3 Tips For Pitching Potential Customers
One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when presenting for the first time is placing the focus on themselves rather than on their prospective customer’s needs. In these situations, entrepreneurs typically do an excellent job of explaining their product or service, but they fall short when it comes to truly connecting with their audience.
Three Ways to Win Over An Investor’s Industry Expert
As an entrepreneur, sooner or later you will find yourself pitching an investor who brings in their own industry expert to provide an objective assessment of your business. Regardless of the amount of time and effort you have invested in the relationship up to this point, this expert’s opinion can literally make or break your
7 Must-Read Mentoring Articles
Mentors provide startups an advantage, and there’s proof. According to stats reported by the Startup Genome Project, startups are seven times more likely to raise investment money and three-and-a-half times more likely to grow user numbers for their products and services if they have helpful mentors. However, other aspects of the process aren’t so clear-cut:
Introducing StartupNEO.org: The Easiest Way For Entrepreneurs To Access Resources In Northeast Ohio
Have you ever wondered what types of organizations and resources are available to help Northeast Ohio’s tech entrepreneurs grow their ventures, reach their goals and achieve their dreams? Look no further! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of StartupNEO.org, the Northeast Ohio Startup Network’s easy-to-navigate directory of local space, capital, advice, support and connections needed
Tips For Tracking Your Supplier Diversity Data
Last month, JumpStart Accounting Manager Nancy Schlairet and I flew to Las Vegas to present at Advantage 2017, Sage Intacct’s annual gathering of its accounting system’s users and partners. The slogan for this year’s gathering was “Lead the Future,” a phrase that could just as easily be applied to what JumpStart is trying to do
Revealed: 17 Secrets To Small Business Success
Every small business is different. However, there are some basic principles that stay the same no matter who you are or what kind of business you’re trying to grow. In this episode of the JumpStart Podcast, Larry Fulton, Owner of LEFCO Worthington, Constance Hill-Johnson, MPA, Owner and Managing Director of Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services,
[PODCAST] 10 Ways To Ruin A Website
Your website should be the hub of all your marketing efforts … so is yours a 24/7 lead generating machine or an out-of-date embarrassment? With years of digital marketing experience, the web gurus at Kiwi Creative—a Cleveland-based marketing studio for B2B software and technology companies—have seen the good, bad and downright ugly of all things website-related.
[PODCAST] Using Outside Influencers To Grow Your Business
Building a brand today requires more than some brochures and the occasional press release. Whether you’re wooing social media influencers on Instagram or pitching reporters in a newsroom, knowing how to find and engage the people who can help get your message to your customers is key. On Wednesday, September 20th, JumpStart welcomed Kate Lienesch,
Want Profit? Take Care Of Your Customers First
Let’s be honest, you need your customers more than they need you. Without them, your business doesn’t exist. To attract and keep these customers, you need a product or service that solves a real-world problem for them in an effective, efficient way. Of course, that’s much easier said than done. “Perfecting” a product/service takes round
KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program: Frequently Asked Questions
We are extremely excited to announce a new partnership with KeyBank Foundation. The “KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program, Powered by JumpStart” initiative is designed to stimulate economic growth and workforce development by fostering small business success in communities throughout Ohio and upstate New York. Below we have answered some of the questions you’re likely
How Does A Lead Become A Customer?
You’ve likely heard it before, “think of the marketing and sales cycle as a funnel.” But what does that actually mean, and how can you apply an understanding of this funnel to help generate paying customers? Let’s start by considering the funnel’s basic goal and identifying the stages of the sales cycle that help you
Accounting For Growth: How Strong Financial Planning Can Make Or Break A Startup
In the beginning, startups are all about the idea. But young ventures grow quickly, and financials can get complicated fast. Get caught snoozing on your financial practices and you’ll find it much harder to demand a fair valuation, or raise the capital you need to keep growing. On Thursday, October 27 JumpStart hosted a conversation