Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Why I'm Getting Retweeted Daily


by Julia D. Stege, MFA

On Twitter getting "Retweeted" (having your post re-posted by one of your followers) is the highest form of praise. When you want to uplift someone or support what they're doing, you Retweet (#RT) them.

Retweeting has become such a central activity on Twitter that it is now a special link available from your Twitter Home Page. When you click on the "Retweets" Link and then on the "Your Tweets, Retweeted" tab, you can see all your Retweeted posts.

A little while ago I was experiencing very low Retweet rates.
Now I'm getting Retweeted almost daily. What caused the change?
I have a simple answer for you: quotes.

I recently selected over 100 quotes from online resources specifically designed to uplift and empower people, and inspire them to think differently. I started Tweeting these out several times a day and ... Voila! I get Retweeted as a result.

I had heard that quotes are really popular on Twitter, but this proves it. If you want to engage with your peeps and contribute to them on Twitter, I suggest you go on Google and search for people you admire and put the word "Quotes" in your query. There are a lot of great quotes out there. Select those which are a match for your message and your purpose. Use quotes to help people get to know you, like you and trust you. And watch your Retweet numbers rise!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR BLOG? You may if you include this entire blurb with it: Julia D. Stege, MFA, founder of GraphicGirlz.com, is known as The Magical Marketer because of her unique approach to client attraction. Combining beautiful designs with law of attraction principles and smart internet marketing tips, Julia helps her Conscious Entrepreneur clientele to attract perfect customers authentically. Julia is the author of The Magical Marketing Blog and the upcoming book "Client Attraction Breakthrough: How to Attract Clients Fast in the New Economy." Start your client attraction breakthrough at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

Friday, March 12, 2010

Expressing the Depth of Your Beauty


by Julia D. Stege, MFA

"Beauty represents the supremest living quality of thought. It is the glorious overflowing of fullness of love which indicates the presence of infinite reserves of power behind it... Beauty is the externalization of harmony." Thomas Troward*

I am a lover of beauty. Perhaps you could tell this by looking at my portfolio of designs . I have always wanted to fill the world with beautiful expressions of unique and uplifting ideas, and my clients appreciate this quality in the logos and websites I create for them.

But recently I have heard several different and unrelated internet marketing advisors declare that you don't need a beautiful website or brand to market your business. In fact, they recommend following basic template guidelines including garish bold red headlines on white pages with blinking arrows and opt-in boxes. They criticize "pretty websites that don't sell," as if it's the prettiness of the website that causes it to not sell.

I really feel that these Internet marketing advisors are throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

Yes, of course we all know we want to build our lists and communicate clearly with our potential customers. But when we copy these basic site templates and follow standard sales copy scripts, the beauty that lies inside of us remains unexpressed in favor of mere utilitarianism.

I believe that this approach to marketing is so unappealing to Conscious Entrepreneurs because it ignores the infinite store of power that we represent, and that is only revealed through the beautiful expression of love.

As Thomas Troward wrote, "What is the most beautiful form in which I can express the good that I intend? That is the ultimate question for the true beauty which our work expresses is the measure of the power, the intelligence, the love, in a word, of the quality and quantity of our own life which we have put into it." The offerings you have for the world are an expression of your beauty, that's for sure. The question is does your marketing, your website, your blog reflect the depth of your beauty?

To start an inquiry, as Trower suggests, into the most beautiful forms in which to express your mission, your message and your gifts, start seeking out words and imagery that resonate with you. Collect cards, clippings, artwork, and objects that feel good to you and are a match for your vision, message and offering. Use these to communicate with a designer you have selected to help you visually express your mission in the world.

*Thomas Troward was introduced to me in a Recession Rescue with Rapid Results teleclass by David Neagle

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR BLOG? You may if you include this entire blurb with it: Julia D. Stege, MFA, founder of GraphicGirlz.com, is known as The Magical Marketer because of her unique approach to client attraction. Combining beautiful designs with law of attraction principles and smart internet marketing tips, Julia helps her Conscious Entrepreneur clientele to attract perfect customers authentically. Julia is the author of The Magical Marketing Blog and the upcoming book "Client Attraction Breakthrough: How to Attract Clients Fast in the New Economy." Start your client attraction breakthrough at http://www.magicalmarketingtoolkit.com

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Celebrating You


by Julia D. Stege

I'm in the mood to celebrate myself because I'm turning 50 this Saturday and I deserve a little celebrating. I'm planning to celebrate all year and then be in such a habit of celebrating that I continue for the next 50 years. I think I have a good start because I've been sharing my passion in my marketing more and more.

Passion and marketing you say? Thought n'er the twain shall meet? How did our marketing get so far from our passion? Sometimes I wonder who invented the approach to marketing that feels so alienating that most people do whatever they can to avoid it. If you're like me, I bet you really love what you do.

So what can you do to love your marketing as much as you love serving your people with your heart-felt gifts?

Make your marketing a celebration of you and what you're passionate about. I know you were probably told somewhere along the line that marketing is all about your niche market and targeting them. And I'm not saying you shouldn't consider your perfect customers and what they need. What I am saying is that sharing your passion in your marketing will make the activity more appealing to you AND to your potential clients.

Take some time in quiet contemplation to discover what part of you longs to be expressed and blog about it, or send a note to your e-list, or post something about it on Facebook. It will feel really good to you, you'll be raising your vibration and attracting more of what you want, and your followers will appreciate your authenticity. Watch as they celebrate with you!