Linda's Small Business Bits

Where Does Your Strength Come From?

When your ship is sinking who keeps you afloat? This went wrong. That went wrong. You are so far behind and you just can't keep up. Your marketing isn't doing what you thought it would and everything you try just doesn't work. You feel like a dog chasing it's tail, going absolutely nowhere. There isn't an ounce of motivation left in you and you are feeling disappointed in yourself. Everything you do seems like it just falls apart.

We all go through this either in business or in our personal lives. And, too often, both seem to collide with each other making it even worse.

So here you are. What do you do when you are discouraged? Do you have someone to help bring you back up and help you believe in yourself again? Do you leave it with the Lord and let Him sort it out for you? What station do you go to so you can "refuel" again?

What have you been through lately that just sunk your ship? And, what did you do to get sailing again? I've started a discussion in our forum where you can let us know. Sharing your experience may make you feel better and it could give a boost to another entrepreneur.

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Do You Have Fun With Marketing?

Tell us about your experiences with marketing and which one you actually had fun with. Marketing, marketing, marketing... When you have your own business, isn't that one of the main things you have to nail to be successful? There is so much information on marketing and which kind you should be doing, online or off. How in the world do you get started?

I believe that every business has it's own special approach to marketing and that's where you come in. Let's share some ideas on what marketing methods have been successful, how you got started and which form of marketing has been the most fun for you.

By the way, can you guys believe it is August already?!

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That Is What Sold Me!

Was it the price, picture or description that brought the mouse to click Bid?? With a zillion people selling on Ebay, what can you do to make your products stand out? As a buyer, what grabs your attention? Is it a crisp picture, great price or detailed description? Maybe it's the seller's rating? What persuades you to make the purchase? To me, price is always great but if there is no description, well, I'm apprehensive. And a bad picture is about as good as none at all. But what else should a seller consider to help increase sales? Do you have any tips? Let us know in this forum thread.

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Last One To Go

Are you ready to send your little on into the real world? Can you believe it's the end of July already? The school bell will be ringing for the kids soon enough. For some parents it will be a relief but for others it could be a little heartbreaking. In particular I'm talking about parents who are sending their last kiddo to school. Soon, there will be no children to take care of during the day while you are working. A seemingly empty house.

I am facing that right now. My son will be entering kindergarten this fall. He went to preschool three days a week for five hours but he was with me more than he was at school. Now, he will be gone all day and I'm going to miss my little man. It will be the first time in almost nine years that I won't have one of my kids with me during the day. It makes me want to cry even though I still have some more time.

Are any of you parents in the same spot? Why don't you share your thoughts in a forum thread and maybe we can help each other out.

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How Much Should You Say?

How far should you go in talking about yourself in you business blog? When it comes to blogging, what's the most important thing you should talk about? Obviously you'll want to talk about something relevant to the product or service you provide. I also think you should be yourself, be personable and let your potential customers know a little about you. Give them some insight into what you and your business are all about. I think if people know a little about you, they may feel they can trust you and feel more comfortable doing business with you. But, just how personal should you get? Tough question.

What's your take on blogging? Should you be strictly business or share some of your personal life and views with your customers? Drop by our forum and let us know what you think or ask any questions you may have. It's a great way to create some online relationships.

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Any Ideas??

How in the world do you find the right one? Getting started and prospering in your own business is what we are all about here at Small Business Brief. Having the financial support, the business plan, a smoothly operating website, etc. are all important factors in running a successful small business. But what is the one thing you have to have before any of the rest even matters? The light bulb in your head that kicks on with the idea!

To me, the ground breaking idea is the hardest thing to figure out. So if you are needing to bounce some ideas off small business owners who have been there and done that and are willing to listen and give you their two cents, then you need to stop by our forum and click on "What Type Of Business Should I Start?" Here is an example of a great thread from someone who has many ideas but none of them are the one.

If you are one of the many who are needing some guidance in the idea department, stop by the forum and give it a shot!

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Risky Business

How far are you willing to go?? Are you a risk taker or are you afraid to take a step into the unknown? Have you been wanting to try a new marketing tactic or you have a great business idea but worry it's too risky? If stepping out of your comfort zone is just not your thing you likely ask yourself questions like... "what if it fails?"

Hey, but what if it succeeds? How are you ever going to know? What is the worst thing that can happen if it is a failure? Maybe from that so called failure, you learn something about what to do or not do with your business? What if you learn something about yourself in this process? Taking that first step out of your comfort zone may break the ice and you'll be ready for some more risks.

I am not a fan of trying something "scary." But I have learned that if you don't try something that makes your stomach hurt, you may never get anywhere and learn what you are all about. You don't have to just dive in, start with something small and then move onto something a little bigger as you grow.

Let's talk to some business owners about their first risks and what they learned from it.

Don't be afraid, you can do it!

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Sales 101

Needing some tips on making the sale? Take a look. Sales is where the money is, but having worked in both retail and inside sales for quite a few years, I know it's not easy. You work really hard and give the customer every reason you think they should buy but sometimes you just can't close the deal.

This is the topic of our forum thread 3 Reasons Why Prospects Don't Buy where we are discussing Dale King's article by the same name. It's a great opportunity to give and pick up some tips on increasing your sales.

Hope It Helps You Reel Em' In

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Help I Need Somebody!

Do you need a hand? One connected to your first employee? Oh, you look stressed out. You missed your kids baseball game again. You never seem to make it to the dinner table with everyone else. There just isn't enough time in the day.

Have you come to the point where you just cannot do it all by yourself? Your business is growing and you, well, you need HELP! Is it time to bring in an employee?

This is a good thing because your business is growing...right? But how in the world do you show someone how to do what you do? Better yet, how do you bring a stranger into your HOME business? Where and how do you find this person you can train, trust and get along with? You definitely need a person you can totally jive with especially if you are bringing them into your home. Where do you start?

It would help if you had someone that you know. Maybe a family member, a friend who needs some work or a teenager you know from church. Or an employment agency might have someone you are looking for.

Let's see if we can find some answers for those of you looking for an employee in our forum. Good luck to you and let us know how the journey is going.

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Testify Your Satisfaction

Let those customers speak up for you. When I'm shopping online, whether it be for a beauty product, a service or a toy, there is usually major competition out there. You hear all kinds of advice on what you can do to get the sale instead of your competition. Do you want to know what I think helps make the sale? Testimonials. Testimonials from previous satisfied customers go a long way in persuading me to buy from a business.

So, if you are getting customers saying "thanks" for a great service, product or whatever you do, see if they wouldn't mind writing up a quick testimonial for you. I bet they would be glad to do so. I know I would.

I have started a forum thread so we can share ideas about getting testimonials and putting them to use.

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What To Do With The Kids

Summer is here. What do you small business owners do with your kiddos this time of the year? Okay, summer vacation is here and that means the kids are here...Alllll day.....Everyday. So, you small business owners who have kids home right now, what do you do with your kids? It can get kinda crazy at the homestead trying to get your work done and keep the kids busy at the same time.

Don't get me wrong, I love to have my kiddos with me. But they can get cranky doing the same thing every day, hanging out at my house or Robert's. My two will be in vacation Bible studies, sports camps, art camps or scheduled outings with friends and family. One thing my mom always had my sister and I do when we were home for summer break was extra chores at home, so yup, mine get extra work to do :) (I think I have a good work ethic because my mom worked us so hard; it's a good thing). I also like to put together craft projects for them to do when it is just too hot outside. Just enough to break up the monotony a little and to learn something new.

Why don't you share with us what you do with your children in the summer months in our forum chat. You might help out a fellow small businessperson/parent get some ideas to create sanity this summer.

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Why Are You Here?

Tell us what your "why" is! Do you ever wonder what people's "whys" are? I think why people get started in their businesses is not only an interesting subject but also a fun one.

Yes, I know one big reason is mooola! We all need to earn the mighty dollar to make it in this world. But why did you start your particular business? Possibly you had a hobby that you just loved and found that is was a lucrative business opportunity. Maybe you took skills learned from working for someone else and formed your own services. Another big reason may be you just got sick of a grinding 9 to 5. Staying home with the children is a growing reason why people come home and build a website selling their products or services.

Whatever your reason, share it with us at the forum. Your "whys" can help inspire others when they are wondering what to do.

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Check Them Out @www.....

A website could tell them enough to bring em' in. Ecommerce, it is the happening thing these days. There is always an abundance of information on having a content rich, well designed, easily navigated and quick loading website for an online store. But a question that comes up many times is whether a brick and mortar business should have a website.

Is it important for those offline businesses to have an online presence? I personally believe it can really help business. Lately, I have seen many local business signs with their website listed right under the name of their business or the phone number. I don't know about you but I don't have an extra few minutes to call these days so a website that I can look up in the middle of the night really helps.

With the information given I can make a decision to take the time to drop by or call. If there is not enough information on the services provided or the products sold, well then I don't feel compelled to do business there. You don't even necessarily need to list prices in some cases, just give enough information to lure me in.

I have started a forum post to see what everyone thinks. Come discuss whether you think it is important to have a web presence and what information you think is crucial to bring customers in.

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Tell Me About It

People will talk about you. I read and post many articles on word of mouth marketing. It is always on top of the list in any article on free marketing tactics. But, do you wonder if it really works and how? How far can the news of your small business go? Well, it can possibly get pretty far down the road.

I am from a town of about 9500 people (compared to Houston it is considered small) of which about half is rural areas. Houston is about 60 miles north of my hometown. I cannot tell you how many times I have told some new people I have met where I am from and almost every time their response is "oh, that is where that good barbecue place is." It just cracks me up.

This certain restaurant has been in our town forever. I never thought a thing about it or that it was the best barbecue ever while I lived back home. Don't get me wrong, it is some good barbecue. It was just the town's place to eat barbecue. Well someone from Houston must have thought it was the bomb and told their family and friends about it because word apparently has gotten out and all around.

Funny, I was sitting at my mom's kitchen table this past Easter weekend and my folks were talking about a new place to eat barbecue in town. It is supposed to be really good and inexpensive according to what my dad heard. My parents don't go out to eat much but they sure are ready to try this new place. Good food that doesn't rob the pocketbook goes well together for most of us.

Guess what? I ran into an old friend that same day at the grocery store. What do you think the last thing they said to me as we were parting ways? "Girl, try that new barbecue place when you are back in town." Okay, now I really have to go to this place. Maybe I'll take my parents there!

Sooo, do you think word of mouth marketing can work now?

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Ship It To Me

Make shipping a breeze for your customers With people getting busier and busier in their lives, online shopping continues to soar. It's a great convenience to be able to shop on your own time for much of the things you need and have them sent to your door. Especially if you are a parent, it's one less place you have to drag your kids.

But, a drawback of online shopping is shipping. Having to pay to get that item to your door and worrying how long it will take to arrive can create a headache. With all the competition online, you as a business owner should make sure that aspect of your business is crisp and clear.

I have come across many sites where I cannot find out how much the shipping will be for the items I want to purchase. There is not an easy to find shipping information link to see the charges. I don't want to be surprised at the very end of the order to find the shipping is way too expensive for me. You need to let me know beforehand how much shipping will be and how long it will take. If I have to struggle to find out how much it will cost to ship and how long it should take the item to get to me, well then forget it, I will move on to the next store. In all honesty, if I cannot find anything about shipping it makes me suspicious of your store and the possibility you might try to take me for a ride on shipping.

So make sure that your store has an easy and convenient way to let your customer know how much it will cost to ship and the time it will take to get to them. Your customers will appreciate that and feel confident purchasing from your store.

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