Effective crisis management communication is essential when something goes wrong – but it’s often the PR activity that takes place before a crisis hits that determines if and how well you and your business recover. Businesses that have a strong crisis communication plan prevent and lessen the damage a crisis may cause. Failure to effectively manage a crisis can seriously harm … [Read more...]
I Should Have NEVER Hired My Spouse
If you've hired your spouse, I hope that it's working for you. It didn’t work for me. I discovered things about both of us that I wish I had considered (or known) beforehand. I'm not saying that hiring family doesn’t work. It can and does. In fact, I have two members of my family who work for me now. However, the process of hiring them, the on-boarding process, and the review … [Read more...]
3 Brand Marketing Strategies to Add to Your Instagram
Are you looking to market your business on Instagram? Depending on who you’re targeting and where your audience is, this free platform is a great inbound marketing strategy to add to your plan. Below you'll learn what brand marketing is, the Instagram stats you should know, and three important tips to uncover. What is Brand Marketing? Let’s start off the boat with the … [Read more...]
How to Hire Staff for a Small Business
Small business owners have to wear many hats. One of the most critical roles is knowing how to hire staff. But it can be overwhelming to contemplate how to go about finding the people to help you run a business that’s so near and dear to your heart. Every small business is different, but there are some general principles that are important to keep in mind. Here’s a guide on … [Read more...]
Women in Business: How to Run a Successful Business Online
Now, more than ever, women are becoming business owners. And not just any business owners but online business owners. What has brought on this change? Many different things. For some women, owning their own online business has given them independence and freedom, both financial and non-financial. Other women entrepreneurs use online businesses as a source of additional income, … [Read more...]
How to End a Business Relationship (So You Can Slim Down Spending!)
If you run a business long enough, you’re definitely going to find yourself in the position of having to cancel a service, subscription, or software. Doing this has the potential to be uncomfortable, especially if you have any sort of history or personal relationship with the service provider. In fact, you may find yourself procrastinating having this conversation, because … [Read more...]
5 Ways Automation Can Turbocharge Your Online Business
Worries that automation is difficult to implement and no less of a challenge can make online businesses miss out on some remarkable opportunities. Automation has long been used to speed up time-consuming manual processes, helping businesses become more scalable, productive, and – above all – profitable. But today, it has advanced by light years, ushering in a brand new era of … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Build an Authentic Brand Identity
Your brand's identity is the heart of your entire business. Your business's voice, copy, and look are how potential clients judge you. It's the stuff that makes you and your business unique. Unfortunately, these days, it feels like most marketing strategies and brand guidelines give generic advice. When everyone follows the same guidelines, we end up in a sea of sameness. So … [Read more...]
First Impressions Count: 7 Tips to Create Successful Business Signs
A study by FedEx showed that a huge 68% of people believe a sign accurately reflects the quality of your products and services, so you want to make sure that yours look good! Your business signage will talk about you behind your back. It will let people know all about you, even when you're not there, so make sure that what it's saying is all good with these top seven tips on … [Read more...]
When to Say ‘I Do’ to Your Business Partner
Choosing your ideal business partner — to open a podcast together, to start a company, or to expand your venture — is not an easy task. How do you know if you're truly the right fit? What signs can you look for that might help you make this important business decision? Is a business partner really as important as a life partner? These questions, and more, keep any dedicated … [Read more...]