Have you heard this advice: “Never edit or change client testimonials.” Not true! You SHOULD edit testimonials so they’re professional and add value. You can polish and edit client testimonials with a light touch. Just be careful not to change the meaning. This article is from one of my team members, Patrice Rhoades-Baum. As a marketing consultant and branding expert, she guides solopreneurs – such as professional speakers, corporate consultants, and business coaches – to create a clear brand, strategic website, and polished one sheet brochure. Patrice has a 35-year marketing background: 25 years in high-tech corporate marketing + 10 years as a business owner. She specializes…
Testimonials, endorsements and case studies are such an important part of marketing yet most small business owners just don’t take full advantage of their power. We all know that referrals from others are our best prospects. Why is that? When a prospect hears good things about you from people they know and trust, they get a sense of confidence you can deliver. In that sense a referral is like an endorsement. How to Get Endorsements Endorsements and testimonials are the bedrock of any marketing program. As a business owner you should ask for endorsements and testimonials immediately after any job…
I’ve asked one of my team members, Patrice Rhoades-Baum to share an article. These valuable tips are from a recent post on her blog. Patrice is my go-to expert for branding, website and speaker one sheet copywriting. Your clients love teaming with you. When you ask for testimonials, they happily agree. BUT … They are crazy-busy. They don’t get around to it. They forget. You are uncomfortable reminding (and pestering) them. Sound familiar? You’re not alone! Getting client testimonials is a universal challenge for small business owners. Here is the key issue: You are giving them an action item When…
A book media kit can be a paper folder or a page on your website with the essential information and marketing materials about your book. The media kit should provide the media with all the information they need to write a story, or do an audio or video interview with the author. For a hard copy media kit you can gather the following items and arrange them in a classy folder (a solid color in gloss is good). Paste a color postcard of your book cover on the front of the folder. For an online media kit, add a page…
A flyer is an inexpensive and highly effective way to grab attention in a very busy marketplace. How do you create an eye-catching flyer that will stand out in the crowd? Here are 10 techniques that professional designers use to make flyers “pop.” 1. Write a snappy headline or title Make it memorable, unusual or provocative using a few carefully chosen powerful words. Popular titles contain one or more of these words: Easy, The Secrets to, Unlock, Finally, Insider, Time Sensitive, How to, Free Bonuses, Now You Can, Discover, Proven. 2. Use colorful or striking graphics to create an eye-catching flyer One…
What is an essential marketing tool that is relatively inexpensive, you can print and hand out or distribute electronically? Flyers and brochures! I’m going to show you the first 5 of 10 techniques that savvy graphic designers use to design attractive brochures: It’s all about the headline. What’s in a headline? It’s the first thing your prospects will see, and this will decide if they keep reading or not. So pick something that will stand out, stick in their mind, and make them want more! Here’s a few magic words to start with: Easy, The Secrets To, Unlock, Finally, Insider, Time Sensitive,…
According to The Wall Street Journal, “The average bookstore browser who picks up a book spends eight seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds reading the back.” You can’t tell — but you can sell — a book by its cover.” Here are a few powerful book cover design techniques that professional book designers use: The Essential Elements For Your Front Cover The front cover presents your book title, subtitle, and your name. Golden opportunities often overlooked are including endorsements and short testimonials from VIPs. Think of your cover like a billboard. The best designs communicate the book’s…