Why is it, in this day and age, that there are still some stores and restaurants that don’t accept credit or debit cards? This is the epitome of making it difficult for your customers to do business with you. There is nothing worse than to make it through an entire meal, only … Read more
A news or press release about a new program or event is a wonderful way to inform the local media and its audience about your latest efforts. Before you do this, however, you must know exactly what your intent is for your news release. Make sure you can answer the following questions: … Read more
Use the Fortune Cookie Effect. Engage your customers with a collection of cute or hidden messages in your packaging. Chocolates, fortune cookies, ketchup and beer are just some of the products that have successfully used this technique for drawing interest to their branding. The idea is to embed a message into your … Read more
Join a networking and referral group like Local Business Network (LBN) or Business Networking International (BNI). This may also take the form of joining a local business association, rotary, or other similar group. Joining these groups offers you an opportunity to meet and network with other small-business owners in the spirit of … Read more
Step 1: Get quotes from people at several of the local video shops, interview them, and look at their portfolios. Pick the one that you feel best about. Step 2: Have them videotape your seminar and make it web-ready. Ask them to send you all raw and edited footage. You should have … Read more
In the client database you should already be maintaining, track who ordered what service or product and when. This will assist you when you reach out to those customers again. With this knowledge, you will have a better understanding of what they do as well as what has been important to them … Read more
Tell your story. Oftentimes, in our attempt to be consummate professionals, we are leery of telling our story (why you do what you do, what makes you tick, what ticks you off, and so on). As any seasoned public speaker will tell you, stories have a way of intimating us with our … Read more
When conducting search engine marketing, the quality and quantity of backlinks leading into your website provide the search engines something upon which to base your authority metric, bumping you up in the search results. When making blog comments on sites that compliment your own, remember to mention your keywords 2-3 times, as … Read more
If you are aware of products that compliment your own services and if these products are offered under an affiliate program, consider joining the affiliate program and listing the product(s) on your website. By doing so, you bring more value to your visitors’ experience of your website while welcoming the added prosperity … Read more
Be one of the speakers at your local high school on Career Day. This gets you practice in front of what could be a tough group. (If you can keep their attention and inspire them, you can approach any audience.) Be sure to research the school first. Have they won any big … Read more
Quote: “When you’re a caregiver, you need to realize that you’ve got to take care of yourself, because—not only are you going to have to rise to the occasion to help someone else—but you have to model for the next generation.” ~ Naomi Judd Motto: Love your neighbor as yourself. Driving desire: … Read more
Quote: “A true lover always feels in debt to the one he loves.” ~ Ralph W. Sockman Motto: You’re the only one. Driving desire: intimacy and experience Goal: being in a relationship with the people, work and surroundings they love Greatest fear: being alone, a wallflower, unwanted, unloved Strategy: to become more … Read more