Growing a small business is challenging. Most entrepreneurs struggle with time and/or money in the early years. When Melinda Emerson launched her business, she realized there were no resources available to aid her on her journey.Eventually, she decided to change this for others and wrote her first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. The book went on to become an international #1 bestseller. Melinda, also known as the Small Biz Lady has amassed over 300,000 followers on Twitter for her willingness to assist others with the tips she has learned along the way. In this episode, Melinda shares lessons from her journey, why every small business owner needs a "kitchen cabinet" of advisors, and how to grow and cultivate a following on social media.

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Key Insights

• Launched first business at 26 and could not find anyone giving entrepreneurial advice
• Joined national speaker convention and was told to write a good book to be taken seriously
• FedEx'd first four chapters to a publisher, which became, "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months"
• Book was delayed due to the economic downturn in 2008, so she turned to Twitter
• The Twitter handle for Melinda Emerson was taken so she ended up going with SmallBizLady
• As a business owner, your two most important jobs are sales and collections
• Business owners need to know how their business is doing each month
• All small business owners should have a kitchen cabinet of 5 advisors: someone in the business, a customer, a mentor who really knows you, a lawyer, and an accountant
• Before focusing on social media, you need to ensure your website is optimized for mobile with 3 ways for customers to engage
• Focus on 1-2 social media platforms only where your niche target customer is spending their time
• 4 Keys to Social Media Success: 1. Share things that are helpful, 2. Listen, 3. Engage with people and 4. Promote yourself with care
• Share other people's content at a 4 to 1 ratio - be more interested than interesting
• Key to Success: Sharing relevant content consistently

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Bull's Eye Tips:

Resources:

Become Your Own Boss by Melinda Emerson

Fix Your Business by Melinda Emerson

SmallBizChat Podcast

Apparent Failure:

Don't believe in failure, people believe if their business fails that they are a failure. You lose or you learn.

Most Recommended Book:

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Most Recommended Digital/Mobile Resource:

Zoom

Daily Habit:

Pray over her business each day

Wish I Knew Starting Out:

Niche marketing

Wish I Knew 12 Months Ago:

More astute on the new advertising options on Instagram

Advice for Smart, Driven College Students:

Start saving your money

Current Curiosity:

The next decade

Best Place to Grab a Bite in Philadelphia:

Tequila's Restaurant

Connect with Melinda:

Website: SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com

Twitter: @SmallBizLady

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