“How Your Local Small Business Can Get More Customers On The Internet”
Upcoming book titled: “How Your Local Small Business Can Get More Customers On The Internet” shows business owners anywhere how to use the unlimited reach and power of the Internet to generate more qualified leads, then convert those leads to paying customers.
The paperback is only $24.95, and the downloadable PDF E-book version is only $19.95. For those of you who’d like both formats, there will be a special price of $39.95.
***LIMITED TIME SPECIAL BOOK OFFER ***
The E-book version is now available. If you’re one of the next 49 people who place an order for the paperback version author, Merrill Clark, will send the PDF version to you immediately, you won’t have to pay the shipping charge when the printed book is shipped to you, plus Merrill will personally sign it for you prior to shipping.
You’re basically getting the $19.95 E-book version for free!
All this for $24.95! (for the next 49 orders only, then this special offer goes away)
***As of March 4th,only 37 left***
So…To get started woopin’ up your competition, email Merrill now mclark@crestviewmarketing.com
You can pay with PayPal or most major credit cards. Order now!
If you want to pay the old fashioned way by check, simply mail a check payable to Crestview Marketing Services, 16 Crestview Terrace, Stratham NH, 03885.
If you’d prefer to see what kind of information you’ll get before you shell out your hard-earned cash, you can download one chapter from the book for free.
INTERNET MARKETING BY BLOGGING: WHAT NOT TO DO
Published on the Dale Little Business Strategist Blog.
More companies are realizing that Internet Marketing blogging is a crucial part of their online business strategy, however it is a real shame that many people spend hours writing articles and blog posts and then destroy their hard work by spamming the article / blog post with too many outbound links.
Here are some of the actions people take:
- They start panicking because they have a lot of search engine competition.
- They register many Free Blogs and fall into the trap of “overload”.
- They are so desperate to get their main website ranked that they damage their blog posts by placing too many outbound anchor links pointing to the website that they are trying to help.
HERE IS THE SHORT TO THE POINT ANSWER.
BACKGROUND
We publish many articles, press releases and blog posts on behalf of clients.
We have realized that if you have more than two outbound links in your text that the search engine ranking and priority of your blog post gets downgraded.
SOLUTION
- Write shorter articles which point to the complete article located on your main website.
- Place one contextual anchor link within the first sentence of the blog post. This ensures that if another website syndicates your RSS Feed that your main anchor link will appear on the syndicating website.
- Make sure that the title of the blog post contains the main “anchor link phrase” – The title of this blog post contains the phrase “Internet Marketing” and the first outbound anchor link is on the phrase “Internet Marketing” which is pointing to one for our website EuropeInternetMarketing.com.
- And if you must, you can place one outbound link at the end of the post that gives credit to the author.
- Schedule your blog posts – WordPress offers you the option to schedule your blog posts – Depending on how many blog posts you have to publish, try to schedule the publication for one a day or every second day
- Rather, have fewer blogs and work them correctly. Publish at least one post or article per week per blog.
Why are you in business?
Dale Little, Business Strategist, asks “Why are you in business?” Some people say it’s to get rich. Others say it’s so they can be their own boss. Why do you do what you do?
Do you enjoy your work? Do you bounce out of bed in the morning eager to begin the day, tackle a project, or solicit new business?
Business owners typically have a vision for the future of their company. More often than not the path to achieving that vision may become blurred or even rocky on occasion.
What do you do when that happens? Here are alternatives used by some business owners:
1. Consult a mentor.
2. Take a class or check out some online forums.
3. Take a break. Go for a walk. Read a book.
4. Initiate a brainstorming session.
5. Doodle, Squiggle, or Journal thoughts and ideas. Don’t be concerned if they’re random. Any one of them could produce the solution or alternative.
Business Building Options for This Week
Wow! It’s already Tuesday afternoon! How’s your week going?
Suggestion: Over the next three business days, try to complete the following business builder options.
1. Log on to all of your established professional networking sites and post something about your business. Promote yourself!
2. Write one article or web press release… and Publish It!
3. Refer an associate or colleague to a business professional that will benefit from their services.
You haven’t joined very many professional sites? That’s okay. There’s no better time than now. Check out Twitter Not sure what to do with Twitter? Take a look at this article. Linked In is a great site for networking. I highly recommend joining Linked In Groups that focus on your peers (You can learn from them.) and your target market. Entrepreneur Connect offers options for networking and article publication.
Writing articles and press releases can be intimidating. Social Media consultants like Lisa Cole, owner of Cole Communications, can teach you the tricks of the trade. Already know how to write the articles and releases, but not sure where to post them? Take a look at this list.
Be sure your business meetings measure up.
You may be wondering, ” We have email, teleconferencing, and webinar capabilities, why bother to meet face-to-face?” Face-to-face business meetings allow all participants to discuss the topic(s) in an open forum. Questions can be asked and answered in real-time, with the added advantage of all that interpersonal communication provides. For all the benefits and convenience of modern technology, the cumulative time involved in leaving voice mail messages, writing, reading and responding to group emails will always be more than simply having a face-to-face meeting. Obviously, productivity is essential to a good meeting. How can your business meetings be efficient, productive, and interesting?
Agendas An agenda assists the meeting coordinator and participants in preparation for the meeting, as well as staying on track during the meeting. An agenda needn’t be complicated. It should list the topics for discussion, if the presentation of topics are to be divided among participants the presenters should be identified, and there should be a specified time allotment for each topic.
The meeting agenda should be circulated in advance of your meeting time. The agenda should include, or have an attached cover letter that lists the date, time, and place for the meeting. Also, be sure to provide the meeting goal, all relevant background information, and assign items required for preparation and/or participation in your meeting.
The clock. A clock has multiple roles in meeting planning and productivity. When contemplating what time to begin the meeting, take into consideration peak business activity times, as well as any other “time” criteria that might be adversely affected by several employees being in a meeting and not at their desk. Keep to the schedule. Respect that everyone has other deadlines and obligations that they must return to. If a meeting is going to be lengthy, schedule 10 minute breaks every hour or so. If the meeting appears to be headed into overtime, consider setting a second meeting to wrap up unfinished business.
Be objective. Remain professional. Typically, emotions or boredom are the main causes for a meeting to flying off the schedule track. As meeting coordinator, stick to factual information. When emotions begin to run high, steer the meeting back to the topic at hand. Set the professional example by speaking clearly, with courtesy and respect. The best tool available for keeping a meeting objective and on track is Robert’s Rules of Order. If you don’t have the answer for an unanticipated question, don’t panic. Make a note of the question and let meeting participants know when they can expect the answer, and how you’ll be sharing the information.
Meetings can go well, or they can be a disaster. With a bit of advance planning, open communication, some clock watching and professional decorum your meeting will go off without a hitch.
Successful Presentations
Public speaking, whether it be on a stage before 1000’s or at a conference table with three business associates, can cause many of us to feel a distinct desire to hide under our desk. We overlook the fact that the main reason we’re the one offering the presentation is because we have the knowledge and talent to speak with insight and clarity on the subject. Even that realization does little to comfort many presenters. So how can you not only survive a presentation, but also accomplish the intended goal?
Be prepared. Preparation for a business presentation comes in many forms. Are you presenting a proposal to a client? Is your purpose to teach business associates a new technique or trend? Define who your audience will be. Determine what their goal will be for your presentation. By this I mean, “What’s in it for me? Why should I listen to this?”. Once you’ve established your audience goal, you’re well on the way to creating an effective presentation.
Research. Start planning and organizing your presentation materials as soon as your presentation is confirmed. Know your topic inside and out. Do online and traditional document research. Dialogue with others in your business that have knowledge of your topic. Make notations of key points. Presentations written as bullet points make the best presentations. Memorize your outline. Then expound spontaneously on the ideas you’re sharing. Don’t be troubled if your research leaves you with stacks of notes and lists. 15 – 30 minutes is the standard length of a business presentation. Studies show that it takes one hour of research and preparation for every minute of an informative presentation. All those notes will come in handy!
Practice. After you’ve prepared your presentation, read through it several times a day. You may want to video a practice presentation, and then review the video from an audience member’s perspective. After 2 or 3 days move to “speaking” your presentation in front of a mirror. Try to use your presentation document or notes only for a quick glance now and then. An engaging speaker maintains eye contact with the audience, thus developing a relationship with the listeners.
Helpful Odds and Ends. Divide your presentation into three main segments: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Remember the main rule of public speaking that you’ve probably heard for most of your life, “Tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em. Tell them. Then tell ‘em what you told ‘em.” If time permits and the setting is appropriate, conclude with a 10-15 minute Question and Answer session (Allow more time if you’re presenting a client proposal or project.)
Be cautious with humor. A joke or brief anecdote is an excellent way to begin your presentation, as it sets everyone at ease and works toward establishing rapport with your audience. Your jokes or stories should steer clear of controversial or intimate topics. Rely on topics that are generalized and “G” rated.
Speak slowly and clearly. Don’t forget to breath. Have a glass of water nearby. Sip discreetly and only as needed. The water-glass shouldn’t be a substitute for other nervous behavior.
Relax and enjoy. Accept that you’ll be nervous as your presentation begins, that’s what makes you a great business professional. You’re concerned about doing well, and providing quality information to your audience. That’s a good thing! Take several deep breaths, stand tall… and go wow them with your presentation! Enjoy the spotlight.
The Tax Man Cometh…
It seems that before the holiday decorations have been stored, we’re already thinking about tax returns. A little bit of organization and some planning can keep your tax bill down, and alleviate the stress of tax time.
What can you do?
Create tax folders for 2010. Mark each folder with a label indicating the type of forms and documents it will contain. For instance, my business has folders for Payroll, Bank Statements,Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Income Tax. My Income Tax folder contains miscellaneous tax documents such as Personal Property Tax receipts, end of year earnings receipts, etc. Having these prepared folders makes filing documents easy and painless throughout the year. This in turn, makes calculations easier at tax time, and in the event that the IRS audits you… all of your documents are neatly filed and easily retrievable.
Use an experienced and professional bookkeeper and accountant. Maintaining the books on the computer is a snap. There are a number of excellent software products on the market today. It’s best to allow your bookkeeper and accountant significant input in the decision-making process when you buy your accounting software. A qualified bookkeeper will balance the company checkbook at the end of each month. Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss Statements should also be printed and reviewed monthly. These documents help owners know exactly how the business is doing financially, thus making it easier to make better educated growth and development decisions.
Your bookkeepers and accountants should always be on the lookout for more tax deductions for your business, and they should be vigilant about keeping your bookkeeping methods within IRS guidelines. An in-house accounting staff is very convenient, but these staff members should have the educational and experience background required to act and offer advice that is most beneficial to your company.
Deducting Expenses When it comes to deductions, the IRS more often than not, will want every tiny detail that supports your claim that an item is truly a deductible expense. For instance, did you know (especially if you have a home office) that your phone bill must be itemized and each line item call for long distance or cell phone use must be associated specifically with a client, legitimate prospect or other recognized business expense?
Do you deduct your automobile mileage? The IRS requires a mileage log, which ideally has a beginning year odometer reading, miles per business trip with a notation as to what business activity was involved, and the year-end odometer reading. Keep receipts for all auto maintenance as well as auto insurance and fuel expenses. If you’re reimbursed for travel expenses, you may be required to report the reimbursement as income.
Check and Double-check When in doubt, always save the receipt with a notation as to the type of business activity involved. Consult with your bookkeeper monthly and your accountant at least twice a year, and always when contemplating a large investment, purchase or sale. The IRS offers free phone consultations as well as resources and educational materials. No one will care about the financial well-being of your business like you do, and no one will ask the hard questions if you don’t.
Don’t panic. Advance preparation, organization, quick notations on receipts, open dialogue with your accounting team and you’re pretty much set to go.
We all worry about the unknown, but seldom if ever does the horror we imagine ever actually come true.
Build Your Brand Build Your Business
Conferences, Expos, Trade Shows…
Tis the season… Exotic locations, days packed with meetings and workshops, and nights filled with networking events. Are you going to be participating in industry events this year? Get your money’s worth!
Branding is one of the top business buzz words. I think for some of us, even with the realization that our brand should encompass everything that impacts our client(s), a fair number of us simply don’t realize how many components are included in this realm. Branding is a key part of your conference impact. Susan Gunelius shares the best must read branding articles of 2009. Take a look at Susan’s list, and check out some of the suggested articles.
Share the tips and techniques that have worked for you in your conference experiences. I’m looking forward to reading them!
Business Tip for January 25
Make It Happen Monday!
Does your business day include a Power Hour? In the world of Small Business, many entrepreneurs begin their day with one full hour of uninterrupted mind and body preparation. Here’s how it works:
Designate one hour during the interval between awakening and beginning your business activities as your Power Hour. Divide that hour into four, 15-minute segments. One 15-minute time slot will be for the sole purpose of invigorating your body with a brief cardio workout. A 15-minute yoga session will loosen muscles and relax the body in preparation for the stresses of the day. 15 minutes of meditation, visualization, or autogenic training will clear your mind and set you up for smooth sailing through the decisions and tasks ahead. Spending 15 minutes reading a book that motivates you or increases your knowledge of your industry or business practices will put you in the proper mind-set for a productive work day. This gives you the added bonus of a new topic to discuss at your next networking event. Work Power Hours into your schedule this week. You may be surprised at how much difference it will make in your entrepreneurial life.
