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Hello Alaska,
Even with a last minute push we stuck at 116 responses. I am certain that 99% of those came in the first few days, so I promise not to drag this out for three weeks next time.
I didn't feel that this year's survey was quite as impactful as the 2010 version, but there were some very interesting responses. About 52 of the survey respondents reported making a connection with a customer though Buy Alaska, with almost half attributing that connection to the website. The newsletter and Facebook accounted in almost equal parts for another 31. A total income of just over $37,500 was reported as a direct result of those connections. Although 8 of you said you tried, unfortunately no was the beneficiary of a successful RFP submittal.
When question #6 asked how often you post news & specials, the answers ranged from never, rarely, monthly, not often enough (right?!?!) and twice a week, to "I didn't know this was available" and "I prefer not to discount my product". Shame on me for not educating you better on how to post to your page and the benefits of doing so. Believe me my friends, that will change! As far as the wish not to discount your product, I couldn't agree with your more. I've mentioned a time, or two that devaluing goods, or services is not a sustainable business strategy, but if you are a Kenai river guide, "news" could be just that, information about the first Silver run and encouraging readers to book a guide and "special" that you partnered with a lodge to be able to offer an overnight stay with your fishing trip.
Traceability is obviously a huge issue. Many of us have no way of knowing how customers reach us, unless we have a mechanism in place to track leads, or the customer volunteers the information. We'll work on that!
I haven't been able to compile the answers to question number ten, which allowed very broad feedback on our activities. There look to be some great ideas, which I hope we will be able to incorporate into the program soon. I will share those next week, in addition to the names of the prizewinners.
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The Anchorage Community Land Trust, will be hosting a free event in Mountain View to bring entrepreneurs and small business owners from around Anchorage and the state together with lenders, service venders, training resource providers and real estate developers for face-to-face consultations on April 22nd. For more information please contact Stuart Bannan from ACLT at 274-0191 or lbannan@anchoragelandtrust.org
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The Juneau Economic Development Council has begun preparations for the 2nd Annual Juneau Maritime Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at Marine Park and around the downtown waterfront.
Festival's organizing team will expand the event this year in the hope of building on last year's success. Another gorgeous day will help!
Returning events include:
- The Coast Guard's helicopter rescue demonstration
- The seafood marinade contest
- Vessel tours
- Exhibit and sales booths
- Entertainment throughout the event, and lots of activities for kids
One notable change will be an increase of on-site food options. A community-wide event of this nature requires extensive collaboration, participation and financial support. JEDC invites you to consider the variety of ways in which you can get involved by visiting www.juneaumaritimefestival.org and becoming a sponsor or registering as an exhibitor.
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Yet one more thing to consider in your online marketing strategy, according to Morgan Stanley, in five years there will be more mobile Internet users than desktop Internet users. I'm here to testify! Since we have begun tracking not just the source of traffic to our website, but also which browsers are used, Safari has grown by over 10%. Although Apple has increased its IT market share with Macs, notebooks and ipads this gain is in large part due to iphone Internet access. Wed designers can no longer simply ignore the Apple browser, as a minority participant. In fact today's websites shouldn't only be Safari friendly, but almost have to be mobile phone friendly.
Remember the days when you couldn't believe that a business didn't have a website (seemed like only yesterday) in today's environment, large companies are lagging behind, if they don't have an app.
As the face of Internet access changes, so will the way we market to consumers. Website owners now have to test their sites for mobile compatibility, to accommodate the smart phone users. That's just the start. Ad campaigns directed only at phones and their users have begun. Facebook and Twitter encourage timely responses - text messages require immediate responses, often re-directing users to social media pages. Cutting edge technology, with it its broadening applications is traveling at warp speed. It's almost impossible to keep up!
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Mark your calendar for the
Small Business Resource and Lending Fair
April 22nd, 12-5pm,
Mountain View Library - Community Room
The Anchorage Community Land Trust and the Mountain View Community Council, along with the Small Business Development Center present a FREE event for entrepreneurs in ALL stages of business development. Participants include the U.S. Small Business Administration, commercial lenders and the YWCA. You don't have to own a business or even be ready to start one to attend. The event will allow you to:
- Meet face-to-face with lenders who provide small business loans
- Talk with training and resource providers about all aspects of small business management
- Contact vendors who provide essential business services such as accounting, insurance and leasing
- Network with other entrepreneurs and small business owners from around Mountain View and Anchorage
If you own a business bring your last 3 years tax returns, a current financial statement and a business plan (if available) for your meeting with lenders. If you are starting up a business bring your cash flow projections and a business plan (if available) for meeting with resource providers and lenders.
Contact Stuart Bannan at ACLT, lbannan@anchoragelandtrust.org or call 274-0191
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Not an income opportunity, but certainly an event worth highlighting -The Mat-Su Relay for Life will take place at Wasilla High School on May 20th- 21st. The relay is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and will start at 7pm on Friday and end at 2pm on Saturday. Last year 50 teams participated and raised 132,000! This year's goal is to have 75 teams and raise at least $150,000. This family event is going to be full of activities for all ages and non-stop entertainment all night. If you need any more information please contact the Event Chair Shani Vannoy at xangobyshani@gmail.com or 230-3558.
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Spring Carnival is coming to the Alyeska Resort, featuring the Taco Bell Slush Cup (that's right, the Slush Cup has naming rights)
April 22-24 in Girdwood. Events include:
- Snow Machine Exhibitions
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Seven Glaciers Wine Dinner
- A costume party
- BBQ and beer garden
- Dummy downhill race
- End of the Season Luau at the Sitzmark
Click HERE for details.
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University of Alaska Entrepreneurship Boot Camp on April 21 - 23,
"From Start, to Financing, to Growth"
- Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell kicks off the event on Thursday night at a 6 pm reception.
- In addition to the Boot Camp, finalists from around the state will compete in an Alaska Business Plan competition for $15,000 in cash awards
- Cost is $75 in advance, or $100 at the day of the event. This fee is waived for students with a valid high school, or college ID
Please click on the link below for more information, or to register for the event.
http://www.ced.uaa.alaska.edu/publications
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