Fast Marketing Minute

Website popups are so annoying right? Well they don’t have to be. If you keep them simple and relevant to the content someone’s viewing, they can be enticing. You’ll want to give your viewers an incentive -- or what I call a legal bribe -- in exchange for their email address, of course.

Next, don’t bombard consumers with a popup as soon as they enter your site. Try using a popup right before they leave your website. Another idea is to add a special offer with a popup after they’ve viewed at least 3-5 products or your services page.

Most importantly, make sure your popups aren’t intrusive to your visitor’s experience. The “X” should be visible and accessible, especially on mobile. If someone can’t close a popup, they’ll just leave your site. It’s off-putting, and gives people a bad impression. Plus, Google will ding you for it. Who wants that!

Now that you know the basic ins and outs of popups, why not give them a try? -- I’d love to know how they work for you.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for ideas on how increase your sales and online and offline visibility, check out my Top 40 Marketing blog at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

Let’s talk about Pinterest. If you thought it was just for dream vacations, brides, and ideas on how to decorate your home, that’s not the case anymore. It’s a growing platform to gain new business, create a sales funnel, and grow your email list.

With over 291,000 users every month, Pinterest has a loyal audience, primarily women, but men account for 40% of the new signups. People scroll their mobile phones, day and night, looking for helpful and inspiring ideas.

What that means for your business is this: if you’re creating and sharing tips and information – to solve a customer’s problem, answer questions, or offer quick and easy solutions, Pinterest may work for your brand – and be quite profitable.

If you understand how Pinterest works and how to work it, you can create “free products” that can drive traffic to your blog, website, and landing pages – and create a buyer’s path, for them to learn more.

4 Tips to Build Your Email List with Pinterest

-Create a lead magnet, which you’ll exchange for your reader’s email address. This should promote your expertise and give your audience a simple solution to their problem. It can be an e-book, video, check list, or free trial.

-Connect your ‘freebie’ to a landing page via your email marketing program where people can opt-in. Be sure to add relevant keywords and your opt-in offer to your Pinterest Profile.

-Think of Pinterest as one giant search engine, and your profile as a business card. Consider creating a new business account, and leave your personal one, for personal use. You’ll have different goals and objectives, and it will be easier to track.

-Share your lead magnet, freebie or opt-in on other Pinterest boards that have the same audience and niche.

If you’re looking for a speaker who talks about marketing and growing your brand, contact me at [email protected]. I speak at conferences and hold strategic work sessions worldwide. Talk tomorrow!

If you’re in business, you’re in sales and if you don’t have sales, you might as well close up shop. Every small business owner will tell you that their industry has a particular way they market their products and services, and prospect for new clients.  But, if you’re prospecting for gold on a barren or deserted island, it’s probably less effective than being in front of your ideal clients online and offline, solving their problems, and offering value.

Don’t get sucked into thinking you need every kind of marketing that’s out there. Every business is different.

To cut the learning curve, think about a customized online and offline marketing plan that’s based on your company’s vision, your situation, your industry and where you are and where you want to go.

Every day I hear stories of small business owners who get talked into marketing strategies and ad spends that waste valuable resources, time, and stab the human spirit. We forget that we evolve just like our businesses.

Build Your Business in 2020 with a Solid Marketing Plan

A solid marketing plan is one of the most cost-effective ways to build your business and gain visibility. It’s usually eye-opening and transformative, if you implement recommended strategies and follow a detailed action plan that’s been based on research, trends, and competitive analysis to differentiate your brand and rev up your bottom line.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute.  If you’re looking to grow your business in a big way now, or down the road in 2020 email me at [email protected]. Don’t throw random darts to hit your target goals. Talk tomorrow!

If you’re a marketer, you know how important it is to have a call-to-action that works. After all, you want your target market to buy, click, read, download, and act now. Without a call-to-action, your copy, ad or promotional message is incomplete and perhaps ineffective.

 What makes the perfect call to action?

 Here are  4 Marketing Tips to Create a Call-to-Action That Works.

 Be clear on what your objectives are. Are you showcasing your expertise, attracting prospects into your sales funnel, promoting a new product or book? Use action-oriented words that provoke emotion and create a need to have, want or buy.

 Write to capture your visitor’s attention. Prospects are reading your material hoping you can solve their problem. Personalize your copy with the words “you or me” so it looks like you’re writing just to them. Write persuasively to not just influence, but so your customer takes action.

 Create short commands. Buy Now. Get Started. Order a Sample Pack Now. Learn More. Don’t Miss Out. Add an exclamation mark! If you have a specific landing page or designated email, make sure you’ve selected the right colors and that your call-to-action buttons are compelling.

Don’t be afraid of using FOMO. Fear of missing out. You see this tactic all the time. 75% Sale Ends Today! Hurry, only 4 Hours Left! Your job as a marketer is to create brand advocates, a base of raving fans who always want to buy. FOMO compels your audience to take action.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute.  Here’s a call-to-action. Download my guide, How to Work a Room Without Being There. It’s at RobinSamora.com/WorkaRoom. Find out what you need to do to build your brand, when you can’t be there in person. Talk tomorrow!

 

 

Want a list of marketing ideas that won’t break the bank this month? Use national days, weeks and months to rev up your small business and brand, and get a jump start on your promotions calendar for 2020.

Here are two websites to check out. NationalDayCalendar.com and NationalToday.com.

One thing, you probably missed National Kick Butt Day on October 8th, but there are still other national days you can piggyback on this month. In fact, there are 107 holidays in November alone, besides the obvious.

Here are some examples:

November 2019 Monthly Holidays

National Inspirational Role Models Month

November 2019 Weekly Holidays

International Fraud Awareness Week

National Deal Week

November 2019 National Days

Small Business Saturday #ShopSmall

Universal Children’s Day

Square Dance Day

Black Friday – of course

Stay Home Because You’re Well Day

You don’t have to be Starbucks® to align your business with National Cappuccino Day (that was on November 8th) But let’s use it as an example. Think about gift cards for employees, a client thank you, or offer a complimentary cappuccino for first dates, an afternoon pick me up (not like it sounds) or for that matter, anyone who wants to do business on that day. Brew up your own promotion with holiday themes and get the buzz you deserve.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute.  Are you looking for a bunch of free marketing and PR ideas to grow your business? Download my free guide, 52 Weeks of Marketing and PR Ideas at RobinSamora.com/52MarketingIdeas. Implement a few ideas at a time and let me know how it goes! Talk tomorrow!

 

I’m a big fan of spot coaching. That’s hiring an expert who’s more skilled and experienced in a certain area than you. Spot coaches are invaluable if you’re looking to explore a new business idea, need insight or direction, or want to openly discuss the pros and cons of moving ahead on a project – one that requires time or a substantial financial commitment.

Consider a few guidelines before hiring:

-Find a spot coach that has an excellent reputation in the area or industry you want clarity in. Google your subject matter expert, ask colleagues for referrals, read their materials, hear them speak. Sometimes it pays to talk with 2 or 3 experts to get a variety of opinions before making a big decision.

-Reach out and give your advisor ample information and time to think about your question, in advance of your call or meeting. They, like you, need time to prepare.

-Be open to feedback you may not like, but that may serve you in the long run. Often, if you aren’t in agreement with your coach, you’ll see a different perspective that you may have not thought of. Trust in the process and trust that you made the best decision on who to work with.

If you’re working with a seasoned professional, you should get the solid advice that you’ve paid for, and that they’ve earned.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute.  If you need marketing help for a particular project or want to add some jet fuel to your marketing, contact me directly. I’m at [email protected] . Talk tomorrow!

Think it’s easy being an Instagram influencer? I guarantee, it’s not as easy as you think!

Instagram influencers are working hard to compose, photograph, edit and transform their pictures so they get your attention, gain likes, and of course followers. More followers equal more clout. With more views there’s typically better engagement, which translates somewhere down the line to brand recognition and revenue one way or another.

Every picture isn’t picture perfect though. In fact, some influencers are purposely sharing the reality of their daily lives and behind the scenes activities to portray another side of Instagram perfect. The human factor. Composition. Staging. Posting an image that may pique someone’s interest beyond looking dreamy.

Whether you craft your story through words, photos, speaking on stage, on a podcast or webinar, it’s about creating a bond with the audience you want to influence. Stories make us human, and at least for now, it’s the humans who are buying.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute.  I’m fairly new on Instagram and loving it! Follow me at @RobinSamoraPR and let’s connect. Let me know you heard me on Fast Marketing minute. Talk tomorrow!

 

Is Facebook losing steam? That’s a yes in my book, but just the opposite is true for its sister company Instagram. Recent reports show Instagram with over 1 billion monthly active users and a half of billion

daily users. More businesses than ever are flocking to the platform to promote their products and services, and share their stories.

Of course, stats vary from study to study, and by date, so check facts for your particular industry and to see if Instagram is a right fit for you.

Let’s talk about 3 Instagram Marketing Hacks to Grow Your Business.

Put effort into your images. Poor quality images won’t gain followers. Think about how you might stage a home for sale. Want it to look good, right?  Do the same with your Instagram content. Stage shots for best branding, likes, and sharing.

Add testimonials. If people are using your products and service, share it. Have others tell their story on why you’re awesome. No time to be shy. You don’t have to be a million-dollar brand to post video, but create a video others will remember.

Have a plan and a theme. Consistency always wins over random posting. Be strategic in your approach, posts, and calls to action. Surprise, entertain, and make people laugh – or smile at least.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, if you’d like to talk about marketing strategy for your business, you’ve come to the right place. Go to RobinSamora.com and contact me there. Let’s get an appointment on the calendar. Talk tomorrow!

 

Today we’re going to talk about your LinkedIn profile. Think of it like your professional calling card, not just for now, but for the future – and your future self.  It’s a great PR and marketing platform to showcase your experience and leadership in a particular industry, as well as give a glimpse of your brand personality – to a more corporate audience.

Here are 4 quick tips to help you create a stand-out profile:

* Use keywords in the heading so people can find you. Be sure to research those words so they’re specific to your industry and what you’re looking for. Make yourself easy to contact too. Heck, I even tell my clients to use their phone number. It makes you approachable.

* Don’t be a fake or phony, be you – poised and polished.

* Get a professional headshot – or ask someone with a great camera or an iPhone to take it (portrait mode works especially well).

* Engage, don’t sell. Promote mindfully, don’t brag. Keep your standards and credibility high.

*

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you need help with your LinkedIn profile or want to build a personal brand, I’d love to help. Look me up on LinkedIn at @RobinSamora and let’s connect. Just let me know where we met. Talk tomorrow!

Want a new way to fill events? Try starting a Meetup! You can create a group for free – or at least the last time I looked, for 30 days – and promote an event, seminar or workshops to increase your visibility and supplement your marketing and PR activities.

I started a meetup when I was looking to fill up a Gratitude Workshop about this time last year. Honestly, I wasn’t really sure that it would work. I created the group as an experiment to help with marketing the event. As you can imagine, I’m always on the lookout for new and innovate ways to promote my brand, so I was intrigued to see what the results might be.

To promote your small business and get additional PR, remember this about Meetups:

* You are the expert, you lead the group, you have permission to contact members, but do it wisely and mindfully.

* This is a Meetup not a sales page, so don’t sell, sell, sell. Consider this as a LinkedIn group where you’re all there to connect. It is not a pitch fest.

* Use Meetups when you’re traveling to meet people in a new city, to generate interest in your product or service, or to generate leads.

* If you’re speaking out of town, it’s also a great forum to invite people to your event, or as a way to follow up with a prospect who seems really interested.

* Lastly, remember the purpose of Meetups. To meet, network and discuss like-minded topics.

The fact that you get a chance to build your like, know and trust factor, fill an event and position

yourself for free press is a BONUS!

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m happy to tell you about my experience with

Meetups and give you some guidance on your next event. Get in touch at RobinSamora.com/contact. Talk Tomorrow.