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 while learning about other Businesses 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 in various types of businesses.  It is amazing what you can learn from other people 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.theyardcarddirectory.com/     www.homeandhealthtips.com

BUILDING A GOOD WEBSITE

BUILDING A GOOD WEBSITE OR BLOG

"The more places you are seen, the better you are recognized." (author unknown)

When you start a website you must first make sure that you have a passion, product or service that will be interesting to people. Research the other websites in your area of interest. If you are unsure of what you might want to start as a website, try Blogging until you decide what you are truly passionate about.

IDEAS for WEBSITES
* Choose a Domain name that is relevant to your business.  There are many places to register Domain Names ex.: GoDaddy.  If you want to check to see if your "chosen name" is available go to www.whois.com   Choose a DOT.com if possible, although there are many new choices the .coms are the most common.
* Make your Home Page as attractive as possible. It is your BOOK COVER!  It must fit the business that you are in.  If you are in Lawn Displays your page should be colorful, happy looking and have good attractive content.
     * YOUR STATE NAME should be on your Home Page. Many folks search by State for local services of friends or family may be searching for a compnay in another State. 
     * Have pertinent information about your business on your HOME PAGE. 
     * Potential customers will generally not spend the time to search for information not postedon your home page. 
      * As a general rule you have about 5 seconds to grab attention.
Once you have your Home Page set the way that you would like it, you may add additional pages with a Menu Bar placed on your home page for the customer to click.
     * Yard Card Businesses Join Directories, they generally come up high in searches. Usually one or Two rentals will pay for your Join Fee.
     
In preparation for starting your website or Blog an excellent website to view is 2CreateaWebsite.  Lisa is very knowledgeable in many areas of websites, blogging, U-tube and so much more.  She is extremely easy to follow and gives great advice.

REMEMBER that most people search for what they are looking for on the Internet.  It takes awhile to get noticed with so many websites out there.
 
  "There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate".  ~Robert Brault

Marty Miller;  Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Writer Artist
www.yardcarddirectory.com   www.homeandhealthtips.com

VALENTINES DAY 2013

                          "To love and be loved is to feel the sun on both sides"

VALENTINES DAY kind of breaks up the slower winter months.  It is a special time that is fun, colorful and full of suprises.  Some choose Valentines Day for a Wedding--Vegas seems to be a popular and fun & fairly easy wedding destination.  A time to Tie the Knot.  Romance is in the air!

Unique and Memorable Gifts or Surprises are always appreciated.  This year do something that will make the entire neighborhood aware of the Surprise!  Rent a Yard Card or Lawn Display and display your feelings with Yard Display.  Imagine the Smiles!

Children love to make HandMade Crafts and Recipes for Valentines Day.

YARD CARD COMPANIES--SALE to JOIN the # 1 DIRECTORY to help people find your Lawn Display BIZ!

By Marty Miller:  Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Business Advisor, Blogger
 www.homeandhealthtips.com   www.yardcarddirectory.com

Calm During the Holidays

"May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, and  May nothing but happiness come through your door"  (author unknown)

Well, It is that time of year--where we pull our hair out with so much to do-- working, shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, entertaining and always feeling tired--ah, we forgot "resting".

It is difficult this time of year to feel calm and collected, particularly with all that has happened in 2012 with incomprehensible tragedies, shootings, natural disasters and worry for our future generations. Life must go on, so here are a few ideas that hopefully will be helpful.

* Make home-made gifts—they are usually treasured more than store-bought items.
*Plan a special Christmas Craft that you can do with your children or neighbor children.* If you must shop, do it early in the morning or late at night if you have stores that stay open late or all night. (Less people, less lines at check-out)
* Find a charity and make it a family event to take presents, clothes or whatever the charity needs. Take it TO the charity. It is a great teaching tool for children and putstheir life and "needs" instead of "wants" into perspective.* Make Christmas cookies while listening to Christmas music.
* Make lovely calendars using this past years photos--makes great memories!
* Take some Christmas cookies to the neighbors.
* Find some Hallmark Christmas CD's, such as “The Dog Named Christmas” or watch Christmas TV Specials, as a family.
* And most importantly remember the reason for Christmas or Hanukkah. It is to be a peaceful time, not hectic.
* Discuss the importance of caring for and sharing with others during this season.
* Take some time for quiet without TV or cell phones to be together as a family.
* Make Home-made decorations.
* DON'T forget those with December Birthdays!

AND for those of us in business--we must be courteous to our customers, despite our state of mind.Have a Healthy, Happy, Calm Holiday Season!

Marty Miller, Entreprenuer, Business Advisor, Writer    www.homeandhealthtips.com/

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

BUSINESS  ETIQUETTE 

      "Although no one can go back in time and make a brand-new start,
        anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending,

Strive for Progress, not Perfection."  Unknown 

SOME BUSINESS ETIQUETTE TIPS:

1.  Returning Emails, Phone CallsNot getting a prompt response to a phone call or email is probably the # 1 complaint among customers; when it comes to Customer Service. I have experienced this "lack of response", even with Companies within the Yard Card industry. I send emails requesting an answer and do not hear back. Sometimes there may be a valid reason, but without that information you waste your time trying to contact the person or company. I consider it my biggest "Pet Peeve" in business.

 Communication is one of the most important parts of any business and the old saying applies here. "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you". PLEASE RESPOND to customers and other companies in a timely manner.


  2.  New technology is not always better!

Text messages or Emails can be easily misunderstood and impersonal for some topics or issues.  Since so much is done via email or mobile devices, we sometimes do not realize the value and importance of a personal phone call or personal handwritten note!

3.  DO NOT ask for Special Deals from Friends or other Businesses!

When you start a business, you may need to do some specials or extras to help your business become recognized,  but once you start doing that you may begin a trend and become a loan closet or discount store, rather than a business.  You are in Business to make money and be respected as a good business person. Your Friends and others' in business should understand that you are running a business and not expect special prices or favors.

*When I had repeat customers in my Lawn Display business, I would often tell them I would add extra balloons or Lawn Critters to their celebration display. They were delighted as it was not "expected" by my loyal customers.

I have found the best way to overcome this is to decide how many donations or "specials" that you will do in a year and stick with that. If you feel in your heart that you really want to do something extra special for someone that is up to you, but be careful or you will start to feel as though you are failing at becoming a business and are being taken advantage of.  It is fun do do doantions or special things for your repeat customers.

Another good source for Business Etiquette comes from "Manners International" 

Emily Post also has many books on Manners.   

"Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in." William Eardley

 Marty Miller: Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Business Consultant, Writer, Artist

www.yardcarddirectory.com     www.healthandhometips.com   

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   

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