Episode 1: Talking to your customers

The Great Big Small Business Show Episode 1: Talking to Your Customers
Steve Yastrow says that a customer is “anyone whose actions affect your results.” So today’s show covers important information for every aspect of your business communications.

‘I’ is the New Black
The trend in communication is ‘authenticity of voice.’ As a small business person, you have a big advantage as a real person, and you are the message. Heidi Miller explains more about using your voice. Heidi Miller is a Shameless Self Promoter at Heidi Miller Presents.

Podcasting for Your Small Business
Throw out the term “podcasting” for a moment. What if you as a small business owner could have a conversation with a customer you haven’t met yet? The beauty of podcasting is that it starts a digital conversation with customers you didn’t even know you had. Chris Brogan picks a small business in his town, a retail ceramics shop, and gives you and idea of how that store could use podcasting to reach its audience/customers. Chris Brogan is Chief Content Officer at Grasshopper New Media.

The Five Biggest Marketing Mistakes
You know that marketing is critical to your business, and that it is changing rapidly. But do you know what the most damaging marketing mistakes are? In the first part of a series, Steve Rucinski walks you through the five biggest marketing mistakes that small businesses make. Steve Rucinski is a Small Business CEO and can also be found at Small Business Trends Radio.

The Power of the 15 Second Pitch
In a world of instant information, information overload, and a deficit of attention, your window for making a first impression is shrinking. You have to pick one thing to be known for, and then also find a way to be interesting, funny, clever or authentic if you want to get your message through. Laura Allen shows you how to find your one thing to build a powerful 15 second pitch. Laura Allen is the co-founder of 15 Second Pitch.

A Real ‘What’s In It For Me’ Example
Talking with your customers means speaking to them personally, no matter what method you choose to do it. Becky McCray tells a story of two different approaches she received this week, and which one actually got the desired results. Becky McCray is the publisher of Small Biz Survival.