Online Marketing & Communications Blog

Strategic Planning for Productivity

May 16, 2013 By Jon 3 Comments

I recorded episode 91 of the show over a week ago but although it was ready to edit I just didn’t get around to it. Duh!

If you’re using content marketing to market your business online you’ve got to keep the content coming. So why did I drop the ball ?

Well, a mixture of client work and losing my mojo, I suppose.

I just wasn’t happy with the episode and after exchanging a couple of mails with my good friend Jamie Wallace over at Suddenly Marketing I decided to scrap the episode and start over. So this week’s show is a more personal insight into my business and the day to day running of things.

I share what my typical day is like and what I wish it was like.

I talk about the benefits of scheduling time to be creative and the importance of having systems in place to manage things like email, content creation, To Do lists, and so on.

Click the player to listen

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Filed Under: Podcast

Put Your Face on Your Blog

May 8, 2013 By Jon 2 Comments

If you’re a consultant or solo entrepreneur you should put your face on your website. Preferably on the front page.

It’s important that you’re visible.

It’s important because it’s all about building trust and a sense of personality. After all, we do business with people.

Show Who You Are

I’ve written a lot about podcasting as a way of making it transparent to your potential customers just who you are and what you do. Video, of course, is also an incredibly useful tool for giving a clearer indication of who you are and what you do.

It’s important, though, not to forget that a simple picture can go a long way to help build a sense of who you are, especially if you’re not ready to get behind the mic or video camera just yet.

Here are some of my favourite pages that use an image to foreground the business owner. Maybe these will inspire you!
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Filed Under: marketing Tagged With: consultant, design, marketing, photography

What Makes a Perfect Homepage?

May 1, 2013 By Jon 4 Comments

There is, I am afraid, no perfect homepage. Only the perfect homepage for your website.

Still…

A great homepage will answer the three Ws:

Who we are,
What we do and
What we can do for you whilst you are here.

It’s trickier than it sounds, though, because you have to get the balance right. Too many homepages put the emphasis on “Who we are” instead of focusing on addressing the needs of the visitor to the site.

The BBC website doesn’t start out telling you who the BBC is, does it. You just get there and start consuming the news.

Similarly, Nordiska Kompaniet aren’t showering you with their latest collections. They’re just telling you that you can get twice the value you ordinarily get if you’re a loyalty card holder this coming weekend.

NK’s clear offer

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Filed Under: marketing

It’s Time to Launch a Podcast

April 29, 2013 By Jon 6 Comments

It seems that wherever you look right now that podcasting is hot.

Michael Stelzner, from Social Media Examiner, recently told the audience at Social Media Marketing World in San Diego that:

Podcasting, Bar Nothing In Our Study, Is The Hottest Thing In 2013. Period!

Pat Flynn, another very successful marketer, has had incredible success with his podcast, seeing it as one of the key ways in which he has been able to grow his business.

In this episode of Online Marketing and Communications – Episode 90 !!!! – I encourage you to think again about the benefits of podcasting and suggest some of the ways you can get started.

I also encourage you to download my free 100+ page ebook & video training which will help give you the tools to get your business podcast launched.

Click the Player to Listen

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Filed Under: Podcast

What You Should Know About Branding When Digital Marketing

April 19, 2013 By Jon Leave a Comment

It can be really difficult knowing where to start when it comes to branding – especially if you have to talk about it with a marketing professional!

Would-be podcaster Craig McBreen

On this week’s episode of Online Marketing and Communications I talk to American designer and branding specialist Craig McBreen.

Craig runs McBreen Design but is equally active as a blogger, sometime video-caster and would-be podcaster.

He also runs one of the best newsletters I’ve come across that’s both full of advice, support, and encouragement when it comes to building your online presence.

In this show I play the customer, pushing Craig to explain just how important branding is, how it works and what kind of questions and approach newbies to branding should take when talking to marketing professionals.