Four Ways to Start Marketing Your Product or Service with No Money

You have a great product and your services are in demand. You need to let people know that you have something they could use. Cashflow is always an issue for new entrepreneurs and business owners. Even if your business plan was successful and you were able to secure funds for your organization, you have to maximize every penny.

Marketing your product and services can be tricky but your passion and belief in it is the very first ingredient to success in this area. Without a passion that may sometimes annoy people, you will quickly be discouraged by people's lack of enthusiasm and give up. Giving up is not an option. I repeat, giving up is not an option. So here is what you do:

What Can You Learn From Your Competitor?

Learning from the competition is an advantage to any business in any industry. Doing a little research on their background and studying their habits will net more knowledge than most two year college degrees. Let's look at Google and Yahoo for an example. Yahoo! dominated the search engine and web presence industry for a long while. But when Google came on the scene, they provided everything that Yahoo! had not noticed was in demand. They also recognized avenues to produce revenue that had been overlooked.

Here are a few tactics businesses can use to turn their competitors into educators:

• Study how effectively they reach their target market and the strengths of their approach to meeting customers needs
• Perform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis on their product or service 
• Stay abreast of press coverage and their community involvement, donations, and charitable causes and overall attitude towards social responsibility
• Set a goal to learn not criticize, being objective and implementing strategy that will yield results
• Read their blogs and social media sites to glean any helpful advice they may offer
• Take a step back from the business mindset long enough to be a consumer and assess room for improvement
• Make a list of why a customer would choose your competitor over you
• What does the competitor supply that the market demands?
• What does the competitor lack that the market demands?
• What processes could your business benefit from?
• Look at price -- would adjusting prices cause customers to perceive more value from your company or feel overcharged?
• What type of overhead could be cut out from company expenses?

Continue reading on Examiner.com 

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

5 Things to Know Before Building Your Own Website, So You Get It Right the First Time

ChrissyBiz Solutions brings you relevant and helpful information from professionals who not only know but listen to the needs of business owners and entrepreneurs. This guest blogger understands the tasks associated with Web Marketing and how strategic planning with clearly defined goals can lead to more clients and more sales:

Caryn Murray is a copywriter and consultant specializing in startup and small business Branding, Advertising, and Marketing. She is the owner of BAM! Copy Writing which provides a variety of multimedia copywriting services to businesses of all shapes and sizes around the globe. Her passion is in helping local small businesses in the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York where she is an active board member on the Phelps Chamber of Commerce, the Marketing and Public Relations Committee, and the Business Development and Tourism Committee. Read on to learn more about creating a website that fits yours needs and the needs of your market:

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners fall victim to building-their-own-website-without-knowing-what-they-are-doing. Of course this can be more suitable for a startup budget, and there are a variety of easy to use website builders and blogging tools that can help you get your concept online without investing more than your own time and energy.

However, an ineffective website can and will cause more damage than good for any start up or small business. 

With the right understanding of which elements make a website effective, you can save the nightmare of retracing your steps by getting it done right, the first time around. The following elements are all important things to consider before taking the next step in building your own website.

1. Why do you want a website? 

At the risk of sounding like your elementary school teacher… you shouldn't do something "just because everyone else is doing it." That's not a good enough reason, and an effective website needs a solid purpose to build a base on.

Perhaps, a more thought provoking question you should answer is:

What should your website do for you?

• Do you want to sell your products/services online?
• Do you want an informational website where potential clients can go to learn more about your products, services, or ideas?
• Would you like to take an existing small business into modern media?
• Are you tired of worrying that you might be losing potential clients who have asked for a website?
• Do you want to test a business concept for market potential?

Whether you're running an advertisement in the local paper or building your own website, knowing what you expect (the purpose) is critical for generating a sufficient return on investment. (In other words: not dumping your money down the drain.) 

2. Navigation and Structural Development

A basic website provides limited information between a Home page, an About page, and Contact info. This might include hours of operation, prices, etc. Know everything you want on your website, and then create a flow chart to determine the navigational paths. 

Over time, you will want to understand how visitors use your website to create a more user friendly experience. Google Analytics is a powerful tool for monitoring specific data, including:

• Traffic sources, such as referring web pages and also which phrases are sending search engine users to your website.
• Which pages get the most views, and the amount of time users spend on each web page.
• Your bounce rate (the percentage of traffic that leaves your landing or home page within the first 30 seconds)
• Information about where your traffic comes from geographically
• And much, much more…

With Google Analytics, you can determine which navigational paths have the highest conversion rate by setting and watching various Goals. You can use that information to adjust or even redevelop the structure of your website for a higher return on investment.

3. First Impressions and Branding

Premium or customized templates are always more professional than a generic template. It is very important that your website is consistent with your brand in the real world, so if you already have marketing collateral (brochures, business cards, etc.) try to stick with the same visual image and first impression.

4. Marketing and Promoting Your Website

If you build it, they will come? Not on the internet!

You do need to market and promote your startup or small business website.

The first step is to put your website address on any marketing collateral, but you can also purchase advertising spots in local media and release a press announcement about the launch of a new website (focusing on what's in it for the end user.) For a higher initial spike in traffic, use incentive. People respond better to incentives such as free coupons.

You can also reach new leads by marketing your website online.

Welcome to the web! There are new ways to market, advertise, and promote your brand/business/services. Surely you’ve heard that social media marketing is all the rage right now, but search engine optimization and marketing continue to be the most powerful way to get your brand in front of a targeted audience that is already looking for your products and/or services.

5. Content

The biggest mistake a DIY website builder can make is not putting enough effort into their website content. This element is - dare I say it - the most important part! 

Web content serves several purposes including:

• Keeping your bounce rate low by providing an immediate first impression that is appealing, not intimidating. (This is in correlation with the graphic design of your website.)
• Telling search engines what your website is about. Search engine optimization depends solely on the individual web page content. Using the right keywords and phrases at the right density is critical during the initial development of root pages, and that’s not including SEO content published in a well maintained blog.
• Laying down navigational paths, including anchor text links (also supporting SEO) to create a user friendly experience beyond the menu.
• Converting traffic into customers. The immediacy of the web provides an even bigger challenge in fulfilling calls to action. Most do-it-yourselfers often neglect putting in a call to action to begin with, let alone setting the mood for said action to be taken.

To learn more, please visit http://BAMcopywriting.com

Twitter Pitfalls, Marketing Mistakes, & Annoying Habits

Twitter is great for business! No doubt about that. Personally, I have been able to meet more than 50% of new clients via twitter without soliciting them in any way. But it can also be a nightmare if you are not careful. Here are some common mistakes I have found (and even participated in before I knew better):

• No Bio -- How can people accurately list you or utilize you as a valuable resource if you don't even tell them what you do from the beginning. Be as specific as possible. Most followers will not even click your link if they don't know what you do.
• Misleading Bio -- Your bio says you are a marketer, but your link goes to a dating site. This will get you blocked and reported for spam in most cases, especially by professionals who take their pages seriously and have tied it to measurable marketable gains.
• Not Reciprocating RT's -- When someone RT's your link or quote, at least be kind enough to acknowledge it or reciprocate it in the near future. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you tweeters.
• Inciting Fear or Negativity -- You want people to utilize your services or buy your products because it solves a problem they have or adds value to them. Writing negative tweets or inciting fear in your followers in very 20th century and does not work. 
• Sporadic Tweeting -- If you are not tweeting on a normal schedule, you are more likely to be unfollowed. If your last tweet was 2 months ago and the next time you tweet is to push your product...no one is listening. Engage. Interact. Be genuine.
• Not Following Back -- Major pet peeve here as it shows your immediate lack of interest in your follower. They know you cannot even see what they tweet, therefore the chances of you responding or purchasing their product or service is very low. I personally find it a tad rude and "snooty."
• Ignoring DM's or Replies -- We know your account is probably automated, but check your inbox from time to time and respond back in a timely manner.

I could go on and on, but I am interested in what YOU find annoying on twitter. We can all learn from one another, so share your thoughts in the comments section below.

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

5 Saturday Sins of the Serious Entrepreneur

"The will to survive is a human instinct while being determined to thrive requires discipline and superior decision making abilities." - Chrissy

 

The title entrepreneur is so distinguished and elite. But are you? Or do you just work for yourself? There is a difference! Besides working on ongoing projects and catching up on the weekends, how do you constructively use your time on Saturdays?

Bottom line is that you need to be working HARDER for your business than you would for someone else's. If your bills were X amount and your hours did not provide the salary you needed -- would you not put in overtime or work as many hours allowed by your company? Of course you would. Read on to find out about bad habits you should avoid on Saturdays.

Business Strategy | Define and Develop A Strategy for Your Business

The importance of Business Strategy cannot be overstated. It serves as a foundation for the company alongside Mission and Vision. What is Business Strategy? Business Strategy is the way you will accomplish your mission and vision. How will you fulfill the mission of the company and how you will achieve your mission. 

What devices,  procedures, technologies, or other methods will you employ to make your mission and vision a reality? 

There are three things you must do in order to develop an appropriate and competitive strategy:

• Educate
• Evaluate
• Execute

Educate yourself on successful companies within your industry that have been able to remain competitive. Stay abreast of current events and never stop learning. I am subscribed to many mailing lists in order to continue educating myself. No matter your formal education, you will be left in the dust if you refuse to continue learning.

Vision Statement How-To with Example

What is A Vision Statement? Your company vision statement briefly yet thoroughly  describes where you see yourself in the future. What do you envision for your company, for your customers, for yourself?

Reflect on your resources and those you hope to acquire -- this will aid in constructing a complete vision statement. Aim high and work tirelessly to make your vision a reality.

In preparation for expansion and growth you must consider this beforehand so that it is not clouded by any decision you are facing in the future. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a small team -- vision is similar to mission in that it is a guiding force. Mission is more of a present tense statement with descriptors while vision is futuristic. Without vision, it can be very difficult to come to decisions within your organization. 

How To Use Your Vision and Mission For Your Internet Marketing Strategy

You may be wondering how vision and mission statements are relevant to your internet marketing efforts.

Creating vision, mission and strategy statements for your business are still necessary steps you will want to spend time on.



Your vision, mission, and strategy statements act like compasses for your ship at sea as they guide and direct decision making, organizational priniciples, and where to focus your efforts. 

In times of distress or when you are presented with opportunities, you can use them as checkpoints to make sure you are on course.

Vision, mission and strategy statements are also crucial to your small business internet marketing success. These foundational principles help anchor the business regardless of the conditions you will face.

There was a time when companies proudly displayed their vision and mission statements on their website. This trend has become less and less popular, though I am unsure why. 

So exactly why do you need to write mission and vision statements, and more importantly, how can they positively impact your web marketing online?

Vision and mission slideshow from Christian Dernbach
Vision

The vision statement of your company is where you want to be and where you see yourself in the future. What do you envision for your company, for your customers, for yourself?

Without vision, it can be very difficult to make decisions within your organization. Whether you are a solopreneur or a part of a small operation, vision is just as crucial. 

The vision statement does not need to be elaborate, rather concise and clear.

Example: ChrissyBiz Solutions will provide professional internet marketing services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations through it's one-stop-shop business model.

Learn more about vision statements here with more examples.

Mission

The company mission statement is equally as important as it narrows down why you do what you do, and what you hope to accomplish by doing it.

• What is your mission statement? 
• What motivates you to do what you do? 

Your mission is what motivates your operation even when times are difficult or you are confronted with a difficult decision. 

Mission statements should be inclusive, honest, and purposeful.

Example: To offer affordable, valuable, and result-driven solutions for small businesses and nonprofits.

Click here for more information about about mission statements examples.

Strategy

With the mission and vision statements now clear, you can begin to develop your strategy for marketing your products and services online. 

Where you see your business and why you do what you do can be very helpful in determining your internet marketing strategies.

For example, nonprofits may want to invest more time on Go Fund Me than small businesses because of the way it is designed and the audience it appeals to. 

Though it is crowdfunding for anyone's use, startup funds for nonprofits are more accessible than startup funds for business on this platform.

Similarly, LinkedIn caters more toward professionals than Facebook, and provides more valuable business opportunities and leads for small business and nonprofits.

A successful web marketing strategy incorporates the vision and mission so that time and resources are maximized. You will be less likely to jump on the next bandwagon when you know where you want to go and why you want to get there.

Small business web marketing can be time intensive or extensive, yet more productive when in sync with company values.

You might find it necessary to outsource some of the business writing associated with it so you are able to more fully focus on your gift.

Tools for any internet marketing strategy might include:

• Pay per click advertising
• Email marketing campaigns
• Blogging for your business
• Blogging for your nonprofit
• Newsletters  
• Social networking for business also known as social media networking
• Free offers online such as a free Ebook for download
• Online article marketing
• Press release writing and distribution
• Free webinars
• Youtube video marketing

Your written vision and mission statements should be where you can easily access and see them daily. The internet is a massive place, growing at lightning speed, but your written plan gives you direction and puts you at an advantage. 

Have you written your vision, mission, and strategy statements yet? If not, it's never too late!