Web Stats to Get You Thinking - Part Two

And now for the next instalment of the interesting web stats I got from a recent preso hosted by Libby Varcoe of Write Minded...

- 79% of people scan a webpage, without reading all of the content
- it takes, on average, 25% longer for people to read from a computer screen than from a piece of paper in front of them
- 78% of users look at text before graphics

So what conclusions can we draw from this?

1. Bold your key words, so that the viewer's eye is drawn to where you want it to be.
2. Make your content easy to read - make sure your font isn't too small, make sure it stands out (e.g. not black writing on a dark gray background), left justify it, don't use italics for the whole thing
3. Keep it short and to the point, or you'll lose your viewer and potential customer
4. Keep the graphics simple. Graphics make some people think of advertising, so make sure your graphics blend in with the rest of your site, serve a purpose and are aesthetically pleasing.

Web Stats to Get You Thinking - Part One

I recently attended a Small Biz September event, hosted by BEC Northside. The speaker, Libby Varcoe of Write Minded, gave us a few interesting and thought provoking stats that I thought I would share with you over a few blog posts.

After 300 words, you've lost 50% of readers.
After 500 words, you've lost 80% of readers.
After 1000 words, you've lost over 95% of readers.

And the point here is.... make it succinct, to the point, and powerful! Or you'll lose your readers before they get to the gold.

Small Business September

I attended an event this morning, as part of Small Business September in NSW. It was titled "Creating an Online Voice that Connects with your Customers." The speaker, Libby Varcoe, was fantastic! I got a lot from the seminar, even though we have an established website and a blog. Seminars and events like this are a great opportunity for small business owners and staff to stop and look at the things that they do every day, think about the why and think about how it can be done better.

And it was free! It doesn't get much better than that.

How often do you go along to free events like this? And what are some of the most beneficial things you've gotten out of them?

Wanted: Business Mentors to work with Dynamic Young Entrepreneurs

Do you remember that stage in your business when your burning desire and energy to grow your business was clashing with the fact you were still trying to do everything? You were walking blind through the entrepreneurial forest wondering just how everyone else in the business world seemed to be able to hold it all together but you couldn’t!

Remember the relief you felt when you found the support and help you needed, and you and your business went from strength to strength. What has that support and help meant to you and your business?

We currently have 16 very eager young entrepreneurs who have reached out for support and help by entering our Young Entrepreneurs Stepping Up Program (YESUP). A vital element of this program is matching the young entrepreneurs with an amazing and enthusiastic mentor.

All that is needed is 8 hours over 7 weeks. Interested? See profiles of participants attached and fill out the rego form.

Benefits for You as a Mentor:

- You will learn more about your business by mentoring someone else – Teaching something makes you learn it better.

- You’ll be assisting a young and dynamic young entrepreneur to grow their business; they are motivated & ambitious and hungry to learn from you.

- You’ll receive support from The Frank Team to get the most out of your mentoring and to ensure it runs smoothly.

- You’ll have the opportunity to come along to our workshops for free to learn more about lifecycle marketing systems which may assist your business development and growth.

- You’ll have the opportunity to meet and network with other young entrepreneurs and mentors.

- Make the most of all of your experience; mistakes and successes – pass that experience along!

- There is only a minimum of 8 hours mentoring time that you need to invest with the young entrepreneur you’re matched with.

You’re Eligible To Be A Mentor If:

v You have over five years experience running your own business

v You are interested in inspiring and developing the next generation of young entrepreneurs, and helping them to develop their business systems

v You’re able to spend at least eight hours in face-to-face mentoring over six weeks (face to face can be physically together or over webcam)

v You’re based in the Greater Sydney area

For Mentors, The Program Will Consist Of:

v Being matched up with a mentoree, based on your skills and their needs

v A Mentoree Meet-Up Event, where you will meet your mentoree

v Access to 3 x 3.5 hour workshops on Lifestyle Marketing Systems Creation (optional)

v At least 8 hours structured direct mentoring with your mentoree

v A Graduation Event

v Opportunities for networking at events and workshops

v Ongoing support from The FRANK Team

v The opportunity to tell your story at one of our events

v The opportunity to attend an ENYA Lawsense Business Legal Workshop

The Young Entrepreneurs Stepping Up Program (YESUP) is run by The FRANK Team and proudly funded and supported by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development. It will focus on teaching young entrepreneurs about systems development, particularly in regards to marketing, to implement throughout their business to allow them to grow. To learn more about Lifecycle Marketing Systems check out http://www.frankteam.com.au/entrepreneur/marketing-systemise-program.html and watch the video.

Dates and Times for You:

v 24th September – Meet Your Mentor Event – 6:00pm -9:00pm (Compulsory) In Castle Hill

v 1st October – Workshop 1 – 6:00 – 9:30pm (Optional)

v 15th October – Workshop 2 – 6:00 – 9:30pm (Optional)

v 29th October – Workshop 3 – 6:00 – 9:30pm (Optional)

v 13th November – Graduation Event – 6:30pm onwards (Compulsory) In Castle Hill

Your 8 hours of mentoring is scheduled by you and your mentoree.

If you are interested but can’t make the above dates please let us know (email us back with a “I’m interested – next time please”) as we will have another program running in March of next year aswell!!!

How Does YESUP Work?

YESUP combines skills workshops, one-on-one mentoring and more to produce real and immediate results for young entrepreneurs. The workshops are run over six weeks and concentrate on the Lifecycle Marketing System creation for business. They are presented by Jessica Kiely, the Director of The Frank Team. The one-on-one mentoring is also run over these six weeks and allows you to work with young entrepreneurs on an area they have identified within your business for some intensive assistance and guidance - all with an experienced and successful business person (that’s you!).

If you’ve been in business yourself for at least five years and would like to be involved in the program as a mentor, we’d LOVE to hear from you. E-mail Lesley@Frankteam.com.au for a registration form today! Or call on (02) 9966 4333 for more information!

The workshops are made possible by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) the New South Wales Government's business development agency. DSRD delivers programs and services that support the NSW Government’s commitment to winning new business activity for NSW, and developing the capacity and productivity of the State’s economy. For further information on how DSRD can help your business go to www.business.nsw.gov.au

Not for Profit?

A few interesting facts for you...

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, on June 30th, 2007, there were 40 976 registered not-for-profit organisations in Australia.

Religious NFPs accounted for 21.3%

Culture and recreational organisations accounted for 20%

In addition to 884 476 paid employees, these organisations utilised 2.4 million volunteers, and received $74.5 billion in funding, with $25.4 billion of this from government at all levels.

This sector is full of opportunities for businesses and individuals to partner with, in order to achieve great outcomes for the environment, humanity, animals, etc. If your business works with not for profits, we'd love to hear from you, so we can profile you on our blog!

Contact Lesley@Frankteam.com.au for more information.

Biz Opportunity

Did you know: between July 2007 and June 2008, migrants to Australia numbered 171 410.

In order, the countries of origin with the largest number of migrants is the UK, New Zealand, India, China and then the Phillipines.

How does this present a business opportunity, I hear you ask?

By providing the new Aussie residents with goods and services that they need, that may not be catered for by already existing mainstream products. One example of this is tinned salty beef. A favourite of the Maltese and Filipinos, Heinz undertook significant research to determine this need and provide for it. Heinz has then used ethnic and local media to promote this product.

Media is another opportunity in itself. Why not start a local newsletter or newspaper in a language other than English? You can ask for articles from local residents, include news items from Australia and overseas, depending on which language the newsletter is in, and sell advertising to local stores and service providers?