The Success Center

This is Tim Tebow, he’s the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. You may have heard of him (who hasn’t?!).

Tim loves the Lord and everybody knows it (Can’t you tell?!). His customers (the football fans) know it and so does his co-workers (teammates).

However, he’s gotten a lot of negative and positive attention because of his faith. I can relate to Tim’s story because just recently, one of my clients asked me why I “only offer my services to Christians.”

My reply was that I don’t offer them only to Christians, but I know what I’m called to do and who I’m called to help. That’s why this blog is dedicated to Christian entrepreneurs, because we have unique entrepreneurial challenges.

Do I advertise my faith to clients?

It depends – it depends on which facet of my company they meet first. If they contacted me through this blog, then yes, I guess I do advertise my faith. However, if I meet them for the first time at a networking event, I wouldn’t start a conversation by reciting my declaration of faith.

So, for me, it depends.

Do I mention to them that I’m a Christian and if they’re uncomfortable working me I’ll understand?

Absolutely not! – that’s just not wise. My faith is personal unless it comes up during the right time (a spiritual question is asked) or in the right forum (like this blog).

I suppose everyone is different and it also depends on what kind of business you operate. So, let me pass the torch to you.

Do YOU as a Christian entrepreneur let customers or clients know that you’re a Christian? Is it the right move to make? If you’ve never told your customers, how do you think it would affect your business and sales? If you’re not a Christian, how would you handle someone you do business with advertising their faith?

Drop your answer in the poll below and be sure to let me know why you chose it in the comments too.

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About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Hey, pro-bloggers! Hey, small business owners! Hey, speakers! Did you know there are actually a ton of ways you can market your business or brand? Before Facebook and Twitter took the fold, people actually used to meet each other face-to-face, pass out fliers, or tell their friends to spread the word about their business for them [seriously, it's true!]. And, for all you “old-heads” who don’t know what a “tweet” is . . . then get with the program!

So, before we do a little exploring of these methods of marketing, I want to open this up to you. Which method of marketing generates the most customers, sales, connections, referrals, etc. for your business? Have you explored other methods that are listed here are stuck with one tried-and-true method? What are your thoughts on marketing your business in general? Do you find it easier to make a sale on Twitter than buying a 30 second TV spot? Cast your vote in the poll and explain your answer in the comments below!

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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When I started this poll I was really in a transition period in my thinking on social media marketing.

How so?

For one, I don’t feel like I need to be present on every platform, social network, or social site. Why spread myself, my message, and my brand so thin? That only dilutes it all and doesn’t leave any real value for the people I want to attract.

So, for me, I’m focusing on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. I know that I can actively engage there and make genuine connections. I was really kind of shocked by the results of this poll. Not because Twitter came in as number one, but because Linkedin didn’t get any votes.

Maybe there’s an opportunity to explore why no one [at least, no one who voted] makes it an important marketing platform when it’s clearly built that way. I’ll have to think of something . . . What do you think? If you didn’t vote in the poll, what’s your social media marketing platform of choice? If you did vote, why did you choose your answer?

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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If you’re not maximizing social media for your business then you’re really missing out on great relationships, referrals, website/blog traffic, connections, and opportunities to grow your business. My marketing platform of choice is Twitter. I love the relationships and connections it brings.

Yesterday, a firestorm of discussion started with the post, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Twitter Success. (I’ll be sharing how to have your blog post go viral in next week’s upcoming edition of, “Success Tips!”) In it I expressed why it’s my platform of choice and few ways (understatement) you can maximize it for your business.

Now, it’s your turn. What social platform do you use the most to get referrals, new clients, grow relationships, and etc? Cast your vote in this quick poll and be sure to elaborate in the comments section below.

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Last month’s poll simply asked what you wanted to achieve this year, but I don’t think anyone can give a simple answer. Your answers were pretty interesting though, let’s take a look, shall we?

The majority of answers were split between starting a new business or making more money with an existing business. I find it interesting that at the start of the new decade you all are really looking to take your businesses to the next level. Not so much when it comes to loosing weight or starting new projects.

I believe that God has blessed us all with gifts, talents, and abilities to bless the world. I just want to offer up a word of encouragement, if God gave you the vision, He’ll see you through to the end. Take a look at this verse below;

1 Chronicles 28:20 (Amplified Bible)

²⁰Also David told Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

So, be bold this year and move steadfastly toward your goals. I’d love to hear what you would like to achieve this year, list your answers in the comments below. As a challenge to you, what do you plan on doing to achieve your goals for 2010? Keep that in mind as you list your answers – this is the start of something good…

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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It’s a new year and new decade which means it’s time to set new goals and objectives for our lives. I ran into 2010 swinging with the “Win in 2010″ Entrepreneur Fast and making some new additions to this blog. This year I plan on growing this blog, connecting with a lot of you, and making it easy for you all to connect with each other (details coming very soon).

“Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.” – Thomas A. Bennett

How has the start of the first quarter of the year been for you? What do you want to achieve this year? Cast your vote in this month’s poll and feel free to explain your answer in the comments below.

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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“Repent now, the end is here!” shouts the crazed old man from the street. A confident smirk crosses your face as you drive by. You’re not worried because every goal you set out to achieve has been squished under the awesomeness of your productivity.

That’s how you feel right? Or, are you like most people and feel like you’ve got to make the winning shot at the end of the 4th quarter of the game? Come to think of it, there are some of you that have totally given up on the 4th quarter and are waiting for the new season to begin.

However, the question remains the same, have you accomplished everything you wanted to this year? Cast your vote in this quick poll and explain your answer in the comments below. If you have, what were your goals? If you haven’t what else would you like to squish underneath your iron hand? If you’ve given up, why?

Heck, I’ll even kick things off! Check out my answer in the comments section.

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Remember back in the days of AOL being the only way you could get online and everyone wanted to sell you something online? A lot has changed since then, but it’s a different online landscape now-a-days. Today things are more social and all that really means is people want to get to know you, interact with you, and then sell you stuff. There’s certainly nothing really wrong with that, but has your perspective on buying online from total strangers changed since then?

I can remember a time when my mom wouldn’t dare pay a bill online or buy some shoes, but now she shops online like there’s no tomorrow. Certainly trust has been earned with companies like Amazon, Paypal, and other major retailers. But is it the same for solo-preneurs or small business owners who sell services or products online in today’s social climate? I don’t know the answer to this question so I want to open it up to you and we’ll meet back here next week to discuss what we come up with. Deal? Be sure to use the “share this” button below to get your friends and colleagues involved. The more people we bring into answering this question the greater the results. Till next time kids!

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Clearly there’s something in the water because a whopping 71% of you don’t use an editorial calendar for your blog. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t start using one until I relaunched the Success Center into the site you see now. When I started blogging I wrote everyday which put me under a lot of pressure to deliver everyday. And who put me under so much pressure? I did (amazing how we abuse ourselves ain’t it? – FYI, “ain’t” is in the Memphis English dictionary).

Once I relaunched this site I decided to take my blogging seriously because I wanted it to succeed as something bigger than a blog. No one actually told me, taught me, or showed me anything of an editorial calendar so I figured it out myself. The thing is, I’m an organization nut. So, planning is something I do naturally (There’s a big difference between being an organization nut and a neat freak, so don’t get to excited ladies).

I don’t know what your goals are for your blog or website, but If you want to gain consistent readership, viewers, and traffic you’ve got to create a plan. That’s all an editorial calendar is. If you haven’t watched my 17 minute video detailing How to Create an Editorial Calendar for Your Blog, then get on it! If you voted in this poll and seen the video has your mindset changed? Is there a better way to blog that I don’t know about? For the one person who voted that they don’t use an editorial calendar, what’s your secret? Voice your opinion in the comments below. If you want your pretty picture to show up beside your comment then you’ll want to log in with you Facebook, Twitter, or OpenID account. Cheers! [We'll have a new poll start next week]

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Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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Good writers write on schedule not just whenever. So many bloggers go at it one post at a time with no direction in mind. I’ll admit, when I first started blogging, I was the definition of a haphazard bogger. I never knew what I was going to post, but, to pat myself on the back, I did post something everyday. Having an editorial calendar and taking your blogging seriously is only the first step of many in taking your blog, website, or writing project to the next level. So, be honest and cast your vote in the poll below. When you’re done, go check out yesterday’s video, “How to Create an Editorial Calendar for Your Blog”

If you already use an editorial calendar, check the video out anyway. It details my method, some great tools to creating blog posts, and my posting strategy for The Success Center. Also, let me know your process for creating an editorial calendar or why you don’t use one in the comments below.

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About The Author

Rod Kirby helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and organizations take advantage of social media marketing and new media through his company, Kirby Enterprises. Follow Rod on Twitter here.

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