Out of the Blog, Into the Light

Red Envelopes and the Law of Attraction

The Universe sends me messages all the time. Last month, a
particular one jumped out at me when I was reading, "Feng
Shui for Dummies." It is a short half-page box about red
envelopes. The main message was about how red envelopes is
a tradition in Chinese history. The Chinese would insert
money into a red envelope, usually a coin, and then present
the envelope to the person performing a Feng Shui cure for
good luck.

The information didn't say much to me but the very next day
I was passing by a yard sale. I stop at yard sales maybe
once a year. This one seemed to pull me back. A mile or
two down the road, I did a u-turn. I didn't really want to
be there but since I was already out of the car, I shrugged
and remembered that heart pull that made me turn the car
around.

Abundance, what does it mean to you?

I need your help because we want to hear your thoughts on this...

For the past few years now, over 8,000 people visit the Abundance Center website daily.  And during this time, I have received hundreds of emails asking for a clear definition, meaning, of what abundance really is to me.  Only a few shared what abundance meant to them.  Sometimes
it was positive, sometimes not.  For those that are not sure, search through the comments to formulate your thoughts.

Whatever the case...as a fellow abundance community member...

We want to hear from you:  "What do you think, feel, understand abundance to mean to you?"

Catherine

PS:  Spammers, the comments will be reviewed before being allowed to be posted.  So, don't waste your time.  Controversial opinions will be posted.  Warning, all sales promo postings will be removed.  People don't want to read those in this post.

Lady Pens is a new directory looking for awesome women authors

Nicole Dean, webmaster of the website Lady Pens, wrote to me this past week. She wanted to tell me about her article directory website just for women.

Today, I finally had time to visit the site. What an awesome site. I like using the word awesome because it matches the personality of the site, Nicole's favorite word, and exactly what she's looking to attract.

If you are an awesome woman that has articles to post and are looking for a great place to post them, then consider Nicole's site. She has categories not just about the atypical stuff. There are many topics that just pertain to women that only women know how to share.

If you get into the top list of authors Nicole even has posted pictures of the authors. Nicole, that's awesome.

Well, enough with being awesome, and down to the nitty gritty. The site's submission requirements are short, sweet, and easy to understand. Well written too! Only niche is that you need to be an awesome woman -- oops, can't get away from that word it seems.

I recommend that you check out this site and post your articles. It attracted me to put her site onto my favorites list -- something I rarely do because it seems to mulitply like rabbits.

Here's how to get to Nicole's site:
www.ladypens.com

It will take only a few minutes to set up a new account and post your first article. I love having the ability to view my articles in a list format, you will too!

Have a positive day -- make it a choice!

Catherine

Blog posting site

There is a new place to post Internet articles, however, I wouldn't give it a high priority for posting because it's a blog site and here is why I say this...

Blog sites can't categorize the topic well -- the newest is on top and old stuff gets burried. This means that the more articles that get posted to that category your article will be pushed down. People will only search up to the first 10 articles -- just look at the way you search for something in a search engine listing. We all do this.

If you do find a blog that has better features you might want to consider them. I highly recommend posting to sites where you can get the best exposure for the longest period of time. It takes time to post, use it as wisely as possible.

Now, there is an advantage at the moment to post a few articles to this blog. Why?  Because its new and there isn't much there but then again, it also means that the traffic will be slow and low. That could be a good benefit for now.

If you have other ideas about what I saying here that can open my mind and my experience, please post your comments. All of us want to learn to expand our conscious thinking, including me.

Catherine Franz

New Post

New place to post / publish your Internet articles.

http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com

You will need to create an authors account -- password protected.

Guidelines don't have anything out of the ordinary.

Article submission site

New website for submitting articles:

http://www.klienwachter.com

Writer guidelines are good and reasonable.

They have a specific niche though -- along the topic of manifesting, laws of attraction, alternative healing, inspirational, spiritual, purpose, etc..

Here are the SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS...
http://www.klienwachter.com/Roy/Submissions.htm

All submissions for the Klienwachter.com website and newsletter must be theme related. The articles must be inspirational or motivational and give something positive to the readers. Articles must not contain the usual "bad" stuff and are subject to editing or rejection if not in good taste.

Please, no links in the body of the text. Articles are not intended to promote or advertise. An authors box at the bottom of the article is acceptable. One link and email address will be activated in the authors box. No pictures or graphics allowed. Please keep articles below 1500 words and in plain text.

Your articles will be permanently archived on the main website indefinately. Please do not forward articles written by others without there explicit permission.

Please send article in body of email. Attachments will not be opened and will be deleted.

Please provide your Full Name and correct Email Address so that we may contact you when your article is published.

Please double check your spelling and typos, articles will be published as submitted.

Articles published are the responsibility of the submitter and we will not be responsible any kind of injury or indemnity resulting from their publication. Readers must take full responsibility for what they read on this site.

If you managed to get past all the above garbely goop, your articles are welcome and appreciated.

SUBMISSIONS accepted by email only with the email form located on their website at the bottom of the submission guidelines. Direct link is:
http://www.klienwachter.com/contact.htm

New Google Technique

Google started something new that you need to know about – it’s “News Alerts.” I’ll make this quick because I’m under deadline for a chapter in my book to be delivered to my agent. Let me say it with examples.

I use this feature to receive notification any time my name, “Catherine Franz”, appears on the Internet. I set mine up a few days ago and I got 12 notifications of articles that I wrote and where they appeared. Places that didn’t even notify me that they were publishing it. One even appeared on one of my competitors website (chuckle) – that’s another story. I’ll save that one for later.

Or, if you prefer, you can design it to notify you every time your competitor’s name comes up in just the news portion anywhere on the Internet. After it does, you can contact the person who sent out the news – normally a reporter – and ask them to be a resource for them in the future. Or even send them your latest news release directly.

Oh, yes, don’t tell too many people about this otherwise your competitors will get a hold of it and be as wise as you are. Hold onto this gem.

Ooops, I almost forgot to tell you how to get there. It’s http://www.news.google.com

Have an abundant day!
Catherine
http://www.AbundanceCenter.com

PS: Don’t forget today is the last day to register for the retreat this weekend. Visit the Abundance Center for more information. But you have got to act quickly, the spaces are almost gone.

Yes, You Must Test A Market Strategy

By Catherine Franz

A marketing strategy is a series of actions intended to accomplish a specific sales goal.  For example, an advertising strategy for a new product or service.  The words marketing campaign is commonly substituted in order to catch readers attention.  Normally, left-brain dominants (logical) prefer the word campaign and right-brainers (creative) prefer strategy.   

Before we address the nine basic steps in testing a product or service, let’s briefly discuss the common faux pas generally made that keeps the process from succeeding.  For marketing beginners, there are two typical mistakes.  The biggest is trying to take on too many strategies at once.  The other mistake is creating a strategy that is either too big and can’t be measured or too small and can’t deliver enough results.  Both are frustrating.

Other bloopers include impatience, boredom, obscure measurements or limited focus, or any combination thereof.  Another blooper, if you are a solopreneneur, is trying to juggle more than one strategy at a time.  When the results don’t equal our expectations, mind or on paper, it is easy to say this doesn’t work and want to jump to another strategy. 

First Stage:  Choice. This is the time to plan and prepare.  It contains three vital steps. 

Step 1:  Brainstorm Strategies.  It is important to create a list of as many  possible strategies known by you or your team at this time.  Don’t scrutinize, just list.  For the perfectionists, please know that there are hundreds of strategies for any one scenario and a complete list is nearly impossible. If you don’t know of any possible strategies, do some research, and stop at three.  Three that feels comfortable and achievable for you. 

Once the list is done, stop looking for or learning any new material that doesn’t fit.  Set those aside for now, temporarily.  The time spent chasing more possibilities will water down the success of the current strategy.  You never want to chase the next best thing when you still haven’t worked what you already have going. 

What Distinguishes You From Your Competitors?

By Catherine Franz

In marketing, U.S.P. is the acronym for unique selling proposition.  The USP process answers the distinct question: “What distinguishes your product or service from similar products or services, even businesses as a whole?”  After continually battling my wits using other recommended USP models, I developed my own -- a list of 50 questions -- that gave me the same results, but faster.  [For simplicity, allow the word product to mean service as well.]

First, select an equal, or as closely matched as possible, playing competitor.  Even if you sell apples, be careful in choosing your comparison.  A Granny Smith apple is different from a Winesap.  Even though both are a snack, each taste different and cook different.  If you think there aren’t any equals, be mindfully open, somewhere there is a close match -- guaranteed. 

Second, gather whatever product information is available – print or electronic.  Lay the material out in singles for easy viewing.  I like to color code, using highlighters, each set of USP characteristics.  For instance, yellow for features, blue for the benefits.  Later, when I’m ready to compare the apples, I use the abbreviations S and D for similar or different to mine.  Poorly written material will produce limited results in your analysis.  If this occurs, record their limitations and choose another player.  Later, use this error list as a checklist against your own created material.

If you are a new player, select a player with fewer than two years in business or with the same number of selling products, otherwise, you will be working under “measurement stress.”  Measurement stress pleases the inner critic but will challenge your focus, energy, and your commitment. 

Third, answer the following questions to create a list of their unique selling points: 

1. How long have they been in business? 
2. Where is the product on the maturity line?  Is it a new product, old, or somewhere in-between? 
3. Are there any business stories they tell?  What type of story is it and how do they use it? 
4. What is the size of their business?  What are the advantages or disadvantages to their size?
5. Highlight all the product’s benefits.
6. What product stories do they use?  How and when do they use them? 
7. Identify and list the features the product offers. 
8. What features are least important to the buyer? 
9. What features may be assumed to be there but are not stated?
10. How is each feature used by the buyer?
11. Why would buyers see the feature as desirable?  Examine one by one.
12. What is their price?
13. Where is this price in line with other similar products in the marketplace?
14. What emotional needs/desires does the product meet?
15. What customer physical needs or desires does their product meet?  Even services meet some needs and desires.
16. Does the product sell better at different times of the year?  If so, when, where, and why?
17. Does the competitor have an office?  Any advantages to that location?  How about their website location or domain name advantages?  Disadvantages? 
18. Where are they advertising the product?  Find and keep copies on file. 
19. Do they have a media kit?  Obtain a copy.
20. What are the product’s demographics?
21. What type of customer care services do they offer?
22. Do they offer any special type of advice? 
23. What is the guarantee or warranty for the product?   
24. How does the product get into their customers hands?
25. How fast do they fulfill their orders? 
26. What type of questions and answers do they offer to consumers about the product? 
27. How long does it take for them to answer “contact us” type of questions?  Submit a few to find out.
28. What are their payment options?  Is there room for expansion?
29. What is their customer service policy? 
30. List the number of ways their customers can contact them?  Test and track each one.
31. What are their “available” (contact/support) hours?  Their time zone?
32. Do they offer product discounts?  What must a buyer do to earn them?
33. How do they ship?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method? 
34. Do they offer any value-added incentives seen from the customers point of view (freebies, documentation, support, newsletters, ebooks, or other items)? 
35. Do they offer purchasing gifts?  Are they one-of-a-kind type or generic?  What needs to occur to receive one?  How often do they change and why?
36. Brainstorm a list of unique, customer-valued gifts, that they don’t offer.
37. What special qualities do their employees contribute to the product? 
38. Do they offer any type of training? 
39. What would make you excited about selling their product?
40. What do their customers say about the uniqueness of that product? 
41. What statistics do they have on the product that shows, not tells, its uniqueness?
42. Do they have any celebrity endorsements?
43. In what ways does the product change buyers life style or shift their mindset?
44. How long does their product last with consumer use?   
45. Where is the product in the economic trend line?  Is it at the beginning or end?
46. How frequent does the company change a feature on the product and remarket it as an update?  Examine the product’s history and look for patterns. 
47. How fast can consumers obtain the product? 
48. Were they the first to develop this product?  When was it developed and first marketed?
49. What are the advantages and disadvantages the product holds in the marketplace now? How is that different then when it first appeared?
50. Where are the product distribution locations?  What are the advantages and disadvantages for each?

Always remember, people are attracted to restaurants with full parking lots.  The perception is…if lots of people are eating there, it must be good.  This is why all restaurant employees are encouraged to park out front.  A good USP process will provide the support you need to gather the information needed to fill your parking lot.

About the Author

Catherine Franz, a veteran entrepreneur and CEO of Eagle Communications, resides in Virginia and is a syndicated columnist, radio host, International speaker, and master life and business coach.    A form, titled FAB, for available in the forms section at:  http://www.abundancecenter.com.