Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Dollars: The Power Of The Call-To-Action

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Empire CarpetIf you’ve ever lived in the Chicagoland area, like I have, chances are that you know this telephone number by heart: 588-2300. What’s so special about that number? It’s the number of Empire Carpet (now Empire Today), which has been etched permanently into my memory by their jingle-filled commercials.

In time, I may forget many of my experiences as an entrepreneur and business coach. I might forget the names of people I’ve worked with, or even the finer details of big events in my life. But as long as I live, I’ll never forget those seven digits. Continue reading →

Ep. 081 – Process: The First P of Sales, Part 1

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SIB-Blog-1When it comes to professionalizing the sales side of your business, it helps to have a firm grasp on the underlying principles. Taking a cue from the well-known “Four Ps of Marketing,” business coach and podcast host Tom Ryan has decided to break down the core concepts of sales into his own “Four Ps.”

Tom explores the First P of Sales, which is Process. In order to help you think about your process, Tom provides 10 easy questions that will help you optimize your sales process. As always, Tom is joined by co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Dollars: The Value of A/B Testing

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IMG_2329Successful business decisions are rarely the ones with the most dramatic results. While the steep growth curves can be fun while they last, most of the day-to-day trends that can make or break a company come from smaller trends and decisions. No place is this more true than with advertising, where even a seemingly marginal difference in response rates can have huge results over the life of a campaign.

With so many options — from old-media ad buys in TV, radio and print to the various online and email campaigns of new-media — you could easily find yourself with a range of channels with conversion rates separated by a mere fraction of a percent. And even when you find the right channel, how do you know if you’re getting the best response? How can you truly know what kind of advertising works best for your company? Continue reading →

Ep. 080 – Jason’s Horror T-Shirt Sales Fiasco

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horror-movie-podcastWhen he’s not playing producer and co-host to this show, Jason Pyles has another life as the host of the popular Horror Movie Podcast. The HMP has an active community of listeners and fans, and Jason thought it might be a good time to try his hand at creating some merchandise to help financially support the show. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out as well as he hoped.

What went wrong? What can be salvaged, and what can be improved next time? In this episode, the co-host becomes the student as Jason talks with host and business coach Tom Ryan about his troubled plan to sell a few T-shirts. Continue reading →

Ep. 079 – Five Easy Ways to Stop Vibrating, Part 2

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SIB-Blog-5In this episode, host Tom Ryan continues his list of five great ways to reclaim your time and energy when you’ve gotten stuck in a time-sucking rut. Vibrating in place takes a lot more effort than you may realize, and it really doesn’t help you generate the forward momentum you need as an entrepreneur.

These tips will help you reclaim your time, create better work/life balance, and set some important boundaries. Stick around for a fun bonus list of Tom’s personal “balance muses” at the end. As always, Tom is joined by co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Getting the Most Out of Your Advertising Dollars: Old Vs. New Media

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SIBP-1When you’re running a startup or a small business, every dollar counts. This is particularly true when it comes to your marketing budget. There have never been more ways to reach potential customers, and there have never been more companies vying for your advertising dollar. Between old media advertising (print, TV and radio) and new media advertising (online display ads, AdWords, video marketing), it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options.

It’s also easier than ever to get lost in the weeds. So let’s take a step back, and talk about the fundamental problem that advertising aims to solve. For most companies, the deeper question really isn’t “What’s the best way to spend my advertising budget?,” but rather “How can I drive more sales to my business?” Continue reading →

Ep. 078 – Five Easy Ways to Stop Vibrating, Part 1

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IMG_2329Few things are more frustrating than finding yourself in a rut, spinning your wheels rather than making meaningful progress. One of the biggest ruts for entrepreneurs is never having enough time. The trick to getting back on track is realizing what’s a legitimate use of time, and what’s simply “vibrating” in place.

To get out of that trap, host and business coach Tom Ryan has created a simple, five-step process. Joined by co-host Jason Pyles, Tom explores some great ways to reclaim your time and your energy without sacrificing your business momentum. Continue reading →

Ep. 077 – The Work-Life Balance and Seven Signs of Vibrating, Part 2

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SIB-Blog-2Are you really constantly overworked as you build your new business? Are you truly too overwhelmed to make time for your personal life? Or are you simply obsessing over the tiny details, “vibrating” in place rather than generating forward momentum?

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan wraps up his “Seven Signs of Vibrating” list. If you answer “I’m busy … but it beats the alternative” when someone asks how you’re doing, you need to listen to this podcast. Continue reading →

Demystifying The Sales Process: Closing, And The Dangers of Skipping Stages

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IMG_2329 You’ve already done the hard work of finding your prospect. You’ve reached out to them. You’ve done your homework to qualify them. You’ve asked about their needs. You’ve confirmed their ability to purchase. You’ve identified the decision makers, and brought them in on the discussion. You’ve answered their questions, discussed their business case, and presented your recommendation.

Now for the moment of truth: The close. Continue reading →

Ep. 076 – The Work-Life Balance and Seven Signs of Vibrating, Part 1

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SIB-Blog-1Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is one of the biggest problems for entrepreneurs. The more dedicated you are to the business, the harder it can be to have a rich life outside of the office. When you’re that busy, can be hard to find time for the personal stuff.

Or maybe not. Are you really that busy with meaningful, business-related tasks? Or are you just “vibrating” in place, seeming busy and active, but actually accomplishing very little? Host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles explore this idea and more on today’s show. Continue reading →