BizCoachDeb's BizBuzz -

Posts Tagged ‘customers’

While many business owners are evaluating the impact of 2009 on their operations, I say this, savvy readers: Get your tail in gear; there is much work to be done and worrying about this last year is merely a distraction keeping you from your goals. There is no shortage of bad news, but you’re still standing-be grateful. Some luck could be involved, but to avoid becoming a statistic in the next decade, it’s time you prepared a plan of attack. I’ve compiled a brief outline of things to make you more profitable and fleet-footed in 2010:

To Do List: Use it, print it, churn it. There are nifty free ones and you’re big kid now; Google it and pick the one you’ll use. I like Tada.

Slash and Burn:If you’re currently providing a good or service that is not in demand, or has had waning interest from your customers, it might be time to can it. If it can be re-engineered easily or in a way that makes it sizzle, revamp it, however, don’t paralyze your business by overthinking it. Move on it or table it.   The rest of the story...

It’s staggering how the growth of the online community is exploding daily. I mention this because while I have some clients that are reluctant to update their website, they’re even more reluctant to talk about any kind of online presence.

Today’s post is simply this: if you’re not online and beginning a social media dialog with your customers, you’re missing one of the easiest, authentic ways to reach them. Don’t believe me? Consider this:

“Microblogging site Twitter now has approximately 4M-5M users, the majority of whom joined in 2008 and have contributed to the site’s 600% growth in the last 12 months, according to the first “State of the Twittershpere” (pdf)  report from HubSpot. “

and this one:

“Jan 2009: Back in August 2008, Mark Zuckerberg posted on the official Facebook blog that Facebook had reached 100 million users. Now, only 4 months later, this number has grown 50%: Facebook now has 150 million users.”   The rest of the story...

There is so much discussion around bailing the Big Three automakers out and different ideas on how to fix it, it got me thinking; how can their loss be a small business owner’s gain? Simply put, can you learn from their mistakes and improve the way your own company runs, but without risking the billions they have? Of course you can!

Today, I’m going to share a lesson with you on how to catch more fish so you don’t need a bailout of your own.

Lesson One: Use the Right Bait

When trying to attract customers, it is of foremost importance to entice them in a way that not only makes them feel wise for their purchasing decision, but does not offend their sensibilities. Cater to your customer’s intellect and taste and give them assurances that their choice of your product or service is the best value for their dollar.

Lesson Two: Fish Where the Fish Are   The rest of the story...