Some Startup Business Ideas For 2013

Where is the next great startup business idea coming from? It might already be out there waiting to be plucked off the internet and put into practical use. Always remember that in business there isn't really just "one thing."

Consider your own neighborhood. How many dry cleaners are there? How many nail salons? How many restaurants?

Businesses offering the same goods and services can coexist. What makes your business successful is how you innovate and market. Since more and more folks are turning to smartphones and tablets for daily use, you could find a sweet spot developing a product or website to fit the needs of all those potential users. If you're looking for an idea for a startup business consider these hot concepts:

Neighborhood Social Networks

Yes, everyone is on Facebook but that doesn't mean everyone is "connected" in real world terms. When it comes to social networking, staying local could be a big benefit. Developing a social hub for various communities could turn into a broader venture. Just keep it in the community.

Social Network Address Book

Speaking of social networks, there doesn't seem to be a decent address book that works across several platforms. Yes, every Smartphone has a version of an address book but supposed you want to organize all your online social contacts in separate categories? Where is the app for that?

The Next Great App

There is always room for a new great app. What about a digital business card or a digital customer loyalty card? If there was a way to scan those types of items and share them with other Smartphone users it could be a big plus to many businesses and reps.

A New Kind of Craigslist

So far, Craigslist has cornered the market when it comes to internet classifieds. Is there a better version? Perhaps something that isn't so cluttered? Maybe one that focuses more on trade than personals? Worth thinking about.

Group Shopping

Many fans of shopping like to do so with friends. What if you could go online shopping with your BFF? That could be a huge game changer for a smart ecommerce site.

Photo Sharing

There are many popular photo-sharing sites like Pinterest, Tumblr and Flickr. Is there room for more? When you think about the amount of pictures being shared today then the answer is "yes." The hook would be to come up with that tool or "cool factor" that the other sites are lacking.

If you've started up a new business this year, let us know. We'd be happy to share the good news! 

Adopting a Social Media Policy for your Company

Social media has changed the way companies do business. There is an extremely positive aspect to this new form of communication. Developing a strong brand identity across various social media platforms allows a company to expand their customer base like never before. Direct messages to millions of consumers can be effectively delivered with a click of the mouse.

On the other hand, that same vast social network can turn against a company if a negative aspect were to go “viral.” The best way for your business to protect itself is to not only understand all the social media platform policies but also to develop a comprehensive social media policy for your employees. Here are some of the basics to social media that will help you deal with your customers online.

 

 

Every social media platform has rules that should be read, understood and followed.

These rules and guidelines cover the expected behavior of the users. If someone on your staff is assigned the task to create Facebook posts or Twitter tweets they need to understand those policies before diving in. Just because they use these networks in their private lives doesn’t mean the same rules apply in the corporate realm.

Essentially, you should strive to always be respectful.

When you open your company up for social media interaction you’re going to find yourself on the receiving end of negative comments. That is just the way it will go. One option would be to scrub those comments as they come in but that can generate even more negative responses on other sites. The best approach is to be proactive. Whenever possible, try to respond to those comments in an affirmative way that puts the company in a positive light. You might not sway the poster’s opinion, but you could be having an impact on all the other readers. Don’t engage in a back and forth defense. State your company’s policy and leave it at that.

Keep company secrets - secret.

This is especially true for the employees. There are many trade secrets and confidential information that a company keeps locked away for good reason. No employee should be sharing that information across the social media network. This aspect of the company is especially important for new staff members to understand. They might not be up to speed on what information can be made public. Make sure every employee knows your company’s “sharing” policy.

Restrict social media at work

As an employer you can’t infringe on your employee’s right to post on a social media network about their private lives. However, you are well within your right to restrict that kind of posting during work hours. Your employees shouldn’t be monitoring Facebook, Twitter, Reddit or Pinterest unless it is work related.

Social media can’t be ignored; it is here to stay. Fortunately, there are many resources and tools at your disposal to keep track of your company’s reputation. Depending on the size of your business you might find yourself hiring staff to exclusively work in the social media realm and that could turn out to be a very smart investment.

How to use LinkedIn to get New Clients

 

While everyone is busy posting pictures of their pets and catching up with friends over on Facebook, serious minded business professionals are turning to LinkedIn as a way of staying connected with associates. They are also discovering the benefits of utilizing LinkedIn to expand their own customer/client base. There was a time when dedicated salesmen would have to “work the phones” to generate new leads. Today’s internet savvy sales force knows how to work the social media networks. Here are some tips to help you use LinkedIn to get new clients.

1)      Share the News

The worst thing that a potential new client or even a long time business associate should ask is, “What have you been up to lately?” If that happens then it’s clear you’re not using LinkedIn to its fullest extent. Whenever your business has a new product or venture you should post the details on LinkedIn. You can also send industry news that is relevant to your network or contacts. You can boost that announcement by adding a follow up direct message to your contacts asking for the time to catch up through a call or email.   

2)      Make the Connections

After you’ve established your own social circle of professional contacts on LinkedIn it’s time to go exploring. Spend some time every day reviewing who your contacts are connected to. Perhaps someone you once worked with are friends with a CEO you’d like to get in front of. Armed with this information you can ask for an introduction or use that connection as your “conversation starter” with the new contact. Either way, you’re expanding your reach which is what LinkedIn is all about.

3)      Track Down Former Co-Workers

Over in Facebook everyone is digging up old acquaintances from as far back as kindergarten. You should be doing the same thing on LinkedIn but keep it focused on business. Take a trip down memory lane and go looking for former business associates or fellow college grads. Where are they working today? Would that be a valuable connection to make?

4)      Ask for Introductions

Making a connection is easy but what if you want to gain access to a company where you have no network? You’re essentially making an old fashioned “cold call” reaching out to that company. Your network is the best bet to be introduced to someone within a company. Find out who knows who and ask for an introduction. The best thing about LinkedIn is that it allows you to see who is connected to whom.  This doesn’t mean you make a contact and then go for the hard sale. Let that relationship build. (See hint #1!)

5)      Join the Groups

Every member of the LinkedIn community has the opportunity to join groups built around common interests. Here is where the community really comes to life through ongoing discussions. Those groups could all contain potential clients. Get involved but keep it professional. The best way to connect with strangers is to create your own LinkedIn group. Revolve the group around a particular industry/category and invite your peers to connect and share. 

Can LinkedIn Really Help You Get More Business?

If you’re in sales, one of the major challenges that you’ll come across on a regular basis is finding qualified leads. You can buy as many lists as you can from lead brokers, or create time-consuming marketing campaigns, but nothing can beat the effectiveness of LinkedIn’s platform for finding a captive business audience in one spot. Other than being able to use LinkedIn as a tool to find targeted prospects, you can also use it to keep track of your competitors. By creating a profile for both yourself and your company, you can also take advantage of the network to connect with your target audience and drive traffic back to your website.

Making LinkedIn Work For Your Company

As with other type of social media marketing strategies, using LinkedIn to promote your business means you have to keep your profile current and active. Don’t just think that because you set up a LinkedIn profile that your work is done. It would be like going to a business expo and standing in a corner hoping people will come to you. How would they even know you’re in attendance? You’ve got to be proactive by directly reaching out to other businesses and professionals and give them an opportunity to experience what your company has to offer.

Here are some techniques that can help:

1)      Join LinkedIn Groups: A great way to build relationships with your prospects is to join in on the various discussions going on at LinkedIn groups. For instance, if you are involved in import/export, then you can certainly find a group of professionals who are discussing matters that would pertain to your industry. Join groups and get into the game.

2)      Be a subject matter expert: Get involved in LinkedIn Answer forums, especially those related to your industry and your prospects. The LinkedIn Answers forum allows all members to post questions on any business challenges that they are facing. This allows them to take advantage of the platform’s peer-to-peer network, having any member to answer and to respond to questions posted by any other LinkedIn member. There are several advantages to this feature:

i)        It is an excellent way to gather information and to be on the cutting edge of a particular industry or niche.

ii)      It is also a great way to communicate with prospects and potential partners in a particular niche. If you answer questions, you are positioning yourself as a subject matter expert in your industry and people will turn to you for answers.

3)      Connecting your network with each other: Build your social influence by connecting your contacts or members with each other. Working to connect your network with other members on LinkedIn not only helps you become known as an influencer, there also is an ancillary benefit – your network will reciprocate the favour. 

Although LinkedIn isn't the largest social network, it is one that has the most business-oriented membership.  You not only have all your prospects at one spot, but can tap into a peer-to-peer resource that can help you build your business. However, just like offline networking, you have to work at building relationships with your network using the right techniques.

How to build a great LinkedIn presence

If Facebook is for friends and family and Twitter is for a quick comment on any topic, then LinkedIn should be considered the professionals’ social media networking site. Since its inception, LinkedIn has developed a solid reputation as a straight forward web portal where business professionals can connect, share resources and stay up to date with the latest industry news (whatever industry that might be). There are many people who have used LinkedIn as a kind of a virtual resume site. Additionally, many businesses are turning to LinkedIn to enhance their company profile. As with any other type of social media presence, the more you put into LinkedIn, the more you’ll get out from it. The following are some helpful hints on how to build a great LinkedIn presence.

1.      Join In On the Discussion

No matter what your business niche is chances are there are already dozens of groups on LinkedIn engaged in the kind of ongoing discussions you should be a part of. Before diving in, make sure you read through some past posts to get a “feel for the room.” Also, before posting edit your comments to make sure you’re presenting yourself in a positive light. Don’t forget to provide a link back to your own LinkedIn page.

2.      Stay Updated

Leave the status updates about what you’re having for breakfast or what you thought about last night’s Game of Thrones for Facebook. On LinkedIn your status updates should be strictly professional. That doesn’t mean they have to be humorless, but stay focused on your reasons for using LinkedIn which is to enhance your profile or company brand.

3.      Start A Blog

If you own or operate a business you’ve got a lot to say. Starting a blog is way for you to share your insights and begin a conversation. Pick a topic in the news for inspiration or relate a recent challenge in your business and how you overcame that. Remember you’re not aiming for a Pulitzer; you just want to stay relevant. Promote your blog on LinkedIn, either through your company page or your own personal profile.

4.      Maximize the LinkedIn Apps

Put LinkedIn to work on your page by including polls, SlideShare and events. It’s another way of keeping your site active and giving other LinkedIn users a reason for returning.

5.      Start a Conversation

Just as you should be joining in on the conversation on other pages, you should start a conversation of your own. Hopefully, if you get traffic to your page you’ll be able to pull in other professionals to keep the discussions going. This isn’t about sales pitches but conversations between professionals.

6.      Create a Strong Headline

Headlines are what pull users into a profile. Try to create something that is equal parts catchy and intriguing. Don’t hesitate to rotate out some strong headlines to keep your profile fresh.

How to Leverage LinkedIn for Business Success

Ranking social media sites by the amount of consistent users would find that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn garner the top three spots on that list. Of that threesome, LinkedIn is developing a strong and positive reputation as a site for business professionals to stay connected with other like-minded companies. It also affords the opportunity to research potential staffing resources. A small business can benefit from tapping into the vast LinkedIn network for their own interests by building up a network of professionals. That network can be utilized in a variety of proactive actions, which can greatly improve a business’ reputation. The following are some strategies to optimize LinkedIn for your business.

·         Build a company profile: Because LinkedIn is the site used by a vast majority of business professionals, it stands to reason that you want to create a company profile which would be a strong reflection of your business. This profile will provide an important portrait of your company to any prospective clients or potential employees. Your LinkedIn company profile can bolster your assets and make any small business competitive. The company profile also has its own type of newsfeeds which can track recent activity such as new hires or acquisitions. Often these profile updates can open the door on many new opportunities.  

·         Update your status: As with Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn allows a registered user to update their profile at any time. This update will then go out through the LinkedIn newsfeed to the rest of your contact networks. Instead of the kind of random updates on Facebook, your LinkedIn updates should inform others about business-related news such as attending upcoming tradeshows or conferences. It can also allow you to share updates about your company’s website or blog. It’s important that you keep these updates relevant and on topic. If you are using LinkedIn to enhance your small business then everything you post will be a reflection of your professionalism.

·         Tap into the network: LinkedIn works best when you work LinkedIn. In other words, use that network to your advantage. Join groups that might have similar interests to your company profile. Connect with other professionals by commenting on their own success updates. You’ll also be able to send out well wishes for birthdays, anniversaries and new additions to the family that members of your own network care to share. This is a great way to foster positive connections within your business circle.

·         Add your opinions: By joining a group on LinkedIn you’ll also have the opportunity to join that group’s discussion forum. The key here is to keep it professional. Just because a discussion is getting “heated” doesn’t mean you have to jump in with your own two cents.  Before posting any reply try to gauge the temperature of the group. Always remember that whatever you post will be living there for quite some time. Bottom line: think before you post!

Win Bigger Lead Generation and Stronger Branding With Contests

Getting the word out. That’s what every business, big or small, needs to accomplish if they are going to achieve success in a competitive marketplace. Having access to social networking sites and email lists have changed the very nature of business. No longer are companies depending on print ads or traditional media outlets to get the word out about their products. However, just because a business has access to those networking and email tools doesn’t mean they are always being utilized properly.

A typical web surfer has a very limited attention span. That’s why they need to be hooked through added incentives to stay longer on a website and come back again. A fun contest can earn your business bigger lead generation and stronger branding possibilities. A contest also affords the opportunity to optimize your marketing dollars for the maximum return on investment. Consider these benefits for creating contests:

Contests Generate Buzz

Even a local business who offers a special prize package of goods or services can benefit from a contest. The very word “contest” invites customers to take a second look. “What can I win?” and “How do I play?” are the two primary concerns. If a business can provide engaging and simple answers to those questions the chances increase for a wide participation among potential customers. Bottom line: everybody loves to win. Why not tap into that fun for your own business?

Stronger Branding Potential

If you embrace the “getting the word out” philosophy of attracting new customers then a contest can serve that purpose on many levels. You don’t even have to offer a prize that is associated with your business. For instance, a dry cleaner could offer a free iPod in a customer raffle. If that brings in new customers and generates new business then the prize is secondary. You could also offer an essay contest asking why your product makes a difference in someone’s life. This is a perfect way to build up traffic to your site and create a valuable log of positive testimonials and reviews. All of that is going to improve the brand.

Building Big Lead Generation

Sharing an email address is as commonplace as handing out business cards. With a contest you have the potential to gather a huge influx of email and other data that will be in your control. Think of it this way: every person who enters your contest with an email address is a potential new customer that you can later target with advertising. A growing lead list is gold!

Before diving into a contest for your business you should check out all social media rules and regulations as well as any federal or provincial laws regarding these types of activities. As long as you’re working within those guidelines there is no reason why your contest can’t be an ongoing event. Consider the millions of lottery players who happily fill out their tickets every week for a chance at the big prize. Yes, everybody loves to win. Now your business can cash in on that attitude with its own lead generating and brand building marketing tool.  

5 Ways Small Business Can Use Social Media

Social media is hard to avoid these days – everyone seems to have at least one account on a social media website. So when marketing your company – whether big or small – you have to go where the people are. You may think that only big name companies can be successful on websites like Facebook or Twitter, but social media is the ideal platform for small businesses running marketing campaigns on tight budgets. Here are 5 ways small businesses can use social media successfully to market their companies.

Customer Service:

Social media is all about connecting, engaging and interacting with customers and it puts customer service on a whole other level. Facebook and Twitter gives users the ability to post or tweet comments or questions directly to you, which allows for a more informal and real-time approach to helping customers. Asking for customer feedback, suggestions or comments will help to start the conversation flowing if you’re finding interaction to be one-sided. And, it’s important to respond to ALL customers, whether positive or negative. Keep the communication honest and open and your customers will appreciate the effort.

Networking:

For small businesses, networking is a great way to generate leads and find prospective customers. Social media sites liked LinkedIn make it easy for small businesses to network professionally from the comfort of their computers. Connections are made first through people you already know but from there you can find mutual connections, follow companies, join discussions, and take part in Q&As. All of this gives you a continuously expanding professional network at the tip of your fingers.

Advertising:

For small businesses that are wary of the enormous costs associated with traditional media like print, radio and television, social media gives you an inexpensive and measurable alternative. And again, because everyone is already using social media, it’s become the best place to advertise. The Facebook and LinkedIn advertising platforms are web based, easy to use, and cost effective. Your budget is up to you, you can start, stop and modify your ads at any time, and you only pay when someone clicks. On top of that, you can easily measure the results of your campaigns through metrics that allow you to analyze impressions, clicks, click through rates and spend while your campaign is running.

Inbound Links:

If you’re thinking about using social media for your business, chances are you’ve got a website already. Inbound links are links from external sites that bring traffic to your website. The more your website is linked on outside sources, the more traffic or referrals you’ll get. Plus, inbound links help increase your ranking in major search engines if the inbound links are relevant and of good quality. So posting information to your blog which links to your website, then posting to Facebook and LinkedIn, and tweeting it on Twitter can create direct clicks, shares, or re-tweets – all of which contributes to inbound traffic to your website.

Branding:

Get your name out there! I’ve said it twice and I’ll say it again – go where the people are. You might find social media intimidating (“what if no one ’Likes’ us?”) but it’s all about interacting and building relationships, no matter how many people are watching. Don’t expect major results over night and don’t try to compete with the big guys, but stay active online by posting relevant, interesting and fun information on a regular basis and eventually you will have built your own community within the larger social media framework.

Since social media is still relatively new to most people and seems to be constantly changing, it’s a good idea to keep on top of the latest trends and to pay attention to what other businesses are doing. Regular research helps to keep your business in the know when current social media platforms make significant changes or when new platforms are released. A good way to stay on top of the trends is to subscribe to RSS feeds from reliable tech news sources such as Mashable or Social Media Examiner. Tech blogs and Twitter trending topics can also give you an idea of the latest in social media development.

When it comes to social media the key is to watch what other people are doing, stay on top of what’s current and, most importantly, have fun with it!

Web 2.0: The Evolution of Advertising

Everyone is aware of the power of communication. And, perhaps one of the most influential modes of communication is none other than advertising. Similar to many other trends of the modern world, advertising has undergone considerable change in order to maintain its position of influence vis-à-vis modern society.
 

Advertising, by definition, is a sub-section of public relations (PR). PR has its origins in the early 20^th century. Edward Bernays is generally credited with coining the term and concept of PR. He viewed it as an applied social science to manage and manipulate the thinking and behaviour of the public.
 

Early television advertising concentrated on promoting products by bombarding the consumer. Fill the screen and fill the mind. However, the evolution of modern communication has given way to new methods of influencing the public. It would seem that mega-budgets of advertising creating "in your face" ads may not always be the most effective.
 

The Internet dominates our lives like no other media before it. Instant communications are a way of life. In fact, much of our communication today takes place via the Internet. Therefore, logic would dictate (applying the wisdom of Mr. Bernays) that dominating the Internet is the best way to manipulate public thinking.
 

Advertisers today have learned that their products and services must appear prominently on Internet sites. In this way, we will come to accept, almost naturally, that a certain product or service is part of our daily lives. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter serve as powerful advertising venues. In order to achieve a position of influence, advertisers have to bring their merchandise to the people and make it part of their everyday psyche. Rather than just glamour and glitter, advertising must speak to us on our modern terms so that we, in turn, can continue the chain of communication. As Bernays wrote in his book Propaganda (1928), manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is "the true ruling power of our country."

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Promoting Your Business on Social Networks

"The times they are a changin". Bob Dylan wrote these words nearly 45 years ago. He must have been predicting the future.
It used to be quite common that people assembled at social events and exchanged ideas, recipes, political viewpoints, and suggestions on where to shop for the best value. The 21st century has not replaced the traditional social gathering. However, it has augmented that with the modern and very powerful equivalent – the social media network.

Marketing studies have shown that recommendations from friends and family have the greatest influence on what people purchase. As millions have become attached to various social networking sites that connect people with similar interests worldwide, the circle of influence grows much larger.

While most social media sites are not designed as shopping venues, marketing specialists know that exposure on these sites can be extremely valuable. A prime example is Facebook. Facebook has more than 200 million subscribers worldwide. Members enter their profile on the site. Generally, this includes your demographics, preferences and, often, your occupation. Marketing pros at a company will post an attractive profile for their product or service. As soon as a Facebook member visits that company's profile, they are identified as a potential customer. Most Facebook members openly display their friends' networks. This enables the same company to view this circle of friends also as potential customers. Moreover, as the company can obtain a substantial amount of personal information about its online customers, this information can be extremely helpful in future marketing strategies and product development.
Businesses have discovered that social networks afford exposure to their companies that otherwise might not occur. However, it is wise to keep in mind that these are social networks and acceptance of a commercial presence will require imaginative marketing, rather than mere technical placement of corporate material.
 
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