A Marketing Framework: Preneur Hierarchy is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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Hey Gang,

Are you the bottleneck in your business?

Marketing online (or off) is a “team sport” nowadays. But finding a team, and managing them, can be difficult. (A lot of people I know who are outsourcing are getting frustrated while their outsourcers miss deadlines and fail to get the quality of work done that’s truly needed.)

That’s why the guys over at Noble Samurai asked Davey J and I to put together a brand-new Video Series that reveals the RIGHT WAY to do Outsourcing.

They’ve just released the 2nd video which you can check out over at:

http://www.noblesamurai.com/blog/outsourcing/outsourcing-video-2-the-content-leverage-system-2761/.

In this video, I talk about:
●   How to become a market leader in your niche in just 30 minutes a day
●   How to systemize content creation to produce high-quality videos, audio and reports -– all on auto-pilot
●   Why you should only work on the core elements of your content creation, and outsource the ‘mechanics’
●   How to ethically hijack traffic from some of the most popular web properties like YouTube, iTunes and top article directories
●   The 11-step process that quickly and easily creates thousands of high-quality backlinks to your site
●   Plus much, much more!

You’re guaranteed to get some gold nuggets out of this free blog series.  If you want to know the secret of how to work ON your business rather than IN your business, you need to watch these two videos.

Enjoy,
Pete

Outsourcing Made Easy is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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If you’ve been playing along at home and enjoying the podcasts for awhile, you’d be aware of the two PreneurCast podcast episodes that have stood out from the pack: the 7 levers episode and the mastermind episode.

Out of all the episodes Dom and I have recorded so far, these two got the biggest response of tweets and emails telling us how much they learnt and what they’ve got by implementing the strategies we shared.

So I thought I’d run an idea past you all.

What if we put the two powerful concepts together: the power of a structured weekly mastermind group of like-minded, goal-oriented entrepreneurs, mixed with the power the 7 levers can bring your business when implemented into your business over a structured 7-week period?

So what I’m thinking is a small mastermind group of maybe 6 or 7 PreneurCast listeners, myself and Dom – ok, so Dom doesn’t know this yet; but he’ll be on board…

…and we meet each week for around 90 minutes to work on each other’s business.

Every week over the 7-week period, we’ll delve deep into each one of the 7 levers, and mastermind how we can implement them in each person’s business.

We’ll cover:

●  increasing the traffic to your business
●  increasing the opt-in rate you’re currently getting
●  different strategies for skyrocketing your sales team’s conversion rates
●  ways to increase your average sales value (we’ll spend an entire week on this)
●  ways to make your customers buy per items per sale
●  …and some really cool and easy ways to increase the number of times your customers buy from you each year
●  plus a tonne more stuff which will result in your profits increasing.

…and the beauty of the 7 levers, as you know, is that we only need to increase each of the 7 elements by just 10% and it will result in the profits of your business almost doubling.

Let me say that again for you… if you haven’t already got it from listening to The 7 Levers PreneurCast episode.

Here’s what it will do for you.

If you just increase each of the 7 levers by just 10%, the profits you’ll be able to take from your business will almost DOUBLE.

That’s means in just 7 weeks, by increasing each of these 7 levers by just 10%, you’ll be taking home a bunch more cash each and every week.

This is going to be more than the typical ‘business development’ course you invest in, read and have to implement on your own… we’re going to get together EVERY week and work ON your business together to make sure to take action and implement what we cover quickly and effectively.

Now, there are three major factors that make this important to you and your business right now.

Firstly, with the economy in its current state, it’s vital for your business, whether it’s an online business, a service business or a bricks and mortar business, to make sure you are getting the most of what you’ve got. And that’s what the ’7 Levers’ are all about — maximising what you’re currently doing in your business. Getting just that extra 10% from each of the 7 levers which will result in your businesses profits almost doubling.

Mix that with the fact that the world is getting smaller which is making it easier for your competition to reach your clients and steal them from right under your noise. You need to have a proven system you can go to, rely on and implement in your business.

And with the power of online tech like GoToMeeting, we can conduct this effortlessly each week to make sure you not only get the lesson delivered directly to you no matter where you are, but we can easily communicate with the entire group during our mastermind calls.

So if you’re interested, here’s what you need to do.

Fire off an email right now to support [at] preneurgroup [dot] com with the subject line ’7 Levers Mastermind’.

As I said, we’re only going to have a handful of people in this mastermind group and it will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Now, there will be an investment for this; but I can guarantee you it will not be anywhere near the $5000 I usually charge as a minimum for personal coaching. (Think Groupon-style discounts here.)

This will be the first mastermind-style group I’ve ever done as a ‘coaching group’…  I’ve participated in many groups, as I mentioned on the mastermind episode. It was a mastermind group that got me my first book deal, got me introduced to the team at Ernst + Young which resulted in me being a Southern Region Finalist in their Global Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and so much more…

I won’t be charging anywhere near what I charge for one-on-one; but I also know I’ll never charge anywhere near as low as this first mastermind group will cost.

So if you want to work with not only me, but Dom and a handful of other proactive entrepreneurs, shoot an email to support [at] preneurgroup [dot] com with the subject line ’7 Levers Mastermind’ and we’ll be in touch.

Pete

P.S.  And if you’re keen, there’s no obligation on any level; but we will fill the spots on a first-come, first-served basis. So email us right now to ensure you’re at the head of the pack.

I look forward to working with you to implement the 7 levers in your business. And if it’s not for you right now, Dom and I will catch you next week for another PreneurCast episode.

Here’s What I’m Thinking is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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There are a lot of people out there peddling their ‘marketing advice’ and the only real substance they have to their credibility, is the fact they where able to sell you.

“Well you found out about me, so I must be good at lead generation (and marketing) … so buy my shit.”

And as true and self evident of a statement as that is … is it really congruent with the type of expert, advisor or mentor you want (or want to be)?

If you’re an “online marketer” then find someone who has sold real stuff, to real people online.

If you’re a small “real world” business, find someone who marketed (successfully) a “real world business”

If you’re looking for a business coach, make sure they have run multiple businesses (successfully), and not just bought a franchise

Don’t get me wrong, I really do encourage people to do a ‘Marketing Apprenticeship’ ¹

Go out and ‘learn by doing” – Find a small business who needs traffic, and work on their Google Places listing /// Help a friend raise some awareness for their new book with some SEO /// Help get donations for the local animal hospital via Facebook or Publicity.

BUT the idea of an Apprenticeship is that

• Every party involved knows you are still learning
• Your compensation level is linked with the point above
• You don’t position yourself as a guru
• Did I mention an apprentice is still learning and not paid like a pro.

Just don’t start selling your advice, until you’ve got some actual real-world runs on the board.

Just because you’ve made some money in the stock market, doesn’t allow you to become a broker.

Just because you helped your niece with her long division, doesn’t mean you get to teach astro physics.

Just because you’ve built your Ikea TV stand, doesn’t make you a site manager on a Trumps next 80 floor skyscraper.

Just because you put a Wiggle Band-Aid on your 4year olds knee after soccer, doesn’t give you the right to oversee a triple-by-pass.

… all these professions require accreditation before you can educate others.

But when it comes to marketing and general business building advice, it seems everyone and their VA Ghostwriter can bottle something up and charge an arm and a leg.

When my first book was released, my good friend, mentor and best-selling author Steve McKnight gave me a piece of advise that continues to resinate (and drive me)

OK, so you’ve done it for yourself… but you have to do it for others now.

I had to go out and prove that what I’d done was replicable.

Until you get testimonials, case-studies and a track record of others implementing your processes, system and frameworks – you’re just lucky.

And it’s in these third party endorsements and successful “students” that your tribe will be born.

But, there is no congruency or ethics in charging others a fortune, while you get that track record.

Hang on a second

They say¹; Teaching is the best way to learn

Does this age-old adage contradict everything I’ve just said ?

Well yes and no…

I agree that as I’ve (sporadically) written this blog and given numerous public presentations at no charge I’ve been able to refine my own thinking, mould my frameworks and improve on my ideas.

So with a resounding yes, the best way to learn is to teach.

.. but this “learning disguised teaching” shouldn’t have a price tag.

It should be given away in the form of stories, opinions, case-studies, test results, podcasts, presentation and blog posts.

Let these disguised teachings, build an audience, develop testimonials and third-party endorsements.

… and from that you can build a proven platform you can sell.

Have I personally been consistent with this philosophy ?

I hope so, but in hindsight properly not… like everyone I’ve slipped off the apple cart a few times. (and that’s just part of learning too)

I do know marketing, lead generation and conversion though. I’ve sold millions in everything; from sports memorabilia, to B2B products, to a range of tangible consumer goods and a full gamut of service offerings.

… and the latest intangible? AIR².

And that’s where I attempt to focus my “advice” & teaching” (read: sharing of experience)

I do my best to try and limit my writing + speaking on topics such as financial management, HR and the legalities of business – because I haven’t come close to mastering those things yet.

… and when/if I do, I try as best I can to frame those as opinion pieces; just like this post you’re reading now….

Because I know and admit, I’m still in my apprenticeship in those areas of business

The Problem With Self Evident Marketing is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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Speaking of software:
http://www.preneurmarketing.com/SoftwareSystem.

For those of you saw my post the other day about ‘My Crazy Idea‘,
you’ll want to check this out as well.

It talks about why software is the most profitable business and why it’s so easy to sell!!
http://www.preneurmarketing.com/SoftwareSystem

Enjoy,
Pete

p.s. I also think I’ve worked out how I’m going to make that ‘crazy idea’ work … I’ll let you know in a day or 3.

p.p.s. In the meantime make sure you check out Trey’s video.

How’s the Timing… is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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A Crazy Idea – I Need Your Feedback is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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Hey Gang…

Check This Out –
www.GoingAnalogue.com

As Frank Kern (finally) mentioned this week during his 2011 State Of The Internet Address - “Most of us are probably making the same mistake… most people are just relying on the internet to get customers.”

I’m amazed no one else has ever really come out and said this before – because it’s fundamental to running a successful business.

I first presented on this whole ‘going offline’ concept at an exclusive online marketing event hosted by Ed Dale back in 2008 … and really loved sharing some of this stuff during all 3 Challenge.co conferences around the world in 2010.

So, after being part of this marketing community and a faculty members for Challenge.co + Challenge Plus for around 3 years and due to amazing feedback and Ed’s pushing, I have finally decided to put together a course to help you discover how to boost your website’s traffic + increase conversion rates with a bunch of little known, yet easily implemented offline marketing techniques.

If you don’t use offline techniques to generate new business you are literally leaving money on the table, it’s pretty obvious… BUT

I see so many people obsessed with running an online business and doing online marketing. So obsessed, they become blinkered and forget they are actually running a real world business with only a single channel to market – which is the web.

Whatever you sell, the chances are you have a bigger marketplace offline – people who don’t avidly search Google every day for your services – yet people who would still buy what you do or what you sell.

Have you ever stopped to consider these people, this untapped marketplace and these new and undiscovered channels to market?

… and the best bit is, in the program I show you how you can put easily implementable systems in place so you can use and leverage what you’re already doing in your “online marketing” to reach these people offline – very very cost effectively.

There is a short 6min video covering everything about the course, and why I (along with Ed Dale + Frank) think this is going to be one of the biggest shifts in the internet marketing community in 2011.

Check it all out at:
www.GoingAnalogue.com

Speak soon,

Pete

Someone Agrees With Me – Finally !! is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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Going Pro With Ed Dale is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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It’s an everyday, run of the mill excuse.

It gives you an out-clause, a justification for not ‘shipping’

Time is something that’s definite, not infinite – you can’t produce more time, so if you don’t have it, how can you be expected to ‘ship’, to produce that blog post, that product or even return that phone call.

If you’re on a journey … a path to shipping … a marathon.

You don’t have time time watch that TV show, you have to fit in that 30min training run.

You don’t have time to watch that cat on YouTube, you’ve got that article to write.

You don’t have time to learn that ‘next big thing’, you’re too busy implementing.

Where ever and when ever you see someone who has ‘time’ it’s because they know their outcome, and they KNOW how to say NO.

Time is chewed up by saying YES.

Yes, I can do that thing you asked of me.

Yes, I have room for that new course.

Yes, I have time up my sleeve.

It only takes a couple of ‘times’ a week to run a marathon.

- a couple of planned, consistent, focused ‘times’ a week to run a marathon.

It only takes a couple of ‘times’ a week to build a million dollar business.

- a couple of ‘times of critical focus’ a week to build whatever you want!

It only takes a couple of ‘times’ a week to produce that product.

- a couple of ‘times of critical focus’ a week to ship that new product.

It only takes a couple of ‘times’ a week…

- a couple of ‘times of critical focus’ a week to …

You Don’t Have The Time is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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Thought I should share this video on the blog.

A few days ago, I got an email asking for some advice regarding outsourcing and working with Virtual Assistants.

Rather than, just responding to the email… I thought I would throw together a quick video covering my Top 5 Implementable Tips + Techniques for getting the most from your virtual assistant team and outsourcing.

Email Template

In the video I talk about a daily email I require all my VA’s to send… Given the response this has gotten when I’ve mentioned it in the past.. I’ve put it here for you to cut-n-paste.

[[ Please Take The Last 5mins Of EVERY Day To Complete The Following 5 Questions & Email Them To Me Before Your 'Sign Off' ]]i. What was the plan for today?
What was on the to-do list at the beginning of the day + how long do you estimate the task to take

ii. What was achieved today?
What tasks from i. were actually completed today + how long did they actually take to complete.

iii. What wasn’t achieved today, and why?
It’s OK if you don’t always complete the objectives for the day – some tasks take longer than a day, some times things are out of your control etc etc.
But, if you don’t complete a planned task, I would like to know why AND what you did about it…
i.e. Couldn’t login in to X site, and send a support ticket | Waiting on X for a response; but left 2 messages etc

iv. What do you need from me [Pete], and BY WHEN?
If you need answers, input, feedback, other stuff from me to continue working on a project; please note ALL the details in this section. So I can get them too you.
Please order these in ‘due date’ – so the stuff you need first from me, should appear at the top of the list
Also, please leave the ‘tasks’ on this list until they are completed by me.
[It's only fair that I am accountable to you as well]

v. What’s the plan for tomorrow?
This is simply an overview, of what you have planned for tomorrow + an estimate of how long each task will take.
This will obviously, become the list for point i. the next day.

That’s it, 5 questions.. 5 minutes – 1 email.

Hope this helps you grow your business…

Pete

P.S. 3 other blog posts from the inter-webs on outsourcing worth reading are:
http://lifehacker.com/5488130/fiverr-outsources-your-small-jobs-for-5
http://imsimple.com/12-tips-on-outsourcing/
http://thelifedesignproject.com/outsourcefreelance/

5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Virtual Assistants + Outsourcing is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams
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