Meagan Kerlin

By now, you should know that social media should be a large part of your marketing strategy. While platforms such as Facebook and Twitter get a significant amount of attention for the benefits they offer businesses, it is important not to overlook Pinterest. This particular social media platform is much more than just recipes and decorating ideas — it can help your business reach a entirely new market. When formulating your plan, don’t leave Pinterest off the list.

Pinterest started as a way to search, share and save ideas, including everything from recipes to ways to decorate your Christmas tree. Savvy business owners saw the opportunity to connect with a creative, social media savvy group of potential customers, finding that it is actually a great way to gain exposure and promote specific products and services. With approximately 150 million people on Pinterest, chances are, there are at least a handful of Pinterest users who could benefit from what your business has to offer. If your business isn’t on this social media platform yet, it’s an opportunity lost….but you can still catch up.

The search feature plays a huge role in the function of this site. While users can follow specific people or request to see specific types of things in their feed, it is largely driven by specific keyword searches. For example, a user might look for “pins” specifically related to anything in which they are interested at that moment — everything from dinner ideas to closet organization. Pinterest also has the ability to influence what people are buying, as well as boost traffic to your website.

Pinterest is easy to use and worth your time. You can start by signing up for an account for your business, even if you are already using it for personal purposes. You can boost pins much like you can boost posts on Facebook, and promoted pins are an excellent way to gain exposure, especially when you are still trying to gain new followers. Just like with other social media sites, you should be engaging with people — so respond to comments and connect with potential followers whenever the opportunity arises. Don’t wait to get on board with this helpful social media tool. It’s free to start, easy to use and offers you a great opportunity to connect with a new group of potential customers.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

You’ve heard the phrase, “The devil is the in details,” and really, this old adage is true. The smallest details of your business could have a domino-like effect on several aspects of your operations, making it extremely important not to overlook even the most seemingly benign matters. With an eye on the details, you can both avoid problems and find solutions to issues even before you really need them — saving you time, money and a significant amount of stress.

Business ownership can be an all-encompassing matter. You may feel that you already eat, sleep and live around your business, yet still somehow overlook some things. It may seem impossible to be a visionary for your business idea and married to the details at the same time, all while making sales, dealing with employees and handling day-t0-day challenges. Instead of adding more stress to your life and more to your already too-long to-do list, establish a habit of regularly checking up on the details related to the following:

• Up-to-date website: Whether your pricing has changed or you need to add new products to your site, do not delay in keeping the details of your site as up-to-date as possible. This keeps your customers informed and lowers the likelihood of a problem due to miscommunication.
• Paperwork and other boring stuff: Look, rifling through a stack of papers is no fun, but paperwork is a necessary part of doing business. Schedule time every week to make sure bills are paid, papers are signed and all other stuff, such as tax documents, are managed and dealt with appropriately.
• Social media and digital trends: Social media trends change approximately every 14 seconds. It feels impossible to keep up, and you may not even have the time to think about what’s new and how it could benefit your business…..but try anyway. Peek at your Facebook page, update profiles as necessary and find out how you can do better to implement these tools in your marketing plan.

It’s easy to overlook these menial tasks and small issues. In light of the major things you encounter every day, they probably don’t even seem like a big deal, but they are. If necessary, delegate some of these tasks or hire appropriate help, but no matter what, don’t let neglect of the small details have a big negative impact on your small business.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

When you own a small business, the prices you charge for your products and services should reflect your true value –the value of your time, your effort and your stuff. However, as the person in charge, you may also find that you are asked on a regular basis to discount your pricing. Family members, friends and even random business contacts may request a lower price simply because they know you or they are strapped for cash, and while it is acceptable to help people out occasionally, you must also keep yourself paid and your business afloat. How can you decide what your services are worth? What should you do when asked to give a discount?

As a business owner, you cannot make apologies or excuses for prices that match your true worth. While people are always looking for a good deal, simply psychology suggests that people actually associate higher prices with higher quality and value. You should not out price yourself for your target market, but aim to charge a rate that ensures you make money while still remaining accessible to potential clients. You don’t have to justify your rates, and in many cases, you should not necessarily feel compelled to discount your rates simply because you are asked to do so.

When deciding what to charge for your services and whether or not to offer special pricing upon special request, here are a few things to remember:

• You can’t recover spent time; it is the most precious of all of your commodities. Spend it wisely.
• Money you don’t make now, you will have to make later. If you accept less money for a significant amount work now, you may have to work more hours at a future time to make up for that loss.
• Your prices must reflect the value of what you have to offer, whether that is a physical product or your unique skill set.

Pricing is a tricky thing to address as an entrepreneur. Don’t sell yourself short or allow others to cause you to work hard for nothing, but make sure what you are charging is fair and appropriate for the high-quality and valuable services you offer. This not only will attract clients who are looking for value and return on their investment, but also the kind of customers who come back over and over again.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Do you have a problem with procrastination? If you do, you are not alone. Everyone struggles with the tendency to put off responsibilities and delay tasks from time to time, but when left unchecked, it can become a serious problem. Without management, procrastination can actually negatively impact your business and erode away at your efficiency and profitability. Getting ahold of your problem with procrastination is not only good for your time management; it’s good for the overall success of your business.

Beating procrastination takes dedication and self-discipline. If it’s become a deeply rooted habit, it can be quite difficult to shake, but it’s worth the effort. Start with the following tips to get rid of it once and for all:

• Find out why you tend to procrastinate—get to the root of the problem.
• Get rid of the obstacles that keep you from getting stuff done.
• Attack tasks before you have time to think about delaying them.
• Put yourself in the right environment to succeed.
• Be realistic about what you can accomplish.
• Divide larger tasks into smaller ones.
• Let go of perfection.
• Focus on results.

When you change your perspective and how you think about the tasks you have to do, you may find it easier to stop putting it off and just get it done. For you, beating procrastination could be as easy as taking the first step…and then the next one and the next one after that, one at a time. Time management is a skill that all successful people must grasp, and that certainly means slaying this particular demon.

Procrastination is often rooted in how you feel about the task at hand. Instead, focus on how you will feel when it’s over and you have accomplished a goal or knocked something off of your to-do list. Breaking this bad habit is possible, and once you’ve stopped the procrastination habit, you will enjoy greater productivity than ever before.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

In business, as in most things in life, it is quite prudent to know where you are headed and how to get there before you endeavor to start on any journey. No matter how your business started, it can be quite beneficial to do an appropriate amount of research before you either launch your entrepreneurial endeavor or move forward with a new phase or product offering. Excitement is the driving force behind many of the most profitable periods of any type of business, and while excitement is good, research should always lead the way in these matters.

Research is critical as it not only allows you to better understand the market, your potential customer and the impact of the product and services you intend to offer, but it can also help you avoid major, costly missteps. There is a reason why major companies invest thousands, if not millions, of dollars into research groups — a bit of research allows the opportunity to analyze how something will perform before releasing it to the general public. This saves money, time and a significant amount of stress for any type of business, no matter the type of product or service in question.

The amount and type of research necessary for your endeavor will depend largely upon factors such as the size of your company, your budget, your products and services, and more. Whether through surveys, online searches, product sampling or even focus groups, you can better better understand what your target audience wants, what adjustments should be made and how you can make your product perform better once it reaches the marketplace.

Research is not only a practical way to avoid problems, it can give you a better understanding into how your target audience operates and what they are looking for. This alone is worth the effort, allowing you to tailor what you offer to meet specific needs and wants. Research makes a difference in small business, so don’t overlook this critical step when starting something new.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Business owners must learn, either through training, formal education or a little of both, that good management is a key component to doing good business. A poorly managed restaurant will still have trouble succeeding, no matter how good the food is and how experienced the wait staff may be, and the same can be said for any type of business. You must manage well, even if you are running a one-man show. If you struggle with management skills or feel a bit out of control, the following tips may help you streamline your management and step up your game:

• Prioritize tasks
• Keep a detailed calendar
• Spend time in the mornings getting ready for the day ahead
• Know how to unplug from your business
• Hire good people and train them well
• Have workable systems in place
• Don’t be afraid to change if your current plan isn’t working
• Continue to seek education for yourself
• Recognize burnout and know how to prevent it
• Delegate tasks when necessary
• Set a “stop time” for work-related activities in the evenings
• Find a good, workable work-life balance

Good managers learn through change, allow people the freedom to use their creativity to get results and don’t shy away from adversity and the unexpected. Management is about much more than systems and procedures, but rather, it has much to do with your mindset and your willingness to have a people-first mentality when it comes to partners, customers and employees.

Better management doesn’t have to mean that you must change yourself or lose sight of why you started your business in the first place. Evaluate yourself and your management skills, identify a few areas that could benefit from improvement, and work closely with others involved in your business to find out how you can make things work better and more smoothly. Whether you are the only person working for your business or you have dozens of employees, good management is a skill that must be valued and fostered.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Standing out from the crowd is one of the most critical components of succeeding in a crowded market. It is possible to turn a profit with stiff competition surrounding you, but you must be intentional, thoughtful and creative in your marketing and branding strategy. Differentiating your brand is not only a smart business move, it could be the smartest business move you ever make.

The great thing about free enterprise is that anyone can choose to shop anywhere, at any time. You must present your business in a way that not only captures a person’s attention but also compels them to spend money. Getting people “through the door” is only one step in this process. From using social media to connect with potential customers to introducing new and exciting products, there are many ways you can do this. Consider the following suggestions as you think about how you could be differentiating your brand:

• Rethink your pricing. From introducing a line of lower-cost products or a la carte services to running sales, there are plenty of ways that you can encourage more spending by reducing your costs. Even offering premium services for higher fees may be a smart way to attract higher-paying clientele, therefore connecting with a certain market that your competition may be missing.
• Offer exceptional customer service. There is a reason why people will pay significantly more at one store rather than visiting the discount store next door — it often boils down to good old-fashioned customer service. You can differentiate your brand from the competition simply by treating your customers like valued individuals, not just a dollar sign.
• Don’t shy away from change. While there is a certain value to knowing what works for you and sticking to it, there is much to be said for making adjustments and changing as needed. How long have you been doing the same old thing? If it’s not really working anymore, why not adjust? Trying something new doesn’t mean turning your whole business upside down; it simply means that a fresh look or a different approach could be the ticket to pulling ahead in a crowded market.

Competing well is a key for any business looking to find success in a crowded marketplace. You can’t sit there and watch your customers turn to other businesses. Fight for your client base by employing creative methods and thinking outside the box. How are you differentiating your brand, and is it time to try something new?

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Success as an entrepreneur depends on much more than a good idea and a desire to make money. In fact, you may find that despite your best physical effort, you are still short of your goals and failing to meet your objectives for your business. Your problem may not be for lack of trying or any other tangible factor, but rather, it could be your mentality that is keeping you from moving toward your goals. In your case, a simple change in perspective and a bit of self-awareness could serve as an effective “fix” to some of the issues you find yourself facing. Are you sabotaging yourself with any of the following mindsets?

• Passion-driven. It is a very good thing to have passion for your business and your goals, but there are times that this could be a problem if your passion never allows you to see your mistakes, observe shortcomings and make necessary adjustments. If your passion is blinding you to serious problems, that’s a sign that your passion is actually a hinderance to your success.
• Very independent. If you were not independent to at least a small degree, chances are you would not have chosen to become an entrepreneur. While independence can be a strength, it can also be a hinderance if it keeps you from seeking help when needed. You do not know everything about everything, and it is a good thing to trust the guidance of other professionals when it comes to things like building a website, marketing, product strategy and more.
• Too positive. Having a positive mentality is a great thing when you are chasing down the dream of owing your own business. However, this should not blind you to the need to change, adjust and move on when things don’t go as planned. A positive attitude is wonderful, but it is best to balance it with a realism that allows you to recognize problems and address them appropriately in a timely manner.

Confidence in your vision and a strong mindset are crucial components to success as an entrepreneur, but when left unchecked, even good things can have a negative effect on your business. If there is something missing or you feel like something is holding you back, start with an honest evaluation of your business mentality and the potential “blinders” you may be wearing—if it’s not helping you move forward, it’s a hinderance. Don’t self-sabatoge—evaluate, adjust and keep pushing for success.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC