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- Does your Facebook page need freshening up?
Don't ignore your Facebook page as part of a complete business-to-business marketing strategy, Naomi Ruth Ganhinhin writes. Make sure the contact information is up to date, think big and bold for the cover photo, highlight important posts to keep them top left, and don't ignore the Timeline as a way of making the company interesting. Facebook's Insights can help you craft ad campaigns based on real metrics, Ganhinhin adds. TopTenWholesale.com
(9/29)      
- Avoid these 6 pitfalls of social media outreach
Social media marketing can do more harm than good if improperly handled, Matthew Ellis writes. Make sure the corporate branding is part of your communications and choose social media platforms based on business objectives. Ellis also advises marketers to avoid slamming the competition and to use social media as a listening tool, not just as a broadcast platform. MarketingProfs
(9/28)
- Your salespeople must know your products inside and out
Your salespeople have to be highly knowledgeable about your product to sell at their highest potential, Vanessa Merit Nornberg of Metal Mafia writes. "You can have the nicest sales people in the world, but if they don't know your product, they are simply useless." It's the business owner's duty to make sure his or her representatives have the required knowledge, she writes. Inc. online/In the Trenches blog (free registration)
(10/1)
- 5 qualities of a character-based leader
Character-based leaders possess a number of positive qualities that help them in their duties, Meghan M. Biro writes. Among other traits, these leaders tend to exhibit integrity, openness and trustworthiness. "A character-based leader is open to ideas, people, risk, challenge, opportunity and experience," she writes. Forbes
(9/30)
- 4 steps to a thorough business-expense checkup
It's important for businesses to analyze how their operating expenses change over time, Joe Worth of B2B CFO writes. "Compare the numbers to last month, the last three months, the average of the last three months (called 'rolling average'), average year-to-date and the same month last year," he advises. Companies should also compare how their finances compare to that of their competitors. Entrepreneur online
(9/25)
- Create a landing page that will capture customers
It's a good idea to create a landing page for your website to capture the traffic that you attract through advertising, Oli Gardner of Unbounce writes. This page should include several elements, including a headline, an image or video demonstrating your product and a call to action, Gardner writes. He also provides some sample pages and explains the good and bad points of each. Duct Tape Marketing
(9/26), Duct Tape Marketing
(9/27)
- Can Outlook.com trump Gmail's supremacy in the cloud?
Outlook.com, Microsoft's latest webmail offering, is a worthy competitor to Gmail, Rick Broida writes. Outlook provides a superior interface and allows for larger attachments, but Gmail has better search functionality. "[I]n the end, your choice may merely depend on which features and capabilities you prize the most," he writes. PCWorld Business Center
(9/27)
- How to triumph over tech time wasters
Technology has made it easier to work and connect with other people but can also be a major time waster, Andrew Kardon writes. He advises workers to use a three-sentence limit for all e-mail responses, concentrate on finishing tasks outlined on a simple list application, and set time limits for using social media, instant messaging or talking on the phone. Entrepreneur online/The Daily Dose blog
(10/1)
- New website helps business owners identify bad customers
Peter Robideau, who owns a technology support company, is helping small businesses identify problematic customers with a new website called BadConsumers.com. The majority of customers are nice to work with, but some people try to take advantage of small businesses, he explained. "Everything's geared for the consumers and their protection," he said. "What about us?" Bloomberg Businessweek
(10/1)
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Follow @SBStartup live from #NAWBOWBC on Oct. 4 and 5
SmartBrief's small-business and entrepreneurship editor Brooke Howell will be tweeting live Thursday and Friday from the National Association of Women Business Owners Women's Business Conference in Louisville, Ky. Follow her at @SBStartup to join in on the conversation, and learn about the buzz and advice women entrepreneurs and business owners are sharing at the conference.
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Recent SmartBrief on Main Street Issues:
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