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I’m not exactly sure where mine is, but I’m sure it’s hiding somewhere.  Every time I receive a new phone book on my doorstep, I have a tough time deciding whether to keep it or throw it in the trash.  Most people I know throw it away.

Essentially, businesses listed in the yellow pages of the phone book are either hiding under my couch or waiting for the garbage truck to take them away.

When I’m looking for a specific service, instead of finding my phone book I head straight to Google.  The Internet has made searching for a local car wash or dry cleaner SO simple.  It seems like everyone else is right there with me, 79% of Americans online use the Internet to find a local business.*

Which leads me to my point, is your business online?

In the past year, the amount of small business’ with their own websites have increased by 46%.  However, there’s still a long way to go.

Before coming to MycroBurst, I worked with a variety of small businesses to help establish their online presence.

One of my clients didn’t really know where to start, but they knew they wanted to make the transition from the Coupon Clipper to online.  This owner previously established a Facebook page, which was a great start.  But when searching for their company online, all you saw was an arrow on Google Maps.  They had no other online presence.

One piece of advice I shared with my clients is:  Social Media is a great way to interact with your clients but it should never be used as your business’ main website.

Don’t get me wrong I’m well aware that social media is the future of the Internet and I’m a true believer in it.  But you have to be careful — as the rise and fall of AOL demonstrated, you cannot control the future of someone else’s domain.  You need to create your own.

In the end I was able to help my client establish their own, personalized website – for less than $900.  With their brand new website they are able to highlight each of their employees, show what services they offer, schedule appointments online and share their special promotions!

Their website is still in existence and is rising to the top of Google searches for their industry in their local area.  They now are able to share new products and sales with their customers and they couldn’t be more thrilled.

Between the always changing Internet and lack of phone books, a professional and custom website should be the next step in your business’ plan.  Get out of the dumpster and get online!

You’re lucky, I’ve found a great deal for you.  Don’t put off getting your business online any longer.  MycroBurst is offering $100 off any Complete Website Design Solution this month only.  Use code 4GETPHONEBOOK when placing your order.

The above coupon code is no longer valid, it has brought to my attention people were using it incorrectly!!   Unfortunately since some can’t play by the rules, you must call in to redeem the $100 deal.

Call our support team at (877) 525-5646 and let them know you want to redeem the January Complete Web Design Promotion today!  This coupon expires January 31st – call now to use for your new website!

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Ensuring clarity in what your business does will result in lasting success.  Many entrepreneurs and business owners believe that being a jack of all trades will make your business successful.  Unfortunately, it’s just the opposite.

Here are a few question to ask yourself, to be sure that you’re on the right track.

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What are the focus and specialty of your business?

For some, this might be an easy question to answer.  For others, you may not know where to start.  What is the purpose of your business?  What service, career field or goods are you focusing on?

I recently read an article at OpenViewPartners.com that told a story about a restaurant with an unclear focus.  They decided they wanted to serve all types of food that they could.

Let’s look a little closer at this as an example.  You’re opening a restaurant, what’s your focus?  Are you going to be sit-down or take-out?  What style of dining — formal or casual?  What is your food focus – pizza, Chinese or Mexican?  Not only does this help to give your business focus, it also avoids confusion among your prospective clientele.

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When it comes to the specialty of your business, think of what your business excels at specifically. Let’s use a general contractor as an example.  Yes, a general contractor can do a whole lot of different tasks – they’re very talented in that way!  However, if you ask said general contractor what their specialty is, I bet they can give you an answer.

Similar to the restaurant answer, you need to establish your company’s specialty.  This will help to separate you from competition and not overcrowd your business.  Say you’re specialty is kitchen remodeling.  When someone needs a kitchen remodel, they’ll know which contractor to call.  It will also help to grow a fan base and the more business you do, the more you will be seen as an expert in that certain area.

Having a clean focus and/or specialty allows your business to be visual and searchable.  When someone looks online or in the yellow pages for a kitchen remodeler, guess who’s going to come up in results?  You, from there you can begin to build your brand in your area.  This is also a great way to get referrals!

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Who are you targeting?

This can be a tough one to answer … at times.  Everyone has a target audience, defining it can be the tricky part.

Unfortunately, what your business offers not necessarily define your audience – for example if you’re a hair salon, you don’t want to target just anyone with hair.  You need to be more specific.  How do you expect your marketing to be effective if you don’t even know who you are targeting?

We’ll continue with the hair salon for an example.  Hair dressers, similar to general contractors, have a specialty – one type of service they are exceptional at.  Clarifying this specialty will aid in targeting future clientele.  Are you using your stylists’ abilities to help bring in your target customers?  If your salon focuses on a more modern, new wave of hair fashion, chances are you aren’t going to be targeting the 55 and older community.

With a clear target audience, you will be able to work your marketing strategies more effectively.

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These are only a few tips of many, to ensure you have a clarity in your market.  Having an unclear business perspective, one with contradicting goals, can make it hard for you to concentrate on what’s important — your customers.  Your customers are the livelihood of your business.

Keeping a clear business focus will avoid customer confusion and have new customers seeking your business.

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Did you know?  We’re on Facebook & Twitter!  Check us out!

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The holidays are right around the corner, what a perfect time to reconnect with your customers!

How can you do this in a way that is memorable and helps your business stand out?  We know how, holidize!

Holidizing is adding a bit of the holiday season into your brand’s designs!  Sprinkle it on your logo, company emails, website, marketing strategy and more.

Holidizing your brand’s designs is a great way to distinguish your business and increase your revenue. It can be included in holiday cards, email communications and on your website. Let us help you holidize your brand!
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Why holidize?

There are several reasons (and benefits) why holidizing this season is a great thing to do!

- Adding a little holiday flair to your logo design not only makes your brand stand out from others, it also shows a bit of your company’s personality! A holidized logo can become the center piece of your marketing for the holiday season. Use the holidized logo on your website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for extra impact.

- Use your holidized designs on social media to keep your customers engaged. Then, tweet about extended store hours, special events or one day only coupons.  You could even reward your twitter followers that retweet.  Facebook offers location specific posts.  Post these to let customers about events and specials at your company.  Including a coupon that can only be used during the event is always a great idea. These small posts will help drive traffic and revenue directly to you!

- Show your appreciation of your clients by sending them a custom, holiday greeting postcard! Your clients are the main reason your business is successful – why not thank them? We couldn’t think of a better time to do so! Sending a custom, holiday greeting postcard will definitely exude the time you put in to pick just the right design to thank your customers!
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What parts of my brand can I holidize?

At MycroBurst, the options are truly endless!  Here are a few ideas to get your holidizing started:

-Your logo! Revamp your current logo with a touch of holiday cheer.

- Advertisements. Holidized ads definitely stand out apart from a typical ad!

- Company emails. If you’ve seen ours, you have seen that we’ve revamped our email header – it’s a refreshing update for the season!

- Greeting Postcards. Create a CUSTOM card that includes the holidized to thank your clients!

- And more!  You could even holidize your vehicle with a car wrap or magnet – your choices are truly endless!

Don’t want to wait to long – especially if you need to get something printed.  The holiday season will come and go before you know it!  So, go now!  Visit MycroBurst to launch your project !  While you’re there, check out this custom greenting postcard contest on of our project holders started!

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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Are you in Boston?  MycroBurst is!  We’re set up and ready to meet you!

We’ve set-up shop at booth #122 at the DMA2011 Conference and Exhibition.  Come stop by our booth to learn more about our crowdsourcing solution for graphic design services.  We’d love to meet you!

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Do you already have a Facebook page for your business?  If you do, great!  But do you know how to get the most out of your Facebook page? And if your business doesn’t have one yet, get on it!

1) Express your business’ personality

It’s a fact- people do more business with business they know and trust.  Your Facebook page is not limited to posting new announcements and events; it shows your business’ personality!

By posting pictures, information and status updates shows you’re not just any business.  Interaction with your customers and fans on Facebook is on a more personal level, thus people will get to know the business and gain its trust.

2) Get to know your Customers

These fan pages are designed for your customers and fans.  Not only can you post to your fan page, others can too.  When fans post comments, pictures, “check-in” to your location or even “like” things that you post, this allows you to truly get to know your fans.

You now have an inside view of how your customer thinks and be sure to take into consideration the feedback they give you.  This interaction is crucial in how you operate and how your business can grow.

3) New Customers can Find your Business

Many of your future customers are going to head to a search engine to find someone in their area that does the type of work that you do.

Having a Facebook page will increase the chances that your business will be found.  Your business’ Facebook page will also be indexed in search engine databases, ready for the next search to be conducted.

4) Promote What’s Happening

Have an event coming up?  What about a special promotion?  Post it on Facebook.  Include pictures, information and more to help spread the word about what’s happening!

Want to spend a little cash?  Facebook offers ad space which can be seen by its 750 million users – half of which login each day.

5) Expand your Marketing and Advertising …for Free!

Facebook pages are free, so is increasing your marketing and advertising plan on Facebook.  More advertising and marketing leads to more new customers and increased sales numbers.

Facebook pages enable you to expand your page by adding features and apps for free.  You can connect your business website to your Facebook page, track the visits to your page, add discussion boards and more.

The Facebook for Business page will show you how effective Facebook marketing is and how to easy it is to put together. While you’re there, head to the MycroBurst Facebook page and “like” us.  Don’t forget to share with your friends!