Be an Authority!

Be an Authority!

If you’re running a business you will almost certainly have competitors, so why should people come to you instead of one of those? I’ve asked many people this question over the years (mainly because it’s an important issue to understand if I’m writing copy for them) –...
What is ‘marketing material’?

What is ‘marketing material’?

Many business owners think that marketing material is leaflets, flyers and brochures.  Yes, definitely, but there are many other items that could be included: Your business card: cards have two sides and the reverse is an opportunity to let people know a bit more...
5 reasons LinkedIn won’t work for you

5 reasons LinkedIn won’t work for you

I hear people complaining that LinkedIn is ‘stagnant’, ‘out-of-date’, ‘useless’ and other derogatory statements.  While nothing can ever be called perfect, I find LinkedIn is a powerful platform for business – so what makes my experience so different from theirs?...
New website – who for?

New website – who for?

If you’re having a new website created, whether it’s a brand new site or a revamp of your current one, remember what you want it for! It’s not for you to show-off your technical wizardry or wealth of knowledge (or at least not primarily) It’s not for your web designer...
‘Sign up for our newsletter’ – No thanks!

‘Sign up for our newsletter’ – No thanks!

When the digital world was relatively young, people happily signed up to receive a digital newsletter.  How exciting – new emails to read!  So how likely are you to fill in that form on someone’s website that asks for your name and email so you can get their email...
Why is it ‘social’ media?

Why is it ‘social’ media?

The term makes sense when you apply it to Facebook, where people are talking about personal subjects, the kind of thing you’d chat about in real life.  But what about LinkedIn – how is that social?  Isn’t it a business platform? Let’s look at it from a different...
Leverage: the lazy person’s secret

Leverage: the lazy person’s secret

There’s a saying that if you want to find the most efficient way to do something you should ask a lazy person.  The assumption is that they will find the way to achieve the result with the minimum of effort – but why should you work any harder than necessary?...
The business of business

The business of business

If you own a business the day-to-day running of it can be diluted by the need to actually DO stuff.  Once your business reaches a certain size and you have staff who can take on some of your responsibilities, it gets easier to find the time to plan, develop and grow –...
Is this the year you’ll write a book?

Is this the year you’ll write a book?

Here we are at the start of a brand new shiny year – and many people are fired up about what they can achieve over the next 12 months.  If you own a business, it’s not just your personal goals, but the ones you set for the business too. Many of the business owners and...
Reciprocity – the art of giving value

Reciprocity – the art of giving value

Try saying ‘reciprocity’ and most people stumble, but it’s an important word in business.  It’s all about creating obligation – in the nicest possible way! Reciprocity is why people are willing to give you their email address in order to get your free download....