A Basic Business Plan

A business plan is one of the most important yet frequently overlooked components of new businesses. Entrepreneurs and start-ups often bypass the business plan for multiple reasons including the belief a business plan isn’t needed, not knowing how to write one, or not knowing what a business plan is. 

A business plan is a detailed document that explains the goals of an intended business.  As the name suggests, a business plan is a thought-out, strategic plan of how to make your business succeed.

Here are the basic components of a business plan:

1. Executive Summary.  The executive summary is a condensed description of the entire business plan. 
2. Intended services/products. This section describes the products or services the business offers and what problem they solve.
3. Market/Needs Analysis.  The market/needs analysis explains the need for your business and your intended audience.
4. Organization and Management Section.  This section describes how your business will be managed and organized. 
5. Strategy and Implementation Summary.  Strategy and implementation is what marketing/advertising and public relations plan you’ll use to get your business of the ground.
6. Financial Plan.  The financial plan explains how you intend to financially support the business, including start-up loans or grants and an annual budget.
7. Appendix.  Graphs, charts or related documents that support your plan.

Writing a business plan isn’t a difficult task, it just takes time.  The time is well spent as it will help you set goals and have a significant impact on the success of your business.

Helpful Links:  

http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/business-failure.htm

5 Ways to Market during the Holidays

The Holiday Season is a great time to let customers know how much you appreciate them.  Instead of worrying about decreasing sales or counting the days until Spring, focus on your clients.  You never know what you’ll get in return. 

Here are five ways to thank your clients for their loyalty:

1. Host an open house or Christmas party. Everyone likes a good party and a reason to dress up.  So host a customer appreciation party complete with horderves, music and free prizes.
2. Send thank you cards.  Let your clients know that you appreciate their business and are thinking of them over the holidays with a thank you card. If possible, hand-sign all the cards.
3. Free gift. Send your clients a free gift.  It can be something as easy as a nice pen, a calendar or a free service. When people receive something for free, they are more likely to buy products from you in the future.
4. Coupons. Mail out a client-only coupon. It can be a buy-one get-one deal or a percent off their next purchase.
5. Private one day only sale – Invite your clients to a private one day only sale that offers special deals on your products or services.

Need help getting your holiday marketing together?  Email us to see what we can do to help!

info@premiereditor.com

www.premiereditor.com

5 Ways to Write a Great Holiday Newsletter

Did you know that family and friends truly do like receiving family holiday letters and enjoy knowing that someone cares enough to fill them in on their lives?  But lets face it…sometimes those letters are a pain to read.  So if your planning to send out your own family holiday letter, here are some tips to make it easier on your readers:

1. Choose 4~6 major events of the year and write about only those.

2. Break up the text by putting an extra line between paragraphs.

3. Increase the font size for the letters to your grandparents.

4. Print the letter on light colored paper.

5. Include digital pictures at the bottom of the letter instead of paying to print the photos.

If you are still dreading writing your holiday letter, let Premier Editor write it for you!!  We design custom Holiday Newsletters for just $45! 

Visit our website for examples: http://www.premiereditor.com/holidaynewsletterspremiereditor.html

Email us for more information:   info@premiereditor.com

The Lipstick Effect

During a recession, consumers tend to shift their spending from large items to more affordable small luxury items.  Men are more likely to buy an expensive beer than new hunting gear, and women are more likely to buy lipstick rather than a new coat.  Thus, the Lipstick Effect. 

The phenomenon was discovered after WWII when consumer spending dwindled, yet lipstick sales soared.  “What we saw was a consumer trying to make themselves feel better through small, indulgent, hedonic consumption.”*

 People still want to feel pampered and making smaller feel-good purchases can help them do so.  So the question is what product or service can you market as “lipstick”?

 Here are some questions to help pinpoint what your “lipstick” product or service is:

 1. What small product or service do you offer, but not focus on? (Make it a focus!)

2. What small product or service can you market as a feel-good item?

3. How can you change your advertising to highlight your product or service as an affordable luxury?

Remember people are still spending money; they’re just spending it differently.

Questions or comments?  Email us: info@premiereditor.com

The Business Holiday Letter

With Christmas just 11 weeks away, it’s a great time to get started on your business holiday letter.  The end of 2009 is near, and it’s time to thank the clients, vendors and business associates you’ve worked with throughout the year.

I know it’s only October, but Thanksgiving will be here before you know it and you’ll be rushing between turkey feasts, holiday parties and shopping malls, and your holiday business letter will likely fall to the bottom of your “to do” list.

Plus, it’s one more way to keep in touch with clients and market your business.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Start writing your letter now and you could save money on printing costs.
2. Make a list of clients/associates/vendors you plan to send the letter to, and check it twice.
3. The goal of your letter is to thank your clients for their business, not to brag about your company highlights.
4. Keep it short and sweet. (See the example below.)
5. Send the letter early, before the post office gets swamped and your clients take off for vacation.

Example Holiday Business Letter

Dear (Customer Name),

As the holiday season nears, we’d like to take a moment to thank you for your business.  Our job is a pleasure because of associates like you and we want you to know that you are valued.

We wish you a happy holiday season and a new year filled with joy, happiness and success. We look forward to working with you in 2010 and hope our business relationship continues to grow.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

(Your name)

(Business Name)

Need help with your letter?  Let us know and we’d be happy to write one for you!  info@premiereditor.com

Holiday Newsletters – It’s not too early to start

Christmas is only 12 weeks away!!  I know it’s only October, but the holiday season will be in full swing before you know it.  Get a jumpstart on your holiday planning by starting your Family Newsletter early. 

Here are some tips to get you started: 

1. Choose 4~6 major events of the year and write about only those.

2. Break up the text by putting an extra line between paragraphs.

3. Increase the font size for the letters to your grandparents.

4. Print the letter on light colored paper.

5. Include digital pictures at the bottom of the letter instead of paying to print the photos.

 Need help? Email us at info@premiereditor.com

2-page Family Newsletters - $45

Why spend money on advertising in low economic times?

Businesses small and large are being cautious with spending due to the sinking economy and worry of a Depression.  So why should you spend money on advertising?

Because advertising works and people are still spending!

Yes, people are still spending money; they’re just shifting the way they spend it. According to MediaWeek.com, “Though consumers modify their spending behaviors during recessions, actual spending patterns reveal a case of ‘spend different’ rather than ‘spend less.’”

For example, people are brewing their own cup of joe instead of stopping by the local café for a latte. They are buying fuel efficient cars, rather than large SUVs.

When your neighbor’s dishwasher breaks, they will still buy a new one; they’ll just make sure they get the best deal for their money.

So your job is to convince the public that you have what they need for the best price.

How?

With strong advertising! 

Studies by Harvard Business Review, McKinsey, Financial World and McGraw Hill looked into how the marketing/advertising practices of U.S. companies affect their sales during recessions. All four studies concluded that businesses that maintain and grow their marketing during recessions come out ahead. (Click here to read the full article.)

Here are 3 questions to ask yourself about your product or service:

1. What sets your product/service apart from the competition (why is it a better deal?)?
2. What about your product/service does the potential buyer need?
3. Why should they buy now?

Don’t skimp on your advertising budget. Make it a priority.

Email me today to see how I can help you convince the public they need your product/service!

info@premiereditor.com

Benefits of Outsourcing

When most people think of outsourcing, they picture foreign sweatshops and underpaid assembly-line workers.  But outsourcing doesn’t necessarily mean setting up a warehouse or phone center in China or Mumbai.

Put simply, it’s hiring an outside firm or expert to handle work normally done within your company.

This means hiring a graphic designer, who lives 100 miles from your business, to create your logo. Or it can be contracting a copywriter to design and write your company brochures or staff manual.

Outsourcing can be extremely beneficial to companies small and large, especially in today’s rough economy.

Here are 10 benefits of outsourcing:

1. Reduces labor costs by giving you professional work without paying a full-time salary.
2. Saves you from paying employee medical and unemployment.
3. Allows you to find a perfect fit for a specific job.
4. Freelancers are often able to start projects immediately.
5. Freelancers are great at meeting deadlines.
6. Increases efficiency by lowering your structural costs, such as marketing, research and development expenses.
7. Allows you to focus on core areas of your business.
8. Allows smaller companies to “act big” by giving them access to the same expertise and efficiency as large companies.
9. Levels out seasonal or reoccurring fluctuations.
10. Saves you money on man-power and training costs.

Are you ready to reap the benefits of outsourcing?  Email me today to discuss your project needs!

info@premiereditor.com

What is Copywriting?

When people ask me what I do for a living I say, “I’m a copywriter,” and generally get one response:  a blank stare, then a change of subject. Translation: “I don’t know what a copywriter is and don’t want to ask.”

On rare occasions, someone actually asks me to explain.

It got me thinking about the best way to define copywriting, and here’s what I came up with:

A conversational, persuasive type of writing that is printed, spoken, or displayed for advertising, marketing, sales or publicity.

The most frequent types of copy I write are:

1. Web content
2. Brochures
3. Advertorials (an ad that reads like an editorial)
4. Newspaper ads
5. Sales letters
6. Email campaigns
7. Direct mail packages
8. Press releases
9. Articles
10. Media kits

So the next time you need any of the above, you’ll know you need a copywriter. 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email: info@premiereditor.com.

What good are brochures?

What would happen if you a potential client asked for more information about your product or service and you had nothing to give them?

You could refer them to your website, but then you’re putting the workload on them.

Sadly, it happens quite often.

So, it makes sense to have a tangible document to hand that potential client—a brochure.

I know…with today’s technology it’s easy to think “Well, they’ve looked at my website.  What do I need a brochure for?”   

The answer is simple:  A brochure is like static.

It stays with the person even when they’ve turned off the computer.  True, it may get shoved in a briefcase or drift to the bottom of a pile of paperwork.  But the difference is, it will eventually resurface without someone typing in your URL.  

And the repetition of seeing your brochure will build your brand identity.

Here’s what a great brochure can do for you:

1.    Build Credibility. People expect serious businesses to have printed sales information.

2.    Travel.  It gets handed around so more people see it.

3.    Give vivid, concrete details as though you were showing the product or service itself.

4.    Explain your business, showcase your benefits and persuade action, without wading through an entire website.

5.    Support and reinforce your overall sales and marketing plan.

Don’t rely on your website to do all your sales for you. Add a brochure to your marketing arsenal today!

Need help?  Email me today!  info@premiereditor.com