How Involved Is Your Online Community?

One of these three thoughts quickly crossed your mind. It was either:

·      I don’t have an online community

·      Of course, they love me

·      No, they don’t and I forgot the passwords anyway

None of the above will lead to a engaged online community, so let’s focus on the first one.

“I don’t have an online community”

If this is you, then make it a top priority to get one going as soon as possible. Even if you think your business doesn’t need a social media presence or a blog or a website, it does. Building an online community means identifying, reaching out to, and entering into relationships with the online component of the diverse pieces that compose the sphere of your business. This will not only build your brand and widen your reach, but it will help fulfill the purpose you company set out to accomplish in the first place.

“Of course, they love me”

How do you know? This might burst a few bubbles, but thousands of friends don’t mean a thing in the social media world. The average Facebook user is shown 1,500 pieces of content out of the thousands of posts they have liked, commented on and people they follow. The chance that you are making a real connection to everyone on your friends list is very unlikely and even if they do see it, the chances of them actually commenting is even bleaker. To truly discover how well you are doing, make sure you are using the correct tracking/data collecting tools and that your content is genuine and thoughtful.

“No, they don’t and I forgot the passwords anyway”

This is a clear indication that your digital marketing needs to be revisited and revamped. A thriving online community is not merely a large quantity, it is superior quality that drives people to your social media and eventually to be loyal customers. You need to identify your audience, listen to what gets them excited and then build a significant presence. An absent, abandoned account might actually be worse than not having one at all. Treat it just as you would for any other part of your marketing plan – it is just as important.

Hopefully, after carefully rethinking the approach to your online community, the only thought you have now is, “I care about my online community and I will consistently strive to make it the best it can be.”

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation . Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.

Get Your Business Back On Track

Owning your own business is a daily effort to keep revenue up and the client list strong. However, sometimes the money isn't where you want it to be and client aren't coming through the door as often as your would like. If you have been trying to figure out how to save your failing business, remember that nothing is impossible. It’s not too late and there are some tips that other owners have used to save their business.

The first thing you need to do is identify the problem. This is where many people fall short. Grant Cardone, the "Turnaround King" and author of several books, has made a career of turning around failing companies and making them profitable again. After 25 years he knows a thing or two about identifying the root cause.

"I've never seen the executives of a company have the right idea of what the problem is," he declares. "It's like talking to a drug addict about his problems: He'll blame everything but the drugs." So he says, "Before I meet with the management team I get some intel on the company."

It’s easier to blame the economy, a badly timed expansion, the government or anything other than your own decisions. If you really want to save your company, you can’t be afraid to point a finger inward and take responsibility for your actions.  That being said…

Maybe your staff or business partner needs to be revisited as well. You can’t run a business solo, which means a smart and motivated team is crucial to the success of your business. Make sure you trust their intentions for the company and look for those who have the initiative to take on problems and quickly solve them. Along those lines, reevaluate your clients and cut lose the ones that are draining your time and energy with little return.

Scrutinize your financials and make some tough cutting decisions. It’s time to trim the waste, time is money and so it the late payments on loans, credit card processing fees, personal salary, membership fees on certain business credit cards, paper and energy-sucking appliances. If you’re finding it hard to stay above water, you have to sacrifice something to throw overboard.

Know all of your options and keep your cool, it’s not too late to save your business. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, stay focused and get creative – you will turn it around and learn from what happened.

Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation with a qualified and experienced franchise consultant. Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.