Marketing used to be about “getting in front of” prospects, delivering your pitch, and making the sale. Today, buyers increasingly distrust marketing “claims” and expect businesses to show, not tell, when demonstrating their products and services. They shun self-serving salespeople and seek businesses that focus on making a difference, not getting a sale.  Thought leadership centers on

I wanted to tell you about a situation that REALLY boiled my buns… It’s about how NOT to create your private coaching program – and the exact kind of idiot who should NEVER set up shop as a coach or mentor to others (which is our main business, as you know…) I hate to embarrass

This week’s Marketing Jackass Award goes to… me. Why? Because I just conducted one of the WORST sales calls of my life. Yes, it was that bad. Let’s count the ways so that YOU can apply these 7 lessons to YOUR sales process. And so you never have to blow it like I just did.

There are only three problems that you, as a small business owner, entrepreneur or professional service provider, are ever going to be in a position to solve. You may sell the world’s greatest widgets… You may have patented the most efficient doo-dad your industry has ever seen… Your flagship service may be the most effective

Have you noticed? Email open rates are down – click through rates are down – and sometimes, no matter how large your subscriber list may be, you find yourself asking, “Is anybody out there?” Bad news: Chances are that if you’re doing email marketing the same way that you were doing it 10 years ago,

Marketing 1.0 Cajole convince persuade chase sell beat up interrupt intrude close close again stalk give up No wonder you’re exhausted… Marketing 2.0 Solve answer enlighten equip fix listen nurture connect engage attract entice invite buy So much better… Here are two visual reminders for you. Please share them, post them, pin them – and

Does your dog blog? Yes? No? Not sure? Well, don’t worry because mine does. You’re about to get 10 blogging lessons from my black Labrador retriever, Woofie, who turns 10 soon. (FYI her birthday is April 29 and she loves getting birthday notes by email. And she replies to every one!) What makes Woofie such

Where did that lead come from? “It came out of the blue…” How did that customer find you? “They found us out of the blue…” What made them call? “They called out of the blue…” How many times have you heard yourself give these types of answers? Hmmm… me too. Until last night when I

You could pay a marketing coach or ad agency or brand consultant BIG bucks to create (or recreate) your brand. A word of advice: DON’T! You need a snappy name. Something sharp, clever, clear, and concise. Something you’d be proud to have your fans and customers display on a t-shirt, coffee mug or bumper sticker.