Using Yard Signs for your Business

Who Should: When you think of yard signs, you think of real estate signs, political signs and home improvement signs. Be unique, could your business create a yard sign campaign?

What Should My Sign Say: Avoid too many words, small fonts, and fancy fonts that are not readable from a distance. Your sign should say “what you do” versus “who you are”

When Should I use Yard Signs: If your signs are in a neighborhood where there are a lot of walkers, then spring – fall is great. If your business takes you to peoples’ homes, then pop it in their yard (with permission) while you are there working.

Why Should I Use Yard Signs: To enhance that name recognition and to market your business.

How Should I use Yard Signs: When working at someone’s home you can use a yard sign. Other businesses can ask their dedicated customers to place a sign in their yard for 2 weeks and you could go pick it up/they could return it for a discount coupon or a special coupon.

Blogging Made Simple

Who Should Blog: Business owners interested in building their businesses through press releases, news letters, and blogs.

What Should I Blog: This is a news worthy article about something involving your business.

When Should I Blog: Once a month is manageable for most business owners.

Where Should I Blog: Blogger, Merchant Circle, Web Site, Other People’s Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Press Release to local papers/tv/radio.

Why Should I Blog: To enhance web searches as we know this is how people are finding the majority of business owners.

How Should I Blog: You can blog by writing articles and posting them or responding to blogs that make you look like a credible resource of knowledge.



How Do I Start Blogging?

Head Line: Select a headline that includes some of the essential search engine words that prospective clients may use.

Write a few here:___________________________________________________



Article Body: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Closure: Include your Contact Info: name, email, website, phone number, etc.
_____________________________________________________________________


Other Essentials:
Photos
Video Clips


Posting Your Blog:
To use your time wisely, the SBCC recommends that you use this blog in as many locations as possible. Here are some suggestions:
1. Add to your main Blogger
2. Merchant Circle Blog
3. Website (if you have an area to list article)
4. email or typed newsletter
5. Press release that you can email to news papers/tv/radio.
6. Area networking events, use it as a flyer


Taking 2 hours a month to promote your business can really pay off.
www.SmallBusinessCoachingCenter.com

Do You Use Door Hangers???

Small Business Coaching Center’s Tip of the Week:

Door hanger marketing is a direct, simple, and effective way to pinpoint your audience and get results for only pennies per person. Door hangers are a great way to reach residential customers in close proximity to your business, as well as hotels and office buildings anywhere your target customers are close together.

Not only do door hangers typically stand alone without competition, they must be physically removed from the doorknob, making them more likely to be read and make an impression that lasts beyond a brief glance.Here are a few ways to get the most bang for your buck when advertising with door hangers:

·Track the success of your campaign with a perforated tear-off to provide a coupon, business card, discount scratch off, or other handy tips that can easily be stored in a wallet or redeemed to help track responses.
·Take advantage of both sides of your door hanger. This one-two punch allows you to grab attention on the front with striking imagery and headlines, and provide details of your offer on the back.
·Create name recognition. Even if customers are not interested in what you are selling today, they will still be exposed to your company name, web site and phone number, and may keep you in mind for tomorrow. Distribute door hangers with an affixed magnet to encourage recipients to keep the door hanger longer.
·Target a specific market. For example, if you are promoting lawn care services, you can deliver your message to single family homes versus apartment complexes.
·Provide product updates, service reminders, etc. In addition to promotional advertising, door hangers can be used to provide information on product updates, service reminders, or to simply let your customer know you paid them a visit.

If you're looking for other creative ways to reach your customers, stop by our print shop today. We'll gladly help you promote your business by opening the door to success! See Derek at Superior Imaging at 269-349-9741 or www.superiorimagingservices.com to order.

"Business Owners, Which of the 7 Dwarfs Are You?"

Most of us are familiar with the classic fairy tale "Snowwhite and the 7 Dwarfs". We have put a fun twist on the story, read below and have fun picking out which Dwarf you are. Enjoy!

Doc - are you a leader, a visionary for your company? If you set goals for you and your staff to reach to help your company grow, you might be a "Doc".

Happy - do you love what you do and show that love in your business through great customer service and employee rewards and recognition? Then you might be a "Happy". Do not forget to lead your company to future successes through goal setting and tracking.

Sleepy- are you stuck in a rut with the daily to-do's of running your business? Are you just going through the motions and lack vision, then you might be a "Sleepy". Find ways to motivate you and your staff.

Grumpy- are you a "Negative Nelly"? You have vision for your company, but do not take criticism well, then you are probably a "Grumpy". Try delegating customer interaction and work on strategies to grow your business. Take some classes on behavior and personalities to understand how to interact with others.

Dopey- do you feel lost or uneducated? Not sure how to get your business from point A to point B, then you are probably a "Dopey". Seek Snowwhite out as soon as possible!

Sneezey- are other obstacles getting in your way causing you to lose focus of your vision? Do you lack systems to be more efficient and effective, then you are probably a "Sneezy". Write down your goals, track your goals, then find someone to hold you accountable.

Bashful- you have heard the importance of networking and meeting other business owners, but you are not sure what to do in these situations, then you are probably a "Bashful". The first step is to attend a few networking events to see what they are all about. Once comfortable, make sure you are able to communicate, in about 60 seconds, what your business is all about. Relax, you will be a pro in no time.

Snowwhite- the Dwarfs think everything is just fine, until Snowwhite comes into their life and helps them find balance. "Snowwhite" could be a college class, a chamber training event, a business seminar, business coach/consultant, or just a friend to talk to and to help hold you accountable.

Article written by Lisa Bredahl of the Small Business Coaching Center, providing "hand-in-hand" success to small business owners. The SBCC offers a coaching program to fit every budget. www.smallbusinesscoachingcenter.com

How Can I Develop Community Partnerships?

No one entity can fully support the needs of its community. It is essential that businesses form partnerships with families, schools, faith-based organizations, government agencies, other businesses, non-profit organications and other community groups to work together to help grow the community. This is called a community partnership.

Look around in your community to see if partnerships already exist. Consider whether you should join with them or build something new. If you’re forming a new community partnership, this section will help you get started.

Consider the groups and individuals who should be members of your community partnership. It should include members who represent the diverse areas that help your business:
Local teens and families
Schools
Community organizations
Faith-based organizations
Health care providers (includes physical and mental health care as well as substance abuse treatment)
Public health departments
Law enforcement agencies
Juvenile justice system
Human services agencies
Cooperative Extension offices
Parks and recreation departments
Libraries
Businesses
The media
Elected or appointed officials
Other individuals involved in defining community policies

Members of your partnership should also represent the different racial, ethnic, and cultural characteristics of your community. These cultural perspectives will help shape the decisions that are made and ensure the initiative’s success with the whole community.

The following questions can help you determine who you should build a community partnership with:
List 5-10 agencies that you might be interested in working with?




Within each of the above agencies, list 1-3 ideas that you would like to present to each agency?




For each agency, how would what you are offering help their organizations?




What is the next step you will take with each of these agencies:

Now Offering Music & Dance School Coaching Packages

Music & Dance School Coaching Packages

Package 1: "How to Create a Dance Program for 18 months- 4 years"

Two Day On-Site Training consists of:
1. Teaching Syllabus Workbook for Creative Dance & Creative Tap
2. Sample Classes
3. Teaching Objectives used each week for the calendar year
4. How to Plan Dance Classes
5. How to select music that works
6. How to use props in a dance class
7. How to market your new Dance Classes
8. We come to your dance school. No travel expenses for you!

Agenda:
Day 1: 5 hour training at your facility, all staff welcome.
Day 2: 1 hour review, followed by 1 1/2 hours of hands on teaching.
Rate: $4000

Package 2: "Marketing Magic for Your Music & Dance School" - 10 hours of Coaching
This program consists of One-on-One Business Coaching to help your business grow.

You will focus on:
1. The 10 Pillars of Marketing
2. How to write a successful Press Release
3. Working with direct mail campaigns
4. How to write a great ad
5. What are SMART Goals and how to I work to achieve them.
6. How to use props in a dance class
7. How to market your new Dance Classes

Agenda: The client and coach will have 10, one hour meetings, either twice a month or once a month.
All aspects listed above will be covered along with:
*discuss your challenges
*plan your next action steps
*someone to hold you accountable
*someone to help your business grow

Rates:
$300/month for once a month coaching, 1 hour per meeting or
$600/month for twice a month coaching, 1 hour each meeting

For More Information: call 269-370-9453, email lisa@smallbusinesscoachingcenter.com or visit www.smallbusinesscoachingcenter.com/musicanddance

Develop a Script

When developing a script, one must first know the sales process a prospect goes through. Here is a sample sales process:

1. customer enters your business
2. build rapport
3. what is their need
4. show them where the item is
5. assist with any other items they are in need of
6. proceed to check out
7. capture their email for future discounts mailed once per month
8. they leave
9. send email once a month to all customers

First develop a the sales process and then once that is flow-charted, develop the script. When the script is in place, you will create a well-oiled business machine! Lisa Bredahl. Visit our web at www.SmallBusinessCoachingCenter.com

How Can I Brand My Business?

The Key to Branding Success:

Define What the Company is, Instead of Letting Others Define Your Company. You have the power to influence people to see you exactly the way you wish to be perceived simply by defining who you are–your strengths, values, goals and personality–and presenting these points in a compelling, persuasive manner. You must express what you stand for to everyone you come into contact with. Do this constantly and consistently.

Branding Benefits:

• Differentiates you from your competition

• Creates "top of mind" status• Attracts the right prospects and opportunities• Adds perceived value to what you are selling, Charge a premium for your products/services, Increases earning potential

• Places you in a leadership role vs. your customer leading your company’s direction

• Achieve your professional goals

• Thrive during economy downturns

Ask yourself these questions:

How does my target market perceive me now?


Is that perception in line with how I want to be perceived?


Is it beneficial to my growth and to landing my next position/customer?


How can I make my prospects perceive me as different from my competitors?


Then determine what your target market expects of you.


Write down what customers typically expect of you in the type of work you perform.


The things you have done so far that have made you successful.


Lisa Bredahl
Small Business Coaching Center LLC

Develop Your Marketing Calendar

It is best to have a mix of campaigns running at all times, depending upon what “season” you are in. If it is your slow season, you will need to market differently than your busy season. Your goal is to have 10 campaigns running at all times!

A business guru is on top of their marketing campaigns and knows what they are doing at all times to build their business. BUT… you may be like most business owners who have a great marketing vision but doesn’t follow through on this vision.

This is where coaching can help….

Who, besides your coach, will hold you accountable? ____________________________
(Suggestion: friend, employees, co-workers, family)


What steps will you do to make sure you follow through on your marketing campaigns?




Accountability and Follow Through Action Steps:

Verbally state your campaign plans
Visually show what you will do (calendar, etc)
Say it on a daily/weekly basis.
Have a weekly/monthly meeting and discuss current and upcoming marketing strategies that are in place.
Give staff results on the campaigns that are running, OR have them give you reports on how the campaigns are doing.
TRACK EVERYTHING!!! If you are not asking customers how they heard about you, how do you know if your campaign is working?

Business Consulting vs. Business Coaching

Coaching evolved from a management style to a separate identifiable profession over twenty years ago. Today, there are thousands of professionals using the term “coach” to help tens of thousands of people to improve their lives. The vast majority of coaches in practice today concentrate on working with individuals to improve their personal lives. These coaches are typically called “personal coaches.”
“Business coaching” takes many of the lessons learned from the successes of personal coaching and applies them to help business owners and decision makers make their companies more successful. In addition to helping the person, the business coach is an expert in various areas of business. While coaches may have backgrounds in various business fields, a good business coach is a skilled mentor in the development of marketing systems, sales training, development of customer service systems and financial analysis. Therefore, the combination of expert business advice along with personal training, provides the business owner with not only the knowledge of “what to do,” but also development of the ability and mindset to actually perform the required tasks.
The business coach becomes an integral part of the management team of the business. Through on-going and regularly scheduled meetings, the business owner learns strategies from the coach, and applies the strategies to his business – now. The regular contact ensures application of the principles and creates incredible momentum.

Fight the Economy; Take This Simple Quiz to Improve Your Business

Question 1: I need to work “in” the business because I pull in a lot of sales/profits/etc!
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you don’t believe it to be true and 10 is it’s true)
Explain: ____________________________________________

Question 2: No on else can do it as well as me!
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you desperately need help and 10 is you are great)
Explain: ____________________________________________

Question 3: I work “in” the business because I don’t really know how to work “on” my business.
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you don’t believe it to be true and 10 is it’s true)
Explain: ____________________________________________

Question 4: I can’t afford to hire someone, so I have to work “in” the business.
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you don’t believe it to be true and 10 is it’s true)
Explain: ____________________________________________

Question 5: I have a hard time delegating the petty tasks because I feel they won’t be completed or done accurately.
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you don’t believe it to be true and 10 is it’s true)
Explain: ____________________________________________

Question 6: I know what I am good at and hire others to do the things I am not good at or that I really do not enjoy.
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you don’t believe it to be true and 10 is it’s true)
Explain: ____________________________________________

Question 7: I know I need help, but I do not know where to start!
Rate yourself _____ (1 is you don’t believe it to be true and 10 is it’s true)
Explain: ____________________________________________
List some items you do when you work “IN” your business and circle the ones you would delegate if you could:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
List some items you do/would like to do when you work “ON” your business:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The amount of time you spending working “on” your business will help it grow in efficiencies, effectiveness, organization and most importantly a profit.

Example of Working “in” the Business versus “on” the business.

Joe's Coffee Lounge: Working “in” the business….
Make drinks
Answer phone
Prepare food items for breakfast, lunch, dinner crowd
Clean bathrooms and facility
Talk to customers
Clean dirty dishes
Prepare outside of building (flowers up and watered)

Working “on” the business:
Meet with people that can help you grow your business, for example: members of the chamber, Downtown Biz Organization, newspaper reporters
Looking at financial documents to determine your profit margins on each item
Financial Documents to forecast future sales and to see existing sales
Lead the company to a new place… ex: open a new restaurant in the building
Create and Follow a marketing plan
Track your marketing campaigns
Manage the team… operations manuals, scripts, training, staff meetings, etc.
Develop your vision, mission, and brand yourself.
Find your niche market & market to them!
Set 90 day, 1 year, 5 year and 10 year goals for the company


Business owners often believe that they HAVE to work “in” their business to make the profits; but without the working “on” your business, you are just creating a job for yourself instead of a future.

If you are only interested in doing the day-to-day tasks, then a job is all your really need. If you seek to grow and explore new goals for you and your company, then you need to make every effort to schedule at least 10 hours a week of working “on” your business.

With persistence and perseverance you will see your business grow into the company you have always dreamed about!
Lisa Bredahl
Small Business Coaching Center LLC
www.SmallBusinessCoachingCenter.com