Social networking sites have proven to be an outstanding method of growing your business.  It is among the most effective (and free) ways to get the word out and connect with other business owners.
Sites like Myspace and Facebook are only a couple among the growing web of social networking sites.  There are dozens of networking sites that meet the specific needs of small businesses, such as Ladies Who Launch, counting more than 50,000 users, which was made specifically for startup businesses run by female entrepreneurs to connect with other women entrepreneurs and move forward in their business.
Reuters recently published an …read more

In the face of a possible recession, small and medium sized businesses are cutting back on their marketing budgets.
 Of course, you may think I’m a little bias here, since I own my PR firms (Be Heard Solutions and Cherry Communications), but hear me out.
A recession should mean that your marketing budget should increase to keep your customers coming in, otherwise you risk economic hardship during the recession like everyone else.  And you’ll be ahead of your competition once things start swinging up again.
And you can do it on the cheap by using Internet marketing, press releases and social media sites.
So …read more

An article in USA Today is saying the recession is already affecting small businesses. They also pointed to a recent survey of 1,800 small-business owners by the National Federation of Independent Business trade group shows that an index measuring optimism among the owners dropped in January to its lowest since 1991.
More small-business owners said they expect lower sales and hiring, and they plan to make fewer capital expenditures. Only 5% expect the economy to improve in the coming months.
 So are you hunkering down, preparing for salad days? Or is it business as usual for you?