School of Creative Business - Creative Entrepreneurship

10 Ways to Get Valuable Feedback From Your Customers

10 Ways to Get Valuable Feedback From Your Customers

You can learn many things you didn't know about your business by getting valuable feedback from your customers. Your customers may buy your main product just to get the free gifts. Your visitors may think it's to hard to navigate through your web site.

By knowing this type of important information you can improve your web site, products/services, advertising, and marketing. Below are 10 techniques you can use to get valuable feedback from your customers.

1 - Use surveys and questionnaires regularly to improve your business. Ask questions on your website, include an online survey in your montly newsletter, include a return address survery postcard in your product shipments.

2 - Create an online community for your customers. Create a niche group on Facebook. or an e-mail discussion list for customers to participate in. You can regularly moderator these communities to see what your customers are saying about your business.

3 - Give away your products to a group of your customers. Ask them to use and review the product. Ask them to fill out an evaluation form and send it back. Some customers may fill them out, some may not, but the feedback you do get will be valuable.

4 - Offer your site visitors an online product or service at no cost. It could be an ebook,consulting via e-mail, web design, etc. In return, ask them to fill out a short survey about your products or services you're selling.

5 - Create a customer focus group. Invite five to ten of your most loyal customers to meet regularly. They will give you ideas and input on how to improve your customer service. You could pay them, take them out to dinner or give them free products.

6 - Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis. Offer them a free e-zine subscription. Ask customers if they want to be updated by e-mail when you are offering a new product or service.  After every purchase, follow-up with the customer to see if they are satisfied with their purchase.

7 - Make it easy for your customers to contact you. Offer as many contact methods as possible. Allow customers to contact you by e-mail. Hyperlink your e-mail address so customers won't have to type it. Offer toll free numbers - make it easy for your customers to voice their opinions.

8 - You could regularly contact customers on birthdays or holidays. Send thank you gifts or messages. Email them online greeting cards on holidays or birthdays. Call them personally to wish them a happy holiday. You could them follow-up with a survey or ask them if they're happy with your business.

9 - Invite your customers to workshops or an online seminar.  Make a point durning the event to get valuable feedback for your business.

10 - You could use a couple or all of the techniques listed above to get valuable customer feedback. These aren't the only ways, be creative and come up with some of your own.

 

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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.

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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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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

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

How to Create a Scarce Value Offer

Happy Labor Day - Creative Entrepreneurs!

The Creative Business Solution Video today discusses how to create a scarce value offer for your product or services. In this video I offer several suggestions on how to get this done.

 

Watch the How to Create a Scarce Value Offer Video here!

 

How to Improve Blog Traffic tutorial: Submit Classified Advertisements

How to improve blog traffic tutorial for today is all about submitting your blog's services and/or products on free classified websites.

 

How Can Free Classified Ads Improve Your Blog Traffic?

The best answer to this question is those who are able identify the target audience and create sales copy which entices the reader will find advertising on free classified sites to be a place to get traffic.  There is also an opportunity to gain financial benefit through advertising on these free sites. Many of the free classified ad sites already receive extensive traffic.

You know companies have been placing ads in newspapers for years, but actually placing a blog in advertisement format, just escaped me. Silly me... but anyway free classifieds are a wonderful way to advertise a product or service. Use free ad sites listed below to place an ad. It really is a good way to get traffic to your site, but I want to warn you, please don't spam- even these Free Classified website hate spam.

 

Free Classified Websites to Improve Blog Traffic

Craiglist

USFreeAds

AdlandPro

FreeAdsweb

EPage

How to Write an Effective Ad for Classified

When you start to write your ad , there are two critical points you must NEVER, forget:

1. Most people don't buy  based on logic. Buying decision are based on emotions.

2. People don't want to feel like they're being pushed into buying. They want to feel like they arrived at the buying decision on their own.

Actually, writing effective sales material has become quite simple for me.  In fact, I'm going to teach you what I've learned from the advertising pros. And if you apply these basics techniques, you'll see a difference in your sales writing.

You GOTTA write every  ad using the following classic AIDA formula:

A=ATTENTION     I=INTEREST      D=DESIRE      A=ACTION

ATTENTION: The very first thing your ad must do. The very best way to do that is with an effective headline.

An effective headline is any headline that answers this question: "What's in it for me"?

INTEREST: After you get their attention, you want to get them "INTERESTED" in your product or service. You do this by immediately telling them what your headline promises.

DESIRE:. You have to make your customer "DESIRE" your product or service. And the way to do that is with benefits. 

Remember, just keep telling them what your headline promised. Also, tell them what they stands to gain by purchasing your product or service. More importantly, tell them what they stand to lose, if they doesn't purchase.

Push the emotional "hot buttons", by using selling words like: 

new, save, amazing, free, guaranteed, security, no-risk, look younger, feel better

ACTION: You want to close your ad with a call to action! Ask them for the order. It's important to ask for the order at least 3 to 6 times.

Here are a few examples of Call to Action statements:

"Don't waste another minute! Order NOW"!

"Just click on the button below to order NOW, Risk-Free"!

"To get your FREE gift, Order NOW"!

 

Hey did you missed the last 6 lessons on How to Improve Blog Traffic?

Don't worry you can get caught up: Click on the blue links to get started

Traffic Tutorial 1: Choose Target Keywords

 Traffic Tutorial 2: Submit Blog to Social Bookmarking Sites

Traffic Tutorial 3: Ping a Hubpage

Traffic Tutorial 4: RSS feed and Press Releases

Traffic Tutorial 5: Create a Squido Lens

Traffic Tutorial 6 : How to Create Short Video and Submit to Youtube

 

Action Steps to Improving Your Blog Traffic

Will take about  1 hour to complete.

• Write an ad for a product or service your business offers
• Sign up for 2 to 3 classified sites
• Read over site rules and regulations
• Submit your ad to these sites
• Share this post with friend    
• Tweet this post!
• Share on Facebook

***Next Thursday will be the last How to Improve Your Blog Traffic tutorial: Podcasting

 

 

How to Become a Better Connector

Has there been times, when you meet someone, got their number and never followed up? 

Yeah, I know I've done it a lot, but I am constantly trying to get better. 

What I've learned is that new connections are MEANINGLESS if you don't get back with people you meet. 

 So, how do you become a better CONNECTOR?

 

1. Go to networking events with the mindset that you are going to meet and learn someone and something new.  Ask questions about the person's business and personal life. Try to find a way to be of service to them - just don't turn it into a sales presentation.

2. After the conversation, take notes on what you talked about. Write a brief note on the back of the card, or even better, write your notes down in a small notebook that you carry or in your phone.

3. Offer something of value to them. Do you  have ebook you just published? Or an great article or product? Then offer to send it to them. Make sure all information on the card is correct and ask what way is best form of communication. ( very important- because I prefer email or text).   

4. Keep your promise- this will establish trust. Remind them of your meeting , make sure what you promised is attached or mailed out with the correct name and end with maybe a follow up meeting or a suggestion to attend an event you are attending.

5. Don't wait to long to make a connection. Two weeks is too long. You have probably missed out on an opportunity of doing business with them in future.

6. Use social media to connect. There are a variety of ways to connect with those you meet. After a networking event, I typically go to Facebook and do a quick search for those I meet. Once the request has been accepted I send them a thank you email. Using social media is a great way to keep up with what's happening in their personal and professional life.

By the way... If you'd like a few great tips on how to manage social media for your business, check out my Free  Social Media E-course.

 

Talk with Ya Later,

Taking Average and Making it Fabulous!

10 Quick & Easy Selling Tips with Ads

10 Quick and Easy Selling Tips with Ads
 

1. Make your customers visualize they have already bought your product in from your ad. State the results they have already received and how it makes them feel.For example: "Your family kiss you everytime they use it, it makes you feel special that you were able to share with them such an wonderful experience"Speak as if they have it in their hands.  They'll already become emotionally attached before they even buy it.

2. Turn an ad into an article. It could be a story on how the product was develop or a how to article on how use the product. This will lead them into your ad without them knowing it's actually a sell pitch.

3. Make sure you tell your readers that they are getting a bargain. Share with them the regular price of yoru product, and then tell them if they order today - they can get it for 50% off.

4. Write your ad copy to your target audience.Your readers will feel important and belong to a
select group of people who buy your product. For example; "Attention! Creative Entrepreneurs, Discover A New Way To Increase Your Blog Traffic!"

5. Tell your reader how fast they will receive your product or service in your ad. Their buying decision
may be based on how fast they can receive your product. "Once you sign up- the ebook download will be sent to your email within minutes."

6. Use bullets to highlight your product or services benefits. Benefits are the key to selling anything,
make sure they standout in your ad.

7. Offer a money back guarantee that exceeds the normal product guarantee.Tell them they can keep the
free bonus or give them double their money back- only if you can afford to do this.

8. Tell your reader they'll receive surprise bonuses if they buy today. This will  raise your reader's curiosity and make them want the product even more. Surprises remind others of birthday and Christmas gifts.

9. Let your reader know that this surprise bonus will not be offered for long, even state a ending date.  You must create urgency so people buy now. You can always sell the same product but not with the same bonuses or price.

10. Write out a few tips in your ad that will help them with a problem. This will give your business
credibility and gain your readers trust to buy your products or services.

Do you have any selling tips you would like to add? Would Love to hear from you, leave your comment below. 

 Taking Average and Making it Fabulous!

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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.

 

7 Hot Ways to Selling Arts and Crafts Online

To ensure your creative business stays a float we all need to learn creative ways to sell art and crafts online. Below are 7 Hot ways I find to be the most helpful.

 7 Hot Ways to Selling Arts and Crafts Online

1. Turn your blog post about your product into a story. Your vistors would love to hear about how your  product was developed. 

2. Give away something free to your visitors for buying your something.

3. Enhance the power of your art and crafts sales by using attention getting words, highlighting key features in your product, and use bright eye catching colors. Grab your readers attention! 

4. Offer your customers options- variety of ways to order, or contact you or choices of colors in products. Let them feel like they are in control.

5. Learn from others. Get business advice from other art and craft online business owners.Observe what they do andn

6. Suggest additional products at the point of purchase.  For example, if they are buying a greeting card, offer them the print of the artwork.

7. Add extra profits to your business. If you're selling greeting cards try to sell how to courses and suppiles to make personalize greeting cards.

You Got An Idea to Share? Leave your comment below. 

 Taking Average and Making it Fabulous!

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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.

Expand Your Art and Craft Business with the Internet

Are you a creative entrepreneur looking for another way to sell your art and crafts? If so, you know the challenges of finding ways to sell your products and still maintain a solid client base can be confusing and time consuming.

Well no matter what- it’s time to consider selling arts and crafts online. There are multitudes of possibilities available online, to assistance you in taking your business to the next level and most of my suggestions are easy and don’t take much time to set up.

Set up your own Creative Business Website.

You can easily upload images and set your prices. Then, customers can purchase directly from your site. Your web site could also show examples of products and then take custom orders from customers.

There are many sites to sell your crafts online for free. Here are a few free sites:

• Yola – very easy to set up and has great templates.
• Wix.com – flash based site and shopping cart
• Weebly.com – my personal favorite.

 Advertise Your Arts and Crafts online

You can grow your art and craft business by purchasing online advertising on regional and interested related websites. Online advertising is often a lot cheaper than advertising in newspapers and magazines  and typically doesn’t require a high level of commitment (at least once a month ).  Additionally, you can purchase ad space in art and craft related ezines.  Do a Google search for art and craft ezines that seem to suit your artist style.

For some no-cost advertising, try participating in craft-related forums or discussion groups. By using a catchy signature file that includes a link to your website, you may be able to gain some new customers.

 Use Etsy to sell your art and crafts.

If you do decided to set up a shop on Etsy (I sell my contemporary mixed media collages at Etsy) make sure to include a detail About Me page, with your email address or an opt-in newsletter link so that even if people don’t buy your art or craft product, you can than offer them the opportunity to view your be on a pre-notification list for future auctions.

You never know when a customer may buy something. Including a way to be contacted and a possible option to join your mailing list  is a great way to build up a potential customer database.

 

Leave a comment. - Taking Average and Making it Fabulous!

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