There’s this guy I know who’s in his early 20s, going to college, and has his own athletic apparel company he’s starting up. The guy is definitely an entrepreneur at heart, and he has huge visions of things he wants to accomplish in the future. He’s absolutely convinced he’s going to be rich, and I truly hope everything works out for him.

There’s just one slight problem. He’s so eager to pursue his entrepreneurial efforts that he wants to drop out of school. He mentions it every time I see him, and I know it’s only a matter of time before he yields to his temptation.
Read the rest of this entry →

So, you’ve launched your small business, and now you’re ready to start growing a strong online presence. You enlist the services of an SEO company (or maybe you learn SEO and tackle the job yourself), and then, you wait. And you wait some more. You keep waiting. Then, you start losing your patience, and you consider pulling the plug on your SEO campaign.

But wait. Don’t ditch your SEO efforts just yet.

Look, I get that you want to see results as quickly as possible. We live in an instant satisfaction society, but that’s just not how SEO works. Good SEO takes time, and the key to getting results is sticking with proven SEO techniques for the long haul. In other words, you need to give your SEO efforts time to work.

So, why does SEO take time? Here are 5 reasons.
Read the rest of this entry →

I can’t remember the last time a day went by without my coming across another article laying out the reasons businesses absolutely need to start Tweeting RIGHT NOW!!! Don’t get me wrong, I think Twitter can be a powerful tool for businesses, when used properly. There are many companies that have used it to improve customer service, gain valuable feedback from their target audience, and even drive sales.

But the truth is Twitter isn’t for everybody, and not all businesses should be Tweeting. In fact, most companies I’ve seen on Twitter seem to be wasting their time.

Here are 5 reasons Twitter may not be right for your business.

1. Is your target audience on Twitter?—The average Twitter user is in his mid 30s. Twitter users tend to be more computer savvy, and they often consist of smart phone owners who can stay connected on the go. Does that sound like your typical customer? Your audience may not be part of the Twitter-crazed demographic, which means that Tweeting would be a waste of your time. If you aren’t sure if your customers use Twitter, just ask them.
2. You can’t be authentic—Twitter is all about connecting with people on a more personal level. That’s why celebrities have such huge followings; their fans want to get to know them better. Unfortunately, there are some companies out there that are unable or unwilling to use social media authentically. They have to guard every word they say for legal reasons, and it creates a poor experience for followers.
3. You don’t have time to Tweet—Twitter is a real-time interactive conversation. You can’t just post something real quick and disappear. You have to be willing to take the time to engage your followers and to interact with them on a personal level. This can require several minutes or even an hour or more on some days. Do you really have the time for this?
4. You view Twitter as a one-way marketing tool—Like I said, Twitter is a conversation. Last time I checked, it takes at least 2 people to have a conversation, unless, of course, you’re insane, but that’s a topic for another blog. Anyway, because Twitter is conversation-based, that means traditional one-way marketing messages don’t work. You can’t just send out advertising messages and expect your followers to respond. That’s not how it works. Engagement is the key to social media success.
5. You can’t handle the criticism—Everyone is equal on Twitter. People get to voice their opinions, and sometimes, you might not like what others have to say. Here’s a tip: You don’t have to respond to every negative thing said about your company. Sometimes, it’s best to let others defend you. And if you can’t handle criticism, Twitter (and all social media) just isn’t for you.

Does your company Tweet? Have you seen any benefits from it?

Did you know that email marketing’s ROI was about $45 for every $1 spent on it in 2008? Without a doubt, email marketing has become one of the most effective methods of direct marketing. When done properly, an email marketing campaign costs almost nothing to launch and maintain, and it generates a ton of revenue for your business.

Now, there’s a saying in email marketing (and direct mail marketing for that matter) that goes like this: It’s all in the list. In other words, without a good email list, your marketing efforts will be crippled. Building your own list is the best way to create a highly targeted subscriber base that responds to your message.

Here are some tips to help you build a strong list for email marketing.

• Place signup forms on all pages of your website—Not everyone is going to be arriving at your website through the homepage. Because so many people use search engines, visitors could land on the deeper pages of your website. That’s why it’s so important to have signup forms for your email list on every page of your website. To get the highest response, place your signup box above the fold, and have a simple call to action by it (e.g. Get a FREE copy of my new eBook (Insert Title Here) when you sign up for our email list!). Some studies have shown that placing a simple privacy disclaimer, like, “We value your privacy”, underneath the signup form can also improve your conversion rate.

• Have a signup link in all emails you send–If you’re like me, you’re emailing back and forth with clients, prospects, and colleagues all day long. One simple thing you can do to get a few more subscribers is to include a signup link for your email list in your email signature. Again, offer a straightforward call to action encouraging readers to sign up.

• Offer a freebie for signing up—Sometimes, you need to give people an extra incentive for taking the action you desire. One of the most effective ways to motivate visitors to subscribe to your website is to offer them a freebie in exchange for doing so. This can be something as simple as an eBook or a whitepaper. You could even try to tempt them with a special coupon offering a discount on your products or services.

• Keep the registration process simple—If your registration form has 20 entry fields, you’re doing it wrong. Remember, people are generally a little wary about giving you their information as it is, so forcing them to complete a long, detailed registration form is only going to scare them off. Ask only for the most basic information (name, email address, location) so that they can signup in just seconds. The easier you make it to sign up for your email list, the higher the number of people that will sign up.

• Have a physical signup list at your store and at events you attend—Look offline to build up your email list. If you have a physical storefront, have a signup list in your store, or you can ask customers at checkout if they’d like to subscribe to your newsletter for special deals. Also, if you attend trade shows and conferences, bring a signup list with you for your booth.

Do you use email marketing for your business? Share your experiences in the replies.

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for new ways to grow your business and to put more money in your pockets. While acquiring new clients, adding new services, and working more hours are things you probably can and will do, I want to talk about something you might have overlooked: Writing an eBook.

The sales of eBooks have been rising significantly over the past few years. Today, millions of dollars are generated each month from eBooks. In fact, $14 million in sales of eBooks took place in June of 2009. This was a 136% increase in sales over June 2008. In other words, the market for eBooks is there, and it’s constantly growing.

So, why should you consider writing an eBook? Here are just a few benefits to consider.

• It creates a stream of passive income—Remember earlier when I mentioned putting more money in your pocket? One of the best ways to do this is to create a stream of passive income. Writing and selling an eBook can do just that. Once you put in the initial time of writing your eBook, you can let affiliates market it for you (paying them a commission of course) and just sit back while the sales roll in. Look, your eBook isn’t going to make you rich, but it can certainly fatten up your wallet.

• It positions you as an expert in your field—Writing an eBook instantly creates the perception that you’re an expert in your field. Think about it. Who are you likelier to trust: Someone who claims they know how to repair cars or someone who has written and sold many copies of a book about repairing cars? As an entrepreneur, you’re always fighting to build trust with your target audience. Writing a great eBook can help you earn some of that trust and respect.

• It can be used to grow your email list—Even if you decide not to sell your eBook, it can still be very profitable for you. Many savvy businesses offer free eBooks to website visitors who sign up for their email list. This entices them to provide you with their email address, and it allows you to build relationships with them and to market to them in the future. If you have an effective email marketing strategy in place, this can pay off many times over. In fact, email marketing generates over $45 on average for every $1 spent. It’s the most effective form of direct marketing when done properly.

If you’re interested in writing an eBook, here are a few pieces of advice to get your started.

• Determine which subjects you’re knowledgeable in

• Perform keyword research to find out what your target audience is interested in

• Take your time writing and editing your eBook to make sure it’s as good as it can be

• Make sure your eBook is actually useful, not just an advertisement for your products or services

• Connect with an affiliate program (like ClickBank) to promote your eBook

Have you written an eBook? Was it successful? Share your experiences in the replies.