Five Business Questions

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

This session answers five questions
people have asked me.

"How do I make money copy-writing?"

The first line in copy-writing, head-line, must
hold the reader's attention. Its job is to stop
his/her eyes from running to someone else's
advertisement. The individual must see a
benefit(s) in that line.

Think about what grabs your attention.
The head-line should be no longer than
six words.

As with all good copy, there's a beginning,
middle, and ending. Don't drag-out the
middle. It'll lose the reader.

Describe how the product or service will
benefit him/her. Urge the reader to buy.
Make it easy to purchase. Perhaps, include
a payment plan. Close.

Check out The Freelance Work
Exchange for copy-writing
opportunities.

"How can I increase sales?" Several
people asked.

The first step is to make sure the customer
is happy, satisfied. If he/she is, you'll get
repeat business.

Arrange easy payment plans. An
installment plan, for example. This
is where the customer pays monthly
until the bill is paid. The customer
receives, wears, flaunts, the product
before it's paid for. It couldn't get
any better for the customer.

Work within a customer's budget.
Show them you're on their side.
E-mail them about discounts,
coupons, and any information to
help them.

This will show you care, and you'll
receive customer loyalty.

Customers will give you free
advertising by telling friends and
family. The word-of-mouth advertising
spins more customers your way than
a placed ad.

"Is there, really, a way to make
money online?"

As with anything, be cautious
when deciding to work with a
plan. The following is a starting
point.

Weblogsinc.com pays you to blog
for them, or you choose a writing
idea.

Reviewme.com allows you to
review, promote, products.

Blogburner.com pays you to
blog, and make money. They'll
split the revenue fifty-fifty with
you.

Textbroker.com is a work-at-
home job. You determine writing
time. The title is Freelance Author,
and payment is up to $20.00 for
500 words.

"How to stop employee turnover?"

Place the right person in a job.
Don't sit Mack in Customer Service
if he has no experience. Employees
should be in areas they excel at.

Encourage a team atmosphere.
Everyone must work toward a
common goal, the organization's
goal. Give credit to the team when
a job has been well done.

Be open to suggestions, questions.
Don't be afraid to interact with
employees. Although, it's,
sometimes, hard due to work
activities. Still, make the time. It
develops loyalty from employees,
and demonstrates 'you're all 'ight'.

Express, applaud, how well an
employee is doing, have done. It
fosters tighter bonds to you, the
organization.

"What are the best businesses
to start?"

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Terminate An Employee

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

It's not pleasant to terminate
an employee. Even though,
some employees are rude,
loud, and never follow the rules.
Still, the task of firing him/her
isn't the brighter note in a day.

I propose, if it has to be done,
it should flow as smooth as
possible.

Give an employee a chance
to improve poor performance,
or behavior not becoming.

Other members of the
organization will watch how
it's handled. No matter how
you deal with it, you're setting
the tone. Managers, in the work-
place, will adhere to your decision,
and take similar actions.

There should be guidelines,
in the organization's procedures,
on how to resolve problems. Still,
each occurrence is individual,
unique.

"Can you be more specific?"
You stared at the computer screen.

First, always, be civil. It doesn't
matter if the employee is vulgar.
He/she is on his/her way out of
the door. So, it doesn't matter
what the employee says. However,
if you return anger, it'll be noticed
and noted.

I know, it can be hard to not react,
or say what you really think. Matters
worsen if you, the manager, name
call.

Any, all, relevant documentation
should be in order. A letter
stating the reason(s) for
termination is included.

Schedule a meeting. The person
doing the firing, and two
witnesses should be the only
people in attendance.

State the reason he/she is being
terminated. Be brief. Collect
anything belonging to the
organization. This is the time for
the employee to say his/her last
words.

Some organizations have the
employee sign pertinent papers
before departing.

The employee, for the last time,
is walked out of the building.

Any Business Start-Up

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

A business, start-up or not, demands lots
of time, energy and money. You must,
mentally, understand that there's a
possibility of failure. Life goes on after
a debacle.

Pick an area you're passionate about.
Surround yourself with people who feel
success of the business is important.

It wouldn't be wise to have Bill in
customer service when he excels at
accounting. Or, if Bill works in
customer service, he shouldn't do the
books.

Place each individual according to
their skills. Do you need to brush-up
on you managerial skills? Take a
refresher course. Thumb through
business magazines, books, and/or
visit business blogs.

The requirements to a successful
business: Map out a plan. Ask
questions. Will your product or service
be received well? Don't start a business
with a, single, doubt. Set goals for
the business, in two years? Five years?
Do you have enough to finance it? It's
best to have more than the cost of your
business. An emergency fund? Why
are you starting a business?

How are you going to get the word
out? How will you get the attention
of your target market?

Target market refers to the people
who will buy your product or service.

Find your target market through
research.

Research where?" You tapped your
foot.

Try forums. They are free. Mention your
wares, and get feed-back.

Have an informal idea party. This is
where people share ideas. See
how well they're liked, chance of
success.

Don't be afraid to mention your product
or service on the social networking web
sites. There's lots of traffic, potential,
customers.

Survey people you know about a
particular idea. Ask specific
questions pertaining to your product
or service. One question could be, how
much would you pay for...?

Remember, every product or service
should be geared to the customer.
People want to know, see, how a product
or service will benefit them. Dig into,
find, ways to start-up your business.

In conclusion, your business start-up
must be in an area you care, deeply,
about. Do research to target people you
know need, want, your product or service.
Finance it, and you're on your way.