AROD web Design: Just another WordPress site: Page 2

Case Study: Stacy Queen of Cards

By AROD web Design on July 27, 2011

We are thrilled to have launched Stacy Queen of Cards new website recently. It is a new twist on the notion of branding yourself and your business under the umbrella of a network marketing company such as Send Out Cards.

One thing I know is that Send Out Cards is an amazing tool to use. BUT what is even more powerful is to have a marketing specialist such as Stacy Ryan, guiding you strategically through the process of maximizing its capabilities and consulting you on Relationship and Appreciation Marketing. It’s one thing to setup an account, but it is another to actually have a strategic, automated plan using this tool.
Check out her new website here, but more importantly, contact Stacy for the service!!!

(You can even send a card for FREE here!!!!)

Posted in General Commentary | Leave a response

America’s Next Great Restaurant…How Important is Branding?

By AROD web Design on March 17, 2011

So I was watching America’s Next Great Restaurant on NBC recently and their first business challenge was to create a brand identity or logo for their new restaurant concept. It was their job to put a “face” to their concept and test it in front of 1000 consumers. From the 4 investors’ points of views, branding was highly important and a huge part of the clarity of their concept, not only for the investors, but also for the consumers.

Keep in mind, once you identify your brand, your promise, your business personality, then the product or service must also stand up to the test! Branding might be an intangible concept, yet we all are influenced by it…think of Mercedes or Target or Apple Computers. Look at how you feel and the words that come to mind when you think of these companies; these brands. THAT is what influences buying decisions.

How is your brand and do you have brand clarity? Share your thoughts and/or ask questions about this subject. We would love to dialogue with you!

Posted in Branding, Marketing | Tagged brand, brand clarity, branding, business, buzz, how to use facebook, logo, marketing, new brand | Leave a response

What I learned today…

By AROD web Design on March 13, 2011

AROD represented this weekend at an AMAZING Michele Scism event, “Take Action, Get Profits” in Dallas, TX. It was a Social Media focused event; but learned SO MUCH more! More importantly we met an amazing group of individuals, heard their stories, gained relationships, and gained business building how-tos.

My one AH-HA share for today is….”YOU CAN ONLY GROW YOUR BUSINESS AS FAST AS YOUR GROW AS A HUMAN BEING!” ~ Adam Urbanski (one of the amazing speakers and mentors)

Learn about you, be willing to be authentic, honest and open about your story, share what you know and grow! Be open minded to other ways of thinking and always look within for the answers that are right for you; your business will the EXPAND!

To Your Success And Growth! (AND THANK YOU TO MICHELE FOR AN AMAZING EVENT!)

Posted in General Commentary | Leave a response

Branding Your Live Event

By AROD web Design on March 8, 2011

First, we want to thank Michele Scism with DecisiveMinds.com for choosing AROD to design, develop and brand her new live event in Dallas, “Take Action, Get Profits”. It is going to be on March 11th and WE will be there!

So what do you need for a live event? A short list (not complete, but a good start:-):

1. Banners/backdrop for the stage (see Michele’s in photo)
2. Posters or directional banners at the registration area
3. Binder Cover design (a great take-home and interactivity tool for each participant). Tip: check out vervante.com for drop ship, single item orders – great quality)
4. Name tags for all attendees (Host photo on the tag is a great visibility tool and branding opportunity)
5. Record (audio/video) your event for use later on or for a product series
6. Sponsors and involvement from participants – they build the buzz, offer value, and provide exposure (WIN-WIN!)
7. Amazing guest speakers – they provide visibility for all, amazing content, and huge value
8. Content, Content, Content – the rest of the event MUST have tactical, easy to follow steps to get results (give the participants the tools and they will follow you) TEACH, TEACH, TEACH!

….and remember, “When you get – GIVE! When you learn – TEACH!” ~ Maya Angelou

DO YOU HAVE OTHER TIPS AND MUST HAVES THAT MAKE LIVE EVENTS SUCCESSFUL?? Leave a comment and share….

Posted in Branding, Marketing | Tagged brand, branding, business, buzz, event planning, live event, marketing, strategy | Leave a response

5 Ways to Spot a $100 Million Idea by BNET

By AROD web Design on January 20, 2011

I was reading this article by Robert Jordan (adapted from interviews conducted in the book, “How They Did It: Billion Dollar Insights from the Heart of America.”) this morning and thought it was a great reminder about what is possible, what makes a great idea, what makes MONEY! Do you have a BIG idea? Well think about these 5 Ways to Spot a $100 Million Idea and see if it makes the cut!

Check out article here: http://tinyurl.com/100milliondollars

Summary:

1. Fill a need, not a passion.

2. Identify your customer’s big problem.

3. Get it from your hands, not your head.

4. Make it sellable and fixable.

5. Get help developing it.

Posted in General Commentary | Leave a response

Business SEQUENCING & Marketing STRATEGY! Check This Out!

By AROD web Design on January 19, 2011

So today I wanted to share some offline and online marketing ideas along with the sequencing of who to hire first so YOU can make more money with your business.

SEQUENCING:
Spend money in this order:
1. House support – Get your time back by hiring a maid, someone to do laundry, and/or cook so YOU can market and sell
2. Website landing page/Business Card
2. Scheduler – some to call your database and set appointments for you
4. Bookkeeper – knowing what your numbers truly are and your profit will help you focus your intention on what you want your goal to be and make it happen.
5. Sales leads data manager

Also, here are the basic functions of running a business. Make sure you have your bases covered:

1. Marketing ( names emails database)
2. Selling
3. Accounting
4. Fulfillment of products/services (team)
5. Customer service (Customer Follow up and upselling)
6. Technology and Systems for easy duplication
A. Marketing system
B. Sales system (CRM – tracking leads, customers and accounts – Zoho.com is a good one!)
C. Accounting (Quickbooks works just fine:-)

CONSIDER THESE MARKETING STRATEGIES and make sure you are TRACKING YOUR MARKETING!

Pick 5 of OFFLINE

Free offline methods:
1. Speak (use a sale sheet about what your speak topics are)
2. Community events (partner with someone )
3. Charity events
4. Radio—be interviewed and/or have a blog radio show (BlogTalkRadio is free I beleve)
5. TV
6. Referrals – ask for referral from your current database and then NETWORK
7. Joint Venture
8. Endorsements from patients and partners
9. Launch party or open house once or twice a year. HAVE YOU HAD A RIBBON CUTTING EVENT FROM YOUR CHAMBER?

Low cost offline methods
1. Flyers (testimonials, face, clear message)
2. Advisory boards
3. Radio-buy advertising
4. TV infomercials
5. PR (books, new product) press releases
6. Direct mail
7. Endorsements (paid)
8. Ad cards or value packs, money mailers
9. Car wraps/magnets

Pick 5 of ONLINE:
1. Web Page with webform connected to email marketing database
2. Email marketing
3. Social media
4. Article marketing
5. Blog
6. Pay Per Click and Search Engine Optimization (paid advertising so people find your site)
7. Expert column
8. Affiliate marketing
9. Contributing Author to someone’s blog or article site

So NOW what? Just get your sequencing down, have your systems and team in place and pick 10, YES 10, marketing strategies to do simultaneously and get going! Need additional help? Just ask

Posted in General Commentary, Marketing | Tagged business, business plan, fast cash, marketing, sequencing, strategy, success, team | Leave a response

2011: One Goal On Your List Should Be…..

By AROD web Design on January 10, 2011

WRITE A BOOK! (It is one of my goals for 2011)

You ask why? One, because we ALL have something to say, something to share, a story to tell, and a unique perspective. Two, books are a means to an end; they create buzz, a revenue stream, and leading authority in your industry! If you are stumped on what to write, look at these ideas to get inspired:

1. Your blog
2. Your 20 “How To” Tips – Expand on them in your book
3. Your client’s and prospect’s most Frequently Ask Questions
4. Talk about what makes your “heart sing!”
5. Collaborate and have multiple co-authors in your given industry

If you are STILL having writers block, I say find a writing coach. We actually have a great new client, Karen Lynn Maher (welcome to the AROD family, Karen!) that does just that OR she and her team ghost write and walk you through the entire book writing process, from planning to publishing.