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In today's business podcast, I am joined by a great group of entrepreneurs from the International Podcasting Expo who brainstorm with me.
We start by discussing the Inc 500 Retailers, but spend a lot of time talking about the challenges of selling online. One retailer solved his challenge of trust and risk by offering a 356 day return policy and free shipping. We also discuss educating potential purchasers about the safest ways to buy things online to remove any worries that prevent them from following through.
This is the first part of a two-part brainstorming session, so make sure you come back next week for the conclusion. There are a lot of practical solutions for the obstacles that every type of business faces. If you would like to join us online for a live brainstorming session, leave me a comment on the http://www.BrainStormPodcast.com site, or message me with the QMTP message box, or call me at 727-565-1POD (1763).
The Expo was so successful that participants asked that we not wait an entire year to hold one again,so we are having an online Women's Podcasting Expo July 14-16, 2006, and another online International Podcasting Expo on October 20-22, 2006. Then in January, we will have an online Business Podcasting Expo. Make your plans to join us then.
Until next week...
Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing
In today's business podcast, we will study more IT companies in the Inc 500 list to analyze successful business strategies. We'll study 2 sets of brothers from the same college who went into the same business, but for different reasons with different goals. One set had an exit strategy in mind from the beginning (and did sell the company this year), while the other set built their business for the long run. We'll discuss which set of brothers your business practice emulates. Where did 10-10-220 go? I once heard that without advertising, even McDonalds' would go under. Now, I am starting to believe it's true. Do you remember 10-10-220 and all of those commercials they did. They got my household to use them, and we even put a sticker on the telephone for it. "Out of sight (and hearing), out of mind" is true. Well, I had forgotten all about 10-10-220 until I had to make a long distance call from my land line, and then saw the sticker on the phone. I wonder if anyone uses them anymore. My point is that advertising, internet marketing and investing in your company when others are cutting back can sometimes be the wisest business strategy there is, as one of today's business success stories tells us. Otherwise, you could become like the phantom 10-10-220. Come learn about podcasting this week! The International Podcasting Expo is coming up next week, April 21-23, 2006. I would like to do a live Brain Storm! session with you guys, so if you are interested, let me know and I'll get you some comp tickets. There are some excellent seminars on how to podcast, how to increase your podcast listeners and monetize your podcast. View a short 6 minute online video tour of the International Podcasting Expo. I hope you will join us and find out more about this wonderful social media called Podcasting! Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing
Welcome to the first issue of Podcaster Central Magazine!
We are a rag-tag, fugitive group of podcasters united not only by our passion for podcasting, but also by our network... the Podcaster Central Network. We invite you to join us there, exchange ideas and resources, collaborate with us, and basically fuel this magnificent obsession... to Podcast with a Passion!
 Click to Download the zipped pdf version of the magazine here.
You can subscribe to the podcast feed with the podcast version of the magazine at http://feeds.feedburner.com/podcastercentral. You can also listen to the podcast by clicking on the Podcast+ Icon at the top right hand side of this article.
In this business podcast, we will learn from IT Companies whose success landed them on the Inc 500 list.
Just another reminder about the online International Podcasting Expo, April 21 - 23, 2006. - Tickets are only $11, and include:
- Booths are only $50, and
- Exhibitors can sell tickets and keep $5 for each one sold.
- If they bring another Exhibitor into the show, they retain $10, and if they bring in a sponsor, they retain 50% ($500!).
- Sponsorships are only $1000, and are limited to only one sponsor per niche Expo Hall.
For more information, go to http://www.InternationalPodcastingExpo.com and download the pdf brochure to see what an online Virtual Expo Center looks like!
If you remember, I was surprised to find out that the IT Companies did not represent the majority of the money in the Inc 500 list, but instead found that Energy did. That was due to there being fewer companies, and if one makes it big, it swallows other companies whole and expands! However, IT Companies are many, so the money is spread out a little more evenly, and competition for market share is much tougher. We will learn the power of niche marketing (and even CREATING an underserved market), the importance of referrals, and even how to scare people into giving you business, as one company does...(I'm serious!) Entrepreneurs are focusing on what they consider to be underserved markets. That can mean market segments that don't have enough money to hire expensive firms, or that could mean that there are sophisticated businesses in smaller cities that CAN afford and WANT to work with higher-end service providers. Outsourcing is a big cause of success for some companies, but not for those that want government work... The number 2 company on the list keeps their business in the US, and therefore retains a lot of government contracts. Being a minority and woman-owned business doesn't hurt, either, I'm sure! We will also discuss Section 8(a) businesses - they prospered as well - and we'll tell you what it is and how you can pursue that qualification. Remember, if you want to be a part of the live podcast of Brain Storm! at the International Podcasting Expo, April 21 - 23, 2006, I have 10 complimentary tickets to give away! First 10 who contact me get them! Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing
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Brain Storm! Business Podcast: News, Technology & Marketing
