We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident...

2009-07-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

...That small businesses are the backbone of our economy. If you're part of the small business community, declare your independence today by telling the world WHY! There are 25 million of us here in America alone, and worldwide we are what drive our world forward. Some of today's top small business experts took part in our global declaration and have shared their words of wisdom below. We invite you to contribute by answering the question, "what do you love about being a small business?" in the comments section. Thanks!
-the entrepreneurs at Infusionsoft

Top Small Business Experts Weigh In:

Be aggressive. In fact, be more aggressive than usual. Advertise and market more, and cut prices. That way, while everyone else is hunkered down waiting for this darn recession to end, you will be out there getting all of those new customers looking for a deal.
--Steve Strauss, USA Today Small Business "Ask an Expert" columnist

Be selective: Save your energy for the best projects and best customers.
Be flexible: Work with partners, employees, customers and clients to create new opportunities to create value—they are in this too!
Be Zen: You cannot spend your time worrying and you must focus on moving through this period with a positive mindset.
--David Wolf, CEO and founder of the SmallBiz America Network

To be successful this year, entrepreneurs should focus on how to do more with less; how to keep employees focused instead of fearful; and how to listen to the right advice in a world of increasing “noise.”
--Clate Mask, small business expert and CEO of Infusionsoft

Spend less time planning and more time testing your product/service in the market. Real customers will tell you more in one day than in three months of exhaustive research on your own.
--Pam Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation

Small business entrepreneurs can generate attention for their businesses in many ways, but the time is now to EARN it by creating great information on the social Web that your buyers want to consume.
--David Meerman Scott, author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR

A down economy is a great time for an aggressive entrepreneur. Do what you have to to keep your current clients, develop content to establish your expertise, focus on emerging markets using inexpensive tools such as social media. And keep the faith!
--Melinda Emerson host of Twitter's #smallbizchat

Learn to say something interesting or produce something useful that will pull your best customers in. The best form of marketing is teaching. Make your market smarter and deliver value before the sale.
--Dharmesh Shah, founder of HubSpot and the blog OnStartups

Where is your current focus? What messages are you sending to the world? If you’re not attracting what you want—and also enjoying the process, it may be time to adjust your dial.
--Eva Gregory, CPCC and founder of Leading Edge Coaching

Embrace social media -- it is the new form of list-building. Look how far the Internet has come in the past ten years...even the past one year! It will change your life.
--James Hickey, founder of SD Entrepreneur

The rest of 2009 should be focused on improving your systems and process. When the economy recovers - and it will - the companies with powerful systems will explode in growth.
--Mike Michalowicz, author/founder of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

Customers will remember who treated them right and eased their way in the downturn – and as the economy improves they will continue to be loyal to your business for years to come.
--Matthew Ringer, creator of SmallBizBee.com

Be adventurous! Integrate Social Media into your marketing strategy and don’t be afraid to push the limits to stand out. Social Media marketing is still new and quickly changing so experimentation is almost always necessary, just be sure to measure your results and refine your process as your learn what works best for you… most of all, ALWAYS be thinking about what your fans/followers are gaining from being a part of your community and sharing your message with their friends before thinking about yourself or your own bottom line.
--Hazel Dircksen, founder of Socialbees

Many thanks to the folks above for contributing to this project! Now it's your turn - add a comment below to share what you love about being a small business!

Small Business Declaration of Independence

We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident...