Small Biz Diamonds

Month

July 2012

15 posts

17 Ways to Rock Your Biz...from the Experts

        

Recently, I wrote an article titled, 13 Ways to Rock Your Business into the Spotlight for BizSugar’s ‘Rock Your Business’ Contest. After writing it I began wondering, what would some of the experts say? I reached out to a few experts that are leaders in their fields to find out how small business owners can use online networking, blogging or social media to “rock their business.”


Karlena Wallace

“As a small business owner, one of the best ways to rock your brand is to first understand that social networking is the “new normal” and it’s essential that you cultivate the business – consumer relationship from inside out. In the entrepreneurial space today, you must approach networking, blogging, and social media from a connecting place. When building community and expressing your voice, it has to be more of a feeling and experience, before it can manifest into a how-to or strategy. You can’t be an effective teacher or expert without in-depth understanding of your strengths and being familiar with the environment of your tribe. To remain relevant and resonate with your market, you should know what’s transpiring frequently in their worlds, and where your voice has the greatest impact. For example, where does your audience need the most guidance? What are their barriers, and what’s your remedying approach? Do they respond to “girl-next-door” advice or “conservative” thought leadership? The more you tap into true self, the less convoluted your message. When people are attracted to you and not just your insight, they become advocates of what you do. Ultimately, no matter how your audience prefers to receive and digest information or engage within your community, when all these things work cohesively, they build the type of brand people adore and recommend to others. It’s about true meaningful relationships.” ~ Karlena Wallace, Stiletto Woman Media


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Jul 30, 20122 notes
#rock your biz #online networking #blogging #social media
Insurance 101 for the Small Business Owner

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It often feels like the work of a small business owner is never done. From paying bills to creating schedules and maintaining great customer service there is lots to be done. Only adding to the headache and growing list of responsibilities is the issue of business insurance.

With so many different policies and options available, this can be an overwhelming subject for many to approach, as the information can be complex and even a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with it. However as daunting as it may be, it’s a part of life, and while it’s not required for you to have any sort of insurance at all, that’s not necessarily the smartest choice for your business.

So, to help you better understand this all-too-often misunderstood topic, I’ve outline some common types of business insurance below.

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Jul 27, 2012
#insurance for small business owners #small business insurance #insurance
How to get Discovered on the Internet

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The game has changed

The power of the internet means it’s now possible to build a broader and more profitable online audience by carefully applying some specific approaches and techniques. All it takes is confidence and an internet connection.

According to new research, 78% of internet users conduct product research online (Source: Hubspot). This has changed the game for the marketing companies relying on outbound marketing approaches, such as email newsletter campaigns, TV advertising and telemarketing. But these (often costly) approaches are becoming less effective day by day. This is because:

More people are online than ever before.

More people regularly use the internet to shop and investigate products and services before they decide to buy.

Most of us have adapted quickly to being online so that internet use has become more sophisticated.

People are more likely to avoid unwanted online ads by using techniques and technology such as popup blockers, email spam filters, and call rejection.

How to get discovered # 1: Make the Link

How to get Discovered on the Internet

Better links equal better business

Links play a big part in achieving a great search engine ranking. You need to use two types of links:

  • On page: content on your site that links to other ‘relevant’ areas of the site.
  • Off page: content on other sites that links to your website.

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Jul 26, 20122 notes
#inbound marketing #blogging for small business #blogging #link building
Q&A with Sara Crawford, a Philanthropist and Trail Blazer in Urban Couture

Sara Crawford - Anara Original

Sara Crawford is in the business of helping people to look their best. Sara is a fashion designer and founder of Anara Original. She uses her fashion platform as a stage to support important social causes. As an albino African American woman that is slightly visually impaired she has faced her fair share of adversity. However, Sara did not let her disadvantages slow her down she has worked with premium lifestyle brands including; DDC Lab, H&M, and Tommy Hilfiger. Determined to succeed, Sara received her bachelor’s degree in fashion design and marketing in three years. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur that has not let her visual disability hold her back, Sara is a philanthropist she contributes regularly to The Diabetes Association and The Division for the Visually Impaired. Her brand name Anara Original is truly an extension of herself —the name ‘Anara’ is a derivative of her first name (Sara) and her middle name (Ann). She enjoys taking something plain and making it into something extraordinary and she lives by the phrase, ‘fashion is a hobby for some, for me it’s a lifestyle’. Small Biz Diamonds caught up with this inspiring entrepreneur to learn more about her business experience.

          

Q&A with Sara Crawford, a Philanthropist and Trail Blazer in Urban Couture

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Jul 24, 2012
#Sara Crawford #Anara Original #fashion designer
Vote Daily for 2012 Small Business Influencer Awards

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Last month we mentioned that our publisher/editor/writer Ashley Neal and Small Biz Diamonds blog have been nominated for Small Business Trends’ 2012 Small Business Influencer Awards. We are very grateful for these nominations. Please support our nominations with your vote (it literally takes 1 second to vote).

VOTE:

To vote for Ashley Neal click here.

To vote for Small Biz Diamonds blog click here.

There are a lot of really great Small Business Influencer Award Nominees so if your favorites have been nominated be sure to vote for them too.

Voting period ends August 5, 2012.

Thank you for your support!!!

Have a successful day!

Image Credit

Jul 23, 20122 notes
#2012 Small Business Influencer Awards #small business influencer #Ashley Neal #Small Biz Diamonds
How to Get Retweeted As Often As Possible on Twitter

                  

When you tweet about your business or your website content on Twitter, how often does it get retweeted by one of your followers? Twitter is a social media “micro-blogging” platform which allows you to write short and snappy 140 character updates, reply to others and send messages. It can sometimes feel like being at a huge cocktail party with a bunch of strangers jabbering about themselves without really listening to each other. However, when it is used correctly it can be an effective social media tool for promoting your business and making quality networking connections.

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Jul 19, 20121 note
#Twitter #Social media
How To Perfect Your Client Pitch

How To Perfect Your Client Pitch

For a business to continue to flourish, you need to need to win clients. This is why it is important to learn how to throw a client pitch. Pitch ideas, products or services to gain trust and confidence from your client. This is common in the world of advertising, but other industries such as IT and law also have to do client pitches. Presenting a flawless pitch is not an easy task since you have to stand out from the rest, but this doesn’t mean that it’s not possible. Sometimes, you have to focus your attention on little details and not too much on winning in order to increase your chances of gaining clients. Below are four ways to perfect your client pitch.

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Jul 18, 20121 note
#client pitch #elevator pitch
Credit Unions: Another Option for Start-Up Small Businesses

                  

You have a great idea for a small business, and there’s a need in your community or online for your products and services. Congratulations on pursuing your dream! However, you need more than a great idea and potential customers. You’re going to need money as well. Start by learning about numerous funding options for small businesses then make a decision based on the options that are available for your start-up.

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Jul 17, 2012
#credit unions #alternative financing
Going Local with Your Small Business Blogging

               

Not all companies need to focus on the worldwide stage. As a small business I have found it can be far more beneficial focusing on my local community rather than taking on the entire world when it comes to the search engines. I offer homemade goods to people in my local neighbourhood mainly. Although I have gradually increased my reach to include the county as a whole rather than just my town I am still not ready to take on the world so with the help of my writer I have been focusing on making sure my website is optmized for my target areas. 

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Jul 16, 2012
#local marketing #blogging for small business #blogging
Motiply: Low Cost, High Return Business Opportunity Helping Business Owners

What kind of business can I start with $1,000?

~Wayne Tucker

There are a lot of business opportunities that are available for $1,000 or less. Sometimes the problem is deciphering which opportunities are real and those that are a scam. While researching several startup opportunities I came across some great opportunities, but the opportunity that stands out the most right now is one with Motiply as a mobile solutions consultant.

What is a mobile solutions consultant?

In order to remain competitive in today’s marketplace every business should have a mobile marketing strategy consisting of a mobile app, a mobile website, and SMS text marketing. The reason that every business should have a mobile solutions strategy is because more and more people are using their mobile phones or tablet devices to make purchases and access businesses. In reality, less than 2 percent of all businesses have a mobile website or app. With the shift from desktops to mobile devices there is a huge opportunity for a mobile solutions consultant (an entrepreneur that offers mobile solutions to business owners) to build a viable business.

             

     

             Before Mobile Strategy         After Mobile Strategy

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Jul 15, 20121 note
#Motiply #best business opportunity #best home based business opportunity #mobile solutions consultant #business opportunity
How To Keep A Time Journal To Improve Your Productivity

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Most people feel that there are not enough hours in a day to do the things that they want and need to do. They also tend to be surprised at the amount of time they spend on certain tasks when they actually take the time to record everything they do in a time journal. You cannot add hours to your day, but keeping a time journal can help you find and eliminate time-wasters in your life, giving you more time to relax and spend on things that are important to you.

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Jul 11, 20122 notes
#time journal #time management
13 Ways to Rock Your Biz Into the Spotlight

13 Ways to Rock Your Biz Into the Spotlight

In today’s business world, it is important to stand out —in fact it is the most important thing. Having an excellent product or service are also very vital as well. However, if no one knows about about your business it’s nearly impossible to sell anything. Therefore, it is important to make your business rise above the sea of other business owners offering the same thing that you do.

Here are 13 ways to rock your small business into the spotlight both online and off:

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Jul 8, 20121 note
#marketing #marketing strategies #rock your biz
The Only Tips For Making It As A Freelancer That You Will Ever Need

                          

There is a segment of the population that believes it is hard to make it as a freelancer. However, you can make it as a freelance writer, photographer or consultant as long as you know how to play the game. Following these tips will allow you to become successful at something you love to do. Never again will you have to work for someone other than yourself.

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Jul 3, 20121 note
#freelancer
Halfway through 2012 --Time For a Business and Personal Reflection

It is July 1st and we are halfway into the 2012 year! At this time of the year I always assess my New Year’s resolutions to see how far I have come and what goals I have accomplished —and which ones that I haven’t. 

My main goals for this year were to:

  • Launch two businesses
  • Start a successful small business resource blog
  • Position myself as a small business expert
  • Tone and tighten my body, exercise more


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Jul 1, 2012
#business goals #personal goals
Jul 1, 2012
#independent retailer month #small business contest
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