Marketing Advice For A Traffic-less Deli Franchise

Enjoy my first taping of the regular radio segment I host on The Small Business Big Ideas Show called Ask Chala For Some Gentle Marketing Advice (see recording at the 14:25 minute mark).

Listen in as a restaurant franchise owner in a mall writes in his Gentle Marketing question about how to generate business in a dead mall with no foot traffic.

The Gentle Marketing solution to this restaurant’s pain of course is first to be known for something. What is the franchise known for?

Host David Cohen replies that it’s a chain known for its healthy food offerings.

I then ask who would be interested in driving to a mall if they’re not already walking in the mall for this food. Logically, the answer would be health conscious people who can’t find a certain kind of food, service or event in the near vicinity to meet their specific needs.

I make a suggestion for the owner of the restaurant to get out and drive in his neighbourhood to see what health related food, competition, activities and other businesses there are that he could partner with.

The segment ends with a clear direction for action to do something related to health and health food. Potentially partnering with other vendors who deal with this target group or holding events related to health like educational seminars to draw them in to the location.

So you can see that everything starts with clarity. If you know what your business stands for (health) and who your perfect client is (clients in the area who care about taking care of their health). The rest is easy…

Need more chicken soup for your biz? Follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or connect with me on LinkedIn –and let’s talk

Listen To My ‘Gentle Marketing’ Radio Interview

Are you a shy marketer? Do you hate in-your-face-marketing? Don’t you think it’s 100% better to have clients be attracted to YOU? I believe so strongly in this topic that I wrote a book on it (coming in May!)

Listen to my hilarious radio interview with BizRadio and BizTV host David Wojcik on this topic of marketing on a shoestring budget while being authentic, attractive and generous.

It’s all about being clear on who you are as a business, who your ideal bullseye target customer is and how to get in front of them with the right message. It’s also virtually free because you were born with the best marketing tool and that’s your personality.

Picking the right niche is also free since all it takes is talking to your potential target groups to find out if you offer something of value to them.

Once you get those two things right, then you ask them where they hang out and go hang out with them! Simple, isn’t it?

I want you too to be a Gentle Marketer. It’s easy, cheap and best of all, it’s effortless.

Need more chicken soup for your biz? Follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or connect with me on LinkedIn –and let’s talk!

Uncomfortable Marketing?

If you feel sleazy and dirty when you think about marketing yourself, listen to this interview I did with Money Coach Flo Grunfelder about how to get over the discomfort of marketing and to joyfully connect with great paying clients.

Most businesses fall into their marketing, no planning, no communication strategy. The secret is to first pick a viable niche and to become a credible expert in that niche. Get clear on your this and you’ve got the start of an easy peasy way to market your business. Also, have a ‘depressing thought’ strategy to overcome your gremlins. This is a big mistake that small businesses make when they’re starting out. Lastly, get a coach. I am a coach and I’ll always have a coach. Couldn’t do it alone and you shouldn’t have to either.

Need more chicken soup for your biz? Follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or connect with me on LinkedIn –and let’s talk!

Chala’s radio interview about calming down entrepreneurs

I was on a radio show this summer talking about breaking free from fears for small business owners who want to grow their businesses.

We talked about the top fear of Entrepreneurs as being too much success and how I got over the first 2 months of sleeplessness when I left my corporate pay cheque. Click below to see how you can get over your entrepreneurial jitters!

Need more chicken soup for your biz? Follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or connect with me on LinkedIn –and let’s talk!

What you absolutely need to be doing right now to grow your small business

What should you be doing right now as November folds to a close in order to grow your business? No, it’s not Christmas shopping for your clients (although there’s obvious rewards to that too). You should actually be planning your 2013 marketing activities to reach your income goal for the year.

Watch this video to see the things you should be doing right now!

Need more chicken soup for your biz? Follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or connect with me on LinkedIn –and let’s talk!