All Things Small Business, Potential Extra Income

10 Daily Small Business Activities Guaranteed to Pay Off

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I don’t know about you, but I haven’t started this year off with a lot of energy and inspiration.  Thankfully, the list below has lit the fire I needed.

  • I will first schedule for the year all activities that support my health and family (including workouts, doctor appointments, vacations, family events). Why? Because without these, I won’t be able to be productive in my business.
  • Each day, I will put appointments with enough time (and some extra built in) to complete my day’s top 2 business activities. I will work on these even before I check my email (thanks for this great idea from Tim Ferriss of the 4-Hour Work Week fame – it really works!). These will be my business priorities for the day. Once they are completed, I can work on other business activities.
  • By the middle of each day, I’ll make sure to take a moment and determine if I have helped someone today. If so, continue with my activities. If not, take action to help someone in need – anything from returning an email from someone who needs help, making a phone call to someone who suffered a recent setback, or even just giving a compliment to someone.
  • I will backup my files in the easiest way possible, automatically, by using Carbonite, or other similar service.
  • Each quarter, I’ll meet with my accountant. As one of my trusted advisors, I will work with him or her to determine necessary changes in my business.
  • I will put aside a reserve of money, or get a line of credit, so I will never feel “desperate.” I know that clients can sense desperation, and I won’t attract them if I feel that way. Plus, if I am not desperate for the money, I won’t have to take on clients who will drain me.
  • Each day, I will put a 30-minute appointment on my calendar to learn something new. In today’s world, we all have to be learning constantly, just to keep up. Each time I realize I need more knowledge of something, I’ll put it in one of my 30-minute appointment slots.
  • I will include marketing and business development activities in my business activities. This means that I may be scheduling time for social media promotion, Website updates, customer contacts, etc.
  • I will develop a consistent way to stay in front of current and potential clients. I know that this is the best way to grow my business. I can do this in many ways – through a newsletter, a regular Send Out Cards program, scheduled meetings and more.
  • If something doesn’t feel right, I won’t do it. I need to trust my gut. It’s usually right. 

Information provided by:

Margie Zable Fisher
Zable Fisher Public Relations
Phone: (561) 445-6075
Email:  margie@zfpr.com
Website:  http://www.zfpr.com

Why Email Marketing Services? (i.e. Constant Contact, iContact, and more)

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The ultimate goal of email marketing services is to increase your business or website traffic by putting you in contact with your target audience, your subscribers and future clients to deliver an effective message with measurable results.

Email marketing services are your gateway to professional, effective bulk email campaigns that excite results.  You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create an attractive email or newsletter. A good service has various email development features to help you every step of the way. You can import an HTML page or use one of the many email templates provided by the service if you don’t know a thing about HTML.

Below are the criteria that one website, TopTenREVIEWS, used to evaluate email marketing services:

Feature Set
Email marketing services should offer many useful features that help you create emails, develop contact lists and monitor results.
Ease of Use
The email marketing website should be user-friendly and easy to navigate. The most practical bulk emailers make setting up your email list and account information simple and quick.
Email Campaign Creation
A big part of marketing campaigns and newsletters are design aspects. The service should assist in the design process and provide an HTML email editor so you can add images, links and tables. Top-notch services also provide options to help you develop your contact list.
Reporting
The reporting section should be comprehensive and easy to find and use. Reports are important so you can evaluate your email campaign’s effectiveness and make needed adjustments.
Help/Support
Email marketing services are designed for corporations spending money trying to get new customers. The Email marketing service should provide comprehensive online and in person, help that includes easy to follow tutorials, online knowledgebase, live chat support and responsive email.

On their site, you’ll find articles on email marketing and comprehensive reviews on email marketing services, but also talk to people using email marketing services, who they’re happy with, who they’re not, and why, before making a decision who to go with.

I read the info on TopTenREVIEWS, and asked for the personal experiences from twenty of the members of the network group I belong to, Savor the Success, a premium network for women entrepreneurs. Here’s their feedback:

I would recommend mailchimp.com. Their system is very simple, user-friendly and produce great e-newsletters (without the logo on the bottom that cc has).  they are reasonably priced as well.
I love constant contact and appreciate their customer support.
I use, and have been very happy with, Mad Mimi http://www.madmimi.com/
I am in love with MyEmma (emma is short for email marketing).  They are so fun to work with.  You can actually speak to a live human who is energetic and willing/wanting to help.  Check them out at www.myemma.com
I just started working with MailChimp and I’m a fan.
Initially, I would have recommended Constant Contact as I have been with them for a few years now. However, I discovered something recently within my newsletter that I must discuss with them: An Unsubscribe Button at the top of each email!! I sent out a newsletter 2 weeks ago and found that 8 people unsubsribed immediately -and they were the ones who subscribed! Talk about a battered ego!  As I submit my trouble ticket to CC, I will check out Aweber as I’ve heard great things about them.
I’ve been using constant contact for several years now. I like the reports I receive, and I have been able to mess with the template to make it look like something no one else sends out. They are constantly adding and improving the interface, and they have real people/live chat to help.  I have no problem with the unsubscribe button. You can remove it from the top of your newsletter while you are working in your template. But why?  I don’t want to be sending my newsletter to people who decide, even after signing up, that they don’t want to receive it anymore. I understand where they are coming from, because I may like a product, but I may also decide that I don’t want to receive anymore newsletters about it.
I know we’ve had a discussion similar to this before.  But, another one we all decided was a good one is RatePoint.  Many of us were Constant Contact customers, but switched over because as your list gets bigger, they are more expensive.  We have a list of over 5000 and it is getting bigger.  The other thing that was so dis-enchanting about Constant Contact is that when many of us called and asked to cancel, they didn’t ask why, or do anything to keep our business.  Just said fine and cancelled.  I thought it was an isolated incident, but many others had the same response.  Don’t really want to do business with a company that doesn’t care why I’m leaving when I’ve been with them for years.
I’m with Ratepoint, too. I like them because they are so helpful. If you have any questions, you hear back immediately. They also moved my lists for me and put them into the groups I had when I was with Constant Contact. They also said if I had a template that I was using with Constant Contact and couldn’t find a suitable replacement in their assortment, they would make it for me. I love great customer service and they definitely offer it.
I really appreciate this discussion 🙂 I’ve been using Constant Contact for about 8 years & have been pretty happy with it. As my list has grown, I will definately check out RatePoint and I love what you shared ,that it was easy to move the lists,keep them intact etc
I moved to Ratepoint earlier this year after 12 years with constant contact…… WAY better all around and less $$ too.
I started using iContact a few months ago. If you know coding it’s easier. I’ve been extremely happy with their customer service though.
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Here’s a review my techie, Nadine, did in Oct after our bad experiences with both icontact & constant contact.  (Based upon this eval, we switched to MailChimp.
  • ConstantContact is the easiest product to use right off the bat.
  • MailChimp would be the second easiest, could be easier by taking the time to create own templates.
  • pHpList is very complex and involved to set up which makes the attractive price less attractive with the amount of time that would be needed to make it work the way Vettanna will need it, actual start up costs could be prohibitive.
  • iContact could be made more usable by investing time, however with their table intensive structure and odd html coding, it will always be tricky to work with.  The biggest issue with iContact is the received email not matching the online Preview from their site.  This will be a constant source of frustration.
In summary –  either ConstantContact or MailChimp would be a good eMail newsletter choice.  Both products allow Safari users to at least view the html rendered email and allow some/limited editing.  MailChimp would be cheaper initially MINUS the template creation time to make it more usable; once both products are at over 500 emails they are the same price.

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We just (as in yesterday) switched from Ratepoint to Mail Chimp after having major failure with Ratepoint that I felt was just unacceptable.
I’m going to go with the free Mail Chimp for now since we’re just building our list.
LOVE MailChimp!!!

MailChimp all the way!!! I use this myself and for all my clients integrating email marketing into their website. It’s easy for the non-techie and feature robust and customizable for the advanced developer. Seamless integration is a big deal to me, so I love it. Plus it’s FREE if you have under 500 subscribers!

We switched over from Vertical Response to Mail Chimp a few months ago and love it.  Of course, I was stubborn and demanding when my husband (also my marketing and I.T. guy) suggested it – but was soon won over.  It is easy to use, offers attractive templates and the price is extremely good.

I’ll now be diving into the world of email marketing service for the first time, don’t know anything about HTML.  I’ll use it for this blog and my other,  Saddleback Buzz, as well as my business website, www.csbegone.com.  I want tracking capabilities, with access to reports on bounced, forwarded, delivered/undeliverable and sent emails; as well as conversions, click-throughs and more.

Consequently, going with MailChimp because of the reviews above, it’s free (for my current volume),  I’ve been told their customer service is excellent, and I love their  website, so easy on the eyes, cute and funny, easy to understand, it doesn’t overwhelm me. They offer how-to-get started video tutorials.  Some well-known clients include Mercedes, Firefox, Intel, Staples, Canon, and many others.

7 Steps to Dominate your Niche

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The article and tips provided at the link below applies to getting a new business up and going as well as businesses already established whether online or otherwise.  It’s some great advice and clearly useful – a simple how-to guide that anyone can follow.

Also read the comments to the article, many of which offer good advice.

 Click here for article.

Women Entrepreneurs-Jump on this opportunity to hone sales pitch + more in monthly teleconference mastermind style workshop

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I’m a member of Savor the Success (STS), a national premium business network for women entrepreneurs. It’s the greatest resource I’ve had in my 15-year experience as a small business owner. Read my previous article on SAVOR THE SUCCESS.

After the beginning of the year, Savor the Success will be offering to their Premium members a free one-hour teleconference workshop once a month using the Mastermind model where workshop participants devote its brainstorming energy to the person in the spotlight and from which everyone can learn.  Everyone who wants to will eventually have a turn, if not that month, perhaps in the following months’ workshop.

This workshop is a way to increase our revenues, understanding how to sell our wares, understanding pricing, seeing if what we are selling actually sells, and if we’re on the right path.

General membership to Savor the Success is free, but doesn’t allow full access to the site’s wealth of resources for which Premium members have unlimited access. Premium membership is $49/mo.  If you avail yourself of all STS has to offer, it will pay off in spades. This advice comes from the bottom of my heart.var gaJsHost = ((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? “https://ssl.” : “http://www.”);document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src='” + gaJsHost + “google-analytics.com/ga.js’ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”));
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Make some easy cash -and declutter- by selling your used books. The shipping is free.

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Times are tough; everyone is looking for easy ways to make money lately.

I learned about this from Christine Miserandino, who writes a great blog, But You Don’t Look Sick, for people who are disabled or have ‘invisible’ diseases, such as diabetes or lupus (from which she is a sufferer).  Please share her website with those you know who might enjoy and benefit from it.

Christine swears by a company she sells her books to called Cash4Books.net who may buy your books that are in good condition that you no longer need.

They buy a wide variety of books, however, most of the books they purchase have a publication date no older than five years or newer.

She explains more about how it all works, and how simple and easy it is here.  Tip – ask your neighbors, friends and family if they might donate the books they no longer need to you.  It will help them declutter also, and make room for new books.

Cash4Books also purchases textbooks that have a publication date of 2006 or newer.

By the way, Christine makes a little income for every sale to Cash4Books when someone like you is kind enough to click on the Cash4Books link from her site rather than going to Cash4Books directly.  That’s exactly what I’ll be doing, by adding the link  from her site to my Toolbar for convenience.

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My most coveted resource as a female business owner & entrepreneur

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SAVOR THE SUCCESS is a premium business network for women entrepreneurs, a network/public relations bootcamp-inspired group that helps women to play the bigger game and reach big-time goals using a nuts-and-bolts process. This group is for do-ers, not dreamers, and their philosophy is give-give-get.

SAVOR THE SUCCESS has been invaluable to my business in staying viable during these difficult economic times.  One of many tools it provides are Mastermind Hours.  To illustrate, here’s the agenda for an upcoming online meeting for Premium members in Southern California conducted by Ann Baker, a fabulous PR professional.  

At the Mastermind Hour, we’ll all clear our desktops, pour a fresh cup of coffee or tea, clear our heads, log in online to the first website [belonging to a meeting participant] on the schedule, and call in.  In turn, we’ll visit each person’s website and the featured member will be given 7-10 minutes of the full attention and brainstorming power of the group.  When it’s your turn, you’ll explain what you’re working on and what you want/need to happen in your business over the next month and year.  The group will devote its brainstorming energy to you, and you’ll come away with an assignment to keep you productive and focused during these hectic weeks!

“I am a member of many networking groups & Savor the Success has been the most helpful one for me.”  –  ANDREEA AYERS, TEES FOR CHANGE
“It’s without a doubt, the best site for business women on the internet.”
– ALISA BOWMAN, PROJECT HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Free service-Send larger files that your email can’t

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I use You Send It often to send mp3’s, my Quickbooks accounting file to the accountant, and videos. You can also send photos and artwork.  The email program I use, Entourage, can’t accommodate files this large, and since I’m all about convenience, this is one of my favorite sites.

Their free service is called ‘Lite’, which provides these key benefits:

Plenty of size – send files up to 100 MB with a 1 GB monthly download limit.
Spread the word – Allow up to 100 downloads of every file.
Address Book – Keep track of email addresses in one handy location.
Files Remain for 7 Days – Give your recipients a week to download the files you’ve sent.
HIPAA Compliant

Use an address book to save time and maintain contacts. Up to one hundred people can download every file, giving you plenty of room to spread the word.


They also offer a Pro Account for heavier usage needs, at a nominal cost.
Subscribe here: You Send It