IDEAS FORWARD BLOG | PrairieSkyGroup

30 Things To Do Before, During, and After Your Webinar – Part I

Webinars or web clinics are ubiquitous. Their growth is a result of automation, the need for cost effectiveness, and our limited bandwidth. I think they also are a way for prospects to get information without having to face a sales person. As effective as they are, I’ve been an attendee at many webinars that just don’t cut it. Either there were technical issues, or the subject matter was too dull, or they had some other issue. Putting on a good webinar takes skill. Here are a few tips to help.

Marketing Automation: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I am a big believer in automating. Whenever I am faced with some arduous task, I ask myself, how can I automate it so I don’t have to do this again? I hate doing stupid manual work. And I don’t like it when my clients or employees do stupid manual work either. The interesting thing is that it’s almost always easier to do what you need manually. Or does it?

Passion, Measurement and Heisenberg

In quantum physics, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is often misstated so as to imply that simultaneous measurements of both the position and momentum cannot be made. The same is true of some very essential human traits. Measurement kills them.

Building Blocks for Internet Marketing

Here’s a model I’ve developed to think about the four basic building blocks for inbound Internet marketing: 1) Content, 2) Contacts and 3) Tools, all of which are first surrounded by a clear and concise #4; Messaging.

Are You Still Trying to Find Prospects?

A prospect recently called into one of my client’s 1-800 number. The inside sales person answering the phone asked the proverbial, “How did you find us?” Which answer would you prefer?

1. I was returning your call
2. I found you on the internet or
3. I’ve been following you for some time, and I think I need your help.

Landing Page Design Test Answers – Wanted: Woo “Lee” Masters

Overall, less is more on a landing page. You objective is to get the visitor to take an action, so capturing their attention, being direct, and guiding them to the action is what it’s all about. You have about three to five seconds to do this. Here are my answers to the test questions.

How Well Do You Perform on this Landing Page Design Test?

Design is a craft. There are lots of tools for design that make it easy for anyone to create a landing page. However, creating a well-designed B2B landing page takes much more than just an easy tool. Results are measureable in forms filled, actions taken, and leads generated. This test is based on my experience, my failures and other sources. While I would prefer to use images, the test is reduced to 15 short A/B questions. While there are exceptions to every rule, please select the A or B you used on your most recent page. Be honest.

Silver Bullets 1: Tools, Work and Craftsmanship

Silver bullets. They come in all shapes and sizes: SEO, social media, inbound marketing, marketing automation, sales force automation, tagged landing pages, new editors, video streaming, sales processes, the latest financial approach, new agencies, management gurus, and the latest new hire. They all promise greater efficiency, lower costs, time savings, more leads and sales, and have a good deal of swagger.

Are You Fukushima-ing Your Emails?

The purpose of the email is to gradually step a person into your nurturing cycle. Giving them everything in the email is like showing up on a first date with your family and a proposal for marriage. Email nurturing should be more like Ravel’s Boléro.

What is the Meaning of Mentoring, Grasshopper?

Here are six tips for more effective mentoring.