Small-business owners’ expectations for the next 12 months are now the most positive they have been since July 2008, based on the Future Expectations Dimension – as reported on Marketing Charts this week. With retail spending also on the increase, all indicators are pointing to good year in 2011.
So what does this mean? As a business owner what should you do?
- Plan for revenue growth in 2011. If the pie is getting bigger, you want to increase your slice of the pie too, not hand it over to your competitors.
- Make sure your prospects know about you – paid and organic search, online and offline marketing. Get your name out there.
- Give your prospects a reason to visit your website or talk to your sales team – provide solutions and answers to their needs and questions. They don't care about your product or service, they care about their problem and how you can help them.
- Create a compelling offer to pull prospects into your funnel - a free trial, tool, ebook, whitepaper...
- Make sure your website is designed to convert – do your visitors know where to go and what to do next?
- Don’t be impatient. It’s been tough for a while but don’t be so quick to take on more work than you can manage, and for which you can provide a quality and reliable service or product.
- Focus on building a sustainable business, based on happy customers. Happy customers provide a source for referrals and will be an advocate for your business.
What are your tips for small business success in 2011?
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