Transcript How To Drive Business And Leverage Trends … Without Driving

How To Drive Business And
Leverage Trends … Without
Driving Yourself Crazy
Anita Campbell
SmallBizTrends.com
@smallbiztrends
So, Are You Ready to Run a
Small Business?
Advice and Trends for
Startups and Young
Businesses
Stick With It. Most People Give
Up WAY Too Soon.
Startups: Figure Out Your
Revenue Model. Early.
Many of us are "accidental" entrepreneurs and
we're bootstrapping.
Find something to sell as early as possible, that:
• is moderately priced
• has a short sales cycle
Outsource. Partner. Sooner. More.
3 Game Changers:
1.Hire temps, interns and
independent contractors initially.
2.Select low-cost service providers
from blogs, trusted colleagues
and online
3.Partner with motivated companies
that bring you revenue
Marketing
Make friends. Even with competitors.
Word-of-mouth and referrals come from
unexpected places.
Over 80% of
small
businesses:
referrals their
biggest source
of new
business
Be Ubiquitous -- It Builds Brand
• Goes for personal and company brands
• Social media is perfect for this!
• Develop micro-communities SELECTIVELYo Schedule your time
o Divide and conquer (with staff)
Protect And Defend Your Brand
• Sign up for Knowem.com
DIY Marketing Grows
DIY Marketing Trend
• Save money, gain customer intimacy by doing
marketing in-house
• How to Participate Internally
– Use lower cost technology instead of employee labor
– Build a customer community online
– Hire people for their ability to use DIY resources/apps
• External Opportunities – “Assist the DIYs”
– Create apps (mobile and SaaS) to help businesses
– “Teach” and “Help” the DIY market
DIY Marketing Grows
• Resources – stunning array of DIY tools
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Email marketing: Vertical Response; Constant Contact
Banner ads: PointBanner.com
Postcards: HP Creative Studio; USPS; Vista Print
Community & learning software: Prfessor.com; WordPress
MU; BuddyPress; Ning; VBulletin
Follow-on marketing automation: Hubspot; Infusionsoft
SEO: LotusJump.com; SEOMoz
Social Media: Knowem.com; SocialOomph
DIY public relations: PRWeb.com
Advertising: Google AdWords
Plan. Prioritize A Confusing Landscape
Goin’ Mobile
The “Carry Your Computer” Trend
The “Carry Your Computer” Trend
• Computers and mobile devices converge
• How to Participate Internally:
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Install stripped-down mobile template for your website
Build a “text message list” – 96% of messages opened
Create an a mobile app for your biz, blog or website
Price and location services through barcodes, GPS
• External Opportunities:
– Apps development
– Mobile consulting: tech and marketing specialists
Operating Your Business
Learn A Little Technology
• If you don’t understand some technology:
o you'll spend more money
o everything will take longer
o you won't get the best from service providers
or staff
" ... new trend of
geek marketers."
Steve Rubel says:
Get organized! Find Tools
Keep A Sense Of Humor.
Something’s Bound To Go Wrong.
Thank You!
Anita Campbell
SmallBizTrends.com
@smallbiztrends