Know the differences between marketing and sales - how each affects your business.

Many small business owners make the mistake of thinking marketing and sales are the same thing.  They are very different, yet equally valuable to the success of business.

Marketing is communicating the value of a product, service or brand to customers for the purpose of promoting or selling that product, service or brand.  

Many businesses hire a marketing specialist to help promote their business in person, online or through various forms of advertising such as social media, television, radio, billboard or print advertisement.

The marketing specialist’s job is to promote the business “brand” and not to conduct sales. 

Sales on the other hand, are just that, sales!  Sales people work to maximize the money spent to marketing the brand. People who are successful in sales want to focus on making the sales and not on branding.

Sales are the heart of a business!  Allowing competitive sales people to focus only on sales not only will make your business successful but will make you and your salespeople extremely happy.  

photo credit: Hannah Morgan

Marketing is for branding and sales are for generating revenue.

Marketing and sales go hand and hand.  Business owners must budget for both for continued success and growth.

How are you marketing your business?

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com 

How to Unplug and Recharge Your Batteries!

All this modern technology helps us stay on top of appointments, work and family. But unfortunately we tend to stay connected at all times. 


Setting some time to unplug can be refreshing.  
Below are a few suggestions.

Making daily times to unplug is vital.  Each day designate a time for all family members to put their phones or computers on silence to enjoy time with each other.  

Developing this habit with “digital native” children is especially helpful as they grow older.

While waiting, stop yourself from browsing with your phone.  Instead absorb the surroundings, meet other people or enjoy quite time and relax.

On the weekend, make a habit of not checking your phone and limit social media.  You will be surprised how much time social media is consuming.

photo credit: Ana Gabriel

Recharging “your batteries” by doing something creative, visiting family, or going outside is especially vital to business owners for staying balanced.


Blog by:
Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Why Avoiding Sales People May NOT be a Good Idea!

Have you ever lied to a sales person?  You know, give them the old run around. Yea, sales people can be pushy and irritating, but remember, most sales people get paid by commission which translates to “No sale, No pay!”

There are many reasons on any given day why we avoid sales people. No time, no money, not interested, afraid to say “No”.  Some business owners have even been rude or screamed at sale people instead of simply saying “No, I am no interested.”

Below are three reasons why smart business owners should never avoid or be rude to sales people.

1. Sales people may know other business owners and people in your area. This can be a great asset to your business for contacts, services and new customers. Not to mention the impact of social media if you are rude or lie.

    2. Sales people are consumers, yes they shop! Don’t be rude or disregard their time by rescheduling meetings just to avoid having to say no. You may lose them as a customer and referrals from their vast number of contacts and friends. 

3. Value their time, as you do your own.  They would rather you say “No, I am not interested” so they can move on the next business. It will make your life easier and the sales person will appreciate you being up front and not wasting their time.

Having a network of sales people from your community can be an asset to your business. Learn how to connect and share.

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Save-A-Lot Grocery Store Opens in Midfield, Al. at West Hills Plaza

The community of Midfield welcomes the new Save-A-Lot grocery store. The small close-nit community welcomes not only a new grocery store but the new jobs and opportunities to the community.

Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s assistant

The grand opening was on Oct. 31, 2014, with Mayor Gary Richardson and members of the local chamber of commerce present.

Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s assistant

Midfield is located in Jefferson County, Alabama. It is south of from the Birmingham suburb of Fairfield.

Save-a-Lot is a American hard discount supermarket chain headquartered in Earth City, Missouri, near St. Louis, United States.

Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s assistant

While stores carry most typical grocery products, they feature less variety than conventional supermarkets. A typical Save-A-Lot is 15,000 square feet with items displayed in their cardboard shipping boxes.

Visit Midfield and follow them FaceBook/Midfield.

The West Hills Plaza is managed by Sharp Realty, LLC.

Sharp Realty,LLC

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

3 Tips To Drive Traffic To Your Website Without Paying For Ads.

Customers can now shop in a world-wide market place, obtaining price and quality information 24 hours a day.  If your company website or blog is not receiving traffic on a daily basis, you may not be using social media correctly.

Here are 3 tips to drive traffic to your website without paying for ads.

 

1.  Just don't be on social media, engage on social media! This means interacting, re-posting or re-tweeting with individual followers or other businesses. 

Include photos on your posts. Photos attract more attention than just text.

Also, remember to always say “Thank you” and reply to questions when asked.

2.  Use hashtags, yes the infamous #.  Be part of a conversation tread or create your own. Use hashtags to be included in different conversations. The hashtags help search engines to find your business.

3. Blog about subjects or event that relate to your target audience.  If mothers between the ages 22-35 are your target audience, post about children events, saving money, family travel, DIY, and family recipes. 

Include links to products and services you offer and company contact information at the bottom of the post.

In this age of e-commerce and online services we all have to be in the game or be left behind.

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209
205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

5 Best Ways To Show Your Customers You Care About Them?

Shopping is emotional experience and now through social networks and messaging it is being shared instantly with others.

How can you show your customers you care and appreciate their business?

1. Create a Customer Loyalty Program - Develop and execute a loyalty program that will keep your best customers coming back again and again.  Use a punch card or customer identification number to track customer purchases, and then reward loyal customers with a freebie after a certain number of purchases.

2. Thank You Notes – Writing a thank you note or saying it in person doesn't go un-noticed by customers. Thanking a customer for their business is an easy and inexpensive way to let your customers know you appreciate them. The next time they need your products or services, they’ll remember that note or thank you.

3. Remembering Special Days – If you’ve collected information on your customers such as birthdays, anniversaries or other special days, drop them a card in the mail. It’s also a good time to give them a birthday or anniversary discount.

4. Offer Your Online Fans Special Deals Often. - Your best customer advocates will publicly “fan” your business on a social media, so craft a special deal just for them. This not only rewards your existing fans, but sharing deals online is also an easy way to boost social shares and new followers for your business.

5. Going the Extra Mile – You’ve heard the saying to “under promise and over deliver”. If you can go the extra mile for your loyal customers, they will notice. Even if it’s just something really small, they’ll notice and feel cared for.

Retaining customers is much easier than acquiring new ones.

For more great tips follow us online.
@Sharp_Realty

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Beat Burnout - 5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

The best way to beat burnout is by making more time for the activities and people that matter most to you.

1.  Build downtime into your schedule.

When planning your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and exercise that help you recharge.

2.   Learn to say NO.

When you quit accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you'll have more time for the activities that are meaningful to you.

3.   Rethink your daily tasks.
Cut or delegate activities you don't enjoy or can't handle — or share your concerns and possible solutions with your family or employer.

4.   Get moving.

It's hard to make time for exercise but it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.

5.   Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.

Even during a busy day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to rest your mind and/or body and recharge your batteries.

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

What are the Advantages of Having a Smaller Store Space?

One of the biggest trends is actually, well, small. The combination of changing consumer shopping behaviors and hard-to-pass-up real-estate opportunities has created an opportunity for many traditional stores.

Over the past few years, some large retailers have decided to forgo the hundreds of thousands of square feet and instead opened smaller stores – and consumers are responding quite favorably.

Consumers at times feel overwhelmed in large, massive merchandised filled stores with so many items to select from.

Having an organized exclusive store is easier for the consumers to browse and connect with the staff; this is where the loyalty begins!

Additional advantages for business owner are lower cost and investment. For many small businesses and start-ups this is just the ticket needed for success!

So think outside the box and think small!

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Business is thriving in Washington Indiana, what is the secret?

The Cherry Tree Plaza is hot with activity of customers and retail stores thriving in this Washington, Indiana shopping complex.

The current businesses located in the plaza include Peebles Department Store, Jay C Foods, Orscheln Farm & Home, Trader Baker’s Flea Market, GNC, Radio Shack, Southern Wireless, Fiesta Salon, Hibbett Sports, Jimbo's Pizza & Wings and Great Wall Restaurant.

New stores added in 2013:
Smooth You Med Spa & Boutique
108 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(812) 254-6810

About: Smooth You is a place where all your skincare needs can be met with our numerous products and specialized services. We are located in Cherry Tree Plaza in Washington, IN. Sharon Cullen, R.N. is the owner of Smooth You.

Visit them on Facebook.  

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Four Stars Books & Games
107 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, IN 47501
(812) 259-2035

About: We love entertainment! Video games (New & Retro), DVDs, Books, Electronics, Vinyl, Comics, and RPG Books and Dice! PC repair with FREE estimates! We Buy, Sell, and Trade!

Here at Four Star: Books And Games we pride ourselves in 4 STAR QUALITY REPAIRS at the lowest possible prices! Don’t throw your money away on a new system. Make your electronics last longer, and operate more efficiently! Let us keep your electronics like new, and keep more cash in your pocket!  

Four Star: Books And Games - because if it’s not the best, it just isn’t worth it!

Visit them on Facebook.

_______________________________________________________

EyeWorks
109 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(512) 254-1600

About: Glasses and Contacts in about one hour!

We are a full service optometric practice. We have 5 full time optometrists on staff along with 3 visiting Opthalmologists, one being a retinal specialist. We perform full eye health examinations, along with fitting glasses and all types of contact lenses. We have the largest inventory of the latest eyeglasses and contact lenses in the area. We also have a state of the art computerized optical lab to produce the finest eyeglasses for you in about one hour.

Visit them on Facebook. 

Expanded in 2013:
Anytime Fitness
101 Cherry Tree Plaza
Washington, Indiana 47501
(812) 254-2200

About: 24 Hour Fitness Club with Personal Training and Tanning available.
Visit them on Facebook.

How to be successful in small business in 2014?
One of most important things is having the right location for your business. Sharp Realty has been helping businesses find the best locations for over 20 years, let us help you!

Get your business in the right location!
Commercial Space available for lease in Washington, Indiana and other locations throughout the United States.
Management Team: Rhonda Lusco, 205-879-1995

Realtor to view the Plaza: Shelley Brinson, 512-254-5204

At Cherry Tree:
Suite 100 @ 2,000 sf

Suite 112 @ 910 sf

Suite 114 @ 5,425 sf

Suite 116 @ 1,200 sf

Sharp Realty, LLC.

400 Union Hill Suite 300

Birmingham, Al. 35209

Phone: 205-879-1995

www.sharprealty.com

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Make a Good Impression: 5 Ways ToSpruce Up the Office
3 Basics of Business Branding for Small Business Today

The #1 Video Game And Electronic Store In Daviess County!
Your One Stop Entertainment Shop!

Prepare For These Four Realities When Starting A New Business

There is nothing more exciting than the thought of owning your own business, being your own boss, and having your brand or name on merchandise.  

However, the excitement can turn to distress if you have not considered these four subjects when you start your new business.

1. Financial: There are many start-up costs associated with opening a new business.  

There are often hidden costs or fees that will come up when starting the business such as licensing, cost of maintaining a building, merchandise stock, marketing, staff, insurance, accountant and much more. 

Multiply your budgeted start-up costs by 3 or 4 to maintain a financial comfort zone.

2. Marketing: Create an annual Marketing Plan.  The adage "build it and they will come" only happens in movies! Opening a business with a sign outside does not guarantee people will shop your business.  

You should have a annual marketing plan and budget for the entire year.  Marketing is not a once a year event.

Also, successful marketing requires professionals.  Don't leave have your collage age child do your social media marketing just because they are good at using social media to communicate with friends.

3. Long Hours: The fantasy of working whenever hours you want is exactly that, a fantasy!  As a business owner you will work more hours than you ever in your life.  

Being a business owner means you are never far from your business, even while on vacation if you are lucky enough to get a vacation.

4. No or Little Income The First Few Years: Most new businesses do not turn a profit for several year.

Take these considerations and be realistic when planning your new business.  There are many successful business owners in your area.  Talk to them and ask what helped make their business a success.

Presented by Sharp Realty 

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300  Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com

Leasing Commercial Retail Locations Nationwide.

Other topic:
4 Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners
6 Smart Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business

4 Easy Ways to Go Green in Business and Save Money in 2015

Business owners seek ways to cut cost constantly but can they help the environment at the same time?  Yes, below are 4 easy ways to Go Green in business and save money in 2015.

    1. Stop printing and using paper.

Start 2015 by implementing a policy of storing information on the company server or a secure cloud server. Use paper file only as needed. By stopping printing you save ink, paper, storage space and most of the environment. 

    2. Use LED lights.
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are a form of solid-state lighting that is extremely efficient and long-lasting. LEDs that are EnergyStar-qualified should provide stable light output over their projected lifetime.

    3. Power off computer and laptops.

    When not in use power off any electronics in the office. Computers and monitors account for half the electricity used in an office and energy is being wasted every day, even by "energy saving" hardware. With every workstation on standby mode, the electricity meter continues to tick over at an alarming rate. 

    

    4. Use other transportation or hybrid vehicles.

   Convert your company vehicles to a hybrid vehicle or alternative transportation such as biking.

Keep your goal of ways to go green in your business, it will pay off for you and the environment.

Blog Content and photos: Sharp Realty

Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300  Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995www.sharprealty.com


Leasing Commercial Retail Locations Nationwide.
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Why Business Retailers should Embrace Social Media?

6 Smart Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business 

12 Dos and Don’ts for a Successful Meeting

Remember to:

1.  Prepare! Even if you know the material inside and out, being prepared helps you stay on track, remember all the points you want to discuss and command your audience.

2.  Start and end on time. You lead and teach by example, starting and end on time shows a level of respect on your part to the audience and gains the audience’s respect for you.

3.  Have an easy to follow agenda.  Audiences like knowing what is being cover and what is next, having an agenda that is easy to understand will ensure that anyone can stay on point with you.

4.  Have the right attendees. By inviting only the attendees relative to the subject or project will ensure full attention and participation.

5.  Agree on action items.  This step eliminates wasted time later trying to gather all the parties back together again for an approval. There is nothing worse than trying to get an approval to move forward and a key person is on vacation.

6.  Have common understanding of outcome.  By everyone having on the same sheet of music will ensure productivity.

 

Do NOT:

1.  Meet too often. Having meetings too often is a waste of time and money on everyone’s part.

2.  Meet too long.  Cover only the necessary points and information.  At a certain point the audience losses interest. 

3.  Meet without need.  Again, biggest waste of time and money for any company large or small – monitor how often meetings are arranged for your business.

4.  Get off topic. Getting off topic can take you down different roads and you may miss the points of what you need to cover.  If questions arise during the meeting have a Q&A at the end or in an email format to be addressed at a later time.

5.  Get off rhythm. Stick to the agenda and don’t get stuck on a single topic.

6.  Allow anyone to commandeer. Maintain control of the meeting, otherwise you will lose respect and risk not achieving your expected outcome. 

Blog Content and photos: Sharp Realty
Contact us for details or visit our website.


Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300  Birmingham, Al. 35209

205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com


Leasing Commercial Retail Locations Nationwide.

Other topic:
4 Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners

6 Smart Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business