Introducing Rita Wilhelm
Founder and President,
SnapMonkey Inc.
It’s not every day I run into someone who seems to be having as much fun with her business as Rita Wilhelm. (How do I know this? It’s something I somehow sense between the lines…) Wanting to take a peek behind the scenes of her various internet marketing enterprises, I recently contacted Rita to see if she’d do an interview. I’m glad she easily responded with a Yes ─ now let’s see what we can find out!
How Rita and I first connected
Rita and I first met in 2003 (or was it 2004?) at an IBI Forum (now renamed CEO Space) in Los Angeles – and on a certain “Expo Saturday” we spent some time chatting at her company’s exhibit table. She probably doesn’t remember this interaction; I, on the other hand ─ because I’m a nut for unusual words ─ was immediately intrigued by the name of her company: SnapMonkey. Memorable? Yes! I kept toying with that combo word in my mind way after I got home from the event.
Rita likewise returned to her home (Denver), and because we were not conducting any business together, we did not stay in touch. It was only years later, in 2007, that she popped up in my Universe again. What do you know? When I responded to the opportunity to become a featured writer for The National Networker, there she was, Rita Wilhelm ─ still wedded to that SnapMonkey name ─ proudly part of the TNNW editorial roster. Was this somehow the hand of Fate?...
Who is Rita Wilhelm?
Rita’s official bio posted in The National Networker – where she writes a monthly column ─ describes her as a “Serial Entrepreneur and Internet Marketing Strategist”.
Here are more basic facts on Rita:
Rita Wilhelm is founder and president of SnapMonkey Inc, which is a company that provides both online marketing consulting to businesses, as well as easy-to-use web-based technologies to help businesses effectively promote themselves on the web.Career highlights include establishing and selling an industry leading business, leading a software team to develop a patent pending video directory application, building an active, successful online business community, developing a social networking site for pet enthusiasts, and coaching and mentoring a variety of businesses. Rita is also an active member of NAWBO (National Association of Woman Business Owners), and has served on the Denver NAWBO board. She is a member and has been an instructor with IBI Global. Rita has a B.S. degree from Colorado State University.
Quick Website Solutions for Remarkable Results
When you open Rita’s web site, www.SnapMonkey.com , you are met with a friendly greeting:
Welcome to SnapMonkey
Where we help you market your business online
The Home page features a number of “Easy online marketing solutions for your business”: Primary among these is a very affordably priced Web Builder with a free 10-day trial. The clear-cut promise is: “We make it easy for you to manage your web site”.
The SnapMonkey menu items listed here include:
· Services
An impressive list of services available to clients includes Consulting, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and even Offshore Development Services.
· Free Web Builder Trial
· Web Builder Features
An array of 30 features for the web site you’re building – some of
which you may not even have thought of!
· Get a Merchant Account
· Free Marketing Tips
Helpful resources in abundance: Excellent!
· Become an Affiliate
Wow – you can even make money here!
· Website login
Clients log in here to access and manage their own sites: No web master required!
Well, enough about web site services for now. Let’s get on with the interview:
OK, Rita – to start with, I’m curious. The name SnapMonkey ─ I suppose there’s a story behind it?
“Well... Yes, there is,” Rita laughs. “My husband is a middle school teacher, and each year he has 150 new kids. By the 2nd day of school, he knows each kid by first name and last name. He has a name game that he plays, and somehow in that name game, they are supposed to put two words together that normally don't belong together, which is what we did with the word Snap and Monkey. That then creates a new mental image, which is what people remember. So... the name SnapMonkey becomes a very memorable name. And, it works well with our website builder, since building a website is a Snap.”
Yes, that makes a lot of sense!
“And one more thing”, adds Rita. “Everyone loves a monkey.”
Absolutely! So now that I understand the origin, how would you briefly describe what you do ─ your “elevator speech”?
“SnapMonkey is a place where people can go online to easily create a robust website. If they can create a word document, they have the skills to create and manage their own website. We have a 10 day trial where you can test it out. If you like it, it’s just $49 to activate, and $29.95/month. So it’s a very affordable way to get your business online.”
Click on the Banner, and Receive your Membership Free Trial and Discount“SnapMonkey is very easy to use. The problem for many entrepreneurs is that when they want to make a change on their website, they usually don’t. This is because they have to call someone else to do it. With SnapMonkey, however, making changes is a piece of cake. They can easily update their website whenever they want, from any computer. People also really like the fact that it comes with a shopping cart if they want to sell online.”
What is the primary goal, the mission of what you do?
“I’ve been an entrepreneur for 20 years, and I know what the start up phase and the growth phase in business is like. It can be very challenging. My heart always goes out to entrepreneurs, because I know hard they work at making their business succeed. I truly believe that just about every business needs to promote online in this day and age. Did you know that 70% of people do research online before buying a product or service?”
That’s more than I would have thought!
“That’s huge. This means an entrepreneur has to be out there ─ yet they have to do it in a smart and affordable way.
Another big passion of mine is the environment. I recently started The Green Business Resource Center to help new entrepreneurs be successful in what will be The New Green Economy.”
Hooray for the New Green Economy!
“Yes, I firmly believe that entrepreneurship in the green sector is what is going to get us out of this recession and turn back the clock on global warming.”
I’d like to hear how you first got started on your entrepreneurial path, and how you arrived where you are currently.
“I had a gift basket business for 10 years, which grew to be quite successful. In the late 90’s I created a book and guide for people who wanted to start a gift basket business. I offered this online and created an online community of gift basket professionals from around the country. In fact, I think at one point we had about 3500 people. Anyhow, the question that came up over and over again was how to go online. I eventually sold my gift basket business, and started SnapMonkey to meet this need.”
Quite a stretch from gift baskets to web site services! So -- which of your projects are you currently most excited about?
“Ahhh… tough question. I’ve got lots of really fun projects right now. I would have to say that the Green Business Resource Center is a passion right now. I’m on a mission to help green businesses succeed.”
How much of your work is focused specifically toward women?
“Most of my clients are women. I think that is because word of mouth has played an important role in growing SnapMonkey. And, when it comes to word of mouth, women tend to share good resources with each other.”
What are some of the ways and places you promote your enterprise?
“I am involved with many online social communities, as well as offline communities. CEOSpace.com (formerly IBI) has been one of my favorite offline networking groups.”
Whom or what does your network currently include? How far does your network extend?
Ahhh… can’t say as I’ve ever measured that. I’ve got networks on places like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn just to name a few. Plus, I have online networks that I’ve started from the ground up. The CEO Space network also has many thousands of people that are easily accessible.
What would you say has been the best about building a network: Positive experiences? Benefits, expected and unexpected?
“Networks have been the base for everything I have done with any of my businesses. When I first started as an entrepreneur, I immediately joined the local Chamber of Commerce and The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). From there, everything just snowballed. You meet people that lead to new relationships that lead to more relationships.”
I see you put a lot of focus on social networking ─ you've even written an e-book about it:
“That’s right: Dollars and Sense of Online Communities. The book is listed under Services on our site.”
Why is it you think social networking is so useful?
“Actually, online social networking is very similar to offline social networking. It's all about relationships. People do business with people they like and trust. And... people will refer you if they like you and trust that you will do the job.
People in general don't trust advertisements, but they do trust referrals from their peers. If you want to get referrals, you've got to go in there and network. Now... when I say networking, it doesn't mean that you blab your 30 second commercial everywhere. Instead, you go out and help people. If someone asks a question in a forum or on their blog, you can engage in those discussions by providing your help and expertise. When responding, you've got to remember that it's always about the other person. Eventually, as people get to know you, they begin to trust you. And, it's from that trust that people may start using your services or referring you to other people.”What challenges (if any) have you found in your networking experiences?
“You’ve got to know who to trust. I tend to be skeptical about referring a person or using a service if the person doesn’t do what they say they are going to do. That’s a pet peeve of mine.”
Any unexpected events? Any benefits emerging from challenges in the long run?
“Life is always has unexpected events. Some are great, and some really stink. But… what I’ve learned over the years is that even the worst situations always have a silver lining in the end.”
Bottom line – What do you feel is really working well for you / your company?
“Networking ─ both online and offline.”
Besides networking, how else are you promoting your company? What do you view as the primary vehicle and what makes it more important than the other(s)?
“I’m a big fan of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It can bring in a ton of qualified people to your website ─ for free. I put up a little video demonstration on SEO which you can view here.”
What’s the achievement / accomplishment you’re most proud of at this time?
“You know, I just really have to say that I’m thankful for having the life that I have. I can’t say that I’m most proud about any one thing. Work, family, friends, passion – they’ve all got to blend together.”
What are your plans and goals for the future (organizational / personal), especially regarding networking activities?
“I’ll probably keep doing what I’m doing. I’m having a great time.”
Any other point you’d like to emphasize at this time?
“Yes. I think that the best advice I can give people who are just starting out in business, is to get out there and network. For some it’s easier to network online, and for others it’s easier to network in person. Either way… network. And networking isn’t about just advertising your stuff. It’s about doing what you can to help someone else. That’s actually where I think true networking begins.”
In conclusion, anything you’d like to add for our readers? Some words of encouragement, inspiration?
“Hang in there during this recession. There is a ton of opportunity that is out there. You’ve just got to find where it is for your business.”
Wonderfully positive advice, Rita. I really enjoyed hearing about all the things YOU are up to!
And now it’s time for me to wrap this up with a great big THANK YOU for sharing your entrepreneurial life and times at SnapMonkey.
----------------------------------------------
Contact information:
Rita’s blog: http://www.RitaWilhelm.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rita012
SnapMonkey
Green Business Resource Center “
---------------------------------------
Ann Barczay Sloan, M.A.
Author & Editor / Creative Writing Coach
www.GeniusUnbound.com
www.linkedin.com/in/AnnBarczaySloan
Featured Columnist,
www.TheNationalNetworker.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author of the forthcoming book:
How to Use the Pieces of a Broken Heart:
Recipes for Rebirth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
___________________________________________________________
Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/. You are also invited to click our buttons:
Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/. You are also invited to click our buttons:
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:
No comments:
Post a Comment