So we gotta say goodbye

December 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Coffee on the beach (BBE) [46/365]

Image by Terence S. Jones via Flickr

I am writing this post with a sense of sadness and reluctance. As of this post, BabyBoomEntrepreneurs.com is signing off. Now don’t loose hope, what is happening is that I am going to move all of the information from BBE to my primary business site (Doulos Marketing).

My concern for the plight of Boomers in this crazy world economy is as fervent as ever, I am just having a difficult time making everything fit into my life these days and with so much of what I post here really duplicated at Doulos Marketing, I have made the decision to combine the two.

So, we gotta say good-bye for now, but check in over at Doulos Marketing and let’s get reacquainted there! You can also follow me on Twitter @doulosmarketing (Business) or @davewellman (Personal) and check out my personal perspective on the pursuit of the quiet and peaceable life at DaveWellman.net.

The run is not over, its just changing locations! Come join in and “let’s rock!”

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Filed Under: Boomers Helping Boomers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Changing the Face of Business

October 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment

One of the most difficult things for me to do is to change! I enjoy my routine. Yet, I have also come to understand that without change there is no growth and without growth there is stagnation. (Not a good word for a successful business!) So, I set out to change, to learn, to grow no matter how hard it seems to be.

However, I don’t want to do all this changing and growing alone, so I have come up with a little experiment that I want others to join with me. The experiment involves changing the face of business as we know it. I am speaking particularly about how business is conducted in the online, social media world.

When the business community invaded the online world and specifically the world of social media, we did so with the same bluster and bravado (and junk mail I might add) as our entrance into all other types of media. Suddenly every email, every website, every blog post, every tweet was an advertisement for some product and/or service that I didn’t know I wanted or needed.

Businesses are being swept into such tactics by the promise of a worldwide audience and the thought that if just .01% of all their posts become sales then they would be rich beyond imagination. So the posts come, the tweets are made and the email offers are non-stop. It is so bad now that I am ready to shut it all off and actually talk to my clients in person again (what a concept!)

Thinking about this makes my head spin! So, I have decided to do an experiment. The goal of this experiment is “changing the face of business.” The way that the experiment works is that I want to establish a business relationship (more about what that means later) with 100 people. This relationship will be one of mutual respect, and one of mutual benefit, driven by the sense of value that such a relationship can bring to all involved. I am not looking for people who necessarily want to sell me something, but want to know who you are, what you do, and how you bring value to your customers/clients. I want to share my value with you as well. Then, if we need something from the other, we would certainly feel comfortable hiring the other and/or recommending each other to our spheres of influence. No pressure, no hype, and no more quotes from dead people just to fill our twitter stream (my pet peeve!)

If this is something that might strike your fancy, you can check out my new twitter account @dwellmanonline. It is a social/business place where I talk business, root for the Cardinals, and talk with my business partners. This experiment will last as long as it has value to all involved. If you get too salesy I will let you know, if I get too salesy please let me know (PM’s please, not news stream flaming.)

In the end, I hope to find that changing the face of business is not only possible but also rewarding personally and professionally!

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Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Twitter – The “Let’s Talk” Tool for Business Success

September 23, 2011 by 2 Comments
Twitter logo initial

Image via Wikipedia

Of all the online tools that are available to small businesses to create a community of clients/customers, Twitter is both the best and the most misused.

It is the best tool because (1) It is free for you and your customers/clients; (2) It provides “mobile” access to your customers/clients; (3) It gives you the ability to create “Twitter specials” that you can send out when you need to increase your business traffic; (4) It allows you “real time” feedback to new ideas or innovations; and (5) It gives you the ability to respond quickly to any negative information you see online about you, or your company.

It is the most misused tool because (1) Too many businesses try too hard to sell with Twitter rather than to carry on a conversation with their clients/customers; (2) Too many businesses don’t know what to talk about on Twitter, so they don’t talk about anything important; (3) Too many businesses don’t understand how Twitter allows them to watch their business reputation so they don’t make use of that option.

Twitter, like any tool, is only as good as the one who wields it. If you take time to learn the “tricks of Twitter” you will have a power business success tool at your disposal.

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Filed Under: Social Media, Twitter Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Social Media ROI

February 22, 2011 by 2 Comments

I walked into a new Bettendorf business yesterday (coffee shop) and while enjoying a nice cup of coffee and evaluating my last appointment, I met the owner of this new business. In talking with her our conversation turned from “how’s the coffee” to “how did you find us?”

Being an inbound marketing evangelist, I was happy to tell her that I found out about the store through a random Twitter conversation. One random tweet while I was following my Twitter stream and now I’m hooked. (They roast all their beans right in the store!)

In this crazy work of social networking/marketing it is sometimes difficult to measure your social media ROI, but if you keep asking “how did you find us” while being active in your inbound marketing strategy, you will find more and more people will respond as I did! Don’t be afraid to ask, and don’t be afraid to test the waters either.

So, get out there, get found, build your social media “cred” and see the ROI from your efforts skyrocket!

Talk more later ….

Filed Under: Inbound Marketing, Social Media Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quad Cities Business Growth

October 26, 2010 by Leave a Comment

With the new year fast approaching and the economy still at best uncertain, what’s a Quad Cities business to do to prepare for growth in 2011? That is the million dollar question now isn’t it?

If you are going to be successful in 2011 there are three things that are an absolute must:

1. You are going to have to learn how to mine your current database to create recurring as well as referral business.

2. You are going to have to develop an online strategy that engages both your current clients/customers as well as those who may have a need for your products and services.

3. You are going to have to learn about how social networking should play a major role in your marketing efforts.

With an understanding of these things, you can not only maintain your current level of success but you can grow significantly even in a economy with as many questions as the new year will bring.

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