Over half of all Americans between the ages of 15-34 consider themselves active social network users. They regularly visit well-known social networking sites, such as MySpace or Facebook, or log onto specialty social networks, like Ravelry (devoted to the fiber arts) or GroupRecipes (for the foodie set). While industry research tells us that television watching is declining, especially among this age group, social network use is on the rise: average users spend seven to eight hours a week online.

This time spent on social networks clearly affects buying decisions. An estimated forty percent of all social networkers say they use social networking sites to learn more about brands or products they like, according to GreenBiz.com, with twenty-eight percent saying they've had a brand or product recommended to them by a friend.

The message is clear. Strategic use of social networking can help a company grow. It's an effective use of target marketing, reaching out to one's customers where they are.
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Amy Veltri is an entrepreneur in all senses of the word. Veltri had the right idea to start a new business with growth potential and used the WriteIdea business plan completion presented by E-Magnify as a springboard. Bitten by the proverbial entrepreneurial bug following a lack of advancement opportunity, Veltri has the unique perspective of being a woman-owned business owner in a highly dominated male field.

Veltri’s previous professional experience included being responsible for managing a staff of several junior technical personnel and securing and managing over $1 million annually in project work. As a successful business owner, she has far surpassed the competition, by increasing her company’s gross revenues from $50,000 less than three years ago to approximately $800,000 in 2004.

The WriteIdea business plan competition applications deadline is almost here! Call 724.830.4625 for more details or click here for your application now
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In order to ensure that the new products and services they launch stand the best possible chance for success, Corporate America employs a variety of marketing research techniques before investing time and resources in development. A little basic smarts and network know-how will allow you to do the same thing for yourself.

In this article, I'll show you how you use powerful market research tools to save you time, money, frustration and maybe even ultimately your business. So let 's get started.

Once you have a clear idea in mind for your new product or service, you'll want to do what Corporate America commonly calls a concept test.
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Young women today need role models. It not only helps them set high goals, but it reminds them that anything is possible. One role model that has proven that is Stephanie Bortoluzzi. Stephanie is 20 years old and is a member of the Trafford Borough Council. Her term started in January of 2008 and she has already implemented many programs that help the youth of the area.

“Stephanie is what the Trafford Council needs,” said council member Richard Laird. “I know she is young, but that doesn’t matter. She is intelligent and she informs us on the views of our young people. I support her 110%.”

Not only did Stephanie set her goals high to achieve this elected position, but also she had to run against an incumbent. However, that was not an obstacle for her. She visited many of the residents of the community while campaigning so they could meet her and understand her perspective on the community.
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Fortune 500 Companies know the importance of market research. That 's why they conduct something called a concept test before launching any new product or service.

Don't you wish you could do the same thing? Well, here 's the good news: you can.

First of all, you'll need to sit down and clearly delineate exactly what your product or service is, including what features and benefits it will offer and how much it will cost. Typically, you'll write 2-3 paragraphs describing your idea, making sure to clearly explain the benefits to the consumer. This is your concept statement.
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Calling all entrepreneurs. WriteIdea is looking for the best of the best in the world of business plans. WriteIdea is designed to encourage entrepreneurial thinkers in our community to produce a business plan that is ready to implement. The competition will bring together regional plans in the provided categories exploring the development of young companies. A handful of entrepreneurs will receive cash prizes of $5,000 each, totaling $25,000 to help with start-up costs or the capital to help bring their business to the next level.

The process is simple. Log onto e-magnify.com/writeidea and submit your application. Deadline for applications is Oct. 31. Applicants need to provide a brief executive summary of their business plan idea and some pertinent business information. You can then begin developing your plan and be eligible for the prizes that will allow you to grow your future.
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By definition, event marketing is the promotion of an event. This marketing typically includes promotional activities involving an event such as a sporting or social event, designed to bring a product to the attention of the public.
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How often have you felt you were communicating clearly, only to find you have sent the wrong message? This can happen because we are concentrating on what we say (verbal) instead of how we are saying it (nonverbal).
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Pricing is one of the four Ps of the marketing mix. The other three aspects are product, promotion, and placement. Entrepreneurs and business owners sometimes have a difficult time developing and finalizing price for their products. Being able to do so is both an art and a science. It’s also a combination of both fixed costs and implied costs.

Fixed costs are actual costs that you have into the product. Those costs include but are not limited to raw materials, design costs, and other materials. Implied costs are costs entrepreneurs sometimes overlook; costs that they put into the start-up if the business and even overlooking the increased price to deliver. These costs can also include the time it took for the entrepreneur to develop the product.
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