The SBA just launched a new online course for women to help them navigate through the contracting process.
You can access the course here: http://www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining/
Now women who own small businesses will be able to use the new online training course to learn how to find and win federal contracting opportunities.
The program is part of an ongoing government-wide initiative to promote opportunities for women-owned businesses in the area of government contracting.
The tuturial walks her through the the contracting process, and is free of charge. She does have to complete a short questionnaire before logging onto the tutorial.
"The SBA is committed to ensuring that women-owned businesses receive at least 5 percent of federal contracts and believes better training opportunities are central to meeting this government-wide goal." reads the press release, dated October 14th, 2009.
The course is designed to help women business owners learn about the federal procurement process and to prepare them to compete for contracting opportunities. The tutorial uses audio and script to provide information about contract rules, how to sell to the government and where to find contracts.
If you haven't taken a look at this it's worth the read.
What do you think?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Tradeshows--Making the best use of your time
I read a blog post written by Andrew Brown regarding Trade Shows. I thought that he did have some good things to say and I'll summarize them here:
1) Set clear goals for your participation. I agree with Andrew about this point. Many businesses go to trade shows and they have no idea what their ROI is on the show. Personally, when I've gone to trade shows in the past, it has been to meet new clients or to obtain new information if it's in my own industry. If you go to meet new clients, be sure to follow up with each lead within a week of returning home. If you don't do this, then the money you spent was wasted. If you go to obtain new ideas, then be sure to bring your notebook with you and jot things down before you forget. Many times trade shows are so big that you will forget much of what you've seen.
2) Do your research. This is especially true if you are going to a trade show to meet new clients. Be sure that your demographic is actually there. For example, if you target business owners, you wouldn't want to go to a show where only HR directors attend.
3) Bring a customer. What a great idea! I've actually never brought a customer along to a trade show because I think that most of my customers would find the trade shows for my industry boring. However, the next trade show I go to to attract customers, if I have a customer who would like to target the same audience, I may bring him/her along.
4) Take copious notes. Andrew states: "If you do decide to attend a trade show or seminar, then we suggest you become a sponge. Have your notebook handy at all times – this is your classroom. How are exhibitors and competitors describing and promoting their products? If you’re in a seminar, make sure that you’re recording down the key points of the session. Take time during the breaks to network with other participants and even the instructor – find out what has made them succeed, what is keeping them up at night and write it down. It’s an educational haven." I agree.
5) Use it as a research experiment. Andrew recommends that you attend the trade show you are looking at exhibiting at before paying the money for your booth. I can't agree more. I've done this in the past, and it has saved me money when I realized that the show I was planning on sponsoring didn't fit my needs for one reason or another.
Andrew had some very good points, and you can follow him at http://www.small-business-guru.com
What do you think?
1) Set clear goals for your participation. I agree with Andrew about this point. Many businesses go to trade shows and they have no idea what their ROI is on the show. Personally, when I've gone to trade shows in the past, it has been to meet new clients or to obtain new information if it's in my own industry. If you go to meet new clients, be sure to follow up with each lead within a week of returning home. If you don't do this, then the money you spent was wasted. If you go to obtain new ideas, then be sure to bring your notebook with you and jot things down before you forget. Many times trade shows are so big that you will forget much of what you've seen.
2) Do your research. This is especially true if you are going to a trade show to meet new clients. Be sure that your demographic is actually there. For example, if you target business owners, you wouldn't want to go to a show where only HR directors attend.
3) Bring a customer. What a great idea! I've actually never brought a customer along to a trade show because I think that most of my customers would find the trade shows for my industry boring. However, the next trade show I go to to attract customers, if I have a customer who would like to target the same audience, I may bring him/her along.
4) Take copious notes. Andrew states: "If you do decide to attend a trade show or seminar, then we suggest you become a sponge. Have your notebook handy at all times – this is your classroom. How are exhibitors and competitors describing and promoting their products? If you’re in a seminar, make sure that you’re recording down the key points of the session. Take time during the breaks to network with other participants and even the instructor – find out what has made them succeed, what is keeping them up at night and write it down. It’s an educational haven." I agree.
5) Use it as a research experiment. Andrew recommends that you attend the trade show you are looking at exhibiting at before paying the money for your booth. I can't agree more. I've done this in the past, and it has saved me money when I realized that the show I was planning on sponsoring didn't fit my needs for one reason or another.
Andrew had some very good points, and you can follow him at http://www.small-business-guru.com
What do you think?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Non Profits- How to get the word out
I read a Blog post put out by David Oats, who runs a Pay on Performance PR firm.
To read the article, click here: http://payonperformance.ning.com/profiles/blogs/memo-to-nonprofits-pr-is
Basically what he advises is:
1. Become a Speaker
2. Use Social Media
3. Use a Pay on Performance PR Firm, never a retainer firm
Of course all of these are great advise to regular businesses. When you become a speaker for local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, and trade organizations, you build credibility for yourself and your firm. Many groups are in great need of speakers, and if you can get yourself connected with one or two, your speaking engagements will grow.
One OBVIOUS caveat though: I was at a presentation a few weeks ago where the speaker was not well prepared and was wearing very casual clothes. Need I go on? Your goal when doing presentations is to promote your business. Make sure you come across as someone knowledgable in your field. If you need help with presentation skills, most cities have a local chapter of Toastmasters. If your city doesn't, try the local community college. The main thing is to get in front of strangers, do a lot of presentations, and get good quality feedback. Most of your friends won't give you good feedback because they don't want to hurt your feelings.
If you are reading this blog, most likely you are already using social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Most likeley you also have your own blog. Posting comments on other people's blogs and providing a link to your own (as long as it's relevant) is a good way to get increased traffic to your blog. You may even be asked to write a guest column every now and then!
To read the article, click here: http://payonperformance.ning.com/profiles/blogs/memo-to-nonprofits-pr-is
Basically what he advises is:
1. Become a Speaker
2. Use Social Media
3. Use a Pay on Performance PR Firm, never a retainer firm
Of course all of these are great advise to regular businesses. When you become a speaker for local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, and trade organizations, you build credibility for yourself and your firm. Many groups are in great need of speakers, and if you can get yourself connected with one or two, your speaking engagements will grow.
One OBVIOUS caveat though: I was at a presentation a few weeks ago where the speaker was not well prepared and was wearing very casual clothes. Need I go on? Your goal when doing presentations is to promote your business. Make sure you come across as someone knowledgable in your field. If you need help with presentation skills, most cities have a local chapter of Toastmasters. If your city doesn't, try the local community college. The main thing is to get in front of strangers, do a lot of presentations, and get good quality feedback. Most of your friends won't give you good feedback because they don't want to hurt your feelings.
If you are reading this blog, most likely you are already using social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Most likeley you also have your own blog. Posting comments on other people's blogs and providing a link to your own (as long as it's relevant) is a good way to get increased traffic to your blog. You may even be asked to write a guest column every now and then!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Thoughts on the 7 most Over Rated Business Ideas
Today I was forwarded this article that discusses the 7 most overrated businesses. http://smallbusinessanswers.yahoo.com/overrated
Here are my comments:
1. The first on the list is Restaurants. I tend to agree with this one. As a SCORE business consultant, I tend to see a lot of start up restaurant owners in our seminars. People tend to think that opening a restaurnt will be an easy way of leaving their current job and becoming an entreprenuer. What they don't tend to do is research. Who are the competitors? Why will someone want to go to your restaurant and not another...or just stay home for that matter? A fantastic marketing plan is key, especially when you are entering the Restaurant market. After all, 60% of these types of businesses fail in the first 3 years. That's a pretty high risk margin.
2. The second, Direct Sales, could have been more aptly named Multi Level Marketing. If the person who is getting you into the business is going to be getting a cut on you, plus who you recruit, think twice. Are the products going to be priced where the consumer can't just go down the street and buy a similar product for half the cost? In today's tough economic times keep this in mind. Consumers are smart. They know that a "party" that has XXX in front of it means that they are going to have to shell out some money--Normally a lot more money than they would have to pay at their local mall. Some people do well in this type of business, but the majority just give up after a few months because they aren't cut out to recruit their friends to sell products themselves. Although, one of the benefits to this type of business is that you do not need to keep high quantities of inventory, you normally do have some inventory costs. When going into this type of business, be sure to find out what your out of pocket costs are going to be up front.
3. Online Retail. This might have been fantastic 5 years ago, but before delving into this type of business today, you are going to have to have a marketing plan, and a marketing budget. I agree that you can't just put a website up today and think that your market will find you. Also, most people who go online today are shopping price. If you can't compete with prices from around the globe, you may not do well in this marketplace. Just make sure that if you do start an online store, that you have a well laid plan to get eyeballs to your site.
4. High End Retail. My husband and I walked into a lighting store a few weeks ago and we couldn't believe the prices. We were shopping for some lamps to put on our desks, but I would also like to get a new chandelier for our dining room. We went to four or five places before we stopped in to this VERY high end store. I couldn't believe the price differential. You could tell that the quality was better, but to be honest, I didn't think that it was 10 times better. Today's consumer, no matter how wealthy, is looking for a deal. It is also very difficult to keep your inventory costs under control in these types of stores. One of the biggest mistakes that business owners make is to have too much inventory. If you start a business like this, make sure that you keep a close watch on your inventory.
5. Independent Consulting. Although I have not seen a huge volume of this type of business coming through the SCORE doors, I do know lots of people who are in this business. The great thing about becoming a consultant is that there are very little start up costs. Many people just go to the local printer and print up some cards, and now they are a consultant. However, one of the main issues here is clients. How are you going to get your clients? This is something that many consultants do not consider. Not only do you have to be good at what you do, but you have to be excellent at marketing and sales. Be sure to think this through before embarking on a consulting business.
6. Franchises. I agree that just because you are buying a franchise, you are not guaranteed a profit. Make sure you work with someone who is an expert in this area. Read the information before you sign the paperwork. Have an attorney with franchise expertise look it over to point out any areas of concern. Talk to existing franchise owners and LISTEN to what they have to say. Take a look at their marketing plan and find out what assistance they will be giving you versus what you will have to do yourself. Ask questions. Why should you go with their franchise versus setting up a similar business on your own?
7. Traffic Driven Web Sites: Being in San Diego where we have a lot of high tech businesses here, I have listened to a lot of pitches about the next best Facebook or the next best this or that. Yes, the internet has spawned some fantastic websites (like Blogger) and you can make a lot of money. You will need to have an excellent idea and get yourself in front of some Venture Capitalists. Listen to what they say. This type of business is difficult to get off the ground, but if you have an idea that is good, chances are if you get in front of enough VCs you can make your case. You will have a long road ahead of you, but if you have the right idea it can pay off.
As with any business, the main thing that you should do before starting a business is to have a good marketing and business plan. You can obtain assistance with this by visiting your local SCORE office or by obtaining the services of a good business consultant who has experience in the business that you would like to start.
Here are my comments:
1. The first on the list is Restaurants. I tend to agree with this one. As a SCORE business consultant, I tend to see a lot of start up restaurant owners in our seminars. People tend to think that opening a restaurnt will be an easy way of leaving their current job and becoming an entreprenuer. What they don't tend to do is research. Who are the competitors? Why will someone want to go to your restaurant and not another...or just stay home for that matter? A fantastic marketing plan is key, especially when you are entering the Restaurant market. After all, 60% of these types of businesses fail in the first 3 years. That's a pretty high risk margin.
2. The second, Direct Sales, could have been more aptly named Multi Level Marketing. If the person who is getting you into the business is going to be getting a cut on you, plus who you recruit, think twice. Are the products going to be priced where the consumer can't just go down the street and buy a similar product for half the cost? In today's tough economic times keep this in mind. Consumers are smart. They know that a "party" that has XXX in front of it means that they are going to have to shell out some money--Normally a lot more money than they would have to pay at their local mall. Some people do well in this type of business, but the majority just give up after a few months because they aren't cut out to recruit their friends to sell products themselves. Although, one of the benefits to this type of business is that you do not need to keep high quantities of inventory, you normally do have some inventory costs. When going into this type of business, be sure to find out what your out of pocket costs are going to be up front.
3. Online Retail. This might have been fantastic 5 years ago, but before delving into this type of business today, you are going to have to have a marketing plan, and a marketing budget. I agree that you can't just put a website up today and think that your market will find you. Also, most people who go online today are shopping price. If you can't compete with prices from around the globe, you may not do well in this marketplace. Just make sure that if you do start an online store, that you have a well laid plan to get eyeballs to your site.
4. High End Retail. My husband and I walked into a lighting store a few weeks ago and we couldn't believe the prices. We were shopping for some lamps to put on our desks, but I would also like to get a new chandelier for our dining room. We went to four or five places before we stopped in to this VERY high end store. I couldn't believe the price differential. You could tell that the quality was better, but to be honest, I didn't think that it was 10 times better. Today's consumer, no matter how wealthy, is looking for a deal. It is also very difficult to keep your inventory costs under control in these types of stores. One of the biggest mistakes that business owners make is to have too much inventory. If you start a business like this, make sure that you keep a close watch on your inventory.
5. Independent Consulting. Although I have not seen a huge volume of this type of business coming through the SCORE doors, I do know lots of people who are in this business. The great thing about becoming a consultant is that there are very little start up costs. Many people just go to the local printer and print up some cards, and now they are a consultant. However, one of the main issues here is clients. How are you going to get your clients? This is something that many consultants do not consider. Not only do you have to be good at what you do, but you have to be excellent at marketing and sales. Be sure to think this through before embarking on a consulting business.
6. Franchises. I agree that just because you are buying a franchise, you are not guaranteed a profit. Make sure you work with someone who is an expert in this area. Read the information before you sign the paperwork. Have an attorney with franchise expertise look it over to point out any areas of concern. Talk to existing franchise owners and LISTEN to what they have to say. Take a look at their marketing plan and find out what assistance they will be giving you versus what you will have to do yourself. Ask questions. Why should you go with their franchise versus setting up a similar business on your own?
7. Traffic Driven Web Sites: Being in San Diego where we have a lot of high tech businesses here, I have listened to a lot of pitches about the next best Facebook or the next best this or that. Yes, the internet has spawned some fantastic websites (like Blogger) and you can make a lot of money. You will need to have an excellent idea and get yourself in front of some Venture Capitalists. Listen to what they say. This type of business is difficult to get off the ground, but if you have an idea that is good, chances are if you get in front of enough VCs you can make your case. You will have a long road ahead of you, but if you have the right idea it can pay off.
As with any business, the main thing that you should do before starting a business is to have a good marketing and business plan. You can obtain assistance with this by visiting your local SCORE office or by obtaining the services of a good business consultant who has experience in the business that you would like to start.
Friday, July 31, 2009
I've been on twitter the last couple of weeks and now have a following of around 1300 people.
At first it was pretty easy, when I had a following of only 20 or 30 people, but as my friends and followers grew it got to be a bit daunting. Here are my tips so far:
1. If you start following a lot of people you will need to get a twitter management tool. There are many out there, but I'm using TweetDeck. It allows you to separate your friends (The people you are following) into groups. That way you can read the most important tweets first, and then get to the rest when you get around to it. It's not perfect, but without it I definitely would not be able to read the posts.
2. Find someone you like or that has a synergistic business with yours and watch what they say for a day or two. If you like them, start following people that they follow. Don't go crazy, you'll want to keep your follower to friend ratio on the lower side. Maybe 2:1. Its ok to follow more people than follow you, but you can't say for instance follow 2000 people and only have 1 follower.
3. When someone follows you, follow them back for at least a few days to see what they have to say. It's the polite thing to do. Of course, if they are just trying to sell you something, you can always unfollow them.
4. Don't shout. If you are selling something, that's ok, but let people get to know you first. If you read my posts, I hardly ever talk about what I do. Now I don't have zillions of followers yet, because I'm still pretty new. I'm just trying to give you the benefit of my experience.
5. Stay away from the sites that tell you that they can get you XXX followers in one day. Basically they have you follow 100 people or so and those people have to follow you and so on. Most of them wind up unfollowing you right away. You'd be better off following people that you think might be interested in what you are doing, than random people you know nothing about.
6. Remember, once you follow 2000 people, twitter limits you on how many more you can follow. They go by a secret ratio formula and I'll let you know what it is once I find out!
Well, that's it for now. You can follow me at @kathekline on Twitter.
What do you think about Twitter?
At first it was pretty easy, when I had a following of only 20 or 30 people, but as my friends and followers grew it got to be a bit daunting. Here are my tips so far:
1. If you start following a lot of people you will need to get a twitter management tool. There are many out there, but I'm using TweetDeck. It allows you to separate your friends (The people you are following) into groups. That way you can read the most important tweets first, and then get to the rest when you get around to it. It's not perfect, but without it I definitely would not be able to read the posts.
2. Find someone you like or that has a synergistic business with yours and watch what they say for a day or two. If you like them, start following people that they follow. Don't go crazy, you'll want to keep your follower to friend ratio on the lower side. Maybe 2:1. Its ok to follow more people than follow you, but you can't say for instance follow 2000 people and only have 1 follower.
3. When someone follows you, follow them back for at least a few days to see what they have to say. It's the polite thing to do. Of course, if they are just trying to sell you something, you can always unfollow them.
4. Don't shout. If you are selling something, that's ok, but let people get to know you first. If you read my posts, I hardly ever talk about what I do. Now I don't have zillions of followers yet, because I'm still pretty new. I'm just trying to give you the benefit of my experience.
5. Stay away from the sites that tell you that they can get you XXX followers in one day. Basically they have you follow 100 people or so and those people have to follow you and so on. Most of them wind up unfollowing you right away. You'd be better off following people that you think might be interested in what you are doing, than random people you know nothing about.
6. Remember, once you follow 2000 people, twitter limits you on how many more you can follow. They go by a secret ratio formula and I'll let you know what it is once I find out!
Well, that's it for now. You can follow me at @kathekline on Twitter.
What do you think about Twitter?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
How to Get Money for your business
Les just posted a new article to the website that you might want to read. It gives information on Angel Investors and free programs to help you get money for your company:
http://www.californiabusinessresource.com/Raising_Money.html
Good luck!
http://www.californiabusinessresource.com/Raising_Money.html
Good luck!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Get good PR without writing a press release
Today's post is from David Oats, who is an expert at getting PR for small to medium sized busisses. Enjoy! Kathe
Get good PR without writing a press release
By David B. Oates, APR
This may sound odd coming from a PR guy, but I’m no longer a believer that the press release is the primary way most companies can generate good, positive press. The reason is simple – no one’s reading them anymore!
Here’s why: press releases used to work well when PR firms or in-house marketing folks would blast them to a set list of newspaper and magazine reporters as well as the assignment desks of various television news outlets. But those opportunities are fewer and farther between than at any time in recent history. Anyone who hasn’t been under a rock over the past year has seen the very visible demise of traditional news organizations. Once high-flying behemoths like Tribune Company (owners of the L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, Superstation WGN and others) are now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy with other long-standing publications on the verge of going away all together. Those that remain are struggling with a skeleton staff that are now holding down multiple roles and being pulled in so many directions that they have very little time to digest a 400-word announcement from yet another “leading provider of…[insert your industry here].”
Now that doesn’t mean that news outlets don’t want to hear about an organization’s recent achievements. Far from it – they need credible sources to help them with story ideas and developing topics now more than ever. Their dwindling staffs can’t cover it all, so they need the eyes and ears of the general public to do their job. But companies must look to announce such events in a much different way – online!
So before drafting another standard press release, try these three steps first:
1. Website news posting – put your piece of relevant news on its own page within your Web site. This will service as foundation to drive journalists and other relevant parties to find out more about your organization and your latest accomplishments.
2. Post your news on at least three social network systems – This may sound difficult at first, but trust me – it will take far less time and have far greater success once it’s set up. I’d recommend getting started by launching a Facebook and Twitter account in addition to your own blog. From there, link up with friends and business acquaintances as well as the reporters from media outlets that are using the same services (I guarantee that you’ll find some of them there!). Update your status/news on a regular basis and include a link to the news posting on your Web site. If done correctly, organizations will see much more activity than they ever did by just blasting the news out to media outlets.
3. Get others to do the same – The more people who comment on your news through the same social network services, the more attention it gets, and the greater reach an organization will garner.
At its basic level, this is grass roots/word of mouth marketing – just in an online form. I’ve personally secured new clients through this tactic, and I have seen a significant increase in interest from reporters when I distribute announcements through social media platforms. I may still write the occasional press release for companies, but I’m spending far less time doing so, and figure the tactic will all but be dead in the very near future.
About the Author: David Oates, APR, is the President of Stalwart Communications Inc., a San Diego-based marketing and public relations firm. He can be reached at david@stalwartcom.com or through his Twitter ID, @Stalwartcom.
Get good PR without writing a press release
By David B. Oates, APR
This may sound odd coming from a PR guy, but I’m no longer a believer that the press release is the primary way most companies can generate good, positive press. The reason is simple – no one’s reading them anymore!
Here’s why: press releases used to work well when PR firms or in-house marketing folks would blast them to a set list of newspaper and magazine reporters as well as the assignment desks of various television news outlets. But those opportunities are fewer and farther between than at any time in recent history. Anyone who hasn’t been under a rock over the past year has seen the very visible demise of traditional news organizations. Once high-flying behemoths like Tribune Company (owners of the L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, Superstation WGN and others) are now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy with other long-standing publications on the verge of going away all together. Those that remain are struggling with a skeleton staff that are now holding down multiple roles and being pulled in so many directions that they have very little time to digest a 400-word announcement from yet another “leading provider of…[insert your industry here].”
Now that doesn’t mean that news outlets don’t want to hear about an organization’s recent achievements. Far from it – they need credible sources to help them with story ideas and developing topics now more than ever. Their dwindling staffs can’t cover it all, so they need the eyes and ears of the general public to do their job. But companies must look to announce such events in a much different way – online!
So before drafting another standard press release, try these three steps first:
1. Website news posting – put your piece of relevant news on its own page within your Web site. This will service as foundation to drive journalists and other relevant parties to find out more about your organization and your latest accomplishments.
2. Post your news on at least three social network systems – This may sound difficult at first, but trust me – it will take far less time and have far greater success once it’s set up. I’d recommend getting started by launching a Facebook and Twitter account in addition to your own blog. From there, link up with friends and business acquaintances as well as the reporters from media outlets that are using the same services (I guarantee that you’ll find some of them there!). Update your status/news on a regular basis and include a link to the news posting on your Web site. If done correctly, organizations will see much more activity than they ever did by just blasting the news out to media outlets.
3. Get others to do the same – The more people who comment on your news through the same social network services, the more attention it gets, and the greater reach an organization will garner.
At its basic level, this is grass roots/word of mouth marketing – just in an online form. I’ve personally secured new clients through this tactic, and I have seen a significant increase in interest from reporters when I distribute announcements through social media platforms. I may still write the occasional press release for companies, but I’m spending far less time doing so, and figure the tactic will all but be dead in the very near future.
About the Author: David Oates, APR, is the President of Stalwart Communications Inc., a San Diego-based marketing and public relations firm. He can be reached at david@stalwartcom.com or through his Twitter ID, @Stalwartcom.
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