After that, both Dan and Steve chose to strike out on their own in the world. Carpentry and contracting had captivated both of them, and they each chose to go into business for themselves. Dan moved to Ventura, while Steve chose to stay in Camarillo. That was almost 15 years ago.
Recently, they reunited at the wedding of mutual friends.
They were each still very similar people. They each had similarly styled homes. They each had chosen the same trucks for their work as contractors. And, they had each been subject to the wild economic swings that had occurred over the past 15 years.
There was one major difference, however. Steve had been forced to shut down his own company, lay people off, and look for work on his own. Dan had only improved his business over the years, even managing to expand during the recession.
What Was The Difference Between These Two?
Have you ever wondered what made such an enormous difference between these two men, each of whom could be considered nearly spitting images of one another? It certainly wasn't the skills, as they each had the same expertise. It wasn't the business savvy, as both Dan and Steve had run similar-sized businesses. Each of them had shared in a similar amount of success during the housing boom. So what made the difference?
It was Marketing Expertise. While Dan and Steve had both used the traditional outlets of Yellow Pages and Ventura County Star classified ads over time to secure business, Steve had never learned to adjust his marketing approach to capitalize on the growing power of the internet. During the last 10 years, his business began to slow down gradually. Steve attributed this to fact that the entire American economy is slowing down. Having never realized the power of the internet, and never having been given the proper appreciation thereof, Steve eventually had to close his own business and go back to working on jobs held by other contractors.
Dan, on the other hand, had gotten interested in the power of search engine traffic for business leads. He had heard that over 80% of American households are using search engines to find local products and services. He then chose to use my services. After a few weeks, he had multiple top rankings on the web for many different services that he provides. While Steve was closing down his business, Dan was adding additional phone lines to handle the flood of jobs coming his way.
It was Marketing Expertise. While Dan and Steve had both used the traditional outlets of Yellow Pages and Ventura County Star classified ads over time to secure business, Steve had never learned to adjust his marketing approach to capitalize on the growing power of the internet. During the last 10 years, his business began to slow down gradually. Steve attributed this to fact that the entire American economy is slowing down. Having never realized the power of the internet, and never having been given the proper appreciation thereof, Steve eventually had to close his own business and go back to working on jobs held by other contractors.
Dan, on the other hand, had gotten interested in the power of search engine traffic for business leads. He had heard that over 80% of American households are using search engines to find local products and services. He then chose to use my services. After a few weeks, he had multiple top rankings on the web for many different services that he provides. While Steve was closing down his business, Dan was adding additional phone lines to handle the flood of jobs coming his way.
A Whole New World Of Marketing!
There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs among small businesses during recessions. Many, if not most, choose to cut back or eliminate their marketing budgets. At first glance, this may make sense, since that extra money can be added to the company war chests. Upon further examination, the fatal flaw is exposed. When the economy is in recession, the difference between success and collapse in business is entirely due to how well a business markets itself. By removing marketing, or by choosing outdated marketing techniques, a small business is almost dooming itself to collapse.
Traditionally, the typical marketing venues for a small business have been limited to long term, static advertisements. Yellow Pages, local newspapers, and business cards tend to be the most utilized by small businesses. Larger companies can avail themselves of billboards, local radio and even local tv spots. All of the above mentioned advertising outlets tend to be expensive, and involve time commitments. While most business owners use these methods, sadly, the methods themselves are diminishing in utility.
The Internet has become the prevailing source for consumers seeking local products and services. Being ranked on the first page of the major search engines for your specialty is the key to success in small business advertising these days. Using my services, you will have web-based tv and radio commercials, good website rankings, and good 3rd party social proof from other sites that point to you as THE expert in your field.
Click here to see exactly what I can do for you.
Traditionally, the typical marketing venues for a small business have been limited to long term, static advertisements. Yellow Pages, local newspapers, and business cards tend to be the most utilized by small businesses. Larger companies can avail themselves of billboards, local radio and even local tv spots. All of the above mentioned advertising outlets tend to be expensive, and involve time commitments. While most business owners use these methods, sadly, the methods themselves are diminishing in utility.
The Internet has become the prevailing source for consumers seeking local products and services. Being ranked on the first page of the major search engines for your specialty is the key to success in small business advertising these days. Using my services, you will have web-based tv and radio commercials, good website rankings, and good 3rd party social proof from other sites that point to you as THE expert in your field.
Click here to see exactly what I can do for you.
Savvy Internet Marketing Is KING!
Right now, I'm looking for Google results for specific keywords. In this case, it's "Ventura Carpentry" and "Ventura Contractors", in order to see how Steve would have faired. For those results, Google shows a monthly search average of 2,030; which means that those two key terms are entered into Google search a total of over 2,000 times per month, on average. People don't look for terms like that unless they are in need of those services. Also, that is just Google, which only represents 70% of overall search traffic. When Yahoo! and MSN get added to the mix, that number is closer to 2,900. If Steve could have gotten just one page ranked on the top ten results in each search engine, that could have meant an extra 290 inquiries per month. That could have led to dozens of extra customers, which would have kept his business flourishing.
If you have yet to harness the full power of the internet, then you cannot imagine how useful it will be for you.
If you have yet to harness the full power of the internet, then you cannot imagine how useful it will be for you.
A New Opportunity To Make Your Business Flourish
Perhaps you, as a small business owner, have only utilized the Yellow Pages and/or the Ventura County Star to advertise your products and services. If so, then you know just how expensive those outlets can be, as well as how long they can take to show results. Above and beyond that, you may also have noticed that without a special system in place to track the sources of your leads, there is not really any way of knowing exactly how well or poorly your ads are performing. And, once your ad has been submitted, there is no removing or altering it in any way.
With that in mind, it is understandable why many small businesses choose to pull their advertisements as soon as money gets a little tight. The internet is your salvation, and it is incredibly important to understand exactly what it can do for you.
You will have the ability to adjust your webpages as often as you like, giving you more control. You will have the ability to track the sources of your leads, learning more about your prospective customers without having to spends hours doing so. You will be able to have the video commercial you've always wanted. All of the above is included in the packages that you choose from my services, with much more added. All for the same price as one ad in the Ventura County Star, or the Yellow Pages. Click here for an in depth look at my services and prices.
About Dan and Steve; they were from the same neighborhood and devoted their lives to the same vocation. One is still successful while the other is looking for work. What made the difference?
Marketing. Specifically, Internet Marketing knowledge and it's successful application.
With that in mind, it is understandable why many small businesses choose to pull their advertisements as soon as money gets a little tight. The internet is your salvation, and it is incredibly important to understand exactly what it can do for you.
You will have the ability to adjust your webpages as often as you like, giving you more control. You will have the ability to track the sources of your leads, learning more about your prospective customers without having to spends hours doing so. You will be able to have the video commercial you've always wanted. All of the above is included in the packages that you choose from my services, with much more added. All for the same price as one ad in the Ventura County Star, or the Yellow Pages. Click here
About Dan and Steve; they were from the same neighborhood and devoted their lives to the same vocation. One is still successful while the other is looking for work. What made the difference?
Marketing. Specifically, Internet Marketing knowledge and it's successful application.
Success Awaits You
I cannot promise that you will become successful overnight as a result of choosing to utilize my knowledge and services. There are many things that contribute to a successful business above and beyond advertising. However, I can promise that you will be situated properly and organized specifically to attain new levels of business success using the power of the internet.
Good Luck In Great Business,
Sean Himebaugh
SeanHimebaugh@gmail.com
I cannot promise that you will become successful overnight as a result of choosing to utilize my knowledge and services. There are many things that contribute to a successful business above and beyond advertising. However, I can promise that you will be situated properly and organized specifically to attain new levels of business success using the power of the internet.
Good Luck In Great Business,
Sean Himebaugh
SeanHimebaugh@gmail.com
