3 Common eBiz Mistakes To Avoid
If your online business targets an international market, there are 3 very common mistakes you want to avoid. They may seem simple, but these 3 things can create a very unnecessary disconnect with your audience…
1. Time
Whether you are broadcasting across time zones, or recording your presentation, the time of day is generally irrelevant. This is also true with blog posts or any written content. Avoid things like “Good morning!” or references to breakfast as a means of making introductions or conversation.
Your content should be timeless.
2. Weather
Weather is like time. Its rarely the same in any two places. There’s no sense raining on their otherwise sunny day.
3. Holidays
Mentioning holidays can be touchy as they are generally tied to religion. Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, and of those that do not everyone celebrates them in the same ways. It pays to be sensitive to this fact when targeting an international market.
Other things can come into play as well such as politics and seasons. The general rule of thumb is simple: ask yourself “is this relevant or significant to my content in any way?” If not, cut it.
Obviously if you are broadcasting live and local, then mentioning things like the weather and time of day are fine. But if you are recording, speaking or writing to a broader audience then its quite another.
Make it a point to focus on what is specifically relevant to the people you want to reach, and leave out the fluff.
Best,
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This is great advice for social media networking, as well.
Absolutely – and good point Stacey. These tips are good for social media, email marketing, podcasting, teleseminars, video marketing, blog posts – you name it! They are the 3 most common mistakes I see from people who are targeting global markets. (eek – and from yours truly from time to time as well! *oops*)
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Thanks Lynn,
Good to be reminded. Often times we got carried away in writing and becomes too casual throwing out stuff that are not relevant or worst distract from main intention of message.
Timely advice Lynn. Very important for customer to identify with the “story” we are trying to get across. Don’t put in anything that can “alienate” them.
Thanks so much for the reminder. The only time I usually mention holidays is if I’ve involved in some kind of holiday related giveaway or something like that. Another point is to always put your time zone when promoting a telecall or live event. It’s easy to assume that everyone knows what time zone you’re referring to.
Follow me @deannatroupe on Twitter.
Very valuable tips. We as internet marketeers should be careful in their presentation of facts that should not irk the others.
Great tips, Lynn. You always have targeted tips for all our problems. We must always be thinking about who reads our work and what they’re seeking.
My audience expects me to congratulate (translated as such in many tongues) them on sacred holidays because they are part and parcel of who they are. A couple other holidays are perfect times to write about the subject of the holiday.
I’d like to hear from you about phasing out a blog or reinventing it into something else. As many will note, since I’ve returned from Turkey, I need to move on to new things in my life and I’m not posting like I once did.
I love your ezine and the wealth of tips. Thanks!
Follow me @beavanni on Twitter.
This is good advice. I try to make all my articles timeless and to the point. Thanks for the tips.
I agree Lynn that certain cultural, geographical and time sensitive precautions must be of consideration.
One thing is certain though, you can’t please all the people, all the time.
Focusing on the specific needs of your target market is the best way to ensure that your message is delivered and accepted.