The marketplace has undergone a rather radical change in the past thirty years. Today’s consumer has many more options than have previously existed. This has in turn changed the way the consumer behaves. I hasten to add that that we human beings have not fundamentally changed but our options have. Therefore, we have changed our [...]

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I deal with a great many business in a variety of fields and find that a distressing number of the people consider many things and miss one of the most critical elements in that decision.
Businesses in trouble often run hither and thither trying solutions again ignoring this critical element.
That critical element?  Market Research!
Anyone, at the [...]

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I hear people bemoaning the fact that they are poor writers.  They wish they could be better; they consider taking college writing courses; they wish they could be better; they read books on writing; they wish they could be better; and they wish, wish, and wish. However, they fail to simply write, write, and write.
Mary [...]

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Marketing at its most fundamental level is the presentation of your business–your goods or services–to a potential customer so that he or she wishes to exchange something with you for what you have to offer.

Now, I will reveal my bias: I believe sales, advertising, public relations, and publicity are all subsegments of the larger field of marketing.

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Is marketing everything?
If we think of marketing as the sum of all efforts to inform our customers or potential customers of every aspect of our business–products and/or services–then it is “everything!”
Without adequate information about our products or services, how can we logically expect our customers to make a decision favorable to us.   Of course, all [...]

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Are you struggling in your business not knowing what you should do in these difficult times?  There are people who know exactly what you should do in your business . . . and they don’t charge much at all!
They are your customers!
Follow the advice of your customers?  Yes, your customers!
If you have done your marketing [...]

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Typography is the nature of the print on the page.  Though the term originated in the printing industry, its principles are adaptable to onscreen techniques, as well.
ty·pog·ra·phy (tī päg′rə fē) may be defined as follows:    
noun

the art or process of printing from type
the art or process of setting and arranging type for [...]

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White space and its skillful use are very important in getting your message to your customer completely enough for him or her to take the action you desire.
The “visual appeal” of a piece of writing or writing with images is very important.  The importance is psychological.  White space gives a relief in the reading process [...]

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Your USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is one of the most important elements of your marketing program.   An essential element of differentiating your business is to create a Unique Selling Proposition–or USP.  It is as important as a Mission Statement and a written Business Plan.  It is an essential part of your branding and should be on every piece of [...]

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Here is a timely post from http://www.ideablob.com/posts/332 that all small businesses should take to heart in these difficult times.
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Category: Inside ideablob
1. Customers who don’t pay: If a customer is late, you need to take swift action. If you wait beyond 60 days, it’ll probably be too late. As a result, make sure you provide notices to [...]

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