Small Business Resources
Understanding Capital For Your Small Business
Starting a small business is hard enough, but seeking capital can open a whole new set of challenges even for the most seasoned entrepreneur. If you’ve already utilized your own funds and maxed out personal credit cards, you’re not alone. We hear that from a lot of the small business owners we work with. However, […]
Aug 19, 2015 – Small Business Loans • Small Business Resources •
Your Credit Score May Soon Be Changing
If you think you “know” what affects your credit score as a small business owner — and how your score is calculated — think again. Since 2009, the Fair Isaac Company scoring model, FICO 8, has been the credit-score industry standard when determining many credit scores. But it’s soon being replaced by FICO 9. This […]
Aug 03, 2015 – Small Business Loans • Small Business Resources •
How To Pitch Investors 101
Now that we’ve walked you through understanding and marketing your small business, and drafting your first business plan, the next logical step is securing additional funds. In a separate blog, we’ll talk about small business loans, how they work, and what kinds are available. In this post, we’re going to talk about securing investment capital, […]
Jul 27, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Free Webinar — How Food Businesses Can Improve Their Margins
Join us on Friday, August 28 for a free webinar on strategies and practices to improve your food business’ profits and margins. BusinessAdvising.org will host culinary business consultant Heather McCarthy. In this free webinar, we’ll cover: Where does the money go? Understanding cost of goods sold (COGS) and other high-impact margin influencers. How do I know where to […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources • Webinars •
Small Business Marketing: What to Delegate And What To Own
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats — and you don’t have a lot of time to spare. As we’ve taken you through the basics of understanding your market, and developing campaigns, you may be having a hard time figuring out what […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Small Business Marketing: Understanding Your Market And Customers
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] Let’s start with the basics. Every marketing program contains four components: Your Product Or Service: This includes everything from your unique product, to the line of products you sell, to the services you offer. Promotion: Keep in mind that promotions aren’t limited to advertising. They […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Small Business Marketing: What Does Google’s Latest Algorithm Update Mean For Your Small Business Website?
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] [custom_headline type=”left, center, right” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”] What Changes Is Google Making On April 21? [/custom_headline] Google announced on their Webmaster Central blog that “Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal”. According to several sources, this seems to mean that sites which […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Small Business Marketing: Advertising Basics
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] We all know what advertising is, and the myriad forms it comes in — from banner ads on websites, to billboards along the highway, to promoted posts on Facebook. Many of us think of advertising as a push-button way to drive revenues, until we actually look […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Small Business Marketing: Engaging Your Customers
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] Email marketing is one of the most effective ways you as a small business owner can keep in touch with your customers. It’s relatively easy, it can be very cost-effective, and if you do it right it can help you increase loyalty and even grow your […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Small Business Marketing: Compelling Website Content
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] Your website is the front door of your business – it’s where perspective customers get to know you, and where perspective funders get their first impression of your business. Crafting compelling website copy about your products and services, even about your company, is essential for a […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Small Business Marketing: Branding Basics
[This is a continuation of our Marketing 101 series] Branding is one of the most important things a small business can engage in, regardless of your industry or your products or services. It’s the way in which your customers understand you, what you stand for, and how you separate yourself from your competitors. Your brand is […]
Jul 22, 2015 – Small Business Advising And Mentoring • Small Business Resources •
Marketing 101 For Your Small Business: What Is Marketing?
Most people tend to think that marketing equals promotion: an ad on television; a poster on the subway a promoted post on Facebook. By definition, “marketing” is the action or business of promoting and selling products or services. But in practice, it’s a much larger and broader discipline. As a small business owner, marketing is […]