I totally agree! For years I struggled with pricing because I didn't understand my value. You have to know your benefits, you have to know what extras you offer that are valuable to your target.
I also feel that people are afraid to do survey's because they fear rejection. Rejected that no one cares to answer the survey. Or if they do take the time, they may find out things they don't want to know.
Balance is a hard thing for the small business owner, Sylvaine. I know first hand what you mean. But I am here to say, after you make time for it and develop a system for it, it does become routine. Once it becomes routine, you don't have to focus so much time on it and then there is balance once again. Well...until the next big thing comes that we small businesses MUST do. haha!
Thank you, Darin and Christina. I am glad you found the article informative. Is there anything in particular that you really found more helpful and maybe would like to learn more about?
You're welcome Irene. I just traveled this week and it worked like a champ. At the end of the flight, my new friend and I exchanged business cards and I have already followed up. :)
Kimberly, let me know if my suggestions work for you on your trip across the country. I am eager to hear about it. Thank you for your comment!
Great read and I think you summed up the best advice out there clearly and concisely.
That is funny, Laura. No, I don't just hop on a plane to anywhere for the day JUST to network on a plane. But if I am already intending to fly somewhere I use my time on the plane wisely. Good question and it made me chuckle. Thanks!
Thanks Mary, for your comment and being a fellow lover of hot sauces. You are so lucky that you have so many to choose from. The southeast, where I live, you don't get many people who can handle mild spices much less a hotter spice.
Packaging is key when you don't have a nice old man doing his own marketing/selling. haha
If you are interested...I know of a wonderful new gourmet sauce that is flavorful and has a nice heat level. Let me know and I'll message you the website. (I don't know if me promoting a client's product is kosher with Biznik in the comments section.) But this stuff is TASTY! I got to taste all the prototypes.
Thank you, Jennifer and Monica, for you comments. Planning is key and we can all fall victim if we don't schedule ourselves around our internal productivity clock and set up our own Focus Fixes ahead of time. Cheers!
You have all the main branding points in this article, well done! I find the biggest issue in small business branding is they underestimate "image is everything." Perception sells. To compete today, you have to look like a million dollars—but I agree with you that you don't have to pay a million dollars to get that image. There are plenty of branding professionals and designers that can improve your business image and your ROI! Cheers!
Vena, I am so happy that you are able to handle and welcome daily distractions. Please know that this is one of your gifts/talents and not everyone is like you. Most new work-from-home businesses are not nearly as balanced or disciplined and do find it hard to shift between work and interruptions. I do appreciate you commenting letting us know there are people out there that can balance these tasks. Rock on!
Thank you to Linda and Lorna for your comments as well. I am very happy that I have hit on an issue you both can relate to. Cheers!
Thank you, Chris, for this timely article on Google+. On my radio show this week, we just interviewed someone on the benefits of Google+ over Facebook and this dovetails nicely. I posted...of all things...your article on my radio show's Facebook page! Haha!
@Jason Spanos: You are right...this does apply to very large brands. If you are an entrepreneur with less than $1M in revenue and you aren't dreaming that your business isn't going to be a household name from the start, your not dreaming big enough. As business owners, it is our responsibility to know about these things now so we can make the necessary decisions from the start of our business idea.
And some people just don't know or think about these kinds of issues until it is too late. And yes, it is a "good" problem to have from one point of view...but when you are experiencing it, I would say from that point of view you are thinking about how much time, effort, money and sweat you have put into a company name/brand just to have it become lexicon and ANY good or bad brand can use it an benefit from it? Sounds pretty pointless.
@Nélida Kreer: It isn't just an Uruguay thing...the South (the southeastern most US states) are notorious for calling any caramel colored soda a "Coke." So it probably is more of a world issue for Coca-Cola.
@Everyone: Thank you to everyone for all the responses today. I am sure there are many more brands that are in fear of Brand Genericide and already been a victim. Keep coming up with more and maybe we can come up with a complete consolidated list. :)
I couldn't agree more. Time management is crucial to running a successful business! Great article, Linda!
Thank you, Steve! I am glad you liked the article. And thank you for sharing your facebook biz page. I have now liked it!
Rosie, good point for Microsoft Clip Art. But not all clip art has those rules. Different rules apply to public domain, royalty-free and licensing clip art. Here is an article that seems to address each: http://www.ehow.com/how_2091753_follow-copyright-laws-using-web.html
The long and short of it is: A logo and/or your branding materials should express you, your business culture and attract your target. Achieving a clear, cohesive and attractive brand is nearly impossible with public domain clip art.
Thank you, Rosie and Alison for commenting!
Another great article, Melanie!
Thank you for your comment, Silvia. I don't necessarily keep a journal for future blog posts, but rather on my phone, I have a file that I add to when ideas hit me while I am out and about. I do feel I do my best thinking in the car while driving and I record these thoughts while they are fresh. (I do have a hands-free phone so it makes it easy and safe to do so.)
I agree...whatever form you choose, a journal in some form is VERY beneficial and it takes away that "blank page, what am I going to write" fear.
Lieve, thank you so much for the kind words. Two years ago, I was also in your shoes. I am a visual artist and never once thought I could write. The secrets are 1.) be yourself, 2.) your knowledge of your industry is uniquely yours and 3.) hire an editor to make sure your grammar is up to snuff.
With those three secret tips and the basic ones above...you will rock your audience's socks off!
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