06May 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
How to Make Your Business Cards Stand Out From the Stack

How to Make Your Business Cards Stand Out From the Stack

Marketing, Starting a new business
In the professional world, business cards are all but ubiquitous. Almost anyone you meet with will have their own personal or company business cards to market themselves and the services or products they provide. But because business cards are a marketing tool, they're not useful unless they provide your information clearly while also being distinctive and memorable. Think of it this way: You want anyone you meet at a networking event, business meeting or interview to stop at your card when they're flipping through the stack of dozens more on their desk. So how do you make your business cards stand out? Here are a few ideas:Consider Visuals Carefully It's always a good idea to include your company's logo on your business cards, since you're using them to market your…
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24Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
How to Get Client Feedback You Can Use

How to Get Client Feedback You Can Use

Customer Retention, Marketing
Customer feedback gets a bad rap (perhaps because of sites like Yelp that give customers what many business owners say is just a platform to air grievances). But it's important to remember that feedback is an integral part of any business's development. As Bill Gates once said in a speech about Microsoft, "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." In other words, feedback - especially negative feedback - can help you make key adjustments and create a service or product your customers will love. Consider this: What's much worse than hearing client complaints is having a valued customer leave for a competitor without saying why. So how can you encourage clients or customers to give you feedback that's actionable? Here are a few ways to get useful client feedback:Use…
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13Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
4 great reasons to send a postcard

4 great reasons to send a postcard

Customer Retention, Marketing
A postcard is an eye-catching way to share information with your customers. These handy messages are easy to create and send with 123Print's custom postcards. Not only can you use a photo of your latest product, but we'll also print whatever you like on one or both sides. Here are four great reasons to send a postcard today:1. When you're hosting an event If you have an exciting event coming up and you want to spread the word ahead of time, consider using a postcard. On the front use a photo or graphic of what the event is about. Include details such as when and where it is taking place, how much it costs and what people can expect when they arrive. Perhaps you are having a spring sale at the thrift…
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09Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
4 ways to gain subscribers to your business newsletter

4 ways to gain subscribers to your business newsletter

Email Marketing, Marketing, Online Marketing
As a small business owner, you likely spend a lot of time thinking about how to get more customers and clients. A great way to get people interested in your company is sending out a newsletter to let them know about sales, events and what your business is up to. Try these four tips to get people to sign up for your newsletter: 1. Include a discount When you go to a clothing store website, you might be greeted by a pop-up window. It may offer a discount if you sign up to receive the company's e-newsletter. We've all clicked "yes" to receive the rebate and ended up buying more when we saw something great in the newsletter later on. You don't have to offer a huge percentage off - even 10 percent can be…
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08Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
5 Tips for Nailing Your Next Networking Event

5 Tips for Nailing Your Next Networking Event

Marketing, Office and Homeworking, Starting a new business
Networking can feel kind of awkward - especially for younger professionals. But if you're starting a new business, you know just how important creating a network of the right people can be. These connections will help you gain clients, take advantage of word-of-mouth marketing and build a team of people you want working for you. That doesn't make putting yourself out there any easier, though. Events are a great way to get started (as opposed to trying to build a network online) because they allow you to control the first impression you give people while also providing you the opportunity to meet plenty of people in one evening. If you're ready to start building your network at an event, take a look at these five tips for working the room successfully:1.…
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08Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
Foolproof guidelines for creating click-worthy titles

Foolproof guidelines for creating click-worthy titles

Marketing, Starting a new business
If you've never heard the term "clickbait," you still may have seen it in action while scrolling through Buzzfeed or perusing your Facebook wall. The term refers to blog or article titles that make people want to read more by providing just a small amount of information up front - thus, leading to a higher click-through rate. And although clickbait can have some negative connotations, when done right, it's actually a good method for making your content exciting and successful. Take a look at these guidelines for developing more click-worthy titles:Know Who You're Targeting As with any marketing tool, the first step toward success is understanding who you're targeting. For one, the content you create and post should reflect your target audience. But your titles, down to the language you use…
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07Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
4 ways to gain subscribers to your business newsletter

4 ways to gain subscribers to your business newsletter

Marketing, Starting a new business
As a small business owner, you likely spend a lot of time thinking about how to get more customers and clients. A great way to get people interested in your company is sending out a newsletter to let them know about sales, events and what your business is up to. Try these four tips to get people to sign up for your newsletter:1. Include a discount When you go to a clothing store website, you might be greeted by a pop-up window. It may offer a discount if you sign up to receive the company's e-newsletter. We've all clicked "yes" to receive the rebate and ended up buying more when we saw something great in the newsletter later on. You don't have to offer a huge percentage off - even 10 percent can be enticing.2.…
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03Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Small Business Marketing Tips

Marketing, Small Business Info
What effect can current events have on your business? Believe it or not, newsworthy stories can have helpful and practical lessons for seeing your small business in a new light. For a timely example, let's take a look at Sky Mall. In January, the purveyor of expensive gizmos and stuff, Sky Mall, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At the end of March, (more…)
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02Apr 2015 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
5 Secrets to Social Media Success

5 Secrets to Social Media Success

Marketing
These days, social media is one of the most important parts of any company's marketing strategy. In fact, according to September 2014 data from the Pew Research Center, over 70 percent of all online adults in America are on Facebook (and a vast majority use the site daily). That means that reaching a vast amount of people at once and targeting specific demographics are both easier than ever. However, it's important for companies to develop a social media strategy - whether they're using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or any other platform - to make sure their posts are effectively building engagement and generating leads. To that end, here are five ways your company can use social media successfully:1. Interact The key to engaging your audience on social media isn't just posting content. No matter…
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