Tips, Events, & Resources

During a recent presentation I was invited to make for a Small Business Development Center luncheon I took notes on the struggles the small business owners were having.  These are issues I bet most of the smaller businesses are having to deal with on a daily basis.

– No clue who their ideal customer is.

-Thinking of Advertising as another bill.

-No idea of what a Brand is/or what their brand was.

Let’s digest the first issue, not knowing who their ideal customer was. I have given many of these workshops and this seems to be an issue in most startup small businesses. They think they have to concentrate on everyone, instead of concentrating their efforts on one key segment of the customer base. Why would you want to limit the customers that come into your business? You aren’t, you are concentrating your efforts on the one segment of customers that make you the most money.

Next note, thinking that your advertising is just another bill and when things slow down it’s the first bill you cut. No, please don’t. Advertising is a machine that you put money into, and if you are doing it right every dollar you put into that machine your are getting many many more dollars out of it.  With that thought in mind, when things slow down wouldn’t you want to add more dollars to that machine to get more out? OR better yet, work on the machine and make it more effective and then add more dollars.

Third most common issue at these seminars, not sticking to a brand.  Every business has a brand, even yours. If you don’t control your brand, your customers do.  A brand isn’t a logo, it is what your customers think of your business.  If you want to be the best bakery in the town, then brand yourself as the best bakery in town.  Do that, but you need to back it up. How about just being the bakery that always has the treats your customers are looking for? Isn’t that of more value than trying to kill yourself to someone elses standards?  Be your brand, live it, sell by it, grow it.

If you think you’re ready for help with your small business, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You don’t need to struggle your way through this business thing, I can help guide you through the rough parts.

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If you’re starting a business, what is the most powerful thing you can do on day 1 to get your name out to the public?  I get this question from my small business mastermind clients who are just starting.  My answer has been the same every time.  You have to do 3 things right off the bat to be successful. 

1. Know who you are, what you do, and how you help your customers. 
2. Why are you doing this? 
3. Get your Google Profile built with this information immediately. 

Know who you are. What You Do. How You Can Help Your Customers. 

It sounds dumb, I know, but if I approached you and asked you how you help your customers, would you be able to answer without stammering? Would it sound salesy, or would you actually mean what you say?   

Believe in what you do and how you can help others. If you can do those two things, you are already miles ahead of your competition. They are the salesman, and you are the problem solver.  

Why are you doing this? 

Simon Sinek wrote the book Starting with Why, he introduced why having a reason for who we are and what we do is necessary for us to continue doing it through the thick and thin of life.  

Know why you are getting into business. Know how to explain it clearly. This is important not only so that you can explain it to others but also so that you know this why inside your heart, and it can help you deal with the down days all business owners have to face.  

Get your Google Profile built with this information. 

Why would I place “Get your search profile set up” last on a list of 3 things to do for your immediate marketing tactics? Because if you don’t know the first two, you become like the rest of the fish in the huge sea of business—a salesperson and NOT a problem solver for your customer.  

When you know who you are and what you do, you know the value of what you offer. You know not to belittle your worth or your business’ worth. You know what messaging to use because it solves your customers’ issues. You know what pictures to use because they show solutions.  

Know Yourself and have a much better business-starting experience.  

Need a Helping Hand?

Download my FREE “3 Steps to a Strong Start” Checklist to help guide you through the set up process of starting a new business.

Looking for a great tool to help you track you customer demographics?  Our Demographic Worksheet will help you target the right customers for your business.  Click the button below to get your copy today.