Faster, Better. More.

It’s the Holy Trinity of competition. The trifecta of competition:

Faster than the other guy. Faster to the market, faster to respond, faster to get the user up to speed.

Better than the other guy. Better productivity, better story, better impact.

More. More for your money. More choices. More care. More guts.

You have more competition than you did yesterday. I expect that trend will continue.

Use an email signature every time

An email is no different to a letter you would send out on company letterhead. Printed on that letterhead is your name, contact details, web site and any other useful information pertinent to your company and industry.

Readers of your email need to know who you are, where you are from, and more importantly, how they can get in contact with you if required.

Include your company logo as well. This is excellent branding and promotion. Avoid using your company email for personal expression. Leave off the inspirational quotes or funny pics. It is unprofessional and unnecessary. Save that for your personal email and social networks.

However, if your company has a trade show coming up, recently won an award, or was featured in a national publication, by all means promote that at the very end of your signature block.

Don't make people have to work hard for that sort of information. Putting down too much contact information is a better option than less.

Here's a good example of an email signature.

Bron McClain
Marketing Consultant
Conquest Marketing Pty Ltd

bron@conquestmarketing.com.au
www.conquestmarketing.com.au

PO Box 492 New Farm Qld 4005
(Conquest Marketing is proudly featured in Desktopmag, read the article here)

Conquest and Desktop mag

Conquest Marketing is proudly featured in this issue of Desktopmag. We spoke with journalist Sharon Green about ways to generate income and new clients when you first get your business started.

No matter what industry you are in, the tips in this article are pertinent and can be implemented.

Give Bron a call 0412 326 300 or email Bron for more information.

http://www.desktopmag.com.au/careers/selling-skills-for-the-solo-creative/

Become an expert! Advice from Sonja Falvo

Sonja's latest e-book, buy a copy now!

Today I am thrilled to showcase Sonja Favel, international body transformation specialist, published author and speaker. Sonja has recently published the e-book "Don't pretend to be an expert... become one!". In her book, Sonja tells you exactly what you need to do to stand out from the crowd and maximise your exposure with marketing activities and strategies to firmly position you as an expert in your field.

Here's six ways that you can start now:

1) Build your USP (Unique Selling Point). What is it that you do that sets you apart in your field? Do you need to create your category within your field and become a specialist? Your USP leads to your customer value proposition - the reason why your customer will take the sale!

2) Build your basic credibility indicators. This can be the way you present yourself, your company or personal branding, your communication style and responses. Keep your website up to date, and deliver when you say you will.

3) Become a writer. The written word is prolific these days, on the multiple media platforms that exist. Put together newsletters and e-books that will assist your customers to be more successful in their business.

4) Use blogs and social media. Keep your customers up to date on your activities via a blog and other social media like Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIN. These resources are cheap and are fast becoming the barometer to measure a company's exposure and availability. And of course, credibility.

5) Network. It's an oldie but a goodie. And it never fails. Nobody can sell your business better than you. So get out there and meet as many people as you can, shake hands, exchange cards and ask open questions. Network on social media sites as well - comment on blogs, make friends on Facebook and give your clients tips and tricks on Twitter.

6) Circuit branding. You've got some great skills and advice to give others both from within your industry and outside. Get up and speak about it. Look for speaking opportunities at networking functions, small business symposiums, NFP events. Spread the word by having others speak about you.

Sonja's book can be purchased by visiting www.sonjafalvo.com.

You can also find out more about Sonja's body transformation expertise by visiting www.realbody.com

Thanks Sonja, we've loved having you with us today!

Keyword-rich article titles

Example 1 "Car Audio"

This article title is too short to get any hooks and the reader has to guess what your angle to the topic will be about.

Example 2 "Car Audio and Electronics"

This is better, yet it does not explain why someone should read the article.

Example 3 "Car Audio and Video That Will Make Your Friends Envy You?"

Now we have picked up a 2nd keyword, “video” and a reason why to read the article.

Example 4 "Car Audio Components, Subwoofers and Tweeters-7 Tips to Amp Up Your Stereo"

Here you see multiple high value keywords, gave a reason to read the article and even used a high value keyword as a verb, “Amp.”

Also, ask yourself this question: “Do the first 3 words of my article title introduce the topic of the article?”

1. Start your article title with your article subject.

2. Avoid starting with ‘junk words’ or conjunctions, such as “a” or “the.”

3. It is acceptable to start your article title with a verb and then roll directly into a dense keyword relating to the subject of your article.

4. Consider using two article topic hooks in your article title. Example: "Yoga Moves - 7 Tips To Flatten Your Abs With Hatha Yoga Techniques". Topic hook #1 is “Yoga” or “Yoga Moves”. Topic hook #2 is “Flatten Your Abs” or “Hatha Yoga”.

Energise you, energise your profits

Stop draining your energy and improve your attitude with these five sure-fire points to improve your mind, your day and your bottom line.

Tip #1: Stop using negative phrases such as “It’s impossible,” or “This won’t work,” which program you for negative results. Instead, substitute phrases like “That might be challenging” or “We’ll need some alternatives” that leave the possibility of eventual success open and available.

Tip #2: Whenever somebody asks “How are you?”, don’t come out with the something depressing like “Hangin’ in there” or “Same old, same old.” Instead, respond enthusiastically with “Terrific!” or “Fabulous!” or “I’ve never felt better!” Then make that your reality, too.

Tip #3: Stop complaining about things over which you have no control, such as the economy, your company, the customers, etc. Focus on what you can change, what you can accomplish, and what you can do for your firm, your customers, and your customers’ customers.

Tip #4: Stop griping about your personal problems and illnesses. What good does it do other than to depress you and everyone else? Remember: this, too, shall pass. Do what you can to deal with your problems and then use your energy to keep yourself on track and in high spirits.

Tip #5: Substitute neutral words for emotionally loaded ones. For example, rather than saying “I’m enraged!” say “I’m a bit annoyed…” or (better yet) “I’ve got a real challenge…” Neutral words keep your mind from getting into emotional feedback loops that keep you miserable.

Tips for writing in a positive manner

What do I mean by being positive? Basically, you should say what something is rather than what it isn’t.

By stating what something isn’t can be counterproductive since it is still directing the mind, albeit in the opposite way.

If I told you that dental work is painless for example, you’ll still focus on the word “pain” in “painless.”

So intead of saying “inexpensive,” say “economical”.

Instead of saying “this procedure is painless” say “there’s little discomfort” or “it’s relatively comfortable”.

And instead of saying “this software is error-free” or “foolproof,” say “this software is consistent” or “stable”.