With the amazing, (and better written) testimonial from Kim Sanderson (click here) being published today, I thought I would be a little briefer, and a little more personal.

When I first started in online marketing (not at Muirhead Marketing) the idea was to buy online advertising such as Google AdWords, or Yahoo Ads, and build a strategy where these elements were the corner stone.

Then I opened Muirhead Marketing with the idea of utilizing FREE services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Blogging, blah blah blah – People had one big question:

How are you going to make any money?

See, for the longest time, advertisers and marketers would get a better rate for purchasing ads (they still do!). So, when a company hired them, they would pay a retainer, but the residual income came from placing ads. (This is Win Win, as the advertising cost less using a firm.)

But I had a different idea. I was going to invoice people for my gifts; understanding this media, knowing how to build effective strategies, and offer continued support (effectively becoming their offensive coordinator – if you need a football analogy).

They wouldn’t pay me unless a “gift” was exchanged. And they wouldn’t pay Muirhead Marketing unless we offered remarkable strategies, and service.

So there you have it (although not as brief).

(originally post at Mitch Joel’s Six Pixels of Separation)

For me there has been three significant shifts in the marketing world, that all come together to one outstanding result.

The first is the ability for people like myself, to do what they are passionate about in creating their own careers. There has never been a time that so many people could connect, share, inspire, and lead. Creating a global community, and opening doors for new business. Which leads us into the second change

Information access, this has to be one of the greatest opportunities for marketers (and people). We now live in a world that you can tap into a conversation that is going on about a particular  brand/person/business. In addition, we can have more informed discussions about products or service, and find out what the end consumer is wanting/needing.

All of which leads us into what is the greatest change -

The ability to Give Gifts, without any expectation of return. This is not just because we are being nice, but because there has been a mental shift in the way business/marketing can be done. You write a blog, that’s your gift and people (myself included) start to connect with you over the material you’re providing. However, we may not  – and that would be ok. You have the ability to test out multiple ideas, and see which ones take off, and which ones don’t. You’ll move forward with the successful ideas, and see what made the other ideas not successful, learning and growing in the process.

Giving Gifts, The Ability To Test Multiple Ideas, And Truly Contribute To Peoples Lives – That’s The Biggest Change (but it’s not just in marketing)

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking to a large group in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This is a good drive for me, as it takes approximately 2.5 hours from my office  in Simcoe County.

On the drive, I was listening to the audio book Linchpin by Seth Godin (a must have book in any form). And it got me thinking

What is my true gift in business?

I can’t say that my true gift is using social media tools, as there are others who are far more technically advanced then I am at using any one of the tools.
I can’t say that it’s my gift writing (have you really read this blog?). I try to get my thoughts out as best I can, but sometimes I even confuse myself.

So what is my gift to share to the world as a proud business owner? Sharing ideas

As I said at the start of this post, I’m presenting today – and I would like to think I’m pretty darn good at it. In fact, I would say it’s one of my strongest gifts I offer.

I present in away, that at the end I have shared my gift of insight, and (I hope) inspiration to move forward in a world where sharing gifts is a GOOD thing.

That’s my gift, what’s yours?

Welcome to the new world of sales. We no longer choose between blue or green, but between a million options, all with advantages and disadvantages.

Today I explore the often misguided thought of “putting people into your business’s sales funnel.”

Putting the sales funnel on its head

Over the past week, I’ve had the good fortune to deliver two seminars. One was to a large group of Go Venture members. The other was a lunch & learn seminar, where I partnered with Warren Huston from NetConneXion.

A statement I said that got a few people to move in their seats was:

• “It’s not about you, offer gifts to your community – Freely, openly and without the expectation of return.”

Well, you could only guess the reaction from businesses in the room.

• “But Josh, I can’t give my knowledge away – That’s how I make money.”
• “Josh, there has to be some expectation of return.”
• “You’re crazy – but I like it” – Thanks Andrew

The point of that statement wasn’t to say that “Give everything away – you’ll be happier that way” (although you may be). The point was to offer people authentic, and genuine ideas, solutions, and insights.

And yes for free! But you still make money

• An audience now sees you as an expert
• Groups of people are now you’re raving fans – advocating on behalf of your business
• When they think of X, they will think of YOU!

Plus, if none of this happens, you can still take away that you helped someone. That’s not a bad thing to do these days.

It’s a little hard to do actually – But last night, as I was watching a great Canadian program called – Dragons Den – on CBC.ca, I was reminded how this question can really be put into context.

Define success?

Alright, how about, Define what is going to make you happy

That’s a much better way to look at the question, because when we hear success we intuitively thing “Money, Wealth, Power,” but when we hear happy – well, your imagining something a lot different than I am.

And that’s the truth, we all measure happiness  differently,

For some, it is Money, Wealth, and Power, but for others it’s Family, Friends, and Health.

But what does Defining Success have to do with marketing?

If your in business, and more importantly, if you’re the marketer in that business (and trust me, You are a marketer in that business), you’ll be asked this questions constantly, so ask this one back:

What would make you happy? Maybe having a Facebook Fan Page of 10 people would make you, your boss, or your client extremely happy.

Discover the true meaning of the word “success” and what it represents for You

Recently, and I am serious like 5 minutes ago, I watched a video from TED2010 (click here to find out what TED is) about Bing Maps – Microsoft’s answer to Google Maps.

An impressive presentation, that got me thinking – Will this become the new billboards for business – but way more interactive?

Why I use the terminology of billboard is from a marketing standpoint that it is a very similar idea. (Billboard) You showcase your business (product or service) to the people driving buy. (Maps) Now you showcase your business (your actual physical location) to people who are on the internet (talk about a traffic jam).

With wars being waged all over the internet, I feel we forget how important it is to get people physically to the stores that now are so represented online. This new war on mapping might be the Big battle because of that reason.

Now, you combine the best of social media, and internet information – with an actual geographical location. In addition (as shown in the video, which I recommend you watch) you may also be able to stream video. That’s a Win, Win Win for the consumer.

Watch the video below to get an idea of what I am talking about – Have an inspired day!

30+ years ago we lived in a different world than what we have today.

It’s not really that people have changed significantly, although some would say we have, the true change has been the expectation of time, and I’ll give you an example.

- A while ago, I went to a gas station. As the majority of gas stations where I live, this was a self-service station. I got out of my truck, pushed my card into the quick-pay holder, and within about    5 – 10 minutes, had completed my transaction.

Go back now a few years:

- When someone would arrive at a gas station, people would come out, say “Hi, Check your oil?” and go about pumping your gas, washing your windows, and well…Checking your oil. This transaction would take much longer.

In marketing, we have been trained over the last X amount of years to “GET THE MESSAGE OUT!” even it if wasn’t all that good. But today – and I literally mean this very moment, that idea is starting to change – starting to go back to “Listen first, talk second.”

Maybe we’ll go back to full-service gas stations, with five people helping just one customer…Or is that asking to much?

Good day, today I thought I would share how social media can work for your business. I’m doing this not because I don’t want business (trust me, I do) but I thought – Hey these people have been following me for a while now, it’s time to give back!

So how does social media work? Or, how does it work for business may be the better question.

Think of social media as a wheel – An always-revolving wheel, that doesn’t always have to go in the same direction. (A wheel might not be the best analogy, but it’s the best I could come up with)

You start at the top of the wheel with a main contact point, for most this is a website – Then you start adding into your wheel. You can add in a blog, and social media channels. The wheel can now start to turn! The main idea is that these spots are different touch-point that your clients can interact with you (much like a wheel contacting the pavement). It may slip if you only have two contact points, but with several, you’re gripping the highway while going 220km.

So how does this work for Business?

Touch-points, and interaction. You’re clients may not want to have contact with you through your website or even blog, but your Facebook page, or Twitter account- sure why not!

You offer information through them all, staying true to the feeling but not sending out the same message over and over – and then you listen, see what others are saying and respond. The wheel continues to spin.

That’s how social media can work for your business! And remember, be Remarkable, Aspire to Inspire

For a while, we have been talking about Social Media and Your Social Networks. I have been saying how great it is to have, and even giving a couple examples along the way, but I think it’s time for a quick how – to guide for you to try a Social Media Campaign all your own.
First – Don’t Stop what you’re already doing, as we’ll use that to leverage the Social Media component

Second – Choose one Social Media that you enjoy the most or find easiest to use. In this example we will use Facebook

Three – If you have not already done so, sign-up for an account.

Four – Think of a Goal for this campaign – For this example we will use to increase traffic to a website

Five – Using that goal, shape your Social Media campaign around what you feel would attacked people to the site –
Example: On Facebook – We’re looking for some amazing idea for our new logo on our site – Website Here – Submit your design through Facebook until September 30, for your chance to win $50 gift certificate to the Apple Store.

Six – Using some sort of draw i.e. chance to win, let your campaign grow naturally and give it time. Unlike a newspaper add, or radio commercial it will take longer for people to see the promotion. However, once they do, you’ll then start receiving higher interest in your site, PLUS people who now have a vested interest.

Seven – After the initial set-up of the campaign is complete, start to leverage what your already doing with the contest of Promotion itself – could even be included in your signature on email

Eight – Once the timeline is up for the campaign, review what you have received (as this will quickly show the level of interest) and award the winner (Follow Though Is A MUST)

Nine – If your doing this campaign exactly, you’ll now have a couple of things, Higher amount of people going to your site. People who have a new vested interest in your company (a higher chance of becoming Raving Fans). Contact information, with ROI included – (You’ll know increase in hits, number of people in your Facebook group, and number of entries) . And A New Logo For $50, which is a very good price.

Well I hope this helps open the doors for what is possible through Social Media Marketing, and if you would like to know more, or have your own campaign, drop me a line, and I’ll be happy have a chat.