Optimism with Entreprenuers

Got this from Counselor Magazine!

Surveys: Business Owner Sentiment Increases
In taking a hard look at the mood of small business owners during the second quarter, the Intuit Payroll Survey found one common denominator: a positive attitude. More than three quarters (78%) of the 1,022 small business owners polled said "I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel." Even further, the National Federation of Independent Business just reported that its optimism index increased in August thanks to improved expectations for future business and real sales volume.

"Small business owners are bullish on their own abilities, but bearish on the factors they can't control," says Cameron Schmidt, director of marketing, for Intuit Employee Management Solutions. "It's a classic example of the mindset of the American entrepreneur. Self-reliance trumps government hand-outs, and even in the gloomiest economy there are opportunities to seize."


The poll also asked business owners, when times are tough, what is the most important thing to have in your office? Not surprisingly, more than half (54%) said work to do. Forty-three percent said a sense of humor. Jack Gurka, owner of High Impact Promotion (asi/225025), says, "My first thought is you need to have promotional products in your office." But a sense of humor doesn't hurt either. "You can definitely get caught up in all of the doom and gloom. Plenty of good things have happened in the past two years. There are some good sectors and good indicators in other areas. Sometimes we forget not everyone is jumping off of the roof."

Another nice review!

I just recieved this email from Steve Schillig. Steve is the Region Director for the Small Business Development Center in our area.

Kirby,

I read your book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am actually in the process of going back and creating an outline based on your concepts that I will use when assisting a client with their marketing plan. The section on “Press Releases” was especially beneficial to me as I realize that it is truly an underutilized marketing strategy.

Good stuff! Get your copy of the book today!

Got a nice email about the book!

I received a nice email today from a business owner, Tom Edwards, who purchased my new book. I feel like I am on the right track when a successful business owner says, "I wish I had read your book 28 years ago!"

Hopefully I will see many more!

Seth Godin's Blog

If you are interested the least bit in marketing, then I encourage you to check out Seth Godin's blog. Author and marketing extraordinaire, Seth Godin is a truly original thinker. I love reading it! Here is a recent post that I thought was cool and wanted to share!

I think this is a big idea, but your mileage may vary.

I've been having great success with a hybrid of the yellow legal pad and a printed presentation from Keynote (or Powerpoint). I use it during small meetings where more interactivity is useful, and where the group is too small for a laptop to be the best way to present slides (I think running a presentation says, "I talk, you listen...")

Here's how it works:

Create a presentation. A good one, not one filled with bullet points. Instead, graphs, images, a few words to anchor a discussion. A page might be nothing but a blank 3 x 3 grid.
On every page, remove some of the information.
Print the presentation out (horizontal, not portrait).
Bring it to Staples and have them spiral bind it with covers. (Not that cheap plastic comb, though.)
Get a good pen.
Now, when you make your presentation, sit next to the person you're meeting with and go through the booklet page by page, writing directly on each page. As you work your way through the ideas in the booklet, the two of you can talk about what's in front of you and mark it up.

It's not a brochure, it's the outcome of a working session. Leave it behind when you go.

Let's Crank Up The Pre-Orders

The big release date for Think Big Marketing for Small Business is coming up fast. So if you want to place your pre-orders (and I am sure you do!) then feel free to do so! If you want more info on the book, please check out some of the posts and linked articles below.

Click here to place your order today!
Thanks for your support!

Customer Appreciation Show is October 1st!

Mark Your Calendars!

Plans are coming together nicely for this year's Customer Appreciation Show. We have a great line up of food, fun and vendors to make this year's event the best one yet! So please carve out some time to stop and see us at the new location (Coshocton Armory) on October 1st. We have the hours scheduled from Noon until 6pm so you have plenty of time to come when it's convenient for you!

Customer Appreciation Event
October 1st from Noon to 6pm
Coshocton Armory!
Great food, fun, drinks and prizes!

A Book Signing?

So since the official release date of the book has been set (October 10th in case you missed it) several folks have suggested I have a book signing. I am considering doing one in Coshocton and am looking for suggestions.

What about my office? Any thoughts?