Monday, December 30, 2013

Taking advantage of mobile platforms

The tech marketing trends of 2013 seem to be growing into the fresh new trends of 2014. Everything from unlimited cloud storage to the full market domination of mobile platforms have made it onto business analysts top 10 tech lists. Small businesses that want to prepare themselves for this brave new world best familiarize themselves with the rapidly changing marketing landscape now. Once they have a better understanding of what's to come, they'll be in a better position to take

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, December 27, 2013

5 of the blog's best business tips 2013

Now that 2013 is drawing to a close, it's time to recap some of the best business tips and strategies offered throughout the course of the year. While there is plenty of business advice worth reviewing, the following list is composed of those marketing and promotional strategies that not only kept resurfacing in one form or another, but will also continue to serve small businesses well into 2014. This particular review list is organized in an easy step-by-step approach for those who

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Make welcoming new employees a New Year's resolution

Every year, Americans embark on grand list-making for their resolutions. One of the bigger life changes that people popularly pursue is a better job, according to the U.S. government. For those that succeed, they may have to adjust to new work environments, employer expectations and even hometowns. Getting a lay of the land can be difficult, but fortunately people close to the new hires have opportunities to make transitioning a little easier.Whether given by employers or family, business gifts

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Give the gift of knowledge

With holidays right around the corner, businesses may still be struggling about what to give their customers - and their employees - for the holidays. Instead of being concerned with the size of the present, employers may want to opt for one of the most valuable executive gifts they have to offer - knowledge.Being well-informed is a priceless commodity in today's world. As Inc.Magazine has noted, successful people are those that enhance their knowledge by always choosing to absorb

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, December 23, 2013

Tips for creating - and sticking - to New Year's resolutions

Resolutions are a great way to start the new year fresh. Yet, making a list can be difficult for some, let alone completing all of the goals on it. A New Year's resolution list doesn't have to be such a daunting task. Here are some tips for resolutions, from coming up with goals to actually following through, and the corporate gifts that can aid in their completion.Schedule a resolution appointment
Next year's resolutions can be big or small, but whatever goals people decide

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, December 20, 2013

Fun ways to celebrate Make Your Dreams Come True Day

Dreams come in all shapes and forms. Some people want to travel the world, while others hope to become world-famous actors. Still others have smaller goals, such as trying a new restaurant or finally working up the courage to ask someone on a date. Whatever people's ambitions, Jan. 13 - National Make Your Dreams Come True Day - is a great excuse to stop procrastinating and start working to make those dreams a reality. Here are a few ideas to get people started, and some corporate gifts

Small Business Marketing Blog

Why it's good to be a morning person

A few years ago, researcher Christoph Randler found that morning people are in a better position to succeed at their careers than others. The reasoning is that they are more proactive than their night owl counterparts, Randler told the Harvard Business Review in 2010. Anyone looking to become more proactive in their own lives may want to pull out their personalized notepads and start taking notes. Some changes in habit - and business gifts - can help executives and potentially employees take

Small Business Marketing Blog

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Give useful gifts for the business traveler

Packing for business travel is an involved operation. Travelers must do it efficiently if they're to get from the office to the airport to whatever meetings await them. Yet, they'll also need to carry a heap of bulky office clothes that need to look fresh and pressed straight from the bag. Finally, if they're to do any work in transit or give presentations at their destinations, they're going to need laptops, chargers and any other electronic equipment to get the job

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Get advice from successful entrepreneurs

There are plenty of books that offer advice and expertise on running a business. Wading through them all can be exhausting, but not always fruitful. Sometimes the better advice comes straight from the mouths of other successful entrepreneurs. The new year is a good time for executives to pull out personalized notepads and write down the names of companies they admire. The list should include a combination of highly visible businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as local companies that also

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, December 16, 2013

How to make the most of next year's trade shows

It's time for businesses to start circling dates on their calendar, as 2014 brings 12 more months of trade shows. That's a whole yea r's worth of opportunities to perfect the art of the convention, better promote their companies and build stronger relationships with potential clients. Everything from pre-event planning to tradeshow giveaways play an important part of businesses' success at these events, so it's essential that companies review some

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, December 13, 2013

Celebrate National Thank You Month with personalized gifts

The new year is fast approaching and with it, a time for fresh starts and resolutions. Gratitude can be a great way for businesses to build a better relationship with the customers and clients that contribute to their successes in 2014. It just so happens that January is also National Thank You Month, meaning there is no excuse not to express some kind of appreciation to the people who matter most. Say it simply
People say it all the time, whether someone holds a door open or passes the

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Monthly gifts could spread joy of holiday giving year round

Giving holiday gifts to clients is a common tradition for many businesses. It can help them increase their visibility as well as build relationships with clients. That is, if it's done properly. Certain gifts may fall flat if they don't take the client into consideration. Sometimes, a holiday gift may not be enough to make a lasting impression the whole year round.The solution then, may involve spreading the holiday cheer a little more evenly across the seasons. While an annual

Small Business Marketing Blog

Avoid the usual social media pitfalls for marketing success

As businesses proceed into 2014, more and more of them are going to start getting social. There is no doubt that, given the number of consumers who consistently participate in online communities, companies should tap into these treasured tools so they can connect with a pool of potential customers. That being said, not all social media methods are created equal, and organizations should be wary of the ways that these kinds of marketing campaigns can go awry.It is heard throughout every industry

Small Business Marketing Blog

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Develop a marketing game plan for the coming year

While many businesses are concerned with attracting shoppers and boosting their sales during the holidays, they should also realize that 'tis the season for some strategizing. As soon as the festivities draw to an end, companies will have to continue this momentum, carrying it all the way through the new year. To make this possibility a reality, organizations should whip out their custom wall calendars now and start drawing up their marketing plan of attack for 2014.Search Engine Land

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Circumvent sticky office party situations with the help of promotional items

The office holiday party almost always puts company representatives in a compromising position. While staff members would love to let loose a little and participate in all of the festive fun possible at these annual events, they also know that they have to maintain some sort of decorum. That said, there are various ways to avoid getting stuck in certain gray zone situations, including those involving the use of business promotional items. These can enable employees to enjoy themselves, while

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, December 9, 2013

Businesses benefit from custom printed calendar planning

With the New Year quickly approaching, businesses may be counting down the days until they can embark on revolutionary endeavors and put innovative strategies into effect. To ensure that companies are more than ready to implement these tactics in a timely manner, they should be sure to get their hands on some custom printed calendars so that they stay on track.As soon as organizations have their custom wall calendars readily available, the real fun begins. The Houston Chronicle advised that

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, December 6, 2013

Employees enjoy baskets full of business gifts

For company representatives, there may be no greater feeling than the one they get when they come to work and find a massive gift basket on their desk. Businesses should try to spread holiday cheer by rewarding their employees for all of their hard work by putting together a collection of corporate gifts for them.As employers weigh their options in terms of the kinds of items that they would like to include in their baskets, they should take their staff members' preferences in mind.

Small Business Marketing Blog

Secret Santa business gifts form bonds among employees

The holidays have long served as a source of inspiration for business owners looking for a chance to increase camaraderie among their staff members. One of the most common company Christmas traditions is a Secret Santa present exchange. By coordinating this kind of event, organizations give employees the chance to swap business gifts, bonding all the while.According to Entrepreneur Magazine, hosting a holiday event is crucial to bringing staff members together. This is especially the case for

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Seasonal in-store cocoa events boost sales and spirits

As the wintertime temperatures continue to drop, some consumers may find that the only thing they want to do is hunker down on their coach or snuggle in front of a fire. Businesses have to entice customers to leave the comfort of their homes and brave the cold to do some shopping, which they can do with festive promotional event giveaways. The holiday season presents companies with an incredible opportunity to drive up their sales right before the year's end. For this reason,

Small Business Marketing Blog

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Keep Cyber Monday momentum moving with promotional giveaways

As consumers slowly come out of their turkey-induced comas, they are probably feeling rested and ready to tackle their holiday gift lists. With the initial days of this year's shopping season already passing by, companies should plan on fueling this festive frenzy by handing out promotional giveaways to customers.According to Forbes, although Black Friday has long been the biggest shopping day throughout the year, it appears that this tradition may have been trumped. Because more and more

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Make work fun and boost employee retention

Unless company representatives have Scrooge-like tendencies, the excitement of the holidays is probably boosting their spirits. Organizations should capitalize on this widespread positive sentiment, ensuring that it does not dissipate as soon as the festivities have come to an end. As many business owners may know, having content staff members usually results in improved production rates, increased employee retention and generally healthier work environments. For this reason, companies

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, December 2, 2013

Plan promotional contests for any occasion

For companies dealing with nearly any type of business, a significant component of their marketing strategies are normally centered around certain holidays. While there are a number of opportune occasions throughout the year that allow organizations to boost their sales, some may consider wintertime festivities to be the most fruitful. Bearing this in mind, enterprises should go the extra mile by rewarding their seasonal shoppers with promotional items.Businesses should try to appeal to

Small Business Marketing Blog