Edition 21 - More To Be Thankful For
Interestingly, even after Thanksgiving, we should all be keeping an eye on those things for which we are thankful! Much as 2020 has been uniquely challenging, it continued this week as a member of my family contracted (and tested positive for) Covid-19.
Plans made to spend time with family had to be canceled and there was plenty of frustration for everyone.
However, even within the challenge, this list of things for which I am thankful just grew.
- The symptoms have (so far) been light for my family member.
- None of the rest of us in the house (so far) have experienced symptoms.
- We found out about the exposure (and contraction) prior to visiting any other family members especially some more susceptible and at-risk.
It is my belief that God has a plan and we often only see glimpses of it as it unfolds. While challenging, this week could have gone far worse! I am thankful that it didn’t and, if there has been a positive, it is that I’ve spoken daily (via phone) with those who I might’ve visited for a day. It is better or worse? No. It was different than how I had planned, but that’s been a blessing too!
For those checking out the book reviews, I finished The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes. My post of notes from the book is complete. You can check it out on my blog at this link. If you would like to read along, I will be starting Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi soon. Note: Book links are Amazon affiliate links. |
There are a number of great quotes from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, but this is one of my favorites. We all face challenges and it is usually in the midst of those challenges that our faith and hope are at their weakest. Ignoring the trite admonitions and warnings of miners who “stopped 3 feet from gold” or the like, it is tough to keep moving forward when you cannot see positive results.
I have historically labeled this problem the “Rule of Proximity”. It states that “Things are rarely as good or as bad as they seem in the moment“.
For fans of the LSU Tigers in January 2020, they were at the pinnacle of euphoria. They won a BCS Title on the strength of an offense led by a Heisman Trophy-winning QB. However, January gave way to the 2020 CFB season seeing LSU (having many of last year’s stars moved on) struggling mightily.
Alternatively, other teams continue to struggle on a year-to-year basis never achieving (or getting to enjoy) that pinnacle.
Interestingly, I saw a Tweet yesterday where a fan was declaring that if they’d have had their current QB for the entire year, their season would be different.
Do not do this!! It is silly to talk about what “would have happened” had situations been different or you had acted differently. It is a waste of time to deal with hypotheticals and alternate realities assuming different situations or behaviors. While Sheldon Cooper gets a laugh on The Big Bang Theory by playing “Alternate History”, there is little value to the exercise unless you are a Fiction Writer!
The only thing that you control is your response to the situation as it exists. Make your best decision and work to move forward. If you are not getting the results you want, identify how you want to pivot and move forward from there.
As 2020 winds down and we begin laying the groundwork for 2021, keep looking to the future and what you can do. Don’t dwell on what you didn’t do (or who could have been)!
The linked posts/articles section of this newsletter is going to be adapted as we near the end of 2020. Instead of a topic-based section, it will be focusing more closely on strategy topics as we approach 2021. It will include general business/marketing strategy as well as more-detailed topics targeting the niche groups that Sirus Digital serves.
How to Create an Effective SEO Strategy
How to Implement Pay-Per-Click the Right Way
SEO and PPC make up two of the main online marketing channels on which businesses tend to focus. Depending upon your specific goals, a blended approach targeting search-based (Intent) and social-based (Interrupt) techniques often produces the most effective results. Retargeting previous visitors using tools like Facebook Ads for Local Businesses serve as reminders to prospects of your brand and your products/services.
Many businesses dabble with digital marketing to frustrating results. This is an unfortunate outcome often resulting from the decision to try a single platform or type instead of developing a strategic plan (and budget) geared toward long-term growth and measurable outcomes. If you or your business need help developing some of the skills and processes, shoot me an email so we can chat.
Google My Business Suspensions
This newsletter has been highlighting Google My Business (GMB) accounts quite a bit. The growth in this program has been immense as more and more businesses are focusing on building their local attention and engagement with their market. As typically happens, high growth and momentum often serve as attractive targets for those looking for shortcuts. Google is cracking down on fake listings, fake locations, and bad actors trying to “game” their system. Don’t do this as it’s not worth it for a business looking to build for the long-term. Claim your valid local listings and be sure to identify the legitimate service areas that you truly serve.
Google Domains Review: Pros & Cons
I have used HostGator for Domains & Hosting for the last 5-6 years. I’m going to be purchasing an additional domain for use on my landing pages and have considered using Google Domains for the registration. I’ll report back on how it goes when I do.
NIche-Focused:
Lead Generation Tips for Mortgage Originators
If you are a Mortgage Originator and struggling with lead generation, be on the lookout for the companion YouTube video to my recent “Four Social Media Platforms for Real Estate Professionals”. I’ll be publishing a similar version for Mortgage Originators (and another for Bankruptcy Attorneys) this week.
Content Marketing for Bankruptcy Attorneys
Marketing for legal practices is more competitive than ever! Regardless of your legal niche, creating an overall strategy and budgeting for it has never been more important. Check out this post as you are preparing for next year.
For more ideas, check out this post from Lawyerist.com – (Legal Marketing: A Complete Guide for 2021).
If there are posts, articles, etc. that you found valuable, suggest it in the comments below (or shoot me an email).
