Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Some people spend their whole lives complaining. They seem to be looking for the next thing to complain about. And they find it.
When your operation attracts a complainer, be prepared. When a complainer gets you in the cross hairs, it's time to go into action.
You need to defuse the situation. You need to turn the complainer into an advocate who will spread good words about you and your operation.
Example: Janice began her business almost by accident. Her kids searched the net for the "right" backpack they wanted. Most of those commercially available were poorly made and were endlessly duplicated. Every one of their friends had the same or a very similar backpack. Then the kids hit pay dirt--they found a small supplier who made backpacks by hand to unusual designs. Janice bought one for each of her kids, and then she bought more to offer on her website to other kids. The orders poured in, and Janice was suddenly in a business of her own. When she has a complaint, which is rare, Janice takes care of it immediately. In fact, complaints get priority over other activities. When a boy complained that the straps did not fit around his growing shoulders, Janice sent straps for an adult man--no questions asked, no charge. The result was the boy singing Janice's praises on social media.
Example: Bill runs a restaurant and is active on social media. When a customer posted a negative review of the restaurant on Facebook, Bill went into action. He commented on Facebook as well: "We love complaints. They tell us how we are doing. And we use every complaint to improve and provide better meals, better service, and better lives for the people who visit us." It worked out well. The customer who had complained returned to the restaurant and identified herself. Bill gave her a free meal.
Example: Alice runs a pet supply store on Main Street. Next door on one side is a hardware store, and on the other side is a thrift shop. Customers frequently complained to Alice that they could never find a parking space. Owners of the other stores heard the same complaints. Alice took it upon herself to solve the problem. She contacted the town's mayor, and after months of wranglings with the town's bureaucrats, the town provided parking in the back of the row of stores. Today, customers enter the stores from the front or the back, and nobody complains.
Complaints should be taken seriously and solved. Complainers are everywhere. You must meet them and turn them around. Keep it positive.
Success in business means taking care of business. That includes handling complainers--keeping your personal judgments to yourself.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Partnering businesses
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to help you better manage your small business
Partnering with other businesses can help you grow and expand your own business. Two businesses coming together to hold events can attract much more attention than one business acting alone.
Events can take many forms. Popular types are open houses, informational meetings, seminars and workshops. People want to learn, ask questions, and discuss the subject of the day. Meanwhile, you have introduced your business to a new group of future clients.
Example: A computer expert partners with a local cafe. Everyone has questions about computing, networking, social media, and getting hacked. And everyone needs to eat. An early morning breakfast meeting is set up. While the cafe serves eggs and toast, the computer expert gives a brief talk about how to use social media and answers questions from the audience. Nobody minds the nominal charge, and both businesses benefit.
Example: A hypnotherapist partners with a local book store. It's a free event. The hypnotherapist talks about the value of hypnotherapy in tackling stress, pain, addiction, and more. The book store sets up a display of books on the subject, as well as current best sellers. Sales of books are made to attendees and the bookstore makes new friends. The hypnotherapist walks away with new clients.
Example: An attorney partners with a financial planner. They discuss all sorts of legal and money problems people have. The attorney talks in general terms about what to do when you get sued, how to handle traffic tickets, types of business organizations, wills, and other matters. The financial planner talks about retirement planning, inheritance set-ups, how to deal with the ups and downs of the stock market, and more. Both take questions and set up appointments with potential clients.
Example: A landscaper partners with a garden center. They set up a series of workshops, showing homeowners how patios are built, how fish ponds are installed, designing specialty gardens, how to build fences and gates and more. The garden center offers all the needed materials. These sessions are free and they attract more customers for both the landscaper and the garden center.
Partnering with other small businesses can attract attention, build excitement, spread the word, and get new customers and clients. People like to go to events where they can learn something and ask questions.
To get started, make a list of possible partners. Talk with each of them. If you find interest, set up an event and get the word out on social media.
to help you better manage your small business
Partnering with other businesses can help you grow and expand your own business. Two businesses coming together to hold events can attract much more attention than one business acting alone.
Events can take many forms. Popular types are open houses, informational meetings, seminars and workshops. People want to learn, ask questions, and discuss the subject of the day. Meanwhile, you have introduced your business to a new group of future clients.
Example: A computer expert partners with a local cafe. Everyone has questions about computing, networking, social media, and getting hacked. And everyone needs to eat. An early morning breakfast meeting is set up. While the cafe serves eggs and toast, the computer expert gives a brief talk about how to use social media and answers questions from the audience. Nobody minds the nominal charge, and both businesses benefit.
Example: A hypnotherapist partners with a local book store. It's a free event. The hypnotherapist talks about the value of hypnotherapy in tackling stress, pain, addiction, and more. The book store sets up a display of books on the subject, as well as current best sellers. Sales of books are made to attendees and the bookstore makes new friends. The hypnotherapist walks away with new clients.
Example: An attorney partners with a financial planner. They discuss all sorts of legal and money problems people have. The attorney talks in general terms about what to do when you get sued, how to handle traffic tickets, types of business organizations, wills, and other matters. The financial planner talks about retirement planning, inheritance set-ups, how to deal with the ups and downs of the stock market, and more. Both take questions and set up appointments with potential clients.
Example: A landscaper partners with a garden center. They set up a series of workshops, showing homeowners how patios are built, how fish ponds are installed, designing specialty gardens, how to build fences and gates and more. The garden center offers all the needed materials. These sessions are free and they attract more customers for both the landscaper and the garden center.
Partnering with other small businesses can attract attention, build excitement, spread the word, and get new customers and clients. People like to go to events where they can learn something and ask questions.
To get started, make a list of possible partners. Talk with each of them. If you find interest, set up an event and get the word out on social media.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Meeting market demands
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to help you better manage your small business.
Markets are always changing. They are subject to fads and fashions--and changing directions. Sometimes new trends pop up and disappear quickly. Other times trends develop into more substantial opportunities.
To establish and grow a business means meeting market demands. Your job is to match what you do with what people will pay you to do. It's true for products as well as services.
Example: Ella is a trained and certified nutritionist. Attracting clients to her business has proved difficult. She tried giving talks at health food stores, supermarkets and senior centers. It worked, but it did not work as well as she hoped. She noticed she got many questions about weight reduction and control. This was a market opportunity that she decided to try. She devised weight reduction programs and seminars for adults and children which she promoted on her website and over social media. When she scheduled these events, they quickly filled up. Some of the attendees became regular clients and referred others to Ella's programs. In addition, she partnered with a chiropractor to hold demonstrations and events. By re-packaging her nutrition programs as weight reduction and healthy eating programs, Ella has tapped into a market trend that is building her business.
Example: Lisa runs a small bakery. She put two market trends to work to build her bakery operation into a national presence. First, Lisa noticed that shipping methods today (UPS, Fedex, USPS) had exploded in popularity. Quick, overnight shipping satisfied people's thirst for convenience. Second, Lisa noticed that social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others) provided a quick and cheap way to reach audiences far beyond the reach of her local bakery. Using her website to put everything together, Lisa began offering brownies and scones to anyone looking to punch up their meetings. Companies, organizations, even private individuals quickly bought into Lisa's new business model. She still has the small local bakery, but it has a greatly expanded back end operation. She employs several people to bake, package and ship the products to buyers every day.
Example: Tom is a hypnotherapist. He helps people with eating habits, stopping smoking, pain management, and drug addiction. He was approached by a massage therapist who suggested that they take advantage of the growing interest in a well-rounded wellness center. Tom was open to the idea and they came to an agreement to join forces. Since then, the new wellness center has added an acupuncturist, a specialist in life coaching, and an expert in Chinese medicine. All of these activities draw people interested in wellness and benefit by being grouped together. The marketplace is thirsty for information about wellness, and to this end, they hold monthly informational events with demonstrations.
You run across market trends all the time in your own business operation. Picking and choosing which way to go in growing your business can be difficult. You might simply re-structure your business to better align it with markets. Or, you might take off in a completely new direction.
Market trends are never static. What works today might not work tomorrow. It take constant attention on your part.
to help you better manage your small business.
Markets are always changing. They are subject to fads and fashions--and changing directions. Sometimes new trends pop up and disappear quickly. Other times trends develop into more substantial opportunities.
To establish and grow a business means meeting market demands. Your job is to match what you do with what people will pay you to do. It's true for products as well as services.
Example: Ella is a trained and certified nutritionist. Attracting clients to her business has proved difficult. She tried giving talks at health food stores, supermarkets and senior centers. It worked, but it did not work as well as she hoped. She noticed she got many questions about weight reduction and control. This was a market opportunity that she decided to try. She devised weight reduction programs and seminars for adults and children which she promoted on her website and over social media. When she scheduled these events, they quickly filled up. Some of the attendees became regular clients and referred others to Ella's programs. In addition, she partnered with a chiropractor to hold demonstrations and events. By re-packaging her nutrition programs as weight reduction and healthy eating programs, Ella has tapped into a market trend that is building her business.
Example: Lisa runs a small bakery. She put two market trends to work to build her bakery operation into a national presence. First, Lisa noticed that shipping methods today (UPS, Fedex, USPS) had exploded in popularity. Quick, overnight shipping satisfied people's thirst for convenience. Second, Lisa noticed that social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others) provided a quick and cheap way to reach audiences far beyond the reach of her local bakery. Using her website to put everything together, Lisa began offering brownies and scones to anyone looking to punch up their meetings. Companies, organizations, even private individuals quickly bought into Lisa's new business model. She still has the small local bakery, but it has a greatly expanded back end operation. She employs several people to bake, package and ship the products to buyers every day.
Example: Tom is a hypnotherapist. He helps people with eating habits, stopping smoking, pain management, and drug addiction. He was approached by a massage therapist who suggested that they take advantage of the growing interest in a well-rounded wellness center. Tom was open to the idea and they came to an agreement to join forces. Since then, the new wellness center has added an acupuncturist, a specialist in life coaching, and an expert in Chinese medicine. All of these activities draw people interested in wellness and benefit by being grouped together. The marketplace is thirsty for information about wellness, and to this end, they hold monthly informational events with demonstrations.
You run across market trends all the time in your own business operation. Picking and choosing which way to go in growing your business can be difficult. You might simply re-structure your business to better align it with markets. Or, you might take off in a completely new direction.
Market trends are never static. What works today might not work tomorrow. It take constant attention on your part.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Stepping up
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Growing a small business means stepping up to the next level. Stepping up can mean stepping out of shoes you have been wearing.
Nobody is good at everything. Some things are of great interest to you. Others, not so much.
To step up and grow your business, identify those areas of doing business that least interest you. These are the areas you hire someone else to do the job for you.
Example: Javeen runs a health food store. He loves reading about and staying on top of the latest fads, fashions, and developments in healthy foods and nutrition. In the early days, Javeen did everything--ordering, stocking shelves, waiting on customers, keeping the place clean and tidy. As the store grew, Javeen hired an independent cleaning crew, and he hired a person to take care of customers. To grow the operation, Javeen began giving monthly free talks and demonstrations which he promoted on social media. This attracted more attention and brought in more customers. His next step in growing was to hire a person who did all the ordering and interaction with suppliers. Today, Javeen concentrates on the promotional aspects of the operation.
Example: Donna is a fiber artist. In the beginning, she created all sorts of things--scarves, hats, quilts, rugs and more. She sold through her own website, attracting customers through social media. She also consigned to gift shops and attended shows. These were the days she thought of as her "getting the business off the ground days." She has now stepped up to her "growing the business" phase, concentrating on specially designed, one-of-a-kind rugs. Today, all of her marketing efforts are centered around designing rugs to a client's specifications as to color, size, and materials. She has hired other fiber artists to make the rugs--under her watchful eye, of course. It is the design and the interaction with clients that interests her today. The time-consuming rug making is left to others she hires.
Example: Jon runs a small home improvement business. He can provide and install windows, siding, steps, painting, and take care of other homeowner needs. He has two work crews and has built the business over several years. He has a regular customer base and gets referrals--from satisfied customers as well as through social media and his website. Jon's interest centers around the work to be done, maintaining quality, and basking in customer satisfaction. He never did like the front end--estimating and selling part. So, to grow, he searched until he found a likely candidate to handle selling. It turned out that one of the people on one of his work crews was perfect for the job Jon had in mind.
Stepping up to the next level in your business is not to be taken lightly. You cannot handle everything, especially if you are to grow to the next level.
Growing a business usually means hiring people. Hire to your weaknesses. Find people who are better than you to do the jobs where you lack experience or interest.
to help you better manage your small business
Growing a small business means stepping up to the next level. Stepping up can mean stepping out of shoes you have been wearing.
Nobody is good at everything. Some things are of great interest to you. Others, not so much.
To step up and grow your business, identify those areas of doing business that least interest you. These are the areas you hire someone else to do the job for you.
Example: Javeen runs a health food store. He loves reading about and staying on top of the latest fads, fashions, and developments in healthy foods and nutrition. In the early days, Javeen did everything--ordering, stocking shelves, waiting on customers, keeping the place clean and tidy. As the store grew, Javeen hired an independent cleaning crew, and he hired a person to take care of customers. To grow the operation, Javeen began giving monthly free talks and demonstrations which he promoted on social media. This attracted more attention and brought in more customers. His next step in growing was to hire a person who did all the ordering and interaction with suppliers. Today, Javeen concentrates on the promotional aspects of the operation.
Example: Donna is a fiber artist. In the beginning, she created all sorts of things--scarves, hats, quilts, rugs and more. She sold through her own website, attracting customers through social media. She also consigned to gift shops and attended shows. These were the days she thought of as her "getting the business off the ground days." She has now stepped up to her "growing the business" phase, concentrating on specially designed, one-of-a-kind rugs. Today, all of her marketing efforts are centered around designing rugs to a client's specifications as to color, size, and materials. She has hired other fiber artists to make the rugs--under her watchful eye, of course. It is the design and the interaction with clients that interests her today. The time-consuming rug making is left to others she hires.
Example: Jon runs a small home improvement business. He can provide and install windows, siding, steps, painting, and take care of other homeowner needs. He has two work crews and has built the business over several years. He has a regular customer base and gets referrals--from satisfied customers as well as through social media and his website. Jon's interest centers around the work to be done, maintaining quality, and basking in customer satisfaction. He never did like the front end--estimating and selling part. So, to grow, he searched until he found a likely candidate to handle selling. It turned out that one of the people on one of his work crews was perfect for the job Jon had in mind.
Stepping up to the next level in your business is not to be taken lightly. You cannot handle everything, especially if you are to grow to the next level.
Growing a business usually means hiring people. Hire to your weaknesses. Find people who are better than you to do the jobs where you lack experience or interest.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Building walls
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business.
Owners of small businesses need to protect themselves against lawsuits, burglars, identity theft, and other foul deeds.
Example: Nora is a hair stylist. Her small, elite salon caters to a few high end clients. When she established her operation, she wanted to be located in an old, but recently renovated manufacturing building. It had high ceilings and yellow pine floors, lots of charm, and all the modern amenities. Nora found that the only available space was an upstairs loft, accessible by an outside stairway. She leased the space and settled in. Clients loved Nora's work with their hair, and they loved the setting. All went well until a client fell down the stairway and broke her back. The injured woman sued everyone--Nora, the building, the contractor who built the stairs and the manufacturer who supplied the materials. Nora had never incorporated her business, so she was personally liable--her home, her car, her savings were at risk. It took several years for Nora to extricate herself from the legal mess. Her salon is also now incorporated, a simple process that she handled in 15 minutes with her credit card over the phone with a firm she located online. Incorporating put a wall between her business and her personal assets.
Example: Bill runs a ceramics studio, turning out specialties he designs and makes. He concentrates on special glazes, fired in several kilns he installed. He also teaches small classes and takes on apprentices--this provides additional income. One morning Bill arrived to find the back door ajar and two of his kilns were gone. Overnight, thieves had broken into the place and made off with the two kilns and several pieces of pottery. Bill had no insurance to cover the loss, but he was lucky. The pottery, marked with Bill's signature, turned up on eBay, and the police found the thieves. Today, the kilns are back in Bill's studio, and he has insurance to cover any future losses that might occur.
Example: Judy is an attorney in private practice. She attracted an extensive client base. Then, the unthinkable happened. Her bank called. Her accounts had been wiped out. Judy suddenly had no funds of her own. Her identity had been stolen. It took her months to recover from the mess, and she was never able to recover any of the stolen funds. Today, Judy's identity is protected by an online firm that protects identities--credit cards, social security number, bank accounts, and more.
It can be easy to build walls to protect your business and your personal assets. Do it, or you are inviting disaster.
Building walls can mean many things--insurance, incorporating, video surveillance systems, identity theft protection, even a lock on the door.
to help you better manage your small business.
Owners of small businesses need to protect themselves against lawsuits, burglars, identity theft, and other foul deeds.
Example: Nora is a hair stylist. Her small, elite salon caters to a few high end clients. When she established her operation, she wanted to be located in an old, but recently renovated manufacturing building. It had high ceilings and yellow pine floors, lots of charm, and all the modern amenities. Nora found that the only available space was an upstairs loft, accessible by an outside stairway. She leased the space and settled in. Clients loved Nora's work with their hair, and they loved the setting. All went well until a client fell down the stairway and broke her back. The injured woman sued everyone--Nora, the building, the contractor who built the stairs and the manufacturer who supplied the materials. Nora had never incorporated her business, so she was personally liable--her home, her car, her savings were at risk. It took several years for Nora to extricate herself from the legal mess. Her salon is also now incorporated, a simple process that she handled in 15 minutes with her credit card over the phone with a firm she located online. Incorporating put a wall between her business and her personal assets.
Example: Bill runs a ceramics studio, turning out specialties he designs and makes. He concentrates on special glazes, fired in several kilns he installed. He also teaches small classes and takes on apprentices--this provides additional income. One morning Bill arrived to find the back door ajar and two of his kilns were gone. Overnight, thieves had broken into the place and made off with the two kilns and several pieces of pottery. Bill had no insurance to cover the loss, but he was lucky. The pottery, marked with Bill's signature, turned up on eBay, and the police found the thieves. Today, the kilns are back in Bill's studio, and he has insurance to cover any future losses that might occur.
Example: Judy is an attorney in private practice. She attracted an extensive client base. Then, the unthinkable happened. Her bank called. Her accounts had been wiped out. Judy suddenly had no funds of her own. Her identity had been stolen. It took her months to recover from the mess, and she was never able to recover any of the stolen funds. Today, Judy's identity is protected by an online firm that protects identities--credit cards, social security number, bank accounts, and more.
It can be easy to build walls to protect your business and your personal assets. Do it, or you are inviting disaster.
Building walls can mean many things--insurance, incorporating, video surveillance systems, identity theft protection, even a lock on the door.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Changing directions
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Business decisions are complicated. To home in on what you want to do, you must juggle all the pieces.
Every day you match what you do and where you are going to the marketplace. The marketplace is where your business decisions make sense--or not.
If it makes business sense and it "feels right" you take the plunge. However, if your intuition causes you to hesitate, pay attention. That gnawing feeling (that something is not right) can sometimes save you from disaster.
Example: Bill established his business designing websites for small businesses. His business was small but successful. Bill noticed that people in small business frequently had no interest in social media, no idea how it could work for them, and no concept of how to access it. He began offering clients a new service--he would coach them in the value and use of social media, and if they wanted, he would actually do the legwork to get them onto various social media sites--and maintain them. Bill still does websites, but it is a small part of his new business model.
Example: Linda is a chiropractor. Her client base was slowly growing, but Linda wanted more. She noticed that more and more clients were asking questions about nutrition, massage and other healthy living activities. Linda knew that it was a new marketplace coming to her door. She could expand by becoming a wellness center offering much more than just chiropractic. Her intuition told her to step carefully, so she began a growth path, making small changes. Once a month, Linda brought in a nutritionist for free talks about diet and weight problems. Then she began bringing in a massage therapist to give free short demonstrations, to explain different types of massage, and to answer questions. She got positive response by promoting on social media. By taking these small steps, Linda gained confidence to establish a full-service wellness center.
Example: Jameel runs a landscaping service. He started his business cutting lawns for residential and commercial clients. He began noticing that the market was changing. People wanted to get rid of their lawns, replacing with wild flowers, perennials and shrubs. Using social media, Jameel began offering gardening services in addition to his lawn maintenance services. It's a changing marketplace. Today, Jameel runs a full-service yard and garden business, helping people design and re-design yards more in keeping with their new interests. And he still maintains lawns.
When changing the direction of your business, it is useful to take small steps. In other words, you gradually move in the direction you want to go.
The marketplace is always your guiding light when changing business directions. What made sense yesterday might not be viable today. And the business you are in today can change completely tomorrow.
to help you better manage your small business
Business decisions are complicated. To home in on what you want to do, you must juggle all the pieces.
Every day you match what you do and where you are going to the marketplace. The marketplace is where your business decisions make sense--or not.
If it makes business sense and it "feels right" you take the plunge. However, if your intuition causes you to hesitate, pay attention. That gnawing feeling (that something is not right) can sometimes save you from disaster.
Example: Bill established his business designing websites for small businesses. His business was small but successful. Bill noticed that people in small business frequently had no interest in social media, no idea how it could work for them, and no concept of how to access it. He began offering clients a new service--he would coach them in the value and use of social media, and if they wanted, he would actually do the legwork to get them onto various social media sites--and maintain them. Bill still does websites, but it is a small part of his new business model.
Example: Linda is a chiropractor. Her client base was slowly growing, but Linda wanted more. She noticed that more and more clients were asking questions about nutrition, massage and other healthy living activities. Linda knew that it was a new marketplace coming to her door. She could expand by becoming a wellness center offering much more than just chiropractic. Her intuition told her to step carefully, so she began a growth path, making small changes. Once a month, Linda brought in a nutritionist for free talks about diet and weight problems. Then she began bringing in a massage therapist to give free short demonstrations, to explain different types of massage, and to answer questions. She got positive response by promoting on social media. By taking these small steps, Linda gained confidence to establish a full-service wellness center.
Example: Jameel runs a landscaping service. He started his business cutting lawns for residential and commercial clients. He began noticing that the market was changing. People wanted to get rid of their lawns, replacing with wild flowers, perennials and shrubs. Using social media, Jameel began offering gardening services in addition to his lawn maintenance services. It's a changing marketplace. Today, Jameel runs a full-service yard and garden business, helping people design and re-design yards more in keeping with their new interests. And he still maintains lawns.
When changing the direction of your business, it is useful to take small steps. In other words, you gradually move in the direction you want to go.
The marketplace is always your guiding light when changing business directions. What made sense yesterday might not be viable today. And the business you are in today can change completely tomorrow.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Netting wider markets
Free daily tips, information, advice and ideas
to help you better manage your small business
Internet markets are wide and deep. You can reach out in all directions to attract clients and customers--no matter your business.
Astute owners of small businesses can quickly grow and expand beyond the limits of the communities they serve. With a website and using the power of social media, small businesses can become big.
Example: David operates a small collectibles shop serving a suburban community near a large city. He specializes in board games, puzzles, children's books including paper cut-outs and coloring books, and small action figures. When he expanded his website to include ordering/shipping, sales increased. When he began posting on Facebook and other social media, sales increased again. Today, David spends most of his time filling orders and getting everything ready for a daily UPS pick-up. He takes a break now and then to wait on a new customer who wanders into his storefront.
Example: Catherine is a certified Pilates instructor. In addition to her growing list of clients, Catherine began offering instructional courses through her website, and she promoted these through social media. The educational materials are directed to two types of clients: those who want to simply learn more about Pilates, and those who want to become certified. Catherine does not offer certifications; rather, she gets people up to speed to become certified. These initiatives have expanded Catherine's business all over the country.
Example: Ellen is a nutritionist. To expand her client base, Ellen began offering free talks to organizations, wellness centers, medical groups and others. She posts nutritional tips on social media, driving people to her website. Ellen also wrote a short book on healthy eating and controlling weight. She published it as an Amazon e-book, and she promotes the book at her talks as well as on social media. This has generated more interest and brought her additional clients. One of her new clients is a supermarket chain.
No matter your business, you can increase sales and reputation and referrals using the Internet. The net puts your business in front of eyeballs unfamiliar with your business.
Your website is only the beginning. Use social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more represent opportunities just waiting for you to use them. Netting wider markets is a growth path you can easily take advantage of.
Most businesses have a website. But most of these don't use it to best advantage. You must drive eyeballs to your website, and social media can do the job. Best of all, social media is free for the most part.
to help you better manage your small business
Internet markets are wide and deep. You can reach out in all directions to attract clients and customers--no matter your business.
Astute owners of small businesses can quickly grow and expand beyond the limits of the communities they serve. With a website and using the power of social media, small businesses can become big.
Example: David operates a small collectibles shop serving a suburban community near a large city. He specializes in board games, puzzles, children's books including paper cut-outs and coloring books, and small action figures. When he expanded his website to include ordering/shipping, sales increased. When he began posting on Facebook and other social media, sales increased again. Today, David spends most of his time filling orders and getting everything ready for a daily UPS pick-up. He takes a break now and then to wait on a new customer who wanders into his storefront.
Example: Catherine is a certified Pilates instructor. In addition to her growing list of clients, Catherine began offering instructional courses through her website, and she promoted these through social media. The educational materials are directed to two types of clients: those who want to simply learn more about Pilates, and those who want to become certified. Catherine does not offer certifications; rather, she gets people up to speed to become certified. These initiatives have expanded Catherine's business all over the country.
Example: Ellen is a nutritionist. To expand her client base, Ellen began offering free talks to organizations, wellness centers, medical groups and others. She posts nutritional tips on social media, driving people to her website. Ellen also wrote a short book on healthy eating and controlling weight. She published it as an Amazon e-book, and she promotes the book at her talks as well as on social media. This has generated more interest and brought her additional clients. One of her new clients is a supermarket chain.
No matter your business, you can increase sales and reputation and referrals using the Internet. The net puts your business in front of eyeballs unfamiliar with your business.
Your website is only the beginning. Use social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more represent opportunities just waiting for you to use them. Netting wider markets is a growth path you can easily take advantage of.
Most businesses have a website. But most of these don't use it to best advantage. You must drive eyeballs to your website, and social media can do the job. Best of all, social media is free for the most part.
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