Remember when Google Music arrived earlier this year? It was hailed as an official rival to Amazon’s music cloud storage and even iTunes . . . well, maybe not, iTunes (since Google didn’t have a way to actually sell tracks, it only stored them).

Well, today, Google has announced that their music product is finally getting a store. Here’s a quick video to get you caught up; Watch it on Youtube instead if you’re having difficulties watching here.

Entrepreneurs of the world, hear me and hear me real good (that’s what my grandma used to say)! Services alone WILL NOT help you succeed. You need to develop products to sell along with your services.

Why?

Because a product can be sold no matter what time of day, when it’s bought, or whether or not you had anything to do with the transaction. Products can usher new customers and clients into your sales funnel for your primary services. They can even be used (if the product is good enough) to build a platform to launch services from.

For service oriented businesses this can be tough, but not impossible. Here are a few suggestions;

• Seek out affiliate products to sell that compliment your services or brand. A good place to start, online, is commission junction.
• Become an affiliate of white label software to add a product to your services. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, become an affiliate of online d-i-y (do-it-yourself) logo design software. Many people like to tinker and figure things out themselves, but, rest assured that once they’re all tinkered out, they’ll come to you for professional help.
• Create a product that you know a potential client or customer would need that would get them into the sales funnel of your other services. This could be a book, an e-book, a training video, or anything that would get someone warmed up for your services.

Google’s Music store is a game changer for Google because they can now offer products to sell at anytime along with their music storage service. It was an inevitable move by them, but a smart one none-the-less. What products can you sell to compliment your services? Do you have any resources, tools, or advice to share with someone that wants to sell products but doesn’t know where to start? Share your story and ideas in the comments below.

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About The Author

Rod Kirby

The Holiday season is fast approaching and you know what that means; family get togethers, irritating Christmas music, and buying useless gifts for grandma.

When was the last time you treated YOURSELF to a gift that you really needed? [I don't mean a 'Playstation 3', but something you actually need to succeed...]

Well, look no further, because I’ve got the perfect gift for you and your business, blog, or organization…

Introducing the 2 for 1 Success Coaching Holiday Special

Join me in the comfort of your own home or office for 2 comprehensive business coaching sessions for the price of 1! That’s 2 coaching sessions for only $100 [a $200 value]

Your 2 full hours of coaching includes;

• Getting my best advice for taking your business to the next level,
• Learning how to maximize social media marketing for your business,
• Having your blog critiqued and improved by my proven techniques for blogging success,
• Defining your business ideas, setting goals, and implementing a business plan,
• and much more!

In other words, investing in coaching will save you hundreds [if not thousands] of dollars in the long run. Why would you invest in anything that doesn’t give you a size-able return on that investment?

Call to Action

The success coaching holiday special won’t last long,  so don’t wait to take advantage of it.

If you’d like to learn more about my success coaching services, have questions, or would like to see some cool testimonials from past clients; visit the services page for more information.

If you found yourself described in one of the groups of people this coaching is geared toward and want to schedule your first session then click the Pay Pal button below.

2 for 1 Holiday Special

2 Hours of Coaching for Only $100! [You get one session, FREE! That's a savings of $100! ]

I’m confident that you’ll walk away with a new perspective of your business, blog, or brand through my coaching services. I look forward to working with you 1-on-1 in taking your business to the next level!

- Rod

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Small Business Saturday is November 26th this Year

“Hear ye, hear ye, the holiday shopping season is upon us!” announces the man from the mountain top.

In a few weeks Halloween will come and go, then Thanksgiving, and we’ll be stuck in the black hole known as the holiday sales season.

Is your small business ready?

Last year American Express started a campaign called, “Small Business Saturday” which was an initiative to help small business owners capitalize on consumer holiday spending. Here’s a short video overview for you to enjoy below (can’t see the video? Watch it on Youtube instead).  

This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 26th, the busiest shopping weekend of the year (right after black Friday).

I first heard about it from Chad Brooks of Business News Daily where he wrote;

This looks like a pretty solid campaign and has great potential for small business owners. I actually went ahead and applied for the free Facebook ad. It’s a generic template with a few choices for wording; but in all, free online advertising can’t be beat!

If you want to take advantage of any of the free promotional tools from American Express, visit their Facebook page to get started.

Have you started planning for the holiday shopping season? What do you plan to do differently this year? Will you maximize any of these tools to help you drive sales for your business? Share your thoughts below.

Source: Business News Daily

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Apple's iPhone 4S

The internet almost exploded in a fusion frenzy of Apple news yesterday. The Cupertino consumer electronics giant announced the next successor in its line of iPhone products, the iPhone 4S. After all the hype, buzz, leaks, and flame wars, Apple only released an incremental update instead of the highly anticipated iPhone 5.

The big question now is,

Should business owners buy the iPhone 4S?

According to Ramon Ray of Smallbiztechnology.com, entrepreneurs looking to upgrade should look elsewhere.

He says,

The new iPhone 4s has options for lots of memory (up to 64GB), faster and more powerful camera, voice commands, wireless backup and synchronization between Apple devices with iCloud. Overall the iPhone 4S is an improvement.

However, for small business owners who are confused and wondering, “hmm….should I ditch my current iPhone and buy this new device?”. No.

I would have to agree. At least, for current business owners with iPhones. The phone is great and Apple’s new voice assistant, Siri, looks promising. However, I think you can find all that and maybe more in an Android device and maybe even a Windows Phone 7 handset.

And, if you’ve forgotten, I’m still a firm believer that the original iPad is still one of the best tools your business can buy. Check out this video for a full review.

That’s just my two cents about it. Anyway, if you missed yesterday’s news, take a look at the video below. Check out the source link for Ramon’s full remarks and let me know if you’ll be waiting in line for the new phone in the comments below.

Source: Smallbiztechnology.com 

Can’t see the video above? Click this link to watch on Youtube instead.
 

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Facebook Marketing

Wow, the Facebook gravy train just keeps on going!

Last week Facebook announced a major initiative to revamp its profile pages. However, curiously missing from that announcement were any changes or additions to its Pages feature (its business page function for entrepreneurs & major brands).

Well, small and large businesses across the country are about to get a major marketing boost from the world’s largest social network. Facebook has “partnered with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to invest, educate, and connect with small businesses.”

According to Facebook’s announcement, “We are giving away up to $10 million in free advertising. Each qualified small business will be awarded at least $50 of free advertising on Facebook (more details coming soon).”

This will no doubt be a major boost to small business advertising efforts on the social network.

In my opinion, it’s a no-brainer! If you’re chosen for the program then you NEED to do this for your business. Why? Because that’s where your market is spending most of their time! Jesus was a master marketer because he went where the people were. He didn’t keep his ministry closed off to the rest of the world in a church . . . and neither can you!

What do you think of Facebook’s “boost” to small business marketing? Is $50 in free advertising enough for you to make Facebook a permanent fixture in your marketing plan? How are YOU currently using social networks like Twitter and Facebook to market your business? Sound off in the comments below and don’t forget to check out the source links below as well.

Source: Techcrunch and Facebook

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Facebook's New Timeline Feature

Updated 9/30/2011: I added a video from Richard Byrd which gives you a nice walk-through of the new timeline below!

Today, at Facebook’s F8 developer conference, Mark Zuckerberg announced radical changes for Facebook’s profile feature. The new shift is called, “Timeline.” With timeline people are able to get a snap-shot of all your photos, apps, videos, and other information for your entire life. That’s right . . . you’re entire life.

The endeavor is very radical and sounds like it’s prone hunting ground for stalkers and privacy advocates. However, I think it might prove useful to marketers and entrepreneurs.

For one thing, if you use Facebook for business, timeline will give you a beautiful way of displaying your entire “business life.” Photos of you at the conference you just spoke at, behind the scenes video of your company’s offices, status updates from a live event you attended last year, and so on.

Another look at Facebook's Timeline

There aren’t any specific features announced for Pages, Facebook’s profiles for businesses. But, maybe the new profiles will deem useful for entrepreneurs in the long run. Or, maybe they’ll just be another way we get trapped into “Suck-Face…”

I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Facebook announces next. But, until then, squeeze every ounce of value YOU can from the 800 million subscriber social network. That’s my advice. Don’t just take a new feature as it is – look for ways to maximize its potential for your gain.

The general consensus of Timeline, thus far, is that it’s another useful (or useless) addition to Facebook’s new changes. However, some are warning against it’s personal use such as this Twitter comment from Derek Halpern;

Derek Halpern's Comment

What do you think about Facebook’s new features? How will this impact your business use of the social network? Sound off in the comments below!

Source link and video below.

Source: The Facebook Blog & About Timeline

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Netflix in Critical Condition

Poor, poor, little Netflix.

Where did the mega-movie rental company go wrong?

Most would say, they took a wrong turn at Albuquerque, when they introduced new pricing plans without twitching a moral muscle.

That announcement was cold, short, and didn’t issue any kind of explanation for the increases at all. It essentially drop an atomic bomb on its subscribers without warning, rhyme, or reason.

Thousands of Netflix subscribers cried foul and vowed to cancel their subscriptions after the news broke (I know I did!).

Well, people are crying foul even louder since Netflix’s latest PR disaster…

On Sunday September 18, 2011 Netflix announced that they are splitting their DVD & streaming businesses and their DVD business will be officially known as “Qwikster.”  Not only are they splitting their business, but the websites will be separate as well. This means, customers will have to log in to 2 different websites (one for streaming movies and one for renting DVDS) and do business.

In yesterday’s announcement, CEO Reed Hastings reflected on the fall out of July’s price change announcement,

I messed up. I owe everyone an explanation.

It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming, and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology.

He then goes into a genuine and heart felt explanation for his company’s actions and its a leadership moment…but, he drops a bomb later in the announcement in the form of Qwikster.

So is this the death-bell for Netflix? Will it go down the same dark path that awarded Blockbuster with a chapter 11 bankruptcy?

I don’t think so…but, I do believe, Netflix is in critical condition.

Netflix has over 25 million subscribers making it larger than most cable companies. Movie studios need Netflix as much as Netflix needs to license movies from the studios. It’s only a matter of time before the world bows down before mighty Netflix . . . or new competition will come on the scene.

Is Netflix dieing, certainly not, but they do stand a chance of losing customers over their PR blunders.

What can we, as Christian entrepreneurs learn from Netflix? As it turns out, a lot!

One thing is, if you’re going to announce something, do it in plain English and not PR speak. Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV) says;

Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.

What do you think about Netflix’s news and their current business state? If you’re a subscriber will you be cancelling your service? What opportunities do you think will arise from Netflix’s blunders? What else can we learn as entrepreneurs from CEO Reed Hastings’ mishaps? Sound off in the comments below!

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Sponsored by Smallbiztechnology.com:

March 8, 2011

For many small businesses, technology, is either a God-send or the apex of evil. We live in a world of “always on, always connected, and always communicate in the fastest way possible.” Your customers are looking to connect and do business with you in more efficient ways; and technology helps us do it all better!

Remember when you could get customers by simply mailing out a flier or brochure? [Ahhh . . . the glory days!]

Now, your customers are expecting you to have a great website, blog, mobile app, mobile payment processing, and more!

Where can you go to learn how to maximize technology for your business?

Actually, the answer is really simple . . .

I’m happy to announce the 6th annual 2011 Small Business Technology Summit!

This summit brings together awesome business networking, technology demos, insights from business leaders, and more. It’s sponsored by the good folks at smallbiztechnology.com and Prime Strategies.

The summit is on March 8, 2011 in New York and it’s definitely worth the trip.

This year they’ve got tons of speakers, the hottest technology vendors, and more all geared for small businesses. Highlights include Jim Fowler or Salesforce.com and Chris McCann of 1-800 Flowers giving keynote speeches.

If you want to know how to leverage current technology and get a glimpse at future tech that can take your business to the next level, this is the conference for you. I’ll be there all day interviewing speakers, checking out some of the tech demos, and causing as much trouble as possible, so meet me there!

Registration is only $199, which is a steal of a deal considering the program line-up alone [click here to get your tickets for only $50! Use discount code - rodkirby50tix]. Register quickly as I hear the summit sells out fast!

I hope to see YOU there!

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Me, Coaching!

Update: The contest is officially closed. I want to give a big shout-out to everyone that entered! Winners to be announced soon!

The week after Christmas is usually reserved for shopping and buying junk you want with all those sweet gift cards you received. I actually spent a couple of hours in Macy’s trying to spend one my fiancee gave me . . . and ended up buying nothing. Believe it or not, I couldn’t figure out what I wanted because I kept thinking of things that I needed that Macy’s didn’t have.

Note: Don’t worry . . . surely, I’ll be able to find something to blow a Macy’s gift card on!

2011 is almost here and I want to give YOU something your business needs in order to succeed in the new year . . . coaching! How would you like to receive my best advice, direction, and guidance for your small business in 2011?

I want to help you maximize social media marketing, flesh out your business plan, or answer any questions you have for your business absolutely free!

3 lucky [randomly chosen] winners will receive 1-on-1 business coaching with me for a full hour absolutely free! Here are the rules;

1. Briefly explain why you need or want business coaching in the comments section below. (Keep it as brief and as too the point as possible. I’m sure your life’s story is an action packed movie, but it’s not necessary!)
2. Follow me on Twitter or “Like” my Facebook page (if we’re already connected on either network, move on to the next step)
3. Share this message on Twitter or Facebook:
   I just entered to win a full hour of free business coaching from @RodKirby and YOU can too! http://ow.ly/3uXax #Succeedin2011
4. You can share this blog post once per day for additional entries in the drawing [you can use the social icons below or use the same message above]. 
   

That’s pretty much it, easy enough for you?! So, what are you waiting for? Break out your finest thinking cap and head over to the comments section! Good luck!

Contest Details

The contest begins – RIGHT NOW! – and ends Friday December 31, 2010 at 12 am [CST]. The 3 lucky winners will be randomly chosen using random.org and announced on Monday January 3, 2011.

Blog Comments: The comment you leave on this blog will not enhance your chances of winning. It is just a condition of eligibility. The only thing that will enhance your chances of winning is sharing this blog post daily until the contest is over.

Winners Announcement: The winners will be announced on Monday January 3, 2011 in a blog post. The blog post will have an email address where the winners can claim their prizes. Failure to claim a prize will result in forfeiting that prize to whomever I randomly select.

Prizes: The prize is an hour of success coaching with me per winner. This is a non-negotiable term and can not be redeemed for cash or any other prize. Coaching will be scheduled for an agreed upon time between myself and the winners. Sessions will consist of advice, tools, and resources to help you take your business to the next level. After the session, you’ll receive a recap email from me giving you further advice, links to resources, and etc.

Restrictions: This contest is open to anyone who speaks [or can write] English. I do not claim to be an expert regarding finances and will not offer any investment advice. I also do not give advice on personal subjects such as family, parenting, career, or relationship matters. Coaching is private, 1-on-1 (via phone or internet), and strictly professional in nature.

Special Note: I’ll give you 2 entries if you subscribe to my Success Tips newsletter!

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby

Are You on the Social Media Marketing Bandwagon?

If you followed along with the Social Media Marketing Success Series (links to the recap post) last week then you know that the final and most important part of social media marketing is asking for the sale.

Well, I believe I’ve put together an awesome service that will solve a lot of your social media marketing problems and I’m asking for your business. This package deal was put together for groups, organizations, bloggers, entrepreneurs, small business owners who are not maximizing social media for their business.

If you’ve already got a blog and are maximizing social media for your business, then you might give my success coaching or other services a try. I guarantee I can help you take your business, brand, or blog to the next level. Watch the video below and you’ll find the details of the package after it.

Note: Seems as though Vimeo doesn’t like my webcam at all so there are a few audio sync issues. My apologies, I’m working with tech support to see what quality of video I need to upload in the future. Thank you for your patience.

Having trouble viewing this video? Watch it on Vimeo instead!

Social Media for Business Launch Package

Need an “all-in-one” solution to maximizing social media marketing for your business? This package includes a new brand identity, web presence, and content creation to launch you into social media marketing success!

• Custom Logo Design
• Business Card Design (Print options offered once design is complete.)
• Domain Name
• Web Hosting
• WordPress Blog Installation & Set-up (includes plugins, social buttons, and more!)
• Customized Facebook Fan Page
• Customized Twitter Background
• Customized Email Newsletter Template
• 1 Month of Success Coaching Services (1 session per week – You’ll learn the ins and outs of social media marketing, how to maintain your blog, and more!)
• 1 Month of Blog Content Creation (Tailored for your business, industry, products, and services!)
• 1 Month of Twitter Content & Updating
• 1 Month of Facebook Fan Page Content & Updating
• 1 Month of Custom Newsletter Content Mail-outs

Investment: Only $495 (payment plans are available!) – Call 1-415-ROD-KRBY [763-5729] or Email me NOW for Details!

P.S. - Want exclusive discounts, deals, and specials on every service listed? Sign-up for my “Success Tips!” newsletter! Subscribers get coupons, news, and info before everyone else does – plus great tips for marketing their business.

Disclaimer: We will never share your email address with anyone, period.

About The Author

Rod Kirby