Posts from — July 2010

TELEVISION hits such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den are compelling because of their insight into the cut-and-thrust world of business.

Entrepreneurs who are looking for a less gruelling route to success should consider franchising.

This boom sector of British industry offers readymade solutions to the uncertainties of business. The big attraction is that you start up as part of an already established company, meaning you need less capital and can hit the ground running. Usually, the company or brand is a known name, and you get ongoing training.

This removes a lot of the risk and increases your chances of not just surviving, but prospering. The formula speaks for itself: about 90 per cent of franchise businesses are profitable within five years, when many other start-ups fail. Another bonus is that you do not need to have a business track record to prove yourself.

There is a vast choice of franchise opportunities – from management consultancy to computing, from retailing to recruitment. More than 200 companies will be exhibiting at the British and International Franchise-Exhibition taking place at Olympia on 24 and 25 March. All are seeking to expand in the UK, and there are global businesses too.

Visitors to the exhibition also get the chance to meet and learn from inspirational businessmen such as Bobby Hashemi, cofounder of the Coffee Republic chain, who will be conducting seminars.

With a franchise, you are given a licence to trade by the franchisor. You will need to put some money up front – anything from Pounds 5,000 upwards.  Read more... (614 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

INTRODUCTION:

This is a brief but never the less valuable introduction into internet marketing; whether you’re doing affiliate marketing or if your marketing you own website – READ ON!

PREPARATION:

This goes without saying but just in case; you’re going to first need a website or other online selling platform, a Blog or MySpace account can be used as an alternative to a private website.

What ever the platform make sure you’re happy to stick with it, expect to be using it for some time.

However you monetize it, make sure everything is working correctly; Adsense is picking up keywords, your affiliate links work, your Paypal link works etc.

If your site isn’t working properly then there’s no point in marketing it.

You want your website to convert (Take action that profits you) as many visitors as possible. Here are some handy ways of getting people to “Click”…

My top 3.

1. Write a product review – Writing with an unbiased opinion makes you trustworthy; having a link at the bottom allows the reader to click through after, to find out more.

2. Link all over – Place several links around your site, allowing the visitor to notice the advert more and click through accordingly.

3. Curiosity – Place one BIG FAT link in an obvious place on your website or blog. Make your visitor click through via reverse psychology; “DO NOT CLICK HERE!” More often than not they will because they can’t help it.  Read more... (1399 words, estimated 5:36 mins reading time)

Plan and prioritize your time! was the first instruction ever given to me by my very first sales manager. He was ex army and I was fresh out of

university.

I had a whole lot of enthusiasm and not much else. He had the experience, though maybe not the best coaching skills.

I laugh now about how bad I was. I can honestly say planning was one of the best and most productive skills I ever learnt.

Time management and organization are like evergreen trees- they never lose their importance and are frequently discussed topics in managing a sales team.

With the economy the way it is it is so easy to panic and run around,trying to do every thing. Where as, if you take time to sit down and really think about what you want to achieve, your focus and results can’t help but happen.

Everyone tends to understand that the key ingredient to living a life that is less stressful, moreenjoyable and one that allows you to find the time to fit everything into a jam-packed schedule is proper planning and prioritizing of your time.

What most people don’t seem to know is how to make that happen!

How can you prioritize your work and tasks so that you have enough time for it all, and still keep your sanity?

Get a Calendar/Planner/Diary  Read more... (1032 words, estimated 4:08 mins reading time)

Having your own Home Business has many benefits and the growth of the internet is making it possible for more and more people to realize their dreams. Read on to find out just some of the benefits of running your own business.

(1) The biggest advantage of a home business is the idea you can work from home. Not all of the work will always be at home for everyone, but the idea that you can leave your house less is a big benefit. Some people don’t like working in offices with supervisors and managers looking over their shoulders. Some people don’t want to have to pay all that money for gas or car maintenance.

(2)Another benefit is the option of making your own hours. Although this sounds fantastic to most people, you do need some self control to make it work, but it is still a benefit. You just have to make sure you make yourself work when you need to. For some families and single parents this is the only option because of children. With a business that works around when you have the time, you can work while the kids are at school, or when they are in bed. This can also be beneficial if you have to arrange a dentist appointment or if you want to do something that can only be done in the daytime.  Read more... (429 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Many business owners I know typically turn to a local office supply store such as Kinko’s or Office Depot to help with their printing needs. Then, they generally assemble and prepare the materials themselves. Depending upon the number of mailers you need to send, this could be a time consuming and costly process. It is often much less expensive and time consuming to have a local printer, print broker or even online printer print the materials, and then to work with a local mailing house to send the materials.

What is your hourly rate? How much is your time worth? Remember, you do not have to do it all yourself. Often, you will be better off to outsource these types of tasks rather than spending your valuable time that you could use to work with a client instead.

While we are talking about mailing marketing materials, as a side bar, how large is your current mailing list database? Have you taken the time to include everyone that you know? If not, you should. Remember, everyone you know will either become a prospect or will refer others to your business. Most, if not all, know the products/services that you offer and can easily pass this information on as they meet individuals that are in need of the products/services that you offer.

I have numerous suggestions that I can share about to printing, mailing, and all other services needed for mailing marketing materials. Below are the top 5 tips managing your direct mail campaigns efficiently.  Read more... (860 words, estimated 3:26 mins reading time)