Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
Every business needs to market their product or service
There are many definitions for marketing and everyone has their own interpretation. In simple terms marketing is what a business does to obtain new customers and keep them satisfied. It’s a process that involves many aspects of business promotion and not limited to just advertising. Most successful business owners believe the core value of good marketing is customer service and know without taking care of the customer’s needs all the sales and advertising in the world is not going to keep them.
Developing a plan
In developing a marketing plan there must be a clear understanding of what the customer wants, what they are willing to pay, where to locate them, and how to contact them. Researching, gathering information, and putting it together into a plan with a clear focus will increase the chances of success.
Have a recognizable brand
Having a recognizable brand or identity distinguishes one business from rest. This image sets the business apart and may identify it as a place for providing excellent service, have the best pizzas in town, be the most professional, have affordable prices or is the best place to purchase a product.
Create an Identity
Creating an identity includes using both offline and online tools and depending on the type of business some methods work better than others. Traditional presentation is still important and includes stationery, business cards, brochures, sales letters and other related promotion material. Trade shows, advertising, special events, direct marketing and other long-established methods still work and should not be ignored.
A Company website
A company website creates an online presence and makes the business accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and is perfect for promoting new products or services, a place for potential customers to ask questions or buy products, providing information on the business, and can be used for recruiting employees.
Promoting online
Online promotion through social media networks should be a major part of every business’s plan. It’s not complicated or time consuming and does not have to be expensive, nor is it just for big businesses with huge budgets. The social network sites Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Digg as well as others when used properly can help build business relationships.
Take Action
Taking action is the next step but only after a decision is made on the types of marketing to be used and all the necessary tools in position. Having a system available to evaluate each step will make it much easier to know what does or does not work.
Build Relationships
Marketing is all about relationship building and connecting with potential clients. Satisfied customers or clients will return and are more likely to refer others which helps keep the cycle going and the business thriving.
Marketing will be the key to success
Whether a business has been in operation for 10 years or is in the early start-up stage, marketing will be the key to its success. A marketing plan provides the business with a clear understanding of the business and budget keeping them organized. Knowing the needs of the customers guides the business in the right direction.
Here’s to your success!
Carol Ann Quibell
Work less hours but accomplish more! 
This is one of my favorite books and have read it cover to cover twice!
If you are thinking at all of trying to work smarter and not more then this is the book for you. I have even bought it as gifts for friends and family. I hope you will think it is as good as I do.
Holiday Series on Book Marketing – Lessons from Santa: 12 Tips and Secrets for Authors Nominated For the 2013 Small Business Book Awards
Cleveland, OH, March 2, 2013 - Holiday Series on Book Marketing – Lessons from Santa: 12 Tips and Secrets for Authors has been nominated for the 2013 Small Business Book Awards in the category of Marketing. The Author, Corine La Font who also provides support services in the areas of Writing, Publishing and Marketing to authors is also nominated for an award in Resources
The Small Business Book Awards celebrate the best business books that appeal to entrepreneurs, small business owners, CEOs, managers and their staffs. The Awards also recognize key resources supporting business book authors and the publishing industry.
The Small Business Book Awards are more than just an honor — they include a prestigious online event in which readers, fans, book lovers and the small business community nominate and vote on their favorites. Social media sharing is encouraged, and the Awards technology platform enables book authors to network and engage online with readers and fans.
“Today’s business owners are hungry for information and insights to help them run a successful business. Also, they use books as a way to grow and develop their employees and management teams. The Small Business Book Awards are a way to acknowledge the books that small business owners and entrepreneurs appreciated over the past year,” said Ivana Taylor, Book Editor at Small Business Trends, which produces the Awards.
“This year we’ve expanded the book categories to 10. We’ve also added a non-book category for technology and other support resources that help authors get their books into readers’ hands. This year we specifically welcome electronic books, too. Business books today don’t always fit neatly into the mold of traditionally-published print books. Annual sales of electronic books now exceed $1 billion and continue to grow, according to BookStats,” noted Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends and Founder of the Awards.
The Small Business Book Awards for 2013 are presented with generous support by Namecheap.com. “We are proud and honored to support the small business community and the Small Business Book Awards. Small business is the backbone of our economy and entrepreneurs the driving force. At Namecheap, we’ve always been a small business focused company and anything we can do to further and promote small business and the spirit of entrepreneurship is something we love being involved with,” adds Namecheap CEO Richard Kirkendall.
About the Small Business Book Awards
The 2013 Small Business Book Awards are now in their 5th year. More than just an honor, the Awards are a unique social online event that enables the small business community to nominate, show their support for, and vote on their favorite business books. The Awards combine recognition for a job well done, honors and prestige — along with providing a high-profile opportunity for authors to engage with fans, network through social media, and increase publicity. The Small Business Book Awards are produced by Small Business Trends, an award-winning online publication, which along with its sister sites, serves over 5,000,000 small business owners, stakeholders and entrepreneurs annually. Small Business Trends for the past five years has published weekend reviews of small business books, amassing hundreds of independent reviews.
CONTACT:
Small Business Trends
admin@smallbiztrends.com
888.842.1186 , ext. 701
Web: SmallBizBookAwards.com
Twitter hashtag: #BizBookAwards
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Promoting your business
It’s never too late to start promoting your business and since this is the beginning of a brand new year it’s a perfect opportunity to develop a marketing strategy by using both fresh new ideas and traditional methods that work.
With a clear understanding of what your business represents, who your target customer or client is and what you can offer them, your chances of success will be greatly improved. That is not all though. What are the long range goals for you and your business? Where do you see yourself and your business in five, ten or twenty years? Think about it, because it’s important.
A marketing plan is similar to planning a trip in your car.
You purchase a car, obtain a drivers licence and vehicle insurance, plan the destination, obtain a map, know your budget and arrange for accommodation and events. Leave just one of those details out and your trip may still happen but probably not the way you thought it would. Would you drive your car if it arrived without a steering wheel? Of course not, so why would you operate a business without a marketing plan? You will be all over the place.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t market your business in many different ways ~ you should. But having a plan keeps you focused, on track and more importantly, it gives you the tools to evaluate the success of your plan.
Branding your business
“Branding” seems to be the buzz word at the moment and what that actually means is creating an image for your business. Only you know what type of appearance you and your business wish to portray. There are a variety of methods used for creating an impression using tools both offline and online and depending on the type of business some work better than others. It’s essential not to focus on just online methods and ignore traditional ways of promoting offline because both methods are important.
Use traditional networking methods
There is no doubt that traditional networking works and it does because business owners are connecting with their customers and clients and creating an impression whether it is through face to face meetings, providing excellent customer service or just being in the right location.
Creating an Online Presence
Creating an online presence through a website and social media networks is also effective and definitely expands customer awareness and helps to establish a brand. Don’t let the thought of online marketing or social media cause your eyes to glaze over. It’s not complicated or time consuming and does not have to be expensive, nor is it just for big businesses with huge budgets. Online promotion should be a major part of every business’s marketing plan.
Take action on types of Marketing Planned
Taking action is the next step but only after a decision is made on the types of marketing to be used and whether they will include advertising, relationship building, direct marketing, promotions and events or other methods and all the necessary tools are in position. Having a system available to evaluate each step will make it much easier to know what does or does not work. It’s perfectly acceptable to change your plan as you move forward as long as you know why you are doing it and what you hope to achieve by doing so.
Marketing is the key to a Business’s success
Whether a business has been operating for 10 years or is in the early start-up stage, marketing will be the key to its success. It does take creativity and a plan to follow, guiding it along the way – like a road map. Remember it’s never too late so don’t delay – the time to start your new marketing plan is now!
Wishing you success in your business,
PS: A FREE Website Magazine is the one magazine that focus exclusively on the business of running a website: tips for successful websites, solutions for enhancing website traffic, the latest Internet industry trends and statistics, as well as news analysis on the Internet industry.
Author Corine LaFont has written the first book in her new special series. I am really pleased to share this with you.
Its Christmas time and everyone takes an even greater interest in how they look by going shopping and buying new things they always wanted to have.
Santa does not have that problem. He wears his traditional suit every year and somehow it does not get old or out of fashion. It seems to always put a smile on our face when we see that red and white suit with his black boots and belt!
In the same way we need to present ourselves when we become authors. We need to spend time on our image and how we want others to see us. Do you have that special brand or signature that will put a smile on someone’s face when they hear your name, visit your website or read your book?
What sort of image do you wish to have in the coming year? Now is the time to focus on that and make it part of your New Year’s resolution. To create a brand and image so striking that it is unforgettable and will have a positive and memorable flavor in the mouths of persons who speak about you and refer to others.
Remember that being an author is not just about the written word. It is an all inclusive package. So spend the time to look within and outside yourself and determine what needs improvement and go for it and if you don’t know where to turn, seek out professional guidance.
In my book, Holidays Series on Book Marketing-Lessons from Santa: 12 Tips and Secrets for Authors (Holiday Series on Book Marketing)
Corine La Font is an Author, Certified Author Assistant and Online Book Marketing Specialist. Get a copy of her book at Holidays Series on Book Marketing-Lessons from Santa: 12 Tips and Secrets for Authors (Holiday Series on Book Marketing)
Tune in to her radio programme at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/helpdeskja
She can be reached at corine@helpdeskja.com or visit her website at www.helpdeskja.com
All the best,
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