In a previous blog post we have established that you can’t ignore your business competition. But putting them under the microscope once and then just leaving it is not enough. Things change and develop very fast in today’s world, so you always need to keep your finger on the pulse. Analysis of the business competition varies greatly between businesses and markets but there are always basic things to consider such as: … [Read more...]
I Love It When People Can’t Stand Me!
I met a friend and former colleague the other day. She asked me what reaction I had got to my last blog post and email I sent out to my followers. The reason she asked was that someone had come to her and expressed her dislike. That person did not know how to react to my email, whose subject was: "No one wants to be an ass, do they, ...?" It was clear that this person was offended by this. My friend did ask them whether they had actually read the email, and it turns out that they did not, so there was no way they were going to get the joke - oh well... My reaction: Sheer joy! I thought … [Read more...]
Can You Say No?
Most of us are good people. Most of us would be happy to do things for other people and that is, of course, a very good thing in many ways. However, when it comes to your business, it can be a deadly sin. What?! I'll tell you why. What are you good at? Why? Usually you are good at what you enjoy doing, and enjoy doing what you are good at. The two go together - it's a kind of a chicken and egg thing. Then you set up a business to do what you are good at. And it is not easy. There are a lot of things to think about and it takes a lot of time to build a business. You are bound to be very … [Read more...]
Don’t Be Boring!
One of the things I keep telling people, that need to market their product or services, is to be different, be special, be interesting, be something that matters to people. I think one should always aim for making a certain group of people love your business, product or service. Some think I am crazy ;) But you know, I am not. Mom always said to me, "if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well". Your business, product or service is not a small part of your life that you can just plod along with. If you have your own business, don't you want to do the best you possibly can with it? Get … [Read more...]
Content Marketing: Are You Giving Them What They Want?
Marketing is changing. It has changed a lot since the start of the 21st century. With the internet, social media, mobile etc. marketing is less and less about one-sided broadcasting of marketing messages, like we know from traditional media like TV, print and radio, and more and more about pulling people in - attracting them. Marketing is becoming less about grabbing people and more about being there when people are looking for what you have to offer, or anything related to it. Marketing is less about pushing things on to people and more about pulling people in. The marketing jargon … [Read more...]