Online Marketing For A Small Business Or Home-based Business

Before we get into boosting online marketing for small businesses or home businesses let me share this story with you. "A preacher said, "Anyone with 'special needs' who wants to be prayed over please come to the altar." With that, Leroy got in line, and when it was his turn, the Preacher asked, "Leroy, what do you want me to pray about for you?"
Leroy replied, "Preacher, I need you to pray for help with my hearing."
The preacher put one finger in Leroy's ear, placed his other hand on top of Leroy's head, and then prayed and prayed and prayed for Leroy and the whole congregation joined in, with great enthusiasm. After a few minutes, the preacher removed his hands, stood back and asked, Leroy, how is your hearing now?
" Leroy answered, "I don't know...It ain't 'til next week."
Sometimes what your customers want and what you deliver can be quite different if you don’t ask the right questions and ensure their needs and what you can deliver are very clear to them.


Your online sales do not have to be hit and miss experience all the time. You can shorten the learning curve by taking advantage of the research and experience from other businesses like yours. Here are some tips on how to get the right message to the right customers.

Add radio/option buttons to a webpage
Use text boxes
Add check boxes on your website

Trying to insert them by using the buttons shown at the top of wysiwyg editors won’t get the job done. You can hire someone to do it for you or you can follow the directions below.
This is line of html code that you would place below where you want the buttons to appear in your webpage.

I know it looks a little geeky to you now but, it will only take a few seconds to explain what all of the coding means.

So now that you know how this little coded gem works there are several things that you can do to with it that can supercharge your web pages. By using this simple set of html code you can add radio buttons to allows visitors to tell you their favorite products, food, television shows or whatever important information that will help you serve them better.

The Secret Online Marketing Formula

People want their opinions valued. This is why most company websites have a blog or forums, so that their visitors can put in their two cents. Visitors want to do something.

There is no secret formula are magic to online marketing it just straightforward customer building by giving the customer what they want. Not every website requires videos, contest and blogs. I do want to point out that websites that use them find they’re are highly effective and they are the websites that are attracting the attention of millions of viewers a day.

Unlike what you may have been told about copying magic tricks and other incredible feats, you are welcome to try adding radio buttons to a website yourself. Next time I’ll show you how the responses are tracked and some styling tips. If you would rather have someone else do it consider contacting us at Writeonbro.com to supercharge your website.
photo credit: coleypauline via photo pin cc

10 FAQ’s About Religious Harassment In The Workplace Or Online

Complaints about religious harassment in the workplace is one of the emerging issues in the news headlines each week. Small and Christian businesses that want to succeed in a diverse global marketplace need to ensure that neither their website content nor work environment is misconstrued as insensitive, insulting or infringing on the personal rights of others.

Even if you are a one man shop or a homebased business it is good for business to always comply with the rules that require employers to reasonably accommodate the religious beliefs or practices of others. This rules applies unless doing so would cause undue hardship or harm to your business. An undue hardship means, that it would be costly, compromises safety, decrease workplace efficiency or infringes on the rights of others. Here are some important things every small business owner should know to keep their right to free speech from clashing with the right for religious expression of others.

FAQS About Religious Harassment on the job

Passing out religious tracks and materials

An employer can restrict religious expression where it would cause customers or co-workers to reasonably perceive the materials express the employer’s own message, or where the image or message in question is considered harassing or otherwise disruptive.





Playing Christian music on your job

An employer can request that a certain type of music be played in a store or shop setting. It’s not against the law to play Christian music at work in through your earbuds. Self-emplyed people can n your business you can play any type that you want.

Here’s a link to a 60 second podcast discussing playing Christian music while working out at the gym.

http://aclj.us/kgdp


Are religious symbols forbidden at work?

An employer can restrict displaying religious posters, a cross or other expressions that they feel is hostile, demeaning to their customers or other employees or disruptive to the workplace.

Wearing religious clothing to work

Employers must attempt to accommodate employees who, in keeping with the tenets of their religion, must maintain a particular physical appearance or manner of dress. When it comes to religious apparel, unless there are safety concerns it should not constitute undue hardship at your job.

Prayer groups

As long as participation in a prayer group is voluntary and there are no employment-related consequences to participating or not participating they can be held in any workplace.

What is religious harassment

Harassment is better described as unwelcome comments about a person's religious beliefs or observance. According to the information found on the website EEOC/gov/policy simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated remarks that aren’t very serious is not prohibited.

Religious discussions

Workers have a right to discuss religious topics as long as the conversation is not intended to insult someone elses religious beliefs or directed at a particular person. Employees have a right to be able to engage in a spirited debate of religious views as long as noone indicates that they were upset by it.


Filing religious harassment complaints

Employers should have a well-publicized and consistently applied anti-harassment policy as well as a complaint mechanism that includes multiple avenues for complaints, impartial investigations and they promptly initiate the appropriate corrective action.

Religious accommadation request

Employers have a duty to reasonably accommodate an employee or applicant so that they will be able to practice his or her religion. Accommodation requests that are covered by law are those relating to work schedules, dress and grooming, or religious practice while at work.

Co-worker complaints about religious expressions

Showing undue hardship based on co-worker complaints about proselytizing and other forms of religious expression generally requires evidence of unwelcome infringement on the rights of co-workers or disruption of work.

Rights to religious activities at work

It’s easy to recognize overt religious harassment in the workplace and follow the established guidelines to properly correct the situation. The real challenge is dealing with mindless comments and insensitive off the cuff remarks that can be misconstrued as harassment . A good litmus test for judging website content, company policy or even a conversation is to determine if the comment is severe, stereotyping others or fosters a hostile environment.


If you want to create a climate that encourages people to do business with you, make sure you avoid using images and comments that might be considered offensive to others religion, cultural heritage or personal beliefs.

Content Strategy - Saying More Using Fewer Words

Every website needs a content strategy that will enable it to target its ideal customer with laser focus. In a recent conversation with Coach J, of nonstoplifestyles.org he mentioned that he was preparing to add more articles to his website. Before I realized it, I was on a rant about content, keywords and editorial calenders.

How To Use Social Media To Attract More Customers

A lot of entrepreneurs are unsure of how to use social media to attract customers for their small business? If have been struggling to figure out how to include this highly effective tool in your arsenal by the end of this conversation you will have a better grasp of exactly what to do to get your company involved in social marketing.

It’s way more to it than just reaching more prospects. It’s how your business whether big and small, old and new can effortlessly interact with existing customers, create fans and build up your referral base.

This article will give you plenty of useful tips on how to's of using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media channels as cost effective places to attract new clients that need your products and/or services. (Case Study from Mashable.com)

The owner of a small shop spent $350 for a half-page ad in a local magazine promoting a deal to “buy one, get one free” and made the same offer on a social networking site for free. The print ad yielded one new customer, while the deal posted on the social networking site netted his business over 30 customers, four or five who have become repeat customers.

This is a classic example of what makes social marketing standout over other aspects of online marketing, it’s far easier to track participation, ROI and effectiveness of your objectives.

Small business owners who want to get started using social media to b.y.o.b (build your online business) need to have the answers to a few basic questions. They will help you develop a strategy, and determine the best sites and tools to reach your ideal customers.

Building Your Social Networking Strategy

Here are a few basic questions that Inc.com suggest business owners answer to formulate a social networking strategy. A step that should be completed before opening an account and becoming active on any networking site.

What particular customer groups am I trying to engage?

What are their personal or business needs that I can help them with?

How do I plan to use the site?

Should I use a business or personal profile on the site.

What To Include In A Winning Social Media Profile For Your Business

One of your social media goals should be to build a profile for you or your business on every site where your target market hangs out.

The information you provide in each profile should vary slightly and convey to prospects the who, what and how about you your brand/company.

Here’s some of the things you can include in them.

Basic NAREC (name address, records)
Details about yourself or business/brand.
Hobbies,
Favorite music, books
List a few of your notable past employers
Education, special skills

The reasoning behind sharing this kind of data is to make your page feel personable, because people spend their money with people they know, like and trust.

After you have built a rapport with them you can strategically throw in a few tidbits about whats happening at your company when it’s appropriate. Don’t try to sell people on doing business with you.

Instead what you should be doing is sharing information about new products/services and customer success stories on your profiles.

The best sales tools are real world examples of how your company’s products and services are benefiting others.

According to J.J. McCorvey in “How to Use Social Networking Sites to Drive Business” a recent online article on Inc.com website, “The companies that are most successful at converting followers into dollars are those who interact most with the users and frequently post content related to their brand.”

The majority of the business that are listed in the Inc. 500 (56%) feel social media is important for their success online. Tweeting, blogging and commenting on social networking communities are excellent ways to foster customer engagement. It doesn’t stop there. They are great tools for building win-win relationships with the news media in your area and local community groups ( i.e. schools, charitable organizations, chambers of commerce ).

10 Tips For Successful Online Marketing

Before we go any further about successful online marketing lets make sure we agree on a couple of key points that are essential to success. First, it’s easier to learn from others who have blazed the trail before us and that having as much knowledge, wisdom and understanding as possible will help us to serve our customers better.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Mat 6:33.


Successful Christian businessmen are always looking for ways to move a step ahead of the competition. By reviewing the 10 tips that we have collected from some of the world’s best marketing minds you will be able to take move ahead faster.

The lesson to be gleaned from Matthew 6:33 is that no matter what kind of challenges you are faced with, personal, business or spiritual seeking directions from God’s should be the first thing you do. Don’t wait to hear an audible voice, but learn how to find help in his word, The Holy Bible. You also have to develop your ear for listening, for the quite still voice resonating from deep within you for guidance.

Since we agreed earlier on the key points that are essential to success. You won't mind taking a look at these poignant words of wisdom that are deemed important from several well known successful businessman.
.

Motivational speaker and successful Christian Businessman Al Walker offers this advice on 2 important subjects.

Self Discipline

I am on the right track and am putting forth the time, energy and effort to learn and develop what I need to in order to become the person I am capable of becoming and accomplish life’s most important objectives.

Be A Self Starter
Honor your possibilities by truly being a self-starter. Don’t wait on anyone else to “start” you. You can start yourself. Use positive self-talk to be a self-starter.

Brian Tracy

Try to become one tenth of one percent more productive each day, that amounts to one half of one percent more productive each week. Incremental Improvement is the primary reason for all great success stories. By the yard, it’s hard. But inch by inch, anything’s a cinch!

Dan Kennedy

You have to be decisive, then firm and determined, not easily influenced by each new voice, not easily distracted, But also flexible, open to different ideas and information

One ‘fact’ is worth a hundred ‘beliefs.’ Fact-finding is a very profitable thing to do, if you can set aside beliefs in order to use the facts you find.


Inc

Focus on exploiting strengths and achieving success rather than resolving weaknesses and avoiding problems. Don't get burned by focusing on the wrong thing.

Most people can confidently and competently accomplish one thing at a time, and most customers are only looking for one thing at a time.

Jay Conrad Levinson

The keys to succeeding online are in creating compelling content, changing that content regularly, responding at nearly the speed of light, and by personalizing your messages.

There may be 50 million people on the Internet but your prospects must feel you're talking to them one at a time.


When Christian Businessmen make it a point to focus more of their efforts on working smarter it can take them further, faster. We all understand the importance hard work plays in building an online business. Staying abreast of new technology, techniques and tools is equally important. The important things that you learn from others mistakes and triumphs will save you both time and money.

Website Design and Content For Christian Businesses

Content may be king, but it will be ignored without an effective website design and content strategy. Writeonbro web content and design specializes in helping Christian, small and homebased businesses develop quality website designs and web content that can attract more of the right customers to their website.

Here’s a recent example of some of our results.

We consulted with a Christian business owner in Houston who was in the highly competitive flower business. He felt challenged by his old website it was just too technical for him to really understand.
As a result he had spent a bunch of money for a website that never got off the ground. He was willing to do some of the work himself, but really didn’t know what to do or where to get help.

Web Design Case Study

The Writeonbro web design team started working with the local florist to build a web presence and a website for a lot less than he had been paying. The results are as follows:

His website is listed on page #1 of Google for florist in his zip code.
He regularly gets inquiries from customers who found his business using the Internet on one of the free services that we recommended for his web presence.
He generated his first online sale and is now able to make a few sales each month.
The business owner is delighted to be finally getting a steady flow of good paying customers from the website.
The people contacting him from the Internet are ready to spend money instead of just shopping around for prices.
He now knows and understands the importance of having an effective content strategy that is aligned with the right font types, key words and phrases that will attract more traffic to his website and social networking profiles.

All from following just a few of the details that we have given him so far. By the time he has completed the whole list he should be raking in some serious cash.

Briefly what we do:

We help organizations build their online marketing strategy, organize their websites to execute that strategy. We offer specialized services (website design and management, e-commerce and content management) to help small and homebased businesses accomplish the goals of their content strategy.

Our services can be as simple as offering suggestions and ideas or as detailed as one on one consulting to help Christian business owners develop the right skill set, personal networks and strategic thinking about building their online business.



Owners of most small businesses prefer to stick to the core task that make them money and let us do the heavy lifting needed for web design, e-commerce and marketing to Christians online because we have a knowledgeable team of professionals and very reasonable rates.

Core Services We Offer:

* Blog Design
* Landing Pages
* Building Custom Forms For Webpages
* Local (Houston) Search Engine /online Marketing Campaigns
* Website Analytics ( pageviews, unique visits, popular keywords, referring websites and much, much more!)
* Video Marketing/ Uploading Videos
* Mobile Marketing
* Copywriting (including Articles, Press Releases, Blog Posts, Website Content)
* Link Building (including Social Bookmarking, Directory and Search Engine Submissions)
* Website Management


Our company is located in Houston Texas. However our web design and website content services are adaptable for Christian businesses, small businesses and home-based businesses in any market. We specialize in helping women, veterans and minority businesses develop, improve and execute effective website designs and content,

You might feel that I’m speaking another language, don’t worry as you learn more about the Internet and how it can empower your business the picture will get clearer.

5 Keys To Improving Your Christian Business

One of the first steps to improving profits in a Christian-owned business is to ratchet up your Faith. Past discussions highlighted the important role Faith played in the lives of successful Christian businessmen like Milton Hershey and Dale Carnegie. In this brief discussion I'll show you why Faith is more than just part of religious ideology, and it should be an integral part of you, your lifestyle and your business.


"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9 NIV). We have the promise of God's guidance. We just need to raise our faith to a higher level and seek God's assistance so that we can bear more fruit.

Accidental Discoveries

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will Keith Kellogg were searching for wholesome foods to feed patients, when they accidentally left some boiled wheat sitting out that got stale.

The brothers tried to make the wheat into sheets of dough, but wound up with flakes instead. Undaunted by the setback they toasted the flakes and served them anyway. They soon became a big hit with patients and set the stage for the founding of the Kellogg Cereal company.

Faith is more than just a way that we can please God. It's a biblical principle that can help your business and prevent you from feeling like we're being victimized when accidents or uncontrollable circumstances occur.

Applying of Principles of Faith In Business

Starting a business is one of the easiest steps in the business building process. According to the SBA, 600,000 businesses are started each year in the U.S. By the end of the second year only two-thirds of new businesses survive, and only 44 percent of those manage to hang in there for four years. To avoid being a part of this grim statistics, and get your business to the next level follow these guidelines.


Focus on that which you desire most.
Emulate someone you admire.
Develop and attitude of gratitude.
Recognize that strength grows out of struggle.
Learn or acquire skills that will take you to the next level.


All of these key elements will help you to harness Faith as a business tool.
You still need to gain access to the best marketing and planning tools and techniques available. To position your Christian-owned business, so when the opportunity for success comes your way you can minimize the chances for failures.

The Academics Of Faith

Focus is a biggie. It is what will keep you pushing forward when the going gets tough.

Emulating others means that you should imitate the Faith of successful leaders and not their personalities.

Being thankful for what you have today, is at the foundation of getting to the next level.

Without test there can't be any testimonies. By exercising Faith and patience you can overcome any hurdles.

The knowledge that you have might be good enough to get you started, but learning has to become a life long commitment.

How Christian-owned Businesses Reach New Level

Bill Gates might have been just another computer programmer if he had not kept pushing the envelope to learn what new things could be done using a computer.

Dr. Ben Carson's book "Gifted Hands" reveals that many of Carson's decisions are rooted in his Faith, with his greatest priority being to use the talents as a brain surgeon that God has given him to help others.

It takes getting out of your comfort zone and moving into a place where you can accomplish more to get to the next level.

Things To Do

It's important to write down all the steps you can take to improve your business. Next, you need to outline them and rate them on a scale from 1 to 5. Using 1 as the least effective and 5 being highly effective.

The next step is to begin doing some informal research and testing of each of the things on your list to establish benchmarks, timetables and action plans for implementing them.

Embracing Change

The main key to improving a Christian-owned or any business is by changing what, when, why or how you're performing some of your daily task.

If you're not willing to change or open to implementing new ideas, then you need to assess whether you're comfortable where you are or afraid to reach the next level.

3 Tips On Christian Business Networking

Christian business networking groups and organizations can boost the home-based Christian businessman's personal skill set, professional contacts and help increase profits. Here a few tips recommended by Eric Standlee, of InHouston. A succesful business networking group that advocates Pay-it-forward-Servant leadership networking.
Christian business networking events are an ideal place to meet savvy A-list business professional who know the importance of building relationships with other colleagues.

If you haven't made time on your busy schedule for networking. Let me toss you a few reasons why you should. Tops on the list is that attending and participating in Christian business networking groups and organizations can boost the home-based Christian businessman's personal skill set, professional contacts and help increase profits .

Success Stories

Just ask George Kleeman, the former race director of the Houston Marathon. He was really frustrated with searching for a local sponsor or bank financing to raise money for the race. One day after his daily run with a a couple of friends and another guy who tagged along, he was discussing this problem.

The new guy, who George didn't know very well, told him, "I think I might be able to help". George soon discovered that his new found friend was the treasurer of Tenneco Oil. He gladly helped the marathon secured Tenneco as its chief sponsor.

Networking events are designed to fit around the schedules of busy professionals. They're not all held in evenings. Some clubs meet in the mornings, and afternoon luncheons are also popular events. You can find an networking event happening just about every day of the week in most neighborhoods, at local restaurants, hangouts and meeting rooms in most cities.

Networking Tips For Busy Christian Business Professionals

Here a few tips recommended by Eric Standlee, of InHouston, a successful business networking group that advocates Pay-it-forward-Servant leadership networking.

1. Practice the "Golden Trifecta" - be appreciative, courteous, and respectful.
2. Extend a warm welcome to new members - a helpful and welcoming community benefits everyone.
3. Don't hesitate to ask for help or a perspective - everyone here to learn together.

Business networking events are places to greet and meet with businessmen and other Christians in your community, that work in your industry. Be prepared to introduce yourself using a sharp, concise elevator pitch over and over.

Leave your sales pitch at the door unless you want other members to avoid you. People who attend Christian networking events are just like you and I. They don't expect to have to fight off pit-bull style sales pitches all night. They come to networking events to let their hair down and socialize with other professionals.

Building Your Network

If you're not sure where to go, or how to get involved in Christian business networking in your area, one starting point is the local SBDC office it's always a good place to find any kind of resources for Christian Businessmen.

Another way to meet some fresh faces is to check to see if your state, city or country has opened a technology center. Their networking events are becoming fertile grounds for Christian entrepreneurs, technology enthusiasts, and investors looking to form win-win relationship.

How To Write Effective Advertising Copy

There is no secret or magic formula to writing effective advertising copy and crafting ads that work. It requires knowledge, practice and following the key fundamentals that I've discussed in the previous post and testing to find out what's working and what's not working.

If you're one of the many people that have been bamboozled into believing that all you need are some basic details, then you're doomed, until you are ready to give up the meals of mediocrity down in the valley and climb the mountain to take sips in the stream of success. The Bible states it best in James. It says that "Faith without works is dead."
I read a quote from another marketer on the article Want To Know The Dark Secrets Behind Monster Success, who puts it this way "when people ask how you did it & when you tell them, they refuse to believe it involves hours of study, work, effort, & putting your hard earned money into programs to learn from the best so that you could study & work your butt off implementing those programs."


Getting Started Writing Advertising Copy

SO, if you're looking for a quick fix, you can stop reading here or get out your pen and pad, or open a new document and prepare to take some serious notes as I take you on a journey to master writing successful advertising copy. I'm going to take you on a round by round, blow by blow account of what it takes to get your writing read and become a sought after writer and not just a writer seeking his next gig.

There are two ways to harness the power of words. One is to ask a struggling writer and make sure you don't do what he does or ask a successful writer and make sure you follow his instructions to the letter.


Seven Story Secrets

Here are some tips I've learned from some of the most successful advertising copywriters in the world. One of the best copywriter's Vin Montello's published Seven Story Secrets. It's a must read if you ever want to get your writing to break out of the box.

If you would rather have someone elese write for you you can try a Ghostwriter Service - This ghostwriter service offers writers from every walk of life, capable of taking your ideals and turning them into a compelling manuscript.



Before you go to the next blog, let me share this one last word with you. It's not enough to just read about writing ads, you have to begin to write and write until you can write an ad with all of the right elements in your sleep.

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How To Write Headlines That Attract More Readers

To write a headline that will attract more readers you need to understand three basic things. What audience you are writing for, what words that  boost your headline performance and how to inform and educate prospects about your product or service.



Headlines That Attract Like Magnets

According to Jay Conrad Levinson the Father of Guerrilla Marketing, advertising that feature numbers out pull all other kinds of headlines. When you use a title like 5 Ways to Rid Your home of Ants Today, it's a surefire way to attract more eyeballs to your ad.

According to Robyn McMaster Sr VP of the MITA Brain Based Center, "Odd numbers seem to have a whole or completeness about them. When we see groups of three, five and seven they are more pleasing to the eye." In "7 Reasons odd Numbers can Power Up Your Headlines" Yvonne Russell said "Odd numbers appear more scientific and legitimate. That’s why Listerine kills 99% of germs instead of 100%."




15 Power Words To Use In Your Headlines

There are some words that can boost the performance of your headlines. Add them to action words that communicate the value and benefits of the product to create the effective headlines for your advertising.

5 Quick And Easy Steps To Write A Killa Headline

In order to really grasp these headline writing techniques, I'll take you through the process by outlining 5 steps to help you write a headline.

Step 1. Determine who you want to read your headline. What group will benefit the most from your product or service.

Step 2. Now write out a list of one line statements that list each important benefit about your product. (Use some of the power words listed above).

Step 3. Next combine your statements into one sentence that tells why someone should chose your product instead of the competitions.

Step 4.Review your headline to make sure it answers one or all of these three questions. Why is this important? Why should I care? How can this benefit my life?

Step 5. The last step to complete your headline is to proofread your headline for grammatical errors and misspellings.

Making headlines that will pull more readers gets easier the more you do it. Keep these steps handy whenever you write a headline and just rinse and repeat the process.

It's just as vital for the body of the ad to hold the readers attention as it is for headlines that capture their eye. In the next post I'll give you a few more details about writing the copy and a few other essential things about writing effective advertising to accompany your headline.