==> Check out Sandi’s Tele Class Series to Grow to 5000 on Your List! <==

All month we have been discussing ways to promote and be seen.  Have you put any of the tips into action?

Remember, a simple website or web page is great but not the only way to build your list.  The most important method of creating or building your list is to build a relationship.  All too often you will notice the many who join the various social networks to simply post their products or their website information.  Of course that is essential but most importantly is the relationship that is established first.  Many will speak of a person and you will then have some knowledge.  Let me explain.Think about seeking an electrician or plumber. Sure you can go through the ‘old-fashioned’ yellow pages but most of us will first ask our friends or acquaintances for referrals.

Having a business or presence online works in the same fashion. Instead of the yellow pages, there are search engines. And the referrals will come in the form of testimonials on the web page or perhaps by those you connect with on social networks.  So you see, building a relationship is extremely important when building your list.

If you are on some of the social networks, I’m sure you’ve come across the so-called ‘spammers’.  Those are the folks that will by pass the conversation and simply send out tweet after tweet of advertisements.  Do you want to be classified as such? I’m sure your answer is a resounding NO!

Instead, consider providing information that is pertinent to your target audience.  Make yourself available for Q & A, or perhaps develop a teleseminar series with information that will benefit your audience.  Those are some easy steps to building your list.  For a more list building tips consider my FREE program ==> Magnetic List Building Video Series. On these videos I share tips that I personally used to build my list so I’m sure you will benefit from them.

Enjoy and why don’t you share ways you have used or continue to use to build your list.  Part of being in a community is sharing tips and methods that have worked for you.  Share your tips below.

The last post we discussed how to create the buzz, but of course that is impossible if they can’t see you! So my question to you is this –> Can they see you?

Remember how I mentioned that a simple website is not enough. Oh yes, it’s a start but that’s not merely enough. Let’s look at how companies advertise on television and radio for that matter. What do they do to be seen? Well, not merely seen but remembered? If you watch television, listen to the radio or spend your time online, you will notice many of the logos or jingles that remind us of particular companies.Geico, has the ‘gekko’, Nike, has the ‘swoosh’ symbol, Burger King, has the actual king but more importantly they have their slogan of ‘have it your way’; notice how they are remembered?

The same applies to your business.  Can your audience ‘see’ you or more importantly will they remember you? What are you doing to make that happen.  As mentioned on the previous post, a website is essential or at least a page where your audience can learn more about you and what you have to offer. Consider a color scheme that is consistent or a logo that will instantly remind them of you.  Once you have chosen a way to be seen, then go out there and share it. Share it online, on social network platforms, forums, and share it offline.  Offline is just as important as the online world. Nothing beats the face to face interaction.

So, let’s take off the mask and go out there! Come out from behind your desk and make connections offline. Share your business with your family and friends. Make the effort to meet those you communicate with online, face to face. Most importantly develop a plan to how you will place your business in front of as many people as possible.  Saturate the market with ‘You’. No, spamming is not necessary.  However, don’t rely on a simple website.  Reach out on the various social networks, forums, radio, video, podcasting, guest posting to simply name a few.  What are you doing to be seen?More importantly ~~ Can they see you?

P.S. Some of my favorite ways of growing your audience can be found in my free videos at http://MagneticListBuilding.com – check these out for more ways your audience can ‘see’ you.

You hear about it online as well as offline, but how does it start? How do you go about creating a buzz? Creating this so-called buzz is essential in any business. Let’s face it hanging a shingle or developing a website will not instantly create traffic for you. So how do you go about creating the BUZZ?

Whether you are offline or online, some of the same principles will apply.  Unfortunately not many businesses are including their information in the yellow pages or ads in your printed newspapers {remember those?}. Those items seem to be a thing of the past although still available if you look hard enough. Instead everyone or nearly everyone is looking for uniques ways to create the buzz. Many businesses will offer a discount of some sort to create a traffic flow and some will develop contests or giveaways to attract folks. These same tactics work online as well.  However, with the onset of the internet we are now able to reach out to more people than ever before.

Of course we must have some sort of presence online, with a website or sales page or even a page on a social network platform.  Whatever your choice, individuals will still not find you without creating connections of some sort. Thankfully with the creation of social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter we are able to connect with more individuals than if we simply shared our business with the local community.  So, how are you using these networks to your advantage?

Sharing information about your business and connecting with individuals is the first method of creating the buzz needed for your business.  No blatant SPAMMING necessary and yes, it is still frowned upon.  Instead as mentioned above consider a giveaway or contest, or perhaps a discount on services.  Also promote on different networks, attend conferences and yes, simply make yourself available.

Consider your brand and make it something that will be memorable. Think of the large corporations that come to mind because of their logo, color or tagline. That is not only a very important point in the buzz creation but one that is essential in any business. Sure business cards still work, and face to face connections are best, but you want to leave a lasting impression, that will be remembered in a good way.  So how will you create a buzz that will be essential for your business?

Keep these points in mind:

• Create an online presence via website or sales page
• Create a memorable brand, logo and/or tagline
• Join social network platforms
• Offer discounts or special give-aways or contests
• Connect with those in your community and offer your services, guest posting, joint ventures
• Most importantly, no spamming
• Be creative and reach out to your target market or audience – Create the BUZZ today!

P.S. Some of my favorite ways of growing your audience can be found in my free videos at http://MagneticListBuilding.com – check those out for more Buzz-Building!

This is a question that I seem to be asking a lot lately.  To whom, you might ask?  To the many that are venturing online or perhaps have been online with their businesses but have yet to do anything.  When asked their response is a bit muffled but the end result is that they are waiting for perfection.  Ahem, perfection?

If we all waited for perfection, we would never get started!  Many will say, ‘but my site’s not quite finished’ or ‘I don’t have enough content’ or ‘I need a bit more time or experience’ or ‘My video isn’t quite right’ and ‘_____________’ you can fill in the blank.  To them I say, get up and do it!

If you can’t figure it out yourself, then find someone that can help you.  The point is that you shouldn’t be waiting for perfection.  Quite honestly it may never be perfect.  But what is imperfect for you, may seem perfect for someone else.

In order to succeed in your business or in life for that matter, you must be willing to take the chance.  Can you imagine if Steve Jobs hesitated with his ideas or worse yet, if he waited until all was perfect?  Yeah, you know where I’m going with that one!  Just do it!! For some, or for many we will learn as we go.  Ever heard of on-the-job training? Why should your business be any different.  It doesn’t have to be different, it just has to be ‘yours’.  No one can get in your head and take out your expertise, that is up to you.

You already have the knowledge on what you would like to share, or teach or sell, etc.  Instead of waiting, start today!  If you don’t have a website, start with a simple page or even a free site.  Get your feet wet and notice that you will be fine.  Connect with others online via social networks and ask questions.  Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions.  You may find that you are not alone with your fears of imperfection and actually find folks that can help you and guide you.  So, what are you waiting for?

As an entrepreneur we must learn to get out of our comfort zone.  For some that is a difficult quest and many will never truly succeed.  However, for those with a true passion, it is a MUST! Being in your comfort zone is something everyone enjoys, me included.  But, how can we ever get anything accomplished that way?  In the past articles I mentioned that folks are not necessarily looking for you, so what must you do?  You must work at being found or make yourself available to those that thought they never needed you.  Yes, some folks don’t think they need you so it is up to you to show them and tell them why they do need you.

Having a website is great and the first step.  Adding videos is essential as well.  Get out of your comfort zone and step in front of the camera.  Most importantly get out from behind your desk and share your story.  Who says that you must be glued to your computer 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week?  There are probably folks in your community or better yet, your own family that have no idea what you are trying to accomplish with your business.

If you are a writer, then share that with others.  There may be others out there struggling with their words and you can help them.  If you are a health expert, perhaps more specifically one that helps woman or men stay in shape, then share the news! Perhaps you are a great organizer or one that can develop systems; share it! You can share all these attributes online via social networks, and groups but the point is that you must share it.

It is very easy to stay in your own little box, but how will you reach the masses if you don’t share your news!  Reach out to others in your online communities and make yourself available.  Develop tele-seminar series to begin with and grow from there.  It can be as simple as recording your thoughts or advise and sharing that on your site or better yet, sharing it on a podcast or radio show where many more people will have access to it.

The entire point here is that YOU must get out of your comfort zone, whatever that may be and push yourself to places that are uncomfortable for you.  If you can’t do it alone, join groups that will help.  Perhaps all you need is a little push to show your greatness to those that don’t know you exist.  Growing your business is difficult but with these few tips you will be on your way to being found. Spread the word, it works!

Today we continue on sharing ways to promote your site, product or services.  In the last post we shared how you must make yourself be seen, and not wait for others to find you. This may be difficult for you to grasp but in today’s society we must find unique ways to connect with our audience. As previously mentioned, a blog or website is the first step but not the only step.  You can certainly connect with your audience in that medium but many more individuals want more.

Some of us can digest material in the written form, but many more are  enticed by visual forms.  Yes, I’m talking about video.  If you have been in my circle any period of time, you already know that I LOVE video.  It is the perfect way to connect with your audience. Just as folks love to be entertained by television, the same applies to video. However, we must be careful to limit our videos. Some may get carried away and produce lengthy videos. Just as you should limit your articles for fear of boredom, the same applies to videos.  You can be impactful in 4 minutes or less with practice. The main point is to keep your message consistent in all your videos.

You don’t need fancy equipment to develop videos.  A simple Flip camera, or webcam will work just fine.  The point is to get yourself out there and connecting with your audience.  Place the videos on your website and video platforms such as Youtube and Facebook. Allow others to add your video to their sites as well just as you would with articles. Your goal is to connect and have your target audience notice you.  Remember they are not searching for you, you must make the effort to find them and stay in their face, in a good way of course.

Does your target market or audience know you exist? What are you doing to reach out to your market?  With today’s technology we must take advantage of every avenue available to us.  Having a blog or website is perfect but not if your audience doesn’t know about it?

Let’s talk about publicizing or promoting your information.  If you have a blog or website, that is the perfect avenue to share your knowledge.  That is the first step.  The next would be to market your blog or website and that’s where technology comes into play.  We are all a part of some type of social networking platform.These platforms are the best places to publicize your site or your latest post or article.

In order for folks to know you exist you must make an effort to be found.  Posting on social networks and socializing on them will help in this venture.  Otherwise, no one will find you…yes find you! Instead of waiting for individuals to Find you, you must be willing to be found!

If you have a product that will set you apart from the rest, consider a press release.  The press release I mention is not only one that will be circulated online but offline as well.  Believe it or not, many individuals in your community are not aware of your products, especially if you are only sharing them online.  Don’t be afraid to move out of your comfort zone. A press release will help circulate your information into different media outlets, such as magazines and television news programs as well as online publications.  The means of exposure are limitless but only if you make the first step.

What are you doing to let others know you exist? Consider guest posting on more popular blogs or websites to reach out to others who may not know you.  That’s just the beginning.

We will explore other methods this month but don’t wait for me, share what you do to let others know you exist. Inquiring minds want to know.

In my last post – Take Your Brain to The Bank I mentioned how you can share information that you already know and build your business around that concept.  Still unsure? Let me explain.

Quite often we will have knowledge that may be second nature to us but foreign to someone else.  We may be a whiz at website creation, writing, or even a particular craft.  Others may be interested but are at a loss on where to start.  This is where you come in with the information that is natural to you.  You can actually build a business if you so desire on the information you already know.  This is what is meant by informational marketing.

On the internet, it is called internet information marketing but of course is not limited to the internet.  If you are a teacher, which actually many of us are if you have children.  You can teach others in the form of audios, videos and yes, printed format.  It is up to you to determine what YOU are best at.  Don’t search to see what others are doing and try to do the same.  Sure, you can learn and possibly because quite successful, but I’ve noticed that the ones who are truly successful are those that are sharing information that comes out naturally.  You will notice the passion not only in their voice, facial expressions but in their printed words too.  They will be able to answer question easily that may take another individual days or perhaps months to find.

So, what are you doing with the information that is in your head? First explore and discover what you will share, ask questions to determine if others may be interested, create your product and communicate or share it – do it today!

Take your brain to the bank? You’ve probably heard me say this on more than one occasion but had no idea what I meant well, let me explain.  In the internet marketing world or in the business world as a whole we as entrepreneurs search for ways to build our business or perhaps start a business.  Many will research to discover the latest trends and morph with the trends.  Some however like me, will use the knowledge that we have to build our business.  Still confused? Let me explain.  Instead of trying to learn something new to keep up with the latest trends, why not use the knowledge you already have to build a business?  Not only will it be easier but it will be noticed by the public.  For instance, if you have knowledge in the exercise field and can share that knowledge in the form of print, audios or videos that is taking your brain to the bank.

Use the knowledge you already have and build upon that, also known as informational marketing. Discover ways that you can build upon your knowledge and find unique ways to share that knowledge.  Some individuals are great teachers and can calmly and patiently take you by the hand and teach you what you desire.  Those individuals can also be classified as coaches or mentors.  They are using the knowledge they have acquired to help build their business and helping others do the same.  Just as a fitness instructor or trainer teaches individuals different exercise techniques, you can do the same.

You must first determine what target market or who your audience will be.  Once that is determined, reach out to them via social media platforms or in person if working offline.  Folks will not merely find you if you decide to start a website or blog.  You must market yourself and find them.  Once you have done that, you can begin to share the knowledge you have and take your brain to the bank.  Make sense?  Taking your brain to the bank will also help in filling your stadium.  Oh yeah, remember that?  We are developing a program that will help you do just that- fill your stadium with your target market and audience.  Details will be shared soon.  Until then, don’t try to be someone that you are not.  Each one of you is special and has a special talent that can be used to build your business.  Determine what that is and go do it!