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No matter where in the world you go you will be able to find people tweeting, posting, liking, poking, and tagging – all virtually, of course.  Social media is an ever growing part of society and is being utilized by millions.  The internet is more than a place to research information, or have a website.  It is a place to create and foster relationships.

According to an article in PR Newswire, a recent study shows that one out of every six marriages is between people who met through an online dating site.  That means 1/6^th of marriages are because of social media.  And it is not just romantic relationships that are being sought after through online networks.   A wide variety of other networking sites allow people to create relationships in many forms.  For instance, Facebook allows people to stay in contact with old friends and family.  Lack of time is a big reason people loose contact with loved ones. Sending a “hello” through Facebook is a lot easier and less time consuming than picking up the phone, yet still allows communication to be made and relationships to continue.  Social networks are also being used professionally.  LinkedIn, is a site that provides a way to network with people that you have done business with in the past, as well as current and potential contacts.  With the click of a mouse, LinkedIn profiles show potential business propositions any references and recommendations that you have.  Facebook and LinkenIn are just a couple examples of the hundreds of sites aimed at growing webs of networks for every faucet of life.  So what does this mean for running a business?

People communicate through social media in a variety of arenas (romantically, socially, and professionally).  So why not reach clients the way they want to be reached?  But using social media as a business tool is more that just creating a profile.  Here are some tips for starting your social media strategy.

Limit your networks:

There are a lot of different social media networks out there and if you use too many, you will become overwhelmed.  Start with one, and expand to two or three if you like the results.  It is best to start with the networks that your clients or potential clients are already using.  Do some research and see how many clients are on Facebook or Twitter, as they are the top two networking sites in popularity.

Keep your private life private:

Keep in mind that whatever you post is going to be public forever.  Use discretion, and know that photos from your personal life may not reflect well professionally.

Once you are start, you can’t stop:

There is nothing worse than following an inactive tweeter, or someone with no recent activity on their Facebook.  Make sure to update regularly.  A few times a week should suffice.  But also keep in mind that there is such thing as updating too much.  Don’t tweet or post a Facebook update more than once a day.

Market your profiles:

Now that you are up and running on social media, make sure to include your Facebook and Twitter addresses on marketing materials.  It shows your clients that you are up with the times and is just another way that they can reach you.

This entry was posted in Random Musings, Small Business

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We are still in midst of a recession and nerves are high when it comes to employment and the state of the small business owner.  There are many issues being worked out in our government that will try to stimulate the United States economy and get America out of this recession.  And despite party politics and the Republican/Democratic divide, it is important for all of America to get together to spark our financial system.

About a month ago, I blogged about a recent financial reform bill that passed, which set new restrictions on banks, inhibiting them from making faulty investments. Some people said that this bill would affect small businesses by lowering the amount of loans available, making it harder to grow business.  However, there is some new legislation that is recently up for debate in Washington, which hopes to help small businesses, giving them tools to grow and thrive in these trying times.

The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act is a piece of legislation that Obama is trying to pass.  This act would provide tax cuts and incentive for small businesses.  It would increase the amount of loans available for entrepreneurs and promote investment spending by removing capital gain taxes on certain kinds of investments.  It is currently being disputed in Congress by the two parties.  Obama is urging Congress to pass this act, and put political gains aside.

Like most things in life, there are two sides to this debate.  But as a business owner and entrepreneur it is important to know what is going on in Washington when it can directly affect your business.  Staying informed can be a powerful tool.  Read more about the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act by clicking here.

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I am addicted to technology.  For example, a large majority of my day is spent sitting in front of a computer.  And for the remaining parts of the day, I have my mobile phone close by.  If I happen to forget my phone at home, I can’t help but feel like a piece of me is missing.  What if there is an emergency and I need to contact someone?  What if I miss an important call from a client? What if I need to find a good happy hour and I don’t have my iPhone app to help me?  Sometimes I have to remind myself that cell phones and the World Wide Web are relatively new technologies, and people got along just fine for thousands of years with out them.  However, it is 2010 and I am more than thankful for Wi-Fi, apps, and email, allowing me to be productive no matter where I may be.  But, could the ability to be so connected actually infringe on productivity?  Is there a diminishing return when it comes to the technology we use?  A recent article by Matt Richtel, called, “Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime,” explores this concept.

Have you even stood in line at a coffee shop, while an executive in front of you was too busy emailing back a client on his Blackberry to order his mocha latte?  Or what about the student on the bus playing a game on the iPhone?  It seems like there is a pressure on our society to be connected at all times and use as many minutes of the day to be more knowledgeable than ever before, Richtel’s article offers a different perspective.

According to the article, giving up down time to use technology can actually inhibit your ability to learn, remember and become more innovative.  According to scientists, humans need time away from noise or stimulation of technology to rest and reset, creating a person who is better able to intake all the media when they do use it.

So what does this mean for running your business?  Don’t stress about turning your phone to silent and having a nice, mobile-phone-free dinner with your family, and leave your iPhone at home when you hit the street for a run.  Despite your anxieties you will find that your time away from your technology, actually allows you to become more productive and better business owner.

This entry was posted in Random Musings, Small Business

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Monday is notorious for being a day that many people often dread.  Monday marks the end of the weekend and the start of five more days of work.  Sometimes it is hard to wake up to the sound of the alarm after two days of silencing it.  So, on this Monday, I thought I would share a website that provides me with much inspiration, even on a dreaded Monday.

TED is a non profit organization that is solely devoted to spreading great ideas all over the world.  This organization, which formed 25 years ago, began as a single annual conference that meshed people from three very different arenas: technology, entertainment and design (hints the name TED).   However, the organization began to grow, and now TED has a much larger reach.

www.ted.com features lectures, talks, seminars and other presentations on anything that the organization deems worthy of spreading throughout the world, in effort to create positive influence.  Whether is it a middle-aged scholar talking about sustainable energy or a charismatic 9-year-old divulging the importance of self esteem, these video presentations will leave you feeling empowered, excited, humbled, learned and inspired.

The idea of an organization that provides inspirational thoughts from all areas of society, to everyone in the world – and for free! –  is motivating.  And it is perfect for any overworked individual on a somber Monday afternoon, when the coffee is wearing off and you are starting to crash.

Specifically, I would like to share one of my favorite lectures from Ted.com.  This lecture is delivered by Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch. Pausch was dying from cancer when he gave this speech about achieving your childhood dreams.  This lecture refreshes my spirit and reminds me that anything is possible with hard work, which is a quality that all entrepreneurs can appreciate.  Enjoy!

Click here to see the lecture.

This entry was posted in Small Business, Tips and Tricks

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Free is a good price tag; especially when the free item can help you grow business.  What am I referring to, your bargain loving mind may ask?  Google Optimization of course.  In our last blog we talked about the importance of having a great website and touched a little bit on Search Engine Optimization.  But in the spirit of being thrifty and utilizing free tools, I wanted to divulge a bit more about a free way to gain business, in the search engine arena.

Google is the top search site online.  In fact, according to www.googleoptimizing.com, Google accounted for 44.5% of all online sales in 2009.  This number in comparison to Yahoo’s search site accounting for only 17% shows just how powerful Google is.  This is why you should start with Google’s free optimization guidelines and tools first, when optimizing your web site.

Google has high standards.  One reason they are the top search engine site is because of these standards.  Google strives to showcase the best sites possible that are most relevant to peoples’ searches.  So how do you make sure that your site comes up as one of the best?  There are guidelines for building the best optimized site for Google in their Webmaster Tools manual.  You can find this information online.  Google changes their policies a lot to make sure they are maintaining the highest standards, so make sure you frequently check for updates.   Some main things to remember when optimizing for Google are that it likes keywords.  Google indexes sites based on popular searches.  So make sure you use these keywords in headlines, code, and descriptions.  Google also like when other domain names link to your site.  So if you can get other relevant sites to link to you, it will boost your rankings.  However, Google also has things that it does not like, too.  Do not use hidden text or irrelevant keywords that may be popular, but have nothing to do with your website.  If Google sees that you are doing this, it will ban you from their search engine for an extended period of time, which can be devastating to your business.

Search Engine Optimization can seem like an overwhelming task.  But, it is an important one to tackle.  And you have a great starting place with Google Optimization that is completely free.



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We live in a society where everyone is connected.  Wifi, smart phones, and lap tops make it easy for us to access what ever we want, when ever we want.  While technology can sometimes be overwhelming with all its upgrades and changes, it also offers valuable tools that have reshaped the way we live.  For instance, high school reunions are not just once every ten years, thanks to Facebook.  Finding your way to a destination, while driving is a lot more calculated, thanks to Google Maps.  And looking for a job, house, or anything else you can think of is only a click away, thanks to Craig’s List.  The internet has opened an array of access and it is the first place people go when they need to find something.  So what does this mean for a small business owner?

It means that in order to seem relevant and worthy to potential business, you need to go digital.  In fact, your website is probably going to be viewed by everyone who uses your services, as well as everyone who will use your services in the future.  It is one of your most important marketing tools, and must be thought out strategically.  Not only is your website the visual face of your company, but it will be side by side with your direct competitors when searched for, and you will want to stand out.  While building a great website may sound intimidating, you should not be overwhelmed.  There are simple things you can do to assure that your .com is an asset to your business.

-Content: Content refers to anything on your website. It is all the copy, pictures, and media that visitors will see.  The amount on content you have on your website is directly related to your goals and type of business. But just remember, a website that is too copy heavy can seem overwhelming, while one with only a few photos and not much copy can seem like it is lacking information.   You need to chose your content with purpose and only include what is deemed as important information.  Anyone can design a pretty website, but if it’s content is lacking, than it is worthless.  That brings us to aesthetics.

-Aesthetics: People are drawn into a site by design.  You don’t want to overwhelm people with too many loud graphics that can seem overpowering.  In the website world, less can often be more.   Choose three to five colors that you want to use for a color palette.  Make sure these colors are associated with your brand and logo.  Stick to one or two fonts for all of the website copy.   The text treatment should always be uniform (that is to say, if you use 20 point bold font for one headline, make sure all headlines are 20 point bold font).  Keep your background simple to allow the content to be easily viewed.  And make sure you design to a multitude of browsers and monitor ratios.  Not everyone has the latest flat screen 20 inch monitor.

-Navigation: Your content is great, and your design is tight, but you still need to make sure that website visitors are able to find the information they are looking for, with ease.  Provide a header and/or footer that are the same on every page.  This header/footer should include a link back to the homepage as well as menus/tabs to navigate to any other pages on the site.  Limit the number of menus/tabs and make sure that all your pages are labeled correctly.  Also, if your site contains links to other places, make sure that all the links work. And continually check for broken links.

-Search Engine Optimization (SEO): You now have a great website with rich content, clear design that is easy to navigate.  But, how can you assure that people are finding it on search engines?  This is where SEO comes in.  SEO is the art of creating a website that is “friendly” for Google, Bing, Yahoo and any other search engine to pick it up and shoot it out to thousands of people searching for your services.  There are simple things you can do when creating your website that will help you rise to the top of search engine rankings.  Check out this link for 55 quick SEO tips.

Your website is a powerful tool, and when you execute it correctly, it is one of your biggest assets.

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Most people know the adage, “It’s not what you know.  It’s who you know.”  And while having the proper intellectual skills to excel in your career is essential, knowing the right people can be equally as valuable.

This idea got me thinking about the importance of relationships and how it relates to a professional career.  Think about how many people you have contact with during a typical day of work.  Whether it’s a co-worker, supervisor, 3^rd party vendor, or client, these relationships are all necessary for maintaining a successful business.  Now think about all the people that you talk to each day, and how many people that they talk to. Pretty soon you start creating a web of networks that you can use to benefit your business.

Word of mouth is one of the most influential forms of marketing.  For instance, imagine you are a chiropractor with a modest sized practice.  Every day you say hello to the same man who delivers the mail to your office.  Over the course of time, you have developed a relationship with him and enjoy small talk.  Well one day, outside of work, the mailman is visiting with a friend that is complaining about back problems.  Because of your daily interactions, the first thing that pop’s into the mailman’s head, is suggesting your practice.  This is an example of networking on a small level, but shows that people value their relationships, so therefore value opinions given by those they have relationships with.

Networking also takes the form of organizations and events.  These organizations are simple ways to begin networking, if you feel like your a little disconnected.  Research different organizations related to your industry and join them.  It is also beneficial to look at organizations that aren’t just industry related, to expand audiences.  And don’t let your inhibitions or shyness get in the way.  You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to be successful at networking.  And once you are out of the zone, you will find that that zone expands to not only better business skills, but a more fulfilling life as well.  Check out this article in the New York Times, about a woman who has used networking to expand her career to new heights.

http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/the-worst-that-can-happen-is-someone-says-no/?ref=smallbusiness

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If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. — Alan K. Simpson

Running a successful business takes proper knowledge in a variety of arenas.  However, there is one attribute in particular that can make or break a business – Integrity.   Why is integrity so important?  Because consumers and clients are smart, perceptive and care about what the businesses they support stand for.  A business differentiates themselves by their values.  And these values are directly correlated with the industry you are in.  But showcasing your values is only one aspect of integrity.  Your actions must always reflect your principals, or the will not come across as genuine.

Take the former CEO of B.P., Tony Hayward, for example.  In the midst of the horrific oil disaster in the Gulf, Hayward made an infamous remark that ruined his integrity.  In response to a comment on the length of time it took to stop the oil leak, Hayward said, “I’d like my life back.”  People perceived this comment to be insensitive, due to the fact that thousands of inhabitants of the Gulf are truly feelings the effects of this disaster.  Hayward lost his integrity and in turn was pushed to resign, in order for B.P. to try to gain the companies integrity back.

Having integrity is essential in gaining trust with your clients, especially in the service industry.  Even as a small business owner, there are things you can do to show that integrity is a key to your business philosophy.

-Recognizing Values: Recognize what your values are in regards to your industry.  What do your clients care about, and how does that fit in with your principals?  If you are a personal trainer or yoga instructor, you probably value good nutrition.  So, you probably don’t want to sell soda in your lobby.

-Market Your Values: Take a look at all your marketing materials (brochures, ads, etc.).  Make sure what you say matches up with what you are doing.  For instance, if you claim your business has a strong interest in the environment, make sure your brochures are printed on recycled paper.

-Get Involved: Sponsor a little league team, or donate to a local non-profit.  Participating in community related activities shows that your business cares about the community it serves.  It is also a great way to network.

So, when creating a business strategy, numbers and marketing are important.  But always remember that people are emotional beings, and care about your companies integrity.

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Marriages can be hard.  They take time, work and humility.  But if you put your whole heart into them, you can usually maintain a successful, meaningful relationship.  The same can be true with running a small business.  Just like personal interactions, client relationships need to be nurtured and developed .  And when you build healthy client relationships (even with the pesky clients), it generally equates to a successful business.  In essence, you need to build a marriage to all of your clients.  Married to the clients? Yikes! For those thinking this sounds like a large feat, here are three steps to building blissful relationships with clients, which will also keep your business out of divorce court.

1.)    Building Rapport: This is the dating phase.  When you begin dating someone, you pull out all the stops to impress them.  You have to show them you are loyal, trustworthy, and the best fit.  The same can be said when building a relationship with a client.  You have to court your client and prove that you provide the best services for their needs.  Make sure your credentials are transparent so they have something to judge you on, and share your experience and qualifications.

2.)    Communication: You are now in the full-fledged dating phase.  Things are good, but in order to maintain the harmony, communication is key.  Having an open line of communication will make clients feel comfortable and assertive, creating a better experience for both parties.  After all, people have bad days, and you are not a mind-reader.  The more you get to know about your client, the better you will be able to serve them.  Asking for feedback about your services also provides vital information for improving your business and your relationships.

3.)    Details: You have now built a healthy relationship, but like most things in life, relationships need maintenance. Your husband or wife remembers when you buy flowers, or cook a nice dinner for them, and the same is true with clients.  No, I am not suggesting that you send your client chocolates, but I do recommend offering little perks that they would not get from other service providers.  For example, if you are a fitness instructor or yoga teacher, provide complimentary water bottles.  Keep track of customer birthdays and send a card with a special offer on that day.  Little things help you stand out from the competition.  Details really do make a difference.

And all this effort will have a payoff.  After all, people get married to experience love and happiness, and the same is true for your business.  You do what you do because it is fulfilling, and having healthy client relations only adds to that satisfaction.

This entry was posted in Random Musings, Small Business

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On July 8^th thousands of Americans tuned into ESPN to find out the fate of one of the NBA’s biggest stars.   After weeks of deliberation, LeBron James finally decided that he would leave his hometown team, the Cavaliers, and join the Miami Heat.  This free agency was one of the most publicized in the history of the NBA, attracting interest from not only sports fans, but also the general American population.  From teenagers to grandparents, businessmen to students, people in all different demographics had seen some form of media discussing the LeBron James deal.  So what does this have to do with running a small business, you may ask?

The Miami Heat’s acquisition of James was extremely calculated and is a perfect example of strategic business planning. The Miami Heat Corporation created a plan, dating years prior, in order to get to this point.  An article in Sunday’s Miami Herald titled, “Small Business Can Learn from Miami Heat’s Slam-dunk Strategy,” addresses the nature of this business deal and how all small business owners can learn from the Heat’s strategy.

This article talks about the nature of business strategy and how goal-oriented financial planning can take years to pay off.  A small business owner needs to think 3, 5 and even 10 years down the road.  The Miami Heat had been clearing salary space on the roster for years prior to this decision, in order to have enough funds to obtain James in the future.  This article also addresses the importance of networking and creating relationships in the business realm. The Miami Heat capitalized on James’ friendship with other players on the Heat, and that helped influence his decision.  Networking and building business from great relationships is a key element into creating a successful business.  That is not to say you should form false relationships only made to benefit your business.  It means you should put effort into creating meaningful symbiotic business contacts that will be beneficial to both parties.  And once James decision was made, the Heat put all their resources into marketing and promotion.  How else would they have gained the interest of hundreds of thousands Americans?  People are not going to know how great your services are unless you tell them.  You can create and execute great strategy, but you have to get the word out.

Click here to read to full Miami Herald article and learn more about how your business can learn from this strategy.