As the marketer of a small business, I have found many ways this year to get my business known. To help those that may need some direction, or are just looking for something new, here are my recommendations:
Social Media:
~Blog. Don't know what to write? Set up Google Alerts and check your email outbox.
~Smaller Indiana and other Ning sites relative to your business. The interaction is priceless.
~Twitter. Twitter. Twitter. If you don't think you should do it... You're wrong.
~Facebook-It's not just for friends. You can also create fan pages for your business and charities.
Local Offline Networking:
~BNI-International Networking. Chapters meet weekly and pass referrals with each meeting.
~Rainmakers-Meetings around Indiana nearly every day of the month.
~NOWIB-For Women only, and has great special interest groups.
~Chambers of Commerce-Local businesses networking. Monthly meetings with other after hours events.
Service Groups and other groups that make our world a better place:
~Find events that are accepting of in-kind donations for sponsorships. If you don't have a large budget, offer your services or product in return for the level of sponsorship you desire.
~Kiwanis-Groups of business people that genuinely care about making a difference in children's lives. Host events and carry out service projects to raise money for children's needs and other family and community catastrophes. There are also branches of Kiwanis for the youth to join; Key Club, Builder's Club, and K Kids are a few.
~Boys & Girls Clubs-These clubs provide a safe place for children under the age of 18 to come after school and receive homework help, participate in sports, and to learn how to interact with other youth under the supervision of approved staff and volunteers.
~Girl Scouts-Everyone has heard of Girl Scouts. Most have eaten Girl Scout cookies. If you have been wanting to make a difference in a girl's life, Girl Scouts is the best way to have a direct effect on a group of girls. So many girls don't have positive influences in their lives, and if you can provide that for one to twelve girls, you will have a whole new outlook on life.
~Local Schools-So many parents are working full time jobs these days, which leaves the classrooms and PTO's short of volunteers. Contact a school near you today to see how you can help.
My biggest recommendation is to utilize social media in every way that you possibly can. Social media is the cheapest and most effective way to connect, stay connected, and stay on people's minds. You must put in the sweat equity to make it work for you. Just having a blog or just having a Twitter account won't cut it. You HAVE to work it.
After you attend events and get those business cards and exchange that first phone call or email, take it to the next level; connect via at least one social media platform. You will learn so much more about your network and their needs if you stay connected online.
If you have questions about anything written here, please contact me:
nicki at squishdesigns.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 List of Indianapolis Area Networking Recommendations
Saturday, August 16, 2008
You Don't Wear The Same Style From 10 Years Ago-So Why Does Your Website?
Does your website look like this?
Can your users easily find what they are looking for?
Do your users have to download special applications to view your website?
Do you have outdated flashing buttons or banners?
Is your site consistent in it's design throughout the entire site?
Are you able to be found in search engines?
Do you know who is looking at your site or how many times they look at it?
When you click on a link from your home page, are you able to get back to the home page without hitting back or re-entering your sites URL?
Has it been years since you've changed the content and/or design?
If you have answered yes to any of those questions, and hopefully it's not been a yes to all of them, it is time to update your website/online presence. Your website is a representation of the business that you run. If your website screams, "I'm outdated and I am not concerned with my appearance or the ease of usability", that probably doesn't tell your customers that you are ready to provide them with the best solution or product possible.
Take some time now to look at your website. If you think it needs update, or maybe you are even too embarrassed to tell clients that you have a website, drop me a line. Squish Designs wants to help. Don't be left behind in the times because you don't know who to ask.
www.squishdesigns.com
Email Nicki: nlaycoax@squishdesigns.com
317.627.8860
Monday, April 14, 2008
The BlogMob Hit the Streets...
So, we got some light Fox 59 coverage, which was super cool.. Blogged, networked, passed out cards to passers-by to inform them of the April 26 event at the IUPUI School of Informatics, mingled, froze our butts off, and had a lot of fun! I got to meet even more Smoosiers and visit with my old friends, and even made the evening news!
Here's a video recap from Zack Legend (not sure, but I think he called me Sara? ):
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Bloggers, Come Out and Show Your Support!!
Monday, April 14, 2008 for 1 hour, 12 Noon to 1pm, Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis:
Come dressed in blue or yellow.
Bring your:
Laptop
Lunch
Excitement
Umbrella-Rain or Shine, baby
**FREE WIFI ON THE CIRCLE**
Work on your tan, show your Smaller Indiana pride, and hang with us for your lunch hour. You can blog, network, mingle, or just be a great supporter. The more people that show up, the more press and participation we will get.
Be there, or be squa......... oh wait, it's the circle.. :)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Stutz Artists Open House-Networking Opportunity
On April 25 and 26, the Stutz Business Center will be hosting their 15th annual art open house. The proceeds of the $12 admission go to the scholarship fund for the Stutz Residency Program, providing free studio space and utilities for up and coming artists. Links are provided below to add to your Google Calendar!
Friday: 
Saturday:
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, September 3, 2007
Welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to visit the first blog of Squish Designs, LLC!
As the Director of Marketing for Squish, I realize that there are many questions about the web, and how it can help your business to succeed. For most businesses, your website is the face of your business. Many people will look at you online even before making a phone call to your company! Our goal at Squish Designs, is to create a web presence that says your business is here, ready and willing to provide consumers with a fantastic product or service.
Not only do we create a website that is superior to many other web companies in the area, but we do it at rates that fit small to medium sized businesses budgets. Squish Designs will provide you with a high quality website or web application that fits within your budget.
I encourage everyone reading this now, to contact me so I can personally address any questions that you may need answered! I can't wait to hear from you!!! Don't forget to check out our website; http://www.squishdesigns.com
