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.

Sony Reader Touch Edition Digital Book – Silver Enjoy the wide world of eBooks with this convenient digital book that features plenty of storage space and a battery life that supports up to 7,500 page turns.

Hassle free shopping at its best.

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.

Just about every small business owner has the opportunity to expand their scope of business through the Internet. One of the best marketing strategies for a small business is the creation and management of an affiliate program.

An affiliate program allows others who like your product or service to let the world know about your business through a special promotional program that your business manages.

You may have already considered the idea of launching your own affiliate program because of the success of your current  business. If that is the case then this is good news for you–you’re already off to a great start.

You have a product that you believe in, that you know sells and that has the potential to be profitable. Your next goal is to multiply your customers and one of the best ways to do that is through an affiliate program.

You’re the expert when it comes to your business and often times your the best sales person.   But you can’t reach everyone.  With an affiliate program you have a sales army of affiliate marketers who can reach hundreds, even thousands more potential customers in a way that is cost-effective, efficient and proven as a sales model.

All you have to do is provide the resources – like sales materials and training – and they will bring in the sales. If it sounds a little too straight forward it’s because it is very straight forward.

When launching your own affiliate program, it’s a good idea to start with the best software that you can afford. Your goal is to offer a one-stop resource for  payment reports, promotional material, sales trends, etc. A good affiliate management software program will provide that kind of comprehensive data in a format that is very accessible to both you and your affiliate team.

With a good affiliate management program you should be able to create and post important information like your affiliate agreement, terms and conditions, and any kind of graphic or copy that your affiliates can use to advertise your business. In this way you will also be able to manage and control your brand and that is always important.

In addition, you will want to purchase software that offers a commission tracking functionality and other services like auto sign-up and automated management of all affiliate work. Securing powerful affiliate management software is the best way to ensure that your program will not only be successful, but manageable.

To learn more about how to create and manage an affiliate program I suggest you consider getting Alice Seba’s Affiliate Manager Training Course.

Can your business do with a sales boost? What are your questions or ideas regarding affiliate sales management and your business?

To your your success,

Sharon

With the Holiday season upon us now is the time to ensure your business is organized and set not just for the busy and fun weeks ahead but for the serious season beginning January 1st.

Nothing allows you to enjoy the Holiday season more than knowing that you’ve got your strategies and activities planned and ready to implement.

That’s possible only if you do the actual research planning and today’s post is about one special took that so many of us rely on successfully to get things done – the daily planner.

In fact, right now is the perfect time to order your 2010 planner if you haven’t already done so. Currently my well worn 2009 planner is filling up with notes and references for meetings in 2010. Those notes bulging my planner serve as a big red flag reminding me to get that 2010 calendar now.

As a business owner you likely have many priorities.  But of course everything can’t have the same priority. You can only do one thing at a time but by at least doing one thing (as opposed to thinking about it with dread) you’ll get the control you strive, one completed project at a time.

Using a daily planner will help you to break your work down into chunks, hour by hour, day by day. What a planner can help you do is tend to the details and the big picture as well.  For example, it’s not good to be chipping away at something for 5 hours, when in reality you only have a 2 hour slot to work on an activity because of other deadlines that day.

Use your daily planner to keep you on track.  I love the week at a glance, spread over two pages with with a reduced snap shot of 3-months of full calendars.  That way when I open my planner I get a quick visual of the week ahead – what’s due, who do I have to meet, how much longer until Thanksgiving, etc.

I’ve done some research and just come across the At-A-Glance QuickNotes daily/weekly/monthly planners.  I think this particular product may be ideal for multitasking business owners. What I especially like about this planner is that it is made by an industry leader (the Mead/Day-Runner journal producers) and that it has the unique and nifty QuickNotes feature which allows to you track a running list (for me it would be my task list) on a colored area of your “week at a glance” page and also at the beginning section of each month.

The use of colored paper for the list or “Quicknotes” looks like it will be really helpful. I’ve included the link below so you can look a little further into this product for yourself.

Planning and implementing small projects is what helps me to build momentum in my business. With all the activity taking place during this Holiday season it will be easy to feel overwhelmed and even get side tracked from the marketing strategy already planned. Ensuring that I have the simple tools to support me is an easy way to keep on track.

What steps are you taking to get your business organized and humming for this holiday season and the all important year ahead?

To your success,

Sharon

If the last thing you want to be is a “salesperson” but want to add a new revenue stream to your business model, you really should consider “affiliate marketing.”

Affiliate Marketing is really just the process involved in promoting and marketing some other company’s products or services.  You earn a commission when there is a sale or in some cases where you generate a lead. As online business owners there are systems and approaches to make this kind of marketing painless and actually enjoyable for both you and your audience. Best of all it takes very little time and can be very profitable if you focus on quality and the interests of your audience.

One of the most respected affiliate marketers in the industry today is Rosalind Gardiner.  She’s earned this title not only because of her financial success but because she has produced the most comprehensive publication on how to earn a living as an affiliate marketer.

Known as the ‘bible’ of Affiliate Marketing, Rosalind Gardner’s Super Affiliate Handbook is a MUST-READ for anyone who wants to become an affiliate marketer.

In a style that is friendly and humorous, the Super Affiliate Handbook is filled with real examples of what Rosalind did to become one of the most recognizable Super Affiliates in the world. And she doesn’t just tell you what she did right — she exposes the mistakes she made as well — to help you avoid potential problems.

Exceptionally well written, Super Affiliate Handbook covers absolutely everything you need to know about making money as an affiliate marketer.

I HIGHLY Recommended it.

Get the Super Affiliate Handbook today!

To your success,

Sharon

I’ve worked in regional and educational marketing for many years and one thing I’ve noticed is that adults definitely learn differently than younger folks.

Do you think you could sit through a 1 to 3-hour lecture today with quite the same attention span you had as a  student (on good days)? Business owners need the learning experience to be interactive, immediately relevant and low on the use of jargon.

• Tell me what I need (want) to know
• Show me what I need to know
• Summarize what I need to know

When those three points are hit during a presentation then I enjoy it and even better I retain it.

So if you’re looking for a way to promote your business why not host a conference on a topic related to the service or product you offer? It’s now considered one of the best ways to market a business.

The concept isn’t that new.  Look at any business conference calendar and you’ll see conferences on social media, advertising, client building, internet marketing, legal issues, technology issues, and just about anything viable businesses want to promote to an audience.

But what you should really take note of are the speakers.  You won’t see a line up of “professional” speakers (people who speak for a living and demand a fee for doing so).  Most speakers in the leading business conferences today are marketing managers, company owners, and other representatives looking for a cost effective way to promote and position their business to a very targeted audience.

Here’s the BIG news:  You don’t have to book a large conference room in a ritzy hotel to host a conference.  You CAN, but you don’t have to.  Since this website targets small, online business owners I’m sure most of you have no desire to spend $20K on hosting a big event (even if you do make it back).

You can host a very effective conference completely online. Your only costs are associated with the technology needed to allow your audience to view PowerPoint slides or websites and whiteboards as you and your speakers talk about your area of expertise and answer live questions from the audience.

Since I’ve started attending conferences online I’ve learned so much more simply because I can afford to attend more events (in-person and online events).  Remember your attendees do not have to spend money on transportation or accommodations.

To tell you the truth many of the online conferences I’ve enjoyed in the comfort of my own home have been much better content wise than some of the in-person events I’ve trekked to!

Finally here is more good news for you:  one of my favorite business mentors (a former marketing-communications practitioner like myself) offers an excellent service for those who want to host their own online conferences.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for software and service. In fact your costs will be no where close to that amount and well under $40.  Take a look here.

Unlike in-person events this won’t take you a year to plan.  For some entrepreneurs planning an online conference takes only a matter of weeks plus whatever whatever you think is a good promotional time line to get the word out to prospective attendees.

Once you do your research and pinpoint those business owner experts that you’d like to discuss topics you’ve planned for the program, it won’t take long for them to respond (and trust me many will be interested).  As for the whole “execution” part of your online conference, with the turnkey technology solution Lynette Chandler offers, you’ll be up in no time.

Let me know when you’ll be hosting your first online event, I’d love to promote it here.

To your success,

Sharon

How many stories have you read about famous entrepreneurs who faced multiple rejections and set-backs before finally getting that big break or that first client that served to set their business in motion?

Probably many and there’s a reason for that – success in most cases is not immediate. It takes sweat and perseverance 99% of the time.  You have to be an advocate for your business especially in those early days if not throughout the life of your company.

This bit of advice is particularly important for the new breed of entrepreneur coming out of America’s downsized (or shut down) corporations and those “return-to-work” parents (mostly moms)  who now need to find a way to boost the family income.

This “new breed” is coming from a position of relative stability. Many are accustomed to regular paychecks (or a partner with a regular pay check), nice health care benefit plans, paid vacations and the security of knowing that they have a nice pension developing for their “retirement” years.

Of course the economic recession of 2009 burst that bubble.  Now we have thousands of skilled men and women, probably many of you reading this, examining ways in which to channel that tremendous experience and talent into a business that will provide them with the personal satisfaction and financial security.

The one trait that you may not have (yet) is the stubborn streak of an advocate.

Once you’ve done your research and consulted with peers and professionals ideally in the field where you’ll be doing business, create a business plan based on the facts.  Refer to this prior post on this topic for more information.  Once you’ve got the confidence in your business strategy and goals you have to defend it and be persistent at it.

You’ve likely heard before that it takes 3-5 years for many businesses to start turning a profit, but that doesn’t always sink in the way it should.  So many small business owners quit after 6 months because they let doubt and unsubstantiated criticism from folks who may know less about their market than they do, affect them.

It took Abby Widmer, a Pilates Studio owner, 22 meetings with different banks before she finally found one willing to loan her the funds for the studio she wanted to open.  That’s the kind of persistence that will keep you afloat as a new entrepreneur.

Your well researched and prepared business is “your baby” and you’re going to have to be vigilant and stubborn in your focus on your special venture. Make minor adjustments as necessary but don’t lose focus on the goal you’ve hopefully spent a lot of time and research in developing.

Yesterday I spoke about dreams and how the new mindset is not about wistful thinking but practical “stepping” towards our dreams as the new breed entrepreneur.  Keeping sight of that dream will help keep you on track and persistent in achieving your goals.

Are you an advocate for your business?

To your success,

Sharon

As a full time or part time business owner you need to have a certain level of knowledge about your business.  For example, the more you know about your target market, the more inclined you’ll be to develop products and services that they’ll actually be interested in and want to buy.  The more you know about online marketing strategies the more effective you will be in using your time and limited resources to increase your sales.

I could go on and on, but the message here is that the more you know, the better it is for your business.  Now I’m not suggesting that you become an encyclopedia about your business as you definitely don’t need to be immersed in  details you shouldn’t be spending your time on anyhow.

For instance your business will need a logo, but that doesn’t mean you need to learn about graphic design.  Rather you need to know how to present your business professionally in the marketplace.  So instead of learning how to use Photoshop to design your own logo you need to learn about the essentials of marketing a business and why it is important to establish a consistent brand and image for your company, all of which includes having a professional logo.

Obviously there is work to be done in your business that is management oriented (work for you to do) and there are tasks that are better addressed by outsourced professionals or specialized contractors who can get the job done right, within budget and on time.

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re not running down rabbit holes on tasks while your business languishes is to develop a sound business plan that outlines your:

• Goals: these are major achievements you want realized, like attaining a certain position in the marketplace or income level.
• Objectives: these are preliminary and measurable achievements you want realized on the way to meeting your goals – consider objectives as being mile posts.
• Strategies: this is your road map for achieving your objectives and explains how you’ll go about doing things like increasing sales by 30% or obtaining media coverage in 10% of the major media reaching your target market, etc.

Once you have that business plan the next thing to do is to ensure you LOOK at it REGULARLY.  Too many entrepreneurs keep their business plans tucked away in a file and then lose track of their strategies and goals.  That’s a sure way to greet failure fast.

Keep your business plan handy, refer to it often and seek out mentors and resources that can help to enhance your knowledge of your market, best practices in your business and trends in the marketplace.

Information about creating a business plan and outsourcing tasks effectively and affordably will be included in our next  Biz Facts Online newsletter. To get this handy information you’ll need to be a Biz Facts Online subscriber.  You can sign up using the subscribers form up on the top right hand corner of this page (and every page of this site).

To your success,

Sharon

One of the great things about the Internet is that there are hundreds of millions of people online and your target group is bound to be in that huge online audience.

The work of a savvy small business owner is to use the Internet in the most (cost) efficient way possible to locate  that all important target market.

One of the best ways to reach your target market and start building up your client/customer list is to both raise your profile in key communities and connect effectively with your prospect list using Internet marketing techniques like email marketing (see #5 below).

Here are five current and effective ways of finding clients online:

#1

Use Google to find the most popular blogs and discussion groups for your business or sector. After familiarizing yourself with those sites respond in constructive ways to appropriate blog posts and get involved as a contributing and supportive member in discussion groups. Note: the list of blogs/websites that appear on the first page of your Google search of your keywords will likely identify some of the most popular and/or credible authorities for your sector.

#2

Identify teleseminars and conferences put on by respected event producers in your sector and approach these producers about becoming a speaker and/or sponsor at these events.

#3

Determine the size of your advertising budget and identify any affordable advertising opportunities on  blogs or other websites reaching a significant segment of your target market.  Advertising can take  the form of a $15/ month button on a home page of a blog to a podcast sponsorship costing several hundred dollars.  Obviously how much is charged depends on the  popularity (audience size ) or reputation of that website..  You don’t necessarily have to advertise with the most popular blogger/publisher, but you do want to consider sites where you know your target market can be found in significant numbers.

#4

Use social media, including tools like “Twitter” and “LinkedIn“, to reach a growing audience of just about everyone.  You can use the Twitter search function to isolate those businesses and users who are interested in your product or service.  Once you check out their profile and their website (when you’ve got time) then you should decide to “follow” them (or not).  That “follow” will put their twitter feed in your timeline and if this person represents part of your target market you’ll really want them to follow you as well. All your followers will get your tweet in their feeds. That’s why part of your goal on Twitter is to build up a follower list of strong, potential customers/clients/peers.

LinkedIn is a great networking tool that is more structured than twitter.  It’s considered a very professional and well respected tool that allows you to really highlight your experience and background.

#5

Make strategic use of your autoresponder (I use aweber). An autoresponder is an automated service for sending out emails to your list after a user fills out one of your subscriber forms or signs up for something you are promoting.  Don’t flood inboxes with email (spam) but communicate regularly with your list of prospective clients/customers.  If you establish yourself as a timely resource and helpful expert, by sharing timely tips and information in your emails, you’ll be more likely to succeed in selling your products and services to this group of individuals who have “chosen” to communicate with you.

There are books and conferences dedicated to finding clients.  The five suggestions listed above are just some of the more common strategies used by small business owners succeeding online.  What other strategies would you suggest or add to this list?

Kathleen Gage is an accomplished speaker and small business owner. A former president of the National Speakers’ Association (Utah Chapter) and recognized as the leading home based entrepeneur in her state, Kathleen is not just an expert who “writes” about the steps to business success, she lives it.

Here’s a good opportunity to really understand how to earn an income marketing your expertise online by investing in Kathleen’s top selling report “Discover How to Make Your First $100 Online.”

It’s not just writing that is important (as outsourcing and other resources can help the non-writer), but also knowing how to create a report that taps into hot topics in the marketplace. This is one of the fastest ways to start earning an income online and one of the most enjoyable for entrepreneurs with knowledge, skills and a willingness to learn new systems.

See Kathleen’s report here