HomeBizNotes.com

In response to my post, Do Promotional Pens Have Value?,  Shannon Cherry, of Startup Spark, responded with an interesting comment and promotional tip that I’d like to share here.  It shows that if you “think outside the box,” you often can have amazing results.
Interesting post, Mary Emma. I actually believe unless pens really link to your business, they aren’t worth much for promo purposes. I advise my clients to find a promotional item that relates to their business, but is also useful.
For example, one interior designer bought tons of pens, which no one thought about after she gave them away. …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
We’ve been discussing, in previous posts, ”signs of the times” to look for that indicate your business or others you’re dealing with are beginning to feel the stress of the current tighter financial times.
Shannon Cherry, in a current blog post, Tough times for entrepreneurs and startups?, at Startup Spark, discusses this topic, too, and indicates areas where things could be tighter in the future.  She mentions one area…customer service…where businesses (home based and otherwise) will have to be on their toes and strive harder.
Customers are going to expect more… more services, more payment options, more bonuses to keep them happy.
Chime in …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
You can develop a business, acquire products and be ready to provide services.  However, if no one knows about your home business, you’ll simply sit there.
So you need to develop a PR stragegy.
Over at Biz Chicks Rule, you’ll find a great post by guest blogger, Shannon Cherry, concerning Why every woman should seek out media coverage for their business.
Although this blog may seem to be focused on women in business, you’ll find many principles to apply in any business.  Check out Shannon’s post for ideas on media PR and the necessity for it in spreading the word about your business.  …read more

Start Up Spark is one of my must read business blogs.
My colleague at Start Up Spark, Shannon Cherry is an innovator and the president of Cherry Communications. Shannon started National Be Heard Day in 2004 to help business owners get the word out and “be heard.”
She says,
With the right amount of exposure in the right places, any small business can flourish and succeed. National Be Heard Day is on March 7th and small businesses can celebrate their own unique marketing efforts.
Check out Start Up Spark for a series of Be Heard interviews and podcasts with other leading communicators and PR …read more