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Browse every published article connected to Maria Marsala, with exact attribution and full-archive search.
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Browse every published article connected to Maria Marsala, or search within this exact expert archive.
In general, a Virtual Assistant (VA) is someone who performs administrative tasks away from the office of their clients. A VA is the modern day version of the executive assistant or personal assistant. A VA is usually not an employee, which comes in very handy for many home business owners. If ...
In the past few years, the look of marketing has changed -nfor the better I believe. Money businesses spend on Public Relations (PR) has increased and has become a marketingnpriority. Even on the Internet, people want to connect withnyou – to see your picture and the pictures of your staff. I’ve ...
You are probably already using a variety of the tools in your marketing toolbox – a website with fresh content, regular emails campaigns, strategic media placements, quality networking. But have you considered the underutilized marketing goldmine of a teleseminar? These education sessions are an inexpensive and easy option to reach large audiences right over the telephone. Only you will know for sure if this tactic has a place in your marketing plan.
Wonder why I don't I have reduce "time management" listed asnone of my services? Easy. Because I have attended hours uponnhours of training, and read all the books, all to help menmanage my time. What I found is that very little worked. Then in 1997, as a student of Coach U, www.coachu.com, ...
This is a story, about a business owner who wasn't doing very well in business at all. She had no business plan, no marketing plan written down, but had heard, quite a bit, how creating one would help. So she moved 3000 miles from "home" and three months later, came across an all day One Page ...
I'm asked all the time, "what could I do that will help me grow faster?" And I"d love to have just one answer, but of course I Don't. The "what" is different for each person who hires me, because they are running their business differently that someone else. What I can tell you is that when ...
It’s a costly and hard-lea ed lesson in business: saying “no” to an interested prospect that does NOT fit your ideal client profile. It’s counter intuitive, but taking just any client who responds to your advertising may cost you money, aggravation, and time. Remember, your ideal client: a) has done their homework and is ready to hire, b) doesn’t haggle with you about price because they value what you’re offering, c) comes back when they need you again, d) is your biggest fan who sends you testimonials without asking, and e) automatically refers you to others.
Congratulations! You’ve invested time into creating an Ideal Client Profile. You are already ahead of the pack because you “get” the importance of target marketing and you want to work with “perfect” clients. You want to target clients who . . . · appreciate what you offer · are willing to pay you the big bucks · come back for more of your services · automatically refer you to other ideal clients . . . because they “get” how you help them.
Many service business owners these days aren"giving away" their business services – and thennwonder why people aren't hiring them in droves. Innthe name of "marketing," business owners arenproviding way too much information for free. Somenshifts in thinking are necessary if these businessnowners ...
Ya, the library. You know, the poster-festooned encyclopedia vault from school days past? You probably spent a lot of time there, researching for science projects and book reports. Remember reaching up on tiptoes to hand your library card to the librarian at the check-out desk? This should bring you back – Encyclopedia Britannica! It’s never too late to join the "look it up club" whose motto was "we never guess, we look it up." Use the library’s valuable resources-even when you can see over the librarian’s desk.
My clients think it’s strange, but they do it anyway and thank me latter. After they create a Business Vision Statement for the next year, they create an exit vision. Actually create 3 visions – a year, an exit and somewhere in between. And if you’re a mom create one for when your children are in school part time, and then full time, too.
Rate the state of your business over the past 12 months. Rating System N/A= Not Available 1 = disaster 3= average 5 = brilliantly successful nn_________ Business Plan/Written Goalsn_________ Business Tracking Systemn_________ Daily Game Plann_________ Business Plan ...
Expenses aren’t the only things you should be cutting back on to stay lean and mean in this economy. Savvy business owners can not only survive bad times, but also position themselves for future growth and prosperity. How can you do it? In a word: focus. Focus your energy on trimming the fat in your business and measuring the value of how, and with whom, you spend your time. After you assess which activities add value to your business, eliminate time and energy wasters.
Is your email address optimized for your social networking sites? If not, you’re making yourself too difficult to track down, and people will give up trying to find you. This week I sent a mailing to my 1137 LinkedIn connections. Here are a few of my observations:
By marketing to and networking with your ideal clients, you’ll spend your time and energy directly on the individuals who will purchase your products or services! Makes sense, doesn’t it? One tool that will help you to market to your ideal client is called your “Ideal Client Profile.” ...
Vision – What am I creating? This would be from my standpoint (features, services/products, $, ideal client, etc.) Mission – How am I helping/servicing my clients? What are the end results from the clients standpoint? Purpose – What is it inside of me that makes me do or brings out the passion or drives me to do what I’m doing Having said that, the problem is that in business, you’ll see mission and vision interchangeable, depending on what book you read. I recommend that you follow my way!
1. You have the right to price your business services right! 2. You have the right to raise your prices at any time. 3. You have the right to say no to those who only want ton"pick your brain." 4. You have the right to set boundaries that are in linenwith your integrity! 5. You have the ...
Is your cup 1/2 full or 1/2 empty. That is the conundrum every individual is wondering in this economy. It’s not easy to keep yourself positive with so much negativity and change taking place in the USA and the world. But looking at the 1/2 empty glass just breeds more negativity. Look for the 1/2 full cup, and between all the bad news, there IS good stuff happening.
If your ideal clients are on LinkedIn, then you want to be there, too. So create a keyword driven profile on LinkedIn for yourself. Complete every area possible, take a look at the apps (applications/programs) you might want to add, and you’re done… right? Wrong. One of the best ways to dip your feet into a community of new business owners and executives, like LinkedIn, is to ask or answer questions. ANSWERS is a community where other members ask or answer questions to learn and connect with others.
21 Lessons small business owners everywhere can learn from the untimely death of an 85 year old, profitable till year 84 company. On May 29, 2008 Bear Stea s turned itself into history. It is also part of her-story — mine. Back in 1976, I was recommended to work at the Bear, never thought ...
This question was asked on Focus.com and I submitted this “recipe” which received a “The best” nod. Enjoy. Page 1 – Ideal client profile (demogaphics, psychographics, technograpics and geographics) Page 2 – SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)