business-solutions-center.com

Clues to Social Media

JRM — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:15:37 +0000

Social Media…OK, but how about some clues?

First, make a choice; you can be LOUD, RUDE and ANNOYING. Or, you can strive to become INFLUENTIAL!

As human beings, most of us behave in accordance with some unwritten laws of social interaction. Extend what you know about human nature to social media. In fact, if you keep a few of these laws in mind during your social media engagements, you might just become influential!

You scratch my back, and it’s much more likely that I will scratch yours!

So, applied to Social Media, I am more likely to retweet someone who has already retweeted me. I link to and follow people who link to and follow me – well not always, but usually. I also tend to give a business far more trust after it has provided me with a lot of free value.

Take the initiative. Provide no-strings-attached value to your network and you will gain influence.

Are you over-committed? Should you be?

How many people do you follow on Twitter? Are you signed up for more RSS feeds and newsletters than you can really read?

You could eliminate these distractions by purging your lists. But, you don’t. Why not? Well, partly because you feel you owe them a back scratch and partly because that would be admitting you can’t keep up with all you’re trying to do, or shouldn’t have “committed” to in the first place. Either way, it’s another one of those unwritten laws.

The positive spin is your followers may be feeling the same way, so remind them what a good choice they made initially, keep giving them what they want…and need. Eliminate any friction so they will increase their commitment; leave comments on your blog, post positive reviews, retweet you, stay in your community – AND maybe even become a customer one day.

Social Proof

What do other people like me think is correct?

Most of us are impressed when someone has a ton of blog subscribers, Twitter followers, etc. Other than they can be “gamers” using auto-follows, our reaction is usually positive.

So, if you create a lot of value for others, evidence your value by writing engaging content as a guest poster, interviewing authors, and posting your expert opinions. You will quickly gain a support network, and when it comes to social proof – the size of your tribe matters. Build your tribe big and frequently provide them proof.

Yes! … (Well, I like them, so why not?)

Doesn’t everyone prefer saying yes to someone they know and like? And, don’t we all usually like people that are attractive, similar, complimentary, familiar, and cooperative? Whether good or bad, associations influence how people feel.

Social media is no different. It tends to give extra credence to attractively designed blogs and well produced (technical and content) messages. And, recent surveys show corporations that display a sense of social media savvy in their new site designs are perceived better by prospects and customers.

Individuals involved in charitable efforts always reap some benefit of association – that’s why many volunteer in the first place.

So, think of a retweet, a trackback, or a positive blog comment as a social compliment and do it when you feel it’s warranted. It is free and available leverage; use it and you will benefit.

Perception

Most of us, adults anyway, were taught to respect authority when we see it.

By its nature, Social Media authority is more about perceived expertise. A polished blogger may offer extensive and intelligent commentary on a subject, and thus will be perceived as an expert gaining Social Media influence as an authority. Meanwhile, a genuine expert, but unknown blogger may be dismissed without thought.

One direct measure of Social Media authority is the number of people who will read an article or buy a product based on little more than a well known blogger’s endorsement. It’s not much different than the television advertising ploy of celebrity spokesmen and holds true in the virtual world as well.

Retribution

Easy come, easy go!

Even more quickly than real world celebrity, social media authority can vanish on discovery that the perception was wrong – that no legitimate field of knowledge exists. In an instant, electronic freefall may leave nothing more than the smoke of unfavorable “tweets”. It seems social media shows a spark of understanding that authority should be limited to those with a legitimate field of knowledge. Don’t even fool me once!

Supply and Demand

When bloggers market they generally limit the number of customers or the timeframe of an offer. They create and leverage the concept of scarcity. Only a few remaining, etc… It’s an economic fundamental and old marketing trick that continues to be effective.

Earn Your Influence “The Old Fashioned Way”

Your Social Media success will be a growing network, influence and stronger relationships.

Create and Offer Value. Take the initiative – give your contacts high-value content, insights, reports, etc.
Expand and Nurture Your Network. Flatter your subscribers by responding to them, reach out to people you admire with complimentary blog comments, retweeting and linking.
Commit to consistent active engagement on the platforms you use.
Use social proof to increase your credibility and grow subscribers with expert guest posts, comments, and retweeting.
Volunteer. Coordinate your community for worthy efforts – do good and feel good and enjoy the benefit of your association with the effort.
Dress the Part. Present creative, professional design on your website, and social media landing pages.

How Important Are Email Subject Lines

JRM — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:11:31 +0000

If you’re like most small business owners, you don’t have a dedicated marketing department. And, you probably don’t have much spare time for crafting slick campaigns. So, how and where is best to spend the time you do have?

You’ll probably laugh, but I am serious when I say to spend some serious time developing quality subject lines. In fact, if you’re not paying attention to this often overlooked detail your message may not matter a bit, as it’s likely to be caught like a rat in spam filters.

Professionals test subject lines relentlessly using very small segments of their lists. Most stick with proven winners until results force a change, which is sometimes after months of use for multiple mailings.

While you might think popular topics from Twitter make good subject lines, remember SPAM rules change when certain words are used frequently. And, opens tend to drop when lists are barraged with multiple mails using similar subject lines.

Unique and different twists when referencing hot topics of the day can work, but subtlety usually wins. People are naturally curious, but they catch on quickly. So, if you are teasing, do it sparingly. Be prepared for surprise at what works and what tanks. And test frequently to stay on top of trends. Remember the purpose here is to get your mail opened.

People tend to like:

Numbers, especially odd numbers under 10

Secrets, techniques and strategies that are “scientific” or “proven”

Exclusive information – they want to be in on the next big thing

Proof that they are making the right decision – not the details

Subject lines less than 50 characters spelled correctly

Power words – but make sure they aren’t SPAM

Explanatory and simple subject lines

Making a deadline

What’s a Swipe File?

JRM — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:04:30 +0000

Do You Have a Swipe File? Eh, what’s a Swipe File?

Ever wonder how ad copy writers can work their magic so quickly? Many keep their past successful creative work on file for reference and inspiration. You can too. Think how handy it is for online marketers split testing “strategies”, or anybody really, to just reach into a bag full of past performers for campaigns and copy.

Don’t know where to start?

As you are building your own collection, here are 8 subject line concepts that work well – just customize them for your product or service:

1. Get Straight to the Point:

4th of July Savings at Sears.com‏

2. Lead with Best Benefit:

Guaranteed Delivery for Father’s Day + Great Gift Ideas‏

Great Savings…

Huge markdowns…

3. Exciting News (not advertising):

Starting a Business?

JRM — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:16:09 +0000

Starting a New Business?

Despite the economy, lots of new businesses are launching. Are you considering, or already underway with a new concept?

Whether you are a first time entrepreneur with free time resulting from a recent job loss, or a multi start-up veteran seizing another opportunity, proper planning and risk reduction will increase your chance for success. Remain flexible; stay open and willing to change. A ready – fire – aim approach can be costly.

When you have clear answers to the following six questions, you’ll be well on your way.

1. What are your business goals?

Make a hobby profitable for additional income

Start a lifestyle business to support your family

Launch a fast-growing enterprise that could eventually go public

2. Who is the management team?

Do you and they have start-up experience

Does your plan capitalize on any particular skills of your team members

3. Will you require additional capital?

What is your burn rate

Will available funding allow you to reach a cash flow positive phase

Do you have another funding source if your initial forecast fails

4. What is your new business?

Not sure yet?

First, it may be easier to determine what you don’t want it to be. The process of elimination might be a good start. Then consider an industry you’ve worked in, technology you know well or a serious hobby to find a niche. Your knowledge and expertise may provide the insight to unmet needs or opportunities. Take the time now to observe your competition and potential customers thoroughly. Learn their operations, challenges, and assess their customers’ satisfaction level and unmet needs. Study what will be needed from you.

If you are working with a team, have everyone go through this process on their own to get a better variety of ideas at first. Determine exactly what your business will be in terms of services, products, pricing, customers, etc. Setting up a Wiki to track the progress of each concept and including details like market size, entry barriers, leading competitors, and related news clips can keep you and the team moving together toward a determination.

The brainstorming phase can be critical to the future success or failure of a start-up and should not be rushed. If you and your team are dedicated to the process full time, a thorough job still may expend several months. A solo part-time effort might take a year or more. However, when it’s well executed brainstorming can yield significant rewards.

5. The Winner is?

Which ideas are worth your time, sweat and money? Is it the one with the highest forecast return on investment? If not, why not? There may be several good reasons, but how will you prioritize?

The first cut is easy – what fits the goals you stated to question #1.
Then, some market research on the Internet to identify competing products, their prices, and market size.
Have IP questions – do a patent search at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (uspto.gov). Hire a patent attorney before you invest in one concept.
Following a hosted dinner – present no more than your last five concepts (three is better). Invite experts in your field, mentors, previous colleagues, fellow entrepreneurs – ask everyone to rank favorites after answering questions, and hearing insights, and criticism.
Bad news isn’t all bad as suggestions or improvements mean they can at least envision your concept.

The winner will meet all of your criteria and maybe most importantly, it should excite you! Remember, you’ll probably need all your enthusiasm to sell it to customers and investors.

6. Feasibility

OK, you’ve got a great idea. Does it translate to a viable business?

Can we make this product, or provide this service, and at what price?
Do customers really want it?
How much will they pay?

Are there any deal-breakers?

Are there any unproven elements of your technology? Resolve them, or show they can be overcome.
Manufacturing and distribution costs can be reasonably forecast with some internet research.
Does your target really want what you’re about to sell? Conduct focus groups and surveys with consumers and retail buyers to determine what they will pay. If businesses are targeted, interview dozens of them, attend trade shows and/or hire consultants to make this critical determination.

Finally, construct a functional prototype for customer testing. Make design changes before manufacturing in quantity. Let the wisdom of crowds play a role. Time spent now prototyping and validating the concept can really benefit your plan and ultimately your new company’s profitability.

Free Software

JRM — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:14:53 +0000

True or False?

Software for Small Business is Expensive.

True – if you still live by the old adage that you only get what you pay for.

False – if you find what you need (and like) that’s now available for FREE!

And I don’t mean a free trial. I mean fully functional no strings attached FREE forever! Thanks to the evolution and growing popularity of Open-Source, Social Media and SaaS products (and new marketing tactics), the quality and quantity of low cost and free small business software is exploding!

Don’t know where to start? No problem, we’ll make it easy. 1 – Go to cnet.com and enter “free” before your keywords in search. 2 – Go to Google.com and do the same. 3 – See our suggestions / links below.

So, take a look around and don’t forget to let us know what you find. We love FREE (great) software!

Web browser - Mozilla Firefox — Firefox offers reliable, safe, speedy Web browsing and there are thousands of Free add-ons to help you do more than browse – just click the “add-ons” tab on Mozilla’s homepage. We love “Speed Dial”. After a short test flight we bet you forget about Internet Explorer.

E-mail client – Mozilla Thunderbird – is slick and professional, and like Firefox, add-ons enable you to customize it for your business needs.

Office Software Suite – OpenOffice - is an open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. If you were thinking of buying (or upgrading) MS Office – you may decide to save hundreds of dollars. Anyone, on any operating system, can use it for any purpose. Continuously upgraded, you can save and export your docs in almost any format.

Productivity – Evernote – is a handy organizer with more functionality than any bookmarks folder and syncs/works great (also free) on your I-Phone too.

Productivity - Action Method – Brainstorming tasks make their way to the completed folder when AM gets involved. Do it or delegate it seems easier with the help of this online task manager. And a great free app for the I-Phone to keep you synched.

Task Manager – Grindstone – Knows when you’ve been away from the keyboard to avoid over billing time on a task / project. Another neat, free tool for busy professionals who sometimes lose themselves – immersed in work of course!

Diagrams - EDraw Mind Map Free — Free form diagram tool for almost anything – free for personal use. Easily diagrams your concepts for business processes, marketing campaigns, follow-up sequences, etc.
Google Docs — Have a team and need to share documents? Google Docs is a free “in the cloud” resource for building and sharing word documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms.

Google Calendar — Maintain multiple schedules and meetings with collaborators or anyone who has a Google account – even your kids! And, there’s even a sync feature for Outlook.

Digsby — Manage all your IM needs with one application. Also supports social networks like LinkedIn, so you remain accessible.

Bubbl.us — Online brainstorming/mind-mapping, somewhat like EDraw/Visio, but on the Web.

Ubuntu – If you’re about to purchase a new computer (or you’re daring), consider using Linux. It’s free as in free speech. Specifically, I suggest to try Ubuntu. It’s free and has very good hardware support and has the essentials for small business bundled right in. Dell offers systems to have Ubuntu included, which can save you about $100 off your next system.

There is lots of great FREE software available for personal and small business use – and the list keeps growing. Let us know your favorites and what you find while exploring!

Who Are We?

JRM — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:04:13 +0000

The Short Story

Business Solutions Center (BSC) is a network of experienced entrepreneurs and an incredible group of providers who have worked together for years. We love what we do and we truly enjoy helping Startup/Early Stage and Small Businesses be the best that they can be. Our experience, network and relationships allow us to offer solutions which are generally unavailable or unaffordable for companies with limited resources.

Here are a few most frequently asked questions:

What can you do for me?
Because we understand the balancing act which startup companies and small business owners face, we can help you decide how best to spend your marketing dollar and where/how you can reduce costs without a negative effect on your business.

How are you able to offer so many services at such reasonable prices?
This is the question we are asked most often. Over the past 30 years our Managing Partner, Jean McLain has developed a network of entrepreneurs who refuse to retire and an incredible group of providers who we have worked with directly for many years. Sometimes the reward is not about the money, but the satisfaction from helping others with their success.

How many people will I have to work with?
You will work directly with a Personal Consultant chosen for his/her experience with your particular situation and needs. Even if you only need a simple service now, your Personal Consultant will be available to help with any future projects – there is no extra charge for this service and our prices are very reasonable.