October 6, 2015May 30, 2016 by Copley Sutton

What does your perfect customer look like?

The question, “Who is your perfect customer?” is an important one. At Leapfrog Media, we want to know what type of client you as a business manager want to target. We ask this question for five important reasons. Here they are.

We want to know how you customers think

If we know who your customer is, we can better determine what they want. Ask yourself this question: “What thought process does my perfect customer go through before needing my product or service?”

Once you’ve answered this question, we can adjust your marketing campaigns to fit. For instance, if your perfect customer is a woman between the ages of 30 and 45, we can better establish how and why she would sign up for a ladies gym membership.

This is what direct marketing is all about. Benefits of this kind of strategy include:

Less money spent on futile advertising
A better return on investment
Higher customer acquisition
A more targeted marketing approach

We need to establish where your customers ‘hang out’

If we’re going to target your customers, we want to know where to find them. Do they hang out at skate parks, or are they sitting in front of their computers most of the day?

If we know who they are, we must establish where they frequent. Can we use their ‘hang out’ spots as leverage to promote your brand? If there’s a way to do so, we’ll find it!

We tweak your content and brand image accordingly

If we can successfully profile your perfect customer, it won’t take us long to tweak your company presence in a way that appeals to them. But how can Leapfrog Media be so confident in this claim?

Our team of experts are adept at fine-tuning all aspects of your online reputation. This includes:

Your social media profiles
Your company’s website presence
Your blogging habits
Your ad campaigns

All these aspects represent your company, and we want to make sure that each one portrays the RIGHT MESSAGE!

We can establish the best social media platform for your business

We already touched on social media tweaking, but it’s worth looking into more deeply.

There’s much at stake when choosing the right social media platform for your brand. Don’t just default to the popular ones—go for the one that will do the most for you.

SEO experts are very aware of what respective benefits each social media platform offers. For example: Facebook wouldn’t be ideal for a business law firm, but may do well for a freelance photographer.

There are so many new social media platforms available now, and Leapfrog Media is familiar with the best ones. We use this knowledge to focus in on your unique demographic.

We get to know your customers – They get to know YOU

Putting all of these points together, we can successfully answer the question first posed. We ask you who your perfect customer is because we want you to appeal to that perfect customer.

We work diligently behind the scenes to portray you correctly. Online reputation management is hard work, and we know you’re too busy giving great service to bother with it! That’s where we come in.

So, isn’t it time you opted for an online marketing firm that understands the uniqueness of your brand?

About the author: Copley Sutton is an international copywriter working from South Africa. Over the years, he has developed a reputation for being reliable, timely, diverse and accurate when it comes to copywriting projects.

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015 by Copley Sutton

5 Essential Tools for Advanced Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance

The difference between mediocre landscaping and perfect landscaping is often in the equipment. There are a number of excellent landscaping tools every good garden service should possess. Among the following five essential pieces of equipment are high-end lawn maintenance tools, as well as general cleaning devices. Consider each one for the enhancement of your landscaping service.

Zero-Turn Mowers

For precise lawn mowing and excellent manoeuvrability, zero-turn mowers are a must-have. Many medium to large gardens have complex garden bed edges which can be difficult to navigate. Every garden also has that tight area which is hard to get to without the right equipment. Bear in mind the size of the mower you opt for. Narrower models are a safer option because of their versatility. They are more gate-friendly and ideal for compact garden areas.

Mini Excavators

In order to perform proper, professional landscaping services, there is no substitute for a mini excavator. These excavators deliver 360 degree turning in small areas while performing digging tasks that would take a person hours to do. There are now models available in approximately 27 inches wide and even smaller. Again, a smaller model is your wisest choice so that it can fit through narrow gateways and tight garden areas. You also want an excavator that is easy to transport to your various job sites.

Skid-Steer Loaders

Skid-steer loaders are like mini tractors and are perfect for moving—or removing—large piles of gravel or refuse. Various attachments can also be fitted to the arm of a skid-steer loader in order to speed up landscaping tasks. Tasks include—but are not limited to—logging, clearing and rock removal. The versatility and speed of these machines deliver a great return on investment by reducing your need for laborers and resulting in less work completion time. There are also certain tasks that just cannot be done properly without the benefits of heavier garden machinery.

Weed Eaters & Hedge Trimmers

Neatness is what separates the good landscaping companies from the great ones. Weed eaters and hedge trimmers allow your workers to bring real refinement to garden beds and sidewalks. Large, complex gardens often have pebble-bed areas, stepping stones, and bricked sidewalks—all of which look horrible when covered in renegade grass. These devices zone in on those hard-to-reach places and render them neat and distinguished.

Backpack Blowers

Portable backpack blowers are perfect for large gardens. The operator can move to any section without having to worry about a power connection or frustrating cables. Strong blowers are able to clear a large garden area within a fraction of the time it would take to sweep or rake. Landscaping and lawn maintenance involves a lot of cleaning up—especially during fall when trees are dropping leaves by the thousands. These devices come in a range of battery- or fuel operated choices—either of which will suit your needs as a landscaper.

To remain ahead in a competitive industry, landscapers are encouraged to buy high quality tools to reduce time and fit more clients into their schedule. These tools and machines will not only increase your company’s productivity, but they will also bring a sense of professionalism to your work.

About the author: Copley Sutton is a professional copywriter and blogger in South Africa. He is based in JHB and is available to transform your website or blog for you on a regular basis.

June 4, 2015 by Copley Sutton

Butcher Block Counter Tops Care

Those who possess butcher block counter tops in their kitchens are often concerned with how these tops should be properly maintained. While wooden counter tops are designed to handle fairly robust activity, stains and dirt can and do show up—but only if the top is not cared for properly. There are simple methods you can implement into your daily cleaning routine which will provide proper butcher block counter tops care.

What happens to your counter top over time?

Your butcher block counter top is most often used for slicing and chopping food in preparation for a meal. Most of these ingredients are raw when you process them and raw meat—especially raw chicken—can pose a health risk if care is neglected. This is especially true because of cut marks in the wood. Bacteria tend to fall into these tiny little slits and this will eventually result in a bad smell if the wood surface is not properly cleaned. So what are some efficient ways to clean your butcher block counter top?

Don’t make the mistake

It’s important to remember that certain wood care chemicals are off limits to your butcher block counter. That’s because you are dealing with consumables and because most of these chemicals can cause severe health problems if they come into contact with your food or drink. Many chemicals which are not compatible with the wood may even cause further damage—so avoid your home maintenance store for the solution.

Prevention is better than cure

It is essential that you keep your butcher block counter clean at all times. This means wiping it down after every use—and not waiting too long to do so. By continuously cleaning your counter top you will prevent most of the stains and smells that can occur. You will also ensure that, for the most part, it remains relatively hygienic. Continual cleaning is as easy as taking a warm wet cloth and a drop of dish detergent. Give the counter a good wipe and then rinse excess soap off with a dripping-wet cloth.

Minor scratches and stains

However, you cannot protect your counter top from every form of damage or blemish. Wood is simply more susceptible to these elements which is why proper care is extra important. After prolonged use, your counter top will start to show signs of small cuts and faint stains. There may also be an unpleasant smell because of bacteria that has not been cleaned out properly.

Germs can be effectively removed by washing your butcher block counter top with white wine vinegar. Vinegar is a natural sanitizer and will destroy any unhealthy bacteria that might be lurking on your board. For stains, a simple scrub with some lemon juice should remove minor blemishes; and will also leave a pleasant smell behind. By washing your counter top in this sequence, you will effectively sanitize it with the vinegar and fragrance it with the lemon juice. Both of these natural ingredients are of course also perfectly safe to consume.

Serious damage

After years of use, accidents are bound to happen. Wooden counter tops are prone to suffer burns, deep scratches and serious stains. In cases such as these, a major counter top service may be required every two to three years. This maintenance involves sanding the counter top lightly where the damage or stain is visible. Make sure to sand with the grain so as to maintain the integrity of the wood. Once this is done and the damage is no longer visible, treat the wood with warmed up food-grade mineral oil. The wood needs to absorb the oil so leave it for at least half an hour before wiping the residue off with a dry cloth.

Conclusion

Remember to educate all the members of your household on how to prevent serious damage to your wooden counter top. You can now also teach them how to provide proper butcher block counter tops care by following the above prescription. These methods will also work well for portable butcher blocks, but are especially useful for built-in tops which are not washable under running water.

Be sure to enjoy your wooden counter top and continue using it for what it was meant for—preparing fresh, homemade food for you and your family.

May 27, 2015 by Copley Sutton

5 Essential Tools for Advanced Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance

Zero-Turn Mowers

Mini Excavators

Skid-Steer Loaders

Weed Eaters & Hedge Trimmers

Backpack Blowers

February 5, 2015May 18, 2015 by Copley Sutton

Golf Drills to Help You Hit a Flop Shot Correctly

Phil Mickelson is well known for making the flop shot look easy. Learning this shot comes in handy for clearing bunkers, while at the same time adding a spin to the ball and directing it to the desired spot. However it’s actually one of the most difficult shots to perfect. Below are some of the technicalities of the flop shot that will assist you in practicing your drills.

The right club for a lob shot

A club that should be present in every golfer’s golf bag is a sixty degree lob wedge. Many golfers prefer using a sand wedge for a flop shot, but for the purposes discussed here, the sixty degree lob wedge is the best tool for the job.

Setting up your clubface for a lob shot

When making a perfect flop shot, you should have two goals in mind:

You should aim to get lots of height on the ball.
You should aim to add a spin on the ball which will make up for too much distance if you hit the ball further away from your target than what you intended.

To perform these two tasks, you will need to turn your sixty degree lob wedge so that the face is 100% flat facing upwards. The face should be as level as you can get it to make this shot do what it is meant to. Remember to grip the club in this position, rather than compensating your wrists and turning it into this position post-grip.

Aiming your lob shot

Because you’ll be adding a spin to the ball, it’s important to compensate for this by aiming slightly to the left of your desired target. Twenty degrees to the left is enough of a slant to make the flop shot. The spin you will put on your ball won’t be too heavy, so only a slight deviation left of the target is necessary.

Too much height – Too much spin

This shot will take some practice to perfect. Depending on the distance of your target, try and find a good balance between flying the ball over the bunker, and adding enough spin to it for when it lands. Remember that the harder you hit, the higher—not further—the ball will travel, so make the call on which of these you want to achieve.

September 8, 2014May 26, 2015 by Copley Sutton

8 tips on how to create interesting Facebook content for your business

Running out of ideas for your Facebook content? Here are some ways to give your social media interaction a shot in the arm!

Write for people, not for your company

You need to add value to the information you’re posting for clients. This means that simply forcing ads in front of their eyes is not going to help you achieve your goal.

If you fail to post something interesting to read, your fans are simply going to scroll past your content. Make sure your content is interesting and engaging by using catchy headings and trendy topics!

Add a poll

If you have over 1000 LIKES on your page, consider yourself eligible to hold a private little survey for your Facebook fans. People love giving their opinion, so get them interacting with you to build trust and brand loyalty.

Make sure your question is interesting—ask around for some suggestions and make it relevant to your industry wherever possible. Also try not to overdo polls: Once a month is more than enough.

Diversify your content

If you keep posting the same type of content every week, your fans will quickly lose interest in your posts. Mix it up a little by diversifying between videos, pictures, news events, notifications of specials, blogs, and even a few jokes.

Do a service check

Though you may think that getting a public complaint on Facebook is bad for business, it actually helps you in more ways you can imagine. Consider posting a public message asking clients about the service they have received. Benefits to this are:

You are likely to get great testimonials which you can add to your website
Complaints will come to you instead of being spread secretly by word-of-mouth
You can publically handle the complaint to the satisfaction of the client for all to see
Other customers will feel at ease dealing with you because they can see that you care about giving satisfactory service

Highlight a blog section

If there’s a particular paragraph in your most recent blog that you feel is very relevant, highlight that subheading to your fans when posting. This will serve to entice them even more to read your blog because you’ve sparked their curiosity.

Quizzes

A quiz is simply irresistible to Facebook browsers. Ask a question, and offer to provide the question by getting your fans to take a short quiz. This will win you both clicks as well as lots of interaction from participants.

Keep up with what’s trending

Base your content on news that’s very popular. Recent examples of this is the Ice Bucket Challenge. To get an idea of what’s trending, spend some time on news sites or even YouTube.

Don’t neglect your weekend fans

Did you know that you can schedule posts? If your company is closed on the weekend, it doesn’t mean you can’t still reach out to your loyal fans.

Use Facebook to set up a future post and schedule it to go off on a Saturday morning or a Sunday afternoon. Think how good it’ll look to everyone that you’re always open to communicate!

About the author: Copley Sutton is a South African copywriter working out of Johannesburg, Gauteng. He specializes in optimized blogs for companies as well as SEO strategies for South African businesses.

August 30, 2014May 30, 2016 by Copley Sutton

How to take the minimal approach to becoming more productive

The term ‘work smart, not hard’ has been thrown around for more than a decade now, but still people are confused as to what steps to take in order to do more in less time. Work has a tendency to pile up the further we progress in our careers, while deadlines remain as strict as they’ve ever been.

Getting headway in your work will win you the real commodity of our day; time. Money might make the world go round, but we all know that without time, money is pointless. So how can you get your work done and still retain enough time in your week to enjoy life?

Planning is half the battle

People who are flustered by a huge plethora of work often neglect the most important part of their working day; planning. Planning works as an investment in your time; i.e. the more you plan, the less you’ll have to work later. It’s a matter of knowing what to expect when the task comes up and having the strategy to deal with it effectively.

Take time at the start and end of every day to organize your tasks into manageable chunks that allow you to breathe in between. Once you’re finished a task, tick it off in your day planner. This gives you a sense of completion which enables you to focus on the next task with a clear mind.

Managing your time without anxious clock-watching

Having your tasks written down beside time segments helps you to get a fuller picture of all the work you have. Once you have this fuller picture, the day doesn’t seem as crammed anymore and your day is a lot easier to tackle.

It’s important to stick to your schedule. Failure to do so will invariably cause work to once again pile up into an unmanageable point. The best way to avoid this is to factor in reasonable breaks between your tasks so as not to burn yourself out.

Structure will keep you sane

No matter what industry you’re in, you need to work out a system that organizes your work in order of importance. The art of prioritizing has no set recipe. You will have to work out your own way of structuring tasks as they come in according to how important they are.

For inspiration, here are some ideas that have worked for others:

– Colour coding: If your emails are filling up your inbox and you feel overwhelmed by them, consider a colour coding strategy. Red for urgent, orange for to-do, green for done, etc.

– Piles: An overabundance of paper can fluster the best of us. Organize your documents into pile categories and watch how quickly your desk neatens and your work flows. Coloured paperclips can also make your tasks easier to identify.

Remember that a clear working area equals a clear thinking space. Your work will go faster—with minimal error—if you are in control and on top of every situation.

Let the time you’ll be saving motivate you to incorporate these methods into every day. Within no time, you’ll start noticing the difference: More time, less errors, and no reason to cut down on your workload.

August 27, 2014 by Copley Sutton

5 Types of managers that will resist your SEO sales pitch

At the point that you and your sales team endeavour to bring in more clients for your SEO services, you will certainly run in to a whole lot of objections that may deter your motivation. Here are 5 people you are likely to meet and how to overcome the obstacle of their objections:

The straight shooter

What he’ll say: “I only need AdWords to market my business which is something I can handle myself!”

This type of manager may be tough to convince otherwise. As an SEO consultant, you already know that it takes more than AdWords to market successfully online. But how do you convince him of that?

Try the following:

– Ask him if he is willing to save on his AdWords. Work out a package where your fees are less than the money he is overspending.

– Let him know that in the near future, a bunch of his competitors will be opting for AdWords too. If his site isn’t optimized, how will he compete?

– Do a quick analysis of his site and show him how long his visitors are staying on his page. If it’s below average, you’re half way there to convince him to reconsider his position.

The sceptic

What she’ll say: “SEO is not a sure thing. I know because my brother tried it and it didn’t work!”

OK, fair enough. The world is full of these managers. Word of mouth has ruined their perception of SEO and now they have taken on an anti-SEO campaign with everyone they speak to.

As someone who realizes that SEO is a progressive science, you can pose the following challenges:

– How long did her brother try it for? It takes at least 6 months to optimize a site—an investment worth waiting for.

– What type of company did her brother try? There are countless small agencies who decided to jump onto the SEO bandwagon. Assure her that your company is serious.

– Give this manager a list of things needed to truly optimize a site for SEO. Mention everything you can think of such as regular blogging, social media, link campaigns, affiliates… show that you know what you’re talking about.

The analytic

What he’ll say: “There are only 10 places on Google’s first page list. What if 10 of my competitors also have SEO agencies optimizing their online reputation?”

This guy may be your toughest challenge yet. He’s a self-appointed logic expert and may even be a bit of a pessimist. Objections like these call for a no-hesitation jump into the deep end.

This manager will appreciate it if you really put yourself out there. Explain to him that:

– Within the next few years, whoever has the best SEO company working for them will be the leader in that industry; then tell him that you are the best SEO company!

– Explain that his objection is even more of a reason to hire you. How will he compete on an online level if he doesn’t start now?

The hothead

What she’ll say: “How soon will I see results?”

Ah yes; the impatient one. She’s used to getting results and getting them yesterday.

You may want to try an analogy approach to this objection. Tell her that:

– SEO isn’t a billboard that you stick up and wait at your telephone for customers to call you. It’s a comprehensive strategy that takes time, perseverance, and skill. Assure her that your team possess all of these qualities.

– In the same way you cultivate a tree, a company’s online reputation must be a steady grow that adapts to the changing climate of the industry as well as the internet.

The controller

What he’ll say: “OK, let’s go ahead. But I want to check everything and make sure it fits in well with my industry.”

Not really an objection, but certainly a red flag. A manager that wants to keep his hand on every move you make will ultimately work against him. You need to be clear about this when addressing this type of person.

In as nice a way as possible, explain that:

– You and your team are experts at what you do. SEO project management, copywriting, and the psychology of web design are not skills you learn in a day. Leave it to the experts to do the heavy lifting.

– SEO is too time-consuming to keep sending stuff in for checking. Assure your client that you perform strict quality control over everything that gets done.

– SEO is trial and error. Mistakes are good in this industry. Any good SEO expert knows that perfection is unobtainable, but learning from mistakes is the best way forward.

Take this arsenal with you the next time you make a sales call and note your objections.

Let me know what SEO objections you receive during your sales visits!