I often set goals for myself and my business all throughout the year. But it’s always good to write them down when a new year starts. If nothing else, it helps you to remember to look at them at the end of the next year.
For those of you that read my occasional email newsletter, you’ve probably figured out by now that I’m starting to work with Knowmad. I’ve known the good people at Knowmad for quite a while. In fact, I first met them years ago when I was teaching my Internet marketing classes in the Charlotte area.
Knowmad is what I consider a “boutique marketing agency” in Charlotte. They are a small group of smart people that work hard (and intelligently) for their clients. Over the years, I’ve felt they were one of the small agencies in Charlotte that did not get the attention they deserved. Why? (more…)
From time to time, it’s good to step back and take a look at who exactly is in your network.
Now, don’t confuse network with audience. Your audience includes your followers, your subscribers, and your customers. It is your sphere of influence. Your goal is to grow that list.
Your network is different. It’s those you learn with and learn from. It is your list of peers that have similar goals to you. Don’t try to endlessly grow this network. A good network works best when you know each individual well. This takes time and effort.
Keep your network small and cultivate those relationships. Try to include individuals that have unique abilities and that you enjoy being around. Learn from them. But more importantly, show that what you are learning.
Here’s a short list of about a dozen of some of MY favorite people to network with on a regular basis. Several of them are long-time friends.
Hey everyone! I finally finished my personal website. It is something I’ve been working on for quite some time. Once again, my designer (Jon Bolden) has hit this one out of the park. He’s amazing.
Please visit www.CoreyCreed.com and let me know what you think. I’m pretty excited about it. I think it represents me and all that I do.
Leave any comments below about what you like or don’t like about it. I could use any feedback you can provide.
I normally talk about Internet Marketing on this blog, but today I need a little help from my friends…
Since February of this year, we have had our Asheville area home for sale. The house has recently appraised at $280,000.
At first, we put it up for $295,000 and hoped for the best. In fact, we got a buyer the first month. (Which kept the house off the market for 45 days – The buyer backed out the day before the closing. Long story.)
During the summer, we moved out here to the Charlotte area and although Jason still worked in the basement for a while, it has been empty now for a couple of months.
So we have gotten a new real estate agent who is wonderful. But even more importantly we have lowered the price to $259,000!
Many of you have seen this house and you know how nice it is. Please spread the word and help me sell it!
MLS # 392676
We’re serious about selling this house quickly and that’s why the price is quite a bit lower than the appraisal value. Here’s the specs on it:
234 Hickory Ridge Lane Swannanoa, NC (but real close to Black Mountain)
1.34 Acres, 2,616 Sq. Ft 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom Built in 2005
Listing Agent is Kathy Begley of Coldwell Banker Kasey & Associates
Open House this Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 2–4 PM!
When I woke up this morning, my rib was still hurting.
Why? Almost two weeks ago, I was playing sand volleyball and I must have hurt myself after making a huge dive after the ball. (I missed the ball, so maybe it was more of a fall than a dive.)
At any rate, it’s been hurting for almost two weeks. That’s the point. As my wife and coworkers will tell you, I have a very low tolerance for pain. So I did what many of you would do. I woke up and went straight to the Internet to find out how long this should last.
Here’s the point…
To learn more about how you should market your website, look for lessons in how YOU use the Internet YOURSELF. Let’s start with what I did this morning. Then we’ll analyze it a little.
After being awake for barely 5 minutes, I went to the laptop. I went straight to WebMD.com and searched on “broken rib”. They gave a nice explanation of how to diagnose a broken or bruised rib. They then explained that there is nothing you can do about it. You just have to wait six weeks for the pain to stop. (SIX WEEKS!!)
I wanted to know more but WebMD did not say how to tell the difference between a bruised or broken rib. They also offered no ideas for lessening the pain. So I typed “bruised rib” into a search engine. That led me to an interesting forum posting about a woman who was not sure if she had a bruised or broken rib and some doctor’s comments.
The end of that posting mentioned using some medicines instead of just ibuprofin. They gave the names of two – Lodine and Relafen. But there was no additional information about them. So back to the search engine.
I researched the two pain-killers briefly and thought about ordering online but the sites I saw did not make it easy, so I went to take my shower.
NOTE: I’m sure all of us do something like this from time to time. I don’t think what I did was very unique.
LESSONS:
Initially I went to WebMD, not a search engine. Is your site a brand? Will people go to you before the search engine?
Although I like WebMD, I left in a heartbeat. Does your site give all the information your visitors want? Do you keep them clicking on your site or leaving to go to a search engine?
The forum was helpful. Do you have anything interactive on your site? Do you have user generated content?
I want to buy pain relievers. If you mention products that will help your audience, do you offer to sell them or at least provide affiliate links that they can buy from?
The entire time spent on the internet was less than five minutes. Does your website give exactly what people want quickly?
Interesting stuff. I hope it gives you some food for thought.
Sandy and I now call Davidson Pointe our new home. We moved into the new house this past weekend. Davidson is a very cute little town north of Charlotte in the Lake Norman region. Our home is toward the center of this development of about 150 homes.
Davidson Pointe is basically on a penninsula, which is nice. The homes are being built by Saussy Burbank and we got the “Avery” floor plan. About half of the homes are built and sold. The whole place will take about two years total, we hear. So this time next year it may be complete.
Here’s some videos to help you see what it looks like.
Congratulations to Jason and Molly Dockery this past weekend. As most of you know, Jason has been working with me here at Hippo Internet Marketing for about three years now. Jason got engaged on February 22. He got married this past weekend on May 5, 2007.
Congratulations to Jason and Molly Dockery this past weekend. As most of you know, Jason has been working with me here at