Small business owners are in a unique position to help others. Networking meetings are usually a place where a person asks for referrals to grow their business; in fact, most of our marketing efforts are geared towards obtaining more business. Recently I attended several meetings of a networking group. Every meeting sounded like a “broken record” as each member shared what they needed in terms of new business. I believe they should also take a minute and share something that they have … [Read more...]
Toooting your horn in business
April 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Most business owners are asked “How’s business?” Every time you stand up at a networking meeting or are in a social or business setting, that question is asked. Stop and think, what is your typical answer? Do you say “Fine” or “Great”? Some people answer “I’m Swamped” or “It couldn’t be better”. What do you you may have more business than you can handle so you really don’t need a referral or that business is lousy and you don’t want anyone else to know. The … [Read more...]
Become the expert in your field….
April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
One of the best ways to help your marketing efforts is to become the “go to expert” in your field. By promoting yourself as an expert to your target audience you gain both credibility and trust. There is a small catch, it requires a lot of hard work but the end results are well worth the effort. Not only will your current customers become loyal followers, but you will attract new clients as you become known as “the expert”. The following suggestions will help you get started in the … [Read more...]
Focus…Focus…Focus. Stop getting ready and start selling!
April 1, 2012 By 2 Comments
If you have a product or service that you absolutely believe in and you are sure there is a market for it, then stop getting ready and sell. Too often I run across small business owners who believe in their product or service but procrastinate in the selling aspects of running a small business. The procrastination takes form in “the getting ready”. First stationary and envelopes, then a brochure, then a web site, then social media presence, i.e. Facebook, twitter, etc. Next comes the blog … [Read more...]
Loyalty , the magic word in life and business
March 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
How often we use words without knowing exactly what they should mean in the context in which we are using them. Loyalty is such a word. Everyone in business wants to “develop customer loyalty”, but the process to reach this goal is usually left to the interpretation of the business owner. The dictionary defines loyalty as the emotional factor between people who choose to support a personal relationship. The relationship I am speaking about is one based on true friendship, accountability … [Read more...]
The referral guide, a business must…
March 27, 2012 By 1 Comment
Referrals are an essential part of growing a business. Traditionally we hand out business cards to anyone who will take one. We have a web page and a blog and we ask everyone we come in contact with to send us referrals. In spite of all these efforts, the stream of referrals may still be slow. Each of us is also asked for referrals, but we don’t always “sell” the referral. This program I am about to recommend is to be used with your best clients, best friends and your business support … [Read more...]
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