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A new year is upon us and we have decisions to make.  Will we continue doing the same routine or try something new?  Will we work harder for less money or try to find a better alternative?

Today’s economic is very tight and will  factor in our plans and goals for the New Year.  We can continue doing what we are doing or choose to start on a good note.  If your goal is to succeed, and honestly who’s isn’t, then we must make the appropriate changes.  We must analyze our business and what we can do to change it for the New Year.  You may be comfortable in your business at the moment but comfort may not pay the bills.  You may be used to your daily routine, but is that routine increasing your business?  You may enjoy the social networking scene, but is that merely a distraction?

The questions are many, but only YOU know the answer.  YOU need to determine what will work best for you and your business.  STOP trying to please others and make the decisions that will be the best for your product, service or business as a whole.

Too often we are worried about what others may think; your friends, your peers, your family and we get caught up in it all.  Do they truly understand your business? If not, why listen to them.  If their intention is to help you succeed, then by all means listen but again you will know if that is their ultimate goal.

Start this year on a good note.  Begin by making a list.  Determine your main goal.  When I write ‘main goal’, I don’t mean just simply making more money.  Your main goal should involve the what, how, when and where you will increase your revenues.  The time frame is also very important.  The more specific you are in writing your goals and intentions the more ‘real’ they will become and therefore more attainable.

So, what will you do this coming year? Will you start on a good note or fall back on habits that kept you stagnant?  The ultimate decision is yours.

Tags: Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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If you have a small business online or offline you are well aware that networking is essential.  However many folks are not aware of a clever little secret.

It is important to associate or familiarize yourself in a group or market that will appeal to your product or services.  It is also very important to remember that networking takes time.  Individuals must not only know of you but also feel that they can communicate with you, hence build a relationship.  All too often when we network we are busy telling others about ourselves and what we have to offer.

How often do you come across an individual and ask them what they do.  No, really, how often?  We are sometimes so caught up in what we do and what we have to offer that we neglect the biggest secret of all.  When we ask an individual ‘what do you do?’ we can learn an immense amount of information from those four little words.

We not only become aware of what the individual does for a living, but we can determine if they may fit our target market.  By asking those four very important words you can determine several things:

• determine how to approach the individual with your service or product
• determine his/her way of speaking and enhance your ’speech’ so it will attract them
• determine if they will be a consumer or simply one that will refer to you
• can also determine if they are the right person for your product or service or just one you will network with

Of course by asking ‘what do you do?’ and then listening intently will show how empathetic you are and how concerned you are with others interests.  Not to mention that you can easily share what you do and what you provide after you’ve allowed them to share their interests and services.  The other party will listen more intently because you have shown your sympathetic side a wonderful little secret that I share with you that will surely work.

Tags: Marketing, Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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After reading the title you may be wondering why you would want failures, but unfortunately many who begin small businesses are setting themselves up for failure without knowing they are.  It is very overwhelming when you start a new business but with a plan you can be successful.  The first thing to remember when starting your business is to take baby steps.  Although you want to do everything and all at once, that is not possible.

So let’s begin with the basics that will lead to success without the feeling of overwhelm.

• Be patient.  First and foremost you must understand and realize that with any business, it will take at least 6 months to see the true results from your efforts.  After that time frame and your consistent hard work, the business will begin to flourish.

• Be responsible! I know this sounds redundant but you’d be amazed.  You will be your own boss, so be sure to make the decisions that feel right to you.  It’s fine to take advise and suggestions from others, but ultimately the final decision is yours and you will have to take responsibility for those decisions.

• Develop a business plan.  This doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it may sound.  You can simply begin by writing down what you intend to accomplish and what your goals are.  Your goals can be limited to the first 3 months and then progressively get larger, but the point is to write them down.  Follow your plan and stay focused on your goals.  It will be easy to get distracted which is why writing them down will keep you focused and accountable.

• Marketing strategies must be developed.  This can sound overwhelming as well, but with some thought and planning you will see that it is not.  When determining the marketing strategies you will also need to know your budget.  There are many ways to market that are very low cost and some are FREE.  Do your research and determine your strategies and tackle them accordingly.

• Think positively!  You’d be amazed at how this simple word can affect your business.  In order to be successful you must truly believe that you can be successful.  Self doubt will only hinder your plans and expectations.  You can do it and if you need help, always have positive thinking people around you to pick you up when you are feeling less than adequate.  You can do it!

These tips may seem mundane to some, but you’d be amazed how often we forget the simple steps to a successful business both online and offline.  There are obviously many more tips to lead to your success but with the basics mentioned above you will be on your way to success in your small business from the start.

Tags: Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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Once you have made the decision to begin an online business there are several marketing strategies to take into consideration.  The same strategies will apply to someone simply marketing their offline business on the world wide web.

First off, you want to determine your target market.  You may have heard this term used in the past but don’t quite understand what is meant by that term.  Let me clarify; your target market is the group you are focusing most of your energy on.  This market is one that you connect with or have a service or product that will benefit them.

Once this is determined you can concentrate on the most appropriate type of marketing.  There are several ways to market on the internet.  Many may choose to purchase advertising space.  That will work for many direct sales companies however, if you are an individual with your own business, purchasing advertising may not be enough.

As mentioned in previous posts, writing is a great way to connect with your target audience.  Distributing articles to directories, as well as guest posting works well.  One of my favorite ways to market is by having teleseminars or webinars.  This is a great way to instantly connect with your market and they will connect by hearing your voice or seeing your face.

Consider the different methods that individuals digest information.  Some are visual and will enjoy reading, videos or webinars.  Some enjoy information via audio means, which means teleseminars, recordings, podcasts or blog talk radio will work for this group.  Some are more tactile which will need to actually touch the product or perhaps need to be in an environment where you are present, physically.  Items that will work for this group are reports, ebooks, as well as conferences or local meetings.

When determining the strategies you will be introducing into your marketing plan, be sure to take your target market/audience into consideration and you will be well on your way to success.

Tags: Marketing, Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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If you have begun your blog or website that is the first step to marketing your products or services.  However, many are confused with the next step.  That is what we will discuss today in order to give some insight on marketing with your blog or website more effectively.

Having a blog or a website is a great way to market your product, your services or your brand for little to no cost.  For the price of a domain and small fee for hosting you can have a great looking site and begin your marketing efforts.

When using your blog to market it is important to understand that just because you have a site, you will not instantly have an influx of visitors.  Just as any business, the marketing will bring the visitors.  Your blog or site will be a place to develop relationships with your prospective customers or clients and a way to gain their trust.  When you share valuable information you will develop a trust factor and be seen as an expert, which should be your ultimate goal.

When writing it is important to remember that you should and must write in your own voice.  Don’t try to impress with big words that you don’t use on a daily basis because folks can simply see right through that act.  Another tip to take into consideration is to write about what you know.  Sounds simple enough, however, many will fall into a trap of writing about subjects they have no knowledge of and it will be evident in your writing.

Your blog posts do not need to be lengthy.  As long as you are getting your point across the length can be anywhere from 250 to 350 words.  You will notice some other sites that will have very lengthy posts and quite honestly I like the less is more philosophy.  You will grab the attention of your audience without boring them.

Marketing can then continue with posting your articles in directories, forums, social networks, newsletters and more.  The possibilities of marketing with your blog are endless and it begins with simply sharing your knowledge.  Don’t be afraid! Come out of that comfort zone and start writing today!

Tags: Marketing by Carrie Wilkerson
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If you have a business that you market online, there is no doubt that you have looked at several ways to market.  Have you considered a blog?  A blog is a perfect way to market your business and your service.

Many will choose to have their blog as part of the website where they have their services or products featured.  Some will choose to have a website on its own dedicated to the blog.  No matter what method you choose, a blog is a perfect way to connect with your target audience.

Consumers, clients, customers all like to connect with whom they may be purchasing or working with.  A blog will give you the perfect platform to share more about yourself so your clients will feel the connection.  Such platform is perfect to educate your clients or customers and a place for you to shine!  Yes, shine!  When customers are searching for a particular service or product, and they come across a company that has a blog they are more inclined to visit more often.  They are interested in more information and this is the perfect avenue for you to build a connection with your audience.

There is no need to fret if you are unsure about a blog and all it entails.  Outsourcing is perfect for such a project.  There are many entrepreneurs online that will help build the perfect blog for you and some are available to help maintain it for you.  If you are not a good writer, no worries, there are freelance writers available to help you as well.  The point is that, you must make the effort to connect with your audience and having a blog is perfect.

The blog is a way to not only connect with your audience but also to share your knowledge and upcoming projects or promotions.  Marketing with a blog makes perfect sense and does not have to be costly.  For the price of a domain and perhaps a designer, but no need if not in your budget you can have a blog up and running in a matter of days.  Remember that it does not have to be perfect.  All too often, folks will wait until everything is ‘perfect’ before they proceed with marketing.  Let’s face it, we will be waiting forever if we were to wait for everything to be ‘perfect’.  Just do it! Start your blog today and begin marketing with that platform.  You’ll wonder what took you so long once you do.

Tags: Marketing, Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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Everyone always wonders if there are any secrets that will lead to success at your home based business.  Success at your home based business is achievable but of course the effort and dedication is a very big part of that success.

Below I will share some secrets that you can apply that will lead to your success, but remember it is ultimately up to you to achieve success.

• Respect – this is one important secret that many seem to forget.  In order to be respected in your business you must respect it first.  A home-based business is perfect in many ways but can easily be disrespected by others who do not understand what your business entails.  Respect involves your professionalism and your attitude towards your business and how you portray your business.  Treat it like a business and others will too.
• Dedication – owning your own business requires an immense amount of dedication.  One cannot have a successful business without hard work and dedication.  It is important to set hours and most importantly a schedule of what needs to be accomplished daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.  Having a business plan is essential to your home based business success.
• Expertise – having the complete knowledge of your business is another important factor.  It is near impossible to be successful at your business if you are unable to describe exactly what your services are and what sets you apart from your competition.  Are you able to describe your business to an individual in several brief sentences?  It is important to be concise in describing and marketing your business. Don’t take for granted that the public will know what you offer by the title of your company or website.
• Professionalism – this may be the most important of all the tips I will share with you.  It is important to emit a professional manner in your business.  If you have an online business, your website should be one that is designed in a manner that the consumer will not have difficulty browsing it.  Having a domain and website attached to that domain is very important.  Free websites are great for hobbies and crafts, but for a business, you must show your consumer or prospective client that you indeed are a business and having a site that shows your professionalism is vital.  Remember, if you have an online business, the first impression your prospective client will have is your website.  Consider this factor when you are designing your site.  Put aside your preferences and place yourself on the clients side, will they think your pink and brown polka dots are professional?  This may be perfectly fine for a personal site or even a site that is markets to a younger group.  Keep in mind your target market and design your business in a manner that will attract them.

Consider the points I mentioned above.  Are they secrets? Perhaps, but many although they may have read or heard the above mentioned elsewhere, do not apply any to their business.  In order to be successful, apply the above and watch your business soar.

Keep in mind that success to one person is not the same meaning of success to another.  It is very important to determine what your meaning of success is and work towards that goal.

Tags: Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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By: Matt Mickiewicz

The traditional route of getting a professional logo design can be long, arduous, and downright painful. Writing a “request for proposal”, searching for designers to send it to, attending “needs assessment” meetings or conference calls, reviewing proposals and quotes, and finally crossing your fingers and selecting a designer for the job. It’s no wonder that many entrepreneurs simply shrug their shoulders, type in “free logo maker” into Google and generate a generic, clip-art based logo for their business.

Thankfully, there is a much better way to get a great outcome, for less money. Over the last two years, the emergence of “Crowdsourcing” as chronicled by Jeff Howe in his book and in Wired Magazine has enabled website owners, entrepreneurs, and business owners to tap into a global pool of talent.

Here’s how crowdsourcing, frequently dubbed design contests, works:

1. You go to the website of one of the design marketplaces. 99designs is the biggest and most popular, with over 52,000 designers registered, but there are many others.
2. You write a “creative brief”, outlining in simple terms what you’re looking for in a logo design. Tell the designers about your company, your brand, how and where your logo will be used, and what kind of image you’re looking to portray. Are you looking for a “professional” corporate style logo or something playful and whimsical? Are there any colors that you like or dislike? Giving the designers examples of professional logos that you like can be very helpful in guiding the direction of your design contest.
3. Set your budget. That’s right — rather than receiving bids or proposals, you tell the designers how much money you want to spend. The more you offer, the more designers will participate in your design contest. On 99designs, a typical amount to offer seems to be in the $195 – $295 range.
4. Post your project! Within hours, you’ll start receiving design submissions from designers all over the world. Rate them from 1 to 5 stars, provide written comments and suggestions, and after a week select your favorite and that designer will get your budget — minus any fees charged by the marketplace that’s hosting your logo design competition. A typical project will see 70 – 200 design concepts, but 500 or 1000 is not unheard of.

Best of all, design contests can be used for more than just logos. Pastor Rick Warren who wrote “The Purpose Driven Life” which sold 30 million copies has used crowd sourcing to get a design for his next book, as has NY Times #1 Bestselling author Tim Ferris. Even DISH Networks used 99designs to re-design their nationwide fleet of 4500 installation vans.

The power of the crowd will astonish you!

Tags: Guest Writers, Tips by Carrie Wilkerson
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