I hope you caught my previous post titled, “Google Growing from Search to Social with Google+”. In it, I discussed what Google promises to be the hot new social media network and others have loosely called the Facebook killer. I didn’t give Google+ a thumbs up or down because I haven’t had the opportunity to experience it’s promises first hand, plus I know there are always bugs that need exterminating. After discussing the many features and promised benefits of Google+ and how it may revolutionize social media and networking, I basically signed off with “We’ll see.”

That was a week ago.

There is one glaring error, in my humble estimation, that Google overlooked … the ability for businesses to connect with customers. As you can see from the video, Google promises that their engineers are working diligently on creating specific features for businesses, but I have to ask, “Why wasn’t this part of the initial launch?”

Let’s take a look at some quick Facebook stats:

The average number of “likes” per post on a brand’s Facebook page is 54. (source: Visibili, April 2011)

More than half of B2B marketers agree that Facebook is an effective marketing tool. (source: Outsell, December 2009)

More than half of small businesses agree that Facebook is beneficial to their business. (source: Ad-ology, November 2010)

More than 1/3 of marketers say Facebook is “critical” or “important” to their business. (source: HubSpot 2011)

The Number of marketers who say Facebook is critical or important to their business has increased 83% in two years. (source: HubSpot 2011)

67% of B2C and 41% of B2B companies that use Facebook for marketing have acquired a customer through this channel. (source: HubSpot 2011)

Google, why would you want to delay this opportunity to get businesses big and small involved? Actually, as it stands right now, you can put yourself on a waiting list for a Google+ profile. Plus, as of now, you can’t get a custom URL (like you can get with Facebook) to match your name or that of your business when they let businesses participate. When you are allowed to create a Google+ profile, you’ll receive a long string of numbers as your URL extension identifier. To get a customer URL, you’ll need to go through a service like GPlus.to.

So good for Google for creating business specific features in Google+, but bad for Google for not giving businesses the opportunity to participate right away.

All the Best,

Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

So Just a quick update today as I sort things out from a very interesting and exciting weekend. I’ve been a little slow in getting my regular blog posts out over the last two weeks. Sorry to all of my solopreneur friends.


As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m a big believer in ongoing education. So I took my own advice and attended Attract Clients Like Crazy Boot Camp hosted by Adam Urbanskiin Las Vegas over the last four days with about 30 other solopreneurs and small business partnerships.


Now before I get into, let me add a little disclaimer … I am not getting paid by anyone for this posts or the links herein. I believe in giving credit where credit is due, too. Besides, I’m not doing you any favor and I’m only devaluing my name and my efforts if I give a recommendation to anyone and it turns out that what they offer is crap.


I value honesty and integrity highly.


So a quick rundown about the event …

As I mentioned, there were about 30 solopreneurs in attendance for the 4-day event to learn how to better attract clients, retain them as satisfied customers and grow revenues and profits.

Adam Urbanski was the host and primary educator at the event along with some excellent guest speakers … nut job (with all due respect … and I’m sure he’ll appreciate it) Tony Horton from P90X fame, talented animator Ray Karkpuska of Video-Bookends.com, gifted Lisa Sasevich from The Invisible Close, and others.

Other speakers included Adam’s students who have used his strategies and tactics to increase their businesses. It’s always a great ringing endorsement when successful students with multi-million dollar businesses praise the benefits they get from your business. I would happily list their names and their businesses here, but I haven’t contact them or Adam to get their approval. So I’ll respect their privacy until I hear otherwise.


Here are just 4 benefits I walked away with from the event:

New Friends
Kinda sounds like summer camp, doesn’t it. But, it’s true. I met some truly talented, friendly people who are pumped to grow their business and help others do the same. Never underestimate the power of networking at events like this. Plus, we now have a unique experience that binds us together. What a shame to let that go to waste! Fortunately, Adam draws a good quality audience.


Think Big
The biggest issue I found that I have been facing is that I have been thinking too small. I went to the event seeking out new strategies and tactics … which I got … but strategies and tactics will only produce small results if you apply them to a small thinking plan. I need to start thinking bigger and Adam’s program along with brainstorming with the other attendees has been a big help.


Take Massive Action
OK, Big Thinker, whatcha gonna do? Now that you’ve got big ideas, you need to take massive action to implement them. Just as small thinking produces small results, so does taking only small steps. If you read my previous posts, I talk about time management and prioritizing your day. Don’t get bogged down with the little actions that have little impact. Or at least, find a way to systematize and automate them for efficiency.


What Right Do I Have?
Have you ever thought, “What right do I have to teach … (insert your own area of expertise)” or “What right do I have to provide … (insert the name of the product you want to create)”? It is a common reaction to think what we have to offer isn’t valuable enough.

One of the student / speakers was an accomplished businessman that we’ll call Martin. During his speech, Martin asked (paraphrasing), What right do you have to hold back your talents from those that need them? Good point, Martin.


My thinking has been backwards. Shame on me if I hold back applying what I’ve learned in Vegas.


How about your thinking? Where are you holding you back? What are you going to do about it? And once you tune into your own personal talents, you better take massive action to get your talents out to those that need them most.


Do you need a kick-start to finding your own focus? Register for access to my Solutions Center and download your free copy of “My Idea, My Business” that will help you define a business that is an extension of your strengths and experience while pursuing your passion in pursuit of your personal and financial goals.


If you need further help, contact me.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide

 
How many times have you heard the reason why most solopreneur businesses fail is that they are under-funded? Yes, money is a necessary fuel to keep a business moving forward, but it isn’t the root cause of a business’ success or failure. It unfortunately has become an easy scapegoat.


It’s similar to saying money is evil. Money is a concept. It is paper, metal and a series of 1’s and 0’s in the digital banking world. Money is a neutral tool. It’s how you use it and why you use it that can create positive or negative results.


So quit blaming money and focus on these top 5 reasons why most solopreneur businesses fail.


1. It was a bad idea from the beginning.
All the money in Bill Gate’s bank account can’t save a bad idea. If it doesn’t work, if the people don’t want it, it will never succeed. Don’t fall in love with a bad idea. Sounds simple, and it is, but far too many people start a business based upon what they believe is a great idea. But, does the market want it? Do they need it? What need is it satisfying that they can’t resolve with other solutions already available to them?


2. Your timing was off.
Some ideas are great, but the timing stinks. This is one exception where money can be a contributing factor to failure. Yes, the current economy can and is killing certain industries, but others are thriving. Maybe your idea was strong when discretionary income and investment was pumping up your target industry, but you got in late and the money dried up … or moved elsewhere. Great ideas can’t thrive on their own. They have specific nutritional needs to enable to them to grow. Timing plays a big part.


3. You should have known better.
When you got excited about a new idea for your solopreneur startup, what was your next step? If it wasn’t research, you made a big mistake. You, your family and your friends are not enough of a think tank to decide if the idea that you came up with is good enough to succeed (see item 1 above). The best way to tell if you’re on to something or if you are simply enjoying what your ego is telling you is to do objective market research.


4. “I’ll figure it out as I go along” isn’t a plan.
This can be a somewhat acceptable action plan if you are starting a business that requires less than 1% of your time and your money. And if this is the case, then you are likely investing your time in a hobby and not a business. Now, there are a number of businesses that you can start with very little capital, however, starting and operating a business does take a substantial investment of time. What is your time worth … especially as a solopreneur? Can you afford to through your time away? Instead, take time in the early stages to create a plan … after you’ve performed your research to validate the quality and capability of your idea.


5. You weren’t ready to run a business.
This can be a big bruise to your ego, but you may have had inappropriate expectations on the entrepreneurial DNA required to start and run a small business. Don’t beat yourself up over this, just be honest.


If you often blame money for the ailing health of your startup, take a step back and review the above common causes for struggling solopreneur businesses. Be willing to be honest. Be willing to get help. It’s the only way you are going to be able to fix the true root cause of your suffering small business.


All the Best,
Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break

If a college pitched you on a program to earn your MBA over the summer, would you likely respond with, “I can’t afford to take the time off from running my business” or “I don’t have the money”? Your 15 Minutes Radio, an Internet broadcasted radio show, offers you an alternative MBA that resolves both problems while giving you additional benefits.


Authors, politicians, magazine publishers, PR reps, actors, business owners, and other industry VIPs and personalities interested in getting their MBA (Marketing, Branding, and Advertising) are taking advantage of Your 15 Minutes Radio excellent, Internet exposure. Your 15 Minutes Radio just launched a new summer program for you to get the same exposure for your small business … for half the investment.


Before you jump right to the price, you need to consider the value of the investment.


Your 15 Minutes Radio’s host, Angle Bush, creates engaging talk radio with notable guests including:

• Congresswoman, Shelia Jackson-Lee
• Actor / Singer, TC Carson
• ABC and GMA contributor, Tory Johnson
• BlackEntreprise.com Editor-in-Chief, Alfred Edmond, Jr.
• Texas’ First Lady, Anita Perry
• Small Biz Lady author, Melinda Emerson
• … and more

Your 15 Minutes Radio distributes its show via its web site, Blog Talk Radio, iTunes and advertising on other Internet radio shows.


The combination of interesting, notable guests discussing relevant topics with Your 15 Minutes Radio’s own marketing efforts creates a loyal and growing following of listeners, giving you greater opportunities for marketing, branding and advertising your small business. In addition, since they promote their show on their site, through Blog Talk Radio and iTunes, interested listeners can pick up previous live shows creating residual exposure for your business.


Having worked with Angle and Your 15 Minutes Radio, I know the quality of care and dedication to service they provide. And if you don’t have the tools or the talent to produce your own spot, Angle and her team will produce one for you.


So the value that comes with Your 15 Minutes Radio’s alternative MBA program includes:

• Interjecting exposure for your business in engaging talk radio of notable guests
• A growing loyal listenership
• Residual exposure
• Quality care and dedication for helping your create MBA for your small business
• Double the exposure for the investment of one spot

Sounds like a good investment? It is.


What is the investment?


For the months of July, August and September, Your 15 Minutes Radio is offering a 2-for-1 advertising special. When you invest in one radio spot, they will double your investment by giving you another spot at no charge.


Take advantage of Your 15 Minutes Radio’s alternative MBA summer program before other intelligent small business owners grab the spots by sending an email to advertising@Your15MinutesRadio.com.


All the Best,


Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide
Small Biz Break

If you’ve been a regular reader on my blog, first, thank you, and second, you will know that I am a diehard believer in the necessity of banding together with other joint venture partners to create new opportunities and thus grow your business exponentially faster. I was recently introduced to some solo pros with a slightly different spin on the JV concept – a tribe.


As a solopreneur, you realize how difficult it can be to attract new business on your own. Some of the more common methods for attracting prospects include the following:

• Opening a brick and mortar location
• Setting up a web site
• Sending mass email blasts and direct mail pieces
• Blogging on a weekly basis (or more)
• Buying offline and online advertising
• Networking

 


But, what is the #1 form of marketing? Word of mouth. People always trust more what others say about you than what you bloviate about your own business.


Before we go further, let me define a joint venture partnership and a tribe.


Joint Ventures

JVs entail finding other individuals who have a similar target market with complementary products, services, and strengths to join you in the formation of a new business with shared marketing, expenses and risks, and ultimately shared profits, without giving up your own individual business.


Tribes

Tribes can often (and in my opinion should) include a JV partnership, but can remain as basic as a small group of people, syndicating and recommending each other’s content on their individual blogs.


For example, let’s say you’re still going solo trying to build an audience and a business by creating your own content –a health and beauty blog. After a couple of months, let’s say you create a list of 100 followers who trust what you have to say and enjoy the quality of your content. You can keep churning out content every other day or once a week speaking to those same 100 people. Maybe you add a couple more people a week. You could spend more time and money on some of the common marketing methods mentioned above or you could build a tribe.


Let’s also say you find four other solopreneurs doing the same thing with a similar sized list of loyal customers and readers. Seems somewhat silly to be redundant, doesn’t it. Why not group together, share content and have each member recommend the other tribe members blogs to their readers? Through this, you decrease your writing up to 1/5 and increasing your readership 5x.


Since each member holds sway over their audience, you have a much greater chance of capturing those new set of eyes than if you went out and promoted yourself. How do you get this done?


Six solo pros answer that question and more in an 8-week training course called the Tribe Mastery Intensive 2.0. Imagine if instead of taking one year to build your business, you could create the same following in three months or six months.


Here’s an excellent opportunity for you to decide if learning from these pros is worth your time and money, a free 90-minute webinar.


Date:  Thursday February 4th

Time:  6:00 PM PST


Do yourself a favor, don’t let your ego tell you that you don’t need anyone. Take the time to learn how to grow your business quicker through building a tribe. Sign in now to secure a seat at this free webinar, by clicking on this Tribe Mastery link. I’ll be there.


All the Best,

Doug Dolan
The Solopreneur’s Guide