February 2009

Feb 2009

27

“Twitter is hot!” on ABC News Nightline and World News Tonight

by Allen Voivod

One of the things I like about ABC News is that, in the off-hours, they like to let their hair down a little bit. Their overnight show, World News Now, used to be their only purveyor of news mixed with silliness (for example, back in the Thalia Assuras days, they routinely reported on the results of sumo wrestling tournaments and placed life-sized cardboard cut-outs of sick and vacationing news folks at the anchor desk).

Now that Ted Koppel has moved on, it seems they’ve let a bit of that spirit infuse Nightline. Witness the intro from Martin Bashir on this 2/25/09 Twitter segment, and John Donvan’s (@JohnDonvanNL on Twitter) special-effects-infused opening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfnoWk3x2RU

“To twitter…has become serious business.” – Martin Bashir, Nightline 

“Twitter is an authentic phenomenon that is getting even bigger, even faster…so big, so fast, so difficult to explain if you haven’t tried it.” - John Donvan, Nightline

And earlier in the day, Charlie Gibson said “Twitter is hot!” on World News Tonight. Though I couldn’t find that on YouTube, you can see it here on the ABC News Website.

Feb 2009

26

A trusted resource for NH folks looking to start their own business (or get back to the basics of business!)

by Allen Voivod

We’ve mentioned once or twice that we’ve been members of MicroCredit-NH since 2006, and how much the organization has helped us on our journey as small-biz owners in our big little state. Well, they just recently released a video through their parent organization’s YouTube Channel that features a number of members talking about the concrete benefits and results they’ve experienced in the program.

They’ve just re-structured their services in a new and exciting way for 2009, so have a look at the video, then check out their site to learn more. (Hey – I’m even on their homepage! I’m the guy in the red shirt in the “What’s New” section – that photo’s from a breakout session I led at their 2008 Entrepreneurial Exchange. I didn’t even know they’d put that up there until today…)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvnvuSMPG84

(And see if you can spot Lani – she’s in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot at the very beginning, when the word “Networking” appears onscreen.)

Feb 2009

24

For restaurants interested in text message marketing and/or Twitter

by Allen Voivod

I put the following together for the owner of a group of restaurants here in New Hampshire, but it’d be a shame if I didn’t multi-task the content and share it with the rest here, so that other restaurant owners considering a jump into the world of text marketing and/or social marketing can get access to these resources all in one place.

Regarding text marketing: The gist is you have to get folks to opt-in to receive your text messages, and you have to sign up with a company that can manage your list and deliver the messages (like Jittergram). I’ve pasted a couple of case study examples (from Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s) below.

Also, I’ve found a great case study about a restaurant successfully using social media marketing, along with a few other relevant resources. Spoiler alert: Here’s the meat (pun intended) of that case study:

“Being only an 1 ¼ hrs or so away from Boston and 45 minutes from central Connecticut, as well as being a high end steakhouse, our Google rankings are very important to driving new business. My goal was that when someone would do searches for steakhouses in our general area, we would appear multiple times on the front page. We index better than some of the biggest names in our area, restaurants that have much bigger marketing budgets, high end websites, etc. In my opinion, if I saw a steakhouse appear multiple times on the front page, with little or no understanding of Google rankings, I’d think that must mean that they’re really good and I should check them out.

As far as our ROI on social media efforts, of course it’s always hard to determine that. But, what I do know is that since we turned our focus to social media, attracting inbound links, more internet marketing/less print advertising, etc., we have seen an approximate 30 percent boost in sales (year to date) in a time where a lot of restaurants are down 10-20 percent. Not all of that can be attributed to our online presence but I’m sure a good portion of it can. The blog and social media outposts help us reach and interact with our community as well as show our expertise in our space. I have done some research and can’t find anyone in our area (or in general) that’s doing what we’re doing as a restaurant.”

I’m in California meeting with clients and celebrating my mom’s 60th birthday, so I’d be happy to talk about this and whether we can help with your goals on Thursday or Friday this week.

Best,
Allen

P.S. Re: Twitter, your followers can choose to have your updates sent to their cell phones (in addition to seeing your updates online), and your Twitter feed is RSS-enabled – so your updates could go just about anywhere you want to put them online.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

From http://www.textsmsmarketing.com/sms-text-marketing-case-studies.php:

Dunkin Donuts SMS Text Message Campaign

GOALS
- Entice trial of Dunkin’ Donuts hot lattes to high school/college age students in the Boston area
- Drive in-store redemption of $0.99 small hot latte mobile coupon in month of October

MECHANICS
The SMS offer was sent to 7,500 targeted opt-ins.  Boston radio DJ’s invited participation; “text in to DD-123” each Thursday morning.  In addition, 400,000 Mobile Internet (WAP) ads ran in Boston targeted content.  Over 1,000 Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners and workers were educated with marketing materials about how to help consumers redeem the SMS coupons.

RESULTS
The targeted WAP and SMS messaging coupled with radio created a 21 percent increase in store traffic and redemption of the mobile coupon.  The SMS message promoted the viral element of the coupon.  This proved to be a very beneficial aspect of the campaign, in that 17 percent of participants forwarded or showed the message to a friend.  In the research subsequent to the campaign, 35 percent considered themselves more likely to buy lattes and coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Source: Mobile Marketing Association

McDonalds Text Message Holiday Promotion

GOALS
Create a new mass market sweepstake mechanism for McDonald’s Italy where consumers can participate and win directly in the restaurant. Bind winning a prize to the purchase of the product & activate POS to increase response.

MECHANICS
Print unique codes on cups for consumers to send in with 1 text message – right in the restaurant. The revolutionary idea: Every code wins – for the first time even physical prizes. Presents ranged from mobile content such as personal calls from Santa, sending postcards to friends, personal photos with Santa to attractive physical prizes like prepaid credit cards with 20.000 Euro, 13.000 x free airtime and 150 mobile phones. This innovative prize pyramid combining physical prizes with millions of digital presents was shown on TV and in the restaurants (on products, traymats, menu boards, etc.). SMS & WIN granted customers a very Merry Christmas!

RESULTS
A stunning 25% response rate – with more than 1.5 million participations in five weeks. The best result of a McDonald’s mobile marketing campaign ever. Source: Mobile Marketing Association

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Other resources:

Local restaurant’s ‘Twitter Tuesday’ draws social networking fans
http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081111/NEWS/711119929/1001/NEWS

Restaurants using Twitter
http://onlinerestaurantmarketing.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/restaurants-using-twitter/

If I were a restaurant, I’d use Twitter to…
http://www.conversationalmediamarketing.com/2008/12/if-i-were-a-restaurant-id-use-twitter-to.html

Feb 2009

18

Your Social Marketing Party invite awaits!

by Lani and Allen

 Before we share our “Social Marketing Invite” link, which presents our new scope and services designed especially for forward-thinking …

  • Imperfect-preneurs
  • Million-dollar businesses and their owners
  • Online media producers and overloaded marketing managers
  • Non-profits
  • Biz groups and trade associations
  • Government agencies
  • ALL OTHER savvy social marketing peeps and newbies looking to find fun, creative ways to increase visibility, competitive edge, and PROFITS with social media tools and tactics

…We wanted to set the stage…the vibe….the party pulse, if you will…with a multimedia sneak peek, created (for free!) using www.AhaBizVideo.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi2Pu-htjLA

Now, presenting:

SOCIALIZING FOR SUCCESS

or

The answer to a question: “What can Epiphanies, Inc. do for me and my business?”

socialmarketinginvitecoverThe “Social Marketing Newbie Parties,” workshops, “Party-crashin’” keynotes and presentations, and Twitter Visibility & Brand Loyalty service packages presented in the PDF linked here are unlike anything you’ve seen or experienced before. That’s no accident.

In our personal and professional opinions, these social media tools and viral networking opportunities are unlike anything that’s ever been available for businesses of all stripes, shapes, and sizes. The possibilities are endless!

Please, don’t get overwhelmed, or feel like you’re missing the boat. Take action. Jump in the game. Learn as you go.

We’d be honored and thrilled to help you, and hope there’s at least one thing in this “Socializing for Success” Social Marketing Invite  that strikes you as just what you’ve been looking for to serve your needs and fulfill your goals.

Feb 2009

18

Meet the author Martha Stewart recommends and Oprah raves about

by Allen Voivod

partypeepsIf you haven’t yet heard of Liz Marshall and AuthorTeleseminars.com, boy oh boy are you in for a treat. We first “virtually” met Liz when we had a couple of coaching sessions with her Contrarian Effect co-author Michael Port a couple of years ago, and physically met back in November at Ali Brown‘s OSBW event. (That’s Liz on the left, us on the right, and friends Jayson Gaddis and Alicia Forest in between, at the hotel bar during the OSBW event.)

AuthorTeleseminars.com is a fabulous, FREE resource. Liz has put together a series of roundtable interviews with some incredible folks over the past year-plus, including David Meerman Scott, John Jantsch, Seth Godin, Andrea J. Lee, Chris Anderson, Tim Sanders, David Allen, and many, many more.

You could call them “virtual books tours” (as Liz does), but they’re much more – they offer a peek into the minds of some of the most relevant marketing and success professionals out there today.

We just got an email about the next upcoming event, and thought we’d share it with you.

Does your business have remarkable brand or just an average one?
Do you sell extraordinary products and services or just the
run-of-the mill kind? It does make a difference.  See, remarkable
brands mean that Orpah is calling, sales are through the roof and
that customers are coming back for more. But, an average brand
and average products deliver just that – average results.

Lynda Resnick is definitely not average.  She’s the marketing
genius behind three of the most successful brands in the world -
POM Wonderful, FIJI Water and Teleflora. In fact, Oprah has raved
about her pomegranate juice and her FIJI water sales increased
over 300% since 2004.

http://authorteleseminars.com/lyndaresnick1.html <- GET THE SCOOP

The good news? You don’t have to be average either.  In fact, you
can learn how to uncover the hidden gems in your business and
deliver the extraordinary value that customers most want.

This Thurs, Feb 19 at 2pm ET (11am PT), Elizabeth Marshall, host
of AuthorTeleseminars.com,is hosting a call with Lynda Resnick,
author of Rubies in the Orchard. On that call, you’ll not only
learn about Lynda’s new book, but you will discover the secrets
to creating the incredible value for your customers most want to
buy.

http://authorteleseminars.com/lyndaresnick1.html <- SAVE YOUR SEAT

In addition to Lynda and me, you will also hear from:

-> Dave Lakhani, bestselling author of Persuasion and Subliminal
Persuasion

-> Melanie Benson Strick, Million Dollar Success Coach and
founder, The CEO Factor

Go ahead and register for the call, even if you can’t make it
live.  Elizabeth, host and founder of AuthorTeleseminars.com,
will send you a recording of the call after it is over.

http://authorteleseminars.com/lyndaresnick1.html <– SIGN UP HERE

Questions? Please email Elizabeth directly, as she’s the one
hosting this call.  You can reach her here:

host@authorteleseminars.com

Enjoy the call!

Feb 2009

17

Are you a proud Twitter user, like Weather.com and these other major brands?

by Lani Voivod

Allen and I have been spending more and more time tuning into how different businesses are using Twitter.

Some are building relationships and brand loyalty (@WholeFoods).

Others are hyping current promotions (@Starbucks).

Some are fostering communities (@JetBlue).

Others are using it to demonstrate radical customer service, engagement, social media thought leadership, and insider passion for their product and corporate culture (@Zapp0s).

Some are dividing and conquering and going after their niche markets (@DellOutlet, @Direct2Dell, @DellSmallBiz, @DellSmBizOffers, and @DellOutletUK)

Still others are using it to fight negative corporate reputations re: customer service and inaccessibility (@ComcastCares).

Truth be told, the ways to use Twitter are ENDLESS.

britneyspearsThis microblogging platform can be folded into editorial calendars, used to announce up-to-the-minute news alerts on a local, national, and global scale (CNN Breaking News – @cnnbrk has over 215,000 followers!), and to provide perceived accessibility to CEOs, best-selling authors, coaches, speakers, public figures, and celebrities (not surprisingly, @BritneySpears has a growing posse of peeps).

So when I just logged onto Weather.com to see if Allen is going to be able to catch his 6am flight to LA on Thursday or if we’re going to have to creatively Plan B it, I experienced a little “Yippee!” when I saw their last news alert was: “We’re on Twitter!”

I’m pasting their announcement below, because I feel like every business, no matter how big or small, should experience such public delight when they take the bold step and finally move into this fastest-growing, wonderfully-simple-yet-wildly-limitless social marketing platform.

We’re on Twitter!: weather.com and Today in Weather is on twitter. You can follow us at twitter.com/TWCi.

weathercomTwitter is a great way for us to communicate to our users the many things going on in the world of weather as well as bringing to light various features on weather.com and Today in Weather.

Over time, we imagine that it will also be a place where weather.com and twitter users alike can share with us impactful weather events in and around your neighborhood; giving us first-hand personal accounts.

So click on twitter.com/TWCi and start following us!

It’s no big deal, and yet a grand deal, all at once. So many businesses and biz owners are waiting to jump in because they want answers and numbers and ROI facts and strategy reports. Meanwhile, their competition is diving in, sharing tips, and having no-pressure conversations with current customers, past clients, and a whole world of new friends, fans, and prospects.

If you’re not tweeting yet, at the very least, secure your name, your biz name, your brand, and whatever else you need to do to protect what you’ve spent so much time building. Because you WILL be tweeting. If not this week (and why not, by the way?), then hopefully before 2009 draws to a close.

And congrats to Weather.com and the forward-thinking folks behind the scenes who made this happen, and who know innately that while rigid answers, how-tos, rules, and guidelines are nowhere near set in stone, opportunity, adventure, and viral visibility are theirs for the taking.

Feb 2009

12

Be your own boss – a systematic, structured opportunity from Michael Port

by Lani Voivod

michaelportFor the record, Allen and I  like Michael Port. He’s authentic. He’s a good guy. He puts out quality information from a place of integrity. He’s passionate about helping and serving other micro-preneurs. Essentially, he’s a giver, a big thinker (founder of The Think Big Revolution, as a matter of fact!), and Allen and I worked with him a couple of years ago and were grateful for his feedback, experienced insight, and spirit.

Which is why we’re sharing his invitation to consider the Book Yourself Solid Certified Coaching Program as a possible pursuit to feed the budding entrepreneur within. 

I’m pasting his email below, in case you or anyone you know is tossing around new ideas about what’s possible to fuel your interests, play to your strengths, and boost your bank account. And even if it’s completely NOT of interest for you right now, reading Michael’s li’l rant about the benefits of being in charge of your own financial destiny — especially in this economy! — is just what the doctor ordered.

And PLEASE, by all means, let me know if this strikes a chord with you and you end up going for it!

Michael’s Subject Line: Let’s be real.

Many of us have found ourselves in a personal economic crisis. However, in today’s uncertain times, there’s no position I’d rather be in than that of the mico-preneur. Completely adaptable. I can change pricing, delivery, product mix and marketing on a dime. My success and financial responsibility rely solely on me.

 

Now, I know that can be scary. But as solo or mico-preneurs, we shape our future. We get to dream as big as we want. Success is in our hands. We aren’t susceptible to corporate restructurings, temperamental bosses, people who micromanage, limited earnings, stifled creativity or corporate misgivings. Ultimately, we are exempt from layoffs and the false sense of security that comes with a corporate paycheck.

 

Yes, revenues may go down, but you control your destiny.

 

The brilliance of the entrepreneurial spirit is, in part, what makes America great. And, it’s what makes you great. In the end, it is also what will lead to our economic recovery, both individually and collectively.

 

In the words of the CEO of the renowned Kaufman Foundation, “History has repeatedly demonstrated that new companies and entrepreneurship are the way to bolster a flagging economy. The American people understand this.” You understand this.

 

In fact, a recent article in the Los Angeles Times showed that “Every sector of the economy was losing jobs except two. One of those was education which increased by over 600%.” (That includes coaching and online education jobs.)

 

It’s a no brainer. Secure your future.

 

The ultimate freedom and success comes from working for yourself. Take control of your future and create a rock solid financial foundation for you and your family.

 

byscoachlogoI know being an entrepreneur doesn’t come without risk. That’s why I sent this email – and more specifically created the Book Yourself Solid Certified Coaching Program.

 

Being a relentless Big Thinker and hard core corporate unemployable myself, I’m not about to leave any aspect of your business to chance. Everything I know and use to run my own business I turned into a highly-usable, income-generating, client-landing, turnkey system.

 

One that produces real results, financial freedom and unfaltering security.

 

Check into the most respected, highest integrity business building and coaching solution.

 

  • 5-day live coach certification training, with me.
  • New client leads funneled directly to you.
  • Banner images, icons, and other web graphics.
  • Pages and pages of professionally written promotional copy.
  • List building and “copy and paste” auto-responder resources.
  • Complete turnkey back office system.
  • Global and remote server access to your entire business.
  • Entry point marketing tools for prospective clients.
  • A family of BYS Coaches who stand by your side and jump for joy when you succeed.
  • Ongoing free training and coaching with me for the lifetime of your business.

 

The new price for the 2009 training was set to be $7,500. But with all that’s happening in our economy, let’s keep it at the 2008 price of $4995. Even more doable: split it into 5 lay-a-way installments.

 

More than ever, I hope I can make it possible for you to use this proven system to build your own business and feel secure about your future. We are all in this together.

 

Register today for the enhanced 2009 Book Yourself Sold Certified Coach Training (or at least learn more).

 

Please know that I did not drop the price because I need to fill the program. As of today, the course is 80% full of high-caliber people. I’m always up for doing my part. It doesn’t feel right to raise prices in stressful times, even if I can. That’s not how I do business.

 

Book Yourself Solid is hands-down the highest respected, integrity-based, sought after system for service professionals. Now, it’s yours to promote and profit from at last year’s prices.

 

There’s no better way to secure your future.

 

Scoop up all the tools you need to get yourself moving toward a prosperous and abundant financial future. In crunch times, entrepreneurs thrive. And…we get to kick it up a notch with all the creative liberty and life-style freedom we choose! Let’s do it together.

 

This will be the most the most remarkable coaching and business training you have experienced. I know because last year’s absolutely blew me away.

 

Be trained and get the entire system before you even lay down the second payment. Your approved application and deposit today secures your live training spot next month. Plus, receive free access to all Book Yourself Solid live workshops and 15-week tele-coaching programs forever. Your training with me doesn’t stop after March 15.

 

Grow your business with my ongoing support:

 

“As for my “return in investment”, I returned to my office, with a full system that I was confident I could immediately implement successfully. My confidence was not misplaced as I booked enough clients within the first ten days to re-pay my initial investment.” – Megan McKenzie, Book Yourself Solid® Certified Coach

 

Your passion and power combined with the Book Yourself Solid Certified Coaching System has the potential to bring you the financial success and security you’ve been wanting. It’s not going to instantly eliminate life’s big and little problems. But if you commit to it, I promise it will turn your life around. It’s already working for others.

 

I’m here to help you do big things in the world.

 

First and foremost, I want to help you secure a future for you and your family. Beyond that, I dream of supporting you in a way that will impact your family, community and clients. This certification was designed to do just that.

 

I hope you allow me to serve you. Will you take the next necessary step for us to work together? I’d like to be written into the next chapter of your life’s security, success and happiness.

 

I can’t wait to select and meet the final 6 coaches joining me March 11-15, 2009 in Philadelphia.

 

While you’re out and about doing big things, give your success an immediate plan of action of the highest integrity.

 

If you have ANY questions call me personally at 877-279-5220. If I’m on the other phone just leave a message and I’ll call you right back. Or feel free to email me at questions@michaelport.com.

 

Much love and support to you this fine day.

 

Think big,

 

mp

 

Michael Port
author of….
Book Yourself Solid
Beyond Booked Solid
The Contrarian Effect
The Think Big Manifesto (April 13th release)

 

Feb 2009

10

Pseudo-live-blogging the 4th Annual NH Biz Day at the State House

by Allen Voivod

I say “pseudo” because this is being written after the fact, in the comfort of my kitchen, with the baby asleep and Lani ‘n Joe on Gunstock Mountain, taking advantage of the town Parks & Rec. cheap skiing program. Ahh, the quiet.

So there we were, two married-with-biz pros among the crowd of 120-odd small business owners on hand for three sessions put on by the NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the BIA (“New Hampshire’s State Chamber of Commerce”).We were there because I was included on the third and final session, “Sustaining Your Business in Challenging Times” (more on that later.

lynch2After an opening speech by NH Gov. John Lynch (that’s him up there – guess we should have sat closer!) in which he promised to veto any attempt to institute a sales tax or income tax in order to balance the budget, the opening panel featured Republican and Democratic leaders from both houses of the NH Legislature.

In all honesty, we’ve been pretty disconnected from political stuff going on in the state, and how it might affect our lives and business since we moved here. Some of the topics weren’t too suprising – health care expenses are a huge issue here, as they are everywhere. Labor issues – particularly the use of inmates in correctional facilities and the retention of young workers post-college graduation – were new to us, and absolutely fascinating.

NH Senate Republican Leader Peter Bragdon served up the first big softball of the day for us by telling the assembled group, “When things slow down, that’s the time you increase your marketing…the company that scales back in tough times finds that tough times get tougher even faster.”

Session 2 featured the tag team of Dawn Wivell, who’s the Director of a department name is longer than your arm (take a deep breath and say it with me): The NH Office of International Commerce and the NH International Trade Resource Center; and Justin Oslowski, Director of the (federal) US Department of Commerece Export Assistance Center. (And hey – the new Secretary of Commerce is Judd Gregg, former Senator from NH – go Granite State!) Apparently it’s a  rare thing to see state and federal agencies working together as well as Dawn and Justin do, and even on stage they seem to have a great dynamic together.

They also brought with them John Sutton of Dartware and Kate Kaplan of ALPCO as two case studies for how small businesses can successfully export their goods and services from NH to the world.

Finally, session 3. The panel I was on also included Andrea O’Brien, Environmental Program Manager for the SBDC, and Jim Pratt, a commerical lender for First Colebrook Bank here in NH. NH SBDC State Director Mary Collins moderated the panel.

Andrea talked about the three engines that make up a sustainable business (read: one that not only survives, but thrives while being mindful of the environment as a value, and not just to appease regulators), one of which is Social – including community relations, image/PR, and reputation. Jim, in his list of the top three things to share, emphasized that you can’t stop marketing – how else will anyone know you’re still in business?  ;)

All of which was great fodder for me to add in on the fly, as I talked about my top three for businesses looking to ramp up their marketing:

1. Getting on the big 3 social networks this year, or risk getting left behind (2009 being the year of the Great Social Divide, after all

2. Having more FUN with your marketing, whatever that looks like to you (because the only effective marketing is the marketing that actually gets done).

3. Giving of your time, knowledge, and expertise, in ways that also show clients, customers, and prospects how they can keep working with you, taking advantage of your services, and help your business grow no matter what the economy looks like.

We met a bunch of great people at the event, and I have to thank Heidi Edward Dunn, the Education Program Coordinator for the NH SBDC for having us at the event, and Kevin Skarritt at Acorn Creative, who put the bug in Heidi’s ear about us as possible speakers (albeit for a different event).

Feb 2009

6

3 of the Top 12 Trends for 2009 Biz Success (Are You On Top of Them?)

by Lani and Allen

by Lani & Allen Voivod, aka The Content Lovers™ of Epiphanies, Inc.

As small business owners, it’s all too easy for us to get so immersed in the daily planning and producing of projects and profits that we forget to step back and take a look at the Bigger Picture of what’s going on “in the field,” as they say.

So take a minute out of – or add a minute into – your day’s to-do’s and get hip to three of the top trends that require your attention, ASAP. Not only will you feel smarter, but the information will help you:

·         Stay relevant and competitive.

·         Adjust your products, services, practices, and policies accordingly.

·         Make better decisions about what to do with your time and resources.

And away we go!

Trend #1: The Rise of the Lifestyle Entrepreneur

Over the last few years, we’ve seen the illusion of the “safe” corporate job get completely annihilated. We’ve seen retirement plans disappear, corporate greed get outed, and the “gentleman’s handshake” between dedicated employees who invest 10 – 30 years into their company’s goals and profits go the way of the dodo bird.

Enter the Lifestyle Entrepreneur. Creative, determined individuals who play to their own strengths, take advantage of the tools and resources available, and design their businesses to support their own passions, vision, and lifestyle goals, instead of designing a business that rules their lives.

What are some of the tools, signs, and secret weapons of the Lifestyle Entrepreneur?

·         Leveraged business models, like membership sites

·         Ultra-niche products and services that can be automated

·         Using Virtual Assistants instead of employees

·         Driving traffic to online products and services that require little or no human intervention

With the Internet, every single business and industry has the capacity to create some passive money portals around their products and services. It’s not only possible – more and more, it’s expected! Which means even multi-million-dollar companies can take advantage of some or all of the savvy strategies of the Lifestyle Entrepreneur.

Trend #2: “Kindred” Creation

It’s funny, most people assume moving business online means the death of personal connections. The irony is, to be successful online, you have to get in tune and in touch with what your Target Market and Ideal Audience wants more than ever before. You have to talk how they talk, hang out where they hang out, and make offers they find Irresistible. You have to find your Kindreds. Foster and nurture relationships. Find people who think like you do, have similar or complementary outlooks, etc.

Mega-marketer Dan Kennedy calls these folks your “Herd.” Marketing guru and author Seth Godin calls them your “Tribe.” We prefer Kindreds, because it sounds more human. And the human connection is what it’s all about.

Trend #3: The Great Social Divide

Essentially, there are those who have jumped (or are jumping) into the social marketing game, and those who haven’t (and won’t). Don’t be in the second group.

If you’re a business owner who sincerely wants to be in business five years from now, 2009 is the year you have to take the plunge into the social networking realm. It can be crude at first, but you have to budget some time and resources to get better and fold in this stuff a little at a time.

Right now, very few people (if any) are using all the vehicles perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about what’s the “right way” or the “wrong way.” The only “wrong way” is to end 2009 without some sort of presence on the top-tier social marketing sites, at the very least: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. And don’t forget that old dinosaur of interactive, conversational communications: BLOGGING. It’s still very much a respected VIP at the social marketing party – mostly because it can serve as your aggregate, your home base, your one-stop connection shop.

Set up a bare-minimum strategy. Learn a little about one of these every month, or every other month. Tools and applications are being developed even as we speak at mind blowing rates.

Your competition is learning this stuff. What’s more, your Target Market is looking for you – or will be looking for you – in these forums. They’re looking to connect, see who you really are, what you and your business are thinking about…what’s behind the curtain, so to speak.

If you’re not there when they want to make that connection or do their research, they’ll move on to whoever is willing to share their behind-the-scenes personality in authentic ways.

Ultimately, the human need for connection is fueling the social media explosion, and there will be thousands more sites and opportunities popping up in 2009 and beyond.

Be on the playing field when the pitch is thrown.

So there you have them – three of the top 12 biz trends for 2009. May you use them to fuel your business success, this year and for many years to come!

(Remember, vote for your favorite “Headless Chicken Syndrome PSA” video on The “A-Ha!” Blog to get a copy of the audio program where we reveal all 12 trends, and you’ll also have a chance to win a free copy of the “Down ‘n Dirty Marketing Planning” package, too!)

WANNA USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE?
Please do! Just kindly include this blurb with it:

Lani & Allen Voivod, The Content Lovers of Epiphanies, Inc., help imperfect-preneurs and million-dollar businesses get down ‘n dirty with their marketing, so they can connect and prosper with the peeps who matter. Get your FREE “A-Ha!” Success Kit, a one-of-a-kind 7-day ecourse with real-world case studies, posters, and articles designed to thrill, inspire, and rock your world, at www.AhaSuccessKit.com!

Feb 2009

6

Sustaining Your Business in Challenging Times

by Allen Voivod

nhsbdcWe’re really looking forward to the 4th Annual Small Business Day at the State House next week (which isn’t exactly at the state house, but close enough for government work). We’ve been working with the awesome Heidi Edwards Dunn, who coordinates the statewide entrepreneurial education program for the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, including this event. Here’s the official press release with all the details!

Durham – The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), an outreach program of the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics, will host a panel at the 4th Annual Small Business Day at the State House, Tuesday, February 10th, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Holiday Inn, Concord, NH, presented in conjunction with the NH Business and Industry Association. Sustaining Your Business in Challenging Times will offer expertise and practical information for small businesses struggling to stay afloat in this economy.

Panelists include Andrea O’Brien, Environmental Management Program Manager, NH SBDC; James Pratt, Commercial Lending, First Colebrook Bank; Allen Voivod, co-owner, Epiphanies, Inc., with moderator Mary Collins, State Director, NH SBDC. A Toolkit for Sustainability will be available to each person attending Small Business Day.

“NH SBDC is continually looking for ways to help New Hampshire businesses be sustainable,” remarks Mary Collins, NH SBDC State Director. “For example, our e-Learning for Entrepreneurs program utilizes today’s technology to provide knowledge, tools, and resources for the state’s business owners. In this uncertain economy it is even more important that businesses statewide have access 24/7 to management assistance that will help strengthen their firm’s bottom line.”

Sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, Small Business Day is an opportunity for small business owners and managers to meet New Hampshire’s top policy-makers, learn more about legislative issues that could affect companies’ bottom lines, and receive valuable information about tools to help companies grow and prosper.

lynchGovernor John Lynch is scheduled to offer opening remarks. Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Senate Republican Leader Peter Bragdon, House Speaker Terie Norelli and House Republican Leader Sherm Packard are scheduled to participate on the State Leadership Panel.

Never Too Small to Export, presented by Dawn Wivell, director of the NH International Trade Resource Center, will help small business owners will learn why exporting may be an option for their business and cost – effective ways to get started.

The NH Small Business Development Center provides confidential business management consulting and educational programs to New Hampshire’s small businesses. The NH SBDC is the only NH agency that has full-time certified business advisors providing one-on-one, long-term, management consulting to small businesses. NH SBDC is a cooperative venture with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New Hampshire (DRED), the University System of New Hampshire, and the private sector. For more info on NH SBDC, visit www.nhsbdc.org.

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