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The Volunteer State appeals to all kinds of travelers, from history buffs to nature lovers to music enthusiasts. With so many things to see and do here, it can be hard to know where to start. That's why iSupport Local TN took into account a variety of factors – including diversity of attractions, accessibility, affordability and culinary options – to determine the best places to visit in Tennessee. Want to have a say in next year's list? Vote for your favorite destination below. Tell us your favorite places in Tennessee. Gatlinburg, Tennessee #1 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Gatlinburg makes a great base for travelers looking to spend their vacation outdoors. Nestled within eastern Tennessee's section of the Great Smoky Mountains, this town boasts proximity to multiple hiking trails and ski slopes. Plus, Gatlinburg features several parks ideal for picnics and leisurely strolls. For some of the town's best panoramas, climb aboard the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, head to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle or walk across Gatlinburg SkyLift Park's suspension bridge. No visit would be complete without checking out Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Why Go To Gatlinburg With three entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, it's no surprise that visiting the park is the most popular attraction in this eastern Tennessee town. In fact, it's such a hit that Gatlinburg's population balloons during peak tourist season from less than 4,000 residents to more than 40,000. With miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as historical exhibits and cabins, and the opportunity to view black bears, elk, deer and other wildlife in their natural habitat, it's easy to see why the park is such a hot spot. When you're not in the park enjoying its natural wonders, you'll likely spend time admiring it from several of Gatlinburg's top attractions, including the Gatlinburg Space Needleand the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. But Gatlinburg isn't just a gateway to the Smokies. This small mountain town is a destination in its own right, and one that's particularly popular with families thanks to kid-friendly diversions like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. To get a taste of local Gatlinburg culture, skip the kitschy souvenir shops and visit one of several local galleries, including the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, to watch local artists and craftsmen create everything from paintings and pottery to handmade brooms and jewelry. Memphis, Tennessee #2 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Memphis played a significant role in developing the blues, soul and rock 'n' roll musical genres, so much so that artists like Elvis Presley, W.C. Handy and Otis Redding recorded songs here. Today, the musical city offers a taste of this history at many of its top attractions, including Graceland, Sun Studio and the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Memphis is also known for its ties to the civil rights movement. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum, which occupies the former Lorraine Motel (where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated), to learn more about this important period in American history. Why Go To Memphis Memphis is constantly grooving, either to the songs of Elvis echoing throughout the city or to the tunes of up-and-coming musicians along Beale Street. Graceland is the major draw for many; however, audiophiles who come only for Elvis will be pleased to find out that Memphis has much more to offer. Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes and B.B. King also nurtured their unique sounds in Memphis bars and recording studios. Along with the significant role Memphis played in music history, this city also serves as a poignant reminder of the civil rights movement. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. petitioned for the equal rights of Black sanitation workers in 1968. After leading a peaceful protest in March, King returned to the city on April 3 only to be assassinated a day later at the Lorraine Motel, now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum. There's a third, sometimes overlooked reason to plan a Memphis visit. The "Cradle of American Music" delivers good eats, as well as good tunes and good history lessons. Consider a spring or fall trip (the summer heat here is staggering) to try out a few culinary – and distinctly Southern – favorites. The region's finger-lickin' barbecue and buttery grits should be at the top of any aspiring foodie's list. For more information on the city's history, food and tunes, sign up for one of the best Memphis tours. Great Smokey Mountain National Park #3 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Situated south of Gatlinburg on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers 800-plus miles of hiking trails, including some that take you to breathtaking waterfalls like Abrams, Grotto and Laurel falls. America's most-visited national park also provides ample opportunities to fish, bike, ride horses and camp (weather permitting). But remember, the Smokies are home to approximately 1,500 wild black bears, so stay alert, keep your distance and properly store your food at all times. Why Go To Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans both Tennessee and North Carolina, with the border running through the center of the 522,427-acre tract. The mountains have a long history of human settlers from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to 19th-century European settlers. Today, more than 10 million people visit the park each year – it's one of the few free national parks in America – to enjoy scenic drives to Cades Cove or along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and outdoor activities like hiking, biking and fishing. Pack a picnic for stunning hikes to Abrams or Rainbow Falls, or bike the Cades Cove Loop on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when the road is closed to traffic. Learn the history of the park at the Cades Cove Visitor Center and explore the historic gristmill and Cable Mill or stop by Sugarlands Visitor Center to see wildlife exhibits, view a film on the park and pick up unique souvenirs at the gift shop. Knoxville, Tennessee #4 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Tennessee's third-largest city perfectly blends outdoor recreation with urban amenities. In the 1,000-acre plot of forested land that comprises Knoxville's Urban Wilderness, visitors can explore 50-plus miles of trails, swim in pristine lakes and get an adrenaline rush while zip lining, among other activities. For a more leisurely dose of nature, head to the University of Tennessee Gardens. Additional must-dos include visiting the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Zoo Knoxville and the Knoxville Museum of Art. Why Go To Knoxville Tennessee's third-largest city, and the site of its first capital, often flies under the radar, but once visitors get acquainted with the historic and charming Knoxville and its accessible downtown, as well as its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, they often become fans. One of Knoxville's most famous landmarks is the gleaming Sunsphere, a 266-foot-tall, gold-tinted tower built for the 1982 World's Fair. Now an observatory, located in the World's Fair Park, it's just one of the city's many attractions. Downtown Knoxville is full of interesting independent shops and restaurants, many radiating out from popular Market Square. The Tennessee River runs alongside downtown, so many locals and visitors get out on the water by kayak, canoe or river boat cruise. Historic attractions abound, especially Civil War sites, battlegrounds and homes. Furthermore, friendly residents with a genuine welcoming attitude, lots of green spaces, tasty southern cuisine and an-easy-to-navigate downtown make Knoxville an appealing city to visit. Chattanooga, Tennessee #5 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Chattanooga's most well-known attribute may perhaps be Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, the oldest and largest Civil War park in the country. But there's more to this city than its rich history. Travelers can enjoy incredible views of the Scenic City from Ruby Falls (which is home to America's tallest underground waterfall accessible to the public) and Rock City Gardens (where visitors can see seven states from a platform located 1,700 feet above the ground). Plus, families will find kid-friendly attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium – the world's largest freshwater aquarium – and the Chattanooga Zoo within city limits. Why Go To Chattanooga Situated along the Tennessee River and nestled among the mountains of Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga has truly earned its nickname as the "Scenic City." Once named the most polluted city in America by the Department of Health, Chattanooga has experienced an urban revitalization over the past few decades, making sustainability a priority and giving the city a much-needed boost of diversity without losing touch of its small-town charm. Chattanooga is known as a historical hub, having served as a Civil War battlefield and the grand central station for southern railway travel in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the city is a pioneer of different sorts, as one of the first cities in the U.S. to offer its citizens 2 gigabits per second (read: extremely speedy) internet service, and the first American city to have its own typeface, appropriately named "Chatype." Silicon Valley better watch its back. Technological advancements aside, travelers of all types could spend days enjoying Chattanooga's diverse array of attractions. Adventurers can explore the nooks and crannies that lie within Lookout Mountain, history buffs can traverse terrain once inhabited by Civil War troops at Chickamauga, engineers can marvel at restored trains (several of which are over 100 years old) at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and foodies can eat their way through the delectable North Shore district. Or, you can simply take a stroll along the city's riverwalk and catch a sunset atop the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the world's longest pedestrian bridges. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee #6 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee If you want your next vacation to be unlike any you've had before, visit Pigeon Forge. This mountain town 8 miles northwest of Gatlinburg is home to some of Tennessee's most unique attractions. You can roll down a hill in a giant inflatable ball at Outdoor Gravity Park or buy sweets and souvenirs, mine for gems, feed goats and more at Goats On The Roof. Additionally, Pigeon Forge is where you'll find Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park, WonderWorks and Hollywood Wax Museum outposts and the interactive Titanic Pigeon Forge museum. Why Go To Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge is famously known for being home to the Dollywood theme park and Splash Country water park. However, you may be surprised by how much else there is to discover in this charming small town in eastern Tennessee. Actors, comedians and musicians put on larger-than-life performances at The Comedy Barn and Country Tonite Theatre. There are numerous educational, engaging and family-friendly museums located here, including WonderWorks, the Titanic Museum Attraction and Beyond the Lens!. What's more, the scenic outdoors beckon to travelers: Visitors to Pigeon Forge can enjoy parks, admire the landscape via zip line or alpine coaster, and go camping and hiking nearby. Be sure to check out the Outdoor Gravity Park, the only Zorbing park in the USA! You should of course spend some time at Dollywood (it's home to an impressive number of roller coasters, attractions and shows) and Splash Country (the 35-acre water park is packed with slides and rides). But don't forget to slow down and take a stroll through town, check out the shops and eateries at The Island in Pigeon Forge, and maybe stop in to visit a winery or brewery. One thing's for certain: There's no doubt you'll appreciate everything to see, do and experience in Dolly Parton's "Tennessee mountain home." Nashville, Tennessee #7 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Nashville's ties to the Fisk Jubilee Singers (the first musical group to go on an international tour) and its prevalence of honky-tonks are only two reasons why the destination is called Music City. Country music fans flock to the Country Music Capital of the World to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and see big-name musicians perform at the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. The city also boasts an excellent dining scene featuring Southern staples and Nashville hot chicken (a local favorite), so save time for a food tour. Why Go To Nashville Nashville has evolved over the years and has become a city of a lot of things for a lot of different people. It's a popular weekend getaway for those based on the East Coast and in the Midwest. It's a foodie retreat for those who love affordable Southern cooking and international fusion cuisine. And it's a fun bachelor and bachelorette spot for friends looking to bond before taking the big leap into marriage. But Nashville at its core is a haven for country music fans. The bars lining Broadway (plus the famous Bluebird Cafe, which is about 5 miles south) host some of the most talented undiscovered artists in the country. In fact, Nashville is where many musicians – including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line and Sam Hunt – were discovered or launched their careers. The best way to soak up Nashville's country scene is to enjoy the free live tunes at establishments throughout the city. You should also visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, tour Belle Meade Historic Site and ogle The Parthenon. And plan to spend some time just hanging out in the growing number of boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants downtown. Or, let a local show you around with a guided tour. Bristol, Tennessee #8 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Although images of Nashville may first come to mind when you think of country music, Bristol should also be on your radar. This northeastern Tennessee city – which is a twin city of neighboring Bristol, Virginia – is where the musical genre was born. Bristol celebrates its musical history at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The city is also known for its world-famous Bristol Motor Speedway, a sprawling sports venue that hosts multiple racing events throughout the year. Plus, it features several parks and lakes where outdoor enthusiasts can hike, bike, camp and go fly-fishing. Murfreesboro, Tennessee #9 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Murfreesboro attracts history buffs in droves thanks to its collection of historical sights. At Stones River National Battlefield, visitors can learn more about one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles. Meanwhile, Oaklands Mansion and Cannonsburgh Village offer vacationers a firsthand look at what life was like in Tennessee during the 19th century. When travelers need a break from Murfreesboro's historical locations, they can check out other popular attractions like the Discovery Center, Go USA Fun Park and Climb Murfreesboro. The latter is Tennessee's largest indoor rock climbing gym. Clarksville, Tennessee #10 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Overlooking the Cumberland River, bustling Clarksville is one of Tennessee's oldest cities. Visitors can follow the Civil War Trail to four informative markers or learn more about the war at Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center. The city also features multiple parks with areas for hiking and bird-watching, such as Dunbar Cave State Park, plus life-size statues of some of Clarksville's most famous former residents, including Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph and city founder John Montgomery. Travelers who are at least 21 years old should also check out Clarksville's blossoming brewery scene. Johnson City, Tennessee #11 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Johnson City is packed with amenities to entertain travelers young and old. Nestled in northeastern Tennessee's mountains, this city is home to Eastern Tennessee State University, as well as a multitude of restaurants, bars, art galleries, museums, shops and live music venues. But the main reason to visit Johnson City is to reconnect with nature. Vacationers can fish at Boone Lake, hit the links at one of two golf courses or hike Buffalo Mountain Park's trails. For impressive scenery without a workout, take a scenic drive on one of the area's byways. Lynchburg, Tennessee #12 in Best Places to Visit in Tennessee Adults ages 21 and older who like whiskey should consider vacationing in Lynchburg. This small southern Tennessee town's claim to fame is the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Visitors flock here every year to tour the distillery and learn how whiskey is made. Most tours offer tastings, but keep in mind that Lynchburg sits in a dry county, so alcohol cannot be purchased on-site or anywhere within town limits. After touring the Jack Daniel's facility, walk around Lynchburg's historic square to see its shops, restaurants and 19th-century structures, including a courthouse and the Moore County Jail Museum. Did we get it right? Let us know what Cities you feel should be on this list. We would love to hear from you.

BY BROOKE BARNETT, UPDATED BY LINDSAY CUOMO When asked to name her favorite local business, local retail consultant Allison Barta Bailey likens it to a parent being asked to choose a favorite child. Bailey simply explains, “I have too many favorites to name!” In addition to being her passion, Bailey says that local shopping is crucial to the growth and expansion of our city. “If we want our community to continue to develop, we have to offer something that other communities don’t,” she says. “Our local business scene is something that’s unique to our city for travelers, and provides quality and convenience for residents.” Bryce Bandy, co-founder of Keep It Local OK (keepitlocalok.com) agrees. “Since local businesses are not tied to any national sales or marketing strategies, we will get a wider variety of products and services from Tennesseans for Tennesseans. This also means you won’t run into the exact same mix of restaurant and retail anywhere else.” Not to mention the economic benefits of shopping locally, a fact to which Bandy is quick to attest. “Local shopping is crucial to our continued growth because the success of local businesses attracts and encourages other entrepreneurs to start local businesses, which leads to more jobs and revenue re-circulating throughout our community.” Doing the Math The math for buying close to home is compelling—for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $73 remains in the local economy. Compare that to the same $100 spent at a non-locally owned business, where only $43 remains in the local economy. Recent research from Civic Economics (civiceconomics.com) indicates that local eateries return nearly 79 percent of revenues to the community, compared to just over 30 percent for chain restaurants. “When profits stay local, it increases the community’s wealth, tax revenue and standard of living,” Dr. Sue Lynn Sasser, professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma, says. “Small businesses and local businesses are still the backbone of our economy,” Sasser adds. “They are local people serving local people and are generally committed to staying there, raising their families. After all, most businesses started out as a small, local business and earned the success of growing and expanding. It’s the American Dream.” Here are 15 reasons to keep your cash close to home: Keep Money Local—Sales taxes fund our communities and provide vital services such as police and fire protection, street repairs and trash collection. “Local businesses are more likely to shop with other local businesses, keeping money moving in our local economy even longer,” explains Morgan Harris, owner of Green Bambino (www.green-bambino.com), a full-service baby store offering functional and earth-friendly products. Local Investment—Local businesses are less susceptible to national downturns and more likely to work harder to stay open. “Local ownership means that important decisions are made by people who live in our community and feel the impact of those decisions,” explains Chris Branson, co-founder of Keep It Local OK. Locally-Made Products—Local business owners often sell local products, which helps preserve the community’s distinction and creates more jobs locally, as well. Support for Nonprofits—Local businesses support good work in our community. “Studies show that nonprofits receive 250 percent more support from small businesses than large ones,” explains Dr. Sue Lynn Sasser, professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma. Discover Interesting Things and People—“One-of-a-kind shops and restaurants are part of what makes our city a great place to live,” Branson adds. Personal Connection—Getting to know the store owners is a great reason to shop local. “It’s their business, they are the decision-makers and they build a personal relationship with their customers,” Sasser says. Product Knowledge—Local business owners are well informed about their products and know what they are selling. “Because they know their customers, they can easily adjust their inventories to include the goods and services local people want to buy,” Sasser explains. Diverse Products—Local stores carry inventory you might not find at national chain stores. “Local business owners choose products based on what their customers want and often carry unique items from local artists and farmers,” Branson says. Cost Effective—“Sometimes prices at local businesses are better because they don’t have the overhead that larger stores may have and they may be more willing to negotiate to meet your price needs,” Sasser says. Better Experience—Local shopping can translate to more convenient retail experiences. Less “Leakage”—Local businesses tend to buy and sell with other local businesses. “With national or multi-national firms, a percentage of that profit ‘leaks’ out of the community, the state or even the nation,” Sasser notes. Increased Expertise—Shopping at a local store means you can get an expert opinion about the products that you’re purchasing. “Local shop owners have to be experts in their field to compete. Use them—ask them questions and get advice about products,” Bailey encourages. Create Community—“We are a transitory society so people don’t always have a connection with the communities where they live. I would encourage people new to an area to ask the locals where they shop,” Sasser says. Better Service—Local business owners do what they do because they are passionate about their products and typically take more time to get to know their customers. “They’ll often go the extra mile to help you and to ensure you’re a satisfied customer,” Sasser says. Support Future Growth—Our experts agree on the last reason—shopping locally is the best way to show pride in your city and help protect the businesses that make our city unique. “We can’t simply say ‘Shop Locally!’ and keep our economy vibrant and healthy,” Harris explains. “We have to take the time and spend the money to support local businesses with our presence and our dollars. You really do vote with your wallet, and shopping locally casts your vote for Nashville. As a local business owner, it makes me immensely happy to have the opportunity to help shape what Nashville City becomes.” “Shopping locally is a big part of what our family is,” Harris concludes. “Not just because we own a small business, but because we feel it is such a big part of helping to create a great city for our son to grow up in.”

DECEMBER 17, 2020 BY BRYSON EDGAR Starting out on Instagram can be a disheartening experience. Even with the flood of users accessing it every day, attracting new followers can feel like an agonizingly slow drip. Don’t despair, though. With the right approach, you can turn your luck around. This article will give you 50 tips to help boost your follower count in no time. 1. Improve your Instagram experience with iSupportLocalTN. Follow us on Instagram so you can be linked into the Tennessee Network. 2. Follow other users. You can’t expect people to follow you if you don’t do the same for others. Use the Explore tab to find accounts whose personalities and interests align with your brand. Don’t hesitate in following users who don’t have many followers. They might appreciate the attention. There’s also a list of “Suggested Users,” which you can find by clicking the icon in the upper right on your profile and choosing “Find and invite friends.” 3. Give out likes and comments. Feel free to like as many posts as you want. Give them to anything that catches your eye, or to any user who you think might enjoy your brand. Furthermore, leave a positive comment on these posts as well. Compliment them on their photography skills, or their choice of subject. You might just make somebody’s day and earn a follower in return. 4. Have conversations. If somebody leaves a thoughtful comment on your post, you should write a reply back to them. Instagram is a social platform first and foremost. It thrives on connecting people and fostering meaningful interactions. So, get out there and make some friends! 5. Use hashtags. Hashtags are an absolute necessity on Instagram. Without them, nobody would be able to find your posts if they didn’t already know your username. Hashtags are the primary way of searching for content. Take a look at the most popular hashtags on any given day. Consider which ones you could contribute to in a relevant way. You can add up to 30 hashtags to a single post, although I wouldn’t suggest going any higher than a dozen. You don’t want your captions to get cluttered. Take it one step further and use a smart Instagram Bot to automatically engage with users within your target hashtag audience and convert them into followers. 6. Create branded hashtags. If you have enough followers, you could get your own hashtags trending. Just ask them to add the tag to their content. Doing this will extend your reach out further than before. You can also connect the hashtags to any campaigns you are currently running. 7. Make high-quality content. Content should be your primary focus on Instagram. It is the key to gaining followers. If you aren’t putting out visually pleasing photos and videos, then you won’t get anywhere on the platform. Socializing isn’t enough. You need to put in the time, money, and resources to make your content look professional. 8. Develop a recognizable style. Your aesthetics should reflect your brand’s identity. Think about what you want to convey with your content. Are you serious and committed to your customers? Relaxed and fun-loving? Humorous and irreverent? You can communicate these things through the compositions and colors of your content. This will give viewers a better understanding of the brand while viewing your page. If they like the image that you project, then you might win them over as a follower. 9. Light your photos well. There are too many poorly lit photos on Instagram. Some are downright incomprehensible in how dark they are. Avoid this by making sure that your photos are bright enough to be clear. Just make sure that you don’t overcompensate and wash it out with too much light. This is where Instagram editing apps can really make you shine. 10. Feature faces often. According to recent studies, people tend to enjoy pictures more if they have faces in them. In fact, Instagram posts with faces tend to get 38% more likes than those without. This makes sense when you think about it. Our brains are hardwired to recognize faces and interpret their expressions. So when somebody is browsing through a feed, faces are more likely to stand out to them. 11. Write fitting captions. Don’t neglect the captions section of your posts. Some brands do the bare minimum with them, which is a mistake. A good caption can complement your content and even enhance it. The most impactful captions either provide contextual information, entertain the viewers, or provoke thoughts and feelings. 12. Ask viewers questions. Instagram is filled with people who want to be seen and heard. One way you can provide this to your audience is by asking them questions. You can solicit their personal opinions and preferences, or get their thoughts on the direction on your content. Who knows, they might even provide some valuable insight that you could use in the future. 13. Post frequently. If you aren’t active on Instagram, then not enough people will be able to discover your account. Try to post at least a couple times each day. Be sure to space out your posts if you post more than that, though. You don’t want to dump all of your content at once and clog people’s feeds. 14. Post at the right times. Another thing to keep in mind is the times at which you are posting. Some studies have shown that posting at 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. EST tended to yield the most engagement on average. However, there are some days in which other times are better. Overall it seems to vary depending on which day of the week it is. The best thing to do here is do research and pay attention to your intended audience. Take note of when they seem to be the most active, and when they are more dormant. 15. Incorporate your username on printed materials. If your business makes fliers, pamphlets, signs, decals, or any other physical marketing, then you might want to include your Instagram handle somewhere. All you need is some space for the Instagram logo and then your username next to it. That should be enough to guide curious viewers to your account. 16. Call your audience into action. If you want something, then you should try asking for it. Put a call to action in your captions to encourage interaction with your posts. A CTA can be a short phrase such as “tell us your thoughts in the comments,” “tag a friend who this reminds you of,” or “visit the link in our bio for more information.” 17. Keep consistent. Viewers enjoy consistency. They like knowing what they’re going to get before they commit to it. It also gives your brand a sense of identity and reliability. Try to maintain a similar tone across your posts. Find an attitude that fits your brand and stick with it. Come up with unifying themes across your posts, and follow them for awhile. Think about how your content flows together as a whole. 18. Be authentic. Authenticity is one of the most respected traits that anybody could have online. It’s easy to understand why, as the internet is filled with phonies, imposters, and scam artists. Honesty and openness feels rare in comparison. Be truthful and sincere with your audience. Don’t pretend to be somebody that you’re not. Address criticisms and admit when you are wrong. Viewers will find this refreshing and will be more likely to follow you. 19. Make an emotional appeal. The strongest connection you can make with a viewer is an emotional one. If you can evoke joy, sadness, awe, inspiration, or wistfulness, then you will have accomplished something noteworthy. It will make you stand out in the vast sea of boring, dry marketing around you. 20. Be a storyteller. Storytelling is ingrained in every culture. We tell stories to communicate information, entertain audiences, and make deeper connections with others. A well-told story can captivate people and bring them back for more. Instagram has endless opportunities to tell stories. You can tell it in a single image, or in the captions of a post. A narrative can be formed between multiple pictures, or within the span of a short video. 21. Hold contests and giveaways. Who doesn’t like free stuff? You can get hundreds, possibly thousands, of Instagram users to flock to your page with a contest or a giveaway. To ensure that you gain followers, you can ask them to follow your account in order to qualify. You can also ask them to use branded hashtags or like certain posts to help spread brand awareness. 22. Have limited-time sales. What’s the next best thing after free stuff? Discounts, of course. Occasionally holding limited-time sales is an easy way to get more followers. You could make a post with a special coupon code, or put it in an Instagram Story. The latter will disappear within 24 hours, so it gives viewers more incentive to closely monitor your activity. 23. Geotag your photos. If you are a business with a main store or central location, then geotagging is the way to go. Any images that you tag will appear on that region’s Instagram page, and consequently will be visible to anybody from that area who visits it. 24. Tag any relevant people. Locations aren’t the only thing that you can tag. You can also tag other Instagram users. Do this whenever it is relevant to the content of your photo, such as if you take a snapshot of an influencer at an event. This will make it show up in their feed. Hopefully they’ll share your post in return. 25. Work with influencers. Influencers are an essential part of any marketing plan. The reason they are so effective is because people trust them. They are seen as dependable, influential people within their communities, so their opinions about brands are valued. Find an influencer that meshes well with your brand’s image. If they have an actual passion for your products, then it will shine through. Work out a deal that benefits both parties, such as sending them products for review. Just don’t try to control their content if you form a partnership. It’s important that they maintain their authenticity and don’t seem like “sell-outs” to their fans. 26. Host a takeover. A takeover is a particularly fun event that you can do with an influencer. This is where you give the reigns to your account to another user for awhile. It can really spice up your content and attract lots of new visitors. 27. Exchange shoutouts for shoutouts. You’ve probably seen the #s4s hashtag if you’ve browsed Instagram long enough. It stands for “shoutout-for-shoutout.” This means they’re looking to trade mentions with other people. You can’t really lose when you participate in a #s4s agreement. Both parties involved get exposure to each other’s follower base, which will hopefully result in a crossover between them. 28. Share user-generated content. Sometimes you’ll see incredible content from followers that features your brand. If you’d like to share it on your page, then try asking the user for permission to do so. Most of the time they’ll likely say yes. Putting a spotlight on UGC will motivate others to make content for you, in the hope that you’ll showcase their work too. 29. Cut down on filters. When Instagram was first introduced, filters were a staple on the platform. However, in recent years, people seem to be using them less and less. Now it’s common for most posts to have no filter at all. So consider using them less, or not at all. 30. Spend extra time on editing. Even if you don’t use filters, it’s still a wise idea to tidy up pictures before publishing them. You want your content to look the best it possibly can. So if you need to tweak the brightness or contrast levels, or crop the photo just right, then go ahead. It’ll be worth the effort if it results in a more appealing image. 31. Give viewers a peek behind the scenes. People are always intrigued about what goes on behind the scenes of businesses. Need proof? Check out the countless television shows and web series that cover this topic. One of the benefits of sharing behind the scenes photos and images is that it humanizes the brand. It shows your audience that there are real people working to make the products that they own. 32. Cross-promote your Instagram on other platforms. Are you already established on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, or any other network? Then don’t forget to let your followers on those websites know that you’re on Instagram too. Some of them might be unaware of your account, or never thought to look up if you have one. 33. Approach everything with a plan. It’s never advised to dive in and improvise on Instagram. In almost every case, having a clear strategy has proven to be a better idea. Create a list of goals that you hope to achieve, starting with the smallest and most practical ones. Figure out ways to accomplish them, and come up with backup plans if something doesn’t work out. Schedule your posts weeks or months in advance if you can. Aimlessness is the central reason why so many accounts flounder and fail to see stable growth. 34. Team up with other brands. Not everything has to be a competition. In fact, brands tend to prosper when they pool their resources and work together. Perhaps there’s some sort of promotion you can run cooperatively with another brand, like a charity event or fundraiser. Maybe there’s a uniquely visual way that your products connect that would make for a neat campaign. Either way, you’re sure to reach a wider audience than you would alone. 35. Hide unwelcome tagged photos. The internet is filled with trolls and haters. Anybody who has been on it for longer than a day can tell you that. Instagram isn’t unlike every other website in that regard. You will eventually run into some unsavory users who will try to drag you down and scare away your followers. One way these types will mess with you is through abusing the tagging system. They might tag your username to some content you wouldn’t want associated with your brand. If this happens, don’t worry. It’s easy to hide these posts so people can’t view them from your profile. Go to your profile. There should be an icon that looks like a person on a box, somewhere beneath your bio next to the bookmark icon. Tapping it will bring you to Photos of You. From there, tap on the settings icon in the upper right corner. It will give you a scroll-down menu of options, including Hide Photos. Then you can select the photos you want to hide and hit Hide from Profile to confirm. Additionally, under settings, you can also choose Tagging Options. If you tap Add Manually, then all tagged photos of you will need your approval first. 36. Remove inappropriate comments. Another thing that could be turning away potential followers are the comments sections on your posts. Nobody wants to join a community that seems hostile and contentious. You can take care of this problem by deleting the offending messages. Tap the speech bubble beneath the comment, swipe left on it, and then click the trash icon. It’s as simple as that. Don’t be afraid to curate a comments section when necessary. It’ll turn it into a more inviting place for newcomers. 37. Participate in local events. The internet isn’t the only place that you can make your Instagram presence know. You can even promote it in your own backyard. Get involved in your local community. Hold events and gatherings that are exclusive to your area. These can be great opportunities to distribute materials that mention your Instagram account. 38. Share Instagram Stories. Instagram Stories is a lot like Snapchat, but with more features. It’s been gaining in popularity lately and has surpassed its competitor in terms of users. That’s why it would be a shame not to use it. The biggest advantage to Stories is that they can be discovered by users other than your follower base. Another upside is their temporary nature, which means you can spend less time fussing over them. Also, you can do live streaming video through Stories. 39. Produce lots of video content. It wasn’t until last year that Instagram expanded its video capabilities. The maximum video length was expanded from 15 seconds to a full minute. Ever since then, video content has swelled in prevalence on the platform. While photography is still the most favored medium on Instagram, that shouldn’t dissuade you from making videos. Some brands have found enormous success in making it their primary form of content, such as Red Bull. 40. Include some emojis. A recent study found that adding emojis in your captions often leads to a higher rate of engagement. Think of them as colorful splashes of emotion that liven up your writing. Not only do emojis save you character space, but they can also convey tone and ideas. 41. Optimize your profile. Every part of your profile should be optimized for maximum appeal. This includes your profile picture, name, and bio. Make certain that everything looks good, reads well, and represents the brand. 42. Make sure your account is public. If your account is private, then nobody will be see your content. Rectify this by going into the settings on your profile and disabling Photos are Private. 43. Invest in Instagram ads. Instagram offers a variety of advertising options. Your ads can come in the form of photos, videos, or carousels of multiple images. You can also buy ads for Instagram Stories. 44. Review with analytics. Utilizing an analytics tool can assist you in figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Hootsuite, for instance, can tell you which posts resonate with your audience the most. It can also give you detailed information about your followers. 45. Don’t be pushy about sales. On Instagram, it’s better to blend in than stand out. Nothing makes you stand out more than being blatantly promotional. Viewers generally don’t like it when brands are overly pushy, as it feels like an intrusion into their casual browsing. 46. Pay attention to trends. Keep track of the latest trends and styles. Capitalize on them whenever it fits with the brand, so that you can remain fresh and current. 47. Keep an eye on the competition. Carefully observe your competitors. What are they doing to get followers? What mistakes are they making? Knowing these things can aid you in formulating your Instagram strategies. 48. Use apps to create collages. A beautiful collage can make for an alluring piece of content. Try using Instagram’s own Layout app to make your own. It’s intuitive, totally free, and available for both iOS and Android. 49. Carefully curate your feed. Always have a bigger picture in mind. Think about how each post will look alongside each other in your feed. If your page has visual cohesion, it will draw more followers in. 50. Find a niche and fill it. Some brands try to be everything for everyone. They go for the widest market possible and end up stretching themselves too thin in the process. Remember that it’s perfectly fine to occupy a specific niche. The audience may be smaller, but they are more enthusiastic. This usually results in greater levels of engagement, especially with groups that feel ignored or underrepresented.

Published: December 21, 2018 Updated: October 1, 2021 By: Felicia Sullivan We’ve all been to those kinds of networking events where 50 strangers are packed into a room with nothing but cheese, stale crackers, and dwindling hope. No, this isn’t a reenactment of The Hunger Games — odds are this is an accurate description of your local networking event where Bob the Business Card works the room while you ask yourself, after a hard day of work, why you chose this stuffy room over your cozy couch. Even though the couch won’t generate new contacts or leads…or will it? As a small business owner, you know relationships are one of your most valuable assets. New clients and “door openers” (connected people who can make introductions) can help elevate your business from good to great, but sometimes you find yourself declining networking invites to must-attend business events because the idea of networking is on par with a root canal. And you’re not alone. According to data provided by Professor Julia Hobsbawm of Editorial Intelligence, one in four business professionals don’t network at all and 41% would like to network more but say they don’t have the time. Forming relationships and nurturing connections are critical to building leads and driving sales. According to a study by The Economist‘s Intelligence Unit, 78% of entrepreneurs believe that informal networking is important or very important to the success of their business. A recent study, conducted in partnership with LinkedIn, reported that networking fills a whopping 85% of jobs — confirming the old adage that it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. However, for an introvert, being crammed into a room while people are yelling their elevator pitches can be intimidating and suffocating. Introverts — like Bill Gates of Microsoft and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook — prefer their solo time, and they tend to network best in one-on-one situations. Does this mean introverts can’t make meaningful business connections? Of course not. Here are six foolproof strategies to connect with new people when you’d rather be at home parked in front of the TV. Consider this your go-to guide to networking if you’re an introvert. 1. Know When You’re at Your Best Introverts can be “on” for crowds in small doses when events take place when their cognitive abilities are at their strongest (that is, the best time of day when you’re able to think critically and rationally). If you know you’re not a morning person, don’t accept invites to a networking breakfast. Seek out events that match when you’re at your peak, so you can make the most of the event. 2. Join a Coworking Space From WeWork and Cohere to The Wing and Croissant, coworking spaces have become a haven for the small business owner in need of an office outside of their home. Being in the same physical space with other like-minded freelancers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs allows you to connect on your own terms without a hidden agenda. You can compare notes about clients, projects, and colleagues — and even trade business tips, tricks, and advice. Coworking fosters organic relationships and practically guarantees a built-in network. 3. Create Your “Tribe of Five” Remember, networking is about names, not numbers. You don’t need to work the room and collect a pile of business cards at an event. Forging a relationship is never about what the person can do for you; it’s about connecting with people who inspire, motivate, and teach you. Obvious opportunists come and go, but the real leaders are relationship-builders. Focus on growing your in-person network by five people each year. Realize that you’re not only tapping into new people but also each of their individual networks. When attending in-person events, try to research and find out who will be in the room and who might be a strong connection for your business. This allows you to hone in on the people you want to meet instead of randomly circulating a room feeling like Willy Loman. Then, try to target one to two people with whom you can have a meaningful conversation. You’ll likely be remembered and you won’t have to deal with the room overwhelm. The conversations can be short but meaningful, and be sure to secure their contact information for a follow-up coffee. Instead of spending hours suffering at an event, you can hit and run after 45 minutes. 4. Bring a Plus One The hardest part of networking for introverts is the terror that ensues when you meet New People. New People are scary creatures or professional vampires that threaten to suck out all your energy. If you always find yourself huddled in a corner with your phone or a book, bring a buddy. Friends — especially those extroverts — lighten the mood and can help steer you in the right professional direction. 5. Build Relationships Online It’s a lot easier developing relationships on-screen, especially if you live in a town where local in-person networking events are sparse and traveling to conventions and events is challenging. From Facebook and LinkedIn groups to Reddit subgroups, Twitter tribes, and blogs and forums, you can network online from the comfort of your own home. Screens are less confrontational and introverts can control the level and intensity of the interaction. Connect with people with like-minded interests and, if you find someone who shares your vibe, you can invite them to chat on Skype or FaceTime as a substitute for in-person events. Also, be a social sleuth. Feel free to check out your friends’ and colleagues’ LinkedIn and other social profiles and feel free to ask for introductions. 6. Throw a Plus One Dinner Party or BBQ Networking can be less painful for the introvert when it’s done on familiar turf. Meeting strangers in a controlled setting — especially if it’s your home or a friend’s home — can be comforting and powerful. Consider hosting (or co-hosting) a small gathering where every attendee is required to bring a colleague or friend. When you already have a connection with someone, it’s easier to feel comfortable and enjoy expanding the relationship. Even if the attendees can’t help you directly, the authentic relationships you’re creating may help you tap into their networks. Networking for the introvert is all about strategy — from determining the right time of day to tackle the crowds, to finding ways to cultivate new connections online and off. You can say no to the events that feel stifling and unproductive, and create new ways of networking based on your own personality, industry, affection for technology, and sheer will to move your business forward.

Published: April 7, 2019 Updated: December 17, 2019 By: Kelly Spors Many long-time small business owners would agree with the line from the 1970s song by the band Faces: “I wish that I knew what I know now.” Over years of running a small business, owners inevitably gather many lessons about how to grow and run a business more effectively. Thankfully, many of these owners are more than happy to share their insights. Here are seven business tips from several successful small business owners that are worth paying attention to: 1. Build a Support Network For Laura Kelly, being a business owner can be an isolating experience at times. “Especially if you’re a solo business owner, you can lose touch with other business owners,” says Kelly, who 15 years ago started The Handwork Studio, a Narberth, Pennsylvania-based company that runs needlework camps and classes for kids in 10 states along the East Coast. The crucial solution for Kelly has been to stay networked in the larger business community. That means meeting with her personal business coach for an hour every four weeks. The coach has helped her find solutions to problems and work through tough decisions with her business. She also networks on Facebook and Linkedin from the comfort of her own home. “She walked me through some visualization exercises,” Kelly recalls. “Just that sheer exercise of removing myself from the business and looking down on it really helped me see the problems that were bothering me. In an hour’s time, I walked away with clarity and an action plan to move forward. And then there’s the mastermind group to which Kelly belongs. She and her fellow women service business owners get together over a conference line. “We discuss problems and solutions, and we talk each other off the ledge.” As a busy business owner, It’s tough to find time to network, but getting better at networking and making contact can pay dividends in the future. (Download our free eBook: 21 Days to Be a More Productive Small Business Owner) 2. Be Very Specific With Your Goals Another lesson Kelly has learned over the years: break big goals into smaller ones. “I have 10-year goals, I have 3-year goals and 1-year goals, and I have quarterly goals for my business,” she says. “When it come to revenues, I will break them into smaller numbers so they’re easier to obtain. If I know I need to make a couple hundred thousand in revenue in the first quarter, I say, ‘What does that mean in terms of camp sales? How many campers do I need to obtain?’ If I know I need 800 campers to reach the revenue goal, then it’s easier to figure out how to achieve it. These kinds of really specific goals can drive your actions.” Every employee at The Handwork Studio has a dashboard with their goals on it which shows their progress toward those goals. It helps keep everyone focused, Kelly adds: “I can tell you at any exact moment how much revenue we have, the traffic of our website and how many Facebook likes we have.” Building a performance-driven culture all starts with being very specific about goals– for yourself and your employees. When an employee is happy, they will be able to give the best possible performance and customer service. 3. Delegate Whenever Possible When the Marks Group, a technology consultancy, started in 1994, it was just Gene Marks and his dad. “He was doing sales and I was doing service,” Marks recalls. Then his dad died. “When he passed away, I took it over and realized I couldn’t do it all, and hired some new employees. I’ve learned that you can make a lot more money when you have other people doing it for you.” As he hired more people, it dawned on Marks that he had been doing work that he was pretty bad at doing. The revenue of the business soared as he brought on new people because he was hiring people who were better than him at certain jobs. “I just sort of learned the hard way: focus on what you do best, and delegate the rest.” 4. Keep Your Overhead Low Eight years ago, it dawned on Marks that he was just sitting in an office costing nearly $30,000 a year in rent, while his employees were out working with clients. So Marks got rid of the office in suburban Philadelphia and made his workforce virtual. Along the way, he replaced the landline with an Internet-based phone that cost about $10 a month, and he ditched computer servers for the cloud, too. Lowering the overhead brought Marks some peace of mind through the Great Recession. “When things turn bad, you don’t have to panic, because you can take a cut in revenue,” Marks says. “Even in the brunt of the recession, we never lost money. Cutting down overhead really gives you that peace of mind. If your overhead is low, you can make pricing decisions that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to make.” 5. Find Your Best Niche—and Stick With It Trying to do too much too soon? Feel like you need to be all things to all clients? Maybe diversifying isn’t always the best strategy. Sometimes, it’s good to replicate the magic if you have something that works really well. That’s been the successful strategy for Ace Apparel, says Marc Mathios, who along with his two brothers are the third generation to run the 78-year-old family business. “One of the industry silos that we’re really good in is parking garage operators,” Mathios says. “The reason that parking garage operators like to work with us is because we manufacture our own line of jacket that’s suited for parking garage companies. … We’ve duplicated that success with 30 different parking garage operators across North America.” Finding your niche and continually innovating around that niche is a path to success. 6. Keep Your Day Job Just a Little Longer It is a common trap: A person gets excited by a small business idea, quits his or her day job—and then runs out of money and fails. Spanx founder Sara Blakely credits her success to the fact that she actually kept her day job as an office equipment salesperson for two years, learning to work with minimal sleep as she got her form-fitting shapewear company off the ground. Blakely did not want to resign from her day job until she was absolutely sure her small business idea would work, according to Forbes. By the time Blakely resigned in 2000 from what was then office equipment supplier Danka, she had already spent countless nights and weekends studying pantyhose design and existing patents. She would drive from her Atlanta home to North Carolina, where she sought out hosiery mills willing to make the product. “There were days that I’d be at Danka all day and the semi trucks would drop boxes of Spanx outside my apartment. … I resigned on October 14, 2000. I quit Danka and two and a half weeks later I was on the Oprah Winfrey Show,” Blakely says. 7. Avoid Distractions at All Costs A few years ago, Seattle-based content marketing company AudienceBloom was operating so swimmingly that its founder and CEO Jayson DeMers decided he could get away with focusing on a second startup that he was intrigued with. DeMers would come to regret the decision. “Running a company ‘just fine’ is not what an entrepreneur’s job is,” DeMers says. “Successful entrepreneurs don’t do the minimum for their company; they constantly work to grow it, evolve it, and prepare it for the future. Because I was splitting my team between the two startups, growth stalled at my first company, and I didn’t have enough time to dedicate to the new startup to make it successful.” Eventually, the second venture failed. AudienceBloom was able to grow again once DeMers was able to focus his full attention on it. “I learned that a successful venture requires 100 percent attention, focus, and effort. Secondary ventures need a full-time manager or else they’ll just distract you and derail your existing efforts if you aren’t careful.” Avoiding distractions applies to managing yourself so you get stuff done on a day-to-day basis too. “I know when I’m smart and when I’m dumb” says Marks. “I save the big tasks for the morning when I’m smartest, and do the monotonous ones when I’m dumb at the end of the day.” Keeping yourself organized and on-task is the real key to small business success. Do you have any tips to share with fellow business owners? Let us know in the comments!

August 3, 2020 - Dominic Lill According to Google’s definition, a testimonial is ‘a formal statement testifying to someone’s character and qualifications’. When thinking about testimonials for businesses or products, these will very often come from customers who have had a good experience with you. They differ from reviews in the sense that they are usually more in-depth and give a comprehensive insight into how they worked with you, and the results that the customer had as a result of your product or service. “Do you have trouble asking or receiving good testimonials after the sale? Do you feel weird asking people to tell you how good you did? Make it easy with 5 these simple tips.” Why are testimonials important? Testimonials are a highly effective way of showing that your product or service really works. With 93% of online shoppers reading reviews and testimonials before purchasing, a testimonial goes beyond a star rating, providing real-world use cases and success stories. In the age of social proof, it’s more important than ever to show that you’re a credible business. With more and more businesses going 100% online, you only have limited ways to interact with your customers before they purchase, so you need to make sure that your website shows that they can trust you, that you’re credible and safe, and that your product or service is tried and tested. When thinking about your website, it’s important to consider that, often, your visitors will be brand new to your business and its offering, and that you only have a short period of time to showcase your products or services and to demonstrate credibility. Luckily, testimonials are a really simple way to do this. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now. How to get more testimonials Next, the big question. How do we get more testimonials? For businesses of all sizes, there are a few simple and quick ways of asking your customers for testimonials. 1. Social media Encourage your customers to leave feedback on your social networks. For e-commerce businesses, in particular, getting your customers to tag you in their purchases online, or create short videos (for Instagram or Facebook stories) of them using the product can be a great way of not only gathering video testimonials, but also encouraging referrals. More often than not, creators will be happy for you to repost and reuse this content for your marketing purposes, but be sure to ask for permission first. 2. Ask If you don’t ask, you don’t get! By simply asking your customers to leave reviews on a third-party review website or on your own website, gives you product reviews and some data to follow-up on to request a longer testimonial. You can gather short reviews by reaching out manually via phone or email, or you can set up automated surveys that will send email requests at regular intervals post-purchase. 3. Offer an incentive If you’re struggling to gather reviews or testimonials, try creating an incentive. This doesn’t have to be grandiose, and can even be something as small as a free cup of coffee, £10 Amazon gift voucher or entry into a bigger monthly prize draw. As long as your process is relatively simple, this incentive should be enough to boost your volume of testimonials. One word of warning on incentives is to make sure you validate the entries – as some people might send in fake testimonials! 4. Create case studies With some of your bigger or well-known clients, the testimonial process should be straightforward. To make it really easy for your clients, simply ask them a few direct questions, then (with their permission) you can turn their responses into a case study which can be used on your website, as well as on your sales and marketing materials. Some good questions to ask are: Did our product/service solve a problem for you? How often do you use our product/service? What is the overall impact of using our product/service? (Think efficiency/time saving/ROI) Would you buy our product/service again? These four questions alone would help you create a short testimonial that sets the scene of the problem they were faced with, how your solution managed to fix it, the impact it had on them/their business, and whether or not they’d like to work with you or purchase from you again. 5. Use what you’ve already got Chances are, you probably have some really nice customer emails or comments along the way. Just because they’re not left in the ‘formal’ testimonial format, it doesn’t make them any less special! Once you’ve asked for their permission to print, these can be used, too. Using testimonials to grow your business Once you have your testimonials (you really only need a handful of them to start with) you can start to publish these and leverage them to grow your business. The most impactful format when publishing testimonials is to use photos, company logos and full names wherever possible. ‘David Smith, Head of HR’ gives much more credibility to your testimonial as opposed to ‘Mrs M’. The great thing about testimonials is that you can use them in full, or create extracts for use across various places such as your website, marketing and sales assets. Try adding a few to your website, and don’t be afraid to try different formats based on what’s out there. You can also turn your case studies into blog posts or white papers and use them in your offline marketing materials as well as on your product and service pages. Use star ratings to clearly show your overall rating, and then add a few testimonial extracts, or links to relevant case studies to add some extra oomph. To conclude, gathering testimonials doesn’t have to be a difficult process for you or for your clients. By making the process simple, offering incentives and asking the right questions, you’ll have a wide range of credible, in-depth reviews in no time! #bloggingtips #WixBlog #Testamonials #Customer #customers #Experience #review #reviews #Testimonial #iSupportLocalTN

PUBLISHED WED, NOV 2 · 2011 1:54 PM EDT | UPDATED FRI, SEP 13 · 2013 4:33 PM EDT Entrepreneurial ventures are fraught with missteps, mishaps, and mistakes. No matter how steeped you are in business-ownership experience, you are bound to run into problems at some point. The key to your success is to quickly identify your mistakes, learn from them, and prevent the same mistakes from happening again, says Mike Michalowicz, small business expert and author of “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.Most business owners fall into the same traps. It’s those mistakes which could make the difference between owning a successful and viable small business, or owning a money pit that could leave you in financial pain for years to come. So, what are the biggest mistakes owners make when starting and managing their small businesses? Click ahead for the most common missteps. By Mike Michalowicz Author of “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur” Posted 2 November 2011 10. Trying to Get Rich Quick Overnight success usually takes 15 to 20 years to achieve. If you go in expecting to be rich overnight, you may become discouraged early on and give up your dream prematurely. Know that success takes time, perseverance, and a little bit of luck. Give your business the time to grow. Only if your company is stagnant for a long time should you take it as an indication that you need to try something new. 9. Assuming You Have No Competition Even if you have the latest, greatest, never-been-done-before approach to something, don’t assume that you have no competition. Competition is more than just the direct, obvious competitors. Competition is also all the available alternatives. What else could the consumer do instead of using your product or service? Could they do nothing? The customer almost always has the option of walking away. That alone is a serious competitive threat. 8. Being a Weak Leader The success of your company is contingent on you being a strong, effective leader. This does not mean you need to be an authoritarian, but you also shouldn’t be everyone’s buddy. A great leader sets the course for the company, communicates it constantly, and inspires the team to get to the next level. 7. Being All Business, All the Time Many entrepreneurs put their personal lives on hold to focus exclusively on their businesses. Ultimately, both suffer. There is no question your business needs your full attention and effort, but only in short spurts. Just like an elite athlete in training, you need to have a proper, healthy diet, get enough rest, and take breaks. Balance your personal and business life, and you will actually do better in both. 6. Setting Unrealistic Financial Goals If all business plans came true, being a billionaire would be nothing extraordinary. Many entrepreneurs go into new ventures planning astronomical returns. Yet most never even get the business off the ground. Unrealistic goals not only hurt your credibility, but can also be an emotional drain. Set specific, measurable, accountable, realistic, and time specific (or SMART) goals to ensure continual progress. If you do this, your chances of being an overnight success (in 15 to 20 years) are much greater! 5. Having No ‘Rallying Point’ There is a reason why employees leave high-paying corporate jobs to go to start-ups, and it’s not for the money. People are driven to serve an important purpose, in addition to getting a paycheck. Many businesses never define their real purpose for existence, and continually attract a mix of employees who are seeking success in different ways. Clarify the purpose of your company, beyond just making money, and you set the stage for attracting like-minded employees. A team focused on the same goal is a very powerful force. 4. Cutting Prices Often, the first thing entrepreneurs resort to when business is tough is to try differentiating on price. Cheaper prices mean more customers, right? Wrong! Most customers are willing to buy more expensive items because of the greater quality or the added convenience. During tough economic times, an increase in price, coupled with improvements in quality or convenience, can drive customers to your door. Price slashing is a dangerous game, which could lead to slashing employees or salaries to keep costs down. 3. Having No Clear Marketing Strategy You never know where, when or how a new prospect is going to hear of your business. If you have a mix of messages out there, the prospects will have an unclear expectation of what you offer. Your company must present a consistent, clear message on all fronts. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make sure every new prospect who sees your business for the first time receives the same, consistent message. 2. Not Being Forthright The days of cover-ups died with Bill Clinton’s denial of sexual relations with “that woman.” The anonymous nature and grand size of the internet allows people to share anything with anyone at anytime. If your business tries to cover up a mistake, it is just a matter of time before word leaks and you are labeled a liar. That’s not good for business. Be the one to break your own bad news, and you will be perceived as honest and trustworthy. 1. Trying to Do It All The greatest mistake entrepreneurs make is to believe they can do it all by themselves. While an entrepreneur can do most things, they do most things poorly. Just like any other person, an entrepreneur has one or two God-given talents. As an entrepreneur it is your job to identify what you are great at and do those few things to your fullest. Surround yourself with people who are strong where you are not. Great companies are built on the foundation of exploiting a few strengths, not on trying to.