IS WHERE IT'S AT

Maintaining your knowledge as a small business owner includes crafting your business intelligence,  tool-kits and checklists. Are these items on your checklist? Are they current?

1. Business loan application contact list;
2. Business counseling services  in person and online;
3. Business name registrations in your area;
4. Sales (Techniques and other) via professionals in the business;
5. Unique selling proposition, plans and strategies;
6. Business plans created and saved;
7. Networking opportunities and calendaring;
8. Marketing essentials for short and long-term goals;
9. Promotion essentials and material; and,
10. Tax requirements in your area and country.

Building and maintaining your reputation are one of the most important investments you will make in your small business as time marches onwards. Sometimes small business owners overlook public relations and digital marketing or simply don't have the time. Digital marketing forms a foundation of the PR toolkit.

It's important to understand public relations, media relations, digital marketing, communications plans and how they all relate to your business goals. Maybe it's time to consider a public relations campaign or short-term digital marketing strategy to the many tools in your small business toolbox.

There are many public relations techniques for reputation management, including community, research, issues management, surveys, questionnaires, conflict resolution communications, and internet decision analytics. Your reputation matters. It will continue to be a critical aspect to your planned-for success.