Marketing Consultant PLR!

Video Survey Results – Are You Surprised?

Last month we did a short survey on the kind of videos you prefer to use in your business. As promised we’re sharing the results.

Before we go over the results there are a few things to consider…

The first thing to realize is we had over 100 responders. Is that a large enough sampling? I don’t know. I’m not a statistician. However, based on the results I think we could have had 5,000 people respond and things wouldn’t have changed much. Keep reading to see why I feel this way.

Second, we did not drill down and be super specific in what we were looking for. For example, we didn’t specify what type of video we were talking about. Meaning, for our lead-gen sites we use 30-60 second pre-sales videos. It’s our guess that’s the mindset that most of the responders answered their questions – with those types of videos in mind.

It’s also our guess that if we did specify the exact type of video the results would have been a little different.

Here’s why I say that.

[Read more…]

By MCPLR 4 Comments

What Kind of Videos Do You Like Best?

We all know that online videos have been a proven way to help build trust, credibility and convert more prospects into customers then anything else!

Video is the perfect way to start building a relationship, to show you’re a trustworthy person and to pre-sell your products and services in a NO PRESSURE way. We all know that people love to buy they just hate to be sold. With videos you eliminate all the initial sales pressure and create a value-based relationship that the prospect appreciates.

But not all videos are created equal. Some are more engaging and convert better than others.

For example, we’ve provide two types of videos for our clients and on our lead-gen sites. One is called the “Image Based” video. This style of video uses relatable images to help emphasis the message in the video. The other style of video is called “Text Based”. This style of video using the actual text of the video script so the viewer can read along as the video is playing.

Please watch these two short videos for examples of both “Image Based” and “Text Based” videos:

Image Based Video

Text Based Video

We’ve done research on this subject and have discovered a few things. But we want you to help us continue this research by taking this quick 5-question survey.

It will take less than a minute and we have a special surprise for you on the thank you page!

Thanks for your help!

Please complete the 5-question, 1-minute survey below…

Fill out my online form.

By MCPLR 4 Comments

Why Customers Do What They Do

This is a great video by Simon Sinek at a TEDx event. While it focuses on how leaders inspire action starting with the “Why”, the information can be easily applied to why customers do the things they do. In short, why people behave the way they do and how you can alter your marketing message to fit Simon’s model.

Great stuff!!

Please share your thoughts below…

By MCPLR 3 Comments

Truth About Mobile Sites for Local Small Businesses

Why Local Small Businesses Need a Mobile Site

There are 3 critical reasons why a small business MUST have a mobile ready website.

People are searching everyday for local businesses on their smart phones
These same people leave if the site is not optimized for their mobile phone
The people that do stay on the site – because it’s mobile ready – either call or visit the local business over 75% of the time.

A research study released on the Google Mobile Ads Blog on April 26, 2011 stated that:

95% of smartphone users have searched for local information
And of that 95% – 88% of these users take action within a day
Furthermore, 77% have contacted the business, with 61% calling and 59% visiting the local business

As you can see, it’s critical for local businesses to have a mobile ready site.

But not all mobile sites and solutions are created equal.

Getting Clear on Mobile Marketing

For some reason people everywhere are making Mobile Marketing something complicated. Whether they’re advising us to use a confusing script or plugin to create mobile sites or if they’re saying, “Hey, don’t create mobile sites at all. Just create an app.”

All their ramblings do nothing more than cause confusion and paralysis-by-analysis. We get so much misinformation that we don’t know which way is up. Much less who to trust when it comes to getting the right info.

Unfortunately there is not one right solution that will solve ALL of our mobile marketing problems. Sometimes a mobile site is the right gig. Other times it might make sense to create an app. Every situation is different.

This is very evident when it comes to local offline businesses.

There are so many people telling us what we should be doing and nearly ALL of it is wrong!!

We constantly hear, “You need a responsive theme.” “You need an app.” “You need to make your entire site mobile friendly.” bla, bla, bla.

Let’s get clear and bust through a few of the most common myths.

Common Myths Busted!

Myth: Local businesses need a Responsive Web Design (or theme)

Truth: First off, let’s define what a Responsive Wed Design is:

According to Wikipedia: a Responsive web design (often abbreviated to RWD) is an approach to web design in which a site is crafted to provide an optimal viewing experience—easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling—across a wide range of devices (from desktop computer monitors to mobile phones).

While this sounds great on paper – and in some situations it works great – most responsive sites and WordPress Themes do NOT look professional on a mobile device. Nor are they very user friendly. Most of the time the responsive theme forces itself to squeeze things together and this causes a user experience that is less than optimal.

With all that being said, the truth of the matter is that local businesses do NOT and should NOT use a Responsive Web Design.

Myth: Local businesses should only use a mobile app and not worry about a mobile site

Truth: Having a mobile app for your local business is a great thing! There are a lot of benefits to having one. However, since when does it have to be one or the other?

Forcing customers to download and use a mobile app instead of giving them immediate access to a user-friendly mobile site does not result in a quality user experience.

If you want to utilize a mobile app for your local business, then by all means do that. But do not waste the tremendous benefits of using a mobile site just because you want to create an app. A mobile site should be priority number one. Then you can move on to phase two – which can be your mobile app.

Myth: Local businesses need to make their entire site mobile friendly

Truth: This one is kind of silly. Based on what we’ve already learned why would a small business ever need to make their entire site mobile friendly?

IMPORTANT: The reality of the situation is that when a consumer lands on a local small business website from a mobile device they are usually – like 90%+ – looking for one-thing. Their contact information! Either a phone number to call or an address they can drive to.

Consumers are NOT looking for the company’s blog, 27 pages of information or a bunch of platitudes attempting to describe how much better they are then the rest.

Again, we are talking about a specific situation – a local consumer looking for a local business. Certainly what we’ve discussed so far would not be all encompassing to every possible scenario out there. However, when it comes to local businesses I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.

Imagine this scenario for a second…

A person searching for a local pizza shop, auto mechanic or even a dentist. What is it that they are searching for? Most likely, it’s the business’ phone number so they can call them. In other cases, they may be looking for the address because they can’t find their location. Consumers are NOT looking to read their blog. Nor are they looking to scroll through pages and pages of content that does not mean anything to them.

The bottom line: when consumers search a local business on their mobile device they want to call them or they want to visit them.

For a local business to take advantage of mobile marketing they do not need super sophisticated software, solutions or apps. They need simplicity.

Local Businesses Need Mobile Site Simplicity!

That’s right. When it comes to a mobile site for a local small business, service based business, independent professional and most entrepreneurs – less is more.

They don’t need over complicated solutions to provide what consumers need.

They need a simple solution, that works, that’s flexible and will give the consumer what they want and expect!

Let’s think about it for a second…

If something is over complicated or confusing the likelihood of us actually using the “solution” is very low.

And that’s only the first issue.

The second issue is that most of the complicated solutions are ones filled with a bunch of bells and whistles that do not add value to the customer experience. OR these bells and whistles simply won’t be used anyway. That means the small business is paying extra or higher prices for features that they’ll never use. Doesn’t make much sense does it?

Can We Agree On One Thing?

I hope we can agree that when it comes to local small businesses their needs are unique and different then other businesses. At least when it comes to mobile marketing.

Businesses that are web based and generate all their revenue online can benefit greatly from using a Responsive Web Design. But when it comes to a small local business it just doesn’t make sense.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again,

Local small businesses need a mobile marketing solution that is easy to use and offers the consumer what they need when they need it – the business’ phone number and address.

And now you can provide that to them…

A Quick Introduction to the
Premium WordPress Plugin…

WP Local Mobile was created specifically for local small businesses. Especially service-based businesses, independent professionals and most entrepreneurs. I’m sure there are plenty more uses but this was the target market.

This plugin redirects users on any mobile device – Ex., smart phone, iPhone, Android, etc. – to a beautiful and professional mobile friendly site.

You can also control the devices that the mobile site appears. For example, for tablets, iPads and Kindles there is no reason to be redirected to the mobile site because the regular site looks great on those devices. However, if for some reason you or your client wants their site to be redirected to the mobile version you can make that happen!

This is a super easy plugin to use and covers all the essentials that a small business needs for an effective mobile friendly site.

Want to learn more about WP Local Mobile? Click here!

By MCPLR 7 Comments

To Get More Clients – Stop Handing Out Business Cards!

To some, saying something like, “To get more clients – STOP handing out business cards!” is controversial. Let’s be real. It’s something we’ve always done. It’s been around forever.

Well maybe that’s the problem!

There is nothing new and unique about handing someone your business card. NOTHING! Sure you can try and do crazy designs or list your information vertically instead of horizontally but does it really matter?

When you meet someone you only have a few minutes to really impress then and gain credibility. By the way, that’s why the elevator pitch was invented.

Do you really think handing someone your business card impresses them? Do you think it builds credibility? Do you think it makes them want to do business with you more then any other option they have?

When you do the same thing that every one else is doing its nearly impossible to stand out above the rest. You fall into the same dark hole as all the other people trying to sell your prospect something.

With that in mind, you MUST do something different. Something better. Something unique. Something worthwhile that your prospect will have no other choice but to remember you when you call them. Or better yet, have them call you.

So how do you do that? What’s something that will make you stand out, that’s unique, something that your prospect will never forget?

Hand them your printed book!

Imagine the scene, you’re at a networking event and you’re discussing “business” with various potential clients and then someone asks for your business card. Instead of handing them your business card, you reach into you briefcase and say, “I’ll do better than that. I’m going to give you my book, “Powerful Problem-Solution Title That Smacks Your Target Market Across the Face!”.

Then other prospects see that you’re handing out free books. Well of course they don’t want to be left out so they approach you and say, “What’s your book about? Can I have a copy?” All of a sudden there’s a buzz around you. People are thumbing threw your book, reading sections, talking about it with others.

This is SUPER POWERFUL stuff!!

How do I know this? Because this happens to me. In fact, it happens to everyone that I have worked with or have talked to that follows this same approach.

It can happen for you too!

Before you get overwhelmed with the idea of writing your own book there are a few things you need to understand.

First, you book does not have to be a book in the traditional sense. It can – and in my opinion should be – a short report that is laser focused on solving one problem by providing one solution.

For example, let’s say you specialize in generating leads through Pay-Per-Click advertising like AdWords or Facebook Ads. Then you could write a book based on Best Practices and the things they should know before getting involved with PPC.

Your book should provide tremendous value. But at the same time it should explain things at a higher level so that they will want YOU to do it for them.

Second, your book/report doesn’t have to be long. It can be 10-25 pages. And if you include screenshots, etc you can create it in an afternoon.

Third, do your best to create a book that is evergreen. Meaning that the content will stand the test of time. I realize this can be tough but if you can do it – all the better.

Granted I just gave an example of PPC advertising. And that is anything but evergreen. However, don’t let that stop you. By using on-demand printing like 48hrbooks.com you can simply stop printing a book or start printing a new book whenever needed.

Lastly, be sure to include your Call-to-Action in the back – and front – of your book.

Of course there are several other things we could cover but I hope you get the gist.

Here’s a super cool thing about this client getting method…

You can do it and test it very, very inexpensively! There really is no reason why you should not implement this in your own business.

I have written my own printed books and reports to help grown my business. And it works tremendously well. I encourage you to do the same. In fact, many of our customers have used our Consultant Credibility Packages as the foundational material for their own books.

Let me say one more thing about business cards. Given what I’ve said in this article does that mean I do not believe you should ever use business cards. Absolutely not! There are times when it makes practical sense to hand out your business card – when you’ve given out all your books!!!

If you would like me to help you or if you’d like me to explain something further or something I might have missed please let me know.

You can share your thoughts and comments below.

By MCPLR 13 Comments

LGS Training Series – The Why and How of LGS Site Success

Yesterday a customer sent us an email asking for help addressing some prospects concerns when it comes to using LGS Sites.

Here’s the email:

“What are the conversions of the LGS Sites? The reason I ask is a couple prospects have questioned how effective the site will be for conversion and I have nothing to give them as a response.

The questions I have received are: Are the people who download the report mostly tire kickers or in the early stage of hiring a contractor and not yet ready to buy services?…”

[Read more…]

By MCPLR 5 Comments

Get Tons of Clients Fast! Free Audio Training…

I want to give you a free 25-minute audio training program that will show you how to get a ton of clients without cold calling or any other prospecting efforts on your part! In fact, you use a specific kind of company to do all the work for you and they cover all the costs!

In this audio training program you’ll discover:

Exactly what the “Client Getting P.L.A.N.” is and how to use it today to get results
Why a very specific kind of business will do everything they can to help you… they will not only generate the leads for you but they will absorb any of the costs that come with it!
How simple 20-30 minute presentations can bring you an endless supply of leads
Why following this system immediately establishes you as the “go-to” expert
The 5-step plan… We call it the “5 C’s that you can use to get started immediately
Plus a few motivational tips to get you moving fast

To get this free audio all you have to do is answer the quick 5-question survey below. After you’re finished you will be taken directly to the download page.

Fill out my online form.

By MCPLR Leave a Comment

I Love Infographics! Watch this 3-minute Video to Find Out Why

I think infographics are one of the most powerful ways to build trust, credibility and your expert status.

I just invested in a product that has a TON of top quality infographics you can use right now to help get customers for your offline consulting business.

It’s called, Infographics Infiltration!

Here’s a quick 3-minute video review of why I like this product and infographics so much. It includes a cool strategy you can use immediately to help your customers!

By MCPLR 4 Comments

Download Free “Webinar Traffic” Report – No Optin!

I want to thank you for being a great customer and subscriber to my list.

To do that I am giving you a free 30-page report on how to use webinars to drive traffic to your sites and offers! This is one of the actual reports customers receive inside their Web Traffic F.U.E.L! purchase.

No optin required, no strings attached. Just a top quality, total content report you can use right now to help grow your business!

Click here to download the free Webinar Traffic report now!

Please share your thoughts and comments below.

By MCPLR 3 Comments

The Only 3 Ways to Generate Website Traffic

One of the biggest challenges everyone has on the Internet is generating enough traffic to their websites. Little traffic equals little income. Lots of traffic equals lots of income!

The good news is there are only 3 ways to create web traffic.

Buy It
Borrow It
Build It

BUY IT

Buying traffic simply means you pay someone or something to bring traffic to your website. This can be many, many different things but some of the most common ones are; PPC (Pay-Per-Click) like Google AdWords or Facebook Ads, Banner Ads on high traffic sites, Email Ad where you pay someone to place your ad in their email newsletter, plus many, many more. Buying your traffic is a great way to get started fast. You can literally start to get traffic in a matter of hours or even minutes. Of course the downside is that it costs money. But if your offer is good paid traffic can certainly be worth it.

BORROW IT

A great way to get traffic is by borrowing it from someone else. In short, you can have affiliates or joint venture partners send traffic to your site in exchange for a commission. Since they are the one’s that own the list you in a sense are “borrowing” their traffic. And even though you pay them a commission – usually 50% – you only have to pay them after the sale is made. This way you do not have to take money out of your pocket up front. That’s a good thing.

BUILD IT

Building traffic is exactly what it sounds like. You have to do things to build a bridge from the traffic source to your site. There are hundreds of ways to do this but some of the most common ways are; content on your site that gets ranked high in the search engines through SEO techniques, YouTube videos that link bank and refer back to your site, Facebook Fan Pages that build a following that connect back to your site and posting helpful comments on forums in your market that lead people back to your site. That’s just naming a few!! As you can imagine building traffic is the one that takes the most time but can also be the most rewarding over time. Once you build enough traffic to your site and maintain it on a consistent basis you can eliminate the other two…

However, I wouldn’t do that and here’s why…

SECRET TO TRAFFIC SUCCESS

The real secret to traffic success… doing all 3 at the same time on a consistent basis!

If you can develop a plan and stick to your plan on a consistent basis you will – without a doubt (but no guarantees) generate a ton of traffic to your websites.

In future articles we’re going to talk about each way to generate traffic for your site. Until then, if you’re interested in the absolute 12 best, easiest and quickest ways to build traffic to your own or your clients sites then check out Web Traffic F.U.E.L! Some people are calling it WTF! but it’s the wrong WTF. 🙂

Click here to watch a short video to see how it all works and how you can benefit from it.

Would you like to share any thoughts on this subject? We’d love to hear them! Please enter your comments below…