November 14, 2008
2 Keys to Modern Marketing: Part Two – Innovation
On Monday I talked about “Conversation” – a key to modern marketing. Consumers, especially in this market, don’t want to be talked at any longer, they want a two-way conversation before they spend their dwindling dollars on anything.
Key number two – Innovation n. a new idea or method. A new invention or way of doing something.
It’s that little idea, that little, seemingly insignificant detail that sets your product apart. It gets your noticed. Case in point, iPod earphones. Are you lost? They are white, not black like every other earphone on the market. It may not seem like a big deal, but this is the kind of thing that starts conversations and makes you love a product. Stupid earphones. You’d probably buy the iPod even if the earphones were black, but Apple went the extra mile to stand out, make a statement, set themselves apart. Everyone loves being a part of something on the cutting edge.
If it’s not earphones, it’s starting your meetings @ 9:03 – just so people remember. It gets you noticed.
I remember the first time I saw a Scion XB – I literally laughed out loud – I had never seen anything like it – that crazy little box on wheels. But it grew on me and I now own a Scion. The look drew me in, the quality of a Japanese auto with awesome gas mileage and cheap price tag made me get one. Innovation.
Ford just came out with their “Flex” – cool Scion-like look – but you know what – it’s been done already, so it’s not new. (AND it’s a Ford which means it’s not made as well as a Scion).
Innovation – what are you doing that’s new and going to get you noticed?
November 10, 2008
2 Keys to Modern Marketing: Part One
This week I’ll be doing a two-part series of “2 Keys to Modern Marketing.” The first -Conversation.
The other morning I was watching cartoons with my daughter when a commercial came on advertising some toy. Half way through, my daughter looked at me and asked flatly, “Why are they telling us this?” I explained that they want to make it look nice so you’ll go out and buy it. She looked back at the TV and speaking to it, blurted out, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I get it. Now where’s my show?”
That about sums up how much we “enjoy” advertising. We pay more for TiVo so we can watch our favorite show without commercials and those of us who refuse to pay for it, instead employ the “mute” button. Consumers are tired of being talked at, they want a two-way conversation. Charles Schwab figured this out and advertises, rather smartly, “Talk to Chuck.” They know their investors or possible investors don’t want to hear Chuck preach and sound off on what he knows, they want to hear what you want – at least that’s how they advertise.
In light of all the abuse in the lending industry, Americans aren’t trusting in the big corporation anymore; they want a human touch, they want a human voice on the phone and they want honesty. They have always wanted this, but in big business greed, the genuine needs of the consumer were ignored and now Americans are fed up. Also, as further proof of the ineffectiveness of former tactics, those industries that preyed upon the trusting buyer are crumbling and have succumbed to their greed and manipulation.
Talk with your customers and better yet, listen. As I have mentioned many times, a dynamic mode of communicating these days is the blog. Everyone from the CEO of GM, to Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks to home-based business owners are blogging. It provides a two-lane road of communication that consumers are hungering for and the human touch that will convince them of the flesh and blood behind the product they seek.
Expensive PR campaigns, and prime-time commercial slots are being seen more and more as a waste of time and money. Unless, you can reach the public in a creative way that sets you apart, you will not attain the results you are paying for.
November 5, 2008
Key to Business Success
In my experience, whether in my personal life or business realm, my success cannot solely be linked to myself; I can usually attribute it to others around me who have forged the way with me. In my personal life I have a mentor, someone I meet with on a weekly basis to talk about my life: marriage, kids, struggles, questions. I have to be honest, I need this time. I need this friend.
Now encouragement comes in all forms. While I love to hear I actually did something the right way, I most often learn after the fact, what would have been a better choice. The strength I find through my mentor is the “freedom of transparency.” I don’t need to be who I wish I was, or who I want to be or who I think he thinks I should be, but who I actually am. Best of all, he is willing to be transparent with me; I can avoid the mistakes he made and gain from his wisdom.
When able to meet with someone on this level, something happens. Growth – personal growth.
Translate this into your business life and you can expect success.
OneCoach is a “mentoring” group, if you will, designed to enable you to reach your full business potential. It is comprised of successful entrepreneurs who “coach” serious business owners to realise their dreams in very tangible, realistic methods.
To quote from their website,” The story of OneCoach is not about us – it’s about you and your success. It’s about helping you realize your hopes and dreams, by providing you with tools, information and connections; all of the experiences that you need to confidently build your business.”
We at iMerchantAdvance have partnered with OneCoach in order to provide you with not only small business funding, but small business mentoring. Visit out site @ www.imerchantadvance.com or call 888.838.6006
October 29, 2008
No Rip-offs
I hate being ripped off. As a consumer it’s painful enough to pay for things these days, let alone knowing that you’re paying more for nothing. I went to a local Postal Annex this morning to get a key copied. The price was fair and it was convenient. When I went to pay I was informed that there would be a 50 cent charge for using my debit/credit card. I had no cash, the service had been performed and I was stuck. 50 cents is not a lot of money – but why treat customers that way? I’d been there before and asked if that was a new “disservice.” It was, and it will be the last time I go there.
On the flip-side, my local grocery store credits my purchase 5 cents for every bag I bring in. That 15 cents a visit is not going to pay my mortgage, but it’s just plain nice. Anyone can smell a rip-off.
In business, whether as the consumer or the owner, no one likes to be taken advantage of. But as a business owner sometimes you have to take a hit to keep a customer. It’s the often painful Yin and Yang of business. But, any discount you give, guarantees a customer, a faithful customer.
We at iMerchant Advance provide a service with no surprises and no rip-offs. There are no hidden fees and most of our customers come back to us again and again for a merchant cash advance There are no upfront fees and our fee is simply added to the merchant advance balance, to be paid off at the same no-interest, flexible payment program as the rest of the funds. As your credit/debit transactions are processed an agreed-upon percentage is simply paid directly to your ever-diminishing balance. No surprises, no rip-offs.
For more information, visit us at www.imerchantadvance.com, call 888.838.6006 or email @ support@imerchantadvance.com
October 27, 2008
Your Million Dollar Idea
Everyone is looking for that million dollar idea. For most, the idea was discovered right under their nose. I attended a OneCoach conference this weekend and heard an entrepreneur making $1.2 million this year tell her story and her simple, successful idea. After years as a hair stylist, she realised women didn’t know how to blow dry their hair – so she made a video and sells it online. That’s it. Simple? Successful? Yes.
What is your million dollar idea? To hear the success stories of others and to find some inspiration, check out Daily Blog Tips’ Sunday post. Sometimes all you need is an idea.
With that successful idea, you need funding. With banks saying “no” to 90% of small businesses looking for a loan, iMerchant Advance can get you the capital you need, paid against future earnings. Instead of getting yourself trapped into a financial commitment with compounding interest and predetermined paybacks, consider a no-interest merchant advance. With flexible paybacks that fluctuate with the rate of your sales, merchant funding is a prudent choice in today’s unstable market.
October 22, 2008
Recession-Proofing Your Business
At the core of every successful business is the ability to adjust to market conditions, consumer concerns and to stay ahead of your competitors. In today’s market with the reality of a recession hitting us faster than economists dare to admit, as business owners you need to think outside the box to help your business thrive.
For many, the answer could be government contracts. Federal agencies often seek to help small and minority businesses when putting out contracts. Contracts are available for home-based businesses, environmentally-minded companies, veteran and woman owned businesses. for furthur information check out Government Contracts or Onvia.
Whether you’re ready to take this step or you need business funding for any other reason, we at iMerchant Advance are able to advise you. Whether a traditional loan or a merchant cash advance will better fit your needs, we are able to meet them. A merchant cash advance can provide you with an interest-free “loan” with no pre-defined payments, no interest in as little as 7 days. for information visit us @ www.imerchantadvance.com, call 888.838.6006 or email us @ support@imerchantadvance.com.
