School of Creative Business - Creative Entrepreneurship

Do You Know The New F-Word Dear Entrepreneur?

^{Guest Post from Happy Health Writing Group}

Are you as an entrepreneur newly exposed to the phenomenon of social media being used as a marketing tool?You have suddenly discovered or at least heard of the solid promotion platforms provided by social networking sites and micro-blogging websites?

Well, it is absolutely true. They are there to provide leverage to all kinds of businesses. Small businesses also gain huge profits from them. Social Media these days have become the most important factor for small businesses to scale up.

F-Commerce and its potential If you still have doubts about the power of social media as a marketing platform, check out some statistics on Facebook, an immensely popular social networking site.

•  25% of user posts on Facebook mention brands, products or services
•  40% "like" a brand in order to receive special promotions
• 51% users claim they are more likely to purchase a product after "liking" them.

F-commerce is a new word for most of us. Some of you may have been flirting with it.The term stands for Facebook Commerce. It is actually an enormous platform situated within Facebook. It has a huge number of stores which work exactly like any other e-commerce website available on the net.

Many of you may wonder: Does it really work?

Lets take a look at some statistics provided by Social Commerce Today. 

• F-stores have a conversion rate of 2 to 4% while traditional websites represent an average of 3.4%.
• Click-through rates on links posted on Facebook Walls are as high as 6.5%.
•  Facebook users spend 1.5x more time on the net than the regular Internet user.

A question that comes to mind is that is it time to shift from websites to Facebook pages as far as commerce is concerned? In my opinion, both have significant roles to play as of now. But going by the trend, the shift is definitely in favour of Facebook.

The F-store There are several applications like Payment that makes it very simple for you to turn your business into an F-store. Big brands are already making full use of it. Its only a matter of time before smaller businesses go the same way. Experts are already of the opinion that Facebook has the potential to catch up with online commerce giants like Amazon.

If you are a businessman thinking of using social media as a vehicle for the growth of your business, ask yourself these two questions:

1. Does that little Facebook "like" button have cash value?

2. Is it a valid recommendation for a product?

Once you have sorted out the answers to these questions, your understanding of the new F-word in commerce and the immense marketing potential that social media carries will help you take your business from one stepping stone to another. It would also help your brand reach its desired customers easily.

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This helpful post is brought to you by the Happy Health writing group. Our site is the home of helpful information about which hearing aids are best suited for you and other first-rated products. Additionally we provide a review of hearing aids, related info and a lot more!

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What Your Business Needs To Do To Connect More On Twitter

Watch this funny video on how to connect more on Twitter. Laura from Get the Dash keeps it simple and to the point on why connecting with others on social media sites are super easy.

The Video

 Twitter Marketing - What Your Business Needs To Do To Connect More On Twitter

 

Tips on Creating a Creative Business Brand in a Slow Recovering Economy

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An outstanding business brand is one that can withstand an up, recovering or down economy.  I've heard and listened to many news reports about of the world is suffering from financial crisis and that small and big  businesses are feeling the impact of this slow recovery.

This is when your creative business branding campaign is put to the test. Indeed, when businesses like yours are competing for what remains of the market, you have to double your efforts at making your brand withstand and thrive.  What is also essential in these times is to never discount the impact of quality and customer service. These are important factors that hold promise to deliver more to your clients and keep your business going.

Are You Recession-Proof?

Business branding seems to lose its vigor during recession. People tend to buy base on logic and needs, rather than impulse or perceptions. Therefore, you have to maintain or improve the kind of value,  and benefits that your product promises. This is a big thing - must not lose focus on in your branding and marketing efforts. 

If you want to add more value to your brand to make it better able to withstand the challenges of a suffering economy, here are areas of your branding system that you must focus on:

• During a slow recovery period, many businesses  tend to cut back on their marketing efforts. But actually,this is the time where you need to strengthen your marketing efforts.

• Create more aggressive marketing programs to be able to capture a bigger share of the market.

• Assert yourself on consumers who are affected by the recession by offering better value on your products.

• Promotions must highlight quality and economic benefits.

Helping Your Brand Survive

When recession has hit the consumers, buying becomes a less desirable practice. This will largely impact your business' efforts. 

Try using the following practices to keep your business thriving:

1.) Never change your brand identity. Try to restructure the messages you are trying to deliver but make sure that it stays within the context of your basic brand identity.

2.) Utilize this time to appeal to your customer's needs by performing a more thorough market research. Create a survey asking them questions on their needs and expectations. 

3.) If your business' products are mostly high-end, do not simply revert to dropping prices. Instead, try improving the value and quality of your products so that customers will have a better quality spending habit.   "Expensive = Good"

4.) Be open to potential new customers. In times of a slow recovery, people are in the process of re-evaluating their spending habits. This is your opportunity to come into the picture and offer your business as a possible solution.

Ensuring Brand Stability

Consumers change their buying patterns during a slow economy,  but creative business owners must remain committed with their branding strategies. However, you do have to make slight and appropriate changes though, such as increased sensitivity to this new buying attitude exhibited by consumers. During slow times, you have to stay committed in helping your customers attain quality service and products that add value. This is your winning formula. And with increased dedication to your business brand, you will also increase the loyalty of your patrons.

Final Note...

Don't let this slow recovering economy get you down. Use it to your benefit. Customers are looking for products and services that helps them get ahead. Produce what they want - it make things happen.

 

Yeah... what are you doing to make it happen for your business? Leave a comment below.

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Looking for more solid tips on business ideas, internet & social marketing, and personal branding? Check out the School of Creative Business free email newsletter, Creative Business Ideas. It jumps off with a Social Marketing Tips E-course. Sign up here. If you know anyone who might like this post- pass it along to other creative entrepreneurs by clicking below on Tweet This or Facebook Like buttons

Think Differently: A Tribute to Steve Jobs

It makes me feel great when someone calls me crazy or different. That means that I am truly working my calling. Steve Jobs worked his calling to the fullest to create wonderful and beautiful products.

So its ok to be a little crazy - I think and strongly believe it's a requirement.

 

1% Inspiration, 99% Perspiration - Make it Happen

The 99% is a think tank for creatives and entrepreneurs. Just the place for us- creative entrepreneurs. This site has wonderful and insightful information that will inspire and make you take action. Below are a few resources I found to be very helpful in understanding myself as an creative and as a entrepreneur.

Execution

Nobody's Perfect: Why We All Need A Margin For Error

Can't Start, Won't Start: Tricks for Overcoming Procrastination

Why Creative People Need to Be Eccentric

 

Organization

Do-It-Yourself Project Management (And How Behance Does It)

10 Time-Saving Web Tools

10 Online Tools for Better Attention & Focus

 

Video Presentation

Linda Rottenberg (CEO and Co-founder of Endeavor)  works with entrepreneurs around the world on a daily basis, helping them grow their businesses for maximum impact. In this 99% talk, Rottenberg shares tips for new entrepreneurs and addresses some of the key challenges that creative startups face. This is a must watch video- Great Tips!

 

 

 

9 Easy Ways to Improve Your Communication

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"10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Communication" 

There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know.

So what better way to start learning to be an effective communication is to know the very person closest to you: yourself.

1. What you know.
Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned. As a member of the Rock Hill Toastmasters'club, I've learned that we all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.

2. Listening.
It's just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little more confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction. Admit it, there are times you sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch.

3. Humility
We all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means.  So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.

4. Eye Contact
There's a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a casual gathering.

5. Kidding around
A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making a speech. With a little humor , you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they'll feel that you're just as approachable,as a close friend.

6. Be like the rest of them
Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing what people make them as they are.

 7. With a smile
A smile says it all much like eye contact. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it's a wake. You can better express what you're saying when you smile. Show those beautiful teeth!

8. A Role Model
There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.

9. Preparation
Make the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes and often in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand.

I need your help.

That about wraps it up. I've offered 9 ways to improve communication- I need 10 to round things out. Do you have one you could add? I would love to hear from you- I will add and credit your suggestions in the communication article.

 

Talk with you guys later,

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Looking for more solid tips on business ideas, internet & social marketing, and personal branding? Check out the School of Creative Business free email newsletter, Creative Business Ideas. It jumps off with a Social Marketing Tips E-course. Sign up here. If you know anyone who might like this post- pass it along to other creative entrepreneurs by clicking below on Tweet This or Facebook Like buttons

Are You Selfish?

I have a question for you.

How many "have to do's" each day actually don’t have to be done at all? - Are You Selfish?

 

When you’re trying to change your life or pursue a dream, what you don’t do is often as important as what you do. We’re all given the same 24 hours each day. It’s easy to feel like there’s not enough time to do what you really want to be doing. After all the “have to do’s” there’s barely any time left for the “want to do’s.”

When you actually think about your list of things you’re planning to do today or this week, how many of them could be deleted without consequences?

Working a business is a series of on going decisions. Every decision you make has an effect on other decisions. By choosing to spend your time as you do today, you’re deciding not to spend time doing the other things you’d really like to be doing.

So, are you being selfish by not sharing time with yourself? The things you don’t do free up time for other opportunities.

To make progress toward your goals, you’re going to have to get comfortable with not doing some of the things you do today. That means you’ll have to get comfortable with letting some negative consequences happen in favor of other positive consequences. Get comfortable with “letting lots of little bad things happen.” See, most people get consumed with minimizing all negative consequences of their decisions instead of maximizing the positive ones.

Your time is your time, time is precious. You have to decide how to spend it, otherwise other people's stuff will consume most of your precious time. Learn to say "no" get a little selfish. Learn how to be more selfish.

Here are 3 things I've learned to do to regain my precious time.

1) View your calendar at the beginning of the week. 

I do this on Sunday evenings. I evaluate every appointment on my calendar.  For each appointment, I ask myself  "can I skip this appointment and what will be the consequences if I do"  Then, I ask myself  “can I do something else with that time ?”

2) Create a “stop doing list.”

I talked about creating a stop doing list in a previous creative business solution tip video  and I still stand strong on this one. Create a stop doing list and remove the repetitive tasks that consume your time. Some of you might not be able to quit your repetitive tasks cold turkey, but you can stop having to do a lot of things if you plan ahead.

Think about all the things you do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Pick the ones that are not helping you make progress towards living out your creative business lifestyle. What if you just stopped doing them today? If you can’t stop doing them right now, could you create a plan to make it happen in a week or month or three months? Try it and see what happens.

3) Don’t be afraid to disappoint.

Here's a tough one and this is where you might be called selfish. When you try o please everyone around you it becomes an impossible task that will  keep you from getting what YOU want to do!

Typically, I have Fridays off from teaching, and many of my family and friends ask me to run errands for them on Fridays. I say No- that's my time to get my things done. Many of my friends and family members called me spoiled and selfish. It sadden me at first- but I quickly got over it. So I say, get comfortable with letting some negative consequences happen in favor of bigger better things. A little selfishness might be just what you need to make a breakthrough.

Talk with you later,

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Looking for more solid tips on business ideas, internet & social marketing, and personal branding? Check out the School of Creative Business free email newsletter, Creative Business Ideas. It jumps off with a Social Marketing Tips E-course. Sign up here. If you know anyone who might like this post- pass it along to other creative entrepreneurs by clicking below on Tweet This or Facebook Like buttons

Creative Business Solution Tip: Create It Yourself

Today's Creative Business Solution Tip is if you want it done - you gotta' create it yourself. There are a lot of projects we all wished were out there for us to use, but the sad thing is most of them are not out there for us to buy- so you know what? - you gotta create it for you and then offer it to others.

If you are seeking it and wanting to buy it- I promise you there are others who are wishing the say thing.

Watch today's Creative Business Solution Tip: Create it Yourself Video

 

Remember if you have any questions or want to leave a comment- please do so below.

Talk with you later,

 

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Looking for more solid tips on business ideas, internet & social marketing, and personal branding? Check out the School of Creative Business free email newsletter, Creative Business Ideas. It jumps off with a Social Marketing Tips E-course. Sign up here. If you know anyone who might like this post- pass it along to other creative entrepreneurs by clicking below on Tweet This or Facebook Like buttons

 

Dumb Ass People can be Creative Entrepreneurs too

 
I didn't want to insult anyone- actually I just wanted to get your attention. 

Believe me, I don't think anyone is dumb or an ass- I believe everyone is capable. My vision is to set straight the process and show not only that creative people are smart business too, but are also capable of learning how to adapt to changing business and marketing conditions. Which is a relatively easy thing to do.

What's new is there's an abundant opportunity and an urgent need for creative business owners to understand the new way of doing business - internet marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, blogging and lots, lots more. Like it or not, creative entrepreneurs have to move beyond the basic way of doing business- we gotta’ think about the new ways of making money in the 21^st century.

When I share with students, friends, clients about my humble beginnings as a creative entrepreneur, a common statement is: “So you managed to start a business, work full-time and attend graduate school all at one time?” My answer is that time and opportunity is available to all people in any situation. Amazing things are happening every day, the market is filled with money and individuals who actively seek worthy ideas in which to start a business.

Even the less than smartest person (A Dumb Ass) can look beyond traditional borders and embrace the vast world of opportunities in business. Even myself- I wasn’t an "A" student in college, but I could see opportunity for advancement around every corner. I write, teach and speak to you because I want to share the good and bad experiences I’ve made and in the future. I know there’s many of ways to achieve a goal, and my way is not necessarily the best. But it is the best for me with the education and experiences I have.

I’ve learned that generally the business world makes every business related function too complicated. Many creative people avoid becoming business owners because of the assumption of starting a business is too hard and highly costly.  It is true – that starting a business isn’t easy, and it can become costly with no support and education, but it has come the time for us to move beyond the starving artist way of thinking and to move into the Creative CEO way of thinking.

 
How to think like a Creative CEO

First you have to make the big decision that you want more- and base that decision on reality and awareness! Your greatest enemy is the fear of failure. You worry: Am I smart enough? Do I have enough training? Am I good enough? The truth is there are many dumb ass people out there making lots of money- so you don’t have to be a genius, nor do you even have to be a little smart. The most successful people are those who are determined to win. They set realistic goals and then go for it.

Once a decision is made, action must follow. At that point, it is time to create a plan of action and make it work. Sure it’s scary, but you can also tingle with excitement. You are elated by initial gains and disappointed by a few losses, but you develop confidence to continue to move forward.

I’ve started and ended many businesses; I now find that my greatest joy comes from creating, teaching and speaking about my passion. My credentials were earned as much through failure as through success. And the lessons learned are as important today as they were when I began.

 Your success hinges on your ability to react to the world around you- it’s not about the degrees you have on your wall. The payoff comes when you are able to see a need and learn how to fill that need. Dumb ass people know what others need and they learn quickly how to full fill those needs. Being in business means taking risks, and yet the rewards can make it all worthwhile.

 

 A Recommendation

I recommend that any Creative Entrepreneurs at any level of blogging to start with Gideon Shalwick and Yaro Starak's  FREE Roadmap to Blogging Success.

The Free report is full of amazing strategies to attract traffic to your blog like bees to a beehive, turn your competitors green with envy and provide you with multiple streams of passive income. You have nothing to loose - Click here to get your FREE Roadmap to Blogging Success.

 

 

Here's to your Creative Success,

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Looking for more solid tips on business ideas, internet & social marketing, and personal branding? Check out the School of Creative Business free email newsletter, Creative Business Ideas. It jumps off with a Social Marketing Tips E-course. Sign up here. If you know anyone who might like this post- pass it along to other creative entrepreneurs by clicking below on Tweet This or Facebook Like buttons

Finding Your Flow

 
Each of us has the potential to do Big Things.

But here's the problem, we spend most of our time trying to control what we do and what other people think of us which keeps us from reaching the amazing potential inside of us.

There’s something dangerous and inhibiting about that word: CONTROL.  Believe me I know.. I'm a Recovering Control Freak!

Having the need to control comes from related thoughts and emotions like perfectionism, fear, worry, jealousy, and ego. See- this is what I've learned -You can't control your magnificent side, you have to let it FLOW. Flow is the opposite of control. Flow is the art of letting things happen. You don’t control your way to achieving flow, it happens when you stop controlling and start encouraging.

How to Let Go and FLOW

Finding your life’s flow starts with embracing your unique gifts and talents and admitting your hopes and dreams with sincerity.But first you have to Stop controlling the person you are.

Accept full responsibility for who you are right now and the choices you've made in the past (Good, Bad and the Ugly ones). You gotta' admit that you haven’t given yourself complete permission to pursue the things you really want to do with your life. If you really want to be a Creative Entrepreneur- you must admit and accept it!

When you find glimpses of your creative self underneath all the layers of expectations and conformity, you must encourage that business side. Nurture it and let it grow. There's a magnificent entrepreneur side of you just beneath the surface, waiting to come out and flourish and change the world, whether big or small.

Your job today is to find that side of yourself and embrace it. Welcome your life’s flow and start living your potential.

I’ve Been in a State of Flow Lately.

A few weeks ago, I  finally sought out a business coach and fininshed the paper work in establishing Alease Michelle Studios as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). This new direction is the result of embracing my flow and letting it be. I’ve realized I love encouraging people, and I’m letting go of trying to surpress that drive. Part of living your flow means getting comfortable with things that aren’t happening due to new opportunities and interests.

Let me explain,  sometimes I don’t have the time to post here as often as I would like. I would love to post 3 to 4 times a week. But at the moment I’m flowing with other efforts like my new 40 plus and Fly blog,  speaking engagements and curriculum development. None of it would have been possible if I had continued trying to control my life externally instead of encouraging the life within. 

I do better because I know better - flow takes you places you can’t imagine. To help you life flow better check out a few of my favorite resources- and if you need more- think about schedule time with a Creative Business Advisor.

 Talk with you later,

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Looking for more solid tips on business ideas, internet & social marketing, and personal branding? Check out the School of Creative Business free email newsletter, Creative Business Ideas. It jumps off with a Social Marketing Tips E-course. Sign up here. If you know anyone who might like this post- pass it along to other creative entrepreneurs by clicking below on Tweet This or Facebook Like buttons