Marketing toolkit
February 8, 2011 by Barbara · 6 Comments
Don’t get overwhelmed. This is a menu of options, and you can’t possibly do everything at once. Pick things that fit you, your business, and your audience. Start by focusing on what you want to make happen, and let that guide your next steps and the details. Read more
Do-it-yourself marketing audit
February 3, 2011 by Barbara · 8 Comments
Ongoing marketing is essential for a viable business, especially during a slow economy. With increased competition it is more important than ever to be clear about who you are targeting, what they care about, and how your business can meet their needs. Your clear messages tell your potential clients about you, and help them decide whether they want to work with you. For more about target audiences, try this blog post.
Ideally, we have an ongoing marketing program that brings a steady flow of clients and projects maintain our momentum. But what if we don’t? Read more
The power of asking questions
January 19, 2011 by Barbara · 8 Comments
January is a favorite time to release forecasts about the coming year. In a changing economy, some of us might look to forecasts to provide supporting evidence for our hopes or fears.
This season of forecasts inspired me to create my own. It’s great to know what is going on nationally, but I would like to know more about what my AEC industry colleagues around Seattle see coming this year. Read more
December reflections – looking back at 2010
December 31, 2010 by Barbara · 14 Comments
With the new year upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on the year just ending and look ahead at what we want to create in 2011. If we don’t take time to evaluate and learn from our experiences, we are more likely to miss new opportunities or repeat our mistakes. Reviewing the prior year gives us a chance to connect the dots in our own business (and life) and to notice the pattern of changes from year to year. This process keeps us up-to-date with ourselves as well as the changing marketplace. I offer some questions and invite you to carve out a few hours of quiet time for this valuable practice. Read more
Guidelines help companies implement social media
November 4, 2010 by Barbara · 8 Comments
I sense a sea change regarding the A/E/C industry’s use of social media. Everywhere I go, I ask, “How is your firm engaging with social media?”
I used to hear “We just don’t know how it would help our business,” and “We’re too busy to add anything.” Now I hear “We are getting ready to implement _____ ,” as often as the first answer. The tide is turning.
How are you or your firm engaging with social media and networking? Read more
Sign up for the eZine
As a 25-year veteran of marketing professional services, Barbara Breckenfeld is a strategist and a storyteller. She helps helps businesses grow as a consultant, marketing coach, and seminar leader.
