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Small Business Success Index

Index Score*   Grade
SBSI INDEX 75 C marginal
Capital Access 67 D+
Marketing & Innovation 70 C-
Workforce 79 C+
Customer Service 91 A-
Computer Technology 74 C
Compliance 90 A-
*Index score is calculated on a 1-100 scale.
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Posts Tagged ‘Marketing’

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I Love You, You Love Me: Customer Service Gets High Marks from SBSI

March 1st, 2010 :: Monika Jansen

In case you missed my last blog post, Marketing, the Small Business Success Index, and You, I wrote about the C- score that marketing and innovation earned in the Small Business Success Index survey that was conducted by Network Solutions and the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. The index was released on February 16 and is designed to track the competitive health of the small business sector over time.  Scores in 6 categories are graded; customer service, something that is near and dear (or should be) to marketing folks, scored an A-.

The major strength of small business is in customer service, with the great majority of businesses reporting success in all six areas that comprise this component of the SBSI. 

In all honesty, this did not surprise me at all.  High-quality customer service is a differentiator that small business owners embrace.  In this age of faceless technology, we all crave a personal transaction.   Automated phone menus, customer service departments on the other side of the world staffed by people who are not empowered to make decisions, and multi-national corporations that don’t even post a customer service phone number on their website create nothing but negative feelings and poor experiences.  And we all know how eager people are to share a bad customer service experience.

From Captain Camera on FlickrCase in point: I decided to save a little money, bypass Sephora, and buy mascara at CVS.  I saw an ad for L’Oreal’s Extra Volume Collagen Mascara in InStyle Magazine.  Just the thing my skimpy little lashes need, I thought.  The mascara was flaky and clumpy, and it looked terrible.  Since I couldn’t find the CVS receipt, I decided to contact L’Oreal’s customer service department via email to see if I could get a voucher or coupon. L’Oreal is a massive company; they own 21 other skincare, cosmetics, fragrance, and hair care brands.  Long story short, you can’t email them, but you can waste your time in a chat session with an Online Beauty Advisor.  Turns out you are not chatting with a person, you are chatting with a computer.  The computer could not understand what I was telling it, so I gave up.  I have zero patience with adults, less with technology, and I hate wasting time.  Now I shop for mascara—and all other cosmetics—exclusively at Sephora.

Around nine out of ten small businesses are highly successful at answering customer questions, ensuring customer satisfaction, showing empathy, providing consistent service, resolving problems and winning repeat business. 

And that quote perfectly illustrates what makes us small businesses so special:

Successful at answering customer questions: Because many of us are the business, we know all of our clients personally, and we certainly know our products and/or services intimately. 

Ensuring customer satisfaction: We work hard to make our clients are happy, whether it’s quick turnaround on a project, special pricing based on their loyalty, or a gift card to a favorite shop or café just to say thanks, you are valuable to me.

Showing empathy:  We’re not robots, computers, or customer service reps who don’t give a damn.  We care, and we show it.

Providing consistent service:  When you go out to eat, you never know what kind of server you might get stuck with: a veteran or a newbie.  Our clients know what to expect from us.    

Resolving problems: If there’s a problem in the middle of a project, our clients can reach us directly by phone, text, or email.  We can immediately start working on resolving the issue.   

Winning repeat service: It’s a lot of work to look for new vendors or partners.  If we do a good job the first time, our clients will come back and recommend us.

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Posted in Marketing, Small Business Success Index | Comments

Pass It Along: 8 Tips for a Successful E-Newsletter

February 22nd, 2010 :: Monika Jansen

From cocolinda on Flickr

Like blog writing, e-newsletters can be really fun to write while at the same time being a great way to position you or your company as a thought leader.  Make them entertaining, keep them filled with useful content, and give them personality, and you will attract eager readers. 

OK, that last statement was a little disingenuous.  It’s not really that easy.  There are several other things that go into a successful e-newsletter.  (By successful, I mean one that is not only read by people but that also drives traffic to your website.)

Here are 8 quick tips to help you put together a successful e-newsletter: 

  1. Send it to the right people.  Know who your audience is (hint, it is not everyone in your address book!).  Unless you put together a solid list of people who would find your newsletter useful, few people will read it.  Keep in mind that whether you use Network Solutions, Constant Contact, Vertical Response, or someone else, you cannot buy a list and use it with their programs.  
  2.  Keep it short.  Just like with blogs, no one has time to read a long article, let alone several long articles.  Include one article/topic of no more than 300 words.  If there is more information to share on that topic, write about it in your next e-newsletter or provide a hyperlink to your website in case readers would like to learn more. 
  3. Make it easy to pass along.  Be sure it’s easy for people to forward and subscribe to your newsletter.  Email marketing programs provide ways to do this in their templates.  Use them!  Remember, the more readers the better!
  4.  Include graphics.  Photos, illustrations, even charts or graphs will make your newsletter more interesting to read and look at.  Just be sure they are relevant to your topic.  I like to pull photos off of Flickr for this blog (type in Creative Commons in the Advanced Search box—you can use any of those photos), but most email marketing programs allow you to use photos in their gallery (you’ll have to pay for that feature). Be sure you give the photographer or artist credit for the graphic you are using.
  5. Use your logo and your logo/company colors.  This is just good branding.  You want your readers to recognize your newsletter as yours.
  6. Keep format and delivery timetable consistent.  People like consistency.  If you’re going to share a tip, an interview with a client, or a coupon, do it in every newsletter.  Figure out a delivery timetable and email your newsletter out around the same time, whether it’s every month, every other week, or every week.    
  7. Let content build on previous topics.  This will keep readers eager to hear what else you have to say on a subject, and it’s easier for you—you don’t have to keep thinking up new topics. 
  8. Use attention-grabbing subject lines.  The subject line that shows up in your readers’ inboxes must be intriguing.  It can be witty, sarcastic, silly, a little out-there, whatever.  It just needs to be compelling enough to get your reader to click on it. 

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Posted in Email Marketing, Marketing, Thought Leadership | Comments

Blog, and They Will Come: 5 Tips for Great Blog Writing

February 10th, 2010 :: Monika Jansen

I remember when blogs first appeared in the late ’90s.  They were generally written by regular folks who were sharing essays, thoughts, feeling, what-have-you on the internet.  I immediately thought why on earth would I want to waste time reading that stuff?   Who cares?  And then businesses started wising up to the fact that it was a great way to become a thought leader and a go-to source of industry information.  Et voila, here I am, writing for Network Solutions.  Funny how things can go full circle!

If you’ve thought about starting a blog for your company, cool!  The first thing I would do, though, if you haven’t already, is find a bunch of blogs both inside and outside your industry that you enjoy reading on a regular basis.  What is it you like about them?  Their style, technique, tone of voice, subject matter?  How often do they write?  What do they write about?  My point is that there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.  Incorporate your favorite elements from these other blogs into your own.

And remember: Be sure to promote your blog via social networking, in your email signature, on the home page of your website, and on your business card.  If no one is reading it, what’s the point in writing it?  And if you want people to read it, follow my 5 handy tips for great blog writing. 

From moodeous on Flickr

Share useful information.  I cannot stress that point enough!  Tips, challenges you’ve overcome and how you overcame them, and industry news all qualify as useful information.  The better your content, the more people will read it, share it, and look forward to getting it.

Provide value to your reader.   Don’t use your blog to promote your company.  Mention it here and there, but only occasionally.  No one wants to read what amounts to an infomercial.

Find your voice.   Give your blog personality!  I tend to write in a conversational style. I use slang and exclamation points, because that’s how I talk.  You want to keep readers engaged and eager for more, and you want new readers to go back into your archives to read what else you’ve written.

Short and sweet rule the day.  Remember that everyone is crunched for time, so keep your posts short (less than 500 words).  Don’t ramble, and be sure whatever point you are making is clearly stated. 

Make it personal and entertaining.  Include funny stories that are relevant and have happened to you.  People love to laugh and be entertained, especially if they’re slogging through a tough day at work.

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Posted in Marketing, Thought Leadership | Comments

A Unique Proposition – Messages that chase buyers away

February 9th, 2010 :: Tobias Bray

First let me kill something. Unique cannot be modified. Something is or is not unique – there is no such thing as more unique.

Anthropologists and Behavior Scientists know something. They know that only a very small part of the population likes something that is unique. The question is “Why”? Because we are a) creatures of habit and b) we learn by attaching new experiences to something we already understand. On any adoption curve the best customers are majority buyers. The myth of early adopters is a myth unless you are selling a pure tech play in which case your chances of courting the early majority hitch on building a product that the masses can comprehend and put to use solving a problem with little or no difficulty (see b), yet it appeals to the tech crowd. Now that we have a framework lets move on to messages.

What makes a message work – It connects to something the buyer understands and includes a call to action that can be acted on when read. Let’s say two very capable people open bike shops. Both of these people have solid business skills, understand their product and know how to handle customers. Let’s see which one gets your business…

You are walking down a street on a sunny afternoon. You are not on your cell phone and there are no distractions. Life is good and you are contemplating the purchase of a new bike. A moment later two vans drive by only a few seconds apart. Each has a name a logo and a tag line. The first van is from Marathon Cycle Store – Get out and ride 1-800-pedal now. The side of the van shows a couple riding mountain bikes. The second van is from Wheelmen – We Give You Wings 717-215-2572. The side of the second van has a logo that looks like it might be a modern stick figure on something the resembles a bike.

If you are like most of the buying public, you were drawn to the first van because it connected to something you already knew and didn’t make you think. The message was right there. For all the creative energy companies put into names, tag lines and logos, the mistake they make most often is go for the curious concept first (Curiosity is a tool of creation, desire and need are the tools of a sale). They strive to be unique in everything they do. Good for them. Are they unique to the point that a prospect ignores them – most likely. The problem is two fold – creative agencies don’t think like consumers or talk to prospects like sales people do. Companies often spend so much time concerned about a unique image that they forget why the prospect wants to buy in the first place.

Connect your name, tag line, logo, product name or pitch to your prospect’s burning desire and you will do better than your competitor. Why? Because while you are introducing the prospect to a great shopping experience, your competitor is still trying to explain what it is his company does.

To the point – At 360 Sales Focus we have an entire integrated sales and marketing company at your disposal. How can we help you generate more business? Let’s talk about making something happen for your company.

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Posted in Branding, Business Development, Coaches Corner, Entrepreneurs, Marketing, Web Design | Comments

Outsourcing Your Marketing: Your Options

February 9th, 2010 :: Thursday Bram

As a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day details of making sure you keep the clients you already have. That can take attention from marketing and finding the clients that will help your business grow, though. Those ’some day’ projects that will help market your business need to move up your priority list. Rather than trying to jam more into an already packed list, though, marketing can be an area where it’s especially easy to delegate.

That doesn’t necessarily mean bringing in a new employee just to handle marketing and public relations projects. The fact of the matter is that many business don’t need a full-time staffer for marketing — bringing in someone just creates stress as you try to find enough work for him or her to do. But it’s very easy to outsource marketing projects. Even better, there are benefits with working with a marketing professional outside your company. A freelancer or a firm offering public relations and marketing services often builds up a wide network that just isn’t available for an employee starting from scratch.

Beverly Flaxington is a consultant, as well as the author of two books. In order to handle the details of marketing her business, she relies on help from outside the company. She actually also brings in graphics, administrative and other kinds of help as needed, as well. Her business doesn’t offer enough work to keep full-time employees busy, but Flaxington does need help from marketing specialists every so often: “…Having people who are very talented, yet virtual independent contractors works great. Over time, they are a part of our firm and we work great together but we don’t have the pressure of full-time employees to keep busy!”

From a financial point of view, the arrangement has been very effective for Flaxington. She’s able to match her expenses to client work, making her cash flow much smoother. Since you can outsource on an as-needed basis, you can customize your project, based on your budget. Depending on who you’re working with on a press release, ad campaign or other marketing project, you may find that your consultant can offer help on getting the most bang for your buck, as well.

Flaxington found her marketing specialists (including graphic designers and proofreaders) on Guru. She suggests, “Ask to see samples of their work in advance because marketing and graphics are very much ‘personal taste.’” It’s important to find marketing help that not only understands your goals and knows how to reach your key customers, but who can also present your business in a way that you like.

There are a wide variety of ways to find someone to help you with marketing, beyond Guru and similar sites. While there are plenty of firms out there with full staffs, you also have the option of finding individual specialists for each type of project you’re considering. Maybe you need a graphic designer to put together a few ads, or an SEO specialist to increase your website traffic. You can find any sort of marketing specialist with just a search online.

Image by Stock.xchange user danielcruz

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Posted in Small Business | Comments

Superbowl Marketing, 35% off Hosting and Domain Transfer for $6.99 Offer

February 7th, 2010 :: Steven Fisher

The Superbowl Shuffle

Originally posted over at Solutions Are Power:

I remember when I was a kid the Bears won the Superbowl and everyone was crazy for the Chicago Bears. So much was the love for “da Bears” across the country that they made a record that immortalized the team and made household names of Mike Ditka and William “Refrigerator” Perry.

This record was called “The Superbowl Shuffle“.

According to Wikipedia, “The idea for “The Super Bowl Shuffle” came from record producer Randy Weigand, who was a friend of Willie Gault’s. They had met through Randy’s girlfriend, Courtney Larson, who was a cheerleader for the team. Weigand had noticed a dance routine on the Amos & Andy television show called “The Kingfish Shuffle” and thought that a similar performance by the Bears players would be good for marketing.”

They filmed it to raise money for needy Chicago families and with the music video it became a phenomenon. If you have ever seen the video, which I have included below, two things come to mind for me – great marketing and not taking yourself too seriously.

We put together a special “Superbowl Shuffle Domain and Hosting Offer” for the 2010 Superbowl. More on that at the end of this post.

Superbowl Shuffle for Your Business – Shuffling to Renew or Transfer Your Domains

For this 2010 Superbowl, Network Solutions has put together a special offer for Sunday and Monday. $6.99 domain names and 25% 35% off hosting packages so you can “shuffle” on over to start or keep using Network Solutions as your small business solutions provider. Check these out:

25% 35% off hosting – Use code HOSTSOC001

New Domains $9.99 – Use code SUPERDOM06

Domain Transfers for $6.99 – Use code DOMSOCIAL3

Visit www.networksolutions.com to take advantage of these offers.
REMEMBER: This is only for 2010 Superbowl Sunday and Monday
And enjoy the Super Bowl!

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Posted in Branding, Events | Comments

5 Better Ideas than TV Spots — Even if You Have Enough Money for a Super Bowl Ad

February 6th, 2010 :: Thursday Bram

A Super Bowl ad comes with a price tag of about $3 million dollars this year. Even if you have enough money in your marketing budget to pick up a 30-second spot, there are alternatives that can offer more bang for your buck than a televised ad, no matter how big an event it’s shown during. Considering how many people fast forward through the commercials, it’s time to explore other options.

  1. Get involved locally: That money you were going to use on advertising? Consider spending it on a community project instead. Not only will you get warm fuzzies for the impact that your business has, but it will also offer you an opportunity to get your community talking about your company in a positive way.
  2. Create a resource that will help your customers: When most customers have a problem, they don’t watch advertising or even start looking for brands. Instead, they’ll start searching online for answers to their questions. Creating a website that offers those answers is on a whole different budgetary level than a Super Bowl ad (right now, a domain name can be had from Network Solutions for $6.99 with coupon code DOMSOCIAL1), but can convert customers far more effectively.
  3. Sponsor a niche publication: With $3 million in your pocket, you can afford to sponsor an entire issue of a magazine that goes out to your primary demographic. You can reach out to the people most likely to be interested in your product or services. Even with a smaller budget, it’s easy to sponsor a targeted online publication for a month or two, allowing you to reach out to audiences already interested in what you have to offer.
  4. Build a social media campaign: While it’s tough to predict what will go viral, creating content (such as videos) that online users can easily share is a a good source of traffic if you sell your product or service online. One of the best examples is the ‘Will It Blend‘ videos from Blendtec — they consistently attract attention, day in and day out.
  5. Put on your own event: Getting your customers out for an event — whether we’re talking about a focus group or a big conference — offers an opportunity to make your customer base feel like they’re stakeholders in your success. The more personal connections you can build, with customers or members of the media, the more likely they are to recommend you to their friends, families, and listeners.

Big companies are realizing the dropping value of a Super Bowl ad. Even Pepsi is opting for one of the options on this list: For the first time in 23 years, Pepsi did not buy a Super Bowl spot. Instead, the company chose to use the millions of dollars that would have gone to the Super Bowl spend towards the Pepsi Refresh Project. The project is offering grants to organizations and people making positive impacts in their communities, effectively integrating Pepsi into local communities.

Speaking of the Super Bowl and marketing, Network Solutions has a couple of great deals you might want to know about:
For this 2010 Superbowl, Network Solutions has put together a special offer for Sunday and Monday. $6.99 domain names and 25% off hosting packages so you can “shuffle” on over to start or keep using Network Solutions as your small business solutions provider. Check these out:

25% off hosting – Use code SUPERDOM06

Domain Purchase/Renewal for $6.99 – Use code DOMSOCIAL1

Domain Transfers for $6.99 – Use code DOMSOCIAL3

REMEMBER: This is only for 2010 Superbowl Sunday and Monday
Visit www.networksolutions.com to take advantage of these offers.
And enjoy the Super Bowl!

Photo by Flickr user Fluzo

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Posted in Marketing | Comments

Getting in the Game: How Super Bowl Advertisers Are Using Social Media to their Advantage

February 5th, 2010 :: Monika Jansen

Even if you live outside the US, you are well aware that this Sunday is the Super Bowl.   With all due respect to Saints and Colts fans, I couldn’t even remember who was playing (I know, very sad), so I had to look it up on the NFL’s website.  But before you tsk tsk me, please understand that football has never been a big–or small– part of my life.  My dad is from Hungary and couldn’t care less about American sports. My mom is not a football fan, so, when I was growing up, I only watched football once a year when my uncle would come for a brief visit.  In fact, I didn’t watch the Super Bowl until my younger brother was old enough to ask to watch it (I think I was in 7th or 8th grade).  All I remember from that first Super Bowl viewing is that the Denver Broncos won.

Like many people, I watch the Super Bowl for the ads.  In fact, that’s all I watch.  During the actual football, I talk, play with my kids, read, pour more wine, or grab more food.  Perhaps it’s because I’m in marketing, but I really enjoy watching the creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that results from huge ad budgets and the pressure to not only make a big impression, but also come out on top as the most talked about ad the next day.

There’s a new twist to the whole Super Bowl ad frenzy, and it comes in the form of Facebook.  Thanks to clever marketing folks at Budweiser, Facebook is playing a major part of their Super Bowl ad campaign.  Budweiser has asked their Facebook fans to vote for 1 of 3 ads that will air during the Super Bowl.  So, first you become a fan, then you vote.  Then you can post your vote to your wall where your friends can see it.  Now they can comment on it and cast their own votes (once they also become fans, of course).  If you remain a Bud fan, you’ll be dinged with all sorts of promotions and information from them.  Pretty clever, especially since their ads are usually great.  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that, no matter how small the role may be?

Pepsi is usually a big Super Bowl advertiser, but this year, they’re just focusing on social media.  They have a Facebook page and a Twitter account, of course, but they’re also on YouTube with their Refresh Studio, billed as “the ultimate music collaboration between will.i.am and LMFAO”, and they’re sponsoring the Super Bowl Fan Jam, a concert featuring Rihanna, on February 4 on VH1.  They do have a really cool commercial, though it’s only on their website.  “Bob’s House” was created by people within the company’s EnAble division, which employs people of all abilities.  This particular commercial features deaf actors, and it’s really quite funny.  Check out www.pepsi.com to watch “Bob’s House”.  While you’re there, look around their website a bit, which is both very slick and easy to navigate.

Once again, Doritos, has asked amateurs to create Super Bowl ads for them.  They solicited votes for the top ads, and there are six finalists, which are listed at www.crashthesuperbowl.com.  It looks like they are no longer taking votes, but there are four days to go before the Super Bowl as I write this, so I can kinda understand their logic.  Their website is worth looking up.  It’s set up like a video game, so it’s got an interactive element that is interesting and very different from anything I’ve seen:  www.doritos.com.

Any other interesting Super Bowl-related ad campaigns out there?  I’d love to hear about them!

Speaking of the Super Bowl and social media, Network Solutions has a couple of great social media deals you might want to know about: The domain purchase for social media is only $6.99 (use the coupon code DOMSOCIAL1 at check out), while a domain transfer for social media is also only $6.99 (use coupon code DOMSOCIAL3 at checkout).   Visit www.networksolutions.com to take advantage of these offers. And enjoy the Super Bowl!

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Posted in Branding, Marketing, Social Media | Comments

Creative Networking: The Owner Who Gets Out, Grows

February 1st, 2010 :: Erica Knoch

Photo by Getty Images

To even start, let alone grow a business, you need to get out of your workplace and meet the right people.  With all the time constraints I am under, this post is very close to my heart!  I am a working mother living outside of the city,  who is trying to balance two active kids, a home, husband, four dogs and have the time to grow my business.  Because of this, I end up missing out on many networking functions that could help me get new clients, education, and grow my business.

Do you have challenges that keep you from getting to the functions you need to attend?  How do you stay “connected” and meet the people who will help you grow in your field when so much is keeping you from that valuable networking time?  You have to be selective, be creative and get out!

A Few Ideas: (please comment to share yours!)

  • Be “on” in your everyday life: Since you have to run around in your daily life anyway, combine it with an opportunity to network.  Print and bring business cards too!  Keep in tune with the conversations around you, you might just overhear someone say they are looking for what you can deliver.  I was talking to my yoga instructor who found out I market small businesses in the area, and she connected me to a potential client!
  • Use your expertise to network with an audience: Instead of going to events as an audience member and vying for the attention of the speaker, why not be the speaker and have the audience want to get to know you?  You could start with the association in your field of business.  Find the event planner and ask if they need a speaker with your speciality and offer your services.  A non-paid speaking engagement can turn into valuable contacts in the future! (not to mention possible paid speaking engagements down the road).
  • Throw an event:  Don’t you hate wasting time going to events that, for whatever reason, weren’t what you thought they would be? (didn’t have the contacts that could help you grow, lessons were too below your level or parking was horrific)  Organize your own event and be in control.  It doesn’t have to be time consuming, but can be as easy as meeting with a targeted group of people for a drink to discuss similar projects they are working on, learn and partner with each other.  Using social networking tools like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook can help you find those people, or you can use some of the other resources below.

Resources to Start You on Your Way:

  • Local Chamber of Commerce: Find your local Chamber of Commerce and find out where you can offer to speak or attend an event. Tons of great resources at the US Chamber of Commerce page as well.
  • Association Involvement - ASAE:  Sign up to speak, volunteer, search for your association, and use other resources to help you to grow your business skills and network.
  • MeetUp: This is such a great site to find or lead a local group/event.  Start an account now.  Try a search on “Small business” and you can see all the groups in your chosen zip code.  I joined a DC Blogger group where I meet with fellow bloggers who exchange experience and inspiration.
  • Twitter : I can’t say enough about the value of Twitter. (check out my past blog).  You need to sign up for Twitter for your business to not only market it, but also to network for its growth!  Use Twitter to find fellow small business owners to exchange information, find out about local meetings, and meet for business.  With Twitter search, you can narrow down folks in your field and area by using the hash tag symbol (#).  I found someone who does graphics work that I admired, she was in my area, and we are discussing upcoming projects!
  • Twellowhood and Yelp: These are sites where you need to get listed, find other local listed businesses, resources and people that list themselves.  Follow them, network and eventually partner to grow your business.

Have any other networking ideas for business owners with limited time?  Please share below.  I wish you much success in growing your network and business!

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Posted in Events, Marketing, Resources, Small Business, Social Media | Comments

Keeping Up With the Marketers

January 29th, 2010 :: Monika Jansen

Marketing is one of those fields that is constantly evolving, and trying to keep up with it all can be exhausting. I think that is especially true if you have to do the marketing for your own business yourself, when all you’d you’d rather be doing is what you actually do.  But learning something new is fun, and fun is good.   And learning is even more fun when you can take short cuts.  So, to save you time and help you learn, here are some great companies and organizations that I turn to regularly to keep up with the rest of the marketing peeps out there.

American Marketing Association: You need not be a member to receive emails from them announcing free marketing-related webinars.  I have learned a lot from these webinars, though just a word of caution: some speakers are far better than others.  I have listened to a couple of people read their presentations—for 45 minutes.   However, if you sign up for a webinar and miss it, a link to the presentation will be emailed to you so you can watch or listen to it at your leisure.  www.marketingpower.com

451 Marketing: Founded in 2004 and based in Boston, 451 is an interactive marketing and PR agency that specializes in inbound marketing.  The team at 451 publishes a fun blog, is active on Facebook, and sends out a steady stream of useful tweets.  If you want to learn more about marketing 2.0, PR 2.0, and social media, check them out.  www.451marketing.com  

Hubspot: Another Boston-area inbound marketing company (they’re actually across the Charles River in Cambridge), Hubspot creates software that facilitates the inbound marketing efforts of its clients.  I just logged onto their website, and I was met with a message stating that over 2,000 businesses use their software to grow traffic, leads, and sales.  Pretty impressive!  I follow their VP of Marketing, Mike Volpe, on Twitter, get their newsletter, and read their blog posts as often as I can.  www.hubspot.com

Marketo:  I learned about both Hubspot and Marketo through AMA webinars.  Marketo also makes software, but theirs focuses on lead generation and collaboration between the marketing and sales departments.  They publish a great blog called Modern B2B Marketing that is always full of interesting information.  I signed up for an RSS feed, so it arrives as an email in my inbox.  In a really smart marketing move, they make it super easy to share their blog via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, del.ici.ous, Reddit, and StumbleUpon.  www.marketo.com

Web Marketing Today:  This website is a clearinghouse of sorts on web marketing and e-commerce.  They publish a short newsletter that is always worth reading, and many of them contain short “how to” videos.   The only thing that tends to rub me the wrong way is the founder’s use of “God bless” this and “God bless” that.  But because of the high-quality information he disseminates, I ignore it.  www.webmarketingtoday.com.

Inc.: Last, but definitely not least, is Inc. Magazine’s website.  If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner, Inc. is basically required reading.  They do a whiz-bang job covering sales, marketing, strategy, finance, operations, and so on in an engaging manner.  I learn a lot from them every month, and their website is loaded with great articles (plus blogs and newsletters) that are not published in the magazine.  Sign up for an RSS feed today.  www.inc.com

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Posted in Marketing, Thought Leadership | Comments

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