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<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.8.3 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:14:16 GMT--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Customer Acquisition</title><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/</link><description></description><lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:35:11 +0000</lastBuildDate><copyright></copyright><language>en-US</language><generator>Squarespace Site Server v5.8.3 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</generator><item><title>Niche Marketing Begins with YOU</title><category>customer acquisition</category><category>niche market</category><category>niche market definition</category><category>niche marketing</category><dc:creator>Cindy Schulson</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:51:54 +0000</pubDate><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/2009/11/11/niche-marketing-begins-with-you.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">148834:3861201:5768428</guid><description><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><img src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/differentiate yourself.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257980087941" alt="" /></span>In order to succeed online, you have to differentiate yourself. But it's hard to stand out when you market your business without a distinctive set of prospects in mind. Differentiation is only one of the many benefits of niche marketing. This article will share the advantages of <strong>niche marketing</strong> and provide a game plan on how to get started.</p>
<h4><strong style="font-size: 150%;">Benefits of Niche Marketing</strong></h4>
<p>There are many benefits of niche marketing, including the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;<strong>Easier to become an expert. </strong>By focusing on a niche, you become an expert at providing your service or product.</li>
<li><strong>Focus your marketing resources</strong>. In knowing your niche, you understand their buying habits and how to reach them. </li>
<li><strong>Tailor your services</strong>. When you serve a particular niche, you can offer products and services that meet their specific needs and what they are motivated to buy.</li>
<li><strong>Speak their language</strong>. When you understand the needs and the language of your niche, the better you can communicate the value of what you offer, and the more you can speak directly to their unique situation.</li>
<li><strong>Differentiate yoursel</strong>f. In targeting a niche, you can significantly reduce your competition and create a distinctive personal brand.</li>
<li><strong>Earn more money</strong>. As an expert, you can command higher fees, and leverage your efforts into multiple income streams.</li>
</ul>
<h4><span style="font-size: 150%;">Niche Market Versus Target Market</span></h4>
<p>While "niche market" and "target market" are often used interchangeably, there is an important distinction.</p>
<p>&nbsp;A <strong>target market</strong> is the group of people most likely to buy your product or service. They are the people to whom your product is being marketed &nbsp; A <strong>niche </strong>adds another dimension. A niche combines your target market with what you are helping them with. &nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>Niche = target market (who) combined with the problem you are solving/need you are fulfilling (what)<br /> </strong></em><br /> <br /> Your &ldquo;who&rdquo; is your target market. When you combine your &ldquo;what&rdquo; with your &ldquo;who&rdquo;, you have your niche.</p>
<p>For instance, say you are a network marketer and you sell non-toxic cleaning products. Your target market could be people with asthma, while your niche is people with asthma who are looking for natural solutions to improve their health. &nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/solution 2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257980130078" alt="" /></span>The key to understanding niche marketing is realizing that people don&rsquo;t buy a service or product, they buy a solution. That solution can help them solve a problem or achieve a goal. When you become <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the</span> solution provider for your target market, you are a winner. &nbsp;</p>
<h4><strong style="font-size: 150%;">Where Do You Start?</strong></h4>
<p>So where do you start first? With your &ldquo;who&rdquo; or your &ldquo;what&rdquo;? &nbsp;</p>
<p>You might start by looking at yourself. What are you great at? What do you enjoy doing? What kind of experiences have you had that you&rsquo;re most proud of? Then do some research to figure out what target market needs you can meet. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Or you can go the other way. &nbsp; Who do you like to work with? Who is your ideal client? Now what can you offer that ideal client that is special and different? &nbsp;</p>
<p>Both approaches work but I think it is<strong> best to start with YOU</strong>. &nbsp; You can&rsquo;t be great at everything, but there is an area in which you have something special to offer -- a unique skill or perspective or approach.&nbsp;Now, you just have to figure out who wants what you have to offer. &nbsp; And are they willing to pay for it? There is no sense in going after a niche if they aren&rsquo;t willing to pay money for what you have to offer. &nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/you are unique.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257980212694" alt="" /></span>Keep in mind that you can&rsquo;t be all things to all people. In fact, you don't want to. &nbsp; What is unique about you and what you have to offer? Before you get intimidated, remember two key things: &nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li>What you have to offer doesn&rsquo;t have to be revolutionary, but it has to be compelling.</li>
<li>Your unique offering doesn&rsquo;t have to be compelling to everyone, it just has to be compelling to your target market.</li>
</ol>
<p>There has to be synchronicity between what you have to offer and what your target market wants. When you find that connection, you can identify your niche. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Remember, there is only one YOU, and you will ultimately attract those who find you compelling. Be true to yourself and you have the ability to help other people in ways that nobody else can. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/cindy small tree.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257979952430" alt="" /></span>C<strong>&nbsp;</strong>indy Schulson </strong>is a small business and attraction marketing coach. She helps entrepreneurs identify their niche so they can differentiate themselves and focus on more effective marketing. As a result, they can leverage their business and create multiple streams of income.</p>
<p>As a member of the International Coach Academy and Coaching Cognition, Cindy Schulson brings both coaching experience and over 20 years of business experience to help you build a successful business. Contact her to schedule a <a href="http://www.homebusinesswins.com/about-me/">free 45 minute coaching session</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/rss-comments-entry-5768428.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>The Difference Between Sales and Marketing and How to Be Good at Both</title><category>customer acquisition</category><category>customer focused</category><category>difference between sales and marketing</category><dc:creator>Cindy Schulson</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:14:06 +0000</pubDate><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/2009/10/5/the-difference-between-sales-and-marketing-and-how-to-be-goo.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">148834:3861201:5406997</guid><description><![CDATA[<div id="module11636217" class="module textmodule">
<div class="write_module">
<h4><strong><span>What is the difference between <span class="IL_SPAN">sales and marketing</span>?</span><br /></strong><br /><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/sales%20and%20marketing.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1254792066216" alt="" /></span></span></h4>
<p>People often confuse the two or assume they are one and the same.<br /><br />You use <strong>marketing</strong> to bring you qualified prospects and use <strong>sales</strong> to close the deal and build relationships with people.<br /><br />In other words, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">definition of marketing</span> is everything you do to reach and persuade prospects to give you a chance to sell them. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sales</span> is what you do to close the sale and get a signed agreement or contract.<br /><br />In the world of <a href="http://www.renegadeuniversity.com" target="_blank">internet marketing</a>, the marketer drives people to the website, and the&nbsp;sales person is the one who forms a relationship with the prospects and closes the deal.<br /><br /><strong>Good marketers and sales people have one thing in common: they both begin by putting their&nbsp;customers first and developing solid <a title="relationship marketing" href="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/relationship-marketing/" target="_blank">customer relationships</a>.</strong><br /><br /><span>To be effective at both marketing and sales, you need to identify your <a href="http://www.homebusinesswins.com/attraction-marketing/2009/9/13/marketing-segmentation-how-to-identify-your-target-market.html"><span class="IL_LINK_STYLE">target market</span> </a>and understand their needs. </span></p>
<p>What are their hot buttons and core emotional desires? People buy with their emotions and justify with logic. So before you start rattling off a bunch of features, ask yourself, ""what does it mean to them specifically and how will it benefit them?"<br />&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<div id="module55342862" class="module textmodule">
<h4><strong>Seven Reasons People Buy&nbsp;</strong></h4>
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<div class="write_module">
<p><img id="moduleImage55342862" class="write_image" src="http://static.squidoo.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2186021module55342862photo_1251943835woman_with_gifts.jpg" alt="" align="left" />Good&nbsp;marketing and sales start with understanding what your customer wants.<br /><br />If you know what people want, then you're 90 percent of the way there.<br /><br />So how do you find out what people want?</p>
<p>Talk to people one-on-one. Listen to the requests they make, the questions they ask and their complaints. Also, look at the information they make public on forums, blogs and other social media. These are a goldmine of information about what people want.<br /><br />&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Supplement your research with an understanding of the 7 reasons people buy:<br /><br />1. Make money<br />2. Save money<br />3. Save time<br />4. Save effort<br />5. Improve health<br />6. Increase pleasure<br />7. Elminate pain</p>
<div class="break">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
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<div id="module55342852" class="module textmodule">
<h4>Why Don't People Buy from You?&nbsp;</h4>
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<div class="write_module">In most cases, negative emotions are a lot more powerful than positive emotions. Too often, sales focuses on why people should buy from you vs. why people don't buy from you.<br /><br /><strong>There are typically four reasons people won't buy from you.<img id="moduleImage55342852" class="write_image" src="http://static.squidoo.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2186021module55342852photo_1251943957doorsales.jpg" alt="" align="right" /></strong><br /><br />1. They don't know you<br />2. They don't want what you're selling<br />3. They don't want what you're selling more than what they would have to give up to get it<br />4. They don't believe you<br /><br />Make their concerns and doubts the focus of your attention first.<br /><br />This is especially important in <strong>network marketing</strong>, given how skeptical most people are about this industry.</div>
<div class="write_module"><br /><span>Its funny that most <span class="IL_LINK_STYLE">network marketing companies</span> say "we don't sell products we just share information". That helps people who are afraid of sales feel less intimidated by the process. But the truth is that network marketing does involve sales. It also requires marketing.</span><br /><br />Be honest, upfront and straightforward with people. Not only will this earn trust, but it will allow you to differentiate yourself. The bigger you make your claims (about your business or product), the more you blend in with everyone else. Tone down your claims and show genuine concern for people's interests. Its a win-win solution.</div>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>About the Author</h4>
<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span>&nbsp;</span></span><strong><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/cindy%20small%20tree.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1254792136625" alt="" /></span></span>Cindy Schulson </strong>is a small business and attraction marketing coach.&nbsp;She helps entrepreneurs get results faster by leveraging their strengths and building a solid foundation for success.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<div>In particular, she helps you identify <em>who</em> you want to attract <em>(target market),</em> <em>how</em> to attract them <em>(attraction marketing)</em> and what makes you <em>different</em> so that people will want to work with YOU (<em>Unique Selling Prosposition).</em></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>As a member of the International Coach Academy and Coaching Cognition, Cindy Schulson brings both coaching experience and over 20 years of business experience. Contact her for a <a href="http://www.homebusinesswins.com/about-me/">free 45 minute coaching session</a>.</div>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/rss-comments-entry-5406997.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Customer Loyalty Won with Good Communication</title><category>Renegade University</category><category>communication</category><category>customer acquisition</category><category>customer loyalty</category><category>customer satisfaction</category><category>marketing</category><category>relationship</category><dc:creator>Pat Campbell</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:19:48 +0000</pubDate><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/2009/7/27/customer-loyalty-won-with-good-communication.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">148834:3861201:4762589</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>Customer Loyalty in this age of instant communication is earned by how you are able to convey your <span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/100 Guarantee.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1248720129019" alt="" /></span></span>ability to deliver old fashion service and guarantee customer satisfaction. You as a business owner can make sure your customer understand the benefits of the ease and comfort of doing business with a known supplier (you) who always delivers.</p>
<p>Using the tools of new technology goes a long way to help you get that message out. It is true that you lose some of the attributes of face to face conversation such as body language, eye to eye contact, a firm handshake. Or do you?</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/rss-comments-entry-4762589.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Good Customer Service Builds Your Customer Base and Customer Loyalty</title><category>Good customer service</category><category>Renegade University</category><category>customer acquisition</category><category>customer base</category><category>customer loyalty</category><category>customer trust</category><category>relationship marketing</category><dc:creator>Pat Campbell</dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:36:39 +0000</pubDate><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/2009/7/18/good-customer-service-builds-your-customer-base-and-customer.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">148834:3861201:4670137</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; color: black;">Good customer service becomes an added value in your internet marketing content.<span> </span>Beginning with your <span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/customer satisfaction2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1248145414232" alt="" /></span></span>central location, whether it is a blog or website, your visitor looks for assurance that their customer needs will be met.<span> </span>This is perhaps more so with internet marketing for the simple reason, initially there is no personal contact. You have a wonderful opportunity for establishing a <strong><a href="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/relationship-marketing/">relationship in your marketing</a></strong> to your customer by following some simple steps in customer service.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; color: black;">This article outlines proven strategies that enhance the success rate in "closing the sale", or as another would say, "opening the door" for long happy customer relationships.</span></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/rss-comments-entry-4670137.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Customer Acquisition Requires a Mix of Skills</title><category>basic</category><category>customer acquisition</category><category>customer focused</category><category>relationship marketing</category><category>usp</category><dc:creator>Pat Campbell</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:10:05 +0000</pubDate><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/2009/7/11/customer-acquisition-requires-a-mix-of-skills.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">148834:3861201:4595840</guid><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Four Basics in Consumer Focused Marketing</strong></p>
<p>Here is a discussion of four basic elements to have in place when you are setting up your customer acquisition marketing platform. Customer acquisition is a skill set that we actually have as infants.&nbsp; Who doesn't respond to a baby's cry.&nbsp; Over time though we learn not to ask for things, we learn not to put ourselves forward.</p>
<p>Becoming a marketer requires undoing those "buckles" and releasing learned behaviour. You can really let your personality shine through.&nbsp; Your product or service reflects who you are as a person and the basic value you bring to the marketplace is you. In fact customer acquisition is all about<a href="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/relationship-marketing/"> relationship marketing.</a></p>
<p>Four basic steps can keep your business moving forward.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1"> </ol>
<p style="margin-left: 18pt;"><strong><em><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 75px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/Hands_coffee1_xenia.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1247351194779" alt="" /></span></span>1. Solution:</em></strong><span> </span>Is what you are marketing really responding to your consumer demands/problem or need?<span> </span>You figure this out by spending time considering your <strong><a href="http://renegadeuniversity.com">Unique Selling Proposition (USP)</a>.</strong> Your personality reaches out to your market when you know who you are and the solution you are offering to your market. For example,</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/rss-comments-entry-4595840.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Customer Acquisition, Promotional Actions with Results</title><category>consumer driven</category><category>customer acquisition</category><category>customer acquisition</category><category>usp</category><dc:creator>Pat Campbell</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:03:57 +0000</pubDate><link>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/2009/7/11/customer-acquisition-promotional-actions-with-results.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">148834:3861201:4595718</guid><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Customer Acquisition, Promotional Actions with Results</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Marketing<span> </span>Questions<span> </span>to Ask Before You Start</strong></p>
<p><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 65px;" src="http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/storage/pensive.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1247345678569" alt="" /></span></span>Who are your customers? What are those customers thinking about? What needs do your customers have that you can meet?<span> </span>What time have you spent figuring out who your target market is and what they want? What language does your target market most likely respond to? How do they want their needs met? Do they purchase online, or prefer a bricks and mortar business? Is your marketing sensitive to your customer? What keywords are your customers searching?<span> </span></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>USP &ndash;Unique Selling Position </strong></p>
<p>Answering all the question and taking time to carefully inventory who you are and how your personality reaches your market, creates your USP.<span> </span>Ann Sieg has a powerful tutorial at <a href="http://www.renegadeuniversity.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Renegade University</span></span></a> in the Renegade Classroom to assist you with this process.</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://agloco-blog.squarespace.com/customer-acquisition/rss-comments-entry-4595718.xml</wfw:commentRss></item></channel></rss>