4 Smart Investments for Your Small Business

1.

Corporate Branding
: While you undoubtedly have the know-how of your industry
and product, some aspects of marketing and business growth are
best left at the hands of professionals. Hire a business coach
for at least one session for ideas on how to brand your business.
Even with the best product, a lack of brand recognition will lead
to poor sales, so this is no area to take lightly. A business
coach may be able to give you tips on how to apply for and get
nominations for
business awards which will
increase the legitimacy and visibility of your business.

2.
Adequate Employees: No matter how much of a control freak
you are, you must admit that it's impossible to do everything on
your own. Delegate! At the very least, get a personal assistant.
Or find a marketing or accounting professional to handle the
areas of business you are less keen on. Time is money, and it's
better to pay a few professionals so you can focus on your strong
skills and create a better foundation for your company to expand
upon.

3.
Attend Business Conferences: Networking is invaluable - if
you have to shell out money to go to that industry conference in
your town, do it! Sometimes it takes money to make money, but the
potential contacts, clients, and investors you will meet will pay
dividends down the road. If you're a Los Angeles entrepreneur,
then don't miss out on that annual
Los Angeles Business Conference
where you will spend 3 days in close quarters with others you can
learn from.

4.
Update your Website: A clean, simple, easy to navigate
website will do wonders for converting curious visitors into
paying customers. Less is often more with a site. Use bullet
points, bold font for headlines, and lots of space around the
words. Text heavy sites tend to get skimmed over or skipped
altogether. Remember, a picture speaks a thousand words. And
always create a call to action that should be placed above the
fold. Add a professional touch to your site but listing any seals
of committees that you belong to, or
small business
awards you have won.

As a small business owner, you must pick and choose where to
invest your money. By putting your money into these small,
usually one-time investments, you will yield the returns for
years to come. Knowing your product or industry isn't always
enough in this competitive economy, so spend a little extra to
get the professional competitive edge necessary to grow your
business above and beyond what your competitors are doing.