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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
ASU-SBDC eNEWSLETTER
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JULY 2011
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Greetings!
I recently heard that Facebook (750 million active users) would be the world's 3rd largest country if Facebook users worldwide were citizens! Social media has definitely made an impact and I believe many businesses have gotten on the bandwagon and the rest are trying to figure out if they should join.
Social media marketing, in addition to traditional forms of marketing, is another way to market your business and build relationships with your customers, especially if they are younger customers. Although according to a Pew Research study in 2010, those over the age of 50 account for 42% of all social networking users.
I can remember not that long ago in 1995 the Internet was a small factor when I managed a unit doing $42 million in business. In a relatively few short years the Internet has dominated the way we do business.
Because of the social media impact, last year the SBDC staff decided to be on the forefront of social media marketing for our clients' benefit. ASU-SBDC Training Coordinator Jessica Lambert worked on giving the SBDC a good social media presence early on.
Since then we have conducted numerous social media training seminars/workshops and teamed up with local social media practitioners to help conduct these events. In addition Jessica has been able to work with clients one-on-one in getting their business to have a social media presence and teach them the basics of social media marketing. The business then decides if they wish to hire a local practitioner to take their business to the net level with social media marketing.
The articles in this month's newsletter are related to social media and the impact it may have on your business.
Best Regards,
Dave Erickson
ASU-SBDC Director
david.erickson@angelo.edu
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| JULY'S FEATURED SUCCESS STORY | 
Wool 'n' Cotton Shop
Denise Gallaway
Learn how Cindy Hartin of the SBDC helped Denise open her quilting store!
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| ASU-SBDC | |
Contact Us!
Advising Services: (325) 942-2098
Training Services: (325) 942-2019
Website: www.sbdc.angelo.eduProudly serving the small businesses of San Angelo and the Concho Valley for over 20 years. |
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TOP SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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Should Your Small Business Use Social Media to Drive Sales?
By Glenn Ross | 8/28/2010 | www.allbusiness.com
In the United States, 80 percent of adults who are online use social media at least once a month, according to Forrester Research, a respected source for business data. Should your business become involved in social media as a way to increase sales and build customer loyalty? If you haven't tried social media yet, or your attempt has been unsuccessful, consider these five factors before going any further... READ MORE
Use Social Media to Enable Innovation
Open Forum | April 21, 2010
Social media tools have many important business uses. One of the most powerful is the ability to foster innovation. With social media, businesses can tap into the needs, desires and opinions of a wide audience - and connect with a highly targeted group that is directly relevant to their businesses. These connections can be invaluable sources for new ideas and alternative ways of thinking... READ MORE
10 Social Media Trends for 2011
By Starr Hall | December 21, 2010 | www.entrepreneur.com
Just when you thought you had Twitter down, a basic understanding of LinkedIn and you finally know how to upload a video to YouTube, I present my take on social trends that are on the horizon next year. From plug-ins to location-based marketing initiatives to the move to higher bandwidth, there's change afoot in the world of social media... READ MORE
Want to Make Your Business Social? 10 Things You Can Start Doing Today
By Sateja Parulekar | Posted July 11, 2011 | http://socialmediatoday.com
We all know that social media is a two-way street. It gives you the ability to communicate with the outside world and engage with people beyond your normal social circle. Imagine what social media could do for you in a business environment - breaking down departmental silos, reducing emails and meetings, connecting you with internal experts, all in real-time... READ MORE
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| BUSINESS TIPS ARTICLES | |
 Each week, a member of the ASU-SBDC staff submits a Business Tips article for the San Angelo Standard Times business section. (Articles published Mondays). You can also find them here each month.
BUSINESS TIPS: Business advising assistance offered
Dave Erickson | Posted June 5, 2011
One of the hallmarks of a favorable entrepreneurial culture or environment is the community's technical business assistance. New and existing entrepreneurs need to know there are resources in place they can go to for help with business issues or to just bounce off ideas. They need to talk to people who have business experience, who engage in continuous professional business development, and who are up to date with the latest in business resources and tools... READ MORE
BUSINESS TIPS: Pets can promote happiness on the job
Melissa Farr | Posted June 12, 2011
Does this sound silly to you? It depends upon whether you are the owner of the business or employee, the type of business in which you work, and the company culture that has been determined. However, we all strive to create an environment where we love to work and find ourselves bringing nature indoors... READ MORE
BUSINESS TIPS: Saying no could lead to a future yes
Jessica Lambert Posted June 19, 2011
Have you ever had a customer call with a question in which you had to answer "No?" It is hard to tell someone no, but when you do, don't let it be the end of the conversation. Often a "No" to one question, can lead to a "Yes" to another. When you receive a request for something that you have to say no to, it can be frustrating. No, we don't carry that product. No, we're not open that day... READ MORE
BUSINESS TIPS: Follow a budget to manage cash flow
Cindy Hartin | Posted June 26, 2011
We recently completed a training program called Profit Mastery conducted by Steve LeFever from Seattle. The focus of this training program is to help business owners improve the financial management of their business.This program can be invaluable to businesses wanting to manage cash flow and profitability. Steve has a popular saying, " ... READ MORE
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| JULY 2011 TRAINING EVENTS |
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TUE 7/12/11
Business Plan I: Writing the Narrative
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. FREE RASSMAN 100
WED 7/13/11
Business Plan Part II: Financials
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. FREE RASSMAN 100
THU 7/21/11
Worker's Compensation 101
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. $45 WTTC
TUE 7/26/11
Finding Funding: Financing Options for Your Small Biz
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. FREE RASSMAN 100
WED 7/27/11
Developing a Customer Service Strategy for Your Business
2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $10 RASSMAN 100
THU 7/28/11
Basics of Designing Your Website: Do's and Don'ts
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. $20 RASSMAN 100
THU 7/28/11
Lunch & Learn: Marketing and Branding
12 noon - 1 p.m. FREE
CHAMBER | Visitor's Center Riverview Room | 418 W. Ave B., San Angelo, TX 76903
**Register for Lunch & Learn events by calling the Chamber at (325) 655-4136
AUGUST SNEAK PEEK
TUE 8/2/11
Start-Up Basics: Essentials of Starting a New Business
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. FREE RASSMAN 100
THU 8/4/11
Business Plan I: Writing the Narrative
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. FREE RASSMAN 100
TUE 8/9/11
Business Plan Part II: Financials
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. FREE RASSMAN 100
>> VIEW ALL EVENTS
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Click on the event above to learn more about each event and to register!
Register for our upcoming events by visiting the upcoming event website at http://utsa.ecenterdirect.com/Conferences.action?CenterID=40 or calling the SBDC at (325) 942-2098
Seminar fees are payable at the door by CA/CK/CC. Cash or Check are recommended. No refunds.
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LOCATIONS:
RASSMAN 100 | ASU Rassman Building | 2222 Dena Dr., San Angelo, TX 76904
WTTC | West Texas Training Center | 3501 North U.S. Highway 67 | San Angelo, TX 76905 | Diirections 325-942-2800
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JUNE-SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS
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Plenty special events are headed your way such as...
Our core seminars will continue to be presented monthly and for FREE! Let us help you grow your business. Register to attend one of our upcoming training events today.
 
Can't make it to one of our events? Don't forget about our FREE ONLINE BUSINESS TRAINING available as well!
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 FEATURED SUCCESS STORY |
JULY'S FEATURED SUCCESS STORY 
The Wool 'n' Cotton Shop
Nature of Business: Quilting Hardware Retail Store
Advisor: Cindy Hartin
Denise came to the SBDC after she decided to purchase the Wool 'n' Cotton Shop in San Angelo. Denise wanted to learn more about marketing her business. Denise met with business advisor, Cindy Hartin and they discussed various marketing options including social media. Denise worked long hours to remodel her space and be sure to have adequate inventory to open her store in May, 2011. As a self- employed hair stylist, Denise is familiar with operating a small business and all of the long hours needed to be sure that the business is ready for customers.
Since opening, Denise has been b usy with tracking her inventory, developing classes in quilting and finishing out her space. Denise employs four staff and is so excited about serving the quilting and sewing community in San Angelo. Denise hopes to support sewing and quilting enthusiasts of all ages.
"(Denise) approached SBDC (Cindy) for guidance to opening and avenues of advertisement. Learned the in's and out's of Facebook, websites, etc. It gave me more insight as to what to expect from what I invested."
The Wool 'n' Cotton Shop is located at 4119 College Hills Boulevard in San Angelo.
YOU'RE INVITED! Join Denise at the Wool 'n' Cotton Shop this Saturday for an OPEN HOUSE EVENT including lunch and a demonstration!
Saturday July 16th, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. @ The Wool 'n' Cotton Shop
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Read more success stories on our website and learn about the many ways the ASU-SBDC can assist entrepreneurs and small business owners just like you start or grow successful businesses.
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"To open a shop is easy, to keep it open is an art." Chinese Proverb
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Mailing Address: ASU Station #10910, San Angelo, TX 76909
Office Location: Rassman Room 201, 2222 Dena Dr., San Angelo, TX 76909
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