SEO is a myth for most. No longer are people waiting for SEO to move them to page 1. That is a myth for most. There are new and important ways to use web marketing without day dreaming or waiting for the Social Media breakthrough to produce more leads and inquiries. Link basics no longer need to be confusing as straightforward thinking will lead to straight forward solutions.

Use the new analytical tools. First off, use the new analytical tools to see where you can improve. Then follow a basic web marketing plan that is tailored for your own needs and reality. One of the easiest areas to overlook is visual appeal. If you listen to the geeks and guru’s you may not think it matters – but it does.

Start with a good web marketing plan. The new web marketing plan follows the same guidelines that all planning disciplines call for. We use Mind Meister to organize most of the websites we do these days. The old days of starting with code and a cute look are long gone.

Keep Social Network Marketing (SNM) in perspective. Unless you have a great deal of time and a solid budget, don’t expect big results from SNM. Its a long slow build. We usually recommend an organizational page on Facebook, a solid Linked In presence and some periodic blogging loaded with content.

Manage your expectations as you learn. Don’t go for the quick miracle. We recommend an orderly step by step approach to excellence. That will not happen without the involvement of a dedicated team. if you do that, it will be amazing how much progress you can make in a year!

Don’t forget traditional marketing. Just as you plan your web marketing, you will want to plan your traditional marketing to work in concert. Just because you have a website doesn’t mean you stop looking for customers or clients the old fashioned way.

ExecWorth  Coaching is changing. We have taken a hands-on approach for years: written analysis, creative copywriting, and personalized or tailored solutions. However, we now integrate proactive web marketing into everything we do – blending the best of the old and the new. Give us a call at 215-219-4643 for a Free evaluation of your current website – backed up by specific recommendations on how to improve it without the usual hocus pocus. Call 215-219-4643 – it rings right in Ed’s pocket no matter where he is located that day.

Listen carefully. We all hear the rumble of change threatening our positions, lifestyles or dreams. For those who understand it will affect all of us, I believe you will find opportunities to place yourself at the forefront of what will become inevitable. Don’t be afraid to read about it and think about how you will handle the shift in your personal strategy.

Look Close to Home. I have clients in telecom looking at telemedicine and mobil centric solutions; other marketing executives who are staying focused on results rather than just jumping aboard with the latest trends in SNM. One CFP has shifted his day to day business to attend to the benefit needs of small business – and his revenue is up 50% in the past 12 months.

Old Rules Change Too. How about the salon owner who has diversified into rental properties which now contribute more than half of his annual income, and his growth in net worth is even greater. This is also a time to think in terms of having your own business. I am working with some who have two and three businesses going at the same time – defying the old tradition of focusing on just one.

Not the Easy Road. None of the related decisions were easy, but in each case they listened to their inner voice to affirm their new directions. Join me for my next Webinar of breakthrough thinking for the next decade – email me at edbantlow@execworth.com for times. This will be a chance to let your hair down and learn what other successful people are doing about their futures.

Regards, Ed

Here in the Bay Area, especially around Berkeley, you can see a wide variety of organizations showing a higher degree of social consciousness than you see on the east coast. The benefits seem positive: improved teamwork, higher levels of enthusiasm – adding up to real momentum. That momentum affects organizations in all sectors: public, private and social.

This can make a difference for individuals who want to move into leadership, earn more money, or build a successful organization of any type. One of my clients is bringing such a vision into reality as he organizes an exciting new non profit franchise to help communities across America.

Personal Networking is still the best way to develop new contacts. You should write out a

script that allows you to introduce yourself in 30 seconds or less. Think of how you want the new

contact to remember you. Your Positioning Script is your Signature Statement as you network 

in your new community.

The example here is a 37 year old professional who has had a number of jobs in unrelated

functions: retail sales, teen guidance and Online teaching for a local college. My advice was based on

his desire to start a consulting practice on the side to supplement his new job as a recruiter for

non profit agency network. I suggested he position himself around three keywords: Marketing -

Management - Consulting, even though he is primarily involved in the sale of new accounts.

You can decide if 'Marketing' is a keyword that you are comfortable with - part of your identity. 

I recommend that rather than focus on titles assigned by an employer. 'Educator' adds status, so 

I suspect that is optional,but helpful if you teach more online courses. Maybe we just mention that 

for now. Though you do not have recent management experience, you are well versed in the 

fundamentals.

"My name is Ben Williams - nice to meet you Amy."  She says '" Hi Ben, what do you do?"    

"My primary areas of interest (or activity) are in Marketing Management and Consulting. 

I get a chance to do a little of each in my current position with Family Aid. Are you familiar

with the organization?” “Not Really?”

"They are a well established social assistance organization here in Seattle (as well as 

elsewhere). In addition, teaching Online Marketing Courses is a passion of mine.  I also 

enjoy helping entrepreneurs and professionals with personal problems through my private  

consulting practice - Personal Solutions."    Hand out the Business Card with 

website address, email, etc. Get Amy's email and phone for future networking.

1. Lead Positively – Smile, Relax, Be Happy.  2. Count to 10 1st – Then Do It or Say It. 3. Be Strategic Before a Risky Tactical Move is Implemented. 4. Don’t Assume Too Much – the Less the Better.  5. Show Passion, Keep the Fire Inside – Save Excess Energy for Later. 6. Collaborate – Bounce Big Ideas Off Trusted Advisors. 7. Align Your Actions with Your Caring Values. 8. Stay Consistent – It Strengthens Performance. 9. Withhold Action – to Reduce Conflict. 10. Be Open to Change – It Happens Anyway.

There’s so much written about the bottom line, that a leader can forget about his team. Your people should always come first – no matter what!

THE BEST LEADERS HAVE FUN EVERY DAY

There are several things that are important to us on any new position you consider:
1.) limited bureaucracy/no time wasting; 2.) a clear set of mutually agreeable goals and objectives
for the plan period (usually one year w quarterly adjustments). 3.) A collegial working relationship
with co-workers and staff on a 360 degree basis. “I am a person who works well as part of a team,
but am used to being a program leader more than just a follower.” (Pause – be silent for 10 or
more seconds.) (“Let me explain as appropriate:”)

Later, we can do the additional (detailed) prep that is recommended for you – by your
executive coach. Meanwhile, our strategy is to have you well prepared for the experience
of meeting six possible new colleagues. The meetings are as much or more for you to get a feel
for the job and people as they are for them to learn more about you.

Do begin to dig deeper into the backgrounds of each person you will meet. Google is amazing
that way. The corporate folks and the institution’s website may be most important, so I will
take a look and share observations. Do the background stuff this week, so you are ahead of
the power curve well before the specifics of your own goals and objectives for the trip.

One basis for being well prepared is good policy. The other basis we have is that you
are reluctant to reveal information about yourself. There may be several reasons for that.
Your inner self doesn’t like to, you’re guarded for a lifetime; as a thinker, you are
focused on listening and guiding without revealing, etc. Take a Google look at sample questions
from the behavioral school from the 1970′s. It has come more into vogue recently, especially
among the less experienced who get briefed on fun questions to ask. (Behavioral Interview
Questions – click) If any interest you for discussion, let me know. “If you faced this crazy
situation (angry swearing) with a staff member, what would you do?” Think carefully.

You did mention, you are not sure what they are looking for. Folks do not usually know what
they are looking for. Your goal #1 is to have the job tailored to what you want – and still meet
their needs as best they/you understand them. So, you work on what you know – who you are,
where you are professionally, and where you want to go in your next position! Once that is clear
you should be good to go.

Your phone interview w the EVP calls for prep of its own. I expect it will go well. It will be a
good time for you to “learn more” directly from one of their executives. So write your questions
and concerns in advance. Do they have a model to apply in new markets? What are some of the new
programs or innovations they are working on? I think it makes sense to talk about your interests
in programs like the Expansion Program – are they thinking along the same lines?