Following is a guest post from InSights Enthusiast Todd J. List, The Geek Who Speaks People. Todd simplifies web technology for small businesses. He just announced a series of WordPress Classes.

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If you own a business, your website’s first task is to leave a positive impression on visitors. A very, very close second is to explain how you can help.

An interior designer friend wanted a theme that matched her bubbly, quirky, colorful personality. She found one adorned with doodles, fabric, needlework, buttons, and color that met those criteria beautifully. One day she asked me for some help with her blog.

I pulled up her site. “That’s cute. I like how you called your landing page ‘Hmoe.’” I asked.

“What do you mean?” she replied.

“Look. Your first menu item is spelled ‘H-m-o-e.’”

She looked, then cringed. “Where do I go to change that?”

I skipped through the dashboard to find that she had not misspelled something. I started digging into the theme, and I found several problems.

• Lack of contrast. This had prompted the initial call for help. The page title didn’t stand out, and the byline was lost in the beautiful but busy background.
• The main navigation menu was hard-coded into the theme, but the user couldn’t edit the links to the landing page. Hello, 404 error! The designer incorporated common page titles into the theme, probably in an effort to make things “easier” for the user. But what if you only have three pages, or name one something different, or blog in Spanish? The theme screamed creativity, then restricted the user blog in a tiny box.
• The menu elements were also graphics, not text. Without the funky font the original designer used, there was no way I could fix the misspelled word and have it match the other items. As it turned out, I found an updated version of the theme that fixed the typo.
• The default sidebar widgets had custom graphic headers. Adding user-defined widgets to the sidebar deleted those out. This obviated the need to try to match graphic text, but the new text didn’t fit the rest of the theme.
• Sharing options were built in to the theme. Again, this was a nice gesture by the designer, but it had limitations. What if your primary market is on a social network not included in the defaults? Without knowing code, the user can’t change this. This is better handled by a plugin.

My friend is now on at least her second replacement theme. Time will tell how long that one lasts.

I’ve been reflecting recently upon my years as a business owner and I’ve come to these conclusions:

1) Fear paralyzes business, not economies

2) Changing business climates force personal growth

3) Ego hurts growth

4) Don’t quit at the bottom, wait till you are on top.

5) Forget competition, stay creative

6) Enjoy the process

a lame title if you own your own business. Be Creative! Tell your story.

What is the best title you have heard?

There is so much that could be said about the current economy or business climate in Michigan. Let me tell you a little secret. There is so much potential in the world right now, that with some creativity and tuning into what people are looking for, there is absolutely amazing and huge potential. It is ever present and there for the taking.

Small business can be attributed to be the backbone of America. Small business employs more people than big business, but that’s what usually gets the press. When a large company opens or closes, we hear. What happens when a small business opens? Typically no one hears about them until they begin to make some noise and get some recognition.

Enter: InSights Group. InSights Group was founded in January of 2008 as a place for business owners to get together for a sense of community, support, training, motivation, networking, and whatever else they could identify as a need or want for business success. So often people getting into business for themselves feel like an island, navigating the seas alone, guessing, and often not knowing where to turn for support or help.

Right now, in Brighton, MI, and across the country, individuals known as “Enthusiasts” who have been exposed to the InSights Group and philosophy are having such abundant success that you’d never know they may have once felt alone. With the comraderie and community, any individual or company looking for answers has an eager support community ready to help. The spirit of positive optimism and encouragement can be felt from the moment someone stops into the “clubhouse” in Brighton, MI, a converted 6,600 sq. ft. former warehouse that has been transformed into a warm eclectic mix of business and creative spaces designed to make people feel at home. The sense of excitement is in the air.

This is a place where someone shares with a MasterMind group the craziest, loftiest dream they could even imagine, and people turn to them and say they can do it, but the goal should probably be bigger, since they’ll be able to accomplish it so easily.  The encouragement and support helps people to have the most amazing ideas they could ever come up with, and then start thinking and strategizing at the next level. Of course there is always a shoulder available for the days when someone needs a little extra help or a push to keep going. Business does have it’s ups and downs.

The amazing energy of this supportive entrepreneur and business community extends to individuals who are in transition, seeking new opportunity, or even those who work for someone else. The group is inclusive rather than exclusive, and the common bond is that people are willing to join in the fun and help. This is the place where you will find a business strategy meeting that starts with a “reindeer game” or “duck duck goose” on the floor.  People may be surprised and a bit hesitant at first, but soon come to recognize the need to throw away the “traditional business box.” 

One member, who just celebrated her one year anniversary with the group, related the story of her first day at InSights. She was in for a business mixer and was too cool and self important to join in the game. She soon learned the secret to success and being open to the possibilities. This former corporate exectutive, turned small business owner, is now the first in line for every opportunity to get her feet wet. Literally. She wore full body paint when the group held a ladies night shopping and networking event featuring the characters from the Wizard of Oz and was the Tin Man from head to toe. Her business and non-profit foundation have benefited greatly from the group, and she attributes her personal success and motivation in a large part to the InSights Group community.

Companies from industries that are experiencing some economic slowdowns are also finding solutions with the InSights philosophies in social media. One dental office, who recently attended a two day media strategy setting boot camp expressed that they spent over $70,000 marketing a local dental office, and the marketing was not working. The potential exposure using social media, which has very minimal costs when done in house, has huge potential. Even more than the potential, for one dental industry consultant, is the renewed optimism and energy that is possible as a result of thinking bigger. In her case, the realization that using social media as the vehicle, she will soon be trading her knowlege for money and income, rather than her time, which used to be the necessary component to her business success. By adding elements to her website and a regular training subscription available on demand, she has created an income stream that can be utilized 24 hours a day.

The common sentiment from individuals who are learning about the InSights Group and new ways to interact in the business world are that everyone needs a group like this. The members are able to benefit from the insights (pun intended) provided by the InSights Group, and those from fellow members. Any event or meeting will boast individuals from industries across the board. From hi-tech computing and interface solutions, to multi-level marketing individuals, from consultants to construction workers, every individual is celebrated for their life’s experiences and attitudes. The support that is often needed, and life changing strategies, many times come from people outside the industries they support because of the ability to see past tradition and the way things have always been done.

To people who say they don’t have the time to become involved in a group, or in social media, those that know better will offer encouragement, but respect that it has to be an individuals decision at the right time. They will also explain that you don’t have time not to, as the numbers and results speak for themselves. From the screen printer who quoted tens of thousands of pieces of product to a national brand company, to the local cake creator who takes orders from around the world, the success stories here happen at the rate of at least one incredible success per day, per person.  Businesses are booming, small business owners are happy, and at least in this one part of the world, with the influence it shares, lives are happier because of this community.

There is no waiting period required to attain success. The time is now, and it starts with a decision. If you need help making the decision, support in striving for your goal, or a good kick in the pants to get started moving in a more productive direction, everyone here is here to help. The only pre-requisites are an open mind, and a desire to grow, or even a window that’s the tiniest bit open. The rest will sort itself out, and you will be amazed by the results.

What are you waiting for?

810-623-5839 is the number to call for the Enthusiast on Duty who can help to get you started.

This is a guest post by Tom Harris, Your Marketing Coach. Tom helps entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and execute marketing plans. He specializes in website usability and effectiveness.This is a guest post by Tom Harris, Your Marketing Coach. Tom helps entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and execute marketing plans. He specializes in website usability and effectiveness.

What do we all want for our businesses? More sales! But what do we need to get from people before we can have more sales? We need to get their attention! They’re not going to buy anything from us until we have their undivided attention.

David Meerman Scott, in a recent blog post, noted the four ways that we can get the attention of potential buyers, and I herewith borrow his thoughts for my comments.
The first way (the first B) is to BUY their attention. This is otherwise known as Advertising. We pay money and throw messages out, and occasionally someone notices a message and responds.

The second B is to BEG for attention, also known as Public Relations. We hire someone to write press releases and circulate them to their media connections, asking journalists, reporters, newspaper editors, reviewers, or whoever is interested to please, please, please write about us.

The third B is to BUG people. This is called Sales. We find individuals, wherever we can find them, and try to engage them in conversation (bug them), until they listen, and then maybe they buy something from us.

The common thread of the 3 Bs is that we are INTERRUPTING people to get their attention. Sure, maybe they actually really do want to buy our stuff, but we’re still using variously annoying tactics to attract their attention.

The final item is E. This is where we EARN their attention. The 3 Bs have been around forever, but this one is new. This one is not interruptive. This is the method of social media, where we create connections with people and develop relationships, and don’t try to buy, beg or bug, but rather create environments where people Know, Like and Trust us (KLT). It’s where we continuously publish information that has value to people, and we give that information away for free, and thereby establish ourselves as “obvious experts”. Then we don’t need to go find buyers, because they come to us.

This method may take a little longer to produce results, but the results, I will argue, are more “real” and more solid and potentially longer-lasting than those created by the 3 Bs. And, as a bonus, we might just make some friends in the process.

This is a guest post by Tom Harris, Your Marketing Coach. Tom helps entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and execute marketing plans. He specializes in website usability and effectiveness.This is a guest post by Tom Harris, Your Marketing Coach. Tom helps entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and execute marketing plans. He specializes in website usability and effectiveness.

What do we all want for our businesses? More sales! But what do we need to get from people before we can have more sales? We need to get their attention! They’re not going to buy anything from us until we have their undivided attention.

David Meerman Scott, in a recent blog post, noted the four ways that we can get the attention of potential buyers, and I herewith borrow his thoughts for my comments.
The first way (the first B) is to BUY their attention. This is otherwise known as Advertising. We pay money and throw messages out, and occasionally someone notices a message and responds.

The second B is to BEG for attention, also known as Public Relations. We hire someone to write press releases and circulate them to their media connections, asking journalists, reporters, newspaper editors, reviewers, or whoever is interested to please, please, please write about us.

The third B is to BUG people. This is called Sales. We find individuals, wherever we can find them, and try to engage them in conversation (bug them), until they listen, and then maybe they buy something from us.

The common thread of the 3 Bs is that we are INTERRUPTING people to get their attention. Sure, maybe they actually really do want to buy our stuff, but we’re still using variously annoying tactics to attract their attention.

The final item is E. This is where we EARN their attention. The 3 Bs have been around forever, but this one is new. This one is not interruptive. This is the method of social media, where we create connections with people and develop relationships, and don’t try to buy, beg or bug, but rather create environments where people Know, Like and Trust us (KLT). It’s where we continuously publish information that has value to people, and we give that information away for free, and thereby establish ourselves as “obvious experts”. Then we don’t need to go find buyers, because they come to us.

This method may take a little longer to produce results, but the results, I will argue, are more “real” and more solid and potentially longer-lasting than those created by the 3 Bs. And, as a bonus, we might just make some friends in the process.

Recent polls at InSights show that about half the people in the room at a local networking event have at least heard of twitter. The other half laugh at the word. You have to admit, at first it sounds kind of silly. For the purpose of this discussion, let’s start with what twitter is:

Now that you’ve seen the video, here are my top five tips to using twitter.

1. Identify the reasons you are going to twitter, once you have a goal, you can work out a twitter plan, otherwise you might use all of your time surfing and playing, without getting closer to your purpose
Are you hoping to connect with friends and family?
Do you want to promote your brand or blog?
Do you want to meet new people?
Use it for netwokring?
Keep tabs on your brand, image, or company?

All of the above, and more, are great reasons and uses for twitter.

2. Tweet
Jump in with both feet. You will build a great twitter network through your activity. If you post interesting things, people will be inclined to follow you. Share useful information, fun facts, and add some of your personality. That’s what it’s all about! Give people a reason to follow you. Be interesting, not overly shamlessly self promoting.

3. Follow other Twitter users. Follow people because of their interesing posts. Target conversations near you if you are looking to grow in your geographic area. Expand your reach if you have a futher reaching goal.

4. Reply, Retweet, and have those conversations!
Reach out, share information, and let others know that you find them interesting. Asking questions is a great way to get some answers! Respond to others. Use the reply feature or the @username to have those two sided conversations.

5. Practice restraint and Twitter Etiquitte
Avoid spam. Promote content that is interesting. Don’t bring in the band and banners declaring yourself the next best thing since sliced bread. Insert your personality, interests, and yes promote yourself, but do it in balance with everything else. Share other’s links and information. Be the person in the party that listens as well as they talk.

I could go on and on, but would love your opinion. What is your best advice for the next Twitter user?

Sandy just posted a blog in which she is questioning what material is appropriate to discuss. What do blog followers want to read? What is relevance? The reality is that all things are relevant to someone. Just because the reader may not find value in the topic at that moment , it doesn’t mean that it is less relevant.I guess what I’d like to know is what specific topics would you like us to cover? How can our blog add value to your business bottom line? We have some amazing forums of people at the  Insights Group and can harness the knowledge and experience of many people. Let us go to work for you!