Articles
Summer 2021: What to expect and how to prepare your small business
As summer approaches, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is sparking optimism for Canadian small businesses. According to Deloitte’s 2021 Economic Outlook Report, “the Canadian economy has proven more resilient than expected” and we can expect to see a surge in consumer spending as public health restrictions taper off over the next few months. SMBs can look…
4 things every business owner needs to run a thriving business
Author: Ty Kiisel Small business owners come from different backgrounds and, many times, different skill sets. Regardless of whether your background is in sales, marketing, or a technical background, there are some things I’ve observed every small business owner needs to learn to successfully run a thriving business. Over the course of my 35+ years…
Getting started with small business influencer marketing
Now a billion-dollar industry, influencer marketing has become the fastest-growing customer acquisition marketing method. With a return-on-investment 11x higher than traditional advertising campaigns, it’s clear that influencer marketing is a highly effective way of promoting and growing a business – yes, probably even your small business! What is influencer marketing? Influencer marketing is a form…
Going digital: Overcoming small business barriers
More than ever, the last year has highlighted the importance and urgency for SMBs to get online. Not only does going digital come with many real time benefits, but it can also help SMBs manage the impact of disruptions on their business. That being said, there are a surprising number of small businesses who are still…
Why should I buy from you? Creating a small business sales strategy
As a small business owner, you may be uncertain about how to articulate your value proposition. You may even be unclear on the concept of just what a value proposition is. Simply put, a value proposition is a marketing statement that describes why a prospective customer or client should choose your company over a competitor.…
11 questions you should ask before you get a small business loan
Small businesses have more financing options today than ever before. Yet, navigating this maze of options can make it challenging to choose the right loan and the right lender for your business. The days when the bank was the one-stop-shop for small business loans are over, and business owners need to be savvier about evaluating…
Small business funding: What are your options?
Every entrepreneur’s journey is unique, but there is one universal experience: finding business funding. Whether it’s to aid cash flow or support operational costs, weather the storm through low sales or expanding for growth, owners need to acquire cash to support their business goals. The good news? The options for business funding vary greatly. The…
How to create a small business marketing plan
When you’re a small business owner, marketing can be one of your biggest challenges. In fact, marketing problems are among the top causes of small business failure. Effectively marketing your product or service might be more complicated than you expect—especially if you’re new to marketing. Here are seven steps to help you build and implement…
5 steps to creating an effective content calendar
With 2020 officially behind us and the post-holiday lull setting in, now is the perfect time to set your business up for a successful online presence. As you take this opportunity to plan your goals for 2021 and prepare your business’ action plan, you should also take this time to plan a social media content…
How to evaluate your small business marketing plan
As a small business owner, every resource you invest in your business is precious. Marketing is essential to grow brand awareness, generate leads, and connect with current customers. But how do you evaluate your small business marketing plan to see if your initiatives are working? Meaningful marketing results don’t happen overnight — it can sometimes…
2021: The year of the compassionate consumer
The stress and uncertainty of 2020 has many of us re-examining our values as individuals and as consumers. The coronavirus outbreak has not only put a financial strain on most, but it has lead consumers of all incomes to consider their purchases more carefully. Consumers have become more empathetic and aware of the power of…
5 SEO tips for beginners
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of increasing organic traffic to your website through a search engine, like Google. Essentially, when you “optimize” your website for Google, you are adjusting it in order to increase the chances your website will come up as an answer when a potential customer is searching online for a…
5 last-minute holiday tips for small businesses
It’s safe to say that 2020 has thrown many small businesses for a loop. With all the mandated restrictions, regulations and overall uncertainty, many small business owners may not have had the time to prep for the holidays. If this sounds familiar – don’t worry! Here are 5 last-minute things you can do get the…
Bookkeeping habits that can increase your cash flow
A solid bookkeeping system is an essential part of running a successful business. No matter how big or how small your business is, it’s critical that your books are updated, accurate, and readily available. Doing this provides you with crucial information that can help keep your business financially healthy. Implementing the following bookkeeping habits will help…
Understanding the cost of financing: Factor vs. interest rate
When considering your small business financing options, you’ll want to determine the associated costs of every alternative. Although this may seem straight forward, pricing is often presented differently depending on the company or the type of financing product you are applying for. This can make it tricky to understand how much you are actually paying…