Look on the bright side! Be a leader..

I have seen this article / story before...it's worth looking at again...

An old man had a hot dog stand. He made great hot dogs, and people bought them. He put up signs to advertise his business, and stood by the side of the road hollering. "Buy a hot dog, mister?" and they bought. His sales increased, so he increased his hot dog and bun orders. Business was very good.

Then his son came home from college. "Dad, what are you doing?" the son exclaimed. "Don't you know we are in the middle of a great depression?" The local situation is terrible and the national problems are even worse. You must be more careful with your money."

"Well," the father thought, "my son goes to college and he surely knows what he's talking about. I'd better listen to him." So the old gentleman stopped investing money in his business. He took down the signs, and stopped standing by the side of the road to sell his hot dogs. Sales fell off overnight."

"You're right, son." the father said. "We are in the middle of a great depression."

Just as the misperceptions about the business community ruined this great hot dog stand, it can affect an entire community, state and nation. At a time of economic stagnation, it is critical for leaders in the business community to demonstrate where strengths yet exist, and what steps can reasonably be taken to capitalize on those strengths...

Article taken in part from the Post Register, Sunday, March 7, 2010 Idaho Falls, Idaho

Growing Your Business in 2010

2009 is past, what will 2010 bring. Some say, "who knows?" and that's what they will get...who knows.

Plan your 2010 sales objectives and then implement the plan. Whether they be small or larger. A plan of action, with focus and constant execution can bring great results.

Direct mail, door-hangers, flyers, twitter, facebook, web pages, articles all build for your business story, new or on going, a sense of progressive action. Results will come.

From time to time, fine tune your plan if needed and always watch for new ways to tell your story.

Telling your business story...from whm at onewest.net (Wild Horse Media LLC)

Gold Mine of Advertising ideas, tips and hints

Gold mine of ideas, tips and hints for small business advertising. Work required. Results out of this world.

While doing research on advertising for a business client. I ran across this site. Simple, common sense stuff. http://alturl.com/onp7

We will introduce more on Tuesday October 20, 2009 at 9 P.M. (MDT) about a series of tools to help small business tell their story on the web. Stay put, be a leader or dominate your local market or niche. First come, first served. Catch the wave...

Client wants to hire an ad salesperson! Do you know one?

I have a client that needs to hire an ad salesman (woman) for a new web based venture. He is stumped at how to start or where to even look for that person (s).

It's a challenge ...it would be on a commission basis, but would have opportunity to build and have great income potential for someone that can figure out how to get the word out about this product and the exposure it would provide for small business owners. (They would get a piece of the action)

So world, how do I tell them where to start and what to look for? Any ideas...if so send an email to whm@onewest.net and we will forward your tips, ideas or resumes ...stay tuned for the results.

Business Story Telling

How well do you do at telling the story about your business?

How well you tell or explain your story is critical to your existence. Your potential or current customers / clients need to have a clear understanding of what goods or services you provide and why buying from you rather than your competition is in their best interests.

Proposals to help small businesses

Small businesses in the United States, Canada and the world as well. Are the cornerstones of the villages, towns, cities and countries in which they operate. They are the foundations of the economy.

While the impact and needs vary thru out the world. Lets look at the United States in general. The strengths of the American economy are at the farm and street level of every state. We as small business owners and managers can do our part by pulling our employees together and uniting with other businesses to strengthen our impact.

Tell your story. Tell about your products and services. Get the word out. Communicate your business mission to new clients / customers. Keep in touch with your past clients / customers. Run specials to acquaint others with your products and services. Go the extra mile in the coming months to refine your products and services. Display or explain them in different ways until your prospective market knows well what you do. Add value to what you do best.

As you plan the process of: getting the word out. Map out where you are and where you want to be in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years , 5 years and in 10. If you fail to plan your: getting the word out, you plan to fail or wander about.

Get to the point and go for it. Courage is what we need not fear or holding back.

Getting the Word Out : What's the Deal?

Headlines grab readers attention. Once you have their attention. Present or explain the "offering" or deal you want them to try, is a major task. Simple and clear explanations of what you are offering is absolute.

• With letters, utilize the outside of the envelop to explain why they should open it.
• Use short sentences in the sales letter.
• Use "power" words on postcards or shorter letters
• Present the offer or deal in a straight forward way. Easily, understood and recognized.
  
• Make it easy for the reader to respond..ie, 800 number, hours of business, reply card...
  
• Explain the time limit of the offer or deal...ie, limited number or expiration date
• Use different options of the product or service...ie, Good, Better and Best
• Have the owner or president sign the letter or postcard...
• Over time, refine your "sales pitch" until you discover the golden letter or postcard.
  

Getting the Word Out- With a Post Card

You don't have to open it! People can quickly read the headline! The costs are reasonable. People respond to them. Great reasons to do postcard marketing.

• Design a sharp looking, to the point card with a strong offer
• Use a quality printer that knows about sizing and direct mail needs
• Use your current client / customer list
• Rent a list of potential clients / customers
• Find a mailing house or mailing service to save on postage costs
• Figure out a time frame to mail the cards over
• Be ready for the responses
• Do mailings on a frequent basis (generally is not a one time shot!!!)
  
• Don't be afraid to change text, timing if the response isn't where you want it to be

Be patient. Offer great value, savings, stretch the purchase of money or solve a problem for your potential clients / customers.

-Getting the Word Out - With little Money

Every business faces this issue. How do I tell my story and let the world know about our business?

Especially, if you're a new business or businesses launching a new product or service. The next question we are ask much of the time. How do we do it with little or no advertising / marketing budget?

Good Question? Here are some ideas and hopefully others will send in examples of how they accomplished this great task.

• Identify what makes your business or product unique or special. What sets you apart from others?
• Have a great product or service. The word will spread...over time.
• Start a blog to tell your story, experiences, solutions etc. Done correctly it can be most effective.
• Take part of each day to tell a few people about what you do. (networking)
• Do a press release with the local paper about your business.
• Pass out as many business cards as you can. Don't forget to use the back of the card as well.
• Check back in a few days and we will give you the high powered ideas.. Until then, get started, now.