Zenith: Aim High

The Matterhorn seen seen from the Domhütte (Valais). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

          In this A to Z series on promotion and marketing we've covered a lot of ground.  The essence of it all is to aim high and try to reach the zenith of your marketing goals.  If you have targeted correctly and followed a logical practical progression of marketing steps then you are likely to do well in your efforts.   Success does not necessarily mean being number one, but achieving the mission you set out to do and knowing that you did your personal best.    Another measure of success in marketing is how much you learned from your experience and if you've laid down some solid groundwork towards future promotional efforts.

          Hard work on today's promotion is the experience that makes tomorrow's promotions a little bit easier and maybe even more fun.   I hope that you've enjoyed my marketing series and even more I hope I've provided some of you information that you can use and inspired you to press forward.  Keep me posted about your efforts.   And be watching for the next What Works Online Marketing Symposium.

Next Up on Tossing It Out

       

Battle of the Bands:   May 1st Edition

          Tomorrow this blog will be presenting another Battle of the Bands post.    Two different artists performing the same song.   Which is best?   You decide.  Please join me here tomorrow for more information and let your musical preferences be known.  My two previous Battles had record voting numbers due to being incorporated into the A to Z Challenge.  I hope I can keep those numbers up for my first post-Challenge Battle.  

         Tomorrow's post will take the place of my usual Friday post.   After all, I've been posting almost daily for the past month and besides I want to give the most visitors an opportunity to vote in the Battle of the Bands.   Please vote!

Blogging from A to Z Reflections 2014

           On Monday May 5th I'll be joining a good many A to Z Challenge participants in looking back over the 2014 April Challenge to tell about my experiences and my observations about the mighty A to Z blogging event.  

           For those who are wondering what this is, the premise is simple.  Between now and next week put up a post on your blog telling us what you thought about the A to Z Challenge this year.   Let us know how you were helped or hindered by the Challenge.   If you discovered any blogs that particularly stood out for you then let us know.   You can even tell us about favorite pieces that you posted on your own blog.

          You can provide statistics to give us insight about how the event affected your blog.  If you have complaints this is the time to vent your feelings.   And we always welcome praise.  The Reflections post is your opportunity to sound off whether it be good, bad, or neutral.   Like your challenge post your presentation can be in any form you like.  Your post can be prose, poetry, images, or even sound.   You can be serious, funny, or just conversational.   

           Once you've got your Reflections piece posted then you can add the link directly to that post on the Linky List that will be available on Monday May 5th.    The A to Z Challenge Reflections Post has been a venerated tradition since the first Challenge of 2010.   Don't be left off the list!

           Did my A to Z Marketing Series offer you any ideas that you think you'll use?    Did the series inspire you?   Will you join me for the Battle of the Bands on May 1st?      Are you going to post an A to Z Reflections Post?

Wonder Why #atozchallenge

open your eyes (Photo credit: AlicePopkorn)

        Whether it be marketing and promotion or anything else in life, don't ever lose your sense of wonder.   Don't be afraid to ask why, what, and how.    The more you understand about how things work, the better you can get a grasp on what does work.

            If others have blazed the trail before you then utilize the knowledge they have gained.   When you experiment keep track of outcomes to see what was effective and what was not worth the effort you put into whatever it was that out you tried.   Don't merely accept the surface observations, but analyze and dig deep to see if you can unravel the answers to whatever questions have arisen from the outcomes of your efforts.

          When you fail, wonder what you could have done differently.  When you succeed, wonder why your efforts were successful and what you can do better next time.   A sense of wonder inspires curiosity.   When we are curious we want to know why things are as they are and how we can continually improve upon what we are doing.

            Don't ever stop asking why.   Don't ever lose your sense of wonder.

What Works?

            If you missed the posts for the What Works?  Online Marketing Symposium you might want to go back when you have the time to review some of the great posts that are linked on the list at my post.  Several bloggers offered some advice and related their experiences with marketing.

             We intend to put together another Online Marketing Symposium in the future.  Be watching for more information.

          Why are you afraid to get out there to promote yourself?   Why have some of your promotional efforts fallen short?    Why do you repeat the same mistakes?    Why have you succeeded when you did?


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Did You See It?

       If you missed the What Works...Online Marketing Symposium you can still visit the posts of the participants by clicking here, or on the badge on the right sidebar, or by just scrolling down to my previous post.  Alex J. Cavanaugh has culled the Linky List of non-participants and all of the links should lead directly to the Symposium posts.

        Don't be misled by the reference to "Marketing".   Many readers may have decided that marketing does not apply to them, but believe me it touches us all in some way.  And even if you aren't interested in marketing, there are some excellent posts here.   It's a treasure trove of information that may get you thinking.

         I'm still making my way through the list and like many who did visit the participating sites, I'm taking notes and bookmarking posts for future reference.   If you can't use this information now, you may want it later.  It's good information with applications that go beyond writing and publishing.

         Check out at least a few of these posts.  I think you'll be glad that you did.

          My thanks to everyone who participated and a special thanks to my co-hosts Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh. 

What's Next?

        Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2014 sign-ups open on Monday 27th.  Yes, that's next Monday!  The list will be open until start date April 1, but it's a good idea to sign up as soon as possible so others can start visiting your site before the Challenge begins.  A lot of networking will be going on over the next couple months so join early to be a part of the early action and make new blogging friends.

         Also on that same day the new A to Z Team will be announced.  You'll see some veteran Team members as well as a few new members.   Meet the Team and maybe you can sign up to assist those members.   We expect another big turnout so we'll need some help just like last year.

       Big things are coming as April grows nigh.   Be sure to visit the A to Z Blog regularly for updates and helpful Challenge tips.   

         Was the What Works...  symposium helpful to you?   Would you like to see us do something like this again in the future?   Are you going to be blogging from A to Z with us this year?   Why or why not?

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#IWSG--Ask Arlee: Marketing

         Time again for another Insecure Writer's Support Group day.  For the list visit Alex J Cavanaugh's blog.   My post today is an Ask Arlee question partnered with a shameless promotion of an upcoming event.





Ask Arlee:  Marketing?

Julie said...

All right, here's my question:
How do I find time to do the business/marketing side of writing when I am already working two full-time jobs with the job that supports me and the writing that creates the books?
(I am also starting a garden this year and getting a new puppy... neither of which is negotiable... although I do see some comical dichotomies in those two events. Mental note: must put fences around the garden... or the puppy... or both.) :)

Help!!!  What Do I Do About Marketing?

     Need help with marketing?   Are you able to help others with your marketing knowledge? 

      No need to be afraid of sales, marketing, or promotion.  It's all around us and we are involved in it one way or another whether it be on the receiving end or in some form on the activity side. We market ourselves to others all the time. 

       You think you don't have marketing experience?  Think again.  You have knowledge and opinions about marketing.  You don't need to be an expert, have a marketing degree, or have tons of solid experience in the field.  You have sold or promoted at some point in your life and you have information to share with others.

        

         Let's talk about marketing.  Join us on Monday January 20th when we present the What Works...Online Marketing Symposium.   Tell us what you know--or don't know for that matter.  Ask the questions you need answers to about marketing.  Someone will probably be there with the answer you need.

         You can analyze commercials or ad campaigns you've seen.   Tell us stories about marketing efforts that you've witnessed first hand and describe what happened.  Let us know what you've done with your own promotions or things you've thought about doing.   Everyone has something to say about the subject of marketing.   Hopefully we will start getting a better idea of what works--or what doesn't.

        Don't be insecure about marketing anymore.   Join us in What Works...Online Marketing Symposium.   Sign up now:

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2014? Now What?

English: Two New Year's Resolutions postcards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

      Happy another year!

       A few days into 2014, where are you and where are you going?   Will this be another same ol' same ol' or do you intend to make some serious changes?  Maybe it's time to get into high gear and put on the pressure to move ahead.    Maybe it's time to slow down and take things easier.

       What do you plan for the upcoming year?

        I have no specific resolutions or mapped out plans.   I'll be working on making some supplemental income to help out with life expenses.  That may crimp my blogging activity more than in the previous year.  At the same time though I hope to blog and network better than in the previous year.  Less vacations?  I hope not, but so far I have no concrete travel plans in the works.

        Writing needs to play a bigger role in my life.  Not just blogging writing--I do love that--but the writing that will lead to publication.  I got on a short productive burst last year, but got sidetracked by travel and other activities.   They're all priorities for me, but now I need to prioritize the priorities.

        Another year, another chapter of my crazy life.  

     
       I hope you'll be joining us on January 20th for the "What Works...Online Marketing Symposium".  That should be a big step for some of you.  Don't say you know nothing about marketing or don't use marketing.  You have something to add so I hope you'll tell us about your perspective of marketing.  More info to come at Tossing It Out.
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         Then of course there's the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  Click the link for more info or be watching my site for more info.  We will be reorganizing a new team for the 2014 edition.   If you're interested then let me know in the comments or with an email.  And if you're not ready for the bigger responsibility of being part of the A to Z Team then you can still help out by assisting a Team member.  More on that later.

Did you survive the 2013 Challenge?

         Lot's ahead.   Keep visiting Tossing It Out and don't forget to comment when you do.  Even if you're just saying "Hi".

          Have you made any special New Year's resolutions for 2014?   What are your biggest plans for the year to come?   Will you be joining us for What Works to give us your insights about marketing?   Are you ready for the 2014 A to Z Challenge?

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CheersFest Winners and WHAT WORKS...Online Marketing Symposium

And the CheersFest Winners Are:

        EVERYBODY!

       Oh--I guess that's not how it's supposed to work.  But everybody did have a winning entry and I'm a winner for having so many wonderful blog friends.  There were so many entertaining entries that it was tough to come up with just two.  So many approaches.  So much variety.  So much fun.  I had a great time with the CheersFest and I hope you all did as well.

       I'd like to start right off by thanking the co-hosts who not only submitted their own fantastic entries, but also went to great lengths in promoting the Fest.   Thank you  Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp and The Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.  Especially Mark who thought up this event which looks destined to become an annual blogger roast.

         I won't name any honorable mentions. There are many, but I need to keep this post short.  If you didn't see all the roast posts I encourage you to go to the list and check them out.  I agonized long over which ones to pick and kept narrowing it down to the final choices.  So without any more chatter from me, here are the winners:

        The winner of the Arlee Bird Showbiz History package is Carrie Anne Brownian at Welcome to My Magick Theatre.   Her free verse about me was creative and thought-provoking.  I appreciated the answers to the questions and the dry but accurate description of the photo.   And she picked an actual juggler to play me in a documentary--albeit an ugly one, but a truly great and funny one.

        The winner of the graphic design by Jeremy Hawkins is Sydney Aaliyah Michelle.   She had interesting answers and story.   Her photo caption encapsulated a jugglers dream--at least at a photo shoot.
And I assure you that my A to Z aversion treatment will be continuing in April of 2014.   Be watching for announcements.

          Winners please contact me at jacksonlee51 (at) aol (dot) com and I will make arrangements for your prizes to get to you.

          And please don't anyone have me be the sole judge to pick a contest winner again.   That was tough and I hated to leave anyone off.  Seriously I love you all and think you are all winners.

Now a Very Special Event Announcement!

Do you ever wonder why some books become bestsellers while others can barely be given away? Why some businesses succeed and others fail?   

How does a blog post or a YouTube video manage to go viral? What does it take to reach celebrity status? Why does a person who is less intelligent than you are become the teacher's favorite and make better grades with less work?

Is it a matter of luck or is there some magic formula for success? 

   

Would you like to know what works and what doesn't?

Well, now maybe we can latch on to some of the secrets and tricks that make success happen or what we might want to avoid. We want you to tell us your stories of success (or not so successful) as we present the blogging event that will help us learn.

                                            What Works...

The first ever "Online Marketing Symposium!"

A blogfest with information you can use.

The event happens on Monday January 20, 2014.

On event day you tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary!

The What Works.. Marketing Symposium is not limited to authors but also to anyone in a business that has a promotional aspect – online or otherwise!

Posts can be informational, statistical, a personal experience account, or a funny marketing story. Experience gained from a promotional effort in one area can have applications in other efforts in which we are involved so anything goes as long as promotion or marketing methodology has been involved. 

The ultimate goal is to learn.

Remember – no book – no problem. Marketing and promotion principles apply to your blog, your business, any dream, or project, because we all want to win people over.

This information exchange is more than just a "blogfest"!

It's an online forum where ideas are shared and success for all is the goal.  

Does the thought of marketing and promotion scare you or turn you cold? Fear no more—let's learn together.

It's possible the blogging community can help you make that next project a viral success orthat next book a best seller!

Join our first ever Online Marketing Symposium

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     My co-hosts are  Jeremy Hawkins,  Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Yolanda Renee. 

Sign up for What Works...Online Marketing Symposium below:


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