How often do you blame yourself for situations which are out of your control?

How often do you find yourself thinking -

‘Why bother trying, I’m only going to mess up again’

‘People will talk about me - I’ll be a public failure’

‘I should stop wasting my time, I’m just not good enough - I should keep to my limits’

And it goes on...

and on...

You’re so busy over–thinking, over-analysing and ‘negatively mind-reading’, that you actually stop taking any decisive action!

This 'analysis paralysis' can harm you and your business

We’ve got to stop judging ourselves

Stop benchmarking ourselves against those who we perceive are more ‘successful’

Stop worrying about what might happen and focus on what we can change

And, be kinder to ourselves!

First – start telling yourself:

I am NOT my thoughts
I AM my actions

Second – take action! 

Often taking that first step can seem HUGE, but in reality...

I’m sure we’ve all experienced it as there's so much of it about at the moment -

Impersonal…
Unempathetic...
Unwanted!

I'm talking about the plethora of unsolicited emails, advertising posts and messages that we receive for products and services that would never appeal to us.

This 'spam' exists because of bad targeting - not understanding your target audience, their ‘pain points’ and how you can provide a solution.

By defining who your ideal customer is and how to engage with them, will give you the power to one day, convert them into loyal customers.

So, before you invest any time, resources and hard-earned cash in your marketing and sales strategy – understand who your market is!

Sounds crazy, as it’s one of the fundamentals of growing a profitable business, BUT…

I’m seeing and hearing some horror stories at the moment where some businesses are getting it so wrong.

It’s a well-known fact the people will always...

Do you have difficulty in creating content which engages, nurtures and communicates with your target audience?

Does your marketing content actually ‘convert’?

Marketing can be a challenge at the best of times and constantly having to create fresh new content can be complex and challenging – especially at the moment, during these uncertain times.

‘Content is the fuel for the marketing and sales engine’

We need to keep creating and publishing it - at every stage of our marketing and sales funnel – from generating awareness through to converting leads into paying customers.

Even the stats tell us that content marketing is 3 times more efficient in terms of leads than outbound marketing.

So, if you feeling disillusioned, lacking motivation or lost for ideas, how about applying the 5E’s to your content marketing:

Engage
Entertain
Educate
Empathise
Encourage

Whether it's writing blogs and articles, filming video, or creating eBooks and...

Last week I had a meeting with my amazing accountant. I say amazing because she keeps me on the straight and narrow when it comes to my business finances. Needless to say, every business should have an amazing accountant!

Whilst starting my laptop, she strategically placed a self-branded Kit Kat next to my coffee. Logo on the front in brand colours - contact details on the back - simple, subtle and highly effective!

WOW!!! How crafty... how sneaky... how absolutely brilliant!!!

I like to call this ‘Sneaky Marketing'.

Now, before I get bombarded with comments telling me "this isn't new, it's been around for years!" - I know, BUT it's still one of the most underrated forms of engagement marketing which doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Marketing your business doesn't need to be highly sophisticated or super clever - sometimes the most simple ideas are the best! 

Just think about how you can promote your business using your regular, run-of-the-mill...

What is the one ‘thing’ that your business has, that no other business can create, copy or control?

YOU!

YOU are unique...

YOU are one of a kind...

YOU are the real deal!

And, YOU have something incredibly powerful which if you maximise its true potential - it can (and will) grow your business.

I’m referring to your ‘Personal Brand’ – the most powerful marketing and sales tool we all possess.

The intrinsic mix of your passion, values, experience, professional network and of course, skills and expertise.

Authenticity is the key factor as never before has the mantra 'people buy from people' been so relevant.

With the rapid growth of social media and other digital communications, we have become incredibly perceptive to fake, insincere, disingenuous brands, which promote one thing and yet behave completely different – this includes people!

And it goes without saying, being the true authentic...

Word of mouth recommendations are one of the oldest (and most believable) forms of marketing in the world – and still one of the most effective!

It’s not you telling the world how wonderful you are – it’s SOMEONE ELSE – which can be incredibly powerful, especially when it’s fellow professionals and customers words we trust most.

It also helps build and promote your personal brand with your ambassadors, role models and influencers.

Where to begin?

LinkedIn is one of the best special platforms for enabling this – using ‘Endorsements’ and ‘Recommendations’.

The difference between LinkedIn ‘Endorsements’ and ‘Recommendations’:

Endorsements can be given by any of your connections, including people who have never worked with you.

Recommendations are those that you either have to specifically request, or specifically accept from someone. They are about as close as...

As we slowly exit lockdown and life returns to some type of normality, are you revising or making new plans for your marketing and sales strategy for the rest of the year?

   Will it be the same as previous?

   Focusing on the same customers and target consumers?

   Using the same marketing tools and channels?

   Spending the same budget?

   Hoping (and praying) for the same results as this time last year?

If so - STOP!

Before you spend a penny more on your marketing, conduct an audit.

Far too many businesses make the mistake of throwing money at the same marketing and sales activities, not really sure what they will achieve - hoping it will go back to the 'good ole' days'!

Business has changed.

Consumers have changed. 

Marketing has changed!

Marketing can be an expensive activity for your business, so it's good to know what's working and what isn't - long before you invest your...

There’s been a common theme recently in the emails and messages I’ve been receiving from some of my clients and contacts...

‘Our website is receiving less traffic – even though we’re still posting fresh content...’

‘My LinkedIn posts are receiving fewer likes, comments and shares...’

‘Our weekly email newsletter has been receiving fewer opens and clicks...’

‘My sales have declined dramatically...’

All of which can be very disheartening.

However...

Whilst being regular and present with your marketing is still REALLY important - life has changed.

And, your target audience may no longer desire the same types of communication they previously used to like... desire – even relish!

Maybe this is a good opportunity to change the way in which you communicate with your target audience?

But how?

  Make your marketing more relatable, authentic and empathetic. 

Use scenarios, stories and real-life...

Before I begin, I must apologise in advance – I’m going to be using the ‘c’ word throughout.

I know some people feel very uncomfortable when they hear the ‘c’ word.

I know some people would much rather it didn’t exist in our vocabulary.

But nevertheless, we need to face up to it – now, more than ever.

I am of course referring to ‘change’.

There, I’ve said it!!

If you’re already feeling offended, please don’t read on.

Change occurs often when we least expect it – and it can be immediate or over a long period of time.

One thing that is for certain, business is in a period of change at present.

A period of ‘forced’ change.

We can no longer physically meet face-to-face – for meetings, group training, seminars and conferences.

We can no longer meet for a coffee, lunch or go to the pub or even share dinner after work. 

And we can no longer share a joke or some juicy gossip with our...

Cinderella...
Jack and the Beanstalk...
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe...

Reading these and other well-known stories evokes such fond memories for me – firstly when I was a child and then as a Dad to my two daughters.

I’m sure, like me, these conjure up mixed emotions for you too.

Stories can be engaging, enlightening and educational...

They can take us to another place – a different world or make us perceive and understand things differently.

Storytelling is also a powerful technique for marketing our business brand

We can craft key messages aimed at specific audiences to capture their attention and begin to build a relationship.

This in turn, forms an emotional connection – ultimately to become a customer - a happy, loyal and valued customer!

“Facts tell, but stories sell.”

One of my favourite quotes by Bryan Eisenberg.

So, whilst we are still enduring this period of lockdown, why not start thinking about your story?

How will you promote...