By J.L. on October 6, 2008
If you’ve never really done much advertising and relied mostly on networking and word-of-mouth, how can you figure out where to start?
The first thing you must do is calculate your minimum and maximum allowable ad budgets:
* Step 1: Take 10 percent and 12 percent of your projected annual gross sales and multiply each by the markup made on your average transaction. In this first step, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about gross markup here, not margin. Markup is gross profit above cost, expressed as a percentage of cost. Margin is [...]
Posted in Advertising | Tagged marketing strategy, promote, sales success, strategy, target market
By J.L. on September 22, 2008
Setting up an e-commerce site couldn’t be simpler. Simply pick one of the following that’s right for you, log on and get started.
Many experts and entrepreneurs believe that building your own website is a no-brainer, thanks to the inexpensive, easy-to-use and sophisticated e-commerce services available. “If you’re a one to two-person firm, [you have] someone on your staff [who] can design a website and you only sell a few products, there’s no reason not [...]
Posted in Internet | Tagged e-commerce, promote, small business, tax
By J.L. on May 5, 2008
Getting the media to notice can be tough. Reporters are inundated by the minute with breaking news from different sources, all clamoring for attention. One way to cut through the noise is to …
Posted in Marketing | Tagged Internet, internet business, marketing strategy, online business, online sales, promote, sales success, websites
By J.L. on March 24, 2008
A business card is a very important part of your marketing plan. In fact, it’s the most powerful part. Don’t expect your business card to tell the whole story about your company. Expect it to present a professional image people will remember. A business card will make or ….
Posted in Start-Ups | Tagged marketing strategy, promote, sales success
By J.L. on March 10, 2008
Your website isn’t getting any traffic. What’s worse is you’re not generating any sales. Plus, without traffic, you can’t test the key components of your sales process. In other words, you’re in a pickle.
Posted in Internet | Tagged e-commerce, internet business, internet sales, marketing strategy, online business, online sales, promote, strategy, target market, web design, websites
By J.L. on February 26, 2008
Sure, there’s more competition online these days, but if online sales are any indication, the number of people who are actively shopping online is also on the rise. According to Forrester Research, online sales …
Posted in Internet | Tagged competition, promote, target market
By J.L. on January 21, 2008
Do you know your customers? How do they like to interact with you? How well are your online channels performing? Can you anticipate their changing needs? Are they advocates for your brand or will they easily move to your competitor?
Posted in Start-Ups | Tagged customer service, customer service policy, internet sales, online business, online sales, promote, sales success, small business, strategy
By J.L. on June 4, 2007
All types of advertising will work if they’re used properly — not just “tried.” The fact that the various forms of media utilize each other illustrates that no one kind of advertising is superior.
Posted in Advertising | Tagged marketing strategy, promote, sales success, strategy, target market
By J.L. on May 21, 2007
Your telephone is not the enemy. It’s not covered with spiders and it won’t electrocute you if you touch it. It’s your fear of rejection that’s your problem.
Posted in Sales | Tagged customer service, customer service policy, promote, sales success, strategy, target market