How Do You Define “Big Time?”

I named this blog and the accompanying webcast “Small Biz Big Time” for a few reasons.  First, it’s kinda catchy.  Second, the domain name was available.  Third, it’s descriptively accurate, in that social media is enabling small businesses to go beyond the borders and previously accepted parameters to achieve success.  Lastly, I like the idea of redefining both “Small Biz” and “Big Time,” because in today’s world, both terms are up for interpretation.

Let’s look at the phrase “Big Time.”

In our attention hungry, camera carrying society, it seems like so many of us are posturing and plotting for our 15 megabytes of fame (and the megabucks and book deal to go with ‘em).  Many people think that’s what the “Big Time” in “Small Biz Big Time” is all about.  But that isn’t necessarily so.  As I’m interviewing small business people for the show, I’m asking them to describe what “big time” is for them.  In other words, I want to know what ’success’ looks like to them.  Everyone’s definitions are different—and not what you might expect.

One common theme in the replies I’ve gotten thus far is “freedom.”   These small business owners place freedom high on their lists when it comes to defining success.  That’s why they’re drawn to the use of social media to grow their businesses.  Social media can be used on their terms, on their time, anywhere they are—as long as they’ve got Internet connection.

And they want to use social media tools to build their businesses in such a way as to have enough volume/revenue to be free to choose the projects they take on and the clients they will work with.  With social media’s potential reach, these business people see the opportunity to maximize their resources, so they can ultimately spend their time doing the part of their jobs that they love.

Also, these entrepreneurs consistently define “big time” as “more time”—more time to spend with their families, more time to create, more time to enjoy, more time to do the stuff they love.

So far, nary an interviewee has mentioned “be on Oprah” or “buy a yacht” as milestones on the journey to the “big time.”  Of course, if they had mentioned Oprah or a yacht, that would be okay, too.  Everyone’s “big time” is different.  But the great thing is, social media can help us all reach for our goals, our dreams, with a little help from our our connections, our followers, our fans—our friends.

Thanks!

The World is Wide for Small Biz Big Time!

Blog – Social Media Business Strategies – Social Media Connection.

In my day job (a.k.a., my “pay job!”), I’m a copywriting, strategic planning, tactic implementing PR and marketing consultant.  Just this morning, I finished up some copy for a promo piece for a holding company, in which I was charged to convey the contrast of the company’s global knowledge and market-centric perspective , in a single paragraph.

A self-acknowledged “Word Nerd,”  I love assignments like that.  I love having to encapsulate grand thoughts in 50 words or less.  I’ve built a fun career on my ability to collect lumbering piles of (seemingly) disjointed information and synthesize them into useful, pertinent messages.  And when a message I helped create actually reaches somebody and motivates response, I couldn’t be more pleased.

As I wrote that copy today, it occurred to me that “Small Biz Big Time” is yet another chance for me to synthesize lots of information into practical, applicable messages.  That’s why I’m already loving this platform and the wonderful purpose of it.  I’m making it my mission to whittle through the inundating clutter and glut of information to carve out news-you-can-use and ideas-you-can-apply.

You are busy; let me help illuminate the pertinent messages for you!

To that end, I’m trying to put some skin on the whole topic of “social media for business.”  In other words, I’m focused on giving real life examples that personalize the  often cerebral and elusive discussions floating around on the Internet.

I’ve already got two Small Biz Big Time episodes in the video editing suite, each one featuring a small business person using social media in very relatable (yet very different) ways.  Trust me, I know your time is valuable, so please be assured; each episode will be well worth the 5 to 7 minutes you’ll spend watching.

Additionally, I’ve got even more great stories in the queue to pursue…stories of real people working in an array of industries (i.e. a B&B operator, an attorney, a teddy bear designer), all using social media to grow their businesses.  I’m so excited to tell these stories!

…And speaking of “synthesizing information”…

I’ve created my own “Alltop” page.  Alltop is a service that helps collect and organize information on “all topics” throughout the web.  Visit my page to find a vast collection of small business news, from respected blogs and magazines throughout the Web.

Small Biz Big Time’s Alltop Page!

http://my.alltop.com/smallbizbigtime

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Introducing Small Biz Big Time!

Hi!  I’m Irene.  It’s good to meet you!  I look forward to hearing about your story and the journey of your small business.  In the meanwhile, here’s a little bit about me and my show.  Let’s connect soon!