It's a great time to be a small business owner!

Why It's a Great Time to Be a Small Business Owner

Have you been watching all the media coverage about the threat to small business? There's so much of it, it's pretty hard to miss. But, it's also important to remember that the media's job is to sell newspapers and attract viewers.

Despite what they've been telling you, it's a great time to own a small business.

If you're a small business owner, you knew going in that this wasn't going to be easy. If you wanted easy, you wouldn't have listened to that little voice that told you could do something better than what everyone else was doing.

Instead, you believed in your talents and your creativity. You knew you could use them to accomplish something better. And now you can.

This is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

As a small business owner, you don't need to be afraid of getting laid off, or not getting a raise this year. Your position is secure, and how much money you make next year depends only on you.

You're actually in a perfect position to take advantage of this economic downturn. Unlike large companies, you're easily able to adapt to what your target market needs, and make sure you're meeting those needs.

That's right - your target market still needs you. That fact hasn't changed. Exactly what they need from you may be changing, but they still have goals they need your help to reach.

What does your target market need from you right now?

If you're not sure, you need to find out. Start connecting with them in the places where they spend their time and discover what their concerns are right now.

Then come up with ways you can help them solve those problems. You have the flexibility and the creativity to come up with solutions that meet your market's changing needs.

Make sure your market knows how to find you.

If they're in a panic too, your clients and potential clients are probably not going to seek you out. This is why it's more important than ever to make sure your business is visible to them every day, in multiple ways.

Begin connecting with your market on social media sites, if you're not there already. Write articles that solve your readers' problems, and publish them in places where your potential clients will read them. Launch a business blog that helps you establish an ongoing dialogue with your market, so they know you're still there and that you're listening to them.

Strengthen relationships with other small business owners. (This is where MakeMinePink comes in!)

The most powerful thing you have going for you is your relationships with other small business owners. Instead of spending energy lamenting our economic troubles, we need to encourage each other and work together to stay the course.

Have an idea but not sure how to make it work? That's what we're all here here for, to bounce ideas off of and help each other come up with a workable solution. When you're feeling frustrated because nothing seems to be working, your support network can offer a new perspective, and encourage you to try again.

This is a great time to own a small business. It's the opportunity you've been waiting for. Use your brains, your talent and your creativity, and let your business shine.

Please join us as we launch our new series of Webinars by Social Media expert Lena West.

Please click here for webinar schedule and registration!  

Joyce Lucas, Founder
www.makeminepink.com    
www.cottagecollections.com    

Comments

[Müzik Dinle]

Thanks you, very good article.

[Web Tasarım]

This is very nice post. thank you.

[chelsea]

THIS BLOG IS SOOOOO CUTE!!!

[Mariana]

Very nice blog! I really like it! :)

[Barb Simmons]

I apprediciated your comments on owning a small business in todays economy, and agree. Having just opened a small gift shop in May, I am finding out how important it is to stay in touch with other like businesses in my area, and do as much as we can to help each other be successful. If our goal is to help others succeed, and to keep our customers happy, we will not only survive these times, but thrive.
Our attitude is all important in what we do. If we think big, and dream big, it will happen.

tahnks. Now to read more of your blog.

Barbara Jean

[Ronda Juniper Ray]

Good morning, and Happy Holidays, Joyce! Thank you for stopping by my blog last night.

I really loved coming up with something for my Secret Sister's gift. I hope she doesn't have too much trouble figuring out who it's from -- it would be very humbling indeed if she did!
:-))))

Warmest regards from the frozen midwest, Ronda

[Lynn@thevintagenest]

Hi Joyce, Just stopping by to say Hi to my "neighbor". Great post! I was worried that my business of selling vintage and kind of frou frou stuff would drop off with the economy the way it is but NOT. Things are going great. Thanks for all you do.

[Lori Madrid]

Thanks for the great positive post. It is so true. The media is not positive. Instead of telling people to go out and shop with small businesses they are doing the opposite. We all need to stay positive and keep going.

[MyInvestorsPlace]

Great to read such a motivating post.. This encourages the small businessmen. And how much money they make next year depends only on their attitude.

MyInvestorsPlace - Trading, Investing, Forex, Stock, Market, Technical, Analysis, Systems

[Lilli Blue]

That is great to read. MMP kept me from getting scammed. I just posted on the forums and all the girls gave me great advice. I'd be lost with out them! I really enjoyed going down the list of links you posted on the forum. It gave me some great ideas. Thanks for all your inspiration. Lilli