Tag: small business advice

Posted on in 4- Thursday - Infinity Customers, Customers, DoingInfinity, marketing, Real world, Success tips, Tribe Building

Tribeology.com – Episode #522 – Ask Why.

Grab Your Free Gift: The 5 C’s of the Infinity Marketing Machine

 

“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Henry Ford

Thursday: Infinity Customers

 

“I really like the pontoon.” Said my boat club member.

I followed up with, “what is your next favorite boat?” My member answered, “I like the boat with the cabin.”

Both were good boats, but I was really trying to figure out what boat to buy next for our fleet and this was not helping me.  It was not helping because the pontoon and the boat with the cabin were among the least used boats in the fleet… so I knew there was a problem with my question.

My boat club member had been with us a couple years and they liked to “go fast” – neither the pontoon boat nor the cabin cruiser were really the type of boats to “go fast” on…

However… after probing their answer just a little more I finally figured out WHY they liked the pontoon and the cabin boat… it’s because they both had sunshade covers!  They liked the boats because they could get out of the sun!!!

That was when we added sun tops to every boat in our boat club fleet and that is when our retention really took off.   Our customers became members and the members stick around now… we had lots of years of “one and done” and we couldn’t really figure out why until we asked them…

Now, much like our inspiration for today… had we simply asked our members what they wanted in a boat… we’d have an entire fleet of pontoon boats or boats with cabins, or we’d have a fleet of faster horses!

When in reality our customers wanted a better riding experience.  Our customers wanted shade from the sun.

It is very important to talk with your customers to find out what they want, but you really have to THINK about what they are answering to make sure you are getting to the root of their problem.  When you solve that problem you will build your tribe and create your infinity customers!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Big Money”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! Begin with my quick and simple guide to understanding the 5C’s of the Infinity Marketing Machine.  I call it #doinginfinity.  Click Here and I’ll email you a FREE download.

Infinitypreneur.com

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

Posted on in Blog content, Business owner motivation, Content, Creative, Customers, marketing, Real world, Social marketing, Success tips

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Day 15 – A World Full of Yellow Fuzzy Ducklings!

“How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it!” George Elliston

OMG I’ve brought out the cute yellow fuzzy duck.  Clearly, I’m in fighting mode.

hahaha

It’s been a rough couple weeks and I got to thinking about it yesterday.  So, hear me out.

Yesterday I was stopped in my tracks with a Eureka moment.  There as a tweet out there from our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.  He tweeted something about Father’s Day and the most wonderful thing that happened in his life was when his kids arrived on the planet.  Yeah, not those words, but you get my point.

Now… Paul Ryan is not one of my favorites… but here’s the scoop.  It was a nice tweet that reminded us of why we celebrate Father’s Day.  And you know what… a bunch of crabby know-it-all freaks hijacked his sentiment with swear words and their political view points of children/borders… you know the drama.

Here’s the deal.  GIVE IT A REST.

If he said “the best part of Father’s Day is…” followed by some statement of the political issue fine, have at it.  Comment away.

But this was a tweet about his personal family memory.  That’s it.  Something like a warm fuzzy duckling.

And that’s when I thought… people have forgotten how to be kind.  They simply think their opinion is to be shared 24/7 and it’s soooooo important that they can blurt out what ever the heck they want, when ever the heck they want.  JUST STOP IT.

It’s time to reel this experiment back in.  And here’s why… it’s spilled over into “the real world”.  People simply think they can say ANYTHING they want in the most crab-apple manner they choose.

There’s no way to even combat it.  People want to be angry and hostile.  They want to fight.  It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve witnessed.  And you know what… nothing has changed in our policies at the Marina since September 2017… but you know what did happen?  October, November, December, January, February, March, April and May!

Eight months have come and gone, so when we opened up this season… BOOM crazy, crabby, hostile, angry and in general ugly behavior has attacked!  I think it’s been brewing and growing over the past 8 months, so while we weren’t open… the anger kept going… until we opened our doors and the Ugly Duck waddled in and started hissing, spitting, pecking, and quacking up a storm!

Here’s a quick thing to remember… When you’re getting ready to send that crabby response OR yell at the counter agent at the airport… Think Kindness… think warm fuzzy yellow ducks.  You can communicate in a kind manner if you imagine yourself holding a teeny tiny little peeping ducky.

 

Posted on in 2-Tuesday - Content & Consistency, Blog content, Content, Creative, infinity marketing machine, marketing, subject matter expert, Success tips, Two Minute Commute

Episode #369 – Love Your Tribe… Back!

“Marketing is telling the world you’re a rockstar. Content marketing is showing the world you are.” Robert Rose

You know you should create original content for your followers… but you just can’t seem to get to it… well here’s your reason, your “why”, your “ah ha” moment to start creating regular content.  It’s the way you show your followers you choose them back!

You spend a whole bunch of time, energy, and money on creating  the illusion that your business has an amazing product or service.  That’s the marketing you do through all sorts of channels.  It’s your positioning.

I mean… how much time do you spend looking at ads or stocking the shelves in your store?  Lots… right?

Well, when you take the time to create original content for your followers you are actually living up to the reputation that you’ve spent all sorts of time creating.  It’s the thing that makes your vision possible!  It gives your business a personality and makes it approachable.

I’ve said it often, people want to do business with people… the original content you create is not just to provide information, but it is to build the foundation and vibe of your tribe!  It’s your opportunity to relate with people.  This ability to relate is actually your way to attract them!

When you meet someone in person there’s a whole bunch of things, both verbal and non verbal that people pick up and decide if they want to be a part of your movement.  Well, online you have your postings/blog/videos/emails… these can be used to share your personality and mission!

When you change to the Infinity Marketing Machine you are working to create a group (tribe) that loves you… the content you provide allows you to love them back!

 

Big Money Small Change Success
Character + Content/Consistency + Goals/Motivation + Customers =
Infinity Marketing Machine

PS: thanks for reading!  I really appreciate you being here.  Make sure to “like” this post… and follow me! (and please do me a favor… if you want more great ideas like the one in this post, just fill out this form and I’ll send them to you…  start here

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Action Steps
1- Choose your tribe back!  Create a post, today… that gives a little behind the scenes magic… something that makes you human.  You know… something that shows you love them!
2- Install my free app! (SmallBusinessClubApp.com)

Podcast:
Listen to Episode #369 of the Two Minute Commute audio blog Podcast

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!

Posted on in 2-Tuesday - Content & Consistency, Blog content, Business owner motivation, Content, infinity marketing machine, marketing, Success tips, Two Minute Commute

Episode #363 – Why Do You Need to Make Time for Your Tribe?

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.”― Lao Tzu

“Well… what do you think?”

About what?

About Today’s Inspiration?!?!  Have you ever said, “I don’t have time…” as an answer to anything?

Everyone has the same amount of time as everyone else.  Everyday we start on an even playing field.  It’s just that sometimes we have the huge time suck of nothingness happen that we look at the clock and say, “What time IS it… OMG!”

So here’s the deal, this is not a blog about time management or preaching the virtues of planning your day.  I can’t make you, just like you can’t make me (as I just got sucked into my Facebook feed instead of writing this. ugh!)

But this is about the importance of writing constant and consistent content for your followers.  As your tribe chooses you, you must make the effort to choose them back!  This is a very important responsibility.

The way you choose them back is by not ditching them!  They have followed you, and gosh… many have given you trust by buying from you… stop and reflect on this!  You are in business to make money and you have chosen to make this money with the relationship model. That means you do not get to choose “lazy”.

To make your Infinity Marketing Machine work you must provide content that is useful for your tribe and you must provide it on a consistent schedule.  The really good news is that there’s no recipe outside of consistent… to make the Infinity Marketing Machine successful!   That means what ever you choose will work, as long as it’s consistent!

So pick your schedule and GO!  You can always add to your schedule, just start with something that is reasonable to you… if this is once a week, pick it, but only if you can absolutely positively with 100% reliability make your contribution to your tribe!  You owe it, not to you… but you owe it to them!

Don’t say you don’t have time… your tribe has time to follow you, make sure to give them the time they crave.

Big Money Small Change Success
Character + Content/Consistency + Goals/Motivation + Customers =
Infinity Marketing Machine

PS: thanks for reading!  I really appreciate you being here.  Make sure to “like” this post… and follow me! (and please do me a favor… if you want more great ideas like the one in this post, just fill out this form and I’ll send them to you…  start here

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Action Steps
1- Decide right now to provide your tribe with consistent content.  There’s no rule, except to pick and provide.  So what’s your schedule, daily… 3x’s a week… once a week… once a month.  Again, no rules!  Just pick something you can follow through with.
2- Install my free app! (SmallBusinessClubApp.com)

Podcast:
Listen to Episode #363 of the Two Minute Commute audio blog Podcast

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!

Posted on in 1-Monday - Subject Matter Expert, Blog content, Business owner motivation, Content, infinity marketing machine, marketing, subject matter expert, Success tips, Two Minute Commute

Episode #356 – The Easy Way to Be Magnificent

“The beauty & magnificence of who you are must be found in what you do!”

Character is a fundamental building block of the Infinity Marketing Machine.  When you are creating your online community you are the brand.  I know, it might be hard to accept this, but it’s true.

Customers now do a great deal of research prior to their purchase… even if you are a “online only” business.  Your online reputation is important to building trust. Your personal messaging needs to match that of your business messaging.  For example, you would create a huge disconnect if you sell antique ashtrays at the same time your personal Facebook site shows your tobacco free writings.  You can do it, but it leaves your customers confused.

You want to create trust, not confusion.  Your trust is built with every post you create BOTH for your business and your personal brand.  As such, the adoption of a Subject Matter Expert status takes on a whole new meaning.  Because you are the brand behind the brand, you should take every opportunity to strengthen your message.

The great thing is, you have lots of control over this personal messaging.  This is why it’s confusions as to why so many people neglect this area of their online presence.  Take the opportunity to enhance your Linked In profile.  This is easy!  The more time consuming event is to create a blog.  I know… I’m writing one now!  But I’ll tell you this… it doesn’t have to be in the same area as your business.  That may seem odd… but hear me out.

I’m a former national champion at baton twirling.  I have a online app for twirlers.  No, this has nothing to do with boating but if our customers are researching me, they’ll find this info and it makes me real!

You can do this too, just find your passion and write!  Share your info with the world.  Sure it builds your Subject Matter Expertise, but it’s because you are sharing your inner magnificence!

Big Money Small Change Success
Character + Content/Consistency + Goals/Motivation + Customers =
Infinity Marketing Machine

PS: thanks for reading!  I really appreciate you being here.  Make sure to “like” this post… and follow me! (and please do me a favor… if you want more great ideas like the one in this post, just fill out this form and I’ll send them to you…  start here

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Action Steps
1- Share your inner beauty!  Start a blog… if you aren’t ready to publish… just open your Word program and write one entry… then write another… and another!  Soon you’ll be ready to share your magnificence with the world.
2- Install my free app! (SmallBusinessClubApp.com)

Podcast:
Listen to Episode #356 of the Two Minute Commute audio blog Podcast

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!

Posted on in 5- Friday - Big Money, big money, Business owner motivation, marketing, Success tips, Two Minute Commute

Episode #336 – Big Money Via Baby Steps

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

For a while, the one thing I’ve wanted to learn how to do is run a webinar.  I just haven’t done it.  I’ve learned a couple things and have tried to get more comfortable on video.  But hosting a webinar has seemed daunting.

I just haven’t done it.

Now, this morning I woke up early and checked my email. Ironically an email was present for a podcast training on how to make money without hosting a webinar.  This intrigued me.  So I listened to the whole hour long program.  There were lots of good pieces of information, all packaged with the “until you get ready for a webinar”.

I’m not sure if this host was reading my mind but it was a great message.  She actually suggested to teach a workshop and after you successfully do that you’ll spring board on the path to a webinar.  It’s a baby step.

I think this goes great with the inspiration.  I was spending a bunch of time focusing on what I can’t do instead of concentrating on what I can do.  I’ve done workshops before.  So, that’s my next adventure!  Create a workshop to host online.  I’ll keep you posted.  Join my email list and I’ll let you know when it happens.

Big Money Small Change Success
Character + Content/Consistency + Goals/Motivation + Customers =
Infinity Marketing Machine

PS: thanks for reading!  I really appreciate you being here.  Make sure to “like” this post… and follow me! (and please do me a favor… if you want more great ideas like the one in this post, just fill out this form and I’ll send them to you…  start here

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Action Steps
1-What’s the middle step to your big goal.  Quit discounting the big thing and look for the baby steps along the path!
2- Install my free app! (SmallBusinessClubApp.com)

Podcast:
Listen to Episode #336 of the Two Minute Commute audio blog Podcast

 

Posted on in 1-Monday - Subject Matter Expert, Business owner motivation, marketing, Social proof, subject matter expert, Thought Leader - Social Proof, Two Minute Commute

Episode #326 – “Toot Toot” – Make Some Noise About Yourself.

“Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will follow.” Oprah Winfrey

If you have trouble “tooting” your own horn, think about today’s inspiration.  When you demonstrate yourself as significant you will achieve significance.  It’s a nice way of opening a backdoor to credibility.

When the idea of creating a plan to promote yourself as a subject matter expert is introduced, a common response is a general squirming in your seat.  Immediately a list of “not good enoughs” comes to light.  The “there’s someone better than me” excuses are checked off.

But if you start to document how you show leadership within your business or industry you may be more at comfort crafting your message. It’s much easier to show how you can provide guidance than expertise.

When you frame your messaging in the manner of being helpful, your chances of creating a blog or “about me” page some how seems easier.

The result is the same. The information that supports your “corner of the web” is such that when a prospective customer finds it they develop comfort in knowing your a real person that has credibility.

Credibility is formed best from 3rd party endorsements, whether it’s articles written about your business or awards and certifications received.  However, you can also take control by creating a blog and sharing your information!

Now… I just said information.  If the word “expertise” freaks you out, look to the word information to provide significance.  As you provide significance to your audience they will look to you as an expert.  I’d like you to consider yourself as an expert, but until that comfort level arrives, let’s stick to significance.

Now it’s just a matter of starting with your Linked In account… take a look and see if you can enhance your profile and “toot toot” make some noise about yourself!

 

Big Money Small Change Success
Character + Content/Consistency + Goals/Motivation + Customers =
Infinity Marketing Machine

PS: thanks for reading!  I really appreciate you being here.  Make sure to “like” this post… and follow me! (and please do me a favor… if you want more great ideas like the one in this post, just fill out this form and I’ll send them to you…  start here

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Action Steps
1- Look at your Linked In profile with “fresh eyes” – take the time to enhance your awards, education, and experience.  Come at it from a mindset of being a leader or providing significance to your followers, that may be easier than the word expert.
2- Install my free app! (SmallBusinessClubApp.com)

Podcast:
Listen to Episode #326 of the Two Minute Commute audio blog Podcast

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!