The Millennial Generation is characterized by their prolific use of all things digital, but also by a tendency to open-mindedness and (not surprisingly) a natural talent for creation—such as creating small businesses. NY Times essayist William Deresiewicz calls it Generation Sell.
Generation Sell
Is Your Small Business Ready to Create Jobs?
By Rieva Lesonsky
When it comes to the state of the economy, most people would agree that the number-one concern is how to create new jobs. Well, when it comes to creating new jobs, a new Gallup poll shows that Americans have more faith in small business than in any other person or institution.
Respondents were asked how much they trust the ideas and opinions of the following groups for creating jobs. Small business was trusted a moderate amount or a great deal by 79 percent of respondents. Close behind were “local business leaders,” with 74 percent. But the third-highest response on the list, “state governors,” was far behind at 57 percent. “Executives at major corporations” were near the bottom of the scale with 44 percent.
“It is clear that in the public’s eyes, smaller is better,” the survey concludes. “Americans have more confidence in the views of small-business owners than in big-business CEOs, and more confidence in state governors and local mayors than in national congressional leaders of either party.”
If small is indeed beautiful, one way you can help create more jobs is by encouraging the people in your community to “shop local,” whether by visiting your restaurant, making a purchase from your store or visiting your hair salon or accounting practice.
How can you encourage shopping local? Here are a few ways:
- Reach out to your community. Get involved in community events such as fund-raisers, fairs and carnivals. Volunteer for local charities or donate your products or services. Offer to speak at local organizations’ meetings. When people in the community know you, they’re more likely to patronize your business.
- Point out to prospects and customers of the benefits of shopping local. Your website, ads and other marketing materials should remind people that when they shop local, they’re supporting local services with their tax dollars and helping keep jobs in the community.
- Take part in Small Business Saturday. This nationwide movement initiated by American Express designates the day after Black Friday (November 26) as a day for shopping at local, independently owned small businesses. SCORE is one of the many sponsors of Small Business Saturday—and it’s not too late to benefit. Visit Small Business Saturday’s Facebook page to find out more, and be sure to “Like” them so you can get all the news, updates and tips on how to market your business for Small Business Saturday.
Keep marketing your business with these local angles and before you know it, you’ll be ready to create some new jobs. Of course, your SCORE mentor can help you with more ideas for growing your local business. If you don’t have a mentor yet, visit SCORE’s website to get matched up with one and get free counseling 24/7.
Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Rieva is a regular contributor to SCORE Small Business Success Blog. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her blog at SmallBizDaily.com. Visit her website SmallBizTrendCast to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for Rieva’s free TrendCast reports.
Reprinted with permission from blog.score.org.
Posted in Uncategorized
The Marketing Guy
You met Tom Patty, The Marketing Guy, in last week’s blog on Word of Mouth Marketing and you may have even met him in person at one of the marketing seminars and workshops he’s done for SCORE Orange County (Chapter 114).
In this radio interview for BlogTalkRadio, radio host Dr. John Okeefe talks to Tom about his 30 years of marketing experience, what he’s learned from some of the best-known marketing experts in the world, and his work with SCORE counseling and advising small business owners on growing their businesses.
Sign up for one of Tom’s Workshop at SCORE OC!
- Marketing Without Money: November 22, 2011. Mission Viejo City Hall. Find out more.
- Fast Track to Internet Marketing: November 29, 2011. National University, Costa Mesa. Find out more.
Posted in Uncategorized, Video
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