Many of my friends on social media are small business owners. And this blog is dedicated to them because today is Be Heard Day. What is that, you might ask? If you're not familiar with this special day, it was started in 2004 by marketing and business strategist, Shannon Cherry as a way to bring attention to one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face. And that is being heard.
Often, small business owners get overlooked, even by the people in their local community. This is a result of the "big boys" and their herculean marketing machines. It's easy for these small businesses to get lost. But Ms. Cherry had an idea. And that idea led to the creation of Be Heard Day. Her goal for this day reportedly is "to make it a “give away day”, a day where she and other business and marketing professionals offer their services and knowledge for free." How amazing this that? Being able to get advice from these professionals could mean the difference between complete failure or shinning success for some small businesses!
Starting a small business can be an exciting experience...a true labor of love. But the cost of getting your message out there can be a hard reality. Messaging isn't cheap. "Getting marketing advice can be an expensive proposition and every penny counts to a small business. Be Heard Day is the day to make things a little easier!"
There are several ways to celebrate this day. If you are a business owner, go to your favorite search engine and look up Ms. Cherry's website and get signed up. This one small step will give you access to thousands of dollars worth of advice...FREE! Free is good when every marketing dollar counts to a small business owner. Another way to celebrate is set aside some time today (or soon) and objectively look over your current marketing plan. Are you being creative enough? Should you maybe try other types of marketing?
If your not a business owner you can still celebrate Be heard Day, "Find those small businesses in your community that you haven’t had time to stop into yet. Have a fun day of shopping and helping to support your community. Learning where these great businesses are is only part of the fun." You might make a few new friends along the way.
If you're the owner of a marketing/advertising company why not donate a little free time to helping a small business in your community to grow and thrive? Your payback could be handsome. How about holding a contest to select your business owner? It'd be great publicity for you and an opportunity of a lifetime for the lucky winner. it's a win-win for everybody.
Whether you're a consumer or a business owner, Be Heard Day is a great time to make new connections. The day celebrates small businesses and encourages them to stand up for themselves and their ideas and lay claim to their share of the market. Hey, maybe you're the next Mark Zuckerburg or Oprah Winfrey but nobody knows it yet...but you! It could happen! Use National Be Heard Day as your excuse to draft out that business plan, write that communications strategy, and set the groundwork to get your big ideas heard around the world. Here are a few ideas to help you on your way.
1. Make your presence known. Do one thing today to let others know about your business or your ideas. Maybe it’s sharing a business idea with a friend, writing a letter to the editor of a local paper, writing a blog post, or even writing a Tweet. There are so many ways to connect with people online and in person, and National Be Heard Day is a great reason to start.
2. Improve yourself. Your success as an entrepreneur and business owner starts with your own personal growth. Do one thing today that will help you in your own personal development. Some suggestions: write a list of goals; read a book about self-improvement; or schedule a meeting with a mentor or person in your field that you admire. Small steps today can set you on the path for success tomorrow.
3. Tell your story, National Be Heard Day is a perfect time to craft your refined pitch, story or idea in order to communicate your ideas effectively. If you already have a business but think you could tell your story better, try writing or narrative, or reach out to a communications professional to help you tell — and promote — your story.
I salute you, small business owner. I know it isn't always easy and that some days are outright hard. Yet you persevere. And I for one am grateful. Enjoy your day, now go out and Be Heard!
Tomorrow is International Women's Day. I'm pretty sure you won't want to miss that blog. So, until we meet again, I wish you PEACE.
Often, small business owners get overlooked, even by the people in their local community. This is a result of the "big boys" and their herculean marketing machines. It's easy for these small businesses to get lost. But Ms. Cherry had an idea. And that idea led to the creation of Be Heard Day. Her goal for this day reportedly is "to make it a “give away day”, a day where she and other business and marketing professionals offer their services and knowledge for free." How amazing this that? Being able to get advice from these professionals could mean the difference between complete failure or shinning success for some small businesses!
Starting a small business can be an exciting experience...a true labor of love. But the cost of getting your message out there can be a hard reality. Messaging isn't cheap. "Getting marketing advice can be an expensive proposition and every penny counts to a small business. Be Heard Day is the day to make things a little easier!"
There are several ways to celebrate this day. If you are a business owner, go to your favorite search engine and look up Ms. Cherry's website and get signed up. This one small step will give you access to thousands of dollars worth of advice...FREE! Free is good when every marketing dollar counts to a small business owner. Another way to celebrate is set aside some time today (or soon) and objectively look over your current marketing plan. Are you being creative enough? Should you maybe try other types of marketing?
If your not a business owner you can still celebrate Be heard Day, "Find those small businesses in your community that you haven’t had time to stop into yet. Have a fun day of shopping and helping to support your community. Learning where these great businesses are is only part of the fun." You might make a few new friends along the way.
If you're the owner of a marketing/advertising company why not donate a little free time to helping a small business in your community to grow and thrive? Your payback could be handsome. How about holding a contest to select your business owner? It'd be great publicity for you and an opportunity of a lifetime for the lucky winner. it's a win-win for everybody.
Whether you're a consumer or a business owner, Be Heard Day is a great time to make new connections. The day celebrates small businesses and encourages them to stand up for themselves and their ideas and lay claim to their share of the market. Hey, maybe you're the next Mark Zuckerburg or Oprah Winfrey but nobody knows it yet...but you! It could happen! Use National Be Heard Day as your excuse to draft out that business plan, write that communications strategy, and set the groundwork to get your big ideas heard around the world. Here are a few ideas to help you on your way.
1. Make your presence known. Do one thing today to let others know about your business or your ideas. Maybe it’s sharing a business idea with a friend, writing a letter to the editor of a local paper, writing a blog post, or even writing a Tweet. There are so many ways to connect with people online and in person, and National Be Heard Day is a great reason to start.
2. Improve yourself. Your success as an entrepreneur and business owner starts with your own personal growth. Do one thing today that will help you in your own personal development. Some suggestions: write a list of goals; read a book about self-improvement; or schedule a meeting with a mentor or person in your field that you admire. Small steps today can set you on the path for success tomorrow.
3. Tell your story, National Be Heard Day is a perfect time to craft your refined pitch, story or idea in order to communicate your ideas effectively. If you already have a business but think you could tell your story better, try writing or narrative, or reach out to a communications professional to help you tell — and promote — your story.
I salute you, small business owner. I know it isn't always easy and that some days are outright hard. Yet you persevere. And I for one am grateful. Enjoy your day, now go out and Be Heard!
Tomorrow is International Women's Day. I'm pretty sure you won't want to miss that blog. So, until we meet again, I wish you PEACE.
www.daysoftheyear.com/days/be-heard-day/
www.nationaltoday.com/national-be-heard-day/
www.nationaltoday.com/national-be-heard-day/
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