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- Have a Breakout Year by Setting SMART Goals - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter George"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" Alice speaks to the Cheshire Cat. "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. It's that time of ...
Views: 1225(7 votes) - Small Business Owners, Don't Jump Off That Bridge! - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter George"If Johnny jumped off a bridge, would you jump off too?" I can't remember how many times my parents asked me that when I was a kid. So many times I told them that I did something because my friend Johnny did it first. I bet you remember similar times from your childhood. Perhaps you've done ...
Views: 1083(17 votes) - To Increase Sales, Connect With Your Audience - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeTo increase sales at highly-profitable margins, you must connect with your most profitable target audiences. Better yet, they must connect to with you. You see, it's their choice whether or not to do business with you. However, it's your job to consistently tell them how you benefit them and why ...
Views: 1025(10 votes) - ***Marketing Plan Basics: Situation Analysis - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2009 from Paul KeetchTo write a truly effective marketing plan for your business, you must have the basics in place first. One of the most basic, yet often overlooked elements of a marketing plan is the situation analysis. This situation analysis will provide the context for the proposed plan of action and must ...
Views: 3248(21 votes) - 3 Reasons to Write Content for Other Blogs - by Submitted on May 08, 2011 from TJ PhilpottAs hard press for time and ideas you may be to write content for your own blog why in the world would you want to do so for other blogging sites? Anybody who operates their own platform knows full well the importance of maintaining a steady stream of blog posts to keep readers happy. The ...
Views: 651(3 votes) - 4 Secrets to Developing the Perfect PR Pitch - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2011 from Anthony MoraYou might have a great story, but if you don’t know how to present it, you’re not going to grab the media’s attention. Remember what seems like a great story for you might not seem that way to the media. Building a great pitch for a TV segment or magazine article takes some time, thought and ...
Views: 1596(3 votes) - 5 Keys to Successful Seminar Promotion - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2009 from Jenny HambyYou've booked a hotel meeting room and picked a seminar topic. Then it hits you: You have a lot of money on the line ... and no idea how to fill the seminar seats. Use these five tips to get started on the path of successful seminar promotion. 1. Target your best prospects. The world is a ...
Views: 14415(3 votes) - 5 Reasons to Use Twitter to Advertise your Business - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Candy SugarmanOne of the most attractive things about advertising with Twitter is that it's free. Radio, television, and newspapers can get quite expensive and doesn't necessarily hit your targeted demographic. The better advertising can be Twitter. Below are 5 ways that Twitter is an business advertising ...
Views: 2017(3 votes) - Are You Ready for Growth? - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2011 from Lisa MininniImagine one day you wake up, jump out of bed, and are excited about starting your day. You head toward the kitchen to pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit down to breakfast. As you start zoning out while drinking your first sip of java, your excitement turns into anxiousness as you think ...
Views: 1164(3 votes) - Create Fans Not Clients - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeI remember it well. I was 12 years old when I heard Eric Clapton's first solo album. I can tell you where I was. I can tell you the first song I listened to. (It wasn't the first track.) I can tell you that I was an instant fan and have been ever since --- so much so that my oldest child, Erika, ...
Views: 1289(9 votes) - Entrepreneur or Technician: How Your Business Connects to Your Prospects - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2011 from Lana McAraMost of the time when an individual gets an idea of starting a business, they start with an urgency to sell their personal skills and be their own boss. This is the commonly accepted definition of a small business owner. Unfortunately, it’s also the reason so many businesses fail. By ...
Views: 1188(9 votes) - Excuse Me, But Your Bucket Is Leaking - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeSitting on the edge of a counter is a bucket. Only partially filled, it continues to let water escape -- drip by drip -- from a hole at the bottom. Scurrying back and forth is a team of people, trying in vain to add enough water to fill the bucket ... or at least keep it level. But the water ...
Views: 1164(9 votes) - How to Be Recognized as an Expert in Your Field and Have Prospects Banging on Your Door - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeWhen it comes to marketing your services, two facts hold true. One is, when things are important to people, they buy -- or at least attempt to buy -- from a recognized expert. The other is, to be most profitable, you must differentiate yourself from your competition. One of the most effective ...
Views: 1426(9 votes) - How to Design Your Free Product Offer - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2011 from Sheri HoffIn today’s online world of business, a great free offer is a big key to success. Long gone are the days where people could put up a newsletter opt in box and get subscribers. Now, you need a free downloadable product that people can gain access to immediately. The offer not only needs to be ...
Views: 1534(9 votes) - How to Tick People Off - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeI was heading out of town for the day and wanted to have some extra cash in my pocket. So, when I left my office, I grabbed a check that a business associate had made out directly to me as a reimbursement. Since I was driving by the bank he uses, I figured I would quickly stop in and cash the ...
Views: 1071(9 votes) - Letting Go of “D” (Difficult) Clients - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2009 from Cookie Tuminello“They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.” - Mahatma Gandhi I wish I had a nickel for every time one of my clients told me that they had a client that was driving them crazy and they were afraid to let them go because they didn’t want to lose their business. Enough ...
Views: 1858(3 votes) - Satisfaction Surveys Mask Customers' Reasons for Defecting - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeI see it all the time -- companies using the terms "customer experience" and "customer satisfaction" as if they are synonymous. They are not! The former is based on emotion that is derived from a process. The latter is based on an outcome at a particular moment in time. Study after study has ...
Views: 1159(9 votes) - Systems Thinking Drives Small Business Success - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2011 from Lisa MininniImagine for a moment that you’re sitting in a meeting and you look down at your cell phone to discover that several people just signed up for a workshop you’re hosting four weeks from today. Each person that signed up immediately received an automated message from you with details on the ...
Views: 1023(9 votes) - The Four-Letter Word That Will Kill Your Marketing Efforts - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeComedian George Carlin had an infamous routine where he discussed the seven words you cannot say on broadcast television. Not surprisingly, five of the seven consist of four letters, enforcing the dubious connotation of something referred to as "a four-letter word." Other words such as "work" ...
Views: 1004(12 votes) - Who is Going to Make My Local Company Thrive on the Internet? - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2011 from Cassandra WitEveryone wants the internet to make them rich. Making money from the internet is all about driving traffic. The more who visit your site, the more opportunities to capture a lead or even a sale. Choosing who is the best to person or firm to make your internet site drive bundles of new business ...
Views: 836(3 votes) - Y is for Yo Sushi - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Helen DowlingWell, this article isn’t exactly about Yo Sushi! It’s about the fact that if you pay attention to the big companies around you, it’s very likely that you’ll find ideas that you can apply to your own business. Remember, big companies can afford to do things – they can afford to hire the best ...
Views: 831(3 votes) - Marketing Advice ... It's Not Worth a Thing Unless You Implement It - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeMarketing is essential to the success of your business. But you already knew that, didn’t you? In fact, you probably have attended marketing seminars, read marketing books and articles, and even talked to marketing consultants about jump-starting your business through more effective marketing ...
Views: 1040(14 votes) - Super Bowl Commercials ... Sales or Publicity? - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeThe hype surrounding the commercials is almost as great as that surrounding the game itself. Newscasters report on the cost of a 30-second spot. The list of advertisers is pored over, as is the list of previous advertisers that decided not to participate. It's covered on television, radio, ...
Views: 1049(11 votes) - Is It You That's Holding You Back? - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeAs self-employed professionals, we are always looking for ways to get ahead -- ways to reduce costs, get more clients, increase profits, and enjoy our businesses more. We learn the latest marketing tactics, read how others have found success, develop beautiful marketing materials, and a host of ...
Views: 933(8 votes) - Three Easy Steps to More Referrals - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeGetting referrals is like an iceberg; you're not seeing a great deal of what is actually there. In the case of an iceberg, ten percent is readily visible, while ninety percent lies beneath the surface. In the case of referrals, you're probably receiving ten percent of what you could and should ...
Views: 1032(8 votes) - ***Marketing Basics: Creating an Effective Customer Profile - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2009 from Paul KeetchThe key to building a successful marketing campaign is to really understand who your prospect is, what frustrates them and what they dream of for the future. I would suggest developing a customer profile that clearly details the specifics about your most common customer. Starting this ...
Views: 1571(38 votes) - 3 Great eBusiness Ideas for Building a Profitable Website - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from Sue DolanA great ebusiness idea is by far the ultimate key to success when building a profitable website. When researching options for the best and most profitable website ideas one place to turn to is Google. Google has many, many hidden treasures. Using the powerful tools available from Google to ...
Views: 3459(5 votes) - How to Attract Successful Business Leads - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2009 from Joanna VaiouAre you currently engaged in a home based business opportunity? If you have chosen this method to become financially stable, then I laud you and your effort and courage. Getting into an online business opportunity can be considered as a very risky situation by many people, but if you know how to ...
Views: 1645(5 votes) - Leverage Tips You Can Take to the Bank! - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2011 from Lisa MininniHave you ever asked yourself, “How can I get my business to the next level?” This is a common question I receive and recently answered on a Q&A call for my Success Circle members. One of the important elements to get your business to the next level is that your business cannot be dependent ...
Views: 1216(5 votes) - The Sure-Fire Way to Attract More Clients - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeAs self-employed professionals, we are often looking for a brilliant marketing strategy to implement ... searching for the remarkable tactic that results in tremendous returns ... the latest and the greatest of these that give us all the business we can handle. Well, you can stop! There are no ...
Views: 1171(10 votes) - Seven Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2009 from Ann ShipleyWith over 40 million people looking at home-based businesses within the next three to five years, I thought this information was too important to not share. Aaron Parkinson, Co-Founder of CarbonCopyPro, recently held a conference call for prospects to help them understand what makes a good ...
Views: 1511(14 votes) - Branding - The Single Most Important Thing - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeAs the owner of a business, you are constantly looking for ways to improve the many aspects of your company. Of course, there are a myriad of ways to accomplish this. To increase profit margins, you might look to lower product costs, make distribution more efficient, or lower overhead. No matter ...
Views: 2862(9 votes) - Santa and His Amazing Customer Relationship Management Program - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeEach December you will find Santa getting ready for his big night. We hear so much about the long, arduous hours he puts in during the month, it would lead us to believe he relaxes the rest of the year. But Santa, being the world's greatest marketer, begins working on the upcoming year on ...
Views: 980(11 votes) - So What? - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeMany of us realize that, to get a buyer's attention, we have to tell them about benefits. As Jack Trout and Al Reis wrote in their best-seller "Positioning," everyone listens to the same radio station, WII-FM (What's In It For Me?). No one really cares about us as businesspeople; they care about ...
Views: 1057(11 votes) - Use Your Email Signature - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2009 from John KilbrideThe email signature is that little piece of information found on the bottom of professional emails which communicates the contact details of the sender — your critical business details. If you are using email for business, then you should have a branded email signature. For better or worse, ...
Views: 5043(11 votes) - To Catch More Clients, Learn to Fish - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2011 from Peter GeorgeIf you had to survive solely on the fish you catch, you would do everything possible to give yourself the best opportunity to not only catch fish, but also catch those that taste good and provide bountiful portions. You would check reports about what kinds of fish are biting and where they are. ...
Views: 1028(13 votes) - *** Effective Marketing Tips - How to Use LinkedIn to Market Yourself Online - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2009 from Paul KeetchAre you curious about how to effectively use your LinkedIn profile to market yourself more effectively online? By the end of this article you'll have 3 simple LinkedIn marketing strategies you can begin using immediately! LinkedIn Marketing Tip 1 - Include a Signature In Your ...
Views: 2745(2 votes) - *** What is Marketing? - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2009 from Joe BavoneseMarketing is a loaded word. Some would even say a 'dirty' word! According to a recent study, we in the 21st century are bombarded with over 3000 commercial messages a day. We try to avoid it, mute it or delete it. Some say consumerism and the commercialization of life is the greatest scourge of ...
Views: 1783(6 votes) - ***Public Speaking is a Great Form of Free Advertising - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2013 from Doug StaneartEarly in my career, I volunteered to speak at local business events in my hometown, and I began to build a reputation for myself as a pretty good speaker. One of the vice-presidents for a big national financial planning firm saw me speak at a couple of events, and he pulled me aside after one ...
Views: 9230(6 votes) - 10 Ways to Protect Your Small Business - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroRegardless of what stage your business is in, chances are you can use some reminders of vital ways to protect your business. The following is a list of 10 ways to protect your business regardless of size, location, or stage of your business. Use it as a checklist to measure your business ...
Views: 1027(2 votes) - 3 Article Marketing Strategies That Draw Subscribers In Like A Magnet - by Submitted on Mar 13, 2011 from L.R. HandArticle Marketing Strategies and Tips are really prevalent searches because nearly all online marketers recognize that article marketing is a great way to create lots of targeted online prospects. My question is this: Can you make your reader to reply "YES" to your offers and make your article ...
Views: 1000(2 votes) - 5 Steps to Take for Business Success Online - by Submitted on Mar 11, 2011 from TJ PhilpottIn order for business success online to be your reality you must take the time to develop a workable plan! Likely you have already set certain financial objectives you want to reach but a business development strategy is needed to make this happen! Plain and simple here are 5 steps you will ...
Views: 589(2 votes) - Advertising, Marketing and PR: What's the Difference? - by Submitted on Nov 03, 2009 from Carma SpenceSure, They Are Related ... But Each Serves a Different Function You hear the terms "marketing," "public relations" and "advertising" talked about all the time. But, they seem to mean the same thing sometimes ... it can be very confusing, especially for small or solo-businesses owner. So, in ...
Views: 1452(2 votes) - Are You Making This Potentially Fatal Career Mistake? - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2010 from Mardi Lo FasoDid you know that only about 20% of your client base—your "raving fans"—will proactively refer to you? Why not the other 80%? Well, it's not because they don't WANT to refer to you. It's because THEY'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT YOU! Don’t make the potentially fatal career mistake of thinking that ...
Views: 1054(2 votes) - Be Exact to Attract - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2011 from Lisa MininniHave you ever noticed that when you have two magnets one side repels while the other side attracts? No matter how much you try, if the magnets are not positioned with the right poles, you can’t put them together. Without realizing it, your marketing messages very well may be repelling your ...
Views: 1100(2 votes) - Coaching Tips: Charge What You Deserve and Invest in Your Ongoing Growth - by Submitted on Dec 02, 2009 from Suzanne EvansA common struggle for new or developing coaches is how to set your rates. Do you go with what other coaches in your area are doing? Do you offer something unique or additional that allows you to charge more? Do you even have the confidence to ask for what you're worth? Your rate is your ...
Views: 748(2 votes) - Diamond Clarity: The Crucial Factor In Purchasing A Diamond - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2011 from Frank PoorsDiamond clarity is the most important thing to consider if you are thinking about purchasing a diamond. Though, it can be challenging to get high quality diamonds, especially if you don’t know much about them. Before you go out and purchase a diamond, you should read this guide to make sure you ...
Views: 886(2 votes) - Doing Things Differently or Just Doing Different Things? - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Lisa MininniAfter working with so many entrepreneurs over the years, I found that many people take a bits-and-pieces approach to their business. I recognize it, because I used the same approach when I started my own business many years ago. When I first launched my business, I would wake up and wonder ...
Views: 2613(2 votes) - Don't Let the Recession Drive Your Prices Down - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2011 from Young KimIn a time of recession, there is a reluctant tendency to lower prices. Rather than targeting people who can’t afford your services, target the ones who can. Think of creative pricing strategies to keep your existing customers and to get new ones. Offer discounts to only your loyal repeat ...
Views: 1064(4 votes) - Enhance Your Home Business Leads With An Effective Internet Lead Generation Sales Funnel - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2010 from Carla BaldockLook beyond the day to day activities and "noise" and you'll notice that there are only 3 activities that make you money: drawing targeted internet marketing traffic to your website, converting this traffic into home business leads and then getting repeat sales from these existing customers. ...
Views: 743(2 votes)