Archive for October 22nd, 2009
Why Honesty and Good Business Ethics Pay Off
Author: carlos
Honesty in business is important. In the small business world, news quickly gets around about business owners who value their customers and conduct themselves in an ethical way – the same holds true for businesses that are not so ethical.
In a competitive world where small businesses need to stand out in order to survive, honesty is even more important. Here are a few tips for running an ethical and honest business:
# Treat people with respect – You’ve probably been taught to treat people how you’d like to be treated. The same holds true in business. Customers will notice when they are being treated fairly and respectfully. If a customer has an issue or is upset, it’s even more important that we listen to them and ensure they are properly taken care of. Your customer’s reaction is simply a sign that they are frustrated and angry.
# Honesty is the best policy – Whether it comes down to a testimonial for your website or deciding what fee to charge for your service, it pays to be honest and fair in all you do. Misuse of information or a testimonial can come back and bite you, and it’s just not worth the hassle in the first instance.
You can always start out with testimonials from family members or friends which are still honest. When it comes to fees for services, it’s not to say you should undercharge for your services or necessarily use other businesses as a guide, but do think about your customers and whether or not you feel your fees are truly fair all around.
# Don’t cut corners – If a customer is paying good money for a set service then they will expect to receive that service to a high level. It’s important to maintain a high standard and not cut corners – whether it’s in regards to products or services. Taking shortcuts can lead to business disaster and a not so positive reputation.
# Give back – Not everyone will agree that all businesses inherently have a responsibility to their communities and those less fortunate, but wouldn’t the world be a better place if perhaps they did? Not every person can manage to start a profitable business or work at a high-paying job. Giving back to the community, even in the smallest of ways, can make a difference to all involved.
And you don’t have to be a large business to give back; a little goes a long way. Donating to a book fund at your local school or helping to build a community garden, giving back can take ways in many forms and is beneficial to everyone. If financially it’s not viable for you to give back, how about offering an entrepreneurship to a local teen who would like to start a business? With a little thought, it’s easy to find a way to make a difference.
# Stick to your word – This is a fundamental part of good business ethics. Whether it’s meeting your deadlines or following through with a venture you agreed to, sticking to your word is always the best policy. People will come to respect you for your dependability and honesty. Customers are more likely to want to do business with someone they know they can rely on and you’ll feel better for accomplishing something that is often not easy for many.
Sometimes things happen and it’s difficult for us to follow through but wherever possibly try your best. It will pay dividends in the long run. Not to mention it simply being the right thing to do.
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How To Promote Your MLM Business
Author: carlos
It doesn’t matter how great your MLM’ s products or services are. If you don’t promote them properly, no one will ever know they exist. Poor marketing strategy is one of the top reasons Network Marketers fail.
Now, I know what you’re thinking right now: “I just don’t have enough money to advertise my small business properly.” Many MLM’ers have repeated this refrain time and time again. And it seems to make sense. After all, the big boys are out there spending millions of dollars each year to attract customers.
But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to promote your business. There are several low-cost advertising methods you can use to get big results for your small business.
- Focus on Customer Retention—Rather than focusing on acquiring new customers and Distributors put your energy into keeping the ones you already have. A high rate of customer retention could earn you more business than even the best marketing campaign. Loyal customers will not only provide repeat business, but they’ll also likely generate referrals to you. Speaking of referrals, consider launching a referral program that rewards loyal customers who refer business your way.
- Optimize Your Website—Simply put, search engine optimization (SEO) is the most cost-effective way to generate business online. See, unlike paid advertising that has a limited shelf life, an optimized site has a potentially unlimited ROI. Your top search engine rankings can earn you business day in and day out for years to come. And with hundreds of millions of consumers using search engines to guide their buying decisions each day, the opportunities for success are unlimited. Whether you want to hire an SEO company to handle this for you or you want to spend the time learning SEO skills online, a sound optimization strategy will net you a high return on your investment.
- Write Online Press Releases—Online press releases are another great way to get your company attention without spending a lot. Simply write a newsworthy press release about your company, and publish it on one of the many press release distribution services online. You’ll receive high search engine placement (assuming you optimize the press release for relevant keywords), valuable back links to your website, and an increase in interest in your company. Just make sure your press release is actually newsworthy and not just fluff that no one cares about.
- Use Social Media—A growing number of companies are using social media outlets to connect with their customers. From Twitter and Facebook to promoting blogs on Digg, social media marketing has become the hottest trend in online marketing. It’s a no-cost way to directly interact with your target audience. Even if your Twitter account doesn’t directly generate business, it’s still a useful resource for better understanding your audience.
- Send Direct Mail Letters—Direct mail is still an effective marketing method. The keys to success with direct mail are: a) effective copywriting and b) a highly targeted mailing list. In other words, you want to make sure you’re effectively communicating your message to the right audience. After all, it’s pointless to send a sales letter to someone who wouldn’t be interested in your services in the first place. Avoid wasteful spending by generating a highly targeted mailing list.
- Use Bold Viral Methods—Viral marketing. It’s all about generating word of mouth buzz about your company without spending a lot of money. There are several ways you can do this. Whether you want to create a unique video for YouTube or you prefer doing a publicity stunt on a crowded street corner, the point of viral marketing is to stand out and to do something totally different. Don’t treat it like a normal corporate advertisement, because that’s not what viral marketing is. Viral marketing is something that makes people want to tell their friends about what they saw.
You really don’t have to spend a lot of money to promote your small business. The key is to focus on getting the maximum bang for your marketing buck. Put these low-cost advertising methods into practice, and you’ll start to see a boost in consumer interest in your brand.