Startups

Startups may need time to grow from seed funding to fully profitable, but they can’t afford to waste any time on the journey from “Who?” to “Oh, I’ve heard of them.” There’s usually no getting around starting off as a “Who?” in most of your potential customers’ minds. Startups, by their very

You might have already recognized some of the reasons to have a frequently-asked questions (FAQ) page on your website, but this is probably the biggest one: The most frequently-asked questions often go unasked. When customers arrive on your site — whether through a link on social media or from the

Hiring a customer service rep isn’t just a matter of giving someone a job: you’re giving them the responsibility for strengthening (and sometimes salvaging) your company’s relationships with its customers. In the early days of starting a business, the owner might prefer to take care of any

You’re the boss. You’re also the sales manager. You’re the CMO. When customer service issues arise, they come to you. If there are financial decisions to be made, you will be the one making them. Like so many other solopreneurs, you probably wouldn’t have it any other way. Although most businesses

A sticky customer is the kind you probably had in your head when you first thought of starting a small or medium-sized business. From the moment you sell them your product or service, they get it. They understand why it’s important and why they should appreciate it, or maybe even love it. They

Hiring the right person for a role is crucial for any business. Learn what to consider before making an offer.

Even if you still make a lot of phone calls, are constantly texting and post on social media throughout the day, you probably also continue to live in your inbox. Customers often reach out via email with feedback or questions about a proposed deal. Coworkers and managers send email to provide

Startups have the advantage of offering a completely clean slate to their first customers in terms of a service experience. A larger organization might already have a reputation for keeping people on hold when they call in. Companies that have been around for a long time might still be struggling

You don’t just want to be a startup. You want to be one of those kinds of startups — the ones experts suggest will become the next big thing in their industry, the ones whose every move gets covered in the media and whose name becomes almost synonymous with “innovation.” These are all examples of

Your first sale as a startup might feel like a minor miracle. The second, third and fourth sale might seem like a series of happy accidents. By the time you’re seeing a steady influx of sales, though, it’s time to stop treating them as isolated incidents and more of a guide to the ongoing health