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Category: Small Business

Customer Relationship Management: How to Romance Your Customers

February 6, 2021
| 1 Comment
| Categories: Small Business
Customer Relationship Management: Romancing Your Customers

As a creator, you know the world we live in today. It is a world where your product or service can be marketed globally. But at the same time, you may find that your competitors copy you and even offer a lower price. This is a situation you do not want to find yourself facing. Luckily, getting the lowest price is not always the only thing important to customers. They also look at the experience they have with each person or company they do business with. So, let’s outsmart the competition. How can you improve your customer relationship management? We...

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Case Studies, Use Cases, and References: 3 Must-Have Content Pieces in Your Marketing Toolkit

June 28, 2020
| No Comments
| Categories: Promotion, Small Business
The Importance of Case Studies, Use Cases, and References in Marketing

Not a ton is written about the importance of case studies, uses cases, and customer references–much is lost in the flurry around social media marketing tips. But we think these are 3 content pieces that are a must in your marketing and sales toolkit. Several months back, I attended an event where entrepreneurs and inventors were pitching their products and services for investment funding. This was the first time I had been at an event with this focus. I must say that it was very cool to see so much innovation going on up close and personal. One of the differences...

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Top 10 Gifts for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

November 17, 2018
| 6 Comments
| Categories: Small Business
Top 10 Gifts for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Whether you're traveling this holiday season or celebrating at home, we've picked out our top 10 best gifts for entrepreneurs that can help to support their business, spirit, and soul! The first 5 items on the list would make great gifts to give to the entrepreneur in your life. The last 5 items are great tools to pick up for yourself if you are a business owner. The holiday season is the perfect time to catch up on some good reading and to gift books and other treasures that will be appreciated by the small business owners and entrepreneurs (or...

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How to Create an Advisory Board for Your Business

May 29, 2018
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| Categories: Small Business

I got a question from someone the other day who just launched her business. She was interested in knowing how to get feedback from trusted sources on her initiatives. It's a good question. In addition to using the standard consumer research techniques, my advice was this: create an advisory board. I am not talking about how to create a board of directors. That has financial and governance responsibilities. Rather, we're talking about how to create an advisory board. An advisory board is a group of individuals that can give you good advice, coaching and connections...for free...on topics where you need help. I...

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Why We Love Johnny Cupcakes

February 3, 2018
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| Categories: Branding, Small Business

We are always excited to see what we can learn from other entrepreneurs and owner-led businesses. Where did their inspiration come from? What makes them special? We would like share with you some of our favorite examples we've gathered over the years in a dedicated series of posts. In addition, we would also love to have you share with us brands you see as great companies and why. Our hope is that each of us can take away valuable "nuggets" that we can then apply in our own way. We couldn't think of a better example to start this series than...

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What a Great-Grandmother Reminded Me About Sales

February 1, 2018
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| Categories: Life Lessons, Small Business

Recently, on holiday to Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, I was reminded by a great-grandmother of one of the keys to being a successful salesperson. She said, "give your customer your best advice." Sounds simple, right? But first, let me tell you how I came to meet this wonderful great-grandmother. Touring around Tenerife, we visited the village of Vilaflor, as recommended by the guide we received at the airport. It is a beautiful place, known for the "roseta," a special type of embroidery. Walking around the tiny village, a storefront caught my eye and I went inside. There I met the...

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Channel Sales Strategies | 4 Tips to Boost Your Sales

March 11, 2017
| No Comments
| Categories: Market Research, Small Business
Channel sales strategies: 4 Tips to Boost Your Sales

Maintaining strong relationships with your customers, prospects, and partners is key to help your business stay top of mind against your competitors. In this article, we will take a look at a number of channel sales strategies, plus four tips to help you boost your sales, at any time of the year. One of my favorite inspirational ideas comes from world-renowned poet and writer, Maya Angelou. She said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." In our crazy busy world, it is easy...

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5 Tips for Creating and Managing Joint Marketing Partnerships

November 1, 2016
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| Categories: Promotion, Small Business

Are you interested in OPM–other people’s money? I am! So what exactly does that mean? No, I am not talking about doing something that is illegal. Ha! It is actually a phrase coined in one of my past marketing roles. For our team, it was shorthand for securing funds from prospective partners for marketing activities. This was very serious business; it meant the difference between running a sustained, strategic campaign and dabbling in short bursts of tactical messaging. I get asked frequently about getting sponsorships or creating jointly funded and mutually beneficial marketing activities. While the goal for each type...

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15 Strategies To Make Your Home Rental Business Successful

June 9, 2016
| No Comments
| Categories: Life Lessons, Small Business

Whether it's a full house, an apartment or even one (tiny!) room, the vacation rental and home rental business is getting larger and larger by the day. Between Airbnb, HomeAway, and FlipKey alone, there are nearly 4 million listings worldwide. Perhaps you see an opportunity for yourself to start a home rental business. Go for it!! We did, eight years ago now, and we've been happy with the results. We approached marketing our condominium by applying the same principles we teach to small business owners: Target: Who do we want to appeal to and, by definition, who could we not serve well? Product:...

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How to Make Your Pop-Up Show or Trade Show Booth Work for You

May 18, 2016
| 6 Comments
| Categories: Promotion, Small Business
pop-up show or trade show booth tips

Exhibiting at trade shows, conferences, or pop-up shows is a great way to promote your product to a targeted audience. You’re able to interact with your customers or prospects, and you get to see what your competition is up to. But, it can be expensive when compared to email or social media marketing. You need to account for your trade show booth, exhibitor fees, the packing, set up, dismantling, and transportation of your exhibit, plus travel costs. And, you’re investing time. Oh, and yes, your feet will be killing you by the end of the day, guaranteed! Follow along with our accompanying Trade Show Guide and...

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