Should You Reach Out to Social Media Influencers?
Should You Reach Out to Social Media Influencers?
Imagine you’re in the market for a new cappuccino maker. You fire up your trusty laptop and head to Amazon, where you’re instantly presented with 876 options. After combing through tons of reviews and spending a solid 20 minutes debating whether you really need the extra attachment that draws hearts and kittens in the foam, you close the laptop in frustration and pledge your undying...
3 Technology Trends That Will Help Grow Your Small Business in 2019
As a small business, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is technology. The majority of small and medium business owners are already onto this, of course. According to a recent survey by CDW, a tech solutions provider for businesses, 73% of respondents are already using the cloud in some capacity. That doesn’t just mean email, but also storage and web hosting. As more intelligent...
5 Small Business New Year’s Resolutions for 2019
We’re on the cusp of a new year, staring back at the triumphs (and hiccups) of 2018 while looking forward to the clean slate 2019 has on offer. It’s a time of merriment, reflection and anticipation, a time when we vow to do better and be better in the coming year. Most of us will make a resolution or two -- exercise more, eat less,...
Small Business Social Media: The Next Horizons
When you think of social media sites, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn probably are the first three to come to mind. Dig a bit deeper and you’ll probably add Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat to the list. But there are several other social media platforms that are flying under your radar -- but may still take your small business places that you’ve never been before. Yes, there are...
10 Ways to Market Your Small Business on the Cheap
No one ever said being a small business owner was easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. You’re not only dealing with the day-to-day operations, you’re also dealing with the “B” word -- “budget.” When times get tough, the marketing budget suffers. But it doesn’t necessarily need to. Here are 10 ways you can market your small business on the cheap. Boost a...
How Small Businesses Should Prep for a Busy 2018 Holiday Season
Don’t look now, but the holiday shoppers are coming. In fact, many of them are already here. There was a time, not so long ago, when Black Friday actually took place on a Friday. Then, retailers that wanted to get the jump on the crowds began encroaching on Thanksgiving – some of them opening their doors before the turkey was even on the table. Now,...
Small Business Guerrilla Marketing for the Internet Age
Let’s talk about guerrillas. They’re independent, often out-manned fighters who band together against a bigger, more prepared enemy using surprise, ambush, sabotage and hit-and-run tactics to accomplish their goals. Sounds a lot like a small business, right? Guerrilla warfare has long been a way for underdogs to gain a competitive edge, and guerrilla marketing is no different. In the brick-and-mortar world, guerrilla marketing often takes...
Should Your Small Business Get Political?
Stop us if you’ve heard this one: “A politician walks into a nondescript farm-to-table restaurant named after a scarlet female fowl …” Oh, so you already know about Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ quick jaunt to Lexington, Virginia’s Red Hen restaurant? If not, here’s the skinny: In June, the White House press secretary was asked to leave the restaurant because Red Hen co-owner Stephanie Wilkinson didn’t agree...
Is Your Small Business Embracing Technology? (Hint: It Should)
Small business is increasingly going electronic. But is the switch from brick-and-mortar locations to e-commerce cause for concern? According to a recent Gallup poll, 15 percent of small business owners say it’s helping their business, while 16 percent say it’s hurting their business. That leaves a wide moat of 68 percent that say it hasn’t affected them at all. So … what’s the deal? Is technology...
11 Classic Fails in Social Media Marketing
Social media: Done correctly, it’s a fantastic marketing tool for your small business. However, when done the wrong way, you can sully your brand and send customers packing. That’s why it’s important to have a very clear idea of what “doing it wrong” looks like. The following 11 brands clearly did not do social media correctly. Check out these cringe-worthy, real-life posts, and you’ll gain...