Cavalletti Communications

As a consumer or client, we all can get riled at bad service or a product that looked oh-so-enticing but fails to deliver what it promises.  And we all appreciate getting a good result when buying a product or receiving a service.

But what about those businesses, services and items that surprise us, that deliver extraordinary experiences? Those are the ones that stick in our mind, that we recommend and which we will go back to over and over again.

I live by the belief that it is the extraordinary  – experience, service and reputation – we should aim for. As employees, service providers or manufacturers, no matter which.  Putting in that extra bit of effort, passion, care, quality and professionalism will set you apart from the crowd, distinguishes us from our competitors and makes our business or career flourish.

Marketing “guru” Seth Godin talks about the disproportionately positive effect of the last ten percent of effort here.

Until next time,
Daniela

My good friend Seth Godin (ok, so he does not actually know me, but I have read so much of his writing, it feels like he is almost part of the family) has posted a great article on his blog.  It’s close to my heart for a couple of reasons: It’s about the value a good editor can add to your business, but it’s also describing one of my core business principles.

I believe in giving my clients the best possible, professional service and advice when it comes to their brand, message and communications. Most of the time, this means writing engaging business and marketing material for them that gets their brand or product message across to their intended audience and buyers – spot-on, respectfully and easy to understand.

But sometimes that good service might mean a tough call:  advising the client to scrap that brochure or mail-out altogether. Even if that means one less job (and fewer $$) for me, because it just does not add anything to what they want their audience to know. It does not fulfill a need on both sides, just on one.

And in order for sales and happy, satisfied customers to happen simultaneously, both your company and your communications audience need to have at least one need fulfilled. Simple.

Until next time,
Daniela

First there was the Website…

You own a business and have set up your website. It’s informative, it looks fab and it gets a lot of hits.
But does it get you customers, clients – and sales? Hmmm….

So, you start spreading the love, trying to find your potential clients elsewhere and keep in touch with your existing clientele.  These days, your next step is entering the world of social media: you get a facebook page, spruce up your LinkedIn account and you are Twitter-ing away.

But what next? How can you use your social media presence to grow your business, spread your ideas and create a following – all while contributing something valuable? Is it only looks that count, to be seen to “do the social media thing”?

Content is King

Potential clients are people, not just an abstract construct. And people want substance, something useful and not just a sales spiel. Getting your product, brand and marketing message across in a way that is valuable to you as well as your target market gives everyone something to be happy about.

Taking without giving or contributing does not work in 2010. Content, value and sharing is what your target audience – your “tribe” – needs and wants. Write a blog, offer some free resources, share your thoughts. Your readers want substance.

Give it to them

Find 10 tips on website content and social media strategy here.

Know where to save – and where to spend.
Keep your competitive edge with that extra bit of unexpected service.

Read Seth Godin’s blog “Pennies and Dollars” here.