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In your experience, what % of biz owners fall into this category?...

by TimothyW
11 replies
The blessing + curse of helping small biz's with online stuff is: not many biz's are doing it.

That is, many small biz owners have an "It is what it is" attitude about their business. Meaning they are really not into trying to promote or expand their biz. They figure, what ever customers come in or call will do so with or without any active (or passive) promotions, etc.

They have the attitude, the same amount of biz will come their way whether or not they put effort into promos, ads, websites, etc.

"It is what it is."

So... your attempts to get them off their a**es are all in vain cuz they have no interest in trying to get more customers, in general.

What % of biz owners are like that, do you think?

Please adivse.

Thanks.

-- TW
#biz #category #experience #fall #owners
  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I gave up over a year ago trying to convince small businesses that need Internet Marketing.
    There is a small percentage of business owners that "get it" and I focus my time and energy on them.
    To find them...do some research and see who is ranking on Page 2 of Google Maps and Organically. You can also look at Facebook Fans Pages and see which ones have started a Page but not using it correctly.
    In regards to your question, I would guess maybe 20% of small businesses have really embraced Internet Marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Rayman
    Very many businesses don't understand that internet is growing bigger and more important every day. I tried to help a small business in my village, but they didn't even understand how a website could help them get more sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    It's frustrating to see small biz owners just putting their feet up on the desk, being satisfied with whatever comes to them "from nowhere."

    They seemingly have no desire to get more customers.

    Whatever customers they get, they get, and whatever they don't get, they don't get -- and they are FINE WITH THAT.

    I think that is many, if not MOST small biz owners!

    When someone like us tries to "help" them, they don't WANT our help. And we are "forced" into this crazy situation: "I must twist YOUR arm, so you will let ME help YOU!!"

    That's NUTS!
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  • Profile picture of the author alanborcic
    People are different and they have different needs. Would you work 20 hours days for 10 million annually? I would not.
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  • Profile picture of the author scarab
    I think a majority are in the 'rock' group. Proably 70-80% and maybe even more. Take my product for instance SMS messaging, for about $4 or less per hundred a business can get his message out targeted directly to his customers and the 'Rock Dude' says: it is what it is, won't work, don't need new customers etc. This is after a very good professional demo presentation, no pressure etc.

    Makes me wonder how and why the 'rocks' are in business. It also explains why ot takes quite a few calls and presentations to close a deal.
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    • Profile picture of the author Blase
      The first question I have asked since 1995 is...

      Are you REALLY interested in working to grow your business?

      If they say yes, the next question is...

      So tell me what you have done in the last thirty days to do that?
      How is that different from the 30 days before that?

      Those questions will tell you if you are wasting your time.
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      "Nothing Happens Until Something Is Sold"
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    Here are the terms I use to describe these "rocks."

    1) Trekkies. They have their "incoming new ideas" phazers set on "**KILLL!!**"

    2) Santas. They always laugh and say, "HO! HO! HO! I'm doing FINE!" Even though they haven't had a customer in weeks, and they are due to appear in bankruptcy court.

    -- TW
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  • Profile picture of the author JJOrana
    The truth is a lot of businesses are successful without some serious marketing.

    They're making sale and making money. A lot of them are confused between marketing and selling. They thought they're the same thing.

    ...well if you'll make your own research in this forum, you'll discover that a lot of warriors are confused too.

    To answer your question, I'll say 75% of them don't think fall into that category. Even more. No wonder there's a high failure rate.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Kid
    Another thing to consider, is that some people just aren't THAT ambitious... not every one has the drive to develop, and then grow a business.

    Just like the vast majority of people don't have the desire to be business owners, a lot of "business" owners don't have the desire to have a true business. What they really want to do is provide a comfortable living for themselves/their family, with no boss to answer to.

    As such, a lot of them see no reason to worry about all that marketing jazz when all they really want is about 100k in their pockets each year (if that much), to get by.
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    • Profile picture of the author High Horsepower
      I have business owners tell me frequently that they don't want any increase in business. Some are very comfortable with their income, some may have to shell out a lot of money to expand their business should sales increase (new building, more labor, company vehicles, etc...)

      It can be very frustrating knowing you can significantly increase their sales but they want nothing to do with it. I've had business owners tell me "I know you can help me, I don't want to grow".
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  • Profile picture of the author danielkanuck
    Well i know this doesn't describe me. Even though i'm a lazy guy by heart. I love money, and anything that can help me to boost my income, i'm all for it. Business owners who are content with their profits makes me want to scoop in and take over their niche.
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