How to Market Your Business In the Mist of Running One
Over the last couple of months I have been on the lookout for interesting people to interview who can add marketing insight to the business community surrounding StevenRoddy.com. I first met Melissa Galt via Twitter and then reached out to her to see if she would let me ask her a few questions. What I appreciate about Melissa is not only is she extremely successful, the great granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright but also she risked my hurting my ego to give me advice. Since our initial contact Melissa has been continuing to add value into my life and business. When someone starts offering value like that before you pay them you can only imagine what they would do once they get a paycheck?
Now Melissa Galt is giving the readers of StevenRoddy.com something for free…her eBook, “How Changing Your Words Will Increase Your Profitability.“
Below is the conversation that took place. Melissa shares some great content concerning marketing.
Little Q & A Session
Q. In your blogs you talk a lot about thought patterns and the power of belief. How does this relate to the entrepreneur who is attempting to market his or her company?
A. Too many creativepreneurs (see definition below)* approach marketing as something distasteful, akin to chewing foil. They are unaware that marketing can take a mediocre product or service to in demand, while no marketing can silence sales for the greatest of products and services. This has as much to do with the mindset and motivation of the creativepreneur as their actual practices. The best practices with the attitude of defeat and that they won’t work will surely fail.
Marketing isn’t about doing your best, but instead about doing whatever it takes creatively and consistently to market. Marketing is truly the lifeblood of every successful business. Marketing is a skill that must be mastered and implemented every day in multiple ways until it becomes an essential part of the success routine and a good habit. It has as much to do with confidence in yourself, your talent, your service and your product as it does to do with how your price it and the strategy you implement. Belief in yourself and your talent brought you to start the business, they are essential ingredients in creating the success every creativepreneur deserves and desires.
Q. How does an small business owner juggle marketing his or her business when they are so busy running their business? How do you do find the time and energy to market?
A. As a business owner, your greatest asset is people, and among those your top priority is yourself (or needs to be.) I invest significantly annually in my education, new tools, software, services, and assistance. It is the greatest investment always and has the greatest ROI. This means taking myself out of the business at times to work ON it, instead of being immersed in it. I recommend the following five steps:
- Maintaining a business plan as a flexible blueprint for your success.
- A comprehensive marketing strategy with the tools to implement consistently and persistently.
- Identifying mentors and coaches who can serve and support you along the way.
- Focusing on your strengths, identifying and delegating your weaknesses.
- Remembering that your biggest asset is YOU and investing in your continued education, growth, tools and more always.
Q. What was the best marketing strategy that you have implemented in your business. What did you do? What did it cost? What was the reward?
A. I have always operated on a “Trust Me Strategy” that reinforces my value with prospects and clients as their “Go To Guru” for business success tools and professional development resources. I work hard to be consistent and persistent, providing value content and being responsive. The cost is less in dollars than in time in building relationships and that is always challenging to quantify. The reward is loyal and satisfied clients who provide a lifetime of demand and referrals. It also means that I have created a perpetual funnel of marketing and put it on autopilot.
Q. What are some methods you use to track your conversions during an Internet marketing campaign.
A. To date I have been using OneShoppingCart and Aweber only. I have not used banner ads, but rely on social media to get the word out about events and my biweekly ezine. I find that a more personal touch makes a bigger difference. I am always looking for good JV partners and new affiliates. Recently I invested in Infusionsoft and am excited to see how powerful that will be and the streamlining and time saving automation it will provide.
Creativepreneurs Defined
*A business owner with a passion for their business that is based on their talents and gifts. They often jump into business with the “Build It and They Will Come Approach,” only to find themselves a Best Kept Secret and needing to Get Well Known Now. I work with these kind of business owners on their mindset, motivation, marketing and monetization.
Who is Melissa and How Can She Help Your Business?
As a successful entrepreneur in a creative business, Melissa Galt combines the best of business skills, with creative marketing for a fresh approach to business success. She is an accomplished Success Architect and Profit Designer for small and medium sized businesses from interior design to real estate sales, home furnishings retailers and manufacturers to coaches, attorneys to artists. Like her great grandfather, the acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Melissa provides out of the box solutions beyond the ordinary. Wright created lifestyle answers, Melissa delivers business success answers. She speaks, consults, mentors, motivates, and delivers programs and products all focused on creativepreneurism, the art of being a successful creative entrepreneur.
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Great article and interview with Melissa, I published a feature article about, “Spectacular Homes Of Georgia”, which featured Melissa and her creativity. She is a very successful designer and wonderful lady, as I am sure you are now aware.
Very much aware! I think what impresses me the most about Melissa is that she never stops adding value. She really is great. Thanks for the comment Cynthia.