Recession as Opportunity--for Small Business

Small Busines Owners and Solopreneurs: I was laid off on 4/7/9. Since then, I've gone through a lot of emotions, especially anxiety, but at this point, I've a) applied for writing/editing jobs; b) set up my own writing/editing business on the Internet; and c) collaborated on a book with a doctor and friend. And, as spring nears its end, the weather has finally begun to behave in a warm and sunny fashion, and so I'm enjoying my freedom from cubicledom! To make my own hours, to work on a comfy sofa, lawn chair or bed with my laptop on a pillow, to go out when I want, stay in when I want and have the hours back that I used to waste commuting -- ah, it's indeed sweeeeet!

10 reasons small businesses are on the rise: The playing field is leveling for small businesses -- they're competing with the "big guys" more easily than ever before. Why?

• The risks are lower, small businesses are generally more in touch with their target markets, more creative and quicker to change with the markets than big corps.

• Niche ("long tail") marketing is now smart, for big and small companies alike.

• Listening to consumers/customers/clients is more important than ever, and small businesses can do it just as well or better than their larger competitors.

• Small businesses often respond to customers with lightning speed and their Web sites fully service their customers (rather than confuse them and waste their time).

• Learning to connect with communities and groups on the Internet, whether through social networks or customized Google Ad campaigns, and to actually prescreen your own prospects through landing pages and enewsletters, can lead to a higher percentage of conversions per marketing dollar spent.

• Personalized service and customized products (vs. cookie-cutter solutions) sell -- mostly on small business sites.

• When small businesses pay attention to building longer-lasting relationships with existing customers, they do it better and faster than large corps.

• Small businesses put creative and innovative products out on the 'Net faster than big business.

• Marketing analytics, behavioral targeting, video ads and tiny widgets that save clients time and help them get things done are within everyone's reach.

• Small businesses are getting into Email marketing, business blogs and social marketing in a big way because these methods are cheap, with long-lasting results.
  

Soap Box: Sounds exciting, doesn't it? The Great Recession is an opportunity, not only to start a business on the cheap, but to regain your freedom and autonomy if you've been working for someone else.

Readings: Guerrilla Creativity, by Jay Conrad Levinson; Guerilla Financing by Bruce Blechman and Jay Conrad Levinson; Guerilla Marketing, by Jay Conrad Levinson; Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.