Vote today!

Updated July 8th: Thank you to all 7 Nonprofits that entered our giveaway! Congratulations to the top three finalists in the Nonprofit Logo Design Giveaway: The Florence Men’s Choral Society, EOTO World and Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc. Click here to vote today in our Facebook poll. Voting closes August 15, 2011.

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Every year, I pick one NonProfit to design a Logo Pro Bono. This year I am involving you, my fans, in nominating and choosing which NonProfit receives my logo design services. Last year I worked with Zion Lutheran Church for their  150th Anniversary logo design. Who should I work with this year?

Who qualifies?

1. Any NonProfit organization that needs a logo design.
2. The logo can be for an upcoming event, a logo re-design or for a brand new NonProfit.

Who can nominate the NonProfit?

1. You need to either work, volunteer for or be the founder of the NonProfit organization
2. Also, it’s key that you know they want and need a logo design

What do they receive?

1. 3 logo designs to pick from ($950 value!)
2. One round of modifications
3. Final files provided to you in print ready and web formats (.eps, .jpg, .pdf, and .png)

Rules to enter:

To nominate a NonProfit you must:
1. Become a fan of Bauerhaus Design Facebook’s page.
2. On the wall write the NonProfit you are nominating and why you love them.

Entry Deadline:

July 7, 2011

What happens next?

After I have received all the nominations, I will then post on Facebook the top three choices and have you vote!

Want to see my logo design work?

Logo designs are one of my absolute favorite things to design. Visit my logo portfolio.

Questions?

If you have questions, feel free to email me at becca@bauerhaus.com

Can’t afford custom logo design work? We now offer professional logo designs for your small business at a fraction of the cost.

Over the past year when I have met with start-up companies, I have found they can’t all afford a custom logo design. Their start-up funding is often already invested in products or equipment.

But since I have a secret sweet spot for start-ups, I am proud to now offer Stock Logo Designs especially for start-ups. You can now purchase them through the new Logo Store.

How does it work? Simply purchase your logo online, fill in your company name, tagline and colors. I’ll email you a proof within 3 business days. Once approved, I’ll email you the final logo as a .ai, .pdf and .jpg file.

For every completed survey now through April 15th, I’ll be donating $5 to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Japan.

I want to know about you and your company, so I can better understand your needs. Are you a solo entrepreneur or in charge of a staff? Do you want to know more about Wordpress or buy Stock Artwork? Are you waiting for me to cover a topic that you want to know more about?

Bauerhaus Design believes in promoting a variety of experts, including guest blogger, Dr. Linda Hancock, speaker, author and psychologist.

P.T. Barnum used creativity and imagination to attract people to the Big Top circus and other unusual sideshows. He is renowned for the marketing example he has set for others and his statement “Without promotion something terrible happens – nothing!”

Businesses are often limited by the amount of money they can invest in advertising. There are many ways that you can promote your services with little or no cost. Following are 25 ideas for you to consider:

1. Offer excellent service and encourage your clients to send you referrals. Everyone wants to be part of a good thing!

2. Write a regular column in your newspaper. You might not get paid from the newspaper but you definitely will from the community!

3. Sit on a community board or committee. You will get to know people and they will get to know you.

4. Do volunteer work in a charitable organization.

5. Teach a class at a College or University (you will likely be paid for this and promote your business at the same time).

6. Offer to give speech for an organization or group.

7. Open a Facebook account where you will write your business profile. Remember to add photos and talk about what makes you different from other businesses.

8. Make an appointment to meet with a journalist in the community and offer to be their consultant. They often don’t know who to call when they need expertise so you could be their “go to person”.

9. Teach a workshop for an employment agency or high school class.

10. Prepare a Media Release and send it to radio, television and newspapers.

11. Mentor a new immigrant.

12. Write a newsletter and distribute it by email to clients and media.

13. Give discount certificates for charity auctions. This promotes you and may also set up new client relationships.

14. Become an active participant in your professional association.

15. Sign up for a free Twitter account and learn how to build relationships on it.

16. Meet other professionals and exchange referrals with them. Invite one person who you haven’t previously met each week for lunch so you can get to know each other.

17. Put brochures or handouts in the Welcome Wagon baskets.

18. Host your own internet radio show.

19. Become involved in campaigns to clean up the neighborhood.

20. Start a blog with a free account at Wordpress.com.

21. Put your business cards or a poster with tear-off strips on community bulletin boards.

22. Be a guest on a radio or television show that is focusing on your niche.

23. Offer to promote your profession during their yearly campaign or special project.

24. Write articles and submit them to internet directories.

25. Introduce yourself to people every day!

You see, the key to promotion is to build relationships with others. Learn about the adventure of enticing and attracting others to you and your business through creativity.

Bauerhaus Design believes in promoting a variety of experts, including guest blogger, Dr. Linda Hancock, speaker, author and psychologist.

In order to have a strong, active and growing business, you will need to have good referral sources and also be able to provide good referrals for your clients to receive any services that you do not offer. Building and nurturing relationships with others will result in a steady stream of new clients for your practice and satisfaction for those who are referred elsewhere.

There are many different types of referral sources that can be cultivated as follows:

1. Word of Mouth

For years, marketers have stressed the fact that the best form of advertising is through individuals who talk about your services in a positive manner. Former clients, their friends and relatives can personally attest to the satisfaction they gained by working with you. It doesn’t take long until a community forms an opinion about you and your private practice. I remember hearing the words of a lawyer a few years ago who stated “It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and only a few seconds to lose it”. Remember this and the fact that people frequently refer their acquaintances for assessment and/or treatment to the people who have helped them to solve a problem.

2. Other Professionals

At times you might set up joint ventures where the client benefits from having different types of services from people who are part of a team. In divorce, for example, a lawyer, psychologist and accountant may all work together for the benefit of the client. Other professionals may work in tandem with you and ask that the client see you before or while they are also working with them. For example, for years I have been completing psychological assessments for an infertility specialist who claims that he does not have ethical practice unless the couple has had this assessment done first. You may receive referrals from teachers who request that you treat students or from managers who are concerned about employees. No matter what type of business you have, it is important to be creative in setting up your networks and working relationships.

3. Referral Services

Some professions charge members a yearly fee which is used to promote you and your business. Often, the fee for this is less than one purchase by a new client. You might also choose to purchase an advertisement in the newsletter or magazine that is published by organizations where you hold memberships or offer to write a column on a specific topic for their publications.

4. Self Referrals

I frequently receive telephone calls or emails from individuals who have found my listing in the yellow pages or read one of my newspaper columns. Lately we have been asking each caller about who referred them to me and are surprised to find that almost a third state that they found me through an internet search. This is a huge marketing nugget. Make sure that you have good web presence!

Ensuring that you provide excellent services, maintain a respectable reputation, and work at developing good relationships with referral sources will help you to turn every day of your business into a wonderful adventure. You see, marketing is not a one-time project. It is a daily ongoing process.

Do you want to learn more about increasing your business profits fast? If so, download my brand new mini-book “Discover the Secrets to Increasing your profit by opening your business for success.”

]]> http://www.bauerhaus.com/strategy/the-importance-of-having-a-referral-network/feed/ 0 http://www.bauerhaus.com/strategy/how-to-increase-online-retail-sales/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss http://www.bauerhaus.com/strategy/how-to-increase-online-retail-sales/#comments Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:30:49 +0000 Rebecca Bauer Ritz http://www.bauerhaus.com/?p=1050

Do you have an online e-commerce store, but aren’t sure how to increase sales? Many small businesses rely on this time of year to to provide up to 40 percent of their income, according to the according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the nation’s largest retail trade association.

Unfortunately, if you build an e-commerce site, people don’t automatically flood your website and convert to sales. So, how do you get customers to buy? While large retailers use TV, magazine ads, and radio, those avenues can be expensive for small businesses.  Below are several tips on increasing Online retail sales, while not breaking your advertising budget.

1. Make sure your website design is simple and easy to read

Think of yourself on a crowded city sidewalk with large signs every way you turn. Now think of a country road with one sign on it. Which one would get your attention more effectively? Now translate that idea to your website. If you have a busy pattern with lots of neon type or type in many different colors, are people going to know where to click? Or what you sell? No, they will be overwhelmed and leave your site.

But if you have a clean site, such as Amazon.com, you know exactly where to click or where to search. There are so many different websites that sell the same product as yours, so do everything in your power to get them to stay. Keep it simple. For more design tips, read 7 tips on creating a stellar web layout.

2. Incorporate an E-mail Marketing plan

E-mail marketing is a very low cost way to reach your customers each month. But don’t expect one email around the holidays to turn into huge sales. Part of developing customer loyalty is staying in touch, so you are fresh in their minds. You don’t have to run a sale each month, but you can show your latest product or details about a special event or contest. For more on e-mails, read Can email newsletters increase your sales?

3. Purchase Online advertising

In order for your Online sales to go up, you obviously need online visitors. While every site should use SEO (search engine optimization) key words to rate high on Google’s search engines, another way to gain customers fast is to use Online Advertising. You set the price per day you want to hit. Can you only afford $1 per day or $30 per month? This type of advertising is perfect for you. Depending on what you are selling, two of the most successful I have found for my customers are Google Adwords and Facebook ads.

3. Offer free shipping:

In this Inc.com article, they state that more and more customers are coming to expect free shipping. Plus, if you offer free shipping, the average customer buys more of your products. Are you not a fan of offering discounts? Try this strategy: when someone signs up for your email newsletter, offer them a Free shipping code. That way you aren’t giving away something for nothing in return. You’ll gain their contact information for emails down the road and possible future sales.

4. Social Media marketing

More than 50% of people with Facebook accounts check their account everyday. Take advantage of this by posting weekly messages that can range from look at this new product, a special event, a sale and/or most importantly engage your customers and ask for their feedback. For more information on a social media plan, read How to create an Online Marketing strategy.

5. Hold an event or contest

An event or contest doesn’t have to be just be part of your in-store retail strategy. You can have a one day only online event on Facebook, blog or create a custom landing page on your website with the info. By having a contest or event, you can also utilize another great low cost way to get more business – a press release with all of the details. If you get picked up by your local News channel or paper, this can be a great way to increase your traffic to your website.

The past few weeks I attended a “Speaking with Confidence” workshop held by Richard Avdoian that works on two facets every small business owner should know how to do:

1. 30 second elevator speech that gets results

2. A 20 minute speech on your area of expertise

Why did I take this class? I’ll be honest, public speaking has always terrified me. But being a small business owner, networking is essential. Most of the networking groups I go to, you have to stand up and give a 30 second speech on what you do and who your ideal client is. While I have tried several versions of my 30 seconds at the various groups, I was curious what makes an intro most effective.

Another reason I took it, I want to start offering webinars and workshops next year. I have attended several this past year and see the many business opportunities that are possible. What a great way to reach potential clients!

And the last reason – I am constantly seeking ways to improve myself, whether it’s tackling something as daunting as a triathlon or speaking in front of a group. I know to grow as a person and business owner, I need to figure out why public speaking makes makes me uncomfortable and what I can do to overcome it.

Below are the major tips I took away from the workshop:

1. Promote yourself as a business owner

I have been guilty of introducing myself as a “logo, web and graphic designer” not as “Rebecca Ritz, owner of Bauerhaus Design.” See how the second way sounds more official? I am in fact a business owner. Plus, since I often partner with programmers or marketing consultants, I should refer to my company as “we” or in the plural and not as a solo designer.

2. Have someone videotape you or able to provide objective feedback

In my class of 6, each of us had our own nervous ticks. I apparently, when nervous say “um” a lot! I didn’t even realize I did that! Likewise one person tended to move her arms back when she talked, making it look like she was swimming backwards. Another tended to speak fast and walk around too much. Did we all know we needed work? Yes, but did we each realize what exactly we were missing? No. Honest feedback is essential. That is the only way you are going to grow as a public speaker.

3. Speak in short sentences

As you can see from my blog, writing is one of one of my strong suits. Public speaking, on the other hand, has always intimidated me. When we had an assignment to create a 20 minute speech, I wrote the whole thing out. Then, I practiced reciting it. In class we presented 5 minutes of this speech and I quickly learned that speeches aren’t about memorizing exact sentences. They are about keeping the audience captivated through short sentences with special emphasis on your key terms. For example, my key term: brand. My business is all about creating a brand for your company, so when speaking I need to emphasize and pause every time I say “brand.”

4. You need a hook to capture the audiences attention right away

Otherwise, they will tune you out and start writing down their grocery list or emailing on their smartphones. This goes for both the elevator speech and the 20 minute speech. Tell a story or make an analogy. Anything that makes the consumer want to come up to ask you more questions.

5. Speak slowly and don’t be afraid of pauses

The first time I stood up and did my 30 second elevator speech I did two things – I talked too fast and then stumbled. It was almost like I was in a hurry to say it and then I turned into a deer in headlights. I learned I need to speak S-L-O-W-L-Y. Plus, when you want to emphasize a key term, pause after you say it. If you have problems remembering this like I do, say the word then silently say 1,2 and then continue.

6. Research

Watch other speakers online and pay attention. How do they emphasize certain words or phrases? What do they do with their hands? Which presentations capture your attention? Why? Two great sources to research are: YouTube an TED.

7. Practice

Before I gave my final speech I practiced it about 7 times, but still didn’t feel completely prepared. So how much practice is enough? Richard, who is a professional speaker, said when he gives speeches he typically will practice 20- 30 times. Holy Smokes! The first 10 or so times are for memorization purposes. The other half are so he can practice emphasizing key words and inserting pauses. And where should you practice? In front of a mirror, videotape yourself, or have someone provide honest feedback.

Does public speaking intimidate you? I highly recommend Richard Avdoian’s “Speaking with Confidence” 3 day workshop to help you improve your elevator speech and 20 minute speeches.

Also, next year I plan to start offering webinars workshops on 3 topics: Why your small business needs a brand, How to use social media in your small business and How to use Wordpress. Contact me if you would like me to speak to your group.

Are you a start-up or small business that has a great idea for a business, but aren’t sure where to start? I am now offering a FREE 19 page workbook, “How to Make your Small Biz Stand Out,” to guide you through the steps.

What does it cover?

There are many steps to think through to make your company stand out. For example, who is your target market? Who are your competitors? Is your company credible? How do you reach your customers? How do they like to be contacted? Knowing the answer to these questions will not only help you define your ideal client, but also understand how to reach out to them.

Throughout this workbook, I’ll take you through the process step by step from developing your business name and logo to what tools you will need to market your company. Still want to know more? Below is the table of contents from the workbook:

How do you download the workbook?

Sign up for the Bauerhaus Design email newsletter and you’ll receive a FREE copy of the 19 page workbook, “How to make your Small Biz stand out.”

]]> http://www.bauerhaus.com/strategy/free-workbook-how-to-make-your-small-biz-standout/feed/ 0 http://www.bauerhaus.com/strategy/online-materials-to-start-your-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss http://www.bauerhaus.com/strategy/online-materials-to-start-your-business/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:38:19 +0000 Rebecca Bauer Ritz http://www.bauerhaus.com/?p=905

In the previous article What print materials do I need to start a business? we talked about what essential print items I recommend for start-ups. Today we are going to go over what online materials you will need to reach your target demographic. I’ve again broken it down to “essentials” and “advanced.”

Online Essentials:

This short list is what I recommend to start a business and appear professional. And remember if you appear professional you will more easily earn your customers trust and credibility and thereby increase sales.

Website:

Having a website is ultra important because it allows people you meet in person to find out more about your company, plus it enables you to be found by search engines, such as google. Many people do preliminary research on the web before they contact a company or make a purchase.

Tip: When considering the design of your website think about the following: Make sure it is easy for a potential customer to find what they are looking for. Is it products for sale? Information? Also think about what your end goal of your website is going to be. Is it making a shopping cart purchase or email newsletter sign-up? Also make sure you have links with all of the different ways people can contact or follow you, such as email newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, and blog RSS. For more in depth info about website design, read 7 tips for a stellar web layout.

Email Newsletters:

Email newsletters can increase your sales and are one of the cheapest forms of communication to put into action. There are email clients such as Mailchimp.com and Constant Contact that offer low cost solutions. How low? If you have under 500 people on your list Mailchimp is free and Constant Contact starts at around $15 per month.

Tip: Make your branding consistant with a custom email template that matches your website and print collateral. Make sure you only email people who have opted-in to your email list. Do you want to know more about SPAM laws? Check out MailChimp.com and scroll to #11 for a great Email Spam overview.

Online advanced:

The following tips are “advanced” because they either take more time and/or money to put into action. These suggestions allow you to go out and find your customers and not just wait for them to come to you.

Blogs:

Blogs are a great tool to get more traffic to your site, educate your customers, build trust and toot your own horn. Want to know more on how that is possible? Read Why your small business should have a blog. Are you not sure what to write? Visit Ten topics for your small business blog.

Tip: To keep a consistent brand make sure your blog matches the look of the rest of your online and print materials. Consistency is the key to having your customers recognize you.

Facebook fan page:

Facebook fan pages are a great way to reach your customers daily.Why do you need one? Your customers aren’t going to look at your website everyday, but they are going to be on Facebook. Check out these Facebook stats:

• Facebook has more than 350 million active users
• 50% of active users log on to Facebook in any given day
• Average user spends more than 55 minutes per day on Facebook

To find out more, read Why your small business should have a facebook fan page.

Tip: To further stand out from the competition you can add a custom “Welcome” tab or a special tab for a specific promotion. For a “Welcome” tab example, view the Uncommon Threads Jewelry Facebook fan page. You can set it up  so new visitors are automatically directed to your custom page.

Twitter:

Are your potential clients on Twitter? It’s free to set up and the only thing it takes is time. Are at a lost as to what to talk about on Twitter and Facebook? Check out How to Simplify Social Media.

Tip: To keep branding consistent have a custom background with your branding. See the Uncommon Threads Jewelry Twitter page as an example.

Video:

Did you realize that people are 7-10 times more likely to view a video then to read an article or profile? Video can be used on your website, Facebook Fan page, YouTube and even in email newsletters.

Webinar:

A webinar is a great way to show you as an expert and will also give you the opportunity to reach new potential customers. Are you just starting out and don’t have a lot of information to share? Partner with an authority figure on the topic to give your company credibility.

Pay per Click Ads:

Pay per Click ads can be a great way to get new customers that you are not currently reaching. The most popular ads are through Google and Facebook. You can also advertise on other websites that are frequented by your customers. How research your customers to find where they shop or go for information and then email the site owner about advertising rates.

Tip: Set a daily budget on whichever you choose, so you don’t get any unwelcome surprise bills. And make sure you check your Google Analytics to see which ads are delivering the most potential customers and which ones are fulfilling your website’s goals (sign-up for email newsletter, e-book, or make a purchase).

Wrap up:

Set up an Online Marketing Strategy for the entire year, so you can compare results from year to year. Decide ahead of time how much money and time you are going to invest in online media. Remember the marketing rule is it takes 7 times for a person to see something before they buy. Which method online makes the most sense to reach your ideal customer?

Do you have a great business idea, but aren’t sure what print materials you will need to start your business? Or perhaps you are in the process of writing your business plan and aren’t sure what expenses to plan for. Below you will find what print materials I most recommend to my clients.

Essentials:

I call the following print materials “essentials” because they are the top two things you will need to start getting the word out about your service and product. If you have a limited budget these are the first two pieces I would recommend spending money on.

1. Logo:

Without a logo your company will miss out on an important first step – credibility. Part of building credibility is creating a company that looks official, even if you just opened. In order for a client or customer to purchase your product or services they will need to trust your company. How? Build credibility with a professional logo that says “I am here to stay” and not just a whim.

Before you begin the logo process, make sure you have already talked to a lawyer and accountant and figured out the best business structure for your company, whether it’s an LLC, S-Corp, or Corporation. Why have this figured out before meeting with a logo designer? To save you money. I would hate to design a logo and then find out later that the name you picked out is already taken and we need to re-do the logo.

2. Business Card:

This is essential to start in-person networking. How many have you fallen into this trap: You want to save money and just go to Office Max, buy business card paper and print out a template design. I actually did this myself when I first went on my own. Can that work for networking? Yes, to a point.

One key element of networking is to stand out. For instance, if you and 3 other people were at an event and you all sold laptop cases, what would make you stand out? Remember you only have a few minutes to make a first impression and then what does your marketing? Your business card. You want to make people so intrigued that they either call you or go to your website to find out more.

Advanced:

While the above two things are great to start meeting people and to give you a professional look, this “advanced” list will help you more effectively market your company.

1. Letterhead:

Having letterhead will make you appear professional, even if you are just starting out. It can be used for a letter to introduce yourself to your ideal customer or it can be used as the background for your invoices and estimates. And we all need to get paid, right?

2. Brochure:

As a small business owner myself, I know that some people are interested in your product, but don’t need it right this minute. The solution? Ask if you can mail them more information about your awesome product, a.k.a. the brochure. This can also be a great leave behind piece when you meet with someone or to pass out at a networking group.

3. Ad

While we all wish everyone would be beating down our door to buy our product or service, the reality is you need to get the word out. One of the ways is through a print ad. Make sure before you place an ad, that the publication hits your target market. The last thing you want to do is waste your precious marketing dollars. Are you not sure where to start? I work with a media buyer, Terry Kitzmiller, that can help you decide and negotiate an ad price.

4. Postcard/Direct Mail

While creating your business plan did you discover that there are certain areas your target customer lives? Direct mail can be a great tool for your business if you know the age, marital status, income level and zip code of where your ideal client is located. Think Direct Mail is outdated? Consider this – the world’s largest online search engine, Google, often sends out direct mail.

Next up

Stay tuned for my next article, were I’ll explain about what online components you need to get your business up and running.