The vast majority of freelance designers and developers have chosen to embark upon a career as a freelancer because of their interests and abilities that are related to the work that they’re doing. Running a business is just a necessary evil for most of us, rather than being the ultimate focus of an occupational decision. In many cases, the most dreaded duties for a freelancer are those that only deal with the business aspects, such as invoicing, tracking finances and working on taxes.
Regardless of how much we like or dislike …

While some of us relish every facet of the sales process, most people would rather get a tooth pulled without anesthetic then attempt to sell anything. Thousands of women are mustering up the courage to start their own companies every day, but all too many shy away from actually selling their products or services.
For everyone who has dreaded asking for business, here are some tips that will help you overcome your fears and get comfortable selling on your own terms… read more at Selling Tips …

Press releases can be targeted directly to consumers, without the media filter. Here are 4 new ways to use press releases to win sales.
n a tough economy, with businesses and consumers cutting back on spending, even the best advertising may not be enough to sway shoppers. Right now, PR is an indispensable part of a campaign thanks to its influence over consumers’ buying decisions. When asked to rank the factors that sway them to buy a product or service, many Americans cite reading about it or seeing a recommendation. …

The author of Grown Up Digital explains how Web savvy among the Net Generation (the boomers’ kids) will change how goods are bought and sold
When Alison Fetherstonhaugh was 15, her father, Brian, who is chairman and chief executive of OgilvyOne Worldwide, asked her to keep a diary of her media activities. What she recorded back in 2005 was startling—at least, for anyone in the traditional advertising business. Half of the TV she was watching wasn’t live. She zipped through TV ads. She didn’t read newspapers. After hearing the same story …

Although armed with a carefully crafted list of 10 “unique” benefits to customers, a supplier of sophisticated network security systems learned they had lost a million dollar contract to a competitor with almost exactly the same list of benefits, but a 10 percent lower price.
Another company offering comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning solutions emphasized their superior ability to promote operating efficiency. After losing a large sale, they were surprised to learn the customer wasn’t especially interested in efficiency. Instead, customer executives had bought into a competitor’s offer of flexible, modularized SAP …

It’s a great way to keep your business moving forward in any economy.
Let’s not sugar-coat it: It’s looking pretty darn ugly out there. I’m no economist, so I’m not about to predict the markets or the stability of the economy, but I am an internet marketer, and what I can say–with confidence–is that a downturn in the economy does not have to be a major roadblock for your internet business.
One key to surviving–even thriving–during this period of uncertainty is to know your customers… read more at 5 Steps to Customer …

Should you consider hosted or Software As a Service software applications for your nonprofit? There are a lot of conflicting and often inaccurate messages out there: They’re not secure! Use them – they’ll replace your IT staff! Perhaps they’ll change your life… or perhaps they’re evil. What’s the truth? We investigate.
Once upon a time, you could pretty much assume that when you bought a software application, it would come in a box and you would install it onto your computer.
Times have changed. Now there are a huge number of options. …

Bankers constantly fret about how to get customers into the branches since face time with a teller or sales rep is the best way to sell products and services and deepen the customer relationship.
Senior leadership at Fifth Third Bank faced this quandary after opening a string of de novos and expanding through acquisitions. What they hit upon to grab the attention of the public is to give away money-a quarter-of-a-million dollars worth.
“This campaign is a little bit different than some of the things that we have tried in the past,” …

A time to market your to-do list isn’t complete without this key practice–and neither is your business.
Marketing is such an important part of your business that it must be practiced daily, much like a habit, in order to really get the attention and momentum it deserves. That can be a tall order for a lot of startup entrepreneurs because so many other things call out for your attention.
The surest way to keep your focus on the important task of marketing is to schedule it as you would appointments with your …