a-mural-of-different -forms-of-traditional-advertising-media-on-a-pastel-background.

3 Advantages of Traditional Advertising

by BlogEdmiston Group
a-mural-of-different -forms-of-traditional-advertising-media-on-a-pastel-background.

Social media and digital marketing have been the focus of many marketing plans for over ten years. And while many companies continued to use traditional advertising, many looked to the cost-saving convenience of online marketing and advertising.

However, over the years, the digital landscape changed. Each platform became more complicated. Online advertising became very expensive. Suddenly, we realized that we needed to hire teams or know how to manage copy, create graphic assets, use social media schedulers, and read analytics. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of all the work, time, and resources that can go into a digital-only presence. 

As the landscape changed, privacy laws instituted new technological requirements, different audiences leaned towards different social platforms, and the amount of noise skyrocketed. That’s why it’s all the more important to know and connect with your audience as discussed in our blog How to Connect Authentically with Your Audience. It’s critical to target your message to cut through the noise.

It’s also smart to have a two-fold approach. What does this mean? It means having both digital marketing and traditional advertising in your marketing plan.

So, what is traditional advertising? Traditional advertising is any form of marketing that does not use online media to reach an audience. Basic examples of traditional advertising include newspaper ads and print ads, billboards, direct mail, TV and radio advertisements.  There has recently been a shift to direct mail.  My client has had good success with the right letter by drilling down to a target audience to include not only demographics but FICO scores as well.  

Although traditional advertising has taken a back seat to online digital marketing, it remains an effective avenue for boosting your brand. Traditional advertising creates opportunities to reach a large audience in ways that digital marketing cannot. The emotional impact of traditional advertising should not be underestimated. Television and radio, in particular, offer the opportunity to engage audiences on a visceral level through storytelling, music, and visuals. These emotional connections can leave a lasting impression, making your brand more memorable in the minds of consumers.

3 Advantages Of Traditional Advertising

1. Connection With Your Local Audience

Building a connection with your local audience can create a bond that makes them feel appreciated and know that you have a genuine interest in their wants, needs, well-being, and lives. This connection will help them feel they are understood… and who doesn’t like to feel understood and appreciated? 

Today’s consumers rely on relationships more than ever when deciding on how to spend their money. So, why not create the best relationship you can with your audience?

With traditional advertising tactics such as marketing collateral, newspaper ads, local TV commercials or billboards, your company will be seen in the heart of your community and your efforts to reach your target audience will feel more organic and less business-like.

2. Sustainable Promotional Materials

Have you noticed that when you are online, you are constantly receiving promotional materials? Sometimes, a company may post online two or three times a day to keep in front of you and garner your attention. However, this can be a bit overwhelming and even annoying.

Traditional methods of marketing are more sustainable and leave a longer impression on your audience. They also can reach a diverse audience across all demographics. You can also achieve more efficiency by using the same TV commercial, flyers, business cards, or brochures over and over again. You design them once, use them, and update them when needed. Therefore, you don’t have to constantly produce new material and promote your product or service with a frequency that is difficult to manage.

3. Traditional Advertising Establishes Credibility

Consumers are spending a lot of their time online and it seems they are becoming increasingly frustrated with the chaos of digital advertising. With so much digital advertising, consumers are forming a negative association with the company’s brand, service, or product. Digital advertising oftentimes can create a barrier and prevent the consumer from reading an article, watching a video, or browsing a website. According to a Hubspot survey, 57% of participants disliked ads that played before a video and 43% didn’t even watch them. As a result, companies are looking for ways to set themselves apart and cut through the noise and clutter.

While digital channels are susceptible to the perception of fake news and online scams, traditional mediums, such as print and television, often carry a sense of more legitimacy and authority. Printed material and ads are typically viewed as more trustworthy. Why? A company that can place ads in print media such as a magazine or newspaper, or in a commercial on television and radio, is perceived to have the financial means to do so. So, the consumer’s perception is that if the company has the money to do so, the company is growing, successful, and stable.

“With the rise of digital advertising and social media, there was an assumption of the demise of traditional advertising. However, traditional advertising is alive and well!”

Traditional and digital advertising, when used together, can broaden your reach, build more credibility, resonate brand presence, and motivate buying from consumers who otherwise might not watch or listen to digital marketing messages.

Every company uses advertising in one form or another to help promote their business. Are you targeting the right publications? Do your ads contain strong calls to action? If you need help putting your advertising strategy in place, give the Edmiston Group a call at 724.612.0755. We can measure the effectiveness of your advertising plan and make adjustments to drive more success for your business.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

hands of a young woman using mobile phone in modern shopping mall.

4 Steps to Creating a Holiday Offer to End Your Year on a High Note

by BlogEdmiston Group
hands of a young woman using mobile phone in modern shopping mall.

For many business owners, whether you have a brick-and-mortar or online business, December is a critical month for achieving your annual sales goals. If you’re hoping to end the year with increased sales, now is the time to plan a special year-end or holiday offer.

To guide you in creating your offer, here is a four-step process to ensure you craft an offer that is great for both your business and your audience.

Step 1: Determine Your Holiday Marketing Goals

The first step to success is setting your goals. As always, you’ll want to set goals that are time-based, measurable, and reasonable. Once you create your goals, you can further define whether each goal is for new customers and/or increased sales to existing customers.

Here are sample holiday marketing goals that take into consideration revenue and timing. 

 – Achieve a revenue base of $12,500 for the month of December.

 – Increase my daily average sales for the month of December by 12%.

 – Host a networking event with an attendance of at least 50 business owners that results in sales of $3,000.

Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience

After you’ve set your goals, it’s time to focus on defining your audience. The better job you do at defining your audience, the more you will be able to connect with your audience when it comes time to create and promote the offer. 

Instead of skipping this step because you’ve done it a million times, take a few moments and visualize your audience. Think about who your best customers are. What do they like? What is their financial status? Where do they live? What interests them? What inspires them to action? In the next step, you’ll be creating an offer for these individuals.   

But first, once you’ve identified your general audience, determine if you want to segment your audience. Do you have VIP customers that you want to do a little extra for? Do you want to invite customers who haven’t been in touch for a while? Or are you more focused on attracting new prospects? This will help you determine if you will have one offer to support your goal, or if you will have variations of an offer for special segments of your audience.

Step 3: Create Your Holiday Offer

Now that you’ve taken the time to really consider your audience, determine what product or service you want to promote. Envisioning your target audience, which of your products or services would benefit them the most in December? Is it a specific item or maybe it’s how you package existing items? What will make it easy for your customers to say yes? Be creative!

Once you have determined the product, determine what incentive is most likely to inspire your audience to act and that will support your goal. Is it a percent off, buy one get one, a free stocking stuffer, or perhaps bonus dollars? You want to package your offer in a way that appeals to your audience.

Step 4: Promote Your Holiday Offer

Now that you have a nicely packaged offer, it’s time to promote it.

Consider all your marketing options, which include direct emails, texts, online and/or conventional ads, posters, banners, newspaper ads, and online social posts. If you have a VIP offer, maybe you will want to send a special invitation via mail or give your customer a call. 

When it comes to email marketing, begin sending direct emails at least a few weeks in advance, send a reminder a couple of days to one week prior, and send a last-chance email.

These four steps of setting your holiday goals, defining your target audience, creating your offer, and then promoting your offer are four simple steps that can lead to a great close to your year-end sales. Cheers to your holiday success.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Back-to-school sales poster with realistic school supplies. Paper cut style letters on blackboard background. Vector illustration.

Maximize Your Business Success with a Back-to-School Sale

by BlogEdmiston Group

As the summer days wind down and the back-to-school season approaches, as a small business owner, you have a golden opportunity to boost your business revenue and to engage with your community through a well-executed back-to-school sale. This annual tradition doesn’t just benefit students and parents; it can significantly impact your business’s success. According to an article by Statista, “American parents, guardians, and children were planning to spend an estimated total of 41.5 billion U.S. dollars. This would equate to roughly 890 U.S. dollars in school supply expenses per American household”. Let’s delve into why a back-to-school sale is essential for small businesses and how to make the most of it.

Back-to-school sales poster with realistic school supplies. Paper cut style letters on blackboard background. Vector illustration.

Why Back-to-School Sales Matter:

  1. Increased Foot Traffic and Online Traffic: Back-to-school shopping is a seasonal ritual that drives customers to your store or website. Capitalize on this heightened interest to expand your customer base.
  2. Revenue Boost: A well-promoted sale can bring a surge of income during a period when spending is on the rise. It’s an excellent way to make up for any lulls you might have experienced earlier in the year.
  3. Brand Awareness and Engagement: Offering exclusive deals during a back-to-school sale can create a buzz around your brand. It encourages potential customers to interact with your business and become loyal patrons.

Strategies for a Successful Back-to-School Sale:

  1. Early Planning: Start your preparations well in advance. Decide on the dates, discounts, and marketing strategies you’ll implement.
  2. Attractive Discounts: Consider offering enticing discounts on school supplies, clothing, and accessories. Bundle deals and “buy one, get one” offers can also attract attention.
  3. Multichannel Promotion: Utilize your online presence, social media platforms, email newsletters, and physical storefront to spread the word about your sale.
  4. Themed Marketing: Craft engaging marketing materials with a back-to-school theme. Use visuals that resonate with students, parents, and educators.
  5. Incentivize Loyalty: Consider offering additional discounts for repeat customers or creating a loyalty program to encourage future purchases.
  6. Collaborations: Partner with local schools or educational organizations for mutually beneficial promotions. This can strengthen community ties and increase your reach.

Key Takeaways:

Back-to-school sales aren’t just about boosting sales for a limited period. They’re an opportunity to showcase your business, attract new customers, and foster loyalty among your existing clientele. By offering attractive deals and a positive shopping experience, you create a lasting impression that can translate into repeat business throughout the year.

As a small business owner, you have the advantage of agility and personalization that larger corporations often lack. Use this to your advantage by tailoring your back-to-school sale to resonate with your local community’s needs and preferences. With careful planning and creative marketing, your back-to-school sale can become a cornerstone of your business’s success year after year.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Contact Us. Creative Collage Of Smartphone With New Messages Notification And Communication Tools Icons Flying Around

Boost Your Trade Show Success: Harness Automation for Efficient Selling and Lead Generation

by BlogEdmiston Group
Contact Us. Creative Collage Of Smartphone With New Messages Notification And Communication Tools Icons Flying Around

Trade shows present a valuable opportunity for small business owners to showcase your products and connect with potential buyers. However, managing the selling process and collecting vital buyer information can be a time-consuming process. 

Fortunately, automation can improve your trade show experience by streamlining sales and lead generation. In this blog, we explore how small business owners can leverage automation to enhance your trade show success and maximize your return on investment.

Streamline the Sales Process

When sponsoring a trade show booth, streamlining the sales process is crucial for maximizing your revenue and customer satisfaction. To achieve this, consider implementing a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system such as Square. This kind of App allows you to process transactions on the go, ensuring a seamless and efficient buying experience for your customers.

You can also incorporate barcodes or QR code scanning technologies for more accurate transaction processing and to expedite purchases while minimizing the risk of human error. Integrating your inventory management system with your sales platform can ensure visibility of real-time product availability, and eliminate the risk of overselling and disappointing potential buyers. By embracing these strategies, you can enhance your sales process, boost customer satisfaction, and ultimately drive greater success at trade shows.

Capture Lead Information Efficiently

Efficiently capturing lead information is essential when sponsoring a trade show booth so you can nurture potential buyers and convert them into loyal customers. To achieve this, consider investing in a lead capture app, such as iCapture. iCapture can help streamline the process, allowing you to seamlessly collect valuable buyer information such as contact details and product interests, right on the spot. 

Furthermore, by taking advantage of badge scanning technology, you can quickly capture attendee information from trade show badges, saving time and ensuring accuracy. By implementing these strategies, you can efficiently capture lead information, establish meaningful connections with prospects, and enhance your chances of post-trade show success.

Automate Follow-up Communication

Automating your follow-up communication is a key strategy for maximizing the impact of your trade show booth sponsorship. Begin by setting up automated email marketing campaigns that nurture leads and provide personalized product recommendations. This will ensure that potential buyers feel engaged and valued. 

And, don’t forget to send timely follow-up emails that provide relevant information, exclusive trade show discounts, or special offers. This will keep your brand top of mind! By automating your follow-up communication, you can build stronger relationships, increase customer engagement, and ultimately drive higher post-trade show conversions.

I like to use Constant Contact. If you would like to grow your audience for your small business with an all-in-one digital marketing platform, use this link to sign up or give me a call at (724)612-0755… I would love to help!

Leverage Social Media Automation

Leveraging social media automation can significantly enhance your trade show booth sponsorship by amplifying your brand’s reach and engaging with potential buyers. Start by scheduling and automating social media posts before, during, and after the trade show to generate buzz, create excitement, and attract attendees to your booth. Additionally, utilize chatbots on social media platforms to proactively engage with potential buyers, answer their queries, and collect contact information. This will ensure a seamless and interactive experience for interested prospects. 

Analyze and Optimize Performance

Analyzing and optimizing performance is crucial when sponsoring a trade show booth to ensure maximum return on your investment. Utilize analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of your trade show efforts, tracking key metrics such as booth traffic, engagement, and conversion rates. These measurements will enable you to make data-driven decisions for improvement. 

You can also collect and analyze data on buyer preferences, demographics, and purchase behavior to gain insights into your target audience – allowing you to refine your marketing strategies and tailor your offerings to their needs. By adopting a proactive approach to performance analysis and optimization, you can continuously improve your trade show outcomes and drive long-term growth for your small business

Are you ready to take your trade show success to the next level? Start implementing automation techniques and tools today to enhance your selling process and generate valuable leads. Embrace automation, and let it help boost your trade show success!

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

An open envelope with the words Mailing List to illustrate a file of customers, readers, subscribers or recipients for your marketing message or communication

Growth Strategies to Get People Excited to Join Your Email List

by BlogEdmiston Group
An open envelope with the words Mailing List to illustrate a file of customers, readers, subscribers or recipients for your marketing message or communication

Your email marketing list is one of your most valuable business assets! Why? It’s simple. You own it. You can reach out to your audience when you want. You don’t have to ‘work around’ complicated algorithms that you encounter on social media platforms. You don’t have to pay advertising fees to send your email, and you can even send targeted emails to different segments within your list.

The Value of Your List

Did you know that 71% of consumers prefer buying from companies aligned with their values? The key word in growing your list is VALUE. Focusing on inviting the right types of individuals to be on your list can add value to that person, to their business, or to some aspect of their life. Perhaps they are a great strategic partner and you can help each other out? Growing your list is about more than size. It is about quality and intention. Do it right, and you can set yourself apart as a leader in your industry or community, gain recognition for your authority and expertise, grow your referral network, stay top-of-mind with those important to your business growth, and ultimately, grow your business.

Get Consent

It’s true. You need to get consent to add people to your list. Exchanging business cards is not consent. Utilize a sign-up form, text-to-join, or even a lead magnet to grow your list. Take time to learn about CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and other regulations.

List GROWTH Strategy 

There are many ways to grow your email list. Here are just a few examples: 

  • Create an Assessment Quiz: Develop an interactive survey or quiz that segments readers into descriptive categories that are aligned with your selling cycle and their journey.
  • Create a Fun # Your Audience Will Identify With: Who doesn’t want to belong? Be creative! Think of and incorporate a # onto your sign-up form and button.
  • Provide a Free Report, Checklist, or Whitepaper: Create, design AND share great content that helps your audience solve a problem.
  • Free Webinar: Invite your audience to a limited-time LIVE webinar and/or make a recorded webinar available for free.
  • Free Giveaways – such as Book or Video: YES! If your price point is high-enough, why not mail a book to great leads – they pay shipping only – or you cover that too. Alternatively, provide a free e-book for download.
  • Run a Challenge: Share a short training program via automated emails that can be completed in one week or less (i.e. 3-Day Challenge, 7-Day Challenge).
  • Just Ask!: On a phone call? Networking? Offer to send a relevant newsletter directly to them and ask if they would also like to be added to your list!
  • Text-to-Join: Do you speak at events? Ask your audience to sign-up during your talk! Provide the slide deck, or other relevant content, in return. Be sure to let them know they are signing up for your newsletter and that they can easily unsubscribe.
  • Cover the Basics!: Make sure you cover the basics! Can readers easily sign up for your newsletter via your website, blogs, Facebook, email signature, and even invoices?

Growing your email list doesn’t have to be hard. By being creative, showing value, and stretching the boundaries of your current audience, you can see significant growth in your email list. 

And Last But Not Least, Thank Them!

Your audience is giving you their TIME and ATTENTION. Be sure to provide true value in return. Share your knowledge, share discounts, and let them know you care!

If you aren’t sure where to start, give me a call at (724) 612-0755 so we can assess your needs and create a more effective marketing strategy.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

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3 Reasons Why Every Business Owner Needs A Vacation

by BlogEdmiston Group
Opened suitcase with clothes and different accessories for travelling on light wooden floor

It’s the start of summertime –  most people start thinking about taking a vacation and spending quality time with their families. Yet, small business owners often feel like they cannot take a vacation. Why? They think they are too busy or that their business will fall apart in their absence. However, It’s important to recognize the benefits of taking a vacation.

Here are 3 reasons why every business owner needs to take a vacation:

1. You need it. 

If you are a  small business owner, you are likely overworked. Being overworked can cause irritability, resentment, burnout and magnify mistakes on the job. The reason? It goes back to the importance of rest. Our minds and bodies need rest. We need a break from the stress of running a business. When our bodies and minds are rested, we are more refreshed. By stepping away from our work and resetting the body and mind, it allows us to perform at our highest potential. When we perform at our highest potential, we often feel more motivated and energized when returning back to the office. Taking a vacation is good for you!

2. Your business needs it.

If you want to continue to grow your business, then you need to take the time to take a vacation. Taking a vacation might seem counterproductive when you’re trying to run a successful business, but it might be exactly what your business needs. 

By being away from the business, you can refocus. Without the day-to-day pressures of the office, you can use the time and surroundings of a calming and relaxing environment to see problems more clearly and from a fresh perspective. This fresh perspective brings new ideas for things “to do” for your business as well as things “not to do”. Think of your vacation as a compass that can point you in the right direction, and right you if you are heading in the wrong direction. 

Vacations can also help uncover issues with employees or outdated business practices while you are away. The time away will allow you to fix these issues if you didn’t know existed, ultimately, making your business more enjoyable to work at, more valuable and more efficient. Taking a vacation is good for your business!

3. Your Family Needs it.

As a business owner, you are not the only one feeling the repercussions of stress. Your family has their own stress too. Taking a vacation allows you and your family to leave behind the stress of their normal routines and allows you to connect and bond with them in a less stressful environment. Vacations will give everybody the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves. This will help create stronger connections, create lasting memories, and foster stronger relationships.

Vacations help keep life in perspective. Your business is likely one of the most important aspects of your life. But, it’s important to remember that it is just a business. It shouldn’t be the only thing that defines you. Your family, friends and incorporating a work-life balance will help both you and your business to be more productive.

So if you’re tempted to say that you just don’t have time to go on vacation right now, keep in mind that not taking a vacation could be a huge disservice to yourself, your business, and your relationships. 

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Hand writing sign Newsletter Marketing, Conceptual photo act of sending a commercial messages to customer

What Email Newsletter Style is Best for You?

by BlogEdmiston Group
Hand writing sign Newsletter Marketing, Conceptual photo act of sending a commercial messages to customer

One of the primary benefits of an email newsletter is connecting with prospective and previous buyers. Just as you have a certain style for your brand, the type of newsletter you share should match your brand style. Your email newsletter should complement other communications from your organization, including your logo, your brand colors and the design of your website. The voice used in your newsletter also needs to share your company’s brand tone as well. 

Here are 3 Types of Email Marketing Styles you can use for your newsletter to reflect your brand and serve your audience:

1. Informational/Educational

Create an informational or educational newsletter by sharing useful information with your readers about your products or services as well as giving behind-the-scenes details about your business. You can also provide educational content to subscribers by providing innovative ways they can use your products through tutorials, videos or a series of images. You can also share industry-specific information that will help your audience stay informed and/or take action around a specific issue.

For Example: If you are a specialty mattress manufacturer, you can share specifications on your mattress options such as available sizes and models. You can also include a video detailing the workmanship and the use of quality materials during the manufacturing process. If you provide tech support services to small businesses, you can share information on the latest security concerns around cloud backup systems.

2. Sales

Using your email marketing newsletter to directly sell your products and services is another style you can use. You can feature new products or best-selling items, along with customer testimonials. Or you can provide subscriber-only limited-time discounts, coupons or promotional pricing. You can also drive your readers directly to your website to increase sales.

3. Inspirational

Knowing your subscribers and what motivates them is very important. Using examples or stories of inspiration can trigger readers to do something about their life or the problems they have at hand using the solutions you provide. Your newsletter content should cultivate empathy, deliver the struggle positively and deliver a message of hope. It should be used to motivate and assist your readers in helping themselves in reaching their goals, be happy, be successful, and most importantly, feel good about themselves.

Choosing the right style of email and content for your audience will help keep your readers looking forward to your next newsletter.

Tip: The goal is not to incorporate all your topics of content at once. Spread it out. Sometimes less is more. It’s helpful to develop an email content calendar where you plan out your content in advance to help keep your readers looking forward to your next newsletter. If you need assistance in planning your content calendar, email me at [email protected]. The Edmiston Group would love to help!

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Spring Cleaning - Businesswoman hand pressing button on touch screen interface. Business, technology, internet concept.

3 Areas to Refresh Your Business This Spring for Greater Productivity

by BlogEdmiston Group
Spring Cleaning - Businesswoman hand pressing button on touch screen interface. Business, technology, internet concept.

The first quarter is just about over and Spring is quickly approaching! Establishing an effective spring cleaning tradition just doesn’t mean tidying up the office. For a business, spring cleaning goes a lot deeper than that. By refreshing your business, it is a time to clean house, get rid of the clutter, and make room for new opportunities. Spring cleaning your business can show you what processes need improvement, help you streamline everyday operations, and give your company a renewed outlook, which is like a breath of fresh air.

Are you ready to spring clean your small business? Here are three areas where you can freshen things up at your company.

Update Your Website & Conduct a Digital Audit

Your website needs to be a reliable source of information about your business, so make sure it’s up-to-date. Are all of your links working properly? If not, it can send people to page-not-found messages or 404 errors. Spring is a good time to fix all the little details that can make a big impact. You want to find these errors before your customer does. You want your target audience to stay engaged on your website and reinforce your company’s reputation as the go-to source for information.  Bonus Website Exercise: Custom brand your 404 error page so that if a reader is sent there, you can share a message you can be proud of. View sample custom 404 pages.

If you’re like most business owners, the content on your hard drive and other storage locations can get away from you! Here are five ways you can free up space on your computer’s hard drive and help your business run more efficiently:

  • Delete unnecessary files or documents “downloads” folder. Oftentimes we download files but never go back and delete them once they are used. If you do need to save a file or document in your download folder, save them to folders that are specifically assigned to them.
  • Purge your email inbox and folders of messages you’ve already responded to or that are no longer relevant. And don’t forget to empty your trash folder!
  • Consider backing up all of your files with an automated cloud-based file storage solution. When you store your files in the cloud, you can access and update files from anywhere on any device and this also frees up more storage on your computer’s hard drive.
  • Clear your browsing data, and cache and even review your bookmarks. Remember, simpler is better!
  • After validating that files are not needed, delete accumulated files from your recycle bin.

Eliminate Unnecessary Business Expenses

The main objective of any business is to earn a profit. Often, we focus only on the earning side of the equation. But that is not the full picture. In order to increase profit, you can generate more income, but you can also cut down on unnecessary expenses. Springtime is the perfect time to review your expenses. For example, are there training, internet or other monthly subscriptions you no longer need? If you are not actively using them, why pay for something you do not use? This money could be used in other areas which could help you generate more profit.  

Another simple way to eliminate waste is to go paperless. Technology now offers cheaper and better alternatives to using paper. Besides reducing waste and helping the environment, going paperless can make your business more efficient. There will be less paperwork to push, documents to physically store, and important records that could get lost. Look through your vendor list to identify any bills you can switch to paperless.

Clean, Organize and Personalize Your Workspace

Productivity is the heart and soul of a business. Cleaning or organizing your workspace can help you be more successful in achieving goals. Think how nice it is to walk into your workspace when it’s fresh and clean versus covered in chaos! You’re likely much more productive. 

You can also personalize your space with colors, plants and other personal touches and encourage your employees to do the same. This personalization supports individual creativity and expression, which in turn supports productivity. And that impacts your bottom line!

Another place you can refresh is around your old paper files. Most of us unnecessarily hold on to old files longer than needed. It is a good practice to set a time limit for how long to hold these files (unless it is paperwork that is required to be held due to regulatory, tax, or government requirements). At a certain point after a project’s completion, dispose of any files related to that project. If you absolutely need them, see if you can store old files in the cloud or in an off-site location. This is a good business practice, and it helps free up room for new accounts and projects.

Incorporating the above tips will help you spring-clean your small business and head into summer feeling more refreshed and organized. Your workplace will look better, and you will maintain focus on managing your business more effectively throughout the year.

So, how are you going to refresh your business this spring?

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Finger touching tablet with charts and BUSINESS GROWTH inscription, business concept

4 Tactics For Business Growth

by BlogEdmiston Group
Finger touching tablet with charts and BUSINESS GROWTH inscription, business concept

Running a small business is not easy! As a business owner, you are responsible for many things, including payroll, accounting, sales, customer servicing, and marketing, not to mention your actual work. It can be a bit overwhelming especially when things aren’t going according to your business and marketing plan. You want to achieve more business growth, yet you just can’t seem to make it happen. What do you do?

This is a time to review and strategize around business growth tactics that many companies have used time and time again.

Know Your Audience

Defining your target audience will go a long way to help you better understand your clients and help you position your products or services accordingly. Let’s face it, it is impossible to reach and appeal to all consumers at once. By identifying your target audience, it allows your business to focus its marketing efforts and dollars on the groups that are most likely to buy from you while doing it in an efficient and affordable manner. If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your description of your target audience, this is a perfect time to consider changes within your company and within the business landscape and refresh your customer avatar(s) accordingly.

Practice Proactive Marketing

What is proactive marketing? First, let’s talk about what it is not. Does your business implement marketing campaigns through the same channels and then analyze the data and metrics to see if the campaign was a success or failure? If so, this is referred to as reactive marketing. In other words, you are reacting to your customers’ feedback to determine if there is a demand for your new product or service. Instead, you may want to consider implementing the proactive marketing approach. The proactive marketing approach involves anticipating customer needs and taking steps to meet their needs before they arise. It involves marketing your products or services through new channels of distribution where people are not already looking for your products or services. By taking a proactive approach, you might be able to create customer demand, opening the door for your business to grow.

Know What Your Competitors Are Doing

To stay relevant in the marketplace, keeping track of your competition is essential. You can do this by creating a competitive analysis. Competitive analysis helps you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors in relation to your own products and services. This analysis can help you develop and implement stronger business strategies, uncover market trends, as well as help you capture more market share. It will also support designing a proactive marketing strategy as defined above.

Offer Referral Programs

A referral program is a great way to grow your business. A referral program is a strategy used to encourage customers to promote your products or services. Simply put, a referral program lets your customers share their experience and satisfaction with your products or services with partners, colleagues, and friends at little or no cost to you. You may have heard the old adage, the best form of advertising is through word-of-mouth. According to Semrush, Word-of-mouth marketing is even more effective than paid ads, resulting in five times more sales.

Growth is the key to a successful business! What tactics are you using to help grow your business this year? If you need fresh ideas for growing your business, give me a call at (724)612-0755.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Wide angle view of business people talking and getting to know each other while having a lunch break from the conference.

The Benefits of Participating in Professional Business Events

by BlogEdmiston Group
Wide angle view of business people talking and getting to know each other while having a lunch break from the conference.

The success of your business depends on many factors. Your business skills, knowledge in your area of expertise, your ability to connect with others, and your network. And this is where professional business events come into play.

Events in your local area provide a wonderful backdrop upon which to build these skills and connect with other entrepreneurs in your area. As many of us have learned, whether you love or hate networking over Zoom, it’s hard to beat the connection that can happen in real-life, face-to-face events. If it’s been a while since you’ve attended a professional business event, here are 5 tips to help you feel and show up confident.

Three Benefits of Participating In Professional Business Events

Building Relationships: Networking at events is a very valuable way for attendees to share experiences, exchange ideas, discuss successes and failures, and exchange information. When you’re inspired and motivated through these conversations, it naturally draws others to want to meet with you. 

Learning New Skills: Besides learning about the topic of the event itself, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn through interacting with other business owners. Attending professional business events is a great way to practice communicating more efficiently and to stay in touch with current trends.

New Opportunities: Connecting with others, and allowing your knowledge to be seen, may open the door for potential speaking engagements, leading workshops, or even sponsoring a booth at the next professional business event. Attend with an open mind and see what opportunities present themselves.

“Networking is an investment in your business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come” – Diane Helbig

In the Pittsburgh area, there are many great organizations to help you with your business as well as offering business events you can attend.

Here are a few organizations that can help you expand your personal and business growth:

Pittsburgh Technology Council: Pittsburgh Technology Council (PTC) offers a busy calendar of events, including Networking events, Women’s Focused events, Huntington Bank CEO Series, and various Member events.

Their main focuses for their members are visibility, talent, business development, and public policy for companies in or supporting technology businesses.

Chatham University Center For Women’s Entrepreneurship: CWE offers everything from content-specific training series for different areas of your business to various workshops and seminars. Their events offer a wonderful way to meet and connect with other women entrepreneurs in the Pittsburgh area. 

Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC): In addition to offering no-cost, confidential consulting services, The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers a variety of events and training workshops that will help you to launch, grow, or exit your small business. 

The Digital Foundry in New Kensington in partnership with manufacturers, educators and the workforce. Their mission is to accelerate economic growth and competitiveness using digital technologies and data-driven decision-making.

Training classes Levels 1-3 take someone who seeks upskilling or reskilling to work in the manufacturing sector through level 3 programs that are for technical managers and engineers who are responsible for advancing product and service development.  Coming Spring 2023 is a NEW Industrial Robotics & Automation Training with FANUC Certified Trainers. 

These are just four opportunities in the Pittsburgh area. No matter where you are on your path, attending professional business events and furthering your career skills will help you improve your communication skills and have a positive impact on your career.

If you need help with marketing materials for attending your next business event, Edmiston Group would love to help. Call us at (724)612-0755.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.