While the stock market appears to be in a free fall and the business press is tossing around words like depression, doom, and chaos (irresponsibly, I may add), there is cause for optimism. The good news is that the US dollar is rising very quickly in value on the world market. Last week the dollar…
DetailsSmall companies don’t have to invest in expensive marketing efforts to be successful. There are many things you can do to drive new business that are free or inexpensive. Here are a few 8 ideas to consider: 1. Make sure that your website is bursting with useful content for your readers and customers; give them…
DetailsGoogle, Yahoo!, MSN, ASK, and AOL are getting smarter. Trying to fool the major search engines is getting harder to do as the major search engines continue to upgrade and refine the search algorithms to determine rank on web searches. Most website owners rely upon the expertise of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) consultants to help…
DetailsStrategy is an overused and often abused word in the business community. People use the word strategy when they are in trouble or desperately need to change or need do something new. Losing market share and profits falling? Most people will tell you to get a new strategy. Strategy is a process that is about…
Details“Nothing happens unless first we dream.” – Carl Sandburg Dream big thoughts but it is better to build businesses upon little ideas. The most common strategic marketing mistake is to think too big. So, the answer is think small. Think niche. By focusing on a niche, you become expert at providing your product or service.…
DetailsPricing below the market is a technique used by giant mass market firms to take market share. Also known as “penetration” pricing, this is a strategy where a provider sells products below market price to break into a market or to take market share. When enough competitors are scared out of the market, the giant…
Details“The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” – Mark Twain Writing better copy for websites, brochures, and business letters is hard work, but the impact is remarkable. Here are a few best practices to consider: • Hire…
DetailsBusiness plans are like a compass—they point the way for the company and explain the business to the investor. Yet, business plans can tell the wrong story and may even kill the deal with the investor. Here are some examples of business plan blunders to avoid: • Lousy Writing: Nothing kills a plan more quickly…
DetailsCreating publicity with public relations is a lot of hard work but studies show that PR is 8-10 times more believable than advertising. Getting your name in the newspaper, in the trade press, on the internet, on the radio, or on television helps build credibility and helps build your brand. Unlike advertising which is paid…
DetailsWhen I was kid I had an aquarium in my bedroom that housed dozens, make that hundreds of guppies and neon tetras. They seemed to multiply almost daily and I was quite proud of them. While I enjoyed watching the pretty little fish, I did not enjoy cleaning the aquarium (much to my mother’s chagrin).…
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