Work Earth-Friendliness into Your Business – Tip #5
Love Your Library.
Do you read a lot throughout the year? As entrepreneurs and business owners we work hard to keep our skills current and offer value to our clientele. That being said, much of that knowledge comes from printed books. Consider the manufacturing process and all that goes into printing and shipping just one book to a big chain book store. Could you get that same book about generating leads or finding passion in business at your local library? Or if you live far from a public library what about an online book swap where you mail a book and get a book in return? I found Paper Back Swap, http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php, pretty simply by just Googling “book swap”. Of course if you’re like me maybe you enjoy marking up your books with highlighter or taking notes in the margin, so you’d have to transition to taking notes on your recycled paper notepad or even better in One Note. Consider your local library as an option…it’s typically free and you can get books in print or on audio. And it’ll give you an excuse to take a walk, bike ride or if need be hop in the car for a few minutes away from the office.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
simplified, consistent public relations | copy editing
The Big ol “C” word…Competition
I was recently asked the age old question, “How do I stand out from all the competition out there?”
My answer is be yourself. We’re all different. We all have different passions, goals and dreams. Yes, some may be similar or parallel but not one person’s goals or dreams are exactly the same. And neither are our businesses.
You may be yet another Realtor, freelance public relations pro, virtual assistant or bookkeeper. But there is something that makes you and your services or product unique. What drove you to start your own business? What’s your twist on the typical processes of the business you’re in? Are you speaking to a new, innovative niche? Are you targeting clients who have xx-xxx number of employees and are privately held firms in the home remodeling industry?
These are all things we all need to consider before writing our next press release, article or blog post. Who are our ideal clients and how can we reach them?
And don’t worry about someone getting all the work. There is plenty of work out there for us. T
here are endless client partnerships out there just waiting to be had. And keep this in mind too...your competition could be your next joint venture partner!
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
Work Earth-Friendliness into Your Business – Tip #4
Earth Friendly Promo Products
As business owners we most likely order business cards for distribution at networking events and other functions. What about promotional postcards or post-it note pads? Ever ordered pens with your logo printed on them to promote your business? Consider how much goes into the production of those items. What if you transitioned to earth friendlier options like a promotional pen that was made from 95% recycled plastic? Or even a pen that is 72% biodegradable and made from corn? Think about all the different tools you utilize to market your business. There is likely a smarter, more earth friendly option out there. You just have to take the time to look. One starting point is www.promotegreenonline.com or maybe there is even an IVAA partner that offers green promotional products.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
simplified, consistent public relations | copy editing
Work Earth-Friendliness into Your Business – Tip #3
Have a Green Host
Ever heard of a “green” website host? It’s worth considering for your business needs or your clients needs. Environmentally friendly hosting services like eco web hosting (http://www.ecowebhosting.co.uk/) provide their customers low cost hosting options with an ethical twist. Eco web hosting packages for example are 100% carbon neutral and they’ve planted well over 100 trees to help neutralize the carbon emissions of their business operations. If you’re considering a transition to a green host, just do your due diligence and spend some time researching and comparing. You want to be sure customer service is not sacrificed and the organization is walking its talk.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
simplified, consistent public relations | copy editing
Work Earth-Friendliness into Your Business – Tip #2
Here’s the second tip in our series that any mommypreneur or fitpreneur (or any business person) can implement today in their business practices to help the environment.
Become a PDF Addict
Do you really need to print that document? What about those client contracts? If you’re not already sending them via electronic fax or email, now might be the time to consider doing so. And there are numerous PDF converter software options out there that could simplify your business operations. With the click of a button your documents are easily converted to PDF files that can be sent anywhere. And you can even offer this as an a la carte service to clients…some may just not want to take the time to do this on their own. They’ll love that you’re being earth friendlier and helping them do so as well.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
simplified, consistent public relations | copy editing
K.I.S.S. Tip – Organizing your PR Efforts
I was recently asked this question…a question many entre/solo/fit/mom preneurs may have.
“How do you keep your PR (public relations) efforts organized?”
My rule of thumb is to Keep It Super Simple (K.I.S.S.).
Anything can be over thought or over complicated but as an entrepreneur what is the point in complicating your public relations efforts by coming up with an elaborate plan?
Here’s where you should start when developing your PR efforts for your small biz:
- Think about your niche / ideal client / target market…whatever you call who it is you DREAM of working with.
- Where do they “hang out”?
- What do they read?
- What are their habits?
- Determine your objective…more than likely it’s to gain BUZZ for your business, product or service.
- Research your on and off line options.
- Come up with a targeted list of publications and media outlets you know are in line with your business, your target market, and those that feature stories related to what it is you offer.
- Get editorial calendars if available.
- Write up your annual plan…Keep It Super Simple…1 page (the same length as a standard press release)!
- Plan and write ahead.
- Incorporate social media.
- Follow your plan!
Hope that helps shed some light on how to keep PR efforts for your small business organized and simple. If you have more suggestions or other public relations questions for an entrepreneurial business, please share them here or sign up for our FREE K.I.S.S. PR & Editorial Tips.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
Work Earth-Friendliness into Your Business – Tip #1
Here’s the beginning of a series of tips that any mommypreneur or fitpreneur (or any business person) can implement today in their business practices to help the environment.
You’ve heard it time and time again…everyone’s “going green”. Is it just a trend or is the idea of living and operating business in an earth-friendlier manner here to stay? With sites like GreenBiz.com and Ecopreneurist.com it sure does look like the shades of green are here to stay; and hopefully these greener practices will just become a normal way of life. What can we do as professional virtual business owners to work earth friendly into our businesses and those of our clients?
Tip #1: Boost your energy…
Efficiency that is. Whether you have a home office or an office away from the home, there are numerous ways you can improve the energy efficiency within that space. For starters you can install lighting dimmers on your overhead lights, if possible, which will allow you the option of letting in more natural light and less bright white bulb light. Not only will this likely boost your mood but could lesson your consumption of resources.
Another huge energy saver to consider is plugging your office electronics into a power strip and switch them off at the end of the day. If the 55 million plus office computers in the United States were operated in this manner we could save about 11 billion kWh or about $935 million. It’s amazing what just flipping one switch could save.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
simplified, consistent public relations | copy editing
3 Common Business Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
If you know me, you know I am big on learning; learning in any form, anywhere at any time. I did in fact get my MBA from an accredited online university while working full-time, often pulling all-nighters and writing until my hands were sore…but I did it because I’m passionate about life, achieving goals and working toward my dreams. And I am still learning at all hours of the night and day and soaking it all in.
Some of the lessons I learn from time to time I feel are well worth sharing. As entrepreneurs, visionaries and people who “dream big” we need to stick together and share our knowledge to help each other take our businesses where they’re meant to go. And today, this lesson was definitely worth sharing. Even if it just reminds you to take a step back and consider where you truly want to be in business and life. Enjoy this lesson from someone I consider one of my teachers, Sherri Garrity at The Corporate Fugitive.
We’re already one third of the way through 2009 – are you where you want to be?
Many of us dream of quitting the corporate rat race and exchanging it for the freedom filled life of the self-employed. Or, you may be an accidental entrepreneur, plunged into the world of self-employment due to downsizing, layoff, or business closure.
This number grows every year. Most businesses in the United States and Canada are created as sole proprietorships – and it’s no surprise, for two reasons. One, because it’s relatively simple to do, and two, because we want to be independent and free in our newly staked territory.
There are common mistakes that many new entrepreneurs make when they are leaving the corporate world.
Number one – not taking the time to get clear about what you really want out of your new business.
Would you hop on a plane, without knowing where it was headed? This is the equivalent of failing to examine your business and personal goals.
Many small business owners just don’t take the time upfront to think about what they really want. They start from where they are at the moment and put one foot in front of the other, day after day. They pick up random clients and focus on getting their work done. Most are just relieved to have clients and to make enough to replace their previous income. So where do they end up? Often somewhere they don’t like, and don’t recognize.
The best defense against building a business that you’ll want to invest yourself in, is to make sure you know what you want.
Number two – not knowing who your ideal clients are and what you are selling to them.
Using the analogy of travel again, would you be persuaded to fly first class to a five-star resort on a tropical beach, if you have a phobia of flying and your budget is modest? Not likely.
But this disconnect is something that many business owners create with their potential customers. They do not carefully and deliberately decide the structure of the business enterprise. They don’t determine the services and prices they’re offering in a strategic way. They don’t choose a target market, or figure out what that market wants. They try to sell the five-star resort to the one-star customer.
What’s even worse, they often undercharge, so to the clients they attract haphazardly, they sell at a one-star price.
What ends up happening are business owners who feel very scattered and do not stand for anything in the marketplace.
Number three – not getting help soon enough.
Going it alone sounds great to ex-corporate, solo entrepreneur types, until they realize they not only have to get the clients and do the work, but take care of technical support, marketing, production and customer service. Many new entrepreneurs do not get help soon enough. A good rule of thumb – if someone else can do it faster, better, or cheaper than you, you should not be doing it yourself.
Today the availability of contract help is virtually infinite. There are independent professionals providing administrative and technical support, accounting, marketing and everything in between.
Besides paid help, other forms of support are also important. Finding networks, taking training, and getting some form of coaching are all ways to create support teams for entrepreneurs.
Sherri Garrity is the Chief Corporate Fugitive and creator of the Five Keys Success SystemTM for ex-corporate employees and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to break free from the confines of their corporate experience and unlock their business potential for greater personal freedom and prosperity. The Corporate Fugitive system demystifies the business of setting up, managing, marketing and growing a successful entrepreneurial adventure. Visit www.corporatefugitive.com for free tips on how to unlock the business in you.
Innovate Services PR|Editorial
simplified, consistent public relations | copy editing
Ever wear your Nametag 24/7? A good “best practices” lesson…
I recently stumbled on Scott, The Nametag guy. He has some really great, helpful tips and is just easy to listen to…so take a peek at one of his videos here:
Video not working? Click here for Adobe Flash 9!
Innovate Services & Client Media Mentions…
http://www.business-opportunities.biz http://blog.cristinafavreau.com http://www.ivaa.org/pdfs/latestcast.pdf http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog
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