Business121 Small Business Newsletter #9

Business121 No.9

In this week’s Business121:

1. The value of customer feedback and how to get it
2. How to write that perfect press release
3. Using a business plan to run a better business
4. Top tips for writing effective marketing material for your business
5. Get Bytestart newsfeeds for your website
6. Small Business News

The value of customer feedback and how to get it

My mailbox has been especially busy of late. It seems that the topics we’ve covered in recent issues have really struck a chord with you… and it’s all thanks to your feedback comments and suggestions.

In recent weeks, we’ve been tackling the subjects that you’re telling us are the really important issues for you and your business. These topics include, networking, finding customers, designing an effective website and using PR to promote your business.

And this has led to a snowballing effect in the feedback we receive. It seems, the more we write on the subjects you want to read about the more comments, ideas and suggestions you throw at us.

As businesses, we all know that we need to deliver what the customer wants, but sometimes this can slip down the list of priorities. So this little exercise has been a great first-hand lesson for us. It’s been a timely reminder of the value of customer feedback.

It’s all too easy to lose touch with customers, especially as your business develops and grows. But maintaining a close understanding of your customers and their needs is critical for every business. That’s why you need to do all you can to stimulate regular customer feedback.

At Business121, we’re very lucky to have a simple and readily available channel for each and every customer to interact with us. All you need to do is to hit ‘REPLY’ at any time and off you go. But we know it’s not as easy for all businesses to get customer feedback, so here are some ideas on how you stimulate useful feedback from your customers;

1. Ask – it’s amazing how many people miss the opportunity to gather feedback from customers, purely because they are afraid to ask. The fear of receiving negative comments means that the chance is missed. But we should welcome negative feedback as much as the good. At least if we know there’s a problem we can do something to fix it.

2. Recognise and reward feedback – it takes time and effort for your customers to provide feedback so make sure you recognise this when they do. If customers know their comments will be taken onboard they are far more likely to feedback again and will feel that little bit warmer towards you. If it’s appropriate, consider rewarding their efforts, but beware that by doing this you’re not influencing the quality of the feedback in any way.

3. Make it quick and easy – you’ll be more successful in your quest for feedback if the whole process is simple for the customer. Don’t expect them to fill in long-detailed forms and to find a stamp to return a form to you. There are now websites that allow you to construct a simple online survey. You then simply email a link to your customers, asking them to complete the survey. Survey Monkey is one such website: http://snipurl.com/ql3

4. Have an open-mind – it’s pointless making the effort to encourage feedback if you’re not going to be willing to accept the feedback and act on it.

5. Make it an on-going process – instead of relying on an annual survey try to get feedback on an on-going basis. Quick feedback will help you to tackle issues before they become real problems.

We welcome (obviously!) your feedback on Business121 and on our Bytestart.co.uk website. Just hit reply.

(Emyr Williams)

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How to write that perfect press release

Just how do you write a press release that will catch the eye of a busy editor or journalist?

The key to writing a good press release is to keep it short, to the point, well structured and relevant. The perfect press release would not only be related to the recipient's business area, but should also be newsworthy. Using my own experiences of reading several thousand releases over the past few years, here are 10 key steps to writing that perfect press release.

http://snipurl.com/_PerfectPressRelease

Using a business plan to run a better business

Most businesses put together a business plan during their start-up phase to attract partners and employees, and to try and get a loan or financial investment. This is a great use of a business plan, however, far too often once the company is up and running the plan isn't touched again.

Ultimately, a business plan is about results, about making your business better. If you don't think doing a business plan will improve your business, then don't do one. Planning for planning's sake is a waste of time. But using a business plan correctly can help you to improve your business in many ways. To learn how click here:

http://snipurl.com/_Plan_to_Improve

Top tips for writing effective marketing material for your business

When you run your own business, producing marketing material can be a challenge. Though you may be able to speak confidently to prospective clients about the service you offer, something happens when you try to write it down. Your words don’t flow, your mind goes blank, and you move on to the next task on your to-do list.

But never fear, as help is at hand. This little article will give you some big tips on how to write your marketing material with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of impact.

http://snipurl.com/_Copywriting_Tips

Get Bytestart headlines on your own website

One of the best ways to ensure you receive a steady stream of new visitors to your site is by providing regularly updated content. Not only is this a good thing for your own visitors, but, the major search engines are thought by many experts to rank regularly updated web pages higher than those which are static.

With our Bytestart JavaScript news feeds, you can post free, fresh headlines on your own small business site, using your own look and feel. Just cut-and-paste our newsfeed code into your web page HTML, and we handle the rest, updating your site automatically on a regular basis.

For an example of how our headlines may appear on your own site, check out the Business121 home page at http://www.business121.co.uk

To find out more about our free newsfeed service, simply click here http://snipurl.com/_Bytestart_Newsfeeds and follow the instructions. All we ask is that you email us with details of where your newsfeed will be located.

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Small Business News

Some ideas on how to find a good meeting place
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The Times published a good article recently which highlights a problem many a small business person has had in arranging a meeting in a suitably prestigious location. Many start-ups are based at home or in small offices - not necessarily the best places to impress potential clients...
http://snipurl.com/Meeting_place

Small businesses 'risk missing opportunities of broadband'
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According to recent Ofcom figures, more than 30 percent of businesses now have broadband. But, Digby Jones of the CBI has warned, many aren't getting full value out of it — and he believes large telecoms operators are to blame.
http://snipurl.com/_Broadband

Top ten tips for online credit card safety
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Take the following steps to protect yourself from all types of CNP (Cardholder not present) credit card fraud and to bank online with confidence.
http://snipurl.com/_Online_safety

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Business121 is read by over 12,000 small business owners every week. You can book an ad here for as little as £30. Just email: Classified@Business121.co.uk for details

(c) Business121.co.uk 2005