Facebook fanatic? Tweet-aholic? Mad for Pinterest? Tell Us Why!

Social media - whether you love it or hate it - is here to stay.  Everyday, it seems like a new one springs up.  First there was MySpace.  Then Facebook and Twitter.  Google+, Digg, Delicious, StumbleUpon, and Tumblr - and probably dozens more I can't even name. 

During a lunchtime meeting of my mastermind group, the subject of social media came up.  It seems we all have a favorite.  I am a huge Twitter fan.  Linda loves Facebook.  Jessie's new passion is Pinterest.  And Mike prefers LinkedIn and Google+.  What I found most interesting, though, is not that we each had a particular favorite, but that much of our reason for preferring one over the other actually had very little do with which one was best for our business.  We all use social media to help build our businesses, but few of us could actually tell which of our clients, customers, and subscribers actually frequented the same social media sites we did.  Sad, isn't it?  But it led us to an interesting research project.  Each of us has decided to use our blogs and/or websites to get some information on social media.  Something may come of it - a report or at least a blog post.  But mostly, we just want to satisfy our own curiosity.  How many others favor a particular social media site for reasons other than it's the best one for your business? 

So, here goes: Which social media site do you focus on for your business and why?  Answer by leaving a comment.  Maybe you can help coach the coaches by showing them why your favorite platform is the one we should also be using - because it's best for our businesses and not because we like the fact that interactions are limited to 140 characters!

How to Get That Link Love

I have just recently completed ProBlogger's course "31 Days to Build a Better Blog" and I am already seeing results.  The increase in traffic has been dramatic, to say the least.  And that's what inspired me to do some research to see if I could gain some further insight on gaining more exposure - and hence more readers - to my blogs.

And insight I did find!  The information I found was so helpful, I couldn't resist sharing. 

One of the blogs I read actually talks about gaining "blogferrals" or "link love".  It seems the most popular blogs are the ones with the most links.  Which just makes sense.  More links = more readers.  Check out "Would Your Blog Win a Popularity Contest?" by Heidi Richards Mooney for tips on how to get those all important links.

Incoming links are priceless, but you can also use outgoing links to help to get your blog noticed.  I used this tactic quite a bit when I first started.  And I found an article that very clearly explains how it works and how to make it work for you.  "Using Outbound Links to Improve Your Blog" by Steven Snell is a must read for anyone serious about building their own blog readership.

Did you realize that the design of your blog could cost you readers?  Me either.  Or at least not until I read "5 Ways to Improve Blog Readership with Simple Design Changes" by Tia Peterson.  Although I do think she should have stuck with her original title for this post! 

If you're new to blogging or maybe just thinking about it but haven't started yet, you must read Lee Odden's post "How to Increase Business Blog Traffic, Readership, and Community".  In it, Lee offers 5 tips designed to improve the performance of your blog.

Travis Campbell's post "10 Ways to Increase Blog Readership" give both offsite and onsite ways to build your blog community.   Here you will learn how to use blog alliances and comments to drive traffic to your blog.

We all use social media to promote our blogs.  But are you using it correctly?  If you are not sure, then you need to read this post on Technorati - "Improve Your Blog Readership Via Social Media and Simple Tips".

I hope you find this information as helpful and interesting as I did.  And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to put my new found knowledge into action!  Happy blogging!

Enough Is Enough - Or Is It?

My college marketing class taught that the average customer needed to be exposed to your product/service at least 7 times before they would decide to buy.  Years later, when I was working as a marketing representative at a biotech company, we still adhered to that rule, making sure we contacted prospective customers at least 7 times.  But never any more than 7.  Any more than that and you risked becoming a nuisance and alienating prospects. 

But times have changed.  Perhaps the internet, while making the world more accessible, also makes it harder to tell a reputable company or a reliable product from junk and scams.  Or perhaps society has just grown more skeptical as a whole.  Whatever the reason, I am finding it often takes more than 7 contacts before a prospect makes the buy from me.  Sometimes many more.

I know I am much more careful before spending my money than I used to be.  After falling prey to a couple of scammers and purchasing some outright crap online, I now make sure I do all I can to learn as much as possible about a prospective purchase before I make it.  I may visit their site or their store several times.  I may compare prices and features online.  If I am buying online I may try to contact the person or company to see if they respond.  And if I have already received multiple communications from you, you are that much further ahead of the game.

Many of my clients hesitate to make repeated contact with their market.  They are afraid they might be accused of spam.  They feel they might annoy people if they contact them too frequently.  But think about it.  I need quite a bit of time - and contact - before I make a buying decision.  Most of my customers require the same.  I'm willing to bet you do also.  So why would your customers be any different?  If you are keeping your name in front of them in ways that build value, they will welcome contact from you. 

Are you doing everything you can to keep your name in front of your market?  If not, now is the time to get started.  Design a marketing plan that includes a system for making repeated contact with your prospects and customers.  Not one time.  Not 7 times.  Not 10 times.  As many times as it takes.  Make sure you are creating value for them so you are considered a resource and not a bother.  Your market will thank you.  And that means cash in your pocket.

The Ideal Business

"What business should one concentrate on when one has several skills and experiences. The one providing the most, and immediate income, the one where there is a constant present and future market, or the others where the heart is and not the wallet?"

This question was posted recently on Boomer Business Ideas.  I was curious what other experienced business people thought and so I put the question to my mailing lists and posted it on several social networks.  The results were mixed, which is really not what I expected.  Several responses did state that they were altering their input a bit based on the fact that the individual posing the question was 60 years old and wanted quick results.  But still I truly did expect to see that most experienced business people would overwhelmingly choose the same focus.  All I did was once again prove that what is right for one person may not be right for another.

It also supports my opinion.  The best business to focus on is the one that meets your needs and will take all aspects into consideration.  I assume you are starting a business to make money.  Therefore, your choice must be something that has a "present and future market."  If you start a business that has no market, that's not a business, that's a hobby.

Your business also needs to have a way to generate some income quickly.  Again, most businesses are started to make money.  And most people starting businesses are not doing it hoping they will make some money in 2 years or 5 years.  It needs to be generating some income now!  So now you are looking for a business that has the opportunity to generate some immediate income and a market where there is continued room to expand and grow. 

This is why you also need to have some experience in your chosen field.  I have a client who makes a very good income buying and selling or "flipping" houses.  Can I do what she does?  Maybe.  But I would have much to learn first.  Putting your own skills and knowledge to work is much faster.

But wait!  Your business has to be something you are interested in; something you are passionate about.  Starting a business is work.  Hard work.  There will be setbacks and failures.  If you are not passionate about what you are doing, it will be easy to get discouraged and quit.

What business should one concentrate on?  One that you are interested in, that you have some skill or experience in, that can begin generating income within a short period of time, and has potential for future long-term growth.

This could still give you a wide range of choices.  For help narrowing it down to just one choice, and then turning that choice into a viable business, enroll in our next BoomerBiz Startup Class, starting September 16.  Registration opens September 8.  Watch for further info!    

Women Who Rock the Internet

When I first started online, the internet marketing world seemed to be mostly dominated by men.  A 2009 post of the top 10 internet "gurus" of the time included only 3 women.  But what a difference a few years makes!  Now women are claiming their share of the internet in ever-increasing numbers.  Meet my favorite women who rock the internet.

1. Denise Michaels: Denise is a marketing and empowerment expert. I have learned much about "softer, gentler" marketing techniques through her insight and I am a huge fan of Empower U Academy!

2. Felicia Slattery: Communication Expert, Speaker, and Coach. Felicia is a powerhouse who always has something to worthwhile to share. I know what she has done for my own communication skills. She can do the same for you.

3. Beverly Mahone: Author of How to Get on the News Without Committing Murder.  Founder of Boomer Diva Nation. Media and PR whiz.  This woman has done more to show me how to promote myself than just about anyone I know. Thanks, Bev!

4. Heidi RichardsMooney: Author and Coach. Online Visibility Expert.  Always has something of interest to share about social networking, marketing, and success.  Her book, Quirky Marketing Calendar, has provided me with numerous ideas for marketing my business.

5. Paulette Ensign: Who knew that a simple tips booklet could be so profitable?

6. Carrie Wilkerson: In addition to inspiring me to create BoomerBizCoach (Thanks, Carrie!),Carrie's programs, books, blogs, and tweets are always full of tips, advice, inspiration, and sometimes that little push I need.  She's amazing!

7. Olalah Njenga: Marketing strategist. Her advice on small business success is priceless.  Always has something useful to share.

8. Sandy Forster: Her book, How to Be Wildly Wealthy Fast, was the first one I ever read about how your mindset can impact your success. I've been a fan ever since.

9. Gina Gaudio-Graves: Founder of DirectionsU.com which I love. If you need help finding your way around the world of internet marketing, she can do it.

10. Kim Duke: Sales expert shares her tips. What? You're not in sales? Guess again. If you're in business, you're in sales.

11. Kathleen Gage: Internet marketing and teleseminar training specialist. There is a right way to do this stuff, and she shares it with you.

12. Heidi Caswell:  WordPress Wonder Woman!  I don't use WordPress and don't know much about it.  But I have clients that do so when I need to help them with a problem, I turn to Heidi.

13.  Mary Eileen Williams:  Feisty Boomer Woman and Post-50 employment expert. Author of 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 50.  She will help you find your next job the Feisty way!

14.  PopArtDiva:  Graphics Designer extraordinaire.  If it weren't for her designs, my websites would be very visually boring!  Yes, she does have a name, but to those of us that know her and love her, she will always be the PopArt Diva!

15. Rosalind Gardner:  Writer, blogger and, most importantly (at least to me) Super Affiliate Marketer.  I don't think I would have ever figured out this whole affiliate marketing thing if it weren't for her guidance!

Overcoming the Technology Hurdle

If you are a member of my generation, then you may be a bit technology-challenged.  I know it took me a while to learn the difference between a blog and a website, what a URL was, or how to host a teleseminar.  Sometimes it's a bit embarrassing to admit my grandchildren are as comfortable with the computers as I am.  Even the 3-year old is pretty computer savvy!  But hey!  I didn't grow up with computers everywhere like they did. 

Are you in this boat?  Are you sitting in front of your computer with a dream, a great idea, and no clue how to get started because you don't understand the technical stuff?  Are you on the verge of quitting because you don't know where to learn?  Or maybe you - like me - are just a little embarrassed to ask.  Or perhaps you are just overwhelmed.  How are you supposed to find time to learn all this technical stuff while trying to build a business, learn how to market online, care for your family, take care of your home, and still have some time for yourself?  The answer is simple.  Just like everything else, you take it one step at a time.

Step #1: Assess your general computer skills.  Build on the ones you already have and learn the ones you don't.

I am going to assume that if you are reading this blog, you are comfortable enough with a computer to use basic programs like browsers and emails.  If you are not comfortable with this, there are places to learn.  Many community colleges and senior centers offer introductory computer courses.  And the best part is that many of them are free or very inexpensive.  These courses will teach you the basic skills necessary to get started on your computer.  If you can't find a class near you, then there are books available at your local library that can also teach you basic computer skills.  If you want to invest in books of your own, I recommend the "Dummies" books.  I'm sure you have seen these.  It's a series of books on everything under the sun explained very simply.  I personally own Internet Marketing for Dummies, Marketing for Dummies, Social Media Marketing for Dummies, and Laptops for Dummies.  You can find these at any bookstore or at Amazon.com.

Step #2: Learn your way around the internet.

Once you're comfortable with your basic computer skills, it's time to move on to your Internet skills. You need to know your way around the internet if you want to build a successful online business!
This doesn't mean you need to know all the technical details of how the internet works.  I sure don't! 
But you need to understand the basic principles of how websites work, what a search engine is, what is a domain name, and how everything fits together on the Web.  I learned all this the hard way.  Too late I discovered my favorite series of books has one called 'The Internet for Dummies.'  I highly recommend you use it to learn all you need to learn your way around the internet.

Step #3: Learn to build a website.

Some people will tell you that you don't need to know anything about building websites in order to have a successful business on the internet. All you have to do is hire web designers to do it for you. I don't agree.  First, web designers can be expensive.  And as I have again learned the hard way, they can be unreliable and difficult to deal with.  You must have control of your website.  Now, you can take a web design course if you want to learn to build your website completely on your own.  A better choice is to do what I did.  First, read 'Web Design for Dummies.'  Not to become an expert but to learn enough to use a great web design program.  I use SBI!  It's a great way to build a website of your own without having to become a web design expert. 

Three steps to become technology-smart.  Now you're ready to start your business!  And I have lots of resources to help you with that.  Just go to Boomer Business Ideas to learn all you need to know about getting your business started. 

Starting a business on the Internet without any technical skills can be overwhelming. But like most challenges in life, if you break it down into steps and then take these steps one at a time, you will be surprised at how quickly you progress.

The Ideal Client

One of the first concepts I learned when starting my business was to identify my target market.  It was an easy concept to understand.  Having a target to aim for greatly improved my chances of hitting the bullseye and landing a client.  A harder concept to understand was that not all clients are good clients.  When you are just getting started, there is a tendency to take any warm body that walks through your door.  But this often results in clients who don't understand and respect the value you offer.  These are the clients you can't seem to please know matter what you do.  The ones who don't pay on time - or at all - because they weren't happy with your work.  They are rude and ill-mannered, demanding and critical.  To put it bluntly, they can be real jerks.  They are the clients you want to let someone else have.

Instead, let's focus on your ideal client.  Yes, there really is such a thing.  And they are not that difficult to find.  You just have to know where to look.  But first - you have to know who they are.

Take a look at your current clients.  Who do you value most?  Why?  Do they bring you the most business?  Do they refer you to others?  Do they understand your value and are willing to pay for it?  Do they respect you?  Do they do their part to make your business relationship work?  Do you enjoy working with them?  If this fits any of your clients, chances are they are your IDEAL client.  And by analyzing what you know about them, you can determine what type of prospect is your ideal client.  What age group do they fall in?  Are they predominantly male or female?  What types of business do they work for/what is their occupation?  What is their income level?  What is their level of education?  As you categorize your known perfect clients, you will soon have a picture of what type of prospect you are looking for.  And once you know that, it makes targeting them much easier.

If all of this sounds like a lot of work, it is.  But it's work that will pay off handsomely in the long run.  Why spend your time on the clients who make you crazy when you can work with those who are a perfect fit?  If the relationship is solid, your clients will be happy.  And happy clients lead to repeat business and referrals.  Which leads to a happier you!

Here's your assignment for the week.  Make a list of all your clients.  Rank them in order of value.  Then look at your top-ranking clients, the ones you value and look forward to working with.  Make a list of their characteristics.  Use some of the questions above to help you.  Look for patterns.  Look for common characteristics.  Look for your ideal client.