Chose Your Brand before It Gets Chosen For You

Yes, Virginia you can brand yourself and... it won't hurt a bit.  When you slap that hot brand on your business you will scream for joy.... that you have created an image for your company that people will recognize.

 When you first start your business.... you and your business are one and the same.  As a one person operation, clients have to trust and believe you can deliver your product or service.... or they won't buy from you.  That's why creating a Differential Brand Advantage for you is so important.... to your success and the success of your company....so pay close attention to what you say and do..Because it all will show people the kind of brand you have.  That's why you must be careful what you say or do. 

Don't accidentally create a bad brand because you do and say things without first thinking about how it will affect your company.  You want to chose your brand by doing things on purpose... instead of letting your brand get chosen for you..... by accidents and mistakes you could have avoided. 

The purpose of the DBA is to attract customers to you because you represent what they want, and the emphasis is on you-the person they will do business with.... instead of the company.  Clients must learn to trust and believe in you- the entrepreneur in order for them to buy from your company.

Here are my 8 things that I follow to define my brand.  You can use my list to give you ideas for your Differential Brand.

If you clearly define the Differential Brand Advantage of you and your company, you will have a strong case for getting sales, getting paid and providing the very best in customer service.  Prospects will be attracted to you once they know who you are and what you represent.

You R the Brand

•1.       I define my Differential Brand Advantage (DBA) and position myself to increase the value of both me and my company

My Differential Advantage consists of the skills, insights, passion, and technology I bring to my business.  Is your business truly what you have a passion for or are you just trying to make money? If you lose all sense of time when you are performing these activities, consider it a passion and what you are meant to do.  (For example: I love helping people grow their business with business credit.  I lost my business years ago because I didn't know about business credit.  Once I found out how to use business credit I began sharing that information with others.  So I learned the hard way.)

•2.      I feel respect for myself, my family, my community, and God

        I always look to build value and confidence in me and my business by keeping my word and honoring the contracts I make.

 I always move to be on time or call ahead.

 What company personality and image will you work toward?

Always let them view you as a real person.  Don't hide who you are...that only leads to misunderstandings.  If people know who you are up front it helps them to make the decision to buy from you.  Where you really make your money is in getting repeat business.  So you want to attract people who you can get along with for the long haul.  

What is the style and attitude your company projects? 

Conservative & Serious, Modern & Friendly, Futuristic & Ambitious, etc.

For the business credit company we present a modern, friendly, informal company using our first names during client contact.  

What are your core values?

What do you believe in and would want people to know about how you do business?

Extend your brand to your company

•3.      I am as much a product of my company as what I sell because people must be sold on me before they buy my products and services

What business are you in?  How people benefit from your product/service is the business you are in.  A business credit coach is in the financial security business.  I help small business owners find money for their business before they need it to give them the security they need to make good business decisions.

• 4. What are your products or services? List the product or service you sell or are considering selling, such as Business Credit, Incorporation, and Financial Decision-making. What do you.... do well.... that people will pay you.... to do?

• 5. What industry do you get your product or service from? ( Financial Services) Research your industry and learn all you can about it. Join the trade association, subscribe to their trade magazine and attend conferences and conventions. Write articles and speak at any trade events you can so you will further brand yourself to your peers and stand out from them. Go to www.TSSN.com to find the trade association, conference and conventions they hold.

You also want to find events where your customers hang out...so you can go to those events and prospect for new clients.

Distribute Your Brand

•6.       I am careful to partner with people who increase the value and esteem of me and my company.

What Business Model and relationships do you use to sell your products/services? Make multiple sales opportunities by selecting business models and build relationships that promote multiple sales opportunities.  

What method do you use to convey your products/services to shoppers, telephone sales, internet website, street festivals, catalog sales, fund raising, trade shows, and seminars? 

What relationships have you built up or intend on building?

With sororities, fraternities, churches, work groups like police, fire, airline workers or postal employees, sports teams and leagues.  When looking to rent a mailing list target your customer's interest in other things that could provide you with a large list of names.  You can target your customer's favorite magazine, sport or hobby.  Cross index that with a five mile area around your location or service area and the age range, income and other information to customize a list of potential customers with the greatest potential positive response.

Position Your Brand

• 7. I focus on increasing the long term value of me and my company

 I live within my income, save money, and maintain good credit

I pass on my knowledge to my children

I spend to enjoy every day while saving for retirement

What market niche do you fill that is carried over to your company?

Are you positioning you as an expert in your field or niche? 

Are you writing articles, speaking or performing community service to further promote you as a positive person that people can depend on?

What group of consumers can you target who will receive the most value from your product/service? 

For a business credit company I look for small business owners by going to networking events and position myself as a resource for business credit.  I look for anyone who is in business or starting a business who is worried about financial security for their business.

•8.       Create your MJ Factor to Wow them now.

Describe one Irresistible Offer you have made to entice shoppers to buy.  For example, we have a free business calculator that will help you become profitable so you can pay back the business loans you take out through me.

MJ are the initials of a business woman I met who created drama by giving her initials when asked for her name.  She found a way to stand out from the crowd over something as ordinary as a name exchange.  I call what she did the MJ Factor.  You can use the MJ Factor to create drama over something as simple as introducing yourself, your company, your products or services.  My MJ Factor for my irresistible offer is naming it the Prospect to Profits Calculator. We conduct information conference calls every month for our clients and prospects.  Our business credit blog is well read and widely distributed.

What's your MJ Factor?

Finally, combine these points in one statement to make your unique Differential Brand Advantage. 

DBA Example: I am in the business of helping people to become financially secure in their business.  My products and services include helping people prepare their business for credit and to secure business credit.  I am part of the financial services industry.  I love helping people operate a successful business.  Our target market is small business owners worried about financial security.

We present a modern, friendly, informal company using our first names during consumer contact.  We are a home based business.  Our latest offer is a free business credit calculator we call the Prospect to Profits Calculator.  We reach our clients by attending networking events, partnering with other small business service providers.  We conduct information conference calls every month for our clients and prospects.  Our blog is well read and widely distributed.

There you have it, 8 steps to create your own unique DBA.  A description of your company that will help people buy from you.  You will be the best brand to your perfect customer. They will search you out because you have what they want.  Your DBA is a clear statement that you can use to create your business card, brochure, flyer and any other sales material you need.  Your DBA is the key piece of written material you have on your business that is used to write all other sales material.

This week hear about:

Attract More Prospects with BRANDING of You: Elroye's Blog #13

The 411

Props

Hook Ups

Pilot Conference Call 

The 411- Calendar of Events

Tuesday March 11, 2008 at 8:00pm

Back By Popular Demand:

How To Create Your Lead-Generating, Money-Making Visibility Blueprint For Your Business On A Shoestring Budget

So many people called e-mailed my two friends, Janice and Lucinda telling how they wanted to be on the call but for various reasons couldn't...... so it's being offered again.

Looking to increase your visibility and get more results from your business?
Finding it difficult to get in front of your target audience?
Looking to get publicity for your products and services?
Finding it hard to get new clients or keep existing ones?
Looking to generate qualified leads with minimal efforts?
On a limited budget but need to get exposure for your business?


If you answered YES to any of the above questions then you must sign up for this FREE tell all webinar where you'll learn success strategies for building your business using proven tools and methods. You have a great product or service to offer now let the world know your business exist.

Space is limited! Sign up online for this free webinar.
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Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/446687316
Tuesday March 11, 2008

8:00pm

I look forward to hearing you on the call.
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Wednesday March 26, 2008 at 7:00pm

Jim Nemley is hosting a Meetup on:

How to Generate Money for Your Clients While Getting Paid

Access to Capital for Your Clients Club

Are your small business clients in need of capital?

Would you like a solution that would not only help them but pay you as well?

Are you a professional whose business would grow if you provided access to capital?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions then you must sign up for this FREE seminar where you'll learn how to get access to capital quickly and easily.

Come join us in a 90 minute discussion on where the money is and how to get it for your clients.  We will discuss how you can get paid a fee for referring clients.  Let's face it..Money is hard to come by for small business owners.  Walls have been erected to keep us out.  This meetup will show you a simple step by step method to secure loans from $5000 to $50,000 for your clients. 

NO COLLATERAL, NO BUSINESS PLAN, NO FINANCIALS NEEDED

Get Fast Approval  ...Most Loans funded in 30 days.  It's Easy to qualify for a loan/ there are ways you can be disqualified but we will go over all of that...as well as what you need to tell your clients to get them interested and how to pre-qualify them.
To sign up go to www.businessnetwork.meetup.com/626/

I will see you at the MEET up.

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PROPS- Who Did What?

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Janice helped me set up my new blog.  It should be ready sometime this week.  Thanks.

That's the kind of technology Mrs. Jones, the Online Success Queen can help you with in your business....check her out!

http://www.onlinesuccessqueen.com/

Jim Nemley had a meeting for Access to Capital last week that created a buzz about his Soho Loan program.  Make sure you attend the next meet up if you have business clients.

http://www.betterbizbuilders.com/elroye

Lucinda Cross...the Marketing Queen... has teamed with the Online Success Queen ...AKA Mrs. Jones. 

These are the first ladies of my Mastermind Team...tune into these two dynamic people.

http://www.shoestringmarketingqueens.com/

Lucinda's book launch scheduled for March 2008 is on schedule.  "10 Reasons Why Every Small Business owners Needs a Virtual Assistant"

http://www.ultimatevasupport.com/

Hudson, the Tax Drx is open for business.  Get him early ....his calendar tends to fill up the closer it gets to April 15.  Who's gonna save you from yourself this tax year?  Tax time is now.  Check out his website

http://www.taxdrx.com/

HOOK UPS- Partnering and Sponsor Opportunities

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If you haven't separated your personal from your business credit, what are you waiting for?  Business credit offers unlimited financing while personal credit used for business growth ...will inevitably fail.

Hook up with me at

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Carlton Campbell is hard at work on his next generation photo gift mall.  If you come in contact with lots of people you can sell them personalized coffee mugs, mouse pads and other imprintable products that Carlton will set you up with.  

Check out his website

http://www.personalizedphotogiftonline.com/

James Crawford has answers to your computer files security questions at http://www.straightaheadsolutions.com/

If you are haven't backed up your computer files...you may want to give James a look see.

Sponsor My Blog

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You can sponsor my blog by sending out a link to this page to your e mail list.  In exchange I will put a link to your website in my blog.

E mail me to discuss this option at

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Pilot Conference Call

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 THE Last CONFERENCE CALL

Is Shoestring Marketing For You?

Interview with Lucinda Cross and Janice-Gentles-Jones

The Pilot Conference Call is a monthly call.  It will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month. The next call is:

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Business Credit: Tool for Business Success

I want you to use business credit to finance the growth of your business through me.  You can use personal savings, personal credit cards, and equity in your home; borrow from friends and family and so on

 ...but nothing beats business credit. 

All I ask is that you use the information provided here to increase your  business...then come see me to increase your business credit to finance your new business needs. 

I'll  help you to get more business mostly through getting you business credit.....But I also help... by plugging your latest efforts in my blog that has been seen by over ....1000 people on.... the Better Business Builders website.  I can't stress enough... the benefits of a third party plugging your services. 

It's not what you say about your business that counts with potential clients ...it's what other people are saying about you.  I'm that other voice plugging what you do to get you MORE BUSINESS!!!

For more information on how you can create business credit:

 E mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call me at (347) 229-5782

Please check out my profile at www.betterbizbuilders.com/elroye

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Always Remember to:

Ask for what you want

Prepare to receive it

Give thanks to God

And

Share your God

Fortune with others

See you on the site http://www.betterbizbuilders.com/elroye

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