Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on December 1, 2011 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Secrets | 
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 September 22, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Webinars |
It is time for another small business webinar event hosted by BizCentral USA. This week’s webcast we will take a look at basic financial management best practices for small businesses. Specifically, bookkeeping is one task that many small businesses neglect or make half-hearted efforts at doing. Both options are a mistake.
With that said, I would like to personally invite you to spend some time with BizCentral USA and learn a number of ways to make sure that your small business gets its financials in order!
Topics of Interest:
• Things Needed to get Started
• Bookkeeping & Accounting Process
• Financial Reporting Tools
• Solutions and Tips on Record Keeping
Click Here to Register!
Join us to learn the importance of basic financial management, bookkeeping and accounting and how to master it so your business can reap the benefits! Have questions you would like us to answer during the webcast? Enter them into the comments section below and we will be sure to review them!
Hope to see you there!
Posted by Jennifer Nelson on September 14, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Startup |
Frequently, I have clients ask about different opportunities to fund their small business startup and it seems that most individuals are interested in investors. This term tends to be the nebulous catch all for individuals that give away money but there are important distinctions in investor groups. This article is meant to help you understand venture capitalist, angel investors, and individual investors.
Venture Capitalist
Venture capital investments are generally made in cash in exchange for shares in the invested small business. It is typical for venture capital investors to identify and back companies in high technology industries such as biotechnology and IT (Information Technology). In 2008, venture capitalist-backed account for 10 percent of sales and private employment, but well less than 1 percent of companies.
Venture capital is important for building high growth companies. Venture Capitalist backed projects are 150 times more likely than average small business startup to create jobs. Venture Capitalists invested $18 billion in business startups last year. Over all, venture capitalists made 2,802 deals, investing in 2,372 companies. Approximately 728 small businesses received first-time funds or $3.3 billion in first-time financing. In 2008, average Venture Capitalist investment was $7.4 million. Venture capitalists are often the first choice for firms who are looking for a large-scale project or need money for research purposes.
Angel Investors
An angel investor, also known as an informal investor is an affluent group of individuals who provide capital for a small 
business startup, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. There is a growing trend for angel investors to pool together into angel groups or angel networks to share research and pool their investment capital. In 2008, the average angel group investment was $275,000. As a whole, angel groups make one quarter of the investments of venture capitalists. Always have your documents reviewed by a lawyer before you agree to any funding terms.
Individual Investors
Individual investors are often persons who dabble in investments and have limited funds to appropriate to your small business. Many times individual investors are people you know like family and friends. The average individual angel investment is only $77,000, half of individual angel capital is provided as debt, and more than 2/3 of individual angels are unaccredited. Be careful when dealing with individual investors, providing appropriate rates of return using debt would violate usury laws.
Whichever method you choose it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your investor. In 2008, overall 7.3% of business plans made it through the screening process. Only 3.3% made it to the presentation process. About 2.8% had investors complete due diligence and 2.1% received investment. Working with investors is competitive and it is important that your business plan meet their exacting standards. A solid small business plan should grab hold of the vision in which you want your company to be perceived, plant the seed to grow a successful and profitable small business and prove the two previous points to investors. Finally, always understand the investor’s business plan qualifications before you begin solicitations. Being smart early on will increase the chances of your success and help you achieve that all-important capital for your small business startup.
Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on August 30, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Planning,Small Biz Webinars |
It has arrived – The BizCentral September line-up of free small business webinar events. Focusing on core planning and financial fundamentals of small businesses, September’s line-up is aimed at aligning small business startups with best practices to sustain healthy business growth.
It has become evident that business plan development and financial management are among some of the top hurdles small businesses face so it really just makes sense to focus on addressing those fundamental topics that are too often overlooked by early-stage and small business startups.
Details About BizCentral USA’s Free Small Business Webinars:
Small business webinars are hosted online at any computer with internet access. All webinars will begin at 3pm EST and typically last 1-hour. Following the presentation, a live question and answer session will give attendees the opportunity to receive in-depth answers to their specific organizational questions.
- 9/14/2010 Getting on the Path to Small Business Success: Development of a Strong Business Plan – Register Now
- 9/28/2010 Basic Financial Management for Small Businesses: Getting your Books in Place – Register Now
Those unable to attend the live small business webinars, no need to worry – Every installment of the small business webinars is recorded and can be viewed on-demand at any computer – any time of day. To learn more or RSVP for any of the September small business webinar events, visit: http://bizcentralusa.com/webinar/september.php
Posted by Biz Central USA Marketing Team on August 19, 2010 under Small Biz News,Small Biz Webinars |
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 |
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 |
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 21, 2010 under Small Biz News,Small Biz Tax Filing,Small Biz Webinars |
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 |
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 June 11, 2010 under Small Biz and Entrepreneurship,Small Biz Marketing,Small Biz Webinars |
Getting Your Small Business Started with Social Media!
Whether you are selling products/services or just publishing content for ad revenue, social media is a potent marketing method that will make your small business profitable over time.
From social networking and blogging to bookmarking and video streaming, there are dozens of ways to implement social media into your marketing mix, but that means nothing if they are not implemented effectively. In order for your efforts to provide you with a significant return, you must figure out what methods work best for you and know how to execute them!
We invite you to spend a valuable hour with BizCentral USA and learn how to get started utilizing social media to grow your small business by building content online that will get people talking!
Topics of Interest:
- The New Realm of Social Media
- 5 Social Media Methods
- How to get People Talking
- Integrating your Social Media Campaigns
Don’t get left in the dust! Get social and start reaching millions through this new medium!
RSVP Today! http://bit.ly/aulL97
