The hard & fast rules of being a “Top Gun” – part 2

Discover the guarded secrets of how using social media will have your business doing ‘fly-bys’ over your competition…  

This is part 2 of an article I wrote for Cleanfax Magazine…  

When trying to be a Top Gun in business, beating your competition, you must consider the social media rules of engagement – for entrepreneurs. 

There is a simple list for you to consider. Here it is:

1) Post about what is relevant to you.
2) Share your story, and how/why you started your business.
3) Tell about your pets, your kids, or the type of sports you like.
4) Post press releases and other accomplishments.
5) Inform your audience about your current specials or offerings.
6 ) Post testimonials, pictures and videos of your work.
7) Brag about how you solved a client’s problem… but don’t embellish.
8) Share a link, a joke or even what you watched on TV.
9) Post about a job opening (in your company or others).
10) Don’t talk negatively about competitors, clients or even your followers.
11) Keep it real. 

It seems like common sense, right? You’d be surprised. 

Social media has not only become mainstream, it has people posting stuff they would never say or do in the offline world. Airing dirty laundry, telling tales and posting pictures that are offensive will certainly have a negative impact and could cause your fans, followers and friends to unfriend and block you. 

Let’s take the first rule… “Post what is relevant to you” … seems a bit open for interpretation, right? Yes and no. You see, people gravitate towards those who share their common interests, philosophies and personalities. The more of yourself you share with others, the bigger your fans list will be, and the fatter your wallet will become.

Here’s the kicker… you have to be social. 

You can continue to do things the old way by placing ads and hoping people call you, or you can talk to people through social media outlets and instantly build credibility and respect. 

Back to our Top Gun analogies: “Talk to me, Goose”, Maverick pleaded.

Your friends, fans and followers want to hear from you, and that’s exactly why they “liked your page” or subscribed to your list… they are already interested in you. If you stop posting, they will think you ditched them and will move on, maybe even to your competitor’s page. 

Post often, at least three times a day, perhaps morning, noon and at night. Your morning post could be business related, whereas your noon post could be trivia, and your evening post could be something about you. Mix it up and have fun. 

Follow the rules of engagement when using social media and your friends, fans and followers will treat you like the “Top Gun” in your field.                  

  Until Next Time,   

  “Live with Passion!” 

   Rob Anspach    

  P.S.  To help make you a “Top Gun”, I’m relaunching my “Be A Better Entrepreneur” coaching and seminar series. I’m in the process of planning several 1 day seminar events (on the East & West coast of the USA) and scheduling multiple on-location consulting sessions. If you would like more information on the seminar events or the coaching services, feel free to drop a line and I’d be honored to help you make your story better. 

The hard & fast rules of being a “Top Gun” – part 1

Discover the guarded secrets of how using social media will have your business doing ‘fly-bys’ over your competition…  

This is part 1 of an article I wrote for Cleanfax Magazine…stay tuned next week as I reveal part 2. 

It’s been 25 years since the movie “Top Gun” hit theaters. Yet, it’s one of the most quoted movies of all time. 

Why? Well, a few factors… it had the ability to educate, entertain and engage. The exact same qualities that every business needs to have when using social media. 

“It’s just a walk in the park, Kazanky!” as Maverick explains to the other pilots. 

And, it really is. Social media can be the easiest way to promote your business without all the expensive advertising we as business owners have been programmed to buy into. Consider Yellow Pages, coupons, television, newspaper and radio your targets and social media the new weapons in your fight to win the war for new customers. 

Yeah, it’s a little cliché. But, it works! Some days it literally takes your breath away. 

All you have to do is three simple things and it can make all the difference between standing on the deck and shoving it into overdrive: Educate, entertain and engage. 

If you want to be considered the “best of the best” by your customers and even your competition you have to set the pace. Although there are no hard and fast rules to social media, those that follow the rules of engagement definitely achieve a higher status. 

No need for speed 

Speed is not necessarily a good thing with social media; sometimes it can lead to disaster. 

Uncontrollable downward tail spins. Can you walk away or do you… crash and burn? 750 million Facebook users couldn’t be wrong, could they? 

Sadly, only a small percentage of Facebook users are entrepreneurs who use the service as a means of promotion. 

‘It’s a target-rich environment!’ 

Maverick actually was referring to the women in the bar when he said that, but social media could have the same connotation. With social media, your target environment is your friends, fans and followers and their friends, fans and followers and so on. 

The key is not to have your fans think you “lost that loving feeling”. A constant supply of well-fueled posts that entertain, educate and engage will always keep them feeling that you care. 

Okay, enough with the Top Gun references for a bit. It was that last quote right? Too much? 

Social media can be the same way. Too many posts can have your fans, followers and friends feeling confused and somewhat abused. Sure, you want to tell the world all about how you feel, your newest gizmo that you’re selling or the red convertible you just bought… but do it over time. Just like in a normal conversation, you allow the other party to respond. You share with them and allow them to share back. One-sided conversations turn people away as do too many posts in a day. 

Anything you use in the offline world can be used online to educate, entertain and engage your social media followers. 

As I mentioned before, the field is wide open to what you could post, but keep in mind, the majority of your followers may not share your humor, use of harsh language or have gun racks in the back of their trucks… keep it clean and follow the rules.                

                                       

  Until Next Time,                  

     “Live with Passion!” 

   Rob Anspach    

  P.S.  To help make you a “Top Gun”, I’m relaunching my “Be A Better Entrepreneur” coaching and seminar series. I’m in the process of planning several 1 day seminar events (on the East & West coast of the USA) and scheduling multiple on-location consulting sessions. If you would like more information on the seminar events or the coaching services, feel free to drop a line and I’d be honor to help you make your story better. 

Social media etiquette from a Baltimore housewife!

 Over the years I have shared my thoughts and frustrations in regards to social media…and I appreciate you listening. 

       I have shared ideas, tips and secrets to help you get more how out of your social media experience. You’ve thanked me. 

       But today, I’m going to do something different… 

       I’m going to introduce you to a friend of mine… who as it happens is not a marketer, or an entrepreneur or even a social media guru. Nope! 

       She’s just a mom! A mom who cares about her family to write her response to what she sees concerning Facebook and social media in general. 

        Her name is Jaimie Jacobs and her article is entitled, “Facebook Status Updates: What Not To Write!        

        http://www.helium.com/items/2180749-facebook-status-updates-what-not-to-write    

        Read it!

        Comment on it!

        Tell her Rob sent you!  

        Until Next Time,                       

  “Live with Passion!” 

   Rob Anspach    

   P.S. The internet is full of mom’s just like Jaimie who are very expressive with their thoughts and we marketers could take a lesson from their handbook every now and then. 

The truth about fanpages!

It’s about 6:30pm EST and I’m still sitting at my computer.

I made the mistake of taking yesterday off to spend at the beach. And, today I’m paying for it.

I had several emails and a few phone calls while I was away.

It seems what’s on everybody’s mind right now is how to make their fanpage more effective. To some just having a fanpage would do wonders.

But, a word of caution…

A fanpage won’t do diddly if you don’t work it!

“You got to work it, work it!” – as my kids would sing, from the movie Madagascar.

Yep, you have to actively engage readers (followers, friends, stalkers) or whatever you wish to call them, to respond to what it is you are conveying.

It’s not easy.

If they have hundred of friends (or in my case thousands), your message may not get much “play-time” and may just fall on deaf ears.

So, truth be told…why waste time creating a fanpage if you aren’t going to continously make it interesting and fun.

The best fanpages incorporate a “thank you” for liking us feature. Or, some type of incentive to get people to share the page with their friends.

Yeah, I know it’s crazy!

Just a few years ago, there was no Facebook. Now, if your business doesn’t have a fanpage you are labled a leaper or maybe something worse.

The times they are a changing…are you keeping up?

I know!

Almost 3 years ago, I screwed up!

In the early days of fanpage development I made a few mistakes…even had my very first fanpage shut down for two weeks due to violating Facebook’s terms of service agreement. Which, ironically wasn’t my fault, but it did cost me time and money.

It was a hard lesson to learn.

Now, with Facebook surpassing 600 million active members, having a fanpage for your business is definately the way to build sales. And, you need to do it right!

Gimmicks work for a bit! They are like that tangling carrot in front of the mule to get him to move forward. Eventually, the donkey will get tired and want to eat the carrot. So substance is just as important.

The key is to keep your followers engaged…is to actively educate and entertain them.

 

Until Next Time, 

      “Live with Passion!” 

      Rob Anspach    

P.S.  If you need help with your fanpage (setting up, increasing traffic, conversion), give me shout out! I offer consulting, content creation and yes, even management of your fanpage.  

Contact Information

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Email: rob@robanspach.com                                   Phone: (717)330-7947

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 Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube & WordPress!

                    

Rob Anspach is a “brilliantly savvy” entrepreneur who helps frustrated business owners regain the passion they once had by showing them how to be more effective in the marketplace, how to dramatically improve their business so they enjoy coming to work again and how to win over customers regardless of price. Discover how easy it is to make money in your online or offline marketing, to attract and retain clientele and profit from your passions… visit http://www.robanspach.com  today!

Rob is also the creator & dynamic force behind Success Secrets TV, the new online show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs stay successful… check it out by going to… http://www.SuccessSecrets.TV

Google’s “New Coke” Blunder!

Seems like even Mega, Goliath type companies don’t learn from the mistakes made by others, oh so many years ago.

Google with their latest algorithm launched just a few weeks ago to help them compete better in the world of internet search inquiries is taking a lesson out of Coca Cola’s play book.

Twenty six years ago Coke in order to compete with Pepsi changed the formula of their flagship drink and made it “New Coke”. In their drastic attempt to be like their competitor Coke failed to realize who their customers were. They wanted to capture Pepsi’s new generation but failed to recognize the generation that help shaped them into a global powerhouse.

Coke failed miserably!

In time Coke learned from their mistakes and reshaped their company, refocused their efforts, listened to their customers and now are the number one beverage company in the world.

Google was once the mighty and proud search engine that everyone used, and every one wanted to be ranked on.

They’re screwing up!

Google’s latest attempt at recoding the algorithm that made them famous is putting entrepreneurs, web companies and those searching in frantic mode.

Google is the “New Coke” all over again.

Websites that have enjoyed prime real estate on Page 1 of Google for their key words are being tossed aside like yesterday’s trash.

Strategies employed by the so-called SEO experts are being put to the test and major money is being spent to force everyone to drink Google’s new concoction.

Google is running scared!

Their biggest competitor is Facebook!

While Facebook is relatively the newcomer compared to Google – it really is the Coke vs Pepsi war all over again.

In this battle, everyone with a website is collateral damage.

Google is punishing those without regard to how long they’ve been on the net or how much money they make or spend. And, yet at the same time rewarding those who have no clue what they are doing, or how ridiculous their content is.

It’s so haphazard!

And Google seems to be proud of it!

In my search for answers I’ve discovered a few clues to Google’s “New Coke” formula, and it goes something like this…

The Main Ingredients to Google’s Algorithm.

(importance from top to bottom)

1)SEO Keyword Usage Factors

2)Domain Strength / Speed

3)Registration History

4)Age & Quality of Links

5)Historical CTR to page in SERP’s

6)Content Quality Score

7)Negative Results

Keywords are still a very important factor in determining where your website page ranks on Google’s search. Add in how fast your website loads and how old it is and you have the making for a great “Page 1″ search.

Here’s the monkey in your wrench!

It’s the sweetness that Google hopes will help shape their future.

They’ve added a few more tricks! No copying! Yep, Google now grades on content, the time users spend on your site, usability, links to and from, and how your page is being promoted on social media, article submission sites and blogs.

What Google is hoping to do is force all website owners to be more creative, original and somewhat authoritative in their content creation. Google penalizes your site for using content that is duplicated from others or even your own sites.

Google no longer wants the generation that helped build them, they want the new generation that sits in front of the computer all day doing nothing but creating original works of art, sipping from their fountain.

It’s sounds great in theory, as I’m sure so did the idea of “New Coke”!

But, in all reality there is not enough credible in-the-know web designers, SEO experts or do-it-yourselfers to implement all the new rules for websites to achieve what Google is proposing.

Hey, just knowing what I shared with you could help you achieve higher rankings. Well, until Google decides to change the formula again.

Until Next Time, 

   “Live with Passion!”

 

   Rob Anspach

    

  P.S.  Do you want to know how to improve your website? Do you want to learn how the search engines view your content? Well, now you can! I’ve teamed up again with Internet Guru John Spangler (from my Web Success Series on Success Secrets TV) to offer you a special 5 page White Lable SEO/Website Report. This report is so detailed, so helpful that it normally sells for $99. But, being that John owes me a huge favor and I want to help you grow your business and help your website achieve good rankings I’ve convinced John to let you have it for just $39. That’s an incredible $60 off.

Click to start your order…

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B2JJAADBE6YW6

 P.P.S. After paying for your “White Lable SEO/Website report” just send me an email with…

Your name and company name,

The website you want to have checked,

10 keywords or less you want to check for web rankingsWhat I will then do is have John generate the report as a pdf and email you the report that you can then use any way you want.

Contact Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Email: rob@robanspach.com                                   Phone: (717)330-7947

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Rob Anspach is a “brilliantly savvy” entrepreneur who helps frustrated business owners regain the passion they once had by showing them how to be more effective in the marketplace, how to dramatically improve their business so they enjoy coming to work again and how to win over customers regardless of price. Discover how easy it is to make money in your online or offline marketing, to attract and retain clientele and profit from your passions… visit http://www.robanspach.com  today!

Rob is also the creator & dynamic force behind Success Secrets TV, the new online show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs stay successful… check it out by going to… http://www.SuccessSecrets.TV

YOU Time!

When was the last time you broke free of the business and just did something for you?

Today was my day!

I woke up early as I usually do. But, instead of turning on my computer and peaking into the world of social media, checking the magnitude of emails, or listening to the voice mails…I ignored them!

Yep! It was my day!

It had nothing to do with ignoring deadlines or responding to inquiries…it was just that I needed a free day (a personal “hookie” day).

I didn’t want to think about logging in, pushing papers, pleasing people or writing brilliant content. Nope!

I’m taking the day off. Rob has the left the building.

Most entrepreneurs would have a serious problem with just up and taking time off…even if it’s just for a day. And to be spontaneous…

…don’t even think about it!

Yet, sometimes taking time away from the business is exactly what’s needed to re-energize those entrepreneurial batteries.

You need a recharge!

Take a deep breathe! Clear your schedule! Relax!

It’s not that easy is it.

You have programmed yourself into thinking that you need to be available 24/7 for your clients and potential customers or you might miss out on that sale.

Well, my friend, the only thing you will miss out on is your enjoyment of life.

Take time to smell the roses! In fact gardening is therapeutic!

That’s what I did today! I put up a fence around my garden to keep the animals out, and then helped my wife plant all kinds of vegetables. It was fun!

I didn’t think about business, websites, Facebook, customers…and yes, I turned my cellphone off so I was not accessible to anyone.

Deals don’t need to be conducted 24/7!

Downtime is required!

It’s okay to play “hookie” from your business every so often…in fact I insist!

Go out and just enjoy the day. Turn off the cellphone, unplug the computer, no TV, no radio, don’t read the newspaper…No distractions.

Go fishing, see a baseball game, plant a garden, just do something that isn’t business related. Give yourself permission for YOU time!

When you return to work, you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the world.

Until Next Time, 

  “Live with Passion!”

    Rob Anspach

 P.S.  Take a day off and tell me how you felt? Was it uncomfortable? Was it relaxing? How did you feel when you returned to work?

Contact Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Email: rob@robanspach.com                                   Phone: (717)330-7947 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rob Anspach is a “brilliantly savvy” entrepreneur who helps frustrated business owners regain the passion they once had by showing them how to be more effective in the marketplace, how to dramatically improve their business so they enjoy coming to work again and how to win over customers regardless of price. Discover how easy it is to make money in your online or offline marketing, to attract and retain clientele and profit from your passions… visit http://www.robanspach.com  today!

Rob is also the creator & dynamic force behind Success Secrets TV, the new online show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs stay successful… check it out by going to… http://www.SuccessSecrets.TV

It’s April 1st, but there’s no joke!

Yeah, yeah, yeah…it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt!  April Fools on me, right! But this isn’t a joke! A prank! Or whatever trick you like to pull on April 1st! If you run a business…today marks the end of the first quarter of this year. What have you accomplished? Are sales in line with last year? Better? Worse? How’s your marketing? Are you being consistant with your message? Are you keeping in contact with your clients? A monthly newsletter? Reminder cards? Thank you cards? Is your social media sites drawing people in? Or discouraging people away? Are expenses being controlled or allowed to fritter away? Sure, there are a ton more questions you should be considering…are you? Quarterly reviews play a significant part in helping guide your business. They can show you where you’re deficient, what your strengths are and where the money is coming from. They can also be the exact lifesaver a business needs, I call them the quarterly kick-in-the-ass most businesses need. Yep, a real wake up call to most businesses. Some have no clue! Yet, they continue to operate for years under the assumption things will get better. What a joke! Things don’t magically improve! If you want change, you have to make change happen! Take time today to sit down and get that review process going. Look at your numbers! Look at your systems! Quit joking around! Get serious! Maybe the last three months weren’t so good, but that doesn’t mean the next nine will be the same. Although if you continue to do the same things over and over again…guess what, you could be financially and emotionally hurt! Make April Fools a day of reflection and so that you don’t stay the fool all year long. Until Next Time, “Live with Passion!” Rob Anspach P.S. If your business isn’t moving in the direction you would like it to be, let’s talk! Just send me an email and tell me a little bit about yourself and your company. Tell me why you think your sales aren’t where they should be, tell me what you’ve tried and why you think it didn’t work. The more I know about your situation, the better equipped I can be to help you improve and make money. P.P.S. Beginning April 15th, I’m launching a brand new coaching program. For now, I’m keeping this group small, no more than 15 people. It’ll be designed to keep you moving forward, keeping you accountable and giving you that push you need to stay successful. I’ll keep you posted.

Contact Information  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Email: rob@robanspach.com Phone: (717)330-7947 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! Rob Anspach is a “brilliantly savvy” entrepreneur who helps frustrated business owners regain the passion they once had by showing them how to be more effective in the marketplace, how to dramatically improve their business so they enjoy coming to work again and how to win over customers regardless of price. Discover how easy it is to make money in your online or offline marketing, to attract and retain clientele and profit from your passions… visit http://www.robanspach.com today! Rob is also the creator & dynamic force behind Success Secrets TV, the new online show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs stay successful… check it out by going to… http://www.SuccessSecrets.TV

Web Success

A few months ago, I would never be able to post this on YouTube!

No, it has nothing to do with being pirated or containing racy material!

It’s that it exceeds, or it did, YouTube’s time restrictions.

Time’s they are a changin’!

YouTube relinquished their time restraints (well to a select group for now) and has given the green light for longer videos.

Well, remember earlier today when I told you I would be sharing with you my interview with internet marketer John Spangler… well, I was going to wait until later this week…but, I felt the information was just to valuable to keep from you…so here it is!

Here’s what you’ll discover…

In this Success Secrets TV Special Edition Episode called “Web Success”

• Why Craigslist & Squidoo are very important in your online marketing
• The dominating effects using a linkwheel can have on your website
• Why understanding SEO is critical
• How to turn your competitors keywords to your advantage
• much much more!

One caveat… this isn’t your typical 8-10 minute video. This my friend is 28 minutes of jam packed undeniable web goodness.

Here’s the link…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO7uYWMBi6M

Until next time,

“Live With Passion!”

Rob Anspach

P.S. I decided to keep it real, no special effects, no editing…just real information that you can use right away.

 

P.P.S. If you are currently using a monthly client newsletter that isn’t getting the phone to ring, generating referrals or providing more money to your bottom line… it’s time to check out The Ultimate Monthly Newsletter.

 

 

Time Hero

Did you ever have one of those days where everything seems to flow perfectly and you feel like a you are invincible.

Yesterday was one of those days for me!

I wrote an article for Cleanfax Magazine entitled “The Uniqueness Factor”. This is one of those articles that will get you to think about how you present your service to your customers, why most companies are not unique, how to change the misperceptions people have and create a company so unique that it positions your company as the go to expert in your field.

Then I did a half hour video with my friend and internet marketer John Spangler on how to make your website more successful. Believe me, this information is killer and it’s stuff that everyone with a website should watch. (I’ll be sharing this video with my list later this week…watch for the email.)

Next, I did two half hour phone consultations talking about SEO, social media, print marketing and a host of ways to gain market exposure.

And that was just half the day…

Do you track your day?

Time equals money, right? Of course it does!

To become a better time management hero…I started tracking my day and my results. This keeps me focused on the big picture and helps me eliminate all the wasted stuff that was dragging me down and wasting my time.

Not only do I track my time, but I put a value on each project I do in that time frame.

Regardless if it’s $10 or $10,000 I mark it down next to the time or project I’m working on.

After a month, I can look back and see where my time was spent and what if any amount was given to that task.

If my time was not being used in the best manner possible, I can field out those smaller tasks that were dragging me down and wasting my day. Allowing me to focus my abilities on what makes me the most money with the best use of my time.

If you want to be more profitable you need to start tracking your time.

Learn to be a time management hero!

Until next time,

“Live With Passion!”

Rob Anspach

P.S. Again, look for that email later this week regarding my video with internet marketer John Spangler.

P.P.S. If you are currently using a monthly client newsletter that isn’t getting the phone to ring, generating referrals or providing more money to your bottom line… it’s time to check out The Ultimate Monthly Newsletter.

 

The Lost Art!

This morning while picking up my daughter’s boyfriend from his job, I noticed something strange!

Wow, okay…there is two things wrong with that sentence already…(1) that I had to pick him up and (2) he should have his own car… but they aren’t the strange things.

My daughter decided to come with me. And, as much as me and her in the same car is strange, it’s still not the something strange I’m talking about.

To cut to the chase…and to let you in on the strangeness.

We picked up her boyfriend! My daughter in the front seat and her boyfriend in the back.

Why they didn’t sit together I have no clue.

Then the texting began.

What seemed like every 2-3 seconds one of their cell phones would ring, vibrate or spew some sort of musical annoyance!

They never said one word to each other.

Yep, that’s strange! Well, in my book it is.

We have lost the art!

The art of verbal communication.

To be honest, I hate texting!

I want to hear the nuances of human voice.

How many times have you sent a text or an email only to have it backfire?

But, it takes too long! It’s too inconvenient! It’s not fast enough! Blah, blah, blah!

If I had a nickel for everytime I was sent an email, or a text followed by a phone call asking me if I received said email or text I would have enough money to buy a Hummer! Okay maybe not a Hummer…I would have least enough to buy a mega Starbucks vanilla latte.

The point being is that although email, texting and social media can be at times life savers…nothing beats good ole fashion “open the mouth and say something” communication.

Try it!

Until Next Time,

“Live With Passion!”

Rob Anspach

P.S. Texting may be the rage…but studies are showing that the youths (and yes, adults too) are losing the ability to spell. So if your conversation includes OMG, LOL or the like, maybe it’s time for some real world human communication.