Social Networking - A Must For Businesses Large and Small
7/14/2008
by Shelly Weaver, E-Magnify Staff

Social networks are the new business communication tools that business owners and leaders tend to overlook, but shouldn’t. The scope of these expansive networks can lend to a multitude of opportunities that might not otherwise be available. 

On the subject of social networking, what you don’t know can hurt you. These networks create opportunities for businesses that would not previously have been conceivable. One avenue to approach is to follow blogs and ‘doers’ in your industry as well as that of other industries to keep up with the fast-paced environment.

Social networking converts one-dimensional thinking into multi-dimensional thinking. Once you start networking and communicating in this mindset, traffic and customers begin to flow to your website and both to your virtual and ground-based door. A beneficial byproduct is that you add a ‘friend’ to your ever-growing network. 

“Social Networking allows for the communication medium to become the interaction and learning that today’s businesses need for your particular industry’s peer to peer learning and cross networking through a variety of ways,” said Dr. Dennis Jerz, Associate Professor of English/New Media Journalism of Seton Hill University.  “These exciting new networks are on the cusp of leading us into new ventures of business with endless possibilities” Jerz continued.

Social networks are just starting to scratch the surface and are in the process of becoming the norm for how business is conducted. Whether it’s FaceBook or Linked In or any of the other mainstream social media sites, entire business communities are realizing the opportunities that are available by simply plugging into this specific network.  Bloggers and their social networks are becoming an entity all their own. Bloggers range from amateurs to professors to industry experts as well as everybody in between. Business is becoming more aware of these types of networks and are opening their doors and sharing their intellectual property while other web-talkers are becoming more possessive of their communications.

The opportunities are endless.  Businesses are primed to put down their pencils and are instead logging on and spending time with their virtual colleagues. Become part of these global networks is as simple as registering for free memberships. 

Businesses and entrepreneurs alike are plugging in and their respective professional networks and small businesses are beginning to thrive as a result.

In thinking about how to ‘grease’ the lines of communication to everyone who runs a small business or those of you who are thinking about starting a small business, it’s almost essential to become part of a social network.

Looking for the “WriteIdea”
Calling all entrepreneurs. WriteIdea is looking for the best of the best in the world of business plans. WriteIdea is designed to encourage entrepreneurial thinkers in our community to produce a business plan that is ready to implement. The competition will bring together regional plans in the provided categories exploring the development of young companies. A handful of entrepreneurs will receive cash prizes of $5,000 each, totaling $25,000 to help with start-up costs or the capital to help bring their business to the next level.

The process is simple. Log onto e-magnify.com/writeidea and submit your application. Deadline for applications is Oct. 31. Applicants need to provide a brief executive summary of their business plan idea and some pertinent business information. You can then begin developing your plan and be eligible for the prizes that will allow you to grow your future.

Former Business Plan Winner Had WriteIdea
Amy Veltri is an entrepreneur in all senses of the word. Veltri had the right idea to start a new business with growth potential and used the WriteIdea business plan completion presented by E-Magnify as a springboard. Bitten by the proverbial entrepreneurial bug following a lack of advancement opportunity, Veltri has the unique perspective of being a woman-owned business owner in a highly dominated male field.

Veltri’s previous professional experience included being responsible for managing a staff of several junior technical personnel and securing and managing over $1 million annually in project work. As a successful business owner, she has far surpassed the competition, by increasing her company’s gross revenues from $50,000 less than three years ago to approximately $800,000 in 2004.

The WriteIdea business plan competition applications deadline is almost here! Call 724.830.4625 for more details or click here for your application now

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Pricing is one of the four Ps of the marketing mix. The other three aspects are product, promotion, and placement. Entrepreneurs and business owners sometimes have a difficult time developing and finalizing price for their products. Being able to do so is both an art and a science. It’s also a combination of both fixed costs and implied costs.

Fixed costs are actual costs that you have into the product. Those costs include but are not limited to raw materials, design costs, and other materials. Implied costs are costs entrepreneurs sometimes overlook; costs that they put into the start-up if the business and even overlooking the increased price to deliver. These costs can also include the time it took for the entrepreneur to develop the product.

Becoming A Business Plan Pro
Are you a PRO? Business Plan PRO is the everything-you-need-to-know software that is everything you need to write a successful business plan. You can get started quickly with over 500 real-life example plans that provide the inspiration you need to get going quickly and finish easily. You will save time with the EasyPlan Wizard that guides you through every step of the process and automatically creates a structure that fits your unique plan and business needs.

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