Mind Your Business

It's Marketing Wednesday and we have a BIG REVEAL!

Good Morning fellow marketeers! It's a beautiful day here at my oceanfront retreat. As I sit here at my laptop with the ocean in front of me as far as I can see and the soft and steady sound of the waves lapping the shore, I am consumed with excitement about our most recent Makeminepink.com marketing chat! You can take the girl out of the business but you can not take the business out of this girl! No matter where the girl is!
I never get tired of the energy and excitement I see in each and every member that attends the Tuesday night marketing chat. I see such passion and drive and energy with every new and creative idea we discuss. And let me tell you, creativity is at an all time high these days at Make Mine Pink. I hate to be vague, but we're just not ready for the BIG REVEAL. In the next few weeks we'll be able to share an exclusive MMP event that will change the way our customers shop! Intrigued? You'll either have to wait for the reveal or you'll have to join us at  http://www.makeminepink.com/join/about. It will be the best move you'll make for the promotion of your business!

Remember.. marketing is vital to the success of your business. Be creative, but don't overlook any opportunity to promote your business no matter how small the opportunity!

As always.. please MIND YOUR BUSINESS!

How does the economy effect your marketing plans?

Good Morning Ladies. It's Marketing Wednesday and we're all renewed and excited from our Tuesday night MakeMinePink.com marketing chat!

So many business owners have expressed concern about what they can do in this struggling economy to keep sales on an upward climb rather than on the decline. It's really simple.. GET CREATIVE! That doesn't mean that you should stop doing what you have been doing by offering quality products and services to your customers, it just means we need to pay closer attention to what our customers needs are. We shouldn't just assume that because the economy is troubled, people won't spend money. Instead people are staying home more and their nesting instinct is kicking into high gear. We're still spending on home and family and gifts because those needs never change. I know that I haven't stopped spending, I'm just making more careful choices.

What are you doing to convince consumers that they should spend some of their stimulus check with you? I'm sure you've noticed that the larger business like Walmart, Sears, Staples and I'm sure many more, have taken the creative approach to cash in on this Government Give-back. They've taken bold marketing steps and have been very clear about what they want from you and what they will give you in return. It's time for the small business to step up and ask for their share.

I look forward to seeing a lot of creative marketing going on in the next few months! Right now you can't afford not to MIND YOUR BUSINESS! 

Come join the forum at Make Mine Pink where we're talking about creative ways to maintain steady growth. Won't you join us? www.makeminepink.com/forum

Having worked on your marketing and branding and superior products and customer service will keep you afloat in troubled times. But is that enough? That all depends on what your goals are. It's

It's marketing Wednesday..are you ready to THINK BIG?

Good morning everyone! I'm here on beautiful Cape Cod having a bit of working vacation. It's been chock full of business and relaxation, but no matter where I am.. it's Wednesday and we know what that means! Time to MARKET LIKE YOU MEAN IT. What have you been doing to get your business name out there? It's a surprisingly small world out there and a little persistence could be all it takes! Last weekend I posted a story on my Pinque Inc Diaries blog about finding a Make Mine Pink Pen 600 miles from home. It was pretty exciting to see our waitress using a Make Mine Pink Pen to take our order! It gave us  great opportunity to Toot Our Horn a Little to anyone that cared to listen. We had a captive audience in the little breakfast shop.

As you all know, Marketing Wednesday always follows MakeMinePink.com Tuesday night marketing chat. I always have a topic in mind but don't always get to topic. Last night we talked about THINKING BIG and the opportunities awaiting us if we care to kick things up a notch.

More specifically, having our products manufactured. Naturally this isn't something that would work for everyone..but is the natural progression for many.
We are very excited about a new business relationship that is being formed with a manufacturer that can and will change the way some of us do business. Over the coming months, we'll explore manufacturing and trade shows and anticipate incorporating a wonderful new program into the membership benefits of Make Mine Pink that will help members take that GIANT STEP to manufacturing!

If there's one thing I've learned along the way.. change is necessary for growth. Won't you join us at Make Mine Pink as we are always looking for ways to grow our businesses? We'd love to have you!

For more information about membership, please visit www.makeminepink.com/join/about.

Have a great week and please remember to MIND YOUR BUSINESS!

 

Can it be marketing Wednesday already?!

Good Morning all! You didn't think that just because I am away that I'd forget about Marketing Wednesday did you?
As usual.. we had our MakeMinePink.com marketing chat last night. I almost didn't make it because I was knee deep in ideas for this book that is trying to get written! I'm so glad that I did though. I was reminded that although my role is cheerleader and encourager to many, I am encouraged and supported every step of my own journey by these wonderful women. I left chat feeling energized and ready to face my own challenge with renewed excitement. I know that I sound like a broken record, but the law of attraction is alive and well at Make Mine Pink! The positive energy you'll find there at any given time is what gives so many of us the courage and fortitude to take that leap of faith. There's not a day that goes by that someone isn't taking that leap and if you look around, you'll see the most amazing net of women right there to catch us if we fall.
Won't you take that leap today and just step out of your comfort zone a little? It's OK if you're not ready for outrageous, but take a step, one step towards your success. Promote your business today like you would promote the business of a dear friend. It's really no different.. and will get easier and easier as you start proclaiming what an amazing business you have!

Outrageous Marketing if you dare!

Happy Marketing Wednesday Ladies! As you know, Marketing Wednesday always follows the MakeMinePink.com Tuesday Night Marketing Chat. Last night we talked about marketing on a budget which basically means if you don't have an advertising and marketing budget you have to get really creative and maybe a little outrageous! In lieu of money.. we have to use our heads. Maybe even quite literally! What can you do that will create a PUBLICITY BUZZ? Of course each business is different and everyone has their own niche.. but we all have creativity in common.

As some of you know, we recently held 2 Outrageous Tiara Contests. One live in Chicago at the Country Living WE Event and the other online at Make Mine Pink. This would and still could be a perfect opportunity for some outrageous BUZZ or press opportunity.

[Photo Above - Left, Karen Sweet Necessi-Teas Right, Roxie - Business in the bag and Jorabeels] 

Karen of Sweet Necessi-Teas tiara (hat) was an outrageous representation of her business! A hat with teacups! she you could absolutely create some positive buzz for her business! Just wear the hat when you're out and about. Just be prepared for lots of questions and have lots of business cards handy.

Sharon of C'est Chouette created a tuffet Hat.. It’s sure to get a glance or two or 100! Well....Grab the spotlight Sharon and create a BUZZ.

Michelle of Rose Petals and Blooms and Britta of Britta's Tea Parties were the winners of our two contests. Both should be sending photos and press release to local papers. After-all, how often do you win an OUTRAGEOUS TIARA CONTEST? As a matter of fact, just the fact that you entered one is newsworthy! It's up to you to do a little tooting or showing off. If it could mean FREE press for your business, wouldn't you do it?

Find ANY and EVERY opportunity to create a PRESS buzz and then inform the press of the upcoming event. Perhaps it’s a local show and you are offering free demonstrations.. Anything out of the ordinary is news worthy. Local papers are always looking to feature their local people and businesses. You just need to contact them.

Take GEORGIA of Grandma G's. She specializes in Vintage Linens. She could make a jacket or garden smock from cutter tablecloths, add one of her tablecloth totes, a name badge with her business name and a pocket full of business cards! What a great segue to the business! Make people sit up and take notice.

We also talked about Carol of Clutterbug Studio taking one of her vintage babies with her wherever she goes. It's a fabulous idea. Everyone loves a baby. But when they see what's in the carrier, won't that start a rather interesting conversation and opportunity to hand out a business card?

Use your HEAD and your creativity to find a way to market your business. Perhaps a FUN and FUNKY hat that tells the story of your business! I DOUBLE DARE YOU to get creative and get the BUZZ going about your business.

MakeMinePink.com your premier shopping and networking site
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Meet Anne Reeves of Subscribe to Delight

Make Mine Pink is proud to announce April's "Woman Who Inspires." Anne Reeves is an amazing entrepreneur and the kind of person you just warm up to immediately. Her enthusiasm, wit, and energy are so infectious, and her ideas for business are truly unique and inspired!
In 2007, Anne was selected by Country Living Magazine as a winner in the "Pitch Your Product" competition for her innovative business concept called "Subscribe to Delight" and attended the magazine's annual event to celebrate women entrepreneurs.
Please check here to read the entire interview.
In Anne's always gracious style, she has donated two of her "Delight Totes" for a giveaway two lucky readers of Make Mine Pink members blog. So please read Anne's interview and stop back to at the Blog and leave a comment. The winners will be randomly chosen on April 15 from all the comments. The winners will be able to choose from one of the 52 Delight covers which can been seen at www.anadesigns.com.

MakeMinePink.com your premier shopping and networking site
CottageCollections.com Unique Feminine Web Design for Small Business

Marketing Wednesday and so much more!

Today I received a really wonderful gift in the mail from Sita of www.silverspoonscraps.com. I thought it was really fitting that it arrived today because we all know it's MARKETING WEDNESDAY following the Tuesday Night Marketing Chat at www.makeminepink.com! First let me show you what she sent, then I'll tell you why it was so fitting.

My package arrived in a pretty white shipping box stamped with Sita's business name and website address! It was pretty obvious Sita is taking advantage of every opportunity to promote her business.
Inside the box, along with a gift of two lovely bars of soap were 3 hand-crafted cards by Sita. They're not only pretty, not only of the highest quality, they're BRANDED on the back of each card with the Silver Spoon Scraps stamp! So Thank you Sita for the thoughtful gift. I love all of it. But also KUDOS to you for great branding and promoting your business.

As I mentioned previously in this post, last night we held our weekly marketing chat at Make Mine Pink.com.  The topic was about giveaways and what impact they make on our customers. I've been noticing an increase in giveaways with items I purchase from various boutiques. Now don't get me wrong. I, like anyone else LOVE a gift! I've received Lady Jayne note cards, Mary Engelbreit sticky notes and magnets, tea bags, chocolates and various other really fun free gifts with purchase. The more I received, the more I started thinking about what impact these free gifts have made on me. Initially, they made a wonderful impression on me! I love pretty things and these were all very appealing, but after the initial excitement wears off, I'm not even sure I can remember who sent me what. Had the free gift I received been a branded gift, I wouldn't be able to forget who sent it. Imagine the impact your giveaway could could have if it was not only branded, but useful as well.
The more thought I gave to this concept, the more I realized that the large successful companies do just what I am suggesting. Recently I purchased a cosmetic from a high end company cosmetic company. They offered a free gift and guess what it was? A complimentary cosmetic by the same company! Well of course it was! What have I been thinking all this time? Why would they offer a product, or more precisely a gift.. advertising another company? Well the answer to that is simple.. they wouldn't!

It's time to step up branding ladies and promote your own business at every opportunity! Next time you include a free gift with purchase, think about who you are promoting! If it's not your own business, it's time to make a change!

MakeMinePink.com your premier shopping and networking site
CottageCollections.com Unique Feminine Web Design for Small Business

Special events you won't want to miss!

Romantic Homes Events:

MakeMinePink.com is pleased to announce that Romantic Homes and Cottages and Bungalows, two of our very favorite publications, will be hosting two upcoming special events.

Cottages & Bungalows will have a day to celebrate green at the charming McCharles House gardens in Tustin, CA on April 12th, 2008 while Romantic Homes will celebrate their new book, Vintage Vavoom, with a Tea Party at the new Parisian tea salon in Old Towne Orange, CA, called Paris In a Cup on May 17th, 2008 

Please use the links below to view event details.

Cottages & Bungalows Green Living Event

Vintage Vavoom Tea Party

MakeMinePink.com your premier shopping and networking site
CottageCollections.com Unique Feminine Web Design for Small Business

Market your business like you mean it!

As you have all come to know, Tuesday night is the MakeMinePink.com marketing chat! Last night we had open chat which just means we had no set marketing agenda. We did have exciting news to share about the upcoming "Getting Down To Business Retreat" We'll share this exciting news with you soon!

But lets talk about today! It's Wednesday and it's time to step up your marketing ladies!
I have been hearing less and less chatter about marketing and it gives me pause. Well, not pause for long, but pause nonetheless! You know I have to ask..Are YOU marketing your business like you really mean it?
I've been here reminding everyone that you have a commitment to market for 1 hour on Wednesday for quite some time now. But let me ask you a question... If you were in a relationship that was important to you, would a one hour a week commitment be enough to carry that relations through? Absolutely not! It's time to step up your commitments and make your business soar. Give this relationship the commitment you'd give any other important relationship in your life. We all know it takes devotion, loyalty, love, creativity, and commitment to make a relationship work. Your business is no different. We expect great things from our business but if we don't spend some time creating that relationship..keeping it new and fresh and exciting, it's just not going to remain strong!

I know I talk a good talk. But do I walk the walk? If I am completely honest, I'd have to say maybe not by someone else's standards. Is my business important to me? Absolutely! It's the most important thing in my life aside from family and friends. So why is it that I don't give that relationship all it deserves? I wish I had the magic answer.But I will say this.. I may not give it all it needs, but I do, without a doubt, give it all I am capable of. This is what will matter in the end. The fact that I sincerely give it my best. That's really all anyone can expect from you.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that YOU need to decide what you want out of your business. This a call that only you can make. If your business is a hobby, then perhaps it's OK to treat it as a casual relationship or an occasional lunch meeting with a friend. But if your business is a much more committed relationship, then it requires much more care and attention. Only you can decide what you hope to get out of this relationship with your business. I may be here nudging and supporting you every step of the way, but remember, you hold the map to this journey you're on. I'm just a passenger, along for the ride.

Isn't it exciting to know that our thoughts and then actions can bring about such contentment and yes, even success!

MakeMinePink.com your premier shopping and networking site
CottageCollections.com Unique Feminine Web Design for Small Business

LEAP out of your comfort zone.. it's Marketing Wednesday!

Good Morning Everyone! You know what today is. It's Marketing Wednesday.. which follows the MakeMinePink.com Tuesday night marketing chat! It was a super charged chat last night, so if you missed it, I'll try and recap for you!

We talked a little about keeping morale up amongst fellow members. I'd been noticing a few phrases being tossed around like "My Big Girl Job" or "My real Job" in reference to jobs other than our own business. Unfortunately at the same time I started to see more and more business owners questioning and comparing themselves and their business. Can a simple phrase like that decrease confidence? And why? It's hard to imagine that a simple phrase like "my real job" could be demoralizing to women that are struggling to make a go of their own business but it clearly does effect how we view ourselves and what we do. My job is to be the voice of reason.. and remind everyone that as business owners our jobs/businesses are very much our "real and very adult jobs." Keeping confidence steady is something we all need to be very mindful of and something we need to do for ourselves. This goes hand in hand with surrounding yourself with other positive people and "Tooting Your Own Horn!" Something we seem to have some difficulty getting comfortable with.

I hear how amazingly supportive everyone is with each other. But when it comes to ourselves.. where does that self support and confidence go? It's time to get it back!

We also talked a bit about stepping out of our comfort zone and taking that leap of faith. I for one have found it difficult at times to take that leap of faith, not even recognizing that is what I was doing. I am a master excuse maker. Or should I say, an ex- master excuse maker! I found just recently that making a commitment to others.. just putting a voice to something that I have been uncomfortable about LEAPING for, has taken away that fear and has given me a resolve to make it happen. Who knew it would be that easy! I took a huge personal and business leap this past week and found that fear has been replaced with excitement.
So make your list of all the things that will help take your business to the next level and act on one at a time. Share that list with someone.. give it a voice and the commitment will follow.

What will you be doing this marketing Wednesday? I hope taking a Leap towards your success!

MakeMinePink.com your premier shopping and networking site
CottageCollections.com Unique Feminine Web Design for Small Business