For those of you who are moms — Happy Belated Mother’s Day!
I’m not a mom yet, but I am in awe of those of you who are moms. I know some of you moms. Being a mom is no easy feat! I spent Mother’s Day with my mom and grandma. While we ate dinner together, we talked about what life was like before zip lock bags, cell phones, and Target store. (Some of my favorite things!)
Before all that, there was a time of paper bags & plastic wrap, rotary-dial phones, and the corner store on Main Street. It was also a time of (now) shockingly inappropriate advertisements.
For your “entertainment,” I posted a handful of vintage ads below.
They work because of the strategy used. You can use this same strategy in your business (without being inappropriate!)
The strategy is “results-based messaging.“ People don’t actually care about your product or service, they care about the result it will create for them. If you truly understand this concept and use it in your business, you will sell far more products and services.
Let’s look at the cola ad as an example. The ad reads “…tests…have proven that babies who start drinking soda during that early formative period have a much higher chance of gaining acceptance and ’fitting in’ during those awkward pre-teen and teen years….do your child a favor. … for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness.”
Here’s another example, with some back story. As you read the back story, put yourself in my shoes, just as you would put yourself in the shoes of your customers!
Because they (Listerine) told me what I was going to get out of it – they focused on results.
This pretty purple bottle of Listerine might be exactly the same as all of the other mouth wash options - it might be an antiseptic, it probably kills germs, and it might have fluoride in it. But I don’t care about any of that. Those things don’t mean anything to me (directly) when I’m looking to have my dentist say “No cavities!”
Listerine brand figured out what I care about, the direct result I want, and then they promised to deliver that result.
Now for your entertainment pleasure, I present to you shockingly inappropriate vintage ads…
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If you found these to be shockingly inappropriate and highly entertaining, click “like” and share this post with your friends! Everyone could use a little laugh today, don’t ya think? 
Here in Minneapolis the skies are gorgeous and the days are getting longer. Like many others who live in
northern climes, we take advantage of nice weather!
Many of the CSM superheroes (a.k.a. our awesome staff) and I are taking ON our health and fitness right now. We are cutting back on carbs, sugar, and caffeine, and getting in regular workouts.
Siri (our rock star Creative Team Lead) and I are getting “Behind Bars” together in a hot, new body sculpting fitness class. Behind Bars is isometric and barre work that results in “intense muscle toning and elongating.” I’ll keep you posted!
If you’re like me — taking on health & fitness when the time is right — springtime is a also a great time to tune up your business and to get a jump on the competition before the summer slump.
I did a mini-website review of a health practitioners website to help her boost conversion rates. I video taped the analysis so you could watch.
In the video I give several golden nuggets and suggestions for small tweaks that will have a HUGE impact on her business. Many of these tweaks may work in your business as well.
Your one cool strategy this week is to watch the video below, then create a list of updates for your own website that will increase your conversion rate, and then get them done or give them to your website design company or graphic designer to do.
Get the details on X-ray Vision Website Alchemy Sessions
Get the details on Up, Running & Profitable
Get my FREE Workshop on the 3 Steps to Breaking the Feast or Famine Cycle
Get the details on affordable WordPress Website Design
Get the details on all of the vendors we recommend including hosting companies on our Suggest Vendors page.
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Do you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, trying every new trick you hear of to market your business successfully?
For most businesses, there is no holy grail or silver bullet that is going to allow you to break the feast or famine cycle.
Success is about doing the RIGHT things over and over – not chasing the next big idea.
You might be asking, “so what are the RIGHT things?”
I’m glad you asked! I created a FREE online workshop that outlines three CRITICAL steps that, if done consistently, will break the feast or famine cycle you’re in.
The best part is, these three steps are SIMPLE, free and will start producing results immediately. In addition, I am going to share with you…
- How to Create Products & Service Offerings that are Block Buster Hits!
- Why Online Marketing Isn’t Working for You – Or Not Working as Well as it Should Be
- How to Get Paid BEFORE You Launch a New Product or Service — and Why It’s Important that You Put Cash in Your Pocket Before Your Launch
PLUS, I’m giving a surprise gift for every single person who watches this online workshop.
Get instant access, by entering your name and email below. You’ll also get the MP3 to download.
Get a FREE 20-Minute Marketing Analysis
“There is nothing more turned on than a person with a dream and the guts to pick up the phone. Dreaming is essential, but it’s only part of the equation. You’ve got to put strategy in play. (All the over-achievers out like, Duh! Milestones, people, milestones!) Passion is the wind in your sails, practicality is the rudder. You need both to get where you’re going.”
Danielle goes on to say: “Your hunger will lead you home.”
Are you hungry? Are you ready to feed that hunger by making it happen? Are you ready to go to your true home?
I only have a handful of spots available, and they are on a first-come-first-serve basis, so book your spot today by using my online scheduler.
Let’s do this! CLICK HERE NOW.
Last Saturday, we had a party at my house for the Clear Simple Marketing family. Pictured here are the 
Queen Bee’s of CSM, minus Heather & Jessica who live out-of-state but joined us via a Google Hangout. You can see more photos from the party on our Facebook page — click here.
There was a moment after the party — the bottles of wine were tapped, the cake was devoured, everyone was on their way home to relieve their babysitters – while my rock-star hubby was cleaning the kitchen and I was uploading pictures to our Facebook page, that I was overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude.
I thought: Everyday I get to work smart, creative, fun, hard-working, passionate, generous women. It is everything I wanted. I created this painted picture for myself years ago! I almost feel the need to pinch myself today to prove it’s real!
In Danielle LaPorte’s new book, The Fire Starter Sessions, which launched in bookstores TODAY, she talks about the right and wrong way to visualize the life and company you want for yourself. Below, you can watch a super-short video on her 11 credo’s for making it happen.
I know that visualization is a little “woo woo” for some of you, but this video, and Danielle’s philosophy, are anything but that. She’s a hardcore, make-it-happen, no-excuses, here’s-your-plan kind of gal. See for yourself by watching her make-it-happen video below.
At CSM, we’re fired up and making it happen – not tomorrow, not someday, NOW.
Are you fired up and making it happen? If no, what’s holding you back?
Want a free copy of “The Fire Starter Sessions?”
Then jump in the next LIVE virtual session of my signature program: Up, Running & HIGHLY Profitable
As one of the “surprise” bonuses, you’ll get a FREE copy of The Fire Starter Sessions.
To maximize your results, there are a few action steps you’ll want to do before the program starts. Once you register, we’ll tell you about those actions steps, which, by the way, are FUN, powerful, and will produce some results for you.
Don’t delay, space is limited, get registered TODAY! Click here for details.
Not sure if Up, Running & Profitable is the right program for you?
Then schedule a 15-minute, over-the-phone marketing analysis with me. I will take a look at your current business or new business idea and let you know if Up, Running & Profitable (URP) is the right next step for you.
Just to be clear, I will be perfectly honest (bordering on blunt) with you about your business and if this program, or any other programs we offer, or any other programs we know of, are a good fit for you.
Last week, I did a marketing analysis with a women who is eager to expand her business. Based on her specific needs and goals, I told her that my programs were not the best fit for her, and I referred her to someone else who would be a better fit for her.
Let’s chat! Click here to schedule your analysis.
You may have asked yourself “What is a Gravatar?”
In the video below, I show you exactly what that means, how to get one in less than one minute, and how to use it to drive targeted traffic to your website (for free!).
I hope that answers your question “What is a Gravatar?” Now, go grab your Gravatar by clicking here.
Once you get your gravatar, try it out! Leave a comment below! There are lots of great people, like you, who read this blog. If you leave a comment with your Gravatar, they just might stop by your website and become your next customer!
There’s a TV show called “Dating Rules from My Future Self” in which a twenty-something named Lucy creates apps for a living. But 10 years into the future, she creates an app that allows her to text her current-day self!
Mostly, her future self sends dating advice to the present day so she doesn’t marry the wrong guy. Too bad she didn’t get the text in 2004 ”Buy stock in Google!”
If you’re a girl, and a Gen X’er like me (or younger), you’ll probably love it.
Anyway, the show makes use of the phrase
In business, there is almost always an overwhelming amount of work to be done — a war of sorts. If you simply stay calm and carry on, you will be productive and happy. In turn, you’ll be successful!
How many stressed-out, unproductive people do you know whom are wildly successful?
Probably none.
Your one cool strategy this week is to stay calm and carry on.
Do you have any tricks you use when you’re feeling overwhelmed, to stop the overwhelm, get happy and be productive? Please share them in the comments below!
The Clear Simple Marketing team held a 7-hour planning session last Friday! (Yep. 7 hours.) But it was less of marathon and more a love fest! By the end, we were all so inspired we were in tears!
Here is a picture of me at the session with our programmer, Marshall, and my two department heads — Siri (Creative Team Lead) and Kristy (Director of Operations & SEO Specialist). If you’re a client of ours, you probably know both of these smart, cool chicks!
We are cooking up some AMAZING new things for 2012 and are busting at the seams with excitement. More on that later.
On to today’s P.O.P. e-Tip…
While on vacation in Cancun, I read “Double Double” by Cameron Harold. One of the most important messages is 
the power of creating a “Painted Picture” for your life and business.
A Painted Picture is a highly-detailed, written description — an act of creation, really — of what you want your life and business to look like in three years. The Painted Picture is to be written in the first person and in the present tense — as if it’s already so. For example, “My blog on cat nutrition has 10,000 monthly visitors and generates $2000 per month in advertising revenue. We use the income to provide high-quality education for our daughter.”
My husband and I have been working on our Painted Pictures over the last couple of weeks. It’s been fun and inspiring!
I asked the CSM staff to create their own Painted Picture. At our planning meeting last Friday, we went through everyone’s Painted Pictures to create jobs and goals that are in alignment with the Overall Combined Painted Picture.
It’s my philosophy that, if the direction of the company is in alignment with individual directions, then we have a far greater chance of getting there together! After all, the company IS the people and the company exists in large part to support them.
You can download a free chapter from the book “Double Double”, using the link below. The free download explains the Painted Picture, why it’s important, how it will help you reach your goals this year, and it includes Cameron’s own Painted Picture — which is a great example of a powerful Painted Picture.
Your one cool strategy this week is to create a Painted Picture for your business and life. Then, reverse-engineer the Picture into an actionable plan that makes your Picture a reality. In my “Up, Running & Profitable“ program, we created Painted Pictures and Money Maps last week. I am really excited to work with all of the participants on these important exercises.
If you are interested in participating in the “Up, Running & Highly Profitable” program, we are sold out right now but we have spots available in the next session. You can get details by clicking here.
WANTED: Fun, energetic, tech-savvy Wordpress Web Designer / Graphic Designer
Are you wild about design, WordPress and marketing? Does the sound of creating beautiful and effective marketing websites for small – business owners seem like a dream? Then you may have stumbled upon the job opportunity of a lifetime. Here’s why:
We’re a fast growing marketing firm in the Minneapolis area and we’re looking for one new ambitious, like-minded, client-focused superstar to add to our design team. We are a virtual company so you will be working from home with flexible hours. This is a part-time position, 15-20 hours per week.
Warning: we are an uber-committed company. If you’re just looking for any old job or a little extra cash, this isn’t right for you (no personal drama or lazy people, please).
If you want to be a part of a creative, fast-paced environment that will bring out your best, you may be exactly who we’re looking for. If you fit ALL of the requirements below, send us your resume and tell us who you are and why you’re perfect to join us. We’ll be reaching out to ideal candidates within the next week.
Requirements (please do not apply unless you have ALL of these requirements)
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Your own Mac computer
- A high speed Internet connection
- A love for WordPress
- Experience with Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop to edit images and create header designs and custom graphics — and the ability to take simple, fresh ideas and make them sing.
- You know that everything is Google-able and figure-out-able
- You can respond to internal and client requests in a timely manner (this means responding to emails/phone calls within 1 working day and keeping an organized flow of projects and deadlines — we move at a pretty fast clip around here)
- You have a portfolio of work we can review
- You work well with others
Email your resume to: Heidi{at}ClearSimpleMarketing.com
Every Tuesday I send out one cool strategy for being productive, organized, and profitable. It’s short and actionable! 
Plus, I get a little personal — you get a peek inside my life each week.
If you…
- are a business owner,
- are thinking about starting a business,
- work in sales,
- work in upper level management,
- just want to get one cool strategy from me each week,
then I invite you to get on the P.O.P. e-Tip list.
I love creating the P.O.P e-Tips! Our readers have given us great positive feedback!
If they sound fun and helpful to you — jump on the list by entering your first name and email below (and, of course, you can unsubscribe at anytime).
I hate spam as much as you do and promise to NEVER share your info.
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