Archive | June, 2009

Getting Started on Twitter

by on June 27, 2009 in Social Media

There are five main steps:

  • Set up an account
  • Enter your profile information & photo
  • Find your friends
  • How to follow someone
  • How to post messages

Step 1: Set up an account

Go to http://twitter.com and click the big green “Get Started – Join!” button.

On the resulting screen, enter the username you want, your desired password, your email address and complete the spam checker

About your username:

Use your whole name, nickname, name of your business or a description of your service, examples @lenawest @comcastcares @jenny55 @bizsavvymom @smallbizlady

Step 2: Enter your profile information

Your profile information is important. If you want people to want to connect to you, you’ll need to tell them a little bit about you. Try not to write anything scary or silly; or too personal. You need just to explain your expertise and/or interests. Your location can be exactly where you live, or a larger city nearby.

Log into Twitter, and click on the ‘Settings’ link at the top of your Twitter homepage.

The ‘Account’ tab of the ‘Settings’ section includes a text box that lets you input a 160-character blurb about yourself, along with a link to your website.

The ‘Picture’ tab lets you upload a picture to your profile.  It is best to post a smiling picture of yourself

Step 3: Find your friends

There are a few simple ways to find people to follow on Twitter:

Search for people you know who are already using Twitter. Start by  clicking the ‘Find People’ link at the top of the screen. You’ll see three tabs:

Invite from other networks will search your email address books (aol, hotmail, gmail etc.) to see if anyone has associated any of those addresses with a Twitter account.

Invite by email is a way to invite your friends to join Twitter through email.

Search tab allows you to search for new people to follow. You can mimic this function by using http://search.twitter.com.

You can search for the city where you live to find other users in your area. Enter your industry to find business peers. Enter your hobbies to find people with shared interests. The potential list is endless.

Step 4: How to follow someone

You can log in twitter from anywhere, you can use mobile or desktop applications, or you can use SMS to connect from your phone.

To follow someone

Hover over their @username, click link, read their bio & recent tweets. If they seem interesting, hit follow

Step 5:  How to post messages

To post a regular message

Just type it into the box that says “What are you doing?” and hit the ‘update’ button below

To send an open message

When sending an open message to someone publicly, type “@” followed by their username, then the message. Here’s an example:

encouragement4u @smallbizlady How did you overcome your biggest business challenges? Check out these stories! http://budurl.com/eqbx

Send a Direct-message

To send a private direct message to someone, type “d” then a space and then their username. So, to send me a direct message you would type “d @smallbizlady That was a great #smallbichat on Twitter last night!”

Note: you can only send direct messages to people who you follow, and who follow you back.

How to Retweet or RT someone else’s message

If you like what someone says, and want to show your followers that message.

Copy the tweet (not username), then hit grey arrow to reply, add ‘RT’ before the @username Put one space after @username & paste original tweet. If it is too long, You can edit, but only for space.  Here’s an example of a Retweet:

Holly_Hanna RT @smallbizlady 32 Tips to make online customers love you – http://tinyurl.com/op9bbk (this is really well done)

Quick Twitter Tips

Remember to click your @username tab to the right to see messages/tweets folks are sending to you openly.

Remember to Follow your Followers
Under your username & photo click followers to see who followed you and decide to follow back or not.  When you have time its nice to send a thanks for the follow note.

Now you are ready to get started.

Welcome to Twitterville!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:


Melinda Emerson is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Social Media Coach who hosts #smallbizchat on Twitter.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted Twitter resource to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda’s first book, Be Your Own Boss! How to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business 12 Months or Less! is scheduled to be released by Adams Media in early 2010.

If you’re ready to start or grow your small business visit www.succeedasyourownboss.com and subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog.

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What if the business you love is not making money?

by on June 22, 2009 in Grow Your Business

A slowdown in your business is an opportunity to sharpen your knife and focus on working smarter not harder.  Being a small business owner is an emotional experience that will stretch you in ways that you could not imagine.  If you are really motivated and driven, you can turn things around.  There are no limits to what you can achieve as your own boss. 

Here’s some suggestions to get your business moving forward.

1)  Go where the money is:  if customers are not buying what you are selling, sell something else.

2) Brainstorm ideas with your staff: Sometimes someone in your organization might have a great idea, but no one ever asked them. Make sure everyone knows the situation with the business. That will give everyone ownership over fixing the problem. Your staff will feel more comfortable letting you know about their ideas when you invite them in to help.

2) Create additional streams of income:  If you have a brick and mortar business, sell online too! Are there additional products you can add to your store such as lottery tickets, UPS packaging and pick up, giftwrap, snack & food items?  Do you have information to sell? Are you good writer? Why not create an e-book about how to start a consulting business or coffee shop?

3) Develop a loyalty program:  Create a frequent buyers club.  Hold special sales and create special discounts.   Sponsor a special event where they get VIP tickets.  The goal is to generate more repeat business.

4) Build a list:  Create an offer to collect e-mail addresses from all customers who buy in the physical store and online, and then send them monthly newsletters with special offers, additional products and services and suggestions.  The goal is to generate more repeat business.

5) Become a PR machine:  Develop 3 hooks to pitch your business to the local media and business journal. Create an exceptional guarantee or a special sale with a portion of proceeds going to charity.  Consider doing a live remote with a local radio station.  Find any way to attract publicity and to get people to enter the business:  have a person in a costume pass out flyers, have a party with games and clowns for the kids, hire a musicians to play every Friday for a month, throw some sort of contest for college students to create a jingle for the store or a YouTube commercial.

6) Create coupons or postcard flyers:  These can be displayed in other businesses in the area.  Work out ways to cross market other businesses and they will help you in return.

Small actions CAN lead to big changes in your small business!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?  You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Melinda Emerson is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Social Media Coach who hosts #smallbizchat on Twitter.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted Twitter resource to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda’s first book, Be Your Own Boss! How to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business 12 Months or Less! is scheduled to be released by Adams Media in early 2010.

If you’re ready to start or grow your small business visit www.succeedasyourownboss.com and subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog.

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Could a mastermind group help your business?

by on June 14, 2009 in Grow Your Business, SmallBizChat

From time to time as Smallbizlady, I conduct interviews with small business experts that could benefit my audience.  This is excepts from my #smallbizchat interview with Karen Greenstreet, a top expert in forming and running mastermind groups.

An Interview with Karyn Greenstreet, the President of Passion For Business and The Success Alliance.  Karyn is also the owner of The Success Alliance – mastermind groups for the self-employed and, The Self Employment Blog, an ongoing resource for the self employed small business owner.  An internationally-known speaker and author, Karyn is a self-employment expert who has taught business and personal development topics to over 250,000 people worldwide.  She is extraordinarily passionate about helping self-employed people to create the life and business they want.

Q: What is a mastermind group?

Greenstreet: A mastermind group consists of 4-8 people, usually your peers and colleagues.  The purpose of a mastermind group is to brainstorm, problem-solve and to find creative solutions.  A major benefit of mastermind groups is the emotional support, keeping your attitude positive.  Some mastermind groups have an educational component where you learn new ideas and techniques.  Mastermind groups can also help you make decisions, and discover where you may be sabotaging your success.

Q: Why should biz owners belong to (or start) a mastermind group?

Greenstreet: I would not be as successful as I am today without the help and support of my mastermind group.  It’s like having a sounding board, a research assistant, and a positive attitude charger, combined.  Some people feel that business ownership is lonely, even if you have a staff to help you.  You can’t always share everything you are thinking and feeling with your staff, family and friends.  A mastermind group is a safe place to bring your challenges, concerns, decisions, ideas, and also to get honest feedback.

Q: What are the steps to putting together a mastermind group?

Greenstreet: First you have to decide what type of group you would like to have.  Do you want a have members from a certain industry (like Real Estate Agents)?

Q: Do people pay to belong to a mastermind group, or is it free?

Greenstreet: Some mastermind groups are free. For the paid ones, fees range from $100 a year to $14,000 a year.  It depends on who is the mastermind Group Facilitator, and what you’re getting from the group.  Many groups fail because there is no real leader; having a strong Group Facilitator will help your group.

Q: What is the structure of a mastermind meeting?

Greenstreet: There is no “official” structure to mastermind meetings.  In the 15 years that I’ve been running groups, I’ve tinkered with a lot of structures.  The one that works best for me is to start by sharing Success Stories.  Then each person gets a certain amount of time to bring forth a problem or decision they’d like to work on.  We end each meeting with goal setting and action items.  Some groups like to include guest speakers, or other activities, depending on timing and what the group wants.

Q: How do you figure out who should be in your mastermind group?

Greenstreet: This is crucial to the success of a mastermind group. You don’t want negative people in your group. You want people who are serious about success (as they define it) and are very committed to participating fully.  You want to make sure the people in your group have a similar level of experience so that the group gels.  It helps to put together an interview questionnaire, so that you can find out more about people in advance.

Q: Where and how often do people hold mastermind group meetings?

Greenstreet: Some groups meet weekly, some groups meet quarterly. Others meet via teleconference, some meet in local libraries, some meet at retreat centers or hotels.

Q: If you want to join an existing mastermind group, where can you find one?

Greenstreet: The easiest way is to Google “mastermind group” or “find a mastermind group” Sometimes people post mastermind groups on www.meetup.com Also check with your professional association to see if they sponsor mastermind groups.

Q: How to you handle a mastermind member who is standing out in a negative way?

Greenstreet: While misbehavior is rare, it does happen. I suggest coming up with Group Guidelines that lay out the rules.  It’s the job of the Group Facilitator to handle disruptive or non-committed members.  I would start by taking them aside privately and talk about what you are observing in their behavior.  Be prepared, however, that you may have to “fire” them from the mastermind group.

Q: How long should it take for a mastermind group to gel?

Greenstreet: It depends on how often they meet. Groups typically start to gel after the 2nd or 3rd meeting.

If you’re ready to start or grow your small business visit www.succeedasyourownboss.com and subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog.

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8 Things Small Business Owners Can Do NOW to Save Money!

by on June 2, 2009 in 10 Things Lists, Cash Flow & Finance

1. Track Expenses Using a Budget.  

Budgets are about planning and tracking spending -you need financial information to make business decisions.  Track business expenses by month or by quarter.  Ideally, you should have a twelve month budget, but at the very least, make a three-month budget.

2. Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses.

Club memberships or services with monthly fees can add up over a twelve month period.  Evaluate whether you actually use the private dinning room, the postage meter, the online credit alert service, or your merchant services account.  Sometimes a private memberships club will allow you to park your membership for a reduced fee.

3. Relocate to Cheaper Office Space.

Overhead is one of the largest monthly fixed expenses for a small business.  If you have a long term lease, start first with trying to renegotiate with your existing landlord.  If that doesn’t work, look for other space or consider retreating back into your home.  Contact the county where you are located to seek out HUB Zone space or see if they offer any tax abatement for locating in a certain area.

4. Lower Interest Rates on Loan Payments. 

Work with your bank to arrange for automatic debit payments.  Your bank will lower your interest rate if you agree to automatic debits.

5. Investigate if You Are Eligible For a Reduced Fees For Shipping.

I recently learned that my membership in the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) made me eligible for discounts for shipping and with rental car companies.  Check member benefits with your local chamber of commerce and any other small business organization where you’re a member.

6. Lease or Buy Used Equipment.

Unfortunately, there are many businesses large and small going out of business theses days. There are plenty of opportunities to pick up gently used office furniture and equipment.  You might also be able to pick additional office supplies.  Try second hand furniture stores, too.

7. Consider Bartering Services.

You never know who might need your services.  Start with business contacts, but do not overlook your personal day care provider, law professional, hair stylist or mechanic.  You can also join barter network organizations.  The key to bartering successfully is good verbal or written communication between the two parties. Whatever you agree to, be sure to communicate it in writing.

8. Comparison Shop for Everything.

Just as large companies require three bids to make a purchase, so should your business.  Search the internet for deals, but beware of shipping fees.  Sometimes the cost with shipping is not a better deal.  Use the internet price to haggle with your local vendor for a better price for services, such as free delivery and installation.

If you make these simple changes I guarantee that you will begin to see more money in your bank.   If this blog post was helpful, please subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed to keep up with the lastest information from succeedasyourownboss.com

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?  You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:


Melinda Emerson is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Social Media Coach who hosts #smallbizchat on Twitter.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted Twitter resource to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda’s first book, Be Your Own Boss! How to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business 12 Months or Less! is scheduled to be released by Adams Media in early 2010.

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June is a Great Time to Restart the Clock on Your Goals!

by on June 1, 2009 in How to Start

June 1st means there is still six months left to accomplish your goals for the year.

 

Tip #1: Re-commit to your Top 3 goals

We all have some goals for the year that we have still not accomplished. Make a new list of your goals, and get down the business of getting them done. Be honest, take ownership, acknowledge where you are. Evaluate whether it’s a realistic goal and reflect on the reason(s) why you haven’t fulfilled it already. Build an action plan and get a nudge or an accountability partner. Its all about moving forward–don’t repeat history.

I’ve re-committed myself to getting my new blog up. I have a whole new brand that’s been getting a lot of attention. In order to maximize it I need to have my entire online brand working for me. I also visit my top competition’s website every day.

Tip #2: Clean out the Clutter

You cannot do your best work in a cluttered work environment. Perform a “waste walk” around your office and your house. Get rid of stuff with no home or that you do not use. If the printer is broken get rid of it!

As a reformed pack rat, I can tell you that sometimes you need to bring in uninvolved parties to help part with things, but it is worth it. Your friends will work for food. Invite a few over to power through your clutter. Get 3-4 bins and label them.  If anyone picks up something from a bin category – drop it in. It feels good to work in a clean space. Cluttered spaces are draining. Clean your work space at least twice per year.

Tip #3: Do Something to Build Your Skills

Last year at this time, I wanted to have a major footprint in social media, but I really only understood Linkedin and YouTube, so I broke down and hired a social media coach for Twitter lessons and bought a few books on social media. Well, as a wife mother and business owner, time is not something I have in abundance, but still, I knew I needed to update my skills.

Part of being a successful business owner is being a life long learner. Nowadays, I am a social media coach and I have a significant presence on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube.  Additionally, I host a weekly talk show on Twitter called #Smallbizchat. Do not run your own business with skills that are out-of-date.  Make it a point to examine your skills, invest in yourself and read a book you would never buy. Always challenge yourself to grow. My motto is “Grow yourself to grow your business.”

Tip #4: Create a mastermind group

No one does it alone. We have all had mentors and in some cases sponsors, but at a certain point you need to engage with people at your level to really get something accomplished. A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring group; a team of likeminded people working together to make everyone better. You meet regularly to discuss goals, resources, successes and challenges. It’s good to get support and let people who do a better job at something, teach you how to do it, too.

Isolation is the enemy of entrepreneurship. My mastermind group helps me and inspires me to be my best. We talk 3 times per month and email resources to each other in between.  After every conversation I come away feeling motivated and supported.

Tip #5: Make your workout productive!
If I’m exercising at home on my treadmill, or taking it to the street for a quick jog, this can be time consuming. I make it productive by using the time to brainstorm by running in silence to plan my tasks for the week.  Or, I’ll keep up with business trends by listening to podcasts on my MP3 player.  Now rather than focusing on how much time it takes to workout, I look forward to this uninterrupted time to be with someone as smart as I am to strategize!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?  You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Melinda Emerson is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Social Media Coach who hosts #smallbizchat on Twitter.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda’s first book, Be Your Own Boss! How to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business 12 Months or Less! is scheduled to be released by Adams Media in early 2010.

If you’re ready to start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog. www.succeedasyourownboss.com

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