Business is about relationships. Relationships are about people. So it should be obvious that people do business with people, not businesses. Yet I'm always surprised how many small business owners miss this. Somewhere in all their efforts to develop their business plan and marketing strategy they … Read more about Small Business Advice: Relationships Are the Key to Success
Small Business Advice: Are Your Customers Morons?
I was thinking this morning about what makes a great relationship. According to James from Audio Mecca, it's necessary to accept "that the other fellow is not a moron." I keep saying again and again that conversation leads to relationship and relationship leads to business. No matter whether we're … Read more about Small Business Advice: Are Your Customers Morons?
Word of Mouth Marketing: Can It Get You In Trouble?
You know I love word of mouth marketing. I find it to be one of the purest, simplest and most rewarding ways of getting my business known. But did you know that word of mouth marketing can be illegal? According to Andy Sernovitz there's a new bill (pdf) being introduced in the U.K. which will … Read more about Word of Mouth Marketing: Can It Get You In Trouble?
Social Media Advice: You Are What You Share
I get asked all the time why a business owner should be blogging or engaged in social media. The answer I give almost always revolves around creating relationships. If you've been reading a while, you know one of my favorite statements is people don't do business with businesses, they do business … Read more about Social Media Advice: You Are What You Share
A Key To Great Social Media Relationships
Remember the days when the internet was like listening to news radio? You'd search the dial for news and interesting topics. Then came talk radio. Now people could call in and add their two cents to the topic discussed by the host. I often think of social media as being like talk radio. For … Read more about A Key To Great Social Media Relationships
In Business, Make It About The Relationship First
A couple of days back I was speaking with a client of mine. She's a life coach who wants to know better how to use the web (and soon her blog) to increase her marketing reach and, ultimately, her business. We spent the better part of an hour talking about how a blog, when used well, can become a … Read more about In Business, Make It About The Relationship First
Be Careful Who You Ask For Help With Your Business
I can't tell you how many calls and emails I get from small business owners who have had a bad experience with their web designer or their marketing coach. It seems so common. Maybe 1 in 3 of the people who contact me do so because they've not gotten what they've needed from the person they're … Read more about Be Careful Who You Ask For Help With Your Business
How Are Your Online Relationships Different From Your Offline Relationships?
Boy do Liz and I have an interesting conversation going on about relationships. My last question to her, if you recall, was how has your blog changed the way you think about relationships? She titled her response: I Knew Everything about Relationships Until an Audience Came. You've gotta take a … Read more about How Are Your Online Relationships Different From Your Offline Relationships?
Business Owners…Try Making It A Conversation
People want to do business with people - not businesses. A few business owners seem to get this. But don't seem to get it, though. It makes me wonder how business owners see themselves relating to their target audience. Perhaps that's the first mistake...target audience. What image do you create … Read more about Business Owners…Try Making It A Conversation
Why Your Newsletter Content Should Come From Your Blog
If you blog do you really need a newsletter? That's the question I asked the other day which led to an interesting, and in some cases spirited, conversation. I love that we have the space and freedom to openly share our opinions. And I'm grateful that you feel comfortable enough to be open and … Read more about Why Your Newsletter Content Should Come From Your Blog
Are You Having A Conversation With Your Niche Audience?
You'd think the latest question Liz asked me would be simple to answer. And on the surface it is. Yet, I've needed an extra day to think about where to take this one2one conversation next. When you go around the Internet, what mistake do you see most often? That's her question. Think about it for a … Read more about Are You Having A Conversation With Your Niche Audience?
The Part of My Business I Look Forward To Doing More Of…
Continuing our one2one conversation, Liz Strauss asked me (and you): What's the the part of business, besides relationships, that you look forward to doing more of? Okay, so here's how I read your question..."what other part of business, besides building relationships." I hope this is what you … Read more about The Part of My Business I Look Forward To Doing More Of…
