Sending press releases via email can save you lots of time and money. With just the click of a mouse, your press release can be on its way to dozens of editors. But before you hit SEND, make sure you aren’t committing one of these press release mistakes, sure to get your release sent straight to the recycle bin. View article …

Share Word of Mouth Versus Key Influencers This content from: Duct Tape Marketing This post is a special Make a Referral Week guest post featuring education on the subject of referrals and word of mouth marketing and making 1000 referrals to 1000 small businesses – check it out at Make a Referral Week 2010 This summary of an article from the December issue of the Journal of Advertising Research (good luck finding the issue online because I couldn’t) says that common word-of-mouth advertising by regular folks is …

This year, Americans are predicted to spend almost twice as much on food for their pets in 2010 as they do on vet bills! So it’s no wonder that many entrepreneurs are turning their passion for their furry friends into “dog bakery” or “pet bakery” business opportunities. Here are some tips to get you started and navigate the laws that govern the pet food production business …

Are you going to be in Austin, Texas for South by Southwest? So will I. So will Justin Levy and Colin Bower from New Marketing Labs . While we’re there, I’m definitely up for business meetings with people interested in talking about upcoming projects. I don’t like making set time meetings at the event, because things are a whirlwind. That said, when we get it narrowed down to a day, we can usually do okay on getting a meeting set up. I’m also going to be out and about for some socialization, naturally. I won’t be going to many of the parties. I just don’t like the crush of the crowds, the loud music, and the waiting in very long lines. I’ll be in…

Honestly, has there ever been a better time to be an entrepreneur? I can remember when trying to start a business was a costly undertaking. The newfangled laser copier I bought when I started my first business–script-typing–cost $1,200, if you can imagine. Now, they about give them away if you join a bank. This week for Wednesday Web Resources, I’m chockablock with free online tools for getting your business up and rolling. Just starting up your business and need to get your books in order? Over at

Share Build Your Brand So People Will Refer You This content from: Duct Tape Marketing This post is a special Make a Referral Week guest post featuring education on the subject of referrals and word of mouth marketing and making 1000 referrals to 1000 small businesses – check it out at Make a Referral Week 2010 As part of John Jantsch’s Referral Week, I’d like to focus on personal branding, as a way to become someone that people want to refer to others. I agree with John that the best way to grow a business is to get referrals because of how powerful word-of-mouth is. These days, it’s become more and more obvious that referrals can help you substantially build your brand presence…

Share 5 Ways to Make Your Business Easier to Recommend This content from: Duct Tape Marketing This post is a special Make a Referral Week guest post featuring education on the subject of referrals and word of mouth marketing and making 1000 referrals to 1000 small businesses – check it out at Make a Referral Week 2010 If I were to ask you what the secret was to getting someone to recommend and refer your business, what would you say? Perhaps you might focus on the experience that you provide. Or you might believe that this is a behaviour that you…

We are half way through Make A Referral Week , how are you doing so far? Personally, I need to step it up a little. I’ve made a couple of referrals, including connecting two people that I would like to do business with but haven’t yet. Sometimes, our biggest obstacle to getting referrals is getting in the habit of asking for them. I think the same goes for giving them- we have to remember to ask. So here is a quick tip to help you start the habit. Call up 15 people (that’s only 5 per day for the rest of the week) and say “This is Make A Referral Week, who can I connect you with to help you with your business?”. Ask without the intention of receiving anything in return, but be prepared to answer …

]]> http://free-business-plans.com/2010/03/10/the-rebounders-one-year-later/feed/ 0 http://free-business-plans.com/2010/03/10/the-rebounders-one-year-later/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreeBusinessPlan/~3/ujd4WelG6zE/ http://free-business-plans.com/2010/03/10/wire-up-your-customer-base/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:30:23 +0000 admin http://free-business-plans.com/2010/03/10/wire-up-your-customer-base/
My friend Mick Galuski is sneaky. Every Wednesday, he sends a direct message of a TwitPic of MY weekly comics. Not some weekly comics. MY weekly comics. He knows that I’ll want them. He knows that I’ll get to them soon as I can. And lately, he knows that I’ll send Kat when I’m out of the country in England and in Colombia to come and get them. I wasn’t that passionate about comics again until Mick MADE me more passionate, by keeping them top of mind for me every Wednesday. He has a @toysoldiergames Twitter account that he’s working on using for other promotions and to educate his customer base. I think it will do super well. This isn’t rocket surgery kids...]]>

My friend Mick Galuski is sneaky. Every Wednesday, he sends a direct message of a TwitPic of MY weekly comics. Not some weekly comics. MY weekly comics. He knows that I’ll want them. He knows that I’ll get to them soon as I can. And lately, he knows that I’ll send Kat when I’m out of the country in England and in Colombia to come and get them. I wasn’t that passionate about comics again until Mick MADE me more passionate, by keeping them top of mind for me every Wednesday. He has a @toysoldiergames Twitter account that he’s working on using for other promotions and to educate his customer base. I think it will do super well. This isn’t rocket surgery kids…