Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: A few weeks ago, I was looking for a consultant to help me with a particular issue. I asked around, got a referral for “Jane” (not her … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Imagine you’re a freelance copywriter… You visit a major marketing convention. There are hundreds of prospective clients there. It’s the perfect networking opportunity. Someone comes up to … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: It was my wife’s birthday last week. A milestone. So I decided to order one of those wonderfully corny, slightly embarrassing lawn signs and have it secretly … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I thought about giving up a few times. It was about seven years ago, and I had been following up with a particular prospect for more than … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I had a weird experience last week. I needed a change of scenery, so I thought I’d grab a coffee and muffin at my local Starbucks and … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: When I started my business in the mid-1990s, I had no contacts. So, in an effort to promote my services to prospective clients, I made cold calls. … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: See if this scenario sounds familiar to you… You’ve completed an important project with a new client. He’s clearly happy with your work. You’re pretty sure he’s … Continue reading →

As you’re probably aware, headlines are really, really important. Using good headlines in your emails, web pages and other marketing materials can help boost your marketing results – while using poor headlines can have the opposite effect. So how do … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: A coaching client recently asked me to help him increase his prices – ideally, without losing any of his current clients. During the past couple of weeks, … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: After college, I couldn’t find a “real” job. So I got a position in sales for a large temporary help firm. After a few weeks of pounding … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Last weekend, I gave up. And it was the best decision I made that day. Here’s what happened… After several weeks of being a virtual shut-in, working … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Next to writing, speaking, and drinking coffee at Starbucks (which I’m pretty sure is tax deductible), my favorite professional activity is consulting. I love working with clients … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine the other day. She’s a successful video producer and boasted that she never has to do any … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Let’s face it. You can do a fantastic job of prospecting, generating leads, attracting referrals and word-of-mouth, and basically getting lots of potential clients to find out … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: A couple of weeks ago, I got the umpteenth call from a sales rep who’s been hounding me since we chatted at a conference seven months ago. … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: When my daughter was six or so the game we enjoyed playing most together was Where’s Waldo. It involved finding the Waldo character amongst a crowd of … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I had the opportunity to chat with a fellow marketing guy earlier this month. He was about to do a workshop for a local professional speakers group … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Since starting this series on prospecting, I’ve received a lot of questions from readers, and also some great tips. Thank you! As I said in my last … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Let’s face it. No one likes to cold call, warm call, or do any type of prospecting. Even if you don’t use the phone and, instead, reach … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I’m guessing this is the umpteenth article you’ve seen this week on setting goals. After all, it’s the start of the new year. Just about everyone has … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: A friend called me this morning and asked, “So, what are your plans for the holidays?” “The holidays?” I replied. Then I casually glanced at the calendar. … Continue reading →

I consider myself a LinkedIn power user and am having a lot of success attracting leads, connecting with prospects, and generally meeting some great people using this site. The following video was originally created for International Freelancers Day, which was … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Last week, I was a guest on Jane Atkinson’s teleclass series for professional speakers. The topic was copywriting, and Jane did a great job of picking my … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Chances are, there are a handful of key publications in your target market that just about everyone reads – or at least scans – on a regular … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I received an email yesterday from a representative of a PR consulting firm. He was obviously trying to solicit my business. But instead of sending me a … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Last week I decided to finally hang a picture in my office that I had purchased – dare I say it? – a couple of years ago. … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: If you’re a successful solo professional or small business owner, you probably have a set of marketing activities that work well for you. Those activities could be … Continue reading →

During a coaching session with a client yesterday, the topic of special reports came up. As you’re probably aware, many business owners use special reports, white papers, audio recordings, and other forms of “free information” to encourage newsletter sign-ups, generate … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Imagine this scenario . . . The phone rings. It’s a prospective client and she wants to discuss a possible project with you. You’re excited. Then, as … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I’ve been doing a lot of marketing workshops lately — seminars, webinars, group coaching, you name it — and a question that keeps coming up again and … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: I recently asked a seminar audience which topic they would like to learn more about: direct mail letters or social media campaigns. Social media won out by … Continue reading →

If you follow Jim Carrey on Twitter you know he loves to invent or, in some cases, completely redefine words. His latest is BOING! — which, according to him, means that something is super special. Or has substance and style. … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: It’s often been said that if you go the extra mile for your clients, you’ll be rewarded with more repeat business and referrals. That’s true. But you … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: A few days ago, a friend asked me to review a couple of pages on his website: one promoting his coaching services and the other selling his … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Movies and television shows often like to make fun of corny pick-up lines. One of my favorites is, “Do you believe in love at first sight, or … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: During a seminar a few weeks ago, an audience member, Bill (not his real name), bravely volunteered to be on my “Marketing hot seat”. Actually, it was … Continue reading →

Click here to subscribe in iTunes; or, listen to the audio version below: Earlier this week, I presented an afternoon workshop to a group of professional speakers. The topic? How to write marketing copy that sells. It was a great … Continue reading →