Does your business need content marketing?

There is a lot of buzz out there about “content marketing” and how it can make your business successful.

But what is content marketing, anyway?

It’s just a fancy name for using content to market to customers. And as I’ve said many times before, by providing value to your customers with good copy, or content, you create a more credible reputation. Plus, if you offer good content, people will want to tell their friends about your products and services.

Why use content marketing?

Ragan Communications offered a great article on why content marketing is important here. In the article, they list “24 stats about the importance of content marketing.”

For example:

“According to Roper Public Affairs, 80% of business decision makers prefer to get company information in a series of articles versus an advertisement.”

And per an article on “Engage the Blog,” research conducted by the Custom Content Council indicates that, “90% of consumers find custom content useful and 78% of people believe that organizations providing custom content are interested in building good relationships with them.”

These are just a few of the many statistics out there about the importance of marketing with content and why copy is still king.

How do you use content marketing?

If you want to increase online sales and awareness fast, start writing some valuable content. Here is a good process to help you get started:

1. Figure out what your audience wants and what you want to accomplish with your content.
2. Write an article or blog about that information providing valuable tips and information. (If you are not a copywriter, hire one to do the work for you. They will help save you time and money and provide better results.)
3. Include your search engine optimization, or SEO, keywords in the headline and throughout the copy a few times.
4. Add a link at the end of your blog or article to a landing page on your site or a page where site visitors can get more information.
5. Track the results with Google Analytics or another program.
6. Repeat!

Content Marketing Works!

If you see this process is working (and it does when done correctly), create an editorial calendar for the year which spells out what topics you’ll be discussing and the kind of content you’ll be distributing (blogs, articles, tip sheets, videos, social media events, etc.).

By creating valuable content (especially with SEO) specifically for your target market, you will bring in new customers and stand out from the competition. For the best results, plan your content in advance and test different topics and methods for sharing your content.

It’s a lot of work to provide good copy on a regular basis. But if you hire experienced, SEO copywriters to help you with the entire process, you will see sales and customer loyalty increase.

What are you waiting for? Start providing great, SEO content marketing and see what happens!

For more information on SEO content marketing, please contact me at www.rembrandtwrites.com.

Does this sound familiar when it comes to your SEO, or search engine optimization, efforts?

• You added a bunch of keywords to your site but haven’t seen an increase in site rankings.
• You paid a big, SEO company to help you, but you are still waiting for results.
• You have no idea what SEO is and are just ignoring it!

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to review your SEO activities and concentrate on what is most important. After all, SEO can significantly increase sales if done correctly.

Important SEO activities include the following:

• Conduct extensive research to find the appropriate keywords for your business.
• Add different title tags and descriptions to each page of your site.
• Use your keywords in titles, subheads, links and appropriate places throughout your site.
• Create a process for obtaining back-links to your site.
• Measure the results and make appropriate changes for the best results.

And while these are all essential to SEO, you may be focusing on the “technology” rather than this one, key factor that can make or break your search-ranking results:

Provide Valuable Copy!

Today, the search engines look for sites that provide valuable information to their customers. They don’t want to see repetitive keywords and sales language. They want to see Websites that offer information customers want to tell their friends about.

With this in mind, your SEO activities should start with an editorial calendar. Write down exactly what kind of information you want to share with your customers and when. Then, write the copy, insert the appropriate keywords and add the back-end tagging. You’ll also want to create appropriate Web pages for each product or service and guide site-visitors through the purchasing process.

But that at this point, know that your SEO processes have just begun.

Now, you need to monitor clicks and interest in the new content. If your customers are clicking on the internal links, purchasing products and services and sharing the information via social media, you know your copy is working.

However, if you don’t see an interest in your new copy, change it or add content focusing on a different topic right away. If you have no idea what to write about, check your social-media venues to see what your customers are talking about and look at what your competition is doing. You can also add a quick survey to your site and actually ask customers what they want to see on your site!

SEO Should Increase Site Rankings and Save You Money

The great thing about SEO copywriting is that you can monitor your site analytics and clicks, and see exactly what your customers and site visitors are most interested in reading. And if some copy is not working, you can change it immediately. This way, you are always giving your customers what they want and providing value. (Note: If you are working with an SEO company that does not provide this information, you are missing out on some important opportunities to exceed customer needs!)

SEO Is Not About Technology.

It can be so easy to hire an SEO service to automatically optimize your copy as you write it. But that won’t help you increase sales and site rankings as much as possible. Instead, focus on the value you are providing your customers via your copy and monitor the results.

This way, you’ll get to know your customers and be able to give them what they want. And this will not only help you beat the competition, but the search engines will also notice the value, and your site rankings will skyrocket!

To find out more about SEO copywriting and how it can significantly increase sales, please write to us belo or visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for more information.

If I didn’t have spam filters in place, I would be inundated with e-mail messages about the latest technology tools, software and services. It’s bad enough as it is with phone calls and snail mail.

How about you?

Are you overwhelmed with tech information that will supposedly solve all of your business problems? Yes, there is a lot of new technology out there that can help your organization save time and money, but how do you know what to choose? With this in mind, here are…

3 Tips to Pick the Right Technology for Your Business

1. Stop and Think.

I love the latest upgrades, software, hardware, games, and gizmos as much as the next technology pro, but this is a time to let your brain lead you instead of your passion. When a new technology comes your way, take a moment before clicking on the “Buy” button. Ask yourself how this product or service will help your organization reach overall goals, if it works with your current set-up and if it’s really going to be cost-effective.

2. Do Your Due Diligence.

If you are considering a new, technology purchase, conduct research first. Look at all of the positives and negatives involved. What are the benefits? What will it take to incorporate this new technology into your current system? Are there competitive products out there that are better? What kind of customer reviews exist related to this technology?

You get the idea. By spending some time researching a new technology prior to purchase, you’ll make a much wiser decision and avoid wasting valuable resources.

3. Ask for a Test.

Whenever possible, ask for a test demo of the new product or service. This way, you can see if the technology is going to do what you want it to do for your organization.

Also, ask about a guarantee if something doesn’t work accordingly, the necessary training involved, what happens if you need ongoing customer service, and any other, pertinent questions. You want to be sure you have all the information you need to make a good decision.

Take Your Time with New Technology.

Yes, most technology becomes old the day you buy it, but don’t jump at purchasing the latest product or service because you think it will solve your current business problems or “everyone is using it” and you don’t want to miss out.

As a business professional, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to technology so it’s worth it to stop and think, conduct research and test potential products prior to purchase. Be patient and smart when you hear about the latest technological advancements. This way, you’ll buy the right products and services for your business that will actually help you increase sales and beat the competition (while saving time, money and hassles).

Robert LeCount is The Rich Dad Company’s Director of Information Technology. Based on Robert Kiyosaki’s best-selling book, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” The Rich Dad Company uses innovative technology to offer a new way to think about money and investing. For more information and to increase your financial education, please write to Robert below or at www.richdad.com.

Things can get out of control fast (especially if you are outsourcing a lot of work) so how you juggle all of your priorities? Here are three tips that can help:

1. Create a leadership team.

Take your best people, give them management roles and set responsibilities. It’s essential to have strong leaders in place who know what needs to be done, can set project scopes in place and then create effective teams to handle the work.

2. Communicate.

In addition to the above, your leaders need to be good communicators who can talk to all the appropriate parties involved and keep track of deadlines on a regular basis. Frequent interactions and transparency keep the lines of communication open so projects, and talent, stay on track.

3. Put the Right Technology and People in Place.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure you have the appropriate hardware and software in place to support the development process and manage growth. Always think about cost savings and create a strong support team to fix problems internally.

Not only will you save money, but this way, your employees will work closer to end-users and be able to see and solve issues faster and find opportunities to grow the business.

Once your internal systems are ready, you can outsource talent as needed. But remember, these people become an extension of your team and need to be trained accordingly, follow appropriate protocols and pursue company goals.

Stay in Control.

Today’s businesses are evolving quickly with new ways to communicate all types of data, entertainment and education. To stay competitive, get organized. Have the right people doing the appropriate jobs, increase regular communications and maintain your internal hardware and software to be as cost-effective as possible.

For more information, write to me below or at www.richdad.com, customerservice@richdad.com.

This common lament of teenage angst is similar in nature to the quandary facing many startups - how to create a unique company brand identity while simultaneously “fitting in” with others in their industry. The fear of being different runs deep in our collective DNA. Staying with the masses offers a sense of belonging and protection, but it comes with a cost.

Developing a sound-a-like, look-a-like company brand, however, results in company names that are predictable vs. memorable. This group-think formula produces brands that are familiar sounding precisely because they follow in the footsteps of previous leaders, thus reaffirming your position as a follower.

The result is brand dilution - having a company name that is watered down by similar sounding businesses in your industry.

Diluted Insurance Brand Names

• AllState
• State Auto
• State Farm
• Farm Family
• Farm Bureau
• Farmer’s

A good many of these are legacy names, from a day and age when being literal made sense. There wasn’t nearly the noise or competition in the marketplace. So it made sense to put “farm” in a name when many Americans were farmers. But that’s all the more reason why not to anchor your name to an industry or trend - they change with the times!

By contrast, the awkward but original sounding Geico leveraged the image of a talking gekgo to aggressively grow its share of the market. Their name wasn’t perfect, but in a sea of sameness, they took what they had and made it work.

A similar trend developed in the 90s with the emergence of office superstores. These businesses launched with industry descriptive names that soon blurred the lines between them.

• OfficeMax
• OfficeDepot
• OfficeWorld

By contrast, Staples makes use of a double entendre name, (staples as in supplies and staples as in a stapler) These two points of reference help to anchor and differentiate the brand from the other carbon copy names.

And it doesn’t stop at office supplies. In an attempt to attract the penny pinching consumer we now have…

• Dollar Tree
• Dollar Store
• Dollar General
• Dollar Days
• Family Dollar

And what if, (heaven forbid,) the prices go over a dollar!

The convenience market business is perhaps the most fraught with industry buzz words.

• QuikStop
• QuikTrip
• KwikTrip
• QuickChek

When starting a new business, ask yourself “Is it more important to fit in, and gain acceptance, or to stand out and gain recognition?” I tell clients that, much like riding a bike, it may feel safer to start off branding in first gear, with a name that’s safe and predictable. But just like an 18-speed bike, you won’t build momentum if you stay in that gear. You’ll pedal your heart out while spinning your wheels. It’s really pretty simple -

Branding Truth: To be memorable, your brand must be remembered!

So whether it’s geographic references (e.g. Southwest, MidCounty, Downtown) or industry descriptor terms or a keyword-stuffed brand name, avoid the temptation to dilute your brand by making it sound like others in your space. Instead, think of more novel naming solutions. For instance, make use of a metaphor, like some well known brands have done…

• Amazon (abundant source of supply)
• Apple (appealing, consumer friendly)
• Crocs (rugged, durable, earthy)

Look for company names that point to the attributes, the benefits behind your products and services, to underscore their value. Paint a picture, tell a story, use the imagination and create a memorable and distilled version of who you are and what you do. Rely on your tag line, or insert a literal descriptive phrase under your brand name, to provide specifics about your business.

• ParkPlace… “The Ultimate Garage Space.”
• OneLily… “Making Brands Bloom”
• EarlyMoments… “Sharing the Gift of Reading”

Most people searching for your company will search for your name. And if your name blends in with highly competitive search terms, you’ll have to fight with every other SEO-optimized web site out there. So don’t be driven by this need to put keywords in your company name. Be who you are! Express yourself creatively in a way that makes your customers want to inquire, know more about you, and tell their friends. Instead of being diluted, your brand will pack a punch - one that delivers its message full strength for years to come.

Have you ever heard the quote, “If it weren’t for people, business would be easy?” Running a successful business is all about dealing with different personalities to accomplish specific goals. And this is often much easier said than done.

Well, instead of increasing your blood pressure and letting these people get to you, here are a few tips to help you open up the communication lines and accomplish more:

1. Listen.

So many times, we are in a hurry, have an important point to get across or just want to provide our feedback. Without knowing it, this can give the wrong impression, and we can come off as pushy. This triggers a response in the person we are talking to that puts them on the offensive.

Instead of talking a lot, try to be a good listener. This way, you’ll learn more about the person you are communicating with and be able to fulfill their needs more adequately. Plus, you’ll create a better, more respectful, working relationship.

2. Stay Positive.

Even if someone drives you nuts, it’s important to keep a positive attitude. After all, you may not have control over the person you are speaking to and what they say, but you do have control over your thoughts and actions.

When you are dealing with a “Negative Nancy,” try to think of something positive about this person or the situation. It will help reduce your stress level and make the conversation more productive for both of you

3. Say “Thanks.”

If you are having a difficult time staying positive when your boss is yelling at you or you have a run-in with a negative customer, try to think of five or more things you are thankful for to change your mindset. Perhaps you are thankful you have a job with a steady income, that you are healthy and made it to work today, that you have wonderful children? The list goes on…

When it comes right down to it, there are more important things than work. If you put it into perspective and think of all the big things in life you are thankful for, your attitude will change significantly.

Hang In There.

Business can be tough, especially if you are an entrepreneur. And it’s sometimes necessary to deal with people you’d rather not talk to at all. When this happens, it’s important to focus on listening to the other person, stay positive and think of the things you are thankful for in life. This way, you can face difficult people with a smile, learn more about there needs and maintain a healthy attitude that will make you more successful in business… and life!

Got questions? Please write to me below or at www.rembrandtwrites.com.

Not hide from my family (although the idea occurs periodically), but hide behind my computer. More and more, I look around and see social media chatting replacing real time networking. Please don’t mistake me, I love social media, use it all the time, and have reaped the rewards of connecting online. However, not without getting out there and networking IRL (In Real Life).

Whether it be on a local level or a regional or national conference, it is essential to connect face-to-face with other small business people in your vertical or who complement your business. Not only is this essential for your business, but also for your mindset. As I wrote earlier, being a small business person who either works from home or a small office is isolating, and talking to others allows you to see you are not alone.

The first step in networking is to start out slow. Try a local networking mixer first. Most local communities have a community calendar. Seek out a young professionals meet-up, a direct sales referral group, or even a seminar. Take a peek at what is going on out there behind the world-wide web and you will be pleasantly surprised how refreshing talking in person is!

**Tip: Take a wingman. Most of us have at least one friend or colleague who lives near us who does something similar. Cajole them to go along and be your back-up.  Often walking into event with someone else is all we need to move forward.

Local networking hours often lead to meeting like-minded entrepreneurs also looking to share ideas and brainstorm solutions. Don’t just collect cards, but follow-up with the people that you met and clicked with….That means setting up a second meeting, forming a mastermind group or scheduled meet-ups.

**Tip: I try to schedule my meetings for one right after another during a specific time frame, so I don’t lose travel time going to and from random meetings here and there. Pick a day or two per week that you schedule appointments.

Hitting up a conference or two is a big MUST. I know this brings a financial component, but it is a necessary expense to expand knowledge and meet others in your space. The internet and the overall accessibility that it brings allow us to network nationally, but meeting a few of these connections in real time really helps the process. Take the plunge and go - make the most of the experience.

**Tip: Keep costs to a minimum by driving to a conference with some of the connections you make locally or attend a conference in a city where you can stay with friends or family.

What do you think?  Do you like to get out there and meet other startup business people?

What are your tips?

For more on meeting people in person and networking IRL - visit me here.

Rachel

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About Rubbermaid
Rubbermaid is a leader in developing innovative, high-quality solutions that help consumers keep their homes in order. Widely recognized and trusted, Rubbermaid designs and markets a full range of organization, storage and cleaning products to keep the home – including closets, garages, kitchens and outdoor spaces – neat and functional, freeing consumers to enjoy life.Rubbermaid is part of Newell Rubbermaid’s strong portfolio of leading global brands.

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Harrington imparted the crowd with a boat load of information on the best practices of inventing and getting a product on TV, but what seemed to leave the biggest impression on the audience were these words:  ‘If you have always done what you have done, you will always get what you have always gotten.’

Just a simple mantra of Harrington’s had the audience in a tizzy.  How could something so obviously simple be so profound?  Well, it just can.

In my opinion, the bottom line is this:  We get good a providing a particular service or making a certain product and complacency settles in. As humans, we like familiar and resist change.  If it is not broken, Why Fix IT?

Yet, we continue to want and desire more ‘stuff’ whether it be tech, cars, clothes, or a new kitchen.  We want to increase and change our surroundings and everything in it without evolving ourselves.

I don’t think anyone would disagree - being in small business is tough (but very rewarding).  We have to distinguish ourselves as being better than the big dogs.  We often have to wear many hats and fill many roles ourselves.  However, we care more than anything about our little babies, I mean, businesses, so often we grow an exceptional reputation.

Once we get to that point, if we want more, we have to put in more.  It is as simple as that.  If you continue to do what you have done, you will continue to reap the same rewards.  Otherwise known as being stagnant.

Which if I am correct, is not what we set out to do at all when starting our own business?  We got involved in startup business because we are dreamers and have big aspirations.  When we get comfortable in a routine, it is hard to break out of it, though.

If you feel comfy and cozy with where you are, it is time to change things up a bit before you regret it.  Just like Apple Computer came out with a brand new Macbook Pro this week and Heinz makes a new ketchup with less sugar and no corn syrup, our businesses must continue to add something new or evolve.

There are all the usual suspects when it comes to evaluating your business like quarterly reports and consistently evolving business plans, but here are a few tips to clear your head and figure out how to get something new:

• dream pad - Keep a notepad with you at all times.  If you see something that peeks your interest or have a mini idea, jot it down.

• call off - Take a day off to let your mind breathe and rest from your business.  You will come back reinvigorated.

• escape the subjective - Ask a mentor or coach to evaluate where you are in regards to where you thought you may or may not be.

Sometimes it is the most simple advice that moves us like Harrington’s.

As for me, I always say: Dream BIG!

Rachel

On the flip side, the 2nd quarter of the year is coming to a close as summer hits, and parents in business are no different than anyone else.  We want our momentum to keep going into the 3rd quarter without interruptions.  I definitely do.

In my opinion, summer and business growth and productivity do not need to work against each other.  In fact, greater productivity can lead to greater enjoyment of summer.

I have a sneaky suspicion the busier I am, the more I achieve and fit in to my day.

Think about it - When you have large chunks of time that are unaccounted for…What do you do?  My guess is daydream, play with apps, doodle, waste time, or grab a coffee.

When we are busy and have a really full schedule, we actually fit more in because we are diligent about scheduling.  We make time for each task and responsibility, hopefully blocking out time for our families and fitness and sleep. We map out our days out of NECESSITY, so we can cross everything off not leaving a spare minute to doodle.

A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Samantha Ettus speak about work family balance on a panel for Hot Topics for Moms in Business. Samantha imparted us with one tiny little tidbit that stuck in my mind because it is the way I live.  “Run your life like train schedule.” Samantha dramatically changed her entire family’s schedule so both she and her husband could run their businesses and spend time with their children.

Operating on that schedule allows Samantha to fit in everything that she and her husband prioritize.  This is how I live year-round, but especially in summer.  During summer, most of us have the benfit of warm weather and longer days, which lets us squeeze in an early morning run or evening walk for ice cream with all of other responsibilities sandwiched in the middle.

I hope each and everyone of you enjoys your holiday weekend, and as it comes to a close set some goals for your summer.  Outlining both business and family goals are important.  Then, take a look at your schedule week by week and draft up a timeline for those goals.  Insert tasks in your calendar along with time to enjoy your kids, dogs and the summer weather.

Reach out to friends and other parents in your neighborhood to arrange a childcare swap, carpools, or information on local kids’ programs.  Go over plans with your spouse and partner and put it all in the schedule!

I am training for a half-marathon, and I think the discipline used in my training can be applied to business.  I have a plan mapped out with goals I want to hit and how much I need to run, stretch and rest/reinvigorate to get to my goal.  The same goes for business.  I know where I want to go, which includes how many nights I need to work to get there and how I can take the weekends off to replenish myself and my family.

I would love for you to share your top summer goal with me and how you have scheduled to make it happen!  Keeping one another accountable is always helpful!

Here is to an amazing summer for you and me both.  I hope your business rises like the heat (Don’t forget to cool off with an ice-cream).

For more on ’summer tricks of the trade for moms and dads’…read here.

Rachel