7 Steps That Will Make Your Business Sizzle…

“It doesn’t matter whether your product is information or a flyswatter. If you understand marketing, you can make serious income.” Robert G. Allan, Author Multiple Streams of Internet Income

A lot of business owners don’t realize it is the little things that one does that will make a BIG difference in their success.

We all look at the big picture – the all important professional website, blog and of course optimizing with keywords and page titles. But what will really make a difference between you and your competitor?

Read on….

1. What makes you different from your competitors?

You need to focus on what makes your business unique. Why should people come to you over your competition? Then you take that idea and run with it, really make sure you “promote” that on your website and marketing material.

2. Over coming worries and objections.

What are your potential clients most worried about when it comes to your service or product.

How can you reassure them – or at least answer their most prevalent concerns. This may take some market research – but most of us, who have been in business for any length of time, have a good idea what that is. If you get the same questions over and over – or concern’s that is something you want to put to answer up front.

How do you remedy this? In the copy on your marketing materials/website (right up front) you need to address this and give the answer.

Example:

“Is your website just sitting there doing nothing?” Well we have the answer you are looking for! We design/redesign websites that are made for marketing.

You get my drift...

3. Be Genuine

Being genuine is very attractive to all consumers – are you just being a pitch man or are you sincere when you connect with your potential clients.

People know when someone is out for the money or genuinely interested in solving a problem for them. Think about it – when I get someone who I think is pressuring me or just out for the sale they are off my list. I will not do business with them.

4. Be Honest

Don’t over sell your service – don’t promise things that you are not willing to follow through on. Don’t act like you know something when you don’t – it is OK to say let me get back with you on that.

Don’t stretch the truth – even a little. Absolutely STAND BEHIND your word.

5. Don’t under estimate the power of testimonials.

Endorsements and testimonials are effective ways to dramatize facts and back up the benefits of your product, but don't use ones that look or feel transparent.Any testimonials you use must be true.

I cannot tell you how many times I have landed a job because people read my testimonials – and it help cement my credibility.

6. Be generous with your knowledge.

It is important that you give of your knowledge generously. You don’t have to give away the farm to be helpful. If not you are giving the impression that you are just out for the money – or perhaps you are not a real expert.

I am always happy to give my clients or potential client’s tips or refer them to other businesses that I believe in. I will give information away for free – and even when I find an article that I think will help one of my clients I will send the link.

I am a true believer in helping people succeed – and giving information that will help. I guarantee it will come back to you ten fold. It also helps with your credibility – and shows you as an expert in your field.

7. Promptly answer any emails, and return phone calls.

How many times have you contacted a representative of a business- or a business owner because you were truly interested in what they were offering – and they don’t call you back, they don’t email you, in fact it looks like they fell off the face of the earth. I have more times then you could ever imagine…

When you get a lead – contact them. When someone calls or emails you should respond as soon as you get the lead. Follow through and follow up, it is that simple.

Even if you don’t have the answer right away or you may not even be the right person for the job - let them know you have received the message, if you cannot or do not offer the service/product they need do not hesitate to refer them to someone who can.

Be cheerful and expedient in returning a phone calls and email. Let them know that you sincerely appreciate their business and not to hesitate in contacting you, if there is any way you can be of further assistance.

One more morsel of truth: Always aim for satisfaction, great customer service, and genuine interest in your client and their needs. It is a lot easier to keep a customer then to get one so treat your customers as if they were gold and you will find customer come back again and again…

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design

Call or Email now for a free consultation - pamela@artistadesign.com or 801.910.4825

Providing Creative Solutions & Amazing Results

Graphic Design, Website Development, Website Re-Design, Social Media, Consulting, Project management, Branding, Marketing, Blog Design

Why Every Business Needs a Blog

It seems every day as I do my work for clients, I run into things to talk about on my blog. I recall a time when I though how can I possibly blog – I only have enough time in the day to do work for my clients and get them on the fast track.

Well think again!

I am now realizing that a blog really is an enjoyable way to get to connect with your clientele – to help those that possibly have lost their way and just need a little swift kick in the pants (only kidding)!.

Part of what makes my job so enjoyable is gladly sharing what I have learned through all my years in this business and seeing it make such a big difference to others. So this is a perfect venue for me!! And it should be for all of you who are serious about customer services and assisting with whatever is needed in your particular field.

So for those of you who tell me “I just can’t blog I don't have the time” strongly consider again - what better marketing tool is there?

I will bet you dollars to donuts that you will find that little extra time (when possibly a thought pops into your head, or a frustration takes hold) that you will post it on your blog, feeling great about it because you realize you are helping so many others…

Blogging is a really great way to let people know you are the expert in your field, or that you know your product – as well as care about helping them with a problem, they may have pertaining to your expertise.

I have actually gotten clients from all around the world through my blogs – they read the articles, comment and communicate with me about a problem they may be having and bam – we have a connection. They know I am not joking – I do know my stuff. And when they need my services, they hire me.

It is really amazing – I have had clients from Australia, England, Africa and they more than likely would not have hired me without knowing me through my blogs.

I find the biggest fear that my clients have expressed about blogging is they do not knowing what to write about – or they feel intimidated about their writing skills.

There are many ways to overcome that – I personally write my articles in a word document, and then I can edit them and spell check. This allows me to save the articles as well as to go back at a later date and proof read, to double check and make sure it reads well. It is like anything else the more you do it the easier it gets.

So next time you say – blogging is not for me, think again. You are missing a tremendous opportunity to connect with consumers who want what you have to offer.

Pamela Jacob – Artista Design

801-910-4825

Providing Creative Solutions & Amazing Results

Is That Your Landing Page? No Thanks!

Are you as sick as I am seeing plain boring, frankly cookie cutter pages??

The ones that say get this for free! Then once you sign up, they open up another page and go on and on forever and ever until you get to your free item, trying to sell you everything but the kitchen sink?

So now you don’t know if you even want to get it free because they are just trying to trap you into oblivion…

Another thing, have you ever noticed that 99% of all landing pages look alike? They all look like cheap bill boards…

I have even gotten to the point, when I open them up (because I love the subject line) – and see the same old, same old, I close them – I may initially want what the person has to offer – but I am just annoyed.

Landing pages work – but let's put a little thought and design into them give us something that looks great and flows gently without all the yelling and screaming…

A page that doesn't have exaggerated headlines and obnoxious neon colors… With clip art and pixilated pictures…

I know that they say if it is not broken don't fix it, but please – it is an assault to the senses to have to deal with all the garbage looking squeeze pages and advertising that comes.

You can tell these pages have been put together by a page generator or a cookie cutter formula.

I have picked up some great little tools and bargains from some of these offers that I found attractive in look and copy, I am sure I have passed up many more that I could have used due to the obnoxious nature of the pages…

It may be because I am (extremely) right brained, and I am very visual – I guarantee there are a lot of people like me out there. I know we all have different priorities, but if you have an amazing product – with an attractive look you will appeal to everyone that wants what you have to offer.

Just remember, great copy, great look, and amazing product – will get you the results you are looking for.

No more boring, bland, obnoxious, ugly squeeze pages – please!!

For help with your landing or squeeze page contact me!

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design

Providing Creative Solutions and Valuable Results