June 23, 2009
A recent survey found that nearly all small businesses are nervous about the economy; however, 26 percent still plan to spend more on advertising this year and 60% plan on spending about the same as last year. 78 percent think that referrals are the best source for new customers. While many doubt mass media advertising, 44 percent found online advertising to be effective, 32% use direct mail, 28% Yellow Pages, and 27% newspapers. Other survey findings: · 58% plan to spend more on social networking in 2009, but the majority is not using other emerging media beyond email and websites: 77% do not use online video, 83% do not pod cast, and 82% do not use mobile advertising. · The biggest factors for small-business owners in selecting specific advertising vehicles are rates (50%), proximity to business prospects (48%) and doing what the company has always done (41%). **This survey was conducted by Ad-ology Research via an online panel of 863 owners of US businesses with less than 100 employees. To learn more on “Internet Marketing Basics,” sign up for the SmallBizU Workshop taught by Allen Guthier of Guthier Enterprises on July 21, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the SFCC CEID. Space is limited to the first 20 people who sign up, so sign up today. To register go to www.gainesvillechamber.com and click on “Events & Issues,” “SmallBizU Workshop.” For more information on SmallBizU call Tim Ledvina at 352.334.7105 x323.