I set up a Dwolla business account and it works pretty much the same as Paypal. You can set up a personal or business account and transact using your email address or cell phone number. There is also a Dwolla App that you can download onto your Smart Phone. Click the link below to check out the infomerical:

Is Dwolla the next PayPal?

Get Active in the Online Community
Social media has taken the world by storm. Whether you’ve fully embraced it or still testing the waters, it is in your best interest to participate at some level. If you’re signed up with the Big 3, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, you definitely want to enroll in groups and forums where your target audience meets. Don’t try to hog the show! Just show up, introduce yourself and participate in the discussions. Always strive to be positive and provide information that is of value to the community.

Use Photos
Sometimes words just aren’t enough. Photographs or images have a powerful effect on the senses. They have a way of playing on our emotions, which can direct us to take action. Haven’t you seen a picture of some mouthwatering food item that grabbed your attention on the web or in a magazine that caused you to want to give it a try? Using photographs on your website, blog and social media campaigns can cause prospects to purchase, consume or request further information. Start using photographs to capture what your business does or the results it creates.

Create A Newsletter
Send your clients and supporters a targeted message on a regular basis. Decide on the frequency in which you will deliver your email and announce it to your subscribers. Whether you choose to correspond weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, be sure to deliver on a consistent basis. Collect email addresses through a website, when services are rendered or through other promotional events like conferences or trade shows. Be sure to get permission before adding email addresses to your database. Emailing someone without their consent is spamming; a serious offense.

Press Release
A press release is an inexpensive marketing idea and an effective marketing tool that can be used by any business. A well written press release announcing an upcoming event, business milestone, grand opening, business awards, expansion, unique products or services, etc. can result in increased community awareness of your business and its products and services.

Scaling back on marketing during tough economic times

A down economy can be a great time to build your business. Yet, many entrepreneurs retreat rather than forging ahead. Seizing the moment to build key relationships when your clients and prospects are cutting back on spending, puts you at an advantage when the economy turns around, and money is flowing more freely. When you’re feeling an economic pinch, from whatever the source, look for other areas in which to cut back. Your marketing campaign should be the last area of your business to be sacrificed.

Not having a long-term vision for the business

Most entrepreneurs are short-sighted when it comes to the future of their business. Without a vision  there’s no way to measure success. A goal is not the same as a vision. A goal indicates what you want to achieve within a specific time frame. A vision is what you expect your business to become. It is a vivid

description that inspires, energizes and helps to create a mental picture of the future. For example, my vision for RM Enterprises is, ―to be regarded as the best and most sought after business and executive development company in the nation.” Vision is the driving force behind your success.

Spending too much time strategizing rather than executing

There is a time to plan and there is a time to take action. Spending most of your time on activities that do not generate income, is not time well spent. Most entrepreneurs overextend their time in the strategy stage because it’s easier and much more comfortable than doing the real work of executing the strategy. Unless you’re not in business to make money, staying in the strategy phase too long will take a hit to your bottom line. The key is to set your objectives, including timelines, and tackle the most difficult or unfavorable tasks first.

Failing to focus on developing a strong brand

While your business’ performance is essential for repeat business and future referrals, you must first work at attracting the people with which you want to do business. People’s perception is their reality, whether real or not, and first impressions are lasting. If people perceive that you are an expert in your field, they will line up to do business with you. Begin developing a strong brand by placing yourself in other people’s shoes. Understand that they, and not you, will define your brand image. Their opinion about you will be based upon their experience, observation and perception. Your work is to make sure there’s not a huge gap between how you perceive your brand and how other people perceive it.

Compromising quality in order to save money

If you think you can cut corners by hawking a low quality product or service to your customers, think again! These are serious times, and your customers expect thoughtful consideration given to the value placed on goods and services they purchase. Your brand image is at stake and you don’t want to risk tarnishing it by giving a negative perception. When selling your products and services your goal is not to make a sale—your goal is to get their business. It is easier and cheaper to get repeat business than it is to attract new business.

These are the words of the legendary New York Yankees’ manager, Casey Stengel. He enjoyed telling the story of “Wee Willie” Keller, the baseball Hall of Famer who stood only 5′ 4″, 140 pounds, and began a streak of consecutive seasons with more than two hundred hits. The baseball great’s bat was only 30″ long. Asked by a sports reporter how such a small guy could get so many big hits, Willie replied, “Keep your eye clear, and hit ‘em where they ain’t–that’s all.”

Practice this same principle in your business. Set their sights on areas that your competitors have neglected or ignored. Look for ways to fill a niche that others have not spotted or are too small for larger corporations to consider.

The nation may observe April 1, 2012 as April Fool’s Day, but as a business owner, the day holds much more significance.  The first three months of each New Year serve as the benchmark that helps determine whether you’re on target for a breakthrough year. Will you meet, surpass or fall short of your intermediate goals? Will you simply need to make a few tweaks to remain on course or will you need to be more aggressive in your executions in order to meet your overall goals for the year?

Where you sit on April 1 is a critical juncture for your business—early enough to evaluable your progress and far enough along to make major or minor adjustments to either stay the course or change directions, and still end the year end on a high note.

How you begin 2012 is a good indicator for where you’ll be on April 1. Unforeseeable variables are always a possibility, but we can put ourselves in the best position to excel by setting key indicators at the onset of the year.  The first order of business for the New Year is to define your financial projection.How much revenue do you plan to generate this year?  How much income will you generate in the first 90 days? What is the source of your income?  How will you make it happen? You will need to answer these questions based upon where you are and where you realistically want to be at the close of 2012.  

1.     How much revenue do you plan to generate this year?  Write down the gross amount of income you plan to make. Without a written projection, you cannot set any measureable goals. Without goals you have no blueprint to follow. Without a written blueprint, you will not stay focused.

2.     How much income will you generate in by March 31, 2012? This ninety-day period (or quarter) is a good indicate to help measure your progress.  It sets the tone for the remainder of the year.

3.     What is your source of income? Clearly define the source(s) from which the money will come.  (Example:  25% (in $) from book sales;  50% from speaking engagements; 25% from program sales.) This measurement needs to be carefully thought out and detailed because it will determine how aggressive you’ll need to be in marketing your products and services.

4.     How will you make it happen? Decide what your marketing plan will be and what approach you’ll take. [Example (approach): partner with another company to build client base; launch a new product; speak to target audience; (marketing plan): promote products and services during speaking engagements; send out press releases and frequent email marketing campaigns; drive more traffic to website].

This is a high-level view of the steps to take to make 2012 a record-setting year. It begins by establishing your financial projection.  Once you decide how much revenue you want to generate, then comes the task of making it happen. Show your commitment by putting your plan in writing. A more detailed breakdown (number of units to sell, etc.), schedule of activities (daily, weekly and monthly) and specific datelines (March 31, 2012) will keep you on track to meeting or exceeding your own expectations.

Where will you be on April Fool’s Day?

I would dare to say that most of you reading this message were taught to never lavish praise upon yourself.  I certainly was. “Don’t be bragging on yourself.” I was told to let other people boast about my accomplishments and accolades. While I don’t believe we were taught wrongly, I do feel that, as business owners, there are things we have to unlearn— or dare I say— separate, from the personal and the professional. When it comes to marketing your business, you must set aside the meekness and put your best face forward.

Some people don’t see the need to add lettered credentials behind their names as I do in promoting my business.  Perhaps that’s true for them, but I find it to be a very practical designation for the market I target. If you’re content with being just another event planner, bunched in with the other thousand in your vicinity, I’d be the first to suggest there’s something wrong with that picture.

You can survive 2012 without a business plan, but if you don’t have a marketing strategy, you will spend your wheels going around in circles. My challenge to you for the upcoming year is to step out of the box and promote yourself and your business without reservations.  The goal is not to seek glory for YOU. No, you’re on a mission! Here are five tips to include in your shameless self-promotion marketing plan for 2012:

Build Your Relationships. The best way to reach out to your supporters and prospects is through Email marketing. If you don’t touch base with them on a consistent basis, they will forget about you! If they opt-in to your mailing list, guest what? They want to hear from you.

Put Yourself on a Bigger Radar Screen.  This might require you to begin speaking or volunteering to serve on a committee for a large conference or local association. Identify a platform that can give you greater exposure on a bigger stage and insert yourself into a conversation with the decision-maker or, at least, a person of influence.

Nominate Yourself for an Award.  Drop the piety and go for the gold! Showcase your hard-work and expertise. When you receive that trophy, proudly acknowledge that you are an award-winning business owner.

Get Away From all the Noise.  This is the congested “pile-up” where you find yourself meeting people who are trying to serve the same market.  To avoid all the chatter, be clear about what makes you different and sail through this intersection.

Stretch Yourself. If everything you do is comfortable and safe, chances are your business isn’t progressing very much.  Step out of your comfort zone and push yourself beyond any fears or self-limited beliefs that may be keeping you from reaching the next level.

For more cutting edge business tips, I encourage you to purchase my new book, The Entrepreneur Who Dares to Succeed: 97 Secrets Revealed. Click to book cover for more details. Have any comments or questions about this article? Post it to my blog.

As I mentioned in my last message, placing video on your website and social media pages increases your sales conversion rate by 70%. Having a “sticky” web site means that the content on your site makes your visitors want to stick around and check out what you have to offer. That “stickiness” begins with having video on your home page. Most people prefer a visual as opposed to reading large chunks of written material.  Wouldn’t you agree?

I assigned an action item for you to write a video script for your homepage’s “Welcome” message. I also suggested that you make the maximum length 2 ½ minutes. I know you completed the assignment! As promised, in this issue I’m going to teach you how to create a simple, quality video to add to your home page. Of course, if you choose to hire someone instead that’s entirely up to you, but it’s not necessary.

First, let me give you some pointers to keep in mind for creating a great video:

1. Adequate Lighting. Use a top light and/or a high beam lamp to capture the best video quality.
2. Appropriate Background. Record in an environment where the focus is on you and not what’s behind you. Add props that enhance the video including pictures, flowers, a nice chair, photos, etc. No movement, please!
3. Your Appearance. Wear solid colors. Stay away from prints and plaids that are not camera-friendly. Video typically requires that you wear a tad more make-up for enhancement; you won’t look overly made up!
4. Relax and Enjoy. Be authentic and smile. When you’re relaxed, it radiates to your viewers.
5. Do a Test Run. Once you’ve done numbers 1 through 4, do a test to make sure the camera settings and sound are just right.
6. Sound Projection. If the sound projection makes to sound muzzled, low or as though you’re in a hole, you might need to add a microphone. You can get one relatively inexpensive at your local Radio Shack.

Now, let’s make your video. I use the Flip Camcorder and it works great. Earlier this year the owners of the camera announced that the Flip is being discontinued, but you can still purchase one while supplies last at www.theflip.com or even on eBay at a steal. Another alternative is to create a video straight from your computer using a Web Cam.

A web cam is essentially just a camera that is connected to a computer, either directly or wirelessly. If you have a newer computer, chances are it has a built-in camera. You’ll notice the “eye” of the camera at the top of the computer screen. However, if your computer doesn’t come with a built-in camera, you can purchase a small web cam and connect it to your computer via USB port, from any electronic store for under $50.

The demonstrations below cover both alternatives. I can only vouch for the Flip camcorder but it’s good to have options.

Step 1. Create a YouTube account to upload your video at www.youtube.com. From YouTube you will get a link to embed the video onto your website.

Demonstration 1. Flip Camcorder. The link below is from a YouTube Channel called “I Live My Flip” that has some short videos to familiarize you with the features of the Flip camcorder and walk you through the simple steps of creating the video and uploading it to YouTube.

I Live My Flip 

Demonstration 2. Web Cam. The two links below are from a YouTube channel called “Manna Success.? These two videos will walk you through the process of creating a web cam video and other helpful information.

Manna Success #1,  Manna Success #2

It’s really not complicated; just a matter of following the instructions. After one or two videos you’ll be a whiz. Once you’ve made your first video, send me a link to your site and let me share it with the entire community.

However, if done without proper insight and planning, your video can weaken your brand appeal. Your brand is your identity to the outside world. It is what customers think of every time they see or hear about you and your company.  Your marketing videos should be consistent with your overall brand strategy.

If you’ve never created a video, start with a personal welcome on your home page.  The purpose of the welcome video is to make a connection that you can develop over time. Emphasize your mission, including the benefits they will receive from doing business with you.  This is not the time to make a hard sales pitch. That’s another video for another time. Invite them to navigate the site and point out some of your available resources.  

Let them know how to stay connected with you through your social media sites. Make sure you have buttons or links on the homepage so that they can readily connect with you. Also, add an opt-in box for your visitor to subscribe to your mailing list.

My action item for you in the upcoming week is to write a video script of your homepage welcome address. Make the maximum length 2 ½ minutes. Keep it short and to the point as your goal is to give them a brief introduction to your business.  

If you have a business idea or lack clear direction for the future of your existing business, a business plan is the blueprint containing key strategies for your success. Not all businesses need a 30 to 100-page business plan. Unless you’re submitting a proposal for a business loan, contract or other third-party agreement, I do not recommend writing a long, drawn-out business plan. One to five pages will suffice in most instances, depending upon the type of business. It’s primarily for your internal use.

Regardless of length or business type, there are certain elements that should be included. They are:

1. Your business concept
2. Your target market
3. The problem you solve for your target market
4. The results your target market will receive from using your products and services
5. Your company brand image
6. Your major competitors and what distinguishes you from them
7. Your projected revenue and expenses for 12 months
8. A statement of where the money will come from should your expenses exceed your revenue
9. A minimum of 5 marketing strategies for 12 months, when you will implement them and the results you expect.
10. A list of people, including yourself, who will implement the business plan and/or key strategies within the plan.

Review your business plan annually and make any necessary updates. Because your marketing plan is your most important strategy, I recommend reviewing it on a quarterly basis to measure the success of your marketing campaigns.

You can have the greatest product in the world and a dozen letters behind your name, but if you’re not in the loop with the right people, you’re going to be in for a long, slow haul. People are critical to the success of your business. But not just any people. There must be people in your network who are more advanced than you, and have enough influence to give you a leg up. Just keeping it real! I heard Dennis Kimbro say, “If you’re the smartest person in your circle, then you’re in the wrong circle.”
Apart from your broader networking circle, think of two people you would like to meet. Your agenda shouldn’t be for the sole purpose of what you can get from them. There needs to be a genuine desire to connect and create a mutually beneficial, professional relationship. Here are four guidelines to follow if you’re interested in connecting with a specific person:

1. Ask around to determine if there’s someone you know who can introduce you to the person. You will be surprised at the connections the people close to you have.

2. Subscribe to their newsletter or blog and interact with them.

3. Purchase their products and services.

4. Attend the same events as they attend.
A big mistake many people make is that they expect to receive value from others without first making an investment. That tactic won’t work. If you invest in other people and they feel that you are genuine, and are benefiting from their product and services, they will be more inclined to help you.