The Richard Smith - small business development for the real world.

Welcome to January 2024 and this issue of the podcast today we are talking about how small businesses can start to take control of their own agenda and to build marketing and sales funnels that work for them rather than funnels that work for the social media platforms.

This year is likely to be very different for all of us small business owners quite simply because everything is changing as it has changed over the last 20 years or so but there are some things we can do we can start to grow our businesses in a different way we can start to use the technology to work for us rather than it working for others and of course we can take back control from the social media platforms by growing our own audience and using our own skills and creative ability to grow our business.

These are the things that I am choosing to focus on in the coming year and we have already started implementing our business plan for our existing customer base and as always if you want some more information or would like to chat through some of the options then please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the form below or the contact form on this site.

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Welcome to this issue of the podcast. It’s May 2023.

Today I am talking about cash flow, getting new customers and why selling online, selling via social is important.

Also some tips and tricks – just for you.

When you are ready for some hands on help with some of this. Then please get in touch.

It’s July 2023, where did the year go?

If your small business wants to get shimmy on and needs assistance selling more – then I have some pointers in this months podcast.

There are a number of things that I am talking about specifically in this podcast, if your small business is based in West Sussex or Kent then I can certainly provide you with some hands on help if required.

The main focus for me is always about helping my small business clients do more with what they have. For example selling more to existing customers and using technology in order to leverage sales. This includes putting in place e-commerce websites and using the socials to engage with and sell more to your existing customers. Of course not in an overly sales way. None of our customers like that .

The rest of the podcast is considering carefully the issue in relation to pensions and your small business. We all know that we should be investing more for the long term the question I have, after 30 years in financial services: is a pension the right thing for you to do. Of course putting money into stock could produce a return of 20 or 30% on your capital very quickly whereas the maximum you are likely to get from a pension after charges is going to be closer to 7%.

These are the conundrums we face as a small business owner We’re best to use our money in order to get the safest return.

The podcast and if you’re small business needs some hands-on help to solve some of these problems or if you’re stuck then please get in touch using the form below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Get In Touch

Hi, thank you for popping by.

In this issue of the podcast I talk about the things you need to do in 2023 if your small business is going to thrive.

How to deal with Google?

How to work out if you should be hunting or farming?

I also talk about how I bring the ‘big budget marketing services’ to your Small Business.

It’s all here. All you need to know.

Use this page to contact me or this one to schedule a call

In this podcast I talk about the things I see in many small businesses that are making life harder than they should be.

I talk about the handful of things that change everything for you, if you implement them.

Get in touch when you are ready.

When your ready get in touch or schedule a call.

I’ve written before about this world of ours, how it changes, what it becomes. 

Your business, precious as it is, will likely  end up smashed and broken as the model changes, as products come and go, as things go out of fashion and become something else. 

Don’t believe me  – go think about the last ten years – how much as gone how much has arrived? 

There has been an exponential shift in things, it’s now all at the speed of light. Everyone is a builder, plumber, social media expert, Google specialist. Whatever you want to do there’s an app for it – something to ease the pain. 

Want it delivered no problem, that be arranged. Just click here and it’s yours, credit cards accepted. 

Same with money – one of the best regarded fund managers in the country (Woodford)- has just turned into a crock of dogshit, like overnight. No messin’, no delays – boom it’s all collapsed. Like Brexit, Trump, it’s all changing. 

Why shouldn’t you be affected? Of course you will – your business is no different to others around you – if you don’t make sure the foundations are solid – then boom – it could go at any minute. Blink and it’s all over. Gone.

Everything is moving at a thousand miles an hour. No one can keep up – few are keeping up. Your life, businesses and everything you thought wouldn’t change has. It’s going to keep coming. Relentless change. It’s going to crush you in the same way as it’s crushed others. 

But, the brilliant news is this. For those smart and wise businesses that get it, expect the change – want the transformation and embrace the new world that’s coming will pick up the lions share of it all. They won’t care if there is no grass to eat – they eat meat and for the moment they ride the storm and eat whenever they want. 

That’s where things are at. You either run, defend or die. And it’s happening now, as you read this. 

Sit back for a minute and consider carefully where your business is at, what is really happening in your market place, who is upsetting it, crushing it, losing market share. Just peer under the carpet for a few minutes and observe what is really going on and then make sure you react to the information. It’s probably the most important thing you’ll do all year.

Here we are, back again with another – loaded with content small business podcast. Plenty to go on in here.

Get in touch when you need any help with this stuff.

1. This is the new normal.

More online and delivery.

E- Shops now widely available at relatively low cost.

Bonus – More online working and file sharing

2. GMB (Google My Business)  – how to sort these out once and for all.

Google are promoting Google My Business in the USA as a paid-for option.

Frontpage listing in many instances.

Stats are impressive.

Even better news is – most local firms won’t bother.

But even if they do –

Your competitors will take a long while to catch up with you.

Meanwhile…

3. Thriving – engagement – share the love, be nice.

Social media is seen as the one tool that changes everything for businesses. Sure I would agree that it makes sense for many to have a presence. That said, it’s a time sink and can become addictive – and produce limited results. Importantly, if you consider the changes in recent years – to Facebook for example – it used to show your business posts and promotions to all of your followers and now it doesn’t, similar rules in place over at Instagram.

Importantly, there is the issue of true engagement. Who is really engaging with your content and what do they do next. With most of the social platforms – it’s controlled by them. So you have to be careful as to how much time you actually spend on producing content just for the social platforms. One answer here is to take all of your content.

Focus on your customer, how much you can share with them, how much value you can add.

Then use it as content for your website, podcasts, short videos and cross sharing on social media.

Then make sure you use as email content to engage with and fire up existing customers – these are the people that already know you and

Importantly, email, sms, whatsapp all allow you to keep control of your customer so you can message them directly.

They do want to hear from you. They do want to know about your products and services, they are interested.

Treat every customer as though they are going to be a customer for a hundred years.

4. Facebook advertising.

www.therichardsmith.com www.smallbusinessninja.co.uk Leave a review. Please.

Money, Mindset and Business Matters | Richard Smith – Shorty Series  – Trade Finance

www.therichardsmith.com/freshstart2021

In this series of podcasts – a break from my usual, I want to give some quick and dirty pointers in particular areas of business. Without fluff or B.S.

Information you can act on, something you can use.

I have started with my Small Business Covid-19 Bounceback Services and this series of podcasts are designed to help you. To help your small business thrive.

If you are brand new to business or a grizzled old pro. Then there is something you can learn in these.

As always, when you want some help on this. Get in touch.

www.moneytrainers.co.uk

Enjoy

Money, Mindset and Business Matters | Richard Smith – Shorty Series – Websites – need one or not?

www.therichardsmith.com/freshstart2021

In this series of podcasts – a break from my usual, I want to give some quick and dirty pointers in particular areas of business. Without fluff or B.S.

Information you can act on, something you can use.

I have started with my Small Business Covid-19 Bounceback Services and this series of podcasts are designed to help you. To help your small business thrive.

If you are brand new to business or a grizzled old pro. Then there is something you can learn in these.

As always, when you want some help on this. Get in touch.

www.moneytrainers.co.uk

Enjoy

Money, Mindset and Business Matters | Richard Smith – Shorty Series – Sales

www.therichardsmith.com/freshstart2021

In this series of podcasts – a break from my usual, I want to give some quick and dirty pointers in particular areas of business. Without fluff or B.S.

Information you can act on, something you can use.

I have started with my Small Business Covid-19 Bounceback Services and this series of podcasts are designed to help you. To help your small business thrive.

If you are brand new to business or a grizzled old pro. Then there is something you can learn in these.

As always, when you want some help on this. Get in touch.

www.moneytrainers.co.uk

Enjoy