Salesforce Launches $1 Million Grant Program for San Francisco Small Businesses

Salesforce, providers of cloud-based software and customer relationship management services, has launched a $1m grant program for small business in San Francisco.

Salesforce Creates $1 Million Grant Fund for San Francisco Small Businesses

The 2021 Salesforce San Francisco Small Business Grant program is designed to support small businesses in the area which continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is focused on assisting small businesses with virtual work and events.

Despite the economy starting to reopen following months of disruption, many small businesses are still struggling in the San Francisco region.

Salesforce Partners with Ureeka

To launch the program, Salesforce has partnered with Ureeka, a community which connects small businesses with the right tools, resources and mentors to help them grow and sustain success. Through the partnership, the grant program will help small businesses overcome hurdles and challenges by providing them with the right resources and assistance to thrive.

Enrique Ortegon, SVP, SMB, Salesforce, commented on the aim of the grant program:

“Small businesses represent the best of us. They have spirit, hustle, creativity, and kindness. And they make our communities feel like home. We’re so glad the Salesforce San Francisco Small Business Grants can help support these wonderful businesses in our own backyard.”

“Our hope is that the grants distributed will help offset some of the reduced business created by a virtual Dreamforce,” Ortegon added.

Salesforce’s Second Grant Program in San Francisco

The 2021 Salesforce San Francisco Small Business Grant program is the second time Salesforce has sponsored a grant program for small businesses in San Francisco. In 2020, the company launched a program to support diverse groups of businesses. 50% of the businesses were owned by women, 22% were Black or African American-owned, 30% Latinx-owned and 13% were owned by LGBTQ+.

Recipients of the 2020 program were from a broad range of businesses, including salons, gyms, retailers, auto repairs, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and more.

Applications for the 2021 Salesforce San Francisco Small Business Grant program are available until October 17, 2021.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "Salesforce Launches $1 Million Grant Program for San Francisco Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

How to Set Up a Home Studio

Set up a home recording studio to be your own boss. Maybe you’re a musician looking to record when you want. Or, you might be looking to start a podcast. It doesn’t matter.

This blog will help you understand everything you need. From the recording studio design to the right computer and other control room equipment. Read on to find out what you’ll need for a successful home studio setup.

What is a Home Studio?

A home studio makes quality music and podcasts. Build one right to match professional standards you can capitalize on the many benefits of podcasts or other recordings.

You should include soundproofing. This space should also have studio and recording equipment.

Should I Record at Home or in a Studio?

Deciding between a home or traditional studio? Here are some ideas.

The Professional Studio

Pros

• The best studio equipment. And assistance if something goes wrong.
• There is usually back up equipment available.
• Rooms specifically engineered for frequency response and great acoustics.

Cons

• A professional studio costs. From a couple hundred to several thousand dollars every day. And that could be above your budget.
• Your time is limited. That means you’ll need to work on things like preproduction and have a plan.

The Home Studio

Pros

• You have all the time you need. Recording from home allows you to explore different instrumentation and arrangements.
• You can also make extra money by renting your home studio out.
• They are convenient. In fact, the recording gear is smaller and lighter . You can start one with a computer and some acoustic treatment space.

Cons

• There’s an initial expense to budget for. Like DAW software and other pro tools like headphones.
• You need to invest time in a digital audio studio. For example, you will need to learn software and equipment skills. Remember, if any studio monitors break you need to fix them.

In the end, the home studio is the better choice. You’ll have a professional space at home.

Why You Need a Home Studio

Here are a few reasons:

• You get to be the boss.
• You can improve your craft and hone your skills.
• They are a good investment. A home recording studio can be rented via mail. Make a little money on the side or pay for the room.
• A home recording studio lets you control your hours and work schedule.
• Set your objectives and goals. A project studio is a home based business.You’re the CEO. You control the acoustic treatment too.

Please read on to find out about the equipment for the place.

What Studio Equipment Do I Need to Set up a Home Recording Studio or Podcast Studio?

Home studios need different pieces of equipment. All the gear should be industry standard for music or podcasts. Below is a list of the recording equipment and other things you need.

Computer

Don’t cut any corners. The software uses a lot of resources. It doesn’t matter in the end whether you choose a computer that uses MacOS or Windows. Most of the software like DAWS is compatible with either.

When it comes to technology for storage devices, choose SSD’s over classic hard drives. They perform better.

The size of the storage device matters. The minimum for good sound quality on a constant basis is one terabyte. However, you can get away with 512 GB of space to start.

Studio Monitors

There are several good features for studio monitors for a home studio.

1. Bigger rooms need 8 inch monitors minimum.
2. A small room can get by with 3 to 5 inch units. Get a fan too.
3. A medium sized space should have 5 to eight inch monitors.

Power is another consideration. This is what drives the woofer and tweeter and generates sound quality. The monitor drivers need enough power for sharp and/or punchy sound.

For smaller rooms look for power requirements of 20 Watts. Medium rooms take a 40 Watt monitor. A bigger space can go up to 80 Watts or higher.

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is digital software allowing you to compose, edit and record audio tracks.

Here are a few features that are standard for these pieces of equipment. A good DAW has audio arrangement and recording features. One worth the money is a plug and play experience.

Look for

• Audio Plugins. These control the virtual instruments, reverberation, equalization and delay.
• MIDI Controllers. These look after messages for audio signals like velocity and volume. You adjust the treatment.

Other features should look after producing, mixing, tracking and composing.

An industry leader is Logic Pro X. This tool provides digital instruments and audio effects mimicking real musicians. Look for sample libraries too.

Here’s some of the other pieces you’ll need.

Preamps

These work with microphone levels . A good audio interface comes with a preamp built in. They boost a microphone level to a line level. You can get standalone versions or ones built into the audio interface.

Studio Headphones

A home studio should have two different headphones. Closed back headphones are used for recording. Open back headphones are used for mixing.

For closed back headphones, look for products with maximum sound insulation properties. Open back headphones provide good sound quality over isolation.

Each serves different studio purposes.

Studio Microphones

You’ll also need good microphones. These are important for podcasts. The following list supplies some best choices.

Dynamic Microphones

These are also known as moving coil microphones. They are rugged, affordable and don’t require a power source like a battery. A disadvantage is they are less accurate than a condenser microphone.

Here’s a list to sort through.

Condenser Mic

Condenser microphones are another option. Many experts prefer these for recording audio in a home studio. In a nutshell, they supply superior sound quality for music and words.

These also have outstanding low-frequency responses.

USB

These are a user friendly choice for home microphones. The best combine simplicity and high quality recording capabilities. Some have additional software. However, many of these microphones are just plug-and-play.

Here’s a list of products that supply great sound for podcasting.

XLR

This type of microphone comes with a preamp. The audio quality is better than other types of microphone. It’s great for recording musical instruments. The XLR is the standard that gets used in many professional recording studios. It’s adaptable and customizable.

Microphone Accessories

Following are microphone accessories you’ll need.

Mic Cables

First off, you’ll need to know the difference between digital and analog cables.

• Analog cables transmit data through electricity.
• Digital cables use binary code.

The electrical signal from analog cables gets passed through instruments or other gear to speakers and monitors. Cones vibrate and push air to your ears.

Digital signals are created by computers which is a machine language. A digital signal can be changed in many different ways.

Learn more about those choices here.

Mic Stands

These are excellent investment for your home studio. Generally, you can spend as little as $10 or more than $500. Here’s a few of the mic stand options you have.

• Tripod stands are good for general use.
• Overhead stands are the most expensive.
• Tripod boom stands offer a bigger reach.
• Desktop stands work for podcasting.

Low-profile and round base stands are two of the other mic stand options.

Midi Keyboard

These are important for production and just playing in your home . Here are a few boxes to check to get a good one.

• Software integration needs to be at the top of the list. You’ll need to be able to have control over your DAW or virtual instruments.
• A good driver is critical. If it crashes your computer and software, you can’t record properly. Do a little research on the manufacturer.
• One of the most important features are the keys. Look for high quality synth-action products.

Don’t forget to look for pitch and modulation controls too.

Pop Shield

These improve the quality of the tracks your record. They eliminate plosives or speech sounds and mechanical popping noises. Metal screens are more expensive.

Samples

Audio samples are necessary for your home studio. They can include everything from sharp piano loops to a snare hit.

Audio Interface

The audio interface can do a number of things. Like recording music and streaming podcasts. It connects your gear to the DAW through your computer.

Select your audio interface based on connections, budget and the physical design.

Here’s a list of some of the best.

Editing Software

Podcast editing software should include features for music too. Look for :

• A number of different audio effects and music that’s royalty-free for your podcast.
• A free trial is a nice software option for a live streaming production.
• The ability to remove any background noise is good.

Industry leaders like TwistedWave offer editing software for a Mac, iPhone/iPad or online. You can launch it from a browser.

Monitor Speakers

These are critical for your home setup. Here’s a few ideas on choosing good monitor speakers. There are two different types.

Near-Field Monitor Speakers

These use a dome shaped tweeter and a cone woofer. They are small with a wide range and work best 3 to 4 feet apart. Some can lack a deep base. But you can make up with a good sub woofer.

Active Monitors

These have a power amplifier built in. That makes them the best choice for a home studio setup. Most of these are bi-amplified. One amp is for the tweeter and one for the woofer. That means you’ll get more sound power.

Acoustic Treatments

Don’t underestimate your room’s acoustics. It’s important to make a distinction with the pro tools you’ll need. Soundproofing is designed to minimize the noise that travels in a room. It uses dense building material.

Acoustic treatments do something completely different. They are designed to control the sound in a room and make it better.

For good acoustic treatments, look at three items.

1. Diffusers work to scatter frequencies.
2. Bass Traps absorb sound with low frequencies.
3. Acoustic Panels absorb high and middle frequencies.

Primacoustic is an industry leader.

Ear Training Software

For good recordings, your ears need to develop basic skills. Sound engineers recognize bands of frequencies. Musicians can pick out chords, intervals and notes. This software will allow you to make mixing decisions that make your final product better.

Pop Filters

A pop filter is a straightforward tool. Simply put, it’s the gear that goes between the microphone and singer/speaker. A pop filter contains a mesh screen that slows air to reduce plosives. These are speech sounds that get recorded otherwise.

There are generally two options. Cheap screens and more expensive metal ones.

Instruments

Consider looking into virtual instruments. A single software tool provides hundreds of instrument sounds. Just starting out? Look for a single keyboard program and a good drum option.

Desk Work Station

When you’re looking for a desk work station to bring everything together, there are a few features to check off. Like the following:

• Find one with a smaller upper shelf to house monitors.
• Rollers so you can move it around.
• A tray that slides out for storing a keyboard and mouse.

Remember, as your home studio expands you’ll need more rack space.

Basic Office Equipment

Here’s a quick refresher checklist of the basic equipment you’ll need.

1. The Computer. Go with at least 8 GB RAM to start.
2. Studio Monitors. Remember that active speakers produce a flat frequency response. And that’s what you want.
3. DAW Software. You can get free versions. But you’ll get limited functionality. Look for a company offering subscriptions.
4. Audio Interface. Basically this is a analog to digital sound converter so your DAW can do its job.
5. Headphones: There are two different types–closed back headphones for recording. And open back headphones for mixing.
6. Microphones: The condenser mic can be used for both instruments and vocals.
7. XLR Cables: If you’re starting out, you wont have a lot of money. Get three. One for your microphone and two for the monitors.
8. Pop Filters: These ‘mesh’ screens filter out unwanted vocal noises.

Here’s a final thought. Try to avoid setting up in a small room. The acoustics are never very good.

Setting Up a Home Recording Studio

Are you a small business owner ready to set up a recording space ? YouTube is a great platform to use. Using this platform means making the most of location , lighting and sound.

Get your setup right and the possibilities are endless. Here’s a few things about the style and elements of the set to create a mood.

 

Can You Have a Recording Studio at Home?

The answer is yes if you follow all the advice and suggestions in this article. You’ll need the right software, space and gear.

How Much does a Home Studio Cost?

A budget is important. And for that you’ll need to know the cost involved. The quick answer is somewhere between $500 and $20,000 dollars.

Still, experts say depends on what you’re looking to accomplish. A good set of speakers and a computer can get a lot done with little money.

If you want something more professional with several mics and preamps, you could be looking at the $5000 to $50,000 range.

How To Set Up a Home Recording Studio

Setting up a recording space is a process. You can start with an idea, some money and a dedicated place. Then you should follow the following steps.

Choose the Perfect Room for Your Recording Space

An area your recording space is the first decision. Here’s a few ideas to point you in the right direction.

• Avoid small rooms. Bigger rooms allow for an expanding collection of instruments and gear. They also sound and show better.
• Stay away from spaces with outside noise like plumbing, neighbors and cars.
• Choose concrete and tile over carpet. Carpets are bad for low frequencies.

Stay away from bedrooms because the acoustics are poor.

Make Sure the Room is Soundproofed

You need to soundproof your space. It’s a DIY project you can finish in three steps.

1. Sound escapes in gaps in windows frames and doors. Add door sweeps and seal leaks with acoustical sealant. Hang thick curtains around windows. Don’t forget to line heating and cooling ducts.
2. You can increase the mass in the walls and ceiling with special soundproof wall panels. Adding a second layer of drywall is another option.

If you can mount electrical switches on the wall. This takes away a sound entry point.

Have the Perfect Recording Studio Design

Having the right design makes a big difference. Take everything out of the room you’ve picked. That includes anything that can vibrate. Next you should add acoustic treatment. It’s not just for show.

The standard set up has all the gear surrounding you in a circle. It’s good for access.

The other option is a dual set up. There’s a station for the engineer and another section for the musician.

The hybrid set up looks most like the dual option.

Top Tips for the Perfect Home Recording Studio

Having trouble getting started? Here’s five tips that will point you in the right direction for starting out.

• Starting with the basics is a good idea. Look for gear that’s both affordable and compact. Get reviews sent to your inbox via mail.
• If you plan on making music or podcasts on the go, you’ll need a laptop. If your home recording space is going to be stationary, a desktop PC will do.
• Choosing the right DAW software is important. If you own a Mac computer, you can start with the basics and upgrade to Logic Pro X.
• When you’re looking at an audio interface, think about inputs. The minimum 2 out/2 in unit works best.
• If you plan on doing a lot of live streams, a USB microphone is the right choice.

Home Podcast Studio Setup

Setting up a podcast studio is a little different. Here’s a few things that makes this different from recording music.

• Planning is the first step. You need to write a script that goes along with your original idea. You might even need to invite some people in as guests.
• Some people might want to pick a cohost. It’s easier to get started with one of these .
• You need to choose a name. Choose one that will let you expand your topics. For example, “Outdoor Adventures” could be about hiking. But you can expand it.
• You need to have a format too. A simple one includes a teaser and some intro music and then an ad spot and an interview.
• Don’t forget to leave yourself enough time to edit the episode. That way it will sound its best.

How does a Podcast Studio Work?

Generally podcasting is a free service. Users get to take the audio files that are usually MP3s. They listen to them on their smart phones or other devices.

Podcasting is free from any government regulation presently. You don’t need to buy any kind of license like a radio station would. You don’t need to conform to any FCC regulations either.

How Much Does a Home Podcast Studio Cost?

Much of this will depend on whether your looking to start a podcast as a hobby or a business. Either way, you’re going to need equipment, software, cover art as well as music and FX.

For the business podcast or you can spend on average $950 to get started and then $330 a month for things like podcast hosting.

For the hobby podcast, the startup fee is around $330 with $15 per month.

How to Set Up a Home Podcast Studio

It’s not difficult to set up a DIY podcast area. However, there are a number of steps that will help you to launch successfully. The following tips will help you to get started.

Choose the Right Room for Your Home Podcast Studio

Choosing the right space for your podcast is the first step. Here’s the thing. Most people won’t have a big budget to start out. It’s a good idea to choose a space that has surfaces like rugs and carpeting. Think about access.

Lots of podcasters start recording in their closets.

Stay away from rooms that have hard flooring like your kitchen and other hard surfaces.

Soundproof or Soundtreat Your Room

Soundproofing is different than sound treating. The first thing is about cutting down on outside noise in your studio. You can use specially designed drywall panels and gap fillers for that.

Sound treating is about making the acoustics in the room better. Use tools like bass traps here which are tools that dampen low frequencies. These are a big part of success.

Choose Your Room Layout

Here are some more ideas for choosing your room layout. Along with the tips we’ve already mentioned, watch out for low ceilings and parallel walls using drywall.

Start Recording!

If you’ve gone through all these tips you’re ready to start recording. You might be making music or putting together a podcast. With either thing, the following tips come in handy.

Home Podcast Studio: Top Tips

• Pick an existing space like a closet that you can access.
• Design a great podcast cover. That’s part of it. Try Adobe Photoshop.
• Get recording software that will let you edit. Look for review sites and have updates sent to your inbox.
• Think about a hosting platform like Podcast.co

Is a home studio worth it?

You can put together one of these on a budget. You can make money by outsourcing services like mixing, producing and tracking.

It’s an enriching experience for people who love technology and music or podcasts. They are something creative people thrive on.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "How to Set Up a Home Studio" was first published on Small Business Trends

US Navy Awards $151 Million to Small Business IT Firms

The U.S. Navy has awarded a combined $151 million to five small businesses. According to the U.S. Department of Defense site, these five companies will provide full information technology (IT) lifecycle support to Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command’s (NAVFAC) core facilities management, construction management, and installation management systems.

US Navy Awards $151 Million to Small Business IT Firms

A government contract is a great source of revenue for businesses of all sizes. However, it is especially true for small business owners. With millions of dollars up for grabs, winning a contract from the federal government can provide a stream of revenue for several years.

In this particular case, the term of the contract won’t exceed 66 months. And the expected completion date is March 2027.

The winning businesses will perform the following tasks, but they are not limited to them. This includes systems development lifecycle and cybersecurity support, business systems operations and support, IT operations management and enterprise, cloud operations/migration/system development, secure infrastructure and analysis, and management services.

The $151 million will go to:

• Chitra Productions LLC
• SV Synergies LLC
• OSCTech LLC
• AttainX Inc.
• Stellar Innovations and Solutions Inc.

The contract for this bid was competitively procured through the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and Federal Business Opportunities website, with a total of 28 proposals were received.

While not every small business has the know-how to bid for these contracts, the federal government has tens of billions of dollars up for grab each year specifically earmarked for small businesses.

Small Business Contracts

In fiscal year 2020, federal government small business contracts totaled a record $145.7 billion. With a mandate to give small businesses 23% prime contracts, in 2020 it exceeded that amount to 26.01%.

Additionally, the federal government also wants service-disabled Veterans, women, and disadvantaged businesses to apply for these contracts. As the largest customer in the world, the U.S. federal government is always looking for providers. And according to Small Business Administrator, Isabel Guzman, “Our goal this year, and every year, is to make sure that small businesses can be like the giants they are in our economy and to create conditions to guarantee their success.”

So, if you are a small business owner find out what the government is looking for and submit your bid. And remember, your business doesn’t have to be a high-tech company.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "US Navy Awards $151 Million to Small Business IT Firms" was first published on Small Business Trends

Latino Business Owners Can Now Mark Their Google Profiles in New Partnership

In a new partnership with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Google will unveil a new Latino-owned attribute in Search, Maps, and Shopping. This will help identify them to customers that want to patronize businesses owned by Latinos.

Latino Attributes in Google Search, Maps, and Shopping

Whether it is your heritage, gender, or any other identifying trait, you can use it to market your business on Google to reach a larger audience. In the case of Latino business owners, this identification can help customers who don’t speak English or those looking for specific items such as foods, spice, cultural items, and more.

The new partnership with Google is going to help the more than 4.7 million Latino-owned businesses attribute their heritage on Search, Maps, and Shopping. In the coming weeks, Google says these businesses can easily identify as Latino-owned on the platform. This follows the Black-owned, Veteran-owned, and Woman-owned business attributes Google launched recently.

With these attributes in place, it is one more way people can support the diverse businesses in their community that are on Google’s products and platforms.

Google’s Latino Support

The addition of the Latino-owned attribute Google announced is part of its overall support for this community. This includes the recent $15 million expansion focusing on Latino entrepreneurs in the U.S. That funding, in particular, was designed to help students, job seekers, and entrepreneurs with equitable access to funding, training, and support.

Additional support includes providing tools and education for the 4.7 million Latino-owned small businesses as well as a growing network of 260 local chambers and business associations nationwide. The technical assistance along with the online resource hubs in English and in Spanish is responsible for graduating more than 200 Latino-owned small businesses through Google’s accelerator program.

This comes as part of the Grow with Google curriculum which received additional funding to support 40 chambers across the U.S. The result was an impressive 10,000 Latino small businesses trained in digital skills they need to thrive in today’s digital ecosystem. Google is also announcing it is making a $5 million investment in Latino-owned businesses and community organizations to further support this community.

With a 34% growth over the last 10 years, Latino business owners represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. Providing resources as well support for this group will ensure these owners can grow to strengthen their community by hiring local workers.

Image: google

This article, "Latino Business Owners Can Now Mark Their Google Profiles in New Partnership" was first published on Small Business Trends

How to Properly care for Your Commercial Vehicles

owning a commercial vehicle is one thing, and caring for it is another. Make sure you take good care of them to get most value from them.

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5 Construction Management Best Practices for Savvy Contractors

Embracing these best practices can take your construction business a long way.

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5 Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make

It doesn’t matter if you’re the new kid on the block or you’re an industry veteran, all small businesses make mistakes from time to time.

Mistakes may be a natural part of the business process. But that doesn’t mean small business owners need to personally commit every error in order to learn each lesson.

There are many ways that entrepreneurs can learn from the mistakes of others to avoid paying the price with their own companies. Here are a handful of common mistakes that many small businesses tend to make, as well as suggestions for ways to avoid them.

1. Attempting to Do Everything

A small business owner is a brave soul. They’ve charted their own course and taken control into their own hands. If you’re a small business owner, you’re well aware of the confidence that this can create.

However, just because you’ve succeeded in one area of business doesn’t mean that skill or talent will translate to other pursuits. In fact, one of the biggest shortcomings of many small business owners is falling prey to the idea that they can do everything.

The truth is, every business owner has countless things that they’re not good at. Often, they’re even severely underqualified. For instance, managing taxes or stepping in as a chef are very bad ideas if you’re not qualified to do so. Even small activities like managing customer service calls or processing payroll can be a bad idea if you’re not trained.

Instead, outsource these activities. Look into technology solutions, such as small business payroll software. If you can swing it, hire employees to address them. The gig economy is another economic way to fill in talent gaps in your workforce without breaking the bank.

2. Failing to Take Finances Seriously

Both overspending and underspending are common issues for small businesses. Often the root of the problem stems from the personality of the business owner.

Those who are bean counters tend to avoid expenses, even when they’re necessary for growth — and at times even survival. On the other end of the spectrum, reckless spenders often ignore the math and rack up expenses blindly while hiding behind things like quality or a better customer experience.

Swinging to either extreme can be detrimental to a business. Instead, take steps to gain a firm understanding of your finances. Use software like Quickbooks or Expensify to keep track of income and expenses. Hire an accountant to help you with your taxes. The more you understand your business’s finances, the more informed your financial decision-making will be.

2. Attempting to Do Everything

A small business owner is a brave soul. They’ve charted their own course and taken control into their own hands. If you’re a small business owner, you’re well aware of the confidence that this can create.

However, just because you’ve succeeded in one area of business doesn’t mean that skill or talent will translate to other pursuits. In fact, one of the biggest shortcomings of many small business owners is falling prey to the idea that they can do everything.

The truth is, every business owner has countless things that they’re not good at. Often, they’re even severely underqualified. For instance, managing taxes or stepping in as a chef are very bad ideas if you’re not qualified to do so. Even small activities like managing customer service calls or processing orders can be a bad idea if you’re not trained.

Instead, outsource these activities. If you can swing it, hire employees to address them. The gig economy is another economic way to fill in talent gaps in your workforce without breaking the bank.

3. Mistreating Your Internal Lifelines

As a small business owner, you’re likely well aware of all of the threats to your business. From financial concerns to supply chain disruptions, customer satisfaction, and more, there are countless areas that can keep you worreting at all times.

This often creates stress and anxiety that small businesses will pass along to others further down the chain of command. For instance, many small businesses work their employees to the bone. They aren’t treated well by management or shown that they’re valued.

Suppliers are another group that often get the short end of the stick. They’re often left waiting for payments until the last minute, even when they deliver shipments on time.

Make sure to treat your internal and auxiliary workforce with respect. Go out of your way to pay them on time and show them that they’re valued. You’ll find that your business will run like a well-oiled machine, and you’ll get greater loyalty and production.

4. Spreading Your Marketing Thin

Marketing used to be a big company’s game. Small businesses had to scrounge around for the local scraps that big-budget corporations left behind.

The advent of online marketing has completely rewritten this narrative. All the way back in 2019, digital ad spending was already poised to overtake traditional spending, with no end to the growth in site.

The only problem is that online marketing, while accessible for small businesses, is overwhelming. Email, social media, website, search engine, content, video, and countless other marketing strategies are available. The worst thing a small business can do is commit marketing dollars to a scattered and mismanaged marketing strategy (or even worse, no strategy at all.)

It doesn’t matter if you’re spending hundreds or millions of dollars. Always create a solid marketing plan that dictates how to spend each penny.

5. Not Managing Risk

Risk is another common issue for small businesses. With less margin for error than larger enterprises, many smaller companies either play it safe and miss opportunities or take uncalculated risks that end in disaster.

It’s important to develop a risk management philosophy for your business. As you do so, make sure you have a balanced approach to risk. For example, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Use resources that you can afford to lose if a new business idea goes south.

At the same time, don’t sit tight on what’s working at the moment and let opportunities pass you by. It’s easy to put yourself out of business if you fail to evolve along with your industry these days. Look for things like cutting-edge tech or changing customer expectations and then create strategies that incorporate them.

The best way to do this is to set SMART goals. These are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By setting SMART goals, you can create reasonable objectives to work toward. This will keep you moving forward and taking risks. At the same time, it will avoid the need to threaten the existence of your entire business in the process.

There are many challenges that every small business will face. Some of these will be overcome without an issue. Others may stand out as clear mistakes and important learning opportunities.

However, there are also many mistakes that companies can learn from without first-hand experience. From proper finances to a loyal workforce, happy suppliers, meaningful marketing, and much more, it’s always worth taking the time to do your homework and safeguard your business against common — yet avoidable — mistakes as you go along.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "5 Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make" was first published on Small Business Trends

Retail Expert Says to Expect Major Product Shortages Soon

According to Burt Flickinger, product shortages are going to be as bad as when the COVID-19 pandemic started, as reported on Fox Business. Flickinger made this prediction after Costco warned its customers it is having trouble fulfilling toilet paper orders in the week of September 20, 2021. But the shortages won’t stop at toilet paper.

Expect Major Product Shortages

From chicken shortages to toilet paper and computer chips for cars, shortages are affecting businesses large and small. And for small retailers, it means having to pay more for their inventory. Forbes is reporting there are still bottlenecks in the supply chain which is exacerbated by a shortage of shipping container problems and the added cost they now demand. The report goes on to say this alone is causing a doubling or tripling in shipping costs.

The shortages also come just as the holiday shopping season is about to begin. As Naveen Jaggi, president of retail advisory service JLL, told Forbes, “The biggest challenge for U.S. consumers will be that demand will outstrip supply.” Adding, “Consumers will need to pull forward holiday shopping rather than wait till Thanksgiving and after.”

Add the Delta variant to the mix and the impact of the pandemic will continue to affect consumers and businesses this holiday shopping season. This includes small businesses that are still struggling through this ordeal.

Small Business and Supply Shortages

According to the 2021 Business Barometer report from Oregon-based Umpqua Bank, small businesses are facing widespread supply chain problems. The 1,200 business leaders in the survey stated supply chain tops their list of concerns moving forward.

A whopping 88% of the respondents said they had difficulty sourcing goods in the past 12 months. And the most common supply chain problems they faced are purchasing the goods they need in a timely manner to run their business, longer delays receiving goods, and an increase in the price of goods.

The report states businesses, small or large, are making major strategic adjustments with significant changes to multiple areas. This includes supply chains, staffing models, company culture and vision, brick-and-mortar operations, and products and services. And moving forward they expect to keep these changes.

However, it is not all bad news. Fifty-two percent of small businesses expect the economic condition to improve and another 53% say their revenue will increase. And as the conditions brought on by the pandemic die down, supply chains will start flowing to normalize the marketplace.

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This article, "Retail Expert Says to Expect Major Product Shortages Soon" was first published on Small Business Trends

These Companies Offer the Fastest Internet in America

With more and more people working from home, fast internet has become a vital component of business productivity and success. It is therefore within every small business and entrepreneur’s interest to have access to fast internet.

So, which providers offer the fastest internet speeds? To find out, the team at HighSpeedInternet.com, compare and review specialists of internet providers, conducted research into the companies that offer the fastest internet in America.

The team analyzed more than 3.6 million speed tests using HighSpeedInternet.com’s speed test tool. The research was carried out in 2021.

The Fastest Internet Provider in America

The fastest provider overall was found to be Google Fiber. With an average download speed of 160.5 Mbps and maximum advertised speeds of 2,000 Mbps, Google Fiber has the fastest fiber-optic speeds in the United States.

Behind Google Fiber in the fast stakes is Verizon, which has an average download speed of 138.0 Mbps. In third place in MetroNet, boasting average download speeds of 135.2 Mbps.

Ranked as the fourth fastest internet provider in the United States is Cox, which has an average download speed of 134.5 Mbps. Cox was followed by Xfinity, which, with an average download speed of 131.6 Mbps.

The Fastest Type of Internet

The research also looked at what the fastest type of internet is. It found that fiber is currently the fastest type of internet available. This type of internet uses glass fiber-optic threads which are bundled together to transfer light signals. The signals are fast and reliable over long distances.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced many businesses to enable staff to work from home. It also encouraged entrepreneurs to take the plunge and start the business they have dreamt of. The new working and business environment that relies on remote and hybrid work set-ups, requires a high-speed and reliable internet. It is therefore important that small businesses and entrepreneurs are familiar with the best internet choices.

This is where HighSpeedInternet.com’s research would prove an invaluable resource. Explaining what the fastest type of internet is, the report notes:

“Fiber-optic internet is the fastest type of internet. Across the US, fiber internet providers ranked highest in our speed comparisons. Cable internet also made a good showing among the fastest internet service providers in the US. Both fiber internet and cable internet offer speeds up to (and sometimes exceeding) 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps).”

Best Internet Provider for Customer Satisfaction

The report includes data on which internet providers customers were most satisfied with. Taking findings for HighSpeedInternet’s most recent customer satisfaction survey, in which thousands of internet customers were asked to rate their experiences with the biggest internet service providers, EarthLink is considered the best provider in terms of customer satisfaction. Verizon swooped second position, followed a several providers in third place, including Cox, AT&T, Suddenlink, Mediacom, RCN and Sparklight.

Fastest Internet Providers by Region

The research also explored the fastest internet provider by region. Verizon Fios is ranked the fastest provider for the Northeast. In the Midwest, regional and local internet providers dominate as being the fastest providers on internet, with the exception of Xfinity and Frontier.

In the South, the relatively unknown provider called Ting came out as the fastest provider, and in the West, Sonic beat Google Fiber as providing the fastest service.

By mapping out regional differences, HighSpeedInternet.com’s research is important for businesses thinking of relocating or wanting to start up in an area with the best internet speeds.

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This article, "These Companies Offer the Fastest Internet in America" was first published on Small Business Trends

Spotlight: Why Wiserbrand Isn’t Your Average Digital Marketing Firm

Many businesses offer marketing services. And many offer back-office solutions. But Wiserbrand offers these and more.

The company is known for providing exactly what each client needs. Read about their journey in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.

What the Business Does

Offers marketing and support tools for businesses.

CEO Michael Podolsky told Small Business Trends, “At WiserBrand, we sell digital marketing, web development, customer support, and back-office services.”

Business Niche

Providing an all-inclusive service.

Podolsky says, “We know how to connect all parts of your business – develop eCommerce solutions, create transformative marketing campaigns and deliver unparalleled customer service—all at one firm. Whatever part is missing in the customer’s business, we can help with it.”

How the Business Got Started

While working on another project.

Podolsky explains, “??Bright people from a small outsource team grew into a prominent marketing, development, and customer care center.”

Biggest Challenge

Navigating the pandemic.

Podolsky says, “Covid burst was a significant risk to lose performance. We were not prepared, but it worked out. We established remote work and switched to different systems of management and control.”

Lesson Learned

Carefully navigate relationships with business partners.

Podolsky says, “There were many ups and downs, but we’ve managed to widen our horizons and fix the situation.

He added, “To have our relations with partners more stable, we could have handled it differently. But the lessons we learned helped us grow. Now we are charged up and ready for the challenges ahead.”

How They’d Spend an Extra $100,000

Scaling.

Office Location

In the middle of NYC.

Podolsky says, “Our office is located in the very heart of the town – we love it so much. But most of all, we love the way our capacity grows.”

* * * * *

Find out more about the Small Biz Spotlight program

Image: Wiserbrand

This article, "Spotlight: Why Wiserbrand Isn’t Your Average Digital Marketing Firm" was first published on Small Business Trends

These Cities Have the Youngest Entrepreneurs in America

Research conducted by lending experts has discovered where you can find the youngest average age of entrepreneurs in the United States.

Data analysts at LendingTree studied anonymized data from over 100,000 borrowers seeking loans specifically to start a business and to identify the average age of entrepreneurs in each metro area. The findings revealed Greenville in South Carolina had the youngest entrepreneurs with an average age of 36.4 years old.

Cities with Youngest Entrepreneurs

The research is interesting for small businesses, especially those doing business with other businesses, as it gives useful insight into the demographic of entrepreneurial activity around the various metro areas of the United States.

For example, one of the findings was the overall average age of entrepreneurs in the 50 largest metro areas of the United States, which is 40.2 years old. It may have been tempting to think of people starting businesses as being significantly younger, but the figures show that early middle age is one of the most popular times to start a first business.

Starting a Business for ‘Folks of All Ages’

LendingTree chief credit analyst Matt Schulz said of the research findings: “There’s been so much talk in recent years, even going back to the Great Recession a decade ago, about younger Americans embracing being entrepreneurs that it is easy to view it as a youthful phenomenon, but that’s clearly not the case. Folks of all ages continue to jump in.”

Schulz also believed that the shorter credit histories of younger entrepreneurs might have been make funding a little harder to come by. “Which is tough,” Schulz added, “Because they may not have as much savings as their older counterparts either. A small business credit card or personal loan could still be good options.”

In a report on the research for LendingTree, Kamaron McNair speculated that: “Entrepreneurs may be able to get started earlier in places with lower costs of living. Riverside, Calif., San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston rank in the bottom 10 among metros with the youngest entrepreneurs — and they happen to be among some of the most expensive places in the U.S. Cost isn’t the only factor, though, as New York ranks 13th among metros with the youngest entrepreneurs.”

Interesting Entrepreneurial Data

Joining Greenville in the top three metros with the youngest entrepreneurs were  New Orleans where the average age of new entrepreneurs is 37.4 years old, and Charleston,  also in South Carolina, where entrepreneurs have an average of 37.9 years when they start their business.

The metro area with the oldest entrepreneurs was North Port in Florida, where they have an average age of 45.8 years. The LendingTree researchers speculated that the higher average age of entrepreneurs here could be due to North Port large older population, with about 32% of residents being 60 years old or older.

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This article, "These Cities Have the Youngest Entrepreneurs in America" was first published on Small Business Trends