Talk with Linda Reed-Enever Linda Reed-Enever

Are you a busy business owner struggling to find time for marketing? Don't worry, you're not alone.

Many business owners find it challenging to prioritise marketing amidst their daily operations. But fear not, because I've got you covered.

In this episode, I'll share with you five quick and effective marketing strategies that you can implement in just five minutes each day. These strategies are designed to help you make the most of those short bursts of time and create valuable marketing content for your business.

Before we dive into the strategies, let's talk about the concept of five minute marketing. The idea behind it is to leverage those small pockets of time throughout your day and turn them into opportunities for marketing. While you may not be able to create a masterpiece in just five minutes, you can still accomplish a lot.

Short-form videos, for example, are an excellent way to utilise these brief moments. Simply grab your phone, share a few tips and tricks related to your business, and voila! You have a valuable piece of marketing content.

Now, let's get into the five minute marketing strategies:

Research
One of the best ways to make use of those five-minute time slots is by doing some research. There are several options for research in the realm of marketing. You can explore relevant hashtags, identify potential advertising opportunities, or search for guest posting prospects. One useful technique is to type in the website or keywords you want to target, along with phrases like "article submission" or "guest post," and see what comes up in the search results. Bookmark the sites that catch your interest and return to them later to submit your articles.

Additionally, you can look for journalists seeking sources, explore platforms like SourceBottle, or join communities and meetups to promote your business. The best part is that most of these research activities can be done conveniently on your phone.

Ask Questions
Questions are a powerful tool for engaging with your audience and building your profile. Take advantage of those five-minute intervals to ask questions on various social media platforms, such as Facebook groups, your own pages/profiles, YouTube shorts, or Instagram reels. You can even tap into the collaboration features available on Instagram to collaborate with others in creating posts and stories.

Be sure to come back later to answer those questions in another five-minute time slot. Engaging with your audience and showing a genuine interest in their opinions can foster meaningful connections and improve your online presence.

Check Your Profiles
Taking a few minutes to review your social media profiles is essential. Ensure that your website link is up to date and that your profiles accurately reflect what you and your business are all about. You don't want to miss out on any potential opportunities because of outdated or incomplete profiles. Pay attention to your description, contact links, and profile/header images.

Social media platforms often change their formatting, so make sure your images still look appropriate. By regularly maintaining your profiles, you present yourself professionally and increase your chances of making a strong impression on potential customers.

Social Media Programming
This five minute marketing strategy involves using tools like Meta Business Suite, TikTok, Meet Edgar, Later, Missing Letter, or Metricool to schedule your social media posts in advance. By dedicating a specific time slot to program your posts, you can create a consistent flow of content without constantly having to think about it.

These tools offer features such as batch creation and variations, allowing you to save time and keep your platforms active and engaging. For instance, you can connect your blog's RSS feed to platforms like Missing Letter and Meet Edgar to automatically share your blog posts with customized variations across your social media channels.

Convert Blog Posts into Videos

Whether you're new to working with the media or an experienced business owner, mapping out your media year is a valuable activity. It helps you plan ahead, use proactive techniques, and tap into potential events. In this blog post, we will explore the steps to mapping out your media year and provide tips to stay ahead of the game.

Flag Dates for Evergreen Content
Start by going through a calendar and flagging dates for evergreen content. Depending on your industry, these could include holidays, awareness days, and other significant events. By identifying these dates, you can plan your content strategy around them.

Identify Industry Bodies and Reports
While flagging key dates, also consider any industry bodies or reports that are going to be released. These can provide valuable opportunities for your PR strategy. Stay updated and be prepared to write responses or articles related to these releases.

Flag Proactive Business Activities
Next, go through your business activities for the year and identify events that can be proactive for your press release content. This can include product launches, sales, changes in premises, events, conferences, and awards processes. By flagging these events, you can align your PR efforts with your business objectives.

Take Advantage of Reactive PR Opportunities
While reactive PR usually revolves around current news, there are specific times throughout the year when you can capitalise on certain topics. Add dates of industry body and annual meetings, upcoming elections, and federal or state budgets to your calendar. Also, note the publication dates of reports that can be used for media commentary.

Create an Article Bank
During quieter times for your business, such as January or February, focus on creating an article bank. Generate ideas and stories that can be shared with your audience in the form of press releases or other content. This way, you'll have a ready-to-use content bank when you need to reach out to the media.

Map Out Publication Deadlines
To effectively plan your PR efforts, map out the publication deadlines of relevant media outlets. Download advertorial calendars or check when advertorial submissions are due. This will give you an idea of how far in advance you need to work on your stories to align with publication deadlines.

Build Relationships with Journalists
Maintaining good relationships with journalists is crucial for successful PR. Reach out to your contacts and have conversations about their upcoming stories. Offer your help and expertise where possible. By nurturing these relationships, you'll have a better chance of getting your stories published.

Seek New Opportunities
Continuously seek new opportunities to expand your PR efforts. Look for new journalists to connect with, submission sites to get involved with, and places where you can contribute as a podcast guest or guest writer. Utilise your content bank and pitch yourself to various publications to increase exposure.

By mapping out your media year and planning ahead, you can be proactive in your PR strategy. Take advantage of evergreen content, be prepared for industry releases, and leverage reactive PR opportunities. Create an article bank, map out publication deadlines, and build relationships with journalists. Embrace new opportunities to expand your reach.

Congratulations on taking the first step towards a successful PR year!

Highlights

[00:00:00] How to plan for media engagement, whether for beginners or experienced business owners
[00:00:31] The need to plan for the year ahead, using evergreen and proactive techniques
[00:00:53] How to flag dates for evergreen content, such as holidays and awareness days
[00:01:31] Mapping out business activities for the year, including product launches, sales, premises changes, and events
[00:02:42] The importance of creating a spreadsheet and a list of ideas for press releases across the year
[00:03:16] Mapping out publication deadlines by downloading advertorial

In this episode of the Talk podcast, we'll explore five educational marketing strategies that you can use to empower your clients and grow your business.

1. Share Your Expertise Through Blogging
Blogging is a great way to share your knowledge and insights with a wide audience. When you create informative and engaging blog posts, you can attract potential clients who are interested in learning more about your area of expertise.

2. Guest on Podcasts and Contribute to Other Sites
Appearing as a guest on podcasts and contributing guest posts to other websites is a great way to expand your reach and connect with new audiences. This is a great opportunity to share your expertise with a wider audience and establish yourself as an industry thought leader.

3. Create Short-Form Video Content
Short-form video content is a great way to capture attention and share your message in a concise and engaging way. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are ideal for sharing quick tips, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your business.

4. Develop an E-Book or Lead Magnet
Creating an e-book or lead magnet is a great way to attract new subscribers and build your email list. Offer a valuable resource, such as an e-book, tip sheet, or cheat sheet, in exchange for an email address. This will allow you to nurture leads and keep them informed about your latest offerings.

5. Answer Questions in Online Communities
Participating in online communities and forums is a great way to connect with potential clients and answer their questions. By providing valuable insights and expertise, you can establish yourself as a trusted resource and build relationships with potential clients.

Take Action and Empower Your Clients
Remember, educational marketing is all about sharing your knowledge and empowering your clients. By implementing these strategies, you can attract better-informed clients, build trust, and grow your business.

What educational marketing strategy are you going to use today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Highlights

[00:00:00] The importance of educational marketing and the need for effective strategies
[00:00:36] Strategy 1: Blogging - Advice on using blogs to share tips, answer questions, and the need to humanise content in the competitive AI era
[00:01:26] Practical Exercise: Brainstorm five topics for educating their market
[00:02:25] Strategy 2: Guest Appearances on Podcasts - The importance of creating a strong available-for-interview profile
[00:03:31] Strategy 3: Guest Contributions on Medium - How to share blog posts on Medium
[00:04:21] Strategy 4: Short Form Video - Creating quick and simple short-form videos to engage and educate the audience.
[00:04:55] Strategy 5: Ebooks as Lead Magnets - How to use lead magnets to build an email list
[00:05:36] Strategy 6: Answering Questions - How to create content based on the questions to meet the audience's needs.
[00:06:17] What else to include in content

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

The Marketing Planner https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/marketing-planner
AI, Async, Automation Hub https://enevergroup.thinkific.com/courses/aaahub 
Answer The Public https://snip.ly/answerthepub 
How to Create an Available for Interview Profile to Pitch to the Media https://enevergroup.thinkific.com/courses/availableforinterviewprofile 
MissingLettr https://snip.ly/missinglettr 
Medium https://medium.com

As business owners, we all want our businesses to be featured in the news. It's a powerful way to build credibility, trust, and attract more customers. But in today's digital age, getting your business in the news is not limited to traditional media outlets like the six o'clock news. There are plenty of other opportunities to explore. In this blog post, I will share four steps to help you get your business in the news and boost your visibility.

Step 1: Have a Newsworthy Story
To capture journalists' attention, you need a story that is both interesting and relevant to their target audience. This means identifying what makes your business unique, whether it's a new and innovative product, a significant milestone, or an industry-specific challenge you've overcome.

You can also leverage existing trends in the news and provide your expert opinion or share a human interest story related to your business. The key is to ensure that your story stands out and resonates with the target audience.

Step 2: Target the Right Media Outlets
Not all media outlets are created equal, and not all stories will appeal to every outlet. It's essential to research and identify the media outlets that are most likely to be interested in your type of story.

Start by targeting smaller outlets where you have a higher chance of getting coverage and building your profile. This could include local newspapers, online publications, or industry-specific blogs.

As you gain more experience and credibility, you can then aim for larger and more prestigious outlets.

Step 3: Build Relationships with Journalists
Once you have identified the right media outlets, it's time to build relationships with journalists. Take the time to research their work, understand their interests, and tailor your pitch accordingly. Personalise your communication to show that you have done your homework and genuinely believe that your story would be a good fit for their audience.

Remember to be professional, polite, and responsive when interacting with journalists. Building these relationships will increase your chances of getting coverage in the future.

Step 4: Craft a Compelling Pitch and Follow Up
To grab a journalist's attention, you need to have a well-crafted pitch. Your pitch should be clear, concise, and persuasive. Highlight the newsworthiness of your story, why it is important, and why the journalist's audience should care.

Include all relevant details, such as dates, times, and locations if applicable. It's also crucial to be proactive and follow up with journalists if you don't hear back from them within a week or two.

A polite and well-timed follow-up could make all the difference in getting your story in the media.

Getting your business in the news is a valuable strategy to build credibility and attract more customers.

By having a newsworthy story, targeting the right media outlets, building relationships with journalists, and crafting compelling pitches – you can increase your chances of getting coverage and boosting your visibility.

Remember to be patient, consistent, and helpful throughout the process. Good luck in your PR journey!

Highlights

[00:00:00] Getting a business in the news for building credibility and trust
[00:00:38] Changing Landscape of News
[00:01:03] Expanding News Strategies
[00:01:46] Step 1 - Newsworthy Story
[00:02:51] Step 2 - Targeting the Right Outlets
[00:03:54] Step 3 - Building Relationships
[00:04:09] Step 4 - Crafting the Pitch
[00:05:16] Follow-up with journalists
[00:06:22] Encouraging businesses to tap into online media for greater visibility

Resources Mentioned in the Podcast

My Book of PR Tips https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/my-book-of-pr-tips-putting-pr-within-reach 
The Marketing Planner https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/marketing-planner

In the world of the internet, we own two things: our website and our email list. 

Email marketing, when executed thoughtfully, offers a direct line of communication between us as businesses and their customers, fostering meaningful relationships and driving brand loyalty. 

Its effectiveness lies in its ability to deliver personalised messages to a captive audience, nurturing leads, promoting products and services, and ultimately boosting sales

As business owners, how can we use email marketing to strengthen our brand?

Benefits of Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool that can be used to build relationships with potential and current customers, promote your products or services, and drive traffic to your website.

There are many benefits to email marketing, including:


Increased brand awareness: By creating opt-ins, lead magnets, and newsletters, you can attract people to your email list and nurture them into customers.
Improved customer engagement: Email marketing allows you to stay in touch with your customers and build relationships with them.
Increased website traffic: By including links to your website in your emails, you can drive traffic to your site and increase sales.
Improved customer retention: Email marketing can help you keep your customers engaged and prevent them from churning.

How to Enhance Your Brand Through Email Marketing

Here are a few tips for enhancing your brand through email marketing:


Create strong opt-ins: Your opt-ins should be something that your target audience will value and want to sign up for.
Follow up on your lead magnets: Make sure that you follow up with people who sign up for your lead magnets. This could involve sending them a series of emails or providing them with access to exclusive content.
Add value to your customers' purchases: Send your customers emails that are relevant to their purchases and interests. This could include product recommendations, tips on how to use your products, or updates on your company.
Be consistent with your newsletters: Send your newsletters out on a regular basis. This will help to keep your brand top of mind with your customers.
Test your forms regularly: Make sure that your opt-in forms are easy to use and that they are converting at a high rate.
Continue to share, market, and promote your lead magnets: Don't just create lead magnets and then forget about them. Continue to share and promote them so that you can attract new subscribers to your email list.

Remember that email marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a strong email list and nurturing relationships with your subscribers takes time and consistent effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results; focus on delivering valuable content that resonates with your audience, and you'll reap the rewards over time.

Email marketing, when executed with creativity, personalisation, and planning, can be an invaluable asset in your brand enhancement journey. It allows you to cultivate meaningful connections with your audience, build brand loyalty, and drive business growth. So, embrace the power of email marketing, and embark on a journey of brand enhancement and customer engagement.

Highlights


[00:00:00] Importance of email marketing for businesses
[00:01:14] Benefits of email marketing for business owners
[00:03:49] How to use email marketing to increase brand awareness
[00:05:23] Strategies for enhancing your brand through email marketing
[00:07:32] Conclusion

Resources


The Marketing Circle https://enevergroup.thinkific.com/bundles/MarketingCircle 
The Formula of a Newsletter https://enevergroup.thinkific.com/courses/the-formula-of-a-newsletter 
Build Your Profile with Webinars https://enevergroup.thinkific.com/courses/buildyourprofilewithwebinars 

As entrepreneurs, we wear multiple hats and juggle a myriad of tasks. We often find ourselves stuck in a cycle of monotony and burnout. Therefore it’s not uncommon for business owners to be stuck in a creative rut from time to time. 

In this episode of the Talk Podcast, we are going to explore effective strategies to reignite creativity break free from creative blocks and get you back to running your business without interruption.

Understanding the Creative Rut

A creative rut is a state where business owners feel overwhelmed, uninspired, and stuck in repetitive tasks. Unfinished projects and unachievable goals often contribute to this cycle. The key to breaking the rut lies in breaking down large goals into manageable tasks, celebrating small wins, and maintaining momentum.

Identifying the Root Cause

Identifying the cause of the creative block is crucial. It could stem from being overwhelmed, burnout, lack of motivation, or self-doubt. Journaling and seeking feedback from peers can provide clarity. 

Additionally, developing and going back to your established processes and strategies is vital to maintaining a creative flow within your business.

Changing the Environment and Cultivating Inspiration

Changing your environment can trigger creativity. Whether by rearranging your workspace, listening to music, or working in a different setting like a café, altering your surroundings can rekindle inspiration. 

Tools like mind mapping and setting deadlines can also help you in brainstorming ideas and projects.

The Power of Collaboration

Effective collaboration often leads to innovative solutions and renewed motivation.

Collaborating with others, attending workshops, and participating in communities or memberships like The Marketing Circle can provide you with fresh perspectives. 

Sharing ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and teaching others can also invigorate your creativity. 

Utilising Available Tools and Embracing Imperfection

Using tools like The Marketing Planner can help you streamline tasks, allowing you to focus on creative endeavours. 

Embracing imperfections and accepting that not everything needs to be perfect can alleviate self-doubt. Feedback from the audience often proves that what might seem imperfect to the creator resonates positively with others.

Practicing Self-Kindness and Consistency

Taking breaks, practising mindfulness and meditation, setting realistic goals, and understanding your limitations are essential acts of self-kindness. 

Moreover, staying consistent, minimising distractions and time-blocking tasks can enhance your focus and productivity, ultimately aiding in overcoming creative ruts.

Conclusion

Remember, creative ruts are a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Being kind to yourself, seeking inspiration through diverse experiences, and utilising available resources are vital steps in overcoming these challenges. 

By embracing imperfections, collaborating with others, and staying consistent, you can successfully navigate through creative ruts, rekindle your creativity, and continue to thrive in your business endeavours.

Highlights


[00:01:27] What is a creative rut and how it affects entrepreneurs
[00:02:57] Strategies for identifying the root causes of creative blocks
[00:04:16] Tips for breaking free from a creative rut
[00:06:23] Tools to streamline tasks and focus on creative activities
[00:08:54] Other strategies to avoid overwhelm
[00:09:25] Final takeaway on how to be creative when stuck in a creative rut

Resources


The Marketing Circle https://enevergroup.thinkific.com/bundles/MarketingCircle 
The Marketing Planner https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/marketing-planner/ 
The 5 Minute Marketing Deck https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/marketing-deck-5-minute-marketing-ideas/