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 August 19, 2010 under Small Biz News,Small Biz Webinars | Read the First Comment

Join us for a free Small Business Webinar, where we will discuss how No Business is too Small to Become a Good Corporate Citizen!

Yesterday’s practice of companies simply giving money away to good causes has been superseded by today’s strategic corporate philanthropy, which ties donations of time, money, and in-kind gifts to defined business goals and desired benefits.  

Companies that have created corporate foundations have discovered that partnerships between private enterprise and public interest can produce profitable outcomes for all.  The numbers indicate clearly: companies large and small do well by doing good.

We invite you to spend some invaluable time with BizCentral USA and learn how to create a foundation for your small business!

Topics of Interest:

• Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility
• Foundation Case Studies
• Services Available through CSR

Join us for a free Small Business Webinar on Aug. 24th, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST) & learn how to Establish your own corporate social responsibility and give back to the community.

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on August 11, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz News,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

A Free Small Business Webinar on Starting your Business off on the Right Foot with Email Marketing!

The Pew Internet and American Life Project, says e-mail remains the number-one online activity of Americans and can deliver a higher return on investment than methods such as direct mail and advertising.  So as a small business, it’s important to capitalize on this trend! By adopting the right strategies and practices now, you can maximize the inbox to capitalize on acquiring new customers and retaining current ones.

We invite you to spend some valuable time with BizCentral USA and learn step-by-step effective strategies for implementing successful email marketing campaigns.

Topics of Interest:
• Email Marketing Fundamentals
• Design and Layout Best Practices
• What you Don’t see That can Make or Break your Campaign
• Building your Email Lists
• Complying with Regulations & Getting your Emails Delivered

Join us August 17th, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST) and Learn how to maximize the inbox and start reaching thousands with one click!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on August 3, 2010 under Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

Join us for a Free Small Business Webinar to Discuss the Planning & Preparing of the Startup of your Small Business!

Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss, setting your salary, and designating your work hours? You’re not alone!  Many people find themselves interested in owning their own business but are unsure how to get started.

Starting a successful business requires a great deal of preparation.  There are many important decisions to make and many rules and procedures that must be addressed. With an informed and educated approach, your business can be fulfilling and profitable, but it is essential to make key financial decisions and complete a series of legal activities.  

We invite you to spend some invaluable time with BizCentral USA and listen to critical information that will help you plan, prepare, and manage the startup of your small business.

Topics of Interest:
•Registration & Licensing
•Legal Formation
•Financing

Join us for a free Small Business Webinar on Aug. 10, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST) and learn how to prepare your small business for success!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on July 26, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

Several times a day I am approached by people who are interested in starting a business, but they don’t want to hassle with the headaches and cost of customer service, production, quality control and shipping.  The best advice I can give them is to look into the BizCentral Independent Consultant Opportunity.  What is this program?  Well, first of all, let me ask you a few questions.

Are you currently working in the B2B arena? Do you have lots of small business, nonprofit or church contacts? Are you looking to start or expand your business with additional products and services for startups, small businesses or nonprofits?   If you answered “yes” to any of the above, we have the perfect solution for you! 

Why not join the BizCentral Independent Consultant group.  The benefits of our program allows us to operate as your “back office,” allowing you to focus on “making money”, building relationships and enjoy residual income without having to do constant cold calls.

So what are a few highlights of the program?  Let me give a quick recap:
•Uncapped Income
•Ability to Integrate our Service into a Current Model
•Ongoing Sales and Marketing Support
•New Consultant Web Portal

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a pretty good opportunity to me! If you are interested in learning more, then be sure to join us for an online interactive info session on July 30th, 2010 from 1 pm – 2 pm EST! 

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on July 21, 2010 under Small Biz News,Small Biz Tax Filing,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

Join us for a FREE small business webinar, where we will take A look at City, State & Federal Filings and Deadlines!

There are many forms entrepreneurs will encounter when forming and operating a small business, including federal, state, and internal.  Many of these forms vary from state to state so it is important to always check what forms are required for your business, but how do you know what to file and when to file it?

Unfortunately, the government will expect you to know what the forms are for and when they must be filed and neglecting to file or filing inaccurately could mean heavy fines and penalties for your small business!

We invite you to spend some quality time with BizCentral USA and learn how you can help keep your small business on track and  avoid hefty fines by staying in compliance!

Topics of Interest:
• Key Terms to Help Understand Forms
• State Filing Forms
• Federal Filing Forms
• Critical Deadlines for Filing

Don’t miss our FREE small business webinar on July 27, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST)! Rsvp Today: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/327089258

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on July 15, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz News | Be the First to Comment

Marketing is defined as the process by which companies determine what products or services may be of interest to customers and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It is an integrated process through which companies create value for customers and build strong customer relationships in order to capture value from customers in return.

Marketing incorporates or impacts heavily upon all of the following activities:

  • Business Development
  • Product Development
  • Market Development
  • Market Research
  • Competitor Analysis
  • Pricing Strategy
  • Public Relations
  • Customer Service
  • Promotions
  • Brand Development
  • Company/Corporate Identity

Marketing Mix: the four P’s of marketing…

Product is what you are selling. Not just the physical product or the actual service, but all the customer benefits and values that the product represents. It is usually not important to have the best possible product. Cutting edge and feature-packed products cost more. The key is to have the most valuable product in its price range. The term “product” refers to tangible, physical products as well as services. Here are some examples of the product decisions to be made:

  • Brand name
  • Functionality
  • Styling
  • Quality
  • Safety
  • Packaging
  • Repairs and Support
  • Warranty
  • Accessories and services

Price is the amount that the customer must pay. This is the acid test of whether the features you added to the product were really valuable, or whether you might have been better to cut a few low-value features out. Some examples of pricing decisions to be made include:

  • Pricing strategy (skim, penetration, etc.)
  • Suggested retail price
  • Volume discounts and wholesale pricing
  • Cash and early payment discounts
  • Seasonal pricing
  • Bundling
  • Price flexibility
  • Price discrimination

Place (distribution) is your physical location. Place is still important for online businesses because of shipping costs and for online customers that look for local and regional suppliers. Distribution is about getting the products to the customer. Some examples of distribution decisions include:

  • Distribution channels
  • Market coverage (inclusive, selective, or exclusive distribution)
  • Specific channel members
  • Inventory management
  • Warehousing
  • Distribution centers
  • Order processing
  • Transportation
  • Reverse logistics

Promotion is not only advertising and promotions, but also sponsorships, public relations, special offers, viral marketing, and so much more. In the context of the marketing mix, promotion represents the various aspects of marketing communication. That is, the communication of information about the product with the goal of generating a positive customer response. Marketing communication decisions include:

  • Promotional strategy (push, pull, etc.)
  • Advertising
  • Personal selling & sales force
  • Sales promotions
  • Public relations & publicity
  • Marketing communications budget

Hopefully this article provided you with a better understanding of what marketing is, the marketing mix and how you can utilize all of the aspects of marketing to help you grow your small business.

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on July 13, 2010 under Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz News,Small Biz Webinars | Be the First to Comment

A FREE Small Business Webinar to Help Establish Your Action Plan for Growth!A marketing plan is a road map detailing the route you’ll take to get your business noticed by potential clients, media and future partners.  By following a properly crafted plan, you’ll know what to do and why you are doing it, while avoiding some of the mistakes that can cost you money and future growth.  The plan will strategically offer options to keep you motivated, organized, prepared and headed in the right direction to reach your identified goals.  

We invite you to spend some invaluable time with BizCentral USA and learn how to create a strategic plan of action to market your small business!

Topics of Interest:
• Researching and Setting the Groundwork
• Developing the Plan
• Strategies and Implementation Methods

Join us for a free small business webinar on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm and learn how to commit to a plan of action that will take your business to the next level in strategic marketing!

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on June 29, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News,Small Biz Planning | Be the First to Comment

Many people dream of being able to transition seamlessly from a hobby that they enjoy into a profitable business based on their hobby. If the business would be successful, it would be beneficial to start a business based on a hobby.  Think about it -you already understand the dialect, the concepts, the community, and the psychographics and demographics of the market.  This would give you a great competitive advantage! It would certainly be great to be paid for doing something that you already enjoy doing for free.  But don’t run out and start your business until you have done all of the necessary research to determine if the business will be successful.

Conduct Market Research on Your Business Idea:

  • Will someone pay me for my product or service?
  • If so, will a buyer pay enough so I can make a profit?
  • Will enough people buy my product or service so that I can make a living?
  • Is there an economical way to distribute and sell my product or service?

Create a Business Plan:

  • What sort of capital do I need to start the business?
  • When can I expect to make a profit?
  • How much income can I expect in year one, two, and three?

Evaluate Your Business Sense:

  • Do you have what it takes to run a business?
  • Can you have your business and the lifestyle you want?
  • Will you still love your hobby when it’s a business?

Have A Realistic Understanding Of How Running The Business Will Affect Your Life:

  • How will this business affect me?
  • How will this business affect my family?
  • How will this business affect important relationships in my life?

Decide If Part-Time Or Full-Time Business Ownership Is Right For You:

Would it make sense to leave my current employment to dedicate full time to the business?

Would it make more sense to start the business part-time until it takes off?

Find a Creative Business Angle:

  • Solve a problem
  • Teach others
  • Sell the raw materials
  • Expand into related services

Once you have conducted all of your research, you should have a better understanding of whether your hobby would make a successful business. Your business plan will tell you how much capital your business will need to start, how much you will need to charge for your products or services, how many units you will need to sell in order to break even, and your products or services profitability. Once you have an understanding of how operating your business will affect your life, you will be able to determine if you should start your business part-time or jump right in full-time. If you do decide to move forward starting your business, you will need to find creative ways to differentiate your products and services from all of the competitors in the market place.

Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on April 14, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz News | Be the First to Comment

Whether you are just starting out or growing your small business, a sound business plan is your roadmap to success.

Writing a business plan will force you to objectively develop and evaluate your tactical and strategic plans. It will also help you identify the opportunities and risks encountered as a result of your decisions. Most importantly, you will understand who your customers are and how you can meet or exceed their needs and expectations.

We invite you to spend some invaluable time with BizCentral USA and learn how to not just build an effective business plan, but utilize it to insure your small business’ success! 

Topics of Interest:

  • Company Summary
  • Strategy & Implementation
  • Financials
  • Market Segmentation

Don’t let your small business dreams fail or fall short of their actual potential!  Learn how to prepare your small business for success by attending our webinar on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from  3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EST).

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