to convince the editor that your story needs to be in their publication. This is done with a query letter. A query letter is not just a way to pitch your story idea. The query letter is a sales pitch where you get to prove that your writing has style, can capture attention, and can hold a reader’s interest.
Allison of the blog “Ask Allison” shares two query letters that worked for her.
I would suggest not pitching the same idea to multiple publishers. There are any number of angles to be taken on a particular topic. If you’re going to be approaching multiple publishers, pitch different angles to different publishers.
Once your idea is accepted by the editor, it’s time to write the article, submit it, and wait. It may be one to six months before your article appears in print. But when it does – wow! There are few experiences more exciting than seeing your name and article printed in a magazine.
November 19 2007 | Business Building and General Business Issues | 1 Comment »
Here’s an opportunity to have your very best blog post of 2007 featured in a comprehensive 200 page e-book designed to serve as the ultimate resource for online business bloggers (and generate a lot of links back to your site!)
We are challenging bloggers to find their Best Post of 2007 to be included in the e-book with all links in tact. We will then publicize the e-book on all of our sites and in all of our online communities.
Your name (or author’s name) , the name of your blog, and a link to your blog will be listed at the beginning and end of each story to drive readers and potential subscribers back to your site for more.
Your Post Should Fit into One of These Four Sections
- Marketing
- Business
- SEO
- Blogging
No doubt you had a post this year that really generated buzz in the Blogosphere and caused your subscription rates to jump. Now it’s time to blow off the dust of that power post and leverage it to:
- Drive traffic to your site
- Reach out to a new audience
- Increase RSS subscribers
- Generate lots of backlinks to your blog
We plan to release the e-book in January 2008. We encourage you to let other bloggers know about the project so please announce this on your blogs and networks to help us fill the pages of this powerful resource. The more you publicize the book the more reach your own post within the book will have.
How to Submit Your Post for Publication:
Add a comment here linking to your Power Post of 2007 and let us know which category you feel your post belongs in. Do this ASAP as we will closing the opportunity for submissions on December 24th 2007! Posts will appear in their respective sections of the book in the order in which we receive your submission, so find one today and comment with the link!
Kudos to Fred for this great idea!
November 18 2007 | Announcements and Blogging and Business Building and Social Networking | 56 Comments »
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein
Is it time you tried something different? If you want results you’ve never gotten, you need to do something you’ve never done.
November 18 2007 | Weekend Quote | 1 Comment »
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