21
Feb

What is Mobile Marketing?

By: Guest Blogger

According to the Mobile Marketing Association it is “a set of practices that enable organizations to communicate and engage with their audience in an interactive and relevant manner through any mobile device or network”.

gomobilemediamarketing_logo_250x187_hi-resMobile marketers like to define it as businesses communicating with consumers on their mobile phones with their explicit permission at the right time, at the right place while providing relevant value.
 

Mobile marketing is comprised of:

  • text message marketing/SMS marketing; this is essentially the same as email marketing and allows you to deliver a targeted message in a simple, instant and relevant manner. You must be very focused on your message with approximately 100 characters (varies from Canada to the US).
  • mobile coupons

28
Jan

3 Keys: How to Manage Your Email Inbox

By: Amber Ludwig

Do you feel like a crazy person when you open your email Inbox and wish you knew how to manage your emails a little better?

Productivity Tip

As emails come pouring in throughout the day, ask yourself these questions:How to Manage Your Email Inbox

* Is this something I need to handle right now, or is it best handled later? And if later… today or tomorrow?

* Is this something someone else on my team can respond to?

* Do I get this email question regularly?

How Does That Help?

Answering question #1 can help you prioritize so you are better serving your clients.

Answering question #2 helps with your time management. As an entrepreneur it’s SO HARD to “not” do it all. Hiring an assistant to help with your easy admin work load can save you a LOT of time, and you’ll end up enjoying what you do even more.


10
Jan

PRODUCTIVITY TIP: Work Smarter Not Harder

By: Amber Ludwig

PRODUCTIVITY TIP: People always feel more stress and anxiety on Mondays as well as at other blocks of time throughout the week.

I have noticed Monday’s are super busy for us in general, then email requests are strongest in the morning and late afternoon. That means, things calm down from about 11am-3pm.

By really paying attention to this, I see that I should schedule any client calls during that slower window so I am not distracted or anxious during my time with clients.

Then when email volume is at a peak, I schedule no calls so I can knock out replies without distraction which helps me reduce stress throughout the day.

Everyone will have a different schedule with unusual conflicts and challenges. By paying attention to when you’re most in demand, or when you feel most energized/creative, or even when you’re more likely to be tired — all of these insights can help you shape the perfect schedule and flow to your day!


7
Dec

SUCCESS TIP: Take Advantage of Fridays

By: Amber Ludwig

On Friday, many people are fried from the busy work week or plan an early exit. Hey man, This happens to me too so no judgement!

However, Friday is also the day that I’ve knocked out most of my products or written most of my blog posts for the week ahead.

There’s a little more quiet time and with three or four dedicated hours in the afternoon you could tooootally write that eBook you’ve been meaning to write but never seem to have the time for (poke). You could write or video multiple blog posts and then you’d have one less thing to think about.

Take advantage of pockets of down time during the work week —> that’s how the mentors you look up to do it.

They just Get Stuff Done!

So what’s the plan? What will you make happen today?


29
Nov

4 Ways to Reduce Overwhelm from Your Busy Schedule

By: Amber Ludwig

This is a slower time of year for some businesses, but some are experiencing high workload. If you’re the latter, it’s key to prevent yourself from getting too overwhelmed.

Overwhelm causes us to drain our energy much more quickly and leads to a lot less productive environment, thereby offering new reasons to be even more overwhelmed.

Ways to control these urges?

  • I’ve said it a hundred times and I’ll say it again, lol, but writing all to-dos down on paper will free up a lot of brain space. The re-run that plays over and over of everything you have to do will no longer be necessary.
  • Get as much sleep as possible. Forget your usual routines and go to bed early if you can. Stress here again drains our bodies and we are more likely to catch a cold which could then really put a wrench in things. Plenty of sleep and eating right allows us to preform at peak levels whereas when we are exhausted we are more likely to make mistakes and get less done.

26
Nov

Someone Else is Doing What I Wanted to Do! I’m Feeling Discouraged and Confused. Help!

By: Amber Ludwig

I can take it to the bank that just before someone’s website goes live, this feeling comes up. In doing research for competitor websites, or looking for content ideas, we see the glorious web stars who already have done what we want to do. Depression sets in. We start questioning everything we thought we knew. We doubt that we are headed in the right direction. We question if we should stop pursuing this idea and think of a new one.

A harsh reality is that you’re not the first person to come up with your concept. Just like I couldn’t have thought I’d be the first to offer website services.

And when we start a business, or write a book – and we are at the very beginning stages, we are so new that anytime we see someone doing what we want to do, we feel like dog crap and beat ourselves up. Feeling we missed the boat – why try? Oh yes, I’ve had my own meltdown about this – just last July in fact.


22
Nov

What am I thankful for??

By: Amber Ludwig

My family is the kind of family that supports me no matter what, believes in me, is always there and reminds me what’s most important in this world … count one blessing.

My boyfriend of over two years is the kind of man who I respect and love so deeply, would do anything for, and who makes me want to be a better person each and every day. He’s a shining example, helping tons of people along the way … count another blessing.

My yellow lab Bailey is one of my greatest friends. He’s been by my side through so much in the past seven years and I can’t imagine a deeper love … count another blessing.

My company is changing people’s lives in a positive way every day and brings steady income to seven families and growing. It is one of my greatest loves and my passion only increases each day … count another blessing.


13
Nov

End of Year SUCCESS TIP: Plan. Plan. Plan.

By: Amber Ludwig

As we get deeper into the holiday season, people have a tendency to take more time off, rest more, go out with friends more etc. But what’s not on the front of everyone’s mind just yet is to start planning for next year.

In many online businesses especially for speakers, sales may slow down for the rest of the year (depending on the business) so take this opportunity to do strategic business planning for the next 6-12 months.

IF you have a product, you’re crazy not to offer a Black Friday or Holiday special to sell more or sell in bulk. Period. Ramp up promotional efforts ASAP before you miss the rush. The best time to start selling is this week! I’ve already seen email blasts going out for the top dogs – get something out there today or tomorrow.


2
Nov

PRODUCTIVITY TIP: To-do lists are key + project management free download

By: Amber Ludwig

We all have to-do lists in some form or another. Some have twenty post-it notes scattered around their desk, others have booklets. I actually have discovered the most brilliant time to do mine. It’s not in the morning but rather at the end of each day.

Just before I shut down my computer and exit my office for the day I do two things. One, I clean up my desk so I get that feeling of a fresh start the next morning. Then the second thing I do is write out my to-do list for the next day.

I have a sheet on my desk which has a list of every client we’ve ever had, and I highlight the current client projects we’re working on. I scan the list and it reminds me of what I need to do for each client. Sometimes my to-dos are even just to follow-up with a client I haven’t heard from in a while – so that list reminds me of everyone I want to stay connected with regularly.


1
Nov

Full Transparency with Your Clients for a Stronger and Profitable Working Relationship

By: Amber Ludwig

I have found it much more effective, successful, profitable, respectful and genuine to say, “I don’t know” than to cover it up. Haven’t you?

When I’m talking to a potential client, I offer them full transparency by saying, “I’m not a know it all. I’ll always tell you when I’m not confident in doing something. I will always work to find the answer and put forth 100% effort in my work. But I will never tell you I know how to do something, when I don’t.”

I do this out of respect for the client. It really says something when a client makes the conscious choice to do business with me. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. Clients deserve to know your strengths and weakness to make the best buying decision they can.

By showing up honestly and doing my best, the outcome always rocks. But between point A and Z, I think it is critical to be honest with your clients/customers.