AtlantaEvent.com NewsFlash - The Flash is back!

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Editors Notes: Some of my long-time subscribers have probably been wondering, where is the NewsFlash, and some of the new folks are simply wondering why they have never received one. I feel inclined to explain. Right before Thanksgiving, my wife learned that she would be going to Sweden for 17 days on business. We figured it was no big deal so off she went. It was in fact a big deal. If you have a life partner and children, you are probably aware of the things that go into preparing for the holidays. You rely on that partner in most cases to help with those preparations. Without my partner for those 17 days, I found myself in a total state of chaos. I was working on three businesses, and preparing to launch a new one - Privacy-First™. To try and handle all of the plates I was juggling became an overwhelming task and in turn created a case of writer's block for me. In essence, it was impossible for me to get all of the work done. So for the past several weeks I have been catching up. Now I am caught up. I have received a lot of articles from some incredible authors so I changed the layout to add even more articles into this issue. There is a lot of good stuff in here. Scan the articles to see which ones can be of help to you. Don't judge the merits of all of the articles by any single one. Remember, your feedback is important to us. Tell us what information you need, and we will try to get it for you. Be sure to use the ask the expert we are featuring. He is waiting to answer your questions. Special Thanks to our new sponsor of AtlantaEvent.com, The Ziglar Performance Group. Click the image at left to visit their site. Thanks for subscribing, thanks for being patient with me, and have a great week. Be sure to visit AtlantaEvent.com often and tell everyone about it. If you would like more info on Privacy-First™ e-mail certification ( logo at left ), click for details. Jeff Glaze - Editor

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When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer? It was probably an external customer but perhaps it was an internal customer, such as a member of your team, a colleague or even - your boss!

I'm sure that you always want to provide exceptional service to both your internal and external customers. However, in the real world, things go wrong and mistakes are made. These "customers" will often judge your level of service based on how you respond to a mistake. Do it well and they'll probably forgive you and possibly even say positive things about your business or your abilities to other people.

The important thing to realize when dealing with an upset customer, be they internal or external, is that you must - deal with their feelings, then deal with their problem. Upset customers are liable to have strong feelings when you, your product or service lets them down and they'll probably want to "dump" these feeling on you.

You don't deal with their feelings by concentrating on solving the problem, it takes more. Here are 5 action ideas that deal with the customers' human needs:

1 - Don't let them get to you - Stay out of it emotionally and concentrate on listening non-defensively and actively.
Customers may make disparaging and emotional remarks - don't rise to the bait.

2 - Listen - listen - listen - Look and sound like you're listening. The customer wants to know that you care and that you're interested in their problem.

3 - Stop saying sorry - Sorry is an overused word, everyone says it when something goes wrong and it's lost its value. How often have you heard - "Sorry 'bout that, give me the details and I'll sort this out for you". Far better to say "I apologize for ......" And if you really need to use the sorry word, make sure to include it as part of a full sentence. "I'm sorry you haven't received that information as promised Mr Smith". (It's also good practice to use the customers name in a difficult situation).

4 - Empathize - Using empathy is an effective way to deal with the customers feelings. Empathy isn't about agreement, only acceptance of what the customer is saying and feeling. Basically the message is - "I understand how you feel". Obviously this has to be a genuine response, the customer will realize if you're insincere and they'll feel patronized. Examples of empathy responses would be - "I can understand that you're angry", or "I see what you mean". Again, these responses need to be genuine.

5 - Build rapport - Sometimes it's useful to add another phrase to the empathy response, including yourself in the picture. - "I can understand how you feel, I don't like it either when I'm kept waiting". This has the effect of getting on the customer's side and builds rapport. Some customer service people get concerned with this response as they believe it'll lead to - "Why don't you do something about it then". The majority of people won't respond this way if they realize that you're a reasonable and caring person. If they do, then continue empathizing and tell the customer what you'll do about the situation. "I'll report this to my manager" or "I'll do my best to ensure it doesn't happen in the future".

Make no mistake about it; customers, be they internal or external, are primarily driven by their emotions. It's therefore important to use human responses in any interaction particularly when a customer is upset or angry. If customers like you and feel that you care, then they're more likely to accept what you say and forgive your mistakes.

Alan Fairweather -"The Motivation Doctor" - is the author of "How to get More Sales Without Selling" To receive your free newsletter and free e-books, visit: howtogetmoresales.com

An effective sales cycle is based on building a relationship of trust with your potential clients. I'm sure you've heard it said before, but it's worth repeating, "People buy from those they like and trust." It is truly as simple as that. Trust is critical. Especially for the service professional and small business owner.

Without trust, it doesn't matter how well you've planned, what you're offering, or whether or not you've created a wide variety of buying options to meet varying budgets. If the potential client doesn't trust you, nothing else matters. They aren't going to buy from you. Period.

All sales start with a simple conversation and are executed when a need is met and trust is assured. The Book Yourself Solid Sales Cycle helps us start the trust building process and helps us systematically, automatically, and authentically move the relationship forward.

If you're good at making friends you'll be good at making sales. Sales is often a confronting subject for many of us but as I mention above the sales conversation is just that - a conversation. If you can talk to people you can make a sale for the betterment of the person that is buying your product or service. It's not about manipulation or coercion.

In order to design a Sales Cycle for your business, you must first establish your 6 Part Foundation and your 6 Part Trust Building Process. The combination of these two exercises will give you a Sales Cycle that will attract more clients than you can handle, even if you hate marketing and selling.

The 6 Part Sales Cycle Foundation - The Who, What, Where, When, Why and How

The foundation on which you rest your Sales Cycle is crucial. You need to have a solid foundation before actually designing a sales cycle. To build a foundation which will give you rock solid security you must clearly and concisely identify the who, what, where, when, why and how. This will ensure that the offers you're making in your 5 Stage Sales Cycle Process are right on target.

- Who Is Your Target Client/Customer? Focus on one person (or organization) within your target market.

- What Are They Looking For? You've got to understand what your ideal client or customer is looking for.

- When Do They Look For You? What needs to happen in their personal life or work life for them to want the kind of service that you offer?

- Why You? What is unique about you or the solutions you offer?

- How Do You Want Them To Engage with You? What is it that you want a potential client to do when they find you?

The Book Yourself Solid 6 Stage Sales Cycle Process

In creating a sales cycle you'll design a step-by-step way to ease your potential clients from the first stage; getting them to your website, to the end stage; your highest price-point product, program or service.

Stage 1: The idea in this stage is to introduce yourself to your target market and begin to create awareness for the services, products, and programs you offer.

Stage 2: Give/Engage: Now that you've got your prospective client to your website (or other meeting place) you need to offer solutions, opportunities and relevant information in exchange for their email address or other way of continuing the conversation.

Stage 3: Keep giving low-barrier for entry offers of value-rich content, opportunities, experiences etc. Your goal is to build trust and deepen the conversation.

Stage 4: If potential client responds to Stage 3, assess then make an email or verbal offer based on the most appropriate products, programs and services.

Stage 5: If client accepts offer and becomes client/customer! Thank them, celebrate and then over-deliver. Surprise them with value.

Stage 6: If prospect does not engage and become a client or customer, still go above and beyond to offer something of unexpected value and keep in touch, keep in touch, keep in touch. Always offering value and deepening the bond of trust between them and you. When they NEED your services you will be top of mind.

There are a multitude of ways to build trust with your potential clients and to ease them toward purchasing your higher price point offerings. There is no 'one' right way, so use your imagination and creativity to tailor your sales cycle to what works best, feels most natural, and resonates most with you. This can be done in a 3-stage process or a 15-stage process. It's really up to you, but I've found through experience and research that a 6-stage cycle at a minimum is most effective.

The key is to remember that all of your marketing is about getting your message out to those who most need, and will most greatly benefit from, your services, products, and programs. It's about connecting with your potential clients to develop and deepen genuine relationships based on trust. When you understand and incorporate this philosophy into your marketing, it makes the sales process easy, relaxed and wildly successful.

Get more clients with Michael Port, expert marketing coach for small business owners and professional service providers. Free small business resources, networking opportunities, articles, advice and coaching on professional services marketing at michaelport.com . Receive a free chapter from 'Book Yourself Solid' at bookyourselfsolid.com © 2006 Michael Port & Associates LLC

Q. What's the one thing a busy entrepreneur could do to be more successful in building their business?

A. Just one thing huh? Well I'd definitely say time management, adapting to new technologies, and good old-fashioned "stick-to-it-iveness" are all in my Top 5, but if we're going with just one, "Asking the right questions in sales-related situations" is it.

Why? Because it doesn't cost anything, it separates you from the competition, and very few entrepreneurs are doing it. A good sales-related question is a genuine effort to gather more information, while at the same time uncovering some of the prospect's buying motivations.

What are some of their current challenges and what steps have they taken to alleviate the situation? How much of an impact has this had on the organization's bottom line? And if they were making a list of "must haves" from service providers similar to yourself, what would a couple of those items be?

In other words, your questions should be about uncovering their challenges and understanding their situation. Not a series of thinly veiled attempts to have them work with you right away.

Prospects hate that.

So do yourself a favor and jot down a few questions to ask during your next prospect meeting, and see if that doesn't help you come across as the cool, calm professional who everyone wants to work with.

Any questions?

As a popular speaker and author, Brian is recognized as the leading authority in showing busy entrepreneurs how to get more leads and close more deals. If you have a sales or marketing question, just email info@agitoconsulting.com and stay tuned for a response. Be sure to visit agitoconsulting.com

When a show's a year away, it may seem like you have lots of time to get ready. But appearances can be deceiving. Twelve months is not long, especially with all the pre-show planning, training, and preparation you've got to do. Here is a checklist of sixteen vital items that need to be done approximately one year before you set up your exhibit:

1. Identify Where The Show Fits In Your Marketing Strategy

Every show has a purpose. Do you want to introduce a new product to a new market? Increase existing services in an existing market? Increase your visibility in a new geographical region? Reinforce existing customer relationships? Knowing what you want to achieve at any given show is vital to your success.

2. Decide Which Products To Focus On

Your company may produce dozens, even hundreds of different products. Obviously, you can't showcase all these items at a trade show. Attendees would be overwhelmed. Instead, with one eye on your marketing strategy, select those products that need to take center stage. Remember that 70% of people attending shows are looking for something NEW!

3. Identify Your Target Audience

Ideally, every show would be attended solely by consumers desperate to buy your products and services. However, things don't always work that way. Determine who the decision makers are in your industry, and exhibit at the shows they attend. You want to spend your time talking with the people who have the power to make purchasing decisions.

4. Identify Your Exhibit Objectives

Clearly explain to your booth staff what goals you expect them to meet during the show. Make these goals quantifiable. Examples could be number of leads generated, target sales figures, gathering marketing intelligence or educating your target audience.

5. Write an Exhibiting Plan

Writing out an exhibiting plan not only clearly delineates what needs to be done before, during and after the show, what your exhibit team need to do, and a timetable. Include every step of the show in the written plan, leaving nothing out. Re-reading this plan will allow you to identify any items you've overlooked.

6. Establish an Exhibiting Budget

An exhibiting budget should include every item needed for show participation. Beyond registration and space rental fees, include charges for show services and transportation. Add in the cost of your exhibit design, signage, graphic, and display materials as well as advertising, promotion and special activities. And, finally, don't forget your exhibit team's travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

7. Reserve Your Booth Space

Prime real estate go fast! To get the booth space you want, remember to reserve early. Avoid 'discounted' spaces in out of the way aisles or near the bathroom. The savings realized won't balance out all the attendees who never get near your booth - or worse, who go by in a big hurry with other things on their mind!

8. Pay Deposits

Check in with the accounting department to make sure deposits are paid on time. This often-overlooked item can cause all kinds of headaches, not to mention high late-payment charges.

9. Ensure Booth Design Meets Objectives

There are no one-size-fits-all displays. Make sure your design meshes with your marketing plan, helping to support current objectives while maintaining your corporate image. Booth layout is vital. Make sure it contains all the needed elements, including a 'quiet' place to talk with hot prospects.

10. Assess Your Current Exhibit

Give your current exhibit a critical once-over. Does it still look sharp and engaging, or is it tired, faded, and worn? Signage and graphics sometimes travel around the globe several times in a year - and they don't always look better for it. Check flooring material for wear and tear as well as your other displays.

11. Purchase New Items as Needed

Order new graphics and signage as far in advance as possible. This way, if there are any mistakes, you'll have time to make necessary corrections. Additionally, allowing yourself extra time gives you the room to negotiate for the best deals. As you replace worn items, make sure the old ones are disposed off - you wouldn't want your booth staff setting up last year's signage by mistake.

12. Order Show Services

Show services should be ordered in advance. These can include electricity, signage, audio/visual equipment, booth cleaning services, plants and flowers, telephone and computer hookups, waste removal, and furniture. You'll be sure to get everything you need, and enjoy a substantial savings over those who wait for the last minute to order these items.

Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: "Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies," working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. For a free copy of "10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make", e-mail: article4@thetradeshowcoach.com; website: thetradeshowcoach.com

Good managers manage well. Great managers have learned how to keep good employees.

Rules for longevity of staff:

1. Hire people, who have a positive attitude, you can always train them in a particular skill area. Positive attitudes have a way of rubbing off on other employees. (Ref: 'FISH" and other great books) Customers like doing business with companies that have a friendly and helpful staff.

2. Thank you. That's it, take the time - make the time and just say Thank you. Check the pulse of your employees; see how many would say," We get thanked all the time". What they will describe is a "leave alone ZAP" environment. They hear nothing until they mess up or make a mistake and then they can expect to have a one on one. Seems as if the only feedback they hear is negative.

3. Create an Inverted Organization Chart, ( Top ranking employee on the bottom supporting the other levels of the company) and use quality photos of the individuals with names instead of the names and titles. This helps visitors recognize staff members and their roles.

4. Liven up the environment. Look for ways to improve the office area for comfort, ease of use, aesthetics and the personal touch. The Hawthorne Study- 50 years ago - proved that by paying attention to the work surroundings productivity increased. Make it more pleasant, change things like paint, broken and old furniture, hang pictures that the employees like, add live plants and provide mini lessons on how to care for the plants.

5. Reward creativeness in Customer Service. Reward the front line employee who has found ways to keep the customers involved and demonstrates innovative means of building relationships. Relationships are built on trust and care. The most effective way to build the relationship is to empower the employee to solve problems that customers have, without having to get a mangers permission to act. It cost 5 times more to get a new customer than to keep an old one.

6. Praise is the most powerful tool managers have at their disposal but it is so infrequently used. Praise for specific actions, avoid the dreaded "Jelly Bean Praising". Always take the time to review what was done, who did what and when it was accomplished. When you give praise be sure to be sincere, be exact, say how you feel, encourage more of the same type behavior and remember sooner is always better then later. Do it now. Look for things to recognize and praise; set a goal to find at least one, two or three actions every day that are worthy of a real praising.

7. Surprise - Surprise - Surprise. Once in a while do something for the team that is out of the usual. Have executives prepare, cook, serve and clean up for a mid day meal or summer barbeque. Get gift certificates for Movies, Theatre, Concerts or local amusement parks. The key is doing something that is not the usual reward.

8. Celebrate. Help employees feel appreciated for work well done. Learn the secrets of making the work place a fun place. Employees who look forward to coming to work always give more to the company. Consider a fun time for those who accomplish a particular goal. Goals must be SMART. (Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon, Realistic and Trackable). Employees who know what is expected usually meet and exceed those expectations.

9. Giving for the sake of giving. Many companies have found employees respond in a super manner when the organization supports efforts of employees in the community. Wal-Mart, Home Depot are just a couple that have found employees rally around causes that help people who are less fortunate. Working together for a common cause creates a cohesiveness between employees that carries back over to the actual job.

10. "Fun Funding Fines" Ask employees to identify things that others do that bug them. Such things as; loud conversations, continuous interruptions, missing and tardiness at meetings, ignoring other peoples input, and similar activities that the members of the team would like to eliminate. The list of situations needs to be agreed upon and kept fun. Look for ways to tell people they are "doing it again" and fine them a token fee. The employees can decide how the collected fees will be used. Keep it fun.

I hope you will find that these few ideas on how to reduce turnover and keep your best employees are worth trying.

©2006 Southeastern Training & Development, Inc. Used by permission from the author setrainingdev.com

It's easy to think that any business can be successful if you work hard enough, but there are many situations where this just isn't so. Consultants, coaches, and other service professionals often start a business believing that all they need to do is charge a "reasonable" fee and sell "enough" of their time. But unless you do the math to prove or disprove your assumptions, you may be creating a business that can never succeed. Here's what can happen:

- Impossible Business #1 -

My client Molly was selling her services as an image consultant to individuals who wanted an updated or more professional look. She charged $50 per hour, which she thought was the most anyone would realistically pay to work with her. In most cases, she traveled to a client's home or went shopping with her client.

Including travel time and lunch meant that Molly could only make two appointments in one day. The average appointment was two hours long. So the maximum amount Molly could earn in one day turned out to be $200. But in order to earn that amount five days per week, Molly would have to schedule ten different clients, all of whose schedules were able to adapt to whatever times she had available.

This was hopelessly unrealistic. Even if Molly had been able to make the scheduling work, when would she have had the time to do the marketing required to land that many clients? It turned out that the maximum Molly could really earn using this model was about $500 per week. After paying her taxes, she couldn't even cover her monthly living expenses.

- Impossible Business #2 -

Fred was a student of mine who worked as a software consultant for midsize corporations. He typically charged $75 per hour, and when he landed a contract, it often consisted of 20-100 billable hours.

Because Fred's earning capacity was so high and he disliked marketing, he spent a lot of money on marketing himself indirectly. He purchased display ads in industry journals and directories, mailed expensive brochures to large lists of prospects, paid to exhibit at trade shows, and hired a telemarketer to prospect for him. Fred also worked on contracts that came through agencies, who often took 20-30% of his earnings as their percentage.

Fred was earning as much as $80,000 per year, but he was losing about $10,000 per year in agency commissions, and spending $20,000 per year on marketing. In return for all his hard work, he was earning considerably less than he had at his last job.

- Making the Impossible Possible -

New consultants, coaches, and other professionals almost always overestimate how much they can earn and underestimate the amount of time and money required to successfully market themselves. They also forget that they will have to cover not only their living costs and business expenses, but pay self-employment tax, buy their own health insurance, provide for their own retirement, and allow for unpaid vacation and sick time.

If Molly or Fred had taken the time to sit down with a calculator before starting out in business, they would have quickly discovered that they were on the wrong track. But both of these businesses were able to be rescued.

Molly began selling her time by the day instead of by the hour. She offered her clients a full-day package that consisted of a wardrobe review and consultation in the morning and a shopping trip in the afternoon. By charging $395 per day and scheduling three clients per week, she could earn more than double than she did previously.

She also began offering a monthly one-day image workshop as a way of bringing in more income while giving prospective clients a chance to experience her work. The workshop became her main source of new clients, and marketing the workshop turned out to be easier than marketing her personal services.

Fred learned how to market himself less expensively through networking, speaking, and writing articles. Instead of buying booths at trade shows, he was showcased there as a presenter, and spent time networking with the other attendees. The same publications where he used to run ads now ran his articles. Rather than paying a telemarketer, he started picking up the lunch tab for people he thought could refer him some business.

As a result, his expenses for marketing and commissions dropped from $30,000 per year to $10,000. At the same time, his income rose to $100,000 per year, because as his visibility and reputation grew, his services were more in demand and he could command higher rates.

If earning a decent living as a self-employed professional sometimes seems impossible to you, start asking how it could be possible. What can you change about how you are marketing yourself, how much you are charging, and how you are packaging your services? While it could be that success will come if you just work a little harder, it's more likely that you first need to start working a little differently.

C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients NOW! Thousands of business owners and salespeople have used her simple sales and marketing system to double or triple their income. Get a free copy of "Five Secrets to Finding All the Clients You'll Ever Need" at getclientsnow.com

Marketing a business can be fun, exciting and creative. It can also be very frustrating and expensive if one doesn't know what outcome they are looking for or how to evaluate cost effective methods of marketing.

Over the years people have come to know me for my unique ability to develop low cost and no cost strategies to market and promote a business, product or service. Strategies that have realized incredible returns.

Some of my successes have included:

- Before my last book was published I pre-sold over $8,000 in books
- Over 250 people registered for a recent seminar in less than 2 weeks and the cost to promote was under $25
- One company used my strategies for a career expo and made over $180,000 in consulting fees
- One speaker sold over $23,000 in product sales back of the room at a two hour seminar with strategies outlined in my program

I don't share this to impress anyone, rather to impress upon you when using the right strategies for your market, you can realize some incredible results. People have also come to know me as someone who is a stickler when it comes to putting systems in place. My marketing successes are a direct result of the systems I have implemented.

With a bit of forethought, planning and desire, you can successfully market your business in a very effective manner. Below are seven proven strategies sure to increase visibility, leads and sales.

1. Business Cards
Business cards are often one of the most underutilized tools in one's marketing. Use the front and back of your business card to gain full benefit. Depending on your market you can put some very valuable information on the back such as a sports schedule, emergency numbers, or special dates people want to remember.

Keep some in your wallet, your automobile, on your desk, and some at home. Be sure to carry them with you wherever you go and be willing to hand them out as opportunity presents itself. Creatively distribute your card. When you eat out you can leave one with the tip. If you borrow a library book, use one as a book mark. Hand them to clerks in stores who may know other people who could use your product or service.

When someone gives you their business card be sure to enter their information in your database. Send them a short note or email within 48 hours of meeting them to keep your name fresh in their mind.

2. Send a picture.
A great way to keep your name fresh in a customer's mind is to send them a picture of when they purchased a product or service from you. Put a picture of a buyer's auto purchase in a beautiful calendar. Likely, the proud owner of the vehicle will display the calendar for the next 365 days.

For specialty gift shops, when a customer makes a substantial purchase, have a picture taken with the shop owner. Frame the picture and send it to the customer. Chances are very good the picture will be displayed proudly for friends and family to see.

A dentist who specializes in smile makeovers can easily arrange to have a professional makeup artist and photographer capture the patient's beautiful new smile. No doubt the patient will be more than happy to show others their new look.

3. Associations
Associations particular to your market are a great resource for marketing. There are associations specific to virtually any industry, job type or business. A quick web search will likely show you how much is available. A major opportunity within many organizations is the chance to network. Additionally, to make presentations. Along with presentations come publications. Often, when you do a presentation, you will get a mention in the association newsletter, their Ezine and/or on their website.

In many cases, when an organization has a newsletter or Ezine, they welcome the presenter writing a press announcement for them. It saves them time and often assures you have a better chance of the information making it into the publication. They may also welcome you writing an article for their publication or website. This lends itself to pre-presentation visibility. Additionally, you will position yourself as an expert and increase credibility.

Most organizations have the following opportunities that can help you to gain visibility and do some very effective marketing:

-Newsletters
-Internet listings
-Links to you website
-Discounted advertising rates
-Networking opportunities
-Business referral services
-Special recognition events
-Education seminars
-Business and membership directories

In many cases you will need to be a member of the association to take advantage of the multiple marketing opportunities. In other cases membership is not necessary.

4. Committee Involvement
Committee involvement is a great way to give back to the association or community while building visibility for you and your business. In some cases, you may even want to get involved in a committee where you have little experience or knowledge. This will give you an opportunity to stretch yourself and meet and network with individuals you may not have otherwise had the chance to meet.

5. Contests and drawings
Contests are a favorite for many businesses such as restaurants or those that have high foot traffic. Contests are a great way to build your database quickly. You are generating very hot leads when you have a contest with people who have already frequented your place of business. The key though is to do back -end marketing. Far too many businesses hold contests, get lots of names and do nothing with them. In this case, it is a complete waste of time to hold a contest.

You can advertise a contest to gain new foot traffic in your place of business. Trade show booths are a great place to hold a contest. Pre-show marketing helps to generate traffic at your booth. Invite people to stop by booth # _____ (whatever your booth is) to enter to win. Creative contests can also generate free publicity.

6. Cross-promoting
Join with other companies who have products or services that compliment yours and promote each other. Let's say you have a massage business. You could partner with a candle company to sell their candles to your massage clients. They can give out coupons for your massage business. Or the candle company can partner with a gift basket company. Cross-promoting is only limited by your imagination.

This can considerably cut down the cost of business promotion and allow each business to use promotion techniques that might be too expensive to implement alone.

7. Bonuses
Secure special offers from various businesses who want to share a similar market as you. When a customer buys a minimum amount they receive a bonus packet with the various offers from the other vendors. This is a win/win all the way around. The other vendors gain visibility, you have something extra to offer you customers and the customers get incredible value for their purchase.

Be aware of who you cross-promote and joint venture with. You want someone who will be equally committed to a campaign.

About the author
Kathleen Gage is a business advisor specializing in marketing and promotions for small and home based businesses. She is a keynote speaker and the author of -101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door - and - 101 No Cost and Low Cost Tips to Market and Promote a Product, Service or Business. To access her FREE report, Learn How One Salt Lake City Consultant made Over $100,000 from One Idea, visit streetsmartsmarketing.com