Welcome to the 27th issue of the "Rembrandt Writes Insights" Newsletter Mstardom Members!
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In This Issue:
1. Tip: The Top 3 Ways to Get Customers Fast
2. Q & A: Ask Melanie your PR and SEO Copywriting Questions
3. Media Contacts
4. Monthly Message
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1. Tip: The Top 3 Ways to Get Customers Fast
Even though many businesses are struggling to stay afloat, there is still work out there for you right now.
But how do you attract new customers, and keep them, without a big budget? Well, here's a quick reminder of the top three, cost-effective ways to start increasing your sales:
1. Look at Your Offer.
When was the last time you reviewed the products and services you offer customers and compared them with those of your competitors? If it has been a few weeks, it's time to take inventory.
To start, ask, "How can you solve your customers' problems quickly and easily?"
Things have changed dramatically in the business world due to the recession, and you need to change with them. Do your products and services fulfill your customers' current needs?
If not, revise your offerings, provide special discounts, give free trials, and be creative to win business from the competition.
2. Optimize your Site for the Search Engines (SEO).
Once you update your products and services, let people know! If you haven't optimized your Web site for the search engines, hire a professional SEO copywriter to do it for you. You'll actually save time and money by hiring a pro... and experience better results.
And if you already have SEO keywords on your Web pages and coding, check to make sure you have current keywords that people are actually searching for online. Check out free sites likes Wordtracker, www.wordtracker.com, and KeyWordDiscovery, www.keywordiscovery.com for help.
Also, send out a press release with the appropriate SEO keywords... Even if you just post it on free, press-release posting sites, you'll get some good, online coverage.
3. Exceed Customer Expectations.
Now, people are going to start coming to your site and requesting information. Be sure you provide the best customer service possible. Train your employees, and bend over backwards to help potential, new clients get the information they need.
And when people place an order, follow up to see if they have any questions, and thank them for their business. You'll be surprised how far a simple "thank you" can go!
A Simple Reminder
These are just three steps to boosting sales, but they are important. If you fail to miss one of these points, you can waste a lot of time, effort and money. More importantly, you can lose sales to the competition and damage your business reputation!
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2. Q & A - Ask Melanie Your PR and SEO Copywriting Questions
You have questions. I've got answers. Here's a new one I received this month:
Q: I'm skeptical about hiring someone to help me with SEO. Can't I just do it myself?
A: Here's my response:
Of course, you can do your own SEO, but if you have the funds to hire a professional, I highly recommend doing so. You can waste a lot of time learning how to do SEO, researching the right keywords, conducting competitor research, writing good Web copy, making updates, and coding your site. After all, you could use this time to focus on your core business activities and bringing in new sales.
Now, if you are short on funds and want to do your own SEO, start by researching keywords and check out resources like http://www.seomoz.org. You'll also get some good information from studying competitors' sites. Take the time to learn how to do SEO correctly. Test various words and write copy your site visitors will care about. Through trial and error, you'll see what works best.
Do you have questions for this column? Feel free to write to me at info@rembrandtwrites.com, and I'll try to help!
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3. Media Contacts
Here is some information to help you start developing your personal, media-contact list:
AARP The Magazine
To send a letter to the editor, or write an article for AARP The Magazine, visit http://www.aarpmagazine.org/Articles/a2003-01-23-letter.html. Their mailing address is AARP
601 E Street N.W., Washington, DC 20049
Reader's Digest
Send Letters to the Editor, letters@rd.com, and article submissions to articleproposals@rd.com. More contact information is available at http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/contact-us/article27604.html. They even pay for jokes that they use in the publication!
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4. Monthly Message
"Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances." Benjamin Franklin
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Good news! My brand new PR program published by American Writers & Artists, Inc., "Secrets of Becoming a Publicist," is finished. If you'd like to learn how to pitch the media and build a successful business with public relations, check it out at http://bit.ly/BecomeaPublicist. If you register before July 7th, you'll save $50.00!
And if you'd like some free help with your PR and SEO copywriting efforts, check out my newsletter, blogs and various articles here: http://www.pinkmagazine.com/small_business/sales_comm/pr.html, http://www.rembrandtwrites.com/blog/, http://community.pinkmagazine.com/blogs/pr/default.aspx, http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/index.php/author/mrembrandt/.
I hope to provide you with valuable tips and information you can use to help boost sales, awareness and credibility for your business.
Feel free to send me your questions, comments and suggestions. I'd love to hear from you!
Here's to your success,
Melanie
Melanie Rembrandt
Rembrandt Communications(R), LLC
800-771-0116
info@rembrandtwrites.com
Twitter: RembrandtWrites
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to your friends...Have them register at http://www.rembrandtwrites.com for their own copy and receive extra, no-cost bonus information throughout the year!
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Tags: Media Contacts Top 3 Ways To Get Customers Fast Melanie Rembrandt Writes In
