Posts Tagged ‘online marketing’
Just the FAQs is Expanding
I’ve been very quite on the blog for a little while, but for a good reason. Just the FAQs is expanding! I’ve been working on an extension of the site that will focus on Web site design and training for new users.
The new extension will feature:
- Site themes for download
- Training classes to get you up and running quickly
- Site design advice and how to choose one that works best for you
- Tips to avoid expensive mistakes
- How-to blog posts
- Podcasts with design experts and advanced users
- And so much more!
Be sure to check back in often for announcements on the launch. Or, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for immediate notification.
You can also follow Just the FAQs on Twitter.
The Valentine Secret to Writing a Business Profile
One of my favorite NPR shows is hosted by Diane Rhem. Recently, she interviewed folks who were connected with several online dating services. Her guests included Nancianne Sterling, who is the founder and owner of TargetLove.com. Ms. Sterling specializes in helping folks write an online dating profile that reveals top qualities and gets responses.
One of the observations that Sterling made was that folks tend to describe themselves by filling their profiles with a list of generic adjectives such as: honest, dependable, and caring.
She stated that if everyone used these words to describe themselves then those qualities would no longer be unique. Instead, she suggested that creating a brief demonstration of those qualities would have more impact. For instance, a man could include a statement such as the following: I’m the guy you would call at 2:00 a.m. to come change your flat tire.
According to Sterling, such a statement shows compassion in action. It also demonstrates that he is a dependable, caring, enduring, and tolerant person. A demonstration statement delivers a vivid picture to the reader and helps them easily connect and identify with you.
That’s exactly the kind of connection you want to make with your clients.
You can use this online dating profile tip to help you market your product or services. For instance, if you offer a how-to series or helpful tips and state that they are easy to use, who considers them easy? One of the tag lines for Just the FAQs books is that they are written for non-geeks, which helps the target audience immediately identify with the product. The profile statement connects directly to the reader and demonstrates that it meets their need.
Another aspect of profiles that Sterling sited was that they often don’t convey the very best attributes of a person. When she read profiles that her friends had posted, she knew that they were omitting endearing traits. So, she offered to write profiles for them.
You can use this trick to show off your skills too.
Think of it as writing a profile for your best friend. You would be excited to tell others about them and all the wonderful things they had to offer. Excitement is contagious. If a potential client gets excited about what they read on your site, they are likely to tell someone else about it. Word-of-mouth is the best kind of promotion and makes products go viral quickly.
The profiles that Sterling writes are intended to get responses. Think of this as a conversion rate. Give your readers a reason to read more or to buy your product or service right away. As Sterling states on her site, “In the business of sales and marketing, traits do not sell products, but rather, it is the power-packed words describing a product’s benefits that trigger an emotional response and, ultimately, a purchase.”
Promoting Your Blog and Profiting From it – Podcast with Dana Lynn Smith
There’s a reason marketing expert, Dana Lynn Smith is a regular guest on Just the FAQs Podcast. She delivers top-notch books and advice with real-world guidance, tips, and strategies for successful online promotion. Our topic for today’s podcast is How to Create a New Blog or Upgrade and Revitalize Your Existing Blog.
In this podcast we’ll focus on Promoting Your Blog and Profiting from it. We’ll also talk about why blogging is such an important promotional tool and how to do it effectively.
If you haven’t done so already, listen to Part 1 of this series, which covered Planning for a Successful Blog and Setting It Up as well as Part 2, which covered Creating Compelling Content and Adding Sidebar Features.
This podcast will also include a link to a special resource page
with freebies and goodies mentioned during the show!
If you’re an author, artist, musician, wanting to share your passion with the world, or an entrepreneur or small business owner wanting to increase your Web presence, this is the show for you!
Listen to the new podcast now!