Are you doing business from social networking platforms? I've received quite a few inquiries from social networks and closed one deal this past year. So, I can weigh in on the topic. How about you?
This just in from my friend, Lori Steed:
I was excited to see that my friends Jim Ware and Charlie Grantham, authors of Corporate Agility, The Future of Work, and other books, are doing a survey about social networking platforms. I participated in the survey and it took about 5 minutes. Will you share the survey link also with those you think may like to participate? There is an option to enter an email address and receive a copy of the survey results at the end.
The article
http://www.thefutureofwork.net/newsletter_1108_Notes_Social_Networking.html
The survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=pkopp3GCNhBMnHVv82cBdA_3d_3d
After a two month break from blogging, I'm back, and sharing new thoughts and ideas. If you missed information in the past or would like to suggest new topics, I'm open to suggestion!
Cheers!
Scott
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Dec 4, 2008
Business From Social Networking?
Oct 22, 2008
Fear of Loss - Innovations In Business Show
"Fear of Loss: The Savvy Entrepreneur, Part IV" on ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Show
When: October 22, 2008 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST
Topic: "Fear of Loss: One of the Two Most Important Sales Motivators"
Host: Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions
Call In: Call in at (724)444-7444 and enter 37798 # 1 # Text chat online: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 to text questions or listen online.
Listen to the show live here now:
Details:
Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 To hear Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business solutions, discuss ways to use "fear of loss" increase your sales and grow more business today at 2PM PST / 5PM EST.
Some of the top companies in business use fear to sell their products. Why? Because people buy when they are afraid of losing something. The Insurance industry is known for using fear. Automobile tire companies, computer companies, and more. How can you use fear of loss as a motivator for your product or service? Dian in to learn ways you can dramatically improve your sales results, starting right now!
Don't miss this fun and educational call with Scott.
Scott Andrews' BIO:
Scott Andrews is a business professional with over twenty years' experience in executive management and sales positions with IBM/Lexmark, EMC2, Instantis, DecisionOne, BusinessLand, JWP, Data General, Instantis, Sunterra, Wyndham, and ARRiiVE Business Solutions. Through developing a "summit club" and "million dollar achiever" record of success throughout his career, Scott built a series of programs which empower people to grow their success. Scott is currently focused on helping organizations through marketing strategy, sales training, and business leadership coaching. Through AspireNow.com, Scott's articles help people in over 100 countries. He also has appeared on numerous radio programs, including KEST 1450 AM SF, CA Seeing Beyond Personal Growth Talk Radio, and is host of the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business internet talk radio show.
Scott's programs include "Concepts of Selling" "Cold To Gold" and "The Keys To Discovering Your Purpose" and many of the articles Scott writes are posted to http://www.arriive.blogspot.com or http://www.aspirenow.blogspot.com. To book Scott to speak on your show or at your event, contact (805) 459-6939.
It's simple and easy to join - call (724) 444 -7444 enter 37798#1# to dial in or visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 OR http://www.ARRiiVE.com (see radio show link) to visit online and/or text chat questions to Scott.
Oct 16, 2008
Is Your Trademark Protected?
Are you running a business? Is your business BRAND important to you? Are you considering getting trademark protection for a brand or slogan?
If the answer is "yes" to these questions, you might want to consider looking into protecting your business name and slogans with trademark application and protection. It usually only cost $300 to trademark a name; however, you need to first do the research. I suggest you contact a trademark attorney to assist you. That will add a couple hundred to the tab, but it is worth protecting your name BEFORE you discover someone infringing upon your valuable brand!
Before you contact anyone, I can direct you to Garrett Sutton's useful page on trademarks to help you gain more knowledge to clarify how important trademarks ought to be for you. It can take 18 months to get a trademark approved, so don't delay!
Here's the link:
http://www.sutlaw.com/trademarks.html
________________________________________
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Oct 14, 2008
Own Your Own Corporation with Garrett Sutton
Call (724) 444-7444, enter show 37798 # 1 #
Join us for the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Radio Show tomorrow on "Own Your Own Corporation: Which Way to Incorporate Your Business" with special guest, Garrett Sutton, attorney, best-selling author and Robert Kiyosaki's corporate advisor in the Rich Dad/Poor Dad series.
Topic: "Own Your Own Corporation: Which Way To Incorporate Your Business"
How to Participate:
Listen to the recorded show online right here:
Description:
Even though many people are complaining about the economy, the truth is many people are still launching their dream of going into business. And, the important real-world block and tackle questions, such as "How should I incorporate?" are as relevant as ever. In this special interview with Scott Andrews, Host of ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business with special guest Garrett Sutton, Attorney, Author, and Corporate Advisor, learn the importance of incorporating, and how to incorporate, including these important topics:
- Avoiding Corporate and Tax Scams
- Building Business Credit
- Professional Corporations
- Business Tax Deductions
Garrett Sutton, attorney, best-selling author and Robert Kiyosaki’s corporate advisor in the Rich Dad/Poor Dad series, is pleased to let you know that the new and updated version of his book, “Own Your Own Corporation” has just been released. It is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and your favorite bookstore, online at amazon.com, as well as through Corporate Direct and Success DNA.
Garrett’s law firm assists individuals and businesses from around the world with asset protection, estate planning, trademark and corporate strategies.
Garrett obtained a business degree from the
Oct 13, 2008
Feed Your Blog Into Twitter
I've had four people ask me this week how to publish your blog feed to Twitter so that your blog automatically posts an update direct to Twitter.
Here's a handy tool called Twitterfeed to make it easy for you to publish to Twitter:
http://www.twitterfeed.com/
You'll need to use or create an OpenID to use Twitterfeed. It took me about 10 minutes to set it up. Enjoy!
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Follow my twitter feeds at http://twitter.com/arriive. Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Oct 9, 2008
Blog Aggregator: MailChimp ChimpFeedr
Do you ever want to aggregate multiple blog feeds into one readable stream? Collecting blog feeds isn't really that easy unless you use a reader. But, what if you want them all in one easy to read stream, kind of like Twitter?
Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Sep 23, 2008
The 100 Most Productive Sales Forces with Greg Alexander on ARRiiVE Radio
Join us for the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Radio Show tomorrow on "The 100 Most Productive Sales Forces" with special guest, Greg Alexander of SalesBenchmarkIndex.com.
When: September 24, 2008 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST
Topic: "Learn how your sales force can become world class by using sales benchmarking to drive performance."
How to Participate:
Call (724) 444-7444, enter show 37798 # 1 #
Description:
Learn how the top sales forces in business today use sales benchmarking to maximize their success. In this talk, you'll gain an insight into sales analytics, benchmarking for both hiring and promoting, and other valuable tools to help you build a more productive sales team.
Greg Alexander's Bio:
Greg Alexander serves as CEO of Sales Benchmark Index, a leading strategic advisory firm that helps executives understand how well they are performing relative to a peer group and world class levels. SBI is differentiated through its use of empirical data, a repository of over 11,000 companies, 12 years of history, 19 industries and over 250 sales metrics. Through SBI's benchmarking services a company can deploy comparative data sets to identify improvement opportunities available through leveraging the best practices from world class sales forces. In 2004 Sales and Marketing Management Magazine named Greg Sales manager of the Year. In 2008, Mr. Alexander co-authored two books published by Portfolio -- Making The Number: How to Use Benchmarking to Drive Sales Performance and Topgrading for Sales: World-Class Methods to Interview, Hire, and Coach Top Sales Representatives.
Visit www.SalesBenchmarkIndex.com to download a copy of World Class 100 report to find out the world's top sales forces or call (888) 556-7338 for more information.
Call in - it's simple & easy, fun & educational to join the call and ask your questions!!
Listen in after the show:
Sep 22, 2008
Fear of Loss: The Savvy Entrepreneur Series
The two strongest motivators in selling are the FEAR of LOSS and HOPE for GAIN.
When you're making your sales pitch, how often do you utilize FEAR of LOSS to persuade people to buy your product or service?
While many people claim that "fear of loss" is a negative tactic, it nevertheless is proven effective by many of the most effective salespeople throughout history.
Military Generals use fear to intimidate their opponents. Politicians use fear to throw their opponents "under the bus" and win elections. Business leaders use fear to position their company as the "gorilla" and their competitors as "chimps". Salespeople use fear to undermine the strength of competitors and maximize their own product's benefits to a prospective customer.
I recall a saying in the high tech industry, where it was widely known in the early 1990's that IBM, the large technology service provider, utilized FUD (fear - uncertainty - doubt) tactics to create doubt and undermine credibility of their competition to such a high degree they could charge 30 - 200% more than competitors for essentially the same levels of service. They also won business that otherwise might have gone to a competitor.
Examples of ways you can use FEAR of LOSS to position yourself as the best choice include:
"How can you be sure your current provider will be there when you need them?"
"Who will answer the phone at 3:00 a.m. when the system goes down?"
"What training have they received on the products they recommend?"
Some ways you can demonstrate you meet the fear or concern include:
"You're on our mind: With our "alert-status" 24/7 service and 4 hour response, you can rest assured your system's care is in good hands. Not only that, but our "proactive care" program will make sure you have fewer needs for alerts or downtime in the first place."
"You come first: With our "executive alert" plan you will know you always have top priority with our company."
"Your needs - delivered professionally: our people are trained on the systems you use. As a result, we're able to deliver more knowledge, keep your systems running with the least amount of hassle. This will keep your team focused on your business, and both save and help you make more money doing what you do best."
These are examples of marketing statements within the high tech industry that would position one company above another.
Individual competitive situations can get even more nasty. I once saw my coworkers work hard to win a large mainframe support contract - or so they thought. The agreement was signed by the CIO (Chief Information Officer responsible for technology at the prospective company) earlier in the day. During the "celebration dinner", the CIO received a phone call. When he returned to the table, he bore a troubled look on his face. "Fellows, I'm not sure how to say this, but I've been overruled and we're going with IBM," he said. He then explained that IBM made it clear that they might not be so agreeable to offer the code for their new chip if they weren't responsible for supporting the mainframe service. They cast doubt on whether updates would happen in a timely manner and basically said the customer would be a fool to switch vendors. They delivered this message by calling their "friend" on the board of the prospective customer. That board-member then overruled the CIO. That's how high IBM's relationship went. And that is how powerful the fear-tactic ended up costing a multi-million deal for a sales team that they'd seemingly won just moments earlier. Months of hard work and countless hours went down the drain.
Fear of loss is a strong motivator. Fear, properly applied, will help you win more often. Make sure both your marketing and sales pitch utilize this tactic.
Up next: HOPE for GAIN.
How has fear worked for you or against you in business? Comment below to contribute your experiences.
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Sep 15, 2008
Carmine Gallo: 7 Secrets of Inspiring Leaders on ARRiiVE Innovations In Business Show
Join us for the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Radio Show tomorrow on "7 Secrets of Inspiring Leaders" with special guest, Carmine Gallo of Gallo Communications:
When: September 17, 2008 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST
Topic: "7 Secrets of Inspiring Leaders"
How to Participate:
Call (724) 444-7444, enter show 37798 # 1 #
Description:
Fire up your colleagues, customers and employees by learning the language of motivation. In his new book, Fire Them Up, Carmine Gallo reveals the 7 keys all inspiring communicators share. He has spent two years interviewing extraordinary leaders and entrepreneurs like Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, Ritz-Carton President Simon Cooper, Google Vice President Marissa Mayer, and many others. Learn how these men and women use language and presentations to engage their leaders.
Carmine Gallo's Bio:
Carmine Gallo is a communication skills coach for the world's most admired brands. As a former journalist for CNN, he leverages his skills as a journalist to help company executives tell their stories through presentations, pitches, and media interviews. He is here to discuss the insights he learned after interviewing more than two dozen well-known business leaders and entrepreneurs for his new book, Fire Them Up!
Fire Them Up is available at all major bookstores and online at Amazon.com, BN.com or through our partner company AspireNow's Amazon Bookstore.
Sign up for Carmine's newsletter by sending an email to: vanessa@gallocommunications.com. Put "newsletter" in the subject.
Call in - it's simple & easy, fun & educational to join the call and ask your questions!!
Sep 3, 2008
The Importance of Being Different: The Savvy Entrepreneur Series, Part III
"Do Something Different: The Savvy Entrepreneur" on ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Show
When: September 3, 2008 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST
Topic: "The Importance of Doing Something Different"
Host: Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions
Call In: Call in at (724)444-7444 and enter 37798 # 1 # Text chat online: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 to text questions or listen online.
Details:
Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 To hear Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business solutions, discuss ways to be different to increase your sales and grow more business today at 2PM PST / 5PM EST.
Stop butting your head against the wall and copying all your peers. Figure out why most companies succeed where others fail: by differentiating and offering a different look, product, or service, you can dramatically improve your sales results, starting right now! Don't miss this fun and educational call with Scott.
Show hosted by Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions (www.ARRiiVE.com)
It's simple and easy to join - call (724) 444 -7444 enter 37798#1# to dial in or visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 OR http://www.ARRiiVE.com (see radio show link) to visit online and/or text chat questions to Scott.
How Do You Use Twitter?
What are you doing?
Where are you right now?
What did you just post on your blog?
Are you inspired by a website link?
Where is everyone?
What do you need to communicate quickly?
Hey guys! What do you think of THIS!?
How do YOU use TWITTER?
Check out this groovy video that shares more ideas for how to use TWITTER:
How Do You Use Twitter? from biz stone on Vimeo.
Twitter rocks! Use Twitter to discover and receive:
- Real-time feedback from followers...
- Discover new websites and ideas…
- What’s HOT? Fashion… music… thoughts… movies… discover BUZZ
Answer: TWITTER is fast, simple, easy, and concise.
What is Twitter? Twitter is an instant online status update limited to only 140 characters, so you are FORCED to be brief! Hallelujah! It is super easy to add people you want to follow and also easy for them to follow you. You just type in their name and find them, then click "follow" by their name. It's that easy. Then, on your home page, you'll receive their updates every time you log-in to Twitter.
The only thing is, if you follow a lot of people, you’ll get so many updates, it is impossible to read them all.
Who FOLLOWS YOU on Twitter?
You can send updates to Twitter from your regular home page or from your mobile phone or IM using SMS.Are you building a fan base? What do they want to know about you? I like Twitter because I can post a question and get quick feedback. I can also share feeds. I also TWEET when I publish my blog updates as Twitter is another way for people to find my blog feed through TWITTER. The number of people you can follow is limited to 2,000 (to reduce SPAM).
Who do you FOLLOW on Twitter? Why? What are you looking for?
Most people will get followed when they have important things to say, their posts are meaningful, or they are popular to certain other people. Or, all of the above. As with blogs, the more useful your content of "tweets" the more likely you will be followed by other Twitter users.By the way, if you want to follow me, use these shameless promoter links (heh heh):
Scott Andrews (this is ME): http://twitter.com/scottandrewsNote: According to Twitter, you can only FOLLOW 2,000 people (to limit SPAM). However, there is no limit on how many can follow you! :)
ARRiiVE Business Solutions (blog feed +): http://twitter.com/arriive
AspireNow (blog feed +): http://twitter.com/aspirenow
Are you feeding your blog to Twitter? It's a smart way to get more followers to your blog:
http://twitterfeed.wordpress.com/
http://twitterfeed.com/
http://twitter.com/badges/blogger
Ways You Can Make Twitter More Useful To YOUR Activities:
Bands: A band sends their tweet to fans that they're going on stage. Fans tweet back "play XYZ song" so they can coordinate their set list to what the crowd actually wants to hear at that moment!
Journalists: A journalist sends a tweet asking what topics people want to see next, then writes to the responses she receives.
Web Designers: People tweet the web designer their ideas for improvement directly to their @tweet twitter address. The designer then incorporates changes more quickly with the real-time feedback.
Political poll: A politician is giving a speech. People start twitting their tweets about reaction to the speech into Twitter, and the Politician's writers can give them an instant teleprompt to change the speech on the fly with the feedback from Twitter.
Business announcement: A group of users within a large company want to send instant communication out to the group. They send a tweet which is then accessible to all the members of the group to comment and provide instant feedback.
Business PR: Announce new products and services, or innovations to existing products and services, through your TWIT feed.
Personal network: have friends know what to bring to a party or meet at a certain location through your tweets.
Tweet Suggestion: Additional Twitter Tools:
Badges: http://twitter.com/badges
Organize your Twitter Feed with TweetDeck: http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/
Commoncraft Show: Twitter, In Plain English
Twitter mobile and IM: add Mobile Devices
Additional Ideas: Mobile Ideas For Twitter
Icons and Graphics for Twitter: Glossy Web 2.0 Twitter Icons/ Web 2.0 Icons / Graphics
TWEET BEEFS: What would you like to see LESS of on Twitter:
Ok, I'll start it... my personal tweet beefs (yep, that's a Scotty-sniglet):
1. Don't tell me you're having coffee (unless you say where).
2. Don't tell me you're going PEE or POO (nope - don't wanna know)!
How else can you see ways to use Twitter? Want to add your own Tweet Suggestion or Tweet Beef? Please share below!
Cheers and happy tweets!
________________________________________
Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Aug 27, 2008
The Power of Referrals on Innovations In Business Show
"The Power of Referrals" on ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Show
When: August 27, 2008 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST
Topic: "The Power of Referrals"
Host: Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions
Call In: Call in at (724)444-7444 and enter 37798 # 1 # Text chat online: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 to text questions or listen online.
Details:
Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 To hear Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business solutions, discuss ways to increase your referrals and grow more business today at 2PM PST / 5PM EST.
Are you seeking ways to grow your business? Word-of-mouth has always been the most powerful way to grow a business. If you're seeking ways to grow your referrals, this is a show you won't want to miss:
In this show you'll receive:
- Better understanding of the power of referrals...increase your selling power.
- A simple and easy methodology to increase referrals... save time and hassle.
- Advanced ideas to improve referrals... start growing more traffic immediately.
Show hosted by Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions (www.ARRiiVE.com)
It's simple and easy to join - call (724) 444 -7444 enter 37798#1# to dial in or visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 OR http://www.ARRiiVE.com (see radio show link) to visit online and/or text chat questions to Scott.
Aug 25, 2008
Seeing Goals With Mind Movies
Are you able to "see" your goal before you accomplish it?
Some of us are better at "visioning" our goals than others. If you struggle with this process, perhaps you might want a physical aide in the form of software for your computer. I introduce to you two very powerful programs that enable you to create a "mind movie" or "vision board" using the software and some basic techniques with photos and music to bring your vision to life:
1. Vision Board - Vision Board, by Orange Peel, offers a simple and intuitive interface to build the vision boards on your computer that we used to build as collages with scraps from magazines on cardboard.
I recommend The Orange Peel Dream Board Visualization Software:
Using a dream board like this can be very powerful to help you manifest your dreams regarding career, money, health, finances, and love. If you haven't designed your own collage yet, the beauty of a software tool like Vision Board is that you can modify your collage quickly, and it is always in front of you when you boot your computer. Cool, huh?
I created an affiliate program with Orange Peel to make it easy for you to join:
2. Mind Movies - a step deeper and more intricate than Vision Board is Mind Movies, by Ryan and Natalie.
Here's an example of a couple of Mind Movies:
and
One recommendation: try to use as many REAL pictures of YOU with the PEOPLE and PLACES you REALLY want in your life! You can actually manifest something you don't if you have the wrong pic in your movie, so be careful how you go about making it!
I recommend MindMovies.com by Ryan, too:
I can recommend them both to you and know that none of the orders I've received through my affiliate programs have, to date, been returned. And, many people have expressed enjoyment and attracting abundance through using these innovative software tools.
Good luck with seeing your goals and building more of what you want for your business and personal success with Vision Board and Mind Movies software.
~Scott
P. S. - if you're interested in creating your own affiliate for Mind Movies, check this out:
________________________________________
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Aug 22, 2008
Raising Money To Start A Company, Part I
How To Know When You're Ready for A Cash Infusion?
Frankly, you probably aren't ready to ask for money. Why? Because usually the problem with launching a business or product ISN'T whether you have enough money, but more rather how much VALUE you're providing. And, most entrepreneurs who are drawn to raising quick money aren't serious about keeping their business or building a strong business in the first place.
I have a few questions to determine whether you're ready:
Have you articulated your message well?
Are you delivering high quality products and services on time and under budget?
Do you have a solid team built who can help you grow your business?
Do you have a stream of customers starting to line up outside your door?
If so, your word-of-mouth will grow your business, and you may never need money. However, that is when you will most likely be able to receive money. If you don't have "yes" answers to the above questions, I'd suggest you tighten up your business FIRST before going after the money.
I often receive inquiries from entrepreneurs about how to raise money for their business. Well, I can help you write a business plan. I can also help you approach entrepreneurs. But if you haven't addressed the above information properly, it won't matter. No matter how much money you have, if you don't have a good business model you won't success. On the flip-side, if you DO have a good business model and you ARE winning new clients, getting funding will be much easier.
Then, it's simply a matter of making sure your financial numbers and projections are in order, and approaching the appropriate resources for the cash infusion you seek to GROW your business.
The problem with most people who are seeking to get money quickly is they are ignoring business basics and failing to develop a solid base of business BEFORE going for the cash. Now, in the case of the dot-com era, there was an exception to the rule. Many companies wanted to get online quickly and build it first, so they could establish market dominance. However, if you notice, there is still probably room for a company to sell books online successfully, even though Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble already have a strong market established. In addition, there is probably still a market for a better or faster web browser, although my guess is that the next killer application online won't be a browser at all.
True innovation often leads to breakthrough products and services. Have you put out the effort to innovate? If so, you'll attract the business you need to succeed.
Now, if your situation is that you've covered your bases, you have a basic business plan, you've built a team, you have a product, you're making sales and making money, and want to raise money, then let's talk about getting you quick money for your business.
You'll need to answer the questions:
"How much do you need?"
"Why should they give it to you?"
"How soon can you pay it back?"
Once you can answer these questions, and you have a stream of happy customers starting to line up outside your door, then email me and we'll go from there. Stay tuned for Raising Money To Start A Company Part II (coming soon).
________________________________________
Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. Image of $20 Bill from Free Range Stock. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Aug 21, 2008
How To Guest On A Radio Show To Promote Your Business
Want to promote your business to a larger audience? Consider appearing on a radio show. Radio shows are fun, interactive, and an enjoyable way for the show listeners to engage with you and your topic.
My friend recently asked me how to prepare to be a guest on a radio show. It can be nerve-wracking, to say the least.
Here's my step-by-step guide on how to be more focused and highly successful when you appear on a radio show. When you follow my recommended these steps, you'll be professional guest and a welcome addition for any profession radio guest spot you might desire.
How To Guest On A Radio Show
1. Show Agreement. Make sure you know what you want to get out of the show, and what you can provide to the radio program audience. Try to tailor your talk slightly towards the show audience, as this matters to the host tremendously. Some traditional radio shows charge you to appear. Make sure you understand what you're getting before you agree to pay for the show. Many Internet radio shows are free, but they want you to bring your audience to their audience. Make sure you can promise this AND make sure you deliver your audience to the show by promoting it properly, too. This is as important as doing a good job on the show, to the host.
2. Choose an ENGAGING TOPIC. You may have done that in advance, as many hosts want to know your topic PRIOR to letting you on the show. So, these two may be interchangeable. I always find a humorous topic is helpful. Also, a topic of "How-to" can be good. Or something controversial. Try all three at once and really wow your audience!
To come up with your topic, pull from your background and what you want to promote the most, right now. If the host wants your background or a specific topic MORE than what you want to promote, don't worry about that. As long as you can tailor your talk to their topic, you'll then get a couple of chances to steer the talk towards what you want to promote during the show anyway. You could talk about losing weight. Maintaining optimum health. Talk about partnering with winners. Talk about being great. Talk about Living Your Dreams and then practical ways to do this. There are a lot of things you could talk about, with your experience. Pick one that excites you and you know people care about.
Well, a radio talk can be extemporaneous, where you answer 8 - 10 questions - write the Q's then the A's, then talk naturally.
OR
You can plan your talk like you'd plan a speech, where you write your Main POINT first. Then three to five sub-points. Under each sub-point, you'll have a joke, a story, a statistic, an anecdote, etc., that backs up your sub-point. Stories are powerful. From each point there is a transition. If you write it well, you'll give your interviewer the transitions, so they look smooth and professional. You want to build in BREAKS to allow your interviewer to ask you questions. Most interviewers will ask you something (or a few things) off your sheet, out of personal interest. This will prove you know your stuff, too. Those are my favorite moments in radio interviews. The difference between a radio show talk speech and in-person talk is that the HOST will say your intro. So, write the intro for them. YOU will say the conclusion, so make sure that you get to that BEFORE the end of the show and in the way YOU WANT. Many guests let the host do this and miss their moment to summarize!
3. Show Description. Make sure to write the description of the show, and the headline, using GOOD COPY. COPY is the key to people dialing in and listening to your show! If you are unsure how to write good copy, study other talks and how they promote themselves. If you need further help, contact a copywriter. I can help, as I've written a lot of copy in the past, too. In the description, you might list three bullets of what show listeners might be struggling with - and the benefit of what they'll take away. For example:
Weight loss problem/benefit:
Stop struggling with diets that never work.... find the one way to lose weight that truly works and will keep the weight off.
Success problem/benefit:
Tired of going from job to job, trying to earn a buck...get a system that guarantees your will be successful and create the wealth and happiness you desire!
Building affiliates:
Wondering which affiliate is best...learn how to choose an affiliate who will make you look better and put big bucks in your bank account.
Use good copy and your show will attract MORE guests!
4. Your BIO. Make sure to give the show host your 1-3 paragraph bio. Trust me, they won't use more than two large paragraphs, so don't give them anything more than that. Make sure your BIO relates to your topic and also highlights the great things you've done in your past. Drop key names, company names, or programs/books you've written, helped write or develop. For AspireNow, I've always said something like "Scott's programs at AspireNow.com help over 300,000 people from over 100 countries around the world." Find your numbers and multiply them and you might be surprised how many ways you can impress others! Your BIO must make you SHINE so don't be overly bashful or shy about your successes. Besides, the host is reading these things, not you.
5. Your Plug. The host wants to promote you and make you the star. Make it easy for them. Write two plug paragraphs with phone numbers, emails, URL etc. for the host to promote you and your business. Make it EASY for people to find and promote YOU and they WILL! Make each sentence a bullet. Use no more than 3 bullets for your plug.
6. Giveaway/Discount Freebie: Many guest speakers miss this opportunity, but the biggest reason many people will listen to a show is because you offer them a GIFT. It's like having a raffle at the end of a business meeting. After the raffle, people leave, but people WILL listen more when you offer a gift or giveaway. Pick something like a book, or discount on a training course, or if you've got the budget, something sexy like an iPod or FLIP Camera phone would certainly get me excited. Only do this for shows that have traffic of at least 40,000 people. Some hosts won't give you their traffic numbers, so choose how you gift wisely.
7. Pre-show Promotion: Prior to your appearance, make sure you promote your show 2 - 5 days prior to appearing on the show to your list via mail, email, social network updates, and so forth. Promote the show again electronically 1 hour prior to going on the air and you'll catch a good number of people in your network listening to the show. If you cannot do this, then at least let people know you're going on the air. The show host really CAN tell when you promote the show to your list and they really do CARE that you do so! They want to grow their audience as much as you want their exposure! Don't blow this step: it is the single most important thing you can do to grow your audience and secure future spots as a show guest on the same show.
8. Post-show promotion: After the show, if you have permission (I suggest you secure this in your agreement) to rebroadcast, you can convert your show to MP3 and then post it to a website, blog, email, newsletter, or as a thank you download for people who sign up for your list. It can be a valuable selling tool, too, so choose where you post it and how you post it wisely. If you need assistance with show placement, contact me. Don't blow this step, either. I've appreciated the traffic that continues to come to my radio shows from online posting of the show on other guest websites and newsletters. It DOES work, believe me. And, you'll be happy when someone hires you after listening to your radio show appearance, as has happened with several of my show guests!
9. Practice & Rehearse OUT LOUD: Make sure you practice your show out loud, and make sure you have time to cover your main points with the stories and everything you wish to share. Leave time for show commercials and the plugs, and then some. Make sure you SLOW your speech down and ENUNCIATE CLEARLY. Many people forget to do this. You want to speak to the lowest guest denominator, not the highest, so you will need to be slower and more clear than normal.
Appearing on a radio show is good exposure and a lot of fun. If you're considering being a guest on a show, can provide a list of traffic, and have an exciting topic, consider contacting me to appear on either AspireNow: Seriously Fun Self Help Show or ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business.
Good luck with your show and let me know if I can help!
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Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Aug 20, 2008
First Hour Of The Day Matters The Most
Time Management Tactics For Higher Success
Do you start your day by checking e-mail?
Or do you meet with staff?
Do you produce something?
Or pick up a phone?
If you're seeking more success, I'd like to propose you start the first hour of your day at work focusing on the most important task on your goal list at that time.
Most important things in the first hour:
I'm not saying to focus on the most time-sensitive, or the squeakiest wheel. Rather, focus on the most important thing to the development of your business.
Try putting the first hour as the most important hour, and do not allow interference with e-mail, telephones, interruptions, and other challenges to stop you from dedicating this time to getting something done.
My latest tactic is to dedicate 50 minutes, then take a 10 minute break. My break is focused, just like the 50 minute time block.
We can't necessarily control time, but we CAN control how we manage the time we have.
Here's to your success!
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Aug 18, 2008
C-Level Coaching and Sales Management Services
ARRiiVE Business Solutions offers C-Level and Mid-Level Management Coaching, Consulting, Programs, and Services.
In case you're not up to speed on what we offer for Executive Management Services I'll review our services here for you:
Executive Excellence Coaching
Executive Excellence Coaching is a way to gain ideas and insights in a 2 hour coaching session where Scott Andrews, ARRiiVE's CEO reviews your business situation or current objectives, then provides you with a written report with recommendations to improve your business success. Find the missing piece to your business' success by gaining additional ideas, perspective, and wisdom.
Pricing For Executive Excellence: $1,000 per session, payable via PayPal or by check in advance.
Management Training
If you're seeking a way to implement better teamwork, higher productivity, or create better communication throughout your organization, then ARRiiVE Business Solutions' Management Training for implementation of the Diamond-Circle principles will benefit your team. Our methods typically result in 30% higher productivity. We also offer management training through Adventure or off-site training locations -- a useful method to build your team's trust in each other.
Pricing for Management Training: Our minimum charge for management training is $3,000, but may include additional stipulations, such as a % of increased results, depending upon the situation, location, and/or length of time commitment.
Sales Team Leadership System & Implementation Training
If you lead sales teams, you're likely facing challenges building a team and getting them to blow away their numbers. There are strategies I recommend to help you first build the right team, then coach the people on your team to higher success. Our sales team leader training results in 50% higher success over 90% of the time. The question isn't whether you can afford this training, but rather "can you afford not to implement this training?"
Pricing for Sales Team Leadership System & Implementation Training: We charge $2,000 per manager. This involves a two-day 4 hour per day training session, a workbook detailing how the Sales Diamond Team Building System and Aces Hiring System can be implemented on your team, and then additional coaching to help facilitate your use of these systems.
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Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
Online OVERKILL: Go OFFLINE to Grow Customers, with Shel Horowitz on the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Show
This week on ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Radio:
Shel Horowitz on Online Overkill! Go OFFLINE to build real relationships and more sales with Shel Horowitz on "Real World (offline) Marketing!"
Visit the ARRiiVE: Innovations in Business Show (http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798) at 2PM PST / 5PM EST on Wednesday, August 20th where Shel Horowitz discusses:
When: August 20 at 2PM PST or 5PM PST
Topic: Online Overkill! Go OFFLINE to build real relationships AND more sales.
Dial: (724)444-7444 enter 37798 # 1 # to call the show.
Online: Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 or
http://www.arriive.com/arriive_liive.htm to listen online.
Description: So many times we forget that people buy from people they feel they (1) know,
(2) trust, and (3) who inspire them in some way, shape, or form. Let's face it: the computer is a bit impersonal. Are you so wrapped up in all your social networks, email strategies, and other modern approaches that you've forgotten the old-school marketing methods
proven to work for the past 100 years?
There's a reason people use direct mail, telephones, and face-to-face marketing to sell products, even in 2008.
This is your chance to straighten up and fly right and get your real-world marketing act together!
Join Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions, as he interviews
Shel Horowitz, Author of Grassroots Marketing and Principled Profit,
for a special 45-minute show at ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business. It's
simple and easy to call in or listen during the show broadcast.
If you miss the show, visit http://www.ARRiiVE.com or listen here at:
Aug 14, 2008
Liz Taylor Murdered: The power of SPAM going too far
Today's #4 highest search term at Google Trends is "Liz Taylor Murdered". Out of curiosity, I clicked on it, as this is quite a shocking story.
From Google: Hot Trends (USA)
| Aug 14, 2008 - change date Updated 25 minutes ago
|
Guess what: the story about "Liz Taylor murdered" is a FAKE!
Don't you hate when you chase a story to learn what's happening, only to find out you've been duped by EMAIL SPAM? It happens to the best of us. However, I figured this one must be a fake because the Today show hadn't mentioned it, and "Liz Taylor murdered" would be one of those national stories to hit ALL the airwaves very quickly. As of last time I checked, Liz Taylor is now 76 and is still making appearances in glittery gowns with that wonderful smile of hers.
Frankly, I think it is a sick tactic by email spammers to use a celebrity murder to draw more traffic to their site. Worse than that, this email purportedly contains a VIRUS. Icky, huh?
So, why am I writing about it?
The first reason I'm writing about Liz Taylor murdered: To illustrate the power of EMAIL MARKETING If you're not yet dialed into ETHICAL email marketing, you might consider it. I help people design email campaigns and also offer a powerful email marketing software solution for anyone who is serious about doing massive email campaigns without SPAMMING people.
The second reason I'm discussing Liz Taylor murdered: To illustrate the power of KEY WORD PHRASES. If you haven't optimized your website key word phrases you might consider hiring an expert (hint, hint) to help you optimize your website for more traffic.
The third reason I'm talking about Liz Taylor murdered: Because I'm running a simple article marketing test to see if this article draws traffic just by discussing the email spam of a fake story. How crazy is that? I thought it made for an interesting research angle, so that's how I'm approaching it.
We'll see what happens and I'll report back to you on my findings soon.
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Liz Taylor "Cleopatra" photo from Wikipedia.
Article Copyright © 2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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Aug 13, 2008
Simple Product Launch on Innovations In Business
ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Show featured "A Simple Approach To Product Launch" today (Wednesday, August 13) at 2PM PST - 5PM EST! (Miss the show? Scroll down for the UPDATE and RECORDING OF THIS KICK-ASS SHOW!)
Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 to hear me discuss a simple approach to e-mail marketing today (2PM PST) or call 724-444-7444 enter 37798#1# to call in.
Got a big idea but not sure where to start?
Are you struggling with product launch? In this call you'll receive:
- Knowing product launch is more than a big idea...get sure about what else to do.
- Getting solutions to "analysis by paralysis"...get off the dime and get something productive started.
- Feeling like an amateur in a daunting world... get professional advice from a guy who learned from the school of hard knocks (well, and a few books, too).
Show hosted by Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions (www.ARRiiVE.com)
It's simple and easy to join - call (724) 444 -7444 enter 37798#1# to dial in or visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 OR http://www.ARRiiVE.com (see radio show link) to visit online and/or text chat questions to Scott.
UPDATE:
MISS THE SHOW? Shame on you! Hee hee hee... okay, seriously, you're in luck: this call might be worth thousands to you. I've saved it and made it easy to listen to - just click the player here:
Aug 11, 2008
Product and Service Innovation Team-Building
Are you innovating in a vacuum?
When you read this question, the knee-jerk response is to say “Hey, Scott, I don’t innovate in a vacuum. I always ask several of my friends and close advisors their opinions of my new (product/service/website/store layout/etc.).
If you’re focusing efforts on innovation, I’ve got a question for you:
Who are you involving in the process?
Some people think that by involving a bunch of other people means that you’re got a “team” approach to innovation. I beg to differ. I conceptualize that you need different personalities to make sure you’ve evaluated the full spectrum of personalities and perspectives on the product or service you’re innovating. Who do I think ought to be on your team? Check out this list:
The 7 Core Critical Innovation Team Players
1. Idea People.
If this isn’t you, find a couple. I’m fortunate, in that I’m able to “get on a roll” when I start brainstorming. I’ll throw out one idea (which might suck) and that leads to another idea (which might be good). If you’re like me, and think of ideas, then great. Otherwise, get someone like me on your team!
2. Designers.
The next people you need on your team to innovate are designers. Notice, these aren’t operations experts, family members, or other people you might have claimed were your “A-Team” before reading this. Nope. Designers think differently. They stop verbalizing and start DRAWING. Designers think visually. I love designers, because designers think differently than the average person. Designers are visual. A designer will take a concept and immediately start drawing it or combining random objects to visualize, physically, what you’re describing. I’m not talking about a PROFESSIONAL designer. Many people with design thinking aren’t even considered design professionals. Several qualities good “design” thinkers possess include: (a)”can-do”attitude, (b) think and draw simultaneously, (c) simplify complexity, and (d) consistency in performance. Designers also help you make sure your outcome is visually more attractive. Always have one designer – if not more – on your innovation team.
3. Logistics Experts.
By logistics, I don’t mean a nay-sayer, but someone who can think through the critical process of discovering an obstacle – finding a workaround – creating a solution type thinkers. Logistics Experts understand operational process, and quite good at constructing things. These are the engineers, the builders, and also include people who can reverse-engineer. Find one or two of these people to add to your team, and you’ll eliminate problems in functionality.
4. Marketing/Copywriter.
You’re going to need someone who knows how to spin your pitch. Make sure you’ve covered your basis. Don’t try to write your own copy when an expert will help you sell 10x whatever you might otherwise. Tighten your pitch and get good copy. You’ll be thanking me later.
5. Legal adviser.
You will need legal on your innovation team for trademark search and filing when you’re creating a new name. Make sure you don’t get the whole product or service designed, labeled, and shipped and then find out your trademark is in violation of someone else’s name. This will save you money down the road.
6. Accountant.
Make sure you can produce your design or service economically. When you ramp to scale, you do need a bean-counter on the team to make sure your ideas will be profitable.
7. Test-users.
So, that’s the core critical 7 team members of who I believe you need on your innovation team. Do you have other people or personality types you’ve found useful to develop innovative products and services? If so, share your comments below.
________________________________________Copyright © 1999-2008 by ARRiiVE Business Solutions. All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIBE.
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