Archive for the ‘Marketing for VAR's’ Category
Thoughts and ideas on marketing for small companies and, in particular, technology VAR’s.
Marketing Activities that Bear Fruit
With the economy gradually heating up, I’ve been receiving periodic phone calls from prospects acutely aware that they need to do something to attract new business before most of the opportunities are taken. After 12-18 months of economic white-out, these prospects are timid, hesitant to invest too heavily into marketing activities that may not bear fruit. They doubt themselves and the old marketing activities that used to win them business. They’re looking for new, innovative and value-oriented ways to find customers.
Here’s how a typical conversation with these recession-hardened prospects has gone.
New Business Referrals – Chicken or the Egg?
I just started reading The Referral Engine by John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing, the legendary guide to practical marketing for the small business.
5 Customer Truths Your Favorite Coffee Shop Can Teach You
Yesterday, I went to a Starbucks just in front of my office. I’ve been going there since it opened almost two years ago. It’s not an everyday thing but I’ll drop by two, maybe three times a week.
Maximize Brand Exposure with Facebook and Blog Integration!
I received some feedback on an article I wrote for last month’s Mastering the Art of Social Media Marketing newsletter. In the article, I mentioned the need to integrate Facebook and blogs to improve social media coverage. It was clear from the feedback, however, that I had pretty much missed the objective.
Five Ways to Get Thousands to Read Your Next Press Release
To make press release writing less of a mystery, I’ve put together five tips that have proven helpful to me when writing press releases. While good press release writing is often more art than science, I trust you’ll find these five tips beneficial the next time you sit down to compose your company’s next “oeuvre d’art.”
Business is a Dirty Job – Just ask Mike Rowe
“Oh, it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it!” from “We Care a Lot” by Faith No More.
Have you seen the Discovery Channel show called Dirty Jobs, a show that celebrates the messiest, strangest, and grossest jobs in America? The show is hosted by Mike Rowe – a Guy’s guy with a square-jaw, a [...]
3 Top Reasons Why Sage VAR Partners Blog – In Their Own Words
I absolutely dread cold calls and waiting in a prospect’s lobby to be one of three VARS allowed to bid on a potential project. Blogging is a way to differentiate your company and avoid competitive situations. Almost all of my clients come to me asking how quickly I can start. I spend very few hours sitting in client lobbies.
Want to Improve your Blog? Be True to Your “Inner Voice.”
There are literally millions of blogs competing for clicks on the Internet. Yet only a small percentage of them actually get read with any regularity.
Successful Press Releases Have These 5 Readers
Many of my customers were initially unsure what press releases could do for their business. Many told me they weren’t sure anybody would even care about their company and its accomplishments, let alone read about them. My experience has always shown that they are dead wrong. The truth is, press releases are read – even acted upon! – by more people than you think.
Is your company practicing Momentum Marketing?
Companies with a track-record of consistently active marketing will tend to remain active. More importantly, history shows that companies with a well-defined and consistently executed marketing strategy tend to be more successful than companies with no strategy and a haphazard approach to marketing. In short, if a company is not marketing itself regularly then its chances of growing are slim to none.