Disqus - Latest Comments for hamiltonwallace

Re: Is your website “telling” or is it “selling”? Know the difference and prime it for leads.Is your website “telling” or is it “selling”? Know the difference and prime it for leads.

hamiltonwallace — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:10:47 -0000

You are right on. The biggest problem I see you mention: sites created by technical people, not marketers. If you rely on your website for leads, you are in the direct response marketing business, like it or not. Radical idea, I know, but people should include direct response marketers on the team that develops your site. Pigtails is unusual because you guys understand. Most web developers that work with small businesses don't.

Re: Maui, HI, Hawaii

hamiltonwallace — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 20:19:01 -0000

headed for Maui in two weeks and would like to find some oil cartridges there. Any advice? Is the strain selection very big, or is it take what you get?

Re: The Meaning of Death – Stephen Jenkinson

hamiltonwallace — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 00:11:20 -0000

Beefy stuff. I have jumped into his work and am still underwater being kicked around by the poetry of it. This being human thing is really hard.

Re: The Book of Supposed To

hamiltonwallace — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:02:17 -0000

Looking forward to seeing you in Arizona. Bring your swim trunks, it's been on the warm side lately!

Re: Jana Sedivy on How to Boost Your Marketing Results with Simple Market Research

hamiltonwallace — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:24:27 -0000

Ah...Craig's List strikes again. I am amazed again and again at the utility this platform provides. And thanks to you and Jana I now know another use.

Re: Steve Woodruff on How to Create a Business Value Mission and Attract Your Ideal Clients

hamiltonwallace — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 11:02:32 -0000

Listening to your conversation with Steve I thought back to a recent interview I heard with the founder of Meerkat, a video sharing app that has exploded. He said "Better isn't better, simple is better." A lesson he learned after several years toiling with video sharing platforms that didn't achieve traction.

The tie I make to your podcast is many of us try to grow by touting features; trying to argue we're better. When, as you two discussed, focusing on finding and describing your unique business value mission is better. Better, I'd argue, because it simplifies your message.

Re: Mayer on Selling For Introverts: Stay True To Who You Are And Increase Your Sales

hamiltonwallace — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:18:24 -0000

LinkedIn is a great option. It feels safe AND can be very effective. Steve, I think you are the exception (learned to love the phone. . .). Most people are better off finding something they will do.

And, introverts rejoice! The internet, with its capacity to get your message in front of people when they are searching for what you sell, is an introvert's new best friend.

Re: Mayer on Selling For Introverts: Stay True To Who You Are And Increase Your Sales

hamiltonwallace — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 10:27:37 -0000

I do think introverts make great salespeople, except when they're required to do some of the more traditional forms of prospecting. What do you say to the folks who work for companies that don't provide leads and aren't comfortable "working the room" or "smiling and dialing"?

Re: Smart Lead Generation – Brian Boys on ‘How To Write A White Paper In One Day’

hamiltonwallace — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:20:58 -0000

I really do wonder how many partially written white papers exist out there on hard drives?? People?? My hand's up.

Re: Smart Lead Generation – Brian Boys on ‘How To Write A White Paper In One Day’

hamiltonwallace — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 10:41:15 -0000

This interview brings up a handful of important things. Thanks to you and Brian for everything! First of all, writing (good writing) may be the second most important skill we solos must have, after the skill that we're selling. We write emails and brochures and websites to get leads. We write proposals to get business. And most of us write reports as part of our deliverables. Few of us have the resources to have everything written by someone else. And most of the important writing shouldn't be written by someone else, anyway. Second, I agree that the power of a white paper dwarfs everything else that is designed to persuade. People still use the internet to find information, whether it's about protein powder or a political consultant. They don't tolerate a pitch. That sound?? That's me clicking off your site! Lastly, and maybe most importantly, Brian's ". . .in One Day" qualifier. How many white papers are out there at some level of incompleteness? It is a daunting thought. In one day? All of us can do that. I just bought Brian's ebook, so I look forward to learning his secrets.

Re: Field Note 4

hamiltonwallace — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:34:32 -0000

Thanks Steve. It boggles my mind at how little narrative is used today with content that is supposed to persuade. Narrative, cause and effect, storytelling, all have "wired" our brains for thousands of years. We are literally wired for story. Narrative lights up the pain/pleasure parts of the brain when lists/features cannot. Is this a "secret" people?? If so, it's the most obvious secret ever!

Re: Mike Lehr on Strategic Problem Solving for Small Business Owners and Solos

hamiltonwallace — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 09:37:46 -0000

First, Steve, thanks for sharing these conversations with us. I don't always comment, but I always read. To Mike's point, or maybe it was yours, the simple act of asking for another point of view from the outside can be game-changing. And, as you also point out, it can be scary, especially for owners who slip into the mindset they should have all the answers. Sometimes the simplest things can be the toughest AND the most powerful.

Re: Grow Your Visibility, Credibility and Shareability: A Conversation with David Newman

hamiltonwallace — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 11:41:56 -0000

I enjoyed the podcast. It's obvious David's ideas come from real experience. Kudos to you, Steve, for continually finding people who are making a difference out there with authentic, practical advice and ideas.

Re: Peter Byrne on the Art of Building a Successful Virtual Company

hamiltonwallace — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:57:21 -0000

I used Adobe ConnectPro for years because it was totally browser-based and included video. I switched to GotoMeeting recently because they added video, no longer require a download to join meetings and Adobe support is simply awful. I'm very happy with GotoMeeting.

Re: Peter Byrne on the Art of Building a Successful Virtual Company

hamiltonwallace — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:12:27 -0000

Good discussion, Steve. I'm continually struck by how important the simple things are; like initiating person-to-person contact. My relationships are one-tenth the size Peter talks about, so physically getting face-to-face is less relevant for me. BUT, I do find allowing a potential client to look me in the eye via a video net meeting is critical to my building comfort with people early in the sales cycle.

Re: Power-up Your Marketing with Google AdWords: An Interview with Hamilton Wallace

hamiltonwallace — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 18:21:02 -0000

Good for you, Greg. My best advice: treat Adwords like a garden. It needs tending often, and consistently if you want something to grow (like leads!).

Re: How To Double Your Productivity

hamiltonwallace — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:50:57 -0000

There are a couple apps that do this, both free. Google Pomodoro Technique and Perrladorro. Full disclosure, PERRLA is a client. But both work well and can be set for any amount of time, including 50 minutes. And, finally, yes, this is a great technique; and simple too.

Re: Bid on a Storage Unit, Find a Fortune

hamiltonwallace — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:17:46 -0000

Really, this is a Special Report on a "News" station? Really?

Re: louisgray.com: Why I Turned In My iPhone and Went Android

hamiltonwallace — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:55:23 -0000

I went to the EVO from an HTC Touch Pro (Windows Mobile 6.1), which I enjoyed very much. The Android platform is wonderful; a whole new environment I was late embracing. Apple is in the enviable but difficult position of needing to "dazzle us again" to maintain a perception of leadership. The last two upgrades to the iPhone haven't dazzled enough to change the momentum toward Android. Unless you're rooting for one side or the other, we're all winners.

Re: Magic Advertising Words - A Brief Update

hamiltonwallace — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:39:35 -0000

It's interesting how few people include product with the marketing mix anymore. The reason Subaru's "mediocre" advertising campaign is working is because they make cars people want to buy. What an amazing strategy, eh?! I hope the magazine remembers good branding starts with something people actually want to buy.

Re: 5 Tips for Getting More from LinkedIn

hamiltonwallace — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:41:18 -0000

I've made some good contacts by asking and answering questions. I have found, however, that most of the people doing the asking are people like me, not my target prospect. I will look into groups. Thanks.

Re: Marketing is Not a Substitute for a Great Product or Service

hamiltonwallace — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:37:06 -0000

Great point. We're invited into companies to boost sagging sales and owners don't want to hear about the fact their product may be less relevant than, oh, say, when sales were NOT sagging. They just want a new ad. Which isn't always the solution. I can't just fault owners, however. Marketing and advertising people, at least in the small business world, tend not to want to take on product issues. They just want to do a new ad. ALL of us need to make sure we're not focused solely on a new coat of paint.

Re: While Twitter Jumps The Shark The Cool Kids Jump To FriendFeed

hamiltonwallace — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:21:39 -0000

I'm relatively new to social media and am trying "them all." FriendFeed is by far the most useful.