Small Business Trends Radio | Small Business Advice

Data Privacy: What Every SMB Should Know To Be Compliant

Staci Wood — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:25:40 +0000

Small businesses are strapped for time and resources, and therefore may not realize how serious of a problem that information data leaks can be, or how they can handle this issue affordably. They are governed by the same federal and state regulations and business rules as large enterprises and violating these rules can damage reputation, cost business, and result in massive fines to small businesses.

Christian Renaud, CEO of Palisade Systems, joins Brent Leary to share important information on how small businesses can prevent data loss and keep confidential information confidential in order to stay compliant with the plethora of rules and laws that govern many organizations.

Below are the questions we asked Christian:

(1:01) First Christian, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
(1:32) If you had an opportunity to take an afternoon off, what would you be doing that afternoon?
(2:19) Can you tell us a bit about Paisade Systems and what you do there?
(3:04) Can you explain in a bit more detail about data loss and what goes into it and why it’s important to small business?
(4:22) Is this something that small businesses have to be aware of?
(5:56) Can you give some examples of things that put small businesses in jeopardy when it comes to compliance and data privacy?
(7:52) Can you give us some examples of situations that could occur with data breaches that small businesses may not even realize are a problem?
(9:50) If you had to take a guess as a whole, how safe is data being stored in corporate companies and organizations on a scale of 1 to 10?
(10:54) So the smaller the organization, the less secure the data is?
(13:51) Can you talk a bit about how your company and solutions help prevent these data losses?
(17:40) How expensive or inexpensive is this solution? Is it something that small businesses can afford right now?
(19:22) What kind of IT help or expertise does a small business have to have in order to be able to use this service effectively?
(21:06) How are mobile devices impacting data security and data protection?
(23:01) What are some “best security practices” for protecting sensitive data?
(25:38) Where can people find out more?

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Twitter Chats – A Small Business Secret Weapon

Staci Wood — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:05:13 +0000

Have you ever wondered what those Twitter chats and online parties are all about or have you thought they might be useful for your own small business? If so, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about Twitter chats and Twitter parties.

Cathy Larkin, Founder of Web Savvy PR, also known as @CathyWebSavvyPR, co-host of Melinda Emerson’s #SmallBizChat, joins Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share 5 ways to get involved in some of the more than 150 weekly chats taking place on Twitter, plus effective tips for using them to connect with your audiences and prospects.

Below are the questions we asked Cathy:

(2:46) First Cathy, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
(5:43) Tell us what a Twitter chat really is and how does one participate?
(10:57) During a Twitter chat you’re literally reading Tweets to participate?
(11:42) Can you compare and contrast Twitter chats versus Twitter parties?
(16:22) When Bush’s Baked Beans sponsored the discussion, was that a Twitter party or a Twitter chat?
(19:25) So the difference between Twitter parties and Twitter chats is that the Twitter parties offer giveaways and discounts, target mom bloggers (WAHMs) and their networks, drive traffic to a site and build communities?
(21:36) What are the 5 ways people can participate?
(22:03) What’s the best way for someone trying to build their reputation to get started?
(25:28) If you’re a business owner that’s new to this, what are the best ways to determine if you should sponsor a chat or facilitate a chat on your own?
(28:24) If there is one downside to a Twitter chat, what would it be?
(29:14) Where can people find out more?

For more information on Twitter chats and a list to over 150 different chats on Twitter, visit Cathy’s Twitter Chat Help.

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Five Tips For Hiring A-Player Employees

Staci Wood — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:02:58 +0000

Eric Herrenkohl, recruiting specialist and author of How to Hire A-Players, argues that hiring just one “A-Player” can save an executive’s marriage as well as add immeasurable value to his business. Given the current economic situation, he says there is no better time than the present for small business owners to build the organizations they deserve – and desire.

Eric joins host, Anita Campbell, to provide his top 5 tips and step-by-step instructions on how to find, interview, and hire the “rock star” employees that every business needs.

Below are the questions we asked Eric:

(2:01) First Eric, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
(3:10) Can you tell us what an A-Player is in your estimation and how does one get to become an A-Player as an employee?
(4:17) Can you talk a little bit about the top ways that you can find and interview these “rock star” employees? How do you get them and how do you know when someone is an A-Player?
(5:27) Where do you go to find A-Players?
(6:37) You’re not saying we should pretend to have a job opening when we don’t, correct?
(7:58) If it’s not a wise idea to pretend you have a job opening when you don’t, what do you say to a candidate to explain why you’re interviewing them when you don’t have a job opening?
(9:33) What is your next tip?
(12:49) What is the A-Player profile? How do you spot an A-Player?
(14:32) What is it that puts that one candidate ahead of everyone else? How do you actually determine what those “knock out” factors are?
(19:27) Eric, how do you find an A-Player? Is there a particular background profile or set of experience that you look for to identify these A-Players?
(21:47) If you had to point out the hiring mistakes that small businesses and executives make, what would they be?
(23:05) If you had to determine what the most important questions are to ask during an interview, what would the top questions be that you recommend we ask?
(25:36) Tell us about your book, is it out?
(26:11) If you had to leave listeners with a few final points, what would they be?
(27:04) Eric, where can people find out more?

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Build an Engaged Facebook Fan Page Base Using Multiple Channels

Staci Wood — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:37:50 +0000

Victoria Ransom is Founder and CEO of Wildfire Interactive, a platform that enables small businesses to easily and cost-effectively manage their social media marketing needs. Victoria started Wildfire to serve her own need – she needed an affordable way to building an engaged fan base on the Facebook page of her own small business.

Seeing no other solutions on the market to easily create compelling social media campaigns, Victoria and her partner created their own. Now, 30,000 campaigns later, Wildfire has a passionate customer base. Victoria joins host, Ivana Taylor, to share some tips for building an engaged fan base of your own.

Below are the questions we asked Victoria:

(1:28) First Victoria, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
(2:19) So tell me, what is Wildfire Interactive and how can it help small businesses??
(3:32) Let me see if I’m hearing you correctly. You’re saying all we have to do is go to Wildfire to develop Facebook and Twitter contests and run social media campaigns?
(5:10) Can this help me? What can I do to build my fan base and is it even worth it?
(5:42) What is a good number of fans to aim for?
(9:02) Can you talk a little bit more about contests, coupons and giveaways and how small businesses can use them or even put something like that together?
(12:05) What are some of the secrets of running a successful campaign?
(16:33) Can you tell me more about making it twice as effective?
(19:17) You’re saying that status updates are important and that we should be using our fan pages almost like a web site?
(23:31) What’s the risk versus reward of getting involved with the Facebook “Like” button?
(25:49) So there are fans of the web site that actually don’t fall within the fan page?
(26:16) Victoria, where can people find out more?

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Is Congress Really Looking Out For Small Businesses?

Staci Wood — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:08:28 +0000

Congress and policymakers tout their support of small businesses at the drop of a hat - but what about all this legislation they propose? Are they really looking out for small businesses?

Dan Danner, President and CEO of National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), joins Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to look at the issues impacting small businesses. Issues such as health care, taxes, spending issues and the outlook of small businesses on the economy. Dan provides the facts - and explains what they will mean to your small businesses.

Below are the questions we asked Dan:

(1:57) First Dan, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to be at the NFIB?
(2:41) Can you tell us a bit about the NFIB and what the organization is about?
(3:44) What is the typical or median size of the businesses that are members of the NFIB?
(4:39) One of the things on the minds of others is the general shape of the economy today. What would you say is the mood among small businesses when it comes to the economy?
(5:56) You mentioned historical lows. It seems optimism been historically low for what, about a year now?
(6:15) What is really happening? Are people just conserving their cash in small businesses?
(7:33) What is the status of this new health care bill? While there have been some good things, haven’t there been things that have taken people by surprise?
(9:38) What do you think is the potential to get some of these things undone in the new bill?
(10:54) I want to talk specifically about the tax credit in the new health care bill. What can you tell us about that new tax credit?
(12:34) Is there any potential to actually increase the impact of that tax credit and make it more widely available to small businesses?
(13:40) Are there other issues that NFIB members are concerned about?
(18:55) Where are we at when it comes to access of capital when it comes to small business? Where do we stand today with that?
(20:10) What are the main challenges? Is it revenue growth, finding new customers or simply just navigating new growth on the ground?
(21:11) Where are small businesses? Are they hiring at all or at they hunkered down? What’s it going to take for them to feel comfortable to move forward?
(23:09) Do you see any movement of your members turning towards technology to help them face challenges right now?
(24:26) What’s the proper role in government overall when it comes to the small business person?
(26:15) In the economic environment, are you seeing a lot more small businesses being created? What are the best ways to get a business started in this kind of an environment?
(28:05) When do you think things will turn around and really pick up steam for small businesses to feel comfortable about investing in their businesses?
(29:18) Dan, where can people find out more about the NFIB?

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The Latest Trends Driving Small Business

Staci Wood — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:37:04 +0000

Times are changing fast – and business trends are changing even faster. Topics such as cloud computing, “green” business and mobile devices are top of mind for many small business owners and entrepreneurs. Small businesses are exploring how to take advantage of these new trends and tools and successfully incorporate them into their small businesses.

In this special episode, Anita Campbell, the host of Small Business Trends Radio, provides listeners with her top 10 list of trends driving small business, six of which she discusses in detail. To accompany this special episode, a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation was prepared titled, “2010 Small Business Trends and Opportunities.” Download the visual presentation and follow along as Anita discusses her picks for the current trends driving small business.

Below is a sampling of 6 of the trends Anita discusses:

(3:12) It’s the Cloud, Stupid - Cloud computing is a term that refers to software applications and tools that “live on the Internet” – or “in the cloud.” Google’s popular email system, Gmail, is an example of cloud computing. It’s an email application that is hosted “within the cloud.” Cloud computing is an increasingly popular form used for software applications such as accounting software, collaboration platforms, data backup services, email services and more. Cloud computing offers a reduction in complexity and can be very beneficial to your business. Speed, cost and efficiency are the true benefits. Even better – you don’t have to eat up precious memory by storing the software on your own computer.
(9:29) Do It Yourself Marketing Grows – “DIY” tools can be accessed over the web. These are tools that help you perform one or more of your marketing tasks better – by yourself. Google Adwords, Constant Contact and PRWeb are examples. DIY tools give you a lot of leverage and save you a lot of money. Anita explains, “You get a lot of capabilities from these tools that would be very expensive and would cost a lot of money to duplicate if you did this on your own.” But she warns, “You’re only as good as your knowledge of the tool. Unless you can master them, you won’t get everything out of them that you hope to. Pick and choose your tools wisely and make sure master them to get as much value as possible out of them.”
(15:18) The Color of Business is “Green” – Anita explains, “There is a very large segment of the population that is committed to sustainability and will look for that in their service providers.” However, not everyone has the same level of commitment to “green.” Keep that in mind and realize that it may not matter as much to some – as it does to others. However, Anita warns to steer clear of the practice of “green washing,” a term that relates to a business with “green” claims or techniques that really doesn’t have a strong commitment to the cause. In other words, their claims are purely for public relations purposes.
(17:36) Everyone Can Be a Celebrity – Personal branding is important today. Anita states, “With so many blogs and social media sites, everyone can have a presence online. Your name can become very well-known with enough time and enough attention.” It’s important that people recognize you. Take a lesson from some executives that use their personal brand to promote their businesses - Tony Hsieh of Zappos, Gary Vaynerchuck of Wine Library TV.
(20:55) The “Carry Your Computer” Trend – It’s no secret, computers and cell phones are getting smaller and smarter while becoming more portable. They seem to be morphing into one universal form. As Anita stated, “It may be a long time before a computer becomes as small as a cellphone, but there’s no doubt that’s the direction we’re going.” Some 80% of the population have a mobile phone – but 80% of the population does NOT have a computer. Anita suggests that you, “Install a mobile template on your website. Use the Mdot mobile domain structure for a full mobile web site and begin building a text message list because 96% of them are opened.”
(24:07) Location Based Presence Online – “There are now more and more online applications, as well as mobile applications, that tell the world where you are or provide information to you based on where you are.” Google Latitude and FourSquare are two examples. Small businesses are figuring out ways to get involved by providing loyalty rewards in the form of discounts and coupons to customers who sign up.

To see all 10 of Anita’s chosen trends driving small business, download the visual presentation titled, “2010 Small Business Trends and Opportunities.”

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How to Protect Your Online Reputation

Staci Wood — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:00:43 +0000

Protecting your online reputation is a topic that is fast becoming of increasing importance to the business community. Michael Fertik, CEO of Reputation Defender, joins Anita Campbell and Brent Leary for an in depth discussion concerning how to protect your online reputation. Reputation Defender is a privacy and online reputation management company. In his position on the advisory board of The Internet Keepsafe Coalition (iKeepSafe), Michael is regarded as the pioneer of online reputation management and the foremost expert on issues of online privacy.

Michael authored the forthcoming book “Wild West 2.0” and is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Today, he’s going to show you how to monitor what people are saying about you and your company brand, and manage your online reputation with helpful tools.

Below are the questions we asked Michael:

(2:38) First Michael, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
(6:00) Can you tell us a little bit about how you find out what people are saying about you online? How do you monitor what others are saying about you?
(10:00) If I’m operating a local business without a web presence, why should I worry about what’s being said on Facebook or some other place? Or should I worry about that?
(13:44) Once I know what’s being said, what does a small business owner or entrepreneur do at that point?
(20:39) Can you give people a full list of the products and services that Reputation Defender offers?
(22:45) You mention clearing your personal information from public databases and directories. How easily does that type of personal information get into the directories?
(25:28) How quickly can you help people get out of those databases and public directories?
(26:15) On the reputation management side, what are some of the mistakes small business owners are making in terms of not fully protecting themselves or keeping tabs on what’s going on with their reputation?
(28:18) I am assuming that the proliferation of social networks and easy content creation tools have added to that?
(29:28) Michael, where can people find out more?

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SEO Trends: What’s New, What’s Old?

Staci Wood — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:36:25 +0000

Aaron Wall, Founder of the SEOBook Training Program For SEOs, is a very busy man these days. Aaron and his site have been mentioned in The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Wired, USA Today, BusinessWeek, Business2.0, Time Magazine, The Register, MSNBC, and The Guardian to name a few. But Aaron has graciously offered a slice of his time and joined Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share his insights into the latest trends in search engine optimization (SEO).

SEO is a dynamic field that shifts and changes endlessly. While some things remain constant, other elements of SEO change frequently at will. In this episode, we look at some of the things that are changing the landscape of the virtual world — and what you can do to get better business results within it.

Join us for a half hour packed solid with information about the latest trends in SEO.

For this very special episode, we reached out to the virtual world of Twitter to gather questions that you had for Aaron. Below are the questions you asked him:

(3:00) First Aaron, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to create SEOBook? I know you started the site as an ebook, but it’s become much, much more than that. Can you give us the background?
(7:09) Which businesses should invest in SEO? Also, are there any businesses that should not invest in it?
(9:28) Can you tell us what has changed over the past few years? What are two or three things that have changed dramatically from the time you started SEOBook?
(11:10) Blogs are like a dime-a-dozen these days, aren’t they?
(12:20) Is there any value to being on Twitter? How would you describe the value of being on Twitter when it comes to the search engines?
(15:08) The question that people are dying to know is, what are some of the things that small businesses can do and what are some of the mistakes that they are making?
(16:53) So as small business owners, we shouldn’t be afraid of paying for a premium domain? Maybe even one that’s a pre-owned domain name?
(19:05) Are there any other mistakes worthy of mentioning?
(20:31) So don’t split up your web site into different domains? One big web site is better than five itty-bitty web sites, correct?
(23:22) Where does AdWords and PPC (pay per click) fit into the mix?
(24:48) Is it more difficult today to be successful at SEO or was it more difficult when you started?
(26:38) So if you are starting from scratch and don’t have a lot of expertise in this area, should you go ahead and hire someone to assist with that?
(28:30) Google has said that site performance will become a factor in search engine ranking. How do you feel about that Aaron?
(31:13) Aaron, where can people find out more online?

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How To Deal With Multiple System Chaos

Staci Wood — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:42:51 +0000

It seems that today, small business owners and entrepreneurs are faced with a multitude of challenges, one being the fact that they have to deal with piecemeal solutions to keep their company running. Separate tools and applications for email marketing, CRM, e-commerce shopping carts, IT infrastructure, and more keep the company from economizing and growing.

Tyler Garns, VP of marketing at Infusionsoft, speaks to best practices around making your business more efficient and scalable, focusing in on the importance of implementing technology to grow through email marketing and automated outreach.

Below are the questions we asked Tyler:

(3:00) First Tyler, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you ended up at Infusionsoft?
(4:44) For a small business owner, what does multiple system chaos mean?
(6:26) So are you talking primarily about technology systems or does this go well beyond that?
(7:37) How do we find ourselves in this mess? Because no matter how hard you try to stay organized, the larger your business gets, any little issue seems to get magnified?
(10:18) If you had to say which systems are the most critical ones for success in a small business, which ones would they be?
(12:04) If your systems are disjointed, what does that actually mean for your business? What are the consequences for that?
(17:24) Can you tell us a little bit about the backstory about those Infusionsoft tips on growing a small business?
(20:44) Is it my imagination, or are these system chaos situations different in large businesses versus small businesses?
(22:41) It’s not easy to get systems to “talk” to one another, is it? It’s not easy to get systems to integrate. Is that what you have seen?
(24:12) What can small business owners do about this? What are their options?
(27:26) If you had to choose between writing scripts to marry together individual softwares or going with an all-in-one solution, is there an advantage to one over the other? Or do you have to look at it as a case-by-case situation?
(29:50) Here I am, as a small business owner, and I’m in the middle of multiple system chaos. Where would you say is the very first place to start to get you out of this multiple system chaos?
(32:38) Tyler, where can people find out more about Infusionsoft online?

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Small Business Summit 2010

Staci Wood — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:54:58 +0000

Prime Strategies and Small Biz Technology just announced their Fifth Annual Small Business Summit 2010, taking place on March 16, 2010 in New York City. The theme for this event gathering is Business & Technology: Strategies for the New Economy.

Since the first Summit 5 years ago, this event has attracted a loyal following of small and medium size businesses, technology providers, sponsors and media and Seth Godin headlines this year’s agenda, sharing his “Insights on Being Indispensable to Your Customers.” Marian Banker and Ramon Ray, Summit Co-Producers, join Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share more of the details on this exciting upcoming event.

Below are the questions we asked Marian and Ramon:

(2:49) First Marian, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
(3:47) Ramon, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as well?
(5:03) Marian, what was the overriding point that compelled you to start the Small Business Summit with Ramon?
(6:39) Ramon, tell us how the progression was to grow the summit. What was that first year like?
(8:21) Is that your recollection of it from last year, Brent?
(8:49) What do you have in store for us this year, Marian? Any surprises?
(10:25) Ramon, what are the highlights?
(12:12) How many people are you expecting this year?
(14:24) Marian, what are some new things that people can expect at this year’s summit?
(16:20) Can you give a list of the sponsors, both new and returning?
(18:32) How is registration going and where can people go online and register to attend?
(20:51) Ramon, what would you like people to come away with from the 2010 Small Business Summit this year?
(21:41) Marian, 2009 was a tough year for small business and 2010 is equally tough. What do you hope that the folks that attend the 2010 Small Business Summit to feel as they participate in this event, considering this economy is still tough?
(22:48) Ramon, what is the most surprising aspect of the summit from the organizer’s perspective?
(23:50) Anita, since you’ve been involved in several of the Small Business Summit’s, what is the most surprising thing you’ve noticed from the event?
(25:21) Marian, how important is networking to an event like the 2010 Small Business Summit?
(26:38) Ramon, where can people go to learn more?
(27:45) Are there going to be a lot of people tweeting so those that aren’t in attendance can stay abreast of what’s going on at the event?
(28:40) Brent, what is the music that you’ve chosen to open this year’s summit?

Wait, there’s even more good news! There are $99 tickets available to the first 50 people who register for the 2010 Small Business Summit using the discount code SMBTRENDS2010. Don’t miss out on this 50% savings – be sure to register and get your ticket for half price now!

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- Listen to Marian and Ramon’s full interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below -

Improve Your Business by Improving Yourself

Staci Wood — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:54:37 +0000

As a young man, Larry’s Janesky’s entrepreneurial journey began right out of high school when he started a carpentry business. Larry’s journey eventually lead him to become the owner of a multi-national company with 27 patents that revolutionized the industry.

Larry’s entrepreneurial journey continues and today he is the Founder and CEO of the largest basement waterproofing and crawl space repair dealer network in the world, Basement Systems. He shares the universal lessons learned along the way, which he has applied to 5 other businesses with the same results.

Larry believes that if you improve yourself, your business will improve.

Below are the questions we asked Larry:

(2:50) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
(5:43) Can you tell us about some of the high points and the low points in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
(7:58) As an entrepreneur, what is it about your advice that makes it worth listening to?
(10:19) What would you say is the one single most important theme you’ve discovered?
(11:43) What’s one concrete example of the business leader’s way of thinking making a difference?
(13:30) How do you go about developing a vision as a business owner? Can you give us an example of what a clear vision might sound like for a business?
(15:06) So be detailed and clear and fill it out in your head?
(17:10) What inspires you?
(18:29) How does that inspiration help you to overcome the obstacles you’ve faced?
(20:13) Is it easy to develop a desire to succeed or is that something that you’re born with?
(22:12) Can you tell us about your blogs?
(23:23) How has the impact of writing these blogs changed the way you look at business or helped your approach to business?
(24:08) Are you putting out a new book?
(26:03) Are there autobiographical overtones in the book, perhaps?
(27:01) Where can people get the book?
(27:46) What is your overall definition of success?
(28:27) Larry, where can people find out more?

For more information on Larry Janesky and Basement Systems you can read, “How One Entrepreneur Grew Sales to $50 Million in a Mundane Industry.”

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- Listen to Larry’s full interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below -

What To Do When You Don’t Like Your Boss

Staci Wood — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:05:14 +0000

We’ve all suffered through employment for employers that we didn’t necessarily like – or enjoy working for. If you are currently in that situation, or have been at some point in time, you’ve come to realize that everybody copes with that atmosphere in a different way. Some are healthy ways to cope and some are not.

Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster, Authors of “Working for You Isn’t Working for Me,” joins hosts Anita Campbell to show you how to take back some control and learn to manage your boss and yourself by applying their four-step process.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to technical issues with our broadcasting company, BlogTalkRadio.com, there is a silence and delay at the beginning of the recording. Just keep listening – the show will start — we promise!

Below are the questions we asked Katherine and Kathi:

(2:33) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
(3:32) Did that lead you directly to writing the book or was that something that happened in between?
(7:08) Katherine, what kind of situations do people encounter with bosses?
(7:46) Some people like to be left alone at work, so why an absentee boss such a problem then?
(9:07) What kinds of bosses are there and who is the most difficult to work with?
(10:30) What other types are difficult to work with?
(13:43) How do people cope with bad bosses? What can you do about it?
(16:44) What should you do, instead of these negative coping mechanisms, to deal with a bad boss?
(18:32) What can you do, physically, to calm down?
(20:30) What does the four step process involve?
(23:20) Let’s say you work for someone who is younger than you are. What is the challenge in that situation?
(24:36) Are there any final thoughts each of you would like to leave our listeners with before we close?
(26:40) Katherine and Kathi, where can people find out more?

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Top 10 Publicity Tools For a Dollar or Less

Staci Wood — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:31:44 +0000

Visibility is important to your small business and affordable publicity is out there. There are many tools that can help you grow your business and expand its visibility today. However, researching to discover those publicity tools can be a drain on your time - which may actually hinder your small business.

Margie Zable Fisher, President of Zable Fisher Public Relations, joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share her top 10 publicity tools that cost $1 or less. Margie also explains how to maximize your success in using them and she’s done the “dirty work” of uncovering these valuable publicity tools for you.

So, get ready to take advantage of these tools to help your small business gain visibility and grow to its full potential.

Below are the questions we asked Margie:

(1:40) First Margie, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background regarding public relations?
(6:16) Can you walk us through these tools and give the best ways to leverage them? What are the professionals’ secrets?
(13:25) Is there one more tip you’d like to add about Help a Reporter?
(14:01) I see you reference Contact Any Celebrity, tell us about that a bit?
(15:39) What is The Gift List about, Margie?
(16:52) Let’s move on to your next tip called “Contacts on Tap.” What’s that about?
(17:57) Let’s do one more before we go to the break. This one intrigues me. “Chases Calendar” – what is that?
(21:28) Let’s make sure we get through all 10 tips. Can you talk about EzineArticles a bit?
(22:41) How do you actually make number seven happen?
(24:24) How do you go about winning an award?
(25:25) Number nine is “create profiles and use free social media tools,” can you discuss the importance of that?
(25:54) Number ten “set up and write posts on a free WordPress blog platform,” can you tell us about that?
(26:41) What’s the best way for people to get started with these tools?
(27:29) Margie, where can people find out more about your business?

Download Margie’s “Top 10 Publicity Tools For a Dollar or Less” PDF now or visit Small Business Trends where Margie wrote about her “Top 10 Publicity Tools”

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Unlocking Cash and Profits Hidden in Financial Statements

Staci Wood — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0000

I think I can speak for everyone here and say – we’d all like to unlock hidden cash and profits. And Kenneth Kaufman is going to help us find it.

Kenneth Kaufman, Founder & CEO of CFOwise, joins hosts Anita Campbell to share the insights he has gained from helping entrepreneurs and small business owners use their monthly financial statements – to drive cash flow and profitability by unlocking hidden finances.

So, are you ready to unlock hidden cash and profits in YOUR financial statements? Why not get started now?

Below are the questions we asked Ken:

(2:21) First Ken, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and CFOWise?
(4:28) What are the financial statements that small business owners should be looking at? I assume the profit and loss statement is one of them?
(6:30) Let me ask you about the balance sheet. Is it of less value to small businesses? How important do you think the balance sheet is to the typical small business?
(8:20) What are the issues causing some small business owners to neglect looking at these financial statements in an accurate form or on a timely basis?
(11:03) Where are the most common places to find this “hidden cash” in a small business?
(13:50) How do you then use that financial statement to find hidden cash flow?
(20:45) How can you find hidden profits? Where do you look for that in your financials?
(22:07) How many small business owners do you think can quote that growth profit number immediately?
(23:10) Do you start looking at your expense line or your top line – or both?
(24:49) Are there any other obvious places to look?
(26:28) Can you outline some of the key financial ratios and averages that a small business owner should be keeping track of?
(29:20) Can you tell us about the free industry report you are offering our listeners and how they can maximize this report when they receive it?

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Social CRM: Make Information Find and Work for You

Staci Wood — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:03:38 +0000

Not only is social media useful to small businesses for marketing, but it’s also a handy tool to use to develop a more personal relationship with your customers and business contacts. It allows you to obtain bits and pieces of personal knowledge about others and you can then use that knowledge to build upon an existing relationship with them. Perhaps you saw a Tweet from a client about their dog named Spot. The next time you speak with that client, you can mention their dog, Spot, and make the experience more meaningful for them.

Those are the kind of details that turn leads into sales experiences that customers come back for.

Larry Ritter, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sage CRM Solutions, joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to discuss how small businesses can work together to deliver actionable customer and prospect details.

Below are the questions we asked Larry:

(2:09) First Larry, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background? How did you come to be at Sage CRM Solutions?
(3:04) Can you tell us the basics about the company? What does Sage CRM Solutions do and who do you serve?
(4:14) How does Sage CRM Solutions define a small business?
(5:42) Social media is a topic people can’t get enough of. What do you think social media really means for the small business user, Larry?
(6:39) What are some things that small businesses can be doing right now in this economy to sell better? What tools should they be using?
(7:52) Is that what is meant by the term “Social CRM?”
(9:36) What technology or automation trends are you seeing for small businesses in how they market to their prospects and established customers?
(13:34) How has communication within Sage’s ACT! community had an impact on what you view as their needs and wants from Sage CRM Solutions?
(15:13) How did the ACT! community affect and impact the upgrades in the release of ACT! 2010?
(16:36) If you were talking to a small business considering CRM, what things would you tell them to let them know that they should be making an investment in it?
(17:56) How has the integration of social media networking changed traditional CRM?
(19:20) When it comes to contact management versus CRM, what are the differences that a small business should know of?
(20:57) What are some ways that a small business can determine the best implementation method?
(22:27) Compare and contrast for a moment - is traditional CRM on it’s way out or are the new technologies working well together?
(24:55) Where does mobility fit into CRM and how companies are interacting with their customers?
(26:11) Where does implementing a CRM application stand – regarding resources and money required for startup?
(27:55) Larry, where can people find out more on the web?

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Long Tail SEO: Get Fast Traction With Google

Staci Wood — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:14:39 +0000

Many small business owners do not know what effective keywords to target or how to effectively target them with link building. The the importance of “long tail” SEO to small businesses is often overlooked.

Case in point: A used book store owner might aspire to rank on the first page of Google for the keyword phrase “used books.” While this phrase is searched thousands of times each month, it’s also massively competitive and won’t drive very qualified traffic. A series of “long tail” keywords that are less competitive and drive very qualified traffic would be much more effective.

Tom McConnon, Product Manager of LotusJump, joins hosts Anita Campbell to share “long tail” keyword research and SEO tips that every small business owner can benefit from.

Below are the questions we asked Tom in this episode:

(3:04) First Tom, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
(4:50) What can someone actually use LotusJump for?
(6:38) Explain with a concrete example how SEO can really help a small business?
(7:57) What is “long tail SEO” and where did this phrase come from?
(10:20) If you’re picking keywords, what kind of tools do you have at your disposal? What can you do to expand that list?
(15:19) The more detailed the search request, the closer you are to finding exactly what you’re looking for, correct?
(19:18) I have noticed that when you do a blog post, you may get a good position from keywords in the title. But over time, you loose that position due to algorithm changes. Do you find that to be true?
(23:51) What are some good link building tips and resources for a “long tail SEO” strategy?
(30:51) Can you give us a quick summary of your tips today?
(32:26) Tom, where can people find out more on the web?

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Buying Commercial Property: The SBA 504 Loan

Staci Wood — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:47:11 +0000

Are you in the market for a new piece of commercial real estate for your new or existing small business? If so, you’ve found the right place to find information – and possibly the right loan product, too.

Chris Hurn, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercantile Capital Corporation, joins hosts Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to explain why the SBA 504 Loan Program has several advantages over ordinary, conventional loans for small business owners buying commercial real estate.

Below are the questions we asked Chris in this episode:

(1:35) First Chris, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
(2:33) Do you specialize in SBA loans?
(3:31) Can you demystify what the SBA 504 Loan Program is?
(5:06) What are the advantages of the 504 loan?
(7:40) Tell us a little bit more about some of these advantages such as smaller monthly payments and the impact on cash flow?
(10:15) What is the environment like for small business loans out there? What have we just come through and has anything changed today since last September or October?
(16:34) I have read that in order to get an SBA loan, you have to prove that you could not get a conventional loan. Is that true?
(18:33) Is there any kind of balloon payment required if you go through the SBA 504 loan process?
(20:33) Can you talk about the loan process?
(25:36) How can the 504 loan affect the future sale of property financed by it?
(27:01) Are certain types of commercial properties more appealing to small businesses than others?
(29:25) Chris, where can people find out more on the web?

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Profitably Using Website Video and Videomail

Staci Wood — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:30:31 +0000

Video can be useful to small businesses on many different levels and in many different ways. Not only can it be used to attract website visitors, but it can also be very effective in communicating tasks, training employees and distributing information to your workforce – to name just a few.

Ruth King, Founder and Chief Evangelist of Ribbon has been using Internet video to train, communicate, and inform since 1998. Ruth, a very early web pioneer, joins Anita Campbell and Steve Rucinski to explain how small businesses can use the power of video to attract and retain website visitors as well as communicate company messages through video mail.

Below are the questions we asked Ruth in this episode:

(2:02) First Ruth, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
(3:21) Can you explain, for listeners who may not already know . . . what exactly is video mail and what do you need to use it?”
(3:43) Is video mail a practical solution for small businesses?
(4:43) Can you demystify video on the web? Which format should you use – and when should you use it?
(6:29) So is a YouTube video streaming video or flash?
(7:10) Can you tell us how a small business owner might go about creating a video for their website or training purposes? What’s involved and what’s the easiest way to do that?
(9:34) Is the Flip Camera a good beginner video camera?
(10:42) What are some of the considerations you should have prior to putting video on your website?
(11:30) What else should be considered?
(12:45) So in other words, you do a video of a customer testimonial and then turn it into a short video email?
(13:25) So your not sending the video file in the email, your sending an email with a link to the video, correct?
(14:09) Has anyone expressed concerns about getting a video link in an email?
(14:26) In that case, should you have some verbiage in the email as well?
(14:55) When it comes to placing a video on your website, where do you recommend someone should actually put it?
(19:25) Ruth, you mentioned a 30 second time length is the optimum time, is that correct?
(20:14) So it opens a new browser window?
(20:25) Should a small business make use of You Tube? Are there advantages or disadvantages to doing so?
(21:52) Tell us what Ribbon does?
(22:49) Can you tell us how a live video from a website works?
(24:03) So it’s “webinar like” but it’s video?
(25:14) How do you prepare to do live broadcasts from your website? Is there a checklist of sorts that you should run through first?
(26:53) Are there tools and interactive functions that you can use?
(27:11) When it comes to a website video, do you think shorter videos are more effective? Is there a certain time length to stick to?
(28:26) Ruth, where can people find out more on the web?

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How to Turn the Story of Your Brand Into a Classic

Staci Wood — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:13:00 +0000

It’s a well-known fact that our emotions come into play when we make decisions. As a result, engaging and authentic stories can actually inspire customers to “fall in love” with you.

I don’t know about you – but I love a great story. I especially love to hear entrepreneurial success stories. You know. . . those stories about the tiny beginnings in someone’s basement or at someone’s kitchen table that ultimately lead to great success. There’s nothing more captivating than a really great story.

Leah Komaiko, Founder of LeahKomaiko.com and author of 19 books, talks with host Anita Campbell and co-host Brent Leary about the value of stories. Leah teaches you how YOU can turn YOUR story – into the type that becomes a classic.

Below are the questions we asked Leah in this episode:

(2:40) First Leah, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
(4:41) How is your brand story different than the “About Us” section on your website or bio?
(7:41) Can you tell us about being a “recovering comedian?”
(10:24) What is it that really moves people in a story? What’s the magic formula?
(13:03) If I were setting out to turn my story into a classic, what is it that I should be focusing on first?
(18:56) How can we find our “Gettysburg Address” for people? Can it be short and sweet or long and lasting?
(21:55) How can you go about finding your story and telling it in a compelling way to make people react to it?
(23:26) How can you use fictional characters properly to get your story across?
(26:04) I’m curious and I’m sure others are by now, too, so tell us. . . what’s Leah’s story? If you could equate it to a book, what would that book be?
(29:31) Leah, where can people find out more on the web?

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Tips For The Self Employed On Health Insurance

Staci Wood — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:12:57 +0000

Affordable health insurance is hard to find these days and sadly, as a result, many are forced to go without it. Finding affordable health insurance that provides for the needs of your family is a difficult task and it usually brings up a myriad of questions – because health insurance coverage can get pretty complex.

Sam Gibbs, Senior Vice President of eHeathInsurance, has a keen understanding of the shifts in how people search for and buy health insurance and is skilled at explaining the complexities of health insurance to consumers. Sam joins host, Anita Campbell and co-host Steve Rucinski, for an in-depth discussion on cost effective, affordable health insurance options for small business owners and the self-employed.

Below are the questions we asked Sam in this episode:

(2:00) First Sam, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?
(3:44) Is it important to have health insurace? Why not go bare?
(4:58) If you’re self-employed, can you deduct health insurance premiums from your federal income taxes?
(6:33) Can you talk about what is taxed vs. what is deductible?
(7:49) How do you approach the health insurance issue to find the best deals possible?
(10:51) What is COBRA and the COBRA subsidy?
(13:12) Are there any particular carriers that are good for the self-employed to approach? Or ones to stay away from? Or doesn’t it really break down that way?
(14:56) What is eHeathInsurance.com and how does it compare with telephoning your local insurance agent?
(19:21) Is there an advantage to getting a higher deductible?
(20:56) Who sets up an HSA (Health Savings Account)?
(21:51) What if someone has a pre-existing condition – can they still get health insurance?
(23:47) If I shop online for health insurance how can I protect my private information?
(24:48) What can a small business owner or self employed person expect to pay for health insurance?
(25:54) What makes for such variables between cost state to state?
(27:06) What advice can you provide to small business owners with employees?
(28:24) Sam, where can people find out more on the web?

FOR MORE: READ THE SHOW TRANSCRIPT.

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