Is Your Small Business Trending in the Right Direction for 2014?

As the global economy continues to recover from the most recent recession, these are uncertain times for small business owners. For 2014, the most important changes and trends we can expect to see are related to data, manufacturing, energy, and content marketing. Find out how your small business can get on board and start 2014 off right by following these trends.

Increase in Manufacturing. For a while, the job market and manufacturing industry saw a decline in manufacturing. Many companies realized that they could move manufacturing labor overseas to save money rather than employ and have plants in operation in the United States. Also, manufacturing plants became too expensive to keep in operation and production. However, we are beginning to see a change in all that due to the impact of new web-based techniques for tracking wear and tear on machinery, and energy efficiency, usage, and waste. As a result, we are likely to see an increase in manufacturing output and reduced costs of manufactured goods. For small businesses, this may further reduce barriers to entry into manufacturing operations, while reducing the costs of many goods.

Data Explosion. As if we haven’t seen an increase and explosion in data and information yet, just wait. 2014 promises not only an even bigger push for data and information, but this also presents a huge business growth opportunity. The potential business opportunity lies not only in generating data but in organizing, interpreting, and analyzing it. Many future businesses will offer consulting services to find relevant data derive useful information from it.

Content Marketing. We saw in the last quarter of 2013 a large push for content marketing. This is only expected to increase, along with data and information analysis and organization, in 2014. So how should small businesses integrate these trends into their content management and marketing strategy? Remember, quality over quantity. Content should be fresh, unique, be informative, and make a point; avoid the fluff. It doesn’t work. Small businesses should have a goal to create a content strategy if they haven’t already for 2014.

Toll Free Vanity Number. In addition to generating a sound and effective content marketing strategy, small businesses should consider tying in a toll free vanity number. This will be the icing on the cake for any small business content marketing strategy for 2014. Use content marketing strategies to market your toll free vanity number and take this opportunity to tie into your brand and increase recognition.

So what does all this mean for small businesses? 2014 promises to be a big year for business growth and opportunity. This is mostly due to the continued repair and recovery of the economy, more confidence in making investments, and improvements in employment, especially with political developments to close the pay gap. All in all, 2014 plans to be a better year for business all around. How can you align your small business to take advantage of these trends and maximize growth opportunities this year? 

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