Robert 's Biz Talk posts

Bet Your Car Marketing Projects

Recently, with a group of business owners I'm coaching, I gave them a challenge to take on a marketing project that they were resisting or procrastinating about. In addition, there was a consequence if they did not complete this project by a given time - usually a donation to a group they'd prefer not to donate to!

Here's the challenge: What is a marketing project that you will initiate (or complete) by a certain time? And would you "bet your car" that you'll complete it? No, I won't come and collect your car if you don't, but thinking this way really changes your perspective and often propels you into action.

Just list the project you will initiate or complete and, if you like, the consequence you will pay if you don't complete it.

Cheers, Robert

Marketing Club - First Month now for Free

After a lot of hemming and hawing and testing and head scratching, I finally made the first month of the Action Plan Marketing Club Free. You can give it a free test drive for one month and have access to everything there - a complete, in-depth Fast Track marketing course for Indies, Expert Interviews, Monthly Coaching Call and Discussion Forum. If this can't help you grow your business, nothing can!

Did I say it was free. Check it out here!

Cheers, Robert

New Group: More Clients

I've just started a new group dedicated to growing your business by taking smart actions.

If you don't have as many clients as you'd like, this is the group to join. Here's the link

http://biznik.com/groups/more-clients

Cheers, Robert

Your Biggest Marketing Challenge?

When you join the "More Clients" group, I invite you to post in this discussion first.

What is your biggest marketing challenge?

What is not working, hard for you, not producing consistent results, difficult to get around to or something you just don't understand and want to.

Think of it this way. If you had a breakthrough with this challenge, you'd attract more of your ideal clients with less struggle and effort.

I'll do my best to respond to all challenges posted.

Cheers, Robert

New Article: Shifting Business Paradigms

I've just written a new article I'm kind of jazzed about. The title is "Shifting Business Paradigms: Making Even More Money in a Down Economy."

I had several business breakthroughs in this past year that have increased my income while working less, not more. I talk about these shifting business paradigms in the article. You can read it...

At this link!

I'd love to hear your comments.

Cheers, Robert Middleton

Media and Publicity Phobia

I have a confession to make.

I've been in business for 25 years and am very successful, but I seem to have a phobia about the media. I teach people how to attract clients but the one area I'm clueless about is media and PR.

I can speak confidently in front of hundreds of people, but the thought of a TV interview makes me feel sick. I've written hundreds of articles, but I quake at the thought of a reporter writing about me and my business.

I've been interviewed a number of times on radio and it was a total waste. Those who interviewed me were, to be kind, clueless. I was featured in a magazine article years ago and it brought in a few clients. Lots of effort, not a lot of results.

My question is, what has your personal experience been with publicity and media and has it measurably helped your business?

Big wins, as well as how-to's and horror stories peppered with humor appreciated.

Cheers, Robert

Transforming Your Marketing Mindset

This is the recording of a teleclass that I did on Thursday, April 16 that I think you may find valuable.

May people get stuck in their marketing. This is a process that can help you get unstuck quickly.

Here's the link:

www.actionplan.com/tc_mindset.html

Cheers, Robert

Enrolling New Members in my Marketing Club

I'd love to get the group's input on this.

One of my main services is an online "Marketing Club." it includes, an in-depth marketing course, Expert Interviews, a monthly coaching call and other articles and resources.

The link is here: Marketing Club

The monthly fee for the club is $29 with a first month trial for just $9. This was launched at the end of October, 2008, so I've been at it 5 months and I have about 360 members.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1. What would convince someone like yourself to sign up for such a club? What would I have to include that I'm not including? What would I have to say or not say in the sales letter? What would hold you back from signing up for the Club, etc.

2. What marketing strategies would you use to get more club members? So far, I've promoted this to my e-list. I've done some teleclasses and webinars.

Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated. My goal is to get to 1000 members in about a year. That means 60 new members (net) per month.

Many thanks, Robert

Selling Powerful Solutions at a High Price in a Down Economy

In the recent post by We Can Do It, "We Lost Four Clients in a Week" the discussion was all about how to adjust your business when it's hit by the bad economy. Lots of great ideas.

I have a different question. I'd like some ideas on how people are raising prices. I recently did this very successfully by offering a one year marketing coaching program for more than I'd ever charged. I filled the program with 16 people in a couple months and my calendar will be busy for a year.

My strategy was to make a big promise (that I knew I could fulfill) and adding tons of value. It certainly helped that most of those who joined the program already had previous experience with my services.

In this economy I think it's necessary to "Think Different" and go against the grain instead of reacting out of survival or fear.

I'm not sure this is possible with all businesses, but I notice that the first response we often have to bad economic conditions is to lower our prices, or work harder instead of smarter.

One thing I've discovered that really works is to communicate, even over-communicate to our clients and let them know what's going on, what we're working on, our commitment to service, and the measurable difference this will make to them, etc. This can be done through personalized letters and emails. You'd be surprised what can come out of such communications.

Just to let you know that this is not pie-in-the sky theory, I generated about $5K in new sales today with one email to those on my e-list. No hype, just asking for their business and explaining why it was a good deal for them.

Who would like to share some strategies for offering powerful solutions and delivering big outcomes at a high price even in this economy? What have you done in your business? (or what are you thinking of doing?)

Cheers, Robert

Is Follow Up and Issue for You?

I just wrote an article on my blog about follow-up in business and the lack thereof.

My experience is that business owners are terrible at follow-up and that this really hurts their business. They either don't know how to follow up or are afraid to. Often both.

What's been your experience with this?

Cheers, Robert Middleton

How to Make Biznik More Viral

I'm brand new to Biznik. I love it and see huge potential. I'm wondering how to make Biznik more viral - that is how to get it moving in the SF Bay Area.

Are events the key? We have very few here now and I am planning to do some in the spring (when I can drive down my mountain road without hitting a fallen tree!).

I'm also connecting with many of the Bay Area members and inviting them to join my network. But I'm noticing that very few of these members are active on Biznik.

Any ideas?

Cheers, Robert Middleton

Networking from a Mountain Top

Hi everyone. I've been in business for 24 years helping independent professionals market more effectively. But for the past 6 I've been living in Boulder Creek, CA in the Santa Cruz Mountains about 45 minutes from San Jose. I don't get out much anymore!

One of my clients turned me on to Biznik today and I jumped in. I'm excited about this form of networking that combines online with in-person connections. I plan to initiate some events in the South Bay Area as soon as I've built up my network some.

I've written several hundred articles on business building for self-employed professionals and I'll be posting these on the Biznik site as well.

Please feel free to visit my web site as well. I have a several give-aways and this year I'm focusing on "The Contribution Factor" as a way to grow a business - especially in the current economy.