By now you’ve likely heard about Small Business Saturday – a day designated as such by American Express to help support the “backbone” of our nation in this wobbly economy – small businesses.
American Express and thousands of other marketers are encouraging consumers to use the Saturday of the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend to go out (or go online) and shop locally in an effort to support small businesses and our local economies. This focus means that you, the small business owner, have an opportunity to make a big impression on your local market.
And not just today…but I suggest every day going forward.
Whether you sell locally or completely online, you have a role to play in re-starting our economy and creating a new version that can withstand global pressures. All the major media and financial pundits agree – small business is the backbone of this nation helping to create jobs as global firms take thousands of North American jobs overseas.
This is all pretty interesting given that economists seemed to say not that long ago that the global economy would be everything and our local economies as we knew them were a thing of the past.
Now this is not to say that small businesses will wipe out the Walmarts of the world. That won’t happen and I don’t even think we want it to happen. But what we are experiencing now is a push back from consumers brought about by what I call a kind of “globalization fatigue.”
We’ve finally realized that while global markets allow us to buy things at a price far lower than we ever dreamed, it doesn’t take long to realize that without a job all the shopping deals in the world are meaningless.
So we’re back to appreciating how important our communities, cities and regions are not just to our families but the country as a whole. Small business owners toiling away at their dreams in local stores, offices and spare bedroom offices everywhere are creating the one thing we need that globally focused companies just can’t address well – jobs for the people and places where “we” live.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, from 1993 to 2009 small businesses accounted for 65 percent of the 15 million net new jobs in the country. We need more of that to happen and you’re the key.
So with the knowledge that consumers – especially your customers – are looking to purchase from small business owners like you, I have a treat to help you market and connect more effectively with your prospective buyers and clients.
Online marketing is a necessary and cost-effective method of marketing for today’s small business. To help you succeed on that front, I’ve picked two great resources that I personally recommend.
1. Interested in a New Revenue Stream? Get “Smart Blogging Skills”
Many companies increase the success of their online marketing efforts by creating an effective blog. Not only can a blog pull in your prospective customers but it can attract sponsors and advertisers as well. Revenue from advertisers can create a nice side-income for your business. Who knows, you may do so well at blogging and marketing your niche with a blog that advertising might become your main source of revenue. Learn from one of the most successful online marketers today – Kelly McCausey. Details are here: www.smallbusinessstudy.com/smartblogging.
2. Now You Can Quickly Create Professional Graphics with Ease
When you haven’t got the budget, time or interest in hiring a graphic designer why not create the graphic yourself? Now you can create professional looking graphics yourself with this resource kit and learning package from Angela Wills called Graphics Mojo. Get this package at 50% off during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale on now. Enter the coupon code “blackfriday”. Details are here: www.smallbusinessstudy.com/graphicmojo.
Happy marketing!
Sharon
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