2012 Checklist for End of Year Planning

3 comments November 28th, 2012

This is the season to think about next year – time to gather up what has worked in the past year and what new things to experiment with in the coming year. 2013 offers a very big opportunity to improve or tweak your business.

One way I try to figure out what holes need to be filled is by tracking the following things:

• Size of mailing list
• Number of website visitors
• Number of new articles added to the website
• Number of request for demos
• Number of events held or attended
• Number of press releases
• Keywords
• Top and new referrals streams (partners, websites, …)
• New information sources

My promotion plan includes:

• Email blast
• Mail
• Advertising (adwords, banners, print)
• Website improvements
  • Website SEO
  • New information sources to target
• Press releases
• Conferences
• Memberships
• Speaking engagements
• Video
• Partners
  • New to target
  • Press releases

5 Promotional Ideas I got from Startup Digest

Add comment July 19th, 2012

Promotion often makes the difference between business success and failure. A recent email from Startup Digest gave me some great ideas.

1. Develop checklists and top 10 lists.
2. Tie your news story to recent events.
3. Get in the email inbox.
4. Celebrate the holidays with discount or special offer.
5. Always include a list of upcoming events.

Upcoming SKMurphy Events

• August 9, Startup Sales Circle
• September 15, Mastermind Open House
• October 6&7,  Will Work for Equity: Startup CEOs Share Lesson Learned, Silicon Valley Code Camp, Los Altos, CA
• October 10&11,  “Great Demo!” San Jose, CA

Upcoming Bootstrappers Breakfast Events

• July 24 – Philadelphia, PA
• July 25 – Chicago, IL
• July 25 – Walnut Creek, CA
• July 26 – Minneapolis, MN
• July 26 – San Diego, CA
• July 27 – Mountain View, CA
• August 1 – San Francisco, CA