Wednesday, July 18, 2007

How to Become a Master Marketer (Part I of II)

None of us start out as master marketers – it’s an ongoing learning process. I’ve been a freelance writer since 1993 and I have to laugh at some of the marketing techniques I’ve tried that didn’t work. BUT, with each failure, I learn something -- I tweak a procedure and give it another go.

In the upcoming freelance writing seminar in October, a great deal of it will focus on marketing – because this is the number one ingredient to achieving success as a freelancer.

The great thing about marketing is that there is never one right way to do anything. But, there are some consistent techniques that “Master Marketers” employ, which is why they’re so effective.

Here, we’ll examine three.

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3 Techniques Master Marketers Use to Become Successful

Single Message: Master marketers focus on a single message when they contact you.

I’m sure you’ve been to those one-page websites promoting a product. They are usually extremely long pages and give you reason after reason after reason why you should purchase their product.

To view some of these websites, go to Clickbank.com and read browse through some of the products there. I did a quick search and clicked on a site for the Forum Equalizer.*

*I have no affiliation with this product whatsoever. I don’t even know what it does. I’m just using it as an example here.

Promoters on these sites don’t confuse you by trying to sell you two or three different things at one time. Their entire message is focused on getting you to purchase that one product.

While many offer add-ons (free software, a special report, free e-books, etc.), these are ancillary products that are usually offered FREE.

The lesson here: When marketing, don’t confuse the potential buyer by bombarding them with too many messages. Marketing experts agree that too many messages confuse potential buyer.

Confused buyers don’t purchase, the “wait until later,” or “try another source.” So, while you may be a great photographer in addition to being a heck of a writer, sell your prospect on your primary skill first – offer them your secondary skill as an “add on.”

Eg, I can write the piece on snowbound animals –and am also able to supply photographs along with it at your request.But, you may be thinking, “I can’t afford to marketing one thing at a time. My budget is limited.”

My response to that is – you can’t afford NOT to market one thing at a time. If you take a long-term view to your career, it is much cheaper – not to mention more effective – to market this way.

If you’re thinking that you’ll never survive long enough to make a real go of freelancing if you market this way, then perhaps freelancing full-time is not for you – right now. You can always start part-time. Once clients get to know you, you can sell them on your other skills.

Marketing Exercise: With the above in mind, go to a site like VistaPrint.com and design postcard to sell your freelance services. They have many templates you can use and it’s free. You only pay when you place an order and/or upload your own art.

Tomorrow’s Post: The other 2 things master marketers do that guarantee them success.
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Upcoming Features in Inkwell Editorial’s Newsletter

Later Today! Paula Mooney. Blogger who helps other bloggers “make money, get readers and increase their blog’s ranking.” Paula will reveal how she makes money online, and how she’s built a very popular blog in only a few month’s time.If you currently have a blog, or are thinking about starting one, you won’t want to miss this interview!

August 15: Meryl K. Evans. I tapped Meryl for an interview because she’s found success in the B2B niche. Meryl has written for some pretty notable clients, eg, PC Today, O’Reilly and Pearson to name a few.

This is where the real money in freelance writing is folks (B2B). I’m as anxious to see what she has to say as I hope you are!

September 12: Gordon Graham. We ring in the “editorial season” by interviewing Gordon Graham, aka “that white paper guy.” Gordon writes and edits white papers and case studies. He charges $90/hour just to edit a white paper and a minimum of $4,000 to produce a white paper from scratch.

Now, do you see why I had to interview him?! Most freelancers don’t even dream of making this type of money. I can’t wait for this interview.

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