Marketing
Let’s face it: Many managed service providers don’t know how to market and promote their businesses. But don’t worry. We can show you how to raise the visibility of your business using Web 2.0 technologies, e-newsletters, online video, and other low-cost efforts. Get Started: Register to enter our Resource Center, where you’ll be able to download numerous guides to building and running your managed services business. And check back often. We post new guides in the MSPmentor Resource Center every week.
This is my 1,539th blog entry for MSPmentor. Readers often ask me how I come up with content ideas. There are some obvious approaches (vendor cat fights…) and not so obvious approaches (checking the help wanted pages on Dice.com). If you’ve ever thought about launching or writing a blog for your customers and partners, here are 10 ways to find and generate new content.
How do you continue to “build” a managed services business — even as you try to “run” day-to-day operations while maintaining your existing customer engagements? I must concede: We deal with that balancing act Nine Lives Media Inc. (MSPmentor’s parent). On the one hand, our team has to meet daily business and editorial deadlines. But on the other, we have to keep innovating. Otherwise, a market shift or competitive shift will surely sink us. It’s a careful balancing act that I suspect many MSPs are facing as well.
It’s a common question for VAR and MSPs: How can you get into the SaaS market while avoiding strategic and tactical errors? For the answer to that question join us for our 
Sure, I stole the headline (and the topic) from Novell Chief Marketing Officer John Dragoon. In a recent blog post, Dragoon openly asks if Twitter will become the CB Radio of social media. If you’re under 40, you may not understand Dragoon’s point. But it’s an intriguing one worth exploring. Here are some thoughts.
Here’s a smart move involving Architel, a managed services provider in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Architel says more than 10,000 users now depend on the company’s outsourced IT support services. Question: When was the last time you took a moment to brag (responsibly) about customer trust and company growth?
Forgive me for being distracted (again). Our team is busy polishing and posting the 
Sometimes broad business discussions relate pretty darn well to the managed services market. A prime example: Marketing guru Mary Schmidt says there are three types of people that every start-up needs to employ. Her points definitely relate to aspiring MSPs. Let’s take a look.
Where did the top managed services providers find new customers in 2009? The surprising answer: Many of the best performing MSPs secured revenue in 2009 from target customers that had previously said no in 2008. Want more sales and business tips? Join our next 
When I want to learn about a business topic, I always try to get the scoop from people who are battling it out in the trenches. Real-world success trumps the white board gurus any day. So, for this blog post, I’m culling business insights, sales advice and cloud strategies from three MSP All-Stars. Here’s their guidance.
The 
I was watching CNBC over the weekend. A special business report explored how Phil Knight built the Nike empire. Ever wonder where that famous “Swoosh” logo came from? The answer involves a low-cost graphic design student from Portland State University. It’s a rather intriguing story, especially for MSPs that need to work on their branding.
Our first MSPmentor Live webcast of 2010 has nearly arrived. It’s 
When I picked up my local newspaper this morning, I noticed an article titled “How to Market Yourself As An Expert.” The opinion piece included nine tips. And the tips certainly apply to multiple markets — including managed services. Here’s a look.
Got news? Sure you do. Here’s a simple five-step plan to help managed services providers and VARs generate some news and trigger some buzz. Follow the steps and you could increase mind share and market share within your target markets. Here’s how.
Talk about timing. I spent the bulk of my morning writing about the 
Free. Freemium. Free trial. Free education. Free content. More and more, I hear the word “free” across the managed services market. I’m not pressing the panic button — good managed service providers are still charging a premium for their offerings. But I do wonder how the “free” story is going to play out. Here are some thoughts.
Get Started: Visit our new 
