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	<title>Business Blogs &#187; Business Ideas</title>
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	<description>By entrepreneurs.  For entrepreneurs.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 13:18:27 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Product Summit Provides Unique Inventor Opportunities</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/06/21/product-summit-provides-unique-inventor-opportunities/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/06/21/product-summit-provides-unique-inventor-opportunities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:46:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Russell Williams</dc:creator><authorid>rwilliams</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inventing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Market Your Invention]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=4941</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Back in April, I posted an article which addressed the growing trend of “micro-shows”.  Many of the largest tradeshows in the land were adding destinations within the larger tradeshow…these “micro-shows” are devoted entirely to independent inventors and their unique products.  Two examples of these micro-shows are:


National Hardware Show’s “Inventor Spotlight”


International Home and Houseware Show’s “Inventor’s [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="Times New Roman;">Back in April, I posted an article which addressed the growing trend of “micro-shows”.<span style="yes;">  </span>Many of the largest tradeshows in the land were adding destinations within the larger tradeshow…these “micro-shows” are devoted entirely to independent inventors and their unique products.<span style="yes;">  </span>Two examples of these micro-shows are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;" lang="[object]"><span style="Times New Roman;">National Hardware Show’s “Inventor Spotlight”</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;" lang="[object]"><span style="Times New Roman;">International Home and Houseware Show’s “Inventor’s Corner”</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="small;"><span style="Times New Roman;">These tradeshow opportunities can be extremely beneficial to inventors, by giving them ONE destination at which they can gain exposure to many companies.<span style="yes;">  </span>In fact from my observation, the inventor areas at two of the largest industry tradeshows experienced heavier foot traffic than the main show floors.<span style="yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="Times New Roman;">As a further extension to this “micro-show” trend, I am happy to announce InventionHome’s first ever Product Summit.<span style="yes;">  </span>We will gather high-level executives from some very influential companies within certain industry segments…provide each company with a private meeting room…and then invite inventors to pitch their ideas to each company for free.<span style="yes;">  </span>We feel this is a tremendous opportunity for inventors to get real one-on-one face time with successful companies…and what’s more, these companies are fervently seeking new product opportunities (why else would they attend?).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="small;"><span style="Times New Roman;">The first Product Summit, slated for September 28, 2011, will bring together six companies from the Direct Response television industry.<span style="yes;">  </span>You know many of these companies…they are responsible for such products as Snuggie®, TopsyTurvy®, ShamWow!®, Total Gym®, Twin Draft Guard®, Pajama Jeans®, Easy Feet and HD Aviators.<span style="yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="Times New Roman;">There are three standard ways to pitch your product in person to a company:<span style="yes;">  </span>1) pay to exhibit or attend a tradeshow and hope you connect with the right company,<span style="yes;">  </span>2) attend special inventor pitch days held on occasion by<span style="yes;">  </span>individual companies, or 3) be bold and lucky enough to schedule a meeting at a corporate office.<span style="yes;">  </span>Our Product Summit offers one more option…and is the only opportunity to pitch to multiple companies in one place for free.<span style="yes;">  </span>Based on companies’ overwhelming responses in favor of this Summit concept, it is projected to be an instrumental tool to help the companies meet their need for innovation.</span></p>
<p style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="Times New Roman;">Inventors with products appropriate for TV can learn more about the DRTV Product Summit and submit their invention for consideration at </span><a href="http://signup.inventionhome.com/product-summit/drtv/" title="http://signup.inventionhome.com/product-summit/drtv/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/signup.inventionhome.com');"><span style="windowtext;"><span style="Times New Roman;">http://signup.inventionhome.com/product-summit/drtv/</span></span></a><span style="Times New Roman;">.</span></p>
<p style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="Times New Roman;">At InventionHome, we are always looking for ways to bring great opportunities to the independent inventor community, and we feel that these Product Summits provide further evidence of our dedication to inventor success.</span></p>
<p style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="Times New Roman;"><img src="http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/summitsm.JPG" alt="" width="450" height="68" /></span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Weekend Read Will Change My Approach, Change My Year</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/02/28/weekend-read-will-change-my-approach-change-my-year/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/02/28/weekend-read-will-change-my-approach-change-my-year/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:57:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich Sloan</dc:creator><authorid>rich</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Choosing a Business Idea]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Exit Strategy]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Growth Strategies]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inspiration to Start Up]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inventing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sales]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Social Entrepreneurship]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Staying Inspired]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Strategies &amp; Smarts]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Web-Based Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Writing a Business Plan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=4863</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I started my Saturday this past weekend with a midwest to westcoast flight. By the time I was over the Rockies, I was so excited to get to work on the new ideas filling my head that I couldn&#8217;t WAIT to get off that plane!
I had just finished reading through Josh Linkner&#8217;s brand new book, Disciplined [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I started my Saturday this past weekend with a midwest to westcoast flight. By the time I was over the Rockies, I was so excited to get to work on the new ideas filling my head that I couldn&#8217;t WAIT to get off that plane!</p>
<p>I had just finished reading through Josh Linkner&#8217;s brand new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470922222?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=startupnation-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0470922222" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.amazon.com');"><em>Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity</em></a><img style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=startupnation-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0470922222" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" />.</p>
<p>Linkner&#8217;s big idea: Breakthrough creativity doesn&#8217;t need to be random or something that happens only at the inception stage of your business. Creativity can be&#8211;and must be&#8211;cultivated systematically on an ongoing basis.<img style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=startupnation-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0470922222" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470922222?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=startupnation-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0470922222" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.amazon.com');"><img class="alignright" style="float: right;" src="http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/IMG_0425.JPG" alt="" width="222" height="289" /></a></p>
<p>Linkner provides five simple steps to help you become a creative, innovative, dynamic powerhouse - both individually and as a company.</p>
<p>As a long-time friend of mine, I&#8217;ve had the privilege of watching Josh perfect this systematic approach to creativity as a successful entrepreneur who rapidly grew a business to over $70 million in sales and as a legit jazz musician where improvisation has been a constant.</p>
<p>He deduced from his experiences that rather than waiting for <em>a-ha!</em> moments to wander through the door, it was possible to establish an environment where breakthrough ideas are farmed and harvested predictably, like crops.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s one thing to develop a system that works for yourself, but in <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470922222?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=startupnation-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0470922222" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.amazon.com');">Disciplined Dreaming</a><img style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=startupnation-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0470922222" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></em>, Linkner successfully packages his ideas into appealing, usable insights in a step-wise process that even at 33,000 feet, are simple and obvious to follow. Totally doable.</p>
<p>His five steps (paraphrased by me) are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Ask - Define your creativity challenge and foster curiosity and awareness of your business opportunity.</li>
<li>Prepare - Get into the proverbial &#8220;zone&#8221; to be creatively productive.</li>
<li>Discover - Explore and reveal every avenue to generate ideas and think innovativaly.</li>
<li>Ignite - Explode your creative thinking up to the next level to create extraordinary ideas.</li>
<li>Launch - Establish a specific framework for transforming ideas into action plans.</li>
</ol>
<p>And Josh provides specific instructions for each step.</p>
<p>I am so psyched to put these steps to work with my team, and I know they&#8217;ll be equally into the process. It will not only bring fresh ideas to light and game-changing strategy, but it will also be A BLAST!</p>
<p>With its creative prescription at just the right moment in my life&#8217;s work, I know that this weekend read will have a sweeping, positive impact on what I crank out as a visionary entrepreneur. </p>
<p>If you want to take your business and personal achievements to the next level, and if you&#8217;re wondering what you should be disciplined about today, I&#8217;d say, get yourself a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470922222?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=startupnation-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0470922222" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.amazon.com');"><em>Disciplined Dreaming</em></a><img style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=startupnation-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0470922222" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> and start creating your future systematically.</p>
<p><strong>Amazon link for <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470922222?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=startupnation-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0470922222" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.amazon.com');">Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity</a><img style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=startupnation-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0470922222" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
</em></strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>On Becoming a Mompreneur - All Access Tour</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/02/23/mompreneur-all-access-tour/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/02/23/mompreneur-all-access-tour/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:53:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rachel Blaufeld</dc:creator><authorid>rblaufeld</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Choosing a Business Idea]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Home-Based Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inspiration to Start Up]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Life Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Mompreneur]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=4857</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In October, 2010, I woke up and announced to my family that I was going to start a business.  It went something like this, “Good Morning!  Today, I am going to become a mompreneur.  Have a great day at school.”  I know it sounds a little flippant, but there really was no other way of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span>In October, 2010, I woke up and announced to my family that I was going to start a business.  It went something like this, “Good Morning!  Today, I am going to become a mompreneur.  Have a great day at school.”  I know it sounds a little flippant, but there really was no other way of putting it.  As I said it, I watched 3 mouths drop to the floor, and I could feel guilt sitting on one shoulder and determination sitting on the other.  For some reason, I decided that on that particular morning, I was going to pursue taking my spark of an idea to market.</span></p>
<p><span>Let me give you a little background.  I was a Stay At Home Mom, Domestic CEO, Professional Volunteer/Giver of Time, and providing free support and life skills for the last decade!  I had casually looked into what going back to work would look like for me, and I did not like what I found.  Maybe I was not looking in the right place; Maybe I was not presenting myself in the right way; Maybe I was not fully committed; Maybe my creative energies were too strong.  Who knows?</span></p>
<p><span>What I did know was on this particular morning in October, I was raring to go! I was creating my own destiny, which I am pretty sure sounded like “blah blah blah” to my family.  I do not have a business background, but rather a post-graduate degree in clinical social work, so I really had no idea where to begin.   I did not let that stop me because I know how to listen and seek out others who can help.  Of course, I found StartupNation which quickly became a valuable resource.</span></p>
<p><span>By the end of that week in October, I ran my sliver of an idea by a trusted advisor, drafted a partial business plan, set up my own blog so others could follow my adventure, secured a business attorney who helped with non-disclosures for this idea/product, and Backngroovemom was born.  I began to work at such a rapid fury because I was so intrigued at the idea of creating something of my own.  I discovered many tricks and overcame huge hurdles.  Don’t get me wrong, I made many mistakes, and I am sure that I will continue to make a few more. I will give you a behind the scenes look at those tricks and mistakes&#8230;just not now.  I cannot give everything away at once!</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>If you are a mom who thinks that somewhere deep inside you have just a tiny little ember or a huge flame of curiosity at becoming a mompreneur - here is my first recommendation:</span></p>
<p>-Sit down with a piece of paper and write down everything you have ever done.  I mean everything.  Even if you do not think it is relevant - write it down.  Include past and current work experience, volunteer experience, neighborhood committees and projects, the style in which you navigate your every day life, even extended family obligations.</p>
<p><span>-Take a hard look at your list - did you forget volunteering in the reading corner in your child’s class; negotiating your grandfather into a nursing home; managing your household budget? Do NOT leave anything out because these are all valuable skills.</span></p>
<p><span>-If you helped grandpa get what he needed in the nursing home, cutting red tape and how to negotiate on many different levels is a skill you hold. If you were in charge of the first grade reading corner, patience is part of your make-up.  How about managing the neighborhood block party? After that, you now know how to negotiate with many different ideas, wants, personalities.</span></p>
<p><span>-The point is that you may have a very unique skill set that you have neglected to pay attention to, and this can help you discover your own business in many ways.</span></p>
<p><span>-Make your list, consider your ideas, and think about what type of business these qualities lend themselves to&#8230;&#8230; </span></p>
<p><span>At the beginning of my pursuit, my oldest son exclaimed &#8220;You cannot do this&#8230;I am only 9 - I still need you.&#8221;  He is now excited by my mission and contributes regularly (really).  My journey has come a very long way since last fall, and now I am so excited  to share on StartupNation an all-access backstage pass to the tour.  Until then, visit my blog <a href="http://backngroovemom.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/backngroovemom.com');"><span>http://backngroovemom.com</span></a> to stay up to date with my “product”-tivity.</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>What&#8217;s Next After Your Newsletter?</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/02/15/newsletter-small-business-public-relation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/02/15/newsletter-small-business-public-relation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:46:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Rembrandt</dc:creator><authorid>mrembrandt</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Advertising and Promotion]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Blogging]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Models]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Startup Costs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Technology]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Customer Service]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Email Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Home Office]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Home-Based Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Life Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Market Your Invention]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Measuring Success]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Mobile Communications]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Niche Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Online Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Online Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Part-Time Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Public Relations (PR)]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Running a Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sales]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Social Entrepreneurship]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Software]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[StartupNation Insider Information]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Strategies &amp; Smarts]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Young Entrepreneurs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[copywriting]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[e-mail auto-responders]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[newsletter]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[search engine optimization]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=4849</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ok. You have a newsletter registration on your home page,
and people have started to sign up.
Great! Now, what do you do?
A.     Sit back and watch who signs up.
B.     Communicate with your new registrants right away.
C.    Send valuable information to your list on a regular basis.
If you answered B and C… Ding, Ding Ding! You are [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ok. You have a <a href="http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2009/07/13/newsletters/" target="_blank">newsletter registration</a> on your home page,<br />
and people have started to sign up.</p>
<p>Great! Now, what do you do?</p>
<p><em>A.     Sit back and watch who signs up.</em></p>
<p><em>B.     Communicate with your new registrants right away.</em></p>
<p><em>C.    Send valuable information to your list on a regular basis.</em></p>
<p>If you answered B and C… Ding, Ding Ding! You are right!</p>
<p><strong>Newsletter Set Up is Just the Beginning.</strong></p>
<p>The whole reason you have an online newsletter registration<br />
is so that you can collect the contact information for potential<br />
customers.</p>
<p>Once you get their names and e-mails, the real work begins…</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Send a thank you.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Immediately after people register for your newsletter, send them<br />
a personalized, e-mail thank-you note. It should include a welcome<br />
message, all the benefits they will be receiving and any kind of<br />
free e-report, survey, white paper, etc. that you agreed to send<br />
them if they registered.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Schedule e-mail auto-responders.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>What are they?</p>
<p>Well, after you send out your initial thank-you<br />
and welcome e-mail, you need to communicate with your<br />
list on a regular basis.</p>
<p>With e-mail auto-responders, you send e-mails to your<br />
audience to remind them about your business. And these 5-10<br />
e-mails are scheduled for automatic delivery over a matter of weeks.</p>
<p>However, you want to ensure these e-mail messages are personal<br />
and provide value to the readers.</p>
<p>Perhaps, you can share a story about something that happened<br />
to you recently, provide a business tip or talk about a current,<br />
news story?</p>
<p>At the end of your e-mail, you remind your list about<br />
a particular product or service that you are selling.</p>
<p>This way, you communicate with your list in a way that provides value,<br />
reminds them you are around and allows them to get to know you<br />
over time.</p>
<p>It is a fantastic way to build long-term, customer relationships.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Are you blogging and using social media?</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>In addition to sending out the e-mail auto-responders mentioned above,<br />
you also want to let your list know when you have a new blog entry,<br />
article, sale, etc. And this is just a simple process of scheduling an<br />
e-mail to go out whenever you have a new entry.</p>
<p>For these services, check out:</p>
<p><a href="http://aweber.com/?324776" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/aweber.com');">http://aweber.com/?324776</a><br />
<a href="http://www.constantcontact.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.constantcontact.com');">www.constantcontact.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.icontact.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.icontact.com');">www.icontact.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.myemma.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.myemma.com');">www.myemma.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.verticalresponse.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.verticalresponse.com');">www.verticalresponse.com</a></p>
<p>This way, you can easily stay in touch with your list on a regular<br />
basis and keep your products and services top-of-mind while<br />
providing value.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Monitor e-mail auto-responder results.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Once your newsletter-registration and e-mail auto-responder<br />
process is in place, be sure to monitor it regularly.</p>
<p>By checking your e-mail service, you can see how many people<br />
opened your e-mail, the most popular content and clicks,<br />
the best subject lines and send times, undeliverables, spam notices,<br />
and more.</p>
<p>This is valuable information you can use to get the best results<br />
for your e-mail efforts. Plus, you can use this data to discover key<br />
trends with your list members, conduct follow-up, stop issues before<br />
they become big problems, and create new content to meet their<br />
specific needs.</p>
<p><strong>Take Advantage of This Process.</strong></p>
<p>Having a newsletter registration allows you to create and<br />
grow your own list of customers. But this is just the beginning.</p>
<p>Once you offer your newsletter, it’s important to provide<br />
personalized information  to your list on a regular basis via<br />
an e-mail auto-responder series.</p>
<p>Now, you may think that your customers will turn away if you<br />
send them too many e-mails. And sure, you will get some<br />
unsubscribes. But you do not want these “uninterested” people<br />
on your list anyway.</p>
<p>Just be sure to send valuable information your customers can<br />
use. And note that there is an art to the content and timing of these<br />
e-mails… so I strongly advise that you hire an experienced, SEO<br />
copywriter to help you write and send them.</p>
<p>But it’s well worth the time, cost and effort. With good, e-mail<br />
auto-responders, your list will actually look forward to<br />
receiving  your e-mails.</p>
<p>And this means you can build valuable,<br />
long-term customer relationships that will catapult your business<br />
above the competition and dramatically increase sales.</p>
<p>Do you need assistance setting up your newsletter process and<br />
e-mail auto-responder series? Please write to me here or at<br />
<a href="http://www.rembrandtwrites.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rembrandtwrites.com');">www.rembrandtwrites.com</a>. Your site traffic will increase!</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Come Up with Great Ideas</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/01/19/how-to-come-up-with-great-ideas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/01/19/how-to-come-up-with-great-ideas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:10:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Zeke Camusio</dc:creator><authorid>zeke</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inspiration to Start Up]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inventing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Starting a Business after Retirement]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Strategies &amp; Smarts]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Young Entrepreneurs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[start a business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=4838</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Even if you like working for someone else, you have probably had a business idea that you haven’t told to anybody. Chances are, in a few months or years someone will start the business you’ve been dreaming of. That’s when you’ll tell all of your friends, “I had the same idea years ago. I knew [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Even if you like working for someone else, you have probably had a business idea that you haven’t told to anybody. Chances are, in a few months or years someone will start the business you’ve been dreaming of. That’s when you’ll tell all of your friends, “I had the same idea years ago. I knew it was a great idea!” This has happened to me so many times! But it isn’t possible for me to start a new business every time I have an idea because I wouldn’t have time to work on my current businesses. People like myself have at least one business idea every day. But others struggle to come up with an idea, spending weeks or even months trying to think of great business idea. Why?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>The “It’s Been Done Before” Myth</span></strong><strong><span><br />
</span></strong><span>Every time someone comes to me and tells me they have an idea for a business that “has never been done before”, I start to worry. There’s a reason some things have never been done before. Let’s say you want to sell a square car. It has never been done before. That doesn’t mean there’s a market for it. Actually, the fact that it has never been done before leads me to think there’s no market for square cars.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>But the real problem is when people give up on business ideas because they have been done already. Don’t do this. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Don’t Look for the “Perfect” Idea</span></strong><span><br />
Look at McDonalds. They didn’t invent burgers; they came up with a system for delivering food fast at a low cost. Look at Starbucks. They weren’t the first people to open a coffee shop; they created a great way to enhance the coffee drinking experience. Look at Zappos. They weren’t the first online shoe store, but because of their amazing customer service and policy of free return shipping, they became the largest online shoe store.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>These businesses didn’t re-invent the wheel. They found something that could be done better and did it. Don’t look for the “perfect” idea. There are hundreds of ways you can create a better world and make a lot of money doing it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>So, How Do You Come Up with Great Business Ideas?</span></strong><strong><span><br />
</span></strong><span>The answer is this: “Keep your eyes open for things that you want and can’t get, or things you can’t get in a convenient way.” I’ll give you a few examples:</span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span>Sara, a woman I      know, moved from Costa Rica to the US five years ago. She was craving      Costa Rican food and she couldn’t get it anywhere. She then realized that      the Latino population in the US is huge and those people missed the food      they could get in their countries but wasn’t available in the US. Sara      decided to import Latino foods into the US and sell them online. She does      over $2M now.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span>A friend of mine      used to live in an isolated mountain town the US Postal Service, FedEx and      UPS wouldn’t deliver to. They dropped all the packages at a central      location in town and people had to drive 15 miles to pick up their mail.      Everyone was annoyed with this fact and started saying that they’d be      willing to pay a little extra to get the packages delivered to their      homes. My friend listened to them and started charging each family $10 a      month to pick up their packages and deliver them daily to their homes. He      had 200 clients and paid for his college working two hours a day.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span>Last week I got      a grill that I had to assemble myself. It was a pain in the butt and made      me waste four valuable hours that I could have spent helping my clients. I      would have loved to pay someone $50 to put it together for me. That store      also had beautiful furniture that I wanted to buy too, but there’s no way      I’ll spend two entire days assembling all those tables, chairs, beds and      closets. What if someone approached this store and offered them this      service for their clients? The store would increase their sales, the      clients would be happier and this person would have a business.</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The bottom line is this: Every time you’re frustrated about something, think about how you can make it better. Once you automate this process, I guarantee that you’ll get at least one great business idea per day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<p class="MsoNormal"><em>Zeke Camusio is a serial entrepreneur, online marketing expert, author of <a href="http://www.startupnation.com/google-seo">Google Rocketship</a> and founder of an <a href="http://theoutsourcingcompany.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/theoutsourcingcompany.com');">Internet Marketing Agency</a> in Portland, OR.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>26 Business Ideas - Take Your Pick!</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/01/18/26-business-ideas-take-your-pick/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/01/18/26-business-ideas-take-your-pick/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:30:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich Sloan</dc:creator><authorid>rich</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Models]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Choosing a Business Idea]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Hate My Job]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inspiration to Start Up]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Social Entrepreneurship]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Starting a Business after Retirement]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Strategies &amp; Smarts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=4837</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I don&#8217;t know about you, but I grew up dreaming of running my own business. One of my sources of inspiration was Entrepreneur Magazine. I&#8217;d go over to the bookstore, flip through each monthly issue and get TOTALLY psyched about the possibilities ahead of me. 
 
Rieva Lesonsky was Editor of that magazine at that time, and so, it&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">I don&#8217;t know about you, but I grew up dreaming of running my own business. One of my sources of inspiration was Entrepreneur Magazine. I&#8217;d go over to the bookstore, flip through each monthly issue and get TOTALLY psyched about the possibilities ahead of me. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">Rieva Lesonsky was Editor of that magazine at that time, and so, it&#8217;s an incredible thrill and honor when StartupNation collaborates today with Rieva on new and helpful advice for entrepreneurs. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">I&#8217;m writing today to share with you that Rieva&#8211;now running her own business&#8211;and StartupNation have just released a new eBook for 2011. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "><a href="http://www.startupnation.com/hot-business"><strong>26 Hot Businesses To Start Right Now!</strong></a> is the second annual kick-start, jump-start, fire-you-up, open-your-mind, take-action-now, whip-crackin&#8217;, break-on-through, fertilize-your-mind, start-it-up, breeze-to-read downloadable eBook that will leave you rich with ideas and inspiration for a business that fits you perfectly and equips you with the specifics to get started.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">By reading this eBook, [click the image to see it] you will learn 11 hot trends and 26 hot businesses that you can start today. For example, you&#8217;ll gain insights like:<a href="http://www.startupnation.com/hot-business"><img class="alignright" style="float: right;" src="http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/bookBg.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="176" /></a></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">Make it personal. Millennials (60% of all weddings by 2012) are demanding their wedding experience be more distinctive, opening opportunities for personalized wedding décor &amp; accessories businesses.</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">M</span><span style="font-family: ">ake the world come together. Open a translation services business, and capitalize on a market that has experienced average annual growth of 22% since 2004.</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">Sell plus-sizes. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of all U.S. adults (age 20+) are overweight and about half of those are obese. Make their lives easier by selling plus-sized products and apparel.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">The download is jam-packed with a simple, easy-to-understand analysis of the market landscape and specific recommendations for businesses you can start now that have the highest probability of success in 2011.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">The great thing about <a href="http://www.startupnation.com/hot-business"><strong>26 Hot Businesses to Start Right Now!</strong></a> is that it can be read in a day, immediately empowering you to select a new business to start and to take the first steps in building your future as a business owner.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">The eBook is a launching pad for your business with links to more than 20 additional resources.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">By reading this eBook, you&#8217;ll tap into the insights necessary to create a small business blockbuster. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: ">About Rieva, the author: Rieva Lesonsky, CEO and president of GrowBiz Media (<a href="http://www.growbizmedia.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.growbizmedia.com');"><span style="color: #0099cc;">www.growbizmedia.com</span></a>), a content and consulting company specializing in small businesses and entrepreneurship, and SmallBizDaily.com, her daily blog. Lesonsky has been covering America’s entrepreneurs for nearly 30 years. She has appeared on hundreds of TV programs and radio shows, including the <span style="font-family: ">Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, The Martha Stewart Show and Oprah, and can be seen regularly on MSNBC’s Your Business.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "><span style="font-family: "><a href="http://www.startupnation.com/hot-business"><strong>LEARN MORE HERE</strong></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "><span style="font-family: ">&#8230; and START IT UP!!!</span></span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Exposed - The PR Myths!</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/11/01/prmyths/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/11/01/prmyths/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:12:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Rembrandt</dc:creator><authorid>mrembrandt</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Advertising and Promotion]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Home Office]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Home-Based Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Life Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Market Your Invention]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Online Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Public Relations (PR)]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Running a Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[media relations]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[PR]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[public relations]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[publicity]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sales]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/?p=4802</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How was your Halloween? Was it as scary as your current, publicity activities?
Well, if you&#8217;ve had bad publicity experiences in the past and are afraid to move forward, don&#8217;t be!
After hearing from many entrepreneurs who were “taken” by a big agency or just didn’t have the money to pursue PR activities, I decided to write [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="10pt;"><span style="Lucida Sans Unicode;">How was your Halloween? Was it as scary as your current, publicity activities?</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="10pt;"><span style="Lucida Sans Unicode;">Well, if you&#8217;ve had bad publicity experiences in the past and are afraid to move forward, don&#8217;t be!</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="_Toc254537732;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="10pt;">After hearing from many entrepreneurs who were “taken” by a big agency or just didn’t have the money to pursue PR activities, I decided to write a book to expose the myths about PR and provide a simple guide to get started. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="_Toc254537732;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="10pt;">And as a fellow, small business owner who started with an extremely low budget, I can relate… so with this in mind, here’s a free excerpt from my book, “</span></span></span><a href="http://www.rembrandtwrites.com/SimplePublicity.htm" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rembrandtwrites.com');"><span style="_Toc254537732;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><em><span style="10pt;">Simple Publicity – How to do your own public relations to boost sales, awareness and credibility fast… without spending a lot of money</span></em></span></span></a><span style="_Toc254537732;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="10pt;">.”</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="center;"><span style="_Toc254537732;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="12pt;"><em><span style="Arial;"><strong>&#8220;The 4 PR Myths – Busted!</strong></span></em></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="_Toc254537732;"><span style="_Toc257373457;"><span style="10pt;">As an entrepreneur, there are many advantages to using PR that are really exciting. In fact, after working with numerous, small businesses for many years, I’ve found that there are four major myths about having a successful, public-relations program. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="10pt;">No, you don’t! Halleluiah! Just what you wanted to hear! Yes, it is simply not true that you need a lot of money to pursue public-relations efforts. It really just takes time and effort. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">In fact, as a new entrepreneur, you may lose a lot of money and sleep by spending big bucks on a large, public-relations agency. I’ve talked to a lot of business owners who were completely frustrated at the process. After spending thousands of dollars, they received minimal attention and press mentions. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">Why? Many large, PR agencies will be interested in having you as a client and taking your retainer fees. But then, as one of their smaller accounts, you may not get the attention you deserve. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">This doesn’t happen all the time, but a recent college-graduate or intern may handle your account. Then, you may not see the results of working with a well-known agency. And by the time you realize this, your complete, PR budget can disappear!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">If you are just starting out and don’t have the money to hire a publicist, you can get some fantastic press coverage on your own. But you need to be willing to take the time to make it happen. This book aims to help you do just that.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">After creating a plan, conducting the appropriate research and taking action, it is possible to get targeted media venues to spread the word about your business. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">And this refers to more than just the local press. You can book interviews with nationally-syndicated television and radio programs. You can appear on the cover of <em>The New York Times, Fortune </em>and <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>, talk to “Oprah” and the morning radio-show-host, chat on a popular blog, and be on any other media venue you go after! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">It’s just a matter of researching in advance and taking action.&#8221;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">(Copyright 2010 by 1Win Press)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="17.1pt 54.15pt;"><span style="10pt;">Check in next week to find out the other two myths. And if you can’t wait and want to start taking advantage of the power of PR, check out the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Publicity-Relations-Awareness-Credibility/dp/0982695055/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1282509144&amp;sr=8-2" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.amazon.com');">here</a> or write to me below. </span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Exercise Boring? Check Out what This Actress Turned Business Owner Did.</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/10/11/actress-turned-business-owner/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/10/11/actress-turned-business-owner/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:12:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Rembrandt</dc:creator><authorid>mrembrandt</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Home-Based Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Life Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Market Your Invention]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Public Relations (PR)]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Running a Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[new business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[public relations]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[publicity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/?p=4793</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Feeling a little flabby and ready to get in shape for the holidays?
Meet Judie Aronson, Founder of RockIt Body™ Pilates, www.rockitbodypilates.com/.  With some savvy marketing and a little luck, she turned her passion for a new type of workout into a successful business. Here&#8217;s what Judie had to say: 
Tell us about your background and why [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"><strong>Feeling a little flabby and ready to get in shape for the holidays?</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Meet Judie Aronson, Founder of RockIt Body</span><sup><span style="10pt;">™</span></sup><span style="10pt;"> Pilates, </span><span style="10pt;"><a href="http://www.rockitbodypilates.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rockitbodypilates.com');">www.rockitbodypilates.com/</a>.<span style="yes;">  </span>With some savvy marketing and a little luck, she turned her passion for a new type of workout into a successful business. Here&#8217;s what Judie had to say:</span><span style="10pt;"><span style="yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"><img class="alignright" src="http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/JudieAronson.jpg" alt="Judie Aronson of www.rockitbodypilates.com" width="206" height="310" />Tell us about your background and why you opened Rockit Body Pilates.</span></strong></p>
<p style="12pt;"><span style="10pt;">As a working actress for many years, it was essential for me to stay in shape, and I dreaded it! I would just keep trying one workout after another because I got bored easily. </span></p>
<p style="12pt;"><span style="10pt;">Then, in early 2007, my friend suggested that I try the Pilates Plus/SPX workout. I instantly became addicted, and it was the first exercise I&#8217;ve ever done where I wasn&#8217;t constantly looking at the clock.</span></p>
<p style="12pt;"><span style="10pt;">The funny thing was, everyone else who took the classes seemed to be as passionate about it as I was. Then, it hit me. I decided to create my own, beautiful studio in a great location… an exciting workout where I would offer clients a personal relationship. This would be a place where clients could bring their friends, meet and connect with other clients, get a great workout, feel good about themselves, and have fun doing it.</span></p>
<p style="12pt;"><span style="10pt;">In February 2009, RockIt Body Pilates, <a href="http://www.rockitbodypilates.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rockitbodypilates.com');">www.rockitbodypilates.com</a>, in Manhattan Beach, CA, became a reality. And it was so popular, we just opened another location in Redondo Beach, CA this last February. It has been a lot of work but a dream come true.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Why is this fitness business different from all the other, related gyms and fitness clubs out there?</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">In just 50 minutes, you experience a unique </span><span style="10pt;">fusion of pilates, cardio, and strength training to upbeat music. And this special combination of activities helps you achieve muscle definition faster than traditional pilates and/or weight training alone. It also promotes flexibility and elasticity, which helps prevent future injuries. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Plus, classes are small so it’s almost like having a personal trainer because you get individual attention. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">How did you get the word out about your first studio to be able to open a second location so quickly?<img class="alignright" src="http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/RockItBodyLogo.jpg" alt="www.rockitbodypilates.com" width="191" height="78" /></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong></strong><span style="10pt;">I was very lucky in that one of my friends knew a publicist who heard about my business and shared it with the producers at the TV Guide Channel. They did a national, television segment about RockIt Body Pilates, and once it aired, word spread quickly. I was inundated with requests to open locations throughout the country!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What kind of marketing have you done that has been successful and why do you think it was successful?</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong></strong><span style="10pt;">So far, we have received a lot of new business from word-of-mouth, the best kind of marketing. Almost every person who tries a class gets addicted to the workout.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">People ask our clients how they got fit and lost the extra pounds, and our clients tell them about the classes. Then, these referrals come in and try a class at a special, introductory rate. And usually, they like their first class so much that they come back for more. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">We also place ads and coupons in our local newspapers and mailers and participate in local events. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What was your biggest challenge in promoting and marketing your business, and how did you overcome that challenge?</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">I was one of the lucky ones who got a great break through the TV Guide Channel segment. However, RockIt Body Pilates has grown rapidly, and this has created the challenge of trying to find the time to run the business, train and hire new instructors, handle sales, and take care of the marketing too. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">With all of this going on, I needed assistance that was cost-effective. Fortunately, I found clients to trade business services and outside freelancers to assist with various projects. This has helped to keep costs down and provide more time for me to take care of business priorities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs out there?</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong></strong><span style="10pt;">If you have a great idea for a business, don’t let others tell you that it’s impossible. “No” doesn’t mean “no” to me. I will just find another way. I started my business during the economic downturn, and everyone thought I was crazy. But I needed to pursue my passion and had a gut feeling it would work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Thanks for your great tips and advice Judie, and congratulations on your success! To find out more about this unique workout, visit <a href="http://www.rockitbodypilates.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rockitbodypilates.com');">www.rockitbodypilates.com</a>. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">And if you need help spreading the word about your new business, getting your Web site optimized for the search engines and creating appropriate newsletters, blogs, e-mails and more, please contact me here or at <a href="http://www.rembrandtwrites.com" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rembrandtwrites.com');">www.rembrandtwrites.com</a>. Thanks!</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Chris D’Agnese of Inkhead Uses SEO Tactics to Grow Business</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/06/04/inkhead/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/06/04/inkhead/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:44:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Rembrandt</dc:creator><authorid>mrembrandt</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Advertising and Promotion]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Financing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Models]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Business Technology]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Direct Marketing]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[Home-Based Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Inventing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Life Planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Market Your Invention]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Online Marketing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Public Relations (PR)]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Running a Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Software]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[free publicity]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[media relations]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[PR]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[public relations]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/?p=4745</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Does SEO really work? Well, former software developer Chris D’Agnese saw an opportunity to build a promotional products business solely off of online sales, based on the ideas that consumers like to research and compare before purchasing. Using simple SEO tactics, Inkhead’s sales increased 32% from 2008 to 2009. As a member of the Promotional Products Association [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="none;"><span style="bold;">Does SEO really work? Well, former software developer Chris D’Agnese saw an </span><span style="10pt;">opportunity to build a promotional products business solely off of online sales, based on the ideas that consumers like to research and compare before purchasing. Using simple SEO tactics, Inkhead’s sales increased 32% from 2008 to 2009. As a member of the Promotional Products Association International, here’s what Chris had to say:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="none;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Tell us about your business. <img class="alignright" src="http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/chris_dagnese_inkhead.jpg" alt="" width="217" height="289" /></span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">The internet happened to be a perfect medium for the promotional products industry due to the vast amount of product and supplier choices, fast turnaround times required, low competition, and customer need for lower pricing and streamlined processes. So I, and two other, very good software developers, set out to revolutionize promotional products on the Web by creating an organic, robust Web application that is seamlessly integrated with our website, our ordering system, billing system, and CRM system, all in one. </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">It’s a place where marketing professionals, small businesses, universities, government and the like can go online at any time of the day, any day of the week and research/purchase quality promotional items to promote their business/message and do it for less money and effort. </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Now that we have an award-winning, world class Website, a happy and knowledgeable staff, things are going better than ever. Sales are reaching record growth numbers year over year, and we’re in the process of moving to a new location to accommodate for the near 100% increase in employees.<strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What was the biggest challenge in starting your business and how did you overcome it?</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="10pt;">Getting 15000 + products on the site maintained and ready for purchase. There are many options available to consider when purchasing promotional items, and online, it can be a very challenging task when there are so many items and suppliers to choose from. There are materials, colors, imprint areas, decoration methods, shipping methods, rush production options, images, etc. </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="10pt;">How do you display these options to the user so that the information is clear and concise? How do you calculate and present back accurate pricing instantly based on user input? With so many products, how do you categorize them so that a user can narrow their choices? How do you then encourage the user to take the steps required to convert them into paying customers? When pricing changes, how do you update all of the products before they are out of date again? </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="10pt;">These are just a few of the challenges we face and continue to optimize. The key is to do more planning and testing than implementation. It should be an organic and ever evolving process. If you dive in and start trying to display every product available with every option available, that’s all you will accomplish and when you’re done, you’ll have to do it all over again.<strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What marketing and promotional tactics did you use to grow your business and why?</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">We have tried everything from affiliate and referral programs, to direct mail, catalogs, email blasts, and online Pay Per Click advertising. We used these mediums at first because we were really just following the lead of most others in the industry. </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">We thought, “If these guys are doing it, then it must work.” Well, we were wrong. We learned that just because successful companies are doing something, it doesn’t mean they are doing it correctly or optimally and if they are, it still may not be the right thing for our company. </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">We learned that print marketing and Pay Per Click advertising are incredibly expensive and not great converters. We then changed our strategy to focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). That was one of the best decisions we ever made. If done correctly, this avenue yields high volumes of qualified buyers at a very low cost.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What marketing and promotional tactics worked best, and why do you think that is?</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">The core of our business comes from high levels of search engine visibility via Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). There’s just no better medium for the amount of lead volume for the low amount of costs. The unique visitors (not the meaningless “hits” metric) to our website via search engines are over 100,000 per month and costs us next to nothing.<span style="yes;">  </span>Where else can you get that much exposure for so little money?<strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">If you had to start over again, is there anything you would do differently and why or why not?</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Make sure every partner, vendor, and the like are not only part of the potential success, but that they are also held accountable for the potential failure. And make sure it’s in writing. Even though InkHead has enjoyed a great amount of success, we would be a great deal further along had we dotted a few “I’s” and crossed a few “T’s” when forming relationships.<strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs pursuing their business dreams?</span></strong><span style="10pt;"> <img class="alignright" src="http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/InkHead_Promotional_Products.jpg" alt="" width="276" height="107" /><strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Increase your chances of success by learning to fail. </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Don&#8217;t get too busy making plans for all your future success, yet plan for failure, always in writing, and when it goes wrong you&#8217;ll have a chance to try it again.<strong></strong></span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Speed Kills.</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">If you&#8217;re going to do something, get it done immediately. Perfect plans never get executed, so start things a step at a time and build as you go, but do it now. If you don’t, someone else will.</span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Embrace the Web.</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Get your business out on the Web immediately. This is where people go when performing research for a purchase these days and way into the future and one of the most asked questions is, “Do you have a website?” It takes time to build your reputation on the Web, so start on day one and before you know it, people will say “I’ve seen your website.”</span></div>
<div><span style="10pt;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="10pt;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="10pt;"> </span></div>
<p><span style="10pt;"> </p>
<p></span>
</p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Humility Required.</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Relationships are essential when starting and maintaining a new business. No vendor, customer, partner or employee enjoys building relationships with business owners who are arrogant, unethical, or too prideful to accept responsibility for mistakes. So, you must leave pride at home and learn to gracefully take your blows. Resolve issues quickly by being straightforward but respectful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;"> </span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="10pt;">Is there anything else you would like to add?</span></strong></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">There is no greater value to a business owner than being seen and heard as a recognized brand. Promotions and relationships are proven to be the most effective way to do this. That is what InkHead’s business model is all about. That is what we do for our customers, employees, vendors, and ourselves. </span></p>
<p class="ListParagraph" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">Thanks for your great insights and tips Chris! We wish you all the best and continued success!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="10pt;">How about you? Do you need help with your SEO copywriting and marketing strategies to boost sales, awareness and credibility? Please write to me here or at <a href="http://www.rembrandtwrites.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.rembrandtwrites.com');"><span style="#800080;">www.rembrandtwrites.com</span></a>. </span></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Art of Getting Buzz in Entrepreneur Magazine</title>
		<link>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/02/15/the-art-of-getting-buzz-in-entrepreneur-magazine/</link>
		<comments>http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2010/02/15/the-art-of-getting-buzz-in-entrepreneur-magazine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:37:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Heather Schuck</dc:creator><authorid>hnolte</authorid>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Advertising and Promotion]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Bootstrapping]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Branding Strategy]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[Business Planning]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[Marketing Plan]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[Running a Business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Strategies &amp; Smarts]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Amy Cosper]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Aronado Placencia]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Entrepreneur Magazine]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[get publicity]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Startup Lucky]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/?p=4690</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For many small business owners getting a write-up in Entrepreneur magazine is the holy grail of media coverage.  A few lines in the magazine can make all those sleepless nights, hard work, and determination seem rewarded.  No trophies or plaques required.  So what does it take to secure this much coveted ink?
Aronado Placencia, host of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For many small business owners getting a write-up in Entrepreneur magazine is the holy grail of media coverage.  A few lines in the magazine can make all those sleepless nights, hard work, and determination seem rewarded.  No trophies or plaques required.  So what does it take to secure this much coveted ink?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.twitter.com/aronado" target="_blank" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.twitter.com');">Aronado Placencia</a>, host of the popular web show <a href="http://www.startuplucky.com" target="_blank" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.startuplucky.com');">StartupLucky</a>, sat down with Amy &#8220;Queen of the Twitch&#8221; Cosper, Editor in Chief of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneur_%28magazine%29" class="zem_slink freebase/en/entrepreneur_magazine" title="Entrepreneur (magazine)" rel="wikipedia" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/en.wikipedia.org');">Entrepreneur Magazine</a> and asked just that.  Amy was incredibly generous with her time and schooled us all in the art of getting buzz from Entrepreneur Magazine.  Make sure you have your pad and pencil ready, there&#8217;s lots to learn.</p>
<p><a href="http://startuplucky.com/2010/01/19/start-ups-small-businesses-learn-how-to-get-featured-in-entrepreneur-magazine-interview-w-editor/" title="StartupLucky Interview with Entrepreneur Magazine" target="_blank" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/startuplucky.com');"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/imagemanager/files/EntMagVideo.jpg" alt="StartupLucky Entrepreneur Magazine Interview" width="551" height="357" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Highlights from the StartupLucky exclusive interview:</strong></p>
<p>How to Get Featured:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Amy      loves &#8220;twitches&#8221;: short and sweet Twitter pitches that leave her begging      for more</li>
<li>Email      pitches need to be bulleted, 350 words or less, with a focus on      storytelling</li>
<li>Feel      free to bribe (cookies &amp; wine preferred) but it doesn&#8217;t guarantee a      feature</li>
</ul>
<p>How to Reach Startup Success:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Your      business plan/model needs to be explained in 3-4 sentences.  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevator_pitch" class="zem_slink freebase/en/elevator_pitch" title="Elevator pitch" rel="wikipedia" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/en.wikipedia.org');">Elevator pitch</a> longer than that? Try      again.</li>
<li>Don&#8217;t      be afraid to adapt to a changing market, customer base, or upgrades in      technology&#8230;true entrepreneurs evaluate, adapt, and thrive</li>
<li>Don&#8217;t      confuse Fearlessness with Recklessness, keep yourself in check</li>
</ul>
<p>Need help with your business marketing, social media, or branding? Contact me here: <a href="http://su.pr/2GXnYX" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/su.pr');">http://su.pr/2GXnYX</a></p>
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