In "Small Marketing Changes With a Big Impact" on Entrepreneur.com, the authors outline seven simple--and low-cost--ways to increase business. Last week, we discussed four of those ways; this week, we'll tackle the remaining three.
5. Get lists from sites with similar demographics. If your client base overlaps with another website or business that's not a direct competitor, ask about swapping mailing lists. Be careful you're not violating your own rules if you've indicated that you wouldn't share your list with others, but if you've made no such promise, exchanging lists with other businesses could enlarge your customer base considerably.
6. Consider getting a vanity phone number. Companies like Ring Ring offer businesses vanity numbers that will make remembering your phone number easy. The cost can be small compared with the return on investment.
7. Measure your success. Whether it's through online sources like Google Antalytics or from customer surveys, finding out information about your clients can help you tailor your marketing.
Use these tips to make your marketing successful.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Sales Call Verifier
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Position: Sales Call Verifier
Education: None necessary, but a bachelor’s degree is probably helpful.
Skills: The ability to listen and work with a variety of people. Good grasp of the English language a definite plus.
Job outlook: While I don’t have hard numbers on this, my personal opinion is that this could be a growing segment of at-home work.
Possible employers: Third-party sites like VoiceLog.com and Call Center Tech hire freelance contractors to handle call verification work.
Preparation: Each time you call a service-based company, such as a phone or telecommunications business, you could be asked to hold for a verification specialist, which are used to combat fraud. Verifiers also listen to recorded calls for quality assurance and compliance. Read the FAQs on the sites to make sure you understand the policies and application process. Be prepared for training sessions and other preparation before getting your first job.
Get your foot in the door: Apply to several companies at once to determine which one better suits you.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: Sales Call Verifier
Education: None necessary, but a bachelor’s degree is probably helpful.
Skills: The ability to listen and work with a variety of people. Good grasp of the English language a definite plus.
Job outlook: While I don’t have hard numbers on this, my personal opinion is that this could be a growing segment of at-home work.
Possible employers: Third-party sites like VoiceLog.com and Call Center Tech hire freelance contractors to handle call verification work.
Preparation: Each time you call a service-based company, such as a phone or telecommunications business, you could be asked to hold for a verification specialist, which are used to combat fraud. Verifiers also listen to recorded calls for quality assurance and compliance. Read the FAQs on the sites to make sure you understand the policies and application process. Be prepared for training sessions and other preparation before getting your first job.
Get your foot in the door: Apply to several companies at once to determine which one better suits you.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: 7 Ways to Boost Business
In "Small Marketing Changes With a Big Impact" on Entrepreneur.com, the authors outline seven simple--and low-cost--ways to increase business.
1. Put a Twitter, Facebook or website link in your email signature. That's an easy way to spread the word about your business.
2. Use your business card's reverse side to promote your business. Don't let the white space on the back of your business card go to waste. Put a photo of yourself or your product. Turn it into a coupon by adding "10 percent off services or order" on the back. List what your company can do for a client.
3. Redesign your website. If it's been a few years since your website debuted, consider doing a facelift. Changing colors and fonts, and rearranging material can freshen up your site. Make sure your site is readable and that browsers can easily find information about your services or product.
4. Push your expertise through blogging and tweeting. As a small-businessperson, you are an expert about your services or product. Let people know that.
Next Tuesday, I'll review the final three ways this article suggests to boost your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
1. Put a Twitter, Facebook or website link in your email signature. That's an easy way to spread the word about your business.
2. Use your business card's reverse side to promote your business. Don't let the white space on the back of your business card go to waste. Put a photo of yourself or your product. Turn it into a coupon by adding "10 percent off services or order" on the back. List what your company can do for a client.
3. Redesign your website. If it's been a few years since your website debuted, consider doing a facelift. Changing colors and fonts, and rearranging material can freshen up your site. Make sure your site is readable and that browsers can easily find information about your services or product.
4. Push your expertise through blogging and tweeting. As a small-businessperson, you are an expert about your services or product. Let people know that.
Next Tuesday, I'll review the final three ways this article suggests to boost your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Transcriptionist
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Position: Transcriptionist
Education: A bachelor’s degree in English or communications could be helpful, but might not be necessary.
Skills: The ability to transcribe audio to text without mistakes as high as 75 words per minute. Good grasp of the English language a definite plus.
Job outlook: Transcribing court proceedings has a rosier outlook than general transcribing.
Possible employers: Court reporters, colleges, companies that sponsor lectures, radio and TV programs, and journalists could be in need of transcribers. Check out productiontranscripts.com, alicedarling.com and tigerfish.com as possible sources for freelance assignments.
Preparation: Refresh your typing skills by practicing transcription work before contacting potential clients. Most clients will require a test to gauge the accuracy and speed of your transcribing.
Get your foot in the door: If you prefer to strike out on your own to find clients, offer to do a short transcription for free to show off your skills.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: Transcriptionist
Education: A bachelor’s degree in English or communications could be helpful, but might not be necessary.
Skills: The ability to transcribe audio to text without mistakes as high as 75 words per minute. Good grasp of the English language a definite plus.
Job outlook: Transcribing court proceedings has a rosier outlook than general transcribing.
Possible employers: Court reporters, colleges, companies that sponsor lectures, radio and TV programs, and journalists could be in need of transcribers. Check out productiontranscripts.com, alicedarling.com and tigerfish.com as possible sources for freelance assignments.
Preparation: Refresh your typing skills by practicing transcription work before contacting potential clients. Most clients will require a test to gauge the accuracy and speed of your transcribing.
Get your foot in the door: If you prefer to strike out on your own to find clients, offer to do a short transcription for free to show off your skills.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Developing a Marketing Plan
To be successful at marketing your business, you need a marketing plan. "How to Create a Marketing Plan" on Entrepreneur.com takes you through the steps to developing a personalized plan for your business. Here are a few of the tips covered in the article.
Plan for 12-months at a time. "For small companies, this is often the best way to think about marketing. Things change, people leave, markets evolve, customers come and go," the article states.
Give enough time to write the plan. Expect to spend several months on developing your plan, even if it's only a few pages.
Get input from others, either your co-workers, employees or friends. Have a few people look over your plan and offer suggestions or improvements.
Make your marketing plan mesh with your business plan. While these two things are completely separate, your marketing plan should adhere to the basic tenets of your overall business plan.
A marketing plan can be as simple or as complex as you need. But taking the time to create one can make a big difference in promoting your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
Plan for 12-months at a time. "For small companies, this is often the best way to think about marketing. Things change, people leave, markets evolve, customers come and go," the article states.
Give enough time to write the plan. Expect to spend several months on developing your plan, even if it's only a few pages.
Get input from others, either your co-workers, employees or friends. Have a few people look over your plan and offer suggestions or improvements.
Make your marketing plan mesh with your business plan. While these two things are completely separate, your marketing plan should adhere to the basic tenets of your overall business plan.
A marketing plan can be as simple or as complex as you need. But taking the time to create one can make a big difference in promoting your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
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