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Marketing Eye Blog Articles
We've all heard about 'why companies fail to grow' with literally thousands of books, blogs, articles and shows talking about why businesses have failed to grow or have had a sudden death.
When you ask someone who has had a business fail, why, they usually give you one reason. We all know that there is never one singular reason why a business fails, it usually is combination of things; market size, competition and demand all feature highly on external factors while operations, leadership, complacency, technology, marketing and lack of investment feature highly as internal reasons.
But the real story that we all should be following is 'why businesses grow and succeed' because in that, there are lessons and patterns we all can follow.
When you ask someone who has had a business fail, why, they usually give you one reason. We all know that there is never one singular reason why a business fails, it usually is combination of things; market size, competition and demand all feature highly on external factors while operations, leadership, complacency, technology, marketing and lack of investment feature highly as internal reasons.
But the real story that we all should be following is 'why businesses grow and succeed' because in that, there are lessons and patterns we all can follow.
Published in Small Business Marketing
By Christopher Niesche - smh.com.au
EVERY small business should have a prospect list - a database of existing and potential customers where the business can focus its marketing efforts.
But it needs to be more than just a list of names and email addresses. It has to contain people who are in the target market for your products.
Here are tips on how to build up a prospect list.
EVERY small business should have a prospect list - a database of existing and potential customers where the business can focus its marketing efforts.
But it needs to be more than just a list of names and email addresses. It has to contain people who are in the target market for your products.
Here are tips on how to build up a prospect list.
Published in Small Business Marketing
The Naked Truth: What happens when you get naked in business
Oct 02, 2012 Written by Mellissah Smith
Recently, I ventured out to a Turkish Hamams as part of an off-site adventure organised by a conference that I attended in Istanbul.
As I readied myself for the excursion, I packed a bathing suit, took off my makeup and put on some comfortable clothing attire. That's what you do, right? Well, almost.
The bathing suit is not required. In fact, if you bring it along, and you go to a traditional hamams you may be confronted with an old Turkish woman telling you to put the bathing suit away "not needed". Then what do you do? You are there for an experience, right?
As I readied myself for the excursion, I packed a bathing suit, took off my makeup and put on some comfortable clothing attire. That's what you do, right? Well, almost.
The bathing suit is not required. In fact, if you bring it along, and you go to a traditional hamams you may be confronted with an old Turkish woman telling you to put the bathing suit away "not needed". Then what do you do? You are there for an experience, right?
Published in Small Business Marketing
In the past week I have sat in a room with 799 other entrepreneurs listening to 5 or more speakers per day on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, happiness and charity through to tackling depression and finding out to spot a liar a mile away.
The speakers were all inspiring and all brought something to the table but no-one more so than the people sitting next to me. Each and every person in the room has a story to tell. They have built businesses through adversity, a shaky economic climate, prejudice, their own demons and because someone somewhere said they couldn't do it.
The speakers were all inspiring and all brought something to the table but no-one more so than the people sitting next to me. Each and every person in the room has a story to tell. They have built businesses through adversity, a shaky economic climate, prejudice, their own demons and because someone somewhere said they couldn't do it.
Published in Small Business Marketing
The king of reinvention then subsequent flops, Myspace, has once again relaunched and its looking very promising. A mixture between an entertainment version of Pinterest with a splash of Twitter and Facebook, has seen the new promotion video linked to The New Myspace go viral.
"Who am I to say I want you back? When you were never mine to give away."
The lyrics that accompanies the promotional video reinforces the company's positioning. Having sold for US$580 million to News Corporation in 2005, the 9 year old business (founded in 2003) has reinvented itself which what can only be described as a "beautiful" looking website. Aesthetically, it has WINNER all over it, but the proof will be in how they not only attract their followers but keep them.
Scoring Justin Timberlake, an early investor into the comeback is of course clever marketing because after all, he is the "comeback king" and is considered one of the coolest and sexiest people on the planet. If brand association is anything to go by, the public should be in for something very special.
What do you think?
"Who am I to say I want you back? When you were never mine to give away."
The lyrics that accompanies the promotional video reinforces the company's positioning. Having sold for US$580 million to News Corporation in 2005, the 9 year old business (founded in 2003) has reinvented itself which what can only be described as a "beautiful" looking website. Aesthetically, it has WINNER all over it, but the proof will be in how they not only attract their followers but keep them.
Scoring Justin Timberlake, an early investor into the comeback is of course clever marketing because after all, he is the "comeback king" and is considered one of the coolest and sexiest people on the planet. If brand association is anything to go by, the public should be in for something very special.
What do you think?
Published in Marketing
If you have ever marketed even one of your products or services, you’d know what they say about Direct Marketing (DM). There are so many different views about DM amongst the marketers today that it’s difficult to understand whether it’s worth all the time and effort at all. It’s confused, abused and misused by several marketers.
That’s right: there are the haters and then there are the DM lovers. Some are the in-betweeners (no reference to the teen TV show). Whatever it is, as a small business you need to know where DM stands in the digital age of 2011.
In his book, The Complete Guide to Direct Marketing, Chet Meisner refers to an Orlando newspaper which ran a hateful story about direct marketers. The headline was “Spammers, Telemarketers Share Secrets in Orlando”. According to the story, direct marketers were “making way too much money to stop the suppertime phone calls and endless emails.”
That’s right: there are the haters and then there are the DM lovers. Some are the in-betweeners (no reference to the teen TV show). Whatever it is, as a small business you need to know where DM stands in the digital age of 2011.
In his book, The Complete Guide to Direct Marketing, Chet Meisner refers to an Orlando newspaper which ran a hateful story about direct marketers. The headline was “Spammers, Telemarketers Share Secrets in Orlando”. According to the story, direct marketers were “making way too much money to stop the suppertime phone calls and endless emails.”
Published in Small Business Marketing
It's time for celebration, or is it? It's Google's 14th Birthday and while one part of me wants to celebrate how much Google has made my life easier, the other part wants to pull back the curtain and see how I can control this addiction.
And addiction it is. Think about how long you can go without 'Googling' something or saying the world "Google". Try going a week. I have. It's impossible!
It's hard to imagine what life was like without Google?
And addiction it is. Think about how long you can go without 'Googling' something or saying the world "Google". Try going a week. I have. It's impossible!
It's hard to imagine what life was like without Google?
Published in Small Business Marketing
It's been a quiet few weeks. Readers of this blog may have been surprised that after reading blogs daily, that there has been nothing. Zip.
What is the reason you may ask? Simple. Time out to learn and grow with other like-minded entrepreneurs. 7 days in fact. Doors shut, screens down and 100% focus on life, business and health while sharing experiences and ideas with other like minded entrepreneurs around the globe.
It has been life changing.
When you open up your browser to google maps, you first need to know where you want to go, but to do that, you also need to kow where you are right now. In business and in life, it is no different.
In business, you need to understand where your business is sitting today - the good, the bad and the ugly. Then you need to know where you want to go and then you can find the resources to help you get there.
Life is harder. Gosh, don't I know that. Coincidentially, this particular conference gave me greater clarity than ever before. I had a major shift in the way I view the world and people in it. I had the pleasure of spending time with people that inspire me and that have had experiences I can also learn and grow from.
Some take home value I got was:
- Life on earth is limited - don't waste time
- Prioritize things and people that are most important in life
- Positivity creates and impression in your subconscious mind
- It's important to visualize what you want
- Spend time with yourself every day
- Work with yourself from the inside out
- Change comes from within
- Devote enough time to the things you love in life
- Resolve all differences before going to bed
- Budget your energy and be thoughtful where your energy is going everyday
- Where energy goes, energy flows.
And for the men out there, a tip from a former monk "Give her everything she needs and everything she wants, and the loving wife never asks for anything that the man cannot provide.
After listening to Shawn Achor speak, about Happiness, it became increasingly clear how important it is to be happy and the effect that it has on your life and business. Creating a happy work environment and life for yourself will lead to prosperity and riches beyond anything you have ever dreamed of.
Imagine if every single one of your employees was happy. They loved their lives and loved their jobs. What happens? They have a great life and they come to work completely present and 100% focused on what they are doing.
"It's not necessarily that reality shapes our world - it's the lens that we use to shape our world."
What is the reason you may ask? Simple. Time out to learn and grow with other like-minded entrepreneurs. 7 days in fact. Doors shut, screens down and 100% focus on life, business and health while sharing experiences and ideas with other like minded entrepreneurs around the globe.
It has been life changing.
When you open up your browser to google maps, you first need to know where you want to go, but to do that, you also need to kow where you are right now. In business and in life, it is no different.
In business, you need to understand where your business is sitting today - the good, the bad and the ugly. Then you need to know where you want to go and then you can find the resources to help you get there.
Life is harder. Gosh, don't I know that. Coincidentially, this particular conference gave me greater clarity than ever before. I had a major shift in the way I view the world and people in it. I had the pleasure of spending time with people that inspire me and that have had experiences I can also learn and grow from.
Some take home value I got was:
- Life on earth is limited - don't waste time
- Prioritize things and people that are most important in life
- Positivity creates and impression in your subconscious mind
- It's important to visualize what you want
- Spend time with yourself every day
- Work with yourself from the inside out
- Change comes from within
- Devote enough time to the things you love in life
- Resolve all differences before going to bed
- Budget your energy and be thoughtful where your energy is going everyday
- Where energy goes, energy flows.
And for the men out there, a tip from a former monk "Give her everything she needs and everything she wants, and the loving wife never asks for anything that the man cannot provide.
After listening to Shawn Achor speak, about Happiness, it became increasingly clear how important it is to be happy and the effect that it has on your life and business. Creating a happy work environment and life for yourself will lead to prosperity and riches beyond anything you have ever dreamed of.
Imagine if every single one of your employees was happy. They loved their lives and loved their jobs. What happens? They have a great life and they come to work completely present and 100% focused on what they are doing.
"It's not necessarily that reality shapes our world - it's the lens that we use to shape our world."
Published in Small Business Marketing
If you are finding it hard to keep up to the latest in marketing techniques, you are not alone.
Most marketers, let alone small business owners, are struggling to keep abreast of the new developments in technology, buzz words, Google algorithm changes, content trends and more. Why? Innovation has been put on steriods and every technology guru is hoping to become the next Mark Zuckerberg and bank a few billion or at the very least, get their faces on the cover of Forbes.
Most marketers, let alone small business owners, are struggling to keep abreast of the new developments in technology, buzz words, Google algorithm changes, content trends and more. Why? Innovation has been put on steriods and every technology guru is hoping to become the next Mark Zuckerberg and bank a few billion or at the very least, get their faces on the cover of Forbes.
Published in Small Business Marketing
Social media strategies that are content driven don't only work, they rock!
Sep 09, 2012 Written by Mellissah SmithSocial media has hit a new high. It no longer is something that businesses can think about including as part of their marketing strategy. It now is something NO BUSINESS can afford to not include.
During the week, I had a conversation with another provider for one of our clients. They are basically graphic designers who have done the odd website development. From my conversations with them, I am almost certain that the website developer is either a freelancer or a graphic designer who has learned to use Wordpress. There are some things that are really obvious in the work they have just completed.
Published in Small Business Marketing
As I hustled for my spot in line for a delayed flight, I became slightly overwhelmed by the crowd that had gathered around vying to get their place in line after waiting for hours for the flight to be called.
People were pushing each other and bumping their bags and briefcases into the person beside them, concerned that they would lose their position in line. You know how it is when everyone wants to get to the front of a line, and there is always some person who rudely is pushing their way to the top with no regard to anyone else.
People were pushing each other and bumping their bags and briefcases into the person beside them, concerned that they would lose their position in line. You know how it is when everyone wants to get to the front of a line, and there is always some person who rudely is pushing their way to the top with no regard to anyone else.
Published in Mellissah Smith
Social networks are exciting. There is no mistaking their worth when it comes to promoting a brand to a wider audience just by a few clicks of the button.
Sales representatives are gushing with feverish enthusiasm for social networks with an influx of inquiries and direct contact with people that they may have had to in the past beg the reception to put them through.
Now, they can make the fastest sale of their careers, just by connecting with someone on linkedin and sharing a slideshare of what they have to offer followed by a link for ordering.
It's as simple as that.
CEO's of big organisations can be directly tweeted to and engaged with in a matter of seconds. Say something worthwhile and all of a sudden, you have a relationship with who you want to do business with.
Having said this, its the younger generation that has taken up using social media to connect that has left their older, more mature counterparts for dead.
While their are risks with being 'out there' for the world to see, the reward is far greater.
Understanding why and how to engage with today's social business environment starts with recognizing the changes in buyers' behavior. With social networks now accounting for 15% of internet visits (Source: Experian Marketing Services) in the US and Twitter joining the over 100 million user mark, 55% of buyers turn to social media when they're searching for information.
Social media is here to stay and sales teams are the big winners along with the pockets of business owners. It's more cost effective, efficient and meaningful than any other platform other than real life relationship. So get tweeting and starting connecting.
Sales representatives are gushing with feverish enthusiasm for social networks with an influx of inquiries and direct contact with people that they may have had to in the past beg the reception to put them through.
Now, they can make the fastest sale of their careers, just by connecting with someone on linkedin and sharing a slideshare of what they have to offer followed by a link for ordering.
It's as simple as that.
CEO's of big organisations can be directly tweeted to and engaged with in a matter of seconds. Say something worthwhile and all of a sudden, you have a relationship with who you want to do business with.
Having said this, its the younger generation that has taken up using social media to connect that has left their older, more mature counterparts for dead.
While their are risks with being 'out there' for the world to see, the reward is far greater.
Understanding why and how to engage with today's social business environment starts with recognizing the changes in buyers' behavior. With social networks now accounting for 15% of internet visits (Source: Experian Marketing Services) in the US and Twitter joining the over 100 million user mark, 55% of buyers turn to social media when they're searching for information.
Social media is here to stay and sales teams are the big winners along with the pockets of business owners. It's more cost effective, efficient and meaningful than any other platform other than real life relationship. So get tweeting and starting connecting.
Published in Small Business Marketing
Today is my birthday. I have finally turned 39, a number that I have been using for quite some time, just to get use to it.
I woke up unexpectantly at 3am and have stayed awake ever since. Instead of going back to sleep, I looked out my window and soaked up the view of the parkland. I don't think I have ever seen it at 3am before. It was beautiful, peaceful and the perfect setting to the start of a new year in my life.
I woke up unexpectantly at 3am and have stayed awake ever since. Instead of going back to sleep, I looked out my window and soaked up the view of the parkland. I don't think I have ever seen it at 3am before. It was beautiful, peaceful and the perfect setting to the start of a new year in my life.
Published in Mellissah Smith
It's a number that interests me. Not because it is large, nor because it says that we are not average. 126 is average according to Twitter, and we have certainly surpassed that - I think in the first day of joining.
The reason it interests me is because there are 14,090 tweeters to talk to - if I feel compelled to do so. That is a lot of people. Sure it is not like the millions our celebrity friends have nor is it like the supposed "guru's" with 50k plus, but it is a number that signifies a positioning that has allowed Marketing Eye to gain traction online and have real "conversations" with people who have or may become clients and/or friends.
Two weeks ago, we made $79,000 worth of sales derived from connections made via Twitter.
The reason it interests me is because there are 14,090 tweeters to talk to - if I feel compelled to do so. That is a lot of people. Sure it is not like the millions our celebrity friends have nor is it like the supposed "guru's" with 50k plus, but it is a number that signifies a positioning that has allowed Marketing Eye to gain traction online and have real "conversations" with people who have or may become clients and/or friends.
Two weeks ago, we made $79,000 worth of sales derived from connections made via Twitter.
Published in Small Business Marketing
The first rule for a service provider is to provide a solution to a clients "problem". Right?
When a small business owner finds the need to "outsource" any area of their business, they tend to consult with their friends, employees, other service providers and in general key influencers, as to who that new service provider should be. Then they interview them, and if the connection is right, they hire them.
When a small business owner finds the need to "outsource" any area of their business, they tend to consult with their friends, employees, other service providers and in general key influencers, as to who that new service provider should be. Then they interview them, and if the connection is right, they hire them.
Published in Small Business Marketing
