Twitter just acquired Summify, a company that allows members to filter their news feeds from a variety of social media channels and organize the data in a way that allows them to be more selective about what they choose to see.

That creates two potential opportunities for business owners.  First, with the ability to filter news the Summify technology will serve as a social TiVo.  For businesses that simply bombard followers with ads, they’ll quickly get tuned out, but for those of us who offer quality content, we will actually strengthen our ability to influence our followers.

On the other side of the coin, your ability to filter news feed results will allow you to more easily follow conversations that give you a clue as to what interests your customers, so that you can be responsive.  You will be able to more easily know when they are talking about you or products you sell.  The Summify technology could be a very useful customer service tool.  If you can improve your ability to anticipate your customer’s interests and be responsive to those interests you will put yourself light years ahead of competitors who will not take time to do so.

Stay tuned in on social media developments.  You never know when the next advance will provide you a new marketing advantage.

It may be cold outside, but if you ride a motorcycle, it’s never too early to think about warmer weather and hitting the open road.  If you’re looking for a place to take your bike for maintenance, customization, or (heaven forbid) accident repairs, look no further than Lucky Cycles!

Located in Owings, Maryland, Lucky Cycles provides service, maintenance, and customization of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In business since 2004, owner Jim Purdy thoroughly enjoys each day of hands-on bike work. He puts his experience as a Harley mechanic to work each day performing routine repairs, but he really sinks his teeth into ground-up customizations. He specializes in building custom choppers and has completed dozens of modifications and service on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Jim’s passion for motorcycles began when his dad and a friend built him a custom mini bike when he was 7 years old. As a youth he raced motocross and continues to ride today.  Growing up, Jim and his father spent time working on  projects, including a complete ground-up restoration of his first car, a 1972 SS Nova.  After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a career in law enforcement in the DC area, Jim decided to return to his first love – working with metal and machines – and established Lucky Cycles while still working full-time in law enforcement.  After building three show-winning choppers in 2004, Jim decided to focus on Lucky Cycles full-time, turning it into the business he loves.

If you’re not in the market to customize your bike but want to keep it in tip-top shape, Lucky’s can take care of that for you, too. Parts and accessories are reasonably priced.  Services like paint, powder coating, chroming, custom parts and mounts, and frame-up restoration are also on the menu. Visit their web site at www.luckycycles.com to see what they have done and can do for you!  Lucky’s also works with all insurance companies, so if you are ever in a situation where you need your bike repaired due to an accident, give Jim a call at 410-286-7557.

Lucky Cycles is located at 6981 Briscoes Turn Road in Owings, MD. Stop in and see what they can do for you!

The Internet is creating many opportunities for small locally owned businesses to reach consumers with less effort and a dramatically lower cost.  But, it does require us to stop and understand where those opportunities are, because there are many choices.  Group buying, online coupons, mobile marketing, text messaging, social community ads and article marketing are just some of the choices available today.  Every day brings new ones as technology continues to make it easier.

I have been studying social media marketing for almost 2 years now with help from my marketing coach who has created a complete integrated social media marketing system specifically for small businesses.  His system is called the Village Connector Community Marketing System and features a marketing toolkit that includes online coupons, group buying, article marketing, a consumer loyalty program, and mobile (cell phone) marketing all in one system.  The thing I like about his program is that all the pieces have been designed to work together, instead of cobbling together a la carte solutions from more than one vendor.

I feel so strongly about the role social media should play in your marketing that I have arranged for all of my clients to have unlimited access to the Village Connector Community Marketing System at no charge to you.  As long as you are a customer of Cash Flow Plus, there will never be anything for you to pay to have full access to the system.  I highly recommend that you take full advantage of this program, especially since there is no cost to you to add it to your marketing plan.

If you would like to take advantage of the Village Connector Community Marketing System, please give me a call and I will make sure my coach gets you set up immediately.  I hope this helps you to get your year off to a great start.  I know that working together we can achieve that for you!

Looking forward to a great 2012!

Do you drive a car?  Chances are pretty good that you do, and if you’re like most people, you want to keep it in good working condition so that you can get as much life out of it as possible. If you’re looking for a quality car care center that can keep your buggy in tip-top shape, look no further than Bowie Auto Service on Old Chapel Road in Bowie, Maryland.

Bob and Rose Woolley are the owners of Bowie Auto Service and have been providing quality car care for 21 years.  They perform all types of auto repairs on both foreign and domestic vehicles, including scheduled maintenance packages, system flushes (power steering, radiator, transmission, brakes), tire installation, mounting and balancing, shocks, struts, air conditioning service, axles, wheel bearings – and a host of other services from a list that’s too long to list here (but check their web site at www.bowieautoservice.com for a more complete list).  They also perform light work on diesel trucks.  Their location at 15300 Old Chapel Road is a filling station, so you can refuel before or after your service visit with regular gasoline or diesel fuel.  They also service ARI fleet vehicles.

A native Marylander, Bob has been getting his hands dirty with auto repairs since he was 15 years old, when he began working for Pat Goss at his garage in Riverdale, Maryland (you may recognize Pat as the host of the TV show Motor Week).  In fact, Bob honed his mechanical skills under Pat and worked at that same garage (after it changed hands) for 18 years before making the move to purchase his own station in Bowie in 1990. He opened up his shop and welcomed his first customers, doing auto servicing and repairs and running the business on his own for the first year.  As the business began to grow, he hired additional technicians to assist him.  Bob and Rose were married in 1994, and Rose came on board with the business full-time in 1996, taking over the administrative and marketing side of things so that Bob could concentrate fully on service.

In their spare time, Bob and Rose enjoy fishing and going to the beach, and they are active members of two local car clubs – the Asphalt Angels and the High Rollers (where Bob serves as president).  They restored a 1975 Chevy Laguna S3 that Bob purchased years ago and can be seen with it at area car shows.  They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

To keep your car running for years to come, the Woolleys recommend that you keep up with all scheduled maintenance and have services performed at the recommended intervals.  Make sure all fluids have been checked and are at the proper levels and tires are at their recommended pressures for safe winter driving.

Stop in for fuel and say hi to Bob and Rose – and if you need service, give them a call at 301-464-1112.

Trees are wonderful.  They provide us with oxygen, shade, beautiful scenery, fruit, and a rainbow of colors in the fall – just to mention a few things!  Sometimes they can cause problems, too, especially when weather causes them to become unstable or destructive.  It’s important to keep your trees healthy and stable for their well-being and yours – and that’s where our Merchant of the Month can help!

Economy Tree Service, Inc., provides complete tree service to keep the trees on your property in tip-top shape. They provide tree trimming, fertilizing, tree removal, lot clearing, stump grinding, shrub trimming and shrub removal services. They also specialize in hazardous tree removal – trees located next to houses or buildings or close to wires. Economy Tree Service also handles shrub trimming and removal, deadwood removal, storm damage, cleanup services, and tree spraying for disease and insects.

A native of Kent Island, William Roy has owned and operated Economy Tree Service since 1991. After working for another tree company, he decided to “branch” out on his own, buying a chipper and a stump grinder and growing his business from the roots up.  His operation now features two crews (including two arborists) and nine trucks, including chip trucks, bucket trucks, pickups, and log trucks. Economy Tree is headquartered in Queenstown on the Eastern Shore and serves customers in Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Caroline Counties, as well as the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County area.  They also provide services for the town of Easton as well as Queen Anne and Talbot Counties, and state roads.

Economy Tree also sells firewood at reasonable prices and will deliver to your location for a nominal fee (or you can pick it up).  If you are having a tree trimmed or serviced, you can choose to have the trimmings chipped into mulch or, if big enough, cut into fireplace-sized logs for your use – or you can have it all hauled away!  William recommends oak, locust, and cherry for fireplace or woodstove use as they are all clean-burning hardwoods.  Poplar burns fast and pine leaves a residue in the chimney.

To keep your trees healthy, safe, and looking good, William recommends that you keep them trimmed and have the deadwood thinned so that the wind doesn’t catch them and cause damage.  He also recommends fertilizing for trees that have suffered damage from storms or insects.

Economy Tree Service provides 24-hour emergency service as well as free estimates.  Regular business hours are 7 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday.  They are located at 100 Arrington Road in Queenstown.  Visit the website at www.economytreeserviceinc.com or give them a call at 410-827-5198.

Local merchants who are looking for a powerful way to attract more customers must consider using video content on the Web.  No one can deny the fact that video content is more compelling that written articles and blog content alone, and advances in technology have made it easy and affordable for virtually anyone who considers themselves to be serious business owners.  For less than a couple hundred dollars you can produce high quality video for posting to your website or a Youtube account.

You would be surprised how many people will watch simple videos of you simply doing what you do for a living, or talking to your audience about a topic that interests them.  Restaurant chefs, real estate agents, attorneys, dry cleaners, tailors, virtually anyone in business can tell the story of what they do and why using short, simple videos.

As you create your videos, keep in mind that Youtube gets more views than the top 10 TV networks, so there are lots of folks looking for content that is educational, entertaining, and timely.  If you can be the source of that content, you can certainly attract viewers to become your customer.

If you have questions about using video content to promote your business please contact me.  I have a local connection who can help you map out a strategy and help you get it done.

Winter is just around the corner, and with it, ski season.  Cash Flow Plus is proud to provide merchant services for the Annual Ski Swap, a fundraiser to benefit the Ski Liberty Ski Patrol.  The swap takes place this Sunday, October 30, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Ski Center, located at 4300 Fordham Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20016.  The rain date is Saturday, November 5.  Ski and snowboard enthusiasts can buy or sell used ski and snowboard equipment and clothing at this event, which is the D.C. area’s largest ski swap.

The Ski Liberty Ski Patrol is part of the National Ski Patrol System, Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 1938 and dedicated to promoting skiing and snowboarding safety throughout the country.  The NSP has a Ski Patrol presence at 98% of the ski resorts in the United States.  There are about 27,000 NSP members nationwide, with 120 members at Ski Liberty.  The Ski Liberty Ski Patrol, founded in 1974, is a member of the NSP.  Some of its members have been patrolling the same mountain since the 1970s.

Members of the Ski Patrol are volunteers who donate their time and expertise to provide aid and assistance, at no cost, to injured skiers and boarders throughout the United States.  The NSP’s premier outdoor emergency care course is used to educate ski patrollers throughout the world.

The annual Ski Swap at the Ski Center is the Ski Patrol’s only source of income – the proceeds from the swap support their tireless first-aid efforts, purchase training equipment, and cover expenses in conducting training courses for Patrol members.

If you are interested in attending the swap, here are some guidelines:

• If you are selling items, registration begins at 9:00 AM.
• Return by 3:30 PM to pick up unsold items. Items not picked up by 3:30 PM will be considered donated to the Ski Patrol.
• Pay by credit card, cash or check. You will receive a check in the mail for any sold items less a 20% commission from the Ski Patrol. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to receive your check.
• For easy ample parking on Swap Day, turn on 50th Street from Massachusetts Avenue and use the large parking lot behind the office buildings.
• Boots and bindings over 10 years old cannot be sold.

Whether you are a skier or a boarder, there is something for everyone!  Come out and support the Ski Patrol!  They’re there when you need them!

Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner, and now is the time to plan if you are a merchant! Gift cards have become the number one gift for the holidays, outselling gift certificates by a 10 to 1 margin. Gift cards also offer many benefits to the merchants that offer them:

• The initial sale of a gift card is an immediate source of revenue for a merchant.
• The card acts as an advertisement for the merchant.
• Gift cards encourage repeat visits by customers who don’t use the entire value of the card on the first visit.
• Some cards can be recharged after the initial value is depleted, bringing customers back into the business to make additional purchases.
• There is a high potential for increased sales above the value of the gift card amount from customers who purchase items higher than the value of the card.
• Merchants offering gift cards typically realize an increase in overall sales and cash flow, sometimes as much as 30 percent or more.
• Gift cards are easy to issue, and transactions using gift cards are fast and efficient because no change is issued when a gift card is redeemed.
• Statistically speaking, merchants can realize an average of 15 to 20 percent pure profit on cards that are issued but never redeemed.

To realize the advantages of gift cards and grab your portion of the market, please contact us for more information – so that we can get you set up in time for the holidays!

There’s nothing like having your own car – for some people, it’s almost an extension of themselves. A person’s choice of automobile says a lot about their lifestyle and personality, so when a problem crops up, or it’s time for regular maintenance, it’s a good feeling to know that your car is in the right hands.  Our merchant of the month strives to keep your car running at its peak!

Tech Automotive and Broken Wing Cycles, located in Huntingtown, Maryland, performs all types of maintenance and repair service for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  With a staff of four ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)-certified mechanics and an exhaust specialist, Tech Auto strives to extend the life of your vehicle for as long as possible.

Tommy Gilmartin, owner of Tech Auto, realized early on that he had a talent for automotive repair when he began working on cars as a teenager.  He worked for many years for several auto dealerships, expanding his experience and honing his craft, prior to venturing out on his own. In 2006, he opened the doors of Tech Auto, offering car and truck repair. An avid motorcyclist, Tommy added motorcycle repair to his line of services, specializing in fixing crashed bikes.  The “Broken Wing Cycles” name actually comes from the fact that Tech Auto works predominantly on Harley Davidson cycles, and the Harley logo often contains eagle’s wings.  Tommy takes in those injured “eagles,” mends those “broken wings,” and sends them back to “fly” again!  Tech Auto also offers hot-rod custom exhaust systems.

Like many business owners, Tommy enjoys being his own boss and running his own business.  He continues to perform repairs on a daily basis but focuses on the challenging cases that appear on his doorstep.  When he’s not mending a Harley or working on a repair, he takes to the road on his Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle; he also enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his 5 grandchildren.

Tech Auto provides service for all makes and models and offers hot-rod custom exhaust systems, too.  They have a regular roster of customers but are always willing to welcome new ones.  Give Tommy a call at 410-257-9101 or visit the shop at 155 Prospect Drive, Suite 103, in Huntingtown, MD.  The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.

As a business owner, it’s highly likely that you own a cell phone – maybe even a smart phone or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA for short).  These little mobile devices make it convenient for us to place phone calls, send texts and emails, surf, browse, and post from wherever we are. However, all good things come to an end, and inevitably you will find yourself preparing to upgrade your phone.  What do you plan to do with the old one?

There are plenty of options: recycling, reselling, and donating are the most common choices for most people.  Before you do any of these things, be sure that you know how to dispose of the data on your old device properly so that you are not exposing sensitive business or personal information to the wrong eyes!  Removing personal information includes removing the memory or SIM card and following manufacturer’s instructions to wipe the data from the device.  Be sure to remove your phone book, contact lists, list of calls made and received, voicemails, photos, and all email, both sent and received. Also remove text messages, web search history and folders.  For additional advice on how to properly remove your data, contact your cellular service provider or refer to the owner’s manual for your device.

Once you have removed all of your data from your device, you have several options for its disposal.  If your device still has some usable life in it, you may consider selling it.  If you have more than one device to sell, you might be able to bring a little bit of money back into your business. Organizations exist that will buy your old device from you – but it’s best not to just choose one from a list that you find online. Be sure to thoroughly check out the business that you choose to deal with, working with a local business where you can visit and talk to the owner or manager.

If you choose to recycle your phone, the government has some options for you.  The Environmental Protection Agency’s web site provides information on recycling programs (www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm) and the US Postal Service has a free “Mail Back” program that allows you to recycle small electronics (www.usps.com/what-we-are-doing/green/report/2010/ourpeople-cust-exp-2.htm).

Whatever you do, please consider the environmental impact of just throwing your phone into the trash.  Batteries in cell phones and small electronic devices should not be put into landfills because the heavy metals can contaminate the earth.  Check with your local health and sanitation agency for additional suggestions on disposing of these devices.

Source: www.ftc.gov.