http://www.linkedin.com/in/tedstearns Ted Stearns and the Entrepreneur Advocate is a organization that was founded to represent America’s Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. Our primary mission is to provide small business owners with the tools and resources necessary to succeed.

In an effort to reach more than the twenty-two million small businesses in America the organization looks to represent all sectors and industries of the U.S. economy from retail to trade to technology — our viewers are as diverse as the economy which they fuel.  

 http://www.linkedin.com/in/tedstearns Ted Stearns and the Entrepreneur Advocate is a organization that was founded to represent America’s Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. Our primary mission is to provide small business owners with the tools and resources necessary to succeed.

In an effort to reach more than the twenty-two million small businesses in America the organization looks to represent all sectors and industries of the U.S. economy from retail to trade to technology — our viewers are as diverse as the economy which they fuel.  

Sports stadiums continue to be filled along with movie theaters because people love to get away from reality. They would rather live the life of James Bond for 2 hours than their own. They want to watch football and pay too much for cheap beer than sit at home mediating on their empty wallets. They won’t pay their mortgage, but they will pay for a ticket away from their financial trials.

This weekend Bond’s new movie grossed more than $70million – not because it was playing at the cheap cinema, but because American’t are even willing to pay nearly $10 a head, not including the same in a trip to the concession stand – to get away.

Now they’ll even pay that for a crummy movie, but at least Quantum of Solace promises to deliver, since the last one did – even though 90% of movie goers have no idea what the title actually means, it promises an escape. 

Think about what you are willing to spend money on in these tough times and market in those directions.

On Friday night my daughter had her end-of-the-season soccer banquet at the local Pizza Factory. By 6pm that place was packed out with the “ordering” line heading out the door. Kids were in the back wasting mom and dad’s hard earned money on games and spending their tickets on colored goo and spider rings. Parents are willing to place down $30-$40 for a night out – mom doesn’t have to cook, kids are babysat by the video games and the pizza was pretty darn good.

What are you willing to spend your money on in the midst of a recession. Leave a comment and let me know.

Key number two – Innovation n.  a new idea or method. A new invention or way of doing something.

It’s that little idea, that little, seemingly insignificant detail that sets your product apart. It gets your noticed. Case in point, iPod earphones. Are you lost?  They are white, not black like every other earphone on the market. It may not seem like a big deal, but this is the kind of thing that starts conversations and makes you love a product. Stupid earphones. You’d probably buy the iPod even if the earphones were black, but Apple went the extra mile to stand out, make a statement, set themselves apart. Everyone loves being a part of something on the cutting edge.

If it’s not earphones, it’s starting your meetings @ 9:03 – just so people remember. It gets you noticed.

I remember the first time I saw a Scion XB – I literally laughed out loud – I had never seen anything like it – that crazy little box on wheels. But it grew on me and I now own a Scion. The look drew me in, the quality of a Japanese auto with awesome gas mileage and cheap price tag made me get one. Innovation.

Ford just came out with their “Flex” – cool Scion-like look – but you know what – it’s been done already, so it’s not new. (AND it’s a Ford which means it’s not made as well as a Scion).

 Innovation – what are you doing that’s new and going to get you noticed?

The other morning I was watching cartoons with my daughter when a commercial came on advertising some toy. Half way through, my daughter looked at me and asked flatly, “Why are they telling us this?” I explained that they want to make it look nice so you’ll go out and buy it. She looked back at the TV and speaking to it, blurted out, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I get it. Now where’s my show?”

That about sums up how much we “enjoy” advertising. We pay more for TiVo so we can watch our favorite show without commercials and those of us who refuse to pay for it, instead employ the “mute” button. Consumers are tired of being talked at, they want a two-way conversation.  Charles Schwab figured this out and advertises, rather smartly, “Talk to Chuck.” They know their investors or possible investors don’t want to hear Chuck preach and sound off on what he knows, they want to hear what you want – at least that’s how they advertise.  

In light of all the abuse in the lending industry, Americans aren’t trusting in the big corporation anymore; they want a human touch, they want a human voice on the phone and they want honesty. They have always wanted this, but in big business greed, the genuine needs of the consumer were ignored and now Americans are fed up. Also, as further proof of the ineffectiveness of former tactics, those industries that preyed upon the trusting buyer are crumbling and have succumbed to their greed and manipulation.

Talk with your customers and better yet, listen. As I have mentioned many times, a dynamic mode of communicating these days is the blog. Everyone from the CEO of GM, to Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks to home-based business owners are blogging. It provides a two-lane road of communication that consumers are hungering for and the human touch that will convince them of the flesh and blood behind the product they seek.

Expensive PR campaigns, and prime-time commercial slots are being seen more and more as a waste of time and money. Unless, you can reach the public in a creative way that sets you apart, you will not attain the results you are paying for.

Banks are not lending money and neither are credit card companies. As you know everything is at a standstill and until the bailout trickles down to you, there is no money/credit to offer.

iMerchant Advance is an excellent option. Even when banks are handing out business loans, a merchant cash advance can be a great option. With our no-interest advances, flexible paybacks and no need to fill out loan applications, merchant advances are a popular choice. The advance can be used for any business-related reason: payroll, expansion, equiptment etc.

For more info visit www.imerchantadvance.com or call 888.838.6006

As I’ve mentioned before, blogging is an excellent tool to reach your clientele and after that, to meet their needs. Naked Conversations, by Robert Scoble and Shel Israel, is a mind-blowing book about new ways to market your existing business and to get a new project up and running. Obviously, I’m a fan of blogging for many reasons, both personal and business-related, but the potential power of blogging as a free marketing tool is exponential.

The book begins with discussing the power of blogging for damage control, by using Microsoft as an example. When Microsoft was barraged with hate mail for being the cyber equivalent of the “Evil Empire,” blogging was the necessary ointment to sooth unhappy customers. Why? It made Microsoft human.

Customers like human contact, it makes them feel they are purchasing something from someone like themselves, not an untouchable, unfeeling corporation that’s only after their money.  While major corporations settle for guerrilla marketing tactics: telemarketing, commercials, ads – blogging is non-invasive and far more effective. Only 2% of people respond to guerrilla tactics and apparently that small percentage is enough to make corporations continue; even though most people hate the irritation and resent having their dinner interrupted to hear about a phone plan their not interested in.

Naked Conversations is an inspiring introduction to blogging as a marketing tool and as a mode of self-expression for the casual writer. Take a look and get a blog. 

For information about merchant cash advances, visit iMerchant Advance @ www.imerchantadvance.com or call 888.838.6006

Now encouragement comes in all forms. While I love to hear I actually did something the right way, I most often learn after the fact, what would have been a better choice. The strength I find through my mentor is the “freedom of transparency.” I don’t need to be who I wish I was, or who I want to be or who I think he thinks I should be, but who I actually am. Best of all, he is willing to be transparent with me; I can avoid the mistakes he made and gain from his wisdom.

When able to meet with someone on this level, something happens. Growth – personal growth.

Translate this into your business life and you can expect success.

OneCoach is a “mentoring” group, if you will, designed to enable you to reach your full business potential. It is comprised of successful entrepreneurs who “coach” serious business owners to realise their dreams in very tangible, realistic methods.

To quote from their website,” The story of OneCoach is not about us – it’s about you and your success. It’s about helping you realize your hopes and dreams, by providing you with tools, information and connections; all of the experiences that you need to confidently build your business.”

We at iMerchantAdvance have partnered with OneCoach in order to provide you with not only small business funding, but small business mentoring. Visit out site @ www.imerchantadvance.com or call 888.838.6006

In an articlereleased today, economics writer, Christopher Rugaber, breaks down the pros and cons of each candidate’s plan to benefit or limit particular industries. While both candidates want to support alternative energy source funding, stem cell research and biotech generics, they disagree on labor union organization and a slew of other defining factors.  

Business owners making over 250K stand to face higher taxes under Obama and could very realistically face serious financial setbacks. In light of what we are facing as business owners in this economy, are you ready to cry “uncle” yet? What will set you apart from failing businesses around you? Innovation.

Whether I agree with Obama’s politics of not, you cannot knowck him for his incredible innovative methods to reach the American public. While watching one of his endorsed commercials, an icon appeared on my TV screen to “press” if interested in hearing more about his policies. Wow! Don’t know how much it cost him, but very innovative. Americans are lazy and it takes ZERO effort to press a button – so make it easy and gain a vote. Although he could probably pay off the national deficit with all the financial backing he received, because he has been intelligent enough (or his team is) to meet the American people where they are, he has gaining for himself an advantage that McCain never saw coming.

Again, regardless of who I cast my vote for, I have to tip my hat to innovation. As a business owner – a struggling one – meet the American consumer where they are – make it easy.

For funding made easy, consider a no-interest merchant cash advance with no set paybacks. Innovation. www.imerchantadvance.com  888.838.6006

If it’s any conciliation, you are not alone. While you want to do more than just keep afloat, you don’t have a lot of money to pour into it. Over at Small Business Trends blog, their post “12 Low-Cost Marketing Ideas” can point you in the right direction.

Not all the ideas were my style – but who cares – they may be yours. # 3 “Meeting your Customers Half-way” is a great place to start. It is practical and effective and I can appreciate it both as a business owner, but even more so as a consumer.  Think about what speaks to you, what makes you open your wallet as a buyer and apply it as a business owner.

Another suggestion, YouTube. If you haven’t visited – you need to. It is a great place to advertise your business and explain your products/services in a down-to-earth environment. Whenever I want more info on a product or a “how-to,” I head there. It’s easy, cheap and effective.

Take a look.

For comfortable funding options, visit iMerchant Advance about a merchant cash advance or give us a call @ 888.838.6006. Contact us about no-interest funding with flexible paybacks that fluctuate with your business; not locking you into unrealistic payment plans.