tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412296226655652302024-02-06T22:19:14.547-08:00This Horsey LifeA place to get tips, advice, motivation, and support for your horse businessBiscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-32028143163162289242013-09-23T01:46:00.001-07:002013-09-23T01:46:17.550-07:00Motivational Monday - The secret of success - Equestrianism: Six Rules to Success video<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AEBjnRREowg" width="560"></iframe><br />
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-87457377574212644522013-09-10T10:24:00.000-07:002013-09-10T10:24:11.370-07:00Action must come first, and the motivation comes later onI missed Motivational Monday this week so to make up for it a few words on motivation taken from <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dr. David Burns </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">book, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your error is your belief that motivation comes first, and then leads to
activation and success. But it usually is the other way around; action
must come first, and the motivation comes later on.” </span></span>Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-91271593973784039802013-09-02T15:07:00.002-07:002013-09-02T15:07:52.006-07:00Motivational Monday - The 3 C's: Choice, Chance, Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7J000oLC7o5GMiz5wc0asaqHHF3JVfAlgoBkkyvb9_nLmWvn_9Vj4fkCInpfZMxttRup7mn3-s7CWTf1oqVLgwAJAUUjujZpaVSaP8-piUfYAY9QDQzEpWQiRV1frRhIzUSsBACzR-8/s1600/motivational-the-3-cs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7J000oLC7o5GMiz5wc0asaqHHF3JVfAlgoBkkyvb9_nLmWvn_9Vj4fkCInpfZMxttRup7mn3-s7CWTf1oqVLgwAJAUUjujZpaVSaP8-piUfYAY9QDQzEpWQiRV1frRhIzUSsBACzR-8/s400/motivational-the-3-cs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The 3 C's in life:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Choice,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chance,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Change.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You must make the Choice,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To rake the Chance</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you want anything to change.</div>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-32122545701592896412013-08-25T01:45:00.001-07:002013-08-25T01:45:46.776-07:00Are you a clickaholique? Index finger on mouse, click, clicking and searching all those favourite sites, everyday sometimes more than once a day. In fact everytime you sit in front of the computer screen are you telling yourself you'll just check ------- site / blog before you start on your budding internet business.<br />
<br />
Are you telling yourself it's research, just checking what the competition is up to?<br />
<br />
Whilst it's perfectly okay to take time out from your business and check into your favourite sites there is a time and a place for everything and if you're "clicking" instead of getting on with your work you are procrastinating, sabotaging your own business success.<br />
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Yes it's a good idea to check out the competition but obsessively? Everyday? Procrastination again.<br />
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Do you find yourself sitting down to work for say an hour and instead end
up wasting that time clicking through Pinterest/ blogs/ Facebook etc? <br />
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Maybe you're a clickaholique. <br />
<br />
How to overcome this (sometimes) destructive behaviour<br />
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Well first of all you need to recognize what you are doing and how it's effecting your productivity. <br />
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Ask yourself it there are any particular times that you are prone to the mindless clicking, is this work avoidance? (Ans: Yes!)<br />
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Recognizing what's going on is half the battle, now you know you have something to combat and the way to do that is to schedule time to work on your business. Time when you simply won't allow yourself to work on anything else but keep it short so you don't overwhelm yourself. Maybe 30 minutes at a time with 10 minute breaks in between. Consider setting a timer to make sure you do it. You'll be amazed at how your productivity increases.<br />
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<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-1174369734987758992013-08-19T19:41:00.004-07:002013-08-19T19:41:34.551-07:00How to create a Facebook fan page for your equestrian / equine businessSo you personally are on Facebook but is your equestrian / equine business?<br />
<br />
Here’s how to create a Facebook fan page for your equestrian / equine business:<br />
<br /><ul>
<li>From your Facebook “Home” tab (the newsfeed page), click “Pages” in the left-hand column.</li>
</ul>
<br /><ul>
<li>At the top right-hand corner of the tab find “+ Create a Page” and click on that button.</li>
</ul>
<br /><ul>
<li>Choose which type
of business you have, fill out the information, and there you go you have a
Facebook fan page for your equestrian / equine business.</li>
</ul>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-89049866480772607832013-08-19T15:02:00.000-07:002013-08-19T15:02:04.359-07:00Motivational Monday ~ There is no failure except in no longer trying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWry8__IsHn7sRMtTXy8k4YRqWVnLL5HQfP_Lu3Jwgx63BvQQAEM4zQHBGqqGgEO8Wb3i7xwtWCQsMIpHbv28EdcFTW9wvjvVlL9raez6fft_5JGHrjVFeNXx7YAmTl1yIqLLldUkZKSE/s1600/horse-inspirational-quotes-elbert-hubbard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWry8__IsHn7sRMtTXy8k4YRqWVnLL5HQfP_Lu3Jwgx63BvQQAEM4zQHBGqqGgEO8Wb3i7xwtWCQsMIpHbv28EdcFTW9wvjvVlL9raez6fft_5JGHrjVFeNXx7YAmTl1yIqLLldUkZKSE/s400/horse-inspirational-quotes-elbert-hubbard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">"There </span><span style="font-size: large;">is </span><span style="font-size: large;">no failure e</span><span style="font-size: large;">xcept in no longer trying"</span> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elbert Hubbard</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
via <a href="http://myequestrianworld.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">My Equestrian World</a></div>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-82684021866163597942013-08-19T01:45:00.001-07:002013-08-19T01:45:28.817-07:00Google's Keyword Tool to help you find keywords to attract visitors to your equestrian / equine business websiteKeywords help to pull traffic from search engines to your website, use them wisely. Currently there's a great Google tool which will help with your choice of keywords <a href="https://adwords.google.co.nz/o/Targeting/Explorer?__c=1000000000&__u=1000000000&ideaRequestType=KEYWORD_IDEAS">Google’s Keyword Tool</a>.<br />
All you have to do is type in a word or phrase and you'll get a page of suggested similar terms or phrases with the number of
global monthly searches received for it. The higher the monthly
searches, the more popular the word / phrase.<br />
<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-43667553279811802482013-08-17T13:39:00.000-07:002013-08-17T13:39:02.183-07:00Get support from other equestrian entrepreneurs to help grow your equestrian business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_5Uq21oTYxiGogal-3-K1cufAHJuN6ZtsAFrvF5XsieDn3HmQPLyx0NBbh_aC0aqsQir0WaD2yfG6Jlc-XUm1VPULuE0QTjne5wCi6ZLmJ0ntAvBfQjcJVRFh6wvbx-ZGCkSy4ttAA/s1600/horse+show+jumping+class.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_5Uq21oTYxiGogal-3-K1cufAHJuN6ZtsAFrvF5XsieDn3HmQPLyx0NBbh_aC0aqsQir0WaD2yfG6Jlc-XUm1VPULuE0QTjne5wCi6ZLmJ0ntAvBfQjcJVRFh6wvbx-ZGCkSy4ttAA/s400/horse+show+jumping+class.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A friend of mine recently allowed her field to be used for a charity horse show. Now this field is in a prominent position at the top of a country lane near a busy road ideal for attracting passing visitors, at the other end of the lane, in the middle of nowhere is a recently opened equestrian centre with a tack shop etc. Its' geographical position means it doesn't stand a hope in hells chance of attracting passing trade, you have to know it's there to find it.<br />
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Signs for the charity horse show went up (incidentally they were removed /stolen by persons unknown) and the equestrian centre owner approached the organizer of the show asking her to consider cancelling it as it was a "conflict of interest". She also visited the owner of the field complaining about "conflict of interest" and demanded that she withdraw the use of her field for the event.<br />
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Needless to say the horse show went ahead and local equestrians turned up, competed and had a great time.<br />
<br />
The equestrian centre owner missed out on a wonderful opportunity to promote her own business:<br />
<br />
She could have had a trade stand for the princely sum of £10 (proceeds to charity) to tell a target audience about her facilities.<br />
<br />
She could have promoted the horse show to her liveries with their own horses who could easily have hacked down to the show and had a fun day out.<br />
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She could have given her pupils the opportunity to compete at the show on her riding school ponies.<br />
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She could have competed herself.<br />
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She could have worked with the organizer offering a prize / money off lesson coupons to competitors etc<br />
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In fact she could have had loads of people at that show promoting her equestrian centre and tack shop for virtually no financial outlay and if she charged for the use of her ponies in classes she would have made a profit on the event herself.<br />
<br />
But no, she had the "If they have, I'll have not" mental attitude and that's just what she ended up with, The moral to this tale<br />
<br />
“Most importantly, you need support from other entrepreneurs who are at
similar stages as you are, and from others with more experience. The
more connected you become with other entrepreneurs, the more normal your
quest becomes. You’ll no longer feel crazy or alone, and you’ll realize
that we all face obstacles just like you’re facing.” <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thinktraffic.net/blog" target="_blank">Think Traffic</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://myequestrianworld.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image: Copyright My Equestrian World </span></a>Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-6528950364248883282013-08-16T06:07:00.000-07:002013-08-16T06:07:28.750-07:00Advice on advertising your equestrian business from 1885 and it's still true todayThe following guide to advertising was written by Thomas Smith in 1885:<ul>
<li>The first time people look at any given ad, they don’t even see it.</li>
<li>The second time, they don’t notice it.</li>
<li>The third time, they are aware that it is there.</li>
<li>The fourth time, they have a fleeting sense that they’ve seen it somewhere before.</li>
<li>The fifth time, they actually read the ad.</li>
<li>The sixth time, they thumb their nose at it.</li>
<li>The seventh time, they start to get a little irritated with it.</li>
<li>The eight time, they start to think ‘Here’s that confounded ad again.’</li>
<li>The ninth time, they start to wonder if they’re missing out on something.</li>
<li>The tenth time, they ask their friends and neighbors if they’ve tried it.</li>
<li>The eleventh time, they wonder how the company is paying for all these ads.</li>
<li>The twelfth time, they start to think that it must be a good product.</li>
<li>The thirteenth time, they start to feel the product has value.</li>
<li>The fourteenth time, they start to remember wanting a product exactly like this for a long time.</li>
<li>The fifteenth time, they start to yearn for it because they can’t afford to buy it.</li>
<li>The sixteenth time, they accept the fact that they will buy it sometime in the future.</li>
<li>The seventeenth time, they make a note to buy the product.</li>
<li>The eighteenth time, they curse their poverty for not allowing them to buy this terrific product.</li>
<li>The nineteenth time, they count their money very carefully.</li>
<li>The twentieth time prospects see the ad, they buy what is offering.</li>
</ul>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-38191859415989799542012-11-12T14:17:00.002-08:002013-08-19T01:49:17.422-07:00Blogging for your equestrian businessIf you're really serious about starting a blog to help promote your equestrian business take a look at:<br />
<br />
ProBlogger who have a whole section on <a href="http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/14/blogging-for-beginners-2/" target="_blank">blogging tips for beginners</a> <br />
<br />
You might also want to check out <a href="http://www.viperchill.com/" target="_blank">Viper Chill </a>and <a href="http://www.dearblogger.org/" target="_blank">Dear Blogger </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-83096974071810399612012-10-14T16:06:00.004-07:002012-10-14T16:06:50.215-07:00Motivational Monday - The secret - Eileen Caddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s3OI8jPu0WsZKjv1niDlekdx8ydNIAtBs1bHwK4D2nBlVtC1w7AoTWw-e_U6ukJFasvGVElSQsXlb0Cu8HbUmt6eJwNn7gnDDz5o9IZu1C7ObYxegF2eR6bs9ER9ZT7emVkcpHe0ngs/s1600/the-secret-of-making-something-work-eileen-caddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s3OI8jPu0WsZKjv1niDlekdx8ydNIAtBs1bHwK4D2nBlVtC1w7AoTWw-e_U6ukJFasvGVElSQsXlb0Cu8HbUmt6eJwNn7gnDDz5o9IZu1C7ObYxegF2eR6bs9ER9ZT7emVkcpHe0ngs/s320/the-secret-of-making-something-work-eileen-caddy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The secret of making something work in your lives is first of all, the deep desire to make it work, then the faith and belief that it can work, then to hold that clear definite vision in your consciousness and see it working out step by step, without one thought of doubt or disbelief</span>. ~ <i>Eileen Caddy</i>Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-57661874779225946332012-10-10T01:31:00.000-07:002012-10-10T01:31:06.778-07:00Your website and marketingHere I'm re-blogging (with permission) an article written by Sean D'Souza, it's good, read it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><h1>
Is your website Asleep?</h1>
<h3>
Need To Create A Website That's Dynamite?</h3>
Websites are a waste of money and time. Well most of them are. Most
people go online for just one reason-- <i>Get Information</i>. Yet,
what do you see at most websites?
<br />
Portfolio!
<br />
See the problem? If you stop and think, this is not a website problem.
It’s a communication problem, which is why most advertising
fails. The customer wants information and help and most communication
fails to do that.
<br />
They load you with portfolio and with information about the company.
It’s all about me, me, me. This primary reason causes more
than 90% of all websites to be inefficient, useless and a waste
of time.
<br />
It is also the prime reason why not many people make money off
their website. If you start talking about YOU, no one is interested.
To give out credible, useful information is the prime function of
every communication piece. If almost everything on your website
doesn’t answer the question <i>What’s in it for me?,</i>
it's definitely not worth the time of the customer.
<br />
<h3>
What A Good Websites Does </h3>
<span class="rblack">1)</span>It gives information, and builds credibility. <br />
<span class="rblack">2)</span>It builds the brand and allows you to earn off the brand. <br />
<span class="rblack">3)</span>It builds customer loyalty. <br />
<span class="rblack">4)</span>It allows customers to use it as a suggestion box. It’s not a perfect world and customers should
be encouraged to let you know what can be fixed. <br />
<span class="rblack">5)</span>It should achieve basic marketing principles. It should be solving a problem and aimed at a specific target audience. <br />
<span class="rblack">6)</span>It should generate its own income like any profit centre. It should justify its reason for existing.
<br />
<h3>
How To Create A Near Perfect Website </h3>
Consider these factors as important benchmarks for creating a website.
If your website doesn't do these things, you have to question, <i>why
not?</i>
<br />
<blockquote>
1)Revenue Generation <br />
2)Data Collection <br />
3)Information Source <br />
4)Feedback and Complaints <br />
5)Distribution <br />
6)Reconstruction <br />
7)Fan Club <br />
8)Associated Tools <br />
9)Meet the Basics of Communication
</blockquote>
<h3>
Show Me The Buckeroos! </h3>
While it's all very fine to be a <i>charitable institution</i>,
a website costs money. Which person or organization in their right
sense would spend US$50 for no return? There would be questions
to answer and heads would roll.
<br />
Yet, most organizations do just that. They spend anywhere from
US$2,000 to US$50,000 on a website that will not generate any return.
<br />
We are not talking about straightforward e-commerce here. We are
talking about a bigger brand issue and how you can use the brand
to achieve the financial goals of the organization. The watchword
should always be--<i>Show me the money!</i>
<br />
Yes, even schools, hospitals and other organizations can use their
websites to make money, and then use the money for a good cause.
Charity and good causes are all very fine, but everything costs
money. If you can generate revenue, there is no reason on earth
why you shouldn’t be doing so.
<br />
<h3>
When You're A Guru, Everyone Listens </h3>
It's not what you say, it’s how you say it. Website design
is not about design, it’s about thought process. Websites
are but a tool to get information that builds the brand further.
Articles and material that help the person browsing the site can
achieve this.
<br />
Information isn’t about getting across what you want them to hear. It’s
about asking them what they would like to have. This is endless.
The customers' needs keep changing and you must be able to have
information that can excite and educate them. This also keeps the
other audiences active.
<br />
<h3>
Who Are Your Audiences?</h3>
A website imparting information appeals to two simultaneous audiences.
It speaks to your current audience like a newsletter or brochure
would and it also speaks to a potential audience.
<br />
While you are specifically targeting current clients, there is
no reason why the information doesn’t impart knowledge to
future clients, even potential employees.
<br />
There are a zillion bozos out there who are simply selling goods
and services and not helping the customer in any way. If you help
them and keep in touch with them, when the need arises, you will
be first in line.
<br />
<h3>
Clawing Your Way To The Top</h3>
This is also a good system to use when you want to capture business
from competition. You don’t always have to be #1 with your
client. If you don’t have the business, keep plugging at your
#2 position and someday #1 will stumble. When that happens, you
get an opportunity to move in. Don’t always look at everything
as a sale situation. People have innate fears about change. Imparting
good information marks you out as a credible, trustworthy source
and their desire to work with you will go up as you keep giving
them nuggets of useful information.
<br />
<h3>
If You Don’t Do This, Drown Yourself
</h3>
This is one of the most important and inexpensive tools to corner
your target audience. If a person feels the connection and you
lead them through the right steps, they will invariably feel the
need to get more information. <br />
<br />
If you aren’t collecting e-mail addresses off your website,
then you’re missing out on the few people (or many as the
case may be) that are really interested in your product or service.
<br />
<h3>
How To Get The Data Off Your Customers</h3>
The only way to get them to part with their e-mail address is to
first establish your credibility and then offer something in return.
However, once you have their e-mail address and their permission,
you can turn your website into a wonderful marketing machine as
long as you don’t overdo it. People get tons of e-mail everyday
and the junk goes out very quickly. The more useful your information
is, the more chances you have of getting visitors to sign up. You
can then use that information to market to that audience selectively.
So make sure you're collecting data or your website's true potential
becomes pretty dodgy.
<br />
<h3>
Is Your Website Built For Complaints? </h3>
You build a car with all the features. You paint it black. The
customer wants it red. You try to sell the black car and face
resistance. You call the customer stupid and go on trying to promote
your black car.
<br />
We all do this. We decide that’s what we need to promote.
The customer on the other hand would like something else that
fulfils their needs. We never stop to ask. Ever!
<br />
Every section of your website should have the ability to handle
feedback that can then be incorporated within your website and
other communication to give the customers what they need.
<br />
Feedback also allows you to stay ahead of your competition big
time! Once the customers trust you and see changes in the website,
they will be encouraged to give more important feedback that could
change not just the website but even the working of the organization.
Perception is everything, and you need to know at all times what
the outside world perceives your organization to be. Once you have
that data, it allows you to go ahead and make the changes you need.
<br />
<h3>
Is Your Website Sitting In A Box? </h3>
How are you going to promote your website? While most websites rely
on getting to the top of the search engines, you may not have that
need. You may have a very specific targeted audience you want to
reach. That audience would never search for your website online.
They would have to know it, or never find it at all.
<br />
Companies print brochures and then make sure they go out. They
build websites and it sits in the <i>box</i> undistributed. They
hope, and this is a big hope, that someone will visit. It doesn’t
happen. You have to figure out the distribution process as well,
so that your website goes out to your target audience.
<br />
<h3>
If It's Worth Building, It's Worth Renovating </h3>
Most organizations make changes to their business to keep competitive.
Yet, they think nothing of keeping the website stagnant for 50+
years. (Ok, I’m exaggerating, but on the web 1 year= 10 normal
years)
<br />
Expect change to be inevitable. The website should be constructed so that it's
easily changeable and updateable. It should also not require a degree
in rocket science. You should be able to update it while you’re
sitting at a cyber cafe in the Bahamas while sipping your Caribbean
Punch!
<br />
Understand that it’s inevitable and, like all marketing tools,
this tool should be reviewed at least every 6-12 months and changed
or reconstructed to meet current customer demands.
<br />
<h3>
Are You Signing Autographs Yet? </h3>
Most organizations survive on their <i>fan club</i>. People who
love you so much, that they’re willing to talk about you to
everyone in sight. Many organizations have clients that are well
spread out.
<br />
The website can be used to keep that Fan Club together. It should
be used as a networking tool as well. Most organizations ignore
this fact.
<br />
If I love eating Indian curries, everyone else in that <i>Indian
curry</i> section can be linked up to do business with each other.
If they love your company or organization, they will reinforce each
other about how great it is, plus they will do business with each
other.
<br />
The more successful they get, the more it rubs off the organization
and eventually, the more business you get to do with them because
of their success.
<br />
<h3>
Looking Beyond A Website </h3>
Too many people are taken up with the glamour of websites. Websites
are just a façade. You must understand the technology that
drives business.
<br />
Do you have autoresponders? How do you use email? How do you
track customers? How can you communicate with customers? How can
you make sure your best customers keep coming back? All of these
tools have nothing to do with the website itself. However, they
need to be thought through every step of the way.
<br />
<h3>
It's The Psychology, Stupid! </h3>
If you want to build a website, or do a brochure or have any form
of communication, understand the basics of psychology. We are
all driven by similar needs and wants.
<br />
A Website Shouldn’t Be Deadline Driven. It
Should Be <i>Need</i> Driven
<br />
What’s the point of having an absolutely stunning website
before deadline if it doesn’t do anything for the person
viewing it. Too many people in organizations are caught up in
their own ego of having a website up. It’s often not worth
it.
<br />
<h3>
Websites Aren’t For The Organization. They
Are For The Customer</h3>
Websites are a marketing tool. Use the principles of marketing
to build and promote them. That of course, means having a target
audience. Having a problem you can solve. Flag off that problem
and then provide a solution.
<br />
Yahoo might be the wonder of yesterday but Google.com is the
one that gets the most converts. Yahoo is trying to be everything
to everyone, Google isn’t. Don’t get lost in the hype
of technology because everything on this planet is based on psychology
and emotion.
<br />
Most websites have no objectives at all. They have no target
audience. They are created because it’s fashionable to do
so.
<br />
Dump the fashion. Understand the basics of internet marketing and
communication. And if you don’t understand the basics, get
someone who can! Otherwise you’re doing what a zillion websites
across the world do-
<br />
Nothing!
<br />
</td>
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<a href="http://www.psychotactics.com/small-business-ideas-newsletter-subscribe"><img alt="Psychological Marketing Business Tactics: Small Business Ideas" border="0" height="120" src="http://www.psychotactics.com/images/stories/headlinesfail.gif" width="157" /></a><br /><span class="grey">Why Do Most Headlines Fail?</span><br />
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Article written by Sean D'Souza.<br />
<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-75316799003408127102012-10-08T01:05:00.002-07:002012-10-08T01:05:50.209-07:00Motivational Monday - learn a lesson from your dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy_LrzV83IGFcg0ymDmUWFs174hS-U0lnUFXzS1qjzWlW4_5KyfONHU_l7oqzdpgZ4UP29TBc2jgo658jzX78rXDtL1F5RUfVlPl95Z5LmInB8sWfgYLdu8PccG2LSsl-Da7oZZ0V4vg/s1600/learn+a+lesson+from+your+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy_LrzV83IGFcg0ymDmUWFs174hS-U0lnUFXzS1qjzWlW4_5KyfONHU_l7oqzdpgZ4UP29TBc2jgo658jzX78rXDtL1F5RUfVlPl95Z5LmInB8sWfgYLdu8PccG2LSsl-Da7oZZ0V4vg/s400/learn+a+lesson+from+your+dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-40463981062901761742012-10-07T12:55:00.000-07:002012-10-07T12:55:27.306-07:00Your horse business needs a platform<b>What's a "platform"?</b><br />
<br />
<em>Very simply, a platform is the thing you have to stand on to get
heard. It’s your stage. But unlike a stage in the theater, today’s
platform is built of people. Contacts. Connections. Followers. - <a href="http://www.michaelhyatt.com/" target="_blank">Michael Hyatt</a> Platform - How to get noticed in a noisy world</em><br />
<br />
<b>So if "today's platform is built of people. Contacts. Connections. Followers." how are you going to establish a platform for your equine / equestrian business? </b><br />
<br />
<em>Answer : Through the internet.</em><br />
<em>Through Blogging, social media and an email list.</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
<b>Lets take a quick look at these three key ways to establish a platform for your horse business<em>.</em></b><br />
<em><br /></em>
<b>Blogging</b><br />
Blogging is a great way to establish an online presence, grow an audience and establish yourself as an authority in the horse world. They can be linked to websites or be your own websites. You can start a blog for free with Blogger or Wordpress or you can pay for a blogging platform with eg. Typepad. It's a good idea to buy a domain name so that your blog’s address can be <em>yourname.com</em> rather than <em>yourname.blogger.com</em>.<br />
<em><br /></em>
<b>Social Media</b><em></em><br />
There are loads of different social media sites, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+ to name some of the most popular<em>,</em> you can't possibly be on all of them and run a horse business so chose one or two social networks that you think will work for you and put some work into them<em>,</em> don't try and stretch yourself too thin.<br />
<em><br /></em>
<b>Email list</b><br />
An email list will enable you to contact your customers directly with special offers etc but if you take the time to email a monthly newsletter you'll be able to offer so much more to your clients, eg. tips and advice you could also include links to some of your blog posts.<em><br /></em><br />
<em><br /></em>Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-8417945252485408682012-10-04T13:54:00.000-07:002012-10-04T13:54:11.609-07:00Effective Marketing on Facebook - 7 TipsAre you using Facebook to market your equine or equestrian business?<br />
If so, or if you're thinking about it, take a look at his article : <a href="http://www.toptenwholesale.com/news/effective-b2b-marketing-on-facebook-7-easysteps-16924.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=effective-b2b-marketing-on-facebook-7-easysteps" target="_blank">Effective B2B Marketing on Facebook</a> by Naomi Ruth Ganhinhin. Don't worry about the B2B (business to business) bit in the title it has lots of tips to offer anyone hoping to get business via their FB such as:<br />
<br />
Completing all available fields<br />
Uploading a cover photo<br />
Highlight important posts<br />
Feature company milestone<br />
Keep it short and sweet<br />
Balance your content<br />
Consult Insights<br />
<br />
Pop over and take a look for yourself you'll find some interesting tips and all for free. <br />
<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-62490054208248549632012-10-01T13:00:00.000-07:002012-10-01T13:00:05.485-07:00Motivational Monday - Character<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S9jlD81X-NZSg6sQMNhlJ9xAoEF96zOJrIUwAC2sw1MPZX7y3lQjgckiauALYY0-sezEub2Osr8nn4pdKPIshJtMc7E3I9X7bbt2aZZA1FDYfGrxdf2IJ6eE-CK0BuU8Etqh-pKnKUc/s1600/character-is-doing-the-right-thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S9jlD81X-NZSg6sQMNhlJ9xAoEF96zOJrIUwAC2sw1MPZX7y3lQjgckiauALYY0-sezEub2Osr8nn4pdKPIshJtMc7E3I9X7bbt2aZZA1FDYfGrxdf2IJ6eE-CK0BuU8Etqh-pKnKUc/s320/character-is-doing-the-right-thing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking - J.C.WattsBiscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-51249810563136511292012-09-28T13:08:00.003-07:002012-09-28T13:09:43.243-07:00Pinterest for your equestrian businessThe top social networking sites are as follows:<br />
Facebook (7 billion), Twitter (182 million), <b>Pinterest</b> (104 million), and LinkedIn (86 million).<br />
<br />
Here are a few facts about Pinterest:<br />
50% of Pinterest users have children<br />
Almost 70% of Pinterest users are female<br />
Pinterest receives almost 1.5 million visitors each day<br />
Pinterest provides more referral traffic to other sites than Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn combined<br />
<br />
Looks like Pinterest might be the new place to be to promote your equine / equestrian business, what do you think could it work for yours? Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-44710563165849274622012-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:002012-09-23T13:12:09.715-07:00Motivational Monday - Set your goals high<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK35II4CRSrA9t0ubZpXtp0F_bWAlSwEfc78lDelJfC4C05yUjNQ-54gemcM_mWYqfwukE-gkHuEeFXZm1SWTSPV1Ut5Ka8kTTEQSlefE9GfqFugO_BVLEDhsO0uuemthslYkBck729fs/s1600/set-your-goals-high.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK35II4CRSrA9t0ubZpXtp0F_bWAlSwEfc78lDelJfC4C05yUjNQ-54gemcM_mWYqfwukE-gkHuEeFXZm1SWTSPV1Ut5Ka8kTTEQSlefE9GfqFugO_BVLEDhsO0uuemthslYkBck729fs/s400/set-your-goals-high.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Set your goals high and don't stop till you get there." - Bo Jackson</div>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-82961500528238482412012-09-16T15:07:00.003-07:002012-09-16T15:07:22.924-07:00Motivational Monday - Nothing is Impossible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT60lH_E44XezReq70HLZkfYRcq3Eq19vIEcbNCijVsVrHIirjr6Mw8pMDxUnoq-e3PCqP40p6ipfGuVwlNkTDwL-oXP7C4QtjV1BhG7UArHpx8-yOilSwnWuSfIoTJoK3mqMC8YFCe0/s1600/nothing-is-impossible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT60lH_E44XezReq70HLZkfYRcq3Eq19vIEcbNCijVsVrHIirjr6Mw8pMDxUnoq-e3PCqP40p6ipfGuVwlNkTDwL-oXP7C4QtjV1BhG7UArHpx8-yOilSwnWuSfIoTJoK3mqMC8YFCe0/s320/nothing-is-impossible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing is Impossible</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Word Itself Says</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I'M POSSIBLE</b></div>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-83880490011170465852012-09-16T15:03:00.001-07:002012-09-16T15:03:29.521-07:00BHS Riding Instructors Survey - How Riding Instructors Market Themselves
<strong>The British Horse Society is carrying out market research to
understand more about how Riding Instructors currently market
themselves.</strong> <br />
To participate in the survey please go to <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Riding_Instructors" target="_blank">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Riding_Instructors</a><br />
The findings from this survey will be announced at a conference on 3
October 2012 entitled 'Marketing yourself and your business'. The
conference, organised by The Association of Fellows and Instructors, is
supported by The British Horse Society and will be held at the BHS
headquarters in Warwickshire. At the conference a range of marketing and
social media experts will speak to delegates to help them get the most
from their business. <br /><br />For full details and how to apply please click <a href="http://www.bhs.org.uk/Press_Centre/BHS_News/%7E/media/MainSite/Press%20Centre/Marketing%20yourself%20and%20your%20business%20Conf.ashx">here</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNexq_HKTumzFZ1GuQYQSAFvG9QA1dqhHyNsNlobGlatiJ_cNMpgTFpR5IHL34fnC5mseef8gDmMydTGRinxKn4jh0szx1g4wK9tdIxmW72h6pPi3YRWVGN2M4uP4UmEjpllgXH2DnM/s1600/the-british-horse-society.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNexq_HKTumzFZ1GuQYQSAFvG9QA1dqhHyNsNlobGlatiJ_cNMpgTFpR5IHL34fnC5mseef8gDmMydTGRinxKn4jh0szx1g4wK9tdIxmW72h6pPi3YRWVGN2M4uP4UmEjpllgXH2DnM/s1600/the-british-horse-society.gif" /></a></div>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-51556513900092616672012-09-11T14:36:00.002-07:002012-09-11T14:36:33.985-07:00How to Launch Your Business into SucccessJeff Walker talks about launching your business / product in 5 straightforward steps <a href="http://www.success.com/articles/1936---launch-your-business-with-instant-success" target="_blank">here</a> and tells us his 16 rules for internet success <a href="http://jeffwalker.com/the-16-rules-of-internet-success/" target="_blank">here</a> go take a look it might give you some good ideas.Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-36326056314054827132012-09-10T14:09:00.000-07:002012-09-10T14:09:22.020-07:00Equine Industry facts<li>Over<strong> £4 billion </strong>is spent on equestrianism every year</li>
<li><strong>720,000 people own horses </strong>in the UK</li>
<li>Over half of equine businesses employ <strong>less than 5 members of staff</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>costs as much to buy a horse </strong>as it does to keep it for a year</li>
<li>The industry is <strong>dominated by women </strong>- about 70% of total employment</li>
<li>In 2008, over <strong>341,700 people participated in equestrianism every we</strong>ek</li>
<li><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: </span></em><a href="http://www.lantra.co.uk/" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lantra</span></em></a></li>
Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-24571612980803977622012-09-09T16:07:00.003-07:002012-09-09T16:07:32.723-07:00Motivational Monday - You are never too old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDg60U_kNJ4El5vKO-_okngHNygcU7Yim2TDbwEIwiIwPdx9v_k8DyZo0kd0lJTImAwG3N6tZTcGIBoqyQydSMYE7TFI-geO61DKk-pPRm60eW_c9zEl0Vmbs30l2pQk6RMzfSK7fYwBk/s1600/never-too-old-another-goal-new-dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDg60U_kNJ4El5vKO-_okngHNygcU7Yim2TDbwEIwiIwPdx9v_k8DyZo0kd0lJTImAwG3N6tZTcGIBoqyQydSMYE7TFI-geO61DKk-pPRm60eW_c9zEl0Vmbs30l2pQk6RMzfSK7fYwBk/s320/never-too-old-another-goal-new-dream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream" - C.S.Lewis</div>
<br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-66476680365159437482012-09-09T02:11:00.000-07:002012-09-09T02:11:40.385-07:005 Ways to help you get noticed and advance in your horse career<strong>1. Be Charming</strong><br />
<br />
It may be mistakenly identified with pleasing personality or be confused with it. But what divides the pleasing from the charming is that the latter is able to win the person’s heart by gaining his confidence and unknowingly open up more.<br />
Apart from keeping an appealing physical appearance, you need to learn how to make a conversation and consciously lead the person to open up. A charming person usually is able to do this within 10 minutes and as such win a lot of friends.<br />
In the professional sense, try to practice this by preparing for it with a topic to discuss, finding out more about the person you are going to talk to and rehearsing your tone of voice.<br />
<br />
<strong>2.Invest in Relationships</strong><br />
<br />
Someone who is willing to go an extra mile to give or provide a good service is someone who is willing to develop a relationship. This is a general concept in account management or in winning a girl’s heart. However, we usually take this for granted in our day-to-day interaction.<br />
By extra mile, we refer to being able to open up yourself – this time- and sometimes to the point of vulnerability. In short, it can be giving away something not necessarily intangible.<br />
Try doing this consciously among your colleagues at work. Stop by and spend a few moments to talk to those involved in your projects. Tension breaks out if people have developed some relationship and allowed some relaxed non-work discussions<br />
<br />
<strong>3. Be Warm</strong><br />
<br />
Come across as someone who genuinely cares by showing your concern for people.<br />
Ask how people are doing with their work once in a while or how they are coping with some recent pressure or load of work. Remember birthdays, names of your colleagues’ wife or kid, and other personal details. Without being too invasive, get interested in someone’s personal life to some extent.<br />
Be interested with people.<br />
<br />
<strong>4. Have Strong Ambitions</strong><br />
<br />
Dreaming big is not a problem. Expressing these visions matter too. If it has been executed and made successful, it also has to be known and appreciated.<br />
Tell your boss even your mini-visions and your successes as well. We would tend to avoid being a ‘show’ in our work environment. However, it is inevitable that we need to let people know who we are and what good we do. This is because there are people who are only good for show-offs and they will get ahead of you. Nobody wants people getting up in the ranks who do not deserve it.<br />
Show your low hanging fruits in regular meetings but let it appear like reporting what happened. Talk about your plans for your work or team that are promising<br />
<br />
5. <strong>Have a ‘can do’ attitude.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
It’s not about always saying yes. It’s about showing your openness to new challenges and showing interest on both the pros and cons of these issues.<br />
Show a positive outlook without losing realism. Given a difficult assignment that is almost impossible, say what you think can be done and cannot be done without closing the doors. Say that you will investigate further instead of saying “I don’t know the answer” .<br />
<br />
Great tips taken from a blog post written by <a href="http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/how-to-get-noticed-and-advance-in-your-career/" target="_blank">Rob Leonardo</a> for <em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/how-to-get-noticed-and-advance-in-your-career/" target="_blank">Pick the Brain</a></span></em>Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041229622665565230.post-66456149412646925882012-09-07T15:23:00.004-07:002012-09-07T15:23:52.414-07:00Dubarry and a lesson in selling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGWomiI4cXPvqAu-M8gsA7P1UCy0D5gfXgL6mzzmYvotxSB9yQL4Xmz6UabmDq4j6PwTJ-QBANCV9oZ9dPPyzh33mDUadUKoK96yVyg3d4eGjjEQSz3jqMXE3r5PdoPbXYTk1AmfpAC4/s1600/Dubarry-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGWomiI4cXPvqAu-M8gsA7P1UCy0D5gfXgL6mzzmYvotxSB9yQL4Xmz6UabmDq4j6PwTJ-QBANCV9oZ9dPPyzh33mDUadUKoK96yVyg3d4eGjjEQSz3jqMXE3r5PdoPbXYTk1AmfpAC4/s1600/Dubarry-man.jpg" /></a></div>
So last weekend at the Burghley Horse Trials <a href="http://www.dubarryboots.com/" target="_blank">Dubarry </a>'s stand was heaving with customers and <a href="http://www.dubarryboots.com/" target="_blank">Dubarry</a> sales people handing out champagne. At £299 a pair of boots they will have taken thousands and thousands of £££'s.<br />
BUT<br />
watching one particular sale Dubarry missed out on extra sales simply by not offering care products for their boots. It wouldn't even have been difficult for the sales person as the gentleman concerned actually asked how he should care for his new purchase. He was told to use saddle soap. Now that's great, equestrians usually have loads of saddle soap<br />
BUT<br />
Dubarry have loads of leather care products<br />
Leather Cream £12<br />
Footwear Cleaner £8<br />
Footwear Conditioner £8<br />
Nubeuck Protector £8<br />
Footwear Care Trial Pack £10<br />
Replace-a-lace kit £10<br />
just what was the sales person thinking when he was given the golden opportunity to increase the value of his sale?<br />
In all honesty he shouldn't have to have been asked about care he should have told his customer and suggested products without prompting.<br />
Now there is a lesson to be learned here by all you folk out there with equestrian businesses, <strong>maximise your sales</strong>!<br />
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<em></em><br />Biscuithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02329090544128194573noreply@blogger.com0