Small businesses face challenges of small budgets and scarce resources, causing them to be even more selective of their decisions in growing their top line. They often don’t have the luxury of celebrity sponsorship or mass media ads such as Super Bowl commercials. Small businesses therefore test, pivot, and analyze to recognize where their dollars would be best spent. This infographic outlines some of the tactics and observations that help small businesses advertise. What are the most used marketing tactics used by small businesses? MORE >>

'Recent tragic events here in the United States (and around the world) have heightened awareness of the global reach of media , especially social media, and the consequences for businesses using it. Small business advertising has historically been local, making it easy to craft messaging that is appropriate for the targeted audience. This creates new responsibilities that many businesses are only just beginning to fully comprehend. Many businesses autopublish information on their social media channels. Just be social. MORE >>

The promise of social media has been high for quite some time as major brands are building their customer base, guiding their customer service, and flat out making money through sites like Facebook and Twitter. Small businesses are finding success as well, but it’s not quite as easy particularly for localized businesses. This cheat sheet put together by our friends at Flowtown breaks down the major social media sites that businesses can use to advance their causes. There are pros and cons to every endeavor when it comes to business. MORE >>

Today’s guest post is by Beth Hrusch, Senior Editor at Interact Media, a business blog writing service that teaches writing tips and best practices. recent study by Employers indicates that over half of small businesses believe in social media as an important marketing tool.  Yet, only 16% of those polled use their social media accounts to communicate directly with customers.  So, what are they actually doing with social media?  Social media for business promotion is fine.  MORE >>

What is the most important step in implementing a social media strategy for your business? What most businesses fail to realize (those who start using social media without a plan or any type of integration) is that the social media sphere would rather be listened to first and communicated with… second. Businesses who jump into the conversation and broadcast a message but fail to interact are failing miserably at the art of communication within social media. The first step? The second step? MORE >>