#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!

♡#SPM

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