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Is Pinterest A Hidden Gem in Digital Marketing?

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People rely on their visuals when buying something. We scrutinize each merchandise we plan on buying and, even more so, when we do shopping online. A pair of shoes, for instance, must be carefully zoomed in to see up close the design, the stitching, the sole, the insole, and so on.

Yes, we rely on pictures and not necessarily descriptive words; This is why Pinterest has continually gain footing in the realm of e-commerce.

Pinterest for Business

As of this writing, Pinterest has over 100 million active subscribers. More than half of these are millennials and are women. In the past two years or so, the male population using this social media platform has risen to almost 120%. Nearly 70% of the pinners come from the business sectors showcasing widely diversified products from mason jars to fashion finds, appliances, and all other sorts of merchandise you need.

Yes, if you are handling a small business and rely primarily on online sales, the Pinterest social media platform for business is a great way to showcase your product, brand, or services. This highly visual platform will provide more insights into your target market in more ways than you can imagine.

Some of its advantages are:

Search Engine Visibility

Unlike before, wherein keywords on pictures don’t make sense, today’s search engine crawlers also detect tags. Add to that the keywords used on each board and pin you have, giving access to potential buyers looking online for the right product or service such as yours. Pinterest had also started using hashtags as search engines also crawl the net for those nowadays.

Free Marketing

Pinterest is for free and is relatively easiest to do. Once you have set up a business account, take a picture of your merchandise. Pin it to your board. Add relevant content complete with keywords or hashtags, and you’re good to go.

Pinners can now pin it on their boards and share it with their friends and connections, too. Some may even copy the link and share on other social media platform to widen the clout.

Amplify Exposure

Having a website is good, but if you want to expand your exposure, consider investing time and effort in this free platform.

Not only does Pinterest have millions of subscribers at your fingertips, but it also allows you to showcase your wares in a more visually pleasing form. As mentioned, it can be shared across other social media platforms aside from Pinterest, too.

Longevity.

Images posted on Pinterest stay on track as long as it is relevant when searching. Even if you posted it months ago, an appealing image filled with equally SEO-savvy keywords and tags would still get the same level of visibility when you posted initially.

Improved Traffic

Driving traffic to your website is also made possible by Pinterest. With its hover button, a pinner can easily click on a direct link to your website. From there, they can look for other pictures and posts to re-pin on their boards.

Conclusion

Indeed, there is more to Pinterest than just a mere platform where images are shared. It can do so much to increase your online presence. Besides, what have you got to lose when it’s for free?

If you love this article you’ll surely enjoy this:

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Good Entrepreneur but a Bad CEO? Here are 5 Reasons You’re Struggling to Step into the CEO Role

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As an entrepreneur, you’re creative; you’re innovative, you’re passionate. You take risks, chances, and you’re not afraid to fail. Your social skills are probably better than most other people you know.

But, a great entrepreneur doesn’t automatically equal a successful CEO. 

5 Reasons You’re Struggling as the CEO

Are you a great idea person but unsure about your role as the CEO? Here are five reasons you might find yourself struggling to step into a leadership position.

You Want to Be Overly Involved

Sounds counterintuitive, right? As an entrepreneur, it’s understandable that you want immersion in all of your business’s goings. Still, too much involvement prevents you from fully thriving in your zone of genius and stifles your team.

A good CEO knows how to let their team handle their tasks without micromanaging. Yes, you need to be kept in the know, keep track of your company’s successes and setbacks, and coach your team to the win, but a good CEO knows when — and how — to delegate.

You Don’t Know How to Hire the Right People.

You’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit. You are likely energized by those who are enthusiastic about your business as you are. But, enthusiasm doesn’t necessarily mean a qualified hire.

The most successful CEOs approach hiring their team like playing a chess game: strategically evaluating how each piece could lead to a win.

You Have a 10 Year Plan

Hear this one out. 

It’s crucial to have goals in mind and success on the horizon, but a good CEO knows that being rigidly dedicated to a plan leads to failure. You don’t know what your industry, the market, and your own life will hold in the next ten years.

A CEO destined for success knows how to plan for the future but is adept enough at business to pivot and prevail, no matter what comes.

Your Social Skills Are Fantastic, But Not Your Communication Skills

Entrepreneurs are a creative, intelligent, and inventive bunch, and people are drawn to this type of charisma. But good social skills don’t mean being a great communicator. 

Creative people often spend so much time thinking, creating and being inside their minds that the communication of their ideas and how they want them executed can be lost in translation. The strongest CEOs know when it’s time to hire a business consultant to develop the skills needed to communicate effectively and clearly with their teams.

You Have the Vision, But Not the Strategy

Goals are where you want to be, but the strategy is how you get there. 

You know that being a business owner involves taking some risks, — and maybe breaking some rules — along the way. But, if you don’t have a laser-focused strategy, you’re going to be stuck in the fog somewhere between success and stagnation.

With clarity, intention, and purpose, an entrepreneur can transform into a good CEO. Sometimes, it just takes help from a third-party perspective.

You Can Learn What it Takes to Succeed as a CEO

Coach Allison Todd is the warrior spirit on the front lines with you and the voice that tells you that you can do it. With clarity, a water-tight team, and a dynamic strategy, you can gain the skills and confidence you need to elevate your entrepreneurship into full-on CEO.

Business Startup Ideas for Less Than $100 (Part III – Special Skills)

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Do you wish to start your own business but short on capital? While it is admirable to develop stellar ideas, these entrepreneurial ideas accumulated from various sources are proven to be achievable if you play your cards right.

Business Startup Ideas Part III – Special Skills

Here is the last of the series on Business Startup Idea for Less Than $100 to inspire you as you trudge into the world of entrepreneurial success. 

Consultancy Firm

If you are a lawyer, a CPA, or have special knowledge or experience in a particular area, start your own consultancy firm. You can provide legal advice or do accounting tasks for individuals or businesses. Got a new method on eco-gardening, gluten-free dieting, and so on? All you need to do is set-up an online site and social media page, market your services and network.

Direct Sales

Go into direct selling for established companies like Amway, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Avon, Nu Skin, Herbalife, and so on. You may also tap local businesses and set up an online website and organize a bazaar or host a party.

Business Startup Ideas for Less Than $100 (Part III – Special Skills)

Specialized Organizer

From organizing events to putting things in order in a home, you can monetize your skills and earn from them. All you need to do is set up a website and social media pages, send out flyers and local ads, and voila! Do make sure to buff-up your reputation to ensure referrals.

Homemade Foodie

Do you have a penchant for homemade gourmet foods? You can create your signature chocolates, cakes and pastries, dips, soup mixes, peanut butter, and so on. All you need is your own garden or a farmer’s market nearby—and your cooking skills, of course!

Life Coach

People hire coaches or mentor to give them sound, unbiased perspectives. This special skill requires strong reputation building to ensure getting a solid following in the market. Quite lucrative, you can charge clients on a per hour or per session basis. Check out Allison Todd for inspiration.

Decorator

The upcoming holiday is a boon to professional decorators. Arm with your artistic skills, you can create the look your client wants for a fee. Take note: the whole year is filled with anniversaries and holidays!

Business Startup Ideas for Less Than $100 (Part III – Special Skills)

Home Companion/Care-giving Services

Help families connect with the right caregivers and companions to an old or ailing family member or their special needs kids. All you need to have is a website, a contact number and email, a solid network of able professionals, and a good reputation.

Rental Services

Got equipment and stuffs lying around at home? Monetize these by renting them out from lawnmowers to chocolate fountain machines, bubble makers, tents, gardening equipment, vacuum cleaners, and so on. Start within your local community and slowly expanding to friends of friends.

Other notable business startup

Other notable business startups for less than $100 are grocery delivery services, tour guide services, e-book writing, homemade beauty products, personal trainer or chef, arts and crafts seller, referral services, promotional outfit, online travel agency, food delivery, and so on.

Conclusion

People often do not have the time to do these special requirements, and this is where you can start that entrepreneurial magic to work.  

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How to Use Blogging To Get More Clients

How Can I Monetize My Skills And Expertise

 

Are you a Micropreneur or Self Employed?

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Micropreneur and self-employed are terms used interchangeably; however, they are quite different. The significant difference lies in how long your business can function without you. As micropreneurs, we are the heart and soul of our business.

The number of staff a micropreneur has a range from one to five. Therefore, you are either doing everything yourself, or every action is carried out under your direct orders.

We love our chosen field, and the joy of building a business from the ground makes it all worth the stress. Microprepreurs are mostly known for three things; passion, ambition, and skill.

These qualities make us willing to go over and beyond for our business and customers, most times, that entails giving every product or client our personal care and touch.

However, when this happens, we are no longer micropreneurs but instead self-employed. Been the nexus of your business can give you a feeling of control. However, it can leave your business weak and liable to attacks from unforeseen circumstances.

Disadvantages as Micropreneurs

Asides from the stress and toll it might take on your physical and mental health, keeping your business entirely dependent on you would leave your business too rigid. This comes with a lot of disadvantages.

No breaks or holidays

Your business comes to a standstill if you are suddenly indisposed.

As your business begins to expand, you might find yourself slowly becoming overwhelmed. You might even end up losing customers.

Conclusion

At the onset of your business, you would have to be a self-employed micropreneur. However, as your business grows and expands, you must develop a system.

A system helps your business run smoothly with or without you, leaving you to concentrate on overseeing or, as I like to call it, seeing the bigger picture.

A well-developed system would give you the freedom to take a short vacation, focus on expansion, etc. without your business suffering in any form.

Entrepreneurship is hard but you don’t have to do it alone. Members learns about the Scale to Profit System, business development, business operations, sales techniques, building the perfect team.

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Business Startup Ideas for Less Than $100 (Part II: Online)

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Picking up from the previous list of business startup ideas, today’s list will tackle Internet-based ventures for less than $100. The online world is filled to the brim with opportunities for entrepreneurs.

To succeed, it is essential to carefully weigh your skills set, your target market, and the corresponding success goals you have in mind. You must Layout These three aspects must be laid out to choose which concept will best yield the optimal results for you.

Online Business Startup Ideas

Here are online-based business startup ideas for less than $100:

Freelancing

From content writer to web design to social media manager, online freelancing is one lucrative business idea that continually pulls in more investors and successes. Arm with your talent, a computer, and a solid Wi-Fi connection, you can virtually start offering freelance services to clients looking for reliable third-party operatives.

Virtual Assistant

Called VA by many, this is the Internet’s version of a personal assistant. Here you get to manage websites, social media posts, emails, phone calls, website content, accounting books, and other requirements a client wishes to pursue. It is akin to being someone’s secretary operating at a remote location.

Social Media Consultant

Maintaining multiple social media accounts can be challenging for businesses. Timing and content aptitude require skills and efforts. When done right, you can get more clients and increase your business portfolio.

Vlogger or Blogger

You can either be a product or service blogger delivering fresh new content like reviews, PRs, articles, and other written prose to market such. Or you may make good use of tech-savvy gadgets that easily capture or creates videos.

Post such on YouTube, Vimeo, and other platforms to start gaining clickthroughs leading to profiting from ads.

Affiliate Marketing

For prolific and popular bloggers or vloggers, engaging in affiliate marketing can mean good business. Learn the secret to persuading people to click through those links or purchase to earn incentives.

Business Startup Ideas for Less Than $100 (Part II: Online)

Web Design and Development

Arm with your skills in designing artistically powerful concepts, you can build up a third-party web design firm. All you need to do is learn basic and advanced web design development and begin managing businesses’ online interests.

For a more in-depth and comprehensive web service, learning how to code or program websites will also diversify your business portfolio.

Dropshipping

An online shop that bridges clients and suppliers dropshipping gives consumers better pricing and access to a wide array of products in the market.

You will not maintain any physical store aside from one that will house your personal computer or laptop and online modem to begin this venture.

P2P Online Marketplace Host

Rent out one of your rooms, a separate part of your duplex, or any available space for people looking for budget-friendly accommodations.

If you live in an area where vacationers flock, this one will definitely deliver the passive income you need.

Product Reviewer

Be the first to test and deliver reviews for new products in the market. Like affiliate marketing, starting a business that provides a no-nonsense review will help give consumers a more informed decision on what to buy.

Other Online-Based Business

Other online-based business startup ideas are resume writing services, instructional video creator, domain name buying, “flipping” websites, logo design, translator business, eBay seller, app developer, online content producer, sourcing services, and so on. 

Conclusion

The Internet is a thriving business market where consumerism thrives. Get a solid grip on your skills and talents and put them to good use. When done accordingly, you can guarantee to create a stable market base leading to success.

If you love this article here are more articles you will surely love:

  1. How To Use Blogging To Get More Clients
  2. How To Use Social Media For Small Business
  3. Social Media: How To Build A Strong Online Influence For Your Business

What Is Your Company’s Position?

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The stand or position of a company refers to its place concerning other firms in the industry. No company is an Island, and its activities and brand image would undoubtedly be affected by other companies in its space.

We can see a company’s position from two perspectives, brand and strategy. 

Brand Position

Refers to the way consumers view your brand compared to how they view your competitors’ brands. It is the position you hold in the hearts and minds of the consumers in your market space. Are you the high-end brand serving only the crème de la crème of the market, or are you the affordable option serving the masses with the best quality possible? 

Strategic Position

Strategic position refers to the unique role you hold in your industry as regards value creation and production. It relates to how you do things differently to optimize productivity and ensure efficiency. The process is sometimes referred to as comparative advantage, as it is usually the one thing you do or have that puts you ahead of your competition.

Positioning

How do I Position My Company to Profit?

One major mistake that entrepreneurs make is to go into an industry without figuring out which position they had like to hold. This event sometimes leaves them in the middle of the industry, which is the worst place.

The middle suffers the pressure from the top and the bottom, and if your company is stuck there, the pressure will crush you in no time.

As an entrepreneur, you must take a step back and decide which side of the spectrum you want to serve or cater to. Furthermore, it would help if you chose which side of the spectrum you can cater to operate.

These are very tough questions to answer, and answering them entails a lot of honesty, coupled with in-depth thought and research. This process is crucial, and once you are through with it, you have made the firsts step in positioning your business or start-up for exponential growth and enormous profit.

Pinpoint Available Role

Another way to figure out which position you want to hold is to pinpoint your chosen industry’s available role. It is important to note that the choice of positioning isn’t binary.

There are a lot of factors that a company is measured by concerning others. It doesn’t always have to be class or price; there is speed, durability, taste, etc. If you can’t be the cheapest or the most luxurious, then hold the fastest and most stable position.

The key is to find a vacant place, utilize your core competencies, and easily be translated into your brand image.

However, business isn’t always straight forward, and, likely, all these three factors don’t align. You might discover a strategic position that works well with your core competency to realize that a much bigger firm already occupies the role.

Or perhaps you have a brand position in mind, but you don’t have the competence or strategic leverage to hold that position.

A good example is the fashion space. There is so much competition that every position seems filled; This is where real positioning comes in.

Process of Positioning

Positioning is the process of making constant decisions and changes to create an absolute value, depict that value, and own a dominant position in your field.

Positioning is more than a one-time decision or show of intention; it is an uphill battle that involves brand and operative strategy. 

If you want to take the right position in your industry, you must get the right help. With its industry-specific consultants, who have the right combination of skill and experience, SiMar Inc. is undoubtedly the right help.

Conclusion 

In business, it is not just enough to have a goal of becoming better. Most times, it is more profitable to streamline your plan and choose your identity. Don’t spread yourself thin. Choose a position and dig in. You can’t be the best choice for every customer, but you can be the only choice for your target market.

Website Launch: My Pandemic Pivot

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Over the past few months, businesses have seen the effects of the global pandemic. They have faced closures and combat emotions of loss and lack. Now is the time to figure out the new normal now. Make your pandemic pivot! How many times have you heard that? Our immediate next steps are unknown. So, what can businesses do to stay ahead in the pandemic (and everything else in 2020)?

My Pandemic Pivot

People may be tired of hearing the “pandemic pivot” but I can attest, it’s a real thing. My decision to redesign my website and re-introduce my brand was not one made lightly. In December, 2019. I hired a coach to help me stay focused on the big picture. I planned some really cool events and more. As we began to make plans, I thought I had all the pieces in place. And then, the world changed.

One of the components of this plan was to redesign this website. I weighed the pros and cons with a focus on the budget. This is a time to stack, I thought, not a time for big purchases. It just didn’t seem like a smart decision. Many days, I would chuckle at my focus to plan growth goals instead of watch the news. Planning for moving forward, while it felt like time was standing still, what was I doing? Surprisingly, I think this is the “thing” that grounded me, amid chaos.

My message since March has been to remain focused and grounded. To keep going. Respect your feelings. Celebrate the wins. And, don’t forget to show yourself grace. For all these reasons, I had to figure out a workaround for the budget. Without many ideas, I reached out to a creative circle of friends. Whether they were cheering me on or lending their skill to get the job done, all were vital and needed.

Pivot, Position & Profit

If you haven’t guessed it, I’m here to share more about what I was working on (see blog title). And let me say, having my super friends support, was everything. I’m moved by their energy and expertise. They make me want to do more. I needed to do more. First, I created Position2Profit.com. This is a community for business owners to share and support while learning yours truly. And it’s in this community that I teach business lessons, share years of expertise and giveaway some goodies!

Next, I took 50% off some products in my shop. I want to build a community where business owners have support, accountability and motivation, like I do. That special circle of friends fueled me . They dedicated time and value to the redesign of allisontodd.com. As such, I hope to help and inspire others.

The energy, the late nights, the intricate details ….all the reasons I kept going on the many days when it felt easier to stare out of the window. The feeling of putting your heart into your vision, is unique and fulfilling. Creating something special and impactful is just what the doctor ordered.

What About the Team?

While wanting to stare out of that proverbial window, I wondered if it made sense to keep the team. Would I have enough work to keep them busy? They wanted to keep working. So, I figured out a way. And Team SiMar jumped all in. They managed work projects and collaborated with curiosity and creativity. I think working on the website and the new packages and products was a good dose of what all needed. Thankfully, my pivot project kept us busy and active.

During this time, I understood how crucial coaching and guidance is to entrepreneurship. I can’t help but wonder how many business owners need someone to help them find their reset button. How many more business owners needed to hear my message? How many needed superfriends in their life? Maybe 456 because that’s how many Position 2 Profit members we have so far. I want us all to win. Creating this website will help me to find more business owners with a story, untold.

The Keys to the Digital Door

With that, I snap the digital red ribbon and open the virtual doors to allisontodd.com. Today, August 16, 2020, I announce the relaunching of my website. My intentions are to ensure that I am more available in a digital space. To motivate and inspire business owners. To guide them in the positioning of their businesses and their brand. To assist them in building profitable teams. And to offer my expertise and information where it is needed.

I’m hopeful this site will help me reach a wider audience and solve more problems. Eagerly, I share my knowledge with brands and businesses. My goal to position businesses to profit and scale. I want to do my part to make the world of entrepreneurship a better place. In the meantime, I promised my twins I would move the launch up a day, today, their birthday. And here we are, let’s celebrate!

P.S. Please share your feedback. I would love to know what you think.

How To Turn Webinar Participants Into New Clients

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A great way to get new clients is to offer educational opportunities, and webinars are perfect for this. They cost very little to hold, and your participants can be anywhere in the world.

Your webinar should be focusing on a problem your target client faces. Think of the things you can help your clients solve.

It should be focusing on just one narrow topic. If you have more ideas, you can save them for the next webinar.

One idea for webinar topics is to take questions before and answer them during the webinar. You can also ask your clients directly what topics they’d like for you to cover.

The webinar should help people solve their problems, but you should also promote your business to convert them into leads. There are several ways to do this.

You can mention what they’ll find on your website. Tell your clients to head over there and check out similar content.

To generate even more business, offer a special deal for webinar participants only. For example, you might offer a free trial on products or services.

Try to make your webinar as interactive as possible so you can keep your participants engaged. See what interactive tools your platform offers, such as real-time chat or polls.

The follow-up to your webinar is vitally crucial to turning participants into clients. Follow up and offer further assistance, seek feedback, make offers, or ask them to join your email list.

For even more results from your efforts, record the webinar and release it as content later. While planning and running it, think of it as marketing content.

You can also use your webinar clips to cut into short videos and use them as video marketing.

It takes a bit of work to plan and execute a webinar, but the rewards can also be great.

How To Turn Webinar Participants Into New Clients

Learn 2 Love Social Media for Business Owners

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Learn 2 Love Social Media for Business Owners will help business owners position their brand for growth. You already know how to post content, but does it fit into your digital marketing strategy? And is that strategy working to attract your ideal client? During this 3-Day Challenge, you will understand the value of social media for small businesses.

Above all, you will gain a greater understanding of your data which improves your social media strategy. Learn why businesses need social media. Then understand how to grow your business simply by telling your brand story. With some simple tips and social media management strategies, businesses of any size can grow. Plus this event provides a community to connect with other supportive business owners.

No more missed opportunities. I love social media and hope you will Learn 2 Love it too. Let’s get to work and reveal your brand’s true potential. Let’s have some creative, strategic fun. As a result, you will Learn to Love LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook Groups.

Event Highlights:

> Collect digital marketing tips, tools, resources

> Content creation templates from digital marketing experts

> Understand the types of content perfect for your social media plan

> Automate your social media tasks and increase the engaging personal touch

> Create meaningful digital business connections

> Execute your social media plan for real-time results

PLUS, all registered guests receive a Learn 2 Love eBook, Email Marketing Cheat Sheet, and a Digital Marketing Planning Tool. Most importantly, you do not have to post 12x a day to get something done. And you do not have to be on social all day to make an impact. And….. it can be tons of fun.

This is a fully interactive event. What better way to jumpstart your 2021 business goals! Learn 2 Love Social Media for Business Owners only has 20 virtual seats available. Act now! If you market your brand, your audience will find you.

Join Position 2 Profit with Allison Todd to receive event updates and exclusive content.