One night a few weeks ago we ordered pizza for dinner.  We ordered from the same place we always do but this time something different happened. 

After about thirty minutes the doorbell rang and there was the young pizza delivery guy with our dinner.

He handed us our pizzas, we paid for them.  And then he pulled out something else from his warming container.

It was wrapped in a sack and as he held it he explained that they had a promotion going on.  He had a kid’s pizza and wanted to know if there were any neighbors that we would like to give that pizza to.   

Immediately we thought of our neighbors across the street who have three little boys.  With that, the pizza delivery guy went next door with the surprise pizza present and gave it to our neighbors.

Now why is this so cool?  First off, it’s a unique idea that gets people talking about it.  Creating buzz is a great way to grow your business. And second, everyone benefits – here’s how:

1) The pizza company gets to interact with a new customer and they are welcomed as they do it.  Think about it, if someone knocked on your door out of the blue (even if it looked like a real pizza delivery guy) and said he wanted to give you pizza, would you take it? 

Maybe, maybe not.  You might be a bit suspicious.  But because the pizza was sent by us, neighbors they know, they probably didn’t think twice about accepting it.

I don’t know about you, but I would be delighted to get a free pizza from my neighbor.

2) We felt great because we got to give our neighbors a free surprise without having to do anything.

3) The neighbors got a free pizza from us (via the pizza company).  That builds good will between us as neighbors.

So what does this story have to do with your business and how you market your products and services?  You can take this idea and creatively apply it to your business to create the same kind of ripple effect.

If you can, take fifteen minutes right now and think about how you could implement this concept into your business.  If you don’t have time now, schedule time in the coming days and outline a plan to implement.

WHAT TO GIVE?

So what could you give to people in your network (clients, partners, and friends) that they could give to someone in their network?  It needs to be something valuable that people want, a sample or taste of one of your products or services.

HOW TO PRESENT THE GIFT?

Although the pizza example is a product the same concept applies to services.  You can share tasty information by creating a physical representation of your services (printed report, CD, or DVD).

Creating something that can be consumed immediately (like the pizza) will have a strong impact. 

WHEN & HOW OFTEN TO GIVE?

It can be a quarterly, semi-annual, annual, or a one time action.  Depending on your business you can tie it to a holiday or season (or both).  You can also make it a permanent action if it works well for you.

If you do something original and buzz worthy your business will stand out and get noticed.  I hope you’re starting to see that you can design a surprise give away (like the kid’s pizza) that will increase your visibility, expand your reach, and build new connections.

© Stephanie Ward 2010

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ‘7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

The key to making marketing work for your business is to pick a few marketing strategies that fit for you and then do them consistently.

Are you using any of these eight marketing strategies?  Choosing your marketing strategies is the 5th step to attract more clients.  You can get the full report with all seven steps, 7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time, for free at http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Your ‘Call to Action’ is the first step in your marketing sequence.  If you don’t have one that’s clear and compelling you are missing out on potential business.

In the two videos below (total of both less than 4 minutes) you’ll learn about how to create your own effective ‘Call to Action’ and how to market it.  Creating your marketing sequence is the 4th step of the 7 Steps to Attract More Clients, you can get the full report on all 7 steps at for free at http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

When you answer the question “What do you do?” is it clear and memorable? 

This short video (less than 2 minutes) from the Amsterdam Business Lunch covers part of step 3 of the 7 Steps to Attract More Clients, your Magnetic Marketing Message.  You can get a copy of the entire report for free at http://www.fireflycoaching.com

It’s not always the tactical issues that can throw a wrench into your marketing plans.  Sometimes it’s your thoughts and feelings that can stop you cold in your tracks.

This video (less than 4 minutes) is from a talk I gave at the Amsterdam Business Lunch about how to attract more clients.  In it I talk about the first step to attract more clients.  You can get the full report, for free, on all 7 steps to attract more clients at my website: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

As a business owner you know there are new tools available to help you market your business.  I’m talking about what is called social media, mainly Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and blogging.

 You want to participate but sometimes your technical questions get in the way. Or, you’re not sure how you can use these tools in the most optimal way.

 Here are ten tips that you can use now to improve your social media marketing effectiveness:

1. If you have a cool resource or idea to share with someone, post it on their Facebook profile (or Fan) page instead of sending an e-mail.  Because if it’s something cool, other people would probably like to know about it as well.  And, this gives you exposure as well as positioning you as a resourceful person.

2. When you create a Facebook Fan Page (now called an official page) you get a really long url that you can change to one that’s easy to remember and share.  This short video will show you how. (If you don’t have a Facebook Fan Page, you need to create one, more on that here).

3. Comment on other people’s blogs.  And when you do, write something specific that is insightful (don’t comment, ‘great post’).  And be sure that your posts include a photo of you (not a blank box) so that when you do post people can see who you are.  This video will show you how.

4. If you write articles or blogs, add a ‘ReTweet’ button to every article or post.  This way when someone finds it valuable they can easily share it with their followers.  Here’s how to add the button (if html sounds like Chinese to you, then ask your web person to make it happen).

5. When you’re sharing links on social media use Bit.ly to turn a long url into a short url.  What’s so cool about bit.ly is that in addition to creating a short url, it also tracks how many clicks your link gets so you know how much exposure it generates.

6. Change your LinkedIn profile url from something long and unmemorable to something branded (your name or company name).  This makes it easier for people to find you and it will improve your Google ranking.  Here’s how to do it.

7. When you connect with someone on LinkedIn, be sure to check to see if he/she is on Twitter and Facebook and connect there as well. Same idea, if you’re connected with someone on Facebook, check for him/her on Twitter and LinkedIn.  You get the idea.

8. Put your social media links to Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn on your business card and/or e-mail signature.

9. When someone signs up for your ezine they are usually directed to a ‘Thank You’ page and/or receive a ‘Thank You’ e-mail from you.  These are two great places to add your social media links.

10. Ask questions and request comments on your Facebook posts.  You want to create a platform for interaction, not just a one way stream of communication.

These may seem like minor details but often small tweaks can make a huge difference in the amount of people you reach.  They’re like levers that can move heavy objects with minimal effort. So get started now and improve the effect your social media marketing is having on your business.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ‘7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com/.

Recently I had the privilege to be a panelist at a Dragons’ Nest event hosted by Connecting Women. Four passionate entrepreneurs presented their businesses and we gave them tips and ideas about how they can grow their businesses.

These two videos feature ideas I shared with two of the entrepreneurs. See which suggestions you can use in your business!

(This article is also featured on Expatica)

Whatever the reason for starting a business, there are several important tips that apply to everyone.  Unfortunately, some women’s ability to execute the advice may be hampered by an underlying belief.

Many women and men are drawn to starting an enterprise because of the desire for independence and the opportunity to reach big goals. Drivers include entrepreneurial passion, personal reward, a wish to escape dissatisfaction in the workplace or simply to have flexibility and create a good work-life balance.

But does advice for men and women differ in any way?

Self-belief

Joan Raymond says in his article in Newsweek (23 January 2008): “Are men smarter than women? No. But they sure think they are. An analysis of some 30 studies by British researcher Adrian Furnham, a professor of psychology at University College London, shows that men and women are fairly equal overall in terms of IQ. But women, it seems, underestimate their own candlepower (and that of women in general), while men overestimate theirs.”

Who is smarter, women or men, isn’t the point. It’s about acknowledging and embracing the capabilities that each person actually possesses.

In the article Furnham reveals, “Men aren’t more clever or smarter. But since they think they are, they are more confident about their abilities. These self-beliefs, however, may be highly adaptive. Who gets a job? A bright woman who doesn’t think she’s smart, or a not-so-bright man who believes he’s capable of anything? Arrogance and hubris are not attractive qualities, but confident, self-belief may be. Certainly, underestimating abilities might hurt you. There’s a good quote from one of your countrymen, Henry Ford. He says: “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” And that is what is troublesome. Beliefs may be more important than actual ability in certain settings.”

Matching confidence with capability

In the quote above Furnham mentions ‘who gets the job’ but the same idea applies to who starts a successful business. As mentioned, the tips for women who want to start their own business are generally the same as for men. But keeping in mind that women tend to underestimate their brilliance, one difference would be that women need to make sure their confidence level matches their true capability. Confidence goes a long way to create credibility, something that every business owner must have.

If this generality doesn’t apply to you and you feel super confident, then there is nothing to stop you from moving forward and creating a successful business. And who knows, perhaps you can inspire other women who aren’t as confident to connect to their true value.

Tips for women who want to start their own businesses:

Write down the vision you have for your business

It’s important to know where you are going. Getting your thoughts down on paper is an excellent way to clarify what you want for your business. Think big and be willing to imagine large possibilities. Having a vision will also help you through the tough periods when you wonder why the heck you started a business in the first place (alas, it’s not always pure bliss).

Create a rock-solid business model

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s not uncommon for people to have an idea for a business and not be clear about how exactly it will make money. This doesn’t have to be a lengthy business plan but it does need to contain concrete information about how revenue will be generated and how much profit will be earned.

Have a clear niche and target group

Trying to be everything to everyone simply doesn’t work. Clarify what problems your business solves and for which specific group it solves them. By focusing on one group, creating a profitable business becomes much easier. Having a niche and a target group will allow you to grow faster and you will create expert status for your business.

Realise how critical marketing is, the amount of time it takes

Many business owners think they are in the business of delivering the products or services their business provides. But actually, you are in the business of marketing the products and services your business offers. And yes, if you are a one person organisation you will have to both market and deliver. Starting out you can estimate spending 50 percent of your time on marketing. If you don’t want to do it (or know you won’t do it), hire someone. The point is, it has to get done.

Have a franchise mentality from the start

Even it you have no intention to franchise your business, if you design your business in a way so that it could be franchised, you will make life much simpler for yourself. This concept is all about creating systems and procedures so things flow easily and you’re not constantly reinventing the wheel. After all, you want to create a business, not a job. An exceptional book about this topic is The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. A must read for any business owner.

Stay focused

As a business owner you wear many different hats. And while that can be exciting, it is easy to get distracted and end up spending time on things that are not going to move your business forward. Identify the high payoff activities and plan them into your schedule.

Be willing to outsource

You don’t have to do it all yourself. In fact, in time you’ll find that it’s nearly impossible to do so. Begin by outsourcing tasks like administration, tax/accounting, and technical issues. As your business grows, you may want to hire employees or contract people for support in more expanded roles within the business.

Make your business bigger and portable using the Internet

If you’re like many female entrepreneurs, you have lived in many cities (or countries) and you are likely to be moving again in the future. By marketing on the Internet you create a portable business you can take with you wherever you go. And even if you plan to stay put, you can dramatically increase the reach of your business by having an Internet presence and marketing on-line.

Avoid isolation, get support

Starting your own business can feel lonely at times. Women are experts at creating connections and networking, so be willing to get out there and meet new people. Support can come from many sources. You can create a master-mind group of fellow entrepreneurs that meets regularly to discuss and share ideas. You can network with other business owners at established organisations. And you can get one-on-one support and guidance by finding a mentor or hiring a coach.

Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready

Do the necessary research and preparation before starting your business but do not fall into the trap of waiting until you know “everything” you think you need to know before you start. This is where the lack of confidence can delay, or arrest the decision to begin your own business. There will always be more to learn and some things you can’t learn until you actually begin.

In a 2004 report by UK organisation Aurora on women-owned business, women were asked what the number one best thing was about being a female entrepreneur in Britain. Here is what two of them had to say:

“Breaking the pattern, standing out from the crowd, continually learning, seeking out opportunities, maximising opportunities, succeeding, sharing learning, encouraging others, being inspired, joining a community, making a difference, making it happen, helping, caring, supporting, creating the future…just doing it!”

“The ability to make own choices and decisions about the direction I want to take myself and my company. Running a company means I am not pigeonholed into any one job role, I get to use all my skills, and work in a challenging, enjoyable environment.”

© Stephanie Ward, 2010

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ‘7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com/.

If you haven’t started using video as a marketing strategy for your business, what are you waiting for?  Here are three reasons I can think of:

1. It’s scary to put yourself out there

2. You think it will take a lot of time

3. You’re not sure how to make it happen (technical obstacles).

Let’s tackle the first barrier, fear.  OK, what’s the worst thing that could happen?  Well, I can’t really think of anything.  It’s not like it’s live TV and you can’t do another take.

You can keep shooting until you’re satisfied with the final product.  But please, don’t think it has to be absolutely perfect.  You’re not a news anchor and people relate to real people talking about a subject they’re interested in.

Making videos does not have to take a lot of time.  You probably already have a lot of content to choose from.  And once you figure out how to do it, you can make several at one time.  These days it’s easier than ever to make a quality video and it’s almost free to do.

Plus, videos will give you exposure in a way that is so powerful that you just can’t get otherwise. When prospective clients watch your videos they get a feel for who you are and a stronger connection is created.  And of course, it’s a one-to-many marketing strategy which is always smart.

With videos the learning people take away is greater than with written text or audio. Research from noted educationist Edgar Dale showed that in a passive learning setting we retain:

- 10% of what we Read (reading: verbal receiving)

- 20% of what we Hear (hearing words)

- 30% of what we See (looking at pictures)

- 50% of what we Hear & See (watching a video: visual receiving)

Are you convinced?  Ready to begin?  Now for the nuts and bolts of how to make it happen.

CONTENT

As a business owner you help your clients solve specific problems.  Think about the questions your clients ask you and your most popular topics.

If you use speaking or writing as a marketing strategy your content is ready and waiting.  You can share ’how to tips’, advice, or new perspectives about a topic.  

Be sure to mention your website address at the beginning and/or end of your video (or show the url as text at the start and end).  And make a clear call-to-action about your valuable giveaway (more about that here).

EQUIPMENT

- Webcam or Video Camera (which can be a digital camera that takes video – that’s what I use).  There are also really simple video cameras (like the Flip Camera that are reasonably priced.

- Tripod (if you don’t use your webcam).  This can be a regular tripod or a mini version (very inexpensive) you can place on a table.

- Lighting is important but you don’t have to buy expensive lamps.  If you don’t have good natural light you can use lamps in your home.  Experiment by taking videos with different set ups and choose the one that puts you in the best light.

EDITING

If you can get your video in one take then you won’t need to edit. If you need to edit there are many free options.  Windows comes with a free program called Windows Movie Maker and for Macs you can use iMovie (for a list of free editing for all platforms go here.

LENGTH

While there are no hard and fast rules about this, in general shorter is better.  On average, one to five minutes should do the trick.

People are busy and if they have to invest more than a few minutes they may not bother.  If you have more to say on a particular topic, you can create a series of videos.

Once you’ve completed a video, you can put it on You Tube for free.  It’s super easy to create an account and upload your video.  You’ll have your very own ‘You Tube Channel’ – sounds pretty cool doesn’t it?  People can subscribe to your channel and leave comments about your videos.

You’ll also want to put your videos on your website.  You can either embed them (examples here on my website) or provide links to You Tube.  You can also promote your videos on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media networks.

Please don’t wait until you think you’re “ready” to begin.  You are an expert in your field and have valuable information to share so why not add another channel by using video?  Start sharing your expertise using video and watch your business grow!

© Stephanie Ward, 2010

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report ‘7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com/.