SPRING into BUSINESS

Spring is a great time to start a business and to rework and market your business!  There seems to be a surge in energy and excitement in the Springtime.

"When Spring is dancing among the hills, one should not stay in a little dark corner"
Kahlil Gibran


A. INTERNET Marketing:  First and Foremost make your presence known on the Internet. (More on internet marketing later). Have your website on Directories that reflect the industry that you are in --sometimes if these are high in the search engines it will help your position and people can find you. (ie. Yard Card Industry  www.yardcarddirectory.com    These Directories are available for many businesses and sometimes will have business Start-Ups if you are searching in your area of interest.

B. START 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. There are numerous Small Business Organizations in most cities.
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. 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 these days.


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


"Some people dream about success, and others wake up and do something about it"

HAPPY SPRING!   Marty Miller, Former Business Owner, Writer, Blogger, Artist
http://www.homeandhealthtips.com/

ATTITUDE IN LIFE & IN BUSINESS

As mentioned in 2/18 blog  ATTITUDE has much to do with our success in life and business.  We cannot change some of the circumstances, but we can change the way we think about them and how we react.  Just having a good laugh with friends or family can boost your attitude.  Sometimes forcing yourself to smile at others,when you really don't feel like it, can also change your mood. 
                                      "Laughter is an instant vacation".
We are in some difficult times for many and businesses are suffering. Start something new like an Advisory Board 12/31.  Add something to your business that you think will help the business.  Don't wait for things to happen, make them happen!

ATTITUDE by Charles Swindoll ( thought this was a nice piece)
 "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company....a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."

"Your outcome has much to do with your attitude"
                              Please make comments!  See you in March!

Sincerely,

Marty Miller, http://www.lawnexpressions.com/      http://www.yardcarddirectory.com/

Start a Yard Card Business

Spring is a popular time for Yard Cards & Lawn Displays, particularily in the States that have had snow, cold and storms during the winter months.  People want to do fun, happy things & spring brings out the best in attitudes.  I have found that Mother's Day and Graduation are great times for renting signs and displays.  Even with the tight economy, people want to celebrate.

If you wish to Start a Lawn Display Business, start looking into some of the various ones that are for Sale.  There are companies that provide Kits to make your own signs, ones that are pre-made for you or ones you can design yourself. Make sure you have a Manual to help you get started.  Research different types of displays and businesses before making a decision.
Websites I would recommend are www.entrepreneur.com/bizopportunities/categories/svcyard.html or www.yardcards-business.com/

"When Spring is dancing among the hills, one should not stay in a little dark corner" Kahlil Gibran

Marty Miller, http://www.yardcarddirectory.com/     www.lawnexpressions.com/