Creating a Memorable Buying Experience This Small Business Season
What is one benefit your brick-and-mortar business has over online sellers? This is an important question to ask to get more people to shop small or shop local this holiday season. When someone can grab their phone and purchase a gift quicker than it takes to find a parking space, why should they buy in person? One thing you can provide that they’ll never get online is a magical shopping experience. And since we’ve all heard how important experiences are these days, it’s time you start thinking about the
Christina R. Metcalf
Celebrating Small Business Season
We’re gearing up for another holiday season amid COVID. Luckily, the virus numbers are down, and people are venturing out more these days. It’s time to market the importance of shopping local or shopping small. While Small Business Saturday is a good start, why stop there? We need more than one day to celebrate how special small business is, don’t we? We need at least a season to celebrate what makes small business different. Here are some ideas on how you can do that...
Christina R. Metcalf
How to Make Your Video Calls and Meetings More Appealing
Are you tired of video calls yet? There was something new and fun about them when we were all locked down for COVID, but now they’ve lost a lot of their sparkle. For some of us who work from home, video calls can feel like an unnecessary intrusion where we need to worry about what we look like, what we’re wearing, what our home office looks like, and having to run interference with kids and pets with the possibility of them entering the screen view at any moment. It adds more work and more stress to
Christina R. Metcalf
Local Business Takes on the Supply Chain Crisis
The troubles with the supply chain are daunting. We’re seeing predictions that the holiday shopping season will be marred by empty shelves and disappointed children. While the problems are serious, there are some businesses that will triumph in the face of adversity, and this very well could be the best holiday season for them yet. If you are one of those fortunate businesses, it’s time you market the benefits of shopping with you for the holidays. The supply chain issues are affecting restaurants, stores,
Christina R. Metcalf
5 Ways Your Retail Business Is Losing Out on Sales
Do you love small towns with gorgeous Main Streets that are fun weekend adventures in dining and shopping? You know the places with one unique business after another with friendly employees who show you their amazing wares and make you feel welcome. But…Local businesses sometimes have their hang ups. Sometimes there are people begging small businesses to take their money and yet, those businesses can be difficult to buy from. Does that sound like your business? Then maybe you are struggling with some of the
Christina R. Metcalf
How to Revive Connections with Former Customers
It happens. People buy from you and they love you. Then life gets in the way, and they don’t return. Sometimes it’s because they no longer have use for your products or services like when you sell gourmet dog biscuits, and they no longer have a pet. Sometimes they moved out of your area, and you don’t offer e-commerce options. Most often though, your business has simply slipped their minds. It’s no longer on their radar or part of their buying habit. It wasn’t something you did. They just have other things
Christina R. Metcalf
Improve Your Networking Results with a Four-Point Plan
If you joined the chamber to meet new people, grow your network, and get more customers, you’re on the right track. But do you have a plan to make the most of your time investment? If not, you need one.
Christina R. Metcalf
15 Ideas for Increasing Your Revenue Quickly
The past eighteen months have certainly not been something they taught us in business school. It started with a global pandemic and mandatory lockdowns of non-essential businesses, then erupted in costs of goods and services skyrocketing, only to complete this craziness with an employee shortage, and rent and real estate costs going through the roof for most areas of the country. Whew! If you’re like most businesses, you’re probably looking for ways to increase your revenue. Here are some things you can do
Christina R. Metcalf
5 Fun Fall Themes for Your Business
Fall is a favorite among many people. The temps are enjoyable, weather is crisp and clear, and the smell of leaves can be intoxicating. That’s what makes this season such a hit with marketers. Here are a few fall themes you can incorporate into your business for more engagement with your target audience.
Christina R. Metcalf
Take the Friction Out of Doing Business with You
Do you want more customers? Then you need to remove the friction behind doing business with you. Even if you have great customer service, support, and sales, you may have unknown friction that exists before you see the face of your customer. Luckily, you can smooth that out with content. Here are two problems you need to solve for to take the guesswork out of doing business with you.
Christina R. Metcalf