Five Keys to Small Business Success

Here are the five keys I have found for small business success.

First, you need to join a referral networking group. Referrals account for a HUGE amount of the business done by small businesses. You can expand your referral reach when satisfied clients of other professionals are being referred to you. I happen to belong to a strong referral networking group and would love to have you visit us. (For those who live outside the Dallas area, I can help you find a strong referral networking group anywhere in the US and in most developed countries.)

Second, you need a website if you don't already have one. Individuals who cannot find a referral for a particular service search for it online. They cannot find you unless you have a website. Additionally, 80% of individuals who do business with a locally owned business look them up online beforehand. As a web developer I can build you a website if you do not already have one.

Third, you need to optimize your website for local searches. This entails optimizing both the visible and meta information on your website and a few other legitimate tricks I know. Many SEO companies will charge you several hundred dollars a month to get to the first page of Google and it takes several months to get there. I get 80% of my clients to the first page of Google for a one time charge of $299. Better yet, they are typically on the first page within a couple of weeks.

Fourth, you need to join a local chamber of commerce and attend their business card exchange. You should also get involved in one of the chamber sponsored events to build stronger relationships with chamber members. I'd recommend joining the chamber nearest your studio.

Fifth, you need to harness the power of social media. This includes having active personal profiles in LinkedIn and FaceBook. It also includes have a business page in FaceBook. Make weekly posts to your FaceBook business page that include a reference to your website. Some people create Twitter accounts as well. Others use Venture Street. Be warned that social media can be a major time sink. To avoid that, budget the time you spend on social media.