“I am a small business owner, trying everything I can to survive and prosper within my (struggling) industry,  in an economically-challenged place I call home: Las Vegas, Henderson,  Nevada,” that’s how I started the interview with Buck from the Las Vegas inBusiness – Greenspun Interactive Media Group. I, along with 450+ of my fellow small business entrepreneurs and professional sales folk, were together to get tips and a perspective infusion from Jeffrey Gitomer, the Ace of Sales, last Tuesday morning.  No stranger to 7 am breakfast meetings, many of my networking buddies were already schmoozing the room ,  and I was impressed with the body count of Nevada State Bank reps on hand to talk to “us little guys”. Suffice to say, this article and Jeffrey acknowledging my friend Ruth’s (Imagewords) birthday were huge bonuses to a great event. I came away reassured of my investment in social media, blogging and micro-site immersion.  You can read the article here:  Making presence known the path to success and you may also enjoy my now newsletter  (see below) offering business survival tips, free advice, networking and some woman car buying tips and used car specials thrown in.—  Sign up for the newsletter here…….to the right—>    

Subject: How can I help YOU?
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
 
How can I help YOU?  Business Networking tips from Sarah Lee of MyCarlady.com
 
Is your Business getting GREAT reviews?  How to gain new clients from current ones.
“Customer Reviews: I recently did a survey of a client’s online reviews and learned potential and existing clients were stopping business from coming in because of bad reviews. Do you know where reviews of your business are and how to fix or correct them?
 
1. Google your personal name, business name with the word “complaints” to see what shows up. If it is on a website where you can respond, write a reasonable, short answer: “I’m the owner and we have attempted to make this client happy (if you have).” Contact the client and tell them you saw the complaint and want to handle it immediately. After you have satisfied them, ask them to add an addendum or you add a comment that states how you remedied the problem. Being responsive is as important as the specific issue.   
2. Are you ranking at the top with your customers?
The latest news in social media is all about customer reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, Rateyour… pick one: Doctor, Dealer, etc.? The best way to encourage reviews and learn about your mistakes BEFORE the public does is to follow-up with your sold customers and unsold prospects. In a genuine email, ask for the feedback direct to you, the boss!
Give the reader two options: an open review with direct links to your Google or YELP account (if you don’t have one, call (702-521-7546) or email me (sarahlee@mycarlady.com,mvides422@gmail.com,carlady@cox.net) and I’ll help you set it up!) and a second link to your email address with the promise to respond PERSONALLY within 24 hours. If you can’t honor that promise, why would they want to do business with you? Would you? Ask for the opportunity to handle their “problem” personally, promptly and professionally. Don’t be afraid, this is an awesome chance to win over a client and earn their respect and business forever. AND…if the situation is irreversible, at least you tried and you can prove it.
Do not offer freebies and cheap gifts, a simple thank you is appropriate.
3. After the review or post shows up, or gives you the opportunity to fix the issue, THEN it’s appropriate to send the client a logo item or Starbucks giftcard with a handwritten thank-you for “their time and consideration.”
4. If you don’t believe it makes a difference, try it and see. Yelp hits a younger crowd, but Goggle holds a lot of clout in the review world. You should also check out your industry leading websites for “hidden review links”.
5. ADD a REVIEW section to your website. Put the link in your Thank-you email. It’s very cool and you can link their happy purchase picture to it, on a testimonial page, which allows other clients and prospects to give their opinions directly to you.
6. You can flagas inappropriate or comment on reviews that are such… (some ppl have too much time on their hands or it’s your competition.) Here is an example: https://www.google.com/MAPS/(search a buiness)
http://www.yelp.com/writeareview  (search a business name.)
It takes 10 positive reviews to overcome 1 negative.
.liz and sydney
Las Vegas Academy Choir Playbill for School Field Trip
Is charitable advertising a GOOD AD-marketing spend? The short answer is YES!  Here are my 5 top tips to making charity ads ROI.  1. Have a few simple ads ready in different sizes with drop in elements, see example. Make sure you have set aside a budget for these small $25- $300 spots. (I use a figure of 10% of my annual ad-marketing budget, which includes ads, websites, banners, giveaways and events.)  2. Try to include the customer in the ad if possible, with or w/o you, or the business logo. This is a testimonial and A PICTURE’S WORTH 1000 WORDS. Everyone in the group will know YOU supported this cause, and it gives your client a great opportunity to sing your praises.  3.  Make sure there is a payoff for reading the ad. A call-to-action: Make a discount offer and have an expiration date.  4.  Ask your “sales person-client” if the ad will be posted on the organization’s website with a link to your website. Even temporarily, this adds big bonus points to your “Google” web ranking.  5.Find out if the organization has a Facebook page and friend them, thanking them for letting you advertise in the book and wishing them well. Make sure you FB the client, and  all your clients if you haven’t already. If you don’t have a business FaceBook page, call me 702-521-7546 or email me: sarahlee@mycarlady.com,mvides422@gmail.com,carlady@cox.net and I’ll help you get started. IMHO: When my Client is asking me to participate I see it as an honor because I know how hard it is to ask and most people are not salespeople. To me this ranks very high in the TRUST factor.  THANKS to Sydney, Liz and James Wilson for thinking of me!
MyCarlady is a personal car consulting company here to help you with FREE car advice and flat fee based services in the area of helping you with any part of the car purchase process including test-drives, price research, auto auction purchases, new or used car evaluations, helping you sell your car/RV online w/pictures and video, service appointments, and auto insurance issues. Call anytime it’s free to ASK MYCARLADY: 702-521-7546 
Check out the latest MyCarlady cars under $9995.00 at STEALSonWHEELSHave you seen my latest TEST DRIVE REVIEW: 2011 HONDA Odyssey? CLICK HERE> 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY TOURING
 
Remember the 25th annual HUMP & BUMP 4wd event in Glendale November 5-6th. Hope to see you there!
  If you need any car buying, selling, trading or financing assistance on any new or used vehicle, please do not hesitate to email me at sarahlee@mycarlady.com,mvides422@gmail.com,carlady@cox.net or give me a call; 702-521-7546 I’m here to help you with any of your automotive needs and advice is ALWAYS free. Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 22+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a personal car consultant ( not your typical Las Vegas auto broker) committed to helping you understand how to get the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at CAR DEALS Bookmark and Share ]]>