Magnus Marketing Blog

Anyone in the Philadelphia area and/or associated and affiliated with FOX School of Business, Temple University - come on out to the 2010 MBA Conference on Sunday, March 21 at the ungodly hour of 9 a.m. (no chance to sleep in).

I will be speaking on the Entrepreneurship Panel answering questions not only about MagnusMG, but all the great key learnings I have had from working with clients. Some of my key advice is:
1. Avoid the Venture Capital people until you have clients and market share and never give up control of YOUR company!
2. Do not give salespeople equity in your company unless there are YEARLY performance goals attached to attainment of it!
3. Hire sales/marketing people who know your business or industry or have enough related knowledge to intelligently converse with your target market!
4. You won't launch a business and get clients for months, years, or never!
5. Patience is a virtue, cash is king, get the right resources - they are out there!
6. Forget the book, throw away the business plan, and do what the market wants you to do!
7. Don't do what everyone else does, social media is helpful, but not the be all - get on the phone!

And much more. I look forward to talking to the budding entrepreneurs and seasoned experts. Maybe I can get some new clients out of it also - lots of great companies were built in dorm rooms!

Come see me there!

Wow, today I was truly depressed. After following up with a bunch of companies I had contacted previously as I hunted for new clients, I was told by two that they had hired someone who did what I did, and part time also, and the rest didn't even return an email or phone call. It is very scary, because this would not have been the situation a couple of years ago. The economic situation is such that people are working part-time to make money and many of them are as experienced or talented as I. It isn't a matter of telemarketing here or cost, it is the flood of talent that is out there.

I was hunting for new clients because one informed me that they could no longer afford my very affordable rate and were looking into pay-for-performance models. This is usually a sign of a company in a bit of trouble - so I don't think they are viably returning.

Engaging one or more part-time sales people is definitely a win-win on both sides and an entire part-time staff can be built for very low cost with wider coverage. No benefits to offer, no management, just training and ramp up.

I have to consider the environment and rework my intro and tactics. At least I eat my own dog food. And, if you need a good prospecting, inside sales, marketing expert - reach out - I have a slot available for one or two more companies!