Author: bossLadyBLOOMS

In last weeks blog post, we discussed common ways to bring more attention to your business and hopefully find more customers. We continue on this topic, but with more unique ways that may also be helpful in marketing your small business.

YOUTUBE

YouTube may not be unique, by any means, but using it to grow a small business cliental can be. Making quality videos to promote your business takes skill and patience. Yes some people may feel like making a video is simple just point and click record, but by doing that are you making something a customer would want to see? Will they choose to do business with your from it. YouTube can be beneficial in marketing your business if done correctly. Decide what do you want to show your customers, but just a video showing products will hardly do. What do you say to get a potential customers attention. Making client grabbing interesting videos on YouTube can be a great way to attract people to your business. Here is a look at the YouTube channel for BossLadyBlooms:RBT Exam Tutoring. It was just recently started but is growing a significant following so far, that has led to sells. YouTube marketing services are another way to use YouTube to help grow your business. The Family Table is a unique small business that uses YouTube to advertise.

EBOOKS

Several small businesses have started including ebooks as a way to advertise their business. If you are not familiar with this term, an ebook is an electronic book, a book publication in digital form. According to thinkmaverick, ebooks are an excellent way to advertise you business. If written correctly, an ebook can help establish you and your business as an expert in that field. You can use an ebook as a lead magnet to help grow or establish an email list.

Ebooks can be easy to create starting with a pdf. There are several ebook templates that can be helpful in creating your ebook from start to finish. Amazon Kindle is a useful way to publish your ebook once its complete. Adding audio to your ebook can be valuable as well.

I recently used my ebook, as a give away to my email list. Although it was written as a class project in 2016, it has been an asset to my RBT tutoring business.

Networking

YouTube and Ebooks are valuable ways to market your business, but nothing beats making a word of mouth sell. As strange as it seems, simple telling people about your business is still a good way to get people to work with, or buy from you. Talking about you own business is helpful, but having customers tell other people about your business can always be a benefit.

Getting people to notice your business is only part of the the whole of owning a small business. Once you have people noticing you, making the sell is the next step.

Amazon business is also a helpful way to grow your business. From buying supplies, to templates and more Amazon business is your one stop shop.

Owning and operation a profitable small business is difficult in and of its self; but advertising and getting your business noticed by potential customers can be even more difficult. I reached out to some small business owners and compiled a list of simple but affective ways to get your small business seen by more people.

Business cards

One of the best tried and true methods of getting your business in the face of potential customers is to use business cards. Business cards are an inexpensive way to promote and advertise your business. In addition to using them to exchange during networking, business cards can be posted in libraries, on bulletin boards and with permission, can be left on display at certain restaurants.

Make sure your business card is eye catching but also has the important information, like your business name, what you do and your contact information.

Social media

Another even more popular way to advertise your small business, is to posted it on social media. Social media is the hottest thing out and putting your business on social media will get you seen immediately. The most difficult thing about putting your business on social media is finding your potential customers. Yes, you will be seen, but you want to be seen by people who will do business with you. One way to do this is by inviting potential customers to visit, like and share your business’ page. (I highly recommend having a separate personal and business page). A few good examples of how your business can look on social media can be seen at my Facebook business page for BossLadyBLOOMS:RBT Exam Tutoring and the Facebook business page of Taylor Your Yard. With many businesses getting overwhelming good follows, feedback and sales on Instagram, it seems to be a positive way to show off your small business and get customers as well. Stitched by Sug is a growing Instagram business page that is making a big impact.

Websites

Having a website for your small business is crucial. Not only does it give your potential customers a landing page, a business website will allow you to book clients and to accept payments all in one place. Having a website for your business also tells the world that your small business is legitimate. Setting up a small business website can be difficult for some, and if that’s the case, I recommend you to hire someone to set up your website for you. There are several sites that have website templets that walk you through the process of setting up and starting your small business website on your own, if this is what you choose to do, I would recommend using WIX, as I did for my website. (https://bossladyblooms.wixsite.com/website). There are other site builders such as this one on Shopify.

Search Engines

Of course we all know the supreme being of all search engines is Google, and getting your business listed in a high rank on this search engine will most definitely solidify that your small business will be seen, and seen by a lot of people. I’ve often heard this quote about Google, “if your business is not on Google, does your business really exist?” If you have not already, register your business for Google My Business. Here’s a look at mine, for my tutoring business.

Believe it or not, Pinterest, is a search engine with pictures, not a social media platform. People search on Pinterest, just as they do on Google. Using photos relevant to your business along with keywords in the title and description, will send more traffic to your business.

Weather you chose to use one or more of the listed ways to get people to notice, and buy from, your business, the key is to get as many eyes as possible, looking at and taking an interest in your business.

Wishing you all the best in your business.

I listened to a podcast a few days ago about how our bodies intertwine with our moods.  In one exercise, we were encouraged to demonstrate someone who feels sad.  As I sat in my desk, I lowered my shoulders, dropped my head and made a frown.  In my effort to model a sad person I even lowered my eyes and made myself small.  We were then asked to sit and be sad for a while.  Upon a few minuets, I actually started to feel sad.

After a little over 5 minutes, we were instructed to keep the sad feeling and stand up and do five jumping jacks.  He repeated to us listeners to “stay sad” as we jumped.  As I did my jumping jacks I tried to keep my humped over frame, lowered eyes and frown…but it was really hard to do.  My head was lifted and my eyes watched straight ahead, I didn’t feel the sadness of only a few seconds earlier.  It was difficult to feel sad and move my body in a faster pace.

He had  made his point right there and could have ended the pod cast. 

I thought about that for a while.  How just the moving and position of my body had altered my mood and attitude.  I encourage anyone who may be feeling sluggish, sad or even just bored, to stand up and move, maybe jog in place, or do a few jumping jacks, put some happy music on and dance.  If you are able, maybe go for a walk outside.  Just move, breath and get your heart pumping.

Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, from obesity to high blood pressure.  A large amount of small business owners are at their desk for hours on end performing the daily task it takes to run their businesses.  I, as an online tutor,  spend the majority of my day sitting at my desk with my computer.  Before I even realize it,  three or four hours have already passed.   After listening to this podcast and doing two more of the shared exercises, I decided to make some changes to my work day. 

How you can sneak in movement in the workday.

One of the first things I did was to start setting a timer to take a “stand up”  five minute break, after every hour I worked.  Something that simple made a difference in my day.  

Next, I decided to try an idea I got from a kindergarten teacher. I purchased an exercise ball to use as a chair.  Using the exercise ball was a joy, until it became a issue as I bounced to much as I worked with clients.  But don’t let my silliness deter you from trying it.  Its a great way to keep your core engaged and helps with balance and moods.  

Finally I added a standing desk to my at home office.  This was the thing that took some getting use to.  I was able to stand for a while but seemed better able to talk with clients while sitting.  This is a great way for a more physically active person to stay active during the work day.

Don’t eat at your desk

Eating lunch while you continue to work at your desk doesn’t save you time and it actually can hurt you, health wise, in the long run.  Leave your desk for lunch, go eat in the lunch area, or maybe in you car, (my favorite) for more privacy.  If you do choose to eat at your desk, don’t work while you eat.  Take your full allotted lunch time and eat your lunch. Afterwards, maybe take a walk around the building or outside, to help wake and energize you for the rest of the work day. 

Until next time….

Wishing all small business owners, good health.

* The photos included in this post are of two successful small business owners.   R. Hayes owner of Raebodied apparel, a fitness apparel online store; and J. Harris, owner of Jax Tha Trainer, an online personal trainer.  (jaxthatrainer@gmail.com).  Click the link or send an email to find out more about the two small businesses.

It is the Amazon you love, for work. Make workplace procurement easier with convenient delivery options, simplified purchasing workflows, multiple payment options, and a competitive marketplace with business-only pricing and quantity discounts. Anyone who makes purchases for work (eg. procurement specialists, office administration, IT departments, etc.) can create a free account for their business. Customer must be from a verified business in order to successfully create their Amazon Business account.

https://amzn.to/35k1f8u <—–This takes you to a better look at what the benefits are with Amazon for business.

Small businesses, survive by finding the path of least resistance that allows for better customer service as well as keeping things in arms length. Work smarter, not harder with Amazon for business.

You may find other small business gems here.

Until next time wishing you all the best in your business…

What exactly is a mission statement?

According to Ownr.com, a mission statement is a way to state the mission or purpose a business serves. The bottom line of mission statements is that it should clearly defined what your business does and why it does it. A mission statement is just that, a statement, it should be one sentence or a very short paragraph, that is memorable.

Does my business need a mission statement?

The simple answer to this question is yes. A mission statement can be revisited as your business grows, as you update your business plans or when you need to revamp your entire business. Because most mission statements don’t change, they may remind you of why you started the business in the first place.

The other answer to this question, is also yes. Customers, investors, and potential employees, may read and dissect your company’s mission statement as the make the decision to do business with you or not.

Why are mission statements important to your business?

Your business mission statement can be very helpful to a small business, as its useful to keeping you focused and on track. It can help keep other people, involved in your business, working towards a common goal, or mission.

Mission Statement Of Popular Businesses

BossladyBlooms, the small business I own and operate, has a mission statement that says, “Our mission is to prepare the potential RBT to take, and pass, the RBT Exam, by providing the most up to date and accurate behavior analytic information available. Plan and simple, it tell what I do and how I do it.

Some mission statements, such as the McDonald’s mission statement, focuses on the way they want to make a person feel while enjoying their food. The Adidas mission statement on the other hand, focuses on being the best in their industry.

Whatever you focus on, you mission statement should define your company’s ongoing purpose. Most companies, particularly small business, do not change their mission statement over time.

How to write a mission statement.

First, write a basic sentence of what you business does. Then write, the how it does it, along with the why it does it. With this information in mind, build a mission statement.

If your business is a brick and mortar, you may want to display your mission statement in your customer’s view. If you have a service, or e-business, you can add it to your company’s website and to your business portfolio.

As always, wishing you business blessings.

The process of knowing to whom to market your product or service, can result in much higher rates of return. If you have no target customer in site, you will find yourself spending a lot of time and energy on your business and getting nowhere. The bottom line is, you can’t build a business without knowing who wants and needs your products or service.

But how do I identify my target customer?

If you are already selling your product or service to people but want to find your target customer to increase sales, take a look at who is already purchasing from you. Are your customers generally older males, younger females, married single? Knowing this can help you find your target faster.

If you are just starting out, ask yourself, what problem does your product or service solve; and who generally has such problems. If you are selling curly haired wigs, your target customer is NOT someone with naturally curly hair. If you have an after school shuttle service, your target customer is NOT a single male with no children. See where I’m going with this?

I ask this question to Mrs. Dementia Johnson, owner of MeMe’s CREATIONS; “who is your target customer?”, her reply, “anyone looking for a custom sublimation craft to give as a gift!”.

What is my target customer buying?

Again, if you are already selling your products or services, and want to identify your target market to increase sells, you already have an idea of who it is. Take a look at what your present customers are buying. Do you have repeat customers buying the same or similar types of items, that’s who you market to.

If a customer buys one product and may ask about another or make suggestions about you products or service, that customer is most likely your target customer.

Social Media and your Target.

Posting your products or service on your personal social media platforms is not the best way to find your target customer. Doing so may get you a few likes or comments, but I doubt it will bring in very many actual customers and probably even fewer repeat buyers. If you use social media to advertise your business its best to have a page separate from your personal pages. You can post your business pages in groups for people whose problem your business solves. For instance, if you knit and sell baby blankets, join a group for new moms and/or parents that may be looking for those type of items.

In conclusion, advertising and marketing to your target customer is not as difficult as it may sound, and can make a world of difference in your amount of sells.

To see the complete interview with Mrs. Johnson, of MeMe’s Creations click here

…..and to purchase customized gifts from he visit her website at memescraftycreations.com

See more information that’s important to small business owners from small business owners, click here.

To take the best pictures of your products or for stable, top quality videos, try the equipment that I use. You can find it here.

#targetCustomer #buying #smallBusinessOwner #selling #increaseSales #craftsbusinessowner #growth

Happy New Year! Its 2022 and time to make that small business idea you have in the back of your mind, become a reality; or to put more quality effort into building your new small business. Whatever the case, time management for your business counts.

For most small business owners, their own business is a dream in the making. It comes after working as an employee for some other business. Building a small business may require late nights, early mornings and weekend work. But in order to make the dream a reality you have to be willing to make the sacrifice.

I recently sat down with Demetria Johnson, the owner of MeMe’s Creations, a sublimation crafting small business. Mrs. Johnson, a full time teacher, agrees that building a small business does cost her some late night and weekend time, to get orders completed and delivered to customers.

Setting aside specific time and making a visual schedule is helpful advice for making time for building your business.

But what do you do with your chiseled out work time? Making to do lists and planning is all well and good, but if you plan to start or grow a business you have to do the work. Time management means very little if you don’t use the time wisely . You have to make products, advertise, purchase material, and actually make good use of your time. You can have months to work on your business, but if you never pass the planning stage and do the work you will be in the same place this time next year.

Even if you only have a small amount of time to work on your dream, make it count. The more often you work, the more progress you will begin to see. Even one step forward is moving in the right direction.

Hear more of my conversation with Demetria Johnson of MeMe’s Creation, in the full interview on the YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDRHy1n4eU03TxVTQH9DSg

You can also visit MeMe’s Creations at https://memescraftycreations.com/ or on her Facebook business page at https://www.facebook.com/memescreations77488

Thanks for reading, and I wish you the best of luck in your small business ventures.

#small #business #time #schedules #goals #work #MeMesCreations

As we come to a close of a challenging 2021, we look forward to business growth with a positive outlook for 2022.

Small business owner are more focused than ever to bring financial, as well as personal, growth into the new year. We talked with some small business owners as we collected 10 goals they set to achieve in 2022.

TEN GOALS SET FOR 2022

Lower outgoing expenses Controlling exactly how much money is going out of your business is always key. If business owners are able to lower what goes out, they are better able to keep profits in.

Revamp your business plan If you have been in business for at least a year, or two, revamping your original business plan is a productive goal to set. Now, with a clear look at what works, for your business, and what doesn’t, you are able to make necessary changes and upgrades

Hire first, or more, employees This can be a scary goal. Small business owners birthed their businesses, so handing even some of its responsibilities over to someone else, can take real mental strength.

Direct more traffic to website This is a 2022 goal I can definitely agree with. Customers don’t know you exist if they cant see you. Drawing more eyes to your website is a sure way to get more clients.

Create a new product. Rather it be an extension to your existing service or product, creating something new is always a creditable goal.

Better social media presence Again if people don’t know you exist, they can’t buy from you. Social media is the most effective way to get your business seen today, with LinkedIN and Facebook, being the top platforms.

Open a brick and mortar What a courageous goal. Stepping out and opening a store or office is an awesome way to level up in your business.

Respond to more networking opportunities This goes right back to what I said earlier, if people don’t know you exist they cant, work with you, or buy from you. There are tons of networking events being hosted now, some even virtual.

Schedule a break from work Taking some time away from your business is sometimes a hard goal to accomplish. But focusing on yourself and your family may be the thing that keeps your business on the right track. If you and your family are doing well, so will your business

Make more money I’m sure this is the number one goal for all business owners, rather small or a large corporation. Making more money in your business is a priority. Our businesses are how we pay our bills, take care of ourselves and families and provide for our lifestyles, this goal should be on every business owners list.

WHAT’S NEXT

After setting your small business goals, the next step is to make them a reality. Its time to do the work. Attend that networking event your heard about, start a Facebook page for your business or pull out the old business plan for a revamp. In order to move your business forward, you have to move your feet.

CHECK US OUT

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, where we discuss all things important to the small business owner. Starting in January, we will also chose one small business to spotlight on our channel. Don’s miss out.

Purchasing the proper supplies for your small business can also help you set and reach your goals. I shop at Staples.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDRHy1n4eU03TxVTQH9DSg

Wishing you business growth,

From The Business SQUAD: thebusinesssquad2021@gmail.com

#smallBusiness #growth #GOALS #businessPlan #YouTube #THEBUSINESSSQUAD

Author and social activist bell hooks on how to love yourself:

“One of the best guides to how to be self-loving is to give ourselves the love we are often dreaming about receiving from others. There was a time when I felt lousy about my over-forty body, saw myself as too fat, too this, or too that. Yet I fantasized about finding a lover who would give me the gift of being loved as I am.

It is silly, isn’t it, that I would dream of someone else offering to me the acceptance and affirmation I was withholding from myself. This was a moment when the maxim “You can never love anybody if you are unable to love yourself” made clear sense. And I add, “Do not expect to receive the love from someone else you do not give yourself.”

Source: All About Love: New Visions

I had to use this quote from one of my favorite people on this planet. She passed away last week and I seriously felt like I knew her personally. Her selfless acts to speak up and out will never be forgotten, by me as I’m sure for many others.

My way was paved by her and so many others, I am forever grateful.

Rest easy bell hooks💜

#bell#hooks #oneOfTheGreats #becauseOfHerICan #bossLady

The excitement and stress of the holiday season can affect everyone, but for people who own and operate small businesses, the stress can be even more monumental.

Most small business owners prepare their business for the season by stocking up on inventory, designing displays, and advertising sales and seasonal promotions.

But, how do small business owners prepare themselves for the busy shopping season?

Prepare, Prepare and Prepare

Get your business prepared long before the holidays start. Most small business owners agree that preparing before the holiday season actually starts helps to alleviate stress in the business but personally as well. Let’s face it, stress in your business, is personal stress, especially when you are operating as all departments in your business.

Something to look forward to

One other way small business owners say that they prepare, for personal self care, is that they plan something to look forward to after the busy holiday season.

Planning a few personal days away from work, to spend with family and friends. “Even just staying home and sleeping in”, says one owner,” is enough to look forward to” in order to make it through the excitement and hustle of the season. Another small business owner admits to planning a vacation, to look forward to. “This vacation plan gives me a mental boost to stay the course”.

I, personally, have planned to take a few days to enjoy the spa after the holidays, just to refocus and recharge.

Enjoying the now

With the reality of knowing that small businesses took, and are still enduring, a big financial hit, during the pandemic, quite a few owners tell me that they are just enjoying the excitement and positivity of the now. As people return to pre covid ways, the spending is more in an upward swing then in the past two years. “Just being able to see that we may be in the black, is selfcare enough for me” states one small business owner.

As a small business owner, what are you doing to take care of yourself personally? Do you participate in any of the ways above or is there something else you do to take care of you, during the excitement of this season?

Share your thoughts.

To see more information for small business owners from small business owners, check out our YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDRHy1n4eU03TxVTQH9DSg

To take quality pictures and use top form videos for the channel we use only the best equipment