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Marketing Tips for Small Businesses and Independents
March 2010 | Volume 8 Issue 3
As the economy continues to push people out of traditional nine-to-five jobs and technology becomes more accessible, the number of independents and small business owners is on the rise. In this issue of CW Bulletin, our experts provide the growing ranks of independents with the tools they need to succeed, including easy, low-cost tips on networking and using social media to promote your business.
Natasha Nicholson
Executive Editor
Amanda Aiello
Associate Editor |
Features
THE SMALL BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
by Steve King and Cassie Divine
Small businesses play an important and growing role in the U.S. and global economies, employing more than half the private U.S. and European workforces. Over the past few decades small businesses have created more than 60 percent of new European and American jobs. While data for the rest of the world is harder to come by, it is clear that small businesses are crucial components of most economies.
SOCIAL MEDIA
by Daria Steigman
As a communication professional, you have a good understanding of how online social platforms and tools can be used to help your bosses, co-workers, customers and clients connect. As a business owner, it’s imperative that you are actively leveraging these tools. It is no longer OK to sit on the sidelines and lurk; if you’re not searchable these days, you’re going to be increasingly unfindable. And what business can afford to be invisible?
COST-EFFECTIVE MARKETING
by Cathy-Anne O’Brien
Perhaps you are one of the thousands who started their own business during the 2009 recession—or maybe you’ve been an independent consultant for years and are looking to grow. In either scenario, you’ve faced big challenges of late, and may have resorted to unique and aggressive marketing strategies to survive.
NETWORKING AND FOLLOW-UP
by Alison Harrison
As an independent, you may not enjoy marketing, but you quickly learn that without it, your business is a bust. One aspect in particular provokes shudders and resistance—following up with former and potential clients. With a few simple steps, however, following up can become a powerful part of your marketing approach.
Columns
How to Write in Someone Else’s Voice
by Natalie Canavor
When I chose this subject for “Working Words,” I wanted to know whether communicators who frequently ghostwrite material for someone else’s byline could share some tricks of the trade. Like most writers, I am sometimes called on to draft this kind of material—“From the Publisher’s Desk” pieces for magazines, articles published under specialists’ names, and lately, other people’s blogs.
I thought it would be good to learn from the experts and pass their advice on to other “generalists” like myself.
Stress Is a Choice; Dealing with Stress Is a Decision
by R. Kamna Narain
For communication professionals, stress is unavoidable. It comes with the territory, complete with deadlines, competing priorities and demanding clients. We have jobs because someone has to deal with the stress.
We may not get to choose when and how a stressful situation makes its way to us, but we do determine how we will react to that stress. Here are some tips for managing stress in daily life.
- “Globe BridgeCom Youth Development Program,” Globe Telecom
- “Government of Saskatchewan Online Renewal,” Government of Saskatchewan
Communication in the News
Related Resources provides additional articles and resources for understanding this month’s topic of Marketing Tips for Small Businesses and Independents. You can also find some of these links alongside each corresponding feature article for quick reference. Links include:
- “How to Write a Great Business Plan,” by Elizabeth Wasserman
- “How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Business,” by Michael Stelzner
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