Small Business
Marketing News

In this issue:
Food For Thought
4 Quick Biz Tips from Dr. Nunley
Online Marketing Quick Tip
Business Books

Food For Thought:
Ever wonder what successful people have in common?

"I will speak ill of no man, and speak all the good I know of everybody." --Benjamin Franklin

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain --and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving." --Dale Carnegie

Dr. Nunley's Biz-Tips
by Kevin Nunley

Your Marketing Plan

If you want to waste a lot of money, try marketing without a marketing plan. It's a little like trying to drive while sleeping. You may get down the street, or wind up in the neighbors yard, but it's certain that you won't get to where you want to go. Writing a marketing plan doesn't require any complicated software, thick books, or seminars (although there are some good ones). All you need is a napkin and a pen. Write down, very simply, what you hope to achieve with your marketing. Be realistic. Write down what media you'll use to market. Describe the target prospects you'll be trying to reach. Write down the main message your marketing will communicate. Make a commitment on the percentage of your budget that you will devote to marketing. Planning leads to successful marketing.

The Problem With Sales

I recently talked with a guy who started a small jewelry store a few years back. It was just he and his buddy up against the major jewelry chains with corporate deep pockets. Remarkably, his small jewelry store was not only thriving, but was very noticeably trouncing his much larger competitors. I asked him what his biggest advantage was. "I never have sales!" he replied. While his competitors seemed to have a sale every other day, George kept his prices steady and made sure customers knew they were getting a good value. It's an old rule of marketing. If you have sales all the time, soon customers will buy only when you're having a sale. In effect, you'll be permanently forced to sell your products or services at a discounted price. Be careful not to step into the habitual sales trap.

Sharpening Your Image

A company image is simply the way customers and prospects think of you. Your company may have a great image or one that could use some work. But most companies suffer from little or no image. Most people just don't think that much about them. When you're trying to get new customers, or get old ones to stick with you, having little or no image can be a real problem. Here are some simple ways you can boost your image in the minds of customers and prospects: Think about speed, service, smiling at customers (yep, in the good old USA that's a powerful image builder!), how you answer your phone, how much time you spend with the customer, logos, color, sales representatives, and sales presentations. Look for ways that you can create an image that separates you from others.

What's in a Name?

If you're starting a new business or launching a new product or service, is pays to think hard about what you will call it. Names are important. You'll want a name that is easy to remember and communicates what your company or product is all about. Nothing frustrates customers more than having to guess what it is you do or sell. Confuse them and they'll likely turn their attention to someone else. In some towns, lots of businesses feel like they have to have a cute name to succeed. You don't have to follow the trend. It's better to find a name that is easy to remember, communicates what you do, and has a positive feeling about it. Of course, there are exceptions. Recently a few companies have been very successful by breaking the rules in extreme ways. Some new computer companies sport very complicated names that stand out.

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Kevin can help your business with marketing advice, copywriting, and Internet promotion. Get his free marketing report at (801)253-4536 or on-line at DrNunley@aol.com. See all Kevin's articles on his Marketing Info Supersite: http://members.tripod.com/~DrNunley.
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Quick Online Marketing Tip
Quick Online Marketing Tips #1 One way to generate more online sales is to offer several different ways for folks to buy from you. These methods should include: online secure ordering, print out and mail or fax in and order and also phone in orders. Clearly display all methods of payment so that folks know their options!

Did you know that you can even accept check payments online or via phone or fax? Yes you can! All you need is the appropriate check printing software that is available through many different sources. Some sources are: http://www.checksbyfax.com, http://checknique.com/, http://www.phonechex.com.

If you're looking for a way to accept VISA/MC payments for your online business? Check out: http://www.nstarsolutions.com They handle all the order processing and forward the actual orders to you. Your check is mailed guaranteed to be mailed out monthly, but they are usually sent out every two weeks.

#2 Generate more traffic to your website through banner exchange programs. For a great listing of some of the best programs on the Net, visit: Promotion World at: http://www.islandnet.com/~jreimer/

Next Issue: Using the media to help increase exposure for your business plus more tips for online marketing strategies.

Internet Profits not what you expected? Let me show you what works for me! http://www.bizweb2000.com/d2075.htm or mailto:webinfo@bizine.com

Visit the NEW Small Business Bookstore - You'll find great information for starting your home-based business, plus marketing tips, motivational and self-improvement books and information on how to write effective sales letters. Check out the some of the tools available to help you succeed!

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