What are your top 5 strengths in regard to your small business?
If you've never taken time to write them down and elaborate on why they are such assets, you should. Refer to your notes periodically as they may change and need to be reevaluated. As small business owners we have to be jacks (and jills) of all trades... in the beginning, but we should always be planning our delegation strategy. Maybe you are in a place where this is still an impossible idea, but nevertheless, plan for it or it will remain impossible.
Start with the end goal in mind and daily routines become more significant. If you know where you want to go, it makes it easier to get there. Plan daily for your end goal. One baby step at a time if that's what it takes.
The short & sweet this #Blahg tonight... know your strengths so you know where you need advice. Plan to delegate so you can focus on your strengths. Don't be afraid (or too proud) to ask for help.
<3 #SPM
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Happy Customers Guaranteed *online only
I am so excited to share with you the online solution to cosmetically fix all customer dissatisfaction! Pay someone (or a company) to edit your online reviews. Problem solved, right?
So, I've read an article and listened to a podcast... unofficialy 2/5 on my way to solidifying myself as a so-called-expert and I have to tell you, both have increased my wariness of trusting online reviews.
Now, I'm sure you've heard the urban myths (they're not myths) about employees or whoever posing as overly elated customers and fishy stellar reviews promptly posted after a slew of a negative reviews, but... marketing agencies? Companies paid to promote brand/product awareness and engage target audiences? I mean ok, I can see how one might think it makes sense financially, but c'mon, it's destroying the whole point of sharing online reviews from a consumer's perspective and it's lazy. Like, ughhh, sooo laaazy.
Knowing the blood, sweat, tears, more sweat & tears it takes to start a business and then not run it into the ground (add another paragraph of sweat and tears if we're talking profitable)... why would you cut your legs off by not satisfying your customers?
This is your baby so treat it right! Take every opportunity to grow and benefit from the best advertisement you can't buy... a genuinely happy customer that is excited to share their experience with your business with all of their friends! Od school style... word of mouth via social media. Haha ;) you can't escape the digital age.
Don't take the lazy way. That's definitely not how you got here. Semi-fake (pronounced "optimized") reviews only get them in the door to personally experience whatever is really going on anyway. So what's a few more drops of sweat to ensure everyone that walks through your door/orders online or sits down at your desk/sends you an email ends the day happy?
In the long run, it's a win for your #smallbusiness and it sets you apart from your competition.
♡#SPM
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
How to #Blahg like a Badass
We like to consider ourselves creatively organized at #SPM so it's surprising how quickly Wednesday surprises us each week... said everyone who's ever owned a business, held a job, raised a family, lived.
Admittedly we googled how to make time for blogging and we still make weekly adjustments daily. Yes, weekly daily. I did say creatively organized; half of us are creative and half are organized. Teamwork makes the dreamwork is a phrase that gets worn out in the office.
Small business owners have a lot on their plates (always) and blogging is like the napkin that keeps falling under the table. So to help you out of the weeds, here is...
And there it is plain and simple... or dare I say social and proper. Haha :)
Hopefully you can see how well we follow our rules and enjoy sharing a bit of our week with you. Of course, there are very hectic days where getting time to blahg seems impossible and stressful, but don't be overcome by a heavy schedule... like everything else in your business, proper planning and discipline will see you through.
If you'd like to share your rules with us we'd love to hear from you!
Post them on our FB Page or send us a Tweet.
<3 #SPM
Admittedly we googled how to make time for blogging and we still make weekly adjustments daily. Yes, weekly daily. I did say creatively organized; half of us are creative and half are organized. Teamwork makes the dreamwork is a phrase that gets worn out in the office.
Small business owners have a lot on their plates (always) and blogging is like the napkin that keeps falling under the table. So to help you out of the weeds, here is...
The #SPM official guide to #Blahging like a badass (small business/anyone edition;))
1. Make your own rules about your blog. Tips are just that... tips. What works for certain bloggers may not work for you so don't get caught up in other peoples' rules.
2. Set a schedule and commit to it. No matter how many schedules you make (and break) blogging requires discipline, but think of it as therapeutic discipline... also do not confuse discipline as punishment. #Blahging is fun :) It shares great ideas and is a great way to connect with other great thinkers.
3. Have fun. Seriously. Blahging like a badass has one requirement: #you
4. Do a little research to avoid foot-in-mouth situations, but push the envelope and go against the crowd if that's your stance and if you feel unsure, see rules 1 and 3.
5. Make adjustments as needed however often they're needed.
And there it is plain and simple... or dare I say social and proper. Haha :)
Hopefully you can see how well we follow our rules and enjoy sharing a bit of our week with you. Of course, there are very hectic days where getting time to blahg seems impossible and stressful, but don't be overcome by a heavy schedule... like everything else in your business, proper planning and discipline will see you through.
If you'd like to share your rules with us we'd love to hear from you!
Post them on our FB Page or send us a Tweet.
<3 #SPM
Monday, November 24, 2014
#Smallbusiness Gratitude
This week SPM is making time for gratitude. Of course we strive to be thankful every day, but it's hard with everything going on. Life is busy, running a small business is busy. Things just happen and it's so easy to forget to be thankful in the rush of completing the daily to do list. So this week we are consciously making time... still working hard, but remembering to give thanks that we can.
Owning a small business is such an amazing opportunity that can quickly become clouded with negativity. So, this week we invite you to kick it to the curb and fill your week, your mind, and your business with gratitude. Appreciate all the triumphs and trials that have brought you to this day and the people that have supported you along the way. Maybe this is the week you decide to re-focus your company's values or customer service and engagement to align with a more thankful narrative. Maybe it's a simple thank you card that's way overdue. Whatever it is for you make time this week.
Give thanks. Be thankful. Show gratitude. Remember what it felt like as a first time entrepreneur, a start up business... in your beginning days :) How good it felt to hear an encouraging word, receive uplifting advice or a genuine pat on the back. Share that with someone this week. Everyday. Maybe you will even keep going when Monday rolls around again. We have so much influence as small business owners to touch lives, so let's share our stories to inspire would-be business owners and one-day entrepreneurs and everyone else that comes into our lives... starting today and hopefully every day going forward.
Let's go out and crush this week and sit back on Thursday and celebrate the week with full hearts and full bellies!
Monday, November 17, 2014
The ROI of #SocialMedia
"The ROI of social media is that your business will still exist in 5 years."
-Erik Qualman
I admit I read that and laughed... it seemed snarky with a touch of rude and I fell inlove with it. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since I first laid eyes on it and the more I've thought about it, the more I can't stop. I don't know the tone of it and I have yet to read Socialnomics from cover to cover, but as we speak with more and more clients my laughter turns to concern.
Mr. Qualman's statement is complete honesty that employees seem to grasp better than their employers. Small businesses we love you! Please wake up before it's too late. You are in serious need of this truth... "The ROI of social media is that your business will still exist in 5 years." Go ahead and laugh because, you already "have a FB page" and "don't know if you could handle more business," but then let the truth of this statement sink in. Ask yourself if your current (and future) customers are getting older or younger, more "internet savvy" or less? Small businesses currently employ over half of the American workforce so clearly we need you. If you aren't around in 5 years, that leaves only big corporations...
We understand running a small business is entirely consuming, we've been there, we've burnt out, we've started over... small business is not small business. We understand you don't have time for social media, you don't have resources for social media and you definitely do not have a surplus of patience in the storage closet ;) So find someone that does, a professional someone(s) and don't let this necessary "opportunity" slip through your fingers with excuses. Social media is continuously evolving and not engaging with your customers through social media is not a neutral position... it's hurting you and most of you do not even realize the consequences of your absence.
This is not a self-promo for Social Proper, it's a call to action for #SmallBusiness to help yourselves; stay relevant; engage with your customers the way they engage with each other. Simply having a FB page is not enough, don't get me wrong, it's an absolute step in the right direction. It's like buying your storefront and now you need to populate it. Take advantage of social media and use it to benefit your business and interact with your target audience... GROW your target audience.
With FB about to make big moves in small business and even the amazing founder of Virgin, Richard Branson, calling on all companies to embrace the changes brought about by the rise of platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, the time has come for small business to give social media the attention its due and realize the potential and necessity it holds for your companies.
Hopefully you are ready to put this Business Beginner's Guide to Social Media to work (special Thanks to Social Media Examiner!) and if you still feel overwhelmed give a professional a call and together let's keep #SmallBusiness #RELEVANT.
With Love,
SPM
-Erik Qualman
I admit I read that and laughed... it seemed snarky with a touch of rude and I fell inlove with it. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since I first laid eyes on it and the more I've thought about it, the more I can't stop. I don't know the tone of it and I have yet to read Socialnomics from cover to cover, but as we speak with more and more clients my laughter turns to concern.
Mr. Qualman's statement is complete honesty that employees seem to grasp better than their employers. Small businesses we love you! Please wake up before it's too late. You are in serious need of this truth... "The ROI of social media is that your business will still exist in 5 years." Go ahead and laugh because, you already "have a FB page" and "don't know if you could handle more business," but then let the truth of this statement sink in. Ask yourself if your current (and future) customers are getting older or younger, more "internet savvy" or less? Small businesses currently employ over half of the American workforce so clearly we need you. If you aren't around in 5 years, that leaves only big corporations...
We understand running a small business is entirely consuming, we've been there, we've burnt out, we've started over... small business is not small business. We understand you don't have time for social media, you don't have resources for social media and you definitely do not have a surplus of patience in the storage closet ;) So find someone that does, a professional someone(s) and don't let this necessary "opportunity" slip through your fingers with excuses. Social media is continuously evolving and not engaging with your customers through social media is not a neutral position... it's hurting you and most of you do not even realize the consequences of your absence.
This is not a self-promo for Social Proper, it's a call to action for #SmallBusiness to help yourselves; stay relevant; engage with your customers the way they engage with each other. Simply having a FB page is not enough, don't get me wrong, it's an absolute step in the right direction. It's like buying your storefront and now you need to populate it. Take advantage of social media and use it to benefit your business and interact with your target audience... GROW your target audience.
With FB about to make big moves in small business and even the amazing founder of Virgin, Richard Branson, calling on all companies to embrace the changes brought about by the rise of platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, the time has come for small business to give social media the attention its due and realize the potential and necessity it holds for your companies.
Hopefully you are ready to put this Business Beginner's Guide to Social Media to work (special Thanks to Social Media Examiner!) and if you still feel overwhelmed give a professional a call and together let's keep #SmallBusiness #RELEVANT.
With Love,
SPM
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