I know that with the overload of marketing messages we get hit with everyday from television, radio, magazines, newspapers, social media , blogs, and websites, sometimes you may wonder if anyone even hears what you’re saying.

Trust me. I know it can be tempting to stand on a chair and grab a bullhorn or megaphone to make your message louder than everyone elses. I’ve been in that same position more than once.

But louder doesn’t equal better. In fact, some of the most successful entrepreneurs and business owners communicate with audiences of thousands at just above a whisper. They can do that because they know exactly who they are and exactly who they are talking to.

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Lessons From Our Teenage House Guests

Currently, we have a good friend’s two youngest kids (ages 12 and 15) staying with us while they take their oldest on a two-week graduation trip to Paris (lucky kid right!).

We’ve been having a blast baking and eating junk food, swimming and relaxing, doing some great craft projects, and even going fishing (check out the photo!) at S and J Mandarin Grove, my in-laws’ organic mandarin orchard in Newcastle, California! My two kiddos, ages 4 and 6, have LOVED having their new “big sisters” to play with every day.

During their stay, I’ve drawn some interesting conclusions about the similarities between my young teenage house guests, marketing a business, and why you might be a lazy marketer. READ MORE

The other day I was reminded on some advice I was once given by a friend back in high school to never wear old, worn out underwear with holes.

Why? Because you never know when you’re going to (get your mind out of the gutter) get in an accident or experience some horrible health issue that results in calling 911.

Just think of it my friend told me, “You get in a horrible car wreck, a bunch of cute firemen come to your rescue, and for some reason your clothes have to be cut off, or they are badly ripped. Do you really want them or anyone to see you in gross, old underwear? No way! You want them to see you in sexy underwear, so even at your worst, you look great!”

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Whether you are a business owner or a service professional, I can bet that when it comes to marketing, you’re feeling more than a bit overwhelmed.

I can also bet that even though you may be an expert in your niche, keeping your marketing pipeline full of new customers isn’t your specialty.

That is why I want to share with you three things that you always need to think of when you are working on your marketing materials.

1. Think of Your Mother.
Write the content and design the piece with your mother in mind. Your mother represents a great cross-section of your audience. Would she understand the message? Would she understand the action that you are asking her to take?

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Here are three quick tips to improve your landing page and help you convert more prospects into customers:

1. Know Your Target Market

Don’t just throw up a landing page and hope the right people see it and like what you have to say. You need to spend some time doing research on your target market. Find out what they want, what they need, what problems they have that you can solve, and what would make their life easier, etc. Look at what your ideal client’s income is, where they live, what their hobbies are, what they dream about, what values they hold, and where they shop, etc.

Once you know the answers to these questions and you truly understand your ideal customer, you can tailor your landing page design and content to speak directly to them. By focusing in on your target market, you have more power and impact on creating interest, evoking emotion, and compelling action.

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