"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." - Henry Ford

Small Business Owners on how web presence is working for them!

There are many ways to market your business. Here are what local businesses are using and going to market theirs.

http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2152506/How-Local-Small-Businesses-are-Evolving-Their-Online-Marketing-Strategies

“There used to be this thing called the Yellow Pages, and if you had the right spot and the right-sized ad, you’d get calls. But if you’re not online today, no matter how big or small your business is, you’re likely going to get hurt.” - Ely Dahan

Happy Valentines Day.

You appreciate your clients each and every day, right? But do your clients know how much you care? On this Valentine's Day, take a few minutes to show them just how much you value their support and appreciate their business.


Here are five inexpensive ways to get you started.

#1. Congratulate your clients on milestone events.
#2. Keep in touch with your clients on a regular basis.
#3. Send business anniversary cards to celebrate the day you and your client started working together.
#4. Use your detective skills to discover your clients' hobbies and interests.
#5. Include your client in nonbusiness activities.

To read more on these tips click on the following link http://success.yourway.net/5-ways-to-show-your-clients-you-care-2/

In Greenville, SC? Interested in a technology business?

You are invited to join the GSA Technology Council, Tech After Five and The Clemson Small Business Development Center for an interactive workshop designed to supply the information ...you need before taking the plunge of starting a tech business.

We'll have the workshop in the offices of The Next Big Thing, a Greenville based accelerator program designed to create the businesses of tomorrow in downtown Greenville.

Click below to register -- cost is $39 per person.

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2884049269/efblike

Don't miss out on these opportunities

Opportunities 2012, Asheville, March 19 http://www.sbtdc.org/events/opportunities

2012 Shaw Air Force Base Small Business Opportunity Forum, Sumter, May 24(Contact shbellows@sc.edu for registration information)

Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium (VETS2012), Reno NV, June 11-14 http://veterantrainingsymposium.com/

SC Clean Energy & Jobs Forum 2012, Columbia, Feb. 23 http://sccleanenergyandjobs.eventbrite.com/

So you have your business strategy in place...

How do you begin to charge for your product or service?!

Set up your pricing strategy; use these questions as guidelines:

•What is your market position relative to the competition?

•Does repeat business matter?

•Do you want to offer free or discounted stuff?

•When you have a set of products, there are people who are very price sensitive, and there are people who don't care about price. How do you address that situation for maximum benefit?



To learn and to read more on this subject click here.

Winthrop Region SBDC Director, Larry Stevens, is on his way to Columbia today to participate in York County Day, and be the eyes and ears of our SBDC's small business clients.

S.C. Gov. Haley will be speaking at this year's event, along ...with several others, including S.C. Office of Research & Statistics Director Bobby Bowers, S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Darrell Scott and members of the York County Legislative Delegation. The afternoon program will include a variety of speakers. This event allows local business leaders the opportunity to learn more about current issues affecting business in York County and the state.

The event culminates with the traditional legislative reception at 6 p.m. honoring all members of the South Carolina General Assembly. Constitutional officers also have been invited to attend. Music will be provided by State Rep. Grady Brown, who is also a beach music show DJ.

One of the objectives of this event is to formally present the Council of Chambers’ Legislative Agenda for 2011. The York County Regional Chamber along with the Greater Clover, Greater York, Lake Wylie chambers, makes up the Council of Chambers of Commerce.

For over 20 years, the business community through the chambers have come together to speak as one to state legislators on key legislative issues facing York County . All four chambers work closely together to review and analyze pending legislation that is likely to come before the General Assembly.