Small Business & Marketing News and Tips

Small Business Hiring: Things Are Finally Looking Up

22 Feb 2012 | 11:30 am

With large companies not stepping up to the plate as “job creators,” small business owners have been under a microscope, with polls and surveys monitoring our hiring actions and intentions as closely as Punxsutawney Phil gets watched on Groundhog Day. For what seems like eons, there’s…

What does the price of gas have to do with your business?

22 Feb 2012 | 10:00 am

This week, the national average price for a gallon of gas hit $3.57, according to an article in yesterday’s Chicago Tribune. Prices are expected to reach $4 per gallon by April, and may surpass the previous all-time national average high of $4.11 (July, 2008). High gas…

Learn the Latest Trends for Selling Through Affiliates, at #AMDays

22 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

The affiliate marketing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry here in the United States and in the U.K. By “affiliate marketing” we mean when one website (called an “affiliate” – example, Mary Smith’s blog) markets the products or services of another (called a “merchant” – example…

4 Tips For Getting More Site Conversions

22 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

Getting people to your Web site is one thing. Getting them to do something while they’re there is another. And then, of course, getting them to do what you want them to do is another beast entirely. But, as a marketer, that’s your job; to get…

Your Home Business Can Make An Impact

22 Feb 2012 | 2:30 am

Home businesses seem to get more popular all the time. Promoting a new home business around your products or services can be a daunting plan. Success Stories One mom’s home business has big impact. Think your home business can’t make a big splash? Think again! Read…

Overwhelmed By Job Applications: 4 Ways to Manage the Madness

21 Feb 2012 | 2:30 pm

I recently polled a bunch of managers and small business owners on how many resumes they receive for every opening they put out there. The result was staggering – 50 to 200. Whether or not you have a dedicated person managing these incoming resumes, it can…

Where Social Media Jobs Are

21 Feb 2012 | 11:30 am

A few years ago, we couldn’t have imagined that there would be actual jobs for people to “play” on Twitter all day. And yet, an entire category of employment has sprung up around Internet Marketing and Social Media. This infographic by Onward Search looks at where…

Granola business keeps on growing

21 Feb 2012 | 9:40 am

Two years ago we introduced our readers to Business Plan Pro user Sarah Lanphier of Nuts About Granola. She was a young entrepreneur who turned a one-time fundraiser into a successful business. Today, the small business Sarah started with her mother, Gayle, is growing beyond what…

3 Ways to Qualify Marketing Help

21 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

“Getting good marketing help is one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses today,” according to Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends. Anita acknowledges that, “marketing is more challenging today than ever” and “business success is all about finding the right outside service providers and…

Twitter To Try Out SMB Self Serve Ads

21 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

Are you a small business owner with an American Express card? Well does Twitter have a deal for you! Last week Twitter formally announced a self-serve ad service designed to let small business owners buy and place ads in their Twitter stream using their AmEx card.…

How to Lead Your Small Business in Tough Times

21 Feb 2012 | 2:30 am

How’s your small business leadership? Quality leadership is even more important during tough times. Here are some considerations for improving the leadership qualities you bring to your small business venture. Tips & Trends 12 leadership tips you should know. Here are some suggestions that will transform your leadership style…

14 Books on Leadership Every Young Entrepreneur Should Read

20 Feb 2012 | 2:30 pm

Sometimes the best lessons on management and leadership can be found in a book.From Small Business Trends14 Books on Leadership Every Young Entrepreneur Should Read…

Is Pinterest Part of Your Business Game Plan?

17 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

It seems that every few months the social media world is taken by storm with a new site. Replacing Google+ on the minds of most social media folks, Pinterest, a startup last year, has exploded in recent months to be the latest social networking rage. If…

Work. Life. Balance.

16 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

Christiane Erwin is owner and CEO of Crestview Doors, Inc. Using more than a decade of experience spent designing and launching web-based e-commerce applications for businesses in a variety of industries, Christiane and her husband David started Crestview Doors in 2007. Crestview Doors has shipped thousands…

Will a business plan help you raise money?

15 Feb 2012 | 11:23 am

The necessity of a business plan is a controversial topic. What is the importance of a plan? Do you only need a plan if you’re looking for investment? Or can a plan help your business succeed in the long run? Do you think a business plan…

Do love and passion conquer all in business?

14 Feb 2012 | 12:58 pm

It’s Valentine’s Day, so love and passion abound today. While most people tend to celebrate their personal relationships on Valentine’s Day, businesses also deserve some love and recognition. For entrepreneurs, passion is often what drives them to start their own business. Is passion enough? Does raw…

Current Date: February 22, 2012, 12:36 pm