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On the Verge of Small Business Success
This morning I listened intently to a TV news program as financial expert David Bach explained how it is that recessions contribute to making many people wealthy as part of his promotion for his book Start Over, Finish Rich: 10 Steps to Get You Back on Track in 2010
What this means to the savvy entrepreneur who wants to come out of this recession ahead is that there are deals to be had. Make sure you’re taking advantage of those deals by investing and purchasing those supplies, services and educational materials your business needs now – while prices are low.
Once the recovery is in full swing, people will start buying and investing again. If you invested in your company while costs were relatively low for the services and products your business needs, the post recession recovery could be your time to recoup by being ready and positioned to meet your market’s need.
Do you know how to generate traffic to your website? Do you understand how to integrate social media into your promotional marketing campaign? Are you aware of the most cost effective ways to promote your business? How do you compare to your nearest competitor and what’s your strategy for claiming your target market? Do you know how to create a strategy for attracting your target market?
I’m asking a lot of question that any online entrepreneur should be asking and answering. If you’re looking for a cost effective way to get the knowledge you need to answer these questions and more importantly implement related strategies into your business please take some time to see what the Small Business Academy offers. This resource is a self-directed, affordable tutorial program just for new and experienced online entrepreneurs.
Is your business on the verge of achieving big things in 2010?
To your success,
Sharon
Ideal Solution for the Anti-Shopper
I absolutely hate shopping. If the stores were a lot less crowded I’d enjoy this necessity of life a little bit more. I’ve finally realized why online shopping is so perfect for people like me. See I’m a late adopter as far as online shopping goes primarily because I hate paying shipping costs and my location demands hefty shipping costs.
I was therefore thrilled to read about Best Buy’s Buy Online, Pickup in Your Local Best Buy® Store promo happening now until December 24 (3 p.m.).
You simply choose the product you want to buy online then select the store nearest to you for your pick-up location. You can literally pick up your online purchase 45 minutes after your online transaction.
One of the products I’ve been considering is an online reader. From what I’ve read there are really only two to choose from the Sony e-Reader and the Amazon Kindle.
My choice is the Sony e-Reader and here’s why. I worked at libraries all throughout college and prior to that I was a book store clerk. It therefore goes without saying that I gave big points to Sony’s decision to partner their e-Reader with OverDrive – an e-book provider that works with a vast network of public libraries. Long live libraries!
Another great feature of the Sony e-Reader is that it uses touch screen technology – so no typing on very tiny keys to maneuvre text on the screen.
For a comprehensive comparison of these two products read PC World’s review.
But if you’ve already done your research and want that Sony e-Reader either for yourself or someone in your family order it online now from Best Buy and pick it up 45 minutes later at your nearest store.
Hassle free shopping at its best.
Business Uses for Your iPod Nano
For those of you who want to understand why it is a small business owner would ever want an iPod Nano here are a few features to consider.
First the iPod Nano now offers video. Using the Nano’s new built in video camera you can take short videos suitable for Facebook and other places where you might wish to share short videos with your client or customer base.
Another great feature of the iPod Nano is that it is super light at just 1.28 ounces. It can also help to keep you light on your feet since it includes a pedometer. You can enter your weight into the Nano and it will keep track of the calories you burn walking around throughout the day.
In addition to the traditional role of the Nano – storing and playing your favorite MP3 songs – the Nano also has an FM radio so you can listen in to your favorite live programs.
If you’re ready to pick up an iPod Nano for your business, personal or Holiday gifting needs, now is the time – it’s on sale.
The Affiliate Marketing Model and Your Business
As we approach the end of the year are you finding yourself considering new revenue streams for your business in the new year? If so, this post is about one of the most practical and successful business models for secondary or primary income streams – affiliate marketing.
You’ve likely heard that affiliate marketing is “passive income” earning at it’s best. Whether you sell your own products or services or someone elses, affiliate marketing is about leveraging the time and energy of a successful marketing team to increase your business’ revenue.
Once you zero in on the products or services you want to market, and put in place an effective online marketing strategy, your affiliate marketing business may require very little of your time.
Now while it’s true affiliate marketing can prove to be extremely lucrative for your business, before you jump in, make sure you are aware of the pros and the cons of launching your own affiliate program.
Pro #1: Connect to a larger audience.
The best affiliate marketing business model includes the utilization of affiliate marketers to support your sales effort. In other words you don’t have to do it alone and with a team of affiliate marketers, you are guaranteed to reach more potential customers than you ever would be able to reach on your own. An affiliate program allows you to gain visibility and reach a larger targeted market through by enlisting the man-power you need to grow your business.
Con #1: Handing over some control.
Can you trust others to represent your business professionally as an affiliate? It can be difficult for many business owners to entrust their livelihood to others. However, while it may feel uncomfortable at first to give up even a minimum amount of control, you will have to do so in order to maximize your profit earning potential.
Pro #2: Time to Do Business Owner Work
When you’re out selling and promoting your business something else isn’t getting done and that’s why it’s good to spread out your marketing efforts. With affiliate marketers promoting your business for you, you will have more time to focus on what’s really important, like coming up with new ideas, designing new offers for your customers, inventing new products and deciding what how best to reinvest and enjoy the extra income you’ll be generating!
Con #2: an Affiliate Marketing Teams Still Needs Management.
It’s inspiring to have a team out there selling your product or service so that you don’t have to, but an affiliate program is just something else to worry about, and that is not what you need. But, on the good side, if you spend the time necessary to create a quality, organized and well-built program from the beginning, your team will require little management and basically run itself, especially if you have purchased a robust affiliate management software program that does most of the work for you.
Pro #3: Increased profits.
As your affiliate program grows, so will your business. The larger your team, the more visibility you will gain, the more customers you will have and the greater your income will be. It’s a very simple straight forward business model that works.
Con #3: More money, more problems.
It is true that the more money you have coming in will mean the more money you have to keep track of. However, again, a really good affiliate manager will help ensure your team is paid the right amount, on time and maintain important affiliate commission information for both you and your affiliate marketers.
So many things in life and business have pros and cons to consider. Your affiliate program is no different and keep in mind that there is an upside to just about every perceived challenge.
If you are willing to take on a little extra work, entrust a qualified team to market your business, and accept the increased responsibility that comes with a commitment to increasing your profit, then launching your own affiliate program might be just the direction your business needs to take.
To your success,
Sharon
Black Friday Deals for Small Businesses
If you’ve been holding off on purchasing items for your small business because you want the best deal, your waiting may soon be over. The biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday is a week away.
Black Friday is of course the Friday after Thanksgiving which this year will be November 27. Some stores (brick and mortar and web-based ones) will be opening at midnight on that date, others a little later, but their goal is the same: To get feet in doors (or your eyes on their website) by dropping prices.
Personally I’ve never purchased anything on Black Friday, but this year I may make an exception.
There are some great deals to be had for small business owners.
Here are some highlights:
Best Buy:
- Sony laptop – $399, specs: Intel Pentium dual core, 4GB RAM, 320GB hard drive, Windows 7 Home
- Apple Macbook, $999, specs: Intel Duo core, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive (receive $150 Best Buy gift card
- HP package, $499.97, specs: desktop computer, AMD Quad Core processor, 8 GB RAM, 1 terrabyte hard drive, Windows 7 Home, HP 20″ widescreen monitor; HP deskjet D1530
Staples
- Brother color laser printer, $179.98
- Garmin nuvi255 portable GPS, $119.99
- HP laptop $299.98!!!, specs: Intel Celeron, 3GB RAM, 160 GB hrd drive, Windows 7 Home
Office Depot
- Ativa monitor, $119.99, 21.6″ HD
- Compaq Desktop, $229.99, specs: AMD, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, Windows 7 Home
- Acer netbook, $199.98, specs: 1 GB Ram, 160 GB hard drive, Windows XP Home
- *note free HP printer with any PC purchase
Those are great deals (especially the Garmin GPS!) and of course there’ll be so many more deals once you research further online, according to your needs.
Remember the Objective is to SAVE
The best way to purchase wisely during this frantic shopping season is to take your time and plan ahead. If you were waiting this long to purchase certain items for your business simply because you wanted to take advantage of the huge savings offered during Black Friday then stick to your guns and purchase only what you need.
It will be tempting to purchase more than planned because the prices look soooo good, but resist. You’ll be thankful you did when it comes time to pay your bills.
To your success,
Sharon
