/ FAQsPeople often ask: “Where Do I Start?” questions.
Here are some of the questions we get all the time:
Are Facebook and Linked-in the same thing? Which one do you find more effective? How do I learn about them?
Facebook and Linked-in are both social media sites, but they are very different. Both are effective in their different ways. The question is where will your market be looking for you?
You learn about them by researching, and by just doing it. Both have help centers. Here are two sites with lots of good information.
How do I start a newsletter?
Starting a newsletter is one thing, maintaining it is another. Design, content, publication schedule are all important things to think about in advance. Here is a link to get you started: http://www.talkbiz.com/articles/startnews.html
I want to start publishing a blog; how do I do that?
You need blogging software and a page on your website where your blog can appear. There are many inexpensive or free providers of blogging software. WordPress is popular.
How do I become a popular blogger?
This is a large topic, followed by an endless discussion. Here is a link to get you started:
http://www.copyblogger.com/popular-blogger/
How do I get people’s emails so I can send stuff to them?
Add a web form (opt-in form) to your website to capture names and email addresses. An opt-in form is a fundamental component of lead generation. Here is a link to a page with several related topics that will get you started. http://www.opt-in-email-marketing.org/
My website needs updating. Do I have to go back to the company that did my website several years ago to have changes made?
Not if you don’t want to. Ask for recommendations from friends and associates who have interests like your own, and find somebody new. It happens all the time.
What is a CRM?
Client Relationship Management software helps you record and organize contact information for prospects and clients. There are a great many available. Less expensive ones are like a digital Rolodex. More expensive ones have tools to make your interaction with contacts easier, and to record the history of your interactions. Be clear about what you need and what you just want before you start comparing.
I have boxes of business cards. How can I get them into digital form?
Use a card scanner. Good card scanners include an update tool that allows you to send email to your contacts asking them to verify their information. They also include an export tool that allows you to export contact lists in a .csv file format (a universal file format accepted by most software). You can then import the .csv file into, say, an email marketing software or newsletter software and begin marketing to your contact list.
