Tag Archives: 2011 Business Growth Expo

Visit Our Friends at RelaxInAZ.com

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Zeb Welborn
The owner of Welborn Social Media and the founder of The Tutoring Solution.My goal is to help business owners share the passion they have for their business with as many potential customers as possible.By helping passionate people achieve their dreams I am helping to create a society of passionate leaders that will help inspire others to make their dreams a reality.
Latest posts by Zeb Welborn (see all)

We met Jason Harris at the 2011 Business Growth Expo in Tempe, AZ in November.  Jason is a passionate guy looking to give people an opportunity to escape from the city life for a weekend at four different lodging destinations.  If you’re looking to have a nice, quiet weekend away from the crowds of the city and you live in Arizona, check out the amazing lodges at RelaxInAZ.com

RelaxInAZ.com has four destination lodges located in Arizona.  Our goal is to provide affordable and memorable vacation experiences.  You can see all 4 of our beautiful lodges at www.RelaxInAZ.com.  There you can get information, area activities, see specials, check availability, and book online.

Relax in AZ

The Christopher Creek Lodge, near Payson is the original and only lodge located right on the bank of spring fed Christopher Creek.  The cabins were built in the 1950’s and in the last few years we have put over a million dollars into upgrades throughout the property including new carpet, tile, updated bathrooms and kitchens.  Many guests have called this place their Shangri-La.

The Grey Hackle Lodge, also near Payson is nestled in the majestic pines of the Mogollon Rim.  We are a seasonal lodge open every year from May 15th to October 15h.  We host many family reunions and a few special occasions or weddings each year.  This lodge is next to the Christopher Creek Lodge.

The Hidden Rest Cabins located in Pinetop-Lakeside are in the heart of the beautiful White Mountains.  Some of the cabins have two person redwood-decked Cal Spas inside the cabin and we are around 30 minutes from Sunrise Ski Resort.  We currently have a 50% off grand re-opening special good through the end of this year!

The Territorial Town Inn is a motel in the heart of historic downtown Camp Verde.  There are plenty of area attractions including Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Verde Canyon Railroad and Blazin’ M Ranch just to mention a few.  We have packages available for the area attractions; some of which include discounted tickets up to 50% off.  We are also located about 20 minutes from Sedona and 30 minutes from Jerome.

*If you own a business and would like to be featured on our blog please contact us at WelbornSocialMedia@gmail.com

Use Your Business Cards and Get LinkedIn

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Zeb Welborn
The owner of Welborn Social Media and the founder of The Tutoring Solution.My goal is to help business owners share the passion they have for their business with as many potential customers as possible.By helping passionate people achieve their dreams I am helping to create a society of passionate leaders that will help inspire others to make their dreams a reality.
Latest posts by Zeb Welborn (see all)

Use your business cards and get LinkedIn . . . A fish bowl, full of business cards, is sitting in my room.  The business cards are wading idly, yet they are working for me every day.

Business Cards from the 2011 Business Growth Expo in Tempe, AZ

My sister and I attended the 2011 Business Growth Expo in Tempe, Arizona at the beginning of the month. We met a lot of amazing people.  The expo was our first attempt at renting a booth to interact with local business owners and we had a fantastic time.

At the show, everyone handed everyone else their business cards.  Business cards are essential when establishing business relationships and have been used effectively to garner business for millions of people around the world.  Just as business cards are essential in interacting with new people to promote and grow your business in person, LinkedIn has become the online equivalent of a business card . . . only more effective.

Upon returning from the Expo, my sister and I went through our business cards and uploaded all of our contacts to our Gmail accounts and then sent LinkedIn requests to all the people we received business cards from at the show.  Now, when I go to my LinkedIn profile, it is full of the friendly faces I remember meeting at the beginning of the month.  Not only that, but I now get to interact with those individuals on a regular basis. It’s also easy to find more information about their business and their job experience, which is very helpful when you have questions about a product or service or even business advice.

I remember receiving business cards in the past.  I had every intention of using them when my need for their service arose, but when the time came to make a purchase, I simply forgot my friend who had given me their business card months ago. I missed out on a beneficial relationship with someone I had the opportunity to meet.

If you want your business cards to work for you, be sure to add every business card contact you get on LinkedIn, stay connected and develop meaningful relationships.

Use your business cards and get LinkedIn.

How Will Blogging Help My Business? | 5 Key Benefits Blogging Brings to Any Company

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Zeb Welborn
The owner of Welborn Social Media and the founder of The Tutoring Solution.My goal is to help business owners share the passion they have for their business with as many potential customers as possible.By helping passionate people achieve their dreams I am helping to create a society of passionate leaders that will help inspire others to make their dreams a reality.
Latest posts by Zeb Welborn (see all)

Last week, I had a phone conversation with Mary McPadden, owner of Balanced Billing in Phoenix, Arizona.  I met Mary at the 2011 Business Growth Expo (Tempe, AZ). At the event, she said she knew she needed to start blogging, but did not understand how devel0ping a blog could help her company.  Many business owners I have encountered feel the same way.  Everyone tells them they need to start blogging, but many do not understand the benefits a blog can bring to their business.

When I started The Tutoring Solution in 2010, I needed to find new ways to make people aware of my business.  I made the commitment to build a website, once it was online I found that people were not visiting my site like I had hoped.  I began looking for new ways to promote my business, but didn’t have a lot of money to do so.  This is when I discovered blogging.

Blogging has had an immense impact on my business . . . not only in attracting more customers, but also by helping me develop a better understanding of the needs of my customers.

  • Google (Search Engine) Results

A blog is the most efficient way to drive new traffic to your website using Search Engine (Google) results.  When a person uses Google, they are looking for something specific that they want.  If you are offering the product or service they want, it’s extremely important to be ranked highly on the Google Search Engine.

Google Search Results are separated into two different categories, paid results and organic results.  Organic results are more effective than paid results in attracting visitors to your website.  When a person looks up something on Google, the organic search results that Google comes up with are the websites Google feels are the closest match for what the person is looking for.  Being ranked #1 on Google is a sure-fire way to bring new business to your website.

Blogging also allow users to find your website through a variety of different keyword searches.  I started The Tutoring Solution website in June, 2010.  Since that time, people have found my website using 2,111 different keyword searches on Google.  Every blog article written generates new keywords people can type in to find your business and increases the chances your business will reach the first page of Google Search Results.

  • Content for Social Media Websites

Another question we are frequently asked is, “What should I post on my Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/Google+ Pages?”  A blog should be the backbone of any Social Media campaign because it is an excellent way to generate content for your Social Media pages.  The more engaging your blog posts, the more likely people will interact with your Social Media pages. It makes it easier to increase followers on each one of your Social Media websites.

  •   Strengthens Your Website

When we began working for System 1 in Chino Hills, they had a fairly nice website setup which provided the basics for its customers including the types of services they provide and relevant contact information.  Though they are an amazing company with a rich tradition here in Southern California, the lack of information on their website has hindered their success.  The implementation of a blog has enhanced their online presence. Customers visiting their website have more information at their fingertips when making a purchasing decision.

Countless customers have decided to get their tutoring with The Tutoring Solution as a result of our blog.  I can’t tell you how many times a parent has chosen us because they related to the information we were putting out on our blog.  Providing useful tips and information to your current and potential customers is a great way to establish a relationship and increase sales.

In today’s world, customers want to know the company they are doing business with.  The more information you have available on your website, the more likely your messages will resonate with your potential customers.

  • Helping Instead of Selling

Before I started the blog for The Tutoring Solution, I received quite a few calls from customers who were interested in the product, who wanted more information and were trying to feel me and my company out.  My website suffered from not providing enough information to my customers.  As a result, I had to try to “Sell” my tutoring services to potential customers over the phone.  Almost every one of these conversations ended the same way . . . “Let me talk it over with so and so . . .”  I never heard from these people again.

The implementation of a blog had a drastic impact on the type of phone calls I received.  Instead of feeling the need to “Sell” my products, the callers were already sold and the only real question I received was how soon they could start and how I could help them.

When I first started The Tutoring Solution I charged $15 to $20 per hour, highly undervaluing my services and still parents asked for lower rates.  I decided to create my blog to establish myself as the tutoring expert. I now charge between $35 to $50 per hour and no longer receive any questions regarding my pricing.  My blog helped solidify me as the tutoring expert to customers who chose The Tutoring Solution over other companies in my area.

Every business sets out with the goal to help others, but many times we feel like we have to “Sell” our products to unwilling participants.  Developing a blog allowed me to stop ‘selling’ my services, and instead, let me enjoy providing a helpful service to my community.  Many parents have told me that because of my blog, they were are already sold before they picked up the phone.

  • Increases Your Understanding of the Needs of Your Customers

Mary McFadden from Balanced Billing is a potential customer for Welborn Social Media who expressed a legitimate concern . . .  How will blogging help my business?  For me, it’s obvious, but when she asked me that question I found it hard to articulate my answer.  By blogging, I am able to solidify, in my mind, the value and benefits I am providing to my customers.  By answering real questions from customers and potential customers and using blogs to answer those questions I develop a stronger understanding of the needs of my customer.  And my customers realize Welborn Social Media cares about their concerns and knows we will put forth the work to make sure their needs are met.

Every customer has needs. They have their own concerns regarding any service or product they purchase.  Blogging gives a company the opportunity to relate to their customers, to address any issues that arise, and alter their products and services to better meet the needs of their customers.  When a company puts the needs of the customer first, they will see financial benefits as a result.

*If you have questions regarding implementing a blog for your website, please contact Zeb Welborn at (909) 973 – 9089 or Zeb@WelbornSocialMedia.com.

Allie Nosek Wins our $50 Gift Card at the 2011 Business Growth Expo

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Zeb Welborn
The owner of Welborn Social Media and the founder of The Tutoring Solution.My goal is to help business owners share the passion they have for their business with as many potential customers as possible.By helping passionate people achieve their dreams I am helping to create a society of passionate leaders that will help inspire others to make their dreams a reality.
Latest posts by Zeb Welborn (see all)

“At TOCA our mission is Serving our Patients through innovative and comprehensive Orthopedic care. This mission is the foundation for ensuring the highest quality of care for our patients. By employing the most innovative procedures and true state-of-the-art technology, our staff of general orthopedists and subspecialities have earned a reputation for providing consistent specialized orthopedic care. TOCA’s reputation is built on treating each person’s specific need and one of many reasons we are the team physicians and surgeons for The Phoenix Suns, The Phoenix Mercury and ASU.”

Congratulations Allie Nosek on winning our contest and receiving a $50 Gift Card to The Thirsty Lion, located in Tempe, Arizona.  Allie entered the contest by dropping in one of her business cards at our booth at the 2011 Business Growth Expo.

Allie does Marketing and Graphic Design for The Orthopedic Clinic Association(TOCA).

At the Expo, Allie mentioned she understood the importance of social media, but also expressed her concerns about effectively demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) social media can bring to her company.  We are in the process of scheduling a phone interview with her to discuss how we can evaluate the impact social media can make for The Orthopedic Clinic Association.

Many companies express the same concern with ROI. It becomes difficult to justify the use of social media when thought of in those terms.  However, there are many tools companies can use to evaluate how people are connecting with their business using social media.  If you or your company would like to understand how to better manage or understand how to use the data that is available through social media outlets – ask us.

The 2011 Business Growth Expo was an eye-opening experience for us.  It was our first business expo and we had no idea what to expect.  We were thrilled to meet so many helpful and friendly people.  And we look forward to keeping in touch with them for years to come.

We chose a $50 Gift Card to The Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill  for our contest. It is a new establishment located in the Tempe Marketplace at 2000 East Rio Salado Suite 1041, Tempe, AZ.  They have a large selection of food and more than 50 beers on tap.

After the Expo, my sister and I made our way to The Thirsty Lion. We were hungry and ready to relax, we were not disappointed.  The food, service and atmosphere was phenomenal . . . exactly what we needed on a long, productive day.