Please join us in congratulating May Volcy of ABL Case Management… our winner for October’s Free Marketing Contest!  You voted for her story, and with 93 votes she was the clear winner!  And with infoGROUP’s help, we’re going to make her business even more successful.

Here’s what May wrote in this month:

Nature of my business:
Medical Case Management services(telephonic and field) in the area of worker’s compensation. Our customers are: Third Party administrators, Insurance Companies, and Large employers. I am a registered Nurs Case Manager with twelve years of experience. My business is a certified minority business with WBENC and FRMBC. I am also a single mother of 3 grown children. I am facing the following problem/challenge: My competitors are large businesses that have a big market share with a big budget for marketing with all the big contacts. The only way I have been able to survive is by doing one on one contact with my customers in order to get business. As a one person business it’s very time consuming and I don’t have the funds to do enough marketing to increase my business volume. Meanwhile I have a staff to pay and it is getting harder and harder. I was told that I have to spend money on marketing in order to make money. I am afraid that I am spending too much and not getting any results in return. If only I could get my foot in the door of these potential customers and have the chance to present my company, I think this would be a step forward and a great success. My only competitive edge, based on what my current customers are telling me, is the excellent quality of the service I have been providing and a competitive fee schedule. It seems that I am running so hard trying to market new customers but I cannot meet any goal because I also have to do the current daily operation of everything else that has to do with running my business. Because of this struggle, I believe my company would greatly benefit from your help.

To say we are excited for May is an understatement.  Congratulations, May!  Who will be next month’s winner?  Stay tuned for some exciting new announcements about next month’s contest as well as some great success stories from previous winners!

Hey all,

There’s still time to enter this month’s FREE Marketing contest, sponsored by me, my S.W.A.T. team and infoGROUP. So far we’ve had 202 entries and we’re looking for even more.

Just click here to enter.

Don’t forget, you can also nominate a local business that you think should win the contest.

Finally, you can help your entry win by having your friends vote for it! Just have them click the thumbs up icon at the bottom of your story.

Deadline for entries is midnight on Monday!

Don’t work too hard!

StormDawg

Hey all,

The results are in… and the winner of September’s free marketing is…Kathy Mann and the Save Our Sheep Club! Congratulations, Kathy! Her story had 156 votes (and sent more than 700 people to our site)!

I thought today would be a good day to update you on what else we’ve been doing with the people who send in their stories. In August we had more than 100 people write in, and my S.W.A.T. Team has been working hard to reach out to all of them and learn more about their businesses. Although we can’t give them all a free marketing plan, we have been offering them some free resources, extended free trials of our Salesgenie.com product when appropriate, and a 50% discount on all of our products and services through the end of this year.

Who knows… maybe we’ll make a similar offer to all of the September entries – stay tuned!

Don’t work too hard!

StormDawg

Hey all,

It’s time!  September’s FREE Marketing contest, sponsored by infoGROUP, has begun!  For more informatoin, or to submit your entries, just check out the new contest page.

We’ve add a new feature… VOTING! You can increase your chance of winning by getting your friends to vote for your story.

Don’t work too hard!

StormDawg

Good morning StormDawg fans,

Last week, I brought to your attention a rather interesting article from the New York Times about government-awarded contracts to small businesses…or rather the lack thereof.  Here’s a link to last week’s post if you missed it. In short, the Small Business Administration reveled in the amount of fiscal dollars awarded while others cried out about the government falling short of its 23 percent goal.

The cries are getting louder.

The Washington Post featured an article yesterday by V. Dion Haynes titled, “Small Businesses Disappointed with Contracting Share.” The National Association of Small Business Contractors has taken this fight to the White House doorstep, calling for penalties for agencies not meeting the 23% requirement and fines for companies that deliberately misrepresent themselves to obtain contracts. The article continues, comparing Obama’s earlier statements in support of small businesses (namely, that they will usher in economic recovery) with his actions against small businesses (namely, standing by while these contracting dollars shrink away).  If small businesses can help the economy recovery, then the government’s assistance with contracting dollars is paramount.

What do you think?  How far should the government step in to help small businesses with these contracting dollars?

As StormDawg would say, “Don’t work too hard!”

Bryan D. Jennewein – StormDawg S.W.A.T. Team

Hey all,

I think this video says it best, but the gist… everyone who entered August’s StormDawg Small Business Stimulus Package wins something, courtesy of infoGROUP.  More details are coming soon from my StormDawg S.W.A.T. Team.

Don’t work too hard!

StormDawg

Hey all,

Last week I was in Fort Collins, Colo., helping my daughter get her house set up before school started. She is a junior at Colorado State University and just returned from an adventure called Semester at Sea. She got to see so many things and places that a whole new world of possibilities opened up for her.

I was thinking about all of this on the long drive back when we passed by Cabela’s world headquarters in Sidney, Neb. Sidney is not exactly a teeming metropolis with dozens of multi-national corporations. It is, in fact, a very small town in the middle of nowhere, yet home to the World’s Foremost Outfitter. Cabela’s started out from very humble beginnings struggling to make ends meet, meanwhile making plans to grow the business and the economy. Then I started thinking about the StormDawg Stimulus Package, and wondering if one of these businesses will turn into the next Cabela’s.

You just never know.

Keeping in mind that my team and I are learning as we go, I decided to pick two winners this month.

The first one – EvoApp – a small business organizational software company run by STUDENTS in North Carolina, represents the new age business and marketing model. Here’s their story and here is their website.

The second one – Texas Mountain Cedar – has a more traditional small business model. This small business is motivated by many of the same things that my sister Jeana is interested in – namely, independence and the ability to live their lives the way they want to. Here is their story.

They both face serious challenges in this economy, and it will take a different sort of plan to help each one out. Texas Mountain Cedar has already contacted us about buying mailing lists, but they really need our help figuring out what to do with the lists. It will be a great case study for our traditional business. EvoApp needs a different skill set as their needs do not fit the traditional model. We will help out both of these businesses and tell you how it worked….the good, the bad and the ugly. Hopefully, we all learn something along the way.

Congratulations and good luck!

Don’t work too hard!

StormDawg

Good morning StormDawg fans,

While the Dawg’s away, I thought I’d take a moment to update you about the StormDawg Small Business Stimulus Plan and some other pro bono work StormDawg is doing.

We’ve had close to 200 submissions for this month’s contest, and let me tell you… these are some compelling stories. I’ve even noticed that many of you took the time to Fan the Stimulus Plan’s Facebook page, so thanks! StormDawg assembled his S.W.A.T. team early last week, and we can’t put your stories down! Picking a winner for this month’s free marketing giveaway is going to be tough, but we’re getting close. Members of the S.W.A.T. team might be calling some of you to ask a few questions and flesh out more of your story, so be nice and throw them a bone. We’re going to try and do something for everyone, even if you’re not picked as this month’s winner. And if you’re not this month’s winner, there’s always next month!

It occurs to me this morning that we’ve been so caught up in this contest,  it’s easy to forget how it all started. Do you remember reading about Trinity United Methodist and Mick Doyle’s? (If not, take a quick minute to read them.) It’s how this how contest got started. Trinity and Mick Doyle’s were hurting because of our economy and needed help… so StormDawg came to the rescue. Here’s an update on each… think of it as a small taste of what our monthly contest winners can expect.

Trinity United Methodist
Trinity faced two challenges: building their congregation and funding their new community center. To help the former, StormDawg had Trinity work with American Church Lists (ACL), a division at infoGROUP that specializes in helping churches build their congregation, and Triplex, a division specializing in helping nonprofits. ACL has put together four postcard campaigns to help the church get its message out to local residents and new movers in the area. (We’ll post the designs online soon!) Triplex is doing a tremendous job getting the word out about the new community center. They are helping Trinity put together a benefit dinner and inviting local donors to attend. Triplex will send an introductory email to potential donors, asking them to watch for the invitation letter, then sending the letter, followed up with another email. What a great integrated marketing approach to getting the most attendance for their benefit dinner. (We’ll put these designs online, too!)

Mick Doyle’s
Mick Doyle’s has been marketing for years… their marketing just needed a bit of a kick. They currently market through word-of-mouth, Yellow Pages, and their website. And for a while, this worked just fine, but with the current economy, they just have not been seeing the traffic they need. The S.W.A.T. team decided to tackle this one together. We’ll help Mick with three tools: paid search advertising, an integrated marketing campaign, and we’ll take his word-of-mouth marketing into the social networking spaces. We’ll use Google’s paid search advertising to drive more traffic to his website, which we’ll also search engine optimize. We’ll do a targeted direct-mail and email campaign, aimed at his best prospects. Finally, we’ll make sure Mick has a presence on the area’s most popular social networking site, Facebook, and all the tools and training he needs to successfully engage in this space.

Think of Trinity and Mick Doyle’s as a small appetizer, and YOU can be the MAIN COURSE! Keep sending in your stories for the StormDawg Small Business Stimulus Plan, and if you’re picked, we’ll put together a plan like this for you!

As StormDawg would say… “Don’t work too hard!”

Bryan D. Jennewein – StormDawg S.W.A.T. Team

Good morning, StormDawg fans!

You’ve probably noticed… (and if you haven’t, scroll down to the byline)… that there’s a guest writer on StormDawg.com this morning.  Introductions are always a good place to start.  Here’s mine… I’m Bryan Jennewein, and I currently work with StormDawg (a.k.a. Stormy Dean) as the Director of Social Media for infoGROUP.  In short, I help us figure out how best to use social media to communicate who we are, what we do, and who we do it for. I’m also a member of the StormDawg S.W.A.T. team (more on that later) and the geek who got StormDawg up and blogging (and what an adventure it has been!).  When StormDawg mentioned he was taking some vacation time (he deserves it) to move his daughter into an off-campus house and needed a few guest bloggers, I was only too happy to help.  And this morning, I’ll be bringing you a bit of small-business news that caught my eye and tugged at my heart.

Fox News featured a segment entitled, “Death of Small Business in America.”  Really?? Struggling, yes. And some are having to close their doors, but let’s hope it’s not the “death” of small business, or we’re all done for.  As I’ve been reading from the Stimulus entries, times are tougher than any of us thought. But must the media sensationalize these events? Personally, I’d like to see a message of hope (or heck, how about a message of “here’s how to survive”).  Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but that’s what I’ve enjoyed most about helping StormDawg get his message out… he’s actually helping small businesses with advice, tips, resources… and now he’s even picking one every month to sponsor with free marketing. Death of Small Business? Not if we can help it!!

There were two other articles about small business lending that caught my eye this morning: one from the Pacific Coast Business Times, “Big Cuts for Small Business,” and another from the Baltimore Sun, “Federal Small-Business Lending Plan Off To a Slow Start.”  It seems a new piece of legislation in California has suspended the state loan guarantee program. What’s worse, the Baltimore Sun article describes that even in states where funds are available and guaranteed, banks are slow to participate if they even participate at all.

What’s left for small businesses to do? Whip out the credit card? Think twice. In fact, think a third time… please. Economic researcher Robert H. Scott said in a report released earlier this month that for every $1,000 in unpaid credit card debt, a small business increases its likelihood it will close by 2.2%. So $10,000 equals a 20% probability of closure? Talk about rolling the dice.

StormDawg often advises us to stop and think. When it comes to making decisions about financing your business, his advice is paramount. Before you whip out the credit card or take out a high-interest loan, think about a few things…

What is your plan for utilizing every penny of this money? Will you pay down higher-interest debt? Buy new equipment? Increase production? How about market your business to existing and prospective customers? Make sure this plan accounts for a calculated return. If the spend won’t directly impact your business, bring you new customers, or increase revenue… ask yourself, “Do I really need the loan?”

It also occurs to me that many of you already know exactly what to do with some extra financing, and that you could easily strengthen your business or marketing more… but you’re wondering…

“HOW DO I GET THE HELP I NEED?!?”

Here are a few tips…

For Lending -
Check with your banks. Larger banks may not be participating, but what about smaller local banks and credit unions? They seem a bit more stable to me, and some of them here in the Midwest are even *thriving*.

Local Options -
Check with your local chamber of commerce. They’re here to help you, especially during troubling times. For example, the Detroit Regional Chamber put together their own Small Business Stimulus Package that bundles access to local healthcare options with steep discounts from Office Depot and local networking opportunities.

Retail Discounts -
Companies serving small business know that if small businesses don’t make it, they won’t either. That’s why many of them are offering big discounts right now. Check around and don’t be afraid to ask your suppliers and vendors if they can work with you on cost and pricing. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other business owners in the area and ask them for alternative vendors. You never know where you will find savings.

Finally, StormDawg S.W.A.T. is getting ready to bring you a phenomenal offering. StormDawg has been so moved by your stories, he’s pulling together every resource he can to help. Stay tuned for more on that, and for more from some great guest bloggers this week.

As StormDawg would say… “Don’t work too hard!”

Bryan D. Jennewein – StormDawg S.W.A.T.

Hey all,

A couple of months ago I decided to try something new. I wanted to write a blog. My goal was to find a way to talk to small businesses, have them talk to me, and to each other. I knew that social networking was coming like a tidal wave, but I wasn’t really sure how to use it, so I just jumped.

My first story was about my sister Jeana, the bar owner, and over the past few months I’ve shared other stories about businesses and communities, but I was just scratching the surface. There is an old adage that says “the best way to learn about something is to try and teach it.” Although I’ve found research to post to the blog and articles about small businesses, the biggest learning experience of all is what I have learned from you!

We are making progress with Reverend Nan, and with the help of my colleagues in American Church Lists, the marketing plan for the church is starting to take shape. The fundraising event for the community center is scheduled, and with the help of my colleagues at Triplex, our non-profit group, we are hopeful it will be a success.

Mick Doyle is kind of elusive, but it too is starting to take place.

So many people sent me stories in response to the StormDawg Stimulus package that I’ve struggled to keep up, but I finally did it and have now read every story. In the next few weeks, with the help of a group of few colleagues that I’m going to call the “StormDawg S.W.A.T Team” I will pick a winner. The stories run the gamut from very small startups, to businesses that have been around for a long time. It’s amazing how much thought and effort went into each submission. The next thing I need to do is figure out how to share them with you, but even more importantly, I hope to come up with a plan to help all of them out. I’m certain that with the help of the StormDawg S.W.A.T team, I will come up with something.

On a personal note, my daughter Samantha is returning from Semester at Sea. Kim and I will be taking some time off to go out to Fort Collins and help her move into an off campus house. So, I may have a few guest bloggers comment on the research and articles that will be posted this week.

Have a great week and don’t work too hard!

StormDawg