The intentions of small business owners vary tremendously; some entrepreneurs want to conquer the world, building a global brand, where as others want to run their business in a way that allows their family to live comfortably, while working on something that they love. Whether the aim of your business is global domination in your sector, or to run a lifestyle business, putting your business on the map is essential.

So, what do I mean by putting your business on the map? Whether your target market it local, national or international, the only way you are going to get customers and make profit is by making sure that people know about your business. Here are a few ways to get your business known to your target market:

- Research: Find out about your target market. Find out the age range, gender, and interests of your target market. It can be helpful to draw a profile of your typical customer in order to enable you to focus your marketing activities specifically towards this market; this can be particularly useful if you are not within your target market yourself. The more you know about your customers the more you can think like them and then make sure you tailor your products, and marketing, accordingly.

- Use the Internet: Long gone are the days when a simple magazine advert or television ad would make a mark with potential customers. Consumers are now saturated with advertising. Information overload is a typical occurrence, so more and more people turn to personal recommendations, or website reviews to make product choices.

The Internet can be used in many ways, as many of my readers will know, a website is absolutely imperative. People use Google to search for products on both a local and national scale, if your business isn’t online then you are missing out on the 80% of people who turn to the Internet to find businesses to help them. Use Search Engine Optimisation techniques to help your business website to rank well in the search engines.

Social Media is also a vital way to reach potential customers, both locally and nationally. Networking online is a great way to reach new customers, and can build brand awareness that would otherwise cost a great deal of money. By being yourself in various social media arenas your brand will build up a personality; and people like to buy from people.

- Talk: Talk to your customers, potential customers, inactive customers, competitors, employees… There is no one that you should not be talking to as a small business owner. Talking not only makes people aware of your brand, and give customers the knowledge that you care, but it also helps you to learn exactly what people want and need from your business.

- Customer Service: When talking about putting your business on the map, customer service may seem like an alien thing to mention. However, customer service is vital to ensure that your small business is put on the map for the right reason. People talk to others about their experiences with companies; so make sure your customer service is up to scratch so that when they’re talking about your business they’re doing so for the right reasons!

These are just a few ideas about how to put your business on the map, written with bootstrap businesses in mind. If you have any more ideas leave a comment!

For the latest information about SME Technology, follow me on Twitter or become a fan of WinWeb on Facebook. I look forward to connecting with you!

With better economic conditions coming soon, there couldn’t be a better time to brush up on your sales skills. The recent downturn has made companies think twice about who they are dealing with and has made them potentially more likely to switch suppliers. Perhaps to your firm?

Here are a few ideas to get you and your sales team fired up!

Don’t give up on your bottom 80%
The rule of thumb has generally been that top 20% of your customers generate 80% of your revenues. However, due the slump, don’t give up on your bottom 80% of your customers. Your best clients for 2010 might not have spent anything in 2009. Hopefully you’re still on their radar for when they are ready to spend again.

Map out a sales plan
It’s worth laying out a sales plan so your reps aren’t running off in all directions. Map out a timeline for every step in the sales cycle. Look at researching prospects, making initial contact, presenting the product and closing the deal.

Get the CEO some face time
I’ve always been a proponent of getting the CEO out in front of clients so he or she really knows what’s going on. It also sets a great example with the sales team. And nothing says “I really want your business” more than a CEO who makes the effort to meet with potential customers.

Listening vs. Boasting
Successful salespeople listen a lot more than they talk. They’re able to ask focused questions, such as “What is the greatest challenge you see your company facing in 2010” and listen closely to the answers. This will likely reveal the customer point of pain which you and your company can address. Or, on the flip side, get your potential clients to paint a picture of success and inquire what has stopped them from achieving it. Figure out what you can do to help them get there.

Be realistic on what you can deliver
Your salespeople might be landing business at prices lower than your cost. Talk to your team and make sure they know they can go this low, but no lower.
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If you are interested to follow small business twitter bloggers, here is a great list for you and it takes only one ‘click’ to follow them all.

The nice thing about this list is, that I know most of the included bloggers for years – so I can promise you won’t be disappointed, if you are after business tweets – after all ‘yours truly‘ is included too.

Twitter is an essential small business marketing, customer care and business networking tool – you need to be on it today.

This list was put together by @trustesmallbiz – thanks for that guys.

Sign up and then follow these great business tweeters @ tweepml.org

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained. 

“I know that half the money I spend on advertising is wasted, but I can never find out which half.”

John Wanamaker (1838-1922) US businessman, quoted in ‘How to Acquire Customers on the Web’, Harvard Business Review (Donna L. Huffman & Thomas P. Novak; 2000) 

To view previous quotes of the day, click here  

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained. 

“I never felt anyone bought anything from a teacher.”

Dan Wieden (b. 1945) US advertising executive, referring to the need for advertising to sell, New York Times (October 1995) 

To view previous quotes of the day, click here  

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained. 

“Advertising is the very essence of democracy.”

Bruce Barton (1886-1967) US advertising executive & author, Reader’s Digest (1955) 

To view previous quotes of the day, click here  

Does anyone actually believe this rubbish? Are people so desperate or easy to fool that they would fall for something like this? What is the risk? How much do you invest and possibly loose?

I love twitter and advocate it during my public speaking engagements, on my blog and in general conversation, but i must admit there are times when these people with their scams are getting to me. People must fall for this sort of rubbish, although I don’t understand how?

The first thing that comes to mind is ask these people how much money they are making a day, or as in this case per hour? If I’d make $5,000.00 per hour, I’d be busy making money and not spamming on twitter.

Real business opportunities get drowned out by these scams.

It’s the old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. –ST.

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained. 

“Good advertising can make people buy your product even if it sucks… A dollar spent on brainwashing is more cost-effective than a dollar spent on product improvement.”

Scott Adams (b. 1957) US cartoonist & humorist, The Dilbert Principle (1996) 

To view previous quotes of the day, click here  

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained. 

“Whatever happens, you get your pet back.”

Anonymous, slogan of a Manhattan firm founded by two brothers, one a vet, the other a taxidermist, quoted in Architect’s Journal (13 July 2000) 

To view previous quotes of the day, click here  

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained. 

“Advertising challenges don’t come much bigger than this.”

Anonymous, referring to the task of transforming the brand image of Skoda cars, Sunday Telegraph (August 2000) 

To view previous quotes of the day, click here