5 Ways to Freshen Up Your Business

A while back I came across an interesting article called “5 Ways to Go from Frumpy to Fresh This Week.” Great article, but I forgot to write down the source! I really want to share the ideas (plus add my own and others’ ideas), so I’m going to “put it out there” and see if the original author recognizes his/her work. 

1. Change Your Business Voice Mail.  Make your message have some personality (you can do this and still be professional).My comment: I was reading an article by Paul Cherry
   and he recommends that your compelling message should focus on helping your prospects become better at, resolve, gain more control over, save time/money, or make their job easier. And be sure to keep your voice message to 30 seconds in length.
2. Buy Some Cool Thank You Cards.  Corporate thank you cards are boring because they are all about you and not about me (your customer).Your logo on the front of a thank you card doesn’t mean a darn thing. However, put a picture of something fun or a great quote and now you’ve got my attention.My comment: Well, I like the idea of putting my logo on the Thank You cards – maybe not front and center but down beside my signature for brand recognition. I will think about how I can do it in a “cool” way. Perhaps including an intriguing photo that would be meaningful to my coaching clients. 
3. Think of a Free Way to Promote Yourself Each Week.  Perhaps you can write an article for an association of your Ideal Customer; get a column in a weekly newspaper; ask for 3 referrals you’ve always been too chicken to ask for!My comment: Denise Wakeman
   recently had a contest where you could win one of two books if you posted on her Facebook Fan Page. A great example on promoting your business and your Facebook Fan Page.
4. Create A Club.  Hmmm – how could you create a club of customers that want to meet with each other once per month?My comment: Webinars are ideal for gathering your clients either online or over a telephone line. Make sure the topics help your clients solve their problems.
   You might also want to start a networking group in your local area that brings together your customers face-to-face each month.
5. Take A Valued Client For Lunch or Send Them a Gift.  OK – so you have these people who buy from you on a regular basis, spend big money and who refer you to others consistently. I think they deserve a Caesar salad at the very least don’t you??My comment: I like this idea. Lunch with clients who live close by and send a gift to clients who live at a greater distance away. So now you have five great ways for going from frumpy to fresh this week. Which one will you try first for your business?

Bev McCrostie, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Virtual Assistant Certificate
Red Deer College

4 Reasons to Write a Business Plan

The main reason for writing a Business Plan is not to obtain funding for your business.

Writing a Business Plan forces you to be more concrete and specific. Sure it is difficult and time-consuming. But as soon as you starting writing, you realize there are gaps in your knowledge of your target market, your competitors, your marketing strategies, and your financial projections.

Your Business Plan, will enable you to:

1. Identify who your target market is. Can you describe them in detail? What are their hobbies and interests? What is their biggest worry in life? What do they read and watch? Why would they choose your product or service? Knowing your target market gives you clear insight into which of your business features and benefits they would love.
2. Know who your competitors are. What are they good at and where are they weak? Can you provide quicker service, or give more for less money, or give better service for more money? As well, with so many businesses now online, you can’t say, “I don’t have any competitors in my town.” You will learn more about running a successful business from your competitors than anyone else.
3. Describe what marketing strategies you will use. If you are like most small business startups, you don’t have a lot of funds to allocate to marketing. Social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) are an inexpensive way of getting the word out about your product. Why not offer your product or service as a prize on one of the popular blogs read by your target market. Make sure you look around your local area for business networking groups – they provide a wealth of contacts, information, and support for new businesses.
4. Chart out your revenue and expenses projections for Years 1, 3, and 5. As you set monetary goals for your business, put some stretch in so that you are motivated to achieve but not so unrealistic that you soon become discouraged. One of the first things you will discover is that you are not charging enough for your product/service. You will also discover that in order to reach your monetary goals between years 3 and 5, you will need to change, delete, or add to some of your business practices.

 Creating a Business Plan is like eating an elephant – easy if you do it one bite at a time. Start today by identifying who your target market is. Then move on to the other three until you have a clear Success Plan for your business.

Bev McCrostie, M.Ed.
Coordinator, Virtual Assistant Certificate
Red Deer College