Strategy. It’s kind of a buzzword when we discuss effective marketing. That’s because the only TRUE way to be effective and efficient (i.e. save money) is to be laser-focused on your Ideal Client.

Don’t know who that is? Watch today’s video and think about this checklist:

1. Who needs what you have so much they will pay anything to get it?

2. AND who loves what you do?

3. AND who do you enjoy working with?

If they pass all three tests, you have yourself an IDEAL CLIENT.

A slight goof in my plans….I do not think the password to the Video Video Course has been given out to all of you guys who have followed MJTVGirl recently. So, thanks to all for following and if you didn’t get the link or password, let me know. I’ll send it out IMMEDIATELY.

thanks and happy Friday to all –

MJ

mj@mjtvgirl.com

GREAT question in the ol’ mailbag today:

We are often asked by my clients and readers which websites are great to post their articles (such as forums, etc).  We have analyzed our reports of Page Views from the past year and these are the Top 12 Best (and Legitimate) Websites to gain Unique Views.

  1. Stumbleupon.com
  2. Facebook.com
  3. Answers.yahoo.com
  4. reddit.com
  5. newsvine.com
  6. digg.com
  7. twitter.com
  8. youtube.com
  9. wiki.answers.com
  10. mixx.com
  11. topix.com
  12. craigslist.org

Keep up the great work and more power to ya’ll!

Pinterest is one of the newest kids on the social media block, but in terms of visually powerful media, this one packs a punch. If you are creating products and want to connect with potential customers – even LOCAL ones — Pinterest may be the one for you. It’s an on-line pinboard for all your pics – interests, art, work, hobbies, you name it. You have to “request” an invite, but don’t worry. They’ll invite you.

This is the time to jump on Pinterest, too…it’s just ramping up and you can get on there and experiment. For content creators (read: marketing folks or entrepreneurs like you) — creating visuals that people want to tie their identity to is the fastest way to get things (read: your brand, your “stuff”) SHARED on-line. Create with community in mind.

A couple of cool tips about Pinterest: you can connect with people you’ve never met right in your local area. Search for your city and then connect – it’s that simple. On Facebook, actually knowing the people is the pre-requisite and the polite way to use that social site. Not so on Pinterest — if someone shares an interest or likes your pics (or “pins”) they can follow you and share what you have to offer.

Follow. Follow. Follow. Follow a lot of folks. Upload a lot of pics and drive people to your site to purchase or see more – or both. Really – it’s just that simple.

Some basics: my video today. Why do Pinterest?

SO many people say they don’t “do” LinkedIn but, frankly, I don’t get it….if you’re an entrepreneur, or if you’re a professional or, heck, if you want a JOB, it’s the perfect place to be.

Watch my latest video for a few tips on getting LinkedIn to work for you. And then — connect to me on LinkedIn and let me know what works for your business in the social media world – and what doesn’t. ‘kay?

Day three of our Entrepreneur Playbook Video Series and we’re ready to take on Twitter.

I have a confession to make.

I was a non-believer.

Card-carrying hater, actually. But – I connected my blog and occasionally checked out some folks. Followed sports writers. You know – nothing major.

Then….I got a client. Then another. Both from Twitter. Both LOCAL.

Weird, I thought. Ah, no….that’s opportunity knocking.

So – here’s my Non-Believer’s Guide Video Post in homage to the Tweet.

Yes, I know…you have a LOT on your plate. And now, everyone says, “you HAVE to be on Facebook!” It’s enough to completely burn you out – or turn you off.

So – want to get on Facebook and use it correctly? Understand — Facebook is a marathon, not a sprint. With that in mind, check out the video. Stay tuned — at the end of the video, there are lots of HOW TO tips!! (p.s. especially if you own a restaurant!!)

Now – a challenge. Are you on Facebook? What works for you? Write me a note and share with the community – and here’s a bonus: best story wins a little Amazon.com gift card.

I know….yes, it’s still a debate in some parts – particularly in the one-man-band, overworked entrepreneur segment, that social media is optional. To that, I say — well, depends on your strategy.

Nonethless….ya win some, ya loose some. This weekend, I had a chat with a small business owner convinced…no, CONVINCED that because his kids loved social media, it must be completely irrelevant for his business (that is not a strategy discussed around marketing tables, but whutever). Even if you only argue with YOURSELF, sometimes we all need to understand WHY these tools (if used correctly) can help.

I don’t try to convince, but this one time, I really couldn’t help myself. Here’s what he said….and here’s what I said…..and see if it help YOU when you think about how to use social media sites to attract new clients to YOUR business. Stick around ’til the end…some VERY important information about YouTube that we will continue to build on this week.

The upshot? Not all social media is created equally. It depends on what you want to ACCOMPLISH. Not every business can use Facebook successfully for every purpose. Sometimes, LinkedIn makes the most sense. The point is: it’s about your strategy — and your customer.

In the next few days, we’ll talk about how to think about each of the social media options that are out there and how to decide if that tool will work for you.

Here’s one example of me following my own advice….this article is a must read:

10 Things You Should Tweet

Love it!

Check THIS out….

Video is all the rage these days – not only does it help with SEO, it really can help you communicate with your clients (and potential clients) much more effectively.

Let me put it this way….remember your favorite teacher(s) in college? You know the ones….those teachers who brought things to LIFE for you? And the course was better, more enjoyable because not only were you LEARNING something, you were REMEMBERING it, too? (That comes in handy around exam time).

Well, things have not changed that much since college, my friends. In fact, we’re MORE likely to watch video these days than ready HUGE, dense passages of text. If that’s true for YOU…it’s also true for your clients. So, why not help them work with you? HIRE YOU?

To help you get there, I’ve put together a FREE….yes, you read that correctly…FREEBIE…course on video. This is the Video Video Course and I want you to have it. It will be available to you….May 7. Are you ready? Sign up and get ready to rock.

This course will teach you:

  • how to make video that will engage and interest your target audience
  • how to THINK about video – what’s a good idea? what’s a bad idea?
  • how to recognize a good video idea when you get it – and JUST DO IT – make it happen
  • how to think like a “vid-iot” – this comes in very handy on the fly….like out at a project or a trade show
  • and…just to get you rolling…my all time, top 10 list of GREAT video content ideas that you can put into practice TODAY.
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,683 other followers