The Buggles had an instant hit in the US with their tune “Video Killed the Radio Star” when it launched MTV in the early 80s. Besides being catchy, they were right about video switching listeners of radio into viewers of TV … back then, that is.


However, fast-forward thirty years later and apply the same thought to marketing, and the concept of their hit becomes a miss.


Back in the early 80s, the music video was a new concept. Prior to video, music listeners and lovers alike could only enjoy music by listening to it. However, the stimulation of senses was a one-dimensional experience. Video, on the other hand, brought another dimension to music. Not only did it appeal to listeners ears, it entertained their eyes.


Now, in the multi-tasking, ultra-time-management, constant-media-connected age of the Internet (and the multitude of devices the average person has to access it), video and radio aren’t competing, they must work together to engage their audience. And let’s not forget the printed word, too.


People (aka customers) have options for getting their news, researching information, and learning about new products and services. They often feel cheated or lose respect for a business if they don’t get a choice of options for reading, listening and viewing.


Let’s not forget that marketing statistics indicate you must “touch” (i.e. get their attention) most prospects between 12 – 20 times before they are transformed into a paying customer. If you only reach out and touch them with a one-dimensional media campaign, you will like lose to competitors that are reaching out in multiple medias.


Since your customers are everywhere consuming information your business should be there to greet them.


If your brand needs a buzz with a consistent, coherent multimedia campaign, head over to my other site, Small Biz Break and contact us.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break

OK, so today’s post is going to be kind of short, but that’s only because I want to get you to the good stuff right away. Typically, I write up a post to share with you the tips, techniques and insight I’ve learned over the years for a solopreneur starting a small business and growing it. Today’s post, however, is an announcement of more value that my partner over at Small Biz Break, Maria, and I are giving away to help you get your solopreneur business growing.


1. Multimedia Services
Are your marketing campaigns one-dimensional? It used to be that you would have to pay thousands to get your voice heard in print, on the radio and in videos. Not anymore! Small Biz Break is giving solopreneur startups a break with attention-getting, action-inducing multimedia products at a startup budget.

Check out our new Multimedia Service page to get the creative juices flowing.


2. More free downloads in our Solutions Center
Small Biz Break just added two additional documents to the Solutions Center:

Marketing Communications Checklist
With so many marketing options, how do you know if you have your bases covered to hit a marketing campaign grand slam? This form will help you consider the different channels you have for communicating your message. And when you do, consider our multimedia services mentioned above.

Business Insurance Planning Worksheet
Whether insurance is a requirement for your business model or just extra protection, download this form to make sure that you are looking into your different options BEFORE you need them.

To download these forms and many others along with our ebooks, “My Idea, My Business” and “My Idea, My Research”, simply go to our Register page, sign in and get your access code to our Solutions Center.


3. SBB Blog Talk Radio Goes on the Air
Mark your calendars to set aside about 15 minutes at 3 PM EST / 12 PM PST on Wednesday September 8^th for the very first show on Small Biz Break’s Blog Talk Radio show. Yes, we said only 15 minutes! We believe in giving you great insight without taking an hour or more to do it.


Got any questions about this announcement?


Need help with some multimedia services?


Have a request for our startup services?


Contact us.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break

When was the moment after you started your business that you said to yourself “I’ve made it; I’m a successful entrepreneur!”


My Small Biz Break partner, Maria, and I are looking for entrepreneurs (and of course this means you, my solopreneur friend) to help us answer this question in our latest book. You have the opportunity to inspire, motivate, and help others who are struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. All you have to do is answer the question within two pages. We will edit it, create the cover art and provide you a professional eBook. 


What’s in it for you?
Aside from giving back to your fellow entrepreneurs and supporting the American dream, you get to be part of a book branding you as an expert in your market.


Here are some additional benefits for you:

1. Add “author” to your roster of accomplishments.
2. Small Biz Break and 29 other authors will be marketing this publication through multiple networks giving you greater exposure.
3. Small Biz Break will select six (6) participants for interview on our Blog Talk Radio show. All interviews will appear on our Small Biz Break blog, too.
4. You will get an eBook copy that you can use as a marketing piece, or sell it for whatever price you want and keep 100% of the profits!

Limited Space
We can’t accept hundreds of submissions; we will only select the best to ensure the quality of the content for all involved.


Please contact Small Biz Break by September 30^th, 2010 at contact@smallbizbreak.com if you are interested in participating and to get more details.


We will notify candidates of their acceptance by Monday October 11^th, 2010.


All accepted authors must submit their stories to Small Biz Beak at contact@smallbizbreak.com by November 19^th, 2010.


We look forward to having you share your experiences with others. This is your opportunity to bring your struggles and success to the pages of a book while gaining great exposure and recognition. Plus, you’ll receive an excellent market piece or additional source of passive income.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break

I remember the first time I mentioned the idea of starting my own solopreneur business. Everyone I told went silent for a couple seconds. Not a peep. Then they would say, “Are you crazy?”


“Maybe”, I would reply. 


No, I wasn’t crazy; I was a dreamer … a talented dreamer. I was a Vice President of Sales & Marketing making a good six-figure income, and I wasn’t going to let much stand in my way.


Did I make mistakes? Of course I did.  


Did it cost me? The worst pain was to my ego.


Did I learn from it? Tons! I’m still learning.


Would I do it again? Yes!


Everything in life is a learning experience; what you do with it depends on your outlook. I have a positive outlook. Even in my worst moments, I have tried to muster a smile, laugh, and find the strength to precede forward. So far, I have. 


Starting a business isn’t easy, but it is possible. It can be done. You have to be determined to keep going! You have to look at the positive in things. There is always a reason for everything. Use it to your advantage. Never stop believing in yourself, even when the people around you are starting to question you. 


There is nothing like other people’s assumption that you will fail to grow the inner spirit. If I had listened to some of my worst critiques, I wouldn’t be running a business today.


I am though … because I believed in myself.


Now, go about your day believing in you.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break

Are you hoping for a lucky break to get your new solopreneur business started?


My Small Biz Break partner, Maria, and I are here to give you that break.


We’re going to give 5 lucky people a free business plan review.


Simply go to our Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/smallbizbreak), click on the “Like” button at the top of the page and enter the phrase “Give me a break with my business plan” on our wall no later than 12:00 PM PST, Friday August 20^th.


We will randomly choose 5 entrepreneurs from the group on Friday August 20^th to be the lucky winners of a business plan review.


Our method for selecting winners is not scientific, but it is honest. Everyone that enters and follows the instructions above will have an equal chance to win. We will list the winners on our Wall on Monday August 23^rd and contact them through their Facebook pages.


Once Small Biz Break has notified the winners, they will have 30 days to submit their business plan for review. Small Biz Break will provide a written report back to the winners within 5 business days with a review of the plan with recommendations for improvement.


Just make sure that if you do enter and win, you don’t waste the opportunity by submitting a half written plan. If you aren’t sure what goes into a business plan, you can register on Small Biz Break’s web site for access to the Solutions Center where you can download a free copy of the Mini Business Plan Outline or the Formal Business Plan Outline.


So if you are working on a business plan and want a professional review and critique, give yourself a break and simply sign up on our Facebook fan page and enter the phrase “Small Biz Break, give me a break with my business plan” on our wall no later than 12:00 PM PST, Friday August 20^th.


Good luck!


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break