Startup Spark

June 20th, 2008

Why every young entrepreneur should start a blog

Why every young entrepreneur should start a blog
 by Karl Goldfield
The last time I checked, and it was a while ago, there were over 70 million blogs and that number was growing by a couple of million a month. With that many in existence, the reasons behind starting one are too numerous to count. Here are […]

By ShannonCherry -- 4 comments

June 4th, 2008

Have I gotten the bait & switch?

Startup Spark is one of the top 100 business blogs on Technorati.  So I often get pitched from PR firms and other entrepreneurs to highlight their book, their product, or their service.
Recently, I sent out  a call that I wanted to interview authors and other experts. I was pitched one CEO who I thought would […]

By ShannonCherry -- 0 comments

June 3rd, 2008

Grant for women inventors

Whirlpool has kicked-off the fourth annual Mother of Invention Grant Program. It provides seed money and expert guidance to moms to turn their invention, business or service ideas into full-fledged businesses.
Contest winners receive:

A $20,000 grant for the grand prize winner
$24,000 in grant money for the four runners-up
Appliance prizes
Invitation to business boot camp where winners will […]

By ShannonCherry -- 1 comment

May 8th, 2008

A new issue of Be Heard is ready!

Find out how to make your press releases Web 2.0 ready in the current issue of Be Heard!, the free weekly online newsletter for entrepreneurs, solo professionals, consultants, coaches and small business owners that will help you learn the secrets to attract more targeted clients and customers through publicity and promotions.
You’ll also find out about […]

By ShannonCherry -- 0 comments

April 29th, 2008

Are you qualifying your leads?

You’ve just done your first direct marketing campaign. And you got a response! It’s time to celebrate! Right?
Wrong. You still need to qualify the leads.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the campaign, we forget to realize that just because someone responds to your marketing doesn’t mean that they will immediately buy from you.
It’s important […]

By ShannonCherry -- 0 comments

March 24th, 2008

Want to have a loyal customer? Think before you close on religious holidays.

For those who celebrate Easter, I hope it was enjoyable and relaxing.
But for me, one of millions who doesn’t celebrate the holiday, I was one angry consumer.
You see, I was in dire need of Diaper Genie liners, and thought, “Let’s take the girls shopping to get out of the house for a while.”
We went first […]

By ShannonCherry -- 4 comments

March 12th, 2008

Small businesses less optimisitc

Several recent surveys are showing that small business owners and entrepreneurs are pessimistic about the near future and the economy.
The National Federation of Independent Business index and the Discover Financial Small Business Watch survey both indicate that many small businesses are starting to feel the pinch, and they are experiencing cash flow problems.
Those surveyed also […]

By ShannonCherry -- 4 comments

February 21st, 2008

Are you feeling the pinch?

An article in USA Today is saying the recession is already affecting small businesses. They also pointed to a recent survey of 1,800 small-business owners by the National Federation of Independent Business trade group shows that an index measuring optimism among the owners dropped in January to its lowest since 1991.
More small-business owners said they […]

By ShannonCherry -- 1 comment

February 15th, 2008

Success Secrets: Networking

In our new on going segment, Success Secrets, I’ll be talking with entrepreneurs and other professionals about building a business.
This week, we’re interviewing Bonnie Ausfeld, author of Business Networking Techniques for the Professional.
Listen in as Bonnie shares some of her ideas.
Tags: business development, entrepreneur, networking, start-ups, Success SecretsShare This

 

 Bonnie Ausfeld: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By ShannonCherry -- 0 comments

January 31st, 2008

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Don’t change what’s working.

I’ll admit it. I get bored sometimes with my marketing efforts.
And often, because I’m tired of something I’ll start tinkering with it. But then I’ll stop, and remind myself of a lesson learned long ago.
I used to do PR for Minolta.  And during my work their they changed their famous tagline “From the minds of […]

By ShannonCherry -- 1 comment