Five Things To Know This Week:
1) How New Websites Can Identify Important Keywords
2) The Best Computer Keyboards
3) Conquering Stress
4) Does Your Business Need a Content Room?
5) Resource of the Week: The Small Business Edge (SBE) Marketplace
Hi Small Business Edge readers,
“Don’t worry twice” is a 3-word mantra I often share with business owners who tell me they are anxious and stressed about the future. They worry about inflation, rising interest rates, finding and retaining good employees, consumer demand, and more. In short, they fear the unknown and what may or may not happen.
A few years ago, I created something called a “GPS Plan.” It’s designed to help business owners worry less about the future because they have already mapped it out. The concept is similar to putting an address into a smartphone which then tells you how long it will take to get to your destination and if there are any delays along the way. I do the same with a business owner’s strategic goal.
Starting in October, Jocelyn Ring, a top branding and leadership expert, and I will host a monthly workshop for business owners who worry about the future. The class, titled: Bricks or Sticks: Building a Foundation For a Business That Lasts, will enable business owners to create their own GPS Plans, define the type of business owner they want to be, turn a reactive mindset into a proactive one, and give them the secret sauce to success (We call it “D.C.A.”).
If you’re interested in learning more about the “Bricks or Sticks” class, click here. You can also email me if you have questions.
Oh, and don’t worry twice.
Brian Moran, CEO
Small Business Edge
Brian Moran & Associates
brian@smallbusinessedge.com
How New Websites Can Identify Important Keywords
One of the issues startup entrepreneurs face is their new websites and SEO. Practical Ecommerce says that while “an established website has many options to expand keyword lists and identify organic search opportunities,” a new site doesn’t have the data that enables it to identify keywords.
Their post offers information about the tactics and tools that allow you to narrow your keyword list even when you don’t have internal data.
Read more about the best ways to do keyword research for a new website.
The Best Computer Keyboards
Computer peripherals can be as crucial to your computing experience as the actual computer itself. Keyboards, for example, can increase productivity. And the right keyboard can offer a better ergonomic experience.
But there are so many options, how do you know which keyboard is right for you and your employees? The “Wirecutter” column from The New York Times did a deep dive on the best types and sizes of keyboards for Macs and Windows computers.
Learn more about which keyboard is best for you.
Conquering Stress
All business owners experience stress. How you handle stressful situations determines whether you can find the answers to relieve your anxiety. Fast Company suggests that while “obsessing over a stressful situation can be harmful, there are times when thinking things through fully is the right move.”
Their solution to destressing may seem a little old-fashioned—it involves using paper and pen—though I suppose you could just as easily use your computer to make a list of what’s stressing you and then classify the stressors.
The article explains how doing this can help you conquer your stress and move on.
Learn more about dealing with stress.
Does Your Business Need a Content Room?
So, you’ve never heard of a content room? Neither have I. But after reading this post on worklife, I want to create one.
Content rooms are “designed to feel informal and cozy” and feature great sound design. If you do live events or film a lot of videos at your business, content rooms provide a quiet space for your teams to create and not get in the way of your other employees.
Experts say a content room’s two most important elements are “dimension and flexibility.” You also want a room with “the right look, tone, color, and materials.” Content rooms are in high demand at the moment, and there are several resources you can tap into.
Read more about how to create a content room.
Resource of the Week: The Small Business Edge (SBE) Marketplace
The Small Business Edge (SBE) Marketplace. We are excited and proud to announce the launch of the SBE Marketplace, a community for business owners hosted by Rieva Lesonsky, John Lawson, and Brian Moran, three top small business experts with decades of experience helping business owners. On the SBE Marketplace, members can:
- Network with like-minded people
- Showcase their products and services
- Learn more about products and services that will help them run more productive companies
- Gain access to top experts on relevant business topics.
The website officially launches on September 1st.
Click HERE to sign up for a free membership today!
Click HERE to listen to the 5 in Five podcast with Vijay Ramachandran