Archive for April, 2009
Thursday Tips - meet your bank manager
Posted by: | CommentsThis morning I had a meeting with my bank manager. After nearly 7 years in business, I had never spoken with anyone at the bank about what we do! I had only ever opened accounts and deposited money over the counter, all other transactions were either through Internet banking or via the ATM.
So, I finally made an appointment.
It was a general meeting so I could tell them about my business and, going forward, start exploring ways the bank could help me grow my business.
The meeting went really well. There may be some advertising money coming our way for the conference and there may be other projects we can work on together.
There may also be opportunities as the business grows for reviews on my account so I can get a better deal there.
So, all you business mums, make an appointment to get to know your bank manager or business banker - you never know what will come out of the meeting. Remember, the bank is there as a tool for your business, not just somewhere to deposit money!
Marketing Monday - Brand your invoices!
Posted by: | CommentsThis may sound like a strange thing to brand, however branding your invoices can help promote your business to your current clients. Unless they are super organised and file invoices right away, your clients will see your invoices a few times - when they pay them, enter them into their accounting package, filing them, and, if they have a bookkeeper or accountant, they will see them too.
So how do you brand your invoices?
One of the easiest ways is to put your logo on your invoice along with your business details. You could also print them on coloured paper to match your business colours.
There is more information and tips on branding your invoices in Issue 12 of the Business Mums Magazine, including instructions on how to change the template of your invoice.
Kirstie Bedford - KDJM communications
Posted by: | CommentsNumber of children & their ages:
Two - eight months old and three and a half.
How people can contact you?
e: kdjmcommunications@bigpond.com
T: 0437 455 001
When did you start your business?
January 2008
Where are you based?
Cheltenham, Melbourne
Background information:
I started my own PR/communications business in a bid to continue doing something I am passionate about and have the flexibility to be there for my children when they need me.
What products/services do you sell?
I come up with strategies to help promote your business and therefore increase sales! I also do a lot of general writing and editing and I teach PR to adult students. I can also offer media advice and teaching.
What advice would you give to other Mums who wanted to start their own business?
Flexibility does come at a price - be prepared to work all hours of the day or night. Having children in day-care, and/or family to help is (in my opinion) vital. Think about the timing of starting your venture and if you’re pregnant, the time you might need off with a newborn.
What has been your biggest challenge so far, and how have you overcome it?
Building up my business and then having to take maternity leave with no-one to hand over the work too was difficult. It meant having to start work again with a newborn baby and working around him was extremely difficult and not something I would recommend, unless you happen to have a baby who is an extremely good sleeper!
What is the best thing about being a Business Mum?
I have the flexibility to spend quality time with the children when they need me most and still run my own business. While it’s extraordinarily tiring, it’s rewarding and I feel fortunate that I’m able to keep my own identity and continue doing something I am passionate about.
Friday Five - Mother’s Day Promotion Ideas
Posted by: | CommentsMother’s Day is fast approaching. As one of the biggest gift buying seasons in Australia, you don’t want to miss your opportunity to promote your business.
This weeks Friday Five report gives you 11 ideas to promote your business for Mother’s Day.
Reports are only $5. To purchase, click on the Add to Cart button below.
Thursday Tips - Getting things done
Posted by: | CommentsYet again, I’ve found a brilliant blog post with tips for my Thursday Tips! This time they are from Melinda over at Virtual Sanity.
A little while ago, Melinda shared her tips on How to Get Things Done. She lists 5 tips, including getting organised and delegating tasks. Read the full post on her blog.
I know for many Business Mums, getting things done can be a challenge.
Do you have any tips to add to Melinda’s list? Please share some of your tips on how you get everything done you need to get done.
Look at things differently
Posted by: | CommentsI know I’ve spoken many times about looking outside the square. With all the doom and gloom reports going around, maybe it’s time to look at things in your business and life a bit differently.
Over on the Tall Poppy blog, Anne posted a little while ago about snails and how she will never look at them the same way again (and after reading the post, I challenge you to look at them the same way!).
This led me to thinking about my business and how I do things. OK, so it’s a jump from horny snails to business, but it’s a good lesson. Could I be doing things differently to market my business or look after my customers in a way I’ve never done before, and maybe no one else has either… Maybe you can do the same.
I know in my life, I’ve made a change with my supermarket shopping - instead of stressing about going to the supermarket, I do a Coles Online shop each fortnight. The boys get excited about the delivery, and all I have to do is unpack it once it arrives. AND I can do the shopping in my PJs!
So, a bit of thinking outside the square could go along way to helping to you grow your business. Just think of those snails!
Please, share some of the ways you are thinking of your life and business differently and how it’s helping to make life better.
Marketing Monday - Blogging Competitions
Posted by: | CommentsA great way to get exposure for your business is to have a blogging competition. This way you get your customers to blog about you, sharing their thoughts about your business, and you get incoming links to your site.
Mums Night Out is currently running a blogging competition. The challenge is for people to blog about it, and the person who gets the most tickets sold as a result of their blog post wins (so click on the link and buy your tickets!).
I also did this last year with a Blogging for Business Mums Network competition. I chose the best post each month and gave the winner an ad in our email newsletter.
You could also judge the best post, the most click throughs, or anything else.
Choose a prize, what you are judging the posts/results on and then promote it to your list. Make sure the terms are clear including who can enter and the closing date.
Don’t forget to blog about the competition yourself!
Friday Five Reports
Posted by: | CommentsFriday Five reports will start from next Friday.
Each Friday we will release a sort report on an aspect of being a Business Mum. Reports are available for only $5 each.
To be notified when the reports are available, click here and add your detailsto the email list.
Thursday Tips - Sales Emails
Posted by: | CommentsYet again, I’ve found a blog post that perfectly fits my Thursday Tips (can anyone spot a trend…).
Tash over at Word Constructions has posted a fantastic list of tips on writing your sales emails. The post ends with the advice of making sure your sales emails comply with the relevant spam laws.
So, if you’re writing sales emails, or even sales letters, check out the post on the Word Constructions blog.
Marketing Monday - Online Directories
Posted by: | CommentsReading the Assential Scrapbooking blog recently, I came across a post about online directories.
I know I have spoken about online directories before, including tips on how to choose a directory, paid vs free directories, as well as various recommendations for directories to list in.
This week, I’m going to talk about looking at other opportunities in the directories you are listed in to maximise your exposure.
- Competitions - does the directory offer competitions? If so, donate a prize or two to their competitions giving you more exposure and encourage people to view your listing and visit your site.
- Other advertising - does the site offer other advertising opportunites, such as newsletter advertisements? If they do, there may be a special rate if you’re already in their directory, or they may have package deals.
- Feature - some directories offer feature spots. This could be a spot in the directory or your category, or it could be an article or Q&A about you as an advertiser. Sometimes they are for a month, other times more permanent. It could be worth looking in to, especially around key buying periods such as Christmas and Easter.
Online Directories are a great way to promote your business. Rather than just having a listing, investigate other ways you can promote your business to their dataase to maximise your exposure.
