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.