Two powerful tactics for generating new business through referrals and risk reversal. But if you're able to COMBINE those two, it can add even MORE results to your sales. How? Watch this week's UNCOPYABLE Business episode and find out! Are you getting these weekly videos in your email? No? SIGN UP HERE! … [Read more...]
You’re Paying the Wrong Person for a Referral
Do you offer an incentive to those customers who send you a referral? If so, you're probably paying the wrong person. Referrals are huge. They should be an integral part of any small business marketing strategy (and big business, for that matter). Unfortunately, most small business marketers don't have a formal referral strategy, and those who do might be doing more harm than … [Read more...]
The 6 Most Important Questions For 2012
What will you do different in 2012? I asked that question in my last post. It's a pretty big question and, frankly, you may not know how to answer it. I can help you on that. I'm a consultant. That's what we consultants do. First, I'm going to teach you how to tell a good consultant from a bad one. Bad consultants come in to your business, analyze the situation, and then tell you … [Read more...]
Not Happy with 2011? What Will You Do Different in 2012?
Holiday season is tough. It's tough for a lot of reasons - some small and some not. For example, I like to say "Merry Christmas" to people. It's what I grew up saying and I WANT to say it, so I do. At the same time, I understand others may not feel so inclined to say it or even want to hear it. They may prefer "Happy Hanukkah," or "Heri za Kwanzaa." A lot of … [Read more...]
A Referral Marketing Tip from Makers Mark Bourbon
The Four Ways To Increase Your Business. How do you score? (Redux)
I've had a few requests to see the actual results of this survey I did a few months ago. I've reopened the survey and also set it up so you can see the results after you take it. If you have any difficulty, please email me at steve@theadventure.com. And let's get more responses! I would greatly appreciate if you would forward this to your peers, as well as tweet about it. … [Read more...]
Apparently, Most Of Us Suck At Marketing
What is it about marketing that we don't get? Almost all of us, Peter Drucker included, understand that marketing is important (dare I say critical?) to the success of our business. Drucker wrote, "Because its purpose is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two - and only these two - basic functions: marketing and innovation." Yet we (and even though I am a marketing … [Read more...]
The Marketing of Kelly Miller, Golfer
Many of you know my daughter, Kelly, is a nationally ranked junior golfer. Yes, that's her on the right with Jack Nicklaus and one of her best friends, Alex. (Jack was working on his game and asked Kelly for some tips.)Kelly's a senior in high school this year, which, for most seniors, means it's time to start looking at college. Kelly, however, started thinking about it over two years … [Read more...]
Southwest Airlines Does the Right Thing & Wows Us
Why does it seem like some companies just get it, while their competitors don't? I still don't understand how Nordstrom continues to offer great customer service and a no-questions-asked policy, while 100 yards away at Macy's in the Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, WA, the staff continues to be inattentive, unconcerned and grill you under hot klieg lights with dental drills when … [Read more...]
You Won’t Get Referrals If There’s Nothing To Talk About
Here's a news flash for you. People love to gossip. People love to share gossip. People love to hear gossip.Wikipedia defines gossip as: "...idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others."Gossip is emotional in nature. We gossip when the subject gives us an emotional rise and we think it will do the same for others. Nowadays, gossip has achieved … [Read more...]