Hello Internet Marketers! This week we're bringing you a face you already know -Cheryl Brown. Cheryl is not only a business associate but she is also a friend. Cheryl has been implemental in helping me in my natural pet care business. So, this is a very special interview. She is also a member of the International Virtual Women's Chamber of Commerce for which this interview was done.
By the way, men can join now and get in on the networking events. Scott Allen of Ryze and LinkedIn has recently joined us, so come on fellas!
Here's Cheryl!
1. Cheryl, thank you for taking the
time to participate in this interview for our readers.
To set the stage for this interview, would you please tell us a bit about
yourself?
I am a
divorced mother of 3 grown boys, and a very proud grandmother.
2. Short and to the point! It shows that you are proud of your family. Okay,
give us your elevator speech, or 30-second spiel, about what you do, about your
business.
I am a Local Community Partner For Sidney-Shelby Ohio, and Troy-Miami Ohio.
I offer advertising/business solutions to local merchants and business
owners as well as business owners across the globe.
3. This is for Co-op World I know since I am a member too, and also how Cheryl
and I met. How long have you been in business for yourself?
With
my current business, since March, 2004 I have been in business for myself a
total of approx 13 years.
4. Wow, so you’ve been doing business
for awhile Cheryl. Why or what was the determining factor for you in starting
your own business?
The desire
to be financially independent and to choose the hours I want to work.
5. Very good reasons to be in business too. What, in your experience, has been
the greatest benefit in running and owning your own business? What do you like
best about your business?
I like being able to be creative,
meeting new people in my community and around the world!
6. Running a business takes a
certain “mindset” so tell us what is the most difficult or challenging part of
having and running your own business:
I think time organization is my biggest
challenge.
7. That seems to be the consensus with all of us in business today Cheryl. Who
is your primary target audience? How do you attract them?
Local Merchants/business owners. I
offer Free Community Yellow Pages listings for their businesses.
8. What a deal! Can you share with our readers what you are currently doing to
promote your business? How do you integrate your online promotions with your
offline promotions?
I currently work with permission based
advertising online. Offline I work with local merchants/business owners,
offering free exposure for their business and free classified advertising
online for consumers.
9. Sounds like you’re building good community exposure offline and online. Is
your business primarily online or offline or both? If offline, do you have a
website? If so, what is the
purpose of that website and how do you promote it?
My
business is online and offline. Yes, I have multiple websites related to my
business. Their purpose is for sales of local and global targeted advertising, but
they are also community oriented, giving valuable resources to the communities and
helping people with the same interests connect locally and globally. I promote them
by submitting to search engines, directories, etc., and also by communicating with
people in my community and leading them to my websites.
10. Sounds to me like you know how to promote your businesses Cheryl. What is your
best source of customers, prospects and/or clients?
Networking
with the women of the IVWCC has been a very valuable online source and my local
business directory is my best offline source.
11. Since we’re are having this
interview on the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce channel, we
know you are a member of this organization but are you a member of any other
professional organizations?
No, I’m not associated with any
other business associations at this time.
12. That is interesting, especially
since you are doing so well. Online networking groups are rising in number so
are you a member of any online networking groups?
A Woman’s Place at Ecademy
13. On average, how often do you visit that network? Do you post messages there
regularly, or are you more of an information seeker and lurker?
I just joined
A Woman’s Place at Ecademy, and plan to post and visit often.
14. Hmmm, might have to check them out myself! Moving onto a very vital subject
in online business, on average, how many email messages do you receive every
day?
I would estimate that I receive close to 400 emails
a day.
15. Wow, that many? No wonder you keep your answers short and to the point! How
many of those are from people you know or sources from which you requested
mailings?
About 10%
16. What is your number one complaint, if any, about email? ...and how do you
think it could be resolved?
My number one complaint is the crud and filth, and no
matter how I try to block it, it always finds its way to my inbox. It’s
disgusting and very frustrating! I
believe there are a few good solutions on the horizon, but I don’t think doing
away with email completely is the right solution. I enjoy communicating by
email.
17. I concur with you on every single point Cheryl, but at least we have some
alternatives now in addition to email. Do you publish a newsletter?
No, I don’t currently publish a newsletter or
ezine, but plan to in the near future.
18. Do you subscribe to any newsletters? If so, what is the delivery format?
(email/autoresponder, online only, online with email notification, RSS, other)
Yes, by
email and by email notification.
19. Are you familiar with RSS?
Very
recently I was introduced to RSS but I’m not that familiar with it yet.
20. You will be though, if you hang around with me for any length of time! Do you read or subscribe to any RSS
feeds/blogs?
Not
currently.
22. There are so many ways to
promote ourselves online and off, and one of the most touted and apparently
great ways to do so online is to write articles. Do you write articles for use
on the internet? If so, describe the typical subject
you cover and tell us how you promote and distribute it?
I just
wrote my first article on “How Virtual Businesswomen Can Leverage Online
Conferencing to Enhance and Grow Their Business.” I haven’t promoted it as yet,
but I did submit to the
IVWCC for the inclusion in the magazine.
23. And a very good article it is,
since I had the pleasure to preview it. Have you ever submitted a press
release?
No, not yet, but will be doing so soon.
24. What is the most creative thing
you have done to attract customers?
The most creative
thing I have done is creating my own ads and sales materials to distribute in
my community. I actually enjoyed it very much!
25. That’s good to know – if you’re looking for some more “experience” you can
write some of mine for me! Kidding aside, if there was one thing you wish you
had (other than time!) to help you grow your business, what would it be?
More capital for promotions.
26. Isn’t that just the truth too! If
you could offer one word of advice to someone wishing to start a business in your
field, what would you tell them?
One word? Can’t do it in one word! <smile>
I would say Just Do it! This business has been very rewarding and fulfilling.
Thank you again Cheryl for taking
the time to participate in this interview, it’s been a pleasure.
============= End==============
Interview conducted with Cheryl Brown
Check out her website
Sidney Shelby
To contact Cheryl
CLICK HERE
