Jim Connolly

Senior Reporter, UK Insight at BBC

Vinyl obsessed, curry and craft beer loving BBC News Reporter looking for stories & people that don't normally make news. Send ideas [email protected]

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Articles

For next-level success, swap your fears. Here's how!

3 weeks ago | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

The most successful investors buy, while the crowd is selling. The most successful leaders speak out, while the crowd stays silent. The most successful CEO’s make decisions, while the crowd makes excuses. I could list dozens of examples like those above. But you already know the pattern well. We all do. Including those who choose to follow the crowd. So, what causes people to follow the crowd, knowing it will damage their business, and how can you avoid it? I’m glad you asked.
Creativity 101: The muse doesn’t like being chased

3 weeks ago | jimconnolly.com | Jim Connolly

We all need a little inspiration from time to time. So, what should we do when we next find ourselves looking for that creative spark? It’s a very common question, with a seemingly endless number of answers. That’s largely because different things work for different people at different times. Here’s something that came to me earlier. The muse doesn’t like being chased. It prefers to bump into you while you’re tidying the attic.
Creative block? - Jim Connolly

4 weeks ago | jimconnolly.com | Jim Connolly

You’re probably not blocked. It’s entirely possible your mind is buffering. Sometimes the page loads slower when the idea is big. Discover more from Jim Connolly Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Grab. Focus. Urgency: How to vastly increase your sales

1 month ago | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

When it comes to making sales or getting clients, deadlines are extremely effective. That’s because deadlines tap into one of the strongest motivators in business. The principle of scarcity. Here’s what makes deadlines such a powerful marketing tool. They grab attention. They focus the mind. They create urgency. It’s no wonder deadlines grab our attention. People hate to miss out. The fear of missing out, or FOMO, is activated the moment we see a deadline attached to something we have an interest in.
Your economy is specific. The economy is general

2 months ago | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

The economy is general. It’s determined by outside factors. Your economy is specific. It’s determined by you. Your economy is what matters. That’s because it is always your actions that determine your economy… and your results. We saw this everywhere a few years ago, during the pandemic lockdowns. There would be businesses in the same industry, in the same towns, serving the same marketplace; one would flourish and the other would fail. Same restrictions. Same opportunities.
My daughter was bitten by an XL bully. I met an owner to ask why they'd have one

2 months ago | yahoo.com | NJ Convery |Jim Connolly

A year ago, seven-year-old Lydia was walking to post a letter with her dad when she was savagely attacked by an XL bully that had escaped from a neighbour's garden. Matt says the day turned to horror in an instant, telling us he first saw the escaped dog out of the corner of his eye and within seconds it was "attached" to his daughter's arm, biting her three or four times. He says the dog kept lunging for Lydia and in a frantic effort to stop it mauling his daughter, he had to "lie on top of it".
Read this and improve your advertising results, fast

Mar 15, 2025 | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

A lot of small business owners spend a ton of money on advertising. Often with pretty poor results. So, I put this post together, to help you avoid the most common advertising mistakes. Here they are in no particular order. You’re using brand advertising (ads that contain no obvious call to action), when you should be using direct response advertising (ads that contain a direct call to action). Almost all small businesses should use direct response.
How to turn your customers, clients and prospects into fans

Feb 18, 2025 | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

Without doubt, customer experience is one of the most powerful forms of marketing. Here’s a look at why, plus some examples to help your business create an outstandingly valuable experience for your customers. Let’s go!Customer experience is a term often used incorrectly. Some use it interchangeably with customer service, but they’re very different things. Customer service is about the quality of service you provide to your customers.
10 Huge wins for your business you can start on today

Feb 12, 2025 | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

Here they are in no particular order. There’s a type of thinking that can only be done by writing. So, the next time you’re working on an idea, solving a problem or developing a new service, etc., write it down in detail. You’ll get a better answer and you’ll find it faster. Don’t chase the latest success hacks. Instead, focus on proven strategies that work in every economy. Treat your time with the respect you deserve. Throughout the day, ask yourself is this the best use of my time right now?
How to thrive in uncertain times

Feb 7, 2025 | jimsmarketingblog.com | Jim Connolly

We live in uncertain times. This means you’ll need a strategy to help you thrive over the unpredictable months ahead. Yes, there is a lot of uncertainty right now… but it’s nothing new. Last month marked 30-years since I started my business. And I’ve helped countless businesses to prosper during all of the periods of uncertainty since then. Today, I’m going to give you 3 proven areas to focus on, so you can adjust and improve your strategy for success in 2025. In no particular order.