These three simple psychological triggers can, when used together, greatly increase the click through rate on your articles or emails.

1

Question based vs. Statement based headlines

This trigger questions your curiosity. Humans are very curious beings, give us a question and we’ll automatically want to learn more.

Example: Do you get the most out of your social media marketing?

2

Problem based vs. Solution based headlines

This trigger taps into a humans need to solve problems. When the target audience sees a headline with a problem, their brain wants them to read it so that they can then solve their problem.

Example: Are you struggling to manage all of your social media pages?

3

Curious vs. Non-curious headlines

This trigger explains how the word “these” can have the most impact on your headline. When people read “these” in a headline, curiosity makes them HAVE to read the article because life as they know it may come to an end if they don’t know what “these” are.

Example: Are you using these social media techniques?

Why not give some of these techniques a try in future and see if your click through rates improve. Do you know any other techniques that have worked for you in the past? Share them with us below.

• Update it frequently
• Make sure the content helps other people

However, while most businesses start off with great intentions, their blog quickly finds itself in the “neglected” pile.

If you would like to re-ignite your blog, or just get one started, here are common roadblocks that you may run into. But then some tips and tips on how to overcome them, and ensure your blog remains a productive channel in your marketing efforts.

I don’t know what to write about…

• Write about subjects that you’re comfortable with. Are you the go-to person at your company for coming up with wording or phrases? If so, write posts about how to write effective copy in marketing efforts.
• Write about what you are interested in – new technology, new services, industry news, etc.
• Write about things that make you more productive. It could be a tool on the web, or just a strategy for managing your to-do list. That kind of advice will be appreciated by all readers, regardless of their industry.
• Subscribe to other peoples blogs – See how others write and what they are writing about.

I don’t have the time to write…

• A blog post does not need to be long! In fact, many people read multiple blogs and news sites each day. Therefore, if your posts are brief and to the point, it may increase the chances that people will read them.
• Once you start writing blog posts, you’ll be surprised how often ideas for new posts pop into your head – often at random times. Therefore, find some way to jot those down. It might be in a Word document, or it may even be in the “Notes” feature on your iPhone.
• Use pictures! Do you have a chart or some other sort of image that can help tell the story? If so, plug it in. People will appreciate it – and it will eliminate the words that you have to write.

I’m very, very busy already. My to-do list is full.

Treat your blog post like an important appointment, or an anniversary. Tell yourself “Every other Tuesday I will write my blog by the end of the day” and stick with it.

These are just a few tips and tricks that could help. Let us know if have any specific questions about ways to get your blog going!

Image credit: Annie Mole

While using multiple channels in a marketing effort may increase the time needed on your part, it does not need to be hard. In fact, you want to use similar creative on your print piece, email, and landing page.  The messaging and call to action on the different channels should be consistent.

Thus, you need to think of your target audience and come up with content and creative, create your direct mail piece, email, and landing page. Once you have those assets ready, it’s time to execute. Here is a sample campaign idea for targeting your prospects across multiple channels, multiple times:

Week 1:

• Direct Mail (1) – Personalised landing page drives people to on-line response
• Email (1) After mailing drop, email is sent with link to landing page

Week 2:

• Direct Mail (2) to non-responders – General URL drives people to landing page

Week 3:

• Direct Mail (3) to non-responders – PURL drives people to landing page
• Email 2 – to non-responders

But more than that, you can also combine multiple channels by using auto-responders.  For example, let’s say someone responds to the PURL from the direct mail piece. On the landing page, they answer a few questions regarding what they’re interested in.

Well, as soon as they hit Submit, an email could be automatically sent to that individual.  The email may thank them, and also provide links to PDFs related specifically to what they expressed an interest in.

Yes, in a scenario such as this, you are reaching out to people multiple times and across multiple channels.

Sure, some people may opt out. But that will happen in any marketing effort.

Overall though with this approach, you will greatly increase your chances of converting these people from targets into members of your prospect database.

If you have answered yes to any of those questions, that is great. Most companies don’t!

I am guessing a lot of companies may take the approach of “on the fly” marketing. When inspiration hits, or you receive bad news from your finance and accounting team, you put the wheels in motion to do a direct mailer etc.

In business, you absolutely need to be flexible. You need to be willing to make adjustments to your priorities and marketing activities when circumstances call for it.

However, by laying out a marketing plan ahead of time, we can avoid a lot of the crashes and emergencies that arise every year. Along with that, we can avoid the trouble that some of us fall into – doing hardly any marketing at all!

I’m sure we all have the best intentions when it comes to promoting our business. We all want to do the right things to create a buzz about our product and services. But obstacles arise – maybe it’s time and resources… maybe we have a mental block on what the creative should be, or what the message should say. Or we feel that we don’t have the tools to execute it.

A marketing plan can help us prepare for and overcome those types of obstacles.

A marketing plan should be simple. It certainly involves a bit of thought and planning, as well as some honesty. But there is no need to make it complicated.

Filling in the 4P’s on a blank piece of paper may seem challenging. But, it doesn’t have to be. Start by thinking of what you’ve done in the past… How did you market your company last year? Or 3 years ago? Pay attention to how other people are marketing their business. A little bit of inspiration can go a long way.

After you’ve taken the step of defining your mix of marketing activities, the next step is to get out the calendar. Yes, you need to set goals for your business, and then set the actual dates for when you will execute the activities that you will reach those goals.

For example, here are a few possible activities that you should put dates on:

• Send out an e-Newsletter to my current customers on the 1st of every month
• Send out a promotional direct mailer 4 times a year (January, April, July, October)
• Run Holiday promotions (July and December)
• Place advertisements in March, May, and November
• Open House in June

There are certainly other items that you could identify on your marketing plan… But starting with the 4P’s and your calendar can really help you to succeed. Once you have it all filled out, don’t file it away! Make sure that it is visible to you over the months to come. This will help serve as a reminder for the activities that you have planned out…. it will help keep fresh in mind the priority and urgency that we all strive to have in regards to promoting our business.

Twitter

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service. It enables you to send and read other users’ updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 bytes in length.

Why should you use it? – People will follow you. You can then provide information that they may find useful (perhaps links related to stories that affect your industry, or links to content that your company provides). Also, people post personal items on Twitter. This could help present the “human” aspect of your company to others.

Join us on twitter: www.twitter.com/keepa_ltd

Youtube

YouTube allows you to upload, share, and view videos online. You can also link to or embed these videos in your website and landing pages.

Why should you use it? – Video is a great way to get your message across. People are bombarded with marketing messages… Sometimes a video is the one that gets your prospects attention, and also delivers your message.
Blogger

A blog is a website which is usually maintained by an individual or a group of people. It typically stands apart from your corporate website because a lot of times they offer commentary. Typically, the topics are related to something in your industry… or common challenges that people in your business face each day.

Why should you use it? – A blog can be a great way for people to become familiar with YOU. Perhaps they are not in the mood to read the sales-related material on your website, so they click on your blog. From there, they become familiar with your expertise and what you care about – all the while seeing the link to your company website on the page.
LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003 mainly used for professional networking. As of February 2009, it had more than 35 million registered users, spanning 170 industries.

Why should you use it? – The purpose of the site is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. The people in the list are called Connections.

Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection. This list of connections can then be used in a number of ways:

* A contact network is built up consisting of their direct connections, the connections of each of their connections (termed second degree connections) and also the connections of second degree connections (termed third degree connections). This can be used to gain an introduction to someone you wish to know through a mutual, trusted contact.
* It can then be used to find jobs, people and business opportunities recommended by someone in one’s contact network.
* Employers can list jobs and search for potential candidates.
* Job seekers can review the profile of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce them.

Link with our Director: www.linkedin.com/in/paulmitchellkeepa