Dex Online Social Media for Small Businesses

Instructions to watch the Livestreaming via Facebook Dex One Event

More information about the event including hours and location:

http://dexone.amssupport.net/Public/Register.aspx?dexid=othermedia&dexoneid=othermedia_phoenix

Facebook Link:
http://www.facebook.com/DexOneCorp

Like Dex One on Facebook to see the Livestream.

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Five Reasons People Don’t Take Your Business Seriously and Five Ways to Fix Them

You need to be taken seriously. Why? Because most people will only do business with you (and pay you), if they see you as a serious professional. People need to trust you to hire you. Small business owners have always played by their own rules but in order to build a successful sustainable business you need to build a business brand that people respect. Here are five common mistakes that prevent others from taking your business seriously and the tools to fix them.   Continue reading →

Social Media Strategies for Non-Profits (Presentation for IABC April 12)

Corporate Social Responsibility for Small Biz: How to improve your business and your community

The business community is rebuilding the world around us. The economic down turn has left many people questioning the values of the business world and how those values may be different in the future. In today’s changing world, incorporating social responsibility into your business plan is easier than ever. One-time projects and fundraising events are replaced with creative new marketing and relationship building strategies that blend “non-profit” and “for-profit” businesses to strengthen our communities.

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Boot Camp a Huge Success

Latest Technology in Real Estate Marketing

Congratulations to Dream Home Catchers for launching their new website, which features the latest MLS searching technology. A new application allows people to search for their next dream home based on lifestyle factors including distance from a golf course, specific school districts or proximity to favorite stores. This website marks the completion of the Dream Home Catchers re-branding efforts. Make sure to check out the new website and search for your next dream home or real estate investment:
dreamhomecatchers.com

Phoenix Business Journal Article

The Phoenix Business Journal highlighted the Small Business Development Center’s HP-Life program facilitated by Nancy Sanders and Kristin Slice. The article highlighted National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) — Phoenix Chapter Member Shawn Eichenauer Vallee, one of our most loyal and dedicated “students.” Click here to view the article. 

Strategy – Find Your Sandbox

Every business – small or Fortune 500 – makes four decisions every day about people, strategy, execution and cash, according to Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish.  All of these choices are important, but the most critical decision for you as a marketer involves your sandbox – where should your business play? Too few organizations are proactive about creating and executing a marketing strategy.  Answering two questions will help you create and implement your plan.

Do you want pigeon? Who is your target client?

Who do you want in your sandbox?

Please don’t say everyone or Fortune 500 firms.  Your target market should be as narrow as possible.  Your target market may be Arizona companies with revenue of $2 – 10 million dollars a year, that are growing at least five percent annually. You may define your market by product or service lines, demographic or distribution channels. Does that mean all your customers fit that profile?  Maybe not; but this is the group of prospects that you focus your marketing efforts and budget to attract. This is your sandbox.

What is your unique value?

Why do people buy from you?  Harnish calls this your brand promise – the measurable outcome that your customers receive from working with you.  This quantifiable result is why your clients do business with you instead of your competitors. Once you determine why people buy from you, you can create compelling marketing messages and collateral that both builds your unique brand and provides a persuasive argument for doing business with you and your firm.

Creating your marketing strategy clearly requires more direction than this short article can provide but by answering these two questions, you’ll be on your way to developing a successful and productive marketing strategy for your company.

Three Signs You Need Marketing Support

Women business owners can do it all: Network and build solid relationships; Generate revenue by demonstrating our value and expertise; and grow the business. . . to a point. As other advisors have shared in this issue, business owners need to recognize when to get help. In no other area is this as critical as in marketing and business development. But many times we don’t know when we need to ask for help. I’ve listed three signs to help determine when it’s time to meet with a marketing professional.

Small business owners need a pain free approach to marketing and sales.

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