This is totally personal. I’m a small business marketing consultant. I offer small business training and coaching. Wondering what the heck is the difference between an ISP, domain name registrar, web hosting service, web designer, web developer and the rest of the web credits list, let’s talk. Have questions about reaching your goal in today’s marketing? Need WordPress to do something, but don’t know how? Want to have your staff learn how? Suspect your web service is yanking your chain? Or have questions about any other stuff to grow your business in the 21st century? Let’s talk.

I can review your website, your marketing plan or your analytics, help you figure out what’s next, explain why you’re getting — or not getting — the results you expected or whatever. And all in clear, simple English.

Maybe you, or your support staff, just need some training on using WordPress or Google Analytics or Google Website Optimizer or one of the other gazillion cool tools and services Google offers businesses and organizations. I can help.

Afterwards, you can do it on your own, saving you money and giving you a foundation of knowledge on which to build your business. Word of warning, though. I don’t guarantee that I’ll be telling you what you want to hear. I’m not as brutal as House, but I’ll be totally honest.

And while I usually won’t do it for you, I can install your WordPress and/or theme and plugins and get you started.

And if I don’t think I’m the right person to help you, I’ll suggest another solution.

How One-on-One Consulting, Coaching or Training Works

1. After you contact me, I’ll reply and we’ll determine what your biggest needs are and in what priority. It also allows me to assess your organization’s technical level. My goal is solve the issues that will make the most immediate difference in getting to your goal and easing your mind. I’ll give you and estimate of how much time I think each topic will take and we can determine what will be covered in the session.
2. We’ll schedule a minimum 1-hour session at a time that works for both of us.We’ll agree on how we’ll meet, whether by phone, chat or online meeting session. I’ll give you simple, detailed directions on whatever method we agree upon.
3. During the session, we’ll go through the issues scheduled starting with the top priority. We’ll work until we run out of time. If other questions come up, you can determine whether you want to deal with them at that time or schedule another session. Obviously, I can give more thought to questions I receive ahead of time, but I can handle spontaneous questions.
4. If the purpose of the session is training, we’ll work through the program at the same time. You will also have been provided with resources and materials ahead of the session and told what will be needed during the session.

We will also determine those tasks you should have someone else do for you. Some times it’s more cost effective and better to have someone else do the work. Like my oil changes and tune-ups. I could do my own oil changes and tune-ups. I used to do it for my MGB, but frankly it would take me a lot longer than a professional service, stress me out and it’s not something I enjoy. I’m a good online marketing teacher and consultant, but a mediocre mechanic. Better to focus on my strengths and let Mark apply his to my car. I’ll help you figure out what it’s actually cheaper to hire someone else to do.

How Group Training Classes Work

Need to train several people in your organization or conference? I can help. The primary difference between group training sessions and one-to-one is determining if you want me physical there. You may or may not depending upon your specific group needs and technical skill-level.

1. So the first step is to contact me.
2. After you contact me, I’ll reply and we’ll schedule a meeting with you or your team to determine your specific needs. Whether we meet by phone, chat or online session. I’ll give you simple, detailed directions on whatever method we agree upon.
3. At that meeting, we’ll identify the specific goals of the training session, estimated number of attendees and general budget range for the session. We’ll determine also what kind of training session, how it will be given, and what is needed in terms of equipment and materials and services to provide the training session. Finally, we’ll consider what kind of post-training support may be wanted.
4. After the meeting, I’ll prepare an estimate for the costs and a detailed outline for the training and my services.
5. Once the details are completed, I’ll prepare a letter of agreement or contract. Once the letter of agreement or contract is signed by an authorized representative of your organization and returned with the deposit, I’ll send your a preparation schedule and checklist and start preparing customized training materials for the session.
6. I’ll send at least two confirmations before the training session.
7. After the training session, I’ll provide a follow-up and whatever post-training support is agreed upon in the contract.

Group training can be the most cost-effective way to bring your entire staff up-to-date, distribute workload or help your conference members get the knowledge they need and want in a short amount of time.

But first you need to contact me.

Want a Group Consulting, Coaching or Presentation?

Yes. I can do this. I also do presentations for businesses, organizations or conferences. You know what you need to do. That’s right. Contact me and let me know what you’re looking for..

A Few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.  So what topics can I ask you about?

I’m a general marketing and web technologist, so some of the things you may want to discuss are:

• the best marketing solution for your specific goals (increasing profits is really a different goal than getting more people into your shop or office)
• WordPress and other blogs and all that go with them like themes, plugins, SEO, etc.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• email marketing,
• e-commerce solutions for small and micro businesses,
• ways to generate income like affiliate programs, advertising, cross-promotion and so on
• and a lot of other stuff.

Your best bet is to contact me ahead of time with your questions or concerns. I’ll let you know what’s the most cost-effective way to get answers.

2. So it doesn’t have to be just about online marketing?

Nope. As a matter of fact, I believe strongly that you need to understand your business model in the 21st century to succeed. You could fight a changing business model, but that’s just exhausting. It’s like trying to stop the Mississippi from changing it’s course — eventually, you’re going to lose. So I love helping small businesses and organizations identify their true goals, learn how they can compete effectively and improve their lives by improving their businesses.

3. So  is there anything you don’t do?

I don’t do Windows. Seriously. I don’t do Windows tech support. If you ask me how to solve a problem with your PC, I’ll tell you to get a Mac.

Okay, if you’re an engineer who thinks getting up on Saturday, going to Fry’s to buy a bunch of parts, disassembling you PC tower and spending the weekend trying to get everything working again is better than watching Star Trek, stick with Windows. Or if you’re an old coot who used Windows your entire corporate life and you won’t learn a new interface because you’ve always done it this way, stick with your Windows PC.

Just don’t call me and ask how you connect your PC to the free WiFi at the library or why your clients can’t see all the fields when they download your Word Doc. (I can tell you how to solve this problem by using PDF files or Google Docs instead.)

If you have any questions about what I can do for you, just contact me.

So how much?

One-On-One Consulting/Coaching/Training: One 1-hour session — $225
Need just a little help in the right direction? Just a couple of questions or topics to discuss? I’ll make some suggestions or walk you through it and send you a follow-up email with a review and any other tips, resources and suggestions that occur. Perfect place to start when time (or Money) is tight for the price of a handful of big, boring business books.

One-On-One Consulting/Coaching/Training: Two 1-hour sessions — $400
Get more for less per hour. This is ideal for training you to use WordPress, walk you through keyword selection, look at increasing revenue streams or whatever topic where you need a little more time and depth. And you get the follow-up email with a review and additional information, of course.  A popular choice.

One-On-One Consulting/Coaching/Training: Five 1-hour sessions — $875
The best bang for the buck! Some serious learning at warp speed. For the price a single community college course, you get one-on-one education, tailored to your actual needs and a more flexible schedule. Plus no guy in the second row who keeps asking the same question over and over. Do I have to mention the follow-up emails, reviews and a whole lot more additional support.