I could not have said this better myself – check out this blog from Duct Tape Marketing!
Getting Your Marketing in Shape
March 29th, 2011by Sandy Riser
KISS
March 24th, 2011by Sandy Riser
There is a lot to be said for the old KISS theory – Keep It Simple, Stupid. Some people mix up simple and easy. Just because something is simple, does not make it necessarily easy. As a matter of fact, sometimes the simplest things can take a huge amount of work or energy to accomplish.
What do you have to do that is simple, just not easy?
Beignets and Chicory Coffee
March 22nd, 2011by Sandy Riser
As you are reading this, I am in New Orleans and most likely have already had my favorite southern treat – Beignets and Chicory Coffee from Café Du Monde. If you have ever been here, you know what I am talking about.
The attitude, the fast service, the musicians who hang around and play their music – it makes for an unbelievable experience.
Think about your business – what do you do to make for an unbelievable experience? Do you really do that or do you talk about it?
Is this what I really should be doing?
March 17th, 2011by Sandy Riser
The hardest question a business coach ever has to ask is “is this what you really should be doing?” It brings the person and the business to its knees. If the answer is “what else would I do?” then it probably isn’t. And then you need to search your soul for what it is you should be doing.
If the answer is a resounding YES and you know why, time to put those things that you have wanted to do in motion!
Who do you love?
March 15th, 2011by Sandy Riser
Who do you love for making your small business life a little better? Someone asked this in a column I read the other day and it really got me thinking.
I love our clients – they make all of the ups and downs of owning my business worthwhile. When they call and something has gone great because of our work together – there is nothing like that feeling.
I love my printer (thank you, Postnet at Campbell and Glenn) for making it easy for our marketing clients to get what they need and they get a proof of the piece before it is produced!
I love JD Almond from comF5 for making it easier for me to communicate with our clients and also for us to use comF5 to create great internet marketing outlets for our clients to market to their clients.
I love Bill Nordbrock of Referral Tree because he is unbelievable at what he does – connecting people. He is always looking for ways to help me – you cannot say that about any other referral group.
I love the Tucson Jazz Society because they give me the opportunity to do some really cool things in Tucson (like go on the radio and talk about great jazz here in town) and I get to hob knob with all the stars.
The list goes on. Who do you love for making your small business life better?
Your 2011 Workout
March 10th, 2011by Sandy Riser
It’s been two months since you put your 2011 goals together – how are you doing? Time to measure the first two months.
If you are having trouble measuring and keeping on track you need to really step up now. The year is 1/6 over which is hard to believe, but it is true. But it is not too late!
Find your accountability partner – a business coach, a business friend, or a mastermind type group. Ask them to keep you on track for those goals that were so important when you looked into 2011. It’s just like going to the gym…you have to keep going.
Conquering What Bugs You!
March 8th, 2011by Sandy Riser
Today’s guest blogger is Ken Fredrick of Conquistador Pest and Termite.
I have been operating our family business, Conquistador Pest & Termite, Inc., since 1991. Five years ago I met Sandy Riser from the Next Level and asked for some marketing assistance.
The first thing we did is review what I had been doing and she suggested we change our logo and branding. Being from Arizona the first thing I thought about was cattle – ha! That is what branding meant to me.
How could branding help my business? We discussed concepts and it was difficult for me to change the entire look of Conquistador Pest, but I had to trust the professional and we worked to improve our brand.
What a difference! The new logo and design placed on our trucks created calls the very first day. Every month since we rebranded, we receive several calls just because somebody saw the truck.
We have continued to improve and experiment with our marketing efforts and we not only are surviving the recession, but improving our sales.
What does your brand say about you? Conquer what bugs you about it!
Slowing Down
March 3rd, 2011by Sandy Riser
Last week we talked about a more relaxed attitude…this week let’s talk about slowing down.
If you feel stressed, close your eyes and breathe even if for only one minute.
If you feel rushed, sit down and get your thoughts together.
If you feel overwhelmed, make a list. Control always helps you feel less overwhelmed.
If you feel sad, call a friend.
These simple things can make a day go so much better. Which one are you doing right now?
Being priceless
March 1st, 2011by Sandy Riser
A couple of weeks ago Seth Godin talked about being seen as irreplaceable, essential and priceless. This got me thinking about being priceless.
In marketing land we talk about value versus price. Value is what people want and crave when they purchase products or services. So to be priceless we need to provide real, tangible value – how do you do that?
The Big Easy
February 24th, 2011by Sandy Riser
Bernie and I are leaving for New Orleans in a few weeks. I decided to look it up why they call it The Big Easy. The best reason I could find was a slow, easy pace and a relaxed attitude about almost everything. That got me thinking about our businesses.
How much more would we enjoy what we do if we could slow down, have an easier pace, and a relaxed attitude about almost everything? Now I am a type A++ personality, so this makes me break into hives, but isn’t it what most of us crave in our day to day lives?
So let’s focus on a more relaxed attitude. I work with clients a lot on this. Giving ourselves permission to relax in our business is really hard, but today just take a moment (maybe right now) and breathe. Think for just a moment about what you love about your business.
How did that feel?