Duncan McAdams

Just Quietly, Two Secret Email Marketing Tips

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email marketing

One Of The Most Successful Marketing Tools Around

Email marketing is a brilliant marketing tool and one I’ve been guilty of not using enough in the past. If you have someone’s email address and they have given you permission to send you emails then it’s extremely valuable.

I’ve been going to the same barber on and off for the last year. They have my email address. I haven’t heard anything from them at all. No specials, no referral requests, no reason to call in again. That leaves me fickle, unloved and no reason to remain loyal. I’ve been involved with numerous networking groups in the past and know a ton of people. I have only heard from a few of them regularly, once a month. A great IT and Finance company, but that’s it.

There is no threat of spamming and as long as people can opt out you won’t get accused of this. If you know people and they know you then email is a great way to connect BUT… yes there is a but!!  As long as you aren’t trying to compete for a BAAF award – Boring As All Fook Award.

Back to the IT guy and the financial dudes and a few others that email me on a monthly basis.

    1. Monthly is really not enough.
    2. Your emails are so boring its like chewing cardboard!

Every time you email me I have to think twice about who you are so once a month is a frigging long time between drinks. 12 emails a year, far out you can do better than that.

Next the content.

Here’s the list you need to write great content:

Incredibly Enticing Or Interesting Headline:

It Dude: “Guess What We Found In Someones Computer Yesterday?” or

“Paul Got Hacked & Nearly Lost Everything. Here’s What happened.”

Financial dude: “Woman’s Husband Dies And She Finds Out His Hidden Savings. What Can She Do?” or

“Gloria’s Amazing Insurance Story…”

This type of headline is called a “Curiosity Headline” and buggar me I want to know more!! Do you?

Clients Stories Are Gold

Most business owners like you have an interesting story to tell that is all about your clients rather than just about your amazing service. Look back over the years to all the people/characters that you have ever dealt with and simply tell their stories. Keep them honest but hide identities where necessary but stop writing boring twat that interests no one please.

In fact your past clients should give you an enormous amount of content.

If you want great writing examples or really want to get into the swing of it check out Reddit or Quora. Use yourself as the dummy and see what headlines and stories jump out at you that compel you read further.

Now of course I have to take a dose of my own medicine and email frequently with interesting content as I don’t want to be a BAAF entrant.

Stand by…

Advertising On Social Media Part 1

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social-media-advertising

Advertising That Gets A Return

The problem with advertising is none of us went to Advertising Elective 101 to learn about effective advertising. Not many of us have a clue about what makes a great advert. Even more importantly how to get a return from any advertising spend.

If you’re advertising in most cases you’re interrupting someone’s Youtube choice or social media feed and just like the ole TV channel surfing you’re cut off at the knees and ignored (or swiped away).

Advertising Rule #1

There’s Rule Of Advertising Number #1 you must be compelling enough to get someone’s attention. By the way we are not brand building here. Small business owners rarely have the funds to “grow their brand”. You advertise, some one buys, you advertise again. No sales, no more advertising; simple eh?

Do you yell at people to get their attention? Yes! Do you pique their curiosity? Yes. Do you appeal to their greedy bargain hunting neural connectors? Yes. Do you drive home their pain? Yes! Depending on your audience or product you need to get people’s attention. “Hey client-person-chocolate lover check this out RIGHT FOOKIN NOW!!!!” (in any advert its called a headline just so you know!)

Advertising Rule #1b

Okay so you have got their attention, for a split second, what’s next? The next compelling part of your advert must be an offer. Don’t explain how wonderful you are or how big your factory is – give something that will make them throw the undies centre stage. You don’t have time to ramble on about you – its got to be about them and what them gets! Maybe even give them a freebie, a sample or a soupçon of what’s to come.

Advertising Rule #1c

The next effective part of your advert is getting a customer to say how good they feel about their purchase and why? Call it a testimonial or review or client love affair with you just get them raving.

Advertising Rule #1d

The last little piece of advice is the call to action and why they need to act now. Explain how people can buy extremely fookin clearly. Where is your big fat buy button?

All of this in a matter of seconds on whichever platform you think is appropriate or where your customers hang out.

There’s today’s challenge for you. Write a great ad. Read this book or call me and I’ll help. 0466 309 020

Goal Setting – A Complete Guide

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goal setting

“I live my life by kicking goals” Author’s misinterpretation of a Tom Waits song.

Getting ourselves emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically in tune requires some goals to be set and these goals need to be inspiring enough for you to want to achieve them. Goal setting in all areas of your life is a fantastic way of organising yourself and really achieving your desire outcomes not just in business. I have always likened it to a recipe, a recipe for life if you will – get the best ingredients, following the instructions, add a bit of your own inspiration and spice, control the heat and serve with style. 

Let us get back to the basics so if you have never really set goals before this will help you start. The most important part of setting goals is to determine the goal is want you really want not what others may have.

The source of the things you truly desire must come from within and be exciting enough to drive you out of bed in the morning with bucket loads of energy. Your life or business goals must have real meaning and scare the beebers out of you. Reach for the damn moon. Go for platinum. Stretch yourself but make sure you fookin mean it.

Take time out to get yourself ready to plan – yes you are now going to plan your life – every bit of it. Up at 4.30am forget yoga, forget the dog, review, reset, renew your goals.

Many successful business people may appear as though they have no set goals or they don’t write their goals down or they rarely think in these terms. Bastards!!

I look at that and think:

“Hmm that’s interesting but they are at the top of the ladder already and I’m not there yet so I will do whatever it takes to join them no matter how corny or obvious the recipe for success appears”.

You need to write your goals down, I say, everyday. Get them under your nose and in your DNA so you actually drag yourself kicking and screaming towards them. Even though your a business owner your goals should be set for your whole life. Being in business isn’t the only area that needs goal settings to be successful. Great business but terrible family life… eh?

Goals: Being Effective!

Personal Goals – How do you continually grow to be bigger, better and stronger so that you can give and receive effectively. What are you doing right now (besides reading this post) that is helping you gain knowledge and learn new things and improve your skills in life?

Energy – How do you feel?-  fit and healthy all the time? Are you eating and exercising enough as well as sleeping well? This will effect your effectiveness as a business owner right here!

Relationships – Are you cultivating great relationships on all levels – with your partner, children business associates and friends and how do you balance your time with them so as to be effective as possible?

Finance – Why are you cash strapped and never seem to have enough money? How do you control your debt and become financially independent? How are you going to get rich anyway?

Community – How do you give back to your fellow man to the best of your abilities? What indelible mark can you leave behind as a legacy for the benefit of others? What positive difference can you make to someone’s life right now?

Connected – How are you dealing with your spiritually? What are you doing so your belief in yourself and the universe are working together to create a sense of inner peace and harmony? When you look in the mirror are you proud of the reflection?

Business Goals: Get the journal and pen out and start writing…

Imagine setting these goals as if you only had six months to live, I’m sure your focus and intent would magnify greatly. So lets begin the process of setting your goals in preparation for some real action.

Seven Golden Rules To Setting Goals

Give A Compelling Reason – Why on earth do you want to do that? – To achieve a goal you need a good reason for even starting the goal. Your reason or reasons must be compelling enough for you to want to follow through and complete the goals you have set for yourself.

Write Your Goals Down – This will help stamp your memory and remind your subconscious to get working on your goals. It’s also helpful if you have many goals giving you enormous satisfaction crossing out the goal(s) when you have reached them.

Be Very Specific – make sure your goal is full of details – dates, times and amounts so it is easier to measure your achievements.

Smaller goals – Having major specific goals is great however your bigger goals will need to be broken down and divided into smaller workable chunks. Having completed smaller goals whilst contributing to your larger goal will keep you encouraged and motivated to keep moving forward.

You Need A Deadline – A specific date is necessary when setting your goals this helps you discipline yourself to achieve that goal and will help eliminate procrastination.

Aim High – Challenge yourself with your goals this will motivate you to set your standards well above what they currently maybe. Look up, stimulate your mind, think hard and move in the direction of your goal no matter how difficult it may seem at the beginning. Make sure your goals are realistically set and achievable with the right amount of effort.

Outcomes – Measure your outcomes on your achievements not any other factor. If it’s not working duck and weave or pivot. Change course, research – do what ever the hell it takes but pay attention please!

Goal setting is so important to do its worth taking a short holiday to a neutral place and spending up to three days planning. Get the physical tools you may need – a wall planner, a diary (electronic or paper), a list of things you need to do right away and people you will enlist to help you. Yes its goals, goals, goals – small, medium and large – you have got to have this activity done by that date, preparatory work by tomorrow afternoon no excuses, set yourself up for success – the race is on and the starter’s gun nearly blew your head off – get going!!! 

Next is planning the action and then actioning the plan and plenty of action is the key – find out what massive action you have to take to achieve your bodacious goals and get on with it. Goals are a waste of time unless you act – they are merely your list of things to do and by when – and you and I know that the time is NOW!