It has long been said “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door”.  That may have been true a hundred plus years ago, but these days better doesn’t guarantee that your superior product will generate superior returns.

I had a chance to see the 3D version of the newly released Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D and the technology is spectacular.  This is a well hyped summer blockbuster using superior technology to create a 1 of a kind experience and yet it came in a distant 3rd in the Box Offices for it’s opening weekend.

I imagine someone is disappointed with those results!

I couldn’t find a breakdown on revenue of the 2D version versus the 3D version, but if Kansas City is a decent representation of most markets, then the biggest issue is likely the lack of 3D enabled screens.  It was only showing in 3 theatres in 3D in the entire metro area and although most shows were sold out (or really close) that’s still a pretty major limiting factor to how much they can make – especially since there’s no real point in going to see the 2D version.  Read More…

Your prospects are looking for you on the Internet.

They’re searching using terms that make sense to them (based on the problem they’re having or a common solution to their problem).

For a lot of products or services, they are only interested in a local service provider – they’re doing a local search.

They’re probably using Google, although they may be using Yahoo, Ask.com, MSN or even AOL.

Although traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is important – if you’ve got a local business, setting yourself up for Local Search is even more important!  Can you be found locally?

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Photo by sea turtle 

Good advice can be hard to come by sometimes, especially when you’re a busy business owner.

That’s why the concept of an Advisory Board works so well, especially if you are in a business that tends to isolate you from working with peers.  Unfortunately most people aren’t really familiar with the idea or why they might be helpful – if that describes you, read on!

The latest issue of Inc. magazine actually has an article on Advisory boards, but they kind of miss the mark in my opinion.

It’s a pull out guide on How to assemble a Board of Advisors.  As defined here, this is a formal group of advisors that the business owner convenes  a suggested 3 or 4 times a year to help steer their business.

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Photo by looking4poetry 

Good public relations for a small business can be a huge lift in terms of visibility and having prospects find you.  Getting your business (or yourself) profiled in an article, on the radio or on TV is usually going to do nothing but good things for your bottom line.

Unfortunately, although there are a lot of upsides to PR versus marketing, the ultimate downside is that the final outcome – do you make it in the article, interview, show, etc. is out of your hands, and even if you do make it in, you may not have the spin or the exact message you’d like to have.

And hiring a PR firm is generally out of the reach of a lot of smaller businesses (although you shouldn’t take it off the list if you have a genuine marketing budget that’s in the thousands – it may be a better way to spend some of your money than just straight marketing).

If you think you might be interested in PR – I would highly recommend a conversation with Bill Patterson of Nation Ranch Marketing fame.  Bill’s a busy guy these days, but if you can manage to catch some of his time, he’s absolutely brilliant when it comes to PR.

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