One aspect in particular is what I want to do with this site because of the following.

You see, lately, I’ve been getting pretty frustrated with the web in general as there seems to be so much crap being published.

It may not be what you want to hear, but sometimes the truth is necessary

I’m not saying that everything published these days is a waste, but let’s be real here, there is a LOT of crap.

The half-assed sites thrown up just to make money off of advertising. The junk people pass off as “quality, original content” when it comes to guest posting. People gaming the Google Page Rank “system”. It’s all just one big annoyance lately.

To be fair, there are some really high-quality sites that I do like, but the list is shrinking by the day.

My goal isn’t to call anyone in particular out here. In fact, I think that’s just a really low-class way of attracting attention–going after people publicly in order to make a name for yourself. It’s kind of like buying fans and followers–it may work every so briefly but it’s a hollow concept.

Instead I’m just venting and hoping that some people will read this and think about ways they can improve on what they are currently doing.

Hey, it’s not like I’m the king of content or anything, but at least I know it and attempt to be a little different from the rest of the crowd (hence this site’s tagline).

So, what is it that has gotten me so riled up about what I’m seeing?

Stuff like this:

• You write lists of points which provide no value or real information (Sort of like this one, but worse! At least this is entertaining.)

• The way you write makes me sad for you.

• The crap you write about has been covered to death.

• Speaking of which, you don’t even bother to freshen it up either.

• Nor do you make an attempt to take a different approach or angle.

• You have no personality or fail to show it if you do have one (Think Ben Stein)

• Like AC/DC, all of your stuff sounds the same. (I do like them, but if Angus Young himself can say that then so can I!)

• You don’t provide any value, just throw things together that you read elsewhere.

• Your site is so distracting that I can’t even stay long enough to make it past the 1st sentence (technically not about your writing, but whatever)

• You’re an ad whore…you run sponsored posts without regard for the quality of content.

• Plus, even if it’s an advertorial post, have some pride in what you display to the world and allow to be associated with your name

• Sometimes you even sell your soul and promote things you yourself are against for a quick buck.

• You got mentioned someplace big and it went to your head.

• Guess what, most of those sites only like fluff that their readers will fawn over, not anything real or different.

• You neglect readers, writing for the search engines and your stuff is impossible to read.

• Or, you make factually incorrect statements or assumptions.

• Or, you leave out relevant information that can change the entire meaning or message of a statement.

• Numbered lists–by the time you get halfway through, you’re grasping for anything that barely fits the theme (also see 1st point).

If you do think that I’m just being an ass, there’s a very good reason why it hasn’t been brought to your attention before. People are too nice and afraid to tell you you suck so you keep doing any or all of these things over and over again. Instead, they’ll say how awesome that list of a million ways to make extra cash is (even if it didn’t have even one idea on how to actually implement any of the strategies), or how helpful your tips for minimizing utility bills were (even though it’s exactly the same as the last 500 articles on the subject).

It’s not uncommon for someone to leave a constructive criticism in a comment or a private message and the recipient having condom-thin skin, taking offense. So, what happens? People just don’t say anything and you go on thinking that you are as great and special as you think. Take it from me: odds are you’re probably the only one that really thinks so. Believe me, I’ve been there already!

What do they all have in common?

Which one doesn’t belong with the others?

Why does that one not follow the same rules as the others?

Sometimes you just need to look in the mirror to see who the real cause of your problems is.

They are all tools, and at first glance, it would appear that credit has nothing to do with the others.

But, indirectly they all have something very important in common with credit: responsibility. Each one of those things mentioned, used responsibly can be of great benefit, but once the line is crossed toward irresponsibility, irreparable damage may occur. The same may be said of misusing credit, which like the previously mentioned items, can be a very powerful tool if used properly. However, people need to stop placing the blame on others, including credit issuers, and recognize that they are their own worst enemy.

There are people who believe credit to be an evil concept that should be avoided at all costs, claiming that living a cash-only lifestyle is the best way to live. They claim that credit issuers are predators, extending lines to unworthy or uneducated consumers knowing that they will misuse and abuse it, leading to difficulty in paying bills and accumulating interest charges that will take years to pay off (if at all).

Can’t the same thing be said of food as well–any kind of food, not just fast food mind you? If you overeat and do not have the discipline to exercise, you will gain weight in the form of fat that will take years to work off (again, if at all).

How about prescriptions drugs? Heck, even over-the-counter medication can be addictive. If you are not disciplined and impatient with the time it takes for medication to begin working and take more than the prescribed amount, you run the risk of becoming addicted or dependent on the medication. In the case of impatience, you can simply overdose by taking too much in a given time frame, and end up in the ER or worse.

Knowledge and information? If you discover information about someone that others are not supposed to know, and tell them, you run the risk of ruining a part of their life. Better yet, if you receive inside information about a company, such as the more recent cases involving media mogul Martha Stewart or Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and use it for your own gain, you run the risk of federal sanctions or jail time.

Then there are cars and power tools: cars can get you from point A to point B and all points in between faster than walking and power tools can reduce the amount of time it takes to build/repair something. If you use either of them carelessly, you not only take the chance of hurting yourself or others, but ending a live as well.

None of these things come with a babysitter to make sure you use them the right way. Neither does credit, yet somehow credit is the only thing that draws the ire of consumers to the point of fervent animosity.

No one lashes out at car manufacturers when someone causes a crash or drives drunk and hurts others.

No one–professional or do it yourself rookie–sues Makita or DeWalt when they cut a finger off or their project doesn’t come out right due to their own incompetence.

No one calls for regulations against Hostess or Arnold because the bread they make has carbs and the people can’t stop eating it leading to weight gain (warning-don’t even get me started on fast food lawsuits).

No one sues Bayer for what happens when it is abused or misused.

All of these items carry warnings and directions, as does credit (in the form of the disclosure). Regardless of the language of the legal terms, the important parts are clearly marked and very easy to understand–you need to pay that money back, and withing a certain time period or you will be penalized in the form of interest and late fees.

It only seems that people are conveniently stupid when it comes to following the directions and warnings associated with credit, then bitch and moan and point the finger elsewhere.

Simply put, credit, like many other things in life, takes knowledge and discipline to get the most out of it:

Eating helps keep you healthy, but eat too much and you can get fat.

Drugs can help you to overcome illness, but abuse them and you may get addicted.

Information can help you get a better job or create something of benefit, but used in the wrong way can cost you friends or even land you in jail.

Cars and power tools allow us to be more productive with our time, but used recklessly can kill.

And credit can help you to reach your financial goals, but abused can cause you to lose your car, home, and in some cases even your family.

Credit is a tool, a means to an end. Without it, business would not be able to expand and grow, much less get started. Governments would not be able to operate at their fullest capacity. Most people would not be able to afford to buy homes or cars. Being a tool, like any other, it requires an understanding of how to use it properly.

Like any other tool, using it incorrectly can end with disastrous results. The key is to learn the proper use of credit and make sure you understand the benefits as well as the pitfalls of misuse.

It takes tons of effort, time, and money, not to mention patience and perseverance.

To keep from falling through the cracks, you need to set yourself apart from other companies.

According to CNNMoney, in 2009 558,000 new businesses were started each month. The following year, that number crept up to 565,000 startups a month. The numbers have been rising consistently every year since 2006.

In September of 2012, The Harvard Business School reported that Shikhar Ghosh, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School believed up to 95 percent of all new businesses fail depending on the definition used to classify “failure”. 

You better think of ways to bring in customers if you want your small business to survive.

Your window of success is pretty small. If you haven’t reached a target market within the first year and aren’t seeing any growth, you may end up out of business and in need of a job. Chances are you will also have incurred massive amounts of debt while trying to stay afloat.

Marketing requires a lot of time and effort. Word of mouth can only take you so far, so why not try these time and budget saving resources to increase exposure without breaking the bank?

QR Codes

Many people these days use a smart phone of some sort. These tiny computers help keep the world connected. QR codes are a sort of “love them or hate them” experience, but used correctly they deliver relevant traffic to a landing page that the user requests. What is a QR code? It is essentially a square-shaped bar code that you can snap a picture of with your beloved smart phone. This barcode will then transmit information to your mobile device. You can use this technique to give coupons, or it can display a number of other landing pages such as the menu at your restaurant, your Facebook page, or a contact form.

Many are beginning to attach this to anything business-related such as business cards, mailings, and even on the front doors of retail establishments. Rather than relying on a URL to your homepage, or a long string of add-ons to your URL that people are expected to remember, it’s easier to scan a QR and take them exactly where they want to go. 

Social Media

Social media is a leveler of the playing field. Never before has something revolutionized the way business compete quite as much as sites like Twitter and Facebook. No longer is it a “you have to spend the most to make the most” game which leaves smaller business the chance to compete with industry giants – such as Coca-Cola – through personalized messages and creativity. Using a social media management system such as HootSuite will allow you to post a single update and broadcast it to all of your social network sites at one time. Plus, you can schedule update, allow multiple users to post and even monitor keywords or mentions of your company right from the dashboard.

Follow the lead of some other companies too. Offering tips or specials for checking in via Foursquare or Facebook works very well for many businesses. Partnering with a much larger company like American Express can be another avenue to explore: the company gives statement credits for purchases made at partner retailers when a specific tweet is sent out and payment is made with one of its cards. Collaborating can increasing exposure markedly.

Promotional Products

Put money aside in your budget for promotional products. These products are essentially freebies that you hand out to employees, potential clients, or people at events and they contain your branding (logo and/or slogan) on a product that they could essentially use outside of the office. T-shirts, umbrellas, coffee mugs, and even hand towels are all popular choices when selecting promotional products.

Sometimes it may seem a bit cheesy or old, but choosing the right product for your target customer base can be quite effective. You can even try things like surveying the people you are aiming to get as customers for their input or even looking at the things you already use in everyday life for useful ideas. Browsing through a website like 123Print may even give you some ideas that you might not have thought of otherwise.

Business Cards

Even though business cards can be a little old school, they are still effective. Even in this era, not everyone has a smart phone, but people still carry wallets all the time. There are no barriers to overcome when it comes to getting your contact information to others on a small card.

Your business card is your foot in the door. Make a lasting impression by purchasing cards that are unique and high quality. Most importantly, remember to always have them on you. You never know when you’ll encounter a potential client and it’s certainly embarrassing (and unprofessional) when you go to hand them a card only to discover that you don’t have any on you. Don’t forget to add the QR code and link it to something relevant rather than just the home page of your website.

SMS Marketing

Text message marketing is a double-edged sword. It annoys most, but it’s amazing how effective it is. The key for SMS or text marketing is to keep it friendly and not overly spammy. Coupons work well, as do invitations to special or private events. Be very careful to avoid sending text blasts as there can be financial ramifications in addition to seeing your business reputation take a hit. 

Not all businesses can take advantage of this method, though. More social-minded areas will see the biggest benefit. Bars, restaurants, and clubs are using this technique quite well as long as it is very easy to both sign up and discontinue.

Obviously, marketing is not the only key to success, but it is a big piece of the puzzle. If you don’t use all of the resources available and keep costs low, you will certainly fall within that 95-percent of failed businesses. You can’t expect to build a successful business if no one is even aware of its existence!