Submitted by Maria Luisa Castella from Miami, Florida

Q: I have been reading your column in the Herald for years and really enjoy it. I want to attract more leads through my website, www.unitedarchitectsinc.com. I get traffic but I don't have a high conversion rate. Could you please look at my website and tell me how to improve it? Thank you.

Answered 01/22/09 16:40:47 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Maria Luisa, Thanks for the kudos! I've quickly visited your website. It needs help in streamlining content - I found it hard to read. Structurally it appears sound. Downloading is a bit confusing and you should gather more prospect info. Surely you concentrate upon a specific market segment(s) - what are they? Are you using an email "newsletter" as a promotional device? If you're interested we could meet and talk about your marketing. Visit jackghardy.com for more info - or call me at 305-775-1759

Submitted by Sylvia P Rochin from 900 S:W 2 Ave Miami FL 33131

Q: Hi Jack, we are an urgent care center in Miami and will open another in South Beach soon, but we don't seem to find ¨THE¨ perfect marketing,although we have tried some. Could you help us, I need the right words. Sylvia

Answered 01/19/09 15:55:41 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Certainly! Please provide me with info regarding your present marketing activities and samples of materials. send to jack@jackghardy.com

Submitted by rick from north miami beach

Q: I do loan modifications and stop foreclosures for people who have fallen behind on their payments. would like to attarct more customers without spending large amounts of money. what type of marketing would you sugest i do?

Answered 01/05/09 16:18:39 by Jack G. Hardy

A: If you can obtain a list of foreclosures in process with name and address of owner - do a first contact by telephone, send a printed trifold with your credentials - followup with a personal visit - all as quickly as possible. If most have Latin last names & if you speak Spanish go for it

Submitted by Ruben Cedeno from Kendall Miami

Q: Dear Mr Jack, Tks for the advice to all of us, As a family we started a Unique service targeting the tourist,corporate and VIP niche market, can you recomend specif ways to get some media coverage by way of press releases, 2)financing sources available to low income families. 3)South Florida's corporate listing directory info? We are persevearing, in challeging times and Appreciate your Help.

Answered 01/05/09 16:14:21 by Jack G. Hardy

A: 1. Please visit http://www.wheatmark.com/articles/view.cfm?aid=43 for full instructions on how to prepare a Press Release 2. Financing available – If this is for business you’ll need a well prepared business plan. Visit www.scoremiami.org or www.score.org for help. 3. South Florida Corporate Listing: Please visit www.usadata.com or www.FloridaListCompany.com

Submitted by joel sussman from Miami Beach

Q: Jack, I am looking to hire a management consultant to review/observe our operation and make suggestions to improve management. We own a 269 room hotel on Miami beach and have 80+ employees. Any suggestions? Joel

Answered 11/25/08 15:30:40 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Joel, I would be happy to review & observe your operations and suggest improvements based upon my experience and practical approach to business. However, I will not be available until the New Year, January 5,2009. We can schedule a 1-hour meeting - with no obligation - to talk about objectives. 305-775-1759

Submitted by Rafael Cereghino from Miami, FL

Q: Hi Jack I read an article a while back about word of mouth marketing. It is not e-marketing like your article on May 12 of this year. This article was about word of mouth marketing but people get together and talk about a product and recommend it. Can you please help me I'm trying to find the name of the company and how much it cost. Best Regards Rafael Cereghino

Answered 11/11/08 07:20:30 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Here's some of the info - "Can your business find marketing leverage with these new word-of-mouth marketing techniques? Are they affordable? The WOMMA website (womma.org) is a good place to start your search. Click on Library – scroll down to WOM 101 for an excellent overview. This case study captured my attention: Create Pass-Along Tools or Objects. That’s where I found BzzAgent.com and its “Frogpond.” for the complete column, go to my website: jackghardy.com - click on Miami Herald Columns - look for May 12, 2008 - What’s a secret? Something you tell to one person at a time! Enjoy! Jack

Submitted by Senen Jimenez from Miramar, Florida

Q: I have a small business which I have grown from my expertise in manufacturing. I have one customer at the present time and would like to expand my customer base. Can you help with marketing strategies and how I can get my web site to have more exposure while keeping my cost to a minimum. You can see what I am selling by visiting my site at racksystemsusa.com . Thank you in advance.

Answered 11/11/08 07:13:48 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Senen, First- take a look at your website. It loads very slowly; the Meta Tags can be stated better for quick reading. Consider including a downloadable sales brochure - with all info plus tips - you will pick up prospect info for followup. Consider using ConstantContact.com for prospects and clients - visit their website for more info. If you need help with the above, contact me at jack@jackghardy.com Jack

Submitted by david from miami

Q: Greetings, since the credit crunch and the economy in recessions, we have had to depend on our selves and our community. my sister and i have created a small website that allows business to join and have access to a local business that are willing to participate in a barter trade. It will receive many benefits, like exposure on google and getting the right people onto your website. www.thefloridadistrict.com The service free and it will feature other services. i would like to share this website with many people among Miami. does the Miami herald hold any blog/forum for new business to join? do you have any recommendations how i can utilize Miami herald resources. As you know, this system has been created by the default of our recessions thus can only offer my services or expertise as exchange ;) thank you kindly! david www.thefloridadistrict.com

Answered 11/03/08 09:01:49 by Jack G. Hardy

A: I find it difficult to understand the rationale behind your service: "Design for small business to improve you customer traffic to your website via the online community." What exactly do you provide besides listing? How do you attract people to YOUR website so they can see customer listings. I don't believe the Miami Herald has resources you can use.

Submitted by Jose De La Rosa from Sunrise, Florida

Q: Hola Jack, Good afternoon, I currently work for Simon Malls in Sawgrass Mills. I am an Area Director for 3 malls Sawgrass, Coral Square Mall & Also Miami International Mall. i have only been in the City for 3 months & it's been very difficult trying to get any Casino to spend Advertising/Marketing $ at any of our Malls - What do you reccomend & also if possible How can I spend my time going out after the big fish (I don't know who they are or have the contacts) so my time is not wasted on the little guys who during these times don;t have any $. Thank you for your time.

Answered 10/23/08 11:03:18 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Jose, Bienvenidos al surcursal de Sud America (South Florida). First of all I don't know what an Area Director does. Second you don't tell me what you are selling. Third, you indicate casinos as "big fish" - which needs confirmation. I can only guess! Obviously you are doing one of two things: Attracting more people to your three malls or 2. Providing a great pass-by show space for graphic advertising (if you own the billboards). Suggestion: From the above tell me the whole story. jack G Hardy jack@jackghardy.com

Submitted by Mia from Miami, FL

Q: Hi Jack, My name is Mia and I own a boutique graphic design firm along with 3 of my friends. We have officially existed for a few months now and are having a little bit of trouble finding good clients. We have so much talent that we are practically bursting at the seams! As someone who is familiar with the creative business, where, in your opinion, can we go to find good clients? We were thinking of joining some type of networking group, but we've been to a few that just are not our speed. Are there any networking groups for younger business professionals? Thanks in advance for your reply, --mia--

Answered 10/15/08 07:20:13 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Mia, First step: Decide the focus of your services. Develop a Core Value Proposition Second: Confirm a business development plan. Third: Focus upon those prospects within your target. Fourth: Start selling. You can find my guide to developing your Core Value Proposition at amazon.com

Submitted by Neal Atkins from Miami Beach, FL

Q: Dear Jack, I have created and registered several Internet domain names. For example SobeSingles.com. That was the easy part. Now, how do I sell them? How do buyers find me? Thanks for your help. Neal

Answered 10/14/08 13:22:44 by Jack G. Hardy

A: You have two avenues -G to www.godaddy.com and put up for auction or fond a comany that needs your URL and sell directly

Submitted by Nerissa Cannon from Miami, Fl

Q: Hello Jack, I sent my question to you sometime ago. I had to pause to take care of my health. I have the same question about marketing my book. There are a few questions you asked me... It is on amazon.com and the story is about a young girl and four of her friends who are modern day slaves, who devise a plan to escape their plight... It's a dramatic, powerful short story written for pre-teens and young adults. My book is also in Barnes & Noble in Aventura, Fl and online.

Answered 09/29/08 09:37:52 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Nerissa, I read your reviews on amazon - first (5 reviews)- The Adventures of Deputy Hawthorne Hound Catscammed and Doggnapped - then (1 review/you) - SARAFINA'S WISH: A Young Girl's Flight For Freedom. There are 2 lessons I've learned from my own book - find a professor, teacher or other expert to recommend and/or use your book as a learning tool. You saw that from your 5 reviews - Second, advertise judiciously on Google using AdWords.

Submitted by jack giessmann from miami florida

Q: Hi Jack, I recently sent you an email about selling a time share, and appologize for not giving you very much information. The time share is located in Orlando, Fl., at the Westgate Resort Town Center. It is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath (lock-out), and is one week, every even year (see internet ad -Timeshare Resales USA GMAC Real Estate, ad nmber 12391). Also, the timeshare is deeded. I know this is a bad time to sell any properties, but if you have any ideas or suggestions, I would really appreciate any help. Thank you Jack Giessmann ngiessmann@msn.com

Answered 09/18/08 17:13:59 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Jack, I've thumbed through my brain cells - can't find a clue - few left? Friends? surely you've tried... Time share neighbors - ditto But the I said to myself - "Has Jack Googled?" So please go to Google: Enter - How to sell a timeshare? That might help I found quite a few leads - maybe to nowhere but one or two could be promising

Submitted by jack giessmann from miami florida

Q: Jack, I am not sure you can help with this, but my question concerns selling a timeshare. I have been trying to sell my timeshare for over a year now, with not even an offer. I tried to find a company that would sell it by commission, as one would expect when selling a house. However, I could not find such a company, and finally paid money to GMAC Timeshares. I thought that since they sold homes, they would be a good choice. They stated that they would advertise on the internet, and also held sales conferences in a local hotel in Orlando. However, I have not received one offer in over a year. Any suggestions or ideas??? Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks. Jack Giessmann ngiessmann@msn.com

Answered 09/16/08 16:56:00 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Jack, My experience with Time Share has not been positive. Some have made it a positive experience. But others like yourself find it hard to "unload" - You don't give me much to work with - location, etc. Sorry. Jack

Submitted by Rafael Cereghino from Miami, FL

Q: Jack, my business is a Flooring Retailer & I recently expanded to go online. My problem is that I am not getting any business online. My website is stylishrugs.com . Could this be because of the economy? I am aware that many small businesses make $500,000+ a year.

Answered 09/16/08 06:46:40 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Rafael, Please read my Bootstrap column from yesterday-09/15 - Your site has nice structure - products zoom in nicely - photos enlarged could show more texture. But content is weak. It could be less wordy at times (with less errors in English). Buut my key question for you is: "How much are you spending in, let's say, AdWords to attract customers to your website? Do you have a clearly defined target customer? And geographic target area. Building a website is only the beginning - now you have to reach out to a target audience.

Submitted by ana from miramar,fl

Q: Please do not publish my name or email. I have a legal question. 3 years ago, my husband invested 25,000 in an S-corp a group of our friends were starting (a real estate business). That business has never made a penny, and in my opinion should be dissolved (should have been dissolved a long time ago). 3 of the partners are active in the business and do not want to dissolve the business. They keep asking all the other partners to invest more money, which no one wants to do. We want out of this corporation. My question is, how do I get out? I want to give my shares back to the corporation ( i don't want any money). They are probably worth zero, but we just want to be out of that corporation, and off their records (books, personal guarantees, etc). What recourse do we have?

Answered 09/11/08 16:37:13 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Ana, Your best bet is to make that offer to the S-Corp president. If rejected go to a reliable lawyer.

Submitted by Mildred Washington from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Q: Hi Jack, I have recently started as a franchisee for a virtual staffing agency that has very recently started letting their contractors, sign up, get tested, etc and then be able to sign up their own clients. My question is what is the best way to market a service that I am sure will be very beneficial to any small business. My web address is http://mildredwashington.teamdoubleclick.com/. Take a look at it and let me know what you think. Being that my husband and I also own a drywall contracting company in South Florida I know the value of the services this company can offer. That's what made me want to get in on the ground floor and not only make money but also help a lot of the small businesses out there just like ours. Thanks so much for you time and assistance. Mildred Washington

Answered 09/08/08 16:47:27 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Mildred, Answering your question "What is the best way to market a service that I am sure will be very beneficial to any small business." I'd suggest two avenues, both using your franchise services. 1. Telemarketing - Seek personal interviews (sales call) with small business owner. You'll need to develop a database after deciding what businesses and who fits into your small business target. 2. Develop a 10 to 12 minute presentation of your services. Use it with prospects in Nº 1 - and seek opportunities to make presentation at Chambers, Women's business organizations (they're usually better at making changes) - wherever you can be heard. Make sense? PS: I have a client who has built his business based upon mastering the use of a virtual office - makes good sense! And is profitable. www.jackghardy.com

Submitted by Brian from Sunrise, FL

Q: Jack, I publish a direct mail coupon books in S. FL and my son just launched the same product in North Jersey. We also launched a great website:www.moneysavercouponsonline.com In this slower economy, what would be the best way to attract advertising revenue from national companies?? , we've basically have only been targeting the local businesses. Also, do you have any suggestions for attracting new business?? Thank you

Answered 08/11/08 06:35:34 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Brian,As I understand your coverage - print coupons reach out to the area on your website. But there is no indication on the website indicating who it's for. When I enter my ZIP offer opportunities are all 25 to 30 miles distant. IF you were to focus and promote this website only in its coverage area you might be able to get national consumer brands to join your coverage. You could easily create a "next" area website as you expand print delivery. You could also set up a "master site leading people to discounts by area. Answer:: Make your site clearly focused upon an area that could be interesting to a brand manager looking to strengthen her brand. Almost all national brands are using digital coupons. Help the site visitor know it's for a specific area.

Submitted by Joe Reiss from Coral Springs

Q: Thanks for Responding. Yes, A business plan is already in the works. We have an immediate market that we're focused on. What are the next steps to locate Venture Capital. Thanks, Joe Reiss

Answered 08/05/08 13:40:41 by Jack G. Hardy

A: I would suggest you look for a SCORE counselor with experience in evaluating your business plan - www.score.org - I could review it for you as well. Please contact me directly at jack@jackghardy.com

Submitted by Joe Reiss from Coral Springs, FL

Q: My wife and I have developed a Web-Based Administrative program for Schools and/or Libraries (www.emc2library.com). We currently have two schools using and some more immediate prospects. We are interested in raising Venture Capital. How do we go about this? Thanks, Joe Reiss

Answered 08/02/08 10:08:37 by Jack G. Hardy

A: Joe & your CEO, The first step you must make - if you're serious about seeking venture capital - is to prepare a complete and convincing business plan. Judging from your website that is still a To-Do project. If I'm correct in this assumption, please go to my website - jackghardy.com - and download a copy of my eBook (free until August 5th) The Core Value Proposition. It gives you a 4-step easy to use process to prepare for a convincing business plan. If I'm wrong- please get back to me. Jack G Hardy