Phil Lauterjung

Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

Have you been meaning to learn more about growing your business using internet tools? Not really sure where to begin? Does it sometimes (always?) seem overwhelming? Well, fear no more. Inbound Marketing University is the place for you. Learn what you want, where you want, when your want.

I came across Inbound Marketing University (IMU) about a year ago. Having dabbled with internet marketing tactics for a number of years I was looking for something more structured and comprehensive to learn more. Along came IMU and I knew I had found what I was searching for.

 Read more... (452 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Your initial reaction is, I know my customers. What the heck are you talking about? Before you get too defensive consider how many referrals you get from your existing accounts. Especially the ones you consider to be your top 10%. OK, got the number in your head? Is it as many as you would like to get? No, then keep reading; I have something that will help you.  Read more... (591 words, 1 image, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

Very early in my career I learned that key phrase all good managers teach – “Never assume”. You know the drill. They write the phrase on a whiteboard or flip chart and divide the word “assume” into three words. The point is to never make assumptions about what your prospect knows, or what you think you know about your prospect. Actually, it’s very good advice. It’s amazing how often we all (including me) violate this when it comes to our web sites.

Here are the assumptions – costly blunders – that I see most frequently.  Read more... (665 words, 1 image, estimated 2:40 mins reading time)

We all know the value of a referral. We all want referrals. We all want more referrals than we get. Here’s your chance to pay it forward so to speak. John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing started “Make a Referral Week” to highlight the value of referrals for small businesses. [Full dislosure: I am a Duct Tape Marketing Coach.]

All this week (March 8 – 12) you can participate by referring another small business that you have had a good experience working with. The goal for the week is to generate 1,000 referrals to 1,000 small businesses to highlight how a simple action can ultimately lead to millions of dollars in new business.  Read more... (197 words, 1 image, estimated 47 secs reading time)

After my post a last week about my New Grand Adventure, I have had a few people ask me why become a Duct Tape Marketing Coach? Going on the assumption that there might be a few more regular readers wondering the same thing, I thought I would explain.

As I have been blogging and twittering about sales, marketing, and social media I have become more and more interested in the plight of many small business owners. They are truly the driving force behind our economy. Many have struggled mightily during the last couple of years just to stay in business. They have watched multiple swirling events changing the way business is conducted. Marketing, in particular, has changed to the point that many old-timers hardly even recognize it today. Small businesses aren’t sure whether they should tweet, jump on facebook, get linkedin, digg, or just wait it out as a passing fad.  Read more... (478 words, 1 image, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)

I have written in the past about marketing automation and how it can help you grow your business.  Yesterday I experienced this from the customer’s perspective.  Of course, the average customer wouldn’t have recognized the use of a marketing automation system; but, it served to remind me of how effective it can be.

It was just another phone call among many others on a typical day.  This one was from a pleasant female voice with Edible Arrangements.  She asked if I remembered buying one of their arrangements last year for Valentine’s Day.  I don’t normally remember everything that I buy for my wife – probably because I buy her so much, hah .  But this time I did remember because I was in Kenya last year for the month of February, and quite far away from my wife.  Read more... (503 words, 1 image, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)