So often I am asked about how to get new customers that I decided to develop a two part series on the topic. No customers, no business. A simple and obvious fact, which leads new business owners to ask the question “How do I get customers to see and buy from my business?” The […]
How to Get New Customers Part II
There are numerous ways of getting new customers but not all methods are applicable to all businesses. I also need to remind you that getting repeat business from your existing customers is far easier than attracting new customers, but it is important to have a strategy for getting new customers in the door. In Part […]
Budgeting Tips for Small Business Owners
If your fiscal year parallels your wall calendar, then you made it through Q-1 or as you may formally call it, the first quarter. Perhaps you’re feeling optimistic about the goals you’ll accomplish this year, or are concerned about your revenue goals for the second quarter. It’s best to look at where you’ve been to […]
Are You Doing Your #1 Job as an Entrepreneur
Your skills as an entrepreneur can make the difference between a booming enterprise and closing your doors far too soon. Your #1 job as a small business owner is to sell. Your job is to motivate, inspire and convince customers, potential investors, and often family that your business idea is worthwhile. It typically requires passion […]
Smallbizchat Celebrates 3 Years of Helping Thousands of Entrepreneurs
Today marks the third anniversary of my Twitter talk show #Smallbizchat. We launched the weekly #Smallbizchat, in April of 2009, as a peer-to-peer mentoring program to help early stage entrepreneurs get answers to their small business questions. The goal was to provide information to help end small business failure. With 82% of small businesses going […]
Should You Have Good Pricing or Great Pricing?
Should you have good pricing or great pricing? Our first instinct is to have great prices that will permit us to crush the competition, gain market share and fuel fast growth. The usual problem is that great prices typically provide slim profit margins. Good pricing, however, over the long term, should create enough profitability to […]
Managing The Stress In Your Small Business
When you put out your shingle that says open for business, you immediately take on 10-14 jobs all at once. Even the best multi-tasker, can become a spaghetti brain at times, especially when everything happens all at once. How you handling stress is a key ingredient in your long-term success in business. Here is a […]
Who’s Going to be on #SmallBizChat July 2012?
Join me live every Wednesday, 8PM EST for #SmallBizChat on Twitter. Here’s how: follow @smallbizchat on Twitter and click here for directions on how to join the conversation. July 4 – There will be no show – Happy Independence Day! July 11 – Octavia Conner @SmartChoicellc1 – Simple Bookkeeping Strategies for Busy Small Business Owners July 18 – […]
How to Prepare for Irregular Income in a Small Business
Owning a business is great. You have unlimited earning potential, get to be your own boss, and live outside a gray cubicle. It is the American Dream. Except when it isn’t. The dream can quickly become the American Nightmare when the bills appear faster than clients’ payments. It plays out as a vicious cycle, but […]
How Can Your Small Business Stay Innovative?
Are you struggling to stay innovative in your small business? In order to stay relevant in a noisy marketplace, the most successful startups boldly embrace a culture of innovation. They consistently roll out blockbuster ideas to stay out in front of potential, new and current customers. Small businesses with their limited resources can hit a […]