Grow Your Business With Content

Producing high-quality content is a gift to your audience that they appreciate. Shown in their returning patronage of your business or perhaps as a commenter on your blog, the appreciation of your audience is something to be cherished. Have you read about the principle of getting your customers to know, like and trust you? Have you decided upon the best ways to adhere to that principle so that your business prospers?

This idea of content being the draw id something many small business owners have a hard time grasping. And understandably so - I have found that most people who decide to start their own business have a fervent enthusiasm for their vision but have much, much less enthusiasm for putting throught and time into their online process. Honestly, I have found that most people have never even thought about that aspect of their business!

If you are one of those people, and you have somehow found yourself reading this post, please do take a momemnt to think about how your customers are perceiving you and your online presence. Over 85% of local shopping decisions are made after using a search engine like Google. How does your business show up in that search?

And have you considered the value of a backlinking campaign? For example, you might want to have a link to information about the fact that Ticketamerica.com has concert and event tickets for holiday shows at different times of the year and jazz performances plus city of las vegas. Weigh the benefits of using links to holiday shows that are of interest to your target audience. Or if you've done enough research and analysis, you might know that links to resources for jazz blues seating or perhaps to las vegas shows will be attractive to them.

Check out the video from Social Media Examiner. It's only about 6 minutes long and has over 6 minutes worth of value!

Gain Business Credibility Through Networking

Let's assume the credibility of your business is the primary reason people buy your service or product. Having that in mind, what steps have you taken to build a solid foundation of credibility? Ones that will enhance your ability to establish authentic relationships and the opportunity for people to get to know, like and trust you.

In the following article from Erika Trimble, we see how clearly networking with other professionals in our industry can be profitable and personally satisfying:

Most business experts would say that networking is a business activity we engage in for the purpose of building our businesses. We network specifically to find customers. How else will you meet the contacts and prospective new customers necessary to grow your business?

Effective networking is all about getting to know people who will do business with you or introduce you to those who will. You will get a lot more leverage from your business networking efforts if you work on building relationships with people you could collaborate with. In just about any business there are natural referral partners. By identifying these complimentary businesses, you both win by getting business that either of you might not have known about, or thought about before. Your customer also wins by working with businesses that are accustomed to working together.

Here are the best reasons for networking to build your business:


*When done effectively, you’ll get better referrals than from any other source.


*Networking is the easiest way to continuously meet new prospects, get more clients, and grow your business.


*Through effective networking, you’ll form new relationships and continuously have a ready group of people to consider when growing your business; your efforts will be stretched much, much further.


*Through networking, your visibility and credibility are heightened in your industry.


How do you rate your networking skills?


Now let’s look at good networking skills. Profit Magazine (October, 2006) offered its readers a quiz on networking skills. This quiz asked questions about whether you dedicate time and effort to:


*developing sincere relationships through networking groups;


*sending follow-up notes to people you meet thanking them for their help;


*participating regularly in an online networking site;


*attending one industry specific conference a year;


*creating positive first impressions;


*asking everyone you meet “How can I know if someone I meet would be a good prospect for you?”;

*knowing who your best prospective customers are and focus more of your networking efforts on them.


Now take a moment to ask yourself which of these networking activities you engage in, and do well. Reflect on how you approach your networking efforts. Identify areas for improvement. Record your personal assessment of your networking skills.



Here’s How to Network More Effectively!

Let’s focus on helping you network for the express purpose of building alliances and relationships to help grow your business. Building your collaboration network isn’t difficult.

Start by answering these questions:

1.What do I want for my business in the long term? Become clear on what you want to achieve.

2.What types of services and products do my clients consistently ask for that I don’t offer? Identify the specific services and products you don’t offer.

3.How can I build my credibility and my business image? Think about all the ways you can do this.

4.Who can I collaborate with to bring in more business? Write down the names of your ideal collaboration partners.

5.Who can I collaborate with to easily add value to my clients/customers? Write down your ideas.

6.Who can I collaborate with to get new prospects and clients? Note these people and companies.


Now create a plan which includes:


*A goal to meet five or more new people at each networking event.


*Identifying business organizations that would benefit your business.


*Attending one or two new groups per month with businesses and organizations you best fit into. Attend every function that is consistent with your goals and the prospects you want to nurture.


*Setting a goal for what you expect from each meeting.


*Setting a target on the number of lead/prospects you want each month.


Being successful in business is all about taking action. Complete the exercises in this article, learn more about networking so you become an expert, and seek help and support in creating a networking strategy that will grow your business like never before.


After reading this, are there some valuable lessons you have learned or helpful tips you would like to pass along?

Never Forget Humor In Your Website

Let your sense of humor shine through – An old adage says ‘Man grows up the day he has his first laugh at himself.’ Truer words were never spoken. When you’re making your voice public, remember that for everyone who agrees with you, there’ll be ten who don’t. Take every comment/suggestion in your stride. It’s been known to convert die-hard enemies into grudgingly appreciative supporters.

While this idea applies more easily to blogging and content development for your website, humor can also be incorporated in your design strategies.

What are some of the things you have done to make your design and content development fun?

Target Smartphone Generation

Stauer's New Year's Resolution 2011 advice is squeezing productivity from the smartphone revolution. People now use their smartphones for everything. They are a challenge for marketers and managers. The smartphone does not have the capacity of a laptop, but many execs are now eschewing the bulky laptop and going without. It will be important for Stauer and other businesses to figure out a way for smartphones to work seamlessly to increase sales.

What's Your Money Mindset?

Improve your money mindset for the New Year. If you have any negative thoughts toward money hidden in your subconscious, you could be sabotaging your own business success. Your subconscious controls your spending habits, your saving habits, and your productivity at work - which can hurt your profits. Take a few minutes each day to remove negative thoughts about money and self-worth. Then, reprogram your money mindset for building abundance and great wealth. You are worth it!

Finishing Trumps Starting

Pick one thing and see it through. Nothing drives in cynicism like starting an initiative and letting it drop because 'we just got so busy'. People respect action, not words. The best excuses are seen as that - excuses. Make check points to keep yourself and your team on track for success.

Multiple Ways to Connect

I'm often amazed by advertising, which gives me only a website address. What if I want to talk to them on the phone? Where do I mail a letter? I resolve to make it easier for customers to contact me by supplying multiple ways to connect with my business. I will give them my cell number, my office number, and my fax number, plus my mailing address, along with my website address and my e-mail. Make it very easy for customers to reach you by giving them multiple ways to connect with you.

2011 - An Eventful Year

2010 was the year of the discount. 2011 will be the year of the event.

Stop offering more discounts or lowering prices (of which you can do only so much). The key to business success in 2011 will be getting people together around exciting events at your place of business. You will create 'buzz' for your business and loyalty to your brand, while price perception will stay intact. Use all new media to promote your events!

Be Realistic

Be realistic about your business. If it has slowed down because of the economy, stop waiting for it to "get better". Cut expenses and make changes now. If you wait too long, you will be out of business. If the economy has hurt your business, remember that there is no shame is closing shop. Henry Ford went bankrupt five times before he made it with the assembly line. People say that opportunity only knocks once, but I believe that opportunity is always there. It is up to you to recognize it!

Master Your Domain

Rather than focusing solely on the usual SEO/SEM, email marketing and shopping cart conversion techniques, marketers should consider developing a strong domain name strategy in the New Year. Domain names can maximize search engine rankings and help capture web traffic and cultivate clients. While big ticket domains garner media attention, many premium names are sold for an average of only $2,000. SMBs can produce premium business benefits with the right domain investment.

Thriving in the New Year!

A successful 2011 will be greatly increased when businesses focus on building more resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back and recover after adversity. Let's take it one step further and bounce ahead to build resilient teams, businesses and leaders. Three tips to build resilience in the New Year:
1. Be clear on your goals and take daily action on each goal.
2. Build your team, resolve conflict and strengthen relationships.
3. Learn from the past and celebrate successes!

Go Big or Go Home

"Go Big or Go Home." In a crunch economy, you have to go way out of the box to grab a dollar or an ear. Folks are overwhelmed, under-funded and scared to spend, unless something really touches their heart. Make your small business a force for social change and watch the magic.

Trust me. Go Big or Go Home, because some seat-of-the-pants, balls-to-the-wall entrepreneur like me will if you don't and you'll be limping home to your foreclosure sign.

Faith Creates! Love and gratitude...