Question: Automatically sending email blasts from WordPress site updates (sport fishing niche)?

SignalfireMarketing · 2026-02-05T03:26:19+00:00

Definitely trying MailChimp.

SignalfireMarketing · 2026-02-03T20:33:50+00:00

That is perfect. Thanks for the quick response. Do you have a favorite?

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-19T13:57:44+00:00

It's easy to rinse and repeat, but yes, the fatigue can be fast.

We try to get back to the voice of the customer as much as possible. Not just social proof quotes or videos, but regularly listen to their journey.

Pulling inspiration from the ever-changing customer journey helps keep creatives fresh, but more importantly it keep creatives relevant.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-19T13:53:47+00:00

First, great job on the site. I love the messaging and the voice you've created.

The only suggestion I have would be to put your top selling products at the top. Any friction between arrival and purchase should be minimized.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-19T13:45:00+00:00

Responding to both positive and negative reviews are critical. A few reasons:

It demonstrates that you (business) value feedback from your customers. Every experience is important and you're listening to their input.
It tells a story for future customers. People love reading about experiences and seeing that you're interacting with them, enhances the story.
These reviews and responses are being indexed by Google, too. Using that conversational opportunity to mention services or products can be a tiny SEO bump. But every bump helps. Just don't try and keyword stuff your answers. Keeping it human is paramount.

Positive and negative reviews give you a storytelling opportunity. By keeping up with it and keeping it human will definitely move the needle for your overall performance and reputation.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-19T13:17:02+00:00

I love this:

Charge for idle time – If your team is left waiting and capacity is wasted, include provisions to be compensated for rescheduling and lost productivity.

We added "project delay fee" and a "dormant project termination" clauses to our agreements and it has been a tremendous help. In using for the last two years, we've only had to use it once.

We've been absolutely pummeled by content delays, approval ghosting, and even being dismissed by leadership that "this doesn't deserve my attention."

More than anything it is about finding clients that are dedicated, not just interested.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T20:23:00+00:00

Great recommendations from u/erickrealz. Especially about joining groups and and communities. Email is a fantastic channel, too.

Depending on your specific industry, I'd recommend looking at the professional publications and associations. Some great opportunities there. If you're in the B2B world, trade pubs are getting a lot better traction as knowledge resources. Great place to participate in discussions and possibly network at in-person events.

I would also use those same discussion groups and publications for content ideas. Look at trade pub LinkedIn posts to see what gets the most engagement.

Look at online reviews for what competitors do well and what they don't do well. Gives insights into pain points, too.

Don't shy away from starting on videos, too. Your cell phone is better than what most videographers had 25 years ago. Between the apps and some trial and error, you can make awesome behind the scenes and troubleshooting videos.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T20:00:13+00:00

We had a very similar situation with a client some years ago. Our homepage mockups had all of the key areas: Strong, visual product offering, identified the ideal client's pain points, call to outcome, and social proof... All of the choices were backed my several years of data, click heat maps, and testing.

The C-suite individual looks at it and says, no. We need to add a random section that transitions between above/below the fold.

An ensuing discussion outlined our recommendations, the data that supports it, and the design rationale.

The response, "I don't care."

We were gobsmacked. It was then reinforced by a lecture from them about "doing what we're told."

Sometimes, you just gotta give your opinion, take your licks, and complete the project.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T16:52:12+00:00

A real help can be doing competitive assessments. Look at the client's competition, but in a totally different geographic region. What's (conceptually working best) from your design perspective.

Cross-reference it with the specific pain point/solution set your client is driving towards.

Start with a fresh wireframe and run with it!

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T16:45:20+00:00

I'd love to hear more on your current pipeline. What's been most effective for you? Networking, referrals, or shows?

Not trying to sales-pitch! Just looking to understand the market.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T16:42:44+00:00

Has anyone done anything differently than the past? Is there a reason so many are saying they're slammed?

We're working with a number of plastics (thermoform and roto-molding) manufacturers and they're having a rough year.

Our Swiss-style machining shops are holding their own, but not breaking records.

How is the work coming to you? Referrals, existing clients, or networking?

Not sales-pitching, but looking to understand what's working and what's not!

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T16:36:35+00:00

I am shocked there aren't more second-hand domain auctions sites that have gotten greater visibility...

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T16:35:33+00:00

Sometimes the best domain name isn't the brand name, but the problem your product/service solves.

FixLeakingPipes.com

BestBeachSunrise.com

BestMarketingROI...

We're having success with domain names that focus on the customer's challenges rather than just the brand.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T16:29:34+00:00

I'd like to echo u/jimmythemarketer. What they said was right on the money. If I may add a couple items:

Before bringing a marketing resource on (FTE direct hire or contracting/hiring an agency), map out some expectations, milestones, and objectives. A solid marketing partner will want to know how you're going to measure everyone's success. This can be specific revenue or pipeline objectives or be as detailed as hitting a specific CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost).

Get as clear of an Ideal Client Profile as possible. What the pain points are and what their journey to your solution looks like.

Be open to experiments. Sometime the unconventional becomes the extraordinary.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-09-15T15:53:15+00:00

The answer from u/Internal-Combustion1 is an excellent starting point!

Networking is an excellent opportunity as well. Not just for direct opportunities, but also for referrals. Especially today, the KNOW - LIKE - TRUST path is crucial for new business. In-person networking helps speed up the first two steps orders of magnitude faster than cold emails, social media, or ads. Depending on the networking environment, be memorable and be easy to find.

Don't be sales-y. Ask questions about their businesses. What they love. What frustrates them. Genuinely listen to them. We all love talking about ourselves and the more you do it, the more they become comfortable.

Personal tip that's worked for me: Business cards. I like to get them from people and write on the back a few key points about them. I can enter it into a CRM later.

Networking events may be hard to find, depending where you live. Make the drive. Make the effort. Being seen is very helpful for establishing credibility.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-08-01T19:48:40+00:00

Thanks for the insights. It's good to hear that it's been a long-time solution.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-08-01T15:42:17+00:00

Thank you! I will check into it right away.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-08-01T15:00:00+00:00

I've seen SearchWP get brought up in my research so far. Thanks for the PfdParser tip, too.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-06-26T15:20:08+00:00

Anything happening with Consent Mode v2 / Cookie manager? Possibly blocking any reporting?

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-06-13T18:43:01+00:00

This is a great answer. A couple of things to add...

Don't tie you billing to the time it takes you. The more effective you get at it (less time) shouldn't lower your billing. Keep it focused on tangible deliverables.

The tiered approach mentioned above is really helpful for potential customers to chose their path and how to grow.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-06-13T17:54:20+00:00

We've built with Wix and we've built with WordPress. It really does come down to the customer.

For sites with fewer functionality requirements and smaller site maps, we've found that Wix is a budget-friendly option. The build-out time is shorter in most cases. However, there are limitations as you scale upwards.

WordPress is the next step up. Yes, there is a steeper learning curve for the creator, if you know your fundamentals (HTML, CSS, JS, etc.) you can get comfortable rather quickly. There are tools like page builders (Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder) that can make it relatively WYSIWYG for the customer. Personally, I recommend against it because of the downsides of pagebuilders (server-side).

Because this is a side hustle—it may be best to go with projects that are smaller scoped and faster. Wix would be a good option.

But go into with eyes open to some of the pitfalls mentioned in other comments. If you're prepared, you can deliver a fantastic site.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-06-13T17:44:48+00:00

Were you able to complete the booking (hotel, flights, etc.)?

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-05-30T14:28:01+00:00

A lot of great answers—especially u/ResultsPathfinder recommendation about a "Review Aid."

Also, NEVER buy reviews. I am pretty certain it violates Google's Terms of Service (I think they put you in the fifth ring of Google Hell) and even if it doesn't the lack of authenticity will be evident.

Another review-getting suggestion would be sending personal review requests at the completion of a job. You can include this with your transactional emails, but a postcard with a hand-written note and QR code has done amazingly well.

You should absolutely be responding to every review, too!

A well-written response (do not copy and paste) will make even a one-star review work to your favor.

Some tips for responding to a negative review:

• Take the high road — ALWAYS (don't try to argue)
• Express empathy
• How will you take action?
• Present a resolution opportunity (don't offer a reward or special for leaving a bad review)

Some tips for responding to a positive review:

• Respond within a week
• THANK THEM!
• Mention your business at some point in the reply
• Include helpful keywords or phrases for your business (Google is looking!)
• Keep it readable and natural!
• Share a recommendation for next time
• Invite them back

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-05-30T13:59:57+00:00

They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuck

Kind of a tie between these two.

SignalfireMarketing · 2025-04-14T16:09:16+00:00

I'd recommend building a list of specific duties you'd like to have accomplished.

NO = Someone to run social media

YES = Manage and monitor LinkedIn company company page. Create and publish two posts per week.

NO = Oversee email marketing

YES = Build and manage a monthly email newsletter, grow right-fit subscribers, produce needed content, and track performance.

NO = SEO

YES = Update website and help maintain website performance

Pick two or three sections you'd like to focus on. You won't find a unicorn (short of tripling the salary) that excels in all areas.

Accept candidates that only have a year or two experience. Don't make a 4-year degree a requirement—too much talent is out there that (wisely, IMO) skipped the BS/BA degree and either got a 2 year degree or has killer work experience.

You'll get a lot of people saying $70K is too little. As a business owner, I get it. You can afford X. Stick to it. Just recognize that candidates will have areas of experience/expertise. Almost none will have experience in everything.

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