More small businesses use Twitter, Facebook to promote versus traditional advertising
July 28th, 2010
Posted By: Andy Willoughby
Here is an article from the USA Today about the growing use of social media among small businesses. More of them are choosing to utilize social media at the expense of traditional forms of advertising. Small businesses view it as an easy way to maintain contact with current customers while reaching out to new ones.
A new study by MerchantCircle found that more than half of nearly 10,000 respondents nationwide said they plan to create or maintain a social networking presence in the next three months. This number is the highest since the survey began a year ago and is up from 41% in the first three months this year.
More small businesses use Twitter, Facebook to promote
SAN FRANCISCO — A surge in social-media use by small businesses reflects a shift in how they operate and their comfort with increasingly easy-to-use technology.In growing numbers, small-business owners are adopting social-networking services, location-based services, Twitter and online video to promote products and services, according to a new study by MerchantCircle, a social network for small businesses. It polled a fraction of its more than 1.3 million members.
The survey results are the strongest evidence yet that small businesses — which account for more than 90% of all U.S. companies and fuel the economy — are accelerating their use of social media at the expense of traditional media such as newspapers, the Yellow Pages and radio. Even e-mail messages have taken a beating.
Businesses with fewer than five employees “see Facebook and others as a way to reach targeted consumers” while saving marketing expenditures during a rough economy, says Darren Waddell, vice president of marketing at MerchantCircle.
Mompreneur Shares How to Maximize Time
July 23rd, 2010
Posted by: Andy Willoughby
Here is an article from Entrepreneur Magazine written by Lisa Druxman about the difficult choices that entrepreneur moms have to make.
No matter what your stage in motherhood, it really is a full-time job. I don’t know a single stay-at-home mom who feels she has extra hours in the day. Now, add running a business to that never-ending job, and it’s easy to see how it’s a formula for becoming overwhelmed. Nevertheless, so many of us hit the trenches each day as both mom and entrepreneur. Personally, I’m on a never-ending journey to make the formula work.
You’ve heard it before. We all have the same 24 hours. So, if we are filling those hours with business and motherhood, something has to give. I asked women all over the country what they have given up in order to be a mom in business, and here’s a sampling of what they said:
MSNBC Posts Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan Home Business Success Stories
July 14th, 2010
Posted By: Andy Willoughby
MSNBC featured Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan member success stories about creating and managing a home business. The 3 Step Plan allows members to find financial freedom while not having their lives consumed by work.
Rob and Denise Carver became members of the 3 Step Plan in 2007 after Rob was diagnosed with MS and was no longer able to work outside their home. With the 3 Step Plan, they took control of their finances and were able to work from home . “The 3 Step Plan is so simple and truly made for anyone to use. We started this almost three years ago and haven’t looked back,” said Denise Carver.
3 Step Plan Member Success Stories Featured on Retirement Plan Tips
July 14th, 2010
Posted by: Andy Willoughby
Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan is featured on retirementplantips.com. Members of the 3 Step Plan discuss how it benefits people of all ages and helps to achieve financial freedom by increasing wealth with their home business. Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby developed the 3 step plan to achieve three goals:
- One family member creating income from a home-based business
- Help overcome debt and live debt free
- Learn to live life without financial problems
Small Business Expert Steve Strauss Gives Tips on How to Start Your Own Business Now
July 8th, 2010
Posted By: Andy Willoughby
Here is a video post by ABC, featuring USA Today contributor and small business expert Steve Strauss about why starting a small business in this tough economy can deem successful by following 5 simple tips.
Tip 1: Be A Business Person: Learn business and start writing a business plan
Tips 2: Look For Vacuums And Waves: There are 27 million businesses and 99 percent account for small businesses. Your business needs something new and different, the vacuum, and something old and successful, the wave. The vacuum is doing something different, thinking outside of the box. Wave is old that deems successful for other businesses such as a twitter page for your business.
Tip 3: Have A GREAT Online Presence: Set up a Website that makes you look professional and big no matter how small your business is because it can generate more business and profit
Tip 4: Use Available Technology: Buy software that can help contribute to your business and have a professional business space for client meeting
Tip 5: Don’t Lead: Find successful business models in your industry
Small Business Expert Steve Strauss Gives Tips On How to Start Your Own Business Now
Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan Members Review Home Business Success
July 6th, 2010
Posted By: Andy Willoughby
Despite what some people may think about network marketing, Entrepreneur Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan has assisted many people start and manage home businesses. Willoughby’s members assess how the 3 Step Plan has offered them the financial freedom and flexible hours they have always desired.
Review the 3 Step Plan: http://www.3stepplan.com
Denise and Rob Carver, members of the 3 Step Plan reviewed the system. “Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan has changed our lives. My husband’s income was our sole income for the past 20 years. But everything changed in 2007 when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was unable to work. With Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan, we took control of our own finances. The 3 Step Plan is so simple and truly made for anyone to use. We started this almost three years ago and haven’t looked back,” said Denise Carver.
For Patty Messer, a retired school teacher, octogenarian parent and mother to an adult special needs daughter, the 3 Step Plan has allowed her to manage her own schedule and finances. “Retirement means a fixed income, but the cost of living continues to rise. I am not able to work outside the house with specific hours. The 3 Step Plan gives me the freedom and flexibility to be able to work from home while taking care of my family. I am very grateful to Andy Willoughby for providing a method of advertising that is both rewarding and successful,” Messer said.
David Gillispie added that the plan is reliable, easy to use and informational. “Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan has been advertised for several years, people recognize that it is a stable system. This system provides very useful training, support and tools that proved to be successful in building my home business,” Gillispie said.
Willoughby is grateful to those who are successfully utilizing his 3 Step Plan. “I created this business system to give people the opportunity to have financial freedom, and at the same time, to not have their lives consumed by work,” said Willoughby.
Learn more about Andy Willoughby’s 3 Step Plan: http://www.3stepplan.com or http://andywilloughby.com.