sarah-ghirardo

10 Marketing Books I Can't Get Enough Of

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 02:47:05 GMT

Top Ten Marketing Books I Keep Going Back To As A Marketer

As a marketer the importance of continuous learning, an abundant mindset, and gaining knowledge through books, even if they were written in previous years.

In today's fast-paced world, innovation and adaptation are key to staying ahead of the curve. The most successful people are those who embrace change, seek out new opportunities, and never stop learning. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a student, or a professional, being curious and open-minded can help you unlock new opportunities and achieve your goals.

At the heart of this mindset is the concept of abundance. Rather than focusing on scarcity and limitations, an abundant mindset sees opportunities everywhere and believes that there is enough success to go around. This mindset encourages us to approach challenges with a sense of possibility and optimism, rather than fear and doubt.

One of the most effective ways to cultivate this mindset and gain new knowledge is through reading books. While some may think that books written in previous years are outdated and irrelevant, the general concepts and principles can still be applied with a fresh perspective and innovative thinking. Here are is a list of books that I keep going back to as a marketer in the home service industry. You will notice that I read a lot about technology, leadership, marketing and business. Technology drives the market because they will always have bigger budget then we do and strategies that scale faster because they utilize psychology when building their products and channels that we as home service marketers spend in to. So I analyze the competition, I look for ways they innovate and see how I can adapt and incorporate the innovation. Marketers love chasing shiny objects but with intention. I would recommend getting these books in hardcopy so you can take notes and then give it as a gift. Sometimes I do this with and without the notes for the gift. It's a fun way to give back and support my core value of always being a student.

What To Do When it's Your Turn and It's Always Your Turn by Seth Godin
This book was given to me by a dear friend, Dave Rothacker and it is a game-changing book for anyone seeking to make a difference in their personal or professional life. With actionable insights and practical advice, this book empowers readers to take control of their destiny and create a meaningful impact in the world.

As a marketer, you'll discover how to seize every opportunity and maximize your potential in a rapidly changing landscape. This book will challenge you to think creatively and strategically, while providing a roadmap to navigate the uncertain terrain of modern business.

From a leadership perspective, "What to do When It's Your Turn and It's Always Your Turn" inspires readers to lead with purpose and passion. You'll learn how to cultivate a winning mindset, overcome obstacles, and empower others to achieve their full potential.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to make a difference in their life and career.

Contagious by Jonah Berger

Have you ever wondered why some ideas spread like wildfire while others fizzle out? In "Contagious," Jonah Berger delves into the science of virality and reveals the six principles that make things catch on. Whether you're a marketer or just curious about human behavior, this book will teach you how to create content that sticks like glue.

NEW-Crushing It!: Int How Great Entrepreneurs Build their Business and Influence and How You Can, Too by Gary Vaynerchuck

If you're tired of grinding away at your business with little to show for it, it's time to start crushing it like Gary Vee. In this book, the social media superstar shares his secrets for building a brand, growing a following, and dominating your niche. Warning: reading this book may cause you to drop everything and start a podcast.

The 1 page marketing plan by Allan Dib

Are you tired of drowning in a sea of marketing jargon? In "The 1-Page Marketing Plan," Allan Dib strips away the fluff and shows you how to create a simple, actionable marketing plan that actually works. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or part of a big team, this book will help you stand out from the competition and attract more customers than you can handle but only if you take action on this.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert B. Cialdini

Want to learn how to persuade people without resorting to Jedi mind tricks? Look no further than "Influence" by Robert Cialdini. This classic book explores the science of persuasion and reveals the six universal principles of influence. Whether you're a salesperson, a marketer, or just a regular person trying to get your way, this book will teach you how to ethically sway others to your point of view.

Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller
If you are struggling to make your brand stand out in a sea of noise read "Building a StoryBrand," Donald Miller shows you how to create a compelling brand story that resonates with your customers. Using the power of storytelling, you'll learn how to clarify your message, connect with your audience, and turn them into loyal fans. Warning: this book may cause you to break out in hives if you're allergic to cheesy movie references. This is my go to when I need to reset and write really understand who I am writing the story about and the structure. This is where I learned the story really isn't about you, it's about them. GREAT book with a website that has great content to continue the learning.

Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgn
Learn how to create a new market space that's ripe for the taking. Using real-world examples, they'll teach you how to identify untapped opportunities, differentiate yourself from the competition, and make your rivals irrelevant. Warning: reading this book may cause you to feel like a ninja master of market disruption.

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Want to create a product that's so addictive, your customers can't stop using it? In "Hooked," Nir Eyal reveals the psychology behind habit-forming products and shows you how to build products that people can't live without. Whether you're a startup founder or an established business, this book will teach you how to create products

Purple Cow by Seth Godin

This book was life changing and why my business is named remarketable. See I learned that every experience you have deserves to be remarkable. It made me think if I was tired of blending in with the crowd? In "Purple Cow," marketing guru Seth Godin challenges businesses to be remarkable and stand out in a sea of mediocrity. Using real-world examples and case studies, Godin shows how businesses can create "purple cows" – unique and remarkable products or services that capture the attention of customers and create lasting impact. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to differentiate themselves from the competition and succeed in today's crowded marketplace. So if you're ready to be remarkable and leave the herd behind, pick up a copy of "Purple Cow" today!

This is Marketing by Seth Godin

Looking for fresh ideas and practical strategies to help you succeed in the world of marketing? Look no further than "This Is Marketing" by Seth Godin. In this book, Godin shares his years of expertise and insights into the world of marketing, offering a blueprint for how businesses and individuals can thrive in today's digital age. Whether you're a seasoned marketing professional or just starting out, "This Is Marketing" is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve and succeed in the world of marketing. So if you're ready to take your marketing game to the next level, check out our blog about "This Is Marketing" and discover how you can apply Godin's insights to your own business or personal brand.

I encourage you to get your reading on and wrap your head around ideas that have already been tested and used and thought of because simply put no idea is a new idea.

xoxo,

Your Marketer In The Trades

Sarah

Written with AI and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through the links above.

9 Tips For Marketing Tactics During A Recession For The Home Service Industry

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:38:00 GMT

9 Tips for Marketing Tactics During A Recession For The Home Service Industry

As a recession hits, businesses often go into survival mode, but those who have the foresight to invest in marketing can come out of the downturn stronger and more competitive. In this blog, we'll cover the top ten marketing tactics to invest in during a recession, with actionable tips and tricks that will help you increase your brand awareness and drive lead generation.

Social Media Marketing

Social media is an essential marketing tool, especially during a recession. Now is the time to build your brand, who cares if your posts are not perfect, it's about finding your audience and people you might not even consider your audience. It's an affordable way to connect with your target audience, build brand awareness, and generate leads. During a recession, people are spending more time on social media, making it an ideal platform to reach them. Here are some tips for optimizing your social media marketing:

Identify the social media platforms that your target audience is most active on, and focus your efforts there.
Create engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Use social media to build relationships with your audience, respond to their comments and questions promptly.
Leverage social media advertising to reach a broader audience.

2. Video Marketing

How many have heard that video is king? Video ranks differently then words and has its own place to win the market share. We as a society engage in short form content because that is what technology has done to change the consumers behavior. Marketing and advertising is not about what you like, it is about what the consumer wants. You are not marketing to yourself. You are not your ideal customer. Video marketing is one of the most effective ways to engage your target audience. Videos are highly shareable, and they can help you communicate your message more effectively.

Here are some tips for optimizing your video marketing:

Create high-quality videos that are interesting, informative, and entertaining.
Keep your videos short and to the point.
Promote your videos across all your marketing channels, including social media, email, and your website.

3. AI-Generated Content

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way businesses create content. I have been hearing a lot of chatter from marketers in the trades that you should not be using this just yet, and they are wrong. The opportunity is today, it's always been today. Learn it, understand it, and the innovate with it. The name of the game for all businesses is to be more automated and efficient. Our jobs are all replaceable, if we think in a scarcity mindset then the people talking against this are correct. If you think in an abundance mindset you will see opportunity everywhere. Your job as a marketer is to evolve your role, produce high quality content efficiently. I will write another post about the AI tools I have been leveraging and testing all along in my marketing career. AI-generated content is cost-effective and highly customizable.

Here are some tips for optimizing your AI-generated content:

Use AI to create blog posts, social media posts, and email content.
Use AI to personalize your content based on your audience's interests and preferences.
Use AI to analyze your content's performance and make data-driven decisions.

4. Local Community Marketing

When I say go local, I mean go local. Your community is being hit the same way you are, how can you help others? Givers gain. Local community marketing is an effective way to build relationships with your target audience.

Here are some tips for optimizing your local community marketing:

Participate in local events and sponsor local organizations.
Build relationships with other local businesses.
Use local influencers to promote your brand.
Start a community strategy and bring out local businesses through your advertising efforts, co-partnerships in swag, in events, in podcasts, it's your time to bring your community to life.
Build relationships with local journalists and editors.
Use press releases to promote your brand.
Participate in local talk shows and podcasts

Think about ways to advertise locally not just events, is there a bar in your hometown that gets a lot of traffic? Can you download your commercial on a firestick and have them play it, thus creating a paid advertising opportunity for the local bar and getting your companies name in front of your community?

5. Mass Media Marketing

Mass media marketing is a traditional form of marketing that can still be effective, especially during a recession.

Here are some tips for optimizing your mass media marketing:

Use TV, radio, and print ads to reach a broader audience.
Focus on creating memorable, attention-grabbing ads.
Use data to optimize your ad placements and messaging.
Find the way you can get hyper local placements that make sense, is there a OOH display you sound downtown that would be perfect for your business?Is there a sporting event that you would love to sponsor but are afraid of the costs, my suggestion would be to find the unique ways to get your name out there that aligns to your business goals.

When I was in Florida, I saw a barge billboard, now the majority of the area I was in was for tourists, however on the other side were homeowners... where could you advertise your local business to those that matter? On the other side. You can also do this in communities at local lakes. Ask more questions and see what is and isn't allowed. You will never know unless you ask.

6. SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a cost-effective way to increase your website's visibility in search engine results pages. SEO is not dead, it is literally evolving right before our eyes. Who cares which AI tool gets there faster, they will all have ad placement because they will need to generate revenue in order for the platform to sustain.

Here are some tips for optimizing your SEO:

Conduct keyword research to identify the keywords and phrases your target audience is searching for.
Optimize your website's content, meta tags, and structure for those keywords.
Build high-quality backlinks to your website.
Build local city landing pages, at this point a website is great only if it effectively gets the job done by ranking your content appropriately. By having content that is relevant to the search. If you are unable to build a website quickly, build a landing page then build a website as you need.

7. Email Marketing

Email marketing is a highly effective way to nurture leads and drive conversions and your existing clients are a goldmine waiting to be spoken to. How many contractors have you had in your home that actually follow up with you and that missed conversion? Personally, I rent and the contractors that have been coming to my home, I am just lucky if they don't wear their socks in my home. Email your customers but make sure your audience is personalized and your message is intentional for them. Mass emailing is boring and honestly an old school bad habit that needs to be broken. Advertising is about personalization and you can see this in everything that is out there.

Here are some tips for optimizing your email marketing:

Segment your email list based on your audience's interests and behavior.
Use personalized content to engage your audience.
Test different subject lines, email designs, and CTAs to optimize your email campaigns.
Use templates, change the brand and color to your brand and color. The product that we run has personalized templates developed specifically with a marketing strategy in mind for the trades.

8. Content Marketing

Content marketing is a long-term marketing strategy that involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. The goal of content marketing is to drive profitable customer action by educating, informing, and entertaining the audience. Content marketing is especially effective during a recession because it can help businesses build brand awareness, generate leads, and establish themselves as industry leaders.

Here are some actionable tips and tricks for optimizing your content marketing during a recession:

Identify Your Target Audience

The first step in creating an effective content marketing strategy is to identify your target audience. Your content should be tailored to the interests, preferences, and pain points of your target audience. By understanding your audience's needs and desires, you can create content that resonates with them and drives engagement.

Create Valuable Content

The content you create should provide value to your audience. Valuable content can be educational, informative, or entertaining. It should be relevant to your audience's interests and needs. By creating valuable content, you can build trust with your audience and establish yourself as an authority in your industry.

Leverage Different Types of Content

There are many types of content that you can use in your content marketing strategy, including blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts, and more. Each type of content has its strengths and weaknesses, and you should use a mix of formats to engage your audience. For example, videos are highly shareable and can help you communicate your message more effectively, while blog posts can help you improve your search engine rankings and drive traffic to your website.

Promote Your Content

Creating great content is not enough; you also need to promote it effectively. Promoting your content can help you reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your website. You can promote your content through social media, email marketing, influencer marketing, and other channels. By promoting your content, you can increase your brand awareness and generate more leads.

Measure Your Results

Measuring your content marketing results is essential to optimizing your strategy. You should track your website traffic, social media engagement, lead generation, and other metrics to determine what's working and what's not. Use the data to make data-driven decisions and iterate on your strategy. By measuring your results, you can optimize your content marketing strategy and achieve better results.

9. Agile Marketing

Agile marketing is an approach that involves testing, learning, and iterating quickly to achieve marketing goals. During a recession, it's essential to be agile and adaptable to changing market conditions. Here are some tips for optimizing your agile marketing:

Set clear, measurable marketing goals.
Use data to make informed decisions about your marketing strategy.
Test and iterate quickly to optimize your campaigns.
Embrace new marketing technologies and techniques to stay ahead of the competition.

In conclusion, investing in marketing during a recession can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these top nine marketing tactics home service businesses can increase their brand awareness, drive lead generation, and emerge from the downturn stronger and more competitive. Always remember to look for opportunities and test in and out of things when needed to stay ahead of the curve.

Safety Tips For Traveling As A Single Women For Business... ✈

remarketable9@gmail.com (Sarah Ghirardo) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:45:53 GMT

Welcome to the world of a single woman who travels for work! As a marketing trainer, my job takes me to different parts of the world, allowing me to experience different cultures, meet new people, and taste delicious food. It's a life of adventure and excitement, but it also comes with its own set of opportunities, learnings and a constant journey of self awareness.

As a woman traveling alone, you want to make sure you stay safe while having fun and living your best life on the road. That's why I've put together this quick blog of travel tips and tricks specifically tailored from the lessons I have learned. From packing essentials to navigating new cities, I've got you covered.

You Don't Need To Wear The Ring �� (If you are single)
Friends, I took a couple of self-defense courses and asked a ton of groups within solo travel about this advice of wearing a ring when you travel solo. First, for me, it's like starting a conversation out as a lie, and I do not have time for lies. Second, my ring (used and not in use) was heavy when I wore it, there was so much attached to that vow that I have moved past it didn't make sense to carry that weight. Third, wearing flashy jewelry is super fun, but it can also alert people depending on where you go so it could become a safety issue. Be careful out there, things can get weird.

Share Your Location With Your Friends And Family

Traveling solo is freeing, but safety and security is so important. Uber has a share ride I use and I drop my location to my close friend and family member. When I get to where I am going I check-in with a phone call and text. I do this out of respect, I do have kids at home and other responsibilities.

Enjoy Your Time When You Travel (yes, even for work)
Working remotely and with other countries has taught me that I can have a more flexible work schedule. I work often, but more when I am the most creative. As a marketer, I am not also the most creative during the normal 9-5. I actually do not think I have ever legit worked only 9-5. When I travel, I act like a tourist at least for one event and Google random fun places near me. I research the safety and security of the area and hit go on my Uber or Lfyt. Life is too short.

Talk To Strangers

In secure settings of course, but I want to experience where I am at. There are times admittedly that I also do not want to talk to strangers so I bring a book and enjoy the quiet. I am a mom, quiet is a gift and I require focus time.

Travel For The Best Reason

I get to help, seriously, I get to learn from the best in the industry, the thought leaders, the action takers, and partner with them to continuously learn and grow as an individual both personally and professionally and I get to help. Even being a super small insignificant part of someone's story can be impactful beyond what you are aware of. My heart and my passion are aligned with people, and always will be. So thank you all for allowing me to help where I can.

Safety First Lock and Bolt Your Door and then Purchase A Portable Door Lock

Hotels can be intense but have no fear and lock your doors. Hotel safety is really important to me because some of the staff might know I am alone. In resorts they often make you wear bracelets signifying which hotel you are in, which causes creates red flags for me

Always Bring Your Lysol Wipes

I have traveled in so many planes and have been on them during cleaning. Let's just say the passenger in seat A13 took his shoes off and put his bare feet on the seat. Then wiped his nose with his hand several times and then touched everything you can imagine. Clean the seats and the tray table they are gross.

The Power Outlets At Hotels Sometimes Don't Work At All

Yes, please! Most hotels power outlets are well, not that powerful and who would have thought since everyone has been pulling their outlets in and out over and over. Most of these need an update, so go ahead and purchase your own. I purchased in two because mine mysteriously disappear with children.

Be smart, travel wisely and remember if you forget something you can always just purchase it. Things are replaceable you being present in the moment is not. Travel with love, confidence and smiles. You will be a great wanderer.

The items below are items that I have purchased and As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases of your clicks.

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

remarketable9@gmail.com (Sarah Ghirardo) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:45:52 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic

remarketable9@gmail.com (Sarah Ghirardo) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:45:52 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.