Doing some "Pod-Guesting"!
As mentioned last week, I normally take some time off around the Christmas holidays and 2020 is no different (at least in this case).
I often use some of that time to work on some unique content or do strategic planning for the upcoming year. This year, I will be doing some “pod-guesting” as well (see below).
If it sounds a little strange, it is just a play on words between Podcasting & being a guest on a Podcast.
In the below case, I was a guest this past week on The Round Table Talk Show with Sharifah Hardie. In addition to getting to know Sharifah herself, she hosts the panel-style show with as many as five guests. Due to the format, I was able to meet and interact with another four people as well.
Be sure to checkout to the YouTube replay below. Our conversation on the topic of Marketing pivots especially in 2020 was timely as companies are preparing their 2021 Strategic Plans.
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.
As many of us begin laying out marketing and advertising plans for 2021, be sure to evaluate your messages and materials to differentiate if you are Telling or Selling.
One big mistake that companies make is how they blend information and conversion. While both are required within your overall strategy, too many people blend them inappropriately. This ultimately leads to confusion from prospects and customers because there is not a clear expectation for what response you seek within that interaction.
Story-telling and delivery of information are required in sales. Asking for the sale is a requirement for converting leads or prospects into customers.
The problem arises when our messages are too muddled. If you are conveying product/service information or telling about a customer journey, focus on relating the details to the target. Be sure that your prospect understands the information or sees themselves in the experience of your story. Too many of us rush to “the close” which is the same as pressuring in romantic relationships.
Similarly, when you are attempting to make the sale, stop talking after you ask for it! When you have put the prospect to a decision, you are no longer in the building stage.
Most sales coaches will share: Once you ask for the sale, the first people to speak loses!
Work to be more focused in your next sales encounters. Are you Telling or Selling at that moment? Can you identify which one you are doing at any moment? Do you recognize when you are switching from one to the other?
Other Links
Google My Business: New Updates, Tips, and Tests
If you are looking to do SEO in our local market, Google My Business should be your starting point. GMB are the listings that searchers find about your business and they also serve as the basis for your participation in the Google Maps (Local) results typically highlighting the “top 3” local business results for a directed search. Get your GMB listing claimed, then begin intentionally working to build your content and recommendations.
Instagram Story Tips for a Creative Edge
Instagram Stories are a great opportunity to develop and tell a brand message for your company, product, or service. As a top-of-screen interaction, they are more readily accessible than many feed posts and, due to IG’s allowance of Stories linked long-term within your Highlights, they have a longer-than 24-hour lifespan on the platform.
More Link-building Tips
We have been highlighting link-building for the last few weeks. Google (and other search engines) uses links to communicate authority. Links to your site from sites considered to hold authority infers authority to your site. As such, a consistent strategy to acquire strong links (and monitor links earned by your competitors) is imperative.
How To Choose a Domain Name
Choosing one’s domain name is important. If you are looking to create a domain name (or business), check out this post highlighting considerations that you need to make. As the number of sites worldwide continues to grow, identifying, and branding your own space within the online landscape is more important than ever.
Niche Links
Getting More Mortgage Leads
Marketing Ideas for Loan Officers
If you are a Mortgage Originator or Loan Office, check out these two articles on lead generation. As competition continues to rise and costs to purchase from aggregators (like LoanBright) goes up, individuals and offices need to be developing their own programs to attract attention and nurture respondents.
Note: As an added bonus, check out the two videos below. Content & content development are opportunities where businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors. While often not a quick as Ads, the opportunities to attract long-term attention should not be overlooked as a part of your overall strategy.
