Tag Michigan

Social Media for Business: If You Can’t Do It Right

Social media can be a great tool for small business.  That is, if it’s used correctly.

There is so much information available on how to do this and that, it’s no wonder so many are doing it wrong.

It’s not to say that there is only one way to manage social media for business effectively, but if you’re going to do it halfway, you may as well not do it at all.

There are several schools of thought when it comes to using social media to market a small business you can also do with other services like this one you find if you click here.

Content Crowd

They believe that it’s all about content creation.  The more content the better.  It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you’re creating it.

Engagement Crowd

It’s about the conversation.  Make sure you engage people on various social networks and business will magically appear.

Feed Them Crowd

Share as much content as possible based on news found throughout the interwebs.  Set up an RSS feed to your Twitter and Facebook account, because hey, who has time to curate all day?

Forum Crowd

Hit up as many forums as you can, adding links to every discussion.  Doesn’t matter the forum, build as many back links as you can.  Since it’s a discussion forum, certainly your being social right?

Reciprocal Crowd

The more likes and followers you have the better.  It shows that your business is legit.  Email your friends and family to get them to like your page.  Follow as many people as possible, if they don’t follow back, then unfollow.  Remind anyone of Multi-Level-Marketing? If you feel like trying new ways, check out https://scaffoldingwrapadvertising.co.uk/.

So Now What?

The reality is that alone none of these make a ton of sense.  Managing social media for small business requires balance along with a sound strategy.  If you really want to meet new people/prospects here are a few ideas:

  • Find a way to engage locally
  • Find relevant forums.  Answer questions while sharing links back to your content
  • Stop the RSS feed.
  • Connect with locals on Twitter.
  • Focus on taking online connections offline
  • Use social media as a way to network
  • Create your own original content
  • Answer FAQ in blog posts
  • Follow back interesting people. Don’t feel obligated to follow everyone back
  • Share your followers content as well as your own
  • Answer questions on Twitter
  • Have a conversation on Twitter. Don’t just post links all day, your wasting your time.

If you find yourself Tweeting RSS feeds due to lack of time, what is it really doing for your business?  You’re sharing content created by someone else.  You’re not available to take part in any conversation.  Sure you’re getting clicks, but clicks alone will not help you grow your business.  Try finding a chat that’s relevant to your business.  Even better find local events you can attend.  You’ll be surprised what showing up will do for your social media campaign.

There is nothing wrong with tweeting information all day.  It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.  For example if you’re a City Department, you could share upcoming events, changes in schedules, local news.

Getting the most out of your campaign requires effort.  Mailing it in won’t bring you success.  It’s more than just sending out tweets and Facebook updates.

Remember it’s about being social.

Why Google+ Isn’t Ready for Business

Have you you heard of Google+?  As in the new social network offering from Google?   So far it’s the best effort we’ve seen from Google in the social networking space.  They’ve already hit 10 million users in the first few weeks.  It took Facebook considerably longer to reach that milestone.

To be fair, things are much different now, social media is more mainstream than when Facebook first came on the scene.  By comparing the meteoric rise of Google+ to Facebook is an apples to oranges one.

But that’s not what this blog post is about.

The question is can I use Google+ for business?

The answer?  Not yet.

It’s amazing.  The number of business jumping in the fray, without a single thought to strategy.  It’s understandable.  They somehow feel as if they’ll miss the boat if they don’t jump on early.  The thinking however, is flawed.

Google+ is not ready for your business.  This comes directly from Google themselves.  The social network was designed to increase social interaction for individuals.  Not B2C or even B2B.    No doubt that Google+ for business, scheduled to launch later this year, will be a great product.   But beware, if they catch your business profile, it will be removed (see above link)

Early adopters don’t want to interact with your small or medium sized business on Google+.  They don’t want real estate agents 800 miles away or lawyers they’ll never speak with clogging up their shiny new network with profile pictures that are logos.

For example a real estate agent in South Dakota decides to set up a profile for his agency, adds hundreds of peoples to circles regardless of location (cause hey it’s marketing), then proceeds to push out posts about his business and latest blog posts.  He then wonders why there is no feedback.  The reasons for the failure:

  1. He’s pushing instead of interacting
  2. He’s going after the wrong market
  3. He hasn’t convinced anyone to be added to a circle
  4. He’s using a conversation tool for broadcasting (same as number 1)

You are not Ford, TechCrunch, or Forbes.  Take a step back.  Sign up as a human being.  Spend time using the tool as it was intended, as a social network.  Learn the lay of the land while developing a sound strategy for the launch of Google+ for business.

The number one reason Google+ isn’t ready for your business?  Circles.  They are a beautiful thing.  It allows you to dictate what you share with who.  It also allows you to filter out the noise that is common with Facebook and Twitter.  Which means it’s much easier to ignore your small/medium business.

What are your thoughts on Google+?  Don’t be shy we would love to hear from you.

 

Starting a Michigan Business Series: Financing

Access to capital is one of the key fundamental needs for a business to thrive and grow.  Capital can give business longevity.  We discussed this in a previous post regarding cash flow in your business.

We know it’s important.  We desperately seek it.  The trouble comes in sorting through all the junk on the interwebs to get to the helpful information.  Outside of factoring invoices, guaranteed loan scams, faxed “we get you cash” pages, when the bank says no, where do small business owners and entrepreneurs turn to for capital? Learn more about business handling by checking this checkstub generator review.

Fortunately there are a number of organizations in Michigan dedicated to assisting business owners in securing capital for their business.  We’ll get to that shortly.  Before you consider going after capital have you put together a solid business plan for your business?   You’ll need it, while if you already have a business and you’re producing company voluntary arrangements but is rejected there are resources that help with this at https://business-insolvency-company.co.uk/what-happens-if-my-cva-is-rejected/.

If you’re an existing business putting together a business plan for the first time, Talan can help you identify areas within your business that need shoring up through our BIZ Strength profile, and it’s FREE.

Back to the previously scheduled blog post….

Besides your friends and family there are some amazing resources for finding capital in the state of Michigan.  Listed in no particular order:

MCPED Business Development

In Macomb County, their staff offers up options to legitimate financing alternatives if a bank doesn’t work.

MEDC

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has access to state funds, federal funds, as well as many other alternatives for your business

Alliance for Business Growth

The objective of the Alliance is to encourage entrepreneurship and assist small business owners throughout Livingston County by providing FREE or low-cost assistance.

State Administered Grants

Yes.  You can get grants for your Michigan business.  You however need to do the research.  Isn’t it nice to learn something new?

GLCEDC Loan Program

Livingston County offers a Commercial Revolving Loan Program through the GLCEDC.

Michigan Seed, Angel, and Venture Capital

Sometimes you need an angel to come along.  If your business idea is good enough this may be the route to go.

At Talan we believe in helping you find success in your business.  We are passionate about small business and the people who run them.  If you ever find your self in need of assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  While the list gets you started, it is not a comprehensive list.  We like to be interactive…so if you happen to know of other creative financing options (legitimate), add them to the comment section.

Until next time.

Starting a Michigan Business Series: License and Permits

As you prepare to launch your Michigan business, be sure you’ve done your due diligence.  While it’s still pretty simple to start a business in Michigan there are a few guidelines you need to follow.

One step of particular importance is determining if your business requires any type of license or permit to do business in the state of Michigan, and if you need to organize an office to work, the use of sliding walls can be a great option and you can get them from sites such as  https://www.movablepartitionwalls.co.uk/sliding.

Not having a license in place can be serious problem, especially if you’ve already been doing business for some time.  Not doing your homework early on, can lead to massive headaches down the road and possibly a fine or closure of your business.

You’ll need a license if you fall in the following categories:

  • Construction
  • Financial
  • Insurance
  • Occupational (see full list below)
  • Real Estate
  • Utilities
  • Transportation
  • Retail Fuel

Most of what you need to do can be handled online at this State of Michigan website.  Another option is Michigan Business One Stop.

Not every business in Michigan requires a license.   If your business isn’t in the above list and you’d like to double check, Michigan offers an alphabetical list of required licenses by occupation.

If you require assistance getting the most out of your business, contact us at TalanSBS.  We believe in the power of the entrepreneur.

Occupational Licensing

  • Veterinarian Exams
  • Inspector – Information
  • Plumbing – Information
  • Plumbing – Forms
  • Architects – Information
  • Barbers – Information
  • Cosmetology – Information
  • Forester – Information
  • Hearing Aid Dealer – Information
  • Landscape Architect – Information
  • Morticians – Information
  • Nursing Home Administrators – Information
  • Ocularist – Information
  • Engineer, Professional – Information
  • Polygraph Examiner – Information
  • Police Officer Licensing – Information
  • Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
  • Commercial Driver Licenses
  • Notary Public – Information
  • Chauffeur License – Information
  • Commercial Services License Look-up