Author: Small Business Desk
A Marketing Guide for Small Businesses
Marketing is one of the most important parts of any small business, and it’s especially important for new startups. An effective marketing plan — one that helps you identify the marketing activities that have the highest return on investment — can often be the difference between a small business that thrives and one that dwindles. If you are in the process of starting a new small business and are ready to get your feet wet with marketing,Read More
Top 5 Bootstrap Marketing Techniques Every Small Business Owner Should Use
With the economy still lacking, the idea of starting and running a low-budget, bootstrappedbusiness is a very hot topic. The good news is that it doesn’t have to cost you a decade of debt to start your business, if you’re willing to put in a little time and elbow grease. In fact, it’s entirely possible to not only start a business on a bootstrap budget, but to also grow your business with minimal investment. Marketing isRead More
12 Tips for Making Your Business Blog a Success
The idea of starting a business blog from scratch may be a bit intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience, and the benefits of starting a business blog can make the process worthwhile. Here are 12 tips for getting started with a business blog and making it a success. 1. Post consistently – There are no defined rules when it comes to posting frequency. Whether you post once a week or everyRead More
Top 5 Reasons You Should Start a Business Blog
Blogging has become a common way to market your business online, but there are still many small businesses that are hesitant to make the jump and start a business blog. There are several reasons why small business owners don’t blog: It takes a commitment of time and resources that can be overwhelming They don’t know how to get started from a technical perspective. It can be challenging to develop a loyal, engaged following on aRead More
7 Tips for Getting Started with Social Media for Your Business
Small business owners who haven’t gotten started with social media might be overwhelmed, intimidated and confused by sites like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube and Vine when they consider what to do and what not to do when using these sites for business. The good news is that it can be easy to get started using social media sites for your business, and not only can it be fun, but it can also open upRead More
Four Steps to Using Email Marketing in Your Small Business
Email marketing can be an effective way to generate leads and increase sales. But while it has the power to be a great tool for small businesses, it’s a long-term marketing activity, not one you will see results from overnight. It takes a well-planned system and sustained effort, but it almost always worth the effort. Here are four basic yet powerful steps you need to take in order to get started with email marketing. 1.Read More
What Is a Focus Group?
A focus group involves having potential purchasers come together to experience something. Each member of the group then shares their opinions, criticisms and other feedback about the experience by answering the same set of questions posed by an interviewer. A focus group can be an effective way for small businesses to conduct market research. For example, a focus group can involve having a set of potential clients walk through one of your email marketing campaigns,Read More
101 Small Business Marketing Activities
One universal small business goal is to sell the business’s products and services. This is usually best accomplished by positioning the business in front of the target audience, and offering something they can’t refuse or find elsewhere. To this end, one of the smartest things a small business owner can do for their business is take the time to develop asmall business marketing plan that will set them apart from the competition. A marketing planRead More
How to Write a Unique Selling Proposition
A unique selling proposition (USP), or unique selling position, is a statement that succinctly outlines how your business, product or service is different from that of your competition. It identifies what makes your business the better choice, and why your target clients should choose you over the competition. Your USP can be an effective tool that helps you focus your marketing goals, and verify that every piece of marketing collateral you create successfully sets youRead More
SWOT Analysis for Small Business
A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps a business owner identify his or her own strengths and weaknesses, as well as any opportunities and threats that may exist in a specific business situation. A SWOT analysis is most commonly used as part of a marketing plan, but it is also a good tool for general business strategizing, and to use as a starting point for team discussions. When conducted thoroughly, a SWOTRead More