While this seems like common sense, I've come to realise that sense is not always that common :-) (Members of The Bristol Small Business Network excepted of course!)
​
One of the first rules of marketing is knowing your customers. Inside-out and back-to-front. When I ask most people who their target market is, they usually say something along the lines of "anyone with a pulse?". No, no, no!

The more specific you are about your avatars (just a posh word for perfect customers!), the better. Yes, you can have more than one avatar, but you will need to do this exercise for each of them. The more you know, the more you’ll understand how best to market to them.

Here are 11 reasons you should be building your online testimonials and reviews ... 

1. If you say you are great, your prospects think you are pushy. If your clients say you are great, then your prospect is much more likely to believe you are great!  

​2. Reviews help your brain shortcut decision-making. Have you ever been reading reviews on Amazon for a product and suddenly added it to your basket almost without thinking? Your brain thinks reviews are to be trusted, so reading a few positive ones often just gives you the urge to buy. It's seen enough. How many reviews it takes depends on your DISC profile.  (read more...)

Guest post from Paul Kurnyta from The Local Marketing Business. Thanks Paul! 
​
I could fill a small book with what I've learnt about marketing a local business over the last 10 years.

However, I've been given the target of an easily-digestible 400 words!

So, here are my top tips.

Look good online
Make sure your online profiles and website copy are complete, accurate and updated regularly. On your website, make sure the copy is accurate, relevant and gives the visitor something to consider.

Yay... Whoop, whoop... Go Jo! 

Warning...soppy post alert. 

Today I am celebrating writing six months of my Tip a Day for 365 Days challenge. ​I've questioned my sanity on more than one occasion over the last six months and honestly thought I'd lost the plot a few times! What was I thinking?
​
But I'm halfway there and it's been you lot that have kept me going. Your likes, messages, comments, words of gratitude and support really have made it all worthwhile. My passion is making a difference and that I get to do that on some small level with you lovely lot is one of the things that makes my heart sing.