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

October 19th, 2007

Win A Blog Domain & Hosting Package For Your Home Business

Here’s a chance to get your business online, or to add a blog to connect and interact with customers and prospective customers.

Top Hosting Center is holding a competition. First prize is free hosting for a year, and a free domain name registration to boot. There are second and third prize hosting packages too.

All you have to do is write a blog entry about the importance of having your own domain name, as opposed to a free one such as a blogspot domain. If you have a home business, having your own domain name is crucial for credibility and a professional image… and that’s just for starters. Entries close November 15th, 2007.

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By Yvonne Russell -- 0 comments

October 16th, 2007

Win Free Coaching For Home Business Owners - Celebrating At b5 Media

Miki Saxon of Leadership Turn is celebrating the revamped b5 media Sports Channel with a huge giveaway. She is offering 24 mini coaching sessions (20-60 minutes.) This would be perfect for an exisiting home business owner or a start up.

Miki says “The offer is open to any person, at any level, who is out there DOING.” Find out more about Miki and her innovative coaching approach.

Get on over there and drop Miki an email or phone her. Details are at Leadership Turn.

Mary Emma and I have also been celebrating the expanded Sports Channel launch with two posts of our own.
What’s Sports Got To Do With It? Sports Terms in Business
Working Successfully As A Home Business Team

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By Yvonne Russell -- 0 comments

March 4th, 2007

Do You Know the Competition for Your Home Business?

No business operates in a vacuum without competitors striving for your customers/clients.  This is not to say everyone is out there wanting to take your business away or hoping you fail.  Sometimes, too, your business is so specialized that there aren’t many with your skills or abilities or edge on an innovative product.

However, when you start a business be knowledgeable about others in the same field who would be competing for your clientele.  Also, stay attuned to anyone starting a business that would take away your customers. 

When a business becomes successful, other people often desire to start a similar one.  Or, if you have any employees, they might want to start one like yours.

Often there is room in your town, or online, for more than one business of your type.  However, try to have the edge by making your home business slightly different from the others, offering some product or service they don’t have.  Sometimes this is your personality and willingness to take the extra step. 

Sometimes closely related businesses can complement one another.  Or if you have more business than you can handle, perhaps you can work out a “win win” situation.  In this case, you send your overflow customers to their business and vice versa.

However, don’t live in a dream world unrelated to the real world where there is competition. 

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments