In Small Biz News

Small Biz News headlines:

Ways to Measure Your Brand's Social Media Health

Why Mobile Will Dominate Future of Media and Advertising

What Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast!

Fear

Are you afraid to take a risk in business?
Do you resist good advice?

A recent post by Perry Marshall got me thinking about how we're all protective of what we've worked so hard to accomplish; to the point of being afraid to take a risk, or ignoring sound business advice from a colleague.

Or maybe your sounding board is a spouse, but you can't get them to see the "big picture" as you see it. They simply see a HUGE risk and can't understand it or get behind it.

Resisting risk is a very common problem for all of us as small business owners. But be honest with yourself - what risk or advice have you been resisting? If you don't power ahead and work through it, you'll have that unsettling feeling that will continue to gnaw at you until you resolve it.

What big decision are you putting off? Is it selling a business? Starting a new division? Attending an expensive industry seminar? Take some time away from the office and grab a notebook. Don't think too much, just start writing out all the reasons why you think this WILL work and why it's good for your business.

Then come to a conclusion - are my concerns valid and should I listen to them? Or can I find a way to make it reasonably fit into my business? If it's the latter, just do it. :-)

Ciao for now, Paula

In Small Biz News:

Combine Photos and Social Media for the Best Exposure

How to Create Real Relationships with Social Marketing - OK, so this is a no-brainer. Treat Social Media Marketing like a relationship with a friend and have real conversations with your customers.

Musings by Top eMarketers:

7 Marketing Sins by Seth Godin - common sense, really. Read the 7 Sins and be sure to take 5 minutes to watch the video - good stuff. Make something or build something people will talk about - brilliant!

How Committed are You? by Perry Marshall - relentless passion for learning and personal development.

Google+

Did you know that Google+ is already 1 year old? It launched in June 2011 and amassed more than 90 million users in 6 months.

What does this have to do with you as a business owner? In November 2011, Google+ introduced business pages, some say to compete with Facebook. Be that as it may, creating a business page may expand your footprint on the Web (your Web presence), and help customers find your business.

Here's some quick facts about Google+ business pages and my PRO, CON or SAME vote as it compares to Facebook:

1. Pages can't +1 (LIKE) other pages and they can't +1 content on the Web - CON
2. You can't receive notifications via email or text for a Page - CON
3. Pages don't have the option to share to extended Circles (FRIENDS) - CON
4. Pages can't mention you unless you're connected - PRO
5. Pages can be made for different entities; profiles can only be made for people - SAME
6. Local Pages have designated fields that help people find your business' physical location - SAME

Once you get a Page set up, the posting is very similar to Facebook. I just set up a basic page. See it here and find the link to a free guide - How to Use Google Plus For Business by Hubspot. In that guide you'll find step-by-step instructions for setting up your own page.

In other Small Biz News:

• Tools for Twitter Users (hard-core users)
• 6 Tips to Boost Your Web Presence
• Google+ merges with Google Places for Local Search

Talk to me...I've been penning this blog especially for small businesses for years now. While I have quite a few readers, I rarely hear from any of you. If you find the information I provide helpful, I'd love to know. It will help me write about things you want to know about!

I'd also like to hear about your personal experiences so that we might all learn from them.  Small businesses survive when we stick together.

Do you have questions? Ask. I'll do my best to answer them based on my experience. 

So please.....talk to me. :-)