Expensive Unlocked Cell Phone Contracts Coming?

Contract agreements might be set to change for the cellular industry providers and customers of cellular phones.

Today, in a landmark ruling, a California Superior Court Judge ruled that the common practice among wireless providers to levy an "early termination penalty." is illegal. The judgment cost Sprint $18 Million in current fees and over $50 Million in additional disconnect fees it was trying to collect from people who disconnected prior to term and didn't pay. I've always maintained that this practice was improper; and, in fact, still have a collector from AT&T bugging me about the bill after dumping AT&T when they couldn't deliver service properly on the Central Coast when I moved here in 2003. (Shell Beach doesn't have a tower, apparently.) So, to me, it's high time this billing practice changed.

Will this change the industry immediately? Maybe. I predict that more and more wireless companies - especially AT&T - will change the structure of how they sell their phones. Instead of a highly discounted, or even free phone, we'll start to see the full retail price of phones and perhaps about the same monthly fee on the contract. Obviously, if we can switch any time we want, then they might charge more for the phone. However, I'm not certain that means consumers will be charged less on their monthly charges. My guess: they'll lower the rates slightly on the monthly to make up for the higher initial phone price.

Then again, a more likely event is the cellular phone company appeal to the FCC federal level, which could (and likely would) overturn the State decision. Is this battle over? Not by a far cry, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this decision impact the way agreements are structured in the near-term. It might even unlock the iPhone to Verizon so I can convert from Treo 755p to iPhone (I keep waiting...).

How does this relate to entrepreneurs marketing their businesses? Well, keep in mind that if you come up with a nifty payment structure that may be illegal, you may end up paying for it down the road. My suggestion is to start out with above-board agreements based upon current standards and practices to avoid unnecessary litigation and hostile customer reaction.
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ARRiiVE: All the Best on Alltop Marketing

ARRiiVE is now listed as one of the best blogs in Marketing, as listed on Alltop in their MARKETING TAB.

SUBSCRIBE to ARRiiVE and find out why!
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Productivity Secrets on ARRiiVE: Innovations in Business Radio

Want to get more out of each day?

Fine-tune your efforts to realize objectives using "The 5 top productivity tips, including the 80/20 rule," on this episode of the ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business show!

When: 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST on July 30, 2008

Details: Dial in at 724-444-7444 (enter 37798# 1 #) to question Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions, or to listen to the show.

You can also text or download the show at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798. It's simple and easy to join in - see you there!

The show is now recorded! Listen online:

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Are Blogs Better Than Websites, On ARRiiVE Radio

Recently at ARRiiVE: Innovation In Business Radio Show, CEO Scott Andrews discussed the topic: "Are Blogs Better Than Websites?"

Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 to listen to the show.

Trading A Stethoscope For A Blog

Want an inspiring story about a blogger who entertained so much success he recently quit his M.D. practice to blog full-time?

This is a story first published on July 21, 2008 in the New York Times about Dr. Arnold Kim, the founder of MacRumors, a leading gossip and technology rumor site about Apple, indicating he hung up his stethoscope to focus on growing his blog's success. What blog is it? MacRumors.com.

MacRumors is not an ordinary blog:

By the numbers:

Traffic: 4.4 Million visitors per month (source: Quantcast.com)
Page Views: 40 Million Page views per month (source: Quantcast.com)
Value: Over $25 Million.

(Note: Quantcast tends to estimate traffic numbers LOWER than actual real numbers I've witnessed. Therefore, as of this posting, MacRumors probably has well over 5 Million visitors, making it high enough traffic to easily justify over $10K a month in ADS ALONE!)

According to the NY Times article about Dr. Kim leaving his medical profession to focus on MacRumors:

"The site placed MacRumors No. 2 on a list of the “25 most valuable blogs,” right behind Gawker Media and ahead of The Huffington Post, PerezHilton.com, and TechCrunch. Two of the other tech-oriented blogs on its list, Ars Technica and PaidContent, were sold earlier this year, reportedly for sums in excess of $25 million."

Get this: MacRumors has more traffic than either Ars Technica and PaidContent combined, therefore making worth easily more than $25 million in possible value!

Dr. Kim's secret? TRAFFIC.

On his personal blog, last month he posted this answer to how his blog makes money:

“It boiled down to one simple accomplishment: building traffic. That’s it. If you have a site that attracts a lot of visitors, you will be able to make money. On the Internet, traffic equals power, which subsequently equals money.”

So, if you're wondering how to do this yourself, I'd suggest the following:

1. Find a topic many people will care about. Rumors about Apple, a private company that guards secrets with a loyal following in the millions, clearly is one of those topics.

2. Write well. MacRumors articles are extremely well-written..

3. Write often. MacRumors posts 2 - 4 articles PER DAY. His articles use the short, couple of paragraphs-type format, which makes it easier to post more often.

4. Stay with it. MacRumors started in 2000. That's about the same time I started AspireNow.com. I think if I'd posted as much content to AspireNow as Dr. Kim posted to MacRumors, I'd have a website worth a lot, too.

5. Build a solid website structure. MacRumors is logical, and covers a WIDE variety of sub-topics related to the core - everything from iPhone to MacAir, from WebCam to Earnings Releases.

6. Cultivate a following. MacRumors has an active comment section: some articles get hundreds of comments within just a month or two.

7. Post ads in logical places. MacRumors posts a banner ad across the top of the blog. Another set of Google image ads run smack dab in the middle of his articles. I counted two block image ads that also take a lot of space up. He places Amazon and MacMall ads as his "Mall" in the upper right sidebar - a prime spot on his page. He's gone pro: more than that, MacRumors' advertising is now professionally managed.

Considering Dr. Kim invested over $200,000 in his education and enjoyed practicing medicine, clearly he had to have a lot of success with the blog to justify that switch.

What other ideas do you have for building a website or blog into such a huge success that you can leave your professional job behind?

Comment below to share your thoughts!
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Why Blogs Are Better Than Websites

Are you trying to figure out the difference between blogs and traditional websites?

Guess what: you're not alone!

We know there are more and more blogs posting content on the web. But why?

The quick and dirty answer is that blogs, over time, create more interactivity and traffic than regular websites, partly because it is easier to post to blogs and search engines love "content-rich" websites. The more complicated version will go into SEO tactics, describe "RSS feeds", talk about the "long tail" of comment responders, and more.

Are you confused yet?

One of my friends wrote me a message over at my Plaxo Group, Blogging for Business this week:

"Hi Scott,

I am fairly confused with blogs.....it seems just like a website, unless you have traffic what is the point? I did use blogcatalogue and have found my name under it when I search....so I think it might have helped? I am still kind of confused what rss feed does?

Slightly clueless,"

Can you relate? I remember when I first discovered how blogs were changing the Web 2.0 world and how I felt similar to my friend who posted this comment. Not only that, but I knew that I had to understand what was going on with blogs when I read how one blogger made over $10K a month off Google ads alone! Well, on my journey, I've spent probably over 500 hours researching blogs, SEO, traffic tactics, and all the related stuff about making money online. In the process, I've become sort of an "expert" on this stuff, to the point where people now pay me (hint, hint) to consult re: how to set-up their blog. So, I bet you're curious to know what I said back, right?

My response:

"The biggest difference between a blog and a static 1.0 website is the power of COMMENT TRAILS and RSS FEEDS. (Edit: it is also easier to post articles, widgets, and make changes to website layout, which I failed to mention!)

INTERACTIVITY IS KEY

Comment trails involve people more over time than static web pages. Interactive = success with the Internet. Just remember I for I: Interactive for Internet is always a good rule.

RSS FEEDS SYNDICATE YOUR CONTENT

The RSS feed enables ANYONE else to subscribe to your blog. It also enables people to SYNDICATE your content. This means more people can easily get your news sent to them rather than having to go to your site to get it. Still don't get it?

Watch this:



Watch this, too:



There's a lot more at:
http://arriive.blogspot.com/search/label/Blogging%20For%20Success

Especially, read/listen to this:

http://arriive.blogspot.com/2008/04/blogging-for-business.html

BTW- you're not clueless - just catching up - like many! Dive in and go for it!"

Now, I'm working up a new version of my blogging system, but I'll probably just offer it as a one-time "buy this to get started" kind of thing, rather than a monthly subscription. Why? I'm too busy blogging and helping my customers blog more successfully!

http://www.howbloggersmakemoney.com/

Contact me if you're looking for one-to-one help with your blog or to get help with obtaining Top 10 Google position.
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Top 10 Articles for 2007 at ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business

Here is a list of ARRiiVE's Top Ten Articles in 2007, as of July 2008:

1. Top Blogger Template Sites
2. How To Launch A Website
3. Demise Of The Dreaded Office Cubicle - Modern Approaches To Office Design
4. Top-rated Website and Blog Designs
5. What Is Collaboration?
6. How To Build A Successful Sales Team
7. Top 10 Ways To Increase Customer Retention and Lower Turnover of Valuable Clients
8. The #1 Best Sales Copy of All Time
9. Team Selling In Enterprise Environments
10. How To Build More Creative and Collaborative Teams
    

You'll notice that these articles represent a cross-section of topics we write about at ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business, ranging from sales tips, interactive marketing, website and blog design, to team building. Of course, these articles are related to services offered by ARRiiVE Business Solutions, and provided free of charge to provide an introduction into the way we think and how we help you increase your success.

Do you want to contribute your opinion and help me direct future topics towards your level of interest?

Which article or type of article is most useful to you? Why? (Comment below.)
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New Wal-Mart Logo - Here Comes The Sun

On June 30, 2008, Wal-Mart unveiled a new logo in a press release. It's like turning Wal-Mart into Walmart*

Do you like the idea of a new Wal-mart logo?

Patrick Byers at Responsible Marketing commented Starburst, asterisk or sphincter?


I laughed so hard I had to post an article about it. Well, they say a logo represents the image of the company. Would an asterisk represent a "tarnished image" ala Barry Bonds' home run record? I couldn't help but laugh my own (ahem) sphincter off when I saw Patrick's suggested Star logo in reference to all of their products coming from China (see the bottom of his article at the Responsible Marketing Blog).

Then again, another blogger commented that it seemed like a rip-off of another company's logo. Considering the font is IDENTICAL, it sure seems a lot like what many rappers do to old-school music (borrow most of a song and add one tiny twist with a new lyric and call it "new"). (Note: Both Wallpaper and the Kmart logo use the identical font.)

Okay, you decide:

One other thought is that the asterisk is supposed to be a new age sun?

I think the funniest comments I read about the Walmart* logo include "It's like a ring of golden cannons all aimed at small-town America" and "It looks like a rendering of an R.F.I.D. chip." Other people simply stated that it reminded them of Wal-mart trying hard to be Tar-get.

Perhaps the new redesigned Walmart* logo indicates I was way ahead of my time when I commissioned the logo for my first website, AspireNow. You'll notice the AspireNow logo there:

Perhaps, it's time to change that logo to something like this?

Aspire*Now

Pretty inspiring, huh? It took me 5 seconds to do make my font bigger, change the font type, and color it navy blue.

Overall, I actually think the new logo IS more friendly than the old logo. Also, the sun thing IS more playful than that military star. So, maybe it WILL help them change their image. I just wasn't very inspired by it -- that's all.

So, what do you think about the new hyphen star Wal-mart logo turning into the asterisk Walmart* logo?

Comment at will below.
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The Value Of Starting Small - The Savvy Entrepreneur Series, part 1 of 10

Welcome to "The Savvy Entrepreneur Series - Part 1 of 10 - The Value of Starting Small"!



It is valuable to start small if you aspire to be a savvy entrepreneur.

When entrepreneurs dream, they often dream large. Is that good or bad? Well, if you ask many people, the problem with dreaming large is that large projects require large money to get off the ground. I recall my first seminar I launched. Rather than start small, with a handful of people in the room, I "dreamed large" and booked a room that held 600, scheduled guest speakers, booked a band, and so forth. I then went on the radio and promoted this seminar. Several days prior to the big event, we had less than 20 sign-ups for this seminar and realized I ought to have dreamed a little smaller when I launched the seminar. Or, at least I could have started smaller and held the bigger dream as a future goal. I ended up pulling the plug on that seminar after I realized a small turnout wouldn't cover overhead and lost about $2,000 in promotion fees plus a considerable amount of valuable time. It also gave me a little egg on my face at the time, too.

My point: start small.

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is starting too big, or even "acting" like they're big. Hey, if you're small, that means you're nimble. Be quick. Be nimble. And be DIFFERENT. This is the value of being small. Capitalize on that value. Start small and ACT like you're small.

Match your marketing with what you offer:

Don't act big when you're not big. Act small and promote the strength of being small to your clients.

If you're seeking ways to grow your business, don't be afraid to admit you're not a huge company. I'll admit that ARRiiVE Business Solutions is not a big company at the time of this writing. Will it grow? Probably. Do I need to act bigger to succeed with my products and services? Not really. Because people who hire me KNOW that I have an extensive network of resources at my fingertips. If my team can't get the job done, we know who to outsource work out to in order to complete stellar work at a highly reasonable fee.

Make sure you deliver what you need to deliver:

Maximize what you can do. Outsource what you can't do that is directly related to what you can do and need to deliver. Don't do the rest.

Make sure that you know your products and services. Build your team to deliver those services. And, if you can't hire permanent employees, build a network of outsourcing partners who enable you to deliver high quality work. I've been doing this successfully at ARRiiVE Business Solutions for several years, now.

Keep your start-up costs low:

When we start small, we can keep our cost structure low, develop a core service, then repeat and grow our marketing message until a massive number of customers consider us a valued business partner. From there, we can grow bigger. Use your noggin and be a quick, nimble, savvy small fish in a small pond and you'll eventually grow to be a bigger fish who can jump to a bigger pond.

Coming soon:

Be A Better Entrepreneur: The Savvy Entrepreneur Series, part 2 of 10. ________________________________________

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Are You Getting Referrals? - Sales Tip

DUDE! Have you heard about ARRiiVE Business Solutions?

If you're trying to sell a product or service, you're usually going to find yourself prospecting for new business. If you've sold for any amount of time, you probably know the #1 most useful way to get new business is word-of-mouth.

Of course, a customer might, out of the goodness of their heart, refer a prospect to you. However, in my experience, I find that people are much likely to give us a referral if we ask for it.

ASK FOR REFERRALS

Are you asking for referrals for your business? If not, you might be selling yourself short! Ask for referrals, with each and every customer.

You might ask me: "Scott, when is the best time to ask for a referral?"

Answer: Strike while the fire is hot! You always want to ask for a referral during or immediately after your customer signed-up with you. Why? Because this is usually when they are the most excited about your service. The other time to ask them for referral is just after you receive a payment for services. Obviously, if they paid you, they're satisfied, too. So, use these two key times to ask for your referrals.

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New ARRiiVE Business Solutions SPECIAL PROMOTION:

Get a Salesconx account set-up that will help you drive business to your website, or get paid for connecting people you know with the needs of others.

Just visit this link and they'll get you started.
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Now, if you're asking for referrals but still struggling with getting as many warm leads as you'd like to see, there may be an additional way you can grow your prospecting list: offer a GIFT to get a referral.

USE GIFTS TO GET MORE REFERRALS

The following examples all are used by various companies as gifts:

1. Credits towards services you offer.
2. Cash - my web hosting company for ARRiiVE.com, 1and1.com, offers a cash payment for other webmasters/sites referred to 1and1 domain, hosting, and other web services.
3. Gift Certificate. For example, "Refer three people and get a $15 certificate towards your next order")
4. A Free Vacation. Worldmark by Wyndham and other companies offer a free vacation if you win a contest for referring people to take a tour through their program. I can hook you up if you want a tour of that nature as I have many friends at Wyndham.
5. White Paper download. IBM offers many high-quality "white papers" or position papers on a variety of topics. It took me all of 60 seconds to find one related to the book I'm writing: Transforming The Workforce by IBM. If you want to learn more cutting-edge ways to transform a global team, email me for more details on my book, solution, and upcoming software tool.

Many webmasters know that Amazon offers clients between 4 - 15% in referral fees which may be rendered in gift certificate form, cash, or purchases through the Amazon Store. So, you can combine strategies to get referrals, too.

The point is to get creative in your effort to gain referrals and grow your prospect or leads list. I like Worldmark's idea of having an "Owner Party Weekend" where owners can invite friends to a party and get a "super-charged" experience. They have some cool things, like an Elton John Concert and the Red Piano at Caesar's coupled with a stay at their resort. What better way to get involved, right?

Just 10% more business can mean a lot of money:

One company I recently consulted with claimed they helped their customer gain over $6,000,000 in additional business through an increase of just 9% from their referral program.

Need help? Get a proven process:

Through ARRiiVE.com, I offer a service helping organizations of medium size set up their own referral program. I use a simple process:

1. Gather email, offer gift or coupon.
2. Offer referral payment for providing email of client's friend/associate.
3. Gift client who refers a potential new client or submits a repeat order through the coupon.

It's simple and easy to use, and my automated system costs as little as just $30 per promotion per month up to over $249 per month, depending upon your needs. If you need assistance in setting up your referral program, contact ARRiiVE, we can help you set up your program. We offer a free 10-day trial, so you have nothing to lose when you try it out.

I'm considering things for my clients to bring a guest, such as a cruise on the Papagallo II, Wine-Tasting and Talk, and other things that sound fun to me. Maybe I can help you with something similar, too?!

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