Grow Your Business Through Events

For those of you following our blog, you are already aware of the small business services we offer. We are pleased to announce we are running an introductory special. Save 30% when you book your event between 2/14/2010 and 3/14/2010. Promotion valid for “Mixing Business with Pleasure – Full Service Business Event Planning” only. Date of the event must occur between 6/1/2010 – 10/21/2010. Subject to date availability. Not valid with any other promotion.

SPECIAL EVENTS COMPANY UNVEILS NEW INITIATIVE

SSWE Announces New Services For Small Businesses

(ATLANTA) – Starr Studded Weddings and Events is eager to announce its stunning new addition to the array of services they currently provide, adding small business events to the many types of events they coordinate.

Since April 2009, SSWE has created memories for a variety of social events, nights out on the town; weddings, home events and now they look forward to making small business events just as memorable.

“Business events come and go, but an experience can last a lifetime,” says Brandi Starr, owner and CEO of SSWE. “I will work with you to identify the type of events that will help you to reach your business goals. Together we will turn prospects into leads, clients into referrals, and businesses into partners by impressing them with a truly Starr Studded event.”

SSWE provide different services for planning small business events, which include full service business event planning, event marketing services and obtaining financial support.

Being a small business owner, in addition to nine years of marketing experience focused around the development and execution of marketing strategies and campaigns, marketing data collection and analysis, basic web and graphic design, and customer relationship management, Starr believes that she can offer small businesses a way to allow every guest to feel like a Starr.

Starr Studded Weddings and Events is a social events planning company that offers a host of products and services specifically tailored to meet the needs of each client. Starr Studded Events specializes in infusing the clients personality into the event to create an environment that is uniquely them. For more information please visit Starr Studded online at www.yourstarrstuddedevents.com or call 678-58-STARR (78277).

Popularity: 3% [?]

What is Wall Street Wednesday? The Wall Street Journal Digital Network has a section specifically for small businesses. They address business related topics such as Financing & Investing, Building your Business, Technology, Franchising and more. Every Wednesday we will share a relevant small business article from the Wall Street Journal and provide our take on what WSJ has to say.

Three Best Ways to Win a New Client, January 14, 2010

Many small businesses ring in the new year by taking a fresh approach to winning new clients. Whether you plan to reinvent your company or just attract an untapped demographic, there are a few ways to achieve your goals. After pinpointing your audience, reposition your message to gain those customers. Work your connections, but keep in mind, it’s tougher than ever to land deals. These days, your potential clients might be hurting or short of funding, says Mike Silverman, managing partner of engineering-services firm Ops A La Carte LLC in Santa Clara, Calif. “If you’re fairly new at this, you really have to not be afraid of rejection,” Mr. Silverman says. “You can’t give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” Here are three best ways to win new clients:

1. Go where the growth is.
2. Ally with other businesses.
3. Use online tools.

Click here to read the full article

Go Where The Growth Is: What Are Your Key Opportunities?

Every year (or quarter depending on the length of your sales cycle) you should be evaluating the viability of your primary target market. Outside factors influence every type of business and the target market that was once a gold mine may now be a dessert. Think about products and services that have been phased out based on external factors. For example, as technology developed some providers of dial-up internet services shifted their focus to cable and DSL services. More recent, as business travel has declined due to the economic downturn many airlines shifted their focus to selling upgrade services to individuals and families. In order to win more clients to need to target a viable market.

Event Planning Tip: If you are shifting towards a new target market, now is the time to plan a growth event. This is a great way to gain exposure to a large number of potential clients in your new target.

Ally With Other Businesses: There is Strength in Numbers

Far too often small business owners try to do it all themselves. Being a successful soloprenuer or small business owner is all about leverage. You must leverage your money, time, talents, and other resources. Think about other business types that offer complimentary services, how could you collaborate with them to leverage their client lists or to co-market in order to reduce marketing expenses? These businesses also become key sources for referals making it easier to close new clients.

Event Planning Tip: If you aren’t already well connected in your industry try hosting a networking event and invite related businesses. By hosting the event yourself, you place your business at the center of the event and it can help to establish your business as an influential business in your industry.

Use Online Tools: Inexpensive Marketing That You Can’t Live Without

It is 2010 and we are in the heart of the information age, online marketing is a MANDATORY component to your marketing plan. No matter what product or service you are selling, you are hindering the growth of your small business if you do not have a solid online presence. At MINIMUM, you should have a website that provides the basic information about your business and its products or services. In addition, there are an abundance of other networking and social media tools at your disposal that will allow people to connect with your business. Facebook, Twitter, Ning, Squidoo, and YouTube are among my favorite online marketing tools. Using these tools individuals are able to find and learn about your business and through social media they are able to connect to your brand. When that connection exists sales will follow.

Event Planning Tip: Using online tools is an ongoing effort building a solid following will help when you get ready to market your small business event. The people you interact with online already have a connection to your business, even if they aren’t in your target market they are far more likely to recommend your event to a friend.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Happy New Years from Starr Studded! Over the holiday break, I’ve been working on setting personal and business goals, evaluating the successes and obstacles of 2009 and getting ready for a fabulous year. Business branding is essential for every business large or small, it is essential that a business define its image, principles and values. Your brand identity is what your clients will identify with and is what will help to set you apart from your competition.

Most business owners are familiar with the concept of business branding; but what often is overlooked is the importance of personal branding. Your personal brand is essentially how others perceive you. If you asked 10 people who know you to describe you, what adjectives would they use consistently? These descriptors are what make up your personal brand. Everyone has a personal brand, when you interact with someone they naturally develop perceptions about you as a person and they base their interactions with you based on those perceptions.

The act of personal branding is simply taking deliberate actions to define and project the image you want others to have of you. As a small business owner, it is important to effectively manage your personal brand. You are your business; people who choose to do business with your company are also choosing to do business with you as an individual. Your personal brand should be authentic but also needs to be consistent with the brand identity of your business. For example, if I was an accountant and my business brand is traditional, conservative, and one of trust, knowledge and respect and I was introduced to you at a networking event wearing a mini skirt, talking loudly, and gossiping about my clients your perception of my personal brand would not reflect the brand image I’m trying to sell for my company. This is what I’d call a BRAND FAIL!

So how do you build your personal brand?

1. Assess Current Perceptions: Start by learning how others perceive you. Download my personal branding worksheet. Print or email it to 8 to 12 people who know you well (it is a good idea to select both personal and professional contacts). Have them circle the words they feel strongly describe you as a person and draw a line through the descriptors that they feel are the opposite of who you are.
2. Define Your Desired Brandi Identity: Before reading the responses from step one identify the top ten words on the list that you WANT to be known as and add any additional adjectives that aren’t listed. Then jot down your objectives, what is your mission or purpose in life? What role would you like to play for your customers? Family? Friends?
3. Write Your Brand Statement: Based on the exercise in step two write out a summary of your personal brand. This statement should define your purpose/mission, the role you seek to play for your customers, and how you wish to be perceived.
4. Compare Present to Future: Now take a look at the responses from step one. Identify which keywords were most consistently used to describe you. Are these consistent with your brand statement? Look for any words you selected as a part of your brand identity, did anyone draw a line through these words? Spend some time really evaluating how others see you compared to how you see yourself. If the two are consistent, you have already established your brand identity and you can keep doing what you are doing. If incongruence’s exist, move on to step 5.
5. Take Deliberate Action: With a little effort and time you can proactively change your brand image in an organic and authentic way. Evaluate the areas of inconsistency and think through ways in which you can manage that perception. If you seek to be known as knowledgeable take action to establish yourself as an expert in your field and be a resource to others. If you seek to be dependable seek opportunities of influence where you can demonstrate how reliable and consistent you can be.

Remember your personal brand is influenced by your entire being, what you look like, the way you speak and write, the way you carry yourself, how you interact with others etc. So as you work on your brand consider each of these aspects individually. What business are you in? What is one thing you can change today that will help change or strengthen your personal brand?

P.S. Here’s a look at one of the changes I’ve made in regards to my own personal brand. For 2010 it was time for a new look, my image is very lively, fun, and outgoing. The long, dark, plain hairstyle I wore in 2009 contradicted this brand so I changed it.

Popularity: 100% [?]

Hi, I’m Brandi Starr the owner of Starr Studded Weddings & Events. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of an effective marketing strategy and as a marketing professional; I am experienced in developing a brand image and strategically marketing to a specific target market. Couple these experiences with creative and professional event planning and management skills and you have the perfect planner to help you grow your business through business events.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Phoenix and a Masters of Education in Adult Education from The Pennsylvania State University. I am an innovative marketing professional with seven years marketing experience focused around the development & execution of marketing strategies & campaigns, marketing data collection & analysis, basic web & graphic design, and customer relationship management. I am skilled in product positioning based on value and relationship rather than being the low-cost option.

As an event planner, I focus not just on planning the logistical aspects of events but creating a experience allowing every guest to feel like a STARR. Business events come and go, but an “experience” can last a lifetime. I will work with you to identify the type of events that will help you to reach your business goals. Together we will turn prospects into leads, clients into referrals, and businesses into partners by impressing them with a truly STARR STUDDED event.

I look forward to learning more about you, your business, and your growth goals. This blog is intended to be a two-way dialog; I encourage (and welcome) your comments and feedback. I want to hear about both your challenges and successes. Feel free to ask me questions, I don’t claim to know it all but will provide feedback and other resources to the best of my ability.

Happy marketing & have a STARR STUDDED day,

Popularity: 6% [?]

Welcome to Starr Studded Small Biz! An effective marketing strategy can mean the difference between your businesses success and its failure. Marketing should project your brand image, prove to the client that they have a need for your product or your service, and display the passion you bring to your business. So what does small business marketing have to do with event planning?

We believe that small business events are an essential element to a solid marketing plan. Everyone loves a celebration! Planning an event to promote and celebrate your small business goes a long way in establishing your brand and generating leads. Events that allow face-to-face interaction can be 100 more times effective than less personal marketing initiatives. By marketing your business through small business events, you can:

1. Build Brand Awareness
2. Attract New Clients
3. Generate Positive Publicity
4. Establish Yourself as an Expert
5. Increase Community Involvement

The Starr Studded Small Biz blog will not only share tips on growing your business through business events but we will also share tips and best practices to help you to understand how to market your small business properly.

Popularity: 4% [?]