Top 5 Ways Email Marketing Can Help Small Businesses

The success of any business is built on the strength of its customer relationships. While loyal return buyers are always a goal, a business can’t thrive unless they continue to expand their customer base. Using an email marketing campaign is a direct and cost effective way to accomplish both of those goals. The following are the top five ways that an email marketing campaign can help a small business.

1.      Direct Sales

In the world of e-commerce, the mailing list is gold. Before email came along, direct mail campaigns were used to entice customers. Businesses were happy with a 1% or 2% return rate. But even that measure of success was hard to track. Today, an email marketing campaign can invite customers directly to your website where they can instantly make purchases. You’ll be able to track a spike in sales to the delivery of those marketing emails as a way of judging the success rate.

2.      Increase Brand Awareness

The internet version of “junk mail” is referred to as “spam.” These are the email messages that are unsolicited and are often quickly deleted. With a small business email campaign, you could be sending directly to customers who have requested information about your business. This makes them a more attentive audience. It also helps promote your brand. Not every email needs to be about a hard sale. You could include a newsletter which promotes part of your company history or tells the personal stories of your staff. It’s all about making a positive connection between your business and your customers.

3.      Special Promotions

Every savvy shopper is always on the prowl for a good coupon or special sale. An email marketing campaign can incorporate those special promotions to generate significant sales. While you’ll want to promote holiday bargains, there is no reason why you can’t have ongoing discounts throughout the year. When a customer opens an email with a special offer, they might be inclined to act immediately especially if you put a “ticking clock” on that offer.

4.      Customer Surveys

A marketing email could include a customer survey. This will help you determine what your customers might be looking for in terms of products. It can also give you a glimpse into their thinking about how your staff handles customer service. Everyone likes to give their opinion especially if it can be done on their own time and if there is an incentive for it (as opposed to a phone survey).

5.      Introduce New Products

If you have millions to spend on television advertising you could reach a wide audience to introduce a new product. However, most small business don’t have those kinds of disposable marketing funds. An email blast can literally reach those same millions of potential customers in a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind this will be a captive audience that won’t be able to “zap” through the email like they would a TV commercial!

Small Business: How to Create a Good Team

In order for a small business to thrive and survive, productive teamwork is the key. No matter what type of business you are starting up or investing in, building a great team requires strong leadership on your part. It’s not just about hiring the most qualified individual. You have to consider the bigger picture of how those individuals on your staff will work together as a team. In other words, you can’t always put together a group of workers and hope they’ll “figure things out” on their own. Some personalities simply work better together than others. You need to stay on top of your team to see how those dynamics are playing out.

 Here are some helpful hints that can lead you towards building that effective team.

1)      Establish the Goals: What is your definition of success for your business? That should be the goal that everyone on the team is striving for. It can’t just be about “getting through the day” but about expanding and growing. If that means adding to your customer base or your product catalog then your team should be focused on those goals. You should also set obtainable benchmarks to track the progress of achieving those goals. It all comes down to keeping your team’s “eye on the prize.”

2)      Fix Problems Fast: There is no guarantee that your “dream team” is going to get along all the time. Before any conflicts crop up, you should establish the ground rules for how they are to be resolved. This might mean clearly defining the management structure and who on the team will handle complaints. If an issue can’t be resolved quickly, then as the boss you need to step in and get the problem fixed fast. You don’t want a disagreement to be blown out of proportion and cause a distraction to everyone.

3)      Include the Team: This seems like a no-brainer but it’s often easy for one or two staff members in a small business to dominate discussions or meetings. You should strive to be as inclusive as possible of all your team members. A simple approach is to turn a question back onto the team members. Ask someone who doesn’t always speak up how they might handle a particular situation. This will empower everyone to be a more active participant in the business. Nobody should be working “under the radar.”

4)      Reward Hard Work: There are many businesses that use bonuses as a way of inspiring staff members to fulfill their goals. While this is a proven method it might also set up some unwanted competition and create bad feelings among the staff. This is especially true if someone gets a bonus on the back of somebody else’s hard work. Try to find a reward which benefits the entire team like a dinner or happy hour celebration.

5)      Be the Boss: A strong leader takes in the opinion of those around him but ultimately has the final word. You need to establish that in the end you’ll have that final word in your business. This doesn’t mean micromanagement but taking on the major decisions. Often a staff at a small business develops into deep friendships that extend outside of work hours. However, as the boss you need to maintain a certain distance when it comes to those personal relationships. There is no reason why you can’t have fun with your team but always remember they will be looking up to you for leadership. Keep your relationships with your team professional.   

How your business can benefit from the iPad

Between watching movies on the go, playing games and reading books you can certainly have a lot of fun with the new iPad. However, for small businesses the iPad is a very serious device that provides a wide range of support. Consider these practical benefits used for the iPad to improve your business:

1.      Portable Information: All of your company’s vital information can be stored in a wide array of document applications available for the iPad. Anything from inventory lists to PDF legal contracts can be downloaded onto the iPad for easy access and review. Keep in mind that these documents aren’t just for reading. Depending upon the application, you’ll have full access to edit, copy, create and email any document you’re working on. The iPad can also serve as your “virtual secretary” by providing scheduling and business meeting reminders.

 

2.      Communication: Just because the iPad isn’t a phone, doesn’t mean you can’t stay in constant contact with your business associates and staff. The built in Face Time application will allow you to have a live video conference with any other iPad user. For a company that provides its staff members with their own iPads this can be an extremely effective communication tool. You also have full access to email accounts and Skype. An application like WebEx allows you to set up a web conference for multiple users.

 

3.      Productivity: Just as you would find with surfing the internet on your desktop PC, there is a vast amount of research information available on the iPad. That information will keep you on the cutting edge of any new developments for your business. The iPad allows for extensive note taking whether you’re in a business meeting or flying in a plane. Whatever notes you take on your iPad can be instantly uploaded onto your desktop computer which cuts back on the time it would take to make copies. A good one is called Bamboo Paper.  There is even a whiteboard app which lets you use your iPad as platform to brainstorm through drawings and doodles. If you have a need for your business, there’s going to be an app for that.

4.      Sales on the Go: If your business involves any type of direct customer sales, you can plug in a credit card swipe to any iPad using Squareup. This will allow you to take an instant payment for any service or product. It also provides you with instant inventory records and accounting. Clearly, this is much easier than carrying around a cash register!

 

5.      Standardization: The iPad you’re using is the same system being used by clients halfway around the world. Aside from some language issues, the iPad is a universal device being used in the same manner by businesses everywhere. Once you become a member of the Apple community you’ll discover a legion of helpful users who will always have a great new app to share. 

Video Series - Belvada Cosmetics

Belvada Cosmetics - Trademark Registration and Document Filing

 

 

Belvada Cosmetics is known for its innovative and creative product development in the cosmetics industry, and prides itself on using advancements in technology to improve consumer experience with cosmetic purchase and use. For instance, Belvada has designed a revolutionary one-handed mascara wand making it easier for women on-the-go to apply to their lashes anytime and anywhere.

Belvada has grown considerably since it was founded in Canada, expanding into the US and UK markets but the company still uses CorporationCentre.ca to register trademarks for all their product designs. With the paperwork in CorporationCentre.ca’s hands,  Belvada can continue to focus on coming up with new ideas and designs to improve make up use for women, knowing that their trademark registrations are being taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Watch the video above to find out more about Belvada and CorporationCentre.ca services!

For more information on Belvada Cosmetics, please visit www.belvada.com.

Tips on How to Generate a Great Business Idea

There are some that say that business ideas are a dime a dozen. The real challenge is finding a business idea which can translate into success and profit. Even a professional think tank whose sole mission is to create great ideas don't always hit them out of the park every time. Coming up with a great business idea is really a matter of trial and error. The most powerful lesson you can learn could be from your failures. The following are some helpful hints that can allow you to develop a proactive approach towards generating great business ideas.

·         Listen hard: A lot of the great business ideas come from a source that is available to everyone and that is listening to what other people have to say. This doesn't necessarily mean conducting surveys asking the question, "What's the one thing you need that would make your life better?" Instead it could mean just being aware of the people around you are saying. Take the occasional ride on the subway or bus and listen in on conversations between workers. Take lunch outdoors by yourself surrounded by an other workers to hear what they have to say. Is this eavesdropping? Of course it is but as long as you're in a public place you’re not breaking any laws by listening in on a conversation that someone is having right next to you.

·         Write it Down: There’s no telling where or when that next great idea might come from. You could be woken up in the middle the night with inspiration or find it sitting in a traffic jam. The important thing is not to let that idea escape. If you don't have access to a notepad and pen there are plenty of cell phone apps which allow you to dictate a random thought. At the end of the day or week go over your notes or record of memos and see if there's anything worth developing.

·         Walk Away: During the brainstorming process you could be put yourself under some self imposed pressure. If you say, "I have to come up with a great idea by five o'clock today", there's a very good chance you won't come up with any idea! If thinking about a project has you hitting the proverbial brick wall then get up from your chair and go for a walk. Take a shower. Go shopping. Do anything that will give your brain a rest and allow other sensory inputs to flow in. Once you clear out the stress you could discover that you're now free to create.

·         Don't Hesitate to "Borrow": The famous writer Tolstoy once said that every story idea is either a stranger that comes to town or a man embarking on a journey. If that is true, then every storyteller has essentially borrowed from every other storyteller; it's just a matter of putting your own spin on a variation of a theme. That same principle can be applied to generating a great business idea. Check out what the competition is up to. Maybe you could be doing the same thing only better. This kind of research could also inspire you to go off into an entirely different direction. Great business ideas don't happen in a vacuum.

Register Your Non-Profit and Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society!

Many of us have known someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and have an understanding of the strength and perseverance needed to battle this disease. Statistics show that 40% of Canadian women and 45% of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes. However, 62% of Canadians will survive at least five years after a cancer diagnosis compared to 56% a decade ago. Much of the reason for this increase can be attributed to the hard work that organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society have provided not only to help with preventative measures, but to also give encouragement and support to those who are living with cancer.

Between April 23^rd and May 4^th you can start your own non-profit or charity and help fight cancer.

April is the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month and CorporationCentre.ca wants to give back by donating $25 for every non-profit incorporation or charitable status application ordered through our services. Donating to the Canadian Cancer Society provides much needed funding towards research, advocacy, prevention and support for cancer patients and their treatment.

Simply click here to find out more information on non-profit incorporation and applying for charitable status and to proceed with placing your order. A donation of $25 from each order placed between April 23^rd and May 4^th will then be given to the Canadian Cancer Society in support of Daffodil Month.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Customer Service at 1-866-906-2677.

Twitter’s New Small Business Guide - A Summary

Can you sell your business in a 140 characters or less? That is the question many business owners are asking themselves as they consider jumping into the Twitter universe. As with the social networking giant Facebook, Twitter is a way for users to follow friends, celebrities and businesses to keep connected, find out news and information, and take advantage of deals and promotions. The hook is that a “Tweet” can only be 140 characters.

The good news is that Tweet can also contain a link back to a website, product photos or other types of information that can be a huge benefit to a business who is looking to build up its customer base. Sensing the need to help small businesses with the tool, Twitter released a Small Business Guide available as a free download.

 Here are some of the highlights from the guide:

1)      Back to Basics

This guide is a great resource for companies who are just starting out on Twitter and a reminder to all current users. The first chapter is a Twitter tutorial which includes explanations about:

·         Hashtags

·         Mentions

·         Retweets

·         Replies

·         Direct Messaging

·         Followers

·         Pasting Links

2)      Building a Business Personality

It also delves into the issue of a business developing their own personality through their tweets. As they explain: “Business styles vary. As you keep using Twitter, you’ll find your voice.” To that end, they encourage businesses to respond to customer reviews and or complaints. The caution is that you don’t want to start a “Twitter war.” Sometimes it might help to take certain discussions offline and find a way to speak to a customer directly about their particular complaints.

3)      Learn to Listen

Not only should you be following your customers but your business Twitter account should also follow businesses that are similar to yours. And even your competitors! This is a great way to stay on top of the competition. Due to the speed of the Twittersphere, you can respond immediately to any of your competitor missteps and capitalize on them. You could be inspired by a competitor’s tweets as to which direction to take for your own tweets.

Listening on Twitter also means tracking what your followers are interested in. Your tweets don’t always have to be about the hard sale but about building up a brand by creating a positive experience for your Twitter followers.

4)      Answer FAQs

Another positive benefit for small businesses Twitter accounts is the ability to answer frequently asked questions. These are the perfect type of tweets to link back to your company website. Keep in mind that you don’t have to wait for actual customers to ask those questions. You can create a dialog all your own.

5)      Build Up Your Followers

The Twitter guide recommends that follow news organizations and professional bloggers/reviewers who might be interested in your business. Retweeting their posts could help spread out your own tweets across the Twitter universe. It’s all about building up that online network.

Is Pinterest a Must Have for Your Small Business?

Have you pinned your business yet? Many small businesses are turning to Pinterest as brand new way of effectively marketing their goods and services. Yes, it’s yet another social media network to manage but the difference is that Pinterest is simplified and direct. Basically, you’ll have the chance to tell the story of your company in pictures. In some cases, it might even prove to be a stronger resource than Facebook or Twitter because of its visual appeal. By some estimates, there are around 12 million visitors to Pinterest each month. That is certainly a great potential customer base that you can tap into.

How Does Pinterest Work?

The best way of thinking of Pinterest is to consider it like a huge visual bulletin board. Just as you would use a bulletin board in your office to post inspiring photos or images, you can use your Pinterest page to post product pictures, photos of your business or staff and even customer submissions. Pinterest is a true image generated site - if a picture is worth a thousand words then Pinterest is speaking in volumes!

Like Facebook, Pinterest users have the option to “follow” your page or re-pin that page. By doing that, they’ll be notified of every new post you “pin” up. It’s a way of instantly announcing new products, special sales or other important company news. The great thing is that the service is free. The only investment you make is in the images you create for that page and it’s a great way to build a community revolving around the visual topics.  

The Benefits of Pinterest

For a small business, Pinterest can provide a much needed boost. However, to get the most benefits you’ll have to keep the content fresh. As like any social media page, you must put up relevant and unique content that attracts the attention of your readers. You can’t just put up a page and hope people will find it. Attract more followers by following other Pinterest pages. Also make sure that you promote your Pinterest account on your website, emails and even other social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.  What you’re looking for is to be “re-pinned” by other users. This will help spread your message.

You can categorize your Pinterest page into specific groupings that might appeal to different types of customers. Because of the visual appeal of Pinterest, businesses that can show the results of their services or have appealing catalog shots of their products will benefit the most. It’s like ordering taste tempting treats based on a picture alone.

You can also educate your customers about your company through a visual presentation. The pages you set up can be as informative as you like. And you can drive all traffic back to your website through your postings.  As there is no expense with Pinterest, it makes sense to set up a page and keep it going just as you would with Facebook and/or Twitter. It’s another great way to reach out to your prospects online.

Small Business Focus – Shift Space Inc.

CorporationCentre.ca was established to help entrepreneurs and small business owners get their government and administrative filing done quickly and efficiently so that they have the time and energy to focus on growing their business. Over the years we've incorporated thousands of new businesses and have had a chance to watch them flourish and grow. Here is just one example of two entrepreneurs that incorporated their business with CorporationCentre.ca and have found great success with their company.

Shift Space Inc. is a Montreal- based communications company that gives people from various backgrounds the tools to communicate differently and effectively by providing workshops and services for individual and corporate development. Shift Space wants to focus on bridging the gap between the artistic and corporate worlds by teaching their clients new and creative forms of communication.

Shift Space was started 15 years ago by Lisa Kagan and Liz Valdez. They had been working at the local universities in Montreal, using their theatre-based training tools to help students develop their own communication skills.  Lisa recalls that their decision to go into business together was an easy one to make: “One day I just woke up and said ‘Liz – it’s time.’” After over 20 years of friendship the two women take a leap of faith, leave their jobs, and go off on their own path. And they haven’t stopped since.

Over time, Shift Space has grown from not only providing workshops and training sessions, but also by sharing a networking centre, bringing together groups from various communities, businesses, and fields. From this, Lisa and Liz are seeing new relationships growing in unexpected ways - musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, professionals and students are coming together to better human interaction and communication.

Much of what makes Shift Space so successful is the actual space it inhabits. An open and fluid area conveniently located in downtown Montreal, the “blank slate” space is designed to satisfy the needs of anyone using it, whether it be artists or professionals – or both!  Shift Space is continuously offering exciting programs and workshops targeted to anyone who wants to improve their communication skills in a new way. With their Montreal presence established, Lisa and Liz say that they are happy to travel to provide their services to those that can’t come to them.  They are striving towards setting the standard internationally for communication-based training – and they are well on their way.

For more information on Shift Space and their services, please visit www.shiftspace.ca.

How To Write A Press Release

A press release is an effective public relations tool that can be activated at any time to promote your business. Whether you want to announce a special sale or an expansion, a press release can be launched across several internet outlets at once, covering a wide portion of cyberspace. These press releases can also be picked up by the major search engines and any opportunity to improve your company’s search engine rankings is worth exploring. To put out a press release you’ll need to follow the industry standard. Here are the steps needed to write a press release:

1)      The Headline: This is the proverbial “attention grabber” where you need to tell the reader what this press release will be all about. The goal is not only to engage the average internet user but also any prospective journalist who might want to write a story using your press release as their foundation. That’s why your headline needs to stand out and be truly unique. A press release headline is formatted in title case which means the first letter of each word is capitalized.

2)      The Summary: Directly underneath the headline will be the summary. This is a paragraph consisting of a few sentences (5 at the most) that sums up the intent of your PR. The summary should highlight the unique features you’re trying to promote by utilizing the “who, what, where, when and how” of the situation.

3)      The Body: This is the bulk of your press release. The key is to craft a piece that hovers around 500 words with the most important facts presented in the opening paragraphs. Begin with a dateline which will include the city where the press release originates from. This is followed by the introduction paragraph. The introduction could be a reworking of your summary paragraph. Following up the intro paragraph you’ll expand on the details of your press release issue. Here you can include quotes from the relevant people. All of these details should support the key points stated in your introductory paragraph.

4)      The About: This is the final paragraph which is a brief company bio and tells the reader who is issuing the press release. This is the once section of a press release that can become standard and used for all subsequent PR.

5)      Contact Information: Finally, you need to provide contact information for anyone seeking out further details. If your press release is issued by a public relations firm then this will be their contact info. If you are generating your own press release, you can put up your own company’s website or phone number.

Keep in mind that a press release is always written in the third person. In other words, leave out the pronouns of “we, us, you and ours.” If you’re writing about your own company it will be referred to as “they, them or their.” Before writing your first press release, search out examples of other companies press releases to get a feel for how they are meant to be presented.