A chapter of OEN.org Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

Small Businesses and LinkedIn

Did you know how absolutely wonderful of a resource LinkedIn is for entrepreneurs? Well if you did, good for you and pat yourself on the back. If you didn’t, now you do, so get to gettin’! Mashable recently posted an article from the American Express OPEN Forum on how small businesses can reap the benefits of the social networking site. Here’s 5 ways Mashable believes that LinkedIn can help you and your small business grow (they’re pretty smart, so listen to them):

  1. Stay Top-of-Mind
  2. Find New Talent
  3. Crowdsource Solutions and Get Feedback
  4. Promote Special Event You Host or Attend
  5. Lead Local and Industry Thought

Be sure to read the rest of the article for the nitty-gritty know how.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Social Media, Uncategorized | Comments Off

How to Make Your Small Business Geolocation-Ready

This new trend of geolocation through social media is something that even a young whippersnapper like me is having trouble understanding. Names like Foursquare and Loopt are becoming more and more common buzz words in regards to the next platform of social media. Even Twitter and Google Buzz now have geotracking capabilities. So what does this mean for small businesses? As Bob Reed mentions, “…businesses are going to have to be search engine optimized, social media optimized, and geographically optimized.” Check out the full article from Mashable and the American Express OPEN Forum, HOW TO: Make Your Small Business Geolocation-Ready, to see how this fad can help your business. 

Tags: , ,
Posted in Social Media | Comments Off

The Start-up Survival Kit

I’m all about those cool, new, flashy tech innovations that businesses “need” (or at least I pretend to be and just admire them from afar). However, this article gives a refreshing perspective on businesses that thrive by using simple productivity enhancers. Some of these suggestions might seem overly simple, random, or blatantly obvious, but every little bit of advice counts.

You may think I’m wasting you’re time by posting some silly little tips about organization and efficiency, but think again. In the words of the author, Joe Ippolito, “The people who are succeeding are those who’ve found ways, methods, and routines to help them get things done.”

Check out the interview with some of the author’s favorite entrepreneurs from GOOD’s Diary of Social Venture Start-up. So all you entrepreneurs out there, get ‘er done (sorry, I couldn’t help myself)!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Expert Advice, Social Media, Start-up Wisdom, Uncategorized, start-ups | Comments Off

5 Ways Small Businesses Can Avoid Social Media Panic

Once again I have another social media guide/article for you. Some of you out there may think that social media is just a passing fad and has no relevance for your business, but you’re wrong. Social media is here to stay and in my personal opinion, without some kind of online presence, your company will not thrive to its fullest potential. 

This all might seem overwhelming, which is understandable, so I found this handy-dandy guide to make using social media easier for small business. Check out more from the American Express Open Forum for small businesses!

Tags: ,
Posted in Social Media | Comments Off

How to Market Your Business With Facebook

Can you tell I love the Small Business section of the New York Times? You should too; it offers great insight for entrepreneurs. If you’re looking to start using Facebook to promote your company, check out the newest Small-Business Guide from the NY Times: How to Market Your Business With Facebook. The article offers good advice and additional online resources for dealing with Facebook!

Here are some quick tips from the article:

  • Identify a short list of goals before you begin.

  • Show some personality in your page.

  • Don’t shill. Use your page to engage-and trust that sales will follow.

  • Use Facebook data to analyze your customer demographics.

Check out the rest of the Small Business Guides!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Expert Advice, Social Media | Comments Off

Social Media for Entrepreneurs

Today as I was checking my Twitter account I came upon an interesting tweet from Mashable: “10 of the Best Social Media Tools for Entrepreneurs.” Their top ten included the obvious Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube , but also mention a slew of tools that I had never heard about (Monitter and Get Satisfaction to name a few). Check it out; social media is made for you entrepreneurs!

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Expert Advice, Social Media, Start-up Wisdom, start-ups | Comments Off