Small Business BS

In this episode, we discuss the many different types of email newsletters, how they can fit into your overall marketing plan, and why every business can likely benefit from email newsletters.

In this episode, we discuss the 80/20 rule and how you can use it to overcome perfectionism, focus your time, energy, and resources on what's important, and increase revenue and success for your small business.

In this episode we discuss down-selling as part of our mini series on selling and sales techniques.

In this episode we discuss cross-selling as part of our mini series on selling and sales techniques.

In this episode we discuss upselling as part of our mini series on selling and sales techniques.

Let's talk about a few different ways you can sell for your small business. Hard selling, soft selling, assumptive selling, helping to sell, and selling to help.

In this episode, we discuss the many considerations and things you should have in place before making the lead to go full time with your side hustle.

In this episode, we discuss the ways in which the minds of entrepreneurs and small business owners are different than most people's. We chat through some ways you can harness that "evil" power to build your business.

In this episode we dive into all the things you should be looking at, and thinking about, when selecting your email marketing platform.

In this episode we discuss 10 MORE common email marketing mistakes, following up on episode 30's 10 mistakes. We identify issues such as not including a clear call to action, using overly salesy or spammy language, excessive all-caps in subject lines, relying on outdated templates, writing overly long emails, and more. We discuss the importance of segmenting and personalizing emails, using analytics to inform strategy, and maintaining authenticity in your brand's voice.

In this episode we discuss 10 common email marketing mistakes you should avoid...and e also talk about how MySpace is apparently still a thing.

In this episode, we explore the idea of Hope Marketing. We discuss what hope marketing is, why many business owners and entrepreneurs fall into the trap of relying on it, and how you can avoid this mistake.

In this episode, we wrap up our series on content marketing, diving into Search Engine Optimization (SEO). We explain what SEO is, why it's important, how AI is impacting SEO, and provide some real examples for how to get started.

We continue our series on content marketing this week - Join us as we dive into all the different types of content you can create for your business.

In this episode, we continue our series on content marketing, focusing this week on email marketing basics.

Lead magnets are free resources offered in exchange for contact information, used to build email lists and nurture potential customers. Lead magnets are different than discovery tools like podcasts. In this episode we share a variety of examples of effective lead magnets for different industries. More examples at smallbusinessbs.com

Part 2 of our series on content marketing focuses on marketing and sales funnels. We discuss what their actual purposes are, why it's important to think about them, how to approach creating them, the mistakes to avoid, and why this is all valuable to your business.

This is Part One of our series on content marketing. In this episode, we explore what content marketing is and why you should be using it for your business.

In this episode, we argue about what the single most effective marketing tool is for a brick & mortar business. Since I (Jeff) upload these episodes, I get to state for the record that I was correct and Adam was wrong. Enjoy the episode!

In this episode, we discuss the inevitable emotional roller coaster all entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners will need to deal with. How do we survive the ups and downs of business successes and failures? We explore the idea of identifying what is urgent versus what is important, and where we allow ourselves to invest the limited amount of emotional energy we have.

In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of writing a book. Find out why writing a book can be the best business card you ever have, and a few reasons why you should NOT write a book.

Imposter Syndrome, Beginner's Syndrome, and Bully Syndrome. What are they, how do they impact our small business, and how do we overcome them? Whether you're a creator, an entrepreneur, or a small business owner, you almost certainly deal with at least 1 of these...like 2 or all 3. Let's explore how we can get through these additional challenges.

Patience plays a crucial role in achieving small business success. Significant business growth often takes longer than people want, and longer than we think. Adopt a patient mindset, persevere through challenges, and set realistic expectations for long-term development.

The buyer's journey is a foundational element for effective sales funnels. Understanding how your target audience gets to the point of making a purchase should inform the design of all your sales funnels. Explore Adam's "FEEL" framework: Find It, Experience It, Engage It, and Love It. This helps us guide potential customers from discovery to loyal advocacy.

In this episode we explore sales funnels through the lens of Adam going through the sales process of a time share. We cover a foundational understanding of sales funnels, explaining them as the path a customer takes from discovering a business to making a purchase. Businesses of all types can apply the principles of a sales funnel, even through something as simple as building an email list to engage potential customers over time.

In this episode, we discuss diversifying income streams, particularly for those in corporate jobs or with established businesses. Jeff and Adam explore the idea of side hustles as a "life preserver" in a changing career landscape where the traditional corporate ladder is less prevalent. We share stories of using side hustles to navigate career changes and financial needs, eventually leading to full-time entrepreneurship, and talk about identifying opportunities within current work or passions to develop these additional income sources, and finding your side hustle "Sweet Spot."

In this episode, we explore 7 types of business owners, from employees to investors. We challenge the conventional notion that businesses must constantly expand, highlighting the potential for fulfillment at any stage. Self-awareness is the key when determining the right fit for a business owner based on your skills and happiness.

In this episode we discuss the SWOT Analysis framework for small businesses and entrepreneurs to identify their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. We share some real examples of how businesses can utilize SWOT to identify potential issues and opportunities. 

In this episode, we explore more about your business strategy. We bounce to a few different pieces, such as the importance of making working ON your business a priority, a simple framework for strategic planning, and the distinction between urgent tasks and important strategies.

This episode focuses on email marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes. We dive into what email marketing is and how it can be a cost-effective tool for driving sales and building customer relationships. We discuss how businesses can use email to stay connected with customers, provide valuable information and reminders, and ultimately convert leads into sales. Email marketing is not just for online businesses; brick-and-mortar stores can also benefit from it. We'll share some real-world examples and practical tips for creating successful email campaigns. We also share a free email marketing guide as well.

In this episode we discuss the importance of understanding key financial numbers for small business owners. We debate the necessity of complex financial reports versus focusing on essential metrics like cash flow and your cashflow runway. The key is tailoring the systems for your business's financial management to individual business needs. Often, a simpler approach is best in early stages. More robust systems may be needed as your businesses grows, but we can usually keep it simple for a long time.

In this episode, we chat about the differences (and connections) between business models, business strategies, and business plans. 

In this episode, we discuss branding and your brand. We chat through the history of branding and how it got to what we know it as in today's marketing, and dive into what you brand actually is. (hint: it's not your logo)For more information and free resources, go to www.smallbusinessbs.com.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of identifying a target audience for your business. Defining the target audience involves understanding the specific groups of people most likely to purchase your business's products or services. For more information and free resources, go to www.smallbusinessbs.com.

In this episode we discuss the importance of a strong value proposition for small businesses. Your value proposition is a clear statement of the benefits your company offers, and is crucial for both internal understanding and external marketing. We explore the example of a coffee shop to illustrate how a value proposition, such as community focus or superior convenience, can differentiate a business from competitors. Ultimately, success depends on identifying a key value proposition and consistently delivering on that promise.For more information and free resources, go to www.smallbusinessbs.com.

This episode focuses on website best practices for small businesses. We discuss the importance of your website's "above the fold" content and its role in attracting and retaining visitors. We'll also highlight the significance of consistent branding and language throughout your website and discuss the challenges faced by solopreneurs in building a strong brand identity online.

In this episode, we discuss website builders for small businesses. We compare popular platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly, and how to decide which is best for your business's needs. We'll chat through the trade-offs between ease of use and customization, why experimenting with free trials is the best way to find the best fit, and discuss the potential need for professional website management depending on your business's needs and your technical skills.

In this episode, we discuss the different purposes a small business website can serve, ranging from a simple online presence ("online sign") to a fully functional e-commerce platform ("online sales department"). We explore determining your website's purpose based on your business's needs and goals, and also touch a little on website design considerations.

We discuss a bit more about who this podcast is for, what you can expect, and the value we hope to bring you.

Welcome to the first episode of Small Business BS! In this episode, Adam and Jeff introduce themselves and share a little about their backgrounds, how they go here, and why we started this show. This podcast aims to share our entrepreneurial journeys, offering relatable insights and actionable strategies for small business owners. Each episode will feature a specific business topic discussed from their varied perspectives, followed by a recap and discussion of application.