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6 Things You Could Do Today to Generate a Sale in Your Small Business

By on May 13, 2013 in Business Inspiration, Grow Your Business

6 Things You Could Do Today to Generate a Sale in Your Small Business 198x300 6 Things You Could Do Today to Generate a Sale in Your Small BusinessIt’s National Small Business Month and here are some quick ideas to jumpstart your small business for the second half of this year.

Have you updated your elevator pitch? When is the last time you sharpened your marketing plan? Do you have monthly sales goals? Are your business finances updated by the 15th of the month? Do you do at least one thing a day to generate sales? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it’s not too late to start moving in the right direction.

Here are 6 things you could do today to generate a sale in your small business:

1)      Send a thank you note. Personal hand-written notes are so powerful. Send one to a friend, customer or a prospect just to check in and let them know they crossed your mind.  If you can, include an article of interest to them, too.

2)      Ask for a LinkedIn or Yelp recommendation. You need to ask for recommendations religiously. Turn your happy customers into an unpaid sales force for your small business. Be sure to send the link to make it easy for them. The easiest way to get a recommendation is to give one.

3)      Follow-up with a recent contact. I meet people everywhere and I’m sure you do, too. Reach out to a contact that you met at a recent networking event to schedule a face-to-face meeting or appointment. Pick out a place that is mutually convenient and have a quick coffee or lunch meeting.

4)      Change your timeline graphic on your Facebook fan page. People respond to visuals.  Make sure to update people on what’s new with your small business.

5)      Write a new blog post for your business blog. Make sure that your article is helpful to your target audience and is at least 500 words.

6)      Track down your outstanding receivables. On a weekly basis, evaluate your accounts receivable. If any client is behind 30 days in issuing payment, give them a call to find out payment status. While you’re on the phone, inquire about any additional opportunities to do more business.

Let me know how these marketing tactics are working for you in your business.

“Standing Business Partners” courtesy of imagerymajestic / www.freedigitalphotos.net

May is the busiest time of the year for me, and here’s where you can catch me live this week.

Monday May 13th: I’m headed to Austin, TX for the RISE Conference Austin sponsored by Dell. I’m be speaking at the Opening Keynote session Monday evening at 6pm https://www.riseglobal.org/about

Tuesday May 14th: Don’t miss my brand new TV Show, Crowd Rules on CNBC 9pm ET Do you have what it takes to win $50,000? In the all new competition series, Crowd Rules, three small businesses compete for the grand prize each week. To win–they must convince the crowd! Check out an exclusive sneak peek. You can see my episode June 18th.

Wednesday May 15th: Come celebrate #SmallBizChat’s 200th episode! Join me on Twitter Wed 8-9pm ET where we’ll have some surprises and giveaways — so do not miss this.  We’ll be talking about how to build a powerful social media brand. Here’s how to participate in #Smallbizchat http://bit.ly/S797e

Thursday May 16th: Join me in Columbus, OH for the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference #BEEC. I’ll be leading a boot camp on how to develop and launch a brand for a new small business. It’s not too late to join me, register today.

Friday May 17th: Don’t miss Part II of my three part series in the New York Times You’re the Boss Blog on how to have a great website.  Here’s part one: The Problem Social Media Cannot Solve

I feel so grateful to be your SmallBizLady; it’s my mission to end small business failure – and I work hard at it. I love to meet my fans in person, so if you’re attending any of the conferences where I’m speaking this week, please stop and say, “Hi!”

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7 Ways to Manage Your Life and Business as a Mompreneur

By on May 6, 2013 in Business Inspiration, Featured Post, Mompreneurs, My Recommendations

Ways to Manage Your Life and Business as a Mompreneur3 7 Ways to Manage Your Life and Business as a MompreneurSponsored post

Running a small business is hard work, especially for a “mompreneur.” In many cases, you are doing the three full-time of jobs of wife, mother and business owner all at the same time. Every day you are doing more with less and trying to figure out how to get it all done smarter, cheaper and faster.  But remember, on the airplane the flight attendant always says you must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping anyone else. This idea is true in your business and personal life as well. Here are 7 ways to manage your life and business as a mompreneur.

Start each day with meditation or prayer:  I run like the wind with my demanding profession as a small business expert on top of my mom duties.  It’s hard to feel like you are not in a race every day. To keep my one-woman circus under control, I pray each morning.  Yoga is another great way to practice meditation techniques.

Stop the never ending to do lists: To do lists leave me feeling overwhelmed.  Who needs that? Focus on getting five things done before 11 a.m. each day. Start each day with a plan and anything you accomplish after your top five is a gift.

Be present: Your family wants to feel like they matter more than your work. Limit your work hours. Don’t be afraid to hit ignore and turn the cell phone off at a certain time each day. When you pick-up the kids, talk to them – don’t be that parent in the carpool line on the phone.  Don’t be tempted to multitask at work. Focus on phone calls and face-to-face meetings.  People can tell when you’re mentally checked out.

Use one calendar: You have one life so you need one calendar for your family and your business. I suggest using Google Calendar as it syncs to your phone. Put all your family and work appointments in one place and you’ll be far more likely to make everything happen.

Take regular breaks: I use the app Coffeebreak to make sure I walk away from my computer every 90 minutes. Then every three months, I take at least a 48-hour break from everything to be good to myself. Think about the things you used to do when you had more time: fishing, gardening, hiking, golfing, jewelry making, etc. You need rest to focus.  Have you scheduled a summer vacation yet?

Workout at least 3 times a week: You might feel like you don’t have time, but think about working out in a different way. Use working out as a way to spend quality time with yourself. If you need to think about an important decision in your business, walk or run and think.

Get more rest:  I recently read a study that said the body repairs itself between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. when we are asleep. Do not get swallowed up in your work. You can’t get a lot done with a cluttered mind. Focus on getting more rest! You’ll be a lot more productive if you do.

Do you have any tactics to add to the list?

Join me Thursday May 9th at 8pm ET for a live QA sponsored by @FedExOffice on Twitter on Ways to Manage Your Life and Business as a Mompreneur. Use the hashtag #SMBMoms and sign into www.tweetchat.com to join in the conversation.

Disclosure:  FedEx Office compensated me to write this post and participate as a small business expert during their Tweet Chat program.  The ideas in this blog post are mine and not ideas or advice from FedEx Office.

Mother And Daughter courtesy of Ambro / www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About FedEx Office

FedEx Office, an operating company of FedEx Corp., has more than 1,800 stores and locations primarily in the U.S. and Canada, providing convenient access to printing and shipping expertise with reliable service. The company’s network features retail stores, centralized production centers, corporate on-site print centers, and on-site business centers at hotels, convention centers and universities. Services include copying and digital printing, professional finishing, document creation, direct mail, signs and graphics, computer rental, free Wi-Fi and corporate print solutions. In addition, the company offers FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping, Hold at FedEx Location, and packing services backed by the FedEx® Packing Pledge. InformationWeek 500 recognized FedEx Office® Print Online and FedEx Office® Print & Go solutions with the 2011 Most Innovative Products award. Products, services and hours vary by location. For more information, please visit www.fedex.com/office.

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is America’s #1 small business expert. As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. She writes a weekly column on social media for The New York Times. Forbes Magazine named her #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. Her latest ebook, How To Become a Social Media Ninja; 101 Ways to Dominate Your Competition Online was released in 2012.

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How Much More Productive Could You Be in Your Small Business?

By on April 30, 2013 in Business Inspiration, Guest Articles

How Much More Productive Could You Be in Your Small Business How Much More Productive Could You Be in Your Small Business?

Guest Article

We all know the importance of working out and keeping our bodies in tip-top shape. The recommended amount of exercise per week is 30 minutes, three times per week. Easy, right? Wrong. As a small business owner, we wear so many hats, have way too many demands and time is money. Those 90 minutes could be spent following up with potential clients, creating a new marketing campaign, balancing the books…the list goes on and on with tasks that we do to grow our business.

But, let’s take a second to chill out and think about this. How much more productive would you be if you took some time for yourself and ran 3 miles? Or did the elliptical for 30 minutes? Or took a yoga class? We all know that rush after a good workout – sweat dripping down our face, our heart pounding and our minds clearer and ready to tackle the rest of the day’s activities.

Studies indicate that only 51% of Americans take the time to workout three times/week for 30 minutes. And 25% of us don’t workout AT ALL. I’m willing to bet that the numbers are even higher for small business owners.

If lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease and osteoporosis isn’t enough motivation for you, let’s take a look at how it can benefit your business and the bottom line.

1)  Increase serotonin levels- yes, the “happy” chemical. Exercise lifts your mood and we all know that when we “feel” good, we are more productive in our business pursuits.

2) Networking activity- Have you ever thought about joining a soccer or volleyball league? Not only are you getting exercise and having fun. But, you’re also meeting and mingling with potential clients and developing a deeper connection. People like to work with those that have similar interests and joining a workout club is a great way to make those connections!

3) Increase strength and flexibility- Are you having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning and attacking your to-do list? Coffee has its benefits, but maintaining limber and strong muscles is a natural way to get you off to a good start in the morning.

4)  Stress reliever- it’s good to step away from our work every so often, especially during those frustrating times.  Turn off the tablet and put away your files for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Go for a walk, take a yoga class, or jog around the lake. The problem that’s been nagging you will still be there, but I bet you will feel better about solving it after you take some time for yourself.

5)  Increase creativity- I get my best ideas while I’m running, lifting weights or taking a dance class. Exercise allows me to tap into another part of my brain that isn’t as accessible when I’m staring at my computer screen and reading reports. Just sayin’.

So, in addition to looking and feeling good, regular exercise can prevent damaged blood vessels and Alzheimer’s disease.  Exercise is a great way to give your business that jump start it needs to remain successful.

It’s not too late to start working on that beach body. What are you going to do to add more exercise into your weekly routine?

Danetha Doe How Much More Productive Could You Be in Your Small Business?About the author:  Danetha Doe is a former NFL Cheerleader and the owner of EmeryCloud, an accounting and strategy consulting firm for creative freelancers and small business owners. If you’re looking for a challenge or just don’t know where to start, sign up for Danetha Doe’s Memorial Day BikiniChallenge. One winner will receive a one-on-one virtual health coach package with a certified fitness and nutrition specialist. For details and to sign up, visit www.missdanetha.com.

“Fit Woman Doing Biceps Exercise With Pink Dumbbells” courtesy of stockimages /www.freedigitalphotos.net

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