Tapping Into Your Inner Monkey

“Monkey See-Monkey Do” is a phrase you probably became familiar with as a child.

My mom had her own endearing version that went something like this …

“If so-and-so is going to jump off a bridge, are you going to jump off, too?!”

And the obvious answer, of course, was “No”.

But in the arena of online marketing and small business ownership, “Monkey See-Monkey Do” can be a really good business building strategy.  The goal is Not to become a copy cat but to become aware of what other success minded marketers are doing and put your own fingerprint on those tools, tactics, and techniques.

Here’s how you can start tapping into your inner monkey:

1) Have you seen an opt-in form and offer that’s really attention-grabbing and triggers you to take action?  What are the elements that appeal to you the most?  Is it the shape or colors used that caught your eye?  Or maybe the graphic?  The call to action?  The location on the page?

Scrutinize your own opt-in box and freebie offer and incorporate those elements that you find most effective.

2) Have a favorite blog or two or three that you visit regularly?  What is it about those particular blogs that strike your fancy?  What are the blog owners/authors doing that keep you coming back for more?  Are they great storytellers?  Do they offer fabulous tips related to your niche?  Is it their sense of humor that attracts you?  Maybe the layout of their blogs?

Begin weaving those ”I’ve-got-you-hooked” components into your own blog.

3) Ever come across social media profiles that just knock your socks off? A short bio that causes you to click the person’s link immediately to discover more? What kinds of adjectives or action words have they used?  Do they note only their business expertise or are personal facts included, too?  What is it about their profile that intrigues you?

Read your own profile/bio with discerning eyes.  Then re-vamp it to be as compelling as your favorites.

There are lots of creative ways to tap into your inner monkey.  When you “See” something that’s working for someone else, start “Do”-ing it!

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  • Thank you, Melanie, for a great post on taking note of what appeals and using that in our own efforts.

    Thank you, Kathy, for introducing me to Skitch. I have a swipe file. Now, I’ll have a swipe file with bells on! Whee!

    It all appeals to my inner monkey like you wouldn’t believe.

    • I better take a look at that “Skitch”, too, Karen. I don’t want some boring old swipe file, I want one with bells on! 🙂

      Thanks so much for taking in this little piece today and I must tell you that anytime I see that beautiful illustration your talented artist husband did of you …

      It puts a smile on my face and I want one, too! No, really. Just ask my inner monkey.

      Hugs,
      Melanie

  • So true, Melanie! I had no idea what to expect when I came here and was delighted to see another post with great advice. It never hurts to emulate those you find compelling. I also like that you said not to copy – that seems to be a problem on the Internet. But doing things in a similar way with your own personal twist? Totally okay!

    • Hey Lis – you’re back from vacation! Wonderful to see you here. 🙂

      Yes – I think it’s totally all right to emulate those you find compelling. As a matter of fact, I think it’s a form of flattery and a way of paying a compliment. But copying someone’s work? That’s a big No-No, even though there is a fair amount of that type of unacceptable behavior going on in this industry. 🙁

      I could go on and on but I’ve got to get over to your blog and read “Writing Powerful Headlines”. We can all use as much help in that department as possible!

      Melanie

  • Melanie, great practical advice. I’ve been writing about a similar theme lately – we become hooked on the idea of becoming a carbon copy of someone else when we start out in Internet marketing. The real freedom and fun is realized when you capture your own uniqueness and begin to express it in multiple ways through Squidoo lenses, blogs, podcasts, videos, articles and comments. To me this is foundational to social media marketing. What appeals to me about your blog is its personal character, openness and your genuineness as a person. It’s a warm and fuzzy blog full of practical, creative support.

    • Thanks, Ron! I sincerely appreciate your compliments.

      You’ve made a really good point in stressing that we should NOT sign up to become a member of the “Cookie Cutter Club”. However, there’s so much we can learn, as Kathy Griffiths has noted, from other successful online marketers. We would be wise to take that information and put our own special “twist” on it and customize it to reflect our individual personalities and business style.

      Thank you for your input,
      Melanie

  • How true. I love looking at the work of others and study what they do to market themselves and their products.

    I find the navigation from the opt-in box, up-sale, thank you page and download page etc. to be fascinating. I often snap photos of the process with my Mac photo tool and put them in a folder. (PC users can use free Skitch) I have a folder of just different opt-in pages.

    From your great suggestions… It looks like I’m going to have to create a few more file folders.

    • I’m with you, Kathy!

      Call it a “swipe” file, an “idea” file, or anything you want. It’s fun to be able to capture an idea from someone you admire and respect and transform it into something you can call your own.

      I’ve learned a lot from you just taking note of how you’ve laid out your blog posts and the type of campaigns you do through email marketing. 🙂

      You’re a star!
      Melanie

  • Hey Melanie, Thanks! Great simple doable suggestions that we can all use to refine and tweak based on what we find appealing and engaging. And of course, vividly expressed with powerful (and fun) visuals. You’re a star!
    Bobbye Middendorf
    The Write Synergies Guru

    • Oh, my gosh, Bobbye! I didn’t think anyone else was up this late tonight. I no sooner hit the “publish” button and like magic, there you were. 🙂

      Glad you enjoyed this little piece. Above all else, I’m hoping that people will realize it’s all right to glean ideas from the successful work of others.

      Let’s take you for example. No one I’ve ever met online writes like you. NO ONE! As you’ve already surmised, I happen to love your writing style. What I’ve observed from your writing is how you keep me “thinking” the whole way through your posts. Stopping in the middle would be like only eating the appetizer and passing on the entree. So I’ve taken what I love about your blog posts — pulling readers through — and incorporated a lot more of that in my own posts.

      BTW – Thank you!
      Melanie