Back in 2007 when Nicole was inventing a name for her personal finance blog, she wanted something with a positive, optimistic connotation that reflected the idea of living within one's means. She also wanted a name that could expand beyond personal finance as her blog would grow and evolve. And lastly, of course, the name had to be memorable.
After brainstorming a list of names and mulling over the decision for a few weeks, Nicole kept coming back to 'breaking even', the first idea she had written down. She figured she was stuck on it for some reason, and set up the blog with that name in October 2007.
What is the difference between the Breaking Even blog and Breaking Even Communications?
Breaking Even Communications (BEC) provides internet marketing and web content creation services to small businesses and non-profits. Through social media, online advertising, blogging, and other online outreach, BEC helps businesses create and maintain useful websites and sell their products and services online.
BEC grew out of the Breaking Even blog after Nicole was approached by a local business woman wanting help with her blog. While the BE blog is sometimes about business, in general it is about saving and making money.
So BEC is the business while the BE blog is Nicole's blog where she gets to write daily and experiment with marketing on an actual site.
Both BEC and the BE blog generate revenue: BEC by providing services and the BE blog though advertising on the blog site.
Breaking Even Communications (BEC) FAQ
What does BEC do? Quite simply, BEC helps small businesses and non-profits get online and be successful online. Here are some specific ways this happens:
Content for your site Know you need a website but don't know where to start? Too busy running your business to write web content? BEC will sit down with you and, based on your website goals, come up with a plan of what should be on your site including written content, photos, and video. BEC can compile the content and help you communicate with your web designer. The result is a web site that is built more quickly and more in line with your business goals.Â
Marketing your site BEC offers both setup and maintenance services for social media at competitive prices. You can also hire BEC to design an internet marketing plan for your business over whatever length of time you chose.
Analyzing your web presence BEC can find out what's being said on review sites, search engines, blogs, and other online media about your company and figure out how you can use it on your site (if it's good) or reach out to customers (if it's not so good).
Marketing yourself In an increasingly connected world, how you personally look online has become important. BEC can help make sure your dating profile or social networking page is sending the right message to your audience.
Does BEC design websites? BEC does not design websites but will work with your chosen web designer to make sure your site gets done quickly and has relevant content.Â
BEC has worked with web designers in Downeast Maine and beyond is happy to help clients chose the best company for their needs.
I am thinking of marketing my business online. Where should I start?
After you know what you want and can accomplish, do a little research about what other businesses are doing. These could be businesses in your field (ex: other massage therapists) or in your geographic area (ex: businesses in Bar Harbor). This can give you ideas for what you could do or show you areas where your website can make a unique contribution.Â
And for more general information about business and being online, check out The Takeaway, a great Maine-based business blog, and Maine PR Maven, another Maine blog all things new in marketing and communications.
I want to hire BEC to promote my blog/business/organization. How do I get started?
I want Nicole to come speak to my business/organization about internet marketing. How do I schedule this?
Nicole loves giving presentations about internet marketing topics. You can be sure that Nicole will give a fun and informative presentation for your group!
Nicole gives free presentations for local community groups like Rotary. For a presentation tailored to your company's needs and goals, BEC will give a custom quote which will depend on the scale of the presentation, the size of the group, and travel from Bar Harbor. Contact Nicole using the contact form on this site. Be sure to include your topic of interest and possible presentation dates if you can. She will follow up within 48 hours. Â
Breaking Even Blog FAQ
The Breaking Even blog has around 1,000 unique visitors a week and about 150 subscribers.Â
Most BE readers tend to live in the United States, the state Maine in particular. You can learn more about readers on the site by checking out the latest comments module on the left side of the blog page. Readers are what makes the BE Blog interesting and fun so consider subscribing and commenting!
How do I subscribe to the BE Blog?
Subscribing is free and easy. There are two options:
Your blog should be posted regularly and your blog should be a few months old.
Your blog is more likely to be linked it is about one of the blogroll topics.
Please link to me on your site before asking me about mine. It's just a nice thing to do.
The BE Blog reserves the right to not link you and will be happy to let you know why.
Can I advertise on the BE Blog? What are your rates?
The BE Blog would love to have additional sponsors. There are several options:
Banner Ads Banner advertising appears in the top right corner of the blog site. There are four spots (run of site) and the dimensions for the ad are 333 by 142 pixels. This space costs $25 a month with a minimum three month commitment.
Text Links Text links will appear in below the blogrolls in their own category on the right side bar of the blog site. The cost of a text link is $10 a month with a minimum three month commitment.
Too Cute Tuesday Sponsorship The BE Blog's weekly craft night Too Cute Tuesday (TCT) is looking for sponsorship to help offset the cost of supplies and to expand the weekly craft night to other locations. The sponsorship has the potential to include the TCT Facebook page, links and banners within the TCT posts, and more.
Those wanting additional information or to purchase an ad should contact Nicole. Â
Can I submit an article to the BE Blog?
The BE Blog is always interested in guest posts related to business, marketing, or money. Following general blog etiquette for guest posts, it is asked that:
1) You have created the post yourself, or have permission from the author to use it. 2) That it is unique content not on another blog or website (feel free to crosspost two months after the BE blog first publishes the post). 3) Content that is useful, interesting, and not 'pitch-y'. 4) Include a brief bio and a link to your site as well as information about subscribing to your site. 5) Include a photo to go with the post (and make sure you have permission to use it).
Downeast Internet Incubator Program For Small Businesses
presented by Breaking Even Communications and Acadia Consulting, in partnership with other Downeast web developers
beginning in the Fall of 2010
Objectives
Web design and internet marketing can be overwhelming. Small businesses want to get started but aren't sure how or where. It feels like trying to cook a seven course meal with no culinary training!
The Downeast Internet Incubator Program (DIIP) was started by web developers who wanted to make their services more accessible and understandable. The program exists to:
1) Help businesses use the internet and their website to talk with customers and each other.
2) Use the power of collaboration to save time and money, both online and off.
DIIP has broken down the process of getting online into three easy to follow recipes (phases), each with tangible results where participants can learn technology and have fun.
After going through the phases, businesses going through DIIP will have:
a website
a social media presence, and
tools to monitor and maintain both.
There will be an opportunity for participants to go even further online in the optional last phase.
With the help of web professionals and other businesses in a small group setting, business owners will feel empowered to get online in a real way. Like taking a cooking class from trained chefs, taking an internet course allows participants to have fun, and improve skills in a short amount of time. Think of DIIP as a combination seminar course, business incubator, and social networking group.
At any point, participants can opt out of the program by not continuing onto the next phase and more advanced participants can join a later phase. The goal is to keep each group mostly intact so members can support each other throughout the process. Phases will happen over the course of 3-6 months, depending on the goals and motivation of the group.
Why groups?
By holding shared implementation sessions (5 to 10 individuals) business owners can reduce their cost while still engaging highly qualified professionals to help them achieve their goals.
The better reason for small groups, however, is that learning is easier when participants can help each other and individual members are encouraged to do more than they would alone. Ideally, groups would be made up of businesses in a similar industry or in a similar geographic area for ease of collaboration.
Why phases?
Web design and internet marketing can be overwhelming. DIIP has broken down the process into manageable phases, each with tangible results where participants can learn and benefit from the technology. After going through the phases, businesses will have a website, an established social media presence, and the tools to monitor and maintain both. The last phase will be reserved for the groups want to further monetize online.
At any point, participants can opt out of the program by not continuing onto the next phase. The goal is to keep the group mostly intact so members can support each other. Phases will happen over the course of 3-6 months, depending on group motivation and goals.
What are the prices?
Participants choosing to continue in the program will pay for each upcoming phase. The phases are individually priced at a level considerably lower than a one-on-one consultation. These reduced costs are possible by having the groups participate in shared sessions and being supported remotely. Orientation includes training on remote support.
Each phase will include access to the web professionals in the initial training and a follow-up group question and answer session. The group structure will allow members to help each other and since participants will have similar questions, these can be addressed to the group to save time.
Individuals wanting help beyond these times will pay for the consultant at an hourly rate of $75/hour. There are also opportunities for additional customization at several points.
Who are we?
Nicole Ouellette owns Breaking Even Communications, which helps businesses and non-profits with internet marketing. www.breakingeveninc.com
Hugo Diaz owns Acadia Consulting, which provides web architectural services to businesses in Maine and California. www.acadiaconsulting.MOBI
Graphic artists, designers, and other professionals will be brought in for their expertise. When possible, services will be kept local to help other area small businesses.
The Program
In-person Orientation: All participants will attend a social and training during which a schedule will be made for online trainings; goal setting and networking between participants will take place; and a training on using Teamviewer software will happen.
Online Group Trainings: The trainings will be conducted online. Using the meeting software, participants will be able to interact with the presenter and other participants.
Follow-up Q and A Session: Trainings can be a lot of information to take in. One-two weeks following the initial presentation, a follow-up online question and answer session will be held to help participants with additional issues.
Participant Online Network: During the program, participants will be able to interact with one another through a supportive network.
After-Party: Upon completion, group members will meet a final time in person share their projects and figure out additional ways to support each other online.
Who DIIP Is For
The Downeast Internet Incubator Project is perfect for:
Business owners who want to learn it for themselves but have no time to do the research
Non-profits who want to save time and share resources
Microbusiness owners who are want to use the internet as their storefront
People who want a website they can update themselves
Bloggers who want to take it their online publishing to the next level
Business owners who meant to get their website finished years ago
Consultants who want to build an online reputation
DIIP was set up for all kinds of different people. Groups will be created around specific industries or geographic locations for ease of collaboration but the flexibility of the program means just about anyone can benefit.
The Phases
Orientation: In person social and training. Figure out the schedule of the first two-three phases based on participants’ availability. Participants will meet each other, set goals, and be trained on using Teamviewer including a practice session. Price: $10/person
Tapas Phase: Creation of social media presences (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, and email marketing) including best practices, customization options, integration between services, and management strategies, including Hootsuite and bit.ly. *$500/person
Three Course Meal Phase: Creation of CMS website with open source software (Wordpress or Joomla) including:
Private domain and hosting
Social media and email/RSS subscription options
Photo galleries and video capabilities
website statistics software (Google Analytics) installed on website
automatic site backups
mobile version of site
Price includes domain registration and web hosting for one year (done in the individual’s name so they retain control). Training session will focus on email management (using Cpanel), adding/editing website content, and submission of the site to online directories like Google Business, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. ** $1250/person
Catered Dinner Phase: Growing and Maintaining Internet Presences
For retailers: A Paypal shopping cart with 15-20 items.*** For service providers: Google Apps project management software installed on the domain.
Participants trained on the ongoing maintenance of a website and social media including using Google Analytics data, search engine optimization best practices, moderating online reputation using Google Alerts and other website tools, and conducting basic keyword research. $750/person
Restaurant Mogul Phase: Reserved for businesses ready to get online in a big way. Could include but not limited to: iPhone native app development; private hosting; and portal creation. Price TBD.
Special Offer: Sign up for all three phases before June 1 and get 10% off.
*Logo design is an option as an additional fee. ** Businesses will be presented with several options of additional website customization at different technological and price points. ***A private merchant account can be created at an additional fee.
 
