What every website needs

You might see a big gap between my last post where I described my ideal client and the types of people I want to help, and today’s response to Day 13’s question:

"What three things would you most like your website to have and how will you go about getting them?"

That’s because I decided to stop writing about what I want and started to take action to get it! What does every website need? A domain name. I got mine from namecheap.com and I am delighted to announce the launch of www.louisemason.me and www.yourmarketingspecialist.co.uk. 

I have 3 passions: marketing, travelling & languages and my goal is to develop 3 niche websites for all these passions that are then tied together under one umbrella domain - ideally a personal louise.mason domain. That way if you meet me, at a networking event, on my travels around the world or hear about me by world of mouth, you can easily find me by my name.

  

I also wanted a cool name for my marketing company that describes what I do, something like the marketing desk, or your marketing consultant, but all the good domain names were either taken or ridiculously expensive, like over $1,000! So I was thrilled when I found Your Marketing Specialist available on namecheap.com for under $10.   

What the Internet Means to Me

I'm taking part in an online lecture series on web science and this post is really just an excuse to play with free infographic software from Piktochart. 

Finding your Who

It’s important for entrepreneurs to create their USP, (unique special proposition) and during the 30 Day Blog Challenge Natalie recommends developing your USP by finding your why, exploring why you do what you do not just stating the things you do.

However, throughout this process I have been obsessed with finding my who: 

• Who were my audience?
• Who was I going to sell to?
• Who were my target market of ideal clients?
• What products or services would my ideal clients pay for?

Reflect on your uniqueness

In this digital age, no idea stays unique for long, in fact somebody, somewhere is probably already doing it. And there are hundreds, if not thousands of people like me who have a marketing qualification and want to earn some money from offering their marketing services. So what makes me different? Why should someone do business with me instead of someone else?

When I look in the mirror,

What do I see?

Do I see another Tigger

Staring back at me?

This is me:

• Bull- free zone: I won’t just tell you what you want to hear and I won’t sell you something you don’t need. I won’t waste your time.
• Jargon free: I will talk in words that you understand, whatever your level of technical understanding.
• Practical: I will start by applying the fundamental marketing concepts to create a strong foundation to build on, get the basics right before progressing to the next level.

2014: Action

It’s that time of year where everyone is looking back at 2013, maybe even writing a review, but at least considering what went well, what went badly and what was learnt. Of course most people are also making New Year’s resolutions. Over the years I’ve tried different approaches to resolutions, including 10 for 2010, 30 before 30 and 4Ps for 2011.

This year after attending Natalie MacNeil’s highly motivating #Limitless 2014 I have decided on a theme for 2014: 

ACTION.

Less talking, less thinking, more doing.

3 steps to choosing a business model

After considering the 3 online income streams covered in Day 10,  today we are asked “Which business model is best for you and what one revenue stream is most feasible?”

Step 1: What do I want to do?

My gut is leaning towards creating products or offering my services, I have the positive affirmation post it notes on my desktop background to remind me that I am worthy of achieving the lifestyle I want.  They serve as a nice little inspirational pep talk every time I open up my laptop, and today these two jumped out at me:

• I know I have something to offer the world
• I believe I’ve gained valuable knowledge and skills in my lifetime

Ideas spiralling out of control

Bit of a blog hiatus as I was struck down by a migraine last weekend. But on the plus side as I

was going through every trick in the book to relieve my symptoms I started to think about a product range I could develop that would help. Although it’s not as straightforward as writing an e-book or delivering an online course. I would need to find a company to produce it, package it and distribute it, hell might as well get someone to design it and build an e-commerce platform for it!

So what do I have…an idea, that’s all.