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Saturday when I went to our mail box, we had a post card from our mortgage broker.  What’s so unusual about this you might ask?   

My husband and I refinanced in 2003 using the same mortgage broker from the  original purchase in 1996.   Every 3 months like clock work, we receive a “little orange card” in the mail from our mortgage broker.  Did you get that we had used him in 1996 and refinanced with him in 2003? 

Just since refinancing alone, we’ve received one of his ”little orange cards” every 3 months (like clockwork) for 6 YEARS, that’s 24…little orange cards!

Each time the card contains a piece of interesting information.  It may be mortgage information, family information, community information, or even a cute  story, but no matter what it contains, he always bring the information back in some way to purchasing or refinancing a home.

Many of the times when we receive them, I just glance at it and throw them away.  But whenever I see the “little orange card” in our mail box, I know who sent it and what it’s about…just from the color of the card! Now that’s branding!

Does it matter that I don’t always read the information…no, but I still know who it’s from.  Does it matter that it sometimes goes straight into the trash…no, but I still know who it’s from. 

Does it make a difference that we even receive this “little orange card”…you betcha it does, because when we got ready to refinance, who do you think we got in touch with…the fellow sending us the “little orange card!”  We’ve also referred several people to him, including our daughter.

Why did we contact him or send him referrals?  Because he had taken the time to build a relationship with us.  We had come to recognize his name, he had built credibility, and we trusted him.

How about your business?  What is it about your business that set’s you apart from the rest?  Could your clients know just by the color of a post card that you were sending them information? It doesn’t have to be through the mail, what about your e-mail, your posts, your information…is there anything about it to set you apart?

What about frequency?  How often are you contacting your clients, your mailing list, your prospects?  Like clockwork, we receive the little orange card every 3 months…4 times a year, year after year.

Our mortgage broker knows, especially in today’s market, it’s critical you keep your name and targeted marketing content in front of your client/patients and prospects! 

By being consistent and persistent in sending out the little orange cards, he has become the “go-to” person for his target audience.  He not only has their solution, he IS their solution.  What about you and your business?  What’s your …Little Orange Card!

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Copywriting, Internet Marketing, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing

Right on the edge of Charlotte (NC) we have a huge pumpkin patch.  Every year for the past several years, people have come from miles around to purchase their pumpkins.  Couples, singles, families with their children, older people, younger people, and all ages between.

Over this period of time, the owners have added a maze, hayrides, mums and other fall flowers, even pony rides.  You can just purchase your pumpkin from those already picked or you can even walk out into the pumpkin patch and pick your own.  The children love this because they can pull the little  red wagon or ride in the little wagons while choosing their treasured pumpkins.  

From Oct, 1 until mid November, The Stables at Hodges Dairy Farm or the “Pumpkin Patch” as it’s called, is packed with business!

It’s also a great example of  “repurposing”, because  just a few years back this dairy farm had gone out of business.  The barns and everything around it had begun going downhill.  Then they started growing and selling pumpkins. Next they added the wagons and allowing people to go in and pick their own.

After that came the hayrides, and last year they added a huge maze.  While all this was going on, they also started adding parking, because they were now busting at the seams the entire season…the owners of the farm had learned to repurpose!

Repurposing is the most powerful content creation strategy for Internet marketing and Social Media dominance.  This means creating content on a popular topic and then repurposing the content on other media’s for distribution.

For example you write a blog post.  Then you can creat a Podcast, You Tube video, write an article, and even create a series for Twitter, all from using the content created from your original blog post. 

Additional ideas for repurposing could be Twitter survery’s, blog post series, articles series, email tip series (very popular), and PDF guides…for starters.

Then you can create Hubpages linking back to your original blog post and even your website.   Create Squidoo lenses focusing on some of the tips or series created. 

These are just a few of the possibilites to get your creative juices flowing.  What about you, how can you repurpose some of your material already created now that you understand this powerful strategy for Internet Marketing:  The Art of Repurposing Content!

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Would you like to learn more about how to increase your Online visibility, build profitable relationships, and grow your business? Livvie Matthews, Social Media Marketing Specialist, Copywriter, Blogger, and Speaker helps you build relationships and provide customer solutions within your targeted market through your online and printed marketing content and savvy social media campaigns.  email Livvie@writebusiness.net Visit http://www.WriteBusiness.net/blog or http://www.WriteBusiness.net   Follow Livvie on Twitter ,  Livvie on LinkedIn  ,  Become a Fan on Facebook

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Internet Marketing, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing

If you are considering entering the social media arena or have just begun, one of your major challenges is to define your companies social media policies.  This means what’s acceptable or not acceptable to your company and what you will and will not post.  This can require some planning on your part before you begin.

Even if you are seasoned in your social media program, time and experience will also present the need for changes down the  road. 

Mashable’s Pete Cashmore’s recent post Social Media Policies from 80+ Organizations references some very good links to posts regarding social media policies and do’s and don’ts. 

Read and then see if you need to RE-define your social media policies.

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Internet Marketing, social media marketing

Good morning everyone!  Today, I just wanted to do a “Being Thankful” blog post.  It seems there are quite a few people I know, who are going through some very tough situations in their lives right now.

There are those who have lost their jobs, those who have sickness within the family, and those who are sick themselves. 

It’s so easy for us to complain about what seems major to us, but when we see what our loved ones and neighbors are going through, we realize…our problem is very minor.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in self, and not be looking at what’s going on around us.  I’m so guilty of that.  But then something  happens or someone says something and you realize someone may need your help.  I’m not talking about financial help…if you have that to help with, that’s great, but what I’m talking about is, your support. 

So many times if we can just be there to listen…let me repeat that…to listen, it would mean so much.  We all could use someone to listen to what’s going on.  Even if you don’t have the answer, as a matter of fact, the person you are listening to probably isn’t wanting an answer…they just need someone to listen.

I’m so thankful I woke up this morning.  I’m thankful I was able to get out of the bed and move around.  I’m thankful  I do have a job to go to.   I’m thankful for my wonderful, loving family.  I’m thankful for great co-workers…are you getting the picture here?  Think about it…really think about it.  Start a list of what you are thankful for…you woke up today didn’t you? 

So, my challenge to you today:  Who around you is having a tough time…could you just offer to listen to them today.  It will be a blessing to them to have you listen, but the bigger blessing is to YOU…for taking the time to listen.

Recently I wrote a post titled Social Media and Copywriting: The Best of Both Worlds discussing copywriters, social media specialists, and content. 

Laura Spencer just wrote a good post  for Freelance Folders titled Social Media Basics for Freelancers and also includes some very useful information geared to freelancers and social media such as:

 Barriers to Social Media

Finding the Right Social Media Websites

Effectively Using Your Time on Social Media  

How to Connect With The Right People

Share Your Social Media Tips

Whether you feel overwhelmed by social media or feel you have it under control, Laura  brings good information to the table.    What about you?  Where are you with social media…comment and share your thoughts.

Technorati Tags: Building Business, Copywriting, social media marketing