The Next Home Improvement Economic Summit

The next Home Improvement Economic Summit is only 2 months away and we are beginning to formulate the itinerary which will include the panelists and topics being covered.

The program is being held in conjunction with the Remodeling Show and a ticket to the Summit will include complimentary access into the exhibitor area at the convention center.

Do you have any pertinent issues facing your business that you would like to see us cover?

Would you like to participate in the event as a panelist? Is so, what is your primary area of expertise?

Please contact me directly at (703) 591-2490 or dave@daveyoho.com.

In the interim, feel free to listen to this complimentary mp3 from the keynote address of this Spring's summit.

Yesterday's Tele-Conference

Yesterday's tele-conference was a huge success!

Thanks again to all of our sponsors for their assistance in putting this event together. Without them it would not be possible.

In total we had 277 companies on the 1 1/2 hour call representing retailers and manufacturers across the home improvement industry.

The featured topics included:

• Successful marketing techniques that are working for many of our clients and business partners
• How canvassing can help you lower your marketing costs
• The major legal concerns for the 4th quarter of 2009

If you were not able to make it on the call, you can download part of the critical information that was covered.

Make sure you don't miss out on the next call! Contact us well in advance!

Capturing Prospects From Your Website

Prospect capture forms have gotten to be the norm on websites for years now. The "hook" frequently goes something like this: "Sign up today for our free newsletter, e-book, or demo CD" and the prospect is thus induced to enter in their contact information in order to ascertain the "free" materials.

This is an excellent way to build an e-mail or mailing list for future use in your campaigns.

However, what I don't see a lot of websites doing is incorporating the capture form into their home page. For example, what you will typically see is something like the following: "Click here to sign up for our free newsletter!"

Why would you make the prospect take an extra step in signing up for your product/service? Furthermore, why would you want to take him off of your home page?

A better example of a capture form is one where the prospect can simply see the offer as soon as they come on to the company website and enter in their information immediately.

Also, don't forget to place this form "above the fold" on your website. What this means is that it is visible as soon as the website appears on the screen, and no scrolling down is required to view it.

If you follow these steps I can guarantee that your conversion rate will increase dramatically and the goal of building your list will be achieved at a much faster rate.

2009 Master of Influence Award . . .

On July 20, 2009 my professional speaker peers at the National Speakers Association Annual Convention in Phoenix honored me when they bestowed upon me the coveted “Master of Influence” award. There have only been a very limited number of people who have been graced with this award. Past recipients are Deepak Chopra, Art Linkletter, Jack Kemp and Dr. Ken Blanchard. This award is presented annually to only one individual who has significantly influenced people around the world through his or her exceptional speaking ability and whose distinguished speaking career has brought honor and recognition to the speaking profession.

It was, at the same time, both a humbling and an exhilarating experience as this award was presented. It is one thing to stand before an audience for a client and deliver a message that will impact their lives in a positive way. It is quite another to stand before your peers, each of whom knows what it takes to prepare and present a program that will move an audience. To be honored with such an award let’s you know that the years of preparation, rehearsing, days away from your family and friends, shaking countless hands and coping with the rigors of travel have not gone unnoticed.

The president of the National Speakers Association, Sam Silverstein, who presented the award, had this to say, “Beyond his many accomplishments, I ask you to observe his unusual level of energy, his choice of words and his speech pattern. I believe you will discern why he is the recipient of this award.”

You can experience a four-minute sample of the energy, word choices and speech pattern Mr. Silverstein spoke of by clicking on this link excerpted from another presentation I made before an audience of thousands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7jyOf-a7_4

I hope you enjoy this short clip and will share it with as many friends and colleagues as you can. Children and young people will especially benefit from these four minutes. Melvin Rosenblatt, Chairman of MidSouth Building Supply stated, “The 4 minute video should be played in every auditorium in the US.”

It is the desire of the National Speakers Association that this message gets transmitted in some fashion to those who are enduring challenges in their business or personal life. This is a message of hope and is an antidote for the abundant negativity and pessimism displayed by the news media.

Modern technology makes it possible for this message to be relayed without cost or obligation to those you know who will enjoy the uplifting video clip. There is even a message to the hearing impaired (watch my right hand as the conclusion of my remarks).

A long time clients/associates responded by saying, “I am astounded by his superb communication skills, academic achievements, sound judgment, analytical ability and endless energy.” Peter Bulger, former CEO, U.S. Home Systems, Inc.

Thanks for taking the time to view this video clip.

Best regards,
Dave Yoho