(Reposting post from 05/12/05 after recovering from a database error)

Dear Reader,

It's not everyday that you make your very first blog post, so I wanted to make sure this one is worthy of its pixels (or is that its ones and zeroes?).

If you're at all like me, you spend lots of time thinking about how to promote your small or micro-business. And it's hard to decide who to trust.

There are many marketers out there who will tell you they have a marketing formula that always works. Many of them are my colleagues and trusted friends, and they've found a solution that makes them money hand over fist.

But their approach might not work for you because it doesn't apply to your marketing goals, your business model or it just simply doesn't feel right for whatever reason.

Then there's the camp that claims you have to have an expensive website in order to make a living on the Internet. And for some sites, that might be the case, and I'll readily admit that I've worked on some campaigns for big brands that essentially required a "pretty" site because of the corporation's business model. YMMV (that's "your mileage may vary" for those of you who aren't quite as addicted to the Internet as I am).

And I should also note that while I modestly would like to think that the way my site currently looks is part of its allure (admit it -- you love it) ;) if I prove otherwise, you can bet I'll be testing new designs, approaches, what have you, in very short order indeed.

But the one and only marketing technique that stands out and has proved time and again to work -- for myself, colleagues and clients -- is to create a great product/service/etc., come up with a solid brand identity for yourself by establishing what you stand for, get the word out and use smart marketing methods to generate business. Online. Offline. Doesn't matter, just so you use effective techniques.

OK, OK. That made it sound easy, didn't it?

But even if I've oversimplified things just a wee bit here <g> and there are many ways to achieve the goals I've mentioned, it really does come down to this killer combo.

And frankly, that's why I'm here. There's no need for you to have to wade through all the garbage just to find the small handful of marketing gems out there that will really get the job done for you. This blog and my newsletter, Avenues to Marketing Success, are my way of cutting through the hype and showing you what really will make a difference to your marketing.

I promise that the upcoming posts will be shorter and less philosophical so that you can take my recommendations and run with them.

As I wrap up this intro to my marketing approach, let me leave you with a few thoughts:

1) If it works, do it.

2) If it proves not to, don't make the same mistake twice.

3) If it doesn't appear to make sense, but others have proved it does, give it a shot.

4) Keep an open mind: if another marketer's "ugly" website is making tens of thousands of dollars of revenue and yours isn't doing squat, it might just be time to rethink your business plan.

5) Most important: If you're not testing, you're losing money.

More to come in future blogs ... I wish you much success in your marketing and invite you to contact me at any time with your questions or recommendations!

Cheers, and all the best,

Jennifer

P.S. If you're not already signed up for my newsletter, Avenues to Marketing Success, you're missing out on more common-sense marketing advice for your small business, whether it's about Internet marketing, branding, copywriting or another tried-and-true method of boosting your income.