05.03.06

Marketing Research

Posted in Internet Marketing, Marketing, Business at 10:00 am by admin

Market research doesn’t take a rocket scientist. Most of us do it everyday without realizing it. As a business owner, you should educate yourself in the market research tools available to you. What you learn from a little research could save your business.

Market research is the collection and analysis of information regarding consumers (potential customers), competitors (same business type), and the effectiveness of marketing programs (i.e. direct mail marketing, newsletters, signage, etcetera). It’s an act of action before leaping into a business, and an educated move that determines the feasibility of a new business.

Through market research small businesses and corporations alike:

• Test interest in new services and products

• Improve customer service

• Develop competitive strategies

Both startup businesses and established businesses need to define, evaluate, and plan a course to pursue their market. The end result of market research is a business that is more responsive to customers` needs and increase profits.

As your business develops, market research needs to be an ongoing part of your business. Anyone who is familiar with writing a business plan knows how unpredictable the market can be. Another reason why market research needs to be integrated. Three Essential Areas Market research is time consuming. Don’t let anyone fool you! And if you own a small business you’ll find time an issue. But don’t give up. Even the simple things you do like talking to a customer about what he or she wants, or chatting with a supplier is conducting market research.

Gather information from these three essential areas.

Consumer

Information from and about your customers

Feedback on the likes and dislikes of your customers

What services or products did the consumers like bestCompetition

Help you determine what works and what hasn’t worked

Give you ideas for improving

Provide insight into how to increase your marketEnvironment

Economic

Social

Political forces

All of this information shapes the way we do business. Keeping it close on hand allows you to stay abreast of and respond to particular trends or events that influence your small business.

Secondary Research Sources Secondary research sources are easily obtainable. This is information that’s been collected by someone else just lying around for you to benefit from.

Journals

Newspapers

Surveys

Telephone books

Government publications

This form of secondary research information is accessible at the library or by researching the Internet. It’s the primary source you’re really after. Obtaining firsthand information from your customer or competition is current; thereby, making it the most valuable means of market research.

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03.26.06

7 Secrets to a Successful Business Blog-How to Blog Smart

Posted in Internet Marketing at 3:34 pm by admin

For the independent professional, a blog is an easy communication tool to build credibility and trust. Most importantly, blogs make it easy for people to find you on the Web. There are several keys to making your blog work for you, instead of the other way around.

Today’s software makes it so easy to set up a blog that it seems like everybody and their neighbor has a blog. Yes, they are a fad right now. And yes, they are a great business tool for any business, large or small – and they’re here to stay. Especially for the independent professional, a blog is an easy communication tool to build credibility and trust. Most importantly, blogs make it easy for people to find you on the Web.But 9 out of 10 blogs created will be abandoned because they can take up a lot of time in a busy professional’s life, and results may not be evident right away.There are several keys to making your blog work for you, instead of the other way around. Once you learn and integrate these steps, it should take you only 10-20 minutes per post. It’s recommended that an additional 20 minutes a couple of times per week should be spent reading and commenting on other blogs and sites on the Web so you can bring valuable information to your readers.

7 Secrets to a Successful Business Blog1. Write valuable content and share stories to showcase your knowledge and expertise. Don’t forget to explain how you work with clients and let readers know how to contact you, hire you, buy a product or register for your services.2. Write 2-3 times a week, short articles of 250-350 words each time. Occasionally, a longer article can be shared, using the extended post feature.3. Link profusely to other resources on the web. This is essential for building traffic and enlarging your reading audience. Spend some time, 2-3 times a week researching your area of expertise on the Web. Leave comments on other blogs. 4. Submit to blog directories and ping each time you post. If you don’t know how to do this, get a blog coach or buy and read an instructional manual, such as the ebook at www.BuildaBetterBlogSystem.com. 5. Track and monitor your visitor stats. Install a counter on your blog so you know what’s happening. For example, a free counter can be found at www.SiteMeter.com.  6. List all your products and affiliate products and make sure you have the landing pages properly linked. Use your affiliate links and ad-tracking features if you have a shopping cart. 7. Don’t forget to link to your own website and vice versa! This is one reason we prefer to have the blog separate from your website, rather than installing blog software incorporated into your website. It’s like having two fishing poles in the pond.Like any marketing effort, persistence pays off. In six months of regular blogging, assuming you are providing valuable content, you should see a significant increase in your web site traffic, the client leads, and overall total revenue for your business.If not, you’re not blogging smart!

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