Zable Fisher

The One Thing That Small Business Owners Should Be Spending on Right Now

Posted October 21, 2008 by Margie Zable Fisher

Yes, we’re hearing about all the ways that small businesses can and should save money.

But sometimes you have to spend money to make money.

So I asked some small business experts what they considered the one area that a small business should be spending money on right now.

Here are their choices.

Guy Kawasaki, Founder, www.alltop.com:  New product development

Chris Brogan, Social Media specialist: Things that change behaviors to drive sales. Be that more lead generation, or more of some other useful activity.

Katja Presnal, Skimbaco: Customer service & PR - showing that they care about their customers. The fear mentality needs to end; companies showing they care will win.

Donna Maria Coles Johnson, Indie Business:  Product photos and business-y headshots.

Suzy Girard-Ruttenberg, Business Coach: Certification: getting employees certified in areas where you previously relied on outside vendors (example: IT)

What do you think is the one area that small businesses should be spending money on right now?

Posted in Margie's Thoughts, Marketing, Public Relations, Publicity, Small Business Tips Subscribe to this Blog

3 comments...What do you think?

  1. Posted by Donna Maria @ Indie Business 21st October, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    Hey Margie, thanks so much for including me in such awesome company. And of course, thanks for lunch today! It was great to meet you while I was in Ft. Lauderdale. Margie, I want to add that investments should be made in anything viral. That could be product photos, more relevant blog posts, new online seminars, free e-books, videos … The list goes on. If product photos and headshots are a part of that, that’s great, but my point was “anything that you can cause to be duplicated and repeated” are good investments, not only now but all the time. Thanks again! dM

  2. Posted by Randi Deckard 22nd October, 2008 at 11:36 am

    Margie,

    Keeping in mind it is always cheaper to keep a customer than to gain a new one. Use your e-mail list wisely.

    (1)What do I mean?

    I use Constant Contact and send 1-2 e-mails to my general list. Then I go back and see who clicked on what so I can create a “special” targeted offer just for them…which increases sales b/c it is something you know they are interested in.

    (2) Just ask for it

    I’m always surprised by how few business owners ask for referrals. 1/3 of my current business is a direct result of me just asking for customers to pass on my information if they know someone else who might like it too!

  3. Posted by Michel Rhodes 12th November, 2008 at 6:06 pm

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