http://www.marketing-small-business.net/small-business-marketing-blog.html Small business marketing doesn't require a degree or high-priced agency. Learn the basics to do it yourself. Sample marketing plan, advertising, business letters and more. en-us small business marketing Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:31:33 GMT Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:31:33 GMT marketing-small-business.net http://www.marketingcharts.com/direct/marketing-in-an-economic-downturn-mistakes-challenges-and-opportunities-5161/?camp=newsletter&src=mc&type=textlink 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. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:07:13 GMT 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! Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:19:20 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/your-copyright-and-company.html Someone has swiped your website content and made it their own. Use these tips to protect your copyright and company reputation. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:15:31 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/protect-your-online-reputation.html Use these simple tips to monitor and protect your online reputation. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:14:38 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/usp-when-advertising.html Having a genuine USP when advertising your business is the answer to standing out among your competition. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:13:22 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/writing-a-press-release.html For maximum results, writing a press release takes time, planning and newsworthy content. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:12:21 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/humor-in-advertising.html Humor in advertising can work, or it can be an expensive gamble. Just ask the Wendy's red wig guy. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:58:29 GMT http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/nov/29/holiday-world-announcement-due-morning/ 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. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:40:38 GMT http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Best-Customers:-Look-Beyond-Sales-to-Identify-Loyal-Advocates&id=621495 Read my most recent article about finding your most loyal customers. Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:16:51 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/save-marketing-dollars.html As a small business, you want to make every marketing dollar count. Avoid these ten ways businesses waste marketing money. Fri, 25 May 2007 14:54:59 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/word-of-mouth-advertising.html 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. Thu, 03 May 2007 18:09:06 GMT http://www.marketing-small-business.net/small-business-marketing-lessons.html Successful small business marketing doesn't require big bucks or being first. It does require 'smart marketing.' Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:01:58 GMT