As a small business owner, you are probably being told frequently that you need to invest in a CRM. But what the heck is a CRM anyway?! CRM is short for Customer Relationship Manager. Its basically software that allows you to track your business relationships without losing your mind in the process. Its essentially your BBFF (Best Business Friend Forever). You could also look at it as the lifeblood of your business but I dont want to freak you out. CRMs have been around almost as long as databases. In the beginning, businesses... Read More

The holidays are here! For many entrepreneurs, this is the busiest time of the year. And Im not just talking about retailers! There is an increased demand for all different kinds of products and services right now. Marketing can play a big role in your holiday success, or lack thereof. Many business owners start prepping months in advance to make sure everything is perfect. Promotions are designed, ads are created, and parties are planned. If you dont have all your ducks in a row just yet, dont panic. Ive put together a... Read More

As an entrepreneur, saying thank you is one of the best things you can do for your business. It seems like a simple thing, but showing gratitude can help boost conversions, attract new leads, and keep current customers satisfied. Why? Because expressing emotion helps to humanize your brand, making it easier for others to connect with you. Here are three simple ways you can say thank you to your prospects and customers, and up your marketing game: Offer Valuable Content Content is likely already part of your marketing... Read More

Imagine this: it's 10:45 pm, and you still have hours of work stretching in front of you. You're chugging coffee like it's another job so you can stay awake as you frantically try to finish your work for the day. Despite the massive amount of caffeine, youre struggling to stay awake as your eyes start to flutter. How in the world did you get to this place? Ill tell you how: as a business owner, you wear a dozen different hats. Entrepreneur, spouse, parent, friend, whatever. It can be hard to say no to all of the people who... Read More

When you think of networking, what do you imagine? A room full of stuffy people in suits, handing out business cards and making awkward small talk? The idea of speaking to dozens of people, especially people you dont know, can be daunting for even the bravest of us. Why? Because its just assumed that to be a good networker, you need to be on all the time you must be extroverted and charming, professional and suave, and most of all, impressive. For the socially awkward among us, that can be a death blow. Well, Im... Read More

Ive heard it said that if youre not doing business online, youre not doing business at all. In todays world, nothing could be truer. Before anyone does business with you before they make a purchase, or schedule a consultation, or even send an email do you know what they do? They look for you online. Having a website isnt enough. Potential customers want to see you on social media. Todays generation expects you to be on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. In fact, about 90% of marketers claim that social media generates... Read More

Summer is the time of year when people want to take it easy and coast alongand theres nothing wrong with that! Everyone deserves a break. As a small business owner, you probably deserve a break more than anyone else. When it comes to your marketing, there is a right way and a wrong way to take a breather. You might want to unwind during the warmer months but rest assured that people are still looking at your website, and your blog, and your social media. The worst thing you can do is take a haphazard approach to your marketingor... Read More

Think you cant take a vacation because youre an entrepreneur? Think again. You can and SHOULD take time off. As a business owner, you dont often get that separation between work and home that most others do you are constantly turned on and tuned in. If you dont take some time off, youll likely run yourself (and your business) into the ground. Taking a vacation can seem far-fetched, but heres how to make it happen: Plan ahead As soon as January rolls around, schedule your time off for the upcoming year. Put everything on... Read More

Summer is the perfect time to make things happen. Everyone is on vacation, the kids dont need help with homework, and life just slows down in general. If you're like most other business owners, you put your own work on the back burnerwhile you concentrate on clients. Use the summer downtime to re-evaluate how you do things and take a fresh look at your responsibilities. Here are 8 things you can do to help take your business to the next level: Catch up on reading. The lazy days of summer are ideal for lounging... Read More

Everyone needs a method for getting things done. If you dont have a system, its very difficult to be productive; (and, no, a mental to-do list doesnt count!) A good productivity system will help you build, manage, and grow your business. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each of us has different ways of getting things done, so the key is figuring out what works for YOU. Below are four of the most popular productivity systems and what you can expect from them. Pomodoro The Pomodoro Technique was... Read More