Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
It's not a matter of running a pet store. Pets can help you--no matter your business--to attract attention and reel in prospects and referrals.
Chiropractors, wellness experts, restaurants, and shops of all sorts are using pets to promote their operations. Why? Because it works.
Example: Ted is a chiropractor. He regularly posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram--and all of these show pictures of his big dog. His dog is very active and the pictures show the dog jumping, running, chasing a ball, carrying a stick or curled up at Ted's feet. All this shows a message of a care-free, pain-free lifestyle. Ted doesn't write about bones and muscles--that information is on his website for people who want more chiropractic information. Ted's dog is the message. It is upfront, attention-getting, and draws in the viewer. Plus the pictures get passed around.
Example: Jan runs a consignment shop. Her big tabby cat really owns the place. He curls up in his basket on the counter or in the sunny front window, eyeing all comers and catching cat naps. Jan snaps pictures of the cat and posts on Facebook and other social media, generating continuing interest in her shop--as well as referrals. Jan's regulars have developed an attachment to the cat and they refer others--passing the pictures around among their friends.
Example: Tom runs a bar. To punch up interest, he installed two pool tables and a dart board. He brought in craft beers. But the thing that really got the place hopping was something else. Tom cleared off one wall and had a sign painter emblazon the words "Man's Best Friend" across the top. Underneath, he hung a reproduction of a famous painting of dogs playing cards. Then he invited everyone to post pictures of their dogs all over the rest of the wall. Soon, dozen of pictures of dogs and puppies appeared. Tom takes pictures of the wall and posts on social media. The bar is now affectionately known as Tom's Dog House.
Dogs and cats can be used in many ways to promote a business. Put your creativity to work. Today's social media offers many opportunities using dogs and cats to attract attention to your operation.
It doesn't matter what your business is--pictures of dogs and cats capture the viewer's attention, and that's the point. Then, they check you out and pass the pictures around.
The key for you is the non-stop picture-taking. Today, everyone can snap pictures and post them easily, inexpensively, and continuously.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Planning for disasters
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to help you better manage your small business
Disasters happen. Fires, floods, computer glitches, power outages and burglaries can strike at any time. Key employees can have accidents and be laid up recuperating for months.
Owners of small businesses provide their own back-up. Think about the things that can go wrong, and have a plan to get you through the mess. Don't wait until the disaster happens.
Example: Jim runs a small computing firm with three employees. The main component of his business is to continually monitor the operating systems of his client larger firms, assuring them uninterrupted and problem-free operation. Jim is set up to electronically repair computer problems remotely. A key employee, however, broke her back and would suddenly be absent for weeks. Jim had to scramble to cover the work the employee had been handling. He had to substitute himself in the technical aspects the employee normally handled. It was a valuable lesson. When the employee returned to work, Jim began paying attention to cross-training all his employees.
Example: Mary is an expert in massage with her own studio. Over several years, Mary built up her client base and went looking for bigger space. She was careful not to consider ground-floor space because the river sometimes flooded the Main Street. She didn't want stairs because some of her clients could not manage stairs. She found space accessible by a ramp in a building with offices that were well above ground level. Her careful planning paid off--when the river flooded, she was high and dry.
Example: Ella runs a small graphic arts firm. The business was going well when suddenly the landlord informed her that she had 60 days to vacate the space. The lease gave the landlord that option. It also provided that the landlord would buy out the remaining months of the lease--a clause Ella had insisted on when she signed the original lease. Since there were two years remaining in the lease, Ella received a sizable cash payment from the landlord. She used the money to move, buy new equipment, and add an employee. The disruption in on-going work was significant, but Ella turned disaster into positive growth.
Think through your own situation. Have a plan in place--at least in your head--to deal with that next disaster that might hit your business.
Anything can happen. Big companies can ride out disasters--they have deep pockets. But your small business depends on you.
to help you better manage your small business
Disasters happen. Fires, floods, computer glitches, power outages and burglaries can strike at any time. Key employees can have accidents and be laid up recuperating for months.
Owners of small businesses provide their own back-up. Think about the things that can go wrong, and have a plan to get you through the mess. Don't wait until the disaster happens.
Example: Jim runs a small computing firm with three employees. The main component of his business is to continually monitor the operating systems of his client larger firms, assuring them uninterrupted and problem-free operation. Jim is set up to electronically repair computer problems remotely. A key employee, however, broke her back and would suddenly be absent for weeks. Jim had to scramble to cover the work the employee had been handling. He had to substitute himself in the technical aspects the employee normally handled. It was a valuable lesson. When the employee returned to work, Jim began paying attention to cross-training all his employees.
Example: Mary is an expert in massage with her own studio. Over several years, Mary built up her client base and went looking for bigger space. She was careful not to consider ground-floor space because the river sometimes flooded the Main Street. She didn't want stairs because some of her clients could not manage stairs. She found space accessible by a ramp in a building with offices that were well above ground level. Her careful planning paid off--when the river flooded, she was high and dry.
Example: Ella runs a small graphic arts firm. The business was going well when suddenly the landlord informed her that she had 60 days to vacate the space. The lease gave the landlord that option. It also provided that the landlord would buy out the remaining months of the lease--a clause Ella had insisted on when she signed the original lease. Since there were two years remaining in the lease, Ella received a sizable cash payment from the landlord. She used the money to move, buy new equipment, and add an employee. The disruption in on-going work was significant, but Ella turned disaster into positive growth.
Think through your own situation. Have a plan in place--at least in your head--to deal with that next disaster that might hit your business.
Anything can happen. Big companies can ride out disasters--they have deep pockets. But your small business depends on you.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Freebies for your customers
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Showing you care about your customers is easy. It's a matter of staying on top of customers' expectations and interests.
Example: Peg runs a specialized collectibles business. Her only store is her website. She sells vintage board games, computer games, video games, and related items. Peg promotes heavily on social media--Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. In prior years, she charged for shipping. Today, just about everything ordered is shipped for free. In addition, Peg encloses a small free gift in every package that goes out. Her customers are a specialized lot, they are very loyal, and they refer others to her.
Example: Ana runs a restaurant. She promotes on Facebook, entering her specials every day. She gets lots of "likes" and a few comments that are negative. Ana responds to every "like" that comes in, and she also responds to every negative comment--putting a positive spin on her reply and inviting the person to get a free dessert when visiting.
Example: Julie is a massage therapist. To promote her services, Julie gives free demonstrations and talks at senior centers, group meetings, and corporate venues. These activities bring additional clients to Julie's place--many of whom have never before had a real massage. New clients always receive a gift certificate that they can use themselves or pass on to others.
Example: Ken runs an auto repair shop. Customers needing major repairs always get more. Ken checks wiper blades, tire pressure, and several additional minor items--listing all this on the final bill, but entering "Our gift to you" instead of a charge. This builds goodwill.
Example: Pepe runs a bakery. Every customer is invited to take a free cookie from the sample table he maintains in front of his display cases. Outgoing orders are bagged with a free cookie also. And he always asks the recipient for feedback on the freebie. It's Pepe's way of testing new products--sort of like a focus group.
Freebies can take many forms--whether you provide goods or services. Or whether you sell on the net or in a shop. Use your creativity.
Freebies create goodwill among your present customers and clients. And that goodwill gets passed around, resulting in more referrals for you.
to help you better manage your small business
Showing you care about your customers is easy. It's a matter of staying on top of customers' expectations and interests.
Example: Peg runs a specialized collectibles business. Her only store is her website. She sells vintage board games, computer games, video games, and related items. Peg promotes heavily on social media--Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. In prior years, she charged for shipping. Today, just about everything ordered is shipped for free. In addition, Peg encloses a small free gift in every package that goes out. Her customers are a specialized lot, they are very loyal, and they refer others to her.
Example: Ana runs a restaurant. She promotes on Facebook, entering her specials every day. She gets lots of "likes" and a few comments that are negative. Ana responds to every "like" that comes in, and she also responds to every negative comment--putting a positive spin on her reply and inviting the person to get a free dessert when visiting.
Example: Julie is a massage therapist. To promote her services, Julie gives free demonstrations and talks at senior centers, group meetings, and corporate venues. These activities bring additional clients to Julie's place--many of whom have never before had a real massage. New clients always receive a gift certificate that they can use themselves or pass on to others.
Example: Ken runs an auto repair shop. Customers needing major repairs always get more. Ken checks wiper blades, tire pressure, and several additional minor items--listing all this on the final bill, but entering "Our gift to you" instead of a charge. This builds goodwill.
Example: Pepe runs a bakery. Every customer is invited to take a free cookie from the sample table he maintains in front of his display cases. Outgoing orders are bagged with a free cookie also. And he always asks the recipient for feedback on the freebie. It's Pepe's way of testing new products--sort of like a focus group.
Freebies can take many forms--whether you provide goods or services. Or whether you sell on the net or in a shop. Use your creativity.
Freebies create goodwill among your present customers and clients. And that goodwill gets passed around, resulting in more referrals for you.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Engaging your customers
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business.
Customers can be a gold mine. But it's up to you to do the mining. They show up to pan for gold, but you must show them how to use the pan--and get what they want.
Your customers click on your website and hit the "Place Order" key. Or they come to your retail store and make a purchase. All of them are in a hurry--it's the way life is lived these days.
It's up to you to understand their predicament. They need your help on some level or they would not be there. Your promotions have brought them to you. This puts you squarely in their sights.
Everyone needs products and services--hopefully yours. But people also need information. They want answers. They want to know what you can do for them. They want to be entertained. It's all about them.
Example: Irene is an artist. She hand paints silk scarves which she sells along with other items in her women's accessories shop. She generates lots of interest on social media--posting pictures on Facebook, Instagram and other sites. Her pictures show colorful silk scarves arranged in puffs and folds on real people. These pictures demonstrate how her scarves can enhance any number of outfits. Customers order from her website and stop in her shop. Many purchase other things as well. Irene has found the key to engaging her customers.
Example: Bob is an accountant who sees clients only at tax time. He decided to take it to the next level. He emailed his clients, inviting them to an off-season group meeting. He would be talking about the latest tax rulings and regulations, answering all questions. He would also demonstrate new software they would find interesting. And he posted the session on social media, inviting all for coffee and cake. The meeting was very successful. Bob became the go-to expert for tax information and business accounting. And they spread the word in the community.
Example: John runs a furniture store. When a customer came looking for a recliner, John mentioned a matching sofa. Seeing no interest, he changed the conversation. He talked about room layouts and design. He put some computer layouts to work in explaining how a room could be transformed. This elevated the customer's interest to a new level, and it brought a one-time shopper back again and again. The customer referred others interested in seeing computer layouts for their needs and interests.
Turn customer contacts into fun experiences, educational sessions, and a go-to place for information. The idea is to position your operation at the forefront of your customer's mind. Engage you customers and they will come back again and again, bring others with them.
Put your customers at ease, educate them, entertain them, show you are interested in them. They will reward you with more purchases and referrals.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Get rich with small biz
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to help you better manage your small business
Getting rich can be a by-product of your chasing your dream business. Becoming wealthy might not be the goal, but it can happen.
The reasons to set up a small business are many. They have to do with chasing that dream, being your own boss, seizing an opportunity, pitting your smarts against the marketplace, and earning a living.
Example: Ellie loved brownies. She knew there was a big market for them--to punch up meetings and to put the finishing touch on corporate and other events. But Ellie did not have a bakery, nor did she want one. She made arrangements to use a licensed kitchen--starting with a restaurant that was closed on Mondays. She began baking brownies and promoting on social media. She experienced immediate success, shipping to clients from her website and finding new ones on social media. Ellie ran the business for five years, growing every year. Then she sold out and retired.
Example: Ranjeet is an expert in information technology. With social media exploding, he saw a unique market opportunity. He quit his corporate job and set up a small business showing other small businesses how to take advantage of the enormous opportunities they could access, using social media to grow their businesses. Today, Ranjeet employs several people and has hundreds of clients. Ranjeet is on his way to becoming rich.
Example: Jon was a young man in a hurry. He used a sizable inheritance to establish an architectural artifacts business. He bought an old warehouse and filled it with items recovered from buildings being demolished. His stock included old windows and doors, iron fencing, antique gingerbread and banisters, hardwood carvings, used brick and much more. His clients are architects, designers, contractors and homeowners. He even recovered a motherload of yellow pine flooring, virgin wood dating back to the 1800s. Jon turned his inheritance and his dream into a business attracting well-heeled clients from far and near.
Getting rich depends on your efforts, your dream, your management, your alertness, your hard work and other things in your control.
Your dream is yours. Turning it into reality is up to you. It can put you on the road to becoming rich.
to help you better manage your small business
Getting rich can be a by-product of your chasing your dream business. Becoming wealthy might not be the goal, but it can happen.
The reasons to set up a small business are many. They have to do with chasing that dream, being your own boss, seizing an opportunity, pitting your smarts against the marketplace, and earning a living.
Example: Ellie loved brownies. She knew there was a big market for them--to punch up meetings and to put the finishing touch on corporate and other events. But Ellie did not have a bakery, nor did she want one. She made arrangements to use a licensed kitchen--starting with a restaurant that was closed on Mondays. She began baking brownies and promoting on social media. She experienced immediate success, shipping to clients from her website and finding new ones on social media. Ellie ran the business for five years, growing every year. Then she sold out and retired.
Example: Ranjeet is an expert in information technology. With social media exploding, he saw a unique market opportunity. He quit his corporate job and set up a small business showing other small businesses how to take advantage of the enormous opportunities they could access, using social media to grow their businesses. Today, Ranjeet employs several people and has hundreds of clients. Ranjeet is on his way to becoming rich.
Example: Jon was a young man in a hurry. He used a sizable inheritance to establish an architectural artifacts business. He bought an old warehouse and filled it with items recovered from buildings being demolished. His stock included old windows and doors, iron fencing, antique gingerbread and banisters, hardwood carvings, used brick and much more. His clients are architects, designers, contractors and homeowners. He even recovered a motherload of yellow pine flooring, virgin wood dating back to the 1800s. Jon turned his inheritance and his dream into a business attracting well-heeled clients from far and near.
Getting rich depends on your efforts, your dream, your management, your alertness, your hard work and other things in your control.
Your dream is yours. Turning it into reality is up to you. It can put you on the road to becoming rich.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Facebook for small business
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Facebook has proved to be an extremely valuable tool for small business. Posting a picture on Facebook is quick, easy, and free.
Example: Joe's business targets men. He does not have a shop, but he has a very active website. His best selling products are men's shaving items, belts, caps, underwear, socks, and other items. To promote, Joe uses pictures that he posts at least twice each week on Facebook and other social media. This drives lots of traffic to his website, including women who buy most of the items for the men in their lives.
Example: Kathy is a Reiki expert. Her client base was growing with referrals. She got certified in Reiki for pets. She now snaps pictures of dogs and puppies and posts them to Facebook. People exchange the pictures--and Kathy's expertise--with others and the calls come in.
Example: Sara runs a gift shop--unusual creations handmade by artists. She has a website, a presence on Etsy, and sells on Ebay as well. Sara promotes with pictures of jewelry, ceramics, photographs, small paintings, wood and iron ware. The pictures serve as a record of items in the shop as well as getting posted on Facebook. The photos attract people to her website and to the shop as well.
Example: Jeff uses Facebook to promote his garden center. His close-up pictures of blooming plants attract attention. In spring, he might show tulips and daffodils. In autumn, it's chrysanthemums and asters. The variations in pictures can be endless and easy to snap. Facebook pictures drive people to his extensive website. And then they drive to his garden center.
Example: Frank is an attorney. He regularly offers to speak at gatherings, club meetings, senior centers, and other group sessions. He asks for and gets permission to take pictures. These are posted on Facebook, and people pass them around to their friends. The result is that Frank gets calls from new clients to make appointments.
Facebook can work in any business. Snap pictures and post them. If you run out of ideas for pictures, snap pictures of puppies, kittens, and blooming flowers--these always attract attention and get passed around. A picture of a butterfly will attract as much attention as one of the Grand Canyon.
Don't know how to use Facebook? Go to the site, join up, and follow the easy directions. Post your picture and you're done with your promotion for the day. The whole thing can take as little as five minutes.
to help you better manage your small business
Facebook has proved to be an extremely valuable tool for small business. Posting a picture on Facebook is quick, easy, and free.
Example: Joe's business targets men. He does not have a shop, but he has a very active website. His best selling products are men's shaving items, belts, caps, underwear, socks, and other items. To promote, Joe uses pictures that he posts at least twice each week on Facebook and other social media. This drives lots of traffic to his website, including women who buy most of the items for the men in their lives.
Example: Kathy is a Reiki expert. Her client base was growing with referrals. She got certified in Reiki for pets. She now snaps pictures of dogs and puppies and posts them to Facebook. People exchange the pictures--and Kathy's expertise--with others and the calls come in.
Example: Sara runs a gift shop--unusual creations handmade by artists. She has a website, a presence on Etsy, and sells on Ebay as well. Sara promotes with pictures of jewelry, ceramics, photographs, small paintings, wood and iron ware. The pictures serve as a record of items in the shop as well as getting posted on Facebook. The photos attract people to her website and to the shop as well.
Example: Jeff uses Facebook to promote his garden center. His close-up pictures of blooming plants attract attention. In spring, he might show tulips and daffodils. In autumn, it's chrysanthemums and asters. The variations in pictures can be endless and easy to snap. Facebook pictures drive people to his extensive website. And then they drive to his garden center.
Example: Frank is an attorney. He regularly offers to speak at gatherings, club meetings, senior centers, and other group sessions. He asks for and gets permission to take pictures. These are posted on Facebook, and people pass them around to their friends. The result is that Frank gets calls from new clients to make appointments.
Facebook can work in any business. Snap pictures and post them. If you run out of ideas for pictures, snap pictures of puppies, kittens, and blooming flowers--these always attract attention and get passed around. A picture of a butterfly will attract as much attention as one of the Grand Canyon.
Don't know how to use Facebook? Go to the site, join up, and follow the easy directions. Post your picture and you're done with your promotion for the day. The whole thing can take as little as five minutes.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Expanding client base
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Opportunities to grow your business are all around you. Expanding your client base takes two initiatives. You should pay attention to both.
One way is to offer more to your present customers. The other way is to get more customers. The two are interrelated.
Example: John designs websites for clients. To expand, he began offering clients social media packages. He made it a point to visit each client, showing what he could do for them in the realm of social media. Some clients had no idea how social media could help them. Others were using Facebook, Instagram and others to promote, but John showed them how they could optimize effectiveness. Not only did John realize an expansion of services sold to clients, but new clients began to call him--as the word was passed around by clients.
Example: Sue is a hypnotherapist. She specializes in weight reduction and stopping smoking sessions--private and group. To expand, she reached out to physicians, informing them of her services. She also showed them that she also could help with pain management issues. This put in place an expansion of her former client base, building on what she already offered, but expanding into a new area as well.
Example: Russ is an independent insurance agent. He has built up a client base filling various needs--homeowner's insurance, flood, accident, life. He began reminding clients that he could write other types of insurance--loss of business, key man or partner insurance, etc. His business expanded--because he educated his clients in all the things he could do for them.
Example: Donna's restaurant was a local go-to place for healthy meals. Customers regularly returned and referred others. Donna also offered catering, but she did not remind people often enough that she could handle their parties and special events. When she mounted a social media campaign emphasizing catering, her business increased.
Every business tends to settle into a comfortable routine serving their customers and clients. And clients tend to do the same thing.
Break out of your comfortable zone. Remind people of all the things you can do for them. Blast it out on social media. Expand your base.
No matter your business, your customers and clients tend to think of you in a narrow way. It's up to you to educate them.
to help you better manage your small business
Opportunities to grow your business are all around you. Expanding your client base takes two initiatives. You should pay attention to both.
One way is to offer more to your present customers. The other way is to get more customers. The two are interrelated.
Example: John designs websites for clients. To expand, he began offering clients social media packages. He made it a point to visit each client, showing what he could do for them in the realm of social media. Some clients had no idea how social media could help them. Others were using Facebook, Instagram and others to promote, but John showed them how they could optimize effectiveness. Not only did John realize an expansion of services sold to clients, but new clients began to call him--as the word was passed around by clients.
Example: Sue is a hypnotherapist. She specializes in weight reduction and stopping smoking sessions--private and group. To expand, she reached out to physicians, informing them of her services. She also showed them that she also could help with pain management issues. This put in place an expansion of her former client base, building on what she already offered, but expanding into a new area as well.
Example: Russ is an independent insurance agent. He has built up a client base filling various needs--homeowner's insurance, flood, accident, life. He began reminding clients that he could write other types of insurance--loss of business, key man or partner insurance, etc. His business expanded--because he educated his clients in all the things he could do for them.
Example: Donna's restaurant was a local go-to place for healthy meals. Customers regularly returned and referred others. Donna also offered catering, but she did not remind people often enough that she could handle their parties and special events. When she mounted a social media campaign emphasizing catering, her business increased.
Every business tends to settle into a comfortable routine serving their customers and clients. And clients tend to do the same thing.
Break out of your comfortable zone. Remind people of all the things you can do for them. Blast it out on social media. Expand your base.
No matter your business, your customers and clients tend to think of you in a narrow way. It's up to you to educate them.
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