Archive for the 'Business Tips' Category
Treat your customers right or you won't have any to worry about!
It’s downright frightening to think of your business losing customers, losing money and having the potential to go belly up. However, it happens to companies all the time; even companies who have good intentions. Today, I’ll discuss the top 3 surefire ways to scare your customers away – helping you to prevent this from happening to your company!
#3 – Keeping Your Customers in the Dark
Your customers want to be able to reach you – whether they have a problem, a complaint, a question or a concern. When they aren’t able to reach you or solve their problem within a reasonable amount of time, chances are they will leave.
You can bet that your competition will be there waiting to take care of that customer! Always make sure that your customers are able to reach a representative of your company and that their problems or issues will be addressed quickly.
#2 – Tricking Rather Than Treating
If your company advertises something – you need to make sure you follow through. If a customer reads an advertisement offering an item for 20% off, but then they find out they have to purchase 5 other items in order to receive that item for the discount – they’re not going to be too happy. Sure, this may trick a few customers into purchasing those 5 items, but it could also cost you several customers as well.
Be honest in all of your advertising material and don’t trick your customers with hidden fees. Treat them to the truth and only offer what you’re prepared to follow up on.
#1 – Ghoulish Customer Service Representatives
So here’s a little tale of fright that actually happened to me. I shop often at a department store close to my home. On one occasion, I happened to be shopping for a gift. I noticed that there were signs throughout a certain area of this store advertising a sale item and I was interested in this item.
When I asked the lady behind the counter to direct me to the area where the items were kept, she replied rudely that they were out of stock. I politely told her that perhaps they should consider taking the signs down so customers wouldn’t continue to ask for the item.
Well, this brought out the demon in her! She proceeded to ask me in a rather loud, annoying voice if I was aware of how much business they had done lately and how many of those items they had sold. No! I wasn’t aware because it’s not my job, and because of this lady, that store no longer gets my business. When your customer service representatives come straight out of a scary story, chances are they will scare customers away for good.
Without your customers, you have no business. The truth is that most customers who are displeased will simply leave your website or walk out your doors without ever complaining. This is not the way to run a successful business and the chances of your business growing and thriving are not great. Remember to treat your customers to the best kind of service to ensure that they continue coming back.
A press release with SEO will spread the word about our special 10% discount for eco-minded businesses.
Overlooked by many companies, press releases offer a hugely effective way of growing your company’s web presence through search engine optimization (SEO). A search engine optimized press release can also help you increase your ranking on Google. Far from simply being a method of sharing your latest news or service, a press release optimized for search engines can offer you an excellent and cost effective way of improving your visibility.
While many people think that SEO simply boils down to having a website and littering it with keywords and meta tags to impress the search engines, it’s a little bit more in-depth than that. Google, Yahoo and the other major search engines are constantly evolving the way their search optimization techniques work. Now you need a combined list of search engine friendly features to help you achieve the rankings your success needs – unique and custom content, social media and blogs are all part of increasing your presence. A search engine optimized press release is also part of this arsenal, and a highly effective one at that.
Why Do I Need a Search Engine Optimized Press Release?
According to respected information portal Hitwise, Yahoo News and Google News are both placed highly in the Top 10 news and media websites. People or companies looking for news stories now prefer to use Google and Yahoo to the likes of CNN, The New York Times and USA Today. It’s a perfect example of how the online news portals have ousted the more traditional methods with the people that matter.
A search engine optimized press release can take advantage of this newest trend. Not only will it share the latest news about your business, but by using an SEO-friendly writing style it will also target the very people you want to attract to your business. Some of the key features this type of press release can offer include:
- Keyword-rich content to rank highly on the all-important search engines
- Links from your keywords to strategic pages on your website.
- Company logo, graphics or even embedded video links to make full use of the social media aspect of the press release.
- RSS feeds so that when your company releases other news statements, the readers of the initial press release will automatically be updated.
The video link example is an excellent method of improving your search engine visibility. Although viewed as mainly a website where users can upload personal videos, Youtube is now the third largest search engine – impressive for a mere video sharing site. Taking advantage of this popular form of media, by uploading a company video and embedding it in your press release, is a sure-fire way to increase your own Google rankings.
Where Do I Distribute my Press Release?
There are many outlets where you can submit your press release for distribution, some with better results than others. However, unless you’re familiar with meta tags and targeted industry keywords, you might lose the effectiveness of the release by not submitting correctly. A SEO writing service specializing in providing optimized press releases and web content should therefore be used, to ensure the maximum success for your company press release.
Online networking takes your business to an international level of competition.
Are you tired of hearing about Twitter and Facebook? I was a skeptic too, but soon learned that it’s hard to overlook or underestimate the power of online interaction on a social level. Millions of people are congregating on the Internet and you don’t have to leave the comforts of your computer chair to tap into this networking energy.
I encourage you to dip your hand in the honey pot and you’ll be surprised at some of the golden opportunities waiting just around the corner. While it isn’t a guarantee you’ll become a success story overnight or even in a couple of months, smart social marketing campaigns have resulted in increased sales, new customers or web visitors, and at the very least, cost-effective advertising.
On a personal note, I’ve been introduced to a wide-range of business professionals, as well as leisure indulgences. From recycled journals and cheap magazine subscriptions to gourmet taffy, I’ve purchased items advertised on Twitter that I would have never found browsing my typical online haunts.
Still wish to resist current trends? There’s more to business networking than just Facebook and Twitter. Other networking platforms to explore include:
LinkedIn: More than 40 million professionals have already established their online identity with LinkedIn without worrying about their next Tweet or updated vacation pics. You can connect with past colleagues and classmates, but your interaction is not on display for the rest of the world to see. Industry experts are available to lend a helping hand, but for the most part, I see this professional network more on the minimalist side of business networking.
StartUp Nation: Expect helpful advice and networking opportunities geared towards small businesses. From getting feedback on a new website design to asking burning business marketing questions, StartUp Nation is an explosion of effective community resources. Set off on a fact-finding mission or simply mingle with like-minded entrepreneurs. Forums are constantly filling with new ideas to spark your own creativity and send you off in the right business direction.
Biznik: Network with indie business owners in a community-wide general discussion forum or ask questions of fellow participants. Unlike LinkedIn, Biznik doesn’t focus on posting resumes and credentials, but instead – concentrates more on the sharing of ideas and building support systems for entrepreneurs.
Ecademy: Allow Ecademy to bridge the gap between you and the next entrepreneur. Gaining access to this online network opens many doors in the business world with the help of blog posts and message-board chats. For a more rewarding experience, the site offers an exclusive BlackStar membership program.
Focus: Sometimes you need a little help obtaining the goods and services to make your business ventures truly shine. With Focus, you gain the necessary assistance in an online community atmosphere to make important business decisions, conduct efficient research, and benefit from the expertise of others.
NetParty: If you live in cities like Boston, Dallas, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Orlando – then NetParty offers an opportunity for you to mingle both online and offline. Connect with qualified, thirsty-for-success professionals across the Net and then reconnect at happy-hour events about town. Dust off those business cards and get ready to pitch new job openings. Visit the website to find additional participating cities.
Photo Credit: nookiez
Wonder how the entrepreneurs and business-savvy individuals in your niche are getting ahead of the game? One of the reasons could be that they are constantly wearing their thinking cap and taking full advantage of their time when away from the computer, outside of the office, and even on vacations. They use their off-time wisely – incorporating their business aspirations into all aspects of their life. This doesn’t mean you have to become a complete workaholic, ignore your family, and sleep with your business cards – simply think outside the box and get creative with the ways you market your business.
A couple of examples include:
The gym. Whether you’re taking an aerobics class or pumping iron, you’ll always bump into an interesting cast of characters at the gym. Some people can’t help but to strike up a conversation and dive into your personal life. Usually, the topic of ‘where you work’ comes up. This presents the perfect opportunity to network with potential clients, customers, or professionals in your same field. You never know when someone will need a good mechanic, lawyer, or chiropractor. Don’t forget to carry business cards in your gym bag.
A simple airport shuttle ride can turn into a time to network. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I had a business card handy when chatting it up with complete strangers while on vacation. Take advantage of a long airplane ride by listening to the traveler beside you. Some people have stumbled upon potential partnerships and new ideas just by lending an ear and engaging in genuine conversation.
Even when on vacation, you can still keep your business in mind.
Actively seek out potential business by becoming involved. Stop ignoring PTA notices. Lend a helping hand to the local baseball team. Support the Girl Scouts. Certain niches can benefit from community outreach. Try providing customized T-shirts for a local Little League for free to gain interest in your silk-screening business. Supply chatty parents with something to talk about with cookies from your bakery. Always keep business cards on hand. Also, pass out coupons to drum up further interest.
Image Credits: yoshiaka (bottom)
It's important to think global!
What can the Internet do for you? As an entrepreneur, you are constantly thinking of new and inventive ways to push your product or sell your services. Somewhere between print ads, conference calls, and attending seminars, you have either created a website or thought about establishing an online presence. With all of the millions of websites floating about the World Wide Web, how will you take advantage of the Internet and use it to best benefit your business?
Reach New Clients and Markets
The World Wide Web is an ever-growing hand that stretches across the world to reach potential clients, consumers, and markets. With the help of the Web, you can locate the customers most interested in listening to what you have to say. Use the Internet to go beyond the typical parameters of location. Think outside the box. Think national. Pursue global prospects.
Feed Your Creativity
The software and online capabilities of today are absolutely amazing. Whether its providing website visitors with a helpful video demonstrating the benefits of your product or supplying live customer service, the Internet allows you to tap into the never-ending possibilities of your creativity.
Turn the “Interested” Into Customers
From a T-shirt shop in the mall to a brick and mortar business on the boulevard, the Internet can turn the casual observer of your business into a new customer. After a potential consumer has scanned your ad in the newspaper, heard someone else mention your company name, or passed by your store on the way home – a website can encourage the “interested” to walk through the doors of your business or order from your catalog once they’ve learned more about your business.
Create Repeat Business
With the help of email postcards, online newsletters, and your website, you can encourage repeat business from current customers or clients. A few ideas include:
- Send alerts regarding new products.
- Publish articles centered on your niche.
- List events and activities of interest.
- Email periodic coupons and discounts.
Kill the Confusion
In this day and age, it’s better to save time, money, and energy by reducing the number of bad leads that come when interested parties aren’t quite clear on who you are, your location, skills, and what you have to offer. A website allows you to “kill the confusion” regarding your business by answering important questions without ever having to open your mouth.
Boost the Impact of Press Releases and Ads
Press releases and other forms of advertisement inform the world about new businesses, products, and services hitting the marketplace. Capitalize on this connection with the public by allowing potential customers to gather additional details through your website. Keep in mind that this is a great way to bolster business sales.
Save Money
If you invest in printing and postage for your business, consider the prospect of saving money by replacing your printed materials with online advertising delivered through your website and email. Not only will you save a few bucks, but you’ll also place less strain on the environment.
Gain A Heads Up
A website allows you to gauge some of the most appealing aspects of your business. By routinely checking site stats, you can follow the surfing habits of visitors and get a sense of the products, services, and information attracting the most attention. This practice will also help you plan future events for your business, tweak advertising, order appropriate inventory, and predict sales.
Aim high but make sure you don't miss your mark!
Maybe you’re trying to impress new mothers who have virtually no time for themselves and very little sleep. Perhaps you have your sights set on middle-aged businessmen who seek luxurious lifestyles. Who you’re trying to impress depends entirely upon what sort of products or services you’re offering. The trouble is that it’s pretty easy to lose focus in trying to become desirable to everyone. Here is some valuable information on finding your target market.
What’s a Target Market?
If you’ve been in business for a while, you know that a target market is a group of people that are most likely to purchase your products or services. If you’re selling a weight loss pill, you might be targeting middle aged women who want to lose a few pounds. If you’re selling the most comfortable shoes ever – you might be targeting nurses or others who spend long hours on their feet. These are the people who need what you’re selling the most and who are probably more willing to buy it than anyone else.
Taking it a Step Further
Many businesses make the mistake of trying too hard to target a huge group of people – such as men, women, parents or people who own a car. When this happens, advertising and the message it carries becomes diluted. The thinking behind this is understandable; the more people you target, the higher the potential for sales, right? Wrong. Actually, if you send out a strong message to a highly targeted and smaller group – you will probably sell more. For instance, if you sell organic dog food to everyone who has a dog, you may get some people who are interested.
However, if you target eco-conscious people who own purebred dogs and get them regular vet checkups and grooming appointments, you will probably sell more. If you add that these people should be middle aged and financially stable, you will probably sell even more. The more targeted you get, the higher the potential of sales – if you’ve done the correct research and found the right group of interested individuals.
Give Them What They Want
Another important thing when it comes to target markets is giving them what they want. That market is seeking something – an easier solution, a time-saving product, etc. Give it to them. This is where market research becomes important. Find out who you’re selling to. Find out where they live, what kind of lives they lead, what they are seeking and what they’re settling for. Of course, you don’t need to become a stalker to do this – you can hire professional market researchers or perform the research yourself by visiting forums, sites, local events, etc.
While finding the target market may sound intimidating, it’s actually not. Look at who your major competitors are and the people they are going after. Perform market research and learn about the people you want to sell to. By doing this, your advertising dollars will be saved and your messages will pack a punch that customers can’t refuse.
Committing social marketing no-nos and don't even know it?
If you’re on the computer very often, you’ve almost certainly heard the terms ‘Web 2.0,’ ‘Social Marketing,’ and ‘Social Networking.’ In fact, they are a very important part of doing business online in today’s world. However, it seems that many business people and website owners aren’t quite sure what they should be doing in the Web 2.0 world.
Here are 5 things to avoid while taking advantage of social networking.
#5 – Do Not Neglect Your Social Networking ‘Friends’
These are the people you’ve added to your MySpace, Facebook, Digg or other social networking site. A lot of times, business or website owners will just add a ton of people in order to get their friend count up – and then ignore them. These are the people that will be voting for your site or blog. If they send a shout or recommend a page, take a serious look at it and let them know your thoughts.
This way, you can be sure that they will do the same when you send a page or a shout. Rather than adding a gazillion friends right off, look through the profiles and add friends who have similar interests as you. This will cut down on the chances of you getting pages or recommendations of things that you are not interested in at all.
#4 – Do Not Leave Generic Comments
When leaving comments on pages or blogs, read through the information and leave a comment that really adds to the conversation. If there’s one thing that irritates most social networkers, its comments like ‘nice post’ or ‘good job.’ What’s even worse is when you just get a little smiley face. Then you don’t know if they really even read the information.
Leave meaningful comments or comments that actually add some thought to the post. If you don’t have time, don’t leave a comment at all. Just return to the post later when you have a few minutes to actually comment in the correct way.
#3 – Don’t Get Too Personal
If you’re taking advantage of social networking sites in order to drive traffic to your business, you should maintain a professional image. Getting too personal is really not a good idea. I’ve read arguments, insults and some very colorful information while browsing through profiles and it’s not attractive. I kept thinking that I wouldn’t hire these businesses for anything – especially since they don’t know how to maintain professionalism in their own business.
If someone has written something that you don’t agree with, simply don’t comment. Or, comment in a professional way. Rather than telling the person how wrong and stupid they are, find something in their comments that you agree with. Then you can use a professional approach by telling them that you agree to an extent.
#2 – Never Post Something that Doesn’t Belong to You
People do it all the time – find an article that is well-written, remove the current links and add their own links back to their site. Never use someone else’s work at all without getting the proper permission. Not only does it make you look terrible in the online business world, but it is very illegal. Write your own content or hire a professional writer to do it for you.
#1 – No More Spam!
Do not spam your social networking friends with business information over and over again or leave spammy comments all over the place. This is one way to become quite unpopular in the social networking world. If you do it enough, you can even get your profile locked. There are ‘report this user’ buttons with each social marketing platform and since spam is the most annoying thing in the world, people will most likely report you. Only send valuable links or pages to people and never the same one more than once.
By avoiding these things in your social networking ventures, you can have a better chance of succeeding and really becoming a valuable and respected social networker.
Take the time to market within your own community.
Looking for new ways to market yourself? Become involved locally.
Image is all about perception, and if people see you as someone that cares about their local community, they will feel more inclined to deal with your business. Of course, make sure that you’re becoming involved for the right reasons – doing something with the sole intention of furthering your business is easily found out.
Some of the ways to give back to others include:
- Sponsor a local event or sports team.
- Offer yourself as a mentor for local school students.
- Build associations with worthy causes – cleaning up the local beach or park, for example.
Marketing yourself within your local surroundings will help define your business profile, whether your business is primarily an online or offline one. Once potential clients see your name in numerous areas, particularly if they’re areas that benefit others as well as you, then their natural inclination will be to do business with you. For this reason, marketing yourself is an essential and invaluable way to market your business effectively.
Don't count newspapers out when marketing your business.
While searching the Internet has become an obvious leader in providing information for curious consumers, business marketers still benefit from taking advantage of the many other advertising avenues waiting in the wings.
Let’s take the newspaper for example – from local PennySavers to the New York Times – this form of media continues to grab the attention of commuters, scrapbookers, avid readers, and those who simply enjoy lounging in bed with a morning cup of coffee.
Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of people who cannot resist flipping through the Sunday comics, browsing the classified ads, and making contact with news and information that is tangible. Sadly, many business owners miss out on a valuable opportunity to tap into the local market when they ignore the power of the newspaper.
Advertising in Local or Regional Newspapers
If you are a small business owner, you must get the word out about your business, especially if you are new to the market. Advertising in the newspaper is a great place to start. However, don’t fall victim to assuming that a large, flashy ad will attract the most attention. Instead of focusing on size, concentrate on frequency. You will gain the best chance of reaching your target audience if you remain visible for a longer period of time. Tailor your ads to alert consumers that you are “the one” to call when it comes to solving a problem or making life easier.
Remember – display ads quickly lose their luster, especially when you can’t afford to keep posting on a regular basis. Choose an uncomplicated classifieds ad to enjoy effectiveness through repetition; and always include your website address so that interested individuals may follow up on your business.
If you’re tallying up the price for promoting your goods and services on a weekly basis (especially when it comes to the Sunday paper) – think again. Getting your name in the newspaper is easier and less expensive than you think. A few suggestions include:
1) Write a letter to the editor. Consider voicing your opinion about a topic that pertains to your industry, market or niche. This will provide a decent opportunity for you to mention your company or business.
2) Ship out press releases with an attached professional image or photo. This tactic helps the public associate a business name or company with a representative image. Brand recognition often plays an important role in persuading consumers to buy.
3) Sponsor an event that receives local coverage. Many times, advertisements are placed in the newspaper displaying the name or logo of sponsors who have contributed to a particular cause. This is also a great way to become a positive presence in the neighborhood.
4) Land a contributing writer position. Gain exposure for your business when you become a familiar face or voice in the community by writing a column in the local weekly or submitting articles to larger publications as a contributing writer. In your bio, make sure to include your website address and company information.
Photo Credits: Jean Scheijen AKA Vierdrie (top), Alvimann @ Morguefile (bottom)
Use e-books to build credibility and gain interest for your business.
Ebook writing has become quite a popular request in the Priceless Writers’ inbox. Why? Entrepreneurs and business individuals have found a surefire way to increase sales and conversions by giving them away. In exchange for names and e-mail addresses, visitors receive an informative Ebook containing unique content and useful information.
This marketing technique helps businesses build their contact lists, which is very important. Of course, Ebook writing has become popular because these books are selling at a great rate as well. Information truly is priceless and people are willing to shell out big bucks in order to get it.
The Importance of Unique Content in Your Ebook
Unique Content is very important because readers are tired of getting the same information. Even if the topic is quite popular, taking a fresh angle with your Ebook writing is important. If readers are compelled to read, interested and satisfied with the Ebook, they will be back for more information. They will trust you more and be more willing to purchase your services or products as well. Placing unique content in your Ebooks, or hiring a writer that will is very important to your online business.
Building Credibility with Your Ebooks
As a business man or woman, you understand how important it is to build your reputation and credibility through various methods. What you might not know is that you can do the same thing with Ebook writing! When customers or visitors read the great information you provide them with, your reputation goes up as well as your credibility. You brand yourself as an expert in your niche.
You can guess what happens next. When those readers or their friends are in need of products or services like yours, you are going to be the person they contact. Using this method, the more Ebooks you write or have ghost written for you, the higher your reputation as an expert goes. This translates to more customers, higher sales and more profits.
So, What Kind of Ebooks Can You Feature with Your Business?
Virtually any business can take advantage of this new trend in Ebook writing. For instance, if you are selling organic dog food, you can feature a book that contains tips on how to keep your dog naturally healthy. Or, if you’re in the website design industry, writing an Ebook that contains tips for converting visitors to customers is a great idea. No matter what your niche is, you can use Ebooks to your advantage. Considering the benefits that you can gain, it’s important that you don’t neglect your Ebook writing.
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