3 Tips for Obtaining More Business Using Apps

I’m always asked about what apps are the best apps for business. And, of course, there are different apps that work for different day-to-day business operations. And, as suspected, not all apps are the same. Some actually hinder your business while others can help you take control of your business.

Since, I’m asked about this topic often- I’ve decided to list the 3 apps that I feel can help you boost your customer base and close business. Now, this list will work for most people, but not all people. Businesses are unique and you should take my suggestions as recommendations only. Consider these apps and then decide if they will work for your particular business or not.

1. Product Upsell. This app allows you to offer relevant add-on products to customers based on cart content, total $ in cart or even a combination!

2. Sale Rack is awesome. It helps you obtain new clients and upsell existing ones. With this app you can effectively batch update prices, either to a percentage or to fixed amounts. You can also schedule updates, and easily revert them automatically on selected dates.

3. MaxTraffic Exit Offers. This allows you to drive up business with pop-up notifications and special offers as someone exits your website!

Still have questions? Want me to speak at your next event?

Let us talk!

Twyla N. Garrett

Winning in the boardroom.

I wanted to use today’s blog to discuss playing nice in life. I mean all aspects of life, too. You see, in business we have to deal with boardroom meetings, client meetings, interaction with coworkers and employees, in-laws, etc. I’m not going to lie, these interactions can test our patience. If we lose it, we lose in life. It is crucial to know how to win in a group, which means making some unpopular decisions and statements on occasion.

Below, I am going to lay out my top 5 ways to win in the boardroom and in life. These steps will help you navigate your way to success in a group environment. Please don’t think these are tips on being popular, they’re not. In fact, some of the time- they may make you unpopular.

1. Don’t lie. It sounds obvious but it has to be said. The truth will follow you. Not stating something is also a form of lying. If you are always upfront with people, you have nothing to worry about in life.

2. Address conflict immediately. You shouldn’t wait for things to die down. This tactic will always cause the other person to hold onto a grudge versus letting it go. My best advice is to address conflict head on and work for a positive resolution versus hoping it will all “blow over.”

3. Understand there are no perfect people. . A variety of personalities and types can add differing perspectives to help make a team more productive. You will have to work alongside these different personalities. You may not have to like the people you are working with, but respect their differences and how they can better the project because of their distinctions.

4. Ask questions. Don’t assume anything in life. Further, if you think someone understands what you are asking of them, don’t be afraid to have them repeat the instructions back to you with a plan of how he or she is going to attack the tasks. This isn’t for micromanaging purposes. Instead, it helps to ensure the other person understands what you are asking of them without insulting them.

5. Allow yourself to fall down. The world is super competitive right now. Cheating is at its highest level. Don’t cheat, don’t forge, simply try. If you fail, allow yourself to fall down and then get right back up. Try again and make sure you do so by incorporating what you learned from the failed attempt.

Remember, if you are honest and address conflict with others right away- you are already going to win many battles in life. Now, work in understanding that people aren’t perfect, ask more questions then you make suggestions, and also become persistent and the world will be yours for the taking.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Make An Impact- Websites that Work!

A website is a huge financial investment for any company. Before you commit, there is a website out there that will tell you if the website is going to work or not- even before it is launched! And the best part is that it is free!

I love FiveSecondTest. You can access the site by clicking here.
What this website does is analyze your to-be launched or live website within five seconds. Here is how it works; You upload a screenshot or mockup of your page, app, etc. to the website. Next, you pre-load a few questions for testers to answer. Testers have five seconds to view your image and must then answer the questions you have set. The website, FiveSecondTest, collects all of the responses for you, extracts the frequent keywords and then presents the data with easy-to-understand graphs. That's it.

Market analysis is done for you, you have honest answers and you know if you need to head back to the drawing board with your website or if you are golden. Again, this is huge for businesses because it means the difference between engaging a client and being looked over on Google!

Do you have a favorite free website that can help other businesses? Please share it with me so I can post it for the world.

Twyla

Creative Ways to Market Your Business!

I've owned many businesses. Some have failed, many have succeeded. So, what is my trick? Listen, there is no guarantee in business. But there is strategic planning, which is why these tips and tricks work!

To have great marketing, the following are Must-Haves.

1. Hire a great blogger and press release writer. Publish and publish often.
2. Buy PPC advertisement on Google, Facebook and LinkedIn.
3. Airbrush your business’ logo on your car (or get one of those nifty magnets!)
4. Have a company video on a video-sharing website, such as YouTube or Vimeo.
5. Sponsor events/local sports teams.
6. Strive to achieve omnipresence on the Internet (search results, networking sites, Q/A sites, etc…)
7. Utilize your vendors, existing clients and friends for referrals.
8. Draw attention to testimonials and positive feedback on sites, such as Yelp.com and AngiesList.com, etc…
9. Send birthday/holiday cards to existing and potential clients.
10. Have a mobile application.

All these "Must Haves" will help you design a marketing plan to better place your business. However, you have to be diligent. Keep with this list and expand upon it. Nothing works more than repetitive messaging!

Twyla

Can being "green" be a smart marketing move?

Many businesses are going "green" in today's market as a way to get tax credits and to also help the environment. But, a lot of other businesses are also using being "green" as a way to increase their PR perception through strategic marketing. Regardless of motive, being "green" is a win-win for Mother Earth and businesses.

In fact, being "green" is a money-maker for many businesses, including those who sell "being green" as a certificate. Check out this one website, http://www.gbb.org/green-business-certification-signup/?gclid=CPXsr8PajbUCFa57Qgod5xwAEg , and there are many of these types of websites out there!

People love "green" businesses because it makes them feel as if there money is really going to a good cause. But is it really? I guess if you choose to do cloud computing and rarely print, then yes. You are directly impacting the environment in a good way. But, what if you slide the actual "green" element just for a certificate from one of these websites? Is your marketing plan being fair?

I encourage you to ponder these questions this Tuesday. If you can find a way to make being "green" a win-win for your business and the planet- great! If not, don't market yourself as "green" because the PR backfire can kill your business.

Twyla