Is this happening to you?

“So you’ve got a nice website but no ranking and few visitors?”

Professor Tweet says…

Don’t feel alone. This is the exact position of thousands of small businesses. The web has happened suddenly and a lot of people have not had the time or resources to make their internet presence work as it could. Would you like to know what to do, how much it costs and who you can trust to make your website work for you?

Who is this guy?

My marketing experience spans three decades in Radio, TV, print, and now the web. From TV ads as a spokesperson to behind the camera and microphone, copywriting, jingle writing, concept creation, voice, directing and producing. Search Engine Optimization? It has been my good fortune to do Charlotte SEO , search engine optimization work that has helped rank multiple websites in Google’s top three organic search positions for competitive keywords.

What are all these internet terms like

• keyword,
• backlinks,
• and bot,

you keep hearing? What does it REALLY cost to get good Google rankings? What about Yahoo and Bing and other search engines? How long does it take to reap the rewards of being a top ranked website?

The questions seem almost endless.

The internet has truly opened a Pandora’s Box of new advertising questions. And none of this is going away. It’s only getting more involved. But, there is a way to navigate.

I usually sit down with a client or talk with them on the phone. We go over their needs, expectations, hopes and desires for marketing in general. When the subject turns to the web, we will look at where their business’ internet presence is today and where they would like it to be (and why).

A lot of business owners have not planned a budget for internet marketing. Truth is, it can be so effective, when implemented, that a budget creates itself from the winnings!

• what is the process?,
• will customers convert?

These questions do have answers and they can be positive.

Does it work?

When done with careful attention, internet marketing can work very well. The web is a major part of marketing and advertising today. It’s your choice to use it to your advantage  or stay confused. Keep this in mind – The largest marketing opportunity in the history of the world is right now, today in local internet marketing. Are you ready?

Contact me today to find out more about

Charlotte Search Engine Optimization

and put the web and marketing to work for you.

Problem is, many jobs are gone.

They are not just temporarily transitioning, they are actually gone.

So we need to create new positions as jobs. The best way known to do that is through entreprenurial start ups. (Big businesses don’t create new jobs.)

Of 400,000 new start up businesses in America, about five percent make it to a sustainable place.

Still not enough
We need to double the start ups just to have enough new job creation and that is not happening.

What does it take to turn all this around? Leadership of the entreprenurial kind. Some people are wired to be natural entreprenuers. Kathy Kolbe points out that those with a ‘quick start’ or high risk ability and a penchant for taking action are more natural entreprenuers. She also points out clearly and this is worth emphasis– that people who are not wired that way can do it as well. They just need to be aware of their natural tendencies and cover those less natural bases with creative means.* Kolbe herself has written books and does not naturaly like to write detailed work. I have heard her use the work ‘agony’, when describing writing. But she did it.

It takes people with two drives-

extremely optimistic AND determined to carry through with their ideas. That’s pretty much what is needed in our world right now.

When I say optimistic, I don’t mean temporary- static, sparky rah, rah. I mean vision with follow through.

Leadership, such as government, can support these spirited people but government does not need to BE the leader– A better role is support.

Right now is the opportunity in America. If we don’t do it, China, will. China is doing it anyway, but the window is now open for the US to rally.

There is a big difference between resources and resourcefulness.

The entreprenuereal spirit is resourceful. Some folks seem to naturally just use resources. That just gives out. These new businesses MUST become sustainable if we are to see a difference in jobs.That means we have to have people who are good at resourcefulness starting new businesses and making things happen. Just using and spending current resources does not accomplish that.

Observation- It seems to me that many of the 99 percent Occupy wall Street people are looking only at resources and see them dwindling. That’s likely how these people are wired.
Because of their way of visioning and possible non-ability to build a new sustainable enterprise, they need someone to blame. That is an old psychological pattern- When YOU ARE the problem, project it outwardly and blame someone else. Find a good culprit. If my only perspective was one of ’spending resources until they are gone’, I’d be worried , too, because I see them going fast. And I guess I would place blame as well.

But that cannot be the the answer. It gets us nowhere. We need to rebuild new jobs from scratch.

The formula-

New businesses driven by people who are both
optimistic and determined.

So there you have it. What Kyle Whitford Media and Marketing is all about. Helping others build business.

See Dave Logan’s TED talks for good ideas on how this plays out.

Charlotte Marketing SEO Search Engine Optimization

Charlotte SEO pro and media specialist Kyle Whitford announced the media and marketing company’s newsletter service today.

“We’ve been producing newsletters for various clients for a couple of years now. These monthly releases are read by thousands of readers.” Whitford said.

“We offer clients a variety of autoresponders and newsletter services such as  the well respected Aweber and Constant Contact.

Our writers are polished professionals and have expertise in research so they can write on multiple topics and in various styles..” Whitford added.

Newsletters are a popular way to reach out to existing buyers and bring in new prospects. The format is  quite versatile. A newsletter can feature articles, greetings, a letter from the owner, coupons, seasonal event schedules, and featured products and services.

Some newsletters are one page reminders while others are multi page ezines.

For information on a newsletter for your company, contact Kyle Whitford Media and Marketing.

The company also offers news and media releases for feature articles in newspapers, as well as expert search engine optimization, web design, radio commercials including award winning jingles and g television ads,plus print ads and custom logos.

Kyle Whitford Media and Marketing maintains associations with worldwide professional firms and specialists providing  top products and services.

Looking for a Marketing Strategist for 2011? Call 704-408-9235.

Want a creative twist on search engine optimization, marketing, writing, concept generating? Listen and read this-

About 17 years ago I learned about an inventor, entrepreneur, all-around good guy named Doug Hall.

Doug is involved in marketing and has his own radio show, more on that coming up.

He is responsible for all kinds of marketing ideas for people from many walks of business life. If you’re familiar with Celestial Seasonings Tea (that you see in the grocery store with its own section) a lot of the packaging is the work of Doug Hall and his Eureka Ranch, where creative brainstorming sessions are conducted.

A typical session is described like this- The participants gather to toss around ideas in free form style. They will play games and involve toys to facilitate thinking outside the box. Then, they switch gears and seriously compile the ideas for consideration. This method has resulted in hundreds of marketable concepts for clients of Eureka Ranch.

Brain Brew is Doug’s radio show. It started airing on PRI- Public Radio International, then has recently switched over to the internet radio site. The show is still an excellent source of ideas and friendly banter. I am featuring it here so you can sample it for the special flavor and inspiring moments that occur.

Enjoy and check out more of Doug’s work here.

The Brain Brew radio show over to the right will be a fixture here. You’ll get the same show by clicking the radio boxes either in this post on in the side bar. Thanks to Media Guide Pro for tips on marketing.

Penny Lane ( Kate Hudson)

Just 99 cents!

When I start to think my Charlotte Marketing and SEO – search engine optimization -can get complex, I am reminded of the year 1876-

Melville Stone wanted to sell a Chicago Newspaper for a penny. This would compete with the nickel papers that were top dog.

Pennies were scarce so Stone talked shop owners into lowering prices to both create change and raise a bargain spotters eyebrow.

It worked—folks had change in their pockets and the penny paper sold.

Oops…

A shortage of pennies soon developed so Stone went to the Mint and got barrels of them to keep the flow and the paper going.

So today we still have items all over the world priced at a major savings of 99 cents.

4.99, 5.99, 99.99.

It works even today

Play with a person’s perception—blatantly—and they will go for the lower price—even for a penny.

Oh, but we leave pennies all over the sidewalk and in that jar on the shelf .

I would think that in the year 2010, shoppers would be more savvy, and maybe they are.

Seven is the New Nine

If items were priced at a rounded off number maybe consumers would be just fine with that.

But testing sets the bar and prices remain at $.99.

Except, of course, on the Internet where it is $.97 , or $97 or $1,997 — you get the idea –

Red tag sale-

While we’re on the subject, what about a 20% off sale? Would 21% off catch your eye quicker?

Of course it would. So why do merchants stick with rounded off percentages? Tradition.

Same reason we set prices at 99cents. Tradition.

Moral of the Story

Value perception really is everything.

People drive way out of their way to save three cents on a gallon of gas and step over that much on the sidewalk daily.

As for me, I buy generic baking soda. Works great and look what I found– it’s not 6o cents, it’s just 59 cents. Lucky me. On sale.

And so an idea evolves. From a marketing idea to a Charlotte SEO blog.  A wink back in time long before search engine optimization was or any such nonsense.

The Many Forms of Marketing Strategy that take tactical form such as–

SEO ,  radio , TV, the New Google TV, Social networking, and Direct mail.

Charlotte, New York, Hong Kong-

It is all about connection, information, and follow-through action. If a newsletter represents your company or business in a way that can accomplish all these things then by all means have one. A newsletter can be an expanded business card for you. It can update your clients on –

• The fact that you are still around which is often important in that some past clients simply don’t know that you’re still doing business.
• What your services are and how they can add value to your potential clients outcome.
• How to get in touch with you.
• How you can best serve your potential clients and customers.

Getting the Word Out

A newsletter is simply a continued way to maintain contact and give information which will hopefully directly or indirectly add value for your clients.

The form that a newsletter takes can be the traditional paper bulletin that goes out through regular mail.

A newsletter can also take the form of an e-mail publication, a website post, or a website unto itself.

You can also send a newsletter via text message and in today’s technologically advanced world a newsletter can take the form of a video.

As usual, it’s important to recognize the value structure of your customer and communicate directly to their values.

What DoThey Like?

For example- a college sports fan will relate more readily to things pertaining to sports, collegiate life, an age group that resonates with those things, and other values that make sense to a person who appreciates that.

A NASCAR fan might fall within that same category but-again- might not. You need to take a look at the demographics age group and values of your target audience and be sure you are communicating directly with them.

This seems almost ridiculously simple to even mention,

but an awareness of values can make the biggest difference. If you want a clear understanding of values marketing check out the story of the Dixie Chicks and how their career changed overnight based on a few simple values in a politically charged atmosphere.

If you were a marketing strategist, how would you include values in day to day ads, images, and other tools of the trade?

Talking with your Mother In Law or in a strategy meeting for marketing – These secrets will help  your communication.

And the winner is…

Of all the ways to present an idea, there is one that is most effective.

This method has been

• studied,
• analyzed,
• pondered,
• researched
• and tried

until it just flat out wins the prize for best, most effective way to communicate.

No kidding

Here it is, from human developmental specialist Bill Torbert. Bill is an associate of Suzanne Cook-Greuter, one of my favorite people on the planet.

Step one- Frame what you are about to say- Put it in context. This is important because most people have not a clue where you are coming from ( out of the blue usually ). When you frame it with context, they know.

Step two- Advocate. Tell what you want. If you want to change a local street name to Conan O’Brien Boulevard, then say so.

Step Three- Illustrate. Show what it will look like or describe it in a way that brings it to life.

Step Four- Ask for others input. Be open to new twists on your idea. Solicit feedback and opinions.

Using this formula will get you the best communication possible more often than not. It’s a way to stack the odds in favor of accuracy when you’re trying to get an idea across.

Bonus info

Here’s the interesting thing about these four steps. The middle two are self centered and the way manyfolks ( including me) usually jump in to a typical talk.

The outer two are other centered and create a balance for the overall communication.

To be blunt-

Jerks use the middle two pretty much all the time.

More diplomatic people use all four together in an artful style of talking that gets best long term results.

This style of talking and writing can be used

• on the phone,
• in sales letters,
• emails,
• and with family members.

It gives you the best chance of having the best communication is simple to do.

Here’s an example of how you could use it-

Let’s say you have a sudden need for food for an event.

You walk into a chicken place and have two choices.

1-     You can use steps two and three and blurt out ” I need 50 pieces of chicken put in boxes and ready to go in 20 minutes.”

2-      You can use all four steps.

(1)”Hey, how are you? We have a group of 30 people to feed, they are already gathered at the community building and getting hungry.

(2)I would like 50 pieces of chicken to go.

(3)If you could pack the chicken in boxes and recommend some extras like side dishes that would help too.

(4) I’d also welcome any suggestions you have from the menu as I’m sure you’ve got experience in this sort of thing.

As simple as this method is, it can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your message.

Next…

Some people don’t want to use it. It doesn’t fit their style.  The funny thing is, they end up using the middle two steps and get a short circuited, limping result and wonder why.

Using this full method takes patience and extra effort. It feels a bit long winded sometimes, but it works.

–Marketing strategist viewpoint.

This guest post is from marketing strategist, writer Crazy Ernie’s Copy Barn

Give it Your Best Shot

A listener or reader wants compelling information at the very start of your talk, speech, interview, blog post, lecture. Give me something that peaks my interest at the beginning.

The first few words mean a lot. It is best not to waste them with a boring introduction.

Begin  with

* news,
* self interest
* curiosity.

Hey, Pass the Remote

Do you remember the early days of cable TV?  There was a lot of really bad content on obscure channels.

Movie channels slowly made things better but still, there was a glut of boredom.

I sift through thousands of blogs, podcasts,  TV and YouTube interviews trying to get to the best of the  content. It can be a challenge.

Ready?…Go!

I say let’s start by cleaning up intros.

There are some excellent blogs on the internet that get straight to the point. Frank Kern always does. Outspoken Media is pretty good, Brian Clark and Aaron Wall. Some others seem to be convinced of the  the ‘agonizingly long post’ school of thought.   But that’s a different story and another post.

Example of Good to Great

Larry King is the master of interviews. Watch and learn .  No long, wordy intros. Larry just blurts out a question and waits for a response. So simple it hurts to watch anyone else stutter and stammer and search for words and hem and haw…and finally make a four word sentence.

Re Runs of Friends

Friends, the TV show-  starts with an interesting moment. A hook. Something you can laugh with or hang onto. Then  comes the intro music and we’re quickly back into the show. Nice.

Here’s Your mission

Notice how many horrifyingly long introductions there are on podcasts, blogposts, You Tube and others.. It is amazing.

Like a world wide plot to drive me over the brink.

It’s easy to find videos, posts and interviews you can listen or read two minutes into with nothing at all to hang your hat on.

Stop this. Add up the hours the world is wasting with filler.

Give them a Ticket.

When you find such an  introduction going on and on, a long bio, a tease, another tease, a list of what we are about to do ( yes, I am aware of the formula –’ tell them what you are going to tell them’) leave a comment linking to this post.

How about no intro at all?

Honestly, I don’t know if I can ever click play on another podcast. I  fear that the next eight minutes of my life will be thrown into an abyss.  It’s like grabbing an electric fence. I have been neuro-linquistically programmed against content.

Presenting -The Untro. Just do it.

Here’s to better writing, podcasts, videos, speeches, radio shows and  SEO . Charlotte today… tomorrow- the world.

–Marketing Strategist viewpoint

“A few copywriters are under the impression that one well written ad can create a magical response.”

Copywriting  for Ads and SEO

Writing copy that works is an art.

It requires

•a commitment of time
•understanding of the product or service
•knowledge of human nature

to communicate effectively..

Copy and Ads Build Momentum

Lots of bold claims are made from some copywriters who work hard  to write a few  lines that  make sweeping change happen.

That’s a hero story we like to tell. That’s also laughable.

Think about it.

Over the last seven decades  there have been a few companies who advertised relentlessly. Why? Because that’s how  advertising that gets results is done.

Look at what those companies with the largest ad budgets in the history of the world did NOT do.

They did not

• craft one ad,
• tweak it to utter perfection and
• run it exclusively.

No way.

They used the simple combination of successful advertising.

They used

•well done,
•basic advertising copy
•to convey their message
in hundreds of different ways. No masterpieces, just decent ads.

Look at Me

So many loud, proud copywriters want to be heros. I don’t blame them for that.

Sure , there are some excellent writers in the world, but if a self proclaimed great copywriter was really THAT good, wouldn’t one ad do the job?

Of course.

But it does not work like that despite the bravado of a few highly paid writers
•who do write good ad copy
•but don’t create magic.

People tend to tell their own story in hero terms.

Awards are given out to those who write

• special slogans,
•some perfect phrase,
•or a headline that draws in hordes of people like a strong wind sucking an entire village into its black hole.

Grandeur

They honestly get deluded by their own stories.

Good copy is

•basic and
•tells the benefits of a product or service.

That’s usually all that is needed.

The real power is in the coverage and distribution of that story, getting the message out enough to make a difference and create word of mouth advertising among potential customers.

I admit the hero’s story is more fun. I also encourage testing certain words and phrases and emphasizing those test results.

But in the end I endorse this  formula for an ad campaign that works-

•1- Good copy that tells the story and benefits of a product or service.
•2- Wide spread distribution of that message using the forms of media that best reach the potential audience.

Repeat  year after year. The largest, most successful ad campaigns  have used this method with great success.

Final Thought

No person ever, till the end of time, actually needs a Coca Cola.  But plenty of people will have one. Why?

Basic advertising.