Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Mar 5, 2011, 10:20 pm
Google is constantly evolving, and for many entrepreneurs using online marketing, this isn’t good news. In late February of this year, Google once again made changes to its algorithm. What are these changes and how do they affect you? I’m glad you asked. Here’s the breakdown of Google’s late... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Feb 8, 2011, 8:59 pm
Asking the “right” questions will greatly improve your odds when it comes to any endeavor. When it comes to marketing having the right answers will mean more clients at a lower cost to you. Here are 5 questions which will maximize your marketing efforts and dollars:
1. Who are your ideal cli... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jan 15, 2011, 1:57 pm
Some of the time sapping pitfalls that face many entrepreneurs and business professionals were examined in my previous article ( http://www.smartbusinessowners.com/the-five-biggest-time-wasters/).
One of the problems we discussed is being too connected. Technology and information overload not o... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jan 13, 2011, 8:35 pm
A new year always brings New Year’s resolutions, as well as the urge to purge things from your life and business and begin anew. I caught the decluttering bug between Christmas and New Year’s Day this year and removed from my office many boxes of physical materials that had served me well once u... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jan 11, 2011, 12:48 pm
It’s that time of the year where we decide to change ourselves, change our lives and maybe even change the world! But we all know that breaking resolutions is as big a tradition as making them.
According to research by John Norcross at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, only about 19% of... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jan 10, 2011, 12:10 pm
I love to read! Books fascinate me and there is almost no subject that doesn’t interest me. But I don’t just read for enjoyment, I read to keep my professional skills sharp and to learn what’s new and cutting edge in business.
There are 10 books which I consider my “Top 10″ must hav... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jan 2, 2011, 2:05 am
It’s that time of the year, when armed with the best intentions (and often little preparation), millions set out to change their lives. By the end of the year, they are going to be rich, skinny, “in-love”, and things are going to be better in every way.
Unfortunately, real and lasting change ... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Sep 20, 2010, 3:57 am
I love to write and really enjoy sharing my knowledge. But when it comes to blogging, I develop a major writer’s block!
I want every word to be a pearl of wisdom, and for my post to be informative AND interesting. I want to be unique and not just rehash someone else’s material
... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Sep 12, 2010, 9:10 pm
I spent many years in the sales and marketing field and cold calling was a big part of my job. And I hated it. The only way I was able to do it was by changing my mindset and thinking of each “no” as bringing me one step closer to a “yes”.
I used a lot of different tactics to motivate mys... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Sep 7, 2010, 8:18 pm
Creating interest in you and your business is paramount to attracting clients. And one of the best and most cost effective ways is to use public relations.It is more influential than advertising because the perception is that the media coverage is an endorsement of your expertise (obviously only i... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Sep 6, 2010, 9:23 pm
I have been in the process of re-evaluating my business and getting clearer about my message and the people I want to serve. A few weeks ago, I had a coaching session with Helene Desruisseaux of the Ready for Happiness group. (BTW, I can’t say enough great things about Helene, Kathy Brandon an... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Aug 22, 2010, 11:30 pm
When someone says “marketing”, what is your immediate gut level reaction? If you’re an independent professional or small business owner, the very word may fill you with dread.
Here are some of the answers that I’ve gotten from my clients:
“Marketing is just a different way of saying ’s... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Aug 9, 2010, 3:44 pm
I have a wonderful (free!) resource to share with you today!
Are you in a leadership position – business owner, manager, coach, parent? You NEED this ebook by Mark McGuinness! It’s a wonderfully insightful book about motivation and creativity. Whether you are trying to motivate your kids to do ... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Aug 6, 2010, 10:45 pm
Public relations initiatives can be a cost effective way to expand your reach in a way which impresses prospects much more than advertising does. Here are a few ways that public relations can create interest in you and your business:
1. Increases Your Name Recognition
A good public relations c... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jul 27, 2010, 2:52 am
There are three mistakes which can seriously limit your blog’s success and you may be making them without realizing it.
Here are the three mistakes you want to avoid:
1. Overestimating Reader Interest
Some bloggers believe the old “Field of Dreams” line, “If you build it, they will come... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jun 3, 2010, 8:32 pm
Yesterday I wrote about adding value by sharing your knowledge and expertise. Today, I’m going to piggyback on that and share you a few ways you can position yourself as an expert.
1. Narrow your area of expertise – This is where the saying “Jack of All Trades and Master of None... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jun 2, 2010, 6:31 am
SMART Business Owners know that providing value to their prospects and clients is one of the best ways to build and grow a profitable relationship.
Here are just a few ways to provide value by sharing your knowledge:
1. Reports or white papers They don’t have to be War and Peace, instead y... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jun 1, 2010, 9:04 am
Today’s post is by my good friend and colleague, Amy Hoppenrath. She is a marketing powerhouse based in Kansas City whose phenomenal success as the principal at AH Marketing, led her to launch Acceleraction with Kristen Wing. Together they’ve taken the Kansas City business scene by sto... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
May 31, 2010, 6:34 am
Today is Memorial Day in the United States, and I would like to thank all the veterans, active-duty service members, and their families for the great sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country.
It is often a thankless job, little appreciated, and sometimes disparaged, so... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
May 30, 2010, 11:49 pm
Email Marketing
The death knell for email marketing has been ringing for some time now. We hear how people are tired of overstuffed in-boxes and who hit the delete button even before skimming the subject.
There’s an alternative say the marketing gurus: social media. This is supposedly th... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Apr 19, 2010, 10:00 am
Asking the “right” questions will greatly improve your odds when it comes to any endeavor. When it comes to marketing having the right answers will mean more clients at a lower cost to you. Here are some examples of questions which can maximize your marketing efforts and dollars:
1.... Comment - Like
Merlyn S. posted an article on
Smart Business Owners
-
Jan 20, 2010, 10:08 pm
Samantha Hartley is a fellow certifed APMC (Action Plan Marketing Coach) who focuses on values-driven marketing for small business owners. Here’s her wonderful article on the reasons every small business needs a blog.
If you’re like most of my clients, you’re NOT an aspiring professiona... Comment - Like
Recent Discussions
