One of the most powerful marketing strategies you can use to instantly increase sales is a strong guarantee. The reason why a guarantee is such a powerful sales tool is that it eliminates the risk a customer faces when doing business with you. It is like giving your customer an insurance policy to protect them against shoddy products or services.

Think about it. One of the leading reasons why people choose NOT to buy a product or service is they are worried that if the product or service sucks, they are going to lose their money and they will feel like a fool for buying it. And nobody wants to feel like a fool. Read the rest of this entry »

Speaking is powerful. There are countless opportunities for you as a small business leader to speak to grow your business. Imagine the marketing power of being able to address an audience of potential customers all in one place at one time. This is really extremely focused and targeted marketing. Small business owners need to speak to grow their business.

What does this mean? Well, imagine a local association meeting, mixer or major community service event. You could be a speaker at that event. You would provide a professional, and relevant message to the audience, give them some valuable information that they could use, and promote your business at the same time. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: urbanshoregirl

Have you heard the expression “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? A business plan is essential for your business as it ensures that you put the steps in place to make your business a success. A formal business plan will be a necessity if you are planning to borrow money to finance, or are selling your business, but whatever your situation you should still take the time to define your vision and goals as they will give you direction and focus.

1. Define your WHY?

Do you want to have a successful home based business so that you can enjoy more freedom or more money, or will it bring you more close friends and colleagues, or more time to work with your favorite charitable cause? These benefits of business success are often referred to as your Why. As in why are you starting this new business? Everyone’s Why is different as it is dependent on how each individual defines success in their life. Defining your Why is important as it will inspire your actions, and provide daily motivation to keep moving towards your vision. Make sure to write down your Why where you can see it every day. Read the rest of this entry »

One component of the Business Plan is a Company and Industry Analysis, I like to call this describing your pecking order in the marketplace. Consider if you will that you are starting a business and will be a little fish in a big pond. Describe you, the fish and describe the pond and where you fit into it, and if seeking investor capital, be sure to tell why you are a viable fish for a pond with bigger hungry fish?

Recently the Online Think Tank prepared a rough draft business plan for a product. This is a real product invented by Charles Shooster PhD. This product is an oral hygiene product and below is a company analysis and industry analysis rough draft. A statement of fact and we have left out all the “industry data” to simplify this example: Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: robertdx

If you watch any movie that features a lost pet you will typically see a young child roaming the streets tearfully calling the pet’s name. They will also be seen placing lost pet notices on virtually every telephone pole and bulletin board in town (usually a mature grandmotherly type will cluck her tongue in empathy at the plight of the child). The bad guy or the wind rips down the very poster that would have resulted in a quick return while the person who has seen the pet walks by oblivious to their ability to facilitate a reunion.

In most of these movies we are treated to a warm and fuzzy feeling when the pet and owner are reunited and the bad guy caught. Read the rest of this entry »