Tag Archives: long-term goals

Permalink to What Content Management Systems Should be Today

What Content Management Systems Should be Today

by Angie Sanders|on February 4, 2013 |in Content marketing, Social Media |tagged , , , , , , |Leave a comment

content management credit arnimadotcomWhen you hear the term “content management system” what comes to mind? Probably a web-based system that allows you to log in and manage your company’s website content using a WYSIWIG editor. This editor looks similar to a Microsoft Word document and provides you text editing tools and options for adding links and graphics.

Systems like this gained popularity when everyone was concerned about having a nice website. We all still want websites that are aesthetically pleasing and make it easy for visitors to find the information we want them to consume. But in the past few years, the word “content” has taken on a new life.

Now, content is not limited to the pages on your company website. It includes written content you share via social media, whether it’s actual tweets, statuses or links to PDFs or other pages you share. It includes short videos you’ve shot in-house. It includes slideshows packed with actionable information. It includes the email communication you send out to your customers.

Where is all this content being stored at your company? On an office-wide shared drive? And when you’re creating a piece of content—say a white paper or annual report—how do you control versioning? How do you manage and differentiate the document changes your communications director gave you from the edits your vice-president of marketing provided?

And taking our thoughts of content one step further, how are you tracking how this content is distributed? How do track which segments of your audiences received which pieces of content?

In a business world where the term “content” has not only catapulted in importance but has varied meanings, the technology we use to manage this content must adapt.

In a recent blog post, Marketing Consultant and Coach Jeff Bullas listed 10 characteristics of the ideal “social media at scale technology.” The first two characteristics—one repository and database for all content (including video) and the ability to plug into cloud-based video platforms—are also important for any standard content management system.

See Jeff Bullas’ blog post and his entire list of the perfect social media at scale product.

Share with us: Do you agree with Jeff’s assessment that we’re 2-3 years away from seeing the type of product he describes in his blog post?

retaingo logo

 

 

 

We’ve seen a mad dash toward social media marketing, but did you know that 35 percent of marketers still use direct mail to stimulate sales? Ninety-seven percent of businesses use email marketing to convert subscribers to buyers. More than half of business owners are even interested in sending text message reminders to their customers. To a consultant, a client campaign that encompasses direct mail, email, text and social media can be a tall order. You’re going to need at least four different web-based systems and a small tanker full of time to get it all done, right? Not so fast.

esolutions360 (aiellejai’s parent company) is seeking beta testers for RetainGO, a new automated marketing campaign solution that allows you to manage all four of these tactics within one web-based system. Beta testers get exclusive access to the software and use of features prior to release. They also provide feedback to shape a product that could ultimately help streamline their business processes. Beta testers’ monthly usage fees are waived. For more information, call (703) 229-6249 or email info@retaingo.com.

Permalink to Over Lunch: The Origin of “aiellejai”

Over Lunch: The Origin of “aiellejai”

by Angie Sanders|on January 8, 2013 |in Just good business |tagged , , , , , , |1 Comment

orgin-of-aiellejaiWhen people see our company name on our business cards, we can tell by the looks on their faces that they have no idea how it’s pronounced. It’s A.L.J.  Pretty simple, right?

So how did we come up with this name and why is its meaning so important to us? To launch our new, biweekly short video series, “Over Lunch,” our founder and Chief Content Architect Angie Jennings Sanders breaks the name aiellejai down to the syllables. 

 

Permalink to For Businesses, Social Media Means Nothing Without These 3 Things

For Businesses, Social Media Means Nothing Without These 3 Things

by Angie Sanders|on September 26, 2012 |in Just good business, Social Media |tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |6 Comments

When I tell people about aiellejai and the services we provide, they’re often surprised to see me sitting in the audience at some social media panel discussion sessions. I like to attend these sessions to understand why people come, what they’re hoping to learn and to hear the questions asked. This helps us keep gauge the pulse of our market and develop products and services to best serve them.

I find that people who attend these sessions fall into three camps:

Do I need to set up a Facebook page?
These are the individuals or business owners who are new to social networking and how to use it to their advantages.

Why am I on Facebook or Twitter?
These are the people who are looking for strategy for participating in the social media space.

How do I measure success and how do I ensure results?
These are the people who are already maintaining social media presences in some sort of strategic way and are looking for ways to evaluate the success of their time and effort.

Most of the people I meet fall between camps two and three. But as they ask their questions and get good answers that still leave them scratching their heads, I suspect that these answers would be clearer to them if they had the following three elements in place:

A clear business model: Some of us business owners—especially those with service-based businesses—aren’t totally clear about the services we provide or the value of these services to our clients or customers. For example, aiellejai usually takes the standard, hourly-rate approach to our service offerings. We recently had to take an objective look at our business offerings, what services were most popular and how to create other products that will best serve the needs of our existing and future customers.

A laser-focused description of their ideal client or customer:  When I ask potential clients who their ideal client or customer is, they often say things like, “small businesses,” or “nonprofits.” It’s especially tricky to identify specific demographic information about your ideal client or customer if you run a business-to-business company. However, when you’re marketing your services, most likely there’s one type of person or one point of contact who you’re trying to attract. Work on identifying who that person is, what they look like, what their challenges are and any other information you can think of that will help you see your clients as individual people instead of whole companies. Visualizing your potential clients/customers this way will help you market to them specifically.

An overarching communications/marketing strategy: Some business owners are having a hard time wrapping their brains around social networking because they aren’t clear on how to reach their audiences outside of the social media space. Once you establish clear communications and marketing strategies and goals you’ll then be able to understand how to use social media engagement—along with other tactics—to reach these goals.

Share with us: How does your company’s communications/marketing strategy influence your social media engagement? How do you define and measure success?

 

 

Permalink to The Most Important Lesson I Learned About Self-Publishing

The Most Important Lesson I Learned About Self-Publishing

by Angie Sanders|on September 12, 2012 |in Content marketing, Just good business |tagged , , , , , , , , |Leave a comment

Twist, the novel I self-published in 2008, rattled around in my head for at least three years prior to me even putting pen to paper. The road to publishing became harder with each step but slowly, I took those steps that sometimes seemed impossible to me.

I wrote the first draft. Re-worked the draft, hired an editor to complete the final draft, secured print and design vendors and finally produced the finished piece.

I thought the hard part was over, but I had no idea that the real work was yet to come.

The biggest lesson I learned when I self-published is actually rule number one in product marketing: before introducing a new product, you should have a market that’s ready and willing to buy. By the time I learned that hard lesson, I’d done only a handful of book shows and had run out of marketing dollars.

Seth Godin suggests that we authors begin marketing our titles at least three years before the publication date. Yes. You read correctly. Three years. “Three years to build a reputation, build a permission asset, build a blog, build a following, build credibility and build the connections you’ll need later,” he wrote in his 2006 blog post.

This makes total sense. Your audience is constantly bombarded with messages. It’s your job to get your audience to know you as an author and/or thought-leader well in advance of your publication date. In other words, your audience should be paying attention to you long before you begin selling this final product.

The same principle not only applies to self-published authors, but also the authors with any kind of deal from a publishing house. You can’t depend on your publishing company to invest fully in your marketing—especially if you’re not a top-tier author. Once your book is published, the clock on its shelf life begins to tick.  If you wait until then to market your book, then your book will be old news by the time you start to see an ounce of momentum.

It’s been four years since Twist became available for purchase. Did I sell millions of copies? No. Did I get discouraged? Yes. Did I learn a lot? Absolutely. I’ve just begun to tinker around with my second novel. But this time around, I’m definitely looking for ways to decrease publication costs—I’m considering an e-book over printing—and increase my marketing budget. And before I complete the rough draft, my audience will know that this novel is coming—in the next three years.

Share with us: Are you an author? How soon do you begin marketing your books? If you’re a first-time author, what are some key components to your marketing plan?

Permalink to 6 Reasons Why College Degrees are Still Valuable

6 Reasons Why College Degrees are Still Valuable

by Angie Sanders|on August 29, 2012 |in Content marketing |tagged , , , , , , |5 Comments

What’s with the devaluation of college degrees lately?

Rick Santorum, a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, earned a bachelor of arts degree from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s of business administration degree from University of Pittsburgh, and a juris doctorate degree from Dickson School of Law.  However, Santorum—a person with three degrees— thinks that making the option to obtain one college degree available to all Americans is a bad idea. As a matter of fact, it’s downright snobbish.

In the September 2012 issue of Parenting magazine, Shawn Bean writes that college did nothing for him other than make him a great father. However, according to his bio on his website, Shawn is an “award-winning author and nationally recognized magazine writer,” “has twice been named Writer of the Year by the Florida Magazine Association,” and is the “executive editor at Babytalk, the parenting magazine with more than five million readers.”

And he’s the executive editor of Parenting Early Years. And he used to work for CNN. But I’m sure obtaining a college degree didn’t play a role in any of these accomplishments.

This devaluation and blatant deception needs to stop.

Okay, we’re still suffering the effects of the longest running recession in history and some of the most educated people in the country can’t find work. I get it. But completely changing the discourse by saying that college degrees are unnecessary is like telling everyone that they’re throwing their money away by renting a home instead of buying one.

That argument is swirling in the toilet as we speak.

So let’s tell the truth here. How do the college experience and the resulting degree benefit you other than ushering you to a cubicle?

It’s your pathway to worthwhile connections and opportunities. One of the most important things about college—that I wish someone had schooled me on earlier—is that everyone you meet on campus, whether it’s your roommate or your professor, is a valuable connection that can help you in the professional world. Think about it. Any letters of recommendation you need will probably come from these people. Any internship and job leads will probably come from these people. If you’re looking to start a company, then these people will most likely either be your business partners or lead you to startup capital and/or clients.

It makes you think for yourself. Let Santorum tell it, college campuses are filled with “liberal college professor (s) trying to indoctrinate” you. It’s quite the opposite. These professors’ jobs are to urge to you think critically for yourself. There’s no way you can pass through the doors of a reputable institution without thinking for yourself at some point.

It proves you can finish something. With prodding and encouragement from teachers and parents, you finished high school. At college, you’re thrown to the wolves. If, when, and how long it takes you to finish is totally up to you.

It makes you work in groups and independently. Go on any job interview and one of the questions that potential employer will ask is, “Are you able to work in groups and independently?” Thanks to a college degree, your answer will be, “yes.” In college, you’ll work on projects alone, but you’ll also be required to complete many group projects. You’ll also learn how it feels to be in a group with people who don’t pull their weight—great preparation for the workplace.

It shows you can pay bills. If your parents aren’t independently wealthy, then chances are you’ll be paying for something during your college career. Those things include books, clothes, food and rent and utilities for your off-campus housing.

It’s your ticket in the door. If you’re from a small rural town like me, then going to college is your only option. Did I work jobs that I didn’t want to after graduating? Yes. But I never doubted that my degree would get me closer to my dreams. A college degree may only get your foot in the door to where you want to be, but that beats standing on the street wishing you could walk up the driveway.

Share with us: What’s your college degree worth to you? Will you continue to tell the next generation that college is a must?

Permalink to Are You Really an Entrepreneur? Take this Test to Find Out.

Are You Really an Entrepreneur? Take this Test to Find Out.

by Angie Sanders|on August 8, 2012 |in Just good business |tagged , , , , , , , , |Leave a comment

Shantel, my 16-year-old niece, asked me if I had a job. Why did she ask? Because she noticed that during her visits, I’m usually free to hang out with her on any given weekday.

First, I explained to her that with careful planning, I’m able to get my work done in advance so that I’m free to spend time with her. Then I explained to her that I don’t have a job. I run a company. I’m an entrepreneur. Her uncle—my husband—is too.

We pay life taxes to be able to hang out when family comes to visit, run errands during the middle of a weekday and not have to adhere strictly to the normal 9-5 hours. These life taxes include economic hills and valleys, unrelenting ambition and a willingness to work when everyone else is asleep.

In June, as part of their Startup Month, Forbes.com sponsored a questionnaire from Kauffman FastTrac to test entrepreneurial aptitude. Kauffman FastTrac helps aspiring and established entrepreneurs start and grow companies.

The test, which is by no means scientific, confirmed that I was an entrepreneur. I was pleased. Out of the 22 questions on the questionnaire, five stuck with me the most:

Q: I can prosper in an environment with many questions and few answers.
My Answer: Average
Even when I was a part of the 9-5 world, my career was filled with many questions and few answers. Being an entrepreneur is no different. Although I’m afforded more freedom to find answers to those questions my way, the stakes are a bit higher because I call the shots. I answered “average” because I sometimes get frustrated at first when I don’t have the answers. But I have to remember that it may take a while, but the answers are usually revealed in their own time.

Q: I can hang on in hard times and recover quickly.
My Answer: Needs improvement
This element is especially important, especially given the current economic climate. I answered “needs improvement” because I still work on managing my expectations and realizing what I have control over and what I don’t.

Q: I take responsibility for my own success.
My Answer: Strong
I come from a poor family and from a rural town. So whatever success was coming to me was going to be up to God and me. I’m a firm believer in “God helps those who help themselves,” and I try to do everything I can to help his plan for me along.

Q: I can do the tasks necessary to succeed, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
My Answer: Strong
While I was pregnant with my daughter, I embarked on a cold-calling campaign for aiellejai. I bought a list that didn’t have all the contact information I needed. I performed Google searches to update the entire list—more than 2,000 entries—and locate the communications and marketing staff I needed to reach.

Q: I provide for my own needs with little support from others.
My Answer: Strong     
Although I answered this question with “strong,” aiellejai reaches out to outside content creators and other vendors as our client needs dictate. My answer pertains to the day-to-day operations and client-facing activities.

Take the test and let me know how you fare. Are you an entrepreneur?

Permalink to 7 Lists that Keep Me Productive

7 Lists that Keep Me Productive

by Angie Sanders|on June 11, 2012 |in Content marketing, Just good business |tagged , , , , , , |7 Comments

During a business mastermind group meeting a few weeks ago, one word continued to come up in our conversations: list. We were throwing out ideas left and right for the types of lists we needed to create to grow our businesses. One of us needed a list of bridal shows and Washington, D.C. area event planners. Someone else needed a list of mommy bloggers.

List making has been a job function of mine since my first position out of college in 2001. At that time, I was responsible for creating/maintaining media lists for my employer’s communications department. I undoubtedly thought this task was tedious, and I probably dreaded doing it, but the skill—along with Internet data mining—has been an invaluable one to me as a business owner.

There are notebooks around my house and office filled with lists I’ve made over the years. Most of these lists—which have maintained order and sanity in my life— fall into nine categories:

Daily to-do list
Each morning in the shower I ask myself, “What do I need to get done today?” I keep that list in the back of my mind until I get to the office. The first thing I do after turning on my laptop is jot that list down on a sticky notepad.

Short term goal list
Some of my tasks should be completed in the next week or month. These items are jotted down in a list and assigned ideal due dates.

Long term goal list
Most of the time, there are projects that involve a number of tasks that should be completed in the next 60-90 days. Again, I jot those items down and assign ideal due dates.

Contact list
There’s always someone I need to call back or follow up with via email. Since I do a lot of cold-calling and email prospecting, this list can also be a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that details the contact name, company, email, phone and other information. Ideally, this information should be housed within a web-based customer relationship management tool.

Questionnaire
These are helpful for client meetings or interviews. If I don’t jot these questions down, then I’ll forget to ask for the most important information I need for client projects or video.

Post-meeting task list
Have you ever left a meeting thinking either, “Now what was the point of that?” or “So what am I supposed to do now?” This list helps prevent post-meeting head scratching. When I was interviewing for jobs after college, my friends would ask for details after the meetings were over. I’d forgotten most of the information by the time I’d started my car to leave. Now, I write everything down during meetings, especially action items.

Pro/Con list
Okay, I’ll admit, I often have a hard time making decisions. It’s not that these decisions are particularly tough. It’s just that I don’t want to decide one way and end up kicking myself later because I didn’t really think through my choice. Here is where the pro/con list comes in. It helps me weigh the advantages and disadvantages of my choices. When the good outweighs the bad on my pad of paper, I feel like I can make an intelligent decision.

Pre-writing list
My blog posts begin as general ideas until I ask myself, “What is it that I want to say?” or “What are the main points I want to make?” I then jot those down in a pre-writing list. This list can look like the standard outline for longer written pieces.