Blitz Ezine #283 ~~ August 12th , 2008

Time Management, Using your blog for traffic

The Blitz-Promotions News Letter
Issue no. 283, August 12th , 2008

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blitz Comments
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We hope you had a wonderful Summer. We did and I can't believe that school is already back in session.

Over the summer we created a site that is dedicated to help you save money on Gas (and other things as well)

Here is the site -
http://www.gasmileageguide.com/

Here is a free ebook you can download -
http://www.gasmileageguide.com/freepreview.htm

Here is a blog that we update almost every day -
http://www.gasmileageguide.com/gas-savings-blog/

Every day or two we talk some about promotion (as well as fun things too on our blog)
http://smallbizpromo.blogspot.com/

+++++++++++++++++
In this Issue
+++++++++++++++++-
- Time Management Secrets
- Innovative Ways to Market

+++++++++++++++++
Food for thought
+++++++++++++++++

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain.

========================================

TIME MANAGEMENT SECRETS
By Dr. Donald E. Wetmore

I have spent most of the last twenty years researching, studying, writing and speaking about Time Management and Personal Productivity. I have learned a whole lot and my full-time mission now is to share that knowledge through my writings, seminars, consulting and keynotes with people who want to get more done in less time in their business and personal lives.

One important lesson I learned is that there are three simple, yet powerful Time Management Secrets. Knowing these will go a long way to helping you to better manage your time each and every day and get more done in less time and with less stress.

We all have too much to do. Almost everyone I speak with tells me they have more to do than time permits. This says a lot of good things about you. That you have too much to do means many have entrusted a lot to you. People who seldom have enough to keep them busy and are always looking for things to do may not have earned this level of confidence from others.

There is never enough time for everything. If you have too much to do, by definition, you will not have enough time for everything. In fact you will only accomplish but a tiny fraction of what you will want to accomplish in your lifetime. You will leave undone far more than you ever get done in this world. Your life is going to be like a sandy beach. Take one grain of sand and let that represent all that you accomplish in your lifetime. The other billions of grains of sand will represent all of the other things you might have done.

While there’s never enough time for everything, there’s always enough time for the important things.

Early in our marriage, my wife and I were both working, our social life was packed and we didn’t seem to have a spare five-minute block of time in our days. Soon we were to receive our first daughter and a few weeks before she came to us my wife and I were agonizing over how to find the time to take care of this new addition to our family. Babies, they take a lot of time!
But what happened? Jennifer came along and we made the time for her. Did we still have a social life? Sure, but it was different.

Three years later, our second child Pam arrived, and once again, we found the time to attend to this new responsibility and still have time for other things.

While there is never time for everything, there always seems to be time for the most important things in life. “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

But you don’t have to wait until circumstances come upon you forcing you to attend to the most important things in your life. You can do it now. Each day in Daily Planning, identify the most important things you want to get done in your day. Place a high priority of those items and leave undone the less important things.

You won’t get it all done but you will get the most important things done.
The secret’s finally out.

Want four easy tips to help you to more easily manage your day? Get your copy now of  “Managing Multiple Priorities”. Email your request now for “multiple” to: mailto:ctsem@msn.com

Receive your no cost Timely Time Management Tips on a regular basis to increase your personal productivity and get more out of every day? Sign up now for your no cost “TIMELY TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS”. Just go to: http://www.topica.com/lists/timemanagement and select “subscribe” or send email to: timemanagement-subscribe@topica.com.

Dr. Donald E. Wetmore
Professional Speaker
Productivity Institute
Time Management Seminars
127 Jefferson Street
Stratford, CT 06615

==========================================

Innovative Ways to Market By Sharon Housley

Marketing is a three-syllable word that seems so simple, yet encompasses so much. Marketing is a multi-faceted approach to promoting a product or service. Both traditional and unconventional marketing methods have a place in the small business world. Marketing helps small businesses focus on building their brand and identity.

There are few limitations to marketing options, and the opportunities listed here are just a few that will generally result in a decent ROI (Return On Investment) for most small businesses. That said, do not be afraid to be creative -- no one knows or understands a small business like its owner, so think outside of the box and don't be afraid to experiment.

Identity Continuity

Create continuity between an online website, logos, letterheads, business cards, and packaging. Create an identity that will make your business stand out from the competition, and leave a good initial impression on potential customers. A professional image associated with your company or product will remind customers of their past brand experiences, and will reinforce your product line.

Trade Publications

Niche publications are journals or magazines that focus on a specific market. If your product or service is appropriate for a specific market, then advertising in their trade publications will allow you to immediately drill down and target that very specific audience.

Promotional Items

Branded giveaways have long been used by marketers to attract potential customers. Products that have a long shelf life will help keep your business in the forefront of a customer's mind. Weeks, months, and even years after a product is purchased or service is performed, promotional items will remind the customer of your brand.

Reviews

Solicit product reviews from reputable industry sources, magazine reviewers, bloggers, or industry journalists. Product reviews lend credibility to a product or company.

Keyword Advertising

In order to help your website's search engine ranking, use keyword advertising. Focused and targeted keyword advertising will drive web traffic that has a genuine interest in your product or service.

Niche Directories

Use online niche directories to promote products or services. Visitors who frequent topical directories have a strong interest and are more likely to purchase.

Viral Marking

Once known as "word of mouth" marketing, viral marketing has taken on a life of its own. Encourage product buzz, as well as customers referring customers.

Opt-In Email Marketing

Use email as a marketing tool to notify your existing customers about specials, new products or services, or product releases and updates. While some say email marketing is dead, others say that measured results of email marketing tell a very different story. Opt-in, targeted email marketing works, and produces results when done correctly.

Partnerships / Strategic Relationships

We see large companies leveraging their assets every day, and small online businesses should too! Whether it be as a partner, an affiliate, or a strategic relationship, all of these relationships can benefit small businesses. Businesses can use strategic relationships to penetrate niche markets. Affiliates can expand their reach and tap into the customer bases of similar products. Partners can provide additional value to existing products or services. Determine what types of relationships could be beneficial to your small business.

Online Classifieds

Craigslist is likely the best known online classified system. Classified systems increase visibility and are often overlooked by small businesses. Consider posting classifieds that relate to product or services, and monitor the results.

Sponsorship / Contests

Contests not only encourage customers to have fun, but also generate publicity and draw attention to your company and brand. Sponsor industry events, run contests, or donate prizes to industry contests in order to increase visibility and generate goodwill.

Newsletters

Communication is critical to all businesses, and small businesses are no exception. Be sure to establish a communication channel with customers and potential customers. Newsletters are a very popular communication channel for software developers.

RSS

RSS is growing in popularity. It is an alternative communication channel that has the benefit of reaching a larger audience through syndication. Supplement and enhance email and newsletter campaigns by providing an RSS channel for their content.

Forums/Newsgroups

Participation in newsgroups and forums will result in building credibility. Business relationships will often result from online dialogue in industry forums and newsgroups. Actively participate and always behave in a professional manner.

Forum/Email Signatures

All forum posts and emails you send should contain a "signature" that advertises your business name, tag line, and URL.

Blogs

Blogging and posting comments on blogs can result in an increase in web links and traffic. Socialization and engaging others with well thought out comments can establish a business reputation and generate product interest.

Videos

YouTube is a boon to business. If you are creative, consider compiling an educational or humorous video. YouTube is a huge distribution channel and can generate product or industry interest.

Press Releases

The avenue to inexpensive press! Write a press release to promote new products or services and reap the benefits with media attention.

Article Syndication

Writing articles can help lend credibility to your product line and improve your business reputation.

Local Newspapers

Contact local newspapers and pitch a unique story to them. Publicity is free and can generate discussions and interest.

Consider exploring alternative channels for advertising and marketing. Keep in mind that advertising need not be costly; creative marketers can often find inexpensive avenues that will result in a great return.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

========================================

+++++++++++++++++
Links you can use -
+++++++++++++++++

Know someone that needs a lift...? Send them here.
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

The Website grader - how does your site measure up?
http://www.websitegrader.com/

+++++++++++++++++

Some Fun Links
+++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++

Some interesting TV on the web.
http://smashingtelly.com/

Improve your typing skills while you play a game.
http://play.typeracer.com/

Every Friday we talk about some fun things we do in our blog. Make sure to check it out.

http://smallbizpromo.blogspot.com/
+++++++++++++++++
Useful links
+++++++++++++++++

Ezine Archives links to all our past issues (well most of them) in one place.

+++++++++++++++++
Next Issues
+++++++++++++++++

Our next issue will be Sept. 2nd, 2008

Tim and Lisa Hamblin
Tisa Enterprises
PO Box 221
Hazard KY 41702
http://www.blitzpromotions.com
http://www.crochetnmore.com
http://www.webpageplanner.com
http://www.ineedlinks.com