10/29/2008
What’s an optimized press release?
| I get more questions about writing press releases than just about anything else. (Maybe blogs, too.) Do you know what an optimized press release is? Have you ever written one? It’s still the case that most people don’t understand why or how a press release is optimized. Without getting too deep into why you MUST make friends with the search engines (and by search engines I mean Google and Yahoo!), here is the most important thing to keep in mind when writing your releases: Keywords…What are your potential clients searching for when they seek a service or product like yours?
 Excerpted from my e-book: Copywrite U: The Complete Guide to Writing a Press Release That Gets Results. Buy it now for a ridiculously low price.
Technorati Tags:optimized press release, press release, Allison Nazarian, Get It In Writing, writing a press release, press release for business, blogging Labels: allison nazarian, blog, blogging, business press release, copywrite u, get it in writing, optimized press release, writing a press release |
10/22/2008
What makes a good blog
| If you know or have heard of custom blog design, chances are you know of one of the leaders and all-around great companies in this arena: Unique Blog Designs. Last week, I had a great conversation with Josh Mullineaux, one of Unique Blog Design’s trio of leaders. Josh and I discussed a bunch of important blog design-related topics from why go custom to what makes a good blog design (or a good blog, for that matter) to monetizing your existing blog. The information Josh shared could not have been more timely or valuable. To download to your computer: Right click on this link and use the "Save Target As" option. To listen now: Press play button. Technorati tags: Unique Blog Designs, Josh Mullineaux, allison nazarian, custom blogs, blog instruction Labels: allison nazarian, allison nazarian interviews josh mullineaux, blog instruction, custom blogs, Josh Mullineaux, unique blog designs |
10/16/2008
Are you making the right choices?
| Just because you have choices doesn’t mean you are always making the right ones, right? I thought about some areas in my business where I sometimes struggle to make the right choices and I have a feeling they may also resonate with you:  * Money * Clients * Time * Area of expertise Sound familiar? The next time you are faced with a tough choice in one of these areas give the following some consideration:  Remember the past. Remember the frustration you felt over past bad choices that resulted in loss of time, money and energy. Plan and schedule for your own initiatives just as you would for your clients. It will be easier to say “no” to someone or something if you have already scheduled your time or focus for something else. Resist the temptation to provide a lengthy explanation for the reason you are saying no. People wouldn't expect an explanation when you say yes, and you are not required to provide one when you say no. Retrain yourself to never give an immediate response. Asking for time to consider your options will provide you time to weigh out the pros and cons. productivity in business, Allison Nazarian, business choices, Get It In Writing Labels: allison nazarian, business choices, choices, get it in writing, productivity in business |
10/13/2008
Why your choices do matter
 I’ve been thinking a lot lately (OK…I am always thinking about this kind of stuff) about what success really means to me. I speak for myself, of course, when I say that success is largely defined by this one word: CHOICE. To me, success has a lot to do with freedom. Freedom is about CHOICE. In the beginning of my career, when I worked for others, I felt trapped. I didn’t feel very excited about my days or my future days, and felt that I wasn’t where I really wanted to be. I was, or at least I felt I was, choice-less. Even on a bad day, I am grateful for the choices I have: • I choose how (and how not) to spend my time. • I choose to work with people I love and not to work with those I don’t. • I choose to take on the projects that I feel passionate about and that allow me to use my skills and expertise to help my clients. • I choose to refer projects and clients, when applicable, to those professionals who are better-suited to the task at hand. • I choose to work with vendors, contractors, colleagues, clients and partners who are professional, honest and excellent at what they do. And, really, I can choose to choose success. And that is what I try to do every day. Not every day on its own is what I would call a success. But the choices I have created for myself – and I hope you feel this way about your life and your career as well – make the inevitable ups and downs all worth it. Technorati tags: business choices, business advice, productivity in business, Allison Nazarian, Get It In Writing Labels: business advice, choice, productivity in business |
10/10/2008
Are you the expert you think you are?
| According to Wikipedia, an expert is “someone widely recognized as a reliable source of technique or skill…[someone who is] accorded authority and status by their peers or the public… a person with extensive knowledge or ability in a particular area of study.” Do you feel you are an expert? Does your market view you or your company as an expert in a particular area? You don’t have to be the only expert in your game, but you must be (and be viewed as) reliable, knowledgeable and able in your area of focus. (And, no, it’s not OK to say you’re an expert when you know you aren’t…it’s actually very not OK!) Have you ever given real and specific thought to what your (or your company’s) true area of expertise is? For instance, I am an expert in copywriting. I am an expert in marketing as it relates to copywriting, messaging and words in general. That does not mean I know everything about marketing. It also does not mean that I can, should or want to take on any client or project needing copywriting. Knowing what you are not an expert in is as important as knowing your true expertise. Recognize your expertise and then act upon it accordingly. Do your clients (and non-clients) and yourself a big favor: Know your expertise and then own it. Technorati tags: market expert, expert, expertise, copywriting, extensive knowledge Labels: copywriting, expert, expertise, extensive knowledge, market expert, technique |
10/08/2008
Is your marketing axe sharp enough?
| Your copy may read so beautifully that it brings tears to your eyes. Your graphics may be drop-dead gorgeous. Your bells and whistles may be spectacular in your eyes. But…if you aren’t really addressing the very real needs and problems of your target market, all of the copy, design and bells and whistles are, well, for naught. This is truer today than ever before as the bulk of content is written for an online environment. Your marketing needs to be based upon delivering content that is relevant to your audience’s needs and wants AND that is pleasing the search engines. What will get your marketing pieces read and, better yet, acted upon, by the appropriate people? A strategy, based on content (the “meat” of your message) above all else. I don’t say this because of what I know and do, I say it because it is the truth: Without content that works, your business will not work (or grow, or sell or move forward). Period. Technorati tags: content marketing, copywriting, marketing copy, marketing Labels: blog content, content marketing, copywriting, marketing, marketing copy |
10/06/2008
Who are you speaking to and is anyone listening?
| Being clear on your target market is crucial to your marketing success. This takes research, of course. Do you know who your customers are? How can you find out? What do they need? When there’s competition, you need to be even more targeted with your niche and your business branding. Here are some great ways for small businesses, entrepreneurs, consultants and even the “Big Boys” to know their market:
Technorati tags: target audience, small business marketing, small business, forums Labels: business branding, forums, small business, small business marketing, target audience |
10/03/2008
Relationship building...and building...and building
Building relationships within the context of your business take many things, not least of all:
Technorati Tags:business relationships, business building, productivity in business Labels: business, business building, business relationships, productivity in business |