Why the “new world” of small business marketing?

The internet has changed everything.  Not the basics, as a small business owner, your world should be about finding the people who need your product or services and connecting with them. Building a relationship, selling those who are a good fit for your products and services. Developing long term relationships with them to continue to meet their needs.

The new world of sales and marketing is about helping you do this…and we are willing to share techniques and tips to be effective.

We love the internet, Google search, email, direct mail and videos to find, connect with customers.  This site is devoted to helping existing businesses make the transition to effective use of technology to grow their businesses.

You should be getting 1/2 your leads from the web and 1/2 from personal referrals or existing customers.

If you are like may businesses, you have business cards, phone and fax, email and a website.  Your website is probably  not an effective lead generation tool.  You are convinced that the web is not a good marketing/lead gen method.

You also know that when you need any service or product for your business…you ask friends, but often search the web. You Google to learn about the available solutions to your probelm. You may read blogs or review sites to elarn what other people have to say. You actually use the internet to find, check the backgrounds of vendors, review other’s experience.

But your business isn’t in this process.  You aren’t getting found!

So what do you need to do?  Spend alot of $$?

You need to start to learn then act!

You need to learn how to find people looking for services and products like yours. You need to know how to get found during search. You need to learn how to collect contact information on people interested in services like yours and you need to learn how to follow-up effectively with them.

Google is always amazing.  They offer  free valuable tools for gaining insight into what people are searching for.  I strongly recommend Google Insights for Search.  You must know what is popular in your field and this free tool helps start that process.

My example is the search term “Dental” and I limited it to the United States.

Here is the result:

This shows that as one might imagine dental insurance is the most popular search. Guess which page I will be adding to my dental practice website today?

Yesterday everyone used the yellow pages, local directories, the chamber of commerce to find good quality providers. Today, people use Google, Yahoo, Bing and discuss with friends who are good providers.

It is important to show up in search results in search engines. Anyone reading this probably knows that already. The people who need to know this 1) aren’t collecting information online and 2) may have a website but receive little or no traffic.

There are some very simple and effective ways to start to collect more leads and develop more website traffic. I’ll cover them in future posts but complete my webform on the right and I’ll send you all the valuable info immediately.

Between getting leads, turning them into customers, fulfilling on your promises, collecting the money…there aren’t enough hours in the day. But some businesses have it all figured out! They know something many small businesses don’t.

As a veteran of Johnson & Johnson and other large corporations AND a small business owner for many years, I understand and can sympathize. My mission is to share the insights, mindset, techniques and techniques that enable small businesses to thrive. I’m Craig Jacobson and I can help. This website is my gift, a collection of resources which can help you grow your business, in tough times and boom times.

You are in the business of getting customers

No matter what business you are in…upholstery, legal services, medical, consulting, whatever…you are really in the business of getting customers in upholstery, legal services, etc. Without customers you have no business !

There are four core systems any business must have in place:
Lead Generation

This connects you with people who may or may not have an interest in your products or services.

Sales System

This helps your prospective clients with your business, evaluate your products/services for fitting their needs and ultimately (if appropriate) purchasing with you.

Fulfillment

This is the delivering the products/ services promised and getting paid.

Infrastructure

These are all supporting assets and services to support the other three systems.

As a small business owner your most important decisions are on selecting and optimizing performance of these systems. When I work with clients, I need to understand these systems to know how to improve them. I am amazed that many small businesses have never laid out these systems in a formal manner (like a flow chart or Excel spreadsheet to understand flow from one step to another). If you haven’t done this, grab a napkin, computer or sheet of paper and outline how your business works. As a sales and marketing professional, I think that your lead generation and sales systems are the most important parts of your business.

Businesses are different! But many are similar in their sales and marketing structure.

Many businesses sell within a specific geography. Others sell products or services anywhere. There are some proven methods for each of these types.

It matters less what your product or service is. What does matter is where you sell and service clients.

So what are the most effective ways of getting customers today?

You know the easiest people to sell to are people who have purchased from you in the past and are happy. They know you and trust you. You delivered for them. Here is the list in order of easiest to hardest:

1) Past clients

2) Referrals from past happy clients

3) Winning back lost clients

4) Winning new clients

Connecting with these people is essential for your success. Each group requires different approach to be effective. More inside.

In a recent report by Forrester they indicated Social media isn’t creating customers for online retailers…

“The negative news in Forrester’s report is that “social commerce” just isn’t taking off. The firm says that since late 2008 or early 2009, its research has shown that many or most major retailers have taken pains to establish social media presences. But to date, few of these retailers, less than 40%, have been able to “quantify the return on this investment, and even fewer have found that social networks grow their business.” Around 28% said that social media strategies have helped them grow their business in any tangible way.

“To the degree that retailers find any benefit at all from social strategies,” the report reads, “it is most frequently driven by tactics like ratings and reviews on a website rather than activities on social networks… Social networks, in fact, ranked dead last on a list of 10 customer acquisition tactics.”

Let us know your experience…Comment below

What if I told you that you can get a #1 spot in Google for your business locally? Yeah, and it’s free. I recommend every small business and local entrepreneur invest the 20 minutes and get themselves listed.

Getting the top listings in search engines such as Google, MSN/Live/Bing and Yahoo are the difference between getting Web leads and no leads. A common misconception is that it costs a lot of money to land the top listings. Additionally, those who are unfamiliar with search engines might think there is some mysterious authority that judges which business appear. There isn’t.

At least, not anymore. The search engines are still in a three-way race to win over consumers to become loyal searchers. What does this mean for you, as a small business? Free local visibility and well-connected customers can keep in touch with you.

As great as it is to dominate “dog grooming,” it can be twice as effective to be first on “dog grooming phoenix, az.” Consumers now have the tools to give them relevant information, reviews and ratings on local establishments. Anyone with an iPhone now is connected at the lifeblood of Google with their Maps application and have it at a finger’s touch away in Safari. Contrasted to five years ago, Yelp!, Google Local and MSN Local listings were a far cry for entrepreneurs. Now they’re commonplace for reputation management and consumer experiences.

Google and Live Search (now, Bing) has made it incredibly simple for any small business owner to claim their stake in the local, competitive search engine market. Through a simple submission process, verification, you can blaze to the top of their search engine listings as if you were always there. Doing this gives your business visibility and the ability for customers (and potential customers) to find you quickly, no matter how they’re trying to find you.
Google: How to Add Your Local Search Engine Listing (FREE)

1. Add your local business to Google. Doing so requires a free Google Account.
2. Fill in the details including location, phone number and services/products offered. Take your time but don’t worry, you can edit it later.
3. Submit your listing and choose either telephone or postal verification. Postal verification takes longer, but is needed if you have a toll-free phone number. I chose Postal verification, and received this two weeks later:

Google Local Postal Verification that I received.

MSN/Live/Bing: How to Add Your Local Search Engine Listing (FREE)

1. Add your local business to Microsoft’s directories. Doing so requires a free MSN Live account.
2. Wait.
3. In about two weeks, your small business listing will appear out of thin air.

Yahoo: How to Add Your Local Search Engine Listing (FREE)

1. Add your local business to Yahoo’s local directory. Doing so requires a free Yahoo account.
2. Wait.
3. In about two weeks, your small business listing will appear out of thin air.

Now, if you simply stuff your Local Search pages with a laundry list of keywords, you’ve missed the point. It’s about relevance and enabling people to find your business on their terms. It would be a good idea to point to your Website, Twitter, Facebook Page and include key local terms that your customers may refer to. (For instance, the East Valley which includes cities like Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Scottsdale that are located in the Phoenix metro area.)

If you’re like me, it bothers you when it’s difficult to locate a decent local business, and when you do, the Website lacks current contact information. Local Search addresses this frustration for consumers. This is probably the best time ever to start a small business. It’s insanely cheap to get started, it’s easy to make a difference and there is < #25_Link-OSC Edge of Success Link#> out there to help you grow quickly.

This is an article from a friend Joe Manna…Thanks Joe!

Tough Times Tactics for Small Business owners

Open to All Southern California Infusionsoft Users. Using a mastermind group type format, you can network with others using this powerful marketing acceleration tool to grow their business.

This will be a round table discussion of what is working in marketing automation. Lead generation, website traffic, captures, sales and especially tuning your automated marketing automation system.

We will share what techniques are working for automating and growing small businesses.

Enjoy breakfast and participate in this Mastermind format discussion of marketing automation. This is a "no sales" but high on recommending tools, vendors which are working for other small businesses who have started on the path of marketing automation.

Learn how to get more from your Infusionsoft investment.

Our sessions will follow the following format:
1) Introductions and networking-30 minutes
2) Discussion of event’s topic- 15 minutes
3) Open Q&A discussion 1 hour

Some of the most amazing entrepreneurs will be present. Tech saavey business pros interested in implementing effective techniques to build their business. This forum is designed to share our learning in between the annual InfusionCon event and periodic corporate sponsored events such as Dan Kennedy, Perry Marshall, Michael Gerber, Matt Bacak, Theodor Levitt.

Enjoy a breakfast and come away with valuable tips on how to better automate your sales and marketing processes. We use a Mastermind format…come prepared with:

1) Your business elevator pitch
2) Share an effective tactic or vendor
3) Bring a problem for everyone to help you with

Location: Encinitas Cafe
531 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas , CA
Phone :760 632 0919

Time 7:30 AM -9:30 AM Breakfast
Cost: $20 per person
Payment: Online or at the door
Reserve a space now

Small Business Marketing Experts

Encinitas, CA 92024 – USA

Friday, December 17 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 2

Fee: Price: USD 20.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Tough-Times-Tactics-Small-Business/calendar/15630829/

Tough Times Tactics for Small Business owners

The most effective way of connecting with new clients is learning to use the internet effectively.

We will quickly cover the basics of an effective small business marketing system then focus on the first stage: Find out what people are searching for

We will discuss the Google Keyword tool and how to find attractive search terms which have hundreds or thousands of people searching on every month.

We will touch on why competitive websites are showing up in those searches and what you need to do to show up in those searches.

We will discuss the elements of an effective small business marketing system.

1. Find out what people are searching on
2. Show up in search
3. Connect with prospects
4. Follow-up and sell

You will walk away with actionable information on how to get more customers in 2010. You will know how to use free tools and how to see the abundant opportunity of people hungry for your products and services.

Bring your laptop and improve your business over breakfast.

7:30 AM to 9:30 AM Encinitas Cafe

Make 2010 your best year ever!

Effective Small Business Sales and Marketing
Follow-up Marketing
san diego small business marketing experts

Encinitas, CA 92024 – USA

Friday, December 10 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 3

Fee: Price: USD 20.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Tough-Times-Tactics-Small-Business/calendar/15559957/

Tough Times Tactics for Small Business owners

Open to All Southern California Infusionsoft Users. Using a mastermind group type format, you can network with others using this powerful marketing acceleration tool to grow their business.

This will be a round table discussion of what is working in marketing automation. Lead generation, website traffic, captures, sales and especially tuning your automated marketing automation system.

We will share what techniques are working for automating and growing small businesses.

Enjoy breakfast and participate in this Mastermind format discussion of marketing automation. This is a "no sales" but high on recommending tools, vendors which are working for other small businesses who have started on the path of marketing automation.

Learn how to get more from your Infusionsoft investment.

Our sessions will follow the following format:
1) Introductions and networking-30 minutes
2) Discussion of event’s topic- 15 minutes
3) Open Q&A discussion 1 hour

Some of the most amazing entrepreneurs will be present. Tech saavey business pros interested in implementing effective techniques to build their business. This forum is designed to share our learning in between the annual InfusionCon event and periodic corporate sponsored events such as Dan Kennedy, Perry Marshall, Michael Gerber, Matt Bacak, Theodor Levitt.

Enjoy a breakfast and come away with valuable tips on how to better automate your sales and marketing processes. We use a Mastermind format…come prepared with:

1) Your business elevator pitch
2) Share an effective tactic or vendor
3) Bring a problem for everyone to help you with

Location: Encinitas Cafe
531 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas , CA
Phone :760 632 0919

Time 7:30 AM -9:30 AM Breakfast
Cost: $20 per person
Payment: Online or at the door
Reserve a space now

Small Business Marketing Experts

Encinitas, CA 92024 – USA

Friday, December 17 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 2

Fee: Price: USD 20.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Tough-Times-Tactics-Small-Business/calendar/15630829/

Tough Times Tactics for Small Business owners

The most effective way of connecting with new clients is learning to use the internet effectively.

We will quickly cover the basics of an effective small business marketing system then focus on the first stage: Find out what people are searching for

We will discuss the Google Keyword tool and how to find attractive search terms which have hundreds or thousands of people searching on every month.

We will touch on why competitive websites are showing up in those searches and what you need to do to show up in those searches.

We will discuss the elements of an effective small business marketing system.

1. Find out what people are searching on
2. Show up in search
3. Connect with prospects
4. Follow-up and sell

You will walk away with actionable information on how to get more customers in 2010. You will know how to use free tools and how to see the abundant opportunity of people hungry for your products and services.

Bring your laptop and improve your business over breakfast.

7:30 AM to 9:30 AM Encinitas Cafe

Make 2010 your best year ever!

Effective Small Business Sales and Marketing
Follow-up Marketing
san diego small business marketing experts

Encinitas, CA 92024 – USA

Friday, December 10 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 3

Fee: Price: USD 20.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Tough-Times-Tactics-Small-Business/calendar/15559957/

Which browsers are people using to view your website?

Short Answer..

#1 Internet Explorer

#2 Mozilla Firefox

#3 Chrome

#4 Apple Safari

Source: Wikipedia

What does this mean to you?

1. View all webpages first using Internet Explorer, then Firefox then Chrome and Apple Safari. That way you know how your content looks to your audience.

2. Download all of theses browsers and install them on your computer (It’s free)

Download the Browsers you are currently missing:

Microsoft Internet Explorer http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/ie7/

Mozilla Firefox  http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

Google Chrome http://www.google.com/chrome

Apple Safari http://www.apple.com/safari/download/

Opera http://www.opera.com/download/

The San Diego Entrepreneur Meetup Group

Open to All Southern California Infusionsoft Users. Using a mastermind group type format, you can network with others using this powerful marketing acceleration tool to grow their business.

This will be a round table discussion of what is working in marketing automation. Lead generation, website traffic, captures, sales and especially tuning your automated marketing automation system.

We will share what techniques are working for automating and growing small businesses.

Enjoy breakfast and participate in this Mastermind format discussion of marketing automation. This is a "no sales" but high on recommending tools, vendors which are working for other small businesses who have started on the path of marketing automation.

Learn how to get more from your Infusionsoft investment.

Our sessions will follow the following format:
1) Introductions and networking-30 minutes
2) Discussion of event’s topic- 15 minutes
3) Open Q&A discussion 1 hour

Some of the most amazing entrepreneurs will be present. Tech saavey business pros interested in implementing effective techniques to build their business. This forum is designed to share our learning in between the annual InfusionCon event and periodic corporate sponsored events such as Dan Kennedy, Perry Marshall, Michael Gerber, Matt Bacak, Theodor Levitt.

Enjoy a breakfast and come away with valuable tips on how to better automate your sales and marketing processes. We use a Mastermind format…come prepared with:

1) Your business elevator pitch
2) Share an effective tactic or vendor
3) Bring a problem for everyone to help you with

Location: Encinitas Cafe
531 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas , CA
Phone :760 632 0919

Time 7:30 AM -9:30 AM Breakfast
Cost: $20 per person
Payment: Online or at the door
Reserve a space now

Small Business Marketing Experts
San Diego Infusionsoft

San Diego, CA 92103 – USA

Friday, June 18 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 20.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/SDEntrepreneurs/calendar/mjqjnynjbxb/

The San Diego Entrepreneur Meetup Group

The most effective way of connecting with new clients is learning to use the internet effectively.

We will quickly cover the basics of an effective small business marketing system then focus on the first stage: Find out what people are searching for

We will discuss the Google Keyword tool and how to find attractive search terms which have hundreds or thousands of people searching on every month.

We will touch on why competitive websites are showing up in those searches and what you need to do to show up in those searches.

We will discuss the elements of an effective small business marketing system.

1. Find out what people are searching on
2. Show up in search
3. Connect with prospects
4. Follow-up and sell

You will walk away with actionable information on how to get more customers in 2010. You will know how to use free tools and how to see the abundant opportunity of people hungry for your products and services.

Bring your laptop and improve your business over breakfast.

7:30 AM to 9:30 AM Encinitas Cafe

Make 2010 your best year ever!

Effective Small Business Sales and Marketing
Follow-up Marketing
san diego small business marketing experts

San Diego, CA 92103 – USA

Friday, June 11 at 7:30 AM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 20.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/SDEntrepreneurs/calendar/vhqjnynjbpb/

The San Diego Entrepreneur Meetup Group

Time: 6-8:30 PM
Where: Paradise Grille

Join us Thursday, June 3rd at Paradise Grille to network with 100+ professionals for your business.

Professionals Networking
Door Prizes
Complimentary Appetizers
Members Free (See Below)

About Paradise Grille
Paradise Grille is favorite destination in Del Mar with it’s outdoor firepit and fabulous ambience. They are the recipient of numerous awards including the following:

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Wine Enthusiast Award of Ultimate Distinction
Best American Cuisine – Ranch & Coast Magazine
Best Outdoor Dining – David Nelson, Food Critic San Diego Magazine
Best New Restaurant – Casual – California Restaurant Association
Top Ten New Restaurants – Citysearch.com
Best Appetizers – Rancho Santa Fe Review

Door Prizes:
– Free Annual Membership to The Business Connection with a Free Professional Video of your Business Commercial produced by Peak Motion Pictures.
– Gift Certificate to Intrinsically Magnificent Seminar – A life-changing event for women (Value $300)

Parking
Ample free parking right on the premises.

Volunteers
If interested in volunteering to help with registration, send and email with your telephone number to events@thebusinessconnection.biz.

Cover: $15

Address: 2690 Via de la Valle, Suite D210, Del Mar, CA 92014

Find out more at http://TheBusinessCon…

San Diego, CA 92103 – USA

Thursday, June 3 at 6:00 PM

Attending: 81

Details: http://www.meetup.com/SDEntrepreneurs/calendar/13545970/