7 Hot Tips for a Prosperous New Year

November 26th, 2008
0

2009 is your year! Up until today you have been breaking ground or trying to stay afloat. You founded your business with a sound business plan and stocked the shelves. Now you’re ready to tell the world what you have to offer. You may have even begun to sing the praises of your offering, but no one is listening; at least that’s what your bottom line tells you.

So how do you make 2009 different than the previous year? Where should you start? The very first thing you need to do is take a look at what you did in 2006 that brought you any business. Figure out what worked and repeat the process. Did you participate in a vendor fair that brought you sales either immediately or afterwards? When you donated your time or product did you at least get a sponsor ad?

Now that you have an idea of what worked and what didn’t where do you go from here? Take a look once again at your list. After each successful event did you follow-up? Right about now you are probably thinking, “I know I should be doing follow-ups. I have heard that said a million times before. That’s nothing new!” Maybe so, but do you DO IT? If not, I highly recommend that you make it a habit in 2009. If there is one thing that separates the successful entrepreneur from the struggling one it is FOLLOW-UP! Let’s look at some terrific and simple follow-up ideas that are sure to get results.

Hopefully at your event you made a note of the people who attended. If you don’t know their contact information ask the host or hostess of your event. They should be more than happy to assist you. Realize that those that were in attendance were at least mildly interested or they wouldn’t have been there. Don’t let this knowledge slip by unnoticed or unused. Write them a quick thank you for attending email – or better yet, if you can get their mailing address send them a card or postcard. With all the junk mail we receive today the timely postal piece makes a substantial impact on your eager audience.

Another idea that I don’t want you to miss is to include a ‘thank-you’ gift in your correspondence. You will be pleasantly surprised how beneficial a discount or bonus is in getting an interested shopper off the proverbial fence. All of the most successful companies use some form or another of this technique and you should too!

Yet another helpful piece of advice I would like to impart is to share your knowledge. This can be done by offering a number of different resources. Begin with a blog, articles, books, and perhaps even ezines. All of these will help you in thee ways. One, it will keep your name in front of your interested consumer; two it will multiply the number of unreciprocated links to your business website as your articles and links are picked up and forwarded. When search engines find these links they increase your ranking. Unreciprocated links are given more weight than reciprocal links. When search engine bots find numerous unreciprocated links they see you as an expert and that gives you even better ranking in the search listings. Speaking of expert, this is the third benefit; you are perceived by not only the bots but by people as an expert!

The reality is YOU determine when you are the “guru”. Every expert I have ever talked to claims this to be true. When they started believing they were an expert and started calling themselves one is when others started believing they were too. This is not a title you earn; it is one you must CLAIM!

While you are doing all of this writing don’t forget this tip, build your client base by creating a subscriber opt-in list. Don’t miss the boat here. This is a very easy way to differentiate the interested browser from the non-interested ones. Two words of advice here, FREEBEEs and EVERY page! OK, so that was three. To increase the chance your visitor will opt-in, offer something of value to them and make it easy for them to sign-up.

If you only have your sign-up form on one page you lessen the chance that when your visitor is ready to register for your newsletter that they will find their way back to do so. In today’s immediate gratification society you must be there when and where they need you. By simply putting your opt-in form on every page of your website you increase your chances of gaining a new contact for your business. So put your sign-up form on ALL your web pages; yes, even your blog!

One final tip is NEVER GIVE UP! Stay focused on your goal. It is when you jump from one thing to the next and don’t give your best effort, or you quit because it is too hard, that you fail. Take a tip from the Olympic athletes. They don’t win the gold by entering multiple competitions. The gymnast doesn’t train for both gymnastics and skating, and the skater doesn’t train also for skiing. Although these sports may seem similar to you the Olympic athlete knows that to win the gold they must focus on one and only one goal. Then they focus all their energy, learning and practicing on a daily basis. Did you catch that one? Do something for your business DAILY!

Be careful here. I am not saying you shouldn’t diversify. What I am saying is wait to diversify until you have conquered the one business that you want to see succeed. How well I remember in my hair transplant business, years ago, that when I jumped off into another business venture before I should have my main business suffered. Luckily I saw the error and closed the second venture until my bread winning business could stand on its own.

Make 2009 YOUR year to WIN! Decide what you want and go for it. Reach for the stars. If you only make it to the moon you are a lot better off than if you had not tried at all.

© Copyright 2006 Ginger Marks

Ginger Marks is the founder of DocUmeant, “We Make YOU Look GOOD!”, and co-owner of Nibroc Marketing Solutions. For more information, visit http://www.documeant.net and http://www.nibrocmarketing.com Currently she authors a column on business development and personal growth at ArticlesOn.com (http://www.articleson.com/Category/Business-Development-Personal-Growth/289). Mrs. Marks has recently released the second edition of her book Presentational Skills for the Next Generation available through Lulu.com. She also offers insight into marketing solutions through her ezine, Rock Solid Marketing, available at her marketing website.

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

Posted in Freeblog | No Comments »

10 Unusual Christmas Gifts For Cat Lovers

November 11th, 2008
0

Are you like me & racking your brain wondering what on earth to buy that cat lover in your life, this Christmas?

You’ve got them stocked up over the years with address books, knitting bags, soft toys & ornaments etc.

But this year you’d like to get something a little bit different & show that Father Christmas isn’t stuck in a rut.

To save you traipsing around the shops hopelessly searching for inspiration- let me whet your appetite with a selection of unusual gift ideas for cat lovers for you to ponder over. Then you’ll be equipped with all new ideas ready to hit the shops & internet with vigour & purpose.

1. CAT SEEDS- No- they’re not for growing your own cat! They are seeds for the plants that the cat in your life loves. So even if your cat lover only has a window box they’ll appreciate these seeds in order to give their cat a treat. Cat’s love the smell of these plants & find some intoxicating, others they’ll chew on & digest to get the fibre that they need. Some garden centres/nurseries will sell a special selection of Catnip, Oats, Annual Rye grass, Wheat & common garden Lettuce especially for cats. Or you could buy the seeds separately from any gardening store.

2. CAT MOUSE MAT-For the cat lover who prefers to stay indoors, why not choose a cat mouse mat for them & their computer. They can be bought with specific cat breeds on. There are always cute kitten ones available & classics like the black cat. Computer stores & Stationers should stock these. It might also be worth looking on EBay & related Internet sites.

3. CAT MOBILE PHONE CHARM- Presuming that your cat lover is happy to exist in the 21st Century then it is more than likely that they own a mobile phone. THE latest accessory is the phone charm that adorns your mobile phone & personalises it at the same time. Most department stores will stock a wide choice of these.

4. SUBSCRIPTION TO A CAT MAGAZINE-There are magazines about absolutely everything nowadays. I’m aware of at least 3 specialist cat magazines & I bet you could find more. They all carry details of subscription charges & at this time of year they normally advertise special deals like ½ price or a free (cat associated) gift for taking the subscription out. Even if your cat lover buys themselves a monthly magazine you could save them that monthly expense & put yourself in their good books by having got them a present that lasts them the whole year!

5. CAT PORTRAIT-To make a present for your cat lover that more personal, what about a hand-drawn/painted portrait of their favourite feline? Artists advertise in the ads at the back of Women’s’ magazines and also on the Internet. Prices start from as little as £5.00. But you will need a photo of the feline in question for the artist to copy from.

6. CAT CANDLES- Cat shaped candles are appearing in the shops now. Some are so beautiful that it would almost be a shame to light them. But whether your cat lover chooses to use them or display them wouldn’t detract from their uniqueness.

7. MECHANICAL CAT-This is THE latest toy. Although it’s a toy it is the perfect gift idea for cat lovers everywhere. It retails about £40.00 & is to be found in most toy shops & department stores. I’m not sure of its correct name or who makes them but they are lifelike & actually meow. If you dangle string in front of them they’ll even try & catch it. They’re absolutely gorgeous & of course don’t eat anything or have to go in a cattery when your cat lover goes on their hols.

8. CAT WEATHERVANE- For the cat lover who’s got everything. What about a cat weathervane? A lovely piece to put aloft their house for all to see & comment upon. This may have to be especially made or if you’re lucky some department stores & local garden centres may stock some.

9. CAT WIRE TOPIARY FRAME- Staying outside the house- a lovely unusual idea is a cat wire topiary frame- so that even your cat lover’s hedge can be cat shaped. Once again larger department stores or your local nursery may stock these. It might also be worth looking in some of those specialist Christmas catalogues that come through your door this time of year.

10. CAT FAIRY LIGHTS- Remaining festive a set of pussy cat fairy lights for the old Christmas tree would go down well & could get brought out year after year- when you’ll always be remembered too for choosing such a lovely inspired gift!

Happy shopping now that you have gift ideas for cat lovers a plenty.

Merry Christmas everybody & a purrfect new year!

For number 11 gift idea why not visit my website at Christmas Cat Gifts and follow the links to an excellent site offering all sorts of good advice and tips for the cat lover in your life.

Posted in Freeblog | No Comments »

Gift Ideas for the Sports Enthusiast

November 11th, 2008
0

Within your circle of family and friends, there’s bound to be at least one sports enthusiast. Whether he or she is an avid player or a dedicated spectator, the thrill of the game ignites passion and gets the adrenaline pumping. And, when it comes to gift giving occasions - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and the holidays - there is an abundance of gift ideas, any of which is certain to bring smiles to their faces. If your sports fan is also a gamer, there are a number of highly rated video games for the Xbox 360 that make great gifts. The basketball fan will enjoy the NBA 2K6, the hockey enthusiast will love the NHL 2K6, and someone who can never get enough football will go for the Madden NFL 06. The golfer who is also into electronics will have fun with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, while the soccer player will get into FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup. There is always any number of racing games available for the Xbox 360, and there’s even a game, Bankshot Billiards 2, for those who love to shoot pool. The Xbox 360 isn’t the only platform that offers games for sports enthusiasts. If your fan is into portable gaming, many of the same sports-related games are available for the PSP. Plus, there’s the highly rated World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 and Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee. If your recipient is more interested in the real deal, there are a number of gift ideas that will thrill him or her. Tickets to watch their favorite team play are always appropriate, as are exhibition matches scheduled for their area. Many of the world’s best tennis players are turning up for matches in cities across the United States, for example, and any tennis enthusiast would be delighted to watch a favorite player hit the court. Big occasions sometimes call for big gift ideas. Recently, the children of a couple celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary pooled their money and arranged for the couple to take a trip to Arizona to watch their favorite major league baseball team during spring training. The memories of that trip will definitely last a lifetime. There are a number of sports-related toys and games that will delight kids who are players or fans. For the collector, that elusive player card or other sports memorabilia is always a great gift idea. Virtually every professional team offers an abundance of apparel, leather goods, sports bags, handbags, hats, mugs, and other items that carry the team’s logo. Whether it’s a minor league team or a World Series winner, it’s a safe bet that you can find great gift ideas and shopping opportunities on their website.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Gifts and Collectibles Website and Majon’s Gifts and Collectibles directory.

Posted in Freeblog | No Comments »