Book of the day

Coaching Excellence Series with Stephen M.R. Covey

So far in John Jantsch’s Duct Tape Marketing Coaching Excellence Series, we have had some amazing interviews, and the next session looks to be no different. On August 18th from 12pm-1pm CDT (10am-11am PDT) , John will be interviewing Stephen M.R. Covey.   They will be discussing Covey’s book ”The Speed of Trust” and cover a range of topics including leadership and authenticity.  Stephen M.R. Covey is the son of the “other” Stephen Covey of Franklin-Covey fame.

Anyone who has been in business for any amount of time knows the importance of building relationships and building trust — especially in professional services.  Professional services are invisible to the eye, difficult to measure, and nearly impossible to compare in quality until you are a customer.  That’s what makes trust so important.  The more TRUST people have in you, the QUICKER you can convert prospects into sales.  The Duct Tape Marketing refrain is: Getting people to know, like and TRUST you is what marketing is all about! 

REGISTER/LEARN MORE:  Duct Tape Marketing Coaching Excellence Series

PURCHASE THE BOOK:  Steven M.R. Covey’s “The Speed of Trust”.

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They’re just words - or are they?!

I have to admit that although I’m forcing myself to work today, my mind is elsewhere – especially since two meetings were rescheduled last minute and I find myself with unexpected time available in my day.

Where’s my mind? It’s lingering back on page 880 of Ken Folliet’s book, “The Pillars of the Earth.” I read two books a month on average, and very few capture my attention to this level. I’m DYING to know what happens next. I’m completely engrossed in the characters and plot to the point where I’m more interested in hearing about their lives than living my own. Now that’s the hallmark of good writing!

But this is a marketing blog…what does a fiction novel have to do with small business marketing?

The point is that good writing makes a huge difference.  Good writing can be the crucial difference between campaigns that flourish, and campaigns that flounder.  I see too many small business owners who want to do it themselves, write the marketing copy on their own.  On one level, I understand.  Small business owners are smart.  They can generally read and write pretty well.  Why should they pay someone write the marketing copy for them?  They’re just words.  

JUST WORDS??? Don’t underestimate words! Words are POWERFUL. Words change lives. Words change history. The Declaration of Independence is… “just words.” Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is…”just words.” Your website is filled with “just words.”

Are those words compelling? Do you get leads from your website? Or do people’s eyes glaze over as they hunt for the nugget of wisdom and authenticity under the layers of marketing mumbo-jumbo?

If you are struggling to understand what’s wrong with your website or with your marketing materials and why you aren’t getting enough leads, contact us here at Tornado Marketing for a marketing or website assessment.   Our email is Tornado@TornadoMktg.com We’ll show you how to harness your power to grow your business!

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Make Your Small Business Rule!

I spent Friday and Saturday drinking in the wisdom of Christina Comaford-Lynch, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Alex Mandossian and many other great minds who presented and attended the “Rules for Renegades Summit.“ My brain was completely on overload by the end.  So many great ideas.  So practical.  So meaty.  I’m so excited put these great ideas into action to ROCK my business.  And to rock yours!  (Believe me, my customers were definitely on my mind.  I came back with plenty of ideas to rock their businesses too!)

I took 10 full pages of notes, and I’ve already put several of these ideas into action.  When you go to a seminar, do you COMMIT and take ACTION?  Or do you revert to the every day tactical office firedrill?  Every small business should take time out to work in its STRATEGIC priorities - you know, those items that don’t have to be done right this minute, but in time, could have the greatest overall impact on your long-term viability and profitability.   If you have no idea where to begin, I recommend as a first step you pick up Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles.”  I LOVE this book - I use it like my business/life bible.

Share with us.  What three steps could you take TODAY that would move your business a step forward?  

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Get The Duct Tape Marketing book for free

Recently, I received an email from John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing. He let us know that one of his strategic partners, InfusionSoft, has asked him to conduct a webinar June 18th at 3pm CDT called “Infusionsoft & Duct Tape Marketing Reveal The Must-Know Secrets of Small Business Growth”

He asked us to pass on the following information:

The 1 hour session is free of course, but here’s the kicker -
anyone who registers and attends (they must attend!) will get a
free copy of the paperback version of Duct Tape Marketing
shipped from Amazon.

There is a 1000 seat limit, but other than that, you this should
provide a nice incentive for every lead you can get your hands
on. At the end of the session you will hear how they get your book!

If you would like to attend, go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/945297456 to register!

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Social Media - what’s the hype all about?

We have posted quite a few posts about social media. We’ve talked about blogs, twitter, linkedin and asked our readers what types of social media they use and like. John Jantsch was recently interviewed by Direct2Dell about Social Media and why they have become as powerful as they are - and how to use them more efficiently! Everytime I listen to him talk, it gets me more motivated to become more involved in the social media. There is so much out there for small business owners to use, that sometimes it is a little overwhelming. I hope that his thoughts can help you as well, click here to see his interview.

And, the book of the day is John’s bestseller - Duct Tape Marketing

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Duct Tape Interview with Tim Berry

Book of the day: Tim Berry’s On Target

John Jantsch, Author of Duct Tape Marketing, is getting ready for his next in the Coaching Excellence Series. Next week he will be interviewing Tim Berry. The seminars are free and give you a great opportunity to hear more about the success of some of the top people in the marketing business. I have enjoyed his seminars so far and definitely picked up some great advice.

 A little about Tim Berry
President and founder of Palo Alto Software, founder of www.bpplans.com, co-founder of Borland International, author of books and software on business planning, Stanford MBA, father of five, married 38 years. He has partnered with Duct Tape Marketing to create Marketing Plan Pro powered by Duct Tape Marketing.

Visit http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/coachingexcellence.html to enroll

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Business and a book

One of the most important pieces of advice anyone ever gave me for business was to never stop learning. To this day, I can’t remember who told me, but I have taken it to heart. I continually strive to learn more about business, marketing and myself. It is because of my desire to learn more about all three that I have floor to ceiling bookshelves packed with books about everything I’ve ever wanted to know.

This brings me to the reason I wrote this post - my advice to you: READ!!! I know, I sound like your third grade teacher, but it’s true. I have learned more about business and marketing in the books that I read than in the classes I took in college or the seminars I have been to. There is no limit to the amount that your business can grow when you are willing to dedicate your time and energy. Just make sure you are dedicating it to the right things. With that said, I have decided to offer my suggestion of a book that I have read that changed my life in one way or anther. I also plan on offering a new book or 2 each week, hoping that one will stick and be the help you need to make your business more successful. You’ll never know what a book can do, until you start reading.

Book to read for today

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