Have you heard of the fantastic software tool named Market Samurai?

I discovered Market Samurai about six months ago and have found what it can do has saved me hours of manual researching. Market Samurai is set up with different modules within the program.

Earlier on I was using Market Samurai mainly for keyword research. It allows you to create a new project and then research different keywords that are connected with that project.

Once you type in your keyword you then click on “Generate Keywords”. Market Samurai then generates dozens of related keywords in a short time. At this point you are able to add additional keywords to this list that you can think of and you can also filter out keywords that you do not want to be included in the next step of analyzing these keywords.

Market Samurai makes it so easy to find the keywords and then allows you to click on “Analyze Keywords”. At this point each of the keywords are analyzed to see different factors related to each of these keywords. These include the number of searches and the trends over the last year for each keyword.

Several filters can then be applied to this list of keywords and then the analysis can be refined. Filters such as SEO Traffic (SEOT), Phrase-To-Broad (PBR), SEO Competition (SEOC) and Commerciality (OCI) are used to refine your analysis so that you can find the best keywords to use in your project.
This list of filters is just the start of what is available. There are more filters such as Adwords Cost Per Click (CPC) and SEO Value (SEOV), which can also be used to refine your search. You have total control over which filters you use and what you set each one to.

Another great feature of Market Samurai is that it can operate on both the Macintosh operating system and Windows on PCs. This means that almost anyone with a computer can take advantage of this great resource to save time and make your task a lot easier.

This is only the start of how you can use Market Samurai to save you time and effort. Next time we will look at the SEOC (SEO Competition) analysis and matrix and how you can interpret the results for your particular project.

Until next time, Remember to Enjoy Life, Smile at a stranger and Make a Difference in the World!

Your Friend in Success and Life

Leanne Annett

Today’s success tip comes from Andrew Griffiths.

Describing himself as a “serial entrepreneur”, Andrew has developed an international reputation that has significantly reinforced his six best-selling books. His books are sold in over 40 countries and their popularity has launched him as a sought-after keynote speaker and corporate coach.

Could you please list ten favourite low-cost marketing strategies?

1. Step outside your business and your comfort zone - spend some time getting out and about, networking and attending functions. Be prepared to tell people exactly what you sell and don’t be afraid to ask them for business.

2. Ask people to refer business to you - get on the referral bandwagon. Everyone out there is either a potential customer or they know someone who is a potential customer. Enlist the help of your family, friends, associates and neighbours to help grow your business substantially.

3. Become a spokesperson - stand in front of a crowd, send letters to the editor, become the head of your local organisations, or at least join them. Get yourself and your business name in front of as many people as you can.

4. Donate your time - it is amazing how much business you can have referred to you by being a good corporate citizen and helping out local charity events. Who has the time? None of us, but those that make time get well rewarded.

5. Use a blackboard - it still amazes me how much business you can get from simply putting a blackboard out the front of your business. An oldie but a goodie!

6. Set up strategic partnerships - do you know of any businesses that can refer customers to you and you can refer customers to them? Give them a call and go see them. Set up a more formal arrangement, and exchange brochures, get to know their business and start referring as soon as you can.

7. Ask your customers for ideas - it is very interesting to sit down with several of your customers and ask them for ideas to help you grow your business. Often, they will have some very interesting ideas that you otherwise may not have thought of. Smart business owners are always very open to other people’s ideas, and who better to look for ideas than your existing loyal customers? They get to feel good because you asked for their opinion and you get some great advice (fingers crossed) for free.

8. Use food - I have got more business over these many years with chocolates than any other selling tool I know of. I believe if you feed anything enough it will keep coming back for more. So have some chocolates, lollipops, fruit, sandwiches or whatever takes your fancy and give it to your customers.

9. Free samples - don’t be afraid to give free samples of your product or service to potential customers. It’s a case of putting your money where your mouth is. The fact is, people like getting things for free.

10. Do the little things - look for ways to do the little things for your customers that other businesses won’t, or can’t be bothered to do - remember names, give them a discount, and always be looking for ways to exceed their expectations.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s success tip. Keep checking back for more great advice from the experts.

Until then,

Allan Poole