Small Biz Sanity

How to get a great testimonial...

This is one of those things I heard through the grapevine...UK-based coach Ankhara Hunte passed along this gem about getting great testimonials from clients--and I love it because it takes the potential "writers block" factor out when they're trying to come up w/ the perfect paragraph to describe what you've done for them. 

Basically, ask your client to complete three sentences:

1. "Before receiving your services...(fill in the blank)"

2. "After receiving your services...(fill in the blank)"

3. "If a friend was thinking of purchasing your services I'd tell them...(fill in the blank)"

This creates a vivid before-and-after picture of exactly what your services do for your clients, and it allows others to see results and what it can potentially do for them, as well.  No matter what service you offer, it's a great testimonial tool, IMO.

3 Ways to Handle Content Theft Online Without Getting a Lawyer Involved

This has happened to me before--and I have to tell you, "Whoosa!" goes a long way when you come across someone stealing your content online!  But I love the suggestions that award-winning blogger & social marketing expert Leesa Barnes offers in this following article.  Check it out while you wait for your blood pressure to go back down, lol.

3 Ways to Handle Content Theft Online Without Getting a Lawyer Involved by Leesa Barnes

In the last 90 days, I’ve discovered individuals who have copied content from my sales pages. In fact, one person started promoting her virtual event using the exact name that I use for my annual telesummit.

Of course, I was upset. My heart started beating, my hands started shaking and I wanted nothing more than to send a cease and desist letter from my lawyer.

But there is a way that you can handle content theft without getting a lawyer involved. Here are my tips on how you can approach the person who has stolen your content so you get the results you’re looking for.

First, take a 15 minute breather. I find that when you fire off an e-mail in the heat of the moment, you tend to regret what you have written. So instead of replying right away, go for a walk, grab some tea, or head out to the gym. Just take a quick break before you take any action.

Next, craft an e-mail where you do not pass blame. One time, I approached someone who had ripped off content from one of my sales pages. She replied to my e-mail stating that she had hired a copywriter to write the content for her. She had no idea that the copywriter plagiarized my content and sold it to her as the finished product. So, here’s a case of someone trusting a freelancer to get the job done, and the freelancer was dishonest.

When you write an e-mail to the person who plagiarized your content, treat it as if the person did not do something wrong. Yes, I know they did something wrong, but the tone of your e-mail should lean towards being forgiving.

For example, you can say in your e-mail:

“Hey, the content on your webpage looks exactly like mine. You may not be aware of it, but since I wrote that content first, can you please remove it or give me credit?”

Last, reward honesty. About 90% of the time, if your e-mail has a tone of forgiveness, the person will come out and admit that they were wrong. Recently, someone who attended my Social Media Telesummit launched her own virtual event. The topic of her virtual event was similar to mine and sadly, she copied content from my sales page for her own.

After approaching her over twitter, she admitted that she knew very little about marketing and felt that the only way she could complete a sales page was to “copy” from who she considered to be the best.

At this point, I felt the need to provide a little bit of coaching. After doing so, not only did she change the content on her sales page so it read less than mine, but she enjoyed a very successful attendance at her virtual event.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you provide free coaching. Also, if you are writing blog posts or articles and you’re giving people permission to copy and paste it on their own blog or in their e-zines, then this is a different story.

However, if the person has copied your content without giving you credit, then this is grounds to send them an e-mail and ask them to stop.

In my virtual event marketing blueprint, I’ll teach you how to create a name for your virtual event so that it does not plagiarize someone else’s. I’m also going to teach you how to write sales copy so that it’s original and fresh. The live training starts on May 19 and there are still spots available. Click here to grab your spot before the price goes up on May 14, 2009.

Leesa Barnes is an award winning blogger and critically acclaimed author who helps businesses get active using social media in 3 simple steps. To learn how you can become Marketing Fit, visit http://www.marketingfit.com to get your complimentary to get your complimentary kit called the Marketing Fit Success Kit containing a social media checklist, mindmap, MP3 file and a complimentary subscription to the Marketing Fit ezine.

Tips for a Successful Trade Show...

As a small business owner, you've probably looked into attending a trade show or two.  But since many of us are on tight budgets, you might have been daunted by not just some trade shows' admission fees, but also how you'd display your business info & takeaways.

Well, there are some inexpensive, creative ways you can do this--and this article that I've posted below from About.com (written by virtual assistant Janice Byer) tells you how.

Tips for a Successful Trade Show by Janice Byer

As small business owners, especially those in the start up phase, preparing for a trade show can be a very scary and frustrating time. What do we take for our trade show display and how do we present it?

You first need to find out the specifics of the trade show you are registered for or considering exhibiting in. If necessary, contact the organizers of the event and get details on the type of visitors that the show attracts and the layout of the area you will have to display your business.

Be sure to find out the size of the trade show display table you will have, whether there is wall space for your company sign, if there are electrical outlets available, and anything else that may or may not be included (i.e. a table cloth, etc.).

Once the show space specifics have been established, then you can move on to deciding what to take and how you can ‘show your stuff’. The following are just a few ideas to help you get ready for that all important trade show. (Note: most of these trade show display ideas are based on being in the service industry but will work for products industry companies as well.)

1) If the trade show display table you have does not include a tablecloth, be sure to get one that complements your display and represents your company’s image and colour scheme (without being overpowering). Even if a tablecloth is supplied, bring your own or something to add some depth to your table (i.e. a table runner). Your table will definitely stand out in a crowd.

2) If your trade show display space will allow, erect a stand-alone presentation board. On the board, you can show how clients can benefit by using your services. Be creative and make it stand out. Include pictures, if possible, and be sure your company name and logo are more than obvious.

3) If there is wall space, but your budget is minimal, use your trusty desktop publishing software to create a template of your company name. Use the template, along with bristle board, cardboard, or foam core to make a sign that you can put up on the wall behind your trade show display.

4) Arrange your trade show display table in levels. Put the larger items at the rear, shorter items in front of those, and even shorter items in front of those.

5) Develop a PowerPoint presentation to display on your table (if an electrical outlet is within reach of your booth). You can make it on your desktop computer and transfer it to a laptop, which you can rent or borrow if you don’t already have one. Your visitors will find this visually appealing and it will draw in their attention.

Continue on to the next page to read more trade show tips, including ideas for trade show giveaways that are sure to make yours one of the most popular trade show booths at the show.

Here are more trade show tips to help your trade show booth draw attention at the show and help people remember you afterwards.

Have plenty of trade show giveaways, such as business cards, brochures, pens, magnets, and anything else that has your company name and/or logo on it. Most people who attend trade shows are expecting to take home some goodies. And be sure to use display racks for showing your flyers, specials, brochures, and such.

Offer something a little different as a trade show giveaway… FOOD. I displayed at the "Bridges to Better Business" trade show in Brampton and included a basket of Girl Guide cookies on my table. They were a big hit; I wish I had brought more. If you can, package your food in a way that will allow you to have your company contact information on it.

Offer Gift Certificates for some of your services as a trade show giveaway. There’s nothing better than getting a deal and when they ‘cash in’ their certificate, they will see how valuable your services are and will come back for more.

Have a draw for a prize. Offer a prize that in some way complements your business if possible, and appeals to anyone. Have visitors and entrants sign a guestbook, fill in a ticket, or drop their business cards into a fish bowl or gift bag. The great thing about this trade show giveaway is that you can then use this information at a later date to make a follow up contact.

Have a portfolio of your work available as part of your trade show display. Print off some of your best projects, put them into plastic sheet protectors, and arrange them in a binder. Then lay out the binder where visitors can flip through the pages.

If the trade show will be on for an extended length of time, be sure to have assistance in manning your trade show booth so you can take a break. If you don’t have the option of having someone take over for a bit, be sure to put up a note that tells people how long you will be gone or when you will be back.

Most importantly, be friendly and inviting. Say "Hi" to those that turn and look toward you or your trade show booth. Strike up a conversation and be sure to have a short introductory speech ready. And… have fun!

Janice Byer is a certified Master Virtual Assistant and owner of Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services.

“How-To-Start” Spotlight: Home-Based Daycare

Since I work from home, I’m all about home-based business (HBB) resources, and I’m interested in all types. So I’ve decided to start spotlighting different HBBs periodically, and how to start them.  If whatever I’m featuring at the time happens to be the type you’re interested in—great, read on!  But also, feel free to contact me with HBB suggestions of your own—and they just might be featured in an upcoming spotlight.

 

So this time around, I’m featuring tips on starting a home-based daycare.  Of course, this is probably a no-brainer for those who are great with kids (and might already be stay-at-home parents). 

Quote of the day...

I was checking out the blog of Internet marketing diva Sharon Odom, and I just luuuuvvved a quote from her brother...great for when you get into that occasional funk when you're left feeling a little beat-down by challenges & circumstances:

"Build a bridge and get over it."

Don't you just love that?

I (think I might) Love It: YouSendIt

As someone who does her business virtually, my clients transfer lots of large files back & forth.   Uploading a file to a page on my website & emailing them a download link can often be cumbersome--but at the same time, who wants to clog up the space in their email account, waiting until kingdom come just for the file attachment to upload?  Then, chances are, the file's too big to go through on your recepient's end.  So you wind up doing this gangly, awkward dance--and meanwhile that big ol' file is floating around in not-yet-downloaded limbo, feeling unloved & unwanted.  All together, now:  Awww. 

So, anywhoo (why do people say "anywhoo," anyway???), I found a free service that just may remedy all that confusion & tomfoolery.  It's called YouSendIt, and it allows you to upload your large files to a simple interface, enter their & your email addresses, and it notifies the recipient with a download link that'll remain active for the next 7 days. 

So, we'll see how it goes, once my associate gets it and lets me know how easy it was to download this file I sent her.  Hence the "(think I might)" part in my entry title, lol.

Yes, we ALL can.

“I never thought I’d see the day.” 

 

 That’s what many older black people said on the historical moment a few nights ago when Barack Obama strode to the podium in Chicago’s Grant Park to make his victory speech as the first African-American presidential elect.  Although I’m not one to get teary-eyed, the moment struck my soul to the core like nothing before.  There was always something about his positive, hopeful energy, not seen since JFK, that led me to believe in my gut that Obama would win Americans of all races over—but as his electoral votes reached—then sailed past—the required 270, I was happily dazed with a mixture of shock, awe & giddiness.  Did that just happen?  I thought.  Yep, it sure did.

Time tracking...a couple of ideas

If you're an independent contractor who bills according to time spent on projects, effective time tracking management is crucial.  I don't really advocate one method or software over the other--in my opinion, the end result (i.e. an accurate record of time spent) is what's most important in the end. 

Some people like to use a simple approach, simply logging their project's start & finish times.  But adding/subtracting times can be kind of tricky, since it's based on a different system than adding numbers or money.  I've found a nifty little web-based time calculator here, created by Scott Severance, if you choose to go that route. (I find this one's good for various, basic time-calculating tasks.)

As a virtual assistant, I've used TraxTime, which is pretty good.  They're on version 5.04 now; it's $39 (with a free 30-day trial period), and it allows you to enter in/out times for various projects, along with a downloadable record of total time spent per day, week, month, etc.

There's tons of stuff out there--just peruse, shop around and use whichever one works best for you--whether it's simple or bells-and-whistles!

No more backup worries...

I consider myself a pretty organized person, and I don't think my procrastination issues (although definitely existent), are too bad.  That being said...if I'm honest, I did have issues with backing up my laptop data on a regular basis.  I have a couple of heavy-duty flash drives that I figured I'd update maybe once or twice a week. 

But here's the rub with that:  A) How often does one really remember to update on a regular basis?  And, b) if you're doing tons of work on your computer throughout the week, weekly updates aren't nearly enough to prevent valuable information from being lost in the event of a crash.   Of course, I got the raised-eyebrow look from my computer-tech friend on that one, lol.  I've lost my stuff before, when the "blue screen of death" decided to make an impromptu appearance.  And trust me, I do not want to go through that again.

That's when a friend of mine told me about Carbonite, which is a great desktop & web-based backup service.  It's $49.95 (roughly around $4/month), and it turned out to be a good investment.  It's basically a small software program installed on your computer which runs quietly in the background constantly updating your files to their secure online server.  I'm loving it because I don't have to do anything whatsoever after the initial installation of the software.  If, God forbid, you do lose any of your files, you can restore them quickly & easily via a couple of quick clicks from either your desktop or their website.

Their motto is, "Because your life is on your PC," and ain't that the truth, lol!  I have enough things to juggle, so it's nice to have one less thing to worry about. 

Child care gets creative. Yay.

Since I'm a working mom, my interest is always piqued when I hear of creative child care solutions.   Not just because it's normally ridiculously expensive, but because I and other freelancing moms have the added dilemma of often needing childcare only periodically.   That's where the problem lies, because most childcare services only have full-time options.  (And don't think it's that much easier, if at all, for WAHMs--if you're working on a large, time-consuming option at your home office, you'll probably still need the kids watched while you get things tackled.)

So, I thought the following NY Daily News article, "Kid Co-Ops," featured a cool solution.  Check it out, and who knows?  Maybe you can gather up a few moms in your community for a childcare co-op!