Disney has traditionally set a standard for good customer service. On Cyber Monday we ordered a toy from the Disney website in order to take advantage of the special deals and free shipping. When it arrived in the mail it seemed a little beat up. There were dings and scratches in the paint. All around it just didn’t look brand new. We emailed Disney requesting an exchange or refund. They told us to donate the toy to a local charity and informed us they had shipped us out another one.

Zappos.com recently came through for some of my relatives. After ordering an expensive set of knives one arrived in the mail damages. Zappos sent a replacement over night. After discovering that the same set of knives was almost $300 cheaper on a different website, Zappos agreed to credit the difference back despite not having any policy in place requiring them to do so.

We recently called on a local company to clear our carpets before our family came for Christmas. We found the company, called Oxi-Fresh, in a direct mail advertisement. They were cheap and cleaned two rooms for $120. The technician was friendly and professional. After the carpet started to dry we noticed some spots that hadn’t come out. We have two young children and a dog and we just felt disappointed that the carpets weren’t cleaner than they were. A few weeks later my wife was asked to take an online survey about the carpet cleaning and she mentioned that we had not been satisfied with the results. After about a week we received a phone call and were asked if they could come back out and clean the carpets again at no extra cost. The second round went much better and the carpets looked spotless. We are now raving fans of Oxi-Fresh carpet cleaners.

No matter what type of business you are in or what your capacity may be; good customer service is in everyone’s job description. Sometimes the best way to win a life long customer is to go the extra mile to take care of the customers who have the negative experiences. You may have a lot of competitors with the same product but you can always set yourself apart with your outstanding customer service!

This video entitled “How Search Works” reviews search engine basics. Matt Cutts, who is featured in the video has become a bit of a Google celebrity. He is my favorite person on Google Plus

As it will be the year 2012 and there are 12 months in the year it seemed fitting to me to reach exactly 12 books, one each month. As I spent the last two weeks contemplating how I would get absolute maximum value from 12 books, two things occured to me. First that my best strategy would be to start/join a book group that would all read the same books together. This allows for great discussion and insight which increases growth dramatically. The second thing that occured to me is that the best leader of such a book group would be the authors of each of the books we read.

In order to convince significant authors to take the time (without any compensation) to guide a month long discussion about their book I realized that we would need a significant enough group of people in the book club so as to offer the author high exposure and potential for book sells. Thus the goal was refined to find 12,000 other people to read 12 books with me, being lead by the author of each of the 12 books.

I spent last week talking to key friends of mine who I know share my passion for reading business and personal development books. They helped me refine the plans and strategies and they helped me make the first contact with some great authors who have awesome books that we would like to read.

So far we have two great authors committed, including Bruce H Jackson the author of “Finding Your Flow;” and Erik Qualman the author of “Socialnomics” who is realeasing a new book next month.

If you want to change your life in 2012 you need to get involved. If you don’t want to pass on the amazing opportunity to be lead in 12 book discussions by the authors themselves you need to get involved. Visit www.12booksin2012.com and sign up now. Spread the word. Remember that the level of value that each of us will recieve as part of the book group will depend both on the total amount of discussion and the leadership and genius of each author. In other words, SPREAD THE WORD! Utilize Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, your email and more to tell everyone you know about this once in a lifetime opportunity!

If you have direct contact with or access to authors whom you feel would have a lot to offer to our group please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Jacob S Paulsen

Top Ten Rituals of the Very Successful

1. Early to Rise. Some people (including myself) claim to just not be morning people but I see this as a habit of almost every successful person I know. There is just something to be said about getting up early that perhaps makes it easier to build in some of the other rituals I’m about to mention.
2. Exercise. Successful people tend to understand that their most valuable asset is their own body. They keep it in the best shape possible so as to allow themselves to be effective in every other aspect in life.
3. Lifelong Student. Successful people may or may not be college graduates but they are all students. Every successful person I know has a system of learning. Some read or listen to books, others attend educational events and seminars.
4. Regular Planning. Not every successful person I know is organized but they all have a systematic and regular approach to planning. They understand that without a plan they can’t really achieve anything. Successful people make planning a regular practice.
5. Goal Setting. This couldn’t be any more obvious. Becoming successful requires setting goals and achieving them. These people set goals all of the time and they revise their goals as often as is appropriate.
6. Record Keeping. Successful people know that only those things that are measured can be improved. These people make a habit out of writing things down and keeping records. They have journals, photo albums, and files/piles of information. It may not always be the most organized method but they keep records of almost everything.
7. Works in strengths and works on weaknesses. The most successful people I know have discovered their greatest strengths and put them to work in a rewarding environment. That isn’t to say they don’t try to improve their weaknesses, but their greatest focus is on playing to their strengths.
8. Integrity. Lets face it. Long term success can only come to those that are fully honest with themselves and everyone around them. Successful people don’t compromise their character for any short term reward.
9. Lives in abundance. The most successful people believe that there is enough pie for everyone. They want others to succeed and are always looking for ways to give back and support others.
10. Networkers. Successful people are often as successful as they are because they have build such strong and trusting relationships with such a large group of other people. Not to suggest that its about who they know, but more so about who they are and how their character has led to a high quantity and quality of relationships.

What other habits or rituals have you noticed among successful people?

What Makes Google Plus Different

Well, to consumers the basic difference is that it is from Google and that alone is enough to get it out of the gates. For advertisers and online marketing professionals the difference is that simply put, they have combined the social networking with their own core competency… search. Facebook & Twitter don’t have the option to put “like” buttons and “retweet” buttons on Google’s search results pages. Since Google controls over 60% of the online search volume this gives Google Plus a huge audience and relevancy right out of the gate. This is also the single greatest reason why businesses will care about Google Plus.

While search engines like Google have been trying for a long time to factor in social popularity into search algorithms, only Google Plus is perfectly positioned to directly affect SEM. Consider that it would be easy and sensible for Google to give higher rankings to websites and pages that have high social popularity via Google Plus. That can’t be done in the same way or with as much ease with Facebook likes.

Google Plus for Business and Marketing

If you are a business owner or webmaster the biggest thing you can do right now is to integrate a Google Plus button into your website and blogs. This can be done quickest with the Digg Digg plugin for WordPress. For now you will have to settle for this since Google Plus as a social network is currently for consumers only.

In a post from Christian Olsten, Product Manager on the Google Plus project, he remarks:

“We have been watching Google+ take shape over the last week and we’ve seen some really great companies get involved. But frankly we know our product as it stands is not optimally suited to their needs. In fact, it was kind of an awkward moment for us when we asked Ford for his (or was it her?) gender!”

They are working on it. They have big plans to make Google Plus an easy place for non-person entities and businesses to interact with current and potential customers. For now, go here if you would like to be considered in their beta program.

Jacob S Paulsen

There are several different Twitter Advertising networks in the marketplace but I’m particularily a fan of Sponsored Tweets. Sponsored Tweets is an Ad Network that matches up Advertisers with Twitter Users.

Twitter Advertisers

If you are looking for a low cost way to drive traffic to your website you can easily seek out influential tweeters who will tweet your message as their own. These sponsored tweets vary in price based on the number of Twitter Followers that your chosen users have. You can seek out users based on number of followers, ratio of followers, location, and more. You can also select users who have accepted the conditions of Click Watch. Click watch guarantees you a minimal number of clicks on your ad before you pay the tweeter.

Twitter Users (Sponsored Tweets)

If you have a good following with your Twitter account you can make decent money tweeting out ads from relevant advertisers. Follow this link to read my previous article about how to grow your Twitter Following. Logging is done via your Twitter account and setting up your profile is simple. When selecting relevant keywords utilize the link below the selection box to view the most popular keywords. Selecting popular and relevant words is the most effective way to get yourself found by advertisers. Sponsored Tweets will give you a suggested price that you should ask per tweet. I suggest that you reduce your price to a slight fraction below the suggested asking price. This will make you more likely to be selected over other tweeters.

Also, checking the box for “clickwatch” will make you more appealing to advertisers as you are essentially offering to retweet their ad up to 3 times if the minimal number of clicks are achieved. Advertisers LOVE tweeters who enable clickwatch. Its also crucial that you make sure you select a notification system that you can rely on. Either enable Direct Message or Email. The worst thing that could happen would be being selected by an advertiser with an offer and not knowing about it.

After setting up your profile its time to accept offers. On the main dashboard you will see a list of generic ads that are available to all tweeters. If you see something that looks relevant or profitable go ahead and accept the offer. When an advertiser selects you directly for an offer you will be notified by Sponsored Tweets according to your preference.

When you accept an offer you will be able to select a disclaimer method and you will be able to write the tweet to your own liking and submit it back to the advertiser for approval.

Get started with Sponsored Tweets today http://spn.tw/r3Rxu

Start With Hosting

If you are going to manage an online presence you will need a website. The first steps include setting up a hosting account where you will be able to host your domain names and build your website(s). GoDaddy is very popular but I personally prefer Hostmonster. The key is in picking a reliable company with good customer service and competitive prices. Follow the following links to get the best discounts from these hosting providers. Godaddy. Hostmonster. Hostgator, 1&1.

Setup Your Website

Unless you are willing to invest BIG money into programmers and web designers you will probably be best off utilizing WordPress. WordPress is a no cost, versatile, user friendly system that you can install in a single click through any of the above hosting providers. Tutorials abound online and on YouTube for how to use WordPress. Start on my WordPress tutorials to begin.

Blog SEO & Syndication

Setup your site to automatically syndicate your content across the web. This will increase your organic search engine rankings and bring more visitors to your site. Start with this short article on video syndication but to really make this happen I suggest getting your hands on my e-book, “The Blog SEO & Syndication Formula.” Don’t worry, you can get a free copy sent to your email if you subscribe to my quarterly newsletter. Look for the subscription form on the right side of my site.

Email Marketing

Building an email marketing database is crucial to the success of any online strategy. I have spent time writing about the best methodologies and tools. Read my overview on the why and the how here.

Social Media

Can you believe that just a few years ago the idea of a business being on Facebook was laughed at? As you get started building your online brand and driving traffic to your site, Twitter can be one of the best tools in your back pocket. As you grow and engage your audience Facebook becomes a required tool. Read this overview about how to build and grow an audience on Facebook & Twitter. Then check out this article about building & engaging your Twitter audience.

Webcasting

One of the best ways to engage your audience and present your topics is through online seminars, or webinars. Webinars present an opportunity to connect with your team, prospects, or online readers/followers in real time. You can utilize webinars to discuss a recent book, talk about industry changes, present research, present products, or train a team. Use this link to get your own webinar room.

Hopefully this short summary will help jump start your website on the track to success!

Email marketing

Adding Email Addresses to Your Lists

Here are a variety of common techniques or methods that you might employ in your business to gather email addresses:

• Ask clients visiting the business for their email address. This can be done at point of sale or as part of any other paperwork that customers have to fill out in the course of doing business with you.
• Fishbowl: Put a fishbowl at the front desk and offer to draw a business card once a month for a free lunch
• Create an opt-in form on your website (done via the software discussed below). Offer an incentive for the opt-in, such as; Enter your name and email address below to: Receive Our Free Report on…, Enter to Win…, Receive discounts and offers, Register for event etc.
• Host a contest in which people must email in a picture, story, etc to participate.
• Gather existing customer email addresses from your sales staff or other employees.

What to Send to Your Contacts

The most effective way to build and maintain an email list is to offer educational information about your industry. If you are an attorney write short newsletters about identity theft, law enforcement confrontations, business incorporation, etc. Regardless of what industry you might be in you can always find good relevant content to send to your email contacts.

In addition to the educational information you also need to take advantage of your email campaigns to promote events, promotions, and products or services. Use the sidebar of your email to talk about events or sales that are upcoming. Promote your Facebook or Twitter profiles and encourage readers to share the email with their social networks. You can also attach coupons or specials in the email. Banner ads for your affiliates or business partners can also be effective.

What Email Marketing Software to Use

There are a vast number of high quality Email Marketing products that you can choose from. The three most popular that you have probably heard about or considered are:  iContact,  ConstantContact, PaulsenMail, and AWeber. I’m not going to spend the rest of this article splitting hairs over the small differences between these providers. Each offers a free trial and if you would like to spend some time looking you should go ahead. Each in my opinion does a comparable job of delivering the basic services that you will find necessary.

Another alternative for businesses who have some capital and would rather avoid monthly service fees is Interspire’s Email Marketer. The software is expensive but you install it on your own server and don’t have to worry about any monthly fees at all.

Again here are some links to follow for the most common providers:

iContact

ConstantContact

PaulsenMail

AWeber

VerticalResponse

GetResponse

Email Marketer

Hope you found this informative!

Jacob S Paulsen

When you browse for a new car on the lot of a car dealership you always look closely at the sticker in the window. That sticker shows all the options, fuel economy, and price. Did you realize that the average vehicle will go through 7 new window stickers while it is on the lot. That is a lot of wasted paper. Today some dealerships are instead printing off QR code stickers to put into the vehicle window. Those QR codes, when scanned, can direct users to a mobile friendly web page that shows all the same information. When pricing changes the dealer can update the webpage without printing off a new sticker for the car on the lot. In addition, because web traffic can be measured, the dealer will know which cars on the lot are getting the most interest and he will be able to track which cars are looked at after hours when window shoppers are still on the lot.

Here is a short list of different types of information you can embed into a QR Code:

• Text
• URL
• Telephone Number
• SMS Message
• Email Address
• Email Message
• Contact Details (vcard)
• Event (vcalendar)
• Google Maps Location
• Wifi Login (Android Only)
• Paypal Buy Now Link
• Social Media Links (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, Foursquare)
• iTunes Link
• YouTube Video

The possibilities are endless and the beauty is in your ability to better engage a consumer. Another example scenario. You run a static print ad in the newspaper, on a billboard, a magazine, or the back of the city bus. Print ads don’t allow you to show any videos, animation, or audio testimonials. They are static and simple. If, you include a QR code on your advertisement you open up a world of possibility. A consumer sees the ad and scans it with their phone. Their phone opens up a mobile friendly page specific to that ad campaign that shows the live video, plays the live testimonial, or offers to take the consumer directly to your store via Google Maps.

How do you track the engagement. Only when you are directing the consumer to a webpage can you track the engagement. Utilize a URL tracking service such as Bit.ly to shorten each URL before you embed it into a QR code. That will allow you to track each scan of the QR code on the bit.ly dashboard.

How do you create a QR code? There are many different types of QR codes. Some can only be scanned by a specific app and other are generic and can be scanned by any barcode scanner app on any smartphone. To create the most generic type of barcode visit http://qrstuff.com. Follow the instructions on the screen to embed your content into the QR code, then just click on the download link to the right to save your image.

Go Ahead… create and scan as much as you can.

Jacob S Paulsen

What is Google Places? Google places is the Google local business directory. In many ways it another yellow pages online solution, different from yellowpages.com or citysearch.com because it integrates with the most popular search engine on the planet. Local businesses can go to www.google.com/localbusinesscenter and list or claim their business to ensure that they appear in relevant results.

Important components of Google Places. Your Google Places page is essentially your most effective or non-effective micro-site or landing page. Depending on the quality of the content it can be a great service to driving more phone calls to your business, and visitors to your site. Considering the massive impact of the service and the fact that it doesn’t cost anything; Google Places has become essential. You can of course include basic info including phone, address, websites, etc. You can also include videos, pictures, and a description of your service or product. Don’t forget to select 5 key categories in which you operate to help Google index your business in searches properly.

Google Places Reviews. Your Google Places page/listing will accumulate all the reviews about your business from the various popular consumer review sites including Yelp, UrbanSpoon, InsiderPages, CitySearch, Dine.com, Travelocity, etc. In addition consumers can post reviews directly to your Google Places page. Both types of reviews are important. You want to drive more good reviews to the various consumer review sites so that you increase your total exposure and reputation online. You want to especially focus on Google Places reviews because it will give you greater strength in your Google Boost advertising (to be discussed below). Utilize the friends and family who do business with you to get some positive reviews quickly. The total number of reviews and how many stars out of 5 that you have on average will be BIG factors that will separate you from your competition in search results. RESPOND to negative reviews. Negative reviews can be your best friend if you respond with concern, eager to make a bad experience positive.

Google Places Tags. For $25 per month you can include a yellow “tag” on your Google Places listing. For many larger businesses this is a no-brainer!! All the research supports that that yellow tag and its accompanying offer/special will bring you more clicks than your competition. It does not however guarantee number one results on the page.

Google Boost. Google Boost is the simplified version of Google Adwords. It allows you to utilize your current Google Places listing as a paid ad in the paid search results of the search results page. It removes a lot of the complicated work that generally goes into a Google Adwords campaign. You can still set campaign budgets or weekly/daily budgets. This is where your Google Places reviews really pay off. You may have 200 total reviews on Google Places, of which 180 came from third party review sites and 20 were made natively on your Google Places page. In that case your Google Boost ad will show only the 20 reviews.

Google Pages Analytics. Like any other type of online advertising you will be able to measure the results from your Google Pages listings. The analytics will outline how many impressions and clicks your listing received over a specific time period. You will also be able to see the top search terms which led people to your page. This is an effective tool that you can use to determine the best keywords for your paid search and SEO efforts.

Stop ignoring this powerful & free tool and get your listing claimed and built out right away!

Jacob S Paulsen