Never underestimate the power of your web page to connect you with the people who need your service or product. You'll recall that Angie the Dreamwever is a very talented hair stylist who specializes in woven hair extensions which beautiful, natural looking and not harmful to the hair. You will also recall that a little over a year ago, Angie didn't even own a computer, let alone have a Web site. She asked Lori Gama-White to get her going, and Lori asked Katrina Pfankuch to "interview" Angie for the content. Remember, Angie still didn't even own a computer.
If you ever wonder if a Web site is worth the investment, Angie is the perfect example of what can happen when you're on the 'Net. At Florida to do a half a day of filming for my profile! Also, did you see I was in November's issue of LUCKY magazine? I was featured with Beverly Hills , New York , and only 4 other salons for Extensions..Pretty big stuff !!!!" WOW yeah I would say pretty big stuff!
You know what comes next, don't you? HOW DID ALL THESE PEOPLE FIND ANGIE? Through her website! Like Angie, you have to invest in your success and hire the best people available to accomplish what you cannot do by yourself. You absolutely, positively MUST have a website. Now...what are you waiting for?
Here are two more examples of how my webpage helped my customers find me:
A few weeks ago I received a call from a fellow in Las Vegas who had found my website in a search for "motivational videos." He was preparing for his annual presentation to a client's GMs and was looking for a way to inspire them to new levels of success. After seeing the streaming video clip of my "God Bless The USA" he started looking through the rest of my website. Then he picked up the phone and called me. "Can you come to Las Vegas in January to do a presentation to my clients?" Since my prices were on my website, he already knew what I charged, and there was so hesitation about being able to afford me. He had browsed through all my topics, again from my website, and knew just what he wanted me to target. The bottom line is that I'm off to Vegas in a few weeks, and the check for my fee is already in the bank.
None of this would have happened if it weren't for my GR8 website (beautifully designed by DaGama Web Studio) and correctly placed search words. My website is the primary way that clients find me. Are you beginning to get the picture? The Internet is the research vehicle of choice for the majority of men--and especially women--in business. If you don't have a website that works for you, make sure that is the Number 1 item on your 2004 To-Do list!
A couple of months ago I got a call from Dan Rafter, a freelance writer based in Illinois . Dan had found my website in an Internet search on marketing. He wanted to interview me for an article he was writing for the Texas Realtor Magazine. (I was proud that I was the only marketing consultant amongst the Top Producer Realtors he interviewed.) The magazine came out in September, and the e-version was carried on their online magazine. It wasn't long till the editor was forwarding emails to me that he'd received from all over the country, asking for more information and marketing tips.
From that point Linda became a whirlwind of activity, making sure the spotlight was on the many deserving people who make Valentine's Day in Loveland oh so special. She arranged for Miss Valentine to get out to the Chamber of Commerce where the volunteers were hand-stamping envelopes with the 2004 cachet for the remailing program. She contacted a dozen people from Safeway to get permission for their wonderful employee Jesus___ to be featured. By the time the CNN crew figured out they needed to go north up I-25 rather than west to the Loveland ski area, Linda had a whole production ready for them. She made the connections to insure that other deserving people were featured in the CNN piece. Oh yes, Linda is in there too, laughing as her boyfriend gives her a big kiss beneath the heart he bought her.
Are you beginning to get the picture? Not only did Linda's marketing build visibility about her involvement in a project she loved, but instead of hogging the spotlight, she shared it in a true spirit of giving. And what's even more interesting is that very few people actually know who to thank for Loveland 's 3 minutes of fame on CNN - but now YOU know (apologies to Paul Harvey) the REST of the story!
I spoke to the Findlay Auto Dealership GMs last month in Las Vegas , and I used several of YOU as examples of "relationship marketing." Here's one of the most popular examples: it's the Linda Sioux Rosen used in her February ad in Homes & Land Magazine. It shows Linda Sioux, her Clydesdale gelding Forrest, her little Jack Russell terrier Mort, and a huge valentine heart. Linda connects with everyone who 1) loves horses, 2) loves big horses, 3) loves dogs, 4), loves little dogs, 5) loves another person, 6) wants to "buy" a heart through the Thompson Valley Rotary Club program she's been heading up since 1992, 7) loves Loveland's Valentine signage, 8) wants a Realtor who knows about horse property, 9) wants a Realtor who knows about property in The Sweetheart City. Are you beginning to get the picture? Without saying a word, she has connected with people on many different levels - people who have never even met her but now feel as if they know her!