As a small business you understand the need for running tight budgets and keeping marketing costs under control. At first thought, exhibitions and fairs may seem an extravagant activity, but executed well, with the right preparation and follow up, they can provide a great return on investment and help to take your business to the next level. So, what can you hope to get out of an exhibition or fair? Lead generation: Perhaps the most obvious of outcomes, exhibitions are a great way of sourcing new leads for businesses, which, once followed up after the show, will hopefully convert into…

There’s a point when your company needs a website and the way you approach this project defines the outcome. There are certain things you do and certain things you need to know before you even start talking to website design companies. Here’s a short list of the steps to take in order to get great websites: 1. Research. What are your keywords? What do your customers look for? Google AdWords has a great tool to research keywords – enter one keyword and it suggests related keywords with an additional search info. Use this tool to create an extensive list of…

If you’re going to do battle for new business and strengthen your brand then you’re going to have to put your best foot forward to take advantage of any opportunities that you uncover. Below, I’ve provided a basic kit of activities that you should consider before engaging the marketplace: 1- A good business card that uses both sides and projects a professional image. Also include all information to contact you on and offline. The image should inspire viewers. 2- A brochure that addresses your target audience’s needs and desires. Refrain making it all about you. Give them a message that…

If you’ve been trying to promote your business on the Internet, no doubt you’ve received the advice to start a business blog. Internet marketing experts consider a blog to be an essential tool to succeed online. In fact, I’ve made the decision recently to give more attention to my blogs — even if it meant giving up some paid gigs writing for other people’s blogs. But is blogging right for YOU? Benefits of A Blog A high-quality blog can have many benefits, such as: Search-engine Friendly Blogs get indexed and ranked in search engines faster than static HTML sites. One…

There are few things than deplete an employee’s morale more than, having worked hard for a month, receiving an inaccurate wage which does not reflect their own levels of commitment. Be it late, or too little, wages not paid properly can make workers question all areas of their business, not least the competency of those who provide his checks. Similarly, an employee could wonder if perhaps he was paid incorrectly due to the fact that the company could be in financial bother or, perhaps, maybe the employee is about to receive some bad news regarding his own position within the…

Summer brings about change in more than just the rising temperature. If you live in a “summer town” that relies on tourism, you probably already know to stock up on items and get ready for more customers. But in places where population doesn’t fluctuate significantly, there are still things to do to prep for the coming summer. Taking a few (and in many cases, inexpensive) steps can really boost productivity and sales. Summer Marketing—Do you know of a popular venue where people like to hang out in your area? Cover the place with flyers, signs, or even aerial advertising. Don’t…

What are you doing to create your own economy? On the news and in the streets you hear stories of how the economy has hurt people. They’re also waiting for a turn-around. Essentially they are waiting for someone to get it done for them. As an entrepreneur this doesn’t have to be you. Business people understand that risk is a part of doing business. You are out among the wolves all day long. Every negative event leads to opportunities for those willing to see them. Positive thinking attracts positive results. Are you seeing opportunities? Are you developing new revenue streams…

As a small business, if you have a large site, should you split it into two websites or leave it as one? This is a difficult question that really has no right or wrong answer, but we’ll give you something even better: we’ll help you examine some of the ups and downs of both options to help you decide what’s best for you. Maintaining One Large Site Offering everything in one place is convenient for you and your target audience. You only have one set of expenses, one set of marketing and content strategies, one set of social media profiles,…

As members of the public we have a type of ‘banner blindness’ when it comes to corporate imagery. Our immediate recognition of familiar company logos is something the human brain has become accustomed to through repetition and constant cognitive reminders. You just have to look at our children. At only 5 years of age my daughter immediately recognizes the familiar ‘McDonald’s’ brand and visits it only a couple of times each year. Her branding repertoire at such a young age is extensive which to a large degree is a result of television commercials, which on occasions can last up to…

For any business and advertising plan that you have, one of the best ways to promote your business is to hand out free gifts to the general public so that they will remember you and hopefully use your products and recommend you to their friends. Now promotional products can range from a myriad of things, some companies will get t-shirts or clothing of some sort made with their company logo on them. I’m sure that you have all been to a bank and been give a pen by the bank that has been branded especially for them with their main…