Is Your Business Ready for 2003?
Anyone who owned a business in the U.S. in 2002 knows the difficulties that a poor economy can cause. Even those in other countries who may have operated under better economic conditions last year have or will experience downturns in business. Well, 2002 is over, so how do you regroup to face 2003 with optimism and a fresh game plan? That was the topic of discussion in my recent coaching session with Denise. "The economy can't possibly be as terrible this year as it was last year, can it?" she asked.
"I mean, I'm really struggling to get new jobs from my current clients much less bring on new clients." "Well, it does seem like the economy is taking a longer time to rebound than anyone expected, so let's see what we might be able to do to shore up your business during this down time." During the rest of our conversation, we set a new agenda focused on strengthening relationships with current clients, further distinguishing herself from her competitors, and approaching segments of her target market that she'd never really considered. By strengthening her relationships with her current clients, she is ensuring that they will return to her when things do pick up instead of hiring some writer they've recently met who was more in the forefront of their mind. By focusing on identifying more ways to distinguish herself from her competitors, she is making sure that if she does get the opportunity to make her pitch to a business that is hiring now, they will be more apt to hire her over her competition. But, the most significant way you and Denise can get new business coming in the door now is to identify and approach segments of your target market that you've previously ignored. People and businesses haven't completely stopped spending money, but many have cut back significantly.
Your job is to find those that are still hiring people to provide the service you sell. You can do this by focusing in on one or two market segments within your target market and really going after them. Segments are smaller groups that fall within the larger label "target market." Let's say your target market is "business owners." Well, there are a lot of industries represented within the group called "business owners." And finding, reaching, and pitching your services to each one takes a different approach. The "business owner" group could include: * freelance writers * caterers * interior designers * florists * house cleaners * doctors * landscape planners * recruiters * accountants * architects * massage therapists * dry cleaners And, I'm sure you'd agree that these people do not likely belong to the same networking groups, read the same national publications, attend the same annual conferences, or buy the same support services. Additionally, they don't have the same needs or care about the same things.
If you go out into the marketplace in an attempt to reach "business owners" with one marketing message, nobody in the group is going to hear the specific message they want to hear ? "what's in it for me?" It's impossible to answer that question for all the diverse groups that make up the whole category of "business owners." So, what's your target market and can you identify segments within it that might represent new opportunities for you in 2003? And, further, how can you locate, approach, and sell to them? Take some time to think about it this afternoon. It will be well worth your investment..
Kimberly Stevens is the author of the ebook series, *The Profitable Business Owner: A Step-by-Step System for Starting & Running a Successful Service Business*.Download Sample Chapters & get her free MiniCourse, *The 10 Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make & How To Avoid Them* at: http://www.askthebizcoach.com/ebooks.htmkim@askthebizcoach.com
Paper Bride's Bridal Greeting Cards Featured as Favorite of Desperate Housewife Bride-To-Be Marcia Cross in Winter Issue of In Style Weddings
New York, NY (ContentDesk) March 14, 2006 -- Featured in the "aisle style" section of the winter issue of In Style Weddings as a favorite wedding planning accessory of
Desperate Housewife star Marcia Cross, Paper Bride's (www.paperbride.com) new line of sassy wedding greeting cards and stationery continues to make a splash amongst chic brides-to-be.Paper Bride broke new ground in the stationery industry early last year with their debut line of the first-of-its-kind collection of bridal greeting cards.
Paper Bride's cards and postcards encourage brides to "thank outside the box" and are aimed at helping hip, young brides through their wedding planning process from start to finish with humor and style.
"I know I made you wear an ugly dress and matching shoes," starts off one card in Paper Bride's Wedding Party Collection, "but I'm so glad you could be a part of our special day...
Florists > Paper Bride's Bridal Greeting Cards Featured as Favorite of Desperate Housewife Bride-To-Be Marcia Cross in Winter Issue of In Style Weddings
New Wedding Services Portal site helps Arizona brides plan the perfect wedding
Phoenix, AZ (ContentDesk) June 9, 2004 -- AZWeddingDirectory.com launched its website today, just in time to help June brides plan their 2005 wedding.
The portal is a product of Maffeo Media, a Scottsdale, AZ-based marketing and public relations firm."I wanted to give today's bride a place to find tips, tactics and timely information on weddings, wedding planning and purchasing and provide a cost effective advertising medium for the thousands of small businesses in Arizona that service the $80 billion bridal market," said Mariane Maffeo, chief architect of the site.Maffeo has over ten years experience in Internet marketing, public relations and search engine optimization and used this valuable knowledge in developing a site which is easy to use, attractive and encourages interaction between vendors and brides.
A temporary site that was used for search engine propagation has already achieved a number one ranking in Yahoo Search (the largest portal in the world) and has...
Florists > New Wedding Services Portal site helps Arizona brides plan the perfect wedding
Ordering Flowers
As former florists, we witnessed all too often "Order Gatherers" taking advantage of consumers. These companies even purchase ads in your local yellow pages. They buy sponsored ads in major search engines online. They create websites that lead you to believe that they are a local florist. These companies often work in a call center, far removed from the recipient of your flower gift.
These companies will process your $60.00 floral arrangement order and pass it on to a local florist at a value of $43.00 (to include delivery) You paid $60.00! It just doesn't make sense. We find these companies to be misleading and dishonest. They would never tell you that the value of your arrangement is compromised. They are happy to process your order and keep a portion of your money. Consumers deserve better.
Always make sure you are dealing directly with a REAL local florist to get the best value and better service! Here are just a few of the advantages of ordering your flowers from a...
Ordering Flowers
Florists > Ordering Flowers
Are you Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?
Did you know that you can send flowers many different ways on the internet? With a few different options of delivering and ordering flowers online, you must be aware of security and safety of your personal information. Not only that, but you could be left with disappointing flowers for your event if you choose the wrong online florist. Many florists online have created websites that lead consumers to believe that they are "local florists." Although you believe they are located in your area, many of them work in call centers far away from you or your flower recipient. With the following tips to sending your flowers online, you can be sure your flowers will get to your destination from a reliable and real professional florist group. Sending flowers online can be a fast and convenient way for on-the-go families to give a quick gift to the ones they love.
Same day or next day delivery can get your flowers there on time. Another option is to place your flower order in ahead of time....
Are you Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?
Florists > Are you Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?