Ideamagic's Blog

Training the trainer how to reach your marketing goals!

IdeaMagic — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:25:08 +0000

This week I have the great honor of speaking at the Gay Lesbian BiSexual and Transgender Chamber in Tucson. I really enjoy meeting new friends and seeing friends that I have not seen for a while. My dear Friend Chad Froeschke of White Space Design invited me to speak and as we sat and discussed what he believed this group could gain from my expertise, I realized that deep down we’re all small businesses and we all need the same reminders about how to help our business. I’m going back to information that I developed over a decade ago called “The Marketing Pie”. As I reviewed the content that I had developed then the only thing that has changed is the opportunity to monetize our businesses with Facebook and social media. The next question for you is, how are you doing with making money with Facebook and social media? Not so much? That’s the first thing to explore and capture as much information as you can to make that happen. Check out The National Business Experts, The Phoenix Business Experts and The Tucson Business Experts. They may have the solution for you.

What can a Marketing Expert Learn?

IdeaMagic — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:57:33 +0000

Just about the time that I think I know it all, I get slapped up the side of the head with new ideas, new ways of doing things and new directions. I thought I had a pretty good handle on social media marketing for small business and then my friends at Tucson Business Experts, Phoenix Business Experts and National Business Experts came into my life and have taught me more in a few short meetings than I knew before. I’m excited to become a “new” expert of Facebook marketing for your business. Stay tuned as I ramp up my knowledge and efforts all in the response to learning new ways of helping our businesses grow.

What We Learned About Effective Marketing…

IdeaMagic — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:29:58 +0000

…we learned in kindergarten. Yes, that’s correct! When we need to regroup our marketing efforts the first thing to do is improve the basics. Are you sending thank you notes, written note cards and personal communication to everyone you come in contact with? That’s what our Moms taught us in kindergarten. With so many communication tools available to us today, the basics are working. Incorporating that in with your Facebook, social media marketing, 100% follow-up and follow through and staying in contact with your sphere of influence. Sounds like a lot to do. It is and its crucial to your continued success.

Overcoming Loss and Tragedy

IdeaMagic — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:16:24 +0000

Its been a very difficult and emotional couple of weeks. One of my best friends, mentor and brother passed away and I have not felt like doing anything. The loss has been dramatic and life changing. How do we as small business owners pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and continue on when tragedy occurs in our lives. I have to think about “What would Dennis do?”. Dennis would feel compassion for everyone and then would move through the pain with as much gusto as he could muster. That was what made Dennis so special. He would stop and feel the pain but then would keep moving forward. I guess that’s all any of us can do in these situations. Dennis would not allow us to crumble and fall. He will always be there to remind me of that fact. Thanks for the good times, Dennis!

What’s the Next BIG Deal in Marketing for Small Business?

IdeaMagic — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:22:44 +0000

I’m not sure how to answer this question because there are so many new ways to market your business that it’s hard to focus just on one thing. I know for a fact that all of the new things cannot replace the good “old” things. The “old” things are effective networking, face to face relationship building and exceptional customer service. If you’re assessing how well your marketing strategies are working right now, look at those three first. Effective networking is making sure that you are not “selling” when you’re networking. Effective networking is laying a strong foundation for a reciprocal relationship and then building on that foundation with 100% follow through and follow-up. It seems pretty simple. You know what, it’s NOT! Try following up 100% on every call, every email and every time someone wants your time. If you want more business, that’s the first BIG Deal that should be in place.

How to Overcome Loss of Business

IdeaMagic — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 22:42:30 +0000

It happens to all of us at some point in our business. We lose a customer. Not because of anything that we did or did not do, but stuff happens! I am sitting here trying to listen to my own advice and realize that when “stuff” happens we need to get up, dust ourselves off, and get out and meet more people. It’s just that simple. Instead of being depressed, we need to be in action. Instead of beating ourselves up, we need to think outside of where we have been looking for business in the past. Business is happening right now all around us and it’s up to us to go out and grab it. I’m listening. Are you?

Renew. Refresh. Rejuvenate. Marketing!

IdeaMagic — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:45:40 +0000

Ok, what do those words have to do with marketing? Just like in our lives, we need to frequently renew, refresh and rejuvenate our businesses. What happens when we get stale and burnt out? Our businesses get stale and burnt out. Think of what you can do today to refresh the image of your business. Take a look at your office or retail space. When was the last time you deep cleaned your area and unclutter everything. It’s Spring cleaning on steroids! Take a look at your promotions, marketing, and advertising. Is it time to deep clean that, too? Assess everything and if its not working or it’s stale, remove it immediately! Look at your customer service processes. Are they crisp and alive or stale and burnt out. Are your employees refreshed and rejuvenated or are they stale and burnt out? See a pattern here? Ok your assignment is to renew, refresh, and rejuvenate everything, TODAY! Need help? IdeaMagic is here to the rescue!

Leveraging – The New Buzz Word for 2011!

IdeaMagic — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:47:12 +0000

What do small businesses have in common with large businesses? Leveraging! What does that mean? It means that many times small business owners have more influence and power in their community than larger businesses. Are we using that “power” to our best advantage? Maybe not. We go out and attend functions, charity events, business mixers and then wait for the phone to ring or the web site to increase activity. As much as we depend on technology to do all the work for us, it’s still up to us to get out and meet people. If you need more business, get out and meet more people. Leverage those connections and turn them into power. Not only for your business, but for the businesses around you.

Why should a small business use social media marketing?

IdeaMagic — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:21:36 +0000

Never before have small businesses had the same opportunity for visibility and recognition as bigger companies. It’s all because we have social media marketing at our fingertips now. Is it hard to stay on top of all the information? You bet it is! How do already overwhelmed business owners stay on top of keeping in touch? It’s all in keeping organized and clear on priorities. My priority is being the source for sources. I do that by keeping in constant contact with my clients, community influencers and new contacts. Does it pay off? You bet it does! I receive referrals, PR opportunities and visibility because of my social media influence. You will, too!

What’s Your Marketing Plan for 2011?

IdeaMagic — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:29:03 +0000

Here we are again. It’s the first of January 2011 and 2010 went by at warp speed. I’m looking back at the goals that I set forth on January 2010 and I must say, I didn’t fair too well. I had set out to write a weekly blog and that ended up to be once a month (at best). I wanted to save $1000 a month so I could purchase a car by 2011. That didn’t happen. So, how do we keep from beating ourselves up when we look back to one year ago and see that many of the goals were not accomplished? I try to keep in mind that goals are road maps to our desires. I wanted a new car. What got in the way was life. So now we want to plan 2011 and create a road map to success. Success is different for different people and the meaning of success is unique to everyone. My success definition for 2011 is to continue to provide affordable and valuable marketing strategies to everyone I work with. I want to create more health and balance in my life and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Is that going to be easy? Probably not. But my desires have to be stronger than when life gets in the way. What are your desires for 2011?