3 Questions To Help You Decide If Your Passion Can Become A Profitable Business

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Profitable Business

If you're passionate about something, it's natural to wonder if you could turn it into a profitable business. But how can you tell if your passion has the potential to be a successful business venture?

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

  1. Is there a market for my product or service?

The first step is to determine if there is a demand for what you have to offer. You can do this by conducting market research and talking to potential customers.

If you're not sure where to start, try looking at online trends and industry reports. You can also attend industry events and talk to other businesses in your field.

  1. Can I compete with the existing competition?

Once you've established that there is a market for your product or service, you need to assess the competition. Who else is offering similar products or services? What are they doing well? What could they be doing better?

To be successful, you need to find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition. This could mean offering a unique product or service, targeting a specific niche market, or providing superior customer service.

  1. Am I willing to put in the hard work?

Starting a business is a lot of hard work. It takes time, dedication, and perseverance. If you're not willing to put in the effort, it's unlikely that your business will be successful.

Before you take the plunge, ask yourself if you're truly committed to your business idea. Are you willing to work long hours and make sacrifices? Are you prepared to face challenges and setbacks?

If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, then there's a good chance that your passion has the potential to become a profitable business.

Here are some additional tips for turning your passion into a profitable business:

  • Start small. Don't try to do too much too soon. Start by offering a limited product or service line and focus on building a strong customer base.
  • Be patient. It takes time to build a successful business. Don't expect to become an overnight success.
  • Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan. Be prepared to adapt your business strategy as needed.
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help new businesses succeed. Talk to other entrepreneurs, attend workshops and seminars, and take advantage of government and nonprofit programs.

If you're passionate about something and you're willing to put in the hard work, there's no reason why you can't turn it into a profitable business.

4 Simple Low-Cost Ways To Improve Your Outbound Marketing Efforts

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Outbound Marketing Efforts

Outbound marketing is the process of reaching out to potential customers directly, rather than waiting for them to come to you. It can be a great way to generate leads and sales, but it can also be expensive and time-consuming.

If you're looking for ways to improve your outbound marketing efforts without breaking the bank, here are a few simple low-cost tips:

  1. Personalize your outreach. People are more likely to respond to outreach that is personalized to them. When you're sending out emails or cold calling, take the time to learn a little bit about your target audience and tailor your message accordingly.
  2. Use social media. Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers and build relationships with them. Make sure to post regularly and engage with your followers. You can also use social media to run targeted ads to reach your ideal customer.
  3. Attend industry events. Industry events are a great way to meet potential customers in person. Make sure to bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to network.
  4. Offer free consultations or demos. This is a great way to give potential customers a taste of what you have to offer and show them how your product or service can benefit them.

Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of your outbound marketing efforts:

  • Make sure your website is up-to-date and informative. Your website is often the first point of contact potential customers have with your business, so make sure it's making a good impression.
  • Use a CRM system to track your leads and interactions. This will help you to stay organized and make sure you're following up with potential customers promptly.
  • Test different strategies and see what works best for your business. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to outbound marketing, so it's important to experiment and find what works best for your target audience and industry.

By following these tips, you can improve your outbound marketing efforts without spending a lot of money. Just remember to be patient and persistent, and don't give up if you don't see results immediately.

Do Prospects Know, Like, and Trust Your Brand?

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Do Prospects Know, Like, and Trust Your Brand?

One of the most important things you can do to grow your business is to build trust with your prospects and customers. When people know, like, and trust your brand, they're more likely to do business with you and become loyal customers.

So, how do you know if prospects know, like, and trust your brand? Here are a few things to look for:

  • Brand awareness: Do people know about your brand? You can gauge brand awareness through surveys, social media analytics, and website traffic data.
  • Brand favorability: Do people have a positive impression of your brand? You can measure brand favorability through surveys and social media sentiment analysis.
  • Brand loyalty: Do people repeatedly choose your brand over the competition? You can measure brand loyalty through customer churn rates and repeat purchase rates.

If you're not seeing the results you want in any of these areas, it's time to invest in building your brand. Here are a few tips:

  • Create high-quality content: One of the best ways to build brand awareness and favorability is to create high-quality content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. This content can be in the form of blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, and social media posts.
  • Be active on social media: Social media is a great way to connect with your target audience and build relationships with potential customers. Be sure to post regularly, engage with your followers, and respond to comments and questions.
  • Offer excellent customer service: When people have a positive experience with your customer service team, they're more likely to develop a positive impression of your brand. Make sure your customer service team is knowledgeable, friendly, and responsive to customer needs.
  • Be consistent: Building a strong brand takes time and effort. Be consistent with your branding and messaging across all channels. This includes your website, social media, marketing materials, and customer interactions.

By following these tips, you can build a strong brand that prospects know, like, and trust. This will lead to more sales and repeat business.

Here are some additional tips for building trust with prospects:

  • Be honest and transparent in all of your dealings.
  • Keep your promises and deliver on your commitments.
  • Be responsive to customer needs and concerns.
  • Be fair and ethical in your business practices.
  • Give back to your community and support causes that are important to your customers.

Building trust takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the long run. When prospects know, like, and trust your brand, they're more likely to do business with you and become loyal customers.

Are You Ready to Ride the Waves of Change?

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Are You Ready to Ride the Waves of Change?

The business world is constantly changing, and market trends can shift rapidly. To stay ahead of the curve, businesses need to be able to change and adapt.

Here are a few tips on how to change and adapt your business to market trends:

  1. Identify the trends. The first step is to identify the market trends that are relevant to your business. You can do this by reading industry reports, following thought leaders on social media, and talking to your customers.
  2. Assess the impact of the trends. Once you've identified the trends, assess the impact they could have on your business. Are they a threat or an opportunity? How will they affect your customers' needs and expectations?
  3. Develop a plan. Once you understand the impact of the trends, you need to develop a plan for how your business will change and adapt. This may involve developing new products or services, changing your marketing strategy, or investing in new technologies.
  4. Execute the plan. Once you have a plan, it's important to execute it effectively. This means communicating the plan to your team and getting everyone on board. It also means being flexible and willing to make adjustments as needed.

Here are a few additional tips:

  • Be proactive. Don't wait for the market to change before you start adapting. Be proactive and stay ahead of the curve by constantly innovating and looking for new ways to improve your business.
  • Be customer-centric. Always keep your customers in mind when making changes to your business. What are their needs? What are their expectations? How can you better meet their needs?
  • Be flexible. The business world is constantly changing, so it's important to be flexible and adaptable. Be prepared to make changes to your business plan as needed.

Changing and adapting your business to market trends can be challenging, but it's essential for survival and success in today's competitive marketplace. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of riding the waves of change and coming out stronger on the other side.

Here are some examples of how businesses have changed and adapted to market trends:

  • Netflix: Netflix started out as a DVD rental service, but it quickly adapted to the shift to streaming video.
  • Amazon: Amazon started out as an online bookseller, but it has since expanded into a wide range of other products and services.
  • Apple: Apple started out as a computer company, but it has since expanded into smartphones, tablets, and other consumer electronics.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other businesses that have successfully changed and adapted to market trends. By being proactive, customer-centric, and flexible, you can too.

5 Publicity Hacks For Startups To Grow Your Business Now

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5 Publicity Hacks For Startups To Grow Your Business Now

Publicity is essential for any startup that wants to grow and succeed. But getting publicity can be difficult, especially for small businesses with limited resources.

Here are five publicity hacks that can help startups grow their businesses now:

  1. Create newsworthy content. One of the best ways to get publicity is to create newsworthy content. This could be a blog post, article, infographic, or video that covers a topic that is relevant to your target audience and is likely to generate interest from journalists.
  2. Pitch to journalists. Once you have created newsworthy content, you need to pitch it to journalists. You can find journalists who cover your industry by searching online or using a media database. Be sure to personalize your pitches and target them to the specific interests of each journalist.
  3. Reach out to influencers. Influencers are people who have a large following on social media or other online platforms. They can be very effective at helping you promote your startup. You can reach out to influencers by sending them a direct message or through their website contact form. Be sure to offer them something of value in return for their help, such as exclusive content or early access to your product or service.
  4. Attend industry events. Industry events are a great way to meet journalists, influencers, and other potential customers and partners. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to talk about your startup.
  5. Use social media. Social media is a great way to promote your startup and reach a large audience. Be sure to post regularly and engage with your followers. You can also use social media to run contests and giveaways, which can help you generate interest in your brand.

Following these five publicity hacks can help you get your startup noticed and grow your business. Just remember to be consistent with your efforts and to always offer something of value to the people you are reaching out to.

Here are some additional tips:

  • Be creative. There are many different ways to get publicity. Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box.
  • Be persistent. It takes time and effort to get publicity. Don't give up if you don't see results immediately.
  • Be patient. It may take some time to build relationships with journalists and influencers. Be patient and keep at it.

Getting publicity can be challenging, but it is worth it for the benefits it can bring to your startup. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and growing your business.

Why Entrepreneurs Starting at 50+ Have a High Success Rate

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Why Entrepreneurs Starting at 50+ Have a High Success Rate

There is a common misconception that entrepreneurship is a young person's game. However, research has shown that entrepreneurs over 50 have a higher success rate than their younger counterparts.

Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Experience: Entrepreneurs over 50 have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be invaluable in starting and running a business. They have likely worked in their industry for many years and have a deep understanding of the market and the competition.
  • Network: Entrepreneurs over 50 have had more time to build a network of contacts. This network can be extremely helpful when starting a new business. Entrepreneurs can turn to their network for advice, support, and resources.
  • Financial resources: Entrepreneurs over 50 are more likely to have the financial resources to start a business. They may have saved money over the years or they may be able to tap into their equity in their home.
  • Maturity: Entrepreneurs over 50 are more likely to be mature and have a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. They are also more likely to be willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

In addition to these factors, entrepreneurs over 50 are also more likely to be motivated by factors other than financial gain. They may be driven by a desire to make a difference in the world or to leave a legacy. This type of motivation can lead to greater success in the long run.

Here are some examples of successful entrepreneurs who started businesses over 50:

  • Ray Kroc: Kroc was 52 years old when he started McDonald's.
  • Sam Walton: Walton was 44 years old when he started Walmart.
  • Vera Wang: Wang was 40 years old when she started her career as a fashion designer.
  • Harland David Sanders: Sanders was 65 years old when he started KFC.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other successful entrepreneurs who started businesses over 50. If you are over 50 and thinking about starting a business, don't let your age hold you back. You have the experience, the knowledge, and the resources to succeed.

Here are some tips for entrepreneurs over 50 who are starting a business:

  • Choose a business idea that you are passionate about. This will make it easier to work hard and persevere through the challenges that you will face.
  • Do your research. Make sure you understand the market and the competition before you launch your business.
  • Develop a solid business plan. This will help you stay focused and on track.
  • Build a strong team. Surround yourself with people who have the skills and experience to help you succeed.
  • Be patient and persistent. It takes time and effort to build a successful business. Don't give up if you don't see results immediately.

Starting a business over 50 can be a rewarding experience. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of success.

The Advantages of the 50-60 Something Entrepreneur

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The Advantages of the 50-60 Something Entrepreneur

Many people believe that the best time to start a business is in your 20s or 30s. However, there are many advantages to starting a business in your 50s and 60s.

Here are a few of the advantages:

  • Experience: Entrepreneurs over 50 have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be invaluable in starting and running a business. They have likely worked in their industry for many years and have a deep understanding of the market and the competition.
  • Network: Entrepreneurs over 50 have had more time to build a network of contacts. This network can be extremely helpful when starting a new business. Entrepreneurs can turn to their network for advice, support, and resources.
  • Financial resources: Entrepreneurs over 50 are more likely to have the financial resources to start a business. They may have saved money over the years or they may be able to tap into their equity in their home.
  • Maturity: Entrepreneurs over 50 are more likely to be mature and have a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. They are also more likely to be willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

In addition to these factors, entrepreneurs over 50 are also more likely to be motivated by factors other than financial gain. They may be driven by a desire to make a difference in the world or to leave a legacy. This type of motivation can lead to greater success in the long run.

Here are some examples of successful entrepreneurs who started businesses in their 50s and 60s:

  • Ray Kroc: Kroc was 52 years old when he started McDonald's.
  • Sam Walton: Walton was 44 years old when he started Walmart.
  • Vera Wang: Wang was 40 years old when she started her career as a fashion designer.
  • Harland David Sanders: Sanders was 65 years old when he started KFC.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other successful entrepreneurs who started businesses in their 50s and 60s. If you are over 50 and thinking about starting a business, don't let your age hold you back. You have the experience, the knowledge, and the resources to succeed.

Here are some tips for entrepreneurs over 50 who are starting a business:

  • Choose a business idea that you are passionate about. This will make it easier to work hard and persevere through the challenges that you will face.
  • Do your research. Make sure you understand the market and the competition before you launch your business.
  • Develop a solid business plan. This will help you stay focused and on track.
  • Build a strong team. Surround yourself with people who have the skills and experience to help you succeed.
  • Be patient and persistent. It takes time and effort to build a successful business. Don't give up if you don't see results immediately.

Starting a business in your 50s and 60s can be a rewarding experience. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of success.

Evolution of a Brandmark: Fairfield County Library

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Fairfield County Library

We were proud to have had the opportunity to work with the Fairfield County, South Carolina library system to create their new logo/brandmark and website.  They came to us with a unique idea that we were excited to bring to life!

The first rule of design is that all design must have a purpose.  The second rule is to listen to your client.  During our initial discussion with the client, the most important concepts in this case were history and legacy.  The main branch of the Fairfield County library is located in a building which exemplified both history and legacy.  Developing a concept which encompassed the history of the building and the colonial legacy of the region – along with an element of modern design – was key to creating a memorable brandmark for such an important landmark.

We utilized the building cupola as the key element to tie the brandmark to the rich history and legacy of the library while maintaining a bond with the colonial heritage of the region.  A modern upward moving swoosh carries the eye to the name and finishes the concept with a forward look and feel.  The deep red color coupled with the black and white cupola reinforces the historic to modern feeling necessary to appeal to a wide age demographic.

Special thank you to the good folks at the Fairfield County Library System for choosing us to work with them on this challenging and enjoyable project!

library websites

Why Should I Hire a Professional Graphic Designer?

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professional graphic designer

One of the most common mistakes new businesses make is cutting corners on their identity.  Often times, when we are engaged by a client for marketing services (i.e. collateral materials, website development, etc.) and when we review their assets, we find issues with their logo (also known as a brandmark.) Your brandmark is important because it is the face and identity of your business.  It should be created by a professional graphic designer who understands proper file formats, licensing, and is willing to provide you with rights to the final artwork.

Engaging a qualified graphic designer from the beginning can avoid some very costly issues down the road.  Let’s take a closer look.

Relevant Imagery

A professional graphic designer is trained in strategies to ensure the proper imagery, colors, and text are used to reach your target market(s).  Reaching your target market(s) is the first step in getting your business off the ground. Designers are artists, but artists are NOT designers.  A professional graphic designer will create artwork that influences how people see, feel and react to your message.  Every element of design must have a purpose, otherwise it is just decoration and may confuse or distract from your message.  Most of the time, less is more in graphic design.

Proper Formats

Hiring a professional graphic designer ensures you will receive your logo/brandmark files in the proper formats. Brandmarks must be designed to work at all sizes, from a business card to a billboard.  Creating the brandmark in the wrong format will severely limit its scalability and usability across multiple mediums.

Original Artwork

You must make sure the artwork provided to you is original.  If the artwork is pirated, stock art, or unlicensed clip art, the first indication of a problem will likely be a legal notice or lawsuit.  This can result in your reputation being compromised and the artwork needing to be changed, recreated or licensed.  We have had clients come to us with brandmarks they have purchased from an online vendor that “guaranteed the artwork was original and properly licensed” only to later find out it was not.  This costly mistake can lead to hefty fines and, in worst cases, closing of the business.

Do you need a professional logo or are you unsure if your current logo meets all of the above criteria?

The Site Crew is a full-service online marketing firm with professional graphic designers on staff to create artwork that targets your audience with your message to drive consumers to consider your product or service.  Contact us today for a free marketing asset evaluation.

Stay tuned for “What is brand identity and why should I care? “

10 Benefits of Using WordPress to Power Your Company’s Website

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WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that is used to create and manage websites. It is one of the most popular CMS platforms in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. WordPress is free and open-source software, which means that it is constantly being updated and improved by a large community of developers.

Here are 10 benefits of using WordPress to power your company's website:

  1. Easy to use: WordPress is very easy to use, even for beginners. It has a user-friendly interface and a drag-and-drop page builder, so you can create and manage your website without any coding knowledge.
  2. Affordable: WordPress is free and open-source software, so there are no licensing fees. You only need to pay for hosting and a domain name.
  3. Customizable: WordPress is highly customizable. There are thousands of free and premium themes and plugins available, so you can customize your website to look and feel exactly the way you want it to.
  4. Scalable: WordPress is a scalable platform. As your business grows, your website can grow with it. WordPress can power everything from a simple blog to a large e-commerce website.
  5. Secure: WordPress is a secure platform. It is constantly being updated with security patches to protect your website from hackers and malware.
  6. SEO-friendly: WordPress is SEO-friendly. It has many built-in features that help you to optimize your website for search engines.
  7. Mobile-friendly: WordPress is mobile-friendly. It is designed to look and function well on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.
  8. Supportive community: WordPress has a large and supportive community of users and developers. This means that there is always someone available to help you if you have any problems or questions.
  9. Wide range of features: WordPress has a wide range of features built-in. This includes blogging, e-commerce, social media integration, and more.
  10. Regular updates: WordPress is regularly updated with new features and security patches. This means that your website will always be up-to-date and secure.

If you are looking for a CMS platform to power your company's website, WordPress is a great option. It is easy to use, affordable, customizable, scalable, secure, SEO-friendly, mobile-friendly, has a supportive community, and offers a wide range of features and regular updates.

Here are some additional benefits of using WordPress for your company's website:

  • WordPress is widely used. This means that there are many resources available to help you with your website, such as tutorials, articles, and support forums.
  • WordPress is flexible. WordPress can be used to create any type of website, from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce store.
  • WordPress is extensible. WordPress can be extended with plugins to add new features and functionality to your website.
  • WordPress is community-driven. The WordPress community is constantly developing new themes, plugins, and resources to help users create and manage their websites.

If you are looking for a powerful and flexible CMS platform to power your company's website, WordPress is a great option.

Accessibility Services, Inc. Among 2015 Florida Companies to Watch℠ Honorees

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Leading Provider of Environmental Control Units Chosen From Over 500 Nominees

Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) announced today that it is among 50 statewide companies selected from more than 500 nominees for Florida Companies to Watch℠, a statewide program managed by economic development group GrowFL, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation. ASI joins an esteemed group of honorees who will be recognized with this prestigious award on Thursday, November 5th at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Florida.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Florida Companies to Watch class of 2015,” says Maggie Thompson, President of ASI. “I applaud GrowFL and the Edward Lowe Foundation for taking time to recognize the hard work and sacrifices businesses such as ASI make everyday to contribute to the economic prosperity of our state. We are excited for all the winners!”

Thompson took the helm of ASI in 2009 when her husband and ASI founder, Fred Thompson, retired. Thompson made the decision to lead her company down an ambitious path toward becoming the leading provider of environmental control units (ECU’s) in the country. Her substantial investment in research and development paid off as the $800,000 company grew to become the $7,000,000 enterprise it is today.

“We were able to accomplish these goals because of the hard work of our outstanding team,” explains Thompson. “This award would not have been possible without our dedicated and committed employees.”

According to GrowFL, ASI’s management team, competitive market position and strong community involvement were among several factors that put them in contention for the award.

The 50 companies named the 2015 Florida Companies to Watch generated a total of more than $1.2 billion in revenue and added nearly 1,000 employees between 2011 and 2014.

Together, the companies project a 23 percent increase in revenue and 19 percent increase in job growth in 2015.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets.”

 

How To Get The Most Seo And Web Traffic Benefits From Blogging

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The best way to get people and search engines (which means more people) to your website is by getting relevant inbound links. How To Get The Most SEO And Web Traffic Benefits From BloggingIf you have some great new gimmick on your website this may be easy as everyone will be linking to you.

However, with a basic, solid web page the process may be much more difficult and slower.  How do you get people to link to you?

Blogs

Blogs can be great way to get visitors and develop a long term return. Blog posts tend to stick around for a long time. The trick here is to get people to blog about your website without forking over a bundle of your hard earned cash.

A great idea is to become a guest blogger. This would be where you write blog posts for other people’s blogs and include your link!

This puts you in the drivers seat for a couple of reasons. First you have control over exactly what is said. Secondly, if you do a good job you may have the opportunity to make regular blog posts. That will build an audience on the blogs for your writing and turn into more and higher quality traffic for your website.

The key to being a great guest blogger is to write short (3 to 6 or so paragraph) posts that are interesting, informative, humorous and relevant to the topic of the blog (and your website). Of course they should have a link to your website. Don’t over do the linking. Don’t make it sound like an advertisement or something you just cut and pasted from your website.

A few minutes to compose a couple of well thought out paragraphs could do wonders for your web traffic. Keep looking for guest blogging opportunities and never use the same post for more than one blog. One post could bring a lifetime of traffic.

This may well be your most effective way to developing quality web traffic and enhancing your the SEO for your website(s).

Contact us if you need help finding guest bloggers for your blog or if you want to write blog posts and become a guest blogger for others.