Author Archive

As many of you know, I think Twitter is a fantastic social media tool to grow a small business brand.  There are many fabulous people who I’ve met online and these ladies are a special group of women who handle business in a way that I respect and admire.  I thought that I would share them with you so that you would know who I follow on Twitter.  If you follow me @smallbizlady you will often see me “retweet” information from these ladies:

@Smallbiztrends Anita Campbell, Editor Smallbiztrends http://www.smallbiztrends.com

@DawnRiversBaker  Dawn Rivers Baker, Editor The Microbusiness News Journal http://blog.microenterprisejournal.com/

@thebossnetwork Cameka  D. Smith Founder  of http://www.thebossnetwork.org/ Great site for women of color and all women in business

@Holly_hanna  Holly R. Hanna  Founder of http://www.Workathomewoman.com , a solid resource for WAH Moms and all business women

@ithinkbigger Kelly Scanlon National Chair, National Association of Women Business Owners http://www.NAWBO.org

@paulag01 Paula Gregorowicz Life Coach/Blogher Blogger http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

@bizauthor Stephanie Chandler Author/Speaker/Business Coach http://www.stephaniechandler.com She wrote one of my favorite books;  Entrepreneur to Infopreneur

@elenaverlee  Elena Verlee is a PR expert for small businesses http://www.prinyourpajamas.com

@darnyellejervey She’s the passion to profit coach http://www.darnyellejervey.com

@currentmom Katherine R. Lewis, editor of www.Currentmom.com Sunday is the day they focus on business, but they always have great info on the other days too.

@womanzworld Natalie Sission Founder of http://womanzworld.com/ great resource for female entrepreneurs

@shessothere Sweetie Berry High-level strategist and southern powerhouse for women with an emerging brand. http://www.shessothere.com

@cathywebsavvypr Cathy Larkin is a social media strategist and co-host of #Smallbizchat http://www.websavvypr.com

@indiebusiness Donna Maria Johnson Coles is A Small Business Blogger and Founder of the Indie Beauty Network http://www.indiebusinessblog.com

@simplicityinc A. Michelle Blakeley Micro Business Therapist and Blogger www.simplicityinc.com

@kgreenstreet  Karyn Greenstreet  business coach and queen of mastermind groups http://www.passionforbusiness.com

@richelleshaw Richelle Shaw is millionaire business coach and email marketing genius http://www.richelleshawmarketing.com/

@sueyoungmedia blogger/communications consultant http://getinfrontcommunications.com/

@CEOtoday Tachelle Daniels hosts CEO Today on Blogtalkradio—always an informative show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ceo-today

@merylkevans Meryl K. Evans is s professional writer/blogger on small business, technology and writing. http://www.meryl.net

@pamperry Pam Perry PR coach and amazing book publicist http://www.brandingsuperstar.com

@janeoutofthebox  Michele DeKinder-Smith Marketing research expert and creator of http://www.JaneOutoftheBox.com

@ZimblerMiller Phyllis Zimbler Miller Power marketing and social media coach www.MillerMosaicLLC.com

@lenawest Lena West Social media strategist/blogger www.xynomedia.com

@allyson7minutes Allyson Lewis Productivity Expert/Author, 7 Minute Difference http://www.7minutedifference.com

For more tips on starting or growing your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog at www.succeedasyourownboss.com

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure.  As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She has been featured on NBC Nightly News, the Tavis Smiley Radio Show, in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur and Black Enterprise Magazine. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)

As Smallbizlady, I recently interviewed Gloria Larkin, President of http://www.targetgov.com/ on SmallBizradio, my monthly Blogtalkradio Show, on How to Do Business with the Federal Government. Her company Targetgov, a national company, provides government procurement, business development, and marketing services. She’s a federal procurement expert who authored “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business.” She also created a series of Government Business Development Audio CDs and Toolkits focusing on business development for federal contractors. Here are some highlights from her interview. Follow her on Twitter at @targetgov

Listen to the complete Smallbizradio radio interview with Gloria Larkin

http://tobtr.com/s/1028974

If you want to do business with the federal government make sure you understand the following: 

You must be registered with CCR.gov to do business with the federal government.

Do not target more than two federal agencies for business.

When answering Federal Requests for Proposals (RFPs), it is essential to answer all the MUST and SHALL statements in the proposal.

Every agency publishes a forecast of future purchases and the government fiscal year ends September 30^th. 

Every federal agency has an Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) which is assigned to help any small business owner navigate doing business with their agency.

OSDBU offices host vendor outreach sessions monthly, but it is competitive to get an appointment so jump on it quickly.

Make sure your website is government friendly. Also your website should look like you are already doing business with the government.

Learn what a capability statement is — and make sure you write a good one.

Do not use free email addresses when you communicate with the federal government. Having a branded URL is what you need to be professional.

Additional web resources for federal procurement opportunities:

SBA virtual training program which can be found at http://www.SBA.gov

For history on government purchases http://www.FPDS.gov

Great resource http://www.Giveme5.com

Gloria Larkin offers a free monthly conference call every — Government Contracting Teleconference Series http://bit.ly/cFCZ0g

If you found this interview helpful, join us on every 4^th Wednesday at 1pm ET on Blogtalkradio follow @SmallBizlady on Twitter for schedule updates.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #Smallbizchat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released in March 2010.