Twitter 101: How to use it for business.

It's no secret: I use Twitter. If you're interested, you can follow me @lindsayberger.

Anyway, I came across an interesting article today that shares how to use Twitter for business, and I thought you'd be interested, too.

Here's the link: http://business.twitter.com/twitter101/

I hope you get some great ideas and insight about how to use this tool to grow your business.

Cheers!

Marketing kick in the butt.

Today, as I was doing my usual online "research," I came across a post on Biznik by fellow marketer Robert Middleton. He challenged fellow networkers to reveal the marketing projects that they've been putting off for too long. Here's the post:

Bet your car marketing projects.

Recently, with a group of business owners I'm coaching, I gave them a challenge to take on a marketing project that they were resisting or procrastinating about. In addition, there was a consequence if they did not complete this project by a given time - usually a donation to a group they'd prefer not to donate to!

Here's the challenge: What is a marketing project that you will initiate (or complete) by a certain time? And would you "bet your car" that you'll complete it? No, I won't come and collect your car if you don't, but thinking this way really changes your perspective and often propels you into action.

Just list the project you will initiate or complete and, if you like, the consequence you will pay if you don't complete it.

I thought that his post was very thought-provoking and interesting. Having a consequence for not doing my marketing puts it in perspective: if I had to donate money to a group I despised, I would definitely get my projects going!

Isn't it funny how motivated you become once there's some negative reinforcement?

What marketing projects have you been putting off and would get started if the consequence was really bad? Share, please!

Think you need a website? Consider this.

Marketing conclusions.

Ok, as you know I had my marketing brainstorm on Monday. One thing is crystal clear: I need to get my crap together!

I've heard that publicly announcing one's goals encourages them and motivates them to get them done quicker. So, I'm going to do just that.

Here's some marketing to-do tasks I identified during my "brainstorm":

1. Blog redesign: Wordpress or Squarespace? I dunno, still debating on that one.

2. More frequent blog posts

3. More participation and article posting on Biznik, LinkedIn, and Freelance Switch

4. Email newsletters: get em done! (Grr).

5. Perhaps a direct mail campaign. I'm debating on the logistics of this. It would definitely require me creating a mailing list.

What items are on your marketing to-do list? What things fall by the wayside, despite your best intentions? Share, please: misery loves company!

Marketing brainstorm.

Recently, I've been inundated with client projects (yay--I'm NOT complaining). But, because I've been focusing on these projects, my personal marketing plan has fallen by the wayside. I've neglected it--readers of this blog have probably noticed I've been posting less and less regularly. Thanks for sticking around, though--I appreciate you putting up with my crap.

So, to get back on track, my friend Angela (owner of 13thirtyone) and I are going to have a marketing brainstorm day at her office in Hudson. Her office is the perfect place for ideation: there's a whiteboard, large table, and huge windows perfect for zoning out (don't laugh, but some of my best ideas come when I daydream)! The whole day devoted to nothing but generating ideas, plans, and action steps.

I'm pretty excited about it. Plus, I'm hoping the result will be a blog-makeover (this standard blogger lay-out just isn't doing it for me anymore), some cool direct mail ideas, and perhaps more consistency in my email newsletters.

Here's my question, dear readers: do you find it difficult to manage your marketing plan when you're busy? How do you balance consistent marketing with client projects? Any tips or strategies? Do tell.

Why you need to know your target audience.

It's 1:06 on the Friday afternoon before Independence Day weekend. I'm really trying to be a good business owner: I'm diligently finishing some work before I shut down my computer. But, I need a break.

So what do I do?

I decide to rock-out to Aerosmith. Out loud. I turn on my iTunes and start playing "Amazing."

Shoot. It's really embarrassing to sing out loud and mess up the lyrics. So what do I do? Type in "Aerosmith Amazing Lyrics" into Google. I click on the first link:

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/aerosmith/amazing.html

I bust out! Yes. Vocal heaven (or hell if you're my neighbors).

But, as I'm singing I notice an annoying undercurrent of noise. What's this? A video advertisement in the corner of my lyrics page! (See those owls in upper left hand corner of the picture?)

Seriously.

Don't the owners of this site know that people only look up lyrics when they want to sing along with the song? A loud advertisement only ruins my experience and motivates me to never visit this site again.

Know your audience. When you do, you'll know why they're purchasing your service or product. You'll know why they visit your website. When you know when and why they use you, you can figure out how to make them happy, not annoyed.