A reader asked if she should reveal that she is behind a political-focused Twitter account. She isn’t doing anything subversive – just poking a little fun at politicians. But the gag account wound up on a listing of “accounts you should follow,” and her follower list exploded. Because some media outlets like to quote or […]
The Small Business Gut-Check Guide to Mixing Personal Opinions in Social Media Read More »
Our focus on helping small businesses with their digital marketing takes a leap forward today! I’m proud to announce a new event product you can bring to your community to help the small businesses in your area. The Small Business, Smart Marketing Workshops are half-day workshops that focus on the important strategic steps to take
Small Business, Smart Marketing Workshop Launches Feb. 24 Read More »
“I just don’t get social media,” one small business owner told me recently. He was lamenting the fact that if it doesn’t lead to direct revenue, then he has no time for it. I can certainly respect that no-nonsense approach, but he’s looking at social media for small business all wrong. And, he does get
How to “Get” Social Media for Small Business Read More »
Keeping up with the Joneses is a hard task. In business, keeping up with your competition is an even greater risk. Not because your competitors might have more customers, funding or revenue, but because of a subtle factor we never consider: Our competitors might not actually be our competition. Allow me to explain: Let’s say
How Much Does Your Competition Matter? Read More »
Many small businesses need foot traffic more than they need leads. For them, digital marketing seems like an bother more than a necessity. Your business may not need digital marketing to open its doors and operate. But at some point the flow of Relationship, Referral and ‘Round here customers will dwindle. What then? Digital marketing
5 Steps to Make Digital Marketing Drive Foot Traffic for Small Business Read More »
A vision statement is as important to a small business as the products you sell. The vision statement serves as a simple guide for you, your employees and even your customers. Vision statements tell the world what you stand for. If well-defined they can be the trigger that makes people want to do business with
Why Your Small Business Should Have a Vision Statement Read More »
GPS is a wonderful thing. I revel in the fact that anytime someone tries to give me directions I can just hold up a hand and say, “No worries. I know how to get there.” I don’t, but Google Maps does and has yet to fail me. However, GPS has turned us into complacent journeymen
How GPS is Killing Our Websites Read More »
Most small businesses think building a lead generating website takes thousands of dollars and hours of work. But all you need to have a lead generating website is a page with a form. Certainly, the lead generating happens faster and more effectively if you have a great piece of content to lure in those leads.
How to Build a Lead-Generating Website in 10 Minutes Read More »
Recording a song or an entire album can take weeks, months, even years depending on lots of variables. While it is true that some bands can go into a studio and do 1-2 takes to capture the various instrumentation and vocals that go into a final recording, the production typically takes much longer. Then there
Like Music, The Perfect Marketing Mix Takes Time Read More »
Contrary to the implication of how most people use the term “conversion,” capturing someone’s email address or phone number isn’t the final step in earning a customer. In the digital space, it’s actually the first step. (Or probably the second or third, but the first big one.) What you need to do once you have
How does your small business nurture leads? Read More »
Yelp reviews can make or break a small business, especially a restaurant or new business. But like most review sites, what is a small business to do when their Yelp reviews go wrong? A reader reached out recently with just that situation. She wrote: I would like to know if you have any advice as to
Yelp Reviews are Still a Problem for Small Businesses Read More »
New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for people, you know? What bout your New Year’s small business resolution for 2017? Sure, you have goals and objectives, strategies and tactics to run your business, but why not also throw in a little “let’s do this better this year” challenge into the mix? For my particular small business
The Most Important Small Business Resolution You Can Make Read More »