Part 6 of the online marketing course for business owners is now up on the Marketing manual blog.
There have been some important changes in SEO in recent months that not every SEO 'expert' has caught onto yet - and ceratinly not all website designers!
Go to the Marketing Manual Blog for latest news on that.
Naturally, our online marketing services in Bury St Edmunds are bang up to date!
Showing posts with label Marketing Manual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marketing Manual. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
Why This Website is Number One
'This website' being our Cinnamon Edge site, which is number one for the competitive term 'online marketing Bury St Edmunds', since that's what we do and that's where we are.
A few months ago, due to an, erm, technical hitch, we had to hastily rebuild our website on a new domain. We decided to use the opportunity to concentrate on getting it to number one as quickly as possible, as a test for ourselves and to prove to you we could do it.
And we did, within about three weeks. The site is still at number one for the key phrase we targetted, but because of the speed with which it was built we didn't really trouble ourselves too much with the design and appearance. So we also proved that, as far as SEO is concerned, design in that sense doesn't matter.
But how did we get to number one? The same way you can; by following the steps outlined here, on our Marketing Manual blog. Steps one to four are there now, with more to follow.
In fact, not only did we get to number one, we even got to positions two to ten at the same time, so we actually held ALL of page one of Google for a time - just to prove we could.
We'll be rebuilding the Cinnamon Edge site again in the next few weeks so it will be a site we can be proud of, but for now it serves to prove a point - online marketing, in Bury St Edmunds or anywhere else, is about much more than building pretty websites.
Roy
A few months ago, due to an, erm, technical hitch, we had to hastily rebuild our website on a new domain. We decided to use the opportunity to concentrate on getting it to number one as quickly as possible, as a test for ourselves and to prove to you we could do it.
And we did, within about three weeks. The site is still at number one for the key phrase we targetted, but because of the speed with which it was built we didn't really trouble ourselves too much with the design and appearance. So we also proved that, as far as SEO is concerned, design in that sense doesn't matter.
But how did we get to number one? The same way you can; by following the steps outlined here, on our Marketing Manual blog. Steps one to four are there now, with more to follow.
In fact, not only did we get to number one, we even got to positions two to ten at the same time, so we actually held ALL of page one of Google for a time - just to prove we could.
We'll be rebuilding the Cinnamon Edge site again in the next few weeks so it will be a site we can be proud of, but for now it serves to prove a point - online marketing, in Bury St Edmunds or anywhere else, is about much more than building pretty websites.
Roy
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Seminar Secrets for $1
Hello again
Apologies for the lack of new content here, although you'll find some recent fresh articles on my Seminar Secrets and Marketing Manual blogs.
I've been busily rewriting the copy for my Niche Seminar Secrets website but until I'm ready to upload it, the one dollar offer will continue at Niche Seminar Secrets.
But be warned: I expect to have the new Niche Seminar Secrets sales page up by Tuesday - and the Seminar Secrets one dollar offer will then be history!
Roy
Apologies for the lack of new content here, although you'll find some recent fresh articles on my Seminar Secrets and Marketing Manual blogs.
I've been busily rewriting the copy for my Niche Seminar Secrets website but until I'm ready to upload it, the one dollar offer will continue at Niche Seminar Secrets.
But be warned: I expect to have the new Niche Seminar Secrets sales page up by Tuesday - and the Seminar Secrets one dollar offer will then be history!
Roy
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
What Do You 'Produce'?
Hello again,
One myth that holds back many a business person is the idea that he or she (or his or her company) produces one product, which we’ll call ‘Product X’.
Well, of course, many companies do just that. They go on, year after year, producing this or that product or service, perhaps adding ‘Product Y’ to their range in due course.
But sometimes the demand for products X and Y dries up. Rather like life on Earth, there are a million times as many extinct products, or species as there are extant, surviving ones.
Companies with foresight might see the end coming, and evolve and adapt to create new products and services for the new environment. Many companies are more like dinosaurs, though, and carry on in the old way, with obsolete products, because they served them well in the past. Those products were once brilliant ideas, but not now…
Meanwhile, you may have a passion, a dream and boundless ambition, and you might have a new product that you know the world truly needs. You may, but you’ll be hard-pushed to sell that product if it’s also something no one actually wants. Instead of being a dinosaur, your company might be an evolutionary dead end…
You can spend months or years and unbelievable amounts of money ‘educating the market’ to want what you feel they need. Just as you can pour endless amounts of money down the drain trying to promote something that people used to want but no longer do. Either way, you’re in danger of extinction.
Listen to the market, ask your customers their opinion and watch for signs of what people actually want, not what they need or what you feel they should have.
Then you will have a better chance of owning a brilliant business, not just a brilliant idea.
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
PS. One product that we created to suit customer demand is The Complete Marketing Manual. It wasn't in our plans for now, but we saw a demand and created the product to suit. We can help you do the same.
PPS. To find out what your customers really want and think, why not ask them? Ask us about setting up a survey, made to measure, so you can supply people with exactly what they want. That’s the easiest ‘sell’ of all. Go to our Cinnamon Edge website to see how we can help you set up a survey to ask your customers what they want from you.
One myth that holds back many a business person is the idea that he or she (or his or her company) produces one product, which we’ll call ‘Product X’.
Well, of course, many companies do just that. They go on, year after year, producing this or that product or service, perhaps adding ‘Product Y’ to their range in due course.
But sometimes the demand for products X and Y dries up. Rather like life on Earth, there are a million times as many extinct products, or species as there are extant, surviving ones.
Companies with foresight might see the end coming, and evolve and adapt to create new products and services for the new environment. Many companies are more like dinosaurs, though, and carry on in the old way, with obsolete products, because they served them well in the past. Those products were once brilliant ideas, but not now…
Meanwhile, you may have a passion, a dream and boundless ambition, and you might have a new product that you know the world truly needs. You may, but you’ll be hard-pushed to sell that product if it’s also something no one actually wants. Instead of being a dinosaur, your company might be an evolutionary dead end…
You can spend months or years and unbelievable amounts of money ‘educating the market’ to want what you feel they need. Just as you can pour endless amounts of money down the drain trying to promote something that people used to want but no longer do. Either way, you’re in danger of extinction.
Listen to the market, ask your customers their opinion and watch for signs of what people actually want, not what they need or what you feel they should have.
Then you will have a better chance of owning a brilliant business, not just a brilliant idea.
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
PS. One product that we created to suit customer demand is The Complete Marketing Manual. It wasn't in our plans for now, but we saw a demand and created the product to suit. We can help you do the same.
PPS. To find out what your customers really want and think, why not ask them? Ask us about setting up a survey, made to measure, so you can supply people with exactly what they want. That’s the easiest ‘sell’ of all. Go to our Cinnamon Edge website to see how we can help you set up a survey to ask your customers what they want from you.
Monday, 9 June 2008
Don't Take it From Me
Hello again,
One of the most powerful marketing tools you can use is one that requires very little from you (apart from doing your job conspicuously well). That tool is the word of other delighted customers and recipients. These testimonials work best when they are most authentic. That is, when they come from people you don't know personally, and without any prompting.
Here's an example of just such a testimonial that I received by email today:
"I have been receiving your fantastic and very informative newsletters for a while now and felt I had to write!
I run an independent PR business ... I often pass your info to my clients to stress the importance of communication ... Hope you don't mind me writing, I will look forward to your next installment.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Sophie"
Sophie runs a PR agency, called Bizari Promotions, so she knows about the value of communication in promoting your business. So do we, which is why we publish the regular newsletter Sophie is so enthusiastic about. You can get your copy, delivered directly to your inbox, by just leaving your name and email address. Plus, you get a free chapter of our new manual, The Complete Marketing Manual, and two other bonus reports as a thank you.
Until next time,
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
PS. If you ever get any letters, comments or emails complimenting your business, or even verbal compliments, make sure you use them, with permission, at every opportunity. One word from a satisfied client or customer is worth a hundred from even the best copywriter.
One of the most powerful marketing tools you can use is one that requires very little from you (apart from doing your job conspicuously well). That tool is the word of other delighted customers and recipients. These testimonials work best when they are most authentic. That is, when they come from people you don't know personally, and without any prompting.
Here's an example of just such a testimonial that I received by email today:
"I have been receiving your fantastic and very informative newsletters for a while now and felt I had to write!
I run an independent PR business ... I often pass your info to my clients to stress the importance of communication ... Hope you don't mind me writing, I will look forward to your next installment.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Sophie"
Sophie runs a PR agency, called Bizari Promotions, so she knows about the value of communication in promoting your business. So do we, which is why we publish the regular newsletter Sophie is so enthusiastic about. You can get your copy, delivered directly to your inbox, by just leaving your name and email address. Plus, you get a free chapter of our new manual, The Complete Marketing Manual, and two other bonus reports as a thank you.
Until next time,
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
PS. If you ever get any letters, comments or emails complimenting your business, or even verbal compliments, make sure you use them, with permission, at every opportunity. One word from a satisfied client or customer is worth a hundred from even the best copywriter.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
How Do You Price Your Product?
Hello again
One thing we can all find difficult, especially if we're new to business, entering a new niche or launching a totally new product, is how to set the price.
Surprisingly, a low price can reduce sales, because it reduces theperceived value of the product.
So what a lot of people do when they start is to look around for roughly comparable products and set their price a little lower than the average their competitors are asking. What does this do?
It lowers the perceived value of the product to less than most ofthe alternatives. So how many people will choose the new product ahead of one of its rivals, which cost just a little more?
Very few, I'd say.
But when we launched The Complete Marketing Manual there were no direct competitors to compare it with. There were very few offering anything remotely similar. So what could we do to set a realistic price for The Complete Marketing Manual?
We tried to think what we might be prepared to pay. Bad idea. We asked other people what they might pay. Better, but not perfect, becaue they weren't actually going to buy it. All we could actuallydo was set a price and test it. Result: we need to raise the price,and soon.
So, while The Complete Marketing Manual is currently £47 or $97,depending which sales page you go to (that's about the same price, depending on exchange rates), it's going to be more than that in thenear future. Not immediately, because we're also testing something else, but soon.
So now you have advanced warning of the price rise, and the chance to buy it today, for £47 or $97, whichever suits you best.
Go to http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LqDY8&m=1ee5dfl0vQRg9P&b=RHTNeMW4RohELdARhcropw for the £47 offer, and to http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LqDY8&m=1ee5dfl0vQRg9P&b=OZfUuvhHkAYSJvIccdhWuw for the $97 one.
That's it for now, but remember the price will rise soon.
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
The Complete Marketing Manual, from Cinamon Edge
One thing we can all find difficult, especially if we're new to business, entering a new niche or launching a totally new product, is how to set the price.
Surprisingly, a low price can reduce sales, because it reduces theperceived value of the product.
So what a lot of people do when they start is to look around for roughly comparable products and set their price a little lower than the average their competitors are asking. What does this do?
It lowers the perceived value of the product to less than most ofthe alternatives. So how many people will choose the new product ahead of one of its rivals, which cost just a little more?
Very few, I'd say.
But when we launched The Complete Marketing Manual there were no direct competitors to compare it with. There were very few offering anything remotely similar. So what could we do to set a realistic price for The Complete Marketing Manual?
We tried to think what we might be prepared to pay. Bad idea. We asked other people what they might pay. Better, but not perfect, becaue they weren't actually going to buy it. All we could actuallydo was set a price and test it. Result: we need to raise the price,and soon.
So, while The Complete Marketing Manual is currently £47 or $97,depending which sales page you go to (that's about the same price, depending on exchange rates), it's going to be more than that in thenear future. Not immediately, because we're also testing something else, but soon.
So now you have advanced warning of the price rise, and the chance to buy it today, for £47 or $97, whichever suits you best.
Go to http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LqDY8&m=1ee5dfl0vQRg9P&b=RHTNeMW4RohELdARhcropw for the £47 offer, and to http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LqDY8&m=1ee5dfl0vQRg9P&b=OZfUuvhHkAYSJvIccdhWuw for the $97 one.
That's it for now, but remember the price will rise soon.
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
The Complete Marketing Manual, from Cinamon Edge
Friday, 30 May 2008
Is Email Marketing Dead?
Hello again.
Judging by the number of emails we all send and receive every day, email marketing is still very much with us.
But how many of those emails are read and acted upon? Most of us have some kind of spam filter, and then we delete a lot of the mail that gets past that filter, without even opening it.
Still, I'm betting you read at least a few email messages every day, and if most of those are from friends, family and colleagues, there will be a percentage that nonetheless contain a sales message of some kind. And if you think you never read any of those, then they're probably slipping under your radar! Score one to the email marketer.
The ones you do notice are also succeeding, of course.
'Succeeding' doesn't have to mean persuading you to buy - marketing isn't just about closing the sale today - it means getting you to 'receive' the marketing message, because all marketing is a process, not an event.
So every message you open is another step towards an eventual sale (or it's another step towards your losing interest and unsubscribing), just as every email you send could be...
Because you don't just have to receive all these emails every day, you can send them, too. It's really quite a simple process and it's amazingly cheap (and therefore cost-effective) if you choose to do it yourself. Even hiring someone to do it for you, using their copywriting skills and experience, needn't cost the earth, and results will usually be even better.
When you target your old and existing customers you'll multiply their lifetime value to you.
You needn't worry about alienating people. We're talking about emailing your customers, not your friends here. If a few do unsubscribe, ask yourself this: do you really need to stay in contact with 'customers' who don't buy anything and don't want to hear from you?
So, is email marketing dead?
No; but maybe, for you, it is sleeping...
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
PS You won't be surprised to learn that email marketing is one of the services we offer at Cinnamon Edge. You can read more about it in The Complete Marketing Manual or by signing up for our newsletter and free reports, using the form on this page.
Judging by the number of emails we all send and receive every day, email marketing is still very much with us.
But how many of those emails are read and acted upon? Most of us have some kind of spam filter, and then we delete a lot of the mail that gets past that filter, without even opening it.
Still, I'm betting you read at least a few email messages every day, and if most of those are from friends, family and colleagues, there will be a percentage that nonetheless contain a sales message of some kind. And if you think you never read any of those, then they're probably slipping under your radar! Score one to the email marketer.
The ones you do notice are also succeeding, of course.
'Succeeding' doesn't have to mean persuading you to buy - marketing isn't just about closing the sale today - it means getting you to 'receive' the marketing message, because all marketing is a process, not an event.
So every message you open is another step towards an eventual sale (or it's another step towards your losing interest and unsubscribing), just as every email you send could be...
Because you don't just have to receive all these emails every day, you can send them, too. It's really quite a simple process and it's amazingly cheap (and therefore cost-effective) if you choose to do it yourself. Even hiring someone to do it for you, using their copywriting skills and experience, needn't cost the earth, and results will usually be even better.
When you target your old and existing customers you'll multiply their lifetime value to you.
You needn't worry about alienating people. We're talking about emailing your customers, not your friends here. If a few do unsubscribe, ask yourself this: do you really need to stay in contact with 'customers' who don't buy anything and don't want to hear from you?
So, is email marketing dead?
No; but maybe, for you, it is sleeping...
Roy Everitt, Writing For Results
PS You won't be surprised to learn that email marketing is one of the services we offer at Cinnamon Edge. You can read more about it in The Complete Marketing Manual or by signing up for our newsletter and free reports, using the form on this page.
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