To thrive in today's digital world businesses need to harness the power of social media to increase brand awareness, boost engagement, build customer relationships and ultimately drive sales. Social media marketing isn't just a cost-effective way of growing your business; it's one of the most effective ways. Yet each social media platform presents unique challenges and choosing the right platforms, tools and strategies can feel overwhelming for small businesses. Here, so...
People generally offer their advice with the best of intentions, yet following it may not always be the best course of action for your business. As an entrepreneur, being open to learning from other people is essential. Yet rigidly following their advice—or trusting someone's judgment when their interests or values may not align with yours—could lead to costly mistakes, missed opportunities or even a failed business. Here, 15 entrepreneurs share some of the worst advice they've received together...
The process of starting your own business may not be as daunting as you think. Many people dream of running their own business yet they're put off by the apparent complexity involved in getting a new business off the ground. While there are financial and legal aspects to consider, you "don't necessarily need a degree in business or finance to be successful," writes Diane Gilleland. Here, she shares a roundup of essential resources that will guide you through the process of starting your own busi...
Your professional bio is a crucial part of your personal brand and possibly the most important marketing copy you'll ever write. Marketing yourself effectively as a professional is as much about who you are as a person as it is about your career, skills and achievements. And communicating a strong personal brand not only benefits your career; it also benefits your company's brand image. Here, Lindsey Kolowich shares some top tips for writing relevant, relatable and engaging professional bio cont...
Social media marketing is a powerful tool, yet many small business owners find it complicated and confusing. Choosing the right platform for your business, understanding how to get the most out of it, and knowing whether you're getting a good return on investment, can seem daunting. And research shows many business owners aren't confident they're doing social media marketing right. Here, Rieva Lesonsky shares some top tips on overcoming the most common frustrations with social media marketing an...
Branding is one of the most important aspects of any business. A well-defined and executed brand strategy allows you to create the unique character and culture that permeate every aspect of your business and allows your customers to know what they can expect from your company. Over the years, Branding Strategy Insider has shared "thousands of thought pieces on the most important concepts in brand management." Here, Derrick Daye looks back on some of the most read articles of 2018 to help you com...
To optimise the success of your product, you need to sell to the mainstream market—and the challenge facing any startup is crossing the chasm between early adopters to the mainstream majority. Each segment of the market has its own distinctive characteristics and you need to understand the differences between them so you can manage your product development and marketing strategies effectively to meet their needs. Here, Hugh McFall shares "some of the practical steps you can take to mak...
Building a network is one of the most important things you can do to help your business thrive—and building the right network is crucial. Although networking events provide opportunities to meet people who can support you and your business in some way, it takes time and patience to cultivate authentic relationships. Here, founder and CEO Isa Watson shares her top tips for successful networking, including how segmenting your relationships and knowing how to prioritize them will help you buil...
Whether it's spoken, written, visual, or a multimedia presentation, storytelling remains one of the most compelling ways to share knowledge and information. A well-crafted story engages your audience and takes them on a memorable journey that leaves them feeling inspired and motivated. And by weaving essential facts and figures into a story you make them much easier to remember, says writer, story-branding consultant and keynote speaker, Matthew Luhn. Here, he share...
While the start of a new year often brings fresh impetus for self-improvement, productivity is always a hot topic. According to research, productivity software accounts for an $82 billion market. And some of most popular books on how to be more productive have been topping bestseller lists for several years. To help you cut through the clutter, accomplish more, and achieve better results in less time, Lydia Dishman shares here some top tips from time management experts, productivity evangelists,...
