By Dave Tester
I just attended a social media marketing workshop in Las Vegas. One of the trainers told us, “Your 13 year old probably is doing all your Facebook work for you and that’s OK.” That’s OK? Come on--if you’re going to jump into the social media marketing world, you must figure out how it works and not depend on your middle-schoolers to help you with this major undertaking.
For those of you who don’t believe in using social media as a marketing tool, I’m here to tell you it’s going to stick. Remember a few years ago the naysayers who said the internet thing was just a flash in the pan?
The first key is to start working on three major platforms. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are the big three. The so called experts will add other elements, but this trio is the key to blocking and tackling in the social network marketing world. If you’re just starting don’t tackle YouTube just yet. But is should be on the to-do list in the next 30 days. If you’re intimidated here’s what I’ve found: the best way to learn the project is to just do it. Get online and start working with Facebook. You’ll need an email or a Gmail account to get going but that is the best way to start. LinkedIn works the same way. Twitter is a little bit more complicated but not that much.
If you can’t do it hire someone who can but don’t let the kids or your friend across the street take over the project. The reason I want you to do it, is the same reason I encourage those I coach and train to watch their own finances and not just rely on a bookkeeper or broker to do it. Why? If you lose all your money or go broke it’s your responsibility not the finance man’s. The same is true for social media marketing. Go ahead and take a chance and get holy trinity established ASAP. Test and track like I do. Find out what words or phrases, links, videos and ideas get the most attention. Remember two golden rules. Create and update content at least one time per week. And use these three tools to learn about your prospective customers and what they are looking for. Your kids may be a very good on a computer--however it’s your job to put a roof over their head and food on the table. Take social media marketing seriously because it’s here to stay and the best part: It’s FREE!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Failure--or Fear--of Launching Your New Business?
Failure--or Fear--of Launching Your New Business?
I was once told by a student in a sales training class, “If I don’t try, I will not fail.”
Unfortunately he’s not the first who feels that way and he won’t be the last to feel trepidation for trying something new—in this case launching a new business.
The environment is perfect to go out and make a run at something new. If you don’t believe me, look at those on a national scale that started a business during a recession and found great success. Do the names Wrigley gum or Walgreens ring a bell? Some Idaho companies that started in less than booming economic times include Internet Truck Stop in New Plymouth and the Coeur d’Alene Resort.
The motto needs to be: “If you don’t fail, you will never succeed.” The late J.R. Simplot told me of at least 10 business ventures he failed before ever achieving one success. The key was he kept trying and his dogged determination eventually led him to build a Fortune 500 company—without shareholders.
It starts with a vision or what I call a vision board. First and foremost you post all of your ideas in a photo form on a whiteboard where you can see them everyday. Keep in mind just by doing this you’ll be in the upper eighty-percent of the population in terms of success. Seventy-percent of Americans don’t have goals and only three-percent have them written down and carry them with them every day.
Entrepreneur and graduate of the “Donald Trump School of Hard Knocks” and Meridian resident Troy McClain breaks it down this way: M.V.P. The M is your mission or goal. Make sure it is clear, concise and focused on one element. The V is your vision. Will the final product look like? Think in terms of how Steve Jobs and Bill Gates see the world versus how most people do. Put simply, they don’t care what others think about their ideas, they just go out and do it. P is for Purpose. What is your purpose for doing this sales technique or new product.? Here’s a tip. If it’s driven by profit only you will not be successful. Finances are a factor but as Zig Ziegler once told me-- next to oxygen, money is important to live on. However, if money is your sole purpose for the new process, the passion and fire will go away before the product is complete. The key is to do what you love and make lots of money doing it. If that is the case you really will be an M.V.P.
Remember if you do try, you’ll have a better chance at success than if you don’t even try. If you need help with your vision board or are looking to get a copy of my new book “The 180rule Handbook” revised, email me at askdavetester.com
I was once told by a student in a sales training class, “If I don’t try, I will not fail.”
Unfortunately he’s not the first who feels that way and he won’t be the last to feel trepidation for trying something new—in this case launching a new business.
The environment is perfect to go out and make a run at something new. If you don’t believe me, look at those on a national scale that started a business during a recession and found great success. Do the names Wrigley gum or Walgreens ring a bell? Some Idaho companies that started in less than booming economic times include Internet Truck Stop in New Plymouth and the Coeur d’Alene Resort.
The motto needs to be: “If you don’t fail, you will never succeed.” The late J.R. Simplot told me of at least 10 business ventures he failed before ever achieving one success. The key was he kept trying and his dogged determination eventually led him to build a Fortune 500 company—without shareholders.
It starts with a vision or what I call a vision board. First and foremost you post all of your ideas in a photo form on a whiteboard where you can see them everyday. Keep in mind just by doing this you’ll be in the upper eighty-percent of the population in terms of success. Seventy-percent of Americans don’t have goals and only three-percent have them written down and carry them with them every day.
Entrepreneur and graduate of the “Donald Trump School of Hard Knocks” and Meridian resident Troy McClain breaks it down this way: M.V.P. The M is your mission or goal. Make sure it is clear, concise and focused on one element. The V is your vision. Will the final product look like? Think in terms of how Steve Jobs and Bill Gates see the world versus how most people do. Put simply, they don’t care what others think about their ideas, they just go out and do it. P is for Purpose. What is your purpose for doing this sales technique or new product.? Here’s a tip. If it’s driven by profit only you will not be successful. Finances are a factor but as Zig Ziegler once told me-- next to oxygen, money is important to live on. However, if money is your sole purpose for the new process, the passion and fire will go away before the product is complete. The key is to do what you love and make lots of money doing it. If that is the case you really will be an M.V.P.
Remember if you do try, you’ll have a better chance at success than if you don’t even try. If you need help with your vision board or are looking to get a copy of my new book “The 180rule Handbook” revised, email me at askdavetester.com
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Who Waived the Dress Code?
By Dave Tester
It is the mid part of summer--the time of year when weekends start on Friday and end Monday afternoon up at the lake. For those who leave early and come back from the weekend late and take advantage of the 4-day ‘recharge’, I am reminded that the dress code is wandering the way of the beach as well. “Casual Friday” is now seeping its way into Wednesday and Thursday like the Gulf oil spill.
I must tell you, I’ve never been a big proponent of casual Friday. The Bronco football team never practices without a helmet. They are always prepared for their job. Why wouldn’t you always dress prepared for your job? And that does not include flip-flops and an un-tucked shirt unless you work in the inner-tube rental shack a Barber Park. If your name is Steve Jobs you can skip this article. If you’re not Steve, please understand your sales will increase from current levels with the simple act of wearing a coat and tie—ladies that’s skirts or dressy slacks with heels.
Dressing Tips to Live by Monday-Friday at the Office:
-Don’t wear sneakers or sandals
-Wear slacks, skirts or dresses only
-Skip casual Friday and dress up (your sales will sky-rocket)
-Wear a shirt with a collar. If you wear a short-sleeved shirt, please do not try to dress it up with a tie
-Please tuck in your shirt
-No sweat suits-even if they say Nike
-Groom your hair guys and gals (wash it, too!)
-Facial hair should be tight, close and clean.
-No hats
Here’s my million dollar tip is to never say this: “If I showed up in a suit and tie, my customers would throw me out and never purchase from me.” I have been involved in sales for many years and to date, I have never been thrown out of a sales call for wearing a suit and tie. However, I have had a number of clients tell me they didn’t buy from my competition because they didn’t dress the part. You have seven seconds to make a first impression in sales. Dress up because you don’t get a second chance to be first.
It is the mid part of summer--the time of year when weekends start on Friday and end Monday afternoon up at the lake. For those who leave early and come back from the weekend late and take advantage of the 4-day ‘recharge’, I am reminded that the dress code is wandering the way of the beach as well. “Casual Friday” is now seeping its way into Wednesday and Thursday like the Gulf oil spill.
I must tell you, I’ve never been a big proponent of casual Friday. The Bronco football team never practices without a helmet. They are always prepared for their job. Why wouldn’t you always dress prepared for your job? And that does not include flip-flops and an un-tucked shirt unless you work in the inner-tube rental shack a Barber Park. If your name is Steve Jobs you can skip this article. If you’re not Steve, please understand your sales will increase from current levels with the simple act of wearing a coat and tie—ladies that’s skirts or dressy slacks with heels.
Dressing Tips to Live by Monday-Friday at the Office:
-Don’t wear sneakers or sandals
-Wear slacks, skirts or dresses only
-Skip casual Friday and dress up (your sales will sky-rocket)
-Wear a shirt with a collar. If you wear a short-sleeved shirt, please do not try to dress it up with a tie
-Please tuck in your shirt
-No sweat suits-even if they say Nike
-Groom your hair guys and gals (wash it, too!)
-Facial hair should be tight, close and clean.
-No hats
Here’s my million dollar tip is to never say this: “If I showed up in a suit and tie, my customers would throw me out and never purchase from me.” I have been involved in sales for many years and to date, I have never been thrown out of a sales call for wearing a suit and tie. However, I have had a number of clients tell me they didn’t buy from my competition because they didn’t dress the part. You have seven seconds to make a first impression in sales. Dress up because you don’t get a second chance to be first.
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