Building Relationships Online

Help Me Fill “The Brag Bag”

By Melanie Kissell 34 Comments

Did you know your target audience EXPECTS you to brag?

It’s true!

No one wants to work with a loser, right?

Bragging the right way will help you build relationships while you increase sales and revenue.

Everybody likes to hire professionals or purchase products or services they can brag about.

Your potential customers and clients want to hear about …

Obstacles you’ve overcome
Success stories of clients you’ve worked with
Awards you’ve won
Contests and challenges you’ve entered or sponsored
Your sales volume for the month
Those glowing testimonials from happy customers
Successful collaborations with colleagues
Charities and causes you support and believe in
Products or services you offer that help change people’s lives
Business-building tools and software you love
Coaches and mentors who have helped you succeed
The blog post that earned you 100′s of comments
Your proudest moment as an entrepreneur
Times you’ve been in the spotlight
Your secret sauce for success

So don’t believe it when someone tells you “bragging” is bad.

It’s just the opposite – it’s good for business — and it’s essential to your success.

So …
If you could choose just ONE thing to “brag” about today, what would it be?

Post it in the comment box and let’s see how fast we can fill “The Brag Bag”!

Two Ears and One Mouth – Do the Math

By Melanie Kissell 41 Comments

Have you noticed how much talking everyone is doing on the internet?

Some people refer to it as noise.

People are Tweeting up a storm on Twitter.
Blog posts and articles are being published by the thousands.
Facebook status updates are rolling in like there’s no tomorrow.
Teleseminars and webinars abound.
Group discussions on LinkedIn are too numerous to count.
Internet tv and radio channels are sprouting up faster than weeds.
New freebie offers keep appearing as if magic.
Podcasts and videos are being produced at lightning speed.

To coin a phrase from my friend, Martha Giffen, “It’s all good!”

It’s not only good, but all the talking people are doing is essential to success as an online marketer.

BUT …

With all the “talking” going on …

Who’s doing the “listening”?

Do the math — Maybe there’s a reason we have TWO ears and ONE mouth.

Listening is a critical communication skill. If you want people to listen to what you have to say and your intention is to build a lasting relationship with your target audience, you’ve got to stop some of the talking and learn to be a better listener.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who won’t let you get a word in edgewise? You can’t shoehorn in a word if you tried?

That person was doing zero listening.

So don’t just jump from one online activity to the next, to the next, to the next in an effort to gain the attention of your target market.

Instead, become a better listener by tuning in to the needs of your prospects, customers, and clients.

Listen to the questions they’re asking.
Listen to the problems they’re facing.
Listen for emotional triggers and clues to their frustrations.
Listen to the comments they post on your blog.
Listen to discussions they’re having on forums and in groups.

How well you listen has a major impact on your effectiveness as a small business owner, your ability to influence and persuade, and on the quality of your relationships with others.

So listen up!

Have you mastered the skill of listening?
How do you listen to your target audience?

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Customer Care, Entrepreneurs, Online Marketing, Small business owners Tagged With: Facebook, Internet Radio, LinkedIn, Listening skills, Online marketing, Small business, Target market, Teleseminars, Twitter, Webinars

“F” is for Friday and Fun and Four-legged Furry Friends

By Melanie Kissell 32 Comments

It’s Friday and I feel like having some fun.

We’re all working our fannies off to create a presence online, blogging our little hearts out, and trying to make some sense of this crazy thing called internet marketing.

So let’s take a break from talkin’ shop and lean toward the lighter side of life!

Do you have four-legged furry family members? Or know someone with pets?

I couldn’t stop laughing when I read what Melinda wrote here:
“What I Could Have Done With $900″

And if you’ve ever forked out the BIG BUCKS to a veterinarian, this post will resonate with you!

I love a person with a sense of humor. No other asset you own is more valuable.

Talking about fun and four-legged furry family members …

My friend, Keith Davis, had a cat that could open doors (so he claims) and his friend, Courtney, says her cat walks through walls.

Oh, brother.

Can you believe these people I meet online?!

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Humor, Making money on the internet Tagged With: Blogging, Cat, Dogs, Humor, Internet marketing, Keith Davis, People, Pets, Veterinarian

“Tug of War” For Entrepreneurs

By Melanie Kissell 30 Comments

Website or Web Presence.

Which one is tugging harder?

You can have a website that resembles designer fashionwear — with all the latest trendy tools and trimmings.

Peachy.

I mean, after all, who doesn’t want to LOOK good, right? And not only is form important, so is function. You’ve got to have a website that’s working for you — easy to navigate, captivating content, and one that won’t have people clicking away in seconds.

Your work is cut out for you.

It’s not an onvernight accomplishment to design a website that educates, enriches, entertains, and engages your target audience.

Website is pulling pretty hard on that rope!

But what about web presence?

I’m sure you know this by now. To have success on the internet, you’ve got to be seen everywhere. You can’t hang around on your website all day and expect to create a presence online. Ain’t gonna happen.

But being seen everywhere takes mounds of time.

Joining conversations on Twitter, answering questions on Quora and LinkedIn, participating in forum discussions, submitting articles to article directories, interacting on Facebook, recording audios, doing interviews, hosting teleseminars, publishing blog posts — WHEW! And this is only a partial list.

Looks like web presence is pulling pretty hard on that rope, too!

So which one is going to win the entrepreneurial game of “Tug of War”?

Website?

Or Web Presence?

You tell me.

Filed Under: Blogging, Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Internet Marketing Tools, Social Media Marketing, Social Networking Tagged With: Facebook, LinkedIn, Online Communities, Online Visibility, Quora, Social Networking, Tug of war, Twitter, website design

First Ever “No Questions Asked” Interview

By Melanie Kissell 12 Comments

Solo Mompreneur exclusive!

Today I’m excited to post an extraordinary interview with Leanne Chesser and Cheryl Wilms of WAHM Solution — my first ever “No Questions Asked” interview.

How is it possible to interview someone without asking any questions? Not one single question??

Click the WAHM Solution logo below and find out!

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Blogging, Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Making money on the internet, Moms in Business, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: Blogging, Cheryl Wilms, Leanne Chesser, passion and purpose, WAHM Solution, work at home moms, Work Life Balance

Themed Content – Not A Grab Bag

By Melanie Kissell 36 Comments

There’s no telling what you’ll find on some people’s blogs on any given day. Have you ever been to a proverbial “grab bag” blog?

Visit one day, and you’ll find a post about personal development.

Visit a few days later, and you’ll be reading a product review.

The following week, it’s a pictorial post of last summer’s family vacation photos.

Next visit, it’s a music video with editorial comment.

Following month, the author is asking you to take a survey about heartburn and indigestion.

Can anyone see the problem here?

Better question …

Can anyone tell me this blog’s “theme”? Can you guess the purpose of this blog?

I wouldn’t be able to figure it out. There’s not even the slightest hint of consistency.

If you’re blogging for business, crafting a ‘grab bag’ of posts is going to confuse your target audience.

Remember …

A confused audience WON’T take action.

And chances are really good they’ll have no desire to come back and reach into your grab bag for more surprises.

“Mystery” and “Suspense” are great if you’re writing a book or screenplay or even a speech, but not if you’re working to brand yourself and your business.

Your target audience has questions, issues, concerns, and problems they want solved. And they’re counting on your ‘themed content’ for support, inspiration, motivation, and answers.

Filed Under: Authors, Blogging, Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Inspiration, Making money on the internet, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: Blog, Social Media, WordPress

Even The Sharpest Knife Can’t Carve Its Own Handle

By Melanie Kissell 40 Comments

I’m stubborn.

And I’m a capable, independent, self-starter.

Just for good measure, let’s throw in a straight ‘A’ student all throughout my years in academia.

Not to mention how proud I am when I can replace the mechanism inside the toilet tank all by myself!

I don’t have just one little measly toolbox, I’ve got two big ones and an entire array of power tools (I love my B & D drill and my Makita palm sander).

But guess what?

All my capabilities, independent nature, smarts, and stubbornness combined aren’t enough to transform me into a successful entrepreneur.

Why?

No one can build a business alone.

I certainly can’t. It took me three years of struggling on my own to reach that conclusion. And if you believe YOU can do it flying solo, you’re in for a long haul and some big disappointments.

Build community and camaraderie and don’t be too proud to reach out for some help.

Remember …

Even the sharpest knife can’t carve its own handle.

Filed Under: Building relationships online, Business Plan, Education and training, Organize Your Online Business, Outsourcing, Small business owners, Starting Out Small Tagged With: Business, Knife, Makita, Power tool, Tools

Find Your Voice, Take A Risk And Tell Your Story

By Melanie Kissell 22 Comments

I know. It can be scary.

The most prolific writers, public speakers, authors, coaches, and avid bloggers will encourage you and urge you to think about the importance of story in your life.

So take in a deep breath, go out on a limb, and tell your story.

Unmasking what’s behind the development of your programs, products, and services is the most compelling piece of marketing strategy you own.

Nothing is more powerful or empowering than chiseling away at the exterior to reveal the human spirit within.

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. “

~ Stephen R. Covey

The moment I crossed over that scary imaginary line and decided to stop keeping my story to myself, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. Not to sound cliché, but the process was very therapeutic. I realized it was really what I needed to do all along. I needed a shift in my thinking. I needed to stop fighting the reluctance and find the gumption and the guts to just do it.

Courage is a strange animal and an even stranger phenomenon.

Once you embrace a tad bit of courage, the more courageous you’ll become.

Telling your story will move you directly down a path to “finding your voice”. It will literally cement you in to a whole new way of thinking, engaging, and living your life (and working your business!)

What’s the significance of story in your life?

Leadership Hall of Fame: Stephen R. Covey, Author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” (fastcompany.com)

Filed Under: Authors, Blogging, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Public speaking, Storytelling, Write a book Tagged With: Authors, Books, Courage, Human, Internet business success, Marketing your services online, Spirit, Stephen R. Covey, Write a book

20 Best Blogging Tips – Compliments of Members of the Tweet Like Comment Club

By Melanie Kissell 27 Comments

Enjoy these blogging tips from 20 members of the “T.L.C. Club”, jot down the ones that resonate with you, and get out into the blogosphere and rock your blog!

Sweepy Jean: I try to limit the post length to about 500 words. We all have good intentions, but with so many blogs competing for attention, the shorter ones are going to be read fully, the others maybe will be skimmed over. I don’t go crazy over it, and occasionally the subject matter requires more space. But when I hit the 500 word mark, I know it’s time to wrap it up or if possible, edit it down.

Maureen Hunter: Although a relatively new blogger I would have to say from my own experiences, blog about what fires your Mojo. Write about what you know of, inspires you, or feel would be of most benefit to others. Don’t be afraid to show something of yourself that others can relate to.

Hajra Khatoon: One thing that I keep in mind is that I keep my posts within a word limit. When I hunt blogs, I find that I lose interest when the post is way too long. So I decided to keep mine at a length that is able to capture and hold the readers interest and attention.

Veronica Campos-Hallstrom: Although I have a running list of ideas, in the middle of the night something may come to mind that is worth writing down. So, get your fresh idea on paper or print before it slips away, even if you sacrifice your sleep – you can always take a power nap the next day!

Dani Nir-McGrath: I always get inspired at off times when I can’t actually write a blog…kids are in the tub, driving, or putting the kids to sleep. So, when my brain is creative, I want to capture the thought so I don’t lose it. I just jot down the theme and maybe a sentence or two (or maybe a heading) that I’m thinking. If I can’t write, I call and dictate the thoughts on my home voicemail from my cell while I’m driving or send a text on my phone with the thoughts from tub-side. Then when I’m sitting down to blog, I have a concept, a few sentences, and even a heading to build from!

Melissa Austin: Write about whatever “lights your fire”. Find a niche and go with it. By writing on a certain niche, be it business, a mommy blog, or fitness – makes it so your blog is easier to find. Readers will be more attracted a blog that has a niche and stays on topic. Also, don’t forget spell check. It seems so simple, but it is often forgotten. You want people to come back to your blog, not avoid it.

Leanne Chesser: My best blogging tip is to have a theme or topic or niche for your blog and write within that area. Write what you’re passionate about. Also, respond to all comments. This creates a culture or an atmosphere on your blog of “interaction” and “relationship”. And design your blog so that it’s easy to read and navigate.

Janette Fuller: My best blogging tip is to “know your audience”. Who are you trying to reach? Who are you trying to appeal to? What are their interests? What do they do for fun? To be able to able to effectively communicate, you have to have some idea of “who” is reading your material so you can package it in the best possible ways.

Leona Martin: This is from the 31 Days to A Better Blog: Day 1: Develop an Elevator Pitch for your Blog. Why? ”YOU as a blogger need to have thought through and crystallized in your mind what your blog is about.” I like this idea because I have an elevator pitch for my business when I attend networking events so why not my blog, too?! Put your Elevator Pitch on your business card, email signature, and on all your social media profiles!

Amberly Mauszycki: Just simply “be yourself” when writing. If you are writing and your true personality comes out in your blog posts, people will relate more with you on a personal level and want to read your articles more than a post that sounds too stiff and un-natural. Blogging should really be about branding yourself, and if your true personality isn’t coming through in your posts, people aren’t getting to know YOU. I also suggest doing vlogs (video blogs) to develop more of a connection with your readers. [Read more...]