5 Mistakes Businesses Make in Social Media

Who wants to make the same mistake twice? No one. Wise entrepreneurs learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of others...including the wild and crazy world of social media. The following are 5 mistakes that can set your social media campaign back. We don't want that to happen to you so take a moment to "learn" from these tips (we sure wish someone would have mentioned these in the beginning).

Mistake #1 - No Plan
Imagine if you started a business without a mission or business plan. Imagine you didn't know who your potential customer was or what products you were going to sell. Do you think it could be a recipe for disaster? The same goes for your social media. Take the time to plan your strategy BEFORE you dive in to posts and status updates. It will keep you focused in the long run and allow you more success.

Mistake #2 - Picking the Wrong Platforms
You can drive yourself crazy trying to manage twenty different social media sites and the odds are - unless you have a whole social media team - you won't excel at any of them because you are spread too thin. The idea is quality vs. quantity. Part of your Plan (stated above) is to consider where do your potential customers hang out. Is it Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Pinterest, YouTube? Ask your clients  and narrow your focus down to one or two sites.



Mistake #3 - Tracking & Tweaking
Social media as a business is not a "just for fun" tactic. This is a legitimate marketing venue. Just like coupons, advertising and other marketing ploys, you have to measure your success to know how it's working. If you don't track what you are doing and make changes when you see success or failure - you're wasting your time. Most of the social sites offer analytics and there are free resources available.

Mistake #4 - "Push" Selling
When you spend all of your time pushing your followers and fans to buy - their going to do the opposite. They'll unfollow or unlike you and odds are, they're never coming back. Social media is about building a community and providing valuable information. Think about those potential customers and what they are interested in. Do they like DIY tips, quotes, funny images, special discounts, contests etc.? Give them what they want (integrated around your business/industry of course) and soon you'll be engaged in "pull" marketing which creates a much stronger relationship. They'll WANT to buy from you and will probably share those feelings with their friends too.

Mistake #5 - Thinking this is Easy
Social media is a huge venue for business and because there are so many tools available, it's easy to get sucked in to thinking this is all a piece of cake. It isn't. Creating a social media platform that engages with followers and nudges them on their way to becoming customers is HARD WORK. You didn't start your business without education of some kind, right? It's time to start learning the tricks of the trade and educating yourself so you can maximize your social media plan.

BONUS MISTAKE <--- (Quite possibly the biggest of them all!)
Giving Up Too Soon
There is no getting around it - social media takes time. Success won't happen overnight and if you're only spending a few minutes a day on your posts, it's going to take a long, long time to reap rewards. Expect to dedicate at least an hour a day to your social media marketing. Social media is about building relationships and there is no shortcut to creating trust. Remember, you have a plan and you are going to need to dedicate at least 6 to 9 months to achieve measurable results. Don't quit just yet!

Photo credit: Edn.com

10 Tips to Public Speaking Like a Business Pro

At some point - as an entrepreneur - you will need to speak. You cannot hide in the background forever - whether it's introducing yourself at a business meet up or presenting to your staff - you will need to speak in front of a group of people. Odds are you will need to sell a product or a service or an idea and it all hinges on this one speech. After you read our 10 tips below - you'll be speaking like a pro!

Before You Speak

1. What do they want? How can you help them specifically?

Most polished public speakers will tell you that the first question you should always ask yourself before taking a speaking job is "Does this audience want what I've got?" Now, you're not exactly a professional public speaker but that doesn't mean you can't learn from the pros. Even when making a presentation to a leads group or Chamber of Commerce - know your audience. What do they need? What do you offer that will make a difference to them. Audiences are self-centered so everything you say needs to be tuned to what they need to hear.

2. Dress the part without raising yourself to high above the audience

We just said that the audience is mostly concerned about themselves so the last thing you want to do is increase the distance between you and them. One mistake people make is dressing inappropriately. This can mean wearing a polo shirt to a room full of people in suits or wearing your most expensive suit when talking to an audience of low income individuals. Speaking events are about the audience so be approachable and accessible. You'd hate for people to judge you negatively before you've even uttered a single word.

While You Speak

3. Make Eye Contact

Even if you're nervous, have an armful of notecards and a powerpoint presentation - you need to face the audience and look at them. This allows you to connect and helps SHOW you value them.

4. Talk With Them - Not AT them

All speeches should be conversations, even though you're the only one talking. You need to assess the audience on a personal level. It helps to acknowledge them--not in a vague way, in a specific way. "I'm delighted to be here" isn't as good as "I'm delighted to be here to talk with you." Be clear and direct.

5. Demonstrate that You Know What they Want

Don't hide behind what you offer. Show the audience that you know exactly what they need and how you WANT to solve their problems. Place a sense of importance on the issues that your audience faces and a sense of excitement regarding your services and the kind of progress you can achieve. Please note a sense of excitment does not mean "talk loud."

6. The Subject can be boring but the Story cannot be boring.

There's no doubt that you have a goal for this speech but remember that you are in control. What you are talking about might be boring but if the speech reflects that - you've lost. Paint a picture, weave in specifics and give the audience something to take away. Be memorable, useful - even if the tip is only loosely connected to the goal of your event. And of course - keep it moving. Don't take three sentences to get a point across when you could say it powerfully in one.

7. Be aware of what you do

Every movement on a stage is magnified. When you cross your legs, people notice. When you scratch your face, people notice. When you play a thumb war with yourself, people notice. So be cool. People see everything. Breathe. Don't be afraid of a pause just maintain your confidence.

8. The Wrap Up: Dealing with Questions and Silence

Depending on the audience and type of speech, it may be appropriate to ask if anyone has questions. It's possible you'll be met with silence. Remember how nervous you were to speak in front of people? Well many people who are sitting in chairs don't like to raise their hand and ask questions in front of people either. Try to make the environment more casual by sitting in a chair at the front of the stage. This is why it's so important to create a conversation atmosphere. It makes people feel comfortable to talk with you. If you do have several people with questions - maintain your control and stay on topic. Don't spend 10 minutes answering one person's question when you know there are 5 others. If a question dives off topic then offer to speak with that person individually.

Don't Speak

8. Things You Should Never Say While Speaking About Your Company On a Stage

Is this thing on?

Can I get a witness? (even ironically)

A great man once said …

Are you picking up what I'm putting down?

Is anyone else warm?

Four score and seven years ago …

And then [pause] boom! It hit me!

In conclusion, I'd like to tell you a story. It all started way back in …

Final Tips

10. Some Technical Points to Make You aLook Like a Pro

Do not poll an audience of 10 or fewer people by a show of hands.

Do not imagine the audience in their underwear.

Do not imagine yourself in your underwear.

Do not look at your watch. If you start wondering how much time you have left, the audience will start wondering when you're getting off the stage.

Thank no more than three people at the beginning.

Keep your hands out of your pockets.

Unless you're a stand-up comedian. From the 1960s.

Do not close your eyes in a dramatic fashion at a key point in the speech.

Do not move your arms in a dramatic fashion at a key point in the speech.

Or your legs.

Or your hips.

Or someone else's arms, legs or hips.

Leave the pounding on the podium to the dictators.

Should I hide my prices?

Pricing your product or service can be a tricky task for any business owner but once you do decide on that magic number - you have to put on your marketing hat and decide when to show it and when not to.

Reasons you might want to 'HIDE' your prices from initial 'investigators'...
• You want to build an initial strong desire and demonstrate affordability - this is where your marketing is focused on the features of your product or service to dazzle a prospective buyer with everything they'll enjoy from the purchase.
• You want to show how the personal value of the product or service is greater than just the price value - this is where your marketing is focused on the emotional value of the sale and addresses the needs your potential customer has.
• You want to change the potential client's perception of the price - sometimes referred to as 'price conditioning.' - it can be tough but price conditioning is an art companies like Audi, Tiffany and Co. and Ethan Allen have mastered. Customers of these businesses believe that the special nuances of products purchased from them are WORTH the additional cost. It's still a car, a diamond ring and a chair that does the same things as the ones you could get at Kia, Kmart or Walmart but their customers want to pay more because their perception of the price in terms of value is different.

Situations when you should NOT hide your prices...
• If your price is a competitive advantage - For example, if you are cheaper than your competitors, or you have a special offer that can make even the quick-glancer recognize it as a good price, then you might want to do the opposite and make your price more prominent.
• If your price is low enough that it could be considered an 'impulse buy', then you might want to leave it on display as normal.
• If you are unsure what to do - when in doubt, it is always better to show your prices or a price range than to make the mistake of hiding them because you haven't done your research.

Why you want to be careful at playing too much 'keep-away'...
It should be mentioned that hiding your price can be as simple as offering a new client special, a trial period or making a person click to another screen to see the price. In these cases - you are not eliminating the price from view entirely. However, we have come across several businesses who refuse to put any pricing on their websites or marketing.

We want to warn that this can be dangerous because people like to shop before they buy. If you aren't even willing to show a price range - people might overlook you because your competitor does show prices. You are also making it more work for a potential customer to buy from you because they have to contact you to even discern if they can afford you. Shoppers (on every level) want life to be easier - not complicated, and they definately don't want to spend extra time and energy if it isn't worth it.

So..."Should you hide your prices or not?"
There is no right or wrong answer but here's the real questions you should answer first:
• What do my competitors do?
• Why is it important to hide/show my prices?
• What would my customer want?
• What would I want if I was a customer?

Vehicle Advertising: Take Your Business on the Road

Advertising takes on many forms for a small business. You may try postcards, leads groups, ads in magazines or newspapers or of course - online advertising like Facebook or Google Ads. But there is definately an avenue of advertising that is affordable and wildly effective. What are we talking about?

Vehicle Advertising!

Imagine the usual traffic jam - whether it's on the highway or in line to drop of kids at school. Everyone sits, in their cars, trucks and even campers waiting for the car in front of them to move. They are almost begging for something to look at that is more exciting than the license plate cover ahead of them that says "I'd rather be..." Now, you might know exactly what we mean because you have been in this situation. One might think this is not the moment to advertise your business - but you'd be wrong!

Here's 5 Reasons Why

1. Impressions Galore

The Federal Highway Administration reports that a vehicle sporting an advertisement generate up to 23,000 impressions per day in a metro city. Now, maybe you don't live in a metro city but just think about how many cars you pass on your way to work, the grocery store, the bank, soccer practice and even on vacation. All of those trips in your vehicle are advertising oportunities for people to be exposed to your business.

2. It's Never NOT on Duty

Vehicle advertising works for you around the clock, every single day and night, 365 days a year for as long as you have it on your car. Whether you are driving or parked in a parking lot - your vehicle advertisement is a non-stop marketing machine working for you!

3. Stats Speak for Themselves

• 98% of Vehicle Advertising creates a positve image for the advertiser
• 97% of customers remember seeing a specific vehicle advertisiment of a business they buy from
• 96% of drivers and pedestrians say they notice words and pictures displayed on vehicles

4. Reach a Wide Demographic

Most American's (96%) spend time in a vehicle as either the driver or passenger at least 2-3 times per week. Many of us drive or ride in a car every day! This isn't an age, wealth or interest specific type of advertising. You can reach a vast number of people - all who could potentially be your next customer.

5. Cost Effective for You

Many kinds of advertising charge you for the length of time an ad runs and the quantity of people it (might) reach. While you pay for a vehicle advertisment in the beginning, you don't pay again! Many vehicle decals last for 2-5 years which means this initial cost spread out over this long span of time rates as a cost effective method of advertising.

There are many different kinds of vehicle advertising options - from decals to window graphics and more! While some are permanent (perfect for commercial vehicles) - others are easily removable and work great for your own personal car, truck or RV. Take the lead that even the big businesses employ and take your business on the road with vehicle advertising!

Online vs Traditional Advertising Methods

As the saying goes, "Nothing changes if nothing changes." However, if everything out there is changing except you - you can be you're getting left behind. The growth of online information technology has changed the landscape of business marketing. The internet has replaced or vastly altered traditional advertising mediums such as magazines, newspaper, radio and television. All of these once "print only" mediums have online versions. With a good strategy and market awareness; businesses can utilize the internet to achieve effective and cost efficient marketing. Below are a few comparisons drawn between online and traditional advertising.

Online Advertising is Targeted

Instead of wasting time and effort (as well as lots of money) to send out mass mailings and junk mail with low return on investment, businesses can allocate their money smarter and more efficiently with online advertising by targeting specific audiences who are actually searching for your business, product or service.

Tracking and Conversion

Here’s the big question - How many people have been exposed to your ads? It’s very difficult to measure the effectiveness of direct mail, newspaper and TV advertisements. Online advertising however, empowers businesses with powerful tracking tools that can measure the smallest details such as impressions, conversions and Return on Investment.

Entry-level and Ongoing Fees

Yellow page ads or a magazine ad placement can be very costly. Internet advertising has yet again empowered the users to control their budget by allowing various bidding methods and low initial fees. Due to the targeted nature of online advertising and the ability to track the effectiveness of ads, making instant adjustments to campaigns is much cheaper than non internet advertising mediums.

Internet Gives Businesses Control

The biggest advantage of Internet advertising is that it is the most powerful communication tool available. It can reach households and other businesses via computers, mobile phones and tablets. Rather than allocating your efforts on finding different mediums for various regions and audiences; you can focus on what you do best and let your clients come and find you by setting up targeted campaigns.

Better Branding

Any form of advertising helps in improving the branding, but online advertising stands a notch higher in effectiveness. Internet advertising can expose a small business to potential customers all over the world. When used for the right products and in the right way, it has the potential to reach more customers for less money than any other form of advertising.
Online advertising is a powerful tool for businesses to have in their marketing strategy to effectively get the word out and achieve their marketing goals.

What is a BLOG and Why Should I BLOG?

Remind me again - What is a BLOG?

The word "blog" is one of the most searched words on the internet today. Why? This buzz word is searched because increasing numbers of people are trying to understand what blogging is about. A blog is a log or public "diary" posted online - A journal that is written for others to read. You can create blogs for personal, educational and informational reasons, business and corporate reasons or a multitude of other uses.

As a marketing tool, blogs offer great potential. Blogs have some truly unique characteristics as a marketing tool. Blogs are much easier than newsletters to get your idea across. They can be added to, and they can be updated at any time and from virtually anywhere. Blogs have long lasting shelf lives, as they exist on the internet until you decide to remove them. This contrasts to newsletters which once you send it out, it’s sent, hopefully read and gone. Unless you are just posting marketing materials, most blogs offer a large amount of information thus increasing you or your business’ credibility. Whether your blog is a personal blog or a business blog, viewers come to blogs expecting to find frank and personal perspectives on a topic that you are passionate about.

If you maintain your viewers and you respect the idea that you should be passionate about the content of your blog, then your credibility will go up, and this is what blogging is truly about. Blogs are easy to syndicate, meaning that you can get your information and opinions out there, and can allow them to spread. If you have an opinion to share, a product to sell, a brand to market or something else to say on the internet, and you think that people are going to want to read what it is that you have to say, then blogging is an excellent option.

If you do not have a blog that is associated with your business or your website, then now is an excellent time for you to start blogging. Blogging is an excellent addition to your marketing strategy. There are completely different dynamics when it comes to e-mail communication and blogging. Nothing facilitates conversation, communication and community the way that blogging does. There is no confusion about blogging being spam the way e-mails can. Blogs enhance your product, idea or brand.  Setting up a Blog is easy - go to "How to Set Up a Blog".  Want ideas to write about - go to 50 Blog Topics

So the answer to "Why Should I Blog?" is...... "Why Not?"

Call me, Toni F Ryan, for help or further details on QLIXITE.com's Social Media Plan - We can do it for you at a DIY price! 800-596-6218

Make a Good Coupon that Increases Profits

Huge companies spend millions of dollars on focus groups and marketing afficionados to create promotion campaigns and coupons that will bring buyers in the door. As small to medium business owners - we don't have that luxury...or do we? Small business owners need to start employing their observation skills and with a little homework - you'll come up with coupons and promotions that rock!

Definition of a Good Coupon (and a Bad one!)

Some people spend their whole marketing careers creating the definitive "Good Coupon" (ie: a coupon that brings the customer to you and yet doesn't cost too much in profit) and avoiding a bad coupon (usually a coupon that gets no response). Small business owners can see a dramatic improvement in their profits by offering a good coupon. To make a good coupon, you need to think like your customers. That bears repeating and emphasis - THINK LIKE YOUR CUSTOMER! What would make you clip that coupon and go use it? What kind of coupon calls you to check out a business if you've never used them before? What coupons do you skip?

Be Specific About What You Want
Its amazing how many small businesses don't think about what they want their coupons to do. If you don't know exactly the response your want your coupon to generate - I can guarantee...it doesn't either! You have to be specific with the goal of EACH coupon you offer. Do you want new customers? Do you want your regular customers to come in more? Do you want to move a specific product? Do you want people to refer you? Make sure you focus and build your coupon to answer one specific goal. If you are offering several coupons be sure to define each one with dotted/hashed lines or with colors so it's easy for the customer to identify which ones might interest him or her.

Discount Something that your Customer is Actually Interested InA coupon advertises a discount for a limited period of time on a product or service. You may have an low cost/high profit item that you WANT people to purchase however if that's not the item that is currently bringing customers in the door, your coupon (unless it is a very deep discount) is not going to be as effective. An example of this is a hair salon that only gives coupons on their products - not the hair services themselves! My Advice...Get me in the door with a coupon on a hair cut or color (probably the reason I'm coming in the first place) and when I see how fabulous I look - THEN I might actually buy the products. 

Be Careful When Limiting Who Can Use the Coupon
People dislike fine print. There's nothing I despise more than when I take a coupon and try to use it only to learn that my coupon does not apply to me because I am an existing customer. Why would you not want to reward your current customers for shopping with you? If you only offer an incentive for new clients - then why should they become a reoccuring one? If you are discounting a service that only a very limited number of people can use, make sure you are offering a variety of coupons at the same time that together will include everyone.  If you are requiring a minimum purchase amount for the discount to be viable - make sure it's just above or at the average price point people buy from you.

Create Urgency with An Expiration Date
Expiration dates create an sense of urgency that your customer will need to act quickly to use and benefit from the coupon. Experiment with expiration dates. A date that is too close can be disastrous if your marketing strategy doesn't get the coupon out in time. Plus it doesn't give people enough time to redeem it. A date too far away will be forgotten. Depending on your advertising, what your discount is and the nature of your business, 2 weeks to 1 month can be a good time frame for a coupon expiration date. Online deals can expire more quickly than ones that require in-store purchase.

Offer a Discount not just a 'Coupon'
Statistics show that people don't respond if a coupon's face value is too small. I recently saw a coupon for a medical office that offered $1.00 off an office visit. Their visit costs, on average, $35.00 so their coupon gave me less than 3% off. That doesn't make me want to respond to that coupon at all. In fact I was almost turned off to the business itself for offering such a bad coupon. This is where you need to put your customer hat back on. If you see 10% off, 15% off or 20% off coupons - which do you respond to? You may cringe at the idea of offering a 20% off coupon but think about successful chains like Macy's which focus millions of dollars on this marketing strategy that people come shop with them more if they believe they'll save with their coupon.

Create a Coupon Strategy and Go For It!
If you want to do a semi annual or annual deep discount coupon then plan it out and market accordingly. If you want people to consistently check your website or store for coupons then offer a variety and consistently market them. Look at what larger companies in your industry or ones like yours are doing. If it works for them - it might work for you! Whatever you decide - plan it out and execute it. That doesn't mean you can't modify your plan as you find coupons that work or fail. It means you are taking an active role in this side of your marketing strategy.

Are QR (Quick Response) Codes just a fad?

Are QR Codes, these little square pixelated boxes seen in advertising in magazines, on signs and even in television commercials really here to stay?  According to a study by comScore, 14 million mobile phone users in the United States scanned a QR code in June 2011.  That's 6.2% of the total mobile audience focusing on a QR code or barcode to seek information. That number is set to rise as the smartphone takes over the current mobile marketplace.

The study went further to breakdown men versus women users, age groups, household income and where and when they scanned QR codes.  QR Scanners were more likely to be men (60.5%) and aged 18 to 34 (53.4%) and had a household income of $100,000 or above (36.1%).  Mobile users scanned QR codes on their mobile devices at a rate of 58% from home while 39.4% scanned QR codes from a retail store with 24.5% from a grocery store.  Nearly 20% scanned a QR code from work while 12.6% did so outside with 7.6% scanning a QR code while in a restaurant.

"QR codes demonstrate just one of the ways in which mobile marketing can effectively be integrated into existing media and marketing campaigns to help reach desired consumer segments," says Mark Donovan, comScore senior vice president of mobile.

In business layman's terms - it is about getting noticed - being found - answering a need.

QR codes fit with the trend today of  having information at your fingertips and the ease to enter it into your contact list for future reference. Still think it's a FAD?  Think again - get your FREE business QR code from Qlixite.com and start using it and tracking more traffic. "See a need - fill a need!"

How do I use a QR Code in Business Marketing?


  A QR code (abbreviation for Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. A QR Code can deliver information to potential customers FAST! There are several different types of ways you can use your QR Code for business marketing.

QR Codes on Branding Materials - On branding items like Business Cards, Letterhead, Envelopes and Directory Listings, a QR Code that displays a vCard or Contact information will be most useful. When a potential customer scans this kind of QR Code they will see your name, phone number, location or mailing address, email address, web address and even a memo or tag line. This information is easy to register and save to their address file with absolutely no need to enter numbers or words which can be mistakenly mispelled or entered incorrectly.

QR Codes To Make Referrals - Texting is a phenomenon! When you want people to share your company or product with their friends or co-workers, an SMS message might be your best kind of QR Code. When a potential customer scans this type of QR Code then it will open their texting application with an automatic message ready to send to anyone in their address book. For example, if you are offering a special or coupon, including an SMS QR Code on the coupon that is labeled "Share with Friends" will auto populate a message about how they would like to share your business coupon. The message can include your contact info or website as well.

QR Code in Advertising - QR Codes are limited to a certain amount of characters which may mean that you want to send people to your website which allows them to learn alot more about your business. When a potential customer scans a URL QR Code, they are transported directly to your website right on their phone. They can shop, subscribe or map your business right there! You can also embed a video and link the QR Code to that page where the video is located so the visitor can watch it from their smart phone.

QR Code on Signage - It's a great idea to include QR Codes on your signs to again, allow people to program your information into their phone for future use. When a customer scans your QR Code from a sign, either in front of your business, billboard, real estate or other, they will be able to quickly connect with your business even if you aren't there...or open!

Whatever QR Code you use - make sure your business name is clear! In the very least, your customers should be able to find your website and phone number without much trouble. As you get more familiar with how to use the different kinds of QR Codes to best suit your marketing needs.


 
Read More About QR Codes:
• What is a QR Code?
• How does a QR Code work?
• What kind of QR Code do I need?
• How do I use my QR Code?

Qlixite will customize your QR Code for Free - Get Yours NOW!

What Kind of QR Code do I Need?



A QR code (abbreviation for Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. A QR Code can deliver information to potential customers FAST! There are several different types of ways you can use your QR Code for business so you will need to identify what kind of QR Code you will need?

QR Code delivers CONTACT INFORMATION - On branding items like Business Cards, Letterhead, Envelopes and Directory Listings, a QR Code that displays a vCard or Contact information will be most useful. When a potential customer scans this kind of QR Code they will see your name, phone number, location or mailing address, email address, web address and even a memo or tag line. This information is easy to register and save to their address file with absolutely no need to enter numbers or words which can be mistakenly mispelled or entered incorrectly.

QR Code delivers an SMS MESSAGE - Texting is a phenomenon! When you want people to share your company or product with their friends or co-workers, an SMS message might be your best kind of QR Code. When a potential customer scans this type of QR Code then it will open their texting application with an automatic message ready to send to anyone in their address book. For example, if you are offering a special or coupon, including an SMS QR Code on the coupon that is labeled "Share with Friends" will auto populate a message about how they would like to share your business coupon. The message can include your contact info or website as well.

QR Code takes a visitor to a WEBSITE - QR Codes are limited to a certain amount of characters which may mean that you want to send people to your website which allows them to learn alot more about your business. When a potential customer scans a URL QR Code, they are transported directly to your website right on their phone. They can shop, subscribe or map your business right there! You can also embed a video and link the QR Code to that page where the video is located so the visitor can watch it from their smart phone.

QR Code displays a CALENDAR EVENT - If you are running a special on a particular day or have an open house scheduled, you might want to use a Calendar QR Code to make it easy for a potential customer to remember your event. When a customer scans your Event QR Code they will see the event title, location, date, time and description in a format that they can save right to their calendar. Put your event on their schedule with just a touch of a button - or screen!

Whatever QR Code you use - make sure your business name is clear! In the very least, your customers should be able to find your website and phone number without much trouble. As you get more familiar with how to use the different kinds of QR Codes to best suit your marketing needs.


 
Read More About QR Codes:
• What is a QR Code?
• How does a QR Code work?
• What kind of QR Code do I need?
• How do I use my QR Code?
Qlixite will customize your QR Code for Free - Get Yours NOW!

How Does a QR Code Work?



A QR code (abbreviation for Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones.

Market - A business or organization incorporates various kinds of QR Codes into their marketing and advertising. They link their website to their advertising, their contact information to their business cards and offer specials through the codes on exclusive emails or mailings.

Scan - A potential customer receives a business card from the business owner or sees an ad in a local publication. They use their smart phone to scan the QR Code which directly opens the business' website or displays all of the contact information into the customers phone. Now it is quick and easy for the customer to research and connect with the business.

Connect - Even if the customer doesn't connect with the business right after scanning the QR Code - their phone retains the information until they physically delete it. SO if the potential customer wants to get in touch with the business - they may not remember the website name or have the advertisement for reference but they have all of the information right in their phone - ready to make the call or map for directions.


 
Read More About QR Codes:
• What is a QR Code?
• How does a QR Code work?
• What kind of QR Code do I need?
• How do I use my QR Code?
Qlixite will customize your QR Code for Free - Get Yours NOW!

What is a QR Code?



A QR code (abbreviation for Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data.

This QR Code Leads to a webpage
so a visitor can watch a Video

Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. The QR code was created to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

Although initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR codes now are used in a much broader context, including both commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (termed mobile tagging). QR codes may be used to display text to the user, to add contact information to the user's device, to open a website, link to a video on a server like YouTube, or to compose an e-mail or text message. Users can generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code generating sites.

QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, or almost any object about which users might need information. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser. This act of linking from physical world objects is termed hardlinking or object hyperlinking.
Google's mobile Android operating system supports QR codes by natively including the barcode scanner (ZXing) on some models, and the browser supports URI redirection, which allows QR codes to send metadata to existing applications on the device. Nokia's Symbian operating system is provided with a barcode scanner, which is able to read QR codes, while mbarcode is a QR code reader for the Maemo operating system. In the Apple iOS, a QR code reader is not natively included, but more than fifty free apps are available with reader and metadata browser URI redirection ability. With BlackBerry devices, the App World application can natively scan QR codes and load any recognized Web URLs on the device's Web browse this for compliance.

The use of QR codes is free of any license. The QR code is clearly defined and published as an ISO standard. Denso Wave owns the patent rights on QR codes, but has chosen not to exercise them. The term QR code itself is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

Standard QR code is the QR code standard for applications that possess the ability to handle large scans. A standard QR code can contain up to 7089 characters, though not all QR readers can accept that much data.

Read More About QR Codes:
• What is a QR Code?
• How does a QR Code work?
• What kind of QR Code do I need?
• How do I use my QR Code?
Qlixite will customize your QR Code for Free - Get Yours NOW!

What Makes a Good Coupon? (And What Makes A Bad One)

Some people spend their whole marketing careers creating the definitive "Good Coupon" (ie: a coupon that brings the customer to you and yet doesn't cost too much in profit) and avoiding a bad coupon (usually a coupon that gets no response). Small business owners can see a dramatic improvement in their profits by offering coupon. To make a good coupon, you need to think like your customers. What would make you clip that coupon and go use it? What kind of coupon calls you to check out that business if you've never used them before? What coupons do you pass on?

Pick A Product/Service to Discount that your Customer is Actually Interested In
A coupon advertises a discount for a limited period of time on a product or service. You may have an low cost/high profit item that you WANT people to purchase however if that's not the item that is currently bringing customers in the door, your coupon (unless a deep discount) is not going to be as effective.

Don't Limit Who Can Use the Coupon
People dislike fine print. There's nothing I despise more than when I take a coupon and try to use it only to learn that my coupon does not apply to me because I am an existing customer. Why would you not want to reward your current customers for shopping with you? If you are discounting a service that only a very limited number of people can use, make sure you are offering a variety of coupons at the same time that together will include everyone.

Create Urgency with An Expiration Date
Expiration dates create an sense of urgency that your customer will need to act quickly to use and benefit from the coupon. Experiment with expiration dates. A date that is too close can be disastrous if your marketing strategy doesn't get the coupon out in time. Plus it doesn't give people enough time to redeem it. A date too far away will be forgotten. Depending on your advertising, what your discount is and the nature of your business, 2 weeks to 1 month can be a good time frame for a coupon expiration date.

Offer a Discount not just a Coupon
Statistics show that people don't respond if a coupon's face value is too small. I recently saw a coupon for a medical office that offered $1.00 off an office visit. Their visit costs, on average, $35.00 so their coupon gave me less than 3% off. That doesn't make me want to respond to that coupon at all. In fact I was almost turned off to the business itself for offering such a sad coupon. This is where you need to put your customer hat back on. If you see 10% off, 15% off or 25% off coupons - which do you respond to? You may cringe at the idea of offering a 25% off coupon but think about successful chains like Macy's which focus millions of dollars on this marketing strategy that people come shop with them more if they believe they'll save with their coupon.

Create a Coupon Strategy and Go For It!
If you want to do a semi annual or annual deep discount coupon then plan it out and market accordingly. If you want people to consistently check your website or store for coupons then offer a variety and consistently market them. Whatever you decide to do - plan it out and execute it. That doesn't mean you can't modify your plan as you find coupons that work or fail. It means you are taking an active role in this side of your marketing strategy.

How to Make 30 Second Commercial Magic

Would it surprise you to learn that most business people do not have a 30-second commercial (otherwise known as an elevator speech)? In my travels, even those at the highest level have not completed a few versions to suit any occasion in which they might be asked the age-old question, "What do you do?"

It is not only prudent but truly crucial that you be able to simply and quickly describe what you do and who your target audience is no matter the occasion. The purpose of your 30-second commercial is to tell who you are, who your company is, and what you do. In addition, it asks one or more power questions, makes a power statement that shows how you can help others and ends with why the prospect should act now.

Tips for Creating Your Personal Commercial

Follow your plan. When you write a business plan, you prepare the executive summary last because you can't effectively summarize something you haven't already thought out. The same holds true with your personal commercial. Write your personal business plan first. Then, align your personal commercial with your mission and the roadmap you have developed for achieving it.

Make it memorable. Apart from the need to exchange pleasantries, you tell other people what you do for two reasons: they might have a need for your services or they might know someone else who has a need for your services. In either case, they should remember enough of what you told them so that they think of you when the need arises. To make your personal commercial memorable:

o Use an energetic group of words that leaves them wanting more!
o Avoid using industry jargon unless it's absolutely necessary.
o Talk about benefits... "I help lawyers find ways to win more business from existing clients."
o Speak slowly, audibly and clearly.
o If possible, personalize it -- for example a trademark attorney speaking to someone who has expressed concern about cyber squatters might say "I protect companies from cyber squatters," in addition to saying "I am a trademark attorney."

Keep it simple. Test your personal commercial on a seven-year-old. If they can't understand what you do, then you need to do some editing.

Have more than one version. The level of detail you provide at a cocktail reception is often very different than the detail you provide during a client meeting. You need to be prepared with at least two (preferably even three versions) of your 30-second commercial. The first version is quick--perhaps one or two sentences. The second version is as long as one or two paragraphs and should expand on the information provided in the first version. For example, you might expand on your responsibilities or explain in greater detail what your firm does. The third version lasts one or two minutes and could include further explanation of the second version as well as key clients, case studies and other information relevant to the current audience.

Primary Goal of the 30-Second Commercial

To develop a series of sentences that take 10-30 seconds to articulate, sharing how you add value to your customer's business and life. The purpose isn't to tell the other person everything that you do. It's to keep them from saying: "So what!" "We've already got something like that." "We're all set." or "Good-bye!"

30-Second Commercial Outline

Name and Title ... Hi, my name is Honorée Corpron, Visionary, Business Strategist and Performance Coach.

Company Name ... My company is Honorée Enterprises.

Creatively say what you do ... I work with CEOs, senior level professionals and entrepreneurs to achieve profit-doubling growth in 60-80% less time than it would take them to do it on their own.

Insert your Power Question ... Wouldn't it be great to be able to reach achieve more goals in the next 12 months with support than you could achieve on your own in the next decade?

Insert your Power Statement (how you help) ... I think I might be able to help you. Let's get together to discuss ways to implement systems and strategies into your business to help you be the most effective and efficient you can be, all while maintaining balance in your life.

Why the prospect should act now ... Would you like to schedule a brainstorming session, or have lunch or coffee to see if I can be of assistance to you?

Creating your 30-Second Commercial. First, list five ways you improve your clients' business, save them money or money, and/or help them to get more of what they want. Then list five reasons why people do business with you. Combine the most important elements into your 30 Second Commercial.

Power Questions
The Power Question qualifies the prospect and sets up your response. Use these five questions when formulating the Power Questions in your 30-Second Commercials:
1. What information do I want to get as a result of asking this question?
2. Can I qualify my prospect as a result of this question?
3. Does it take more than one question to find out the information I need?
4. Do my questions make the prospect think?
5. Can I ask a question that separates me from my competitor?
Here are some lead-ins to Power Questions that will expose areas of need:
o What do you look for ...?
o What have you found ...?
o What has been your experience ...?
o How do you propose ...?
o How have you successfully used ...?
o How do you determine ...?
o Why is that a deciding factor ...?
o What makes you choose ...?
o What is the one thing you would improve about ...?
o Are there other factors ...?
o What does your competitor do about ...?
o How do your customers react to ...?
o How are you currently ...?
o What are you doing to keep ...?
o How often do you contact ...?
o What are you doing to ensure ...?

Using some of the lead-ins above, as necessary, make a list of 25 Power Questions that make the prospect think and give you the information you need.

Combining all of the necessary elements in creating your 30-second commercial, along with mastering your Power Questions will assist you in attracting more of the clients and customers you want to work with - and they'll know exactly why they should hire you right away!

$29 One Page Website Business Plans
$59 Social Media Marketing
$79 Professional Website Design