9-19-19 What do you really need to start a business?

Some people might say money is the primary requirement to start a business. You definitely have to be able to afford all of the costs associated with creating and promoting a new business, but I believe the most important element is a passion about what you are doing.

Over the years I have done many stories for the Business Spotlight on Whidbey Local , and there is a common theme: People who have their own businesses are passionate about what they do.

Besides the money necessary to establish a business, there is an incredible investment of energy and time. I have observed that while the desire to make money is a major player in creating a business, there is often far more interest in the products or services and a desire to share these with others.

When I walk into a retail store, or talk about products or services with someone, I immediately feel their sense of commitment to what they are offering. And when the owner of the business communicates their passion and enthusiasm, it certainly is a great incentive to do business with them.

9-12-19 The best ways to increase your business

When you’re thinking about how to best use your dollars for marketing, here are the three ways I approach this:

 1)      It is always easiest to sell more to those who are already buying your product or service;

2)      You are more likely to sell to new customers who are much like the customers you already have or have been referred to you by current customers; and

3)      It is hardest to sell to new people about whom you have little information.

Item 1 assumes that you do everything to keep your customers happy so they’ll want to keep coming back to you.

Item 2 is based on the idea that the kinds of people who really appreciate you, what you sell, and how you do business are likely to want to do business with you….once they know who you are….and especially if they have heard good things about your from their friends.

Item 3 means it can be very expensive to simply place an advertisement without knowing details about the audience that will see the advertisement.

I believe the best ways to use your advertising dollars are to promote your business to current satisfied customers, and let your customers know how much you appreciate having them refer you to others.

And, remember….a satisfied customer usually tells many people.  A dissatisfied customer tells everyone.

Still more politics.....President Trump says/does something ridiculous nearly every day

All kinds of news sources reported on Trump using a black marker to alter a NOAA map showing the predicted path of Hurricane Dorian so that he couldn't be proven wrong in a false statement he made.  You can see a detailed report of this on the Rachel Maddow show: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-lies-about-storm-harder-to-ignore-than-his-usual-nonsense-68214341863?cid=eml_mra_20190905

Maybe next week I can go back to marketing informaiton.

8-29-19 It's difficult to keep politics out of everyday life

This Blog was created as a business blog based upon my experience in marketing and business.

But, I am feeling a bit overloaded with all of the political news that has been flooding my brain.

I am old enough to remember the days when Democrats and Republicans worked together in Congress to get things done.  I always thought that was the way good government should operate.

I feel a great sense of sadness and loss with how things have devolved with President Trump.

I can only hope that we will have a turn-around in how things are done, rather than having us fall down a rabbit hole.

If you want to follow my political life you can go to the Moveonwhidbey page on Facebook.

I apologize if this is not what you expected to see on my business blog.

8-22-19 Filling a niche is an important element in creating a successful new business

I just wrote a story for Whidbey Local about Whidbey Island Seafood Company (https://www.whidbeylocal.com/article/view/2289).  It is another story of local people on Whidbey creating a business that fills a niche, doing something special that no one else is doing at this time.

It is also a story that appeals to me because the business has been created by three young men.

I love seeing people have the courage to do something new.  And, I especially appreciate seeing three young people having the creativity and courage to create a business that fills a need.  Now people on Whidbey can order fresh caught fish that is flash frozen and home delivered for reasonable prizes.  Take a look at the story and order some fresh salmon.  You won't be sorry.