I often hear women in business talk about how they need to get more visitors to their business, but they miss one other aspect that is just as, or even more important - conversion.
Business women often miss out conversion, so you are not alone. Before we start telling you how to drive more visitors to your business, you need to make sure you are set up to convert them.
So why is this so important?
At the moment your business is like a leaking bucket; you are losing water i.e. money
You spend time and money driving visitors to your business only to find that you make no more money because you lose sales through the holes in your business.
Why, because you don’t know how to effectively convert your website browsers, visitors to your business or your newsletter readers into potential customers.
If your conversion is poor - and most people’s is - then it doesn’t matter whether you have 10 or 10,000 visitors, the results will still be the same - a lack of buyers. What most people do instead of improving their conversion is work harder to drive more visitors. But all they are doing is wasting time and money, and quickly going broke as they search for the next solution to attract visitors.
Most business women think they have a good conversion rate, and if asked will say something around 50 per cent and upwards. However, in reality, when business owners actually take steps to measure their conversation rate, they find it’s more likely 1-3 per cent.
So why is your conversion so low?
There are several reasons for conversion being so low, including:
You are not targeting the right people with your marketing in the first place
Uninspiring website
Lack of trust and no relationship with your audience
Have you ever looked at your website stats and wondered why you had 200 unique visitors (excluding spam) to your website today, but only had three opt in to your newsletter?
Just think, what you could achieve if you improve your conversion. Instead of getting three opt in for every 200 visitors, you get 20 opt in for every 200. That means there are 17 more people to sell your products to, equalling more money. And all you have done is make a few small changes to your website.
So the thing is, if you improve your conversion you get more money coming in without spending any more. In the above example if we double our conversion, then we can potentially double your sales. It’s perfect.
The first thing we need to do is repair some of these holes in your business.
So just think how much more money you could make if you improve your conversion by five, 10 or even 20 per cent! Here are few strategies that you can implement into your business:
· Build a Database/List
The first thing you need to do, if you don’t already, is start building a database, or list as it is also called. A database or list is one of the most valuable assets a business can have. It is also one of the most cost effective marketing tools you can use, as it allows you to promote to your database time and time again without incurring the cost of having to constantly advertise to find new potential customers.
· Have a clear Call to Action
You need to have a clear call to action that tells people to CALL and BUY from you and, if possible, within a certain time frame. For example - Call us today on 5555 5555
· Converting more visitors by changing one thing on your newsletter
There is one aspect of a newsletter that you can change that could double your sales - the Subject Line. Most people have something really lame and uninspiring in their subject line, like “December’s Newsletter” or “This Month’s Special Offer”.
Instead you need to have a subject line that gets people involved in the conversation and makes them take action, like Do you want the Good News or the Bad News? Or Top 5 secrets…
· Getting more sign ups from your Website/Blog
Most people do not purchase first time what you need to do is capture their details so you can promote to them later. You can do this by using a capture device. A capture device is something that draws potential customers to your business, whether by phone, mail, store or website. The idea is to give them something for FREE, this could be a top tips or how to e-book, special report, video, audio, CD, newsletter etc so you can obtain their contact details. Once you have these details you can add them to your database and promote to them.
If you have a website, you get less than 10 seconds to entice them to take action and sign up to your capture device. So ensure that your capture device is enticing
There are so many of you who still don’t use a capture device in your business, and especially not on your website. I know I have looked. You are losing so much money by not having one.
Make sure that you test and measure your current performance and then monitor performance as you make changes.
Conversion is critical; probably more so than getting more visitors, because if you cannot convert them you are wasting time and money and will quickly go broke.
These are just a few of the strategies you can be using within your business that don’t cost a fortune, but can create big results. The full step by step report on how to implement these strategies is available from the VIP Club at Business Women Unite. Whilst visiting Business Women Unite why not get your free membership and start promoting your business to thousands of potential customers today!
1. What was the inspiration behind starting your business?
If you were to ask me what my life’s purpose is, I’d answer being of service and knowing I’ve made a difference to others. Coaching is one way I know I can have a positive impact on people.
My background is in small business and event management. It was while I was a promoter that I realised it was time for me to take center stage so to speak, and start promoting myself. I was 40 and I really wanted to live this second half of my life as fully and passionately as I could and I knew that it was time for me to follow my heart. My business background plus many years in the personal development area naturally led me to coaching. Also coaching provided the flexibility I desired, enabling me to still be an at home mum.
2. What aspects have helped you to get your business to where it is today?
Persistence!! Persistence in keeping in action. And continually holding, and reminding myself of, my vision for the business.
I also believe successful people surround themselves with “masters”, who will inspire and challenge them to be the best they can. I have had some wonderful teachers, mentors and coaches along the way and continually look for others to learn from. I think this willingness to learn, to ask, and to grow is a crucial aspect in developing any business.
On a practical level, the fact that I am a qualified professional coach, with some great training behind me, as well as numerous business seminars/courses has also added to my success. And actively networking has really helped. This is such a key area for anyone who provides a service such as coaching – luckily connecting with others is something I love doing!
3. What have been the challenges of your business so far?
One of the main challenges I’ve had is the relative newness of the coaching industry and with that, the need to educate people on coaching and the benefits it gives. There are still people, who are skeptical about coaching, but luckily that trend is changing, as business owners, and women in particular, realize the huge results they can gain from having a coach.
Re-establishing my business in Australia and juggling work and parenting has also been a challenge for me. But again with any challenge there is always an opportunity grow and learn!
4. What have been the highlights of your business so far?
The highlights of my business have to be the wonderful results I’ve seen my clients accomplish, both in business and personally. Results that include successfully setting up a business for the first time, researching and buying a business, gaining more clients, landing a dream job, creating beautiful paintings, and being more intimate with a partner. Or as one client said, “completing reinventing myself.”
On a personal note I’ve also really enjoyed building my own confidence through leading peer mentoring groups, being the President of my BNI chapter, being invited onto two school boards because of my coaching expertise, speaking at various groups, and now being one of the experts on BWU.
5. What are some of the most common questions you get asked by business women?
Two very common questions that business women ask are around keeping a balance between business and family, and staying on top of everything.
Other reasons my clients have given for coaching include:
Clarity
Help in choosing a new direction
Staying on track
Help with priority setting
Guidance through change
Reaching my fullest potential
Help with brainstorming
To get over procrastination
Attracting more clients
6. How can you help members of Business Women Unite?
I would love to help BWU members grow their business – and have the life they really want!I’m available to answer questions on the forum or offer advice and suggestions.
Also I am available for one-on-one coaching, either in person for those who live in Brisbane or over the phone for those women who are based further away. My specialty is working with women solo business owners or women in transition. If you want to start a business, build an existing business, know where you are going, decrease your stress, enhance your relationship, or have more balance and fun in your life, then coaching is for you.I can help you:
Determine clear steps and strategies to achieve goals that truly inspire you
Find the courage to follow your dreams – and keep you focused on those dreams
Have someone totally on your side who will encourage and challenge you, hold you accountable and give you unbiased feedback
Discover insights into your life so that you can think and act powerfully
Create balance and passion in your life
If there is something you really want to achieve I can help you get there!
1.What was the inspiration behind starting your business?
Being able to show women in business the skills they need to market their own business. Seeing so many women entrepreneurs struggle with marketing their businesses led me to create the information hub Diva Promotions is today.
2.What aspects have helped you to get your business to where it is today?
Persistence and faith. You need to keep going with your business and have the faith that things will work out as long as you follow a plan.
3.What have been the challenges of your business so far?
Trying to please everyone! Creating new products and services from market research results, only to find that no-one ended up buying!
4.What have been the highlights of your business so far?
Being a finalist in the Australian Home Based Business Awards and developing strategic alliances with other business women to form new income streams for my business.
5.What are some of the most common questions you get asked by business women?
What are the best strategies to use for my business?
Why doesn’t this particular strategy work for me when it does so well for another business?
6.How can you help members of Business Women Unite?
By providing advice, knowledge and actually listening to what individual businesses need.
Remember, we are only offering the first 1000 access to the VIP Club and 150 spaces have already been taken by existing Mums in Business members. You will need to act quickly to take advantage, so check it out now.
P.S. The VIP Club will help you make big changes in your business, but you will need to act quickly as we have BIG incentives for people who act before Wednesday at 11am Australia EST, so check it out now.
To help you fast track your business success, we are giving two people the chance to win 6 months’ access to our brand new VIP club.
Now you should only apply if you are ready to make a change in your business. So if you are ready to get access to plain-English, PROVEN, step by step business resources, blueprints and advice from experts that you can implement into your business immediately, then just answer this question:
How would you benefit from having a successful business?
Just login to Business Women Unite and post your short answer below before 8th November to enter…
The 2 people who explain the best how having a successful business will benefit them , will be the winners.
Good luck
Alison
P.S. If you have not yet joined Business Women Unite, then why not join its free.You’ll get to be part of the fastest growing place to connect to other business women, get expert advice on how to increase sales and profits and discover how to have a better lifestyle. Join for FREE http://www.businesswomenunite.net
Two of the most common questions I have been receiving in emails and on the BWU blog are:
“What is the best way to market my business without spending a fortune?” or “How do I get more traffic to my website?”
And let’s face it; these are critical. Without them we would all be out of business.
Most business people think there is a secret weapon when it comes to getting more customers, but believe me there isn’t. I know because I have looked. I used to think I was missing the secret technique - and where there are new pieces for technology to help us, like Web 2.0, the techniques are still the same.
Ok, so this is the deal with getting more business:
Marketing doesn’t have to cost a fortune
The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to generate more business. My marketing budget isn’t very large at all.
Some of you will be unaware that with all my businesses I don’t spend a lot on marketing. Instead, I use proven techniques that I know are right for my business; the ones that will get me the best results.
I have used PR to get my businesses on national TV and in hundreds of newspapers. I have used free content to drive visitors to my website and converted them to prospects and customers on my database. I have used the power of email marketing to get a higher click-through rate. I have also used social networking to drive traffic – do you think people just come to BWU? No, I have to put some of these actions plus many more techniques in place.
Now I am not telling you this to boast or try to impress you, but to help you understand you can get more business just by following the right system that works for you. Don’t get me wrong, I still test new strategies; in fact we are currently testing some ways for you to generate passive income, as well as more traffic to your website, but once I have one that works for me - like PR - I stick with it and use it to its full potential.
These strategies are available for you to use and we are going to show you how to utilise them to get the best results.
More important than visitors
People talk about how they need to get more visitors, but they miss one other aspect that is just as, or even more, important - conversion.
If your conversion is poor - and most people’s is - then it doesn’t matter whether you have 10 or 10,000 visitors, the results will still be the same - a lack of buyers. What most people do instead of improving their conversion is work hard to drive more traffic. All they are doing is wasting time and money.
So the thing is, if you improve your conversion, you get more money in without having to spend anymore. It’s perfect.
Have you even looked at your website stats and wondered why you had 200 unique visitors (excluding spam) to your website today, but only had three opt in to your newsletter?
Just think, what you business could be like if you improved your conversion (I will be showing you how in the VIP area). Instead of getting three opt in for every 200 visitors, you get 20 opt in for every 200 visitors. That means you would have 17 more people to sell your products to – more money. And all you would have done is made a few small changes to your website.
Keeping up to date
There are rarely any new marketing strategies, but the problem is technology is constantly changing. I was at a conference last week and they were talking about Web 3.0. Most people haven’t got the hang of Web 2.0 yet! There are new ways to get to number 1 in Google, new ways to get visitors with blogs and article marketing, new tested conversion methods etc.
So it is critical to have a team of people who are experts in their field to help you by knowing which things are working NOW. If you were anything like me when I was growing my business, you just cannot afford this.
I have a team of people who are doing just this, like Andrew Edwards who knows how to drive traffic to your website, Emma Rhoades who can show you how to set up a simple marketing action plan specifically for your business, Gina Pearce who specialises in getting PR for your business, and myself who has used many no cost/low cost marketing strategies to grow my business.
So getting more business is extremely important and critical for your continued success. You need strategies that will show you the best ways to market your business without spending a fortune, the best ways to get more traffic to your website, the best ways to convert more customers, the best ways of being productive and the best ways to cope with juggling everything at once, plus you need to be guided and supported alone the way. We have those strategies and more in the VIP area.
If you have some questions that you would like to ask I would love to help answer them for you. Just post your questions below.
Wishing you success,
Alison
P.S. I have received emails from people asking when the VIP area will be launched as they do not want to miss out. We are very close to launching, just watch your email inbox for details.
I recently asked THOUSANDS of business women about their businesses, and over the years I have come across thousands more. Let me tell you I keep coming across the same things - and most of it is NOT good.
Even though the comments are slightly different, they all come back to the same thing – what to do next to build a successful business?
If you are like most women in business you are probably approaching your business in the wrong way - struggling and wasting time trying to work it out. You ask what to do next to build a successful business, what is the best way to market your business without spending a fortune or get more traffic to your website, convert more customers, get more time and learning to cope with juggling everything at once.
Well you are not alone, and these are real issues that people face when running their own business, but believe me when I say this: if you want to create a successful business there are much larger problems to resolve first.
I have created a valuable report revealing why most business women struggle in business and the 5 critical factors you need to turn your business into a successful profit making machine!
You can get access to this report for a limited time at:
Even though this report is free, don’t underestimate the value of the information contained within it. You could see massive changes within your business just by making a few of the changes suggested.
Remember, if you think this information doesn’t apply to you then think again, because it does. I have read your comments and spent countless hours looking at your business. I cam promise you this does apply to you.
The fact is most business women are struggling in business but don’t know what to do next to take them to the next level. Download the report to find out what to do next:
P.S. I realise you will have some questions once you have read this report. I want to help answer these questions for you, so just post your comments below.
We are very close to finishing our long-awaited VIP area on Business Women Unite. But before we do, I want to make sure we are on the right track so that YOU have everything you need. So I have this one question to ask you…
What do you feel are the 2 most important things you need to know right now to grow your business?
I really want to know; the more you can tell me the more I can create what you need…please leave your answer below.
That’s all for now…
Thanks,
Alison
P.S – Please let me know I really DO value your feedback - what do you feel are the 2 most important things you need to know right now to grow your business? What do you need help with? Just post your comment below.
You’ve all heard of networking right? Most people don’t ever use it to its full potential. One of the most common reasons is that it’s just one more thing you have to do in your busy day so it goes into the too hard basket, right!
I know I used to do this. With traditional networking, you stand in a room full of complete strangers pretending to have a good time. You go to events, either listen to a speaker, hand out business cards, grab a coffee, or wine (depending on the time of the day!!) and walk around and introduce yourself, all in the hope that you will connect with the right people.
Yes, networking can be a nightmare. It can also be a great thing if you get the right environment for you. But how does this fit into sites like Business Women Unite and why bother, you may be asking yourself? Well let me tell you.
Networking is all about building relationships but believe it or not, most business women find it much easier to build a relationship with someone online than in person - look at all the internet relationships that take place.
But the social networking thing is a lot different than anything you have ever done before but you decide to give it a go. So you join up, after all it was free so why not. You completed your profile page and then you start meeting other women in business, commenting on the forum, getting some expert help for your business, right. Well only if you are one of the business women in the know.
I have to say that some people just fill in their profile page and are never seen again. Why, I am not sure but I have put it down to two things. Either you don’t know what to do next or you think that just by completing your profile page you will generate more business. I am going to be honest with you if you are the latter one of these you are not going to get very far.
First of all I am going to tell you why you should bother and then I am going to tell you what you should do next.
Well since launching Business Women Unite we have been averaging 100 sign ups a week, which pretty good going in my book. Do you think it will continue and expedite, of course it will so wouldn’t you be crazy not to take advantage of it. This is free traffic, if someone was giving me free traffic I would definitely take it. It would mean that I could promote my business to thousands to visitors which could generate more sales for my business. And yet I see people on the site who are not taking advantage of the traffic coming to the site.
Did you know that every piece of content you enter and every post you make are indexed? You see Business Women Unite is open to search engines, so everything is picked up. Use some good keywords and guess what, you will target your potential customers as well.
So if you haven’t already done so now is the time to complete your profile page - upload your profile picture, add your website address (remember to exclude the http://) and put some information about yourself. Introduce yourself on the forum and maybe ask a couple of questions that you need help with – don’t be shy the women are very friendly and willing to help and share. You will soon pick up lots of new friends this way!
If you need some expert help get some from our team of experts who can give you advice on how to increase your sales and profits, how to drive more traffic to your website and how to have a better lifestyle plus much more.
You can expand your business by connecting and doing business with people from all over the world. I have already seen many great alliances formed on Business Women Unite which have helped members to develop their businesses and make more money.
I have been where you are but I can tell you this is an amazing opportunity and one of the quickest and easiest ways of growing your business – why spend countless hours searching for new clients when you can connect with them all in one place at Business Women Unite.
Here are a few things you can do on Business Women Unite right now:
Make New Friends
You may find yourself bombarded with friend requests from others. Take these seriously as these people then have the opportunity to contact you at any time via Business Women Unite. Although the site is for networking, sometimes businesses clash, or don’t have anything in common. The same applies for online networking. Approve your friend requests only if you feel that you want to contact this person, or be invited into their personal network.
Invite your Friends
Everyone has friends and associates that they meet somewhere or other so invite them to join you on the site. That way, you can get even more friends to chat with!
Keeping your Friends Informed
You can create your very own Bulletins. Used only amongst you and your friends, it allows you to send bulletins to your friends about what you have to offer. Use it wisely, as if you continue to spam your friends with offers, you will soon find that you are loner!!!Choose to post a bulletin or read those that have been sent to you from your friends. Some good uses are for special offers, or introducing new services etc.
Promote your business
We have created a new section on the forum, the bullet board where you can actively promote your business in one place.
Fancy a Chat
If you are feeling a little lonely at your office by yourself, or have a few spare moments and want to chat, then the ‘Live Chat’ area is just what you need. You will find the link at the very top of your screen after you log in. Once in the Live Chat arena you will find a drop down box with various rooms to choose from. At present, we have only two rooms however we will be adding more shortly.
Beside this live chat button you will also find the instant messenger link. If you’ve ever used MSN Messenger or Yahoo chat, you will know how it works. If you’ve not yet found how useful instant messenger can be, then hang on!! Simply find someone you want to chat with (from your friends only) and then start up an instant messenger conversation. Only you two can see it, and you can get instant messages from one to the other – kind of like a very quick email session!
Groups
For those who really want to turbo charge their business, ‘groups’ are for you. Currently open to everyone for free for a limited time, the groups are a place to get together with your own private forums to get one on one advice and knowledge from the groups experts. Think of it like a mini community. This is the place to find your business mentors and to learn from others.
Wouldn’t it be great to ask an expert a question that directly relates to your business? Well, now you can. We’ve opened up the groups section of Business Women Unite for just that. This fantastic section means you can now join a particular group that is hosted by an expert.
Each group has its own private forum where you can ask our experts and other participant’s questions that directly relate to your business. Think of it like a mini community where you can get together and talk about say how to market your business or how to improve your website. For the next 30 days we are giving you F’REE accessto our new“Ask an Expert” section on Business Women Unite.
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