Here’s a pop quiz question: what is the most popular activity online? Is it online games? Using search engines? Nope! The number one online activity is sending and receiving email! So if you are a business owner, using the power of email is something you should definitely consider to increase business.

So what are the benefits of email marketing or having a newsletter? Here are a couple of them:

• It’s cheap!
• You can build long term relationships with your customers
• It’s fast and you can automate it
• Easy to track
• And email can spread like a virus!

Review those benefits again. Think about this for a minute. If you are able to build a list of customers or subscribers to a newsletter, you really can build a good long term relationship with your clients. In my mind this is one of the biggest benefits to email marketing. As we all know, it is much easier to sell to an existing client than it is to gain a new one. (more…)

Below are the notes from the Graduate Coaching Session held June 23, 2008 by Michael Stone:

Discussion of Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles and how it applies to small ecommerce businesses.

Overview

Raving Fans provides advice and guidance on how to turn “satisfied customers” into “raving fans”.

Favorite Points

Raving Fans are not just your customers, but everyone who comes into contact with you and your business.

“Take a Hike”

• Low cost product in the past but now at a higher cost.
• Sears – Jumped into too many markets and unable to cover all bases and now is suffering. (more…)

Below are the notes from the Graduate Coaching Session held June 16, 2008 by Michael Stone:

Shipping

• USPS- Generally for items under 10 pounds.
  • Priority - When speed is of the utmost importance, but most expensive option.
  • Flat-rate - Two size of boxes. Great for heavy items.
  • First Class - Great overall with speed and price.
  • Parcel Post - For larger items, may be the least expensive, but also the slowest.
  • Media Mail - For CDs, books, records, and other forms of media. (more…)

Below are the notes from the Graduate Coaching Session held June 9, 2008 by Michael Stone:

Google Product Search

What it is
Google lists products for sale for particular phrases on top of natural results. Getting into these product listings is relatively quick and easy and can result in high quality traffic.

Uses

• Use it instead of PPC ads
• Use to augment PPC ads
• Appear twice on a page for search results (more…)

Below are the notes from the Graduate Coaching Session held June 2, 2008 by Michael Stone:

Discussion of The One-Minute Entrepreneur by Ken Blanchard, Don Hutson, and Ethan Willis (Prosper’s CEO) and how it applies to small ecommerce businesses.

Overview

In the business section of the June 2, 2008 New York Times, The One Minute Entrepreneur was listed as the bestselling hardcover business book for the entire month of May!

“Having The One Minute Entrepreneur at the top of the Times bestseller list is a great thing for Prosper,” says CEO Ethan Willis. “It exemplifies the commitment we have to the entrepreneurial spirit, and that Prosper is the top name in coaching. Thanks to all who made this great achievement possible.” (more…)