Relationship Marketing | Build Your Online Business

As small business owners, solo-professionals, or entrepreneurs we may feel that we have to do everything for ourselves, and admittedly it may be hard to relinquish control to someone else, especially to persons we do not know personally, like a Virtual Assistant.   We may resist the idea of outsourcing or delegating work to others.

Approximately 10 years ago in the early stages of one of my self-employed businesses I was advised that to experience tremendous growth it was essential to delegate certain tasks to others so I could focus on the areas of my business that only I could do and would bring me the most results.  Initially I did not believe it and felt that would be just spending money I did not need to.  When I finally applied the advice, I immediately saw the positive impact it made on my business.

Are there tasks in your current business you struggle with?  What are your weakest areas?  How much time do you spend trying to do things (more…)

The first part of your business plan takes into consideration your target audience, what they expect, and how the product or service you will be providing will meet or exceed their needs and expectations. 

The following sections will apply across the board, but keep in mind that if your audience includes investors, venture firms, and or banks, your business plan would be much more detailed.  These are ‘bare bones’ guidelines written with the entrepreneur, solo-professional, or small business owner who needs to have a written business plan to serve as a guide or track to run on.

 When organizing a business plan, break it down into sections such as:-

 1.  Business summary – The product or service you will provide.  What you will have to offer must be clearly defined.  Imagine that a stranger is reading your document.  By the end of the first paragraph your reader must clearly understand whether you will be (more…)

If You Don't Know Who Your Target Audience is, You Cannot Serve Them Effectively.

The first step in creating a Business Plan is to identify who your “target market,” “target audience,” or “ideal client” is.

This is a critical first step.  By starting a business online you have become an online marketer.  Whether you’re selling a service or products you will be in the business of marketing.  It therefore means that your marketing message must be crafted to attract and meet the needs of your particular audience, in order to produce effective results.

If you attempt to target everyone, you’ll probably have very little impact on anyone as your message and methods of delivery will be diluted.  Your message must educate your audience or market on how your product/s or services will meet or exceed their expectations.  They need to know how they will benefit by (more…)