The Scratching Post

Stories, insights and tips about marketing, sales and networking, with a little added wit and sass.

women who wear sneakers make up a part of my niche

Accelerate your success by identifying your niche

By Nicole Gallant / June 18, 2023

Female entrepreneurs, business coaches and service providers, we often find ourselves struggling to stand out in the crowded marketplace. Which is why I wanted to bring a few things to your attention in order to help you identify and articulate your ideal niche, so you can accelerate your success and reach your milestones sooner, rather…

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5 Insider sales secrets you might not know

By Nicole Gallant / May 18, 2023

Sales isn’t something you can master in an hour. Yet, so many entrepreneurs seek those insider sales secrets to help them skip ahead and make more money faster. Sure, you’ll find some great insights and helpful tips on Google and social media. Do they feel like insider secrets you’ve never heard before or does your…

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Want to find new clients? Stop perfecting your pitch

By Nicole Gallant / April 14, 2023

As an entrepreneur. finding and attracting clients is typically on the daily to-do list.  As a small business owner and part of your marketing, you’ve been told to perfect your pitch so when you’re networking, or presented with an opportunity to talk about your business, you’ll be ready. The problem is most entrepreneurs who are…

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Conversational Selling: Why you should stop pitching and start a conversation

By Nicole Gallant / April 10, 2023

Let’s face it – you recognize a sales pitch when you hear one. The overly constructed content and rehearsed delivery make the hidden agenda plain as day. You and your clients can smell it a mile away. Your pain points may be articulated in the infomercial-esque dialogue. However, being pitched at without any interaction around…

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Price versus value

Price vs Value : How prospects recognize your value 

By Nicole Gallant / March 31, 2023

Losing a prospect is discouraging. But it is important to understand why that happened. With the right strategies for problem solving increase your closing rate.

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Five reasons email marketing is your secret weapon

Five Reasons Email Is Your Secret Marketing Weapon

By Nicole Gallant / March 18, 2023

Email marketing, if done right, is your secret marketing weapon. As small business owners, we want to make the most of every marketing opportunity. So why do so many business owners brush it aside? I’m guessing it’s a combo of things. Time is one. What to write is second. Even if you know it’s the…

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7 Ways to test your product or service in the market to avoid failure

By Nicole Gallant / February 23, 2023

All too often I see entrepreneurs get excited when products and services are still in the “ideas” phase. Basically, these are concepts and brainstormed ideas that have yet to be created. At this point, the resounding belief is that customers are going to love this new product or new service offer and the money will roll…

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What I’ve learned being a marketer at a brand video and photo shoot

By Nicole Gallant / January 30, 2023

Relevant brand imagery plays a role in the effectiveness of your marketing in websites, social media and promotional items. As an entrepreneur, you’re always learning. As the lead marketing strategist at SmartCat Marketing, I help you with websites, emails and sales funnels. As a long-time sales professional I also help you get more client yesses.…

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4 Ways to attract clients from your network

By Nicole Gallant / January 2, 2023

As a coach or consultant, attracting clients from your network starts by building confidence in what you deliver. Have you found yourself scratching your head trying to figure out how to attract more referrals/clients from your network? The female founders I work with do. So, you’re not alone. Small business owners, coaches, consultants and those…

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blog Best way to turn visitors into clients

The best way to turn visitors into clients on your service-based website

By Nicole Gallant / May 23, 2022

Get your message right if you want your website to turn visitors into clients It is incredibly frustrating to own a website that doesn’t turn your visitors into clients. As a female-led business, what you really want is a website that helps with conversion – attracting potential clients that navigate through your page so they take…

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