* robfrankel Yes, there IS a Free Clinic today, Monday, December 7, 2009. It will begin at the top of the hour, according to the clock in the upper right hand corner of your browser.
* robfrankel At that time, I'll hang out for 60 minutes, offering help to anyone who drops by with a business or branding issue, just like we've done since 1998 or so! (There are archives you can search!)
* robfrankel So grab a hot cup of something, limber up your fingers and jump on in -- it begins at the top of the hour!
* robfrankel .....aaaaaaand we're open!
I'll keep my browser open for the next hour, just in case anyone drops by.
* anita2306 Made it!
* robfrankel Hey Anita, how goes it?
* anita2306 Am trying to finish a big non-computer project, but clients are getting scarce again.
* robfrankel GOTTA keep the new biz pipeline operating 24/7
* robfrankel Thanks for the Tweet!
* anita2306 Everyone seems to be waiting for 2010
* robfrankel Funny, today is the one year exactly that I've been on Twitter and it has proven a resounding success, especially on the bottom line.
* anita2306 I have several possibles in the pipeline, but no decisions
* anita2306 LOL
* robfrankel Actually, this is PRIME TIME to contact people about 2010, because so many are planning for the year.
* robfrankel Just keep reaching out to new business. Don't worry about if you can handle it right now. Not everyone is going to sign.
* anita2306 But I cannot eat plans
* robfrankel Funny about Twitter. I seemed to have plateaued with the followings....
* robfrankel I suspect you're not stuffing the pipeline nearly full enough.
* anita2306 I was starting to think about going back to work for a company yesterday.
* robfrankel How many cold leads do you send out a day?
* robfrankel We ALL think that at some point. Then a new account rolls in and we forget all about it.
* anita2306 I am sure that I am not. None. I do not know how to do that.
* robfrankel There's an ebook for that ya know..... :D
- franchisedoctor Good to be back.
* anita2306 One client has promised referrals, so I am following up with people that she knows.
* anita2306 Yes, I have it and have read it, but it is not me.
* robfrankel NEVER rely or even start to depend on client referrals. They rarely happen.
* robfrankel Well, maybe you need to let it become a part of you. That's what I used to say, as well.
* anita2306 You'd think I would have figured that out by now.
* robfrankel But then I realized that if they don't know about the problem and they don't know me, there's no way they're going to call. So I have to do it for them.
* robfrankel Ten years ago, the LAST thing I would have done is made a cold call. WHich is probably why I was hurting 10 years ago... :D
* robfrankel Hi Franchise Doctor! How ya doing?
- franchisedoctor Anyone having good/bad results with adwords?
* robfrankel Hi Helen! Welcome aboard. We always try to let the new folks jump in first, so when you're ready, let me know!
* robfrankel I tested AdWords once, but I didn't have much luck. Probably due more to the type of client I am and the content I offer. Plus, I strongly oppose ANY program that drives people OFF my site.
* anita2306 Adwords are only useful if you have a lot of money to throw at it.
* anita2306 Organic SEO works better and long-term.
- helen Hi
I am a life coach, and my business is WithInU Life Coaching.
I struggle w/ cold calls and social networks any advice?
- franchisedoctor I've built a following of 5,000 on twitter but little $$. Just a few ebook sales. Over 4,000 click thrus tomy blog or landing pgs but no calls or contacts.,
* robfrankel Hmm...Helen, you have a URL?
* anita2306 Franchisedoctor Twitter is a push technology. You probably need a better call to action on your blog.
- helen So what is the best way to get started on Twitter?
* robfrankel FranchiseDoc, what are you doing on Twitter that you would expect $$$ from it?
* anita2306 Helen, you neet to find fellow coaches to hook up with on Twitter. Go to http://www.twellow.com to find them.
* robfrankel Helen, before we talk about Twitter, let's see your URL, so that we can see where people are landing....
- franchisedoctor Downloaded Paul Krupin's book for Kindle for PC this AM. Looking forward to the trip.
Thanks, Rob
- helen my web site
www.withinulifecoaching.com
* robfrankel Going to www.withinulifecoaching.com ...
* robfrankel Yeah, Franchise Doc, FrankelBiz is STILL beneficial....
* robfrankel Okay, Helen, we have a LOT of work to do.....
- helen what do you suggest
* robfrankel First off, your web layout reflects a lack of priority. When your eyes don't know where to go first, it graphically communicates that you have no priority in your messaging. People need to be LED THROUGH your message.
* robfrankel And you're starting off their visit by SELLING them something when they don't even know you. Not a good look nor a great probability....
- franchisedoctor On Twitter, we're providing lots of articles and info about franchising a co. or buying a franchise. Then there's forms to opt-in for further follow-up or a quote for services.
Also an opportunity to refer clients for fees. All to little/no response.
- helen so what needs to be changed
* robfrankel of course, the BIG issue here is that you have no brand strategy. We don't even see who you are or "why you should be perceived as the only solution to their problem."
That's a HUGE problem.
* robfrankel Franchise Doc, I've found that NOT selling anything on Twitter, and engaging authoritatively in discussions with pithy, professional observations works best
- helen How do i develop a brand strategy
* robfrankel So Helen, your page makes you anonymous. If I want life coaching, I want to know WAY MORE about the person who's going to coach me, and why that person is the only solution for me.
- helen Ok I understand what you are saying and why, but I am unsure how to go abou it
* robfrankel Helen, I'm assuming you haven't read "The Revenge of Brand X", which is the best bang for the buck. However, start out by describing yourself with the following:
"Unlike other life coaches, Helen....." and complete the sentence.
- franchisedoctor We've found that people searching "how to franchise my biz" provides a decent yield in Adwords. Thought Twitter might bring some who haven't yet posed the question in their mind.
* anita2306 FD what is your Twitter handle?
* robfrankel Franchise Doc, I've found that Twitter works best when you're engaged in conversations with stakes players, people who are deeply involved in the subject matter.
* robfrankel Helen, have you been to http://www.revengofbrandx.com?
There's a fun "Branding IQ Test" there.
- franchisedoctor FranchiseDoctor Go figure
* anita2306 Are you following the FranchiseKing? Take a look at his stream
* anita2306 Joel has branded himself as the expert on Twitter.
- franchisedoctor Yes, I'm familiar with FKing.
* robfrankel Helen, once you get through some of the branding basics, you'll see why things aren't working. And you REALLY don't want to work hard at marketing only to have people land at a site like this. They won't buy.
* anita2306 I tell my clients, and I have done this as well, that first you need to brand yourself as the expert, and then sell people. I am @searchguru on Twitter.
- helen Is the problem with the web design or the content
* robfrankel And I can't tell you how many hacks and frauds are passing themselves off as branding people on twitter, but I've pulled business as "brandingexpert"
* robfrankel Helen, your problem is BOTH design AND content, IMHO.
* anita2306 Helen, the problem is the content (and the meta tags, but I'll hold off)
* robfrankel The design doesn't lead people from step one to step two, etc. And the content is generic. Cover your logo and you'll see that ANY life coach could be saying the things you say.
* anita2306 FD I am looking at your stream. You need to be giving out information about franchises, lioke news, etc. Not just quotes and one liners.
* robfrankel You site does nothing to inspire or cultivate confidence in YOU. In fact, there's no mention of why anyone should invest in you. I'm sure that's killing off the majority of prospects.
* anita2306 Also, I do not see any interaction with other people. That is the main reason for Twitter, Engage!
* robfrankel Believe it or not, Helen, your ABOUT page makes a better presentation than your home page
* robfrankel Hey LexChel! Welcome back!
- helen Wow sounds like I have made a lot of expensive mistakes
* robfrankel Helen, the good news is that you can stop making those mistake and thus stop losing money and turn things around.
- franchisedoctor Anita, all the links provide insight into the the hows & whys of franchising. Like activity is strong... Just no direct contac
* anita2306 brb, need coffee...
* robfrankel Helen, you have over ten years of counseling???? And you're burying that fact?
* robfrankel Helen, you have to break out of your own world and sell against competitors, which in your case, are mostly inexperienced young people who think they know what life is about.
* robfrankel Franchise Doc, what's your revenue expectation from your marketing? What are you selling?
* robfrankel Helen, you still there?
* anita2306 FD you cannot expect to have direct contact if you do not engage with people on Twitter
- franchisedoctor Rob, We turn successful companies into Franchisors. And we sell franchise units to those who want to operate a successful biz.
* robfrankel Is it franchisedoctor.com?
- franchisedoctor franchisedoc.com
- helen Yes I am here just feeling a little overwhelmed
* robfrankel Helen, I also question posting rates on your site. IMHO, that's a HUGE mistake....
* anita2306 Andyour tweets do not make me want to click on the links
* robfrankel Don't feel overwhelmed! We found a bunch of issues AND we know how to fix them!!!! Cheer up! It's all good!
- helen Why are posting fees bad
* yosef2695 Hi Rob!
* robfrankel Helen, see if this makes sense:
If you post your rates on your site -- especially a site like yours -- there's NO upside. It can only drive people away. PLUS, you want people to connect to you personally, to get to know you because THAT'S where your talent is -- in the personal connection.
So have them call you personally to warm it up first...
* robfrankel Hi Yosef!
- helen Thanks for the kind words unfortunately because I had a professional design the site changes are going to be costly
* robfrankel Franchise Doc, I gotta tell ya: That web page of yours would scare me away instantly. There's a lot of static there.
* yosef2695 I'm laid up here at home today with 101.6F temp. I figured I'd stop by. It's been quite a while.
- franchisedoctor Anita, I've posted 1,275 tweets to less than 5,000 followers & have about 4,000 click thrus. Does that sound low to you?
* anita2306 FD that site is so old school it is scary.
* robfrankel No Helen, the changes won't be costly at all.
CONTINUING TO DO BUSINESS THIS WAY WILL COST YOU A LOT
* robfrankel Yosef -- swine flu? ACK!!! Get better, boychik.
* anita2306 But how many of those click thrus converted to sales?
* yosef2695 No, not swine flu. No other symptoms (so far) other than fever and alternating every few hours between "burning up" and "shivering".
* robfrankel Helen, the kind of site you have shouldn't be tough to change and edit at all.
* yosef2695 ...at least I HOPE it's not swine flu ;-).
* robfrankel Yosef: I HATE fevers. I can deal with just about anything else.
- helen Would you make my about you pg my home pg?
* robfrankel Helen, it's not that simple, but it is that dramatic. Seriously, go to http://www.revengeofbrandx.com
There's a bunch of stuff there. And at the risk of sounding self-serving, think about getting the book. I've sold many thousands of copies and never had a return or a bad review. It really helps.
* anita2306 Ok, IMHO, FD, you need a better website with less text, better colors and better meta tags.
* robfrankel TEN MINUTE WARNING (Still plenty of time)
* robfrankel Helen, realize that this might be the only place where people are up front and honest -- and usually qualified to help you out. If this is a wake up call, that's great.
* robfrankel But you gotta see the problem before you can fix it.
- franchisedoctor Thanks for the input, y'all. Gotta get to my east coast bank with a deposit by 2.
* robfrankel Or problems, as it were.
- lexchel Hello, everyone.
* anita2306 For some reason, FD, your description tag isn't showing up at all, and it is too long. In adddition, even though you are on Twitter, I see no links from social media to your website.
* robfrankel Hey Lexchel...anything to toss into the fire?
- lexchel No, but I've tried to purchase the service agreement several times and each time I get an error - credit card server down. Just wanted to let you know.
* robfrankel Really?
- lexchel Yes. I'll try again later today or tomorrow. Just wanted to inform you.
* anita2306 Rob, did you see the big fuss on Twitter this weekend about the ISMA?
* robfrankel Thanks, Lex!
* robfrankel TWO MINUTES
* robfrankel ISMA?
* anita2306 International Social media Assoc. Snake Oil incarnate
* anita2306 Mari Smith and a biz partner trying to grab big bucks
* robfrankel Nope, missed it
* robfrankel Okay, folks, the room stays open for another 15 minutes, but I've gotta run. Thanks for participating and have a great week!
I'll see you online!
* anita2306 Back to indexing book about university archaeology