RECENT ARTICLES
The Blowfish Effect: How to Make Your Small Business Look Like a Big One
America loves small businesses. Research from Gallup confirms that Americans are three times as likely to express confidence in small business as they are in big business. Still, it can be difficult for smaller companies with less staff and more budget constraints to take on large, entrenched competitors and win. But all of that...
3 Keys to Adding Personalization to the Digital Customer Experience
Competitiveness is at an all-time high thanks to the availability of the internet and direct access to consumers with minimal marketing costs. That being said, it is more important than ever to have a smart strategy to land yourself in front of your ideal audience and to secure them as life-long customers and brand enthusiasts....
How to Launch a Product for Your Service-Based Business – Rachel Rodgers
Working in a service-based business requires a large investment from us—both in time as well as in energy. While speaking with Rachel Rodgers, a business lawyer-turned-business coach, about this topic, she had an interesting suggestion for entrepreneurs (especially female) looking for a change: “Download your expertise that you have, turn that into a DIY process,...
Balancing the Risk and Reward of Customer Reviews in Your Business
Reviews can have an enormous impact on your business’ marketing success. Today’s consumers read customer reviews before making purchase decisions, especially when it comes to trying out a new local business for the first time. Whether they are looking for a contractor, family doctor, or lawyer, word-of-mouth endorsements factor heavily into a consumer’s decision...
4 Steps to Killer Networking
Like it or not, networking is an essential part of the business world. Success in business is all about forming connections. It helps you find jobs, recruit talent, discover new customers, and form relationships with potential investors. When networking is done right, it provides a valuable return on investment, both financially and in monetary terms...
5 Tips to Secure TV or Radio Publicity to Promote Your Business
As entrepreneurs we are always looking for creative ways to grow our business, to gain more raving fans and create more clients or consumers. In this day and age, most businesses are building their empire online because it feels natural. We live in a virtual world, and it gives us instant feedback. An online business...
How to Pitch a Complex Business: Advice from the 2017 SXSW Dell Experience
Pitching your business is a subject we frequently write about here on Smart Hustle. In the past year, we’ve covered articles on the sales pitch, pitch contests, pitching to the media, and even pitch advice from Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary. Recently, I encountered another angle that I think some business owners would appreciate, after watching...
5 Reasons Your Small Business Should Do Market Research
Small and medium sized businesses often dismiss market research as an unnecessary cost and opt instead to invest their money in something with instantly visible results like distribution channels or new office equipment. However, that can be a big mistake and a huge loss of opportunity to boost your business. Here are five important...
Keeping an Eye on your Loyal Customers
The customer relationship is not over at the end of the sale. In fact, that is when it has just begun. Statistics show new customers cost an average of six to seven times more to acquire than selling to a repeat customer. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of a company’s business comes...
The Impact Boston Traffic Had on My Marketing Strategy
I moved to Boston in 1982. It's not a huge city, and the subway (or “T” as we like to call it) only has five lines. It did not take me long to get comfortable and find my way around. That all changed abruptly in 1986. In the spring of that year, I bought...
5 Creative Design Tips for Small Businesses
We live in a world dominated by images and visual platforms. Design matters now more than ever, especially for small businesses that are competing with larger brands with bigger budgets. Good design is not optional, it's a must to stand out from the competition. Here are a few quick creative design tips that your...
7 Ways to Use Video as a Growth Catalyst
Video is all the rage right now. The question is: are you riding this wave to accelerate your business growth? Video allows you to create a connection with your audience fast. Moreover, it’s the best form of visual content, allowing you to pass on complex information quickly. Think about it: by 2020 video is expected to...