Home improvement companies are facing a new challenge in their businesses: the “YouTube DIYers.” These are people that just a few short years ago would have called a professional to fix, build, or install something in their homes, but that now try to go the do-it-yourself route using online videos. For anyone that’s even a little bit handy, it’s tempting to try to save money … [Read more...]
When I first started as a freelance writer, I joined a platform that put me in direct competition with more than 200,000 others offering the same type of service. My first thought was, “How in this world am I ever going to beat all of these other writers and actually get work?” Fortunately, as it turns out, I apparently offer services a lot of my competitors don’t. Between … [Read more...]
One of the best ways to grow your small business is to be involved in your community. When you give talks at community events, it gives potential clients the chance to meet you and to learn about how your company can help them better live their lives. From school job fairs to Chamber of Commerce presentations, you can make an impact on others by talking about who you are, … [Read more...]
As a community college instructor, I often hear students complaining about required courses that are not related to their major. “I’m never going to use this,” they grumble about certain classes. However, I like to challenge students about how core classes can help them succeed in almost any endeavor. Although writing classes frequently top the list of courses students … [Read more...]
If you are an experienced professional who is stuck in a career rut, or who likes the idea of working independently, a career as a consultant may be right for you. Consulting is an attractive small business option because of its low start-up costs and its flexibility. It can be especially appealing to people age 50 and up who are ready to leave the traditional workforce for … [Read more...]
Last month, I wrote an article about the benefits of thinking big and going beyond the free downloadable e-book. I explained the benefits of having your book available at all the major online retailers like Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, and how the more widely available your e-book is, the better shot you have at reaching people who don’t already know about your … [Read more...]
Lately, it seems like every big-name entrepreneur has a book. In fact, lots of business owners, famous or not, are publishing books. As human beings, we naturally connect with stories, and we are much more likely to support businesses and organizations with whom we can relate. By publishing a book as a business owner, you draw in customers and give them an opportunity to get to … [Read more...]
Do you use case studies in your marketing program? If not, maybe you should. They’re battle-tested content marketing tools that make an impact. That’s why they're a staple of many content marketing programs. Put simply, case studies pack a powerful punch. They also provide a good return on investment—especially if you’re in the B2B space. Case study articles, also known as … [Read more...]
When you’re out at networking events, or when you meet a prospective client for the first time, you probably make sure to leave something behind so that the person you’re talking to remembers you and knows how to contact you. Many of you probably keep a stack of business cards with you at all times for exactly this purpose. Business cards are a great tool, especially at … [Read more...]
As a business owner, a book is a powerful tool that can position you as an expert in your industry and set you apart from your competition. What stops a lot of people from doing it is the fear of the process. Prior to the digital age and the rise of Amazon, aspiring authors would spend days, weeks, and sometimes months submitting manuscripts to agents and editors at large … [Read more...]
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