One extra degree can make all the difference
At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils.And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam they created an Age!
The Industrial Age.
For those missed this month’s “Tea” Wayne May spoke at the offices of the Jersey Shore Small Business Incubator on the topic of “212.” For those that are not familiar with what an Incubator is…
Business incubators are programs that nurture start-up businesses by providing hands-on management assistance, access to financing, and exposure to critical business or technical support services. They typically offer shared office services, access to equipment, flexible leases, and space all under one roof.
What other way to turn up the heat than sharing resources and information. This also helps get the work out about there own businesses.
Readers may have already heard me go on about the Urban Myth that states “People are afraid of Success” I have found that to be completely untrue. But as in all cases of Urban Myths there is a small kernel of truth way down deep. The actually phrase should be “People aren’t afraid of Success. They’re afraid of the extra work Success brings!"
Which leads us right back to the topic of the last “Tea”, going that extra step. We may be hot but we are not passing that threshold and entering that phase change that allows us to obtain “Exponential Results”.
How many businesses stop just short of that phase change, that one extra degree? For the businesses that are 212 and want to take that leap into the phase change I will be orgainizing a new BNI Chapter in the Belmar Area. The first meeting which is just an informational meeting and will be on January 6th, 2010. If you are interested either email me or call me at 732-988-4044.
Be seeing you.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
What's the best way to grow my email database?
"I need to add more names to my in-house mailing list, the more the better right?" I hear this a lot!
Buying Email Addresses Can Buy Trouble
A purchased list is not composed of people who want to receive your emails. Many addresses belong to people who didn't read the fine print in the privacy policy when they registered for an account, participated in a survey or entered a contest.
Nurture Your In-House List
These are the people who want to hear from you and are interested in what you're sharing or selling. Building up your email marketing in-house list takes time but will generate the greatest benefits with the fewest risks (bounces and black listing).
Here are two simple steps you can take today to attract more email subscribers:
1. Add an invitation to subscribe on every page of your Web site, not just the home page, and in all your email, including messages such as order confirmations, shipping notices, payment reminders and even invoices.
2. Create a FaceBook Fan Page with a standing subscription invitation. Promote it in your email messages and on your Web site. Update it frequently with fresh content such as FaceBook only news and offers.
I will be speaking on this and other topics at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.
Buying Email Addresses Can Buy Trouble
A purchased list is not composed of people who want to receive your emails. Many addresses belong to people who didn't read the fine print in the privacy policy when they registered for an account, participated in a survey or entered a contest.
Nurture Your In-House List
These are the people who want to hear from you and are interested in what you're sharing or selling. Building up your email marketing in-house list takes time but will generate the greatest benefits with the fewest risks (bounces and black listing).
Here are two simple steps you can take today to attract more email subscribers:
1. Add an invitation to subscribe on every page of your Web site, not just the home page, and in all your email, including messages such as order confirmations, shipping notices, payment reminders and even invoices.
2. Create a FaceBook Fan Page with a standing subscription invitation. Promote it in your email messages and on your Web site. Update it frequently with fresh content such as FaceBook only news and offers.
I will be speaking on this and other topics at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Missed Opportunities
This past weekend Ocean Grove had its Fall Festival. It was a great day! Lots of food and interesting “Autumn” things on display and for sale. My wife and I walked over to Main Street (Got to get my steps in. That’s over 2000 steps one way. Thank you Dr. Wells!). We also decided to check out the special Pumpkin flavored treats at one of our clients (Barbaric Bean).
Walking around checking out the vendors I ran into a member of one of my Networking Groups and another former member. I was surprised to see both as they never mentioned that they would be attending, never mind have a booth each. I believe this was a mistake as that Networking Group has over 40 members. Since both of them have family orientated businesses it would make sense to have over 40 additional people (families) stop over at their booths.
An announcement at the weekly meeting, an email or a blurb in the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin would have resulted in more people knowing of their involvement. All of these methods cost nothing except a little forethought and effort. Getting the Booths most likely cost some money so a little extra effort would have increased their rate of return. This is right out of Guerrilla Marketing “Maximizing your Effort.”
I will be speaking on this and other topics at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.
Walking around checking out the vendors I ran into a member of one of my Networking Groups and another former member. I was surprised to see both as they never mentioned that they would be attending, never mind have a booth each. I believe this was a mistake as that Networking Group has over 40 members. Since both of them have family orientated businesses it would make sense to have over 40 additional people (families) stop over at their booths.
An announcement at the weekly meeting, an email or a blurb in the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin would have resulted in more people knowing of their involvement. All of these methods cost nothing except a little forethought and effort. Getting the Booths most likely cost some money so a little extra effort would have increased their rate of return. This is right out of Guerrilla Marketing “Maximizing your Effort.”
I will be speaking on this and other topics at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Low Expectations the curse of Businesses & Organizations
The other day I was speaking with a client of mine who belongs to a business networking group with me. He has mentioned at the last several meeting that he was desperately looking for work. Since we have a new leadership team taking over I asked him what he thought of the past administration. He admitted that they had done a “great job.”
When I questioned him on his meaning of a “great job” the answered I got was very vague. I pointed out that the past leadership team did not meet a single goal of theirs and that the membership fell from 50 to 41 during their tenure. The number of guests fell. The only guest in August was mine and of the two in September, one was mine.
The only Special event that was planned was a Visitor’s Day and that never happened. This was to introduce our group to a large number of potential members. Oh, did I mention that every meeting the President actually attended she was late. So after pointing out these facts I asked my client again if he thought they, to use his words, did a “great job?” He responded well if you’re going to bring that up they did an “OK job.” Shaking my head I ended the telephone call pleasantly and went for a stroll with my wife, Karen, along the beach.
On this stroll I recounted this conversation to her. She summed it all up by stating “Don’t you get it! Of course they did a great job; they did not rock the boat!!!”
Lightning struck, bell starting ringing… well not actually, but it dawned on me that was the answer. For most people, my fellow networking members included, that was the most important goal of the group. “Don’t rock the Boat! Even if we are losing members and not making any money (business) that’s OK as long as no one expects anything of me.”
How low have our expectations come? Long around, we see it everywhere; Politics, friends, family, business partners and even ourselves. Low expectations are driving this economy. We need to raise the bar a little, just a little to start. Have our members and ourselves do just what was promised to when they/we joined the organization. Goals are a large part of this.
I will be speaking on goals at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.
When I questioned him on his meaning of a “great job” the answered I got was very vague. I pointed out that the past leadership team did not meet a single goal of theirs and that the membership fell from 50 to 41 during their tenure. The number of guests fell. The only guest in August was mine and of the two in September, one was mine.
The only Special event that was planned was a Visitor’s Day and that never happened. This was to introduce our group to a large number of potential members. Oh, did I mention that every meeting the President actually attended she was late. So after pointing out these facts I asked my client again if he thought they, to use his words, did a “great job?” He responded well if you’re going to bring that up they did an “OK job.” Shaking my head I ended the telephone call pleasantly and went for a stroll with my wife, Karen, along the beach.
On this stroll I recounted this conversation to her. She summed it all up by stating “Don’t you get it! Of course they did a great job; they did not rock the boat!!!”
Lightning struck, bell starting ringing… well not actually, but it dawned on me that was the answer. For most people, my fellow networking members included, that was the most important goal of the group. “Don’t rock the Boat! Even if we are losing members and not making any money (business) that’s OK as long as no one expects anything of me.”
How low have our expectations come? Long around, we see it everywhere; Politics, friends, family, business partners and even ourselves. Low expectations are driving this economy. We need to raise the bar a little, just a little to start. Have our members and ourselves do just what was promised to when they/we joined the organization. Goals are a large part of this.
I will be speaking on goals at my next FREE Guerrilla Marketing “Tea” October 23, 1 – 4 PM. It will be hosted at the Sixth Avenue House B&B in Asbury Park. Call 732-988-4044 to reserve a seat.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Rookie Mistakes!!
The "Twitter II" Tea and Talk last week went very well. Tim Cusack is a great speaker and the topics varied from Twitter and Face Book to Guerrilla Marketing!
The Mistake
This morning when I pulled out all the business cards I received at the Tea I noticed a big problem. I found one of the attendees had a card with an incomplete email address and a phone number that was not working. So I figured hey typos happen, let me check out his website to get the correct number. And.. you guessed it... No website listed. I think he handed out that same card to everyone at the tea. Thank God he was the guest of a regular attendee so I will have to get hold of her to let him know he is hurting his business with these new cards.
The Cure
In the software world from which I sprang... Test, Test and Test again. What this means for the small business or self employed person is proof read it and then let a few others do the same. Tell them to find an error! Your friends will love pointing out that you made a mistake. Trust me they will find them. Better them and you your prospects.
In times past, I have known business people to pay for a newspaper or yellow book ad and accidentally place their competitors website address in it. They were similar addresses and the sales-person did not know (or cared). I have all my clients fax or email me the proof to check it over for Technical details, if nothing else it's just another see of eyes looking at it before it goes to press.
To help business owners from making these rookie mistakes Lone Keep Internet will be hosting the next Tea, October 23th, at the Sixth Avenue House in Asbury Park. The topic of this tea is Guerrilla Marketing the easy way. For further information please email me at richard@lonekeep.com or call 732-988-4044. Remember these "Talks and Teas" are FREE just call to reserve a seat.
The Mistake
This morning when I pulled out all the business cards I received at the Tea I noticed a big problem. I found one of the attendees had a card with an incomplete email address and a phone number that was not working. So I figured hey typos happen, let me check out his website to get the correct number. And.. you guessed it... No website listed. I think he handed out that same card to everyone at the tea. Thank God he was the guest of a regular attendee so I will have to get hold of her to let him know he is hurting his business with these new cards.
The Cure
In the software world from which I sprang... Test, Test and Test again. What this means for the small business or self employed person is proof read it and then let a few others do the same. Tell them to find an error! Your friends will love pointing out that you made a mistake. Trust me they will find them. Better them and you your prospects.
In times past, I have known business people to pay for a newspaper or yellow book ad and accidentally place their competitors website address in it. They were similar addresses and the sales-person did not know (or cared). I have all my clients fax or email me the proof to check it over for Technical details, if nothing else it's just another see of eyes looking at it before it goes to press.
To help business owners from making these rookie mistakes Lone Keep Internet will be hosting the next Tea, October 23th, at the Sixth Avenue House in Asbury Park. The topic of this tea is Guerrilla Marketing the easy way. For further information please email me at richard@lonekeep.com or call 732-988-4044. Remember these "Talks and Teas" are FREE just call to reserve a seat.
Monday, September 21, 2009
How to Increase Website Traffic - 2 Methods of Advertising Online
Why do websites fail? One of the main reasons why many online businesses/causes fail is due to the lack of traffic! Traffic is the lifeblood of the Internet. If your site does not generate enough quality traffic you eventually will be out of business. Here are a few methods on how to get more traffic to your website.
Social Networking
The first method is social networking. There are many different social networking sites; some of my favorites are linkedin.com and facebook.com. I get a fair portion of my free organic traffic to my website from these social networking sites. Join these sites and add your site url to your profile and begin generating more traffic.
Free Advertising
Local eNewsletters are a great way of free Advertising and is a chapter right out of Guerrilla Marketing. Submit interesting information about your business, your cause or even yourself to email newsletters. One such Community Newsletter is the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin (JSCIB) that my wife Karen Jarosz sends out twice month. Local events are listed as well as local websites of interest. She also has a section called "From Local Readers." This is a great way to let people know about your website. The JSCIB has over 10,000 subscribers so the likelihood of increased traffic is good.
You can subscribe to the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin by adding your email address to the subscription box on this page or by visiting http://www.lonekeep.com/jscib/
Social Networking
The first method is social networking. There are many different social networking sites; some of my favorites are linkedin.com and facebook.com. I get a fair portion of my free organic traffic to my website from these social networking sites. Join these sites and add your site url to your profile and begin generating more traffic.
Free Advertising
Local eNewsletters are a great way of free Advertising and is a chapter right out of Guerrilla Marketing. Submit interesting information about your business, your cause or even yourself to email newsletters. One such Community Newsletter is the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin (JSCIB) that my wife Karen Jarosz sends out twice month. Local events are listed as well as local websites of interest. She also has a section called "From Local Readers." This is a great way to let people know about your website. The JSCIB has over 10,000 subscribers so the likelihood of increased traffic is good.
You can subscribe to the Jersey Shore Community Information Bulletin by adding your email address to the subscription box on this page or by visiting http://www.lonekeep.com/jscib/
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Will the Internet Save my Business?
Will the Internet Save my Business?
The short answer is NO! But it will help you grow your business.
What I mean by that is if you are looking to jump onto the 'Net as a last resort to try to get sales to save you business it won't work! Heresy you say! I just got off the phone with a prospect. Months ago he wanted to promote his website, use Adsense and basically turn his internet presence into a source of revenue. He complained about the cost and work necessary to do that and never pursued it. Well as I always do, I keep track of prospects (some finally come to their senses) and followed up with him after a few months. He is out of business and moved to Michigan.
I have a number of stories like this. Now if you apply the lessons learned and you have a plan and means then yes, it can help your business grow.
Lone Keep Internet hosts FREE seminars on this subject and more... The last few have been on Social Networking. The next one will be concerning Twitter on September 24th in Asbury Park, NJ. If anyone wants to join us email me
richj
The short answer is NO! But it will help you grow your business.
What I mean by that is if you are looking to jump onto the 'Net as a last resort to try to get sales to save you business it won't work! Heresy you say! I just got off the phone with a prospect. Months ago he wanted to promote his website, use Adsense and basically turn his internet presence into a source of revenue. He complained about the cost and work necessary to do that and never pursued it. Well as I always do, I keep track of prospects (some finally come to their senses) and followed up with him after a few months. He is out of business and moved to Michigan.
I have a number of stories like this. Now if you apply the lessons learned and you have a plan and means then yes, it can help your business grow.
Lone Keep Internet hosts FREE seminars on this subject and more... The last few have been on Social Networking. The next one will be concerning Twitter on September 24th in Asbury Park, NJ. If anyone wants to join us email me
richj
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