Archive for May, 2009

A recession can be a good thing for Small Business

By | May 29, 2009 | Micro Business Issues | No comments

A lot has been made of the current economic crisis and how it can affect your business’ long and short-term goals. With all the doom and gloom in the media, it may seem like there is no silver lining for SMB owners, however according to an article by Ramit Plushnick-Masti in the
Associated Press highlights that a down economy may be the perfect time for you to grow your business.

While it may sound improbable, Plushnick-Masti’s piece highlights a couple of small manufacturing technology companies that have seen their sales rise despite the economic downturn. Read more…

Start spreading the news

By | May 27, 2009 | Online Marketing | 2 Comments
Alli Berry

Alli Berry

At certain times during the year every business experiences some decrease in traffic to their business.  It may be something that is seasonal or just happens seemingly out of the blue every few months. One way to slow this period or to increase customer interaction is to take a different approach to some of your email marketing. Chances are that you’ve built an email list of your customer base that you’ve been sending promotional emails to every so often to increase repeat business through coupons or sales (click here for tips on building a bigger list). Read more…

Tips for Small Biz PR Success (Part 4)

By | May 26, 2009 | Micro Business Issues | No comments

Welcome to the fourth and final installment of Tips for Small Business Public Relations Success. If you missed either of the previous three posts, be sure to check out Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3. Today we will go over two additional tips to simpsons-reportermaximize the PR exposure for your small business.

Lend a helping hand – Putting on your reporter’s hat is a creative way to increase your chances of achieving PR nirvana. Do some of the leg work for your media contact by offering up facts and figures related to your business or product.  Offer a trend story featuring information about your company and similar but non-competing organizations. Read more…

Using promo products to increase revenue

By | May 22, 2009 | Offline Marketing | 3 Comments
Mindy Sanderson

Mindy Sanderson

As a savvy small business owner, you know that promoting your brand in today’s business climate can be a challenge. Last December I presented a webinar on the use of promotional products to drive revenue. In light of the economic struggles around us and ever shrinking marketing budgets, I want to revisit this presentation and reinforce some of the key points small businesses should be following when planning a promotional product campaign. Read more…

Building customer confidence with a video

By | May 22, 2009 | Online Marketing | No comments

Here is a video that was put together to show the strength of our tote bags.  It offers a view into the qualiy of the product to help customers feel confident in their purchase. If you sell products or services, an intro video could help expand the audience and purchaseability of the product being shown.

Tips for Small Business Public Relations Success (pt. 3)

By | May 18, 2009 | Micro Business Issues | 2 Comments

Welcome to the third installment of Tips for Small Business Public Relations Success. If you missed either of the previous two posts, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2. Today we will go over three more tips to maximize the PR exposure for your small business.

Look like a professional – Your organization’s image is at stake every time you present it to the media so it’s important to use professional-looking materials when mailing and faxing pitches, cover letters and other printed samples or items. Your chances for a media placement will be vastly improved when your pitch materials look professional and are printed on high-quality paper. Include your business card and use sharp looking return address labels for all mailings. Display your logo on mailing envelopes for extra credit.

Read more…

Facebook for your business?

By | May 15, 2009 | Online Marketing, Social Media | 2 Comments

facebook

Let’s face it, Facebook is addicting. It’s OK, you are not the only one. Originally it may have seemed like the social networking site might be a fad for tweeners and twenty-somethings, however, it has turned into a powerful networking and business tool for businesses.

Chances are that you are a fan of one company or another, hopefully VistaPrint, and you have received an update or special discount in your updates alerts on Facebook. There’s also a good chance that you visited the company’s homepage after receiving the coupon or update, maybe even purchased a product. You can create a similar effect to your customer base and the best part is that it won’t cost you a dime. Creating a page is FREE and takes only a few minutes to set it up, you simply click the “create a page” link on your Facebook profile page.

Read more…

Add email to your repertoire

By | May 13, 2009 | Online Marketing | 2 Comments

alli-berryIn the current economic landscape, it is important to acquire new customers while staying within your budget. In the past, postcard mailings were a staple of customer acquisition, however it is often pricey and it is very hard to track without in-store redemption. An easier and more affordable option is email marketing. There are a number of companies online that will not only allow you to purchase lists from them, but you can also have them send out the emails for you.

Planning a campaign is very similar to planning any other marketing campaign that you have done in the past. You will want to create a clear, catchy selling point and add that to a very clean and attractive imagery, and of course, a very prominent call to action. From there, you will want to purchase a list that meets your targeted demographic.

For example if you are a beauty salon looking to attract new customers, you may purchase a list that is geared towards recently engaged women or female college seniors (yes lists can be this targeted) and send along deals that correspond to weddings or formals and graduation.

Read more…

Tips for Small Business Public Relations Success (pt. 2)

By | May 11, 2009 | Micro Business Issues | 4 Comments

Welcome to the second installment of Tips for Small Business Public Relations Success, CLICK HERE if you missed part one.  Today we will go over three more tips to help you improve your media presence.

The art of the handwritten note card – Nothing beats the personal touch of a handwritten note card when it comes to thanking a media member for their professionalism during the process of cultivating your small business into a full-blown media sensation. It’s inexpensive, makes a lasting impression and has a strong impact, especially because so few people use them these days. Read more…

Customer success story – Center for Progressive Dentistry

By | May 8, 2009 | Offline Marketing | No comments

After 35 years of practicing conventional dentistry Dr. Joseph Santelli decided to create a totally unique dental experience for his patients. Because he loved what he was doing he opened a new facility and called it the Center For Progressive Dentistry. It became a “one of it’s kind” dental spa. In this new setting Dr. Santelli, his wife and one dental assistant concentrate on procedures that people today are looking for, namely cosmetic dentistry including Lumineers and mini dental implants.

Because people usually don’t equate going to the dentist with being pampered this is exactly what Dr. Santelli and staff have created. Rather than seeing 10-15 patients every day, they now cater to two to four. At the end of each visit the person can then relax in the dental spa which is equipped with a professional remote control massage chair, flat screen TV, waterfall feature, herbs and candles. Most people quickly fall asleep and when they wake up they feel great. “What a wonderful way to end a dental appointment,” is a statement that Santelli has commonly heard at the end of many clients’ sessions.

Read more…

Page 1 of 212