Business tips for Twitter

I’m proof positive that Twitter is a great marketing tool for a home based business. There are 3 reasons why it’s powerful to use Twitter for small business. It takes literally about 15 minutes daily and provides a steady stream of leads for my business. It costs nothing but time.

Think of it this way: Twitter is an ongoing conversation from people all over the planet about what they’re doing, what they’re reading, what they’re watching, what they’re thinking – you get the idea.

There are 3 Reasons to Tweet:

#1 – It’s the easiest, fastest education on the planet

Follow people that you respect: gurus in your industry or authors of books you read. Soon, you’ll get immersed in exactly what they do, read, watch and think on a daily basis.

If you want to be like them, do what they do. You’d never get the chance to know so much about a person of stature as you do on Twitter.

People to follow in the home based business industry: Perry Belcher (web 2.0), Frank Kern (Copywriting), Mike Dillard (Strategy), Anthony Robbins (Mindset). Me, Steph Robey – if you want to see how a baby boomer, old school marketer uses Twitter. (pivot_positive@twittter.com)

Emulate them and get better results in your life.

#2 – It’s the easiest, fastest way to gain exposure in your industry

Facebook, YouTube, eZines, WordPress, Ping – all offer tools that allow you to automatically tweet when you upload a new video or blog or write a new article. So, as you’re building a following, look for people who have similar interests, people within your industry that can benefit from your content.

A link can be automatically sent out via Twitter to your followers each time you upload content. This helps to establish you as an expert and build credibility and trust with your followers.

Eventually, people make it back to your site(s), check out your business and become a prospect. Be careful not to sell. Build relationships first. Eventually, they’ll want to know what you do for a living and then tell them you do marketing and occasionally you teach people.

They’ll want to be part of the occasion so have a way for them to opt-in to your list and become part of your “tribe.”

#3 – It’s so fun, it’s addicting

Twitter’s like high school. You can hang out on the “mall” with the cool kids (see reason #1). You may not directly be a part of their “tribe” but you can listen in on what they’re doing reading, seeing, thinking and be in the “know”.

Then, you get to tweet to them about the things that you’re doing, reading, seeing, thinking and they retweet – send your message out to their own personal “tribe.” (See reason #2).

Supply value, have fun and build a following using Twitter for small business. Seth Godin wrote an excellent book on this called “Tribes.” Your list is basically your tribe and your goal should be to grow your tribe and it’s really easy to do with Twitter.

Be Big! Pass it on…

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Robey

Can a small business really benefit from a blog? You bet your sweet can-can it can.

OK, so that’s too many cans for one article. Bottom line. You CAN run a small business blog and make it profitable. Here are a few tips on how:

• First, don’t try to swallow the whole apple in one bite. Take it slow. You may not need a daily blog. Start with a weekly blog and move up from there as you need to.
• Secondly, make a list of keywords before you do anything. Then, focus each blog entry on a single keyword. Write 150-200 words on that keyword and link back to your main web site.
• Thirdly, don’t promote your competitors. Promote yourself. No-brainer? You would think, but I see small businesses promoting their competition all the time.
• Fourthly, speak to your audience, not at them. Invite them to participate. Sponsor contests or encourage comments and interaction. That’s really what blogs are for.

Blogging is nothing new. It’s been around awhile. But it is relatively new for business. Some corporate blogs have been quite successful, but not too many small businesses are taking advantage of this free promotional tool. They should.

A blog on your small business web site gives you fresh new content every time you post a blog. That’s very important for search engine saturation. Also, every link from your blog to your web site is counted as a link by Yahoo! and MSN. Google is a little more strict, but that may not be important.

For one thing, Google is largely the search engine for corporate players and techies. The statistics that show Google’s market share are a bit skewed; that’s the big secret.

People who live on the web use Google. They make dozens of searches every day. Most people only make one or two searches a day. AOL users use AOL. Most new users of the Internet are using Yahoo, MSN or AOL. If you run a retail business, those search engines are more important to you than Google, so it’s important that you understand how your blog is being read by them.

Your local business can benefit from a company blog if you understand your customer and address each blog to meet their needs. Key things to remember:

• Blogging takes time. If you don’t have it, don’t start one. At least, don’t do it every day. Once a week or twice a week is OK. But keep a consistent schedule.
• Use a software that allows you to timestamp entries. You can write several at one time and set them to post at an appointed time.
• If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone to do it. You can get a blog ghostwriter for as little as $5 per post.
• Make it keyword focused, for the search engines.

Above all, have fun.

Starting out a new business is very difficult. It often takes about 6-7 years to be comfortable because of repeat business and relatively stable income. Working alone in a home business can lead to many bad habits that slow you down and affect the growth of your business. The tips below are from personal experience:

1. Set reasonable goals for yourself.
If you aren’t aiming for anything, you can’t hit a mark.

2. Have a positive attitude in life.
Optimists get further than pessimists.

3. Expect to hear the word “No” quite often.
Keep on plugging away. You will eventually get a “Yes.”

4. Be as organized as possible.
With time, effort, filing, moving around.

5. Be enthusiastic about anything you do.
Let others know that you are interested in what you are doing and achieving something.

6. If you don’t know, ask somebody.
Don’t waste your time trying to figure it out yourself. Time is money.

7. Schedule your time efficiently.
Time control will determine how much you get done.

8. Have a place where you can concentrate on work and doing it efficiently and professionally.
Especially for home business owners, set up a professional office! It establishes your mind set and helps keep you on task.

9. Get involved in life around your business.
This helps you find new clients and business opportunities. Attend community events, go to conferences, read related books, join a few networking groups, call company owners for advice.

10. Handle money very carefully and intelligently.
Work frugally until you can afford better. Even then, always save money for a rainy day. Avoid debt. Only real money in hand has real value!

Internet marketing is important for every business. But when you have a web presence, you also need to know how to use offline marketing strategies to get potential clients to your website. Marketing offline is important to drive potential customers to your website.  These 7 top tips will tell you how to market your website offline in a the local market to get people online.

1. Really understand your target market. You can’t carry out an effective marketing campaign until you know who you are marketing too. Only then can you design marketing strategies that reach a particular group of people. Everyone is just not interested in the same things. So your marketing efforts must be focused to be effective. Know the offline papers and magazines they read. You also want to know where the networking groups are so you can become a part of local events where you can pass out your business cards and brochures.

2. Use offline ad space wisely to get people to your website. Look for local papers in your area. These are often neglected as good ad resources. But think about the ones that have been around for a long time. If they are effective it’s most likely because they support local businesses. Ask the editors for their marketing statistics and advertising reach. The ads in these local papers are usually inexpensive and can be short and simple just naming your website and providing the web address.

3. Look for larger newspapers in your area and see if you could have a story writing about your business. Getting a feature story could do much more than many other types of advertising. You can clip the story and make copies. Be sure to put the paper, date and writers name on the copies. These make great inserts to send to customers. Always mention that you have a website in the article and give the full URL.

4. Another way to get noticed by the media is to send out a press release of something you are doing that is newsworthy. Are you featuring a local artist at your restaurant, raising money for charity or doing something else? Send a press release that lets the readers know to go to your website for more information. Have a downloadable flyer at the site and capture names and emails to build a mailing list.

5. Always have a business card printed with your information. Be sure to add your email, URL and name of your website. Keep a stack on hand at all times as you never know who you might meet. Insert a business card in any mailings that you send out too.

6. Do public speaking to promote your website. Organizations and associations are always looking for speakers. The key is to speak on a topic related to your area of expertise without making it sound like an advertisement for your business. Take business cards and a flyer that promote your website along to pass out.

7. Purchase some promotional specialty items that are useful as well as promotional. These include some inexpensive items such as pens or pencils that people can use everyday at home, in their office or at school. Notepads are another good idea. You can even try using a notepad that serves as a business card. Get a small notepad of about 20 pages with your business card information printed up. These will serve several purposes including having a place for notes and to keep your name in front of potential clients.

These 7 top tips will help you get attention for your online web presence. If you primary business is offline or online, remember to design a combination of marketing strategies to drive traffic to your websites in order to increase business. Use both Internet marketing along with offline marketing techniques for a complete marketing plan for your website.

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1. Post flyers in grocery stores, post offices, libraries, banks and anywhere else that has a public bulletin board.

2. Leave brochures or catalogues with order forms in medical buildings or offices, (doctors, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, etc.), and in hospital waiting rooms and patient rooms.

3. Ask if you can post a flyer in the window of local businesses.

4. If you have a favorite hairdresser’s, talk to the owner about setting up a table or leaving business cards there for his/her customers to take.

5. When you travel, leave behind a brochure or catalogue in your hotel room with order forms, or leave behind samples as a tip for the maids.

6. Create small care packages to give away at events and include a flyer, business card, catalogue, order form, or coupon.

7. Fill a small plastic bag with a few goodies like suckers, stickers or pencils and include a flyer and coupon. Staple your business card to the outside. Hand them out to people or leave them wherever you go.

8. Host an open house in your home to introduce people to your product. Offer free coffee and desserts. Give guests a discount coupon to use on their first order. Have a drawing for free products.

9. Cold call on people introducing your product. Offer a discount off their first order.

10. Talk to schools, day cares, nursery schools and other organizations about doing fundraisers. Offer them a percentage from each sale.

11. Make flyers with a tear-off discount coupon and have the Post Office put them in PO boxes and mailboxes.

12. Place an ad in local newspapers and newsletters.

13. Put an ad your local phone book under the appropriate category.

14. Set up a table at your county fair or other local event and show samples of your products. Provide brochures or catalogues. Hold a drawing for a free products or services. Hand out flyers with a discount coupon off the first order.

15. Run a local radio ad. Or take your local DJ a plate of brownies in appreciation. Let them know your business name. Often they’ll mention you on air – at no cost.

16. Place an ad in a local city magazine.

17. Hire someone to do cold calling and selling for you. Pay them hourly or by commission only.

18. Hire a student to deliver flyers, brochures or catalogues door-to-door.

19. Promote your product/services by giving away items such as caps, fridge magnets, mugs, coupons, samples, frequent user cards, etc.

20. Be prepared for the unexpected and compile a marketing kit so that you always have business materials on hand. A good place to keep these kits is in your car so that you can easily distribute them while you are out, and you can avoid missing out on a new customer because you didn’t have a catalogue or business card to give those who ask.

Include any or all of the following promotional materials:

Flyers, Brochures, Catalogues, Business Cards, Magnets, Stickers, Lollipops with tags, Balloons, Buttons, Pens/pencils, Goodie packs, Bumper Stickers, Window Clings, Mugs, Newsletter, Press Release, Coupons, Fax Cover Pages.

Using these and other offline marketing methods will help you kick start your business or bring added growth to an existing business. Pick the ones that will work for you and start promoting your business offline today!

Article © 2009 Darlene Bishop. All rights reserved worldwide.

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These heighten awareness and improve recall. They display your brand and other company details prominently so customers remember you. If the item is used repeatedly, this further enhances customer recall and loyalty.

They augment relationship management efforts. You can use these items to show appreciation for your clients, as a welcome gift for visitors or as a thank you present for business partners. This enhances relationships with customers and business partners because it shows a desire to create goodwill.

If you have plans of opening a new branch or changing the location of your headquarters, you can use promo items to publicise these changes. This way, your clients know where to find you.

Your public relations campaign can also benefit from the use of these types of products. Your company can enhance its reputation in the community by participating in community-related events. You can give away promo items at fund raising functions, charity events and other such affairs.

If you are expanding your customer base, promo item distribution will help present you to potential customers. They can inform prospects of the kind of services you offer and can encourage inquiries. If your campaign is well designed this could even lead to purchase or sales action.

Promo items can also be utilised in public information campaigns. They can be used in programmes such as fire safety awareness, health promotion and so on. They can be used to encourage participation and can help people remember the messages you want to communicate.

If your company regularly participates in exhibitions, conventions or trade shows, promotional items can move traffic into these events. A gift may be all it takes to get a prospect to take a look at your services or products. If a prospect is impressed enough with what you offer, they may even become regular and loyal customers.

Promotional items are so beneficial they can even help build in-house relationships. Distribution of these isn’t restricted to clients or customers. You can use these items as tokens or rewards for employees thereby motivating them to work harder and perform better. They are an excellent way to show recognition of your staff’s efforts without using up too much of your budget.

Simon Stringer is a dedicated marketing executive who works for Eureka Promotional Gifts. Simon enjoys helping customers choose the most suitable promotional gifts for their advertising campaigns and takes a pride in developing a close working relationship with his clients.

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