The Chamber Weekly Blog
How Does Your Business Compare to the Latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index?
Recently, the May NFIB Small Business Optimism Index results came out. While they were certainly not surprising, if you’re feeling concerned about your business, you’re not alone. Seeing what others are struggling with (and what they’re doing in the face of these struggles) can be helpful. This article gives you the highlights of the Index results for May.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Why Workforce Development Is a Big Deal for Small Business
Many small and medium-sized business owners think that workforce development isn’t in their “lane.” They leave it to the big guys to work with the chamber and community leaders to ensure the large businesses have the skilled employees they need for the future. But unless you are a business of one and plan on remaining that way, workforce development should be a concern of all sizes of businesses.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Small Business Owners: It’s Time to Think Big
As a small business owner, it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day operations of your business. You're constantly juggling tasks like managing inventory or staff, paying bills, and dealing with customer service issues. It can be challenging to find time to think about the big picture, let alone act on it. However, it's essential to think bigger if you want your business to grow and thrive. Now’s as good a time as any.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Popular Misconceptions About Shopping Small That Are Holding Your Customers Back
Businesses with e-commerce options are quickly counting down deadlines for Christmas deliveries. This is the perfect time for local small business to shine because you can promise customers holiday smiles quicker than they can be delivered in online purchases. However, there may still be things holding the average customer back.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
4 Psychological Techniques for Increased Sales During Small Business Season
It's a noisy world out there and there's lots of competition. If you want to stand out, you must provide excellent value and persuasive copy. Without these two things the holiday season will not be the boon you are hoping for. Luckily, creating copy that drives your audience to action is very easy during the holiday season. While many people have a strict budget this year, they want to provide a nice holiday for their friends and family. That means they are looking to buy. Here's how you can help them
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Easy Last-minute Bonuses to Drive More Sales During Small Business Season
Bonus offers are a great way to drive sales without discounting your products or services. It makes people feel like they are getting extra value—and these days, with inflation—that can make a reticent customer buy quicker.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
An Effective E-mail Nurture Campaign for Small Business Season
It's small business season and if you're part of a small business you're probably looking for ways to make the most of your Q4. While mega retailers and big business are slashing prices, that's not the best way for you to be competitive. Small businesses often operate on smaller reserves and slashing prices to the point of taking a loss decreases the revenue you're bringing in. You need something that builds on connections. That’s the small business superpower.
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
How to Build Untiring Customer Loyalty
Customer loyalty is essential to strong sales. After all, it’s easier to get repeat sales than it is to convince a new consumer to buy from you. But customer loyalty is something grown and nurtured, not bought or ordered. It takes time. However, just because someone has been buying from you (or donating to you if you’re a non-profit) does not mean they are loyal. It may just mean that they tend to do the same things over and over until they don’t. If you want a strong customer (or donor) base, you need to
Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie Carroll
Acing the Basics of Grant Writing
Hiring a grant writer isn’t cheap. Some charge a flat fee, while others base their fee as a percentage of the grant amount. If you’re a small business or nonprofit, you may not be able to afford to hire someone. But it is worth it. To take on grant writing yourself, you’ll miss out on the years of experience you’ll get with a professional and it will likely take more time. But if you’re looking for a DIY solution, you need to know the basics of grant writing. Follow the tips provided in this article.
Christina Metcalf and edited by Julie Carroll
5 Ways to Level Up Your Small Business Marketing (and yes, it’s time)
If you’re interested in ways to reach more people, and you’re ready to start maximizing technology, it’s time to look at these business solutions...
Christina Metcalf and edited by Julie Carroll
