Streetwise Business Networking & Marketing
February 26, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
“Wall Street vs. Main Street.” This contrast of corporate attitudes and traditional values was an oft-used catchphrase during last fall’s presidential election.
The start of 2009 has brought new leadership, new hope and, most importantly, new solutions for businesses of all sizes to increase their online presence cost effectively at a time when marketing and advertising dollars are scarce. Fittingly, one of those solutions can be found on Main Street. The exact address: 7Mainstreet.com.
This new online tool takes the Internet’s familiar yet static “Yellow Pages” directory and transforms it by adding social networking features similar to those of Facebook and LinkedIn, plus e-commerce features like those found on eBay. The result is a completely new environment in which companies large and small can connect with one another and where individuals can sell their products and services directly.
Who it Helps – How it Works
Studies show that 64 percent of small businesses have no Web site. For these organizations, 7Mainstreet.com can be a primary online channel. And the site can help larger regional and national organizations “act local.”
Financial institutions or professional services firms, for example, can create individual profiles for each of their local offices or experts.
In a challenging economy, the site’s secret weapon is its low-cost point of entry. Businesses register or activate a pre-existing profile free of charge and either build out their own content or have a profile custom built for just $600. Businesses and individuals seeking to sell goods and services through the patent-pending online marketplace will find that their content and transactions are free of many charges found in major e-commerce sites.
Setting up shop on 7Mainstreet.com is a simple process and, unlike existing directories, it’s more than just hanging a shingle. Businesses can populate their three-page profiles with rich content such as photos, videos, blogs, hyperlinks and custom color schemes that reflect a company’s look and feel, free of intrusive banner ads found in other directories.
From there, the avenues are limitless, so what’s on your road map? Whether you’re creating business-to-business relationships, building a network of consumers or product reviewers, implementing not-for-profit donor campaigns or seeking refuge from daunting e-commerce fees, there’s somewhere to turn.
It’s the right direction for businesses looking to make the most of their resources in 2009 and beyond. To learn more, visit www.7Mainstreet.com.
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January 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
File this under “going above and beyond” — small business owners have long had to contend with striking a delicate balance between portraying a professional image, and doing so without compromising their budget.
Thanks to a new technology breakthrough, business owners can now focus on more important matters; quality CD duplication doesn’t have to break the bank.
Indiana based Beyond Concepts Inc., has implemented a major production change in their CD printing process. The new state of the art technology provides amazing color and graphics capabilities with increased durability. Small business owners will be pleasantly surprised to find out that Beyond Concepts offers clients this solution with no increase in price structure.
What types of marketing efforts can use CDs?
- Catalogs for Sales Representatives
- Wholesale materials for prospective new accounts
- Trial offers of software
- Book excerpts for authors
- Press materials
- Promotional giveaways – screensavers, desktop wallpaper, etc
- Audiobooks
- Ebooks
With over 20 years in the business, Beyond Concepts was already offering CD duplication at a low price point. While their original process offered fantastic image capability, it also had shortcomings regarding the overall durability of the CD surface. The new CD printing process provides the same amazing print quality, with none of the traditional durability issues associated with an inkjet printing process.
“…we have implemented a state of the art digital thermal transfer CD printing process. This printing system allows clients to make a CD that has outstanding image quality with complete surface durability and a glossy finish” explains Beyond Concepts Co-Founder and President Jeffrey Carlin.
For more information on how CD duplication can take your project to the next level, visit the Beyond Concepts website at http://www.bcduplication.com.
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October 17, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
I watched the debates on Wednesday evening. Amidst all of the back-and-forth, one thing hit me right between the eyes…the marketing opportunity for Joe, the plumber from Ohio.
Everyone in America now knows Joe. And let’s face it…how often can a small business owner get that kind of publicity? National advertising in prime time? It’s priceless!
Okay, Joe – let’s talk for a moment about your options. JoeThePlumber.com is taken, but that doesn’t mean you can’t capitalize on this unique opportunity.
- Slap on a suit, and create a YouTube video, and tell the local public how your business can help when they find themselves with clogged pipes. End your message with, “I’m Joe the plumber, and I approved this message.” Frankly, any YouTube video that comes from the REAL Joe in Ohio right now is most likely to go viral.
- Promotional materials that take aim at the load of crap (on both sides of the aisle) in Washington provide endless fodder for you, Joe. Of course, there’s always the old standbys of plumber humor…insert a toilet graphic, or a caricature of a plumber (or a candidate, for that matter) with their crack showing.
- Joe could come out in support of his favorite candidate, “I’m Joe the plumber, and I know a thing or two about crap. I want to tell you why I support (insert your favorite candidate here)…”
Such material (almost) makes me wish there were a few more weeks of campaigning left, if only for the fun we could have stretching out Joe’s fifteen minutes of fame. Almost.
I don’t want to get into politics here, so don’t misunderstand the intention of today’s post. My point is this: you need to seize your opportunities when they come along.
Being able to spot and leverage an opportunity is one of the things that will separate a successful small business from one that goes down the tubes (or the pipes, if you prefer).
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September 8, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
I love the movie, “A Few Good Men.” First, it was filmed at a time when I still had a shred of respect left for Tom Cruise. Second, the movie delivers one of my all-time favorite movie quotes — the now famous “You can’t handle the truth.”
It’s a line that I have found myself using with clients on more than one occasion.
Now granted, I can’t deliver it with the same savoir faire as good ole’ Jack, but that really isn’t the point. The point is, a great many small business owners find themselves wondering why their business isn’t thriving, especially when they think they’ve done all the right things.
The problem, unfortunately, is that they haven’t.
You see, no matter how many books you read, no matter how many gurus you consult, there is one simple truth in business. If you don’t have a market, you won’t sell your product or service.
Not exactly rocket science, right? Perhaps. Even so, you’d be surprised how many startups will launch without ever having conducted any research into their market, or their ideal customer.
In effect, they are in denial. Or, they are up denial without a paddle. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Taking the time to identify your target market will enable you to:
- Tailor your product, website, and message specifically to your ideal customer
- Avoid trying to be all things to all people
- Eliminate waste by laser-focusing your marketing efforts
- Build stronger relationships with customers
If your business is just treading water, I completely understand and appreciate that changing course can be a scary proposition. But, I urge you to conquer your fear, and choose to swim, not sink.
And, if you find yourself in need of a life preserver, give me a shout.
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