What Should Your Small Business Be Spending MORE Money On?
What Should Your Small Business Be Spending MORE Money On?
Money. Moola. Cold, hard cash. If those words send shivers down your spine, you’re probably a small business owner. It’s no secret that small businesses have small budgets. It’s important for you to manage every dollar, dime and penny to the best of your ability. But while it seems counterintuitive, there are a few areas where you should be spending more -- not less --...
Brick-and-Mortar Small Businesses Still Have a Place in an Online World
It’s an online world out there. Amazon.com has just come off a record-breaking holiday season. According to the e-commerce behemoth, small and midsize businesses profited like never before: More than 50 percent of items sold came from the “little guys.” With these stats in mind, is there any point to a brick-and-mortar shop anymore? Should you even bother with the headache of securing a lease...
Why Your Small Business Should Advertise in Print (But Not Newspapers)
When was the last time you read a newspaper? No, not an online New York Times article your aunt shared on social media, but a real, physical newspaper -- the kind that rustles in your hands and makes you turn to page six to continue reading the front page story. Chances are, it’s been a while. With the decline in newspaper subscriptions, it’s no wonder....
To Groupon, Or Not to Groupon?
As a small business owner, you want exposure wherever exposure is available. Whether it’s social media, pay-to-play advertisement or even IRL marketing strategies (guerrilla marketing, anyone?), the more visibility you have, the better, right? But what if that “exposure” means that you peddle your wares at a significant discount, a la “daily deal” coupon sites like Groupon, LivingSocial or any other “buy this now and...
Forever-Free Resources for Growing Your Small Business
They say you have to spend money to make money. That’s generally true, but we’ll let you in on a little secret: Numerous resources out there can help you grow your small business ... but don’t cost a penny! Some of these tools may require you a few hours to get the hang of. However, if you’re at the point where outside help isn’t at...
Is Your Small Business Using Search Console?
People make more than 3 billion Google searches each day. Google Search Console -- which used to be known as the less-catchy Google Webmaster Tools -- can help you monitor how, where, when and why your small business factors into those 3 billion daily searches. Are you using this tool yet? If not, you should be. Here’s why. It’s Free and (Relatively) Easy You could...
Holiday Season 101 for Retail Small Businesses
It seems like every year, retail giants begin the holiday shopping season earlier than the last. While Target has vowed to avoid the “Christmas creep” in 2017, other stores are already displaying the holiday tinsel and all the trappings right beside the pumpkins and pilgrim-themed dinnerware. While many customers are vocal about their disdain for Christmas coming before the Thanksgiving menu has even been planned,...
Facebook Advertising: How to Maximize Your Small Business Ad Bucks
Here's a fast fact about Facebook advertising: According to Hootsuite, Facebook mobile ads have 9.1x higher click-through rates than ads found anywhere else on the web. The takeaway? If you’re not advertising on Facebook yet, you should be. The good news is that Facebook ads are pretty cheap -- you can start advertising on a budget of $5 a day! With that said, small businesses...
10 New Year Resolutions for Your Small Business
The year is winding down to a close. As most people begin to shift their focus from 2016 to 2017, New Year resolutions are made: to lose weight, to nix a bad habit, to finally seek help for their Netflix addiction. While those are all admirable personal goals (who needs to binge-watch an entire season of Stranger Things in one night, anyway?), your small business...
5 Ways to Prep Your Small Business for the 2016 Holiday Season
Believe it or not, the 2016 holiday season is right around the corner. Is your small business ready? Although it may seem crazy to start prepping for Christmas before most kids have even decided on a Halloween costume, mapping out your game plan now -- while you have the time -- will put you ahead of the curve! We’re not suggesting you deck your social...