You guessed it! I was one of those very lucky women and I recently made the trip to San Diego to meet my business and online marketing mentor Mari Smith and 25+ other amazing women, who are by far my mentors too.

I have been following Mari Smith for quite some time, starting before the publishing of her book The New Relationship Marketing: How to Build a Large, Loyal, Profitable Network Using the Social Web.  After reading her book, I was inspired to do better, help others and connect with my influencers.  Over two years later I often go back to her book and re-read the valuable information again because following her advice always leads to a new opportunity.

Here are just a few of my favorite tabbed and highlighted quotes from Mari’s book:

“When you set out to create your Facebook fan page (and all other social networks), ask yourself how you will engage people” – Chapter 1

“Keep in mind that you must always be building relationships without an agenda or expectation of return.  Trust that the law of reciprocity will automatically activate; it always does” – Chapter 5

“Identify mentors as well as role models who can help and inspire you to grow your business” – Chapter 5

“The real measure of influence depends on whether you cause your network to take the action that you want them to take.  In other words: Can you move people to vote with their dollars, their feet, their clicks?” – Chapter 7

“Remember: Emotional intelligence is a vital skill in today’s online world.” – Chapter 11

In 2011 I was even given the opportunity to interview Mari about her book, The New Relationship Marketing, where she talked about several great ideas and examples on how to build relationships in business with social media.  The interview was an awesome experience for me and became a great resource to share with my network of clients and web and social media visitors.

Being inspired by Mari’s personality and willingness to share her knowledge and expertise with others made it a no-brainer to join her Inner Circle group.  The Inner Circle is a private group of members who get together online for webinars, discussions, coaching by Mari and more.  I have learned so much from Mari over the years about social media and online marketing, but most of all about building relationships online and in person.

How do you define relationship marketing? Mari Smith says it’s, “Everything you do to make your prospective customers aware of your products and services, position your business in their minds as the obvious choice, and build lifelong profitable relationships with them.”

Fellow Minnesotan and one of my accountability partners JoAnne Funch, Mari Smith and I

I recently joined the next level of Mari’s coaching and mentorship program, the Business and Beyond Club.  I have watched Mari grow and succeed tremendously, but she always keeps true to her real self and her loyal followers.  I knew this club would be a group of like-minded people, almost all women, who mirror Mari’s goals and values too.  The Business and Beyond Club is a powerful combination of business building strategies plus proven social media marketing methodologies, plus Mari Smith’s favorite personal and spiritual growth principles and habits woven throughout that have profoundly impacted her life and that she knows will help others.

When the opportunity arose to attend the Business and Beyond Club Mastermind and Social Media Immersion live event in San Diego, I knew I had to go.  Not only would I be marking off one of my Hollywood Squares by meeting Mari in person (Chapter 5, The New Relationship Marketing book), I would have opportunities to learn and grow with my mentors.

During the event I got to meet so many amazing, powerful women who all cared so much about each other and where we are at in business.  We had many great opportunities to network and share stories including the opening night dinner with Mari.  As the leader of our group, she was so humble and kind, making sure to talk with everyone and take pictures too (after all our lives revolve around social media and sharing photos).  During dinner April of Touching Clients informed us that Mari had made #3 on the Top 20 Women Social Media Influencers of 2013 from Forbes (I know, she should be number one).  Let the celebration begin!  Mari even brought her portable speaker and iTunes for after dinner music; my kind of gal!

Friday’s events were filled with introductions, each of us club members getting on stage in front of the group to tell our story, what’s holding us back in business and what we want our business to look like in the future. I’ll tell you a little secret; I have no idea what I said on stage.  I know it wasn’t what I rehearsed in my mind, but it was fun.  It was also a great inspiration hearing from the other women about their unique businesses and some of the common problems and future goals we all had.

The Amazing Business and Beyond Club

In the afternoon Mari brought in her spiritual leader Esperanza Universal of the Soul Institute.  She was a great inspiration for me and many others in the room too.  I have goals that I know I will achieve now thanks to Esperanza, her story, and time she spent with us.

Saturday was a day of Social Media Immersion, which included social media strategies, tools and resources to get your business on the fast track with social media.  There were new business people and online marketing leaders in the group on Saturday, which was great to meet even more amazing people with the same passions.

One of the great things Mari Smith promotes and encourages is sharing with others.  All of our Twitter streams were flowing with great quotes, valuable info and photos from the day.  Here are a few of my favorite tweets I, as well as others, shared!

• @marismith -  “If you don’t like your results, look at your *deepest intent.* What is your real truth?” @SOULinstitute #bizbeyondclub

• @sarahkuglin – @MariSmith says (and the group agrees) hashtags are the new marketers dream #SMimmersion

• @FinWycherley: If I wanted to buy everything you offer, how much could I buy and how much would it cost? #smimmersion

• @sarahkuglin -  FOCUS: Follow one course until successful – @marismith#SMImmersion

• @sarahkuglin -  It’s easy to be a generalist, but people go to specialists – @marismith [light bulb for me ] #SMimmersion

• @FinWycherley: Its critical to check your conversion rates on Google analytics when launching a campaign #smimmersion

• @ingaspouse: Describe your biz in 2-5 words. Crucial for social media & for online! #SMImmersion

After the day of learning social media tactics and goals, a group of us geared up for a VIP night out to dinner with Mari.

She took us by limo to Nine-Ten in La Jolla, CA where we arrived just in time for the beautiful sunset over the ocean.  Dinner was a great time with a great group of people.  Mari inspired us to think positive about the future of our businesses.  We even went around the table, telling our goals for where we will be next year at this time.  My speech included meeting with Mari to tell her how the year went and how I exceeded my goals, wink wink.  The evening was indeed filled with achievement motivation and support from the entire group.  Mari is a real and giving person and its clear she really cares about our personal and business success.  We even did this fun video to share on Facebook, of course.

Even though our three-day event with Mari was coming to an end, I was ready and excited as the Social Media learning and fun was going to continue with three more days at Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Marketing World (#smmw13).  It was awesome to make connections with a great group of people, where we planned to meet up at Social Media Marketing World too.  And of course Mari was set to speak and introduce at the event too!

Taking the step forward by joining the Business and Beyond Club and making the trip to San Diego to meet with Mari Smith and the entire group has proven to be one of the most influential things I have done in business.  It is amazing to have these new friends to share with, learn from and be held accountable to. I will cherish our relationships for years to come.  I cannot say enough about the connections and experience of meeting your mentors in person.  If you have the opportunity to attend an event, meet with people or just get together with your mentors in person, don’t think twice about it.  Do what you have to do to make it happen!

Thank you Mari, the club and the event has given me the inspiration and determination to take the next leap into business and beyond!

• View my Business and Beyond Photo Gallery on Google Plus here!
• View Mari’s Flickr stream from the Business and Beyond Club Mastermind event here!
• View Mari’s Flickr stream from the Social Media Immersion event here!

Do you have a mentor or influencer you want to meet in person?  How will make it happen?!

Find The Right Photo

Including photos in your posts is important, so let’s make sure that you are using them to their full potential. Make sure that you use quality photos; choose a photo that is relevant to your post and is attention grabbing.  You can find a picture of almost anything on photo sharing sites like Flickr. Use the search feature to find what you are looking for, you might have to scan through numerous pages but it will be worth it. When you spot the perfect photo it is important to check the license, listed on the right side of the photo page, to ensure that you have permission to use the photo. You are looking for photos marked CC ‘creative commons’ or ‘some rights reserved’.  These photos are free to use, many of them are also marked ‘attribution’, which means that they want to be given credit for their work. This can be done by simply adding at the bottom of your post “Photo Courtesy of” include their name and a link to their Flickr page.   Be sure to check the details on what is required of each photo you choose before you add it to your website.

If you can’t find what you are looking for on Flickr, try these paid stock photo websites to find just the right photography for your blog post:

• Shutterstock
• Graphic Leftovers
• iStock Photo
• Getty Images

And there are many more.  Just do a Google search for “Stock Photography”.  Remember to check the license on stock photos as well!

Don’t forget your local photographer as a resource too!  We often use photos from our professional photographer friends as they are exactly what we are looking for and may be unique to the location, person or place in the post.

Use and Edit Photos

If you have the resources, you can use your own photos for your blog posts. If you have a vast amount a quality photos you may want to consider adding a photo gallery within your blog post to add even more visual appeal. Remember, if you are taking photos of people who are not part of your company, be sure to get a photo release form.

If you want to to edit, re-size, crop or add cool filters to your photos, try some of these great free websites:

• Pixlr (Pixlr O-Matic for fun and playful features)
  Pixlr is a free online photo editor. Edit, adjust and filter your images. No registration, jump right in!
• PicMonkey
  PicMonkey: Free online photo editor by ex Picnik staffers! Collage, Touch Up, Teeth Whiten, Fonts, Effects, Filters, Frames, Stickers & more.
• Photoshop Express
  Adobe® Photoshop® Express is a little app that packs big fun into every photo you take with your smartphone or tablet.

Don’t forget about Instagram!  This fun and newer social network is centered on photo sharing but you can “Instagram” your photos with a fun filter and use them on your blog too!

Screenshot from your Computer

Sometimes a great visual photo can be a screen shot from your computer.  An easy way to capture an image of what is on your screen is by using the keyboard commands and cropping or resizing the image with the tools mentioned above.

To grab a screenshot on your Mac, use the keyboard combo of Command + Shift + 3.  This saves an image on your desktop of the screen.

On a PC, use the Print Screen key on our keyboard, which creates a copy of your screen.  Open up an editor like Pixlr.com and paste into a blank canvas.

You can also use screen capture tools like SnagIt, Jing and Skitch (from our favorite app Evernote) to capture screenshots as well!

Adding a Photo To Your Blog Post

Now that you have the perfect photo, it’s time to import it into your blog post. Make sure that you fill in the photo title, caption (if you choose to), Alt text and description. Doing so is important for search engine optimization (SEO). You also have the ability to link the photo to a URL, which is a useful feature to send traffic to your website. Link your photo to a page on your site that is relevant to your blog post topic, bring everything full circle.

Keep in mind that when we say photo, it could be a variety of graphics like a logo, icon, chart or even a video.  Adding media to your blog posts is a must when it comes to social media. Facebook followers are more likely to click on a link posted on your page when it includes a photo. On Pinterest photos are prominent and determine the success of your pin. If social media is part of your online marketing plan, then investing time in finding great photos should be part of it as well.

Next time you flip open your laptop to write your next blog post, don’t just concentrate on the words. Put some thought into how adding a photo could enhance your message and attract new readers. Be creative and think about what media would best compliment your blog post.

How have you used photos to enhance your online marketing plan?  Any resources you would like to share?  Leave a comment below!

How do you refer to and create a link to a Facebook Business Page in your status update?

Use the “@” and start typing the name of the business page.  Then select the correct business page from the drop down list and your post will appear on their wall.  You also create a link in your status update to the business page you are referring to.

If you cannot refer to a page, or it does not show up on the list, you may need to “Like” that page first.

You can also refer to people in your personal profile status updates.  You can just start typing the person’s name and a drop down will appear.  If you do not get a drop down to show up, you can use the “@” symbol and start typing their name as well.

At this time you cannot refer to people or personal profiles in your status update on a business page.  You can tag people in a photo you add to your business page if you are friends with them.

Want more tips and tricks on using Facebook and other social networking sites? 
Be sure to like our Facebook Page!  Have a question or comment, share in the comment box below!

Listen in now, simply click play!

Sarah and Laura discuss:

• What a “blog” is and how you can blog for business.
• Have a passion?  You should start a blog, it could turn into a successful business.
• Marketing online is often about building relationships.
• Tips for businesses get started with a blog.
• What other businesses in our area are doing on their blogs
• Lee Odden, author of Optimize Book says “Facts tell and stories sell”.
• Anyone can use a blog; there are free blogs up to the largest companies integrating blogs into their business website.

Remember – people research the web before they call, stop in your store or buy.  If you update your website with useful and valuable information on a consistent basis, people will look to you for more and search engines will love your website too!  Your blog is a great marketing tool to share helpful, valuable and useful information!

Are you blogging?  Share a link to your blog in the comments below and tell us what you love to write about!

Local and mobile search is constantly growing. Aaron Weiche of Spyder Trap and MNSearch brought us these statics during his excellent presentation on Local Search at Social Media Breakfast – Redwood Area in December:

• 50% of all searches on Google have local intent and that’s growing fast!
• 70% of mobile searches take action (call, click, walk-in) within an hour of their search!

Claiming Your Listings

Now that you know how important listing your business is, you might wonder where to start. Visit getlisted.org, a fabulous, free website that verifies if your business is claimed on thirteen major directories including: Google, Bing, Expressupdate, Neustar Localeze, Yelp, Foursquare, Yahoo!, Superpages.com, Citysearch, Hotfrog and more.  Just enter your business name and zip code and it gives you a report with an overall listing % (which is sure to go up after reading this post) and a detailed list of which sites you are (or are not) claimed on. Under each site you have the option to view, edit or claim your listing. Use these links and this information to move forward!

It is VERY important to use a consistent NAP (name, address and phone number) when claiming your listings online! By doing this, search engines like Google recognize it as the same business listed over many sites, trusts it as a valid business, and identifies its location. This is especially true when customers are looking for your business or services locally. Be sure to add key words in your description that describe what services you provide “Jane’s Cut & Curl Hair Salon” is a good example. It includes the business name and what it does without the fluff of too many keywords.

Most of the popular listing sites offer categories to place your business under. Do not skip this important step! Search engines use this information to decide which businesses to display for a specific search. Be sure to choose the categories that best describe what services your business offers. Businesses that are not categorized or are categorized improperly will not be displayed.

Importance of Links & Mentions

Search engines find out about your business through tracking links that point to your website and through mentions of your business that appear on other sites. Search engines use this information to determine the ranking and trustworthiness of your local business. Links from high-quality website are best, like your local chamber or well-known news sites like your local news paper, radio station and others such as the Star Tribune. Links from other local businesses and businesses related to your industry are great as well.

Start thinking about how to get links form other sites.

OpenSiteExplorer.org is a great tool for tracking which sites are linking to you and finding new sites to request a link from. Simply type in a web address and it runs a report of links and an overall rating of your site. It also allows you to compare your site to up to five other sites. Looking at who is linking to your competitors or other local businesses is a great way to find new links as well. After you locate relevant websites, simply ask them for a link or suggest a link exchange by offering to add them to your links page. During the conversation include why linking to your site would be beneficial to their business. If it is a charity or non-profit organization, offer a donation or to calibrate on a project in exchange of a link. Don’t forget new or current vendors that work with your business, request a link during your next business meeting.

Social Media Benefits

Search engines also use social networks. Sharing content on social media sites shows that your company is alive and active. Claim an account on popular sites like Facebook and Twitter. Make sure to include a link to your website and consistent and accurate information on your social media profiles. It is also important to explore and start using Google Plus as it makes a big impact in Google search and local listing rankings. Even if you use other social sites more often, your Google+ page will dominate in search rankings, making it well worth the effort. Read this article “10 Dead Simple Tips to Take Advantage of Google + for SEO” for tips and additional information.

Get your local business found! Follow these steps to attract the traffic that you deserve from search engines!

Listen in now, simply click play!

Sarah and Laura talk about how important updating information and details on your website really is.   “Gone are the days of having just a brochure style website” with static information that never changes.  People are researching the web before they make a phone call, before they step in the door and before they buy from you.  Keeping your website updated with valuable information and content people are looking for is a great way to utilize your website as a marketing tool, and search engines will promote you too!

Be sure to listen in and get tips and ideas on how you can get your business found on the web.

Are you adding valuable information to your website?  Do you visit websites that provide the information you are searching for on a regular basis?  Tell us about our content strategy with your website in the comments below!

Let’s start with a little background information; a Gravatar is a globally recognized avatar. Once you create a Gravatar using your photo or image, it appears next to your name when you comment or post to any blog or forum site.  It even works with some social media sites. Now that you know what you are creating, let’s get started.

Set Up a Gravitar

Go to http://en.gravatar.com/ enter your email address into the text box and click on the green “Get Your Gravatar” button. An activation email will be automatically sent to your inbox, open that email and click on the link. This brings you to a page where you can complete your login information. Make sure when choosing your profile name to select something that people can indentify you with and is also professional in nature.

Edit Your Profile

Once you have logged in you will want to edit your profile. Start by clicking on the “My Account Button” in the top right corner of the page. This menu offers several options; let’s start with “Add an Image”. You will be asked to select where to get your image from, complete that step and move on. Then crop your picture to your liking for both the small and large display. Next chose a rating for your photo, if you are using your Gravatar for business purposes you will want to select a ‘G’ rating so that it will display on all sites. Other ratings are blocked by different sites.  Finally select which email address you would like this image to be attached to.

This brings us to another menu option “Add and Email”. You can create a Gravatar for more than one email address.  Just enter the new email address and follow the same steps as above. You are also able to choose a primary email address if you enter more than one. Wait approximately ten minutes after entering or changing a Gravatar for it to take effect. You will also want to clear out your cache in your browser.

Now let’s complete your profile by entering in some additional information about you. Go to the menu again and click on “Edit My Profile” here you can fill in as much as or as little information about yourself as you would like. When you’re finished click “View My Profile” to review the information that you entered. You will notice at the bottom of the page that a personal profile link is provided, feel free to use this link as you see fit. You can also view your profile directly from the menu, as well as manage your Gravatars, add a photo, change your password and log out.

You have successfully created a Gravatar!  From now on your comments and posts will have that personal touch!  Try it out, let us know if you have your Gravatar set up in the comments below!

You’re probably thinking, what do I write about in the blog?  Will people even read what I have to say?  My website pages tell about my products and services and allow people to contact me.  What more are visitors and potential clients looking for?

One of the most intimidating pieces of marketing your business online is often what to create for content, how often to create it and what on earth should it be about?

Remember that when people are surfing the web they are usually trying to solve a problem, find an answer or solution to their needs, or just want to learn more about how to use a product best.

Here are a few simple ideas to get you started with a content marketing plan for your blog:

1.        What are the most common customer service questions asked about your business? 

Use your team to gather information on what questions or concerns people continually ask about your products or services.  Check with the receptionist or customer care department to find out what the top five issues are logged through incoming calls.  Ask the sales team to keep a list of questions they are asked in person and via email about your products and services.  Watch your social networks and search for your industry online to find out what people are looking for.    You can also use Google Analytics or your website statistics to find out more about what people are searching for in relation to your industry.

2.       What is unique about your products or services that people need to know about?

We all have a unique product or service in some form or fashion.  Just because you provide the same products others do, does not mean you offer the same amenities or features of the company down the street.  Consider what is special about your business, team or operation and make a list of those items that only you can provide to the next potential client.  Of course others may do the same thing, but how do you do it better?  Maybe you offer exceptional service and support after the sale.  Maybe you offer a special discount to repeat customers.  Do you have a warranty program like no other?  Think about thing things you do on a day to day basis that seem the norm, but are really a special feature a potential client may not know you offer.

3.       Have you ever bought a product, brought it home, and had no idea how to operate it?  I am sure others have had the same problem too!

Think about how assured and confident someone might be when they find your product online and it includes hints, tips and tricks on just how to use it best.  Most products and services come ready right out of box, but often have additional ways to prolong or increase the potential their life span or value.  No matter what you offer or sell, you want someone to be happy with their new reward.  A fresh bouquet of flowers might last days longer if given proper and exceptional care.  You might be able to take much better photos if you know the tricks to getting your kids to smile for the picture.  You might tell a story about where the fish are biting on the lake at your resort (and include a photo to prove it) so your guests remember to pack their lucky lure.

You can easily create a list of ideas from these simple topics that occur in your business on a regular basis.  When you create content that people can relate to, solves their problems or answers their questions, they will likely look to you for more.  Build a relationship with visitors by showing them you can help just by writing and article for your blog and including a video, a photo or two.  Don’t forget to share a link to your blog on your social networks too.  Reach people with your information, where they are at!

Are you ready to start creating content online?  Do you have ways of coming up with content for your blogs not mentioned above?  We’d love to hear them!  Happy blogging!

Twitter

1. Tweets & Direct Messages
   Tweets are how you communicate on Twitter, they are a crucial part of your Twitter page.  A tweet is your message or status update.  When writing a tweet you only have 140 characters to get your message across. Write concisely and use abbreviations when possible. You can add a tweet in the text box on the left side of your Twitter home page or by clicking on the blue ‘compose a tweet’ button on the right side of your menu bar. Tweets are public on Twitter and can be seen by everyone (unless you protect your tweets). If you want to talk with someone on a one-on-one basis you can send them a direct message or DM. Direct messages are also limited to 140 characters. To send a message click on the wheel icon with drop down arrow located on your menu bar.  Be sure to follow those you direct message,  you can only send a direct message to a user who is following you.
2. Links & Images
   You have the ability to add links and images to your tweets and should! Links bring your followers to your website or blog (that is goal right?) and photos spark interest. Keep in mind that you still only have 140 characters so consider using a link shortener. Add a photo by clicking on the camera button at the bottom of your tweet box; add a link by pasting the link into your tweet. Your Twitter Images can be seen by followers on your profile page.

1. Followers & Following
   Twitter calls those that subscribe to your page followers and gives you the ability to follow other pages as well. Follow pages that are of interest to you or are relevant to your business, many times these pages will return the favor by following you back. Twitter makes finding interesting pages easy by suggesting pages to follow based on who you currently interact with, this is displayed on the left side of your Twitter home page. Ask your loyal customers, local connections and friends to follow you. This can be done via other social networks, e-newsletters, on your blog or in person. Include the Twitter icon on your website, business cards, etc.  You can always thank new followers with a tweet mentioning them! Keep in mind that having more followers than pages that you are following makes your page more credible.
2. Interactions & Mentions
   Connecting with your followers and those that you follow is perhaps the most important element to your Twitter success and enjoyment. When you mention another page in your tweet (@pagename) it shows up on your page and on theirs. This could simply be to have a conversation back and forth with that follower, acknowledge that page as part of your message or just give them props! When another page mentions you it is a form of flattery and puts your page on their follower’s radar, who in turn may follow and connect with you. The broad term ‘Interactions’ includes mentions, retweets, favorite and new followers. To view your mentions and interactions, click the @Connect button on your menu bar.

1. Retweets & Favorites
   Many times you will read a tweet that jumps out at you as something that your followers would be interested in reading as well. Twitter gives you the opportunity to retweet or RT any tweet and share it with your followers. You can also favorite a tweet which adds a star to it, indicates to the composer that you enjoyed the tweet, or allows you to save the tweet for later. Of course you want others to retweet and favorite your tweets too, don’t forget to thank those that do!
2. #Hashtags & Trending
   Twitter hastags are a powerful social media tool. Tweets that have the same keyword with the # in front of them are grouped together for searching purposes, it is a way to organize and categorize tweets with common topics. It is important to add hashtags to keywords in your tweets; either start your own hashtag or search for popular hashtags and use those that are relevant. Some basic hashtags that you will want to use are #RT or retweet, #FF of Follower Friday. This hashtag is used on Fridays to promote pages with great content. The most popular hashtag topics on Twitter at any time are said to be trending. You can find trending topics unique to you based on your location and who you follow under the ‘Trend’ menu at the left side of your Twitter home page. If you click on one of the hashtags listed it will bring you to all the tweets on that topic. Some seasonal trends that you might have seen recently are #blackfriday and @cybermonday both were popular toward the end of November.   Note: There should not be a space between words in hashtags and page names.
3. Lists
   You can create lists on Twitter to categorize your followers. Once a list is created and members are added you can visit that list to see tweets only specific to that group. This solves the problem of missing important tweets due to an overwhelming page feed. You can subscribe to other people’s lists just as they can to yours. Twitter sends out alerts when someone joins a list. Some lists are locked; if you lock a list then only you can add members to it. Lists can be created using the same drop down menu as you would for a direct message. Your lists will be displayed on your profile page on the left side.

Now that you know the basics, give Twitter a try! Start tweeting your messages and interacting with your supporters.  Find out what this social media platform can do for you…140 characters at a time!

How has using Twitter been successful for you?  Are there any other basics that were not mentioned?

Then on Friday, February 1st Jeff will be presenting on Engagement Marketing at Social Media Breakfast – Redwood Area at 8 a.m. at Fieldstone Vineyards (see details below).

All of the topics will be very informative and helpful for your business to soar in the online marketing world!  AND they are free!

Jeff Ferrazzo – Constant Contact

Join us for this FREE event!
Thursday, January 31st at 12:30 p.m.

SaveLocal, The Power of Email Marketing, and Getting Started with Email Marketing

SaveLocal

SaveLocal lets you create and sell shareable local deals that are good for customers and good for your business. We give you the tools you need to make your deal a success. With SaveLocal, you create and send deals to new and loyal customers for as little as $1 per coupon sold. And you’re always in control of all the details.  Learn how you can create a deal that makes drives revenue into your business from new and repeat customers.

The Power of Email Marketing

Build the relationships that are the corner stone to your business success with easy, inexpensive and highly effective email marketing! In this seminar, we will provide tips to increase your email deliverability and open rates, write good headlines and content, and perhaps most importantly, strategies for getting — and keeping — high quality prospects, customers and members. You will learn how to:

* Become a trusted email sender in the eyes of your prospects, customers, and members.

* Build your list! How to find and keep email list subscribers.

* Get your sent emails opened and read.

* Turn your readers into more frequent buyers/supporters/donators.

* Target your communications –- how to get the right message to the right people at the right time

* Use email communications to improve customer/member loyalty.

Getting Started with Email Marketing

More than 250,000 businesses use Constant Contact to help grow their repeat and referral business.

This interactive workshop saves you time by allowing you to quickly and easily master he entire Constant Contact email Marketing system,  We’ll provide tips and techniques and guide you through the tools and features of the system.  You’ll learn how to set up account options, add signup boxes to your website and emails, load a list, build a campaign, and brand your email to match websites and logos.  We will also go over text editing and how to work with graphics and colors to give your emails a polished, professional look.

Jeff Ferrazzo of Constant Contact – Minnesota will be presenting on these three great topics.   Learn more about each class and register online now!

Engagement Marketing with Jeff Ferrazzo

Social Media Breakfast – Redwood Area
Friday, February 1st at 8 a.m.

Engagement Marketing – How Small business Wins in a Socially Connected World.  As a leader of a small business, non-profit or association, you’ve always relied on word-of-mouth referrals to grow your organization. Thanks to social media-and its nimble partner, mobile technology-it’s now easier than ever to turn customers and clients into engaged fans who spread the word about your business across a variety of online platforms. And that’s what Engagement Marketing is all about.
Learn More and Register To Attend!