Marketing Small Business Blog

Just like many marketing ideas, a mustard seed starts small, one of the smallest of all seeds. From tiny beginnings, it grows large. On my Marketing Small Business Blog, you'll find a harvest of marketing ideas. Site updates. Marketing trends. My own anecdotes of marketing successes and flops. Some may just be small ideas, but all have the potential to help you grow your small business.

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If you want to know more about your friendly blogger here, go to my Contact Info page. Also, don't forget to look through my Marketing Small Business site for other "seeds of small business marketing wisdom."

Jul 18, 2008, How to Market During a Slow Economy

For some reason, small business owners seem to think a slow economy is the time to stop marketing. On the contrary, it is time to use your small business advantage and tell consumers how you can provide greater value for their hard-earned dollar. A recent report called "Marketing in an Economic Downturn: Mistakes, Challenges and Opportunities" explains. According to this report, 60% of American Marketing Association marketers say cutting key marketing programs is the "biggest mistake marketers can make in an economic downturn." The article gives four tips for marketing during a slow economy. You will find it at the MarketingCharts web site, a site I love for following marketing trends.

Jul 10, 2008, New Site Look Causes a Few Blog "Issues"

As you might have noticed, I recently updated the look of this web site. In the process, when I updated the look of my blog, some previous entries were lost. Because the current system does not allow me to predate blog entries, the "lost" entries have been re-entered with the current date. I apologize for the inconvenience. I also hope you like the new look of this site!

Jul 10, 2008, Protect Your Copyright and Company Reputation

Someone has swiped your website content and made it their own. Use these tips to protect your copyright and company reputation.

Jul 10, 2008, Protect Your Online Reputation: Stay Alert for Digital Defamation

Use these simple tips to monitor and protect your online reputation.

Jul 10, 2008, Do I Really Need a USP When Advertising My Business?

Having a genuine USP when advertising your business is the answer to standing out among your competition.

Jul 10, 2008, PR Requires More Than Writing a Press Release

For maximum results, writing a press release takes time, planning and newsworthy content.

Jan 29, 2008, Is Humor in Advertising Worth the Risk?

Humor in advertising can work, or it can be an expensive gamble. Just ask the Wendy's red wig guy.

Nov 29, 2007, Monitor Your Online Reputation In Forums

In my last few blog entries, I've been stressing the importance of protecting your company's online reputation. What happens though when someone starts to criticize your company in a blog or forum? Your best line of defense is to be alert and if possible respond in a professional way. The article I've linked to is a perfect example. In what should have been positive PR for this amusement park today, someone started to question the cleanliness of the park's water in the forums. As you scroll to the bottom of the forum, you will see a response by the park's PR person (who I've had the pleasure of meeting and who is very good at her job). She doesn't become defensive. She simply sets the record straight. By doing so, she took a positive situation that had turned somewhat negative and turned it back around. Of course, she is a PR professional, but this is an example your small business can follow.

Jul 2, 2007, Your Best Customers

Read my most recent article about finding your most loyal customers.

May 25, 2007, Ten Ways to Save Marketing Dollars

As a small business, you want to make every marketing dollar count. Avoid these ten ways businesses waste marketing money.

May 3, 2007, Don't Overlook the Impact of Word-of-Mouth Advertising

Studies show an unhappy customer will tell 9 to 10 other people. Today, when you factor in email and cell phones, negative word-of-mouth advertising can reach more people even faster.

Apr 29, 2007, Learn Small Business Marketing Lessons from the Big Guys

Successful small business marketing doesn't require big bucks or being first. It does require 'smart marketing.'