The Small Business tips today discuss legal issues when starting a small business.
In the second installment of this four-part series on using content to market and generate leads via social media, we’ll take a look at Facebook, which is the most fun, engaging and customizable social media platform out of the Big Three (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn).
But first, a little review from the first post in case you missed it:
Content is king. Whether we’re talking about your website or your Facebook page, the only way you can connect with your target market online and convince them that you are the person they need to do business with is by producing and sharing useful, interesting content on a consistent basis.
Before you start sharing content on Facebook, though, you need to know who is on there.
In general, Facebook fans are interested in your product, service, and or company. All of your customers are hopefully fans already (ask them to like you!). Everyone else obviously likes your brand and wants to interact with you. This means they are potential clients and referral sources, which leads to what to share: content that focuses on both your company and industry.
As a platform, Facebook is very community-oriented with a heavy focus on engagement. I like to think of it as a website where your target audience can talk back to you.
Here’s what to share:
Always ask for feedback on what you are sharing to get discussions going, as it’s a great way to gauge interest in the content you are publishing. Adjust your content marketing strategy accordingly.
One tip that most people don’t think of: Check out what your competitors are doing on Facebook. What can you do differently or better? What about your favorite brands you like on Facebook? What do they do that you can replicate?
Next up: Content Marketing on Twitter.
The Small Business tips today discuss businesses in the technology industry to start NOW!
By Maria Valdez Haubrich
Small business owners’ access to capital is still being squeezed, it seems. Entrepreneurs ability to get credit when they need it is easing somewhat, but is still in decline compared to pre-recession levels of access to credit, according to the most recent Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey.
In the survey, conducted in April, slightly fewer small business owners say credit is difficult to get now than in recent years. However, nearly three times as many say credit is difficult to get compared with the number who said this in 2007.
Business owners were asked, “Over the past 12 months, how easy or difficult has it been for your small business to get credit when you needed it?” In 2007, 54 percent said it was somewhat or very easy to get credit; in 2011, just 21 percent said the same. In 2007
WinWebs unique cloud-based software for small and micro businesses provides real, hands-on support for those starting and growing their own business.
SFEDI Awards, the UKs only dedicated Awarding Organisation for enterprise and entrepreneurs, today announced a strategic partnership to provide cloud-based business software to everyone working towards a qualification in enterprise ensuring they have the tools to put their learning into practice. WinWebs software suite, coupled with SFEDI Awards qualifications, provides new businesses with everything they need to get started and for growing organisations it streamlines their current activities.
All too often qualifications are provided in isolation rather than as part of a suite of support and can be rooted in theory. By mirroring the preferred approach of entrepreneurs and linking learning directly to practice the chance of success can almost double.
It is my pleasure to announce this partnership.
Starting a small business is an exciting time for entrepreneurs, especially if it is in an industry that they love. Taking a hobby or interest and turning it into a business is a common trend for many entrepreneurs. Having the love and dedication that small business owners need to start their business is important, but you can’t make common mistakes to keep your business from success. An important step in starting your own business is knowing your industry.
An industry is defined by Princeton as, “the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise.” It is important to know specifics about your industry for many reasons. Knowing your industry will not only help your business succeed, but also give you an edge on your competition, and provide banks and other lenders information that they need to make an educated decision about loans for your business.
So what do you need to know?
Industry Participants
You need to know who is selling in your industry. Most importantly, you need to know the different types of businesses that are selling in your market. Read all post…
