HeatherStone commented on the following stories on BizSugar
Why Smart Companies Hire Social Media Experts & You Should Too
"Hi Mary, Sadly, even big companies are missing the boat on social media. The thing is, you're right, it's not something that you can pay some college student 8 bucks an hour to do well. Usually the social media person wears multiple hats, is the community manager and is charged with the task of building not just a buzz but a community...building traffic, engagement, and not just on the social pages, but on the company's primary blog/site. And many SMBs know they need this to take their businesses to the next level, but just can't afford an expert to do it right. That's a sad fact, but true. So they muddle through as best they can. And, because they don't really know how to measure the ROI of their social, they don't make it a priority. And let's face it, social media can sometimes seem like smoke and mirrors...icing on the cake to someone unfamiliar with it's power to influence. I'm interested to see if it will become an absolute priority to all businesses before it evolves or peters out... Great post Mary, thanks for sharing it with the BizSugar community!"Getting Your Feet Wet with Social Media Part 2: Look Before You Leap
"Hi Steve, Thanks for the simple overview. I think many people find social media overwhelming. But a simple approach like this one helps business owners break things down and better understand their needs. And thanks so much for sharing with the BizSugar community. "Why I abandoned my startup
"Hi Weston, In the end starting and running a business is about commitment. If you no longer have that commitment or if you are just continuing because you want to finish what you've started, you're probably doing things for the wrong reason. Thanks to Emory Rowland for sharing this post with the BizSugar community and thank you for sharing these important thoughts with your readers. "40 ways you can reward your brand fans right now
"Honestly, Matthew, it often seems as if most entrepreneurs and small business owners are constantly in acquisition mode seeking to bring new customers in with the logic that customers who already buy your product don't need as much attention. That might be a good strategy in very specific businesses where customers are only likely to buy your product or service once or infrequently, but in most businesses, existing customers are often the best source of future sales...and of great word of mouth which is the best marketing anyway. The list of huge brands that have grown by catering to their existing fan base is long including names like Apple, Starbucks, Amazon and more. Concentrating on your fans is usually the best way to both increase sales and spread the word about your business. Thanks for sharing this great post with the BizSugar community. "Subscribe
To Grow Your Business Look Outside | M4B Marketing
"Hi Susan, There's really something to be said for looking and thinking outside your industry. In fact, it's possible to do a disservice to your business by paying attention only to what your competitors or others in your market have done or are already doing. Instead, stand apart. The best way to do that is to open your mind to other possibilities. "