Arkansas State University Small Business Blog

Website Design or Content…Is One More Important?

Herb — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:41:50 +0000

Balancing Content with Design for an Optimized Website

Here at the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center we have been having a great time over the past few weeks teaching our “Website in a Day with Weebly” workshops around Northeast Arkansas. Small business owners in Pocahontas, Newport, and Wynne have attended and we have had great responses. More coming so stay tuned to our Small Business Training Calendar for workshops near you! For a number of our participants finding the right balance between optimizing for “search-bots” versus the human eye is a challenge. So I thought I would share these observations (and a great video from Eric Spellmann) with our readers.

By Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Arkansas Small Businesses “Get Found” Online from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Website Design Challenge

To get the most out of a website today it is important to find a balance between making your website searchable by web crawlers for search engine optimization AND a well designed site to keep visitors engaged.

Ranking well on search engines does you no good if your design does not grab the visitor once he lands on your page and encourages him to stay to visit other pages, watch your videos, or fill out your forms.   In other words you must find a good balance between “feeding” the spider-bots for SEO (search engine optimization) and “feeding” the human visitor for HEO (human eye optimization).

Both are critical to get the most out of your new website.   But… is one more important than the other? If so which one? And, what are your options?

Search Engine Optimization

Since “experts” in web design and SEO spend their entire careers trying to answer this question I thought it would be best for our readers to hear (and see) what one expert has to say.

Below is a short video (5 minutes) by Eric Spellmann, with Spellmann and Associates, a web design and Internet marketing firm out of Amarillo, Texas that is worth watching.

I met Eric at a national association meeting several years ago and have been following his on-line tips ever since. The video below was posted last week and does a great job of explaining the balance between content and design.

One important piece to remember is that search engines, especially Google, are constantly tweaking the algorithm or mathematical formula to make search more efficient.

Sometimes it is a major overhaul which means you need to stay “in the loop” on changes how it will impact your search performance.   Spellmann’s blog is a good resource that is worth adding to your RSS feed to stay informed and be an effective online marketer.

Arkansas Small Business Workshops

Thanks again to Eric Spellmann for sharing his insights with us and to all our Arkansas small business friends who have been attending our Website in a Day workshops!

Want to learn how to grab your seat at an upcoming Website in a Day?

Just go to our ASU Small Business Training Calendar or our Arkansas SBTDC Training and Events page (if you are outside of our 15 county area) and grab your seat today!

Website Design Why Color Matters

Herb — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:06:58 +0000

The Impact of Color on Website Visitors

Over the past month the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center has been hosting a number of day long, free seminars to help area small businesses develop websites. Thanks to a grant from ConnectAR with Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, we have been able to offer these at no charge to help regional businesses get online. Many of our participants have struggled with “the RIGHT” design template to reflect their organizations. We discussed color and here is a great Infographic to help you understand the impact of color on visitors to websites. Thanks to my friend Steve Lovejoy with the Maine SBDC for sharing this with our network on LinkedIn!

By Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center…Sharing Marketing Tips with Small Businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Impact of Color on Web Visitors

So…does color really matter when it comes to setting the mood for website visitors? According to the folks at Webpagefx it does! Great infographic posted on their blog: Psychology of Color Infographic earlier in April and shared by my friend Steve Lovejoy from the Maine Small Business Development Center network on one of my LinkedIn groups.

Check out the infographic, key in on the “messages” different colors send to viewers and how marketers can take advantage of it.

Infographic by WebpageFX

I didn’t know:

The color YELLOW makes babies cry! No wonder so many unhappy toddlers in the spring when their moms are dressing them up in yellow!

Restaurants using Red makes diners eat faster! Turn more tables… humm

The Color of Websites Does Influence Visitor Behavior

A big take away here is that different colors can encourage your viewers to take different actions. So in deciding how you want visitors to act when they visit your site…what color is going to work best for you?

Do you have a small business or organization that needs a website?

Then make plans to join us for upcoming Website in a Day seminars. Give us a day and you will create a functioning website!

If you can “Drop and Drag” …you can build a website for your organization! Learn more about our upcoming Website in a Day workshops around Northeast & North-Central Arkansas at our May-June Training at a Glance or visit our training and event website at ASU Seminars and grab your seat.

Real Life Marketing Lessons from the Professionals

Herb — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:56:53 +0000

10 “Truths” in Marketing Every Small Business Needs to Remember

The great folks at KISSmetrics posted this article several weeks ago and I have been meaning to share with our readers interested in getting a “handle” on their marketing messages. A great short post with truths about what makes your marketing work from 10 marketers who should know. From Milton Hershey to Peter Drucker to Brian Halligan… advice that will help you stand out!

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center helping small businesses connect with customers from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Good marketing is NOT rocket science… according to one expert… It is MUCH harder! Not so much the mechanics as it is finding your “marketing voice” so your message resonates with your potential customers. Below are 10 lessons learned by successful marketers that are worth taking to heart.

Source: 10 Lessons on Marketing

Anyone serious about connecting with customers should print this poster and tape it to their computer monitor so they can refer to it constantly! KISSmetric’s synopsis of these is well worth reading as well. You can read his entire post on his blog: 10 Lessons on Marketing (Poster). Thanks for sharing with us!

Of the list the three that I would like all of our small business friends to think about are:

#1. “Quality is the Best Advertising” from Milton Hershey. Marketing is not a silver bullet and no matter how much you try to promote your product or service…you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. Never could, never will. Quality is expected today and your customers will see through inferior products. Concentrate on quality as defined by your customers.
#6. “Understand the Customer” Peter Drucker - If you don’t know more about your target market(s) than they do about themselves you will never really understand what motivates them and what type of message will hit them where they live. Take the time to research your target markets and understand their needs to make a marketing connection.
#9 “Market Like the Prospect Shops” Brian Halligan – While it goes back to #6 it also means what do you know about your target market(s) preferences when it comes to receiving marketing messages? If you are using social networks what do you know about how users in general respond on that medium to marketing and more importantly are your target market(s) even using that network? Get to know your target market’s “online haunts” to find out how to reach them.
BONUS #11 Not on the list but…” Great Marketing is the Truth Made Fascinating” I heard this the first time at a 3 day seminar in Orlando several years ago from Jay Conrad Levinson and it has remained with me ever since. The greatest marketing tip is make sure your message “fascinates” your target market if you want to connect.

Small Business Marketing Help

Robert Bahn and student Intern

Want to learn more about how to create effective marketing messages and a good marketing plan? Contact our consultants, Laura Miller and Robert Bahn at the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center.

We help clients with market research assistance to learn about those potential customers and help writing marketing plans that work. Our consulting assistance is free of charge and confidential.

Learn more about our free consulting assistance at the ASU SBTDC website or contact our consultants today for an appointment. Talk to Laura or Robert: call (870) 972-3517, Email them at asusbtdc@astate.edu or pose your questions on our ASU SBTDC Facebook page.

Now it is your turn! What “truths” in marketing are important for you? Let us know!

May Seminars to Sharpen Your Competitive Edge

Herb — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:15:20 +0000

Small Business Workshops May 2013

Small Business Workshops to Sharpen Your Competitive Edge – May 2013

Business information and training you can put to work TODAY to grow your Arkansas Small Business to help you Stand out in the crowd!

The RIGHT information at the RIGHT time…at the RIGHT PRICE is vital to keep your competitive edge in today’s challenging economy. Get the information you need to put your business above the competition with the Arkansas State University’s SBTDC “Cutting Edge” workshops coming in May 2013.

Training You Can Use…WHEN and WHERE you want it.

Download our May-June 2013 Training at a Glance for easy reference and to share with your friends.

Here is what is coming your way in May 2013

JONESBORO – Website in a Day, Tuesday, May 7th, 9 am – 4 pm at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development. Instructors: Herb Lawrence and the ASU SBTDC staff. FREE seminar but must pre-register, seating limited to 15 participants.

SUMMARY: The ASU SBTDC to host “Website in a Day”. Does your business need a website? Have you been held back by a lack of funds or a lack of technical skills? Then Website in a Day is the hands-on workshop for you. Sit down with the ASU SBTDC’s laptop lab and design a free website using Weebly. You’ll be taken step-by-step through creating a free account and creating an attractive, functional, five-page website.
All participants receive a free 20 page workbook with detailed instructions. The ASBTDC is able to present this seminar at no cost to Arkansas small business owners thanks to a joint partnership with Connect Arkansas, a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to increasing high-speed internet and adoption throughout Arkansas.
FREE BUT MUST PRE-REGISTER…Seating limited to first 15 who register!
REGISTRATION: Online Website in a Day – Jonesboro or call the ASU SBTDC at (870) 972-3517.

JONESBORO – Introduction to QuickBooks, Begins Tuesday, May 7th, 6:00-9:00 pm at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development. Instructors: Linda Harvey, Jones & Company Ltd, and Sherri Hensley, Computer Tutor. Seating limited to 15 attendees.

SUMMARY: Attendees will have an opportunity to learn the basics of this popular computerized accounting program hands-on. Each session will cover different aspects of QuickBooks. Participants should be comfortable operating a personal computer in a Windows environment.
- Session I (Tuesday, May 7th) will cover setting up a new company, chart of accounts, writing checks and bank reconciliation.
- Session II & III (Thursday, May 9th and Tuesday, May 21st) details issues with inventory, adjusting & reporting inventory, invoicing, as well as accounts payable and receivables.
- Session IV (Thursday, May 23rd) shows how to set up information for payroll.
- NOTE: there is a week gap between Sessions II and III
Each session is designed to be stand-alone but attendees are encouraged to plan to attend all four evenings to get the most out of the series. Seating is limited to 15 participants.
COST: $75 per session or $225 for all 4 sessions, $165 for Jonesboro Regional Chamber and Downtown Jonesboro Association members, $150 ASU faculty, staff and students.
REGISTRATION: Register with the ASU SBTDC. Call (870) 972-3517, Email asusbtdc@astate.edu or go online to Introduction to QuickBooks – Jonesboro.

BATESVILLE – Email Marketing For Small Businesses, Wednesday, May 8th, 1:00-4:00 pm at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 409 Vine Street in Batesville. Instructor: Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC. Seating limited to 18 participants.

SUMMARY: Email is an extremely cost-effective way to connect and communicate with the people who want to learn more about your business. Learn how to use permission based Email with professional designs at this workshop. Your subscribers are GOLD! Learn how to “Mine” your customers to ring your cash register through Email Marketing.
COST: $35 per person, $25 for Batesville Chamber and Main Street Batesville members, $20 UACCB faculty, staff & students.
REGISTRATION: Must register with the Batesville Chamber. Contact Mandi Curtwright (870) 793-2378 or Email officemanager@mybatesville.org.

JONESBORO – Fundamentals of Social Media Marketing, Thursday, May 30th, 2 SESSIONS 1:00- 4:00 pm or 6:00-9:00 pm. Instructor: Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC.

SUMMARY: This Introductory class is perfect for any small business just getting involved with social media, or those still trying to “get their heads” around it. In this basic class we will discuss: What is Social Media anyway? Who uses social media? What is the right social media for my business (should I be on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest or some other site and how do I know? How social media marketing works, and examples of small businesses using social media to grow their companies.
COST: $35 per person, $25 Jonesboro Regional Chamber and Downtown Jonesboro Association members, $20 ASU faculty, staff and students.
REGISTRATION: Register with the ASU SBTDC. Call (870) 972-3517, Email asusbtdc@astate.edu or go online to Fundamentals of Social Media – Jonesboro.

Find out about all the assistance programs available to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast or North-Central Arkansas at our ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center website and put our team to work for you.

Get The Most Out of Your Facebook Posts – What Arkansas Small Businesses Need to Know

Herb — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:10:22 +0000

Optimize Your Facebook Posts For Your Small Business Page

With so many area businesses jumping on Facebook pages to connect with potential customers it seems like a good time to share some thoughts on how to get the most out of the posts you are throwing up on Facebook. The “good old days” when just being on Facebook was enough to get attention from potential customers are long gone. Today you are wrestling with a growing number of competitors for your fans attention. If you want to optimize those posts to get more attention and engagement (as well as more traffic to your cash register) here is a great “How To” Cheat Sheet Infographic from Quintly that is worth reading.

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center…Posting Engaging articles on Facebook from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Getting Fan Attention on Facebook Is Challenging

If you are leveraging Facebook pages as a way to connect with more potential customers, establish relationships and ultimately drive sales to your cash register it is critical that you think about what you are sharing. If you don’t want to “get lost in the crowded newsfeed” of Facebook users, make sure your posts are optimized to get the most attention possible.

How to Optimize Your Facebook Post

So what does a “great” Facebook post look like? According to Max Jochemich’s blog article “How to Optimize Your Facebook Post” featured on the Quintly blog, an award-winning post is composed of 3 parts:

First it is all about the post itself and how the content should look like.
The second part is on comparing and optimizing your posts through Facebook Insights.
Finally, we concentrate on competitive benchmarking.

The Infographic also includes tips and tricks to consider for each of the 3 sections to really put Facebook posts to work for you. See the entire infographic here

As Facebook newsfeeds get more and more crowded, to really make your post standout you need to make it count. Great tips from Max worth remembering…maybe even print the infographic off and tape to your monitor! Read more great articles at Quintly to learn about professional social media analytics.

So what are your tips to get engagement for your Facebook posts? We want to hear from you. Leave us your tips and suggestions and we will share with our network.

How Arkansas Businesses Can Get More Out of Online Marketing

Then check out the upcoming small business workshops being offered by the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center for May and June.

Topics every area small business can put to work for them. From Website Design to Email Marketing, QuickBooks to Website in a Day, Social Media Marketing to Starting a Business, we have a workshop for you. Get details about our workshops at our Seminar Event Page or visit the ASU SBTDC website and grab your seats today!

ASU SBTDC Small Business Workshops May-June 2013 from Herb Lawrence

How the ASU SBTDC Helps Small Businesses Grow

Herb — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:02:18 +0000

Robert Bahn Helps Area Businesses Grow

At the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center our consultants, Laura Miller and Robert Bahn spend hours helping entrepreneurs launch new ventures and existing business expand. Here is a short story about how Robert Bahn, Business Consultant, helped a client with growing pains move to the next level. Congratulations to Robert for such a great job and to our client, Patrick Williams, owner of The Body Shop Truck and Trailer Repair, LLC on their new “digs”. The story was even picked up by our national association as a feature client story last month. So…how can our consultants help your business?

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center, Helping Small Businesses Grow from the Delta to the Ozarks.

ASU SBTDC Success Stories

State: Arkansas

Center: Arkansas SBTDC at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro

Client: The Body Shop Truck and Trailer Repair, LLC

Story: When Patrick Williams contacted the SBTDC at Arkansas State University last May, he had a good problem on his hands: his business had outgrown its location.

Williams, co-owner of The Body Shop Truck and Trailer Repair LLC, had been in the large truck and trailer repair business for more than 20 years, opening his own shop in 2006. Having outgrown his facility in Turrell, Ark., he needed a bigger building for his business to continue to grow.

ASU SBTDC Business Consultant Robert Bahn assisted Williams with his business expansion and relocation plans. Bahn helped develop financial projections for Williams’ business plan and compiled market research, including competitor and potential customer information for a 60-mile radius.

With a $250,000 loan from First Delta Bank, Williams purchased a suitable building in nearby Parkin, Ark., and The Body Shop opened in its new location in December 2011.

Bahn also advised the business on tax planning and human resources processes.

“You couldn’t ask for better,” Williams said of the assistance he received from the ASU SBTDC. “They were very helpful, and the resources they have are enormous.”
Robert Bahn, Business Consultant, ASU SBTDC
This year, Bahn has continued to work closely with the growing business. When The Body Shop wanted to expand its operation to include a parts business, he assisted the company in securing a small loan. To help the business identify new prospects, the SBTDC provided detailed market research on potential customers in surrounding areas. Bahn also suggested The Body Shop pursue HUBZone certification from SBA and is helping with the company’s HUBZone application.

Sales have increased and the shop has added eight employees in 2012, bringing its number of full-time staff to 22.

For almost 30 years the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center staff have been helping entrepreneurs in Northeast and North Central Arkansas launch and grow their businesses. Our staff provide free, confidential consulting assistance that will help you move to the next level. Contact us at (870) 972-3517 or email asusbtdc@astate.edu and see how Laura or Robert can work with you.

See more about our free consulting assistance, market research and low-cost training seminars at the ASU Small Business website and put our team to work for your business.

Facebook Contest Basics for Arkansas Small Businesses

Herb — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:49:16 +0000

What Every Small Business Needs to Know About Facebook Promotions

Everyone loves contests, especially your customers! What better way to engage potential customers than to run a contest on Facebook? Seems like a no brainer right? Just hand out a gift card and start connecting! Well, before you do you need to know the “Rules of The Road” for promotions and contests on Facebook…or risk having your Business Page deactivated. We have a short set of Do’s and Don’ts you want to read BEFORE you launch that promotion.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…”Liking” Small Businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks!

Facebook has very specific rules about promotions and contests that a small business needs to know BEFORE launching a contest, or risk having your page deactivated. Facebook is very clear about what you may and may not do…all spelled out in the TOS (Terms of Service)…you know that block you checked when you set up your Facebook account without reading?

Today we pulled together a great video from Eric Spellmann with Spellman and Associates that outlines how to run a promotion the right way. A short video with powerful recommendations you need to watch before you launch. Also included is a detailed guide written by Mari Smith “Queen of Facebook Marketing” for Social Media Examiner that is a must read. Finally, a practical post on what to do when Facebook deactivates your account for violating their terms of service. See our Storify Article.

Critical Points on Promotions through Facebook:

You MUST use a 3rd party application. Facebook does not want you running a promotion directly from your page.
Have a purpose or a plan before you run your promotion.
Have “loser” gifts as well!
Spread the word about your contest across all your marketing channels

So what types of tips do you have to run a successful contest on Facebook? Leave your comments and we will share them with our readers.

Want to learn more about how to leverage social media for your small business? Our consultants, Laura Miller and Robert Bahn are here to help. Learn more about our free, confidential consulting assistance at the Astate Small Business website and how we can help you improve your marketing reach.

Keeping Productive On the Go

Herb — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:05:46 +0000

Cool Tool Tuesday: Glyder

Helping You Stay In Touch with Customers On the Go

I am always coming across cool tools designed to improve your productivity, many of them I put to work for me. So I thought I would start sharing some of the tools I use with our readers. If this is something you like, we will try to post a new one every Tuesday.

Our first cool tool (and no I do not get anything in return for sharing) is a mobile app called Glyder. On the move? Glyder lets you stay connected with your social media customers while you are on the go.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center… Helping Small Business Marketers Stay Connected to their Customers…from the Delta to the Ozarks.

You are on the go, but you know you need to keep in touch with customers through your social media. Sure you have your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites on your smart phone, but sometimes you want to do more than just share a tweet, a status update or a photo you shoot.

You want something to remind them about an upcoming event, a sale, or just to connect with a good visual they will remember.

Then you need to look at Glyder, Glyder is free, you download it to your smart phone and it comes with a wide variety of eye-catching templates you can use to share a photo, send a reminder, or a link, or all three.

There are a number of templates with different themes available:

Customer Retention
Promotions
Referrals
Social Media
Even specific templates based on holidays or events.

I found the templates easy to use and modify to fit the message I want to share. Glyder has several optional selections within each major grouping.

Glyder supports the major social networks and Email systems

You can send them out to your customer base via:

Constant Contact,
Your regular Email,
Facebook,
Highrise,
MailChimp,
Salesforce,
Twitter,
Even send SMS.

Analytics to Evaluate Your Reach

In addition to the templates and network channel options, Glyder also provides you with some good analytics after the message is sent.

On your mobile Glyder home screen youwill see a list your last two posts including:

A copy of the actual template you used,
The status of the post,
The total reach among potential views and,
An engagement analysis to see what type of sharing happened.

Glyder Provides a Second Layer of Information

Glyder even provides a shot with more details about the engagement broken out by network. Although Glyder does not support Pinterest at the moment as an initial network option, when you click the “edit” button at the top right it opens a third screen that allows you to:

Post the sent message to Pinterest,
Edit and Re Post to the original networks
Or delete the post.

Glyder is constantly adding new templates and sends you an email whenever a new one comes out.

Very cool tool for small business marketers who want to keep their messages going even while they are on the go. I have been playing with it for a couple weeks and as a mobile “FREE” app have been satisfied with the performance.

The biggest negative I have found is that there is no scheduling option available so, when you hit the button it goes out! Other than that it has been a good tool to use when I am mobile

Now it is your turn…. have you tried Glyder? What did you think? Are you using some other mobile tool similar to Glyder? Share it with us and we will pass it on to our readers!

Video Marketing With Vine For Arkansas Small Businesses

Herb — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:10:00 +0000

Can You “Sell” Your Business With a 6 Second Video?

Want to connect with customers? Want to get their attention? Video is a great tool and now any small business with an iPhone and 6 seconds can do just that. Vine app was launched to the public in January by Twitter. One little app that lets you shoot a 6 second message to connect. Here’s how and why Vine should be part of your social media marketing tool kit.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Promoting Smart Marketing Tools for Small Businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks.

I know, I know… just what you needed, another social media option… but this is one that you will really want to explore. Vine is the way to shoot a 6 second video right off your iPhone (sorry no app for Androids yet…but it probably is coming) and share across your main social networks.

Now 6 seconds doesn’t sound like a lot of time but when you figure the average online viewer has the attention span of a gnat and will leave your video in about 8 seconds, Vine is a perfect way to connect. What can you do to attract potential customers in 6 seconds?

Check out our Storify article below to learn a little more about what Vine is, how to get it, how to use it for your marketing efforts, some do’s and don’ts, as well as examples of how other businesses are already leveraging Vine to share with their online connections.

Now it is your turn… What do you think of Vine? Does it have a place in your tool kit? Better share your vine updates (clean ones please) with us. Leave a comment here or hit our ASU SBTDC Facebook page and tell us what you think. Be watching the ASU SBTDC will have Vine Videos coming your way soonish!

How Arkansas Small Businesses Can Keep Up With Online Marketing

Herb — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:05:11 +0000

Practical Blogs Every Small Business Marketer Should Read

Recently I had an online conversation with several of our fans on the ASU Small Business Facebook page talking about current trends with Facebook Marketing. One of the fans, a small business marketer, asked how I kept up with all the issues relating to social media. My response…“They just keep popping up in my Inbox” because I subscribe to blogs by industry leaders talking about Online Marketing trends“. When she asked which ones I recommended I realized if she wanted to know then there were probably other small business owners or marketers out there who would like to know the same answer so…here you go.

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center..Sharing Information with Small Business Marketers…From the Delta to the Ozarks.

If you are a small business owner or work in the marketing field for a small business you know the frustration of trying to keep up with all the news and information related to this field. It seems every day some new social site pops up or some big change is coming from Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn. So how can you possibly stay on top of the trends?

For me, the news I want all gets fed into my email inbox each day from a variety of industry “experts” sharing their knowledge of all things Online … for free.

Honestly I get a lot more than just 5 blog articles a day and spend a lot more time reading than most small business owners would have time to digest. But, in my defense I can’t be an effective marketer, consultant, or teacher if I am not keeping up-to-date in the field. And…I just enjoy this stuff!

But I realize that many of you have other things to do than sit all day at your computer reading the latest tips on Twitter Marketing or Why Pinterest Should Be Part of Your Social Strategy. So I have boiled all of mine down to five. If I was told I could only have 5 blogs appear in my Inbox here is my list:

WARNING: These are blogs related only to online marketing or social media. Obviously you would want to subscribe to blogs specific to your industry or your profession as well. But here is my deserted island list I put together on Storify.

Now it is your turn…do you subscribe to any of these? Do you have other blogs on the topic you have found you really like? Share them with us and we will pass on to our readers. Thanks in advance for passing on your knowledge.

Want to stay on the cutting edge of online marketing? Then sign up for our small business training seminars for practical advise on everything from “Get Listed Locally” to “Website Design and Marketing”. See our March-April 2013 Training Calendar for a complete list!

How the Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center Helps Small Businesses Grow

Herb — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:15:02 +0000

ASU SBTDC To Offer Free Introduction to Government Contracting Workshop

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Small Businesses Find New Markets from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Are you looking for a way to expand your customer base? Have you thought about turning local, state, and federal government agencies into customers? Governmental agencies contract with thousands of businesses each year to purchase a wide variety of goods and services to support their operations…many from small businesses.

Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center

Our friends at Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center have teamed up with the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center to provide training assistance to small businesses throughout Northeast & North-Central Arkansas to help them tap into this potential market. Join us Tuesday, March 5th from 1-4 pm at the Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development for a FREE 3 hour workshop to learn how you can leverage this marketing opportunity and find resources to help you grow.

How Government Contracting Can Work for Your Business

Federal, state and local government agencies contract with thousands of small businesses every year buying everything from paper clips to space ships…from landscaping services to computer software…and more. The Federal government alone will buy over $6 BILLION in products and services each year. 20%+ of all contracts MUST be awarded to small businesses! At this workshop small business owners will learn how to tap into government contracting opportunities, challenges of working with government agencies and assistance programs available to help break into the market. The Instructors will be David Jerome and Delbert Taylor with Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center.

The Arkansas Assistance Procurement Center provides free consulting assistance to small businesses to break into government contracting opportunities…Federal, state and local. Attendees will learn about the assistance available from APAC as well as how to tap into this market by working with contracting professionals.

Free Training Workshop Introduction to Government Contracting at Arkansas State University

There is NO CHARGE for the workshop but due to limited seating attendees MUST PRE-REGISTER. For more information or to register contact the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center at (870) 972-3517, email asusbtdc@astate.edu, register on-line at Introduction to Government Contracting or “fan” the ASU SBTDC on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/asu.sbtdc.

Introduction to Government Contracts Workshop in Jonesboro from Herb Lawrence

These seminars are co-sponsored by Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jonesboro Association, First Security Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Simmons First Bank and Pleth, LLC.

Introduction to SBIR/STTR Program Set in Jonesboro, AR

Herb — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:15:39 +0000

How Arkansas University Researchers and Technology Companies Can Tap Federal Funds

Access SBIR/STTR Federal Funds

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will host an information session for university researchers and high-tech entrepreneurs on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs Feb. 26 at Arkansas State University.

Through SBIR/STTR, federal agencies annually invest $2 billion in innovative research and development work performed by small firms. SBIR and STTR funds are competitively awarded in three phases by the participating agencies in the form of contracts, grants or cooperative agreements. The programs support small business research and innovation that meets specific agency needs and leads to state-of-the-art product development.

Small Business Innovative Research Grant Workshop from Herb Lawrence

“Introduction to SBIR/STTR” is set for 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Delta Center for Economic Development. There is no charge to attend the seminar, which is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Pre-registration is required and is available by calling (870) 972-3517.

ASBTDC’s Rebecca Norman will lead the session then be available afterward for one-on-one consultation. Participants will learn about the basic requirements for SBIR/STTR, methods for assessing qualifying technologies and research projects, proposal planning and how to get started with SBIR/STTR.
The ASBTDC assists research-capable small businesses based in Arkansas in their pursuit of SBIR/STTR awards. For more information about the seminar or SBIR/STTR, contact Herb Lawrence, center director of ASBTDC’s ASU office, at hlawrenc@astate.edu or (870) 972-3517.

The Arkansas State University SBTDC, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with SBA through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the ASU College of Business, offers consulting, training and market research to new, existing and innovation-based businesses. To learn more, visit www.astate.edu/a/sbtdc.

ASU SBTDC Co-sponsors: Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jonesboro Association, First Security Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Simmons First Bank, and Pleth, LLC.

Where Arkansas Small Businesses Find Answers

Herb — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:52:11 +0000

How Arkansas Businesses Find Help With their Biggest Challenges – Video Interview

In Part II of our video interview with rural small business owner Brad Cook, Wholesale Tire explains why he invested 6 nights to attend the ASU SBTDC Entrepreneurship Boot Camp AND…why he plans to attend our Operation JumpStart: Take Your Business to the Next Level. Over 6 Thursday nights small business owners will learn how to improve their marketing efforts, locate new markets, find the resources they need for intelligent business decisions, improve internal operations and grow their bottom line. Would you like to find better customers to improve your revenue stream while growing your bottom line? Then take a moment to watch our short video with Brad and make your plans to join us beginning Thursday February 21st for Operation JumpStart!

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center. Helping rural businesses grow from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Helping Arkansas Small Businesses Grow

Brad Cook, owner of Wholesale Tire in Batesville, AR knew he did not have all the answers when it came to running a small business but he learned where to go to help him find answers and make good business decisions. Brad took a leap of faith attending our recent Entrepreneurship Boot Camp series last fall and learned that the ASU SBTDC could help him grow. If you missed the first video you can catch it here at Brad Cook Video Interview. See part II below.

Tools to Improve Rural Business Success

Brad has found that while he doesn’t have all the answers, he knows where to go to get the information he needs to stay competitive! If you are interested in growing your business to the next level in sales, operations and profitability then join Brad on Thursday, February 21st from 6-9 pm at the University of Arkansas Community College in Batesville and Jump Start your company. Details about the 6 night program, what you will take away and how to register at >>> Operation JumpStart Take Your Business to the Next Level.

Source: slideshare.net via AState SBTDC on Pinterest

Operation JumpStart: Next Level to Small Business Success

Operation JumpStart is hosted by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Independence County Economic Development Inc., Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas & Merchant and Planters Bank. Funding to support this 6 night event is provided by a grant from Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Southeast Missouri State University,the Delta Regional Authority, and the U.S.D.A. Rural Development.

Rewards and Challenges of Owning a Rural Business in Arkansas

Herb — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:11:08 +0000

Challenges and Rewards of Owning a Business in Batesville, AR (Video Interview)

No one said success was easy! And that is especially true for rural business owners in Arkansas. Today we share a short video interview with Mr. Brad Cook, owner of Wholesale Tire in Batesville. Brad was also a recent Independence County Boot Camp attendee and shares his thoughts on the challenges of being “in charge”!

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Small Business Owners grow their dreams from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Entrepreneurs start businesses for a thousand different reasons…each one of them has a unique story to tell, especially about the challenges they face, the rewards and…where to find assistance to grow. Mr. Brad Cook, owner of Wholesale Tire in Batesville share his story in Part I of our short video interview.

Stay tuned for Part II of the interview tomorrow and find out how Brad leveraged the assistance available through the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center to meet the challenges.

Brad attended our Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp last Fall at the University of Arkansas Community College in Batesville and has already signed up for a FRONT ROW seat in our upcoming Operation JumpStart: Taking Your Business to the Next Level. 6 nights, beginning Thursday, February 21st helping area businesses grow their businesses, find new customers, improve operations and reduce cots.

Read More about >>> Operation JumpStart: Taking Your Business to the Next Level and how your business can join Brad for this exciting series.

Operation JumpStart is co-sponsored by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Independence County Economic Development, Citizens Bank of Batesville, First Community Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas & Merchant and Planters Bank.

How to Write a Value Proposition for Your Small Business

Herb — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:48:35 +0000

Value Propositions to Set Your Arkansas Small Business Apart from the Competition

In our recent “Writing a Winning Marketing Plan” workshop at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development, one of the critical parts we discussed was crafting a meaningful Value Proposition that would set your business apart from your competition. A value proposition is a 2-3 sentence statement about your company’s products or services that differentiates you from your competition in a way that is meaningful to your target market.

We had a great turnout for the workshops and are looking forward to holding the training in Batesville, AR on Wednesday, February 13th and Mountain Home on February 19th. Learn more about these and other workshops at our ASU Training at a Glance for January-February.

One request that the attendees to the Jonesboro sessions made was for some good examples of value propositions that they could use as a model. So…since you always want to provide the best assistance to your customers, I put this short article together with some usable value propositions from some of the best minds in small business marketing.

Learn more about how your small business can set itself apart from the competition, improve revenues, reduce costs and grow at our other upcoming “Writing a Winning Marketing Plan” workshops or contact our consultants, Laura Miller and Robert Bahn at our ASU SBTDC website to see how they can help you craft a Value Proposition that connects with your target market!

Do you already have a value proposition? Then share it with us in the comments, we always like to share good information from our readers.

Growing Business Success in Arkansas

Herb — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:37:20 +0000

Small Business Growth in Newport, Arkansas

One of the most rewarding part of our work at the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center comes when we get to share successes of our area small business friends. One recent success story is from Sheridan and Jon Chadwell, the proud new owners of Purdy’s Flowers & Gifts in Newport, Arkansas. Thanks to our Lead Consultant, Laura Miller, Sheridan and Jon were able to put together a package for funding and celebrated a grand opening!

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center, Helping Entrepreneurs Realize their Dreams from the Delta to the Ozarks!

How the ASU SBTDC Helps Entrepreneurs

There are a thousand stories around Northeast and North-Central Arkansas of people who dream of owning their own business. They take the “leap” to becoming a small business owner for many reasons and in many different ways. Sometimes taking that “leap” requires some help. That is where the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center staff come into the story. Our professional consultants provide free and confidential assistance to entrepreneurs who want to become business owners, whether starting their own or purchasing an existing business. Here’s the story of Jon and Sheridan Chadwell of Newport, Arkansas and how our lead consultant, Laura Miller, helped them get from idea to “cutting the ribbon!”

Small Business Success Story in Newport, Arkansas

Sheridan Chadwell of Newport knew she was ready for a change in her life after a number of years in marketing with area commercial banks. In 2012 the opportunity for change came when the long-time owners of Purdy’s Flowers & Gifts in Newport decided to retire and put their retail business up for sale.

In April 2012 Sheridan contacted Laura Miller, Lead Consultant at the ASU SBTDC for assistance to evaluate the business potential and to help with a funding request.

Over a period of six months Chadwell and Miller evaluated existing financials, conducted market research to determine potential, and developed a loan proposal with a U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) Guaranty. Miller also informed Sheridan about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas EDP Plus grant program, which she applied for and received.

Between Chadwell’s equity investment with matching funds from the FHLB grant program, an SBA guaranteed loan from an area lender, and a further secondary loan from the Jackson County Community & Economic Development Fund the acquisition was completed in September 2012.

Under Chadwell, Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts continues a strong tradition of service to the Jackson County area with 3 full-time and 8 part-time employees.Sheridan Chadwell of Newport knew she was ready for a change in her life after a number of years in marketing with area commercial banks. In 2012 the opportunity for change came when the long-time owners of Purdy’s Flowers & Gifts in Newport decided to retire and put their retail business up for sale.

In April 2012 Sheridan contacted Laura Miller, Lead Consultant at the ASU SBTDC for assistance to evaluate the business potential and to help with a funding request.

Between Chadwell’s equity investment with matching funds from the FHLB grant program, an SBA guaranteed loan from an area lender, and a further secondary loan from the Newport Economic Development Commission’s Community & Economic Development Fund the acquisition was completed in September 2012.

Under Chadwell, Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts continues a strong tradition of service to the Jackson County area with 3 full-time and 8 part-time employees.

Are you dreaming of owning your own business?

Not sure where to start or where to find help to make the decision? Then contact our business consultants at the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center! Laura Miller and Robert Bahn have years of experience helping entrepreneurs like you start and growth their dreams! Contact Laura or Robert at (870) 972-3517, email them at asusbtdc@astate.edu or go online to our website and see how we help small businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks. Read more at ASU SBTDC Grows Business Success.

Looking for funding to launch that business?

Then make plans to attend our upcoming training seminar Business Financing Options for Small Businesses on Tuesday, February 13th at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development on campus from 6-8:30 pm and learn how to find the funding you need to start or expand your business!

How Arkansas Businesses Can leverage Free Media Coverage

Herb — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:47:33 +0000

7 Tips to Get Free Media Coverage for Your Arkansas Small Business

Could your small business use some free, promotional “love” from your area media networks? Sure you could… free is good, especially when it comes to getting the word out about your small business! But what does it take to get newspaper, magazine, radio, television or other media folks interest in what you have to say?

Our guest blogger, friend, and veteran journalist, Jeanni Brosius, was kind enough to share some valuable and easy to implement tips to get journalists interested in your story. Jeanni is the owner of Jeanni Brosius Communications in Little Rock. An experienced journalist and media consultant, Jeanni provides 7 tips to help you leverage the power of the press to promote your business.

Tips to Get Free Media Coverage

by Jeanni Brosius

Small businesses have small budgets, and advertising rates can be big. Although buying an ad in the newspaper may be a great way to get your name in front of many eyes, there are other ways to get advertising that won’t cost a dime. Knowing what is newsworthy and contacting the correct person are keys in getting your name in the newspaper. Journalists are always looking for the next story idea, why not be right there with a great lead?

Pick Publications: Determine which publications are read by your clients or customers. Local newspapers and radio stations are a good place to begin. Then branch out to state and regional newspapers as well as some regional and statewide magazines.

Newsworthy News: Make sure you have something relevant and newsworthy. A new product, a charitable action or sponsoring an event is always newsworthy. But other story-worthy items may be an expansion, a unique product or service, or an interesting history. Most publications also have community calendars, and if your business is offering a free service, or sponsoring a charitable event, you may be able to get it on the calendar. Building relationships with journalists and editors will help you understand the content they are looking for and the deadlines.

Correct Contact: Publications have different sections, and there may be people in charge of each section who don’t communicate well with each other. When emailing or faxing a press release, always send it to the correct editor or writer. If you can’t find a name in the publication, call to get the name and contact person of the section for which your press release or idea is intended.

Special Section: Many newspapers publish special sections, with topics such as, weddings, back to school, women’s health, home improvement, etc. Find one that fits within your business and speak to the editor about a story. For example, a hairstylist could be a source for a story on styles for weddings, prom or even summer cuts, or a contractor could offer some information on do-it-yourself projects.

Busy Bees: Editors and journalists are very busy, and they get a lot of email. So if you decide to email them, make sure your subject line is eye-catching, and get to the point quickly in your email. If not, your email may be overlooked. Avoid using jargon and acronyms in your communication to the publications. You may know what they mean, but the writers and editors have to look them up.

Exude Expertise: Become an expert on the subject of your business, and you can become a trusted source for a journalist. If you can comment on statistics, trends or current news, contact the writer in a timely fashion. Perhaps you own a gas station, and you would like to comment on the trends of gas prices. Possibly you teach an exercise class, and you can offer advice on beginning an exercise routine.

Deadly Deadlines: Be respectful of deadlines. Learn what the deadlines are and adhere to them. No matter how good of a relationship you have with the writer or editor, deadlines are deadlines.

Remember these tips, and before you know it, you’ll have some great media coverage without dipping into your advertising budget.

Jeanni Brosius, owner of Jeanni Brosius Communications, is a veteran journalist and media consultant based in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about how Jeanni Brosius Communications can help your small business by visiting and “liking” her Facebook Page at Jeanni Brosius Communications.

Thank you to our guest blogger and media professional, Jeanni Brosius, I hope we will be able to share more of her insights to help our small businesses leverage their media potential in future articles!

What kind of success have you had leveraging the “Power of the Press” for your small business? Love to hear your stories, just leave your thoughts in our comment section.

Get Your Facebook Fans Engaged with Your Brand

Herb — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:35:05 +0000

Facebook Tactics for Fan Engagement – Infographic

Did you ever wonder why some small business Facebook pages seem to do so much better than yours? Is there some magic trick that will get people to “like” your page and get engaged with your brand? Although there is nothing “MAGIC” about connecting with customers or potential customers there are certain tricks of the trade that are worth knowing about. Here is another great Infographic from Bill Ross over at LinchpinSEO with some more critical “tricks of the trade” that can help your small business grow more comments, likes and shares not to mention drive folks to your website so you can relieve them of some of the cash in their back pocket! See Infographic below!

By Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Sharing Good Content with Small Businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Best Days to Post on Facebook Depends On Your Industry

Last week I posted an excellent Infographic from Bill Ross at LinchpinSEO, a small business digital agency in Best Days to Post on Facebook (Infographic) to get more interaction out of your Facebook Page fans. A study of over 1,800 organizations in different industries found that the days of the week that a business posts on their Facebook page matters, and that the best days to post vary by the industry. If you missed blog article you can read it here at The Days of the Week Matter.

Bill followed his Days of the Week up with another great Infographic Facebook Wall Post Cheat Sheet to Increase Interaction that any small business, especially those in the B2B world should print, tape to the wall by their computer, and reference before posting anything…if they care about Fan interaction. Again, the folks at LinchpinSEO were kind enough to share this Infographic so I can pass it on to our readers, fans, and subscribers… As always thank you to Bill Ross and the great folks at LinchpinSEO for publishing such good data.

Not surprisingly, Photo posts get better interaction (assuming the photo is something your fans can relate to). A couple other nuggets are:
Keep your posts SHORT 80 characters or less to increase interaction
THINK about effective calls to action… he found on Facebook including CTAs such as:

“Like”,
“Caption This”,
“Share”,
“yes or no”, and
“thumbs up” get a much greater interaction rate WHILE… words such as “Take”, “Click”, the dreaded “Submit”, “Check out”, and “shop” get lower rates…

The other great take-away…Don’t assume your fans will take action… ASK THEM TO: ”Share, Comment, Like”

Here is the entire Infographic…tremendous resource to help your small business or organization improve fan interaction and… maybe even make that cash register sing.

Facebook Wall Post Cheat Sheet infographic designed by Linchpin Infographic Design

What The Heck are Emoticons?

One item that our readers may not be aware of are “Emoticons” that Bill mentions with posting photos. If you are clueless about Emoticons… they are those silly little “Happy Face” buttons and when you type specific characters the emoticon appears on your Facebook post. If you want to know more about Emoticons check out Leslie Meredith, Senior Writer with TechNewsDaily’s “Your Cheat Sheet for New Facebook Emoticons” with a table that shows the images and how to create them. Pretty cool actually.

I hope you found this Infographic helpful. I know I did. Do you have any tips or tricks to get your fans interacting? Share them with us in the comments section…love to hear how your small business is getting your fans cranked up!

Regardless of the channels you use to communicate with potential customers, your small business needs a PLAN! Join the ASU Small Business team for “Writing a Winning Marketing Plan” seminar in February. Our three hour, hands-on workshop will show you how to: Identify your best customers, Create marketing messages that work, Find the right channels, and improve your bottom line! Tuesday, February 5th at the ASU Delta Center in Jonesboro 2 Sessions: 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm. Wednesday, February 13th 1-4 pm in Batesville and Tuesday, February 19th 1-4 pm in Mountain Home. Register to grab your seat now! Register for any of these workshops at Write a Winning Marketing Plan.

Best Days to Post on Facebook (Infographic)

Herb — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:30:14 +0000

Want More Fan Interaction on Facebook? Know the RIGHT Days for Your Industry

So here you are on Facebook! You have a page set up, you are posting great information to your fans but…nothing seems to be happening…No “Likes”, no comments, no sharing.. nada! Is it you? Your deodorant? Your message? Maybe it is the day of the week! In today’s Astate Small Business Blog learn which days of the week are BEST for your business to get more fan engagement on Facebook. INFOGRAPHIC by Industry below.

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small business and Technology Development Center, Helping small business marketers get more out of social media marketing from the Delta to the Ozarks.

The Days of the Week Matter

A recent study from Buddy Social of 1,800 brands was compiled by Bill Ross with LinchpinSEO into this powerful Infographic. (Infographic) Facebook: Best Days to Post: Segmented by Industry found that depending on the specific industry you operate in (retail, travel, banking, non-profits, etc.) certain days of the week were more likely to get fan interaction than others. See the entire Infographic below, thanks to Bill Ross and LinchpinSEO for sharing their embed code!

The results have some pretty powerful implications to small businesses serious about leveraging Facebook marketing opportunities. It is not a case of post when YOU want to (or have a couple of minutes to spare), if you want INTERACTION by fans on your page (Likes, comments, shares, etc… and who doesn’t?) you need to pay attention to the days that your fans are more likely to be interacting.

Different Industries have Different “SWEET Spots”

For example:

In the travel business? Your best days to post are later in the week and during the weekend… Start on Thursday and peak on Sunday to see the most interaction but don’t expect a lot of Facebook love for posts you sent out Monday through Wednesday.

A non-profit? Your days are Fridays through Sundays as well. Although very few non-profits actually post on the weekends, those that do see a 14% increase in fan interaction.

General retail? Your days aren’t the weekends…they are actually Monday through Wednesday with another spike on Friday but little on weekends.

Even our banking friends on Facebook will be surprised ..Although only 4% of banks post on their Facebook pages on weekends, those who do see a 29% increase in fan interaction.

In all 15 industries are represented in this infographic with some real surprises.

A couple of other factors to consider:

Regardless of the day…posts between 8 pm and 7 am get a 14% higher interaction rate than posts from 8 am to 7 pm. And brands that post consistently 1-2 X a day see a 19% increase in interaction BUT.. if you are posting more than 7X a week respondents actually saw a 25% decrease.

Check out the complete infographic...print it off and use this information in your marketing calendar…

Facebook Post Data Segmented By Industry infographic designed by Linchpin Infographic Design

Marketing Take-Aways for Small Businesses

The take away from Bill Ross’s Infographic? Successful marketing on Facebook is based on when your fan wants to read your posts NOT on when you feel like posting. Since many of the industries best days are weekends, learn how to use the Facebook scheduler to write your posts prior to the weekend then let them drip automatically while you are home enjoying the ball game.

The other big take away? Regardless of industries your fans are more active in the evenings not during the business day so another good reason to learn to “Like” that Facebook scheduler.

Finally, A DISCLAIMER: The study in this blog from Buddy Social included over 1,800 organizations in 15 industries that market on Facebook. While these recommendations for best days to post came from the observations of these 1,800 companies your results may vary depending on your specific fan base so…use this as a guide but test your own best days with your fans, monitor the interactions using your Insights Analytic and see which days are actually best for your specific company.

Want to learn more tips about how to get more out of your marketing activities?

The ASU SBTDC will be holding a series of 3 hour workshops around our 15 county area in February called “How to Create a WINNING Marketing Plan”. Learn how easy it is for a small business to create a marketing plan that will drive more sales and grow your bottom line.

For more information about How to Create a Winning Marketing Plan workshop and locations visit our January-February 2013 Training Calendar and sign up today!

Start Your Arkansas Small Business in 2013 on the Right Foot

Herb — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:30:37 +0000

Launch a Successful Small Business – Stop Dreaming..

Why 2013 is the year of the Entrepreneur and how you can make your dream of business ownership a reality in 2013. Who hasn’t dreamed of starting a business of your own? The idea of “being your own boss“, of becoming the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs appeals to just about everyone. But have you done your homework to make sure it will be successful?

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Arkansas Entrepreneurs turn Dreams into Reality from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Is 2013 the year you turn your dream of entrepreneurship into reality? It should be! Opportunities abound for small business owners ready to take the plunge in Northeast and North-Central Arkansas IF you have done your homework. The reality is that so many new businesses fail because the owner did not take the time to start on the right foot.

The Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center staff can help you start on the right foot through our FREE and confidential consulting assistance and our low-cost training workshops. Join the ASU SBTDC staff on Tuesday, January 22nd from 6-8:30 pm at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development on the ASU campus for our “Starting a Business in Arkansas” workshop.

Learn how the ASU SBTDC staff can guide you through the process of:

Conducting a feasibility study to make sure your idea will work,
Creating a realistic business plan to keep you focused and share with potential lenders or investors,
Financing opportunities to make sure you have the funds you need,
Nuts and bolts: licenses, fees, permits, taxes, insurance and more…

2013 could be your year to “Start Smart!” Sign up for our Starting a Business in Arkansas workshop Tuesday, January 22nd and get the facts to start on the right foot. You will also have an opportunity to meet the ASU SBTDC business consultants, Laura Miller and Robert Bahn to learn how to take advantage of our free, confidential consulting assistance for entrepreneurs.

For more information about our Starting a Business in Arkansas seminar and to register go to Start Your Business in 2 013 and grab a seat!

Learn more about getting a business started at the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center’s Website…Click on “Starting a Business” tab on the left hand panel for more information.

Why is 2013 a good year to start your small business? Check out this great Infographic Start Up Time for America from Profit Bricks and see for yourself!

Courtesy of: ProfitBricks – The IaaS Company

Join the ASU SBTDC staff for Starting a Business in Arkansas workshop Tuesday, January 22nd 6-8:30 pm.

Cost is $30 per person (Veterans and family members attend no charge, but must register), $20 Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Jonesboro Association members, $15 ASU faculty, staff, and students.

On Facebook? Like our page and register at our ASU SBTDC Facebook events page and get an additional $5 off registration!

To register call the ASU SBTDC (870) 972-3517, email us at asusbtdc@astate.edu go online to Starting a Business in Arkansas or register on our Facebook page.

Unique Funding Tool for Rural Main Street Businesses in Arkansas (VIDEO)

Herb — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:15:18 +0000

Turning Over Rocks To find Unique Funding Opportunities for Rural Businesses

Lately we have been scouring our 15 counties of Northeast & North-Central Arkansas looking for stories of rural entrepreneurs and of organizations determined to help them succeed. As part of our series today we are including a unique program started by our friends at Citizens Bank in Batesville, AR that provides financial assistance to specific types of small businesses.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Entrepreneurs Find the “RIGHT” Rocks to Turn Over from the Delta to the Ozarks

The folks at Citizens Bank of Batesville, one of our banking partners has launched a unique program aimed to help revitalize downtown Batesville AND provide funding opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in putting their businesses on main street. In this video, Richard Black with Citizens Bank outlines their program created in conjunction with the Main Street Batesville program, especially for small companies located in, or considering locating in the downtown Batesville area.

For more information about this program, contact Paula Grimes, Executive Director for the Batesville Main Street program for details on the grant and low-interest loan program. Call Paula at (870) 613-1713 or email her at downtownbatesville@sbcglobal.net to see how your small business can leverage this program.

Want to learn more about funding opportunities for small businesses in our part of Arkansas? Stay tuned as we share other programs available throughout our area! If you want to learn how the staff at the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center can help you with your business planning, funding search or preparing loan proposals contact us!

Our consultants, Laura Miller and Robert Bahn provide free, confidential assistance to startup and existing businesses on a wide variety of areas. Call (870) 972-3517 or email us at asusbtdc@astate.edu to learn more and to make an appointment.

Rural Arkansas Entrepreneur Taps Unique Markets

Herb — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:00:38 +0000

How One Rural Arkansas Entrepreneur Found Success Online

For one rural Arkansas Entrepreneur, “Instant success” only took eight years and several failed attempts, but Gary Richardson owner of Goggles and Glasses, an online retail business in Batesville, Arkansas has found profitable online niche with global customers.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping rural entrepreneurs find new niches from the Delta to the Ozarks.

When Gary Richardson left the military and returned to rural Batesville, Arkansas he knew he wanted to work for himself, he just wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do. After several experiments, he hit on a formula of selling sunglasses novelty and reading glasses online. Who would have thought people would search for and buy glasses from the internet?

Here is Gary’s story:

One of the greatest pieces of advise from Gary that came out of the video “Find a formula that works and then duplicate it a million times!” So what is your formula for success?

Want to see more? Gary Richardson, an Independence County Entrepreneur Boot Camp graduate and successful entrepreneur will be kicking off the Fall 2012 Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at the University of Arkansas Community College in Batesville this evening, as the guest speaker.

Through a partnership with the Independence County Economic Development office, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas & Merchant and Planters Bank the ASU SBTDC will host a 6 night series to help area entrepreneurs bring their ideas to reality.

Want to learn more about Gary and his company Goggles and Glasses? Check out his website here: www.gogglesandglasses.com.

Learn more about how the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center can help you launch a successful start-up business in Arkansas by visiting our website ASU SBTDC and contacting one of our consultants, Laura Miller or Robert Bahn at (870) 972-3517 or email them at asusbtdc@astate.edu. All of the ASU SBTDC consulting assistance is free of charge and strictly confidential. What have you got to lose?

Healthcare Marketing for Arkansas Professionals (With Video)

Herb — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Why Online Marketing Matters to Arkansas Healthcare Professionals Today

Today Americans are turning to the Internet in massive numbers to find all types of information and to find local companies in their area. Sure this matters to retailers, restaurants and local service companies but should health care professionals care? Absolutely! And…here is why:

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Prescribing successful marketing tools to healthcare professionals from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Americans Search for Healthcare Information and Providers

If you are in the healthcare industry here are a few numbers you need to know about your patients:

75 MILLION Americans search for health care information online AND to locate local medical related clinics.
Online search for LOCAL medical professionals is the 3RD largest category of queries on Google.

The question is: Can they find the information they need to know about YOU? Or will they find your Competition?

While many medical professionals know that their marketing tools need to be improved, there is a lot of confusion about the right tools to use to optimize their online marketing and concerns about how HIPPA may affect their marketing messages.

The ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center and our area partners will host a day long training program: Online Marketing for Health Care Professionals on Tuesday, October 30th at the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development. 3 separate two-hour programs led by area marketing professionals with experience working with health care companies and an hour lunch panel discussion on HIPPA.

Topics will include: Website design, mobile, optimizing local search and leveraging social media. One of our speakers, Brad Hyde, Social Media Administrator for Delta Medical Center of Memphis will be one of our speakers. Here is a short video interview with Brad discussing how his organization is leveraging online tools and what you will learn on Tuesday, October 30th.

Attend individual training or stay all day! See more about the topics on our flyer:

Online Marketing for Health Care Professionals Training from Herb Lawrence

How to Register for Online Marketing for Healthcare Professionals

For more information about Online Marketing for Healthcare Professionals training or to register contact the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center to reserve your seat. Call (870) 972-3517, Email us at asusbtdc@astate.edu, register online at Health Care Marketing or…sign up on our ASU SBTDC Facebook page under Events. Sign up on Facebook and get an additional $5 off your registration.

Tips Before You Open That New Restaurant

Herb — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 10:15:07 +0000

What You Need to Know Before You Plan That New Restaurant

Todays AState Small Business Blog was written by Laura Miller, Lead Consultant with the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center. Laura shares some tips and trends she learned at our recent Association of Small Business Development Centers annual conference in New Orleans that anyone thinking about a restaurant should keep in mind.

by Laura Miller, Lead Consultant Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping “Foodies” Launch from the Delta to the Ozarks.

While attending the Association of Small Business Development Centers conference recently held in New Orleans, I was able to attend several sessions offered by Chris Tripoli of A’LaCarte Foodservice Consulting Group focusing on the independent restaurant industry. Having attended Chris’ sessions in the past, I knew that his insight would be relevant for our entrepreneurs and businesses owners in Arkansas.

According to Chris, the independent restaurant industry, overall, is strong and remains the largest single employer in the U.S. He pointed out that eating out has become part of our culture and is no longer considered a luxury for most households. In fact, out of every food dollar spent, about $0.49 is spent on food away from home.

CONSUMER TRENDS

TRENDS There are several trends that smart restaurant owners can take advantage of to increase sales:

1) Healthier eating: Consumers are seeking a healthier way of eating. For the first time in 20 years, independent restaurants are serving and customers are consuming more items that are not fried than fried. In fact 54% of consumers are eating less fried foods than just one year ago. But despite healthier eating habits, burgers remain a popular food item.

2) Back to Basics: A desire to go “back to basics” has consumers looking for menus offering “farm to fork” and locally sourced items. These menu selections usually offer smaller portions of a higher quality food.

3) Alternative desserts: Coffees and specialty drinks have become a dessert alternative and dessert samplers are popular. Regional craft beers are also gaining in popularity.

4) Takeout: Takeout dining has become a necessity for successful restaurants. Consumers want the convenience of eating the food of their choice in their own homes. In fact, takeout business is the one food service segment that did not dip in sales during recession.

MYTHS, LEGENDS AND MISTAKEN IDEAS ABOUT RESTAURANTS

MYTHS Chris also dispelled several myths about small independent restaurants:

●90% of all restaurant start-ups fail. Actually, the failure rates are lower: 26% in Year 1; 19% in Year 2; and 14% in Year 3.

●Restaurant profits equal big dollars. Actually, the net profit for a full service start-up independent restaurant averages 7-8%.

●Quality, service and cleanliness mean success. Actually, QSC is required just to get customers in the door…it is no longer enough to ensure success.

TEN FACTORS FOR SUCCESS IN RESTAURANT OWNERSHIP

As an industry consultant with over 40 years of hospitality experience, Chris has worked with many entrepreneurs and restaurant owners. Based on his experience from opening his own restaurants and those of his clients, he provided ten factors that often contribute the most to the ultimate success or failure of any new restaurant:

Work in the industry first. Cook, clean and manage some personnel. Hands-on experience working with staff and serving the public will tell you if you are in the right business.
Define your concept. Don’t try to do too much–you cannot be everything to everyone. You can add and modify a little as you go to stay fresh, but don’t confuse the guest with too much at the opening.
Research. Travel, review, and ask others for input on your concept. Develop a mission statement and define how you are going to measure its success.
Site selection. Use an expert to assist with market analysis. Select a real estate consultant who specializes in retail (check references). More than just demographics and traffic count around a site, you want to know spending patterns and area growth as well. Keep in mind that location and site are two different considerations.
Budget and finance. Don’t forget the little things– you cannot save your way to success. Allow for contingency and operating capital.
Supervise the pre-opening. Be involved in layout and construction. Check and double-check your schedule. Openings require proper planning, realistic timetables and diligent follow-through.
Training and development. You only get one chance to open. Allow managers time to put systems in place and train staff. Have two or three dry-run test parties before opening.
Select your purveyors. Visit and compare bakery, produce, meat, and grocery companies. Team up with companies based on service and quality, not just price.
Stay the course. Maintain your concept’s integrity. Be consistent.
Never fear failure. You must take a risk in order to get a reward. Believe in what you are doing.

For more information about Chris Tripoli, visit www.alacarteconsultinggroup.com.

Interested in opening your own restaurant? Contact the ASU SBTDC for more information and market research specific to your venture. Find out how our FREE and Confidential consulting can help you with a successful launch. Contact Laura Miller or Robert Bahn at the ASU SBTDC (870) 972-3517 or Email them at asusbtdc@astate.edu.

Interview with an Arkansas Commercial Lender (Video)

Herb — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:15:11 +0000

Need a Small Business Loan? Here’s What One Arkansas Lender Suggests

Whether you need funding to start or expand a business, for most of us our first stop would be to talk to our “friendly neighborhood banker”! But exactly what is it that “friendly” banker needs from you to improve your chances of getting funding? Here what one seasoned commercial lender, my friend Robb Roberts with First Community Bank in Batesville, suggests.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping small businesses access funds to grow their dreams from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Locating the money you need to start that new business or to expand an existing venture can be a difficult process, especially in these challenging economic times. But the good news is… It isn’t impossible, you just have to know WHAT your lender needs from you!

What a Business Loan Proposal Needs to Include

One of our area bankers, Mr. Robb Roberts with First Community Bank in Batesville shares his thoughts on what a potential borrower needs to know before he or she sits down across the table. Thanks Robb and First Community Bank for sharing this great information.

How to Write a Winning Loan Proposal Workshop

So… are you looking for funding? Our Business Consultant, Robert Bahn will be teaching a 3 hour workshop at the ASU Delta Center in Jonesboro on Tuesday, October 16th from 1-4 pm to show you How to Prepare a Winning Loan Proposal.

If you want to make sure your proposal has the very best possibility of getting funded this is a “How To” workshop you can’t afford to miss!

For more information or to register contact the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center (870) 972-3517, email us at asusbtdc@astate.edu, go online to How to Write a Loan Proposal Workshop OR visit our Facebook Page and register in the events tab. All Facebook fans registering through Events get an additional $5 off registration price!

Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

Want to learn even more from Robb? Join us for our 6 night Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp in Batesville, AR beginning Thursday October 18th! Over 6 Thursday nights our panel of professionals and successful small business owners from the region will help you prepare a Business Plan and funding packet that will get results. Get more information about Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp here.

See what one of our Entrepreneurship Boot Camp alums has to say about what you will learn! Deann Castleberry Ivory Owl Retail in Batesville.

A Batesville Business Success Story (VIDEO)

Herb — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:53:32 +0000

Necessity is Often the Mother of Entrepreneurship

Every small business owner has his or her own story to share. Our small business friend, client, and Batesville Entrepreneurship Boot Camp “Alum”, Deann Castleberry owner of the Ivory Owl retail store in Batesville, AR is no different. When Deann and her husband moved to Batesville, Arkansas she couldn’t find a job in her degree field so…necessity being the mother of invention (and entrepreneurship) she created her own job…small business owner. Here is Deann’s story.

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Entrepreneurs Grow from the Delta to the Ozarks.

The ASU SBTDC and our partners from Independence County Economic Development, Inc., the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas and Merchant & Planters Bank will be hosting our 3rd Entrepreneurship Boot Camp in Batesville, AR beginning Thursday, October 18th for area entrepreneurs.

Batesville Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Training Series

This 6 night program is designed to walk attendees through all aspects of starting or expanding a business including:

How to write a realistic business plan,
Market Research assistance to make sure your plan is feasible,
Effective marketing tools to find customers,
Easy tools to manage cash flow and budgeting
Financing options,
Accounting, legal and more.

The program includes a different topic each night, a short “testimonial” by a successful small business owner, panel of local experts on the topic, and an extensive amount of one-on-one counseling as they go through the process. But, instead of me telling you why you need to sign up for our Fall 2012 Entrepreneur Boot Camp, I wanted to let some of our “alumni” share their stories.

The two short videos below were created with Deann Castleberry, owner of the Ivory Owl retail gift store in Batesville. In the first video, Deann talks about her 3-year-old business, how she started and why. In the second video Deann shares her thoughts on why the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is a “must” for anyone thinking of starting or expanding a business.

What Area Residents Get from Boot Camp

Our boot camp series not only provides a unique blend of successful small business owners as speakers, a panel of area professionals and one-on-one assistance in creating a business plan; every attendee also receives a FREE copy of Palo Alto’s Business Plan Pro software to use in creating a professional business plan. Register by October 17th

This $125 software package also includes 3 books including Guy Kawasaki’s “The Art of the Start”. Attendees receive all of this for their $50 registration fee!

But… that’s not all! If you attend 5 of the 6 nights, create a working draft of your business plan and attend our final Graduation Supper… you get your $50 BACK!

Thanks to the Independence County Economic Development office and our 4 great banking co-sponsors this 6 night program with all of the material is yours for a 6 night investment of your time!

Register for the Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

For more information or to register contact Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC Center Director: Call (870) 972-3517 or email us at asusbtdc@astate.edu OR register with Larry Jones, Independence County Economic Development (870) 793-2378 or email larry.jones@mybatesville.org. You may also register online at Batesville Entrepreneurship Boot Camp.

This program has helped a number of local businesses like Deann’s stay competitive...find out how we can help you!

Social Media Vital to Arkansas Business Marketing Mix

Herb — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:15:59 +0000

Fad or Here to Stay? What do Businesses Say about Social Media Marketing?

Connecting with potential customers has lots of challenges for small businesses trying to get the word out about their products and services. I know from talking to a number of our area businesses they are still trying to decide exactly what the future of social media is and whether it is worth the investment of their time and energy. I understand their concerns, after all there is only so much time in the day and at the end of the day did we “make our cash register ring?” Here is an infographic that popped into my Inbox the other day with research from Econsultancy and Adobe that is worth sharing. Fad? Apparently 2/3rds of all businesses say….It’s NO FAD!

by Herb Lawrence, ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center… Helping Small Businesses Connect with Customers…on and off line…from the Delta to the Ozarks.

How Business Integrates Social Into Marketing Plans

67% of businesses in a recent survey by Econsultancy and Adobe said that “Social is Integral to their Marketing Mix”. Those businesses leverage social media for:

Content Marketing,
Brand Awareness,
Marketing Campaigns, and
Customer Service.

Rather than rewriting their study, since people prefer to “learn” by viewing here is their Results in Infographic from Econsultancy’s recent article on Social Integration. Thank you to the folks at Econsultancy for sharing great research information like this!

Source: econsultancy.com via AState on Pinterest

So how is your business integrating social media into your overall marketing mix? Better question may be…Do you have a marketing plan and how are you leveraging all of your Online Marketing tools to fit into your overall plan?

Contact the ASU SBTDC for Help on Marketing

No plan? Then you might as well be throwing pasta against the wall and hope something sticks! Instead of that…take a moment to contact one of our ASU Small Business consultants! Laura Miller and Robert Bahn work with small businesses to help them improve their business operations to include creating market plans. And… It is FREE! Contact our consultants at (870) 972-3517 or Email us at asusbtdc@astate.edu and find out how our small business consultants can help you with your business needs!

Facebook Marketing Tips for Arkansas Businesses

Herb — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:11:40 +0000

Over 50% of Customers Prefer to Connect with Your Business on Facebook Not Your Website!

Small businesses continue to struggle to “figure out the social media thing”. Just deciding on which network (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest) is a challenge for many. Most small businesses using social media are using Facebook. After all it is the 500 pound gorilla in the room. With nearly 950 million users odds are good your customers are busy sharing photos, articles, and more on this giant. But just setting up a Facebook page doesn’t automatically mean customers are going to flock in to “Like” your business AND put money in your cash register.

by Herb Lawrence, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center Director…”Liking” Small Businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks

Facebook Is Favorite Among Arkansas B2C Businesses

Facebook continues to be the “holy grail” of social media networks, despite the popularity of other sites like Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. Users spend more time each month on their Facebook profile sharing with friends than they do on any other site. With so many of your customers on Facebook, it makes sense our small businesses would want to be there as well. But social media has its own rules and a smart social media marketer has to know HOW to engage customers to be successful.

Facebook Marketing Workshop for Small Businesses at ASU

On Thursday, September 26th we will offer 2 Facebook workshops for small businesses at the ASU Delta Center. From 9-11:30 am Facebook 101 Getting Started and then from 1-4 pm Facebook 202 Advanced Facebook Marketing Techniques. More information about these workshops is provided at the end of the article. Regardless of whether you come to our workshop we wanted to share information you can put to use RIGHT NOW!

While your ultimate goal is to connect with potential customers to build relationships and get them to your cash register, first you have to get them involved with your Facebook page. The “rules” to court potential customers on Facebook revolves around the “LIKE”. Fortunately our friends at Hubspot created a great infographic that spells out EXACTLY what your small business needs to do to set you apart from your competition.

Here is the Infographic posted by Hubspot in their recent article “50% of Facebook Fans Prefer Brand Pages to Company Websites”. The Infographic was created by market research company Lab42 in their article “Like Us!” Both great companies with lot’s of information they share.

Source: blog.hubspot.com via AState on Pinterest

Bottom line… you have to take a different approach to marketing if you want to be successful on Facebook. It isn’t rocket science but it does mean you have to think about your customers needs and wants from a different perspective.

Facebook Marketing Workshops for Arkansas Small Businesses

Learn how to claim your virtual space on Facebook at our workshop Thursday, September 26th. Just want to learn more about this whole Facebook thing or just getting started? Then join us 9-11:30 am for Facebook 101: Facebook Basics to learn how to get started on the right foot.

Already using Facebook but feel you could get more out of it? Then join us from 1-4 pm for Facebook 202: Advanced Facebook Marketing.

To register or for more information about these workshop call the ASU Small Business and Technology Development Center at (870) 972-3517, email your registration at asusbtdc@astate.edu, go online to register at ASU Facebook Workshops OR Visit the ASU SBTDC Facebook Page Events Tab and register there. (Facebook Fans always get an additional $5.00 off registration).

Like this article? Was the infographic from Hubspot helpful? Then please take a minute and leave us a message or share this article with your friends on your favorite social site. And be sure to “Like” our Facebook Page!

Jonesboro BarCamp Technology and Marketing Conference

Herb — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:15:12 +0000

Free Technology and Marketing Conference Jonesboro BarCamp is Here!

What is BarCamp? Only the best Technology and Marketing Conference in all of Northeast Arkansas! This great day-long event will be held Saturday, September 29th at the Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development on the ASU campus, 319 University Loop West Jonesboro, AR.

Time to get your “Geek On”! We are excited to be co-hosting this 3rd year of Jonesboro BarCamp and here’s why you should be excited to:

Full day of technology, creativity, networking and education!
Led by area leaders in technology and marketing,
Lots of Great SWAG stuff,
You Get Breakfast and Lunch,
AND… it is ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Source: Uploaded by user via AState on Pinterest

Registration for Jonesboro Bar Camp

Come spend Saturday, September 29th with us…get lots of great gifts, food, and learn how technology is changing the marketing world! See you there.

Registration is through the Jonesboro Bar Camp. Click here to register and join the fun! Register for BarCamp FREE!

Independence County 2nd Annual Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

Herb — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:15:37 +0000

Start Smart: Helping Arkansas Entrepreneurs Launch New Businesses

Thanks to Independence County Economic Development, Inc., the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and our lending partners from Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas & Merchant and Planters Bank we will be offering our 2nd Annual Entrepreneurship Boot Camp in Batesville!

by Herb Lawrence, Center Director Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center…Helping Arkansas Entrepreneurs Launch Successful Businesses from the Delta to the Ozarks.

Start Your Arkansas Small Business on the Right Foot

Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Starts Thursday, October 11th

Always dreamed of owning your own business but just didn’t know where to start or even whether it could succeed? You aren’t alone… the idea of starting a new business is both exciting and daunting… so many unknowns, so much fear of failure, not sure where to find the funding or even if there are enough customers. It is enough to scare off many would be entrepreneurs! But for Independence County entrepreneurs there is help!

Our 2nd annual Entrepreneurship Boot Camp will start Thursday, October 11th at the University of Arkansas Community College in Batesville and run for 6 consecutive Thursday nights (6-9 pm) to ensure you Start Smart!

Arkansas Entrepreneurs will learn:

Source: slideshare.net via AState on Pinterest

This is an opportunity to learn from:

Successful area entrepreneurs,
Get the information you need from area business professionals,
Learn about funding realities from area commercial lenders & alternative financing options,
Economic development professionals trained to help businesses start and succeed,
Professional business consultants from the Arkansas State University SBTDC.

Attendees also receive a professional business plan software package from Business Plan Pro (a $150 value) as well as assistance putting together a business plan & financing package that will get results.

The best news? Your $50 registration fee is completely refundable if you attend 5 of the 6 nights, complete the business plan process and attend the Boot Camp graduation! A deal you can’t beat.

Invest 3 hours for 6 Thursday nights and get your new business started right.

Register for Independence County Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Today!

For more information or to register visit our Independence County Entrepreneurship Training site and get your name on the list!