Small Business Marketing: How Much Follow Up Is Enough?

One of my clients recently asked me the following question...

"So I have the new prospects and I send them 'Good to meet you' cards. In three months I send them another card ... then what? How do I develop and build relationships with busy interior designers so they'll think of me for decorative painting?"

Building Relationships Takes Dedication and Frequency

In marketing, it's all about frequency. Sending out a "good to meet you card" is great, but waiting three months is way too long. By that time, your prospect has probably already forgotten about you.

The 3-10x Rule

Did you know that you need to hit your prospects at least 3 to 10 times in order to get their attention and move them to action? Maybe even more. So, it's crucial that you set up a marketing system that allows you to repeatedly follow-up with your prospects at least this many times.

There's a reason when someone subscribes to my email list that they receive three email messages within the first 7 days. And, there's a reason I take the time to write and distribute this Ezine every single week.

It's because I know that even if my subscribers don't read every issue, I am reminding them every single week that I am here, sharing valuable information and letting them know I am available to help them with their marketing, if they are ready for some help.

You Must Provide Value

In my experience, the best way to build relationships is by providing value. While sending the occasional postcard or promotional letter may serve to remind your prospects about your product or service, it won't do much to build a relationship with them.

You must provide them with valuable information. Maybe my subscriber who wrote in with the question about following up could send out weekly, biweekly or monthly tips on decorating. Maybe it's a quick painting or color tip or trend. Or, maybe it's educational information about decorative painting.

Your Prospects Buy When They're Ready, Not When You Are

It is important to remember that just because you are ready to sell your product or service, does not mean your prospect is ready to buy it. They'll buy when THEY are ready or have an imminent need for what you are offering. Until that time, your job is to provide value, educate them and remind them you are there and available whenever they are ready.

Don't Worry About Being A Pest

If you are providing value, you really don't have to worry about following up too often. If however, you are only following up to ask for the sale, you'll become a pest relatively quickly.

And regardless, you will lose some prospects along the way. People will no longer be interested in what you offer or they may not want to hear from you. But consider this ... if they don't want to hear from you, odds are they weren't going to buy from you either. If they ask to be removed from your list, they're just helping you out by improving the quality of your list.

So don't take it personally. Remember it's just business.

It Takes Time ... Sometimes a LONG Time

I have had people on my list for over a year before they decide to purchase anything. And, I know that some people on my list may never make a purchase. That's why having an automated way to follow up (like a weekly Ezine) is so important. Because it doesn't take any more effort on my part to follow up with 10 people or 10,000 people.

Your Marketing Step

Take a look at your follow-up system this week. How often are you following up with your prospects? Do you have a system that ensures they hear from you repeatedly? Is that system automated? Are you providing value?

Make sure you are not stopping after one, two or even three contacts. Create a long-term follow-up system that provides lots of value to your prospects and start building relationships for the long haul.

It may take some time to "prime the pump" as they say, but before long this process will start delivering paying clients to you on a consistent basis.

About the Author: Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to make marketing your own business as simple as answering 10 questions. Register for your Free Chapter from this award-winning system when you subscribe to the weekly 10stepmarketing Ezine at http://www.10stepmarketing.com.

Managing Your Time In A Home-Based Business

By Mark Khoo

DON'T we all want more money rolling in? Most people would like to start some sort of extra money-making project, especially at home. The problem is, not many of these people seem able to fit "a second job" into their time schedules.

So how do you manage your time before you can start your *money-making venture* at home?

True, most people are busy, but extra time for some sort of home-based venture can be achieved. It's called time-management.

It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes - such as spending time at the club or watching TV.

Think again. If you make it big with your extra income project, you will have all the time in the world for doing whatever you want to do.

Taking Your First Step

Firstly, sit down and list your daily schedule. When do you wake up? Then step-by-step, list everything you do each day.

Most people have about three hours each day that can be utilized in a more constructive or efficient manner.

It will be worth it in the long run if you start to employ efficient time manaement.It all boils down to planning what you're going to do, and then doing it without backtracking.

Make a list of the things you want to do tomorrow and each evening before you go to bed.

Schedule your trips to the supermarket or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work.

Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you're out of the house.

Stop Shooting The Breeze

Take stock of the time you spend standing around shooting the breeze - especially the time you spend on the telephone - and eliminate all that isn't necessary.

Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them.

Don't try to do a week's work in one big flurry. Just do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.

Take care of all your mail the day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it. Answer your letters the same day you get them.

Time Is Yours, But It's Precious

The important thing is to think of time as your most valuable asset, because it is. So organize! Decide what you have to do, and what you want to do. From there, it's just a matter of arranging priorities.

Start to list and plan what you want to do, and then carry out your plans. And you'll discover that you'll find plenty of "extra time" for handling virtually any kind of home-based buisnesses.

All financially successful people are simply well organized . They do not waste time. That's their secret.

Think about it. Review your own activities, and then see if you can't find a couple of extra hours in each day for more constructive accomplishments.

And A Time To Relax

Last but not least, when you're organizing your time and your business, be sure to put aside some time for relaxation.

Make time for your family. You must not involve yourself in anything to an extent that you exclude other people - particularly your loved ones - from your life.

Taking stock of the time you waste each day, and from there, reorganizing your activities is what it's all about. It's a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time.

It's really easy to do, and you will not only accomplish a lot more, you will also find greater fulfillment in your life.

Copyright © 2006 Mark Khoo.
____________________________________________________________

About the writer: Freelance writer Mark Khoo takes time off occasionally
to act as content editor and webmaster for www.theWriteMart.com 
which is a part-time home-based website development project. He also blogs at

www.TheNextPost.blogspot.com and www.CommonSenseWithMarkk.blogspot.com.

Source: theWriteMart.com

Education is the Key for Success in Internet Marketing

Submitted by MikeP

More and more people are considering the World Wide Web as a great opportunity to offer their products and services to a new, bigger market or even as a chance to create entirely new businesses online.

Even if the perspective to reach millions of potential customers is surely exciting, the truth is that internet marketing is more difficult than it may seems and if you don't have a sufficient experience you will usually waste a lot of time and resources doing things that don't produce the results you expect.

For this reason, seeking advice from competent internet marketing experts is essential if you want to succeed online.

Hiring a consultant can be very expensive, but fortunately this is not the only possibility.

In fact you can utilize one of the many internet marketing informational products (like books, manuals or ebooks) that are available online.

There are complete courses that deal with every possible aspect of the entire process of building, managing and promoting your business online.

Other products concern very specific topics like how to write effective advertisements or sales letters, or how to promote your site on search engines.

You can usually choose among a great variety of media formats: printed manuals, downloadable ebooks that allow you to use the product immediately, CD-ROMs, or even videos and audio tapes, if reading a big manual is not something for you.

The only risk is to be confused by so many possible choices. So how can you determine the product more suited to your needs?

When I need to decide about the purchase of an informational product, the first thing I do is reading each and every page of the author's site.

You may think that the informations on a site designed to sell a product are, by definition, not objective.

But you can still find a lot of useful elements that will help you with your decision.

The following are the most important for me.

1) How is the product presented?

Reputable authors will never tell you that you will be able to make a lot of money without work simply by reading their ebook or manual.

They will warn you that personal efforts are always needed to succeed online and every concept you learn must be applied to your particular situation.

Disappointment is the only thing you will earn from an informational product that is presented like a 'magic recipe' to make money fast and without efforts.

2) How many details the author gives about him/herself especially with regard to past business experiences?

You want to be sure that you are about to spend your money to learn proven techniques successfully tested on real businesses not some vague theory.

3) Does the site contain customers testimonials? Do they sound genuine?

A testimonial should be always followed by a full name, a website or email address so that it can be verified.

4) What kind of guarantee is offered should you dislike the product once you have purchased it?

Ideally every good informational product should be covered by a full money back guarantee as it's always the best protection for your investment.

If you pay attention you will find many other elements that will tell you a lot about the author and the product he/she sells.

Learning how to market online is an ongoing process. Even if your personal work is always needed, with ebooks, manuals, courses you can learn from successful marketers experiences, concentrate your efforts on strategies that worked for them and consequently avoid mistakes and save time and resources.

You are welcome to use our site (see the link below) as a starting point of your quest for your ideal internet marketing informational product.

About the Author

Mike Paolieri is webmaster and co-owner of Online-Marketing-Infobooks.com a comprehensive directory of internet marketing eBooks, manuals, articles and other informative resources.

Source: ArticleTrader.com

The Search For A Mentor
 by: Mike Lane

There are many so called "gurus" on the net that are offering their advice to you concerning internet marketing. The net is packed with experts and they all want you to join their list.

Most of them just want to sell you something and you never learn anything. How do I know this? Because I have fallen victim to the promises of these experts and joined almost all their lists.

So I have come up with a checklist to consider when attempting to choose a mentor.

1. Is he/she widely known? You would be surprised to learn that not every one with a fancy website is truly an expert. Do a search on Google for his or her name and see what you come up with. Check out their website and see what PR (Page Rank) they have. If they have been around a while the page rank should verify this.

2. Now search his or her name and type in "reviews". Does he or she get favorable reviews? If the reviews are about 50% good and 50% bad--pass on him or her. If he is truly an expert his/her reviews should run 80% to the good.

3. Is his product or membership site worth the money? How can you tell? Read over the sales letter. Is it choppy or does it run really smooth? Does it offer all the points of interest you are looking for? Does he offer a good unconditional money back guarantee? If he doesn't, close that page fast.

If everything meets your expectations the go ahead and order. But be sure to find out where the refund link is as soon as you purchase. If it is not what you thought it should be then just ask for your money back. Don't be shy about it. They will honor your request. (If they don't then you have found out the hard way whether or not they can be trusted)

4. Does what he/she teach make a difference in your marketing? Obviously if they are teaching you the things that made them a success and you are seeing positive results then you have a winner.

I hope this will help you in your pursuit of internet marketing knowledge. It is not all that is needed to find a reliable mentor but it is a start.

Source: ArticleCity.com

Oh Yeah, I have a Home Business

Submitted by Guest

Oh no the sun is up, it is bright out already. I didn't hear the alarm clock, I must have overslept. Wait a minute, Oh yeah., I work at home now, I have internet marketing business at home, I can sleep in when I want. No stress, no pressure and an enjoyable commute.

I want to get up now. I get ready for my commute, do I have gas in my car? Oh yeah, I have a home business now, I just down the hallway, wow, no traffic. I want to get a cup of coffee before I go to work. So I stop on my kitchen and get a cup. It's hot and fresh, it's not Starbucks but I can sit and enjoy it. Can you imagine this? I continue my commute to the office. Back down the hallway. I arrive and park in my computer chair. No worry about a place to park. No arguments about parking spaces.

I turn on my computer to check the night shift. Oh, guess what? I am the night shift too. The amazing thing about this wonderful business…….it is global and goes on 24 hours a day. It is such a good feeling to see that you earned money while you were sleeping. It is a win-win situation. Somebody got something good that they wanted in their life and you get an improvement in your future with earnings..

After checking the results from the night shift, can go do morning exercise. If that is how you want to plan your day. It is yours to plan as you want. Can you see yourself doing this? I can't imagine doing anything else now. You can join me. It's easy. You don't even have to go anywhere You can join me from where you are. That can be your office too. There is plenty of room now but don't wait too long.

To find the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home and enjoy the same lifestyle I have come to enjoy visit: http://www.profits-in-hand.com mailto: support@profits-in-hand.com

About the Author

Darwin is retired military and now operates a successful internet marketing business. He lives in Thailand.

Source: ArticleTrader.com

A Newbie Guide – The Absolute Truth About Internet Marketing

by Taff Martin

Helping people and giving Newbies "No Holds Barred" advice is what makes me tick. I'm no Terry Dean earning an income that allows him to buy a forest but I have been marketing online since 1998 and I know which way is up!

Here's an email, modified to be an article, that I send to Newbies asking me how they can make a Million bucks Online!!

I always love to help people but remember I will never build you up with false promises. On the Internet you can realize just about any goal you set your heart on - if you are truly serious about running a proper business.

All you need to do is to take everything one step at a time. If you are expecting to make a few thousand dollars this month - You Won't! If you are expecting to make a Million by the end of the year - You Won't!

Online Marketing is not difficult but, just the same as any other trade or profession, you have to learn it. More importantly, you have REALLY got to WANT to learn it from the first step of the ladder. This does not and will not happen overnight.

The 98% of people that fail are "Fly By Nights". Continually buying into these $5, $10 programs or whatever just because there's the promise of a quick buck. That's being clueless.

Until you learn that other people, i.e. your customers, are far more important than you will ever be, you will always remain within the ranks of the 98% that have failed.

Use some common sense here folks. Just take a look at the proven successful people online such as Terry Dean, Yanik Silver, Richie Beneteau and Frank Garon just to name a few.

Are these guys buying into five buck programs and "blasting" their Ads to $1 Safe Lists? Of course not. Why?

Simple Answer... They don't work! Not Yesterday, Not Today and Not Tomorrow - Period! Great as a hobby for earning a few bucks now and then but remember that true wealth brings with it both discipline and responsibility.

Discipline in your own life and responsibility towards your customers to provide them with the absolute best solution to their needs and/or problems.

Never forget that the last thing you want is for your valued customer to be stuck half way down some matrix or other and you never speak to them again. Chances are that if your name is associated with a $2 program or a useless service that has been bought on your personal recommendation they will never speak to you again anyway! Bye Bye future sales!

Your reputation is everything. Why ruin it forever just to make a few bucks today? What about tomorrow? Next Week? Next Year? A satisfied customer will stay with you for life and this is the direction in which you must be heading.

Why be a street corner trader when for the same effort your personal and financial rewards could be so much greater and last so much longer?

If you are prepared to go the distance there is now a vast amount of material available to you for free but also, unfortunately, there is even more junk which is guaranteed to confuse you.

Select your learning materials very carefully. As a general rule, any material either free or paid from the established Internet Marketers will always be good value. For starting out as a Newbie just pick those experts whose style you feel comfortable with and read everything they have ever written.

Then go back and read it all over again.

Read, Read, Read and then read some more. You are going back to school but there's no exams here. You either have enough knowledge to succeed or you don't. There is very little luck involved with Internet Marketing.

There are very few people who will be unable to grasp the concept of Internet Marketing. This being the case, why is it that 98% of people who try to make a living online will never make as much as $100 per month?

Again, a very simple answer. They are not consistent. They are not prepared to follow the steps that the experts use because it takes too much effort. They are always looking for a cheaper, faster and lazier way to make a buck.

Hence the huge amount of cheap and "free" scams available which everybody complains about but the 98% Failure Club are still there continuing to fan the flames with their dollar bills. I ask you to think seriously the next time that you are going to sign up with some program for "free" and spend all your time and energy promoting it as yet another "free opportunity" just so that people will join your downline.

What is the REAL Quality of the downline that you have just recruited? How much leverage and residual income have you created through your efforts? An honest answer would be minimal to none.

If you think small you will forever remain small. Consider that if someone had to pay $50, $100 or $250 to join a reputable, professional program, just think how much more motivated and active your downline is going to be.

If You Think Small You Will Forever Remain Small.

To be successful online there only a few simple steps to follow and as long as you consistently apply just basic business principles and ethics it is almost impossible to fail in your venture.

In conclusion remember that even the "Heavy Hitters" don't convert every lead. They have to work really hard to convert maybe only 2 or 3 in every hundred but, if you treat these customers with respect and don't just forget about them you will, in time, have a gold mine sitting on your desk top.

About the Author

Taff Martin publishes the Earn Cash Online Ezine. An ezine helping people to start and grow their home business ethically and professionally. Subscribe Today. http://www.Earn-Cash-Online.info/ Earn Cash Online Article Directory