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Marketing Online to SMBs
Our recent survey of 381 SMBs revealed some important insights to help you engage with them more effectively online. We'll provide details in our no-charge webcast at 1 p.m. EST next Tuesday, Nov. 10 (register here); in brief:
- Providing business management advice – for example, "how-to" articles, news and perspective pieces, interactive tools, webcasts, etc. – is an effective tactic to increase site traffic and engagement, purchase activity and brand perception.
- SMBs look to their vendors first – before trade associations, media and not-for-profits – for this kind of content.
- Industry news is the most popular topic, followed by technology, sales and marketing, and law and taxation.
- Articles are the most preferred format, followed by interactive tools (such as quizzes or calculators), webcasts and videos.
- Social media rates relatively low; LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are the least preferred format options for business management advice. SMBs are still coming up the learning curve on finding trusted sources within these formats and integrating them into their information-seeking routine.
- Developing a smartphone app for small businesses? Good move. Of the 56% of respondents who have a smartphone, 78% are somewhat or very interested in business-related apps. For ideas on what your company might develop, here are some popular apps.
To learn more about engaging with SMBs via educational content, social media and email newsletters, register for our webcast at 1 p.m. EST next Tuesday, Nov. 10. Contact us to learn how BBI can develop online marketing programs to help you achieve your SMB marketing goals.
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>> Cisco Kicks Off Small Business Campaign
Cisco debuted a national ad campaign for its small business solutions. "Heroes of the Human Network" features customers talking about their successes using Cisco technology.
>> PC Mall Opens Small Business Network
PC Mall unveiled Small Business Network, a site for small businesses that features discounts on purchases, reward points, white papers, expert advice and a discussion forum.
>> Sprint Forms Small Business Team
Sprint announced the formation of a Small Business specialty team. The team will help introduce new resources and expand on existing programs, including Business on Main, a community website developed in partnership with MSN.
>> AT&T Launches "Give & Take" Promo
AT&T started a promotion for small businesses offering the winner free technical support for a year and the opportunity to be featured on Small Business InSite. AT&T is also promoting the contest on Facebook.
>> Intuit Opens Workplace App Center
Intuit launched the Intuit Workplace App Center to help small businesses find, buy and use web-based applications built on or integrated with the Intuit Partner Platform. More than 30 apps created by Intuit and third-party developers are available to help businesses run, manage and grow their businesses.
>> Constant Contact Debuts Event Tool
Email service provider Constant Contact released Constant Contact Event Marketing, an online service to help small businesses and organizations promote and manage registrations, payments and RSVPs for meetings, seminars and other events.
>> Regus Begins Sweepstakes
Regus kicked off its "Win an Office Sweepstakes" that will award a small business the use of a fully furnished office for one year at a Regus location in New York City. Entrants must explain how their business would benefit from having an office.
Send us your news.
>> Administaff: 58% of SMBs are at or above their 2009 goals; 48% expect sales to increase in the next six months.
>> McAfee: 45% of SMBs think they are too small to be of interest to cyber-thieves, but 21% have been attacked in the past year.
>> Cortera: Nevada ranks worst in terms of small businesses getting paid on time, with 25.6% of accounts receivable debt past due. At 7.1%, Alaska is best.
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Telecom Twitters
BBI is developing daily tweets for a major telecom provider to enhance its position as a small business partner and resource. We recommend relevant third-party content to link to each day (and create an original article each week), and write and post the tweets. Contact us to discuss how BBI can help you engage with SMBs online.
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Stay current on small business issues with the Small Business Daily Fact. You'll receive new data every day on the small business mindset and marketplace.
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