Blog

Just because you're a small business doesn't mean you have to blog like one. That's the great thing about the Internet – it creates a level playing field. Even if you run a business out of your bedroom closet, you can blog like a pro. Here are 10 secrets to blogging just like the big guys.

 

Write Magazine Headlines

Write headlines just like magazines use. Take a look at a magazine and see how their headlines grab the attention of the reader. Try to create titles that make the reader think, 'Wow,…

While a business blog is a great tool for marketing and building relationships with customers, it can also provide new revenue streams. It can help you to increase your earnings, both directly through the site and in more indirect ways. Here are several ways it can do that.

 

Showcase Your Products and Services

You can use your business blog to showcase your products and services, and explain to your customers how they can benefit from them. Your customers may not necessarily know about everythin…

Many bookkeepers, and small business owners in general, stick up a website with their phone number and email address then wonder why people don't call.  I made exactly this mistake when I setup my business.  The problem with this is that not everyone has the confidence to pick up the phone.  They may not be totally convinced that you are a good fit for them, or may want proof that you know what you're doing.

One way to begin to prove that you really know your stuff is to write a short book.  This…

No matter what type of business you have, you need a target market. There are folks who want and need your products, and the goal of your marketing efforts is to connect with them. Without a clearly defined target market, you're taking shots in the dark and just hoping that you’ll find people who will buy. You have no real idea if you’re aiming too high, too low, or in the wrong direction entirely.

What Is a Target Market?

A target market is a group of people that have related characteristics an…

I've just been looking through some of the resources offered by one of the professional bodies. I came across a letter of introduction to local businesses and found it wanting. More than that actually, in my opinion to send it is a wasted stamp.

I've taken the letter and redesigned it into something more likely to get a response. Here are some of the things I think were wrong with the original.

The Title Original : LOCAL BOOKKEEPING SERVICE What does this title say to you? Does it really want to m…

No matter what kind of company you have, you need to be blogging. Even if you don't consider yourself a writer or blogger, it's essential because your business blog offers another touch point with your customers. It's easy to do and there are several good reasons you should do it.

 

1. A More Personal Connection

Like social media, your blog gives you a chance to connect with your customers on a more personal level. While your website is a static page that simply tells them about your business, yo…

Market research gives you a picture of your target market so that you can create and grow a business that meets their needs. You have to know the people in your market perfectly so that you can connect them to the products and services that are best suited for them. In order to do this, you need to gather and analyse hard data about your audience.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data

There are two types of data – quantitative and qualitative. Both are essential for creating an accurate picture of y…

For marketers, the Internet is a blessing. Never has there been so much information about consumers and how they think right at your fingertips. In years past, marketing firms and businesses had to rely solely on costlier, more time consuming methods like focus groups, surveys and other data-gathering methods. Online research offers some excellent shortcuts.

Whenever you start an online marketing campaign, the most basic step is to gather relevant keywords. Keywords are essential but they don't g…

Nickenamed "mobile-geddon" because of the huge effect it could have on many businesses, today Google changed their search algorithm.  Now when users start to search for something using Google on their phone the search giant will give priority to mobile friendly sites.  As the numbers of people using mobile devices increases this could spell disaster for small businesses who don't have mobile ready websites.  Is this you?

Mobile friendly websites will include features that make the page resize pro…