Think Small.

When no means "no" and yes means regrets.

Saying "yes" is easy. It's the nice thing to say. But saying "no" when you actually mean "no" is healthier for your small business and your customers.

"No, that's not what we do here."

"No, we don't carry that, but ABC down the street does."

"No, it's too hard for us to service that the way it needs to be serviced."

"No, I can't bend on this in good conscious."

Even if you say "yes" to every request, you'll still never be able to please everyone, everytime. So why do we try to be all things to all people? Because it's easy, and expected.

By saying "no" you're doing your customers and your business a big favor. You become the authority, the straight-shooter and the one small business they'll remember.

Head-scratchers wanted.

At some point we're all sitting too close to our project to see that we're being confusing. Instruction manuals are perfect examples. I'm sure the technical writer thought he was being crystal clear, I mean he understood the manual perfectly. How much better (and useful) would that manual be if only he had given it a "head-scratcher" to read over first. By letting the head-scratcher share her confusion, we'd all be better able to "insert tab A into slot B."

Everyone needs a head-scratter. Someone outside your culture who can point out what's not totally clear about your idea, your promotion and your project before the real confusion sets in. 

Social Media, ROI and the Small Biz Owner

Do you still question the merits of Social Media, especially when it comes to return on investment? Take a look at a new study released by Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group. The study confirms that companies that deeply engage with consumers through social media channels do indeed see a positive impact on their bottom line. The ENGAGEMENTdb study showed significant positive financial results for companies viewed as having the greatest breadth and depth of social media engagement.

via www.secondwindonline.com

Just like any of your marketing tools, social media done smartly pays off. There's no silver bullet here. No magic behind the buzz. And really no surprises: Advertising works. Need facts? Read the research.

Social media is just another wonderful way to connect, inspire and motivate sales. How you use social media, now that is different than traditional mass-marketing. And that's exactly why you could use a partner.

Yes, getting "likes" is cheap, but what are you doing with your new friends?

ALBANY, N.Y. — The cost of acquiring a Facebook “liker?" Less than 13 cents per fan, according to a Media Logic blog entry posted last week. At least that’s what retailer Kirkland's spent in its pursuit of more than 200,000 Facebook surfers who opted-in on the Kirkland's page. And because the act of a Facebook user “liking” a page is posted on that person’s newsfeed, it fast becomes a case of “if you tell two friends and they each in turn tell two friends ...”

via drugstorenews.com

More importantly the retailers who are rewarding their new "friends" with content, specials and a reason for buying are heating up sales.

Will Groupon Really Boost Your Local Business?

via www.socialmediaexaminer.com

The reality of Groupon (or any couponing promotion) is that it will get people through the door - for a cost, a really steep cost.

Before signing up be sure...
1) you can handle all the business that could potentially roll in...
2) to do the math, can you afford that many discounted customers?
3) you have a plan in place to turn these first-time customers into repeat (full-price) customers?

Social media use by retailers soars

Social media gives retailers an effective means to connect to shoppers, according to a recent study.

via www.bizjournals.com

This is just the beginning:
- 58% of online shoppers follow retailers to find deals.
– 49% follow for information on products.
– 39% follow for contests and events.
– 56% of Facebook users visited a retailer's web site as a result of a post.
– 67% of Twitter users did the same.
– 34% of Facebook users and 42% of Twitter users check updates using their smartphones at least once per day.
Are you talking with them (or ignoring their business)?

Small biz is spending 3x more on social media than larger businesses.

via www.socialmediaexaminer.com

That's all good and well, BUT more importantly, is what you're saying online (or on air, or in your print ads, or when you answer the phone...) relevant and credible?

When it comes to getting a response, it's not where you're talking, it's what you're saying (and how you're saying it) that truly matters.

Small Businesses Benefit Most From Social Media, Study Reveals | Social Media Examiner

via www.socialmediaexaminer.com

Today, thinking small means thinking social.

A recent survey of small business owners shows:
– 90% of those surveyed agreed that social media is important to their business.
– Almost all marketers find that social media helps them stand out in an increasingly noisy marketplace.
– 88% of all marketers found social media helps get them increased exposure.
– 72% of those surveyed saw increased traffic and subscriptions as a result of social media.
– Small businesses were twice as likely to find qualified leads than other types of businesses.
– 48% of self-employed and small business owners saw improved sales as a direct result of their social media efforts.
– 58% of small business owners were more likely than others to see reductions in marketing costs when using social media marketing.

Why Buy Local? I'll show you.

Yes, you can probably buy it cheaper at Wal-Mart. But what's the actual cost to your community behind the sticker price? Nice infographic gives small, local business owners a reason to celebrate and ammunition to fight back the big box stores.

(Click to enlarge)

Source: eLocal.com
www.elocal.com

 

SalesSpider? LInkedIn? Social media for B2B.

The Entrepreneur Network for Small Business, Home Business & Business Opportunity

Do you SalesSpider? How do you use LinkedIn? Social media isn't just for B2C. The tools are the same, but how you use social media in your B2B efforts is how you'll succeed (or fizzle).