If your business markets to a more mature audience, they are less likely to be familiar with video marketing than other groups. While adults in all age groups are actively using new technologies, the exposure to, and use of video by adults over 50 is still below that of other age demographics. Because of this, businesses have a golden opportunity to energize mature consumers by using video in their marketing efforts.

Video email has evolved into a marketing dynamo by: quickly engaging viewers, reinforcing company branding and providing multiple calls-to-action. These elements gain traction among all age groups but can be even more effective with an older audience that places greater value on brand loyalty and personal interaction. Imagine the interest generated by a video email that demonstrates your latest product, or talks directly to a prospect about valuable services available from your company. The WOW factor, so often talked about, is actually delivered! Their attention is grabbed and your video message is more closely studied than a comparable text message would be. (It is very common for viewers to watch a video, or sections of a video, multiple times.)

Once the video has been viewed and excitement built, direct viewers to your website ‘Product’ or ‘Buy Now’ pages with handy exit links located right on the video template. There is even an option to play a video in front of a partially masked website. When the viewer exits the video the website is automatically displayed – without the need for links! This is a highly efficient method of selling a particular product or garnering seminar/event registrations.

Adults over 50 are embracing Facebook, Twitter and other social networks in ever-increasing numbers, so be sure to include social media links on your template to help build a following and further engage viewers.

By incorporating video into your marketing blueprint you maximize product and service exposure, while minimizing small, difficult to read text. Video also presents your message on two levels-visual and audio-promoting greater absorption and retention of the material.

Mature consumers are more likely to respond to a business that appeals to them on a personal level. Video messages offer opportunities for the owner, CEO, service representative and others to speak directly to viewers, conveying their enthusiasm, commitment and sincerity-building trust and familiarity more quickly than conventional ad layouts possibly can.

The Rise of Entrepreneurship in the Work from Home Industry–and the mistakes most people make

Let’s be honest: with the economy at an all-time chaotic high, more people than ever before are facing financial uncertainty–whether it’s in the job market or under their current employer–and more than ever the average person is exploring how else they might augment their income. And therein lies the rub, as most people get stuck in a storm of information and false promises and often fail to do anything as a consequence. And while many would like to follow outside pursuits on their own, a number of challenges stand in the way.

Some Can Be Avoided However

Three great mistakes made by aspiring entrepreneurs.

1. Lack of knowledge. Last weekend while attending a polo match ( for the first, hopefully not the last, time ) with my wife we sat around with a group of friends as the evening began to wind down and the sun starting to cool just a fraction and one of the things that came up was the belief many people have that to truly become rich ( and I wold define this as financially free with the ability to do whatever you want ) you pretty much have to invent something these days. This is simply not true; however most people do not understand even in a work from home business–particularly network marketing or direct selling–you don’t have to do any of the hard work of investing a product or plan or anything. Instead one simply must know how to market, how to instruct others, and how to lead them. Now there are many entrepreneurs in this field but the advantage of it is one doesn’t have to be terribly creative to succeed, just determined.

2. Lack of leadership. Many folks who’ve come up with a brilliant idea or would love to pursue something outside of their nine to five simply don’t know where to begin. They have no idea where to turn and thus give up before they’ve really begun. Now, this isn’t the sign of a true entrepreneur, but sometimes these people need a push as well.

Like a free puppy

When it comes to direct selling as we mentioned above, oftentimes the case is that someone participating in this type of venture was brought on board by a friend or acquaintance who is likely making little money themselves and has next to zero experience in marketing. Further, because of their inexperience when the folks above them instruct with phrases like “just tell everyone you know”, they do–then wind up frustrated when they not only don’t find success but alienate folks as well. Too many people are not taught to focus on the benefits to OTHERS instead of themselves, or how to make it worth a prospects while for them to participate.

3. Ignorance. Again, when it comes to network marketing this plays a major factor. I’ve found many people do not even fully grasp the concept themselves and perhaps this is why many then have difficulty explaining it properly to others. Look at the below picture. What does it look like?

Though it might be little hard to read for some, this is a picture of a franchise model–not a network marketing scheme. The franchise model is proven on a number of levels–it’s why people will pay millions of dollars to start one, even with the full knowledge that they may not profit for years.

However the person that really makes the money is the franchisor who gets paid off of the efforts of each franchisee as well from sales the company makes.

This is the true power of network marketing–anyone has the ability to be both franchisee and franchisor with a much smaller investment!

So if the system is so great, how does one really grow their network marketing business effectively?

Learning the skills of real marketers, getting a mentor and following a proven blueprint [http://networkmarketinghow-to.org/]. I’ve laid out exactly how to do all this already when you simply click the link above.

If there’s one social media platform that perhaps doesn’t get the attention it deserves, it’s LinkedIn. Yes, most professionals and employees of Fortune 500 companies have put up their profiles and enjoy interacting with others within the site, but many people still remain skeptical about the value of LinkedIn. This is especially true when it comes to small business owners and direct sellers – most of them aren’t using LinkedIn to its fullest potential.

So why exactly should small business owners and direct sellers get linked? Let’s tackle some of the best ways they can use this platform for their business.

1. It helps give you a good impression

LinkedIn is the social networking site for businesses and professionals, so as a small business owner or direct seller, it really makes a good impression if you’re on LinkedIn, have a complete profile there, and are using the platform to network with people.

Let’s face it – Facebook, Twitter, and the like, are more about being social and connecting with friends and families. With LinkedIn, the discussions are far more informative and useful, and people really offer great content and are willing to go the extra mile to answer any questions you have with some really good information. With other social networking sites, you’re more likely to get silly and funny answers that don’t really offer value to the discussion.

Also, nowadays, more and more people are using LinkedIn to find services that they need – after all, who would you trust better: someone you found through Google Search or someone you’re connected to through LinkedIn, whom one of your close networks actually recommends? The latter, I believe, has a lot more going for her.

2. Answering questions can result in new clients

The question and answer feature in LinkedIn is really an excellent way to show people your knowledge and showcase your expertise. People who post questions here are really looking for good information, and if you’re able to provide it, you may actually land yourself a new client or customer. Or even if you don’t, you never know where your answer may be featured, which can result in increased traffic for your website or simply more people knowing about your brand.

3. Find the right people that can help your business move forward

As a direct seller or small business owner, you really can’t say that you’re an expert at everything. This is why sometimes you have to rely on outsourcing services that you need in order to move your business forward. Well, LinkedIn is an excellent platform to find these vendors. Through your network, you can ask for recommendations or referrals, and you’ll be surprised at how easily you can find the perfect candidate for the job or project you have in mind.

4. Promote events or meet ups

LinkedIn is a great way to promote an event you’re hosting or attending in your local community. Unlike other social networking sites where it will most likely just get lost in all the noise and clutter, with LinkedIn, you will be able to reach more likeminded people who are possibly as interested in the cause as you are. So it’s really a win-win situation. They’re also more likely to know other people and would be willing to share the news about your event with their network.

5. Connect with other small business owners and direct sellers

There’s a saying that goes, “keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.” Well, though you really shouldn’t consider other business owners and direct sellers as enemies… they’re more like healthy competitors whom you can actually connect with and possibly learn from. After all, no matter how successful your business is, you surely can’t claim to know everything yet, and it’s always good to see what others are doing in order to come up with fresh ideas for your own brand.

6. Get more traffic to your blog or website

By making sure you have a complete profile and are actively participating in LinkedIn discussions, groups, questions and answers, and sharing with your network, you can really get more traffic to your blog or website. And the best part is, the traffic is a lot richer since these are fellow professionals and business owners who may also be interested in the products or services you’re offering.

You may even be surprised to know that LinkedIn also offers you analytics that shows you how many page views you’re getting, clicks on any links you have, visitors to your services, and so much more. This is really an excellent tool to help you determine how you can improve your page and drive more traffic to your site.

As a small business owner or direct seller, you really shouldn’t ignore the value that LinkedIn can offer you. It may not be as popular as Facebook and Twitter in terms of number of users, but it is definitely the best social networking site for professionals and business owners in existence. So make sure that you’re using it well in order to get the most benefit from it.

If you’re looking to promote your business, company or product and you’re not in one of the major markets such as Los Angeles or New York, PR should be high on your marketing to do list. Public Relation is a way to position yourself as an expert in your field and to gain the credibility and validation to allow you to compete with the competition in larger markets.

This type of media coverage can benefit you in several ways. It can garner you media coverage in your target market, it can establish you as an expert nationally and locally and it can gain you the same credibility as your larger competitors. If you’re a small business, chances are you could never compete with your larger competitors when it comes to traditional advertising or direct marketing. Doing so is just too cost prohibitive. But media relations can help level the playing field. Being featured in a newspaper, magazine or TV segment presents you as the expert, and your company or product becomes the news.

The upside is that a public relations campaign offers you an affordable option to take your message directly to your target market. If you’re in a smaller media market, and you professionally present your story to the local media, your chances of landing a story are maximized. The large markets have heavy competition. Everyone is looking for coverage there. By initially focusing on the smaller markets you can gain local coverage and start establishing your business. You can then take that media and magnify it online. Post it on your blog, Tweet the link to the article, post it on Facebook and other social media sites. The internet allows you to turn a local story into an international story.

You can then use your local media to pitch the national outlets. Once you’ve landed local media coverage, you are legitimately a story. Use that initial coverage to position yourself as an expert and pitch your story to larger media outlets.

If you have a locally based business, the local and regional media markets are reached. It speaks directly to your clients and customers. The national media then offers your business the validation and credibility of the major players in your field. Both have their uses, but by combining the two approaches you’ll get the most bang for your PR buck. Remember, media begets media. It’s a cumulative process. Start local and then build.