Fast Marketing Minute with Marketing and PR Expert Robin Samora

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If you’re wondering how to set up a Google Analytics Account and how it can help with your marketing – here are some simple tips.

Setting up a Google Analytics account is important if you want to analyze what’s going on behind the scenes at your website. To make it easy, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Create an account: Go to the Google Analytics website and sign up for a free account by providing your website details.
Add the tracking code: After creating an account, you’ll be provided with a tracking code. Add this code to your website’s HTML code, typically just before the closing tag.
Set up goals: Define what you want to track on your website, like form submissions, pageviews, etc. These will be your “goals.”
Track events: Set up event tracking to track specific user interactions on your website, like clicks on buttons or links.
Configure your dashboard: Customize your analytics dashboard to display the metrics that matter most to you.
Analyze and share your data: Once you have data coming in, start exploring your analytics reports to understand your website traffic, user behavior, and performance.

Hey, I’m not a super techie and never want to be. But even I can follow these guidelines.

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Are you new or not that familiar with using ChatGPT? Here are some marketing tips to help you get started.

ChatGPT is an AI tool that’s revolutionizing writing, marketing, and research. Here are some ways to make it easier to use for your marketing project.

Define how you’ll use it. Determine what you want to use ChatGPT for. Is it content creation or customer service? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, it will be easier to get the most out of the tool.
Train the model: This is AI. You need to train the model on your specific language and tone. So that means taking the time to do it. The more data you provide, the more queries you give it, the more accurate your responses will be.
Keep it simple: Don’t overcomplicate things. ChatGPT is a tool designed to make your life easier, so start by asking simple questions and gradually increase the complexity.
Monitor and evaluate: Regularly monitor and evaluate your results. Keep refining your approach and take time to train the AI model so that it improves over time! It really may make your life easier.

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Looking to generate more leads on LinkedIn? Join the Club. Well, listen in. I’ve got some ideas for you.

Don’t overcomplicate getting leads or increasing visibility on LinkedIn. Here are some marketing tips to help you.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Sounds like a no brainer. Just make sure your profile accurately represents you and your brand. Use keywords that describe your skills and services, and showcase your best work in the portfolio section.
Join Relevant LinkedIn Groups: Find groups related to your industry and join them. Engage in discussions, share relevant content, and connect with other members to expand your network.
Leverage LinkedIn Publishing: One of my favorites. Share thought-leadership articles on LinkedIn to establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can drive traffic to your profile. That’s the point, right?
Connect with Your Target Audience: Use LinkedIn’s advanced search features to find and connect with potential customers who fit your target demographic. Be sure to personalize your connection requests to increase your chances of being accepted.
Think about LinkedIn Ads: LinkedIn Ads are a great way to reach your target market. Target your ads based on job title, industry, company size, and more. Test slowly and track your results.
Host Virtual Events: Host webinars, online workshops, or Q&A sessions to connect with potential customers. And, don’t forget to promote your event on LinkedIn to reach a wider audience.

Of course, you want to engage regularly and post content as an expert. But make room for these ideas in your marketing plan, too.

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Wondering what a mobile marketing tour is all about and how it can promote your brand? Listen in.

A mobile marketing tour is a great way to bring your brand directly to your target audience. It’s also a unique way to interact with customers, build brand awareness and create a personal connection. Should you add a mobile tour to your marketing plan?

Here are 5 steps to launch your mobile marketing tour

Identify your target audience: Determine who your target audience is and where they’re located. This will help you plan your tour route effectively.
Define your goals: What you do hope to achieve from your tour? Are you looking to increase sales, build brand awareness, or generate leads?
Choose your vehicle: Here’s the fun part. Decide what type of vehicle you want to use for your tour. It should be eye-catching and representative of your brand. Remember the Oscar Weiner hotdog mobile?
Plan your route: Now that you know your audience, goals, and have a vehicle, map out a route that allows you to reach your target audience. Market with intention!
Promote your tour: No one will know about your mobile marketing tour if you don’t promote it. Use social media, email marketing, and other promotional channels to create excitement about your tour.

What’s so great about mobile marketing tours?

Mobile marketing tours allow brands to connect with customers in a personal and memorable way. They can help build brand awareness, generate leads, and provide a fun and unique experience for customers.

What’s not to like about that?

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Looking for video marketing ideas on Instagram? Well, here are 7 ideas to start with.

7 Types of Marketing Videos that Perform Well on Instagram

Influencer videos: Collaborate with influencers to create videos. It’s a great way to reach a new audience and increase engagement. Find an influencer that shares your audience, values, and mission.
Behind-the-scenes videos: You’ve seen a million of them. Behind-the-scenes videos give you a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of a brand or company. They humanize your brand.
Tutorials and How-to videos: A How-to video doesn’t need to be a major production. You can produce these on your iPhone. They provide value to your followers by teaching them something new.
Time-lapse videos: Time-lapse videos are great for showing the process of making something, plus they’re visually engaging. Experiment on your phone and see what you come up with.
Product demos: Showcase how a product works. Product demos can help increase conversions and drive sales. Look at Amazon for inspiration.
User-generated content: UGC or user-generated content is more believable than what you post. Reposting videos from your followers helps build community, increase engagement, and gives your audience social proof.
Humorous or entertaining videos: Laughter levels the playing field. It’s a universal language and a great way to connect with your audience.

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If you’re wondering what’s the difference between digital marketing, digital PR and social PR, stay tuned.

Ok let’s get some marketing and public relations definitions straight here.

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing refers to the promotion of products and services through digital channels, like search engines, websites, social media, email, and mobile apps. These are the channels you’re probably using every day to market your business.

Digital PR

Digital PR is the use of digital media to manage and build your online reputation and image of your brand or personal brand. It’s about creating and sharing content, engaging your community and influencers, and managing online crisis communication. Oooh, better be prepared for that. Don’t give your social media keys to just anyone!

Social PR

Think of it as a subset of digital PR. Social PR focuses on leveraging social media platforms to build your brand reputation and engagement. It involves creating and sharing content, enhancing engagement, and again – the necessary management of online crisis communication — specifically on social media channels.

There’ll be no quiz here, but I just want to make sure you understand the differences between digital marketing, digital PR, and Social PR.

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Want to optimize your search engine ranking? Look at keyword research to improve your marketing strategy.

Write a Topical List

Begin with a keyword list that describes your business. Say you’re a dentist. Start with services you provide like “Cosmetic Dentistry,” “Dental Checkup,” “or “Dental Cleaning.” Search engines consider the searcher’s location when they display websites, so if someone nearby is typing these keywords, you have a higher chance of showing up.

Use Tools of the Trade

Keyword tools like SEMrush can show you how often people search for specific keywords, giving you an idea of which ones are worth including on your website. If there’s high volume on certain keywords, it means there’s lots of competition.

Longer Keywords Go a Long Way

Websites like 1800 Dentist will probably have a higher keyword ranking than your local dentist. To rank higher, use longer-string keywords like “Dallas Cosmetic Dentistry” or “Oral Surgery in Dallas” so your website appears in more relevant searches.

What’s Your Intent?

Knowing how your customers think is half the battle when you’re crafting SEO strategy. If it’s back to school time and summer is over, more people may schedule a dentist appointment. Use the intent of your customers to your advantage by providing content that will target their predicted keywords

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Want to know how to build a better marketing plan and win more customers? Look at the marketing framework to see if you’re on target. Here are some tips to help you get there.

Let’s talk about what it takes to improve your marketing plan framework.

Market research is more important than ever Research counts whether you do it yourself or outsource the task. Without it, you’re throwing darts at a wall. Think of it as a deep dive on your brand and your competition. It gives you insights that may be surprising. Study the competition Invest time to research the competition from every viewpoint. What do you like about their messaging or style? What weaknesses seem obvious – and what might yours be? Write a detailed overview of your brand’s five top competitors, including apps, too. Identify your target audience It sounds like a no-brainer, but basically, you’re on a discovery mission. What can you find out about your target audience’s behaviors and attitudes? Where do they hang out, what do they read, and what groups do they belong to? Don’t waste money or time on ineffective targeting. Develop a marketing plan timeframe Timing is always a challenge and execution of your marketing and PR strategy requires careful scheduling and delegation of task assignments, and attention to details to hit key deadlines. Follow your mission statement A mission statement crystalizes the purpose, motive, and vision for what your brand or company stands for. Ultimately, it gives customers an opportunity to understand who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.

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Smart marketers understand that marketing and PR should be like best friends or sisters. How can you better align your marketing plan with PR? Listen in. PR Complements a Marketing Plan If you’ve invested the time to create a marketing plan, then PR should be part of it. It’s an important part of outreach with the ultimate goal to create a buzz around your business. PR is a complementary marketing strategy because it helps meet the same business goals, only with different tactics. Getting Earned Mention Helps Meet Marketing Goals Your marketing team is probably busy looking at the results of different campaigns and how to get better results. PR can help those efforts with social PR or getting mention from influencers, or by influencing industry journalists to cover what’s new. Marketing and PR each have their own goals, but you have to learn how to evaluate your marketing plan and your PR plan, too to see that you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck. Marketing Directs Digital PR Tactics Digital PR or social PR tactics can range from media releases, video, social media campaigns, targeted media drips, or answering HARO requests, or getting published on LinkedIn, to name a few. Both marketing and PR let your top prospects, clients, email subscribers and fans – and the media -- know what you’re up to. That ultimately separates you from your competitors and makes you more press worthy.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing consultant in Boston. If you’re wondering what a marketing plan and PR plan, plus training can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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With over two million podcasts, leveraging audio content is one of the fastest-growing new PR strategies. How do you start? Listen in.

So how much content do you have? Why not repurpose some of your blogs, articles, and videos and leverage that content to promote your brand. Here are some marketing shortcuts.

1) Edit audio and podcasts on Audacity

Even if you’re a total beginner, recording and editing a podcast on Audacity is simple. You can record, edit and publish all in one place. It’s actually the free audio tool that I use to record the #FastMarketingMinute.

2) Create and share podcasts on Anchor.fm

Anchor is another podcast platform, owned by Spotify. Anchor FM is a free tool that lets you create and distribute your podcast to any listening app. Another feature is that you can create video content to go with your podcast. So then, you can distribute to even more channels.

3) Maximize cross-channel promotion

Why not turn one video into ten or more pieces of different content? That lets you take your ideas as far as they can go and saves you time in the process. One of the tools that I use is Repurpose.io. Reinventing the wheel for social media can be exhausting. Don’t let it be!

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and PR plans to help you increase sales and visibility. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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What if I told you social media marketing could be done in less time and be twice as fast? Interested? Here are a few tools.

Want to save time on your social media marketing and digital PR campaigns? Here are some tools to test-drive. Make sure they’re included in your marketing and PR plan.

1) Sort your social posts with SocialBee

When you simplify your social media posting with SocialBee, it lets you organize your posts into categories and schedule them when you want. Another benefit is that you can tweak each post to fit the platform, and keep posts on the same topic linked together.

2) Post new ideas with MeetEdgar

MeetEdgar was created just for small businesses who are incredibly busy. It pulls your evergreen content from your website, converts it to social media posts and keeps pumping out fresh social media content. Setting it up does take time, but it saves a ton of time.

3) Post articles, photos through Crowdfire

It’s always a good idea to mix up your content. If you found an article interesting that your target audience might like, your followers will probably like it too. Use Crowdfire to find articles that align with your brand or industry and automatically share them with your social channels.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and PR plans to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Perfecting copy for social media is challenging. You need to be concise in your messaging but you’re so restricted by space. Want some tips to make your social copy better? Stay tuned.

Want to make your social media pop? Here are 4 ways to improve your social content.

1) Find the right emojis

Emojis will make your posts pop and be more eye-catching. They’ll also express emotion in ways that text can’t. Plus, Emojipedia makes it easy and lets you add emojis to your social copy from your laptop, not just your phone.

2) Set up a Linktree

Does it drive you crazy that you can’t include links in Instagram posts? There’s a simple fix. Drive traffic right to your website through a Linktree page and unlock the ways your small business can increase sales. Just be sure to test your CTAs to make sure you’re getting results.

3) Shorten your URLs

A long URL could easily eat up all the characters in your Tweet, or make your post look less appealing. Why not shorten your URL with Bitly or TinyUrl? A shortened URL condenses your link into one line, and even better, can track how many people click your specific links.

4) Get inspiration from Copy.ai

Copy.ai is a cool tool that generates social media copy. Enter your keywords and subject matter and press enter. You may need to tweak a bit, but it can deliver inspiration and switch up your writing style.

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Are you on the fence about creating a podcast? Here are three reasons why it can help with your marketing.

Open Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other podcast hosting app and you’ll find content on just about any topic. And many are produced by brands that sponsor their own content filling hundreds of hours of listening time.

Why couldn’t that be you? Should a podcast be part of your marketing plan?

3 Ways Podcasts Improve Your Marketing

Podcasts are cost-effective

Creating a podcast doesn’t break the bank. Sure, it takes time and effort like developing any marketing channel, but you can produce content with little to no funds and there are lots of no-cost tools to help you. There’s Audacity for recording, Anchor.fm for posting podcasts, and Calendly for scheduling interviews.

Podcasts give your brand a voice

With a podcast you can share your views on social issues or whatever’s on your mind. Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of taking a stand on racial justice and produce a number of podcasts that center on racism, a cause they’re passionate about. Remember, podcasts are your own media channel, and a low-cost way to promote your expertise.

People can learn from you

A podcast also helps you stand out as a thought leader. Think about podcasts as a way to share your message and engage with your target market. Connect with listeners that want to know more about what you do.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and

write marketing and PR plans to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what

marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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If you’re an avid Netflix watcher – and who isn’t? – some big changes might be coming soon. What could this mean for marketing? Let’s explore Netflix with ads.

There’s talk that Netflix might add a subscription tier that includes ads. This could mean a major shift in the marketing industry. It’s still a bit early to tell.

What do Netflix ads mean for marketing? Including ads on the Netflix platform will be a major undertaking. The company needs to hire a sales team and build the technology to make it happen. Hulu has already been doing it for its free plans for years. Disney+ and HBO Max have also added tiers with advertising.

For customers, Netflix could be available for free or at a much lower price when the platform includes ads. For the company, it’s added revenue. For the consumer, it’s something they may have to put up with to pay for all the subscriptions they want.

Why is Netflix turning to ads? Ads raise revenue. According to recent reports, Netflix has lost 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022. Ads will open a new stream of revenue for Netflix, but it also opens some concerns like data privacy for customers who uploaded their information before Netflix advertising discussions.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and create marketing planning solutions to help you grow your business. If you’re wondering what marketing can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Hosting an event is still an important part of a company’s small business PR strategy. But how do you simplify the event marketing process with so many variables.

The Reader’s Digest Version of Marketing Your Event

List your event Eventbrite, Facebook, Meetup. These are just a few places to list your event to reach the highest number of people in your target audience. Make sure to include tags, a detailed description of the event and links to your website and social channels. This allows you the opportunity to connect with guests before they arrive.
Write a description that makes you want to attend As you write your event description, think about the purpose of the event. If it’s about small business marketing, appeal to people who think it’s critical to get a leg up on the competition. Be clear in your copy who should be interested. Write to your target audience. Know what they want, why they want to come, and what they’ll get out of it.
Be strategic with your email list If you have an email list? Awesome. If you have a segmented email list? That’s even better. Email marketing strategy for small business should never be underestimated. And it’s powerful for event marketing. Even if you don’t have a list, start one with people who sign up, and plan to stay in touch with them. You’re building like, know, trust and believability.
Create the perfect hashtag Hashtags build anticipation and help the event get discovered online. Encourage anyone who plans to attend or post on social media to use your particular hashtag.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing and PR expert and write marketing and publicity plans. If you’re wondering what

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What should be included in a marketing plan? Stay tuned.

A marketing plan is a blueprint to connect your ideal target audience with your products or services, and turn potential prospects into buyers. What should be in your marketing plan?

5 Key Elements of a Marketing Plan

Market Research Market research sets the stage for what’s going on and what’s possible. What does it look like for your company and your competitors? How big is the market and what messaging do they respond to?
Competition What do you admire about your competition? Do they have a leg up on you, or are you top in your industry? When you weigh up the competition you can establish realistic marketing goals.
Identify your target audience Zero in on your target audience. And don’t just answer the question of “who” your target audience is. What do they do? How do they feel? What do they like? Your own research and industry research will tell you.
Form a timeline Create key deadlines for your marketing campaigns, and pace yourself. Timing is critical as well, which makes it one of the most important elements in your marketing plan framework. Anticipate key dates and prepare everything you need in advance of those dates. ABR - Always be ready.
Create a mission statement A mission statement articulates what your brand is all about and talks about the why. It also gives you an outline for the rest of your marketing plan, and an easy-to-remember motto that your team can stand by.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and specialize in small business strategies to increase sales. Wondering what marketing and PR can do for your business? Visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call.

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Your reputation is everything in marketing. Building it takes time and care, so it’s best to be proactive. How do you do that? Stay tuned.

If you're looking to preserve your brand’s reputation and boost sales, here are 3 small business marketing tips you’ll want to know.

How to Boost Your Online Reputation and Sales

Reviews matter One of the best PR tactics is to pay attention to public opinion through reviews. 93 percent of consumers say that online reviews influence their purchase decisions. A positive or negative review establishes your reputation and 5-star reviews tells potential customers they can trust you.
Be responsive Whether you’re replying to reviews on social media or answering an email, stay in control of your message and respond to questions, concerns or issues – even bad reviews or comments. At the same time, if there are positive comments, respond gracefully and show appreciation. Why not make someone’s day?
Collaborate Could your brand benefit from working with an influencer? If that’s a yes, find one that fits your company’s style and personality. Working with influencers can increase your brand’s credibility and following. Just be sure that they represent you the way you want to be perceived and that together, you’re building goodwill.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and brainstorm creative ways to get your business noticed. If you’re wondering what marketing and PR can do for your business, visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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How can you create better content? Here are some marketing tips to win at LinkedIn’s Creator Accelerator Program. Listen in.

If you’re wondering how to create a buzz for your business and write a lot of content, here’s one way to do that.

4 Marketing Tips to Ace LinkedIn’s Creator Program

Consume as much content as you create Read just as much content as you write, watch as many videos as you create or read as many marketing case studies as you can. That knowledge and inspiration will help you create better content.
Test and learn, then test again Trial and error helps you constantly improve. Evaluate what you learned after every marketing campaign. LinkedIn helps by giving you analytics and insights that better define your metrics.
Focus on impact, not perfection No one can market their brand perfectly, but you can make an impact on others. Show enthusiasm and emotion, not just your expertise. Give people an opportunity to connect more meaningfully with you and your work.
Don’t be afraid to try video Videos don’t have to be long or complicated to be effective. Learn how to use your smartphone for videos. Remember perfection is a myth. Also check out apps like Canva or Splice. See what they have to offer.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I‘m a small business marketing expert and write marketing plans to help you increase sales and visibility. Wondering what marketing and PR can do for your business? Visit me at www.RobinSamora.com then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to find out how to create daily email content, without going crazy? Listen in for some tips.

Finding inspiration to create daily email content isn’t that hard, once you realize what makes your clients open their inbox in the first place. Here are a 3 marketing tips to get you started.

What’s New in Your Clients’ Lives?

A unique way to connect with clients came from fabric designer Robert Allen, who created a Google Doc and asked clients to update it weekly with personal stories. He then connected those anecdotes to topics he wanted to cover each week. The personal touch made each of his emails more engaging and unique – which was a winning combination.

Produce Ideas through Podcasts

If a client or someone you like in your industry was interviewed on a podcast, play it for inspiration and ideas. Mention what you learned from the podcast in your email, including their interests and challenges. Chances are, you have more than one subscriber who’s dealing with similar experiences.

Your Followers are Your Muses

One reason why we connect with each other on social media is to share ideas for our everyday lives, whether it’s a new blog to read, a new place to eat, or an innovative way to promote our business. Find topics that generate the most interest on your followers’ feeds and use them as ideas for your next email. It’s a simple way to scale your creativity without getting writer’s block.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. I wanted to give you a heads up that at the end of the year+, I’m moving this podcast from the Alexa platform to my website, www.RobinSamora.com. Visit me there, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to create sponsored content that doesn’t look salesy? Here’s how.

While some savvy social media users can smell a sponsored ad a mile away, not every post needs to look so promotional. Here’s how to combine exciting sponsored content that’s engaging without looking too salesy.

Create Value, Not Just Content

Before you post anything, ask yourself, “Will my followers find this valuable?” If the answer is no, it’s time to retool it. Make your followers’ lives easier by solving a problem or teaching them something new. Combine entertainment, humor, and trending topics to make the sponsored content practically sell itself.

Add More Variety

Variety is the spice of sponsored content, which in turn attracts a variety of audiences. If you’re posting about top restaurants, try adding images of food with cityscapes to appeal to different audiences who may be interested in travel and not just food.

Pick Your Platform Wisely

Depending on the type of post you’re creating, one platform might be better for your content than another. If you have a younger audience who is hooked on video, post on TikTok or YouTube. Go where your audience is most likely to be.

Vet Your Sponsors

Before you create sponsored content together, check your partner’s website’s domain authority score to see if they’re worth your partnership. There are plenty of online checkers that will analyze websites for you, including Moz Domain Analysis. A website with a high score means they have an engaged audience who frequents their site, which you can rely on to see your post.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. I wanted to give you a heads up that at the end of the year, I’m moving this podcast from the Alexa platform to my website, www.RobinSamora.com. Visit me there, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Looking to tap into nostalgia marketing for your next campaign? Tune in for some ideas.

With so many challenges today, more people are looking back at simpler times and buying accordingly. So, how do you use nostalgia marketing work to reach new audiences?

Reintroduction Through New Media

From movies to groceries, there are countless reboots and opportunities to tap into new platforms to reach new audiences. Here’s an example. General Mills reintroduced its Monster Mascots (think Count Chocula cereal) by tapping into platforms like Spotify. That’s where they launched a Monster Mash remix that showcased the rebooted cereal to a new generation, integrating the new and the old.

Nostalgia on Social Media

There’s no place to reminisce like on social media. Social listening tools like Sprout Social can help you discover and analyze online conversations when someone mentions your brand, allowing you to jump in on the topic, build connections, and share updates about your business.

Make a Comeback with Social Listening

Social listening can also help you tune into new conversations about old products, helping you learn what customers miss the most about your brand. If there’s a discontinued item that customers can’t stop mentioning, social listening can help you plan which products deserve a comeback. Remember Table Talk Pies? Well now there’s Table Talk Pumpkin Ale.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to master the in-box and win new business? Stay tuned.

Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to connect with prospects and your current customers to build like, know, trust and believability, and also increase sales. Here are 4 email marketing tips to help you get there.

Understand Email Segmentation

Use the analytics from your email service provider (ESP) to segment your email recipients into lists based on their behavior or needs. That way your audience receives the right message and the most relevant based on their purchase history.

Capture New Emails

If you’re not capturing emails, chances are you’re losing customers. Put a pop-up on your home page that offers a discount in exchange for someone’s email address. That helps you build an organic list of people who are already engaged and interested in what you have to offer.

Build Buyer Personas

To solve your target market’s challenges, know who they are and what they want. When you build a buyer persona, you’ll identify your ideal customers and their pain points quicker than just guessing,

Increase Your Email Deliverability Rate

To prevent spam, email service providers use PHP or SMTP protocols to send messages safely to servers. If you’re using the default PHP and see a high bounce rate or customers aren’t receiving messages, consider switching to a provider that uses SMTP which means Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Do you Smile and Dial to bring in business? Here are 5 steps to make phone prospecting more productive.

I joke sometimes when I ask a business owner if they ‘”give good phone.” The truth is, telemarketing is still an effective tool to reach new customers, as long as you have a strategy before making your first call.

Have a Game Plan

Don’t just wing it. Have a game plan. How many calls will you make? How much time will you be on the phone? OK, what’s your message? And if someone’s not there? What will you say? Know the answers to these questions before you pick up the phone.

Target Your Ideal Customer

Ever hear of ICPs? Those are your “Ideal Customer Profiles” and they can help determine your target audience and what stage of the marketing cycle they’re in. Create that buyer persona and cater your message to them. And, if it’s not working, tweak it!

Know Your Talking Points

Show some confidence on the phone, it buys you time and builds trust with the caller. Niceties are important, but staying on message will get you to the closing. Plan your talking points ahead to know how to control the conversation. Create a few scenarios, then rinse and repeat.

Overcome Objections

Every call won’t be a slam sunk. After a while, you’ll know which objections are the most common. Work on a rebuttal (and practice your responses) for each “well, I don’t know” to keep the listener engaged.

Don’t Forget to Close

The CTA or call-to-action is one of the most important parts of your call. To win a sales, you need to know how to close. Know what your primary and secondary CTAs are, so you can handle any customer at any stage of the sale. Whether it’s setting up an appointment or placing an order, it’s up to you to mention the CTA, so don’t forget. That’s what stickies are for!

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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In the market for a new logo or want to rebrand? Here’s a checklist of what you need to know.

Want to create an attention-grabbing logo, one that speaks to your brand and your customer?

Make a Lasting First Impression

A logo is your company’s first impression, so make it visually striking, legible, and easy to understand. Whether you’re creating a logo for the first time or revamping your existing one, always ask family, friends, or business partners for feedback.

Speak to Your Customer

A dull, flat, colorless logo on a kid’s clothing store? Imagine how many kids or adults would want to shop there? Make sure your logo design captures the mood, desires, and personality of your customers. If not, you might be turning off prospective buyers who think you don’t understand them.

Design a Logo with Character

Does your logo have personality? Does it capture your brand? Your logo should to appeal to your target audience. If you’re looking for fun, quirky logos, you can get ideas from food products or apps. Find inspiration from their designs, experiment with the font, color scheme, and even the spacing, to push your creative boundaries.

High-Quality Counts

A high-quality logo is non-negotiable. Your logo represents your business everywhere online and offline. Your storefront, your website, your blogs, videos, social media platforms, and marketing materials. Make sure whatever you create is 100% professional, high-resolution, and scalable, too.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to know the best ways to maximize media placement? Start with these three marketing strategies.

With so much access to internet media, customers need 28 – 62 touchpoints before they’re ready to buy. And with so much noise in the marketplace, you need to maximize media placement. What are the best ways?

Pitch Content Aggregators

Pitch blogs and newsletters with a high domain authority to reach your niche audience. You can also pitch content creators to increase the reach of your published piece and maximize coverage. More exposure in front of your ideal audience means more engagement, which hopefully will lead to more conversions.

Capitalize on Earned Media

If you’re covered by a recognizable news outlet, whether it’s the top local station or a national newspaper, mention it in your next media placement. When you’re known as the expert whose quote appeared in the Wall Street Journal, more media may share your quote or even reach out to you as a resource. If you don’t share your news, it’s a wasted marketing and PR opportunity. Don’t let that happen to you!

Syndicate Your Content

Media companies have networks to local and national outlets, so if you get earned media on one, there’s a chance they can republish it across their various channels. The good thing is that once you’re in the door and networks know who you are, you may find syndication easier in the future.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Do kids say the craziest things? Maybe we should celebrate their creativity! Here’s a marketing idea from a 7 year-old that turned a few heads. Listen in.

Here’s a Business Idea that Got My Attention.

Today, I’m going to not give you marketing tips, but talk about marketing inspiration from a 7-year old boy, whose name is Jorge, from Monterrey, Mexico. After watching one of his favorite shows, Shark Tank Mexico, Jorge decided to sell imaginary friends to real-life friends at school, just for fun. He created backstories for his newfound creations, who he treated just like real people, even making conversation with them in front of peers. This caught everyone’s attention, to the point that kids asked if Jorge could sell them imaginary friends for 20 pesos ($1 USD) each.

Teachers took notice when other kids started talking with their new imaginary friends, and you can imagine what happened next. The call to Jorge’s parents.

Was he in trouble? Depends on how you look at it. His parents said they restricted the amount of time Jorge watched Shark Tank, believing it was the source of the imaginary friend business.

What would you do in this situation? Nurture his business or put the kibosh on his creativity? I know what I’d do.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon.

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Are you marketing to Gen Z? Here’s some insight you should know.

A recent marketing study revealed 85% of Generation Z participants believe corporations should be making an effort to create a better world. If you’re under 30, you probably fall in the Gen Z category. Whether you agree with their sentiments or not, corporations are listening and taking note in 3 key ways:

Be Proactive

Gen Z expects corporations to be proactive in their efforts to improve. They even leverage their social media presence to keep the pressure on businesses to change. Expect to see more corporations roll out PR campaigns to proactively announce change within their business, rather than wait to change out of reaction to a scandal.

Be Inclusive

To win the support of Gen Z consumers, brands are changing to become more inclusive. Take Tommy Hilfiger, who recently rolled out attire for all body shapes and sizes, including for those who identity as non-binary or physically disabled. That’s the change Gen Z likes to see.

Be Genuine

Corporations, like people, have a voice, and Gen Z will be the first to give your brand the cold shoulder if it lacks authenticity. Whether you’re reacting to a public scandal or announcing your brand’s support toward a social cause, your communication must sound genuine. Empty platitudes may strip your message of authenticity, causing Gen Z to give your brand the cold shoulder. Keep it real, lest lose their business.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon.

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Want to stay on top of the latest trends in SEO? Listen to these 3 SEO Marketing tips to improve your website’s ranking.

The latest marketing trends in SEO can enhance your content marketing strategy, but not if you aren’t open to finding out what they are or taking action. Let’s dive in to see how to improve your website’s ranking.

Become a Lifeline for Prospective Customers

Share content about common questions related to your business. When prospective customers search online, your FAQs and content on your website should tell them everything they need to know. When you become a lifeline for a prospective customer, they’ll return when they’re ready to buy.

Update Pronouns to Keywords

Search engines will analyze your content to determine if it’s relevant, but using too many pronouns like “they” or “us” won’t tell search engines what your content is about. Replace excessive pronouns with more descriptive keywords or keyword phrases to appear in more search results.

Connect with Industry Leaders

Promote your content, link to high quality websites, and tag industry leaders to attract their attention. Networking doesn’t have to be in person. Connect, like their posts, be helpful, and support them in a genuine way. At some point after engaging, you can ask them to guest blog for your site and the gesture may be reciprocated.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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If you’ve ever been in the midst of a PR scandal, you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to handle it. Here’s what to do.

Communication is key especially in a PR crisis. What you have to remember is that you have to react order strategically and soundly, and follow these 4 steps.

Assess the situation

Ask all the right questions before you react. Know what you’re dealing with by gathering all pertinent information, not just bits and pieces. It’s also important to separate the emotional drama from facts, and focus on the affected parties and assess the risks before planning a resolution. From team members to legal counsel, everyone must understand the scandal from every angle before reacting.

Organize your messaging

If a public statement is necessary, adapt your message to the specific audiences involved and speak to the facts, not speculation. Your team may decide that pulling ads is a good idea to take your company out of the spotlight or, that’s it’s best to apologize and keep a low profile. Trust the experts, not your emotions.

Keep an eye on the media

Once you’re organized and launched your response, keep an eye on the reaction from the media – and that includes traditional media to social media. Monitoring tools help with this to see what’s being said about you.

Learn from what happened

After surviving the scandal, analyze your response. How effective was it? Was the outcome what you wanted? Learn what worked and use it to your advantage in upcoming campaigns to show a more positive side of your brand.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Ready to email a pitch to a busy journalist? Here are 3 marketing tips that can help you stand out before you hit “send.”

If you’ve spent the time writing a PR pitch, you want to make sure it’s perfect. Double check that you’ve included these three key elements:

Write Eye-Catching Subject Lines

A solid subject line hooks the reader. If you’re emailing a writer, reference their subject matter to show that you’re interested in their work. Similar to Buzzfeed’s approach to catchy headlines, use numbers in your subject line to simplify your message and make it more tempting to open.

2. Front Load the Essentials First

OK, so your subject line hooked the reader, now it’s time to reel them in. Start your email with the most important part of your message. This isn’t a place for small talk, that just loses their interest and your opportunity. Save the small talk for face-to-face meetings.

Include a Call-to-Action at the End

The best way to end an introductory email is by being confident, positive and assertive -- not aggressive. Close strong with a question that will lead to an action. “Can I send you the details about my proposal?” Or, would you be interested in telling your readers about marketing grants that are 100% reimbursable by the government?

And, just to remind you, you aren’t the only person on the planet sending a PR pitch. Be mindful and polite with your follow up.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Struggling to come up with topics for your next writing piece? Here are some tips to get your creative juices flowing.

If you’re a marketer, sometimes you come up empty handed in the idea department, especially if you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just blah. Here are 3 strategies to keep ideas flowing:

Write What You Know

To get the creative juices flowing, start with your experiences of what you’re good at, like running a business. Talk about mistakes you’ve made and learned from, or business wins you’d like to share. Do you continuously answer the same questions to customers? Use those FAQs as individual topics and as upcoming videos. They all achieve the same goal: they give helpful information about your business and point them to you.

Keep a List

Even good ideas can be forgotten, so keep a notebook with you. Better yet, keep a running list of ideas on your phone. Use an app like Evernote to log and organize your thoughts. Or send memos to yourself. Some of the best ideas come in the middle of the night, so keep a notebook on your nightstand too. Just make sure you can read your scribble.

Find an Outlet that Fits Your Idea

Don’t pigeonhole yourself into writing something you’re not passionate about. Your best writing comes from your interests, what’s in your heart, and what you believe in. I’m not saying not to research, because that’s important. But start writing, first. You can always tweak your copy to fit a particular blog or publication.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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How do find out if your business idea is marketable? Here’s some insight to help you decide.

Although businesses are facing unprecedented challenges and adapting to survive, the ways to identify a great business idea remain the same. Ask yourself these 4 key questions to see whether your idea is worth investing your time, money and efforts.

Do People Want It? The simplest way to test whether your idea is viable is to simply ask around. Friends and family (or even an unbiased test group) can give you feedback and help fine tune it. Be open to hear what they have to say, that’s the whole point of a focus group – whether it’s casual or paid.
Does It Solve a Problem? As you’re thinking of business ideas, ask yourself if you solve a new problem or maybe an old one with new solutions? If there’s competition in your space, can you solve a problem better than they do? If the answer is “yes,” you’re on the right track. Go to the next step.
Can It Be Scaled? Can your business model grow to become even more profitable and flexible to succeed in various business environments? Are you trading dollars for hours, can you think of ways to take your knowledge or product or service, and serve the masses instead of just one to one? Scalability will help you reach your financial goals quicker and more efficiently.
How Confident Are you? Sometimes a business idea feels like a light bulb is going off, but if there’s lingering doubt during the development process, weigh the pros and cons. You can always rework your idea, ask your trusted circle, and do more research so it feels right before taking the next step.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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On Instagram and want to hide your number of likes? Here’s how to do it and some insight why they’re making the change.

Why Instagram is Hiding Likes and How to Do it

It’s official. Instagram is now giving you the ability to hide “likes” so users can concentrate on feeling good about creating content instead of feeling anxious when a post isn’t popular. Why the change?

Instagram wants to take social validation away. Its new policy of letting you be in control of the app isn’t just a whim. They’ve been working closely with outside experts to create a more positive experience on the platform. Their goal is to empower more people on the platform and keep them happy and posting, without the pressure of how many likes they get. How do you hide Instagram “likes”? If you want to hide your likes, it’s straightforward. Above your post, go to the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and hit then hit the “Hide Like Count.” If you want the ability to turn the “hide likes” on and off, you can do that in your settings. What will the shift mean to viewers? Instagram and Facebook want you to spend more time on the app and feel good about the experience, so changing the way people see “likes” is a big deal. Some think it’s annoying, others think it’s a move in the right direction.

I think it’s about both. Improving the user experience, keeping people on the platform longer, and have them engage, without feeling bad or judged for their content. What’s bad to one is perfectly acceptable to another.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Buzzfeed is synonymous with the “listicle” blog, a hybrid of a blog and easy-to-read list. Want to master their formula? Listen in.

You can learn so much from mastering Buzzfeed’s formula for breaking down practically any topic into fun bullet points. Here’s how they do it.

5 Buzzfeed Marketing Tips for Easy Reading

The Listicle. A listicle allows readers to digest information succinctly. Using the number in the title, like “5 Signs That Show Your Cat Loves You”, or “5 Buzzfeed Marketing Tips for Easy Reading” gives readers an idea of how long the piece is before they dive in. Pro tip: keep the list short!
Play to the Reader’s Heartstrings. Writing about memories or stories can draw an emotional response from your readers, which makes it more likely they’ll comment, like, or share your piece.
Write About Intriguing Topics. Covering subjects that many readers don’t know about will draw curiosity and encourage them to share an article with their friends.
Make Your Headline Attractive. Using an engaging title will make your piece stand out. Get creative and brainstorm multiple options before you post. And you can run it through a title generator, too.
Quality Content and Quantity Matters. Deliver high quality, entertaining blogs or press releases regularly to ensure your readers stay subscribed. And consider using a content calendar so readers know when to expect your next writing piece.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Is your device overloaded with clutter, making you feel unorganized and overwhelmed? I know the feeling! Here are some tips that will help you improve productivity and give you some marketing time back.

5 Tips to Improve Marketing Productivity

Delete old files. If you think you might need them again, store them on an external hard drive.
Uninstall old apps. When you delete an icon, you might think the app is gone. But usually, the program is still stored in your device. Uninstall to really get rid of it and free up space.
Organize your desktop. When your screen is covered in icons, it’s hard to find anything! Delete icons you don’t need and move important files into folders.
Clean out your inbox. Hundreds of unread emails can be overwhelming and make it easy to miss important messages. Delete spam mail, and unsubscribe from lists you don’t need. Also, set a time to check your inbox every day, even if you don’t want to.
Use a cleanup tool. Tools like MyCleanPC or MacKeeper will delete your browsing history, cache, cookies, downloads, and all of the unnecessary clutter on your device.

Schedule time on your calendar, just like posting to social media, and it won’t be a chore.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Your “About Us” page can be a customer’s first impression of your business. Here are some marketing tips to make it great.

It’s not “about” you, it’s about your customers. This might seem ironic, but it’s key. People want to know how they can benefit from your business. So, tell them about the great things they can gain and accomplish, with your help.
Know your target audience. Seems like a no-brainer, but understand who you’re trying to reach, what they want, what their goal is, and what they value. In the end, you’re a problem solver.
Share your values. Consumers want to support companies that share their beliefs. So, let them know what they are. Include a mission statement or an environmental statement, or your viewpoint on diversity and inclusion—something your target audience will appreciate.
Keep it brief. Don’t ramble about your backstory. If it’s too lengthy, people will get bored and stop reading. A little bit of boring is good for downtime, but not on your ‘About page’.
Keep your user in mind. Key things to remember, branding, appearance and organization are important on your website. If your ‘About page’ is hard to navigate, people might hit the delete button, before they even start to read.

You don’t want that to happen, do you?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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You can’t even get out of bed without being bombarded by social media. Mobile phones, iPads, retargeting and all those notifications… So how can you make the most of it, listen in.

Connect with your audience. Social media is a great place for people to connect, which is why it’s so popular. Like, react, and reply to comments. Give people opportunities to participate in polls, chats, and live streams. Connecting is what it’s all about.
Focus on customer care. When you respond to what people want, it shows that you’re listening and tells them you care; that you’re not just in it for the money.
Build a community. Use social media to create a sense of trust and belonging with your community – or whoever your audience may be. Trust builds loyalty and believability.
Don’t invest too much money into marketing. This last tip may seem counterproductive, but it’s true. Most people follow brands they already like, know and trust, so social media may not be the perfect platform for reaching new clients quickly. Instead, focus on building a strong community of supporters.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Bet you didn’t know July is “Wild about Wildlife” month! Here are some ways your marketing team can take advantage of it!

Pets are good for business. Really! They make employees happier, and customers love it when you welcome their furry friends. You can allow pets inside, offer pet-safe snacks (like Starbuck’s “pup cups”), or hand out dog treats.
Offer vegan, vegetarian, and cruelty-free food options. Plant-based diets have become very popular these last few years. In fact, 2019 was even nicked-named the “Year of the Vegan.” If you offer food at your business, have options for the millions of vegetations and vegans in the U.S.

3. Support a wildlife protection program or animal shelter. “Wild about Wildlife” month is all about conservation and protecting animals and the earth. People are happy to support environmentally friendly businesses.

Go green! There are lots of way to be more environmentally friendly; go paperless to save trees, use renewable energy like solar power, recycle, and limit waste.

Show your audience that you care. And let them know what you’re doing.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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The pandemic has changed well, just about everything, including what customers want and value. Here are 3 marketing tips to keep them happy.

Make it convenient. The pandemic has been hard, but it’s made some things easier. People work, shop, and attend events from the comfort of their homes. As things return to normal, keep livestream, delivery, and curb-side pick-up options available.
Consider staying virtual. Work, school, entertainment—everything has been online for over a year. When people can do these things in-person again, will they want to? Pay attention to the number of people attending virtual and in-person events. You might get more business if you keep virtual options available.
Know your values. Now more than ever, your political and social values are important to your customers. Watch social media to see how people respond when businesses make a stance or statement, and when they don’t. Be careful about when and how you participate in these important conversations.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want more people to see you as an expert? Up your brand and credibility with these marketing tips.

Stay on Top of Business Trends. If you don’t live in Hawaii, you probably have to change your wardrobe based on the season. Same thing with your business. You may need to adapt your business based on the latest trends. Don’t be a Blockbuster and fail to predict the evolution of renting to streaming. That’s not going to help your business.

2. Understand Your Brand’s Reputation. Think about how your brand is seen in the eyes of your next customer. Pay attention to Google reviews, Facebook reviews, and what people are saying about you – in person or heaven forbid, behind your back. Anything negative going on? Make it a priority to fix it.

Track Your Website’s Performance. As a marketer if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. The same goes for your business’ website. To know how your website is helping or hurting your business, start checking your website’s reporting. One way is to look atyour bounce rate. That shows if visitors stay on your website or click out. The goal is to keep them reading.
Create Content as Industry Expert. Write, produce, shoot video – it all counts. Share content through social media that relates to your business and tells the world -- you’re an expert! It reminds people why they should buy from you. Mix it up and share articles, links and posts that are educational, fun, and related to your industry so you don’t look salesy or needy, which might even be worse.Plus, it shows that you’re someone they can trust (and hopefully buy from).

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to know how to make the most out of online conferences? Listen to these 5 tips.

Set a clear goal. If you know what you want tolearnyou’re more likely to leave the conference feeling Otherwise, you’ll wonder why you spent all that time and effort to attend. Your time is valuable!
Make asolid plan. Did you check out or print the conference schedule? Choose sessions that make the best sense for your goals. Plan time for networking too – who do you want to meet and why? Start a list of people you want to meet and check out who’s on social media talking about the event.
Haveeverything you need? Like a clean notebook, not the other side of document sitting on your desk. I’m not kidding! What about coffee or water or a protein shake if you’re hungry? And we sometimes forget about this. Will you be hidden from the camera or not? Dress appropriately.
Take advantage of thenetworking opportunity. Even though it’s an online conference, you can still network. Seriously, look at where we’ve been this last year with meetings! Participate in live chats and Q&As, add insights and contribute to the conversation. You can still make meaningful connections.
The fortune is in the follow up. Email, direct message, or setup a time to connect. You never know if who’ll you’re talking to will be new colleagues or prospects or possible partners. Go one step further and connect online. It shows that you’re interested – and you can get some intel, too.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want some SEO marketing tips you can use today? Listen in.

Many small business owners don’t have a SEO marketer on their teams. They’re doing SEO marketing themselves getting decent traffic at a price they can afford, unless they’re hiring a SEO marketing specialist.

If you’re looking to improve your SEO and keep things in-house, consider the EAT strategy.

Build Your Expertise. Google perceives you as an expert if you’re satisfying the people who Google you. So, how do you make a customer get want they want on search? Two simple ways to start. First, look at the keywords your audience is using (there should be a match of what you do and what they are looking for). Second, write compelling valuable content and post often. This helps with organic search ranking. Repetition of excellent content improves your online brand and reputation.

Demonstrate Authoritativeness. Experts are a dime a dozen. If you pay attention to Google and you probably should, they like backlinks to your website and social media shares. Look at getting backlinks from relevant sites and create a reciprocal arrangement. A link to Staples, an authoritative site on its own, probably has more domain power than JoJo’s Earthworm Company, no offense, JoJo. It’s also important to have a guest blog strategy and promote your content on social media.

Be Trustworthy

Learn to love Google and Google will love you – and trust your website. Show up online as a professional brand, build a solid reputation with great reviews, and make a note to check your domain authority.

Special thanks to the Content Marketing Institute for this info on the EAT Strategy and Feedly, where I get a lot of my ideas.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Email marketing is alive and well and bringing in lots of money if you do it right. So, here are some tips to freshen things up, especially your newsletters.

You know how much time and effort it takes to write a newsletter or blog. If you’re watching your numbers and the numbers are moving in the wrong direction, here are four ideas to refresh your efforts and wake up your subscribers.

Do you know what your audience wants to read ?Ask them. Create a survey. Email a few people at a time. Better yet, surprise them and hop on the phone. If you’re writing content that’s not geared to their challenges, you’re wasting your time and resources.
What’s trending? Sometimes you’re so busy keeping your head above water that you don’t have time to read industry reports or follow influencers and hear what they have to say. Set aside at least an hour a week – even 15 minutes a day– to see what people are talking about. Stay current.
Look at the news. What’s going on in the news is important to your audience because it could affect their business. Write about it, give your opinion and link to other expert sources. An even better idea is to mix it up and link to similar articles on your website – as long as they relate. Do you have an angle that’s unique and information your audience needs to know? Tell them.
Check out your competition. What are they writing about? What’s popular in their network? You’ve already checked out what’s trending and what influencers are talking about. This will seal the deal. You are following your competition on social media, right?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to be successful in sales? Learn the Art of Prospecting and how to overcome prospecting challenges. Here are some tips to up your game.

3 Marketing Tips to Overcome Sales Challenges

1. What are you looking to do? Sounds like a no-brainer but clarity is key – know what you want and it will be easier to get. And forget about you in the get-to-know-you agenda, it’s all about the prospect, not you. Their problems, their challenges, and their business. Ultimately, how you can help solve their problems.

2. Are you targeting the right prospect? Get clear on who your ideal client is and don’t waver. Write a sales plan on paper, not just in your head, and don’t get carried away with super complicated tactics. Marketing will help build like, know, trust, and believability, and support sales – but to close a sale, you have to call or email to connect, and not just once. Block time for sales and make it a habit.

3. Is yourhead in the game? You’re not going to be on your A-game every day. It’s impossible. When you make prospecting a habit, it becomes almost second nature. Focus, tolerate zero distractions and set aside designated time every day or a few times a week, when prospecting is all you do. And follow-up. Otherwise, as my Dad would say, you’re “Mickey M”

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to be a guest expert on radio, TV or a podcast show? Listen to these 4 tips.

Free publicity can save you tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s in your best interest to learn how to pitch a producer or blogger the right way.

4 Key Elements of a Publicity Pitch

Use a catchy headline. Drab doesn’t get you free publicity. If you’re not a wordsmith, put your title through an headline analyzer. You might be amazed! Here are a few to test drive; there’s one from CoSchedule, SEOPressor blog title generator, and SUMO Kickass headline generator has one too. You can also get inspiration from tabloids and trendy magazines (and unfortunately the nightly news). The point is to get attention.

2. Find the producer or booker. Radio shows with a huge following have a bunch of producers to book talent. For smaller podcasts with less reach, you’ll most likely contact the producer or the host directly. The important thing is to contact the right person, so do your homework.

3. Provide value not blah-blah. A producer wants to be impressed and he or she should be. If you look and sound like an expert, and your online credibility says the same, you’re in the game. Producers and advertisers want their show to be interesting and to provide value. It’s not about you – it’s about the audience. What can you bring to the table?

5. Get in touch with the producer. Email works and so does social media. But, before you pitch, listen to on-air segments to see if there’s a fit. And don’t pitch a topic that’s just been covered. You’ll look like an amateur. Your job is to make it easy for a producer to say yes.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Tired of posting articles on LinkedIn? Why not try video ads to capture your target audience’s attention? Here are some tips.

3 Video Marketing Tips for Better LinkedIn Ads

Create a video demo with an offer. People are searching LinkedIn for new ideas and are always interested to see how a product or service performs. And video ads that showcase a demo typically have a higher engagement and click through rates. For best results, experiment with an offer, like $200 off with this code or your first month free – and use the special offer or deal in your headline.
Add animation to your video ad. Motion captures people’s attention, so when you add animation to your compelling brand story, you’ll get even more engagement. Not sure how to do that? Test drive Biteable, an online video maker that uses stock footage and photos to give you professional, studio quality animation. You’ll love their templates, they’re easy to use, and you can customize to your brand personality and colors.
Keep copy simple and use captions. Nearly 80% of LinkedIn viewers watch video without the sound on, so keep your audio to one track. And it’s best to keep your copy simple and catchy. Two to three sentences. Captions and banners will also help to grab someone’s attention. If the sound were off, is your message loud and clear? What about your call-to-action and a CTA button?

Video ads whether for LinkedIn or YouTube need to be short, catchy, and understood without sound. Remember that most video is watched on a mobile device and even if someone has headphones, they read captions if they’re intrigued. If not, they’ll quickly move on.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to be a better marketer and get more earned media? Here are three marketing tips to help you get more free press.

If you’re looking to get more free publicity and be a better marketer you have to understand what’s going on in the mind of a busy reporter. Hint: They never have enough time, so be smart when you pitch and do your homework before you hit send.

4 PR Tips to Get More Earned Media

Look at what’s been covered recently. Don’t pitch a story, or article or blog if it’s been covered in the last thirty to sixty days. First, you look like you didn’t do your homework, and second, unless you have a story angle that may be considered newsjacking, your pitch may end up in the trash. Well maybe. The delete button is easy to hit.
Pitch original content. Everybody loves an exclusive, content that hasn’t run anywhere before. It could be amazing content, well researched, and targeted toward a particular target audience, but if it’s been published before -- it’s a no go. If you update it significantly, change the title, links, and position it with a different angle, you have a better chance. Sometimes it’s easier to create fresh content.
Get to the point. Don’t beat around the bush or write a novel. You’re not pitching War and Peace. Write your pitch or idea so that it’s succinct and clear to anyone reading. I received a pitch once by a scientific expert and spent 15 minutes trying to understand what he was trying to say. I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but this was almost painful.
Be clear and to the point. Write short compelling copy that will persuade the person reading that this is the right fit. When you write, talk your copy out loud. Are you having a conversation or pontificating?

That’s it. Short and sweet, just like the perfect pitch for earned media. Learning the Art of Free Publicity isn’t rocket science, but it will fuel your visibility.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Want to write a press release that gets attention? First make sure your marketing efforts are supporting you, and have a consistent message and common goal. Other tips? Listen in.

4 Tips to Write Press Release That Gets Attention

A press release is a press release. Nothing more. Not a pitch. Not a bio. Not an annual report. Follow an outline or a template -- I have on my blog -- and you’ll have a tried and true guide.
The 5 W’s still hold true. Who, What, Where, Why, and When. The reason you write a press release is to share information. You need to include all of this in your media release as well as other info too -- like quotes, an About at the end, working links, a bio and so on.
Think above the fold. That means you should put your most important information at the top, kind of like an upside-down pyramid. Journalists are busy and have no time for hide and seek. You don’t want them to miss any critical information, so work from the top down. Most important info first.
Is your media release interesting? You don’t have to be a creative writer to write a press release, but it shouldn’t be boring either. Yes, you’re giving facts and the who, what, where, why and when -- but quotes can support a catchy title that makes a journalist will keep reading. Images and video, though it may cost extra on some distribution sites may be worth the extra money.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Have a virtual event coming up and not sure what to do? Listen in for a few tips.

Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime, one thing we all have in common today is that we’re forced to get over being camera shy. With everyone in front of screens, how do you create a virtual event that will drive traffic, be engaging and memorable at the same time?

3 Marketing Tips to Create an Awesome Virtual Event

Make your guest list count. You may want to invite everyone, but don’t. Invite the right people. Knowing your target audience is the first step. And knowing how to reach them to invite them is next. Is it with social media? A direct invite? Email? Who you invite is just as important as what you want to present.
Determine the best format. What don’t you get when you attend a virtual event? Personal interaction, of course! Sitting in a live 60-minute seminar with 100 people in the audience is different than staring at your screen for an hour. And that’s boring. Encourage people to use the chat feature, add giveaways and allow information to be available in an “on demand” format so participants can find the information they want when it’s convenient for them.
Make your audience want to tune in. It’s hard to substitute human interaction with a virtual presentation, but you can make your next online event a can’t miss event by asking well-known industry leaders and celebrity speakers to join you -- plus giveaway cool stuff, too.

Despite the fact that you’re not in-person, virtual events can still be an effective way to teach, sell and engage with your audience. And a note to those of you who still aren’t virtual experts, like me, do the best you can. Be human, genuine, and always be yourself.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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Need to build a virtual marketing team? Here are some insights to help you get there.

Putting together a rock star marketing team can feel like an uphill battle when you’re sifting through resumes and meeting candidates in person. But when you can’t meet face-to-face, the decision-making process can be stressful.

Basically, you need a roadmap to build a virtual marketing team.

5 Ways to Build a Virtual Marketing Team

Position Yourself with New Graduates to Attract Talent. Does your business offer a specific skill that you can use to teach and develop talent? Check out getting involved in classes where you might find potential employees and future leaders.
Use Your Employee Networks. Has your team worked for another company in your industry? They may know other skilled workers. Don’t be afraid to ask if they have recommendations in their own networks for someone to hire that might be a good fit.
Keep a Record of Previous Applicants. If you’ve received 200 or more responses to your last job posting, remember you’ve screened or interviewed multiple candidates with potential. Remind them to keep an eye on future postings, even if you didn’t hire them. And always hang on to their resumes. The hiring environment can change quickly and you might want to go back for a second look.
It’s all about building relationships. Skills on paper can only show so much. It’s about as good as you’re going to get right now when almost everything is online. Do they fit in your company culture? Will they make a great addition to your team? Make sure to schedule interviews at least a few times and assign a sample project to see their level of expertise and what it’s like to work together.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com, then schedule a call. Talk soon!

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One of the best ways to get free publicity is to be a guest blogger. Here are some tips to pitch the right way.

4 Guest Blogging Tips to Market Your Brand

What’s your goal? OK be real. Why do you want to create content for other sites? Are you looking to be recognized as a go-to resource, drive traffic to your site, gain backlinks or align your company with a reputable site. Be clear on the reasons before you think about pitching -- and do your homework well in advance so you’re prepared.
How do you find relevant blogs? Don’t waste time researching sites that don’t give you what you need. Be sure they cover topics relevant to your brand and industry. You can ask other industry experts, clients, colleagues, or do your own research using keywords. Try sites like Buzzsumo, SemRush and Moz that have a high domain authority.
Does the site accept guest articles? Get on the website and take a look around for guest blogging guidelines. If you can’t find them, another way to find them is by reading article bylines. Contact the editor or look on LinkedIn if you come up empty handed.
Is your pitch on point? Do you have a new perspective on a topic that’s relevant to their readers? Write a compelling subject line, get to the point in no more than three paragraphs, and bonus points for writing a meta description (156 characters or less) to show SEO relevancy. And just a side point, never ever use exclamation marks in your pitch.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and let’s connect. Talk soon!

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Building a brand can take your life from behind the scenes to in the spotlight. Listen to some key branding tips coming right up.

5 Marketing Tips to Build a Stand-Out Brand

Build your online platform with a goal. What’s the purpose of your content? Make sure your message is authentic so you can build your brand from the bottom up with a solid foundation. That helps you stand apart from your competitors on social media and your own digital footprint.
Be consistent. If you have a logo or tagline, use them everywhere that’s appropriate in your branding. If there’s a question, refer to your style guide. Content should be aligned with your brand -- and nothing too risky unless that’s what your brand is all about.
Don’t let the haters get you down. You can’t please everyone. I said it. Instead, direct your focus on who you want to attract as an audience and connect with them in a real way. Think about doing business with your ideal client and attracting them with your content and vibe. After all, a personal and business brand is a vibe and people will judge you on it. Good or bad. Make it awesome!
Engage to create brand loyalty. Have fans or customers who love your brand? Reach out and thank them! Encourage your readers or viewers to share the love online. Positive engagement, as simple as being warm and genuine on Google My Business, creates the possibility of creating a personal relationship.
Keep your eyes open. Are there brands that complement your own? Think about contacting them for co-marketing to enhance your brand identity and reputation. Do you follow a competitor? Keep an eye out for what makes them stand out. This can inspire you to do something different or take you to the next level of what you’re offering to stay current.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and let’s connect. Talk soon!

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Is pop-up marketing right for your brand? Before you make that decision, listen to a few tips.

Is Pop-Up Marketing Right for Your Brand?

Who would have thought that the term “pop-up” would be something fun and exciting and a welcome change from an ad that you don’t want to see. A pop-up experience is basically a limited opportunity for consumers to experience your brand. It’s like a now or never event that creates FOMO. It might not happen again or you might not have the same access so act now or miss out!

Have an online business and looking to have a live experience? Or maybe you have a storefront and want to test your online presence? A pop-up can be a great way to find out how your customers will react and engage with your brand.

3 Pop-up Marketing Must-Haves

Where will your pop-up be located? While there are restrictions with the pandemic, a live pop-up event is still possible. You just have to work out the social distancing rules with the venue you’ve chosen.
Think about your end goal. Do you want create positive engagement with your customers beyond how they usually shop with you? Are you looking to create a buzz with a sense of urgency? Do you want to test something new online? Timing can boost the success of your event, especially if it’s around a high-traffic holiday.
Tie it all together with social media. Whether you’re doing a live event or one that’s virtual, tie everything that happens with the pop-up back to your company’s website and create a social media plan that supports it. Keep it simple, straightforward and be creative. Take a ton of photos and videos too

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Think that marketing is all you need to grow your business? What about adding digital PR to your marketing mix? Here’s what it can do for you.

Marketing Tip: 3 Reasons Why You Need Digital PR

With all the focus on marketing, sometimes it’s easy to forget about getting PR and free PR is my specialty. How can digital PR help you?

Earned media is believable. It’s what other people say about you. It’s not about you tooting your own horn. It’s about third-party mention. You can’t buy that in ads -- or least, you shouldn’t. The best kind of PR comes from someone else writing or talking about you. Build a strong brand, be authentic, and stick to your story.
Digital PR builds brand authority. When you’re sharing thought leadership, and doing it consistently, you’re building an expert platform that your prospects, clients, and other industry leaders notice. And, the competition notices too. Share your content, opinions, events and published articles or podcasts strategically on social media for to maximize digital PR and influence your audience.
Social PR impacts organic search results. Every time you’re mentioned in the press, you’re improving online visibility, organic search ranking, and back links. Use them wisely to promote your business and build credibility. The media pays attention to search results and when your name keeps popping up, that’s a thumbs up for a reporter.

Think big about your outreach strategies. Don’t just send press releases. Take a shot at newsjacking, create a list of podcasts to pitch, upload content to Google My Business, and post on your own media channels, consistently.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is no-cost and low-cost marketing. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and let me help you grow your business. Talk soon!

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Did you know that 80% of people read emails on their phones? Want to catch more of their attention and build your business? Here are three tips.

3 Tips to Beef Up Your Email Marketing

Avoid long messages. Long and wordy sentences are tiring and no one wants to read them. How about adding an infographic to grab the audience’s attention instead? You can find designers who specialize in creating infographics on sites like Fiverr.
Switch up your delivery. Try including a video in your next email. It doesn’t have to be professionally shot or edited. Keep it simple and keep it real. You can create short-form videos, under two-minutes, with your iPhone or mobile device.
Don’t be afraid to ask for ideas. Reach out to your audience or colleagues and ask what they’d like to see. You don’t need to limit yourself to surveys. A virtual Q&A can help get the creative juices flowing even if it takes a little more of your time.

Remember that when you’re planning your calendar for the month, don’t overdo it. Too many emails or the wrong types of emails set you up for a ton of unsubscribes. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Is it informative, engaging, short and sweet, or another blah blah marketing push? Not sure, ask your trusted circle.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is no-cost and low-cost marketing. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and let me help you grow your business. Talk soon!

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Remember when the most important decision on Instagram was which filter to use? Now it’s all about videos to get more viewers. Want a tip to help you get there? Listen in.

Instagram has come a long way. You can go live and sell products -- and videos are getting two times more engagement than Instagram photos. Add captions and you can get even more viewers.

Why Video Captions Make Marketing Sense

Captions provide content without sound. If you’re scrolling through social media at work or in a public area, and don’t have earbuds or headphones, you might not use sound. What’s interesting is that about 85% of Facebook users look at videos with the sound off.
Captions benefit viewers who use English as a second language. Anyone who’s watching can read your captions and understand what your video is all about. That makes them more inclined to stay till the end. You’re keeping their attention.
Captions work for the hearing impaired. People with a hearing disability can read your message. There’s no confusion about what you’re trying to say or your call to action. Viewers can understand exactly what’s going on.

If you’re not sure how to add captions, there are free and paid apps you can use to add them to your videos. Apple Clips, for example, lets you shoot a video and will turn your words into text automatically.

On Instagram, there’s a “Write a Caption” option before you post your video.

And, if you want to upload an existing video with captions, Rev.com offers a paid service that will add captions and let you preview them before posting to social media.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is no-cost and low-cost marketing. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and let me help you grow your business. Talk soon!

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The next time you’re doing a PR push you might want to consider this.

Ready for a PR push? You may first want to make sure your company’s social media house is in order. The focus on digital marketing has grown leaps and bounds with consumers on their devices more than ever.

What can you do to support your next public relations effort?

Before a PR Push, Do This

Make sure your website is up-to-date. You might not think this is super important, but your website is probably listed on every social media platform you’re on. Be sure the info reflects the messages you’re sending out via social and that they align with your purpose. Triple check for any mistakes, too.
Are you using Twitter? Love it or hate it. Twitter can be a valuable social tool when it comes to working with the media. Ok a few tips. Don’t be insincere. Engage often. And don’t be robotic. You’re a human not a bot! You can also create an organic presence in newsfeeds with Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Reporters will be checking you out.
Company leaders should be on social media. Creating trust with your audience, consumers and media, is important and that starts at the top. You don’t need to use every platform. Pick one or two that works your brand and work it! Don’t just join to join.

Social media can be a tool to support your other PR and marketing efforts, as well. And, you can reach a wider audience beyond your immediate target audience. Just remember to be active in a genuine way.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and see if we’re a fit. Talk soon!

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Want some Zoom features to share with your marketing team? Listen in.

Zoom. Love it or hate it, it is one of the top video communication tools of the past year and it’s only gained more momentum. This week, a viral video showed a lawyer stuck on a cat filter in front of a judge.

Video chat is more than the conference room of today. It has a chat function that allows for interaction and idea sharing beyond just sitting in front of the camera. What’s that look like for your marketing team

Zoom Features for Your Marketing Team

Share files in Zoom chat. That means you can share a document without sharing your screen.
Add emojis to express yourself. Whether you’re on a Mac or using Windows, you can access the standard emoji keyboard.
Then there’s private chat. Well sort of. You can send a message to a specific person without opening another app. If you’re in a group discussion and have a specific question or have a comment for a one person in particular, you can use this feature to stay on the call without looking down at your phone.
Chat transcripts. If you get into a chat discussion on Zoom, you can save the transcript as a text file for future use for marketing. If you’re tasked with taking notes, this is a tool you can use to share your notes without having another program open.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and book a call to see if we’re the right fit. Talk soon!

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Have an upset customer on your hands? If you’re not sure what to do, stay calm and stay tuned.

No one wants an upset customer -- it’s bad for business -- unless you know how to turn the situation around. If you’re able to do that, you might actually build a stronger bond and build a stronger relationship. And, they may become a better customer and refer you more business.

3 Marketing Tips to Defuse an Upset Customer

Create a direct route for complaints. There’s nothing worse than customers getting bounced around from department to department, that just gets the customer more angry. Smart business owners and managers designate at least one person with the authority to resolve a problem, especially once it’s escalated. The point is to make your customer feel heard and let them know that the company cares -- even if they don’t get the answer they want. Have an online business? Give your customer the email address of someone in charge. Someone that will actually write back.
Take the time to really listen. You might think it’s a no-brainer, but it’s not. Some staff have not taken what I’ll call ‘empathy training’. Customer service reps often think that the customer is the problem, not the issue at hand. There’s lots going on right now with the pandemic, and there’s added frustration on all levels. Talk with your team about being a bright spot in a customer’s day. What’s the phrase, it’s not what you say, it’s how you make people feel.
Let customers have a say. What about asking customers to provide feedback on how to make things better? It’s not possible in every situation and you might want to reserve the effort when there’s a certain gap in the quality of your product or a service mishap or explosion. Be upfront and sincere. Get the customers info so you can stay in touch and follow up. That means a lot to someone who’s steaming mad. Genuine counts too. You can spot a phony a mile away. On the phone, on a chat box -- in person for sure.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Book a call to see if we’re the right fit! RobinSamora.com/letstalk. Talk soon!

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Looking for some social media tools and resources? Here are some that I recommend to my clients.

You can go crazy with all the social media apps and tools that are out there, but there are some that are better than others. Here are five that I’ve recommended to clients; some are free, others offer a premium version.

5 Social Media Marketing Tools You May Not Know

Buzzsumo. Here’s an amazing tool that I love! It’s called Buzzsumo and it allows you to see what’s trending, to research influencers and popular topics. Pop around their site to look at what information is available and how it can help you in your content marketing.
Question DB. Need better blog ideas? Introducing Question DB. It’s not your typical keyword tool which means it’s valuable for writers and marketers looking to grow a blog. Choose the right words, and you’ll be rewarded with a large list of questions.
Loom. Loom is a video recording tool that helps you get your message across through instantly shareable videos. Want to add attention getting video to your sales and prospecting process? Loom may be just the thing.
Mixit. With video as the most watched media, it’s time to up your game, if you haven’t already. With Mixkit, you can find awesome stock video clips, stock music, sound effects and video templates -- all for free! Take 10 minutes and see what Mixkit offers.
Similar Web. Want the skinny on your competitors? That’s where SimilarWeb comes in. It’s a website analytics and competitive traffic intelligence platform. You can scope out digital media intelligence, sales intelligence, research intelligence -- even investor intelligence. Competitive insight is key to gaining market share.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Book a call to see if we’re the right fit! RobinSamora.com/letstalk. Talk soon!

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Looking to get some help on what you want? Let me share what has worked for me and thousands of other business owners who are clear about what they want.

Marketing Tip: 5 Steps to Manifest What You Want

Be clear about what you want, not what you think you can get. Take your time thinking about it. Clarity is key to manifesting.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Get. Visualize what you want stretching the boundaries of what’s possible.
Create a manifesting circle for personal and business. What does that look like? Draw a sun and rays stretching out and in your own handwriting, write what you want on the rays, being as specific as possible. And don’t forget to add feelings.
Sign your drawing or paper and date it. Save it in a notebook, put it on your desk, hang it on a wall. It’s there to refer to. When you’re writing, put yourself in a state of feeling “as if it happened” and be grateful for what’s on its way.
Expect the best. Bags of $50 dollar bills don’t just show up on your doorstep. But opportunities and people will. How things happen is not entirely up to you, and that’s what’s so exciting. Your job is to fuel your desire and take inspired action.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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If you’re not taking advantage of customer testimonials, you’re missing a giant marketing opportunity.

How to Market Your Business with Testimonials

Use your homepage to post reviews. Use testimonials to keep visitors on your site with the ultimate goal to get them in your sales funnel. And if you have a handful of testimonials that are awesome, include them on your landing pages, product pages, and contact pages to drive conversions. Just don’t add them to add them, make sure the placement is right.
Share testimonials on social media. Here’s the thing. If you’re using social media to promote your brand, use testimonials to promote your customer reviews. Find out where your audience is hanging out first, then the post reviews there.
Add case studies to your marketing mix. Case studies are a great sales tool in their own right, and adding testimonials makes you seem more real and human. People typically take time to read them, and stay on your site longer, too. So feature them on a dedicated page on your website.
Create a short-form video testimonial. Short-form videos, under two minutes, are easier than ever to create and publish. They offer brands an opportunity to showcase how enthusiastic their buyers and customers are and how customers interact with your product.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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No surprise video is rocking it. And so is short-form video. What are some of the best video trends to watch for? Listen in.

4 Short-form Video Marketing Trends for 2021

User-generated content is on the rise. Consumers love it. User-generated video or UGC influences customer’s buying decisions and promotes trust. And brands can publish videos that don’t break the bank.
Show people behind the brand. Audiences demand authenticity and transparency, and that’s not just with marketing. Feature your team behind the brand or your CEO on social media. Engage your target audience and stay connected in a video that’s 2 minutes or less.
Focus on educational content. Explainer videos and DIY and how-to style videos are super popular. They provide added-value content for the end user and build stronger brand loyalty. Invest time and resources into these shorter videos and turn lookers into buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). While it’s not exactly a trend, shooting FAQ videos is important for voice search. Write a list of your FAQs and create a video for each one. You can post the videos and transcripts on your website, on your Google My Business page, or upload to YouTube.

Short videos can be anywhere from 30-seconds to two minutes. And, the best thing is that you can create them on a budget, without all the production hoopla.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Everyone has a personal brand. You might like yours or hate it. Either way, here’s why it’s important.

There are lots of benefits of a powerful personal brand. Let’s look at 5 benefits:

5 Ways a Strong Personal Brand Will Help Your Marketing

1) Build a steady stream of ideal clients. When you position yourself as authentic in everything you do, in person and online, you’ll attract prospects, referrals, even clients who want to give you business.

2) Be open to rewarding partnerships. When you increase your visibility and social brand, others notice. It could be as simple as your consistent commenting on LinkedIn, sharing your blogs, or creating videos and posting on YouTube. Put yourself out there and watch what happens!

3) Other leaders will take notice. Like attracts like and leaders in your industry and others will begin to notice you, if they haven’t already. That could mean speaking gigs, webinar opportunities, media projects, and of course, more business and bigger projects.

4) You’ll get recognized in your niche. Your personal brand is all about you, what you believe in and what you stand for. That means, if you talk about marketing 24/7, you’ll gain credibility as a marketing expert. Be clear, consistent and careful with your brand. It really does matter.

5) Improve your perceived value. Build a social media presence that’s unstoppable. Create and curate content that supports your brand and its value. Spend time developing your personal brand and share what’s important to your audience; WIFT, what’s in it for them not WIFY, what’s in it for you.

Create a personal brand that never sleeps. You’ll gain credibility, prestige and recognition. Jump on the brand wagon and keep it going.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Want to create a ripple effect by leveraging your press? Here’s how.

If you’re like any business owner, you know how important it is to get the biggest bang for your buck. And, that includes leveraging all the free publicity you worked so hard for.

5 Ways to Leverage Free PR and Get More Visibility

Showcase press on your website. One way to do that is by sharing the logos where you’ve been published. Create a homepage banner on your website which makes it easy for visitors to see. This may be static or rotate.
Create a media or newsroom page. This requires a bit more work as they’re additional pages to your website, but you can provide the press link to the outside source, which is also great for organic SEO and for backlinks to the media.
Add quotes on your About page. The About page is often the most visited page on a website, so if there are quotes from others you’d like to share that promote your brand and your expertise, go for it!
Include mention in your blog or newsletter. Third party endorsement and media coverage not only give you visibility, but add to your expert authority. Your audience wants to know that they’re working or considering to work with an expert, so don’t hold back. If you don’t toot your horn, no one will.
Don’t forget about your email signature. How many emails do you get a day? How many do you respond to? If you’re like me, tons! Use this opportunity to add a soft sell. Include a short quote, or as featured in, plus a logo. Looks impressive!

Share your success with others who want to be part of your success. Have investors? Definitely share the news to keep them abreast of what you’re doing and the wise investment they made.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Ever notice that your logo and colors look different online. The colors aren’t right, the logo isn’t the most current or it just looks off? Here’s an easy way to fix that.

Consistency in marketing is everything, right? Well it should be with your brand, the image of your business, who you are and what you do. How your visual brand looks online and offline is key to people recognizing you in a crowded marketplace rather than your competitor.

Easy Simple Brand Guidelines for Marketing

There’s certain visual branding you can’t fool around with. And that includes the colors and fonts of your logo. Let’s face it, your logo represents your brand, whether that’s you or your company. And if you’re online, your brand is working 24/7. You never want to miss a chance to bring in business.

We don’t live in an all-print world any more. When print dominated marketing, it was fairly easy to identify colors with the Pantone’s color chart or PMS colors. Without the chart, red might be a fire engine red, warm red or cool red. And, a printed piece from any press might look different if you didn’t use PMS colors.

It’s a digital world and HEX colors rule. A HEX color is a six-digit combination of numbers and letters, a mix of red, green and blue. Basically, it’s shorthand for RGB or red, green, and blue values – probably a bit more than you need to know, but still something you should know.

Brand guidelines and a color brief create branding consistency. They outline your exact colors, fonts and logo styles in various sizes, shapes and formats so you’ll never go wrong – or forget what you’re using.

If you’ve invested in a logo, ask your designer or VA to create brand guidelines. Or, do it yourself.

Who wants a call from the brand police?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Looking for publicity? It's a free way to gain visibility – but what’s the real reason you want press?

To start, free PR and publicity will help build your online reputation, credibility, and increase your expert authority. Plus, you’ll be perceived as an expert. All are key factors in marketing.

6 Reasons You Need Publicity in Your Marketing Plan

PR plays an important role in your marketing plan. Think of PR and marketing like best friends. One gets press and earned media, the other targets your audience in more direct ways. Together, they work toward a common goal.
Publicity raises your social brand. It also uplevels your profile and professional standing. That helps you feel more confident and own your expertise.
Free PR allows you to showcase your brand. It’s earned media from a third party and you don’t pay for it, so it appears more credible.
Marketing and PR build like, know, trust and believability. Both set the stage to build interest, a following, and ultimately sales.
Publicity distinguishes you from the competition. Chances are your competition doesn’t have the time or the know-how to get free press and publicity. That gives you a big advantage.
Free PR opens doors to new opportunities. Your clients, customers, partners and vendors see that you’re up to something big. They want to do business with people who are making things happen.
Getting mentioned in the news feels great. It puts a zip in your step, and acknowledges that you really do know what you’re doing. You knew it already, but it feels good to hear it from someone else.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Think reputation is just what people think of you when you work together? Time to think again.

4 Marketing Tips to Build a Strong Online Reputation

First impressions are everything. In a digital world, you need to be a control freak! In control of what your prospects and customers find out about you online. And that includes search results from Google, listings and directories, social media, and reviews.
Claim your Google My Business listing. Google My Business lets people find you and it’s also one of the best publicity tools out there. You can upload images, blogs, articles, press releases, videos, plus -- post and answer your own frequently asked questions.
Create a consistent NAP. A NAP is your business name, address and phone number, and they should appear everywhere online the same. If there are any inconsistencies or mistakes, you run the risk of confusing customers and potentially damaging your credibility and position in search results.
Design a strategy for getting reviews. The easiest way to get online reviews is to ask for them. If you feel funny, don’t. Just be honest about why you’re asking – you want to build your business. People want to help others who have done a good job. Still on the fence? There are other tools that can help you. Business cards, post cards, and flyers give details on how to give a review. Email works wonders, too.

Nobody likes a bad comment. But if you get one, it’s best to be upfront and work to take the conversation offline. Have a positive comment? Be the first to say thank you and acknowledge the feedback.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business and get more visibility. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Want to be a guest blogger? If you’re an expert, it’s a great way to build credibility and get tons of publicity. Here are some tips.

5 Marketing Tips for Guest Blogging

Be clear on what you’re an expert on. Sounds dumb, but you can’t be an expert at everything. Confused people never buy. Who do you help and what problems do you solve?
What publications do you want to write for? Look at your target markets and marketing plan to see what your prospects and customers are reading. Not sure? Punch in key words on Google and build a media list.
Read contributor guidelines. Submission guidelines outline steps to submit content. Every publication is different, so you may want to start a spreadsheet with details on each. Use it as a reference as you build your guest blogging journey.
Should you send a pitch or draft? Some publications ask you to send in a pitch and others want a complete draft. I’m a fan of pitching. Look at prior blogs so you don’t suggest the same topic and create a headline in a style that mirrors their publication.
Editors make the final call. An editor’s job is to provide value to their readers and your job is to provide that value. Make your pitch short. On the front end, include why your topic is important and why you’re the expert to be writing.

Which brings me back to creating expert authority. Make it a top priority on your marketing and PR list.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business and get more visibility. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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What’s LinkedIn up to lately? LinkedIn stories. Let’s take a look at what they’re all about.

LinkedIn Stories has just been launched globally and it allows the LinkedIn community and brands with a company page to publish photos, images, and videos on the mobile app, much like Instagram stories.

So, what does it look like?

5 Features of LinkedIn Stories

1) LinkedIn members and brands on company pages will be able to share a story, similar to Instagram, and the stories will be ephemeral. That means they’ll be available for 24 hours, then they’ll disappear.

2) You can post a photo image or video – but only 20 seconds long. You’ll also be able to upload them from the gallery and be able to add customized stickers and text.

3) To make things more fun on LinkedIn and lighten up the platform, there’ll also be a Question of the Day. So in between prospecting and polling and posting, and looking at what your competition is up to, you can answer the question, creatively.

4) Another feature is that you’ll be able to send messages to your contacts and followers, and track which users saw your story.

5) You can delete your own stories, download them to save – and heaven forbid, report a story that’s inappropriate.

Bottom line, companies and brands will be able to create and post content, engage with prospects, employees, and vendors and also have a chance to share what’s going on behind-the-scene.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to grow your business and get more visibility? Visit my website at RobinSamora.com and learn more. Talk soon!

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You’ve heard of Quora, but how do you use their Q + A platform as a marketing tool?

Want to use Quora like a marketing master? Well, why not? Here are 5 ways to do that.

5 Ways to Use Quora’s Q + A as a Marketing Tool

Create the perfect profile. Take your time writing one because Quora shows the first 50 characters in your profile as a tagline. You’ll also want to add a headshot, to humanize your brand. There’ll be lots of competition answering questions, so make sure that your answers stand out.
Research Industry topics. Be active and post though provoking question and answers. Give thought to them, like an expert would (and should). You can also repurpose your own content and save the questions asked. This is awesome because you can use the questions for blogs, articles or presentations.
Look for connections. Yes, Quora is a search engine but it’s also a social media platform. You can build relationships with customers and answer questions as the expert you are. Also, take a look at top followers or topics that interest you and contribute to those same topics and industry boards.
Choose the best questions to answer. Focus on answering question that deliver value for your brand. You’ll want to key an eye out for thread with a good number of upvotes too, because they’ll get a lot of engagement.
Step up to stand out. Show your passion in the way you answer questions. One great way is to use content you already have. Use snippets. Grab a quote. Edit a paragraph from something you’ve already written and create a link. This is an insider’s secret you’ll definitely want to check out.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is low-cost marketing to help you grow your business and get more visibility. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Want Pinterest traffic that will buy? Listen in

Today, let’s talk about 4 Pinterest marketing tips to drive power buyers to your website.

4 Pinterest Marketing Tips to Attract Power Buyers

Actively seek out new people to follow. Every day, follow new people, comment, save and pin on other people’s boards. This makes you look like an active user.
Use keywords to your advantage. Your boards, descriptions and categories all impact how your content shows up in search results. Use clear, descriptive language and keywords that your audience would use to find you. What you say (or don’t say) in 500 characters will make your board stand out.
Attract new prospects with fresh content. New fresh and relevant content is what Pinterest users want and what the algorithm is looking for. Spend time creating images and videos of your brand or products to inspire people to share your content and learn more. Emotional connection drives action.
Always link back to your website. Your SEO strategy doesn’t have to be over the top complicated. But without optimizing keywords in all your descriptions, you’re playing half a game. Remember that every time a pin is re-pinned, that’s another link and opportunity for your audience can find you.

To drive traffic and power buyers to your site, and win in Pinterest search results, create compelling content and links to your boards. And always use strong, relevant keywords to boost your SEO juice and drive business to your door.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like these marketing tips, visit my website at RobinSamora.com and see how I can help you grow your brand. Talk soon!

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Don’t let social media run you. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for.

Social media marketing done the right way will help grow your business and a community. Done the wrong way, there are some major pitfalls.

5 Common Social Media Marketing Traps

Not paying attention. If you want to be successful, you need to focus on what you’re doing, and that includes social media. It’s easy to make mistakes, say the wrong thing, or offend someone. Pay attention to get attention.
Wasting valuable time. Sound familiar? You get on social media, scroll a bit, and before you know it, you’ve wasted an hour. It’s one thing if you’re at home, but when you’re on the clock, you can’t afford to lose time. Be clear on your goals, set a timer, and get the job done.
Thinking SEO isn’t important. SEO and optimizing your posts help search engines find you, boost your rating, and drive traffic to your site, hopefully lots. Designate one person or a social squad to be in charge of social media and optimize like crazy.
There’s too much on your plate. One of my daughter’s has a sign that says, ‘less is more’ and she’s right. Concentrate on a couple of social platforms, develop great content, and stop stressing about posting every single day on every platform. Be strategic. Avoid spray and pray marketing.
Stay away from controversial subjects. A brand is how you make someone feel. Going on a rant can be problematic and have a long-term effect, including losing customers and followers. Protect the reputation you work so hard for.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Visit my website at RobinSamora.com for more marketing and PR tips on how to grow your business and brand. Talk soon!

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Growing a business to seven figures isn’t done overnight. Here’s a quick guide.

Want to get your business to the seven-figure mark? Look at some of best practices.

5 Marketing Tips to Scale Your Business

Clarity and consistency count. On social media and every platform, make a commitment to be consistent. Create a unified brand, image, and messaging across all channels. You’ll also want to repurpose your content as video, live streams, gifs, quotes and more. That way you’ll have more time to focus on other revenue generating ideas.
Make your content relatable. When you understand your audience, you’ll know what kind of content they respond to. Be honest and speak to your audience, not at your audience. They’ll relate better. Plus, it helps earn their trust. Start a conversation. Get to know them. This is how relationships are built.
Align with other experts. Build a community with other experts and influencers who have a similar audience. Be a guest on their blog or podcast, or other media channels. Help promote each other and give a shout out, collaborate, co-brand a contest or events. Host Instagram or Facebook live streams together. You’ll expand your social media reach, gain more followers, convert more sales and gain recognition as an authority.
Make buying easy. If you don’t, you run the risk of your prospect shopping on your competitor’s platform. Use multiple touch points, video marketing, discounts and incentives. Give customers multiple ways to pay. And be sure to follow up. Don’t lose a sale because it’s not the right time.
Nourish your email list. What’s your email list worth? Take the price of your average product and multiply it by the number of subscribers. Say your service is worth $1,000 and you have 1,000 subscribers. That’s $1,000,000 in potential revenue –only if you nurture and grow your list. Just be sure to create a system to capture their email address. And promise me to stay in touch!

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Scale your business big time and get the visibility you deserve. Visit my website at RobinSamora.com to book a call. Talk soon!

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Think you just need hard skills to be a marketer? Not true. Check out these soft skills to add to your tool box.

4 Soft Skills You Need in Marketing

It’s not always about being tough as a business person and marketer. Soft skills count too. What skills should you add to your marketing toolbox?

Creativity. Marketers have a unique flair and knack for creativity so it’s important to nurture those skills. Creativity is a gift to help you stay on top of your game – and also protect your creative juices. Think differently to expand your horizon. Volunteer or learn a new language.
Adaptability. Was your business flipped upside down with the pandemic? Ready yourself to be more adaptable, to adjust to changes quickly and efficiently, as they’re thrown to you. Adaptability isn’t just a soft skill, it’s a must skill. It’s what you need to embrace change, remain calm, and go with the ebb and flow.
Empathy. When you’re empathetic, you’re able to connect with your audience on a deeper level and help them solve their problems better. As a result, customers will become more loyal to you because they believe you care and understand them. They also bring in more referrals and in turn, more business.
Tenacity. Tenacity helps you achieve long term success, to be driven to set goals and achieve them. That you’re in it for the long haul. You know your why and see the big picture. Think of it like winning a race – the slow and steady race. Understand how to grow your own tenacity and you can push forward, no matter what.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to grow your business in these challenging times? Visit my website at RobinSamora.com and set up a time to chat. Talk soon!

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Are you looking for new business ideas to help you through tough times? Listen in.

Almost every company I know wants to recover losses they’ve incurred with the pandemic. Ideas are important, but it’s also important to take action to get ahead of the competition.

Here’s an approach I read about today in the Entrepreneur blog on how to SHAPE up your business.

5 Marketing Tips to Shape Up Your Business

Think like a Start-up. Enough research, already. It’s time to take action, and that means now. You can always tweak your plans, but speed counts.
How do your people work best? Your strength is in strategy and human capital. You may create the strategy, but your team drives the bus. They execute and deliver results.
Expand your digital channels. If you haven’t shifted already, make a commitment accelerate digital, tech operations and analytics. Having strong digital channels will impact your growth and visibility.
Reassess what your customers value. This pandemic has influenced people and your customers in ways we can’t even imagine. Ask what they need. Take time to find out what what’s important to them. What worked once, doesn’t necessarily work anymore.
Disruption is part of growth. In this new normal, we need to rethink and rebuild. Look at your employees and outsourced staff, your environment, your offices, your funding, and the possibilities of grants and assistance, to name just a few.

Now’s the time to be proactive not reactive. Speed is important to gain momentum, but not without thinking things through. To get your business ready for the next big push, put your foot on the gas pedal, but don’t run out of gas.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Looking for marketing ideas to grow your business? Visit my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Want to pool your resources to create a bigger marketing campaign? Think about co-marketing.

Why would you want to co-market with another company and what’s the benefit?

3 Reasons Why Co-Marketing is Important

Increase your reach. Co-marketing or cross promotion as it’s sometimes called allows your content to be shared with your audience as well as your partner’s. This gives you an opportunity to expand your reach with a totally new target market and grow your following with people who want to learn more. Your trust level improves. If you’re in business and it’s not a hobby – no disrespect here -- you’ve probably built a solid brand and reputation, and so has your potential brand partner. Combine the trust level of both in good faith, to gain even more credibility. Take advantage of each other’s strengths. If you’re working with a bigger brand, and a part of your agreement, use their resources and expertise. A more influential brand may have stronger social media power or they might like the fact that you have a niche audience that they can tap into. Look at the cost savings too – like a more experienced staff, creative resources, and talent.

What’s important to remember is that co-marketing should be a win-win for both sides. Piggy back on a marketing campaign, but before you do, make sure you have your agreement in writing – even if it’s an email, so you know what to expect.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for marketing ideas and tips or 1-2-1 marketing help, please visit my website. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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How much do you charge? Pause, pause. Don’t get mad. Here’s what to say next.

If you’re in business, you’ve probably done more than your share of free – when you started, for causes you believe in, or as part of giving back.

For those who ask, “how much do you charge?, here’s what you can say. Thanks David Newman, speaker guru, for the lesson I’ll never forget!

Before you say anything, remember this. Don’t quote a random price unless you think this person will be a major pain in the butt or you charge a low hourly rate. Also, be prepared for the question. Don’t act surprised. And lastly, don’t get hot and bothered and go on a tirade.

Here are 7 Marketing Comebacks to How Much Do You Charge

“More than a banana less than a Ferrari”. Humor levels the playing field.
“Can I ask you a question? Do you can more about price or results?” See what their main concern is. Results are worth paying for.
“What are you trying to accomplish, [first name]? Let’s look at some options.” Let them talk. Hear their story. Listen.
“Do you have 10 minutes later this week so we can set up a call?” Set up an appointment right there and then or send an email with your calendar link.
“Honestly, [first name], I don’t know much about you or your company. We just started talking.” How can you quote if you don’t have all the information?
“If I pick a number out of the blue, it won’t work for either of us. Let’s set up a time to talk. What time looks good for you? “Set up a time where you can be prepared.
“What kind of budget have you set aside? Then, we can figure out if we’re in the same ballpark and should continue the conversation.”

Always keep control of the sale conversation and kick out the tire kickers. They just wear you out and take up valuable time. My Dad used to say, “next!”

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want more marketing tips? Visit my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Need free photos for your marketing projects?

If you do any kind of content marketing, you need visuals – photos and images to use on your website, on blogs and articles, and reports – as well as on social media.

Here are 5 free photo sites for your next marketing project

Unsplash

Unsplash has thousands of high-quality free photos and images that you can use in marketing and design projects. What makes it easy is that you can find them with a user-friendly search tool. Just type in your keywords, and voila. Photos on demand.

Pixabay

Pixabay is another favorite for free photos and has one of the biggest collections of no-cost stock photos and illustrations online. There are over a million images – ranging in quality, with a strong landscape and Editor’s collection.

Gratisography

Gratisography is unique an if you haven’t checked it out, you’ll want to. It offers a small selection of fun and quirky images that aren’t your everyday photos. They’re taken by photographer Ryan McGuire. H4e definitely provides a breath of fresh air in the stock photo world.

Pexels

With Pexels, you’ll find free public domain stock photos from photographers around the world. Search for something specific or browse by topics – even emotions. Look beyond some of the cheesy photos to find more creative images.

Pikwizard

If you’re looking for natural photos of people or urban photography, check out Pikwizard. The photos on this site are offered under two licenses – free and Creative Commons. Free means free, and a Creative Commons license means that the photographer has waived their copyright.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’d like more marketing tips and want to hear about grants and marketing services, visit my website. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Want to grow your business? Then you need a marketing plan.

3 Reasons You Need a Marketing Plan

A marketing plan is a comprehensive report. It analyzes your brand or business’ situation, and identifies your target audience, challenges, opportunities, and competition. It contains key industry information, data, and marketing insights that differentiate your brand, and give you a competitive edge online and offline.
A well-written marketing plan supports the direction of your company. It has two parts a marketing overview and an action plan. The action plan outlines every step you or your team need to take on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and one-time only basis. It’s a road map for you to follow, that’s clear and actionable.
Every marketing plan should be unique. It’s customized for your brand’s individual situation. Your challenges, and goals. You have an important role to play because you start the process by providing information. Our team, then for example, would gather extensive marketing research based on what you have to say.

The end result is that you have a marketing plan that addresses your specific challenges, current data, focused on lead generation, and PR savvy. And that it works for your brand and personality.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and my FAQ section to find out more. Talk soon!

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Ever dream of being famous? What’s the Secret Sauce?

5 Ingredients in the Secret Sauce of Marketing

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel if You Don’t Have To Set out to become an expert in your field by learning everything you can about your subject matter and then commit to lifelong learning.
Master the Art of Execution Your idea is only as a great as your plan to execute it. Create a strategy that fits your short-term and long-term goals, and tactics to help you get there. A roadmap for anything worthwhile will have lots of twists and turns. Don’t just be an explorer, be a leader in your field.
Who Do You Need to Become? Successful business owners and people you think that are to be “rich and famous” keep the company of like-minded experts from different backgrounds with varied strengths and skills. Jim Rohn said that “we’re the average of the five people we spend the most time with.”
Know the Right People and Make Sure They Know You It doesn’t matter if you’re a small business owner, subject matter expert or somewhere in between. Pay attention to PR and publicity opportunities, and get to know the media in your field.
Make Networking Part of the Road to Fame One of the most positive things about networking is meeting people and building meaningful relationships – and we can still do it now in the pandemic, it’s just changed. The same rules apply.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Stop by my website at RobinSamora.com and see how I can help you. Talk soon!

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Yearning to buy or get followers to build your Instagram list? Here are some popular ones.

6 Marketing Sites to Grow Your Instagram Following

Stormlikes. Stormlikes allows you to buy followers in bundles of 100 to 1,000. If you buy a few hundred followers from time to time, you’ll increase your rate of growth. In small increments, it looks organic.
Kicksta. Kicksta is super easy. Just describe your ideal follower and Kicksta will find and engage with users who match your specifications. No spam, no fake followers, no bots. Just pure organic growth. Worth a try?
Hashtagsforlikes. Hashtagsforlikes identifies trending hashtags based on a search of your choice and recommends hashtags. It also provides analytics and data. Using trending hashtags can also spark fast and organic growth.
Mr. Insta. Similar to Stormlikes where you can buy Instagram followers immediately, Mr. Insta also offers free followers and likes new users as a way of test-driving the service. You can also sign up for a monthly paid subscription service and get new followers each day.
Trollishly. Trollishly provides five different packages for buying insta-followers. Need 100 followers? How about 10,000? Tollishly can provide them. They also offer packages for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and more.
Social Fried. Social Fried offers a wide range of different packages. It operates more like a marketplace or e-store. Instead of having a handful of pre-determined packages, Social Fried allows you to browse and cherry pick exactly what you need.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Visit my website at RobinSamora.com and while you’re there, check out my marketing services. Talk soon!

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Hiding behind the computer not sure how to use digital marketing for cold calls? Listen up! 4 Digital Marketing Cold Call Strategies 1. Figure out who your ideal client is. Who do you need to reach? What kind of company or industry are they in? What are their problems? How can you help? Once you can answer these and other questions like them, you’ll have a pretty good ID on your target audience.

Find the decision maker. You can’t just fire off emails to customer service or go down the rabbit hole of the company contact list. Your emails will most likely get deleted. You need to find the right people to reach out to. Fortunately, there’s a great email finder tool called Hunter that can help you find the right email addresses of people you’d like to connect with.
Personalize your outreach. Seriously. Take the time to write a personal email to each prospect on your list. Use the prospect’s first name and company, and write a unique question or thought. And of course, finish with a call to action.
Don’t forget to follow up. This is not a fire-and-forget exercise -- you need to follow up. And often. If you’re targeting busy people —and who isn’t busy these days — you may need to follow up multiple times to get their attention and earn their trust. CoSchedule says the best days and times to follow up are Tuesday at 10 a.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., and Wednesday at 2 p.m.

What works for you?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for online marketing tips, you’ll find tons at my website. You can find me at RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Nothing’s changed and everything’s changed since Covid hit the world. With so much going on, how do you grab your entrepreneurial edge?

5 Ways to Grab Your Marketing and Entrepreneurial Edge

Grow market share. Do you operate in a market where leaders are vulnerable? The shutdown/reopening might be an opportunity to move up from the number 3 or 4 position and take over one of the coveted top spots. Keep your eye on the ball and see what’s shaking out in your industry.
Leverage brand names. The brand with the highest recognition has an edge. If that’s not your brand, consider purchasing or licensing a top brand to enhance your impact. With so many businesses struggling to survive, important patents and licenses may become available. This may be your chance to snag an important resource at a mark-down price.
Seek out available supply opportunities. Supply agreements with volume commitments may be up for grabs since many businesses can’t meet their obligations. You may be able to step in and get a better deal on supply agreements.
Develop consumer loyalty. Loyalties may shift during the shutdown. Customers may have difficulty buying their favorite brands. The reopening may be an opportunity to develop loyalty from new customers or to take on a struggling business and capitalize on their most loyal fans.
Break down the barriers to entry. During the shutdown, the walls that protect brands and markets may be lowered or breached. Now may be the time to enter a new market before those walls are rebuilt.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you love these tips, I’d love to have you visit my website and Top 40 Small Business Marketing Blog. You’ll find both at www.RobinSamora.com

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Like it or not, online networking is here to stay. Want some pointers on how to get the most from it? 4 Marketing Tips for Online Networking Look for opportunities. Keep an eye out for events that best meet your needs. Participate in live chats, Q&A’s, informal discussion groups and other interactive forums. Some events will use platforms like Zoom that allow viewers to chat with each other, while others may use a more broadcast forum, like Twitter, where chats happen with a hashtag.

Get Active. No matter what type of forum you join, participate in a meaningful way. You must add value to the discussion to get noticed. Some of the best ways to add value is to build on to someone else’s comment, provide clarification or add sources or resources to support a thought.

Follow up. Once you’ve put yourself out there, keep the ball rolling. Add new people on social, then interact with them on a regular basis. Keep it light, remind them how you met — don’t jump into an immediate ask. Let the relationship grow. Be consistent while continuing to add value.

Be yourself. The most important asset you bring to an interaction is you. Be authentic. Your story and experiences make you unique and that has value to others. Relax and have fun. Networking, done well, isn’t a chore. It’s a fun way to make connections with people and build a community. Have fun!

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Like these online marketing tips? You can get a ton more at my website, RobinSamora.com. And while you’re there, sign up for my weekly insight!

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Think surveys are pointless? Hang on before you say yes. Find out how you can leverage marketing and PR value from them. How to Leverage Marketing Value from Surveys Blog it. Write a blog post for your own website about your survey results. This will serve as the foundation for all your social and mainstream media outreach. Everything else you do should link back to this primary source.

Design it. Create an infographic about your survey results. People love visuals and they’re a compelling way to deliver information. They also get lots of attention on social media. Include a link back to your blog to maximize your return.

Publish it. Write an article on Linkedin or Medium. Don’t just copy your blog, write an entirely new article that can reach a much wider audience and even go viral. This can be a short teaser that compels people to click over to your original blog post for more details.

Video it. Create an informative video about the results of your survey. Keep it no more than two minutes and include captions, since most people usually have their sound off.

Pitch it. Tell the media about your survey findings. Tools like Cision and MuckRack can help you build media lists or you can create your own by searching for recent articles related to your survey topic. Write a powerful subject line to hook a reporter’s attention, then follow up with your most important finding and why your organization is a credible source.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Like these online marketing tips? You can get a ton more at my website, RobinSamora.com. In fact, join my Robin’s Rainmakers community!

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With everything virtual now, what are some of the best marketing strategies to promote a virtual event? 5 Marketing Strategies to Promote a Virtual Event Set expectations. Is this a presentation, panel discussion or town hall? Will the audience be able to ask live questions? People need to know what they’re signing up for. Be clear on what the audience take-aways will be.

Work with a partner. Co-branding and co-marketing are great ways to gain a larger audience. Match a brand with a community partner and a small business specialist. In the end, all three parties will attract their own audience and the partners can share leads.

Have everyone promote the event. Incentivize employees to promote the event to their contacts and set the expectation that all speakers will do outreach to maximize the audience. Provide assets to everyone involved — graphics, images, videos, URLs — to enable people to easily promote the event.

Customize invitations. Use customized emails to target different segments of your potential audience. A personalized email for an executive might look very different from an email for an engineer. Use your lists and take the extra step to target the right people with the right message.

Track your results. What worked and what didn’t? You can make your next event better by capitalizing on the pluses and rethinking the minuses. Use UTM codes in all your promotional tactics to see where your sign-ups came from and help you figure out where to put your efforts next time.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Like these online marketing tips? You can get a ton more at my website, RobinSamora.com. While you’re there, sign up for weekly marketing insight!

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What are some of the hottest social media marketing trends for the rest of the year? Listen in! 4 Social Media Marketing Trends for the Rest of 2020 Shorten your content creation process. Content you created six months ago and planned to use today may now be outdated. Compress your content creation down from months to weeks or even days. You can still sketch out your plans for the future but don’t invest a lot of time in detailed creation — leave room for changes so you don’t have to scrap everything and start over.

Be quiet and listen. In the past, social media was all about telling what great products and services you offer. Now, it’s time to listen. Are your products and services well positioned? You’ll never know if you don’t listen to your market.

Stand up. People expect more from their trusted brands, than ever before. Take principled positions on important social issues. Yes, you might lose a few customers, but you’ll gain more in the long haul by taking a stand on the right side of social movements.

It’s not all about you, it’s about all of us. Now is not the time for non-stop self-promotion. It’s the time to help. Reach out and do what you can to help people in any way you can. Remember to put people first. Focus on the human element instead of boring product descriptions. Build relationships now, and sales will follow.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Like these online marketing tips? You can get a ton more at my website, RobinSamora.com. Talk soon!

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Would you like to build better relationships with your customers? Think about building trust with social media. Here’s how: 5 Ways Social Media Improves Customer Trust 1. Build strong communication skills. Think about what your customers want to hear from you. What kind of questions are they asking? Find out from your sales team, check social media or even scroll Q & A platforms like Quora. When you talk with them, use language they’ll understand. Skip the small talk and jargon.

Stop talking and start listening. You might think you know what your customers want, but their needs are always changing. Check your data for insight into common concerns, pain points, their goals and interests. Apps like Sprout Social and Hootsuite Insights can tell you what customers are saying about you and your competition. Are you listening?
Be authentic and share your story. Produce content that highlights your values and brings attention to what makes your company special. Offer useful information like how-to guides and product demonstrations. Don’t make it always about selling, especially now. Helping is the new selling.
Create relationships with your customers. Give them an excellent on-site experience, but don’t ignore them after they’ve make a purchase. Follow up with offers tailor-made for them. What would they like? Look for suggestions based on their previous purchases and buying history.
Share happy feedback. Every time you earn a five-star review or get a message from a delighted customer, sing it from the rooftops. Re-share tweets, blogs, pictures and other content that your customers post. Let them become advocates for your brand. It’s the best kind of promotion and referral marketing out there.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Check out my website for a ton of ideas on how to use social media to grow your business. Visit my website, RobinSamora.com. Set up time to talk if you like too!

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Besides offering a newsletter or some other kind of legal bribe, what are some other ways to collect someone’s email address?

We all want a robust mailing list. So how do we collect emails? 4 Ways to Collect Email Addresses 1. Incorporate a squeeze page. Think of it like a preview page. Show just enough of premium content to whet their appetite but require an email address before they can read it all. Squeeze pages work really well when your primary source of traffic is organic.

Capture sidebars are another way to grab emails. These are forms built into the main landing page as sidebars promoting a free offer. The drawback is that sometimes prospects will just take the free offer and pass on buying your product or service.
Add a pop-under. Pop-unders are like pop-ups but only appear when a prospect leaves your landing page without buying. “Don’t go yet, you haven’t signed up for your free gift.” Unfortunately, pop-up blocking software will also block pop-unders. So they may or may not work.
Create a floater. Ever visit a page and a sign-up window is hovering in front of what you wanted to see? That’s a floater. Fill in the requested information and it disappears. Pop-up blocking software doesn’t hide it, but Google doesn’t like it. If you use floaters there’ always a chance it could hurt your organic search results.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’ve got a ton of resources on how to build your business with no-cost and low-cost marketing strategies over at my website. Come over and visit. I’m at RobinSamora.com.

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Looking for some underrated content marketing strategy ideas? Take a listen. 5 Content Marketing Strategies to Remember 1. Use infographics to present complex content. Visual content is more engaging than text, can be fun and still offers information in a simple format. It also takes less time to look at than reading a full report.

Interview industry thought leaders. This is a great way to grow your audience and get recognized as an expert in another expert community. When you’re ready to go live, don’t forget to tag him or her when you post and share on social media.
Invest in videos and apps. If you’re creating content, think about different ways to reach your audience. Video Q & As, product demonstrations, and explainer videos are popular. Apps like WhatsApp Business can also help you provide customer support on a more personal level by being able to sort and quickly respond to messages.
Virtual presentations build a list and connections. Webinars are easier and a lot cheaper than planning a conference and with all the Zoom experience you have, you might already be a pro. A “one-time-only” event gives customers more of an incentive to attend so they’re not the last to know -- and we know all about that with FOMO.
Use SEO to drive better marketing decisions. Besides building traffic, you can organize keywords by interest level, find your competition, and create networking opportunities. Use the data to create more personalized content for the customer and check your metrics to make sure your campaigns stay relevant and on-point.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Could your business use a boost in sales? Download a copy of my new infographic, 7 Marketing Strategies for the New Normal. Find it at RobinSamora.com.

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Looking for a new job in this crazy time? Here are 3 easy pointers. 3 Marketing Tips if You’re Looking for a New Job 1. Do your homework beforehand. It seems obvious but you’d be surprised by how many people don’t do this. Start with the company’s website and then do a broader Google search. Look for recent articles in industry publications. Let them know you did your research to learn about the company and its challenges.

Zero in on the company’s culture. Check out their social media pages and watch a few videos. Read company reviews on Glassdoor. Use that intel and offer strong examples of why you want to work there. “It’s close to my house” won’t cut it. A better answer is, “You work with some really cool clients.” Key in on what really interests and excites you and show enthusiasm for wanting to be part of the team.
Dress for success even if your interview is virtual. And pull it all together as far as your mindset is concerned too, even if you’re wearing a shirt on top of sweatpants. Sure they can’t see ‘below the fold’ but it will make you feel more poised and prepared to win the interview.

It’s a given also, send a thank-you letter. It can be the key to getting a job offer. Besides reinforcing that you really want the job, it also gives you an opportunity to overcome objections and restate how your skills and experience can make significant contributions.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want other marketing tips and articles on how to grow your business and promote your brand? Get my new infographic, 7 Marketing Strategies for the New Normal. Find it at RobinSamora.com.

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Want to know the perfect marketing strategy? Sure thing, who doesn’t? Let’s take a look.

4 Steps for Building the Perfect Marketing Strategy

Define your ideal customer. You might think that all paying customers are ideal, but some are better than others. Look at your sales. Who brought in the most money and provided the highest profit margins? Who was easy to deal with and who was a headache (or PIA)? Research your current customers and see who you like when seeking out new ones. Zero in on your customer’s marketing channels. Once you’ve determined your ideal buyer, zero in on the marketing channels they use. Do your research. Are they in a demographic that uses social media? Are you more likely to find them through paid ads? This will help you figure out where to focus your time and resources. Survey what similar brands are doing. Case studies can provide information on the most successful marketing strategies. Seeing what others in your industry are doing may open your mind to new ideas and tactics. If they’re working, it’s worth a look. Use your research to make informed decisions. Develop a marketing plan and then give it time to work. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get results in the first quarter. It takes six months to a year for a new marketing strategy to gain enough traction to show results.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I write customized marketing and action plans for small and mid-sized businesses. Get in touch at RobinSamora.com if you want to learn more. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to create social media engagement? Listen for tips on what you need on your checklist.

5 Marketing Tips to Create a Social Media Checklist

Develop guidelines for your team. State clearly how you want to handle all of your social media. Make sure to list every profile and not just your primary ones. Consider things like your content, visuals, community monitoring and your brand voice when thinking about what to include. Decide on how often you’ll engage with your community. Take a look at both inbound engagements, which are comments and questions that come directly to you, and outbound, which involves finding and joining relevant conversations. They can have very different frequency requirements. Create different strategies for each social media platform. Content perfect for Instagram might not work so well for LinkedIn. And while Twitter is great for customer service, you’re not going to want to use Facebook that way. Amp up your posts. Survey the most engaging posts on each social media platform you use. Do you see common trends? Look at content posted by other brands and see if they might inspire you or discover an opportunity you might have missed. Decide on key performance indicators. This gets everyone on the same page. How will you know when your social media engagement is working? Make sure your team knows what “success” looks like for your brand.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to build your brand? Check out RobinSamora.com for more articles and marketing insight. Talk tomorrow!

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Know about Quora? Think it can work for marketing? Listen how.

5 Easy Ways to Use Quora for Marketing

Find people to connect with. Start with looking at the top answers and followers of a particular industry. This is a great way to find colleagues and other businesses who are interested in the same subjects you are. Follow topics in your industry. Become active by posting thought-provoking questions and valuable answers. You can include links to your website or blog posts for more information, but be careful not to spam. Display your professional title. This helps establish trust and authority. And adding a headshot will make you seem real and human. There’s a lot of competition with other answers under the same post, so you want to make yourself stand out. Get a boost in your SEO. Because Quora is all about questions and answers, it’s exactly what Google is looking for when it comes to quality content. It also positions you as an authority, which Google now recognizes as a ranking factor. Find new audiences through Quora Digest. This is a great feature that sends emails to the users who are interested in the topics you’re answering questions on. The more questions you answer, the more authority you’ll build, which increases the chance of you being in a digest.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. You’re not alone if you don’t know everything about Quora. But I love the idea of it to bring in business. For other ideas on how to bring in business, visit my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Have you worked with well-known brands? Well, don’t keep it a secret!

5 Marketing Tips to Build Social Media Trust and Proof

Get the biggest bang for your buck. If you’ve worked with well-known brands, promote it. Make sure you display their logos and brand names on your website and mention it on social media. It gives visitors confidence in your business. If Nike likes you, then you must be good. Product reviews are a social goldmine. And so are testimonials. When prospects see positive reviews and photos, they’re more confident in purchasing your products and services. Put a plan in place to send an email after someone purchases to ask for a review. Add customer case studies to your website. Have the story tell the complete picture, from problem to solution, and how you helped them get there. You can also build credibility by highlighting facts and figures, like the number of people who have bought your product or who have watched your webinar. Numbers do count! Share positive experiences on social media. Tap into this and display user generated content on your website. Look for influencers who have a lot of engagement with your ideal audience. Give your website a regular checkup. There is nothing that loses trust with customers quicker than a website riddled with technical issues.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you want social proof, you have to be on social media. For some best tips and strategies, go to my website and visit my top 40 small business marketing blog. You’ll find it at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you in marketing and always writing, like me? Join the club!

So if you’re a writer and a marketer, what are some of the best writing tools out there? Let’s take a look.

4 Best Writing Tools for Marketers

750 Words is a fun, online journaling tool that simply encourages you to write. There are a bunch of fun ways the app does this, like giving you rewards for hitting various milestones and using colorful charts to show how your writing has improved over time. It’s all about making writing a habit and the pretty tricks just help you get there. Airstory is a drag-and-drop document builder that goes beyond writing and editing to also help you research and outline your project. The app divides your project into multiple panels that hold your text, images, quotes and other clips. From there you can pick and choose what you like, as you create your document. Draft lets you invite a number of people to edit your work and the site will track the changes they make, and ask you to accept or reject the changes. It’s different from let’s say Google docs, because it shows two different versions of the document next to each other so you can keep track of who made which suggestion. Google Docs allows you to access, create and edit your document from anywhere you can get the internet, using any mobile device. Like Draft, you can share your work so people can view, make suggestions or edit your document directly. You can also work with a group of people in one document at the same time.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like these marketing tips, come over to my website and take a look at my blog. It’s at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Know that LinkedIn is the #1 B2B platform? You’ve got that right. Creating a stronger LinkedIn profile will help you attract new opportunities, build a more engaged audience, and help you influence viewers to read more about you and find out what you’re all about.

6 Marketing Ideas for a Stronger LinkedIn Profile

Use a high-quality, professional photo. And please smile. If you know how to smile with your eyes, all the better. A head-and-shoulders shot is usually the best and definitely, no hats, sunglasses or sex appeal. There’s a pretty cool website called Snappr that can help you locate a great photographer -- so it’s worth checking out. Choose the perfect background image. You can use LinkedIn’s standard image (kind of boring) or create one that reflects your personal brand or company. Make sure it’s the right size so you don’t end up with weird proportions or cropping. Use a custom tool like Canva to create one or find great free stock photos on sites like Upsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels. You might even find one on Burst. Your headline is key. Make a positive impression and let people know exactly what you bring to the table. Sure, you can state your current job, and use keywords, but you can also have some fun, too. Look at examples online and see what fits your style and industry. Keep experimenting and don’t be afraid to try something new. Make your summary count. In the summary section, describe what your company does and how it benefits your customers. Highlight some of the projects you’ve been part of and post links to recent speaking engagements, media mentions, courses or even books you’ve written. Also, be sure to remove all old and irrelevant experience from your profile. It’s probably not who you are now, anyway. Be active on LinkedIn. Why? Because it shows in your history. If you want to be recognized as a thought leader, post frequently, share, and stay on a while. Your community watches who’s on the B2B platform. You also want to give and receive kudos. Having a dozen or more recommendations will add a level of credibility to your profile. And they’re not so hard to get. Pay it forward by giving recommendations to others and don’t be surprised by a return song of praise.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Being on LinkedIn is key to building better B2B relationships. Let’s connect there. Ping me at RobinSamora.com/Linkedin. Just let me know how we met. Talk tomorrow!

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Have you been thinking of retargeting but not sure how?

Let’s look at retargeting, what is it and why it’s valuable especially now -- with no one wanting to lose a single sale. Conceptually, it's this: You create awareness and interest. A customer visits your site and then leaves. That’s when retargeting happens -- until they purchase or fulfill another call-to-action.

5 Types of Target Marketing on Social Media

Retargeting. Retargeting gives you multiple chances to target a prospect who came close to purchasing but didn’t pull the trigger. You can retarget prospects and customers and offer a special savings or offer. It may just be the added push they need. Lookalike targeting. Lookalike targeting is used when you want to target an audience that’s similar to your existing customer base. Facebook is one of the masters of lookalike targeting and uses your data to find people who have similar characteristics and will most likely respond to your call to action. Interest-based targeting. With interest-based targeting, you can target people based on the things they’re interested in. For example, if someone clicks on kayaking gear, next they’ll see your ads for paddles in their feed. You can also target people who belong to Facebook groups or who like specific pages, and serve up ads aimed at their interests. Work-based targeting. LinkedIn is the go-to platform for work-based targeting. You can target people by dozens of criteria including job title, company size, location, education and key skills. You can do this for free using advanced search capabilities or complement your efforts with paid work-based targeting. Demographics-based targeting. This kind of targeting appeals to a broad group of people. You can slice up Facebook’s user base by scores of demographic data to reach the population that most closely matches your customer, or narrow the market down by the content and graphics you choose.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to pinpoint your customers and win their business? Find out more at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Does getting backlinks seem like an incredible chore?

Backlinks help build traffic and visitors to your website, so what marketer doesn’t love them? Sometimes, it seems like an impossible task given everything else you’re doing. Make it a consistent part of your action plan with these 4 marketing tips.

4 Marketing Strategies to get High-Quality Backlinks

Check out your competition. Where are they getting their backlinks? If you’re not in the same space, maybe you should be. It’s a good idea anyway to review your competition weekly to see where they are and what they’re doing. You don’t have to mirror everything, but it’s best to be educated so there are no surprises. Add new links and products to existing blogs. Or feature another website’s list. Give them a heads up and let them know you’re featuring them in advance, so you can get a shout out. In some cases, you might also get a backlink. But remember, it’s not a done deal, even if they say yes. Priorities change minute by minute. Think about guest podcasting. It requires very little prep work and it allows you to tap into an already established. Make sure your audience is aligned, and that your subject matter is in sync with their main focus and brand. It’s pretty straight forward. Not sure how you’ll sound, write some questions and record a mock interview on your phone. Write a report with exclusive research. New data and insight are both valuable to the media and your target market. Promoted the right way, a special report is a great way to get attention and media links. But it’s a lot of work. Find a partner so you can divide the work, but both get the benefit. Co-branding works.

If you’re featuring new content, mention industry influencers and community members. Then, you can ask them to share the content with their network and followers.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want other marketing ideas? Download a copy of 52 Marketing and PR Ideas to Get Attention. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in business, you know you have to be on social media. So what’s the easiest way to create a posting schedule?

How to Create a 5-Step Social Media Posting Schedule

Start with a social media audit. That way you’ll have an up-to-date inventory of all of your social accounts. Make a note of social handles, who’s responsible for each account, your passwords, and key demographics. Keep track of how often you’re posting on each network and what times work best. Check out your competition. See what others in your industry are doing and what their social media schedules look like. There are a ton of monitoring tools out there, one is Hootsuite Streams. Google Alerts can also help you check out social posting frequency and content mix. Create a consistent posting schedule. Whether you know it or not, your followers and fans want to know what to expect. A scheduling tool like Buffer can help you stick to that schedule and have high-quality content queued up and ready to go. Once you get used to using an automation tool, you’ll love it. Research the best days and times for you to post. This isn’t an exact science. The ideal time to post will vary for each business based on the demographics of your audience. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to know what other brands in your niche are doing. Decide on a content mix. It’s perfectly ok to vary it up. When you shake it up a bit and offer a mix, you create a more engaging experience for your audience. Don’t just focus on promoting your brand, though. You also want to inform, educate and entertain your readers. Remember it’s not all about you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for social media and content marketing training? Glad to help. Reach out at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Looking for more low-budget marketing ideas?

I’m all about no-cost and low-cost digital marketing tactics to grow your business and boost your brand. Let’s take a look at a handful of these marketing ideas. You might want to add them to your tool box.

5 Low-Budget Digital Marketing Ideas for Small Business

Check out a new social media platform. Telegram is an online messaging app that’s similar to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. You can use it to send messages to your friends, clients or customers. Stay up-to-date also with any changes or new features in the platforms you’re already using. Every couple of weeks there seems to be something new. People love lists. Tutorials and expert interviews score high too, so give your audience what they want. Visuals like GIFs, memes and live-streamed videos work too. If you’re posting articles, make sure they have lots of valuable information, and that they’re at least 1,250 words. Longer format content seems to work best for SEO. Reach out to old customers with email. Write a subject line that gets attention and match your delivery time with what works with your audience. How do you know? Read research from your email provider, content you find online, and look at your own stats. Repurpose popular content. If you’re looking to get the biggest bang for your buck, convert articles into infographics and your Q&As to blog posts. You can also take your FAQs and turn those into videos as well and optimize the heck out of them. Repurposing content in new formats will help you reach different audiences. Tap into free PR. Sign up for HelpAReporter or HARO, and pitch journalists daily. Create a template that’s easy to copy and paste, then just fill in your expert tips, and off your pitch goes! When you get picked up, share your mention on all platforms -- and of course with your clients.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’d love to talk with you about your marketing and PR. Check out my website, RobinSamora.com and then let’s set up a Zoom call Talk tomorrow!

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What can you do to keep your visitors on your website longer? Find out in this #FastMarketingMinute.

Every marketer wants visitors to stay on their website longer. How do you do that? Check out these tips to help keep people check out your products and services, so you can lead them to buy.

4 Marketing Tips to Keep Your Visitors on Your Website

Lists bring order to your web page. They also help readers quickly understand the information you’re presenting. They can be numbered or bulleted, but you want to make sure that they’re easy to read. It’s helpful to keep items the same length so one doesn’t overpower the other. 2. Use visuals to highlight important information. Graphs and charts help us understand data quickly. Breaking down your content this way will help readers process complex information with just a glance. You also want your visuals to stand out by using color. Make your website mobile friendly. It seems like a no brainer, but have you ever looked at one that wasn’t? It’s not pretty and Google hates it. If your mobile visitors don’t have a good experience when they land on your site, you’re driving customers away. Design your website so it includes the same content and information on any device, but changes the way it’s displayed based on the size of the screen. Divide your website into sections. Seems obvious, but otherwise, information can get buried. You’ll also lose visitors before they read more than two lines of copy. Use headers to make a webpage more digestible and easier to read. If you don’t use headers, you’ll definitely have a higher bounce rate.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for ways to up level your brand? Tell me what you’re looking to do. Email me directly at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want some Instagram Live tips?

Video marketing is hot and so is Instagram. So, if you’re going to be going Live, you want to look good and make sure the experience for your viewers is top notch.

5 Marketing Tips for Instagram Live for Business

Make sure you practice first. Set up a dummy account and run through your broadcast a couple of times to get more comfortable in front of the camera. This is also a great time to check your lighting and make sure your voice is coming through crystal clear. Prep your broadcast beforehand. If you're using slides for a presentation or being joined by a guest, make sure you have everything you need at hand, and are ready to go. Hey, I was a Girl Scout so I know firsthand, ‘be prepared,’ Plan ahead to help you avoid technical errors or delays while trying to get everything just right. Give viewers a reason to tune in. This can be as simple as having a compelling guest host a Q&A, offering a limited number of spots, or creating an offer only available to those who tune in. You want to create FOMO. Fear of missing out Promote your broadcast ahead of time. Viewers can't tune-in if they don't know about what you’re doing. Let them know exactly when to tune-in and why they should. Promote on Instagram or other social channels where your audience hangs. Finally, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb.” Nothing is more annoying than having a call come in during your live broadcast. Viewers also won’t be too happy if you give them motion sickness. Mount your phone or use a tripod. It makes all the difference in the world.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Instagram live isn’t for everyone, but it could be right if that’s where your target market is. Not sure how to reach your customers? Let’s schedule a zoom call and find out. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you working IN your business and not ON your business? How about building a rockstar marketing team?

Let’s look at the big picture of building a marketing team. Who do you need on your team and what kind of roles could they fill?

How to Build a Rockstar Marketing Team

Social media marketers are on the frontlines. They connect with your audience on all social media platforms. There are lots of roles under this umbrella. Your team’s size will depend on the size of your business and your budget. You can do this yourself, but plan your time and energy.

Your SEO Team drives traffic to your website. Their role is to use keywords to increase your visibility on web search rankings. Hire people who have strong technical skills and know how to write. Right now, you’ll find experienced freelancers who are qualified and want to work.

Your acquisition team should be customer-obsessed. They’re the ones who introduce your brand so they need to understand how to make a strong first impression. You’ll need people who have excellent customer service skills and pay attention to detail.

Product marketers promote your product. They drive the key features and benefits of your product or service to your customers. They need to understand all marketing functions and be strong in research, strategic planning and program solving.

Content creators tell your story. Your content marketing team needs to be strong writers because they’re the ones making sure you have enough copy for all of your marketing ideas. Make sure they also know how to write in your voice, edit, and proof. One editing pass is not enough.

Web designers maintain your website. They’re responsible for everything dot.com including helping customers who have problems with your website. They live on the backend. Please just be sure they’re responsive. A dead website might mean dead sales. Who wants that?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’ve just given you five marketing roles, and you may be in charge of some of them or all of them. You don’t have to be. Let me show you how to build a virtual team that works on your behalf. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want some marketing tips for reaching journalists? Earned media is a great way to build your business.

Earned media or getting free PR and publicity that you don’t pay for is worth its weight in gold. You can share it with your prospects, clients, colleagues, industry associations -- and all of it helps to promote your brand and expertise.

4 Marketing Tips to Reach Journalists and Get Free Press

Find the right journalist. Don’t just throw your press release out there and hope someone will pick it up. Look for journalists who’ve already written something on your topic. A simple Google search will bring up recent articles. If you have the budget, you can also use media databases like Cision or Muckrack. Get correct contact details. That’s not as easy as it might sound, though. You’ll have to do some digging. Again, a Google search is a good way to start. Social media can also be incredibly helpful. And sites like Buzzsumo, which is available as a freemium and a premium will also be useful. Get straight to the point. Journalists receive hundreds of pitches each day. They’ll notice yours if you keep it brief, and it’s well written. So, don’t waste their time. Tell your story in as few words as possible, but make it compelling. Also, personalize your pitch. Think about building a relationship with the reporter instead of hitting them with a release and expecting instant coverage. Craft an irresistible subject line. Keep it short and unique. And make it super-specific. Remember that timing is everything. Also think about the day and time you hit the “send” button because certain days work better than others. Typically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays work best; stay away from weekends and if you’re a night owl like me, not at midnight.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Getting free press has really helped me build my business and brand. Want to learn how to get media attention? Get in touch at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Ready for new clients? Listen for 5 ways to Master Client Attraction.

We’re all in this together and doing business in the New Normal. You might be scratching your head thinking, how can I bring in clients or sell my products and services right now? Depending on your business, here are some helpful hints to make attraction marketing work.

5 Ways to Master Attraction Marketing

Build a relationship with your audience. That means engaging real time. Reply to Facebook comments. Pop in and add your thoughts in LinkedIn forums that make sense for your brand. People do business with people they like, know, and trust -- and believe. Keep to the facts. Transparency is really important when it comes to building trust. Be accurate when explaining what your product does, and what it doesn’t do. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You’ll build a bad reputation, and it’s hard to come back. Be real. Customers pay for brands that have authenticity without batting an eye. Think about Nike, Amazon and Apple. They’re all trusted to deliver what they promise. Switch your focus from selling to providing solutions. It’s not always about the products. Be a person not a marketer. Let your customers know that your product is something that’s making their life easier. Let’s say you have a product that helps with lead generation. Include a story about what a pain it used to be, until your product came along, and now your customer’s life is so much easier. People can’t buy unless they know! Choose the right marketing channels. Find one or two channels that make it easy to connect with your audience and prospects, and use them. Twitter or Instagram won’t work for long stories, but they’re perfect platforms if you use graphics and video to tell your story. Just be sure to match your audience to the platform. Twitter’s not for everyone.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want a virtual presentation about Marketing in the New Normal for your business or association? Let me know. Reach out at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Think there are no marketing opportunities if you’re in quarantine? Think again.

If you’re worried that you don’t have any opportunities to market your business right now, please reconsider your mindset and keep listening. There is always a silver lining in every crisis, and opportunities abound.

So, what some marketing opportunities you can take advantage of?

4 Top Marketing Opportunities During Quarantine

Create videos of your FAQs. Come up with at least 50-100 questions you hear most often and create a unique video answering each one. Programs like StreamYard, Soapbox, and Restream can help you create and edit your video and also broadcast it to a wide variety of social media platforms. Maximize the heck out of your video. Transcribe the content so you can repurpose it as a blog or article. One tool to do that is Rev.com . It's an inexpensive way to have the audio on your video converted to text. Just make sure to edit the transcription so it’s easy to read. It may look a little funky. Get your work out there. If you’re an expert, you’ve done so much. Share your content and your awesomeness. Think about starting a podcast. High-authority sites like Buzzsprout and Libsyn will take care of all of your syndicating. Also, don’t forget to publish both your video and your written copy on your own website and other places, like here on YouTube. This might seem like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised by how many people forget to do this. Add an interactive platform to your website. Include a collection of questions, answers, articles, guides, and videos. Think of it as a searchable FAQ page on steroids. Take a look at Hubspot’s knowledge base platform for an example of a really effective one.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. There are a million marketing ideas but they won’t all work for you, so stop wasting time and money trying to make them all work. Get clear on where you are and where you want to go. Get in touch at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you a consultant wondering how you’re going to get back business you lost or that’s on hold? Consultants rely on businesses to hire them and everyone down the line has been hit by the health crisis. What are some of the top marketing strategies to get work?

Here are 3 Marketing Tips for Consultants During and Post Pandemic

Lead by example. Share how you’re doing business. How have things changed for you? Include tools you’re using to work remotely or describe how your workflow had to adapt to changes, especially in your business practices. Use real-life examples of co-working, sharing materials, brainstorming and video-conferencing. People want to know what the experts are doing. Be flexible in your pricing. If you can do something to help a customer in any way, do it. A little pro bono work now might pay huge dividends later. This doesn’t mean flooding social media with a list of all of the fantastic things you’re doing around the world. Just think about your company’s core values and show clients that you are really there for them when they need you most. Remember that less is more. Avoid the temptation to overwhelm people with too many social media posts, too many blogs or endless email updates. Now, more than ever, people value quality over quantity. Instead of just throwing stuff out there because you think you need to stay in touch, pick out a few high-quality pieces that provide genuine insights into the challenges your customers are facing. They don’t need a constant stream of half-baked ideas.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’m a consultant so I get it. I’ve recorded a podcast on How to Lead When Fear Takes Over and will feature more content on my blog about marketing during the pandemic. Have a question? Email me. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Ready for a chatbot to help in your online marketing?

You see chatbots everywhere, but are you wondering if they’re right for your business? Before you answer yes or no, let’s look at how to use a chatbot and what they're good for.

Here are 4 Ins and Outs of Bot Marketing

Know Your FAQs. The best way to learn what people are asking is by checking in with your team. Talk to your customer service people, your social media manager or your sales and marketing group to build a set of Frequently Asked Questions. It seems obvious, but create clear, concise questions for your bot to answer. Plan a flowchart, beginning with hello and leading them down each path the conversation could take. Planning tools like Lucidcharts and Whimsical are great for creating easy flowcharts. Avoid open-ended conversations, which could leave your bot confused -- and your customer. Add a live chat feature for a human touch. Let people know that a customer service rep is only a step away. You can build this into the bot’s welcome message so your customer feels secure knowing that if the bot can’t help them, a live person will. Track your bot’s success. You can do this by using a unique coupon code (like BOTSAVE25). You can also have your bot introduce itself by a name you give it and also refer to your customer by name. A bot can be trained to show items based on their purchasing history as well to make reordering easy. When you program your bot, just make sure to always use conversational language (and understand spelling errors).

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Bots aren’t for everyone but consider them to increase productivity and help the customer on his or her buyer’s journey. For other ideas on how to bring in business, visit my website at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you a marketer working from home and about to go crazy? Or are you already there? I get it! Kids, pets, school work, and the Amazon Delivery driver, they all want your attention.

4 Steps for Marketers to Be More Productive #WFH

Set clear expectations. Let the kids know when you need uninterrupted time so they don’t come screaming into the room while you’re on a conference call. Check in with them right before the call starts and let them know who they should go to if they need anything while you’re busy. Create a schedule and stick to your word. If you have a partner, negotiate your schedules together. Who’s going to work, when? Who’s going to drive the kids to soccer practice? Put it all in writing so you’re all on the same page. Be as productive as you can be during your scheduled work time, and then shut the computer down when you say you're going to be done. Give yourself some slack. Be realistic about what you can accomplish. And be honest with your coworkers about how much work you can do and when you’re available. Block out family time on shared calendars so coworkers know when to expect slower responses during that time. You don’t work 24/7. Lastly, separate your workspace from the rest of the house. Find non-verbal ways of letting everyone know you’re not available. A closed door means “emergencies only.” If you have to work in a common area, wear headphones so you can still stay focused.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Need some marketing ideas? Keep listening to these podcasts and also check out my blog, Robin’s Rainmakers. You’ll get tons of free advice on how to grow your business. It’s at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Thinking of ways to get outside the B2B box?

Instagram might not be the first social media platform that comes to mind when you think B2B, but companies are using it to showcase the human side of their brand. With a billion users, Instagram is too big to be ignored

Reddit used to be a little bit like the wild west, but they’ve grown up and now they’re the 7th most visited website in the world. Hunt around for a sub-topic that suits your brand and loosen up. Be fun and creative. Reddit’s content is voted up or down based on what users like and dislike. So be careful.

Snapchat is back! After losing market share to Instagram, Snapchat has started to recover and grow again. This is another platform where you can show off, have some fun, behind-the-scenes part of your brand. Keep your messaging upbeat.

Twitch came out of the gaming community so its audience is largely male and made up of Millennials and GenZers. In a way, it’s lively, like broadcast TV. If this is your audience, Think about using Twitch for video podcasts and webinars.

Right now, TikTok has 800 million users worldwide. About 41% of its users are between 16 - 24. It’s all about short, funny videos and it’s growing like crazy. Highlight your brand’s funny side to reach this younger audience.

Finally, Facebook is launching a new virtual reality site. It’s too soon to see how this will pan out, but it’s worth keeping your eyes on.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like these podcasts, I’d love a review. Go to https://FastMarketingMinute.com/review and write yours there. Thanks and talk tomorrow!

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Looking for ways to build your business organically?

If you’re in business and have a limited budget, there are plenty of marketing strategies you can use to grow your business organically.

5 Ways to Grow Your Business Organically

Build on what you already have. Talk to your current customers and get feedback on what they like and what could be better. Build their suggestions into planning new products and services. Engage with industry experts. The more involved you are in your industry, the more you’ll get noticed. Being engaged shows that you’re real and have something to say. Create a loyalty program. Offer incentives to people who share your Facebook page or are loyal followers on Instagram. Reward fans who show their love. Who doesn’t love free stuff or discounts? Don’t wait for customers to come to you. Be part of their community and join events online and offline. Offer virtual networking, host an Ask Me Anything session or pop-up office hours. You might even have some fun. Finally, don’t scare your customers away. Explain your service in a way they can understand and relate to. You want to appeal to the majority and not just a select few. Be human and show it. That’s why video is so powerful.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like no-cost and low-cost marketing, download a copy 52 Marketing and PR Ideas to Get Attention. It’s at https://RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to make your marketing more effective in the new normal?

If you’re in business or in charge of marketing for your brand, it’s a tough time right now figuring out what to do, what works, and to what extent you should market your brand. Helping is the new selling and it’s a strategy that will always work, especially during the pandemic.

Here are 4 Marketing Thoughts for the New Normal

Adjust to the new reality. You might think you know what your audience is looking for but priorities shift during a pandemic. Your usual marketing and SEO content may not work right now. Don’t dig your heels in. We’re in unusual times. Listen to your customers and give them what they want. Don’t throw your money at paid ads either, though pricing may be attractive. If your customers are being scared off by the virus, chasing after them with paid ads won’t help. It could actually hurt your brand. Rely more on email and social media. And make sure to gear your content toward helping people rather than selling them. You don’t want to come across as taking advantage of your audience during a hard time. Look at your messaging. Mirror your industry. If you’re in wellness or have a healthcare brand, consumers will want to hear about business updates and products that could be useful. If you're in the fitness or entertainment industry, you might want a more light-hearted approach. Definitely no quid pro quos. Be truly helpful by making all of your COVID-19 related information completely ungated. This might go against every instinct you have, but being truly helpful right now will give readers a reason to remember you in the future.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If I can help you in any way please reach out. You can find me at https://RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you know the tell-tale signs of a phony marketer, someone who wants to fake their expert authority? Fake marketers are out there, but how do you spot them?

3 Ways to Spot a Fake Marketer

Fake marketers trade free work for endorsements or positive reviews. They also pay for mentions in business publications to build credibility and expert authority. You can call yourself an expert, but really, it's about what people say about you in testimonials and reviews, and also on social media. Be careful to check an expert’s background and credentials before buying or partnering with them. It’s one thing to be an expert at self-promotion, and that’s a skill that many would envy. But you have to be able to back that up. You can ‘pay to play’ as many speakers to get on a big stage, but you also have to ‘walk the talk.’ Earned media usually can’t be denied. That’s what someone writes about you. Not advertorials, actual press. Free press takes effort and is worth its weight in gold. I teach my clients how to do that every day. Just because someone calls themselves an “expert” doesn’t necessarily mean they really are an expert. Are they building their brand or yours? Do they have the education, experience, track-record and legitimate endorsements of a professional? A little digging might uncover a phony or confirm a true marketing professional.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking to build your expert status -- your real expert status? I’d love to help you. Check out my Google Reviews and testimonials from clients who’ve worked with me. Then, let’s set up a call. Check me out at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want some local lead generation tips?

If you’re in business you need leads, and you can get them a number of ways whether it’s networking, speaking, word of mouth, or meeting someone in a grocery line. They all work. But leads should also come through your online marketing efforts. The key is to turn those leads into customers.

3 Local Lead Generation Tips to Grow Your Business

Local SEO can help you expand your visibility and increase your SERP ranking, that’s your position on a search engine results page. The higher you are on the list, the more likely people will visit your website. Once they land on your site, your job is to capture their information. They’ve already expressed interest in checking you out. Local search engine marketing or SEM puts your business at or near the top of a results page -- for a price. The price is an auction of sorts for keywords that appear in people’s searches in your area. You’ll find these results at the very top of a Google search that says “Ad.” The third local lead generation tip is to create landing pages. They’re usually single website pages designed to turn visitors into leads. They often include a compelling offer, report, or must-have information that’s important to the visitor. That offer is usually free. It could be a report, white paper, video, any kind of download in exchange for contact information.

Local companies typically benefit by offering a discount, a 2-for-1, or a free consultation in exchange for a prospect’s phone number or email address. What's key to remember is that a well-designed landing page needs a compelling offer. That's how it turns an interested website visitor into a bona fide lead -- someone who genuinely has interest in learning more and potentially buying.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. It doesn’t matter if you want to promote your business on a local, regional or national platform. A marketing plan can help you get there. Have a question on how to make your marketing plan more effective? Reach out at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow

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Spending money on a social media ad campaign? Don't make these 3 common mistakes.

3 Major Pitfalls of Social Ad Campaigns

Be careful with your spending. Don’t front load your ad money without testing your audience. Facebook makes it easy to find your ideal audience with a split testing feature that allows you to test up to five ads at the same time. If you're using Twitter, TikTok or Pinterest, start with a small test budget and adjust accordingly. Keep the ad consistent, but change key factors in the audience. Just be sure to track results. Develop a process of dealing with negative comments. You’re bound to get a cranky person who says something unflattering. And this can lead to not just a loss of sales, but a string of negativity for everyone to see. Monitor online feedback carefully and plan how you’ll deal with unhappy customers. Ignoring them could be costly. Have a clear call to action. And please, not too many. Visitors should never have to think about what to do next. Be clear and tell them what you want them to do. “Visit our website”, “buy now.” “Sign up for my 3-part video series.” Call to actions can be through a button or web link, but they need to be prominent on the page and easy to understand.

Global Web Index reported that 13 percent of social media users say that a “buy” button increased their likelihood of buying something they see in a social ad. So make your button colorful so it’s easy to find, click, and buy. I never thought I'd write about social button strategy but if it makes your business grow, I’m all for it.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you liked this podcast, check out another one I recorded earlier. Write a call -to-action that works. Need some inspiration on what your call-to-action might be? Let me know. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you concerned about cash flow during this economic downturn?

I don't know any business owner who’s not concerned with maximizing their company’s cash flow. In times like this, it may seem difficult, but it’s not impossible. Here are some ways to keep revenue flowing.

Marketers: Here’s How to Keep Cash Flowing When Times are Tough

Be generous with your warranties and return policies. With an uncertain future, customers are nervous today about making purchases. Reassure them and close sales by rethinking your policies. Let’s look at an example. Apple typically has a 14-day return window but has expanded that due to its store closures. They will now accept returns within 14 days after they reopen. Introduce new revenue and pricing models. Look to your “super-consumers” for help with this. They’ll jump at the chance to buy something today that they’ll need in the future. Offer gift cards and subscriptions to help boost the bottom line for now. That allows you to collect payment now before delivering the product or service. Review marketing spending in detail. Determine what’s working in this new environment and what’s not. Knowing what works makes it easier to make decisions where to invest your cash and your time, because we all know, time is money. And don’t shy away from cutting sacred cows.

I also suggest that you resist the temptation to stay hunkered down. Instead, become even more visible to potential clients. While it might be tempting to just ride it out or focus on just staying afloat, it’s critical to stay in front of your customers and to be fully prepared for the future and what comes next.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Helping is the new selling. How can I help you? You can reach me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to know about a new feature on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn recently created a “Featured” section that lives right on your personal profile page. Think of it as an online brag book where you can show the world the work you’re most proud of. LinkedIn hasn’t rolled it out to everyone yet, but it’s a feature you should know about.

Here are 4 Amazing Ways to Use the New LinkedIn Featured Section

Highlight posts you’ve created or re-shared. Look for posts that have the highest number of likes or comments. By featuring them, you’re giving these posts new life. And if they’re popular, they’ll probably continue to receive comments weeks later. Showcase articles you’ve published. There are a few rules here. You must have already written a post or article on LinkedIn to feature it. Find ones that have performed especially well or that you’re proud of, and that they represent your brand and what you stand for. Feature a link to external websites. These could be to your personal blog or portfolio. This can also help increase brand awareness if you want to showcase specific products or services. Other things you can link to? A video, YouTube Channel, or a podcast. What do you want to feature? Show, don’t tell. If you’ve never displayed media links on the top of your profile, now is a great time to change that. If you’re a photographer or videographer, the Featured section can be a ready-made portfolio. If you’re a writer, link to your published work.

The New LinkedIn Featured Section shows people what you do, why you’re an expert, and what your company is all about.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Is your LinkedIn profile working for you? Let me help you power it up. Reach out on LinkedIn for a complimentary assessment of your profile. I’m at LinkedIn.com/in/RobinSamora. Talk tomorrow!

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Have a product you’re selling? Want to make your customers happier?

85% of marketers are using video to market to their customers, and more people are using video than any other media. So it makes perfect sense to not only sell your products with video, but also tell them all about your products and services. Take advantage of the video craze and create a product videos that they’ll love!

5 Product Video Ideas that Make Happier Customers

Show your product or service in action. Focus on a specific feature, highlight a problem and its solution, or teach people how to use the product. Look for interesting angles and keep your video brief and to the point. This isn’t The Irishman! Create a video FAQ page. People love FAQs and they’re more likely to remember what they see versus what they read. Keep your video clear, precise and make sure that you actually answer your customers’ questions. If you have any questions, check out my blog about FAQs. Support videos work wonders, too. Figure out the most common problems your customers have and make a series of short videos resolving them. Give them the tools they need to solve their own problems. You score there, and so does your customer service team. Personalize your videos. You can create a unique video for each situation or take a standard video you’ve already recorded and personalize it by adding comments in various segments or by adding a custom intro. And lastly, don’t forget to say thanks! Thank your customers by name in the video. It lets them know how much they mean to your business. And it’s really pretty cool.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Did you know that a well-written FAQ page on your website is an important part of your voice marketing strategy? People are asking Siri and Google all kinds of questions. Can you make your FAQ page better? Let me show you how. Email me and let's set up a Zoom call. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to make a good impression on Facebook Messenger?

Connecting with your customers on the Facebook Messenger app? If you’re doing that now, or want to in the near future, the timing is right. Facebook Messenger is trending to grow to 2.4 billion users by 2021 and more than 20 billion messages are exchanged between business and users monthly. I’m sure you’d agree that it’s in your best interest to make a great first impression.

Here are 4 Facebook Messenger Tips to Make a Great First Impression

Set up an automatic instant reply. You can use it to say that you got someone’s message, when you’ll reply, or even just thanks for writing. They’ll be able to see when you read their message, so don’t open it until you’re ready to respond live. Show that you actually “heard” your customer. Personalize your response as much as possible. Little things, like using their name and reflecting back the reason they wrote can make a big difference. Avoid using sarcasm too frequently. Being as straightforward as possible will make sure no one can misinterpret your message. And be careful not to flood anyone’s inbox. You don’t want to lose their business. Keep your message short and sweet. Limit your response to two or three short sentences, and stay on point. Also, before you hit “send,” edit, once, twice, and then again. Check for typos, missing words, and misplaced punctuation. And please not too many exclamation points!!!

Remember that with Facebook Messenger, you’re delivering a private message, so be sensitive about your tone and being too salesy. Although Messenger bots can be a great tool for sending quick replies, relying on them too heavily can upset consumers who would rather deal with real people. (That would be me).

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want me to take a look at your Facebook business page? Happy to give it a quick review. Reach out by email. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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Until recently, the only way for your brand to be picked up in a Google search knowledge panel was to have a page on Wikipedia. But that’s no longer true. Google has expanded its sources for “trusted” information. Your brand can appear in a knowledge box, but it’s going to take some leg work.

Make sure you have a prominent “About Us” page on your website that lists factual information. Be clear on who you are and what you do. Plus, your content should be useful and engaging, and the page itself should be easy to navigate and accessible on any device. Next, add schema markup and include as much detail as possible. Basically, schema tells the search engines what your data means, not just what it says. By adding Schema markup, search engines can almost instantly figure out what every piece of your content means. Tools like Yoast can help you with this, and with creating snippets. When Google builds a knowledge panel, they pull from and cross-reference a wide variety of sources; LinkedIn, Google My Business, Bloomberg, and Crunchbase which you can get for free. They’ll also look at news sites and industry sites where you have been mentioned to review your expert authority. It helps if you’ve been writing content on a regular basis, promoting your brand, and have earned media, from third parties.

Also be sure to register your site with Google Search Console and of course with Google My Business. One thing to always remember, Google loves Google.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Having a Google Knowledge Panel is just one of hundreds of ways to build brand authority. To get there, you need a plan. Let’s talk about building you a marketing and PR plan to up level your business. Find me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are there secrets to content promotion? The word secret seems so hush hush, but what if I could tell you some easy ways to promote your content.

Let’s look at 5 Content Promotion Tactics that Work

Don’t skimp on writing high quality content. There are no shortcuts -- I wish there were. If you want to interest and engage your followers, you have to write about topics they care about. What are they interested in. Write for your audience. Add value to their lives. Trigger emotions. And don’t forget to come up with a catchy headline. Make it easy to hit the “share” button. Sharing ultimately helps your promotion efforts. Add icons with ShareThis and links to your content. This will allow you to expand your reach to attract a new audience. Collaborate with brand influencers. Customers trust recommendations from real people way more than advertisements from brands. For an extra bump and to gain even more expert authority, collaborate with an influencer who believes in the same values as your brand. Promote your content on multiple channels. Distribute content on email, social networking platforms, Facebook groups, Google My Business, as LinkedIn articles, and to associations that you belong to and support. They’re all opportunities to attract and engage an audience around your common interests. Optimize your content with keywords. Create high-quality information that’s tailor-made for your target market. Also tweak new and existing content to better perform on search engines so it will be the best answer for customers the moment they need what you offer.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to know more about content marketing? Check out my blog post, How to Quickly Find Any Blogger’s Information. Use it to write and distribute your own content. Have a question? Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Don’t have a ton of time to catch up on all the digital marketing sites? I’m with you. But want a handful of reliable resources? Check these out.

There are hundreds of digital marketing sites out there and if you have time, you can choose your favorites. Jeff Bullas made a comprehensive short list. Let’s look at each site one by one.

5 Best Online Digital Marketing Sites

If you want to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and best insights into digital marketing, take a look at the Stacked Marketer newsletter. It’s a 5-minute daily read jam-packed with the latest news, trends, and actionable advice, written by marketers for marketers.

Another valuable source of digital marketing news to add to your feed is Marketing Land. Marketing Land covers all aspects of the digital marketing industry and features breaking news, industry trends and product changes.

If you want a bird’s eye view of what people are talking about in the marketing world, check out Alltop eCommerce and Alltop SEO. Both sites collect the latest stories and posts from vetted sources. You’ll recognize some big names here. I’m not going to tell you what they are. Click on the links if you read this.

How about this one? Affposts Newspaper is similar to Alltop, but it also aggregates the latest posts and stories from online newspapers, blogs and podcasts. Sign up and you’ll receive a free digest filled with tips, tricks and training from industry experts.

And lastly, if you’re interested in search marketing, take a look at the blog, Distilled. One of its unique features is a comprehensive checklist for an SEO audit, which allows you to find areas you might have overlooked or have never considered in the first place.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Got another minute? Take a look at my marketing blog. It’s called Robin’s Rainmakers and it’s packed with marketing tips, tools and tactics you can use to grow your business. Check it out at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Is contribution marketing part of your marketing plan?

Contribution marketing is where you contribute to the greater good and offer a product or service that fills an immediate need. If you’re not using that marketing strategy right now, consider it. Jumping on that brand wagon can help position your brand as relevant, caring, and socially conscious. What marketer doesn’t want that?

3 Ways Contribution Marketing Works

Send out good karma. Do you own a yoga studio? Offer free classes online. Have a clothing store? Offer free shipping and returns. By contributing to the common good, you’ll be building good karma which always translates into building brand equity and good will. Don’t respond from a place of fear. Offering deep discounts isn’t the answer. Right now where we are in the world, it’s not about capitalizing on the words “COVID-19” or “coronavirus” when they have nothing to do with your marketing campaign. People see through this as insensitive and it could actually damage your brand. Think about the people you serve and what you can honestly offer your community without breaking the bank. Freeze your marketing if necessary. Contribution marketing isn’t right for everyone. If you can’t offer something that allows you to contribute your time and money in a constructive way, then take a break. Take care of your business from the inside. And gear up for your next launch.

With contribution marketing, it’s not about your ROI and making money. It’s about helping people in a very real, tangible way. By providing a service that the world needs, you’re also gaining brand awareness and positioning yourself and others, for a better tomorrow.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I honestly believe that contribution marketing should be part of every business’ marketing strategy. If you’d like me to review a press release that you’re putting out there to help the world, send me a note and I’ll review it, no-charge. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, right? How is that going to help you as a leader?

In the marketing world and in all industries. It’s a fact. Women think differently than men, and we can both learn from each other. But what leadership lessons can men learn from women?

Here are 4 Leadership Lessons Men Can Learn from Women

Pay attention to the value, not volume. Too often, those talking the loudest are saying the least. Make sure whoever is commanding the room has the talent and skills to back up their self-promotion. Do they have the intelligence, integrity and competence to exceed in a leadership role? Don’t assume that assertiveness and boldness translate into successful leadership. Understand the difference between self-belief and self-awareness. While women may appear less over-confident than men, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It allows them to see how people view them and identify where they need to change. People who can self- identify flaws and weaknesses are better able to prepare in a way to increase competence and performance. Women establish an emotional connection. They often bring kindness and caring to their leadership. And, they offer validation, appreciation and empathy. Focus on elevating your employees by coaching and mentoring. Unlock their potential. Remember that they’re people, not just machines. To be a truly great leader, learn humility. Acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them. Take into account other people’s perspectives and be willing to change and do better.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Build leadership authority in person with your teams and also on every social platform where your prospects, clients, colleagues, and other industry experts see you. Want some ideas? Contact me. I’m at RobinRobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Feel like you’re using the same old same old marketing tactics?

No matter what your industry, marketing can often feel like an ax swinging over your head. There’s always so much to consider and you don’t want to drop the ball – or the ax. From navigating social media to making sure you get a ROI on your financial investment, sometimes it feels overwhelming.

The bottom line is to get attention, drive traffic to your website, and increase sales. But how do you do that in a way that doesn’t seem like it’s been done a thousand times before?

3 Conventional Marketing Tactics with a Twist of the Unconventional

Think about something you can give away, that’s pretty cool. Sure, it may sound counterintuitive when you’re trying to make money, but it can work to your advantage, plus position you as an expert. Say you’re a top business consultant. Give away a 60-minute consultation, but not just like any phone consult. Offer a VIP strategy session where your winner gets picked up on YOUR way to the airport, in a limo or town car. It’s a win-win for both parties. Strengthen your personal brand so people will want to learn more about you. This also drives website traffic and likeability. Create links to your website on all of your social media accounts for special VIP access or creative review. When you put yourself out there through blogging, speaking engagements, networking events and conferences, you will get known. Plus, a personal review of your material means a lot. Have some fun once in a while, too. Throw an unforgettable event. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, just something unique or fun that gets people talking. It can be something as simple as throwing a Make Lemons into Lemonade party. The key is to make it memorable.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want more unconventional ideas? Download a copy of 52 Marketing and PR Ideas that Get Attention. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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Wondering how to create stronger connections with your customers?

They’re videos that help your audience relate to you on an emotional level. The best videos on social media show that you truly care about your customers, and what they want, need, and can use. They’re about building deep relationships.

Let’s look at the HERO system developed by Matt Johnson, a well-known video marketing expert. HERO is an acronym for hook, empathy, response and over-deliver.

Use the HERO System to Create Stronger Connections with Social Video

First hook your audience by causing an emotional reaction in the first few seconds of the video. You want to stop people dead in their tracks before they move on. If you have amazing footage, don’t wait until the end to show it; put it right up front. A headline with great copy can also strike an emotional chord. Test out your headline for Emotional Marketing Value. Then evoke empathy. Choose stories that show how you identify with your viewers on an emotional level, then invite them to do the same. People share and engage with content based on how they react emotionally. Here’s where you need to break down your own walls, and be vulnerable and transparent. Being “you” builds trust and believability. Response is where the “share” happens. Front-load your video with really eye-catching or emotional footage. If your video connects with your viewers, chances are they’ll hit “share” before they even watch the rest of the video. They’ll come back to finish if they liked it. Lastly, over-deliver. Add an extra layer of value, maybe a personal perspective to your content. Exceed their expectations. Show that you care and want to help them. All of this together makes you the HERO.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Plan for success even if you’re stuck at home. Have a question on how to ramp up your business again? Reach out. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to make your webinar stand out? Here’s how to do it.

Webinars are an effective marketing tactic, now more than ever with everyone working from home. Companies and experts are creating and promoting webinars at record speed, making it harder for people to find yours. The trick is to break through the clutter so your webinar gets noticed.

How do you make your webinar stand out?

What’s interesting? Create a topic that attracts your target market. Think about how you can solve a problem, plus meet your goal. You might want to launch a product, get new leads, or educate professionals with CEU programs. They all increase sales. Research your target audience. How? Search forums, chat rooms, or Facebook groups that cater to your market. Always invite more people than you need — because typically only 30% attend. To make the numbers a little higher, send email reminders before the presentation. Get permission if you’re going to send text reminders. Ok? Start a list of interactive polling questions that help tailor your webinar and possibly future ones (or blogs, or articles, remember you’re always looking for the current need). Ask things like “what’s your biggest challenge today?” Be engaging. Ask and you will receive. Inspire and motivate your prospects with strong call-to-actions. Make it easy for your viewers to try, buy, or contact you for more information. Also think about adding a limited-time offer to add an extra incentive or sense of urgency if they make it through to the end of the webinar.

As with any presentation in person or online, be friendly and enthusiastic. Put on a smile, even if you have technology snafus, and we all do. Make people feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Most importantly, have fun. Even if you mess up, it’s just a blip in the big picture. Just remember, it’s you they came for – and what you had to say.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Did you know that I write a top 40 small business marketing blog? It’s called Robin’s Rainmakers. I’d love for you to check it out. It’s at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Marketing your business is an ever-changing process. That’s because your brand continually changes to meet your customer’s needs. To stay current, you should periodically check in and reevaluate whether your brand accurately reflects where you are in your business now, and where you want to go.

How do you do that? The first step is to conduct a small business brand audit because both you and your brand can change through the years

Here's how to audit your small business brand

Start by taking a look at your brand name. Does it still represent what you do and want to do? Sometimes, you can start out doing one thing and evolve into something else, as your client base changes, and you do, too. Next, look at your logo. Does it help tell your story? Evaluate your colors, the fonts you picked, and any images or graphics that are part of your visual brand. Does it say what your organization is all about? Consider the layout of your logo. Just because you’ve chosen certain colors and fonts, doesn’t mean that you’re good to go. You have to tie them all together to truly create brand recognition. The last thing is to create a brand style guide that shows how all of the various elements of your brand interact with each other. This guide is extremely valuable as you grow your business and provides you with consistent guidelines for anyone reproducing your brand’s name or images.

I’m Robin Samora with Fast Marketing Minute. Plan for success in everything that you do. And that includes your marketing. Have a question on how to make your marketing plan more effective? Reach out. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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Does your mind wander on phone calls, and do you get off track?

Be honest. Would you rather email someone or send a text, instead of picking up the phone? If it’s a friend you’re talking to, it’s easy. You can chit chat away. But for a business call, getting off track can be such a disaster.

So, what’s the solution? Structuring your calls. It’s a template developed by The Humphrey Group in Toronto, and it makes perfect sense.

Here’s the 4-Part Template to Never Mess Up Your Phone Calls

Build rapport from the get-go so you can get attention. Start with something personal. If you were reaching out to a videographer you haven’t spoken to in a while you might say. “It’s been such a long time since we spoke, but I wanted to call you because you’re the best in the business.” Next is your message, the lead idea. If you write it down, it may be clearer for you. If you waffle about your ‘ask’, you’ll sound like you have no idea why you called. Structure is the body of your call. Give one or two reasons for your ask. “I think I’m the perfect candidate for this promotion because of A, B and C.” Or tell them how you’ll do something. “I’d like to be a joint venture partner because we don’t compete, we share a similar audience, and I have 25,000 people on my list. Bingo! Your call-to-action should end the call. What are the next steps? What’s going to turn your message into reality. Sure, the other person has to agree, but if you use these steps, why wouldn’t they?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing. Plan for success in everything that you do. And that includes your marketing. Have a question on how to make your marketing plan more effective? Reach out. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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Have a blog and worried that readership is down? Well before you call it quits, get the facts.

I just read a HubSpot blog with some interesting stats. It showed that 40% of people say they never read blogs, but other sources contradict that saying nearly 80% of readers check out read blogs on a regular basis. So why have a blog at all?

Blogs are valuable for SEO and stats are revealing. If you have a blog on your website, it can result in a 434% increase in indexed pages and a 97% increase in indexed links. That’s amazing!

But on the other hand, blogging has fallen from the first to third most common marketing content in recent years. So how do you fix that?

Here are 3 tips to increase blog traffic and readers

Mix it up. Use a mix of video and texts in your posts. Video is the top content marketing strategy, so use it as much as you can. And, it doesn’t have to be all produced at a studio. Think about adding original images or infographics to your content. And of course, make sure to use alt-text on all of your graphics and photos. I wrote a blog about alt-text that I’m linking to here. Are you writing short blogs? Keep writing. Long content has value for both the search engines and your readers. Stretch your content by adding quotes or publish original data. Content can be repurposed in so many ways and who doesn’t love the back links?

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Want to build the like, know and trust factor even more with LinkedIn?

Creating conversations with prospects and customers is what engagement is about on social media. That’s what LinkedIn’s Conversation ads do. You might know this ad strategy – it used to be called sponsored inMail. What’s so interesting about these ads are that they’re designed for real-time engagement, so when a prospect is active on LinkedIn, you’ll know. That means chances are they’re more likely to engage.

So how do you know if someone is active on LinkedIn? If you’re on LinkedIn a lot, like me, you’ve probably seen the green dot next to someone’s profile when you’re online. Maybe you’ve also seen a green dot with a white circle in the middle. That means the person is on mobile.

LinkedIn Conversation ads give you a lot of flexibility so you can deliver content based on where your prospect or your customer is in the buyer cycle

Want to give LinkedIn Conversation ads a try? Open the Campaign Manager within LinkedIn to start a new campaign. From there, you can drive traffic to your website or to a landing page. What’s your goal? If you want to generate leads, you can use a form that already has their information filled in LinkedIn profile data.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. LinkedIn is the ultimate B2B social platform with over 260 million active users monthly. Why don’t we connect on LinkedIn? Look me up and let me know how we met. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you cringe every time you have to produce your own video?

On a mission to produce your own video? Some days you might love it, other days hate it. I get it. But learning a handful of DIY video tips will help you get comfortable shooting and being in front of the camera.

Here are 4 Easy DIY Video Tips for Zoom or Loom

Be mindful where you position your camera. It’s best that your camera lens is at eye-height or a bit higher. Sometimes, you might have to prop up your laptop because it’s a more flattering angle. If that’s the case, do it! You want to look your best. Depending on your background and the room where you’re recording, if you see the crease where the ceiling meets the wall, your angle is too low. Make sure to look on the screen and adjust accordingly. Lighting is next. Your main light source should behind the camera, not in front of it. front. If you’re setting up a video call on Zoom or Loom, make sure you’re facing the window so you get the best light. Sometimes there’s no natural light. In that case, put a lamp behind your webcam so your face is lit. Sound is always important and you don’t want to sound muffled or like a car is passing by – even if it is. Use a microphone whenever you can. I love my snowball but I don’t use it all the time. If you’re a speaker you can use a lavalier or the mic on your computer may be just fine. Like everything, just be sure to test it.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Using video to grow your business isn’t just an option any more. For many entrepreneurs, it’s a necessity to connect with clients, deliver training, and create products. Message me if you want to talk about what you can do with video. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow

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Are you leading a team in uncertain times? Here are three ways to lead through the fear.

Everyone reacts to change differently and as a leader you need to be prepared for that. Some of your team might be paralyzed with anxiety, others who seem the most solid, may be heading toward a meltdown. What you need to know is that depending on life experiences, acceptance isn’t the same for everyone, nor is timing.

Typically, when people are afraid, they tend to go into survivor mode, thinking the worst can happen. They could be afraid to lose their jobs, get sick, or worry about their families. Everyone is afraid of something different, and a lot of it is based on their past. As a leader in times of high uncertainty, it’s important to talk with your team about the things you can control, not what you can’t.

In times of crisis, who can you depend on? You might be surprised. Look people who are calm and levelheaded to support you. All effective leaders have a plan. A plan calms fears and lets your team know that you’re prepared for the challenge. Your team will appreciate that and respect your honesty. They’ll also have confidence in you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. You don’t need a crisis to position yourself as a leader. Learn how to build your expert authority. Got a question on how to do that, reach out on LinkedIn for starters. I’m at LinkedIn.com/in/RobinSamora. Talk tomorrow!

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How are your business decisions affecting your potential customers?

In a society that’s into “green” thinking and protecting the environment, Coca-Cola is one of the worst offenders. At the end of January, it announced that it had no intention of stopping production of its single-use plastic bottles because it’s what their customer wants. People are in an uproar.

Some people question how such a large company like Coke doesn’t have to contribute to saving the planet from pollution. But, Coca-Cola said it will be working toward making all packaging 100 percent recyclable by 2025. That’s in five years.

Your small business may not be the leading plastic pollution creator in the world, but it makes you stop to think about how your business decisions are perceived by potential customers. How do your stances on social issues affect your bottom line?

About 20 percent of people polled said they really don’t care, they just want their Coke, but what about the other 80 percent? What do they think?

It’s important today to stand for what you believe in, and that includes issues that align with your company values. The truth is, you could be gaining or losing business because of it. Keep that in mind next time you decide to take a stance on something, especially if it’s against the majority or public opinion. Keep your eyes open to your audience and their interaction with their brand.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Pay attention to what people are thinking about your brand, not just what you think about it. Get a quick evaluation. Reach out to set up a time. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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How do you disrupt your industry?

First you need to ask yourself how your audience is underserved and how your company can provide a solution that no one else can offer.

You may need to think vertically, considering options outside of your regular business. Look into other areas of your industry that you can break into. Maybe it’s time to offer something new.

On the flip side, maybe you’re too diverse; you’re offering too many options. Perhaps your disruption is that you narrow things down, focusing yourself on being great at one or two things. Being the best at something is definitely a disruption if the whole market tends to be diversified.

Don’t be afraid to break the rules. That’s the point. You want to be doing something different than everyone else. You can’t disrupt a market if you’re following all of its rules.

Once you decide what you’re going to do, just do it. And, Do it fast. In fact, do it now. Forget waiting and long-term planning. Just leap. If you wait, someone could do it before you, or you might lose your nerve.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. It’s time to take a look at your business and business model. Will you survive or thrive if you’re doing the same old same old? Not sure? Give me a call if you want another viewpoint. Find me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to get new business in the door? Here’s how to do it with Google My Business.

Answer questions ASAP. Yes, people can ask you questions through Google My Business. Set up email notifications, or better yet download the app on your phone so you never miss a question. The person asking a question could be a potential customer and if you respond quickly, you could gain his or her business. Make sure you fill out all the details about your business. Include your hours, phone number and choose your precise category information. Make it easy for people to find you and contact you. You’d be surprised how many businesses don’t have this info on their GMB listings. Add photos of your store front, so people know what to look for when they’re trying to find you. Sure, Google probably has one, but the one your take will be better. Way better, actually. You’ll also want to add photos of your products. You could have just what someone needs. Showing what you sell at a glance may make you the first and only stop to buy. Post about events, including sales, at your store. If someone searches for “events nearby” your will pop up in the search. That’s what you’re looking for. Lastly, post about nearby attractions. For example, if you own a sandwich shop near a museum, you could have a post about grabbing some lunch after exploring the latest exhibit. People often look at what’s nearby on Google maps, so catch their attention with a specific post.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I think that Google My Business is one of the greatest publicity tools out there. If you need an opinion on your page, reach out. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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What happens when you have a follower-following imbalance?

If you’re following 3000 people but only 200 people follow you, people will know something’s not right. Don’t go following thousands of people to grow your following, wait for it to happen authentically.

Here are 4 marketing tips to help you:

Don’t use a bunch of exclamation points and question marks in your content. No one wants to be screamed at. It may catch attention, but not the right kind. Be careful of posts with bad grammar, or lack of punctuation or incessant typos. It’s unprofessional and distracting. Even if you’re making a great point, no one is going to pay attention if you use the wrong version of “there.” Here’s another thing. Don’t post links without any comments or information. Instead, include your thoughts or summarize the article you’re posting the link to. And lastly, don’t post about your sales or new content 100 times. Some repeat posting is ok if it’s making people aware that it’s the “last day” or “you don’t want to miss out.” You can also repost evergreen content every so often. Just don’t do it 10 days in a row.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I addition to my podcast, I write a weekly marketing blog, Robin’s Rainmakers. Check it out. It’s at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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What the heck is affinity content?

Sometimes when you have a really niche market, you can run out of things to talk about in your content. There’s only so much you can say about selling houses, fashion or marketing trends. When the well runs dry, look to affinity content to save you.

The term affinity was coined by Ian Lurie and refers to content that shares an audience for no apparent reason. He uses an example of people who own boats tend to watch more extreme sports on TV.

How do you find out what random things your audience likes? Here are a few free hacks.

Start as if you’re creating a Facebook ad. Under detailed targeting for your audience, type in an interest that you know your audience has. Then click suggestions to get topic ideas. Check out Google’s suggested content too. Search for something in your industry and see what the suggested related content is. Amazon is perfect for this as well because people who bought “this industry book” or a product like yours also purchased “X, Y and Z” products. Lastly, think about your customer. What might they like based on demographics, your industry or the type of product you sell.

If you use these affinities to create content about all of your audience's interests, instead of just those directly relating to your business, you’re more likely to build long term rapport. They’ll remember you when they have a need for your product or service because you’ll provide them value in a dynamic way.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. It doesn’t matter whether we’re in good times or bad time, you still need marketing and a marketing plan. Let’s talk about yours and how I might help. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re designing infographics, web pages, and marketing pieces, here are four top visual content mistakes you want to avoid.

4 Top Visual Content Mistakes You Want to Avoid

Be careful your content isn’t too busy. Stick to 1 main color with a max of 2 other colors to accent. Adding white space can be used to your advantage. Limit your illustrations and icons. Too many graphics will distract the reader or viewer from the point. Use graphics to highlight the important stuff. Text and bullet points will work for everything else. Don’t over-decorate your title. Keep things simple. You don’t want your reader to feel overwhelmed. Lastly, be careful of using blurry images. Make sure that they’re the right size and resolution for your needs. Resolution for online should be 72 dpi, but I usually bump mine to 100 just to be safe.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Content Marketing is one of the most cost- effective ways to grow an audience and engage them. Need some ideas? Email me about your marketing challenges. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com.Talk tomorrow!

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Want to spice up your content? Hell yeah!

Tell a personal story. Write about a lesson about what you learned or talk about an ah-hah moment. This can be a stand-alone, or you can back it up with statistics and data to prove your point.

You can also solve problems for your readers. This is what my podcast and blog are all about - helping small businesses to understand and learn about marketing and trends. Do the same for your readers. Educate them. What do they want to know about? Tell them.

Take a stale topic and add a fresh spin. Look at some things that are old school or stereotyped in your industry. Then figure out a way to give them a fresh perspective or show how it’s changed over time. Why is it different or better now?

Clarify a confusing topic in your industry. What’s a question you’re always answering? People are probably searching for it, so write a blog about it or create an explainer video. You’ll be surprised when you pop up in search results.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Get a year’s worth of marketing and PR tips. Download a copy of my guide 52 Marketing and PR ideas to Get Attention, It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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What’s the real reason you aren’t using LinkedIn?

While kids (and some brands) are out there mastering TikTok, professionals are spending more time on LinkedIn and for good reason. LinkedIn has about 675 million members and the network reached record levels of engagement.

Some people think the reason for higher engagement is because it’s getting too casual and becoming more like Facebook, others would argue that it’s because people are beginning to have more authentic interactions there.

Whether you’re running a B2B or B2C business, it’s still valuable to gain new contacts there, reconnect with old ones, and network for possible referrals or for professional development. You can also follow some of your favorite brand leaders to get insight on industry news.

What you’ll find is that content they’re sharing on LinkedIn is likely different and more in-depth than what they’re posting to Twitter, Instagram or other platforms. Keep that in mind and also remember to also post, comment and add articles. Get involved. LinkedIn is a valuable tool that you can master to reach a whole new audience.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Just type in my name Robin Samora and let me know how we met. Talk tomorrow!

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Want the skinny on Google’s Discover Mobile Feed and what it can do for your business?

The Google Discover Feed has been around for a couple years and it automatically loads on mobile when users go to Google.com.

If you aren’t familiar with Discover, it’s basically a feed of articles, news and other content that interests you. You can go into settings to customize this feed, but most users don’t know how to do that - or even that they can. That means that Google will be feeding them information based on recent searches and clicks.

Advertising will be available for this feed specifically and they’re currently in beta testing. If you pay big bucks for Google’s machine-powered campaigns, aka Discovery Campaigns, you could land an ad here, maybe, but there’s currently no way to target the automatic Google Discover feed right now.

This means that using keywords in all of your content is more important than ever to take advantage of the organic game while it lasts. Even if someone never searches for you, Google may deem your content as valuable to users and serve it to them on a silver platter for you.

Carpe… umm, Google.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I use my Google Feed as a resource for my weekly marketing blog. Sign up for weekly tips at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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So, why isn’t anyone clicking on your links? Chances are the answer is the headline.

Here are 4 headline tips to get more clicks.

Create a sense of urgency or scarcity. This will produce FOMO among potential clients. Make the readers think they will be better or more educated in some way. Be very specific. Use numbers to give readers a clear picture of what to expect. Use an adjective in the headline to say what it’s all about, like “4 Tips to Write a Clickable Headline.” Play on people’s curiosity. Only tell part of the story in the headline. Pose a puzzle or a question, like the headline of this podcast. Write headlines that are concise. Use as few words as possible but let your reader know as quickly as possible what you’re trying to say. What’s your main point?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Make sure your content marketing strategy is well thought out so you can get the clicks you need to build your business. Have a question? Reach out. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com

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What’s the 3 R Formula for Time Management? Glad you asked.

Reduce the demands on your time. If you’re going to ten networking sessions per month, writing two blogs per week and posting to social three or four times per day on top of all the other things you’re doing, you’re doing too much.

Your time is an investment, so look at the ROI on how you’re spending it.

Reuse what you already have. This can be for simple tasks like meetings and events. Create a recurring task on your calendar, so you aren’t always having to add a new one. If you have a new project, tweak a template from a previous project.

Recycle your content. This is a huge time saver and especially easy to do with your evergreen content. Use it to create a blog. Make an infographic. Create an e-book. Go back and update it with new links and a fresh perspective.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Look in the mirror. You’re your biggest asset. Work it 24/7 by creating an unstoppable brand. Let me know if you want help. I’m at RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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What’s the AIDI formula and how can it help me get more leads?

“A” is getting your audience’s attention. Appeal to your target market directly. Say something that affects them personally.

“I” is for gaining interest through making an enticing offer. Make the offer something valuable that your target audience would actually want and respond to. What can you provide for free or to build like, know and trust to gain more business in the long run?

“D” is for desire. Give examples of other people’s experiences with your service, so consumers want to be like them.

The last “A” is for action. Of course, all of this means nothing if you don’t ask them to take action. Lead your prospects to a lead page or encourage them to call you or book a time on your online calendar. Whatever your call-to-action is, make it something that allows you to get their information so you can get prospects into your sales funnel.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. AIDI is all well and good, but if you don’t have a plan in place to get new business, they’re just letters in the alphabet. Download a copy of 10 Strategies to Get New Clients. It’s at RobinSamora.com/jumpstart. Talk tomorrow!

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Recently, I talked about how more and more brands are taking a stance on social and political issues. But what about when employees are becoming activists from within a company to fight against the company’s business dealings? That can be a problem.

Some companies are changing the way they do business based on employee opinions. Google recently backed out of a military drone deal because employees were unsettled by the company bidding on government contracts, but will employee opinions determine your future?

Employees are your strongest brand advocates, so you need to listen to their opinions. But is not recycling going to get you a bad rep? Where do you draw the line?

It’s important to have a policy in place about how your employees can speak about your company publicly, on social media and otherwise. Are you prepared to include repercussions for if they speak about you negatively? Of course, you need to be tolerant of differing opinions and being transparent about your company's stance on issues to create trust within your company and with consumers.

If a disgruntled employee speaks out publicly against your brand and its beliefs, having a policy in place protects your brand. And if you part ways with that employee, you’ll just be following company policy because they didn’t follow established rules.

Amazon put it best. “If it isn’t happening quickly enough for employees, they should feel empowered to work somewhere else.”

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Employees are brand advocates for your company but they’re not the CEO. Build a strong relationship and show that you care. Listen to the episode, 3 Reasons You Need a Strong Company Culture and let me know your thoughts. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you planning a virtual or in-person conference in the near future? Are experts part of your event? If that’s a yes, have you given any thought on how you’ll introduce them? Probably not, but kudos if you have. Introducing a speaker the wrong way can create problems from the get-go.

Here are 6 Secrets to Introducing a Speaker

Do some research on your own, other than reading what’s on their bio page. Find out what the speaker is planning to talk about. Get a few key points, so you can incorporate them into your introduction. Look at the speaker’s background, their previous jobs, and accomplishments. What makes this speaker or expert perfect for this event? Add a personal anecdote about how you met this speaker or how you came to learn about them. Unless you and the speaker are very close, never use private information or make a joke at their expense. Everybody wants to know how others are connected. Make it brief, but be sure to include a tie in. Once you’ve done your research and organized your thoughts, it’s time to start writing. Keep the introduction under 2 -3 minutes. Depending on how fast you talk, two minutes is about 250 words and three minutes is about 350 words. In my world, shorter is better. People want to hear the speaker, not you. Now, it’s time to practice. Read your introduction a few times outloud to make sure it sounds conversational. Rehearse until you feel comfortable. It’s ok to take some notes on an index card, but you should know a few key points by heart. This may sound silly, but practice the pronunciation of the speaker’s name a bunch of times. Write it phonetically. The worst thing you could do is say the speaker’s name wrong. Most professional speakers provide an introduction in advance of the event, with a phonetic pronunciation. For my last name Samora, it’s “Some - MORE - ah." When you give the introduction, do it with confidence. Speak loudly and clearly. If you’re at a conference, lead the applause and angle your body toward the speaker. If this were pre-COVID19, you’d shake hands on stage. For online events, show equal sincerity.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I help experts and speakers build a strong online brand and marketing strategy. Want more info? Visit my website and let’s start a conversation. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in business, you need to protect your brand’s reputation and your company from financial and legal risks.

Here are 5 Key Ways to Protect Your Brand and Reputation

Register your trademarks and get patents. It seems obvious, but if you’re offering something unique to your customers, you need to protect it. There are people out there who will steal what you’ve worked hard to create or accomplish. Bite the bullet and hire professionals to help you. Not sure who to contact? Ask your inner circle or your community on social media. Monitor your brand. Sure there are tools you can subscribe to that help you do this. Another option is to create Google Alerts for brand mentions and check in with simple searches on social media. Create a checklist and look at each platform every day, so you're not missing anything. If you want to get a service, check out a handful of popular ones; Brandwatch, TalkWalker, Reddit Keyword Monitor Pro which is an app on Hootsuite or Reputology. Protect your intellectual property by utilizing antivirus software and creating a firewall on your network -- or at least on your laptop. Consider using cloud storage for all your content, so if something happens to your computer, you don’t lose everything. Cybersecurity is a huge issue in today’s environment so please, talk to an IT pro to see that you’re protected. Have a privacy policy on your website that clearly explains how you use your visitors’ information. If you’re using cookies to collect data, make sure there’s a notice explaining this on your website. Your website should be secured as well. And lastly, get a background check done on all your employees -- and not the $5 one you found on the internet. First of all, a background check will protect you from dangerous individuals and fraud. Second, your employees are your brand ambassadors. You should know who’s representing you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Reach out to me if you’d like to work 1-2-1 to build your business and credibility. You’ve worked hard for it -- and there’s so much more you can do. Go to RobinSamora.com/contact and let’s set up a Zoom call. Talk tomorrow!

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Every promotion or marketing effort involves 3 M’s. Do you know what they are?

Back to the Basics: The 3 M’s of Marketing

First is your MARKET. These are the people you want to influence to take a specific course of action. You may want them to buy, click, download, call, or visit a website. Or maybe it’s something else?

Your target market should be the core of all your marketing. In fact, everything you do should be based on the research you have about your target audience. Not just who they are, like middle-aged moms. What are their challenges? What's important to them? What motivates them? Where do they hang out online? What other products and services do they look at and buy? And why?

Once you understand your target market, you can craft your MESSAGE to reach them. Remember, any time you communicate with your audience, you’re marketing. Even if it’s in a comment on someone else’s photo. Always keep your business, marketing and sales goals in mind. Before you hit post or publish, think “how will this message help me meet my goals?” Those goals could be to create brand awareness, respond to a call-to-action, download a checklist or whatever you want your target market to do. Your end goal is driving the show.

Then you need to consider what MEDIA you’ll choose. There are hundreds of options here. Print ads, social media, email, direct mail, text message campaigns, TV, digital signage or transit advertising like plastering your face or brand on the side of a bus. And these are really just a handful of media options available. Each media has its own rules and rhetoric. You need to decide which media channel is best to use to reach your target market and is the most effective in delivering your message.

You probably know that I’m also really big on developing your own media channels, like blogs, podcasts, videos, articles, graphics and more. No one can take your own media from you. Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other major platforms can take you down in a flash.

Your audience might be primarily on Instagram, but that’s not the appropriate place for a press release. Instead you might do a story or IGTV telling people about your announcement. There’s always an option if you think it through.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you're looking to build your business, download my report, 10 Strategies to Get New Clients. It’s at RobinSamora.com/jumpstart. It’s about the 3M’s of marketing and so much more. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you know about MessageTribes? It’s a text subscription service. Influencers can create a group and invite their followers who have to pay to subscribe to the group. The owner has a private text channel and receives monthly subscription fees, less a cut that the platform takes

So why would anyone sign up for Message Tribe? Because it’s like an exclusive club. Influencers text their subscriber’s exclusive content, inside scoops and maybe even special sales that only subscribers can get access to.

You can post things directly, send texts, images, or even a spreadsheet with MessageTribes. It’s easy to upload information and MessageTribes will schedule the texts for you, even months in advance. The important thing is that you’re texting valuable content often, so that you don’t lose subscribers because you’re keeping them engaged.

If you have a personal brand with a large following, you can use this service to help create another revenue stream. You can tweak and customize what you’re already posting on social to provide a higher value to text subscribers. You have a captive audience who is paying to receive your information, so make sure that you understand what they want -- and deliver it.

If Message Tribes doesn’t fit your brand, there’s still something to learn from this idea. Getting someone to follow you on social media or sign up for your mailing list requires a personal time investment from them. They think you’re worth their time, so you need to create valuable content to share with them, so they don’t hit the “unfollow” or “unsubscribe” button.

In a nutshell, Message Tribes is a platform to create your own messaging service. It gives you an opportunity to create a steady stream of income. You can manage the service yourself or have a VA help you. And, you can submit posts via a webform or a spreadsheet template and edit posts, up to 24 hours before posting time.

Sounds interesting, right?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’d like fresh marketing insight weekly, sign up for Robin’s Rainmakers, my top 40 marketing blog. It’s at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Content creation is a vital part of content marketing. And, it’s almost impossible to do it all yourself. That’s why savvy marketers build a team of freelancers and outsourced employees to help write and produce blogs, articles, presentations, social media, reports and more.

Here are 4 Benefits of Outsourcing Content Creation

Hiring a freelance marketing or content writer will free up your time to work on your business. Instead of worrying about pumping out blogs, video and social media posts, you can focus on the bigger picture. It will give you back precious time to create strategy, launch new products, or even take that vacation you’ve been dreaming of for the last six months. Once they understand your brand and voice, they can create consistency in your content and messaging. You’ll be posting quality content more frequently, and if you don’t feel like writing a blog today or get too busy, you’ll probably shove it off until tomorrow or next week, which always doesn’t work. Freelancers and marketing companies have to meet your deadlines, or they won’t stay in business. Providing fresh, on-brand content is their job. Hiring a freelancer is more flexible and cheaper than bringing someone on-staff. Hiring a new employee, even if it’s someone part-time can get expensive, between salary and benefits, and it’s a problem you won’t have with freelancers. Plus, using freelancers gives you the option to switch things up if you need a different area of expertise or a fresh viewpoint. Because you can pull from a large pool of professionals, you can experiment with other forms of content like videos, infographics and podcasts -- all things that freelancers or marketing companies can facilitate for you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’ve been in business for 20 years and I know I can’t do it all myself. It’s impossible. Don't try to do it all. Need ideas on making your marketing easier? Reach out by email at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in business or manage a large team, you lead the pack from the top down. Managers, staff, freelancers, even 1099 employees look to you to share your vision of the company's values and goals.

Whether it was you who created the vision, or not, it really doesn't matter. It’s important to have a strong company culture to keep employees, and create a work environment that’s positive, so that your employees will speak well about your brand in the marketplace.

Here are 3 Reasons Why You Need a Strong Company Culture

When you show that you’re committed to company success, your employees will follow suit. If you’re wishy washy, slacking off and don’t communicate with your staff, your team will take notice.

You may have employees who have been with you for five or more years, and hopefully that’s the case. What’s important is to provide an environment that fosters growth. With a strong company culture and competitive pay and attractive benefits, your team will recognize your efforts and stay. If you find that members of your team are quitting every year or two, or looking for new jobs -- you can see the signs -- then you may have a bigger problem on your hands.

Most employees take pride in their work. Everyone gets in a rut sometimes, but if everyone at your company is going through the motions and doing the bare minimum to earn a paycheck, it’s probably time to assess your company culture. Valued, engaged employees want to go above and beyond their duties to do their best for the company. They feel personally invested.
Listen and work toward solutions regarding employee concerns and suggestions to make things better. This applies to both company culture and daily operations. Establish an open-door policy that encourages staff to come to you to talk about anything. They’re the ones working day in and day out with your product or service, so if they have an idea on how to make things better, hear them out. Don’t work in a silo. That could be your blind spot.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Employees are marketing your company every single day, so make sure what they have to say is positive, and that they feel valued. If you’re interested in hearing more about company culture, here’s another podcast you might like; How to Create Fandom Through Your Employees. You can find it in the show notes here. Talk tomorrow!

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So you know there are four kinds of media. Social media, traditional media, your own media (that would be your website, blogs, articles, video that is your own) and there’s also earned media. Earned media is when someone else talks or writes about you, or you’re featured on the news. You don’t usually pay for it, and you’re either contacted by the media or a reporter, or you pitch them.

Here are 3 Ways to Get in the News and Earn Media Attention

Use HARO. Daily. Seriously. If you know about it, use it. If you don’t, grab a pen and write it down. HARO, stands for Help A Reporter Out. It’s a place where reporters, journalists and the media go to find experts. They posts questions and requests, and there are thousands of requests, so don’t get overwhelmed. Spend some time sifting through the queries each day. If you don’t have time, hire a virtual assistant to do it for you and ask them to forward the best ones for your business. Newsjacking can quickly get you attention. When something big is happening, like COVID-19 and it makes major news, write about it fast -- just be sure it relates somehow to your industry. Don’t wait days to get visibility. You have hours to make this an effective strategy. When you get published, link the story to all of your social platforms, and tag the media outlets who featured you. It takes a bit of practice, but newsjacking puts you in front of a huge audience. It just takes some media savvy, a bit of practice, and a dose of courage, so give it a try. Pitch follow-up stories. If you missed the boat on newsjacking, think of a different spin or a related story that a journalist would be interested in.

Here’s something I’m working on. All the schools in my area are closed for at least a month, and my neighbor is a science teacher who’s working from home. He’s also known as Metric Mark and throws kids science parties. I suggested he post daily science tips on social media and his Google My Business Page and record a Facebook live event every Saturday called Saturday Morning Science. What we’ll do is pitch the press about his teaching kids science in a fun and innovative way, while school’s out. It’s newsworthy right? And interesting. And if you want to know, yes he does wear a lab coat and those big lab glasses.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you want to get media attention, download a copy of my PR Template, How to Write a Winning Press Release. It’s at RobinSamora.com/PressRelease. Talk tomorrow!

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To create an unforgettable presentation, you need to have content that exceeds expectations. You can have a different view on a topic that may be considered boring or dry, or add a personal story -- one that makes you seem human or makes people laugh. You can talk about a time when you lost almost everything, where you felt like a total jerk until… or the aha moment you’ll never forget. Naturally, this will lead into a bigger story, where you can talk about your challenges, lessons, and of course -- your solutions.

How you deliver the information is important too. At Toastmasters and at the National Speakers Association, they teach you to use the volume of your voice and body language to get attention. If you make an important point, do it loudly, and then be silent for a moment to let your audience reflect on what you had to say. Throw your hands up if you’re talking about something unthinkable. Turn your back. Grab a prop. Need inspiration, watch go to YouTube or watch Toastmasters finalists perform, or better yet -- watch exceptional TedTalks to hear their style.

Mix up your language too. Use a play on words or apply the allure of alliteration. Hear all those A’s? Or metaphors like, kisses are the flower of affection. Mix conversational style, slang, formal language and don’t forget to move your body too. Stiff is for cardboard only.

Last thing, if you’re presenting a powerpoint, Include some novel imagery. Don’t go crazy with every slide. If you're talking about moments of change, you can include an image from 50 Photos that Changed the World. They’re powerful and everyone will be able to relate.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re an expert or speaker, you need marketing ideas and a plan to promote your brand. I’ve got a year’s worth. Download my guide, 52 Marketing and PR Tips to Get Attention. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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Texting your customers is a good way to cut through advertising noise, overloaded inboxes, and jibber jabber of social media. There’s just so much information! Texting adds a personal touch to your marketing and 97% of smartphone users text regularly. If you asked me, I’d say most of the day.

If you want to message your customers through text, the goal is to have texting from a company feel like a message from a friend. If it’s right for your demographic and on-brand for you to text your customers, it’s worth a try. But like all communication, there are some best practices to consider.

Take a look at 4 best practices for texting your customers

Let your customers opt-in to receive texts. Just because they sign up on your terms when they create an account or sign up for your mailing list, it doesn’t mean it’s ok to text without permission. While it is legal, people can feel violated, like you’ve stepped into their personal space if they haven’t given you express permission to text them. So get permission. Always include an explanation of how to opt out in every text. You don’t want anyone to feel trapped in the messaging. If customers feel trapped, there’s a chance it will negatively impact you in some way. If you’re using texts to announce sales or specials, don’t bombard people. They don’t want to hear from you every day -- maybe once or twice a week. Tell them when a sale is starting. Remind them when it’s ending. I hate it when I get bombarded. Don’t you? Don’t use texting just for sales. Consider adding a customer service element to your messages. If someone made a recent purchase, ask them for feedback. If it’s positive, forward a link to leave a review. If it’s not so good or a negative review, use text messaging to directly solve their problem. That eliminates email chains that can go on for days and unnecessary customer service phone calls. Your goal is to create a personal touch.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. There is so much going on in the world right now. Take time to get to know your customers and reach out. It’s not always about sales. If you need some guidance, email me. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Every marketer should have evergreen content in their digital library, content that doesn’t go out of date. It’s often put on the ‘later’ plan because there’s such a demand to stay relevant with market trends. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Just be sure to put your own spin on it.

Here’s How to Generate the Best Evergreen Content

Choose a topic that people will always want to know about. To help you determine what content your audience wants, look at other evergreen content in your industry. You can do a simple Google search or try a free trial of BuzzSumo, which shows you evergreen scores on similar content. Improve on already popular content in your industry. Often large brands will come out with listicles. If you see one that has a lot of great info, take that listicle, and turn it into an article. Choose a few of the points, or all of them if you think it’s relevant, and build on them to create something more in depth that always provides value. One thing to remember is that you should always be updating your evergreen content. That’s how it stays evergreen. Update pop-culture references and statistics. Change the year, so if it was tips for 2019, change them to tips for 2020. And make sure links are still working for outside sources. Any time you make a new piece of evergreen content, add a link to it on your editorial calendar for a year from now. Then you won’t forget about it, you’ll have a plan to keep your evergreen content fresh because no one wants a dead tree on their website.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want a list of resources like Buzzsumo to help your plan your evergreen content? Connect with me on LinkedIn and I’ll send you my list. I’m at LinkedIn.com/RobinSamora. Just let me know where we met. Talk tomorrow!

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If you think that press releases are dead, you’re dead wrong. In the past, traditional media releases were sent by mail, but now with social media and distribution online, they’re easy to create and send.

Press releases are an important PR tool to keep prospects and customers up to date with what’s going on with your company, and its products and services. They also give you a competitive advantage in your industry. And of course, written correctly, media releases provide valuable SEO opportunities, using strategic keywords and placement.

How to Write a Press Release That Gets Published

What is the goal of the release? Sure, it serves as an announcement, but what do you want the result or pay-off to be? Keep that in mind while writing and proofing the release. You’re suggesting the end-reader to take some sort of action, right? Keep it short, simple and to the point. A press release should rarely hit the second page. A good rule of thumb is for it to be between 300 to 500 words so it’s easy for a journalist to read and quickly understand. That goes for your headline, too. Don’t make it catchy. Make it informative. Say what you’re announcing. Save cute copy points for ads. Don’t flood your press release with keywords. Write it for the readers. A few keywords strategically placed works, but ranking shouldn’t be the reason you’re creating the release. It’s one of the many reasons, but not the main one. Include quotes from leadership within your company -- exciting or interesting ones. These quotes should engage a reader and make him or her want to continue reading. Including or two in the release makes a reporter’s job easier. Also be sure to add your direct contact information. Someone who’s covering your topic or industry should be able to call or email you quickly. Include your cell phone and if you want to be a resource, be available 24/7. Lastly, and this sounds like a no-brainer, make sure the press release is well-written. Write it like it’s a news article, so it can be published as-is. Having informative, easy-to-read content is hands-down the best way to get your press release printed or posted on an industry page.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Have a press kit? Or looking to build one? Listen to How to Create a Press Kit in 5 Easy Steps. You can find the link here on my text and also on my podcast page. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re an author thinking about publishing a book, some research shows that the best time to release your book is in the winter, typically February and March. The weather is usually bad, people are stuck inside, and are looking for something to do. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, there’s some time to relax, and people may be bored -- so your new book may be the perfect solution.

January is best for diet and self-help books -- and business too. Readers are interested in meeting their new year resolutions. Their intentions seem solid.

Have a book about female empowerment? Consider releasing in March for International Women’s Day or in May for Mother’s Day.

June is a good time to publish a book that talks about getting a job, career advice and industry related topics. Recent high school and college grads are eager for direction in their next step in life. The beginning of the school year, say September, is also a good time for this topic, but there are disadvantages. Your readers may be too busy and opt not to buy.

If you write fiction, especially for young adults, summer is the best season. Reach your audience when they have some down time, July and August.

The fall is also a great time to publish a book, especially if it would make an amazing holiday gift. You have to remember that there’s a lot of advertising noise at this time of year though. How will you promote your book so that it really stands out?

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute, I help authors and experts build a strong personal and professional brand. Email me for social media profile tips that help you get seen, heard, and remembered. Connect with me at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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Are you up to date on the latest Pinterest stats? Did you know that Pinterest has 320 million monthly users, that 71% of its audience is female, and 80% of women use Pinterest to plan life moments?

If you have an audience that’s predominantly female and actively buys, look at adding Pinterest to your current marketing strategy, if you aren’t already. Create and share content that appeals to your target market, and drive traffic to a designated landing page or special offer.

Here are 6 Ways to Use Pinterest to Market Your Business

Create pins that are engaging. Encourage people to “try” your products and services and let you know their results. The more clicks and comments you get, the more the Pinterest algorithm will boost your content, just like Facebook and other social media. Just like anywhere else, use a call-to-action. 80 percent of people who see your pin won’t interact with it if it doesn't have a CTA. So create one. In fact, create a list and test to see which call-to-action performs the best. Every marketer should know their keywords. So use your keywords in your pins and on your boards. “Yum” might be a cutesy name for a board with recipes, but people are searching for the word “recipes,” “dinner,” etc. Write copy like you’re searching for a term in the Google search bar. Hashtags are now being used on Pinterest as well, though they aren’t very popular there yet. It doesn’t hurt to add a couple for search reasons, but don’t go crazy like you would on Instagram. Check out the hashtags for Pinterest page, linked here in the notes. And lastly, create various boards. Some should align with your business and brand personality, and others that relate to your audience. Create a customer avatar and consider their interests. It makes your content more well-rounded and wholesome, and if someone clicks through to your profile, they see all of your “interests,” not just a bunch of pins for blogs. Try to spend a few minutes each day pinning OPP (other people’s pins) and include one pin of your own. If you don’t have time every day, focus on the weekends. Pins that are posted on Saturday and Sundays get the most traction, especially between 8 pm and 11 pm. You can also schedule your pins with automation tools like Buffer or Tailwind.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Build a base of raving fans who love your business. Want ideas on which social platforms to use? Contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Think of how many times you use email in the course of a day. And how many emails you send from your mobile phone. 20, 30, maybe 50 a day? Are you taking full advantage of promoting your personal or professional brand with your email signature? I bet not. Most people don’t even think of adding a mobile signature on their phone, and that’s definitely a lost opportunity.

To make your email signature an effective marketing tool, here’s what to include:

Your name, title and company should stand out. Highlight who you are and your expertise. Keep the colors -- if you use them -- on-brand and simple. If you have five brand colors, stick with two. More than that looks too busy. Include a branded image. This could be your company logo or if you have a personal brand, consider using a killer headshot. Make sure to have a link to your website, obviously. Or a recent press win, or a chapter of your latest book. Or your media kit. You get the point. Promote what you want to feature. Include links, preferably clickable icons, to your social media. Make it easy for people to find, follow you and connect with you on a more personal level. And please test all the icons to make sure they work. Add a call-to-action -- nothing flashy. A line of text with a link is all that’s necessary, but you’re missing opportunities if you don’t include your latest lead magnet, or article, or testimonial. You might also consider adding a link directly to your calendar for people to schedule a time to talk with you. They may do it on impulse and if they do, make sure there’s a mechanism in place for them to confirm. Your time is valuable And lastly, add tracking to all of these links with UTM codes, so you know if this strategy is working.

If you need help designing an attractive, dynamic email signature, Hubspot has a free tool that I love. You can find that here in the show notes.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are these marketing tips helpful? I’d love it if you could write me a review. Go to FastMarketingMinute.com/review and share your thoughts. Thanks so much and talk tomorrow!

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Think of all the time you put into creating content, and specifically email content and campaigns that are written for target audience. We both know that email marketing is highly effective with a ROI of more than $42 per dollar spent, but what if your emails are landing in the spam box? Don’t let that happen.

Here’s what to do to Land in the Inbox, not the Spam box.

The “from” name and email address should always be the same. Recipients will automatically recognize you, and so will their inbox algorithms. Subject lines should be branded, too. Keep the same format every time you send an email for consistency. Avoid terms like “increase sales,” “make money,” “get,” “free” and hundreds of other phrases that sound spammy. Create topics that are relevant to the recipient. If they opted-in, then send them what you promised. Cookies allow you to tag their profile with content they’ve visited and to see what they’re interested in. If possible, use those tags to deliver highly targeted, highly relevant content to them. Marketing is all about personalization, and that includes email marketing. List hygiene is one of the most important things you can do to land the inbox. Scrub your lists monthly, removing bounces, unsubscribes and users who aren’t interacting with your content. The better your delivery and read numbers are, the more email servers will trust your emails. Lastly, you should listen to your gut and use common sense when sending emails. Make the design tasteful. Don’t use ALL CAPS or 17 exclamation points. Even if you finish your email at 3 a.m., send it during business hours. Nigerian princes tend to send emails at 3 a.m.so, yes, even timing will get you flagged as spam.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Download my guide, Social Branding and PR and Guidelines. It’s at RobinSamora.com/SocialPR. If you have any questions, please reach out. Talk tomorrow!

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Having a good-looking website with no conversions is not only frustrating, but it affects your sales in a big way. The same with landing pages. Your goal is to drive traffic, but if no one’s taking action, then you have to figure out why -- and quickly so you don’t waste time, money or resources.

Here are 4 tips on how to get more conversions on your landing pages.

Keep the design simple. One graphic is fine, and basic copy that confirms that your customer landed in the right place. One call-to-action. This drives visitors directly to the action you want them to take with zero distractions. Use contrasting colors to make the action button pop. Use a dark background with a white “Join Now” button or light page with a dark CTA. The point is, make it really obvious where they need to click to submit their information. Make your landing page interactive. Take visitors on a journey. Capture their interest and pull them deeper into your conversion funnel. This could be as simple as infographic or something more complex, like a short quiz. Make the process fun. There are expensive tools out there that help big brands do this, like Zembula, but you can always check out their ideas and then create your own. Don’t include a navigation bar on your landing page. You don’t want people to navigate away. You want them to enter their email address, so don't offer a lot of ways out. Create a landing page that gives people enough information so they’ll take the next step. Explain the value you’ll provide or promise you’ll keep if they give you their information. People don’t want to be bombarded, so make it worthwhile. You can also add social proof by including logos of other brands you’ve worked with or one great testimonial.

I want to clarify one thing. You can give them one link out -- and that’s a link to your website. Put it very small in a corner, where it’s not going to jump out at you. If they’re going to click away, the best place is to your homepage.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’ve been helping big brands and small brands promote their businesses for over 20 years. How can I help you? Check out my website and then let’s schedule a call. Ideas are on me. Visit RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want attention from influencers so they can jump on your brandwagon? Why not? It’s not as difficult as you think. Research your industry to see who’s top of mind on social media, leaders you relate to, and who have something important to say. You can also check out tools like Buzzsumo for recent influencer stats. Or, take 10 minutes to pop around Google to find them.

Here’s How to Get Attention from Influencers Not sure if all headlines are bold

Comment on influencer’s posts. Ask questions that are well thought out. You can also add insight or discuss an experience that backs up or relates to your point or theirs. If an influencer sees you enough times commenting and adding value, they’ll start to pay attention. Everyone loves social media engagement. Share their posts. Retweet or #repost. Add your own thoughts to the post and make sure you mention them. Influencers are people who want to build a base of raving fans too. Write about one of your favorite influencers or use them as inspiration for a post or blog or article. When you post it, be sure to tag the influencer. One example might be writing about advice that you took from them and how it turned out. After you post, they’ll likely thank you, which gives you an opportunity to start a conversation, even if it’s just a comment or two on Instagram. If they really love your post, they may share it on their own social platform or feature it on their website. Look for an opportunity to help an influencer. If you notice a broken link, or have a helpful idea about their brand or promoting it, or see a really unflattering picture of them on social, send them a DM to let them know. Be helpful, not annoying, and don’t expect anything in return. The influencer will always remember you as the guy who pointed out the booger hanging out of their nose in a selfie -- discreetly. I’m kidding, kinda. Hey, I’d want to know.

Influencers are people just like you who want to build their brand.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Have an idea you’d like to promote? Connect with me on LinkedIn at RobinSamora or email me directly at Robin@RobinSamora.com. I’d love to chat. Talk tomorrow!

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Vlogging. By definition, it’s posting short videos to build traffic to your website and drive new visitors. It still works; it’s just done a little differently now. Basically, vlogging is less of people telling you what they had for breakfast, though that does still exist, and more of an informational blog -- in video format. Vlogging via Facebook videos or IGTV is the new norm. But don’t forget about posting them to YouTube too.

If you have a personal brand, think about vlogging to promote your brand personality. It lets your audience get to know you on a more personal level, even if the thing that they learn is that you aren’t very good at vlogging. (That would be me).

After you practice a bit, vlogging should get easier. It’s similar to putting together a blog. You need to create a content calendar and plan promotion. Then, write your content. As a vlogger, you want to get ideas and inspiration from trends, clients, and questions, and write an outline of topics, just as you would for a speaking engagement.

If you have a camera that shoots video, definitely use it. If not, your phone will work. A tripod will make your video look better, and less shaky. If you don’t have a tripod, there are tutorials on how to make them with household items. If you’re serious about how your online brand looks and the quality of your sound, think about investing in a microphone. They’re relatively inexpensive and you can research the best ones online.

Next, find free software online to edit your video with or look at some software with a 30-day free trial. If all else fails, use iMovie or Windows Video Editor.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you using social PR to your advantage? Find out. Download a copy of my free guide, Social Branding and PR Guidelines. It’s at RobinSamora.com/SocialPR. Talk tomorrow!

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Conferences and seminars provide a great opportunity to meet prospects, influencers, customers, and learn what’s new in your industry. The problem is, there are a lot of them and they can cost you time and a chunk of your marketing budget. So how do you make the most of networking at a conference?

Here are 3 Easy Ways to Network at a Conference

Do your homework ahead of time by researching the presenters. What’s their specialty? Their background or interests? Find some common ground, so you can easily start a conversation after their presentation and make sure you hand them your business card. Better yet, get in touch before the event and make yourself known. If the conference is in a more intimate setting, ask the presenter a killer question to get noticed. Hint: always introduce yourself and add ‘what you do’ or what you’d like to be known for. If it’s a larger scale event (or you’re an introvert who hates when everyone is staring at you), follow up on social media after the presentation to ask your question. Chances are that they will answer your question and follow you, which establishes credibility with a thought-leader. Don’t forget to network with other attendees. Strike up a conversation by asking to borrow a pen or complimenting someone’s shoes (it sounds silly but it works). Ask about their favorite speaker so far. Naturally guide the conversation toward business and make a connection. Promise me that you’ll follow up! You can also connect on your mobile phone by turning on bluetooth and signing into your LinkedIn account to connect with people all around you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want social branding and networking tips to grow your following? Sign up for weekly marketing insight at my blog, Robin’s Rainmakers. Check it out at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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No one likes delivering bad news, and especially when it’s to people you care about and work with every day. There are ways though, that you can deliver bad news to your team without you thinking about it 24/7.

Keep these 3 tips in mind when you have to deliver bad news to your staff.

When: Don’t wait until Friday. It will just ruin their weekend. Plus, you’ll be stressed about it the whole week. If some staff knows about the bad news and others don’t, it just allows time for the news to get around the office, causing rumors and misinformation. It’s best to deliver the news as soon as you have it. Like ripping off a bandaid -- just get it done.

Where: If bad news about the company affects everyone, hold a staff meeting wherever you can and find a room that holds a large group. If it only affects a small group, pull them into a conference room. There’s no need to make a production out of it. Invite them to a meeting and break the news.

How: You should always break bad news in person if you can, face-to-face. Don’t send an email, and definitely don’t do it through text or company chat. This allows your team to ask important questions or give feedback. Then you can follow-up with a pre-written email or memo that goes to all staff. This way, everyone is in the loop and the affected parties don’t have to go around telling everybody else about it, adding their own spin. It’s best the news always comes from the source. You might also want to run the bad news by your HR department or legal team for their opinion.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Check out my blog, Robin’s Rainmakers for more tips and articles. It’s at RobinSamora.com/blog. Subscribe to my weekly tips for marketing and PR insight.

Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re a small business owner, you probably take your work very personally. And if you have a misstep or a failure, thinking about it can drive you crazy, get you down, or make you feel even like you’re a loser. You might get a case of the imposter syndrome, that you’re not as successful as you think you are, or pretend to be - and that you don’t deserve it. I’ve been there, done that, and it’s time to stop thinking that way!

First, treat yourself with the same understanding and caring as you would your best friend or someone else in your situation. Give yourself some slack. Maybe you’re new at a skill or figuring things out, or tried something new and it hasn’t gone as well as expected. Someone looking from the outside in would talk you through it. If you made a mistake, accept it and learn from the experience. I love this Albert Einstein quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

Here’s another biggie. Stop comparing yourself to other experts or businesses. They aren’t you. They don’t come from your background. They’re in a different situation. Maybe they started their businesses 5, 10 or 15 years before you started yours. Instead, draw inspiration from them, learn from their mistakes -- I’m sure there were plenty -- and create goals to get where you want to go -- not where they’re going. This is your path.

One last thing. I like to create a timeline each year. I write down important personal and professional markers and accomplishments. What are your milestones or changes that redirected history? Look at your timeline and see how you’ve grown and how that affected where you are today.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking to change your path, grow your business, and get results from your marketing? Contact me at Robin@RobinSamora.com and let’s schedule a call. Talk tomorrow!

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Looking to boost SEO and visibility, get more business and drive traffic. Want those lifelong customers? Of course, you want it all! Many business owners and professionals think that improving your website and optimizing the heck out of it is the only answer. I’m here to tell you that’s not the case. There are other options to improving your online presence and getting noticed.

Here are 3 Ways to Improve SEO visibility without fixing your website

Guest posting is one of the best ways to get noticed on Google. Experts like SEO guru Neil Patel, say it’s still incredibly relevant and the perfect way to get in front of a new audience while creating backlinks. And, if done with the right call to action, it can grow your email list exponentially. Gregory Ciotti, the marketing strategist at Help Scout grew his list of 36,733 subscribers through guest blogging. How’s that for inspiration? It sounds simple. The more places you are, the more likely you will be seen, right? That’s why business directories are so important. There are hundreds of them. Sure, you can hire a service to make sure you’re on all of them, or you can check one per day, and slowly work your way down the list to increase your visibility and SEO over time. Depending on your business, you can start with Google My Business, Yelp, or Yahoo. I’ve provided a directory list in the show notes.

If you want to build the best backlinks for your site, look at your highest-ranking competitors. Use a free tool, like Ahref’s backlink checker, to see where their backlinks are. How can you get backlinks from those same sites? Maybe some will be from directories or guest blogs-- we’ve already got that handled, right? Block off some time and look at some of the others and mirror their strategy to get those same backlinks. In theory, do what they do, you’ll rank higher, too.

Never meant to be poetic or rhyme here, just giving you the same marketing advice I give my clients.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Like these marketing and PR tips? I’d love it if you could share the love and write a review on Amazon. Go to FastMarketingMinute.com/review and leave your comments there. Thanks very much and talk tomorrow!

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If you’re a marketer -- whether you’re marketing your own business or someone else’s, you need to have a working knowledge of basic marketing tools, beyond what it takes to send out a monthly newsletter or upload a blog to WordPress.

Let’s start with 3 basic marketing skills you need as a marketer

Understand the basics of graphic design and know how to use the simplest tools. Canva is a great example of learning how to create visual content, but it might be worth your while to at least test-drive or see how you might benefit from Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Adobe offers tutorials, so you can learn for free as do many of the major players. Give them a try. If you’re a marketer who doesn’t understand the basics of SEO or know how to write copy for search engine optimization, you need to learn now. Understanding how SEO works and key tactics in writing content is vital to your online presence and getting new business. Keyword research will help you identify what words to use and free apps or plugins, like Yoast, will help you best optimize each page on your website or blog, plus I love their free classes.

Avoiding video? You can’t anymore. Anyone in business should know how to create Instagram stories and go live on Facebook. You don’t necessarily need a bunch of video editing skills, but learn to record a simple video on your phone and figure out the best angle for selfie videos. Also see what your competition is doing with their videos. Pay attention to where they’re uploading them and when. By the way, if you want to edit a cool video to post on your story, play with TikTok. It has easy-to-use tools that almost anyone can figure out --- even me.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I work with companies like yours and customize strategic work sessions to talk about where you are in your marketing, what’s working and what’s not. Connect with me at Robin@RobinSamora.com and let’s have a Zoom call to see if there’s a fit. Talk tomorrow!

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Content is king, queen, emperor, the big kahuna and so much more. Seriously, you spend a bunch of time writing it yourself, or having your team do it for you, so get the biggest bang for the buck by repurposing your content in as many ways as possible.

Here are 4 Awesome Ways to Repurpose Content

Create an infographic with information from your post, article, special report, whatever content you have that might be valuable to your target audience. You can create infographics on Canva or hire out on Fiverr. People love them and they get a lot of views and shares. Plus, you can post them on visual social platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to boost your visibility. Repurpose your presentations. If you recently had a speaking gig, write a blog or white paper on what you spoke about. You already did all the research and have a great outline. Use it to attract your target audience and expertise. If your research that you turned into a white paper is lengthy, repurpose it as a lead magnet. Make it a PDF, create an exciting landing page, and ask for people to share their email address to download it. They get valuable content, you get a warm lead. Refresh your old posts. Go back a few years to find posts that performed well. Update some of the content and all the links. Add a new quote from an expert. Then repost as new content. Instead of writing new content all the time, take advantage of this strategy.

You can also use your best content in a marketing funnel. Write an email sequence and add links to your content to provide value to prospects in your funnel.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you want more marketing ideas, download a copy of 52 Marketing and PR Ideas to Get Attention. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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If part of your marketing strategy is pitching the press, having an online press kit that’s hosted on your website, on Medium, or even on your Google Drive is fairly straightforward. You have the option of sending reporters, investors, partners or even prospects there to read about your recent accomplishments. And, if you’re a Fast Marketing Minute subscriber, you already know that media releases are great for SEO!

Here’s How to Create a Press Kit in 5 Easy Steps

Choose a design that fits your brand and use your brand colors in the creative. A good rule of thumb is to mirror the look and feel of your website to create brand consistency. Your brand personality should be recognizable online and offline. Write an interesting tagline or opening message. You want to catch people’s attention and spark their curiosity. You want people to keep reading and see what you’re up to. Invest in high resolution photos that represent you and your company. If you have a personal brand, bite the bullet and get a professional photoshoot. If your brand is more about your business, hire an experienced photographer who’ll take images at your location. These photos should show what your business is all about. Some of your favorite images from your website would work here too. Write copy that engages your target audience (and the press) and stay true to your brand story. Tell them about your company. Your background. Why you went into business? What problem do you solve? Don’t forget to add personal elements that make you human. And of course, make your press kit accessible. Post your media kit to your website. Add the link to each social media platform. Include it in your email signature. It’s the perfect way to promote yourself and your brand.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Would you like a free PR evaluation for your company or brand? Reach out at RobinSamora.com and we’ll set up a Zoom call. Talk tomorrow!

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Want a marketing intern but not sure of what tasks to assign? And be honest, are you thinking it’s more of a hassle to have to an intern and manage yet another person, rather than just bite the bullet and do everything yourself? Change your thinking and create a practical marketing intern strategy to grow your business.

5 Marketing Tasks to Assign Your Intern

Have your intern keep tabs on your competition. They can use a simple excel spreadsheet to track what your competition is posting, blogging, doing and any other news that’s worth reporting. Or, you can use more sophisticated tools, depending on what your company subscribes to. Interns can do manual reporting too. Show them the end result of what you’re looking for and one possible way you’d do it. Then let them handle it. You can do this in Google sheets so you can easily pop in at any time to review it. Ask your interns to send you weekly or monthly highlights, so they learn how to analyze the information and you don’t have to waste time pouring over reports. They should be able to show you the highlights. Let your marketing intern team handle your link-building process. This is monotonous work that could take you a lot of time, so assign it. The plus side is that it will help them learn a ton. While they’re working on links, make sure they’re checking for your bad links, every day.. One bad link could mean the loss of a potential customer. They can use this free tool called Dead Link Checker. I use it. It works. Another task is for your intern is to take care of some light reputation management. Have them watch for people on social media who are upset with a product -- yours or the competitions -- and have them offer help. It’s not a hard sell, it’s a helpful sell, and it builds trust for your brand. And lastly, your intern should be capable of light advertising responsibilities like boosting posts on Facebook or putting together Facebook ads. You’re structuring the campaigns. They’re just hitting the buttons to make it happen.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I write marketing and action plans for customers like you. The action plans are for DIY teams like your interns. Want to learn more? You can reach me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Did you know that almost 75% of customers won't take action until they read reviews. In fact, 15% of users don't trust businesses without reviews, and only about 6% of consumers don't trust customer reviews at all. And it’s no surprise that Google accounts for 57.5% of all reviews worldwide.

Sharing positive feedback online isn’t only important to grow your business, it’s a critical part of promoting your social brand. Make it part of your marketing strategy.

4 Ways to Get More Customer Reviews

Ask for reviews before you close the sale. Let your client know that you plan to provide them with the best service possible, then ask if they’d be willing to review you once you finish the work, or your transaction is complete. If they forget or they’re just too busy, remind them later, in a nice way, that they said they’d leave a review. They’re more likely to actually write a review if they promised they would if you’re in person. Any time you’re sending your customer a deliverable, do it with the best customer service possible, and then ask for a review. For example, you could say something like “We should have everything wrapped up next week. I hope you’ve been happy with the process, and I’d really appreciate it if you could leave me a review.” Then name the channel where you’d like it posted. Google My Business, Facebook, Houzz and so on. Set yourself up for success and create an automated review-asking process. Schedule one social media post per month and ask your following to review you. You can also send automated emails to your list asking for reviews. If you have a list of people who haven’t purchased from you yet, ask them to leave a review or your blog or other content that’s helped them somehow. The point is, you have to have a program in place and follow it. If someone left you a 5-star review ask them to PLEASE post it to other platforms to piggyback on their positive experience. You can also post it too, in a mindful way as part of your marketing and PR campaign.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Check out my 5-Star Google Reviews from satisfied clients. Then, let’s connect. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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A photo on social media seems to last forever!

If you’re looking to take better pictures to use your in marketing, social media, and to post on your own media channels you aren’t alone. I bet some people are fussier about which photos to post on social than what restaurant to eat at!

If a picture says a thousand words and they’ll help you get business by creating a stronger brand, then let’s talk about using your iPhone to do just that.

Here are 5 iPhone Tips for Better Photos

Blur the background on an old iPhone by getting close to your subject. Then tap on your screen on the subject for the camera to focus on that particular spot. It may take a few tries, but it will blur the background. If you’re shooting a moving subject, you can lock your focus point by holding down your finger. This can get you some great action shots.

You probably already know that you can use the volume-up button to take a photo, which is usually easier than hitting the circle, especially when taking selfies. But it’s worth repeating, especially if you’re switching from an Android. If you just have unsteady hands, you can use the self-timer to get sharper photos. While it’s intended for group photos, you can use it for any photo. Just set the phone up, hit the button and stand back to get crisp photos. Invoke the rule of thirds by turning on the grid. It will make your photos look more professional.

Looking for a photo you took a year ago? You don’t have to scroll back searching for it among the thousands of pictures in your phone. You can search for it in your gallery using keywords that describe the photo. Thanks Apple AI!

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Your brand has 3 parts. Your look, your voice, and your story. How’s your online brand working for you? Reach out for a complimentary 20-minute review. You can find me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want more business on social media but don’t know exactly what to do?

Try these 5 Easy Ways to Get More Leads on Instagram

Create a link tree style page on your website that looks great on mobile. You only get one link on Instagram, so maximize by linking to a page you can customize with all your important information. If you have more than 10,000 followers, use the “swipe up” feature on your Instagram stories. It allows people to click through directly to your content. Take advantage of your free call to action. Add a CTA at the end of all your content, just like you would anywhere else. Define a goal and drive people to it. If you’re in ecommerce, make your posts shoppable. That’s right, you can add these links for free. Selling a shirt? People click on the shirt and it takes them to the page where they can buy it on your website. Why wouldn’t you do this for all your posts? If your business thrives on local, find a local nano-influencer to partner with. Offer them a free product or services in return for their influence helping you with your brand. A simple mention from them will drive big traffic to your Instagram. Feature your best-seller often. Repetition sells. It’s why remarketing works. Share user-generated content. For example, if someone posts about your product or leaves a raving review, post it on your page. People like to see that you’re listening to your audience.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for Social PR tips to build your brand? Download a copy of Social PR and Branding Guidelines. It’s at RobinSamora.com/SocialPR. Talk tomorrow!

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When you go to a networking event or meet someone new, how much time do you spend talking about yourself? Too much? And, be honest, if you’re on a networking mission, is your ultimate goal to make a sale?

There are more books than you can imagine on Amazon about networking secrets to get more business. From my experience, the best way for people to remember you and get more business is by showing that you care, and being genuine about it.

To ease into a conversation, get prospects to talk about themselves. Ask why they love their work or what their business goals are this year. Make it a point to pay attention and listen. Leave your agenda at the door.

At the end of the conversation, make a calendar date then and there. Invite them to coffee or a virtual coffee on Zoom to get to know each other and how you might support each other's business goals. Give them your card, then connect on LinkedIn, so you can stay in touch.

In a few days, follow up. Sure, an email is fine, but also connect on social media. Start following them, then send a direct message. Tell your new contact how much you enjoyed their conversation and how you’d love to learn more about their work in case you ever run across someone who needs their services. Propose a time to meet in person, if that’s possible.

Before you meet, do some light research, don’t stalk them. This will help you learn more about their life, business, interests, and challenges. Armed with this intel, when you do meet in person or virtually, you can have a better idea of who their perfect client is and make a few suggestions of businesses who could use their services. Be open to also give free advice, not a full-blown consultation. And no pitching allowed.

Remember to make the conversation about them. If you’ve listened, paid attention, asked questions, offered advice and personal introductions, you've already proven your value. Use these networking secrets to get new business, then rinse and repeat.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want more info on networking? Download my guide, How to Work a Room Without Being There. It’s at RobinSamora.com/WorkaRoom. Talk tomorrow!

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Did you know that over one billion hours of video are viewed on YouTube a day? If you’re using video in your marketing strategy, it’s in your best interest to know how to write an effective YouTube description and take advantage of every opportunity to make your brand more searchable.

Here are 5 Quick Tips to Write the Best YouTube Description and Rank Higher

Use keywords. Focus on 1 or 2 and use them several times throughout your content. Actually explain what the video is about. Don’t use clickbait. Writing deceptive titles to get clicks will damage your SEO and the trust you’ve built with your following. Be conversational in your writing voice. Write like you’re talking to a friend about what your video is about. It’s all about building like, know, and trust. There are 5,000 characters in a YouTube description. Use as many as you can -- but at least 1,000 characters. Front load all your important content and keywords as best as possible in the first paragraph. Don’t forget to add a call-to-action and hashtags for search purposes. You have their attention, so use it to your greatest advantage. Use this opportunity to spy on your competition. See what they’re writing in their descriptions and include their keywords. Then your video will rank near theirs and may pop up in the “suggested video” list for users.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I write customized marketing and PR plans to take your business or brand to the next level. How can I help you? Let’s set up a Zoom call to find out. Reach me at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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Fandom is a subculture that’s brought together by a common interest, which is hopefully your brand. Think of brands people are obsessed with. But fandom goes a little deeper than that. People align themselves with the brand and its values, creating ultimate brand loyalty.

Why is this important? You can build a business and create fandom through your employees.

One of the best current examples of fandom is with the Aldi Nerd Community on Facebook. With more than 700,000 members, these people come together to talk about products, culture and different situations that happen at the Aldi discount grocery chain. Most people in the group love that the brand offers good prices with a “twice as nice guarantee.” Never mind that they don’t have everything you need and that you have to bag your own groceries; they live and die by Aldi.

This is the type of fandom you want. But how do you get it? To start, create fandom with your employees. They need to love their job and the company they work for. So, create a workplace where people want to be. Have a culture that’s fun. Make each employee feel like their job is important, and they’re the best person to do it. Don’t treat them like they’re replaceable.

What else can you do to create fandom? Be kind. Offer better than average benefits and other perks. Take an interest in their personal lives. Give them an opportunity for ongoing training and chances for advancement. Involve them in decision-making for the company -- even letting employees contribute to small decisions makes them feel valued.

Ultimately, your relationship with employees trickles down to their interactions with your customer. You don’t want your staff to come off as they’re just here to earn a paycheck and go home. Their passion and brand loyalty will become infectious, good or bad, with everyone they meet.

Employees really are your best brand advocates. Empower them to be your top fans.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Build a base of raving fans who love your business. Be authentic. Want ideas? Contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re a small business owner, speaker or expert who promotes your personal brand, you probably have a bio, and hopefully a shortened version.

Let’s talk about 7 ways to use your mini bio

A mini bio gives a snapshot of who you are. It’s not a long version of your career path, it’s usually two to three sentences long and includes your expertise, how you help people, and some personal information to lighten things up.

You can use snippets on social media, or in an author resource box, but here are other ways. In fact, 7 ways to use your mini bio to capture your audience’s attention.

Post your mini bio In the side-bar of all your blogs along with a picture of you. Why? If someone finds your blog from a Google search, they can automatically see who wrote it. Add your mini bio to your email signature to give it a personalized touch. This is useful when emailing prospects or catching up with clients, and you can change it up as often as you like. Your LinkedIn signature is a good place to add your mini bio. It serves as a warm intro and credibility builder when prospecting. Put your mini bio at the end of your articles on LinkedIn or other content outlets. Every time you write an article, make sure to include it. In fact, put it on your distribution checklist so you don’t forget. Another place to Include your ***mini bio is at the bottom of your YouTube video descriptions. It lets viewers know who you are and gives them a sense of your personality. Quora, the expert’s forum is an ideal platform to include your mini bio. Add it to the bottom of your answers. It will give you authority and build your visibility. And lastly, when pitching the press, put your mini bio in your media pitches for HARO . It helps you stand out from other boring candidates looking to grab a journalist’s attention.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want other marketing and PR tips? Sign up for weekly marketing insight at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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There are over a billion users on Instagram, which makes it difficult to stand out. And producing great content isn’t always enough to earn new followers. One newer tactic to get more engagement and grow your following faster is by joining or creating an Instagram pod.

So how do you create an Instagram pod? An Instagram pod is a group of 10 to 15 people in a niche who agree to engage with each other’s content. If you’re part of an Instagram pod, you can create authentic likes and comments to boost your visibility.

Usually Instagram pods are invite-only, so unless someone asks you to join one, you can’t just go out and find one. The solution is to create your own, but how?

Here’s How to Create an Instagram Pod

First, identify who you want in your pod. Research other professionals in your industry, people who share your target market and include a few influencers on your list. Choose 10 people to start. This leaves room for a little growth in case someone wants to invite one or two others to join.

The next step is to message them asking if they’d like to join your group. Be clear explaining why you want to invite them.

Now it’s time to create a group for your pod. Some people use DMs to communicate with their Pod. Others prefer using Telegram, WhatsApp, Skype or another messaging service. Decide what works for you and send an invite to the group along with a welcome message that explains how things work.

When you post something new on Instagram, send a message to the group. Their job is to “like” your post and leave an authentic comment. Over time, you’ll get to know your group better and find other ways to support each other and share ideas for growth.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Not sure about social? Download a copy of my report Social Branding and PR Guidelines. It’s at RobinSamora.com/SocialPR. Talk tomorrow!

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If you don’t have a website, it's hard for people to find you, which means you’re losing business. Don’t let that happen. Create a well designed website starting with the homepage.

Here are 6 Key Elements for Every Website Homepage

The first thing a visitor sees on your homepage is your branding, especially your logo. It tells them they’ve landed in the right place and it’s the starting point on their buyer’s journey. Make sure that your logo is linked to your homepage, so visitors can easily navigate back there from any page on your website. Create an easily navigatable menu. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple. Limit the number of items in your menu, create a drop down menu if you need one, and label your menu clearly. Write a 2-3 sentence headline that tells people about your business, how you can help them and what problem you’re able to solve. Your headline should quickly explain your product or service so there’s no confusion. Every brand needs social proof, so feature some of your favorite reviews or ask clients to write a few thoughts to include on your website. If it’s appropriate, use an actual photo of the reviewer; it makes it more real. Include at least two calls to action. One should be at the top, above the fold. “Book Now,” and the second one should be towards the bottom of the page. Lastly, you need a footer with contact info and links to important pages on your website plus, social media. You can put your social icons at the top as well.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. You are your brand 24/7 so make sure it never sleeps. If yours is tired and cranky, reach out. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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When was the last time you took a vacation? A real one. I’m not talking about extending a work trip for a few days or taking your laptop to the beach. A year or more? It’s time to change your mindset. Vacations are good for your business.

Do you ever feel that you have to keep everything going 24/7 or all hell will break loose? You can’t stop or you might miss something? The life coach part of my marketing practice comes into play. You need to let go. Give it a rest. Walk away for a day, a week, or even two weeks. Just plan ahead.

Here’s an idea. Schedule a vacation right now. Well, after this podcast. Stop wondering how you could take time off and start planning for when you’re taking time off. This will give you the chance to lean on your team a bit more. Tell them what you expect while you’re gone. Give them roles instead of tasks. It allows them to fill the role instead of completing tasks on a list.

You may even discover that you can rely on your team more in the long-term, and that they have talent you never even realized. Taking time away from your business can help you to get some perspective too. You can take a step back from working so hard in your business to see how you could work more effectively on your business.

I love to travel and taking time away is really important to me. I’ve had vacations where I didn’t think about work for a single minute, which was just what I needed. I’ve also had some of my best “ah-ha” moments sitting on the beach.

Chances are that after your vacation, you’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to give your business your best self. And your best self is worth a million dollars, probably more.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I help business owners find their best self and promote their expertise. How can I help you? Contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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A strong content marketing strategy will set you apart from your competition, especially if you’re monitoring content that’s popular and getting engagement, and answering customer’s questions.

Here are 3 simple content marketing strategies for 2020 that work, without spending a ton of time and resources.

Update the current content on your website. If it’s been a year or two, or three or seven since you’ve updated your website content, start out by doing just that. Review each page to see if it still speaks to your brand. Sometimes just freshening up the language and replacing long-tail keyword phrases makes a difference.

If your blog is on your website, see what blogs performed well in the past, and update the opening and closing paragraphs. You’ll also want to replace old links with new, relevant ones. The goal is to repost these blogs as new content. Focus on local SEO with Google My Business and claim your listing if you haven’t already. It’s basically free publicity. Make sure all of the information on your listing is correct, including hours, services, and FAQs. Upload compelling photos using Alt Tags or Alt Text, and if you’re a local expert, post your favorite headshot there too.

Post to Google My Business at least a few times per week. Keeping fresh content there allows customers to learn more about as soon as they find you on Google. Timing is everything, right? Another tactic is to open up guest blogging opportunities to your peers. Letting another expert write for you frees up time for you to bring in business or work on high income projects. Think of it as a win-win. As long as they align with your brand and they’re not a competitor, you both can reach new audiences, cross promote, and repurpose the content in a dozen or more different ways.

Of course, increasing user-generated content, stepping up your video campaigns, and creating strategic voice marketing copy works, but these are 3 simple tactics you can outsource.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like these podcasts, I’d love for you to write a review on Amazon. Go to FastMarketingMinute.com/review and share your thoughts. Thanks so much and talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in business, you’re probably already giving back in some way. Giving back is a success principle that works behind the scenes. It’s good for business because you build goodwill, benefit from positive PR, and widen your circle of influence. It gives you a sense of purpose and you feel good too.

“Buying on belief” is the new norm. Customers want to support businesses who stand for something they believe in. You don’t have to take a stand on major social issues like big corporations do, but having a charity or cause you’re publicly passionate or excited about can benefit your business a number of ways.

Giving back doesn’t mean you have to give money to everyone or get involved with everything. That’s impossible! Choose one or two issues that are important to you or align with your business goals and values. Then get active and stay active. Being a positive force in your community attracts like minded people who notice your involvement and hope for a better world.

How can you promote your cause-related marketing efforts without feeling uncomfortable?

It depends on if you're giving is personal and anonymous, or as a company sponsor. Either way, you can do it in a manner that fits your style. Promote your involvement first, on your own media channels (your blog, website, or video) and then post on social media. If it’s a bigger initiative, you can send press releases, invite the media to events or ask the charity to add your name or logo as part of a sponsor package, which you can negotiate.

Don’t get involved with a cause if it’s just for the press. You can spot a phony a mile away. It’s important that what you stand behind authentically matters to you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Read about more marketing and PR ideas on my Top 40 Small Business Marketing Blog, Robin’s Rainmakers. Sign up for weekly insight at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Everyone is talking about TikTok. It looks to be the next big social platform. TikTok lets users make 15-second videos and it differs from typical stories on other social media because it has some pretty cool in-app editing tools. If you aren’t familiar with the app, if Instagram and Snapchat had a baby with video-editing capabilities, it would be TikTok.

TikTok was the most downloaded app in the Apple store Q1 of 2019 and in the world in September 2019. Right now, it has 80 million users in the US -- so it could be worth it to be an early-ish adopter.

TikTok could be right for your business if your target market is a younger audience. We’re talking Gen Z, not millenials. So if girls 16-24 are your audience, then you should definitely think of using the platform. In fact, why not think ahead and seize it as an opportunity to start marketing to the next generation of consumers.

If your brand has a big personality, it will go over well on TikTok. The most popular videos are the ones that are a bit over the top, dramatic or funny. That said, it’s a very casual place that doesn’t focus on perfection. So have fun with it and be approachable.

TikTok is also a good place to experiment with the lighter or silly side of your brand. And some content you create here could be easily used on other platforms, especially Instagram stories.

If you’re in the music or entertainment business, you should definitely be using TikTok. It’s the perfect way to build hype around new music, artists, movies and events. The app is for content creators, so if you are one, or do promo for one, you should be there.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. You can’t do every marketing tactic to grow your business or you’ll go crazy. Find out what strategies are right for your business. Download a copy of 52 Marketing and PR Ideas to Get Attention. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you know the definition of brandstanding? It’s an “activist capitalist” trend where brands are taking a stance on a current social, environmental or political issue. Usually it’s on a topic that’s deeply rooted in the brand’s identity and core values.

For example, last October, Always made national headlines when it removed the female symbol from its packaging to become more gender inclusive. Some people applauded the decision. Others were in an uproar.

It can be a risk when you take a stand on a controversial topic, but it may also strengthen your relationship with some customers. They may vow to only buy from you, creating strong brand loyalty. Others may be so upset that they’ll boycott your brand completely.

In a world that demands high personalization, it’s no surprise that brands are proving their authenticity by taking a stand for what they believe in. A 2018 study showed that 64 percent of people would purchase from a brand based on their level of activism.

If you decide to go this route, don’t fake it. You can’t just pick a side on a whim and start posting on social media. It’s not a tactic to use solely for capital gains. Make sure it’s something that your brand actually stands for and that you’re passionate about. It could be the environment, social justice, or education. Choose a cause that you believe in.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’d like to talk about branding, ask me about coming to your company for a strategic work session about how to promote your core values in an authentic voice, to meet your business goals. Read what it’s like to work with me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you want to knock it out of the park at your next speaking gig, be prepared both physically and mentally -- before you get on stage.

Here are 4 public speaking exercises for optimum performance.

Schedule time for light exercise. Don’t run 10 miles, but consider going for a walk or taking a yoga class. Exercise releases endorphins, so you’ll feel good. Plus, releasing a little nervous tension will help you be less jittery in front of your audience. Get in the right headspace. Go through your outline one last time and memorize the first few lines of your presentation. If you nail the opening, chances are you’ll feel more confident. Don’t think about what you’re eating for lunch, the meeting you have later in the day or the tune-up that you missed yesterday. Just focus on your presentation and how great it’s going to be. Remember that you love what you do and you’ve earned the right to be in front of the room as an expert. Let your passion shine through. Nobody wants to listen to a robot, so use your emotions and tell personal stories that connect with the audience’s challenges. Being human and transparent helps attendees remember the content and you better. And lastly, warm up your voice. As a speaker, your voice is your most important tool and we often neglect it. Drink some water. Warm up your vocal cords. Remember those annoying warmups from your high school choir? Yeah, do those. Greg Justice from Virginia Tech has a great warm up routine you can watch on YouTube. It’s linked here in the show notes.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking to build out your speaking career to grow sales and visibility, and of course your expert status, let’s connect. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Ever hear of the APP Formula of Content Marketing? The acronym was new to me, so I wanted to share it with you. It’s all about making your content crisp. Today, let’s talk about a handful of techniques to make your writing more on point -- and crisp, to keep your reader’s attention.

Keep it simple. I know you’re an expert, but stay away from too many details. Too much information leads your audience into overwhelm. Create an outline for your content and stick to it. Be informative and helpful without going over your readers’ heads. You will lose them and you don't want that. Use the APP formula for your intros. Start with something your readers Agree with. Show that you understand their problem. Promise them that you can help. Give them a Preview of what they’re about to read. Create skimmable content. The average reader is only going to read about 20-30 percent of what you write. Make your content easily digestible with short 2-3 sentence paragraphs. Bulleted and numbered lists are best. Use bold and italics to draw attention to the most important points. This may sound counter-intuitive, but don’t try to sound smart. 99 percent of marketing content should be conversational. Write like you’re explaining it out loud to a group of people or a friend. I tell my clients to write like they’re taking to their best friend -- in most cases. Proper language counts here. Don’t get lost in the middle. Define a goal or key takeaway you want your readers to have at the end of your content. Remember that goal the entire time you’re writing and stay on task.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking to build an expert brand, let’s connect. Check me out at RobinSamora.com and contact me there. Talk tomorrow!

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Did you know that millenials in a professional position appreciate access to continued training? And, according to a recent LinkedIn survey, 42% of millennials reported listening to podcasts?

So, here’s an idea. Give your millennial workforce podcasts -- private podcasts.

If you send a monthly internal email with company updates, announcements and events, release it as a podcast instead. Why pull employees away from their jobs for a day if you could record a podcast so that they could listen when they’re available. With podcasts you get someone’s undivided attention, as long as they commit to listening.

You could ask company leaders to record weekly or monthly podcasts with insights on industry trends, competitive analysis, or what’s new on the horizon. Or ask employees for feedback on what topics would help them succeed on the job, so they can do their best work.

Create content about what they want to learn in a format they like and use daily. Listening to podcasts also provides your staff a chance to pause, rewind and relisten, should they need to.

Private podcasting could also keep teams connected in a virtual work environment. More companies are moving toward increasing remote employees, flexible hours and results-based work models. Having a weekly podcast to come back to will keep them more grounded and personally invested in the company.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking to create more brand advocates within your company? I’m happy to share my insight of being in business for over 20 years. Contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to know more about emoji’s? Well why not? 92 percent of internet users use emojis every day, so you should probably consider using them at some point in your marketing. The question is, how do you do it if you want to maintain a certain image and never look ridiculous?

For starters, don’t randomly add emojis in the middle of your blog. (😈) It doesn’t make sense. Instead, consider using them as part of your content promotion on emails and social media.

Stats show that 56 percent of brands that used emojis in subject lines saw an increase in unique opens. The smiling poop emoji gets the highest read rates when used in a subject line and the red heart got a 6 percent increase in opens.

More than half of the comments on Instagram include an emoji, and the red heart is most used there. On Twitter, emoji users trend younger and female. And an emoji in a Facebook post increases the number of likes by 57 percent. On LinkedIn they're a little more taboo. It really depends on your personal brand whether or not to use them.

Testing the waters with emojis on Twitter makes sense. Plus, an emoji in a tweet can increase engagement by more than 25 percent. If it doesn’t work for you, posts are fleeting, so it won’t matter by tomorrow, unless you go emoji wild and post thirty smiley faces in a row.

What it really comes down to is your brand and your audience. Does your brand identity align with emojis? Is your target audience using them? If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, then try them out. You don’t have to use them everywhere and on everything. Add emojis when you think it looks natural.

But no matter what the experts say, I’m never putting a poop emoji in my subject line.I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I love creating content and helping business owners showcase their expertise. Want a few ideas? Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com and let’s put a date on the calendar. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you on the fence about creating an audio book? As long as your book isn’t full of images or photos that carry the story, it may be a good idea to expand your outreach and grow sales.

Let’s look at 4 reasons why you should turn your book into an audiobook.

Recent stats show that one out of five Americans listen to audio books. Everybody’s busy, so audio books give people who don’t have time to read, a chance to listen instead whenever they feel like it -- while driving, exercising or even cleaning the house. Creating an audio book is also relatively inexpensive. You can pay a service a couple of thousand dollars to do it, or for a whole lot less, outsource the project to Fiverr or Upwork. If you’re brave, you can record it yourself. If you want to do it barebones, all you need is a decent mic, a closet with hanging clothes, and some free audio editing software. I use Audacity for my podcast. Plus, who doesn’t want to hear an audiobook recorded by the writer? You can also look online if you don’t want to narrate yourself. It cuts down on printing costs. If you have an audiobook, it’s always in stock. It’s a click away. All your readers have to do is download your book. Then, you don’t have to worry as much about overprinting copies of your book and get stuck with the inventory. Audio books also give you audio snippets to use for marketing and promotional advertising. Take soundbites and create short video ads, social posts or use them on your website to promote your book. Repurpose your content with intention.

Audio books are yet another example of your ‘owned media.’ Plus, I didn’t mention that libraries love to buy audio books.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for ways to engage your target audience, download a copy of 96 Content Marketing Ideas to Start a Conversation. It’s at RobinSamora.com/96ContentIdeas. Talk tomorrow!

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Social proof is key to growing your business. In fact, about 72% of customers won’t take action until they read a review. Here’s what to do when you get a bad review.

What to Do When Someone Writes a Bad Review

Rule #1: Never argue publicly with someone who has given you a negative review, even if they’re dead wrong. This has a poor reflection on you - not the reviewer. Instead acknowledge the problem and apologize for it. Then, take it to the next step.

Rule #2: Always thank the person for their feedback and for taking the time to write the review. Feedback is important and you can always learn something. It could be as simple as how to deal with angry customers without them making you angry.

Rule #3: Get on the same level with your customer. Empathize with them. Explain how you understand how upset and frustrated they must be over the situation. Again, even if they’re wrong, try to understand where they’re coming from and how they feel about it.

Rule #4: This is important. Ask them to contact you directly to resolve the issue offline, off of social media. When responding, leave your direct contact info, so there’s no question on how to reach you. Then, be sure to respond -- in a reasonable amount of time.

Rule #5: Once the problem is taken care of yet, update the status of the review as “resolved.” Explain how you helped the customer and what action was taken. Highlight your superb customer service.

Bad reviews happen, here’s what do to when someone writes a bad review. Know that you can easily turn them into good PR if you handle your customer correctly.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Everyone wants good PR. If you’re looking to build your marketing and get better PR, download a copy of my free report, 52 Marketing and PR Tips to Get Attention. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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We’re all so busy talking about connecting with our customers, that we sometimes lose sight with surprising our clients with ways that show we care.

My colleague, Matt Ward, in his book, More...Word of Mouth Referrals Lifelong Customers and Raving Fans, talks about the 4 Pillars of his Care Package -- which simple in concept, delivered makes a huge impact on building relationships and business.

Here are 4 Pillar Principles to the Customer Care Package to Build Relationships and Customers:

Overdeliver. Exceed your customer’s expectations and overdeliver -- not underpromise. Once customers see that you genuinely care, they will refer you to others because they’ve seen what you’ve delivered -- and like it. It makes sense to refer you. You do what you say. Listen. Listening is with your ears, but you can listen with body language too, or when you’re paying attention to what’s not being said. Sometimes a facial expression or pause says even more. Voice, tone, and pace count too. Surprise. The element of surprise is powerful, but a surprise that’s personalized for a particular person -- based on listening or an observation can change the status quo of relationships -- and bring you closer, because you care. A package from Amazon, you expect is one thing. A surprise package from Amazon, that you didn’t order, is a whole different ball game. You can’t wait to see what’s inside. Non-serving acts. If you send a package and include your business card, it’s a marketing tactic. When you send a package, and a thoughtful card -- without any branding, it’s about the person. That’s what you want. More about them, and way less about you.

Other ideas? Ask your customers for advice, collect swag at events that they would love (say they love highlighters), and give your clients reviews on social media -- without them asking.

Remember these 4 ways to surprise and delight your customers.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Check out my Top 40 Small Business Marketing Blog, Robin’s Rainmakers to read all the ways you can grow your business and be a more powerful connector. You’ll find all this info and more at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Public speaking ranks up there with thinking about moving. It can be extremely stressful. Luckily, there are ways to calm your nerves before getting in front of a room or on stage.

Here’s a handful of tips to help you be less nervous and more confident.

Be prepared. If you’re using powerpoint in your presentation, create an amazing powerpoint. If you’re working from notes, study your talking points and know them inside and out. Practice, but don’t memorize your presentation. Being too prepared can come across as cold and impersonal. Wake up in the morning, and remind yourself that you’re the expert. You don’t have to do this just on a speaking day. Do it everyday! You’re successful. People want to hear what you have to say. Get to your event venue early. If you’re feeling rushed and flustered, you aren’t going to give your best presentation. And, make sure you account for traffic -- and accidents. Being 90 minutes or 2 hours early is not uncommon. It gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the room and the people who will be there. Before you go on stage, sneak away to the bathroom and do the “superman pose”. You can laugh, but a study from Ted.com found that it actually changes your body chemistry and helps you feel more confident. Next, win at the introduction. If you have a successful intro, you’ll feel more confident throughout the rest of your presentation. It will set the tone for a great presentation. Practice being uncomfortable. One blogger said he regularly puts himself in uncomfortable situations, including being a nude model. You don’t need to go that far, but do something once or twice a month that gets you out of your comfort zone might be a good idea. Just keep swimming, I mean talking. The more times you give a presentation and get in front of an audience, the more confident you’ll be about it.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re thinking of speaking, you need to build a platform, online and offline. We help you create one. Want to know more? Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re a small business owner, work usually follows you home or maybe you work out of your home. Raise your hand if that’s you? So how do you stay focused and get things done, when everything and everyone around you is demanding attention.

Dedicate space, time, and boundaries. Don’t work from the couch while watching the Season finale of Peaky Blinders. Structure is important, so set up and stick to a schedule as if you had an office you had to go, and find a quiet spot that’s just for working. Close the door and walk away when you’re done. It will be there tomorrow.

Don’t procrastinate with displaced productivity. That means instead of writing a blog that needs to get done, you’re doing laundry or buying groceries online because you’re having company tomorrow night. Yes these things need to be done, but you should be focusing on your business priorities. What’s important right now to grow your business.

Don’t isolate yourself or work in a silo. I’ve done that and it doesn’t work. Get lunch with a friend or go for a walk. Take scheduled breaks, even if you’re in the thick of it, and be human. Pay attention to your dog. And scrolling Facebook while you wait for your leftover spaghetti to heat up doesn’t count. End the day with a win. If you have an hour left of your work day and just finished a huge project, be done with it. Call it a day. Finishing on a high note helps you feel like you accomplished something instead of feeling like you left in the middle of a project.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Clients always ask what one thing will help me reach my marketing goals the fastest. It truly depends on what those goals are. If you want a second option, get in touch at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Even if you apply to be a verified business on Instagram, getting that little blue checkmark isn’t a given. So how do you encourage the approval stamp?

Here are 6 tips to help you get verified on Instagram

Cross promote your content on other platform accounts. Share your posts to Facebook. Invite your LinkedIn and Twitter following to follow you on Instagram.

Grow your following and post things that get high engagement. Be active on your account every day. Well, almost every day if you can.

Don’t be tempted to buy followers though. It’s spammy and Instagram knows that you aren’t actually popular in the Himalayan mountains.

Confirm that your account is public. Private accounts can’t get verified. Neither will accounts that have zero earned media. Being visible on the internet to everyone is the best way to get verified.

Boost your visibility through trending hashtags and industry-specific hashtags. This will also help with growing your following and engagement.

And lastly, be honest and stick to one account. Each user can only have one verified account, so choose the one that best represents your brand, whether that’s your business or personal profile. I’m all about using your true personality on Instagram. Please don’t lie or be misleading in your verification application. If you do, you may get suspended instead of verified. And that would be a problem.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Would you like a quick online visibilty check? Go to RobinSamora.com and schedule some time. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in business, you need to have a plan in place to deal with bad press. At some point or another, it may happen to you, whether it's a slanderous article or something as simple as a steady flow of bad reviews. Either way, you need to know how to deal with it.

First of all, you need a strategy in place so if there’s an incident, you can get ahead of the story. Scrambling to get your stuff together will just delay you from taking control of the situation. Write a brief crisis communication plan, even if it’s just a couple of pags long, and make sure your marketing, PR or social squad is in agreement and on board.

How do you find out about this bad press? Hopefully not from your top client! Monitoring brand mentions through social tools or even just Google Alerts can help you find out about negative brand mentions before they get out of control.

During a PR crisis, and assuming the claim is true, the first thing you should do is take responsibility. Arguing publicly won’t get you anywhere, so react immediately with a transparent tone, and communicate with sensitivity. Even if there’s been a misunderstanding, it’s best to apologize upfront. Then take action or create a plan to rectify the problem.

You should also be prepared for a storm on social media. Everyone has something to say online. Managing your reputation by having a loyal following can help you create a strong base in case of a PR nightmare. Make sure you release any statement you make publicly on social media too. Pin it to the top of your Facebook page. Add it to your Instagram story. Post it multiple times on Twitter, so it’s visible. Don’t hide.

Once you handle the initial situation, assess the problem and come up with a solution. Knee-jerk reactions usually aren’t the best solution. As many before me have said, “Act; don’t react”. Make sure you share your solution publicly and make a promise that “X” will never happen again and explain the plan you have in place to prevent that. It makes people feel safer and more secure, and gives you an opportunity to make amends. I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I help brands like yours build credibility and expert status. Let’s set up a Zoom call if you’d like to learn more. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in marketing, you need to be able to write, or at least recognize good copy from bad. You also have to update your content on a regular basis.

Even if you haven’t been hired as a copywriter, pay attention to these 5 content marketing tips to improve your writing.

First, you need to set your mind to the task. Sometimes personal things distract you from focusing. Maybe your writing style changes a little or a lot depending on your mood. That’s ok, but make sure you’re in the right headspace to create quality content that’s positive and encourages your audience to follow your advice.

You should also be passionate about what you’re writing. If you’re bored with the topic, chances are that your audience will be too. Write about what you love or something new you’re intrigued by. Be excited about it. Learning is a lifelong sport and keeps your brain young and active.

Don’t build a 10-foot wall with your content. Keep paragraphs to 3 or 4 sentences, so it’s easier to read. Bulleted and numbered lists are even better ways to make your content easy to consume.

If you need a good way to break up this ‘content wall’, use an infographic, chart or other compelling image. You could make your own, or borrow someone else’s, which is usually easier. Just link to the source to give them credit. No one likes a content thief.

Of course, lastly, don’t forget about SEO. Sprinkle in a few of your keywords where it makes sense to add them. Create a killer snippet for search results. Some platforms have built-in tools for that. If you’re on Wordpress, use Yoast.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Get on the brandwagon and learn how to repurpose the content that you write. Download my free guide, How to Turn a 900-Word Article into 36 pieces of content. It’s at RobinSamora.com/900wordarticle. Talk tomorrow!

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Even though Instagram doesn’t publicly show how many people like your posts, getting likes is still relevant for virality and reach. So how can you get more?

Join a pod. No, I'm not saying to become a pod person or an alien. An instagram pod is a group of 10 to 15 people in a niche who agree to engage with each other’s content. It creates authentic engagement and comments to boost your visibility. If you can’t find a pod, reach out to other professionals and make your own. Let an influencer take over your account for a day. Create relationships with influencers who share your target audience and ask them to take over your account for a day. It will bring new awareness to your brand, get you new followers and earn you some credibility. Some influencers charge for takeovers, but you could offer goods or services in return for their help. If you have a decent following, pitch it as a way to grow their list. Take a stance on something controversial. Share your view on something that’s often argued about or is a major news topic. You probably will get some negative backlash, but attention is attention. Good or bad, people are taking notice.

Sure, you can create “savable” content for your feed, Write longer captions, open up about your business and brand -- plus add more video to your grid, but you can be use non-traditional ways too, without being crazy. GIve them a try.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I have Ask me Anything sessions, Monday - Friday at selected times. Get in touch with me at RobinSamora.com and ask what’s available.

Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re on a mission to create more videos this year, you’re spot on.

Videos are the most watched content on social media. And, if you’re thinking of adding music to those videos, you’re at the right place at the right time because today, we’re going to talk about a handful of do’s and don’ts to think about using music for your videos.

Do use music. I love it, you love it, so use it. Adding music to your video content gives it a more polished and professional feeling. You can find tons of royalty-free usic on sites like Bensound, Premium Beat, and HookSounds.

Don’t forget to read the fine print on the license you’re planning to use. Whether it’s for a tutorial on YouTube or in a TV commercial or web ad, make sure you have a commercial license. The license rights for a song can change by website or by track, so check each one.

Do find music that sounds unique. Choose something that vibes with your brand and the purpose of your video. This is all part of your brandspeak.

Don’t use distracting music. In fact, avoid using music in the background of you talking at all. You don’t want to pull the attention away from your information. And your viewers may get annoyed by it and click out.

Do consider using the same music to open and close all your videos. I do this here on the Fast Marketing Minute. It creates brand consistency. People associate it with your brand before the content of the video, or in my case audio, even begins.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for a brainstorm partner to grow your business? I’d love to be an adviser to your team. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com and let’s get a date on the calendar. Talk tomorrow!

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Everybody loves a story, and it’s important that every brand tells theirs. Now, thanks to social media, you have the ability to share even more stories to build an audience. Let’s look at Instagram.

Here are 4 tips to create better stories on Instagram that will win attention and gain followers

Hashtags and geotags are your friend. Find out what hashtags your target audience uses and follows. Try to use them in your stories, but make sure they’re relevant. Just like people click on hashtags to see more posts that are similar, people click on geotags to see what else is going on at that location. Be what’s going on. Schedule your stories with tools like Later. Take that a step further and maximize your results finding the best times to post, which is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. by the way. With automation, you don’t need to remember or make sure you’re at any one place. Scheduling also allows you to visually plan and see what story will be posted when, so you can create a flow of fresh and interesting content for your followers. Use stickers. Stickers are a fun way to make your story stand out. They make your stories seem more light-hearted and playful, which they should be, even if you’re sharing something simple like a blog or business announcement. Don’t forget to analyze your results. Look at your impressions, reach, replies, tap-throughs and bounces. This will tell you what types of stories your audience is enjoying and what maybe isn’t working. Tweak accordingly. And as I often say to my clients, find out what works and rinse and repeat.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want marketing and PR tips delivered to your inbo? Sign up for my top 40 small business marketing blog, Robin’s Rainmakers. It’s at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Everyone can benefit from a virtual assistant, especially small business owners and solopreneurs who have just too much to do! VA’s have all kinds of skills, from generalized admin capabilities to marketing and tech, and back end to front end website work.

So how could a Virtual Assistant help you with your marketing?

VA’s can help you filter communication. You probably get 100 emails per day. A VA can filter them for you, prioritize client emails, respond to customer questions, send contracts, delete spam and more. Having someone do these tasks can win you back at least a couple hours of your day. And if you trust your VA, he or she will be one of your greatest team members and assets. VA’s can also take care of tedious tasks. A virtual assistant can do research, collect data, create reports - all the things that you need to do but hate doing or don’t have time for. We all know it’s important to look at your website analytics, but you may not have the time, or perhaps don’t know how to even read the reports.

Your super star VA can also help streamline your marketing. A big reason entrepreneurs outsource a VA is to help with digital marketing. They can put together your monthly newsletter, keep up to date with competitors and watch trends. Some may even manage your social media by creating profiles, posting content, and responding to comments. More tech-savvy VAs can keep your website up-to-date, build landing pages and do your SEO. Again - usually things you know you need to do, but never have time for.

If you aren’t sold, think of what your time is worth. Is it worth paying someone to handle it? Then take a few things off your plate. Let go of the reins and hire someone to help you. Then you can focus on the more important tasks of running your business.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Ask me about the tasks you can give a VA to help get time back -- and build sales. You can reach me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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A marketer’s job is to get attention. But not only get attention, grow sales, credibility, leadership position, and market share. Essentially, our job in marketing is to build brand awareness and bring in more sales. These are hundreds of ways you can grow a brand and sales, but today, let’s talk about word of mouth strategy.

Here are 3 Word of Mouth Strategies to Get Attention and Expand Your Outreach

Use influencer marketing. Find an influencer who has an audience you’d love to reach. You want someone who aligns with your brand values, is in your budget and has lots of engagement on his or her posts. Influencers already have a strong social relationship with your target market, so use them. You can read more about influencer marketing in my Marketing Trends and Insights for 2020 blog at RobinSamora.com.

Run Contests. Ask people to share a post, a review or to enter a contest. Your goal is to create buzz and excitement, and get lots of shares. Pick a prize that people will be excited about, so they’ll take action. The prize doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s human nature for people to be competitive, they want to win! Don’t forget to also have your followers (or prospects) fill out a form with their name and email, so you can put them in your sales funnel.

Have happy employees. A happy customer could generate referral business, but a happy employee becomes a brand ambassador for you. Keep your staff in the loop on new products, company news and other updates. Employees like to be informed on what’s happening with their company, so they don’t get important news, elsewhere. It makes you look bad and has your employees looking elsewhere -- for a job.

The best practice is to encourage your employees, vendors, partners, and colleagues to follow you on social media, too. If you post relevant content that they like, they’ll probably share it because they like what you’re doing, and what you’re up to.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking to up your marketing game and get new business? I’d love to write a customized marketing and PR plans to help you. Let’s meet on Zoom. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com Talk tomorrow!

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Listening to what the customer wants has always been important in marketing, but with machine learning, we’re taking that to a whole new level.

Social listening analyzes reactions to a product or service. This includes looking at brand mentions, online reviews and interactions with users on a company’s social media.

Of course, there’s technology you can buy that gathers all of this information, plugs it into an algorithm and tells you where you’re exceeding expectations and where you’re lacking.

Most social scheduling tools have social monitoring built in. Hootsuite and Buffer both have inboxes that allow you to monitor and respond to brand mentions. Monitoring your mentions and engaging with your audience is only part of the puzzle for social listening though.

Buffer gives you analytics on engagement and audience behavior. That’s social listening -- looking at the data as a whole to find trends, outliers and abnormalities. It gives you a better understanding of the public’s views of your company as a whole.

Once you have this intel, you can use this ‘bigger picture’ to tweak your brand strategy. Up your marketing game on what you’re doing well on. Or, scoring well on. Listening also allows you to see trends in issues with your product or service, so you can fix the problem -- and take care of it right away.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’ve just written a special report on Social PR Trends. Would you like a copy? Download it at RobinSamora.com/SocialPR. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to be a social media influencer? First you need to find your niche. This should be a highly targeted audience, not just moms 25-34. You also need to look at their values. What do they believe in? What’s important to them? Zero in on exactly who you’re talking to and why. And, be as specific as possible.

While most people think influencers are only on Instagram, there are plenty of influencers on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. Instagram definitely has the highest number, but if a different platform suits your brand and your audience, use that channel instead. Just keep your content and target market in mind when you make your final decision.

Next, create your content strategy, remembering your business goals, keywords, and what topics will speak to your audience. Customize your message for each platform and research when and how your target market is using them. It’s a given, for example, that most people use social media on their phones and high-use times are usually lunch time and after dinner. Get deeper into your audience.

Remember that video content is the most watched. And people love how-to’s, so a short video tutorial that’s not too complicated, may be perfect.

The last step is to engage and keep growing your audience. Always answer your followers’ comments and interact with some of their content, too. One of the best ways I’ve found to grow your following is through blogging. Just be sure that if you share content, it’s what your target market wants to read or watch. Guest blogging or guest video appearances will help you get attention too, plus add important backlinks.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like these podcasts, I’d love a review on your Alexa app or at FastMarketingMinute.com/review. Thanks and talk tomorrow!

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Over 80% of content on the internet is video and most of it is being watched on YouTube. In fact, over 300 hours of videos are uploaded every minute and 5 billion videos are watched every day. No surprise that YouTube is one of the most popular and effective platforms to gain visibility.

If you want to get better traction on YouTube, here are 4 YouTube Tricks You Need to Know

Upload your own written transcription to get better search results. If you have subtitles on your videos, it makes them more searchable, plus it makes it easier for people to watch if they’re in a place where they can’t turn on sound. If you’re tech-savvy, you can upload a time-stamped transcript (here’s the specifics).You can do it the simpler way too of pasting your full transcript, and YouTube will automatically upload it. To get an extra kick before you even make your video, use Google Trends to research what search terms are popular on YouTube right now. Including some of these keywords in your video and subtitles can help your video get noticed. More eyeballs and clicks to your social and landing pages, add to your overall ROI. Design your own end screen to promote additional content you want to feature. Create a simple graphic that highlights other material you want to promote. That might be another video, a new lead magnet, or an ask -- asking viewers to subscribe to your channel, or maybe all three. ‘Howfinity’ has a great video explaining how to do it. Get the link by visiting this podcast at fastmarketingminute.com. You can also create a GIF from any video. They get a ton of attention on social media. If you have something that you think is “GIFable,” aka funny or visually interesting in your video, you can make it into a GIF. Here’s how. Go to your video, then in the URL at the top, add the word “gif” in front of “YouTube,” so it reads www.gifyoutube.com and then your video tag. Yes, it actually works.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Looking for more visibility? Download a copy of 52 Marketing and PR Ideas to Get Attention. You can find it at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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It’s coming to the point that if you have a business, but don’t have a website, no one will be able to find you or know what you do. Having a website is non-negotiable if you’re in business.

But how often do you need a new one and what should you be paying?

If you have a simple website, think about redesigning it every 3-4 years to keep your business looking fresh and up-to-date. Technology and aesthetics are always changing, and you want to stay current with your products and services.

So how much should a website cost you?

It varies by each website’s needs, but the average, let me repeat the average, is around $6760 according to FreshBooks.This cost includes setup, design, content creation, and ongoing maintenance of a basic website. This may sound like a huge cost for your small business, but you’re paying for a designer’s time and expertise.

If this is out of your budget, there are plenty of designers who will do it for less and I’ve used many of them bringing in a website cost under $2,500 depending of course on how many pages, functionality, shopping carts, forms, and so on. The best thing to do is to check with local designers you know and trust, and companies that have websites that you like. You can also look at online resources like Upwork and Freelancer. Just keep in mind that you typically get what you pay for and if you’re fussy, you’ll always pay more.

Want to do it yourself? That’s fine too. Keep in mind, a recent survey found that 60% of websites take between 11 and 40 hours to build -- for a web designer. Expect that even with a template, it will take you significantly longer since you aren’t an expert. If you think you have time for that, then I suggest using simple drag-and-drop websites like Wordpress, Wix or Weebly. If you have an ecommerce store, Shopify is probably your best, easiest option.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Confused about what to do with your website? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute Zoom call with me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Today I wanted to talk about one trend that we have to be aware of, and that’s being more watchful of fake news. Unfortunately, it’s a big problem. Big companies and small companies are putting policies and procedures into place to prevent fake news from affecting their businesses. Some are even enlisting the help of innovative software. Small businesses can protect themselves too, by creating Google Alerts for brand mentions or with social media monitoring tools that are free. Here’s an example from Talkwalker.

Another PR nightmare are deep fake videos. These are videos that face-swap a person in the video. That means you could have a video of a convenience store robbery and put a famous actor’s face on the perpetrator, making it look like he/she did it when in fact it’s a doctored video. Videos can be easily manipulated to discredit a business, a politician, a CEO, or a brand. Some people do it in their spare time and think it’s fun. But it’s no fun, if it’s aimed at you, and there could be a huge reputation, emotional, and possible financial risk.

Social media platforms, tech companies, and the government are all working to filter out fake news, to create a detection tool to see what’s real -- and what’s not. Again, monitoring your brand online and being aware of personal mentions can help avoid a potential nightmare -- or at least put it in front of you so you can act quickly if there’s a problem. You’ve worked hard to create a top-notch brand and image, and you have every right to protect it.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for ways to protect your brand, as well as grow your visibility, contact me. I’m at RobinSamora.com.Talk tomorrow!

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Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. And how can you know everything? You can’t. Especially about marketing. Today, I wanted to talk about four things you may not know that’s affecting your search ranking and SEO.

Avoid writing content that’s too short. Content for the average page one search result is 1890 words. Don’t freak out! You don’t have to be writing books on every topic. Write until you’ve said what you need to say. Keep a blog or article in-depth enough for it to be worth reading, but don’t add a bunch of fillers to get to 1000 words. Quality over quantity still applies here. Have a mobile-friendly website that includes your blog. You want to be sure your website and all of its pages look good on a mobile device and definitely a phone. If your mobile site looks just like your desktop site or it doesn’t look or function as well as the desktop, it can tank your SEO. Mobile traffic now accounts for half of web traffic, so you could be losing conversions of half your visitors -- that’s 50% of your traffic. Don’t plagiarize. Part of researching a new blog is reading others, analyzing data from case studies and looking at current trends. But, don’t copy someone else’s work. And if you have someone writing for you, make sure they aren’t plagiarizing your content. It’s bad for SEO and horrible for your reputation. There are tools like Duplichecker and PaperRater that check for plagiarizing content. Having too many links. Having internal links to your other content and external links to tools or websites you recommend are great. Don’t have too many though. That gets spammy fast. There’s no magic number, but try to only use them when it seems natural.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want me to check out your website? Get in touch with me at RobinSamora.com for a complimentary evaluation. Talk tomorrow!

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Reddit is the number three website in the world with 1.2 million subreddits and 330+ million monthly users. Needless to say, it’s a good place for you to be interacting with your target audience.

Check out Reddit and subscribe to a few subreddits (online communities on specific topics) that your audience would be interested in, or that fits your industry or brand. The best way to start is by interacting on posts. Getting involved with a conversation. Like every platform, just make sure you follow the rules, because each subreddit has its own. Once you feel confident, you can post your own conversation starters and monitor them to gain authority.

Reddit is the perfect place to reach a niche audience for free and to establish yourself as an expert. If you don’t seem to be gaining traction in one subreddit, you can migrate to another. The only investment you’ve lost is time. But, like everything else, there’s a learning curve, so be patient.

On Reddit, you’ll have an opportunity to post product or service information on your personal page, and that includes ads and promotions. But posting about your business on Reddit shouldn’t be your primary goal. Think about creating genuine interactions and engagement, so people will like, know and trust you -- and believe in you and your services.

If you’re new to Reddit, check out my blog on this topic that’s a little more in-depth. And start out on a personal level to dabble before getting involved for your business. For example, if you love gardening, join a gardening subreddit and start interacting there first.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for marketing and PR ideas to grow your business? Schedule a free PR Evaluation at RobinSamora.com/contact. Talk tomorrow!

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Did you know that 25% of adults in the US own a smart speaker, like an Amazon Echo or a Google Home? And 31% of smartphone users in the world use voice search, like Siri, at least once per week. Voice search is here to stay, and more powerful than ever for marketers to reach their ideal customers. So be prepared.

Long tail keywords are being used as part of everyday conversations. People are saying things like “Alexa, order a pizza.” (And yes, you can do that with Dominos.) So do some research about what long tail keywords people are using to find your brand.

You probably ask Alexa or Google a question every day without even thinking. So take that a step further and start answering questions on your blogs. Create a list of questions a potential customer may have about your services or your industry. Write a blog that answers each one. Some may be basic, but it’s ok as long as they answer the question. You can also add these frequently asked questions FAQs to your Google My Business page too.

One thing is, if you change your core content, ask Google to reindex your website, so it sees your new keywords. You can hear more about how to do that here. Check the Fast Minute Marketing text on this podcast for a link to the article.

Lastly, as with any SEO, make sure your website performance is strong. This won’t make or break you, but it will help you rank better in voice search as voice assistants need to provide search results immediately for the user. You can check your site speed with PageSpeed Insights on Google.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Do you need a spot coach to help with a specific marketing problem? Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Unless you have a social media team at your disposal, learning the art of backlinks is well worth the time. It doesn’t have to be super complicated, just understand the basics and see where it takes you.

Here are 4 simple tactics to increase your backlinks and online presence.

The most obvious way to create backlinks is on your own social media. Any time you write new content, share it on all your social media platforms. It’s the fastest, easiest way to gain lots of backlinks. Don’t forget to include a link if you post your content as a LinkedIn article, too. I repurpose my content weekly with LinkedIn articles. Guest blogging on other sites is another way to increase links back to your website. Identify companies and experts who share an audience with you (but aren’t competitors), and reach out and ask to write a guest blog, contribute an article, or be on their podcast. It gets your content (and you) in front of new eyes who may be dying to do business with you, once they learn more. You can also get backlinks by answering questions on sites like Quora or ASK.fm. Search for questions relating to your content, give a brief answer, then link to more in-depth content on your website. You can do this on platforms like Reddit as well. Answering questions with links on professional LinkedIn and Facebook groups can be beneficial as well. In all cases, don’t be salesy. 4. Another great way to get backlinks is by creating Google Alerts for your brand. You should be setting up Google Alerts anyway -- and it’s free. When you set them up and they’re working, you’ll be notified when you’re mentioned in someone else’s content. Then you can reach out to the site or content owner and ask them to link to your website.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I love helping people get free publicity and would love to help you grow your business using the same tactics big brands use. Get in touch with me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Social media can be annoying because you always have to write it, post it, and engage so that you’re in tune with your audience. But did you know it can be annoying to your followers too?

Here are 4 ways you may be annoying your audience on social media, and don’t even know.

Your posts are too long and poorly written. Basic writing rules apply here. Keep it short and simple. Most people don’t want to read ‘War and Peace’ on social media. Get to the point, and use proper grammar and punctuation. Extra words don’t make you sound important or smart. If in question, use the app Grammarly though that’s best for longer format writing. Maybe your posts are outdated or overdone. If you’re talking about the same exact content three times a week, with no variety, it’s easy to glance over your posts and find content that’s more interesting. Unless you have a fresh take on your topic, or share news that your community wants to read, you could be wasting your time and losing your audience. Your posts are too personal. New technology gives us a lot of information about our colleagues and prospects, but that doesn’t mean we should use it all. I know I hate when someone scans my Facebook page for images, and then sends them to me on a Send Out card. Maybe it’s me. Personal is personal, don’t cross the line. Lastly, posts that aren’t optimized for the platform can be annoying. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest all require different image sizes for the best-looking graphics. And when they look off, it’s off putting to me anyway. Sprout Social keeps an always up-to-date guide on image sizes that I keep in my bookmarks bar for quick reference. And your best design tools usually have this too, with the paid versions.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’ve just written a special report on Social PR Trends. Would you like a copy? Download it at RobinSamora.com/SocialPR. Talk tomorrow!

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Google has more than 200 indicators that determine SEO, but the top three should be no major surprise. Do you know what they are to rank higher on Google?

First is content. Creating lots of valuable content on a consistent basis that provides value to readers is extremely important. Make sure your content has a clear purpose and lets your audience know who you are and what you do, without any question.

What you write about should be relevant to your target market, answer specific questions, and include keywords that people will actually search for. Someone who’s browsing on the web probably won’t be searching for “60-minute shiatsu.” They’re going to look up “back massage near me”, so keep your copy clear and concise. No jargon.

Second is metadata which in short, describes your content. Be sure to fill in all your page titles, meta descriptions, and tags. Create snippets that are highly searchable, and describe the content by adding information that’s unique to each page. Some website platforms have this feature built in. If you’re on WordPress, I like using Yoast to create custom snippets. Plus, you get other SEO tips -- and the free version works perfectly fine.

The third most important factor for getting better SEO is website performance, which is basically the load time. Faster is better, but don’t sacrifice quality to get there. How can you have the fastest website? Adjust image size and resolution for the web. There are apps that can help with this like, Smush for WordPress. Use a reputable web host that can handle high traffic times and also enable website caching.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Would you like a quick marketing and PR evaluation? Go to RobinSamora.com/contact and let’s set up a time to meet. Talk tomorrow!

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When you think of online quizzes, do you think of the ones that tell you what kind of dog you would be, or which celebrity husband or wife would be the perfect match? Let’s just say, quizzes are not all created equal!

Quizzes can actually work to get attention and build engagement. Just be sure to create them in a style and language your target audience will respond to. Do some reverse engineering and think of what your customer’s end goals are and what they’re trying to accomplish. Then, create a quiz with ‘you’ as the solution.

Let’s say, you’re a travel agent and want more honeymoon business. You can design a quiz to identify the type of client, time frame of their travel, and dream destinations for a wedding. You can include destinations where you have the most experience and connections. A yoga studio could customize a quiz to determine the type of class someone should take, whether they’re a morning or night person, and what their goals are -- more flexibility, less stress, better balance.

When you post quizzes on social media, you get clicks and likes, increasing your engagement score on social media, which boosts your other content. Plus, people are likely to comment with their results, sparking conversation about your topic and brand. And you get to chime in!

If done right, quizzes can also help you capture a lead. Ask for the person’s email address to add to your marketing machine, your sales funnel. Put this field at the end of the quiz, though, because by then they’ve already invested the time in answering the questions, so they’re more likely to give it to you. You can create a quiz through online tools like Interact, which has both free and paid versions.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Do you want to grow your business and brand? Let’s have a conversation. You can find me at RobinSamora.com .Talk tomorrow!

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If you’ve been writing content and not getting much traction, maybe you’re writing the wrong content. Taking the time to understand your target market is a vital part of connecting with a busy, over-communicated audience. What does your reader want to know? And why is it important?

First, what are words and phrases are people searching to find you? What topics are people searching that have to do with your business? Do some keyword research. Long tail questions are much more common now, especially with voice search, though your customers aren’t using voice search on desktop. Check out keyword tools like Moz, which you can use free for 30 days, or Google’s Keyword Planner as a starting point.

Next, take a deep dive into researching your target audience. Look at age, gender, lifestyle, interests and hobbies. In fact, create an avatar of your ideal customer and write content that will speak to them. What are they struggling with? What’s on their mind? What are they afraid of happening -- or not happening? You can ask questions in person, by email, on social media, or through an anonymous survey tool like SurveyMonkey.

When you know all this, and look at what’s trending online and, with using tools like Buzzsumo, write content that answers your customers questions and solves their problems. Help them define their goals by content rich information. Tell them how you’ve overcome similar problems. And don’t be afraid to get a little personal because it makes you more human. Be helpful, candid and it’s perfectly ok to add a dose of humor. It’s a great ice breaker and puts us on an even playing field.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to up your marketing game? Ask me about writing a customized marketing plan for you. Email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Today we’re going to talk about promoting your blog. It’s important to know, whether you write one -- or your role is to promote your company’s blog to gain more attention and free publicity. Blogs help you showcase your expertise and done consistently, help your target market find you online.

You know it’s a given that you have to write to answer your customer’s questions and pain points, which again tells the world, you’re an expert.

Here are three easy ways to promote your blog:

First, consider creating templates to promote your blog on social media. I suggest 5-10 templates that use your brand colors (refer to your brand guidelines) and fit your style. Once they’re created, plug in your blog title. You also want to include your logo on these images. Canva is a free, user-friendly design tool that our team likes, and if you use the paid version, you can automatically resize your posts for different platforms, like Instagram, Insta Stories, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google my Business, and so on.

Second, when you post your blog, email everyone on your list. I do this on my weekly marketing tip sheet Robin’s Rainmakers . If you create an easy to read email template, it also gives you the opportunity to promote other content too. After sending the blog to your list, go back to your template and share that, along with your link, on social media platforms too.

Third, you want to repurpose all of your content. Publish your content on other outlets. You can republish your blog on Medium and post it as an article on LinkedIn. I’d wait about 14 days after you post the original to publish it on other platforms, and at least 7 days before publishing somewhere new. Put these tasks on your calendar so you don’t forget when to do it, and where you posted.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Do you want more attention for your business or brand? Download a copy my special report, 52 Marketing and PR Tips to Get Attention at RobinSamora.com/52tips. Talk tomorrow!

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When it comes to ads, quick is best, right? Well usually -- unless you’re running the Clydesdale commercial for the Big Game. Turns out that isn’t true on Facebook though.

Marketers thought it was all about an eye-catching image and a great tagline. But, like everything else on Facebook, we were wrong. AdEspresso recently did some A-B testing. They ran the same ad, but with 7 variations. The only difference was copy length and format.

The content with one full paragraph performed best with the highest number of leads and lowest CPA. The content that was three paragraphs long came in second, and surprisingly the content that was six paragraphs long came in third.

What does this tell us?

Storytelling in ads is inherently relevant in today's market, which makes sense. That’s what we’re on Facebook to do -- learn about other people, their lives, their stories. Writing ad copy that’s captivating and shares something personal is a must.

Why is it so effective though? Well, first of all, Facebook is all about the user experience. Interesting ads that connect you to your audience provide higher value, so users are more likely to see it in their newsfeeds. More importantly, longer content creates more engagement. People will comment and react to content they connect with, so give them something they want to see.

Unless you have an extremely personal brand or an absolutely amazing story to tell, six paragraphs is probably a bit much. Plus, you don’t want to get comments that include “TL;DR.” One or two paragraphs is going to be your sweet spot. Remember this is a reflection of how users feel about all Facebook content, so consider using this insight while writing posts too.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you telling your best story online? Tell me about it. Find me on Facebook or LinkedIn @RobinSamoraPR. Talk tomorrow!

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It happens to the best of us. We finally stop working, but our minds are still racing with things we need to do. Tasks and priorities that are unfinished on a big long list.

What’s important is to spend your time away from work, not working. It makes us happier in our lives, in our relationships, with our families, and more productive in our business.

So how can you turn off your work brain and let it go?

End today by organizing for tomorrow. Make short lists and assign priorities. 3 - 5 work best. Put important to-dos on your keyboard. Feeling prepared will help you leave the stress of work, at work. Wind down by reading a book, watching your favorite show, or writing in a journal. Switch the focus from work to relaxation -- whatever that means for you. Your brain needs rest, just like your body. Go for a walk or at least get outside. Fresh air clears your mind and so does exercise. Take your dog for a walk or play with your kids. Schedule some personal bonding time. If you work from home, set up a designated space and only work there. When you’re done, close the door and walk away. That way, your work won’t be staring you in the face while you're trying to make dinner or relax with your family. Put some “me time” on your schedule. Take 15 minutes every day to practice some kind of self-care. It could be meditation, tai chi, yoga, breathing exercises or just take a shower to change up the energy.

The point is you will burn out if you always keep working.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Have a suggestion to take your mind off work, after work? Message me on LinkedIn @RobinSamora. Just let me know how we met. Talk tomorrow!

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Facebook, like Google, is always changing the rules with its pesky algorithms. The trick is to stay on top of reaching your audience without having to buy ads.

Here are 4 ways to increase organic Facebook reach with a zero ad spend:

Create content that sparks a conversation. Add questions to your posts. Write about a new trend in your industry or newsjack to address a similar topic that relates to your business. Encouraging comments on posts is the best way to increase reach. But, don’t solicit comments or use “comment baiting” by asking your followers to drop their thoughts in the comments. This will ding your reach efforts. Go Live. Your followers get a notification when you go live. What better way to grab attention? Facebook is really pushing for its live platform to be successful, so it rewards you for using it. Plus, it’s a great way to get post engagement, boosting your organic reach even further. Post on the right day, at the right time. Facebook users are most active on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 pm to 11 pm. You can view when your following is most active through Facebook Insights. Post your content right before the peak times to hopefully catch the most eyes. And lastly, ask your followers to turn on notifications for your page. Reminding them that they may be missing important information will create a little FOMO. But make sure you’re providing valuable content or they’ll switch those notifications back off.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking to grow your business and brand, download a copy of my new report, 52 Marketing and PR Tips to Get Attention. You’ll find a tip for every week of the year (if you can wait that long). Talk tomorrow!

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Writing fresh content can be challenging -- and time consuming. As an expert or authority in your field, you want to maximize all of your efforts. Double check your writing to avoid these content marketing mistakes.

5 Content Mistakes That Will Drag You Down

Writing too much. There’s no such thing as too much content, but it’s best to focus on quality over quantity. Pumping out 100 blogs this year doesn't matter if no one cares about your topic or you’re providing ‘meh’ info. Instead concentrate on writing 25 blogs that provide value to your audience. Not sure if you do, ask them. Being a “yes man.” Sometimes you’ll realize half-way through writing an article or a blog that it stinks. It’s ok to put it on the back burner and pay attention to other things instead of trying to make something out of nothing. Say “no” to things that aren’t working. You can always come back later. Another mistake is to think you have to be an expert on a topic to write about it. It’s more important that you recognize that there’s a question begging to be answered. Research the answers and formulate it into valuable content your audience will appreciate. Forgetting who your reader is. Think about what your audience wants to learn and the best way to present it to them. Look at what content has performed well in the past. Consider the level of depth, voice and topics that fit your audience’s needs. Your writing is boring. Contribute some personality. Give it some flare. Add a dab of humor or a pop culture reference to keep attention and stop your readers from yawning.

I’m Robin Samora with Fast Marketing Minute. I’d love to get your feedback on my content both here and on my blog. Email me your thoughts at robin@robinsamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Filler words. We use them in our writing and don’t even realize it. I know I’m just as guilty as the next marketer. It’s a blind spot. Now, I proof everything I write, then send it to my team for a second look.

Here are a few of the worst offenders to avoid in your writing. Some don’ts:

Don’t use “really” or “very” to describe things. Get more detailed. Instead of saying ‘very important,” check out an online thesaurus for alternate words, like “monumental” or “a cornerstone.”

Next, get rid of “I think” or “I believe.” Obviously you do, or you wouldn’t be writing it. It makes you sound unsure of yourself. You’re the authority. Write like you mean it, as the expert.

Avoid definitives. To say something “always” or “never” happens isn’t true. Instead say an event is rare or happens frequently. Better yet, quantify your findings with statements like, “it happens 7 percent of the time.” It’s more specific and interesting.

Writing passively is boring too, when you use words like “there” or “here.” Be more exact. Instead of saying “there’s an iguana in the tree,” say “a big scaly green iguana is in the tree and ready to jump in the pool.” Filler words like “here and here” are muddy content. I put in the iguana because I’m looking at one now and he may be looking for a swim.

I had a high school English teacher once tell me to look at any sentence with the word “that.” She said to read it without the “that,” and if it makes sense without it, to take it out.

Writing better is a decision like anything. To write better, you have to practice. For 5 years I’ve been writing a blog and it’s almost weekly writing religion. Now, I write for the Fast Marketing Minute every day.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Do you need help with your content? Get in touch at RobinSamora.com/contact and let’s set up a call. Talk tomorrow!

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Every marketer knows that you should optimize content for SEO. But are you optimizing images for SEO too?

Here are 5 simple ways to get the best SEO for your images:

File formatting comes first. To keep file sizes small, resize images to between 1500 and 2500 pixels wide. Set DPI (dots per inch) or resolution to 72. If the image quality is really important, you can boost that to 100. For most images, PNG is best for the web. If you aren’t familiar with how to manually make these adjustments, you can download a plugin for your website that does it automatically and saves a ton of time.

Second, use keywords in your file names, but make sure they still fit the description of the image. Use a hyphen between words, not periods, spaces or underscores.

Third, create alt tags to help Google index your images faster. An alt tag describes the image. Use one or two keywords here also. Enter an image title too, and a caption when appropriate.

Fourth, stock images are great sometimes, but unique images are better, just like unique content is better for SEO. You want to work your way up to the zero-click result -- meaning someone finds you on Google at the top.

Lastly, add important images to your site map. It tells Google that they’re, well, important. They will be indexed first and help you rank higher.

There are plugins out there that can help you with all of this. My personal favorite for WordPress is Yoast SEO. It makes website SEO easy for everyone - from seasoned developers to novice website builders.

This is Robin Samora with Fast Marketing Minute. You can get more in-depth marketing tips like these on my Top 40 Marketing Blog, Robin’s Rainmakers. Sign up at robinsamora.com/rainmaker. Talk tomorrow!

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Engagement is more important than ever on social media, especially Facebook. The more engagement you have on your page or in your group, the more likely your content is to show up in followers’ news feeds. So what do Facebook stats tell us for the coming year, and how do we get better engagement?

Video is still the most popular content by far, on Facebook and on all social platforms. If you’re tight on time to create original video, think OPV. Use other people’s video. Or consider reducing the number of posts you schedule on other channels and increase the time and quality of your own video.

For the best engagement, think the 70-20-10 rule. 70 percent of your posts should be video. 20 percent should be images, and 10 should be links. What do your ratios look like?

Time and day matter, too. Recent stats show that there’s a ton of engagement between 8 pm and 11 pm. It may seem counterintuitive to post late at night, but you may be surprised. Posting on the weekend tends to get better engagement numbers too. We’re so focused on posting during normal business hours. Post when your audience is most active on Facebook. You’ve got the analytic tools right in front of you to see when that is.

In fact, look at all your posts over the past 3 months, 6 months or year to identify what content had the highest engagements. Figure out why and then try to replicate it. Once you figure out what your audience loves, it becomes easy to create engaging posts.

This is Robin Samora with Fast Marketing Minute. Do you need help defining your audience and getting more business? Let me create a customized marketing plan for you. Email me for more info. I’m at robin@robinsamora.com. Talk tomorrow.!

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Are outreach emails part of your marketing strategy? If they are, are they working? Some say outreach campaigns are the cold-calling of 2020, but done correctly, you’ll get a response instead of a “delete.”

Some basic rules. Don’t use “hello” as the subject line. Longer, detailed subject lines are 25 percent more likely to get a response. You’re also more likely to hear back if you email multiple people within an organization.

Personalized emails are the most effective, just don’t send the same email to everyone. Change things up by customizing the subject line and tweak the content of your email to the audience and to your ask.

As far as stats, outreach emails sent on Wednesdays get the best responses, and sending them on the weekend is just about pointless, from my point of view anyway.

Add your social media links to your email signature. It invites prospects to learn more about you and gives them an opportunity to follow you on social – to see your brand and personality in a bigger way.

In the email, you can also include links to an article you think they’d like or industry facts that affect their business. A roundup of news gets the second-best results. If you’re tracking on a CRM like HubSpot, you can see who opens your email and how many times as well. This is always valuable information.

And, if you don’t hear back, follow up. Sometimes it takes nine times to get a response.

Most importantly, you need a call to action. “Respond to this email” isn’t very exciting. Invite them to download some content. Or give them a limited time offer, creating FOMO -- fear of missing out -- resulting in clicks and hopefully, in sales.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’d like to learn more about attracting your ideal customer, subscribe to my Top 40 Small Business Marketing blog at RobinSamora.com/rainmaker. Talk tomorrow!

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If Google hasn’t indexed your website, you might as well not exist because no one can find you. Not so good.

First, you need to see if your site has been indexed. Do that by typing the following into your search bar on Google, “site: and then your website name.” This will tell you how many pages of your website have been indexed by Google.

If your website hasn’t been indexed, you can invite Google to index you by going to the URL inspection tool in the Google Search Console. Enter your website URL and once Google checks the address, click “request indexing.” This is a good practice to follow any time you add new content or blog posts to your website. This tells Google, “hey I added something new for you to look at.”

If you’ve done this and still aren’t getting indexed, it can be frustrating but there are a few usual culprits.

Sometimes when your site is under development, your web designer will add crawl blocks or no-index meta tags. Maybe they forgot to remove them or missed a couple before going live. Ask your designer to check your website for code that could be preventing indexing.

Then there are orphan pages. Orphan pages are pages that can’t be navigated to through your website. Having a few landing pages is fine, but delete the ones you aren’t using anymore. Have a lean website, keeping only what adds value, so Google can crawl your website faster.

This is Robin Samora with your Fast Marketing Minute. If you need help getting found by Google, send me an email at robin@robinsamora.com. I have to confess, Google is my second best friend. Talk tomorrow!

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Content is still king, emperor and the Big Kahuna all in one. But, writing a million blogs is exhausting. Sometimes it’s challenging pumping out one per week. The good news is that there are ways to boost your SEO, without writing content.

Here are a few ideas to check out:

Optimize your page speed. If your site takes too long to load, people aren't going to wait. They’ll click out and look at a different result. You can check your site speed with Google’s PageSpeed Insights. It will tell you exactly how to improve your site speed. Update old content. Freshen up old blogs or webpages by updating links, changing up the copy a little, adding new stats and plugging in a few new, relevant keywords you want to be ranking for. Build internal linking. If you have a high-traffic page, add copy links to pages that are underperforming. This allows all of your pages to receive some love, boosting the overall SEO of your entire site. The point is to link new blogs to some older, less read blogs. It’s good for the reader and for Google. Last but not least, customize your snippets. Tools like Yoast can help you with this if it’s not a built-in feature on your website. Just be sure to create a catchy SEO Title and the right meta description.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking to build your business with straight marketing advice? Let’s set up a time to connect. I’m at RobinSamora.com/contact. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you have a lead magnet that’s putting tons of leads in your sales funnel? That’s great. But are they all staying at the top? An effective funnel slowly moves them down towards a purchase decision. If you’re struggling to convert, maybe your email sequence needs tweaking.

The first thing you want to do is send customers what they signed up for, whether it’s a whitepaper, PDF or a detailed infographic. Just make sure it’s valuable and interesting content, written to solve their problems. It also helps to include some sort of personalization in the initial email. Usually, adding the subscriber’s name will be fine. At the bottom of the email you can include a few more resources.

A few days later send an email that talks about your company and what you do. Include your brand story, or at least a personal anecdote that gives you authority as an expert, but that’s authentic, creating interest in you. The goal of this email is get the reader interested in your brand, at the core level.

Wait a couple of days, then send the next email. In this message, you might offer links to articles, blogs or other resources that relate to the item in the first email, and again offer value. You aren’t selling anything -- you’re still building trust.

You can get really fancy with drip campaigns by using behavioral mapping tools, which send people different email depending on actions they take on previous ones, but it’s not necessary, especially if you’re short on time and cash.

If you’re trying to keep it simple, after this sequence, you might send occasional emails -- like weekly tips or information about events or specials you’re running. Continue to provide value, but add a CTA at the bottom of these emails to drive customers to purchase. How you do this depends on your brand and what products or services you sell.

In the end, you won’t have to “sell” anyone. Your subscribers will get to like, know and trust you, so when they’re ready to buy, you will be their number one choice.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like these podcasts, and I hope you do, I’d love a review on Amazon. Go to FastMarketingMinute.com/review. Thanks so much and talk tomorrow!

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If you’re on social media, you probably have a headshot -- even if it’s a selfie. I hope though, that you’re in my camp and have a professional headshot. Sometimes, you want to take that a step further and upscale your image for your next big career move by documenting what you do in real life or in your work. If that’s the case, you might want to consider investing in a lifestyle shoot.

If you’re the face of your business or brand, a styled shoot takes your image to a whole new level. Done right, and in tandem with your look, feel, and personality, lifestyle shots make your brand look bigger than you are, so potential clients -- and the world -- see you as an authority. (Not that you aren’t already -- but these are images prove it, most importantly to yourself).

Right now, personalization isn’t just a marketing trend, it’s a focal point of all marketing. In that sense, people want to know you personally. Taking styled photos in your offices, on the town, or ‘in your element’ lets potential customers see who you are and how you live your life. Plus, you’re calling the shots on how you want to be seen.

It’s also a digital world and these images are digital assets. You can use them on your website, in social media, for online promotions or joint ventures. You can include your favorite photo in your email signature or on your speaking page -- or even if you want, on Match.com! Use them in all your marketing. Just don’t go too crazy with retouching. It has to look like you.

Another thing to remember is that your lifestyle shots will be good for a few years, so the money will be well-spent. If you have a photographer you trust, they’ll guide you through the process. If you’re not sure, ask around.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you want to see photos from my lifestyle shoot, go to my website at RobinSamora.com. While you’re there, sign up to get my free report 10 Strategies to Jump Start Your Marketing. Talk tomorrow!

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LinkedIn is a great way to find a job, stay in touch with colleagues, and let everyone know what you’re up to in the business world. But more importantly, it’s one of the best ways to grow your professional network.

So today, we’re going to talk about how to make your profile stand out. These may be reminders for you, but they’re important tips.

You may think that I’m preaching to the choir, but I can’t believe what people post on LinkedIn. Please, get a professional headshot, don’t use one from a photo booth. When people get your connection request, the first thing they look at is your photo. A cropped picture from last year’s holiday party isn’t the best option. And that cut off hand at the shoulder? N-O.

Next on your list. Make a killer background for your LinkedIn cover page. You can do that on Canva or with other social media graphic tools. Plus, you can add your logo and brand colors. This is a free PR opportunity to showcase your brand, so either learn how to do it yourself or outsource the task. It makes a big difference.

Your headline is another important asset. It defaults to your current job, but that’s not who you are, right? You might own ABC Incorporated, but that doesn’t tell anyone what you do. Flaunt your expert status. My headline starts with “Marketing and PR expert, Consultant, Mentor,” you get the idea.

When you write content for your profile, consider SEO. You want to match strategic keywords on your website, with all of your social media profiles. It helps you rank higher and be more searchable on LinkedIn and the web.

I also like using the ‘bars’ as separators to get the most words on your profile. You can type a bar when you hit the shift and backslash key, near ‘enter’. LinkedIn counts letters, numbers, and spaces so you have about 200 - 250 characters to play with.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and talk about how to make your profile more powerful. You can find me @RobinSamora. Just let me know you’re from the Fast Marketing Minute, so I know who you are. Talk tomorrow!

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Everybody knows it’s important to have social media for your business. But blind posting isn’t going to get you anywhere. It’s a waste of time. No ifs ands or buts. Like it or not, social media is key to your branding, but are you working it or is it working you?

If we all had our way, social media would be a lead generating factory. One easy way to generate those leads is through direct messaging. And there’s a way of doing it without being over-the-top sales-y.

Here are 3 ways to be successful:

First, personalize each direct message. I’m not just talking about adding a person’s name at the beginning of your message. Take a minute to research the person you’re targeting and their company. Include a line or two at the beginning or end that’s specific to the topic and what you’re looking for.

Second, make sure you’re using the right voice for the platform. Be professional on LinkedIn, but more light-hearted and fun on Instagram. You don’t want your message to seem out of place or you risk looking like you’re clueless, and no one wants that.

Third, don’t sell anything in your messages. DM your follower’s customized promo codes. Let them know that you’re getting ready to go live from an event. Occasionally, just say “hi.” Loyal customers are built on authentic brand relationships. That means you should always be responsive to customers’ messages as well -- and connect, even when you don’t feel like it.

Ok, so there’s a fourth one, but this is a no-brainer. Check your spelling and grammar. A poorly crafted note will never get a response -- or a second look.

I’m Robin Samora, host of the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you having luck generating leads through DMs? I’d love to hear about your success. Email me at robin@robinsamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Podcasting has never been easier or more affordable. You can interview expert guests that your audience will want learn from or listen to, or if you write content as a thought leader you can repurpose material from your owned media channels (blogs and reports, for example) to put on your podcast

I started Fast Marketing Minute with a $50 snowball mic, which I’m using now - and Audacity, a free software program that I use to record these episodes.

Having a podcast is awesome, but you have to promote it too. That’s where social media comes in.

Here are 5 tips to promote your podcast:

Be sure you have an email list before your podcast launches. Your audience already knows you and they probably like, know, and trust you. Look at your blog, social media or brand advocates to create a customized list. Next, decide on your podcast’s look and feel. You want to design graphics for your show cover, think about images, clips, and shareable quotes. This will help identify your brand and make it easy for people to share. When you launch, message your list and let them know what’s up. Ask them to listen to and review your podcast. Everyone won’t respond, but some will. And, be sure to thank them. Don’t be shy to mention brands or look for partners to promote you. They may mention you back! And lastly, YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world – so amplify everywhere you can. Transcribe the audio (if it’s not written out) on sites like Rev.com or on Fiverr.com. Then, upload the audio and transcript for potential SEO and link back to your site and social media.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you like my podcast, would you review me? Here’s the URL. FastMarketingMinute.com/review. Thanks so much for listening and talk tomorrow.

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You can’t afford to ignore influencer marketing anymore. It’s here, and it’s growing. So how do you find the perfect influencers to approach for your brand?

First you need to define your target audience and find someone who has a similar audience. Think about gender, age, lifestyle, culture and entertainment habits.

Then you need to decide what size of an influencer you’re looking for. Macro-influencers have over 1 million followers, and they will likely want payment and some kind of kickbacks. If you’re new at influencer marketing campaigns, I suggest starting with nano-influencers, people who have a following from 1,000 to 10,000. They’re usually well-known in their community or industry as a trusted person of influence.

You can find influencers by staying in tune with your industry’s social media. Whose posts are getting shared often? Where are people speaking or being featured? Are they winning any awards or recognition? Follow these kinds of trails to find your ideal influencer.

It’s also important to choose someone you feel comfortable with and that aligns with your brand. Make sure they have a decent reach and that they’re well respected. You want to see their personality shine through with authenticity. And their niche should be part of your target market. Not competing, compementing.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Learn how to uplevel your expert status with influencer marketing and PR strategies that work. Connect with me at Robin@RobinSamora.com for a quick Zoom call and let’s brainstorm. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you struggling to grow your Instagram community? Do you want more engagement? Sometimes traditional methods don’t work, and you need to shake up your strategy and try something new.

Here are some ideas:

Create a scavenger hunt. Hide a small image or emoji in your posts each week. Make it a contest. Tell your audience to email you a screenshot with the emoji circled to be entered. Give away free services or a product. Or even a Starbucks gift card can go a long way. It’s a low-cost way to get engagement and collect new email addresses. Just choose something that works for your brand.

How about a weekly brain teaser? Post a puzzle for your following to solve. Obviously, make sure it’s related to your business. Add it to your story. People will comment with their guesses. Boom, instant engagement. People are scrolling and receptive to engaging. Take advantage of it!

You can also do a weekly challenge. Make a fun hashtag for it. If you’re a photographer, ask followers to post a photo of their favorite sunset this week. A chef could challenge people to post a meal they’ve made with a certain recipe. Encourage people to get creative and tag you. And don’t forget to interact with their posts. You know as well as I do that Instagram can be contagious!

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. What are you doing to encourage engagement on social media? Share what’s working for your brand on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. I’m at RobinSamoraPR. Talk tomorrow!

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We’re all out there doing our best at marketing our brands and businesses. But, with all the technology updates, and working IN our business more than ON our business, it’s hard to do it all -- and all well. What I’ve found is that there are a few pieces that are often missing in the marketing puzzle.

Let’s look at what could be missing from your marketing strategy.

A cohesive consumer experience. Your website, social media, emails and packaging should all have a cohesive branded look. The user’s experience should be streamlined too. The level of service through your website should be the same as on any of your social platforms.

Optimized content. Your keywords should be present in your static website content, blogs, articles and social media posts. Keep a list on your desktop (or tape it on your wall) and refer to it at least once or twice every time you write something new. When you look at your analytics, update your keywords accordingly.

Don’t forget about remarketing. You don’t need fancy software on your website. Simply emailing past customers can have excellent results. As a former speaker for Constant Contact, I can tell you that every dollar spent on email marketing drives about $44 in ROI. Sure, you can remarket like crazy with an ad budget, but you can also do it for less.

Do you understand your buyer persona? Your ideal customer? Do you research and make sure that all of your content speaks to them. Address their problems. How you’ll specifically help them. Design your brand -- so that it speaks to them -- loud and clear or run the risk of them leaving.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you need help growing your business, talk to me about a customized marketing and action plan -- that works. You can find me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Are you getting the cold shoulder when you make a cold call? That’s probably because cold calls seem a bit out of place in today’s sales world. Buyer behavior has changed. Rarely do people pick up a call from a number they don’t recognize. And if they need a service, they look it up online (after checking the reviews, of course).

Cold calls can be disruptive and annoying. Marketing with a one-size-fits-all approach hasn’t worked in years. Instead, look at attracting quality inbound leads.

How do you build sales with inbound marketing?

First, you have to know your target market and almost everything about them. That way you can create interesting content that your audience connects with. Personalize it to fit your niche and what you want to promote. Be sure to offer value to potential customers, but expect nothing in return, except maybe an email address.

Warm calling comes next. That’s when a prospect submits a lead form or follows you on social media. Send them an email. Get them on the phone. Invite them to coffee. Put them into what I call a 9 Step Drip Campaign. It’s a no-brainer that when someone shows interest in your company or products, they’ll be way more receptive to hearing from you directly.

I’m not saying that cold calling, as we traditionally know it, is dead. It’s an art for sure. But it may not be in your wheelhouse of expertise. Try a few new age “cold calling” tactics instead. Comment on social media. Congratulate people on LinkedIn. Send a helpful article or offer a solution to a problem, at no charge. Again, it’s all about the connection.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you’d like to get more warm leads that turn into customers, let’s talk. You can find me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Hi, it’s Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. I’m your Marketing and PR expert here to grow your business and brand.

Are you dreading networking events, because you’re not getting much from them? Stop going in blind. Be clear on what you’re looking for.

First, make a list of qualities and skills you admire most in other professionals. Keep that list in mind when you strike up a conversation. If your boxes are getting checked, keep talking. If they aren’t, politely exit the conversation. Learn the Art of the Exit, because you have to spend your time wisely.

On the same note, make a list of red flags you want to avoid -- like the plague. There are words or phrases you’ll hear that automatically make that person a definite NO. For example, when I hear “what’s in it for me” or “can you get me a job” in the first minute, I might lose interest and move on.

Let’s look at the time you spend time driving to and from meetings, and if you’re making the most of the event, preparing. Who’s going to be there, who can I meet? Figure out what you’re looking for and possible synergies. It’s always about the connection. With colleagues in your industry, aligning industries, and newcomers from completely different fields. It’s also interestsing to chat it up with competitors. Listen and you’ll learn alot.

As always, networking relationships should be give and take. How can you help other people without them asking? What value can you provide as an expert others look up to? It goes without saying to stay up-to-date so you can offer fresh, inspiring advice.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Networking is important online as well as offline. Connect with me on LinkedIn @RobinSamora . Just let me know you’re from the Fast Marketing Minute so I know who you are. Talk tomorrow!

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As a business owner, you know how important networking is to grow your business. But, how many events do you have to go each week? 1? 5? How many is too many? What’s the right number?

First of all, think quality over quantity. You can go to 10 events in a week, but if you aren’t making connections that matter, none of them are worth your time. Vary them up and shop around, but stick with professional groups that will widen your circle of influence, build your referral network, and potentially bring in new opportunities.

Start with finding 3 or 4 of networking groups that meet your criteria. But don’t kill yourself going to every event. You’re busy. If a group meets weekly, try to hit a meeting once or twice per month, unless you’re in BNI. Theyhave their own criteria.

Personally, I’ve found the best networking happens at non-networking events. I’ve met new contacts at conferences, trainings, fundraisers, at Staples copy shop, and just recently at an Art Show. Realistically, any event you go to is a chance to meet new people who could turn into clients, serve as a mentor one day, or be an amazing addition to your team. Don’t limit yourself to events that have “networking” in the title.

One point I’d like to make is that networking isn’t just about making new contacts. It gives you a chance to refine your message and change it up according to what’s new and important. Plus, it forces you to get out of your office and your routine, and socialize with other people. To get you out of the silo.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you want to know more about networking, download a copy of my report How to Work a Room Without Being There. It’s at RobinSamora.com/WorkaRoom. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you ever feel a little lost about what to wear at a speaking gig, when all eyes are on you? While it varies by industry, here are some basic rules to follow.

This is a guestestimate, but I’d say dress three steps above your audience, but do it with style. If your audience will be wearing jeans and t-shirts, wear jeans and a fabulous jacket. You want to fit in, but stand out.

Remember, in most cases, your audience is there to see you and hear what you have to say. They also want to be like you, an expert on stage. So they’ll be paying attenion. Your energy will be noticed first, next your clothes, and ladies lastly your shoes, especially if you’re on a stage. Men, too. So take those stickers or price tags off the bottom of your shoes if you’re on a panel and crossing your legs -- really!

Dress in something that makes you feel good, something you love, that makes you feel confident. And don’t be afraid of getting the help of a personal stylist or image consultant who understands what looks good on your body type -- and is appropriate for your industry. That’s their expertise, just like you have yours, and it’s worth every penny! With so many photos or videos uploaded to social media, you want to look your best. Take my word on this one.

Me? I like wearing dresses and have a closet full. Mostly colorful, flattering, easy to clean, and I buy them when I see them, especially on sale, but not always. I have a stylist who trained me on what to buy, and I’ve made the decision to go back to her every year, because I like what she picks out and it makes a difference -- in how I look and feel.

This is Robin Samora with he Fast Marketing Minute. What do you wear as a presenter? I’d be happy to help you choose your next speaking outfit. Send me a picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at RobinSamoraPR. Or better yet, email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com I’d love to help you (and it’s fun). Talk tomorrow!

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We all know being thankful is important, but did you know that it can actually grow your audience? Here’s a simple strategy that people use all the time on social media. You thank influential people or nano-influencers in groups. I’m not talking about individually thanking each person who follows you, although that’s great too. I’m talking about publicly thanking people and brands who have a big following to pull some attention your way.

Have you recently spoken at an event or had your blog featured on a website? Thank people publicly on social media. Tag them, obviously, but be sure to take the time to research important hashtags for their industry. And don’t forget to share the link to your content. This attitude of gratitude will attract their followers -- to follow you.

If this situation doesn’t apply to you, do it another way. Thank a speaker for their insight on a recent TED Talk you loved. Thank a blogger for advice that got your website to convert better. If you have someone you love following you on Instagram, thank them just for being awesome.

The power of tagging a major influencer or a micro-influencer who is well respected in your industry is huge. It gets you, your brand and your business in front of a whole new audience and in a sincerely positive way.

It may also open the doors to network with the influencers who you’re tagging. Being on an influencer’s radar can boost your like, know, trust and believability through the roof. As long as it’s done with good intention and mindfully,.

I’m Robin Samora host of Fast Marketing Minute. Thanks for listening. If you’d like to learn more about marketing and growing your business week by week for a year, download 52 Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Business. It’s at RobinSamora.com/52tips Talk tomorrow!

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Do you have a competitor that’s totally winning the social media game? Don’t be jealous. Use it to your advantage.

Start by watching the competition’s posts to check out what gets the most engagement and to see what your shared target audience reacts best to. Write down those ideas for your own content.

You can actually uncover their entire strategy by using the social media tracker tool on SEMRush. You can also track what the competition is posting and identify trending hashtags to use.

Another thing to do is to look at the reviews and recommendations of your competition. If their customers love something about them, make sure it’s something you’re doing. If you find a trending problem that’s showing up time after time, offer the solution on your social media and everywhere else.

If you want to get extra sneaky with your Facebook ads, target people who like a competitor’s page. Some might think it’s a gray area, but it can be effective, especially if your ad focuses on a benefit that your competitor doesn’t offer. Outsmart the competition by doing your homework.

OK, let’s up it to 49 Shades of Gray. Stay with me, it’s not what you’re thinking. Here’s a simple strategy to steal your competitors followers. Scroll through their Instagram following and pick a few people to follow every day. Slowly, people will follow you back, growing your audience and who knows, there may be a chance that they’ll be your customer one day.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. What are your biggest competitors doing? I can help you figure it out. Email me at Robin@robinsamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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People always ask me, what are the hot promotional products right now?

A branded water bottle never goes out of style. Whether it has an insert to infuse fruit or it’s a heavy-duty insulated travel mug, people always sipping and hydrating. And health-conscious clients never have enough.

While cheap tote bags are over-done, othe types of reusable bags are popular, like lunch bags, travel duffels, cooler bags and backpacks. These types of branded bags will get used with purpose instead of getting folded up and forgotten in someone’s trunk. Worse, thrown out. We can’t let that happen.

Popsockets were popular for a while, but rings are used more now. They’re less bulky. You can still print your logo on the sticky pad.

Power banks continue to be the rage, but it’s common to give them away. Now, you can get power banks in custom shapes. Choose something that fits your brand. People will LOVE them and think they’re awesome. I just saw one that looked like a mini beer bottle being given away by a brewery.

The best promo gift to give away will always be something that fits your brand though. A yoga studio could give away mats. If you specialize in beauty, give away branded lip balms. A salon could give away their own blend of a body creme. Choose something that will remind your clients of you in a way that says -- yes, I’m glad to be doing business with you.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Tell me about your most successful promo item giveaway. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at RobinSamoraPR. Oh,

and ask me about my favorite promo products vendor. Her name is Rachel Leone at Leone Marketing. Talk tomorrow.

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When you finally land a big speaking gig, it can be exciting. But how do you turn one speaking gig into many? With follow-up of course. Always be selling, right? That includes promoting yourself and tooting your own horn.

As soon as you get booked, go back and mark the date on your calendar when you were first contacted. Then, you know when to reach out the following year about speaking again or asking for a referral.

After your presentation, collect a few testimonials from the audience. You can record this on your phone or get written reviews. Video is always more powerful. Ask people for their opinion, what they learned, and how it will help them in their businesss. You want to determine value here.

About a week after the event, send a hand-written thank-you note to the organizer. In two weeks, email your testimonial video to the team who hired you and ask about future events. You can also offer new video when you follow-up next year.

You also want to make sure to upload the video on social media and include it on your website. Give special thanks to the folks who hosted you -- and to the audience for attending. This will boost your like, know, trust factor. As much as you might hate video, organizers want to see you speak, then they’ll consider hiring you. And, include event and association hashtags.

Do this, and people will remember you. And if you were good, they’ll probably refer you to others in the industry. Making a lasting impression with authentic follow-up and a quick, on-the-spot video can go a long way. Just remember, done is better than perfect.

I’m Robin Samora host of the Fast Marketing Minute. Want to grow your speaker brand? You can get even more tips about public speaking by following my Top 40 Small Business Marketing Blog. Find it at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re a public speaker like me, you’re used to having a lavalier mic hooked onto you, but being mic’d up can be a little intimidating, especially after hearing horror stories of people saying something back stage that wasn’t meant to be heard -- or worse, hearing the toilet flush.

So how do you wear a lavalier mic like a pro? Well first of all, make sure you turn it off when you aren’t on stage. Even then, just assume it’s always on. Think before you speak -- or better yet be quiet, and again, stay out of bathrooms. Usually you won’t put on a mic until right before you speak anyway.

Placement is also important. Guys have it easy. Lavaliers are usually affixed to the lapel of a suit jacket or between the buttons of a shirt. Pretty straight forward. For ladies wearing a dress, mics can be clipped to your dress, near the top. Now, if you want to get professional, using moleskin to tape it to your skin near your sternum. That’s a Hollywood trick. Hey, if you don’t know where the sternum is, it’s in the center of your chest. If you’re reading show notes, here’s a link from Wikipedia to help you locate yours.

Next. Make sure you have a sound tech to help out and always double-check that your battery is fully charged, and that the volume is at the correct level before walking on stage. You don’t want to awkwardly unclip your transmitter to adjust these things, especially for us ladies who have them - err - under our clothing. Hopefully you’ve had a sound check to figure out these things ahead of time. If not, ask for one.

And last piece of advice? Just be you.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Are you ready to take your speaking career to a level that requires a microphone? We should talk about how to get you there and promote your expertise. Connect with me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Today we’re talking about prepping for a media interview.

It’s exciting to be contacted by the media to be featured as an expert, but it’s also a little scary to be “on the record.” The first way to prepare is to make sure you have a full understanding of why you’re being interviewed. Then you can make sure you’re well-versed on the subject. Sometimes if you ask, the interviewer will give you a few questions ahead of time. But, not always, so always be prepared.

So the reporter asks you a question. Then what. It’s ok to pause for a minute to decide how best to respond, but don’t take forever to answer the question, and please don’t um um um for 30 seconds. Everything you say can end up in print or on TV, so compose yourself to develop a thoughtful answer that’s on point. Which is why you want to practice.

Keep a few important points in mind that you want to make. This will help you stay on topic. You should also try to think ahead of time and jot down one or two good quotes that support your answer. Strong quotes give you credibility and make a reporter’s job easier. It also makes your story more relatable and memorable.

Be prepared to go a little off-topic, too. The interviewer may ask industry questions or want more information about your professional or personal life to round out the story.

The closing of the interview shouldn’t be a call to action, unless you have permission. In that case, don’t be overly promotional. Your expertise is promotion enough. This isn’t an advertorial, so don’t treat it as one.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you need more tips about how to get featured in the media, you can find them on my top 40 small business marketing blog at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Despite growing social networks, email marketing is still important as ever, but how can you grow your audience -- especially when you feel like yours is flat?

While it seems like a no-brainer, make sure you have a “join my email list” link on your website. Or a similar phrase that let’s a visitor know they’ll get valuable information. And, be sure to include it on every page. You never know when someone wants to opt-in.

You can also reinforce this concept with an exit pop-up that shows up when someone is about to click out from your website. Think “hey before you leave, let’s stay in touch.”

Offer your potential customers something of value like an exclusive report or insider tips in exchange for their email. For example, people who sign up for my weekly marketing tips, Robin’s Rainmakers, get access to my free report, 10 Best Strategies to Jump Start Your Marketing and Get New Clients.

Promote your exclusive content. Use it as a value-add to build credibility. Put a call-to-action in your cover photos on social media. It’s a lead magnet, to attract your target audience -- so make sure it’s written for them -- not just for you.

And when you speak at events, ask the event host for a list of registrees. Make it part of your speaker terms that they share it with you. And if there’s a presentation, ask for an email address in exchange for the slides.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you need help building your business, download a copy of my free report; 10 Best Strategies to Jump Start Your Marketing and Get New Clients at RobinSamora.com/JumpStart. I’d love to help you grow your business. Talk tomorrow!

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Facebook is making a ton of changes. These are the three you really need to care about for your business.

Facebook has changed how it calculates reach and impressions, so if you’ve seen a decrease, your numbers aren’t really going down. Don’t panic! Take a beat and see how your numbers trend over the next few months. You now have more options for ad targeting. You can target users by their interests and behaviors. Then once you reach this specific audience, you can lure them in with a click-through to messenger. Now you have a lead that’s actually reaching out. Bonus: you can integrate messenger with your CRM like HubSpot, Zoho, and Pipedrive. Now their info is yours forever. Facebook groups will continue to grow and thrive. If you have a really niche market or a community vibe in your industry, it could work for you and have a big return.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I write marketing and action plans for businesses of all sizes. One thing for sure is that they get results.

If you’re looking to grow your business and get more visibility, contact me for a complimentary PR Evaluation. I’m at RobinSamora.com/PREvaluation. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you want your business or brand to look bigger than you are? What we’re talking about is positioning. Creating an image of having a more powerful persona online and in your industry.

Now, if you feel like you’re living the “fake it til you make it” strategy, stop. Nine times out of ten, in my math anyway, you’ve probably already made it. Kiss the Imposter Syndrome goodbye!

So how do you make your audience see a stronger, more accomplished you or business? Well, first be confident and own your expertise. But don’t be arrogant.

Keep growing your own media channels. Have a well-thought out website and offer valuable content. Streamline your social media by creating a cohesive look across all platforms. Even what you wear should align with your brand -- when you’re not at home in your yoga pants.

Most importantly, have big ideas. I mean big ideas because it all starts from within! Make big goals and make plans to achieve them. Share your goals with others and get them on board. You know deep down you can’t get there alone, so ask for help. From your team, your colleagues, other experts. It’s like crowd-funding -- but with brains!

Create value around yourself and your brand. Give back to your audience with amazing content that provides value. Offer advice when asked. Help others without expecting anything in return.

Now, if you don’t have the resources or skills to build a wide range of service offerings, create partnerships with other companies or people who you can refer the work out to. You can’t possibly do it all. Get some help. Help is a good 4 letter word.

Bottom line, you can start a company by yourself, but you can’t build it all alone.

I’m Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Do you need some help building your brand? Check out my website at RobinSamora.com and ask about my complimentary PR Evaluation. Talk tomorrow!

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Have you ever been ready to jump on a video call, webinar or Facebook Live and thought, “geesh, that’s not what I thought I looked like in the mirror!” Believe it or not, there’s a science to looking good on video -- especially when it’s up-close-and-personal.

Here are some quick tips to look your best.

Wear an outfit that fits your brand personality and is in line with your industry. If you wouldn’t normally wear a business suit at a meeting, don’t do it on camera either. Be authentic -- true to who you are.

Clothing really does make a difference, so best advice is to go simple. Avoid prints. They can be distracting and clash with your background. Another tip is to stay away from high-contrast colors.

Camera placement is super important too. Chances are your desk is at waist-level. Great for typing but really bad for your chin. Use a high counter or stack your laptop on some books. You want your webcam to be at eye level. Make sure you look at your camera and not your screen when you’re talking.

Next is lighting. If you want the best results, close the blinds (if you have them) and set up a couple of desk lamps behind your camera or laptop. Put them on either side of your screen and point them toward your face, so you don’t get any weird shadows.

And as we all know, practice makes perfect-ish. Do a few test runs to find the best lighting, camera placement, and outfit for your next presentation. Then, record it, so you can watch yourself. You may love it, you my hate it, but it’s all part of the process.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Invite me to your next webinar, so I learn more about you and see how you apply these tips. Email me at robin@robinsamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Even the best presentation can be ruined by these 5 public speaking mistakes.

Mistake #1: Reading your slides. Your slides should have images, graphics and maybe a couple short bullets. They should be the headlines - not the copy.

Mistake #2: You don’t practice. Stumbling a bit at the beginning because you’re nervous is different than being completely unprepared. Practice enough times that it’s perfect in your living room, and it will come across as brilliant on stage.

Mistake #3: You over-practice. When you memorize your presentation word-for-word, it will probably seem and sound boring. Be excited about your topic. And don’t be afraid to work a little off-the-cuff. Have your main points, but feed off the tone of the conference or the energy of the room to share the best anecdotes.

Mistake #4: You data dump. Pouring too many stats into a presentation will just overwhelm your audience. Sprinkle 2 or 3 amazing stats that drive home your topic into your presentation.

Mistake #5: You don’t use the right amount of humor. Having a few appropriate jokes keeps the audience engaged. No need to be a class clown or people won’t take you seriously. But humor is a great icebreaker.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. If you need help taking your public speaking to the next level, find me on social media at RobinSamoraPR or through email at robinsamora.com. Talk tomorrow.

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If you’re attending networking events and not getting valuable results and connections, you need to do a better job of working the room.

Here’s how:

Be confident. You’re an expert, so own it. Do a superman pose in the bathroom if you need to. Before you walk in, ok? Or make up a stage name and repeat it. Rockin’ Rebecca. Rockin’ Ralph. Rockin’ Robin. You got this!

Keep your goals in mind when you’re having a conversation. You aren’t here for small talk with your buddies. You’re here to make connections and grow your network. Some chit chat is important to build rapport, but guide the conversation after a few minutes. So, have a purpose in mind before you walk in the room.

Next up, your body language. Let’s start with a firm handshake. It should fall somewhere between a wet noodle and WWE wrestler. Kidding , kind of. If you’re shaking hands, don’t squeeze too hard so someone yelps. And, look the person in the eye -- otherwise you look shifty.

Then there’s the name game. I don’t know about you, but I’m awful at names. But I learned a few tricks at Dale Carnegie. Repeat people’s names when you meet them and remember something unique about them.

Lastly, you’re not here to make a sale, so don’t jump into sales mode. If someone asks for a business card, offer one. And if you take one, follow up right away. If you don’t, you lose a sense of urgency and maybe even forget why you were meeting. Remember it sometimes takes up to nine connections to turn a prospect into a customer. You’re here to meet people and create a network.

This is Robin Samora with the Fast Marketing Minute. Join in the conversation with me on social media. Find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at RobinSamoraPR. Talk tomorrow.

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Today, let’s talk about LinkedIn. Do you connect with everyone who comes across your screen? Or are you more picky?

More connections on LinkedIn builds your credibility and social equity. But too many will make you look spammy and in a way -- it’s dangerous to let just ‘anyone’ into your network.

I don’t know about you, but I get a random request from some unknown prince or entrepreneur without a picture at least once per week. One thing is for sure. That’s not a connection I’m willing to make.

Here’s my thought. LinkedIn is about quality, not quantity. Start with a network of people you actually know. That would be your colleagues, former coworkers and other people you actually know professionally.

Then, branch out by adding new connections. Start out with 2nd degree connections or ask your 1st degree connections for an introduction to someone you’d like to meet in their networks. Someone who would be an asset to your followers or who could help you professionally.

If you get a random request, see who you have in common. Unless it’s obvious spam, accepting the request is usually fine. But always do your homework.

Now, if you’re part of a speaking panel or webinar series, you have every right to reach out and make a connection. You’re professional colleagues with an event in common.

That said, don’t go out there requesting to connect with every person on the people-you-may-know list. Use search filters to zero-in on your target market and pick a few to connect with. And be sure to include a customized message in your request.

I’m Robin Samora host of the Fast Marketing Minute. If you want to connect with me on LinkedIn, shoot me a request. I’m at LinkedIn.com/in/RobinSamora. I’d love to add you to my network. Talk tomorrow.

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It’s the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than by thanking your clients for a successful year. You can send a simple holiday card or a small gift – like a bottle of their favorite wine or a batch of homemade cookies with their logo on it. That shows that you care. For bigger clients, you might want to treat them to lunch or a special night out. Or maybe host an open house and invite your family, friends and clients to mingle and celebrate. Let your clients meet your inner circle. That’s all part of building like, know and trust. You can show your customers that you appreciate them all year too by offering them exclusive discounts or opportunities to special events. I’m not talking about the “get 10% off everything today through forever” that you may get from Kohl’s on a daily basis. Give them first dibs on a hot, new product or service. Or your new book that’s coming out in a few months. Then, there are events, concerts, hot ticket items and hard to get seats that will please even the pickiest customer. Saying a genuine “thank you” every day, and especially on the holidays, can go a long way. How do you show your clients the love? Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @RobinSamoraPR and share your thoughts. To me, connecting on a personal level makes the biggest difference. Thanks for listening to #FastMarketingMinute. I’m happy you’re here. Talk tomorrow!

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Here are some thoughts. Get more personal. I’m not talking about inserting someone’s name into an email -- though that’s certainly ok. What I’m talking about taking time to hyper-segment your list, so you’re emailing a targeted group about something they really care about. Think about tags for age, gender, buying habits, previous purchases -- go crazy if you want. No, don’t go crazy. Stay focused with me here. Use FOMO to get your audience to open your email with subject lines like “Huge Sale - Today Only” or “Get These Boots Before They’re Gone.” We’re bombarded with emails, so this just one of many headline tricks or copywriting tactics to increase your open rates. You also want to write a clear call to action and link images, buttons and one or two words in the text. Don’t make people guess where to click. Show them. Make buttons easy to find and colorful. It’s also not a good idea to bombard your audience with emails. Remember, quality over quantity. Do one amazing email per week instead of flooding their inbox 1-2 times per day. This last one could be the most important. Make sure your emails are mobile-friendly. More than 70 percent of people check their emails on a mobile phone. Most email providers will show you a mobile preview, so use it. Then send your email to yourself and check it again to make sure it looks right. And have someone else check it too. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’d love to connect with you and see what your marketing challenges are. Will you share? Your feedback will help me in writing my new online courses. Connect with me on LinkedIn (at) RobinSamora or on Instagram (at) RobinSamoraPR. Talk tomorrow!

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Remember the first time you got a bad review? You worked so hard to provide top-notch customer service, but it was there, plain as day. 2 stars out of 5. Yuck. But hold on, that might actually be a good thing. Not every customer is going to be happy, but how you handle the negative feedback says a lot about you and how you run your business. If you respond calmly and respectfully, and encourage the customer to reach out to you directly and offer to fix the problem, people will see that maybe you aren’t so bad. And in fact, you could be trusted. Let’s look at it this way. Have you ever been a bit leary of a business that only has 5-star reviews? I have. No one is perfect, and if their Google reviews say they are, it could be fake.. Or a lie.. Ok it is possible, I guess. Mine are pretty good, amazing to me. Negative reviews also prepare customers for the ultimate worst thing that could happen if they buy from you. If negative reviews are all about shipping time, but someone doesn’t care about shipping, it will ease their fears about buying from you. And they may just hit the ‘buy’ button. On the other hand, a few negative comments about shipping may alert you to a bigger problem -- in your shipping department. And that you want to take care of ASAP. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I love helping clients go from invisible to visible. From 1 to 1,000. If you need help getting seen, heard, and remembered, ask about my marketing plans. Shoot me an email. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re writing amazing content and want to share it with the world, think about adding content syndication to your marketing strategy. Syndication is a process where you take content you’ve already written and post it to third-party sites. It gets your content seen by more people, which ultimately gets you more brand exposure and increased business. So where do you syndicate content? There are lots of paid sites, but there are plenty of free ones that are perfect for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Start by researching Small Business Trends, Business2Community, Tumblr, and StumbleUpon (now Mix!) to see if those platforms would be a good fit for your business. Any industry specific sites would also work to reach a niche market. But what do you post to syndication sites? Not everything. You want to post the best of the best -- the unicorn blog that got 35 comments. Once the buzz has died down on the original post, that’s the time to syndicate. And always add a link at the bottom to the original post. It invites readers to visit your website, and it tells Google that you aren’t posting dreaded duplicate content. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m always looking for new marketing ideas to talk about here, and on my Top 40 Small Business Marketing Blog. Got an idea to share? I’d love that! Message me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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I tell my clients all the time that FAQs are almost always a necessity on your website. And, almost always, I hear the same response. How do I do it? What questions do I ask? How can I make mine better? Here are a few tips to make your FAQs more effective: First, make a list of the 10-20 questions you get on a regular basis. These are questions that you have a canned response to. I hate the word canned, but you know what I mean. Repetitive is a better word. Next, answer each of these questions in a blog. If you blog on a regular basis, you probably already have a few of these done. Why a blog for each question? It boosts SEO. When people type in a question in Google or ask Alexa, having in-depth content about specific questions will help your rankings. Now, link each question on your FAQ page to the corresponding blogs. Long-form content will answer people’s questions more thoroughly anyway. It makes you look like an expert -- which you are. Plus, internal linking is also good for the SEO machine. You can always take this a step further by researching what phrases people are Googling to find you, and adding those terms or questions to your FAQs to boost your organic rankings even more. Remember, these are all free tactics. There’s no investment here, except for your time. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Would you like a complimentary PR Evaluation or online asessment for your business? Just shoot me an email at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Video content is king, right? Then why isn’t anyone watching your videos on YouTube? Here are a few quick, free ways you can boost your YouTube traffic. (And if you are a YouTube king, message me and we’ll share your advice).

You don’t have to be Stephen Spielberg, but create interesting, informative video content that your audience will value. Also, use a high-quality camera. The one on your phone will do in a pinch. The new iPhones are amazing! Not that you have to buy an iPhone.

Next, emphasize your expertise. People want to know they’re learning from the best, so this is the time to toot your horn. Shy? Get over it!

What do you want to rank for? Consider that when writing the title, description and tags for your video. Use keywords that are spot on and that you check regularly. Remember, YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world!

Share your video on your website and across appropriate social channels. The more places you have your video posted, the more eyes will see it and hopefully -- your video will be played more frequently. That’s what we’re aiming for.

And lastly, create playlists, so the next video on your channel plays when the current one ends. If a new video automatically starts playing, people are more likely to watch it. Remember that time you “accidentally” watched all of Stranger Things Season 3 in one day?

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m all about marketing 24/7. I also love speaking about marketing. If you need a speaker for your next event, check me out at RobinSamora.com/speaking. Then, let’s connect. Talk tomorrow!

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LinkedIn can be a money maker for B2B companies. But in order for you to make money, you have to know how to connect with your prospects. Being active is one thing, but posting the same old same old, doesn’t work. Variety is the spice of life -- and connecting with your target market with content they like is key. When posts seem to drag on and you just keep sharing the same topic with different titles, shake it up with this:

Share educational content. That could be videos, podcasts or slides from a recent presentation you gave. Nothing original? Post other people’s content, like a TED talk you love or a new podcast series you’ve been listening to. Think of it as a way to show who you are and what you’re all about.

Repurpose your blogs as LinkedIn articles. This is pretty easy to do, and often overlooked. Posting articles positions you as an expert or thought leader in your industry. And here’s a tip -- wait at least a few weeks after posting it from your website, so Google can index your content separately.

Also, joining groups can get you and your business in front of a whole new audience -- usually a highly targeted one. If you decide to join a specific group, be active and follow the rules. Post relevant content (like I mentioned earlier) and get in on the conversation. Please, just dont sell. And a quick bonus is that by doing this you can message people in your groups without having LinkedIn Premium -- and that saves you money.

Hopefully these ideas have inspired you to do something new with LinkedIn. If you need more inspiration, let’s connect. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I love helping clients go from invisible to visible. From 1 to 1,000. While we’re talking about LinkedIn, reach out to me there. I’m (at) @RobinSamora. Just mention #FastMarketingMinute so I know who you are. Talk tomorrow!

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We live in a culture that doesn’t want to miss anything. FOMO is the fear of missing out. It’s why people are glued to their phones. It’s why they wait in line for midnight releases of movies and video games, never mind blow-out sales! The good news is, there are some easy ways to capitalize on FOMO to get more attention for your events. Start by creating a discount code that expires a few weeks before the event. Use phrases like “limited time,” “don’t forget,” or “this offer expires in 72 hours.” It will encourage people to buy tickets early and share with their friends. If admission is free, offer a “free gift” for the first 100 people that RSVP. Post about how you’re “almost to 100 RSVPs.” Make sure your audience knows that they could lose out on this deal, and soon. The goal is to make it seem as though tickets are scarce. You can also create a contest surrounding your event. Maybe the prize is VIP access and a behind the scenes tour or an exclusive meet-and-greet. The perks can vary depending on your event and your goals. One thing is, you want to ask for an email in exchange for entry. You build your list. They get a chance to win. Give extra entries for sharing the contest on social media. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, Are you looking for an easy to follow, super detailed marketing and action plan that works? I write plans for businesses -- from solo-preneurs to multi million dollar brands. Interested in finding out more? Contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you aren’t doing video, then you’re missing out on some huge marketing potential. Video is watched by 85% of internet users each month and it’s way more captivating than text alone. And here’s a stat, 88% of marketers who use video are happy with their ROI. So where do you start? Stories are a great place to play with video. Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook - try all three if they work for your brand and audience. Best part? If the stories don’t work, they’re gone in 24 hours. If they do, you can save them to your highlight reel (on Instagram at least). Stories last 10-15 seconds - up to 30. Have some fun experimenting with the graphics too. Then, there’s Facebook Live. If you’re not sure about what to do here are a few suggestions; host a Q & A. Give a live tour of your office. Stream live from a big event. People want to watch because they have FOMO, so going live can help create instant buzz for your business. Looking for something really simple? Use GIFs. They grab attention and almost everyone thinks their funny. So pick a funny one, ok? Don’t use them everywhere, but sprinkling GIFs into your social content and emails can grab attention. You can even make your own GIF on Biteable. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Hope is not a marketing strategy. If you’d like some insight on how to grow your business and meet important goals, get in touch with me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you sometimes feel lost on what to do on social media. Well here are some ground rules to live by. Be responsive. People want an answer, and they want it now. Not sure about how to respond? Ask your team to help get the answers as quickly as possible. Let’s get back to your team. If one of your staff has a huge accomplishment, gets a promotion or experiences a milestone event, share it on your company’s social media. The same goes for sharing positive customer reviews. Spread the love. Get creative with your content. Add a graphic. Make a quick video. Create a poll. Ask questions. Switch things up. If you post the same types of things all the time, people will get bored And no one wants that. You’re supposed to be social! You also want to make sure you’re posting often enough. At least 3-4 times per week. Daily is better for some platforms, but not for all. Don’t think you have to be everywhere all at once. Also, don’t forget to interact with your following’s posts in an authentic way. It will make them feel special, like you care. And everyone loves that. Most importantly, for social media to be effective, you need to measure your results. You can’t know what’s working if you don’t look at the numbers. It’s easy to figure out what content works best for you when you look at the metrics. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I love helping clients go from invisible to visible. From 1 to 1,000. If you want to get to know me a little bit better check me out on Instagram. I’m at @RobinSamoraPR. Talk tomorrow!

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Creating a personal brand isn’t just important, it’s really important in selling yourself and your business to a potential customer. So how do you build a great brand, one that delivers results? First, you need to become a resource that people like, know and trust. Post articles as a thought leader. Give a talk as a subject matter expert to a local industry group and partner with groups that align with your values. Your LKT factor is based on your expertise and how you share it with the world. Next, provide value to your following. Write blogs or record podcasts that can actually help your target market. Be a little less “yay me” and a little more “how can I help you?” Don’t forget to walk the talk. Live your brand values and follow your own advice. Be consistent with your brand personality and all of it’s elements, online and in person. That said, embrace your imperfections. We’ve all made mistakes in business and in life. We’ve all been up at 4 am worrying about something. Share what you’ve learned from these mistakes and experiences with your audience. It humanizes you and makes you relatable. Transparency is underrated. So important in building trust. Lastly, do the Google test. Google yourself. Google your business. What comes up? Do you like it? If not, make a plan to change the conversation -- the search results. I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I love helping clients build their brands. If you need help building your expert status so you can get noticed, check out my website then email me directly at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re going to be in the public eye, you better get ready first. Your career could take off in an instant, so it’s best to be prepared. Famous words from a former Girl Scout.

First you need an iron-clad media base. Your website and social media showcase your expertise. They act as your 24/7 sales team, so make sure they look good. Keep social media G-rated… ok PG-13.

Learn how to write a great press release and have your media contact list pre-loaded in your email. Be ready to newsjack, that’s commenting on current news, at the drop of a hat, so you can be the first pitch in your contact’s inbox.

Next, show that you’re passionate about your business. People care about people who care. (I know that sounds like a Barbara Streisand song). Show your passion on stage and on every platform. It’s you and your brand personality TV producers are looking for. A media darling, not a media dud.

Lastly, if you want to be on TV, make your own video content. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to get better with time.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I love helping clients go from invisible to visible. From 1 to 1,000. If you need help promoting your brand, online and offline, shoot me an email. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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If your company is B2B, LinkedIn should be part of your marketing mix. I’m not talking about having a company page. I’m talking about YOU working to get leads on LinkedIn.

First you need to be active. Post content that your target audience is interested in. Articles, news, your thoughts on current industry trends. And interact with your connections by commenting on their posts and their promotions. (If you need inspiration, connect with me on LinkedIn!)

Build your network a few minutes each day looking at your “people you may know.” If you know them, hit the “connect” button, but first send a note. Don’t just add a bunch of strangers.

Look through your connections’ connections for qualified potential leads. Then ask your shared connection for an introduction or a referral. This is a great way to slowly build your lead list.

Spend 30 minutes per day, 3-5 days a week on LinkedIn to build your business. Put it on your calendar, so you won’t forget. Consistency is the most important part.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for a fun and engaging speaker who loves helping people grow their business, call me. I’m at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Sending a press release can be scary. If you make a mistake, you may be haunted forever. Kidding. Fact though, it will live somewhere in cyberspace.

Here are 4 common press release mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake #1: You don’t include an about section. Provide a two or three sentence summary and history of your business so the media has context about your business. The more research a reporter has to do, the less likely you are to get a story published.

Mistake #2: You include pronouns like “you,” “your,” “we,” and “us.” You want it to sound like someone else is writing the press release about you, so always write in the third person, except in your quote.

Mistake #3: You don’t include a quote. If a member of the media doesn’t have to reach out for a quote, you’re making their job even easier. Plus, releasing a canned quote gives you some control over the tone of the article.

Mistake #4: Your release is too long or too short. Keep it between 400 and 650 words. The sweet spot seems to be 450, which is about a page.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m teaching a new course, How to Get Free Press with shortcuts I’ve learned over the last 20 years. If you’d like to learn more, email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Sometimes companies jump the gun on press releases and sometimes they wait too long. Other times, they might not even send a press release. How do you decide if and when you should write one? Ask yourself these 3 questions.

Is it newsworthy? Consider the timing, significance, and human interest of the information. In short, will people outside of your company care?

Does it fit your brand message? Staying on brand and consistent in your messaging is critically important for your online and offline image. This press release will live on the internet -- forever -- so make sure you really want it out there.

And lastly, do you have the talent and experience to write a professional press release? If not, are you willing to pay someone who does? We can’t all be content superheroes. Me included. Sending something out that has improper grammar or even just a bad flow might get ignored, shoved to the bottom of the pile, or worse, published as-is.

If you answered yes to all of these questions, then do it. Write and send that press release and do it with gusto.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @RobinSamoraPR. Learn the marketing shortcuts to make your brand rock n’ roll. Talk tomorrow!

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Consumers want to buy from a brand they like, know and trust. And now more than ever, we live in a society that thrives on connection and personalization, so give it to them.

Get people to like you through having a strong brand and a product or service you can stand behind. A great company story on your website can help, too. As you build your like, know and trust factor, you’ll also gain more business and believability.

Let people get to know you and your company through social media. Instagram especially is the perfect place to get a little personal. What are you up to? What’s going on in the office today? Did you get a surprise gift at your door? Was it a puppy? With almost 70,000,000 dog owners in the US alone, there’s definitely a dog friendly audience!

You can also earn trust through good customer service. Raving reviews and testimonials are your best friend here. Connect with happy customers and make them ambassadors for your brand.

L, K and T are linked, and they all build off each other.

If you want to get to know me a little better, follow me @RobinSamoraPR on Instagram and Facebook.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I write marketing and detailed action plans that work. If you need help growing your business, contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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BERT is the newest Google update, and it’s a big one. In short, Google now pays more attention to prepositions and looks at the importance of the relation of words within a search query. It’s a little technical, but let’s talk about how it’s going to affect your business.

In order to rank well with this roll out, you need high-quality super specific content. No more generalized titles like, “how to have a good website.” Instead write blogs about “how to use Yoast to optimize your webpages.”

Length isn’t important as long as the content is on point and isn’t stuffed with keywords.

Focus on long-tail search terms and answer the question quickly but fully. You want to write for Google. Play the game and you’ll be rewarded with better rankings and valuable traffic.

In the end you may lose some visitors, but the only traffic you’ll be losing are people who weren’t really searching for your content and probably wouldn’t have converted anyway. So it’s a good thing, really.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m all about marketing 24/7. If you’re looking for a strategic work session for your company, contact me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Let me know how I can help you and get your company back on track. Talk tomorrow!

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Google+ may be dead, but Google My Business is alive and well and still a very important place to post. You don’t need unique content on GMB. Post what you’re using on social media.

Share sales and promotions. If there’s a sale going and you write about it, it may entice a customer or prospect to click. Think of Google My Business as basically a free ad or free publicity for your business. What’s not to love?

Highlight your products. Set up a cool “photo booth” to take pictures in. Write a short to the point piece about a new promotion or event. Let people learn more about your business with practically zero clicks.

What else can you post? Blogs, videos, podcasts, press releases. Offer a freebie. Share what’s new and relevant about your company.

But, no matter what you’re posting, use eye-catching images. The preview is small. You need to get attention. Use something simple and fun.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’d love to connect with you on Instagram. You can find me at @RobinSamoraPR. I’d love the follow! Talk tomorrow!

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Website popups are so annoying right? Well they don’t have to be. If you keep them simple and relevant to the content someone’s viewing, they can be enticing. You’ll want to give your viewers an incentive -- or what I call a legal bribe -- in exchange for their email address, of course.

Next, don’t bombard consumers with a popup as soon as they enter your site. Try using a popup right before they leave your website. Another idea is to add a special offer with a popup after they’ve viewed at least 3-5 products or your services page.

Most importantly, make sure your popups aren’t intrusive to your visitor’s experience. The “X” should be visible and accessible, especially on mobile. If someone can’t close a popup, they’ll just leave your site. It’s off-putting, and gives people a bad impression. Plus, Google will ding you for it. Who wants that!

Now that you know the basic ins and outs of popups, why not give them a try? -- I’d love to know how they work for you.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for ideas on how increase your sales and online and offline visibility, check out my Top 40 Marketing blog at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Let’s talk about Pinterest. If you thought it was just for dream vacations, brides, and ideas on how to decorate your home, that’s not the case anymore. It’s a growing platform to gain new business, create a sales funnel, and grow your email list.

With over 291,000 users every month, Pinterest has a loyal audience, primarily women, but men account for 40% of the new signups. People scroll their mobile phones, day and night, looking for helpful and inspiring ideas.

What that means for your business is this: if you’re creating and sharing tips and information – to solve a customer’s problem, answer questions, or offer quick and easy solutions, Pinterest may work for your brand – and be quite profitable.

If you understand how Pinterest works and how to work it, you can create “free products” that can drive traffic to your blog, website, and landing pages – and create a buyer’s path, for them to learn more.

4 Tips to Build Your Email List with Pinterest

-Create a lead magnet, which you’ll exchange for your reader’s email address. This should promote your expertise and give your audience a simple solution to their problem. It can be an e-book, video, check list, or free trial.

-Connect your ‘freebie’ to a landing page via your email marketing program where people can opt-in. Be sure to add relevant keywords and your opt-in offer to your Pinterest Profile.

-Think of Pinterest as one giant search engine, and your profile as a business card. Consider creating a new business account, and leave your personal one, for personal use. You’ll have different goals and objectives, and it will be easier to track.

-Share your lead magnet, freebie or opt-in on other Pinterest boards that have the same audience and niche.

If you’re looking for a speaker who talks about marketing and growing your brand, contact me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. I speak at conferences and hold strategic work sessions worldwide. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re in business, you’re in sales and if you don’t have sales, you might as well close up shop. Every small business owner will tell you that their industry has a particular way they market their products and services, and prospect for new clients. But, if you’re prospecting for gold on a barren or deserted island, it’s probably less effective than being in front of your ideal clients online and offline, solving their problems, and offering value.

Don’t get sucked into thinking you need every kind of marketing that’s out there. Every business is different.

To cut the learning curve, think about a customized online and offline marketing plan that’s based on your company’s vision, your situation, your industry and where you are and where you want to go.

Every day I hear stories of small business owners who get talked into marketing strategies and ad spends that waste valuable resources, time, and stab the human spirit. We forget that we evolve just like our businesses.

Build Your Business in 2020 with a Solid Marketing Plan

A solid marketing plan is one of the most cost-effective ways to build your business and gain visibility. It’s usually eye-opening and transformative, if you implement recommended strategies and follow a detailed action plan that’s been based on research, trends, and competitive analysis to differentiate your brand and rev up your bottom line.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking to grow your business in a big way now, or down the road in 2020 email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Don’t throw random darts to hit your target goals. Talk tomorrow!

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If you’re a marketer, you know how important it is to have a call-to-action that works. After all, you want your target market to buy, click, read, download, and act now. Without a call-to-action, your copy, ad or promotional message is incomplete and perhaps ineffective.

What makes the perfect call to action?

Here are 4 Marketing Tips to Create a Call-to-Action That Works.

Be clear on what your objectives are. Are you showcasing your expertise, attracting prospects into your sales funnel, promoting a new product or book? Use action-oriented words that provoke emotion and create a need to have, want or buy.

Write to capture your visitor’s attention. Prospects are reading your material hoping you can solve their problem. Personalize your copy with the words “you or me” so it looks like you’re writing just to them. Write persuasively to not just influence, but so your customer takes action.

Create short commands. Buy Now. Get Started. Order a Sample Pack Now. Learn More. Don’t Miss Out. Add an exclamation mark! If you have a specific landing page or designated email, make sure you’ve selected the right colors and that your call-to-action buttons are compelling.

Don’t be afraid of using FOMO. Fear of missing out. You see this tactic all the time. 75% Sale Ends Today! Hurry, only 4 Hours Left! Your job as a marketer is to create brand advocates, a base of raving fans who always want to buy. FOMO compels your audience to take action.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Here’s a call-to-action. Download my guide, How to Work a Room Without Being There. It’s at RobinSamora.com/WorkaRoom. Find out what you need to do to build your brand, when you can’t be there in person. Talk tomorrow!

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Want a list of marketing ideas that won’t break the bank this month? Use national days, weeks and months to rev up your small business and brand, and get a jump start on your promotions calendar for 2020.

Here are two websites to check out. NationalDayCalendar.com and NationalToday.com.

One thing, you probably missed National Kick Butt Day on October 8th, but there are still other national days you can piggyback on this month. In fact, there are 107 holidays in November alone, besides the obvious.

Here are some examples:

November 2019 Monthly Holidays

National Inspirational Role Models Month

November 2019 Weekly Holidays

International Fraud Awareness Week National Deal Week

November 2019 National Days

Small Business Saturday #ShopSmall Universal Children’s Day Square Dance Day Black Friday – of course Stay Home Because You’re Well Day

You don’t have to be Starbucks® to align your business with National Cappuccino Day (that was on November 8th) But let’s use it as an example. Think about gift cards for employees, a client thank you, or offer a complimentary cappuccino for first dates, an afternoon pick me up (not like it sounds) or for that matter, anyone who wants to do business on that day. Brew up your own promotion with holiday themes and get the buzz you deserve.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for a bunch of free marketing and PR ideas to grow your business? Download my free guide, 52 Weeks of Marketing and PR Ideas at RobinSamora.com/52MarketingIdeas. Implement a few ideas at a time and let me know how it goes! Talk tomorrow!

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I’m a big fan of spot coaching. That’s hiring an expert who’s more skilled and experienced in a certain area than you. Spot coaches are invaluable if you’re looking to explore a new business idea, need insight or direction, or want to openly discuss the pros and cons of moving ahead on a project – one that requires time or a substantial financial commitment.

Consider a few guidelines before hiring:

-Find a spot coach that has an excellent reputation in the area or industry you want clarity in. Google your subject matter expert, ask colleagues for referrals, read their materials, hear them speak. Sometimes it pays to talk with 2 or 3 experts to get a variety of opinions before making a big decision.

-Reach out and give your advisor ample information and time to think about your question, in advance of your call or meeting. They, like you, need time to prepare.

-Be open to feedback you may not like, but that may serve you in the long run. Often, if you aren’t in agreement with your coach, you’ll see a different perspective that you may have not thought of. Trust in the process and trust that you made the best decision on who to work with.

If you’re working with a seasoned professional, you should get the solid advice that you’ve paid for, and that they’ve earned.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you need marketing help for a particular project or want to add some jet fuel to your marketing, contact me directly. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com . Talk tomorrow!

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Think it’s easy being an Instagram influencer? I guarantee, it’s not as easy as you think!

Instagram influencers are working hard to compose, photograph, edit and transform their pictures so they get your attention, gain likes, and of course followers. More followers equal more clout. With more views there’s typically better engagement, which translates somewhere down the line to brand recognition and revenue one way or another.

Every picture isn’t picture perfect though. In fact, some influencers are purposely sharing the reality of their daily lives and behind the scenes activities to portray another side of Instagram perfect. The human factor. Composition. Staging. Posting an image that may pique someone’s interest beyond looking dreamy.

Whether you craft your story through words, photos, speaking on stage, on a podcast or webinar, it’s about creating a bond with the audience you want to influence. Stories make us human, and at least for now, it’s the humans who are buying.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m fairly new on Instagram and loving it! Follow me at @RobinSamoraPR and let’s connect. Let me know you heard me on Fast Marketing minute. Talk tomorrow!

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Is Facebook losing steam? That’s a yes in my book, but just the opposite is true for its sister company Instagram. Recent reports show Instagram with over 1 billion monthly active users and a half of billion

daily users. More businesses than ever are flocking to the platform to promote their products and services, and share their stories.

Of course, stats vary from study to study, and by date, so check facts for your particular industry and to see if Instagram is a right fit for you.

Let’s talk about 3 Instagram Marketing Hacks to Grow Your Business.

Put effort into your images. Poor quality images won’t gain followers. Think about how you might stage a home for sale. Want it to look good, right? Do the same with your Instagram content. Stage shots for best branding, likes, and sharing.

Add testimonials. If people are using your products and service, share it. Have others tell their story on why you’re awesome. No time to be shy. You don’t have to be a million-dollar brand to post video, but create a video others will remember.

Have a plan and a theme. Consistency always wins over random posting. Be strategic in your approach, posts, and calls to action. Surprise, entertain, and make people laugh – or smile at least.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, if you’d like to talk about marketing strategy for your business, you’ve come to the right place. Go to RobinSamora.com and contact me there. Let’s get an appointment on the calendar. Talk tomorrow!

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Today we’re going to talk about your LinkedIn profile. Think of it like your professional calling card, not just for now, but for the future – and your future self. It’s a great PR and marketing platform to showcase your experience and leadership in a particular industry, as well as give a glimpse of your brand personality – to a more corporate audience.

Here are 4 quick tips to help you create a stand-out profile:

Use keywords in the heading so people can find you. Be sure to research those words so they’re specific to your industry and what you’re looking for. Make yourself easy to contact too. Heck, I even tell my clients to use their phone number. It makes you approachable. Don’t be a fake or phony, be you – poised and polished. Get a professional headshot – or ask someone with a great camera or an iPhone to take it (portrait mode works especially well). Engage, don’t sell. Promote mindfully, don’t brag. Keep your standards and credibility high.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you need help with your LinkedIn profile or want to build a personal brand, I’d love to help. Look me up on LinkedIn at @RobinSamora and let’s connect. Just let me know where we met. Talk tomorrow!

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Want a new way to fill events? Try starting a Meetup! You can create a group for free – or at least the last time I looked, for 30 days – and promote an event, seminar or workshops to increase your visibility and supplement your marketing and PR activities.

I started a meetup when I was looking to fill up a Gratitude Workshop about this time last year. Honestly, I wasn’t really sure that it would work. I created the group as an experiment to help with marketing the event. As you can imagine, I’m always on the lookout for new and innovate ways to promote my brand, so I was intrigued to see what the results might be.

To promote your small business and get additional PR, remember this about Meetups:

You are the expert, you lead the group, you have permission to contact members, but do it wisely and mindfully. This is a Meetup not a sales page, so don’t sell, sell, sell. Consider this as a LinkedIn group where you’re all there to connect. It is not a pitch fest. Use Meetups when you’re traveling to meet people in a new city, to generate interest in your product or service, or to generate leads. If you’re speaking out of town, it’s also a great forum to invite people to your event, or as a way to follow up with a prospect who seems really interested. Lastly, remember the purpose of Meetups. To meet, network and discuss like-minded topics.

The fact that you get a chance to build your like, know and trust factor, fill an event and position yourself for free press is a BONUS!

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m happy to tell you about my experience with Meetups and give you some guidance on your next event. Get in touch at RobinSamora.com/contact. Talk Tomorrow.

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I love the phrase, you are brand wherever you go, because it’s truer than ever, especially if you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur looking to grow your business.

Your brand story tells it all. So, be sure that you know it inside and out. What makes you different? How did you get to where you are now? Why should someone want to do business with you?

Here’s what I tell my clients:

-Create a story that’s compelling. Moving. And, include your why to make it personal.

-Practice sharing your story with feeling – and whether you pretend to or not, tell it with meaning!

-Use your brand story as part of a daily PR and marketing practice to grow your business, build a base of raving fans so you can sell more products and services.

The core of your brand story will always be the same, because it’s who you are.

Include your brand story as part of your elevator pitch, in person at networking events, in an author resource box at the bottom of articles, on Amazon Author Central when you upload your blog. And always, when you write content.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, let me help you create and promote a brand that’s spot on -- 24/7, wherever you go. Shoot me an email at Robin@RobinSamora.com and let’s connect. Talk tomorrow!

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If you think that email marketing is dead, you’re dead wrong. Email marketing is alive and well and growing every year.

In fact, the power of marketing is greater than you probably ever thought. Here are some stats from HubSpot.com:

4.3 billion+ email accounts send 196 billion emails every day 91% of consumers check their email every day 77% of consumers prefer email for marketing communications Email has a marketing ROI of 4,300%

Use email marketing to engage your target market, bond with them, get feedback, inform, entertain – you name it. Just be sure you have reader’s permission and offer an opportunity for anyone at any time to unsubscribe. No questions asked!

You also own your email channel – which is why I call it your ‘owned’ media.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute, I write marketing and action plans that work. If you need help with your marketing or email marketing, contact me at RobinSamora.com. And check out my 50+ Google 5-Start reviews while you’re at it. Talk tomorrow!

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If you give workshops or provide training to small groups or a larger audience, I’m going to call you a speaker for easy thinking. OK? In a nutshell, you sell concepts to other people who are interested in what you have to say.

The best $10 you can spend, if you’re a speaker, is the $10 tip you’re going to give to the audio-visual tech that’s helping you set up your equipment. Now, if you’re in-house, that’s maybe not such a great idea – you can give a Starbucks card later. But, if you’re on the road, I’m all for it because you want your presentation to go off without a hitch.

Sure, you printed out the thumbnail master slides in case there’s a snafu, but your A/V tech has some skin in the game and will ensure that your presentation will work. The $10 investment just helps.

Sometimes, we’re so focused on what we have to do, we forget about the details of delivery. We forget about the team supporting us. I’m not necessarily talking about your virtual team who you should treat like gold, but the other people you don’t know, who will help you be your best.

That’s my Fast Marketing Minute tip today. Tip your A/V technician $10 and feel confident that your presentation will be flawless. And, that they’ll enjoy a nice surprise!

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Are you looking for more marketing shortcuts to grow your business? Sign up for weekly marketing insight delivered straight to your inbox at RobinSamora.com/blog. Talk tomorrow!

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Let’s talk about the 4 different types of media you need to know about and include in your marketing plan. The first is traditional media. That would be print, TV, radio – and include newspapers, magazine articles, and so on.

The second, is your own media. That’s media you create that’s yours, it’s original content, your own media channels. You own it. That could mean your website, blogs, white papers, videos, articles, infographics, branded graphics, and more. That’s content you create and no one can take from you.

Then there’s social media. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram – and other micro or niche platforms. At any time, one of these networks can take you down or lock you out, so it’s important that you have backup your information and don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

And finally, earned media. Earned media or media mention is when you’re published or someone mentions you, unpaid third-party endorsement. You’ve been featured in a blog, a magazine, received coverage on TV, or been interviewed. This is the greatest kind of media, because other people are talking about you, not just you ‘talking about you.’

That’s it. 4 Different Types of Media. Use them all or just a few in your marketing mix to build your brand, visibility, and let’s never forget – increase sales.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you’d like to get media attention and grow sales, let’s have a conversation. Contact me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Today, we’re going to talk about editorial calendars. So, what’s an editorial calendar and how can it help you grow your business? Think of an editorial calendar as a glorified excel spreadsheet with different tabs. It doesn’t have to be super complicated. And, each tab houses different content.

My editorial calendar lives on my Google Drive and a couple of different people have access to it. It’s user friendly, and not complicated because I’d never use it if it was. We have a bunch of different tabs – a social media checklist, original content, quote, blogs, events, and a tab for social media images.

After years of random approaches, this editorial calendar works best. The benefits are that everyone – including you – can see what’s on for social media this week, or blogs that are in process, or guest articles that are ready to be posted. You can also upload images for Instagram or links that you’ve curated from a source like Feedly or whether you’ve collected them on your own, or forwarded them from your Google feed.

Editorial calendars help keep you organized so that you don’t have remember everything – and it’s all in one place. What you’ve posted, what’s new, and they also serve as a reminder for all of that glorious content you have at your disposal to build your brand. You can even have a section on call to actions!

I also have a link section, where I gather articles from other experts and influencers. That provides me with the latest insider news so I can stay up to date and see what’s going on.

Did I mention you can also put links to your own blogs on your editorial calendar? Post that in your original content section.

There you have it, how editorial calendars can save you time and keep you organized.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I write marketing and action plans that work. If you need help with your marketing, contact me at RobinSamora.com. And check out my 50+ Google 5-Star reviews while you’re at it. Talk tomorrow!

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Every speaker wants to get booked – well most any way. Some insist they get paid, others are ok with getting experience, and then there are speakers who will speak for free – if they’re speaking to the perfect target audience – and they can sell from the stage.

Getting speaking engagements takes time, and if you’re busy working IN your business and not ON your business, it’s not always easy. Here’s a trick I learned a while back – see what you think of it.

If you track conferences and places where your ideal audience hangs out, and where you’d like to present, it’s easy to use this strategy. I just love it, because it saves the day for the event organizer and you’re the hero!

Let’s say you wanted to speak at the Ultimate Digital Marketing Conference in East Marketingville, Illinois, but were late in applying or you were on vacation, or honestly, it just slipped by and you didn’t even notice. No problem.

Two weeks before the event, write an email to the event organizer and tell them that you’re available as a back-up speaker, in case someone doesn’t show up. Simple as that. The event organizer will be thrilled to death, and more often than you think, there’ a situation where a speaker can’t make it. Life happens.

Another quick tip to getting a speaking gig is to check out where your competition recently spoke, even a few years back. If the topic was relevant and timely, event organizers might like another speaker in a year or two to present. You’ll probably have to check your competition’s website or the association’s, so you may want to do this in stealth mode.

These are insider tips, two of the many not so traditional ways to get speaking gigs to build your sales funnel and base of raving fans.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If your company is looking for a fun and engaging speaker on marketing – or all things marketing and how to grow your business, check out my speaker page at RobinSamora.com/speaking. I’d love to talk with you about your event goals, challenges, and what you’d like to accomplish. Talk tomorrow!

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Do you know about Quora.com? In case you don’t, it’s a website you should know about, especially if you’re an expert or authority in your field.

Quota is an online platform, where people ask questions to experts and experts in turn, answer questions. Wikipedia adds “that users can collaborate by editing questions and suggesting edits to answers that have been submitted by other users”. Sounds simple and straight forward, but what are the benefits of using Quora?

First, almost any expert I know wants to gain recognition online, so it’s easy to hang out there and claim your spot as an authority. As with any platform, you have to engage often and not be salesy – in any way. Your job is to answer questions. One of the benefits of Quora, is that the person asking questions may like what you have to say and look you up for more information.

Second, as an expert, you can see what kind of questions are being asked so you can use those same questions for content, workshops, blogs, article titles, YouTube videos and more. But to make it even better, you can see who is asking the questions, and on a reverse note – use Quora as a lead generator. So, it works both ways.

Now, there’s even advertising on Quora. Quora offers advertisers the opportunity to build credibility in the eyes of a prospect and – gives you the ability to place your ad copy between nuggets of information that relate to your product or service.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. My passion is marketing 24/7. Well give or take a few hours for sleep. If you’re finally ready to claim your spot as an expert, because enough is enough, contact me at RobinSamora.com. Let me help you build your brand. Talk tomorrow!

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So you’re media ready. You want to pitch the press. You know you’re onto something hot and want the world to know – but what the heck do you say? What do you write about? What is really press worthy?

Every week, I’m scouring the internet looking for new tools, strategies and tactics, to improve my game and be able to share with you – experts, small business owners, speakers and professionals alike, how to get a bigger bang for your buck with marketing and PR. And, as you may have remembered, my favorite two words are marketing and free.

Enter PressFarm.com. It’s a totally cool site and an amazing resource for ideas on what to pitch – with 10 cold email pitch-to-journalist templates to choose from. A few sample templates are: how to share a personal story, a company milestone or a new ground-breaking product – or just how to connect with a journalist as a resource or subject matter expert. Plus, what I love is that there are explanations, on why each paragraph is part of the pitch and why it’s important. How good is that!

When I speak around the world about marketing and free publicity, I always use PressFarm.com as an example, plus of course Buzzsumo, another favorite. We’ll talk about that later.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Let me show you how to get media attention and position yourself as a leading authority in your field. Reach out to me personally by email at Robin@RobinSamora.com or and let’s set up a call. Talk tomorrow!

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Some of you listening might be consultants out there, and from time to time get pushback about your pricing. First thing I’d like to say, is hello -- you’re worth it. Second thing, make sure you’re not using the word ‘rates’ in your proposals. Instead, use the word ‘fee’. Rates are by the hour and as a consultant you’re not necessarily getting paid hourly. You bring a whole lot more to the table and deserve to reap all the benefits of all your hard work for a professional fee.

Here’s another tip to get higher fees.

Instead of writing the word ‘training’ in your contract, you’ll receive a higher perceived value if you use the phrase – strategic work session. This positions you to charge more. Everybody and his brother does training, but if you offer strategic work sessions, you’re seen as more as a subject matter expert – who absolutely demands more.

In upcoming Fast Marketing Minutes, I’ll be reviewing all kinds of strategies where you can gain expert status, credibility and visibility, online and offline, so you can charge what you’re worth -- and have more financial freedom.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Join me in changing the way you perceive yourself and how others perceive you, because ultimately, what you perceive is what you believe. Connect with me on LinkedIn (at) RobinSamora to learn more about how you can position yourself as a subject matter expert. Just be sure to tell me where we met. Talk tomorrow!

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Everyone in business wants to grow their business, right? I mean it’s a no brainer. But we all stress so much to beat the competition, do more, be more, all at the quickest speed possible. But what if we could make it easier for ourselves and our business to be better and improve every single day.

Do you know about the 1% factor?

As a recovering perfectionist, I want to grow my business, as fast as I can and grow my expertise too. But the truth is, you can only put so much in your head at one time – and if you overload, you’ll explode. I know, I’ve been there and from time to time, my brain really hurts!

What would happen if you improved 1% everyday. Tweak one action item. Call 5 more prospects than last week. Add content to your editorial calendar – not just for a week, but for two weeks. Actually, listen to a webinar that you signed up for. Take those notes from a seminar and actually implement 2 tactics a week.

I happen to love to learn and grow. I’m inspired by what’s going on in my industry and how I can be a better marketer – and also help people, while enjoying a big, bold, and juicy life!

If you start today and make a commitment to improve just 1% a day, you’ll be on a steady course to improve. I challenge you to improve 1% every day. I’ve jumped on the brand wagon, you?

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. You be the expert you are and let me help you with what I’ve been doing for over two decades. Contact me at RobinSamora.com to talk about improving your business.

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If you want to catch someone’s attention, use curiosity as a copywriting technique, especially for blog titles and email subject lines. Ask questions. “Do you want to lose 5 pounds this month?” Or “The 3 best exercises to get 6-pack abs. Hint: It’s not crunches.”

You can also get negative – in a good way to get attention. Headlines including “greatest,” “best,” and “biggest” are overused. Instead, try using negative words. “The 10 worst things for your back.” “Why you shouldn’t shop on Amazon.” Or “7 things your babysitter does when you’re not home.” Well, that sounds a little creepy. In any case, negatives will help you break through the noise.

If you’re looking for ways to get more attention for your business or brand, ask me about setting up a strategic working session. The best way to reach me is by email at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk Tomorrow!

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Have you noticed certain people seem to have a special aura about them? They have an unmistakable impression of confidence, poise and self-awareness, and what’s more, it’s infectious.

You may think that Executive Presence is a trait that you’re either born with…or born without. I think you can cultivate an Executive Presence with practice.

Here’s How.

Learn the rules of engagement.

Always speak with intention, and from a place of deep, unwavering confidence. Keep your messages brief and to the point, but not so that they’re cryptic or incomplete.

Develop grace under fire.

The corporate world changes daily – sometimes hourly. Just when one problem is solved, another one comes up. Reacting to each new challenge is exhausting. The key is to stay calm and respond – rather than react. To practice being graceful under fire.

Polish your reputation.

Does your reputation help or hurt your personal brand? Everything others see or hear about you reflects your reputation, and tells a story about who you are. Polish your brand by taking control of the narrative. Remember: you’ve only got one brand, so protect it like gold.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Connect with me on LinkedIn (at) Robin Samora. Let me know how we met, and let’s get to know each other. Talk tomorrow!

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Looking for a marketing consultant to help grow your business? How do you choose the right person? Ideally you want someone who has a proven track record and is committed to your success.

Here are a few questions. Come up with a list of your own to make sure there’s a good fit.

What experience do you have?

A marketing consultant typically has experience in complementary industries. Advertising, sales, PR, publicity, email marketing, blogging, writing, networking and referral strategies. Combined, all skills will help solve your company’s most important marketing challenges.

How can you help my business? Can you help me?

One of the main jobs (and believe me there are many) of a marketing consultant is to create customized programs to increase sales, credibility, and visibility, online and offline. By improving your personal and professional branding at every stage of your company’s growth, you’re able to meet professional and lifestyle goals.

How do you measure success?

Measuring results is key to your success. If you hire someone to help with branding, results will be measured differently than if you hire an expert to help with email marketing. What’s important is that he or she is accountable to you and you know what that accountability is.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you need a marketing plan to grow your business, email me at Robin@RobinSamora.com. I’d love to help you. Talk tomorrow!

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I just bought a book by Jason McDonald; Marketing: Ultimate Almanac of Free Marketing Tools 2019. The reason I picked it up was that it had two keywords that piqued my interest. Marketing and free. Now you know, I love those words.

In the content marketing section, there were two tools that caught my eye:

The first was GROUP HIGH.

If you’re looking to find blogger’s contact information, emails, research blog posts, or identify influencers this is a great site. When I last checked, there was a 7-day free trial – a freemium, then it goes to premium. I haven’t signed up for the trial yet, but from a quick look at the video and dashboard, it looks like you can save a ton of time, money and resources.

The second was IGHOME.

On IGHOME you can set up a customized web page and pull content from news sources, industry publications, blogs, and more. It also works to pre-curate content – the first step in creating your editorial calendar. On the home page, enter your keywords; In my case, “What are common marketing questions”? This was a great experiment because it provided marketing questions people want answers to, and can work as an idea generator.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Want marketing insight that’s a quick read? Sign up for weekly articles on my blog, Robin’s Rainmakers at RobinSamora.com/blog. You’ll get practical information with a purpose. Talk tomorrow!

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Every business owner or brand for that matter wants greater visibility, so that they can meet their goals. For you that could mean more customers, a bigger market share, more subscribers or followers, you name it. Here’s what I tell my clients.

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One way to get more free publicity is when you repurpose blogs into industry articles or customize them for LinkedIn, Medium, even Google My Business with a different title. Switch up the copy in at least three spots: the beginning, middle and end. You can also use excerpts from your blog for social media posts, guest blogs, sound bites, branded quotes and special reports. This is your ‘owned’ content, so use it to the max. You’ll build credibility plus expert status, and Google loves that.

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Is there a particular journalist that you’d like to connect with? Create a Top 10 list of reporters you want to meet and set up a Google Alert system. That means anytime your journalist gets mentioned online, you should get notified. Why is this important? You have an inside track to what’s going on!

Now that you have this intel, make it a point to reach out to your contacts by email and establish a connection. Respond to their online comments. Send congratulatory notes for award-winning stories. Offer ideas or suggestions that they can use. Mention an article, blog or book they’ve written and share your thoughts. It’s OK to be controversial; it spices up the conversation. I don’t know one writer who doesn’t like to discuss his/her work, including me. Connect the dots of opportunity. Voilà, you could be their next resource. Just don’t be a stalker. OK?

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute and I love helping businesses and brand, up-level their sales and visibility. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next event, or to do private training, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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Want to be recognized as a credible expert? Be a resource to the media. It takes time and trust to build a relationship with the press, but it’s worth it. Follow the rules and offer interesting content, insider tips and news leads that aren’t always about you. Reporters are under tight deadlines and appreciate having a list of go-to sources. Be available 24/7 for a comment or interview, give your cell phone number, and never ask to see a story before it’s published – unless they offer for a fact check.

So, how do you become a resource? Craft a brand and brand personality that stands out. Promote your expertise. Create compelling, consistent content. Be an influencer or thought leader in your industry. Speak in front of your target audience. Be active on social media and share articles, videos, posts that align with your message. Contribute in a way that gets attention. And of course, have a website that tells the world what you do – and the problems you solve and what you believe in.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m a new marketing expert on WiseHER.com, a platform that helps entrepreneurs with advice. You can check me out there or reach me at RobinSamora.com. Talk tomorrow!

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So, you pitched the media and the editor says no. Big deal. Don’t cry. If you’re in sales, and we all are in some way, no often means “not now.” Don’t get flustered. Stay calm and keep writing. If your pitch is well crafted, it typically goes in a folder to be checked out later. Maybe the timing is off or someone is on paternity leave. You never know what’s going on in the office. Also, a major story might have come in and bumped you last minute, or there was a change in the direction of the story. This happens all the time, in magazines, newspapers, TV and it’s definitely happened to me and my clients.

Here's my advice. Reboot your mindset and think of the journalist’s or editor’s folder as your personal waiting room for media attention. Check back later to get a pulse.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. If you’re looking for new marketing ideas and an action plan to grow your business and brand, let’s have a conversation. I’m at Robin@RobinSamora.com. It’s my treat! Talk tomorrow!

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In order for you get press, free publicity, or be seen, heard and remembered, you have to decide what media -- journals, magazines and industry publications you (or your company) would like to be featured in. That includes blogs too. Google is a great tool for researching and I’m sure you have your own resources too.

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Not feeling social enough for social media? We’re all human, and it’s OK. But, your presence on social media does matter. When you’re in this kind of funky mindset and not particularly on your ‘A Game’ here’s what you can do. Share what others are saying online, comment thoughtfully, and take time to visit the online groups you signed up for, but may have forgotten. Those groups could be on LinkedIn or Facebook, private forums, community message boards or sub-reddits that you’re interested in. You can also check out Quora.

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If you do a lot of networking, you know that one of the most important people in the room is the event organizer. They usually have the inside scoop on who’s at the event, who the movers and shakers are, who you need to meet, and who to totally avoid.

If you have a particular event organizer in mind, make bonus points by asking them how you can help build their buzz. By offering to be of service, you just made yourself a willing partner and advocate who’s interested in the event organizer’s success – not just your own. Plus, you’ve started a relationship and made a connection with someone who may refer you new business or lead you to your next event or speaking gig.

What does Gary Vaynderchuk say – Jab jab jab right hook? Give give give and you’ll get. Make event organizers your best friend and they will always look out for you.

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. Would you like a cheat sheet on networking tips to grow your business? Download my free copy of How to Work a Room without Being There. It’s at RobinSamora.com/HowtoWorkaRoom. Talk tomorrow!

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Everyone knows that Google is the #1 search engine in the world and can help you find almost anything. And, if you’re a speaker, it can be one of your greatest research tools to find speaking engagements. Use Google to check out upcoming conferences that highlight your expertise and put you in front of your target audience. You can also check out who spoke at a major industry event last year or learn about new conferences that look promising.

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Have you just written a book and need reviews? Here’s an idea. Send copies of your book to industry leaders and ask for their comments. To speed up the process, create a few sample reviews as an example, but suggest they customize it, so it feels like their own.

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Are you familiar with National Today or National Day Calendar? You should be. They’re two websites that list significant (or not-so-significant dates) to help with your online and offline promotional plans. You can participate in established events, like Take Your Dog to Work Day, National Tooth Fairy Day, or even National Peanut Butter Cookie Day. Other designated weeks or months align with more serious causes, like National Bullying Prevention month and Breast Cancer Awareness month, both in October. Maximize your PR by aligning with these days (weeks or months) on social or in a pitch to local media.

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There’s never a been a better time to outsmart your competition than now. And a great way to do that is with Free PR.

Start tooting your own horn. It’s not obnoxious or evil to be smart, talented, or an expert. Promote yourself in an authentic way, even if it feels uncomfortable. Get over being uncomfortable fast, and share content, events, and posts on your website, blog, social media, and articles. And don’t forget to use relevant hashtags, especially on Instagram. There’s so much going on with Instagram right now. HubSpot has a great publication that you’ll want to download. It’s their Instagram Engagement report and you can find it on HubSpot.com.

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ven the most engaged follower will get disillusioned if you keep using the same-old, same-old social media content. Article after article, post after post is so boring. Try some new approaches. Ask for an opinion. Throw out a question and see who jumps in with an answer. People are naturally competitive, so it’s perfectly fine – in fact fun to shake it up with a quiz or contest. Even if you offer a silly prize, you’ll be surprised at the number of responses. People love to win!

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Ever think about a pop-up store as a fun and innovative way to get fast exposure? Ask a local business if you can set it up in front of or in their store, or purchase booth space at a popular local event. Bring only your best, favorite products (not your entire inventory), and think about including items that customers can’t normally get at your location to create FOMO, fear of missing out.

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Let’s face it. Social media posts can get boring if you don’t put a little zip in them. Zip for social media can mean creating graphics, adding video, and changing things up, often. One tool I love to create social media graphics with is Canva.

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Most younger audiences don’t like being targeted by brands on social media. They want to feel a connection, build trust slowly, and see the value of engaging. With social media, brands can connect with prospects and customers, listen to what’s going on, and see what’s trending. In fact, if you talk ‘at’ your customer, in particular millennials, you’ll lose them and won’t get them back.

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If you’re not familiar with best times to post on social media, there are tons of tools that can guide you. Auto-schedulers like...

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You can’t know everything about everything, and that includes social media, no matter what your age or industry.

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If you want better organic SEO, make sure you’re getting your local business NAP – name, address, and phone number on directories, online business listing sites and citation sites – anywhere online where your NAP—name, address and phone number are mentioned.

To see if you’re getting any results, provide a tracking link on each directory to see how much traffic is coming in. Be sure that you have a detailed description of your business – and if possible, a video, so customers get a sense of who you are and what you do.

I’ll start you off with a list of 5 popular directories – besides Google My Business. (BOTW) Best of the Web, AboutUs, Spoke.com, Bing Places, and Yahoo. ,

I’m Robin Samora, host of Fast Marketing Minute. I’m new on Alexa – and loving this platform! If you like these marketing tips, please give me a review on your Alexa App. Thanks so much and talk tomorrow!

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Want a handful of SEO tips to get more business and a higher Google ranking?

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Let’s talk about Social PR – the way you position yourself online. Here are a few tips:

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Did you know that more people in the world own mobile phones than toothbrushes? That’s kind of scary right? Lots of bad breath, but think of it from the perspective of a marketer. First, it’s a huge global audience! People are almost always on their cell phones, scrolling, and on social media. That’s a crazy marketing opportunity, for a world that wants to buy, and buy now.

Fast Marketing Minute with Marketing and PR Expert Robin Samora: Recent Episodes

Robin Samora