The Success Center

According to Small Business Facts.com, 47% of small business owners use the internet to market or advertise their business. [Source: Open from American Express, 05/2006] Keep in mind that census data is collected every 10 years so I’m sure that figure has risen.

With the rise in social media marketing for small businesses I wonder if traditional marketing is still relevant for “the little guy?” You remember traditional marketing don’t you?

It included getting some business cards, designing cool fliers to post around town, securing a 30 second TV spot, and maybe even a radio spot to match. But it didn’t stop there, remember telemarketing, direct mail advertising, and the ever reliable word-of-mouth marketing?

I remember a time when you could spend thousands of dollars on an ad campaign and not even break-even from the results. Yet, with a highly targeted and planned social media marketing campaign you can generate more buzz, leads, and sales with a fraction of the cost.

Note: Want some help cooking up REAL success with social media marketing? Check out The Recipe for Social Media Sales Success.

So, let’s open this up for discussion. Is traditional marketing dead? Or is it simply transforming like a butterfly? What are YOUR thoughts? What form of marketing yields the highest return on your investment for YOUR business? Cast your vote below then log in with your Facebook, Twitter, or other [supported] account and let me know how you feel in the comments below.

P.S. - If you’d like some ideas on marketing your business without social media, check out my series, 5 Free Ways to Market Your Business.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

Hey, pro-bloggers! Hey, small business owners! Hey, speakers! Did you know there are actually a ton of ways you can market your business or brand? Before Facebook and Twitter took the fold, people actually used to meet each other face-to-face, pass out fliers, or tell their friends to spread the word about their business for them [seriously, it's true!]. And, for all you “old-heads” who don’t know what a “tweet” is . . . then get with the program!

So, before we do a little exploring of these methods of marketing, I want to open this up to you. Which method of marketing generates the most customers, sales, connections, referrals, etc. for your business? Have you explored other methods that are listed here are stuck with one tried-and-true method? What are your thoughts on marketing your business in general? Do you find it easier to make a sale on Twitter than buying a 30 second TV spot? Cast your vote in the poll and explain your answer in the comments below!

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

When I started this poll I was really in a transition period in my thinking on social media marketing.

How so?

For one, I don’t feel like I need to be present on every platform, social network, or social site. Why spread myself, my message, and my brand so thin? That only dilutes it all and doesn’t leave any real value for the people I want to attract.

So, for me, I’m focusing on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. I know that I can actively engage there and make genuine connections. I was really kind of shocked by the results of this poll. Not because Twitter came in as number one, but because Linkedin didn’t get any votes.

Maybe there’s an opportunity to explore why no one [at least, no one who voted] makes it an important marketing platform when it’s clearly built that way. I’ll have to think of something . . . What do you think? If you didn’t vote in the poll, what’s your social media marketing platform of choice? If you did vote, why did you choose your answer?

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

If you’re not maximizing social media for your business then you’re really missing out on great relationships, referrals, website/blog traffic, connections, and opportunities to grow your business. My marketing platform of choice is Twitter. I love the relationships and connections it brings.

Yesterday, a firestorm of discussion started with the post, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Twitter Success. (I’ll be sharing how to have your blog post go viral in next week’s upcoming edition of, “Success Tips!”) In it I expressed why it’s my platform of choice and few ways (understatement) you can maximize it for your business.

Now, it’s your turn. What social platform do you use the most to get referrals, new clients, grow relationships, and etc? Cast your vote in this quick poll and be sure to elaborate in the comments section below.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

Last month’s poll simply asked what you wanted to achieve this year, but I don’t think anyone can give a simple answer. Your answers were pretty interesting though, let’s take a look, shall we?

The majority of answers were split between starting a new business or making more money with an existing business. I find it interesting that at the start of the new decade you all are really looking to take your businesses to the next level. Not so much when it comes to loosing weight or starting new projects.

I believe that God has blessed us all with gifts, talents, and abilities to bless the world. I just want to offer up a word of encouragement, if God gave you the vision, He’ll see you through to the end. Take a look at this verse below;

1 Chronicles 28:20 (Amplified Bible)

²⁰Also David told Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

So, be bold this year and move steadfastly toward your goals. I’d love to hear what you would like to achieve this year, list your answers in the comments below. As a challenge to you, what do you plan on doing to achieve your goals for 2010? Keep that in mind as you list your answers – this is the start of something good…

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

It’s a new year and new decade which means it’s time to set new goals and objectives for our lives. I ran into 2010 swinging with the “Win in 2010″ Entrepreneur Fast and making some new additions to this blog. This year I plan on growing this blog, connecting with a lot of you, and making it easy for you all to connect with each other (details coming very soon).

“Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.” – Thomas A. Bennett

How has the start of the first quarter of the year been for you? What do you want to achieve this year? Cast your vote in this month’s poll and feel free to explain your answer in the comments below.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

Well, this is it, tomorrow starts a new year and decade. The last poll of the year asked a simple question that I find highly appropriate going forward, “Are you ready for 2010?”

80% of you said yes and 20% of you are nowhere near ready. Ready or not, the new year will be here in less than 15 hours.

I hope 2009 was a good year for you as it was for me. If you’re really ready to absolutely crush 2010 then I’d like to invite you to join me a hundred others in the “Win in 2010″ Entrepreneur Fast. I’ve partnered with entrepreneurs to bring in the  new year in an amazing way. If you’re looking for guidance, direction, and the right path to follow for your business in 2010 then join up with us.

2009 has packed its bags and is saying it’s final goodbyes on its way out the door. I’m really looking forward to the arrival of 2010, tons of great stuff coming up. What are you most looking forward to in 2010? Do you have any regrets leaving 2009? How ready are you for the new year? Share your thoughts below and I’ll see you next year!

P.S – Going forward, polls here will be monthly instead of weekly. I want to give people more of an opportunity to get in on the discussion and vote.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

“Repent now, the end is here!” shouts the crazed old man from the street. A confident smirk crosses your face as you drive by. You’re not worried because every goal you set out to achieve has been squished under the awesomeness of your productivity.

That’s how you feel right? Or, are you like most people and feel like you’ve got to make the winning shot at the end of the 4th quarter of the game? Come to think of it, there are some of you that have totally given up on the 4th quarter and are waiting for the new season to begin.

However, the question remains the same, have you accomplished everything you wanted to this year? Cast your vote in this quick poll and explain your answer in the comments below. If you have, what were your goals? If you haven’t what else would you like to squish underneath your iron hand? If you’ve given up, why?

Heck, I’ll even kick things off! Check out my answer in the comments section.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

Remember back in the days of AOL being the only way you could get online and everyone wanted to sell you something online? A lot has changed since then, but it’s a different online landscape now-a-days. Today things are more social and all that really means is people want to get to know you, interact with you, and then sell you stuff. There’s certainly nothing really wrong with that, but has your perspective on buying online from total strangers changed since then?

I can remember a time when my mom wouldn’t dare pay a bill online or buy some shoes, but now she shops online like there’s no tomorrow. Certainly trust has been earned with companies like Amazon, Paypal, and other major retailers. But is it the same for solo-preneurs or small business owners who sell services or products online in today’s social climate? I don’t know the answer to this question so I want to open it up to you and we’ll meet back here next week to discuss what we come up with. Deal? Be sure to use the “share this” button below to get your friends and colleagues involved. The more people we bring into answering this question the greater the results. Till next time kids!

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading

Clearly there’s something in the water because a whopping 71% of you don’t use an editorial calendar for your blog. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t start using one until I relaunched the Success Center into the site you see now. When I started blogging I wrote everyday which put me under a lot of pressure to deliver everyday. And who put me under so much pressure? I did (amazing how we abuse ourselves ain’t it? – FYI, “ain’t” is in the Memphis English dictionary).

Once I relaunched this site I decided to take my blogging seriously because I wanted it to succeed as something bigger than a blog. No one actually told me, taught me, or showed me anything of an editorial calendar so I figured it out myself. The thing is, I’m an organization nut. So, planning is something I do naturally (There’s a big difference between being an organization nut and a neat freak, so don’t get to excited ladies).

I don’t know what your goals are for your blog or website, but If you want to gain consistent readership, viewers, and traffic you’ve got to create a plan. That’s all an editorial calendar is. If you haven’t watched my 17 minute video detailing How to Create an Editorial Calendar for Your Blog, then get on it! If you voted in this poll and seen the video has your mindset changed? Is there a better way to blog that I don’t know about? For the one person who voted that they don’t use an editorial calendar, what’s your secret? Voice your opinion in the comments below. If you want your pretty picture to show up beside your comment then you’ll want to log in with you Facebook, Twitter, or OpenID account. Cheers! [We'll have a new poll start next week]

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

Continue Reading