Posted by Internet Marketing Jim on January 16, 2009 under Main | 
1. Develop a marketing network with complimentary businesses. Working with other vendors and linking to each other’s websites is a very useful way to get your name out there. You provide a link on your website - which directs your web visitors to another website - while the sites you have partnered with do the same for you. This will increase your traffic as well as give you a chance to network with people who have similar interests. And, having relevant links on your website to related companies, and links from their site to yours, gives you a higher importance in the eyes of the search engines.
2. Recycle your publicity. Whenever you get a mention in the media, get some extra mileage out of it by recycling it in your advertising. You can use it on your website, as part of your email signature, in your forum signature or even as a jumping off point to get additional media exposure. For example, you could send a copy to a reporter at a different media outlet with notes on how you could offer them a different angle. All of these things will make you look more legitimate and trustworthy to potential customers.
Please Come Back To This Site - Moe Tips To Come
Posted by Internet Marketing Jim on December 26, 2008 under Main |
One way to establish rapport on cold-calls is to match your prospect’s voice qualities - especially the tone and pace. If you normally talk fast but your prospect is a slow talker, slow down and pace yourself. Just be very careful that you are not “mocking” or in any way criticizing your prospect and do not carry it to the extreme. Be friendly, not “cute”.
Begin your call by asking for the prospect by name.
You - “Hello. May I speak to Mr. Smith?”
Prospect - “Yes, this is Mr. Smith”
Then immediately identify yourself and the nature of your call:
“Good Morning Mr. Smith. My name is Mary Jones… (then give your very best “elevator speech)” and begin to ask questions.
Well thought out questions will quickly let you know if you have a real prospect or just a “suspect” and will help you build rapport at the same time.
If the prospect says he is “too busy to talk right now” suggest a later time or date with an option:
“I understand, Mr. Smith. Would this afternoon or tomorrow morning be better for you?”
Plan your call, be concise, polite, and listen carefully.
At the end of your call thank the prospect for his time and schedule follow-up calls as appropriate.
Posted by Internet Marketing Jim on December 23, 2008 under Main |
Because small business owners and the self-employed are often wearing many hats, they are very susceptible to feeling overwhelmed or having “burnout”. If this is starting to happen to you, here are some things you can do to overcome it.
- 1. Take care of yourself. If you do not keep yourself physically and mentally fit, you are more prone to burnout. Make sure you exercise, eat right, and get enough sleep. Don’t be too busy to take breaks during which you can have a healthy snack and at least do some stretch exercises or take a short walk.
- 2. Manage your time. Poor time management is often the cause of burnout. Plan your day in order to get the most important tasks done. Checking email or surfing the web may not be priorities! Be punctual for appointments and expect others to do the same.
- 3. Accept that you are not perfect. And neither are other people! Expect to make mistakes and expect others to do the same. Look at them as “learning experiences”. Make changes as necessary and move on
- 4. Welcome change. Explore new ways to do routine tasks, offer new services or products. Look for ways to improve performance, or examine what you do best and make it even better.
- 5. Clarify your communications. Be clear and concise in conveying to others exactly what you expect from them and at the same time let them what they can expect from you. Encourage them to ask questions to clarify your role and their responsibilities.
- 6. Establish realistic expectations for yourself and others. If you see that you’re pushing yourself or your employees too hard, maybe you need to let go of unrealistic expectations. Learn to delegate, shorten your to-do list, and know when to let up on yourself and others.
- 7. Value your time. If you don’t put a value on your time, who will? Learn how to say no.
- 8. Take a relaxing vacation! A vacation should be a time to relax, refresh and replenish your energy and enthusiasm. Even a long weekend away from the office will let you come back with a fresh outlook and perspective. Try to leave you cell phone off and don’t check your emails!
Posted by Internet Marketing Jim on December 20, 2008 under Main |
- 5. Produce a newsletter. Not only does this help establish you as an expert, but it also provides another very important marketing tool: e-mail addresses of potential clients by using an “opt-in” offering more information about your services.
- 6. Offer free samples. Few people can turn down a free sample. Offer a small job for free to show the potential client the quality of your work and to get them used to working with you.
- 7. Greet clients with style. Voice mail, while less desirable than a live person, is preferable to having your toddler answer the phone no matter how cute he or she is. Most phone companies now offer a wide range of options. You might consider one with several mailboxes so callers can press “1″ to hear more about your services, “2″ for your office hours or location, “3″ for web and e-mail addresses, etc.
- 8. Get in the news. Newspapers are always looking for good “local” stories to print. Contact the business editor or your paper. Explain what you do and why readers might be interested in your business. Best to try the small local papers first rather than large metropolitan ones. Free publicity is great.
Posted by Internet Marketing Jim on December 17, 2008 under Main |
When you really want to attract new customers on a low budget, here are some inexpensive but effective ways to promote your business.
- 1. Ask your customers to fill out a brief “survey” (which you have prepared) about you and/or your company/service/product. If you just ask them to write a letter of recommendation, most people, even if they agree, will not take the time to do it. Make it easy for them to comply. You can then show these surveys to prospects and post on your website (you DO have a website, right?).
- 2. Volunteer to conduct an educational seminar at your local library or Chamber of Commerce. Make sure your seminar is informative and educational, not a sales pitch. You can distribute informative material with your contact information and make a special offer to the attendees.
- 3. Offer to speak to local civic groups, such as Rotary or Kiwanis. They are always looking for informative speakers. Most of them meet once a week, so they need 50 speakers per year and will usually welcome your offer. Again, don’t make it just a sales pitch!
- 4. Write short articles or letters about your service or product to the editors of local newspapers and business publications. Include contact information and mention your website.
- 5. Ask for introductions to prospective clients from your lawyer, accountant, and other professional friends. This type of introduction is one of the best ways to increase your client base.
- 6. Ask your current clients for the names of three people they know who might be able to use your service. You might even be able to ask for an introduction by phone or in person. Very powerful!
Posted by Internet Marketing Jim on December 9, 2008 under Main |
The goal of this blog is to provide information and resources to help others succeed in their own business, whether online or offline.
My experience with small business covers more than 35 years as a successful multi-location franchisee, a franchisor, and considerable business experience. I have founded, owned or managed over 15 different businesses in 8 different industries over the last 35 years.
The Internet provides an opportunity for anyone to start a successful business with little investment and huge potential.
