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Are You a Marketing Octopus, or a Marketing Worm?
One of the greatest challenges to effectively marketing a business is determining which marketing method is best for your business.
Most people look at what their competitors are doing to market their businesses and then simply imitate that,...
Can You Really Make Money While You Sleep?
If you’ve been utilizing the Internet for any length of time it’s likely you have been bombarded with junk mail claiming you can make money “while you sleep.” Most sensible people are bound to ignore such claims of easy money. But is it true?...
Direct Mail - For Small Businesses
We hear a lot of talk about junk mail nowadays. Many people will tell you that they dump it straight in the trash. But why do you think so many organisations send out so called junk mail - because it works! I dump most of my junk mail just like...
Four Principles of Emerging Market Success
Emerging markets are high risk and high reward. In my work as an attorney representing Western companies in emerging markets, I have concluded there are four essential elements to emerging market success: a good partner, an open mind, active...
Speak With E’s Part 2
“Educate, Energize, Entertain, and provide an experience for your audience”
1. Use the “Rule of 3.” The most successful speakers limit their remarks to three major points. Here is where you use your signature stories (your own personal...
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Four Ways To Make Your Small Business Appear Big
Are you running your business on a shoestring budget? Are you
constantly asking yourself, "How can I compete with "big"
businesses when I'm barely keeping my head above water?" The
solution is easier than you may think: Change your clients' and
prospects' perception of your business by using these four
simple techniques:
Business cards - Your business card is one of your most
important marketing tools. Oftentimes, you may not have the
money to buy expensive business cards and settle for free
business cards that sometimes include the manufacturer's
marketing information on the back. Although these cards are free
(not really because you pay for shipping), they give clients and
prospects one perception of your business: CHEAP! There
are many online business card printers such as Professor Print
(www.professorprint.com) and 48 Hour Print
()www.48hourprint.com) that provide quality
cards at an affordable price that can enhance your company's
image.
Email - As you design your company's marketing materials,
be sure to include your company's email address along with other
pertinent information. Due to cost or lack of knowledge, you may
opt to use a free email account such as Hotmail, Yahoo!Mail, or
your ISP's email account. Although this may save you money, it
labels your business as small and untrustworthy. Invest in a
truly unique email account from providers such as GoDaddy (www.godaddy.com) to establish your
company's
identity and brand (ie. yourname@yourcompanyname.com).
Attire - Your first impression is a lasting impression.
Whenever you attend business-related functions, always strive to
be the best-dressed professional at the event. Not only does
this boost your confidence and self-esteem but also helps to
establish your credibility and your company's credibility in the
eyes of others. Believe it or not, it only takes five to ten
seconds for people to form an opinion about you before you have
said a word. You never get a second chance to make a first
impression.
Website - In this day and age, every business, small or
large, needs a website. Clients and prospects expect you to have
a website where they can find out more about your company's
products and services. By having a professional and informative
website, clients and prospects will be unable to distinguish
your small business from your big business counterparts.
Take an assessment of your company using the above four
techniques. Make the commitment to improve problem areas. If you
follow these simple techniques, you can transform your company's
image from small to big.
About the author:
Lisa Sims is the President/CEO of The IT Mechanic, a
technology consulting company that provides website design,
software development, and software evaluations for
organizations. She is also the founder of The Business
Professionals Network. For additional information, please visit
www.theitmechanic.com
or www.bpronetwork.com.
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United States Small Business Administration |
An electronic gateway of procurement information for and about small businesses. Search engine for contracting officers, marketing tool for small firms, ... |
www.sba.gov |
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SBA |
The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle. ... |
www.sba.gov |
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Main Page - SmallBusiness.com - Small Business Resources |
Find Small Business plans, advice, tutorials about organization, corporations, entrepreneurship, and smallbusiness. |
www.smallbusiness.com |
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Yahoo! Small Business: Domain Names, Web Hosting, E-commerce ... |
Yahoo! Small Business provides products and services that enable you to establish and grow your business on the Internet. Services include domain name ... |
smallbusiness.yahoo.com |
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Small business advice business start up small business finance ... |
business start up small business finance start up advice. |
www.smallbusiness.co.uk |
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Smallbusiness.gov.au redirect to business.gov.au |
Business Entry Point - Helping small business in big ways. An Australian Government initiative. The content from this website has now been consolidated into ... |
www.smallbusiness.gov.au |
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Business & Small Business |
Online and print small business publication. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. |
www.entrepreneur.com |
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Microsoft Small Business Center |
Your home for information about Microsoft's small-business products and services, tailored business advice, technology tools, and more. |
www.microsoft.com |
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The Small Business Advisor - advice for starting and operating a ... |
Advice and assistance for starting and operating a small or home based business. |
www.isquare.com |
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SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" |
A nonprofit association dedicated to encouraging the formation, growth, and success of small business nationwide through counseling and mentor programs. |
www.score.org |
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Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource |
IR-2006-2, January 3, 2006 - Temporary and proposed regulations will significantly reduce tax filing burden for nearly 950000 small business owners. ... |
www.irs.gov |
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Welcome to Small Business BC your business resource in British ... |
BC Business Services offers assistance and resources for those running or starting a business in British Columbia and Vancouver. |
www.smallbusinessbc.ca |
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Small Business Service | Home |
Provides information and advice to help small businesses realise their potential. |
www.sbs.gov.uk |
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NSW Small Business |
A site developed by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development for small businesses. Topics include management, resources, current issues and ... |
www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au |
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Business Management & Advice: Small Business Resources & Information |
Looking for business management and advice? Our website includes small business resources and information that can help you. Visit the small business ... |
www.businessweek.com |
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Small Business Lawyer, Attorney, Law, Legal Help - FindLaw for ... |
Information and legal sites relevant to small business. |
smallbusiness.findlaw.com |
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Small Business Funding Opportunities (SBIR and STTR) |
Links to Small Business Funding Opportunities and SBIR / STTR Applications. |
grants.nih.gov |
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Microsoft bCentral Small Business Directory |
Directory categorized by industry with company business card feature. |
sbd.bcentral.com |
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Our site has moved! Please update your bookmarks! |
Facilitates the sharing and exchange of information among small business development centers, the small business administration and other business-oriented ... |
sbdcnet.utsa.edu |
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Small Business Development Corporation |
Our business information services provides guidance to improve business skills and knowledge on advice on starting, buying, selling and expanding a small ... |
www.sbdc.com.au |
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