Is Online Marketing Right for You?

How do you know whether your business needs online marketing? First and foremost, you need to answer some questions about your business.

1. What are you selling? Are you selling a product? A service? Or an upcoming event?

Flat out, services are hard to sell. You can be the best landscaper in New England but the fact will always remain that unless a consumer is already looking to hire a landscaper they won't have much use for your service - especially considering the current economy. In today's economic climate, even the most steadfast consumers are morphing into do-it-yourselfers. Of course, hiring a professional photographer for your daughter's wedding will yield you higher quality photos of her special day - but considering that all of us have access to a camera, perhaps even a really GOOD camera, why not save the $3500? I'm not saying it's the right thing ... but it is the reality of the situation.

If you do provide a service, not all hope is lost. Document your successes. Take a photograph of a service well-rendered. Contact past clients and ask them for a short testimonial describing the quality of your work. Consumers want to see something concrete, so even though you may be an auto mechanic, you still need to give them what they want.

Products are much easier to sell due to the fact that photographs can be posted and prices are usually concrete. Even though a consumer might have no need for yet another hand-woven scarf, they're going to see photographs with a wide variety of hand-woven scarf styles and get the pang. You know the pang. The pang is that thing that has you adding candy bars and magazines to your pile of groceries at the check out line. We're ALL susceptible to the pang.

Events are fun. Even if what you're selling is in actuality a service or product, why not make it into an event? Examples of events can be open houses, grand re-openings, welcome receptions ... it can even be as simple as a monthly or weekly promotion. "Place your order in the month of May and we'll throw in a honey-scented candle, on the house!" Consumers LOVE promotions.

2. Do you currently have an online presence?

I hate to say it kids, but it's the wave of right now - and considering all the do-it-yourself blog templates, the social networking sites, and the drag and drop web-building programs, you really have no excuse. Get online, and do it in a big way. It doesn't have to cost a lot. It doesn't have to be phony or pretentious. There are plenty of mom-and-pop or work-from-my-laptop-while-watching-the-Simpsons businesses out there who have polished, professional,full-service websites. The purpose of a website or other online presence is to give consumers an avenue for finding out about you. Unless you have a storefront on Church Street or are paying out daily/weekly/monthly for pricey print ads or radio commercials, people aren't going to know about you. If people don't know about you, people don't care about you. MAKE THEM CARE. An inexpensive, simple website and an hour spent online registering with google, yahoo, etc could make or break your business. And hey, it sure makes my job easier in terms of promoting you. I can post on PromoteVT all day long "Hey check out Joe, he makes pitchforks in a variety of pastel colors!" OR I can say "Joe's custom painted pitchforks are a must buy for Mother's Day. Check out Joe online at www.pastelpitchforks.com" See how I combined an EVENT and a WEBSITE?? Now if that doesn't make you want to buy a pastel pitchfork, I don't know what will.

Finding Your Niche

I'd like to start out by saying THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to read my posting and comment. It's so important that we all work together to grow our small businesses and find success, and you have the right attitude! now for more ...

You know this reminds me of a funny coincidence. When I started my events planning business, working out of my home in Jeffersonville, I thought "this is great, no one does this." Within the first year of working I was blown away. Not only do other people actually do this, there are two of them, both young mothers like myself, both working from their homes, both within 15 minutes drive of my house! Absolute insanity! The first time I was faced with this I found myself at a crossroads. I had received a phone message from one such woman asking me to call her back so we could discuss the situation. This could have gone either way. I put a smile on my face though and picked up the phone, and ... amazingly, was met with the same positive attitude. I want to thank Mauranda Dalziel (former owner of PromoteVT), for that kind introduction into reality. This is a SMALL state, and we're ALL trying to make it. We can either fight eachother for the market or we can work together for the market. Mauranda and I chose to work together. A couple months later when I met Jackie, another events planner just up the road from me, I decided to extend the same hand that Mauranda had extended me, and now Jackie and I are working together.

Over the years I've come across a handful of businesses "at war" with other like-businesses. This attitude is beyond me, and really very sad. Though there may not be an infinite number of consumers for all of us to share, there are infinite approaches. How about, instead of fighting eachother, we, each and every one of us, get creative in our approach; find a niche market that isn't already being satisfied?

I've been introduced to a number of small-business groups. Many of you have probably heard of these: SCORE, BMI, Success Teams. These groups all share something in common: they are Vermont business owners sitting around a table and discussing how they can work together to be more successful. Though I haven't been able to join any of these groups yet I find it refreshing that I alone can carry this attitude with me into my business practices. You can too.

Please share your thoughts. More tomorrow.

January 5, 2010 - VT Web Properties

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Wow! Only 3 more days!

Time has flown by! But we love it. Can't wait for the new year and the new venture.

A lot of people have asked why I am doing this whole promoteVT.com thing. Well, I thought it was time to answer!
First off, I love Vermont businesses. As much as I complain about the weather, I do really enjoy VT. There's something special to a VT business. Most people are very friendly, most businesses have that family feel, and everyone is looking to better themselves and business. I'm not going to say that I've never bought from a big box store, however when ever I do, I feel a sense of guilt for not buying from a VT business. It's the little businesses who make a difference to the great slogan 'BUY LOCAL'. I can really appreciate that slogan and know that other VT businesses do as well.
The other reason that I wanted to do this was I also love marketing, branding and people. Social media is hot right now, so what better way to market a business then with social media. I'm not an expert at social media and will be the first to admit that, however I do know that I'm getting the hang of it and will enjoy working towards perfection.
I really wanted to do something that would help make a difference to people in the community and do something exciting and new. This has been quite an experience so far and I can't wait for the big launch on 1/1/10!

I also wanted to share an email that i received from a VT business that has signed on with us to have their business promoted:
"Thanks again for all you are doing for me and the small business owners of Vermont.". - Sarah B

It's my pleasure!!! I look forward to all that 2010 has to offer to all of us!

5 more days!

5 more days! We've been booking more days and have been sending lots of emails to get the year filled with VT businesses! Be sure to check in Monday for our views on the benefits of marketing with social media!

9 MORE DAYS!

Only 9 more days until our big launch! A few more days have been booked, so if you are a VT business, or want something in VT promoted, be sure to call (802) 324-1201 or email us at info@promoteVT.com soon!

January is almost booked. Many people are wondering if January is a good time to be promoted through promoteVT.com, and here are a couple of our thoughts:
One reason to list your business with us during the month of January is that it is much cheaper, (as the year goes on, the price goes up - learn more at www.promoteVT.com/faqs.html) therefore, if you're even thinking about this new and exciting way of promoting your VT business, it's a cost effective solution! The second reason to promote your VT business in January is that we are all about the slogan 'BUY LOCAL'. As this is a new venture within our Marketing Division, we want you to put your marketing dollars back in VT! We are very determined and loyal to promoteVT.com! We stand behind what we do 110%. You won't be sorry!!!

We look forward to all that promoteVT.com has to offer and can't wait until January 1, 2010!

10 days until promoteVT.com is launched!

How exciting! I can't believe the day is almost here. We'll be promoting one great VT business each and every day of 2010! If you're a VT business and want in on the promoting, excitement and fun, you still have time to reserve your day! Contact us soon though, 2010 is filling up fast! Call (802) 324-1201 or send an email to info@promotevt.com!!!

10 days to go!!! Whoooohoooo!!!!!!

An introduction...

Good evening! I wanted to introduce myself and let you know a little about promoteVT.com.

My name is Mauranda Dalziel. I live in Jericho, Vermont with my husband and daughter. I love my family, friends, working, meeting new people and laughing! I am the owner of VIP Consulting, LLC. We have 2 divisions: our Marking Division is aimed towards small business owners and our Events Division is geared towards brides and grooms-to-be as well as providing event planning services to many different types of events within Vermont. All of those involved in VIP Consulting absolutely LOVE our job! We have fun and know how to make a difference. We work very hard at what we do and take great pride in our excellent customer service and honesty. In addition to these 2 division, VIP Consulting, LLC is the home of promoteVT.com!

promoteVT.com is a new and exciting marketing campaign that will begin on January 10, 2010 to promote businesses in VT!

Take a look at our FAQs:

What we do:
We take your company information (what you do, who you are, why people need to know about you) and share that info with people on twitter, facebook and our blog for one day. Each and every day of the year (including holidays and weekends), we promote one business. Some days we will take pictures of ourselves with a product of a business, if available. Other days we might do video - or, we might just type a lot of cool stuff about a VT business. If you have a promotional or marketing item that you want me to take pictures of/with or hold up during the video, etc, send it to me and I’ll share it.
It’s a great ‘break the ice’ type of marketing strategy. Maybe the people that we are communicating with have never heard of you before, or maybe they have heard of you but don’t know what you do. Or - it could just be a refresher that you are a great company that they need to do business with. Either way, it’s targeting people in the area. We only promote VT businesses. The great slogan of ‘BUY LOCAL’ is huge for us. We are a VT business promoting other VT businesses.

How much does it cost:
Each day of the year, the costs goes up one dollar, starting at $1 on January 1st.
So, January 1 costs $1, January 31 costs $31, February 1 costs $32, December 31 costs $365. It’s really an easy system…

What if I want to book a day:
Give us a call at (802) 324-1201 or send an email to info@promoteVT.com. The days are selling fast, so call us TODAY!

How do I pay you:
Paypal is preferred. OR - you can mail us a check! When we chat I'll let you know the address if that's what works for you.

Why should I do this:
It doesn’t cost much and it WILL work! The beginning of the year costs less because we will have less people that we will be targeting, however, as we market ourselves along with other great and fabulous VT businesses, the word WILL get out and more people will be following us and keeping up with our blog. Therefore, as the year goes by, the cost goes up, as will the amount of people who are checking in to see what business we are promoting that day.

Will I really get any business:
I’d like to hope so! But, remember that one HUGE part of marketing your business is getting your name out there. This is just another way to do that. Your phone probably won’t ring off the hook the day that your business is promoted, however it will get your company into the minds of those following us. And, don’t forget - PEOPLE TALK!...A LOT!... So, one person who follows us might tell a friend who tells a family member who tells another friend, therefore, the word is out!

Do you promote anything else besides VT businesses:
YES! Of course we do! Maybe you are selling a home, a sports team is having a big game or a fundraiser is happening that you want promoted. We mainly are going to be promoting businesses, however we will also be GLAD to promote many other things.

What’s the fine print:
We like to have fun, enjoy our lives and our work. We enjoy talking with people of all shapes and sizes. We live in VT and know what VT is all about. We know that VT is a great place with happy business owners and we want to help them make lots of money and enjoy their work as well!

We look forward to 2010 in all that we do! Please be sure to keep in touch! We appreciate you visiting our blog!!!