Business marketing: Flying Solo, Small Business Start Up Articles & Advice, Australia

Five tips for planning a market research project

04 May 13 | Sara Dobson

Conducting a market research project requires careful planning to ensure your results are accurate and meaningful. Here are five tips to ensure you get the most valuable data possible. Read more

Comments: 1

How to define your target market (and get inside their heads)

24 Apr 13 | Amanda Jesnoewski

Marketing your business without a properly defined target market is like driving blindfolded. You might get lucky and coast along for a while, though chances are you won’t get very far. Read more

Comments: 4

Podcast: Trying to get a date with Kylie has its (business) rewards!

21 Apr 13 | Tim Reid

Brighton-based business executive and marketer, John Dingeldei wants a date with Kylie Minogue (as part of a fund raising project) and turns to Tim Reid for some help! Read more

Why you’re spending too much on marketing

13 Apr 13 | Jo Macdermott

Soloists often end up spending more than necessary on their marketing. Fortunately, there is plenty that you can do to avoid superfluous spending and keep your budget on track. Read more

Comments: 4

Podcast: Olivia Fox on charisma

07 Apr 13 | Tim Reid

Olivia Fox is a leading expert in the area of charisma. According to her, charisma is a very under-utilised marketing strategy for small business owners. Listen in to find out more. Read more

Going back to your back-story

30 Mar 13 | Katie McMurray

Ever feel like you’re losing your way in your business? Use your back-story to refocus on why you’re in it. Read more

Comments: 2

Podcast: A cool cafe in a not so cool part of town

24 Mar 13 | Tim Reid

This is the story of a brave 25 year old entrepreneur who recently graduated from a Marine Zoology university degree to live his passion – COFFEE! Read more

Podcast: Doing business in cafes and how to overcome setbacks

17 Mar 13 | Tim Reid

Hear Tim Reid and Andrew Griffiths get together and throw around some issues that are on the collective mind of the small business community. Read more

Market research: How to create a customer profile

16 Mar 13 | Sara Dobson

To create more successful marketing campaigns you need to understand who your customers are, and what motivates them to do business with you. Read more

Comments: 0

Five easy ways to create visual content

13 Mar 13 | Dan Norris

Images, infographics and videos are the order of the day in the world of content marketing. Here’s how you can get a piece of the visual action. Read more

Comments: 7

NEW for members: Our guide to marketing

11 Mar 13

As part of our new membership offerings, we’re committed to consistently adding new resources, features and special offers. Here’s our latest report, FREE for ALL Flying Solo members. Read more

Comments: 0

Podcast: From $10 an hour to six-figure business owner

10 Mar 13 | Tim Reid

Four years ago (at age 22) George Ryan was working 55 hours a week for a lumber yard, making $10/hour to provide for his wife and daughter, and had no sort of higher education. He decided he hated his job, and intentionally set out to start an internet co Read more

Finding your point of difference – without competing on price

28 Feb 13 | Amanda Jesnoewski

In business it pays to be different, but when you’re selling the same products or services as everyone else in your industry, it can be hard to find a way to differentiate yourself that doesn’t include competing on price. Read more

Comments: 6

Why you need to address your customers’ objections

21 Feb 13 | Damien Elsing

Anticipating and addressing your customers’ concerns in your marketing copy will alleviate their doubts and encourage them to buy. Read more

Comments: 1

How to create a cost-effective TV commercial

15 Feb 13 | Jerome Rault

TV advertising isn’t only for companies with sky-high budgets. With a little innovation, it’s possible to produce cost-effective TV commercials for small businesses. Read more

Comments: 7

What you can learn from past customers

13 Feb 13 | Sara Dobson

Obtaining feedback from past customers can help you to enhance your offer, retain current customers, entice new ones and win the old ones back. Read more

Comments: 2

THANK YOU for supporting Community Membership!

04 Feb 13

Having announced our new memberships just two weeks ago, we're thrilled that so many of you have already jumped on board. Coaching Couch Radio begins broadcast on Friday 1 March and there's more to come. See who's joined. Read more

Podcast: Will It Blend? That is the question!

03 Feb 13 | Tim Reid

Tom Dickson, the star of the most famous series of viral marketing videos ever and the founder and CEO of the company Blendtec, explains where the idea for his videos came from and how they've had a dramatic impact on sales. Read more

Join Micro Business Research, get cash in your pocket!

28 Jan 13 |

Ok, so you won’t retire on the back of what we're about to offer. But every little bit counts, right? Simply join Flying Solo’s new Micro Business Research panel to help influence the Aussie business environment whilst generating petty cash. Interested? Read more

Podcast: The marketing year in review

20 Jan 13 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid shares the best marketing insights from his interviews during 2013. Read more

Comments: 1

Marketing with heart

19 Jan 13 | Katie McMurray

Clients are more likely to respond to marketing that comes from the heart. Here are some ideas to make your communications more heartfelt. Read more

Comments: 2

Podcast: It’s question time!

13 Jan 13 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid tackles marketing challenges that cover personal branding versus business branding, including social media on business cards, how to get in front of senior management, seeking online and free publicity plus loads more. Read more

Podcast: Business planning, thanking clients and public speaking

30 Dec 12 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid and Andrew Griffiths share their top public speaking tips, discuss how they plan for business and come up with creative ways to thank clients. Read more

Podcast: 8 stories you must tell to build an epic business

16 Dec 12 | Tim Reid

Valerie Khoo talks to Tim Reid about how to identify and create stories that will build your small business. Read more

Podcast: How to turn your passion into a profitable reality

02 Dec 12 | Tim Reid

Gordon Ryan who owns and runs ReviveR, a fancy cocktail bar in an old funeral home that was part of a former hearse garage in Gosford, shares how he turned his passion into a profitable business. Read more

Podcast: Small business tips and issues

25 Nov 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, Andrew Griffiths and Tim Reid go head-to-head on various small business tips and issues … and have a laugh along the way. Read more

Is SMS marketing the missing piece in your business marketing puzzle?

14 Nov 12 | Kristin Huddleston

Everyone looks at their text messages, which makes SMS marketing especially effective. So why aren’t you using it? Here are some tips to get your SMS marketing campaigns started. Read more

Comments: 8

Podcast: Success secrets from ‘The Best Sandwich in America’ creator

11 Nov 12 | Tim Reid

Business is absolutely booming for a small, family-run sandwich stand that was established in 1954 in downtown Philadelphia. In this podcast, Tim Reid chats with owner Tommy Nicolic who runs Tommy DiNics with his son Joey. Read more

Seen our latest app? It's a 'book'!

29 Oct 12

Get this! We’ve taken all we know about running your own business and printed it on PAPER! It's like an eBook, but cooler. Whatever next? Read more

Podcast: Funny Business with Timbo & Andrew Griffiths

28 Oct 12 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid and Andrew Griffiths share a Modern Family moment they had in an upmarket pet shop, cogitate over a first world marketing problem, discuss the importance of backing yourself and much more. Read more

Podcast: How Aquabumps became such a success

21 Oct 12 | Tim Reid

Eugene Tan started Aquabumps in 1999, when as a frustrated Creative Director he combined his three passions: photography, surfing and the web. Hear about how his business became such a success. Read more

Promoting your product: Turn features into benefits that sell

17 Oct 12 | Mike Smith

Promoting the benefits of your product rather than just the features will make an emotional connection with your customer and persuade them to buy. Read more

Comments: 9

Podcast: How James Tuckerman conquered the web

14 Oct 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, James Tuckerman shares how he built the Anthill brand in to the publishing powerhouse it is today, as well as how he has built a loyal community. Read more

Find communication gold in your small business plan

13 Oct 12 | Jess Tyler

Business plans often contain a lot of marketing jargon, but they can also be a goldmine of ideas and inspiration, which can form the basis of your communication messages. Here’s how to dig out the gold from your small business plan. Read more

Comments: 4

Podcast: How to get millions of dollars of free exposure

07 Oct 12 | Tim Reid

Since starting the Messages On Hold business in 1988 from his bedroom in Perth, Kym Illman has used guerilla marketing to generate tens of millions of dollars worth of free TV and press exposure at some of Australia’s largest sporting events. Read more

Podcast: Crazy product demos, pricing and a publicity conundrum

30 Sep 12 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid talks with Australian small business author, Andrew Griffiths, about business and marketing issues. Read more

Up & Away: Mia Freedman

27 Sep 12 | Jodie McLeod

Career woman, mother, wife and curator-creator of opinions on all things women, Mia Freedman talks to Jodie McLeod about her journey of building and growing women's lifestyle website, Mamamia. Read more

Comments: 5

Podcast: A little business achieving seriously big things

23 Sep 12 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid speaks to Fabian Capamolla, one of the founders of the Little Veggie Patch Co., about how he achieved so much in the space of three years. Read more

Podcast: Flight Centre founder, Geoff Harris, openly shares his business insights

16 Sep 12 | Tim Reid

Geoff Harris, one of the original founders (and still current owners) of Flight Centre, shares his business insights with Tim Reid. Read more

Podcast: How to write a book

09 Sep 12 | Tim Reid

Small business author Andrew Griffiths explains why you should and how you can have a book to market and grow your business. Read more

How cloud email services can boost your marketing efforts

05 Sep 12 | Jo Macdermott

Cloud email services are becoming an increasingly popular and easy-to-use marketing tool. Here’s how they work, and how you can make the most of them. Read more

Comments: 4

Podcast: The growth of the social search engine

26 Aug 12 | Tim Reid

Moneytribe founder, Dr David Urpani, talks to Tim Reid about the growth of the social search engine and the importance of tapping in to social capital to get an idea off the ground. Read more

Five high-leverage, low-cost small business marketing ideas

22 Aug 12 | Amanda Jesnoewski

As a micro business owner, finding the time and sometimes the budget to market your business can be a struggle. Here are five low-cost small business marketing ideas that have maximum impact. Read more

Comments: 9

Act quirky. People talk about quirky.

21 Aug 12 | Robert Gerrish

When our recent research revealed that ‘word-of-mouth’ continues to be a key source of business leads, it came as no surprise. But are we doing all we could? Read more

Comments: 16

Podcast: How to build a global surf brand

19 Aug 12 | Tim Reid

Rip Curl founder, Bryan Singer talks to Tim Reid about one of the world's most iconic surf brands. Read more

Create a unique selling proposition that works

18 Aug 12 | Mike Smith

Not only does every business need a unique selling proposition (USP), they need to know how to market it, too. Here are some tips on how to develop and get the most out of your USP. Read more

Comments: 3

Podcast: Tom O’Toole, shares his business journey

12 Aug 12 | Tim Reid

In this interview, Beechworth Bakery founder, Tom O’Toole, shares his very personal business journey with Tim Reid. Read more

Podcast: ‘The Voice’ – A Runaway Marketing Success Story

29 Jul 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, Tim Reid chats with Adrian Swift, the Nine Network’s Executive Producer of The Voice – one of the most successful TV shows Australia has ever seen. Read more

Podcast: A million dollar business in 2.5 years on $0 marketing budget

22 Jul 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast,Tim Reid talks to Cameron Parker about how BlackMilk Clothing, an 100% Australian-owned clothing business, has become such a success. Read more

Podcast: How to market a business In tough times

15 Jul 12 | Tim Reid

Larry Bloch co-founded Netregistry in 1997 – right in the high diddle diddle of the dot com boom. Things were going swimmingly with the business doubling every couple of months … until mid 2000 when the boom went bust. Read more

Podcast: How to build a multi-million dollar online business

08 Jul 12 | Tim Reid

In this revealing interview, Danial Ahchow shares how he built an online marketplace that now hosts millions of visitors annually, and generates hundreds of millions of dollars of work requests each year. Read more

Five marketing activities you should stop doing

06 Jul 12 | Jo Macdermott

You may pride yourself on your well rounded marketing strategy, but amongst all those things you’re doing right could be lurking a few marketing activities that are costing you more money than they’re worth. Read more

Comments: 5

Podcast: How to start a national day for your brand

24 Jun 12 | Tim Reid

In 2009, muesli and porridge maker Flip Shelton, decided to start a National Porridge Day. In this interview, Flip reveals exactly how and why she did this. Read more

Podcast: Lloyd Perry talks marketing

17 Jun 12 | Tim Reid

In this revealing interview Tim Reid gets some fantastic insights into very smart marketing strategies from Lloyd Perry from Big Richard Condoms. Read more

Podcast: How to become a key person of influence

10 Jun 12 | Tim Reid

Every industry has an inner circle of people whose names come up in conversation for all the right reasons, they attract the right opportunities, they earn more money and have more fun. Daniel Priestly has aptly labelled these folk Key Persons Of Influenc Read more

Four ways to get more backlinks

08 Jun 12 | Dan Norris

Backlinks are still the main way Google measures the authority of a website, so if you want to rank better in Google you need to get more backlinks now. Read more

Comments: 11

Podcast: Hear from a guy who can get you anything. Yep, anything!

03 Jun 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, Tim Reid speaks to LA-based Steve Sims, Founder of Bluefish, who can get you anything. Anything! That’s the premise of his business. Read more

Your 50-cent marketing plan

30 May 12 | Dean Parker

Ever feel like marketing your business is something you just don’t have the time or money for? Welcome to the 50-cent marketing plan. Read more

Comments: 9

Podcast: Australia’s largest media buyer sheds light on the future of brand communications

20 May 12 | Tim Reid

In this insightful interview, Harold Mitchell talks about how the media world is undergoing its most dramatic shift since the introduction of the printing press. Read more

Comments: 0

Podcast: What happens when passion takes over

13 May 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, Tim and Luke interview Hana Tolhoek, the creator of Strom, a high end spirit retailing at $110 per bottle. Hana is a true marketing go-getter. Read more

Do I have to do everything?

08 May 12 | Robert Gerrish

Whether or not you like Madonna’s music, with over 200 million album sales under her belt, there’s no denying she’s a master chef of the music industry. Ask her about her cooking prowess, though, and it’s a different story. Read more

Comments: 11

Podcast: Those 11 forgotten marketing concepts explained

06 May 12 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid, after having spoken with thousands of small business owners over the past few years, has identified 11 marketing concepts that many small business owners either never knew about or have forgotten. Read more

Five easily avoidable marketing mistakes

02 May 12 | Dean Parker

Marketing is not an exact science, so it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are a handful of common marketing mistakes that you’ll want to steer clear of. Read more

Comments: 0

Podcast: Roger Hamilton – Futurist, Social Entrepreneur, Wealth Dynamics creator

15 Apr 12 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid has a 1-on-1 conversation with global, social entrepreneur Roger Hamilton – creator of the celebrated Wealth Dynamics profiling system, business futurist, Director of the Green School in Bali and all round good guy. Read more

How self-discipline brought in big bucks

13 Apr 12 | Troy Dean

Self-discipline sounds boring, but thanks to being strict with my focus and my time, I was recently able to generate $10,000 in just four days. Here’s how. Read more

Comments: 6

Sharpen up, soloists!

10 Apr 12 | Jayne Tancred

Are you happy with how your business is going? Or do you wish it would change a little – or a lot? You might need to look at your small business marketing strategy. Read more

Comments: 9

Podcast: How To get 500 bums on seats. Fast!

08 Apr 12 | Tim Reid

If you ever thought of planning a conference, or running any type of event then this interview is a must listen! Read more

Podcast: How To Learn Faster

01 Apr 12 | Tim Reid

Steve Cunningham is the founder of an online business that provides business book summaries and personal development guides to its members every week. In this interview, Steve talks about how he came up with the idea, how it can help any business owner im Read more

Podcast: How to make magazine advertising work

25 Mar 12 | Tim Reid

In this interview, you’ll hear how Brent Hutchinson has turned a magazine advertising spend with a 4WD magazine in to a video marketing strategy in which the magazine needs him more than he needs the magazine. Read more

Podcast: Flight Centre Founder, Geoff Harris plus much more

18 Mar 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, hear an insightful interview with Geoff Harris, co-founder and owner of Flight Centre. Read more

Podcast: The ‘cover some serious marketing ground’ episode

11 Mar 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, Tim Reid and Luke Moulton cover more marketing ground than Michael Schumacher on race day! Read more

Podcast: Boardroom to Boardshorts

04 Mar 12 | Tim Reid

In a past life Jeff Lim did deals across the boardroom table during the heady days of the dot com boom. He now operates in a very different boardroom – one that is wall-to-wall stand up paddle boards. Read more

Podcast: Imagine being two years ahead of your sales targets!

26 Feb 12 | Tim Reid

Matt Bebe started the Mornington Peninsula Brewery 12 months ago and is already two years ahead of his sales targets. What a nice place to be! Read more

Beware the fake marketing consultant

22 Feb 12 | Jo Macdermott

There are many so-called small business marketing consultants to choose from, but how do you separate the good from the bad? These tips should set you on the right path. Read more

Comments: 13

Podcast: Your most pressing marketing questions answered

19 Feb 12 | Tim Reid

In this podcast, Tim Reid and Luke Moulton answer some of their listeners most pressing marketing questions. Read more

Small business marketing trends

18 Feb 12 | Danielle MacInnis

The marketing landscape is constantly changing. Here are some of the most important emerging small business marketing trends to be aware of and consider for your business, now and in the future. Read more

Comments: 4

Competitive advantage: Differentiating your business

16 Feb 12 | Brad Callaughan

To win new business, you need to show new customers why they should choose you. To start with, look within your business for ways to improve your competitive advantage. Read more

Comments: 2

How to launch a business for under $1000

26 Jan 12 | Kathryn Hocking

Is it possible to brand, market and launch a new business for under a grand? I did it – and so can you – in ten easy steps. Read more

Comments: 40

Five tips to help your sales letter get opened

20 Jan 12 | Lucinda Lions

A well-written sales letter can generate loads of sales, but only if the envelope is actually opened. These strategies will help boost your success. Read more

Comments: 20

Small business tips: Six simple ways to transform your business

18 Jan 12 | Jo Macdermott

Want some simple ideas that will have a real impact on your business? Start with the six small business tips below. Read more

Comments: 5

Business marketing tips: Vanuatu style

13 Jan 12 | Heather Smith

Whenever I travel I enjoy observing how other cultures approach business and wonder how I can benefit from their practices. Here are some business marketing tips I picked up in Vanuatu. Read more

Comments: 2

Podcast: Twitter. Your offer. Domain leasing. Starting a small business.

07 Jan 12 | Tim Reid

In this episode of the Small Business Big Marketing podcast, Tim Reid and Luke Moulton question the value of Twitter. Can you believe it? Who do they think they are?! Read more

Why freebies boost sales

21 Dec 11 | Lucinda Lions

When you give away free things to your prospects it activates a social phenomenon known as the norm of reciprocation. Here’s how it can boost sales. Read more

Comments: 4

Four tips for magic marketing messages that multiply business

14 Dec 11 | Dean Parker

In your quest to attract and keep new customers, simple marketing messages work best. Here are some examples of how to talk engagingly and grow your business. Read more

Comments: 4

Run a competition: Win more customers

08 Dec 11 | Connor James

A stack of prizes and cash are given away each year by Australian companies via competitions. How can businesses run a competition that works for them? Read more

Comments: 8

The seven Ps of the marketing mix

18 Nov 11 | Jo Macdermott

The marketing mix is the basis from which all good marketing stems. Read on to discover the seven factors that go into it. Read more

Comments: 2

Podcast: Marketing from the inside out

29 Oct 11 | Danielle MacInnis

I was lucky enough to interview Lorrie Thomas Ross from Web Marketing Therapy. Lorrie approaches marketing from a strategy first position, which I live by too. Read more

Comments: 0

Get more value from your advertising dollar

06 Oct 11 | Dean Parker

This easy-to-follow plan will help improve the results you get from your small business advertising – in eight simple steps. Get ready for the phone to ring! Read more

Comments: 7

Avoiding business burnout

17 Sep 11 | Jo Macdermott

I’m hearing more of my fellow soloists talk about business burnout lately. From what I can tell, it typically starts when we take on too much. Read more

Comments: 4

Podcast: How to generate 10000 backlinks from one press release

10 Sep 11 | Tim Reid

In this episode of Small Business Big Marketing, Tim and Luke share some insights on how to drive traffic to your website. Read more

Comments: 2

Small business marketing on a budget

07 Sep 11 | Dean Parker

Need to promote your business, but don’t have much money to play with? These easy and economic ideas will add zing to your small business marketing. Read more

Comments: 4

What’s Your Opposition up to?

03 Sep 11 | Trevor Weeding

How much attention do you pay your competitors? Here’s a cautionary tale about treading the fine line between too much and not enough. Read more

Comments: 1

Podcast: How to run a successful B&B

20 Aug 11 | Tim Reid

In this podast, Tim Reid and Luke Moulton are joined by Laurel from LaPerouse Bed & Breakfast in Lorne, Victoria who shares how she runs a successful Bed & Breakfast business whilst also building a strong business community in her local township. Read more

Comments: 0

Is inbound marketing for you?

16 Jul 11 | Jo Macdermott

If you’re trying to attract new clients, you’re probably employing a variety of marketing techniques. But are they the most effective ones for your business? Have you considered inbound marketing? Read more

Comments: 5

Podcast: Lessons from a marketing action taker

09 Jul 11 | Tim Reid

In this episode of Small Business Big Marketing, Tim and Luke share seven ways to create more time to market your business, plus they talk to Darren Finkelstien of St. Kilda Boat Sales. Read more

Comments: 0

Tips for attracting sponsorship marketing

08 Jul 11 | Russell Dymond

If you’re involved in not-for-profit, sporting or even business endeavours, you may benefit from having a financial sponsor. But how do you attract sponsorship marketing? Read more

Comments: 9

Podcast: What are your customers thinking about you?

18 Jun 11 | Tim Reid

Tim Reid and Luke Moulton talk with Mark Copeman, the founder of Customer Thermometer, about a real time, customer satisfaction survey tool for small businesses. Read more

Comments: 0

Marketing through storytelling

11 Jun 11 | Danielle MacInnis

People buy from those they know, like, and trust. Part of that is the story of the business they’re buying from and the people behind it. What’s yours? Read more

Comments: 10

Customer profiling

03 Jun 11 | Russell Dymond

If you don't know who your customers are, how can you truly fulfil their needs? This article explains why you should profile your market, and gives you some pointers for getting started with customer profiling. Read more

Comments: 13