SBDC Blog

With estimates that as many as 47% of small businesses do not use social media, getting social online can be your key to beating the competition. Some entrepreneurs think this means they need to develop custom web applications or apps. Not necessarily… Internet marketing research company comScore re

This week we came across some cool links at the Southwestern College SBDC. Some of them useful or fun enough to share. File sharing is not a dirty word anymore, and many people use paid services to share larger files like powerpoint presentations. There are several free options for doing so: http://

Want a leg up on your competition? It is estimated that 47% of small businesses are still not using social media. Engaging with your customers on social gives you the opportunity to connect over other small businesses ignoring this mode of communication. And video is a great way to connect. Accordin

One of the most common questions small business owners ask when they are pursuing financing is “Where should I apply for a loan?” The SBDC has some advice. SBDC Small Business Advisor Gabriel Reyes has been advising clients over the last few years to focus their financing efforts, especially SBA loa

Ever wonder if you might get audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for your small business taxes? Hint: the odds are pretty low. California Enrolled Agent Steven Liebold explains the odds and how to prepare if you find yourself in this scenario. Read more… Want to hear Steven speak about thi

Many small businesses think  Customer Relationship Management tools are too expensive for the benefits they yield. But the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is offering a new resource that is reasonably priced and offers a variety of features. ChamberZoom is a powerful, web-based suite of softw

Late last year, we wrote about the pro’s and con’s of group deals for small businesses. It was one of our most viewed blog posts of 2010, because they are very popular and somewhat controversial. Now we have some facts based on a new study about deal sites like Groupon and Living Social, and how [..

Many SBDC clients have established a website, and even a blog, but are hesitant to get into social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter. However, there are many reasons why you should: According to Constant Contact, 73% of small businesses use social media for marketing. Would you rather t

Small business owners who visit clients outside the office often use laptops to stay in touch and keep productivity up. The Southwestern College SBDC recently came across some steps to keep your laptop safe–and in your possession from OnGuard Online. Here are some things you can do to keep track of

SBDC and CITD staff found value in a recent article on OPEN Forum about “haters.” “A hater is pretty easy to spot—someone who is disgruntled enough to actively turn to every avenue they can find to talk about how much they hate you and your business. They often find their way onto social media, than