Let’s face it. You can’t be taken seriously as a business owner in today’s marketplace without having a strong presence online. (this is not true, many businesses do NOT have an online presence. You need to clarify this and narrow it down to your audience. Perhaps say, “You cannot be taken seriously as a virtual business owner without…”)

Whether you want to admit it or not, prospective clients ARE going to look for you online and you need to be in control of what they find.

The foundation of your online presence is, of course, your website.

If you don’t have a polished, professional, client focused site now, or your current site is out of date, you likely have wondered how to go about go about creating a quick and easy, money making website.      Read more about The #1 Marketing Tool Successful Entrepreneurs Use

Your subject line can make or break your email marketing efforts.

With the right subject line, you’ll make an impact with your list members and encourage them to open your email and take a look inside. Also, you can increase your sales, deepen your connection and be more valuable to the recipients of your messages.

There are four simple steps to creating more profitable subject lines:      Read more about 4 Steps to Powerful Subject Lines That Get Results

As a service professional, an important element of your marketing strategy is to highlight why you are THE premier solutions provider for your target market. When you showcase your expertise and how others' lives and business have improved because of working with you, your services and products will be more compelling. You’ll increase your visibility and you’ll easily convert more prospects to clients.

But when you’re showcasing what you do, you have to be very careful about HOW you present your experience and your solutions. Far too many service professionals focus on the mechanics of what they do when they are trying to sell their services. You don't want to make this mistake, because, honestly, people aren't that interested in HOW you do what you do. All they are really concerned about is getting from problem (point A) to solution (point B) in the easiest, quickest and the most affordable way possible. So you want to talk about your services in a way that acknowledges that and clearly conveys your value. MORE

If you want to fill your pipeline with prospects and increase your income, you have to speak the language of your ideal clients. When you speak their language, you’ll be able to connect with them on a deeper level and show that you understand their problems.

Some solo professionals struggle with describing what they do in a way that connects with their clients – but if you take the following three steps you’ll be able to avoid this struggle. You can connect with more people who need what you have to offer.

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Marketing a service business will inquire an investment of your time and financial resources. What if you don't have a lot of money to spend on marketing? Now what? Does that mean you simply cannot market your service business and your only hope is waiting on the sidelines for someone to hire you? Not at all! Today is the day you learn that marketing a service business with a minimal budget is not only possible, it's easier than you think.

One of the first steps in marketing a service business is to get your branding in place. Make sure your business name, your tag line and your logo are all connected – that they send a consistent, positive and results focused message. Your brand is what prospective clients will remember you by. You've only got a few seconds to make a first impression, especially online, so make sure you have your ducks in a row -- everything about your brand should be clear, concise and consistent. Read more about Marketing a Service Business with No Marketing Budget

Small business marketing is not only necessary to your success as an entrepreneur, it's easier than you think. Statistics say your small business has a 1 in 6 chance of survival, but without effective, ongoing marketing, your odds are far less than that. Utilize proven small business marketing strategies that will let you spread the word about your business quickly and get in front of the right people.

Small business marketing can seem like a big task. After all, big corporations have entire departments devoted to nothing other than marketing, so what can you do with a one-woman (or one-man) show? The good news is ...plenty! You can market your small business in a number of ways that will have your phone ringing, inbox filling up and your bank balance growing. One of the keys to success is to build a compelling brand and consistently create awareness for that brand. Read more about Small Business Marketing is Easier Than You Think

In last week’s article, we went over some of the basic steps to create a great services menu. As a service provider, your menu of services will be one of the critical factors in whether or not someone hires you. By paying attention to these five keys you can make sure that you are developing a menu that meets your clients’ needs as well as your own.

Key #1 – Package your solutions with your clients’ problems in mind.

Don’t create packages just for the sake of creating them. Make sure your offerings will really fit the needs of your ideal client. The packages should help them solve their most pressing challenges. You can do this by making a list of common challenges and then coming up with ways that one or a combination of your services can solve those problems. For example, an interior designer may find that many of her clients aren’t sure what their preferred style of décor is. She can offer a consulting service that both helps educate the client on different styles and guides them toward the right fit for them.

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Your business card is your doorway to new business and powerful partnerships. If your card isn't getting you the results you're looking for, you may be missing a few MUST have elements. In this session, I’ll share some tips for designing your new card so that you’ll get the attention you deserve!

4 Must Know Tips for Designing A Business Card That Gets Results (SSMS Episode 31)) [ 7:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (343)

You're not the only professional offering your particular service. To consistently attract YOUR ideal clients, you need to show prospects that you are the ONLY solution to their problems. So how do you go about doing this? How do you stand out from the pack? Implement what you learn in today's episode and you'll never be without a full practice of clients!

How to Stand Out From Your Colleagues and Create a Thriving Business (SSMS Episode 16) [ 9:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (218)

One of the most important considerations in creating your version of a successful business is having a brand that reflects the high quality services you provide.

Just because you have a small business, doesn't mean your brand should look "homemade". Everything you do from participating in social networks, to your website and how you show up at networking events should reflect a polished professional image.  There is NO second chance for a first impression.

Therefore, you’ll want to give careful attention to your marketing materials and what they're saying about you.  No matter what it is: your website, email newsletter, headshot, social media profiles, etc., your marketing materials should be first class.  They speak to your audience even when you aren't there or long after you've met.  What are your marketing materials saying about you and the services you provide?

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