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In this article:\n8 Chicago events to add to your 2022 business calendar\nWherever your business is located, you can and should take advantage of local events. Whether that is a 2-day business conference to help your team members grow and develop in their roles or a fun family fair in the next town over, these are opportunities to grow your business. \nWe’ve highlighted several Chicago area events that you should consider adding to your calendar. Check them out and see which ones you can actively participate in. Even large, regional events can benefit smaller local businesses if you know how to benefit from the hype and the extra visitors. \nPLEASE NOTE: We have made every attempt to be accurate in our information but unforeseen circumstances may arise. Please consult the websites for the individual events and confirm the status of the events you wish to attend.\nChicago Auto Show\nWhen: February 11-20 2022\nCheck back at \nchicagoautoshow.com\n for more specific times and dates as we get closer to the event.\nThe Chicago Auto Show is the nation’s largest auto show, featuring vehicles all across the board to show consumers the newest and greatest automobiles to date as well as the classics that will never go out of style. \nWhether your business is in the auto industry or not, this is a valuable opportunity to gain some traction with your customers. If you are in the auto industry, see what it takes to participate in the show and bring in more customers that way. \nAnd if you’re not, then take advantage of this national event by creating fun discounts and deals related to the show. Share that on your social media channels, website, and storefront to bring in more customers throughout the week of the show. \nMaxwell Street Market\nWhen: Sundays, March-December\nThe Maxwell Street Market starts March 1 and generally goes through the Sunday before Christmas. Every Sunday, Maxwell Street is open to vendors across multiple industries to sell their goods. Become a vendor at the Maxwell Street Market this year or during the market, offer some fun deals at your business to bring in more customers while they are out browsing through the market. \nLearn more about becoming a vendor at \nchicago.gov\n.\nDigiMarCon\nWhen: May 9-10, 2022\nDigiMarCon is one of the largest digital marketing conferences in the world. At this conference you will learn the best ways to keep up with your competition through digital marketing strategies and which methods will be most valuable for your business. \nYou’ll have the opportunity to learn from the industry’s best, including speakers from Microsoft, Adobe, SEMRush, NBC Sports, Amazon, Paypal, Hubspot, Pizza Hut, and many, many more. \nSign your marketing team up for this conference now at \ndigimarconmidwest.com\n.\nChicago Small Business Expo\nWhen: May 19, 2022\nDon’t miss out on the Small Business Expo. This national expo is perfect for entrepreneurs in every industry. Hear from speakers on ways to enhance your business strategies, participate in workshops, and network with other local businesses. \nThe best part is your team can attend the event for free! Sign up now at \nthesmallbusinessexpo.com\n.\nIllinois State Fair\nWhen: August 11-21, 2022\nLocated in Springfield, just three hours south of Chicago is the Illinois State Fair. Businesses can gain new customers by setting up a booth at the fair. People from all over the state gather at the fair to have fun, and as they escape the heat to check out the exhibits, they may just find what they have been looking for at your booth. \nWhether you are a service or product-based business, you can benefit from having a booth at the fair. Learn more about becoming a vendor at \nillinois.gov\n.\nChicago Blues Festival\nWhen: June 9-12 2022\nChicago is a hub for culture. With a diverse lineup celebrating the blues’ past, present and future, the Chicago Blues Festival shares the great Chicago-born music tradition while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip hop and more. Get more info at \nChicago.gov\n.\nAnnual Jazz Festival\nBring your team to the event to improve morale and have some fun, but also get your customers excited about the fun through sweet deals and themed discounts at your business. Be sure to check out the other annual music festivals that are taking place at the Chicago Cultural Center to see if these events can provide even more opportunities for your business to gain awareness. Info \nhere\n. \noutdoor chicago jazz festival for small business events\nWinter WonderFest at Navy Pier\nWhen: (may resume in December 2022)\nWinter Wonderfest has become a huge annual festivity at Navy Pier during the holidays. Fifth Third Bank hosts this year-end event by setting up the city’s largest indoor winter playground. With carnival rides, an ice-skating rink, holiday-themed activities, a giant slide, vendors, and much more, families gather from all over the state to join in on the fun.\nParticipate in the fun by taking your team to enjoy the festivities and offering themed discounts and offerings throughout the festival. Stay up to date on this year’s activities by checking back on the event at \nnavypier.org\n.

Small business events in Chicago: 8 ways to grow and market your business in 2022

In this article:\n9 local events that Houston small businesses should take advantage of this year\nAttending events, business conferences, and expos is a great way to take your business to the next level. You can gain new skills for you and your employees, and grow your network. Community-based events can help increase your local brand awareness, gain new customers, and even sell products and services. \nNot sure where to start? These Houston, TX area events are the perfect opportunities to add to your business calendar. \nPLEASE NOTE: We have made every attempt to be accurate in our information but as you things may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Please consult the websites for the individual events and confirm the status of the events you wish to attend.\nHouston Crawfish Festival in the Heights\nWhen: March 5, 2022\nThe Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Crawfish Festival is Saturday, March 5th. Come out and support your community and shop local. Vendor booths, Kids World, live music by Lucid Illusions, Idol of the Heights contest, cold beer and the best Crawfish in the Heights! To become a vendor please email Donna at crawfishvendor@gmail.com. To become a sponsor please email Liz at elizabeth.perez@caliberhomeloans.com. Tickets and more info \nhere\n. \nFOCUS Business Conference\nWhen: March 12, 2022\nAt this conference, business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors gather together to discuss the best ways to increase revenue and grow your company. The events of this conference are focused for the modern entrepreneur. \nThroughout the day you’ll hear insightful TED Talks, participate in workshops, attend panels, and enjoy the fun of cocktails, food, and booths in between sessions. \nSign up now at \nfocusbusinessconference.com\n.\nEnergy Marketing Conference Houston\nWhen: March 28-29, 2022\nEnergy Marketing Conferences EMC brings together over 600+ industry professionals from energy companies, utilities, marketers, vendors and suppliers in the retail energy industry to network and learn. EMC is the largest gathering of retail energy executives in North America. Info \nhere\n.\nDigiMarCon South\nWhen: May 26-27, 2022\nDigiMarCon is one of the largest digital marketing conferences that you won’t want to miss. From improving lead generation and sales to increasing customer loyalty, the agenda at DigiMarCon will help you enhance your marketing efforts. \nSome featured topics at the conference:\nWeb experience management\nUsability and design\nVideo marketing\nSocial media marketing\nEmail marketing\nGeo-targeting\nConversion rate optimization\nGrowth hacking\nSEO \nPaid search marketing\nAnd more!\nBuy tickets for this conference at \ndigimarconsouth.com\n.\nFreedom Over Texas\nWhen: July 4, 2021\nFreedom Over Texas is Houston’s annual Independence Day celebration. Music and fireworks take place at Buffalo Bayou with famous country artists as the headliners for the shows. \nYour business can take part in the festivities by sponsoring the events, setting up a vendor booth, or taking your team to enjoy the fun! Throughout the week leading up to the festival, create 4th of July themed discounts and offerings that will get your customers excited. \nContact the City of Houston to learn more about becoming a sponsor or vendor. Or check here for updates: \nhttps://www.houstontx.gov/july4/\n. \nhouston fireworks freedom events \n\nHouston Home and Garden Show\nWhen: September 16-18, 2022\nThe all-new Houston Home and Garden Show is a great opportunity for businesses to connect with homeowners. Share your services and products that consumers can use to help their home. \nPast exhibitors have found this show to be one of the best advertising opportunities they engage in. The best part is you get to benefit from all of the marketing efforts of this large event. All you need to do is sign your business up for the show and attend. \nWant to learn more about attending or becoming an exhibitor? Visit \nhttps://www.houstonfallhomeandgardenshow.com/\n\nOktoberfest Houston\nWhen: TBD (September or October 2022)\nDon’t miss out on Houston’s annual Oktoberfest. Get the best of German and Texan culture throughout the festivities. Dress up in your finest Lederhosen and enjoy the polka music as festival-goers try the best craft beer Houston has to offer. \nHouston Oktoberfest small business events\nYour business can get involved by becoming a vendor or sponsor at the festival or by creating Oktoberfest-themed offerings throughout the festival. \nLearn more about how to get involved and confirm the 2022 dates at \noktoberfesthouston.com\n.\nTexas Renaissance Festival\nWhen: October 8-November 28, 2022 (ending date TBD)\nThe Texas Renaissance Festival takes place over the weekends throughout October and November as the nation’s largest one of its kind. Each weekend has a fun theme to keep the events exciting and unique. The themes include:\nOktoberfest\n1001 Dreams\nRoman Bacchanal\nPirate Adventure\nAll Hallows Eve\nHeroes and Villains\nBarbarian Invasion\nHighland Fling\nCeltic Christmas\nThere is tons of fun to be had as festival-goers explore the cobblestone paths of the recreated 16th-century village. \nYour business can become a vendor for the festival or take part in the fun by coordinating your offers with the different themes each week. \nLearn more at \ntexrenfest.com\n.\n\nSmall Business Expo\nWhen: November 15, 2022\nThe Small Business Expo is Houston’s largest networking and education event for business professionals. Learn how to increase your company’s revenue and grow your business with the various workshops, presentations, and breakout sessions. \nYou can get inspired by other local entrepreneurs and small business owners, connect with mentors in the business world, and even spread awareness for your own business by becoming an exhibitor at the event. \nAttend the event for free by registering at \nthesmallbusinessexpo.com\n.\nEnhance your marketing strategy with review management\nAs you get involved in various events throughout the year, be sure to include a strategy that helps you maximize the benefits of your new customers. New customers bring new opportunities to leave your business online reviews, which in turn helps bring even more customers—and the cycle continues. 


9 events that every Houston, TX area small business should know about in 2022

If your restaurant is doing well, it is easy to overlook the need for a small business marketing plan and a dedicated marketing budget. Traditional thinking leads a lot of local restaurant owners to believe that serving good food is all it takes to succeed.\nThat may have worked in years past, but in today’s volatile marketplace, restaurants need to do more than provide a quality product and write something clever on the sandwich board out front.\nWhen today’s customers talk about where they should eat, overwhelmingly that conversation takes place online. 97% of people read online reviews for local businesses, and most consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family. \nWhat’s more, the power of online word of mouth can work against you. One bad review can cost you 30 new customers, and a one-star drop in your online rating may result in a nearly 20% drop in revenue. Ouch.\nThe good news is, the right marketing strategy can help your restaurant bring in more customers, save you time, increase loyalty, and help you weather the storms that come with changing consumer trends, internet whims, or other unpredictable factors that influence your restaurant’s bottom line. \nTo maximize the effectiveness of your restaurant’s marketing budget, we recommend you follow the following steps in order, and don’t skip steps:\nTake control of your “online presence”\nEngage your existing customers online and get involved locally to build loyalty\nSpend appropriately for targeted advertising in relevant media\nSave time and do more with small business marketing software\nLet’s go over these four steps in a little more detail.\nFirst: Take control of your restaurant’s online presence\nYour online footprint matters… almost more than your food.\nData shows a half-star boost in your Yelp rating makes it 30 to 49 percent more likely that you will fill every seat during your busiest hours. It’s vital that you show up in local search results, and show up well.\nAs the first step in your marketing plan, you need to make sure you’ve taken control of your online presence because 1) it’s the way most customers will find your restaurant, and 2) it boosts the effectiveness of all your other marketing efforts.\nHere are the most important elements of getting control of your online presence:\nClaim your restaurant’s business listing on all the major online review sites (click the links for helpful how-to articles on how to claim your profile on \nYelp\n, \nGoogle\n, and \nTripAdvisor\n. You should also claim/monitor Facebook, Foursquare, OpenTable, Zagat (if applicable to your area), Gayot, and GrubHub—even if you don’t intend to formally interact with one or more of these sites (or if, like Gayot, they don’t allow restaurant owners’ direct involvement)\nEnsure your restaurant’s profile (including hours of operation, location, contact info, etc.) is accurate on these review sites, fill in as much information as possible, and review your pages regularly \nRead all your reviews and implement a strategy to get more reviews \nYou might also like: \n3 easy ways to get customer feedback for your restaurant\nSecond, build loyalty by engaging your existing customers and getting involved locally\nOnline reviews matter. Take them seriously\nOnce you’ve claimed your pages, it’s very important to read and respond courteously to every customer review (yes, even the negative ones… and you will get them). \nWhen you show appreciation for positive reviews and genuine concern and commitment to fix any problems reported, it shows you take your customers and quality control seriously. \nThis alone will start attracting more customers to your restaurant and building a strong online reputation. (For our tips on \nhow to respond to negative reviews\n, click the link.)\nGet involved in your community and capitalize on the “eat local” movement\nSmall, local restaurants are gaining traction, and not just with trendy food bloggers. The biggest advantages you have over cookie-cutter, industrial cuisine is you can provide the unique ambiance, positive customer experience, and personal attention to detail that big corporate restaurants can’t hope to match.\nYou can develop passionate fans who will be your strongest online advocates (and do a huge portion of your marketing for free), if they feel a personal connection with you and your food. \nSo, get involved in your community. Host local events. Participate in local pub crawls, wine walks, tastes of the city, street eats, food festivals—whatever is available in your area (63% of customers say they want invitations to more local events, but only 12% get them). \nIf there are no programs like this in your area, start one! \nVolunteer for or sponsor the local symphony, or the baseball, football, bowling, or underwater basketweaving team—whatever your customers are proud of and support. Build a creative float for the local parade. Think outside the box.\nThe main point is your restaurant should be inseparably linked with your town, and local customers should feel a personal connection with you. Small efforts in this area can have a huge impact.\nThird, spend appropriately for targeted advertising in relevant media\nNow you’re finally ready to start spending some money. But what should your marketing budget look like? \nWe recommend that local restaurants dedicate approximately 7-8% of gross revenue toward marketing, and the U.S. Small Business Administration agrees. \nYou can dump money into a local ad agency to manage your campaigns for you, but the cost/benefit ratio for these efforts is almost always unimpressive.\nFor small businesses, email marketing is hands-down the most powerful, efficient, and effective marketing tool, with an unsurpassed ROI (return on investment) of up to 44 to 1. (Read more in our detailed \nemail marketing\n article.)\n86% of your customers actually want promotional emails from businesses they like. A simple email receipt with a “thanks for your visit,” happy birthday wishes, or promotional offers delivered to their inbox can go a long way.\nConsider Instagram\nYou might look into spending some of your budget on an advertising plan with Instagram, targeting IG users in your specific area and desired demographic. \nYou can also offer specials for people who post on their IG accounts and tag your restaurant. If you can beg or borrow a food stylist/photog to shoot nice photos for you to post regularly, it can go a long way toward spreading “online word-of-mouth.”\nFourth, save time and maximize your efforts with small business marketing software\nRestaurant owners are among the world’s busiest people, so if the above seems a little overwhelming, the right software can really be a lifesaver.\nDedicated loyalty program software can help, but be careful with this one: restaurants often gravitate to the “punch card” model, but this may not be the most effective place to spend your time and money. Studies show the average U.S. household is enrolled in 29 loyalty programs but only uses 12. Focus on building the relationship first, or your loyalty efforts will go unnoticed.\nSources:\n
\nhttps://zuberance.com/zuberrants/blog/one-negative-review-can-cost-you-30-customers\n
\nhttps://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/strategy/brand-purpose\n
\nhttps://searchengineland.com/88-consumers-trust-online-reviews-much-personal-recommendations-195803\n
\nhttps://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/\n

Small business marketing: 4 key elements of an effective strategy for your restaurant

In this article:\n17 local resources for small businesses in New York, NY\nStarting your own business is no small task and it can take a lot out of you. But you don’t have to do it alone. You can find a plethora of small business resources in New York, NY that will help your business thrive, from guidance and training to funding and finding a commercial workspace. \nWe’ve broken this article up into five categories to help you find the resources that will be the most helpful for your New York business:\nComprehensive small business resources\nBusiness mentors and courses\nFunding\nChambers of commerce\nRecruitment and employee assistance\nComprehensive small business resources in the New York area\nThe resources in this section will provide entrepreneurs with comprehensive training, counseling, and additional guidance to get their business off the ground. \n1. New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)\nThe Small Business Development Center in New York provides entrepreneurs with everything they need to start a successful business. They provide business counseling, training, and research for free. \nYou can reach the Brooklyn SBDC with the following information or \nfind the nearest SBDC to you\n. \nBrooklyn SBDC
NYC College of Technology
25 Chapel Street, 11th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201\nPhone: (718) 797-0187
Director: Miriam Colon
Email Address: sbdc@citytech.cuny.edu
Hours: M-F, 9 AM-5 PM by appointment only. No walk-ins.\n2. New York District Office\nThe New York District Office is New York’s liaison for the U.S. Small Business Administration. They deliver SBA programs all across the state in order to help further the economic development of New York. \nWe recommend looking through the SBA’s \nweb page\n to find the specific resources that you need for your local business. \nHowever, if you wish to contact the office directly, here is their contact information:\nNew York District Office
26 Federal Plaza Suite 3100
New York, NY\nPhone: (212) 264-4354
Fax: (212) 264-4963
District Director: Beth Goldberg
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM\n3. Empire State Development\nEmpire State Development is a hub for small business resources. You can find everything from workshops and trainings to the best options for funding your business. \nVisit their \nwebsite\n to find comprehensive resources to help start your New York business. \nOr contact their regional office for more information:\nNew York City Region
633 Third Avenue – 36th Floor
New York, NY 10017\nPhone: (212) 803-3130
Fax: (212) 803-3131
Email: nys-nyc@esd.ny.gov\n4. Brooklyn Public Library\nThe Brooklyn Public Library has its own Business & Career Center. They hold events and courses for business owners to network and expand their expertise, and they offer one-on-one assistance with certified business mentors. \nFor questions about Brooklyn Public Library’s career services, call 718-230-2100 or reach them with their \ncontact form\n. \nimage of brooklyn public library for small business resources\n\n5. New York Business Express\nNew York Business Express is a support organization to help business owners meet their professional requirements as they get started. They have a comprehensive guide on starting a business in New York, checklists, and a guide to find incentives that your business can qualify for. \nFind more information at \nbusinessexpress.ny.gov\n or contact them:\nNew York State Business Information Center
Phone: +1 (518) 485-5000
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, with the exception of state-observed holidays\nBusiness mentors and courses in NYC\nFind the best business mentors and courses in New York, NY at the following resources. \n6. NYC SCORE\nNYC SCORE has a host of volunteer mentors and advisors from multiple industries who are ready to help entrepreneurs start their own business. On their \nwebsite\n, you can find local workshops and the best free mentors for your business.\nFull contact information:\nNYC SCORE
26 Federal Plaza, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10278\nPhone: (212) 264-4507
Fax: (212) 264-4963
Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Last appointment at 4:00, Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.\n7. Business Mentor NY\nBusiness Mentor NY is a directory of mentors who want to help your business succeed. Search the directory by expertise and industry to find mentors related to your business. Create an account to connect with mentors and gain valuable insights. \n\nSign up here\n. \n8. NYC Business Solutions\nNYC Business Solutions holds courses for entrepreneurs to gain the training and knowledge they need to start their own businesses. Most courses are meant to provide a fundamental understanding of business planning, marketing, and accounting. \nClasses through NYC Business Solutions can be found in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. \nFind the center nearest you on \nNYC Business Solutions’ centers web page\n. \nFunding for New York City area small businesses\nFind the best funding resources in New York, NY for your business. Get access to the best loans or try local accelerator programs. \nGo deeper: \nfunding options for your small business\n9. NYC Capital Access Loan Guaranty Program\nThis program is dedicated to helping micro and small businesses that have trouble accessing traditional business loans. Funding from this program can be used for working capital, equipment purchases, refinancing, and tenant improvements. \nContact information:\nNYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
110 William Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10038
For further assistance, please call 311 and ask for: \nNYC Capital Access Loan Guaranty Program\n
Website: \nhttps://edc.nyc/\n\n10. Bridge to Success Loan Program\nThis program seeks to support Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) with short-term bridge loans to help their businesses succeed.\nFor detailed information about this program, you can call the NYS MWBE Resource Line: (855-373-4692)\nOr you can apply by \ncontacting a participating lender\n.\n11. Startup52\nStartup52 is a business accelerator designed to help its participants start successful ventures. Through their program, they help entrepreneurs create technologies to solve global needs and turn back a profit. \nLearn more at \nstartup52.com\nFull contact information:\nStartup52
New York, NY
Phone: (347) 450-1201
Email: contact@startup52.com\nChambers of commerce in NYC area\nLocal chambers of commerce can provide your business with several different areas of expertise and are a great comprehensive resource for any startup. Each of these chambers in the New York, NY region is dedicated to the economic growth of their communities and helping your business succeed. \nQuick guide: \nChamber of commerce basics: what they do and why you should join\n12. Greater New York Chamber of Commerce\n20 West 44th Street, 4th Floor
New York City, NY 10036
Phone: 212-CHAMBER (212-686-7220)
Website: \nhttps://www.chamber.nyc/\n13. New Bronx Chamber of Commerce\n1200 Waters Place, Suite106
Bronx, NY 10461
Phone: (718) 828-3900 
Fax: (718) 409-3748
Email: sashee@bronxchamber.org
Website:\nhttps://www.bronxchamber.org/\n\n14. Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce\nPhone: (718) 875-1000
Contact form: \nhttps://ibrooklyn.com/contact-us\n\nRecruitment and employees\nStart your business with the right team by utilizing these recruitment and labor resources in New York, NY. Finish the list off by making sure your worker’s comp needs are met with The Advocate for Business. \n15. New York State Job Bank\nThe New York State Job Bank is powered by the Direct Employer’s Association—an organization that seeks to lower recruitment costs for all levels of businesses. \nThis job bank allows you to find qualified candidates and even allows the option of automatically posting new job listings when they come up. \nGet started at \nnewyork.usnlx.com\n16. NYTalent \nNYTalent is a job recruitment platform backed by the NY Department of Labor. Get quick access to qualified applicants by getting started \nhere\n. \n17. The Advocate for Business\nThe Advocate for Business is the liaison between New York businesses and the Worker’s Compensation Board. Work directly with this team to help you with worker’s comp claims or to schedule an educational session to help you learn more about your obligations as a business owner. \nContact The Advocate for Business:\nPhone: 1 (877) 632-4996
Email: advocatebusiness@wcb.ny.gov

Best local business resources in New York, NY

In this article:\n5 2022 events in Orlando, FL that your business needs to know about\nWhich events may be moved online or canceled \nAttending local events can have a significant impact on your business, from increasing brand awareness in your community, to networking with other business owners and leaders, to improving sales. Business events and fun community events alike have the capacity to further your growth. \nCheck out these Orlando area events that your small business should to add to your calendar. \nPLEASE NOTE: We have made every attempt to be accurate in our information but as you can imagine during the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything may still be in flux. Please consult the websites for the individual events and confirm the status of the events you wish to attend.\nAnnual Central Florida Fair\nWhen: March 3-13, 2022\nAttend the Annual Central Florida Fair with your team to help increase brand awareness in your community. Set a date in your calendar to start looking into becoming a vendor for next year’s fair. \nBoth product- and service-based businesses alike can benefit from becoming exhibitors at the fair. Sell your goods or bring awareness to your services as fair-goers cool off in the exhibition halls. \nLearn more about becoming a vendor at \ncentralfloridafair.com\n.\nFlorida fairgoers for small business events\nSmall Business Expo\nWhen: March 16, 2022\nThe Small Business Expo is one of the nation’s largest business conferences. This conference is held in several major cities across the U.S. for business owners and entrepreneurs to connect with one another and learn from the keynote speakers. \nIndustry experts will guide you and your team through workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to see what other local businesses can offer, and you can market your own business. \nThis event is free to attend or you can pay to sign up as an exhibitor at the conference. Learn more at \nthesmallbusinessexpo.com\n.\nBlack Business Summit and Expo\nApril 2, 2022\nThe Black Business Summit & Expo is the greatest annual gathering of black business owners, black professionals, and supporters of black business in the Orlando area.
Each local black business owners come together to network, educate, advocate, and advance through culture and creativity. Join hundreds of others for a weekend that will upgrade your business in key areas! More info and tickets at \ntheblackbizsummit.com\n.\nSpooktacular\nWhen: Halloween weekend, 2022\nAttend Spooktacular the weekend of Halloween. People come from all over Orlando to attend this spooky night of fun at Downtown Avalon Park. \nAttractions include live performances, food trucks, bounce houses, vendors, and more. People of all ages can enjoy the event. \nBecome a vendor or sponsor of the event to increase your company’s awareness in the community or simply take the night off and attend it with your team to boost morale and foster team bonding.  \nContact info@avalonparkgroup.com or visit the \nSpooktacular’s Facebook page\n or \navalonparkorlando.com\n to learn more about how your business can get involved. \nElectronic Daisy Carnival (EDC)\nWhen: November 11-13, 2022\nEDC at Tinker Field is an annual music festival that brings thousands of people from all over. This 3-day event incorporates music, travel, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, and more to create an experience you’ll never forget. \nBecome a sponsor or vendor at the event to get more awareness for your brand. Can’t attend? Then take advantage of the thousands of people new customers that will be flooding central Florida for three days. Offer deals for carnival attendees or themed discounts surrounding the event to draw people in. \nLearn more about the carnival at \nelectricdaisycarnival.com\n.

5 Orlando area events in 2022 your small business should take advantage of

Summary:\nPotential customers look for businesses with lots of reviews\nRecent reviews are key; old reviews don’t count in consumers’ minds\nTo get more reviews, just ask… but do it the right way\nOnline reputation management is not a one-and-done exercise. It requires ongoing attention because your online presence is always changing as customers post new reviews about your business.\nThe good news is your efforts won’t go unrewarded. Online reputation management is the most important investment a local business can make to get more customers. And, the most important aspect of online reputation management is getting a steady flow of reviews coming in. We’ll explain how to do that, and why it matters, in this 7-minute read.\nWhy do you need to get more reviews?\nEvery single day, people search online for local businesses when they’re looking to spend money. In fact, 20% of Google searches are related to location. The results that Google and other search engines pull up in consumers’ internet searches determines where shoppers’ dollars go. Online reviews make up at least 10% of Google’s search criteria, so you won’t get found if you don’t have reviews.\nPut another way, online reputation management is the most effective marketing you can do because people are already looking for businesses like yours. You just need to show up—and show well—in online searches. It’s impossible to check those boxes if you don’t consistently get more reviews.\nConsider these facts:\n98% of consumers read reviews for local businesses\n90% say their buying decisions are influenced by reviews\n94% will use a business with a rating of at least 4 stars\nIf you get and maintain a 4-star rating on key review sites, you’ll get more customers without even trying. The best way to make that happen is to get more reviews, but how you get those reviews is important. We’ll cover those ground rules in the last section. \nHow many reviews do you need?\nThere’s no standard answer, but in general potential customers will be use a business with 300 reviews over one with 30. More reviews sends a signal that the business is popular, and right or wrong, consumers put their trust in the masses. \nYou need reviews on every relevant site, not just one. About \n3 in 5 people\n will research multiple review sites before forming an opinion about a business. If you have a good showing on Google but not on Yelp, for example, you run the risk of losing customers whose shopping journey begins elsewhere. Beef up your online presence by getting more reviews on all the major sites.\nWhat if you have a high star rating but not many reviews? Is it worth getting more reviews? The answer is a resounding “yes.”\nDo old reviews count?\nSort of. Any review you receive increases your total review count and impacts your star rating, which are important parts of the equation. But, consumers probably won’t actually read your older reviews. In fact, \nstudies show\n that customers read fewer than 10 reviews before forming an opinion, and they think reviews older than 90 days are no longer relevant. That’s why recent reviews matter. \nIt makes sense if you think about it. If it’s December and your last review was in April, people researching your business might wonder if you’re not that popular or if you’re even still in business. That’s especially true if a similar business has more reviews and more recent reviews. Sometimes, that comparison is the only thing that matters to a potential customer choosing between two places to spend money. \nCan I buy reviews?\nThere are lots of shady companies promising to sell you positive reviews. Don’t do it. These tactics are bad for business and could hurt your reputation. Also, most review sites have strict rules and penalties to prevent it, and the FTC even has guidelines against it. You should only get reviews from your actual customers.\nDon’t ever buy reviews. It might seem like a harmless way to give your online business reputation a boost, but it’s bound to backfire. There are better ways!\nGo deeper: \nShould you pay for positive online reviews\n?\nSo, how can I get more reviews?\nThis is actually more simple than it seems. Just ask! \nResearch shows that 7 in 10 customers will leave a review if you ask them to. There are several ways to do this:\nPut up signage, including official stickers from sites like Yelp, encouraging customers to leave a review\nMake a verbal request while the customer is at your place of business\nEmail your customers a link to review your business after they leave\nYou’ll get better results if you have a plan. If you have customer email addresses, for example, if makes sense to send electronic review requests. If not, you should consider finding a method to collect customer contact information. \nNo matter how you approach it, there are some things you should never do or you could hurt your brand and get in trouble with review sites. Don’t:\nTrade positive reviews for discounts or gifts\nAsk customers to leave you a 5-star review\nThreaten unhappy customers who might leave a bad review\nThe most important thing you can do to attract more customers is to get and maintain a 4-star rating on key review sites.

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