DT Business Strategies

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Archives for November 2009

Are You Taking Action or Just Talking About Taking Action?

By Christian

(If you’re viewing this post in a feed that doesn’t support video, please click here to view the video)

Much appreciation to Key Splash Creative for sharing this video recently. I had to share it, because I think it speaks powerfully to how ridiculous we can become when it comes to distracting ourselves from what matters.

The video is called Outside the Box, by Joseph Pelling.

What do you think of this? I feel like a lot of us talk a good game, but when it comes to actually doing the work…it just ain’t gettin done. On a big level, we’re all guilty of this. I know I am. But I think it’s very important to be cognizant of it and get back on track as soon as possible.

Surely, getting your strategy together, writing your plan, making sure you’re on track…these things are important. But in the meantime, are you actually:

  • Writing new content every day?
  • Commenting posts?
  • Commenting forums?
  • Responding to comments?
  • Promptly following up with emails?
  • Attending social functions regularly that pertain to your business?
  • Creating new products or services for your audience?

Don’t mistake talking about taking action for ACTUALLY taking action! The best business plan, strategy or tools in the world mean nothing…absolutely nothing, if you’re not actively building your audience and providing value every day.

How to Make Time for Social Media Marketing

By Christian

weird time

Many professionals and business owners I talk with have a valid concern about getting started in social media marketing. They feel they don’t have time for it. I understand this. Time is valuable.

I was talking with a girl just a minute ago, and I want to share my reply to her with you. She is in real estate and wants to start engaging clients and prospects more online, which is very smart. But she’s concerned, as so many people are…about how to make time to do all this stuff I talk about. Following is my response to her. Let me know what you think!

Just a matter of integrating it into what you’re already doing. Lifecasting is just a discipline, and it’s powerful, because it enables you to engage with people on a large scale. Previewing a home? Video it. Answering a question by email? Copy and paste it into a post. Repurposing is key. You’re already producing ALL the content you need to share online, so on one hand it takes a lot of time. It does. It also doesn’t take much time at all, because you’re already doing it

Does this jive with how you feel about social media marketing? Do you struggle with how to make time for social media marketing? Let me know what you think!

Blogging is Not for Quitters

By Christian

These are my blogging tips for the day…quitting too soon is one of the most common tragedies in business today. Whatever stage you’re at, there are frustrations. Here’s a secret: when you get to the next level, there will be MORE frustrations, not fewer frustrations. Your frustrations will be bigger, not smaller. Success has a cost. When you’re small, revel in it. Enjoy where you’re at. You have more than you think! Keep at it, and don’t discredit yourself for not yet being where you think you’re “supposed” to be. Where you’re at, right now, rocks. Don’t quit! Keep at it…live your mission.

If you’re having trouble viewing the video in a feed reader, click here.

5 Seconds to Better Results on Facebook

By Christian

excellent
It’s the simple stuff that works. Don’t you agree? If you’re a regular reader of Next Level Blogger (I hope you are, and if you’re not…well, I’m just gonna throw an opt in form right here, special…just for you!)

Anyway, if you’re a regular reader here, you know that I’m not a tech-oriented guy. The fact that I’ve built successful, profitable websites should serve as PROOF to anyone who needs it…that you simply DO NOT have to be a SEO guru or a highly talented webmaster in order to make it in this business. That’s not to say this stuff is always a cake walk, but if you think you have to be really techy in order to succeed online…it’s just not true.

Much of What We Think is Too Techy or Out of Our League, Isn’t

In fact, I’ve just recently started doing videos, and one of my big excuses for not doing them was because I didn’t know how to edit them, and I was afraid of the results not being professional enough. As soon as I decided to throw out my excuses, guess what happened? I learned that video is actually really frickin easy, there’s seriously not anything to worry about, it’s actually a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to connect with your audience.

It’s also a great way to bust some content out really quickly. If you’re not using video, I really recommend you dig in for a second and just do it. Get a flip or something and just start it, because it’s a great way to add some really valuable content to your site. Does this mean that my videos are all professional and top notch? Actually, no. My videos (one is up already, several more will post over the next few weeks) are uber-simple, and that’s the point…it’s the SIMPLE stuff that works.

Get More Conversation, More Leads and More Business on Facebook

Speaking of uber-simple, I want to give you a heads up about something I’ve been doing since the beginning with my Facebook profile that has always really worked for me. Honestly, it’s classic Chris Russell stuff…it requires no talent at all, just diligence. When I get friend requests, I (get this) respond to them! This is what I say…verbatim:

Hey thanks for the request! You on FB for business or fun?

Best regards,
Chris

I know, I too am reeling from the genius of it all 🙂 How long does this take me? About 5 seconds. What is the net result? It initiates a conversation. That’s the entire point, correct? I mean, it’s THE reason you’re on Facebook, so why not actually converse with these people?

I’ve altered my response from time to time, but the one I’m sharing here is the one that pulls the best. There’s no pitch, no stupid link to my site (I have to admit I’ve done that, and it’s just dumb), just a hello and an invitation to conversation.

Why it Works

Guess what…you most likely got that friend request for a reason. They’re already interested in you on some level. Granted, it’s probably a very superficial level, but that’s cool. Build on it. We all know that clicking “accept” does nothing. Nothing. Who cares if you have a new contact on Facebook if there’s not any actual contact? Make a reply…and I guarantee you a good percentage of them will respond, and you can nurture that.

At this point I have a little over two thousand contacts on Facebook, so I’ve done this more than once or twice. It works. It’s not the genius of this technique that makes it work…it’s the simplicity of it. Coupled with the fact that not very many others do this…believe it or not it’s almost always simple things like this that can put you over the top.

It’s the little things like this that add up and show your audience that you actually care about them. And when someone really gets that…gets the fact that you actually care about them, that’s when you have an advocate. Is 5 seconds worth it? What do you think?

An Undeniable Traffic Building Tool for WordPress Blog

By Christian

If you happen to be reading this in a feed that doesn’t support video, click here to see the video! I really do appreciate this plugin and recommend popping it into your blog at your earliest convenience. I get great traffic every day as a result of using it. It’s automatic, and it’s free. Let me know what you think!

You can download it for free here: https://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/global-translator/

As you know, I rarely recommend “automated tools” really of any kind, but I have to admit this one has always worked for me. It’s not perfect. Nothing is. But it gets traffic to your site that you would never be able to get otherwise.

Are you using Global Translator? Have you heard of it? Criticisms?

UPDATE: just a heads up everyone. After a nice run, I will most likely be taking this plugin down. Unfortunately there seems to be no support at this point, and I’m having some caching issues. This is unfortunate, because it’s been a great tool for making this site more accessible and visible. It’s brought a lot of traffic, and I hate to take it down. But it’s started failing on a number of translations, and it’s causing some sitemap errors. Nothing remains the same forever of course, and without support, this plugin seems it may no longer be viable.

This is a great lesson in the use of plugins actually. You have to keep an eye on them! If anyone does have a solution or even knows of a custom replacement for this function, I’d love to hear from ya. Peace.

-Chris