Archive | November, 2018

Your logo represents your business and serves as a signpost to the world. It’s not just a luxury – it’s a necessity and a business asset. In fact, if you don’t yet have a logo then you’ve got to ask: ‘Are you serious about your business or not?’

Here are 10 reasons to consider getting your own logo as soon as possible:

1. To promote your business. Logos project your business image to visitors, customers and future customers. A well designed logo says you’re serious about what you do.

2. To give you credibility and professionalism. When prospects see your logo on your websites and social media, they associate that logo to your business and even begin to look for it.

3. To make you more memorable. A business name only goes so far in triggering memory. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. And a catchy business logo makes you and your business far more memorable. After all, what’s the use of being seen if you’re not remembered? Of two similar businesses competing for the same customers, the one the customers remember is far more likely to get the business.

4. To clarify what your business does. Business names can sometimes be unintentionally deceptive, vague or simply unclear when it comes to the types of products or services your business offers. For example, Blue Rabbit Racetrack could be a place where blue rabbits race, or perhaps cars, horses, dogs or even people. By adding a Greyhound to the logo, it instantly becomes clear that Blue Rabbit Racetrack is for racing dogs.

5. To look bigger and more established. Like it or not, people tend to think a logo means you’ve been around the block and you’re a “real” business.

6. To attract new business. Because you look and ‘feel’ more professional with a logo, prospects tend to trust you more.

7. To brand yourself. In the eyes of prospects, John Smith without a logo is just John Smith. But John Smith with a logo is a company – and thus appears more stable and trustworthy.

8. To increase your business’s value. If you decide to sell your business one day, having a well-rounded package that includes marketing materials, graphics and a professional logo increases your business’ perceived value.

9. To attract venture capital. See #8 above.

10. To endear your company name to your clients. The right logo can make your business seem downright fun and friendly. For example, Da Foodie’s logo has me smiling and feeling good before I even know exactly what they’re offering: dafoodie.com/

How do you get a logo designed? You can Google logo creation and get hundreds of companies vying for your business. Most charge in the $100 to $300 range, while others charge far more. I remember reading years ago that the U.S. Postal service paid a million dollars for their (then) new logo.

You, on the other hand, do not need to spend $100 or a million dollars. There are many reputable free and low cost logo creators online that can get you up and running with all of the benefits we’ve talked about above, and they are just a quick Google search away!

While there are many ways to make money online, the vast majority involve selling a product – be it yours or someone else’s.

But have you ever considered offering great content or software for free, and then allowing your visitors and fans to reward your good work through giving you donations? It’s simple – you provide your visitors with the opportunity to say “thank you” through either monetary donations or buying you things that you want.

This might not be the method to use if you’re looking to make huge money, but it can be a lucrative source of extra income. And perhaps best of all, you don’t need to feel you’re pushing anything on your customers or asking them to buy more stuff they don’t need or want. Visitors reward you when they choose to, and because they don’t feel pressured, they can sometimes be even more generous than if you were trying to sell them the latest greatest product.

Here are 8 tips on how to make the donation business model work for your website…

1. Offer quality content that truly helps your readers. This is true on any website, but especially important if you’re going to ask for donations. The more your content helps your readers, the more likely they are to want to send you a monetary ‘thank you.’

2. If your content doesn’t provide helpful information, then it should entertain. Perhaps you’re especially funny, or you’re up on the latest news in your niche. You’ve got to offer your visitors some type of real value to get donations.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask. “Did you find this information helpful? Then please help us to continue providing this great info in the future by supporting us. Any amount is helpful and greatly appreciated.”

4. Make a wish list on Amazon and post a link to your wish list on your website. “Have I helped you? If you would like to express your appreciation, please feel free to buy me a book.”

5. Don’t be afraid to place expensive items on your wish list. Optimally you want to choose items from a couple of dollars all the way to a hundred dollars or more, because you never know who will be buying you a ‘thank you.’ It could be a rich person whom you’ve just given a stellar idea that will make him/her thousands of dollars, and they might be the one to buy you that expensive $599.00 espresso machine you’re been thirsting for.

6. You don’t have to confine yourself to Amazon: More and more online companies are offering wish lists. For example, thinkgeek.com, barnesandnoble.com, dickblick.com and containerstore.com all offer wish lists, as do hundreds of other retail websites.

7. Instead of wish lists, let them send you money. For example, “Buy me a cup of coffee” is a popular way of asking for donations. You then give them Paypal options of buying you anything from a single cup of coffee ($3-$5) to a case of beer, or dinner for two. You choose the options offered and the donation for each. And you can also create an option where they choose the amount to send to you. “Was this post helpful to you? Then please buy me a cup of coffee.”

8. Don’t get pushy. You’re providing them the chance to be nice and return some of the benefits you’ve offered to them on your website. You’re not trying to “sell” them on sending you money or gifts.

Selling products online is certainly the most direct path to earning profits, but there are a growing number of high profile websites, and everyday bloggers who are making a pretty penny through donations. If you are creating quality content, give your visitors the option to reward you in this way, and you may be surprised at how much money you were leaving on the table before trying this out.

Little mistakes can radically reduce positive results in Facebook marketing. According to Facebook, there are specific things marketers can do to be more successful – and others that will hurt your marketing campaigns.

Facebook Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Using a cover photo that doesn’t abide by Facebook’s guidelines. You cannot place price or purchase information, coupons or discounts within your cover photo. Nor can you ask people to do something such as “like” “comment” or “share” your page within your photo. Lastly, you’re also not allowed to place contact information within your cover photo.

So what can you do? Use a photo that highlights something about your product. For example, if your product is pickles, show a mouthwatering pickle photo. If your product is information, show someone enjoying the benefits of having that information. And you can place your name or your business name within the photo.

2. Posting too much. One post every hour or two is simply too much and will cause your people to disengage. Instead of several mediocre posts each day, simply do one spectacular one. This will actually increase the chance of your people “liking” it and also help to keep your reader’s attention.

3. Not tagging people you’re responding to. When you tag someone you are replying to, you get people coming back to your page to further engage with you and your brand.

4. Yammering instead of engaging. If all you’re doing is blah-blah-blah about you and your business, people will quickly lose interest. Instead, find ways to engage. For example, posting a silly photo and asking for captions is a great way to boost engagement.

5. Posting at the wrong times. Yes, there are good and bad times to post, and there are downright terrible and terrific times as well. For example, did you know that Facebook engagement is highest on Thursdays and Fridays? It’s true for some industries, and absolutely false for others.

6. Going on and on and on and… Sure, you’ve got a lot to say and you want your fans to learn all about it. But making a long post is just shooting yourself in the foot. Facebook research says that posts between 100 and 250 characters (that’s one or two lines of text) get 60% more Likes, Comments and Shares.

7. Confusing people. Your brand is all about SEO, yet you’re posting about the bake sale at your kid’s school. Don’t be surprised if the reaction from your readers is “What the heck??” Make it a rule to post only relevant content.

8. Being boring. Really, is there any greater sin in social media than blending in and getting lost in the crowd? Find your own unique voice and use it.