Building Your Business
Building Your Business
Getting noticed
During any given week, I remove a number of folder flyers lodged between my mailbox and the red flag, advertising a small business owner’s unique brand of service. My background and genuine interest obligate me to read the advertisement and smile at this grass roots approach to getting noticed. The question you have to address is ‘Why would a customer be interested in my business?’ The issue is more pragmatic than philosophical because in an economy where “Imitation is the highest form of capitalism”, customers have more choices than dollars to spend. Knowing that you are one among many is a testament to your fortitude, but will only carry you so far.
Small business owners are faced with the daunting task of trying to distinguish their service from among a myriad of indistinguishable services. Often limited by budget and location, the ‘getting noticed’ element of small business ownership can easily move to the middle or bottom pile of tasks needing attention. “Having the luxury of a brand name helps a lot in getting noticed,” says Tom Javarinis, owner of a Marathon Service Station on the corner of Seven Mile and Inkster road. “I spend 30 – 40 percent of my time reinforcing the brand name by delivering quality customer service and changing to accommodate the needs of my customer.”
For those without the cushion of a brand name, then basic grass root efforts are critical to overcoming the perception of being just a replaceable commodity. Joining the local Chamber of Commerce, registering with the Better Business Bureau and networking with professional associations are only small steps in a large process. The most successful small business owners I know maintain frequent contact with their customers by sending greeting cards on holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other personal events. They believe that by personalizing the experience, customers are more inclined to stay with a service than to look elsewhere. Several have linked with small colleges and offer their services as guest lecturers in programs that cater to working adults. The cost for building a website is a small investment that can have potential global benefits.
It is no secret the small business owners are the backbone of our economic system. Stories of success and failure are rooted in the resolve of an owner to push a little harder in order to move away from the crowd. The increasing number of media outlets (i.e. cable, the internet, e-publications) has made it easier for small business owners to access a niche customer base. The recent election may produce some legislative relief so as to strengthen the support for small business owners to expand their reach. In the end, it comes down to knowing how to position your company to be seen as a provider of quality goods and services, distinguished by your own unique approach to delivery and a name that inspires trust, loyalty and repeat business.
For more information on how to get your business noticed, visit marketingyoursmallbusiness.com or http://www.digitalstore.com/marketing/mstern/
Building Your Business - To learn more about this author, visit Lee Meadows's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
Building Your Business
Getting noticed
During any given week, I remove a number of folder flyers lodged between my mailbox and the red flag, advertising a small business owner’s unique brand of service. My background and genuine interest obligate me to read the advertisement and smile at this grass roots approach to getting noticed. The question you have to address is ‘Why would a customer be interested in my business?’ The issue is more pragmatic than philosophical because in an economy where “Imitation is the highest form of capitalism”, customers have more choices than dollars to spend. Knowing that you are one among many is a testament to your fortitude, but will only carry you so far.
Small business owners are faced with the daunting task of trying to distinguish their service from among a myriad of indistinguishable services. Often limited by budget and location, the ‘getting noticed’ element of small business ownership can easily move to the middle or bottom pile of tasks needing attention. “Having the luxury of a brand name helps a lot in getting noticed,” says Tom Javarinis, owner of a Marathon Service Station on the corner of Seven Mile and Inkster road. “I spend 30 – 40 percent of my time reinforcing the brand name by delivering quality customer service and changing to accommodate the needs of my customer.”
For those without the cushion of a brand name, then basic grass root efforts are critical to overcoming the perception of being just a replaceable commodity. Joining the local Chamber of Commerce, registering with the Better Business Bureau and networking with professional associations are only small steps in a large process. The most successful small business owners I know maintain frequent contact with their customers by sending greeting cards on holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other personal events. They believe that by personalizing the experience, customers are more inclined to stay with a service than to look elsewhere. Several have linked with small colleges and offer their services as guest lecturers in programs that cater to working adults. The cost for building a website is a small investment that can have potential global benefits.
It is no secret the small business owners are the backbone of our economic system. Stories of success and failure are rooted in the resolve of an owner to push a little harder in order to move away from the crowd. The increasing number of media outlets (i.e. cable, the internet, e-publications) has made it easier for small business owners to access a niche customer base. The recent election may produce some legislative relief so as to strengthen the support for small business owners to expand their reach. In the end, it comes down to knowing how to position your company to be seen as a provider of quality goods and services, distinguished by your own unique approach to delivery and a name that inspires trust, loyalty and repeat business.
For more information on how to get your business noticed, visit marketingyoursmallbusiness.com or http://www.digitalstore.com/marketing/mstern/
Building Your Business - To learn more about this author, visit Lee Meadows's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Casey GollanCasey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website |
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Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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