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Cathy Stucker - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker, IdeaLady.com, has helped thousands of people discover creative paths to success on their own terms. She is a frequent speaker and consultant who shows clients creative ways to attract customers and make themselves famous.
Cathy has appeared on many radio and television programs, and she has been featured in The Houston Chronicle, The New York Times, Black Enterprise, Woman's Day, and many other publications.
[View Cathy Stucker's Extended Author Bio]
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- Repurpose Content For More Blog Posts
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Blogging] The more posts on your blog, the more visitors you can attract and the more profitable your blog can be. But is it hard to find the time to blog as often as you would like? The answer may be as close as your hard drive.
- Blog Comments Can Drive Traffic to Your Web Site
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Blogging] A simple way to get more visitors to your web site or blog is by commenting on other blogs. Best of all, if you choose the blogs on which you comment wisely, the people who come to your site will be looking for exactly what you offer. Here are some tips on developing a blog commenting strategy that will bring you the best results.
- Secret Shopping and Confidentiality
[Business:Careers-Employment] It is called "secret" shopping for a reason. I am always surprised when mystery shoppers openly disclose the names of clients, fees they received, shop requirements and other confidential information. I hear mystery shoppers say these things at shopper get-togethers, and I read inappropriate comments in public forums and blogs. What part of "confidential" don't these shoppers understand? Here is what you need to know about confidentiality and mystery shopping.
- Watch Your %@#*$! Language
[Self-Improvement:Positive-Attitude] Although using foul language doesn't physically harm the people who have to listen to it, it is offensive to many. It will damage how you are seen by others, and the increased coarseness of our language contributes to the overall coarseness and lack of civility in society.
- Speaking Skills: Get Rid of Nervous Mannerisms
[Writing-and-Speaking] Inserting lots of, you know, fillers when you are . . .umm . . .speaking is distracting to listeners and, like, leaves a poor impression. Learn how to strike these bad habits from your speech.
- Business Cards: The Other Side
[Business:Advertising] Most of us have standard-size business cards, printed on one side. How much more mileage could you get from your cards by using both sides? There are lots of uses for the back of a business card. Why not try one (or more) of these?
- Creative Marketing: Your Marketing Idea Box
[Writing-and-Speaking:Copywriting] Savvy marketers have an "idea box" they can turn to for inspiration. Learn how to create an idea box of your own to make great copy appear like magic!
- Target Marketing: Get 'em While They're Young?
[Business:Marketing] Many marketers believe that if you get customers to buy from you at a young age, they will stay with you for life. However, if you think about your own buying habits, you will see . . .
- Get More Customers by Saving Them Time
[Business:Customer-Service] With all of us feeling more pressed for time these days, it is likely that your customers are making decisions about where they spend their money based on convenience. Yes, price and quality are important, but time has become an important part of our buying decisions. Here is how you can attract customers by saving them time.
- Make One, Sell Many--Increase Profits with Products and Licensing
[Business:Entrepreneurialism] Create a product and you can sell it again and again to serve more customers and multiply your profits.
- Inspire Yourself by Breaking Away From the Routine
[Self-Improvement:Creativity] Looking for ways to free your creativity and generate new ideas? Use the ideas in this article to break out of your daily routine.
- Succeed by Risking Failure
[Self-Improvement:Success] I recently discovered a book called, "Never Eat Alone," by Keith Ferrazzi. Ferrazzi gives some uncommon advice about networking and making connections every day, in every area of your life. However, my favorite advice is not really about networking but instead is . . .
- Publicity: Repeat for Results
[Business:PR] Just one well-placed, well-timed release can result in thousands of dollars in new business. It has happened for me, and it can happen for you, too. However, as with any other kind of marketing, publicity has to be done over and over again to continue getting results. I have also discovered . . .
- Multiple Domain Names: Use Keywords to Help Customers Find You
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Domain-Names] Do you know that you can have several domain names all pointing to the same Web site? There are several reasons you may want to have multiple URLs. For example, you might register URLs containing . . .
- Amazon Introduces "iTunes for Books"
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Amazon.com has announced an upcoming program called Pages. I think of it as "iTunes for books." Pages will allow . . .
- Enough About You, Let's Talk About Me
[Business:Sales] Many people tell me that they have trouble talking to others about their businesses. But many other people have the problem of not knowing when to stop. Telling too much can take several forms . . .
- Get Results by Getting Focus
[Self-Improvement:Success] Do you find that you have lots of ideas, but you never seem to get anywhere with them? Maybe you are good at starting things, but not so good at finishing them. How can you make sure that the great plans you have for the coming year actually come to fruition?
- Marketing Lessons From Amazon
[Business:Marketing] You may not have the funds to build an e-commerce system on the scale of Amazon.com, but there are several lessons you can learn from them that will help you sell more, online and offline.
- Personal Touch: Signing Your Work
[Business:Branding] Even if you are not (yet) famous, you can add value to your products and services by signing your work. Your signature says . . .
- Intuition: Trust That "Little Voice"
[Self-Improvement:Attraction] Although many people discount the value of intuition, the subconscious mind it taps into is often 'smarter' than you might think. Here's how to know when to listen and when not to.
- Copywriting With Pizzaz
[Writing-and-Speaking:Copywriting] Do your brochures, Web pages, sales letters, catalogs, advertisements and other marketing copy sizzle? If not, here is a simple way to jazz up your copy . . .
- Email Signatures as a Marketing Tool
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Email-Marketing] One of the most effective Internet marketing secrets is also one of the easiest—and it's free.
- Domain Names: Simple Rules for Choosing Smart Names
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Domain-Names] It is not true that all of the good domain names are taken. You may still be able to register your name, your business name, or another catchy URL.
- Branding on a Budget
[Business:Branding] What could be better than having customers promote your business for free? Having them pay you. Here is how you can have customers begging to pay you to advertise your business.
- Pricing Information Products
[Business:Sales] Pricing information products and services involves much more art than science. There are so many variables to pricing that there can't be a magic formula telling you exactly how much to charge in every given situation. However, you can rely on some guidelines to help you set your prices.
- Update Your Marketing for the New Year
[Business:Marketing] Lots of changes happen over the course of a year. Make sure that your Web site, brochures, business cards and other representations of your business reflect the changes you've experienced. This is a good time to make sure that the information you put out to customers is accurate.
- There is No "I" in Sales
[Writing-and-Speaking:Copywriting] Too often, marketing copy is about the writer: I, me, we, us or our. But customers want to know what is in it for them. Make your copy speak your customers' language.
- Buy the Blades, We'll Give You the Razor
[Business:Marketing] Tie customers to you by creating automatic billing, or by providing a product at little or no cost that will bring them back for supplies.
- Street Theater Marketing and the Naked Cowboy
[Business:Marketing] Some corporations hire actors, musicians and other performers to promote their products and services on the streets of major cities. The promotion may be obvious, such as musicians singing songs about cell phone use on street corners, or it may be more subtle (perhaps even slightly deceptive). . .
- Stimulate Customer Curiosity
[Business:Customer-Service] Want to get prospects to read all of your marketing message? Want to generate interest and motivate them to action? Awaken their curiosity! A great example of this is . . .
- Networking: Six Degrees of Separation Means You Are Closer than You Think
[Business:Networking] Have you heard of six degrees of separation? It is a theory that any two randomly-selected people in the world can connect with six or fewer intermediaries. That means there are only six people (or fewer) between you and anyone you want or need to meet.
- Organizing Information the Way People Use It
[Self-Improvement:Organizing] Richard Saul Wurman created an information empire by answering questions he wanted answered, and by organizing information the way people use it. Wurman says that information can be organized in five different ways, and each way is appropriate for different types of data, or different uses of data. He uses the acronym LATCH to describe the five ways.
- Media Training 101: A Guide to Meeting the Press - Book Review
[Book-Reviews:Business] When being interviewed by media, it is tempting to do a `brain dump,' and give them as much information as you can. This can backfire, though. Faced with an information overload, the journalist has to pick-and-choose through all the data to construct her story. In 'Media Training 101,' Sally Stewart recommends that you have five focused and concise Key Message Points.
- Never Be Boring Again: Book Review
[Book-Reviews:Short-Stories] Doug Stevenson knows how to make a story come to life, and in 'Never Be Boring Again,' he shows you how you can do it, too. He makes the process (almost!) painless, even if you are not a natural story teller.
- Online Mystery Shopping With Web Mystery Shoppers
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews] Did you know that Web sites get mystery shopped, much as brick-and-mortar stores do? Learn how online mystery shopping works and how you can get Web mystery shopper jobs.
- Privacy and Online Forums: Leaving an Online Trail
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Forums] Do you participate in any online forums or discussion groups? That can be a great way to promote your business, form new business relationships and friendships, and learn from others in your industry. But there are hazards as well . . .
- Marketing Resolutions for the New Year
[Business:Marketing] It's that time again, when we make our New Year's resolutions. Of course, many people make ambitious resolutions every year, and then fail to follow through. Here is how you can make resolutions to create positive marketing habits, and make those habits stick.
- Saying No to Customers
[Business:Ethics] Is it ever a good idea to talk a customer out of buying something?
- Google Alerts as a Research Tool
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online] Want to know what is being said about you, your business, or your competitors? Google offers a free service to keep you informed.
- Motivating Yourself with Deadlines
[Self-Improvement:Motivation] Do you have trouble starting (or finishing) projects? Set a deadline, then hold yourself accountable by involving others.
- Finding Coaches and Mentors
[Self-Improvement:Coaching] When I was in the corporate world, I had mentors from whom I learned. They taught me skills that helped my thought processes, made me a better manager and more. Since going into business for myself, I have had additional mentors. Some of them I knew. With others I had only online relationships. And there are some people I consider mentors with whom I have never had direct contact. Learn how to find the people who can help you learn and reach your goals.
- Repurposing Content
[Writing-and-Speaking] Repurposing content means taking intellectual property you have created and using it in another way. For example, turning a book into an audio program, or excerpting parts of the book into articles. Repurposing content can help you reach a brand new audience with your ideas, and increase your profits by meeting the needs of people with different learning styles.
- eBay Feedback and Customer Confidence
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Auctions] eBay feedback scores tell customers about the experiences of other eBay members. However, your eBay feedback rating can have an impact far beyond eBay.
- Viral Marketing Made Easy
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Internet-Marketing] You may have heard about "viral marketing," but perhaps you are not sure exactly what it is. This article includes examples of effective viral marketing strategies, and how you can use viral marketing to attract more customers to your Web site.
- Marketing in Your Sleep
[Business:Marketing] My favorite way to market is to do something once that keeps marketing for me again and again. It is like sending sales reps out to work for you--but in many cases, you can get these sales reps to work for you at no cost. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Get Mystery Shopper Jobs by Making Your Applications Great
[Business:Careers-Employment] You can get mystery shopper jobs without paying a fee by applying directly to mystery shopping companies. Make your application the best it can be with these tips.
- Mystery Shopping: Frequently Asked Questions
[Business:Careers-Employment] You have been hearing a lot about mystery shopping . . . so what's the deal? Can you really get paid to shop? Mystery shopping is a real way to make extra money in your spare time. Learn what mystery shopping is, what you can expect as a professional shopper, and how to avoid getting scammed.
- Virtual Assistants: What Can They Do for You?
[Business:Management] Are you using your time as effectively as you could? If you are handling routine tasks instead of marketing or providing services to customers, you are leaving profits on the table. A Virtual Assistant (VA) may be just what you need.
- Sell More Books on Amazon.com
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Discover free promotional opportunities on Amazon.com and sell more copies of your books.
- Do You Want Fries With That? - Using Suggestive Selling to Increase Your Sales
[Business:Sales-Training] We all expect the order taker at the burger joint to suggest additional items, but suggestive selling can build your business, too. Learn how to use upselling techniques to increase your profits even without gaining new customers.
- Be in the Trade Publications Your Customers Read
[Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Exposure in industry magazines and newsletters can lead directly to new business. Get in front of new clients with articles, letters to the editor and more.
- 100% of Nothing
[Business:Entrepreneurialism] How much is it worth to you to get new business sent your way? Would you pay 10% of the revenue generated? 20%? More? Or are you one of the people who believe it is better to have 100% of nothing?
- Teaching Classes and Workshops For Profit and to Build Your Expert Reputation
[Writing-and-Speaking] Want to make money while you're building your credibility and being exposed to hundreds of thousands of potential clients? Teach continuing education classes and seminars. You don't need a degree or teacher certification, just helpful knowledge to share with others.
- Too Many Choices - Don't Confuse Your Customers
[Business:Presentation] Conventional wisdom is that the more choices customers have, the more likely they will buy. However, often having lots of choices just confuses customers and they don't buy anything.
- Will Speak for Food - Using Free Speeches to Attract Customers
[Writing-and-Speaking:Public-Speaking] If you want to get in front of prospective customers, and be viewed as an expert in your industry, become a speaker. Being at the front of the room gives you credibility. And you might be surprised how easy it is to get to the front of the room.
- Build Customer Loyalty by Promoting Your Customers
[Business:Branding] Do you want to attract new customers while building greater loyalty among your current customers? Include your customers in your marketing and promotions.
- Customers Are Like Vampires
[Business:Marketing] No, customers aren't bloodsuckers (well, maybe a few are!) and they don't come out only at night. But if you believe the legends about vampires, they do have one important thing in common with your customers . . .
- Setting the Right Price
[Business:Branding] You don't have to have the lowest price to attract customers. In fact, underpricing can cost you customers. Attract the customers you want by pricing to reflect the value you provide.
- Power Pricing - Getting the Right Price for Your Products and Services
[Business:Negotiation] Discover how you can charge higher prices than your competitors--and have customers happy to pay those higher prices.
- Get Your Mailing Noticed - Seven Tips for Effective Direct Mail Pieces
[Business:Top7-or-10-Tips] Some people believe that email has made "snail mail" communications obsolete, but that is certainly not true. Make your mailings interesting and attractive (and target the right audience), and you will discover how effective mail can be.
- E-Mail Media Releases
[Business:PR] Media love to receive news via e-mailed press releases. This article includes eight great tips on getting your release to the right people, getting it read, and getting free publicity.
- Make Your Web Site Stand Out
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Web-Development] Two simple ways to make your web site stand out when bookmarked by visitors.
- Speaking Effectively to Get Your Message Across
[Communications] Do you know how you sound to others? Record yourself speaking in different circumstances to learn how you can speak more effectively. Check yourself for these common communication mistakes.
- Prove It! - Give Your Marketing and Advertising More Credibility
[Business:Advertising] Your marketing and advertising won't be effective if potential customers don't believe your claims. So how can you prove your that you can do what you say you can?
- Not Another Calendar! - Choose Advertising Specialties That Sell
[Business:Advertising] Advertising specialties can put your name in front of prospective customers and keep it there. Your name will be on their minds and in front of their faces when they decide to buy. But too often, advertising specialties don't work the way you expected them to. Find out how to make the best use of them
- How to Give a Speech Without Dying
[Writing-and-Speaking:Public-Speaking] Two of the top fears of most people are dying and giving a speech. In fact, there is so much fear of public speaking, you might think that people regularly die while giving speeches. Fortunately, that is not the case. Here are some tips that will help you overcome your fears and give a great speech.
- What is Mystery Shopping, and Can You Really Get Paid to Shop?
[Business:Careers-Employment] Mystery shoppers visit businesses “disguised as normal customers,” and do the things other customers do—ask questions, make a purchase, make a return—but with a twist. These undercover customers evaluate the businesses get paid to shop in their favorite stores, eat in their favorite restaurants and more.
- "Let the Intern Do It" - Affordable Help for Your Business
[Business:Management] Do you have more projects than time? Help might be as close as your nearest college. Many have intern programs, where students complete tasks for businesses as part of their studies.
- Creating Powerful Names for Products, Services, and Your Business
[Business:Branding] Do you have a hard time coming up with names? The name of your business is important--it's one of the first things potential customers know about it. And having unique names for each of your products and services can be a powerful selling tool. Learn how to create names that will grab attention.
- Making Networking Work
[Business:Marketing] Networking is still one of the best ways to get new customers, and maintain relationships with existing customers. But you have to do it effectively.
- It's the Headline, Stupid! - Writing Powerful Headlines
[Writing-and-Speaking:Copywriting] You are competing with a lot of others to get the attention of potential readers and customers, and you have only a few seconds to grab them. By using the tips and techniques here, you can stand out from the crowd with dynamite headlines.
- Getting Free Publicity with Radio Interviews
[Business:PR] Radio programs offer a great way to get publicity. Getting on radio can be as simple as targeting the stations or programs that seem to be a good fit for your topic (or finding a way to slant your topic to fit).
- The 10-Second Brag(tm) and How to Use It To Get More Customers
[Communications] When you meet someone, you have only a few seconds to get their attention and make a strong impression. The 10-Second Brag™ can do that for you.
- Perfekt!
[Self-Improvement:Time-Management] Do you do everything yourself because no one else can do it as well as you can? Do you believe that everything you do has to be absolutely perfect? Although striving for excellence is a good thing to do, demanding perfection in everything you do can simply be a way to delay taking action.
- 15-Minute Marketing: Lots of Results in Little Time
[Business:Marketing] Do you think you don't have enough time to market? Here's a solution that can help you get started on marketing, or any other task you've been putting off.
- How Storytelling Can Grow Your Business
[Business:Presentation] What can stories do for you and your business? Stories can educate customers about a need they have and how you fill it, subtly demonstrate your expertise, create empathy, suggest new uses for your products, train new customers and employees, and motivate listeners to take action.
- Wow! Is That ME? - Creating a Powerful One-Page Bio
[Business:Presentation] Your bio is an important part of how you present yourself to potential clients. A bio sheet is a one page description of who you are--your background and achievements. You may include it in your media kit, in proposals to clients, and anywhere you want to establish your credibility and expert reputation.
- Every Day's a Holiday!
[Business:Marketing] Creating a holiday is a great way to get attention. You may get interviewed on television or radio, or information about you and your holiday may appear in newspapers and magazines and on web sites. I have appeared on radio from coast to coast to talk about my holidays, such as “Get Paid to Shop Week,” “Take Charge of Change Week,” and “Someday.”
- Hello, My Name Is . . . What Your Name Tag Says About You
[Business:Marketing] When you attend networking functions, what kind of name tag do you wear? One of those sticky things you scrawled your name on, or something a bit more sophisticated? For just a few cents to a few dollars, you can have a classy, customized name tag that will draw attention and comments and help you make the most of every networking opportunity.
- Have Fun, Make Money - Get Paid to Do What You Love
[Home-Based-Business] Get paid to shop, drive, talk--even be in the movies! A little creativity can go a long way toward helping you make money doing things you enjoy. Take a look at some of the suggestions here, then think about ways you can get paid to do what you love to do.
- Publicity Tips from the Pros
[Business:PR] If you want to know the best way to approach the media, get advice directly from the source: the editors, producers and journalists who choose the stories that get publicity. Here are some of the best tips I’ve gotten from media representatives about getting your story in the news.
- How to Write Press Releases That Work And Get Free Publicity
[Business:PR] Anyone can learn to write press releases. It just takes a little knowledge and a lot of practice. The tips in this article will teach you what you need to know to effectively pitch your story to the media.
- Driving Customers to You - Your Car as a Marketing Vehicle
[Business:Advertising] You can turn your vehicle into a rolling advertisement. Costs start at just a few dollars, and you can put your business name, slogan, phone number and web site URL in front of thousands of potential customers while you are driving along the freeway, stuck in traffic or even while you are parked.
- Make Big Profits from Small Booklets
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Want to get published fast? Write a booklet. Within days you can be a published author. Booklets can create a fast and easy income stream for writers, speakers, consultants and others.
- Be the Customer: See Yourself as Your Customers Do
[Business:Customer-Service] Learn how to use the secrets of mystery shoppers to discover how your business looks to your customers. Find out what you do well, and where you can improve so you can attract and retain more customers.
- Shaking Your Money Tree: Seven Ways to Make Quick Cash
[Business:Top7-or-10-Tips] Does your business have a money tree you can shake when a little extra cash is needed? Learn seven quick, easy and powerful ways to generate more sales, grow your business and make more money now.
- Oprah! How to Appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show
[Business:PR] Want to know how you can be on The Oprah Winfrey Show? It is the dream of many authors, experts and others to sit next to Oprah and get the ultimate in national publicity. Learn how to pitch your story and get invited to Chicago.
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