Tag: internet

2011 Small Business Ideas

Posted by WFG – July 11, 2011

With 2011 half way through some people are still wondering about small business ideas. But believe it or not, this year won’t have changed too much from the last, so if you want some small business ideas, take a look at our suggestions.

The first idea for a new business is making money online. The internet is continuing to grow and will be around for a while yet so making money online seems like an obvious choice. But with so many options where is the best places to start? There are a number of website that offer the chance to make money online by taking surveys, writing or even marketing. If you build up a good enough reputation then there’s no reason why you can’t train and hire others to help.

If the internet isn’t you kind of thing then why not look into ecofriendly products. Everyone is looking for a new way to recycle or help the planet so a small business idea with this in mind might help boost your sales. Start by looking into your capabilities and how you can best use these to your advantage.

While thinking about small business ideas you’ll need to think of something that people will always need. One option is pet care, people will always have pets, and while it may not be glamorous, there is still money to be made from looking after cats and walking dogs.

For more help with small business ideas contact the Winflow Financial Group.

 

Marketing to the New Generation: Generation Y

Posted by Winflow – June 16, 2011

Today’s youth requires an entirely different form of marketing than most business owners are used to. Marketing to them can be tricky if you don’t understand their needs and outlooks. Generation Y, those born between 1980 and 2000, expect a lot more honesty than their idealistic boomer counterparts. To successfully market to this new generation, try the following techniques:

  • Use social media. Generation Y grew up in the age of the Internet. There was no learning curve to accessing the Internet, it seemed to be instilled in them. They primarily communicate online and most of them have never used a stamp. If your business isn’t utilizing social media, you are likely to miss out on marketing to this generation.
  • Be tech savvy. Most GenY’s can design a website themselves so they can tell when you’ve cut corners to build yours. Utilize new forms of communication as well. GenY’s use texts and tweets to communicate in social and business situations.
  • Use time management. Despite all the new technology available, GenY’s always seem to be low on time. Return calls promptly because in this age of instant access, customers have become more inpatient.
  • Show your concern for the rest of the world. Thanks to technology, today’s youth is more internationally aware. They are also more likely to respond to social obligation and doing their part than boomers.

For your small business marketing concerns, contact the Winflow Financial Group.

Marketing your Small Business to Online Baby Boomers

Posted by Winflow – June 15, 2011

According to a study conducted by Jupitermedia Corp., nearly one-third of the online population can be classified as a baby boomer. So how do you successfully market to boomers on the Internet? Consider the following:

  • Design your site with your target audience in mind. If you are looking to attract an older generation to your small business web site, consider enlarging the text and using high contrast between your background and your text. Also make it easy to connect with a sales rep if necessary.
  • Though boomers tend to be readers over participators in the online world, encourage customer feedback from all of your clients. Make it easy for those on your website to give customer feedback too.
  • Be a little old-fashioned. Boomers expect respect and a certain amount of politeness. Encourage employess to be courteous with all of your clients to appeal to large demographics.
  • Show boomers that your product will benefit them. Focus on your website/service/product can make a boomer’s life easier instead of persuing aggressive sales techniques.

If you need assistance marketing your small business to a particular demographic, Winflow Financial Group can help. Our trained consultants can be reached by:

Business to Business (B2B) Marketing

Posted by Winflow – June 7, 2011

Business to business (B2B) interaction is when your company works together with other businesses and other wholesale buyers to provide specialized product lines, expand your markets and deal with manufacturers. With the recession, B2B marketing is less effective because there are less customers. To make the most out of your B2B marketing during times of financial crisis, consider the following:

  • Optimize your landing pages. Your landing page is where the customer first enters your website. A good landing page can prompt customers to continue exploring your site which can lead to sales. A poorly optimized landing page can increase your bounce rate sending your business further down Google searches.
  • Integrate your marketing and sales teams. The Internet causes buyers to begin interacting with your marketing campaigns before they ever speak to a sales representative. By streamlining these teams you may be able to create a single revenue pipeline.
  • Focus on building relationships with customers you already know. Finding new customers costs more money than keeping the old ones happy. During a recession, remember to market to returning customers over new ones.

For more tips on B2B marketing, read this article.

If you would like to learn how B2B marketing can help your business, call 1.800.956.6897. Our consultants at the Winflow Financial Group will determine how to best increase your marketing and sales.