A Turning Point In Business: An Effective Online Presence

According to the U.S. Census Bureau report released in May 2011, the total US e-commerce sales in 2009 were over $145 billion dollars.  This equated to just about 4% of the entire retail industry but it is a key indicator that having an online presence is the way to go.  Being that this is the case I communicated with the CEOs of two cutting edge companies that deal with businesses obtaining an online presence JC Brillant of EyeBottonLine.com Business Development Group Inc and Richard Bonilla of Feedcast Media Group Inc.

EyeBottomLine.com is a company which producing cutting edge websites for business and Feedcast Media is a company which has developed a unique and cutting edge system which enables companies of any size to engage in an effective social media advertising campaign.  These two gentlemen were asked five questions that I felt were important to an up and coming business or a business that has been around some time.

Why is it important for a business to have a presence online?

JC: “All businesses in this day and age need to have an online presence in order to compete and reach their customer base. That business can be anything from a street cart to a barbershop to an auto repair establishment, ALL businesses need to be online to give their potential clients information regarding what they are doing, what product or service is being offered and how the business can be contacted.”

Richard: “Why should a business have a telephone number? Because it is important, it provides a point of communication with the client. And in business communication with the client is everything.  This is the same reason that every business needs a web presence. The world is online and if you aren’t online you are at least twenty years behind your competitor.”

What are some things you would suggest to a company seeking to get exposure?

JC: “All forms of advertising are a must, however it depends on your budget as to what you can afford.  The most reasonable routes of exposure are business cards, flyers and social networking.  These can all be done at a minimal cost and each minimal time constraints.”

Richard: “Social media is probably one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to get exposure online. With persistency and consistency you can beat your competition and be able to touch your customer base.  You can interact with them (the client) and learn about them in real time.  Social media also amplifies your business.  You need a few connectors – people with influence – to speak highly about your business and then momentum starts.”

What are some things a business owner should avoid when seeking exposure online?

JC: “Like any advertising tool….stay away from marketing to the wrong people.  Don’t over exhaust yourself with flooding the social networking sites if you’re not fine tuning who your clientele is and only marketing to them.  It’s easy to say everybody is my client but best practices suggest you market to your clients and your clients only, the rest will follow upon good reviews and references.”

Richard: “Don’t go cheap. Invest in a web design company and social media company that will best represent your company. Find a company that has experience in working with your industry and a track record. That is the best use of your time. I have seen numerous times owners destroying their image because they went cheap or did it themselves. Allow a professional to help your company.”

In your experience, what are two of the most common things that you hear business owners saying about getting exposure online, whether bad or good?

JC: “The first I usually hear being a web developer is I don’t know anything about computers or the web, I never use it.  The other is ‘how do I make money on the web?’  ‘I always hear on television people getting rich from the internet I want to do that.’ 

The quickest answer to those questions starting with the second is those people make money from either selling a product or if you’re talking about the people with click troughs they have something on their site people are attracted to. In addition they have a lot of traffic and have advertisers or affiliate banners on their site.  As far as my answer to the first issue - not knowing anything about computers - my answer is simply ‘technology is the way of the future… jump on board and catch up!’

Richard: “I hear that they can do it themselves or they can hire an intern to do it. Both are bad mistakes. Just because anyone can create a Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare or LinkedIn account doesn’t mean that they can effectively market a company that way.  There are many people out here that can use a knife to cut but does that make them a surgeon? Go with a professional and you won’t go wrong!”

One final question on what your company can bring to a newly established business or a company looking to turn the corner to go to another level?

JC: “My company is a business development group which means we will assist you and your business from planning to inception.  We mainly focus on online solutions however we’re experienced in assisting business with developing their locations as well. “

Richard: “We specialize on bringing awareness to a brand through social media, engaging with their community to enhance awareness and monitor the brand's reputation. Simply put we worry about social media so the business owner doesn't have to.”

I would like to personally thank Mr. JC Brillant and Mr. Richard Bonilla for taking time out of their busy schedules in order to participate in this interview.  There contact information is below if you need their services:

JC Brillant                                                                

EyeBottomLine.com Development Group Inc       

Web: Eyebottomline.com                                        

Twitter (Bus): @EyeBottomLine                           

Twitter (personal): @jcbrillant                               

Email: jcb@eyebottomline.com                              

Richard Bonilla

Feedcast Media Group Inc

Web: Feedcastmedia.com

Twitter (biz): @Feedcastmedia

Twitter (pers): @richardbonilla

Richard@feedcastmedia.com 

The Greatest Fear Ever

A friend of mine tells the story of how his dad helped him overcome his greatest fear – swimming. He begins the story by describing his father as a very down to earth, straight to the point person. One day the father tells his son that he is going to teach him how to swim. So both men go down to the river where the swimming lesson would take place.

My friend did not understand why he was the only one in swimming attire because his dad was not. Since his dad was a no-nonsense person, he tells his son, “Now I am going to teach you to swim, just remember to relax.” After saying this, the dad grabs his son and throws him into the river.

Once in the river, my friend panics as he believes he is going to drown. After a few seconds he heard his father screaming from the shore “relax, just relax”. Hearing those words the young man relaxed and began to float, or realized that he could float.

The next step was for the young man to develop the swimming technique. For this step his dad came into the river and showed him how to swim.

The young man first had to overcome his fear of the water. He was not afraid to swim; he was frightened by the uncertainty of what would happen once he was in the water, a new environment. Many of us see starting a business in the same manner because we are so uncertain of what will happen when we get into the business.

This is why I believe network marketing is the best business to start off in for anyone who is a bit frightened about business. Your sponsor will throw you into the business and allow you to realize that you can actually do this business. Then your sponsor will get in with you and show you how to navigate the business.

So my challenge to those who are afraid of starting a business of their own is to jump in, relax and know that your sponsor will help you swim. For assistance to find the right network marketing for you please contact me at info@frederickotowles.com.

The Door

You might have noticed this, when you walk into a room in your home or your office, the door is not as large as the room. This sounds silly but this will progress somewhere shortly. When you are in the room, the door itself is not significant, is it? Of course not, the door is only essential when you are on the outside of the room.

What if I told you that in business that there is a particular door that each of us has overlooked or disregarded at one time or another? The door to wealth for many middle class people is network marketing. That’s right I said it, network marketing. How is that the case and why should I get involved?

Network marketing has received a bad reputation over the years due to a few unscrupulous people pushing an unscrupulous agenda that only benefits them. The industry has also received a poor reputation because many people are not teachable. This is not an article to explain the “how-to’s” of network marketing but it will explain why.

The benefits of network marketing are endless. First, there is usually a small start up fee which is not a strain to most people. Second, there is always training in the local market during the evening which makes it easy to learn and expand your business. Third, many network marketing team have additional training via conference call in the evening as well. Fourth, marketing materials and tools have already been professionally produced for your benefit. This shortens the learning curb about the product. Fifth, the infrastructure for your success is also in place already – you don’t have to recreate the wheel. Sixth, you can operate YOUR business on a part time basis without troubling your lifestyle much. Seventh, the rate of return on your investment is limitless. Eighth, YOUR business comes with a pre-installed support staff – there are those around you who want to see you do well. Ninth, you are continually around an atmosphere that breeds success. Tenth, and my favorite and key to this article, you can use the profit you produce from this business to invest in other vehicles that will produce money for you.

What you need to know about your network marketing income

Many people these days are apart of at least one network marketing company. This article is not meant to discuss which of these opportunities is the best, but it is to speak about the income derived from network marketing.

If you are in network marketing and you are serious about your business, it is important that you continue to read this blog.

Networking marketing companies do not give this level of information because it is not there specialty, but I will alert you of this right now. If you are serious about your network marketing business, even if you aren’t making your desired income right now, you need to incorporate. That’s right, you need to INCORPORATE ASAP!

Why you might ask? There are three major reasons why:

(1) As an independent business associate, or a sole proprietor, your net income from network

marketing is subjected to self employment taxes. Self employment tax comprises Social
Security and Medicare that you are liable for if your net income from network marketing is
over $400 annual. A corporation is not subjected to the self employment tax.

(2) There are several deductions that you are able to take as a corporate entity that you may
not be able to take as a sole proprietorship.

(3) Many of the top earners in your network marketing companies are utilizing this same
strategy, you just don’t know about it.

There are other reasons as well. If you are interested in forming a corporate entity send an email to info@mrbizcoach.com and some from our staff will assist you with this process.