The Timely EntrepreneurThe Timely Entrepreneur brings together the resources in order to assist startups/entrepreneurs. We attempt to connect the dots and bridge the gaps in entrepreneurship. https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/index.php/component/tags/tag/businessowner2024-05-05T04:38:53+00:00The Timely EntreprenreurJoomla! - Open Source Content Management - Version 3.10.11Choose to Thrive: Lead Magnets2019-07-22T11:40:18+00:002019-07-22T11:40:18+00:00https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/index.php/lead-magnetsCherise Castle-Blugh<p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">A lead magnet is a powerful tool as part of your sales funnel. It not only gives customers a free gift and an incentive to shop with you, but it also delivers you that ultimate piece of customer information – an email address!</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">A lead magnet is a free gift you offer people who may be interested in your product or service. This strategy is employed by businesses around the world. The power of the lead magnet is so great that it can double or even triple your conversions.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span class="s1">Types of lead magnets</span></em></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">There are so many ways to offer lead magnets. The good news is that they don’t have to be long-winded or fancy. Your lead magnet also need not be a sales pitch. In fact, the less sales-y, the better.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/images/leadmagnet.jpg" alt="" /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here are 12 lead magnets strategies to drive sales into your business:</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free info – report / ebook / mini-course / checklist / template</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free event / webinar / seminar</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free trial (great for subscription-based services)</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free product/</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free quote/appraisal/review/audit/ depending on the nature of your business. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free consultation</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free checklist</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free voucher (20 percent off first purchase etc)</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free template</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free resource list</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free calculator (for mortgage/finance-based businesses). Check out <a href="https://crunchingthenumbersforprofits.com/">https://crunchingthenumbersforprofits.com/</a></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free recipe</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Your lead magnet should be somehow tied to your business and should provide value and information without giving everything away. It should help establish credibility as an industry leader and be genuinely useful for your customer.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span class="s1">So you’ve created your lead magnets. Now, what do you do next?</span></em></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Once you have shared a lead magnet with potential customers, your work is not over. To back up this strategy, you need to have a communication plan.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, a weight loss coach may offer her clients a free ‘cheat sheet’ on reducing belly fat in 7 days. Once she has their email address or phone contact, she can add them to her targeted marketing campaign. They will receive a follow-up with a special offer such as a discount on a full-service package. An added incentive may be delivered a week later to give that future client the nudge they need to come on board.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Implement these strategies and be sure to let us know what worked well for you. Send us your results via <a href="mailto:thetimelyentrepreneur@gmail.com">thetimelyentrepreneur@gmail.com</a></span></p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bonus: </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking to build an email list? Here are some tools to assist along the way. Please note that The Timely Entrepreneur is not in any way affiliated with any of the following. Of course, these may not all be applicable to you, but you can choose what works! Have fun playing around. </span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: circle;"> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ConvertKit</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hello Bar</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">AddThis</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">EasySendy</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Entice</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rafflecopter</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vyper</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leadpages</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Apart from Mailchimp, you can also choose from:</span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: circle;"> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Constant Contact</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sendinblue</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hubspot</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ConvertKit</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">AWeber</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drip</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mailerlite</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">If you Choose to Thrive and would like to uncover more ways to win clients over, sign up for a private meeting at our Micro Business Clinic. Call our offices to book a time to chat 706-5934 or c</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 12pt;">laim your spot at our Micro Business Clinic:-<a href="https://www.new.thetimelyentrepreneur.com/advisory/"> https://www.new.thetimelyentrepreneur.com/advisory/</a></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 12pt;">(Visit the link and select Choose to Thrive with Lead Magnets)</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">A lead magnet is a powerful tool as part of your sales funnel. It not only gives customers a free gift and an incentive to shop with you, but it also delivers you that ultimate piece of customer information – an email address!</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">A lead magnet is a free gift you offer people who may be interested in your product or service. This strategy is employed by businesses around the world. The power of the lead magnet is so great that it can double or even triple your conversions.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span class="s1">Types of lead magnets</span></em></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">There are so many ways to offer lead magnets. The good news is that they don’t have to be long-winded or fancy. Your lead magnet also need not be a sales pitch. In fact, the less sales-y, the better.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/images/leadmagnet.jpg" alt="" /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here are 12 lead magnets strategies to drive sales into your business:</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free info – report / ebook / mini-course / checklist / template</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free event / webinar / seminar</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free trial (great for subscription-based services)</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free product/</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free quote/appraisal/review/audit/ depending on the nature of your business. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free consultation</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free checklist</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free voucher (20 percent off first purchase etc)</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free template</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free resource list</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free calculator (for mortgage/finance-based businesses). Check out <a href="https://crunchingthenumbersforprofits.com/">https://crunchingthenumbersforprofits.com/</a></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;"> • Free recipe</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Your lead magnet should be somehow tied to your business and should provide value and information without giving everything away. It should help establish credibility as an industry leader and be genuinely useful for your customer.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><span class="s1">So you’ve created your lead magnets. Now, what do you do next?</span></em></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Once you have shared a lead magnet with potential customers, your work is not over. To back up this strategy, you need to have a communication plan.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, a weight loss coach may offer her clients a free ‘cheat sheet’ on reducing belly fat in 7 days. Once she has their email address or phone contact, she can add them to her targeted marketing campaign. They will receive a follow-up with a special offer such as a discount on a full-service package. An added incentive may be delivered a week later to give that future client the nudge they need to come on board.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Implement these strategies and be sure to let us know what worked well for you. Send us your results via <a href="mailto:thetimelyentrepreneur@gmail.com">thetimelyentrepreneur@gmail.com</a></span></p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Bonus: </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking to build an email list? Here are some tools to assist along the way. Please note that The Timely Entrepreneur is not in any way affiliated with any of the following. Of course, these may not all be applicable to you, but you can choose what works! Have fun playing around. </span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: circle;"> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ConvertKit</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hello Bar</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">AddThis</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">EasySendy</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Entice</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rafflecopter</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vyper</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leadpages</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Apart from Mailchimp, you can also choose from:</span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: circle;"> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Constant Contact</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sendinblue</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hubspot</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ConvertKit</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">AWeber</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drip</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mailerlite</span></li> </ul> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12pt;">If you Choose to Thrive and would like to uncover more ways to win clients over, sign up for a private meeting at our Micro Business Clinic. Call our offices to book a time to chat 706-5934 or c</span><span class="s2" style="font-size: 12pt;">laim your spot at our Micro Business Clinic:-<a href="https://www.new.thetimelyentrepreneur.com/advisory/"> https://www.new.thetimelyentrepreneur.com/advisory/</a></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s2" style="font-size: 12pt;">(Visit the link and select Choose to Thrive with Lead Magnets)</span></p> <p class="p2"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>How Can My Business Survive 20212021-08-27T07:22:35+00:002021-08-27T07:22:35+00:00https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/index.php/blog/414-covid-19-business-survivalCherise Castle-Blugh<p>2021 just hit like 2020 and micro and small businesses are no doubt still having some problems either pivoting or adapting.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/images/Library/business-5258605_640.png" alt="" /></p> <p>However, there is still reason to be somewhat optimistic about the future of some micro and small businesses. But this grandeur future won’t come without the work. For the businesses sitting around and waiting for the “normalcy” to return, you may have quite a long wait and your business may suffer while you wait.</p> <p>In the grand scheme of things, businesses have to literally now “mind their own business!” Your survival depends on what you do now AND what you don’t do.</p> <p>Here are some key things that can contribute to your survival and success:</p><p>2021 just hit like 2020 and micro and small businesses are no doubt still having some problems either pivoting or adapting.</p> <p><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/images/Library/business-5258605_640.png" alt="" /></p> <p>However, there is still reason to be somewhat optimistic about the future of some micro and small businesses. But this grandeur future won’t come without the work. For the businesses sitting around and waiting for the “normalcy” to return, you may have quite a long wait and your business may suffer while you wait.</p> <p>In the grand scheme of things, businesses have to literally now “mind their own business!” Your survival depends on what you do now AND what you don’t do.</p> <p>Here are some key things that can contribute to your survival and success:</p>Identity Theft is REAL!!!2021-02-22T04:00:44+00:002021-02-22T04:00:44+00:00https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/index.php/blog/343-identity-theft-is-realCherise Castle-Blugh<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Identity Theft is REAL!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A hacker is raising money under the pretense of another person! Here is her REAL story to date (N.B. some personal details have been left out). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Identity Theft is REAL!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A hacker is raising money under the pretense of another person! Here is her REAL story to date (N.B. some personal details have been left out). </span></p>The Case for Brick - and - Mortar Survival Post-Pandemic2020-12-03T10:00:38+00:002020-12-03T10:00:38+00:00https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/index.php/blog/332-the-case-for-brick-and-mortar-survival-post-pandemicCherise Castle-Blugh<p>Contrary to popular beliefs, the Covid-19 global pandemic did not bring an end to the era of the physical retail space. Admittedly though, and evident enough, the online space has further opened up several exciting and advantageous opportunities for the business world. This could very well mean a continuous decline over the coming months of 2021 as the world struggles to return to pre-pandemic mode.  </p> <p>2020 is almost behind us with just a few days to go again, and we can choose to see the future in 2021 as ripe with exciting and interesting possibilities or daunting with business failures ahead.</p><p>Contrary to popular beliefs, the Covid-19 global pandemic did not bring an end to the era of the physical retail space. Admittedly though, and evident enough, the online space has further opened up several exciting and advantageous opportunities for the business world. This could very well mean a continuous decline over the coming months of 2021 as the world struggles to return to pre-pandemic mode.  </p> <p>2020 is almost behind us with just a few days to go again, and we can choose to see the future in 2021 as ripe with exciting and interesting possibilities or daunting with business failures ahead.</p>You're a Bully2019-10-28T06:35:59+00:002019-10-28T06:35:59+00:00https://thetimelyentrepreneur.com/index.php/blog/202-you-re-a-bullyCherise Castle-Blugh<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dear Entrepreneur, You’re A Bully And I Don’t Like You!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<em>bully – seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable)</em>”   Google dictionary</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The month of October is dedicated to many things, including <strong>National Bullying Prevention Month</strong>. And, as we've just entered the month, we chose to highlight Entrepreneurs, not anyone in particular, but all Entrepreneurs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lot of Entrepreneurs are real big, bad bullies and this is evident in how they conduct their businesses.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Entrepreneurial bullying is much more prevalent than we’d like to admit. We hide the truth, and more often, when an attitude becomes so natural, it’s almost habit-forming, it can seem not only ‘normal’, but ‘right’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are you a <em>bully</em> business person?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dear Entrepreneur, You’re A Bully And I Don’t Like You!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<em>bully – seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable)</em>”   Google dictionary</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The month of October is dedicated to many things, including <strong>National Bullying Prevention Month</strong>. And, as we've just entered the month, we chose to highlight Entrepreneurs, not anyone in particular, but all Entrepreneurs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lot of Entrepreneurs are real big, bad bullies and this is evident in how they conduct their businesses.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Entrepreneurial bullying is much more prevalent than we’d like to admit. We hide the truth, and more often, when an attitude becomes so natural, it’s almost habit-forming, it can seem not only ‘normal’, but ‘right’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are you a <em>bully</em> business person?</span></p>