Management and Marketing Tools I Use
Posted on 30. Jun, 2008 by Biz Coach in Client Communications, Internet Marketing, Newsletter, Rainmaking, Top Management Tools, Top Marketing Tools, Web Jump Start
For whatever it’s worth, I’ve compiled this ongoing list of most of the management and marketing tools I use in our businesses. “Ongoing” means I add to and update this list as I see the need. So it’s pretty much always up to date.
I’m quite analytical and certainly not a “shoot from the hip” guy when it come to making important business tool decisions. But I’m sure this is a flawed list. I’m also sure many will take issue with my choices.
My biases: I place high value on learning curve (shape and length), ease of use, intuitive character of the interfaces and, perhaps most of all, customer support and on-line help of the vendor. I almost never buy an important tool from a new or otherwise marginal vendor.
Web : One and One Hosting. www.1and1.com
I think I pay less than $20 monthly and host between 20 and 30 websites with them.
Domain Registrar: One and One Hosting. www.1and1.com
At this time I own about 600 domain urls and have about 70% registered with one and one. I think I pay about $7 per year per domain.
Accounting Software: Quickbooks Pro www.quickbooks.intuit.com
Less than $150 (street price). Update it every couple of years.
Blogging Software: Wordpress www.wordpress.com
This is being posted on my wordpress blog.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Coach: Jerrid Smith www.smithseo.com
Jerrid also owns and manages the country’s largest Injury Lawyer Directory www.InjuryGuide.com
SEO/SEM (Search Enging Optimization/Marketing) Reference Books I use very frequently. Both are accessed on-line and are author updated very frequently:
Aaron Wall’s Search Engine Book www.seobook.com
Planet Ocean’s “The Unfair Advantage Book…” www.PlanetOcean.com
Survey software: www.Zoomerang.com www.SurveyMonkey.com
I’ve been successful with each of these. Very easy to use.
Technical Training: www.Lynda.com
Learn the latest tools and techniques in digital media, design, and development. They now have over 400 on-line courses. The ones I’ve completed have been excellent. About $25 monthly.
Directory software: www.eSyndicat.com
Very inexpensive, intuitive interfaces and reliable. Check out some of my directories using eSyndicat.:
http://floridaautoaccidentlawyers.org/
http://floridatruckaccidentlawyers.org/
http://floridabraininjurylawyers.org/
http://floridamotorcycleaccidentlawyers.org/
http://legalcentersusa.com
http://topinnsusa.com
Graphic design: Whether you need logo design or web site design, you’ll do well to check out http://99designs.com/. Basically, you’ll set up a contest, offer a monetary prize and get dozens of “entries”. I’ve been very pleased. Generally, high quality graphic design from all parts of the world.
Blog Traffic Made Easy
Posted on 10. Apr, 2008 by Biz Coach in Client Communications, Internet Marketing, Web Jump Start
There are millions of blogs on the web. Thousands are started every day. Lots of people start blogs but fail to have a plan to attract readers to their blog. That’s a little like investing in a great brochure about your practice but keeping all the copies in your closet.
Here’s a great article I found yesterday on building and monitoring traffic to your blog. It also includes information on correctly setting up your blog for those ready to launch a new blog.
Here’s the link: Blog Traffic Made Easy
Church and Club Bulletins
Posted on 07. Apr, 2008 by Biz Coach in Client Communications, Ultimate Marketing Plan
Your future clients will be more likely to “trust” and “support” you when they see your name and “call to action” in their group’s bulletins and announcements.
Of course, there’s no rule that says the church, synagogue or club in which your sponsorship appears must be your church or club.
And the cost to rent space for your sponsorship will probably be VERY reasonable.
Can you think of other affinity or support groups who might need your services? Contact them and ask how you can provide sponsorship.
No tombstone ads, please. Include an inticing “call to action” like “Call for our free Estate Planning Guide” or “Call 24/7 to get your free case evaluation”.
Best Email Marketing Software
Posted on 15. Mar, 2008 by Biz Coach in Client Communications, Newsletter, Referrals Jump Start
A great way to educate, influence and impress your clients and potential customers is the use of newsletters. Email marketing services make it easy for you to quickly begin using professional, effective bulk email campaigns that bring results.
You won’t need a graphic designer to create an attractive email or newsletter. Nearly all good services have various email development features to guide you every step of the way. You can import an HTML page and/or use one of the many templates provided by the service. You’ll soon be adding attachments, pictures, sound files, and more.
You’ll finding managing your e-mail list is a cinch.
A huge advantage to using an online email marketing service is the tracking capabilities. You’ll have access to reports on bounced, forwarded, delivered/undeliverable and sent emails; as well as conversions, click-throughs and more.
We haven’t used them all. But we have used the ones we believe to be the top two. And we’ve scoured the internet and chatted with scores of users to determine the real opinions of people who have used the others.
We’re now using iContact www.icontact.com and we’ve also used Constant Contact www.constantcontact.com . You’d probably be happy with either. Both do about the same things.
iContact seems is bit more intuitive. But both ARE intutive and both have a very short learning curve with very ample on-line training, support, forums, etc.
