FastUpFront Small Business Blog

Pop-up stores and kiosks are literally popping up in shopping centers throughout America. The companies involved in this kind of venture vary- ranging from new start-ups wanting to test their products in the market, to major brands looking to expand their presence in shopping malls during the holiday season using temporary locations. (Image Credit) Much [...]

When it comes to business marketing, everything rides on company’s brand- it’s unique identity based on words, imagery, emotion, and reputation. It is through the brand that a customer gets to know a particular product or service, and as such, it is one of a company’s biggest intangible assets. But as the following collection of [...]

New research about possible hormonal reactions to social networking has big repercussions for small businesses. In a preliminary study (chronicled here), Dr. Paul J. Zak, aka “Dr. Love,” has found that levels of oxytocin, which creates feelings of trust, spike during Facebook, Twitter, and blog use. Businesses can capitalize on this finding to enhance customer [...]

For about a year now, the blogosphere has been abuzz about the virtues and possibilities of Foursquare. For those of you who are still unacquainted with the social networking app and how it can be used in your business, here is a brief primer.   Foursquare is a neat social networking application that allows you [...]

One common and free way to generate publicity for your business is to send out a well-written and targeted press release. Small businesses can send newsworthy information to reporters and media people, who then write or report about the business.   How can you ensure that your press release is eye-catching enough for a reporter to open [...]

Whether you take Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon’s public mea culpa over the recent spate of drug recalls at face value or with a cynical grain of salt, the event highlights several important points in brand image damage control.   Johnson & Johnson is no stranger to corporate crisis management and large scale product [...]

One of the positive outcomes of an economic slowdown is the innovation that can come out of it. As businesses big and small scramble to capture precious consumer turf, what has emerged is a bold, new attitude in business marketing. All the sluggish sales and depleted consumer confidence were no doubt the driving force behind [...]

Collective buying, or group buying, is a new trend that benefits businesses and consumers alike. Group buying websites, such as www.groupon.com, offer discounts on goods and services. Unlike traditional coupon sites, they encourage consumers to spread the buzz and bring in other customers by guaranteeing the bargains only if enough customers take advantage of the [...]

Smack in the middle of all the social networking hype that has been generated over the past few years there is Facebook- a site that lets users add people as “friends”, designate themselves as”fans”of other users, send messages, and update their personal profiles. With more than 400 million active users, many, including this blog, saw [...]

Generating publicity is a major part of any small business marketing campaign. But when tight budgets meet up with lack of know how, many excellent opportunities can go to waste. Small business owners looking to expand their marketing tactics on a shoe string may want to consider these options:  Send out a press release. Expanding [...]