My hunch is that because of my blogging over the last three years, I’ve become more visible and indirectly gotten speaking engagements and clients due to my 3x a week postings.
But last week I got what had to have been the first actual reward I can tie directly to my blogging. I received this notification:
CONGRATULATIONS! We have exciting news for you! Your entry in the Staples Martha Stewart Blogher Blog Post Giveaway Sweepstakes has been selected as a Grand Prize winner. It is our pleasure to inform you that you have won:
A SPONSOR-SELECTED STAPLES MARTHA STEWART PRODUCT GIFT BASKET.
It arrived yesterday, and what a treat! I unwrapped tons of desk accessories and stationery items designed by Martha for Staples. Lucky them! They just elevated the taste level of their desktop offerings about 1000%. The stuff is gorgeous.
All I did was stop by Martha’s booth at BlogHer ’12, accept a journal that her people were distributing to all the attendees, and then follow it up with my take on how her products can benefit women business owners, professionals, etc. Piece of cake! I truly liked the journal, so writing something complimentary was a pleasure.
I hope you can take this marketing genius’ example and apply it to your own businesses in a scaled down version that meets your market. What Martha did you can do too.
Step 1 – Identify your client base.
Step 2 – Show up where they are.
Step 3 – Make them an irresistible offer (free product works!).
Step 4 – Create a contest or other viral, participatory activity that engages them and has them telling others about you–especially through social media.
Step 5 – Reward them so they’ll continue to promote you.
Rinse and repeat. Thank you, Martha Stewart. I do love your beautiful and practical supplies.
wow Jane, congratulations, and so true! your formula works; i see it working on a regular basis and your blog is a great example of that.
Oh wow how did I miss this!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
@Suzen
Thank you!
@Mary
Thanks! I forgot to show off the goodies at our Mastermind session last night.
How awesome! Congratulations! I love Martha’s products and these are great tips.
Jane, that is a great story and gives me ideas to create my own contest for bloggers! You’re so good with the tips and I’m glad to read you are a winner!