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Staples Small Business PUSH Contest

Staples-Push-Small-Business-ContestWin a free TV commercial to promote your business with Staples’ Small Business Push Contest.

How it Works
Create a 15-second video that includes your small businesses name, description and location of your business, as well as what makes your business unique.

That’s a lot to pack into a mere 15 seconds, but making the effort to create the best video possible gives you more than a chance to win one of Staples five grand prizes — it also gives you an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of your small business.

Who’s Eligible
According to Staples, the contest is “open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous U.S. and D.C., who are 18 years of age and older as of date of Entry and who are employed at a small business.”

Staples defines a small business as, “a privately owned corporation, partnership, LLC or sole proprietorship; a for-profit business; having less than 50 employees; and must not be a franchise. Certain types of businesses are ineligible.” Please refer to the Entry Guidelines listed on Staples Official Rules page for more details.

How to Enter
Visit Staples’ Contest Page on Facebook. Click “Like” to gain full entry into the contest page and complete the on-screen registration form. Finally, you’ll have to upload a video or record a video via a Webcam (“Video”). Be sure to include your small businesses name, a description and location of your business, as well as what makes your business unique. Videos may be no longer than 15 seconds, and must be no larger than 20 MB. Visit the Official Rules page for a full list of technical requirements regarding your video.

The Deadline
Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on March 14, 2012.

Public Voting
In addition to being judged by a contest sponsor, Staples has included a public voting component to the contest. “All eligible Videos will be posted to the Gallery during the Contest Period for viewing/voting by the general public. Once posted, Sponsor reserves the right to remove an Entry, in their sole discretion if they find the Entry violates the Official Rules in any manner. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Gallery each day and vote for their favorite Entry. Limit one vote per person per day. Voters must be legal residents of the 48 contiguous U.S., who are 18 years of age or older.”

Prize Details
There will be five (5) Grand Prize Winners. Each winner can choose from either of the following packages:

1) $50,000.00 worth of broadcast TV advertising in winner’s local TV market, and a $500 copy and print bundle (awarded as a Staples Gift Card).

2) $40,000.00 worth of broadcast TV advertising in winner’s local TV market, a $500 copy & print bundle (awarded as a Staples Gift Card), and $10,000 to help offset taxes (awarded as a check).

For more info on prize details, public voting rules and determination of grand prize winners, please visit the Official Rules page.

Best of luck in the contest and with your small business!

Business Blogs

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Small Business Saturday is November 26, 2011

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/SmallBusinessSaturday-AmericanExpress.jpgJust a reminder, this weekend is Small Business Saturday, sponsored by AMEX. “It’s a day dedicated to supporting small business on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.”

The Date
November 26th, 2011.

The Purpose
It’s a day where shoppers can “pledge to shop small at your favorite local stores, and fuel your local economy.”

Get Your Small Business Involved
Have a small business? You’ll have to act fast if you want to participate in this years event. Visit AMEX’s Small Business Saturday Facebook page, where you’ll find free tools to help you get started promoting your business, creating an offer and rallying your customers.

Support Your Local Businesses
If you’re a consumer who is enamored with a local business, make sure you shop there this Saturday — and let them know you’re supporting them because you love them. You can also encourage friends and family to do the same.

Being mindful about supporting our favorite small businesses is one of the ways we can help keep our community flourishing — even in a poor economy.

Business Blogs

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Presentation Zen: The Cure to Painful PowerPoint Presentations

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ZEN-iStock_000007042277Small.jpgWhen facilitating a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation, you may have noticed that presenting can be a painful experience for everybody involved.

PowerPoint presentations with detailed graphs and an onslaught of bulleted sentences do not bring joy to anyone in the room. But with a few zen-inspired changes, your presentations can go from dreadful to delightful.

I’m serious.

There’s a book called Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds, that demonstrates exactly how to bring your presentation, and your audience, to new heights.

Here’s what marketing and social media guru Seth Godin has to say about Presentation Zen. “Please don’t buy this book! Once people start making better presentations, mine won’t look so good. (But if you truly want to learn what works and how to do it right, Garr is the man to learn from.”

I have learned so much from this book — from what a slide should look like in Keynote, to how it can complement and reinforce my words instead of simply repeating them.

Garr draws upon the simplicity of Zen to help us build better presentations. But the concepts he shares go far beyond PowerPoint presentations. They make sense in all aspects of our business and our life.

If you’re looking to become a better presenter, and truly connect with your audience, I highly recommend Presentation Zen.

When facilitating a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation, you may have noticed that presenting can be a painful experience for everybody involve d.

PowerPoint presentations with d etailed graphs and an onslaught of bulleted sentences do not bring joy to anyone in the room. But with a few zen-inspired changes, you r presentations can go from dreadful to delightful.

I’m serious.

There’s a book called Presentation Zen , by Garr Reynolds, that demonstrates exactly how to bring your presentation, and y our audience, to new heights.

Here’s what marketing and social media guru Seth Godin has to say about Presentation Zen. “Please don’t buy this book! Once people start making better presentations, mine won’t look so good. (But if you truly want to learn what works and how to do it right, Garr is the man to learn from.”

I have learned so much from this book — from what a slide should look like in Keynote, to how it can complement and reinforce my words instead of simply repeating them.

Garr draws upon the simplicity of Zen to help us build better presentations. But the concepts he shares go far beyond PowerPoint presentations. They make sense in all aspects of our business and our life.

If you’re looking to become a better presenter, and truly connect with your audience, I highly recommend Presentation Zen.

Merchant-friendly Daily Deals from Everybodybuys.com

Websites like Groupon and Living Social charge small businesses a hefty fee for their daily deals. Everybodybuys.com aims to help merchants by allowing them to keep the full profit on the deal provided.

Instead of charging a fee to small businesses, Everybodybuys.com charges consumers a small fee to purchase a deal. This allows small businesses to keep the full profit when consumers redeem their coupon.

“It’s just not sustainable in a lot of cases to be giving up that much money, which is why we created the ‘Buy Here, Save There’ program,” said Mitch Sibonney, partner of Everybodybuys.com.

Social media plays a huge role for Everybodybuys.com. According to the company’s Web site, they follow a policy similar to Groupon called collective buying. Collective buying means there is a minimum amount of sales Everybodybuys.com must make for a particular deal in order for it to become valid.

Because of collective buying, Everybodybuys.com relies heavily on their consumers to spread the word on social media about a deal they are attempting to purchase. If the minimum amount of sales are not met on a particular deal, no one receives it.

If you’re a small business looking to offer a great deal and spread the word about your company, Everybdybuys.com might be a good fit for your marketing and sales campaign.

The Social Media Free-for-all

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Social-Media-iStock_000016854973Small.jpg

Like us. Follow us. Add us to your network.

Social media is like a huge meet-and-greet, a sea of companies all wanting us to click and pick them as one of our favorites. Only this meet-and-greet is often one sided, with many companies having a single objective on social networking sites — to promote themselves.

Companies that have a successful LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook page understand that building an online following hinges on two things:

  • Connecting with the right audience
  • Giving them something they value

I’m sorry, but just because I love Levis jeans, doesn’t mean I want to join their Facebook page. Unless they’re giving me something I want. In other words, “what’s in it for me?” At first glance, this may seem egotistical, but it’s a fact — without a compelling reason to like a company’s Facebook page, why should I care?

Something as simple as, “Like us and get free shipping on your next order,” or some type of special coupon would be a compelling reason for me to click and like. I’m obviously the right audience for Levis , they’re the only brand of jeans I wear. But they’re not giving me anything of value to convince me to like them. And if I like them, every post published on their Facebook page is going to up on my wall.

Here are a few questions to consider when thinking about social media and the growth of your business:

  • Do you have an organized social media initiative for your small business?
  • Are you connecting with the right audience?
  • If not, how can you connect with them?
  • What can you offer them that will be relevant and have inherent value?

When it comes to marketing — whether it’s a Facebook page, a print ad, or a commercial — the customer always comes first. What’s in it for them?

May your small business always experience abundance, growth and prosperity …

Business Blogs

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Can Trade Shows Help Grow Your Small Business?

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Trade-Show-iStock_000016851417Small.jpgTrade shows can help you grow a small business by offering great exposure to new and existing clients, give you insight as to what’s happening in your market, and provide the opportunity to learn a whole lot.

But these benefits come with a price. The cost to sign up as an exhibitor at most trade shows can be expensive, not to mention all of the collateral you’ll need to have a successful, engaging booth. Then there’s the time investment that goes along with being an exhibitor. Starting weeks (sometimes months) in advance, you’ve got to start planning and answering questions like:

  • How are you going to let customers know you’ll be there?
  • What kinds of giveaways and other collateral will you hand out, and who will produce them for you?
  • What’s your booth layout and design?
  • What will draw people to your booth?
  • What are your daily trade show sales goals, and how do you plan to meet them?
  • Does your small business have enough people to effectively staff your booth?

Before you can truly determine if a trade show can help your small business be more successful, two other questions must first be answered: (1) Can my company afford it? (2) Is this trade show relevant to my products or services?

If the answer to either of these questions is no, then that particular trade show is probably not right for you.

The Alternative Trade Show Plan
Have you thought about participating in a trade show as an attendee? This option can have many benefits — especially if it’s a show chock-full of businesses that your company typically provides services or products to. The “attendee alternative” is a great way to make connections with potential customers and gain insight into their needs. It also gives you a first-hand view of what customers are up to – all at a fraction of the cost of being an exhibitor.

It’s definitely a shift in perspective, and it can be a daunting task — not to mention exhausting — to attend an entire trade show on your own. If your company can swing it, bring another member of the team with you. Working with a team mate makes it easier to talk with more people, stay fresh and remain motivated.

Following Up
After you’ve schmoozed with as many businesses as possible and gathered collateral from their booths, it’s time to follow up. All the hard work and time you spent at that trade show comes down to how you finish.

If a company seemed “wow’d” by you, don’t assume that they’re automatically going to make contact. They’re exhausted from the show, and most likely busy getting back up to speed at work. Plus they may not need your services right now. Don’t let them forget you. Contact them in a way you think will be most effective.

These days, while everybody sends e-mails, I like to send a nice follow-up note. That’s right, a note that includes the use of ink from a pen — what a novelty! But it gets the customer’s attention, and makes them feel special. No matter how you decide to follow up, always remember to follow the golden rule: be pleasantly persistent without being a pest.

Still not sure if trade shows can help your small business be more successful? Check out the related links below for more info.

May your small business always experience abundance, growth and prosperity …

Related Links
- 9 Steps to Making Trade Shows Pay Off

- 5 Tips to Grow Your Small Business Through Trade Shows

Business Blogs

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Win a Small Business Makeover from Pitney Bowes

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Makeover-iStock_000016480452Small.jpgCould your business use a communications makeover?

Check out Pitney Bowes’ pbSmart Essentials Small Business Makeover contest. They’re awarding five small businesses an opportunity to win a grand prize that includes a free year of access to Pitney Bowes’ full suite of tools, and one-on-one coaching from their team of experts. Each grand prize is valued at up to $10,000!

In addition, twenty first-prize winners will receive complimentary use of Pitney Bowes’ suite of communications tools. Check out the contest prizes page for complete details.

How it Works
Fill out the entry form and share why your business could use a small business makeover. Pitney Bowes is providing a generous maximum word count of 5,000 — giving you ample space to tell your story in a compelling way. They’re very interested in how you use customer communications, and how you would benefit from an in-person makeover. There’s also a social voting component to the contest that counts for 50% of the selection process, so be sure to utilize the social sharing tools provided on your entry page.

Good luck!

Business Blogs

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For Your Customers' Benefit

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Customer-iStock_000012432428Small.jpgWhen you communicate with customers, how do you talk to them? Do you make it all about your company, or all about them?

It’s not that customers and clients don’t care about the integrity of your company. They do. But your business is much more likely to succeed when you front-load your conversation — no matter what your communication channel — with how your product or service benefits the customer.

To some, this may seem counter intuitive, especially when your business has received awards or accolades. But a humble approach makes your company more approachable and attractive. I’m not saying not to mention it, just lead with the customers’ needs.

In today’s super-busy world, you have mere seconds to effectively show your potential customers that what you offer has relevant benefits that suit their needs. To help you do this, avoid mass mailings and e-mails, as well as other random marketing techniques. In other words, do your research to determine who is likely to appreciate the benefits you offer before you attempt to reach them.

Of course, you must first have a crystal-clear definition of these benefits yourself. And they have to be authentic. If you’re claiming your third-party iPhone case is the best — make sure it’s the best! Although easier said than done, when we strive to improve the integrity of our products and our business, the customer notices.

Think about the people over at Pixar. This company accepts nothing short of their best. They work as a team to create fantastic, story-driven films that offer benefits to audiences of all ages. With Pixar, the benefits often go beyond “entertainment” value, touching the lives of children and adults, alike, in meaningful ways.

When building a relationship with a customer, filling their need is top priority. Even if it’s a one-time transaction, an excellent experience with you can get communicated to hundreds of friends, family members and business associates on social media sites — which is just a really effective form of old-school word of mouth, right? Give your customers more than good reason to talk, and make sure that talk is positive by making it all about them.

May your business always experience abundance, growth and prosperity …

Business Blogs

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How to Get More Hits on Your Small Business Blog

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Target-and-Arrows-FLIP-iStock_000014696471Small.JPGJust about any company can benefit from having a blog. In many cases, it can help grow your business by increasing sales or your client base. In all cases, it can raise the credibility of a company — especially when you’re providing relevant, high-quality content. But writing blog posts, even good ones, isn’t enough. You also need readers.

Fortunately, there are tools that can help you get more traffic on your blog, increasing exposure to your potential market. Here’s a list of tips and resources to help make your blog a successful one.

Understand categories and tags: from what they do, to how to use each most effectively. A little known fact (at least I didn’t know until my Web designer told me) is that if the categories and tags you’re using aren’t actually included in your body copy, they’re ineffective in driving traffic to your blog. Why? Because without keyword content to back them up, search engines don’t give any weight to your categories and tags. Wordpress can help give you a better understanding of categories and tags.

Choosing the best keywords. When we speak of keywords, we’re really talking about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). I recommend a two-step approach with keywords and key word phrases.

  • Write your article organically, using the language of your industry. Then enter all relevant keywords into your tags (and possibly your categories if it’s a recurring topic on your blog).
  • Utilize Market Samurai’s free keyword program to determine which keyword phrases pack the biggest punch. Which words, or phrases, are going to bring you the most traffic? Market Samurai has an excellent tutorial section in their “Dojo” on how to get up to speed with their program and SEO. Next, add the high-performing keywords to your content, tags and/or categories. This helps optimize your article so it can receive better visibility on Google and other search engines — which can bring you more traffic.

Visit JohnTP.com: How to increase your blog’s traffic
This four part series is a wonderful, detailed introduction to blogging. Find links to all four parts of the series at the end of each post. Thanks John!

Visit Seth Godin’s: How to get traffic to your blog
Seth is a marketing and blogging guru, and his article is packed with useful info!

May your business always experience abundance, growth and prosperity …

Business Blogs

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Start Small, Go Big: A Contest for Up-and-coming Professionals

http://www.bizfilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Contest-Image-iStock_000013694050Small.jpgDailyCandy.com is running a great contest for fledgling professionals called Start Small, Go Big.

Sponsored by ink from Chase, the contest promises the winner a trip to New York, a write-up in a Daily Candy e-mail — and most importantly, an introduction to a leader in the winner’s dream industry.

If your goal is to be a success in fashion, food-and-drink, health and beauty, or home, this is a fantastic opportunity!

Go to Daily Candy’s Start Small, Go Big contest for more information and to enter. Good luck!

May your business always experience abundance, growth and prosperity …