Unusual Holidays for July

These are real but little known holidays for July that you can use in your business for fun and profit.

 1  International joke day
 2  I forgot day
 6  Cherry popover day
 7  Chocolate Day !!!
 9  Sugar cookie day
 11  Swimming pool day
 13  National skeptics day
 13  International puzzle day
 15  Hugging day
 16  get out of the doghouse day
 18  Cow day
 21  Monkey day
 23  Happiness hypnosis day
 24  National cousins day
 25  Merry go round day
 27  Walk your houseplants day
 28  National soapbox derby day
 29  Rocket day

Have a fantastic July !!!

Should You Consider Affiliate Marketing?

If you’re looking to grow your client base without breaking the bank, then setting up an affiliate marketing program might be a good fit for your company. If you’re not familiar with affiliate marketing, it is a Pay for Performance marketing channel where bloggers and website owners (affiliates) send customers to your website in return for commissions on the sales they bring you.

What makes affiliate marketing such a great fit for small businesses is the fact that you only pay for results. This usually comes as a breath of fresh air for business owners who know all too well how fast CPM and PPC campaigns can blow through their marketing budgets, regardless of the conversions they deliver.

Affiliate Networks
Unless you have the resources to build and operate your own in-house affiliate program, then your first step should be to join an affiliate network. While affiliate networks are numerous, you may want to start with one of the larger networks such as CJ.com, ShareASale.com, LinkShare.com or Neverblue.com. All networks are a little different in regard to features and types of merchants, so it is worth it to do your research before choosing one. Rick Gardiner wrote a great piece about choosing the right affiliate network for your business.
While most of the larger networks have small start-up fees, they are cheaper than what you would spend building your own in-house program. Joining large networks is also beneficial because they already have thousands of potential affiliate partners who you can contact to join your program.
After you have joined a network, you will then place the tracking pixels on your site, draft your terms and conditions, and upload banners and text links for affiliates to use. Coupon codes are a big subset of the affiliate industry, so if you offer those then be sure to list them as well. If you need help with any of the technical aspects, the networks have customer support teams to walk you through the process. Personally, I have had very positive experiences with CJ and ShareASale’s client support teams.

Recruiting Affiliates
Once your program is live, the next step is to start recruiting affiliates. Networks have helpful recruitment tools you can use to search for affiliates by categories, which will allow you to target affiliates in your niche or industry. You should also spend time recruiting relevant bloggers and thought leaders from your industry into your program.
Recruitment is the toughest part of affiliate marketing, so don’t get discouraged if everyone doesn’t join your program. This is especially true in the early stages of your program, as some super-affiliates wait to see proven success before they join.
Sending recruitment emails is a fine art, and it takes time to perfect. In my experience, emails that are personally tailored, non-spammy and short produce the best results. Geno Prussakov wrote a good article about recruitment emails on his blog.

Managing Your Affiliate Program
Managing your affiliate program will also involve choosing the affiliates you trust to promote your brand. As a rule of thumb, you should always manually accept or decline your affiliate applications. This not only helps to protect you from affiliate fraud, but it also allows you to begin forming relationships your affiliates. Successful affiliate program management means talking to affiliates and discovering what they need to successfully promote your brand. Always treat affiliates with respect and remember that they work with you, not for you.
It will take some time before you start seeing results from your affiliate program, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come. On average it takes about three to six months for a program to gain traction, so it is important to keep growing your affiliate list and stick with it.
From: Shoeboxed.com

Awesome Email Subject Line Examples

1. “People in (reader’s hometown) find this extraordinary.” Localization is very effective.
2. “What are you doing Friday?” It asks a question, is directed at the reader and is timely.
3. “5 things your competitor is doing you want to avoid.” Specific and uses a touch of fear.
4. “5 simple things you must do to increase your success.” Make is easy, specific and offer gains.
5. “I bet you didn’t think I knew this about you.” A hint of mystery, personal, hard to ignore.
6. “Try these 3 things and let me know how it works for you.” Call to action, ask a response.
7. “Let’s heat up sales like this June weather.” Timely, offers incentive.
8. “Second chance…you may have deleted this previously.” Gives them pause to think.
9. “I saw this online and wanted to share it with you.” Personal, helpful, and “share” is a great subject line word.
10. “I found this for you.” Direct, short, to the point, and personalized.
11. “Your tips for June are enclosed.” Timely and only a “once a month” email worth opening.
12. “I think you’ll appreciate this.” “Appreciate” is a versatile word people can attach their own meaning to.
13. “Create your own fireworks this 4^th of July.” Timely, relevant, clever.
14. “What’s inside can make you feel better quickly.” Offers benefit easily.
15. “15 awesome email subject lines.” Hey it worked, right?

By Kevin Woodcock

16 Books Every Solopreneur Must Read

1. The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell

This is Gladwell’s most famous work that talks about that moment when something goes viral. He traces back how these products and companies build the momentum to get that breakthrough. It’s must reading for every SMB owner. It’s also very inspiring!

2. Purple Cow by Seth Godin

Seth Godin is the godfather on internet marketing. Any book written by him is usually worth reading. Purple Cow refers to finding those characteristics that make you stand out in a crowded marketplace. This book will help you think creatively about how to find your niche so you don’t have to compete on price. Godin also has a fantastic sense of humor so the pages fly by.

3. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau

This is Guillebeau’s latest contribution to encouraging new business start ups. He gives all kinds of examples of people who saw a need and went out on a limb without millions of dollars and just tested their ideas. They refined their ideas until they got traction. I like this book because it shows you all the ways people have conducted market tests on a dime. It’s something we all need to learn.

4. Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World by Michael Lewis

If you want to get an on-the-ground glimpse of what’s REALLY going on in world markets and not just the scrubbed version from the evening news, read this book. Lewis is funny and knows how to break down complicated global finance so all of use can understand how Iceland and Greece went bankrupt. He also provides some visibility on what the future might hold for the likes of Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland and yes, the U.S. of A.

5. The Highest Calling by Lawrence Janesky

Here’s a guy who started a business at 17 years old and built it to a $100 million a year powerhouse in twenty odd years. This book is an allegory of a turnaround. It’ll make you think, smile and cry. I give a copy to every one of my workshop students to read. They always come away with knowledge and inspiration on what you should be doing to make your business successful.

6. How to Work a Room: Your Essential Guide to Savvy Socializing by Susan RoAne

This lady is hysterical. She also banished my fear of working a room and meeting people at conferences, meetups and gatherings. Her savvy advice and concrete steps will give you confidence to build the relationships that will be instrumental in driving revenues. She’s truly brilliant.

7. The Classic Drucker by Peter F. Drucker

If you’re managing anything, you must read Peter Drucker. I love this guy. He’s my hero. He’s no nonsense and cuts to the heart of what we need to do as business managers to call out the best in the people who work with and for us. You cannot die without reading this book!

8. How the Might Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In by Jim Collins

I’ve taught the content of this book for over ten years and it never gets old. Some of the companies he talks about have fallen on tough times but his thesis on Level 5 leadership, hedgehog concepts and reaching breakthrough are universal. Every SMB should read this book. If you want to build a great, profitable company, Collins shows you how.

9. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Tim Keller

Tim Keller is an amazing teacher of Truth. He helps people understand life is not just a balance sheet of gains and losses, but that there’s a bigger story you and I are a part of. He talks about the most important and the most intangible parts of our lives. If you read this book, you’ll wake up ten years from now knowing what it’s all about. A must read.

10. Crafting A Customer Experience for People Not Like You by Kelly McDonald

“like-me” bias. We’re all guilty of it. Kelly McDonald is the antidote to help us think beyond our personal preferences and context to build a customer experience that is unforgettable. It’s wonderful for opening up your thinking to think of the world from someone else’s perspective and how to profit from that.

11. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson

If you’re like most people, managing conflict or handling crisis doesn’t come naturally. It didn’t for me. This book was recommended to me by students who found it very valuable. Patterson is a great coach and this book is worth your time.

12. Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

Sandberg has a very unconventional career path and this book has served as inspiration for many to reach for the brass ring. Don’t assume your path is the same; take from the book what is relevant for you and your goals. You have your own destiny. Her path might shed some light on your own.

13. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley & William Danko

This is an oldie but a goodie. Danko did research to see how millionaires thought and prioritized the most important decisions in life. He interviewed thousands of self-made millionaires and the common threads he found were surprising and enlightening. If you don’t want to work for twenty years and have nothing to show for it, read this book for inspiration.

14. 4 Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris

Ferris’s famous treatise on how to retire on a beach. Some of his assumptions have changed, but his basic premise on how to manage time are priceless. That alone is worth the read. We waste a lot of time and Ferris calls us on it. He’s also very creative on finding cost effective ways for solopreneurs to get the support we need.

15. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencionoi

This is a classic. When you’re running your own business, you’re managing virtual teams which can be more difficult than teams that report directly to you. If you know what can go wrong, then you’ll know instinctively the right way to draw the best out of them.

16. When Money Dies: The Nightmare of Deficit Spending, Devaluation and Hyperinflation in Weimar Germany by Adam Fergusson

Monetizing debt, quantitative easing and bond bubbles have been around since Caesar ran the Roman Empire. The 20th Century also has a lot to teach us about the blessings of honest money and the dangers of inflating the money supply to pay down debt. This book is must reading for anyone who cares about the future of their business, their families and their country.
By Dawn Fotopulos

Internet Access for Free ?

If you have not heard of Freedom Pop yet maybe now is the time to check it out. They offer unlimited internet wi-fi service for your home computer or laptop. All you need to do is purchase one piece of equipment for $80-$90 and rest is free. You get a secure connection at your home address for NO COST at all after you have their equipment. This is their basic plan which should be enough for most people. They have a few extras you can add but most are not necessary, the basic service works fine.

They also have a super low cost service for business locations that beats all competitors and is also secure wi-fi. Their service is not available for every location yet but expanding quickly. To find out if it's available for your home or business go to freedompop.com and put in your zip code and address.  If not available yet for your location they will send you an email when it is. Are all the other internet providers worried? They are cautiously watching the progress.

They are also introducing a cell phone service for low and moderate user that's also free !  Just buy their phone for around $200 and the service is free. If you need more minutes, text or data you can upgrade for about $10.00 a month. It's about time someone gave the cell phone companies something to get nervous about. Not many of us will feel sorry for them I'm sure! There's an article on Freedom Pop in the June 24, 2013 issue of Forbes.


Barry is a speaker, international author and business/franchise consultant, www.idealetter.com

Twitter Etiquette Rules

Whether tweeting as yourself or from a brand account, there are certain guidelines—let's call them rules of the road—by which we all must abide. When people don't follow proper Twitter etiquette, we all cringe, it's awkward, everyone feels deflated, and you just look unenlightened.
So here are 10 Twitter etiquette rules:
1. Always add value. This can't be stressed enough. Everything you tweet should add value to your followers' day. This rule applies especially to brands, but you should follow it in your personal tweets as well. We've come so far from the days when everyone made the joke that Twitter was just a collection of what people ate for breakfast. Don't drag the platform back to those days—unless what you had for breakfast was truly remarkable, in which case there had better be a pic!
2. #Dont #Overuse #Hashtags #In #Your #Tweets #It #Looks #Ridiculous #Stick #To #Three #Or #Fewer #TwitterEtiquette Need we say more? No? Good, ‘cuz we're out of space.

3. A follow-back is nice, but it's not required. It's not a bad idea to follow influential users and people who frequently retweet or comment on your post, but don't feel that you have to followeveryone who follows you.

4. Don't just tweet headlines and links. I realize it's easier to just send out a headline of a relevant article with a link, but if you really want to add value, give your take on the article or pull out some interesting quote or nugget from it. The exception might be news organizations and publishing companies, but a good rule to follow is to go beyond the headline. Think of it like a shopping mall food court. Sure, the bourbon chicken is listed on the menu at the Chinese food kiosk, but it's not until you try the sample that you really take notice.
5. The people you follow say something about you. This may be a personal thing, but I like to ensure that the people I follow are relevant and adding value. You'd be surprised—especially if you've been using the platform for some time—at how many of the people you follow add no value.SocialBro is a great tool to help you clean up your following list. Twitter frowns upon following/unfollowing en masse. What does this have to do with etiquette? If you're invited to a dinner party with a plus-one, you're going to want to make sure the person you bring is an engaging guest, not a total mess.
6. No manual retweets. If you manually put "RT" in your tweet and just copy/paste a person's thoughts, you're seen as stealing that user's thunder. It's a small thing, and some might disagree, but few will question the use of the handy retweet button. Do a quick search on "manual retweet" in Twitter, and watch the hatred spew forth.
7. No automatic DMs. I'm surprised that this is still done, but about once a month I'll get a DM thanking me for the follow and claiming that he or she is excited to connect with me. Don't need it. Come to think about it, no one should do anything automated on Twitter. (Please see next item.)
8. Avoid automation if possible. Scheduling tweets is tricky. It's not the worst thing in the world, as long as the tweets still sound human and there's someone to engage with people once the tweets are sent, but something about it just feels icky.
9. Avoid negativity. Criticism of a thing, a piece of media, or something inanimate is OK if you know what you're talking about, but criticizing individuals opens a door that you don't want to walk through in social media. Keep it positive, and you'll never have a problem. Go negative, and not much good will happen.
10. If you have to write "spoiler alert," maybe just don't tweet it. Writing "spoiler alert" in a post almost guarantees that you'll spoil something for someone.
By Kevin Allen

Protect Your Patent

1. Find all the ideas similar to yours. Truly new ideas are rare. Brainstorm a list of keywords relating to your idea and search them on USPTO.gov to dig up as many patents similar to yours as you can find. Google Patent Search is another great tool. For example, some keywords I used for my label design were: "packaging labels", "labels" and "labels on containers." I found over 10 patents relating to rotating objects, including labels.
You might also consider hiring a professional patent searcher. What's most important is that you thoroughly read and understand the claims each patent makes. You need to know what's been done before to find your idea's point of difference.
2. Figure out how similar products are being sold. The next step is to figure out how an idea has been implemented on the market. Are there any products being sold right now that resemble yours? When I researched other rotating label technologies, I discovered lots of patents about rotating devices, but none on a methodology of manufacturing. I knew that was my opportunity. I would learn everything I could about how rotating labels are made and file patents. I toured labeling equipment manufacturing companies and scoured industry magazines and websites for innovative packaging to supplement my research.
3. Identify ways to differentiate your idea. This step is challenging. You've already come up with your idea, and you might think it's the best it can be. But you need to consider all of the ways it could be manipulated or altered. Could a different material be used to make it? Could it be a different size or shape? How else could be it made?
You can ask an industry expert for their opinion, just be sure anyone you talk to about your idea signs a non-disclosure agreement, and you have a provisional patent application already filed. There's no clearer confirmation that you have a good idea than people trying to steal it.
4. Research how customers feel about similar products. Can you incorporate any of their criticisms of existing similar products into improvements of your own design? Maybe they would prefer if it were lighter, faster or stronger. How can your idea be better and more efficient? Capitalize on what's lacking from other products.
5. File a provisional patent application on what you find. Include all of the different ways to manufacture your idea and the different ways people might use it. Prevent people from working around your idea by having thought of all the ways to do so first. Cut them off at the pass. Filing a lot of intellectual property also functions as a warning sign. You're serious about protection, and you've made sure to be thorough.
I continued to file PPAs on different label manufacturing techniques as I identified additional opportunities for people to work around my idea. I kept costs low -- about $130 an application -- by filing PPAs from my office and doing the required drawings and specifications myself, rather than hiring someone to do them for me. I’d estimate that working with an attorney cost me between $1,500 and $3,000 per PPA. You should work with a patent agent or patent attorney until you feel sure you can draft and file a PPA yourself. Note: I never file patents myself -- that's something you should leave to the experts.
Patents aren't the only form of protection, but if you're serious about using intellectual property to defend your idea, this is the way to do it.
By Stephen Key

My Upcoming Speaking Schedule

Tuesday June 11, 2013..Colorado Springs Business Partners meeting 8 AM at The Embassy Suites just North of I-25 and Woodmen. My topic will be basic presentation skills you can use in sales, public service, training and speaking to groups of any size. This group is interested in increasing membership for networking and sales referrals. No cost to attend and enjoy a fr...ee continental breakfast. Please come as my guest.

Tuesday July 9, 2013... Business Linx meeting 11:30 AM at the IHOP restaurant at Stetson Hills & Powers, Colo Spgs. I will be speaking on The Customer Experience and why it's important in your business. No cost except what you order for lunch and guests are welcome.

Thursday July 11, 2013...another Business Linx meeting 8 AM at Rocky Mountain Calvary church just North of Austin Bluffs & Academy. I will be presenting part 2 of Cheap Marketing Ideas for your organization and business. No cost to attend and guests are always welcome.

Wednesday July 17, 2013.. Aurora Rotary luncheon 12:15 PM at Doubletree Hotel at I-225 & Illif in Aurora, Co. I will be speaking on Customer Satisfaction and how to increase it in your business. They said guests are welcome to enjoy lunch, hear my speech and see what the Rotary is all about.

Monday August 5, 2013... East Side Rotary lunch meeting at the Valley Hi golf clubhouse just South of Airport Rd off Chelton, Colo Spgs. I will be speaking on The Customer Experience and ideas for your business. Guest are welcome to attend at no cost.

More to come!

Write Engaging Emails

How to write engaging emails starts with the realization that the world does not revolve around your product or service. I know it may be hard to believe, but the world doesn’t even revolve around mine. Once you get past that little revelation, we can move forward.You see, to learn how to write engaging emails is all about engaging the reader.

Picture yourself inside a crowded mall in a big city at Christmas. From across the way you hear someone shout your name. Now, intellectually, you probably recognize that at that particular moment there are several, or perhaps even dozens of people with your name, but you will likely strain your neck to see who is calling “you”.

The same principle works with your emails. Your readers know they are not the only ones getting your email. The more you can make them feel like they are however, the more they will try to hear your message. How to write engaging emails? Let’s take a closer look.

Know your audience. Think about who they are, what they know, what they don’t know and what it is that they want. If they are athletes you likely won’t want to include Mamma’s 2700 calorie home-made lasagna recipe. If they are CEO’s then your tips on changing your own motor oil will probably fall flat. Think constantly about who your audience is. If you don’t know, try a survey.

Survey your readers. Ask them about themselves and what type of content they would find helpful. Ask them what areas of their personal or business life they need help with. What type of comments are you getting on Facebook and what do your friends “look” like? The more you know about your readers and engage their ideas, the better your emails will target them.

Be the one to introduce them to trends in the industry. Many engaging emails introduce a new product, service or trend to the reader. Readers love being the first to know. This will also increase your odds of having your email shared with others.

Relate your content to their wants and needs. If you want to know the secret to how to write engaging emails, focus on your readers’ desires and needs. Help them save time or money, improve their health, increase their market share, have better relationships, or entertain them. If you can help them in several of those areas you probably had them at “hello”.

Finally, let them know you are there to help. You don’t always need to be closing a sale. If you can help, help. Sometimes we get all wrapped up in the statistics of our business and we can forget we are here to help each other. That simply helping friends, is perhaps the most engaging part of all.

Writing engaging emails is the key to keeping your open rates up. It only takes one one relevant email to tarnish your open rates. Time is the number one asset in the world. Some may say money is, however you can make more money but not more time. Writing an email to your subscribers that does not resonate with their interests is a violation that will cost you. Always, always, proof your emails and ask yourself, Does reading this email make me cooler or does reading this email make me smarter. To keep your open rates up and your subscribers feeling special it must meet one of these two requirements.
Source: The Client Touch

Financial Reports Are Overrated

Of course they are important, particularly if you’re a public company releasing quarterly earnings. Or you’re looking for a bank loan. Or if you’re thinking of selling your company. That said, as a day to day management tool, the smart business owners I know don’t rely on financial statements. In fact, most of them don’t even have financial statements. What they do have, are good financial systems that frequently and consistently provide critical data that helps them run their businesses effectively.And they put all this information into a flash report.

The flash report is a daily thing. It’s usually put together by your bookkeeper or office manager. It’s not a very complicated process, but it must be done consistently. Sometimes it’s a manual exercise and sometimes, depending on your company’s software, an automatic printout. But when it comes right down to it, it’s a simple thing. And you should be doing this frequently. How frequently? For my ten person company I get a flash report every Monday. For other business owners, a daily or two to three times-a-week report is important. And what’s on it? A basic, one-pager of the key metrics that you are using to run your business. Like…

Cash. You need to know your cash balance. Of course it will fluctuate, but there is a certain level you don’t want it to fall below. And you know what that is, right? If you don’t, you should. I like to make sure my cash is at least the level of my open accounts payable. It leaves me a cushion.

Accounts receivable. Similar to cash, accounts receivable is one of the most important metrics to track as a business owner. Some business owners I know not only want to know their total accounts receivable, but also the amounts that are due over 60 or 90 days. Some people like to see a listing of four or five customers who have significant (however you define that) balances outstanding.

Accounts payable. Rounding out the trio of top metrics is accounts payable. You need to know the status of the money flowing out of your company on a consistent basis. And you want to keep a particular eye on how the accounts payable relates to accounts receivable. Generally, payables should be no more than half of your receivables, but this may vary depending on your business or your experience. In time, you’ll start knowing what amount of accounts payable is a comfortable amount and when the balance is getting too high. In addition, I have a few clients that ask their bookkeeper or office manager to list out the amounts that will be due on the next check run as well.

Backorders. These are orders in-house that are to be fulfilled or shipped – a backorder may be a pending job or project as well. It’s your committed pipeline. It’s your livelihood. There’s a certain number that will give you comfort and that will cover your overhead, and a certain number that, if you fall below it, could mean trouble. Smart business people are always looking ahead. Your backorders should make you feel comfortable in the future.

Total Hours. This is the amount of hours everyone worked last week. Maybe overtime hours too, or hours by department or location. Your payroll is the most significant line item on your financial statement. You want to make sure that your people are working at a consistent level and that productivity remains high.

Year to date sales. Every business manager I know wants to track their company’s volume.
Which brings up another point: these same smart managers don’t operate in a vacuum. So for every metric on your flash report there must be a prior period amount. For example, how do you know if your year-to-date sales are on track if you don’t know how you were doing the same time last year? Or how good is your backlog compared to the same period a year ago, or even last month? For every metric there must be a prior period benchmark to gauge your progress.

Depending on your type of business, there may be other key metrics that should be important to you, such as inventory levels, machine utilization, pending sales, open tickets, etc. Consider adding these metrics to your flash report too.
Sure, at the end of the month, or quarter, or year you’ll have your accountant put together a nice set of financial statements. But by the time this is done, the information will be old. Helpful, but not really relevant for what’s going on at that moment – which is why you need a flash report. Yes, it takes a little extra time to put together, but try it for a few weeks and you’ll see what you’ve been missing. Every smart business manager has one. Do you?
By Gene Marks

How Often Should You Post on Social Media

Getting your biz set up on social media networks is an excellent, and free way to grow your business and get new customers. Finding awesome content to post might take some thought, but content is all around you and we have some tips for that. The last piece of the social puzzle is how frequently you should post. Does it change based on which social network you’re using? As with many things in marketing, the answer is – it depends. You’ll need to do a bit of testing on the social networks you’re using to see how your specific followers interact and engage with you, and we’ve got some great tips to inspire your efforts.

Facebook – With over 1 billion accounts Facebook is the place to be. You’ve may have heard that every fan you have on Facebook won’t see everything you post. This is due to Facebook EdgeRank. The more your followers like, share and comment on your posts, the more likely they are to see them in the first place. This is where great content comes into play. Your followers will want to comment, share or like posts that keep their interest, make them laugh or teach them something. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to post at least 3 times a week, but every day would be even better. You don’t have to create all the content; share fun pictures, ecards or posts that you think your followers will like. Sharing counts towards EdgeRank and engagement. If 3-5 times a week seems tough to do, remember you can repurpose info from other places. Share your newsletter; share Instagram pictures, posts from your blog, etc.

Twitter – This is a fast moving social network, but it has some very loyal users. Since the Twitter feed moves at a much faster pace than say Facebook, this one will need to be updated more often. You’ll need to post at least once per day, but a couple times a day would be even better. Try to keep your posts spaced out through out the day, you don’t want them all hitting the feed in a short amount of time. And since tweets are limited to 140 characters, your posts will naturally be short, but can still be full of great info. You can share all kinds of things from pictures, links, videos, or links to your newsletters. Pretty much anything you’d share on Facebook can be shared on Twitter, just link to longer content.

Pinterest – Like Facebook, Pinterest has a feed that (most) everyone can see, plus you have your own page that your followers can check out. Since it’s a feed, you’ll want to pin or create new boards on a regular basis to keep your business top of mind. This means pinning at least a couple of times a week. And Pinterest is all about visuals, create boards not just about your products or services, but also about what inspires you and your business, things you like and maybe some fun things. It’s not all about business; keep it fun and interesting. Pinterest has a an information packed business page, if you need more help or inspiration check it out! We’ve also got a helpful guide here.

LinkedIn – There have been many changes to LinkedIn recently and it looks more and more like some of the other social feeds you might be familiar with; Facebook. Unlike Facebook though, you won’t need to post things quite as often, maybe a couple times a week, if you have important things to share. Be sure to participate in groups, they’re great for establishing thought leadership and making connections on your industry. This is a place to network with others in your field and maybe find new business, so share blog posts, events and relevant info for your industry.

The tips shared in this post are merely guidelines. Test and see what kind of content your fans and followers interact with to find your own post frequency sweet spot. And don’t forget, not everyone will see every post, so feel free to reword an earlier post and share again. Keep in mind that your followers may have many different schedules and you may find more comments, shares and retweets happening around 8 pm rather than at noon so give it a try and see what works best.
By Jill Bastian

Improving Cold Call Results

Point is, without cold calling, bottom lines don’t elevate. Whether you’re thinking about using cold calling to stimulate sales, stop losses or boost exposure for a new product or service, you could benefit from cold calling. To improve your cold calling results:

• Create a list or database that includes contact names, telephone numbers, email addresses and two to three prominent interests contacts have.
• Outline key points you’re going to cover with respondents before you pick up the telephone.
• Stop taking ‘no’ personally. There could be a range of reasons why you hear ‘no’. For starters, people who turn down your offers may simply not be interested in the types of products or services you’re selling. You also might have caught a person at an inconvenient time (i.e. they just stepped out of the shower, their food is burning on the stove).
• Find a mentor, someone who has five or more years of experience cold calling successfully.
• Work to build rewarding relationships with people you cold call, offering them tips, free advice, three or more ways to contact you, etc.
• Set a date and time to connect with the person within the next two to three days, providing them with more details about your products and services, including how using the products and services would improve or enhance their lives. If contacts prefer not to be telephoned, ask them if you can follow-up via an email, or again with an in-person meeting.
• Highlight benefits specifically related to your products and services.
• Stay honest, even if answering a question reveals risks associated with products or services you’re cold calling to sell.
• Be straightforward.
• Ask thought provoking questions, ones that help you unearth a person’s deepest desires, wishes and dreams.
• Point out how products and services you’re cold calling to sell could help people fulfill their deepest desires, wishes and dreams.

After taking each of these and other steps, it’s important to keep in touch with respondents, again establishing a rewarding relationship with them. Listening, informing and educating, versus selling, are constant actions you should take during the entire cold calling process. The payoff could be huge.
By Rhonda Campbell

Founding a Female-Owned Business

The first question to ask yourself is whether you want to be a woman in business or if you want to be the woman in a woman-owned business? If it’s the latter, being a woman entrepreneur is an important part of your brand and will resonate with your customers.

Have you considered a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification? As a member of the WBE, female business owners are eligible to receive various legal advantages and federal services, like the Prequalification Pilot Loan Program, which can put up to $250,000 back in your pocket. A Women’s Business Enterprise certification can also build a company’s credibility and validate the business with customers and the wider business community.

If you’re a woman-owned business, below is a checklist to see if your business fits the bill for a WBE certification:

• The company must have at least 51% ownership, management and control in the hands of women;
• The business must have been in operation for at least six months;
• The owner or owners must be US citizens or legal resident aliens;
• The owner must prove the source of capital;
• The owner must illustrate participation in the management of the business; and,
• The owner must also demonstrate the ability to perform in the area of expertise without reliance on financing or resources from a firm that is not woman-owned.

Need some more help? Check out these other resources for women entrepreneurs:

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) www.wbenc.org *This organization can provide WBE certification
• National Women Business Owners Corporation (NMBOC) www.nwboc.org *This organization can provide WBE certification
• Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) www.nawbo.org
• www.WomenOwned.com *This is a great resource for financing opportunities

Source:BizFilings.com

Accepting Credit Cards

In these business times accepting credit cards and debit cards is a necessary evil that most businesses must do. It's a convenience but also another expense that eats into your profit. An established business (using our company's figures as of today) will pay the merchant service provider about:

  2.2% for consumer MC/Visa charges
  4.1% for business card MC/Visa charges
  3.2% for any American Express charges
  2.5-3 % for Discover card charges

These rates can change periodically and usually not in your favor. You should ask your merchant services provider rep when this can happen and how to negotiate lower rates again. They may have a small notice on your statement that you ignore and "WOW" the next month your charges are 50% higher. If you have few if any chargebacks and regular charges, you should be getting the best rates to encourage you to stay with that service provider.

Beware of people calling you on the phone and offering low rates because they have other built-in charges and fees buried in the contract. I like to start at the bank where our checking account is and see if their rates are competitive. When setting up a new merchant service you don't have to but the credit card machine or software from that provider, it will be lower cost from other companies you can find on the internet. Watch your costs and fees because they come right out of your profit and botton line.

Barry is an international business author and speaker who may be available for your next meeting or event. www.idealetter.com

Free to Attend for Businesses

My Upcoming Speaking Schedule

Tuesday June 11, 2013..Colorado Springs Business Partners meeting 8 AM at The Embassy Suites just North of I-25 and Woodmen. My topic will be basic presentation skills you can use in sales, public service, training and speaking to groups of any size. This group is interested in increasing membership for networking and sales referrals. No cost to attend and enjoy a free continental breakfast. Please come as my guest.

Tuesday July 9, 2013... Business Linx meeting 11:30 AM at the IHOP restaurant at Stetson Hills & Powers, Colo Spgs. I will be speaking on The Customer Experience and why it's important in your business. No cost except what you order for lunch and guests are welcome.

Thursday July 11, 2013...another Business Linx meeting 8 AM at Rocky Mountain Calvary church just North of Austin Bluffs & Academy. I will be presenting part 2 of Cheap Marketing Ideas for your organization and business. No cost to attend and guests are always welcome.

Wednesday July 17, 2013.. Aurora Rotary luncheon 12:15 PM at Doubletree Hotel at I-225 & Illif in Aurora, Co. I will be speaking on Customer Satisfaction and how to increase it in your business. They said guests are welcome to enjoy lunch, hear my speech and see what the Rotary is all about.

Monday August 5, 2013... East Side Rotary lunch meeting at the Valley Hi golf clubhouse just South of Airport Rd off Chelton, Colo Spgs. I will be speaking on The Customer Experience and ideas for your business. Guest are welcome to attend at no cost.