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Think a brand is just for big businesses? Think again. Branding is critical for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Your brand is what the outside world thinks of you. That’s it. Although you can influence your brand through well-designed logos, hilarious ad campaigns, carefully crafted press releases, or super-friendly service, ultimately, your brand is what the outside world says it is.

Why bother? Because strong brands are the key to customer loyalty and higher sales. The Economist recently reported, “Brands are the most valuable assets many companies possess. But no one agrees on how much they are worth or why.” Strong brands inspire loyalty, and we can’t always put our finger on exactly how they do it.

Every year during the third week of May, the President of the United States announces World Trade Week, during which trade organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders work together both nationally and locally to promote and facilitate international trade in the U.S. economy.

So why are international trade and exporting topics you should consider within the context of your small business?  For starters, 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States.  Think about that for a moment.  Even more surprising?  Only one percent of U.S. based small businesses are selling to those customers.  Exporting is a significant opportunity to extend the reach of made-in-America goods and services internationally, expanding your global market share.

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Social media spending at companies, the report showed, currently represents 9% of marketing budgets, and that’sforecast to rise to nearly 25% within five years. But half of marketers interviewed said they couldn’t show what impact social media had on their business – at all. Read More.

Think of the most successful entrepreneurs and the attributes they exemplify: innovation, vision, creative genius, perseverance — and ego. People who don’t believe in their ability to create the new and different won’t get very far. And certainly, there are stories of giant egos among some very successful entrepreneurs.

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Austinite Mikaila Ulmer, the 10-year-old queen bee of Bee Sweet Lemonade, has her handmade product on the shelves of retailers across several states, including Whole Foods. She appeared on ‘Shark Tank’ and cut a deal to expand her company.

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“I want to be big!”

This is what ambitious startup entrepreneurs often say when they talk about the goals of their new organization.

Of course, the definition of “big” varies considerably. Most first-time entrepreneurs would be thrilled to manage a $100,000 revenue generating company; whereas others define success in multiples of millions.

Still, I wonder. Why is it that I’ve never heard a first-time entrepreneur say, “My goal is to be really, really profitable?” After all, isn’t it more important to earn $1 million after paying all business expenses than generate $1 million in customer sales? I think so. It’s what you keep that matters.

READ MORE:  https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/192140

After years of working for micromanaging bosses, working ten-hour days, and feeling completely drained at the end of a workweek, my husband and I decided to call it quits. We left our jobs in the media world and started our own business, McEwen’s Media.

Our business is an extension of the work we did for the corporate world, with one big exception—we’re in charge. I imagine many entrepreneurs have a similar story. You get tired of working for others and make the bold decision to use your skills to further your own business rather than be a cog in a machine.

Our company, which offers content and video materials for small businesses, is in its third year of operation. While I’m happy to report that it pays the bills, it didn’t start off with rainbows and lollypops. At the beginning, we made some marketing mistakes.

Tax time brings with it a sense of urgency and pressure, and mistakes inevitably follow. Tax deductions go unclaimed, paper trails go awry and costly surprises can result.

Here are eight of the most common tax preparation mistakes that small businesses make, plus some tips for mitigating them.

Start a business last year? Write off the expenses

New business owners can write off the expense they incurred before technically opening their doors for business. Don’t overlook this important deduction.

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