They Said WHAT About Me & My Business?

I (Crystal) just realized that I may have been keeping secrets from you...

The secret I'm talking about is Google Alerts - if you already have one set up, you can quit reading - thanks for the great visit and I hope you're having a RELAXing day!

For those of you who haven't heard of Google Alerts, you can Google it and you'll get a super explanation - (or click here) or here's the short version for those of you who are like me and don't have a ton of time and just want to get down to the 'down and dirty' of it all.

some companies want to charge you to know what people are saying about you and/or your company - but what you do is this (and it's totally free):  you go to this website: http://www.google.com/alerts

and then you can put in a google alert for anything you'd like (Relax Consulting for example) or anyone you'd like (Crystal Casavant for example) and anytime your search criteria are met online (an article, publication, blog, etc...), you'll get an email in your inbox (or now they offer text messages, I think). It's a nice way to hear complaints or accolades right away, when you can either thank the person, or do some damage control to avoid it becoming bigger than life and hurting your business or your reputation.

It's pretty self explanatory, and Google has great helps and explanations along the way - but if you have any questions, let me know and I'd be glad to help. I've had mine set for at least a year and I love it. Sometimes it's the wrong person or business, but you just delete the email. Quick and Easy so YOU can RELAX!

~Crystal

Writing a Business Concept Statement in 250 Words or Less

Writing a Business Concept Statement can be tough enough - doing it in 250 words or less adds to the challenge. Take your entrepreneurial dream and putting it on paper = priceless!

Business Concept Statement

You want to make sure that your business concept includes:

**The features of what your business does (product or service) and why you do it. (take some of the points from your mission statement if you have one).

**The "what's in it for me" for your customers. How will your product or service make it easier for your customer? How will it enhance their life/their experience/their appearance?

**What sets you apart? Why is your business unique?

**Who are your clients or who will they be (target market) and why?

Think like a reporter....

What does company XYZ sell or do?

How is it different from other companies, products, services?

Who will buy ____________?

Why will they buy from you? (ie: price, availability, confidence, etc...)

Where will ______________ be sold/marketed?

When will you sell your products (if this is a start up and you are not established or in growth phase)

How will you market, promote, and inform people about __________________?

Once you get your plan on paper, review it with your team. If you are a solopreneur, review it with someone you have shared your vision with. Ask for input and advice. Once you've polished it, let someone unfamiliar with the business read over your concept statement. You'll need to keep it brief but make sure it conveys everything about your plan for success. An outsider will ask questions and help you see any missing pieces of the puzzle.