Really, this is one of two major changes Facebook has ever done; the other being the comment notification change.

Also, the new Facebook page layout has disrupted the flow of traditional “IM” Facebook page templates, so if you made any mods to your page you should check it out to see if it still works.

I think this new change is incredibly powerful from a market leadership point of view. Because the notifications, and interactions that you get to do now with your fans is totally seamless. It just works better.

I have some really exciting changes that I’m going to do on my Facebook page in the coming weeks and I invite you to come along for the ride.

Just like my page and keep checking the blog for all the news about this stuff. – “See what I did there, I got you to like my page ”

And no this is not part of any secret launch or anything weird like that.

Just good ol’ fashion content to help you along.

Facebook is a part of the plan for my niche businesses, and websites this year. It should be a part of yours too.

The reality is it is getting pretty noisy on Facebook lately because everybody is promoting it. So, you really have to be super cool to your fans, and your customers if you want them to stick around and get to know and your company/brand.

I think there will come a time where Facebook is no longer the coolest kid on the block, but for now this platform is where your customers are. And because of that, that is where you need to be.

Talk soon,
Mark

P.S. Be sure to like me and come along for the ride.

Now before you say… “You don’t expect me to read your year old e-book?”

Hear me out.

95% of the stuff in there is highly relevant even to this day.

The only thing I would change is more emphasis on YouTube videos. I am generating a lot of traffic from YouTube vids right now. You can expect a blog post about that shortly.

It’s all about the fundamentals, and there are some key tips in there.

Especially if you have just heard me speak over the weekend a lot of the information in there should make a lot of sense.

If not, use it as a jump off point to further your education. Either way it is yours totally free.

You can download it below…

Download the Micro Niche presentation handout.

Hope you enjoy it, and if you like it just tweet or share it along.

Thanks,
Mark

Around the start of the year, and then again around Late Summer some industry trade shows are held in Florida and that is where we get to see some of the latest products for season, talk with reps, order merchandise, etc.

Without fail there are always some obnoxious reps, reps that couldn’t give-a-crap, reps that follow you around the booth all stoic, and the list goes on and on and on.

Basically, I wonder why they are there.

Why would I give them my business?

However, this year the utter lack of caring and rudeness became more apparent to me since reading the wonderful book Un-Marketing by Scott Stratton. A part of his book is on this very topic. It is a great read, and the guy clearly “gets it”. You should buy it off Amazon or better yet your local book store.

But, amongst all the epic fails there manages to be some guy or gal that engages with me (the customer) on a level that is on a different plane. They shine the most amazing bursts of ethereal light, that sometimes you question is this really happening. And after the initial shock, you quickly get over it and talk some business.

So, it got me thinking. What sets these individuals apart from the pack? I settled on this…

They actually want your business. They act like they want to be there, they don’t just “show up”. They are willing to go that extra mile so to speak, and for that they are rewarded with my business.

Let me clarify something here.

Their product has to be a Rock Star. If it’s not… No matter how nice they are to me they’re still not getting my business. Because at the end of the day I still have to put money in the bank.

But, there are probably a lot of really good products out there.

The ones that get my business will be from the folks who care enough to engage.

If you are just starting a business, or are already out there in the marketplace. Think of how you can engage your prospects, clients, and customers in a way that will rock their socks off.

Today, there was this one company that did everything right.

The owner and the guy working the booth really left an impression. He was attentive, his product was attractive, prices are reasonable, cared enough to listen, cared enough to ask questions, told me about his product lines, payment and order taking was a breeze. It just worked. Guess what? Out of 140 booths I stopped by today he was the only booth that got my business. (The other I might get later, I might not. Most of them won’t even follow up with so I will probably end up forgetting they exist.)

Here’s another fact. That was the only person who engaged me.

There are some awesome ways to engage your customers at trade shows.

Here are some tips to do that…

• Look them in the eye.
• Listen to what they have to say. Don’t just hear.
• Care enough to ask them about there own business, or store.
• Explain your products clearly, with passion.
• Don’t sell crap. Sell quality things with a real potential for both parties to make a profit.
• Don’t sell everywhere, to everyone. (This is very important to specialty retail stores like ours, it gives that exclusivity and feeling of protection.)
• Don’t sit on a chair in the corner on a laptop. Stand up and be attentive.
• Talk with them, show them around, and make them feel welcomed.
• Engage.

At the end of the day, why come all the down to Florida to talk on your cell phone and not talk to potential customers that are there standing in front of your booth. That is why you bought the booth, setup space, and are taking time on the weekends! You want more business!

So, I hope you can take some of the tips and find a space for them in your business. If you are already engaging; great. Because with the internet, and some very savvy entrepreneurs out there that are changing the way customers buy things. Companies that do not keep up with the times will become extinct like all things that don’t evolve.

If you want my business, you have to engage me.

- Mark

After many hard working months from all the folks who contributed to WordPress 3.0… You can now download it for your blog.

I’ve been running a development release as well as the release candidate version for about a month now on MarkDelDegan.com and numerous other sites and have enjoyed all the new features like shortcode generators, the look and feel, and new custom page links.

WordPress has truly graduated to the full blown content management system. And I love it.

I will do a follow up post to this one on some of the cool stuff that I’m doing with WordPress 3.0 so you can can look forward to that.

But in the meantime here is how you upgrade your blog. (Your plugins should be updated but it always best to backup first; I use this plugin for easy WordPress backups WP-DB-Backup.)

Step #1 – Login to your self hosted wordpress blog.

Step #2 - Click the upgrade to WP 3.0 button at the top of your screen. (See image below.)

Click on the please update now. (So polite.)

Step #4 Click on the upgrade automatically button.

Click the upgrade automatically.

Step#5 – Wait for the downloader to do it’s thing. And…. Your done! (Easy eh.)

There is going to be a lot of really cool implementation techniques come out of this release, but for now enjoy the work of the people who made this all possible.

One last thing…

Check out this video for a overview on some of the new features.

That’s all for now.

- Mark

I have a really cool offer for you.

Yesterday, I shot 4 brand new training videos as a bonus for opting in to my list. (Cause I’m like that.)

Here are the topics…

• How to choose a niche market
• The blog “profit” blueprint
• The easy sales video formula
• 5 secrets to get more traffic

They are broken up into modules so you can reference them later if you like.

I really enjoyed making them for you so here is how to get them…

Go to the home page on http://markdeldegan@gmail.com and opt in to the newsletter in the middle of the page.

After you confirm I’ll send em’ out to you.

That’s it for this time. Have a good week!

Talk soon,
Mark

P.S. Tell your friends about the offer.

P.S.S. If you like the videos let me know, I’m always interested in what you have to say.

Bloggers and web professionals have it tough – being constantly and consistently creative in every blog post is no small task. It requires inspiration stamina and resourcefulness. When you’re feeling down and out but need to keep those posts on churning, try these tips to keep your creative spirit well-fed and full of energy.

#1 – Write a letter to your Best Client
We all need to feel well liked from now and then. And the “light bulb” of ideas to entertain and keep your followers coming back is no different. With pen and paper, begin a letter with “Dear My Best Client Ever,” and simultaneously let your mind wander, stream-of-consciousness style, without ever stopping the pen from moving across the page. Apologize for not giving the best service ever. Ask questions. Thank them for the great ideas you used on that last project. Get all the things bothering you off your chest. Even doodle if you have to. Your fictitious best client will awaken and respond to the positive attention — and you may just feel a lightbulb or two come on.

#2 – Give your right brain a rest
Give your left brain something to do for a change and let the right brain take a vacation. Next time you need some time away from a creative project, try doing a crossword puzzle or word search puzzle. It will give your creative side a break while keeping you mentally stimulated.

#3 – Volunteer with or help others
Very simple: help others with something, and it will reward you tenfold. Visit a local nursing home, habitat for humanity, relay for life and get out there to help. I personally came back from a St. Petersburg College wide Relay for Life and the whole positive message and raising money for cancer made my mind and body feel a lot better. Also, if you see someone struggling with a task that you have specialized knowledge do not be afraid to lend some advice. Trust me it will come back to you.

#4 – Try something new
Take a trip outside your normal comfort zone. Try a new food – Veagen cuisine is quite delicious! New activities or sports will awaken your body, firing synapses to your brain, opening up new possibilities of thoughts and ideas. Wear a crazy shirt on your next day off. Read a different genre of novel or watch a different genre of film than you’re accustomed to, and see how your imagination reacts.

#5 – Revisit past projects
Take a gander at your own best work, creatively & professionally. Where did that *spark* come from for those projects? In what ways could you emulate that now?

#6 – Make an inspiration board
Make a visual splash page of your ideas. These can be focused thoughts, such as if you have a project at hand, or totally unfocused if you’re simply brainstorming. Create a vibrant collection of daring “what-ifs?” Stand back and observe. Notice anything?

#7 – Creative Intelligence
Look at what made you laugh, inspired, or entertained from other bloggers in industry. Emulate the idea behind what they do and put your own spin on it. I follow three bloggers faithfully and it lets me unwind for six to seven minutes. See if you can let your audience unwind.

Until your next inspiration, and remember to always entertain.
- Mark