What’s up with your competition? Do you know who they are? What are their strengths? Where are their gaps or opportunities? What is their target market? Who are their customers? How can you tailor or market your products to compliment their identified target market? Your competition are those companies who currently sell the same or similar products or services. It is important for you to know who you are competing with. The questions I ask in the introduction are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself about your competition. I wonder if Dave Thomas, Wendy’s founder, ever visited a McDonald’s or Burger King. I betcha he did. Do you remember how Dave Thomas got brand recognition in the mid 80’s? According... [Read more]

It is late morning and I am committed to recognizing 5 more blogs from the Problogger Writing Project this week. In the end there were 893 total submissions. The grand prize winner was Nancy R. Callahan for her entry Baby Names from Video Games. I The Top 5 Blogs I found in my reading last night are: 1. Top 5 Things to Consider When Starting a Business 2. Top 5 Young Entrepreneur Projects 3. Top 5 Actions to Build An Online Business 4. Top 5 Ways to Become a Millionaire 5. Top 5 Questions – To Spark New Marketing Ideas If you are interested in reading the entire list of 893 submissions, I have included the link here! Have fun! [Read more]

How do you define a customer? In short, a customer is someone who is willing to pay for the products and services that you offer. If I were in the business of adding to this definition, I would say a customer is someone who is willing to pay for your products and services over and over. They are committed and loyal to what you are offering in the marketplace. But, that’s my definition. How do you find customers? You must find prospects first. Who are you targeting? Have you done any market research? Who are potential buyers? If you don’t know the answer to that question – go do your homework! How do you find customers? If you are still giving your products and services away you have not found customers. There are words for... [Read more]

It is just after midnight east coast time and I have been reading the many Top 5 Blog submissions from Problogger’s Writing Project. Yesterday was Day 3 and I was determined to get my submission in. I challenge everyone of you to go and have a read. There are some interesting reads and there are some not so interesting reads, but it is definitely worth the adventure. First I want to say to Darren, I love the idea. It was great to participate. I am exhausted from all that I read tonight and I have many more to read over the next few days. Last night I stayed up until well after 1:00am est writing my submission to the writing project – Top 5 Reasons to Vote For Me As President -2008. Of course I think it is a great read, but I would... [Read more]

Should you conduct market research? In a word – YES! Your competition uses market research. Here are a few things to remember as you consider the value for your organization. 1. Garbage in/ garbage out – The information you gather from the market research results will only be as good as the information you choose to collect. If you choose to use surveys or sampling with your customers or prospective customers it will be very important that you ask the right questions. You should not have to guess about the results you are looking at in the end. 2. Interviews are very helpful. I have 3 recommendations if you choose to use interviews as a data collection source. a) Ask the right questions b)Make sure you have the right person doing... [Read more]