Why Internet Marketing kicks B2B’s butt – WIIFM!

I’ve spent some time ruminating about this question – why does it happen…

Scenario A) A company has a great product, a large marketing budget, hires salespeople or distributors, but come up woefully short on sales year to year.

Scenario B) Some upstart company (usually using a substandard website from a single home computer), has an average product, a few hundred dollars of marketing, no salespeople, and drives sales day in, day out.

What is the difference?

WIIFM!

For those of you who don’t know what that acronym stands for – Whats in it for me?

Internet marketing folks know –

They have a short window of opportunity to hit their target in the gut (one click and you’re history).
They know they need a robust database (capture data at every point in the conversation).
They offer something of value (usually at a deep discount to capture contact information).
They need to groom their prospects into customers (usually through systematic drip marketing).
They rarely talk about how great their company is (they let other people do it for them).
They don’t make a big deal about themselves (they know how to be seen without being obvious).
The talk to the customer about their needs and wants (because they know their customer better than they know themselves).
They put the customer behind the wheel (creating ownership and letting the customer solve their own problems, with their help, of course).
They sell the sizzle of the product  (not the steak)
They SOLVE a customer problem (often one they don’t know they have)…

Bottom line, they know their customer inside and out, and solve a problem as a partner, friend or trusted adviser.

There is a factor that B2B marketing managers overlook.  B2B marketing spends thousands of dollars convincing their prospects about how knowledgeable they are.  They “position” themselves as the best solution to the problem.  Rarely do they know what the problem is, just they are the right solution. They SELL, not tell.

Now take a look at your marketing message – how often do you refer to yourself, and how often do you refer to your customer?  Where does the customer see themselves in your marketing message?  Because if they don’t see themselves as a part of the dialog, the chances of you converting the sale is unlikely.

Let me know what you think – how are you marketing yourself?

Betting on Bigger Sales –
Your Marketing Maven,  Christine

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Failure is an exhausting habit

Have you ever spent time ruminating about your mistakes?  Focusing on how you messed up, or worse, lost something near and dear because a personal mistake?  The moment is past, but you are still jailer, judge and jury.  You mete out punishment daily, and fully expect the world to offer the same.

Inviting failure back to live in your mental space daily is a habit.  Good news!  Habits were made to be broken.  They are just a familiar reaction.

The question is…Do you want to live in failure forever?  I’m quite sure the answer in a resounding NO!

I know the old adage, you can’t grow unless you failed a few time.  Well I’m thinking that is totally bogus.

How about a new plan…

Avoid planning for failure:

1) Forget the past – it’s over.

Sure you’ve had your share of setbacks if you’re an adult.  Don’t get stuck in that brainworm, endless loop place of instant replay.  You know where you keep replaying the mistake and looking for ways to repeat it.  Human’s make mistakes – release your need for making it right.  Your brain is great at trying to solve complex problems.  Failure isn’t complex – it’s simple and it’s over – let it go.

2)  Know your path.

This is big – when you’ve decided on a plan.  You will find it is so much easier to walk on the correct path.  You will know where you want to end up.  Then when you sense you’re off the path you will quickly loop back and get right back on the journey.  Success feels right, fear and failure produce the opposite feelings.  Big news – people have a limited lifespan.  Do what makes sense to fulfill your destiny here and now.

3)  Is this your mistake or someone else?

This is going to seem strange.  Maybe the mistake isn’t really a mistake.  Sure there are some biggies that people warn you about.  Youth is famous for “doing it my way” thinking.  Then something clicks later on in their lives.  Maybe I should have listened to my parents, teachers, etc.   I firmly believe you should try to follow the golden rule.  Still in the end are you living your mission?  I have found that many times a mistake is really another person’s disappointment you didn’t fit into their image or plan.  You will still have to look yourself in the mirror everyday.

You shouldn’t go out of your way to lie, cheat, or steal from other people.   The bottom line – you need to live your own personal mission.  Be true to yourself, and most of all forgive your past mistakes.  Seems pretty simple right?

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Houston we have a problem… but I can tell you how to fix it

Happy Sunday readers,

I’ve been thinking about Apollo 13 recently.  Rent the movie for the complete story.  Here’s the synopsis: Three astronauts traveling to the moon have a series of problems while on a space mission.  They had to use their wits, and through the power of logic, come up with some creative solutions quick.

Recently I’ve been counseling someone with a “big problem.”   Everyone usually has several problems which they encounter daily, but there is one (or several) with a lot of juice.  Something that stops them in their track, and keep them up at night.  I like to think of them as Apollo 13 problems.  Most of them are related to money, health or relationships.

This individual was frozen by one of the big three problems, and he couldn’t see any solutions.  He had tried “everything” to fix his problem.  I asked him if he’s tried “everything” which he sheepishly said not everything, but it sure felt that way.  I pointed out if Edison failed 10,000 times to create the lightbulb do you think he tried the same solution 9,999 times and succeeded the last time?  Not likely!

So my suggestion – write down three new solution to this Apollo 13 problem everyday for two weeks.  That would offer him 24 new solutions.  Do it for a month and you would have 90 options.

Now I warned him – don’t filter the suggestions your brain comes up with.  Some of your suggestions are crazy, even illegal, but several of them will turn out to be really creative.  All he needed was one or two great solutions and he was set.

Once he had his list I wanted him to check each solution on a scale of 1-10.  One for minimum effort, ten for maximum effort.  Finally I wanted him to rate his enthusiasm for each solution on the scale of 1-10.  He finally began to see several solutions naturally rise to the top.

You might ask – why would I want him to rate effort and enthusiasm?  Enthusiasm will carry people over the hump of effort, but they might give up if the effort is too difficult when enthusiasm is so low.

In the case of the client he wanted to fix a money problem.  I had him do my Apollo 13 exercise – what he realized was astonishing.  He saw in black and white that his usual solution wouldn’t get different results, but adding a list of new potential ideas he had new possibilities.  He began to feel hopeful he could get new results.

So what are your mission critical problems?   Start with a piece of paper and begin brainstorming to get some new ideas.

I don’t want to give away the story, but in the end everything worked out.

Have a great week from your Mompreneur

Christine

I would love to reach more people – Like us on Facebook or subscribe to the blog

P.S. – RIP Whitney Houston…may you sing on forever.

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Meditation Monday – A little belief goes a long way

I began thinking about belief last night during the Superbowl.  Anyone who is not a football fan, or doesn’t know the Giant’s motto – Believe.  That’s what they did in spades – Eli and team knew in their minds it was a fact they would come home with the Lombardi trophy.  Congratulations to Big Blue

You can work that same magic in your own life.

Today I had a wonderful lunch with a person who keeps me grounded.  She said “I just don’t get mad anymore – I just believe that the right thing is waiting for me.”  She’s one of the most positive people around.  She’s not a Pollyanna, and thinks that everything is perfect.  Rather she just has an understanding that what is the right path will appear.  She doesn’t stress – rather just plugs along – and amazing things happen for her.

I’ve seen it happen in my own life – especially when I step out of the way.

I had a mission to date this one person.  Every single day I said with conviction it would happen.  I didn’t give up for a long time.  Finally when it happened and this person stepped back into my life (moving into my neighborhood from another state) I was elated.  Then after spending some time with this person I realized I could have used my belief powers for a higher purpose.  The relationship was a disaster.

I came to realize that belief can be a double edge sword.  Especially if your focused on another person, place or thing.  Sometimes you need to shoot your arrow a little higher.

I notice when I force things into my own “plan” they usually go haywire.  Then when I step back and just let the flow happen, miracles present themselves. You need to focus your belief onto yourself first, then the right person, place or thing will present itself – not the other way around.

So today the message -“Believe” is a vital part of the success formula.  You can believe in the final outcome, but you can’t direct every piece of the plan.  Rather you just need to believe this is where you’re supposed to be.  What has been given to you is part of your creation.  Finally don’t ask for something without conviction.

Enough for Monday –

Make it a wonderful week – Christine

Your Mompreneur Coach

 

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Rule of Three

Today I gave someone a task – for the next 30 days think of three things everyday you want to do to have more abundance.  While I wasn’t the creator of this exercise I think it is extremely valuable.  I have to give credit to other personal development coaches such as Tony Robbins and Jack Canfield.

Still, I didn’t give this task lightly…

This important task was given to someone who is planning to retire, but they don’t know what to do with their post 9-5 freedom.  How many people would be thrilled with having all the time in the world to do whatever they choose?  The only problem… this person doesn’t feel abundant.  Even though they have a nice nest egg to retire with they feel everything is “too big” of a cost.    They live in a perpetual state of lack and fear.

Here’s my big secret – you’re wealthy beyond measure if you have your health, family, and friends.  Once you get past a feeling of lack you begin to see possibilities.  You need to stop looking at the glass half-full.  Ask yourself do you want the inert paper called money or what it brings and offers your life.  I’m willing to bet it is the emotions and possibilities money represents.

How about the next time you get bills in the mail think “Wow I was able to buy X, or I have electricity to run my house, or thank the universe for the ability to have a job to pay these bills”  Whatever it takes to start to feel graced and abundant.

You will be amazed how positive you feel.  Feeling positive is sunshine in a gloomy day.

Now don’t get me wrong – if you want more abundance you need to ask for it.  You need to believe it’s possible, and take action.  Still you can start feeling abundant today.  Give a dime if you have a dollar.  The open hand receives – the grasped fist deters success.  You decide if your a conductor or a resistor.

You might not get the positive results from the immediate future, but I can assure you what you do today will come back threefold.  Patience and persistence is the leverage which moves mountains.

Now I hope that you take on the exercise – think of three things daily that make you feel powerful, graced and successful.  Do you want more money – think of three things you can offer each day that increase your abundance.

Not every idea that comes out of your head will be a winner – but after 30 days you will have 90 ideas.  All you need is a single idea to make a big difference in your life.

Live well and open your hands to success,

Blessings,

Christine
Your Mompreneur Coach

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Step back from the ledge

I spent some time today pondering.

When I was a kid my friends and I went rock climbing.  The trip up the mountain was scary, and at one point I almost fell backwards onto jagged rocks.  After hours of climbing we made it to the top.  The funny part when we got there, the other side of the mountain was an gentle sloping hill.  We lived on the side of the hill that had the rocks.  It would have made more sense to look at both sides of the hill before we decided to climb up the sheer rock face.  Still we didn’t realize there was another side of the mountain until we reached the top.

How many people spend their lives climbing up the tough side of the mountain?  There is another solution. Don’t let your life experience become a climb up the rock face, scary and perilous. Find a roadmap, a mentor or create a plan before you set out for the climb.

When was the last time you took a look, stopped to look at the other side of the hill, or just stopped to be quiet in the noise?

Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that I’m a big fan of Dr. Stephen Covey.  I make it a habit to re-evaluate my plan often.  I try to live in Q2 most of the time.   I protect my planning and thinking time.

I’ve met a lot of people who live in Crisis (Q1) or Coma (Q4).  I refuse to be pushed to ledge, if I find myself there it’s because I’m out of Q2.

Q2 is planning and that’s where the hidden treasure lies.

Ask yourself where are you right now are you being pushed over the edge AND hanging on by your fingernails on the ledge (Q1)?  Are you procrastinating and avoiding doing anything (Q4)?

Or are you looking at both sides of the mountain to see if there is another way up the hill?

The only reason I can live in Q2 is because I’ve spent time deciding what I need to accomplish.  My life mission, my long-term goals, short-term goals and how the whole picture fits together.  Writing this blog satisfies one portion of my life plan goals.

Take some time this weekend to evaluate where you are emotionally, socially, spiritually and financially.  You may find you need an overhaul, but savor the trip.

How are my fans doing cleaning up their lives and organizing?  Did you find some hidden treasures lurking in the pile of filing?

Tell your friends about my blog – who knows maybe there is a hidden treasure in all my musings…

Develop your plan, find your center and get into action!

Christine

 

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What’s your future plan?

I had an interesting few days, but I realized one thing…  You can’t wait for someone else to give you a future.  Leave your future in the hands of someone else you might not like the results.

 

 

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Secret to becoming RICH

Howdee everyone,

I had something wonderful happen to me recently that I wanted to share.

I have a room in my house which serves many purposes.  It is our guest bedroom, office, art studio, and general junk room.  One of my New Year promises (see I avoided the resolution trap) was to add beauty and color in my life.  So we decided to paint.  During the dismantling of this room something occurred to me – what a disorganized mess – who lives here!

You know the room where you encounter “I’ll get to that task later syndrome”!   This was my own version of the land of misfit toys.  Papers were misfiled in a 4-drawer filing cabinet.  I found receipts which we never claimed on our taxes.  We had purchased items, some twice or three times.  I had enough paper, pens and school supplies to run a small private school.  Then it occurred to me – this didn’t happen overnight.   We just forgot to take care of it, we were busy, but worse yet – just like the sky opening up – AHHHH… that’s the secret.

But I’m not going to tell you just yet, first I’m going to lay a little more wisdom on you.  Think about living with less, and spending less?  Does that thought make you sweat?  Do you get a feeling of panic?

Most people wouldn’t feel comfortable without eight credit cards in their wallets.  How about living on 10% less each and every month.  You could do it quiet easily and stop living on credit tomorrow.  Take the next 45 days and go on a crash credit diet.  December is over, it should be easy.  Don’t pull out the plastic take this year and be on a credit diet – only pay cash for items.  But the real trick is tracking where you’re spending the money.

First you roll 10% savings (of your monthly net earnings) and pay off your consumer debt.  You know all the stuff you bought for the holidays which is already forgotten.  You’ll see the balances melt away like winter snow.  When the breathing room finally catches up to you – roll that money into your next biggest debt – your car payment or your mortgage.

Of course when you choose to live on cash someone will be very sad.  Your bank or credit card company will be very lonely and miss you terribly…Do you care?

Set the 2012 money goals – Small, measurable, achievable, realistic and time driven.  Don’t turn down the heat to 60 and live on mac and cheese for a year.  Make the goal to be consumer debt free by 2013.

Not sure where you are on the debt scale or what your FICO score is?  I found a cool website – check it out

The big A-HA moment I had – stay organized and know where your money goes.  Write down your spending for a month you will be shocked where the holes are in your financial budget.

Let me know if you’re going on a Debt Diet – Next week – I’ll focus on the idea of organization as a tool for getting rich.

Live, love and pay it forward,

Christine

Your Momprenure Coach

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What do you do when you lose it all?

Hey fellow blog readers…

What do you do when you lose it all?  Recently I was thinking that exact thought when I had an electronics meltdown.  My crackberry, computer and email program decided it was time for a permanent vacation.  That’s right we’re talking Chernobyl meltdown.  A permanent loss of all information – then I began to think about loss and gains.

Was a terrible loss that I lost old emails?  Well on one level yes it was awful, but it helped me focus on what I needed to recover.  The rest of my archive was garbage anyway.  I was able to recover my contact list (thankfully), but more that I looked at it, the more I realized we all moved forward.  How often did I contact people?  Not enough…

Losing my notes for the book and mompreneur project was sad and very challenging.  But maybe those notes were just a real first draft?  Maybe I needed to take a new look at things?  Who knows how the universe works – I just know that it does things at the right time, for the right reasons.

So my goal this year is only focus on important things. Plus I learned – backup and backup often.

I’ve set some time to read a couple of cool motivation books each and every month.  I went back to my roles and goals and pared down my to-do list.  I’m living in the moment, but I’m also planning for the future.

I wish everyone a success filled 2012.  May you get everything you need to enjoy your future.  Forget focusing on the past and I’ll talk again next year.

Marketing Mom

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