Cheap Marketing Strategy #2: Become Known as an Industry Expert By Carrie Johnson
Pump up the volume about your services and products more than ever now during these slow economic conditions. I know it is still bad out there and many businesses are struggling to keep running. I have witnessed several small businesses having to close their doors. All the more reason to get on the highest platform you can find and shout! That is, increase your marketing and public relations efforts. You do not have any money, you say? No problem. There are several strategies you can carry out that cost little or no money and can help increase your bottom line.
One way that costs little or no money is to become known as an expert in your industry. As the expert you can and will increase your company’s visibility. Increased visibility means potential customers learn about your company and you remind current customers how great your products or services are so they come back around. Read more...
Cheap Marketing Strategy:
Apply for Small Business Awards and Contests By Carrie H Johnson
Now is not the time to stop marketing your business. Fact is sales and marketing are the two ways to produce revenues. You must continue to keep your customers interested and informed and attract new customers. The economy will turn around and you want to be ready for it. The key is to find cheaper ways of promoting your business.
One-way that costs little or no money is applying for and winning small business awards and contests offered by corporations, professional associations and government agencies. Read more...
Your success begins with finding your entrepreneurial voice. What do I mean by 'finding your voice?' When I ask most entrepreneurs that question they look at me like I have three heads or think I am asking what their niche is or what their tag line is. I'm not talking about any of these. I am talking about what makes the difference between the success and failure of your business.
Consider a Partnership to Grow Your Small Business By Carrie H Johnson As a sole owner are you ready to take your business to the next level but cannot get a loan or afford the added expertise you need to make it happen? Do you need a vacation but cannot leave your business unattended? Are you working 24/7 and hardly ever see your family? If you have answered yes to these questions, this may be a good time to consider taking on a partner.
What is your voice and why is it important? What are you offering your customers that they cannot get anywhere else? What is different about your business that your competitors cannot come close to duplicating? What is it that can draw your customers in and make them want to spend money with you over and over again? It's you. You are what is unique about your business. You make your business authentic. So how do you present 'you' to your business world? Read more...
Getting a partner to buy in to your company can add working capital for the business. It can also mean financial gains that benefit you personally and provide added experience that gives another dimension to your product or service. A trusted partner can give you the peace of mind that allows you to take better care of yourself and your family. Other advantages include having someone to collaborate with, share responsibilities and share the financial commitment and the potential to earn greater profits. Read more...
Diversity to Survive the Recession and Beyond by Carrie H Johnson
Is your business doing okay but your only breaking even? Or worse, your bottom line is starting to dip? It might sound crazy but adding to your product line, service offerings or starting another business could help you survive these tough economic times and set you up to thrive when the turnaround happens. And it will happen.
Consider that you are providing a product or service that focuses on one target market. What if you started offering another product or service that aligns with your current business? What if you found another product or service that you could offer effectively, that people wanted to buy and that would make you money? Read more...
As the economy becomes more uncertain small business owners are challenged to reduce costs and still provide quality products and services to keep a competitive advantage. If you want to ensure the future long-term success of your business take an example from big business and do some benchmarking.
Big business has used benchmarking for years to compete in and lead their respective industries. Corporate executives, faced with constant pressures to reduce costs, have saved billions of dollars for their organizations through benchmarking. Small businesses can also gain significant rewards from big business benchmarking practices. Read more...
Some people can enter a room full of potential clients and leave with a pocket full of leads. Others sweat at the mention of attending an event where potential clients are available to them for the asking. While networking makes good sense, getting into the swing of shaking hands with strangers keeps many people out of the “networking circuit.”
I often hear from clients – “I don’t know how to network;” or “I’m uncomfortable approaching strangers and talking about my business;” “I don’t want to be pushy. It’s just not me;” or “I don’t know what to say.” Believe me I can relate. I used all of those reasons and more to avoid networking events. I was afraid I would en dup looking like a fool by saying the wrong thing or saying too much. When I finally stepped out and started networking my personal and business growth intensified. Read more...
This may seem a strange time to ask, but in the spirit of not wanting to waste a good recession, have you considered how and when you will leave your business?
What are years of sweat and hard work worth to you? Are you hoping to retire with the equity you build up in your business? Are you planning to sell your business and live on the millions you receive for the privilege? Do you plan to pass your business to your children and receive a monthly allotment to complement your retirement? All of these are wonderful ideas and can net you a healthy retirement fund if you plan for it. Without a plan you could end up sweaty and broke. Read More...
