Small Business
Bible
October 6, 2008
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Small Business
Bible |
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Q: Hey Steve! I just wanted you to know that I recentl y bought and am reading the second edition of your book, The Small Business Bible. I am really enjoying it and learning a lot. It's easy to read and understand too! Thanks. -- Marcia
A: No, thank you. As most people who read this column know, I often write about those entrepreneurs and books that I think will help my readers start, run, and grow their own successful business.
This time, I am going to write about my own book (which I have never done before, even after 15 books) because I think doing so serves the purpose of this column and thus is truly worthy of your time.
The new, completely updated, and greatly expanded second edition of my best-selling book, The Small Business Bible has just been published. In it, I tried to share the very best tips, ideas, and strategies that I come across. And in this second edition, my goal was to add content on all of the new ways small business is changing in this new millennium. As such, new chapters include topics such as
Green Businesses
Succeeding in a Global Economy
Making It in Difficult Times
Creating a Great Small Business Brand
Making Technology Work for You
E-Marketing
Launching a Killer Website
Of course, all of the other great stuff (if I do say so myself!) is still there - legal-ease, business plans made easy, small business success tips, hiring and firing, marketing on a shoestring, and so on.
I am happy to report that the early buzz on the book has been very favorable, with kind words coming in about it from people like
Barbara Corcoran, the Today Show real estate contributor ("There is no shortage of actionable, useful ideas in this great book")
Michael Gerber, the author of The E-Myth ("A true encyclopedia of all things you need to know about your small business. Keep it close by!")
Hector Barreto, the former head of the SBA ("Nothing was left out of this definitive guide")
Ken Yancy, the CEO of SCORE ("Strauss has revamped his classic book with cutting-edge content")
I think the reason that the book works is that it contains hundreds, nay, thousands, of success tips from real entrepreneurs like you. Because of this column (and my speeches and TV appearances), I get to meet and hear from a lot of entrepreneurs, and it is their best hints and strategies that I have incorporated into the book.
The book is now divided into three sections, much as I have re-done my website in three sections - Start, Run, and Grow your business. That way, it should (hopefully!) be relevant whether you are new to small business, or a seasoned pro.
For example, here is a simple marketing tip that I ran across and added to the new chapter on e-marketing:
"Advertise in e-newsletters. E-newsletters are great because the people who get them really like them, so much so that they have opted-in and agreed to receive them. So, by advertising in the right e-newsletter, not only are you reaching a highly qualified lead, but you will find it is very affordable.
For example, if you sell wedding invitations, Google wedding sites, find a great e-newsletter, and advertise in it. The readers will likely be mostly brides - just who you want to reach - but because the circulation is relatively small, you won't pay much!"
So, whether it is how to create a successful small business blog, how to green up your business, or how to compete against cheaper competition in India, or whatever else may be your issue, the all new Small Business Bible is intended to be of great help to you.
Today's Tip: The all new second edition: Steve says check it out (please!)