enVisioning Success

How To Maximize The Selling Price of Your Business [Ep .53]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia get into the fine details of selling your business — and getting your money’s worth. Our hosts explore how online marketing, scalable marketing and clear financial metrics can find your perfect buyer, and get into surprising benefits of… firing yourself! When selling your business, it's important to get back all that you put in, so take a listen, and learn exactly what it takes to make your dream sale!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - Providing proof of brand and organization success through mediums like case studies, success stories and testimonials, can aid not with your reputation with buyers, but with customers as well — which can then be observed by buyers!
2 - Improving, upgrading, enhancing and polishing your online presence, to show off your strengths, reach, professionalism and loyal and engaged customer base, is an effective way to draw in buyers, and advance the buying process.
3 - Organizations with the ability to grow on their own merit, through streamlined or even automated systems for customer acquisition, are far more valuable than organizations that need outside help or assistance to grow. 
4 - Utilizing and advertising scalable marketing systems in your current business reassures buyers that yours is an organization that is flexible and can remain successful throughout the transition and future shifts. 
5 - Step-by-step, detailed metrics for each step of your business process, which can be directly and clearly attributed to specific business and marketing decisions, will inspire trust and confidence in potential buyers.
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: The basics of selling your business… and firing yourself!
10:55 - Suggestion #1: Highlighting your brands strengths
11:57 - Suggestion #2: Improve online visibility
13:45 - Suggestion #3: Streamline your customer acquisition process.
15:08 - Suggestion #4: Develop scalable marketing systems
16:39 - Suggestion #5: Showcase financial metrics
20:53 - Conclusion

My Highschooler Can Handle My Marketing, Right? [Ep. 52]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals considering hiring accessible — but inexperienced — marketers for their organization. Our hosts discuss the value of understanding marketing’s complexities, from likes to licenses and legality, and valuing your employee’s expertise, which can be an investment for your organization. We know that you want the most bang for your buck — listen in to find out what marketing strategy is best for you.
 
Takeaways: 
1 - Experience as a consumer does not equal experience as a marketer, which requires experience and understanding of online marketing’s complexities. 
2 - Experienced marketers bring in many benefits, including connections, resources and industry access, that those just starting out cannot provide.
3 - Marketing is a highly volatile and evolving industry, and continuing education and training of your staff and leadership can help you stay on top of the new best practices. 
4 - Going with amateur, under-informed or under-experienced marketers can lead to serious problems, such as the loss of social media accounts, misunderstood terms of service, or even lawsuits or legal challenges over copyright and other regulations.
5 - Hiring an experienced marketer, and avoiding the time-wasting pitfalls that can haunt an inexperienced one, is a valuable way to invest in your business. 
 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
- Catrina, our Director of Marketing, posts insightful tips on her LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrinagardner/)
- Episode 51, focused on mindful social media practices (https://youtu.be/tnQRHRsVsYs)
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: Can my highschooler do my marketing?
03:37 - Suggestion #1: Understanding the complexities
05:40 - Suggestion #2: Value expertise
10:10 - Suggestion #3: Take advantage of training
13:20 - Suggestion #4: Consider the risk of amateur efforts
17:45 - Suggestion #5: Invest in your business
21:17 - Conclusion

Cheap Marketing Works? The High Cost of Cutting Corners [Ep. 51]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five strategies to employ when considering the cost-quality question of your marketing. Our hosts discuss the benefits of hiring the experts, avoiding costly mistakes, focusing on ROI, and frankly considering value gained over funds spent. We know you want to be smart about your budgeting — listen in to learn how best to invest your marketing dollars. 
 
Takeaways: 
1 - The many elements that make up an effective and trustworthy marketing plan, such as data, time, expertise and plans from strategists, can rarely be cultivated or found cheaply. 
2 - Make your marketing decisions with the long-term in mind — consider options that are specific, targeted and strategy oriented, rather than task oriented. 
3 - Return On Investment metrics will allow you to identify which marketing strategies are performing best with your chosen audience, and which are stable and long-lasting. 
4 - You have to spend money to make money — and if you don’t, you may end up paying anyway in the form of lost profits.
5 - Hiring experts to consult on important marketing decisions helps you avoid pitfalls and traps characteristic of cheap or under-informed marketing. 
 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
5:13 - Episode 50, focused on websites and online presence (https://youtu.be/35E_PjNVX5E)
5:25 - Google Analytics is a great way to track your business and professional data. (https://developers.google.com/analytics)
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: How “cheap marketing” works.
06:56 - Suggestion #1: Consider value over cost.
12:14 - Suggestion #2: Practice long-term thinking
15:08 - Suggestion #3: Focus on ROI
17:45 - Suggestion #4: Avoid hidden costs! 
20:47 - Suggestion #5: Hire the experts! 
23:58 - Conclusion

No Need for a Website If You Have Social Media? Absolutely Wrong! [Ep. 50]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia explore the world of business websites — and why a brand built solely on social media doesn't cut it. Our hosts discuss controlling your brand message online, the importance of owning and analyzing your own data, and why you shouldn't trust platforms like Instagram or Facebook to always be there for you. Creating a website can be daunting — we know, we build them! — but they allow you the control, security and creative freedom you need to rocket your organization to success! Listen in to learn all the juicy details!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - Unlike social media accounts, websites are entirely owned and operated by their organization, allowing for complete control over message, appearance and credibility.
2 -  Data, especially consumer data such as email lists, can be protected and preserved on websites, avoiding issues like platform crashes or hacks.  
3 - Websites support a variety of organizational success elements — data capture, stability, credibility, and more — that are necessary for securing leads, and gaining even more. 
4 - Websites are immune to the numerous destabilizing forces that can affect social media, including hacking, crashes, or deplatforming. 
5 - Effective websites exist in many ways, and organizations can customize their page based on their needs and budgets. 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
04:36 - Episode 49, focused on online ratings and reviews (https://youtu.be/0suBKKaRaxg)
06:57 - Laura’s current listen, Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson (https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537)
07:32 - Episode 48, focused on personal brands (https://youtu.be/8C3qJ383LeM)
10:14 - Our blog article “Business Bootcamp: Marketing When Social Media is Down” (https://vision-advertising.com/blog/2021/business-bootcamp-marketing-when-social-media-is-down/)
17:07 - Wordpress is a reliable and flexible web management system used to host websites, blogs, stores and other online media. (https://wordpress.com/)
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction 
02:35 - Suggestion #1: Ownership, credibility and controlling your message! 
07:57 - Suggestion #2: The importance of owning your data
11:42 - Suggestion #3: Capturing more leads!
14:27 - Suggestion #4: Ensure your stability!
16:53 - Suggestion #5: Consider your wants and needs!
19:33 - Conclusion

Online Reviews Don’t Matter? Think Again! [Ep. 49]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia tips and strategies to handle and leverage online reviews. Our hosts discuss the benefits of professionalism in the face of criticism, showcasing your positive online reputation, and review sites like Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot, which can boost your ratings and credibility with consumers. Online reviews, especially negative ones, can feel disconcerting or even tangential, but they can make or break your business — listen in to learn how you can get that five star rating, and benefit your business while you’re at it!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - Responding to reviews, negative or positive, builds credibility and relationships with your consumer base, as it shows you are attentive and appreciative. 
2 -  Utilizing outbound links, as well as review and social sites like Yelp, Facebook and Trustpilot, can boost the credibility of your website and improve its SEO performance. 
3 - Treating reviews as critiques and suggestions for improvement can both elevate consumer’s view of you, and enhance your own business strategy and day-to-day.
4 - Encouraging reviews through direct communication from digital sales or in-person staff can boost your ratings and counteract any negative bias.
5 - Exhibiting and displaying your good reputation, whether with online reviews or in other forms, can boost your visibility and enhance your reputation further. 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
03:50 - Our article on responding to negative reviews! (https://vision-advertising.com/blog/2021/marketing-psa-always-respond-to-negative-reviews/) And here's another one! (https://vision-advertising.com/blog/2023/business-bootcamp-answering-negative-customer-reviews/)
 
09:32 - Outbound links, aka “backlinks”, are hyperlinks on websites, or elsewhere on the web, that link back to your own site.
 
17:20 - Angi’s (formerly Angie’s List), and Houzz are sites where contractors can advertise their services. (https://www.angi.com/, https://www.houzz.com/)
Yelp and Trustpilot are sites where businesses can receive ratings and provide further information for consumers. (https://www.yelp.com/, https://www.trustpilot.com/)
 
22:29 - Here is the first episode of our arc on marketing partnerships! (https://youtu.be/W39hmdylBzU)
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction 
02:44 - Suggestion #1: Respond to Reviews (positive or negative)!
09:23 - Suggestion #2: Boost your presence with reviews!
12:09 - Suggestion #3: Leverage for improvement!
15:36 - Suggestion #4: Encouraging more reviews!
23:06 - Suggestion #5: Showcase your reputation!
25:11 - Conclusion

Do’s and Don’ts for Your Personal Brand [Ep. 48]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for creating a successful personal brand. Our hosts discuss the benefits of tracking your online presence, structuring with adaptability in mind, learning from credible professionals, and utilizing controversy carefully. Brand building can have disastrous — or wondrous — effects on your business, so listen in, and learn how to create a profitable brand consumers trust!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - Ask for feedback from experienced, proven professionals in your field, and incorporate it into your pre-existing brand. 
2 - Keeping track of your online presence, and utilizing tools like Google alerts, can give you an up-to-date and complex understanding of your evolving brand, and the brand of competitors. 
3 - Examining the strategies and intentions behind your professional goals allows for a clearer and more organized understanding of your direction. 
4 - Organizing your brand to allow for evolution and adaptation can enhance your performance in the ever-changing media landscape. 
5 - Ensure that your online presence is professional, and utilize “hot takes” or controversy carefully and only when appropriate. 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
04:00 - Episode 2, focused on creating strategic partnerships and collaborations! (https://youtu.be/8sZ4WeRsu38)
05:27 - Google Alerts, a great way to track your business and professional reputation. (https://www.google.com/alerts)
17:11 - 04:50 - Our first episode of four on personal brand! (Episodes 9 through 13,  https://youtu.be/B6XDA59_0-U?si=XMhjvjKZCNIHsQQW)
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction 
02:03 - Suggestion #1: Consult with experts!
04:52 - Suggestion #2: Monitor your online presence!
06:43 - Suggestion #3: Reflect on your goals!
08:23 - Suggestion #4: Be adaptable!
11:45 - Suggestion #5: Avoid controversy (or don’t!)
17:06 - Conclusion

How to Make Your Personal Brand More Visible [Ep. 47]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals looking to boost the visibility of their personal brand. Our hosts discuss the advantages you can reap with public speaking and professional events, intentional networking strategies, and consistent, reliable and distinctive online posting and writing. We know that a personal brand can be difficult to found and fine-tune, so listen in to learn how to get started and keep your momentum going!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - Speaking at and attending public industry events helps to boost your profile, credibility and opportunity for relationship building. 
2 - Writing, especially storytelling-based writing, on many platforms, can help to build an effective and notable personal brand.
3 - Investigate all social media platforms, and focus your time and energy on those used most by your ideal consumers. 
4 - Networking without ulterior motives allows for a natural exchange of knowledge and aid within your professional community. 
5 - Offering assistance to other professionals can create new opportunities for both parties. 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
01:22, 7:11 - Our last two episodes on LinkedIn and personal brands! 
(https://youtu.be/36hanFo9PTY, https://youtu.be/NyMp4alIxXk)
03:55 - Julia’s Small Business Expo adventure! (https://www.instagram.com/visionadvertisingrocks/reel/CrBAmhbPf-H/)
06:08 - Julia’s Worcester Business Journal articles! 
(https://www.wbjournal.com/article/the-perils-of-ignoring-your-business-reputation, https://www.wbjournal.com/article/4-things-i-know-about-using-ai-in-marketing)
10:03 - Julia’s 2023 Small Business Expo talk on resources! 
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB8iX8NIhIY)
17:39 - Follow Laura and Julia on LinkedIn! 
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraldibenedetto/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-becker-collins/ )
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction 
02:16 - Suggestion #1: Engage in public speaking and events
05:50 - Suggestion #2: Write regularly, on many platforms
09:11 - Suggestion #3: Use social media wisely
12:51 - Suggestion #4: Network consistently and actively
17:14 - Suggestion #5: Give help
18:37 - Conclusion

How to Leverage Linkedin to Sell [Ep. 46]

Summary: 
In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals looking to improve their business through LinkedIn. Our hosts discuss the benefits of engaging with other accounts, joining active groups, and using recommendations and endorsements, along with ways to optimize your profile. LinkedIn is already a helpful tool for many, but often its most productive tools go completely unused. Listen in and find out how to make LinkedIn work for you!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - LinkedIn creators can profit by getting eyes on their content.
2 - Profiles should be created mindfully with the audience in mind.
3 - Posting consistently and authentically boosts your content and profile. 
4 - Engaging with other posts and profiles aids in creating new relationships.  
5 - Professionals should make use of LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements. 
6 - Joining and remaining active in relevant groups aids in creating new relationships.  
 
Today’s Resource Recommendations:
04:44 - Our previous episode! (https://youtu.be/NyMp4alIxXk)
04:50 - Our first episode on Avatars! (Episodes 9 through 13) - https://youtu.be/B6XDA59_0-U?si=XMhjvjKZCNIHsQQW
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction 
01:37 - How does Linkedin selling work?
03:45 - Suggestion #1: Optimize your profile
05:21 - Suggestion #2: Post consistently (and without AI!)
09:34 - Suggestion #3: Engaging with others
11:15 - Suggestion #4: Use recommendations and endorsements
12:51 - Suggestion #5: Join Linkedin groups
15:42 - Conclusion