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The Script Has Flipped: The Rise of Personal Branding in Business Leadership

The Rise of Personal Branding in Business Leadership

In the past, the traditional narrative suggested that to be taken seriously as a business leader, you needed to be at the helm of a successful business. The credibility of a leader was often tied to their personal credentials such as a title and   tangible success of their company. 

However, the digital age has flipped the script. Today, it’s not just about leading a business; it’s about leading a personal brand. Prolific leaders who create prolific content are now the ones who are taken more seriously. Not because their degree or college education. They’re respected based on their followers. 🤔

Does your business have a face? Should it have one? 

The short answer: it should. 

The rise of social media and content marketing has democratized the business landscape. It has given individuals the power to build their own platforms, share their ideas, and connect with audiences on a global scale. This shift has led to the emergence of a new kind of business leader: the personal brand leader.

Personal branding is about more than just self-promotion. It’s about establishing a reputation and building trust with your audience. It’s about sharing your unique perspective and insights, and providing value through your content. When done right, personal branding can elevate a business leader from being just another executive to a thought leader in their industry.

Examples of successful personal brands 

Tesla and Elon Musk: Elon Musk is arguably one of the most well-known examples of a business leader with a strong personal brand. His innovative ideas, outspoken nature, and active social media presence have made him a household name. Musk’s personal brand is so strong that it’s often hard to separate him from his companies, Tesla and SpaceX. His vision for a sustainable future and space exploration resonates with many people, and his personal brand has undoubtedly contributed to the success of his companies.

Virgin Group and Richard Branson: Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, is another business leader with a strong personal brand. Known for his adventurous spirit and customer-first approach to business, Branson’s personal brand is closely tied to the Virgin brand. His charismatic personality and commitment to innovation have helped Virgin Group become a leading brand in multiple industries, from music to aviation to space travel.

Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg: Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, has a personal brand that is intrinsically linked with his company. His story of creating Facebook in his Harvard dorm room and growing it into one of the world’s biggest social media platforms is well-known. Despite facing criticism and controversy, Zuckerberg’s vision for connecting the world and his commitment to innovation have helped shape Facebook into a multi-billion dollar company. His personal brand, like it or not, has played a significant role in the success of Facebook.

In this new paradigm, content is king. Prolific leaders understand this. They leverage platforms like blogs, podcasts, and social media to share their insights and experiences. They create valuable, engaging content that resonates with their audience. They don’t just talk about their company’s products or services; they talk about their vision, their values, and their journey. They share their successes and failures, their insights and lessons learned. They show their audience not just what they do, but who they are.

This shift towards personal branding and content creation has several implications for business leaders. 

First, it means that authenticity is more important than ever. In a world where everyone has a platform, those who are genuine and authentic stand out. 

Second, it means that business leaders need to be not just business savvy, but also media savvy. They need to understand how to create engaging content, how to build an online presence, and how to connect with their audience. 

Finally, it means that business leaders need to be constantly learning and evolving. They need to stay ahead of trends, adapt to changes, and continually find new ways to provide value to their audience.

Interestingly, companies are now recognizing the value of personal branding and are investing in personal brand marketing for their executives. They understand that a strong personal brand can enhance the company’s brand, build trust with customers, and drive business growth.

The script has indeed flipped. Business leaders no longer need a successful business to be taken seriously; they need a successful personal brand. They need to be prolific leaders who create prolific content. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities. But for those who can navigate this new landscape, the rewards can be immense. They can build a loyal following, establish themselves as thought leaders, and create a lasting impact. 

In the digital age, personal branding is not just an option for business leaders; it’s a necessity.

Ready to elevate your brand and accelerate your success? Let’s talk! Schedule a Branding Strategy Call with us today. Together, we’ll explore your vision, define your unique brand identity, and create a powerful strategy to make your brand unforgettable. Don’t wait to make your mark. Click the link to book your call now and take the first step towards transforming your brand!

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Branding vs. Marketing for Small Businesses: Key Differences and Strategic Insights

Branding vs. Marketing for Small Businesses: Key Differences and Strategic Insights

Today, I want to chat with you about two essential terms that you’ve probably heard a million times: branding and marketing. They’re kind of like fraternal twins in the business world—they’re related and share some traits, but they’re not identical. So, let’s unpack each one and see how they can play nicely together to help your business shine.

Branding: Who Are You Really?

Think of branding as your business’s personality. It’s all about who you are, what you stand for, and how you want the world to see you. Your business name, logo, colors, and the tone of voice you use—all these things create your brand. It’s like the face you present to the world.

Why is branding so important, especially for small businesses like yours? Because it helps you stand out from the crowd. It’s how your customers remember you and why they stay loyal. It’s like your secret sauce!

Take “BeanBrew,” a local coffee shop. They’re not just about caffeine fixes. Their brand is all about creating a cozy community space, offering quality coffee, and being kind to the planet. This branding makes them a favorite among coffee lovers in their community.

Marketing: Let’s Get the Word Out

Now, if branding is the face of your business, marketing is how you introduce that face to the world. Marketing is all about shouting from the rooftops about your amazing products or services. It’s about knowing who your customers are, what they want, and how to get their attention.

Marketing is super important for small businesses. It’s how you attract new customers and keep the existing ones coming back. It’s your ticket to business growth.

Branding vs. Marketing: What’s the Difference?

If you’re wondering how branding and marketing differ, think about it like this:

Branding is about creating your business’s identity, while marketing is about promoting that identity.

Branding is long-term, focusing on things like your reputation and customer loyalty. Marketing is more short-term, aiming for immediate goals like sales and lead generation.

Branding involves tasks like designing your logo and defining your mission. Marketing is about turning that brand vision into a living thing. 

I’ve found that business owners “kind-of” know this topic, but they don’t really know it. And I can tell by asking one simple question: can you show me the branding campaigns you’ve outlined for the upcoming months? 

Their answer: “what do you mean?”. They have thought about social media posts, newsletters, and possible articles for their blog. And while that is PART of what a marketing plan will have, that’s NOT ALL. 

Let’s put it this way: every brand strategist is a marketer. But not every marketer is a brand strategist. And if you want to grow a business today, you need to level up your branding game.

What does a Brand Strategist do?

A Brand Strategist is responsible for the overall brand awareness of a company. They help create, manage and maintain branding through various strategies. They conduct extensive research and use data to develop branding that fits the company and market to create a positive image of the organization. 

Brand Strategists can work for corporations or marketing agencies. An in-house Brand Strategist works with different departments and leaders to strengthen and maintain the organization’s branding. When working for an agency, a Brand Strategist works with different companies that come to the agency for help with their brand identity development and management. They meet with a company, develop branding and manage the branding or teach the company how to implement the branding strategies themselves.

When I was developing the Hispanic Market for Beachbody, my official title was “coach,” yet I played a significant role in their branding strategy team. My biggest challenge was figuring out how to sell a protein shake that cost five times more than a regular one. The company had some marketing materials in Spanish, but they didn’t genuinely reflect my culture.

I proposed a series of events, and they loved my idea. During that time, I was living in Connecticut and would often fly to San Juan to host these events. Reflecting on those times, I realize that from the inception of these events, Beachbody consistently ensured their brand was accurately represented. I incorporated my personality, as well as my team’s personality, into the mix. However, we always had to stay “on brand.”

Brand Strategist

Babak Azad, SVP, media & customer acquisition at Beachbody (the creators of P90X, Insanity and Shakeology), who helped the company acquire more than 10 million customers and eclipse $1 billion in sales, was interviewed in 2018 when Beachbody broke the news on hitting their billion dollar milestone. He said that what drove him to succeed was to focus on three areas — customer lifetime value, BRAND and operational excellence — can dramatically increase the chances of scalability and sustainability of a business. Source: Entrepreneur. 

The creators of P90x and Shakeology turned Beachbody into one of the most powerful fitness brands in the world. Beachbody just rebranded as BODi. Their rebranding strategy kicked off with a marketing campaign announcing their health esteem movement. 

What can business owners learn from Beachbody-now-BODi? 

One crucial lesson that every business can glean from this success story is that branding serves as the fountain of youth for a business. Your products may change, your team can adapt and evolve, but a robust brand remains timeless.

Beachbody-now-BODi

My experience with Beachbody became the foundation of what I’ve done as an entrepreneur and business owner and what I do today for the brands we grow in our agency.

Branding and Marketing: Better Together

The real magic happens when branding and marketing come together. 

Your brand guides your marketing efforts, helping you craft the right messages and choose the best channels to reach your customers. Meanwhile, your marketing helps spread the word about your brand, enhancing its image.

Imagine your brand as your business’s heart, pumping out your values and identity. Marketing is like the veins, carrying this identity to the world. 

Without a brand, your marketing lacks focus. Without marketing, your brand stays hidden. 

So there you have it! Now you know the difference between branding and marketing and why they’re both super important for your small business. 

The next time you’re about to send a newsletter to your customers, think about their experience with your BRAND. 

When you are sharing content on social media, think about how will your future customers FEEL about that content. Will they gain any value? Will they EXPERIENCE a particular feeling? What are the feelings that you want to project as a business?

Your brand is like a person! It has FEELINGS! And if you tap into the power of a strong brand strategy, the opportunities are endless!

Remember, your brand is the heart of your business, and marketing is how you let the world know you’re here. 

And hey, if you ever want to chat with a brand strategist, I’m a click away. Book a call and let’s chat. I would be honored explore how far can your brand elevate your business.

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AI Marketing Strategies: How to Harness Artificial Intelligence for Business Success

AI Marketing Strategies - How to Harness Artificial Intelligence for Business Success

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the marketing landscape, offering businesses unprecedented opportunities to enhance their strategies and achieve remarkable success. At MFG-SEO, we understand the importance of transparency and delivering exceptional results to our clients. 

Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of AI marketing! 

I want to equip small businesses like yours with invaluable tips and thought-provoking prompts to help you unleash the power of artificial intelligence in your marketing efforts. 

AI Marketing For Small Business Owners And Entrepreneurs

Remember the first time you held an iPhone in your hands? That sleek device packed with cutting-edge technology had the power to change your world. But let’s be honest, it also made you feel a mix of excitement and a little uneasiness. Well, guess what? The world of AI marketing can be just as exhilarating and unfamiliar. 

And that’s why you need to have the right approach; especially if you need to train your team. Some might be very open to your fresh ideas. But some will be “oh heck no”.  

But don’t worry, we’re here to be your tech-savvy companions, leading you through the uncharted territories and making you feel right at home.

In my very personal opinion, AI can create FOMO (fear of missing out). So, if you are easily distracted, I recommend that you approach this new world as if you enrolled in school and you’re getting a brand-new degree. 

Yes, AI is a whole entire degree. So, don’t expect to learn Chat GPT from a few Youtube videos. It’s not gonna happen. We’ve put collectively 100’s of hours into learning AI Marketing, and I still feel behind.

It all seems like I sneeze and 10 new AI Apps are being launched. 

Sounds familiar? Let’s discuss how to best approach this challenge.

Tip #1 to use AI Marketing: Be patient 

When embarking on an AI marketing journey, it’s essential to embrace patience. AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, and realizing its full potential takes time. As a business owner or marketer, it’s crucial to set realistic expectations and allow sufficient time for experimentation, optimization, and learning from the results. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your AI-powered marketing strategy will require refinement and fine-tuning over time.

Tip #2 to use AI Marketing: Bring the experts

Navigating the complex realm of AI marketing can be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. By collaborating with AI experts who possess a deep understanding of the technology and its applications, you can ensure that you extract the maximum benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls. These experts can guide you in developing a tailored AI marketing strategy that aligns with your unique business needs and goals.

One of the best solutions we’ve built for our customers is AI personas with GPT4. It’s a done-for-you solution that can save you easily 20 hours of your life! Our personas get installed on your GPT4 and it’s great if you want to give yourself new team members! 

Just imagine for a second… That you can get your AI bookkeeper to analyze your statements. Or AI Paralegal to give you pointers on how to best rephrase your service agreement… Isn’t that amazing? 

And what about project management? Those of you who love Asana or Monday can build AI Boards! 

So yes, there are lots of options and that’s why you might want to leverage AI marketing experts to create solutions tailored to your business.

Tip #3 to use AI Marketing: Create your AI Marketing Strategy 

As you explore AI marketing tools and technologies, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the abundance of options available. To stay focused and make the most of your AI journey, it’s essential to adopt a strategic approach:

*  Define your objectives: Clearly outline your business goals and objectives. What do you aim to achieve with AI marketing? Understanding your objectives will help you create a focused and effective AI marketing strategy.

*  Select a segment of your business: You don’t need to revolutionize everything. Perhaps you want to bring AI just to support your email marketing and that’s perfectly fine. Start there and gain confidence with the tools.

*  Track and measure your ROI: since you will be investing time and resources, it’s important to track your ROI. For example, let’s say you hire a sales specialist. You can use AI to maximize their time, by using AI tools to optimize your sales processes. Your team members will love it and you will maximize their productivity.

Tip #4 to use AI Marketing: Select tools strategically 

Instead of trying to implement every AI marketing tool available, carefully choose the ones that align with your objectives and complement your existing marketing ecosystem. Remember, quality over quantity is key. Pick tools that integrate seamlessly and provide tangible value to your strategy.

Tip #5 to use AI Marketing: Prioritize integration and compatibility 

Ensure that the AI tools you select can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems and processes. Compatibility is crucial for a smooth implementation and to avoid disruptions in your marketing operations. Evaluate how the tools will fit into your workflow and ensure they align with your technology infrastructure.

Tip #6 to use AI Marketing: Foster a culture of learning 

AI marketing is constantly evolving, and it’s important to foster a culture of continuous learning within your organization. Encourage your team members to stay updated on AI advancements and industry trends. This could involve attending webinars, participating in online courses, or joining relevant industry forums. By nurturing a learning mindset, you can stay ahead of the curve and adapt your strategies to the ever-changing AI landscape.

AI Marketing vs Automation

Think of AI marketing as an extension of automation, taking your business to new heights. 

Start by identifying income-generating activities within your marketing process that can be optimized using AI. 

Automation is a game-changer for small business owners, offering a multitude of benefits that can transform the way you operate and drive your business forward. Imagine freeing up your time from repetitive, mundane tasks, and redirecting your energy towards strategic decision-making and growth initiatives. That’s the power of automation.

For small business owners, automation holds the key to improved efficiency, streamlined operations, and increased productivity. By automating repetitive tasks such as data entry, email marketing, inventory management, and customer support, you can save countless hours and reduce the risk of human error. This newfound efficiency allows you to focus on what matters most: serving your customers, refining your products or services, and driving business growth.

In addition to time and cost savings, automation can also enhance the customer experience. By implementing automated processes, you can provide your customers with faster response times, personalized interactions, and seamless transactions. From automated email campaigns that nurture leads to chatbots that provide instant support, automation enables you to deliver a consistent and exceptional customer journey, fostering loyalty and satisfaction.

Best Use Cases Of Chat Gpt For Small Business

Again, we are here to end your FOMO and refine your approach to AI Marketing. So let’s cover how can you use Chat GPT for your business today.  

1) Utilizing AI to create persuasive proposals: 

AI can analyze data and generate tailored proposals that are highly persuasive, taking into account customer preferences, market trends, and business objectives. This saves time and ensures your proposals are highly targeted and compelling.

2) Crafting compelling offers with AI: 

AI can help you develop irresistible offers by analyzing customer data, purchasing patterns, and market trends. By leveraging AI, you can create personalized offers that resonate with your target audience, leading to increased conversions and customer satisfaction.

3) Optimizing sales pages with AI: 

AI can analyze user behavior, preferences, and conversion patterns to optimize your sales pages. It can provide recommendations for layout, content placement, and calls-to-action, resulting in higher engagement and improved conversion rates.

3) Refining email copy using AI: 

AI-powered tools can analyze large sets of data to generate personalized and engaging email copy. By leveraging AI, you can automate the creation of customized email content, ensuring that your messages are highly relevant and impactful.

4) Enhancing customer service interactions with AI: 

Start by creating a super amazing customer success persona so you can ask for ideas on how to best serve your customers. 

For instance, I asked ChatGPT to turn into an amazing customer success advisor and give me ideas to increase customer retention. After a dialogue with the chat, I’ve gotten a list with ideas to celebrate our customers:

Here are five ways to celebrate success with your customers (100% written by ChatGPT):

Personalized Thank You Notes or Emails: Take the time to send personalized thank you notes or emails to express your gratitude and celebrate milestones achieved together. Acknowledge the specific achievements or progress made by the customer and highlight how their partnership has contributed to the success. This personal touch demonstrates your appreciation and strengthens the bond with your customers.

Social Media Shout-outs: Publicly recognize your customers’ achievements on your social media platforms. Share their success stories, tag them in posts, and highlight the positive impact they have made. This not only showcases their accomplishments but also reinforces the collaborative nature of your relationship. It also provides them with additional exposure and recognition within your industry.

Exclusive Loyalty Offers or Discounts: Reward your customers’ loyalty and success by offering exclusive discounts or special offers on your products or services. This gesture shows your appreciation for their ongoing partnership and allows them to enjoy additional benefits as a result of their achievements. It fosters a sense of exclusivity and strengthens the loyalty between you and your customers.

Case Studies or Testimonials: Work with your customers to develop case studies or testimonials that showcase their success and the value they have gained from your partnership. Highlight their specific challenges, the strategies implemented, and the results achieved. This not only celebrates their achievements but also serves as a powerful marketing tool for your agency, showcasing your ability to drive meaningful outcomes for your clients.

Client Appreciation Events or Webinars: Host client appreciation events or webinars to celebrate successes collectively. This can be done in-person or virtually, depending on your circumstances. These events provide an opportunity to reflect on achievements, share insights and industry trends, and foster a sense of community among your customers. It allows for networking and knowledge sharing, strengthening relationships and creating a positive and supportive environment.

As you can see, these are just a few use cases for GPT4. And by the way, it’s only $20 per month.

Given the rapid pace of AI research and development, it is reasonable to expect that OpenAI and other organizations will continue to push the boundaries of language generation with even more advanced models in the future. So start in GPT4 before it gets too late!

These are the AI Marketing Tools We’re using at MFG-SEO Agency today

Our marketing agency is small, on purpose. We are a team of 6 and that is more than enough to give our customers a high-touch service. We have explored several AI marketing tools and so far, here are the ones we are using:

GPT 4: ChatGPT is the biggest AI tool so far. And with their open API, the uses are endless. Each team member has a subscription, and we all share the personas we’ve created, to best serve our clients and manage our agency.

Coded Personas: We have coded our Personas. Creating coded personas can significantly enhance team efficiency. These personas provide a structured framework for understanding customer behavior and preferences, enabling you to deliver tailored marketing campaigns that resonate with your target audience.

CustomGPT App: As a work-in-progress, we are using CustomGPT app to develop a chat interface that consolidates all our content. This tool allows our team members to quickly access marketing materials, our knowledge base, and frequently asked questions. Imagine having an AI-powered assistant that can provide instant answers, based on YOUR OWN database! 

Elementor AI: Since we build custom websites with Elementor, we’re using Elementor AI in our SEO projects.

MidJourney: We’re using MidJourney for graphics, to get creative ideas. 

Artificial intelligence has the power to revolutionize your marketing efforts and drive exceptional results for your small business. By embracing patience, seeking expert guidance, approaching AI marketing strategically, leveraging the right tools, and staying focused, you can harness the full potential of AI to create personalized experiences, engage customers, and achieve sustainable growth.

Remember, the journey to AI marketing success is not just about the destination; it’s about the process. Embrace the challenges, experiment with new approaches, and continually refine your strategies based on data-driven insights. By adopting a thoughtful and strategic approach to AI marketing, you can unlock unprecedented opportunities and propel your business to new heights of success.

So, are you ready to embark on your AI marketing journey? Embrace the power of AI, engage with experts, and let your small business thrive in the digital age. Get ready to transform your marketing strategies and unleash the true potential of your business with artificial intelligence.

Remember, the future of marketing is here, and it’s powered by AI. Let’s take that leap together and unlock a world of possibilities!

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Why Can’t I Boost My Reels On Instagram? Troubleshoot Common Reels Ads Issues

The Greatness Blog

Why Can’t I Boost My Reels On Instagram? Troubleshoot Common Reels Ads Issues

Find out what you can do if your ads are getting disapproved on Instagram and how to prevent them from being rejected in the future.

Reels is the future of video storytelling on Instagram. It already makes up 20% of the time spent on the platform. That means that if you’re not using Reels to tell your brand story, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.


Are Reels good for business account?

 

Absolutely yes. There are a few key reasons:


1- Reels are highly engaging, and users are much more likely to watch a Reel than any other type of content on Instagram.


2- They’re also fun and creative, which gives brands a chance to show off their personality. Plus, Reels are easy to make and don’t require a lot of time or resources.


3- When you share content using Reels, the algorithm pushes your content to users who are not following you, giving you the chance to gain followers.


4- Users engage more with Reels content because they are entertaining, digestible, and relatable.


Why Are Reels A Great Way To Grow Your Followers?


Reels are a great way to grow followers because they’re highly engaging and the algorithm pushes your content to users who are not following you. When you use Reels the right way, you can increase your reach and get more people interested in your brand.


How To Gain Followers Using Reels?


Pull your audience in and entertain them with content that appeals to their ears, eyes and hearts.


1. Design for sound on

Over 80% of Reels are viewed with sound.1 Music can be an effective audio strategy for captivating attention and creating connection, particularly when it complements the mood of your story (i.e. relaxing, inspiring, energizing, chill, dreamy).


2. Dazzle with visual effects

Adding effects are a great way to inject a little fun in your Reels and enhance the story — in fact, over 40% of Reels use effects.1 Try effects like green screen to help you layer first-person video commentary onto content.


3. Inspire an emotional response

Entertaining ads tend to elicit emotions like happiness, interest and curiousity. Consider sparking intrigue by taking an edutainment approach and teaching your audience something new or helping them learn more about something they already love.

 

Boost Your Reels to Reach New Audiences

Can you boost Reels on Instagram?


Yes! You can now boost your Reels on Instagram to reach more people.


Here’s how:

1. Go to your business profile and click on the Reels tab.

2. Find the Reel you want to boost and click the “Promote” button.

3. Choose your objective (reach, website clicks or conversions) and target audience.

4. Set your budget and duration, then click “Confirm.”

5. Your Reel will start promoting as an ad once it’s been reviewed and approved.


Keep in mind that you can’t boost Reels with:

– Camera filters

– Shared to Facebook

– Gifs

– Tappable elements

– Copyrighted music

If you’re having trouble boosting your Reel, keep reading! We have some solutions that can help you get approved.

 

Which reels can be boosted?


Businesses can now boost their reels within the Instagram app to turn them into ads for the opportunity to reach new audiences and drive more engagement. Boosted Reels, summarized in the reel below, will appear in feed, Stories, the Reels tab and the explore page to help new customers find your brand.


To be eligible for boosting within the Instagram app, reels must be less than 60 seconds and have a 9:16 aspect ratio, which means they’re filmed vertically and have a full-screen format. At this time, Reels that use third party IP—such as copyrighted music, GIFs, interactive stickers or camera filters in a Reel—are ineligible for boosting, as well as reels shared to Facebook.


If you’re looking to boost your reach on Instagram, Reels Ads is a great way to do it. However, at this time, not every Reel can be boosted. Here’s a look at some of the most common problems and how to solve them.


Problem 1: Video Resolution

If you’re getting this error, most likely, your video has a filter effect.

How to fix this problem? Assuming that you want to keep using the filter, you can download the Reel using a website like Snapinsta.app and upload it again. You can also edit your Reel before posting it using a video editing app like CapCut.


Problem 2: Shared to Facebook

Reels are typically shared to Facebook, by default. If you are getting this error, you’ll need to publish your Reel again and remove the permission to share Reels to Facebook.

Provided that you are not violating any of the other prohibitions, your ad should be approved.


Problem 3: Contains Gifs

Gifs are not currently supported by Reels Ads. This means that if your Reel contains a Gif, it will not be able to be boosted.

To solve this problem, post your Reel without any Gifs or Stickers.


Problem 4: Tappable Elements

Tappable elements are not currently supported by Reels Ads. This means that if your Reel contains any tappable elements, such as links or call-to-actions, they will not be clickable when viewed on a boosted Reel.

If you have an original version of your video, simply upload it again but without any tappable element. Note that if you filmed your video directly on the app, you won’t be able to remove the element. So in this case, filming a new one will be the solution.


Problem 5: Copyrighted Music

Copyrighted music is not currently supported by Reels Ads. This means that if your Reel contains any copyrighted music, it will not be able to be boosted.

Prohibited Reels copyrighted music

To solve this problem, create a new video using original sound instead of a song. 


In Conclusion


By following these solutions, you should be able to boost your Reels without any issues. Remember to always check the requirements for Reels Ads before posting to make sure your content is eligible.

Boosting your Reels is a great way to increase your reach and get more eyes on your brand. So take advantage of this feature and start promoting your business today!


About Jessica Campos

@jessicacamposofficial is an online marketing expert and founder of @marketingforgreatness. Our content marketing studio in Cedar Park, Texas offers SEO based content, branding, website, and social media solutions for brands ready to scale. 

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The Case Of Why You Should Create An Online Course (One That Sells)

The Greatness Blog

The Case Of Why You Should Create An Online Course (One That Sells)

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a profitable online course.

No matter where you are in your life or career, you have something to teach the world. Perhaps you don’t have all the details today, but the idea of not having to sell your time to make money is getting you curious.

 

And, you’re not alone. A recent study showed that nearly 60% of Americans would take an online course if it fits their schedule and interests, but only 10% have actually done so.

Assuming you have the time and interest in creating an online course, let’s explore the case for why this is a great

 

The pros of creating an online course

 

1 – The barriers to entry are low.


In the past, creating an online course required expensive software and hosting platforms. But now, there are platforms like Teachable that make it easy and affordable to get started. You can create and host your course on their platform without any upfront costs.

 

2 – You can reach a global audience.


With an online course, you can reach people all over the world. You’re not limited by geographic location like you are with in-person courses or events.

 

3 – There are existing ecosystems that will help you reach the audience and sell your course.


Platforms like Teachable have built-in audiences of people who are looking to learn. And, they also handle all of the marketing and payment processing for you. This means that you can focus on creating great content for your course.

 

4 – The upcoming generations are very receptive to learning online.


If you’re thinking that online courses are a fad, think again. The latest data shows that e-learning is here to stay. In fact, the global e-learning market is expected to reach $325 billion by 2025.

 

Who learns online?

 

Data shows that people of all ages are learning online. In fact, according to the latest data from the US Department of Education, over 6 million students took at least one online course in 2016.

 

The breakdown by age group is as follows:

 

– Under 18: 2.6 million students (17%)

– 18-24: 3.1 million students (20%)

– 25-34: 1.6 million students (10%)

– 35-44: 1.2 million students (8%)

– 45-54: 0.9 million students (6%)

– 55 and older: 1.0 million students (7%)

 

All of the above reasons should be getting you excited about creating an online course, but there’s one more important factor to consider…

 

5 – It’s highly profitable.


While the average American worker makes $44,564 per year, the top 1% of course creators are making over $200,000 per year. In fact, some of the top online course creators are making millions of dollars per year.

 

How much can you charge for your course?


It depends on the length and depth of your course, but the average price of an online course is between $97 and $997. 

 

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. And you will see lots of courses for FREE. They are great for lead generation.

 

The bottom line is that creating an online course is a great way to make money and allow you to work remotely – indefinitely. You are the creator of your own economy.

 

So the next question is: how do you actually build a real business from your courses?

 

A course business is part of the CAAS Industry (Content As A Service).

 

SAAS vs CAAS? What’s the difference?

 

What is SAAS?

The software-as-a-service (SaaS) model has become a popular way for companies to consume and pay for business software. SaaS represents a new category of software that delivers applications over the web. Rather than purchasing, installing, and maintaining complex on-premises software, organizations can now subscribe to simple, easy-to-use applications that are always up to date and accessible from any device with an internet connection.

 

What is CAAS?

Content as a service (CaaS) is a cloud-based content management system (CMS) that provides users with on-demand access to a library of digital content, including articles, videos, images, and more.

 

CaaS platforms are similar to other types of SaaS applications in that they are delivered over the internet and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. However, CaaS platforms differ from other types of SaaS applications in that they focus exclusively on content management.

 

While there are many different CaaS platforms available, they all share a common goal: to make it easy for users to create, manage, and deliver digital content.

 

The benefits of using a CaaS platform include:

 

– On-demand access to a library of digital content

– Ability to create, manage, and deliver digital content

– Ability to customize the look and feel of your content

– Increased efficiency and productivity

 

If you’re looking for a way to create, manage, and deliver digital content, then a CaaS platform is a great option.

 

There are many different CaaS platforms available, but not all of them are created equal. When choosing a CaaS platform, it’s important to consider your specific needs and requirements.

 

Some of the things you should look for in a CaaS platform include:

 

– Ease of use: The platform should be easy to use, even if you’re not a tech-savvy person.

 

– Content Library: The platform should have a library of digital content that you can access on demand.

 

– Ability to customize: The platform should allow you to customize the look and feel of your content.

 

– Increased efficiency: The platform should help you increase your efficiency and productivity.

 

– Marketplace features: The platform should have marketplace features that allow you to sell your courses.

 

The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a way to create, manage, and deliver digital content, then a CaaS platform is a great option. When we were exploring all the CaaS in the market: Kajabi, ClickFunnels, Teachable, Simplero, Thunkific, WordPress Plugins, and Kartra, we decided to go with Kartra. Kartra has offers the best SEO features and is great for technical SEO. If you’re in the market for a CaaS platform, try Kartra for free.


Tips To A Profitable Online Course

 

1 – Find an audience that is eager to learn. There’s no reason for you to convince people about why they should learn something.

 

2 – Before creating the course, find similar courses and do some ethical “cyberstalking”. Pay attention to their teaching style, platform, and most importantly, how they engage with their students.

 

3 – Use an evergreen model to ensure long-term profitability. You certainly don’t want to create a course that becomes obsolete within months.

 

4 – Create content marketing that helps you gain brand authority. This will make people want to buy your courses because they trust you.

 

5 – The key to selling courses is not to be too salesy. Instead, focus on providing value and helping people reach their goals.

 

6 – Use an email list to increase course sales. This way, you can stay in touch with your students and promote new courses to them.

 

7 – Offer a money-back guarantee to increase course sales. This will help you build trust with your audience and make them feel more comfortable buying your courses.

 

8 – Provide bonuses and other incentives to people who buy your courses. This will help you increase course sales and keep your students happy.

 

9 – Focus on giving your users a stellar customer experience. This will help you increase course sales and reduce refunds.


10 – Don’t create a course until you have students who are ready to learn from you. Offer mini sessions for free so you can test your content with a real audience. Then you create paid content to expand from your free mini sessions. By doing this, you will be creating content for an audience that is ready to learn from YOU. This is the key to building profitable online courses.


Creating and selling a course can be a great way to make money online. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all courses are created equal. In order to create a successful and profitable course, you need to focus on providing value, engaging with your students, and using marketing strategies that will help you sell your courses. And sometimes, a profitable course is one that you give away for free, as part as your customer acquisition costs. Long term, this can be a profitable activity.

 

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a profitable online course. Just remember that it takes time, effort, and dedication to succeed. So don’t give up and keep moving forward!

 

Done for you course creation services: 

 

Hiring a team that can offer a done-for-you course creation services can save you time and energy; and most importantly, will cut your learning curve.


Why did we pick Kartra to build our courses? 


Kartra offers what most teaching platforms do: all-in-one content building, marketing, and sales. But there’s one area where they stand out from their competitors like ClickFunnels, Kajabi, Teachable, and others: you are able to create inside Kartra and take it to your WordPress. This is a big deal, especially for technical SEO. 


Try Kartra for free here.

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Recession-Proof Your Business DIY Website Audit

The Greatness Blog

Recession-Proof Your Business DIY Website Audit

Learn how to do a website audit yourself and find ways to make your site more effective at generating leads – even in a recession!

If you’re like most businesses, your website is likely one of your biggest missed opportunities. In today’s day and age, people are increasingly turning to the internet to find products and services. As a result, a well-designed website can be a powerful tool for attracting new customers. Furthermore, a website provides you with a platform to showcase your products or services in the best light possible. In other words, a website is an essential tool for any business that is looking to grow.

 

 

So, what makes a good website? 

 

There are a few key elements that you should keep in mind. First and foremost, your website should be easy to navigate and user-friendly. Secondly, it should be visually appealing and informative. Finally, your website should be optimized for search engines so that potential customers can easily find you online. By keeping these elements in mind, you can ensure that your website is an effective tool for attracting new business.

 

In this article, we will go over a website audit – DIY so you can explore potential missed opportunities.

 

 

Questions to consider when auditing your website

 

Before you can start thinking about auditing your website, you need to be clear on what problem your business solves. That might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many businesses don’t have a clear answer to that question. Once you know what problem you solve, you can start thinking about how your website communicates that to visitors. 

  1. Is it clear and concise? 
  2. Do you use language that your target audience will understand? 
  3. Do you provide enough information to help people make a decision? 

These are all important questions to consider when auditing your website. Because at the end of the day, a brand is what people think about your business. And you want them to think highly of you. 

 

Keep your target audience in mind

 

If you’re in a situation where you have a strong brand but you’re not targeting the right audience, making some changes to your branding messaging can have a big impact. Along with a clear call to action, revamping your branding can help you reach your target market more effectively. Keep in mind, however, that it’s important to remain true to your brand identity. Don’t make any radical changes that could confuse or alienate your existing customer base. Instead, focus on making subtle adjustments that will help you reach your target market without compromising your brand identity.

Pro tip:  Rebrand when there is no other option. Making subtle changes in a few website pages might be what your business needs today. 

 

Your website goals

 

A website is no longer a static business card. In order to compete in today’s market, your website must be updated regularly with exclusive offers and a user-friendly interface. If your goal is to increase revenue, your website must be designed with this goal in mind. 

 

Home page DIY audit

Some of the questions that will help you audit your website:

  1. Is the home page eye-catching?
  2. Can your visitors read about the problem you solve for them, within the first 5 seconds of landing?
  3. Is the menu easy to navigate?
  4. Do you have excessive text?  
  5. Do you have calls to action so that users know how they can do business with you? 

Pro tip: The home page is not always your top-visited page. Be sure to check your Google Analytics so you can see how are people coming to your website and prioritize your top pages.

 

How do I generate leads from my website?

 

One of the main goals of having a website is to generate business. But before you can generate business, you need to generate leads. And when you’re auditing your website, one of the key areas to explore is how you’re generating leads. If you’ve never generated leads online before, this should be your starting point. 

There are a number of ways to generate leads on your website, and which methods you choose will depend on your business and your audience.

 

Common ways to generate more leads on your website:

Some common methods include using forms to collect contact information, providing gated content that requires an email address to access, and running ads that target people who are interested in your products or services. 

Pro tip: Combine your lead capture with a strong email marketing strategy so you can nurture your audience and add value consistently.  

 

Free Website Audit Tools

 

Before you start making changes to your website, it’s important to do a comprehensive assessment of how it’s performing currently, from the technical point of view. Know that when a site has technical errors, Google won’t rank it. And this is crucial in order for you to determine where your focus should truly be.  

This is what’s known as a technical website audit or a “website health check”. By taking a close look at your page views, bounce rate, average time on page, and other key metrics, you can get a sense of where your website needs improvement. 

There are a number of tools that can help you with this process, including Google Analytics, Moz’s SEO Explorer, SEM Rush, and AHREFS, just to name a few. 

By taking the time to do a thorough audit of your website, you can ensure that any changes you make will be based on data and will have a positive impact on your website’s performance.

 

What Should You Do Now?

Chances are, your DIY website audit reflects that it’s time to make some changes. But the most important part of taking the time to do this audit is to understand which changes matter the most. 

If you found no traffic, or a very high bounce rate, and your Google Search Console has errors, this means it’s a technical SEO problem. This should be your highest priority. Hiring a senior-level SEO will take care of all your needs in one: from technical SEO, to optimizing for brand awareness, traffic, or conversion rates optimizations. 

A good SEO strategy will also improve your website’s usability and design. They’ll make sure your website is easy to navigate and looks good on all devices. This will help improve your website’s user experience, which is another ranking factor for Google. Finally, a good SEO will also help you create high-quality content that is engaging and relevant to your audience. content that is engaging and relevant to your audience. And this is how you’ll turn your website into possibly replacing a sales team! 

 

Join our Free Marketing Resource Center

 

You’re always hustling, trying new things, and looking for an edge on the competition. We get it. And we’re here to help. Our Marketing Resource Center is full of tips, tricks, and tactics that can help you market smarter and more effectively. Plus, it’s a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and trends. So if you’re serious about marketing your business for success, join our Resource Center today. It’s free, and you’ll be glad you did.

Click here to join our resource center.

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How Can Local Businesses Survive Inflation? | MFG

The Greatness Blog

How Can Local Businesses Survive Inflation? | MFG

Inflation is a serious challenge for businesses – find out how to stay afloat and protect your company in this tough economy.

After relying primarily on price increases, business owners and executives are looking for creative ways to maintain profit margins and survive during inflation.

Here are a few fast facts based on the latest Consumer Price Index as of March 2022:

  1. Food prices rose 8.8%, and the largest increase was in the “food at home” category (i.e., groceries).
  2. Energy prices rose 32%, and the largest increases were in the “fuel oil and gasoline” categories.
  3. Prices for items outside of food and energy rose 6.5% and the largest increase was in the “shelter” category.

So, how do you fight inflation, without increasing your prices?

 

According to a recent MFG survey of local business owners in Austin, Texas, the majority of business owners are fighting inflation by increasing their marketing efforts to increase their overall sales volume, followed by pricing strategies, and outsourcing.

Those are all great ideas, but there are a million strategies out there to improve your bottom line even as everything gets pricier.

 

Here are a few ways that businesses can adjust to inflation:

 

1) Increase marketing efforts to generate more sales volume. If your product is selling at the same price but you’re able to sell more units, your business will still come out ahead. Develop a strategic plan to nurture existing consumers and reach new audiences at the same time.

 

 

2) Know your numbers. Keep a close eye on your budget and know where every penny is going. The same goes for your revenue. Get granular data about your top-selling products. Knowing where you can make cuts will help save your business money.

 

 

3) Be creative with pricing. If you must increase prices, look for ways to do it in a way that won’t cause too much of a shock to your customers. For example, you could institute a small price increase for all customers or offer discounts for bulk purchases or preorders.

 

 

4) Consider outsourcing. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to outsource certain aspects of your business rather than try to do everything in-house.

 

 

5) Keep your employees and customers happy. Inflation can be tough on everyone, but it’s important to try to maintain a positive attitude and keep your employees and customers happy. After all, they are the backbone of your business. Loyalty programs are a great way to keep customers coming back, and happy employees are more productive employees.  A loyalty program is a system where customers can earn rewards for their purchases. For example, a business might offer a loyalty card that gives customers 1 point for every $1 they spend. Once the customer reaches a certain number of points, they can redeem them for discounts or freebies.

 

 

6) Implement better processes and systems. Review your current processes and see where you can make improvements that will help increase efficiency and decrease costs, especially in the following areas of your business:

  1. Productivity
  2. Customer service
  3. Business development
  4. Digitalization
  5. Automation

7) Reduce advertising costs by utilizing digital marketing methods which are often more cost-effective. This means:

  1. Focusing on SEO to make sure your website appears as the top result in search engine results pages.
  2. Utilizing social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to reach potential customers.
  3. Creating email marketing campaigns to promote your products or services.
  4. Using content marketing to attract potential customers to your website.

By utilizing these digital marketing methods, you can reduce your advertising costs and still reach a large audience.

 

How does inflation affect your marketing strategy?

 

If you’re not sure how to adjust your marketing strategy for inflation, here are a few tips:

 

1) Review your target audience. Make sure you understand who your target audience is and what their needs are. This will help you determine how to best reach them with your marketing message.

 

2) Focus on value. When consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation, they’re going to be more focused on getting the most bang for their buck. Make sure your marketing messages emphasize the value of your product or service.

 

3) Get creative with your messaging. If you can find a way to stand out from the competition and grab attention, you’ll be in a better position to succeed during periods of inflation.

 

4) Be flexible. Inflation can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be flexible with your marketing strategy. If you’re able to adapt quickly to changes in the market, you’ll be in a better position to succeed. If you are working with a marketing agency or lead a marketing team, be sure that you can implement new initiatives and pivot quickly.

 

5) Market to existing customers. During periods of inflation, it can be more difficult to attract new customers. Instead, focus on marketing to your existing customer base and try to increase loyalty and repeat business.

 

How can businesses benefit from inflation? 

 

Your business can benefit from inflation, in the long run. By staying proactive, your path to leading your market would be much easier. Also, as time goes by and people get used to the idea of inflation, they will start to think about it less and carry on with their lives. In turn, this would lead to more customers for your business and help you maintain a good market share.

 

How can a fractional CMO help your business thrive during inflation?

 

A fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is a senior-level marketing executive who can be hired on a part-time or project basis to provide expert marketing guidance and leadership to businesses.

 

Why hire a fractional CMO?

 

There are several reasons why you might consider hiring a fractional CMO:

 

1 ) You’re not ready to commit to a full-time CMO. A full-time CMO salary is typically out of reach for many small businesses. But by hiring a fractional CMO, you can get the same level of expertise and experience without breaking the bank.

 

2) You need help with a specific marketing project. If you have a specific marketing project that needs to be completed, such as rebranding or launching a new product, a fractional CMO can help you get it done.

 

3) You need an experienced marketing leader. If you’re a small business without a lot of marketing experience on your team, hiring a fractional CMO can give you the expertise and leadership you need to take your marketing to the next level.

 

4) You need help with marketing strategy. One of the most important roles of a CMO is to develop and execute a marketing strategy that aligns with the business’s overall goals. If you need help developing or fine-tuning your marketing strategy, a fractional CMO can be a great resource.

 

5) You want to reduce your marketing costs by outsourcing but don’t have the capacity to lead a marketing team. By hiring a fractional CMO, you can outsource your marketing functions and still have someone in-house to provide leadership and strategic direction.

 

If you’re facing inflation and aren’t sure how to adjust your marketing strategy, a fractional CMO can help. A fractional CMO can provide the expert guidance you need to navigate the challenges of inflation and keep your business thriving.

 

MFG offers fractional CMO services in Austin, Texas

Learn more about our digital marketing services and how we can help you drive more business by visiting our website or contacting us today.

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Do You Really Need A Business Coach?

Do you really need a business coach? Maybe!

Let’s cover some important questions that you want to ask yourself when you’re in the process of hiring your business coach.

What Do You Want From A Business Coach?

Before we dive in, let me tell you about a conversation I had with a very successful business owner with over 20 years of experience and great friend.

She asked me if I thought that a business coach could help her.

“What would you like from a business coach?” I asked.

Her answer: I don’t really know.

A completely normal answer.

There’s no definitive guide on how to hire a business coach. Business coaching is a relatively new practice and has little to no regulations.

So, I asked her if she could tell me the story of how she started her business and how she currently felt about her business.

That question worked!

She told me all about her business idea, how she started, and all the work she put into building it up. Her eyes were shining. You could tell she was reliving those great moments in her head from when her business was a dream and she saw the possibilities.

I was patiently listening to her story as the suspense built. As expected, the romance period ended, business is taking more effort than what she thought, and she is questioning if there’s something more fulfilling that she could be doing.

She said …“I feel like I am in a different place. I no longer see my business as this amazing money-making machine.”

Can you relate?


Click here to take our business coaching survey.

As a business matures, the romance period ends and growing a business, on top of working with clients, becomes a heavy lifting job. This creates friction, since the original reason for starting a business was to not have a job.

The challenge for entrepreneurs is to figure out ways to feel passionate about their business, even when things are not looking great.

Hiring a coach makes total sense at this point (ideally you don’t want to wait until you feel like quitting).

I asked her more questions about her routine, the things she likes about her business. And I found out that she had been working on other projects related to helping foster care centers and would like to find a way to incorporate those into her business. 

You might not know what do you want from your business coach, but you will know what do you want from your business. The kind of routine you want to have.

Having clarity about the kind of lifestyle you want to live will certainly help you in the process of hiring a business coach.  If you can find a business coach that has achieved what you want to achieve and is willing to share everything with you, even better!

A Business Coach For Entrepreneurs Will Be A Great Fit

My friend’s story reminded me exactly how I felt, back in 2008, when I lost my law firm income. I had found an opportunity to work from home and was very confused. I wanted to know if that opportunity could truly replace my law firm income and wanted clear steps to make it work.

I was willing to put the effort, but I couldn’t afford to waste time.

So I met an attorney with experience in direct sales, who was living it! He gave me some pointers, but after a few calls, I was ready to start on his coaching program.


How Did I Work With My First Business Coach?

My first business coach had a very personalized model. He built a curriculum – just for me.  And I think this gave me a huge advantage.

During my first year of working with my first business coach:


  1. I had a clear vision of the kind of business I wanted to build.
  2. I learned about personal branding and how to position my story, instead of selling products online.
  3. He crafted our marketing and sales systems and became the #1 hispanic ambassador for Beachbody.
  4. I started a new distribution agreement with an international company.
  5. I discovered a new world of MINDSET tools.

I signed up a 3-months contract and by the time I was in month 2, I already knew I wanted to work with him for a full year. And we did. Best decision ever!

Keep in mind, this is back in 2012. This experience inspired me so much that I decided to be a marketing coach. So I signed up in a full year program with a marketing academy lead by Fabienne Fredrickson.

I’m a product of coaching and truly believe that if you find a good coach, your life will transform.


Business Mentor vs Business Coach

Another question that might come up when you’re doing your research is about the difference between a mentor and a coach.


How is a business mentor different from a business coach?

A business mentor has first-hand experience of the mentee’s line of work. A business coach, however, does not need to have hands-on experience of the kind of work the coachee is engaged in.

You’re getting someone who’s already walked in your shoes. They are experienced in your field and can help fast-track you along your growth path. They can offer guidance, friendship and support; there is usually a level of personal connection as they serve as a role model to help an individual reach their potential.

My first business coach was a mentor more than a coach.  Since my experience was so impactful, I am biased towards this coaching approach.

You should ask your future coach if their work is more mentoring than coaching and see how they explain it to you.

When I coach entrepreneurs, I mentor them. I’m an open book.  My clients have access to every move we make, behind the scenes.  They have seen wins and failures too.


Your business mentor should own a successful business 

Your business mentor should be successful. Something that seems very obvious, but it’s not always the case.

If you aspire to become a full time entrepreneur, your business mentor should have experience as a full time entrepreneur, building businesses.

There are “business mentors” who have never built a business successfully and sell programs teaching people how to grow a business.  This brings a huge red flag.


Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs (Coaching Packages)

If you’re looking for small business coaching services or small business coaching packages, a business coaching & mentoring program offers the best of both worlds.

Most coaches are creating packages. A package combines training and coaching with a customized mentoring experience. In this way, you could be getting pre-recorded modules, in addition to private coaching sessions.

In my coaching program, for example, we offer pre-recorded modules, personalized curriculum that covers sales and marketing training, and mastermind calls for accountability and implementation.

Finding a business coaching program near you will be recommended. Proximity will be key, as the program typically offers live events that can impact your business tremendously.


Business Coaching & Mentoring in Austin, Texas

If you’re in the Austin, Texas zone, my business coaching & mentoring program could be a great fit.

I combine personalized mentoring with coaching via private sessions, mastermind calls, and retreats. Members get access to a private community with exclusive opportunities to grow their business.

This is a great fit for business owners who are looking for a good mentor so they can thrive in life while growing a successful business.  Take our coaching survey to get to know you more.

We are designing our 2021 coaching packages and you can sign up to be the first to know.

 

Take our business coaching survey!

 

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How To Maximize Your Holiday Sales With Spectrum Reach “Support Local” Campaign (For FREE)

The holiday season can impact small business owners tremendously.  In fact, experts predict that holiday spending this year to accumulate $1.147 billion to $1.152 billion in sales.

If you’re starting to prepare your business for the holiday season, you will love this opportunity that Spectrum Reach is bringing to support small business owners to maximize holiday sales! 

And yes, it’s FREE!

Rebuild My Town Texas: Join Spectrum’s Support Local Campaign

This is a BIG OPPORTUNITY for you, and FREE! Yep, we love FREE! 

Spectrum Reach will be running over $1,000,000 in advertising (across tv, digital, social media) in each individual market to drive consumers to the local mosaic landing page and to promote shopping local this holiday season. Each individual market landing page will include the interactive mosaic and messaging supporting the benefits and importance of shopping local businesses.

All participating businesses will receive:

  1. A link to the finished mosaic to post on their website or social media page.
  2. A free ‘mosaic image & top reasons to shop local this holiday season’ window cling/poster for their locations.
  3. Select participating current key clients will also be tagged on our free “support local business” taggable commercial.
  4. Business name listing and website link on our local mosaic landing page.
  5. A free finished mosaic jigsaw puzzle.

Why You Should Join Spectrum’s Support Local Campaign

  1. You’ll get a listing for your business on your town’s Support Local directory.
  2. You’ll get visibility in front of your potential clients- consumers who are looking to support local business owners.
  3. You have nothing to lose!  

How To Enter?

  1. Go to the link in BIO, click the “Support Local” tap. 
  2. Complete the form.
  3. Add your business photo to the mosaic and choose to be featured in our Support Local directory.

Listing must be completed before 11/8, but enter now before you forget! 

Click here to enter

I’ve partnered up with Spectrum Reach to spread the news! 

Go ahead and complete your listing, and share this post with every small business owner you know!

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These 5 Marketing Strategies Prevent Fitness Studios From Major Losses During Coronavirus Outbreak

Gyms small and large are closing across the country in order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Health officials, politicians and business leaders throughout the world are encouraging “social distancing” in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.  

If you’re in the fitness industry and your business can’t open but you’re afraid to lose your members, keep reading! 

Gyms Closing To Slow Coronavirus Spread

Just like every responsible business owner, you’ve been monitoring closely the development of the COVID-19 since it reached a pandemic level. Since being active keeps us healthy and helps us fight off infection, opening your facilities to your clients is a noble service.  

However, due to the recent evolution of the pandemic, social distance is pretty much mandatory. Your clients have no choice, but to stay at home and wait and your location is no longer open to the public.

Forced To Adapt

During these unforeseen circumstances, you are forced to adapt. The sooner you can make the move and pivot, the better it is for your members. 

Your members see you as a leader. They call you coach, for a reason. You might want to take 3 steps back and think about the relationship you have with your “members”. 

  • Do you have a bond with them? Do you feel connected?
  • Members have a sense of belonging. Do you think that your members truly feel like they belong?
  • If the physical location can’t be open, how can your members feel like they are part of your business beyond your location?

These are some of the questions that will ignite a new realm of possibilities. You will soon realize that your members want YOU. Sure, they want your location or your studio, but they want access to YOU. It’s time to think about how they can have more of YOU. If you’re a team, the YOU is your support from the team all together and each of the members.

Is Your Subscription Model Virus-Proof?

Your members are, indeed, paying for a subscription, which is a great business model for the purpose of bringing predictable cash flows.  Now that your facilities are not open, you might need to adjust their subscription.

Life Time active, club-accessing memberships will receive a prorated dues credit for the number of days the club is closed. But what if you can’t afford giving credit to your members? 

What about your employees? Will they get paid if your business is closed? 

The good news! You can pivot! Having open communication with each of your members it’s crucial at this point. The key is to replace the value that they see from your subscription. Remember, they buy YOU.

A New Approach To Marketing

Coronavirus could not have picked a more inconvenient season. For the health and wellness industry, Q1 of the year is the strongest one. You probably had planned your spring promotions, discount codes, along with the social media strategies to get new members to sign up. Now that your facilities can’t open and we still don’t have a clear picture of the situation, your marketing needs a new approach.

We have interviewed some amazing fitness leaders and have created 5 powerful marketing strategies that can help you get through this Coronacalypse.

Number One: Market The Value Of Your Community

Just because your members can’t step into your location doesn’t mean that they can’t be connected and pay to have access.

April Hill, owner of Yoglates 2 South in Baton Rouge, LA. pivoted by launching a 30-day virtual subscription.    

Well… I began planning last  week to utilize our Facebook Private group page in the event this blew up and we were forced to close / quarantine. 

To best care for our members we are bringing a routine everyday. This gives those members that automatically renew their memberships what they are paying for.  My hope is our members seeing us in the studio or from home will give them a sense of normalcy and bring them peace. It’s so much more than a workout. We are a community. We are a family.

This platform also allows us to offer our unique workout to others as well. People may now buy a virtual 30 day subscription by the link we are sharing. Once they make their purchase they ask to be part of the Yoglates 2 South Members Page and we accept them into the group. 

Following the Live video, I post to the page and it remains available for all members in the FB group to view till the next day. This has been well received thus far.

Cycle Bar Cedar Park is embracing social distancing with its members, by doing workouts outdoors. This is a great initiative!

Number Two: Boost Your Social Media Marketing 

If you were posting on social media 2-4 times a week and mostly promotions, you will have a challenge these days. Consider adopting a new content marketing plan where you add at least 50% of inspirational content. Be sensitive to what people are going through. Use polls and see how your members are doing. Engage more with them.

Avoid:

  1. Sharing news from non-official pages 
  2. Sharing content that can enhance anxiety 
  3. Political at ALL TIMES 

This is a great time to try new channels, such as Facebook Live and IGTV to find ways to connect with your audience. Even TikTok! 

I’m coaching business owners on how to master Instagram for Business. Normally this course is $500 but I have a $400 off for you! Click here to learn more.
Use Facebook Live and Instagram TV to connect with your audience. See, for example, how Kendra Scott managed to share with her audience her decision to temporarily close all of their retail locations March 16-29th.

View this post on Instagram

As a Mom and a daughter currently caring for an elderly father, the information about coronavirus hits home for me in a very real way. I built this company with Family as our first pillar. And keeping everyone safe – both our KS family and our family of customers in all the communities we serve – has been at the forefront of all of our decisions.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ As such, we will be temporarily closing all of our Kendra Scott retail locations March 16-29th. This was not an easy decision and is one made with the best interest of not just our employees, but our communities and country in mind.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’re working quickly to establish how to best take care of our communities in this time of need and we will share details about our give back shortly.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Stay safe & healthy. We look forward to seeing you again soon and until then we’re here to serve you at kendrascott.com?

A post shared by Kendra Scott (@kendrascott) on

Number Three: Email Marketing And SMS Marketing 

While social media might be where everyone is, don’t take that for granted. Your goal is to connect with your members to nurture your relationship. Go beyond the copy/paste messages. Sending personalized emails and text messages will help you maintain your members.

Jennifer Sweet, owner of Pure Barre Lakeway says: We have been in constant communication with our members, beyond social media. We have shared emails and text messages with updates, always adding a personal touch. We could use templates but we rather take the extra time to make each member feel supported and appreciated.

Number Four: Leverage Stories

If you had never used stories before, you might feel confused about what kind of messages should be shared via stories. Generally speaking, stories are essentially messages that are meant to be shared in episodes. 

Here’s a good format for your stories:

Episode 1: hello members, I’m here at ___ and want to share with you 3 things.

Episode 2: Thing 1.

Episode 3: Thing 2.

Episode 4: Thing 3.

If you use a video, it will be broken down in segments of 15 seconds and cut after 4 episodes. Since you can combine text, images, videos, stickers, and GIFs, you can share a message without having to use long-form videos or long-form posts. 

If there’s something that small businesses have is VISION. On that note, I love this quote from Steve Jobs:

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

-Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple

If you’re in Austin and want to connect with our community of professionals & entrepreneurs, join our Facebook Community.

Number Five: Embrace Positivity

Rebecca Remus, founder of Grand Mesa Crossfit is focusing on adding more positivity to her members. Besides from sharing workouts online and via email to her members, they are going beyond the norm to recognize their members. It’s a great way to let the members know “we are thinking about you”.

I hope these strategies can bring you some ideas to thrive during these difficult days.

If you have other ideas, bring it! We are always up to update our content to bring nothing but the best!

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It’s Possible To Build Community Resilience Despite All The Coronavirus Updates

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve been following the coronavirus live updates, pretty much every other minute. 

If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner and want to stay connected and supported, keep reading! We have a series of online resources to support you!

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a statewide public health disaster as community spread has hit and cases of the new coronavirus have emerged in the state’s five most populous regions. An increase in the state’s testing capacity could reveal that the number of people infected is higher than currently known.

State and local officials have called for social distancing, extended spring break for colleges and school districts, and prohibited or canceled major events. 

How Many People In Texas Have Coronavirus?

There have been at least 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in Texas.

The largest numbers of cases have mostly been centered in the Houston area, in North Texas and at a federal quarantine site in San Antonio. But all five of the state’s most populous urban areas have cases.

In Austin, the number of cases keep rising. It all started with 3 cases but the number is coming up, based on the most recent news.

Small Business Owners Are Suffering Severe Financial Consequences

The timing of this chaos is far from perfect. Coronavirus outbreak is happening right around the famous SXSW Festival; an internationally known festival that attracts more than 100,000 participants and sprawls from Austin’s convention center to hotels, bars and restaurants nearby.

SXSW is concerned its losses could run into the “tens of millions of dollars,” president Swenson said, and it will be out of money by this summer if it doesn’t find additional sources of income, such as grants.

You might think that an event this magnitude would have taken all the necessary precautions to have the best coverage. However, SXSW didn’t have insurance coverage for cancellations triggered by “bacterial infections, communicable diseases, viruses and pandemics”. 

The losses from canceling SXSW are not just from the convention, but also from the local economy. Cancellation of the event is a financial gut punch for owners and employees of downtown bars, restaurants and concert venues, many of whom have come to rely on the influx of cash SXSW produces. For instance, SXSW’s estimated $356 million economic impact last year includes about $200 million related to spending by attendees — which equates to about 4% of Travis County’s $5 billion annual hospitality sector, condensed into an extremely short period.

The cancellation of SXSW was just the beginning of this major crisis.

A Calling For Community Resilience. But What Is Resilience?

When faced with adversity in life, how does a person cope or adapt? Why do some people seem to bounce back from tragic events or loss much more quickly than others? Why do some people seem to get “stuck” in a point in their life, without the ability to move forward?

Psychologists have long studied these issues and have come up with a label you may be familiar with: resilience. When faced with a tragedy, natural disaster, health concern, relationship, work, or school problem, resilience is how well a person can adapt to the events in their life. A person with good resilience has the ability to bounce back more quickly and with less stress than someone whose resilience is less developed.

When It Comes To Implementing Resilience, Puerto Rico Has A Mastery. 

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria (category 4 with winds up to 155 miles per hour) made landfall just south of the Yabucoa Harbor in Puerto Rico.  This is about 30 minutes from where my family lives. 

According to the best estimates, nearly 3,000 people died. It’s hard to put in words the big massive devastation this natural disaster left in millions of Puerto Ricans.

I will never forget how everything happened, while I was in Austin, talking with my mom. We were in constant communication. Around 4 am she wrote me a text telling me that the winds were very loud and she was afraid. I replied and never got an answer back until 7 days later. Those 7 days were full of fear and anxiety. I found myself crying for no reason. It was devastating just to think of the idea that my family was in danger.  

I remember seeing images like this one and thinking about my Abuela having to go through this and not making it.

Just take a second to think about the last time your home ran out of power. You had no internet. No water… After a few hours, you start to get uncomfortable. Well, for Puerto Rico, this was their reality for almost 1 year for some families. Imagine 1 year with no access to power and water?  How can one survive? It’s resilience.

How Can Communities Build Resilience 

Everybody has resilience. It’s just a question of how much and how well you put it to good use in your life. Resilience doesn’t mean the person doesn’t feel the intensity of the event or problem. Instead, it just means that they’ve found a pretty good way of dealing with it more quickly than others. 

Let’s discuss some strategies that can activate your resilience mindset, starting today!

Number One: Be distant but not disconnected. It’s important to recognize that your reality is pretty much the same reality for your neighbor. Perhaps they have it even harder. While it’s not recommended that you go out and visit them now, finding access to your neighborhood website, Facebook Group or Facebook page is important. If you don’t have those, then access your next available community. Join Nextdoor and you will find it. Be active. If you don’t see any then create a Facebook Group!

Number Two: Find a cause and support it. A great way to focus in the positive is by finding a cause and supporting them. In my case, I support local business owners. All my attention has been directed to get to know how is everybody and how can we rise together as a family. Since we cannot gather in person, we are hosting online meetings to expand the connections and help each other.

Jessica Campos is hosting an online networking event for members of ATX Professionals & Entrepreneurs Networking, to help small business owners expand their connections from the convenience of their homes. Join the community and participate in our local events.

Number Three: Stay positive. When you’re reading the coronavirus updates, keep in mind that they have a responsibility to prevent the worse scenario. Can the worst-case scenario happen? Yes, absolutely. But… what if it doesn’t? What if you can just listen to the news and put your mind to think about a much better scenario instead of entertaining those negative thoughts.

When I finally called my mom after a week, they had no power. In fact, they didn’t get it for almost 4 months. We would talk about the situation and she would tell me “Jessica we are fine, we are alive and we will get through this. The power will come one day this is not permanent.”   My goodness! I was, from the other side, suffering, but they were just ok. 

Number Four: Think about healthcare providers and first responders.  Maybe you’re not in conditions to enroll as a first responder and work at the center for disease control, for example. However, it’s important to be aware of their needs.

Number Five: Have a list of all the resources handy. Here are some resources that might guide you to manage this crisis in one page.

EMS needs during coronavirus

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Stress and the Threat of COVID-19 

Official Austin updates

Pandemic Preparedness Resources

COVID-19 and Animals

If You Are Sick

Aprender sobre coronavirus en Espanol 

Greg Abbot – Twitter

Resources for Small Business Owners

Community & Connections – Austin Networking

SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

SXSW organized Stand With Austin, promoting several fundraising events to come along and bring relief to those in need. Stand with Austin fund. 

Keep in mind!  Your school’s website or small office websites might not be updated instantly. Follow them on social media which is where they most likely will announce their updates.

If you have resources to add to the list, please email me jessica@www.marketingforgreatness.com and we will gladly add them.

These are just 5 ideas. 

The key is to identify ways that are likely to work well for you as part of your own personal strategy for fostering resilience. 

Now I’m turning this over to you!

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10 Marketing Ideas To Win Clients On Small Business Saturday

Still trying to find ideas to take advantage of Small Business Saturday?  You still have time to win clients from this big holiday. 

Let’s get to a quick 10 Small Business Saturday ideas to join the shop small movement. With some help, this could be a good Saturday for your business!

First Of All, What Is The Shop Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is a corporate responsibility initiative by American Express that rallies people to “shop small” on the Saturday following Black Friday. This Saturday is always the last one in November so if you were late this year, mark your calendar for next year! 

American Express has created a partnership program to give small business owners more visibility. This program isn’t just for brick and mortar. Professionals and online businesses can also join.

You can achieve your championship status and get recognized in American Express’ website by application.  

If you didn’t apply, no worries. You can still champion the cause and promote the cause with your neighbors and your online fans and followers. 

To find a Small Business Saturday event near you, click here.

In Austin, for example, P Terrys is one of the listed venues featured on the map. Only qualifying American Express Card accepting merchants will be featured on American Express Maps. 

American Express has created Small Business Saturday materials to make your marketing very easy. You can create custom marketing materials with the Shop Small® Studio.

Add Your Business’ Information.

Get prepared to answer questions about your uniqueness and how have you helped your community.

Include All The Information Where You Can Receive Your Small Business Saturday Marketing Materials.

Prepare To Download Your Custom Marketing Materials

A zip file will download and you will be able to open several folders with promotion ideas, email templates, posters, and social media assets with the Small Business Saturday 2019 logo on it.  

American Express has done a great job! Check out our customized cover picture for Facebook.


We are featuring our Business Accelerator Program!

Small Business Saturday 2019 Marketing Ideas

#1 Prepare A Compelling Story 

If you noticed from your Small Business Saturday kit, you were asked what makes your business special. People want to do business with people. Create a compelling story that reminds your users why they should do business with you.

Here’s a Small Business Saturday quote you can use:

We _____________ (describe what you do) so that ____________ (describe how do you help your clients). 

#2 Partner With Brands That Are Celebrating Small Business Saturday

If you see a small business owner with the Small Business Saturday logo, share their message. The more you share, the more shares you will receive. 

Do your research! Find opportunities to collaborate with brands that are listed on the American Express’ map. 

#3 Leverage The Power Of Hashtags

Here are the top Small Business Saturday hashtags for 2019.

#smallbusinesssaturday #smallbusinesssaturday2019 #smallbusinesssaturdays #smallbusinesssaturdayslo #smallbusinesssaturdaysrq #shopsmall

You can also mix from #shopsmall related #’s

#shopsmall #etsy #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness #etsyshop #etsyseller #smallbusiness #shophandmade #toddlerfashion #brandrep #supporthandmade #mompreneur #igkiddies #babyfashion #girlboss #kidsfashion #kidslookbook #madewithlove #igbabies #makersgonnamake #handcrafted #handmadeisbetter #womeninbusiness #kidzfashion #babieswithstyle #igkids #trendykiddies #brandrepsearch #momlife #etsyfinds

Remember that every hashtag has its own “gallery”. People sometimes browse these galleries to see photos they are interested in. This is why you want to mix and match those hashtags to get more visibility, instead of using the same all the time.

Each hashtag gallery has a “Top” section and a “Recent” section. The posts in “Top” are determined by a combination of how recent the post is, and how many likes/comments it is receiving. 

The more hashtags you use, the more galleries your work appears in. The maximum allowed per post is 30 hashtags.

Take some time to search the # “gallery” and explore the “Recent” section. There’s a good chance you can find similar small business owners who will be glad to connect with you and share your content. 

#4 Don’t Compete In Price. Do Things You Know Your Customers Will Love.

You might be tempted to launch Small Business Saturday deals. That’s totally recommended. However, instead of just launching a discount in price, create a pricing strategy that fits your business model and your current goals.

As shoe designer Christian Louboutin says, “Luxury is the possibility to stay close to your customers, and do things that you know they will love.” 

#5 Build A Small Business Saturday Form For Your Email Marketing

American Express has done all the work for you! So, if you build a form, for instance, free on Mail Chimp, you can just send this simple email to your subscribers letting them know about your Small Business Saturday campaign.

Here’s the email template from American Express (customized).

Hi [CUSTOMER NAME OR SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORTER],

This Nov 30 is the 10th Small Business Saturday®, which means it’s almost time to celebrate with your favorite small businesses — like (hint, hint) the one sending you this email.

Save the date to Shop Small® with us because when you do, you make a big difference for our business and our community. Join us in making this Small Business Saturday one to remember!

As always, thank you for your continued support — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

MARKETING FOR GREATNESS

#6 Instagram Stories

In case you haven’t jumped in, this Small Business Saturday campaign should motive you to use IG Stories! 

Here are the main stats showing how big the Instagram story format is:

  1. Instagram stories are used by 500 million users every day (Instagram internal data, January 2019)
  2. One third (1/3) of the most viewed Instagram Stories are from businesses
  3. 50% of businesses on Instagram worldwide created at least one story during a typical month
  4. 96% of US marketers surveyed plan to continue using Stories ads in the next 6 months

Your marketing kit will have 3 stories format and you can use them all! 

Remember that you can always add your personal touch, with videos, music, stickers. Be creative! Don’t forget to use hashtags to give your stories more visibility.

A pro tip: geotag your story. This will turn your story visible on the location you tagged yourself at.

#7 Support A Local Charity

One of the great things about this Small Business Saturday event is that people are open to giving. This is a great opportunity to support a cause and make your business stand out.

Not sure where to start? Facebook’s Giving Tuesday program supporting charities is a great place to search! 

GivingTuesday 2019

Facebook’s match for GivingTuesday 2019 begins at 8:00 AM Eastern Time (5:00 AM Pacific Time) on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

  • Donations are matched dollar for dollar on a first-come, first-served basis until $7,000,000 USD in eligible donations are made on Facebook.
  • Any US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit eligible to receive donations on Facebook can be matched.
  • Facebook will match up to a total of $100,000 per nonprofit organization.
  • Each donor can have up to $20,000 in eligible donations matched on GivingTuesday.
  • We cover processing fees so that when you donate using Facebook’s payments platform to a nonprofit organization, 100% of your donation goes to support the cause you care about.

See the Giving Tuesday Donation Match Program Terms for more details about the match.

#8 Create An Exclusive Small Business Saturday Gift 

Remember that your main goal is to create experiences for your clients, not just about money.

If you don’t have too much time to think about a gift for your customers who purchase on Small Business Saturday, Blue Board is a great alternative to outsource your gifts. 

#9 Feature Your Small Business Saturday Promotion On Your Facebook Page

Facebook has an option to turn your business page into a shop. Even if you don’t like to be promotional, just know that you can switch to your regular page template at any time.

Go to Page Settings -> Templates and Tabs -> Shopping

#10 Don’t Forget Twitter And Pinterest

Sometimes we think about social media and it’s mostly Facebook and Instagram. Well… don’t forget Twitter and Pinterest!

Twitter has created a checklist for small business owners! We already downloaded for you! Just remember to use #ShopSmall.  Just like on Instagram, you can search who is sharing content under the #shopsmall gallery. Don’t hesitate to ignite conversations with those small business owners. 

On Pinterest, create a board with your Small Business Saturday promotions and marketing materials. You can create Small Business Saturday images or even just upload your marketing kit. Don’t forget to add your business information.

What Happens After Small Business Saturday?

If you run this campaign following most of these tips, chances are you got at least many new connections.  Since these ideas can be used at any time, beyond just the holidays, make sure you have ways to measure and track them!

We are promoting our Business Accelerator Program with tremendous special value! We make marketing super simple and the best part, Marketing = Starbucks!

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Inspirational Story: Rebecca Remus- Grand Mesa Crossfit

If you’re unmotivated and can’t get yourself to do what it takes to grow your business, you are at the perfect place right now!

We are sharing our interview with Rebecca Remus with you, founder of Grand Mesa Crossfit, one of the fastest growing Crossfit communities in Leander Texas.

Whenever I meet a business owner who is successful and passionate, I see Greatness, especially when entrepreneurship is pursued in order to be able to embrace motherhood. That’s the story of Rebecca, a fitness coach, Crossfit trainer, mentor, Naval Officer, wife, mother, and friend to many.

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. Do you know what percentage of business owners fail?

20% of small businesses fail in their first year, 30% of small business fail in their second year, and 50% of small businesses fail after five years in business. Finally, 30% of small business owners fail in their 10th year in business.

Rebecca has passed the 5th year test with honors! She just opened her new facilities, after outgrowing her space. With more space, expanding her business is in her top priorities.

Grand Mesa Crossfit is doing something great for sure. Behind a successful business is a great leader. Let’s dig deeper with Rebecca to learn from her recipe for success.

Q: If you look back on your life, can you tell which traits you had that helped you become a successful entrepreneur?

Rebecca: I was lucky I had very involved parents growing up.  It wasn’t a perfect marriage but they put us first.  I saw how hard they worked.  We were never hungry and parents made it to all our games.  I always felt indebted to them to try to excel because I represented them.  My family is incredibly Patriotic.  My father served and retired in the Army.  My brother was in the Marines, and my older sister was in the Navy.

I never felt pressured to join the military. However, when we discussed me applying for an Officer Program in the Navy, my family, especially my father, was with me every step of the way.  I will always be grateful for my time in Service because it has definitely shaped the kind of business owner and leader I am today.

I found an article published by Inc.com that talked about The 7 Habits of Navy Seals:

Be loyal.
Put others before yourself.
Be reflective.
Be obsessively organized.
Assume you don’t know enough.
Be detail-oriented.
Never get comfortable.
Without a doubt, being a Naval Officer contributes to Rebecca’s leadership. 

Q: The definition of Greatness is related to winning during circumstances where 99% of people would fail. Can you share some of the obstacles you had to battle to be who you are today?

Rebecca: I think my mettle was tested in various ways while at Texas A&M.  Sure academically, I could have been better prepared prior to attending but I figured it out and was successful.  More so were the 4 years in an organization that was struggling to stay relevant and was struggling because there was resistance to evolve.  I am encouraged when I see posts NOW of the Corps of Cadets.  It truly looks more like a leadership laboratory.

In life, things won’t happen in the exact way you want them 100% of the times. Being eager, even ready, to dive into the problem quickly is one of the best qualities of an active leader in the change process.

Grand Mesa CrossFit definitely had a shaky start.  I opened with 2 business partners but they both relocated within the first year for career choices.  I was working full time as a US Navy Officer Recruiter and our “home office” was in San Antonio.  I was lucky my husband, my now head coach, and his sister helped me keep the classes going when I was on the road.  Along with all the growing pains of the first couple years of a small business, I was juggling a full time traveling job and in year 3 my husband and I decided to have a 2nd child.  It was certainly a stressful time and to this day, I’m amazed we made it through.  I had a supportive team.

More recently us moving to our new location was a stressful situation because we outgrew our current space and it took months to find a perfect solution. We entertained and did research on building our own building in Leander but our patience worked out for us. We got to stay with a very compassionate and accommodating landlord and we more than doubled our available space with some pretty great perks.  This was an ordeal that I lost sleep over because our members deserved a much better and safer location to train.

Last group picture at GMCF’s old location! Certainly, the family grew fast!

Q: What you do is something that other people do; we know that. However, you do it in such a way that has brought you success! Can you point 5 tips for success?

Rebecca: I’m still learning every day… Here are 5 things I believe have helped me grow my business.

  1. Know that I am a Good Person and let my moral compass guide me.

  2. My family should never suffer or take a back seat to my business or passion.

  3. Know who my core group is and make sure they are taken care of.

  4. Invest in my Coaches/employees because their success is my success.

  5. Try never to “react” impulsively.

Some of the inspirational notes I got from this interview:

Leadership is essential to achieve any goal: in life and in business.

Very often people think about leadership training and they believe it’s only for those who want to assume a management role. The truth is, we must become leaders to be able to influence ourselves.

Having a clear understanding of your values and habits helps you win any obstacle.

Notice how Rebecca pointed out as success factor number 1: “Know that I am a Good Person and let my moral compass guide me”. That’s not just power talk or mindset. In order to be able to work on your business and step in as the CEO, you must have a clear understanding of your values, on top of a solid foundation that helps you to take action. That’s what separates those who are big dreamers from those who are movers and shakers.

The importance of soft skills for leaders.

Whenever I see a struggling business, 99% of the times I see a CEO who struggles with their soft skills. This means communication skills and people skills. There is no coincidence that Rebecca is building her Crossfit gym with a culture where people feel that they are becoming better individuals because of their involvement in GMCF community. That’s the ultimate recipe for growth and retention.

If you’re in Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Liberty Hills, Rebecca is giving away 1 free week at Grand Mesa Crossfit so you can experience their community. Their itinerary of classes is a fit for anyone who would like motivation to reach their fitness and wellness goals. Anyone! Their coaches are trained to provide scaled workouts adapted to your fitness level; including kids and teens.  Click here for more details.

To your success and beyond, we go!

 Jessica Campos, JD, BBA

Forensic Marketing Expert | Influencer | Conversion Strategist for Marketing Agencies & Business Owners

#marketingforgreatness #moresales #marketingforresults

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Forensic Marketing – The Key Ingredient to Enormous Revenue Growth

To put it in layman terms, forensic marketing provides you with all the evidence that points you precisely towards which of your marketing strategies and tactics is not functioning as it should. Read on to learn about the instrumental role of forensics in the marketing landscape. 

The Need for Forensics in Marketing

Forensics is not just limited to the marketing domain. For example, forensics plays a pivotal role in the realm of Medicine. Forensic Medicine assists in pinpointing the irregularities in medical treatments that general patients have to subject themselves to. Patient response is used to gauge these irregularities. 

Similarly, forensic accounting aids you in identifying accounting inconsistencies in standard records and practices.

As you are likely to observe, the common denominator between these fields is that they all identify inconsistencies, disparities, and irregularities. Take a minute and envisage the results you will achieve if you integrate forensics into your business’s marketing endeavors! If you go about it the right way, there is nothing stopping you from accomplishing enormous revenue growth for your business. 

Using a forensic approach to assess your current marketing efforts is pretty straightforward.  

What goes down is that your company provides a comprehensive solution for a bunch of individuals. This group is your target audience. You want to gain maximum visibility in front of this audience so that they are privy to your solution. You also want to convince and influence them so that they become a client of yours. This is where forensic marketing comes into play. At the end of the day, it is all about converting insights into actionable steps that your business can take to fulfill (and at times surpass) their goals.

Here is how forensic marketers analyze current marketing efforts using forensics to expose potential areas of opportunity.

Is it Easy to Locate Your Business?

Currently, people are on the lookout for organizations that are similar to yours. They are looking at other websites, search engines, reputable review sites, and various social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Your business must be easy to locate in all of the above-mentioned places. What you need to do is to begin looking around by yourself. Make yourself believe that you do not have any prior knowledge and do your research like how a novice would do. 

As a case to point, clients always tell forensic marketing experts that they want their business to show up for a couple of critical keywords. Upon doing the research, it turns out that most of the individuals who are searching are not using those particular keywords. These people are using different keywords, which less experienced folks would be using. Hence, you need to begin looking around!

Can people easily find you on social media channels, search engines, and related sites such as publication websites? If “No” is the answer to this question, you should reach out to an expert in the forensic marketing realm who will help you to identify why your online presence is limited and what you can do to solve this problem.

What are the Chances of Lead Conversion on Your Website?

Pretend you are merely a visitor and explore your website. Are there lucrative offers present on your website for those individuals who do not want to reach out to you just yet? Does your website feature web pages targeting people in all stages of their buyer journey? Does your website narrate an impactful emotional story that resonates with potential buyers?

If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, you need to engage a forensic marketer. You should get in touch with one to pitch your suggestions on how to include the important details on your details that you have been missing so far. There are several business websites that look splendid but lack in the core areas, which are extremely vital to generate leads.

The great news is that it is not much of a challenge to upgrade to a well-constructed website that features all the missing pieces. Hence, what you need to do is to collaborate with a partner who can scientifically analyze what your website lacks and then suggest those necessary additions to facilitate you to convert more potential visitors to your website into leads.

Cultivating Leads for Sales Opportunities

Let’s face it, merely 10 percent of your leads are going to convert to sales opportunities from the onset. The majority of these people are going to be in the middle or beginning of their buyer’s journey. They are not too eager at that point to reach out to one of your sales representatives. How you nurture these leads is of paramount importance if you want them to get in touch with you when they are ready to reach out.

For instance, if you scroll down your email inbox, you are likely to come across several emails from individuals whom you do not know at all or have never spoken to. Are the people sending you emails repeatedly? This happens to all of us and is a prime example of a lead nurturing campaign gone terribly wrong. What you need to do instead is to earn their trust and educate them continuously on why they should even mull over going about things differently.

A comprehensive forensic review of your business’s lead nurturing campaign will examine click-through rates, open rates, offer mapping and workflows to identify where your campaign might have fallen apart and how you can enhance it to generate a greater number of opportunities for your sales division.

Cultivating Sales Opportunities to Convert to Customers

For forensic marketing, acquiring a sales opportunity is not the end of the line. The end game is when you get a new client or customer. You need to have a rock-solid sales process if you would like to finish strong.

What you need to do and what your goal should be is to build such a tremendous experience that potential customers would want to tell everyone about it when they enter your sales funnel. A forensic review of your entire sales procedure examines rates of conversion in every one of your present deal stages. It also checks the tools of communication, the precise engagement rates of these tools, and your close rate to identify at what point you might be doing something in the sales process.

This immensely invaluable forensic review generally generates revenue in a matter of weeks since it unveils potential areas that prevent individuals from engaging your services today. 

Importance of Data in Forensic Marketing

Data is the crux of forensic marketing. In the current times, we do not arrive at any decisions without adequate data to back those decisions up.  This gives us the confidence that we are making the correct decision. More performance metrics (quantitative) then validate that decision.  

You might consider your website to be lacking somewhere or realize that it is not producing sufficient leads. What forensic marketing experts will do is that they will examine all the data linked with your site. For example, your site could have a low rate of conversion (0.07 percent instead of 3 percent) or an exceedingly high bounce rate (85 percent instead of the accepted 55 percent). This precious data point to the fact that your website is not generating sufficient top-quality leads for your organization.

Having a thorough knowledge of such metrics aids forensic marketers to focus on prime areas that they can impact swiftly and in a quantitative manner. For instance, including the video component on your website will boost the average time a visitor spends on your website. This, in turn, improves the rankings of the website on Google and various other search engines. By incorporating content into those videos, the conversion rate will go up, and what this translates into is that you will generate more top-quality leads for your business.

Regular Monitoring

Often when you begin an investigation of any sort, it requires regular monitoring. You have to survey just as much as investigate. It is important to note that the answers you seek do not always lie in the data. At times, you will find out these answers in your marketing assets’ live performance.

As a case to point, what do visitors click on when they explore your website? How further down the web page do they scroll before they lose interest? Which specific web pages do they visit after checking out the home page? This kind of behavioral data may not be on hand at the start.  However, by gathering this data over a certain period (a couple of weeks approximately), you have further data to strengthen your hypothesis.

Post the initial forensic review, you would also want to monitor a broad array of metrics regularly. Your sales and marketing strategies will modify and evolve with time, so you will have to ensure these modifications have a positive impact on performance. 

Utilizing a forensic approach to review your sales and marketing strategies and overall performance is very much about being thorough and comprehensive in your approach. One cannot underestimate or ignore any aspect of the forensic review. There is a strong likelihood that the smallest aspect might generate the biggest results.

The other important component of this forensic marketing review is to know precisely what you have to do after you have successfully determined the challenges and issues of the marketing and sales efforts. 

If you are not able to rectify the situation, you will likely generate the same or even poorer results than what you achieved before the forensic review. Your prime objective in the capacity of Vice President of Sales or Vice President of Marketing is to unveil the weak links, correct them, and subsequently optimize the efforts over time. 

A forensic marketing review of your present marketing activities and sales procedure assists you to swiftly identify and correct these weak links so you can easily meet your monthly and annual revenue objectives. 

Request a complimentary forensic marketing assessment here. It doesn’t hurt to know your numbers.

Final Word

To summarize, the ultimate goal of forensics marketing is to highlight and show the specific areas that are not performing as well as they should and then subsequently showcase the value of enhancing performance in these areas. These enhancements will positively impact the generation of leads, boost the number of sales opportunities, reduce the sales cycle, better the close rate, and better the quality of leads that are streaming in.  All of this will ultimately lead to enormous revenue growth across the business.