I kinda said it all in the title. http://www.justsell.com. Go! Darn near everything is free.
63-second cost cutter: Business Cards May 31, 2008
FRUGAL: Researching how far printing has come, and learning the tricks of that trade to your advantage.
CHEAP: Printing them at home; using a free service that tells everyone how little you had to spend.
The cost cutting? It’s in understanding the print world, and how cheap it’s become for professional results due to advanced technology.
Digital printers have put many conventional press houses out of business. Google the term if you are feeling scholarly, but in a peanutshell, digital printing is to conventional press as the hand-run mimeograph is to a Xerox™ machine.
Online printers abound; I use one particular service that I’ll endorse in a moment. The pricing tends to be much better because the setup has been removed–no more setting up metal plates, inking them with CYMK, changeouts, hand-cutting, proofing, etc. With online printers, you upload your files in the acceptable format (most will give you templates to download), proof the file they email you, watch the status, and track your shipment. I just ordered 1,000 postcards, glossy both sides, full color both sides, 4×6, for under $50 including shipping via UPS. I’ve also ordered 500 full color (both sides), glossy stock business cards for $13 including shipping. No more “These cards were printed FREE with VistaPrint” on the back for you, sir. No more Kinkos, and no more home printing.
My guys? GotPrint.com (just ask me to mail you some of my stuff to see what I mean).
WellthyLifeStyle.com moves into Phase 2! May 9, 2008
I’m so pleased to announce that we are now in Phase 2. Namely this means we are doing a soft launch and engaging in initial publicity to promote the site. We are also now charging for memberships. Our goal is to do a hard launch this summer. That’s not too far from now!
If you haven’t already, please finish your listings and get them polished and spiffy!
We’re also looking at the possibility of holding a launch party downtown, with booths for our members to promote their services. How do you feel about that? Let us know.
WLS Quicktip: Detach Yourself from Introductions April 15, 2008
Start to tremble when someone asks what you do for a living? Want to join a networking group but don’t–simply to avoid that “30-second commercial”?
I found that I froze up when giving an introduction for my business…yet, had no problem introducing someone else’s. Why was this?
My theory was that I was simply not attached to that other person’s business–or what anyone thought of it. I couldn’t control whether people would be interested and my threshold of concern for that wasn’t as strong as it was for my own thing.
So I decided to pretend that when introducing my own business, I was actually just a rep for someone else. In doing so, I was able to detach and my concern for whether or not that person liked me, or my business idea, dropped dramatically. I took things less personally and was less worried about feeling rejected; I was able to embody the “my business is not for everyone” philosophy, and thus didn’t take it personally when someone didn’t join my group.
It’s always easier to refer someone else than to put your own best foot forward, so for those of you with this difficulty, try pretending you work for a nameless boss who owns your business when making the introductions. You may very well find that you speak more freely and without fear of rejection!
WLS QuickTip: Brochures Aren’t Save-Alls April 15, 2008
Brochures should be used–and only expected–to generate interest. If it could close the sale by itself, you wouldn’t need salespeople. Design your brochure to focus on key benefits (NOT the features of your product or service), use some photos, keep white space, make it easy to contact you. Don’t try to cram everything under the sun in there and blindly mail it to everyone thinking the calls will just roll in with people frothing at the mouth to buy from you. There’s a reason why brochures are only done on one sheet of paper!
Think of your brochure like a resume: you don’t expect to get the job by sending it in–only an interview. Treat your brochure the same way and you may very well land more interviews!
WLS QuickTip: Find Your Niche April 15, 2008
A great way to figure out what your niche is: ask a dozen clients what they think you do. Whatever answer you hear the most is likely what your niche is. Compare those answers to what you planned your niche to be, and see if you need to make any adjustments.
Incorporating Video Snippets to your WLS listing April 15, 2007
We designed WellthyLifeStyle.com to help you make the most of your branding efforts. if you’re a showcase member, you have the ability to add video snippets to your listing page. you can change these out whenever you like. Create an archive on YouTube or other video hosting service and simply embed the provided code into your listing.
Some good things to include?
- A tour of your facilities
- One of your service procedures (“how it’s done”)
- A tour of your products
- Tips on making the most of your products or services (how to install that rainwater barrel, for example, or stretching techniques)
Remember, if you don’t take full advantage of these features, you won’t get as much traffic. We’re committed to including members who take full advantage of their membership features.
It’s quite easy, but we’ve included a tutorial here:
http://www.wellthylifestylenc.com/video_listings.pdf
You’ll need the free Adobe Reader or other pdf viewer. Get it here: http://www.adobe.com (scroll down to the bottom and click the graphic that says “Adobe Reader”)
Need help? Give us a call, and we’ll happily guide you or even come to your office to work with you.
