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He Said, She Said – Vol. 3 – Blogging for Small Business
August 13th, 2009 by Todd Schnick
Hmmm, well this is the episode you have been waiting for. A little entertainment, theater, some drama, and a hearty discussion of an important issue – blogging for small business. Tonight’s question: what is the single most important thing a small business should do with it’s blog to benefit it’s business. Naturally, I think my answer is better than Stephanie A. Lloyd’s, but we’ll let you decide for yourselves!
In fact, we strongly encourage you to vote for the better answer. Please comment on my blog below or on Stephanie’s. You can also tweet your vote on Twitter using the #HSSS hashtag.
More importantly, if you have a better idea, please suggest it here. The two of us will be glad to engage in a discussion!
You can view Stephanie’s post of Volume 3 HERE!
25 Steps To Fortify Your Customer’s Brand Relationship With You…
August 11th, 2009 by Todd Schnick
I am asked every day whether a person should build a brand around themselves personally, or around their business. That question, without knowing the bigger picture, is difficult to answer.
But, to be honest, I generally lean towards building a desired brand identity and positioning around YOU. People like to buy from someone they know, trust, and have a good relationship with. Obviously, this is more difficult if you are part of a larger organization…
What you MUST understand is this: you can’t simply create a “brand” out of thin air. You have to earn it. And the market determines what your brand is, because of the reputation you have earned in achieving it. You can say you are the “customer service” company, but if your customer service is poor, the market place will determine otherwise.
That said, here are a few ideas on things you can do to help strengthen the relationship your market, your customers, and your prospects – have with your brand:
- Be honest. Always.
- Do what you promise. Always.
- Think about your customers first. With every decision. I mean every decision.
- Have all stakeholders in your organization bought into the same, consistent organizational message.
- And then deliver that message consistently.
- Think service first, selling second.
- Live your positioning. If you say you are a green company, be green.
- Give back to the community.
- Be yourself.
- Admit fault. And seek to fix it.
- Focus on the little things. They matter…
- Strive to be perfect in every way. From big picture stuff to the mundane…
- Be intrepid. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Don’t play it safe.
- Don’t embrace the status quo. You will die a slow death…
- Seek to stand out. Make it easy for people to distinguish you.
- But make it easy for people to know you.
- Be accessible. Communicate well.
- When using social media, truly engage with people.
- Listen.
- Live up to expectations.
- Be sure your marketing tells a story…
- …And pushes emotional buttons.
- Provide a strong pre-purchase customer experience…
- …but don’t forget the post-purchase experience.
- Does your product or service deliver on what you promise?
You can make a choice to do nothing, and let the branding chips fall where they may. Or you can choose to earn your brand, and make the choice to strengthen your customer’s brand relationship.
What will you choose? And what other ideas can you share?
Video is Power to your Marketing!
August 6th, 2009 by Todd Schnick
Be An Intrepid Marketer – Recommendation No. 30
Marketing is tough business these days. It is increasingly difficult to stand out. You need to find any edge you can get. Video is just one little simple technique you can use to stand out in today’s marketplace. But fair warning – this will change – and soon video will be EVERYWHERE. Take advantage of it while you can…
Here are two sample videos for Intrepid client FuegoMundo South American Wood-Fire Grill that we will use to promote on our blog and in social media…
Todd Schnick Now Co-Host of High Velocity Radio!
July 31st, 2009 by Todd Schnick
Readers of this blog have been hearing me say for a long, long time to do something exciting and different with their marketing.
Well, I have taken my own advice. I have accepted the invitation of original host Stone Payton to join him on the mic for The High Velocity Radio Show!
Stone and I have big plans for the show. We will have guests that will talk about bringing fast, innovative change to their business, who get better business results in less time, and who practice the art of CircleNomics – bringing quality relationships and profitable business into their circle.
But stay tuned as we grow and evolve this show!
So, not only do we get to interact with a wide collection of fascinating, innovative, and successful business leaders, we get to share their valuable insights with our own community. And that is the best part about it!
But what a great way to meet people and interact with them in a serious way. One could continue to cold call and/or spam people with interruption marketing tactics in hopes of getting them to respond… Or you could invite them to share their knowledge on the radio. Hmmm…
I’ve chosen my new approach. But as I’ve said, it isn’t about Stone or myself. It isn’t even about the guests on our show. It’s really about our listeners – and providing them with helpful and valuable content that helps them learn, grow and become better business leaders.
Comment below if you are interested in being on the show, or want to suggest a future guest for the show. Or use the “Ask A Question” form to the immediate right. We would love to hear from you!
Thanks Stone, for the opportunity to join you on this adventure. It’s gonna be a wild ride!
Tune in to The High Velocity Radio Show Monday mornings at 1000AM Eastern time! As Stone says, see you in the fast lane!
