Owner: PERSONAL BRAND MARKETING podBlog URL:http://www.vikramrajan.com Join Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:48:27 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: How lawyers, accountants, financial planners, real estate, and other Advisors can market & leverage Personal Brands! Site statistics:Click here
No time to blog, eh? 2007-01-22 05:21:55 Blogs give experts, advisors, and other professionals an easy way to record our thoughts and slowly build up our catalog of intellectual property… it’s also a quick way to produce value-added materials for our clients, prospects, referral partners, friends, etc.
Blogging sounds good in theory, until we have to actually sit down and type everyday… over and above our e-mails and other work!
What if we could blog throughout the day… in the nooks and crannies of our day? ..As simply as leaving ourselves a voicemail? Well, that’s what I wanted to do:
So I figured out how to do it… for free: My audio speaks to the power of putting Podbean & Gabcast together. And from now on, you’ll hear my frequent musings & tidbits — more consistently — leading up to an audio-book like INSTANT BUZZ.
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Marketing with CURRENCY 2007-01-22 01:10:16 If you’re not marketing with Currency, then your marketing dollars & energy are working harding than it needs to. Find out what Currency is all about in this 3:41 minute un-abridged INTRODUCTION of the audio-book INSTANT BUZZ: 6 Free Ways to Keep ‘em Talking about You… and get more referrals.
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Intuit's report: Future of Small Business 2007-01-28 04:22:23 Our 3rd annual “Your Vision: 2007!” workshop was a great success! (Missed it? We’re doing it AGAIN on March 9 at the AXA Building. The events calendar to the right will be updated soon!) Our wonderfully-inspired and energized crowd affirms what Intuit found…
I learned of Intuit’s study through Anita Campbell’s blog (under the ones I read). This is part 1 of Intuit’s study (in conjunction with the Orwellian-sounding “Institute for the Future
”)… it basically justifies 3 familiar trends:
1) Greater Diversity - Including “Mompreneurs,” a rising trend in Baby Boomers, immigrants, and the kids of “Gen Y” are all getting into the game. Wow, I’m not an Other!
2) Rise of Personal Business
es — 20 million self-employed “free agents” and growing. So basically I have 20 million prospects; ready to leverage your personal brand?
3) Entrepreneurial Education Grows - It’s growing i Read more:report
, Small
, Small Business
Come up higher in Google… 2007-02-01 18:08:35 There are 4 main ways to have your website rank higher in search results with Google
, Yahoo, MSN, or AOL. These aren’t magic tricks, secrets, schemes, or trickery… it makes sense once you know what search engine “spiders” (like Googlebot) look for. We aren’t wizards or gurus… we manage specific controls, including:
#1) Have a lot of the right keywords within the tags & within the content on your website. Content should read naturally, yet be chock-full of relevant keywords; web content editors & consultants (ahem, ahem) can help you find the right balance.
Do not force it to happen; e.g., you may notice strings of keywords on the bottom of pages. Not only does it cheapen the look of your site, the evolving “organic” or “human language” search algorithms will roll their eyes at it as we do.
#2) My 2:54 minute podcast reveals another step you should take. Done well, it can even trump #1. The attached audio also
Want to engage your audience more? 2007-02-12 01:00:56 1) Want to ensure your brochure content explains benefits?
2) Need to make sure your prospects are engaged by your proposal?
3) Having trouble writing out an outline for your seminar?
4) Having trouble keeping your seminars interactive?
5) Want an easy way to come up with ideas for your blog posts, podcasts, & articles?
Would you believe my quick podcast answers all this?!
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Sick of seeing the same folks at events? 2007-02-12 00:49:06 I go to A LOT of networking events
… through chambers, professional/trade groups, etc. If you don’t… you should: It’s a great way to not only prospect directly, but to develop a word-of-mouth referral network, and to add to your e-mail database.
Those of us who are active in our business community may become “sick and tired” of seeing “the same people” over and over again. First of all, we’re ‘obligated’ to say hi. And after I do, I tend to say, “Alright… we know each other, let’s meet some new people!”
But there’s another way to make the best of seeing familiar faces… as my podcast explains.
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Promote your Videos, beyond YouTube… 2007-02-14 04:23:53 On-line search (e.g, Google) have walloped Yellow Pages.
Free on-line classifieds (e.g., Craigslist) have walloped newspaper listings.
Blogs & podcasts (e.g., VikramRajan.com) are “democratizing” editorial & radio broadcast….
And D-I-Y video websites (e.g., YouTube
) are beginning to take its punch at TV…
“Viral videos” of stupid kids barely does it justice. Internet-based video is hot, here to stay, and is growing in popularity, relevance, and integrity.
These sites offer you an opportunity to showcase your Personal Brand messages in vivid detail. While professional videographers & editors cannot be substituted, you can stay amateur and use many of these {marketing} channels for FREE….
Online Video Industry Index
Written by Emre Sokullu and edited by Richard MacManus
There are now so many companies vying to be the next YouTube, it’s easy to lose track of them all. So let’s take a look at the entire online video in Read more:Promote
, beyond
Anecdote: Financial planner defines his Community 2007-02-24 07:17:30 In the attached podcast, I’m coming back from a 2nd meeting I had a with a financial planner
… I recorded the Anecdote:
Adversity/Aspiration: The financial planner was going after the typical “wealthy business owner” market. He wanted to make his marketing efforts more effective. He knew his marketing wasn’t focused, but didn’t know exactly where to begin.
Advice/Actions: My podcast showcases how I started to help him explore & define the right target market Community. Listen how we’ve started to uncover the answers to these questions:
1) What are the common Demographics of your target market community?
2) What’s their mindset, Psycographics, symptoms, aspirations & adversities?
3) What are their common hobbies & Habits that exhibit their community belonging?
4) How does your community spend Money on complimentary & competitive products & services?
5) What are th Read more:Financial
, Financial planner
Time management priority thumb-rule… 2007-02-24 06:20:08 Last year I wrote a quick book, “101 Thumb-rules from the Top Business Advisors.” It works as a great Idea Journal. Moreover, it reminds us of many lessons we may know already — and those we can always work on. For example:
Want to manage your time better? Want to tackle your to-do list the right way?
My podcast shares a pivotal thumb-rule is that often repeated by my father, and quoted by our clients.
BTW: There is a difference between a thumb-rule and a cliche… I cleared it up the audio.
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Day-to-day printing stuck in the 20th century? 2007-02-24 05:48:37 I visit the offices of many business advisors. And very often I still see an inkjet shuffling out fuzzy flyers, makeshift brochures, etc. There is a better way to make D-I-Y marketing collaterals stand out. Like I summarize in the podcast, “it’s the little things that make a difference.”
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The BEST movie on {marketing} strategy I've seen.. 2007-02-24 22:32:46 Ever wonder how Bush won … “again”? No president has ever been re-elected with such low approval ratings. All it took was the right strategy… a new documentary DVD reveals how it happened through candid interviews from both sides.
Personal brand marketing strategy goes hand-in-hand with political campaign strategy!
In my audiobook INSTANT BUZZ, I actually reveal one of the most Influential books on the Bush campaign, as quoted by the RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman. It’s referenced by Matthew Dowd (Chief Strategist Bush 2004 Campaign) as he’s interviewed in this great interview-driven documentary:
In Fall 2006, film makers, James D. Stern & Adam Del Deo, released “…So Goes the Nation” through IFCfilms. It recently came out on DVD; watch it!! Study it!! And tell others… I think it’s the next best Secret. Last night, I saw the documentary three times in a row… including the directors’ behind-the-scenes com Read more:movie
Got too much clutter? Before you clean house….. 2007-03-18 20:44:45 I’m a clutter
maven. I like messy offices. But you don’t have follow my lead there.
I can appreciate organization, cleanliness, and the whole bit&hellip
;
BUT… BEFORE YOU CLEAN HOUSE… MAKE SURE YOU NEVER THROW THESE 2 THINGS OUT!!!
1) These free little plastic things hardly take up any room… but just when you need one, you’ll remember when you chucked it…
2) Again, this free junk hardly take up any room… and when you need it… it’ll cost you big time to replicate it….
Puzzled? Listen to the podcast.
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How should you improve your logo? 2007-03-18 20:38:19 Do you have a logo/letterhead?
Is your logo/letterhead any good?
When was the last time you updated your logo/letterhead?
Is it even necessary for you to have a logo?
Do you trust your logo?
Is your logo a piece of art, or a piece of….?
Logos & designed letterhead can help your practice stand out.
But there’s a difference between artful design and a brand logo:
I gave this same advice to two well-experienced professionals, both with years of marketing themselves.
I got off the phone with them, and then recorded the podcast for you:
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Make your networking time more effective…… 2007-03-18 20:28:53 Most lawyers, accountants, financial planners, and other advisors who go to networking
events and tradeshows tend to blend in with all the other lawyers, accountants, financial planners, et al.
How can we stand out, be remembered, provoke questions, and appeal to those who want a distinctive business advisor? You don’t have to change anything about you or even what you say.
This trick is so good, it’ll often relief the pressure of breaking the ice for you!
It’s simple. It takes less than 4 minutes.
First step, listen to the podcast. Next step, ask me any questions. Third step, use the podcast!
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, effective
Stamp goes up to 41 cents. Buy ~Forever Stamps~ 2007-03-20 04:05:47 / FORWARD THIS POST TO FRIENDS
It costs 39 cents to send a first class letter now. It will cost 41 cents in May.
When it goes up, USPS will sell the first “ForeverStamp
” (costs 41 cents)… good to post… forever.
Postcards are still a better deal: Now, 24 cents. In May: 26 cents.
(Yea the chuck rate is high for all junk mail, face it. But it works. Give em a reason to call/act immediately, and give ‘em some reason to keep your stuff around. A simple magnet may do.)
Go to New York Times to read more… I got this from there, well, from AP:
The rates taking effect May 14 include:
– Letters, bill payments, greeting cards: 41 cents for the first ounce, up from 39 cents.
– Wedding invitation (2-ounces), 58 cents, down from 63 cents.
– Postcard, 26 cents, up from 24 cents.
– Priority mail flat-rate envelope, $4.60, up from $4.05.
– Express Mail flat-rate envelope, $16.25, up from $14.40.
– Parcel Post, 1-pound pack Read more:Stamps
Google’s new Ad program: Pay only for closings! 2007-03-24 05:09:10 / FORWARD THIS POST TO FRIENDS
Right now with Google
Adwords, you pay for every click…
whether or not your “prospect” calls you,
e-mails you, fills out a form, … or does nothing and leaves after 5 seconds,
or if it’s your competitor checking you out.
Google has just launched a “beta test” of their new PAY-PER-ACTION program. The ‘action’ can be anything… a page view, a filled-out form, or a sale… for instance, of my audio-book INSTANT BUZZ. I just signed up to give Google a percentage of any quick sales of my book.
Of course, the response is overwhelming: The test is only open for current Adwords customers (which is just $5 to start and takes a few minutes to set up).
You can read more about Google’s P-P-A beta program by clicking here.
It’s very similar to current “managed affiliate marketing” models (like LinkShare, CommissionJunction)… except that it leverages Google’s sea
Is your ad doing what you want it to? 2007-03-29 16:20:56 Advertisements - be in printed, audio (radio), video (tv) - or any other collaterals should achieve your goal. Some marketing collaterals are meant to position your brand with the right target community. Others are meant to actively generate leads right away.
My latest podcast quickly talks about the two types of focus an ad, brochure, website, or postcard can have. I also cite quick thumb-rules for you to make the necessary improvements to achieve the right result.
/ FORWARD THIS POST TO FRIENDS
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Mashup: How many molesters live near you?! 2007-03-29 15:50:41 / FORWARD THIS POST TO FRIENDS
There’s a new website that will literally show where the convicted offenders live. It’s public & legal. It’s alarming and truthful.
It also shows us the power of “API Mashup
s.”
How is this useful for marketing?
Yesterday I was networking with Bruce Mendelson, an insurance broker who specializes in families with special needs kids. As the conversation progressed, he beat me to the punch: Bruce asked me what I enjoyed doing - besides business. I admitted my geeky hobby of learning about Web 2.0 “stuff”.
I told him that it’s like the Wild West Web all over again, like the late 90’s Boom… there are so many Internet Innovations going on! So Bruce fed my instant excitement, “What’s the coolest thing on the Web now?”
More than blogs, podcasts, social bookmarks, and profiles are… APIs. An API is a “Application Programming Interface.” Basically, it allows y
Imagine… WORDS THAT WORK.. to generate prospects 2007-04-12 20:39:19 I often browse the bookstores searching for books that are not yet on the radar screens. Most of the time it takes authors hundreds of pages to get to just 1 of the sentences in my book “101 Business Thumb-Rules: Idea Journal.” (It’s often a prize at my seminars. And it’s a gift when you order 3 copies of my audio-book INSTANT BUZZ.)
The other day I happened upon a cool looking book (dramatic cover)&hellip
; AND the words within worked with me. It’s called Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear. Frank Lutz, the author, is a market researcher and political campaign advisor. He has helped win victories for many right-wing campaigns. I don’t hold that against him… if they win in today’s climate, that means Dr. Lutz really knows something worthwhile!
Through anecdotes, Dr. Frank Lutz showcases 10 Rules to precisely use “Words That Work.” I highly recommend that book, you can buy it right Read more:Imagine
, generate
Get targeted mailing/call lists at no cost… 2007-04-12 20:05:49 I recorded this tidbit as I was driving back from two clients. My advice helped both with their next regular mailing. In this podcast I give you those 2 tips and a way to get targeted mailing lists &hellip
; AT NO COST!
If you’ve used this resource, feel free to post your comments and share your experiences.
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How cool is your local Library? 2007-04-19 01:22:00 Disclaimer: I’m a major library geek. I used to work at my public library growing up. And in high school, I used to hang out in our library. (Of course, it was less studious playing video games on one of the first h.s. student LANs with Internet access.)
And I still love libraries.
In May, the Half Hollow Hills library (Dix Hills) will be hosting their annual Small Business Education month series of seminars. I’m proud that they’ve invited me to present 2 of them; click to read about all 8 seminars. On behalf of the U.S. Small Business Administration, I’ve also presented at Freeport and Great Neck public libraries.
One of my recent podcasts referenced the Middle Country Public Library
’s relationship with the Hauppauge Industrial Association. We enjoy amazing benefits (listen to “free call lists” post) as HIA members. While I co-chair 2 committees: Membership, and Business Development Committees - thus obliged to promote HIA - the benefit
the Sanjaya effect 2007-04-20 04:24:15 —- I just wrote an e-mail to a client giving some advice………………………..
Your website, and e-newsletter, are examples of the kind of attention you can gain from having well-designed impressions. Your business card must earn respect by the conservative, traditional, and old fashioned - it’s expected from a lawyer; you know that.
Going against a strong expectation is a contradiction that may bring on the wrong sort of attention: I’m calling it “the Sanjaya effect
.” However, on that note, with the right personality… you too can pull it off. How much do you want to leverage your personality?
…..
How to make use of your Organization Membership… 2007-05-11 20:14:28 As a professional, you probably belong to many business, civic, and charity organizations. It’s a great way to build relationships: Those you meet can turn into clients, referral sources, and other strategic relationships. It’s also a great way to learn about what’s going on and to give back to your Community.
But being active can take a lot of time (as you know). Are you making the time productive??
I co-chair the Membership
Committee and the Business Development committee for the Hauppauge Industrial Association, I am on the Board of the Cross Island YMCA, and am active in the longest-running, professionally-managed networking group on Long Island, American Business Associates.
Based on my experience, the 6-min podcast below will you a few tips on how to make your membership productive for you & for the organization. Feel free to comment or ask questions.
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, hellip
Target a frustrated & overlooked Community… 2007-05-10 19:03:18 The other day I was walking to the subway in Manhattan and I noticed a Commerce Bank storefront: “FREE DOGGY TREATS&hellip
; please bring in your dog!” Commerce bank has destroyed yet another “stupid rule.”
Most banks don’t allow customers to bring in their pet dogs.
Many Manhattanites love to go for a walk with their dog and do errands - like banking - along the way. What an annoyance to have to leave loved ones outside!! Or to make a special trip to the bank.
Well, Commerce Bank has targeted the community of dog lovers/owners in a clever way: No strings attached, dog lovers can treat their loved one… And perhaps do a little banking as well! (Unfortunately, for them, they did not advertise this on their website.)
Communities are populations who think alike, regularly congregate, enjoy spending time with one another, & talk to each other — especially about products/services that cater to their special needs… let’s see if Read more:Target
Make better use of your Organization Memberships.. 2007-05-11 20:14:28 As a professional, you probably belong to many business, civic, and charity organizations. It’s a great way to build relationships: Those you meet can turn into clients, referral sources, and other strategic relationships. It’s also a great way to learn about what’s going on and to give back to your Community.
But being active can take a lot of time (as you know). Are you making the time productive??
I co-chair the Membership Committee and the Business Development committee for the Hauppauge Industrial Association, I am on the Board of the Cross Island YMCA, and am active in the longest-running, professionally-managed networking group on Long Island, American Business Associates.
Based on my experience, the 6-min podcast below will you a few tips on how to make your membership productive for you & for the organization. Feel free to comment or ask questions.
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, Organization
, Memberships
spy on your website visitors… 2007-05-17 06:33:41 I can’t wait to help you improve your website
. Now we’ll be able to see what works and what doesn’t, first hand. Like the creator of this free website add-on says, “It’s like looking over their shoulders while they surf your website.”
Literally watch recordings of your website visitors - they don’t have to install or confirm anything -
watch where visitors click (even over non-links),
where visitors don’t click,
where mouse hovers,
where abouts they are looking,
how long your visitors stay on pages,
which page on your site they go to next,
how they are filling out forms,
and if, when, and where they abandon forms.
It sounds like the perfect website market research tool. I just learned about it, and about to update all of my websites! Can your website take advantage of this Javascript module? Ask me.
Read more:hellip
Free talking character for your personal sites…. 2007-05-27 09:21:50 SitePal from Oddcast is a cool feature to have on your website. It allows you to talk to your website visitors through an animated character&hellip
; you can use text-to-speech or your voice (record by phone, or upload a file).
Now, to help proliferate their service, Oddcast has created VOKI… a free version you can embed into your (personal) website, blog, or anywhere else.
You can use animated characters (aka, ‘avatars’) to
welcome website visitors,
describe your product, service,
narrate real estate listings or detailed specs
read answers to FAQ,
and anything else you can imagine.
Characters are full customizable to look sort of like you. SitePal offers more customization and even Your-Own-Photo-realistic service (for a fee of course). Voki mentions:
“Can anyone use Voki?
Voki is solely and exclusively for personal, non-commercial use only. If you run a business website where you sell things or you run a site about your business – a real estate agency,
Why would a Dentist want to target Limo Owners? 2007-05-30 15:31:08 Last night I spoke in front of the Nassau/Suffolk Limo Association; it’s not my typical crowd. But Matt Silver, VP of the group & awesome networker, invited me to speak about Marketing. Maybe I had something to offer.
I invited one of my clients, a cosmetic dentist, to come on by, with targeted postcards in hand. I presented my 6 Conditions for Community Momentum as featured in my new audio-book Sales Momentum (to be released next week - woohoo).
While I was describing the 2nd Condition, I mentioned my blog post about Commerce Bank. I then asked the crowd of Limo/Black Car Owners
, “Why would a Dentist want to develop Relationships with you guys???”
Nobody had a clue. So I asked the doc to give the answer. Folks were still bewildered… so I prompted the audience to think out-of-the-box:
‘Tis the season… Proms? Weddings? Engagements? Graduations?
Aren’t limo owners & cosmetic dentists complementary businesses? Sure, the specific c
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