 WELCOME
As an MBA member, you know how often we make suggestions about how to market your business. It's an important piece of the pie to business owners, and that's why we focus on providing as many free and low-cost promotional methods as possible.
One way to help push your company name to the top is to be visible to your potential customers, whether in print or by word of mouth. MBA's print newsletter, The Alliance Report, is a publication especially suited to our small business members. It contains articles like tax help for the small corporation, tips on legal matters and investing guidelines for business owners.
With over 300 different trades and professional designations within MBA's membership, wouldn't you like to read an article like "Keeping Your Car Clean" written by a member I know who owns an auto detailing shop. Or how about "Quick Massage when Stress Hits," written by one of our holistic wellness centers. Maybe a realtor could provide "Preparing Your House for Sale." At the end of these published articles, we'll include your name and contact information.
It's a business publication, but it's the business of life. Let's share our expertise. And get some referrals in the process.
Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors
Newsletter Info Line (800) 533-3732, ext. 105
or e-mail LBeatty@mbainc.org
NEWSWORTHY
Postage to Increase - Again
On May 12, 2008, the United States Postal Service is raising mailing costs. A First-Class Mail stamp will become 42 cents. Prices will also change for Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Special Services. Click here to see the specifics.
Customers can continue to use the Forever Stamps that were purchased prior to May 12 at 41 cents even after the price change. Forever Stamps are available through post offices, contract postal units, consignment locations, automated postage centers, vending and at The Postal Store®.
The USPS will also soon have a 62 cent stamp available for one-ounce, non-machinable First-Class Mail letters, such as square greeting cards.
Free Marketing Help - For A Limited Time
If you're struggling to find new customers, not sure how to measure your marketing effectiveness or confused how to market your business with a tight budget, Hewlett-Packard has help.
9 Steps to Outstanding Market Success is a helpful e-book that is full of sales and marketing insight. It gives advice, offers revelations, shares anecdotes, provides checklists and worksheets and asks questions designed to help you rethink how you approach your business.
Click here to receive the entire e-book, one chapter at a time for free.
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MARKETING
State the Date
Promoting a special store event, seminar or workshop? Be sure to prominently position the time, date, location and registration method for your event on all of your promotional materials.
Don't make your guests work to find the basic information they need to make a decision about attending your event.
In fact, you may want to repeat this information throughout your piece for even more emphasis.
How Do You Welcome New Customers?
 You probably had a plan to attract and sell to your newest customers. But now that they've committed and made the purchase, are they still receiving your undivided attention? Maybe not. Perhaps you moved on to even newer clients.
To make all customers happy, consider creating a new-customer "welcome" kit. Like the manual you received with your car, clothes washer or toaster, your welcome kit should provide at least the basic information needed for your clients to make their experience with their new purchase successful.
What should you include? Here are some ideas:
- A "welcome" note to provide an overview of the kit and your product/services
- The contract, receipt, invoice or other materials that formalized your agreement
- Explanation of your invoicing procedure
- Instructions for using your product/service and possibly helpful hints to make the most of their purchase
- A small gift; perhaps an ad specialty
- Contact information for questions
Make your customers feel welcome from the start, and they'll be more likely to turn into repeat customers.
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YOUR FINANCES
Time Management Tactics
As an entrepreneur, your time and money are often in short supply. To get time back on your side, the first step is to find out where it went.
Start by creating an activity log that runs for a few days and is divided into 15-minute intervals. Track the time you spend on activities like meetings, phone conversations, commuting, e-mailing, etc. Then identify each activity as either time well spent or a time waster.
Use your findings to create a blueprint for a more productive workday.
New Ideas for Funding Your Business
There's another online revolution  developing. This time the banks had better watch out. Peer-to-peer lending websites like Zopa and Prosper are growing in popularity and helping to match people who need money with people who want to lend it.
The advantage is that these private lenders usually offer better rates than commercial banks for both the lender and the borrower.
Of course, like banks, these sites and their lenders often use credit scores and existing debt to determine whether funds will be available. But many lenders base their lending decision on the personal story behind the borrowing. Keep in mind, these sites don't deal exclusively with businesses, but business loans are available.
Like all things, the devil can be in the details, so do some heavy investigating before putting yourself out there. Just Google "peer-to-peer lending" for some background articles.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
Boost Morale in Hard Times
Economic downturns are probably the most important time to make sure your employees know they are appreciated.
When money is tight, be open and honest with your employees. Let them know if the company can't afford bonuses or raises.
Consider offering other incentives such as flexible schedules or more vacation time.
Also, make sure your employees know that future bonuses and raises will be based on the company's performance. That way, their hard work will be tied directly to their compensation.
How to Hire an Intern - Legally
There are some employers who think that their overburdened workforce can be supplemented by taking on interns. If done improperly this is risky business and can cause legal troubles for your company.
The spirit of the internship must be educational and not just "free labor." With that in mind, the Fair Labor Standards Act distinguishes between an intern and an employee. If all of the following are met, then an intern relationship exists.
- The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school;
- The training is for the benefit of the intern;
- The intern does not displace a regular employee, but works under close supervision;
- The employer that provides the training receives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern and, on occasion, his operations may even be impeded;
- The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period; and
- The employer and the intern understand that no wages will be paid for the time spent in training.
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IT
Website Promotion 101
Optimizing your website for search  engines and considering your website's keywords are important tools for promotion. Be sure, however, that you don't miss out on the obvious:
On Paper: Make sure your website is on ALL of your company materials including your business cards, letterheads, invoices, receipts, fliers and ads.
On the Move: A company vehicle is a great place to show off your website address. Order removable magnet or window signs.
On Giveaways: Place your website address on the promotional items you give out such as pens, matchbooks and mouse pads.
Post Your FAQs
Set up an FAQ (frequently asked questions) page on your website to provide simple answers to your customers' most common questions.
If you promote this page on your company materials and make it easy to find on your website, you may be able to cut down on some of the time spent on the phone servicing existing customers' basic questions.
Of course, some customers will always prefer posing their questions to a live body. But more tech-savvy customers may find it a relief to be able to solve their own problems simply by going online.
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 NEW MEMBERS
When our member base increases there is more of everything: more creative networking, more benefits and more experienced, enthusiastic business owners. All move our members toward growth, success and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Click here to meet our newest small business partners.
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MBA EVENTS OF INTEREST
Creative Networking
with an Exceptional Backdrop of “Living Showrooms”
Spend a spring evening mingling with fellow business professionals in the "living showrooms" of MBA member Cedar Hollow Design Center's restored 1840s general store.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cedar Hollow Design Center, LLC - Malvern, PA
Free for MBA members,
$20 for non-members and must be paid in advance
Click here for more information
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Sponsors of MBA's AR Online Newsletter
(800) 736-6034
Home office support! Virtual offices, meeting rooms, secretarial and IT support.
(610) 485-2960, extension 284
Offer a great employee benefit.
Unless specifically indicated, MBA does not intend mention of companies, products or services discussed in this publication to be construed to be endorsements. The information in this publication is offered as examples that may be useful to our small business readers. Please consult with an industry professional before implementing any of the tips or subscribing to any of the services described above.
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