Marketing and Sales

A marketing plan is an essential tool for every small business. Use this step-by-step marketing plan template to identify your marketing goals and create a plan for reaching them.

There are thousands of effective small business marketing tactics to promote your products and services. Here is a list of 101 small business marketing ideas to get you started.

It may take a little creativity to uncover new small business marketing ideas, and hearing what other business owners do is a great way to spark your creativity. Share your ideas here.

This guide will help you use Facebook for business purposes. Explore the tips, tools and resources provided in this guide to develop a powerful and effective Facebook presence.

A unique selling proposition (USP) is a statement that succinctly outlines how your business, product or service is different from that of your competition. This four-step exercise will help you write a unique selling proposition for your company, product or service.

A USP is a promise you make to your target audience that spells out what is different about your business that makes it the obvious and best choice. What is your USP?

If you are starting a small business and are ready to get your feet wet with marketing, this collection of articles will help you plan, implement and develop effective marketing techniques for your startup.

An overview of the process involved in conducting a SWOT analysis, including a explanation, questions to ask, tips on how to use the data, and a sample SWOT matrix.

How do you know what marketing strategies work and how can they be more effective? Discover how to maximize your marketing strategies.

Small business owners who haven't gotten started with social media for business might be overwhelmed, intimidated and confused. Here are 7 tips to help you navigate the social media waters in a manageable and effective way.

There aren't any set rules when it comes to using social media for business, but there are several actions that are worth avoiding if you want to support your brand online, instead of hurting it. Here is a look at seven of the biggest things to avoid when using social media for business.

Small business conferences provide a number of benefits that can't be found through online events. Here are some of the biggest reasons to attend small business conferences, trade shows and other live networking events.

Small business conferences are packed with opportunities for learning, connecting and growing. Follow these tips to make the most out of the next conference you attend.

Your business card is an extension of your brand, so it's important that it is well-designed, smartly formatted and includes the most important information about your business. These resources will help you make your business card work for your small business.

Follow these seven business card rules so you can make sure your business card is an effective extension of your brand.

Technology may provide alternative ways to share contact information at networking events, but there is no replacement for traditional paper business cards. Here's why.

Resources to help you improve your business networking approach, prepare yourself to make the most out of every business networking situation and discover how to make a lasting impression on your clients, customers and professional peers.

Learn why you need to create a Facebook page for your business today and how it can help you grow your small business.

Business awards represent a marketing method for companies wanting break-through growth. Check out our 10 Point Business Awards Marketing Checklist.

These famous advertising slogans of all time have the common traits of being highly memorable and are tied to a strong benefit. Who can forget these classics?

The five minute presentation is the most challenging of all presentations to create and deliver. The five minute presentation from an audience perspective is more engaging and less boring than a 30 or 60 minute talk.

Some soar. Some crash. Others survive. The competitive business environment has been challenging for many companies. What factors contribute to the success of a survivor? The answer is small business marketing.

A common question in the business community is "What is business intelligence?" It's not the smarts or I.Q. of business person but the entire process of...

You can create and deliver a powerful PowerPoint presentation if you understand the five cardinal rules of terrific PowerPoint presentations.

Business networking is the process of meeting other people and exchanging resources for mutual gain. Business networking forms the basis of business relationships. Small businesses rely heavily upon effective networking practices to win important investors, customers and partners.

Online video advertising and marketing is experiencing rapid growth with the popularity of YouTube. Take your small business marketing to the next level with online video ads.

What the small business world doesn't need is another marketing book but what is needed is a simple, hands-on guide to marketing. John Jantsch's Duct Tape Marketing delivers just what the small business crowd needs.

Overcome your fears of public speaking and boost your business with these 7 speak with ease tips.

Loyalty cards and programs have their rewards and pitfalls. With customer loyalty cards and programs reaching a saturation point, how can a small business stand out?

Small business owners can reap huge rewards by understanding the basic fundamentals of advertising. Gain confidence and better ad results by learning the 6 laws of small business advertising success.

How does your business stand out in an over-communicated society with over 30,000 new products introduced a year. Learn the valuable lesson from Sesame Street that will make your company stand above the crowd.

As a small business owner, you may have a meaningful understanding of the color of money but how about the color of your business? Learn whether the colors of your business put your customers in a buying mood and support a positive image, or create the wrong perception of your company.

The continued spending by small and large companies on promotional marketing is a clear indication that promos work. Apply promotional marketing to your small business and experience a sales boost.

Tackling the buying resistance problem begins with understanding how consumers or companies make buying decisions. The following indicates the buying stages and some marketing and sales methods to break the resistance.

An overlooked tool in your marketing toolbox is corporate awards or business awards marketing. Marketing consists of many techniques and channels from advertising and direct response to radio and trade shows. Take your small business to new levels by entering corporate awards.

Dirty Ernies Paragon Hotel and Fireball Oven Co are actual business names. These companies broke the naming commandment of "avoiding word play dangers." Discover if your business name meets "The 10 Commandments of a Great Business Name."

Five principles of customer service from the field of behavioral science. New insights into customer service for small business.

You only get one chance to make a favorable impression with your brochure design. Improve your marketing response rates by taking the 5 minute brochure design trash test.

Altruism. Corporate responsibility. Philanthropy. These are often used to describe cause-related marketing, an activity in which businesses join with charities or causes to market an image, product, or service for mutual benefit.

Steven Van Yoder is author of Get Slightly Famous: Become an Celebrity in Your Field and Attract More Business with Less Effort. Learn the 6 key steps to profitable fame.

There are millions of small businesses vying for our attention. Yet, because the marketplace is more discriminating and skeptical, it's hard to get noticed. To enjoy the greatest return on your marketing efforts, you need to rise above the crowd. You need an edge over the competition.

About.com popular marketing site will provide your business with a full market resource. It's all here from branding, advertising to direct mail and promotions.

Top 10 Most Popular Small Business Articles

If your buying media lists to promote your business, then Gebbie Press offers affordable pricing for small companies. Gebbie's all-in-one media directory covers all radio and TV stations, all daily and weekly newspapers as well as trade and consumer magazines.

Small business often has limited resources and money so learn these low cost tactics to drive your small business sales. "DirectMail For Cheapskates" by Linda Formichelli will teach you the tactics. Does a 2,400 % return on investment sound enticing?

This site stands above all for marketing resources for business. Billed as marketing know how from professors and professionals. Includes tutorials, FAQ's and riveting articles. Don't be surprised if the hours fly by here and you can't wait to execute these ideas in your company. Free registration required.

Marcia Yudkin, President of Creative Ways has an excellent FAQ for getting media attention for your small business. Includes 12 critical questions to getting media publicity.

David Frey of Marketing Best Practices writes for Frugalfun.com providing an insightful article on "How Free Giveaways Can Boost Your Small Business Revenues". Excellent case studies showing the huge potential return for small business.

An elevator pitch or elevator speech can be a powerful tool for a small business owner. Here are nine tips for writing an effective elevator pitch.

Excellent customer service is one of the best ways for small businesses to retain clients and get customers to come back. Here are some simple principles to follow to help your company become known for providing excellent customer service.