5 Cost-Effective Ways to Make Your Business Mobile-Friendly

5 Cost-Effective Ways to Make Your Business Mobile-Friendly

Is your business serving its mobile customers well? Is your website optimized (not just available) for mobile browsers? Can people who only have a mobile device, and not a computer, interact with your business online?

For too many small businesses, the answer is “no.” And in today’s mobile society, this is a competitive disadvantage. Consumers expect to interact with your business online wherever they are, and if they can’t, they will quickly move on to a competitor who offers what you do in a more mobile-friendly environment.

And the thing is, being mobile-friendly does not have to be extravagantly expensive. Here are some cost-effective ways to make your business more mobile-friendly:

Build your website on WordPress: WordPress is not just a blogging platform. It’s a powerful website-building tool that gives you an easy way to interact with web visitors in a variety of ways. If your business’ website is built on WordPress, which is a free platform, you have access to Jetpack. One of the many features of Jetpack (which is also free) is a mobile-friendly version of your WordPress site. And make sure you limit your image sizes, so that your site doesn’t take too long to load over mobile networks.
Limit what you ask for: It can be very difficult to type information into forms when using a mobile device. If you have forms on your site, take a look at them from this perspective, and ask for ONLY the essentials. Three fields of information (such as name, email, zip code) is plenty!
Use social networks: There is a mobile version of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. So if your business is on these sites, customers have a mobile-friendly way to interact with your business. Include links to your social networks in all of your marketing materials, as well as on your website, so customers have a way to connect with you even if they’re on the go.
Make your emails mobile friendly: Many of your customers read their emails on mobile devices. If your emails are heavily formatted and require a lot of scrolling on a mobile device, it is less likely that your message will be read. Instead, keep your marketing messages short, and consider using an autoresponder service like MailChimp or Constant Contact that offer templates that are already formatted for mobile devices.
Offer text message coupons and reminders: For some of your customers, the best way to reach them may be text messaging. This post includes 10 services that offer cost-effective SMS messaging for small business. Offer your customers the chance to sign up for discounts, offers and reminders via text messaging, and you’ll have a great way to stay top of mind via their mobile devices.

Every business needs to be mobile-friendly today in order to connect with both current and future generations of customers. Is your business mobile-friendly? What do you do well? How could you improve? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

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4 Tips for Effective Online Marketing

Online marketing can be a powerful tool for small business owners, when it’s used well. The tools are essentially free, costing you only your time and effort. However it’s important to be sure that you are strategic in your use of online marketing, so that the time and energy you invest isn’t wasted effort. Here are some tips to ensure that your online marketing brings results:

Start with a Plan: Too many business owners set up social networking profiles for their businesses without a plan. Then they simply post each day or week without a clear idea of what they’re trying to achieve beyond followers. But your social networking presence can be so much more than that if you put a little thought into it. So spend some time first thinking about what results you would like to see as a result of your online presence. Would you like to have more people become regular customers? Then focus on posts like specials that may attract first-time customers, and then following up with great information and excellent customer service related to what you have to offer. Would you like to be seen as a valuable part of the community? Then focus on highlighting local community service efforts which can lead to loyal customers. The point is to think about how you want to be perceived and who you want to attract, and then share content that’s related to your goal.
Less is More: Most small businesses do better with just one or two online presences, rather than trying to be on every social network that exists. So pick the social network(s) where most of your target market and customers spend their time, and put some solid effort into engaging there, rather than spreading yourself too thin. You’ll be more likely to develop quality relationships that lead to additional business.
Think Beyond the Promotion: Too often local businesses simply talk about their products and what they have to offer. To set yourself apart, focus on your community. Highlight a “fan of the week” and promote that individual and THEIR business or cause (they may send people to you that you wouldn’t reach otherwise.) Share content that will make your community think or laugh. Highlight community issues that are of interest to your followers. Become a source of useful information that people want to read and share, instead of just being a constant commercial. You’ll find your presence grows more quickly.
Plan Ahead: It’s harder to produce good content if you have to think of it while you’re trying to do twelve other things. So create an editorial calendar each month, and set aside a solid block of time to write your content for the upcoming month. Then you’ll be more likely to build up excitement around promotions in a logical way, and have a chance to do the research to find content your community will appreciate. By taking the time to plan, you’ll be more likely to engage your community and grow your online presence.

Online marketing can be a great way to find more customers and prospects for your business. By following these tips, you’ll have a more strategic presence that leads to growth.

Do you market your business online? What’s your best tip for growing your online presence? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

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5 Ways to Jump Start Your Business

5 Ways to Jump Start Your Business

Have you felt like your business has slowed down a bit over the summer? If so, now is the time to turn that around. The holiday sales season is coming, and what you do now can help make your holiday season as productive as possible. Here are some tips.

Make sure your goals are written down, and that you plan specific, daily activities to reach those goals. Having a list of things you need to accomplish each day will help you move in a positive direction. Do whatever is necessary to keep moving forward towards your goals.
Stay flexible! While it’s important to have goals and planned activities, you also need to stay alert to opportunities that come. Perhaps you are offered a networking opportunity, or a chance to team up with another business to cross-promote. Be flexible and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
Realize that your business is a building process, and you may not have all the momentum you want immediately. That’s OK. The work you do today will bring tomorrow’s opportunities. Take it one step at a time, and be sure to manage your risk so that the steps that you take benefit your business.
Get rid of the excuses. Do you want excuses, or do you want a prosperous business? Presuming the latter, get to work and develop a “no excuses” mentality. You have a list each day…keep working until it’s done. this is what will help you build the momentum you need for a productive selling season.
Focus. The most successful entrepreneurs are those that stay focused on what they want to achieve. So be laser focused and unwavering. Don’t let circumstances keep you from what you want to achieve. For example, if you want to schedule 8 sales events in a month, keep making phone calls and marketing until you have them on the calendar. Persistence is what builds momentum. Don’t give up!

By making a plan and sticking with it, you will build the kind of business that you want. So stay focused on your goals, and get it done. You will either find a way to achieve what you want or you will find an excuse. Be the kind of business owner that gets it done.

What will you do today to jump start your business? Please share with us in the comments.

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4 Ways to Keep Reinventing and Re-energizing Your Business

4 Ways to Keep Reinventing and Re-energizing Your Business

Have you ever reached that point in your business where things just feel a little stale? Things have been the same for a while, and the business just doesn’t feel like it’s growing? It’s important to move beyond this, because a business that isn’t growing is one that’s fading. You are always moving in some direction. Take control of the direction of your business, and help yourself move forward, with these tips.

Socialize with Customers: Sometimes you need to get out of your rut. So find out where your customers hang out, and spend time there yourself, socializing and getting to know people. Find out what’s important to them, what interests them, what they talk about. Make sure you’re focused on learning as much as you can about the people you serve, and use that insight to improve and grow your business.
Connect with Other Business Owners: Another great source of insights that can help your business grow is other business owners. So team up with other local small businesses and learn from them. Join the local Chamber of Commerce and volunteer your time to help improve the business environment in your town. Help promote the businesses of others, and you may find that you increase your customer base as well.
Remind People About Your Business: Don’t assume everyone remembers what you have to offer, especially if you don’t own a brick and mortar establishment that people see regularly. Marketing and advertising should be a regular part of your business activities. Make sure everyone in your local community knows what you do and do whatever necessary to encourage them to come to you with their needs. For example, a local scrapbooking consultant always sponsors her son’s sports team. For the entire season, her name and her business are on the backs of all the children playing (for all their parents to see), and it’s also listed on team schedules, as the name of her business is the name of the team. Another business buys a plaque each year at the local Little League field, and it stays up all year, reminding people about the business. Make sure you’re doing what it takes to stay front of mind for your business.
Provide Personalized Service: If your business has a reputation for personalized, excellent customer service, your reputation will spread. Everyone likes to feel like they have someone who is completely committed to meeting their needs. Make it a point to make every single customer you work with feel like they are a rock star. Ask questions, learn the names of their kids, find out what matters to them. Bring these things up each time you talk to them. And try to anticipate their needs, so that they feel like you are going the extra mile for them. It will be appreciated and bring them back, because very few businesses provide this level of service anymore.

A growing business takes careful thought and strategy. Be sure you are consistently focused on what you can do to grow your business, so you don’t stagnate and go in the wrong direction! By constantly working on growth, you can enjoy a thriving business and enthusiastic customers who refer their friends to you.

How do you keep your business growing? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tips for Running an Effective Contest Online

Tips for Running an Effective Contest Online

Now that Facebook has changed its Promotions Guidelines, allowing people to use Facebook features such as likes and comments to enter contests on the social network, the landscape has changed for small business owners and entrepreneurs. No longer do you need to use a third party application to engage your online community with a contest.

But just because it’s easier now to run a contest online, doesn’t mean there aren’t guidelines you should follow. Let’s explore some of the options you have for running a contest online, whether on Facebook or elsewhere, and look at some best practices.

Choose a Goal for Your Contest: One of the biggest mistakes businesses make when hosting a contest is not having a goal. Before you set up any contest, make sure you know what business goal you want to accomplish as a result of the contest, that will justify the time and expense you will put in. For example, you may be hoping to collect email addresses for your mailing list, which will ultimately lead to more sales. You may wish to increase your Page’s likes and reach, which will lead to greater brand recognition. Whatever your goal, make sure you have one, because it will help you structure your contest to achieve that goal.
Decide What Tool You’ll Use for Your Contest: Sure, Facebook is an easy choice for your contest, but it’s not the only choice. Depending on your goals and your budget, you might choose to host your contest on your blog, on a separate tab on your Facebook Page, or on a social network such as Pinterest or Instagram. If your goal is simply to gain likes and shares on Facebook, you may just want to do a contest post on your Facebook Page that encourages those user behaviors. If you want to collect user information, you may want to set up a contact form on your blog (using a contact form plugin on your blog or a Google Docs form) or on a separate Facebook Landing Page (using a 3rd party application like Pagemodo) that will serve as your entry mechanism. If your goal is to engage users on social networks beyond just Facebook, you might use a Rafflecopter widget on your blog or website that provides additional entries for pinning, tweeting, Instagramming, commenting, etc.
Choose a Motivating Prize: When you have a goal for your contest, you also have a good idea of who you want to reach. Make sure you understand what motivates that type of person, so you can choose a prize for your contest that will attract them. For example, if you want to attract people who would be interested in organizing products, you won’t give away a book about sports. Rather, you’d give away a book about how to organize, or a product that helps someone organize their home.
Choose a Time Frame: Avoid a contest that lasts too long, or you’ll lose momentum and interest. Many contests are most effective when they last a week or less.
Write Up Your Rules and Keep Them Simple: It’s a good idea to write down the rules for your contest ahead of time so that there are no misunderstandings that could alienate the very people you’re trying to reach with your contest. Include such things as how to enter, what people will win, the dates for the contest, and when and how you’ll announce the winner. They don’t need to be complicated, but make sure they’re easy to understand. Post these rules on your website or blog (or a separate Facebook landing page) and provide a link to them wherever people enter your contest.

A contest can be a great way to attract new people to your business. But you need a strategy behind your contest to attract the kind of people that you’re looking for. So take a little bit of time to plan your contest based on your goals, and you’ll enjoy greater success.

What’s your favorite way to run a contest online? What tips do you have for making a contest effective? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

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Maximizing Working Styles For Success

Maximizing Working Styles For Success

When you’re in a business that requires you to work with others, it’s important to understand their working styles, as well as your own. People have different approaches to work and motivation, and when you can understand these styles, you can create an environment that nurtures success.

Which of these working styles describe you, and those you work with?

The Doer: These are the “aim and shoot” type people. They get to work right away on the task at hand, but sometimes forget to plan. This type of person may need to team up with someone who is a planner, and who can provide the strategic tasks to the doer that will be most successful. The doer also often needs immediate feedback and positive reinforcement, so having someone who can acknowledge the doer’s effort can be helpful.
The Leader: The leader is someone who loves to create the vision and inspire others to follow in a certain direction. Sometimes, however, the leader can forget the followers’ perspective, so it’s important for the leader to have someone they trust and listen to who can provide feedback on how the leader’s direction is resonating with others. At the same time, the leader thrives in an environment when he or she can think outside of the box, and explore new journeys, so it’s important for the leader to have people that support the vision.
The Lover: The lover is the relationship person. They love to connect with others, understand where they are coming from and be supportive. Sometimes, however, the lover spends so much time on relationships that they neglect to move forward. They can lose their way a bit in the challenges of others. Therefore, this person needs to be connected with those who are passionate about moving forward and doing the work.
The Researcher: This working style loves to study and understand the situation, but needs help creating the plan and following through. The researcher can be exceptionally valuable to the leader, since he or she can provide important information that helps the leader set the course for the team. Researchers often do best when they receive positive reinforcement for their contributions to the team, and can be encouraged to move forward by showing them how their research can be applied towards the goal.

When building your team, it’s important to understand that everyone has unique working styles. Successful leaders leverage the strengths of each style and team styles appropriately in order to help the entire team achieve success.

What working style are you? How do you work with other styles? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

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Rethinking Networking

Rethinking Networking

An important part of building a business is networking. Defined by Dictionary.com as “a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest,” networking is a necessary activity for any business built on meeting new people and acquiring new customers. And while you can certainly network anywhere, having a strategic approach to your networking can help you maximize networking experiences and grow your business even more quickly. Here are some tips:

Develop a profile of the kind of person that needs what you have to offer. Instead of trying to meet as many people as you can, pinpoint who you want to meet. Write down their needs, their desires, other interests they may have, and the kinds of social events that interest them. Then you’ll know your best options for networking places, and topics of conversation that will interest the kinds of people you’re looking for. You’ll also be better able to identify a solid prospect early in the conversation, ensuring that the time you spend networking is likely to lead to results.
Start by giving. While it may be tempting to enter networking situations with the sole purpose of finding prospects for your business, be sure you are also focused on how you can help others. Networking works best when you make connections, share resources and demonstrate that you’re committed to the entire group, not just yourself. For example, a real estate agent came to a chamber of commerce networking event to find new clients. However she first listened to what others at the event had to offer, and introduced some other business associates that she knew who had a need for what others sold. By making connections that benefited others first, people in the group were more willing to introduce friends to her that were looking for new homes, which ultimately helped her build her business.
Network in new places. It can be tempting to just stick with the same networking group for all of your networking. After all, you develop a comfort level with a certain group of people and don’t have to stretch so much after everyone knows you. But this isn’t what leads to the greatest growth. While it is important to develop strong, ongoing relationships with people, be sure you are also committed to consistently finding new groups of people, helping them while also gaining new contacts to grow your business.
Connect online after the initial contact. You’ve likely had the experience where you meet someone, connect online, and then don’t see them again for a year or so. However, you feel more connected when you see them again because you’ve seen each other’s photos, commented on life events and generally feel more connected than with people you don’t talk to for a year. So be sure to connect with good prospects online after the initial event, and comment both professionally and personally to keep the connection going. You never know when it may lead to a new customer or prospect for your business.
Host your own gatherings. In addition to seeking out networking opportunities that others provide, be sure to spend some time creating your own networking opportunities as well. The organizer role helps you to connect more deeply with participants and ensures that you will meet every single person at the event. And it also positions you as someone who is a connector and gives back, which increases your stature and the stature of your business in the community.

While networking will never replace your core business activities, it is an important task to engage in regularly to grow and expand your business connections. Try to schedule a networking event at least once per month to give yourself the contacts you need to grow.

Do you network for your business? What tips would you give to someone just getting started? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

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3 Things You Must Do Now to Grow Your Business

3 Things You Must Do Now to Grow Your Business

As a business owner, growth is an important part of your business. And that means that you must always be coming up with strategies to grow your business bigger than it is today. There are many tactics you can employ to grow your business, but before you do any of them, it’s important to create a plan so that your efforts are efficient, and help you reach your goals without wasting time and effort.

Here are some tips for coming up with a plan to grow your business:

Be specific about where you want to go. Instead of just having a vague idea about what growth means in your business, map out specifically what growth would look like. What level of sales are you looking to achieve within the next 6 months? How many people do you want to work with or invite into your business? Once you have a realistic idea of what success will look like, you can begin to plan the activities that you need to do to reach that goal. For example, if you want to increase sales by 10% each month, then you can create marketing campaigns that encourage new customers to shop with you, and create a sales incentive that offers customers a bonus if they spend at a certain level. By knowing what you want, you can employ specific tactics that help you reach that goal.
Break big goals into little steps. Long terms goals are important, but a big goal by itself can be overwhelming. So break up those big goals into smaller tasks. Our free eBook 15 Days to Greater Success can help you with this. (Click the link to get your free copy.) By planning goals with shorter timeframes, you can build momentum that will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Write it down. Writing down your growth plan is a great way to hold yourself accountable. Otherwise, it’s easy to get off track as demands of the business arise. So post your goal somewhere that you’ll see it every day, and be sure to plan activities daily that help you work towards what you want to achieve. This is one of the best ways you can be sure you’re helping your business grow.

Are you planning for growth in your business, or just hoping it will come? By taking a strategic approach, you can make sure your business is moving in the direction that you want it to go.

How do you plan for business growth? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

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5 Ways to Get More Sales from Existing Customers

5 Ways to Get More Sales from Existing Customers

Most businesses focus on getting new customers, but retaining your current customers is often even more important. Research shows that it costs 6 to 7 times as much to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. With this is mind, it makes sense to have a specific strategy in place to keep in touch with former customers, so that they continue to purchase from you. Here are some tips that can help you get more sales from your existing customers.

Take the time to understand what your customers value. Keep a record of every customer you work with, and note their needs, challenges, and preferences. Then, when you have a new product or solution that meets those needs, you can reach out to that customer and let them know about it. This kind of attention is rarely given to customers anymore, and they will appreciate the fact that you remembered.
Stay in touch on social media. Invite every customer to connect with you on social networks like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Share fun events you’re holding, and creative uses of your products. Don’t just post your catalog…rather, focus on providing value. For example, you might set up a customer recipe board on Pinterest, and repin recipes that your customers post that you think other customers might enjoy. Your customers will enjoy being featured, and you extend the value of your business to your network.
Be a social connector within the community. Take some time to talk to each customer and get to know what they are involved with. For example, you might learn that a customer is a member of her local church choir. When you talk to another customer who is new to town and looking for a place to sing, you can introduce the two. This is a great way to help a new person get comfortable in town while naturally expressing the value your business brings to the community.
Participate and donate. Most communities have local events and causes that are important to the community. Make sure your business has a visible presence in these events and causes. For example, one local community’s food bank was facing a slowdown in donations due to the economic collapse, and in the summer months donations were even lower. Local businesses agreed to host local food collection boxes throughout the summer, and some even offered discounts to residents who brought in a certain amount of cans. Some businesses even posted about donating on their social media presences. As a result, the food bank publicized the businesses in its weekly church bulletin, and posted about the businesses on its social media profiles. The church members made a point of shopping at those businesses, which increased the visibility and repeat purchases of these businesses. It was a win for everyone, and the food bank stayed full for the summer.
Be seen often. As a small business, your best business marketing tool is yourself! So be present. Show up for as many local events as you can. Shop at other local businesses, dine at local restaurants, spend time at the community pool. The more people see you, the more they will remember your business. You can also use the time to get to know your customers better, so you can better service their needs. This all leads to repeat customers who come to think of you as a friend, and who go out of their way to shop with you.

The key to repeat business is providing a great initial purchasing experience, and then providing the personal attention and reminders that customers need to want to come back. Customers that feel like they have a personal connection to you are a lot more likely to make a point of shopping with you again and again. So build those connections! The result is a business that continues to grow as customers also refer their friends.

How do you keep your customers coming back? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

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6 Ways to Work Better From Home

6 Ways to Work Better From Home

Home-based business owners have many advantages. Often the schedule is more flexible, you don’t have to face a daily commute, and you can be available for your family during the work day when necessary. But it’s still work, and your success often depends greatly on your ability to focus and remain disciplined. Here are some tips for working better from home.

Dress for work. Although we often get the idea that working from home means working in your pajamas, don’t fall into that trap! Dress for work each day to help yourself make the mental shift that you’re going to work.
Connect with others. It can be easy to become isolated when you’re working from home, which can make you less effective. Make time to connect with others regularly, either on the phone or by making time to get coffee. Connecting with others will help you stay sharp, grow your business, and prevent you from getting wrapped up inside your own head.
Separate your work and personal to-do lists. If you were working in an office, you would very likely only have work-related tasks on your to-do list. Your personal to-dos would be kept separate. Do the same thing when working from home, and keep yourself focused on work during the time you have set aside for your business.
Make a schedule. Even though your schedule may be more flexible, it’s still important to give yourself a regular work schedule, and a routine that you can get used to. This will keep you on task. You may want to schedule administrative work and other tasks at the same time the rest of the working world is working. This will also help those around you understand that you are at work, and give you more time for others when they are home from work. Lay out on your calendar when you will accomplish certain tasks related to your business, and hold yourself accountable.
Communicate your schedule. If your family is home during the day while you’re working, it’s essential that they understand when you are at work. Post your work schedule so that your family understands when you are working, and doesn’t interrupt you. Close the door to your office, and put up a “work in progress” sign. If you have young children, you may want to provide a special set of toys that they may only play with when you are at work, and schedule some time after work for your kids to enjoy with you as a reward for not interrupting.
Assess daily and weekly progress. At the end of each day and week, take a look at what you have accomplished on your to-do lists, and identify the places you got off track. Are there places you became distracted, or did your family need time you had set aside for work? Make adjustments regularly based on these results, so that you can be sure that the time you set aside for work is as efficient and realistic as possible.

With focus and discipline, working from home can be a real advantage. However it’s not always easy to avoid distractions and get the job done. Identify the distractions and keep making adjustments to keep yourself on course, and you’ll do a better job working from home, leading to a successful business.

What tips do you have for working better from home? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!