A Look at BusinessWeek’s Marketing Section
While reviewing the widgets I chose to populate my iGoogle page, I was reminded about BusinessWeek’s online small business magazine.
The print version of BusinessWeek arrives in my mailbox, so I don’t often have time to review the Web site. If you’re not a print subscriber, perhaps bookmarking this section will prove helpful.
You’ll find articles in the sales and marketing section and other interesting topics to enhance your ability to connect with customers.
Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, BusinessWeek, sales and marketing
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Technology Changes Impact Marketing
Budgetary constraints occasionally make your marketing ideas more challenging to complete. More importantly, it’s best to consider how fast technological changes are moving so that you don’t waste money on products that will soon be outdated.
An example of this is VHS tapes. I procrastinated in creating a line of videos for small business owners, but when I finally decided to do so and put the recordings on tape, VHS was still popular. In hindsight, the technology was slowly making way for DVDs.
I designed and paid for 2,500 custom VHS box covers for my tapes which were delivered to me in 10 gigantic cartons. I barely exhausted the contents of one box, and what happens? VHS becomes a dinosaur, and DVDs are the standard. The remaining nine cartons of box covers are as good as garbage.
Since then I converted the recordings into DVDs, but will I sell a fair amount of this product, also created in bulk, before online video distribution becomes the norm? Only my marketing plan and timely execution know for sure.
What technology woes have you experienced?
Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, technology changes
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Plan Early for Next Year’s Success
In 2005 I shared tips on how to prepare your 2006 marketing plan, but looking at the date of that post (December 26), I mentioned this very-important tip pretty late in the year.
Now is the time to begin developing your plan. You’ve experienced many successes and challenges in the past 10 months, and that’s enough time to determine what worked, what you didn’t try due to time or budget constraints but can manage next year, and which marketing opportunities you can realistically maintain in 2008.
Here are three plans from my list.
1. Increase my speaking engagements by 20 percent over this year’s events.
2. Create a podcast on one of my expert topics.
3. Develop a new set of educational materials in collaboration with contacts I’ve met this year.
On Thursday or Friday I’ll push myself away from the computer and spend the day planning my success. Have you done the same, or is this project also on your agenda?
Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, marketing plan
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Photography Puts the Focus on Marketing
PhotoPlus Expo, which I mentioned I’d attend on Friday, is mainly for professional photographers rather than the 80/20 split (professionals versus amateurs) I recall in past years.
Or perhaps it was always for professionals even though I found exhibitors with services for serious amateurs like me.
Frankly, I concur with their focus. When you find your core market, that’s who you service because that’s who pays your bills. If, as a solo marketer, you try to be all things to all people, you’ll soon find yourself out of business.
It was energizing to be out of the office and surrounded by an enthusiastic mix of sights and sounds.
Well-known industry participants displayed their photographic equipment with security cords attached while demonstration theater speakers commanded attendees’ attention. It reminded me how important it is for us to mix sales with education and how we’re able to do that through online videos if trade show exhibits are too costly.
I picked up a few four-page marketing brochures that I reviewed on the ride back to my office. These materials continue to inspire me to create smarter marketing pieces, something we can all afford now that quality printing sources are available on the Web.
The event may not have advanced my hobby, but it certainly encouraged me to move forward with business marketing.
Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, PhotoPlus Expo, marketing ideas
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Shirley George Frazier - Solo Business Expert, Author, College Mentor
When you hire me to speak at your conference, college or special event, attendees will thank you for a great program. Media interviews also welcomed. Call or Email me. 973-279-2799 or shirley@shirleyspeaks.com.
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