Results Revolution TV and Blog
posted March 23rd, 2010
The Results Revolution (a nationwide initiative seeking to create strong economies based on locally owned & operated small businesses) just launched a TV show through their website which is new every week. Show topics covered so far include email marketing campaigns, publicity, social media, marketing and more. Watch the shows live every week or search their archives for shows you missed. Don't have time to watch a show? Read their blog that covers a wide variety of helpful topics for small businesses. All available from http://www.resultsrevolution.com/.
10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Small Businesses
posted December 4th, 2009
Mashable.com is a hub for information about social media. A recent article provides basic and advanced strategies for small businesses to implement social media into their marketing strategy. Visit http://mashable.com/2009/10/28/small-business-marketing/ to start your social media marketing plan or tweek it to provide a better benefit to your business.
Monroe County Community College Entrepreneur's Boot Camp
posted September 28th, 2009
The Monroe County Community College is offering classes this fall on:
How to Develop Your Business
Funding and Financing Your Business Idea
How to Advertise on a Small Budget
Fundamentals of Starting Your Business
Simple Financial Record Keeping for Small Business
Funamentals of Writing a Business Plan
Legal Issues in Structuring Your Business
Promoting and Marketing Your Business
plus introductory computer classes to help your business be successful.
More information can be obtained on page 15, 16 and 21 of the Lifelong Learning Course Catalog for September-December 2009 at http://www.monroeccc.edu/ccs/LLSchedule/F09/MCCC%20LLFall%2009%20Schedule.pdf.
Business Marketing and Customer Retention
posted August 20th, 2009
Lisa Dixon (LADixon@aol.com), national speaker with 20+ years of professional experience in advertising and marketing and founder of AdWorks, offers advice on how to market your business on a small budget. Here are seven critical questions to ask yourself before you get started marketing your business:
1. What benefits do I offer my customers?
2. How am I different than my competition?
3. Who wants or needs my products/services?
4. What message do I want to communicate to my current and potential customers?
5. What is my marketing budget?
6. What advertising vehicles/marketing programs would best reach my target market?
7. Am I visible to current and potential customers on a consistent basis?
Make sure that you are marketing to your target market and in the most effective way to ensure that you get a bigger bang for your buck.
Are you developing a relationship with your customers in order to retain them? Lisa Dixon offered five keys to customer retention stating that current customers are your most important asset.
1. Be Reliable-Find solutions to their problem and over-deliver customer service.
2. Be Credible-Be consistent with the customer to help them achieve customer satisfaction.
3. Be Attractive-Operate a clean and professional looking business. Give the customer a great first and lasting impression.
4. Be Responsive-Stay in touch with your customers and always be accessible and available to quickly assist them.
5. Be Attentive-Make your customers feel special and show them your appreciation.
Word of mouth is one of the strongest forms of marketing. If your customers enjoy the experience, products and services in your store they will help spread the word to their friends and family about your business and that kind of marketing is priceless.
Have You Taken a Look Through Your Customer’s Eyes Lately?
posted August 17th, 2009
Sometimes in the rush of everyday life we as business owners forget to take a step back and look at our store from our customer’s point of view. Here are a few things to consider to help you make that great first impression:
Outside Appearance
- Sidewalk: Is it free of debris and litter? Can your customers easily access your business?
- Windows: Is the glass clean? Can you see directly into your store? Is your window display out of date or faded? A well-lit window display is your least expensive advertising.
- Front Door & Façade: Is your door easy to open and well painted? Is your façade clean and décor well kept? Is your sign in good condition with store hours clearly posted?
Inside Appearance
- Décor: Are your floors, walls and ceiling clean and well maintained? Is your layout inviting and easy to maneuver? Is there noticeable dust and cobwebs?
- Senses: Does your store have a fresh and pleasant smell? Is your merchandise clean? Is any music or noise at a comfortable level?
- Personal: Are you and your staff well dressed and professional looking? Is your customer service providing positive results?
Convenience
- Store Hours: Are your store hours predictable and allow all of your customers the opportunity to shop? Are you open nights and weekends when restaurants are crowded?
- Parking: Are your employees using convenient customer parking? Is your entrance and parking properly signed and lit?
This attention to detail and a few inexpensive updates can help customers make the decision to enter your store and keep coming back for years to come.
The 10 P's to Prosperity
posted July 29th, 2009
Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO of www.sbtv.com and AT&T Small Biz Expert offers 10 ways to make sure you build a successful business:
1. Perception - Think big (your goal) and build backwards to your starting point
2. Proposition - Is there a market for your business and what makes it different and unique?
3. Plan - MAKE A BUSINESS PLAN. Your plan may evolve but you must lay everything out on paper.
4. Prepare - Get help from outside business assistance resources, seminars, mentors, etc. (learn, learn, learn)
5. People - Involve the right people in your business that will add to its success. You can't do it alone and you want to fill in the skills you lack.
6. Promote - YOU MUST HAVE A WEBSITE. Leverage technology, network, market where your customers are and build trust throughout the community
7. Process - Don't reinvent the wheel, create a system to operate by that can make your business productive, profitable and operate no matter who is running the store
8. Pennies - Understand your business financials and know where your money is going (you sign the checks)
9. Patience - Keep in mind that success will not happen overnight (it often takes 3 years to be profitable) and mistakes are learning opportunities
10. Passion - Helps you keep your motivation and energy up while you are being patient.
Marketing Must-Do Concepts
posted July 29th, 2009
Team Halo (www.resultsrevolution.com) presents the following concepts that you can do to market your business and increase your customers:
1. Offer an experience that impacts all five senses
2. Create and use a consistent and memorable brand (logo, color-scheme and website domain name)
3. Pursue the business trifecta which includes: a business, a proprietary product and educational classes that use your products
4. Focus on customer retention (make sure you have a website and it is updated at least once a week)
5. Nurture Relationships by developing a strategy for every media type. Social networking can increase communication with customers.
6. Pull people into your store during events and at least get your website in their hand
7. Offer samples and demostrate services
8. Work with other businesses for cross-promotion
