The client wanted a presentation that could be used as both a trade show presentation and also as a sales CD. We created an interactive CD with a high-end intro. The CD could be given out on sales calls and at shows. We also provided the client with a show master that would loop the introduction until used to walk a customer/prospect through the rest of the CD. After a minute, if the presentation wasn’t used, it would go back to the looping introduction. View the presentation introduction
What I learned from Twitter this morning
It’s 6:49 am and I’ve been scanning my Twitter feed with CNN on the TV in the background.
I use Twitter to primarily follow web designers, application developers and SEO experts, with a small dose of news sources and random other hobbies and interests. By scanning through my Twitter feed I learn of new tools and techniques in my industry.
Here’s what I’ve learned from Twitter:
- From @smashingmag: How other digital designers are using Fireworks – (one of my favorite tools). In reviewing this post I realize there are techniques I can try that will make me more efficient in my daily workflow. The post also made me want to upgrade to CS5.
- 10 reasons why business card size matters. Some interesting design samples — it’s always inspirational to look at other designer’s work.
- From @1stwebdesigner: 10 tips for designing better infographics. Insights into making a better bar graphes, pie charts, etc. Some good pointers.
- From @catswhocode a Black Cat Rescue Shelter in the Boston area. Black cats are less likely to be adopted. People are weird. Beautiful black cat featured available for adoption. Hope he finds a good home.
- From @ZarkoCompare – Link building guide from the Bliss SEO blog. (Found the color scheme of the website hard to read)
- From @Biz: Large, slow moving plane video. (okay this one was a waste of time)
- From @CNN: Senate blocks vote on jobs bill
- From @CNNMoney: Foreign buyers scooping up US homes.
Here’s what been on TV this morning:
Gadhafi’s dead, Gadhafi’s Dead, Gadhafi’s dead… Jackson’s doc on trial. 7 billionth baby
Who do you follow? What’s in your Twitter feed?
Do a Little House Cleaning Before You Invite Guests
Most of us wouldn’t invite people into our homes unless it was clean. Well the same can be said for a social media campaign. If you’re planning on a campaign to get fans, communicate to your customers/prospects or announce a special promotion, be sure that all the tools you’re using are up to par.
I recently had a customer who wanted to get more fans on their FaceBook page and then drive them to their website. The problem was that they hadn’t finished creating a FaceBook profile and their site was sorely in need of an update. We worked with them to update these tools before the social media campaign to ensure the impression they wanted to leave was consistent wherever the viewer went.
Here are some pointers when planning your on-line campaign…
Website
- Make sure it’s easy to contact you – a phone number up front would be ideal
- Provide good content that your “audience” would be interested in
- Make sure the navigation is clear and information can be easily found
- Use imagery that gives the impression you’re going for – this applies to design and photos
- Update, update, update – give people a reason to return to your site
Social Media Page (Facebook, Linked-In, etc.)
- Create a company page to separate your personal page from your business
- Make sure your page reflects the rest of your branding
- Keep communications professional
- Don’t sell at people – establish yourself as an expert or give them an incentive to try out your product or service
- Update, update, update – give them a reason to become a fan or follower
The bottom line…before you invite people to “like you” make sure there’s something to like.
Trade Show Presentation
We worked with the client to create a presentation to be used on a 60” plasma screen. The presentation not only spoke to their many markets but also informed them of the company name change. We chose a combination of Royalty-Free and Client photos to emphasize the copy created. Since their customers produce consumer products, we chose images that reflect those markets. View the presentation.
Website Development & Hosting
Working closely with this non-profit organization, we transformed their extensive paper-based program to an interactive web-based program. The website was designed to appeal to four markets and present unique material to multiple user levels within those markets. View the site at www.careercompetencies.org.
Website Creation and Hosting
For this medical practice informational website, we created a custom look using WordPress and Genesis as the content management system framework. Visit the site at www.sleepmedct.com.
Content Rich Website with E-Commerce
This content-rich website with E-commerce shopping cart was designed several years ago. The website is maintained by the site owner and hosted by Web Savvy Marketers. View the website at www.businesssuccesstools.biz.
Custom WordPress Website Design
Custom WordPress design using premium Genesis theme framework. See the website at www.angelicregistry.com.
Blithering passwords
I imagine when the dementia starts to set in a few years down the road, I’ll just start blithering passwords. It seems everything I do is password related. Email, Twitter, Facebook, online accounts, pin numbers. Sometimes it gets to be too much, and like most people, I occasionally get a little lazy and use a weak password.
Earlier this week, I realized that someone was posting as me on my Twitter account. Unfortunately, instead of posting valuable information, they were posting links to material I didn’t want to promote, so I deleted their posts and changed my password. And hopefully anyone who follows my Twitter account didn’t really think I was promoting get-rich work-at-home schemes. The incident forced me to re-evaluate my password strategy. So now, my passwords are longer and have more *&%^ characters and will be changed more often. Below are some other practices I will follow and recommend.
Five best password practices
- Change your passwords often.
- Make them hard to guess. Use at least 8 characters in your password. Don’t use words or names, use a nonsensical set of characters
- Make them hard to find. If you must record them (and you will unless you have a better memory than most) put them in a secure location — not on a sticky note on your computer monitor. If you store them electronically on your computer — make sure they are not accessible. Lock them up whether paper or electronic based.
- Don’t use the same password on all your accounts.
- Don’t share your password with other people. Don’t email your password. If you must have your password emailed to you because you forgot it, change it as soon as you log in.
Sales for the Non-Sales Person
I was recently on a panel discussion called “Sales for the Non-Sales Person”. In preparation for the panel I was asked to come up with my top 5 selling tips. This was a challenge. Although I now embrace the role of sales, this wasn’t always the case and since I’m not a trained sales professional, I wasn’t sure what to say. Especially since my sales style is about as casual as them come.
It was when I embraced my casual selling style that I was able to clearly define what works for me. My top five selling tips are…
1. Don’t make sales calls
If you make a call thinking “I’m going to sell you something”, you’re already sunk. Think of it as an introduction to see how you can help. I changed my calling approach to this a few years ago and was amazed at how much more successful it was. The bottom line is no one wants to be sold to but are always willing to listen to someone who wants to help them out.
2. Research
Make sure you know exactly who will be interested in your product or service and be ready to explain to them why you thought of contacting them specifically. The more knowledge/interest you have in them, the more inclined they’ll be to listening to what you have to say.
3. Follow-Up
It’s imperative to follow-up with the people you’ve spoken with. Even if you call them once every three months, you’ll keep your name in front of them. If your list gets too large for a personal phone call, use social media as a way to contact customers/prospects.
4. Believe in what you’re selling
If you truly believe in your product or service and feel it’s a fantastic solution for your prospects, this will come through when you reach out to them. It’s a matter of viewing each call, visit, communication, etc., as a way to help the person you’re contacting. I know from experience that enthusiasm is contagious. Make sure you have it.
5. Be Yourself
This may be the most important of all the tips. There are many sales strategies that professional sales people use. Make sure the ones you adopt are the ones you’re comfortable with. If you’re uncomfortable making a cold call, the person on the receiving end will sense that. Perhaps networking is more your forte. Know your comfort zones and work within them.
I had to stretch my comfort zone by cold calling to get my business off the ground. For me it was the most efficient way to contact my prospects. I was terrified at the concept but when I think about it, there’s rarely a missed opportunity to speak with a stranger when I’m out in public – was this really so different?
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