Archives for March 2020

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There are some business lessons that you need to learn through experience. However, there are some things you can learn by paying attention to experts in your field or utilizing data and tools that are available to your business. Read on for some of the top lessons you should take from industry experts and other members of the online small business community.

Learn from Top Marketing Mavens

Throughout the month, 30 Days of Marketing Mavens will be sharing interviews with experts to reveal some of their top marketing tips and tricks. Small Business Trends’ own Anita Campbell is honored to be included. You can see her interview plus insights from other marketing experts here.

Follow Search Marketing Influencers

If you want to gain industry influence, you need to learn from the best. SEO is constantly changing, so following a well rounded list of experts can help you constantly stay on top of the trends and processes that are necessary for success. See some of those top influencers in this TopRank Marketing post by Lane Ellis.

Learn the Basic Business Realities

While it’s certainly valuable to learn from experts, influencers, and data, there are certain lessons you’ll need to come by on your own. In this Startup Professionals Musings post, Martin Zwilling shares some of the things business owners have to learn through experience. To see commentary on the post, head over to the BizSugar community.

Visualize Data with the Google Data Studio

When it comes to collecting Data, Google can be one of your most valuable resources. In fact, Google can also help you visualize the data you collect so it makes more sense for your operations. Learn more about the Google Data Studio in this Content Marketing Institute post by Fatmir Hyseni.

Use Chrome Extensions for SEO

The tech tools you use can also go a long way toward equipping your team with the knowledge they need to market your business effectively. More specifically, there are several Chrome extensions available to provide valuable SEO insights. Neil Patel shares 13 free ones in this post.

Find the Right Websites to Hire Dependable Freelancers

If you want to grow your team but can’t hire full-time staff, freelancers can help you fill in some of the gaps around your operations. But you need a reliable place to look for these freelancers if you’re going to find them efficiently. In this Process Street post, Thom James Carter lists some of the best websites for this purpose.

Solve Pain Points with Customer Video Interaction

For businesses to effectively market and create solutions that are useful for customers, you need to fully understand what problems you’re trying to solve. Grasping customers pain points can be tricky without the right tools, but customer video interaction may help to bridge that gap. Learn more in this Right Mix Marketing post by Ben Tejes.

Learn How Guy Kawasaki Fuels a Successful Podcast with Content

Constantly finding effective content for a blog or podcast can be a challenge. But Guy Kawasaki has managed to do it for years. In this Blogging Brute post, Mike Allton interviews him to share valuable insights with other content creators. And BizSugar members offered thoughts on the interview here.

Improve Quality Ratings with Google’s Guidelines

If you want to improve your SEO, it’s essential to follow guidelines that come straight from Google. The search giant recently unveiled some quality rater guidelines that may impact small businesses. See some takeaways in this Target Marketing post by Phil Frost.

Let Data Drive the Creation of Your Marketing Creative

If you want your marketing creative to be truly relevant to your audience, you might let insights from your customers drive those decisions. The data you collect can play an integral role throughout the development of your materials. Get more insights in this UpCity post by Trevor Anderson.

If you’d like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “Want to Increase Your Small Business Knowledge? Here are 10 Expert Tips” was first published on Small Business Trends

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Many small businesses are struggling as a result of closures and social distancing practices put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

How to Help Local Small Businesses

If you want to help local small businesses by supporting your favorite local shops, restaurants, and others stay afloat during this time, here are some ways you can do so.

Purchase Gift Certificates

If you can afford it, purchase gift cards from your favorite local businesses during this time. You’ll be supporting their operations when they need it most, and when businesses reopen, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite goods and services that you’ve already paid for.

Order Takeout or Delivery

Restaurants in many states and cities are not open for dining in. However, you may still be able to get your favorite dishes delivered to your door. Or you could try picking up meals from those that offer it — just order ahead to avoid waiting in lines.

Purchase Products Online

For retail businesses where you’d normally shop in person, see if they’re offering online orders at this time. Even if their website isn’t set up to do so, they might offer flash sales on social media or other platforms.

Keep Memberships Going

Subscription or membership based businesses like gyms and fitness studios rely on steady sources of monthly income from members. Since many of these businesses have closed, customers are likely to get refunds or pauses on their memberships. However, if your income isn’t affected by shutdowns, consider keeping these memberships as-is.

Take Online Classes

Additionally, some gyms and similar businesses are finding ways to provide value through online classes. Even if you don’t belong to one already, spending extra time at home may be the perfect excuse to try something new while also supporting a local company.

Share Your Favorites on Social Media

You don’t need to have extra money to support small businesses during this time. If you’re concerned about your own finances but still want to help, shout out some of your favorite companies, products, or promotions on social media to let your friends know.

Connect with Companies Online

You can also help small businesses increase their online reach simply by interacting with their profiles. Follow a few more of your favorites, and then like and comment on their posts to improve their engagement. This will help more of their content show up in others’ feeds.

Leave Positive Reviews

Are there businesses in your area that you’ve always meant to leave a review for and just never got around to it? This period where you’re killing time at home is the perfect opportunity to help them gain some social proof and improve their online rankings. And it’s free!

Refer People Directly

Of course, you can also help simply by talking about your favorite small businesses to others via text, phone calls, or video calls.

Use Financing to Purchase Larger Items

Many small businesses offer financing or layaway options for larger purchases. Don’t purchase items you can’t afford, but if there’s something you were planning on buying anyway, now is the perfect time to get a good rate and keep your favorite shops afloat.

Contribute to Crowdfunding Campaigns

People around the country are starting crowdfunding campaigns to support small businesses and their employees that need financial assistance. Browse GoFundMe or social media to find causes you can contribute to.

Or Get a Campaign Started

If you can’t afford a donation or if there’s not a campaign started for your favorite local business, you could be the person who gets one off the ground. Consult with the company first to see what their needs are.

Create a Community Organization

If you want to support a variety of businesses in your area and get others involved, consider creating a community fund or support group. You can either collect money or come up with creative ideas to help local businesses. Use social media or local forums to facilitate conversations with others in your area.

Start a Local Business Directory

To help all the businesses in your area get more attention, create an online directory where people can easily find companies to support. You can even keep it going once foot traffic restores to facilitate a quicker recovery.

Tip Generously

If you can afford it, tip restaurant employees and delivery drivers a bit extra during this time. This helps them make up for some of their lost earnings and helps their employers feel a bit less strained.

Offer Support Services

A little break in the action is the perfect opportunity for many small business owners to focus on things like marketing, creating a new logo, or building a website. However, the loss of customers means they may not be able to afford these services. If you specialize in an area that could help small businesses, offer your services for free or trade.

Start New Home Projects

Being stuck at home is the perfect excuse to do some light remodeling or redecorating. Purchase supplies from a local hardware store or order from online decor shops to make your space feel cozy during this prolonged period.

Take Up a New Hobby

It’s also a great opportunity to learn or try new things, like painting, playing a musical instrument, or building model cars. Purchase the supplies you need from small retailers. And get your information from small business owners as well. For example, there might be a piano teacher in your area offering online lessons or sharing videos on YouTube.

Buy Quarantine Gifts for Friends

Want to do something nice for the people in your life who are having a hard time? Purchase gifts from your favorite small retailers and have them shipped directly to your favorite people.

Stock Up on Items You’ll Need Later

You might also purchase items that you don’t need immediately, like gifts for birthdays that are a few months off or summer gear for your family to use in the backyard.

Purchase Virtual Products

Lots of small businesses are getting creative during this time by offering virtual or downloadable versions of their products. You may even be able to buy these for a lower rate than the physical products.

Send a Kind Note

A little kindness goes a long way, especially during stressful seasons. If you can’t support small businesses financially, send them a quick note via email or social media to tell them how much you appreciate it. You could make the team’s day.

Have Patience

For those who are ordering products or services from businesses that have had to make adjustments during this time, be patient. They probably aren’t used to the new processes they’ve been forced to pick up very quickly. So if shipping takes longer than you thought or the delivery process isn’t seamless, stay calm and be kind throughout your interactions.

Ask Business Owners How You Can Help

Some business owners may need help in areas outside of the obvious ones. If you know any entrepreneurs in your area or online, reach out and ask if there’s anything specific they need. Even if there isn’t, they’ll probably appreciate the sentiment.

Opt for Local Stores Over Chains When Possible

The general idea is to purchase from small stores or businesses during this time whenever possible. Even if you don’t have extra money you spend, heading to the corner market for groceries over the big box store can make a major difference for that business owner. This is ultimately a positive practice all the time, but it’s especially important now that many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “25 Tips for Supporting Small Businesses as a Customer” was first published on Small Business Trends

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The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

We live in more uncertain times and that heightens anxiety in our lives, but especially in our work life.

Based on a survey from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, while only 9% of individuals are living with a diagnosed anxiety disorder, 40% experience ongoing stress or anxiety in their daily lives, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.

It is important to know the difference between normal feelings of anxiety and an anxiety disorder requiring medical attention which can help a person identify and treat the condition.

The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) will often include:

• restlessness, and a feeling of being “on-edge”
• uncontrollable feelings of worry
• increased irritability
• concentration difficulties
• sleep difficulties, such as problems in falling or staying asleep

The American Psychology Association describes a person with anxiety disorder as “having recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns.” Once anxiety reaches the stage of a disorder, it can interfere with daily function. It’s important to know if your anxiety is general or possibly a disorder, which should include a medical evaluation.

Anxiety in the Workplace

Anxiety at work especially in these current times brings challenges that impact all of our current workplace demographics and workforce diversity. The generations in our current workforce represent  Baby Boomers, Gen x, Millennials and GenZ, which spans ages 70 to 20’s. They are more educated, diverse and bring different and important skills to the table. Women are expected to continue to gain share, rising from 46.8 percent of the workforce in 2014 to 47.2 percent by 2024.

We can help each other get through our anxieties by supporting each other and sharing our experiences of how we got through them. Anxiety is a human emotion that gets triggered by so many personal and professional factors. Regardless, we need some concrete and solid ideas, tools and suggestions to help us deal with our anxiety and emotions.

Trying to convince yourself to stop being anxious when you’re feeling anxious is a bit like telling yourself to fall asleep when you have insomnia — it doesn’t work. So what does?

Coping with anxiety when you’re at work and expected to perform at your best can be particularly challenging.

Whether you’re worrying about something specific, like an imminent deadline, or you just have a formless feeling of dread, you might be telling yourself something along these lines: “You’ve got to get back to work, stop worrying, stop obsessing, get your head back in the game and just focus!“

Easier said than done.

How to Deal With Anxiety at Work

Trust Your Feelings

Have you experienced an anxiety attack at work and do you remember how you felt?  Too many of us don’t feel like mental symptoms are as real as physical ones. Thinking that mental health problems are, in some way, not as real as physical ones is not uncommon. This year, millions of Internet users have asked Google if mental illness is real, and the Internet abounds with public awareness campaigns from the government and non-profit organizations answering with a resounding “Yes!”

“Anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions — just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes,” writes the ADAA.

“Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States.”  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that as many as 1 in 5 Americans are affected by anxiety disorders.

Don’t Worry About Getting Fired

A major part of having an anxiety attack in the workplace can be the fear that you’ll get fired. The good news is — you probably won’t. The fear of getting let go is often a hallmark of workplace anxiety. But should your worst “what if” scenario come true, the law is on your side.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to protect employees like you from job discrimination; so, if you tell your employer that you have a lasting “physical or mental impairment,” they are required, by law, to not only keep you on, but also provide you with “reasonable accommodation.” As the ADAA explains, your employer cannot fire you, or refuse to hire you, if you’re qualified for the job and your disability stops you from performing tasks that are “not essential” to the job.

Work With Anxiety, Not Against It

Steven Hayes, author of 46 books and over 600 scientific articles, professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Nevada in Reno, a man who is no stranger to panic attacks himself — advocates for a more self-compassionate and self-accepting way of dealing with anxiety. In fact, Prof. Hayes is the founder of one of the newest and most innovative forms of cognitive behavioral therapy, called acceptance commitment therapy (ACT). This form of therapy starts with the acceptance and non-judgemental observation of negative thoughts, and moves toward bringing the client into the present moment and helping them lead a meaningful life.

Make Stress Your Friend

Along similar lines, health psychologist and world-renowned speaker Kelly McGonigal makes the case for a positive rethinking of stress. She explains, it’s not so much the stress itself that is harmful, as the way in which we think about it.

Instead of seeing stress as your enemy, you can make it your friend and work for you. Stress and anxiety are nothing but a sign that you care about something, and this care can be molded into something that wildly improves your performance instead of inhibiting it.

She says these 3 steps help make anxiety work for you:

• Acknowledge stress when you experience it and allow yourself to notice the stress, including how it affects your body.
• Welcome the stress by recognizing that it’s a response to something you care about., so try to connect to the positive motivation behind the stress. Figure out what is at stake here, and why it matters to you?”
• Make use of the energy that stress and the anxiety it brings you, instead of wasting that energy trying to manage it. What actions can you take right now that will move your goals and values forward.

Find Activities That Make You Feel Good and Brings Balance to Your Life

• Exercise Daily
• Yoga and meditation has been shown to significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
• Stress Management
• Have a Support System
• Seek Professional Counseling
• Get a Mental Health Evaluation
• Restrict Caffeine
• Commit to a Healthy Diet and Hydrate all Day
• Work on a Regular Sleep Pattern
• Focus on what you have control over and let go of what you don’t
• Spend more time with people that support and uplift you
• Support and Uplift others who need it

Be Kinder and Gentler to Yourself

Often, those of us who live with anxiety are also perfectionists, over-achievers, and generally people who (have been taught to) expect a lot from ourselves. When you have anxiety, that makes things even worse, because not being at your best makes you angry at yourself, and treating yourself harshly is the last thing you need when you’re, in fact, at your most vulnerable.

Remember no one is ever perfect, and we all need to take care of and nurture our flawed selves. For most of us, our work days consist of sitting in front of our computers, barely blinking, let alone getting up to move. Take short breaks to get up and move around the building.  Go for a walk around the block during lunch or walk to lunch.

Just getting up and walking around your office can be the physical and mental outlet you need to let some of that stress and anxiety burn off without sending you into a spiral.

Remember It’s a Moment

When we are in the thick of our worst anxiety, it feels like it’s never going to end. Here’s the thing: it will, it’s going to end and it will pass and you aren’t going to feel anxious forever. But get into action and help yourself through it.

Take a Five-Minute Meditation Break

We take bathroom breaks. And lunch breaks. So, why shouldn’t there be five minute meditation break? Take time out to center yourself during a stressful moment or situation. This sends a message to your brain. It tells you it’s time to relax and refocus. Take some deep breaths. Let go of aggravating thoughts. And get your emotions back on track.

We need to believe things are going to be okay and put them into perspective. Then we work through our anxieties best. Keep the faith. Take the actions that can change things. And keep treating yourself with love, kindness and respect.

Don’t allow anxiety to define who you are. It doesn’t own us. We own it.

Image: Depositphotos.com

This article, “How to Deal With Anxiety at Work” was first published on Small Business Trends

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Small businesses are being impacted due to coronavirus and precautions to protect against the effects of the COVID-19 disease.  The disruption is rippling across the economy and affecting businesses of all sizes. But small businesses immediately felt the impact. Governments and large corporations are responding with programs and announcements.

This article contains a list of coronavirus resources and information vital to small businesses. New resources and links will be added as we gather additional information. Or leave a comment below with a suggestion to include.

View our Coronavirus and Small Business Resource Center to stay up to date.

Federal

15 Days to Slow the Spread – This is a general guideline for all Americans from the President.

CDC Coronavirus page has health information and updates.

CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection.  Guidance for physical small business locations, about disinfecting premises, desks, equipment, doors, keyboards, linens, personal protective equipment and vehicles.

IRS and Taxes

The IRS has extended the date to pay Federal income taxes to July 15, 2020. You must still file your return by April 15, 2020. But you can delay payment on up to $1 million in taxes for an extra 90 days. Read more.

SBA Disaster Loans

SBA COVID-19 Loan Resources.  President Trump’s $50 billion stimulus plan includes making low-interest SBA coronavirus loans  available immediately to small businesses. Loans can be up to $2 million and can be used to pay debts, payroll or other bills. The interest rate is 3.75%. The SBA’s page has information.

COVID-19 Scams

FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.  The US Treasury Department warns about scams claiming to offer Covid-19 grants or stimulus payments in exchange for getting your personal information or asking you to pay a fee. You are urged to report scams to the FBI.

Resources By Industry

Retail and eCommerce

National Retail Federation Coronavirus Resources. The National Retail Federation has written a letter asking for Federal guidance. For example, some jurisdictions have limited access to warehouses and distribution centers, and deemed certain retail (such as pet stores) as not essential.

Amazon.com asked third party sellers, many of which are small businesses, not to send nonessential supplies to Amazon warehouses, so the online giant can prioritize deliveries of necessities. In effect until April 5. Read more.

eBay has been urged to clamp down on Coronavirus profiteering. Read more.

FindLaw list of state price gouging laws. Charging excessive prices (often defined as 10% to 15% higher than normal) for necessities during times of emergencies is considered price gouging and may violate state law.

Restaurants

Restaurant.org Coronavirus information.  Restaurant.org has collected a large number of resources just for restaurant operators.

FDA FAQ page. For businesses that operate grocery or convenience stores, run restaurants or produce food, the Food and Drug Administration has guidance.

Trucking

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has suspended parts of the Hours of Service Rule that limits the consecutive hours drivers can operate a truck. This suspension applies to emergency deliveries. Learn more.

Real Estate

Landlords: some local jurisdictions are temporarily suspending eviction notices. At least one jurisdiction is considering adding small businesses under commercial leases to the eviction moratorium. Read more.

Construction

Construction Association page. This page of resources is for those in the construction industry.

Travel Issues

CDC Travel page. This page at the CDC contains travel advisories and advice for travelers.

Business conferences have been cancelled, in most cases at least into April, due to prohibitions against large gatherings. Some are converting to online events.  Others plan to reschedule.

Gas Buddy.  Gas Buddy, the gasoline price-tracking site, suggests that gas prices are low due to lower demand with fewer people driving. The site projects that prices will be at multi-decade lows for the better part of 2020, with the national average under $1.80 per gallon by May. This is a positive for those with fleets and entrepreneurs who drive for a living.

List of Travel website and airline information pages:

• Orbitz
• Expedia
• United
• American
• Southwest
• Jet Blue

Business Continuity

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.  This is comprehensive advice about  the safety steps employers should take.

Sick leave and employees

Many businesses are choosing to have employees work at home if at all possible. Technology can help workers collaborate from their homes. If you must keep your work premises open:

Encourage employees not to come to work when they are sick.

Here are prevention tips for the workplace:

• 8 Ways to Protect Your Small Business from the Flu Pandemic
• Cold and Flu Prevention Tips for the Workplace.

Selling during Coronavirus

If your business has slowed down due to the COVID-19 concerns, remember, every stop light eventually turns green.

One of these motivation apps can help you stay upbeat.

Use these 4 sales tips during the coronavirus situation.

Productivity during slow time

Slow times are good for initiatives you may not have the time for regularly and can get you prepared to take advantage of the inevitable upswing. Overhaul your IT systems, complete an inventory, write procedure manuals, implement a new software system, or outline a marketing campaign.

Review your disaster preparedness plan. Every situation is an opportunity to learn from and will make your response better next time.

Remote Work Tools and Other Offers

Zoho is offering Remotely free through July 1, 2020. Zoho is also offering all of its Zoho apps for free for up to 20,000 small businesses for as long as three months to deal with the current situation.

List of remote access tools.

Microsoft is making its Teams video conferencing software available to businesses for free. Read more.

Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 small businesses.  Details here.

TechSmith is offering free access and expanded usage of remote work tools. Apply here.

Intellifluence is offering any coronavirus-impacted small business (restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, lawn care, etc.) a free lifetime plan from Intellifluence, the influence marketing platform.  Details here.

State and Local Health Departments

Below is a list of all health department pages with Coronavirus information for all states, District of Columbia and territories in the United States. Large cities and counties may also issue their own guidance, so be sure to check local websites if applicable to your situation.

 

State Coronavirus Page	State Coronavirus Page
Alabama	Nebraska
Alaska	Nevada
Arizona	New Hampshire
Arkansas	New Jersey
California	New Mexico
Colorado	New York
Connecticut	North Carolina
Delaware	North Dakota
District of Columbia	Ohio
Florida	Oklahoma
Georgia	Oregon
Hawaii	Pennsylvania
Idaho	Rhode Island
Illinois	South Carolina
Indiana	South Dakota
Iowa	Tennessee
Kansas	Texas
Kentucky	Utah
Louisiana	Vermont
Maine	Virginia
Maryland	Washington
Massachusetts	West Virginia
Michigan	Wisconsin
Minnesota	Wyoming
Mississippi	Guam
Missouri	Puerto Rico
Montana	Virgin Islands

This article, “Small Business Resources About Coronavirus” was first published on Small Business Trends

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