Free daily tips, information and advice for small businesses
from personal and hands-on experience in starting up and running businesses.
You can start up a business at any age. Your age does not enter into the equation.
Doing business comes as naturally to the very young as it does to older, more experienced people. In fact the young don't hesitate trying new things.
Example: When I lived in the big city, I walked to the corner to catch the bus every morning. As I approached the bus stop one day, I saw four or five people gathered around a small table. They were picking up and examining things displayed there. Coming closer, I saw my neighbor's young daughter among the adults--one of whom was the child's mother. It turned out that this 6-year old had gathered some stones, painted them in blazing colors, and was offering them for sale at a dime each. People smiled, plopped down their dimes, pocketed the stones, and boarded the bus. I decided to catch the next bus, lingering to talk with the youngest entrepreneur I ever met. Why set up your table here, I asked the girl. Because that's where the people are, she answered without hesitation. What will you do with all the dimes, I asked. Save them in my piggy bank, she told me--looking up at her mom. It's almost full, the mother said. As my bus came to a stop, I put a quarter on the table and took a yellow stone. I still have it.
Children catch on quickly to the ways of the world. I've often wondered what became of the young stone painter. I'll bet she's heading up her own business somewhere.
You're never too old to start a business either.
Example: Many years later, I headed up the Business Owners Institute in New Jersey. Everyone there had to have run a small business. That way, we offered varied and hands-on experience in dealing with the problems of starting up and running small businesses. People came to us for help with financing and loans, selling and marketing, expanding and growing their businesses. One day, a lady came wanting advice on starting up a business she had in mind. Right off, she told me that she was 79 years of age and worried that she might be too old to tackle a start-up she had in mind. She moved and talked like a 40 year old, and I assured her that you are never too old to begin. She wanted to establish a bagel shop, and over a couple of months I helped her arrange to lease space, buy used bagel-making equipment, stock her new shop and get the doors open. The place was very successful. About five years later she sold out, pocketing a nice retirement income for her later years.
You are never too young or too old to get yourself in business. Or to change the direction of the business you already have established. Just do it. The years will take care of themselves.
A lifetime of personal experience shows that you can do what you set your mind to do. Other things impact decisions--family, health, and more. But attitude is the thing that will see you through.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Referrals from seniors
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small businesses
from personal experience starting-up and growing businesses of my own.
Seniors are a good source of referrals. And they are a formidable market themselves for your products and services.
Many seniors are now retired, with more coming every week. They're also living longer than previous generations. They have disposable income--but they've learned to live on budgets. And they have many friends, relatives, and associates who trust their judgement.
You can put all this to work in your business.
Example: Peter's small computer business needed more customers. He noticed that he got a few referrals after giving a free computer workshop at the local senior center. Thinking about it, Peter realized that all those grandmothers and grandfathers were spreading the word out in the community. His workshop had been a beginner's introduction to how to email a photo to someone, how to access and use Facebook, and other simple uses. Today, Peter gives free computer workshops at several area senior centers, and his business is growing.
Senior centers are everywhere. You can volunteer to give free talks, demonstrations and workshops. These people appreciate the attention, and they go home and talk about you and your business.
Example: Ellen owns a tea shop. It used to be a small place with only four tables. But the shelves were lined with teas of all descriptions. People stopped in for a cup of tea and to stock up on loose and bagged teas to take home. The town held a street fair, and Ellen set up a table outside her tea shop offering free cups of tea. She noticed that her teas seemed to be a hit with all age groups--but especially seniors. She began offering tea demonstrations and talks at clubs, group meetings, and senior centers. Today, Ellen has expanded her tea shop into the larger space next door. She still serves tea and pastries to an expanding clientele, but her business really took off over the Internet. Seniors have referred people from all over the country to Ellen. They order teas for themselves and as gifts for their friends. Ellen now spends lots of time daily packaging and shipping out her teas.
Seniors can be extremely loyal.
Example: Bill runs a small home improvement business. He and two helpers take care of the odd jobs around the house--painting, replacing a window, cleaning gutters, etc. He takes a two pronged approach--especially with seniors. (1) On his initial visit, he takes the time to listen to their concerns and homes in on what they want done. He always suggests that he begin with only one job. If they are satisfied, he'll estimate and go on to the next job. This puts the client at ease, and it stretches out payments--a real concern with seniors. (2) Bill always asks for referrals and leaves a handful of business cards with the homeowner to give out to their friends and neighbors. It's working for Bill.
Seniors are a good source of business and referrals. You can tap into this market if you are sensitive to the concerns of seniors.
You build your business one customer or client at a time. Getting seniors to give you referrals is a good way to extend your reach and bring in new customers. Perhaps more than any other group, seniors will refer others to you.
from personal experience starting-up and growing businesses of my own.
Seniors are a good source of referrals. And they are a formidable market themselves for your products and services.
Many seniors are now retired, with more coming every week. They're also living longer than previous generations. They have disposable income--but they've learned to live on budgets. And they have many friends, relatives, and associates who trust their judgement.
You can put all this to work in your business.
Example: Peter's small computer business needed more customers. He noticed that he got a few referrals after giving a free computer workshop at the local senior center. Thinking about it, Peter realized that all those grandmothers and grandfathers were spreading the word out in the community. His workshop had been a beginner's introduction to how to email a photo to someone, how to access and use Facebook, and other simple uses. Today, Peter gives free computer workshops at several area senior centers, and his business is growing.
Senior centers are everywhere. You can volunteer to give free talks, demonstrations and workshops. These people appreciate the attention, and they go home and talk about you and your business.
Example: Ellen owns a tea shop. It used to be a small place with only four tables. But the shelves were lined with teas of all descriptions. People stopped in for a cup of tea and to stock up on loose and bagged teas to take home. The town held a street fair, and Ellen set up a table outside her tea shop offering free cups of tea. She noticed that her teas seemed to be a hit with all age groups--but especially seniors. She began offering tea demonstrations and talks at clubs, group meetings, and senior centers. Today, Ellen has expanded her tea shop into the larger space next door. She still serves tea and pastries to an expanding clientele, but her business really took off over the Internet. Seniors have referred people from all over the country to Ellen. They order teas for themselves and as gifts for their friends. Ellen now spends lots of time daily packaging and shipping out her teas.
Seniors can be extremely loyal.
Example: Bill runs a small home improvement business. He and two helpers take care of the odd jobs around the house--painting, replacing a window, cleaning gutters, etc. He takes a two pronged approach--especially with seniors. (1) On his initial visit, he takes the time to listen to their concerns and homes in on what they want done. He always suggests that he begin with only one job. If they are satisfied, he'll estimate and go on to the next job. This puts the client at ease, and it stretches out payments--a real concern with seniors. (2) Bill always asks for referrals and leaves a handful of business cards with the homeowner to give out to their friends and neighbors. It's working for Bill.
Seniors are a good source of business and referrals. You can tap into this market if you are sensitive to the concerns of seniors.
You build your business one customer or client at a time. Getting seniors to give you referrals is a good way to extend your reach and bring in new customers. Perhaps more than any other group, seniors will refer others to you.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Special businesses
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from personal hands-on experience in starting up and running businesses.
You can make a business out of anything. I've come to believe this after a lifetime of my own businesses and working with others.
If you're thinking about going into business, consider the activities you love. If you're thinking of changing the direction of your existing business, think about the things that you once loved doing but no longer have time for. Pick one of those passions and go for it.
Example: Jason loved cars and motorcycles. He spent every free hour growing up tinkering and repairing vehicles. An engineering degree in his pocket, he decided to take the plunge. He set up a business specializing in two things: restorations of older vehicles back to original condition and building motorcycles from the ground up. He brought some of his work to car shows, and his reputation spread. Restorations of cars that are 20 to 50 years old and in poor condition--this takes months, sometimes years. While waiting for parts for the restorations, Jason would concentrate of building or customizing motorcycles for clients. His backlog of work waiting to be done now extends to years.
Special businesses can grow out of the interests of youngsters. Those activities that fascinate us early on can become the business of the adult.
Example: Margit loved designing women's clothes. Her designs brought compliments and sales. She was forced to make a strategic decision. Either she could open up her own high end retail shop or she could become a design house. She chose the latter. Today Margit has her own design house and sells her designs to clothing manufacturers.
Sorting out the possibilities of which way to take a business can be daunting. But it is not wise to let the business drift with the times--you want to be ahead of the times, ahead of the waves that will surely wash over your business. (See my previous blog--Business Drift.)
Example: Several years ago, I met a man who had a business repairing and selling old vacuum cleaners. He had established his business when he retired, and he had attracted a loyal and growing clientele. I was incredulous. Who would want an old vacuum cleaner? Everybody who knows the difference, he assured me. It was an eye opener. He reminded me that old vacuum cleaners were built to last--with all metal parts. Today, vacuum cleaners are made mostly with plastic parts--and they wear out and break. People in the know, he explained, pay big bucks to have their old vacuum cleaners repaired--or they buy one on display for sale. These days, he is repairing vacuums in heaven. But in the years between retirement and going to the great beyond, he built a nice business on his passion for vacuum cleaners.
A special business can be built out of the things you're passionate about. If you're interested, others are interested. And therein lies a market.
Be passionate about what you do. If you're not, you're in the wrong business. Sometimes the best way forward is to figure out where you once were. Your time on this planet is limited. Spend it well.
from personal hands-on experience in starting up and running businesses.
You can make a business out of anything. I've come to believe this after a lifetime of my own businesses and working with others.
If you're thinking about going into business, consider the activities you love. If you're thinking of changing the direction of your existing business, think about the things that you once loved doing but no longer have time for. Pick one of those passions and go for it.
Example: Jason loved cars and motorcycles. He spent every free hour growing up tinkering and repairing vehicles. An engineering degree in his pocket, he decided to take the plunge. He set up a business specializing in two things: restorations of older vehicles back to original condition and building motorcycles from the ground up. He brought some of his work to car shows, and his reputation spread. Restorations of cars that are 20 to 50 years old and in poor condition--this takes months, sometimes years. While waiting for parts for the restorations, Jason would concentrate of building or customizing motorcycles for clients. His backlog of work waiting to be done now extends to years.
Special businesses can grow out of the interests of youngsters. Those activities that fascinate us early on can become the business of the adult.
Example: Margit loved designing women's clothes. Her designs brought compliments and sales. She was forced to make a strategic decision. Either she could open up her own high end retail shop or she could become a design house. She chose the latter. Today Margit has her own design house and sells her designs to clothing manufacturers.
Sorting out the possibilities of which way to take a business can be daunting. But it is not wise to let the business drift with the times--you want to be ahead of the times, ahead of the waves that will surely wash over your business. (See my previous blog--Business Drift.)
Example: Several years ago, I met a man who had a business repairing and selling old vacuum cleaners. He had established his business when he retired, and he had attracted a loyal and growing clientele. I was incredulous. Who would want an old vacuum cleaner? Everybody who knows the difference, he assured me. It was an eye opener. He reminded me that old vacuum cleaners were built to last--with all metal parts. Today, vacuum cleaners are made mostly with plastic parts--and they wear out and break. People in the know, he explained, pay big bucks to have their old vacuum cleaners repaired--or they buy one on display for sale. These days, he is repairing vacuums in heaven. But in the years between retirement and going to the great beyond, he built a nice business on his passion for vacuum cleaners.
A special business can be built out of the things you're passionate about. If you're interested, others are interested. And therein lies a market.
Be passionate about what you do. If you're not, you're in the wrong business. Sometimes the best way forward is to figure out where you once were. Your time on this planet is limited. Spend it well.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Spreading the word
Free daily tips, information and advice for small business
from a lifetime of personal experience running small businesses.
You never know where the next referral is coming from. This simple fact tells you how to treat every visitor to your website, every person who calls your business, and every person who walks in your door.
Example: Mary had her hair done at a local salon. She enthusiastically referred her friends. One came and was dissatisfied with the results. This friend spread a lot of negativity about the salon. When word reached Mary, she went into action. She contacted the dissatisfied person, offering a free "do-over" plus a gift certificate. The owner also called Mary, thanked her for the referral and offered her a gift certificate as well. The bad-mouthing stopped and more referrals rolled in.
Turning a dissatisfied customer around can be a tricky exercise. But it is always worth the extra effort. You don't want bad-mouthing to be going around the neighborhood.
More straightforward ways can be even more effective in spreading the word.
Example: When John got his plumber's license, he had few customers--mainly friends and relatives. He passed out business cards at every opportunity, including several networking sessions he attended. He also placed a small ad in the local newspaper. Nothing seemed to bring in many new customers. John decided to call people he had done some plumbing work for. First, he asked if they needed any additional plumbing work done. Second, he asked for referrals--names and phone numbers of people they knew. Everyone needs a plumber sooner or later, he reasoned. It worked. Several referrals became customers. Today, he employs two helpers.
Referrals are the lifeblood of every business. Referrals come to you on another person's reputation, friendship or recommendation.
Example: Frank used a method similar to the plumber's method. Frank is a business consultant and coach. Tough business. Asking satisfied clients for referrals is a tried and true method to increase your circle of clients. Frank called people he'd worked for and asked for referrals. When he called these referrals, he launched into a conversation about cash flow, finding good employees, and other problems common to all small businesses. It worked well for him. BTW, Frank was careful not to use the word "consultant" when calling the referrals--that word is a turn-off to people in small business.
Referrals arrive at your door pre-disposed to your services/products. Not that they are ready to buy, but they are leaning in your direction.
Work at getting referrals. Whatever method you use, keep it up. Don't let a week go by without doing something to increase referrals.
You deserve a constant flow of referrals to your business. You've invested a lot in the future of your business. Referrals make it happen. Getting more referrals is important to your future success.
from a lifetime of personal experience running small businesses.
You never know where the next referral is coming from. This simple fact tells you how to treat every visitor to your website, every person who calls your business, and every person who walks in your door.
Example: Mary had her hair done at a local salon. She enthusiastically referred her friends. One came and was dissatisfied with the results. This friend spread a lot of negativity about the salon. When word reached Mary, she went into action. She contacted the dissatisfied person, offering a free "do-over" plus a gift certificate. The owner also called Mary, thanked her for the referral and offered her a gift certificate as well. The bad-mouthing stopped and more referrals rolled in.
Turning a dissatisfied customer around can be a tricky exercise. But it is always worth the extra effort. You don't want bad-mouthing to be going around the neighborhood.
More straightforward ways can be even more effective in spreading the word.
Example: When John got his plumber's license, he had few customers--mainly friends and relatives. He passed out business cards at every opportunity, including several networking sessions he attended. He also placed a small ad in the local newspaper. Nothing seemed to bring in many new customers. John decided to call people he had done some plumbing work for. First, he asked if they needed any additional plumbing work done. Second, he asked for referrals--names and phone numbers of people they knew. Everyone needs a plumber sooner or later, he reasoned. It worked. Several referrals became customers. Today, he employs two helpers.
Referrals are the lifeblood of every business. Referrals come to you on another person's reputation, friendship or recommendation.
Example: Frank used a method similar to the plumber's method. Frank is a business consultant and coach. Tough business. Asking satisfied clients for referrals is a tried and true method to increase your circle of clients. Frank called people he'd worked for and asked for referrals. When he called these referrals, he launched into a conversation about cash flow, finding good employees, and other problems common to all small businesses. It worked well for him. BTW, Frank was careful not to use the word "consultant" when calling the referrals--that word is a turn-off to people in small business.
Referrals arrive at your door pre-disposed to your services/products. Not that they are ready to buy, but they are leaning in your direction.
Work at getting referrals. Whatever method you use, keep it up. Don't let a week go by without doing something to increase referrals.
You deserve a constant flow of referrals to your business. You've invested a lot in the future of your business. Referrals make it happen. Getting more referrals is important to your future success.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Beyond cash flow
Free daily tips, information and advice for people in small business
from personal business experience--been there, done that.
Small businesses face big time cash flow problems. Bills pile up and there's never enough cash to deal with it.
You are your own backup of last resort. A certain amount of prudent juggling can see you through these times. But sometimes that's not enough.
Example: A small business I know solved the ups and downs of cash flow by putting in place a revolving line of credit with a local bank. It was for $250,000. When incoming cash did not meet the outgoing cash requirements to pay bills and meet payroll, the owner hit the revolving credit line for a cash infusion. It was a short term loan. When the receivables came in, the loan was paid off. Problem solved. Then, the unthinkable happened. Bank policy changed. The owner was notified that the bank would not be offering revolving credit accounts under a million dollars--effective in 30 days. The owner's credit line would be disappearing in short order. He scrambled to find another bank that would meet his requirements.
In small business, you must always think ahead, preparing for any eventuality. The ocean on which you are sailing is always changing--the waves can wash over your ship and storms can sink you to the bottom.
Example: An even smaller business handled the ups and downs of cash flow in a different manner. Due to its small size, this business was not eligible for a revolving line of credit. The owner juggled outgoing payments for materials and supplies, balancing bills with cash to pay them. When a shortfall still existed, he held his own paycheck until the bank account could handle it. He always wrote his paycheck, but he threw it into the desk drawer awaiting the day when it would clear the bank account. Sometimes, this took weeks.
Be prepared for all the things the economy and the marketplace throw at you. The world doesn't end when the cash flow suddenly dips or stops flowing.
You do whatever is necessary to get through the storm. When all is said and done, you know that the sun will come up tomorrow.
Your ingenuity is what got you into business, and your ingenuity will keep you going. You build on what works, and you discard what does not work. I've read about cash flow in books, and I've lived the ups and downs of cash flow in my own businesses. As a matter of fact, I was the owner of the two small businesses in the examples above.
from personal business experience--been there, done that.
Small businesses face big time cash flow problems. Bills pile up and there's never enough cash to deal with it.
You are your own backup of last resort. A certain amount of prudent juggling can see you through these times. But sometimes that's not enough.
Example: A small business I know solved the ups and downs of cash flow by putting in place a revolving line of credit with a local bank. It was for $250,000. When incoming cash did not meet the outgoing cash requirements to pay bills and meet payroll, the owner hit the revolving credit line for a cash infusion. It was a short term loan. When the receivables came in, the loan was paid off. Problem solved. Then, the unthinkable happened. Bank policy changed. The owner was notified that the bank would not be offering revolving credit accounts under a million dollars--effective in 30 days. The owner's credit line would be disappearing in short order. He scrambled to find another bank that would meet his requirements.
In small business, you must always think ahead, preparing for any eventuality. The ocean on which you are sailing is always changing--the waves can wash over your ship and storms can sink you to the bottom.
Example: An even smaller business handled the ups and downs of cash flow in a different manner. Due to its small size, this business was not eligible for a revolving line of credit. The owner juggled outgoing payments for materials and supplies, balancing bills with cash to pay them. When a shortfall still existed, he held his own paycheck until the bank account could handle it. He always wrote his paycheck, but he threw it into the desk drawer awaiting the day when it would clear the bank account. Sometimes, this took weeks.
Be prepared for all the things the economy and the marketplace throw at you. The world doesn't end when the cash flow suddenly dips or stops flowing.
You do whatever is necessary to get through the storm. When all is said and done, you know that the sun will come up tomorrow.
Your ingenuity is what got you into business, and your ingenuity will keep you going. You build on what works, and you discard what does not work. I've read about cash flow in books, and I've lived the ups and downs of cash flow in my own businesses. As a matter of fact, I was the owner of the two small businesses in the examples above.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Picking a business
Free daily tips, information and advice for small business
from personal experience--been there, done that.
My first business was computerized typesetting. It was the early 1970s--before Word and before Bill Gates arrived on the scene.
At the time I knew computers and I knew typesetting. It was an easy choice to put the two together.
Many years later, I headed the Business Owners Institute in New Jersey. People came for help, advice, and to talk through problems with someone who had been there, done that in small business.
Others came looking for advice on what business they should go into. This led me to establish a workshop for people wondering what business they could establish. The sessions were popular, both at the Institute and at Kean University.
Picking a business to start is not difficult. Look inside yourself.
Example: A local doctor told me that he had allergies when he was a youngster. His experiences made a lasting impression. College and medical school prepared him to become a doctor. Today, he treats patients suffering through the ragweed season--together with other allergies throughout the year.
This was a long term proposition. But the doctor has built a business on a childhood experience.
Example: A local teacher spent a career in the public school system teaching swimming. When he retired, he started his own business teaching people how to swim--beginners and advanced students alike.
Example: Growing up, Sarah was fascinated with jewelry. She made bracelets and necklaces using seeds and stones. She made brooches and pins out of dried flowers and folded papers. Today she is in the jewelry business. Along the way Sarah took training in working in silver and gold. She now supports her family, selling to a growing list of customers she finds over the Internet and at shows.
Wondering what business to go into? Look at your own background and interests. Settle on the thing you love, the thing you're passionate about, the thing that fascinates you.
Then make a business based on that. If you're interested in something, then be assured that others are interested as well. They are your market. Go for it!
Your business is your life. Make sure you love the thing you are doing. I never wanted to be in a business that I hated. That's why, at 16, I told my dad I did not want to take over the dairy farm where I grew up. At the time, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew it was not cows. The thing that makes America great is it's a place where you can follow your dreams.
from personal experience--been there, done that.
My first business was computerized typesetting. It was the early 1970s--before Word and before Bill Gates arrived on the scene.
At the time I knew computers and I knew typesetting. It was an easy choice to put the two together.
Many years later, I headed the Business Owners Institute in New Jersey. People came for help, advice, and to talk through problems with someone who had been there, done that in small business.
Others came looking for advice on what business they should go into. This led me to establish a workshop for people wondering what business they could establish. The sessions were popular, both at the Institute and at Kean University.
Picking a business to start is not difficult. Look inside yourself.
Example: A local doctor told me that he had allergies when he was a youngster. His experiences made a lasting impression. College and medical school prepared him to become a doctor. Today, he treats patients suffering through the ragweed season--together with other allergies throughout the year.
This was a long term proposition. But the doctor has built a business on a childhood experience.
Example: A local teacher spent a career in the public school system teaching swimming. When he retired, he started his own business teaching people how to swim--beginners and advanced students alike.
Example: Growing up, Sarah was fascinated with jewelry. She made bracelets and necklaces using seeds and stones. She made brooches and pins out of dried flowers and folded papers. Today she is in the jewelry business. Along the way Sarah took training in working in silver and gold. She now supports her family, selling to a growing list of customers she finds over the Internet and at shows.
Wondering what business to go into? Look at your own background and interests. Settle on the thing you love, the thing you're passionate about, the thing that fascinates you.
Then make a business based on that. If you're interested in something, then be assured that others are interested as well. They are your market. Go for it!
Your business is your life. Make sure you love the thing you are doing. I never wanted to be in a business that I hated. That's why, at 16, I told my dad I did not want to take over the dairy farm where I grew up. At the time, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew it was not cows. The thing that makes America great is it's a place where you can follow your dreams.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Going digital
Free daily tips, information and advice for small business
from personal experience--been there, done that.
Many of your current--and future--clients and customers are living the digital life. The Internet is the new go-to. Along with all the mobile cousins.
People follow each other on Facebook, tweet their friends, text everything, join LinkedIn, and much more. They check you out on Angie's List and read the reviews on Yelp. Google has a new addition to their maps--you can now upload a virtual tour of your salon, restaurant or store.
All sorts of possibilities are open to you today that didn't exist 10 or 20 years ago. And going digital can mean re-thinking your business.
Example: A baker I know made a drastic transition. He closed his retail bakery storefront, opting for an Internet-based operation. His cookies and pastries are now sold all over the country, delivered overnight if the customer orders before 2 p.m. His customers now find him, and his goodies, on his Facebook page which drives traffic to his website where they place orders. Customers once drove several miles to get to his bake shop. Now they order online--and Facebook does the driving along with UPS and Fedex.
The baker has used the Internet to expand to a much bigger operation. This would not have been possible with just the storefront.
Example: Joyce owned a long-established frame shop. She decided to take the Internet plunge, hired a local website designer, and was pleased with the project when it was done. The site was attractive, easy to navigate, and she emailed an announcement to her corporate and business clients. After months of keeping up with the costs and maintenance of the site, Joyce took a second hard look. Only a couple dozen viewers had actually used the site, and she could not attribute a single sale to it. She decided it was time for a change. She reached out on Facebook with pictures she snapped herself and posted. The response, including referrals, was immediate. Within the first month on Facebook, Joyce had added three new clients. Facebook drives viewers to her website, and viewership there quickly tripled.
Businesses once put up their websites and that was that. Today, many of those stagnant websites are everywhere--costing time and money and delivering little.
To make them useful, businesses now must drive traffic to them. Social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others are much more likely to capture the attention of potential customers/clients. Mobile apps do the same thing. Then, and only then, do you get that bump in site viewership.
Your business is unique. You test the different ways to attract attention. Going digital is about much more than setting up a website. Get in there and do it. Find out what works best for your business. Through a lifetime of founding and running small businesses, I've learned that you must keep up with the changing times.
from personal experience--been there, done that.
Many of your current--and future--clients and customers are living the digital life. The Internet is the new go-to. Along with all the mobile cousins.
People follow each other on Facebook, tweet their friends, text everything, join LinkedIn, and much more. They check you out on Angie's List and read the reviews on Yelp. Google has a new addition to their maps--you can now upload a virtual tour of your salon, restaurant or store.
All sorts of possibilities are open to you today that didn't exist 10 or 20 years ago. And going digital can mean re-thinking your business.
Example: A baker I know made a drastic transition. He closed his retail bakery storefront, opting for an Internet-based operation. His cookies and pastries are now sold all over the country, delivered overnight if the customer orders before 2 p.m. His customers now find him, and his goodies, on his Facebook page which drives traffic to his website where they place orders. Customers once drove several miles to get to his bake shop. Now they order online--and Facebook does the driving along with UPS and Fedex.
The baker has used the Internet to expand to a much bigger operation. This would not have been possible with just the storefront.
Example: Joyce owned a long-established frame shop. She decided to take the Internet plunge, hired a local website designer, and was pleased with the project when it was done. The site was attractive, easy to navigate, and she emailed an announcement to her corporate and business clients. After months of keeping up with the costs and maintenance of the site, Joyce took a second hard look. Only a couple dozen viewers had actually used the site, and she could not attribute a single sale to it. She decided it was time for a change. She reached out on Facebook with pictures she snapped herself and posted. The response, including referrals, was immediate. Within the first month on Facebook, Joyce had added three new clients. Facebook drives viewers to her website, and viewership there quickly tripled.
Businesses once put up their websites and that was that. Today, many of those stagnant websites are everywhere--costing time and money and delivering little.
To make them useful, businesses now must drive traffic to them. Social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others are much more likely to capture the attention of potential customers/clients. Mobile apps do the same thing. Then, and only then, do you get that bump in site viewership.
Your business is unique. You test the different ways to attract attention. Going digital is about much more than setting up a website. Get in there and do it. Find out what works best for your business. Through a lifetime of founding and running small businesses, I've learned that you must keep up with the changing times.
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