5 Components of Marketing Yourself

Most would agree that marketing is perhaps the most, if not one of the most essential ingredients for success in nearly every field of endeavor. Why do you think that the largest and most successful corporations spend so much time, effort and resources on marketing themselves, and attempting to create a specific and unique brand, that creates an attractive niche and compelling story? Since all of us, regardless of what we do, are involved in some sort of selling, it is important to understand what is needed to successfully market ourselves. Whether someone is a doctor, lawyer, salesperson, teacher, or stay - at - home mom, success requires selling every day. We either sell a product, a service, or ourselves, but we do sell! Since the advent and increased popularity of the internet, however, many people have abandoned the previous fundamentals of marketing, and begun to rely exclusively on the Web. However, success means using a broad - based, multi - media campaign, where we maintain a common focus throughout, in order to distinguish ourselves, thus creating a niche that develops our personal, quality, respected brand. While there are many possible components, those who seek to effectively market themselves should both understand and utilize these five components listed below.

1. Don't abandon direct mail and snail mail. There are still many individuals who prefer being contacted that way, and effective mailing pieces that enhance our brand, are key. However, cost containment requires doing this wisely, so make sure that you study the best and most effective way to use this, including your mailing list, types of piece, etc.

2. Use email and texts judicially and wisely. Under - utilization will have no impact, and overuse will strike many as a form of spam. Make sure that you use these forms when appropriate, but don't become overly reliant on them.

3. While a strong Social Media presence is wise and needed, don't fall into the trap of assuming that because you posted something here, there is widespread communication going on. The most effective usage is generally having links to compelling information, so that others will be interested. Don't either over or underpost, and remember that you must use these in coordination with the overall brand you wish to create and develop.

4. What is the feeling someone gets when they look at your Website? How easy is it to locate, and what does it say about you? Does it enhance your brand? Does the message being sent say what you are trying to communicate? Have you looked into SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?

5. Far too many individuals today build artificial walls by relying too heavily on these methods, while ignoring or nearly ignoring the all - essential methods of professionally using the telephone, and getting out and being face - to - face, with your potential constituents, stakeholders or desired audience. Therefore, it is very important to become professional in these methodologies.

Don't use one of these components, while overlooking others. Those that want to market themselves to their fullest potential, and thus get the best results, need to use the discipline to use all of these.

Just Because It's New, Doesn't Necessarily Mean, It's Better!!

With all the new technology and technological advances, many people seem to believe that because it is newer, it must therefore be better, or more enhanced. While that is true when it comes to certain technologies, there are still certain examples when newer is not better. Examples mostly include industries where technology and service are either combined, or need to go hand in hand, such as telephone service and airline travel. While there certainly have been significant technological advances in both of these circumstances, it can be argued that the overall experience has not been improved significantly, if at all. In addition, if you are in a service - industry, such as Real Estate, financial services; health services; etc, while you need to employ the newest, best technologies, it is essential, to never forget to provide the highest personal, customer/ client services!
 
1. Once upon a time, we had one telephone company which supplied our telephone equipment, maintained our internal and external wiring, and provided generally reliable service. Those classic black phones may not have been terribly stylish, but few of us even remember one of them not functioning. If we had any difficulty, we made one call to one company, and the problem was soon resolved. Today, land line telephone service is outnumbered by voice over internet services (VOIP), as well as by wireless/ cellular service. Our telephone equipment rarely lasts too many years, and it is next to impossible to find anyone to service it, and it is generally cost prohibitive to repair, so we simply purchase another telephone. It seems to me that there are far more dropped calls today, or some other static, interference, or trouble with our lines. Many people have abandoned land lines completely, depending entirely on their cell phone, but we all have experienced cell phone dead zones at one time or another. Relatively speaking, it is true that this competition and the enhancements has brought about lower pricing, but at what sacrifice. And, have you tried to get through to your telephone provider? How much of our time is wasted simply waiting to be connected with a real human being? With all the sophistications and enhancements, have you noticed better customer service, because I have certainly not?

2. In the latter part of the 1970's, the airline industry was deregulated, with the expressed intent of trying to provide more competition, and thus, lower pricing for the consumer. While pricing was immediately lowered, have you flown recently? Spirit Air actually charges for carry on bags, while almost all domestic carriers have some sort of fee for checking bags. Meals on a domestic flight, forget about it! Legroom on most carriers is almost non existent. Customer service seems almost an anachronism! Most remarkably, with all the technology, it actually takes longer on many routes today than it used to.

While technological enhancements are nice, they are not always that essential. Yes, many smart phones have lots of applications, but many of those come at some cost, either for the app itself, the data used, the type of phone needed, etc. And, no matter what cell phone or computer or tablet you have today, chances are it will be either outmoded or run of the mill pretty soon! Let's celebrate technology, but put these advancements into perspective! NEVER FORGET TO CHERISH THE CUSTOMER!!

 

6 Basics To Giving A Winning Presentation

Whether you are focused on being the most impactful and effective leader, or are involved in sales (whether you are selling a product, a service, or yourself), there will be several occasions where you need to make some sort of presentation to others. Many individuals have some sort of fear, or phobia, regarding speaking in public, and there is a need for these individuals to first address these areas, in order to permit them to overcome their fears, and step forth and transmit the needed, necessary, or required message. However, there is the need to not merely give some sort of presentation, but rather to have both the willingness and ability to give a truly winning presentation.You can use these guidelines, whether you are presenting to an individual or couple, a smaller group, or a large group. Therefore, these tips should be valuable to most people, especially those in service areas, such as Real Estate, investments, medicine, dentistry, etc, as well as anyone in sales. Here are 6 Basics to Give a Winning Presentation.

1. Before even starting to prepare to present, it is essential to learn about and know the group that you are presenting to. This will permit you to optimally relate to, and tailor your presentation to what your audience deems most relevant.

2. Do your homework, and be prepared! Go far beyond a merely surface understanding of either your audience or the subject matter. Learn thoroughly, plan comprehensively, and become completely comfortable with the subject matter (in - depth). Remember that your audience may be in a different place than you are, and so avoid assuming that they have your grasp or passion for the subject area.

3. Explain upfront (at the beginning) what you are about to present. Most listeners will better grasp what your point is when they better see what you are hoping to explain, and the logic behind your presentation. It is imperative for a speaker to get others to buy into your perspective in a manner that grabs their attention in a meaningful manner.

4. Be thorough, prepared, interesting, insightful and compelling. Avoid appearing unprepared, detached, or simply going through the motions! Break the presentation into short intervals that relate to the agenda, stay on track, avoid digressing, and attempt to make the presentation as proactive as possible, especially by eliciting and inviting participation and involvement of audience members. Always include and leave time for Questions and Answers, so that you can best serve and relate to the group and their needs/ priorities. Remember to practice and prepare for this perhaps - most important segment/ component.

5. Tell them something new (or in a different way). Very little is as destructive to the quality or effectiveness of a presentation than being perceived as wasting their time.

6. Sum up (bring the pieces together), and make them leave satisfied! Avoid making the presentation either too short or too long! End with a call to action that compels the audience to get more involved, or to want to serve in a meaningful manner. Remember that your purpose as a speaker (presenter) should be to get those leaving the presentation to feel their time was well spent.

For many people, giving a presentation is challenging, and often even problematic. Hopefully, by following these six basic suggestions/ guidelines, the process becomes a somewhat easier and less stressful one.

When Life Hands Out Lemons, Wise Men Make Lemonade!

We all experience periods of bad times as well as periods of good. Individuals who adapt to misfortunes by learning from these experiences, and somehow benefiting, are generally both the happiest and the most successful. The adage, "Life is not a bowl of cherries" tells us that not everything will always work out the way we hope, or even anticipate, and to understand that limitation in order to best adapt to circumstances.

Many people seem to enjoy complaining that life is unfair, and hasn't dealt them a fair hand. Realistically, life doesn't "deal," it simply offers us opportunities to either take advantage of, do nothing, or use poorly. There is never any guarantee in anything we do, but our "odds" of succeeding are distinctly enhanced when we take advantage of possibilities, improve our abilities, and upgrade our skill-set, rather than say, "I can't do that." Many individuals seem to prefer making excuses than taking the necessary actions to enhance skills that might be lacking (or need upgrading).

Obviously, not everyone can do writing or mathematics easily. All too many of those individuals, either due to frustration, inadequate training or education, or a "mental block," simply give up, and stop attempting to write or use mathematics, unless absolutely necessary. Others recognize their limitations, and use the opportunities offered to enhance their training, learn other skills, take training, or discipline themselves, and do to this added commitment, become "above par" in these areas.

A great example of using ones limitations, and "making lemonade when life deals you lemons," is how one might adapt to difficulty in "keyboarding." Unfortunately, many, if not most individuals, handle this "obstacle" by using "avoidance techniques," and by avoiding using the keyboard, often neglect necessary tasks and duties, such as doing school or work assignments, as well as enjoying activities that comfort with using the keyboard would afford them. The individual who wants to "make lemonade," on the other hand, would find an alternative way of handling this circumstance. One such alternative might be installing and using "voice recognition software, such as Dragon 10. In that way, the obstacle of the use of the keyboard, whether due to a physical reason, a lack of patience, or some other disruptive "force," can not only be as productive as someone comfortable with the keyboard, but in many ways even more productive. This program permits one to use e-mail, word processing, PowerPoint, spreadsheets, etc., via the use of voice commands, instead of keyboards. The programs are easy to install, and easy to use, yet, of course require the individual to become familiar with the many features to fully take advantage of the program. For example, it is estimated that someone can "type" something approximately four times as quickly using voice commands than using the keyboard. Therefore, the individual who takes advantage of this alternative is using a potential obstacle, and instead of merely complaining about it, finds "another way" to function effectively.

In many areas of everyday life, we find tons of obstacles where we have choices - - either complain and be negative, or "think outside the box" and find a better way. Successful individuals do not give up, but rather find ways to get things done. Most things are possible if one thinks positively!

What's Your Elevator Speech?

It is generally believed that the most meaningful single component that determines the potential strength of the American economy is related to the health of small business and small business people. This includes consultants, real estate professionals, accountants and CPA's, physicians and dentists, small law practices, salespersons, commissioned individuals such as stock brokers and insurance agents, etc. These are often highly competitive industries, where there is a need for an individual or small business person to differentiate himself, develop a personal niche, and maintain and develop the ability to effectively and seamlessly communicate why others should utilize his services. In other words, he develops an elevator speech, which in thirty seconds or less, whets the appetite of those around him, motivating them to ask more, and creating a mystique or aura where he sticks out in a positive and productive manner.

1. How do you interest others without appearing to simply trying to sell something? How do you make your message both compelling and interesting, showing a positive message where others not only listen and hear, but pay close attention and retain what the messenger is trying to convey? How is it possible for anyone to have an effective elevator speech unless he maintains a positive mental attitude combined with actual self - confidence? What do you say that differentiates you from the rest of the pack? Do you believe your own words? Are you capable of seamlessly promoting yourself in an impactful and meaningful manner?

2. Why is an elevator speech so important for someone to develop? This thirty second opportunity comes about often, not solely in an elevator, but in brief meetings in the supermarket, at cocktail parties, and in any social or business gathering? What is your brand, and why is your brand one that others should care about? How do you differentiate yourself? One example could relate to, for example, a real estate agent, who might be asked some version of the question relating to why one should use him rather than others. The individual who does not hem or haw, wax philosophical, get hung up on cliches or empty rhetoric, and simply claims he'll do the best job for them, will rarely attract much positive attention. However, on the other hand, the individual who clearly and without hesitation states emphatically that while there are many real estate agents available, and even confidently states that many of them do a decent job, avows confidently that they lack one key ingredient that he possesses. Therefore, each individual must ponder what makes him different, unique and someone others need!

Think about the impact of your elevator speech! Does it motivate others to care more, think more, and understand why you are someone they should seek out and do business with?

Do You Effectively Budget Your Time?

Do you discover that you often have difficulty getting accomplished what you had hoped to achieve during the day? Are you often overwhelmed by the volume of things you feel you need to do, and then disappointed when you don't get them done? When introduced to a new idea or task, is one of your first thoughts that you don't have any time to do anything more? We must all take to heart the adage that both the wealthiest and most successful individuals each have the same 24 hours in their days, but the difference is how effectively they utilize their time. Isn't it interesting that so many people realize the need to manage their money and other aspects of their lives and careers, but neglect focusing on themselves and how they can achieve more and be far happier (and less stressed) simply by paying attention to how they manage and utilize their time. Time management means creating a time utilization action plan and adhering to certain specific disciplines:

1. Focus on you and what your true needs are: Are you as happy and content as you'd like to be? Do you feel fulfilled by the end results and what you can accomplish? Do you get done as much accomplished during the course of a day as you'd both like and need to?

2. Discipline: Are you willing to do what you need to do in order to develop more efficiency, and to do so habitually? Will you introspectively examine what process you are following, and commit to do things that enhance both your efficiency and effectiveness? Since we all know that some people are able to get more things done than others, doesn't it make sense to use a different approach or techniques?

3. Vision and goals: Time management begins with knowing and focusing on your priorities and what you wish to accomplish. Commit to following the adage of, "Don't sweat the small stuff," and focus on your goals.

4. Action plan with contingencies: Analyze what needs to be done, strategize, and create an action plan that you follow. This plan must pre - plan contingencies, or what is often known as having a backup plan or Plan B. By seamlessly do so, you become better able to manage your time efficiently.

5. Learn how to multi - task: Use even small intervals of downtime to begin to plan additional aspects or items you wish to get done.

6. No blame of others or yourself: Blame never achieves anything, is non - productive, and wastes time. Focus on what needs to be done from this point on, and on who might have done better in the past.

7. Can't change past, or even the present: So, pay attention to what you'll do from this point forward, and stop wasting time and effort on negative energies.

Nearly everyone can do a better job managing his time. Why shouldn't you do that for you?

Is Your Goal Drive, In Neutral, Drive, Overdrive, or Reverse?

While much has been written and discussed about how essential meaningful goals and goal setting are to one's potential for achieving success, much less has been said about how our attitude and approach dramatically impacts our eventual results. We need to introspectively examine and evaluate what gear we are in when we strive to reach these levels. Some individuals appear to do nearly anything they can to merely tread water, thus preferring their personal equivalent of neutral gear, taking few risks, and achieving their own level of mediocrity. Others push their personal gear to drive by focusing and aiming in a forward direction, even if they do so slowly and gradually. More motivated individuals generally place their efforts into overdrive by funneling their efforts in a proactive manner, and are generally superb planners and contingency planners. Of course, those individuals that are generally considered either more negative or less ambitious get stuck in reverse and rarely progress, often continuously slipping backward in a less than stellar manner.

1. Are you satisfied with merely putting your efforts into neutral and taking no risks? Are you dominated by your fears, or do you realize that those who focus on taking no risks generally are risking the most, because they rarely become capable of keeping up when they need to evolve, and fail to do so? How can anyone ever achieve or even seek progress towards meaningful goals if they refuse to be proactive in that quest?

2. It's rarely enough to merely place your effort into drive because that will generally only tend to keep you from slipping behind. This gear is the equivalent of a partial effort, because it is less than completely focused and thus rarely helps one progress forward.

3. Greatness in terms of goal achievement or even true pursuit means you must put yourself into overdrive and put forth a concerted effort in your desired direction. The individuals willing to do this stress effective planning, and realize that it is rarely sufficient to only make basic plans, but that achieving means being prepared for contingencies by also formulating meaningful and well developed backups, as well.

4. Far too many individuals end up being forced into reverse because they spend so much time running around in circles, often without focusing on important and meaningful goals. When this occurs, the individual often will lose ground in a counterproductive or even, unproductive manner.
What is your goal, and what gear are you in? Do your hopes and wishes coincide with the actions that are driven by the gear that you put your efforts into?

It's your life, and thus, your decision! What you decide is best for you, and what you are willing to do! Will your goals and dreams force you to expand your comfort zone, and go into overdrive, or are you satisfied, where you are? It's up to you!