Starting out

Hello

I hope you are well this week and feeling sunny as the longer days approach. I have been doing well getting all my accounts up together, though not quite finished as I have been off looking at property as well. That's my other business so fills the time that this one doesn't!

I have had a number of approaches from people with some great products for new and smaller businesses, so I will be giving you details of these as they come through. It's great to hear about what people are up to and I am always happy to support you if it is relevant to the readers in general. Just let me know.

Great too to see people joining the Members Area , I hope you are finding plenty there of interest. And don't forget to give me your feedback and ideas.

Onto this week's Ezine, we have a few thoughts on banks, and article about branding and some information about a great workshop that is coming up (just for the girls this one - sorry guys!)

Tips for your Business

When was the last time you held a beauty parade of bankers?

You probably already know that there are good bankers and, to put it diplomatically, "less good" bankers - which camp does yours fall into?

Did you realise that by shopping around you may be able to get…

• better terms
• from a banker who is more sympathetic and accommodating
• who understands your business better
• who you get on better with
• who is able to give you more for less
• and who won't pull the rug out from underneath you if things get tough

If for any reason you are not happy with your current bank, why not give it a try? And this applies to your personal bankers too! Banks rely on our apathy, they know most people won't do anything even if they are not happy. So if it is applicable - vote with your feet!

Shattering the Branding Myths

If you've been online long, you're sure to have seen many "gurus" give their ideas about branding. However, much of what you read simply isn't true. Over the years, many myths about branding have taken hold in the online world and spread like wildfire. The fact is: They are doing you more harm than good.

Branding is not one aspect of your marketing campaign. It is the combination of everything your business stands for. Branding is not created with a single, stand-alone event -- rather it is created over time through a series of strategically thought-out actions.

Let's take a few minutes to shatter a few common myths about branding and to introduce constructive, proactive branding principles that you can build on.

Branding Myth #1 - Your USP Is Your Brand

Absolutely not. While your USP (Unique Selling Position) might be used to help convey your brand, it is not - in and of itself - your complete branding strategy.

Branding Principle #1 - Your Brand Is All Encompassing

Your brand is built, and conveyed, with every action you take, with every product/service you offer, with every piece of communication you send, and with every contact you make with your customers.

Branding Myth #2 - To Be Remembered, You Must Have A Logo

Also not true. Look at companies like Marlboro (cigarettes), Puffs (tissue), and Ziploc (plastic bags). They simply use a specialized font with the product name. No swirls, no images, no "logo." While logos certainly are not "bad," they are also not mandatory.

Branding Principle #2 - Customers Remember You Primarily By How They Are Treated

The most innovative logo, the most attractive colors, and the world's best logo designer will do you no good if you don't offer excellent service. Customers remember you and your company by the way they are treated. Was their shopping experience good? Were all their questions answered? Were their problems solved to their satisfaction? These things go way further to help customers remember you than any logo could ever hope to.

Branding Myth #3 - Once Your Branding Strategy Is In Place, You Need Do Nothing More

This is probably the biggest myth of them all! So many online businesses are led to believe that once they have an amazing USP, and a snappy logo they have accomplished everything in the realm of branding.

However, just the opposite is true. Your branding strategy is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Defining your strategy is just one part of that process.

Here are some basic tips to help you define and implement your brand.

Decide how you want to be perceived by your customers. Do you want to portray an image of trust? Loyalty? Dependability? Innovation? Wide selection? Speedy service & delivery?

What makes YOU perceive other companies that way when you shop? Is it their selection? Customer service? Pricing? All of the above?

Make a list of the qualities you and your employees must display to customers in order to portray your desired brand.

Share the list with everyone in your organization and ask them to develop specific ways they can support the brand.

Compile a final branding strategy and share it with everyone in your organization.

Successful brands are those who are well defined and that have the support of the entire organization. Brands based on myths are those that simply have a spiffy logo, a "killer" USP, and the hope that the customer will "get it."

Would you rather base your brand on sound principles or myths? That's what I thought!

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes. ProBizTips.com
For your free copy of Diane's report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! http://madmarketer.com

Many thanks to all of you who have passed this ezine on. That is how we grow so please pass on to any friends or colleagues who might be interested and ask them to sign up for their own copy. Subscribe here

If you refer 5 people you can claim your free copy of the Ebook "52 Reasons Why Some People Are Much, Much More Successful In Businesss Than Others" Just email me the names of the 5 people and make sure that they have signed up.

Recommendations

One Day Dynamic LASTING CONFIDENCE Course for Women.

For any woman who wants to make a difference in their lives and take their life to another level, I would suggest you try the 'Women! Unleash Your Power' course. This course is run by Jennifer McLeod, Former European Martial Arts Champion and one of the UK's leading specialists on building relationships.

How much longer will you allow your past to hold you back?

Do you feel unappreciated? Do you allow others to hold you back?

Have you had enough of feeling that you are not good enough?

To book your place and change your life for the better contact Jennifer on believe@PositiveInspirations.co.uk or get more information here

In this section I aim to bring you useful resources, websites, people, books and anything else which might be helpful to you. Do you have anything, or anyone , that has inspired you or made you sit up and think? If you have anything you would like to recommend please email me . Especially something (or someone)that really inspired you in your business.

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Thoughts

"Whatever the brain can organize, the body will execute."
- Robert Masters