One smart way is to setup a Google alert. [Here's how and where to setup a Google Alert] Choose a keyword or phrase and receive an email when it is mentioned online.

What Happens if Someone is Talking About My Company?
What do you do if you are mentioned? Well, if it’s complimentary, I would at least say “thanks” but it would really go a longer way if you could add a nice shout out to the person who made the comment.

For example: ‘Thanks so much, Angie, for mentioning our newly designed widgets. We are really excited to have added that product too. It’s so versatile! Keep up the great writing!’

Maybe you could even return the favor and start to build your relationships. Can you connect with them on LinkedIn? Friend them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter? Do they have a blog?

What if the comment is negative? Yikes!
If the comment or mention is something negative, don’t panic. There is a smart way to handle that, too.

Address It
If it is a valid argument, address it using the following steps:

1) acknowledge the comment (you may even want to thank them for bringing it to your attention).

2) apologize (if it is indeed an error or oversight).

3) explain what steps you will take to rectify the situation (a replacement product, a free upgrade or you will contact them to discuss).

4) tell them how you will ensure this does not happen again.

For Example:
“Hi Laura. Thanks so much for letting us know about your situation. We are terribly sorry your widget was damaged when you received it. And we are truly sorry that you do not feel you received the customer service you expected.

Based on your situation, we are changing how we inspect our products before they are shipped and have implemented new customer service guidelines. We will also be sending you a free widget – it’s a upgraded one from the original one you purchased. We hope you will find it even more useful.”

Don’t be afraid to get out there and promote your business for fear people will talk about you. When they talk about you, it’s a good thing even if it’s in a negative comment.

Your response is the most important part and can be a great way to shine and show how you handle difficult issues professionally.

So pay attention to who’s talking about you – whether it is good or bad – and be sure to respond!

The post People may be talking about you appeared first on Markbeech Marketing.

1. Berries. There are eight grams of fiber in one cup of raspberries or blackberries. Foods like these, which are high in fiber, release sugar into your body more slowly so that your pick-me-up lasts longer. Pair the berries with low-fat string cheese for an extra boost!

2. Popcorn. This movie-theater snack contains lots of B vitamins, which can help convert food into energy. As in berries, the fiber in popcorn helps you maintain a steady blood sugar level. Just make sure to make one of the lower-fat versions without the movie theater butter to keep this snack in the healthy range.

3. Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt. Yogurt has all sorts of healthy benefits! It delivers twice the protein and much less sugar than regular yogurt, keeping you full for longer. Add some of those raspberries or blackberries we mentioned earlier for an extra fiber boost.

4. Oats. Oats have a ton of great vitamins like potassium, magnesium, B, and E. They’re also high in protein and calcium. Consider snacking on a granola that’s oat-heavy for a great afternoon pick-me-up.

5. Dried Fruits and Nuts. Between the two, there’s a good mix of healthy fats and protein. Nuts burn slowly and provide you with long-lasting energy, while the dried fruits can add a bit of sweetness and fiber. A small handful, or about a fourth of a cup, is recommended for the right amount of nutrients to keep you energized, without filling you up so much that you find yourself in an afternoon food coma.

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• Cut your utilities consumption. Use laptops instead of desktops. Did you know that laptops use 90% less energy than a regular desktop, making them far more energy efficient? Make sure to adjust the thermostat accordingly when you close for the evening, and make sure all lights are off. Remember that the little things add up.

•  Negotiate. If your business will be making regular and/or bulk purchases of any kind, see if you can negotiate for a lower price on those purchases. Other companies appreciate regular business as much as you do, and may be able to give you a better deal than the asking price if you buy in large quantities or over large periods of time.

• Consider hiring interns. If you’re in the market for seasonal or general office staff, consider hiring college interns. They often work just for college credit and experience, which can reduce your payroll expenses while gaining an extra pair of hands.

• Spend less on postage. Many businesses take advantage of electronic newsletters and email as opposed to snail mail. If you still want to mail newsletters, update your address list regularly to weed out any out-of-date addresses. Additionally, making sure your mail goes out in the morning can help it get where it’s going more quickly, reducing your need to overnight those important packages your absolutely have to send.

Do you already use one or more of these tips? Will you start using any of them? We’d love to hear from you!

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He was young and talented and had passion. He wasn’t afraid to be out there hocking his wears. He knew how to capture a moment. He wasn’t afraid to share his talents with the world.

I don’t know how it happened or why but I do know that our time here is relatively short and sometimes shorter than we expect.

So be sure to make the most of it. Be kind. Share. Help people as best you can. Tell people you care about them. And be grateful for the beautiful life around you.

In the immortal words of Josiah Bartlett, “The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight.”

Goodnight, Robert, may you rest in peace.

The post Making the most of today appeared first on Markbeech Marketing.

Thanks, Kathy! Keep up the great work!

The post We love our clients! appeared first on Markbeech Marketing.

I really didn’t fully see the benefits of having one until I broke down and purchased one. Now, I can see the future!

So, in my journey of learning how to effectively use my smart phone (incidentally, I just came across a statistic that states “Half of Mobile Users (51.1%) say they now check their email using ONLY a mobile device” – wow). The takeover of mobile has begun.

‘Nuff said. Here are some fantastic apps I have on my phone that I really use in my business:

• CamScanner
  Need to scan signed contracts, great information someone shows you or anything you want? Scan it right on the spot and then upload it directly to your Google Drive or Dropbox.

• GoDocs
  If you use Google Drive (which used to be called Google Docs) then this is a simple way to access your documents on Google (even your scanned docs from CamScanner)

• Card Munch
  Got a business card with no time to upload their information? Card Munch takes a picture of their business card and after just a few minutes, their information is in your phone. Connect with them on Twitter, too, with just the touch of a button.

• Find My iPhone
  If you have an iPhone or iPad you may never lose it again. Find My iPhone shows you exactly where your phone or tablet is at any moment. (Also good for finding your spouse and kids if they have one, too!)

• LP Wallet
  If you don’t yet use a program to store all your passwords then you need to get on board. We recommend LastPass.com and their mobile app, LP Wallet is perfect if you need to remember your password to log into your Google Docs or anything you store there.

Well, I have other apps on there for fun, too but that’s for another post!

Do tell us, what are your favorite apps?

The post Top 5 favorite business apps appeared first on Markbeech Marketing.

As small business owners, our time is precious. We all know the benefits of staying fit and watching what we eat, but is devoting some of our time to exercise really worth it? Absolutely! Working cardiovascular and strength training can bring us many benefits – some obvious, some subtle – that positively affect our work life.

Here are just a few possible benefits:

• Improved sleep – People who exercise tend to fall asleep quicker and even have a better quality of sleep, which can lead to (among other things) better focus throughout our often hectic days
• Higher energy levels
• Helps maintain functional bodies as we age
• Greater confidence – Sure, you may feel a little better about yourself if you drop a few pounds or slap on some lean muscle, but more importantly, after a challenging weight training session, the rest of the day seems light in comparison. Conference calls are a breeze compared to heavy squats….
• Excellent stress relief – Running a small business can bring a lot of tension and pressure, so it’s important to keep your blood pressure at healthy levels and manage your stress. Exercise can help with both.

Honestly, I’ve come up with some of my best ideas while jogging. Get that heart pumping and blood flowing and you may be surprised what your brain can do.

Love the benefits but aren’t sure where to start?
Don’t overthink it. I tell my clients to think of fitness as a three-legged stool, with the legs being your diet, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise. If you’re missing one of the legs, the results won’t be as good as they could be.

Do a modicum of research regarding healthy eating habits, and if weight loss (or gain) is a goal, track your diet using a calorie counter. There are several such tools out there from which to choose. I typically mention www.myfitnesspal.com to my clients…it’s free, and they have a mobile app that makes tracking very easy.

Take the time to learn about effective and efficient exercise.
This investment – whether in time spent on a computer researching or in partnering with a good personal trainer – will pay huge dividends and save you from wasting your energy through less than optimal workout programs or poor form.

If you haven’t already, make squeezing fitness into your life a priority. Start small and let it grow from there. Keep it simple, effective, and sustainable. You – and your business – deserve it!

- – -

Steve Shewmake is a small business owner and certified personal trainer at  Onward Fitness in Richmond, VA.

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Wikipedia explains Relationship Marketing, like this “Relationship marketing differs from other forms of marketing in that it recognizes the long term value of customer relationships and extends communication beyond intrusive advertising and sales promotional messages.”

This year make the commitment to forge deeper relationships. It can be as simple as deciding to start sending out gift cards to referral sources, birthday cards to clients or Thanksgiving cards to everyone telling them you are thankful for their support.

Using Social Media
Why not use Facebook to promote a client or referral right on your personal and business page?

For example: “Just got the best haircut of my life from @Rebekah at @Salon Del Sol, she’s brilliant.”

A great way to use LinkedIn is to write a recommendation for someone. Write one for someone you have worked with or even someone you know who is a great resource.

For example: “Debbie is one of the best realtors around. If you need to sell your home, her experience and recommendations are invaluable. Two thumbs up!”

Or what about sending out a Follow Friday (#FF) tweet recommending your client, prospect or referral source?

For example: “Good folks to follow! @Trina_Willard @wisemothers @jerljagoda @emmaLBurford #FF”

Make a habit of promoting a new client, prospect or referral source each week on facebook or providing an unsolicited recommendation for people you know on LinkedIn. Why not make a habit of sharing at least one referral a week to those in your network?

Relationship building doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive or even time consuming but giving your support will provide you and your business many happy returns.

The post I like my dad. He likes me. appeared first on Markbeech Marketing.

But are they really effective marketing tools?
I had a client recently ask me just that question and I had to stop and consider.

I personally love them. It’s like a little secret code that not everyone understands. It brings me back to the decoder rings we had as kids. And with 87% of the world’s population with a smart phone*, it would seem a natural marketing tool.

So why haven’t QR codes taken off?
According to CNN.com “…evidence suggests many people don’t understand what QR codes are or what to do with them.”

Apparently, even the tech-savvy college students are not that interested in QR codes.

“…They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown. Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future.”

So should you bother with them?
I think if you are using them strategically and directing people to a particular page on your website; a new product you are selling, a new program you are offering or a big event you are having QR codes can be very effective.

So, should I use QR codes to market my small business?
Is your target market smart phone users who love new technology? Absolutely.
Is your target market the general public? Possibly.
Should you try them? Absolutely. But be sure to measure your results to see how effective they are at driving traffic!

*source: http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats/a#subscribers.

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And that social media marketing in particular is a marketing tool that requires consistent attention – not unlike a small child.

And he likened it to the recent TV advertisement we have been seeing for the show, Family Guy…

The post Stewie’s insight into marketing appeared first on Markbeech Marketing.