Janie has a great sense for marketing and promotion. She's always looking for opportunities to get the word out about her superior jerky. 

Attention to customer service is also a critical component of her and Ron's success. House of Jerky's customer service not only means keeping the customer satisfied but also regular communication to announce periodic specials and House of Jerky's efforts to help our troops.

 

~Roland

 

Did you hire someone to do SEO or did you do it yourself over the years.  I just launched www.thebridesmaidparty.com.  So far, I have paid for google ads and that is bringing in traffic.  I am ready to send a PR package out and start building advertising.  I tried to put as much information in the copy, but, I am rethinking my home page if there is not enough information on there about what we do.  Any input I would love. 

bridalchic

This is another great example of a niche business thriving because of open innovation technologies.  Years ago, if Janie wanted to get exposure for her jerkey business, she would have had to work hard to attract traditional media, hiring a PR agent or pitching the media on her own.  But thanks to the Internet, blogs, social networking and a variety of other online tools, she can bypass the old rules and promote the business herself.  Love it!

 

Here are a few other examples of similar niche businesses that have impressed me with similar strategies.

 

Nick Lindauer - creator of the Hot Sauce Blog (www.hotsauceblog.com) - specializing in Hot Sauce and other fiery foods, of course.  Hot sauce blog drives business to his online store.

 

Amie O'Shaughnessy - founder of Ciao Bambino (www.ciaobambino.com) - started out as a high end travel service for families traveling to Italy.  As business has become successful, she has expanded into other geographic areas.  She basically sells her recommendations and experience.

 

Hungry Girl - Lisa Lillien started a blog called Hungry-Girl (www.hungry-girl.com).  Her business has also grown virally through word-of-mouth referrals.  Every time her newsletter goes out, recipients forward it onto friends and she gets another round of new subscribers.  She built a name for herself online.  Lisa now has a new Hungry-Girl cookbook out that is already a top seller on Amazon...and it hasn't even been released yet.  All those subscribers...signing up for more.

 

Janie and the entrepreneurs described above are all proof (once again) that if you're doing something you love, the success will follow.