Should You Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Your Small Business?
In a nutshell, yes. Now, exactly how you should use AI will vary by industry, even as the technology continues to evolve and improve, but refusing to at least explore what AI can do may end up stalling your company’s growth. Some of you may be asking what, specifically, AI is and does. AI is […]
4 Easy Ways to Get Publicity
You’ve heard me talk about “publicity” and the positive impact it can have on your business before, but I really want you to spend time now learning more about it. Publicity – also known as earned media – is that free media exposure you get when you’re quoted in the press. It could be an […]
Dare to Be “Different” – It’s the Buzzword Right Now
No matter who you pay attention to online or what industry you’re in, everyone is preaching the importance of highlighting what makes you special. Gurus in all fields recommend that you find what makes you different and point a spotlight at it. Not only does this help catch the attention of potential customers, but it […]
Mastering the Art of Follow-Up
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously stated that “The fortune is in the follow-up” when it comes to business opportunities, and he is right. Once a potential customer or client indicates any interest in your business or your products and services, it’s your responsibility to educate and inform them until they have enough information to make […]
7 Time Management Hacks for Women Business Owners
Owning your own business has so many advantages. Although the top reasons women start their own companies are schedule flexibility, the potential for financial independence, and a passion for a particular product or service, one of the biggest challenges is getting everything done that needs to be done in the time you have available. Fortunately, […]
7 Ways to Raise Prices in Your Business
Every business reaches a point where its prices need to be raised. Often that is due to rising costs for materials and services but other times it can be to remain competitive with other businesses selling the same thing, or it can be to reposition the company or brand from lower end to higher end. […]
How to Write an Effective Blog Post
One of the most cost-effective ways to promote your business is by blogging. Setting up a place where you can share information with your target audience regularly is a smart marketing tactic. That’s probably why 7.5 million blog posts are published daily in 2024, according to Earthweb. But before you invest time and money in […]
6 Marketing Tactics Brick-and-Mortar Businesses Should be Using
We’ve all heard how online sales continue to increase, but the vast majority of shoppers still want access to a brick-and-mortar location. In fact, more than 55% of shoppers prefer to visit a brick-and-mortar location first, reports RetailDive. And, according to a June 20 study, more than 65% of buyers prefer shopping inside physical stores, whether […]
Advice From an Amber Grant Winner: Be a Marketing First Business
Would you like to learn how our past grant recipients have continued to succeed, despite the challenges faced by women-owned businesses? If you’re encountering similar obstacles, you might find some valuable insights! We’d like to reintroduce you to Stephanie Dean, with StepStitches, our January 2021 Amber Grant winner. — Can you share industry-specific resources and/or professional […]
Free Publicity Tools Every Woman Business Owner Should be Leveraging in 2024
Publicity is one of the most powerful marketing tools, which results when a media outlet quotes you, mentions your business, or profiles your company. It’s powerful because that article or TV segment that includes you gives you added credibility. The fact that you were quoted or mentioned suggests that you and your business are successful, […]
How to More Quickly Attract Money to Your Business
“Money loves speed.” Have you heard that adage? The saying is fairly popular in the online business community, but it applies to any type of business. Think about your experiences with money. Is it more likely to show up when you sit back, do nothing, and wait for it to land in your lap, or […]
Low-Cost Strategies for Growing Your Small Business
Many small business owners are working to grow their companies, or to expand, or to “scale.” Making their business bigger is the natural next step for many entrepreneurs and founders once the venture is up and running. But unless your business is generating wads of cash, scaling it can prove challenging. As we so often […]
10 Artificial Intelligence Tools that Can Help Entrepreneurs Be More Productive
Since ChatGPT came on the scene in late 2022, we’ve been hearing a lot more about artificial intelligence (AI). We’ve been told this technology will transform our work, from what we do to how, when, and where. It is already disrupting whole industries. The potential is there for AI to handle mundane, repeatable tasks so […]
5 SEO Basics to Improve Your Website’s Google Rank
When WomensNet surveyed its community in late 2023 about the biggest business challenges, we learned that search engine optimization (SEO) was a topic many women business owners wanted help with. That made sense to us because 53.3% of all website traffic comes from online searches, and 93% of that traffic is through Google, reports Arefs. […]
How to Get the Most out of Trade Show Attendance
With cost estimates for exhibiting at national industry trade shows as high as $40,000-$60,000, small businesses may wonder if they can even afford to participate in such events. After factoring in the cost to design, build, and ship a show booth, plus marketing materials and equipment, exhibition fees, labor, and accommodations, making trade show participation […]
24 Start Up Business Grants for Women
There are more than 14 million women-owned businesses in the US as of 2024. Those 14 million companies account for 40% of all businesses, according to Forbes. The number of women-owned ventures is also rising faster than businesses owned by other types of owners. According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, […]
Anatomy of a WomensNet Grant Application
Michaella Estevez and Ashley Olafsen, co-founders of The Wildflower Company, caught the attention of the WomensNet advisory board with their detailed grant application. By explaining the big picture for their “wellness community centered around value-driven goal-setting and structured support” and the annual planner they designed, developed, and sell, The Wildflower Company was the $10,000 Startup […]
Making it happen: Advice from a Skilled Trade Winner
Would you like to learn how our past grant recipients continue to succeed… despite the challenges of women-owned businesses? Maybe you’re up against similar challenges and can glean a gem or two! We’d like to reintroduce you to Leah Baum, with Paint Baum, our 2022 Skilled Trades winner. — What do you wish you had […]
6 Ways to Improve Your Website’s Performance
We all know that the look and feel of websites change over time. The design and aesthetic of business websites evolve and shift and unless you’re paying close attention, you might not notice when the appearance and functionality of what is considered the “standard” website is completely different from a year or two ago. Suddenly […]
4 Things to Know About Grants
Although they can be difficult to find, small business grants are out there. They are frequently harder to track down than other financing options because grants offer free money, often without strings attached. Unlike loans which have to be repaid over time, grants are effectively gifts, as long as you agree to use the money […]
Creating a Profitable Black Friday Sales Offer
Whether you are a fan of Black Friday shopping or not, billions of dollars in sales are transacted on the Friday after Thanksgiving each year. In 2022, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, $20.4 billion was spent. Part of the reason for the huge spike is that some buyers hold off on purchases until Black […]
How to Better Secure Your Business from Theft
News that Target, Whole Foods, and Nordstrom are closing some stores in 2023 due to increasing incidents of theft underscores how expensive crime can be. The cost to companies is in the billions of dollars collectively, the U.S. Department of Commerce says. But if major corporations are retreating due to the negative impact theft is […]
Maximize Your Business Deductions Before Year-End
As we head into the busiest and most profitable time of year for retailers, restaurants, and holiday-related companies, businesses of all types should start to assess where they are financially. That is, how is your business performing revenue-wise? Are you ahead of projections or behind? How about expenses? Has your cash outflow for costs tracked […]
Improving Your Circle of Friends
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Which means that the results you’ve been achieving individually and as a business owner have been impacted by the people in your inner circle. They are your role models, your counselors, and your confidants, and they influence […]
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