Strategic Planning Tools

Example

Become a guest blogger. You’ll have an immediate, captive audience and an incredible opportunity to build and refine new relationships with the very people who are potentially most important to your future.

Of course, in the content of your blog, you’ll probably leave a link to two back to your own site.  As you probably know, Google will consider these links to your site as “votes” for your site.  More link juice for you. More power for your site. More power means better chances to rank well in Google’s organic search results.  Same with MSN and Yahoo.

This year, resolve to be a guest blogger at least two times every month. Later, you might suggest a link exchange with the blog owners.  Test the waters today.  I think you may enjoy it. And who doesn’t enjoy new, meaningful relationships.

Here’s the key idea in this book:

Don’t be afraid to quit the wrong stuff and have the conviction to stick with the right stuff.

Seth wants us to remember that “Never Quit” is very poor advice.

Haven’t read The Dip? Here’s a link to a great summary:

http://bookoutlines.pbwiki.com/The+Dip

This appears to me to have the potential to be a profound change. If you are a “do it yourself” seo’er I highly recommend you acquaint yourself with Google’s latest updates.  If, not be certain to discuss it with your seo consultant and webmaster.

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.

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

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”.