homebiznotes.com

November 8th, 2007

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Reasons To Use Contests As A Marketing Tool

When you are developing creative home business promotions, it’s a great idea to include contests in your marketing toolbox.

1. Contests can be free or inexpensive but have a big impact
2. Can liaise with suppliers for free or discounted products or services
3. Contests can highlight existing or new products or services
4. Contests can be tied in with another promotional event or occasion
5. You can partner with complementary businesses for wider reach and more pizzazz
6. Creates interest and a sense of fun and occasion for you and your customers
7. Can often collect emails, addresses or business cards as part of the entry
8. Attract new customers, clients and business and reconnect with past customers
9. Raise your business profile and reinforce branding through online or offline promotion
10. Others are likely to spread the word about the contest through blogs or word of mouth
11. Can often get newspaper coverage or write a press release if you have an interesting angle
12. Can give to a worthy cause by donating goods, services or money to charity
13. An opportunity to interact and get feedback from your target client group

Mary Emma has highlighted some current b5 contests. Good luck!

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By Yvonne Russell -- 3 comments

March 2nd, 2007

Choosing a Name for Your Home Business

“What’s in a name?”

When you consider a name for your home business, determine what you want to achieve, the customers you desire to serve, and the products/services you offer.  Nowadays, choosing a name for the image or impression you wish to project also might be included in the idea of  branding your business.

*A unique name will catch attention.  However, if it’s too far out, it may have the adverse effect.  If it’s mundane, it won’t capture your customer’s imagination.

*In addition to being unique, will your name adequately describe your business?

*Is someone else using that same name?  If your business name is exactly the same as someone else’s, you may be asked to stop using it.  This can be costly if you have signs, business cards, advertising, web site, etc. designed and printed with this name. 

*Do some research. You could start by checking the phone book and Better Business Bureau, then your state agency for registering business names.  Generally if the name reflects your name and/or initials, you can use it.  Those are “yours.”

When I operated a dressmaking/alteration business from my home, I used part of my sewing room for displaying and selling readymade original clothing and accessories.  What should I use for a name that incorporated all aspects of my home business?

I chose “MEA’s Boutique,” utilizing my initials.  I didn’t realize at the time how well this captivated customers and how well it stuck in their minds for years…even after we moved from that location to another home.  Also by using my initials, the name was mine.  For my home publishing company, MEA Productions, I’ve used my initials again. 

*Sometimes you can use a play on words that will catch attention, such as The Dirty Worm for a greenhouse or gardening operation, The Dusty Mop for a cleaning business, Wedding Wonders for a wedding planning business.

What name can you come up with for your business that will catch attention or “brand” it?

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By Mary Emma -- 2 comments

February 10th, 2007

Developing Loyalty and Brand Awareness with your Home Business

Developing a rapport with your customers so they’ll remain loyal and keep returning for your products and services is an important aspect of generating income for any business, including home businesses.  Some call this branding…others regard it as developing customer/client loyalty.

Ron at Brand Curve presents an interesting discussion about loyalty (Care to learn “loyalty”?) and points out how loyal football fans are toward anything connected with their team. 

So….how does a business, or home business, generate such loyalty in their customers?  How will you develop a business whereby customers return repeatedly for your products or services?

*Produce a quality product; never shortcut on quality.

*If yours is a service, give your customer good measure.

*Always meet deadlines; if you can’t, let your customer know and have a good reason.  Then let them know when you will complete the job.

*Have return policies and guarantees stated from the very beginning, in your shop or in the contract.

*Decide beforehand how you’ll handle difficult customers.  You can’t anticipate every situation, but have a good idea how you will do this.

*Have a payment policy stated beforehand. This leads to less misunderstandings. (For instance, when I made quilts, I asked for one half upon starting the item…this gave me most of what I needed to purchase supplies…and the remainder before mailing it or when the customer picked it up.)  If you’re selling online or by mail order, it’s very important to have payment agreed upon.

*Become a good communicator.  Lack of communication often leads to dissatisfaction and thus displeased customers.

*Smile…even when you aren’t face to face with your customers.  It comes across in your voice.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

January 18th, 2007

Home Biz Notes Included in Carnival, 6th Edition

The Carnival of Entrepreneurs featured the sixth edition this week, which includes many business oriented blogs.  My post about Branding Your Home Business appeared in this edition and has received numerous comments.

Participating in carnivals (gatherings of bloggers who contribute posts relating to a theme) are enjoyable and bring you in contact with others with similar interests.  Ben Yoskovitz, of Start Up Spark began the Carnival of Entrepreneurs to bring business bloggers together.  This carnival also gathers together a source of information for readers so they don’t have to search all over the Internet. 

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments