The Amazing Rate

Marketing is one of the most important things you need to do when it comes to getting your business off the ground. Though marketing is sometimes straightforward and obvious, it can also be complex, difficult, and a bit frustrating. Marketing usually begins with branding. What is your company’s brand and what does it stand for? Here are a few things to avoid when coming up with your branding strategy.

Don’t brand on price.

If you have low prices, and want to focus your branding strategy on that, don’t. Although it’s a good start, focusing on price alone is a race to the bottom. You want to give your customers a more compelling reason to go with you over your competitors. Build up the intangible parts of your brand, i.e. trust, quality, commitment, experience. These qualities are more memorable than a low price, and keep customers coming back for more.

Don’t change your promise.

Companies often get tired of their marketing campaign before the market does. A company’s brand, logo, or tagline is something that builds a reputation over time. Avoid changing your brand; though your brand promise should be relevant and up-to-date, a total makeover often loses customers.

Don’t copycat.

Marketing is all about being unique. If you try to copy a market leader, customers will just end up returning to that market leader. If your competitor is a big-chain coffeehouse, do something different. Change the décor, encourage customer participation, market through coffee-tasting parties and create your own buzz.

Running a business from home helps rid you of corporate stress and upper management, but it can also increase your stress if your business doesn’t run smoothly. Here are a few tips to help keep your at-home business on the right track.
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There are so many different marketing strategies that picking the one that’s right for you can seem like a daunting task. Where do you start? Answer these questions before you begin marketing your business.

Who are your target customers? If your customers are more likely to read a certain publication, associate yourself with that publication and start by taking a small ad in that publication. If they are all members of a particular organization, join that organization and begin networking there. Mailing small postcards or pamphlets to your target customers is also a good way to start.

How will you keep contact with your customers? If your business is an online business, regular emails is the way to go. Mailings that announce new products or services or special offers is another way of keeping in touch.

What is your marketing budget? Though you may have plenty of marketing ideas, your budget may not allow it. Designing, printing, and distributing can incur a lot of costs, and networking can take up time you may not have. Figure out what suits your company best and work your marketing strategy around your budget.

There’s a lot in a name, so naming your home business should be something you take great effort and time in. But just how should you go about naming your business? There are many ideas floating around about what makes a good company name. Something abstract presents the image of a blank slate, something positive from which you can create an image.

An informative name tells your customers immediately what it is you’re selling and keeps them aware of your product. Some believe made up words are more memorable than real words, while others say made up words are innately forgettable. Whichever name you choose, any successful business will tell you it’s about marketing and getting that name out to the public.

If your business has the potential to truly take off, you may think about investing in a naming firm. Hiring naming firms can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to a few tens of thousands of dollars. However, they offer the expertise to tell you which names are bad and why, while letting you know which potential names may work. The benefit of spending this money is the instant brand recognition that comes with a good company name, which can cut down your costs in the long run.

Also, think of the qualities you want your company to be associated with. If you want to communicate warmth and openness, a generic name is not the way to go. Be specific, but not so specific that you alienate potential clientele.

There is often a thin line between what makes a company name good or bad. Chances are the right name will come naturally, so while you should take time out to think about it, do not let it bring your new business any unnecessary stress.

While most work-from-home moms need things like patience, a good sense of humor, and understanding, there are a few more tangible things that’ll help any mom and home business owner get through her day. Here is a list of a few things that make a day in the life of the average mompreneur much easier.

Daycare - A must have for any mother working from home! Whether it’s a babysitter, a daycare, or a nanny, having your children taken care of during your hectic workday is crucial to getting work done. Though some mothers may feel bad leaving their children with someone else to be taken care of, it’s all a part of being a working parent. Working from home should be no different than working in an office, you need privacy and you need to be free of distractions.

A Smart phone – Whether it’s the IPhone, Blackberry, or Treo, a smart phone is necessary in helping you manage several priorities at once, no matter where you are. It also allows you to be connected in more ways than one. Through voice, email, or text, your customers, network, and staff can contact you easily.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn – These networking sites help get your name and company out there. You can post your profile, your company information, website, and blog, and it’s completely free. Some of the heaviest traffic will be via online, so having an up-to-date social network is crucial in this day and age.   Linked in also allows one to join groups important to your career or business, and ask questions to gain insight on what to do next.

Adequate workspace – To be productive, it’s important to have a private office space where you can get work done. Though your hours may not be traditional, an organized workspace will keep you motivated and will help you accomplish your goals.

A Staff – Working from home means you won’t have a boss or coworkers, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a staff. A good accountant, lawyer, or publicist may be necessary to get a lot of the business done that you may not have the time or knowledge to get done yourself.