Successful Blog

Pay Attention to the Tomato

by

There’s an amazing little burger joint near me, called Poe’s Tavern. It’s a warm, friendly, local place with great food, but there’s one special thing they do that makes me a maniacal fan—they pay attention to their tomato.

Tomatoes should be ripe, red, and full of flavor. They should add to the hamburger, not detract from it. But the “tomato bar” is set so low at most restaurants. Often it’s semi-ripe, mealy, or green in the center. Thrown on top because the burger is supposed to come with tomato on it. That makes me sad.

Poe’s tomatoes are so consistently beautiful that I steal my husband’s, add a little salt, and eat it like a side dish.

good tomato customer service

What’s your tomato like?

Are you paying attention to the little extras that come along with your product or service?

If parts of your offering are unripe, don’t include them until they’re ready. Wait until they’re so good, they could almost stand on their own, bursting with flavor and beautiful color.

This one little shift in thinking can change your customers/clients into fans/evangelists. It might even make you…in the words of Liz…irresistible!

Now don’t get me started on shredded lettuce that tastes like the walk-in.

What’s your tomato, and how does it taste?

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Image: Flickr CC, Ajith_chatie

5 Tips for Trimming the Office Budget

by

Running a small business is expensive – very expensive.

Saving little bits of money here and there can make all the difference to your overall profit come year-end. There are hundreds of small ways to save money, but when it comes to saving big, there may be a few things you’re missing.

With that in mind, here are five ways to trim your office budget and start saving loads of money each year.

1. Save on utilities

Utilities are one of the largest expenses for an office. By turning up the AC just a few degrees, you can save hundreds per month. Always turn off computers and electronic equipment when not in use, switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, install light sensors in break rooms and restrooms, and consider switching to solar panels if you can afford it. Keep in mind, solar panels are very expensive upfront but will save you thousands over the years. They also can be used as a deduction on your taxes.

2. Save on marketing

Another large office expense is money spent on advertising and marketing. Keep track of where every dollar goes and take note of what methods are the most and least effective for you. For example, are you still sending customers fliers in the mail? If so, you may want to switch to sending e-fliers, instead. E-fliers are quick to make and even quicker to mail out, not to mention the amount you’ll save on paper and stamps. A great way to market your business is via social media. Build a Facebook page, Twitter account, company website and blog to attract and retain customers.

3. Save on office supplies

If you’re in need of new office supplies, which account for 20% of expenses on average, don’t just buy the first thing you see. Look for deals, ask for discounts or buy used. If you’re really looking to save money, consider leasing the larger equipment that you need. This saves you money upfront plus allows you to “test” the product before committing to it. Also, only buy equipment and supplies that you absolutely need. Too many businesses wind up wasting money on technology that never gets used.

4. Save on taxes

Small businesses can write off almost everything nowadays. When it comes time to do your taxes, be as thorough as possible to ensure you’re not missing any deductions. Some less common deductions include utilities in your home (if you have a home office), insurance premiums, retirement accounts, office equipment, bad debt (money people owe you), travel expenses and even clothing (if used for business purposes). Consider hiring an accountant if this isn’t something you wish to take on yourself.

5. Save on staffing

Each year, re-evaluate your staffing needs. Who are the top and bottom performers in your company? Are there any positions you could possibly combine into one role? Is each staff member doing their job efficiently and improving your company, or are they simply taking up space? By evaluating your staffing needs each year, and possibly firing or replacing a few employees, you’ll not only save your company tens of thousands of dollars but you’ll also have a company that’s better-run and managed.

Photo credit: scu.edu

About the Author: Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer living in Glendale, AZ. She covers topics on budget help, personal finance and small businesses.

Pinterest for Business: The Secret to a Picture Perfect Social Media Marketing Strategy

by

By Brittany Thorley

Launched in early 2010, Pinterest has fast become an essential tool for social media enthusiasts and creative businesses to share the images they admire, but many businesses still don’t include this picture perfect platform into their social media marketing strategy. However, this online scrapbooking site could be your key to marketing your business, boosting online presence and tapping into a brand new customer base – with great results!

Why Pinterest?

Pinterest is unlike any social network, and may be a confusing place for people who are unfamiliar with the format. The Pinterest network is built on a series of pinboards, which are used to collect, organise and share the images people love and the things that inspire them. Pinners set up themed boards and pin their own images from websites and blogs as well as share other pinners’ favourites. Pinterest is essentially a great way to exchange links, increase you website’s popularity and generally spread the word about your business through images. You can also target pinners with specific interests by selecting the theme of your own boards carefully to ensure you attract the right user and interacting, favouriting and liking images and boards from pinners with similar tastes as you.

Getting Started

It’s free and easy to sign up for a Pinterest account but doing it the right way is tricky for many newbies, especially when keeping their business interests at the heart of their campaign.

Make sure you join as a business. Start by using your company name as your account name, add your company logo and provide a thorough description of what your company is all about in the bio. It may also be worth linking in your Facebook and Twitter accounts, giving fellow pinners more opportunities to follow your company, as well as visit your website. Now it’s time to create your boards– focus on themes that embody your ethos as a company; for example, if you are a plumber, focus on boards centered around home improvement or interior inspiration to enthuse the pinners who could turn into potential customers.

Top Tips for Pinning Success

When pinning to promote your business, drive traffic to your website and gain the interactions you need to make your company profitable, these tips may just come in handy to ensure your Pinterest campaign is not only business-driven but customer-focused, interesting and fun.

  • Promote products and services in moderation: no one likes a selfish pinner, share other people’s images first before promoting your own to ensure your boards aren’t just full of your own images from your company website. Avoid over-promotion at all costs.
  • Pin your blog posts: If you update your on-site blog every day or week, create a board for industry news and pin your blog posts using their images. It’s a great way to share useful information, establish yourself as an industry leader and drive traffic to your website, but again moderation is the key.
  • Interact regularly: As with any social media marketing, keep your posts useful and frequent to maintain your online presence. Interact with Pinterest users and re-pin their posts to build relationships, and in return they will share the images on your boards.
  • Pin to Win: You can also run competitions and giveaways using Pinterest, everyone loves a freebie so indulge this with a ‘pin to win’ campaign, where re-pinning means prizes.
  • Always complete your profile for maximum business exposure: An incomplete profile could just mean the difference between getting the interaction you need to grow your business and not. Invest some time and effort in creating the perfect Pinterest profile before you start your pinning mission!
Author’s Bio: Brittany Thorley specialises in business-focused social media management at Forsyth Offices. You can find her on Twitter as @forsythbusiness.

Starting an Online Business When You’re in Debt

by

By Julian Hills

So you want to start an online business?

Startups have a positive effect on the economy. A recent article from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that each new startup added about 5.3 new jobs over the past decade.

That’s a good thing, but financial fears may be putting a drag on that statistic.

In the period between 2007 and 2010 — the height of the recession — the number of startups fell by 23 percent. The economic climate caused many would-be entrepreneurs in the technology sector to defer their dreams, specifically because of rising student loan debt. Student loan borrowers have lower credit scores than peers with no student debt.

That’s not such a good thing.

Knowing how to manage your resources and using a little creativity could be the key of starting a business while mired in debt.

  • Choose Your Startup Wisely: Select a business that does not require a lot of startup capital. Use equipment, software and supplies you already have. Avoid spending money on new business investments as much as possible.
  • Manage Student Loan Debt: If most of your debt is from student loans you should see if you can lower your payments. Young business owners can often lower their federal loan payments by Income-Based Repayment (IBR.) More information about IBR is available at the U.S. Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website at www.nslds.ed.gov.

Private loan borrowers can see if refinancing at a lower interest rate is an option.

  • Use Free Resources: Go to the library and use their media and business resources. There is also free online software, blog sites and other services that you can take advantage of, and cost you nothing.
  • Find Investors, not Banks: If your business plan is good enough, you may not have to go to banks for investors. There are grants, community programs that help people with limited resources. Crowdfunding is becoming more popular. That involves getting regular people to invest in your company through social networking sites.

The Small Business Association has an entrepreneurial help program called Startup America. It’s a partnership between the public and private sectors aimed at expanding access to startup capital, increasing education, encouraging collaboration between big companies and startups and reducing red-tape. Find out more about the program at their website: http://www.sba.gov/startupamerica.

  • Find Cheap Ways to Market Yourself: Getting out the word about your business is important. You can get business cards printed at relatively inexpensive cost. Using social media, blogging and email to market your startup is free.
  • Don’t Pile on More Debt: The temptation to use credit cards (if you have them) or trying to get more loans or lines of credit is going to be there. It might be wise to raise money by considering selling things you can live without online or at a good old-fashioned yard sale.

Sometimes it takes loads of money to start a business, other times it may just take a laptop. Figuring out what you need or don’t need can trump what you see as limitations caused by debt.

Author’s Bio: Julian Hills is a content writer and blogger for Debt.org. His journalism career has taken him from newspapers to local television news stations and even a 24-hour cable network in the Southeast. Julian is a graduate of Florida State University who enjoys finding new ways of saving money for football season tickets.
Sources:
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/starting-a-small-business-when-you-have-student-debt/
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/start-business-one-debt-2061.html

What if you want to move?

by

By Barbara Fowler

What if you are in the right business but in the wrong location??

Two years ago, I took an early retirement package from Prudential and looked around for a new career opportunity. I had been working for 30 years and had loved it. I had moved around a fair amount, been given the opportunity to be the Chief Marketing Officer in both Europe and South America and had spent the prior four years, based in Newark, New Jersey, in charge of International Field Training.

When I left Prudential, I was interested in finding a company that could utilize my marketing expertise and help me continue to develop my skills. I soon found Chief Outsiders, a company that specializes in providing part-time and fractional CMO services to mid-size companies and I got to work.

It was an entirely different experience, working with a small start-up, developing my own clients and investing my own money. I loved it, except that I didn’t want to live in New Jersey the rest of my life. I had nothing against the people and the opportunities there but the weather, the taxes and the congestion made me long for another location.

What to do?

I remembered a letter someone once wrote to Ann Landers. I know that dates me but the gist of the letter was a woman, asking if it was worth it to go back to college and complete her degree. She shared with Ann that it would mean less time for her family, her housework and her friends. It would take three or so years to complete. Would it be worth it?

Ann responded by writing two letters, dated three years in the future. In one, the woman was three years older and asking the same questions. Should she go back to school? Would it be worth it?

In the other, the woman wrote that the last three years had been tough, she had lost sleep and had to ask her husband and family for more support. But she had completed her degree and she was so happy. Her kids were so proud. I think it was an analogy to my situation. I knew it would be harder to start in a new location, to begin again.

After much reflection on this, I decided to go for it, to start-over, in a location of my choice, a location that I wanted to remain in for many years to come. After looking at a couple of places, my husband and I decided on the Charleston, South Carolina area. But I knew no one. I had no contacts, no business possibilities. Many of you have probably been in this situation or contemplated it so I would like to share some tips.

These are my five best ones:

Linkedin:

  • Send a note to all of your Linkedin contacts, telling them about your move. Request help in getting new contacts in the new location. You will be amazed at who responds. Some people who you are extremely close to who you know have contacts don’t respond at all while others who you can’t entirely remember give you great contacts. Don’t judge anyone, just appreciate those who reached out and remember this in the future. Pay it forward.
  • Join local Linkedin Groups. For example, in this area, there are several local Linkedin groups like Charleston, South Carolina Professionals and The LowCountry Business Network. Reach out to them to ask for advice and recommendations. Remember to give as well as receive. Offer some of your advice and services.
  • Do a search of your target market in the local area. My target is CMOs of mid-sized companies so you can check out these on Linkedin and seek them out. You can’t get everyone’s name on Linkedin unless you have connections in common but if they are in one of your Linkedin groups, (see above) you can reach out and ask to connect. Again, ask for advice and recommendations, don’t ask for business.
  • Look for Alumni from your University. I happen to have gone to a couple of universities: Wittenberg, Wake Forest and NYU and I looked up local graduates and reached out. Many responded and were willing to meet.

Business Organizations:

  • Look at the organizations you are currently in. Determine if they have a chapter in the new location. If so, reach out. If not, see if one is needed and think about starting it. I belonged to several groups in New Jersey: ACG (Association for Corporate Growth), MENG (Marketing Executives Networking Group), and Vistage (an organization designed to help CEOs of mid-size companies grow their businesses). There wasn’t a local ACG or MENG chapter, but Vistage has been especially helpful in getting me started here. The local Vistage chair, Dan Wertenberg, asked me to join his group and has given me a lot of valuable counsel.

Community Organizations:

  • Look at the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary. Lions Club and groups like that. Do members of your target market belong? If so, join and become active. If not, look for other groups where your target market is active. These could be church groups, volunteer groups, neighborhood groups. Do not join the group unless you are interested. No one wants to meet someone who has only joined a group like this to get business. But when you have interests in common, you can make good friends and connections over time.

Events and Publications:

  • Subscribe to the local business journal and local newspapers. Check their websites for events and activities. Oftentimes people make the mistake of going to events for people just like them and hoping for business. Go to different events targeted for your potential clients. I went to Knoxville and attended Social Slam and met Rosemary O’Neill, who sat down with me, shared her experiences and asked me to write a blog post on the topic. Charleston has a harbor and so had a world trade event recently. There was a technology event last weekend. Go, check out the booths, see if you can volunteer, be there, meet people.
  • When you read the periodicals, check for people you want to meet. Keep a list of them and ask others you meet if they can introduce you. For example, if one of your target markets is professional service companies and you are meeting a lawyer, have a list of several accountants, lawyers and other professionals. When you meet your lawyer, share the list, tell him or her you are planning to contact them and ask who they might be able to introduce you to-then ask for people similar who aren’t on your list yet.

People I Met During Move:

  • You meet a lot of people when you move, including mortgage brokers, real estate agents, real estate repair people, home inspectors etc. make sure everyone knows what business you are in. My real estate agent, Mary Carson helped. My mortgage broker, Lorcan Lucey added his support. The man renovating our house, Phil Bennett, gave his advice. Also, ask them for advice on who is a good professional for services you need-like a new furniture store, home decorator, hair salon, Veterinarian and dog sitter. When you get recommendations from them, they are more apt to help you.

Has it all been successful? Was it worth it? These are two different questions. Right now, success is not guaranteed. This is a work in progress. I am meeting people and working hard. But there are no results yet. Was it worth it? My husband and I love our new community in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, The weather has been great. The people are special.

I took a risk. Sometimes we are not in the position to take these kinds of risks. Sometimes we have to stay where we are, we don’t have the option or money to change locations. However, if you do find yourself in the right business, but the wrong location, I urge you to at least examine the possibilities. Even if you cannot afford to move right away, once you decide on the plan, you can do many of the things mentioned above to prepare you for the future. And if you choose Charleston and need some help, reach out to me.

Author’s Bio: Barbara Fowler is a CMO and Partner with Chief Outsiders in the Charleston, S. C. area. Follow her on twitter at @barbfow50 or contact Barbara at 908-956-4529 or email at bfowler@chiefoutsiders.com.

 

Thank you, Barbara!

It’s been such a pleasure welcoming you to the Lowcountry!

Rosemary

5 Tips for Marketing My Small Business

by

Running a small business can be quite the task for even the most accomplished entrepreneur.

Marketing a new business, or a business that is looking to grow, can be one of the most important factors in whether or not the business venture is successful.

So, how can you go about marketing your small business so that it is clicking in all cylinders? Among the items to focus in on include:

Utilize Testimonials

Testimonials are one of the most powerful marketing tools out there.

They show a potential customer that you have successfully met the needs of someone who was looking for the same type of service.

You can utilize these by posting them on your website, or including them in periodic information that you send out to new and returning customers. Testimonials allow potential customers to trust your company to deliver on the promises that you have made about the quality of your service.

The other benefit of testimonials comes through word of mouth marketing.

When people are excited about the service they have received from your company they will be eager to share their experience with others.

This is one of the most powerful forms of advertisement because there is often nothing in it for the person sharing the information. This allows a level of trust which is difficult for direct advertisements to rival and often converts new business into loyal customers.

Ask Customers for Recommendations

Even customers who are thoroughly pleased by the service that your business provided often won’t share their experience with others. This can be remedied by a simple call to action on the part of the business.

By simply asking return customers to submit a review on the internet, or tell their friends about the business, you can often find new customers who will become stable business.

By making the request you let your customers know that you would appreciate their support in a tangible way. This is often all they need to start spreading the word about the benefit you have provided to them through your business.

Stay in Contact

The best way to convert one time shoppers into returning customers is to reach out and invite them to return.

Often people simply forget about the service that was provided by your company because it didn’t take up a significant amount of their time. By reminding them of their pleasant experience with your company you can ensure that they will return if they ever need your service again.

You can achieve this through an e-mail list, or simply a follow-up phone call to see whether their visit was satisfactory. The more they think about your business, the more likely they will be to return.

Make Your Company Stand Out

A lot of companies are trying to market themselves as the best in their field. The only way to be successful in beating out the competition is to make sure that your marketing strategy stands out from the competition.

You can do this by creating attention catching flyers or e-mails, handing out free promotional items, or creating an inspiring video campaign centered around the service that your company provides. This can be one of the more crucial aspects for marketing your small business correctly.

Target Your Advertising

Your small business probably has an ideal consumer who has very specific attributes.

If you are a sports equipment company you are trying to sell to athletes. If you are a surgeon you are targeting people who need surgery. Understanding the demographics of your target audience is very important when it comes to attracting new customers.

Figure out who your ideal customer is and then decide which marketing medium will be the most likely to reach them. This can be the difference between a successful marketing campaign and an unsuccessful one.

By following these tips for marketing your small business correctly you will be a step ahead of your competitors. This will allow you to get your message to the right people in order to convert them into loyal, returning customers.

Marketing your small business correctly could be the best decision you make for your growing enterprise, so get started today.

As a small business owner, what are the most successful ways you market your company?

Photo credit: rhinomarketresearch.com

About the Author: Thomas Verdone is an author who covers a wide range of topics, including finance, fitness, personal development, and Bluegreen Resorts.