When you are starting out with a new business, (or expanding an existing one), there is an incredible amount to think of, and even more to get right.
Business strategy, branding, marketing, product development, web presence and so on.
It's a long list. For example, we all know that brand/identity is crucial. I have learnt over the years, that a good brand is not just about having a nice business card.
It is about how you position your business, what you say or write, having a consistent professional theme, developing the best marketing materials that you can, simply looking remarkable in every aspect and surpassing your customers' expectations at every step. Likewise, it's easy to talk about "business strategy".
But it's really important to have a great business strategy: a road map showing what is planned/expected, with rough time frames for each key milestone, and laying out all the tools needed to make all these things happen, whilst at the same time avoiding the obstacles and dodging the threats on the way.
So when I decided to launch my new business properly it was clear to me that I needed a team of very capable people around me, to help me plan and execute all that needed to be done. Enter Mark Sinclair of yourBusinessChannel.
I have known Mark for some time. In fact, I think I first met him two years ago. I started speaking with Mark about my new business around Feb / March of this year.
It was apparent very quickly that we have a similar work ethic, both saw the massive potential of Twitter for Business, both shared the same energy for helping others succeed in business, so we decided to work together on developing my business. When I say together, I mean myself, Mark and the team of people he works with across the UK, Europe and New Zealand.
To say I am pleased with the results so far is a massive understatement. Within days of agreeing the plan of action, I found myself in front of a very talented photographer having a new portfolio of photos taken, graphic designer (who also does work for Starbucks) briefed and working on my new logo / image, and I then spent the balance of the day in front of a green screen and dazzling lights filming a dozen new internet TV shows on Twitter for business.
For me, it was an incredible day. But the best was to come …
A few weeks later, and my blog had had a complete overhaul: a major redesign and revamp, incorporating all the new features I needed and my launch announcements.
Shortly thereafter, an eBook followed, complete with quotes from people at brands such as Dell, SouthWest and Honda. I'm proud to say that the eBook has had in excess of 1150 downloads in just 4 weeks, and is being re-published on lots of blogs and websites.
And I took delivery of an incredibly high impact and very clever PowerPoint presentation - one with hardly any words, and amazing, high impact photos - to help me generate business face to face. With all of this under my belt, you can imagine how I felt.
But more importantly, what have the results been?
Nothing short of staggering. In the short space of time since my total revamp, redesign, shows, eBook etc …
# 3 new clients, all due to watching my shows, and then contacting me.
# Lots of people showing a healthy interest in my business.
# I have had a 500 word article accepted for the Home Business Network colour supplement that will be distributed in the Saturday Telegraph.
# I'm having my shows syndicated to over 30,000 people in the Telegraph Business Club, and this will continue for the next three months at least.
# My shows are on the front of the business portal of b5 media, one of the biggest networks of high ranking business blogs in the world.
# My shows are also on hundreds of websites ranging from newspapers in Las Angeles to business networks in South Africa, India and further afield.
# I've been approached by a large publishing business, to become their Twitter expert.
# I've already had one offer of investment in my business.
# I had my Twitter profile showcased by one of the leading Twitter background galleries (globally), and therefore seen by thousands
# I am presenting a 60 min teleconference with a group of business people who want to learn about Twitter for Business
# I am giving a keynote presentation about Twitter for Business at a high profile event in London in early July
# I've been asked to do a podcast # I am receiving lots (and lots and lots) of positive comments, encouragement and high fives from people on Twitter and elsewhere ...and business is shaping up to be very good!
There's also plenty in the pipeline.
More products, more ebooks, more presentations, more shows - and something very significant which I am launching jointly with yourBusinessChannel in the next 24 hours. The lesson? Well, this is not the first business venture I've started.
But it's the first where I've sought the best quality advice and support available. And it has made a massive difference already. To be clear, I'm on yourBusinessChannel's Million Dollar Challenge - if you haven't heard about it, it's geared up to get you access to world class advice, campaigns and blueprints, and it is driving great results.
Much of the Million Dollar Challenge is drawn from yBC's top tier expert interviews. And the commercial aspects work very well indeed (a mixture of base fees and results fees). Clearly, it's driving great results for me already.
I'm hooked.
So if you know anyone starting out in business, or if you have an established business that you want to ramp up fast, I would certainly recommend that you talk to Mark.
You'll very quickly see how he and his incredible team of experts, writers, editors, film makers, sound engineers, IT people, designers etc… can make your business (or the business of someone you are connected to) remarkable.
Mark Shaw (originally posted in a blog on 19 June 2009)
