Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Free Tools
  • Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • We’re Hiring!
You are here: Home / SmallBizChat / How to Create a Small Business that Lasts – QA with Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends

How to Create a Small Business that Lasts – QA with Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends

May 19, 2011 By Melinda Emerson 1 Comment

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Smallbizchat with Melinda EmersonEach week as Smallbizlady, I conduct interviews with small business experts on my weekly Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. This is excerpted from my #SmallBizChat interview with Anita Campbell @smallbiztends. Anita is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Small Business Trends, an award-winning online small business blog.  As Publisher of several online media properties and syndicated content, Anita reaches over 1,000,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs annually.

I asked Anita to share with us her thoughts on the current and future status of America’s Small Businesses. This is National Small Business Week 2011 and I thought it was important to look at the future of small business so that people could be more prepared for small business success.

Smallbizlady: How social media has changed the small business economy in the last 18-24 months?

Anita Campbell: Hard to say what impact social media has had on the economy.  Social media has profoundly changed the way small businesses market. More open.  Friendlier.  More playful, spontaneous and creative.  That’s good for customer intimacy and building customer loyalty.

 

Smallbizlady: What are the top challenges for small business right now?

Anita Campbell: Much is the same as always: finding money for cash flow, finding and keeping good customers, finding staff and resources to conduct business and grow.  Those never change.

Businesses operate in more complex environments today, however.  We are required to master more disciplines, and develop internal competencies in more areas than ever. This puts pressure on small organizations that are already stretched thin.  Take a function like marketing — today it’s not just about doing some direct mail pieces, a yellow pages display, and some ads in the local newspaper.  Now you may have to participate in direct mail, social media, email marketing, have a website and blog, engage in SEO, conduct paid search advertising campaigns, manage local listings — and more.  And many of these newer forms of marketing involve a heavy tech component, so you and your staff have to be part marketer, part geek.  And once you learn it, the shelf life of that knowledge today is shorter than ever. You have to work to stay up to date because the tools and sites change constantly.

Smallbizlady: Is the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the work they do still relevant?

Anita Campbell: Yes, the SBA certainly is relevant.  They keep emphasis on small business lending, and operate as a sort of lender of last resort.  They assist small businesses in getting Federal contracts.  Most important, they are a symbolic representative of small businesses.  By having a visible role in government, it says “small businesses matter.”

 

Smallbizlady: Do you think every small business should be using social media?

Anita Campbell: I would not go quite that far.  Some industrial businesses may not need social media at all (say, oil drilling or coal mining).  Others could get value only by limited social media usage (example:  B2B firms using LinkedIn or a blog, and nothing else).  Those in some regulated industries (such as financial advisors) may be severely restricted in use of social media.

That said, I think the majority can benefit from social media.  The trick is to find out which social sites support your business goals the best.  Going narrow and deep with a few social media sites is better than a shotgun approach.

 

Smallbizlady: If a business owner is just getting started with social media what are some first steps to take?

Anita Campbell: If you’re B2C, set up a Facebook Page. Encourage your customers to join you there, by including icons on your website, in email newsletter, in email signatures, on letterhead, etc.

If you’re B2B, set up a Twitter account.  If you’re not sure what to tweet, pick a few sites that you like and that you think your customers might like.  Start tweeting links from their sites.  Listen and observe a lot, until you get the hang of it.

 

Smallbizlady: One of the trends that I see is that some start-up businesses are using social media as their only strategy.  Is that wise?

Anita Campbell: No. They should first set up a website or blog-site (combined blog/website).  You need an online home base that you own.  Reason? Twitter or Facebook may change next month, and become less valuable to you. Now you have to start over, because it’s not your site.  Always use social media to amplify and extend a presence you have elsewhere.

 

Smallbizlady: Your blog Smallbiztrends.com is one of the most well-respected small business blogs on the internet today.  What does it take to build a national daily blog?

Anita Campbell: Time.  That means both elapsed time (because it takes time to grow a brand) and hours of time (because anything worthwhile takes effort). No such thing as an overnight success.

Money.  Plow all your profits back into the business, to grow it.

Learning.  In the 8 years I’ve been at this, things have changed dramatically. The search landscape is different.  There’s more competition from other sites, including big funded companies.  Social media is ever shifting — social has become a major source of traffic. But it changes all the time.  Example: if you’re still using the same social sharing buttons on your site as 2 years ago, I guarantee you’re missing out.

Multiple revenue streams.  Do offline events.  Publish books and reports. Consult.  Have 2 to 3 revenue streams.

 

Smallbizlady: Blogging has become something that everyone is doing. How can small business owners stay above the noise in social media and keep attracting their target customers?

Anita Campbell: Niche-ify.  Become known for a niche

Go against the grain.  If prevailing wisdom says do “10 tips” posts, do long in-depth pieces.  Or short one-a-day tips.

Use someone else’s platform (guest post)

 

Smallbizlady: What are some ways for small business owners to leverage themselves so that do not feel like a hamster on a wheel in their business?

Anita Campbell: Outsource whatever tasks you hate to do, as soon as you can afford it. You’ll feel more energized if you do the tasks that give you joy. Get a good time management system — such as Getting Things Done.  Use software to help.

 

Smallbizlady: What are three things you think entrepreneurs should do every day?

Anita Campbell: a) Spend time online and offline with other business owners.  You’ll learn things.  You won’t feel so alone.

b) Be glass half full.  Engage in positive self-talk — and positive talk in general.  You will begin to feel more optimistic, like you can kick the world’s butt.

c) Pay attention to your numbers: accounting P&L and any key indicators of business progress

 

Smallbizlady: Other than smallbiztrends.com, what’s your must-read resource for small business owners?

Anita Campbell: Wall Street Journal

Smallbizlady: Complete these sentence: If standing on a rooftop facing crowds of aspiring or struggling small business owners, I would shout:

Anita Campbell: I’m going to make my business a success, no matter what!

 

If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9pm ET follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter.  Here’s how to participate in #Smallbizchat http://bit.ly/S797e

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda F. Emerson, SmallBizLady, is one of America’s leading small business experts. She is an author, speaker and small business coach whose areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to End Small Business Failure.  She publishes a resource blog, www.succeedasyourownboss.com and hosts a weekly talk show on Twitter called #Smallbizchat for emerging entrepreneurs.  Forbes Magazine named Melinda Emerson one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. Melinda has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fortune and Black Enterprise. She’s the author of the bestselling book “Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works.” She writes a column for www.secondact.com, and is an instructor for the Black Enterprise Small Business University.

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Filed Under: SmallBizChat

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social selling, and online marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. Clients include Amazon, Adobe, Verizon, VISA, Google, FedEx, Chase, American Express, The Hartford, and Pitney Bowes. She also has an online school, www.smallbizladyuniversity.com, that teaches people online marketing and how to start and grow a successful small business and publishes a blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Comments

  1. discount pandora jewelry says

    November 23, 2011 at 6:45 am

    I believe that is one of the most significant info for me. And i’m happy studying your article. But wanna statement on few basic issues, The website style is wonderful, the articles is in point of fact nice : D. Good task, cheers

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner

Sign up for the SmallBizLady BUZZ Newsletter and be the first to receive updates and details about upcoming events:

We’re proud to be part of the Mediaplanet Empowering Small Business campaign! The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardship and ruin on the nation’s small businesses, but there’s now reason for hope. Learn about the resources, support, and tools available to help your small business bounce back and grow stronger than ever by picking up a copy of the campaign in USA Today and reading it online here.

Get a FREE Chapter of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded"!

Become Your Own Boss

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

Bloomberg News Interview
How to Support Small Businesses During the Holidays

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference

Fox 29 Philadelphia
'Small Biz Lady' gives best advice for starting a new business in the New Year

Fox Business
Starting a Business

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Rich Trotter, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, to discuss his journey in the food industry. Rich shares insights into the challenges and innovations he faced, particularly the transition to natural ingredients. The conversation delves into how small businesses can overcome the impact of the pandemic and adapt to new market demands. […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

Recent Posts

  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter
  • May 2025 #SmallBizChat: How to Position Your Brand with Multicultural Markets
  • How to Tighten Your Sales Infrastructure (Before Your Bank Account Screams for Help)
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Giving a TEDx Talk Can Benefit Your Business with Dr. Dan Young
  • 10 Critical AI Automated Workflows to Elevate Your Small Business

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

Products

Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025
Quintessence Entertainment, Inc
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner