How To Motivate People To Buy

Posted: 9th November 2011 by admin in Advertising, Copy Writing, Marketing, motivation, Sales
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This is the one question that every marketer is seeking the answer to. If you know how to motivate people to buy, then you can increase your sales and your conversion rate. And wouldn’t that be good for your profit and your business?

So what motivates people to buy?

It is often said that you should give people what they need, because that is what they are going to buy. That may well have been the case once but sadly today society has changed and people no longer buy what they need.

Instead they buy what they want and what they crave – hence people struggling to put food on the table, but have a 42” plasma TV, satellite system and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

You need to pitch your product not as something they need, but as something they absolutely must have; make it so they crave your product and absolutely must get their hands on it.

People also buy because they want to get pleasure from what they buy. Someone doesn’t walk into a car dealership and buy a top of the range Mercedes because they need it; a Chevy or Toyota would have done the job just as well.

They buy the Mercedes because they want the pleasure that goes with it. Whether this is the comfort of the car, the joy of all the gadgets, or the fact that it is a status symbol – they drive a Mercedes! Whatever their reason it will be because they have associated pleasure with owning a Mercedes and so they buy one when they could have saved tens of thousands of dollars and bought a cheaper car.
Another reason people buy is because they want to avoid pain. Volvo are one of the best selling cars in Europe. Why? They are not the prettiest of cars, nor that expensive, nor are they of the perceived class of a Jaguar, BMW or Mercedes.

Volvo’s sell well because people want to avoid the pain associated with car accidents. Volvo’s are some of the safest cars on the market and as such appeal to people who want to protect their family and passengers.

These are three of the main ways that people are motivated to buy. If you can work out how to use this in your sales copy, your emails, your newsletter and your website, then you can convert more visitors into paying customers.

Identify your target market and learn their pain – what problem are you solving for them with your product?

Understand this and your sales copy can become smoking hot and you can boost your conversion rate!

Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Posted: 19th October 2011 by admin in Dreams, Live your dreams
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Since Steve Jobs passed away, most of us have learned much about his life through various media outlets.  You might of scene his return to Apple when he introduced “Think Different.” Or maybe, his commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005.  His words were simple yet very powerful.  Made you think and I like that.  It happens to us  infrequently with all of us being bombarded with thousands of messages every day.

I was going through my blog and I found a post from 2008.  It was the last lecture from Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon University professor who had cancer and was terminal. He gave this speech in September 2007.  It is about achieving your childhood dreams.

I haven’t watched the video in a couple of years and it is just as powerful today as it was three years ago.  If you get a moment, watch it below.

Have a profitably and FUN day.

*More on Randy Pausch

 

Marketing Video Production – Tips For Getting It Right

Posted: 25th September 2011 by admin in Video Marketing, Viral Video
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When it comes to using marketing video production, quality has to be good, but don’t think that means you have to hire actors and pay thousands of dollars. As a matter of fact one of the great advantages of using video to promote your online business is that it allows your prospective customers to get to know you, it takes away a lot of the anonymity of the internet, that’s why it should be all you in front of the camera.

Of course, just because you aren’t paying thousands of dollars for a professionally produced marketing video, doesn’t mean it has to look like it was made by a third grader.  You should always strive for quality video and audio as well as a smooth flowing script.

I can’t tell you how annoying it is to try and watch a video online, a tutorial style video where someone is trying to explain how to do something, and have to listen to someone who can’t run two coherent sentences together. What a waste of my time!

So, the first thing you should do is to decide the exact topic of your video. Remember, you won’t have a lot of time, most videos will only be between 3-5 minutes long. So make sure the video is very specific.

Next, write up an outline (an outline is probably better than an actual script since you want to still sound natural and honest instead of faked and rehearsed).  If you are illustrating how to do something online and you will be loading other websites, or going to Google, etc, pause the recording while you are waiting for search results to load. I know you are trying to explain things in real time but no  one wants to sit around and wait for your screens to load.

Also, make sure that you don’t give away the ‘whole farm’.  While you want to provide people with valuable and helpful information, ultimately you want them to buy your product or service so you can’t tell them everything. Just give them little tidbits of information.

Once you’ve got a great video made (great from the standpoint that the video and audio are clean and that the narration is easy to follow and on target) you will want to submit that video to video directories. When you submit the video make sure that you include relevant keywords in the title, tags and description. That way your video will get picked up by the search engines and will send a lot of free targeted traffic to your website.

Using video for online marketing is the way of the future. It’s easy, inexpensive and very effective if you do it right. It takes away a lot of the impersonal aspects of doing business online, people can see you and listen to you so it makes it easier for them to form a connection with you.  Make sure that your marketing video production levels are good. No one expects a commercial grade video and that would probably just turn people off anyway, just make it something worth sitting through.

Risks – Can be scary at times…but worth it!

Posted: 16th September 2011 by admin in business failure, Living Life, Personal Growth, Risks, Wise Words
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To laugh is to risk appearing a fool, to weep is to risk appearing sentimental, to reach out to another is to risk involvement, to expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self, to place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss, to love is to risk not being loved in return, to live is to risk dying, to hope is to risk despair, to try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

Amen!

I borrowed this from my 19 year old niece Kailey Schneemann fb post – smart young lady! Very proud of her!

Three Ad Impressions In Seven Days for Maximum Results

Posted: 30th August 2011 by admin in Advertising, Branding
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Three In Seven

Society is flooded with so much advertising that we face the danger of not being noticed by our prospective customers. Will your customers know who you are without an ad staring them in the face to remind them?

In other words are you trying to rely completely on direct response to your ads, or are you creating a broad and lasting awareness in the minds of your target audience? Without a strong attempt to brand yourself you will need to constantly advertise. By branding, I’m referring to the act of exposing prospects to your name, logo, tagline, etc. on a frequent basis, and to the extent that people are already aware of you when they are ready to purchase a product or service that you offer.

For best results a business needs to expose each prospect to the same ad impression three times within a week. By running a very strong campaign over the course of a month you can easily create a very lasting effect on the people you would like to have as your customers.

It is important to maintain continuity through use of the same logo, business name, or tagline in all your promotions so your targets are receiving the same impression with each exposure, regardless of the exact mode of delivery.

Radio and television and online video are by far the most effective means of brand creation available. These formats can be reinforced with outdoor, mobile marketing, internet advertising  or sometimes as even as an aggressive distribution of simple business cards.

You want people to be aware of your name, logo, or tagline and associate this awareness with your products and services well before they even need what you have to offer.

What can you start doing right now to see that your prospective customers are exposed to the same message at least three times over a seven-day period?

Looking for Ideas? These Websites are a Good Starting Place.

Posted: 26th August 2011 by admin in Advertising, Business Strategy, Ideas, Marketing
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A couple of days ago, a colleague of mine asked what websites I use for idea generation.  I use quite a few, but I narrowed the list to just a handful.  Here are the links.  If you have any suggestions, please send them along.  Thanks.
http://www.imediaconnection.com/
http://www.adweek.com/adfreak
http://www.adweek.com/topic/digital
http://www.creativitypool.com/#pool
http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/
http://www.marketingpower.com/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/index.html

The Pro’s & Con’s of SMS Marketing

Posted: 14th August 2011 by admin in Uncategorized
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SMS marketing (text messaging) is one of the new forms of advertising currently used by large corporations, governments and small businesses worldwide. Although this form of marketing is becoming more popular each passing year, there are always pros and cons of every successful business and strategy. There have been many successes and failures in new theories and techniques. These advantages and disadvantages are important to remember and consider before you and your company SMS test marketing the highest levels of success in your business.

SMS marketing is the new style of technology for companies to brand and advertise their products and services to millions of people through mobile phones. On average in the U.S. today almost all people over age 11 own a mobile phone. This means that compared to the styles used in internet marketing, you and your company will be able to reach an even wider audience with less competition in the advertising market.

The results of this form of advertising are amazing! Companies are being converted, as they have never seen any other source of advertising. The market for short message service is available to large companies and small businesses to build and now it’s time!

Only with any other style of advertising, there are always disadvantages that can influence a business decision. With the number one thing is always associated with SMS marketing is the complete invasion of privacy for the mobile phone user. These cut-off text messages via their mobile phones and safety of many people find that it is very disrespectful act by these companies. Although there are many people who benefit from these unsolicited advertisements, some people like many who are outraged by this form of invasion.

SMS marketing has its advantages and disadvantages like any other style of advertising that any company has to do is decide what is more for the purpose. Each company must decide which path to take, in essence, and go ahead with their plans. However, many companies find that the disadvantages are not so bad as to compensate for professionals, allowing them to continue with this new form of advertising.

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Get My Virtual Business Card and See Text Message Marketing in Action.

Posted: 31st July 2011 by admin in Virtual Business Card
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This is really the wave of the future of people sharing their business information.  To receive a virtual business card to your phone text the keyword “donmacleod” (one word – no quotes) to short code 41242. Within 15 seconds you should receive my “virtual business card.”

99% of all phones in America are text capable. The open rates on text messages are sky high. Many studies have a 90% + open rate. Google it.

Let me know if you would like a “virtual business card.” Send us a note, text or call.  Use the contact tab at the top for your options.

Have a Profitably Day.

What Motivates You at Work?

Posted: 10th July 2011 by admin in motivation, Personal Growth
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People are motivated to excel in their work for many reasons. Although the paycheck is an obvious motivator, there are other reasons. Both employees and managers should keep these in mind when trying to motivate themselves or the team:

Self-image. You are a person who does good work, and you intend to live up to your own personal standards.

The organization. The economy is stressing all kinds of businesses. We need everyone’s help to stay in the game and win. We’re not in trouble yet, but unless we want to work effectively and do work effectively, that could change in a heartbeat.

Pride. When you know you are doing well, your life is better. You leave work with a good feeling about the day which makes your evening more relaxing and interesting.

The co-worker connection. Everyone wants the respect of people they work with. When you do your part well and help others when they need it, you will be respected and valued by your co-workers.

Your future. Today’s obligations and tomorrow’s plans come together when we have an intense desire to keep the organization healthy and our jobs secure. You can’t leave that to others because it’s too important.

Progress. Though there are times when a step up the ladder seems unlikely, a better job could come your way when the economy takes off again.

Good work is remembered and rewarded. Today that reward might be the appreciation of your boss and the people you work with. Tomorrow it could be more.

Have a Profitably Day

Your Keyword Internet Marketing Strategy Is Crucial To Your Success

Posted: 22nd June 2011 by admin in keywords, Marketing
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Keyword internet marketing strategy is something you need to understand very well before you begin your online business. Everything online is geared to getting as much traffic as you can and to do that you need to know which keywords your would be customers are searching for and target those keywords.

Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? And, in reality, it’s not rocket science but before you jump in to the deep end you need to understand that more goes into good keyword research than just finding out which keywords your customers are using.

For example, let’s say you have a website that sells baby strollers. You would assume that anyone interested in buying a baby stroller would use keywords like “baby stroller” “cheap baby stroller”, “baby stroller sales”, “baby stroller on sale”, etc.

But do you have any idea how many people search for those terms? Do you know how many other competitors are trying to get their websites to rank for those terms (how competitive they are)? Do you know what other terms people may be searching for?

In order to make the most out of your keyword internet marketing strategy you need a full picture, not just an “idea” of what keywords will work and which ones won’t.

Targeting a keyword that gets 100,000 searches a month sounds like a sound strategy and a great way to make huge money. But, not so fast, if it were that easy everyone online would be a millionaire.

The problem is that the keywords that get hundreds of thousands of monthly searches also have a ton of competition. All of these other websites are fighting over that one little keyword crumb. Many of these sites have full time staffs dedicated to optimizing their website so they can rank well for that keyword. Most beginners and small online business owners simply can’t compete.

Not to worry, though, there are many other very viable strategies to follow. The simplest one is to find longer keyword phrases (longtailed keywords) and target those instead.

It’s true, they may only get a few thousand searches a month but they will also have far less competition. And, you can target as many of these long tailed keywords as you want.

So, why fight over the scraps when you can target a dozen or so long tailed keywords that are all getting a 1,000 searches a month? By using this strategy you could very realistically get about 12,000 visitors a month to your website! Not too shabby. Let the big boys fight over the other keywords while you just quietly go about your business.

Ultimately, your online business will live or die by the quantity and quality of the website visitors you get to your site. No matter what method you use to get those visitors, you will need a solid keyword internet marketing strategy. I hope I’ve shown you that trying to go after the highly competitive keywords is more work and most likely won’t net you much reward.”

Here are a couple of keyword search tools

Google Keyword Tool

WordTracker

Have a Profitably Day

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