Finding True Love…and the Right Niche!
May 13, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
There are two great feats in life. If you successfully manage to accomplish both, you are practically guaranteed a sublime life.
1) Find True Love
2) Find the Right Niche (in business)
Now, this ain’t no love blog, so we will not delve into the details of #1. However, we will focus on the top 5 ways to find your perfect niche.
1) Passion and Knowledge Matter- Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I have heard "top gurus" in the field say ignore your passion and just find a lucrative niche. That’s not an formula for long term success. Leverage what you love to do. If you know nothing about fishing, don’t go into the lures business.
2) Is there Demand?- While passion and knowledge are key, you also have to research demand. This is fairly easy to do with today’s technology. Start with a basic Google search, email your potential target market to get feedback, or even setup a free survey using Survey Monkey. Don’t be afraid to drop an idea if you don’t see the demand for it. Too many business owners fail because they passionately go after an idea that never showed demand in the first place.
3) Differentiate-Once you find a need that’s not being fulfilled adequately, find a way to fulfill it. Don’t be afraid to introduce a new element or twist. For example, Cirque De Soliel is essentially a circus, but they have positioned themselves as the circus of the elites. No popcorn or peanut gallery here. They are a classy circus that caters to those who have a penchant for opera, classical music, and museums.
4) Niche by Industry OR Topic- When most people think of a niche they think of a particular topic, but that’s just one way to do it. You can always choose a niche and cater it to a different crowd. For example, my internet marketing niche is a crowded one. But, internet marketing for professionals who are not into hard selling or pushy marketing is perfect.
5) Keep at it- Don’t jump niches at the drop of a hat. Most businesses take some time to get going. Do your research, edit as you go along, and keep fueling your passion.
STOP Using Facebook!
May 8, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
That’s exactly what I want to say to a lot of people misusing and abusing Facebook right now-just stop! I do a lot of social media marketing for our clients and know many colleagues (Dave Evans, Chris Brogan, Nancy Marmolejo and Mari Smith for example) who do it well. After The Launch was also one of the first companies to tout the benefits of social media for marketing…especially marketing using Facebook.
Now, I am just mad. I see more and more people on Facebook misusing and abusing the trust of others. Yes, this post is my first official rant on this blog. It’s also my way of trying to educate those who are really MISSING the mark here! This post may not be for those who are easily offended. You may note that it is also not my usual style of writing. However, I feel this MUST be said.
1) Facebook is a RELATIONSHIP Marketing Tool- This is key. I can’t stress it enough. You can use Facebook to create, build, and nurture relationships. DO NOT use it to send "buy my products and services" messages. That’s called spam. Use Facebook to build communities, nurture trust, and find mutually beneficial opportunities. Don’t use it to add random people, pretend that they are friends, and then try to sell them something.
Take a look at a friend request I just received:
Are you kidding me? You want me to not only add you as a friend but REMEMBER to contact you if I ever need to find a house in DC? (I live in Dallas!)
I would MUCH rather this person had said "We have 13 mutual friends. I’d love to see if I can ever be of assistance to you. I noticed you do X type of work."
This would then lead to a conversation about their business. Perhaps we would share multiple conversations, get to know each other’s businesses, and become strong referral sources. I seriously doubt that is going to happen with this individual now.
2) Avoid those Who Promise you Thousands of Dollars Overnight from Facebook. This isn’t always easy but please do your research. I see people coming out of the woodwork daily to jump on this "hot new Facebook trend"…and then make promises they can’t deliver. (A note to such folks: How can you call yourself social media consultants when you haven’t been on Facebook for more than 2 months AND how can you sleep at night when you are leading people astray and causing them to ruin their brands?) Recently, a group called Internet Marketing University came about. Now, I don’t know the founders so I can’t say whether they really know their stuff or not. I DO however know that I got hundreds of new Facebook "friend requests" from members of the group. All with a personal message along the lines of: " Hey, as part of my learning process with the Internet Marketing University, I am trying to add as many new friends as I can to my network. Join in!" EXCUSE ME?! What I read: "Hi, the Internet Marketing University is showing me how to spam people but first I have to build my list of people I can spam. So go ahead and give me permission." I don’t think so.
There is another group called "FaceBook Phenomenon: MAKE 5000 FRIENDS IN 30 DAYS!." An intelligent looking lady has started this group. She has been gaining "friends" by sending this message:
"I cried the other night…My husband says Facebook networking doesn’t work. Please ADD ME AS A FRIEND"
I’ll let you be the judge of that.
3) Facebook is NOT about building your list. Adding friends on Facebook is NOT the equivalent of a building a permission based eZine list. If I add you as a friend, it DOES NOT give you the permission to spam me or send me "buy my product" messages. I am almost considering starting a black-list for people on Facebook who are abusing it. This doesn’t mean that you can’t invite people to subscribe to your blog or join your list through your profile page. I do both and it works because I respect people’s choices-as I believe ANY marketer worth their salt should do.
4) Don’t throw a sheep at me…or send me a kiss…or BUY me! There are some fun application on Facebook, but they aren’t appropriate for every person. The only reason you should send me a virtual kiss is IF you are my significant other or best friend. If you just added me as a friend through a professional connection or for networking reasons, don’t ruin it. Don’t throw sheep at me or poke me. That’s not how adults who are looking to use Facebook to network and help each other play. To that end, I will add that they ARE fun applications that are acceptable. I have received virtual flowers that "grow" on my profile many times from colleagues and friends. That’s a very nice way to make a connection. So, watch your boundaries and keep it professional!
5) I know you mean well, so please learn from the RIGHT experts. I realize that most people making these awful, personal brand killing mistakes on Facebook probably mean well. Most aren’t out scam. Many probably provide quality service and products. However, the mistakes are ruining reputations. Please learn from the right experts. Learn from blogs, books, and people you trust. Use your good sense. A good rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t do it while meeting a person face-to-face, don’t do it online.
Whew.
Top 10 Marketing Insights
May 5, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
1) Consumers are NOT Tired of Information. In fact, they are out looking for it on a daily basis. The main difference? They want it on their terms: when they want it and how they want it. So, seek permission and keep in touch. You never know when they may need your services!
2) Define and Focus- In a world full of grays, you have to be the red. Sharpen your marketing message, keep sight of your focus, and walk a straight line. Your clients and prospects don’t have time for wishy-washy. Stay sharp in all that you do.
3) Remember the Two I’s.- Internet and Interaction. They have to go together. Your personal interactions should be a reflection of your online image. This is the TRUE brand experience.
4) Involve the Client- Client engagement is key. Keep them involved in all that you do, even if the project doesn’t require their direct attention. Training and educating the client is just as important as the work that you do.
5) Design and Edit- Designers and editors will rule the world. Cultivate the editor and designer within you. Editor- because to succeed in business you have become the ultimate tweaking machine. Designer-the packaging matters just as much as the service.
6) Customization is King- Web 2.0 is all about customization. Let clients pick what works for them. Give them choices. My articles are available through the blog, through eZines, and occasionally-other sites.
7) Power is Out. Community is In.- Empires are overrated. You can’t run an ad on TV, build a few factories, and start bringing in the profits. It’s not about size. It’s about community. It’s about key clients who turn around and tell the world about you. It’s about passionate bloggers who are happy to write rave reviews. It’s about service.
Think Benji- That’s short for Benjamin Franklin. He would be the perfect entrepreneur for our times. He understood the power of building up a community, always investing in himself, and most importantly…publishing. In Academia, they call this the "Publish or Perish Syndrome." Believe it or not, all businesses are publishers. Some are good, others not so much. Emulate Benjamin Franklin when it comes to your business.
9) Tactics without Strategy is Worthless.- You don’t need an eZine or a blog or an account on Facebook or Twitter…or anything else…if you don’t have a strategy to go with it. All of the above are tactics. But, what’s the strategy? How do you turn strangers into prospects, and prospects into clients?
10) Learn from Others- We all have our own gifts and talents. Use your own and leverage the rest from others. This is a winning combination.
-
Free Report and eZine
