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Do you know what is the #1 requested headline I am asked to add to a website’s home page? I get this request so often that I am compelled to write this article in hopes to share just how critical that main headline is.

It could make or break the effectiveness of your website.

Firstly, it’s important to keep in mind that your website is your primary marketing piece, bar none. Even if you rarely update it (that will be another “must write” article coming up!) it’s tirelessly working on your behalf by telling everyone that visits it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all about your business. None stop.

Why is this so important? Many times, it’s the first impression your potential clients will get of you and your business. This cannot be taken lightly in this highly competitive world we live in. Even if you believe your website is quite useless and you hardly pay any attention to it (oh, yet another “must write” article!), which, I promise you, it is far from useless.

When a prospect visits your website, their primary objective is to find out if you can solve their problem. If they didn’t have a problem to solve, they wouldn’t be looking for you. Period. Their problem could be something like needing to sell their home fast, or they need to find peace in their relationship, or perhaps they are looking for a solution to make them healthy again.

Whatever that problem is, they need to know right off the bat if you will be the one to solve it for them.

You have literally 3 seconds to transmit this solution and the only way it is going to happen is through that main headline on your website.

Now I ask you, is the following headline (the most requested one I’m asked to add to a website) going to convince anyone that their problem will be solved?

“Welcome to my website”

Nope.

At best, it’s going to give them the impression you’re a friendly person; how lovely. At worst, it’s going to tell them that you’re only interested in what you have to say, that your website is going to be all about you. Making their big question, “What’s in it for me?” remain a mystery.

So guess what happens? Neither scenario is going to grab their attention enough to make them go any further past that opening statement.

You can have the prettiest photos and the most well-written, compelling copy underneath that headline, but the opportunity is lost. Faster than you can say “back button,” they have moved on, resuming their search to find someone that will solve their problem.

I encourage you to take a look at your website and ask yourself if your primary home page headline is grabbing enough attention to make your prospective clients read further. Ask yourself if it is addressing their problem, telling them that you know exactly what they are going through?

If you are one of those, “Welcome to my Website” headline writers, I encourage you to take a critical look at how effective it is being and really give some thought to what problems you are solving for your clients. Write a list and from there decide what is the biggest / most common problem you come across. From there, compose a compelling headline that will get your prospective clients to read more to convince them that you are their ideal choice.

If this feels like a daunting task, some of your best spent money would be on a professional copywriter to help you with this. The success of your business could truly depend on it.

Share your comments below about website headlines – what has worked for you and how do you measure its effectiveness?

To your eMarketing success,
Sue

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Mentoring women in business has been a passion for me as long as I can remember. It was all too obvious sometimes how the proverbial “glass ceiling” and other barriers kept women I knew from reaching their potential. Sometimes these came from their employers, sometimes their family, but whatever the barriers: there was one trait they unfortunately shared:

A lack of confidence.

However, I don’t see a lack of confidence just to mean that you think to yourself “I can’t do it.” It’s much more than that! It is a barrier or mental block that keeps you from realizing the skills and abilities you have as a woman. In other words, your “feminine edge.”

Think of it here. I know I might be stereotyping (a bit…) but in most cases woman have a special perspective on things, a perspective that can be, at times, more caring, empathetic, and people-orientated. Now I know I am treading dangerous ground here, and I want to preface that by saying I know many men who are more kind and empathetic than many women; however, overall, I think there is some general validity in that statement I just made.

But how can I, as a woman, leverage this “edge” to build my business and maximize it’s potential?

Ali Brown is a similar promoter of woman’s skills, traits, and how those can be used to help us succeed. She has a new webinar on that very issue, cleverly called “Thrive.” You might have seen it on her Twitter page @AliBrown or trending at #THRIVE. She’s created an intro video you can check out here:

What I like about this resource is that it’s not some webinar that goes “wow, women are different than men. Did you know that? Now go succeed” instead Ali is going to to teach us how to APPLY these unique traits of ours to help us succeed. Real, practical, advice.

One of the first things I learned about marketing is that people can no longer be sold on fancy messages or pretty graphics anymore.  We are too educated! We want substance, we want to know what we are investing in matters, that it will benefit and help us personally. The way Ali teaches women to apply these skills provides those benefits that, frankly, we need to be there in order to invest in something like a webinar. Check out the details here: http://ow.ly/dp4os

At the end of the day, empowerment is more than just “ra-ra” speeches and inspirational quotes. It is putting in the knowledge and skills we have into practice in our own lives and our own businesses. That said, Ali Brown’s Thrive project is designed to help us realize the power we’ve had all along, and how we can use it to create the best businesses that we can and maximize them to our benefit. Putting what we’ve learned into action is up to you, but Ali Brown can help us unlock our potential, and that is a very important first step!

Once more, please check out her link for more info and a place to sign up if you’d like: http://ow.ly/dp4os

Enjoy these warm Fall days while they last!

Regards,

Sue

Again, here’s where you want to go: http://ow.ly/dp4os

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Recently I decided to give the client gallery on our website a “summer cleaning and update.” To be honest, I was aghast at how long it had been since I had added in all our new projects (which I can happily say they are there now) but even more revealing, was I also discovered several (now former) clients who had decided to change their website to something “new” and move on without us.

At first, I have to admit, I took it personal. Why didn’t they ask us to help them? Are they mad at us? What did we do wrong?

I’m sure you can relate. It’s human nature to immediately take something personal, when the truth could be far from it.

But the problem is, how do we know what the truth is if that client never told us there was a problem to begin with?

This discovery of these changed websites got me thinking about communication and some of the more challenging situations we’ve endured over the years. Indeed, it hasn’t been a completely smooth ride… we’ve definitely had some clients not happy with us that moved on. But we knew about those and usually knew why.

This was different.

These clients just slipped away in the night with nary a footstep to be heard…

After giving this some thought, I came to a couple of possibilities:

1) They wanted a new site but decided (for any given reason) they did not want to hire us for the job.

2) They knew they needed a new site (some of these sites were quite old – like over 5 years so it was badly needed) and didn’t want to pay to have us (or anyone) do it. They decided to build their own site instead.

Going back to those challenging client situations, I do know that there has always been one common denominator: A disconnect of expectations.

This happens when the client is expecting certain results that may be different from what we are promising we will do for them. When this happens, I must take full responsibility. If I have failed in communicating clearly on what we will do for a client, and they have a different expectation as to what they will receive, then I didn’t do my job right.

Sometimes this isn’t as easy as it sounds.

As an example, if a client purchases our ePlus branding package, we do exactly what we say we will do: Submit the client’s site into 12 different industry-specific directories and submit into 10 different search engines as well as design and install custom eSignature and eStationery (if the client’s software can facilitate them) into their email client.

However, what I’ve come to realize is that they are not looking at those specifics… they are looking at the results: What will they get out of this investment?

Perhaps their thoughts read:

-”This will get me at the top of the directory searches!”
-”If I just build the website, they will come”
-”I’ll be #1 on Google!”
-”People will swarm to my website with all the exposure I’m going to get!”
-”I’ll have so many clients from everyone seeing my eSignature, they will surely hire me as soon as they see it!”

You get the idea.

Did I exaggerate a bit? Maybe. But for some… for those clients we lost over the years… I wonder if that’s what happened? In any case, I have made a commitment to ensure our communications are clearly stated from the start to avoid any potential misunderstanding.

Do you face the same challenge of communicating to your current and potential clients clearly what they will get from your efforts without them distorting the reality of the benefits of what they will receive?

My intention with this article is to not only share a big “ah-ha” I got from my “Summer Cleaning” but to also get you thinking on how you are communicating expectations to your clients.

If you’re struggling with unhappy clients or losing them without any explanation, perhaps it’s time to take a look at your website copy, proposals, guarantees and all other forms of communication your clients will see and ensure all expectations are properly managed to avoid any disappointments in the future: you can’t promise the world, unless you’re prepared to give it!

Do you have a story you’d like to share about a disconnect of expectations you experienced? Please post below and let’s go through this process together!

Expectationingly,
Sue

~~~~~~~~~

Susan is president/founder of eVision Media, a web development and eMarketing firm specializing in building effective brands for entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations for over 10 years. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, she is able to provide an authentic and personalized service for those wanting a trustworthy member of their team for their brand & marketing design, website development and SEO/eMarketing needs. Contact Susan today for a free 30 minute consultation on helping you build your website presence to be the effective marketing tool is can be. susan@evisionmedia.ca or visit www.evisionmedia.ca.

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I’ve recently been reviewing my old blog posts for content I can use in our social media eTips and I came across an old graphic I posted of really staggering Facebook facts.

It’s rather large, and I’d prefer not to post it again here (just scroll down the blog a bit to April 24th, 2012 if you’d like) but here are some key points:

-Facebook has 845+ monthly active users

-425+ million mobile users

-2.7 billion+ “likes”

Wow. These facts are still as impressive as when I first saw them!

For your business this means millions of engaged, active users just waiting to jump on great content, content that could be yours.

However, do you know how to leverage this potential to it’s maximum effect?

One of my favorite experts on Facebook marketing, Mari Smith, and a collection of her big-named contemporaries are featured speakers in this year’s mega on-line event: Facebook Success Summit 2012

It’s a collection of webinars spread over three weeks starting October 2nd.

What I like about this one is the wide and diverse range of topics being discussed by the hosts, it seems in a word: complete.

One thing about this webinar that I’ve noticed in it’s marketing is it’s tremendous early bird value. They’re giving you a 50% discount if you register early, so if it interests you it’s important to sign up early and save your cash.

I prefer to think that THIS is the original price and if we wait, we pay double. Not going to happen! Perhaps check out the free sample: http://ow.ly/cAgn5

But all the savings in the world aren’t worth it if there isn’t great content. Here’s just a sample of what will specifically be discussed:

* Facebook marketing strategy that work, and save you time
* Growing and managing a Facebook following
* Generating hot leads that PAY with Facebook
* Newsfeed optimization, metrics and analytics
* Edit and manage your content to make you shine

The seminars will be recorded and you’ll have the ability to watch them at your leisure if you can’t make the webinars at the times they are broadcast.

I talk about these webinars because they have helped me so much in crafting eVisionmedia’s social media strategy. Yes, I myself have invested in many of them!

They’re great value in that you can watch them from the comfort of your home or office, saving money on travel, and having the transcripts and archived video at your fingertips makes sure you don’t miss a single nugget of important info.

What makes this one so unique is the amount of talent:

-Mari Smith (co-author, Facebook Marketing)

-Dave Kerpen (author, Likeable Social Media)

-Amy Porterfield (co-author, Facebook Marketing All-In-One for Dummies)

-John Haydon (co-author, Facebook Marketing for Dummies)

-Brian Carter (author, The Like Economy)

-Mark Schaefer (author, Return on Influence)

-Chris Treadaway (co-author, Facebook Marketing)

-Jesse Stay (author, Facebook Application Development for Dummies)

-Andrea Vahl (co-author, Facebook Marketing All-In-One for Dummies)

To name a few…

Remember, this webinar also involves a 50% savings if you register early, so if you feel this huge collection of talent can help you max out your Facebook marketing skills, don’t delay and check out the free sample to see if it works for you: http://ow.ly/cAgn5

Facebook is here to stay, and it can be one of the best, free, marketing channels you can use. The trick is to use it effectively, and the Facebook Success Summit seems like a great resource to leverage those amazing Facebook usership numbers to maximize your business.

To your Facebook success!

Sue

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If you’ve been struggling to get any substantial results from your on-line information product (such as an on-line course, PDF eBook, etc)… or you’re ready to get started with this popular passive revenue stream, then read further . . . you’re going to want to hear what I’m about to share.

Ali Brown just released a special report with “InfoProduct Guy” James Roche. It’s called “Info-Publishing Secrets: Cash-In on What You Already Know” and it’s your chance to learn from not one but TWO experts in information publishing who are not only “in the trenches” every day but work with *clients around the world* to create these types of income streams.

And they know what works…

You see, information is nothing new, but these days people aren’t looking for more of it. They’re looking for distilled information, and they are happy to pay for it if it’s the right information. Whether you realize it or not, YOU have knowledge that other people will gladly pay for. But you have to make sure to plan ahead to create a product that people will actually want!

That’s where Ali and James come in. In this complimentary PDF download, you’ll learn:

*7 reasons why info-publishing is still a *super income stream* to add to your business, or a business model itself that allows for a very flexible lifestyle (work at home, or travel with your laptop!)

*The 2 items you MUST get clear on when *planning a product that will SELL*. (Don’t waste your time creating a product that no one wants! It’s heartbreaking to see so many people do this.)

*What’s working–and what’s NOT working–right now in information publishing. (The industry HAS changed, and what worked just a few years ago is not flying today.)

*The *TOP 3 MISTAKES* people make in info-publishing that waste hundreds of hours of time (and often a lot of money).

*How information publishing is a SHORTCUT to getting more (and better) clients… if you offer some type of service or consulting/coaching.

*The EASIEST path to getting started fast if you’re new to the game.

Ali and James have both sold millions of dollars in information products combined over the years. But remember each of them started with ONE e-book that brought in an extra few hundred dollars a month and grew from there. And you can do it too!

Don’t miss out on this information-packed special report. I just read it and it has great info in it so wanted to make sure you knew about it too.

Download your free copy here:
http://bit.ly/InfoProductFreeReport

Here’s to your success!
Sue

P.S. In the report, Ali and James will also give you a sneak preview of their BRAND NEW, detailed program that will walk you through all their BEST strategies on info-publishing (and you’ll even get a coupon code to SAVE $50!). BUT even if you decide not to invest in the course you will want IN on this information–it’s chock-full of valuable information on creating your next info-product. Download your free copy of this report here:
http://bit.ly/InfoProductFreeReport

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Many of us grow up thinking there has to be *one or the other*…

You make a lot of money and lose your soul.

OR, you stay true to your faith and family.

One of the reasons why we think this way is much of our world is stuck in the *old paradigm of thinking*. Especially when it comes to money and business.

Consider this… the “old” model for business was a *masculine* model. Business and life were separated. Work and home were clearly divided. (Just watch a few episodes of “Mad Men” and you’ll get this quite clearly.)

When women entered the workforce in greater and greater numbers, we were the ones to not quite understand why that was so. We work *holistically*, not in a rigidly segmented way. We were thinking of our happiness, our families, our fulfillment.

So we challenged the model. We changed it. We said “no more” and wanted to work in a way that brought meaning and joy to our lives.

The “old way” was a model *we never fit into in the first place*. Hence the huge uprising in female entrepreneurship.

Because finally, with all the opportunity before us, *we now have the edge*.

We can have faith, family, and financial freedom, all together.

In pre-chats with several of the luminaries being featured in entrepreneur mentor and ABC’s “Secret Millionaire” Ali Brown’s “Feminine Edge” teleseries, Ali’s been struck by something in particular: These women run their business with their values in order: Faith first, Family second, and Financial Freedom third.

They may describe it differently, but they do it–in different ways, with different lives, and different businesses.

I’m excited to learn from 13 of the best and brightest luminaries–from money masters to spiritual leaders–in Ali’s free teleseries. These women have designed a business on their own terms and created an extraordinary life for themselves. It’s time we joined them!

Watch Ali’s video now to get the scoop and reserve your spot:

Remember, “The Feminine Edge” is FREE to attend for all three days. I’ve already signed up, so you should register now too before you forget–it all starts TODAY, June 26!

Kind regards,
Sue

P.S. I also love how Ali is giving 20% of profits from her optional VIP upgrade to join FITE–a nonprofit helping women around the world empower themselves through entrepreneurship via microloans. You can see what she’s doing here:
https://alibrown.infusionsoft.com/go/feminineedge/evision/

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Sometimes things in this digital world still surprise you. For the longest time I had been suspicious that social media, like Facebook, was just a fad. As it turned out, I was wrong. Fortunately there are some very savvy social media people out there to help us, and Mari Smith is certainly one of those!

Mari is a very smart woman when it comes to social media, and I’ve learned from her wisdom personally. This is why I wanted to share her brand new offering with you!

Her new course — Facebook Money Mastery — shows you behind-the-scenes marketing strategies and real-world tactics that some of the world’s most successful companies are using today — and earning a significant return on all the time and money they’ve put into their social media presence.

Isn’t that exactly the kind of info we’d like to know?!

Starting June 5th, 2012 she is starting a series of 8 webinar sessions on using Facebook to make you money.

The best part? She’s cutting a big discount for those that sign up now! Not only that, but if you’re not 100% satisfied with the webinar she’s offering a full money back refund valid even after you attend all the classes! That’s not “low risk”, that’s no risk!

So, if you want to see your business maximize it’s ability to make money with Facebook, then join me on this course to have Mari show us how it’s done!

Once again, join here: http://bit.ly/FBMoneyMast

Kind regards, and best of luck to your businesses!

Sue

P.S. Like you, I don’t always have time to be somewhere at a specific time watching a webinar. Fortunately, Mari has that covered! All of her classes are archived so if you miss them, you can watch them later. So there is no risk of you missing anything.

http://bit.ly/FBMoneyMast

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As you know, there are no accidents and we all find each other for a specific reason. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about our latest telesummit project.

We have been working with one of the fastest-growing global information and influence companies in the world – the I AM Group.

They’ve created an amazing online event called “The New Awakening Super Summit” to inspire, educate, and illuminate all facets of your highest human consciousness through the alignment of our bodies, minds, souls and spirit.

I invite you to join us on a journey and peel back those layers of disappointment, sadness, regret, negative beliefs and failure and eliminate them completely.

Join us at no cost to you on The New Awakening Super Summit here:

http://bit.ly/NewAwakeningSummit

Harrison Klein and his wonderful hosts welcome you to be present when they give you the most practical and effective methods and techniques from 24 best-selling authors and personal development experts to awaken your consciousness to new ways of thinking. Their intention is to illuminate your every thought with positive messages, love and kindness so you can take inspired action and enjoy all the success, happiness, abundance and wealth you so truly deserve.

It is only through awakening and shifting your consciousness on the inside and being fully appreciative of the blessings you have in your life that you can ever hope to achieve happiness and prosperity on the outside.

If you’re ready to experience your new awakening, then join this outstanding panel of inspirational speakers on the FREE New Awakening Super Summit, where they will guide you on a transformational journey to do exactly that.

This wonderful complimentary online event starts April 30th and runs through June.

Find out more about The New Awakening Super Summit here:

http://bit.ly/NewAwakeningSummit

Here’s just a sample of the fantastic speakers and topics you have to look forward to:

* Entrepreneur, researcher and explorer of consciousness and human behavior John Assaraf is doing an exclusive video interview you won’t want to miss!

* One of the world’s leading authorities on human behaviour and personal development, Dr. John Demartini talks about Mind Over Body: Understanding Hidden Agendas & Unconscious Motives.

* Certified hypnotherapist Tellman Knudson takes you through a live group hypnotherapy session – your state of being will be completely altered during this session.

* Best-selling “Letting Go” author Guy Finley discusses Awakening to Being Fearless and Free. Find out how you can turn your fear and vulnerability to strength that you never thought possible.

* Gary Douglas, Founder of Access Consciousness shares Simple Tools for Easy Change and How to Learn to Communicate With Your Body and Trust Your Awareness.

* Dr. Sue Morter explores The BioEnergetics of Awakening to your Highest Life Purpose. Discover an ancient technique that will allow you to activate the innate wisdom that’s already inside you.

* Internationally-recognized healer Ann Taylor Awakens Your Power to Prosperity and Abundance. All your worries and fears about money will be eliminated completely in just a matter of minutes.

* Founder of Quantum-Touch Richard Gordon talks about “The New Human” and Redefines What It Means to Be Human. This is about reconnecting to your energy and power and letting it shine for the whole world to see.

* Dr. Alex Loyd guides you to Awakening to a New Consciousness for Healing Yourself and Others. Imagine how powerful and in control you’ll feel when you take your healing into your own hands.

* Best-selling author Christy Whitman Awakens and Expands Your Consciousness for Abundance in all areas of your life – whether it’s money in the bank or a wealth of close relationships, family and friends.

* Dr. Bradley Nelson Awakens the Perfect YOU Inside by Tearing Down the Walls Around Your Heart so you can finally shine your light and be the person you are meant to be.

* Mahendra Trivedi and Debra Poneman open you up to Awakening Miracles In Your Life – They Do Happen and they are a powerful force for change.

* Noah St. John shifts your thoughts on Afformations – The Missing Piece to Having Abundance so you can create the abundance you so richly deserve.

* Rikka Zimmerman teaches you How To Be The Master of Your Phenomenal Life – it’s time for you to be the master of your domain.

* Margaret Lynch shows you how to Unlock the Secrets of Your 1st Chakra Money Paradigm and Step Up to a New Wealth Reality.

* Harrison Klein awakens your mind to the core I AM Principles which can totally shift your perceptions.

* Successful entrepreneur and actress Kristen Howe gives you the Power of Proof so you can finally change your vibration and magnetize what you desire.

* Graham Phoenix teaches a new paradigm in How to Love a Woman. Whether you’re male or female, there’s a new way of thinking that will help you better understand the opposite sex.

* And there’s much more in store for you …

To find out more, see the full roster of speakers and their topics and to register, click here now!

http://bit.ly/NewAwakeningSummit

And you’re covered if you can’t make the live broadcasts . . . you’ll be able to participate no matter where you live and no matter what kind of schedule you have. You can either listen to the live calls via phone or webcast, or to the replays for 48 hours afterwards, all for FREE.

Here’s that registration link again:

http://bit.ly/NewAwakeningSummit

I look forward to meeting you there,

Sue

P.S. Never again will you find this group of amazing speakers all together in one place. Please join me as we shift our reality.

http://bit.ly/NewAwakeningSummit

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Check out this infographic on the Top Ten Facts of Facebook:

To your social media success!
Sue

P.S. Maria and Tina have an amazing Ulimate Social Challenge where they will show you how to fuel your business with Facebook + Mobile + Pinterest.

Go now to: http://bit.ly/socialchallenge and register!

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You may know Ali Brown from ABC’s “Secret Millionaire” and her excellent entrepreneur resources she offers. She’s someone I’ve been  following for years and truly trust her teachings when it comes to business success. Her insights are a *must-read* for any business owner . . .

Here’s what Ali says… “The biggest problem I see business owners make is they get used to getting by, and flying by the seat of their pants. For example, perhaps they just rely on the occasional referral, and they don’t even have a system to get clients or customers. Their business has no true foundation to stand on. Then, when a strong wind comes by and knocks it all down, they are devastated. It’s over.

NOW, more than ever, it’s CRITICAL for you to *take control of your business and take control of your income*.

You have no choice… except to ELEVATE.

By gaining solid skills on how to promote and grow ANY business, YOU can create wealth again and again. THAT is financial freedom!

There has NEVER been a better time to create your OWN economy, invest in yourself, and shape your future. All you need is the system.”

To help you, Ali has created a BRAND NEW video series that includes detailed, step-by-step training.

It’s called “Elevate Your Income: Top Strategies to Boost Your Business Fast!” and it’s absolutely FREE.

To get started now, go to

https://alibrown.infusionsoft.com/go/elevate/evision/

and you’ll get access to the first video right away.

I highly recommend watching this series – Ali always offers excellent tips and strategies that any business person can use and since it’s free, you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain!  Go ahead and sign up here and don’t miss out:

https://alibrown.infusionsoft.com/go/elevate/evision/

Sue