how to drive business and leverage trends … without driving yourself crazy

How To Drive Business And Leverage Trends … Without

Driving Yourself Crazy

Anita CampbellSmallBizTrends.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 SELECTIVELY-

o Schedule your timeo 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

– 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:

– 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

Steve Rubel says:

• If you don’t understand some technology:o you'll spend more money o everything will take longero you won't get the best from service providers

or staff

" ... new trend of geek marketers."

Get organized! Find Tools

Keep A Sense Of Humor.  Something’s Bound To Go Wrong.

Thank You!

Anita CampbellSmallBizTrends.com@smallbiztrends