Perhaps you’ve got your groovy new brand and have secured a Domain or maybe you have decided it’s time to give your existing website a makeover. Assuming you’ve gone this far you’ve probably done a fair bit of work behind the scenes. You know that the people are going to want what you’ve got but they need to be able to find you and they need to like what they see when they do find you. This is where killer web copy and search engine optimisation (SEO) can give you the edge in a competitive marketplace.
Are you a thought leader?
Recently a friend said to me… ‘you have such interesting friends.’ I think she is right - I do! I love people and I think if there is a common thread among the humans I have collected throughout my life it is that most of them are leaders or trailblazers, but in totally different ways. Some do it quietly and others are more overt, but they are all creating impact. They are thought leaders.
Storytelling: why curiosity trumps specialist knowledge
What I am about to suggest may sound counter intuitive but hear me out. Next time you are looking for a writer to market your business, engage someone who is NOT a specialist in your field of expertise. Instead of a subject matter expert see if you can find a genuinely curious, specialist storyteller.
How to leverage your content: Q and A with Lucy Bingle, LinkedIn specialist
The successful implementation of any marketing strategy requires a team of specialists to pull it all together. When it comes to content, parking an article on the website blog and expecting your target audience to read it is not a wise move. To amplify your message you will need to make sure it gets distributed through the right channels so that you reach as many people as possible. Understanding which social platform or media publication is best for your message and how to leverage it can be tricky.
I spoke to LinkedIn marketing specialist, Lucy Bingle about this, and she and I both agree on one thing - killer content comes first!
A true story about storytelling
As a child, I loved to write stories. I would pen and post to my long-suffering aunts and grandmother for their literary pleasure! I guess the desire to communicate ideas and solve problems through the written word drew me to my chosen profession. As I gained experience, I learned the true power of storytelling as a marketing tool.
Storytelling: dare to be different on the internet
Communicating for COVID: show you care
This morning I attended an online Business Resilience Planning seminar for COVID hosted by Jacqui Wilson Smith from the Sustainable Innovation Company. This crisis is testing our resolve on many levels but human beings are resilient by nature and in times like these we need to bunker down and look for creative ways to keep our heads above water. Everyone understandably feels vulnerable right now. I think we need to take every opportunity to be kind, to support one another and look for solutions.
I thought I would share a few of the key takeaways, in relation to communication:
Communicate frequently with stakeholders and on multiple channels
Embed ethics in all communication – your brand values and reputation need to be front of mind. Choosing the right tone is key.
Identify your customers problems and provide some solutions/what can you do to help
Showing that you care will put you in good stead.
Business Awards to apply for in 2020.
Scoring a business award is a great way to gain media exposure and increase your credibility. They also provide valuable networking opportunities and often come with some quality professional development. Chances are if you are a serious contender you are probably too busy to write the application. Plus, it’s hard blowing your own trumpet. Get in touch and I can help while you keep changing the world.
Here is my list of the top awards available in 2020. Of course, there are many more. It’s just a matter of searching around in your industry and region and there’s sure to be one that’s got your name written all over it.
Entries usually open in March each year.
AUSTRALIAN SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION AWARDS
Entries usually open in November each year.
THE AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS AWARDS
Entries usually open in February or March each year.
Entries usually open at the beginning of the year.
TELSTRA BUSINESS WOMEN’S AWARDS
Entries usually open in September each year.
THE AUSTRALIAN SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
Entries usually open in August each year.
DELOITTE TECHNOLOGY FAST 500™ ASIA PACIFIC AWARDS
Entries usually open in August or September each year.
Entries usually open in August or September each year.
WESTPAC’S BUSINESSES OF TOMORROW
AGRIFUTURES RURAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS