Into The LimelightWritten by Steven Van Yoder
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On any day, there are thousands of speaking opportunities available to small business owners who take time to seek them out. To find an available podium to promote your business, contact clubs and groups in your community that conduct speeches and workshops. If you have a good topic that is relevant to their membership, most will be happy to hear from you. Middleton sends each group an introductory package. It includes a cover letter naming other groups that have sponsored his presentations, a biography, a short description of his suggested talk, and comments from those who have attended his seminars. Middleton now conducts three to five such presentations a month, tailored to individual audiences. Virtualize Your Expertise Have you noticed that many high paid, respected professionals publish information materials? You can establish expertise, generate additional income and develop a compelling brand identity by developing books, booklets, e-books, audiocassettes, special reports and other information products based on what you already know. CJ Hayden began life as a professional coach ten years ago in San Francisco. After years of delivering her "Get Clients Now" program to local audiences, she franchised her ideas and took them to a national marketplace. "I trademarked name, taped a workshop, and wrote a 50 page workbook. I created an "out of box" package so others could produce my program on their own." The success of her "brand extension" strategy even helped her land a book deal to publish Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals and Consultants The best strategy is to create synergy between your products, services and reputation. Send information products to prospects. Use them for "back of room" sales at speeches and workshops. Boost your profile by promoting products in articles, press releases, and at networking events and trade shows. Also, list your products in catalogues and directories of trade associations, book clubs and business groups. Keep It Going Investors know that best returns go to those who are patient. Not every article, speech or workshop or information product will make your phone ring off hook. But, if you are consistent, you will develop an expert reputation that will help you land new clients and customers while making your business a recognized and reputable name in your marketplace.
Steven Van Yoder is author of Get Slightly Famous: Become a Celebrity in Your Field and Attract More Business with Less Effort. Visit http://www.getslightlyfamous.com to read the book and learn about 'slightly' famous teleclasses, workshops, and marketing materials to help small businesses and solo professionals attract more business.
| | Keyword EffectivenessWritten by Scott F. Geld
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Be 'Buyer' Keywords should therefore be thoroughly researched and carefully selected. Think how your target buyer would think when using a search engine to find products & services you are selling. For example, if you are selling lawnmowers, keywords a buyer may use could include brand of mower, region of country/state they are located in and words like 'buy' and 'shop'. It is quite likely that you will come up with a long list of potential keywords to use, and this will need to be reduced to around a maximum of 10-20. To help you select keywords, use programs such as those found on http://www.overture.com to check on a keyword's popularity. The more popular a chosen keyword is then more likely it is that it will bring you results you want.
Scott F. Geld is the Marketing Director of MarketingBlaster.com, a company providing targeted traffic and leads: http://www.MarketingBlaster.com
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