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?
Showing posts with label Guerrilla Marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guerrilla Marketing. Show all posts
Friday, June 4, 2010
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.
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/
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