You need to gain knowledge from a wide variety of fields when you are trying to run a small business. Besides marketing, public relations, social media, and finances, you also have to know about networking and collaboration tools. And that is just the tip of the iceberg! In order to integrate all these fields together in a way that benefits your business, you should also be knowledgeable about current and up-to-date technology. This can help grow your business and make your life much easier as you try to juggle all your roles.
Utilize Apps on Your Phone
You are busy, so it is important that when you have some time to work on something that you have access to it. This can be done with a lot of aspects of your business via apps on your smartphone. You can manage payroll and employee benefits, see a snapshot of your company’s finances, keep in contact with vendors and other connections, and track invoices all on your phone. No more wasted time is waiting at appointments or commuting on public transportation!
Social Media
Another important internet-based tool that needs to be in your arsenal is social media marketing. Social media platforms are one of the biggest areas that most people spend time on when they are on the internet. You can not only engage with existing customers by answering their questions and responding to customer service issues, but you can also reach potential customers as well and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
Email Marketing
Some people don’t want to spend time collecting email addresses when they first start off, but that is a mistake. Building an email list as early as possible is an important step in your marketing plan. Even if you are not planning on starting an email newsletter right away, it doesn’t hurt to collect the emails for future use. Sending out an email to your list is an effective marketing strategy because it puts you in direct contact with people who have already expressed interest in your products or services. By offering regular emails that provide discounts, promotional deals, new products or services, and other helpful content, you encourage customers to remain loyal and keep your company at the forefront of their minds.
Internet Security
While a lot of these suggestions have been about building your business, you shouldn’t ignore the need to protect it as well. A security breach can lead to a loss of revenue, a loss of data, and a loss of good favor with your customers. Customers only want to interact with a company if they feel safe, and any loss of data can set you back.
IT Consulting
One way you can secure your company and your data is by hiring someone to manage your IT services. One important aspect of cybersecurity is backing up your data. Between a cyber attack, an accident, or a technology malfunction, you don’t want to lose years of precious data and files. You can find backup and data services from a lot of different places online, like www.umbrella-ms.com/services-solutions/backup-and-disaster-recovery/.
