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The Three Marketing Musketeers
Robert J. Smith, BBA, MBA, MFA, Ph.D., is a business consultant and founder of Robert J. Smith Productions and Smith Profits.
In the 1948 film The Three Musketeers, starring Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, Van Heflin and Vincent Price, the IMDb logline reads, “D’Artagnan and his Musketeer comrades thwart the plans of Cardinal Richelieu to usurp King Louis XIII’s power.” Lucky for us, we don’t have to thwart a political uprising with brilliant swordplay. We merely have to beat our competition with proven marketing. Thankfully, just like D’Artagnan, we have three musketeers by our side. Those three marketing musketeers are LinkedIn, the media and the internet movie database (IMDb).
Those three marketing musketeers are the very same three that helped us improve our networking efforts in my previous article, “Network Like Your Business Depends On It.” Now that we’ve improved your networking efforts, let’s leverage those gains. By definition, let’s use those newfound gains to your maximum advantage.
Leverage your upgraded LinkedIn credibility.
How much have you already been able to increase your LinkedIn social selling index since reading my most recent article? Where do you rank in your industry and network now?
Your upgraded credibility on LinkedIn will help you make more and better connections. As stated in my previous article, my LinkedIn SSI ranks me in the top 1% of my industry and network. Yes, I’ve worked to maintain those rankings with media additions to my profile. It’s never enough for your marketing efforts to reach optimal performance; your marketing efforts have to stay optimized.
With a polished profile, I’ve been able to make many gains recently, such as locating a quality graphic arts team, for which I had been searching for quite some time; received a book publishing offer; received quality referrals for my company’s services and more.
While that may look like luck, I’ve found that the harder we work, the luckier we get.
Hopefully, you’ve seen vast improvements in both your industry and network rankings by improving your profile through the media that you’ve been featured in over the past month. If your media relations were handled properly, you’ve gained visibility in all major TV networks through hundreds of affiliates from coast to coast and border to border. Hopefully, you’ve completed at least one live television interview or podcast over the past month and featured it in your LinkedIn profile as well.
If you haven’t seen vast improvements in your SSI, here’s how you can improve your profile to quickly make those gains:
1. Your LinkedIn profile serves as your landing page for potential connections. Make sure it closely reflects your brand.
2. Your name should reflect any professional designations or academic degrees you would like featured (e.g., MBA for business analysis or MFA for creative work).
3. Make certain that your images are clear, and use them to give your audience some insight into you at work.
4. Use your company slogan as your headline if you have one. If not, simply create a compelling headline that lets readers know what to expect from you and your business.
5. Rather than “YourCompany.com,” consider a hyperlink to your site that gives prospective clients a reason to visit (e.g., “Increase profits with Smith!” with a link directly to your site).
6. Create a custom LinkedIn URL. Detailed instructions are found here.
7. List publications, projects, volunteer work, etc.
8. If you haven’t yet received any recommendations, provide them to others. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how well the law of reciprocity will work for you.
Leverage your upgraded media credibility.
As our company website states, “Profit begins with PR!” I don’t recommend that anyone discontinues their business advertising. Our advertising did very well for us when we wanted to get off to a fast start. Now, however, we rarely advertise our services. There are four reasons for this:
1. We’ve created systems that provide us with a steady stream of never-ending referrals. If your business provides products and services that exceed customer and client expectations, you should be able to do the same. I certainly hope that you do.
2. We leverage our media credibility with every one of our hard-earned referrals, and you can do the same with yours.
3. Our public relations efforts have virtually eliminated our need to advertise. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to remember the last time that we ran any advertising.
4. We leverage our media credibility to earn even more media appearances for ourselves and for our clients. You will find this to be the case for both you and your business if you haven’t already.
Leverage your upgraded IMDb credibility.
In “Network Like Your Business Depends On It,” I shared the fact that your podcasts, television and film appearances (more on how business executives may acquire these in a future article) can qualify you for your very own IMDb profile, which will add to your credibility. I’ve picked up plenty of business as a direct result of my IMDb profile. Hopefully, you have as well. If you haven’t set your profile up yet, what are you waiting for? Your competition won’t create it for you.
As you learned last month, professionally created and well-written IMDb profiles can help improve Google search rankings and positioning. Hopefully, your IMDb profile has already earned you and your business No. 1 Google search rankings. If your listings have not reached No. 1 yet, you can work toward those rankings. Hopefully, you have at least reached the coveted “front page” of Google searches.
We all know that the majority of people who Google search products and services never leave the front page. In fact, the majority of people never leave the top of the front page. That’s where all the click-throughs are. Human behavior dictates that most people will never take the time to even look past the first few results. As an example, how often do you scroll down to the bottom of the front page? How often do you look past the front page — if ever?
Put these three marketing musketeers to work for you in your business. Watch your customer/client base, your sales, your revenues and your profits grow as a direct result. Cardinal Richelieu never had a chance against The Three Musketeers. Your competition won’t stand a chance against you, your business and the three marketing musketeers either. As Alexandre Dumas penned, “All for one and one for all!”
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
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12 Proven Methods to Make Money Blogging in 2024
This is a contributed article.
The world of blogging continues to thrive in 2024, offering a compelling avenue for creative minds to share their knowledge, build an audience, and even turn their passion into profit. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting, there are numerous effective strategies to monetize your blog and achieve financial success. Here, we delve into 12 proven methods to make money blogging in 2024:
1. Embrace Niche Expertise:
Standing out in the vast blogosphere requires focus. Carving a niche allows you to cater to a specific audience with targeted content. This not only builds a loyal following but also positions you as an authority in your chosen field. Whether it’s gardening techniques, travel hacking tips, or the intricacies of cryptocurrency, delve deep into a subject you’re passionate and knowledgeable about. Targeted audiences are more receptive to monetization efforts, making them ideal for success.
2. Content is King (and Queen):
High-quality content remains the cornerstone of any successful blog. In 2024, readers crave informative, engaging, and well-written content that solves their problems, answers their questions, or entertains them. Invest time in crafting valuable blog posts, articles, or videos that resonate with your target audience.
- Focus on evergreen content: Create content that remains relevant for a long time, attracting consistent traffic and boosting your earning potential.
- Incorporate multimedia: Spice up your content with captivating images, infographics, or even videos to enhance reader engagement and improve SEO.
- Maintain consistency: Develop a regular publishing schedule to build anticipation and keep your audience coming back for more.
3. The Power of SEO:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ensures your blog ranks high in search engine results for relevant keywords. This increases organic traffic, the lifeblood of any monetization strategy.
- Keyword research: Use keyword research tools to identify terms your target audience searches for. Strategically incorporate these keywords into your content naturally.
- Technical SEO: Optimize your blog’s loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and overall technical aspects to improve search engine ranking.
- Backlink building: Encourage other websites to link back to your content, boosting your blog’s authority in the eyes of search engines.
4. Monetization Magic: Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products or services. When a reader clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you get a commission.
- Choose relevant affiliates: Promote products or services that align with your niche and resonate with your audience.
- Transparency is key: Disclose your affiliate relationships clearly to your readers and build trust.
- Integrate strategically: Don’t just bombard readers with links. Weave affiliate promotions naturally into your content, highlighting the value proposition.
5. Display Advertising: A Classic Approach
Display advertising involves placing banner ads, text ads, or other visual elements on your blog. When a reader clicks on an ad, you earn revenue.
- Choose reputable ad networks: Partner with established ad networks that offer competitive rates and relevant ads for your audience.
- Strategic ad placement: Place ads thoughtfully, avoiding an overwhelming experience for readers.
- Track your performance: Monitor ad clicks and conversions to measure the effectiveness of your ad placements and optimize for better results.
6. Offer Premium Content:
Providing exclusive, in-depth content behind a paywall can generate additional income. This could be premium blog posts, ebooks, online courses, or webinars.
- Deliver exceptional value: Ensure your premium content offers significant value that justifies the price tag.
- Multiple pricing options: Consider offering tiered subscription plans to cater to different audience needs and budgets.
- Promote effectively: Highlight the benefits of your premium content and encourage readers to subscribe.
7. Coaching and Consulting:
Leverage your expertise by offering coaching or consulting services related to your niche. Readers who find your content valuable may be interested in personalized guidance.
- Position yourself as an expert: Showcase your qualifications, experience, and client testimonials to build trust and establish your credibility.
- Offer free consultations: Provide a limited free consultation to potential clients, allowing them to experience your expertise firsthand.
- Develop clear packages: Outline different coaching or consulting packages with varying time commitments and pricing structures.
8. The Power of Community: Online Events and Webinars
Host online events or webinars related to your niche. These events offer valuable content while also providing an opportunity to promote other monetization avenues.
- Interactive and engaging: Structure your online events to be interactive with polls, Q&A sessions, or live chats. Click here to learn more about image marketing with Q&A sessions and live chats.
9. Embrace the Power of Email Marketing:
Building an email list allows you to foster stronger relationships with your audience and promote your content and offerings directly.
- Offer valuable incentives: Encourage readers to subscribe by offering exclusive content, discounts, or early access to new products.
- Segmentation is key: Segment your email list based on reader interests to send targeted campaigns that resonate more effectively.
- Regular communication: Maintain consistent communication with your subscribers through engaging newsletters or updates.
10. Sell Your Own Products:
Take your expertise to the next level by creating and selling your own products. This could be physical merchandise, digital downloads, or even printables related to your niche.
- Identify audience needs: Develop products that address the specific needs and desires of your target audience.
- High-quality offerings: Invest in creating high-quality products that offer exceptional value and user experience.
- Utilize multiple platforms: Sell your products through your blog, online marketplaces, or even social media platforms.
11. Sponsorships and Brand Collaborations:
Partner with brands or businesses relevant to your niche for sponsored content or collaborations. This can be a lucrative way to leverage your audience and generate income.
- Maintain editorial control: While working with sponsors, ensure you retain editorial control to maintain your blog’s authenticity and audience trust.
- Disclosures are essential: Clearly disclose sponsored content to readers, upholding transparency and ethical practices.
- Align with your niche: Partner with brands that complement your content and resonate with your audience.
12. Freelancing and Paid Writing Opportunities:
Your blog can serve as a springboard for freelance writing opportunities. Showcase your writing skills and expertise through your blog content, attracting potential clients.
- Target relevant publications: Identify online publications, websites, or magazines related to your niche and pitch your writing services.
- High-quality samples: Include high-quality blog posts from your site as writing samples when pitching to potential clients.
- Develop strong writing skills: Continuously hone your writing skills and stay updated on current trends in your niche to deliver exceptional work.
Conclusion:
Building a successful blog that generates income requires dedication, strategic planning, and high-quality content. In today’s digital age, there are numerous opportunities to make money online through blogging. By utilizing a combination of methods such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling digital products or services, you can leverage your blog’s potential and achieve financial success.
Remember, consistency in posting, engaging with your audience, and staying adaptable to trends are key to thriving in the ever-evolving blogosphere. Embrace new strategies, refine your approaches, and always keep your readers at the forefront of your content creation journey. With dedication and the right approach, your blog has the potential to become a valuable source of income and a platform for sharing your knowledge and passion with the world, making money online while doing what you love.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos
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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
