Friedrich_Communications

10 Green Tips for Small Business

Businesses large and small can all take steps to support a healthier planet.

Perhaps there is no better time than this week -- in recognition of Earth Day -- to consider environmentally friendly alternatives within our businesses. Whether looking at marketing plans or day-to-day office operations, practical solutions abound that also benefit the planet.

Here are ten green ideas, several which can help small business owners save money as we work to keep Mother Earth healthy!

1. Save e-mails and other documents digitally, printing only when necessary. Today many copiers allow you to save electronic files in pdf format, perfect for archiving.
2. When paper is required, print office and marketing materials on recycled paper.
3. Down-size your printed collateral. (Done correctly, less can be more!)
4. For sell sheets and similar marketing pieces, use pre-printed “shells” which reduce waste by allowing businesses to create hand-outs "on-demand."
5. When having new material professionally printed, ask your provider about non-toxic inks and off-set alternatives.
6. Utilize more electronic media including Web sites, banner advertising and e-mail to get your message out.
7. For major communications campaigns, opt for targeted direct-mail lists.
8. Plan ahead to avoid air and rush shipping which ultimately result in higher costs and fuel expenditure.
9. Also save fuel as you expand your social network online.
10. Lastly, recycle old office equipment or donate it to local schools. Don't relinquish these cast-offs to our already over-burdened landfills.

For more information regarding these or other green tips, contact me today. Or, to learn more about Earth Day and how you can make a difference, visit EarthDay.net.

About the author. Brenda Friedrich is a communications specialist based in Des Moines, Iowa. For a complete listing of her services, visit her Web site, BrendaFriedrich.com.

Evaluating Your Marketing Efforts

How do you get the word out about your small business? Are your marketing efforts effective?

If you're unsure how to answer these questions, you might want to consider a quick visit to the SCORE Web site. If you're not familiar with the organization, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs. Among their many online resources, you'll find an easy 5-question quiz designed to help you re-evaluate how you publicize your goods and services. You'll also receive tips on how to reach a larger audience with little or no cost!

SCORE and other business experts agree that "periodic reviews and audits are the best way to make sure you're getting the most out of your marketing dollar." So, even if you've relied on a set mix of marketing materials in the past, don't assume it's still the best bet for the money. You might be missing out on newer, cost-effective ways of reaching your audience!

About the author. Brenda Friedrich is a communications specialist based in Des Moines, Iowa. For a complete listing of her services, visit her Web site, BrendaFriedrich.com.

FREE New Media Resources for Small Business

In keeping with the theme of OneWebDay which is being celebrated all around the globe today, I'm providing a listing of my favorite FREE Internet resources for small business owners. My focus is new media.

Webinars and online audio are convenient avenues for staying on top of current business tips and trends. As presenters keep a tight focus within the subject matter, audiences can quickly grasp the key points. Plus the new media is user-friendly. It's delivered in small doses (typically a half hour to an hour), and one can usually subscribe to gain access to a program's original airing or return to the host site later to listen to the archived show.

Upcoming. One upcoming teleseminar that looks promising is "10 Strategies to GROW your Business," featuring marketing maven Nancy Michaels. The program will be broadcast Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 from 3-4 p.m. Central Standard Time. For more information, or to register, visit BareBonesBiz.

Archived. Other favorite sites for free business-related new media include:

1. Online radio available through Jim Blasingame, The Small Business Advocate. Jim's audio archive is massive and comprises numerous topics, such as --
   
   • Business planning
   • Communications
   • Negotiating
2. Webinars hosted at Strategy + Business feature discussions with thought leaders who cover --
   
   • Advertising
   • Innovation
   • Leadership
   • Marketing
     
3. At Cisco's Web Ex, choose from live and recorded webinars covering Marketing and Human Relations topics. You'll hear from industry experts like the American Marketing Association and The Ken Blanchard Companies.
4. And, taking the final spot in my top new media picks for small business, is Career Builder. Webinar archives at this job site are focused on the human side of business and include programs on recruiting and retaining top talent.

Take advantage of free online programming targeted toward today’s entrepreneur and stay ahead of the curve with your small business.

About the author. Brenda Friedrich is a communications specialist based in Des Moines, Iowa. For a complete listing of her services, visit her Web site, BrendaFriedrich.com.

Marketing in a Down Economy

Business owners are finding they need to quickly adapt to the changing spending habits of consumers in a down economy. But how does one tap into fluctuating customer needs with your own tightening marketing budget? Kim T. Gordon, a multifaceted marketing expert and the Marketing Coach at Entrepreneur.com addressed just that challenge in her recent article, "A Marketer's Survival Guide."

In her report, Gordon recommends taking a clue from nature, where she derived four survival strategies. Among these, was her advice for companies to demonstrate their staying power. Gordon noted that this "means sticking to a marketing course that involves clear and frequent communication" and cautioned against "marketing in fits and starts." Strip away the clutter, she advises, and remain focused "on a consistent core message."

Gordon also suggested that appearance counts ... especially now! "It's never been more important to have polished, professional materials," she says, because "business-to-business buyers and consumers alike want to feel they're making safe purchases."

So what should entrepreneurs focus on?

• Your Web site. Make sure it's streamlined and up-to-date.
• Sales and marketing materials. Review all these assets to insure they are free of outdated content.

To read more of Gordon's tips, view her complete article, "A Marketer's Survival Guide" or check out her latest book, Maximum Marketing, Minimum Dollars, at Amazon.