Get motivated to take enthusiastic action that will help you turn that dream into reality. One step at a time and you will surely achieve anything.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Basic Marketing is the no-cost, low-cost rute to success

Over and over I am finding that businesses are ignoring, ignorant about, or forgetting marketing basics. And it is the basics that will drive any business forward and ahead of the competition. It seems a no-brainer that these are the essential elements and usually either low-cost or indeed no-cost.

And so I’m setting out to push my concept and help any business-person who will read and participate in this blog and the ideas that are brought out.

If you want to finally crunch the credit-crunch (watch out for the infamous cuts we are expecting that will affect everyone) or if you want push the boundaries then I’d hope this will get you going. Please give me some feed-back and let me know how you are doing. Help me prove that you can increase your profits and improve your cash-flow through using simple techniques. The theme will be enthusiasm, positive attitude and action. Without these you can try all the ideas under the sun and still fail. Who said give me an average enthusiastic man and ‘ll make him a success? If it hasn’t been said already then I’m saying it now.

To get started you’ll need to think about your customers, who are they, why do they buy your products and what would they buy in addition? Don’t spend too long writing a huge report. Use an A4 sheet – ring up some of your customers and talk to them. Ask if they can spare a few minutes and give you some feed-back on how they found your products or services. What did they like best? Did they have any ideas to make improvements? Why did they choose to use you?

By asking these questions you’ll learn about yourself and your business, you’ll see how you can make positive changes and most importantly you’ll begin to build up better customer relations. Why not invite them onto your Customer Review Panel and tell them you’ll send out occasional e-mails with a question or two. But you can also send out information about new services and products.

Marketing basics rule. OK! let’s prove it. Sign up to the Local Business Forum for 1-2-1 coaching that will turn you into a Super sales machine.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

10 Building Blocks to Dramatically Increase Your Profits

This is just on an overview of some simple basics that you should work on in your business. Get the basics right and the rest will look itself.

Get a website
Over 72% of consumers now use the internet rather than Yellow Pages or Directory Enquiries. A website helps people know, like and trust you - then they'll buy. But apart from prospective customers checking you out others may want to buy on-line. There are many factors that you should consider with a website
but it is bettter to have a poor website than one at all, provided you plan to make improvements as a priority. Websites should be constantly adjusted and improved.

Give Something Free  
Give something free to and you are halfway to the sale. Well! Not exactly half way but you'll get prospective customers to pause and look twice. With the thousands of sales messages we are all bomabared with daily you need to get yourself noticed. A freebie is a good way. And it can be used in a number of ways to get more business, lead the reader forward or get information.

Contact 50 new businesses each week and talk to the MAN
You've got to get out and tell to sell. Regular phone canvassing guarantees an increase in potential sales. You may need to change that target depending on a number of factors. But start today and make those adjustments as necessary. If you haven't done this before be ready for a surprise, lots of "no's" but when you hit a "yes" it's all worthwhile.

Network
Networking is a way to get your message out to local businesses and build up a referral system. Look for Free opportunities, events that you can go to for free, exhibitions where you can networkwith the exhibitors. Networking is a sure-fire way to get new business but not usually from those you talk to but from people they know. Always ask "who do you know that could use this product/service?". Networking is an art. Not many people know how but those who do certainly do get new business.

Have a Newsletter
This keeps prospects and existing customers hot and interested in your products. The newsletter can be on-line or printed. The former is free or low-cost but these usually don't get read by that many people, no matter how interesting. The latter are often read by more than 1 person but there is the printing cost and postage.

Start an appropriate advertising campaign
There are several ways to advertise without spending large sums on newspapers, radio, TV or Yellow Pages.You don't need large expensive adverts. The very smaklest offering a free report are winners and usually open the door for you.

Build a Prospect List
Some people are ready to buy now whilst others won't buy for weeks, months or years.  Manage your list and keep each prospect alive.Grade each propsect into hot, warm and cold. Put in dates when you want to contact them to take them to the next stage. Keep a prospect sheet.

Maintain good records
Good records will ensure you keep on top and get the order. You need to keep records on prospects and when they will probably buy, individual records for each prospects and customer, sales records, activity records and a diary.

Keep Trying New Ideas
Nothing stands still so even if you feel you're are doing well you need to be innovative. Both new products and new selling methods will grow your business.

There will be updates and more in-depth articles to help you. 


All these ideas will improve your business provided you Take Positive Action.

Want to grow your business? Then click here

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Is Coaching right for you?

Concerned about whether coaching and courses will work for you? Here are some comments from satisfied clients.

Rachael Flanagan of Mrs Bucket Cleaning Co and the current UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year (beating over 1500 other hopefuls) said:
“Mike runs great seminars. I learn new ideas about sales and marketing every time we meet and they always work”

Nick Everest of Visual360Wales said:
“I found our meeting interesting and you were inspirational”

Barbara Collier of Collier Photo Imaging said:
“Mike Leahy has advised myself and my staff on marketing, motivation and merchandising . . he has a world of experience and gives his time generously. I would not hestiate to recommend him to any business or individual needing to increaee their turnover. His cheery smile, wonderful enthusiasm and eldless markerting ideas are absolutely invaluable”

Some content for the first few weeks that will get you off on a fast-track start include:


Any project needs planning. Then you need the tools and materials. You will be building your business with these bricks to have a firm structure that will last.  

Introduction. “What you can expect from this course” If you want to increase turnover and sales and are prepared to make some changes then this is for you. Successful selling is achieved through having positive personal attributes, sales skills, marketing ideas, plenty of bottle, the ability to take enthusiastic action and a good system.

Are you Motivated? Many people say they’ll succeed: without strong self-motivation there is no way. How to get and stay motivated starting today.

Visualisation. What is it and how can you use it to become ultra successful?

Get Organised. Lets start as we mean to go on. Without organisation you’ll never reach your goals in life. And there is no set way to be organised only golden rules.

Back to Basics. Before you can go forward you need to look over your shoulder and see where you’ve come from. You also need to look at the maths equation that will tell you whether you have a chance to succeed. No you don’t have to do any complicated algebra!!

All about Canvassing. Why do you need to canvass? What methods can you use? What is best for you? Canvassing is both a big “No! No!” and a numbers game.

Carry out a SWOT Analysis. Read the instructions and follow the template: you’ll then work it out for yourself

Use a Diary. Many don’t use diaries properly. A diary is the signpost and results of your Business or Marketing Plan. A diary is the place where you must be honest with yourself.

CRM System. This  is free and will allow more than one person access. Great for running teams, using a virtual assistant and generally keeping ahead of the game.

Action Plan introduction. You’ll see how important a forward running Action Plan is to keep you in front of the game. You’ll get a template that you can use week on week, month on month.

The Day Book your best £5 investment. Buy a Day Book today and you can use your brain in a more constructive way.

The YOU brand. Lets be honest. Why do people buy from your business? The answer should be a personal one.

Complete the Hidden Asset Audit. This 26 pages questionnaire will help you see strengths and weaknesses in your own marketing

Write Marketing Plan Part One. So now to write out the Marketing Plan that’s going to shoot

you up to the stars. Part one however is getting the background information. Unfortunately this is the boring bit so lets get it out of the way first.

Getting that order - the numbers game. If converting prospects into customers may be an art then working out the number of orders you’ll get is quite a science. You’ll love it when people say “No!”

Selling success is a conversation piece. I’ve loved selling for the past 45 years. It has been an experience to meet so many interesting people, to hear their stories, to ask them questions and to finally get that order signed. Most people hate selling – I’ll show you how to love it!

Getting calls. Mobile, Answering Service, Pager, Joint Ventures. When someone calls your phone they want to talk to a person. Maybe you can’t afford a receptionist. Well there are some great alternatives. And I bet one of these is for you.

Looking Great. Do you look the part? These tips alone will increase you confidence and add inches to your personality.

Canvassing to suit your Business. There are many ways to generate interest in your

services and products. Calling people by phone, writing, sending e-mails, texts or calling in person on them at work are just some ways. Lets find out what suits you.

Canvassing by Phone Part 1. Telephone canvassing is hard work that most people hate. Done well by experienced canvassers can be enjoyable, stress free and very rewarding. What are the key secrets? How can you succeed? Part One will get you started.
Canvassing Sheet. This template will get you started and enable you to keep tabs on what you are doing. Remember! Number crunching shines the way forward.

Door-to-Door Canvassing Part 1. Going out and calling on businesses was the rage in the sixties. Now it’s back and bringing in the results. We’ve forgotten the importance of personal face-to-face contact. Try these proven techniques and win through time after time

5x3 Cards. Forget your Blackberry or I-phone. Index cards can be a secret weapon in relationship selling.

Canvassing schedule. You’ve got to set yourself targets. Make your pledge today and I promise you’ll see positive results fast.

Write Marketing Plan Part Two. We’ve seen where we are now lets look at where we want to be. This is your blueprint.

Facebook, Twitter, Linkin and more. If you haven’t used any of these get onto the site and look at some of the pages. You may have to register as a member but it’s free so just do it. Make sure you use the same name – your name to build up your personal branding. More about this later.



Want to grow your business with this COMPREHENSIVE SALES & MARKETING COURSE?  Then just Click here

Good luck with your sales


Monday, August 02, 2010

Talk to me and increase your profits dramatically!

Work with me for just 15 weeks and we’ll dramatically increase your turnover and profits.

Starting or running a growing business but not sure what to do next?

Running a business that just isn’t growing?
Still making mistakes that you should be aware of?

Join me in the Local Business Forum
I’m Mike Leahy, your growing business coach and, just like you, an entrepreneur. Starting a new business or growing an existing one is hard work if you do not have the experience and expertise. 

Starting out just like you with a small instant print shop back in sixties and built it up using practical no-cost and low-cost marketing ideas coupled with my selling experience. Since then I have worked with numerous business owners, sharing with them those same trusted ideas and skills so that they too enjoyed success with their businesses.

I am still running business ventures including a new on-line radio show for growing businesses so that my finger is still on the marketing pulse. This year my aim is to help 120 business owners like you learn and use the steps to get your business working so that you achieve the lifestyle you want. 

You will have found that the internet is overflowing with information, often at inflated prices, that promises you success overnight. This does occasionally happen but usually through a fluke. Most enterprises grow through hard work – look at overnight entertainment successes - when asked they usually tell you it took over 10 years of un-ending hard work.

So if you want to become a millionaire by tomorrow this isn’t for you!

On the other hand if you want to grow your business on firm foundations that will become a valuable asset then join me and other dynamic business owners at the Local Business Forum and learn through the Local Business Academy.

Good Selling makes great business.