Five Reasons Why #Entrepreneurs and #SmallBusinesses Can’t Survive Without Digital Media by: Custom Toll Free, July 19, 2013 There are several reasons why entrepreneurs and small businesses should make their digital presence a top priority. Digital isn’t just cool, or the ‘way of the future’, it’s essential for small business and new startups to embrace. In the past many entrepreneurs have fallen prey to engaging in social or creating apps or venturing into mobile marketing because they were told they had to do it, or out of vanity, and rushed ahead without really getting it. However, there is now more data available than ever to support small business in getting the most out of their digital advertising strategies. So why can’t you ignore digital today, and how can you incorporate what you are doing now with the new digital age? Read More
Women and Small Business: How to Crush It with Enhanced Credibility by: Custom Toll Free, July 12, 2013 Want to be the next Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Mayer or Oprah? What’s the key to growing a wildly profitable business fast and getting the brand attention and respect your small business deserves? The blog Small Business Ideas for Women suggests “without credibility no business will truly be able to establish itself” and will “join the ranks of the many thousands that fail every year”. Credibility isn’t just about being appealing to consumers, or even maximizing marketing ROI or profit margins. It is also about developing a better perceived reputation and more value among vendors, lenders, and potential investors. So how do you develop more credibility, faster, both as a woman in the business arena and as a female small business owner? Read More
Independence Day for Entrepreneurs by: Custom Toll Free, July 7, 2013 After recently celebrating the 4th of July, we reflect on the fact that America is still #1 for starting a business and taking control of your own future and financial freedom. Despite the nation’s economy still badly bruised from the beating it has taken over the last six or seven years, the number of small business start ups that have erupted from the economic downfall is still higher than ever. There is nowhere like it on the planet: nowhere that the opportunities and odds of success are so great for small business owners. So embrace your independence and freedom and start your own small business or make sure you get out to support some this holiday weekend. Read More
Are You Missing the Call-to-Action? Some Tips for your Social Media and Vanity Toll Free Number Branding by: 00juno, July 2, 2013 What does the perfect marketing campaign consist of? Maybe it’s actively using Facebook or Twitter, or Pinterest’ed people in your product, or even what we love most: a vanity toll free number spelling out exactly what they need and what you do best. While it may not be everything to get the calls you want from customers, sometimes lost in the shuffle of catchy slogans and charming spokespersons is the simple gesture: the call to action. Imagine for a moment a world without customer service. This could be as costly as introducing yourself without a handshake. But it goes beyond green and red buttons and the “Call Now” taglines at the end of your advertising. Review your social media accounts and posts to make sure you’re getting your message right. Here are a few pointers: Read More
Leveraging Resources to Grow Your Small Business Venture by: Custom Toll Free, July 1, 2013 How can you leverage other resources to grow your own small business? Running and growing a business certainly involves resources. Each resource has a key component and must be followed through to the end in order to really see results. Of course, all business owners want an opportunity to brag and let everyone know how great their company is and that customers should be doing business with you. However, even if you are just starting out and maybe don’t offer a whole lot to earn bragging rights for yet, don’t get discouraged. There are still plenty of ways to capitalize on opportunities to get ahead… Use events like National Small Business week that we just saw a couple weeks ago to push out fresh, trending content and get found on the web. This should be a time when consumers are being encouraged to support local small businesses and be made aware of the importance of loyalty to local entrepreneurs in order to prop up and fuel the local economy. Read More
5 #Small Business Saboteurs #Entrepreneurs Must Guard Against by: Custom Toll Free, June 30, 2013 This is an amazing time to launch a small business, but if entrepreneurs aren’t careful these nasty little gremlins will take them down from the inside… Don’t let these fatal missteps derail your plans for small business success: 1. Micromanaging If you are micromanaging, then you are your own worst enemy. Your staff will be miserable and bitter, held back from their best work, and you will continue to entertain yourself with meaningless busy work instead of focusing on the really important money making and strategic stuff. Pinch yourself every time you catch yourself in the act and change that bad habit. 2. Lack of Systems Lacking systems is a recipe for failure. Entrepreneurs must realize that systems are the secret to better time management, increased ROI on staffing, and minimizing the odds of errors. 3. Not Tracking Trends Read More
Free Advice & Entrepreneurial Education Sessions from Small Business Week 2013 by: Custom Toll Free, June 24, 2013 As the nation’s 50th Small Business Week comes to a close, we reflect on the changes that face small business. While it’s true that America is built upon the foundation of millions of small businesses in this country, what is not often recognized is the monumental effect these businesses have upon our economic stability as a nation. Small businesses make up our economic system as a whole and certainly support our local communities. Read More
Happy National Small Business Week from Custom Toll Free by: 00juno, June 18, 2013 Did you know that this week marks the 50th Anniversary of National Small Business week? Dating back to the first presidential proclamation of 1963 signed by Presidential John F. Kennedy, small business has played a pivotal role in the growth and sustainability of the American economy in the last fifty years. Today, 28 million small businesses serve as the backbone to increasing the global competitiveness of the American spirit—employing half of the nation’s overall workforce. Read More
New Technology Levels Playing Field for Small Business Owners by: Custom Toll Free, June 14, 2013 What technology should you be getting your hands on to take on bigger competitors? Monday sees the start of the SBA’s 50th annual National Small Business Week in Seattle, WA. This year it seems small businesses have even more to celebrate as evolving technology equips them to take on even the biggest and best funded corporate giants. While economic uncertainty may have held some back over the last year, entrepreneurs seem to have decided to create their own futures. They aren’t just dipping their toes in the water, they are dragging that bull by the horns, creating new jobs as they go, and forcing improvement in the economy. Read More
How to Hold a Super Business Generating Event for Your Small Business by: Custom Toll Free, June 10, 2013 So what does it take to make a small business event successful? How should it be planned? How should it be funded? What and how can you make it worth your while? Today we will concentrate more on how to boost attendance and market the event so that it turns into the lead generator that you hoped it would be. After all, while the devil may be in the details, keep in mind covering all these bases can result in a heavenly return. 1- Market, market, market then market some more. Without a more detailed plan of how to get the word out about your event, you may end up with just yourself and family and friends. To avoid this, be certain to devise a detailed strategy if your event is not invitation only and spread the word as far and as wide as you can leading up to it. If you are hoping to attract a local base of prospect, then don’t neglect local publications or TV stations and radio alike. Read More
