As a small business owner, I love the Internet. So many cool tools are coming out every day that make it possible to do almost anything on a shoestring budget. You can create and sell products, do video and audio, create groups and membership sites, you name it. It’s the great leveler of the playing field. A while back I started using Utterz to do audio podcasts on my blog. Because I’m a big believer in using as many different types of media as possible to get your message into the world. Well, after playing with it for a few weeks I can now officially say, “It Rocks!” It’s fun and easy. And all you need is your phone to record your audios. Plus, you get the bonus of connecting into the Utterz social network (and the Goggle points that come with that). You can easily add text and pics (and video too, though I haven’t tried that yet). And I’ve been getting terrific feedback on the audios. You can even hook widgets into your blog and other sites so your podcasts get posted automatically wherever you want. And they’ve got more new features on the way. I highly recommend it. It’s especially handy if you want to have a blog, but you hate to write. With this tool you can just do audios instead. However, you should know that something has clearly happened behind the scenes for them, as they have changes their name and URL overnight. So if you’re thinking about using Utterz to do your own podcasting, you’ll now find the service located at http://www.utterli.com. It doesn’t cost a thing.  And since you can do your podcasts from your phone you don’t need to know anything technical to get started. All you need is a couple pieces of info so you can direct the service to imbed on your blog and you’re on your way. You can always have your Web designer of Virtual Assistant can handle that for you if you don’t know what to do. So what are you waiting for? As the nice little recording on their phone system says “Utter and be heard”. Have you tried Utterz or Utterli? If so, I’d love to know what you think. And if you have any inside info on why they changed their name, let me know. I’m curious… In either case just leave a comment below... [tags] Small Business Podcasting, Marketing, tools, audios [/tags]

Let’s face it, when you run a small business you need every advantage you can get. And one of the best marketing tools our there in terms of bang for the buck is your Website. When your Website is designed and built to meet the needs of your customers as well as your business goals, it can become your best salesperson. And it keeps working for you 24/7, making you money and growing your business while you eat, sleep, relax or whatever. If you’ve already got a Website, and it isn’t sending you leads or making sales, you already know not just any old Website will do the trick. And since getting your site designed (or redesigned) isn’t cheap, the last thing you want to do is waste money on the wrong things. Save yourself time, money and hassle with a Website prescription courtesy of me, Stacy Karacostas, at my next Website Hotseat event in Seattle on October 24th 2008. Your Website will be put up on a wall, live and in color, so I can critique it on the spot and give you the specific suggestions you need to make it up to 300% more effective!! Plus, you get a copy of the audio and transcripts from my Turn Your Website into Your #1 Salesperson seminar to help you prepare for the day (a $37 dollar value), a list of Web resources you need, and a handy Website checklist. I run this like a mastermind group with tons of audience participation. So if you’re target market includes consumers or small businesses, you also get a valuable focus group out of the day. I’ve only got time for 8 critiques in one day. And, if you register by October 15th you can save $80 off the regular cost of this event. So if you’re ready to learn what you need to turn your Website into a sales-making, lead-generating machine, go here now to reserve your spot: http://www.websitehotseat.com Even if you’re not ready to have your Website on the Hotseat, you can still learn a ton by looking, listening and participating in the conversation. So this go ‘round I’ve got a handful of additional “Spectator Seats” available too. This event usually sells out fast! So grab your spot now, before all the seats are gone… http://www.websitehotseat.com [tags] Small Business, Website Critique, Seattle, October events [/tags]

I don’t watch a ton of TV, but sometimes I do like a little mindless entertainment to unwind. And I always enjoy the nature and Discovery channels. Besides, if you want to know what the people in your target market are thinking and talking about, you need only turn on the tube to their favorite channel. Anyway, lately I’ve gotten totally hooked on Tabatha’s Salon Takeover. Even if you don’t own a hair salon, or have employees, there are some major lessons to be learned. If you haven’t seen it, it’s on Bravo. And Tabatha, who is oh-so-much more than just a host, is a total ball-buster…But she’s also really, really good at taking a failing salon and turning it around single-handedly. She boldly tackles everything from customer service to the latest techniques in hairdressing, how to increase revenues, sales training, booking appointments, cleanliness, marketing, management…You name it. She has seriously high standards. And she isn’t shy about making sure they’re met. Basically, Tabatha is the kind of smart, strong, outspoken woman you either love or hate (or just love to hate)…Usually depending on whether she’s calling you out for bad behavior or not. Though I have to say, even the haters generally come around by the end of the episode. That’s how good she is. The best part of the show is that you get to see everything from behind the scenes…Starting with hidden video of the salon in action. You wouldn’t believe what goes on in some places of business (or maybe you would!?!). And you should see the look on the salon owner’s faces when they’re brought in to watch the footage! Once the owner is done squirming, she takes their keys and you get to watch her quite literal take the whole place apart, piece-by-piece, person-by-person, then put it back together again. The transformation in everything from morale to revenues is amazing. Entertaining. Informative. What more could you ask for from a TV program? Every small business owner needs to be watching this show! Here are a few bits of Tabatha’s wisdom worth remembering (paraphrased)… “Always rebook before they walk out the door. It’s good for the client because they get the appointment they want. And it’s good for your business.” “As the owner, you have to take control of your business.” “The behavior of the owner and mangers sets the standard for the employees.” “No matter how long you’ve been doing this, or how good you are, there’s always something to learn.” Find out when the show is on your neck of the woods here: http://www.bravotv.com/Tabathas_Salon_Takeover/season/1/index.php Check it out and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below! [tags] running a small business, marketing, business lessons from TV [/tags]

Are you struggling to grow your small business in today’s weakening economy? Is your marketing and advertising costing you more than it’s making in sales and new clients? Do you wish you could have a small business marketing expert answer all your questions about marketing, outsourcing, copywriting and more—without paying hundreds of dollars an hour? If you live in the greater Seattle area (or are willing to get here), and answered yes to any of these questions, then you’re in luck! I’ve put together a brand new event this October specifically so you can get the help you need, at a price you can afford. This is not a seminar or workshop where you just listen to me speak, and maybe do a quick exercise or two. Instead you get 2 hours with me over a fine organic lunch to talk marketing trends and tactics, outsourcing, Websites or whatever else…AND have your specific questions answered. I’ll share all the tips I use in my business and give you contact info for other services you might need. Plus, I’m throwing in a couple powerful bonuses sure to help you take the stress, struggle and confusion out of marketing. That way you can start making more while working less. In addition to 2-hours of my time and expertise, you also get:

• An audio of the event in case you missed something important
• Another audio that I think will be helpful based on our conversations
• And a copy of my booklet “101 Practical Marketing Tips for Growing Your Small Business”.

And you get it all for almost 70% off my regular 1-hour consulting rate (you can’t beat that with a stick!!) I’ve only got 10 spaces available at my table, and those who register first get to sit closest to me. So don’t delay! Go here now and reserve your seat: http://www.lunchwithstacy.com [tags] Small Business Marketing tips, Workshop, seminar, answers, Seattle [/tags]

Printer out of ink? Have you ever noticed that your printer will tell you you’re running out of ink long before it’s true? I print a good bit (handouts for speaking engagements, one-sheets, draft copy that needs revisions, etc.) and noticed this years ago. So I always make a point to keep printing pages until the ink stops hitting the page and not a moment before, because ink is ridiculously expensive. That’s how they can make the price of printers so darn cheap. They get you on the back end by charging through the nose for cartridges. But you don’t have to just suck it up. And if you do a lot of printing in your office I’m sure you don’t want to. So here are a couple tips and tricks I’ve learned for saving money and milking the most ink possible out of my printer. #1 – Ignore the “low ink” warnings. You can usually print a lot more pages before the print quality goes down. Just remember that if you’re printing a bunch at one time you need to keep an eye on your printer so you know when to change the cartridge. #2 – Stop buying cartridges and start buying refills. They cost half as much up front and let you refill your ink multiple times. I’ve done this for years, and once you get the hang of it, it only takes a sec. #3 – According to an article on http://www.slate.com/id/2198316/, if you’ve got a Brother printer you can cover the ink sensor with a piece of tape and print another couple hundred sheets. #4 The author also recommends searching http://www.fixyourownprinter.com for more solutions. Do any of these things and you should be able to save a ton on printing. Making it way more cost affordable to print your own small business marketing materials on demand. Have you got more tips on getting more ink out of your printer? If so, please do share by leaving a comment below... [tags] Small Business, marketing materials, printing, save ink [/tags]

If you’ve been thinking about using all the latest Web 2.0 tactics and social networking sites to grow your business, but you didn’t know where to start… Or you’ve already started joining sites and building profiles, but you’re feeling overwhelmed and not sure it’s worth your time… Join me as interview Web pioneer Aliza Sherman, Named by NEWSWEEK magazine as one of the “Top 50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet”. Get all the details and save your spot on the call at: http://www.success-stream.com/teleseminar-5.html I had the chance to see Aliza speak live this summer at the biznik BizJam in Seattle, and was totally impressed by the practical tips and wisdom she provided. I’ve already used a couple of the services and Websites she recommended to make my social networking and online marketing efforts both easier and more effective. So if you have questions like… How many of these sites should I join? Do I need to put unique content on each one? How can I keep my profiles updated without spending hours on my computer each day? How often do I really need to post to my blog? What’s the easiest way to add audio podcasts to my blog or Website? You’ll want to be on this call! Go here now to reserve your spot: http://www.success-stream.com/teleseminar-5.html Even if you can’t make the call live, register and I’ll send you an audio recording a couple days after so you can listen at your convenience. “See” you there! Stacy [tags] Aliza Sherman Interview, Social Networking, Small Business Marketing, Blogging, online marketing, Web 2.0 [/tags]

If you’ve been paying any attention to what’s going on with marketing and copywriting lately, you’ll find more and more guru’s talking about how consumers have become more cynical. They mention the fact that words like FREE aren’t as powerful as they used to be. That consumers are smarter than we marketers and copywriters think (duh!). And that they are getting wise to the big, bold, overblown claims of get rich now with no work, lose weight without doing a thing (hmmm…isn’t that how most people gained the weight to start with???) and so on. To me, this seems dead obvious. Especially with the Internet, it’s so easy to be taken in by scams and end up with a virus-loaded computer, or out hundreds of dollars, that we are becoming a nation of cynical shoppers. This is important to note even if you’re marketing a small business and would never use those kinds of claims or promises. Because it can and should have an effect on how you communicate with your clients and prospects. After all, you want them to trust you and believe that you really have their best interests in mind. And that what you sell can truly help them solve their problems, achieve their goals or fulfill their wants. To a large degree that means using every tool possible to establish your credibility…From adding in plenty of facts and figures when you write your marketing materials, to using testimonials, adding your headshot to your materials, and maintaining a warm, helpful attitude and tone of voice (just to name a few). If you’re trying to be credible and trustworthy, hype just ain’t gonna help. So far this is all good and sensible, right? But there are some contrarian marketers out there who are using the exact opposite technique to get you buy. Instead of trying to establish credibility and legitimacy, they go over the top creating an anti-hero. One who makes claims so big you can practically smell the b.s when you first click on the page. This anti-hero is usually a bit obnoxious, definitely a boaster, and generally someone you’d hate to be seated next to on an airplane. Because they’d spend the whole time telling you how wonderful their (car, life, bank account, wife, or whatever) is while making you feel small and worthless. Usually, by the bottom of the Web page, they admit the whole thing is a hoax. Then they go on to say that while, as you’ve probably guessed, you can’t really do all the things they’ve been boasting about, you can do something more realistic. And that’s what they try to sell you. Personally I find this tactic annoying. It insults my intelligence in so many ways, the only reason I make it to the bottom of the page is that I’m a marketer and want to see what their game is. On top of that, I get no sense of the person behind the promotion. Are they legit, or is the whole thing one big scam? I dunno, so I’m not signing up for jack…Even if it’s free. But that’s just me, and I am not the average consumer. So I’d like to know your opinion. Here’s the latest Website I’ve stumbled across using this tactic: http://www.thecopygod.com/ Go take a look to see what I’m talking about. Do you love it? Do you hate it? Would you buy—or even download a freebie—from a site that uses this tactic to market to you? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below... [tags] Small Business, Marketing, Sales, Copywriting, Trend, Hype, The Latest Backlash Trend to Overhyped Sales and Marketing Copy, Overhyped Sales and Marketing Copy [/tags]

If You're a Small Business Owner Strapped for Time, Here's an Easy Way to Get More Done Every Day.No Outsourcing or Employees Required!A few years ago, when I was working as a full-time marketing copywriter, I noticed something interesting.Even though by nature I'm not much of a morning person, I can easily get twice as much quality writing done between 6:00am and noon than I can between noon and 5:00pm. The same thing holds true again between 6:00pm and 9:00pm. But from noon until 5:00pm, I swear getting anything good written is like pulling teeth. And I can find just about anything else to do to put it off (fold laundry, call my sister, make a snack.). So nowadays I do my best to schedule my day's activities around my peak productivity times. I write in the morning, and skip answering emails until the writing muse runs away. Then I do things like go to the bank and post office, handle project management, follow up with leads and clients, and so on in the afternoon. The result is that I'm way more productive overall. And I have fewer times when I feel that deep down desire to avoid doing whatever needs to be done. You can, and should, do the same. If you're like most people, you've probably developed a pretty set time management routine that's become a habit. But it might not be the best way to use your time. I recommend keeping track of the tasks you do and when you do them, every day for a few days. Then try switching it up. Instead of answering emails first thing, do your client contacts instead. Or write your next newsletter. Again, keep track of what you get done. Chances are, just by paying attention, you'll start to notice you're better at certain tasks at certain times. And that at other times you'll avoid doing those same tasks like the plague. Then all you have to do is plan your activities to take advantage of the peaks and valleys in your productivity. Not only will you get more done, but you'll be happier doing it too! I'd love to know how you maximize your own time. Let me know by leaving a comment below. Stacy -- Stacy Karacostas Practical Marketing Expert, Author, Speaker Get more helpful, business building tips and ideas at: http://www.success-stream.com/ Mobile post sent by Stacyk using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3