Keep your eyes open for events where you will learn something that can help your business grow and you can network as well.
Last week I spoke at YMCA Markham Business Centre, so people could network and then they listened to my presentation on "Networking For Business Success".
SoHo International has a free all day workshop on Wed. Oct 27th in Toronto.
Alison Silbert, author or "Boost your Revenues by Turning People Away" is launching her book with a workshop on internet marketing. www.idealvisitor.com.
Need more ideas on where to network
- call me
- check out www.thenetworker.ca
- check out www.biznetworknews.com
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Boosting Cashflow
Boosting Cashflow
Cashflow is a serious issue for business owners.
When money is tight you really need to be super careful about all purchases.
1. avoid any long term commitments - do not sign up for 1 year of advertising; buy 1 month
2. start with urgent purchases
3. write down all upcoming purchases so you can put them in the correct order for payment
4. pay bills ontime when possible - save the interest; build up good rappore so if you need an extension some day they will trust you.
5. talk to the people you owe money so they know what is going on
6. collect outstanding payments
7. be sure all bills are sent
8. go get more clients
Do not stop marketing - if you have no money then market with no money.
1. phone old clients; current clients and potential clients
2. send individual emails
3. set up some joint ventures
4. use commission sales people
5. go door knocking - old-fashioned but it works well
If you have no cash in your business then how does your business function? How do you buy food for your home? Get your cashflow more predictable and under control.
Call for a free introduction to business consulting and let's see how we can fix your cashflow problem today.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Cashflow is a serious issue for business owners.
When money is tight you really need to be super careful about all purchases.
1. avoid any long term commitments - do not sign up for 1 year of advertising; buy 1 month
2. start with urgent purchases
3. write down all upcoming purchases so you can put them in the correct order for payment
4. pay bills ontime when possible - save the interest; build up good rappore so if you need an extension some day they will trust you.
5. talk to the people you owe money so they know what is going on
6. collect outstanding payments
7. be sure all bills are sent
8. go get more clients
Do not stop marketing - if you have no money then market with no money.
1. phone old clients; current clients and potential clients
2. send individual emails
3. set up some joint ventures
4. use commission sales people
5. go door knocking - old-fashioned but it works well
If you have no cash in your business then how does your business function? How do you buy food for your home? Get your cashflow more predictable and under control.
Call for a free introduction to business consulting and let's see how we can fix your cashflow problem today.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Friday, October 1, 2010
Blogs, Newsletters & Email
Blogs, Newsletters & Email
We can communicate with potential clients and clients using a variety of online systems. Our marketing has expanded well beyond the traditional newspaper ads and posters.
E-mails - Usually emails are sent out indivdually. You should take the time to be polite and write like a business letter. Keep it short so that people will read it. Remember to tell everyone what you want them to do after they read your email.
Newsletters - you can still create and print a hardcopy (paper) version of your newsletter and distribute them to your contacts. You can also create emails that you will send a group. Be careful - you should blindcopy your group emails unless everyone has preapproved the distribution of the list. You save time by sending out the same newsletter to 25 people at a time. You do lose the ability to customize the newsletter. Be careful that it does not get too long. Really long newsletters in a regular email can be tough and bory to read.
Online newsletters - whether you use your website system to create fancy, online newsletters or a special program like Constant Contact -- you can send a more professional looking newsletter to large groups of people. It is easy to add pictures and your logo into these programs. Everyone can get their first name in the newsletter. Even though the received knows it is a group email; it is still customized with their name. You can use and track the usage of links to your website and create more traffic to your website. The best thing is that you can track which newsletter topics get people to open the newsletter and read.
Your choice of communication system depends on your budget, your target market and your time.
Call Cheryl Rankin, www.fitforbusiness.ca for help on choosing the best system. We can also do the newsletter for you if you do not have the time.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
We can communicate with potential clients and clients using a variety of online systems. Our marketing has expanded well beyond the traditional newspaper ads and posters.
E-mails - Usually emails are sent out indivdually. You should take the time to be polite and write like a business letter. Keep it short so that people will read it. Remember to tell everyone what you want them to do after they read your email.
Newsletters - you can still create and print a hardcopy (paper) version of your newsletter and distribute them to your contacts. You can also create emails that you will send a group. Be careful - you should blindcopy your group emails unless everyone has preapproved the distribution of the list. You save time by sending out the same newsletter to 25 people at a time. You do lose the ability to customize the newsletter. Be careful that it does not get too long. Really long newsletters in a regular email can be tough and bory to read.
Online newsletters - whether you use your website system to create fancy, online newsletters or a special program like Constant Contact -- you can send a more professional looking newsletter to large groups of people. It is easy to add pictures and your logo into these programs. Everyone can get their first name in the newsletter. Even though the received knows it is a group email; it is still customized with their name. You can use and track the usage of links to your website and create more traffic to your website. The best thing is that you can track which newsletter topics get people to open the newsletter and read.
Your choice of communication system depends on your budget, your target market and your time.
Call Cheryl Rankin, www.fitforbusiness.ca for help on choosing the best system. We can also do the newsletter for you if you do not have the time.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sales Training - Mississauga
Sales Training
Have you ever been surprised when a potential client said "no" to your services?
The most popular reason that people say "no" to services are that they do not understand the value for the money. They say it is too expensive or they picked someone less expensive.
- do they understand the value of your service?
- do they know that your service will solve your problem?
- do they understand why you are better than your competition?
- do they know what and how you will deliver your service?
Make a better connection with your potential clients and get more sales for your small business. Sign up today for Fit For Business' "Shape Up Your Sales" sales training workshop in Mississauga.
Check the website for details for the September and October dates.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Have you ever been surprised when a potential client said "no" to your services?
The most popular reason that people say "no" to services are that they do not understand the value for the money. They say it is too expensive or they picked someone less expensive.
- do they understand the value of your service?
- do they know that your service will solve your problem?
- do they understand why you are better than your competition?
- do they know what and how you will deliver your service?
Make a better connection with your potential clients and get more sales for your small business. Sign up today for Fit For Business' "Shape Up Your Sales" sales training workshop in Mississauga.
Check the website for details for the September and October dates.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Too much paperwork?
If your office is overcrowded with papers and paperwork; you are slowly down your business and maybe losing some opportunities as well.
1. set up a system - files or online files and a calendar system
2. put the info where you need it - we save a full piece of paper so we have a phone number -- get the phone number in your contact list and throw away the paper.
3. take care of all of today's papers
4. get 5 pieces of paper off the top of a pile and put in the correct place.
5. block 15 minutes a day to focus on papers until you are under control.
In some cases, you may need to pull in a professional organizer to set up a great system that works for you and in other cases you may want to hirie an assistant or virtual assistant.
To set up business systems that work for you, call Fit For Business at 647-287-0320.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
1. set up a system - files or online files and a calendar system
2. put the info where you need it - we save a full piece of paper so we have a phone number -- get the phone number in your contact list and throw away the paper.
3. take care of all of today's papers
4. get 5 pieces of paper off the top of a pile and put in the correct place.
5. block 15 minutes a day to focus on papers until you are under control.
In some cases, you may need to pull in a professional organizer to set up a great system that works for you and in other cases you may want to hirie an assistant or virtual assistant.
To set up business systems that work for you, call Fit For Business at 647-287-0320.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Blogs - why bother?
Blogs are one of the very best ways to communicate with your clients, potential clients and people who might find you for the first time.
Tips for successful blogs
- try to blog regularly (at least once a month, maybe once a week or even more)
- talk about topics your clients are interested in
- highlight your products or services by using stories and examples (do sell through the blog)
- prove you are an expert by writing an article
- post pictures to show off your good work
- have some great clients post tesimonials through the comment feature
- use your blog until you can afford a web-site
- keep all messages short and sweet
- do not forget to use the catchy words / keywords in the message and post them in the labels section as well
- if you are promoting blogs as part of a marketing plan then put that in the message
- include a call to action
- include your contact information
Call Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business to arrange for a free consultation concerning your current marketing strategies.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Tips for successful blogs
- try to blog regularly (at least once a month, maybe once a week or even more)
- talk about topics your clients are interested in
- highlight your products or services by using stories and examples (do sell through the blog)
- prove you are an expert by writing an article
- post pictures to show off your good work
- have some great clients post tesimonials through the comment feature
- use your blog until you can afford a web-site
- keep all messages short and sweet
- do not forget to use the catchy words / keywords in the message and post them in the labels section as well
- if you are promoting blogs as part of a marketing plan then put that in the message
- include a call to action
- include your contact information
Call Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business to arrange for a free consultation concerning your current marketing strategies.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
Monday, July 19, 2010
Fireflies - Prospects
Fireflies and Prospects
Have you ever seen a firefly? These lightning bugs as some people call them flash on and off in the evening dusk and early darkness.
Your prospects for new clients are exactly like these fireflies. They seem to pop out of nowhere and signal you whether you are ready to catch them or not. Then when you want to catch the firefly (your prospect) the light goes out and you can not find them. Just when you start to walk away; they flash their light again and you start your new chase to get them.
To catch a firefly -
1. Watch for the firefly in the correct neighbourhood (forests are great).
2. Plan ahead - do you want to put them in a container? Is the container ready and handy?
3. Plan your strategy - are you going to catch them in your hands?
4. What other factors could affect your pursuit? Do you need to wear running shoes and jeans so you can walk freely through the forest and not get hurt on sticks and branches?
5. Focus - if you stop watching the firefly then you will loose them in the darkness.
6. Contact / catch your firefly when you get the chance because the chances come few and far between them.
7. Be happy but do not celebrate too much or you will scare away the other fireflies.
To get a new prospect -
1. Watch for your prospect in its correct neighbourhood (target market).
2. Plan ahead - what do you want your prospect to do? read a newsletter, check out a website, phone you or book a meeting.
3. Plan your strategy - how are you going to communicate with your prospect?
4. What factors could affect your pursuit of this new prospect? (competition, timing)
5. Focus - keep in touch with your prospect without scaring them off.
6. Contact your prospect to close the sale when you get the chance because the chances come few and far between them.
7. Be happy but do not celebrate too much or you will scare away other prospects.
To create your marketing action plan so that you can change your prospects into clients, contact Cheryl Rankin at Fit For Business for your complimentary introductory session.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
*sign up for our newsletter at www.fitforbusiness.ca
Have you ever seen a firefly? These lightning bugs as some people call them flash on and off in the evening dusk and early darkness.
Your prospects for new clients are exactly like these fireflies. They seem to pop out of nowhere and signal you whether you are ready to catch them or not. Then when you want to catch the firefly (your prospect) the light goes out and you can not find them. Just when you start to walk away; they flash their light again and you start your new chase to get them.
To catch a firefly -
1. Watch for the firefly in the correct neighbourhood (forests are great).
2. Plan ahead - do you want to put them in a container? Is the container ready and handy?
3. Plan your strategy - are you going to catch them in your hands?
4. What other factors could affect your pursuit? Do you need to wear running shoes and jeans so you can walk freely through the forest and not get hurt on sticks and branches?
5. Focus - if you stop watching the firefly then you will loose them in the darkness.
6. Contact / catch your firefly when you get the chance because the chances come few and far between them.
7. Be happy but do not celebrate too much or you will scare away the other fireflies.
To get a new prospect -
1. Watch for your prospect in its correct neighbourhood (target market).
2. Plan ahead - what do you want your prospect to do? read a newsletter, check out a website, phone you or book a meeting.
3. Plan your strategy - how are you going to communicate with your prospect?
4. What factors could affect your pursuit of this new prospect? (competition, timing)
5. Focus - keep in touch with your prospect without scaring them off.
6. Contact your prospect to close the sale when you get the chance because the chances come few and far between them.
7. Be happy but do not celebrate too much or you will scare away other prospects.
To create your marketing action plan so that you can change your prospects into clients, contact Cheryl Rankin at Fit For Business for your complimentary introductory session.
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
*sign up for our newsletter at www.fitforbusiness.ca
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