Times are tough for many of us right now. Jobs are being lost, banks are failing, the government is spending more and more money that is just does not have in reserves. And yet, what amazes me is that the American people, is that in all of the turmoil, people are not giving up hope for a better tomorrow. More and more people are starting small businesses. The entrepreneurial spirit of we Americans is still alive. It is what made our nation great and will do so again.

Networking Online

Today’s business landscape is vastly different than ever before.  Business owners need to be aware of the need not only to promote their businesses through marketing and networking in the real world, but online as well. By using various online social media/networks many businesses have seen a marked increase in their sales and customer loyalty.   

So, what exactly is Social Networking?

According to the online dictionary, Wikipedia – “Social Networking is a social network service focusing on enabling virtual communities that allow for the building and reflecting of social networks or social relationships among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities.” This definition sounds rather confusing to me, so let me explain further.

Let me explain. For example, let’s say you are the mayor of a small town and wish to increase your tourist trade.  Being the entrepreneurial sort, you contact the mayor of a town that has a plethora of tourists and seek his advice. He asks you a couple of questions, you chat and he gives you names of people or organizations that have helped promote his town. You then you contact these people/organizations and communicate your needs and concerns. They in turn help you and suggest other sources…and so on. After a very short time you have all the information you need to help your town and have developed working relationships and perhaps friendships with the individuals you have contacted.  

 By using the same principles online, when you use Social Networking you have the ability to market your business s with no additional expense other than the fee you pay your internet provider. Talk about cost effective marketing!  Plus, you will be connecting with professionals that can help move your business up to the next level.

 Are you already using Facebook, MySpace or belong to an online group who share your same interests? Are you connecting with friends and acquaintances online typing out jokes or experiences you wish to share? If so, you are already using the basics of online social networking methods.  But, there is so much more you can do to promote your business online.  There are literally hundreds of online networks to join.  Did you know that you can easily link your Twitter and Facebook account, so that whatever you post on Twitter (perhaps announcing an upcoming sale or new merchandise) it will be automatically be posted on your Facebook page. This saves you from having to post information twice and save time as well. How cool is that?  (In upcoming articles I will be delving more into this subject and how you can make your own Social Networking business web of advice and service which will take your business even further up the marketing ladder of success.)

So take the leap and dive deeply in the world of online Social Media. It is a great way to promote your business, not only nationwide, but worldwide. Doing so will result in more customers and more income for you and your employees.  Now how can any business owner be unhappy with that?

Fix it!

You know it suddenly occurred to me today, that you can be networking online like crazy – blogging, Linkin’ing, Tweeting, Facebook-ing, Grouply-ing, etc.;  but,  if you don’t have a good product, you are really  expending all that finger and brain energy for not. I found a great article by Marc Kramer on How to Patch a Sinking Ship —   http://preview.tinyurl.com/yllmcjo – that just might give you the jump start you need.

— Belsan Media

Analyze

Marketing your business today is like a juggling act. Ads online and on paper, newsletters, promotions, SEO of websites/blogs it can all drive a small business owner crazy. The key in all of this is organization. Put together an outline of your small business including the various ways you promote yourself and your business. Note, which effort is productive and which is not. Perhaps you need someone to assist you, as you cannot do everything. So delegate areas you either don’t have time for or just don’t do well to others who have the expertise to do so.

It is also important to keep current on the latest in marketing. Check out this article/slideshow on “16 “Must Try” Marketing Tips – http://tinyurl.com/yz6gq8t

BRIGHT IDEAS + STRATEGY = SUCCESS

Think all you need do to run a business is get a business license, join a network group or blog and customers will eagerly come throwing money at you to get your product?  It is a good start, for sure, but you also need to understand and know your competition. What are their strengths, what are their weaknesses and how you can strategize that to promote your business so that potential clients think of you first?  Check out this article that goes into this subject much further. http://preview.tinyurl.com/

Picture of a Goldie Mix Puppy Dog

Yesterday I discovered that my darling daughter could very well be classified as ”highly functional autistic with asbergers.” Great.

I always thought she was rather high strung and prone to geekishness… a “sensitive child” as defined by a book I read many years ago because I was concerned about my daughter’s lack of social skills and sensitivenss. Anyway, I love her no matter what and we will learn, I will learn, what I can so that she can get the help she needs.

Yes, I am still looking to get a Service Dog for her, to help steady her and wean her from the security of mom. This type of Service Dog can be called a variety of names – Assistant Dog, Psychiatric Assistant Dog, Social Therapy Assistant Dog, Doggie Helper (okay that is my verbiage, but you get the idea.)

These dogs are quite expensive, one nonprofit (?) quoted me a price of over $7,000. There are other nonprofits, such as Summit Assistance Dogs who do not charge a fee for their services, for their dogs. Their only requirement is that the individuals and their families help in fundraising for Summit.

However, for those individuals who need a service dog and cannot find an organization that will provide a well trained Service Dog specific to their needs for free. They have to either do their own fundraising for an Assistance Dog for their loved one, train a dog with an assistance of a trainer or find Foundation with grant money that is available for disabled individuals. The problem is that it may very well take hours to fund such a Foundation and once they find it, due to these miserable economic times, there just might not be any funds available.  How does that ancient Chinese curse go?  Oh, I remember now, “May you be born in interesting times.”  Unfortunately, these are interesting times.

1. Went to Yahoo groups looking for an Assistance Dog (AD) group that I could join to get more information about the training of a AD. Found one group, OC-Assit-Dogs. They are big on clicker training, so this should be interesting as I cannot hold a clicker and control my dogs. Maybe I am just too old or uncoordinated, but for me it is just easier to make a clicking sound with my tonge. (Though this is considered uncouth to do according to a Dog Trainer I met. However, it works for me and that is all I care about.)

2. Discovered that there are many different types of Assistance Dogs. To list a few, there are the Seeing Eye Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Seizure Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Psychiatric Dogs, Assistance Dogs and so forth. Also, in case I did not mention this in an earlier post, there is a great demand for these very special canines. Unfortunately, there are more people than dogs available. It seems to be the very familiar adage, “Sign up and Wait Your Turn.”

3. Found one place in all of the US that specializes in Psychatric Dogs. It is called the Northstar Foundation (www.northstardogs.org) . Check out this video about a special kid named Parker who has Asbergers and his Assistance Dog buddy, Candy. http://tinyurl.com/pnzhk8

 Another great organization in Washington State is Summit Assistance Dogs – www.summitdogs.org. They don’t train Psychatric Dogs, but are a great source for Therapy Dogs, Assistance Dogs, and such.

4.  I have contacted DogStar and another local organization, Brigadoon Assistance Dogs (www.brigadoondogs.org)  I have told them my daughter’s situation and why she needs an  Assistance Dog. I am being sent a info packet from both, which I have to read, fill out then return.

(There is another problem, at least with our situation. You see, we have two other dogs. Add another one and that’s alot of dog poop in the back yard and now mom becomes a doggie referee. Oh well, a mom has to do that a mom has to do. )