This was a sales record for online retail in the UK, according to Experian Hitwise.

Kindle in more women's hands

Sales of Kindles and iPads were the most searched-for items:

• According to YouGov stats, roughly 1.2m Kindles were given as gifts in the UK this Christmas, meaning 1 in 40 adults either gave or received the e-readers as a gift.
• In total 1.33m e-readers were given away, with Kindles swallowing up 92% of the market share.
• 61% of Kindles were received by women, with over 55 year olds twice as likely as 18-24 year olds to receive one.
• 640,000 tablets were given as gifts to adults, with the iPad dominating the market with 72% of sales.

What does this mean for your business?  If ipads and Kindles are being bought in large quantities there must be money available.  The second question is what is being read and are you in a position to benefit?

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Image by Annie Mole via Flickr

The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) is investigating Trip Advisor.  This is a well-known UK website which features comments on the quality of hotels and places to stay.

Comments in question are both negative and almost malicious, while others are too fulsome in their praise to be from impartial consumers.

The ASA has only had responsibility for websites since April 2011.  Whatever the result it is a strong message to website owners to check the validity of their sites.

Comments on most small business websites are likely to be testimonials.  Of course these should always be authentic, but now there is a legal watchdog some businesses might do well to adhere to best practice and make sure they are verified.

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In the Marlow Bucks  area you can listen in on 97.5 FM or through the internet from elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, the UKand anywhere in the world.  It is a community radio station spearheaded by Tim Ashburner using volunteers. So as a presenter you have to handle the technology.

My second programme was all about using video.

Guests in the studio were Jay Blake a local videographer and Sarah Liveing who was looking for some tips on using video in her business.

Video has become so much easier to create in recent years as the technology has developed, that the previous financial barriers no longer apply.  Additionally You Tube has grown massively in popularity and videos are viewed millions of times.  You Tube which is owned by Google is now used as a search engine in its own right.

Jay advised that recent iphones and new equipment is just as powerful as larger more professional equipment.  The major drawback of doing it yourself is in getting the sound and the sound balance right, and the limitations of doing a piece to camera rather than having cameras filming from different angles. Jay’s company Icthus Video films business products and processes and helps to put business owners at their ease when in front of the camera.

Sarah Liveing had recently climbed to the top of Kilimanjairo and did indeed take video of herself and her companions at the summit.  She is planning on using video of herself when walking outdoors, and we discussed the importance of having a suitable  supporter to hold the camera.

Sarah’s  business is Walking for Weightloss and she helps people take the first steps towards losing weight simply by walking.  Unlike the regular payments for a gym, walking is free and virtually no equipment is needed.  Sarah is herself an inspiration as she lost 8 stone simply by walking and has helped hundreds of people walk their way to a better healthier life.

We had a good conversation also about the beauty of the view from the top of the world after the exhausting climb up Kilimanjairo…and the peace gained from getting away from it all for a while.

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Blogging Workshop on International Women’s Day

Blogging is such a great way to build company reputation, and leads to more money, and more happiness through self expression.  Many small business owners find writing their website difficult, but have no problem talking about what really matters to them in a blog.

Women are natural bloggers, and can get more spark into their marketing more easily with a blog.

International Women’s Day 8 March 2010 is the date for a blogging workshop led by Jean Wolfe

The workshop will help you gain fluency as well as understanding the interactive benefits of blogging

• What to do before you get started
• How to grab your reader’s attention
• How to write for the other audience – the search engines
• Which blog platform to choose and why
• Where to find stuff to write about and make it relevant
• 7 Principles of Copy-writing which should be obeyed
• How to fit blogging with email, twitter and social media

In honour of National Women’s Day we will also have a look at what women have had to do to get their work read.  They have not always had it so easy …

You will go away with more spark for your business and a clear plan of blogging action – with work done already.  Make the most of this unfair advantage in your blogging career.

Date: Monday March 8^th International Women’s Day

Place Berkshire / Buckinghamshire border UK

Time: 10 am – 2: 30 with an additional hour for personal questions 2:30 – 3;30

Cost: £ 99 which includes three weekly follow up blogging newsletters and an online session on March 29^th. Open to men as well as women.

Bloggers Are Us! will breathe new life into all your communications – even one to one meetings..  But if you have not doubled your investment of £ 100 within six months I will happily refund your ticket.

“It’s your enthusiasm which makes all the difference” KN

“Jean you are a natural-born motivator” AS

“You are always a breath of fresh air and I think in a different way. I also feel better about myself and would like you on tap, please, every day!” PH

Jean Wolfe is a champion of independent businesses and communication that builds business wealth. Ex-drama teacher, ex-publicist for authors, ex-creator of solar powered product markets internationally.

To reserve your place please get in touch via the contact form or the comments below.

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Unlike professional qualifications there are no requirements for  continuing professional development in marketing a business, but those attending hope that their business will increase significantly.

From the viewpoint of the conference organiser there may be additional money to the entrance fee to be made through his or her own sales offer, or through offers made by other speakers.  A “multi-speaker” event is becoming more common these days, and sometimes the entrance is free as money will be made on the speaker’s offers where organiser and speaker share revenue.

Having been to a number of conferences and seminars this year I have found it interesting how very differently they are run.   The perfect conference, to be honest, would be where I leave the conference and magically new customers are already begging to work with me, or simply rushing for their credit cards so they can pay me money.

While I am waiting for that to happen (!) my wish list as an attendee is in this order:

1.  Helpful atmosphere with guru (s) available to actually talk to you in the breaks about your issues without selling hard. (Very rare and precious.)

2.  One or two big ideas that change perception and the sense of what is possible.

3.  Likeable people to sit next to and meet. (JV partners of the future/friends  starting as neighbours)

4.  Some form of development during the event which moves action forward.  We are all responsible for our own action but where it is integrated into the seminar it takes place more quickly and easily.

5.  A list of tactics or a planned programme so that the doing takes place afterwards.  A clear “next step”.

6.  Some variety of speakers and presentation styles, but not too many.

7.  One sales pitch made honestly and confidently.  Not an over-hyped pitch-fest which contributes to overwhelm and makes the organisers look indecisive or greedy.  Seeing a pitch made authentically and persuasively in the flesh can be empowering for an audience looking to develop their marketing.

8.  Energy proactively managed. This doesn’t have to be massages and roof-raising shrieks but sitting still for three days is not normal.

9.  A way of knowing who else is present. There will be natural alliances to be made.

Optional extras:

10.  An organised  follow-up group to work with to encourage implementation

11.  An exotic location so simply getting there is a good experience

12.  A beautiful notebook

13.  Manual to take away.

None of the events I have attended have had all these elements.  However, I can vouch for the fact that the non-critical (my optional points) were certainly an incentive to me to attend one of these seminars! While it had the optional extras in plenty it certainly lacked the very first option of being able to talk to the “guru/s”.

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Big brands are using twitter as a lightning strike form of customer service and pouncing on complaints, magically creating confidence.  If you complain about a product or service you may find the washing machine or the computer replaced, and even airline tickets available where none existed before.  Banks with serious reputation issues in the past year particularly have a chance to be seen as human and helpful for a change.

Small businesses don’t have the customer service issue.  Most have a good relationship with their customers and handle problems personally.  So why use twitter?

The usual reasons given are about creating a community, finding out what prospects think, connecting with peers which can lead to joint ventures or collaborations, and of course being the helpful person solving the relevant problems.  All of which can lead to clients and money.

In the twitter workshops I have been running for a while I have noticed that a great deal of clarity and confidence is gained by looking at the world according to twitter.  By making twitter part of the plan in fact the plan gets clearer, the spark gets more sparky, and the next actions are easily identified.

The participants have learned about their business and themselves, as well as about twitter.

In a small business where one person carries out many different roles, this can provide the edge that leads to greater profitability. Unlike the lengthy soul searching that usually accompanies a business plan or marketing plan getting things right for twitter can be achieved quickly and easily.  That is the first piece of return on time invested, and the second is that the follow up action is usually clear.

Once people have a handle on twitter (in every sense of the word) it becomes a really valuable tool

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Having a great business is the aim but not at the expense of lonliness, of missing bathtime, the late night teenage conversation, or the quality time with husband, partner, friends and family.

Modern marketing which plays to women’s natural strengths has made the goal more achievable.

The increasing importance of networking face to face suits women’s natural way of doing business.  Dr Ivan Misner has spearheaded this change through BNI over the last 10 years internationally followed by many networking groups for women only including Athena.  BNI’s motto:  ” Givers Gain” (if I give you business you will want to give me business in return) has made a big change in the way men do business, but is part of how most women operate.

When we meet up for one to one meetings we ask about each other.  We want to find links between us, and help each other.  We are just as likely to give a compliment about shoes or a jacket as a laptop presentation, and we are just as likely to choose to work with somebody based on their past or their personal style.  After all, it is the so-called non-critical variables that often end up being the most important.

The shoe or handbag compliment is not fundamentally about shoes or handbags but about values, about style, and the way of seeing the world.  When we respond positively to something about somebody else, we  are more receptive to developing a business relationship, to working together, recommending each other and investing our hard-earned money.

As women we have many many ways of demonstrating our brand values, and helping others to know like and trust us.  Face to face networking where we are our own brochure, direct mail letter and exhibition provides a powerful marketing tool.  Many businesses find all their clients through face to face networking.

The internet marketing explosion of recent times also suits women.  Women in their late thirties are the most frequent users of facebook.  which only a few years ago was simply the place for university students.  To be trusted these days, and have an authentic brand,  you have to reveal something about yourself.  This comes naturally to women – even online – but in my experience men find it much harder.

Women are still responsible for more of the domestic tasks in the home, so working at home reduces the hassle-factor.  No more travelling out to work which involves military-precision organisation for childcare.  The washing machine can be filled, or the family meal prepared without having to replace yourself at the heart of the home.  Setting up a sequence of emails for an autoresponder for your information product can be more satisfying than coping with lengthy meetings and office politics.

Even better – blogging about your day and the ups and downs of home life can be turned into a business.  The office becomes redundant in every sense.  Heather Armstrong of Dooce in the US was one of the first examples of mommy blogging.  She genuinely and naturally wrote about her day – which was of interest to women in a similar situation – leading to massive traffic on her site.  Advertisers lured by the size and responsiveness of her audience appeared bearing gifts with monetary value.

As women we enjoy relationships and getting to know people and it is refreshing that we can now build a business from this place.  Perhaps it will be the unsung heroines who will be the real contributors to the economy in the coming year.

Old business is dead.  Long live new business and national women’s enterprise day!

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Was the bootcamp different because the audience was women and the presenters were women?

The aim of the weekend was to empower women to make money.  It was the brain-child of Stephanie Hale who started a project to interview 12 women millionaires so she could leave a legacy if her brain tumour diagnosis was accurate.  Luckily it was not, and the millionaire bootcamp for women became a spin-off reality a year later with the help of Mark Anastasi.  The big idea was that the support and the strategies are available for women for millionaire-dom.

Both women and men speak with passion, both can be self-made millionaires, both can hold the stage, and both can want to spend more time with the people they love. So what was different about this weekend?

I found it unusual and inspirational to have women as presenters. Internet marketing was the most-frequently cited route to riches and there are direct comparisons to be made with most internet marketing events which are dominated by men.

More variety in presentation styles. Women have more choice over what to wear than men, but there was a very rich variety of presenting styles, too. From  walk-around or stationary, glammed up or unmadeup, entertaining or serious,  polished or disorganised I did indeed feel empowered to be what I wanted to be, and that making lots of money could be easy.  The internet marketing world in particular is dominated by charismatic entrepreneurial men, and what they offer seems like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  I had not realised that something was missing until I saw these speakers.

The importance of vision in the making of money was an integral part of most presentations.. This is not exclusively the territory of women, of course, particularly as Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich (written by a man interviewing men) was often cited as inspiration.  However the presenters felt as though they were in permanent relationship with a vision, rather than using the vision-as-project.

Tracy Repchuk was on first.  She has made squillions in a very short time on the internet, and was already retired as a millionaire before she started.  Her initial focus was on dreaming the dream, (and you got the very strong impression that she really cares) as well as explaining the mechanism for money production.  Jennifer Hough, the second speaker, spoke about energy and less effort.  I was in awe by lunch time – this was my kind of conference  – spiritual values and money. Not one at the expense of the other… and I have not experienced this so vividly before.

More value expressed to the people who matter.  Men in internet marketing refer to those around them, but I have not seen it done with such a sense of gratitude.  Nearly all the women mentioned the people closest to them with pride and gratitude: parents, partners children, friends. The fact that these women are millionaires of course made the message stronger: you can be happy and be rich.  You don’t have to be a bitch to earn a lot of money.  You can be successful and be loved. You can get the support of those who love you.

Real confidence expressed in tone of voice and body language.  The cars, the toys, the houses and the dream travel are often included in presentations to give credibility to the speaker, and it happened here, too.  But it was inspiring to be with successful women who are “on message”, enjoying their wealth (Jennie Amato has a red helicopter to match her red shoes), happy to talk about their lifestyle, and wish this same freedom for other women from a position of strength not battling against a male enemy.

More generosity about being part of the event. Many of the speakers were around and able to talk over the two days, which gave a fantastic opportunity to get to know them before making up your mind if you wanted them as a mentor.  Jo Martin, who gave the most memorable virtuoso performance of the event, also referenced previous speakers, and in particular Gill Fielding who had spoken the day before.  Yes, men do this too, but the women felt more accessible. It was especially good that Stephanie (organiser of the whole thing) was around and very easy to talk to, and not remotely self-important.

Less drama in the “rags” part of the rags to riches story. Male internet marketers often tell dramatic stories about the low points in their lives:  in fact as you are listening you can almost wish that you had experienced being shot at, being homeless, or bankrupt as that seems to be the pre-requisite for riches later.

The women told their stories differently: less “out there” and more of an “in here” realisation at a moment of breakthrough.  In fact speakers wanted the break through not to have to come through ill health or some dramatic story but a willingness to change attitude and change their life.

And was the audience different because they were women? It did not seem like a “female-only audience” – but of course the queues for the Ladies was longer, and offered more opportunity for the casual meeting and greeting which can lead to relationships! I suspect also that the female audience was more intent on giving back having received inpsiration and strategies for free.

Entrance was free which is in accordance with the law of reciprocity as outlined in Robert Cialdini’s book “Influence” which is a handbook for the internet marketing world.  The principle is that you receive something and want to give back.  Of course this is a key part of many religions and philosophies and is also  networking.  Congratulations to Mark Anastasi for having enabled this to happen.

I imagine that there were many sign-ups, but I am absolutely convinced that the spark of empowerment and inspiration will be paid back many times over.  I was already booked in with Jo Martin and Ed Dale in November, and didn’t feel I had the mind-space to take on another course.  Do I know who I want to work with in the future?  Certainly do.

The Millionaire Bootcamp for women was inspired by Stephanie Hale and the event was organised by Mark Anastasi.  Speakers were: Jennie Amato, Joanna Martin, Leili McKinley, Gill Fielding, Heather Seitz, Naomi Sassaye, Jennifer Hough, Lynda Dyer, Tracy Repchuck, and Maria Davies.

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1. It reminds you that it is all about the audience. Unlike the Apprentice (apparently about business but more of a soap opera) the audience decides.  It is the same in your business.  They decide who they want to have the budget, the cash or the vote.

2. Talent and hard work take you most of the way, so you are ready for the opportunity. Susan Boyle said the only reason she was not famous was because she had not had the opportunity.

3. Talent and a story that touches the heart get you further. In Susan Boyle’s case from an unknown village on to the Oprah show.  Her story was the contrast between the appearance and the voice, for Diversity the dance troupe it was all about brothers and friends and inspired leadership, for Julian Smith it was that his saxophone his wife and his children were what he loved.   Not a soundbite, but way of capturing the essence.  We all need a peg to hang an idea on.

Most of the finalists had a wonderful story. The grandfather who got over the grief of his wife’s death  and the grand-daughter who had more confidence when with him, the father and son who adored each other and the son knew his dad had not had a father in his own life,  the little sister who ended up singing (not singing and dancing) and coped with her tears, the boy who learnt the moves in his bedroom…

Shaun had an amazing voice didn’t have a really appealing story, and did not finish in the top three.

4. Tears, tantrums and weakness do not mean the end. Susan’s tantrums and Hollie’s tears did not make the public or the judges reject them.  In fact the opposite happened.  Things go wrong.  Recovering from a mistake is what matters.

5. Telling the truth makes a difference. When Simon Cowell makes a critical comment he may get boos, but you can feel the truth of it.  Everyone listens to what Simon says with closer attention because he does not hold back. He provides leadership.  He preferred Diversity to their closest competition, while Piers Morgan preferred Flawless.  Diversity won.  Leadership is important.  You may be booed by some, but you will have more authority and more people will trust you.

6. Choose the right song at the final. Sing a whole range of songs to see what fits,  but go with the right one at the end.  Your song in business is a mix of what you do, how you do it and why it is right for you.

7. The name is important. Britain’s Got Talent proved to be even more accurate this year, as the finalists were a specially talented group.  Call your business and your products and services the right name, and it will do the work for you.

8. What’s happening in the wider world can help. Piers Morgan told Susan Boyle she had given the world something to believe in. The doom and gloom all around probably contributed to Susan’s fame.  Home cooking, home grown vegetables, and home grown talent are all part of a new ethos which has contributed to the unprecedented coverage of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Britain’s Got Talent has been a fantastic free learning experience for all of us in business. Use it!

The chances are that your customers have seen it or heard about it, so in addition it gives you an experience to talk about with them.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

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Last night I took part in Online Marketing Magic which was hosted by Jon Davey of Business in Berkshire. /link The programme was all about social media and featured Mark White The Blog Coach who posted on twitter during the show, (he did speak as well!), and Will Corry of The Marketing Blog who is something of a legend in his own lifetime and king of email newsletters.

I was surpised when Will handed me a printout of his blog for today which included a link to my blog post 7 Reasons Why Susan Boyle’s Got Talent . Surprised but obviously delighted.
The post already had 90 visitors the previous day, but as I look at my stats now I see that 50 new visitors have dropped by. It was real social networking on line and offline!

The show will run for the next three weeks and you can listen in on Marlow FM on a Wednesday evening from 7:30 – 9:00 pm BST. It was a friendly chat about how social media is developing. We spoke a lot about twitter last night, and aim to give practical hints and tips about social media and online marketing.

The idea is that we can respond to any questions you may have. So please post any comments or questions here and I will take them into the studio to be answered next week on air.

There is nobody slaving over a hot computer reading the comments while we are on air, so it is safer to post here. We all get excited while we are talking and might forget to look at the computer!

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

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