Happy Thanksgiving. :)

New Business Needs

At my Top Source Networking meeting this morning our computer guy, Mike Borger, talked about new business start ups keeping in mind their computer needs as they are planning the layout of their new office space. It got me to thinking the important things a business needs as they are getting started. Some obvious as in desks and other office furniture, office equipment, office supplies, electronics and so forth. And there's the materials with which to do business, letterhead, business cards, presentations, etc. I'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you of a businesses advertising needs.  Along with the ones most business owners think of, newspaper, radio, magazines, brochures an more, there is a very inexpensive yet effect tool to help your business grow it's image and sales. The on hold message. Visit ProDougTions.com and learn more about this form of marketing, listen to demonstration recordings of what it can sound like. Then give us a call and we'll get started on your custom message.

Please Hold Marketing

"It's Your Call"

What Is Cloud Computing?

I've asked this question so many times. I found this video on YouTube and I think I'm starting to understand. Maybe this will help you too.

I Couldn't Resist The Talking Dog

Cats get all the glory it seems on YouTube. Here's a dog that deserves our sympathy.

Are You Going On Vacation This Summer?

The weather is warm, you've got vacation time, but money is tight. Are you planning on taking a vacation this summer? Is it as big as it ever was or are you keeping the budget a little tighter? Let us know. We're looking for ideas.

Red, White & Hold

As we celebrate the 4th of July holiday Please Hold Marketing announces the "Red, White & Hold" special. Through the month of July any new sign ups for the on hold message service get the first month for just $1.00.  Call for details at 909-226-1375.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

ProDougTions.com

Need An On Hold Message?

Need an on hold message for your business? Call Please Hold Marketing. We can come up with something a little more professional than the one the office manager did for you. Listen for all the details...

  Memorial day special 2011 by vx4hire

Leaving A Message

Have you ever struggled with leaving a phone message? What do I say? How long should the message be?  When it comes to leaving a business message first and foremost you want to make it productive. You want to get the call back, the sale, etc.  Here are some tips to help you leave a well crafted message. Enjoy this video.

On Hold Etiquette

I found this video on YouTube the other day. It says everything I would say about etiquette in regard to putting someone on hold so I thought I would let it do the talking.

On Hold Message Just Part Of The Story

Multimedia can help you tell your story. Photos, videos, links can add tremendous value in an online environment. They help you tell your story and engages your reader so they can better relate to you and your business. Part of the experiance of buying something is getting to touch and feel the product, that experience has to translate to the internet. Let your customer know you're in Rancho Cucamonga and serve the Inland Empire. Just think if you would buy something online, say a shirt, without viewing it first? Photos don’t have to just be a logo or a head shot, but often flow charts and graphics find their way into blogs and traditional media. When it comes to online video, often a less produced video can produce better online results.

prodougtions.com

ABC's Of SEO

Facebook, MySpace, Yelp, Linkedin… there are many different social networking sites out there. Lots of businesses are using these sites to add to their success. With these sites, TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazines, Billboards and on and on, it’s estimated that the average person is exposed to anywhere from 1500 to 3000 advertisements in a given day. If you ask yourself who your competition is you have to answer, everything. Add to this your family, social groups, recreation, the list seems to go on and on of who and what are vying for your attention. That is a lot of messages! You can’t ignore these new mediums. Chances are your competitors aren’t. If you want your message to cut through all of that noise, you have to employ these same tactics. Today, that includes using new media strategies to break through to your target audience.

Search has to be top of mind every day. Think about it, is there a day you don’t use a search engine? CEO’s to middle management to regular consumers use a search engine every day, at least once. Are you writing to take the biggest advantage of searches on the web? Reaching the audience you want with what they’re looking for is the goal, if you achieve that goal you’ll optimize your efforts.

prodougtions.com

Networking Tips: Part 2

Last week I shared a few networking tips. Today Barbette Mobeck and Elaine Symonds gave a networking seminar this morning at the Top Source Networking meeting in Rancho Cucamonga. Great information and another good reason to be a member of the group. I had a few tips last week for networking. Here are a few more.

Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.
Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.
Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.
Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, "How may I help you?" and no immediate answer comes to mind.
Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.
Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

prodougtions.com

Put Up Or Shut Up

You have to love Google.  As I was thinking about what to write about today I thought I would cover business principles. A quick search for inspiration and up came one that I've always tried to adhere to.

Simply stated:

Under promise, over deliver.

Too many times companies make big grandiose claims and it's almost impossible to live up to them.  I've always thought it was better to manage your customers expectations.  Give them a realistic idea of what they can expect and then try to give them even more. This way you'll have a happy and satisfied client rather than someone who is disappointed and not afraid to share this with the whole world. Which is entirely possible in this day of social media. Many times you may have delivered the exact same amount of service or product, the difference was in how you managed the customers expectations.

That's my 2 cents for today. Thanks for listening.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Decisions, we all wrestle with them all the time.  You can’t get around it. They’re part of everyday life. But, I found a way of minimizing some decisions by making them only once. Chances are you’re already doing this is some areas of your life. You’ve made the decision you’re going to work each day.  You don’t wake up each day and make that decision. For my weekly networking meeting I do the same thing. I’ve made the decision that I’m going to the meeting each Wednesday. I don’t wake up each Wednesday and make that decision. I do the same thing for Kiwanis meetings,  community meetings, etc. It helps cut down on all that unnecessary decision making. It frees me up for more productive thoughts.  We’ll never get out of making all those decisions, but you can cut it down a little.

Is Networking For You?

I was looking around the Internet for some good tips on how to make my business better and came across some good tips on networking. I thought I would share them here.

1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.
2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
3. Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.
4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.
   
   
   
   
    Good tips and a great way to add to your business success.

Are You Unique?

 
This morning at the Top Source Referral Network meeting during my 60 second message I discussed how each business has a uniqueness.  Even though your business may be part of a bigger category, Insurance, Heating and Air, Computer repair, you have a unique way of presenting what you do, what your focus is and how you conduct business.  If you're not sure what your unique business quality is, take some time to define it for yourself. You may want to take a little survey of your customers. Maybe they can give you some insight. When you define what's unique about your business it becomes easier to communicate your message and most importantly become more profitable. And isn't that what we all want?

Where Have I Been?

 

What can I say? It's been busy lately. In addition to my full time job at a radio station I do a lot of volunteer work. I'm the President of my local Kiwanis club this year.  I've recently started attending neighborhood community meetings. The big project each year is to collect food and toys for those less fortunate. Each year a truck holding a sleigh which in turn holds Santa and Mrs. Claus make the rounds through the neighborhood collecting these items.   It's a two day event that's been going on for 15 years and takes a lot of planning. There's a group of my neighbors that do an outstanding job of it. I am there for moral support for the most part.

Our Kiwanis club is always involved in something... Shoes for kids, serving meals at the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House, helping kids bring grades up, a program to fund a scholarship for pediatric trauma doctors and more. This year we're putting on a car show on April 10th.  Click here to learn more about the Cruisin' for Kids car show.  I've loved giving back to the community for years.  It's hard to put into words the rewards you get from it. After a long day working it's what recharges me.

Of course there's always giving the best service I can to my Please Hold Marketing clients. At the same time pursuing new clients. I belong to a networking group that meets each Wednesday morning at the IHOP in Rancho Cucamonga. It's called Top Source. It's exclusive to one of each business. It's a great bunch of people. Last year we shared over 2 million dollars in business between us.

Well, that gives you a little idea. The blog seems to be the first thing that suffers when I get busy. Hopefully it won't be so long next time.

Until next time... take care.

Doug