Tuesday November 16, 2010 6PM

Cheap Marketing Ideas for Your Business
For all you business owners in the Colorado Springs area I will be speaking on more cheap marketing ideas at the Black Chamber of Commerce on Nov 16, 2010 at 6PM. Ways to market your business and yourself when there is little or no money in the budget. It's at the Southeast YMCA on Jet Wing Dr. in Colo Springs. There is no cost and they love guests to come, everyone is welcome. This is my 3rd visit to their meetings and you will leave with some new ideas to use in your business. No reservation just show up and ask what room the chamber meeting is in at the front desk. See you there.

Street Smart Ideas

So where do you find these "street smart ideas" to make you a leader rather than a follower? They are all around you, just take the time to look. When you visit another business observe what you like and don't like about how they operate and treat customers. It does matter whether it's a difeerent industry than yours, ideas are easily interchangable. Also, check out many different websites to what is attractive and informative that you can use on your site. Check how often they make changes to their site especially to the home page. New ideas are everywhere and you just need to pay attention.

Some of the largest corporations in the world never had an original idea or innovation. They just enhanced, improved and did massive promotion of ideas they found elsewhere. When you see something at another business that you feel that you can use in your business think of how you customers and prospects will perceive it. Then make adjustments to the idea so it fits you business. New ideas that can benefit customers, provide better service, reduce costs and increase profits are everywhere if you are observant and ask questions. More on this in chapter 92 of my book "The Jelly Bean Principle"

Street Smart Ideas

Ways to Have Fun at Work

.Listen to upbeat music while doing easy tasks
.Hold meetings outdoors
.Join a team that supports local charities
.Think from a different angle
.Brainstorm for new ideas
.Bring donuts or candy to meetings
.Organize a potluck lunch
.Be yourself and smile
.Start an in-house blog
.Ask fellow employees about their interests
.Give praise to a job well done
.Wear something silly on casual Friday
.Have a 5 minute game to start a meeting
.Do something outside-the-box

The Unpredictable

Events or situations that you don't expect to happen and they can hold back or bring your business to a standstill. Having a cintingency plan can get you back to normal faster.
.Weather related-Tornados, hurricanes, heavy rain or snow
.National disasters-earthquakes and tsunamis with physical damage
.Volcanos and floods-may happen with little warning, save life before business
.Man-made disasters-terrorist's attacks, wars and military action
.Fires-prevention is the key but if it happens start insurance claims qiuckly
.The economy-downturns can & will happen so be ready to adjust and wait it out.
.Accidents-chemical spills, train wrecks, plane crashes are unfortunate but do happen
.Crime scene-if close to your business it can temporarily close you down
.Employee injury-major job related injuries acn bring a business to a halt, make safety a priority
.Utility outages-they seem to happen when you are most busy, can you have a backup plan?
.Key employees leaves-always cross train employees so this will not be a setback
.Your death-this will happen to all of us but have a transition plan ready

Doing Business in Australia

.Men should wear a conservative dark business suit and tie
.Women may wear a dress, business suit or skirt and blouse
.Shake hands when meeting and leaving
.Don't over hype yourself, your company or products
.Sightseeing and sports are good conversational topics
.Exchanging business cards is common among professionals
.Opinionated discussions are respected and entertaining\
.Be and active and intent listener
.Australians are very friendly and open but directness and brevity are appreciated

Ten Marketing Mistakes

1. Trying to outsmart the market-You can't make customers buy but you can change your offer
2. Loss of focus-failure to pay attention to your customers objectives instead of your own
3. Lack of marketing-You must keep promoting your products and services in good and bad times.
4. Underestimating repeat business-the only way to grow your business and survive in tough times is repeat customers
5. Poor customer service-treat customers with honesty, promptness, respect and a smile.
6. Failure to test-whether it's direct mail or launching a new product, monitor the early results before you make a big investment
7. Give up on publicity-free promotion for your your business does not happen every time keep trying with new ideas
8. Failure to watch competitors-Know their changes and offers when or before they make them. Check their website often.
9. Failure to change-when the market changes don't just sit there and watch, be on the cutting edge
10. Not being street smart-everything doesn't happen like the textbook, learn and succeed by doing

The Last.. Writing Your First Book seminar

It's been said that everyone has at least one book inside them waiting to be written, what's yours about? I will present a seminar on Saturday November 6, 2010 called WRITE-PUBLISH-PROMOTE at my office from 9AM to 10:30 AM (Colorado Cards, 5585 Erindale Dr #203, Colo Spgs, CO). I have 4 published business books and 2 more in process. You'll learn how to come up with a catchy title, organize chapter outlines, plan for the correct number of pages and words, write the first draft, edit, search for a publisher and agent, submission guidelines and accept rejection. Find out the difference between a mainstream publisher, print on demand, self-publishing, e-books and which one is best for you. Why pay for publishing if you don't have to. Then promoting your book after it's published using many different ways is just as important. Attendance is limited to the first 15 adults at $22.00 per person. Nothing else will be sold at the seminar. The space is limited and past seminars have been selling out so please call 719-268-1322 or email: idealetter@aol.com to reserve a seat.

Speaking in Singapore

Over the last 30 plus years I have started, operated and in many cases survived over 20 small businesses. I became an expert on how to continue marketing when funds were tight and the economy was less than perfect. I had several businesses at the same time and they ranged from a business forms distributorship to selling collectables to Norman Rockwell artwork. It was always fun to run a business and succeed when people said "That won't work" I always thought that if it does work I'll have no competition at least for a while. My books offer ideas from my business experience and things you won't find in textbooks. I love speaking to business groups all over the world and would love to get engagements in Singapore, KL Malaysia and China. I also believe in telling stories during my speeches and making people laugh to accent a point.

If anyone has connections with meeting planners or executives in Asia and the UK please send them in my direction. http://www.idealetter.com/ idealetter@aol.com I am sometimes available on short notice if another speaker cancels. "Have passport-Will travel"

Value is Everything

When you can't compete on price and still make a profit, let value take over. Increase the value of your product or service and price will become secondary or less. Add quality and perks to what you're selling that's something your competitors are not offering. Value buyers are more likely to be repeat customers and send referrals which will build your business faster AND make a profit. Price only comes into play when the customer doesn't see a higher value. Competitors who only sell on price feel they have nothing else to offer. Choose the value route and worry less about the price choppers.

How Well Do You Know Your Competitors ?

.Exactly who are your competitors?
.Are they big, small or franchises?
.Where are They located?
.Are they growing and expanding?
.What is their pricing strategy?
.How many employees do they have?
.How elaborate is their website?
.How do they pay their employees?
.What are their strengths?
.Do they have any niche products?
.What marketing do they do?
.Are the owners on-site?
.How are customers/clients treated?
.How long are their OPEN hours?
.How do they react to your marketing?
.Do you fear them and why?
.Are you on their mailing/email list?

Overplan Your Day

Want to increase your productivity? Overplanning your day will help you stay focused.
We all know how important it is to plan our time and make the most of it. But sometimes we shortchange ourselves by not paying enough attention to planning our daily activities.
Work expands to fill the time allotted. If you plan to accomplish one task on a particular day, you'll accomplish that task. But that task will have consumed a lot more time than it would have if you had other goals to accomplish that day, too.
If you plan to accomplish three tasks in a day, you'll get all three of them done. If you plan to accomplish twelve tasks in a day, chances are good you won't complete them all, but you'll get seven or eight of them done.
The more we have on our plates, the more we're likely to accomplish. Overplanning your day will provide a pressure to get more done, and to do that, you'll be more likely to delegate and be less tolerant of interruptions. Instead of lollygagging or giving in to distractions, you'll stay focused on what you have to do.
Planning to do more than you can actually accomplish in one day will help you concentrate on the tasks at hand, and give you a real sense of accomplishment when you discover that you can accomplish so much more than you thought you could.
By Susan Ward

Shop at a Small Store ?

The consumer has many choices when it comes to spending their money. Why should they consider a small store over a large corporate chain or discount store? Here are some ideas that build loyalty in small stores. . Better all-around customer service. Well informed sales staff. Owners on premises & available. Every sale is very important. People you can get to know. Faster check-out or payment. Comfortable store layout. Easy returns & exchanges. Special orders are welcome. They know your name. No corporate bureaucracy. Consistent quality & pricesIf your small store is missing any of these, get to work on improving your image today. You can & will survive any economic slowdown with loyal customers who will also send referrals. But to get that loyalty you must give them the feeling that their business is valued and appreciated. The little extras you offer can go a long way.

What is Success?

On what is success so few do agree The successful one to you may not be so to me No two see things exactly the same as some like to say We all look at life in a different way Some people are not very hard to impress They associate money and material things with success Such as the value of your house and the value of your car They never see you for the person you are, The company you work for and your take home pay Many look at success in this sort of a way To them compassion and kindness to little amount Though these things should be taken into account When talking of success though it seems to me That most of us look at things quite differently. by Francis Duggan

Cut Waste...Not Quality

One way to reduce costs ia a restaurant or fast food establishment is to eliminate needless customer waste. Cutting back on quality or quantity of portions will only risk losing customers not improve your bottom line. Ther are other ways to reduce costs that will not upset your customers. Things like asking if they want crackers with their soup, cream with their coffee and plastic utensils with carry out orders.

When we had an ice cream/deli business we offered a free pickle and small potato salad with every sandwich. We found that about half the people didn't really eat one or the other or both. So we started asking if they wanted those items when we took their order and many declined. It reduced our sandwich cost by 5% to 8% and that went directly to our bottom line. Let your customers decide if they want the extras and cut back on waste.

Fire Your Customer ?

There are times when a customer is more trouble than they are worth and you no longer want them to buy from your business. But you don't just say "You're Fired" but make the split as smooth as possible for both sides. Here are some reasons why you may want to say goodbye.
.Their expectations are unreasonable and can't be met
.Finds something wrong with every transaction
.Doesn't see any value in your products or services
.Doesn't appreciate any extra effort you offer them
.Is rude or disrespectful to your staff
.Tries to argue for a lower payment after the delivery
.Keeps threatening to take their business elsewhere
.Makes impossible requests to see your response
.Asks for something free with every order

Cheap Marketing Ideas for Your Business

For all you business owners in the Colorado Springs area I will be speaking on more cheap marketing ideas at the Black Chamber of Commerce on Nov 9, 2010 at 6PM. It's at the Southeast YMCA on Jet Wing Dr. in Colo Springs. There is no cost and they love guests to come, everyone is welcome. This is my 3rd visit to their meetings and you will leave with some new ideas to use in your business. No reservation just show up and ask what room the chamber meeting is in at the front desk. See you there.

Create Loyalty

Here are some ways you can create customer loyalty:
.Always thank them for their business
.Have convenient business hours
.Fast check-out and payment methods
.Use their name often and smile
.Reward regular customers
.Have an open door policy for questions
.Welcome special orders and changes
.Rush service at no extra charge
.Outstanding front-line customer service
.Give a little extra every time
.High value perception
.Friendly refunds and exchanges
.Ask them for their product input
.Show empathy for their concerns
You will notice that price is not listed here because a low price does not create loyalty. More on loyalty in chapter 18 of my book "The Jelly Bean Principle" at amazon, kindle & others

Customer Service Nightmares

Then there are “commonly accepted industry practices,” which remind me of the paint color author Tom Wolfe calls “good enough for government green.” Conforming to such practices make a firm not great or good, but merely average:

Forcing car rental customers to fill up their gas tanks before dropping off the car

Requiring retail store customers to sign credit card charge forms when phone and online customers have skipped this step for years (this is finally beginning to change)

Expecting customers to assemble a dossier of information just so they can get the rebate promised them

Making customers deal with a different department for every aspect of their problem, as in, “Oh, we’re just tech support. You need to talk with Customer Service to get your password changed, then ask them to transfer you to Billing...”

Charging customers $100 extra when they need to change their air travel plans

Using social security numbers to identify customers even though the government says this number should never be used for identification purposes. When I tell this to company representatives, they typically retort, “Then we can’t help you.”

Pay special attention to those practices that are commonplace in your industry. If you can become more flexible in one of these areas, you could acquire a meaningful edge over your competition.
Credit to Bruce Kasanoff

Want to Go Global ?

Most businesses have thought about going global but are not sure what to do or how to do it. The "Made in America" words are still very popular in most other countries and lots of companies have had great success internationally. Just look at Coca Cola, blue jeans, McDonalds, Amazon.com and even smaller enterprises. In fact the world is very interested in growing entrepreneur business and want to join with them, even as customers.

Start by contacting the U S Dept of Commerce and reading all the information you can. The first contact can be online and then call or set up an appointment to discus your plans. Remember that your tax dollars are supporting this agency and they won't turn you away. Then learn all the laws and have some type a business plan for your global sales. Decide on a few countries to test first and learn their laws as well.
Going global with your business will be exciting and also profitable.

Don't Break Promises

Customers will look at the promises that you make to them as a test of your integrity and honesty. Passing that test will reinforce their loyalty and put them more at ease in the future. They will feel comfortable doing business with you and make it diffucult for competitors to lure them away.

But failing the test will result in just the opposite. They will wonder if they can believe anything that you or your employees tell them. And the negative word-of-mouth travels much faster than the positive. Let your competitors break their promises but go out your way to keep yours.

More on this topic in chapter 25 of my book "The Jelly Bean Principle"

Can't by Edgar A. Guest

Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.

Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and half-hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man

Have Home-Based Business Control

To have a successful home-based business you first need to be dedicated to your goals. If not it's just a hobby not a business. But you also must have control of how your business works and is perceived by customers and clients. Many home-based entrepreneurs have seen success by following a few rules.
.Set regular business hours and stick to them. Let customers know when they can reach you and how
.Don't use your home land line phone number, get a seperate dedicated line for you business with voicemail when you can't answer it
.Use call forwarding to your cell phone when you are not in the office
.Encourage clients and prospects to use email and faxes whenever possible and respond to them quickly
.Join and use at least 2 different social networks where you can promote your business and ideas
.Treat and respect your business as a business because it is

Writing Your First Book seminar

It's been said that everyone has at least one book inside them waiting to be written, what's yours about? I will present a seminar on Thursday Oct 14,2010 called WRITE-PUBLISH-PROMOTE at my office from 6:30 to 8PM (Colorado Cards, 5585 Erindale Dr #203, Colo Spgs, CO). I have 4 published business books and 2 more in process. You'll learn how to come up with a catchy title, organize chapter outlines, plan for the correct number of pages and words, write the first draft, edit, search for a publisher and agent, submission guidelines and accept rejection. Find out the difference between a mainstream publisher, print on demand, self-publishing, e-books and which one is best for you. Then promoting your book after it's published using many different ways is just as important. Attendance is limited to the first 15 adults at $22.00 per person. Nothing else will be sold at the seminar. The space is limited and past seminars have been selling out so please call 719-268-1322 or email: idealetter@aol.com to reserve a seat.

Failure

Failure may outnumber success
Failure may cause pain
but nothing goes in vain
Failure are there
to make you strong
Failure gives wisdom
Failure gives experience
Failure keeps you in touch
with reality
Cowards don't fail
It's for the brave
who leave the shore
to sail into unknown
Failure is a stop
in the journey of life
don't stop at the bend
Todays failure would be
tommorows bigger success
Failures is the craddle
in which success rocks.

by Narender Singh Bansal

Those Lost Customers

Don't give up on customers you have lost because some may come back with a little nudge and a smile. Give them a little time and then try to win them back.
.Make a most-wanted list of the important lost customers that you want to pursue first
.Find out why they left. If they don't respond to a phone call or voicemail try sending an email. Let them know that there is no obligation and please tell you why they left
.Ask for another chance and guarantee that you will rectify any previous problems and keep an open door to any of their concerns
.If you win them back make them a high-priority account and you or someone on your staff interact with them ofter to see how you're doing

Before You Sign for a Franchise

When considering investing your time and money in a new franchise business consider what it demands. Take a close look at the hours and the rules you'll have to live with and decide if that's for you. Many people have jumped in too quickly and then complained later when it's too late. Do your due diligence "before you sign" the non-reversable franchise agreement. There's no turning back and no franchise fee refund once you have signed the agreement. You are now a member of the franchise family so don't look back.

Unusual October Holidays

Use these real but odd holidays in your business for fun and profit.
4 National Denim Day
5 World Smile Day
5 Long Walk Day
7 Bathtub Day
8 Lovable Lawyers Day
10 Tuxedo Day
12 World Egg Day
13 U S Navy Day
15 National Grouch Day
19 Electricity Day
20 Shampoo Day
21 National Reptile Day
23 National Mole Day
24 National Bologna Day
27 Make a Difference Day
29 Oatmeal Day

Where's the Money Going ?

If expenses seem to be getting out of hand and leaving less profit every month, it's time to see where you can cut costs.
.Negotiate with outsource services and check other companies if they won't budge
.Some of your office supplies and copy paper can be purchased at printers supply stores for wholesale prices.. check the yellow pages
.Call your phone service provider and ask for a lower price or change to another service provider.
.If you keep repairing the same office machines maybe it's time to buy or lease new equipment so you will save both time and money
.To increase cash flow wait until the last minute to pay bills unless you can get a discount for paying early
.Keep an eye on all expenses and know when and why your costs go up