3 Steps to Grow Your Business

Small businesses face an ever-growing list of challenges. Depending on the industry, some of the challenges may include pressure from big-box stores, lower foreign labor rates driving prices down, a public base that is increasingly mobile and the 24-hour availability of online shopping. Service-based businesses face the scrutiny of online reviews, the need to be involved in social media (as well as run their business) and the high cost of being a brick and mortar location. 

One of our favorite quotes from Charles Nelson, President of Sprinkles Cupcakes, says it all, "Businesses used to have a small suggestion box near the door...but people can now make a post from an iPhone or BlackBerry, while they're sitting in your restaurant..." 

With such obstacles, many small business owners may not know where to look for answers. Diving in would take time and effort away from normal business activities, and ignoring the march of progress could prove fatal. What's the answer? The trick is to flip technology on it's head, and make it work for you. Here's some examples of how;

1. Outsource Social Media - You know you need it, but thankfully you no longer have to do everything yourself - for example, one of the services our company provides, is to create and/or takeover managing social media profiles for our clients (think Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogging & more). Whoever you choose to do this for you, be sure of a couple things first:
   
• Content is King - Social Media posts are an extension of your business, and as such, should be handled with care. It's important to find people that can write, understand your business and represent you electronically without you feeling nervous about it.
  
• Pricing - Check the marketplace for going rates (which can vary widely) and make sure the time you save by not having to do it yourself can be more appropriately used to grow your business through other tasks.
  
2. Get a Mobile Site - eMarketer released some startling statistics about smartphone usage in the USA. In 2010, it hovered around 27% of cell phone carriers. Last year it was closer to 48% (just under half). You can see where this is going...by 2016, almost 75% of cell phone users will be on a smart phone. Tablet use is growing just as rapidly. If you've ever tried to view a regular website through a mobile device, you know it can be frustrating. Mobile sites can be created fairly economically, based on your current site, and providing the most important information about your business (contact info, hours of operation, directions, etc.).
   
3. Focus on Customer Service - This should come as no surprise, but it may surprise you just how important it is these days. On the carrot side, it makes sound financial sense; Harvard Business Review published that boosting customer retention by just 5% could result in profits increasing anywhere from 25-85%. If that doesn't do it for you, consider the stick; unhappy customers used to tell 9-16 people about their poor experience, but now they have the potential to reach thousands. Customer service can't be outsourced, delegated or allowed to lapse even once. 

Chances are, you do what you do very well. The trick is to simplify your business model, remove the extraneous interference and go do it. With the right support, some creativity and by utilizing the options available, small businesses can become big success stories. 

About the author: James Maxim is an author, journalist and the Director of Client Services for Kreative Dezign & KD Linked, located in Leominster, MA. They provide website/graphic design, SEO services, writing/website content and social media assistance to businesses. 

Social Media Assistance

OPENING THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
BUSINESS OWNERS AND MILLIONS OF POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

“89% of US internet users search online before they make a purchase, 
even when the purchase is made at a local business.” -Hubspot


What is social media?


The internet has become a powerful form of expression, for both people and businesses.  
Social media is the term applied to the various platforms and methods through which we share information and discuss things online. 


The explosive growth of these platforms over the past few decades has shown that people have embraced this digital format.


Examples of social media tools are:


Blogs
Email marketing outreach blasts
Social media networks:
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Delicious, Merchant Circle, StumbleUpon, YouTube, & Much More!
The biggest and best companies have embraced the importance of social media, often creating positions or hiring outside sources to manage social media on their behalf.




What do we do?


At DH Linked, we understand that most small business owners don't have the time or resources required to handle the creation and frequent input needed be effective in various social media channels.  


We started Dh Linked to provide social media assistance to small and medium size businesses, at a fraction of the cost of hiring or delegating someone in your organization to handle it.  This allows you to do what you do best - run your business!  


A division of Kreative Dezign, we will create, coordinate and manage a social media presence for your company.  We'll give you a unique voice and drive customer growth by connecting you with the community, increasing your visibility and providing new outlets for promotions, news, specials and customer relationship management.


We offer multiple, customizable packages, that will help convert leads into clients and clients into raving fans.  If you want your company to be located, listened to, talked about and loved, it is vital that you establish a voice in this realm.


Remember, in person, the average happy customer tells one or two others...  
The average unhappy customer tells up to ten! 

Social media allows you to tip the scales in favor of your business, providing a forum for you to be appreciated and connected to your clients.  Choosing not to have a voice in the community is allowing others to speak for you!




What can Social Media do for your business?


Social media is one of the most cost effective ways to advertise your business!
Build new local contacts (and even nationally and internationally)!
Stay in touch with customers with the new channels of communication being used!
Showcase what you do in a way that will be seen!
Establish brand awareness!
Build loyal customer relationships!
DH Linked will handle the time consuming process of establishing a presence and incorporating it into your business.  We'll be the silent partner that gives you the voice the public needs to hear, allowing you to focus on service. 

We'll keep you informed of anything that could be used to help your business, while making sure that anything you need to voice to the public is heard.




Our favorite quotes about social media:


“Businesses used to have a small suggestion box near the door that mostly housed dust bunnies and an occasional piece of gum. Rarely would someone get back to you. But people can now make a post from an iPhone or a BlackBerry while they’re sitting in your restaurant.” – Charles Nelson, President of Sprinkles Cupcakes


“Our head of social media is the customer.” - McDonald’s


“Companies that blog get 55% more web traffic and 70% more leads than those that don’t.” - Hubspot


“We have technology, finally, that for the first time in human history allows people to really maintain rich connections with much larger numbers of people.” -Pierre Omidyar, eBay Founder


“The most successful marketer becomes part of the lives of their followers.” -Marsha Collier


“Activate your fans, don’t just collect them like baseball cards.” -Jay Baer


“Social networks aren’t about Web sites. They’re about experiences.” -Mike DiLorenzo


“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?” – Seth Godin


“Social Media is about sociology and psychology more than technology.” – Brain Solis




Start Up | BRONZE PACKAGE
Set-up just $295* Includes: The Welcome 4-pack:
| Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Merchant Circle |




BUSINESS SILVER PACKAGE
Set-up just $595* Includes Bronze Package, plus: 
| Foursquare | Stumbleupon | Twitpic | Squidoo | Ziggs | Flickr |



BUSINESS GOLD PACKAGE | Best Value!
Set-up starting at $795* Includes Bronze & Silver Package, plus: Customized content management to include relevant sites, blogs, articles, content sharing networks, etc.
| Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Merchant Circle | Foursquare | Stumbleupon | Twitpic | Squidoo | Ziggs | Flickr | YouTube | WikiPedia | Blogger | UpSpring | ChimeIn | WikiHow | Alexa  | & More


* This one-time set-up fee includes a Free 1-month subscription to our Get Noticed social media update and maintenance service!  Try before you buy - we guarantee you'll like what we can do for you, and if you don't...we won't charge you a dime!  This service is completely customizable to fit your business needs, so the Get Noticed service varies with the platforms involved, but the basic service always includes:


Weekly updates across ALL platforms!
Weekly promotional posting as applicable - to let your customers know about specials, coupons or important price changes!
Our Business Alert surveillance notification service, keeping you aware of any feedback that can make your business better!

Our Promise: 
We will deliver services promptly.  
We will treat every Client/Business as our own business.
We will always share new ideas and use as much creativity as possible.  
We will always produce and deliver the highest quality work.


DO MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE, AND LESS OF WHAT YOU DON'T


My company was struggling to figure out a way to “get seen” in the world of web. I wasn’t sure how to do it or when I’d find the time to figure out how to get into the social networking swing of things. Then I received some information from Kreative Dezign about it. At first I wasn’t sure how it would work, but Kelly talked me through the whole thing!


I was surprised at how quickly it was done and how effective it already has been. I’ve had my DH Linked service with Kreative Dezign for only a little over 2 months and I’ve seen and heard so many positive things from my customers and clients. I highly recommend the DH Linked service to get your business soaring! 
A. Boisvert | Sterling MA


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I just want to thank DH Linked and Kreative Dezign for the wonderful work that you both have done on my site I have been with you for about 5 years and you keep my site up to date and fresh. I get complement's on my site and your new venture with DH Linked has really impressed me. Your company was very fast and had my business linked so quickly. The amount of information that I now see on my business around the internet has proven to work with the new customers I've acquired since trying this program. Thanks again or everything. Robert R Swartz Owner of Rob`s Dyno Service | Gardner MA


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In just over thirty days our page views tripled thanks to the social media assistance we've received from DH Linked. This is huge for our company and a huge win in today's competitive markets. Thank you so much and I look forward to continued success from the use of your services. 
D. Cormier | Lancaster MA





Dr. Jeffrey Cohen | Leominster MA | Social Networking Assistance | 2011


Dufours RV Center | Fitchburg Massachusetts | Social Networking Assistance | 2011


East Point Services | Worcester MA | Social Networking Assistance | 2011


Robs Dyno Service | Gardner Ma | Social Networking Assistance | 2011


All Star Party Rentals | Leominster MA | Social Networking Assistance | 2010


D&G Custom Graphics | Social Networking Assistance | 2010