10 Ways to Increase the Reach, Popularity and Success of your Business

Are you having a hard time finding folks who want what you’ve got? It could be time to (re) evaluate the state of your business. There’s no shame in wanting to improve the reach, popularity and success of your business. You can -- and should -- make time to investigate where you’re falling short.

Wherever they go, you go. If your business is in a competitive marketplace, especially if your model includes a storefront, it might be worth considering moving communities to be closer to your primary audience.  If you can’t or don’t see a move as a manageable option, pursue your audience via marketing. Where does your customer base or potential clientele spend their free time? How do they travel to work? Maintain a presence through advertising to passively get your message in front of your ideal crowd.

Show up. It’s vital that your product and services are positioned in the right places online, in order to get noticed by your target demographic. BBB’s online Accredited Business directory serves as a reservoir of trustworthy businesses for the consumer when they make a purchasing decision. Will a potential client find you listed as Accredited? 83% of people are more likely to purchase from a business displaying the BBB Accreditation Seal. Plus, 7 out of 10 consumers prefer to do ‪‎business‬ with a BBB Accredited Business.

If you’re using social media to connect with potential customers (and you should be), don’t forget about YouTube. Producing how-to’s on topics that relate to your business or helpful tips trending in the industry can be excellent for framing your business as a marketplace leader. Demonstrating use of your product, your business’ participation in events you support in the community, and testimonials of your current customers sharing positive experiences are all worthwhile video content to further your reach.

Elementary, my dear business owner. Always err on the side of simple when it comes to messaging. Short customer attention spans are an obstacle all businesses face. With that said, thank you for continuing to read this post! Overcome the customer’s tendency to move on by keeping your message straightforward. Also, make it easy to share, so they can spread the word on social media when they “like” it. Shed all the fluffy stuff while painting a clear picture of what you’re offering and how it will solve their problem(s).

Yo, I’ll solve it. Speaking of which, is your product or service in fact solving a problem for the customer? Because, this is gold. Measure the importance of this concept in gold doubloons and it would be worth, well, A LOT. If you aren’t sure that you’re providing a solution for your customers, try polling them to determine if you’re filling a need. Social media makes conducting a survey painless.  Or, when you send email to your customers, ask them to write you a Customer Review. You’ll get priceless feedback on their experience, while they share what they’ve learned with others. 92% of consumers read reviews. They give you a leg-up on the competition and, bonus, it’s free marketing. Is your customer service stellar or stinking? Is the product or service living up to its promises? Find areas for improvement via what your loyal customers are saying and apply it to getting more exposure for your business. Brilliant.

Shout it from the rooftops. Once you establish what problems you’re good at solving, communicate this to the universe. Your social media accounts, blog and newsletter can be great vehicles to tell your story. If there’s a benefit -- such as the aforementioned problem-solving powers -- you offer, unlike others in your space or just one your customers love, highlight it! It could be your turnaround time on shipping orders, a “hidden gem” use for a product, or simply how effective your service has proven to be. Whatever it is, leverage it! Don’t be keep it a secret.

Comparison shop. Look at other businesses in your space, or one with a similar business model, or better yet -- one you admire. What is that thriving business doing to get their product or service into the hands of the people who want it most? How can you differentiate what you offer from what they offer? It’s never too late and always wise to be up to date on what “the others” are doing. Check out business(es) on bbb.org to see what complaints they have against them and what the issues focus on. Maybe there’s something missing in their business model that you have. Oh, and make sure you’re responding to your complaints, too. Sometimes a complaint is just a misunderstanding. Addressing it in a timely manner could alleviate an issue altogether and potentially offer insight into your business.

Convert them with care (and class). Make it easy for customers to leave the competition. Once you highlight your big benefit or service and it catches on, welcome them with open arms. Offer a new customer a sneak peek at your latest product or maybe it’s free shipping on their first order. Most importantly, if they leave someone else to choose you -- it’s imperative that you deliver. Be careful what measures you take to entice them. Biting off more than you can chew when luring in competitor’s clientele could come back to bite you. No one wants to try a new product or service, only to be disappointed.

Take advantage of your assets. Draw from your business’ strengths such as talented staff, a strong Board of Directors, connections in the industry or healthy financial backing. Tweak what needs tweaking, by using your existing resources. One free and easy-to-execute but easy-to-overlook strategy? Looking to your employees for answers. Your team is on the front lines dealing with the customer day-to-day and learning firsthand what isn’t working. What do they think could be at the root of the issue? They could hold the key to getting your brand into the right hands.

Don’t close the door on change. Just because you’ve been doing something for 10 years, doesn’t mean you should keep on keepin’ on. For example, be mindful of your sales cycle. When is product moving? When is it stagnant? If something isn’t selling and weighing you down, consider taking it out of the pipeline. If that invites anxiety over the thought of unsold merchandise, try creating a demand. Offers like “limited time only” could go a long way in moving product to be phased out. The market evolves and your business needs to as well.  Intimidating to-do lists are the hardest to tackle but the reward is far greater than the medial ones. Embrace change and look at it as an opportunity, especially if the writing’s on the wall that something needs to give.

Be the best, around. Ultimately, focus on what you do best. And if you’ve realized that you aren’t, get back to basics. Determine what it is that makes you unique and build from there. You already know what your strengths and weaknesses are because you asked your existing clientele. Use that feedback to determine how the customer benefits from choosing you and share it with the ones you’re trying to reach.

BBB’s News and Opinion Blog serves as your source for business topics and industry news like tips on hiring for your small business and ways to grow engagement with your audience using social media. For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Written by Stephanie Benz, Senior Social Media Associate for Better Business Bureau Serving E. Massachusetts, ME, RI & VT.

Timeless Success for Small Business

BBB Accredited Business, Monahan & Co., is celebrating their 200th year of business. Six generations ago -- in 1815 -- Jeremiah Monahan (the great-great-great grandfather of current owner, Michael Monahan) left Dublin, Ireland, secured 21 diamonds and began his business. Monahan & Co. is America's oldest family-owned and operated jewelry store.

We spoke with Michael Monahan about the business's 200th anniversary, lessons from their lengthy presence in the marketplace and what has contributed to Monahan & Co.'s sustainability.

You are celebrating 200 years in business this year - congratulations! What have you found is the key to making your business such a long standing success?

Thank you! We're very proud and excited. What has made us such a long standing success is understanding this is a full time job. You have to like people and you have to like sales.

Monahan & Co. is family run and has roots in Dublin -- tell us a little bit about the origin of the business. And there’s a story involving the Claddagh ring?

Jeremiah Monahan came over from Dublin and started Monahan Jewelers. For the first 150 years the business was located in Worcester, Ma. 50 years ago the business relocated to our current location, Harwichport, MA. The Claddagh ring has a 500-year history in Ireland. Jeremiah brought his own unique design to the states when he started Monahan Jewelers 200 years ago. The ring represents friendship, loyalty and love. 

What are some of the challenges with being a small business -- and how have you overcome them to be a mainstay in the community? 

There are tremendous odds against us with the internet now, but people want homegrown stores. We have remained a mainstay through enthusiasm and by giving back to our community.

How many employees do you have today? 

Just two. Neal Waters, our President and myself. I have been with the business since I was 7, so I've been here 68 years.

What is a favorite moment as a business owner? What part of the job do you enjoy the most? What do you find most difficult? 

My favorite time as a business owner would have to be celebrating 200 years. It's been a long time coming and it's exciting to have achieved this long standing success as a small family-owned business.

The internet has probably caused the most difficulty for us. Not because it affected sales but because people will use sites like Amazon to order jewelry and when they find it is defective they bring it to us to fix. We never try to fix a piece that hasn't come from our store and this can leave customers upset, but we always tell them it's better to return and make a purchase at an actual Jeweler.

How long have you been an Accredited Business with BBB?

I decided to apply for Accreditation in 1979.

Why did you make the original decision to become Accredited? 

I wanted to be Accredited because Better Business Bureau reassures customers that they are choosing a trustworthy business. BBB is very important.

Why have you remained an Accredited Business? What benefits do you appreciate/like the most about being Accredited? 

Again, Better Business Bureau reassures customers about the business they are selecting. We have worked very hard to maintain an A+ rating by taking care of our customers. We want people who are not familiar with our business to be reassured that they can trust us.

Other businesses envy a business with 200 years in service and a loyal following. Do you have advice for businesses who might be starting out? 

Your main goal should always be to please customers to encourage loyalty. I also recommend everyone join BBB. It is very important to let customers know you have a good business.

The clock outside the Monahan & Co. storefront was a gift from the business to the town of Harwichport. The gesture is meant to inspire design and development in their community. Monahan's philanthropic efforts set a great example for other small businesses applying for Accreditation.

Monahan & Co. has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to their community, customers and the standards that BBB expects as best practices. Learn more about becoming Accredited and part of a community of trustworthy businesses.

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

How A Website Can Benefit Your Small Business

It is not uncommon for small business owners to resist developing an online presence for their business. The prospect of creating and maintaining a website can seem like a hassle to owners who juggle many different responsibilities. However, in today's world having a website is vital to business growth and customer relationships. 

Your business's website does not need to be elaborate or complicated. Start with a couple of pages that describe your business - the services and/or product you offer - and your contact and location details. Purchasing a domain to host your website should only cost a few dollars annually and provides a permanent space on the web for clients and future clients to learn more about your business.

Benefits of building a website for your small business:

1. It acts as a sales tool. Your website is a place for consumers to learn more about your product and/or service. This online platform will allow you to share trusted information about your business and create compelling calls-to-action which can incentivize consumers to make a purchase. It can even serve as an online marketplace for customers to buy your product or service and expand existing sales opportunities.
2. Your business's visibility increases. With the growing popularity of online directories, more and more consumers are doing their research online before making a purchase. If your web presence is non-existent, there is less chance your business will appear in search results. With an online footprint, you strengthen your reach and become more discoverable to potential customers when they conduct searches.  
3. You enhance credibility. Because consumers are deliberately decision-making online, having a website enables you to share carefully curated information about your business. You are in control of the message the consumer receives and in turn, they can trust that the data they find is legitimate.
4. It means you can capitalize on less expensive and free forms of advertising. Printed media, TV, and radio can be pricey. Your website will be a relatively minimal investment and provide any information you want to share with clients and prospective clients.

To learn more about how to create a website for your business, see our tips here.  

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Effective Communication: External

Communication is an essential component to any business and there are many different facets. Last week we discussed the importance of internal communication and its impact on professional relationships. Communication is also imperative to building relationships with customers and potential customers. 

External communication is comprised of not only reaching out to consumers, but also listening to them. In fact, taking the time to listen to customer requests and inquiries can mean spending less time, energy, and resources on acquiring new business. Building a strong rapport with the customers you have will enhance your reputation and bring in new customers based on the word of current customers. 

The best way to do this is by showing your appreciation. Relationships are about equity - it's important both parties feel they are gaining something that is equitable to what they are giving. Sure, customers pay for your product or service and that alone is an exchange, but customers need to feel confident they can rely on your business.  You can make your customers feel valued in four simple ways.

• Be accessible. Do your customers know how they can reach you should a problem with the product or service arise? Social Media and email are great facilitators for consumer to business communication. Make sure customers know how and where to reach you, prominently display your contact information online and in your marketing materials. 
• Respond in a timely manner. "Timely manner" is often left up to interpretation. You as a business owner may feel 24 hours is a reasonable amount of time to reply to a customer whereas the customer may feel an immediate response is the only course of action reasonable. Let customers know when your hours of operations are and when they can expect a reply on their inquiry. This helps manage expectations and holds your business to a standard.
• Follow up with a thank you email. Thank you notes are a great and lasting way to show your appreciation. More and more consumers are taking their business elsewhere because they feel undervalued. Letting the customer know you understand that they have a choice and they chose you can go a long way.
• Encourage feedback. Feedback provides businesses with a leg up on the competition. A history of good service is important in today's marketplace when customers have countless options to choose from. A positive history also shows a healthy interaction with clients. Even with some instances of poor feedback in the mix, it shows your business is willing to stand behind the product or service and address or correct what's imperfect.

Keep the lines of communication open with your customer base. Encourage customer reviews on your business' BBB Business Review. Not an Accredited Business, yet? Learn how-to become part of the elite group of trustworthy businesses.

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

What to do when a Customer Complains

We have all heard the mantra, "the customer is always right".  While this sentiment comes from a good place and encourages a positive attitude towards customers, it is quite simply, not always true. In fact, it can actually reward customers for their demanding and rude behavior. 

Encountering a rude customer, or a customer who wants something you cannot give them, is not an uncommon occurrence for business owners. It's important to develop a strategy when faced with these types of situations. It can mean the difference between a customer feeling satisfied or promising to never do business with you again.

• Stay calm. No matter how angry or rude the customer is you never want to react similarly, as it could escalate things and make matters worse.  
• Be a good listener. Try not to interrupt the customer until they are finished, as this will likely make them more frustrated.
• Show the customer you were listening by summarizing their words back to them. Then ask questions to further clarify their complaint.  
• Apologize. Regardless of who is at fault, a simple "We're sorry you've had such a frustrating experience" can go a long way.
• Tell the customer what you can do. You may not be able to give the customer exactly what they want, but by offering an alternative suggestion you are showing the customer you would still like to do what you can to make things right.  
• Know when to walk away. Sometimes there is no way to satisfy an angry customer.  If this is the case, all you can do is offer an apology and step away from the conversation.

Something else to consider: living by "the customer is always right" mantra can also be bad for your employees and the general company moral. Your employees come to work each day and help make your product what it is. Make sure your company policies support the employees responsible for handling customer grievances. They should feel respected and empowered.

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

What Motivates Consumers To Make A Purchase?

It's safe to say most business owner's objective is to make a sale, but to make that sale it can be helpful to understand what motivates a customer to make their purchase. Your Better Business Bureau recommends considering the following four points to improve your business and sales strategy. 

1. How convenient is this experience for the customer? This can mean a number of different things, from parking convenience and storefront location, to website intuitiveness and delivery methods. 
2. The customer wants the best value. Many consumers looking to make a purchase will research a product before purchasing. Their interpretation of value can be determined by price comparisons and even online reviews. Is your business's online presence scarce? Consider registering your business with an online directory, like BBB for example. 
3. Do you give your customers individualized attention? Try to gently identify what it is your customer is looking for. Are they dissatisfied with a similar product from a competitor? Set your business apart by being attentive and helpful. 
4. A consumer wants it to be easy. If your online ordering process is too complicated you will find that many potential customers are abandoning their cart. If a product is out of stock do you go ahead and order the product for them? Or do you encourage them to use your website or seek out another store? 

Ultimately a customer is going to make a decision based on experience. Are you creating a positive customer experience or is it forgettable? 

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Linkedin. 

Embrace The Negative Feedback

Negative feedback online can seem like a nightmare to small business owners. The Internet is an unregulated platform - anyone can say anything and you have no control. However, there can be a silver lining to this kind of feedback, you just need to know from which angle to approach the negativity. Here are some things you should know when addressing negative feedback online:

Whether you like it or not, people are leaving reviews of your business online. There are several review platforms and online directories that allow consumers to talk about their experience with a business. The sooner you begin to engage with consumers the sooner you'll gain some control over your business's online perception. 

Your business is not the only business receiving negative feedback. 

Stop taking it personally. Regardless of the delivery, keep an open mind. Sometimes customers can help you identify an area of your business where there is room for improvement. If you notice users are making similar complaints, you know you have some work to do. 

People are suspicious of business's that do not have negative online reviews. According to a study by Reevo, positive reviews did not tip the scales when it came to making a sale. However, there was a positive impact on sales the more reviews a business had total - regardless of the tone. 

Respond! This is your opportunity to show the consumer that you care about their experience. Not only does a thoughtful response go a long way with the disgruntled customer, it goes a long way with potential customers.

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston or like us on Facebook. 

Spring Cleaning For Your Small Business

With winter safely behind us (knock on wood) many Americans are participating in Spring Cleaning. Though typically thought of as something reserved for the home, it's a great philosophy to apply to your small business as well. 

So what areas of your business should you consider when starting fresh this spring? 

Your Finances. For many businesses summer tends to be slow so you may be reserving bigger purchases until the fall. Despite slow business and postponing major spending, bills still have to be paid. Review your cash balances now to determine how you will be covering your expenses during this period. Additionally review any auto renewal payments. You may find you're paying for something you only needed temporarily or something you no longer use. 

Filing and Documents. How do you keep track of important paperwork, files, and documents? Are you still storing these things in an old school filing cabinet? Consider going digital. By utilizing a CRM service not only are you diminishing the physical clutter around your office, but you are also increasing productivity by having this information at the ready in a digital dashboard. You will be able to find specific files in a matter of minutes just by typing in a simple search, and you can access this information anywhere at anytime. 

Staff Responsibilities. Take inventory of your staff and their responsibilities. We're not recommending you fire anyone (unless of course you have an employee who simply does not do their job) but take time to consider who your staff is and what they do. Has an employee outgrown their position? Is there more you could be delegating to them? Have certain positions become irrelevant? Could you redistribute the employee filling this position to another area of your business? Consider the ways in which your staff can be the most productive and successful. 

Business Plan. Review your business plan. What do you hope to achieve over the next 6 months? Year? Five years? Think about this in terms of your expectations for your own professional growth as well as your business's growth because as a business owner, these two things overlap. Have your expectations and goals shifted? If they have (which is not a bad thing) then how can you adjust your business plan to reflect these changes? What should you be doing differently in order to achieve success?

Be sure you are checking in weekly for more tips and tricks to benefit your small business! 

3 Steps to Bridging the Sales & Marketing Gap

The divide between sales and marketing has almost become expected. It always seems to come down to the same problems. Marketing is dissatisfied with sales because lead conversion rates are low. Sales is dissatisfied with marketing because the leads are not qualified. 

So how does this issue get resolved? How do you go about re-evaluating your marketing and sales strategies? How do you close the loop?

You must develop a clear plan and process, then follow through.

1. Set the expectation that sales and marketing work together. Apple has mastered an uninterrupted connection between marketing and sales. It's almost unclear where the marketing ends and the selling begins. The sales team should understand that a marketer's job is more than making things look pretty. They should understand that a marketer's job is to increase the salability of the product or service. The marketing team should understand that a salesperson's job is critically important as they drive business. 
2. Define the term "lead." Who is your customer? Who are you trying to sell to? When both marketing and sales can agree on what a good lead is, marketing will be able to develop a strategy to attract the appropriate potential customers, and sales will be more likely to convert the lead because the product or service being sold speaks to the consumer's needs. 
3. Establish a method for accountability. Utilizing a digital dashboard with lead management software can help do this. Not only can you see where leads are being sent, see who is following up on those leads, and view their status, you can also keep track of key details. Lead management software makes key brand messaging more accessible. It also allows sales reps to keep track of strategies that worked and any other notable information that might have transpired during a sale. From a marketing standpoint this is incredibly helpful as this information can be used as feedback when moving forward with new strategies. 

Be sure you are checking in weekly for more tips and tricks to benefit your small business! 

Increase Your Facebook Page Visibility

One of the biggest frustrations I see small-business owners having when it comes to social media is figuring out how to reach their audience. On Facebook, a page's visibility is dictated substantially by Facebook's algorithm. Essentially the algorithm decides where stories appear in each user's newsfeed. The good news is, there are a few no-brainer ways to combat this algorithm and maximize your page's visibility.

1. Use a branded cover photo. Research shows that photos receive the highest amount of engagement on Facebook. Additionally the cover photo is the first thing a user sees when they visit your page. You want to pick something creative, engaging, and most importantly something that communicates your brand message. We used our hashtag #StartWithTrust as the focal point of our cover photo. The hashtag is a vital part of our brand message, which is to help people find and recommend business, brands, and charities they can trust. As soon as a user visits our page this message is the first thing that is communicated to them. 
2. Include photos in your Facebook posts. As previously stated, photos receive the highest amount of engagement on Facebook. Visual content draws users in. When you include a photo with your Facebook post, users are 39% more likely to click onto your post, therefore increasing engagement and visibility. 
3. Respond to consumer feedback. It's no secret that the best kind of marketing is consumer word-of-mouth. When you give a timely and informative reply to your consumers you are enhancing consumer confidence. Additionally, do not shy away from negative feedback. This is an opportunity to not only show the consumer that you are concerned about their experience, but it also shows potential customers that you are attentive and you care about the customer. Engaging with consumers on Facebook is a easy way to retain and gain customers. 

Here at BBB of E. MA, RI, VT, & ME we have started a series on our YouTube page called Social Media Minute. You can check in monthly for small-business social media tips and tricks. We also encourage you to submit your own questions to be addressed in an upcoming episode. 

Check out our first episode:

If you have a question about social media you would like answered please submit it HERE.

Guest Blog: How to Determine your Google Ad Word Quality Score

Written By: Kerri Koncius

Okay, so you’re ready to start your first Google AdWords paid search campaign. Great! You’ve got your landing pages ready to go, your ad copy written, and your budget nailed down. Now all you have to do is bid highly on the keywords you want to target, and you’ll show up at the top of the results, right? Not so fast…

There is another piece of the AdWords puzzle that is incredibly important, yet widely unknown by those outside of the search industry. That piece is called Quality Score, and impacts not only what positions you show up in and how often, but how much you pay per click as well.



Google defines Quality Score as “an estimate of your ads, keywords, and landing page” and claims “higher quality ads can lead to lower prices and better ad positions.” It takes into account the relevance between your keyword, ad, and landing pages, as well as user experience.

The reason for this measure is that once upon a time, you could just pay your way to the top of Google results with a high bid. You could rank prominently on highly searched keywords without having anything to do with those terms. This led to users having poor experiences and not getting what they were searching for. Quality Score ensures that an ad for a dentist’s office won’t show up on a search for “Disney World,” no matter how much that dentist is willing to pay to target that term.

So how can you set your business up for high Quality Scores, low cost-per-clicks, and effective paid search campaigns? Here’s how:

1. Don’t bid on keywords that aren’t relevant to your business 
2. Write compelling ad copy that encourages high click-through-rates 
3. Ensure that users won’t be surprised when they reach your landing page, that you are giving them exactly what they were searching for 

The bottom line is that you need to make sure that your keywords, ads, and landing pages are all relevant to each other. This can be easier said than done, especially when you are a small business owner, responsible for many different facets of your company. Fortunately, there is a lot of help available, from webinars and whitepapers, to professionals that can set up and maintain campaigns for you. Whether you choose to give it a go on your own or enlist some assistance, if you keep relevance and quality in mind, you will be setting your business up for paid search success.

Giving Back on a Small Business Budget

Businesses, large and small, frequently receive requests to support local causes and events. While large businesses may have a portion of their budgets allocated to support local causes, small businesses oftentimes have the desire but not the funds, making charitable giving a challenge. However, giving back is more than donating funds; it is supporting the communities we serve with resources that create a positive impact.

Customers are loyal to businesses that are involved in programs that support their local community. Even if small businesses are not able to write a big check, they can still be good corporate citizens by supporting local causes and creating mutually beneficial collaborations.

One of the first steps to giving back is learning about the opportunities available. Conducting research will help assure that the charity you support has a commitment to standards and accountability and will use your time and talents effectively and ethically. Because not all charities are created equal, ask for details on its programs, finances and governance. Use BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance evaluations on nationally-soliciting charities for free at www.bbb.org/charity.


Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers three tips on how small businesses can support the communities they serve on a small budget:

Donate Time: Know what your company and its employees can offer. Consider staff members’ skills and what services they would be particularly well-equipped to provide. From volunteering at a local food bank to helping construct a home, a small business can not only offer volunteers, but also expertise that many charitable causes will value.

Donate Resources: Think outside the box. The most common ways to support local causes are donating funds or providing volunteers; however, be creative with your resources and consider offering services, equipment or space. Share your expertise on a project, offer to print flyers for an upcoming event, or make your conference room available for meetings.

Donate Support: Encourage staff to participate in company-backed volunteering efforts. Much of the great work charities provide to their communities is made possible by volunteers. Support staff volunteering in groups or teams—not only does it provide a great service, it also enhances team building, staff cohesiveness and community awareness.

Comment below and share how your company gives back to the community it serves.

- See more at: http://www.bbb.org/blog/2014/07/giving-back-on-a-small-business-budget/#sthash.yVxT7rgY.dpuf

It's National Small Business Week!

National Small Business Week is June 17-21 and BBB is taking the opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of successful small business owners.

According the U.S. Small Business Administration, two out of three private sector jobs are created by small businesses. Today, half of all working Americans either own or work for a small business. 

In honor of National Small Business Week, BBB is encouraging small business owners to take advantage of the many resources that BBB and the Small Business Administration have available:

BBB Code of Business Practices

The BBB Code of Business Practices represents sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence in business. This Code should be a road map for creating and managing a trustworthy business. 

BBB Code of Advertising

BBB was founded on the principles of truth in advertising, which rests first and foremost with the advertiser. BBBs review local advertisements and work with companies to adhere to the BBB Code of Advertising, which lays out principles, definitions and suggestions for ethical advertising that all businesses can adopt.

BBB Tips on Direct Selling

BBB and the Direct Selling Education Foundation partnered to create a series of articles, videos and PSAs to educate direct sellers, their customers and even those considering a career path in direct selling. Free tips and advice you can trust on direct selling are available at www.bbb.org/us/dsef-tips.

Small Business Administration

SBA’s Online Learning Center is a virtual campus complete with free online courses, workshops, podcasts, learning tools and business-readiness assessments. Course topics from writing a business plan to mastering overseas markets are available for business owners along with e-books, templates and articles. Visit www.sba.gov/training.