Saturday, June 30, 2012

Start Your Own YARD CARD BUSINESS

Summer time is a great time to Start your Yard Card Business as the weather in most places is suitable for constructing and/or Painting signs.  If your summer is filled with activities, start working on a Business plan and wait until early Fall to actually Start your business.

The Yard Card Business is a great venue. Questions you should think about before starting a this type of business:
* Have I researched the Lawn disaply business?
* Do I have a large enough vehicle to carry signs or yard display items?
* Am I willing to deliver the signs/displays after dark or early morning?
* Do I want to make signs from a Start-up Kit or do I want to use the pre-made or plastic props?
* Do I have artistic ability and would I like to paint signs?
* Do I have a plan to market, network or advertise my business?

* Do I enjoy spoeaking with people on the phone?
*Do I have a computer? Email?
* Can I keep good business records?
If you can answer “Yes” to these questions than this may be the business for you.
If you enjoy celebrations this is a great “social expressions” business. If you have a young family, having a business like this helps teach children about responsiblity and advantages of being your own boss. Having a business is a great teacher and motivator for children; they usually love to help. (Depending on your children’s ages you might not want younger ones actually doing the sign painting—you might end of with something you don’t want. (smile).

It is a fun business and a way to make a little extra money and to make others happy.  Recipients usually enjoy the "special" attention and are enjoy seeing a surprise in their yard in the morning.

Do some research on the business and find what type of product you want to represent--there are many choices of Yard Sign businesses. When I started this type of business in 1990--having my roll out date as Valentine's Day 1991, there was very little internet usage and people had to really work to find information.  It is much easier now to research and find what you need.

Marty Miller: Former 21 year owner of Lawn Expressions Yard Cards, Business Advisor, writer, artist and blogger
www.yardcarddirectory.com     www.homeandhealthtips.com   

Saturday, June 23, 2012

NETWORKING YOUR SUMMER BUSINESS

It is imperative as a Business Owner that you belong to various Networking Groups.  You cannot just pop into a meeting now and then, but you must JOIN the group and get involved with learning about other Business Owners while marketing Your product or service.  If there are no Business Groups in your area, Start one with a few other business owners that are not in your business!  It is amazing what you can learn from others in business.


NETWORKING:
Since Networking is so important to ANY business, here are a few tips when going to a business meeting, luncheon or just an informal gathering.

Prepared by Marty Miller, past President of 2 large business organizations in the Denver Metro area, who has delivered presentations on this subject.

1. Arrive early--that gives you a chance to move around and talk with several people.
2. ALWAYS ask about the other person and repeat their name back to them such as "Susan, what you do sounds so interesting" It helps you remember the person's name by repeating it & gives a compliment.
3. If there are name tags--wear it on the right, so it seen when shaking hands.
4. Concentrate on one person at a time and wrap up conversation graciously, so you may move on to another.
5. Work on a "tag line" or "memory hook" which tells about your business in the fewest words, but has an impressive impact.
6. Drop a note or postcard to those you have met or make a quick phone call saying how nice it was to meet them.
7. Be consistent about attendance at the organizations you have chosen. Usually people must become well acquainted with you before they are interested in your product or service.
8. Always send Thank You postcards to customers and also to anyone who has given you a referral. Referrals can be thanked by email although receiving actual mail is nice.

In the Yard Card/Lawn Display Business you have less interaction with customers, since most contact is done by phone. However a follow-up phone call, Thank You postcard or spending a few minutes with the customer on the phone is good customer service. This could make the difference in this customer using you for future special occasions.

"Wringing your hands only stops you from rolling up your sleeves". James Rollins

Marty Miller; www.yardcarddirectory.com     www.homeandhealthtips.com