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Monday, April 14, 2008

Spring Into Marketing Savings Call

Susan Payton of Egg Marketing & Public Relations was the featured expert of this month's coaching call. She shared some updated strategies for marketing our businesses that won't cost a fortune!

Some of her tips included:
  1. Susan says now is a good time to plant seeds (marketing seeds, of course!) Although your business may not be experiencing a slow down, all the economic forecasts are warning us of a recession. So now is the time to plant the seeds, that you will harvest in the months to come. Just like a farmer.
  2. Identify your target market.
  3. Analyze your marketing efforts by keeping track of how customers find you on a spread sheet. When you get a new contact you will need to ask them how they found you in order to track this. Once you have a few months information, keep what's working and re-evaluate what's not. Keep in mind if your marketing source fits your target market and you are not getting results you may need to re-evaluate your ad.
  4. Write and submit press releases. She has written an e-book on the subject which you can find at her website eggmarketingpr.com
  5. Susan enlightened us as to what a Web 2.0 world means. It is the new means of marketing we have on the Internet now that go far beyond billboards, print ads, brochures, and business cards. Not to take away from any of those means, but to have another avenue of exposure. To exist in the Web 2.0 world you need the following:
    • HAVE A WEBSITE! In this day and age most people look for products or services on the Internet. Websites are also great as a resource for potential customers or clients you spoken to who want more information about your business.
    • Use keywords. Try to come up with at least 4 keywords per page of your website, specifically targeting words you think others would use if they were looking for your product or service.
    • Start a blog. A blog is a series of articles on your area of expertise. It helps to also have links to other websites on your blog.

Susan also told us about an e-book that she wrote called "Eating Cereal With a Fork." In this book she talks about how to get the very most for your marketing budget.

Thank you Susan for a great call. We appreciate you sharing your expertise with us!