Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on February 10, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Certifications,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup,Small Biz Webinars | Comments are off for this article

 

Business Law; Top 10 Pitfalls a Small Business Should Avoid

Be Prepared with Business Law in 2012

 

By Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

Nonprofit Business Law

1)      Lack of or Poor Organizational Documents! A good understanding of Business Law will tell you that you must create and maintain the right organizational documents, to prepare your small business for interaction with the real world.  You must first determine what type of structure you want your business to operate under.  Business Law dictates that it does not stop there; there are annual filing requirements and documents that must be maintained.  Don’t be a casualty, do your paperwork!

2)      Lack of Proper Corporate Records! If you say “we are a small nonprofit, Ill remember the records and do them later” you will fail.  Keeping up with records is a must to be prepared in Business law and takes little time if you make it an ongoing process!

3)      Accepting Money from Investors Without Understanding Securities Business Laws! There are ways to accept investment,  into your new business, that are legal and this is the only way they should be accepted.  Consult a lawyer first if you are unsure of Business Law. This is the rule of thumb; make sure you and your investors are protected before you get yourself in hot water.

4)      Failing to have Founders and Employees Non-Compete Agreements! If you or your new employees have come from a similar business and are now competing with an old employer, make sure there is not aNon-Compete agreement enforce.  By the same token protect yourself if what you are doing is of a unique nature.

Nonprofit Business Law

5)      Weak or Non-Existent Vendor/Client Written Agreements. If you go into your new business on a handshake agreement to provide services or products to a friend or acquaintance, this is very risky.  Having a simple contract, one with terms and a time period assures that your demand will still be there when you take the plunge and open your doors.  Without a written agreement, one using practical Business Law, you may find the promised business does not materialize and you have no legal recourse.

6)      Litigation! Pure and simple, many new business owners feel they are in the cat bird seat now and they “Aren’t going to take this anymore!”  You must avoid all litigation if possible, work out problems without filing suit.  Litigation is very expensive and at the small business level, it can bankrupt a company from the preparation of just one law suit, this is Business Law fact!.  Collections are another matter, but there are professionals for that,STAY AWAY FROM LITIGATION IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN!

Nonprofit Business Law

7)      Collections! Collections can be a problem in many small businesses, and it is tempting to take things personally.  First; work directly with the customer, sometimes a personal call and request for payment of promised funds from the CEO does the trick.  Second; never threaten or harass the customer, you could cross a line that puts them in the driver’s seat legally.  When the account can’t be salvaged with sugar, find good collections groups that work on a percentage and let them sow the vinegar, they are much more likely to be an expert in Business Law, and much more likely to collect!

8)      Non-Performance Alleged Against Your Business! It is most advisable that you do you level best to go overboard and fix non-performance allegations against you.  As a new business, you do not want negative statements on services like “Rip off Report” or the BBB.  Offer a refund or the bend over backwards to fix the problem.  Defending against a law suit is both unproductive and expensive, avoid if you can, this is the case with all Business Law, avoid litigation if you can.

Nonprofit Business Law

9)      Non-Performance of Other Service Providers to Your Small Business! Same rules apply; avoid Litigation if you possibly can.  A call from your CEO or Director may do the trick, be cool calm and consolatory.  Remember they do not want negative reports on “Rip off Report” or the BBB either.  Again, Litigation is very expensive, so do you level best to work out difference civilly, but calmly and reserve the right to do what is necessary to receive services or products you have paid for.  Remember how you handled the other side of this issue, and use that experience to look at the other company’s point of view.  Never loose site of your rights under Business Law, but keep your eyes clearly on Public Relations and you image in the community!.

10)  No Internal Controls, Guidelines, Manuals, etc! It is important to have written rules and regulations to govern your business on a daily basis.  Internal Controls, Guidelines and Manuals are welcome by your employees, it lets them know exactly where they stand.  You will find that if rules are in place, you employees will not only follow what is expected of them but be thankful for knowing how to operate within guidelines.  You will be secure in the knowledge that you have done what you can to prepare your company under Business Law.

If you find FREE legal advice helpful, don’t miss our FREE webinar “Legal Issues to Avoid” by clicking this link LEGAL ISSUES TO AVOID.  This webinar is free and will happen on FREE Nonprofit Webinar Wednesdays February 15, 2012, it will be hosted by Attorney Mark Bartle, but you are invited, small business owners or potential owners will benefit greatly from this webinar!

Bisness law for small business

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a Small Business please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

 

 

 

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on February 9, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup,Small Biz Tax Filing,Small Biz Webinars | Comments are off for this article

Bookkeeping Benefits

a Free Webinar!

Bookkeeping Blunders: are you in the Dark?



By Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

bookkeeping blunders to avoid

A pile of receipts and a check book; not part of bookkeeping benefits

Bookkeeping Benefits are in the forefront of small business.  Believe it or not, many small businesses nationwide don’t have an accurate bookkeeping system.  Andrea Root, Accounting Coordinator for BizCentralUSA and specialist in bookkeeping benefits says “More often than not a client will come in with some scraps of paper and bank statements needing up-to-date financial statements and corporate tax returns immediately!”

bookkeeping blunders book keeping

Bookkeeping benefits are worth the efforts

Running a small business involves many things, some are fun and some are a necessity!  You must have a bookkeeping system, says Miss Root, “Bookkeeping benefits can be an unfamiliar, tedious, and for some frightening process but it must be done on a regular, consistent basis.  Outsourcing this task will save you time, money, and aggravation in the end!”

Andrea Root will be hosting a FREE webinar “Bookkeeping Benefits” Thursday February 16, 2012 and all are welcome.  Simply go to this link FREE WEBINAR for free registration.  Andrea warns “Lack of bookkeeping benefits can be very inexpensive to have done, if you do your part and prepare, but not having accurate books can be very expensive, especially if the IRS comes knocking!”

Andrea will also cover simple tips on collecting data, “Whether doing your own books or hiring bookkeeping services, to enjoy the true bookkeeping benefits you must collect certain data every day!”

“Programs like QuickBooks seem an answer for some, but the learning curve can be steep, and who do you blame if something goes wrong?”  Miss

bookkeeping blunders book keeping

Andria Root will cover tips on collecting data for bookkeeping benefits!

Root went on, “Ask yourself this: Are you in the dark?  Bookkeeping benefits shines the light on your financial position!”

Remember, if you want to raise your salary or expand your business, you have to know how much income you have coming in and how much you have going out on a monthly basis, now that is a bookkeeping benefit!

Join BizCentralUSA in welcoming Andrea Root, who will be hosting our live FREE webinar “Bookkeeping Benefits”

bookkeeping blunders bookkeeping

Quicken can have a steep learning curve!

This Thursday, February 16, 2012by simply clicking on this link FREE WEBINAR BOOKKEEPING BENEFITS.

BizCentralUSA is one of the nation’s leading providers of small business services.  Each week we present a new free Webinar on some important facet of the Small Business world.  This week we are lucky to have the talented Andrea Root host BOOKKEEPING BENEFITS , and I am sure you will go away with some great knowledge.  Ask yourself; can you afford to be in the dark, let bookkeeping shine the light!

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a Small Business pleasebookkeeping blunders contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

 

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on February 3, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

Modern Marketing for Small Business

Marketing Plans and Corporate Branding

 

by Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

small business strategy

The Phoenicians invented modern marketing for Small Business!

Modern marketing for small business in today’s competitive small business environment is essential.  The first step in modern marketing for small business is the same as it has been since the Phoenicians, who first develop a working marketing plan!

A marketing plan lays out your strategy and direction in the world of modern marketing for small business.  The first step is to secure a solid corporate identity, with a common look, color and design throughout all aspects of anything from your company that is seen by the public or another business.  A complete corporate identity should include:

1)      Corporate Branding and Logo Design

  • One consistent color pattern
    Strategy for marketing small business

    Social Media strategy is part of modern marketing for small business.

  • Make sure logo is unique, distinctive and very reproducible to all media both media and print matter

2)      Brochures – containing the Logo and the color and consistent design which is to become your corporate identity

3)      Business cards and electronic signature – should also follow this developing pattern of color and design

4)      Press release blanks – should carry the corporate identity

5)      Newsletters with the look and feel of your corporate identity from front to back

strategic planning for social media and small business

BizCentralUSA can help with modern marketing for small business

A company like BizCentralUSA can assist you in this type of design, inexpensively, and can get you on the road to modern marketing for small business.  However you create this “Corporate Identity” it must be of prime concern.  Today, a business identity is your life’s blood, the key to modern marketing for small business.

The second step is to develop an integrated digital identity.  In today’s business world, the internet is not only reality, but is indispensible to a modern marketing for small business plan!  You have, at this point, created a consistent corporate identity, logo, overall design and color scheme.

You must now carry this “Corporate Identity” into a “Digital Identity”, and do it correctly in order to survive modern marketing for small business:

1)       Create a website consistent with logo, overall design and colors to match your already developed corporate identity

2)      Create a blog with consistent branding

Graphic design for small business

The internet must be part of modern marketing for small business

3)      Customize you Twitter with consistent branding

4)      Customize your Facebook with consistent branding and create a fan page with a look consistent with your web home page

5)      Customize your LinkedIn account; create a grope membership list consistent with your business type.

There are so many aspects to modern marketing for small business and each facet has books written concerning all the things you can do to maximize your exposure.  What I hope you take away from this writing, is that everything your small business does must be with a consistent look.  Today, due to the internet culture, you can have the look and feel of a much larger corporation, if you plan and execute your corporate identity correctly.

Having a great Marketing Plan is essential in modern marketing for small business

BizCentralUSA has been helping small Business plan and execute corporate identity, and all aspects of small business operations for many years.  BizCentralUSA has helped over 12,000 small businesses just like yours and we can help you with your modern marketing for small business today!

Join us for a free webinar which will cover “Key Marketing Ideas” this coming Thursday, February 9, 2012.  As always, this is not an infomercial, but a true free full hour of pure information.  Want to know more about modern marketing for small business, we will see you there!

 

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a Small Business pleasedecorator design advertising campaign contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

 

 

 

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on January 27, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

Marketing Mix for Small Business;

Using Social Media in your Marketing Plan!

 

by Thomas R. Reich and Chris Romero

This week we take a little different approach, we give you many lists to improve your business through Marketing Mix for Small Business.  Maximizing Marketing Plans for small business can do wonders for your bottom line!  Using Social Media, it’s a snap, and mostly costs only time,

brand marketing

marketing for small business can be used for brand marketing

brain power and having a Marketing Stragity!

 

Why do businesses fail??

1)   Not enough people know they exist, lack of Brand Marketing

2)   They did not do enough to get the word out, Marketing strategy

3)   Did not work hard enough for brand recognition

4)   Did not remind the customer daily why their business matters

A successful marketing mix for small business campaign must have a daily promotion habit, do at least ONE of the following each day for branding:

1)   Write or post a new blog

write a blog post for brand marketing

a blog post can help brand marketing and marketing strategy

2)   Tweet a timely question

3)   Do a radio interview

4)   Do a webcast

5)   Write a letter to the editor

6)   Link and share pictures on Facebook page

**Do at least one thing that will publicize your product each day through network marketing!

 

Other things to do to get free publicity brand marketing and having marketing mix for small business; on a regular basis you should:

marketing plan to include a marketing miix for small business

Marketing mix for small business should include Traditional and digital marketing

1)   Contact 5 people a day that could help you publicize your product

2)   Give the media a hook to use to grab their audience, their audience is who gives you free publicity for small business (in the end you and your product does not matter to that media outlet, to the organization giving you the publicity and adding to your marketing mix for small business, it’s how you can add interest to their show or blog, remember this, what is their brand marketing!)

3)   Research what they can put in their heading or intro; coming up XXXXX Find something that will encourage their audience to stay tuned in or check back, what about you or your product would cause this reaction, and relate it to you brand.

4)   Again, you need to come up with hooks, what makes this blogger or interviewer’s audience tune in to his show or blog.  If it pushes you or your product or brand at the same time, that makes it a win win!  Why should they give you free publicity, ad to your marketing mix for small business in this case, what about discussing you or your product brand benefits the blogger or the interviewer’s audience?

5)   Example of a Hook that could interest an audience = “Could you go to jail for linking the wrong website?”, “Could this organization save your life?”, “Could our next guest make you money?”

 

5 Ways to Create a Hook

First: create interest in your brand

1)   How to do; “How do you Tweet a Question?”

2)   Counter a Myth; “Parents want a quick fix to poor study habits-could drugs be the wrong answer?”

marketing plans should include marketing mix for small business

Marketing strategy includes marketing mix for small business

3)   Make a prediction; “Why the US will soon experience dramatic food shortages” –or—“Why food prices will continue to rise”; can you see how this could draw free publicity and add to your marketing mix for small business.

4)   Ask a Question, can you give the media a question they can use? “What are cats thinking?”

5)   Give them a timely hook, a reason they need to have information about your brand now; Tax advice at tax time, new business start up advice in January, new kind of tomato plant in the spring, this is prime free publicity for small business!

 

Create an effective marketing plan

1)   Who is your core audience

2)   What does that core audience read or watch

3)   When will your topic be timely; time of year, anniversary, create a holiday around your product, look in the book ‘Chase’s Calendar of Events’ for listing of 10,000+ holidays

4)   Is there a predictable news event that can be spun to your brand, release of a movie, elections, release of monthly employment figures or

blogs targeted to marketing mix for small business

Target blogs with your marketing mix for small business

farm reports, this is the nature of marketing mix for small business

Next time we will go more in depth into how to find the right blog sites that fit your brand and will help your marketing mix for small business.  You can do this, and feel free to ask questions, I may even send you part 2 in advance if you ask!  You comments are not only welcomed, but strongly incouraged.  Send questions direct if you wish to tom@ BizCentralUSA.com, we are here to help you help others!

 

We at BizCentralUSA have been in the business of helping small businesses like yours for almost a decade, over 12,000 small businesses have come to us for advice over the years, and we are always here for you!  Call today for a free needs assessment and consultation we want to hear from you!  Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily tips and tricks, as well as advanced notification on our free webinar series.  The key to a good marketing mix for

marketing stratigy can be helped by marketing mix for small business

Marketing mix for small business is one of our specialty's

small business is within you, you can do this!

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service Small Businesses please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting BizCentralUSA.com or call, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!

 

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on January 17, 2012 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz News,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets | Be the First to Comment

Twitter for Small Business Tools for Social Marketing

Using Twitter for Small Business to Generate Calls and Loads of

FREE Advertising


By Chris Romero and Thomas R. Reich

Ever Wonder what Small Business Tools are contained within Twitter for small business?  How can you mine FREE Advertising out of a Social Media Network and create real tangible Results to add to your Twitter for small business and your Small Business Tools?

Wow have we got an answer for you!  What if I told you that a small group of Twitter Followers could get you hundreds of thousands of

twitter fro small business

Announcing Twitter for Small Business

Advertising impressions every day?  It is possible for Twitter for small business to extract new exposure from you existing customer’s followers, while re-enforcing those existing customers loyalty?

Interested, read on and discover how this Twitter  for small business Tool, will become your favorite Social

Twitter for small business is a great tool

Twitter for small business will be your favorite small business tool!

Media Tool for Business Advertising.  I will outline the general program. We will then follow with two examples of companies that have successfully implemented the outline of this tool and adjusted it to their unique business model.

Twitter Fact: If you ask a question or answer a question in Twitter, all your followers see that message. If you receive a question or a response form a follower, all their followers see that message.  The presents of a tweet in a follow stream is called an impression, just like a magazine calls the average number of readers that see a copy of an issue its Advertising Impressions, this is Twitter for small business at its finest.

The first example of how this Small Business Tool on Twitter works is a Hair Styling Shop in Orlando Florida;

For years Sun Clips Salon and Spa has used a complicated phone system and a live receptionist to set

Twitter for small business cam lessen use of phone

Twitter for Small Business can replace constant phone use with lead producing advertising

appointments.  This task is static; the customer calls for an appointment, and usually gets through, is put on hold and then given an appointment time.  There is no interaction outside of 1 customer and the receptionist.

Now we put Twitter for small business in the mix, Sun Clips asked all of its customers to follow them on Twitter and receive special, Twitter only, Deals. Once the majority of their customers followed them, Sun Clips asked that appointment requests be Tweeted in for a 5% discount.

Twitter fro small business improves the phone

Twitter fro small business tools can make it easier for customers to connect

When a Tweet was received, Sun Clips Tweets the conformation of the appointment time or the answer to the question back to the client.  Sounds like a simple system, and it is, it has streamlined their appointment system, but there is more.  Can you think how this Twitter for small business Tool has created FREE Advertising impressions as well?

Each time a customer “Tweets” for an appointment, their entire network knows they get their hair cut at Sun Clips, what a great natural endorsement!  When a conformation is sent back, Sun Clip customers know it is busy and time to make an appointment, maybe that a friend is going in Thursday at 11 AM, and they try for a similar time to say hi.

With the 1000+ customers that chose to participate and receive the special Twitter only offers, and in turn their customers average followers at around 300, that is 300,000 Advertising Impressions per month if each customer tweets an average of just once per month!

 

Example 2: A Specialty Butcher Shop in Trendy Winter Park Florida

Prime Cutz had a problem, the cost of advertising to compete with grocery store chains was prohibitive, and alternatives were not targeted to

Twitter for small business tools that help a butcher shop

Twitter for Small Business Tools can Help a Butcher Shop Connect with its Customers

their clientele.  A specialty Butcher shop with one location can’t afford advertising in the cities major newspapers like a Publix or Winn-Dixie could, but they needed constant re-enforcement to keep growing their client base.

Prime Cutz began to ask customers to follow them on Twitter, they offered what every business should offer, an automatic follow back.  With Twitter for small business follow backs are important, it makes your customer part of your family, and they appreciate it, your customers want to know you care, always follow back!

Once the followers list began to grow, Prime Cutz began an amazing offer, Tweet us what you want to see in the store and receive a tweeted back 10% off next order discount!  They also openly asked their customers to re-tweet this offer to their network of friends.

Prime Cutz additionally uses Twitter for small business by sending  Tweets their to followers with special offers each week.  As an example: Pork Chops regular $4.00 per pound, while they last $2.50 per pound, tweet your order for conformation guarantee.

 

What does Twitter for small business do for Prime Cutz advertising?

1)   First of all it gets specials to their growing list of customers with no advertising cost.

Twitter for small business grows your business

Twitter for Small Business Helps Business Succeed

2)   It makes the “Twitter Club” a VIP Group with perceived VIP pricing.

3)   Every time a customer responds by Tweet, their entire network is notified with the butcher shops name and the fact that a special deal is going on.

4)   The free add impressions grow with every sale, sale prices they would have been offering and advertising in the traditional way at very high advertising rates, are now re-tweeted directly to friends and it is all FREE Advertising!

5)   As their customers Tweet their meat orders, and their followers receive those Tweets, Prime Cutz is exposed to tens of thousands of potential new followers and customers each time a new sale offer is Tweeted!

 

Twitter for small business will show you FREE results

Twitter for Small Business Will Flood Your Business with Positive Social Media Marketing

With an average Twitter following for a local retailer of around 9,000 and those Followers having an average Twitter Following of 300 Followers, That is a potential of 2.7 million Advertising impressions possible for each tweeted sale offer!  The best part is these potential Advertising Impressions come at no hard costs to Prime Cutz, other than sales and discounts the Butcher Shop would have offered in Traditional Paid Advertising Outlets.  This is one of the many was Twitter fro small business can serve you!

How can you add this Twitter fro small business tool to your arsenal?  A Restaurant could offer 10% discount if an order is placed by Twitter, Patrick Schwerdtfeger gives a now famous example of a pizza restaurant using this Twitter for small business tool in his best-selling book Marketing Shortcuts for the Self-Employed.  An Auto Repair Shop can offer 10% discount on an Oil Change if appointment is placed using Twitter.  A Dentist can offer FREE Tooth Brush for Tweets, the ideas never end!

Please send us ideas you may have to implement Twitter for small business tools, let’s keep this discussion going.  This is a fun way to create a major buzz in your market with minimal cost!  Now is the time, you have the power, let’s grow your market together!

At BizCentralUSA we work with you every step of the way.  We offer FREE Tips, Tricks and Advice, have frequent FREE Webinars on a vast arrayTwitter for small business BizCentralUSA oftopics and are, to coin a phrase, Good Guys.  When you find you could use a friend in the business, remember BizCentralUSA has helped over 12,000 businesses like your business, across the United States since 2003.  Call one of our Business Consultants for a FREE Business Evaluation.  We can save you time and money, 12,000 satisfied customers can attest, BizCentralUSA is your friend in the business!

 

If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service Small Businesses please contact BizCentralUSA by visiting www.BizCentralUSA.com or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002.  Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series and extra tips on Twitter for small business!

 

 

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on December 12, 2011 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets | Be the First to Comment

Search Engine Optimization SEO for Small Business Part 2
We discussed the different advantages of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Small Business in Part 1. Now let’s learn a few tricks that can make this whole process a little more enjoyable. When you know some of the processes involved, the whole concept of how the internet works and SEO for Small Business can become clearer.

Here comes one of those tricks I promised!  Go to Google while visiting the Internet through Internet Explorer.  Search for your key competitors within the industry you operate (Local, National and International).  Go to the home page of one of the web sites of a respected and top rated competitor.  On the right side or “Ribbon” of that Web Site Home Page, Right Click your mouse, a menu will appear, highlight and then Left Click on “VIEW SOURCE” about half way down on the pop up menu.  You will bring up a new page, you are looking at the actual HTML code of you competitors Web Site, don’t worry it is OK!

 

After the initial shock of this confusing page, which looks like a page of Algebra or complete gibberish, you will be able to mine data right out of their site, easily!  Look for the term <Title> with words In-between followed by the term <Title> those words inside are the actual Keyword optimized title of the Web Site.  Next you will see the term; (“Meta Name Description” Content =). What follows that is the Keywords and Keyword Phrases which that Web Site is using to get the ranking it has.  Additionally, those words describe to the Search engines what that Web Site is about.  These words must relate to that site, or the site will receive “Empty Hits” but we will discuss that later in part 3.

Finally, and most importantly, (<Meta Name = “Keywords” Content =), the words that follow are the Keywords used to get Search Engine Optimization by your direct competitor!  Open your word document, the one where you recorded your Keywords and Keyword Phrases, make a section heading of your Competitors Name and copy paste your competitors Keyword list.  Repeat this process with at least the top 10 of your competitors Web Sites.

At this point you have a long list of potential Keywords and Keyword Phrases.  Which seem to be universal among your competitors?  Do you see any that surprise you or spark your interest, which you had not included in your Keyword list?

 

Now begin making a final list of the “Best” Keywords and Keyword Phrases.  What are the right Keywords to use and which are the wrong ones?  The Keywords that are used by all your competitors are SEO “Keys” to the industry nitch as a whole, but combining those with Keywords unique to your business or service, may be your key to the top of the Search Engine list for a particular search.  It is the Unique groupings of Keywords and Keyword Phrases and using those “Keys” throughout the content and updates of that Web Site, which will give a Web Site its “Rank”  Each search made on a search engine has Unique characteristics, you need to optimize for as many of those searches as you can.

Can Search Rank be bought, Yes, is paying for rank the only way to be found, NO!  Keyword Strategy and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the first step towards getting found in the modern jungle known as the internet!

 

Still confused, why re-invent the wheel?  There are many fine companies which will help to optimize your company’s Web Site.  Perhaps none have the expertise combined with the extremely competitive pricing of BizCentralUSA.  Since 2003, BizCentralUSA has helped over 10,000 small businesses and has been on the cutting edge of Web Site optimization and competitive marketing.  As part of a complete Marketing Package, BizCentralUSA can not only optimize your keywords and author your Web Site for SEO (Search Engine Optimization), but make your Web Site look and feel like an industry leading Authority at the same time!  A Web Site that represents an industry leader like your business with style and class!

It is the Unique groupings of Keywords and Keyword Phrases and using those “Keys” throughout the content and updates of that Web Site, which will give a Web Site its “Rank” Each search made on a search engine has Unique characteristics, you need to optimize for as many of those searches as you can. Can Search Rank be bought, Yes, is paying for rank the only way to be found, NO! Keyword Strategy and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the first step towards getting found in the modern jungle known as the internet!  Still confused, why re-event the wheel?

There are many fine companies which will help to optimize your company’s Web Site. Perhaps none have the expertise combined with the extremely competitive pricing of BizCentralUSA. Since 2003, BizCentral USA has helped over 10,000 small businesses and has been on the cutting edge of Web Site optimization and competitive marketing. As part of a complete Marketing Package, BizCentralUSA.com can not only optimize your keywords and author your Web Site for SEO Search Engine Optimization, but make your Web Site look and feel like an industry leading Web Site at the same time! A Web Site that represents an industry leader like your business with style and class! Look for Part 2 of this series, we will finalize your Keyword list and delve into the world of SEO for Small Business Search Engine Optimization and Keyword Placement throughout your Web Site!To learn more about BizCentralUSA and the full range of services we provide small to mid-sized business, visit www.BizCentralUSA.com or call 1.877.857.9002

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on December 7, 2011 under Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets | Be the First to Comment

What you Need to know about

SEO for Small Business:

Keyword Strategy

by Chris Romero and T. Roblin Reich

SEO for Small Business? Blogs, Directory Listings, Social Media, Link building, the list goes on and on. How does any of this make your small business Blog and Web Site better? What does a Keyword and a Search Engine have to do with the creative substance of the article and the message your business wants to get across?

The answer is simple: nothing and everything! SEO for Small Business – Keyword Strategy or Search Engine Optimization and the use of Keywords, H1 tags and URLs have little or nothing to do with your creative content. However, they are all part of the process and when the article is published in a blog and as part of your website on the broader blogosphere and a potential customer is looking for that information through a search engine, that article, your blog and your web site will never be found without the Small Businessproficient use of SEO for Business – Keyword Strategy (search Engine Optimization), H1 tags, URLs and the rest of the package so often over looked by small businesses.

To play in today’s Web Arena, you need to learn the tricks and follow the rules. On one hand, your business can now publish an article and have it viewed by millions of people without ever being “Published” in the traditional sense. In the old days, you would need to make the kind of news that interested business journals or industry rags. To do this you would have to smooze the writers, perhaps hire a Public Relations Agent familiar with your target market, maybe place adds in the target publication and hope the article Small Business and SEOwould be “spun” positively in the direction of the message you were trying to convey. Even if all went as planned, even if the article was a great big add for your key product, even if your company name appeared over and over, the readership or “Unique Impressions” may have only been 80,000 and of that, how many unique readers of that publication actually read your specific article? How many would even know that that article with just the information the potential customer needed to know, was there?

Today the rules have changed, but the game is the essentially the same! An innovative company must get an article featuring a unique product or service read by as many “Unique Impressions”, who are actually looking for that product or service, as possible. However, today the Public Relations agent and the hard copy publication salesman is replaced with Search Engines and SEO for

Small Business SEO

Business – Keyword Strategy! If Keywords are used correctly and SEO for Business – Keyword Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, is maximized, that same article can be picked up by thousands of unique on line blogs and publications allowing it to be exposed to millions of “unique Impressions”. It takes work, expertise and investment to do this correctly, but like I said “the rules have changed, but the game is the same”.
We are going to deal with Keywords in part one of this series on SEO. You, as a company must ask “Who is this company?”, “What what does the company really do?” What unique service does this company provide?” SEO for Small Business – Keyword Strategy or Search Engine Optimization revolves around Keywords and Key phrases. Decide who you are as a business and what your target market is. Who is your target audience and what “Keywords” will “Find” that audience. In future articles we will deal with Keyword Placement, SEO for Business – Keyword Strategy and URL utilization to maximize search engine results. In the final segment we will reveal super secret tricks to take what you’ve learned and truly maximize your exposure!

 

Finding the ideal Keywords is a process, one your company must master! Let’s have some fun with a Keyword list. First open a Word Document and record every word or phrase that you think fully explains your business, the services or products you provide and that

Small Business SEO

special element that makes you “Unique”.
Keyword = A word or phrase that pinpoints what you are uniquely about. Additional Keywords = a word or phrase that targets your industry or market segment.
Here comes one of those tricks I promised! Go to Google while visiting the Internet through Internet Explorer. Search for your key competitors within the industry you operate (Local, National and International). Go to the home page of one of the web sites of a respected and top rated competitor. On the right side or “Ribbon” of that Web Site Home Page, Right Click your mouse, a menu will appear, highlight and then Left Click on “VIEW SOURCE” about half way down on the pop up menu. You will bring up a new page, you are looking at the actual HTML code of you competitors Web Site, don’t worry it is OK!

 

Look for Part 2 to find out what you can do to Maximize your SEO for Small Business.

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on December 1, 2011 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Secrets | Be the First to Comment

Today, The BizCentral USA Team saw an amazing seminar by Patrick Schwerdtfeger on Social Media and the Future of Marketing at the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando, Florida.

We have decided to radically change our marketiung procedures at BizCentralUSA, CharityNetUSA and CHurchNetUSA as a result. You should check Patrick’s lates book out as well as engage with the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando, Florida.

Did you know that Orlando is one of the top 10 places to start a small business? The National EC has a lot to do with that. We will be updating you on our new found alliance with Patrick and the NEC in the weeks to come. Until then, enjoy this article that Patrick wrote. The future of marketing is here and keep in touch with us to let you know more about it. Enjoy the read and keep up with us on twitter and facebook. Thanks

“Ever since the 19th century, the prevailing trend in marketing has been an increasing focus on the consumer. Today, the value-first moniker allows potential buyers to actually sample the product before buying, an evolution from the liberal return policies of the 90s.

We’ve all been in Costco and enjoyed little morsels of food before buying anything. And on the internet, this is even more common. Website users are given more free information and resources than ever before, all in the name of building trust and demonstrating expertise, increasing the ODDS of a future sale.

Going forward, the consumer focus will evolve even more. Successful marketers will be those who actually HELP potential buyers become successful themselves. Marketing messages will all target the achievement of the buyers own objectives. Giving your buyers a platform to stand on will be the next wave of marketing methodology.

Of course, the many forums on the internet were among the first iterations of this approach, giving all of us a way to promote ourselves and demonstrate our own expertise. And all the user-driven platforms like MarketWatch and others are another manifestation. Social Bookmarking is yet one more.

These platforms all present the ultimate objectivity because the content is being contributed and validated by the audience, not the host. The applications are fairly novice so far but the integration and aggregation of regular life activities will soon incorporate all areas of our lives.

Decisions we make will be recorded, aggregated and made available to others considering similar decisions. And wherever possible, the results of these decisions will be aggregated as well, giving future decision-makers additional insight when planning their own activities.

There will be three effects of this. First, we will become increasingly aware of the “average person” around us. We will have direct visual access to a true cross-section of the population … and it will remind us all how uneducated most people are. Sad but true. Most people know little or nothing about the major events shaping our time in history.

Secondly, it will widen the division between the “leaders” and the “followers”. The majority of the population will seek approval and validation by following the crowd. And, of course, we will know EXACTLY what the crowd is doing. But there will be a smaller subset of the population that will purposefully go in the other direction and that will feed creativity and innovation.

Third, the acceptance and critical mass stages of a successful new product will accelerate even more as new success stories will be apparent to a wider audience in real time. This will widen the gap between product providers and product consumers and allow the providers of successful products to achieve incredible success quicker. In other words, business owners will have more leverage than ever and the division between the rich and the poor will magnify further.

Tactical Execution provides implementation solutions for businesses that are ready to take action. There is a ton of great information available on the website and I hope you take advantage of those resources.

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on November 17, 2011 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Secrets,Small Biz Startup | Be the First to Comment

Start a Home Based Business: 5 Reasons you should

You may want to start a home based business and you need to decide whether or not you should operate your business from a home office or if your small business will require a more traditional office setting. Below you will see 5 reasons to operate your business from home if your specific business allows for home-based operations.
Start-Up Costs:
When evaluating your home based business or small business’ start-up expenses you will find that starting a small business and operating your business from home will usually have fewer start-up expenses. When starting a traditional office-based business you may have start-up expenses associated with 1st and last month rent, security deposits, establishing utilities, furnishing the office with desks, computers, ECT. By operating your small business from home you may be able to significantly reduce these costs or eliminate them altogether.
Hours of Operation:
While many traditional offices hours are restricted to 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, home-based businesses can be open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. With an online business designed to process payment and outsource orders to a warehouse or distributer, people from around the world can purchase your products or services on your small business website while you are working, when you’re not working, while you are sleeping, even when you are sick or on vacation.
Customer Base:
Many brick and mortar business’ customers are restricted to locals or people willing to travel to the business’s location. When you operate a home-based business, especially an online business, it allows you to have a customer base worldwide.
Start Slow:
One great benefit of starting a small business from home is the fact that you don’t have to jump in with both feet right away. You can start slow by operating your business in your spare time, while remaining employed with your current employer. You should be sure that operating your small business does not violate any noncompeting clauses that you may have signed with your current employer. You can speak to your employer or legal council before starting a business to determine if starting your new home-based business will violate a noncompeting clause that you have signed.
Resources:
It today’s environment of information at the click of a button, there is vast amount of home-based small business resources easily accessible to business owners. Much of this information is available for free or at minimal cost online. You can find tutorials, forums, blogs, courses, eBooks, and other forms of information to help your small home-based business start and grow to become successful. One great place to start is BizCentralUSA.com, with its vast business resources and frequent free webinars.
With all of the benefits of starting a small business and operating it from home, unless your small business industry is unsuitable for home based business operations, you should definitely take operating from home into consideration when deciding to start a small business. As your business grows and you accounting and marketing complications mount, you can hire a staff, with a web/IT specialist, marketing specialist, book keeper, HR manager and graphics/advertising dept, or look into much less expensive solutions like those at BizCentralUSA, which enable you to stay home and do what you do best as inexpensively as possible. Even if you decide to operate your small business from a traditional office I would still recommend that you check out the services of a company like BizCentralUSA. Additionally they can help you build and develop a small home based business website and web presence where you can take orders and process payments so that your small business is not restricted to local customers and your hours of operation.

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