9. Is your business card costing you business?
By Ruby Bloom/Joe Startup
April 2008 – Ezine Articles
Your business card is the most practical and personal tool to promote your product or service.
Here are 15 unspoken ways your business card can hurt your business.
1. DIY business cards. Perforated edges, thin card stock and ink that bleeds say
"amateur" before your card is even read. Invest in professional printing and have your
business taken more seriously.
2. Unique card stock. Cards made of plastic, highly-textured materials and other
unique materials are eye-catching, but if they are oversized or you can't write on them, that
cool card may be discarded.
3. Colour selection. Too many colours with too much contrast overwhelms your
information. Choose colours that harmonize and are appropriate to your industry.
4. Font uses. Too many fonts styles, sizes and formats take away from a professional
image. Try to limit your fonts to no more than two for a polished look.
5. Typing errors. Spelling errors imply you don't pay attention to details! Have
someone proofread your card - and test your email and phone number too! You may have
looked at it too often to notice errors.
6. Irrelevant images. If the image doesn't connect with your client, convey an attribute
of your service, or have some relevance to you or your business name, it's time to change it!
7. Cluttered info. Too much information takes the eye everywhere and nowhere at
once. Use an attractive, flowing layout with "white" space for a greater impact.
8. Missing tagline. A benefit statement captures your offer and distinguishes you from
your competitors. Give people a reason to choose you over all the others!
9. Business type is unclear. Unique business names are great for branding, but a
business card without a description of your services, industry or tagline, your company may
be forgotten.
10. Multiple businesses on one card. It's great that you design websites AND manage
investments, but having both on the same card can discredit you. Invest in your livelihood
and create separate business cards.
11. Missing email address. Even if you aren't web savvy, some of your best clients might
be! Make it as convenient as possible for everyone to contact you.
10. 12. Written info. Manually updating your card with a pen or label is convenient for you,
but implies you take short cuts in your business! Instead, request their contact info and send
a fresh one by mail - and throw in a brochure as well.
13. Recycling cards. Saying "Ignore what I wrote - I no longer need it" doesn't make
anyone feel special! Everyone you meet deserves a clean card.
14. Stained or dog-eared condition. If your wallet is stuffed out of shape, keep your
cards pristine in a business card holder. Take pride in your business!
15. Nothing of value to the recipient. Referring to a free article, a list of benefits or
some useful tips on the back of your card encourages people to make that first call.
Details stand out more than you think! Just like a sharp suit and clean shoes, your business
card should convey a positive image. Use these tips to create a card as professional as you
are!
11. How to Escape “Must-opia” When Starting Your Business
By Ruby Bloom/Joe Startup
June 2008 – Ezine Article
When you're bombarded with well-meaning advice considered "critical" for new start-ups, it's
hard to know what will help your bottom line. Here are 10 "musts" that are really "maybe's"
when starting your own business.
1. You must have a unique idea. You can be creative without re-inventing the wheel. Try:
◦ a high-end or cheaper version of a current product/service
◦ improving a current product/service
◦ a different spin on a current product/service. One company re-packaged work boots and tool
belts to target women - by making them pink!
2. You must have a complete business plan. A brief outline of your services, ideal clients,
marketing plan, operations and budget is usually enough for a sole proprietor to get started.
3 - 6 months later you can make changes - which you would do anyway with a completed
business plan.
3. You must do everything yourself. You'll probably have more time than money at first,
but you can still use both wisely. Find new technology, free resources and/or hire a virtual
assistant to dedicate as much time as possible on marketing and billable tasks.
4. You must make cold calls to get clients. If you hate cold calling, don't do it! Out of 50
or more marketing techniques, put enthusiasm into the remaining 49. Focus on your
strengths and track the results of the most profitable activities.
5. You must spend 1,000's of dollars designing a logo, business cards and stationery.
Start off with more affordable materials that still look professional and allow you to start up
quickly. After 6 months you'll be clearer on your services, target market and position in the
industry; even your business name may change! Waiting a few months allows you to make a
wiser investment.
6. You must advertise where your competitors do. Your competitors already have the
advantage of name recognition. As a new business, advertising may turn out to be expensive
with low results. Promote your business in unexpected ways to help you stand out from
competitors.
7. You must be in business for years to charge the market rate. Large companies can
afford to under-cut the market price; small businesses rarely profit with this approach. Start
pricing in the mid-range or slightly higher, leveraging the benefits of your smaller size.
Putting more emphasis on your value and less on the price builds a better business.
12. 8. You must offer discounts to get clients. Why cheapen your brand just as your building it?
Here are other ways to build clientele:
◦ Offer a bonus as a "limited-time offer" to add value rather than reduce your fees
◦ Do a small free job for a high-profile company. Their testimonial goes a long way in attracting
quality clients.
◦ Target a higher end of clientele. They may have a "you-get-what- you-pay-for" mentality that
sends them running from low prices.
9. You must offer as many options/services as possible. Just because you can provide 20
different services doesn't mean you should! Go "wide" with one or two services to many
industries, or go "deep" with several services to a few industries. Either approach is a great
start.
10. You must take every client who approaches you. Prospects who are overly demanding
yet ask for discounts, pump you for information yet haven't hired you, or are rude or seem
shady aren't worth the trouble. Trust your judgment and pursue clients you can take
seriously.
Your #1 priority is to prospect for business and provide the best service you can for a
profitable rate. Follow advice that works for you and the rest will fall into place!
13. 8 Signs Your Child is Smarter than you think
Written by Ruby Bloom for Excel Educational Group
December 2009
Not all challenges in school are academic. There could be avoidance issues,
internal/external distractions, different learning styles or unresolved issues that hamper
your child's success.
Regardless of their current level at school, they may not be reaching their highest
potential.
Here are a few signs to watch for:
1) Reports below the Ministry standard
Academic struggles - poor achievement on any evaluations (i.e. tests, assignments,
projects) are 2 levels below the ministry standard (Level 3 or a B)
2) They put off completing assignments
Many kids dislike homework, but how do you know if they are putting it off because they
feel they can't do it? It's hard to tell without investigating further. Your child may not be
completing homework assignments or studying because they don't comprehend the
lesson, and the avoidance is just making it worse. Make sure your child is equipped
with the right tools to tackle their assignments year round and beyond.
3) Behavioral reports from school
Behaviour referrals from school (teachers) in class(es) that the student is struggling in.
Behaviours manifest because of students lack of understanding of the curriculum
content and material being presented. They become disruptive and troublesome in the
class and tend to bring other students into it as well. this may manifest in continuous
office referrals and phone calls home.
14. 4) They respond well one-on-one
Large classroom sizes, study groups or tutoring "classes" can make it difficult for your
child to get the attention they deserve. Even one setback in part of the curriculum limits
their progress for the entire term and discourages them from trying. Children that
respond well in private sessions have their mistakes corrected immediately and the
reassurance that someone is there to guide and support them.
5) Blaming the teacher for their marks
Believing the "teacher does not like them" is one way a child may confuse the true
reason's why their marks are suffering. This is a sign to look beyond the personal
remarks and get help to work through the main issues that slow down their progress.
6) Lying about attendance/Skipping class
Ongoing truancy issues and concerns where the student does not participate int he
class any longer and does not "buy in" to the program
7) They see themselves as a failure
Childhood is wrought with hurdles; even one challenge can seem insurmountable to a
child. When they see themselves as a failure they see everything else through
this lens of disappointment. Identifying areas that can be improved is a major step
towards building their self-esteem, which in-turn helps them excel in school. As a
parent or teacher, take the opportunity to help.
8) They excel in areas they're interested in
Children are very much like adults - whatever they love they do well in, and do well in
whatever they love. Your child can dismantle and re-build the VCR, recite Shakespeare
or follow a map like an expert, yet refuse to open their math book. It's not about
pushing them to be experts in everything - it's ensuring that they're competent enough
to compete with their peers. Often it's not the subject or your child that's the
problem - it's the approach.
Is hiring a tutor really a luxury? Failing to address the symptoms when they arise
only creates more struggles in the next grade, the next school or the next job.
Addressing internal/external distractions, approaching learning creatively and providing
a strong foundation for learning are some of the many ways Excel Education Group can
release your child's potential.
15. With the right guidance from our experienced, personable tutors, we can take them to
the next level - and give them tools to keep them there.
Invest in their future and call us today at 416-274-9494. Help them down their
own road to success!
Positive Relationships - Positive Attitude - Positive Change
www.exceleducationalgroup.com
