Disqus - Friends of Ray_Edwards

Re: Post Cards Make It Rain Referrals

ducttape — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 09:02:28 -0000

Offline mailing of all sorts is enjoying a bit of a bump with the spam issues surounding email. I was visiting with Gary Halbert regarding this and he claims that his direct "snail" mail campaigns have never been more effective.

Re: Google Just Gets Better and Better

ducttape — Fri, 07 May 2004 16:47:08 -0000

Here is a page that has some more of the Google stuff.

Google Features

Re: Google Just Gets Better and Better

ducttape — Fri, 07 May 2004 17:33:59 -0000

Thanks, I guess I have heard of that now that you mention it but I had not checked it out. I will now

Re: The "So-called" Web Experts Are Already Whining Again

ducttape — Tue, 11 May 2004 14:07:10 -0000

Hey good points...but, I don't recall saying or even implying that all SEO's suck. I was just talking about the one's that were whining before they really even knew what they were whining about.

You're right about the dates I was at the seminar in November of last year.

I'm not really even trying to say that you shouldn't exploit whatever system there is to exploit...again content will ultimately rule...and won't we all be happier when it does.

Re: Marketing – Your Highest Payoff Activity

ducttape — Thu, 13 May 2004 16:14:00 -0000

What about "Show Me The PAY"...maybe I'll keep working on it

Re: Landing Pages Add a Personal Touch

ducttape — Tue, 25 May 2004 05:53:13 -0000

Travis, As usual you make great points. I don't think you can do enough to reassure online surfers who don't really have any relationship with you at the time. However, in this case the page was used solely for a referred lead. One of the great things about referrals is that you borrow some of the trust that has already been built by the list owner who sent them. I do intent to incorporate some of your suggestions in the future.

Re: [tsg] Question 1 – What’s the purpose of a business?

ducttape — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 11:28:37 -0000

I guess I was being cynical or sarcastic or whatever it is that happens to business owners who have been in business over 10 years! Amen to the points you make. I'm just a hopeless romantic.

Re: [tsg] Question 1 – What’s the purpose of a business?

ducttape — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:04:16 -0000

I spent a whole lot of time working with Michael Gerber and he really helped form my idea of what a business is. I don't know that he has any particular claim to being more articulate about it, I just happened upon some of his writing at a time when I needed some direction.

The answer seems to be somewhere between the numbers and the ether of small business. Balance is what causes sanity.

Re: The 100% Refund Referral Strategy

ducttape — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 13:12:37 -0000

As I said in the post, anything that will make it a game. Sure, 25% per referral up to 100% and then put a time limit on it too!

Re: Stop Reading and Start Copying

ducttape — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 18:57:10 -0000

I guess I need to read the book. How about Stop reading and start creatively emulating!

Re: Shopped Yourself Lately?

ducttape — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 18:53:12 -0000

Well, I guess perfection is always a choice but know that it does have a marketing impact.

Re: As a Selling Skill Listening Is Overrated

ducttape — Sun, 03 Oct 2004 09:15:27 -0000

Peter, glad I struck a chord here.

I am serious about this post and am intentionally trying to move people's thinking with what, taken singularly or out of context of the entire marketing picture, could be seen as uncommon advice.

Here are a couple of thoughts to further this line of thinking.

1) Most prospects don't really know what they need so in many cases they will never be able to accurately describe for you their actual frustration or challenge or never allow you to frame it for them.

2) It's all a matter of semantics really, when I read your post...confirm, tell, demonstrate...I hear presenting...you hear listening.

3) Hearing what is meant by what is said takes talent and experience that some may never develop. It is a skill that comes with a lot of work and lot of sensitivity. Sometimes, just having the right questions to ask is more important than the actual answers that are given.

The real truth is somewhere in between but my point is to get small business owners thinking more about how to accurately present their message and take control of the sales process rather then attempt to be all things to all people.

Not so ludicrous really.

Re: Instant Press Release?

ducttape — Tue, 09 Nov 2004 07:10:37 -0000

This runtime error has been fixed and you should be just fine installing the program now.

Re: Instant Press Release?

ducttape — Tue, 09 Nov 2004 17:01:40 -0000

Andy,

Everybody's doing it!

Re: Gotta Get A Marketing Mantra Going On

ducttape — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 08:38:13 -0000

I recently spoke with Guy about this very topic and I shared my version with him but here's the point I may not have made well enough. I am really talking about a personal mantra here and in that regard it must serve the master only. This line: Nothing sells like being real - is the point. But real and what that looks like is a life long project. I think that is why the "brand mantra" you speak of doesn't do much good, most of the time it is either a lie or doesn't represent reality.

Here's some feedback I received from another reader and I think it hits the nail on the head.

"I knew something was wrong but your statement " nothing sells like being
real " was a burning bush for me... after reading it felt like finding a
box of ammo and some grenades just when you thought you were all out... I
mean my problem was solved then and there."

Re: A Testimonial Machine In the Making

ducttape — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 16:26:30 -0000

Lee,

Thanks for the extra point about expectation. It's amazing what people
will do if it meets with what they expected. That's why, on the other
hand, it is so hard for some to get referrals. Their clients didn't
expect (and therefor agree) to be asked.

Make it part of the deal and everyone wins.

Re: Put Your Hands Up and Back Away From the Ebook

ducttape — Tue, 28 Dec 2004 21:46:39 -0000

Maybe we should make this a movement of some sort!

Re: Cultivate a Culture For Referrals

ducttape — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 11:08:25 -0000

Ben,

Incentives are great. It all depends on the culture of the industry. ie: some industries are regulated and forbid it. You can give incentives in many forms though - donation to a charity they support, discounted product, gift certificates.

It may not be necessary for the referrer to inform the referee but, the more involved they become, the better the lead.

Re: A Shoe Shine Sales Strategy

ducttape — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 10:31:28 -0000

Hey Mike,

Hadn't thought of the word trigger but I like it. That's exactly what it is. Haircut was high on my list, new tie, biscuits and gravy (oh, wait, that last one is for when I lose the sale.)

Re: It’s The New New Phone Book

ducttape — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:17:16 -0000

Dick,

I don't doubt that the YP companies should have an advantage over the search engines, the point is the customer is increasingly going to the Internet, like it not, to get the info they need.

By the way, your web site is great. There is no question that if small business owners who do advertise in YP books would take a look at what you are doing, they could dominate their category.

Re: List of Blog Networks

ducttape — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 18:20:40 -0000

Thanks for including Duct Tape Marketing. Considering we only launched about 10 days ago it was a great surprise to make the list already. One point of distinction, we like to call ourselves a Blog Channel!

Thanks again

Re: On the Air

ducttape — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 11:07:48 -0000

Very nice Michelle - I always wondered what you did in your spare time - Hope all is well!

Re: What About A Marketing Vacation

ducttape — Sun, 03 Jul 2005 17:25:58 -0000

Ducks really have to watch it!

Re: Forbes Picks WonderBranding

ducttape — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 19:50:17 -0000

Michelle,
Congrats - well deserved.
John Jantsch
Duct Tape Marketing

Re: What Will A Blog Do For My Business?

ducttape — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 14:48:46 -0000

Evans,

You make a point that often gets overlooked about blogs

"and the collaboration available with blogs gives me a much better understanding of how we are doing with our customers"

What other marketing tool allows for this kind of instant feedback?