Hello. This is also on the Tailored.com.au site but I thought I’d add it here because it’s an issue for Web Developers as well.
My thinking with this has always been that the clients pays for the site so we should assign them the copyright of the site we develop. Seems simple enough.
I then had a slight change of mind in an effort to provide better security for our client’s web site and to be better able to grow my business – read my thoughts on that here.
And I’ve just come across this Information Sheet: Websites: Creating and publishing on the Internet (it’s a pdf file).
Copyright ownership of websites is an important issue. Are you comfortable with the ownership of your site?
Regards
Brendon
One client can make a big, big difference. Here’s a very simple example that Anthony and I were discussing today.
A few weeks back we picked up a client for a $80 job. We installed a statistics package onto his web site. And that was it.
What’s happened from there has been this:
* We’ve since completed $1,200 work on his site
* We’ll be completing another $1,000 work in a week or 2
* He’s referred us a client (a friend of his) who is having $3,500 worth of work done
* Both clients have signed up for ongoing web management – $300 per month
That’s well over $9,000 worth of work from a simple $80 job.
If you’re struggling along trying to get 1 client, don’t lose heart.
That 1 client may be all you need to kickstart your business.
Recognise the value that a client can provide and treat them like the very important person they are. Good luck.
Brendon
Here’s my top 5 ways on being perceived as an expert within the web industry (a critical and effective marketing strategy):
1. Write a book
2. Make a speech to an industry body
3. Write industry specific articles
4. Hold a seminar
5. Have a strong media profile
It’s all in perception. Education works in demonstrating to people your expertise and generating a positive perception. So start educating!
Cheers
Brendon
Free stuff on web sites work. And works well.
My wife’s site that I mentioned below has something like 18,000 subscribers in the database. These people receive free reports and free newsletters on a very regular basis.
My wife provides quality information and the numbers continue to grow. And that database is a central part of her strategy.
Giving free stuff away works to attract the sort of people who might be your customers. The best thing to give away is something of high perceived value and low cost (like a ‘Special Report’).
What can you give away to attract customers?
Have a good day.
Brendon
Howdy. Hope your day is going well.
This entry is one I’ve transferred over from the Tailored.com.au site from Feb 2004.
I’ve just posted off 120 Valentine Day cards and I’m certain I won’t get one date. Not a single one. I’ve sent them to young and old, male and female, gorgeous and not so gorgeous. But I know I still won’t get a date.
You see, I sent the cards to our clients and suppliers. The essential message inside was:
===============================
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Roses are red
Violets are blue
You’re a wonderful client/person/whatever
And we want to thank you!
===============================
The card was signed from the whole team here, with dashes of humour here and there to personalise each card.
* As marketing people, we need to show that we know how to stand out.
* As businesspeople, we need to keep in contact with our clients.
* And as nice people, we need to say “Thank You” to our clients.
I’m sure many people will read this and go “Yeh, nice idea.”
But almost no-one will do it. And it’s this simple stuff that makes a difference.
All of these people will be receiving our offline newsletter in the next few weeks. And they all received christmas cards 6 weeks or so ago.
Keeping in contact can be the easiest thing to do. And the best. Like the ad says – Just do it!
Brendon
It’s not a cliché. It’s a fact.
Let’s imagine you are a Web Designer.
You’re a great at what you do. Amazing.
Then there’s Bob. Bob is a mediocre web designer. He’s not very good at all.
Bob attends 2 networking type events a week. You don’t.
Bob attends 2 sporting events with friends on the weekend. You don’t.
Bob attends his local Lions Charity Club one night a week. You don’t.
Bob enters his mediocre work for awards. You don’t.
Bob attends industry nights. You don’t.
Bob tells everyone what a great web designer he is. You don’t.
Bob has a thriving business. You don’t.
That’s the reality. Make yourself know. Tell people what you do. Get out there and get some business.
Brendon
The audio goes for 5 minutes.
Regards
Brendon
Because whatever you think is critical. If you value yourself and the value you provide your clients, then your clients will value you.
This might sound a little airy fairy to some people, but it’s an important state of mind to address.
If you rock into a pitch meeting thinking your not really worth that much, then you won’t get much. If you go in thinking you provide fantastic value and you charge accordingly, then chances are good you’ll walk out a winner.
If you think you can, or you think you can’t. Either way, you’re right.
Cheers
Brendon
In business, especially when you start, it can be a case of desperately getting the money in. No attention is paid to the long term planning.
In our recent business review we identified e-commerce (via our own web sites) as a critical component of our long term growth. As we set our goals and budgets for the coming month, we tended to focus more on that side of the business and didn’t allocate as many resources (i.e. marketing money) to other parts of the business.
It soon becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.
And that’s how a business can easily structure itself for long term growth.
I was reading the newspaper today when I came across some research that indicated that the British Internet shopping market grew by 36% last year (grossing $12 billion).
For the first time women are spending more than men. And spending by those over 55 increased by 130% to $2.2 billion.
All the signs are there that e-commerce is here to stay. How will it look in 10 years time? What can you do now to take advantage of this very obvious trend?
Brendon
Okay. What is your brand?
Everything. Your brand is everything. From your uniform to the way you answer the phone to your packaging to your ads. Every single thing your business does is part of your brand.
It impacts on how your customers see you now and in the future.
Me? If this web site is the only contact you’ve ever had with me, then this site brands me in your mind. You have perceptions about me from this interaction. Hopefully they’re good. Maybe you don’t like my writing style and your percepotion is negative. Whatever the case may be – I’m branded!
Which is why you should stop your marketing completely.
What I want you to do is this…..
Get everything right. Make sure that everytime your customer interacts with you they get a great experience. No problems, no errors, no mistakes, no dislikes.
Because the last thing you want is this:
Your marketing works great. Thousands of customers flock to your business. But………………………..they all get a bad experience. That’s bad news. Real bad.
That hurts you as a brand. And that hurts your business now and in the future.
Get your brand right before you market. It could be the best thing you ever do.
Cheers.
Brendon