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Twitter and Tequila: A Mixer For Success
Katie Ketelsen
Leave it to Katie Ketelsen to compare Twitter to a bar scene and shooting tequila.
Katie had great success using Twitter, and other social media tools, while working as a landscape designer at TimberPine Nursery. So much success in fact, that she was recently lured away from TimberPine by Better Homes & Gardens to manage much of their social media presence.
I've always been impressed with how Katie puts her personality, and personal life, on full display on Twitter. It works for her, as you'll read below.
Here's Katie with a special guest post... . . .
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9 Ways to Win Customer Loyalty
Chris Heiler | October 25, 2010
Do your customers like you?
If you polled them, what do you think they would say? Would they give you four stars and say they are "satisfied" with your services?
"Satisfied" is such an ugly word. It's like someone calling you average.
Average isn't good enough today.
Satisfied customers aren't good enough.
What we need are customers who love us.
This post will cover nine ways to convert satisfied customers into ecstatic fans who absolutely love you and your company . . .
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Deck the Halls This Christmas for the Less Fortunate in Your Community
Jody Shilan | October 18, 2010
The holiday season is a time to be thankful, reflect, and help others. So I want to share with you a great idea that is not just "good will", but good karma and great publicity.
What is so wonderful about this concept is that, while the cost is so little, the benefits are huge and it is a perfect fit for Green Industry companies. Most companies have the employees, the equipment and the relationships to make this happen, with very little effort and just a few phone calls.
It's so exciting and so simple that you are going to wish you did this years ago. All I ask is that you do it this year . . .
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How do You Attract More Clients Using Social Media Marketing? Here's How
Chris Heiler | August 24, 2010
A participant in a recent webinar asked me this question: "How is updating my status on Facebook going to get me new clients?"
That's a fair question. I've received many others in the same vein that all come down to this:
"How will investing my time with social media make my business money?"
I aim to show you. But it won't be easy. Sorry :-)
First, let's talk about "easy" marketing.
Easy marketing is handing a check to a Yellow Pages advertising rep. Easy marketing is sending a pretty post card to 5,000 people you don't know. Easy marketing is blanketing a neighborhood with generic flyers and door hangers.
This is the style of marketing the Green Industry is accustomed to. And it has worked. But let's not confuse this easy marketing with social media marketing . . .
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A Note of Thanks Goes a Long Way
Chris Heiler | August 17, 2010
When was the last time you received a note of appreciation or a thank you card from someone you did business with?
Isn't it amazing how such a simple yet sincere gesture can be so memorable?
Recently, Mark's Detailing in Holland, Michigan won me over with their terrific service and quality of work. They capped it off with a handwritten note thanking me for my business--now I'm a fan for life.
I can say the same about my CPA, Paul Dalberg. Not only is Paul my CPA, he is also a client and close friend.
I want to share a "Letter of Appreciation" I recently received from Paul because I think your Green Industry business could do something very similar . . .
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Earn More Referrals and Grow Your Network Through BNI
Chris Heiler | July 1, 2010
I was active in a BNI chapter for nearly three years and give the group much of the credit in helping me build my business. If you want to earn more referrals for your Green Industry business, I highly recommend learning more about BNI . . .
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Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day
Chris Heiler | June 27, 2010
Social media has proven to be an extremely effective marketing platform for Green Industry companies. The most successful companies and professionals share common habits that you can imitate in your social media marketing efforts--all in just one hour a day . . .
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A Lesson Learned from McDonald's
July 14th, 2009
I'm typically a Burger King guy, but my options were pretty limited as I was returning from a client's home last week, so I had to settle for McDonald's. I was after my mid-afternoon coffee that would keep me going for the rest of the day . . .
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The Art of Listening
April 28, 2009
Doesn't it seem like people don't listen like they used to? This drives me absolutely nuts. I've had a couple of experiences the last few weeks which reaffirmed how important a skill listening really is. . . .
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Stay In Front of Your Clients
April 7, 2009
In the recent 'WebSavvy 2009' online course, we discussed how to capture leads with your website and then what to do with the leads once you have them. My recommendation is to send a monthly or quarterly e-newsletter. . . .
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Group Networking
February 24, 2009
Whenever I speak with a group of landscape designers, the conversation inevitably turns to a discussion about marketing. We talk more and more about "social networking" and building relationships online. What has happened to offline networking? . . .
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Rewarding Referrals
February 3, 2009
Many small businesses and independent landscape designers depend on referrals. These are the lifeblood of our company. Are you taking the time to thank those who are referring others to you? Do you have a specific "Referral Rewards" system in place? . . .
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2010 PLANET Green Industry Conference
2011 ANLA Management Clinic
Lawn & Landscape Magazine
2010 APLD International Landscape Design Conference
2011 Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Assoc. Northern Green Expo
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