Imagine changing just the words on one of your web pages and suddenly seeing a spike in people signing up for your mailing list, or buying from you. It happens everyday. Yet I see small business websites all the time with poorly written web copy. These business owners just don’t understand why their website isn’t generating any business for them.I know right away that change is needed when the home page starts with “welcome to our website”-”we do this and we do that”.  The problem is that the copy is focused on you instead of your website visitor and this is a serious mistake.When people visit your website they are already a warm prospect. Otherwise why would they be searching for your information? It’s your job to convince them quickly that they need to take action and engage with you in some way. You can do that by answering their main question which is, “what’s in it for me”?

In every marketing message you write, whether it’s a web page, direct mailer, e-mail, e-book or report title or brochure, the headline is the most important element. The headline has to convince people to take the time to read further. It needs to state a benefit you offer and it needs to create enough curiosity that makes someone want to read more. Just changing your headline can literally double the response you get. I’ve seen it happen many times.

Then there’s the copywriting or content. Do you touch people at an emotional level with your message? No matter what type of product or service you offer, you need to prove that you really understand their needs, pain, challenge or wants. Then you have to go about proving that you can give them the solution they’re seeking. People aren’t much interested in the process you go through to get results. They just want to feel confident you’ll get the results they want.

Now more than ever, when people are bombarded with information and marketing messages, the impact of your message needs to stand out from the crowd if you hope it will be noticed.

We use an 11-step process, a really simple system, to write headlines and web content that compel people to take action. That’s just one of the systems you’ll learn if you join us in July for Traffic Class-How to Turn Your Website into a Virtual Sales Tool.

This 4-part tele-course is only offered a few times a year and you don’t even have to worry if you miss a class because you’ll get the audio (along with session notes and worksheets).

You can drive all the traffic you can to your website-and I’ll show you how to do it-but if visitors don’t take action once they’re there, you’ve wasted all that effort. First get your website ready for visitors and then create a steady stream of traffic.

In one month you can learn what you need to know to make your website a virtual profit center for your small business. There are a few spots left so I hope you’ll register now to get the EARLY REGISTRATION PRICE!

For those of you in the US-have a wonderful July 4^th weekend!

Janis

So many of you tell me that you don’t know how to get more traffic to your website or that no one is buying or signing up for your mailing list. No wonder you’re fed up. Most small business websites are ineffective–little more than online brochures.I’ve found that it’s usually for one of these reasons:

• You don’t have the time
• You don’t have the knowledge
• You don’t realize how many sales you’re missing
• You’re a little technophobic and afraid of the learning curve
• You don’t know where to start and it seems overwhelming and confusing.

There are 4 KEYS to online success:

1) Solid Keyword Research

2) A Sticky Website that compels people to take action

3) Basic Search Engine Optimization

4) A Proven, Repeatable Online Marketing System

I’ve helped many clients double their business by improving their website and online marketing strategy. And you can learn to do much of this yourself, or you can learn what needs to be done and then outsource it very affordably.

If you are still struggling to get clients and you’re not getting traffic to your website then join me in Traffic Class.

http://smallbusiness-bigresults.com/trafficclass.htm

You’ll find a great video there as well that you must watch.

The 4-part tele-course,

Turn Your Website into a Virtual Sales Tool starts on Tuesday, July 7^th.

I want to teach you a simple 9 Step Process that will make your website a new profit center for your business.

Register now to get the early registration price, and remember even if you can’t make all of the classes, you will have access to the audios, notes and worksheets so you have all the information you need to INCREASE SALES THROUGH YOUR WEBSITE!

Janis

I just transferred my entire business to a new server/ shopping cart / autoresponder / affiliate management program. I had help from a wonderful programmer but somehow in the mist of this huge job, my blog got messed up.

A number of recent posts were lost along with all of my categories and tags!  Ouch. So I apologize if you’re looking for something you can’t find. We will be recreating these over the next weeks and adding new posts as well as getting a design overhaul.

Ah, technology! It’s great when it works correctly and absolutely frustrating when it doesn’t.

Janis

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is an old and familiar saying. Now that’s truer than ever. Online video has exploded and it’s given you an unprecedented opportunity to quickly get you, your brand and your business more exposure, new leads and new sales.

Some small business owners hesitate to get on the video bandwagon because they feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, they fear the technology involved or they don’t want their business videos broadcast on You Tube. Not to worry.

You don’t have to be the on-camera person. You can let someone else who is comfortable talk about your business. Or you can have someone stand behind the camera and interview you. I took this approach once when I was doing a TV segment with someone who was camera shy. Once I got them talking about their passion, they lit up simply answering my questions.

You can also use photos and power point slides, add a royalty free music track and voila, you have a great video. If you want to outsource this there are plenty of people who can do it for you. My friend Online Video Branding Expert Lou Bortone performs this service for lots of businesses. You can also find people locally or by finding a freelancer at elance.com. It’s easier and less expensive though to simply buy a Flip camera for around $150 and try your hand at this at home or in the office.

Once you’ve got a simple 2-minute video, post it on your home page on your product pages and you’ve actually created an opportunity for your website visitor to meet you, hear what you have to say and feel a connection with you. In your video you can:

• ask people to opt-in to your mailing list
• ask people to purchase or download something
• educate them about your product or service
• answer frequently asked questions
• create curiosity about your product
• talk to them about the results you are able to get with clients
• do a “benefits” video where you tell them all of the wonderful benefits they’d
  have if they opt-in or buy

That’s just a few of the ways that, in 2 to 3 minutes, you can connect with a potential client in a way you never could through simple written content. Think about this–it is much more interesting and entertaining to watch a video than to read a web page.The other option is for you to create a video that is either entertaining or educational (how to) and to post it on the popular video sites. Then start telling people about it and ask them to bookmark it when they watch it so its popularity spreads like a virus. Embed the same video on your website, link to it on your blog or in your e-mails. Create some interest and it will drive targeted traffic to your web pages.

A great way to make creating these viral videos into an easy repeatable system is to write articles for submission to article directories and then record those same articles as a video. Post the article with the video to your blog as well. This way you can leverage your work.

It’s time to learn what you need to know to make video a powerful marketing tool for your small business.

Look at what Online Video Expert Lou Bortone and I have put together for you! We’ll teach you how to create videos that look great and sell. Register early to get the early registration discount.

http://VideoStarPower.com

In spite of the economy, my wonderful small business clients are not only optimistic but many are busier than ever. How is this possible?One of the most important things we talk about in my Group Coaching Strategy Sessions is mindset. Those people who constantly repeat how bad the economy is like a mantra over and over to themselves and others are actually brainwashing themselves into a state of fear, anxiety and paralysis. I’ve heard this called a bunker mentality. On the other hand people who turn off the news and spend time developing new strategies, plans and systems for their business and then implementing them with confidence seem to be doing just fine.

Another aspect of mindset has to do with your intentions vs. your core beliefs. If you have a big dream or intention, but deep down you don’t really believe it’s possible there is a disconnect. Energetically you’re being pulled like a tug of war in two opposite directions and that is never going to move you forward. It’s really hard to make progress because your core beliefs are going to sabotage your intention. Your core beliefs are telling you it just can’t be done. I’ve seen this happen over and over with clients and I’ve certainly experienced it myself as well. The secret is to recognize it and do something to change it.

When you truly have a core belief that you will reach your goal and you are passionate about it, you’re already creating the energy impetus that will make it so much easier for you to get there. When there is a lack of alignment between belief and intention that’s when you find yourself confused, overwhelmed, procrastinating or stuck. When your core beliefs are in alignment you get this feeling of inner power and an inner motivation to do whatever it takes to get help from the people and resources that can get you to your goal as quickly as possible. This means letting go of feelings of lack that tell you that you don’t have enough time or money to do what needs to be done to get more ideal clients now. It also means letting go of the fear of learning something new.

• Do you need a new website?
• Do you need to create a new product?
• Do you need to master marketing?
• Do you need to add technology, like using an autoresponder and videos?
• Do you need to use Social Media?
• Do you need a mentor?
• Do you need to focus your time on client generating activities?
• Do you need systems so you can get more done in less time?

If the answer is yes and you haven’t done it, ask yourself what’s holding you back? Figure out what core belief is telling you that you’re not as great as you really are or that you can’t invest in yourself.If you commit internally to playing a bigger game amazing things start to happen. Because the first thing you’ll do no matter what the sacrifice, is to find the help you need to fast-track your success. You’ll start to feel a flow in your business and its amazing how quickly new clients will begin to find you. Plus you’ll be more committed to doing what it takes to find them.

I’m thrilled right now to see my small and solo business clients becoming more profitable than ever. They are finding well-paying clients, lucrative joint ventures, new opportunities. There are so many opportunities out there right now its mind boggling. Just change the way you think. Tune into your core beliefs and align them with your dreams.