Small Business Owners - A Step-by-Step Formula for Raking in Serious Profits

Small Business Owners - A Step-by-Step Formula for Raking in Serious Profits
Download Free Copy Of Small Business Success Secrets
You know who your niche market is. You also know you have a great product to offer them. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part:

+ finding a way to connect to them that hasn't already been done a thousand times before, and

+ getting in on the front end of a marketing trend.

Figure out how to do these two things, and you're golden. Wait until after the big players get involved, and... game over.

Want to start raking in serious profits? Ready to lead the pack? Tired of being the last one in? Then follow this formula for success:

+ Discover unique ways to find your niche.

+ Jump in early on the front end of new(er) viral marketing trends.

+ Get involved with promising niche-rich networking sites.

Below is a step-by-step formula for success. Follow these steps and you'll not only use a unique tool to find your niche, you'll also utilize one of the hottest online multimedia tools to reach them, and get in on the ground floor of a new entrepreneur networking site that's just opening up.

Step-by-Step Formula for Success

1. Unique way to find your niche.

Start by visiting the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) website. Here you will find an easy-to-use, comprehensive directory of professional associations called Gateway of Associations. To get there, click the "People & Groups" tab, then "Directories", and then the "Gateway to Associations" link.

Once there, you can search for an association by name, niche, or geographic location. For niche marketing purposes, type in your niche market (e.g.: small business) and location (e.g.: Oregon) if you want to narrow it down. Then click "search" to find out who is where.

When you find organizations that match your niche market, navigate to their websites and start networking directly with them.

2. New(er) viral marketing trend.

If you are like most small business owners, you might have thought the viral video phenomenon was just a silly craze. But it's not too late to get on board with this hot marketing tool. Video marketing is a great way to get your niche market's attention.

To begin, create three to five short video clips (one to two minutes in length) about you, your business, your niche market, and your product or service. Talk about the type of customers you appeal to, why your product is the perfect solution to their problem, and what makes your product or service unique.

Although YouTube is the definitive place for marketing your videos and getting them published, it isn't the only place. Here is a sampling of other video sharing sites that online small business owners might use:

+ www.dailymotion.com

+ www.5min.com

+ www.revver.com

+ www.metacafe.com

+ www.video.yahoo.com

+ www.tubemogul.com

In a short period of time you can generate a number of video clips targeted to your market. As your clips get passed around to millions on the Internet, they will enable your potential clients to see, hear, and get to know you and what you're offering.

3. Promising new networking site.

Many small business owners use LinkedIn as their professional networking site of choice. Still other more adventurous business owners have used Ning to create their own social network specifically for their target market.

If you've not used Ning before to create a social network for your niche, go to Ning's website, give your social network a name, create a web address for it, and you're ready to go! Sound like too much trouble? Then join a social network that is already established at Ning or a professional group already set up at LinkedIn.

Better still (here's where the promising part comes in), join Red Wire Nation and get in on the action right from the start. Red Wire Nation is a new networking site just for entrepreneurs. Sign up on their website to receive an invitation to their beta launch. Then, as soon as they launch, start getting involved with your niche.

Two of the hardest things online small business owners have to do are to find a unique way to connect to their niche and to be on the leading edge of marketing trends that will rake in serious profits. Learn how to do both by following this step-by-step formula for success. Don't wait! Get in on the action before the big business players get involved and ensure your business success.

Dr. Susan L. Reid helps online business owners figure out who their niche market is, where to find them, and how to use the latest viral marketing trends to their advantage. Get a jump on figuring out what the best product or service is to offer to your niche market by downloading "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" free PDF at http://www.SuccessfulSmallBizOwners.com

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Small Business Owners: Why the Level of Service Offered Can either Make or Break Your Business

Small Business Owners: Why the Level of Service Offered Can either Make or Break Your Business
Download Free Copy Of Small Business Success Secrets By Tim Knox
Are you a small business owner? If you are, the type of business that you run isn’t necessarily as important as the level of service that your customers receive. Although this is actually a point that is difficult for some to understand, especially the owners of larger nationally operated corporations; you are advised not to forget this important point. After all, the level of service that your customers receive when doing business with you may actually end up making or breaking your small business.

When it comes to understanding the importance of good customer service, there are many small business owners who wonder why it is so important; why such a large focus should be placed on it. In all honesty, without trying to come across too harsh, if you don’t already know the importance of customer services, especially when it comes to running a small business, maybe you should rethink your decision to be a small business owner. Yes, it is really that simple. As a business owner, you need to remember that your customers are what keep your business doors open; they are the reason why you have food to put on your table each week, and the reason why you receive a paycheck. When you think about it like that, there is a lot that you owe your customers for, but many simply just want good service; good service that is actually hard to come by nowadays.
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When making sure that your customers receive the best level of service possible, it is important that you make sure that you and all of your employees are all on the same page. You may want to think about holding monthly meetings to discuss the importance of customer service, just to make sure that it is always in the back of everyone’s mind. When discussing customer service with your employees, you will want to make sure that they smile at all times and always put on a happy face, no matter what their actual mood is like. It is also advised that they speak to their customers, even if it is just to ask about the weather. Also, asking customers if they need assistance is advised as well. As for closing a sale or a business deal, you will want to make sure that your employees thank their customers for doing business with them.
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As nice as it is to make sure that you and your employees know what to say to all of your customers, it is also important that everyone knows why they need to do and say what they are being told. Whether you run an online business or a locally owned and operated business, you will likely have competition from a number of different businesses. This competition may have the same types of products or services available for sale as you do and possibly even for lower prices. This doesn’t automatically mean that you will lose business; it just means that you have to work harder to get it. For many consumers, a good positive shopping experience is more than worth paying a few extra cents or even a few dollars more for a product or a service. It is important that you and your employees remember this, as it may give you an added incentive to be nice and pleasant when dealing with all of your customers.

As outlined above, how you treat your customers, especially if you are a small business owner, may have a significant impact on your business and the profits that it is able to make. It is important that you always remember that your business would essentially be nothing without your customers. That is why it is extremely important that you put them and their needs first. Surprisingly, not all businesses do this, so if you do, you may end up with an edge above the competition. Putting your customers first, especially by giving them the best level of service available, is a surefire way to make sure that your business will be around for years to come.

Article brought to you compliments Global Entrepreneur:Running A Global Business From Home

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Affordable Marketing for Your Small Business

Affordable Marketing for Your Small Business
By Dana Blozis
Download Free Copy Of Small Business Success Secrets By Tim Knox
When I started my business four years ago, I had enthusiasm and passion for my work, but a very small marketing budget. I also lacked a marketing plan for getting my message out to my target customer. I have learned a lot along the way and hope to impart what I've learned onto you. Whether you have just started your small business or are in your tenth year, there are some simple, affordable ways to keep your name in front of prospective clients and customers.

News releases. I recommend to clients that they distribute three to four news releases (better known as press releases) each year. This gives clients an opportunity to shout news out to the world about new products, services or partnerships; key hires; industry awards and certifications; new locations; events and more. News releases should be distributed on a timely basis to local media, trade publications and online. In addition, a well-crafted news release makes a great direct mail piece or a nice addition to your sales or media kit. Depending on whether you do the writing and distribution yourself, costs are variable. Distribution costs will also vary. Distribution via e-mail or fax is virtually nothing. Online distribution varies. Many news distribution sites are free, but I like to include a contribution to PRWeb.com to guarantee inclusion in popular search engines.

Online forums and networking sites. As social media continues to grow, relevant online forums and networking groups (Linked In, Connexions, Konnects) are a great way to interact with professionals and prospective clients. By actively participating in Q&A forums, you expand your reach. To take full advantage of these free opportunities, make sure you complete your online bio; include your contact information and web address; and participate regularly. Such participation can also help to position you as an industry expert.

Referral program. About half of my business comes from client referrals. To let clients know I appreciate their referrals and to encourage them to keep sending them to me, I include my referral program in my business agreement. In exchange for a prospect who does business with me, I offer the referring client two complimentary hours of writing, editing or marketing services. Aside from my time, this costs me nothing and benefits both my clients and my business.

Newsletter. There are so many affordable e-mail services these days that sending an e-newsletter to prospective clients is a no brainer. The service I use costs about $5 per month, and it not only maintains my e-mail lists for me, but it provides templates and tracks reader stats. Clients can opt-in, unsubscribe or change their e-mail address at any time. This is an inexpensive way to stay in touch with clients and prospects.

The next question, of course, is how and when to implement the above. I recommend pulling out your calendar and scheduling time for marketing and business development. Schedule a news release for each quarter, or at least three times a year. For online forums and networking sites, set aside a certain amount of time each week to participate. A referral program requires a little bit of set-up time and a notification to clients of the new program, but aside from that, it doesn't require much time. For your newsletter, I recommend sending them to clients at regular intervals. If you can't manage biweekly or monthly, at least put together a newsletter on a quarterly basis. Save ideas in a folder so they are all in one spot when you're ready to get started.

Try these ideas for at least six months and watch your business grow and, if you find that one method works better than the others, focus your efforts in that category. Enjoy your new affordable marketing solutions!

Copyright © 2007 by Dana Blozis, Virtually Yourz

With 20 years of business experience, Dana Blozis of Virtually Yourz started her own Seattle area-based writing, editing and marketing business. In addition to writing for publication, she offers writing, editing and marketing services to small businesses and nonprofits. To learn how Virtually Yourz can help promote your small business, visit Virtually Yourz.

Article Source: Self Improvement Articles from PositiveArticles.Com

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Is Starting a Small Business The Right Way For You?

Is Starting a Small Business The Right Way For You?
Download Free Copy Of Small Business Success Secrets By Tim Knox
You find most people set off to work for someone else every day although more and more are finding new careers by starting a small business.

Many with entrepreneurial skills and vision find tremendous satisfaction and success by owning and operating their own small home business.

Running a small business even from home involves a wide range of activities, including developing a business plan, overseeing sales and marketing, dealing with personnel, and innumerable administrative responsibilities.

If you think you're up to the challenge, owning your own business can be tremendously rewarding, both personally and professionally. Getting a new venture up and running takes particular business skills and personality traits.

If you are considering starting your own busi¬ness, the following questions may help you decide if you're up to the challenge.

Do You Have the Mindset?

Do you have organizing ability?

Are you prepared to wait several months or more before you make a profit?

Do you like to think ahead and plan for your future, then work to make it happen?

Are you psychologically ready to take some risk?

Do you have personal drive and leadership qualities?

Do you have special expertise in the business you want to start?

The right mindset is only the beginning. You'll need important busi¬ness skills as well. Do you know how to find your particular niche in the market and how to identify your customers?

Do you know how to sell enough of what you have, at a price that will return an adequate profit for you?

Although there are no guarantees, if you answered yes to most of these questions, you may have what it takes to be successful in start¬ing your own business. Just remember, every new business faces difficulties

Getting Started

Running a small business takes sharp business sense and tenacity. Knowing how to take advantage of market conditions and develop strategies to get through the tough times will help turn your great idea into a suc¬cessful business.

First, you'll need to develop a business plan, the road map you'll use to establish and guide your business. Consider every aspect of the busi¬ness, give some thought to the idea and ask every question you can think of, and be sure you come up with satisfactory answers.

What type of business do you want to start? Will it be retail, service or manufacturing?

What service or products will your business provide and what need will it fill?

Who are your potential customers going to be for your products or service and why will they purchase it from you?

What about the competition? Is the community large enough to support another similar business? Check out the local chamber of commerce and the yellow pages for details.

Where will you locate your business? Is there a similar business nearby? Get information on the community's plans for business growth, such as shopping malls and business park expansion.

Will you be able to find enough qualified people to employ? How will you sell to potential customers or clients? Where will you get the financial resources to start your business?

Get a clear and positive image in you mind of the most likely picture of what your business's future will be by using all available data and then write a business plan.

It's essential to have written a business plan. As painful as it might be to write, the busi¬ness plan will serve two critical purposes. Firstly to clarify your thoughts and secondly your business plan is your primary tool for securing financing

Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding that often brings financial success, along with a sense of accomplishment and contentment. Starting a business takes planning, determination, hard work and, maybe, just a little luck.

Go for it. And... good luck!

Barry Share is the Founder and Editorial Director of "The New Lifestyle Programme"

Where you can get your copy of the amazing..."

"Design for your Success" a 7 step plan to achieving wealth health and happiness...

=> http://newlifestylepro.com

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