If you were training to run a marathon would you train with those who are preparing for only a half marathon? If you were watching your weight would you go to an all you can eat buffet? If you wanted to ace an exam, would you go out for happy hour the night before? Many…
The Right Tools
September 13, 2013 By
How many of you reading this can say that you have the perfect presentation at your fingertips, or that you have that ideal piece of literature in you portfolio to help you communicate with your customer exactly what it is that you do? If you find that you don’t have those tools at your disposal…
Marketing Research for Small Business
August 28, 2013 By
You might be wondering how and why a small business like yours would even consider marketing research. But small business can do effective marketing research. Granted it won’t be as elaborate and thorough as what the marketing research firms can do, but a little can go a long way, and it needn’t cost a lot…
Search Engine Optimization
August 23, 2013 By
When it comes to Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, the content that is contained within your website is critical to your target audience finding you. Without the right content, the key words and phrases that are used to search for you will lead them to your competitor, not you. However, having the right key words…
“Never Leave Your Selling Shoes at the Door”
May 14, 2013 By
Many years ago, my first manager shared with me a valuable piece of advice shortly after starting my new job. Granted, there were a lot of ‘words of wisdom’ that first year in my career, but this one piece stands out as I have called upon it many times since then. No matter what your…
Opportunities Unlimited
May 9, 2013 By
I am amazed at the countless opportunities companies have to market themselves. No matter the business event I am attending, you will find representatives from radio, magazine, newspaper, online, promotional, printing, special coupon advertising, etc. Beyond that are more specific advertising sales professionals from various art venues like the Aronoff, Riverbend, the Pops, and Playhouse.…
“Earned Media”
April 18, 2013 By
A key component to your marketing plan should involve public relations and the media. But what exactly does this mean? In terms of marketing, many people tend to think of paid advertising when they think of the media. However, an often overlooked piece is something that can cost little to nothing at all. This piece…
11 Reasons Small Business Should Blog
March 21, 2013 By
What is blogging? According to Dictionary.com, blogging is defined as “a Web site containing the writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having pictures and links to other Web sites.” But let’s get down to the nitty gritty – the benefits of blogging to a small business: You become the…
Transparency
March 19, 2013 By
Although our intentions might be good, sometimes our engagement efforts on social media can backfire. I recently joined a discussion on LinkedIn where a member posted a question regarding a vendor recommendation. The responses were overwhelming. It was actually exciting to watch the comments being posted and referrals being shared. Several days later the person…
Shut It! (Part I)
February 26, 2013 By
This is a special post by guest blogger Kevin Rains owner of Center City Collision in Cincinnati, Ohio and founder of Body Shop 2.0 (bodyshopmarketingplan.com) People want to be heard. Really heard and really understood. It’s also true that to fix a problem you have to learn; however, learning requires listening as the price of…
