2 Minute Web Tips

Friday, 13 September 2013

Has no-one worked this out yet ??

I am truly astounded that no-one has worked this out yet . . .

When you send an sms there is no signature file attached to the sms.

And what that means is that if . . .

English: based on the graphics by tomta1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

the sending phone number is not in the recipient’s phone contacts, the recipient has no idea who the sms came from.

With the advent of mobile phones with contact lists, we got out of the habit of memorising or even remembering phone numbers.

Therefore, very few people will recognise you as the sender of an sms from the phone number alone.

Why is this important?

Not the least would be the number of sms scams going around – an unidentified sms may be deleted instantly.

In a business context, it means that your sms to a client or potential client may get ignored, or at least deferred . . . which could mean lost sales for your business.

A solution

There is a simple solution – sign your sms.

When people who know me get an sms from me, it always ends with -

Regards . . . Philip

If they don’t know me, then I will add a further hint, like our business name.

Make it easy to do

Typing out an sms is laborious at best, and adding more text is a pain!

So . . .

1. Use the voice activation option on your mobile phone.

On the iPhone and iPad, this is a microphone icon in the lower left corner of the keyboard.

2. Use the Shortcuts option on your device

On the iPhone, click on

Settings > General > Keyboard > Shortcuts > + (plus sign to add a new shortcut)

Create a shortcut that converts an unusual string of characters, like rpp, into a phrase, like Regards . . . Philip

And yes, that is quite simple really!

More ideas

Set up shortcuts to insert your website address into an sms to make it easier for your clients to find you.

e.g. on my phone

whpwwe > converts in the sms to > http://www.hotpinkwebsites.com.au/website-enquiry

whpwcu > converts in the sms to > http://www.hotpinkwebsites.com.au/contact-us

What should you do now?

Set it up now and get in the habit of using it.

Want some help or ideas? Just contact us at Hotpink Websites now.

Quote

Your iphone 5 will be the perfect device to play with while you’re waiting in line for the iphone 5S.
~ Unknown

Remember – Has no-one worked this out yet ??

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Has no-one worked this out yet ??

I am truly astounded that no-one has worked this out yet . . .When you send an sms there is no signature file at ... http://p.ost.im/dnB5Uc

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Are you looking after your team?

And before I even start on the question of - "Are you looking after your team?" . . .. . . it raises another que ... http://p.ost.im/dttnSe

Thursday, 5 September 2013

Business Networking Tips 12

Business Networking works in two ways.One is where you just happened to meet the right person at the meeting who ... http://p.ost.im/dtbHqq

Business Networking Tips 12

Business Networking works in two ways.

One is where you just happened to meet the right person at the meeting who is looking for your product or services right now.

These serendipitous meetings are always welcome, because they quite often lead to a quick sale.

However, the real value in business networking is . . .

hospital (Photo credit: sancho_panza)

in building relationships with people who will refer you to other customers, and not just being a customer themselves.

And as we have discussed elsewhere in this blog, these relationships are built over time with frequent interactions.

You, or your BDM or salesperson, needs to turn up regularly at the business networking meetings for you to build these relationships and create a presence for your business in the group.

Which draws us to the point of this particular article.

If you cannot attend a business networking meeting for health, holidays or any reason, then send along a stand-in to represent your business.

They introduce themselves by their own name, but representing you and your business.

For example “Hi, I am Fred Smith standing in for Jane Green from ABC Enterprises.”

You should also provide any appropriate materials for your stand-in to use, including:

a script for the 30 second promotional talk

business cards

The stand in would ideally be another member of your business . . .

Or someone who knows your business quite well.

It might be your husband / wife, or a neighbour or friend, or even a raving fan customer.

The goal is to maintain the presence of your business in the group.
To stay front of mind with members of the group.

Do it now

Oh, and because you usually only need a stand-in in an emergency situation, get it organised ahead of time.

If you do not have staff at your disposal to send along at short notice, speak to someone now and ask if they would be willing to do this for you when the time comes.

Another Hot Tip

Most of these groups are pretty hot on keeping your promotional talk to the time limit, which may be 60 seconds, 30 seconds or even 15 seconds.

So make sure that you read through the script that you provide before you give it to your stand-in.

Time it and make sure he or she can get through it in the allotted time.

Well, that is quite simple really!

What should you do now?

Find a stand-in and make the necessary arrangements.

Want some help or ideas? Just contact us at Hotpink Websites now.

Quote

Yes, obstacles stand in your way, but so what? When you’re living with purpose & passion, you’ll find your way beyond every difficulty.
~ Unknown

Remember – Business Networking Tips 12

Promoting your start-up business – Part 5 – Networking

A New Network: Part II

The profits of business networking

Feisty Enterprise Tip #12: Get Into Networks That Give You Know-How and Fun

Networking with Strangers is the Great American Business Myth

7 Tips For Entrepreneurs Who Like To Work Alone

Business Networking Tips 12

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Find what worked before and do it again now

This came up in one of our Marketing Review client meetings – “Find what worked before and do it again now”

A new client had been bemoaning their lower that expected sales for the quarter. So we asked . . .

Coach Boeheim Lays Out a Plan (Photo credit: MattBritt00)

“What did you do before that worked?”

They responded . . .

“Well, when we call our past clients or send out cards by post, we always make some good sales.”

We came back with . . .

“Then do more of that!”

It is so simple and yet so easily overlooked in business and sales . . . that

the things that worked before, will usually work again!

It then becomes just a matter of repetition. Repeating the sales process over and over, and making the sales.

Now, it is true that some things do change over time, so always Test and Measure your results.

But it just makes good sense to

. . . find what worked before and do it again now!

So, if you are looking to improve your results in these so-called “tough pre-election times”, then take a look at what you’ve done in the past to generate more sales.

And since elections come around regularly and they do seem to have a depressing effect on the economy, take a good note of anything that you have done in the last couple of months that generated new sales.

Because you are probably going to need those strategies again in another 3 years time !! LOL

Marketing Review

The Marketing Review client meeting is a quarterly meeting that we have with our clients.

website ideas (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

Although the primary focus is on the website and how to make it work even better for the client . . . our advisers often put on their business coaching and/or personal coaching hats and get talking about other factors that are affecting the business and discuss ways to change or improve these areas too.

At Hotpink Websites, we are much, much more than just a website company!

Well, that is quite simple really!