How does an online business owner target customers that purchase regularly, want to be advocates of a businesses to people they know within their network. A customer that chooses your products/services regardless of how price competitive you actual are to your competitors? Is customer loyalty just a myth?

Consumers are spoilt for options and this makes a purchasing choice more complicated then ever before. Think of how much time it takes to decide on purchasing a new mobile phone or even just a humble tooth brush. There’s lots of businesses out there making advertising noise to grab your attention. It comes from all angles 24-7. The plus for the consumer is there is so much choice why would you even bother being loyal to any business? The problem with all these gimmicks, a discount etc is the customer doesn’t feel any sort of emotional connection. At any minute if this customer only concerned with price for example finds a better deal they are out of here…. So what creates the magically carrot at the end of a stick that a customer can’t ignore and will be drawn to constantly?
Through any advertisement or branding of a business a potential customers gets a sense of what the business does, how they do it and why they do what they do.
The problem is a lot of businesses lead with the what and the how and not with the why.

The best example of this concept I can share with you is Apple Inc. Part of Apple’s worldwide appeal is they lead with their ‘why’. You may of not even noticed it before, ultimately its when a brand and consumer have the same values that will inspire the consumer to use that product/service because it reflects the type of person they want to show to the world. Picture a person you would consider an Apple user.

I pictured a person who questions the status quo, a creative person, someone who likes to think outside the box and is innovative.

How different was my description to your description? Here is how Apple Inc like to show how different they are to their competitors.

I think the first ad in these series of ads really speaks volumes, check it out…it only runs for one minute.

I have not even started to uncover the surface of this topic, I highly recommend you read, “Start with Why” by Simon Sineck. Not only can it help you with what’s important for your business it will help you amp up your passion and help you feel more inspired and focused online business owner.

What is your businesses why? Not just your businesses story about how you started but why your business exits? How do you convey this in your dealings with your potential customers?

Let me know if your feedback about Simon’s book if you have read it.

Regards,
Ally

P.S. I am not an affiliate of Simon’s products, I have met him and he is an inspirational leader.

Hi,

I met an interesting wolf the other day.

He was fury, wasn’t a good looking young man that turned into a wolf at any given moment, he was the
Wolf From Wall Street author Jordan Belfort.

Here is a quick introduction.

Jordan has had a very interesting life to say the least but what I like about him is his never say die entrepreneurial spirit.

I have created a squidoo lens for you with a series of Jordan’s videos based on a speech with Virgin Australia he completed in 2009.

Its called A Lesson For New Online Entrepreneurs: ‘Don’t Judge A Wolf By its cover’.

Watch the videos from the squidoo lens and let me know what you think of Jordan as an entrepreneur.

Dedicated to your success,
Alison Bova

Hi,
I don’t expect people outside of the internet marketing world to understand how seriously we on the inside need to take our business. We may not have buildings with our names plastered in neon lights(not yet hehe) but our personal brand is something we can ever take off, we ‘wear’ our brand through our words and actions 24 hrs a day 7 days a week.

This post comes from Ingrid Elfver about how encounter with Don Johnson which I thought was amusing, a great read and Ingrid has shared some great action steps to help you get focused on your personal brand. Enjoy…

“My “Fight” with Don Johnson (Miami Vice)

Years ago I was with one of my girlfriends at the world-famous club “Vertigo” (owned by my friend Victor). Vertigo has been referred to in the media as “possibly the most successful, celebrity-packed nightclub ever in Los Angeles”…where the likes of Princess Stephanie of Monaco and other superstars have been seen hanging out.

Anyway, my girlfriend (Michelle) started talking to Bruce Willis and he invited both of us to sit down at his table with Don Johnson (whose television show, Miami Vice, was huge at the time). So we followed Bruce to their roped off, VIP table (with body guards). Michelle sat next to Bruce and I sat next to Don (the table was big so we weren’t really close to each other).

As soon as I sat down, Don looked at me and said, “What the #@$% are you doing here?” Bruce was paying lots of attention to Michelle (this was before he got together with Demi), so he didn’t notice what was going on. I was on my own. Being my Swedish self (strong and outspoken), I told Don that I was invited by Bruce, but he got livid. Don stood up and started shouting swear words at me.

I asked Don to speak nicely (at this point, Bruce was also aware of the situation and doing his best to get Don to behave also), but it was all downhill from there. We simply weren’t going to get along. Don was being so rude and irrational that I excused myself thinking… “WHO NEEDS THAT?” And, “WOW, what a power trip he is on.”

Now I’m not holding a grudge (although I must admit, it took me several years before I could watch a movie or TV show with Don Johnson in it without wanting to change the channel)! But I’m also not going to make excuses for him like… “It’s not his fault, maybe he’d had a bad day, or, maybe he had too much to drink (because nothing justifies that kind of behavior)”.

But I do see things a little bit differently today. As I continue to become more well-known myself, I have more understanding and compassion for celebrities. It’s hard to be out in public and relax when you’re always getting recognized and people are trying to get something from you. Yes, I get that from time to time as well (I actually had someone follow me into a public bathroom once, introduce herself, and try to get me to work on a project with her).

So, why I am telling you this story? Well, I learned some powerful things from the experience (that I thought YOU might find helpful also).

Here’s what I learned from my “fight” with Don Johnson

1. As you become more of a SUPERSTAR in your own life and business, always remember where you came from. Don’t let your ego get too big. Don’t surround yourself with people who only agree with you or say “yes” to everything you say. If you allow that to happen, you might start thinking that you can do no wrong. You can get so far removed from reality that it becomes damaging or dangerous to you and other people.

2. You never know who you have in front of you, what kind of power or influence they have, and who might eventually hear about how you acted in a situation (me writing this article is a perfect example)! So always do your best to be nice, be professional, and not say anything you might regret.

3. Don’t take abuse from anyone. I don’t care who they are, or how important they might be to your future. Be willing to walk away. There are lots of other people out there who also have power and influence… and good manners.”

© 2010 Ingrid Elfver. All Rights Reserved.
Originally from Sweden, Ingrid Elfver is founder and CEO of My Muse, helping heart-centered entrepreneurs around the world increase their income, build an irresistible business, and make a greater difference in the world. Over the last 20 years she’s worked with thousands of people from all industries including celebrities, creative artists, and small business owners. Get Ingrid’s free audio program Create Your Own Reality, special report Inside the Superstar Mind, and weekly ezine at www.myMuse.info.

Personal branding for any online business is really important to help your business stand out from the rest. How do online entrepreneurs add a new dynamic and keep your readers interested and inspired to learn more about you as time goes by?
There is crazy amount of hype around celebrities. As an online entrepreneur this is the same type of hype you need in your business. You want raving reviews, customers to share how great you are with their friends and family.People always wanting to learn what your up to.
Watching ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ has helped me notice how many doors of opportunities have opened for the individual members. Khloe and Kourtney have their clothes store in Miami which is constantly on the show, Kourtney has worked on a late night radio show, Kimberley has her own jewellery line (not sure if the other sisters are involved) and her modelling contracts etc and through this reality show we get to know them, which has lead me to their website several times. Kourtney and Kim’s have over 5 million followers on Twitter alone.

I don’t know about you but I am keen to get this type of spotlight on my business. What are the next steps?
This is what I think you can do to help build your own brand to superstar status;
Do you have key style in the way you dress, or accessories that represent yourself in a more memorable way?
Fake it before you make it, ensure you always have good posture, look in peoples eyes when you speak to them, listen to understand not to reply and always smile.
Is there a celebrity or someone from your own industry who’s brand really appeals to you? What are they doing that you like and attracts you to them? Write this down and start implementing this in your own business.
Is there any aspects of your personality that you have held back? Consider how appropriate they would be for your business and incorporate them in.

Well I am off to cover the same points… please leave your comments if you have any other actions that you would add to the above list for an online entrepreneur to build star quality?
Be bold, take action…

Ally