BroadVision Marketing Blog

There are probably as many different approaches to marketing a small business as there are small business owners. Which is why marketing trends matter.

At BroadVision Marketing, we ascribe to an approach known as Inbound Marketing.

However, at the end of the day, marketing is simply whatever it is you do to get and keep your business in the thoughts and mind of your customers - and prospective customers.

Topics: Small business, inbound marketing, digital marketing, marketing trends, marketing predictions

A cook starts with a recipe. A tourist starts with a map. So why do many small business owners think they can run their business without a marketing plan?

Many small business owners think marketing equals expensive advertising. Some advertising is costly, but marketing also includes less costly ways to engage prospective customers, thanks to the internet. With some research, planning and execution, business owners can market successfully without enormous spending.

Topics: marketing, Using Different Media, Small business, Marketing Plan, Facebook, Social Media, Marketing Principles, Business Owner, Business, Branding, Twitter, Marketing strategy

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Leaders and Followers"] [/caption]

At one time or another we all find ourselves in our first leadership position. We may be called to a temporary position to be evaluated for permanent one as a team leader. We might be called to a permanent position based on what the boss thinks of us.

What are the traits of a good leader? Do you know or do you just have gut feelings? While gut feelings are a good first step, traits actually spelled out give you a firmer idea of what is expected of you. Here are some that you can use as part of your foundation.

Topics: Small business, Communication, Business, Marketing strategy, Leadership

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="WordPress blogging system"] [/caption]

Not everyone who reads the blogs I've been writing is an expert yet. If you are a newbie, do you know if you are writing a blog that is used for a website? What does it become then?

Mike Clough in his post of June 28, 2010 ( http://bestbizpractices.org/2010/06/28/is-your-blog-really-a-blog/) clarified the question by saying, “When a blog is used for website functions, it loses its value as a blog and in fact becomes just another website.”

Topics: Using Different Media, Small business, information, Web content, blog, website, Facebook, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Marketing Principles, LinkedIn, Blogging

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Marketing Plan"] [/caption]

A cook starts with a recipe. A tourist starts with a map. An architect starts with a plan. So why do many small business owners think they can run their business without a  marketing plan?

To many small business owners, marketing means advertising - which means big bucks. And yes, some sorts of advertising are costly, but marketing also includes lots of less costly ways to engage prospective customers. With some research, planning, preparation and execution, business owners can be successful with marketing without spending enormous amounts of their budget on advertising.

Do be sure and include some marketing in your budget, but it doesn’t need to be a high ticket item. A word of warning: as you look at what your competition is doing, remember that it might not work for you. Don’t copy them or customers might mistake you for them.

Here in brief are four main insights that can lead to marketing success:

Topics: marketing, Small business, YouTube, Marketing Plan, Facebook, Social Media, Marketing Principles, LinkedIn, Twitter