http://www.a1articles.com en-us editorial@a1articles.com People don't buy things. They buy solutions to problems; they want to fulfill a desire or meet a need. To market your business effectively, you have to KNOW your target audience and what problems they face. In your marketing efforts - whether written, onl... http://www.a1articles.com/article_587844_15.html 24th July 2008 There are two common business problems that entrepreneurs often face. The first is that they don't have enough clients - they are struggling to keep their sales pipeline full. Often they are so busy one month that they don't take the time to market the... http://www.a1articles.com/article_575691_15.html 14th July 2008 Mindset is as big of a factor in your business success as anything else that you are doing to grow your company. Every successful person will agree. Unfortunately, I work with a number of clients who have what I call a "scarcity mentality." This is an und... http://www.a1articles.com/article_569968_15.html 05th July 2008 Keep-in-touch marketing is a process that you incorporate into your business to stay in front of your prospects and customers. Develop a system to follow up with every prospect, every time. Be respectful that the time may not be right, but remember, you o... http://www.a1articles.com/article_561086_15.html 23rd June 2008 Are you publishing an online newsletter (ezine)? It's an easy and effective way to stay in touch with your customers and leads. Your ezine can provide your readers with helpful tips and advice to help them succeed. You can also showcase your latest projec... http://www.a1articles.com/article_545600_15.html 22nd May 2008 Writing articles or a regular column is one excellent way to grow awareness of your expertise and reinforce your credibility. Your articles showcase your knowledge and can bring prospects knocking on your door. Once an article you've written is published,... http://www.a1articles.com/article_538812_15.html 15th May 2008 Offer proof to your prospects. It's not enough to say that you solve problems - you have to show that your customers are getting results from your business. Testimonials are one of the most powerful and cost effective selling tools you can implement in yo... http://www.a1articles.com/article_533589_15.html 08th May 2008 If you've been watching the news lately, you may have noticed that the economy is in a bit of a downturn. It's happened before and it will happen again. During these times, smart businesses adjust their marketing strategies to make sure they will thrive d... http://www.a1articles.com/article_498236_15.html 27th March 2008 If you're a consultant, author, Realtor, chiropractor, or other solo professional, you can accelerate your marketing by establishing a personality-based brand for yourself. In this marketing strategy, you are positioning YOU as the brand...you are the exp... http://www.a1articles.com/article_489186_3.html 11th March 2008 Whether you are trying to reach a decision maker in a large company or stay-at-home mom, direct mail is one of the most powerful ways to market to your target audience. A direct mail campaign offers many compelling benefits including cost effectiveness, m... http://www.a1articles.com/article_462683_15.html 26th January 2008 If you have a business, a blog (short for web log) is a marketing tool that can further position you as the expert in your industry. Your prospects and clients want information about your products and services. They are hungry for it! And a blog gives you... http://www.a1articles.com/article_194635_15.html 31st July 2007 You've probably heard the old expression, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This concept proves itself over and over with the exponential power of the Mastermind Group. The idea of a mastermind collective was formally coined in Napoleon Hill... http://www.a1articles.com/article_184807_15.html 11th July 2007 Experts are sought after, are well known, command higher fees and get more business with less effort. The media takes the time to contact experts to get quotes for articles. Associations call them to speak at their events. People remember them. And, bette... http://www.a1articles.com/article_152005_15.html 26th April 2007 Offer proof to your prospects. Testimonials are one of the most powerful and cost effective selling tools you can implement in your arsenal of marketing. Why? Because you are offering social proof to your prospects from their peers attesting that your ser... http://www.a1articles.com/article_138132_15.html 14th March 2007 Let's just start off by saying that you MUST have a website. No ifs, ands, or buts. Without one, your prospects will not perceive you as a professional. Plus, you are missing out on so many potential sales and marketing opportunities if you don't have a w... http://www.a1articles.com/article_122311_3.html 23rd January 2007 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven A website is one of the most powerful marketing tools that you can implement. You can update it immediately; it is unique to your business; it can be seen by thousands of people who are searching for EXACTLY what you have... http://www.a1articles.com/article_103850_3.html 17th November 2006 Copyright (c) 2006 Marketing Maven Use your creativity to develop an incentive program that will reward referrals. People like to give referrals and they LOVE to be recognized for giving referrals. And, incentives are one of the most powerful methods o... http://www.a1articles.com/article_93561_15.html 10th October 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven A mistake that entrepreneurs and business owners making is trying to create their own marketing materials or to have an amateur – a friend, relative, or neighbor design their materials. It may seem like you are saving mon... http://www.a1articles.com/article_90214_15.html 29th September 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven You may think your biggest business assets are your equipment or your inventory. But, you have two assets even more important than these. One of these is your expertise...your brainpower and the specific manner in which y... http://www.a1articles.com/article_76591_15.html 25th July 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven Branding is more than product recognition or a simple logo. It is the overall intellectual and emotional impression people have when they think of your company and its product. It is a strong and consistent message about ... http://www.a1articles.com/article_72343_15.html 15th July 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven A noteworthy way for you to get exposure and new customers is public speaking. As a small business owner, it is always a more powerful position to be in the front of the room than in the back. You further position yoursel... http://www.a1articles.com/article_69133_15.html 03rd July 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven As long as you are providing a service, there will always be a ceiling on how much you can earn that is based on the number of hours you can work in a week. Even if you hire an assistant and/or raise your rates, you are o... http://www.a1articles.com/article_60416_15.html 06th June 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven Networking is, without a doubt, one of the best and most cost-effective ways to build long-term relationships with prospects and referrers. With remarkable networking, you also build a super powerful sales force that will... http://www.a1articles.com/article_48802_15.html 30th April 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven Do you want to grow your subscriber list to your ezine or newsletter? Then it makes sense to invest some time to make sure your website effectively promotes it. There are a number of ways you can make it easier for your s... http://www.a1articles.com/article_46981_15.html 25th April 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven To be successful in your industry, it is crucial to stay up to date. By learning about new trends, technologies, and systems, you will be able to offer your customers more value. You will reinforce your credibility and ex... http://www.a1articles.com/article_40372_15.html 01st April 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven For a consultant, solo professional, or other type of entrepreneur, YOU are the brand. Marketing your business is about marketing YOU as the best choice for your customers' needs. Starting today, make sure that you are... http://www.a1articles.com/article_39638_15.html 31st March 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven An easy thing to forget in the midst of our frenzied lives is the simple act of saying "thank you." Who has the time to slow down for such old-fashioned pleasantries? And yet, by incorporating a thank-you strategy into yo... http://www.a1articles.com/article_39427_15.html 28th March 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven To make more money with what you are already offering, consider different strategies to make it easier for people to purchase what you offer. Restructuring your pricing and packaging creates more options for your customer... http://www.a1articles.com/article_30786_15.html 20th February 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven To start seeing remarkable success, you must make time for marketing. Many people tend to make their marketing a low priority. Instead of including it as a part of your weekly routine, you may find yourself scrambling to ... http://www.a1articles.com/article_26937_15.html 02nd February 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven For many professionals (consultants, designers, architects, etc.), presentations are a key aspect of the sales cycle that can't be ignored. Let's face it, you've got a lot riding on how you look, what you say, and the way... http://www.a1articles.com/article_26740_15.html 02nd February 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven The lowly postcard…it's more than just a "having fun, wish you were here" delivery system. This tiny billboard is actually a powerhouse of a marketing tool with almost unlimited uses. Harness this little dynamo and you'll... http://www.a1articles.com/article_24302_15.html 16th January 2006 Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven To start seeing remarkable success, you must make time for marketing. Many people tend to make their marketing a low priority. Instead of including it as a part of your weekly routine, you may find yourself scrambling to ... http://www.a1articles.com/article_22882_15.html 07th January 2006 Copyright 2005 Marketing Maven No matter what role you play in your company, becoming a more effective listener will help you get ahead in your position. It means fewer errors, improved accuracy, and enhanced working relationships. And, listening to... http://www.a1articles.com/article_21057_15.html 24th December 2005 Copyright 2005 Kinesis, Inc. You may think marketing your business to the widest possible pool – trying to be all things to all people – is your best chance to succeed. Unfortunately, this approach is limiting your ability to make money and attract cus... http://www.a1articles.com/article_19586_15.html 15th December 2005 Copyright 2005 Kinesis, Inc. In the early 1900s, Reverend Russell Conwell - founder of Temple University - gave a popular speech called "Acres of Diamonds." In it, he said: "Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas. They are ... http://www.a1articles.com/article_19189_15.html 11th December 2005 Copyright 2005 Kinesis, Inc. When you are at a seminar, workshop, or other networking event, are you using it for its full marketing potential? No? Then, here are some powerful suggestions to make your next event a moneymaking endeavor: 1. Get Busin... http://www.a1articles.com/article_19057_15.html 09th December 2005 Copyright © 2005 Kinesis, Inc. Part of being an effective marketer is being an effective time manager. The little time suckers in our workday can collectively add up to a LOT of time taken away from our core functions and billable work. One of the bigg... http://www.a1articles.com/article_14911_15.html 11th November 2005 The current economy is causing most companies to tighten their belts. With limited staffing and a restricted budget, how do you continue to promote your business? The simple solution is the occasional or ongoing use of outside resources such as graphic de... http://www.a1articles.com/article_1673_15.html 05th May 2005 Have you clearly defined your target audience? These are the prime buyers of your products or services. It is the people or organizations you are pursuing actively as customers. You don't need every customer in the world! You need the ones who are a good ... http://www.a1articles.com/article_1657_15.html 01st May 2005 Branding is more than product recognition or a simple logo. It is the overall intellectual and emotional impression people have when they think of your company and its product. It is a strong and consistent message about the value of your business. A m... http://www.a1articles.com/article_1656_15.html 01st May 2005 You have probably viewed many Flash-based components while surfing the Internet. Most smooth animations on websites and in banner ads, short films, and presentations are built in Flash. Macromedia Flash is a powerful and adaptable software program. It ena... http://www.a1articles.com/article_1655_4.html 01st May 2005 Organized your pencils and pens lately? Sorted your clothes into a logical system in your drawers? Then you already understand the basic elements of good design: it's practical, it's systematic, and it makes life easier. In the same way, marketing mate... http://www.a1articles.com/article_1654_4.html 01st May 2005 More and more non-profit organizations are developing websites to help share information about their mission and programs. This involves strategic planning about the best way to present your image and message online. Once your site is up, your organizatio... http://www.a1articles.com/article_1653_3.html 01st May 2005