Barbara Findlay Schenck at Entrepreneur.com offers these no-cost marketing resources:
Market research: MapStats. Don’t rely on guesswork to determine whether the region you serve can support your growth goals or whether new markets are good choices for business expansion. Instead, tap into government-assembled facts about any U.S. state, county, city or congressional district. With just a few keyboard clicks you’ll see the region’s population and demographics, as well as facts about growth, housing, income, employment, number and nature of businesses, and business activity by sector. Through this single source you can gather valuable information to weigh as you plot your next marketing moves.
Customer research: Zoomerang and SurveyMonkey. These resources let you create customized surveys and view responses to them, giving you knowledge of how your products and services are perceived by consumers so you can improve your business offerings accordingly. Higher-level services are available for a fee.
Marketing-plan resources: U.S. Small Business Administration. Business advisors agree on one thing: Businesses with marketing plans market better. For help getting your marketing in order, the SBA provides a rich array of advice on a single Web page. Links lead to how-to instructions for conducting competitive analyses, writing marketing plans, placing advertising and more. For additional information, visit the Palo Alto Software site Mplans.com for marketing-plan advice, tools, and what’s described as “the largest single collection of free sample marketing plans online.”
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Hot Water Heater Device Cuts Your Heating Bills
If you are looking to take advantage of the 30% tax credits to cut your energy bills, there's a simple retrofit that attaches to your water heater, costs about $500 and can reduce your heating bill by 50% to 70%. If you have in-floor radiant heat, rather than forced air, it could save you be up to 70%, because radiant heating uses hot water to heat your house.
Made by Texas-based AirGenerate, their AirTap device was demonstrated at the Solar Decathlon, and helped the University of Illinois earn their perfect score for hot water energy efficiency.
This product claims to turn any conventional gas or electric water heater into an affordable, effective, heat-pump water heater, more than doubling the energy performance compared with a standard electric water heater.
The unit is 18″ wide by 14″ deep by 14″ high, and weighs 48 pounds. It saves energy by drawing heat from the surrounding air and transfers the heat into fluid within a sealed copper coil that is inserted into the hot water tank, heating up the water, so the gas does not have to work as hard.
The $500 cost can be reduced not just by the 30% tax credit, but may qualify for additional rebates, subsidies or tax credits.
Made by Texas-based AirGenerate, their AirTap device was demonstrated at the Solar Decathlon, and helped the University of Illinois earn their perfect score for hot water energy efficiency.
This product claims to turn any conventional gas or electric water heater into an affordable, effective, heat-pump water heater, more than doubling the energy performance compared with a standard electric water heater.
The unit is 18″ wide by 14″ deep by 14″ high, and weighs 48 pounds. It saves energy by drawing heat from the surrounding air and transfers the heat into fluid within a sealed copper coil that is inserted into the hot water tank, heating up the water, so the gas does not have to work as hard.
The $500 cost can be reduced not just by the 30% tax credit, but may qualify for additional rebates, subsidies or tax credits.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
What's Up With the Santa Fe Real Estate Market?
It's been a wetter and grayer winter than normal in Santa Fe. While we're all eagerly awaiting spring, this wetness (127 inch snow base at Santa Fe Ski area) will ensure a verdant landscape and full reservoirs.
Meanwhile, the local real estate market is slogging along with signs of pent-up buyer energy. With much inventory from which to choose and increasing motivation by many sellers, coupled with interest rates holding around 5%, qualified buyers have an excellent opportunity to seize upon their dream of owning a home in Santa Fe.
Having recently taken an 8-hour National Association of Realtors course to be certified in short sales and foreclosures, I can tell you that the frustration, uncertainty and lack of care on the part of banks is generally not worth the effort.
While buyers are being marketed to about the "great deals" in short sales and REO (bank owned) properties, that's not what we're seeing in Santa Fe. I am happy to discuss this with you. Call me: (505) 995-0195.
Moving along with changes and improvements to GreenRoads Realty, please visit our new eZine, www.GreenLivingNewMexico.com for articles about Santa Fe arts, cuisine, non-profit organizations and green real estate.
Meanwhile, the local real estate market is slogging along with signs of pent-up buyer energy. With much inventory from which to choose and increasing motivation by many sellers, coupled with interest rates holding around 5%, qualified buyers have an excellent opportunity to seize upon their dream of owning a home in Santa Fe.
Having recently taken an 8-hour National Association of Realtors course to be certified in short sales and foreclosures, I can tell you that the frustration, uncertainty and lack of care on the part of banks is generally not worth the effort.
While buyers are being marketed to about the "great deals" in short sales and REO (bank owned) properties, that's not what we're seeing in Santa Fe. I am happy to discuss this with you. Call me: (505) 995-0195.
Moving along with changes and improvements to GreenRoads Realty, please visit our new eZine, www.GreenLivingNewMexico.com for articles about Santa Fe arts, cuisine, non-profit organizations and green real estate.
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