I like recycling. It really bothers me if I can't find a way to reuse something. Of course, it's not always possible and some stuff does end up in the trash (preferably, the recycle bin). But if you think hard, sometimes things can be repurposed, saving you some serious cash. Or even making some of it. Here's a perfect example. Many moons ago, I used to work for a sign shop. We made everything from small placards to huge, lighted signs. I worked as a fabricator and helped wire our customers' signs. We used EMT, which is thin wall … [Read more...]
Cupcakes, Candlesticks and Content Marketing
In the late 1830's, two men were involved in different businesses. William was a candle maker from England and became well established in Cincinnati, Ohio. James, on the other hand, relocated from Ireland and apprenticed himself to a soap maker in that same town. Strangers in a new land, they might never have met. But … Fate struck a blow that brought these two men together to form a single company. They married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, daughters of Alexander Norris. The father-in-law convinced the young men to become … [Read more...]
B2B Web Copy – Why Meta Matters
I recently attended a four-day Web Copy Intensive seminar in Austin, Texas. The roster of speakers read like a Who's Who in the field of web copy and marketing. The topics ranged from content marketing to landing pages to lead generation and email auto-responders. In all, seven different aspects of online copy and marketing were extensively covered. I was there because even this old dog can learn new tricks. A B2B copywriter that doesn't keep up with new information and techniques is treading water. Eventually, he'll tire out and, well, … [Read more...]
Social Selling in the New Internet Marketplace
Today's customer is extremely well-informed because of the Internet. Far more information is available now than when I was growing up in the pre-Internet age. Content marketing is used effectively to inform and educate our prospects. But... In 2015, marketers and salespeople need to step back in time and use an age-old technique if they are to be successful. Social selling must have a strong place in their strategy. Social selling promotes the salesperson's personal brand. Personal brands are oft forgotten in the Internet … [Read more...]
Do You Really Need a Website for Success?
Bought a hammer online the other day. I had a great woodworking idea, so the first thing I did was buy an expensive, top-rated tool. It was hammer technology at its finest . . . so the ad said. The features included: Durable steel construction for strength, A patented anti-vibration handle to minimize shock and increase comfort; Perfect balance at a full 28 ounces, and Torsion control stabilizers to minimize that dreaded arm-twisting fatigue! Cool. Very, very cool. But, wait . . . here's the best part. It had a 75 percent larger … [Read more...]
Content Marketing – the New SEO Strategy
If you have a business website, you obviously want it to rank well in the search engines, particularly Google. In the past, this was pretty much done with keyword placement. It still is to some extent; however, the Hummingbird update for Google search has put those who stuffed keywords into their website copy in a real bind. Many got banned and more than one SEO company had to close up shop. Not only that, but Google is moving toward NLS or Natural Language Search. If the user has a smartphone, they'll talk, not type, and it will be in … [Read more...]