7 Trends for Home Based and Small Business Owners
At the recent Road to Success small business symposium, Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends, was the keynote speaker over lunch. She shared a few trends that home based and small business owners should be aware of:
1. Revenue model trends: she suggested that we find something that will generate revenue quickly. If our products or services have a high ticket price point we should find something smaller that wll generate quick revenue. A great idea is selling information products like e-books, webinars and courses.
2. Online services – Anita called it "productizing a service" An example is Google Ad words. We now think of paying for advertising in a different way thanks to the quick and easy online service that Google developed. Another example is Logoworks – an online package you pay for once and receive designs developed for your business. What service(s) do you offer that can be put into an easy to buy package and sold on line?
3. DIY marketing (do it yourself) there are a myriad of tools now available that allow you to plan and execute a multi-faceted marketing plan. Tools like email marketing programs Mail Chimp, Aweber, Constant Contact, Point Ad Banners. Anita suggests that if you are hiring an associate to make sure they are comfortable using these online tools.
4. Social Media the big three Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are a great way to reach out to your community and create excitement. She mentioned a Facebook page she admires – the Akron Canton Airport. They invite visitors to the airport to stop by the information desk for a free luggage tag. A simple thing but something that has resonated with those that like the Akron Canton Airport Facebook page. Is there something quick and easy you can offer to excite your community on social media?
5. Optomize your website for mobile devices. I have to be honest – I've put this on the back burner until Anita shared these stats: there are 280 computers in the WORLD (those computers can view my websites in their existing format. However there are 277 million mobile devices in the UNITED STATES ALONE. For existing websites, she suggests asking the web developer to create a mobile page for your site. She talked about the trend of text message advertising – 96% of which are currently being opened versus 20% of email marketing. This is now at the top of my to-do list!
6. Technology – The cost of technology continues to come down making it affordable to own the latest and greatest tools to make your business run smoother. She also talked the abillity to use online services to host your software and hardware which saves you time and money or keeping your technology up to date and well maintained.
7. Sense of Humor – through it all keep your sense of humor!
Great stuff – thanks Anita for a wonderful talk and lots of great information to help this home based business owner.