I Can't Afford Formal Market Research
When Karen Scott got started in the mail-order baby products business, she put together her own focus group -- using the local newspaper. After clip... Read more
Marketing
Recent Marketing Articles
How Can We Stand Out at a Big Trade Show?
Ken Hawk, CEO of $5 million 1-800-Batteries, in San Jose, Calif., did it by targeting customers off the trade show floor. Unable to wrangle a booth ... Read more
PR on the Cheap
Can't afford to hire an expensive PR firm? You can still get the word out about your company. Read more
The Best 4 Small-Business Neighborhoods in America
Here's what entrepreneurs are looking for when selecting a community for start-ups, and what they're finding. Read more
Dear Max: Drop Dead. Love, GoCard
Here is how entrepreneurs came together to fight a common enemy, but will they last? Read more
Something for Nothing
These days we hear a lot about give-aways, but is it wise to give products away? A guide to when freebies make sense. Read more
An Olympic-Sized Letdown
In the aftermath of the 1996 Olympics, many small businesses in Atlanta are concerned about the future. Read more
Free, Slim, and Specific
Sending less product literature to customers can actually be a more efficient way to communicate with them and service their needs. Like other companies i... Read more
Feathers in Her Cap
Ann Withey, owner of Annie's Homegrown, a $3.5-million Sausalito-and-Boston-based macaroni-and-cheese manufacturer, boasts a database of 75,000 customer n... Read more
Give Them Credit for Complaining
Smart companies purge duplicate names and addresses from their mailing lists, but duplicates can slip through even the most sophisticated systems. J. Jill... Read more
Traveling First Class
Despite the expense, sending your direct mail first class instead of bulk rate can be worth it, particularly for high-end promotions, say... Read more
Making the Transition to One-to-One Marketing
Two marketing experts offer advice about how companies can establish one-to-one marketing. Read more
CBS Drops Small Businesses from Letterman Lineup
Neighborhood business people tell what happened on their block when David Letterman and his Late Show moved in. Read more
Focus, Focus, Focus
Here's how you can take advantage of the strength that all small businesses share--their smallness. Read more
Read moreAn Artist's Log
There were other reasons that I decided to put together an exhibition catalogue that were specific to my being an ... Read more
Marketing 101: Producing A Catalogue
The Big Chill
An Inc. 500 CEO shares why he thinks he knows the secret behind the Dallas Cowboys. Read more
U.S. Business Data Worst in World -- and Getting Worse
Various experts discuss why it has become so difficult to track issues concerning small businesses. Read more
Multimedia Is the Message
Several small businesses are highlighted as readers see how to maximize the affects of marketing with multimedia. Read more
Marketing: Contests for Customers
A quick look at how a new PR firm used a contest to gain recognition for the agency and local entrepreneurs. Read more
Benchmark: Where Marketing Dollars Go
Some data from a recent Gallup survey of 251 companies showing these companies' top direct-marketing tools. Read more
Event Marketing: Making the Most of Sponsorship Dollars
A bike-shop owner explains how his business has benefited from sponsoring bicycle races and other community events. Read more
Andy Klein
Inc. interviews a micro-brewer about how he raised capital through the World Wide Web. Read more
Profiled Web Site: Eurosport
Read more
Community Leads: A Pat on the Back
A restaurateur details how he is sending congratulatory letters and an offer for free wine to promoted workers. Read more
Benchmark: How Much Catalogs Cost
The results of a survey of 115 catalogers about the average production costs and earnings. Read more
Business-To-Business: Cutting Catalog Costs
Cost-cutting tips for catalog production are offered from wholesalers of recycled fashion accessories. Read more
Q
A CEO answers some questions about how his company is using the Internet and the World Wide Web. Read more
A Bicycle Built for You
After succeeding with unorthodox marketing, this entrepreneur is going to try it again. Read more
Public Relations: Planning Damage Control
A CEO explains the importance of developing a public-relations strategy before a disaster strikes. Read more
Brand Marketing: The Dos and Don'ts of Naming
A marketing expert explains why the name of your company is so critical in making a good first impression. Read more
Hiring: Searching for the Chosen Few
An employee-training manager explains how she works with her company's HR director when hiring new employees. Read more
Benchmark: Partnering for Products
Some results of a survey of 437 fast-growth companies about collaborating with outside corporate partners. Read more
