Eric Ungs

Posted by Eric Ungs

When I first purchased this book, ‘The Power of Less’ by Leo Babauta (blog Zen Habits), I was extremely excited and eager to start reading. The concepts and ideas in the book are things I always think about but never take the time in achieving them. I wanted to read this book to sort of nudge me to get out of this ‘winter is almost here’ rut, and to view these ideas in a new light.

The first part of the book was disappointing for me.

Not because it was bad writing or the content wasn’t valuable, but because the excitement and hype I had created going into this book suddenly dissipated. It was gone. I had lost interest in the topic and got to the point where I almost shut it down.

I gave it another shot…

Upon picking back up where I left off I quickly became enriched in his advice and ideas. I suddenly began to feel motivated and driven in certain parts of my life where it was definitely lacking or non existant all together.

I am a runner and I watch what I eat and it seems every year this time when the air starts to get colder and the days are much shorter, I start to lose focus on what it is that makes me happy. I came to a point in the book where my motivation was at new heights and I took a break from reading to go on a short run. It felt great!

This read encourages you to eliminate the nonessential that takes up your life.

By eliminating, or at least reducing, the nonessentials in your life you are able to give 100% focus and attention on the essentials. It really forces you to focus on what makes you happy and what feeds your passion in both your personal and work life. For me it was eating healthy and just running because I liked the way I felt after successfully accomplishing both.

There are things he touches on to eliminate or cut back on that just aren’t doable for some, but the message he is portraying is crystal clear.

If you are in a rut in finding what makes you happy in life or it is was put on the back burner, this read will reignite that flame. It will encourage you to set personal and professional goals and it lays out a sketch of how to achieve them by simplifying your life, by breaking down goals to sub goals, by breaking down projects to manageable tasks, etc. Concentrating on the important items fully with no distractions or multi-tasking, results in higher productivity.

“If we’re always in a hurry to get places. when will we get to our destination and finally be happy?”

“Life is a journey — make it a pleasant one.” 

Posted by Eric Ungs

At the end of each week I will share with you the interesting things I came across through my “e’s Week in Review” post. It could be anything; blog posts, tech products, new apps., quotes, etc. If you have found any interesting tidbits or news, please share in the comments below, I’d love to hear about them.

Posted by Eric Ungs

Marketing is getting people who have a specific need or problem to know, like, and trust you.

This is the definition John Jantsch uses for small business marketing. John is the author of  “Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide“. This is the type of book where you read it once and ideas flow, then you read it again filling in your own marketing strategy. It really gets you excited about communicating your business.

Everyone is in the marketing business.

John refers to this statement over and over again. Regardless of your product or service, your in the marketing business. Small business owners get overwhelmed in even a simple thought of implementing any kind of marketing on top of running their day-to-day business operations. If you, as a business owner, use just one core ingredient to start out with your  plan, your business will reap benefits. But, the outcome lies in being consistent and true to that one ingredient. When your ready, grab some more duct tape and put its sticky system to use.

Before you can implement anything there are two elements that must be answered:

1.) Identify your ideal client.

What does your most loyal customer look like?

2.) You don’t sell goods and services, you sell solutions to problems.

What are you really selling? (click here for further thoughts)

After some soul-searching and really understanding who your client is and what they’re really purchasing, this lays down a solid foundation to build a successful campaign.

John really emphasizes on creating a group of extremely loyal customers (influencers), and then utilizing his referral system. This group of influencers can take your profits from a flat line to a steady upward slope.

Not only did I read this book with  a mindset of marketing a small business, I also read it in terms of marketing my own personal brand. I think there are a lot of relevant elements in doing so… I want to dig a little deeper into this thought and will post something soon.

This book definitely needs to be in the hands of anyone doing any kind of business. It’s a thought-provoking read in the way you view your own business image and how you can get your customers to see it the same way, if not better. The short review tips at the end of each chapter are excellent refreshers and the examples are idea generators.

Is this a two thumbs up read? If you’ve read it, let me know what you thought?

Posted by Eric Ungs

Photo courtesy of mrkittycatguy

This weekend I started reading “Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide” by John Jantsch (amazon link). He also has a very informative blog and podcast.

I am currently a little over half way through and right off the bat, 30 pages in, he poses a question that I couldn’t get out of my mind. I stopped, pondered and grabbed an old fashion pen and paper and started writing.

This question is an important aspect in forming a solid marketing plan and doing any type of loyal business. The way you answer is even more crucial.

What are you really selling?

Answering this question correctly is the first step in setting your business apart from your competition. It’s what encourages repeat business and referrals. It’s what creates a trusting and well-respected relationship between seller and buyer.

Most will answer this question with some kind of product or service, some kind of physicality. But that’s not the case at all. As a business owner you need to dig deep and do some soul-searching in what it really is that consumers are purchasing from you.

As a Realtor, for example, your answer shouldn’t be just homes. What you are really selling are memories, neighborhoods, sense of security, pride, new chapters, new beginnings, 4th of July barbecues on the back deck, snow forts in the front yard, etc.

Once you are able to communicate to the buyers what they’re really buying (and disclosing what’s in it for them) then your service becomes unique.

Tom Peters quotes the Harley Davidson executive who said: “What we sell is the ability for a 43-year-old accountant to dress in black leather, ride through small towns and have people be afraid of him.” They don’t sell motorcycles.

So, what are you really selling?

Posted by Eric Ungs

At the end of each week I will share with you the interesting things I came across through my “e’s Week in Review” post. It could be anything; blog posts, tech products, new apps., quotes, etc. If you have found any interesting tidbits or news, please share in the comments below, I’d love to hear about them.