Author: Pamela Swift

Better Than The Rest

Post author By Pamela Swift
Post date August 22, 2007

Mind Petals: Business brochures and commercials that ridicule their competition, insult customer intelligence. I don’t want to buy a car from a guy who tells me why everyone else in his field is unworthy of my patronage. I do want to support companies who state examples of why their “unique” strategies work better. We’re not stupid consumers. We don’t expect companies to endorse their competition. So, as entrepreneurs, we need to advertise as consumers.
If there’s something you don’t like about what your competition does – set yourself apart by showing how your system exceeds their quality. Nothing portrays this better than testimonials from satisfied clientele. Your customers are more apt to believe in your product if they see results from their peers.
Post testimonials on your site and brochures. Beat your competition without spitting a negative word their way. New businesses successfully beat the veterans all the time. Just remember that how you choose to run your company now – sets the tone for your permanent professional image.
Dis-count the Competition? [Mind Petals]

Sales & Marketing

Quality Press Releases

Post author By Pamela Swift
Post date August 21, 2007

BusinessKnowHow: Press exposure can significantly impact a small businesses’ success. Press releases are not just for big businesses; many small businesses find press releases to be an inexpensive way to gain exposure and attention. It is not uncommon for reporters from magazines, newspapers or blogs to scan press releases as a means to locate content.
Here are some tips to enhance the exposure and quality of your press releases:
1. Relevant
First and foremost, it is important to decide what information should be included in your press release. Information that is newsworthy and relevant will have the best chances of gaining the attention of an editor.
2. Customize
Giving your press release a personalized touch, especially for bloggers and online journalists, can be helpful in gaining attention.
3. Summarize
By creating a succinct summary of the announcement, editors will not need to reword, or condense a lengthy release. The first paragraph or two should clearly state the announcement, so that if an editor’s space is limited, they can simply use the summary in their publication.
4. Swag is Good
The press loves freebies, and by offering them, there is a chance potential customers will keep your name in their mind.
5. Thank You
If you are interviewed or receive an especially complimentary review be sure to thank your press contact. As strange as it might sound rarely are the editors thanked for the coverage they provide.
6. Honesty
The more truthful the release the more likely that it will get ink. Avoid using superfluous adjectives that inflate the use of your product or service. Keep your press release factual.
7. Keywords
Be sure to use keywords and keyword phrases in the press release so that it will be easily located by reporters looking for specific material.
8. Demand Attention
Carefully select the title for of your press release so that it attracts attention. The title should contain key points related to the announcement. A good title is critical. If the title does not gain the interest of the editor, it will not matter what the body of the release says.
8 Steps to Positive Press Exposure [BusinessKnowHow]

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Finance & Capital

During The Transition

Post author By Pamela Swift
Post date August 17, 2007

BusinessKnowHow: Everyone has to decide for themselves what level of sacrifice and risk they’re willing to undertake in order to enjoy the satisfactions of working independently. Knowing some strategies for managing the risk will allow you to make a well-informed decision.
Of the seven strategies included below, the first two suggest ways to gradually transition from salaried to solo, instead of diving off the edge. The second two are ways to stretch the dollar; and the final three are ideas for getting started without stopping.
1. Continue to draw a (reduced) salary.
Asking yourself why and how your company will profit from retaining your skills and experience for a transitional period can provide the basis for approaching your employer. Be sure to do your homework first, however, and be able to back up your request with a solid rationale.
2. Develop another income stream.
If you need to leave your present employment, is there a skill in your toolbag that you can resuscitate and put to work without a significant expenditure of time or energy? Is moonlighting or freelance work an option?
3. Reduce expenses.
Doing a careful analysis of your expenses and choosing what you can forego for awhile can often save thousands per year.
4. Borrow.
It isn’t necessary to wait to borrow for start-up costs until you have a well-documented idea to submit for a business loan. Refinancing a home or taking a line of credit are relatively low-cost ways of generating capital. Depending on your credit rating, you can also get time-limited low-interest loans from credit card companies.
Get started on your new business idea while you’re still employed. Several of the all-important first steps (below) can be started while standing in the grocery line or running on the treadmill. They involve asking yourself some questions and doing some informal research to get crystal clear about your idea. This can take weeks off your actual start-up time.
5. Identify your niche.
Think about the services you’re uniquely qualified to provide, as well as the ones you most enjoy providing.
6. Create your marketing plan.
While what you need from a marketing plan will get more sophisticated as your business develops, for now it simply means answering the question, How is my business going to make money? What is the product or service you’re going to sell? How will you describe it so people quickly recognize the value?
7. Manage fear!
For most people, anything involving money involves some level of fear. It’s important to acknowledge to yourself and to others that you are taking a risk, and you’ve decided it’s a risk you want to take. So consider the fear natural, and find ways to manage it.
7 Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to Solo [BusinessKnowHow]