Email Marketing and Networking Strategy
If you have an email address (we’re guessing you probably have a few of them), you understand how much “junk” you get a day. Promotions and sales for material goods you don’t need. Newsletters from a company you accidentally signed up for when you entered to win a free vacation. Other newsletters from your favorite…
Read MoreSocial Media
In a sense, social media has completely changed our culture in the 21st century. It allows us to connect with those on the other side of the world, people who you would never meet in “real” life. It has bred the career of “influencer”. Social media has even fueled movements. It is the next phenomenon…
Read MoreImportance of Solid SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of those confusing marketing buzzwords. Marketing professionals claim it’s something you “have to have” but can often be vague about what that actually means. They also tend to throw around phrases like “keyword optimization” and “search engine results pages” – which more often than not, can confuse you even…
Read MoreApproach to Content
It’s been said before and it will be said again, “content is king”. And its king for a good reason. Your content has the capability to tell the full story of your business. What do you stand for? Why should a person choose you? What makes you different from the competition? Do you really want…
Read MoreThe Importance of a Marketing Website
As we approach the end of the decade and look forward to the future, it’s a great time to reflect on your small business. Maybe you started your business years ago and remember the trouble you went through when trying to save files onto floppy discs. Or you still can remember that piercing tone of…
Read MoreBNI Stories: Contact Spheres and Partners in Profit
A great contact sphere can help your business grow beyond expectation. But on the flip side, avoiding one or not being a part of one at all, could cost you time, effort, and profit. BNI founder Ivan Misner describes contact spheres as “a group of business professionals who have a symbiotic relationship.” These professionals are…
Read MoreChoosing a Networking Group: What You Should Consider
Networking groups. I know. Sometimes even just hearing the phrase can be a downer. Networking groups don’t always have the best reputation. Many of them feel disingenuous and insincere. You attend an event and the people around you care more about giving their 5-minute spiel rather than getting to know you. It can be awkward…
Read MoreBNI Stories: Business Builders
Giver’s Gain: A philosophy based on the law of reciprocity. Giver’s Gain is a phrase we often hear during BNI chapter meetings and events. In the context of networking groups, people who adopt this philosophy dedicate themselves to giving business to their fellow networkers rather than making their foremost concern getting business for themselves. And…
Read MoreBNI Stories: Network Connections
Coopetition. A neologism coined to describe cooperative competition. Coopetition is a word mash-up of cooperation and competition, emphasizing the “petition”-like nature of joint work. It’s something that sounds completely backwards. Why would a small business want to work WITH their competition? How would either be able to receive referrals and grow, while constantly competing for the same…
Read MoreBNI Stories: Circle of Excellence
Mentor. Noun. An Experienced and Trusted Advisor. Verb. Advise or train (someone, especially a younger colleague). A great mentor can make a world of a difference to an individual. In fact, many successful people credit their accomplishments to their mentors. Often saying that without their guidance, they wouldn’t have found the inner strength or confidence…
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