Gail's Blog
“How To” Conference for Small, Minority and Disadvantaged Businesses
August 17, 2009 by admin
If you’re…
How “Outrageous” Can You Get?
August 16, 2009 by admin
Earlier this week I attended an event that featured Bill Glazer of Glazer-Kennedy Insider Circle as a speaker and, boy, am I glad I did!
Mr. Glazer is one of the most successful marketing gurus in the world. He’s teamed with the legendary Dan Kennedy to provide advice to small businesses all over the country, in every industry imaginable, and the opportunity to hear him speak locally was a rare treat.
Glazer’s very insightful presentation included a discussion of what he introduced as the seven steps to successful selling. In a nutshell, they are…
1. Sell to someone differently. Glazer suggested that business owners expand their borders and stated that the Internet makes this very easy to do. He also encouraged people to find a niche, and emphasized the fact that advertising yourself as a specialist usually allows you to charge more for your work.
2. Sell differently. He said that you have to make it OK for people to purchase what you have. The government’s recent “Cash for Clunkers” program is a good example of this principle at work. Suddenly, it was OK to purchase cars again.
3. Sell something different. The point is to be responsive to your market and adjust what you offer to fit what people want to buy.
4. Create more value. In tough economic times like these, businesses need to be especially aware of their need to give more for less and make customers feel as if they’re getting a great deal.
5. Have a strategic status. This helpful tip suggests that you position yourself as an authority, an expert — and not wait for anyone to do that for you. For example, there as a woman in the audience who sold real estate. By following this tip, she would quickly assume the title of “the best woman real estate agent in her county.” “Don’t wait for others to give you the status”, explained Glazer, “just take it!”
6. Association. Zig Ziglar said that if you hang around nine dead, broke people, you’re soon likely to be the tenth one. Glazer expanded this thought to emphasize how very important it is to associate only with people who support your vision and challenge you to grow.
7. Develop a of Good Direct Response Marketing System. “Everybody’s bored and overwhelmed,” said Glazer. Therefore, according to Glazer, our marketing materials should be “outrageous” if they are to get the attention we’re after.
In addition to these seven tips, Glazer provided additional insights and encouragement and as one of the 100+ entrepreneurs in the room, I can honestly say that attending this presentation was time well spent.
If you ever have an opportunity to hear Bill Glazer speak, I encourage you to do so. In the meanwhile, you may want to get a copy of his latest book, “Outrageous Advertising that’s Outrageously Successful.” Just look for a cover with a man wearing a straight jacket and a crazy expression on his face and that will be it!
How’s that for outrageous? LOL!
Free Webinar Offers Writing Tips to Small Business Owners
July 27, 2009 by admin
I just ran across a press release announcing a free webinar that promises to provide small business people with the basic writing skills necessary for getting your written messages across.
Titled “Writing it Right — Why the Words and Format Matter in Business,” this event will be held on Wednesday, August 5 from 1pm til 2pm ET. Alan Siege, a small business expert who has been featured in Good Housekeeping and NY Newsday, will conduct the event.
During this webinar he will provide tips and instruction that should give you the confidence you need to do more writing, from memos and letters to emails and tweets.
According to the release, “This webinar is ideal for those concerned about the impression they make when they send written communications for their business.”
I don’t know Mr. Siege nor do I know anything about this event, but I wanted to post this because I take seriously my responsibility to share with you news and events that could help you take your business to the next level of success.
To learn more about this webinar, visit here.
What Michael Jackson taught me about minding my own business
July 6, 2009 by admin
Regardless of what you thought of him, you have to admit that Michael Jackson was a powerful figure. The influence he had on our music, our culture, our country, and our world was simply amazing.
And while the media is enthralled with his personal life (and so was I for the first few days after his passing), I’ve now turned my attention to the business he built. An icon of his magnitude was, most certainly, doing a lot of things right, and I’ve listed below just three that I’ve observed and plan to use as I continue to mind my own business.
1. Michael Jackson realized that his number one competition was himself. Even once he’d proven himself as the “King of Pop” and his recordings had sold more than any others, he strived for more.
At some point, you’d think he’d stop and say “OK, I’ve made it! I’m at the top and no one is even close to catching up with me!” But he didn’t. He kept striving, even when the competition was himself.
There’s a lesson in that.
2. Secondly, if there was something he thought was hindering him from reaching his goal, he got rid of it. For us that could be negative people, destructive habits, or unsucessful practices we keep holding to, thinking that “one day” things will change. Most times they don’t.
3. And lastly, Michael Jackson taught us to be bold enough to invent something new. If we follow his example, we won’t satisfied with the things currently around us, but we’ll have the guts to blaze a new path.
Perhaps lke you, I’ve heard more on about Michael Jackson over the past week or so than I ever cared to know, but one thing I heard recently has stuck with me. A musician acquaintance of his said that MJ had spoken with him about inventing a new instrument. Michael Jackson knew what he knew about exising instruments and was creative, inquisitive, and daring enough to want to invent a new one. That’s something!
And if you’re over 35 years of age, you may know that Michael Jackson revolutionized the way that music videos are done. He was the first person to make them into the major productions they are today, complete with hundreds of people, changing sets, complex themes, etc.
His vision allowed him to see beyond the obvious and his talent allowed him to create what no one else had.
These three simple lessons are critical to business growth and can be found implemented by many successful businesses today. I encourage you to take them to heart.
Rest in peace, Michael. And thank you.
New Money Available for Small Businesses
June 4, 2009 by admin
If your small business is struggling due to today’s economy, you may be in for a pleasant surprise…
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that starting on June 15, the SBA will start guaranteeing America’s Recovery Capital loans. Commonly referred to as “ARC” loans, these are deferred-payment loans made available to established, for-profit small businesses that need help making payments on their existing debt.
The great news is that the ARC loans are 100% interest free, are guaranteed by the SBA, and have no SBA fees attached to them.
“These ARC loans can provide the critical capital and support many small businesses need to make it through these touch economic times,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “Together with other provisions of the Recovery Act, ARC loans will free up capital and put more money in the hands of small business owners who need it most. This will help viable small businesses continue to grow and thrive and create new jobs in communities across the country.”
ARC loans will be disbursed within a six-month period and must be used for making payments toward principal and interest for existing, qualifiying small business debt. This includes mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.
These loans are being issued by commercial lenders, not by the SBA.
To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html
