By Robert Lerose. Hiring an outside direct marketing agency requires an investment of money, time, commitment and trust. There's also the risk of putting your company's reputation and profitability in the hands of people who may not share your zeal and dedication. On the other hand, when both sides click, an agency can open doors to new customers, new markets, and new growth. There are different tip-offs to indicate it's time to switch from doing things in-house to seeking an outside...

by Iris Dorbian. When David Greenberg launched Parliament Tutors (an academic coaching service targeting students from kindergarten to college), in 2009, he did everything—from sales and marketing to training and recruiting. The multi-tasking paid off because a year later, the twenty-something wunderkind found himself in an enviable position: His startup, whose staff consisted of just himself and an academic advisor, was thriving, having reached $30,000 a month in sales. Upon hitting that...

by Iris Dorbian. As a longtime marketing strategist and founder of Venture Drive Consulting, Mark Kotzer has amassed over 20 years working with what he terms “scrappy entrepreneurs.” From helping small business owners craft a vision and business model, to product launches and sales development, the Seattle-based Kotzer—whose clients have included Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser—has carved a niche for himself as a go-to-resource for companies seeking to advance to the next stage. Recently,...

by Iris Dorbian. When the economy nosedived in 2008, Jeff Weiner, president of Uniondale, New York-based HKM Insurance, felt an immediate effect. Because many of his clients were laying off employees, his 30-year-old firm snagged fewer premiums, leading to fewer commissions for his full-time staff of four. As the recession dragged on and customers cut back or left altogether, Weiner’s business experienced two straight years of tough times financially. “Learning how to manage that sinking...

Whether you’re a restaurant seeking to attract customers on a rainy Thursday night, a nail salon offering manicure/pedicure combinations between 10 a.m. and noon, or a bowling alley spreading the word about “twofer” Tuesdays, small businesses are feeling the impact of mobile marketing on their bottom lines.   According to the Mobile Marketing Association, companies that employ a mobile marketing strategy can “communicate and engage with their audience in an interactive and relevant manner...

During the last few years, social media has stolen some of the thunder of traditional public relations in the eyes of businesses of all sizes. Even prior to the explosive use of the Internet, small businesses in particular often put advertising and marketing ahead of public relations, perhaps because of insufficient budgets, and in some cases, because of a lack of understanding of how public relations is different from the other two communications practices. However, small businesses would be...

Here are some tips on how to deal with unhappy customers and where to draw the line in resolving their problems By Christopher Freeburn Small business owners understand the necessity of attracting customers to their business. But keeping those customers happy and coming back means more than just offering good products and services at reasonable prices. It means properly dealing with the inevitable complaints from customers who have a problem with your company's products or services, or with...

Broadening your network of business contacts and seeking out additional referral partners is an excellent way to let your friends build your business for you. Just make sure you return the favor By Max Berry You can never have too many people in your corner. That goes double for a small business owner. Without the resources for a massive advertising campaign, an entrepreneur needs to rely on a little help from his friends to spread the word. Seeking out a fellow entrepreneur-or several-to...