Here are some great holiday tips for direct sales people, network marketers, MLM professionals, and home party plan entrepreneurs.
1 ) Get into the holiday spirit! When you begin thinking about the holidays, think about how it relates to your business. Take in the holiday atmosphere… the sounds, smells, colors. Is your business reflecting the same holiday cheer? Add some holiday “décor” to your catalogs or your Facebook page. Send out holiday e-greetings to your database. Package your products in holiday gift wrap.
2 ) Think of your product as the perfect holiday gift. What are some great stocking stuffers? What about gifts for extended family? Secret Santa parties? Gifts for employees or your boss? How about a Just-In-Case gift for those who show up unexpectedly? And let’s not forget teachers, neighbors, the postal carrier, doctors, dentists, hair dressers?
3 ) Set up your table presentation or vendor booth in a festive way! Add some garland or a string of lights. You could even have a tree on display with gift ideas below it or hostess packets packaged in holiday gift bags. Use a holiday table cloth or play some holiday music as guests arrive. Put them in the holiday shopping mood.
4 ) During your presentations demonstrate how your products make great holiday gifts. Think back to the gift recipients in #2 and mention those in your presentation. People are always looking for gift ideas for those hard-to-buy-for people. Don’t forget to showcase great stocking stuffers.
5 ) Call up your best hostesses or those potential hostesses you’ve been meaning to call. Make customer service calls letting your best customers know about upcoming sales, holiday promotions, or hostess incentives. Think about who you know that always decorates their home beautifully during this time of year. They’ll be looking for an excuse to show it off. Hosting a party gives them that opportunity.
7 ) Offer free gift wrapping. Sometimes the smallest of services can make the biggest difference when someone is deciding on what gifts to purchase. Mention during your presentations that you are offering free gift wrapping for all purchases from the party. Extend that extra customer service and alleviate some stress this holiday season.
8 ) Offer a Black Friday or Cyber Monday special. You could do time-based specials. Let your customers know if you receive orders during certain times of the day, certain specials will apply. Here’s an example:
If I receive your order between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM, you receive (this should be our biggest door buster deal). By the way, the time can start as early as Midnight on Thanksgiving.
If I receive your order between 7:01 AM and 11:00 AM, you receive (this should be a good deal, but less than our door buster discount).
If I receive your order between 11:01 AM and 3:00 PM, you receive (this should be a different deal).
Continue listing the times with different specials.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sale on Business Cards!
Just wanted to share a couple deals I came across today on business cards. Start the new year with NEW business cards!
PrintRunner's sale ends today! 40% Off Business Cards - 72Hour Sale - use coupon code BC40NL
Vista Print also offers FREE Business Cards and 80% off Premium Business Cards!
Monday, January 10, 2011
New Year Web Site Makeover!
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New Year Web Site Makeover!
2010 has ended and the new year is off and running! This is an opportune time to re-vamp your business by giving your site a New Year Makeover. It’s never a good idea to start the new year with a stale web site. Below are just a few ideas for freshening up your site. Feel free to add your own in the comments section.
1. Renew your goals! Make new goals and write out a new business plan. Reflect on your experiences over the past year and improve on them. This would be a good time to revisit your Mission Statement, and see if still holds true. If you don’t have one, now is the time to develop one and place it on your site with easy accessibility.
2. Give your web site a new look! Add new graphics, try a new color scheme, or change the font. Research your keywords and revise your text accordingly. Updates your site’s introduction page with what’s new this year.
3. Check for and remove all dead links, outdated information and/or products. Update your copyright information from 2010 to 2011. Use spell checks and grammar checks throughout your site. You never want to frustrate potential new customers with links that don’t work or information that is no longer helpful.
4. Update your inventory. Add a “What’s New” section and add new exciting products. Let customers know about important updates or upcoming events or sales. Advertise old products at clearance prices.
The beginning of a new calendar year signifies change and improvement. This idea should carry through onto our web sites and storefronts too. Happy New Year!
New Year Web Site Makeover!
2010 has ended and the new year is off and running! This is an opportune time to re-vamp your business by giving your site a New Year Makeover. It’s never a good idea to start the new year with a stale web site. Below are just a few ideas for freshening up your site. Feel free to add your own in the comments section.
1. Renew your goals! Make new goals and write out a new business plan. Reflect on your experiences over the past year and improve on them. This would be a good time to revisit your Mission Statement, and see if still holds true. If you don’t have one, now is the time to develop one and place it on your site with easy accessibility.
2. Give your web site a new look! Add new graphics, try a new color scheme, or change the font. Research your keywords and revise your text accordingly. Updates your site’s introduction page with what’s new this year.
3. Check for and remove all dead links, outdated information and/or products. Update your copyright information from 2010 to 2011. Use spell checks and grammar checks throughout your site. You never want to frustrate potential new customers with links that don’t work or information that is no longer helpful.
4. Update your inventory. Add a “What’s New” section and add new exciting products. Let customers know about important updates or upcoming events or sales. Advertise old products at clearance prices.
The beginning of a new calendar year signifies change and improvement. This idea should carry through onto our web sites and storefronts too. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Top Ten Small Business Books - Starting a Small Business
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Narrowing this list to only 10 was not an easy task. I made the mistake of originally wanting to make a Top Ten of Small Business books, but soon learned many of the books on my list needed to be categorized. These are excellent reads. I hope you can find the time to read at least two to three, if not all, of the books from each list. I own (mostly Kindle
versions) and have read all of these.
I will start with my favorite recommendations on Starting a Small Business. The other lists I've created are Running a Small Business and Small Business Legal & Tax Help. I will be posting those soon. I'm also working on Top Ten lists for Internet Business and Social Networking for Your Small Business. There are many other worthy categories, and I could have easily gone on and on, but these are the main focus areas of MoneliCo Business Solutions.
Top Ten Books on Starting a Small Business
1. Start Your Own Business: The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need
A VERY comprehensive book on starting a business from the experts at Entrepreneur Magazine. Everything is covered and then offers lots of good resources for acquiring even more help--a plethora of information. It's geared a little more toward product selling businesses (retail) than service businesses, but as a service business owner I still found it INVALUABLE!
2. Growing A Business by Paul Hawken
Although this book was written over 20 years ago, and therefore lacks current business trends (like this little thing called the Internet), it is still a valuable resource for anyone wanting to start or grow a successful business. Commonly referred to as the "business bible", this book gives sound advice and should be part of every business owner's collection.
3. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
This book is a powerful guide to success for small business owners. The author explains the need for "systems" in order for any business to acheive lasting success. It focuses on working ON your business, rather than merely working IN it, allowing you to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.
4. Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter
In addition to offering advice on creating and starting a business, this book addresses the mental and emotional obstacles business owners face and methods on how to deal with them. It's a great motivational source for anyone thinking about starting a business.
5. Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
This book is a very thorough, step-by-step guide to growing your business and taking it to the next level. It includes everything from getting off the ground to planning for growth in the future. Leadership is one of the key business aspects covered in this book, along with many other helpful success strategies.
This guide is very user-friendly and loaded with great business tips. It explains how to easily and quickly launch your business with confidence. What I especially like is that it includes all the forms and instructions you will need to do it properly. The book covers everything from taxes to marketing, while presenting a realistic and practical approach to developing a business. All of the Nolo series books are very good.
This is one of the books I was reading when working on my business plan, and I'm so happy I did. In it you will learn to avoid the operational mistakes that can destroy your business, and adopt the practices that will lead you to success. I also like that it is organized very well which makes for a very easy read.
Narrowing this list to only 10 was not an easy task. I made the mistake of originally wanting to make a Top Ten of Small Business books, but soon learned many of the books on my list needed to be categorized. These are excellent reads. I hope you can find the time to read at least two to three, if not all, of the books from each list. I own (mostly Kindle
versions) and have read all of these.I will start with my favorite recommendations on Starting a Small Business. The other lists I've created are Running a Small Business and Small Business Legal & Tax Help. I will be posting those soon. I'm also working on Top Ten lists for Internet Business and Social Networking for Your Small Business. There are many other worthy categories, and I could have easily gone on and on, but these are the main focus areas of MoneliCo Business Solutions.
Top Ten Books on Starting a Small Business
1. Start Your Own Business: The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need
A VERY comprehensive book on starting a business from the experts at Entrepreneur Magazine. Everything is covered and then offers lots of good resources for acquiring even more help--a plethora of information. It's geared a little more toward product selling businesses (retail) than service businesses, but as a service business owner I still found it INVALUABLE!
2. Growing A Business by Paul Hawken
Although this book was written over 20 years ago, and therefore lacks current business trends (like this little thing called the Internet), it is still a valuable resource for anyone wanting to start or grow a successful business. Commonly referred to as the "business bible", this book gives sound advice and should be part of every business owner's collection.
3. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
This book is a powerful guide to success for small business owners. The author explains the need for "systems" in order for any business to acheive lasting success. It focuses on working ON your business, rather than merely working IN it, allowing you to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.
4. Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter
In addition to offering advice on creating and starting a business, this book addresses the mental and emotional obstacles business owners face and methods on how to deal with them. It's a great motivational source for anyone thinking about starting a business.
5. Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
This book is a very thorough, step-by-step guide to growing your business and taking it to the next level. It includes everything from getting off the ground to planning for growth in the future. Leadership is one of the key business aspects covered in this book, along with many other helpful success strategies.
This guide is very user-friendly and loaded with great business tips. It explains how to easily and quickly launch your business with confidence. What I especially like is that it includes all the forms and instructions you will need to do it properly. The book covers everything from taxes to marketing, while presenting a realistic and practical approach to developing a business. All of the Nolo series books are very good.
This is one of the books I was reading when working on my business plan, and I'm so happy I did. In it you will learn to avoid the operational mistakes that can destroy your business, and adopt the practices that will lead you to success. I also like that it is organized very well which makes for a very easy read.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Setting Up Email Forwarding in Gmail
Instructions for how to set up email forwarding in Gmail.
Log into your domain account at monelicowebservices.com. Each domain name purchase comes with 100 free email forwards.
In the left side panel, click on Free Products:
Click on Email Account List:
Click on Email Forwarding Plans:
Click on Manage Account:
A new window will pop up taking you to the Email Control Center. Select Add from the right.
When the Create Forwarding Address window opens, enter in the NEW email name you wish to use, i.e. "Bob", and the associated domain name (there will be a drop down menu for those who have more than one domain name account), i.e. @domainname.com.
Then, enter the Gmail account where you want your new domain email account to receive mail.
Forward Mail To: yourgmailaccount@gmail.com
Click OK.
The new address will be listed as "Pending", but should become "Active" within a few minutes.
Once your new address is listed as "Active", you can make your configurations in Gmail.
Log into your Gmail account.
In the top, right corner, select Settings.
Select the Accounts and Import tab, and click on "Send mail from another address".
Enter the information you want displayed when you send emails using this new account. Then click Next Step.
Select Send through Gmail (easier to set up), and click Next Step.
Click Send Verification.
A verification code will be sent to your gmail inbox. Go to your inbox to retrieve that code and enter it into this window and click Verify:
From the Accounts and Import tab in Gmail you can choose to make this new email your default mailing address, or as an alternate. You can also choose how you reply to you emails.
Unless you select "Always reply from default address" in the Accounts and Import tab, you will see a drop down option when composing a new email in Gmail.
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