Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!
For the past week, we’ve been talking about developing compelling content that helps you get noticed by your target audience and helps position you as an expert that people want to do business with.
Today, we’re going to take that one step further and talk about ways you can (and should) be giving away premium content.
While working on a competitive analysis for a law firm client, I came across an alarming trend – many of the competitor’s blogs had strikingly similar content that riffed on local news stories.
When exploring this a little bit further, it seemed that many of the firm’s competitors used syndicated content from the same industry marketing company to fuel their blogging efforts. In other words, these firms are receiving content from the marketing company to publish on their blogs.
The marketing company is smart enough not to duplicate the content for each firm in the same location. However, the formula is nearly identical for each post:
I have a confession to make.
I have been keeping something from you for a long time. Some of you may know my little secret, but for many of you, this will be the first time you are hearing this.
You see, up until yesterday, I had a day job outside of Blue Kite Marketing. For the past year and a half, I have been building my marketing business while holding down a demanding day job.
I’m not gonna lie – it’s been tough. But, it has been worth it. And today, everything changes.
Growing up, my mom always said “readers are leaders.” I think that statement is largely true. Reading and consuming information helps us grow and expand our knowledge.
However, with so much content to consume – through blogs, books and social networks – we’ve become bloated by digesting a bunch of stuff that’s not getting us any closer to our goals.
You see, we can read, scan and tweet all day long, but that practice will NOT help you succeed.
Before you jump on my case, let me explain.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Dunn Brother’s coffee. I have blogged about them before and often tweet about my love of their vanilla iced nirvana or coconut lattes.
But as much as I love Dunn Brothers, I can’t always sneak away from the office to get a cup of their sweet, delicious coffee.
A few weeks ago, I lamented on Twitter about how I could really use a cup of coffee and that I wished Dunn Brothers delivered. They responded and asked where my office was located and said they might just surprise me some day.
Well, yesterday was that day!
I was going to talk to you today about goals. After all, we’re now in the second half of the year (can you believe it?!) and it’s a good time to see if you’re on track and consider any adjustments that need to be made.
I had lunch with some friends last week who shared with me that they often get asked to just “do some social media” for their clients.
Oh, if it were only that simple.
I think a lot of businesses think this way. They believe that simply throwing some social media icons on their website is enough or that they need to have profiles on every single social media site because “everyone else does”.
If you’re like most people, you suffer from information overload.
There is so much information online about how to grow your business, improve your blog and sell more stuff that it’s enough to make your head explode, right?
Because there is SO much information to churn through, you tend to shut it all out. Or, maybe you digest a lot information online, but you never put it into practice because you just simply don’t know which direction is the right one for you.
After all, should you spend your money on advertising or a new website? Or, what about this whole social media thing – Is that even worth your time?
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house. It’s for your business too.
And no, I’m not talking about organizing files or cleaning the dust bunnies behind your desk (though that’s helpful too). I’m talking about clearing the clutter off of your plate and spending some time re-focusing on your goals.
Are you on track to end the year where you want to be? If not, now is a good time to revisit your goals and look at what you can do to move the needle for your business.
It’s time to dust off the ideas you have for growing your business and move them up from the bottom of your to-do list. Stop procrastinating and carve out some time to get these things done.
Don’t get me wrong – social media is great. You can make wonderful connections that way. I know I have.
But, it’s only part of the equation.
The real magic happens when you step away from the computer and transform those online connections to in-person relationships.
I’ve done business with people I’ve met online and have developed a cadre of colleagues and friends through social media connections. But, none of that would have been possible if I hadn’t stepped away from my computer to meet folks in person.
I know this isn’t always easy for folks, especially if you’re new to social media. Trying to determine when it’s appropriate to ask someone for coffee can be scary if you’ve never done it before.