marketing (437)

What are we selling?

Greetings everyone!

My introduction and understanding of legal marketing came from a criminal defense attorney who took a risk hiring someone with no legal marketing background.

The first question he asked me on my first day was, “What are we selling?” I had not a clue. I told him legal services and then he said. “Hell, I went to school seven plus years for people to already understand that.”

The mood in his office was serious, he was not laughing. Then calmly he stood up, motioned me with his right arm and said, “Come walk with me.” We ventured just outside the office door and then he asked me to tell him the exact number of solo lawyers on this block alone. Didn’t know what to say, I saw six, but he made me feel like it was a trick question. His demeanor was stern and all I could see was his eyebrows extending towards me as if there was static in his brows. I just wanted to take a dryer sheet to his brows. I finally told him six. There are six firms on this block alone. He explained, “We each have a law degree and are members of the Bar association and are qualified to practice law. What sets each of us apart is our ability to generate confidence from the community and the public in general. Some of us are able to and others are not, just as any business. What we are selling is confidence."

He asked did I have any questions, passed me a book on guerrilla marketing and told me to read the first three chapters and tomorrow we would discuss them. Out of everything he taught me over four years, that day was the most important. When you are asked what are you selling? Whether you sell a product or service remember you are really selling confidence.

It is always a blessing to share, Dream your World!

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What is your competitive edge?

Greetings everyone!Developing your competitive edge is a must. I am a true guerrilla marketer just the same as most, however what has made me unique or stand out marketing for the legal community is my ability to adapt using media software creatively. I have spent years developing my edge to survive in the industry. There are numerous docket runners and legal marketers in my area in the same business who are creative when it comes to guerrilla marketing, but it is that edge of creating something our competitors cannot offer keeps us going. My competition are other legal marketers.My use of software and informational content are my edge in the industry. Keep in mind people do not buy features as much as they buy benefits. Marketing benefits is the key to gaining paying clients.If you fall and scratch your knee, it may benefit you to get a product that helps heal the wound on your knee. People seek out benefits, then browse or shop for the features. One product may feature an antibiotic creme, another may offer the feature in an easy no mess tube. Benefits usually come before features. When I market using how a service can truly benefit the desired target audience in a format unique from others I have created marketing a product or service with a competitive edge. For example, you have likely seen attorney TV commercials, newsletters, brochures, direct mailers or billboards. Now, how many of those commercials have you seen or heard the statement, "We will work for you" or " If you are hurt on your job, call the law office of ________"? Where is the edge, the uniqueness.?I learned quickly to market quality, not quantity which is another competitive edge rule that when followed, generates paying clients. A lot of "prospects" do not equal paying clients. It may seem as though you are not making progress when you market quality in the beginning, but your bottom line and what you receive in return will prove fruitful in the future. Quality is about planting seeds and preparing for the harvest. Quality marketing is marketing where your products and services benefit.What is your edge? What makes your product or service different from other products and services just like yours? I developed skills, along the way, that I can confidently add to my resume because of adapting and developing my competitive edge. See some examples below of how keeping up with technology has helped me expand into other areas.These are examples of wedding vendor sites: Mir-A-Co Designs and Elegant EventsWhen I created my Ning social network I wanted a unique banner so I designed from scratch this interactive banner: SweeThorn flash bannerYour edge will create business longevity. Create your edge today.It is always a Blessing to Share, Dream a World
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OK... these are tough economic times; everyone you know is probably watching their daily spending and cutting back wherever possible. Can we really start an online business in these hard times? YES..WE CAN!To begin with, internet startups have low overhead and startup costs, thanks in part to inexpensive, yet robust e-commerce software and services on the market. Your new business can be set up in a home office and attended to at night and on weekends, allowing new entrepreneurs to keep their day jobs. In addition, most entrepreneurs can set up their online business in less than one weekAnother reason an internet business can be lucrative even in a down economy is that online shopping is growing. During the first quarter of 2008, revenues generated by online-based business were $32.4 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—a 13.4 percent increase from results for the end of 2007. In general, e-commerce is THE bright spot in the retail world todayWhether or not the economy is bad, here are some of my best practices to keep in mind when opening an online business:1. Have a NICHE/Focus on a SPECIALITY Category: We’re essentially competing with big box retailers when entering the online retail space, so be sure you offer great CUSTOMIZED service2. Offer Innovative MARKETING Technology: An innovative referral program (Buyer A refers Buyer B to your company, and you give Buyer A a discount) helped to build my customer base very quickly Remember: Always make it “convenient” for your customer to keep coming back3. PRICING: Even if you are selling “niche” products, always keep pricing a priority Understand that small online businesses are never going to compete with the big box retailers on pricing, but there’s always a promotion or value-added program we can offer that helps customers deflect that (takes their minds off of pricing).Remembering that a unique product, an innovative marketing technology and promotions definitely help customers deflect prices are extremely important business strategies during a recession because people have less discretionary money to spend. All entrepreneurs should focus on strategies that keep their customers coming back....again and again, and again~SatinDolle“If It Is To Be...It Is Up To Me ”
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Monmouth Junction, NJ-September 25, 2008( WomenPR.com) WHB Consultants is a multi-disciplinary firm dedicated to providing fresh and effective marketing tools to clients. Whether providing web, graphic or marketing services, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality deliverables. We believe that one size does not fit all and we stay true to this belief by really listening to what our clients have to say and implementing strategies that are unique to their needs.Priscilla Wiggins (Co-Founder) launched a full service marketing firm, WHB Consultants, to assist small to medium sized companies increase revenue and visibility. Given the current economic climate its now more important than ever to implement smart and targeted marketing initiatives.It's no secret the right marketing strategy has the power to increase your bottom line by selling your company's image, reputation, brand, or product to potential clients. But with so many companies and so many stories, the challenge for many firms is to simply get noticed. WHB knows one of the most effective ways to gain visibility is to implement a targeted marketing program.With the capability to implement a wide range of marketing initiatives from direct mailings to website development WHB prides itself on our ability to give our clients the one on one attention they need.Contact:WHB ConsultantsPriscilla WigginsPhone: 270-348-5195Fax: 704-967-0268info@whbconsultants.comwhbconsultants.com
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Free Marketing Tool

I've recently been introduced to a free marketing tool called DesktopLightning.DesktopLightning.com is a viral marketing tool.- They use the term viral because it is easy to circulate and the membership grows exponentially. Don't worry, it is guaranteed to be virus free and has no adware.I've been using it for several weeks now and I have no complaints. It is a great way to communicate with others and to build your marketing list.check out: My DesktopLightning Page for a full description.It is primarily designed for people who have something they want to promote or advertise.If you don't have something you want to promote or advertise yet, it still may be a good idea to sign up and build yourself a marketing network now, so that you can advertise to it later.Once you've brought some people into your network below you, they will start building their own networks. This process will continue 15 levels deep.Then, you'll be able to send broadcasts right to the desktops of everyone below you, promoting or advertising whatever it is that you want to promote or advertise.Don't worry, it's non obtrusive and free!
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Have a Plan for Promoting Your Business

In a tough economy like this it's critical for small business owners like us to have a "promotional plan." The only way your business will stand out from the competition is if you purposefully work at raising the profile of your company. The only way you will do that consistently is with a plan.Here are some quick "affordable" tips:1. First, make sure you have a marketing plan that indicates who your target market is, what you unique selling point is (the advantages of your firm over the competition) and the kinds of tactics you want to employ to raise your profile (those tactics might include some or all of the following points). Also include a timeline in your plan and measurements that you'll employ to determine if what you're doing is actually working!2. Launch a media relations campaign since that's the best free exposure that you can get. Generate a list of media that your target market reads/follows; include in that list the names of the reporters/editors/producers who cover your particular issue at various media outlets - from newspapers, to radio and TV programs, to magazines.3. Do some research and identify the top 5 business/web 2.0 networks where your clients are likely to be found...then JOIN and participate in discussion in those networks. Make sure you offer helpful, useful information and not just promotions about your service or product. If you hate it when you get bombarded with someone's promo for their business, trust me others (like me) will hate it too. So don't do it. Be giving, supportive and savvy with your business and your time.There are many more tips that I can offer, but those are a few to start off a discussion on this topic for now.Have a great day ladies!Sharon
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1CCU Eco-Elite Event Planning

Creative Concept Unlimited Inc. offer an innovative and unique Green event planning package called Eco-Elite.An "Eco" Elite Event also known as a Green Event is an event that takes into consideration the environmental impacts of the occasion as well as the social effects. This includes everything from transportation, marketing material, to catering and travel. Let 1CCU plan your Corporate Event from start to finish leaving your conscious clear and our environment safe. We follow 10 key factors to design a complete Eco-Friendly Event. Eco Elite Events helps differentiate your company from the others. It shows your commitment to the improvement of our environment and will make you stand out as a leader in your industry. 1CCU guarantees it will be Eco friendly and Elite!1CCU specializes in Green Weddings as provided with or Eco-Elite Wedding Package.Eco- Elite WeddingsAn "Eco" Wedding is a wedding that includes everything from rings, transportation, wedding dresses, invites, to catering and also inclusive of the honeymoon and travel. Let 1CCU plan your wedding from start to finish leaving your conscious clear and our environment safe. We follow 10 key factors to plan your special day. 1CCU guarantees it will be Eco friendly and Elite! Making a wedding “Green” is not as difficult as it may seem. I have outlined 10 Key “Green” planning concepts that can be implemented to make your special day wonderful for you and even better for your environment.The VENUEChoose a natural setting like a botanical garden, beach or a beautiful park rather than a huge hall. You can exchange vows in a romantic setting under the stars, or by an amazing ocean scene.The MenuExplore booking top culinary chefs that will prepare a delightful, succulent variety of organic foods that will incorporate all aspects of fine green dining, from farm raised entrees, to bio-degradable dinning décor.The DÉCORSpeaking of décor not only can you find caterers that incorporate bio-degradable items in their service; you will find that there are also many companies that provide recycled event décor items.The INVITATIONA great option for invitations for the perfect Green Themed wedding will consist of recycled paper and to take it one step further you can have them printed with biodegradable corn-based ink or an even better and more modern day option is to send a sophisticated and exquisitely designed Electronic Invitations (e-vites).The GIFTS/FAVORSThink outside of the box and get creative by giving your guest an Wedding Day Eco-Bag filled with a variety of eco-friendly gifts like luxury Eco-Spa items, Personalized Organic Tea bags, and Elegantly Engraved Mini-Pots with a packet of Plan Seeds to symbolize the seed of love planted on the day of your special union.The TRANSPORTATIONEvery bridal party wants to be transported in luxury and style. With today’s Automotive Companies taking a conscious approach to preserving our environment and producing a large number of fuel efficient Hybrid vehicles, they have made it a point to remember the most important vehicle for a bride and groom, the limousine. Believe it or not there are many companies that provide luxury hybrid limousines as well as luxury cars for the wedding party.The RINGSOf all the pieces of jewelry a woman will own in her life, her wedding ring is the most important and holds the most meaning. Consider a jeweler that sells diamonds that are certified conflict-free. You should also consider bands that are created with recycled metals. I suggest you visit Brilliant Earth at www.brilliantearth.com; they are the leading provider in conflict-free diamond jewelry. Brilliant Earth also donates dedicates 5% of their profits to local communities that are affected by the diamond industry.The most important - The DRESSChoosing that perfect wedding gown is one of the most emotional and most important purchases of woman’s life. Choose a wedding gown that is made from natural fibers as well as your wedding party.My last recommendation is The WEDDING COORDINATOR/PLANNERIn order to fully design and plan the perfect reality of your Wedding day Dreams and also incorporate the fundamentals of an environmentally safe wedding, I suggest that you enlist the services of a professional Wedding Coordinator to ensure that your wedding is not just eco-friendly but truly represents the fantasy that you have always dreamed of for your special day.888.327.1794Copyright © 2008 1 Creative Concept Unlimited, Inc. All rights reserved * www.1creativeconcept.com * Cynthia Minor President/CEO
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The Flood Gates Are Open!

banner_orange_468x60.pngThe moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived!WebProsperity is NOW officially launched and tens of thousands of marketers are about to join this amazing tidal wave.To participate, please rush to the link below and lock-in your position. If you signed up during pre-launch, you must activate your membership or you will lose your position!Click Here To Join and Activate Your Membership!You will need to enter your WebProsperity username that you used to sign up in the Pre-Launch phase.Please make sure you have a Visa/Mastercard credit/debit card or an AMEX card. These are the only currently accepted payment methods.With over 100,000 signups (yes, we signed the 100,000th person this morning!) in the Pre-Launch phase, this is guaranteed to be the biggest and best launch in the Internet Marketing history. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.If you’re sitting on the fence, get off the fence. Don’t wait. Jump in right now.Stay humble. Be aggressive.See you at the top!Michelle
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New Year, New Services

I trust that you have had a great start to 2009, are forming new, productive habits and ready to charge the world!We've made a few changes at MizzEllaneous.com for the New Year. I'll share them with you here:PrintingWe now offer print services - business cards, post cards, book marks, flyers, posters, yard signs, brochures, etc. Discounts on our design services if you print with us as well.WebsitesWe are no longer doing full on HTML websites. Truth is, those projects never seem to end. Instead we will be producing websites in the following formats:CMS (Joomla)CMS - or content management sites - allow clients to make changes to their sites without disturbing the site's structure (provided their instructions are followed). Very similar to the free versions of Yahoo and MSN sites, but with a lot more freedom. You can also add your own newsletter system, complete with captcha, opt in and opt out functions. starting @ $900ECommerce (ZenCart)If you have a need for an online store, without the extra charges that other providers charge you for each transaction on top of your PayPal/merchant account, this solution may be for you. It has an integrated email system and customer management right there. starting @ $900CMS and ECommerce are programming heavy and rates include up to 40 hours. Also includes domain name, email address and hosting for 1 year; updating manual. Based on schedule availability.Starter SitesThese sites are HTML/php based but 1 (one) page, up to 350 words and 4 pictures. 50% better than "site cannot be found" or "this site coming soon" messages. You can also have a 4 field email capture form on that page, so that potential clients/customers can join your list and be notified when you fully launch. $125 includes domain and email for one year.Ning BlingSounds corny but... if you're networking on Ning to promote your business, why not have your Ning page match your website, business cards, post cards and brochures? You can get this done here - and we're also giving away 4 more customizations. Need to see it? Check out Events of a Lifetime by Telli. The first 100 people to sign up by January 20, 2009 will be eligible for $7 customization.That's about it in a nutshell! You can also talk to us straight from our ning page - you don't need a Yahoo account, just type and send. We look forward to hearing from you and all you're doing in 2009!Rikkiwww.mizzellaneous.com
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Moms wanting to work from home

Hey moms:Are you looking to generate some extra cash at home with the kids? I am accepting applications for the next 25 moms who are. In addition, you will get free holistic business coaching with me free of charge for this limited time offer.In addition, you can receive $300 Free Gas Certificate for an Entire Year!Be on of the next 25 moms to contact me and submit an application and receive a free trio sample gift set!Apply today at www.earnextraspincome.comDebbi Patrick - Holistic Business CoachMy office: 641-15-3900 x58223#
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Low Cost Mini Media Marketing

Greetings!When working with low or no marketing budgets, I find it highly effective to take full advantage of mini-media marketing. It goes hand in hand with my belief to market where the fish are plentiful and the fisherman scarce.Sometimes you can’t get around what things are. It is what it is! Marketing for the legal community using mini-media marketing carries the image of a check advance cash business where the bricks are painted neon yellow and red. So please understand, mini-media marketing may not be for all businesses, depends on your target audience and professional image you created for your business. My clients are just starting in their professional careers or launching their private practice. Most will become standard marketers after about a year. It is good to explore most forms of marketing to know what works best for you.Mini-media marketing is canvassing, writing personal letters, posting signs on bulletin boards, passing out or distributing flyers/circulars, on-hold marketing and marketing by phone. Standard marketers rarely or never use mini-media marketing and conventionally fish where the fisherman are plentiful and the fish are scarce. Mini-media marketing requires attention to detail and a rigid marketing schedule. Production costs are low, however management of your mini-media projects are time intensive. Marketing on a low budget and low production costs do have a price and that price is time.Start today, develop your mini-media marketing campaign. Write down exactly if you will distribute flyers, post signs, or community market. Now that you know which mini-media strategies you will use, design the collateral, flyers and signs according to your target audience. For your campaigns to be effective schedule all projects. Make a note on your project calendar who, what, where, when and why about your mini-media marketing event. Everyone should understand the purpose and intent of the event and it should be timely. This is a guerrilla marketing strategy and at least two strategies should be implemented daily. Make yourself visible! Repetition is the Mother of invention. In this case start building share of mind with your target audience.Our mini-media marketing project to promote our social network begins today. Follow our tight schedule on twitter.Always a Blessing to Share, Dream your World!
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Happy New Year To Everyone

Hello I would like to say Happy Happy New Year to all you hard working ladies out there. Its about 14 mins til 2009. I want to say thanks to everyone for making me feel welcomed, and giving me all of their postive support. In the New Year its all about getting more wisdom and learning everything I possibly can to take me and my team to the next level. Its not all about us just making a quick buck or wasting other peoples time with some get rich quick scheme or some lame cashgifting program. I don't think so, that is not how we fly...we reach our goals by keeping it real and and learning as much as we possibly can, through books, cds, and weekly phone calls also meeting up with one another from time to time (8 min. til 2009). Im so happy and feel so blessed to be here in this industry for the New Year. Have a blessed New Year. (4mins til 2009)I have so much Im going to share with everyone and I wish you all the best for 2009.
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The Velvet Rope Theory: Screen your clients?

Greetings!Imagine you are invited to an exclusive party. You arrive and stop at a beautiful velvet rope between two brass poles. A young lady asks you for your name, you give it and one end of the velvet rope opens for you to enter. You passed the screening. The exclusive party clearly is something the host knows you would benefit from and enjoy.It is absolutely divine to work with clients you enjoy. It makes the work you produce better and promotes superb mental and emotional health for you personally. Having great relationships with clients creates a quality of life that extends to all areas of your life. When you work with clients who are not ideal for you, at some point you’re going to create a conflict, whether intentionally or not, because you’re going to be frustrated with those clients, and those clients will think you’re not providing them with good service and they’ll be right. I’ve made that mistake many times. I’ve worked with over thirty criminal defense attorneys over the years and personally found only two that I bend over backward for.I did not screen any client in the beginning. I should have asked the right questions. All business relationships must be equally yoked and all parties must be of like mind. This is especially true for the nature of the business and venue I provide services to. We are virtual assistants and have contact with our clients on a daily basis. There is a wise saying, “All money ain’t good money” a true saying I personally learned the hard way.There was a time I worked with five attorneys or law offices simultaneously and not one of the firms were a fit. It is awful when you hate going to work for yourself. It should have felt rewarding to have clients. It should have been a blessing especially then. Never have I had so many headaches as I did at that time. What was causing this stress? It was not the work. I enjoyed marketing. It was who I chose to do business with. It is draining and exhausting working with challenging client-relationships.We are dedicated screening our clients now. It is not elaborate; we simply take the time to talk with potential clients over coffee or lunch. Character, willingness to fight for clients, and humble egos is what we look for.This approach may not be best for your business, but if you have more challenging client-relationships than enjoyable client-relationships, it may be time to introduce the velvet rope theory.Always a Blessing to Share, Dream your World!
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Hey Guys,Happy New Year!I just wanted to share a tip that I got a couple of weeks ago from WillieCrawford. If you don't know who Willie Crawford is, just Google him andyou'll see that he's all over the internet. The man is an internet marketinggenius!Anyway, back to the tip. He shared with me one of the top strategies heuses to get massive amounts of subscribers to his list. You've heard thatphrase "the money is in the list", right? Indeed it is!This strategy is shared at my blog, go tohttp://whoisdanawilliams.blogspot.com/2009/01/heres-big-list-building-tip-i-learned.html to read all about it.
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Direct Marketing Keys

Greetings!One of the most important thing in marketing is knowing who your target audience is. How do you gain potential buyers, listeners, and readers? It is through share of mind. We have all heard the saying, "change your thinking and you will change your life" this is more than a saying it is so true. Understanding your audience makes the difference to your success.The key to direct marketing is trial/error, repetition and PATIENCE. Patience enables us to have a realistic expectation of who the audience is and what that audience will favorably respond to. Think about how long it has taken to cultivate your skills. How many days and nights of studying did you invest to receive a degree or rehearsing before reasonably confident about performing to a live audience. What you are doing or have done to cultivate your skills is "DEVELOPMENT". Personal, social, and now marketing. It takes longer to develop your marketing (for longevity) than it will developing everything else. Direct Marketing requires patience and commitment to gain share of mind.Know your target audience. Often the audience we think we should target, is so NOT. You will only know this through trial and error, repetition and the primal key is patience.Lisa Henry
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What is GUERRILLA marketing? Re-Post

Greetings!Marketing concepts change very fast, however the heart and soul of guerrilla marketing remains unchanged. The first rule of this strategy is to have the ability to adapt. Guerrilla marketing uses creativity, imagination, and not traditional marketing in the least. Ones who market traditionally usually are very well funded and have fat budgets and resources. My legal marketing clients usually are just out of law school or have no resources at all. I learned these tactics the old fashioned way through on the job trial and error.The first thing I learned quickly is to build an informational database on all prospective clients. A prospect is someone who maybe in need of your products or services. Grocery stores do it on a regular basis. Here in the south most everyone has a Kroger Card from Kroger Grocery store. You give the check out clerk the card to swipe to receive rewards and a percentage off your purchase. It is great!! Now with your consent the grocery store is compiling information about your purchases. If you buy Cherrios, then they may send you Wheaties or another grain/oat cereal coupon in the mail. Wheaties may be paying the grocery store a little more for shelf space.Database marketing is an effective guerrilla marketing tool. It is gathering information and using it creatively and legally to promote your products and services on a very low budget. Start your database today. It is a revenue generator for any business. I have used dBase, excel, and access. The most effective platform I have used for staff convenience is on www.WebExOne.com, an online web office service. I can move to any office or location and have realtime benefit.Any questions about guerrilla marketing, message me or join today!Sincerely,Lisa Henry
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So you want to be a Rainmaker? Re-Post

Rainmaker may refer to* Rainmaking, attempting to artificially induce or increase precipitationo Rain dancing, a ceremonial dance that is performed in order to invoke raino Cloud seeding, dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nucleiThe “Rainmaker” is any person who attracts and establishes long-term business relationships with clients and/or desirable contracts. It is not enough to create a marketing plan and pay attention to your marketing only Mondays and Thursdays. Becoming a rainmaker takes willingness, persistence, patience, and the ability to accept and mold to change. It requires evolving your state of mind and continually building your staff through constant business development. To build anything worth having requires work.Rainmaking does require a ceremonial dance. Establishing business relationships of respect and confidence with your target audience and local community is a ceremonial dance, a journey of building trust that you will do the work they are paying and entrusting you to do.Bringing business in the door that surpasses financial expectations is awesome, however it does not indicate a “Rainmaker” Once the client or contract chooses your services, does your work live up to the expectations that were presented by you or your staff? Business development should come before a marketing plan is put into action. Poor service does not a “Rainmaker” make.So you want to be a rainmaker? The next question I personally ask myself, when I’m tired or must work with obstacles is, “What are willing to do to get what you say you want?” You cannot skip or ignore the dance if you want rain. You can change the style of the dance, the tempo, or the venue but rainmakers dance.Becoming a rainmaker is a journey, whatever business you are in. Setting goals, working your business vision everyday and adapting to change are necessary to become a certified “Rainmaker”It is always a blessing to share. Dream your World!
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About the Way I Market

Greetings everyone!When I first began my business, I was a rogue marketer marketing out of necessity. The law firm, I was the marketing manager for downsized. The attorney had practiced over 25 years and gearing to retire. The entire marketing department, eight employees were laid off or re-organized. I needed to generate income to pay bills. Years later my circumstances have changed, I no longer wear the label of a rogue marketer however I still must generate income to pay bills. In my beginning I chose guerrilla marketing strategies because for me it worked. I read many books about marketing traditionally and know the strategies they talked about are sound and effective. The biggest drawback for me about traditional marketing was the time needed to generate profits and also traditional marketing required money to invest in it. I did not have the time or marketing investment money required for traditional marketing. I was working against a 30 day cycle. Every 30 days you must pay where you stay. As Neo in The Matrix would say, “Time is always against us”Over the years I received serious criticism about marketing on one wing. I was advised from many that you must develop your business before marketing it, and you must park your website before it is fully developed. The advice was correct. Flying on one wing has its limitations and so not the “right way”, but it has advantages also, like being able to pay where you stay.For me it seemed an excuse not to pursue my business because of lack of time and resources. It has not been a crystal stair, but I would not change my walk of faith beginning.An idea or vision is only great unless it is acted on and you must start somewhere. If you don’t act on life, life will act on you. I ask myself daily, what are you willing to do to get what you say you want? I continue to dot my “I’s” and cross my “T’s” always striving to develop into a business that will fly on four wings.If you have created a concept or business, begin thinking of ways to market your business or services creatively. Testing and refining your marketing are important keys. It is a process of commitment to your dream and idea. Review the history about successful businesses and you will find out just how much flying on one wing they did in the beginning. One successful motivational speaker, Les Brown had humble beginnings, Google it.Now think back on your local or community beauticians, insurance agents, auto mechanics, soul food restaurant, lawn care service, etc: remember if they started preparing hot meals from their home, fixing cars in the back yard, or coming to your home to braid or style your hair. All mentioned would not fit into the category of traditional marketing or the “right way” to market and do business.Now that I think about it guerrilla marketing definitely chose me!Always a blessing to share, Dream your World!www.LisaHenry.org or Lisa@LisaHenry.org
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Databases build Client-Realtions!

Greetings everyone!Marketing effectively on low and no budgets requires a humble attitude and knowing and understanding what you are against. No one wants to waste time with people or businesses cash flow poor or seem to be going nowhere. Many minds will be closed to your services or offerings. Notice I said MINDS. (One must have a willing mind to receive and accept.) Your attitude task is to help prospective clients in any way possible, offer your assistance, if they allow you, expecting to receive nothing. A willing mind must accept you and clearly see that your circumstances are temporary, that you are temporarily without cash and start to believe in the services you provide. This is where database marketing is crucial to your business. The most important word in guerrilla marketing is DATABASE.Keeping a record to track clients, prospective clients, and important deadlines is a must. It keeps you in tune with your clients’ needs. A satisfied client normally is great for spreading how wonderful you are.Businesses are different and have different needs and uses for the information collected. You will have to decide how, when, and where this information is structured to benefit your business. I will use my experience only for an example.When I first became marketing manager for a criminal defense law firm many moons ago, I immediately noticed that the information that the firm was paying someone to gather was not being used to its maximum. At that point, I had over ten years of commission sales, sales management, and management experience. I knew that the firm’s bottom line would increase with a few adjustments. Never had I seen a group of people fight change before on any marketing job, especially when profits may increase. After about a year of fighting, I finally did not include the staff, I set-up the database and began using it. One Monday morning, the attorney came to my office closed the door and said, “Show me that thing. We took in five cases this weekend.” The irony of it, the business manager gave everyone a raise that year including her raise, but me. I didn’t complain to the attorney because it was his name on the door, he caught me as I was leaving one day and handed me a bonus. I received a bonus every 90 days after.The information that the firm was paying to receive was now being tracked. I was able to track trends and properly prepare successful campaigns for popular arrest charges that occurred in different areas of the state. We were able to track who was coming to the county jail possibly to pick-up indictment papers or just been arrested. Usually most picking up indictment papers had already retained counsel and if not, the attorney knew then that a payment plan probably was not possible if they called the firm. The database also helped to increase revenue on some cases. Before a prospective client was allowed to speak with an attorney in the firm, their information could be immediately verified while they were currently on the phone. Sometimes a prospective client had separate cases and charges in other jurisdictions and the information was flagged. The attorney was able to ask the client if he needed representation on those cases along with the one he initially called about. The information that our attorneys could share with prospective clients immediately cemented the attorney-client relationship.This is just a little information about the power of database marketing. It is important that you create one for yourself and your business. Your needs will be different. I created a prospective database for every product or service I sold or represented from furniture, prestige cosmetics, and had a database for district managers, whether they were my manager or not. Helped me keep up with the politics of the businesses I worked for, equally important. A humble attitude and a well organized database are solid building blocks.One more thing, gather database information yourself to insure integrity. I know there are great information brokers and lead lists out there, however, how many of your competition purchased the same list? The more competition, the more time and energy you spend on courting prospective clients. Working a watered down list is time management suicide, especially for attorneys.Always a blessing to share, Dream your World!www.LisaHenry.org or lisa@lisahenry.org
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