How I Got 100,000 Facebook Fans In 10 Days

With 500 million users worldwide, Facebook has proven itself to be a very innovative online tool that allows companies to interact with and even market to their existing and prospective customers.

Even non-profit organizations, publications (newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc), speakers, authors, musicians and more can use it to build and manage a following.

This is very easy to do because Facebook enables such entities to create "fan" pages (or what I call "brand" pages) - a customized profile page that allows them to share content, dialogue, photos, and resources. They can even launch custom apps, contests, and sign up forms - all from their very own fan page.

Why Google Voice Is Good For Your Business

Google Voice is a unique telecommunications service provided by Google that offers free PC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone calls in the United States. Users can also make calls to international phone numbers, but a small per-minute fee applies.

After registering, users can choose a virtual phone number in any area code. That number can, not only be used to make and receive phone calls, but also to send and receive text messages and record voicemails. In addition to this basic functionality, there are also some really cool and innovative features.

Don't Waste Time With Unprofitable Customers

That's right I said it, and you can quote me on it! But really I'm just regurgitating what was highly recommended in an article entitled "When, Why, and How to Fire That Customer" from the November 2007 issue of Business Week Magazine.

The article encourages entrepreneurs and business owners to "[get] rid of the unprofitable, the time wasters, and the crazy-makers in your midst."

Most of us can relate to having a customer who is loyal, but is such a nuisance that they are actually a distraction to our motivation - and thus, our profits.

For example, the client that pays for one service but keeps insisting on getting another service for free. Or the client who wants to tell you his life story every time he gets you on the phone. Or the client who nitpicks and is overly critical. Or even the client who acts like he's your only client - as if your entire company revolves around him.

Here are some snippets from the article:

Yes, breaking up may be hard to do, but when a client is costing you money or making you crazy, it can be a smart move. Severing unprofitable or exhausting relationships can, after the initial fallout, boost your company's revenues.

Of course, you don't want to let a profitable client go if losing that revenue could sink you. And no one is advocating firing clients just because they are demanding or you simply don't like them. This situation demands objectivity.

That means it's time for a cool-headed assessment of your clients - how much you're bringing in from each, as well as how much each really costs your company.

"Entrepreneurs have this horrifying sense of scarcity, that the customers they have are the only ones in the world," says G. Richard Shell, professor of legal studies and management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. "That is not true. But [firing clients] takes courage."

Yes, even in a bad economy - giving up a worrisome client make be a very good idea.

To read the full article, visit:
www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_44/b4056431.htm

Why Fly Without Wi-Fi?

More and more airlines are offering passengers the ability to connect to the Internet while in-flight. Its a concept that's long overdue, but it has finally arrived.

Southwest and Delta were the first to do so - but Wi-Fi is only installed on some of their planes. Just recently, however, AirTran announced that by the end of July, all of their planes will be Wi-Fi enabled. Virgin America too announced that by May 25th, all of their planes will enabled.

The price to connect via a handheld device or laptop will be $7.95 to $12.95 a flight, depending on the device and the length of the flight.

Jack Blumenstein, CEO of Aircell - the Chicago-based provider of the wireless service of more than 1,000 jets, says that "a typical narrow-body jet can be equipped with the 125 pounds of necessary equipment and fiber-optic cable during an overnight stay at an airport for about $100,000."

$100,000 per plane is a hefty investment, but remember that millions of people fly every day. Imagine an airline getting 50,000 people a day to buy into a $12 internet fee. That's $600,000 a day.

The only catch is that Virgin America is the online domestic airline that provides an electrical outlet to plug your laptop into while in-flight. For other airlines, you just gotta make sure your battery will last long enough.

Those 5 hour coast-to-coast flights will be tough.

Stop Worrying About The Economy and Start Focusing on Sales

Retail sales tumbled again in October, posting a record dive as consumers cut back spending on a wide variety of goods ranging from cars to furniture to electronics. Should you be worried as an entrepreneur? Not at all.

Here are some snippets from a column written by Elly Valas, a retail consultant, sales expert, and contributor at DealerScope.com:

Stop worrying about the economy and start focusing on things you can control. If business is flat or down, you’ll have to steal market share from your competitors to stay even or grow. In order to that, you’ll have to be faster, smarter, more creative, and offer better customer service.

A recent study, the Retail Consumer Dissatisfaction Survey, showed the top reasons why customers don’t buy. One third reported they couldn’t find a sales associate; 25 percent were completely ignored by a sales associate, and six said they left because associates were poorly trained.

According to a study conducted by Bain & Company, 80 percent of companies believed they delivered a “superior experience” to their customers. Customers of those companies, however, only felt that 8 percent delivered an exceptional experience. Ouch.

Act like a job applicant. After all, you’re trying to get “hired” as your client’s trusted advisor-and create a resume to convince prospects why they should buy from you.

...List the ways your company differentiates your customer’s buying experience. Don’t forget to tout your [perks]. For example: extended credit terms; delivery, repair, service and installation departments; experienced sales staff; extensive displays; brand-name product selection, [and even free shipping]. You can even list your no lemon policy and your price guarantee.

Don’t hesitate to sell [yourself and/or] your staff as career professionals. Publicize awards you’ve won from trade associations, industry groups or magazines. You only get to be retailer of the year if you know your stuff.

Monitor your customer satisfaction to ensure outstanding service. Tell your clients you’ll be in touch with them to answer any questions that may come up after they’ve used their products for a week or so. Call customers to ensure they are satisfied with the purchase experience. Field any questions they have and ask if they’d buy from you again. Finally, ask them to refer friends.

Customer dissatisfaction happens when there is a disconnect in the experience customers think they’re going to get and what is actually delivered. Warehouse clubs are successful because they deliver on their no-frills, low-price promise. If you’re claiming to be the best, then your [business] needs to shine and your team needs to dress and act like professionals.

Valas also writes that if you own a gas station, remember that when gas is over $4 a gallon, people still buy gas. Your job is to make sure they buy from you and not from your competitors.

For the complete article, visit:
www.dealerscope.com/article/retailers-can-find-good-news-during-bad-economic-times-higher-food-gas-prices-low-consumer-confidence-110840_1.html

Give Something Away For Free

As an entrepreneur, you must learn the power of the word "free". Whether you use it directly or indirectly, the word "free" should be a regular part of your promotional efforts. Here are some ways to do so:

1) Free Promos - When you are doing a booth at a conference or expo, don't just give away free literature about your company. It is imperative to also give away free promos - such as bags, pens, key chains, etc. The more creative your free promo is, the better. Make it memorable, and try to target the giveaway to match your audience.

2) Free Shipping - As you are selling products through your web site or over the phone, the best thing to give away for free is the shipping cost. Free shipping is a very powerful incentive. If this poses a threat to your profitability, then consider incorporating the shipping cost into the actual price of the product. So, shipping isn't really free - but you're marketing it as so.

Or consider offering free shipping only if the customer opts for the cheapest shipping option - usually media mail or parcel post. Studies show that offering a free shipping option can increase your sales conversions by as much as 75%.

3) Free Content - A great way to gain credibility and publicity that leads to more revenue, is to give away free content. This can be done by writing a resourceful e-book, and giving it away free. This will cost you absolutely nothing to do.

You can also distribute informational columns to newspapers, magazines, and blogs - allowing them to publish them for free. Sites like ArticleCity.com and ArticlesBase.com are looking for free to content to syndicate to thousands of publications. This, in turn, will give readers access to your insight and expertise - making them more likely to become your client.


Giving things away for free is definitely an investment. However, this investment will prove to be worthwhile for your company in the long run. You will find that you will generate more sales, and better satisfy your customers. Even more, you will find that in these times of economic difficulties - you will be able to recruit new customers, who otherwise would have turned you down. Never underestimate the power of "free".

The Power of Testimonials and References

Every entrepreneur should have an understanding of the power of business testimonials and references. They are nothing more or less than personal endorsements, but they can make a huge difference to your company's bottom line.

People are extremely skeptical about doing business with companies they are unfamiliar with - especially if you're strictly online. Something as simple as a good testimony can give them the confirmation they need to buy whatever you're selling.

Here's how to maximize on this:

Take your best 5-10 clients and put their contact info on a list that you can easily email to interested ones. Be sure to let your clients know that from time to time, you may have someone contact them. Usually, most clients don't mind this - as long as people aren't calling them every single week.

In addition, post some testimonials on your web site. Use pictures if you can. Notice how I did it on one of my web sites: www.blackexperts.com/testimonials.html

It sounds simple, but doing this will drastically increase your chances of converting a potential client into an actual client. This well demonstrates the power of word-of-mouth advertising; What satisfied customers have to say can be very influential to others.

On the flip-side, be careful yourself when you are contemplating doing business with an unfamiliar company. Search their web site for testimonials. If there are none, call the company and ask for a list of references. This way you can talk to their actual clients, who can tell you whether or not they are legit.

If a company tells you that they have no testimonials or references, this may be a sign that they are running a scam. Don't jump to conclusions too fast though - It could just be a new company, with no existing clients. This, however, is rarely the case.

How Entrepreneurs Can Beat The Recession

President Bush calls it an economic "slowdown", but those affected call it a full-blown recession - and rightfully so. Major airlines have folded, hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs, gas prices are "through the roof", and the national foreclosure rate is at its highest ever.

In addition to all of this, small businesses across the country are drastically losing customers who no longer have money to spend with them. Black-owned companies, in particular, are affected the most. They have access to the least amount of resources to help in a situation like this, and they are not priority enough for any federal aid.

So, what can you do to beat the recession?

1) Increase your marketing. Buy in to low-cost solutions that are effective, and will drive customers your way. Consider classified advertising, press release distribution, search engine marketing, and directory advertising (Yellow Pages, Superpages.com, etc).

2) Consolidate your staff. No one likes having to let people go, but sometimes you have no choice. Reserve your most productive employees, and have them take on more responsibilities.

3) Break out the coupons, and buy in bulk. Subscribe online to receive coupons and discount offers from Office Depot, Office Max, and/or Staples. This will help you save money on your office supplies. Also, considering buying bulk from Sam's Club - which has a special membership for small business owners.

4) Cut costs when traveling. Instead of staying at the luxurious 5-star hotels like Marriott or Hyatt, consider staying at a 3-star hotel like Hampton Inn, La Quinta Inn, or Comfort Inn. In addition, try buying your airline tickets months in advance for conferences you plan to attend.

If you need to bring staff, this can be very expensive. Consider hiring someone locally where your event will be held. You can pay them for the day, and can train them on-site to work your booth.

5) Become more creative. Now is the time to really start thinking outside the box. Be unconventional. Remember that the solution to staying afloat during difficult financial times is there; you just have to find it. Meditate on new concepts, and reinvent old concepts.

Does Your Web Site Sell?

Did you know that over a billion dollars in sales transactions occur online every single day? Companies like Ebay, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy generate millions in daily sales from their web sites alone.

Ramon Ray, a columnist for Entrepreneur.com, says that your web site should be your best salesperson. He encourages entrepreneurs to transform their website into a sales representative.

"If you think of your website as a salesperson, you'll begin to think of it as more than just a glorified brochure. You'll even want it to be better designed, since you probably want your sales reps to look good," he says.

Here are some good questions to ask yourself:

1) Does your website know everything about your business that it should?

2) Do you measure your website's success (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually)?

3) Do you offer your website "training" on your business fundamentals, new trends or economic changes in your local market or in the national business climate for your industry?

4) Does your website have all your current products, services and pricing?

Ray adds, "Remember your website is probably one of your best--if not the best--sales assets you have. If nurtured and taken care of, it will boost your sales and grow your business, just like a human salesperson."

For the complete article, visit:
www.entrepreneur.com/technology/techbasicscolumnist/article191310.html

How Was Your First Quarter?

In case you hadn't noticed, the first quarter of 2008 is over. That's right; one fourth of the year has already passed. We are well into the second quarter.

While the first quarter can be a good indicator of how the rest of your year will be, it really depends on the nature of your business. The key is to start the assessment now. Don't wait until the end of the year to start measuring how well business did.

If you had a tough time in the first quarter, it may be a good time to adjust your strategies. With a failing economy and the distraction of the presidential election, entrepreneurs must get creative to engage consumers. People are not easily spending money these days, so you have to come up with some unique concepts.

The words "free", "discount", "sale", and "special" are especially important these days to use in your marketing campaigns. Make people feel that they are getting a bargain.

Also, now is a good time to enhance your people skills. In a time of uncertainty, consumers are more likely to do business with people they know and trust. So, stay in contact with your potential customers - as well as your existing customers. Make them feel comfortable with you as a seller or service provider.

If the first quarter was good for you, it may be a good time to figure out how to keep the momentum going. Don't assume that the rest of the year will yield the same results. Continue to be proactive.

Whatever you did to create success, you must learn how to duplicate that over and over again. Sometimes a good idea can go stale. This means you have to learn to reinvent your ideas. Use the same ideas, but with a different twist.

In addition, learn how to up sell your customers. If you were able to generate significant revenue from a customer base in the first quarter, you should be able to do this again with the same customers in the second through fourth quarters. Find out what they need and want, and give it to them. Create customer loyalty. Remember that 75% of revenue from the average company is based on return customers.

Warm Up to Cold Calling

A cold call is an unsolicited phone call made by a sales representative to a potential customer. Despite the negative reputation, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Believe it or not, but telemarketing is a very effective way of closing a sale. Last year, companies made more than a billion dollars through transactions over the phone.

The key, though, is to target your audience. Contact people who have a similar interest in your industry. For instance, if you're selling car parts - don't call people who don't have a car. If you're selling refinance mortgage loans, don't call people who don't own homes.

Instead, find people who will realistically consider what it is that you are selling. If it's relevant to them, you can at least get their attention.

Know who you're calling, even if they don't know you. Understand what their buying habits are, and what their overall needs are. If you can figure out how to match your product to what they desire, you can close the sale.

Author and sales expert Ray Silverstein once said that "the worst that can happen [when making cold calls] is you get a 'no'. But if you don’t call, you have an automatic no."

Almost everybody I know hates cold calling, but if you can figure out the pieces to the puzzle - you'll learn to love it.

Turn Those Cold Calls To Gold Calls

Stop wasting time making ineffective cold calls! Attend a FREE Webinar from Jigsaw.com on February 20th from 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM PST, and watch as Pete Ekstrom of Deal Builders shows you simple techniques that you can use to strike “gold” over the phone.

Topics Include:

* How to start conversations with any prospect over the phone.
* The prerequisites of effective 'sales speak'
* Filling the sales pipeline with future business.
* Surviving the 'Attention Economy'.
* The demise of the 'elevator pitch'.
* The 'Gold Call' - The winning sales dialogue that closes more sales appointments.

To sign up FREE, visit:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/385242011

Learn How To "Click" With People

Networking is everything in business. You never know who's willing to help you get that contract, invest in your company, or even offer you some valuable advice.

George Fraser, an African American entrepreneur and powernetworker, has just authored a new book called Click: Ten Secrets for Building Extraordinary Relationships published by McGraw Hill. For those that don't know, George is one of the foremost authorities on networking and building effective relationships.

In his book, he reveals how you can connect with other people to realize your business and life goals. George shares the insider secrets that will help you to tap into the richest resource on the planet - other people.

I highly recommend this book (available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com), and I also highly recommend joining his organization at FraserNet.com

Listening to George's advice has personally helped me become more confident and aggressive when meeting with people and sealing the deal.

How To Engage A New Customer

You're a new company, with little to no customers. Your phone rings, and its someone who's very interested in buying your services or products. However, they're not sure about using your company because they've never heard of you before. What can you do to seal the deal?

Here's what you say: "Thank you so much for considering our company to help further your goals. We're going to make sure that you get results because we want your continued business, not just a one time transaction."

Then emphasize to them how committed you are to what you do, and how you started the company to fill a void. You may even want to give them some references of clients that are happy with your services.

Also, if you can afford to, give them a one-time 10% discount.

Whatever you do, don't start begging for their business. Stay confident, don't act desperate, and smile the entire time (even though they can't see you). All of this combined, should have a reverse psychological effect on them - and they will likely go ahead and do business with you.

If not, move on to the next customer. There are millions of them out there.

Should You Personalize Your Web Site With An Animated Character?

There's a unique service called SitePal that allows you to add a human touch to your web site. The company allows you to design a speaking animated character, that can easily be added to your website or blog. You can program the character to look just like you, and say anything you want.

The service is very popular, but is it effective? My answer would be yes and no. In some cases, it can be effective to have an animated character talk to your web site visitors. In other cases though, it can be very annoying.

It all depends on what kind of site you have. I wouldn't recommend it for corporate web sites, online newspapers, online research sites, or anything in that arena.

However, I would recommend it for web sites that are used to promote an individual. For instance, the personal web site of an author, a radio host, a blogger, or even a motivational speaker. In these cases, people want to hear your voice, and likely wouldn't find it annoying that you're talking to them online.

For instance, Black Enterprise columnist Brian Leary uses the service for his web site. He says that he has been "surprised by the amount of positive comments [he's] received, as well as new subscribers [to his podcast]."

I think for what he's doing, it's a great fit. The key is to be realistic about how your web site visitors will respond to it.

Look For Patterns

Try to find patterns or consistencies in your business. For instance, are most of your customers located in the midwest? Do most transactions on your web site happen on Mondays and Thursdays? Do you get more new customers during the summer? Do your customers spend more money when it's raining outside?

Making such determinations will help you understand your customers, and should allow you to serve them better. This, in turn, will increase your revenue.

Here's a true story and a great example: In 2004, Wal-mart noticed that before a hurricane devastates an area where one of their stores is located - they would consistently sell out of Pop-Tarts. So now, when a hurricane is approaching, they rush ship more Pop-Tarts and are able to sell 7 times as many.

The moral of the story: Learn Your Customers' Habits.

The Customer Is Not Always Right

Some may disagree with this, but I just had to make this statement. For some reason, many people like to say "the customer is always right." My rule is this: The customer should be valued, and should be treated with respect. But the customer is not always right.

These days, customers will try to manipulate your company policies so that they can get "special services". This may include unwarranted refunds, exchanges, discounts, or even free stuff. A smart business owner will not put up with this!

Whenever you are dealing with a "problem" customer, handle them respectfully but do not deviate from your policy.

Have a detailed company policy in writing that is easily accessible to the customer. Your strategy of defense is to refer them to that policy. There will be nothing to debate about because you have everything in writing.

Now there are some cases when the customer is right. In these situations, it would be wise to compromise.

Send Out A Monthly Or Weekly Newsletter To Your Customers

Stop making excuses about creating a newsletter! It's now easier than ever to create, maintain, and distribute one. And who said anything about a print newsletter?

All you have to do is create an account with ConstantContact.com or VerticalResponse.com - and, in seconds, you can be sending out email newsletters. These services are very user-friendly.

My company has distributed 2-3 different newsletters every single week, since the year 2001. I am 100% confident that doing that this has kept us in business.