From Time To Time We All Struggle

I remember the day I threw my hands in the air and announced to my family that I quit! That I give up and I was closing the doors to Sweet Spot Marketing.  I had been working double time and barely making ends-meat.  Here I was, a single parent trying to support my daughter on a solo income as there was no child support being received at the time, and it seemed the harder I worked in all aspects of my life, the further push-back I received.

I was tired, fed up and emotionally drained.  While I had a few clients here and there to pay the basic bills, it wasn't quite enough to cover everything, and definitely not enough to financially sustain a long-term future.  After going through this lull for a few months,  I was ready to throw in the towel and start the search for a 9-5 job.

I thought my family would be relieved because they had watched me struggle. We are a very tight-nit family and we are always there to support one another through thick-and-thin. So when I announced at the supper table that I had made the decision to close the doors to Sweet Spot Marketing to start looking for full-time work, to my amazement my parents said to not give up and to persevere because success was just around the corner.

NANCY & GREGG GUPTILL

You see, my parents are my life coaches and mentors, and I would often share with them the different opportunities I was working on, with discretion of course.  They must have sensed that some of the opportunities were near closing because they highlighted specific ones.  Oh I remember getting upset with them to suggest I keep going when I just couldn't wait any longer.  I remember breaking down and crying saying I couldn't do it anymore that I felt like a complete failure, that the end of month bills were coming and I was out of money.  I had reached my breaking point.  However, in that moment, both of my parents looked me straight in the eye and asked me to reconsider.  In their typical loving yet firm manner, they asked for me to sit down and listen to them, so I did just that. 

My parents took turns going over the great work that had been accomplished in growing my business. They presented all of the things that were going right, and highlighted a few lucrative business opportunities that from their perspective were ready to blossom. They asked me to give myself a few days to self-reflect and to clear my head.  They also asked me to give myself just a little more time before closing the doors and suggested holding off on making a final decision in two-to-three months time.

Somewhere in the midst of all the mixed emotions I was feeling, something clicked. I realized if my parents have this much faith and belief in me, I must be able to muster up a mustard seed of hope for myself and to put my faith and trust in God to let Him lead, while I let go of the reigns in trying to steer my own destiny. I had a paradigm shift in my thinking, and I made a commitment to my parents that I would hold on just a little bit longer.

Thankfully I had made the right decision at the insistence, encouragement and support of my parents. Within less than a month, two of the opportunities did blossom, changing the direction of my business forever.

I learned a very valuable lesson through that experience.  When the world feels like it is closing in around you and you feel like everything in your life is about to come tumbling down, it is important to  stop and put things in proper perspective and to realize this is just a moment in time.  Before making any firm decisions, reach out to someone you trust who you know has your best interest at heart.  When we isolate ourselves and carry the burden alone, we are stuck with only the thoughts that are going through our own minds, of which may not be a full and accurate picture of the reality of the situation.  In my case, I am fortunate to have family members I can confide in. For others, it may mean reaching out to someone within your circle of friends, even within your professional network.

If you have nobody to confide in, I would like to extend my hand to you.  There  is always more room at my table to help others.  I invite you to Private Message me through my Sweet Spot Academy Facebook Page. Head on over to the page and send a private in-box message or feel free to post publicly on the wall  if you prefer.  I will respond to your message within 72 hours of receiving it.

Meanwhile, for those of you facing a difficult time, I hope this post gives you a bit of encouragement to hang in there.  Being an entrepreneur and running a small business is not for the faint at heart. We are going to face ups and downs in our business. It's at those times we have to stop and remember why we launched in the first place.  

To all of you who are reading this blog post, I invite you to head on over to my Facebook Page and share how you will help support, encourage and inspire others today. What are some of the things that you do to lift-up, build-up and cheer-up others in their time of need.

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NANCY BETH is President & Executive Consultant at Sweet Spot Academy.

At Sweet Spot Academy, we solve and simplify "HOW" to keep your business moving forward by offering a suite of know-how based business training and empowerment programs.  We focus on small group workshops and customized training programs.

Our customized business growth and skills training programs provide the inspiration, motivation and strategic KNOW-HOW knowledge that helps you and your staff confidently implement your business development growth plans.

@SweetSpotAcadmy  |  @nbguptill  |  http://www.sweetspotacademy.ca | http://nancybethguptill.me  |  http://womenonthemove.flavors.me

What Every Customer & Prospect Wants

Post by Sweet Spot Marketing.

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Nancy Beth is an Entrepreneur & Small Business Owner, Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada and a Motivational Speaker for Women & Girl Leadership.

As an Internet and Digital Marketing veteran, Nancy Beth has vast experience in Internet Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Online Safety and Protecting Your Digital Footprint. Since 2010, Nancy Beth has been highly sought after to share her message on being a Digital Leader, using the Internet & Social Media for good, and how to safely navigate the Social Web.

Keynote Speaker | Executive Coach | Training Consultant | Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada (@sweetmarketing) |(@nbguptill) | Digital Leader | Women & Girl Leadership To book Nancy Beth for your next event, or to discuss your training needs Visit: http://sweetspotmarketingacademy.ca/contact

The Benefits of Video Marketing

Video has become the dominant form of content on the Internet. It's quick and convenient to watch, and has never been easier to create.

In fact, approximately half of all online traffic is video, and it's projected Online Video will make Up 86% - 90% of Internet Traffic in 2016. Since the creation of YouTube and other user-contributed video sharing channels, the popularity of video as a communication and entertainment tool has skyrocketed.

On average, over 48 hours of video content is being uploaded to YouTube every minute, with brands from all arenas incorporating video into their websites as well, and people are watching everything from online content to TV and movies online.

Video content drives traffic and increases leads. It creates buzz and dialogue around your product or service. And it gives your business - and you - a human face in the anonymous world wide web. Besides, if half of all online traffic is looking for video content, you'll be losing money if you don't try to take advantage of that audience pool.

Online video used to be only for large companies with big budgets. It was a fancy addition to whiz-bang websites, professionally produced and probably hardly viewed. Once YouTube launched, it became easy for anyone with a webcam and a built in microphone to create and distribute their own video content.

Now, most search engines offer users the option of searching video content only, and include video in their blended searches. Video is powerful, it's everywhere, and it's good news for your business.

Video builds trust: In the anonymous online world, video allows you to give your business a face and a voice. It is the closest you'll get to being able to personally greet each person who visits your website, or meet with every lead.

Video has many uses: If you think of video as a communication tool, the opportunities or ideas are endless. You can demonstrate the use of a product, promote a special offer, teach a class, interview an industry expert, summarize an event or spark discussion.

Video is everywhere: If half of all website traffic is video, then your audience is probably looking for video content too. You need to put a plan in place to capitalize on some of that traffic.

Video can be optimized: Video can help boost your search engine rankings just like text and images. It also gives you another category of Google to rank for, and more opportunities to have your company on the front page. If you had the choice between reading a tutorial and watching one, what would you choose?

Video is easy to create: The technology and hardware required to create and edit videos has never been less expensive. With a good video camera, high quality microphone and basic editing software, you'll be well on your way.

Internet Video Statistics - Why Video Marketing is for Everyone

Online Video Statistics 2013 - Infographic Animation

The Power of Online Video - The Stats 2013 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Nancy Beth is an Entrepreneur & Small Business Owner, Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada and a Motivational Speaker for Women & Girl Leadership.

As an Internet and Digital Marketing veteran, Nancy Beth has vast experience in Internet Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Online Safety and Protecting Your Digital Footprint. Since 2010, Nancy Beth has been highly sought after to share her message on being a Digital Leader, using the Internet & Social Media for good, and how to safely navigate the Social Web.  

Keynote Speaker | Executive Coach | Training Consultant | Founder of Sweet Spot Marketing Canada (@sweetmarketing) |(@nbguptill) | Digital Leader | Women & Girl Leadership To book Nancy Beth for your next event, or to discuss your training needs Visit: http://sweetspotmarketingacademy.ca/contact

MARKETING IS LIKE BUILDING SAND CASTLES : The Rule of Seven In Marketing - Why Frequency Matters!

The rule of seven is one of the oldest concepts in marketing.    

Although it is old, it doesn't mean it is outdated. The rule of seven simply says a prospect needs to see or hear your marketing message at least seven times before they take action and buy from you. Now the number seven isn’t cast in stone. The truth of the Rule of Seven is you can’t just engage in a marketing activity and then be done. Marketing must be an on-going process in order for it to be successful.

Traditionally, number seven has been given precedence over other numbers by many cultures. Therefore, you may notice various things coming in number seven.  The important thing in the rule of seven is not the number, but the message. This simply tells you that you need to let the prospect hear and see your marketing message so many times before they buy it. There are many reasons for the need of repetition. Buyers just can't trust you and make the buying decision at the first time you show your message.

So, this simply means that your marketing effort should be repetitive and consistent. You cannot just run a couple of advertisements one time and expect the customers to buy the product. The hidden message of rule of seven is the continuous and repetitive effort that should be put in for marketing.

Why do prospects need to hear your message so many times before taking action? If you are doing your marketing well, you are targeting the right people; your ideal customers. You have created powerful marketing materials that use language your target audience relates to. You speak to their major problems and how you can solve them. Why don’t they jump to their feet and grab what you have to offer the first time they see your message?

What Can You Do?  In order to enhance your marketing through the message of rule of seven, consider the following points.

1. The Noise:  Today's world is an information world. People are overloaded with information; people are being bombarded with messages constantly. It is truly difficult to get past all this noise and be heard.  The first few times someone sees your message it is likely it won’t completely register with them. We all have marketing blinders we’ve built up over time – otherwise we’d be overwhelmed with the constant noise from businesses clamoring to be heard.  It’s no different with your prospects. They’re not sitting around waiting for you to show up. They’re busy living their lives and you may not even be a blip on their radar.

Further, people have access to the best information source at all time, so you cannot fool them at all.  If you want to convey your marketing message to the people who have been bombarded with information, you are gong to have tough luck. It is never easy for a person or a company to be heard by the prospective buyers.  

Due to all the 'noise', you should repeat your marketing message and should consider using special strategies to help stand out from the crowd.  As mentioned, the first few times someone is exposed to your message, they may not even notice it. People are usually resistant to marketing messages by nature. Otherwise, people will be overwhelmed by the noise made by all the different marketing companies are doing.  

Bottom line is, you have to compete in this noisy market. So, you need to repeat your message until they hear you out.

2. Customers may not need your product:  You may be targeting the exact type of ideal customers for your product or service, but there are chances they may not need your product ..... yet.  In cases where they see your marketing message once, they may not remember you when they want to buy the product by next week or next month. Therefore, you need to keep your marketing message in sight.

Out of sight for marketing is out of mind.  Let me take an example. Most people do see and hear about great products or services and they make a mental note that they will buy those when they need it. But in reality, when they buy the actual product, they go with the latest marketing message they heard or saw. That's why you need to keep playing your record.

3. The price may be too high: Sometimes, people do not buy things due to the price. Mos times, this is nothing to do with the price of the product or the service. This simply means that you have not been able to convince the customers fully about the value of your offering.  If someone sees the value of your product or the service, they find a way to buy it. They never worry about the price if it's the right thing they want.  Therefore, through your message, convince them about the value you offer. Through the rule of seven, they will hear about the value you offer many times, so the money will not be a problem.

However, in these troubled economic times, price may very well be an issue. Keep in mind, objections about price are usually code for “I’m not really sure I need/want your product”.  If someone really wants what you have to offer, it’s amazing how quickly they’ll figure out how to pay for it.

If a prospect sees your message and is interested but worried about money, it just means you haven’t quite convinced them of the value of your offer. The good news is you’ve gotten past the noise. If they continue to see powerful marketing messages from you, they may get closer to seeing your value and forgetting about their price concerns. That’s why you need to keep marketing.

4. They don't know you:  The real reason people don’t buy the first time they run across your marketing message is they don’t know you from a hole in the ground. Remember what I said about noise. It’s not just there are too many messages; there are too many messages that aren’t true.

Do you take every commercial, flyer or email marketing message at face value? Or do you have your own personal BS meter that’s shouting “yea, right” when someone makes a claim? Of course you do. I do to. If someone wants to sell to me, they need to prove they can do what they say.

This is the real truth about the Rule of Seven. It takes time for people to get to know you – remember your name, your offer, your message. Once they know you, they need time to get to like you – and your business. Over time, they’ll eventually start to trust you. Once they trust you – trust that you’re honest and provide true value – then, and only then, will they be ready to buy.

How long does this process take? Probably not in seven contacts. It really depends; it depends on the value of your offer, how badly they need it and how many charlatans they’ve run across before.

How do you use the Rule of Seven in your marketing plan?  

First, never rely on only one type of marketing method. Even if you are getting stellar results today, that might change in the future. Think of internet marketing. Email used to be much more effective than it is today. That’s why the spammers got involved. Now with spam filters, it’s harder for legitimate marketing to get through.

The same may be true of other marketing methods. Some factor outside your control may change how easily you can reach your prospects. So even if you have discovered a method that is getting you all the customers you can handle, add a couple of other tools to your marketing toolbox to ensure you don’t get blindsided by unexpected changes.

The Rule of Seven is why “information marketing” is so effective. By providing free information to your prospects on a regular basis, you are building a solid relationship. Information offered in a newsletter or blog doesn’t set off alarms because it’s not a sales pitch; it’s a genuine attempt to educate and help.

Finally, simplify or automate the process as best you can. Too many entrepreneurs only market sporadically because they are “too busy” to market themselves. Then they wonder why they don’t have enough clients. Set aside regular times to engage in marketing activities, even when you’re busy. If you continue marketing even when you’re busy, you’ll have fewer slow times.

Conclusion:  Rule of seven is one of the oldest, but practical concepts in marketing. Similarly, rule of seven can be applied to many other areas where the consumers are concerned. The main learning from rule of seven is the need to repeat what you do.

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Nancy Beth is an Entrepreneur & Small Business Owner, Founder of Sweet Spot Academy and a Motivational Speaker for Women & Girls.

At Sweet Spot Academy, we solve and simplify "HOW" to keep your business moving forward by offering a suite of know-how based business training and empowerment programs.  We focus on small group workshops and customized training programs.

@SweetSpotAcadmy  |  @nbguptill  |  http://nancybethguptill.me