Be There When the Need Calls

When an unexpected tragedy happens in your selling area or community, jump in fast and offer help. By showing sincere compassion and assistance, you can build some long term loyalty for your business, Not only will you be helping in the time of need but you'll also bring your business into the limelight. The secret is to offer help quickly when it's needed most and don't worry about the cost or time it takes to assist. Just charge it off to marketing and promotion.

If you think that capitalizing on a disaster is a little heartless, try not doing it and watch your competitors jump into the picture. Your first concern is to help those in immediate need, it's a normal human reaction to any disaster. But as long as you're going to get involved you might as well do it in your company name. The big corporations certainly would and you can't be less compassionate than they are when tragedy strikes.
More short articles in the monthly Idea-Letter (since 2002), go to www.idealetter.com

Unusual May Holidays

These are real May holidays that you can use in your business for fun and profit.

*1 Mother Goose day
*2 Space Day
*4 Beverage Day
*6 National No Diet Day
*8 No Socks Day
*11 Twilight Zone Day
*12 National Limmerick Day
*14 Astronomy Day
*15 Straw Hat Day
*16 Love a Tree Day
*18 Rooster Day
*20 Flower Day
*23 Penny Day
*25 National Tap Dance day
*27 National Jazz Day
*28 National Hamburger Day
*30 Hole in Bucket Day

Promoting Your Business Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isRCNdNuMtc

Location-Location-Location

We hear this all the time but it's not worth going way over your budget for an A+ location. A startup business can and must use other draws to get those first and loyal customers. A strategically placed sign or billboard can attract as many customers as an expensive location will do. Once a customer has visited you and you have served them the way they expect, they will find their way back, Don't overspend on rent for a new business location.
More in my upcoming boob "The Smart Guide for Business Startups"

Don't Be Old & Outdated

A retail store needs to be kept up with the times and appeal to regular and new customers senses. About every 6 to 8 years there should be some remodeling, painting and reorganizing of merchandise. It will make patrons enjpy a fresh new look and that your store is current with fresh ideas.

Use your brand name everywhere on signs, walls, packaging and bags. Sure the printed logo bags cost more but they are a walking billboard advertising your store. The new look and feel can give a boost to customer confidence, referrals and repeat business. It's well worth the investment for a fresh new look.
More in my upcoming book "The Smart Guide for Business Startups" due out in the fall 2011.

Travel and Tourism

*Spending by travelers and visitors account for roughly 10% to 30% of revenues st table service restaurants with an average check size of about $25.00

*Roughly half of all travelers report that they usually dine out when they travel

*The travel & tourism industry is the first, second or third largest employerin 29 states and DC

*Close to 50 million international visitors are expected to travel to the United States every year

*The U S travel industry is projected to receive more than $575 billion from travelers each year

*Business travel in the U S is responsible for 2.3 Million American jobs

Franchise Survival Rates

A new franchise unit is opened or started every 8 minutes of every day. A U.S. Dept of Commerce study shows that less than 5% of all franchised businesses are closed each year. Non-franchised businesses had a much higher rate of failure. The average income of franchised units is between $70,000 and $125,000 yearly, some very successful ones much higher. Not every franchise achieves these number and the level of success is based on the efforts of the owners.
More on starting a business in my upcoming book "The Smart Guide for Business Start-ups" due out in Fall 2011.

You Must Have Passion

Whether you start a franchise business or one on your own you must be dedicated and take it very seriously. Being a business owner is hard work because markets are changing constantly. The most successful entrepreneurs are always aware of those changes and adapt to them. To grow with and faster than your market you must ready and willing to act quickly. Large corporations take longer to react and that is the entrepreneur's advantage. Keep your mind ready to observe 24/7 and you will be on a winning track to success.

Your Ad Is Not Working

When you spend valuable marketing dollars for advertising and you get little or no results consider these questions:

*Was the offer to act strong enough?
*Was it as good as a competitor was offering?
*Was the placed in the wrong media or target market?
*Were you easy to contact by phone, websitr or in person?
*Were your business hours adequate to accomodate everyone?
*Did your headline grab the reader?
*Was your print ad placement easy to see?
*Was your on-air spot at a convenient time?
*If you run again will the frequency build more awareness?
*Was any response received worth the money spent?
*Will you ever use that same media again?

Make Mistakes

In business, as in life, most of us learn from doing. Someone once said that experience is the best teacher. But how much can we learn if we don't take some risks and make some mistakes? If you always take the safe route, your risk reward level will be low. Not every risk will turn out bad, many will reap great rewards. Most of the super rich people taday were calculated risk takers during their journey to success.

Making mistakes along the way to your successful business growth will teach you lessons that you won't find in school textbooks. Street Smart knowledge is important to a small business person who deals with the public every day. But don't let your mistakes get out of hand, make the necessary corrections along the way. No one is going to be perfect unless they do nothing. And nothing gets you nowhere.
More short articles in the monthly Idea-Letter (since 2002) at www.idealetter.com

How Many Franchises ?

It's estimated that there are about 2000 or more different franchise companies in the U.S. and growing. The slow economy brings out more because people don't feel secure working for big corporations and want to control their own destiny. The number of actual franchisees who own these businesses is about 1 million and also growing. The entire franchise industry employs approx. 18-20 million people and accounts for over $1.8 Trillion of the USA economy. A good franchise can work well for most people but it's still hard work like any other business.

Risk or Gamble

A small business owner has to take risks often and many do pay off in sales and profits. A risk is not a sure thing but should have a good chance at succeeding. The risk taker must consider the pros and cons of the situation and if the pros are 70% or more move forward. Usually when a risk is successful the rewards will be greater than for a sure thing. That's why it's a risk, otherwise everyone would do it.

Just opening or buying your business was a risk itself but you probably did your homework first. You felt there was a much greater chance of succeeding than failure. As soon as you accepted the risk you were likely confronted by many more risks you didn't plan on in advance. That's what owning a business is and must be dealt with.

But a gamble is something else and doesn't belong in your business. A gamble is when the chance os success is 50% or less. This is far from an opportunity to get ahead, it's a good bet on failure. Would you gamble your car on a hand of blackjack, probably not. There's not a good chance of winning and you don't want to be walking when you lose. So don't gamble with your business, make sure there's a good chance of winning before investing your time and money.

Home Business Failures

Many home businesses never make it past the first year and have to officially close. You must file papers with the state & federal government offices if you obtained a Federal ID number when you opened. Some of the reasons are a lack of focus, passion for the business and not working the hours required to make it successful. If you want to have an ongoing business you must treat it like a real business.

Some people just start as a part time hobby and it never gets beyond that concept. They won't do the marketing necessary to grow it and service any customers it has. So by being at home other priorities can overtake the time for the business. Starting a home business can be very successful if you invest the time and energy to grow and focus on your goals.
More longer articles for reprint at www.idealetter.com

Restaurants Are Retail Stores

Restaurant sales in the U.S. are over $500 billion a year. More business and working people are visiting their favorite eating places because of busy schedules and other time consuming activities. The location of a restaurant will attract a first time patron and impulse customer to stop in and enjoy a meal.

But it's the food service and overall value that keeps them coming back. People will go out of their way to patronize a restaurant that they really enjoy and can afford. Decide who your best target customer is and create an enviornment that attracts those customers the first time and for repeat visits.
More in my upcoming book, "The Smart Guide to Business Start-ups" due out in 2011

Franchises and the Economy

Studies shoow that approx. 40% to 45% of all retail sales in the U.S. come from the franchise industry. One out of every four businesses in the U.S. is a franchise and most franchise companies have fewer than 100 units. The average length of a franchise contract with the franchisee is 10 years and is usually renewable. The average royalty on sales is between 3% and 6% regardless of profitability. A franchise will work for most people if they follow the proven plan of the business. After all that's why you bought it in the first place, isn't it?

They Meet Your Customers

Your front line employees in a retail, office or even an online business can make a big difference in customer experience and creating loyalty and future business. Take extra care when hiring these important front line people in any type of business. They will be the first impression that people see and hear when they contact your company. A hiring mistake here can seriously harm the sales, profits, loyalty and word-of-mouth publicity that you need to succeed and grow your business.
Many more ideas about loyalty in the new book, "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner"

Snuggle Up at the Mall

When scouting for a retail space at the shopping mall consider one that's close to a large anchor store. These big stores always attract many shoppers who will pass by your entrance on way to the larger store. That gives you free exposure to more potential customers who may not have found you otherwise. It doesn't really matter what type of business the anchor store is in, as long as they have a lot of shoppers who may also stop and browse at your business. Even if you lease a short term seasonal space always try to snuggle up to the Big Guys for that extra free exposure. More ideas in our monthly Idea-Letter (since 2002) at www.idealetter.com

How Many Are There?

According to the research firm IDC there are about 35 million home-based businesses in the United States. The US Census and US Bureau of Labor statistics estimate that there are approx. 20 million home-based businesses. The SBA says that the number of US households with a business exceeds 12% of all households. Some of these may be hobby-type businesses but they are still big numbers and growing each year. Starting at home is a great way to test if your business idea will work and can grow in the consumer or business world.

Your Business Leasing Agent

"Your" is the key word here because you want to work with someone who is not associated with any specific property. Their loyaly should be 100% to you and try to talk you into anything. They should have your needs, wants and iinterests as their Number One priority. A leasing agent is very helpful to work and they find properties that you might not otherwise see, plus they are free to work with. Always ask if they are working independent and willing to show you as many commercial spaces necessary until you find the one that works best for you. They can be a real asset in your search and can also negotiate the lease in your favor with the landlord. Find one that you are comfortable with and stick with them until the search is done. More ideas about setting up a business in my new upcoming book "The Smart Guide to Business Start-ups" due out in 2011.

Do It Now or Lose It?

Don't ever be pressured into signing a commercial lease too quickly and before you have a lawyer look at it. It's also not advisable to personally guarantee it the lease and have everything in your business name. A new start-up needs to be very comfortable with thier location which can add a lot to their initial success. If you are told to "sign now or lose it", then walk away and look for another space. There are many out there available and you you will always find one that will be a good fit for your new business.
More on this subjest in my upcoming book, "The Smart Guide for Business Start-ups" dou out in a couple months.

Direct Mail Presence

By mailing literature or information to consumers or businesses you are making your presence known in your target market. People may forget about your business but just seeing the direct mail piece will remind them again. It's still one of the least expensive marketing tools that you can use, especially if your budget is tight or you are a new business. There's an old saying, "If you can't get your foot in the door, at least get your mail in there." Have direct mail in your market mix plan and use it often.

New Business Marketing

To get that very important cash flow started in a new business you must have customers or clients. And to get those customers you need to do marketing, early and often. Start by using the least expensive marketing so that you can see what works best for yiur new business. Then expand on the ways that are producing the best results. You need to start early and continually keep doing some type of marketing to produce that very important cash flow in your business. Marketing is an ongoing journey that never ends.
More on marketing in my new book "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner"

Be Ready for Publicity

Always be prepared to get publicity wherever and whenever it's available. Have a 10 to 15 minute introduction or presentation about benefits your business offers. Use this when spur-of-the-monemt opportunities arise. Advance planning will make you look more confident and professional. Also have someone on your staff ready in case you are not there or available. You don't want to pass up any good chance at free publicity that can promote your business.

Offer Free Samples

Putting your product in the hands of potential purchasers is still a great promotion idea. It gets them involved in the sales presentation and can create a comfort zone. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it first, a diamond ring without putting it on your finger or a treadmill without standing on it in the store. Detergent and soap companies did this years ago and built an entire industry from it and so can you. Use free samples whenever you can.
More marketing ideas in my upcoming book "The Smart Guide to Business Startups" Smart guide Publishing

Stick to Your Goals - Sam Did

Many retailers fear Walmart but we must remember that Sam started small like the rest of us. He had several early failures but kept trying different things and sticking with ones that worked and learning from the ones that didn't work. He never gave up his relentless pursuit of his goals and made those goals bigger as he approached them. He ran his company the way customers wanted it run and always knew what his competitors were doing. His focus was on the future with many stores that had a way of doing business that made them stand out from the rest. He seldom looked back unless it was to remember a lesson that he learned on his way to success. We can't all be as successful as Sam Walton but we sure can learn at lot about goals from him. The road to your goals is not always straight and smooth but has many turns and bumps. But if we hold on to the wheel tight we will get there.

Do You Really Want to Write a Book?

The next seminars/workshops for writing your first book are scheduled for Tuesday April 26 6PM or Saturday May 14 9 AM and lasts just under 2 hours. Over 350 people attended in the past 2 years and are working on their books now. Learn how to structure a book so a publisher will be interested, the average number of pages and words, adding stories/humor and how to get published without paying to self publish. Many of the ideas you will learn can be used for fiction or non-fiction. You will get 2 outlines and be able to ask questions. The seminar is only $25 (nothing else for sale) and is for everyone. I have had college presidents, housewives, students and everyone in between attend. It's at the office of Colorado Cards near Vickers & Academy (5585 Erindale Dr #203, Colorado Springs, CO 80918) Email idealetter@aol.com or call 719-268-1322 to reserve a seat (all we need is a name & phone number) you can pay when you get here. They sometimes book up fast so don't wait to reserve a seat (max 15 people per session). I am currently working on my 6th published book now and my latest book, "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner" is available now.