Debbie LaChusa

Weekly Marketing Success Podcast: "Business-Geek.com Interviews 10stepmarketing Founder, Debbie LaChusa"

On this week's Marketing Success Podcast I'm sharing an interview I recently did with Business-Geek.com.

Business-Geek.com helps small businesses get off on the right foot, with a variety of start-up services.

In the interview we talked about how to market your small business, how I started my first business eight years ago, why I am a work-at-home mom and much, much more. Enjoy!

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(length 28:51 minutes)

We all know that the world wide web connects us to people, well, all around the world! But I just had another little unexpected taste of just how powerful having a website can be. Even if you don't actively market that site.

You see, I run a website called Twin Connections. I am a fraternal twin and I decided a few years ago that I wanted to collect twin stories for a book. So I put up a website to help me do that. I've written a few articles, issued a press release and negotiated a few link exchanges, but all in all, my marketing of the site has been minimal. I just don't have the time to devote to it right now.

But a few days ago, I received a phone call from a producer for the Montel Williams television show. It seems they were looking for twins with amazing stories for a show they are filming this week. And, she was wondering if I could hook them up with anyone. Of course, I said I would do my best and then I asked if they would be willing to promote my website on the show if they used any of my twin stories. Hey, you've got to ask!

She said they'd be happy to include a link to my website on their website and they'd promote my site at the end of the show. That's potentially huge marketing reach to a very large audience! All because I had a website, I took her call, I spent several hours helping her out, and I ASKED!

I don't know yet if they're using any of my twins. But I do know that I am very glad I decided to put up that website! BTW, if you are a twin, or you know of any twins, send them on over to Twin Connections to share their story, or to enjoy the many amazing stories already posted on the site.

Weekly Marketing Success Podcast: "Do I Need 2 Marketing Plans to Market Both a Product and a Service?"

If you offer both products and services, do you need to have separate marketing plans for each one? This is a very valid question, and one that could have several answers. First let me say this ... I recommend that all service providers create or acquire products they can sell in addition to their services. By doing so, you take yourself out of the "trading hours for dollars" trap that many solo-professionals find themselves in.

Once you have that product, we must address the question of whether or not you need one or two marketing plans. Listen as I discuss this topic and share several questions you can ask yourself to easily determine if you need one marketing plan or two.

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(length 5:55 minutes)

I leave for Florida tomorrow to film my 10stepmarketing infomercial. It will be a whirlwind trip sandwiched in between my "10 Steps to Success" teleclass on Monday and my Winter Extreme Marketing Makeover tele-coaching call on Friday!

I have to say the process of producing an infomercial has been educational for me. And, it's certainly been a lesson in direct marketing from the pro's.

It was a lot of fun to read the script and find out how they recommend engaging people to buy my 10stepmarketing System. I'll be anxious to see the finished product as it's the first time I've been "on camera!" And, I am excited about the opportunity the infomercial will provide to reach and help many more small business owners and prospective small business owners.

I have to say, an infomercial was not something I planned as part of my marketing plan. But it was because I had a marketing plan that I easily knew what decision to make when the opportunity came my way last year. I recognized it as an excellent opportunity to reach my marketing goals in a way I had not previously considered. And, I jumped on it. That's one thing I love about having a marketing plan. It makes these decisions SO EASY!

Unexpected opportunities come our way all the time when we set an intention to be successful and grow our business. I'd love to hear about unexpected opportunities that have come your way. Please post a comment and share.

Weekly Marketing Success Podcast: "What Is A Blog And Do You Need One?"

This week's Marketing Step of the Week comes to life as I explain what a blog is, how it differs from a traditional website, and how you can get started using blogs to market your business for free.

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(length 6:58 minutes)

We're wrapping up the Winter Extreme Marketing Makeover Program this week. It's been exciting to see some of the marketing transformations. One participant has already completely made over her brochure into a marketing flyer with a whole lot more punch!

I'm still debating about whether I will be offering a Spring Marketing Makeover Program. I have so much going on right now, I'm not sure I can fit it into my schedule!

So, I am developing an interest list to help me decide. If you are interested in taking my Makeover Program this Spring, please add your name to the interest list. When you do, you'll also qualify for a special offer that will only be given to those who pre-register on the interest list.

If enough people are interested, I'll offer the program again in May.

In the "10 Steps to Success" Teleclass series, we are walking through each step in The 10stepmarketing System. This week we covered Step 4 and identifying who your ideal clients are. This is a tough one for many people. In fact, I also received several questions posted on my website this week on this very topic.

One person wrote in saying "the toughest thing for me - as a full-service branding/design/development business - is who my client base should be. Almost anyone would do! How do I build a sensible list?"

Another wrote in to say that he has a singles group and at his last meeting there were 5 men and 39 women. I don't understand why men don't show up to our singles group."

Yet another wrote in asking how to get people who can afford what you have instead of dreamers who either can't afford it or don't have the money to spend.

The answer to ALL three of these questions is the same. It's understanding who your ideal clients are and creating a marketing plan designed to effectively reach them.

Be sure to check back on Thursday to listen to my "Marketing Success Podcast" titled "The Deadliest Disease in Marketing" to find out how you can apply what I teach in Step 4 of The 10stepmarketing System to answer these questions and create marketing that attracts YOUR ideal clients.

I have a client who does not believe in the web. He refuses to use it to market his business. He doesn't think people shop for his product online. Even though there is a multitude of research proving otherwise.

As someone whose business is based online, it boggles my mind that in this day and age, someone could honestly believe that. And, he's a very, very smart man. A CEO. A successful businessman. And, I'll bet he's not alone in this opinion.

How about you? Is the web part of your marketing strategy? How are you using the Internet to connect with your customers. If you think you don't need a web presence in your particular line of work, I encourage you to think again. And check out this amazing video on Web 2.0. I promise it will make you think differently about the role the web plays in our lives and our world. Plus it's pretty cool to watch, too!

Weekly Marketing Success Podcast: "The Deadliest Disease in Marketing: Do You Have It?"

Do you know what the deadliest disease in marketing is? It's called "Be Everything to Everyone Syndrome" and it has reached epidemic proportions. So how do you know if your business is suffering from this business-stifling disease? Listen to today's podcast to find out, and to learn a simple step you can take to overcome this ailment once and for all.

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(length 4:52 minutes)

Everywhere I look, the online world is quickly moving to video. I thought I was doing pretty well with my podcast, but I've increasingly felt the pressure to test the video waters. And, I'm happy to report, I've done it!

I just created a 4 minute video for my website, 6FigureWorkAtHomeMom.com.

It's a video I've wanted to create for over a year, and I had set myself a deadline of getting it done by Mother's Day. You see, I'm using it as a promotional tool for the launch of 6FigureWorkAtHomeMom.com. I have a temporary website up now, but my goal is to launch the official site in time for Mother's Day (yes, I'm using Mother's Day as a PR hook ... you've always got to think about marketing!)

I spent a few hours yesterday finding royalty free photos, and a few more hours today to find royalty free music. Then I assembled it all together into a video. I used a great software program my husband had called Microsoft Digital Image Suite - it was super easy to use!

The entire thing cost me less than $100 and my hope is it will go viral, generating lots of traffic to my 6FigureWorkAtHomeMom.com website.

Then I posted my brand new video on Brightcove and voila ... I've got a video on the world wide web. Next step, post it on other video sites like YouTube.

Here's my video. It's called "Tribute to Moms." If you enjoy it, please share it with other moms you know. And post a comment to let me know what you think of it!

Now, just to figure out what kind of video I can create to market 10stepmarketing!

Someone recently asked me, "How do you learn to feel comfortable tooting your own horn to promote your business?" Well, first let me tell you that I too used to suffer from this business-stifling problem (even though at the time I had a job - it STILL had a huge negative impact on me). You can read the article I wrote about it here.

You see, I figured (like so many people do) if I did a great job, people would notice. NOT!

Instead, you have to look at it this way. First, ask yourself the following four questions:

(1) Am I good at what I do?
(2) Do I help people?
(3) Do people who hire me get good results?
(4) Do people get good value when they hire me?

If you can confidently answer "yes" to all four questions, you absolutely should be letting everyone know this. (And, if you can't answer "yes" to these questions, you need to do some work on your business model or services to ensure that you can.) Look at it this way, if you don't let people know about you, who do you think will? Sure, some of your clients may refer you. But the bottom-line is this ... if it's your business, it's up to YOU to promote it.

And promotion and sharing the results you get for people is NOT bragging. Bragging is when you go around telling people how great you are. Promotion is when you let your results speak for you.

So compile your results. Your business "stats" if you will. If you need a little help, read the article I wrote titled "Earning the Right With Stats: 10 Steps to Greatness!" Then start using your stats in your marketing and sharing them with the world.

Are you shy about promoting yourself? If so, I challenge you to post a comment on this blog and share at least ONE of your stats ... one great result you've gotten for a client, or the thing you do better than anyone else. Go on, get it out of your system so you can move past this block and get on with your marketing and helping all those clients who are waiting to find out about you.

Weekly Marketing Success Podcast: "Should You Toot Your Own Horn?"

Are you shy when it comes to self-promotion? Do you have a tough time tooting your own horn? If so, then be sure to listen to this podcast for some tips to help make it easier, and to hear the four questions you need to answer to confidently market yourself and your services.

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(length 6:28 minutes)