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In this issue:
• Marketing Article: How To Make Marketing Simple
• Marketing Article: 8 Secrets to a Profitable Trade Show

52 pages written in an easy-to-read format with step-by-step instructions, we show you how to write effective press releases to get journalists to "take notice". We don't stop there! Our book gives you the tools to locate the niche media for your distribution. The end result: reaching your targeted audience. Included in the book are:

Available now for only $29.95 throughout October! Order online at: http://www.marketingsource.com/pressreleases/press_release_kit.html

Quite a few clients have told me that marketing is difficult for them. It is difficult to get started with marketing; it is difficult to figure out how to market, and it is difficult to understand how to market effectively. Even if you are already using marketing techniques to promote your business, there is no guarantee that your marketing efforts will bring the results you are looking for.

I have put together a simple plan for you to take charge of your marketing and to simplify at least some of the process. Here are five marketing steps:

- Define What Needs To Be Done. What are you marketing? Is it a product or a service? What are the results you are looking for? Would you like to generate more sales, more leads, more partners? Which online marketing techniques are you planning to use? Search engine optimization, article marketing, newsletter publishing? The better you define these points, the easier it will be for you to put your marketing plan into motion.

- Break Your Plan Into Bite-Size Pieces. Divide-and-conquer is a proven, time-tested technique for managing complicated tasks. If your goal is to optimize your web site for search engines, your bite-size pieces will include learning about search engine optimization, performing keyword research, optimizing your pages, optimizing your copy, etc. It is much easier to follow along when you map out the steps.

- Understand The Marketing Process. It is really difficult to apply a marketing technique if you do not have a good understanding of the process. For example, if you do not know how to use article marketing to promote your business, you will not be able to use it to market. Learning about marketing is essential. It will help you market now, and you can use your newly acquired marketing knowledge to continue marketing your business for years to come.

- Don't Try to Do Everything At Once. Don't start using five marketing techniques at the same time. You will simply end up jumping from one method to another, without spending a proper amount of time on any one of them. If you do not devote sufficient time to applying a marketing technique, you will not get results. Take some time to learn and apply a new marketing technique. Then, once you are seeing results, move on to the next one.

- Track Your Results. Tracking your results (or lack thereof) helps you understand what has produced results and what hasn't. It also helps you compare different marketing methods and to determine which one(s) produce better results for your business.

Use this five point plan to better market your business and get results from marketing your business online.

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Learn how to make marketing simple! Biana Babinsky is the online business coach, expert and author who has taught many solopreneurs how to become better known online, get more clients and make more money. Now you can learn all of her online marketing secrets, described in simple steps, in the Complete Step by Step Online Marketing Course at www.avocadoconsulting.com/rlinks/zcourse.

Associations and non-profit groups are a powerful resource for building and expanding networking and business opportunities, finding jobs, evaluating goods and services, and industry publications.

Our database puts you in direct contact with these organizations.

You couldn’t contain your excitement and eagerly reserved exhibit space at the upcoming regional trade show. I know what you were thinking…”The traffic at this show will be fantastic and I’ll get more leads than I ever imagined.”

And when the show was over, you got nothing for all your hard work.

So what happened? Why didn’t your $600 booth space, $400 for collateral materials, and two grueling days on the show floor produce any meaningful results?

You got nothing because you had no valid method to address the two most critical trade show issues. First, is the show a reasonable marketing vehicle for you, and second, if so, how can you best use it to attract prospects. Without any thought, most business owners assume that a trade show in their industry is a smart decision and they plunk down big dollars with little consideration to other important details. There are many factors to consider though.

Trade shows can be one of the most productive and profitable means for promoting your company and your products. But you must know the secrets and follow a process or it’s a waste of your time and money.

1. Request information from Show Management

Don’t commit to any trade show without first requesting information from show management. What are the profiles of the attendees? How many attended last year? How are they marketing the show? These are important issues you must consider before making a commitment.

2. Create a plan – don’t just show up with a booth

Consider your goal of the show and then establish a plan. You have much more at your disposal than a table and booth: show theme, décor, signage, giveaways, literature, staffing, lead retrieval, and more. Each of these can be critical to your success.

3. Consider pre-marketing

Data is available that clearly indicates that pre-show marketing significantly increases booth attendance. A mailer or two in advance might be an appropriate component.

4. Give attendees a compelling reason to visit your booth

I have walked many trade show floors and time after time have seen booth personnel standing out front like rigid toy soldiers, with the standard stack of company brochures and business cards lined up on the table. Is there any wonder no one was interested in any of them? You don’t have to hire a clown, but do something to attract attention and let the attendees know the value you offer them.

5. Educate and train booth personnel

Your people are your greatest asset. Professionalism, knowledge, attentiveness and a big smile are always appreciated.

6. Use a system to record individual lead information

If a card-scanning lead retrieval system is not available, then create lead sheets for collecting information, or if nothing else, write on the backs of business cards. Nothing is more frustrating than to create a lot of show leads and not know what your prospects’ needs are when you follow-up with them.

7. Follow-up promptly with prospects

You’ve invested your time and money, why not maximize your results? Leads left unattended will quickly grow cold. Set a specific date and be certain all leads are contacted before then.

8. Evaluate your show ROI

Track your leads and sales for each show so you know whether or not to consider that individual one again in future years.

Profitable trade shows require much more than managing a booth space. Create an organized and systematic marketing plan and you’ll have the tools and processes you need to achieve your goals.

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Larry Baltz runs a company called More Sales – More Profits. He works with small business owners who want to get more clients and sell more products and services. Larry is a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and small business marketing expert. For his free report, “Knock-Their-Socks-Off” Promotion and Marketing, go to http://www.moresales-moreprofits.com for your copy.