Category: Marketing

  • Why Should You Have an App for Your Business?

    Most Small, Micro and Home Based Businesses cannot see any real value in spending their ‘hard to come by’ cash on developing an App to market their business. Many businesses do not have a marketing budget and simply do not treat marketing as a number two priority for their business (number one is producing the product or service).

    Some business operators think that it would not be possible to build an App to suit their type of business. But, as an App is a marketing tool, every business can use an App to promote and market themselves.

    Over 1.2 billion people use Apps and by 2017 it is expected that the users will number 4.4 billion. As 75% of Apps are free, one has to wonder why you would spend money producing something for free. However, a well-designed business App will offer something for sale within the App. This is where businesses generate money from Apps.

    These days it seems that nearly everyone has a digital smart phone or tablet. Everywhere you go (walking down the street, in restaurants, at home on the couch – just everywhere) you see people using their mobile devices. In 2014, 51% of all digital media time was spent looking at Apps. We are all aware of how the big businesses, like banks and retail outlets, use Apps (Facebook is the most popular App) but small businesses cannot see how they could afford to develop an App that would generate enough income to warrant the expense.

    I remember a time when business owners questioned the real value in owning a mobile phone – can you imagine that? Then there was the era of thinking “Why would my business need a web site?” Yet, eventually, small businesses began to take up the new technology to not only help their business to grow, but to allow them to be truly competitive.

    It has become very noticeable in the last couple of years how the retail sector (who have previously depended solely on a shop front) have now utilised the internet to increase their sales. The general public are more and more frequently purchasing product online, so it is only a matter of time before Apps are developed by most businesses to promote what it is they have for sale.

    The Small, Micro and Home Based Businesses have become leaders with the use of this technology, as it has provided a level playing field for them when competing with larger businesses. An App is just another form of technology that can help this sector surge ahead of their competitors.

    If you are looking for a marketing tool that will encourage potential clients to purchase from you, then you should consider having an App built for you. I can help you to develop a simple App that is both affordable and effective in promoting your business and in making more sales.

    Make 2015 the time that your business is going to move forward with technology and make you a major player in the business world.

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • How to Find Potential Clients and Convert Them to Sales

    I am often asked “Just what makes a good business”? No doubt it is the quality of what is offered and the ability to market it successfully. But what makes the business extraordinary, is the way in which the business owner (and staff) treat their customers.

    So, how can you best focus on your customers? The main way is to stop thinking about your business and rather think about what your customer wants. You need to find out what they are looking for and what can you do for them.

    Basically, you need to focus on their problems. To generate leads and make sales, look at the negative side (the problems). This approach will get you better results. Your business success will ultimately depend on your ability to solve problems.

    Once you know what the problem is, you must ensure that your solutions add value, by explaining the benefits of using your product or service. Don’t highlight the features of what you have to offer. Potential clients don’t want to know how you’re going to solve the problem, they just want their problem solved.

    Not every contact will buy from you, but they may recommend you to others, therefore it is important to stay ‘top of their mind awareness’ so that when they do want what you offer, you will be the first one they think of contacting. This means you have to regularly make contact with them e.g. via a newsletter, social media, email marketing (offering freebies) etc.

    Once you focus on your customer, search engine optimization (SEO) can build your search engine rankings. You need to write unique, helpful, problem solving articles for your blog, then create shorter statements for SEO that can re-direct them to the blog article. The edited format is targeting search engines, while the larger article is targeting potential clients.

    Think carefully when organizing your blog or website. What does it look like? Have you placed your ‘boxes’ (calling for action e.g. signing up for a newsletter), in the best place (top right hand corner)? What is the colour of your box (blue always works well visually)? Not only will you get a better response from customers, but the search engines will also rank you more highly.

    If you have a problem with marketing or making sales, my team can assist you. Just make contact and you will receive a free hour’s consultation.

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Is Pay Per Click an Effective Way to do Business Online?

    Many people use Pay Per Click (PPC) very successfully; others lose a lot of money using PPC. There are many ways to Market your products and services online, but Binh An Nguyen’s personal favourite is PPC because of its speed and flexibility.

    PPC is used via search engines, advertising networks, and content sites. Advertisers pay their host only when their ad is clicked on. The biggest traffic broker in PPC is Google Adwords. When you search for a particular term on Google, there are two sets of results returned; organic search listings, and the ‘Sponsored Links’. One of the main reasons why the PPC model is used over other Internet Marketing models e.g. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), is because you can literally set up a campaign in PPC and start seeing traffic and results in a matter of minutes.

    The tracking abilities of PPC allow you to keep a constant measure on which keywords, ads, and landing pages are making you money, and you have control over everything. You can also generate reports on demand to make smart business decisions from the data collected. If you decide to use Google Adwords you need to be aware that they are very strict. Play by their rules, and you will create a sustainable business with longevity; go against these rules, and your profits can literally vanish overnight. For the small and micro business owners, this becomes a very risky option, as it takes a lot of time and money just to test and discover what it really is that Google wants from your campaigns. When Binh first started in PPC, he lost a lot of money, but gained some very valuable lessons and experiences. He now is able to assist his clients’ to help them sell 5 to 6 figures monthly with PPC.

    I will add more posts on this topic at a later date. Just keep in mind; if you are a micro or home based business, with little experience in Adwords – then be cautious as you can lose a lot of money quickly (remember, Binh likes Adwords because it is so quick; but it can make or lose money just as quickly and needs to be monitored once or twice a day).

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Commendations and Testimonial from Satisfied Clients Can Lead to Referrals

    An important part of marketing your business, is to seek commendations from clients. This is especially important when working via the internet (your website) as many viewers will not know you and will have to depend on your photo and testimonials to build their confidence in you and your business.

    Positive feedback from satisfied clients (when in the form of written words) can be used as a commendation (if suitable). You certainly have an opportunity to ask for a testimonial. Even a spoken commendation is good if you write down what is said and ask permission to use it on your website. It would be the correct thing to do, in this circumstance, to email a copy of what you have written and ask the client if he/she agrees that your interpretation is correct.

    Just keep in mind that because you have satisfactorily helped a client once, this does not automatically mean that you can request a commendation (which is a pretty personal statement). You are much more likely to get a testimonial once you have built a relationship with your client. Commendations from genuinely happy clients can eventually lead to referrals to you from the contacts of the happy clients. You can even ask if the satisfied client could refer you to their contacts – BUT do not ask for this favour until you have developed a strong bond in your relationship.

    I have completed work for clients through the online company, UpWork and they encourage clients to leave feedback (testimonials). It is from some of these clients that I have had some great commendations.

    Written by Ven Grollmus

  • Marketing Your Business

    Do you spend time developing a newsletter and getting it out?  Have you thought about getting it onto all the mobile devices out there that your customers/clients have?

    Why not think a little outside the square and produce a professional online magazine? It is so easy with this new technology – I am going to try it! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/inspirevision-publish-your-own-online-magazine/x/8704783

    Written by Ven Grollmus