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You are here: Home / Archives for Sales

From RFP to Purchase Order with Corporate Contracts

September 29, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Winning a corporate contract isn’t about dazzling a room and waiting for magic. It’s a structured march, from the first conversation to a cleanly issued purchase order (PO), timely payment and ultimately, repeat business. Below is a practical, end-to-end playbook you can follow to turn interest into revenue without getting lost in procurement purgatory. A […]

Filed Under: Cash Flow & Finance, Featured Post, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Sales, Solopreneurs, Staying Productive, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: business proposals, corporate contracts, government procurement, prepare a bid, purchase order, RFP

How to Transition Your Free Community into a Paid Membership

September 22, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Selling through community is a way to always be able to get instant feedback on offers and print money. But turning a free community like a Facebook group into a paid membership isn’t just about adding a paywall. It’s a careful shift in positioning, value delivery, and member experience. Do it well and you’ll gain […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Customer Service, Featured Post, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Sales, Solopreneurs, Staying Productive, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: community, founding member, member retention, membership platform, membership site, onboarding, online community

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Harris Taylor and Michelle Songy

September 25, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson presents the “Hit It and Quit It” segment, engaging in lively discussions on key business topics with Toni Harris Taylor and Michelle Songy. Each guest shares their favorite podcast, a business app they find indispensable, a marketing tip, and a business book that has impacted them. Toni Harris Taylor, an […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert panel discussion, favorite podcasts, marketing strategies, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, small business advice

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Michelle Songy and Ryan Hogan

August 28, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson hosts a panel discussion with Michelle Songy and Ryan Hogan. Each guest shares their favorite podcast, a business app they find indispensable, a marketing tip, and a business book that has impacted them. Michelle Songy is the Founder and CEO of Press Hook, a media platform that helps small businesses […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert panel discussion, favorite podcasts, marketing strategies, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, small business advice

30 Best Small Business Podcasts of 2025

August 18, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Profitable podcasting show notes

Podcasts are the new MBA for small business owners. Whether you’re a solopreneur building your brand from scratch, a seasoned business coach, or a product-based business scaling up, the right podcast can change everything. The best ones provide mentorship, industry insight, tactical tips, and tough-love motivation—all in under an hour. In 2025, there’s no shortage […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Grow Your Business, How to Start, Sales, Solopreneurs, Starting A Small Business, Technology, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: best podcasts of 2025, build your business, business podcasts, get started with podcasts, grow your business with podcasts, growth library

How to Get PR for Your Small Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

August 11, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Getting featured in the media can be a game-changer for small business owners. One good press hit can lead to increased visibility, website traffic, credibility, and sales. But if you are an entrepreneur who thinks PR is only for big companies with deep pockets, that is just not true. You don’t need a publicist or […]

Filed Under: Branding & Marketing, Business Inspiration, Grow Your Business, How to Start, Sales, Starting A Small Business, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: business pitch, founder story, media kit, Public Relations, small business press releases, small business public relations

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Johnson, Sherill Mosee, and Natalia Caylor

July 31, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson hosts a panel discussion with Natalia Caylor, Sherill Mosee, and Toni Johnson. Each guest shares their favorite podcast, a business app they find indispensable, a marketing tip, and a business book that has impacted them. Toni Johnson is the Head Chef and CEO of The Jamaican Pattie Shop. A plant-based […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert panel discussion, favorite podcasts, marketing strategies, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, small business advice

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Leyanis Diaz and Tara Landes

June 26, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson presents highlights from the Hit It and Quit It Panel where experts Leyanis Diaz and Tara Landes share quick insights and strategies for small business success. The discussion includes top business book recommendations, providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs seeking knowledge and inspiration. Melinda offers acknowledgments and shares information about SmallBizLady […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business advice, business books, business podcasts, Business Strategies, entrepreneurship, expert insights, marketing tips, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, Small Business Management

Win in Your Own Backyard: The Ultimate Guide to Local Marketing for Retailers

June 16, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Let’s get real: You don’t need to be everywhere—you just need to own your ZIP code. As a retailer or franchisee, your power isn’t in chasing a global audience. It’s in knowing your customers, showing up for your community, and building a brand that people can’t stop talking about right down the street. Local marketing […]

Filed Under: Branding & Marketing, Business Inspiration, Customer Service, Grow Your Business, Sales, Your Small Business Tagged With: build customer relationships, community engagement, digital ads, email marketing, google business listings, Local Marketing, storefront

How Smart Nonprofits are Building Recession-Proof Revenue Streams

June 2, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Let’s face it—if your nonprofit is still relying solely on grant applications and those annual galas where board members reluctantly bid on vacation packages they don’t want, you might as well be using a rotary phone to call potential donors. In today’s economic climate, diversification isn’t just smart—it’s survival. Several nonprofit CEOs I’ve spoken with […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Nonprofits, Sales, SmallBizLady Recommends, Your Small Business Tagged With: entrepreneurial mindset, market opportunity, nonprofits, revenue streams, social enterprise

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Latest #SmallBizChat

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Small Businesses Solve Real-World Problems with Jim Beach

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Jim Beach to explore various facets of entrepreneurship. Jim discusses the role of creativity, risk, and passion in building a business and shares his insights on the impact of ChatGPT on business productivity. The conversation also delves into his radio show and media presence, highlighting top mistakes made by […]

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Recent Posts

  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Small Businesses Solve Real-World Problems with Jim Beach
  • From RFP to Purchase Order with Corporate Contracts
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Harris Taylor and Michelle Songy
  • How to Transition Your Free Community into a Paid Membership
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Make Networking Pay Off with Toni Harris Taylor

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