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As U.S. Small Biz Week Arrives, Are You Stressed or Optimistic?With the arrival of National Small Business Week here in the U.S., a variety of events, beginning yesterday, have been scheduled in Washington D.C. and across the country to recognize the importance of small business to the U.S. economy and to address topics important to small business owners. Just in time, a semi-annual study of American small businesses shows those business owners to be stressed but optimistic. Check out the schedule of national events and hear what leadersRead More
From Small Business Trends
As U.S. Small Biz Week Arrives, Are You Stressed or Optimistic?
Small Business Trends | 21-May-2012 11:30
Why You Should Read Engagement Marketing
Engagement Marketing: How Small Business Wins in a Socially Connected World is the new book about how to get and keep customers by engaging with them.
I love the premise of this book because it is utterly realistic for small businesses. Engagement marketing, according to the book, is the art of “getting new customers through your existing customers, while driving more repeat sales at the same time.” It’s about serving your existing customers well, and deepening your relationship with them byRead More
From Small Business Trends
Why You Should Read Engagement Marketing
Small Business Trends | 21-May-2012 04:11
Pointers on Hiring a Marketing Firm for Your Small Business
I’m not here to tell you which marketing firm to use. Rather, I’d like to offer you some pointers on what to look for when hiring a marketing firm. I believe the search starts with you. Ask yourself some foundational questions to get a handle on what you are looking for.
Those questions include:
- Who is your target audience?
- Where are they geographically?
- Where and how do they access information?
- What do you hope to achieve?
Read More
From Small Business Trends
Pointers on Hiring a Marketing Firm for Your Small Business
Small Business Trends | 20-May-2012 20:30
Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking
Great marketing strategies never go out of style for a reason – because they WORK. Word of mouth is one of those strategies. It doesn’t cost a fortune and it works like crazy. Then, when you add the latest social media tools, you have word-of-mouth marketing on steroids.
Enter Andy Sernovitz (@sernovitz) , the leader of SocialMedia.org, the community for social media leaders at the world’s greatest brands and WordofMouth.org, where marketers and entrepreneurs learn to be great at wordRead More
From Small Business Trends
Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking
Small Business Trends | 20-May-2012 16:00
Apply For An Award, Competition or Contest Today
Apply for a contest or award today — there are good business reasons to do so. First, you get recognition and publicity for your business — and that’s just good marketing. On top of that, it’s good for employees. You give your team something to excite them and to rally around. Finally, awards are good strategy: being nominated and winning can set your business apart from competitors.
But remember, YOU must make it happen, by applying for awards. Don’t beRead More
From Small Business Trends
Apply For An Award, Competition or Contest Today
Small Business Trends | 19-May-2012 20:00
Our Black Year: Supporting Conscious Consumerism And Small Business
I find it funny when people from all walks of life speak on how a business is run, but few thoroughly examine a business’ relationship with a community. A family’s experiment shows the importance of that relationship more than any words could express.
Our Black Year, One Family’s Quest to Buy Black in America’s Racially Divided Economy, written by Maggie Anderson with Ted Gregory, is thoughtful journalism on being a conscious consumer — in this case, supporting businesses in traditionalRead More
From Small Business Trends
Our Black Year: Supporting Conscious Consumerism And Small Business
Small Business Trends | 19-May-2012 15:00
How to Pump Up the Volume on Your Online Marketing – Twitter Chat
Save the date! In honor of Small Business Week, we’re holding a Twitter chat on May 23 at 3:00 pm Eastern time, on the topic of online marketing. I am thrilled to partner again with Stephanie Chandler on this event.
We’re going to cover some of your favorite topics – from email marketing, to local listings, to online reviews, to optimizing your website, to social media, and more.
A big shout out goes to our sponsor, Yahoo! Small Business,Read More
From Small Business Trends
How to Pump Up the Volume on Your Online Marketing – Twitter Chat
Small Business Trends | 18-May-2012 23:10
JPMorgan Chase-d After Risky Foreign Investments
The manner in which J. P. Morgan Chase lost more than $2 billion is particularly appalling. It’s even more insulting when one takes into account that risky foreign bets were made in lieu of investing in American companies.
For months, JPMorgan Chase has been one of the most difficult banks for small businesses seeking capital. My company, Biz2Credit, recently conducted an analysis of small business loan rejections. More often than not, JPMorgan Chase ranked #1 or #2Read More
From Small Business Trends
JPMorgan Chase-d After Risky Foreign Investments
Small Business Trends | 18-May-2012 20:30
Ben Watson of Hootsuite: Managing Twitter Chatter
Tweet, Tweet. Who’s there? Millions of people. The power of social media is helping small businesses make great strides getting the word out about their business, products and services. But one area where it’s specifically making it’s mark is in better customer relations and service. The amount of information flowing in and out can be overwhelming. But there are organizational tools to help and today, Ben Watson, Vice President of Customer Marketing for Hootsuite, joins Brent Leary to share aRead More
From Small Business Trends
Ben Watson of Hootsuite: Managing Twitter Chatter
Small Business Trends | 18-May-2012 17:30
Lights, Camera, Action!
Summer’s here and I’m excited about movies!
In addition to the regular action blockbusters and goofy comedies, there’s a whole slew of sci-fi and superhero films I can’t wait to settle into with my popcorn and a box of Whoppers.
Still, as much as I’m looking forward to these films, I’m already tiring of some of the accompanying merchandising and co-branding.
Soda? OK. Toys? Sure. Lunch meat? Really?!
So one day while musing on the old “lights, camera…” phrase,Read More
From Small Business Trends
Lights, Camera, Action!
Small Business Trends | 18-May-2012 14:30
Laptops: How Thin Can You Get?
With people going gaga over tablets in 2011, what has happened with the laptop? For one thing, it’s getting thinner and thinner. With Apple leading the way, look for new laptops to really shed the pounds in coming months. We’ve got some tech reviews and some other cool gadgets you may want to check out with your business’s next laptop purchase.
Apple Leads Thin RevolutionMacBook Pro will be thinner than ever. Get ready for the new 15-inch MacBook ProRead More
From Small Business Trends
Laptops: How Thin Can You Get?
Small Business Trends | 18-May-2012 11:30
Is Your Brand Helping Or Hurting Your Small Business? Chat Recap
Didn’t get a chance to participate in the FedEx Office Twitter chat on May 15? No worries – we have a recap of the highlights below.
The topic was branding: Is your brand helping or hurting your small business? Let’s take a look at some of the responses and comments on this topic. The Twitter handle of the person who said them, follows:
1. What exactly is a “brand”? Is it a name, a logo – or more? – @FedExOfficeRead More
From Small Business Trends
Is Your Brand Helping Or Hurting Your Small Business? Chat Recap
Small Business Trends | 18-May-2012 03:18
Startups Hit Cute Mascot Overload
The return of the cutesy startup mascot
BusinessWeek | 18-May-2012 00:36
China's Next Export: Venture Capital
More Chinese investors are betting on U.S. startups—and they're offering more than money
businessweek.com | 18-May-2012 00:02
Small U.S. Oyster Farms Are on the Rise
On the Atlantic seaboard, a revival in small-scale oyster farming
businessweek.com | 18-May-2012 00:00
A House Paint Reduces Bug-Borne Diseases
A Spanish company fights malaria with pesticides in house paint
businessweek.com | 17-May-2012 23:50
Home Runs for VC Funds? Don't Bet on It
VC fund performance: a long view
businessweek.com | 17-May-2012 23:45
Walking Shoes That Spy on Grandma
Two small companies recently launched a line of footwear that uses a GPS device embedded in the heel to track seniors
businessweek.com | 17-May-2012 23:08
Small Business Owners And The Estimated Tax Payment
For new small business owners, meeting your tax obligations is a big adjustment – particularly when you’ve been used to having an employer take out income tax withholdings with each paycheck. When you have your own business though, tax time isn’t just once a year; rather you have to make estimated tax payments throughout the year.
If you’re not sure if you need to pay estimated taxes for your business, read on to learn moreRead More
From Small Business Trends
Small Business Owners And The Estimated Tax Payment
Small Business Trends | 17-May-2012 20:30
Are You Buying a Job or a Profitable Business?
Find out if the owner was compensated and what's prompting her to sell. Then get an accountant to help you go through the company's books
businessweek.com | 17-May-2012 17:49
The “Belong Subscribe And Engage” Marketing Plan
A sound and holistic marketing plan has always combined these areas:
- Advertising: any paid form of communication through mass communication
- Sales promotion: any short term incentive to encourage trial purchase
- Events and Experiences: sponsored events or activities
- Public Relations and Publicity: non paid ways to promote image and reputation
- Direct Marketing: one-to-one communication such as mail, telephone, e-mail and Internet selling
- Personal Selling: face-to-face interaction with one or more prospective customers
Read More
From Small Business Trends
The “Belong Subscribe And Engage” Marketing Plan
Small Business Trends | 17-May-2012 17:30
New Shopping Habits: When Your Clients Go Mobile
How do you know that you’re making the right move? As a small business owner you’re always evaluating and deciding, watching and then doing, discovering and then digging in. You’re a shopper.
Every piece of software, office equipment and service that you purchase for your business is a shopping experience:
- How did you find the item or the service?
- What did you compare it to?
You have a certain type of shopper’s behavior — theRead More
From Small Business Trends
New Shopping Habits: When Your Clients Go Mobile
Small Business Trends | 17-May-2012 14:30
CEO Drama and How to Avoid It
You don’t need to be the leader of a multimillion-dollar corporation to create unnecessary drama in your business. Today’s news is full of stories about the latest CEO missteps. Here are some of the headlines, along with some lessons to be learned and tips on how to be a better leader in your business.
Setting the Right ExampleDon’t let personal relationships interfere. Even the founder of Best Buy, Richard Schulze, finds his head on the chopping block (in aRead More
From Small Business Trends
CEO Drama and How to Avoid It
Small Business Trends | 17-May-2012 11:30
Does Flextime Benefit You More Than Your Employees?
Are you resisting offering employees at your small business flexible working hours because you think it’ll give them an excuse to slack off? Well, some new research should convince you otherwise. It seems flextime may actually be less flexible than a regular schedule.
The 2012 National Study of Employers, released by the Families and Work Institute (FWI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), found that U.S. employers are offering employees more options forRead More
From Small Business Trends
Does Flextime Benefit You More Than Your Employees?
Small Business Trends | 16-May-2012 20:30
Navigating the Recruiting Maze
For a lot of hiring managers and small business leaders, hiring remains the most crucial pain point. If you magically get the right people, stuff just gets executed. However, we never make the perfect hiring decisions all the time. Sometimes we are in a hurry to fill the role, and the options available seem more attractive than the list of skills and qualities we carefully created.
Of course, every manager has a different outlook – some ofRead More
From Small Business Trends
Navigating the Recruiting Maze
Small Business Trends | 16-May-2012 17:30
New Bulk Listing Management Tool From Google Places
Businesses with multiple locations should be breathing a heavy sigh of relief now that Google has introduced a new and improved bulk listing management tool designed to make the whole process easier and faster for business owners.
Google revealed several new changes last week which have been implemented to help SMBs and enable the follow actions:
- Edit one or more of your listings’ data at once
- Search through your listings, filtering by specific information or
Read More
From Small Business Trends
New Bulk Listing Management Tool From Google Places
Small Business Trends | 16-May-2012 15:00
All Eyes Are on Facebook With Multibillion-Dollar IPO
Facebook is a big deal these days, not just because of its multibillion IPO, but also because of the impact the social networking giant has on the 900 million who use its tools. Some of those are small business owners who depend upon FaceBook to provide services they cannot do without. That’s why today all eyes are on Facebook.
Facebook in the NewsFacebook raises its IPO range to meet demand. The price range on the social network’s public offeringRead More
From Small Business Trends
All Eyes Are on Facebook With Multibillion-Dollar IPO
Small Business Trends | 16-May-2012 11:30
Judgment Marketplace: Turning Uncollected Judgments Into Cash
Has your business ever gotten a judgment in a court, only to find it was worthless because you didn’t have the time or the know-how to collect it?
Judgment Marketplace aims to solve that problem for you.
JudgmentMarketplace.com is a website for selling and buying judgments. Small business owners, corporations and consumers who have won a court judgment against another party can list the judgment for sale. Collection agencies and law firms that specialize in skip tracing debtors and collectingRead More
From Small Business Trends
Judgment Marketplace: Turning Uncollected Judgments Into Cash
Small Business Trends | 16-May-2012 05:23
To Tweet or Not To Tweet, Social Media: A Blessing And A Curse
It’s a blessing, and a curse. At least that’s what Mr. Monk says about his condition — maybe it’s true about ours. Maybe social media is a blessing, and a curse? If you’re in business today, internet marketing is a requirement and social media plays a role in that.
It takes effort to learn how Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Pinterest works. And it takes effort to consistently engage. But does socialRead More
From Small Business Trends
To Tweet or Not To Tweet, Social Media: A Blessing And A Curse
Small Business Trends | 15-May-2012 20:30
12 Ways to Convert A Looker Into A Sale
You’re holding a product at that brick-and-mortar store, debating if now is the time for you to spend money on something you’ve been wanting — or needing — for some time now. As you weigh out the pros and cons silently to yourself, an inevitable deterrent appears out of the corner of your eye: those pesky salespeople who interrupt your thought process by repeating annoying slogans and pointing out product features you already know well. The amount of robotic desperationRead More
From Small Business Trends
12 Ways to Convert A Looker Into A Sale
Small Business Trends | 15-May-2012 17:30
Small Business Pinterest Starter Guide
Now hailing 11.7 million unique visitors a month, Pinterest has become the fastest standalone site to pass the 10 million visitor mark since, well, ever. But even more impressive than that are what those 11.7 million visitors are doing once they land on Pinterest — they’re staying and they’re engaging. Reports say that the average Pinterest user spends 89 minutes interacting, sharing, and posting on the site. And that could be your content they’re interacting with, but only ifRead More
From Small Business Trends
Small Business Pinterest Starter Guide
Small Business Trends | 15-May-2012 15:00
Getting More Impact from Integrated Marketing
Integrated marketing can mean different things to different people and in different markets. But in general, its about managing marketing through multiple channels to create a single message. If you’d like to improve the integration of your own marketing campaign, here are 10 ideas to consider:
Getting Things TogetherDon’t fragment your campaign. All those television spots, radio ads, print ads, outdoor billboards, and more are fragmenting your message and your budget. (If we were talking about the many channelsRead More
From Small Business Trends
Getting More Impact from Integrated Marketing
Small Business Trends | 15-May-2012 11:30
How 'Diversity Fatigue' Undermines Business Growth
Companies with diverse leadership teams do better financially. Failing to hire individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives limits your prospects
businessweek.com | 14-May-2012 22:39
Brewing the American Dream
Every big business started as a small business. Jim Koch, founder of The Boston Beer Company, like any entrepreneur, knows the struggles of being a small business owner. One of the biggest challenges is securing capital in a tight credit market.
Recently, Koch, one of America’s best known entrepreneurs, announced Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, a program whose mission is to partner with low and moderate income entrepreneurs in the food andRead More
From Small Business Trends
Brewing the American Dream
Small Business Trends | 14-May-2012 20:30
Ask That Job Candidate if He or She Ran a Lemonade Stand
Around this time each year, career-minded college students are busy sewing-up internships for the summer months. A new study by Millennial Branding illustrates that entrepreneurial experience is in demand by nearly 1 out of three employers.
The study, conducted with Experience Inc., compiled information from 225 companies about their hiring practices.
You might assume that experience would rank at the top of employer wish lists. But for entry-level positions that students and recent grads apply for,Read More
From Small Business Trends
Ask That Job Candidate if He or She Ran a Lemonade Stand
Small Business Trends | 14-May-2012 18:18
Businesses Face High Rates of Infant Mortality
If you want to explain the pattern of business failure, think of the analogy of infant mortality. The odds that a business will die are highest in its infancy and drop over time.
In fact, by the time that companies enter their teenage years, the odds that they will go under have flattened out. A twelve year old business and a seventeen year old business face roughly the same odds of being shuttered in the following year.
In the figureRead More
From Small Business Trends
Businesses Face High Rates of Infant Mortality
Small Business Trends | 14-May-2012 14:30
The Mobile Trend: 10 Things to Know
The trend toward mobile, including use of check-in sites, is increasing. Your customers and competitors increasingly are taking advantage of the mobile revolution. What about your business — are you ahead of this curve, keeping up, or totally unaware? This roundup looks at 10 mobile trends and resources, to help you run and grow your business:
Mobile Use May Bring DownsidesFacebook used more via mobile devices than via Web. A recent comScore report indicates Americans spend more hours onRead More
From Small Business Trends
The Mobile Trend: 10 Things to Know
Small Business Trends | 14-May-2012 11:30
Experian Launches Tool to Help Small Businesses Collect
Experian has launched a new service to help small businesses quickly evaluate new customers for payment risk, monitor to see if risk changes, and collect past due amounts.
The product is an online subscription service called BusinessIQ Express. It’s an all-in-one dashboard to help you quickly evaluate companies that are customers and prospective customers. You also get alerts if the risk of repayment changes. And in the event you are not getting paid, the tool helps you collect.Read More
From Small Business Trends
Experian Launches Tool to Help Small Businesses Collect
Small Business Trends | 14-May-2012 05:58
Book Review: High Tech, High Touch Customer Service
“What if you don’t want to use social media for your business?” This is a question that I’m often asked and my answer is the same. “You don’t have to.” There is no right or wrong. There are successful, profitable businesses out there that don’t have a web site or a cell phone or a social media profile. And in the same breath, I have to say that if you don’t use social media – then social media will beRead More
From Small Business Trends
Book Review: High Tech, High Touch Customer Service
Small Business Trends | 13-May-2012 14:30
Small Business Events: Be There, or Miss Out
Get out there and network at an upcoming conference, seminar or other event. Don’t miss out on these excellent opportunities to help you start a business, grow it and run it like a pro!
Check out this latest edition of our Small Business Events Guide:
* * * * *
Startup Weekend
Multiple Cities and Dates 2012 – see website for full list
Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technicalRead More
From Small Business Trends
Small Business Events: Be There, or Miss Out
Small Business Trends | 12-May-2012 20:54
Read Get Lucky and Get Luck on Your Side
Do you believe in luck? What about being at the right place at the right time? Do you think that luck was for everyone else or do you think that you can create your luck? I’ve been thinking about luck lately and almost as if by magic – I received a review copy of Get Lucky: How to Put Planned Serendipity to Work for You and Your Business by Thor Muller (@Tempo) and Lane Becker (
From Small Business Trends
Read Get Lucky and Get Luck on Your Side
Small Business Trends | 12-May-2012 14:30
Hospitals Seek Startups to Cure Tech Ills
A new accelerator for health IT companies is working with health-care providers to find crucial new technologies
businessweek.com | 11-May-2012 21:13
13 Things to Demand When Building a Website
One amazing thing about today’s digital landscape is that just about anyone can start an online business. No matter what your idea is, you can turn that abstract idea into a concrete web property — with the help of a strong development and design team, of course.
However, not all web development deals are created equal, so entrepreneurs must protect themselves and their potential products when pairing up for the project at hand. Some business owners getRead More
From Small Business Trends
13 Things to Demand When Building a Website
Small Business Trends | 11-May-2012 20:30
When Should Domain Names Match Company Names?
For businesses selling to other businesses, it doesn't much matter. Even most ventures targeting consumers shouldn't sweat it in their early days
businessweek.com | 11-May-2012 18:17
Paul Greenberg, Founder of CRM Idol Contest: Become A CRM Superstar
Most, if not all, small business owners have a dream for their small business. Maybe that dream is to be acquired and win big. Or maybe that dream is to find an ideal investor to back you up and propel your business into fame and fortune. Paul Greenberg, Founder of the CRM Idol Contest, joins Brent Leary to share how small businesses can have a shot at taking a swing in the big game.
* * *Read More
From Small Business Trends
Paul Greenberg, Founder of CRM Idol Contest: Become A CRM Superstar
Small Business Trends | 11-May-2012 17:30
Read Between The Lines
As much as I’d like to think of myself as a young up and coming cartoonist, I’m coming to realize that I’m probably more established than upstart these days.
I turned 40 last year, got my first pair of bifocals and that kid at the grocery store calls me “Sir.”
Sigh… I’m getting old.
So I guess it only figures that I’d begin to write cartoons about aging. Thankfully cartooning is one of those careers you canRead More
From Small Business Trends
Read Between The Lines
Small Business Trends | 11-May-2012 14:30