Top Tips to Turn Your Social Networking Friends Into Customers

 Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

Isn't social networking fun? You get to meet all these people and connect with them and spend hours looking at their profiles and videos and photos and...

Okay, so clearly social networking can take an awful lot of time. The question is, is it worth it? Will spending all that time doing social networking lead to an increase in sales?

Here are some tips:

 

• Create a place for people to “opt in.” This means they give you permission to send them business messages. So set up a Facebook Page. Write a newsletter to send out, and set up a form online where people can sign up for it. Provide some mechanism where you can capture email addresses. This is SUPER important.


• Invite people to “opt in.” If you can’t send them business messages, they’ll never know what you have to offer, right? So in the course of your conversations with people, let them know they can “like” your Facebook Page or sign up for your newsletter.


• Mention your business subtly in your non-business social media profiles. If you scrapbook, share your pages digitally. If you sell jewelry, share photos of yourself wearing what you sell. Put up photos of yourself at your latest vendor event. Talk about how much fun you had with your team at the latest meeting. Don’t beat people over the head with your business, but make it evident what you do by the way you talk about your own life. People who need what you have to offer will eventually ask you about it. (Need more info on how to do this? Read How to Write Status Updates that Don’t Cross the Line Into Spam)


• Listen. This is THE most important thing you can do. Pay attention to what your friends are talking about. When someone has a need, be there. Don’t just hurl your website at them. But offer solutions when people have a need. Reach out to them privately. Reference things you know based on your relationship with them. Listening is the key to making relevant recommendations when the time is right.

In a word -- NO! Remember, social networking is all about building relationships and making connections. And, through those relationships people will naturally want to support you and become your customer. The last thing you want to do is send your social networking buds to a page and try to sell them.

 

Entrepreneur tips:Top tips to increase your influence online

Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

As an entrepreneur, one of the main aspects of running your business is to market it. Part of marketing directly relates to your brand; which, in turn, determines your overall influence. Building an influence online is the easiest way to help improve your branding and networking amongst those within your market place.

Unfortunately, entrepreneurs often approach building an influence online completely wrong. Hours upon hours are invested to network with others only for the contacts to fall through. Likewise, time spent on building influence often is quickly destroyed when the entrepreneur pushes too aggressively with their marketing message.

1. Make sure your business Web page is the best it can be. Why spend time trying to get people to your website if it is not designed to be easy to use and doesn’t have the information people need? Be sure that your website navigation is working and easy to understand and that you have stellar content.

2. Develop relationships. One of the best ways to increase your influence is to get to know people. Use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and comment in forums and on blogs. Don’t just talk about your website or your products, actually take the time to get to know people and talk about what is important to them. As you develop relationships, your sphere of influence will increase because your contact base will expand and people will know that you are a person that can be trusted.

Developing relationships with people in your market and beyond is easy with the social media websites that are available today. Be active on Facebook and Twitter. When you comment in forums or on blogs don’t just say “good post” or “nice article”, give an opinion – you don’t always have to agree with the person as long as you are respectful. This shows honesty and that you’re not just spamming them and using their blog or forum as a vehicle for your backlinks.

3. Give. Give away your knowledge. You can do this in the form of an e-book, free online seminar, podcasts, newsletters, and articles. Don’t be afraid to give away what you know. This sets you up to be an expert in the field and gets your name out there where people can find it.

4. Look at social media in a new light. Many business owners look at social media as a marketing strategy. Try looking at it as a tool to enhance your existing business model. Make social media an integral part of your business and include it in all of your marketing and planning projects.

5. Get to know and use Twitter. Twitter is the number 2 social networking website and, when you tap into its power, your influence will increase. Use hashtags for each tweet. This makes it easy for you and your followers to keep up with the conversation. A hashtag on the end of a tweet groups it together with other tweets containing the same hashtag. For example, you can use #yourbusiness and have all of your tweets on one page when users click your hashtag. Repeat your tweets every seven-to-eight hours to catch people that are online at different times and live in different time zones. Tweet chats are an excellent way to build community. Set up weekly tweet chats to talk about new products and services and to get to know people. You can also invite experts to your chats and have a question and answer session.

6. Be consistent. Consistency is important online and offline. A consistent look and feel throughout your website gives people security and lets them know they’re still where they need to be. Consistency also gets your brand image recognized. If people see the same brand images and logo connected with you and your website, they will recognize it quickly.

7. Have a plan. Know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Sit down and make a plan for your business and think of creative ways to get there.

8. Share your expertise without charging

Finally, in order to build your expertise you have to share it with others but not just for pay, you'll need to share it at no charge. The internet is built upon the preconceive notion that information is free; don't go against the grain and charge for everything you do.

If you follow each of these items correctly, you'll successfully increase your influence online. Don't make the mistake that countless other entrepreneurs have made; get out there and put forth the work, network with others, share your information and build that authority.

 

 

Business risks in international trade

 Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

Just as there are reasons to get into global markets, and benefits from global markets, there are also risks involved in locating companies in certain countries. Each country may have its potentials; it also has its woes that are associated with doing business with major companies. Some of the rogue countries may have all the natural minerals but the risks involved in doing business in those countries exceed the benefits. Some of the risks in international business are:

Customer Risk

Customer risk investigates the identity of customers in the host country. By assessing customer risk, the firm inspects if customers are legally established businesses in the host country or importers, if the firms' exports are compatible with the customers' business profile, what are the customers' credit limits and period, their trading history, their paying credibility and solvency.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is associated with the customers' solvency but also the firm's business cycle. To assess this type of risk, the firm needs to take into consideration the amount of credit outstanding - both overseas and domestic - in the trading accounts, the impact of a customer's financial pitfall of the firm, the maximum amount of credit which should not be exceeded, and most importantly how to finance the offered credit period. Having sufficient cash to allow offering credit terms in export sales is a substantial part of the firm's business circle.

Foreign Exchange Risk

Foreign exchange risk is associated with dealing in the host country in more than one currency. This type of international trade risk typically affects export and import businesses as they are exposed to fluctuations in is converted to another currency in order to make a payment to the host country, then any changes in the currency exchange rate will cause that money's value to either decrease or increase when the payment is being made and currency is converted back into the original currency.

Political Risk

Political risk measures the variability in the value of the firm, caused by uncertainty about political changes. In the era of globalization, host countries may be facing rigid legislative, judiciary and governmental institutions, unfavourable to international operations from foreign firms. Moreover, dictatorships, bribery, corruption and unstable governments are, in many cases, substantial reasons for assessing the political risk involved in a firm's launching onto a foreign country.

Moreover, political risk in the host country is often not correlated with global economic conditions thus eliminating the possibility of global intervention. Ideally, the firm's cash flows should be invested in different host countries. Yet, in the absence of global intervention, the firm's cash flows do not allow risk diversification.

Country Risk

Closely related to the political risk factor, country risk is affected by the legislative, judiciary and governmental institutions, the current account deficit, the level of national debt, the foreign exchange reserves, the internal or external threats to the host country and the imposition of tariff or other quotas, and import or export restrictions. It may also include the risk of physical climactic catastrophes such as flood, drought, and earthquake.

Clearly there are significant business risks to any corporation looking to do international business. Those corporations should take careful stock of their current bottom line and determine if they can afford the gamble and possible loss of capital in a failed international venture. Should the corporation decide to move ahead, they would do well to study the potential international partner to evaluate their government, economy, and culture to ensure the greatest likelihood of success.

 

Top Tips to Boost Your Business' Bottom Line

Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

Ask any small business owner to come up with ideas on how to market their business and they will say adverts, brochures, leaflets, direct mail etc. Whilst all these are great ways of promoting your business they all cost money! What if I could show you a better and more effective way of marketing your business? In this article I am going to share with you some key strategies to get more business and ultimately increase your profits.

 

The biggest mistake businesses make is to focus all their marketing effort and budget on getting new customers. Research has shown that it costs up to 6 times more to get a new customer than to retain or sell to an existing one. And this is the key. Concentrate on selling more to your existing clients. Simple! Squeezing more profit out of your customer base is a cost-effective way of increasing your bottom line.

 

1. Change the rules. In today's marketplace, Sigmon says, you'll need to generate more sales while at the same time reducing expenses, especially administrative fat. To grow sales without adding costs, try cross-selling -- offer new services or goods that complement your current offerings, such as a chiropractor selling vitamins. To cut costs, see what processes you can automate or outsource.
    


2. Stay visible and connected.  Whether it's getting the most up-to-date certifications or taking your brand online with a social-media campaign, face competitors head-on. Extend your visibility and keep costs down by partnering with complementary businesses for advertising.
    


3. Maximize your cash flow. Smooth out the peaks and valleys of income by offering prepaid payment discounts or monthly subscriptions. On the accounts payable end, make sure your payments are on time to avoid fees and late charges.
    


4. Streamline management costs. Sigmon advises automating accounts receivable, customer-lead management, and employee-productivity tracking. Coordinate real-time tracking of these figures so you know who's pulling their weight -- and who is dead weight.
    


5. Market smart. Use the Internet to maximize your marketing, whether it's an attention-getting social media campaign or a Webinar. Advanced customer relationship management software can help you measure return on investment for your online marketing campaigns.
    


6. Make everyone a salesperson. Anyone in your company who has any customer contact should know your offerings -- and how to treat customers.
   
   
    


7. Tighten your credit terms. If you have too many late-paying customers, revise your credit terms and offer less credit. Consider using a collections agency to get stragglers in, or charge a late fee.
    

   8.   Don't ignore the others

By concentrating on the top 20% of your customer base you could be danger of losing a potential diamond hidden in the other 80%. Set some time aside to develop this part of your business. Go through your database and select a few customers who you think, with a bit of courting, could become a 20% business. Put a plan in place to woo them!

 

 

Squeezing more profit out of your customers can be done. It takes planning, effort and a little cheek! It's about building and strengthening the relationship, so they enjoy doing business with you.

 

Easy Steps to Becoming a Millionaire

 Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

Who wouldn't want to be worth a million dollars? Many of us dream of achieving this goal, more often than not for the sake of the freedom financial stability would bring. So how can we get there? The answers are actually much easier than you might expect. Here are several easy steps to get you into the millionaires' club. (With a little discipline and the help of some powerful savings vehicles, anyone can hit this mark.)

1. Develop a written financial plan 

Saying you want to be wealthy isn't good enough. You need to come up with a workable plan and put it on paper.

"The written plan forces you to do something," Welch says. "Calculate what you need to earn and how to invest. The plan isn't just the goal, it's the whole thing -- the dream, the goals, the options. The options are scenario planning -- all the ways you can accomplish that goal -- open a Roth IRA, contribute to a 401(k).

2. Save, save, save 

The end result of your financial plan should be systematic investment. Get in the habit of saving money. Build an emergency fund in a money market account so you don't have to raid the rest of your savings and investments when there's an unexpected major expense. Make it a point to save at least half of every pay raise.

3. Live below your means 

Don't be a walking billboard for overpriced designer clothes, shoes, sunglasses or jewelry. Don't allow your house or car payments to be budget-busters.

4. Lay off the credit 

Some people say that if you can eat it or wear it, don't put it on your credit card. That's good advice, but take it further. Try not putting anything on your cards that you can't pay off in two or three months. You need only one or two credit cards. If you have a fistful, pay them off. Remember, debt holds you back.

"It reduces cash flow for other things, including investing," says Welch. "If no one gave you money to borrow, you'd be better off and the economy would be smaller. If they only let you borrow 75 percent of the value of your home, you'd be a heck of a lot better off."

5. Make your money work for you 

It takes money to make money, but that doesn't mean you need a lot to invest. Open an account with a mutual fund company that has no-load funds and low expense ratios. Build a diverse portfolio and you can reasonably expect to earn 8 percent to 10 percent annually on your investments over the long haul.

6. Start your own business 

In the 1996 book The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy, the authors state that two-thirds of the millionaires are self-employed, with 75 percent of them entrepreneurs, and the remainder professionals such as doctors and accountants.

"The idea that most people inherit wealth is outdated. A lot is built through businesses. Business creation is the No. 1 driver of wealth in this country," says Zultowski.

7. Get professional advice  

A good financial planner can help you fill your portfolio with the right investments and dump the wrong ones. You don't need to relinquish control, but you do need to form a good working relationship with someone who has expertise in this complicated area.

Becoming a millionaire is easier than ever. While this is a dream that will take work and discipline to achieve, it isn't as far out of reach as you might think. Be smart with your money and before you know it, you'll be able to count yourself among the world's wealthier citizens.

 

 

Quick Informative tests for entrepreneurs

 Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

Like a light bulb flashing in your mind, you have just come up with the next great idea that is going to change the world and make you a millionaire. Would-be entrepreneurs come up with ideas all the time, but only a few are actually realistic and practical enough to make it in the real world. A variety of methods can allow you to quickly test your idea to see if it might just be the real thing.

1. Check for limited competition. You want to ensure that the market isn’t already saturated with accounting practices. Take a look in your local phone book to see how many accountants are listed. Also consider whether they offer any specialized services, like small-business accounting or financial consulting, that you hope to offer. The more unique and valuable your services, the more feasible your business.

2. Consider the likelihood of returning customers. Accounting services are great because all businesses are required by law to perform various accounting tasks, and the need for this service is long-lasting. Businesses need payroll services performed on a monthly and even semimonthly basis. Most accounting tasks as like this, which means most of your clients will be regular clients.

3. Consider how management-intense the venture will be. You must consider how much of your time will be dedicated to managing the business as opposed to performing billable hours. If the venture requires enough managerial oversight you will have to hire staff to which you must delegate various tasks. Luckily, when first starting an accounting practice, you can work from your home and manage your business without much effort. However, depending on your visions for growth, you may eventually need to expand your efforts to include a rented office space, partners and a support staff.

When you come up with a great idea, it may be wise to test it first to give you some measure of potential success. Try one or all of the above methods in your search for the perfect entrepreneurial gem.

 read more : trade ,buy and sell , supply, factory ,import  ,export , manufacturers

Top 6 Small Business Marketing Mistakes

Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

In recent years, business has shifted to being conducted in a large part online. With millions of consumers using the web, there are vast opportunities for small businesses to make a mark on the web. Using strategies such as local online marketing and advertising campaigns, search engine optimization, etc. (the same tactics used by large businesses). Your local business can become visible to thousands searching the internet every day. Here are some things to avoid when marketing your small business:

1. No marketing plan
A marketing plan isn’t just for big business, it is just as important for small businesses. In fact, it’s probably more critical. So take time to write down your marketing plan for the next 12 months at least and stick to it!

 

2. Not knowing target audience
Do you know who your target audience is for the products/services that you offer?

Defining your target audience will give you a good idea on where to advertise/market your business. Some questions to ask yourself in order to define your target audience are:

• What is their net household income? Can they afford my products/services?


• Where do they look for my product/service? Both online and in physical locations?


• Do they work out of the home or in the home?


• What is their job profile – an executive, manager, worker, entrepreneur, stay-at-home parent, etc.

3. Who is responsible for marketing?
Who in your business is responsible for marketing? For most small businesses it is the owner themselves. If this is the case, are you holding yourself accountable for your marketing efforts?

If you’re not finding the time or it’s not a strong skill for you, then you should consider outsourcing your marketing.

4. No tracking of marketing performance
If you don’t currently measure the results of your marketing campaigns then how will you know whether they were effective?

5.Spamming

There are many that believe large quantity blasts are a great way to reach consumers, whether it be direct mail, email, web forum spam, or any number of other tactics. While this may reach a large audience, and even 5% conversion of that number might be huge, this may leave a bad taste in the mouth of the rest. So while you may gain some business from that five percent, you've effectively alienated yourself from not only the rest of your target audience, but all those in their extended networks. This draws on the idea of promoting a quality brand image and reputability.

6. Not tracking campaigns and results

I would venture to say a large portion of business owners, while dedicated a portion of their budget towards marketing, have no idea what it's doing or if it is even working. Without the ability to track campaigns, you can't develop a quality strategy and know which areas to pursue.

Think of your business as part of a person's support group. It's logical to say, "Everybody needs a support group so my business should attract everyone." But, will it? People - your customers - want to go to a support business that understands their specific concerns, needs, and wants. Make sure you ARE that business by targeting a niche market.

read more : suppliers, wholesale,buyer,seller,importer,exporter ,buying, selling,  purchase ,marketplace

 

Top strategies for boosting sales of small business

Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

Want to increase sales dramatically? Then shift your sales focus from attracting new customers to enticing your proven customers to buy again. The best sales prospect is a prospect that’s already converted – in other words, one of your current customers.

If you start focusing your sales efforts on your proven customers, you’ll be able to increase your sprocket sales dramatically. And these sure ways to increase sales will help build customer loyalty, too. Try some or all of these ideas to increase your sales:

1.Give Your Customers What They Want

This may seem like the most obvious answer for any business, but it’s also the most overlooked. The vast majority of small business owners attempt to guess at what their customers want – sometimes they’re right and sometimes they’re wrong. One of the simplest and most effective strategies for boosting sales in small businesses is to simply ask your customer what they want, and then provide it to them.

Market research can be a long and expensive process – but it doesn’t have to be. This strategy can be done as simply as asking customers to fill out short surveys when they use your service or buy your products. Small incentives like entries into drawings for free products or a 10% discount for answering a couple of questions can help increase your customer interest and engagement, and is a very inexpensive way to figure out what it is that customers want that you’re not providing yet, as well as which of your products or services are the most valued and should be expanded or capitalized on.

2.Add Value to Existing Products

It only makes sense that if someone can get more for the same price they will, right? This strategy involves adding value in lieu of cutting price. If you have a product or service that your customers don’t want because it’s too expensive for them, then give them more. The really great thing about this strategy for small businesses is that it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you anything, or not continue to cost you anything beyond an initial expense.

An extremely popular way to add value is by creating additional related products which can be something as simple as printed booklets or a PDF download that your customers will have access to with the purchase of a specific item. For example, if you own a pet store and someone buys an iguana from you, you can give them free access to a complete care manual online, and could even make it interactive so that they can ask any questions they might have about their new pet as fresh challenges arise. If you own a carpet installation business, you could offer your customers lists of local services that might be useful to them – such as carpet cleaning, interior design specialists, furniture stores, etc. – and possibly even work with those other businesses to offer special discounts to people you have referred to them.

3. Give your customers the inside scoop.

Recently I was shopping at a retail housewares store. I had picked out an item and was mulling over whether to buy it or not when a salesperson came up to me and said, “I see you’re interested in that blender. We’re having a sale next week and all our blenders will be 20 percent off. You might want to come back then.” Guess what? I did – and bought two other items as well. Lesson: if you have a promotion or sale coming up, tell your customers about it. They’ll come back – and probably bring some friends with them too. (And don't forget - you can give your customers the inside scoop by emailing or calling them, too.)

4. Tier your customers.

There should be a clear and obvious difference between regular customers and other customers – a difference that your regular customers perceive as showing that you value them. How can you expect customer loyalty if all customers are treated as “someone off the street”? There are all kinds of ways that you can show your regular customers that you value them, from small things such as greeting them by name through larger benefits such as giving regulars extended credit or discounts.

5. Distribute free samples to customers.

Why do so many businesses include free samples of other products when you buy something from them? Because it can increase sales in so many ways. As the customer who bought the original product, I might try and like the sample of the new product and buy some of it, too. Or I might pass on the sample to someone else, who might try the product, like it, and buy that and other products from the company. At the very least, the original customer will be thinking warm thoughts about your company, and hopefully telling other people about your products.

It is pretty much an absolute certainty that the huge corporations and big-box stores will never take the time or effort to provide these things,  and by doing so you have just eliminated the biggest competitors to your small business. The only things that large corporations have over small businesses, in most instances, are price and wider market coverage. By concentrating on the things that you can do that they can’t, you can really boost sales and increase customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth tenfold – or even more.

 read more : trade ,buy and sell , supply, factory ,import  ,export , manufacturers

 

Photos Reportedly Show Unidentified Men Dead at Usama bin Laden's Compound

 Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

 
A series of photos that a Pakistani security official sold to Reuters reportedly show three dead men lying in pools of blood at Usama bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound, allegedly unarmed.

Two men were dressed in traditional Pakistani clothing, while another was in a T-shirt. The photos showed the men with blood streaming from their mouths, noses and ears, Reuters reports.

Their hands and arms were often cropped out of the pictures as they were taken from a close-up distance. No weapons were seen on their bodies, but one of the photos showed what appeared to be a child's plastic green and orange water pistol lying near a man's shoulder.

The photos were said to have been taken starting an hour after the U.S. raid on the facility. Reuters believes the metadata of the photos -- and their similarity to independent photos taken at the compound -- validate their authenticity.

Later pictures of the wreckage of the helicopter that the U.S. abandoned showed an unusual tail assembly, possibly hinting at a type of previously-unknown stealth capability, Reuters reports.

Hours before Reuters released the photos, the White House announced President Obama had decided not to release a photo taken of bin Laden after he was killed by Navy SEALs. Bin Laden's body was taken from the compound and later buried at sea.

 

Top ways to Become a Successful Entrepreneur and Business Owner

 Global B2B buy sell website: http://www.bytrade.com

 

As you know, I am always on the lookout for great quotes and quality content on self development or self help tips. Today's topic is about Entrepreneurship and tips on how to become a successful Entrepreneur. Having an entrepreneurial spirit is the foundation of Entrepreneurship... it is an essential characteristic of a successful Entrepreneur.

1. Make relationship with other Entrepreneurs

Try connecting with as many entrepreneurs as possible. Hang out with them. Make friends, because you are who your friends are. It is better to live in a location filled with entrepreneurs

 

2. Find a simple solution to a big problem

 

 

3. Take your hobby as a business

 

4. Recover from mistakes and failures

 

 

 

5. Connect with Entrepreneurs through social media

 

 

 

6. Have a personal blog to brand yourself and your business

 

 

Create a personal blog which tells your customers or clients about you and your business. It helps you to build your personal image and also helps your business

 

7. Self promotion and marketing

 

 

Always be ready and comfortable with self promotion and marketing. Learn the tactics and skills for marketing yourself. Make use of technology to promote your business.
8. Always believe in yourself and your idea

Every new idea is a joke, until one man achieves it.  Let it be a great idea or a moderate idea, always believe it will work.  Accept criticism, no matter who gives it to you.

Also, this is as good a time as any to be an entrepreneur. The economy is growing; the government is supporting new ventures through various measures in the recent budget. And most importantly, the number of avenues for growth and the kind of opportunities available are unparalleled today.

So go on, what's stopping you from being your own boss?

Always keep things simple and sensitive. Simplicity is essential. An entrepreneur always finds a simple solution to a big problem.

 

 

read more : trade ,buy and sell , supply, factory ,import  ,export , manufacturers,Entrepreneur, Marketing, Network, Promotion, Skills, Web