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Feb
15

Don’t forget some of your greatest marketing assets

By | Direct Marketing, Entrepreneur, Story Selling

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After 10 years in this crazy business, I sometimes forget what incredible assets I have created over the years.

Maybe you do too?

Audios…videos…reports…winning campaigns…print books…ebooks…courses…webinars.

Yeesh, there is a lot there.

Some of them better than others, of course.

The best thing you can do is create an inventory list of any and ALL things you have built in the past years for growing your business.

Marketing materials.

Reports

FAQ lists.

Email follow ups.

Etc.

Then start repurposing them!

It is a GREAT way to get more things done faster.

One of the favorite things I did over the past few years was interview Jonathan Sexton of the J Peterman company.

J Peterman is a real live guy who was a fictional character on the Seinfeld show.

…he is also the same guy who created a cult with his catalog.

Here is what I wrote about him before
http://blog.smallbusinesscopywriter.com/the-catalog-that-started-a-cult/

And here is a fantastic interview I did with Jonathan.
http://www.smallbusinesscopywriter.com/jpetermancall//jpcall.mp3

TONS of great marketing ideas here.

Pay VERY close attention to this…

…in their prime, the J Peterman catalog was read by all kinds of celebrities, politicians, millionaires, billionaires, and stay-at-home moms.

A CULT FOLLOWING FOR A CATALOG!

They did something right and it is revealed here.

It is something we should ALL aspire to…

…I know I do.

Enjoy,

Troy

PS: One of the greatest things I personally did to help myself make the necessary changes at a faster pace was to start writing more.

There is a therapeutic quality to writing that can propel your business forward at breakneck speed.

But again, it takes guts to do and motivation to start.

If you want to start now… get the Story Selling Home Study and I will also give you my 31k club training series.  For the next 31 days I will fire you up and get you writing more often, with greater profits as your goal. http://www.storysellingtips.com

The 31k club has transformed many lives of those who went through the Story Selling Coaching.  Now you get it free with the Story Selling Home Study course! http://www.storysellingtips.com

Feb
09

Another story telling example and success story

By | Copywriting, Story Selling, Success

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Muchos Gracias!

I love getting action takers to send me their results.

This just in from Fran Marion at Legacy Canvas…

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“Thank you for creating the awesome marketing resources such as the Calendar and providing the daily tips via email!  Much appreciated!

I have started to use several of  your examples and ideas for marketing my business, Legacy Canvas.  Last week a story played on the regional news that resulted in my committing to support this Edmonton family with a donation of 25% of my sales between now and March 10, 2012.

My website is updated using your “story telling” ideas, and I’ve also linked the Legacy Canvas Facebook page to my website and started to Tweet about it in the hopes of motivating others to take action towards supporting this young teen’s dream of independence, privacy and self-expression.

I wanted to share “the story” with you (I feel like I’m a Troy White “Alumni”) to see your ideas in action.  And of course, you and your readers are welcome to purchase a custom canvas to help Bethany!

http://www.legacycanvas.com

Thank you for the opportunity to share Legacy Canvas’ story with you.

Warm regards, Fran Marion

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What is important to note here:

* They are investing their time and money into their marketing. Marketing IS sales when you do it right. The more you market yourself the more you sell. Period.

They are investing in different marketing tools like the 2012 Cash Flow Calendar http://www.cashflowcalendars.com and the Story Selling Home Study http://www.storysellingtips.com.

Better yet…

…they are taking ACTION with what they invest in!

A big shelf of books is useless if they are never read or acted on.

* They tied into a local media hot-spot.  You always need to be on the lookout for local interest stories and FIND ways to hook yourself to their wagon.

It is YOUR responsibility… no one else’s.

Near where I live there is a little strip mall with a little bay at the end for different foods.  Business owners come and go from this spot every 6 months or so.  Always a new owner, a new name, a new type of food.  The funny thing?  Not once – EVER – have they sent out fliers to the neighbours announcing their grand opening, their take out or delivery options, even a damn menu!

They just EXPECT people to look for them, and buy from them.

I repeat, it is YOUR responsibility to get the word out that you exist and that you are different!

It is NOT your potential buyers responsibility to seek you out.

That’s your job.

* They tied themselves to a good cause.  go to the site and watch the video.  This is a very good cause here.  Then think about who you are helping when you invest in the canvas!

Hint hint: Valentines day is right around the corner – may be a good gift idea for a loved one.

Or for a client.

Or for a donation.

Or, or, or.

The key is – invest in your marketing education – and then take MASSIVE action getting your newfound knowledge applied to your business and in front of those who are buyers.

Then… let me know how you do it and I will GLADLY share your story.

Much like Fran’s here today.

Have a great day!

Troy

Dec
02

Biker babes and bad-ass story success

By | Autoresponders, Copywriting, Email Marketing, Writing

1 Comment

I’m a big fan of Sons of Anarchy.

Hadn’t even heard of it until recently, when a friend gave me seasons 1 through 3 on dvd.

Spellbound and a major time vampire.

Sons of Anarchy has turned out to be one of the best series I have ever seen with some of the most powerful, emotion wrenching storylines I’ve experienced.

The best part is that they use some of the same principles I unexpected have been teaching through my emails and in my Story Selling Coaching calls.

A very basic tool that keeps your prospects interested in hearing from you.

…one that grows your business by leaps and bounds over the years if you use it.

Guess what it is?

If you guessed a fantastic story line (something everyone, yes… you too, can create in their marketing), you are correct.

But there is something else other than the main story line that keeps people craving more and addicted to the characters.

Cliffhangers.

Everywhere.

The amazing writers behind this series are masters at creating tension through cliffhangers.

“Will Jax kill him?”

“Will she tell SAMCRO the one thing that will rip the entire club apart at the seams?”

“Will the Doctor be able to save her career… or be subjected to years as a ‘biker-babe’?”

Each episode leaves more unanswered questions in the viewers mind.

Unbelievably addictive…

…and I am not much for watching a lot of tv.

Get this though:

5.8 million viewers per episode

Highest-rated basic cable drama in the US

Emmy nominated

2011 Golden Globe Winner (Katey Sagal… THE best character I think… and a big surprise Peg Bundy could end up to be such an amazing actress. She was also nominated for numerous other acting awards for her role)

 

…much of it through the incredible use of hooks and cliffhangers.

Something you should be working on in your marketing campaigns.

It’s works like gangbusters and isn’t that hard to do when you practice it a wee bit.

I’ve used it for myself and for many different clients over the years.

 …and the clients and prospects LOVE IT.

A great story, mixed into your marketing and personality-driven communication with your clients/prospects… sprinkled with a dash of cliffhanger and BAM, you have a winning campaign.

One they will want more of.

One they will continue to open, read, and act on.

And you know what?

I’m teaching this in the Story Selling Coaching Club.

To find out the full details and to reserve yourself a spot, go to:

http://www.storysellingtips.com

 

Troy White

Oct
18

Doesn’t this just make you want to scream?

By | Story Selling, Writing

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Before I vent my spleen in this email, don’t forget to sign up for the special webinar I’m holding later this week with Daniel Levis.

This incredible training will help you make more sales at higher profit. 

No charge.

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white 

Every niche has ‘em …

Trusted authority figures who are full of shit.

Bogus health advice… fatal financial advice… disastrous marketing advice… terrible relationship advice — you name it. The media is full of it.

And people who don’t know any better are lapping it up. 

Doesn’t it just make you want to scream watching the fake experts in your niche leading their followers down the garden path while you struggle to gain the attention, credibility, and influence you deserve? 

After all, moving your products and services just gets a whole lot easier when you’re recognized as a trusted and admired authority, doesn’t it?

Well I say it’s high time you put an end to this authority envy.

How? 

By registering for the free webinar training event I’m putting on with Daniel Levis, creator of the popular new course, Effortless Influence — How to Master the Art of The Sales Story.

Let Daniel show you the secrets for using simple stories to create iron-clad authority and trusted expert status in your niche. 

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white  

Here are a few highlights that will be covered at this all-new training:

>>> How to demonstrate the value and
authenticity of your expertise through 
story. This is the ultimate secret to 
selling at premium prices and with 
superior profit margins — ten times more 
profitable than mere functional 
advantage …

>>> How to disarm the defensive stockade 
people put up against persuasion by 
weaving the facts, features and 
benefits that prove the superiority 
of your offerings into the innocent 
fabric of story …

>>> Stealth Positioning — How to convey 
authority through accomplishment 
without a hint of braggadocio or 
boastfulness …

>>> How to craft a great origin story 
that cements your credibility as a 
seller and bonds you to your target 
audience like crazy glue …

>>> How to create a killer case study. 
Discover 12 interview questions for 
extracting amazing success stories
from your best customers… and the 
secret narrative structure that almost
guarantees explosive, competition-
crushing case studies …

>>> Plus more!

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white 

Last time I had Daniel do a story selling training the accolades were off the charts and this all-new session promises to be even more enlightening.

Do whatever you have to do to be there. Daniel will be giving away some awesome free gifts and doing live Q&A at the end of the call.

Even if you can’t make it, register anyway in case there’s a replay.

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white 

See you there!

Troy White

Oct
17

How to Get Away with Murder (Free Web Workshop)

By | Copywriting, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial Spirits, Story Selling, Writing

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The accused sat terrified in the prisoner’s box awaiting the magistrate’s verdict…

“Guilty as charged! Sentenced to hang by the neck until dead!”

The condemned was the town cobbler, who days earlier in a fit of blind rage had brutally bludgeoned one of his customers to death.

Normally a hanging was cause for celebration…

…But there was no cheering from the townspeople today.

One townsman, in fact, mustered some courage and stood up to address the court.

“If Your Honor pleases, you have sentenced to death the town cobbler!

“He’s the only one we’ve got. If you hang him, who will mend our shoes?”

Presently, the whole room came alive with chants for the cobbler’s release.

After restoring order in the court, the magistrate thought for a while, nodded in agreement, and overturned his own verdict.

“What you say is true”, he said.

“Since we have only one cobbler it would be a great wrong against the people to let him die. As there are two haberdashers in the town, let one of them be hanged instead!”

For entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear.

If you can position your business as desirably unique and indispensable to your clients, you can mess up a lot and still make out like a bandit.

And if you fail to create this all-
important perception, you’re going to
get killed.

That’s why I’m hosting a free training webinar later this week with Daniel Levis, creator of “Effortless Influence — How to Master the Art of The Sales Story”.

Daniel will be presenting a brand new module that teaches you how to use origin stories and killer case studies to separate your business from the competition — then eliminate them as an option.

Seating is limited. Register Now.
–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white

Here’s just a small sampling of what we’ll be covering:

>>> How to demonstrate the value and
authenticity of your expertise through
story. This is the ultimate secret to
selling at premium prices and with
superior profit margins — ten times more
profitable than mere functional
advantage …

>>> Stealth Positioning — How to convey
iron-clad authority through accomplishment
without a hint of braggadocio or
boastfulness …

>>> How to craft a great origin story
that cements your credibility as a
seller and bonds you to your target
audience like crazy glue …

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white

>>> How to create a killer case study.
Discover 12 interview questions for
extracting amazing success stories
from your best customers… and the
secret narrative structure that almost
guarantees explosive, competition-
crushing case studies …

>>> How to disarm the defensive stockade
people put up against persuasion by
weaving the facts, features and
benefits that prove the superiority
of your offerings into the innocent
fabric of story …

>>> Plus more!

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white

This is going to be an amazing trainingsession and I’m not sure if it will be recorded. So make special arrangements to attend.

What Daniel is teaching here is transformational. You owe it to yourself to assume the catbird seat in your niche. Here is the secret.

–> http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white

See you there!

Troy White

PS: I just returned from speaking at Darren Week’s Superconference in Edmonton.

Hundreds of passionate entrepreneurs there, soaking up every drop of information the speakers delivered.

2 of the Dragons Den Speakers were there as well (for those in the US, Dragons Den is the same as The Shark Tank).

Robert Herjavek and Arlene Dickinson both gave fantastic talks on their business success stories.

What stuck out to me was that both of them mentioned the incredible power that entrepreneurs have in their own personal story…

…yet rarely do they see the story being used in the pitches or in the marketing.

(btw – Robert is an EXCEPTIONAL story teller!)

The Dragons see hundreds of entrepreneurs pitch their products and services every year.

Few of the entrepreneurs use their story as their asset.

The Dragons see the story as one of the greatest assets available.

Which is exactly why I have put such an emphasis on the use of stories over the past few years…why I teach people how to use stories…and why I want you to listen in as Daniel shares his best strategies for creating YOUR signature story.

Don’t miss the call! http://www.daniellevis.com/EI_white

May
19

Creative thinking for entrepreneurs

By | advertising, Copywriting, Entrepreneur, Main Content, Wacky marketing ideas

6 Comments

Here is a great interview/interactive video session I had with Michael Kryton of Fusedlogic TV

Enjoy.

Troy

PS: If you want a fun little sheet to spark those creative juices and get you thinking of some highly unique ideas you can use in your marketing, this sheet will help. http://www.smallbusinesscopywriter.com/creativelist.htm

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