Archive for May, 2009
Should Your Business Diversify?
Is your small business struggling because of today’s poor economy? If so, how have you changed your business strategy to help overcome this challenge? According to Diane Helbig, one way to keep your business thriving is to diversify. In “Diversify or Die,” Helbig gives examples of SMBs that were able to expand their customer base and keep their business’s profitability alive. How’d they do it? Some found ways to adapt their products to fit a new demographic, while others added new products that appeal to a new group of customers. While this may not work for all small businesses, diversifying is definitely a strategy to consider.
To read Helbig’s article, visit http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/05/diversify-or-die.html.
1 comment May 28, 2009
Need Some Encouragement? Check Out Some Promising Startups.
I was recently browsing the Small Biz section of BusinessWeek.com, and I found this page. While this isn’t exactly new, “America’s Most Promising Startups” is regularly updated with new profiles of today’s small businesses. This collection of startups is encouraging; not only does it prove that just about anyone can become a successful business owner (take a look at the biz owners’ backgrounds—you’ll find a lot of diversity), it shows how far an inspired idea can go. Most featured business owners didn’t start their business because they were just looking for a way to make money—their experiences that led them down the path to their eventual business idea. Some started because there was a need for a certain product, and others started because someone wanted to make a change in a particular industry.
If you’re in need of a little inspiration or encouragement, check out “America’s Most Promising Startups.”
1 comment May 22, 2009
A Few Tips for Creating Better Web Site Content
While reading this article today, I started thinking about some of the SMB Web sites I’ve seen in the past. There are many things that separate the good from the bad, but as a copywriter, the first thing I tend to notice is content. Here are a few tips on writing successful content for your business’s Web site:
*Keep home page content short. The main reason customers come to your site is to find information on your business and/or purchase your products. The easier it is for your visitors to do this, the better. If the first thing your site’s visitors face is lengthy content, they might be deterred from looking any farther.
*Get to the point. Right away your site’s visitors should be able to learn the name of your business, what it offers, and your business’s contact information. It is also a good idea to include this information in an area of your site that will be visible from each page.
*Utilize key words. Search engines aren’t the only entities affected by key words—your visitors notice them as well. Using keywords will help your page’s rank in search results, and keywords also grab the attention of potential customers. Take advantage of the opportunity to include them where you can. If customers see mention of products that they’re interested in right away, like in your home page content, there’s a good chance they’ll check out the rest of your Web site as well.
*Answer the important questions. Your Web site can be your best salesperson if you just give it the right stuff. Try to provide answer for questions like the following: Why should customers choose your business over the competition? Why are your products and services better than those offered by your competitors? Why should customers trust you? Are your customers going to receive the best value for their money? What kind of customer service can be expected from your business?
Your site’s content can either draw customers in or send them away, all within a few lines of text. Next time you update your Web site, keep your customers in mind. Focus on content that is short, to the point, persuasive, and rich in keywords. Your business will reap the benefits.
Add comment May 13, 2009
State of Small Business Webinar Follow-Up
We hope you had a chance to check out last week’s Grow Smart Business webinar. If not, you can view the recorded webinar here. According to the speakers and Network Solutions® CEO Roy Dunbar, most small business owners have a positive outlook on the current and future state of small businesses. Lisa Barone recently posted an article at Small Business Trends™ that does a great job of summarizing the discussions that occurred during the webinar. Check out “Webinar: State of Small Businesses in the United States” for highlights.
For more information on the state of small businesses, head over to GrowSmartBusiness.com. To share your opinions on the future of small businesses, visit MySolutionSpot.com.
2 comments May 8, 2009
Social Networking Can Help You Find Jobs & Employees
MSNBC.com recently posted an article that further proves the value of social networking. Rusty Weston explains in his article that social networks have become a resource for both job seekers and recruiters. Through groups that share a common denominator—for example, a group that is comprised of past employees from a particular company—members of social networks can work together to share their connections and set themselves up for possible job recruitment. LinkedIn® seems to be the best place for this type of activity since its focus is on professional social networking over, well, merely-social social networking. Social networks aren’t just for those seeking jobs; headhunters and job recruiters are increasingly using social networks to find prospective employees.
If you’re a member of a social network like LinkedIn or MySolutionSpot™, take the time to associate yourself with a group that is relevant to your current position or your past areer experiences. Looking for a job? Optimizing your social networking profile and joining a group that pertains to your work skills is one of the best ways to get noticed. For busines owners and recruiters who are looking for employees, browsing through groups relevant to your industry can provide you with candidates that have the experience you’re looking for.
To view Weston’s article, please visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30481596//.
Add comment May 5, 2009
