Bright Ideas For Biz

Jul 12, 2012

Encourage Your Clients to Play

July 12, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Here is a creative marketing idea from the online business, Veer. Its activity book is designed for creative types (like me), but there is a lesson to be learned for any business about Veer’s approach. The activity book showcases Veer’s fonts and stock photos in a fun way. Even better, this one book can be used online and off!

What could you create to encourage customers to have fun with your brand? I’d love to hear your comments below.

Filed Under: Bright Ideas

Jul 9, 2012

How to Get Paid Even Faster

July 9, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Marketing Monday Video Tip

I love it when I find tools that make my life easier and my business run smoother. And not too long ago I found one that does just that. If you’ve ever had or applied for a merchant account you know they are expensive to maintain with monthly minimum fees and other hidden costs. And for a small business owner, it is often an added expense that isn’t fully utilized.

But now with this handy little tool I found it is easier than ever to get paid for the work you do even faster than before. Watch today’s Marketing Monday video to learn more.

Get your own at https://squareup.com/.

Filed Under: Marketing Monday Tip

Jul 2, 2012

How to Grow Your Business This Summer

July 2, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Marketing Monday Tip

It’s official…summer has arrived.

I’ve been enjoying nightly fireworks shows, regular swims off the boat and slow days sitting by the water with friends and family.

BUT this does not mean that my business is suffering and neither should yours. In fact, you should take advantage of the summer slow-down to get prepared for the rest of the year. It’s a great time for a tune-up to make sure you are reaching your people and speaking their language.

If you’re ready to give your business a jumpstart and tune-up your marketing so you are on track to grow your business this year then I invite you to contact me.

Filed Under: Marketing Monday Tip

Jun 25, 2012

Why blogging is a powerful tool for your website

June 25, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Marketing Monday Video Tip

Do you have a blog? Are you posting to it regularly?

If not you are missing a powerful opportunity to get your website and business more exposure.

As I explain in today’s Marketing Monday video, essentially every time you blog you raise your hand and ask Google to come back and re-index your site. It provides a huge boost for SEO.

Plus a blog immediately adds to your expert status when you are consistently providing high-value content for your readers.

And it’s just plain fun!

Watch today’s Marketing Monday video for my true story about how blogging has helped build my business.

Filed Under: Marketing Monday Tip, Website Essentials

Jun 18, 2012

Why You Need a Mobile Website

June 18, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Marketing Monday Video Tip

I consider myself a mobile entrepreneur. I just returned from a four-day business trip to New Jersey to attend a conference and already know I’ll be headed south again for a few days in July.

When I’m out, I use my iPhone for everything — from email to internet browsing — and I’m not alone. Pretty soon there will be more smartphones on the market than any other type of cell phone. People just don’t browse the web at their desk any more. It happens in real time. And your website must be ready.

Watch today’s Marketing Monday video to learn more.

Filed Under: Marketing Monday Tip, Website Essentials

Jun 11, 2012

5 Reasons Why You Need a WordPress Website

June 11, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Marketing Monday Video Tip

Back when I started building websites 10 years ago, there was a steep learning curve and expensive software required to build and update a site. It often made it cost prohibitive for a small business owner to make updates to their own site.

Not anymore!

Now thanks to WordPress, small business owners can finally take back control of their website.

I fell in love with WordPress two years ago and have been using it to build our own and client’s websites ever since. Watch today’s video to learn 5 reasons why to choose WordPress.

Filed Under: Marketing Monday Tip, Website Essentials

Jun 4, 2012

Does Your Website Pass the $1 Bill Test?

June 4, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Marketing Monday Video Tip

Does your website pass the $1 bill test? You can use this test to see if the layout of your website makes it easy for visitors to get engaged.

Filed Under: Marketing Monday Tip, Website Essentials

May 28, 2012

Have You Scheduled Time Off Yet?

May 28, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

No Marketing Monday video to share with you today because I am taking a much-needed break and enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend with family here at the lake! And sending a big thanks to all the service-men, -women and families who have sacrificed so much protecting the USA.

I also want to thank everyone who supported the book launch last Thursday of “Trust Your Heart: Building Relationships that Build Your Business.” The response was amazing and the book reached #1 in a three categories on Amazon very quickly! We couldn’t have done it without you. Whoohoo!

But before I head outside, I do have an important tip to share with you…

…which has nothing to do with marketing.

I want you to go check your calendar right now and make sure you have blocked off some vacation time (ie time away from your business). We’re almost in the 6th month of the year and if you’re like most small business owners you’ve had your nose to the grindstone for a while and haven’t taken a break. It’s time to change that!

In order to enjoy it, you must schedule your vacation time first. Do this and you ensure you have time to enjoy work AND life. When I ignored my own advice in the past I very quickly became a slave to my business and even went an entire year without a break. Don’t make this same mistake. Schedule the time away now or the next thing you know it will be the end of the year.

I totally believe in working hard and playing harder…it’s how we build the businesses we want and enjoy the entrepreneurial lifestyle we created. So go schedule some time off now. I can guarantee you won’t regret it!

Filed Under: Bright Ideas, Marketing Monday Tip

May 24, 2012

Learn How You Can Build Relationships that Build Your Business

May 24, 2012 By Ally Piper Leave a Comment

Whoo-Hoo! It’s Launch Day!

My New Year’s resolution was to do more writing in 2012 and not only did I achieve my goal, but my story is included in a new book launching today!

I’ve been telling you about this book for a week or so and now’s the time to rush over to Amazon and grab your copy of Trust Your Heart: Building Relationships that Build Your Business!

It’s just $12, and the mega bonuses you’ll get for ordering today are truly staggering.

I’m so honored to be a part of this. Just so you’ re clear, no one paid a penny to be in this book – all experts were personally hand-picked by the publisher!

And when you order the book by midnight tonight you gain access to valuable bonuses including a spot in Marnie’s Exclusive JV Database with me and so many of my other colleagues!

But you have to get the book by midnight tonight in order to gain access!

Join me in the one-day-only grand opening of Trust Your Heart: Building Relationships that Build Your Business!

Grab your copy here

Here’s to creating relationships that take your business to the top!

Filed Under: Bright Ideas

May 21, 2012

Why You Need a Welcome Video on Your Website

May 21, 2012 By Ally Piper 1 Comment

Marketing Monday Tip

How do you welcome visitors to your website? Is it with open arms or do you play hard to get?

Incorporating video into your website is the perfect way to allow your potential customers to get to know more about you, your products and services thus shortening the sales cycle and the time they spend deciding to hire you or not.

In this week’s Marketing Monday video I share details about one very important video you should have on your website.