PROJECT: "What on your Shelf?" is Over!

And what a depressing project it was! Over half of the businesses gone in less that two years. Of the other half most are on their way... bad business people! And almost all don't know how to use their business cards or the phone!!!!

The raw stats:
Business Cards in the Box: 0 (Started at 1000)
Out of Business: 548
Businesses actually looking to grow: 102
Businesses that called back: 79

10% only were actually looking to grow. How did I arrive at that number? These were the ones that answered their phone like a business and starting a conversation with me. I did not sell them and they did not sell me... just a pleasant conversation between two local business people whom I have met before. We talked about BNI, Toastmasters, local chambers, the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and my FREE monthly seminars and how each could help their business. Some actually showed up to these meeting/events and we continued our discussions. Nice folks.

The other 400 (not out of business) were just rude! If I was not buying from them, right then and there, they they wanted nothing to do with me... Not exactly nice in this business environment! They will soon follow the path of the 500 currently out of business. I wish them the best but...

So I ask again, "What's on your shelf?"

What does your Business Card really say about you?

Working on the "What's on your shelf" project I have noticed many things. The most striking observation has probably been that the actually business card says little to nothing about the company or the wielder of the card. No really, it usually says zilch! Some may look pretty, glossy and be double sided but what does that have you do with you?

Some of the most expensive cards are from companies that did not last their first year. While other plain Black and White ones represent companies that have been around for over 22 years (yes like Lone Keep Internet, Inc.) There are even some that try to list everything that a company provides in tiny, tiny print on both sides. Who is going to read all that?

I believe that the cards should be a pointer, an arrow if you will. Once you make a personal contact the business card should serve as a reminder of why the holder should be interested in your company. (Hence, one sided and easy to add notes on the back.) As a pointer they should guide the holder to your website where you can dazzle them with graphics, video and long lists of services (content). But how many really do this?

How many do not have a website listed? Or maybe even the wrong one? Yes, I have found several of these on my shelf. Some don't put their website on their cards because they are not finished or don't work. Both of these are easily fixable. If you want to help your local web designer or graphic artist grow their business just ask why there is no website on the card you just got! If you want you can send me the referral!!!

In the mean time take a look at your business card. What does it say about you?

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Assistant Director for BNI Monmouth County
Charter member of the BNI Shore Money Chapter in Ocean Grove

Using your 60 Second Commercial as Blog Content

Most of the people I speak with tell me they have nothing to blog about. However most belong to networking groups. These groups let you do a 60 second commercial at the beginning of each meeting as a form of introduction.

These 60 Second introductions usually include who you are looking to meet in the upcoming week or some interesting tidbit to catch the listeners ear. One such example was at my BNI meeting this past Thursday. The Pest Control expert mentioned Bed Bugs as they have been getting a lot of press here in Monmouth County. He mentioned that he was an expert in their removal and used a greener (safer) method to do the job. A method not used by other local pest control companies. When I asked him if he put this info into a blog post or even an email to his current clients his response was typical. "No one wants to hear about it!" Well actually yes they do. It's been all over the papers and even the nightly news! Bed bugs are becoming a problem at the Jersey Shore. Even the local Multiplex theater make the nightly news with their bed bug issue.

So if you have invested the time and effort into a great 60 Second commercial why not use that as a basis for your blog entry. Most networking groups recommend that you have a different one each week. So you have a different blog entry each week. Now that is Working Smarter not Harder!

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Charter member of the Shore Money Chapter of BNI
We meet in Ocean Grove, NJ each Thursday morning.

5 things every business can learn by studying Perez Hilton

Mario Lavandeira has made millions as the blogger behind PerezHilton.com. Perez Hilton celebrity gossip blog is read by millions every day and he is one of the most visible and popular bloggers online.

The blog reports to average over 260 million page views a month, hit a record day with 13.9 million page views this week and has a very loyal readership.

Here are the 5 things every business can learn from PerezHilton.com:

1. Find a topic you have passion for. A topic that you can and would love to write about daily or at least weekly. Perez focused on celebrities “because it was something I was inherently curious about, fascinated with.”
2. Be consistent. Post on a regular blogging schedule. Perez Hilton posts new articles to his blog an average of 40 times a day. Most business can't keep that pace but find one you can keep up with.
3. Be unique. Celebrity-focused websites are nothing new, but Perez Hilton created his own oversize persona to stand out from the crowd. You the business owner can do the same. Just takes a little imagination.
4. Be provocative. Perez often makes harsh and derogatory comments about celebrities. This results in a ton of publicity as celebrities respond back, media reports it and readers share it with their friends. You may not want to go this route but voicing your own opinion never hurt.
5. Expand your blog. Perez has used his blog success to expand into other media and has built an entire empire around his persona. TV shows, radio shows, clothing line, book deal…

Incorporating these 5 steps into your daily/weekly blogging will make sure that your blog gets more attention, gets an increased readership, gets forwarded and shared virally and will ensure that you build your profile, your brand and increase blog traffic.

Presented by
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Next installment of "What on your Shelf?"

This was to be a fun project... But alas, it has turned into work! Depressing, time consuming and basically a downer. Forget the businesses that are no longer around that is a given and a numbers game. But the ones that are still around I have to wonder how?

All the still existing businesses should take a look at my Recommended Reading List for a little inspiration. Maybe they can find some words of wisdom in these books. Most business owners have a copy or two, on their shelves, but have never cracked one open...

The latest round of calls from the business card box actually resulted in some call backs. After leaving a "detailed" message as requested I get a call asking "Who am I speaking with?" First off I believe it is "whom" Any English majors wish to comment? Secondly I left a detailed message explaining who I was and why I was calling! But they never checked their messages, they just hit dial last call. Why have voicemail in the first place and why don't they use it? Again this does nothing to add to their credibility as a business owner. Yes, people do make judgments bases on things like this. I do! I ask myself, is this the way they'll treat me or my clients in the future? Do I want to share clients with this person? Some interesting questions.

Good thing we have on our "Tea" and Seminar schedule "How to use the phone to promote your Website (business)." This will be Thursday July 22nd at the offices of Lone Keep Internet in Bradley Beach, NJ.

Have you read any good business books lately? If so, which ones?

Do people listen to themselves when they speak?

I mean really! Just got back from a monthly business breakfast. Sitting next to me was a photographer. A nice guy, so I asked how he got new clients? He replied he only does work by referral. Nice! So I invited him to my referral group and he replies "Referrals don't work for me." Shaking my head I just walked away at that point.

Am I nuts???? Or....

Let me know what you think and have found when speaking with people in general.