API is another one of those TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms) that we have grown to hate and it does not stand for Apple Pie International. It actually stands for Application Program Interface and one pretty good definition is:

Application program interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API specifies how software components should interact.

Ok, so now you’ve got it right? No? The definition made it so much more clear, NOT.

If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you and your company have developed some specialized expertise in your chosen business area. Some of it is likely proprietary but much of it you have no problem sharing. Or at least you should have no problem sharing as it can be a great way to get new clients/customers/patients and keep existing ones.

An often overlooked way to share that information is through a membership website. Sure, you need to have some information on the public side of your website, but you can keep the real juicy gems for those who sign-up as members.

The answer is not obvious. A better question might be “Should I Change Hosting Providers?” The answer to that question is ‘maybe’.

You likely spent a chunk of change on your website and a reasonable amount more on other marketing driving prospects and clients to your website. In addition, you may have read my articles on why everyone needs a membership site and set one up on your site. Or maybe worst of all, you do eCommerce on your site and it’s not protected.

SBSM is an abbreviation for the Small Business Success Method. It was introduced by Clate Mask at Infusionsoft’s ICON16. It is a complete formula for success for your business, provided that you can follow it accurately, and that is the trick.

Here I just want to outline what it is and perhaps in a future article I’ll identify why you need discipline and determination to follow the method….trust me I know! I might even tell you how I know.

Want an idea to swipe for your February marketing? Check out the article in this issue entitled, “Skip the Chocolate?” for a couple of killer ideas on using Valentine’s Day in your marketing.

For more info on the two companies highlighted, check out Tommy John and Smiling Dog Pet Services blog. You can’t borrow their stuff word-for-word (aka plagiarize, aka copyright infringement) but you can use the general concept and translate it for your unrelated business.

Well, it is only a few days until we inaugurate Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. I don’t know where you stand, but I think that it going to be great having Mr. Trump as our President. Only time will tell. But let’s not waste it!

However, regardless of your feelings about President-elect Trump, I think that we can all agree that there will some significant changes from the past administration. We should have a much more pro-business atmosphere in this country with less pressure from the government on businesses. The way that this may be felt the most is the promised corporate and personal tax cuts.

Just because your customers may be distracted by the holidays doesn’t mean you, as a business owner, should take the holiday season off. You still have value to offer your customers and prospects that you can easily relate to the holidays.

Our gifts to you are here and ready for you to download but, first, let me finish my thought...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving which is right around the corner, I have 5 cool business resources I’m so thankful for that I really want to share them with you. Most I use all the time, and one is new to my arsenal, but all are amazingly useful.

Here goes…

The terms brand and identity are often used interchangeably which causes confusion when businesses are trying to create relationships with their customers.

Your brand is what people see - colors, logos, tagline, etc. Your identity is who you are, at the heart of your business.

Anyone who handles customer service in their business understands that feeling when the customer or prospect asks the same question again… and again. You paste a smile on your face  and be careful what you type when you respond with the same answer again… and again.

In all fairness, sometimes it’s the same question but a different person asking it. But the frustration is the same when you have to answer the same question over and over.

Do you write? Words? Music?

Do you draw? Paint? Photograph?

Do you perform? Act? Sing? Dance? Record?

Are you protected?

It doesn’t matter if you are B2B or B2C, you are generating content even if it’s ad hoc emails you send to your list. Ideally, you are generating content to provide tons of value to your clients/customers and prospects. Need an expert in your corner?

I’ve been following the Content Marketing Institute emails and blog for a long time. The content they deliver is high value, high integrity, highly focused, and worth every minute you spend reading it.

There are many good reasons for having more than one Infusionsoft application in your business. We’ll talk about some of them.

I can hear you now, “I can barely maintain my one app!” I get it! We are always dealing with several apps at a time for our clients and sometimes it feels like there is always something to do or some tweak to make over here or over there.

In just a few days, it will be time to watch the ball drop. Will you be in Times Square this year? I’ve heard it’s exciting and chaotic with the crowds. I’m generally a homebody when it comes to New Year’s Eve, preferring to watch the ball drop on TV and eat Chinese food washed down with a glass of champagne.

The next day I’m always inspired to think about the coming year and what it might bring or, rather, what I can make happen. The challenge of the future inspires my creative thinking process and gets my juices flowing.

How do you communicate with your customers and prospects throughout the year?

Do you blog, write an e-newsletter, post on social media, send mail, create audio/video, Facebook Live, create infographics, e-books or white papers, do webinars, or anything else?