All posts tagged small business tips

Is Tumblr Right for My Small Business?

By | May 23, 2013 | Advanced Small Business Marketing, Marketing, Online Marketing, Social Media | No comments

This post is written by Robbie Vogel, a writer/editor with Vistaprint. Robbie has worked for microbusinesses in both PR and advertising.

On May 20th, search and media giant Yahoo acquired Tumblr, a fast-growing microblogging platform and social network. Tumblr is an interesting medium, and is still relatively new on the scene. Though it doesn’t replace a business website, there are several aspects of this service that make it attractive for a time-strapped small business owner. We wrote a post earlier today outlining what it is and how the move will impact the small business landscape.

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Lessons from Michael Scott: The World’s [Self-Proclaimed] Best Boss

By | May 21, 2013 | Micro Business Insight, Micro Business Issues, Small Business Tips | No comments
The Office

This post is written by Kristen Johnson, a member of Vistaprint’s social media team who focuses on content marketing.

After nine years of watching the gang at Dunder Mifflin grow and evolve, NBC’s The Office finally put an end to the series last Thursday with a finale that brought laughter, tears and even a cameo from the series’ original star, Michael Scott.

Over the years, the majority of things that came out of Michael’s mouth were often highly inappropriate for an office setting, from his “that’s what she said” jokes to his colorful portrayals of his alter-egos Prison Mike and Michael Klump. As a small business owner, you may even argue that Michael Scott is the perfect example of what not to do in a management role. However if you can see past his immature antics and plentiful wisecracks, there are still some everyday lessons and leadership advice that you can take away from Michael Scott and the Dunder Mifflin team:

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5 Quick, Healthy Breakfast Foods for the Busy Small Business Owner

By | May 17, 2013 | Micro Business Issues, Small Business Tips, Tips | 1 Comment

This post is written by Robbie Vogel, a writer/editor with Vistaprint. Robbie has worked for microbusinesses in both PR and advertising.

Let’s be honest, not many of us have time to sit down for breakfast before work. Many of us skip the meal entirely, a bad habit that leads to a slow metabolism and overeating later in the day.

A travel mug of tea might be the closest some people come to a healthy breakfast, so read on for five quick breakfast foods that can improve your mood and energy for the rest of your day. Read more…

5 Quick Tips to Avoid Burnout

By | May 13, 2013 | Micro Business Insight, Micro Business Issues, Micro Business Tips, Tips | 1 Comment

This post is written by Robbie Vogel, a writer/editor with Vistaprint. Robbie has worked for microbusinesses in both PR and advertising.

The life of a small business owner is not a walk in the park. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, highly stressed, and mentally and physically exhausted at times. However, when these feelings combine with a general helplessness and a desire to simply give up, you might be perilously close to a burnout.

The differences between being stressed out and being burned out are subtle. According to Help Guide, stress is characterized by over engagement and produces urgency and hyperactivity. Everyone knows these feelings, when it seems that the day is too short and the to-do list is too long. Burnout, on the other hand, is characterized by disengagement and a loss of motivation. So if that passion that used to get you out of bed in the morning is nowhere to be found, use these five quick tips to prevent burnouts. Read more…

7 Ways To Win New Customers

By | April 30, 2013 | Acquiring New Customers, Marketing, Offline Marketing, Retaining Customers, Social Media | No comments

This is a post by Sara Nash; Sara earned her degree in Public Relations from Penn State University. From there, she worked a PR agency in Boston before joining the PR and Social Media team at Vistaprint.

Part of growing your small business is growing your customer base. But how, exactly, can you do that? Here are seven ways to win new customers…it’s up to you to keep them! Read more…

5 Lessons Small Business Owners Can Learn From Major League Baseball

By | April 10, 2013 | Marketing, Tips | No comments

This post is written by Robbie Vogel, a writer/editor with Vistaprint. Robbie has worked for microbusinesses in both PR and advertising.

When evaluating your small business, it’s often hard to think outside of your insulated worldview. Whether you’ve been running your business for a few months, a year, or a decade, it’s always helpful to keep tweaking and tinkering to make sure you get the most out of your company. You can find good business ideas and advice in some pretty unlikely places, including the world of sports.

Baseball, as we know, is America’s pastime. It’s often one of the first things that comes to mind when someone mentions summer, and baseball has some of the most devoted and knowledgeable fans in all of sports. These fans keep up with their teams all year round, purchase tickets to home and away games, and support the clubs with team-licensed merchandise. Wouldn’t you like your customers to feel the same passion for your business?

Here are five lessons you can take from the world of Major League Baseball. Read more…

Digital Spring Cleaning

By | March 5, 2013 | Marketing, Micro Business Issues, Micro Business Tips, Small Business Tips, Tips | 2 Comments
Digital Spring Cleaning

This is a post from Sara Nash; Sara earned her degree in Public Relations from Penn State University. From there, she worked a PR agency in Boston before joining the PR and Social Media team at Vistaprint.

It is about that time again…spring cleaning! But this year, why not cover all of your bases and do a bit of digital spring cleaning as well? It’s so easy to get in a winter rut, but a little cleaning can help dig yourself out and get ready for the spring! Read more…

Finding A Balance When You Work From Home: 3 Tips For The Micro Business Entrepreneur

By | October 17, 2012 | Micro Business Issues | No comments
Finding A Balance When You Work From Home: 3 Tips For The Micro Business Entrepreneur

Megan Totka is the Chief Editor for ChamberofCommerce.com. She specializes on the topic of small business tips and resources. ChamberofCommerce.com helps small businesses grow their business on the web and facilitates connectivity through an online directory between local businesses and more than 7,000 Chambers of Commerce worldwide.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, leading corporations like Ford Motor Company, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Hershey’s, and Apple Computer made their start as home-based businesses. While it’s encouraging to see the potential success and growth available to home-based entrepreneurs, the truth is that most small business owners are actually not looking for their companies to become multinational corporations. Home-based entrepreneurs tend to intentionally choose both the size and location of their businesses, and the needs of these business owners are specific to their situations. Read more…

Small Business Lessons: Sylvan & Sons

By | September 28, 2012 | Micro Business Insight, Micro Business Issues, Small Business Tips, Tips | No comments

This is a guest post from The Marketplace.

When it comes to being a small business owner, creating a support system is important. One of the best places to look for this network? Other small businesses. Here are a few quotes from Linda Martuch of Sylvan & Sons, a company that produces dog and cat collars, leashes, harnesses and collar bows that we think you might find inspirational.

Her story:
“I got into business because I love dogs and I love animals, and I’ve been doing it ever since. . . for 25 years,” she says. “When I started this, I had never run a business, I had never kept the books, never paid the taxes, never hired employees, never supervised anybody, never been in manufacturing. I was working in computers for a couple years and before that it was real estate and before that I was waiting tables, and I had no business, no training, no experience in business. So basically what happened to me was a 25-year learning curve.” Read more…

Should I start a small business?

By | August 30, 2012 | Small Business Tips | No comments

Have you ever thought of starting your own business?

If you have ever pondered this question, be sure to check out this interview with Jason Keith, Vistaprint’s Small Business Blogger. In his interview with WBZ News in Boston, Jason highlights three important things for aspiring business owners to consider: Read more…

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