Always Be A Work in Progress!
November 19th, 2010
We grow and thrive as individuals and professionals when we do what we’re good at … what excites us … by being Passionate about everything that we do … and by doing our best work, always.
Consider yourself to be a work in progress and strive to do your best work, every day. Why would you settle … or want to settle … for anything less? At the end of the day, you have only yourself to answer to. And at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter HOW much work you did or how many things you ‘checked off’ your list, but HOW WELL you did (or worked to achieve) each one of them them. … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com
Tags: achievement, Attraction Marketing, Be the Bulb!, branding, life improvement, Lori Martinek
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More People Meet You Online Than In Person
November 3rd, 2010
It’s the new reality: More people are likely to meet you or visit your company for the first time online than they are in person. That all-important first impression that you’re about to make? You probably won’t be there to make it in person.
Google (or Bing or whatever search engine or social networking tool that you or they prefer to use) is no longer just a search engine, it is also a reputation manager. Potential customers, employers, workers, residents, partners and even potential dating prospects are using online tools to find … learn … compare … and form opinions BEFORE they contact, meet or visit the subject (You!) in person. Make sure that you like what they see — and learn — when they find you or your company online. Your online impression must be positive and strong. Second chances are very, very rare these days.
Google yourself, regularly, and make sure that you like what you see. Focus on the first two pages … few people look beyond those results. And if you’re not seeing anything at all? It’s time to start working on developing an online strategy so that you can Be Visible … and Get Found, in a positive way …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com
Tags: branding, branding strategy, Herlife, Lori Martinek, reputation management, social media, Social Media Marketing
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Six Things You Shouldn’t Have to Figure Out By Yourself
October 20th, 2010
Create Stakeholder Interest, Input and Investment in your brand … right from the start. It is the best way to create an army of Brand Champions.
Always Base Your Brand In Reality … Make sure that it reflects what exists today, NOT what you hope it will become tomorrow … or at some point in the future, once you’ve had a chance to ‘work on things’.
Keep Your Focus on the Target Audience and THEIR Needs … and how what the Benefit that you have to offer can fulfill those needs better than anyone else … or any other place … can.
Focus on Benefits, not Attributes … Always. Attributes are features and are often presented as a list. A benefit is the promise that is offered by one or more attributes. Make sure that your benefit is competitive, compelling and believable.
Branding is an Investment. Consider it carefully and call in outside expertise if you can. It is always difficult to objectively study your own backyard and see the real strengths and challenges … and …
Your Brand is a Valuable Asset. Create it, nurture it, reinforce it and strengthen it, always. Strong brands survive. … Lori Martinek, Brand Expert & Author
Tags: brand champion, brand strategy, branding, Lori Martinek, marketing, target audience
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Building Visibility and Momentum
October 17th, 2010
I am honored and excited to be able to announce that my branding and regional website development project for the Real AZ Corridor (http://realazcorridor.com ) was chosen as the winner of the 2010 Governor’s Excellence Award for Innovative Economic Development in Arizona.
We don’t set out to win awards when we begin a project, but they certainly help to create visibility and further momentum — and we are very honored to have received this recognition.
Our clients are typically amongst the most excited people on earth and there’s a very good reason for that. We love what we do and we bring passion, enthusiasm and commitment to our work.
According to a widely-circulated leadership study, only 17% of the working population in the U.S. gets to wake up each morning and work at something which truly capitalizes on their strengths. That’s fewer than two in every ten people! I feel very fortunate to be able to count myself amongst those who love what they do … and to have clients who also have great enthusiasm for their companies, their communities and their futures.
The best way to build a strong brand? Focus on your strengths and find a way to position what you have to offer so that it provides a compelling, competitive benefit to the people with whom you really want to work.
The best way to become part of that 17% of lucky professionals? Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses … and shine brightly, always! …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com
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Make Your Work Speak For Itself!
September 12th, 2010
Our satisfied clients have always been our best source of new business and they have helped us become a marketing firm that doesn’t have to spend a lot of time marketing itself. We work very hard to ensure that our work speaks for itself!
We just completed our contract with the Real AZ Development Council, which included the development of a detailed branding strategy and the design and construction of a gateway regional website at http://www.realazcorridor.com/
The Real AZ Development Council is a collaborative regional economic development effort which promotes the Real AZ Corridor, a nearly 100-mile wide region which includes the Navajo County communities of Holbrook, Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, Snowflake, Taylor and Winslow and the Apache County communities of Eagar, St. Johns and Springerville. We worked closely with this large group to get to know the area … the communities … and the many strengths of Arizona’s most undiscovered region of opportunity.
We have already been asked to begin our next assignment for this rising regional development group: a full set of Community Landing Pages that will transition visitors from the gateway Real AZ Corridor site to the individual websites of the two counties and nine participating communities. We have also been retained by the towns of Taylor and Snowflake for a separate project … all based on the quality of our work … and on the quality of the experience of working with us.
Always strive to make your satisfied customers your best cheerleaders …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com/
Tags: AAED, Apache County, Arizona branding, Arizona economic development, economic development branding, Lori Martinek, marketing, Navajo County, northeast Arizona, Real AZ Corridor, regional branding, regional economic development
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Branding Defined …
June 25th, 2010
A brand is a set of perceptions, experiences and expectations that people have and hold about working or doing business with an individual, a company, a community, a region or an organization. It is entirely subjective on their part and it is based on experience, exposure and interpretation. Strong brands are clear, confident and consistent and they communicate clearly, confidently and consistently — online and off. They claim a position of value in the prospect’s mind and work tirelessly to build and maintain top of mind awareness. They inspire trust and confidence always.
Successful brands have thoughtful branding strategies directing their growth. A positioning statement is at the core of every branding strategy. Branding is the execution of the positioning statement. Effective brands make a clear promise and provide a clear and believable ‘reason why’. The effectiveness of everything that follows relies on the success of the positioning effort and strategy. Absolutely everything …. Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author
Tags: branding, Herlife Publishing, Lori Martinek, MindingHerBiz, positioning, presentation plus, target marketing
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MindingHerBiz Helps Female Entrepreneurs Shine!
June 25th, 2010
The MindingHerBiz team met with Benedict’s Cafe/Catering owner Dawn Kennington Bejar this week. Here’s what Dawn had to say (write!) about the input that she received:
“I recently met with Lori and the women from MindingHerBiz. What an awesome experience! It can be tough being a small business owner due to the fact there are few qualified people to share ideas, answer questions and help navigate the road. The MHB team helped me to clarify my path to growth with constructive feedback and actionable ideas. These women are smart and qualified with tremendous experience. Their objective approach and input was beneficial to me. I highly recommend MHB for anyone who desires success!” — Dawn Kennington Bejar, Benedict’s Catering, http://benedictscaterers.com
Visit the MindingHerBiz website at http://mindingherbiz.com if you or some smart, savvy female business owner you know could benefit from a (free!) session with the MHB team. Remember: If you want someone to agree with you, ask your family and friends. If you want someone to help you get ‘unstuck’, ask MindingHerBiz ….
Tags: branding, business development, female entrepreneurs, Lori Martinek, marketing, MindingHerBiz
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The Advice You Need, Three (Free) Ways
June 3rd, 2010
MindingHerBiz Seeks Candidates for June, July …
MindingHerBiz works with female entrepreneurs to help them confront and move past the challenges of startup and growth. We are a 100% pro bono, pay it forward project headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. Each month, we work with one candidate to power brainstorm one or more issues and provide input that she can use to make good strategic choices. It’s a free 90-minute session that participants tell us works wonders for helping them approach their ventures with fresh eyes. Visit our website at http://mindingherbiz.com to download the forms or email me at lori@mindingherbiz.com if you are interested in becoming a candidate.
FREE Power Workshop: Branding for Social Media Success ….
Friday, June 18 from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Kierland Westin Conference Center, where the Greater Phoenix Chamber will be hosting its Spring Business Expo. Learn how to be smart AND social with branding expert Lori Martinek. Free admission to expo and workshops. Details at http://tinyurl.com/loritalksbranding
SBDC Provides Free Ongoing Counseling
Brainstorm with MindingHerBiz one time … and then get the ongoing counseling and support that you need, for FREE, from SBA-funded SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) nationwide. Find the location nearest you at http://asbdc-us.org . In Arizona, check out the Arizona statewide network at http://azsbdc.net . There are 20 locations across the state.
Let us know if you or some smart, savvy female business owner whom you know could benefit from the help of the MindingHerBiz team. We’re on a mission – and it’s to help other women succeed. … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com , http://lorimartinek.com
Tags: brainstorming, branding, entrepreneurs, female business owners, female entrepreneurs, Lori Martinek, marketing, MindingHerBiz, phoenix chamber, sbdc, social media
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Event Helps Entrepreneurs Start and Grow A Business
May 14th, 2010
Looking to Start or Grow a Business?
Be sure to check out the YOB (Your Own Business) Fair … which will be held from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. on May 21 at Deer Valley Airpark. Organizations including the AZSBDC and the Maricopa SBDC … ASBA … Phoenix Chamber … City of Phoenix … Business Journal … Wells Fargo and more have teamed up to provide information, resources … and the assistance you need to make starting — or growing — a business a fulfilling reality. Top notch advice and resources and … it’s all free!
Learn more at http://yobfair.com … Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://pplusonline.com
Tags: asba, azsbdc, sbdc, yobfair
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Best Foot Forward
May 5th, 2010
Always put your best foot forward! In today’s fast-paced world, it has never been more important to make a good first impression. Why? Because that one opportunity may be the ONLY opportunity that you get. Always be on message … customer-focused … and operating at your very best — in person and online. Second chances are very rare these days.
Success is NOT accidental. It comes to the resourceful … the radiant … and the ready. Always be ready to grasp opportunity, to put your best foot forward and to shine. ..
Lori Martinek, Branding Expert & Author, http://lorimartinek.com
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