Hello Everyone! Hope you are doing well this year! Here in the Philly area, despite being Spring, it is snowing outside. Not really conducive to planting a garden. But it is conducive to planting seeds. And I'm not talking about tomato and basil seeds in soil in egg cartons on your window sill. I'm talking about planting the seeds of consideration into the minds of your potential clients. Make them consider choosing you over their current service or products provider.
How do you do this? It's easier than you think. Use the changing of the seasons to correlate into a changing of providers. A great way to do this is to offer a seasonal promotion. Last week I took literally 10 minutes of my time to create a Spring Special Flyer on Constant Contact. You can use whichever Contact Management System works for you. I offered a basic video shoot at a special price point. I chose a category of small businesses/sole proprietors to mail the blast to. I got three calls and closed one. I mailed to 260 individuals.
I led with "Spring Has Sprung" - "Plant the Seeds to Grow Your Business". The season was my reason! And it worked. I am confident I will close a second sale from my conversations. I did reduce my price that I would normally charge, but that is why it's a special. And I am confident that once they see my work and benefit from it, they will hire me again at full invoice.
So it worked. Ten minutes of time to gain a new client. Not too shabby. It can work in any industry, just tailor your message to your recipients. Where did I get my mailing list? I developed it over time by collecting business cards at networking events and I entered names from the database of my local Chamber of Commerce. Once I created the blast, I quick-shared it onto FaceBook and LinkedIn.
So take a few minutes to earn a new client today. Give them a reason to choose YOU this season!
Happy Hunting! -Pete
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Back to School means Back to Business!
Hello everyone! Summer is winding down and the addition of school buses has added to the traffic out there! Nothing is a more poignant reminder of Summer's end than sitting for 20 minutes just to get through one intersection on Route 1!
But something good comes from all this traffic and from this time of year. People are tanned, rested and ready to hit the ground running! It's the end of the heatwaves, leaves start turning colors, football begins and our utility bills go down. (for now!)
So here's what to do:
1. Send out a blast to all your past, present and potential clients that wishes them well and offers your products and services. It's a numbers game, so the more you reach out, the more hits you will get. My Summer blast yielded me 5 happy clients who took advantage of 1 great special. That's $3750 I would not have had this Summer. Not too shabby.
2. Review your goals from the beginning of the year and set a goal for the Fall. Determine what successes and failures you had earlier in the year and base your Fall goal on learning from the failures and building on the successes. For example, my Business Start-Up promotion did not work but my Social Media Package did. I realize the errors I made in the Start-Up promotion and will no longer promote that to existing business contacts. (I realize the irony of sending a start-up offer to an existing business, but I thought I would reach companies who were starting a new division or opening a new location, etc.. I was wrong.) The Social Media package was a big success, so I will spread that word to more businesses.
3. NETWORK! Join a chamber of commerce, networking group, business association or meetup group and attend functions. You will meet potential clients or individuals who can refer potential clients. Nobody is buying in your office. Get out there and press the flesh!
4. Re-educate yourself. Go online and research the latest trends and developments in your industry. Learn how the latest technologies can help you streamline your efforts and garner the highest output within your work hours.
5. Find time to relax. Find time for you. A quick walk, time outside on a park bench or even a moment in a quiet corner meditating will help you decompress, find your center and focus.
I wish you every success 'til next time!
-Pete
But something good comes from all this traffic and from this time of year. People are tanned, rested and ready to hit the ground running! It's the end of the heatwaves, leaves start turning colors, football begins and our utility bills go down. (for now!)
So here's what to do:
1. Send out a blast to all your past, present and potential clients that wishes them well and offers your products and services. It's a numbers game, so the more you reach out, the more hits you will get. My Summer blast yielded me 5 happy clients who took advantage of 1 great special. That's $3750 I would not have had this Summer. Not too shabby.
2. Review your goals from the beginning of the year and set a goal for the Fall. Determine what successes and failures you had earlier in the year and base your Fall goal on learning from the failures and building on the successes. For example, my Business Start-Up promotion did not work but my Social Media Package did. I realize the errors I made in the Start-Up promotion and will no longer promote that to existing business contacts. (I realize the irony of sending a start-up offer to an existing business, but I thought I would reach companies who were starting a new division or opening a new location, etc.. I was wrong.) The Social Media package was a big success, so I will spread that word to more businesses.
3. NETWORK! Join a chamber of commerce, networking group, business association or meetup group and attend functions. You will meet potential clients or individuals who can refer potential clients. Nobody is buying in your office. Get out there and press the flesh!
4. Re-educate yourself. Go online and research the latest trends and developments in your industry. Learn how the latest technologies can help you streamline your efforts and garner the highest output within your work hours.
5. Find time to relax. Find time for you. A quick walk, time outside on a park bench or even a moment in a quiet corner meditating will help you decompress, find your center and focus.
I wish you every success 'til next time!
-Pete
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Summertime Blues
Hey Folks! I hope you are enjoying your Summer. I know I have been. Business has been steady, but it could be better. It seems there is always a lull during the Summer. It's not for my lack of trying, but it seems like potential clients and decision makers have two speeds in the Summer - "slow" and "reverse"!
So what can you do to offset this? Here's a few ideas:
1. Expect it and plan for it. There is always going to be the challenge of trying to reach clients, but it is caused by them being away on vacation. You can't reach them if they are not near the phone. So set up a plan of action in the spring that you can work on gradually. Offer them a value and get a deposit to make sure they are committed. Then send them interim updates as your project progresses. Collect the balance in the fall!
2. Put 5% of every job aside in a vacation club. Setting aside some money in a SEPARATE account will give you the discipline needed to save for a vacation of your own! Hey - You've earned it! After vacation is over - keep the account open as a Christmas Club!
3. Offer a "Summer Blowout" or "Back to School" Special. I don't know about you, but I would rather have something than nothing. By offering a seasonal special, you can encourage new clients to try your products or services and by listing it as a seasonal special, you can maintain rate integrity during busy seasons.
4. Take a part time job. There are lots of Summer jobs available that may not pay what you want, but they could fill your income gap and help you maintain your financial commitments. Jobs at resorts, pools, camps, seasonal markets, farming co-ops, etc are available and are usually pretty flexible. Also - it may be a great way to turn that part-time boss into a full time client of your business once they see how awesome you are!
5. Clean out your work space. Get organized! Clean off you desk, sort through your files and discard what's no longer in use. Send e-mail to old prospects, follow up send notes to old clients saying "We want yo back" and offer them your seasonal special. Remove the clutter from your work and your life. You may just find that number you lost months ago!
6. Review YOUR vendor deals. Look at every supplier you have and compare prices with other vendors and negotiate better deals. Cell phone service, internet providers, cable TV, office supplies, insurance, mortgage, etc. You could save hundreds even thousands annually.
I hope these tips have helped. So go out there and be awesome and remember to take some time for your self and your Family this Summer. See you in the Fall!
-Pete
So what can you do to offset this? Here's a few ideas:
1. Expect it and plan for it. There is always going to be the challenge of trying to reach clients, but it is caused by them being away on vacation. You can't reach them if they are not near the phone. So set up a plan of action in the spring that you can work on gradually. Offer them a value and get a deposit to make sure they are committed. Then send them interim updates as your project progresses. Collect the balance in the fall!
2. Put 5% of every job aside in a vacation club. Setting aside some money in a SEPARATE account will give you the discipline needed to save for a vacation of your own! Hey - You've earned it! After vacation is over - keep the account open as a Christmas Club!
3. Offer a "Summer Blowout" or "Back to School" Special. I don't know about you, but I would rather have something than nothing. By offering a seasonal special, you can encourage new clients to try your products or services and by listing it as a seasonal special, you can maintain rate integrity during busy seasons.
4. Take a part time job. There are lots of Summer jobs available that may not pay what you want, but they could fill your income gap and help you maintain your financial commitments. Jobs at resorts, pools, camps, seasonal markets, farming co-ops, etc are available and are usually pretty flexible. Also - it may be a great way to turn that part-time boss into a full time client of your business once they see how awesome you are!
5. Clean out your work space. Get organized! Clean off you desk, sort through your files and discard what's no longer in use. Send e-mail to old prospects, follow up send notes to old clients saying "We want yo back" and offer them your seasonal special. Remove the clutter from your work and your life. You may just find that number you lost months ago!
6. Review YOUR vendor deals. Look at every supplier you have and compare prices with other vendors and negotiate better deals. Cell phone service, internet providers, cable TV, office supplies, insurance, mortgage, etc. You could save hundreds even thousands annually.
I hope these tips have helped. So go out there and be awesome and remember to take some time for your self and your Family this Summer. See you in the Fall!
-Pete
Thursday, May 3, 2012
It's been a while!
How have you been? I've missed writing to you! I have been incredibly busy...and that's a good thing! I was recently honored by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce being awarded the "Small Business Person of the Year"! It has been a boost to my business and my ego as well!
I have been doing a lot of video work lately and you can see some of it on my YouTube page which is http://www.youtube.com/petetube1965 . Please let me know your thoughts! A majority of the videos are short business podcasts produced at The Delco Chamber. By the way, joining the chamber gets you a FREE video session. Contact me for more info on that.
So again, I am sorry for not writing in a while, but my customers always come first. If you need any help with your business, please don't hesitate to e-mail me or call me at 610.529.0122.
Take care and be awesome!
-Pete
I have been doing a lot of video work lately and you can see some of it on my YouTube page which is http://www.youtube.com/petetube1965 . Please let me know your thoughts! A majority of the videos are short business podcasts produced at The Delco Chamber. By the way, joining the chamber gets you a FREE video session. Contact me for more info on that.
So again, I am sorry for not writing in a while, but my customers always come first. If you need any help with your business, please don't hesitate to e-mail me or call me at 610.529.0122.
Take care and be awesome!
-Pete
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Wow! Please forgive me for not posting in such a long while. The good news is, I have been very busy! So many exciting things are happening with my clients. We are seeing growth in all areas of business. Here's some of the ways we have helped our clients:
Web Re-Design - Re-designing and updating your website often keeps things fresh and keeps the search engines revving!
Organic SEO - Finding appropriate link sources with open content comment areas is a great way to exercise organic search engine optimization.
Video Podcasts - Google listings with a well produced video attached have a significantly higher open rate. Coupled with a quick message are super-effective!
Strategic Media Placement - If you throw a lot of darts, you will eventually hit a bulls eye. If you increase the size of the bulls eye, you will increase the likelihood of hitting your target. Choose targeted marketing sources - those that over-deliver on your desired demographic.
Networking - Joining associations such as your local Chamber of Commerce or networking associations are great ways to share your message with a captive audience. There is nothing better than a personal referral.
Database Management - Periodic blasts and blogs to your potential customers is critical to remaining top of mind.
I have been reviewing my goals for 2011 and reached my sales goal a few weeks back! Reviewing my goals was critical to my success as I was lagging after the 2nd quarter. I re-focused my efforts and eliminated the various clutters that were hindering my growth. If you would like to talk about how Solstice Media can help you reach your goals, please don't hesitate to ask.
And enjoy whatever Holiday you may choose to celebrate, but I want to wish you all a safe, healthy and blessed Christmas!
Cheers ~ Pete
Monday, September 26, 2011
Back to School Special
My kids are back in school and that's pretty special! What this means for me - a small business owner whose wife also works - is more uninterrupted time during the week. It allows me to schedule more and longer appointments without having to worry if my business fee is being offset by childcare costs!
How do other small businesses cope with these challenges? I would love to hear your story and see if we can't exchange helpful hints. I am fortunate that most of my work can be done anywhere as long as I have my laptop and web access, which I do always have. This choice to live my life a little closer to home has its challenges, but I wouldn't change it for the World. I have plenty of time for appointments with my clients as long as I plan well. As a matter of fact, my retainer clients have 7 days per week access to me. I also have time to coach my kids, volunteer at Church and sneak away for the occasional lunch with my wife.
You'll find in life - no matter what your life is like - that planning is the key to success. A major component of planning is having a clear goal in mind. Documenting your progress and re-visiting your goals along the way is also key.
So as I find myself enjoying the mandatory school day time away from my kids, I also find myself missing them. I appreciate my Family so much and I am grateful for the time I have with them every day! I know that they are the catalyst for all my goals and their well being is the ultimate success.
So if you have the gumption to go out and start your own business, know that the rewards - if you do things right - can far outweigh the risks.
Take care and let me know your thoughts.
-Pete
How do other small businesses cope with these challenges? I would love to hear your story and see if we can't exchange helpful hints. I am fortunate that most of my work can be done anywhere as long as I have my laptop and web access, which I do always have. This choice to live my life a little closer to home has its challenges, but I wouldn't change it for the World. I have plenty of time for appointments with my clients as long as I plan well. As a matter of fact, my retainer clients have 7 days per week access to me. I also have time to coach my kids, volunteer at Church and sneak away for the occasional lunch with my wife.
You'll find in life - no matter what your life is like - that planning is the key to success. A major component of planning is having a clear goal in mind. Documenting your progress and re-visiting your goals along the way is also key.
So as I find myself enjoying the mandatory school day time away from my kids, I also find myself missing them. I appreciate my Family so much and I am grateful for the time I have with them every day! I know that they are the catalyst for all my goals and their well being is the ultimate success.
So if you have the gumption to go out and start your own business, know that the rewards - if you do things right - can far outweigh the risks.
Take care and let me know your thoughts.
-Pete
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