08Apr 2013 by Cindy Berrier 1 Comment

3 Ways to Nurture Creativity and Grow Your Small Business

Monday Marketing Minutes, Small Business Info
[caption id="attachment_3652" align="alignright" width="198"] © Alexh | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images[/caption] Small businesses have a unique challenge. While larger businesses have more resources for continued-education programs and the funds to hire employees who specialize in niche categories, small business owners and their employees often have to wear many hats. This juggling of responsibilities doesn’t always leave time for nurturing creativity that can help grow your small business. Even so, it’s crucial that you avoid getting stuck in a creative rut that might slow your company’s growth. Melinda Emerson writes about the book Innovate Like Edison in her blog SmallBizLady: “[Thomas] Edison believed that people have the remarkable ability to do great things if they are open to it. If innovation is how we grow in business; then…
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23Jan 2013 by Cindy Berrier 2 Comments
Business Card Basics: The Must’s and Maybe’s

Business Card Basics: The Must’s and Maybe’s

Small Business Info
It is never too soon to have a business card. Business cards’ usefulness spans more than just for professional use. Whether it be for networking purposes or just having a “Mommy Card,” a business card is a perfect way to exchange information. Despite its small size, a business card says a lot. And it is your job to make sure it says the right stuff! Must: Your Name. Even if you’re giving out a business card for a large company, it is always nice for a person to know who their point of contact would be. Your name should be the most prominent piece of text in the business card. You Business/Organization’s Name. This should also be prominently featured on a business card, with the exception of if you have…
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21Dec 2012 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
3 Secrets to Small Business Success

3 Secrets to Small Business Success

Small Business Info
Do you remember the movie “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”? Where, armed with a “How to…” manual, an ambitious window washer sought to climb the corporate ladder? Unfortunately, this movie premise does not resemble real life. Shocking, right? A movie that bears no similarities to the real struggles of first-time entrepreneurs. Well, luckily for all you out there who dream of one day owning your own small business, the key to small business success comes from three well-known secrets: [caption id="attachment_2357" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Scene from "How to Succeed in Business..."[/caption] SECRET #1: A Solid Plan Just as in any venture, the most important key is a backbone, or in this case, a business plan. This document would explain both the company’s mission and goals in detail. The…
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28Nov 2012 by Cindy Berrier 3 Comments
Make Your Business Pitch A Grand Slam

Make Your Business Pitch A Grand Slam

Small Business Info
You’ve got the idea, the passion and the plan for starting your own small business. You have all the office furniture already picked out, complete with customized mugs for all of your soon-to-be employees. You even have the theme from Rocky playing in your head every time you talk about your business idea to your friends and family. So now what? Now is the time to don your fanciest suit and get a new haircut. Now is the time to pitch your business to potential investors. According to smallbusiness.chron.com, whether you make a full presentation pitch, a short “elevator” pitch, in person or via video, your presentation requires practice and knowledge. Don’t know where to start? Think of it as a recipe! Ingredients: 1 Business Plan 1 Slideshow Presentation (make…
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19Nov 2012 by Cindy Berrier No Comments
The Blog Blog!

The Blog Blog!

Monday Marketing Minutes, Small Business Info
Now that you've begun work on your 2013 marketing calendar, it’s time to start fine tuning the smaller ingredients of your overall marketing plan, such as your blog strategy. First off, writing a blog isn’t for every company. Make sure that putting out a blog fits in with the overall goals and standards of your brand. Also, if you have enough on your plate as it is, you may way to hold off on starting another project that requires a significant amount of time and effort. But if you feel like a blog would benefit your existing customers and help bring in new ones, then what are you waiting for? Consider these 5 simple steps in developing a blog strategy for 2013: 1.       (If you haven’t already) Choose a hosting site. Here…
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