A Kinder, Gentler Social Networking Strategy

by Julia D. Stege, MFA

"How do I start marketing on Social Networks?"

That's what a lot my peeps have been asking me lately. They feel a bit overwhelmed by all the options, and yet they know Social Networks are becoming as important as a website (if not more important) to their marketing campaigns. They hear buzz about Twitter, Facebook and other popular sites, but they don't know the best strategies for using them.

The bottom line really is they don't want to waste a lot of time learning and using these sites if it's not going to bring them clients. And they know if they put out a lot of hype like some internet marketers these days, their customers will run away rather than be attracted in.
So how to use Social Networks to attract clients without being obnoxious?

First you want to clarify your unique message. The biggest mistake many solopreneurs make is looking at what others in their industry are saying and doing and copying them. When you're just getting started, it's smart to know what your 'competitors' are doing, but you don't want to be just like them. You want to stand out. How to do that?

Ask yourself "What makes me tick?"

Do you know that what makes you and your perfect customers tick is aligned, simpatico, a match? The Law of Attraction says "like attracts like." When you define what is most important to you, your mission and message, you are distinguishing what makes you compelling and attractive to others. When you relate your core life mission with your business offerings, you have a message to share with the world.

Then, choose one Social Network to play around on. I suggest Facebook to start, because many of your friends, family and colleagues are already on Facebook and you can connect with them and start sharing what is important to you. Make sure you don't just post business messages. Include caviats from your day, what you're grateful for, what you're really thinking about, what you're doing. People want to know the real you, so be authentic. When it comes time to market your event or services, people will actually be interested in your offering because they're interested in you.

Add new social networks as you are ready.

Each of the networks like Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn and YouTube, have different 'personalities' and different strategies for how to attract your peeps. Go on these sites and explore. Create profiles and invite friends and start building your followings.

Social Network marketing experts suggest spending a minimum of 2 hours per week building online relationships, and 6+ hours if you want to master online marketing.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, wildly attractive logos and websites, and smart Internet marketing techniques. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

Fear or Love? Choose!

a tip for attracting customers fast!
by Julia D. Stege, MFA

The economy is changing, this we all know. Some will look at it as a bad thing, and others will see it as an opportunity to acheive what they've never before been able to.

What's the difference between these two attitudes? Just a choice. One is a choice to be in fear and another is a choice to be in love with life.

Recently I was listening to the news by mistake and I heard some scary stuff. I'll spare you the details but suffice it to say, I felt rather tense afterward. I noticed as I lay in bed that night that I was having thoughts like "What if I never get a client again?"

I knew this was a disempowering thought and that if I were to entertain it too long, I would start manifesting in that direction. So instead I began to think about what I love about my work and the people I serve (that would be you guys.) I mused over the positive effect I have on people and the ways I get to help.

I got into the vision and imagined people I'll get to serve in the future. I thought about helping them get in touch with their purpose. I could hear their glee as they discover their Magical Keywords or start using Social Networks for the first time. I saw tears of happiness in their eyes as they watched the unveiling of their new Wildly Attractive Website. I immediately felt better and right away that week I was signing new customers, forgetting all about my worrisome thoughts.

Answer these questions to start attracting clients now:

1. What do you love about what you do?
   
   
2. What do you do that really makes a difference for others?
   
   
3. What things do your grateful clients say to you?

Muse about that next time you feel shaky about the uncertainty of life. Close your eyes and imagine profoundly helping people. Feel the feeling of it and before you know it you will be attracting the people who need your services now. (Make sure to imagine them paying you handsomely too!)

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, wildly attractive logos and websites, and smart Internet marketing techniques. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

Is Blogging Really Worth It?

by Julia D. Stege, MFA
@magicalmarketer

A lot of people ask me if I think they really should be blogging. They've heard that everyone is doing it but they really don't know if it's important. After all, it takes a lot of time (so they think) and energy to blog, and anyway, they don't really know how to do it. Isn't it a big learning curve? And is it really worth all that effort?

I can relate. When you don't know how to do something, it can seem daunting when you think about it. And when you go online to check out all the blogs, it's overwhelming. You start to wonder, are people in your industry blogging regularly, and is it helping their business?

You know what I'm going to say, though, don't you? You know I'm going to say yes it's important to blog and yes it's totally worth it. But I want to say this in a comforting way that helps you to get started almost effortlessly.

So first, you need to know why it's important to blog.

In these times, people are very careful about where they spend their money. They want to know you, like you and trust you before they hire you. (OK, I got that from Dale Carnegie who wrote that about 100 years ago, but it's even more true today!) A blog is a great way for them to get a feel for how you think. When you share what you care about on your blog, you provide a window into your true self that helps your perfect customers feel confident about hiring you.

Statistically, blogging is becoming a central feature in any marketing campaign. Check out these stats to discover why:

• Blogging grew 68% in 2008
• 346 million people worldwide read blogs
• 77% of active web users read blogs
• 184 million people say they’ve started a blog

OK, so everyone's doing it and your customers want to get to know you and a blog is a great place to do that. But is it really that easy to set up a blog?

Admittedly some folks will need help, but it's my suggestion that you go to www.Blogger.com (Google's free blog site) and experiment. If you make a mistake you can delete it and start over. You can fiddle around and learn something new (which is good for the brain anyway!) Then send me your link (or post it here on this blog) and I'll be happy to celebrate with you (and give you good feedback, too.) The old cliche is that you can't know until you try it!

You also may want to listen to my free teleclass called "What the Bleep to Blog About to Attract Perfect Customers (and Where and Why, too!)" It will help you to become blogging experts! You can learn more about the class and register at http://www.graphicgirlz.com/freeapco.html. See you then!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, wildly attractive logos and websites, and smart Internet marketing techniques. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

How to Fall in Love with Marketing

by Julia D. Stege, MFA
@magicalmarketer

Remember that feeling of excitement you had when your second grade teacher asked you want you wanted to be when you grew up? Just imagining having a real job or career was thrilling and full of possibility.

I believe that those of us who start our own businesses have maintained a child-like sense of adventure in our lives. But when it comes to marketing, that excitements dampens and many of us get downright sullen!

I'd be willing to bet the reason you think marketing is a drag is that you don't look at marketing the way I do, as an opportunity to share what is most important to you with the people you love the most in the world.

Are you willing to shift your view of what marketing can be for you?

Here are some easy steps to follow to begin to fall in love with your marketing and attract your most perfect customers while you're at it.

1) Tap in to your passion. What do you really love about life? Get out a pad of paper and write stream of consciousness about what fills your heart with joy.

2) Feel into what your customers are dealing with and how you can help them. Remember the experience of really helping someone with your offering? Write down some of the things you said that inspired or helped them the most.

3) Take a look at what you wrote in #1 and #2 and see if you can make a connection. For instance, if you love nature and you are a business consultant, see if you can relate the lessons of a walk in the woods to the guidance you gave your perfect customers that helped them have a breakthrough in their business.

Thinking about what you love most in life, and remembering the high points in your work day simultaneously creates the joyous foundation for articles, sales pages, blog posts and tweets that are distinct, meaningful and authentic.

Try this process and post your results to this blog in the comments section. Let's start a movement of marketing that inspires!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Magical Marketer Julia D. Stege, MFA helps people attract their perfect customers with a unique combination of Law of Attraction, wildly attractive logos and websites, and smart Internet marketing techniques. If you're ready to start attracting your perfect customers now, get Julia's free Magical Marketing Toolkit at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com