New Christian Business Forum

[admin]

This forum is for discussion of ethical, Christian business practices as well as sharing of ideas that have worked to promote or run a business that is owned or operated  by a Christian. Also for Christians employed by a business who want to apply the above.

[memmy]

This looks like a great idea Lee!

Although not a business owner, I look forward to hearing views of those who are in business, as a Christian, and how things are run in that area.

I am only to the point of trying to live out my Christian walk in front of many at my workplace that don't yet know Him as their Savior and Lord.

Blessings.

[janine]

I bet we can have lots of threads/discussions over time re: "Does Boycotting Work?" and "Ethical Consumerism" too.

[marc]

I'm Not a business owner, but a discussion of ethics is particularly important if a person is going to let it be known that he/she is a Christian businessperson.  I've actually heard someone say that when they see someone advertise their secular business by saying "We're Christian", they take this as a warning and stay away.  Too many people use "I'm a Christian" as a way to win people's trust, then prove they didn't deserve that trust in the first place.

I used to work in Christian radio, and this was way too common.

I've heard many people recently talk about the responsibilities of a Christian in business.  There's a lot of potential for this baord.

[Nevertheless]

Maybe this is a good place for a poll I've been thinking about.

[don has a plan]

For the poll, I vote 'YES' or 'D. None of the above'.

This board is giving me lots of ideas.  Thanks for creating it, Admin.

[Souls For Christ]

What an awesome topic!  We operate a web Christian Mall to help support our ministry.  All proceeds go toward the furthering of the gospel throughout the word - minus costs.  Does anyone of any ideas on how to expand our business?  Currently we offer movies, cd's, t-shirts, books, bibles, and gifts.  Does anyone of any ideas on how to gain better exposure?  We really do not have a whole lot of merchandise at the moment but will grow as business warrants.  Again, GREAT THREAD!

[kamakaz]

What an awesome topic!  We operate a web Christian Mall to help support our ministry.  All proceeds go toward the furthering of the gospel throughout the word - minus costs.  Does anyone of any ideas on how to expand our business?  Currently we offer movies, cd's, t-shirts, books, bibles, and gifts.  Does anyone of any ideas on how to gain better exposure?  We really do not have a whole lot of merchandise at the moment but will grow as business warrants.  Again, GREAT THREAD!

the key is marketing and exposure. It is also a good idea to find sponsers the world will relate to, like partner with 'make a wish foundation'.

Can we specifically advertise our Christian business here? I do not want to overstep my ground, so i will wait until I know if that is acceptable here.

[Mewie]

Does anyone of any ideas on how to gain better exposure?  We really do not have a whole lot of merchandise at the moment but will grow as business warrants.  Again, GREAT THREAD!

To add on to kamakaz's input...

Two words: sales and marketing!  People often confuse sales as marketing.  There's a big difference but both are critical to your business development. 

• Marketing: the process of positioning yourself to create demand for your services or products.
• Sales: the process of listening, determining needs, and closing the deal.  In most relationship-based businesses like legal services and accounting, this must be done face-to-face.

These processes often overlap, but note the difference between their primary activities:

• Marketing Activities: branding, newsletters, public relations, advertising, and brochures - these help your market understand who you are, what you do, and how you are different from the competition.
• Sales Activities: sales calls, needs assessments, proposal development, and closing - these happen at the individual consumer level and serve as the starting point for building a relationship.

There must be balance and integration - if you engage in marketing activities but never get to sales activities, you don't get a return on your investment.  On the other hand, if you're asking for the sale from people who never heard of you, the likelihood of getting business is low.

In the end, marketing and sales thrive based on prospects hearing about your company and developing productive relationships with them.  If you notice, successful churches work in a very similar way - totally different motivations as businesses but very similar processes in terms of connecting, building, and serving others.

[Danberg]

As christians, we don't have to cheat to become rich. God has created avenues for His children to create wealth legally. The Bible says in III John 2, Its God's desire for us to prosper and also in Deut 8:18, It says its God that gives us power to get wealth. The Greatest fo such opportunities can be found here

Link removed per forum rule 3.3.

[OneLung]

What a great idea for a thread topic. Sorry to see it isn't used more.

To answer Souls For Christ's question about exposure;  We recently installed an Affiliate Program on our site and started advertising it on the Baptist Ads Network.  In just three months, this program is responsible for a 30% increase in on-line sales.

Hope this helps and I hope this thread gets more attention in the future.

[sfchin]

We should run about business in God's way, not the world's way.

[AK in PA]

What a great idea for a thread topic. Sorry to see it isn't used more.

To answer Souls For Christ's question about exposure;  We recently installed an Affiliate Program on our site and started advertising it on the Baptist Ads Network.  In just three months, this program is responsible for a 30% increase in on-line sales.

Hope this helps and I hope this thread gets more attention in the future.

Newbie on the block alert!

I don't know if there is a smiley for tearing my hair out but I'm there! 
Two days ago, I bought some overstock clothes from a liquidator with the idea of flea marketing them.  Then I saw some other listings I thought would be good....     Needless to say the snowball has grown a bit in size. 
So, I've been trolling around the net today trying to figure out how to get a website started for a manageable  amount of money.   It's about 12 hours later on the second day of my weekend and I'm no farther than I was this morning and without the weekends chores done either.     Ahhhhhhh!!

I'll take any suggestions.   Please!

AK in PA

[Nevertheless]

Well, AK, it's not exactly an answer to what you asked, but you should know that an internet troll is not a good thing . . .

You were surfing the net.

[OneLung]

It depends on what you think is a "manageable" amount of time and money. Professional ecommerce sites can cost thousands of dollars. There are a lot of things to consider; security, advertising, etc. Maybe you would be better off to sell your wares on good old eBay.