Every small business has to market itself, but not many small businesses have a marketing plan of any kind. Even fewer have one they actually use. That’s why I developed the Simplified Marketing Plan, back in 2006. It’s high time to update it. The plan is simple, so you’ll actually do it. There are just…
Every week, I open a new Basket. I call it the Brag Basket, but it’s not really about bragging. It’s about sharing. I started this so you can introduce yourself, share some good news, or congratulate a friend. This particular basket is open from Feb. 19-21, 2010. This will be our first Brag Basket that…
Small Biz Social Media Summit 2010 is a live, rub elbows, shake hands and sit down across a table from other small business owners event in Hutchinson, Kansas, on June 5 and 6, 2010. Our friend Deb Brown, with help from our friend Grant Griffiths, put together some of the most respected social media, internet…
Last week, Enid, Oklahoma, hosted a tourism forum, with over 90 people in attendance. Here are some of the best points captured in my notes. Best silver bullet in travel: People want to eat like the locals. Recommendations from the locals of the hidden gems and “must eat there” places. Hardy Watkins, Oklahoma’s State Tourism…
The upcoming US Census matters to rural small businesses because it will affect your community for the next ten years. Census data is key to: Federal grants, especially CDBG and Rural Development Economic development efforts Redrawing political boundaries from Congressional districts, all the way down to local political boundaries Every single person counted brings $790…
Our friend Linda, @MissDazey42, is a retired business owner, with experience in sales, market research, etc. (Her motto: “If I had my life to live over, I’d pick more daisies.”) Linda shared this story about her experience with a local business for our series on mistakes small businesses make. Two years ago, I had the best experience…
Every week, I open a new Basket. I call it the Brag Basket, but it’s not really about bragging. It’s about sharing. I started this so you can introduce yourself, share some good news about yourself, or congratulate a friend. And what better time to share something sweet than Valentine’s weekend? This particular basket is…
Imagine if your most enthusiastic and wonderful tour leader could guide every group of visitors. You know, that one person who tells the best stories, who makes it all come to life… what if that person guided every visitor? The next best thing might be to record them and share that audio with your visitors….
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