Check out the MAY/JUNE issue of Modelcall Magazine and take a journey with featured cover model "I Am Crystal G" as she becomes a walking brand. CLICK TO ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY. - Modelcall Magazine - A WALKING BRAND

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Purchase the Western literary masterpiece that transports readers back to the heart of experience of the 1700s as readers follow the life of the nomad Will Cain. The Rebel takes readers on a journey to see if Will’s dreams of love and family can become a reality in the midst of a life riddled with personal tragedy. Click to purchase now

BY JOE PULIZZI 
Be honest with yourself: Why should customers and prospects care about what you have to say? Everywhere your customers look, they are being bombarded with sales messaging. Instead of contributing to the noise, be truly helpful. Be their go-to informational resource. This type of quality storytelling can act like steroids for your search rankings and social media, as customers share with their networks.

That said, very few small businesses have the skills and training to create a content marketing program and consistently deliver on that promise. So how do you create content that moves your customers and prospects to take action? 

It's possible. Take the small business Copyblogger Media, for example. Based in Boulder, Colo., Copyblogger sells software, but they also have more than 200,000 regular subscribers to their daily blog posts. Their revenue growth comes from having a loyal audience who will buy their products because they trust their content. Another example is Boston-based OpenView Venture Partners, a small venture capital company whose site has more than 20,000 entrepreneur subscribers. Those subscribers rely on the site for information on a regular basis.

Here are six principles that should be core to your content marketing strategy:

1. Fulfill a need. Your content should answer some unmet need or question for your customer. It needs to be useful in some way to the customer, over and above what you can offer as a product or service. In some cases, it may fill an emotional need -- take Coca-Cola or Red Bull's storytelling, for example.

2. Stay consistent. The great hallmark of a successful publisher is consistency. Whether you subscribe to a monthly magazine or daily email newsletter, the content is always delivered on-time and as expected. This is where so many companies fail. Whatever you commit to in your content marketing, you must consistently deliver.

3. Be human. Find your voice. The benefits of not being a journalistic entity is that you have nothing holding you back from being you. Find your voice and share it. If your company's story is all about humor, share that. If it's a bit sarcastic, that's okay too.

4. Have a point of view. This is not encyclopedia content. You are not giving a history report. Don't be afraid to take sides on matters that can position you and your company as an expert.

Chipotle's runaway viral hit The Scarecrow clearly has a point of view -- that locally sourced and responsibly-produced food is superior to processed foods. Don't be afraid to take a stance.

5. Step away from the sales-speak. At my company, when we create a piece of content that is about our own products or services versus an educational post, it only garners 25 percent of the page views and social shares. The more you talk about yourself, the less people will share and spread your story. It's that simple.

6. Be the best of the breed. Although you can't get there right away, you want your content to be best of breed. This means what you are distributing is the very best of what is available in your particular content niche. I know this may sound overly simplified, but if you expect your customers to spend time with your content, you must deliver amazing value.



Read more: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229319#ixzz2hkKgMMq8

BY TUKAN DAS 
When was the last time you saw a billboard, TV or a print ad and said to yourself, "Wow that brand really cares about me and I am going to buy that product?" Let me guess: Never. What is stopping brands from reaching out to consumers personally and actually helping them out?

Most big corporations are generally risk-averse and like to play it safe, when it comes to engaging with customers in public. Giant billboards, TV/radio ads or print ads on newspapers/magazines are all safe ways to market to people. It does not involve any direct interaction with customers and hence very little chance of a negative reaction, but the problem is consumers of 2013 are all blinded by traditional ads. Revenue from traditional advertisement channels are at an all time low.

It's important to not only look at social media as a channel to get your message out there but also as a way to truly build meaningful relationships with potential and existing customers. Here are two ways that your company can make the most of your social media marketing efforts ... READ MORE

Watch Constance Kelly as she demonstrates how you can take your basic workout routine to the next level. To contact Constance Kelly for your workout consultation, visit www.constancekelly.com

Smooth Jazz and Flute player Kim Scott is performing live at the Atlanta Smooth Jazz Festival Saturday, September 14. Visit www.kimscottmusic.com for more performance dates. Jazz Guitarist Keith Williams (keithwilliamsmusic.net) will be performing with her as well. Click the video to listen to Kim Scott's single Golden to sample both of these great artists.

Constance Kelly demonstrates how you can get in shape first thing in the morning with her Rise and Shine workout routine live on Fox 6. For more on Constance Kelly, visit www.constancekelly.com

Come visit the metro area of Detroit October 4th, 2013 and share this wonderful experience with us. You will get to see our Launch Edition of PoshChic International Magazine, while enjoying complimentary appetizers. Their will be lots of celebrity appearances along with our host. This premiere social event will be full of networking opportunities. You must RSVP for this event no later that September 16, 2013 with Breanne Stokes at 866.820.1402 or via email bstokes@poshchicntlmag.com 

Classical Jazz and Flute player Kim Scott is performing live at the Jazz on the Grass in Montgomery September 2nd.
Visit www.kimscottmusic.com for more performance dates.