Build Your “Ask Muscle” Without Having to Do Heavy Lifting

One of the common objections we hear when it comes to getting started with Engagement Marketing is, “I feel uncomfortable asking people to join, share, follow, subscribe, etc.”

Few of us like asking people to do something extra —especially small business owners.

You respect your customers.  You know they get bombarded by marketing from other companies.  You don’t want to bother them.  I get it. But to be effective at Engagement Marketing, you have to build your “ask muscle.”

You build this muscle the same way you’d start a program to build your biceps or quads: you get expert advice, you make it easy, and you start small. [Read more...]

Engagement That’s Right for You (And Your Customers)

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When it comes to small business owners and online marketing, there’s one complaint that never goes unsaid: too much to do, too little time.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the nonstop, constantly changing pace of online marketing. Sometimes you may feel like you just can’t keep up.

It’s important to remember that maybe all you need to do is keep pace with yourself.

Engagement Marketing emphasizes that your business’s biggest strength, and key to success, is strong relationships with your customers.

So before you throw yourself into the whirlwind of online marketing, ask yourself these questions with both your customers and yourself in mind. Remember: no matter how much time you put into marketing your business, your marketing strategy will only be effective if it is specific to you and your customers.

Answering these simple questions can help you decide where your priorities should be and how best you should spend your valuable (and limited!) time.

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How to Put Your Best (Virtual) Face Forward

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You already know your customers are spending a lot of time online.

So how do you best engage with customers there?

It’s no secret people like to do business with people they know, like and trust. Even when you aren’t engaging with customers face to face, people still like to feel like they’re connecting with people. So don’t forget to add some personal touches to your online interactions.

Here are some ways you can humanize your business quickly and easily:

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