TVPG “Get More Business” Radio Show

by Sheila O'Mara on September 21, 2010

Check out this week’s radio show topic: Social Media Strategies that work. We hear a lot of hype about facebook and Twitter, but so much less about Linkedin. Do you know how to use it? Are you using it to the fullest advantage? Find out all the details on this week’s show with Christine Hueber as a guest and Mike Mueller, another social media guru! Find out how to maximize the benefits of social media and build your business!

Check out the show live on Wednesday September 22 at 11:30 am EST or click here for the podcast!  Or you can listen using the player above the sidebars.

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Don’t Be Afraid To Pay For Help

by Rich Bradley on September 3, 2010

We’ve been very fortunate to have a number of great guests on the radio show recently. While the topics have been pretty far-ranging — methods of incorporation, marketing & direct mail, non-profit structuring — there is one piece of advice that shines through.

Ask for help! Or more precisely, pay for help.

With all that goes into starting and/or maintaining a business, there is one way one or two people can do it all. OK, I take that back — you probably can do it all, if you want to forgo little things like easting, sleeping, time with the family, etc.

Running a business — even the smallest one — can be complicated. Whether it’s deciding to how to incorporate, filing the proper paperwork with your state or local government, paying taxes, hiring employees, marketing yourself, and any of the other myriad issues facing owners on a daily and weekly basis, running a business is time-consuming. That’s why it pays to get help.

You’ll probably notice that I keep saying “pay”. The reason is simple — payment means that there is some expectation of expertise, and also some expectation that the job will be done in a professional manner. We’ve all heard horror stories how someone’s relative incorporated the business, or a nephew built a website, or a son or daughter does all the marketing. The reality is, by and large, you get what you pay for.

In our business, we see this constantly. Someone thinks they may be saving money by designing their business card or brochure by themselves. Usually — to be blunt — their designs suck. They’re basic — almost primitive. And almost always, they’re not “print-ready.” All of which means we have to re-do or revise or simply scrap their design work. So, they’re going to end up spending money to get something done AND they wasted their time to do the design work originally.

There was an old commercial for a transmission company that had a fitting tagline — “you can pay me now, or pay me later.” While the transmission company was referring to preventative maintenance, they could just have easily be referring to professional services.

It’s true that lawyers, accountants, designers and marketing experts cost money. But, as our experts have said repeatedly over the past couple weeks, it’s money well spent.

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Post image for @unmarketing on TVPG Radio!

@unmarketing on TVPG Radio!

by Jason Sanders on August 24, 2010

On this week’s TVPG Radio show, I’m excited to announce that our guest is going to be Scott Stratten (@unmarketing on twitter)  Scott has his first book coming up and we’re excited to have him on the show and find out more about the book.

Scott has been following an “unmarketing” strategy for more than 10 years.  Were really looking forward to picking his brain about how the average business owner can promote themselves in a more effective and genuine way.

You don’t want to miss this show.  Scott practiced his principles and exploded his business by unmarketing himself using social media and the internet.  Hopefully you can join us to learn some of the secret ingredients in Scott’s special sauce.

The show airs Wednesday August 25th at 11:30 am EST.

You can use the link above or the player at the top of the sidebar to listen to the show live, or to the podcast of the show after it airs.  Let me know what you think!

Jason Sanders @ValuePagesGroup
Business Networking Specialist

www.TheValuePagesGroup.com

Help Spread The Word!

The One Click

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How To Self Publish Your Own Book

by Jason Sanders on August 23, 2010

I really enjoyed our Getting Published Show that aired a while back!  Our guests talked about how they self published their book, the trade offs between going the self published route compared to looking for a publisher.  Listen to the show to learn more about the process, what to expect, and how quickly you can add your name to the list of published authors.  It’s more affordable than you think.  You probably are wondering, as a self published author, are you limited as to where your book is available to be purchased?  The answer will surprise you.

Jason Sanders @ValuePagesGroup
Business Networking Specialist

www.TheValuePagesGroup.com

Help Spread The Word!

The One Click

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Wearing t-shirts for fun and profit

by Rich Bradley on June 1, 2010

When most people think about getting paid to wear to wear clothes, the immediate thought is a professional model. Even then, we’re talking about wearing some really, really expensive clothing and jewelry.

Most people wouldn’t be thinking about getting paid to wear the good, old-fashioned t-shirt. But Jason Sandler isn’t like most people.

A few years ago, Sandler had his “a-ha” moment. The idea was simple. He would charge people to wear a t-shirt promoting their brand. He refined and defined his idea to the point that now it’s his job — to the tune of over $60,000 a year.

Sandler sells himself to sponsors based on the day of the year — Jan. 1 will cost a company $1, December 31st goes for $365. During the course of the day, Sandler will wear a sponsor’s shirt, take pictures of him in the shirt, do a one-hour webcast of himself talking about the sponsor, and tweet, youtube, Facebook and use any other social media tools at hsi disposal to alert his followers about his sponsor for the day.

He has a website called www.iwearyourshirt.com where you can get more details.

Sandler was a guest on our radio show last week (www.blogtalkradio.com/get-more-businessin case you’re interested), and he talked about his business, its growth, and what he and his business partner, Evan White,  can offer small businesses for their 24 hours of fame.  Yes, I said partner. After working solo for 2009, Sandler added his partner (and doubled his fees!) for 2010. He’s looking to add two or three more people next year as well.

Seems like his idea has caught the attention of small companies — but he’s also working with some bigger companies later this year (as of this writing, he only has 19 days still available for 2010).

Sandler’s idea — and his execution of the idea — is one of those silly little “why not me?” ideas that has turned into a business. Despite his estimation that he puts in 10-12 hours a day on behalf of his sponsor, most people would do almost anything to have a similar job description.

Sandler’s story was very inspirational, and is one of those stories you hear occasionally that makes you think just about anything is possible.

So, if you’re got an idea you’ve been toying with for a while, go for it!! And if you have a few extra dollars floating around, I know a guy that will help you promote it on a t-shirt!

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