If you look hard enough, Opportunity is everywhere but few can see it.  Be alert and aware to things that may appear small but really are the ground breaking ideas that lite the fire.  As elusive as opportunity is, you make your own doors open…. Get’r Done!!!

Weather it is in the sales or personal live, the best is to be LIKED. Before you get all up in arms about how trust is this and that, hear me out. Some say trust is everything, but you don’t get the appt with a prospect or the 1st date or 1st sale if it weren’t for being liked.

We all have had those “door knockers” who we can’t stand. It doesn’t matter how great the offer is, you just don’t like him, so you don’t buy from HIM/HER. Its not him/her fault (sometimes it is),we are human with different personalities. Consumers LIKE to buy. Business owners are no different. Buying come natural, you want…. you buy.

In the way of sales, you buy from who you LIKE. That salesperson, agent or pitchman can have an inferior product, but as long as there is PERCIEVED value and they LIKE you, you get bought (close the sale). Trust and believe is a bi-product of being LIKED. How can you be trusted if you cant get passed the gate keeper or decision maker who doesn’t like you?

So how do you go about being LIKED?

·   Personalities have to be similar. If the personalities are like sandpaper, then chances are slim to none….. And “Slim” left town.

·   Build relationships. Don’t always try to sell them. Try to get to know them. Buyers buy from those they LIKE.

·   Smile, be playful.

·   Be straight and forward.

·   Don’t beat around the bush.

·   Address issues when they are small. They will LIKE you for making their life easier.

·   Allow the client the option to voice their concerns. Use open ended questions like: What do you think about ___? Do you see potential issues coming up?

·   Be upfront with any concerns. Communication is the key.

All these ideas help build a rapport to the client. When in conversation, you are brought up by your clients… hopefully they tell their friends/associates they like you or even love you (in a business atmosphere of course). In the end, you are LIKED because the client knows their role and what is needed to be successful with YOU!!!

A marketing plan, its what small businesses dont have. You can follow a Fortune 500 company or mid size firm and you will find that they have that crucial document called a marketing plan. All to often, small businesses dont have a plan or if they do, its scribbled on a piece of paper. How is this even planning?

In that marketing plan (on scribbled paper), there is a reliance upon the “Word of Mouth” advertising to promote their business. When in fact, W.O.M. is the slowest form of adverting.

Why is that you ask? Well, take a logitech head set for your computer for example. To me, it works great. Functions well. Gets the job done. But at what point can I tell my friends that this is a good product. ONLY time is when I get invited to share OR it becomes a topic that I can put my 2cents in. It can be hours after product use, weeks, or months….. so it is one of those advertising avenues that makes no sense to put all your eggs in that basket.

But it is not to be discounted that when the “Word of Mouth” advertising is used, it can be postive… or negative. That Golden Rule that they would tell 5 people about a bad item/service etc, and those 5 people tell 5 people and on and on….. is out the window with todays social media. Not only do they tell 5 of their friends to their face, but the 984 friends on Facebook. Eeeek! As for the postive side, EVERY company wants a ringing endorsement… FOR FREE!!! With a great experience, a consumer becomes that, a free endorsement. :)

“Word of Mouth” is used to validate people as well, even if it be a mechanic or a plumber. It is used to find out about a boy/girl you like (street cred), but its also used in employment searches. Ever been asked if you “knew someone” for a job opening? yes, we use this all the time and may not know it.

So how do you manage “Word of Mouth” for your business?

• provide the best customer service (it does really get remembered).
• dont let the “little” problems grow into bonfires.
• create relationships with your regulars (they give HONEST answers, no fluff because they feel invested as well).
• provide a sense of value.

Its no surprise that Facebook has become the newest marketing tool for businesses.  For the last 2 years, you have seen growth in the “Like” cycle.  All in an attempt to create more “touches” to their consumer. 

Some companies like Old Navy use their facebook to offer direct offers to their base with coupons and silent offers that no one but those who follow will be able to redeem.  Then, you have companies like Buffalo Wild Wings that use it to promote the daily offers (i.e. 50 cent wings).  Either way, the use of facebook is evolving social media. Building a top brand takes effort and doesnt happen overnight.

Ck out the top 50 branded FB pages. surprised? http://bit.ly/sl6LmI #facebook #marketing #old navy #buffalo wild wings #social media

tmz:

In case you didn’t hear, ‘Teen Mom’ star Jenelle Evans was arrested… again. 

nasdaq:

curiositycounts:

The creative process, visualized. And in video form.

And to close out the day and send us into the weekend, a delightful Fast Co Design map of the creative process. If you want to do something new, brace yourselves for twists and turns!

SEARCH. MOLD. EXECUTE.

MAKE IT HAPPEN…………..