In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Dan DeGolier, CEO and founder of Ascent CFO Solutions, to explore the critical role of having a financial expert in your small business. Dan shares invaluable insights on managing cash flow, securing lines of credit, and the benefits of engaging a fractional CFO.

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Best Moments:

(03:08) The most common pitfall: not understanding cash flow and its associated risks

(04:24) How and when to approach getting a line of credit

(06:10) Why even small businesses should have someone dedicated to finances

(07:27) The rising trend of fractional CFOs and outsourced business roles

(10:26) Common scenarios where businesses seek fractional CFO services

(13:20) The assessment phase when onboarding a new client and analyzing their financial processes

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Guest Bio:

Dan DeGolier is the CEO and founder of Ascent CFO Solutions. With extensive experience in finance, particularly with technology companies and entrepreneurs, Dan's company offers fractional CFO services, providing businesses with the financial expertise they need without the commitment of a full-time hire.

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ascentcfo.com, Resources hub page: https://ascentcfo.com/resources

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-cfo-solutions/

Insights by Ascent CFO is a custom data visualization solution for founders, entrepreneurs, and executives that consolidates data sources, tracks key metrics, and displays business performance in real-time. https://ascentcfo.com/insights

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In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses when and how to fire a client with Stephanie Love.

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Best Moments:

(01:25) Is it okay to fire a client? When should you fire a client?

(02:52) Signs to look for when firing a client: nightmare clients vs. misaligned vision

(04:36) Importance of firing rude clients to maintain team morale

(06:28) How to actually fire a client: have a direct conversation and document everything

(07:17) Dealing with potential negative reviews after firing a client

(08:35) Try to salvage the relationship first before terminating, if possible

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In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson focuses on the importance of soliciting customer feedback for YOUR small business. Jay gives you an effective tactic for business owners to directly ask customers and prospects for input on things like:

- New products/services
- Industry trends
- Overall satisfaction levels

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Best Moments:

(00:56) Importance of customer feedback: Using positive feedback for testimonials and reacting to complaints

(02:01) Tactic: Email with "Question" subject line to ask for new product/service ideas and general feedback

(03:58) Benefits: High 10% reply rate, instant market insights, fostering customer dialogue, and addressing negativity

(05:17) Expect some negative responses: A chance to turn complainants into advocates

(06:28) Shout-out to Thryv all-in-one platform: Streamlines operations for small businesses

(07:37) Personal experience: How this tactic led to new opportunities from his own customers

==============================================================================

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In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Stephanie Love from Thryv again to discuss the importance of customer reviews for small businesses, how to proactively get good reviews, the value of testimonials, and how to deal with negative reviews.

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Best Moments:

(02:05) The reality is people often leave bad reviews more readily than good ones, so you can't just hope good reviews come in automatically

(03:04) You need to proactively ask customers for reviews, whether via QR codes in your business, links on invoices, or follow up emails/texts

(03:59) It's okay to incentivize reviews with giveaways or promotions, as long as you don't directly pay for EXCLUSIVELY positive reviews

(05:29) Leverage great customer testimonials beyond just listing them online by featuring them prominently on your site, email footers, and even getting video testimonials

(08:42) If an unhappy customer tries to "review bomb" you with multiple fake negative reviews, you can report them to Google as spam

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Guest Bios:

Stephanie Love leads content at Thryv, an all-in-one small business software platform.

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In this episode of Small Business Quick WINS, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Connor Jeffers, founder and CEO of Aptitude 8 and Happily, about improving processes and operations in small businesses.

They discuss starting processes from scratch, documenting procedures, building accountability, and overcoming common scaling challenges.

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Best Moments:

(08:06) Identify tasks that take your time but don't require you personally, and consider delegating those first

(13:39) Documenting processes sets expectations and enables accountability

(12:06) An "operating rhythm" combines regular meetings, purposes, reviews, roles and expectations into a documented process

(11:09) Common "scale blockers" happen from 4-7 employees when tribal knowledge disappears

(16:04) Hire those who think like you instead of seeking diversity of thought and opinions

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Guest Bios:

Connor Jeffers is the founder and CEO of Aptitude 8, a services firm focused on HubSpot implementations, and Happily, a SaaS app development company. Previously he helped scale an EdTech startup and worked in venture capital.

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Stephanie Love, who leads the content strategy team at Thryv. They discuss valuable tips for how small business owners can get their business featured on local news programs to gain credibility and exposure.

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Best Moments:

(03:56) Getting on local news provides a “third party endorsement” that builds trust with potential customers

(04:56) Pitch a story idea that provides VALUE TO VIEWERS, not just promotion of your business

(06:22) Identify topics related to your business that tie into holidays, current events, etc.

(08:17) Email the news desk, anchors, and producers separately with your pitch to increase chances of a response

(12:19) Focus the pitch on helpful tips that viewers can IMMEDIATELY use

(14:10) Going on the news can lend great credibility to build an entire marketing strategy around

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Guest Bio:

Stephanie Love leads the content strategy team at Thryv, an all-in-one software and services platform for small businesses. She also has an extensive background in local television news production.

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In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses why awards can create HUGE value for small businesses like yours.

He shares stats on how awards increase customer trust and willingness to pay more, as well as make a business stand out from competitors. Jay then offers tips on where you can find local awards to apply for AND win (local chambers of commerce, media outlets, and civic organizations).

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Best Moments:

(01:52) 92% of consumers are more likely to TRUST an award-winning company — 68% are willing to pay MORE for their products/services

(02:10) Awards DIFFERENTIATE and brand you compared to your competitors

(04:11) It's easier to win local awards than you may think?!?

(05:50) Potential places to find local awards you can WIN

(08:12) Winning awards results in 22% more job applications on average

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson provides tips on how to write effective email subject lines that WIN you business!

He shares specific techniques based on data from over 15 MILLION subject lines analyzed, explaining that strong subject lines dramatically increase open rates. You'll learn simple but impactful tactics to implement in your own email campaigns!

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Best Moments:

(02:54) The first few characters of a subject line are most important for capturing attention

(03:13) Starting subject lines with a number like "The 5 things..." lifts open rates 20%

(03:36) Capitalizing the first 1-2 words grabs ATTENTION in crowded inboxes

(04:26) Using an emoji as the first character boosts open rates by up to 25%

(05:32) Turning subject lines into questions increases opens over 30%

(07:45) Ending subject lines with ellipses ("...") creates suspense and lifts opens 30%

=================================================================

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson talks about how small businesses can leverage AI tools to save time and resources. You'll hear about some great free AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity that YOU can use to easily generate content, ideas, and insights as a small business owner!

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Best Moments:

(01:15) AI is simple to use and accessible for small businesses — you just need basic internet search skills

(01:37) AI can save small businesses significant time and resources in creating content, ideas, and insights

(03:06) How to use ChatGPT to effortlessly create social media content calendars, find local partnership opportunities, develop website FAQs, and more

(05:32) Gemini can summarize YouTube videos into bullet points to reuse content

(06:41) Perplexity provides suggestions to improve your AI queries

(08:24) 67% of small businesses are already using AI in their businesses

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson shares an incredibly effective sales and marketing technique - speaking directly to your potential customers' wallets. He provides examples of compelling messaging that clearly conveys the financial savings and benefits customers will gain. Listeners can expect to learn specific techniques to craft wallet-focused messages and offers.

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Best Moments:

(01:51) Headlines, subject lines and messaging focused on saving money generate over 30% more engagement

(04:09) Share the exact cost savings to create interest e.g "Save $200 annually by upgrading your HVAC system"

(04:29) Use comparative cost analysis e.g. "Old AC units cost you an extra $300 a year. Upgrade now and start saving."

(07:18) Comparative cost analysis converts at 60% higher rates than standard offers

=================================================================

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In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson talks about the importance of failing fast as a small business owner. Jay also shares statistics about how many startups pivot their initial business model and how failing fast can save development costs in the end.

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Best Moments:

(00:36) Failing fast in business

(04:35) Why FAILING fast in small business marketing is GOOD and helps you reach results quicker

(07:15) Actionable tips for small business leaders

=================================================================

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Kenny Lang, a business coach who helps small business owners turn their purpose into performance. You'll learn NEW strategies for business owners to delegate tasks and responsibilities in order to focus on higher level vision and GROWTH!

STEAL Kenny's BEST ideas for laying out org charts, designing roles and setting CLEAR KPIs, having REGULAR check-ins with team members, and the importance of psychological SAFETY for discretionary effort.

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Best Moments:

(02:03) A CEO often acts as the "Chief Everything Officer" by handling many roles and tasks in a small business

(03:57) Lay out an organizational chart to visualize all roles and where the business owner currently sits in multiple seats

(05:46) Design roles by articulating the mission/outcome, main responsibilities, and key metrics for success

(08:12) Have weekly syncs to check on KPIs and address any misses early

(09:34) Meet every other week for 15-30 minutes to provide support and build
psychological safety

(10:42) Review alignment with values and role fit quarterly

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Guest Bios:

Kenny Lang is a business coach who helps small business owners turn their purpose into performance. He empathizes with the realities small business owners face and aims to help them win. He hosts the "How Leaders Think" podcast and has recently released a free workshop to help small businesses find focus.

=================================================================

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In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson sits down with Debra Corey, Chief "Pay It Forward" Officer at DebCo HR and acclaimed author, to identify the top traits of BAD BOSSES and how small business owners can navigate common HR challenges without a dedicated HR department.

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Best Moments:

(01:14) Debra Corey’s background in HR and her mission to help leaders

(03:37) The 10 types of "bad bosses" and the common pitfalls like micro-managing

(07:51) Why delegation and trusting your team are crucial

(09:01) HR strategies for small businesses without an HR department

(11:05) The profound impact of showing appreciation to employees

(12:13) How to deliver feedback without being harsh or inconsiderate

(13:24) Where to find Debra Corey's work, including her website and books

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Guest Bio:

Debra Corey is the Chief "Pay It Forward" Officer for DebCo HR and an author of six books on various HR topics, including leadership, company values, engagement, and recognition. With a long career in HR roles across different organizations, Debra's mission is to share her experiences and learnings to help businesses and leaders improve their practices.

===================================

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In this episode of Small Business Quick WINS, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Kenneth Burke, Vice President of Marketing at Text Request, about how small businesses can get quick wins that help build their business.

In this episode, you'll learn how to leverage SMS and text-based marketing to better connect with customers. You'll hear about the benefits of text messaging for small businesses, tips for getting started with SMS marketing, important compliance considerations, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Best Moments:

(02:17) Why text messaging is effective for small business marketing — texts have high open and response rates

(03:39) Getting started with an existing customer database — segment, upload contacts, customize messages

(05:52) One-way broadcast texts vs. two-way conversational texts

(10:04) The #1 thing small businesses should do is start collecting cell numbers and SMS consent — EVEN IF you aren't using SMS marketing yet!

(10:45) Important compliance tip — ALWAYS get opt-in consent before texting customers

Guest Bio:

Kenneth Burke is the Vice President of Marketing at Text Request, a business text messaging platform. He has over 10 years of B2B tech marketing experience and has won numerous awards, including being named a 20 Under 40 Honoree by The Tech Marketer.

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson talks about the power of customer segmentation and how to use  it as a game changer for your small business. He outlines three key customer segments that your business should focus on ASAP — new customers, lapsed customers, and your biggest spenders.

Best Moments:

(02:16) New Customers and how to approach them to keep them from churning

(03:06) Lapsed Customers and how to WIN them back

(04:03) Biggest Spenders and how you can improve that relationship to keep them spending BIG

(06:00) Businesses that use segmentation strategies experience a 760% increase in revenue

(07:16) Using segmentation to identify niche markets and tailor products to your customers' needs, resulting in a 33% increase in new product success rates

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson discusses the importance of "secret shopping" your own business to uncover any leaks in your sales and marketing funnel.

Jay shares a startling statistic that 50% of small businesses fail by their 5th year. The #1 reason cited? A lack of demand. Or is the real issue a lack of follow-up due to undetected leaks in their pipeline?

Best Moments:

(01:02) Why you should "Secret Shopper" YOUR business

(03:45) You have 3 hours to get back to a potential customer that fills out an online form or you'll lose 40% of those opportunities

(06:27) 22% of businesses fail within the first year of their business

(07:23) Only two outcomes can come from "Secret Shopper" strategy

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson discusses the importance of "secret shopping" your own business to uncover leaks in your sales funnel. He shares alarming statistics about small business failure rates and how lack of follow-up is the main reason businesses fail, not lack of demand.

Key Discussion Points:

- Secret shop your own business by calling your phone number, filling out web forms, and replying to emails as a mystery shopper to evaluate customer experience
- You have just 3 hours to respond to a web lead before losing 40% of opportunities
- 22% of small businesses fail in the first year, 50% by year 5 (00:05:40)
- #1 reason small businesses say they failed is "lack of demand" but it's really due to lack of follow-up

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson shares an easy and free tactic small business owners can use to increase engagement on their social media posts and email marketing campaigns. The tactic is to incorporate curiosity by framing things as questions instead of statements.

Main Discussion Points:

- Humans love questions and answers. Incorporating curiosity triggers interest and engagement
- Framing social media posts as questions leads to over 50% more engagement
- Framing email subject lines as questions leads to over 25% higher open rates
- Curiosity helps marketing stand out instead of blending into the background
- It's easy to turn any promotion or offer into a question to spark interest

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay talks with Mickey Kennedy, founder of press release distribution company Ereleases. They discuss strategies for testing new ideas in your business, best practices for press releases, and advice Mickey has received over his 25+ year career.

Key Discussion Points:
- The origin story of Ereleases and how Mickey fell into the press release business
- What A/B split testing is and how Mickey applies it to different aspects of his business
- Tips for developing newsworthy press releases that earn media coverage
- The benefits of press releases for search engine optimization (SEO)
- Examples of bad advice Mickey has received from customers that led him down the wrong path

Guest Bio:
Mickey Kennedy: Founder and CEO of Ereleases, a press release distribution service for small businesses. He has over 25 years of experience in PR and earned media. Mickey also has a background in creative writing and poetry.

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay interviews entrepreneur and author Ramon Ray about mindset, personal branding, and advice for small business owners. Ramon shares tips on managing the voices in your head that may be holding your business back, letting go of perfectionism, firing bad customers, building your personal brand, and more.

Key Discussion Points:
- Recognize the negative voices in your head but don't let them hold you back from moving forward and launching your business or product
- Perfection is the enemy of progress - don't get stuck chasing perfection, get your product or service out to customers to get feedback
- It's okay to "fire" rude, unpleasant customers that negatively impact your business
- Humble self-promotion, highlighting others, and ensuring your branding looks professional are key for building your personal brand

Guest Bio:
Ramon Ray is the publisher of ZoneOfGenius.com and author of 5 business books. He has built multiple successful companies and interviewed many high profile entrepreneurs and business leaders, including President Obama and the Sharks from Shark Tank. You can learn more about him or contact him here!

In this episode of Small Business QUICK WINS, host Jay Schwedelson discusses how small businesses can use personalization to improve their marketing and promotions. He explains different easy personalization tactics beyond just using someone's first name, such as leveraging geography, targeting specific homeowner types, and calling out upcoming seasons.

Key Discussion Points:

- Using geographic locations in subject lines and posts increases open and engagement rates by 30-50%
- Calling out if content is for "new homeowners" or "older homes" also improves open rates
- Personalized landing pages have over 20% higher form submission rates
- Referencing the upcoming season, whether actual seasons or things like hurricane season or summer, boosts engagement by 40%

In this episode of the Small Business Quick Wins podcast presented by Thryv, host Jay talks about the importance of capturing website visitors' contact information through pop-up forms. He shares statistics showing that even with minimal inconvenience, these pop-ups can help convert a significant percentage of first-time and repeat visitors into newsletter subscribers or contacts in your database.

Main Discussion Points:

- Pop-up contact capture forms can help convert up to 9% of repeat website visitors into contacts or subscribers
- People rarely abandon a site due to pop-ups - they just close them and continue browsing
- Capturing contacts builds your database which is crucial for promotions, renewals, etc.
- Always be asking "How can I grow my database?"
- 5% of first-time website visitors will fill out pop-up forms
- Thryv's website widget makes adding pop-ups easy




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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, Jay interviews Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting, about common pitfalls and best practices for small business accounting and bookkeeping. Danielle shares tips for properly separating personal and business finances, hiring qualified bookkeepers, and understanding financial reports.

Main Discussion Points:

- Importance of separating personal and business finances
- Qualities to look for when hiring a bookkeeper
- Bookkeeper roles vs payroll, HR, benefits, taxes
- Getting organized with the help of your accounting team
- You don't need to be an expert in everything to outsource tasks

Guest Bio: Danielle Hayden is the CEO of Kickstart Accounting, a leading bookkeeping and accounting firm for small businesses. She started the company 9 years ago after working as a CPA and CFO for large corporations. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs grow healthy, sustainable, and profitable businesses through proper accounting and financial management. Check out her podcast, too!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Todd Caponi, the founder of Sales Melon, best-selling author, and sales expert. They discuss the importance of transparency in sales, how to guide customers through the buying process, and how to negotiate effectively.

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Best Moments:

(01:39) Todd Caponi's background and how he became interested in sales and behavioral science

(03:35) The importance of negative reviews and how they can actually increase sales

(08:36) Advice on how to approach the sales process and guide customers through the buying journey

(11:37) The importance of giving salespeople leeway in negotiating and providing a "toolbox" for closing deals

(15:54) Todd's favorite movies and books about sales

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Guest Bio:

Todd Caponi is the founder of Sales Melon, a best-selling author of The Transparency Sale, and the host of the "Sales History Nerd" podcast. He has held seven different sales leadership roles, including a $3 billion exit to Salesforce in 2013. Caponi is an expert in sales and behavioral science, and he is passionate about helping businesses sell more effectively by embracing transparency and guiding customers through the buying process.

===================================

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In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay interviews David Barnett, an expert on buying and selling small businesses. They discuss how to determine the value of a business, what makes a business attractive to potential buyers, common mistakes sellers make, and tips for successfully exiting a business.

Key Discussion Points:

- What buyers look for when evaluating a business to purchase - strong cash flow that will continue under new ownership (00:01:42)

- Importance of having systems, processes and organization in place to prove the business can operate without the current owner (00:02:06)

- Tips for maximizing business value before selling: focus on increasing profits first (00:05:33), benchmark against industry standards (00:06:07)

- Keeping plans confidential when selling to avoid employees and customers leaving (00:09:17)

- Selling when business performance is declining - it will sell for less but can still find a buyer (00:11:49)

Guest Bio:
David Barnett is a business sale consultant who advises buyers and sellers on valuations, deal terms, and acquisition financing. He is the founder of David C Barnett LLC and previously worked as a business broker. Check out his podcast on YouTube to learn more about buying and selling businesses, franchise issues, doing private lending deals, and much more!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay shares an important email marketing tip - making sure your first email communication with a new prospect or customer gets opened. He explains why that first email open rate is so critical for future deliverability and customer lifetime value.

Key Discussion Points:

- The first email you send to a new prospect or customer is the single most important one. Getting it opened helps receiving systems (like Gmail) learn that the person wants to receive your emails.

- Most businesses mistakenly send a plain "thank you" as the first email. But people don't open these because there's no incentive. Low open rates on the first email hurt future deliverability.

- To increase open rates, create an intriguing subject line promising exclusive offers, discounts, or special content. Give them a reason to open it.

- Getting the first email opened can increase lifetime customer value by 80%, because it enables more communication long-term.

In this episode of small business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Hank Ebeling, founder of the fitness and training company H4 Train Me. They discuss key customer service tips, strategies, and philosophies for small business owners, with Hank drawing on his decade plus of experience running his own fitness studios. Listeners can expect to gain actionable and cost-effective customer service tactics that can make an immediate positive impact.

Discussion Points:

- Focus on being highly responsive to customers and prospects (00:03:45)

- Communicate with customers even if you don't have all the answers yet (00:05:15)

- Train staff on service philosophy and standards early in onboarding process (00:06:42)

- Create 8-12 concrete and consistent service standards for your company (00:08:28)

- Regularly solicit feedback from clients and staff to audit your customer service level (00:10:04)

Guest & Company Bios:
Hank Ebeling is an entrepreneur, author, and customer service expert. He founded H4 Train Me, which operates two fitness studio locations, over 10 years ago. Hank previously gained customer service experience working at luxury hotel company Canyon Ranch spa and popular fitness chain Equinox. If you want to give his book a read, you can find it here!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews franchise expert Giuseppe Grammatico about choosing, buying, and operating a franchise business. They discuss common myths and misconceptions around franchising, key factors to consider when selecting a franchise, best practices for validating the opportunity, and tips to set yourself up for success as a franchisee.

Key Discussion Points:

- Debunking the myth that buying any popular franchise will automatically make you money (00:01:35)

- Focusing your franchise search criteria around ideal daily roles and operations rather than just product/service (00:02:00)

- You typically don’t need direct industry experience to buy a franchise since they will train you on their system (00:08:26)

- Talking to existing franchisees is critical validation before committing to purchase (00:06:48)

- Buying multiple territories at once can be advantageous but is not always necessary (00:09:55)

- “Follow your passion” can actually be bad advice if your passion doesn’t align with your goals (00:13:40)

Guest Bios:
Giuseppe Grammatico ("GG The Franchise Guy") is a franchise coach and advisor with years of experience in various franchise operations. He owned a family restaurant previously and has bought multiple franchises in the building services industry. Giuseppe now helps guide prospective franchisees through the process of picking the right opportunity. Check out his YouTube Channel to listen to his podcast on all-things-franchising!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, Jay interviews Nancy Harhut, Chief Creative Officer at HBT Marketing and author of "Using Behavioral Science and Marketing". They discuss practical marketing tips and techniques based on behavioral science that small business owners can use to increase engagement and response rates to their marketing.

Key Discussion Points:

- The "endowment effect" and how giving customers a coupon makes them value it more than just offering a discount (00:03:33)

- Using "motivating uncertainty" like scratch cards or spin the wheel offers to get 68% more engagement (00:05:47)

- "Eye magnet" words like new, free and you that attract attention (00:08:36)

Guest Bios:
Nancy Harhut is Chief Creative Officer at HBT Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in professional services and financial services. She is also the author of “Using Behavioral Science and Marketing”, where she shares proven techniques for increasing marketing effectiveness.

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Dr. Kizzy Parks, founder of Govcon Winners, about the $800 billion government contracting industry. Listeners will learn the basics of getting started with government contracting, how any business can participate, and the huge opportunities that exist.

Main Discussion Points:

- What got Dr. Parks started in government contracting (1:13)

- How to register on SAM.gov to become eligible for contracts (5:07)

- Deciding if you want to go niche or broad in the types of contracts you pursue (6:48)

- Searching for contract opportunities related to your business/expertise on SAM.gov (8:28)

- Applying for open contract opportunities (9:44)

- Leveraging a niche to then expand to other government agencies (13:14)

- How you get paid reliably and quickly by the government (6:12)

- Example of tutor-turned government contractor growing revenue to over $20M per year (12:12)

Guest Bio:
Dr. Kizzy Parks has over 15 years of experience in government contracting. She started out by accident while working on a military base as a grad student. Her firms now have over 100 employees. She teaches others how to successfully win profitable government contracts at Govcon Winners. She has authored a book and offers consulting services if you want to dive into the world of government contracting! And if you want to explore some current contract opportunities, check out these federal government listings or search for your specific local and state government listings!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Scott Jeffrey Miller, a 7-time bestselling author and leadership expert. They discuss practical strategies for small business owners to build strong company cultures, lead their teams effectively, and focus on the right customers.

Main Discussion Points:

- Build a strong company culture even with a small team of 3-4 people (00:04:29)

- Lead by example - your team will follow your lead when it comes to effort, punctuality, commitments, etc. (00:06:11)

- Assume employees are always looking for new jobs - you need to constantly re-recruit (00:09:38)

- Hire people smarter than you - your job is to develop others' talents (00:11:12)

- Define your smallest viable market - go deep with a focused niche first (00:12:14)

Guest Bio:
Scott Jeffrey Miller has over 30 years of experience in the leadership development industry. He spent 25 years working with Stephen Covey, eventually becoming the CMO. He's authored 7 books on management, marketing, and career development. His talent agency represents authors, speakers, and thought leaders. You can find Scott's books, podcast, and more right here!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson talks about the power of using social proofing to improve business performance. He shares tips on how adding customer testimonials and reviews in emails, websites, and other marketing materials can increase open rates, conversions, and purchase probability.

Main Discussion Points:

- Putting a testimonial in email subject lines can increase open rates by 35% (00:02:25)

- Using a testimonial headline in emails boosts impact (00:03:15)

- Placing a testimonial near website form submission buttons lifts conversions over 15% (00:03:55)

- Social proof builds trust and shows reliability (00:05:27)

- Reviews, before & afters, awards, and community involvement also work (00:05:38)

- One testimonial can improve purchase probability by 270% (00:08:40)

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson discusses the power of "day in the life" content for small businesses. He explains what this type of content is and why it resonates so much with audiences, leading to high engagement. Listeners can expect to learn easy and effective content creation strategies to grow their business.

Main Discussion Points:

- What "day in the life" content is and real examples for different businesses (00:00:58 - 00:02:05)

- Where to distribute this content - website, email, social media platforms (00:02:05 - 00:02:14)

- Why it performs so well - shows expertise, feels "real", fascinates people about everyday lives (00:02:46 - 00:03:18)

- Staggering engagement stat - 300% higher than standard content (00:05:01 - 00:05:09)

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses the importance of analyzing your competitors and shares tips on how to effectively do so with Stephanie Love from Thryv.

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Best Moments:

(01:00) The importance of analyzing competitors and how to do it

(01:43) Three places to research competitors: website, social media accounts, and Google search

(04:11) Using AI tool Gemini to analyze competitors' websites and create a graphical comparison

(06:12) Competing on awesome customer experience rather than price

(06:46) Secret shopping competitors to identify areas for improvement

(07:55) Potential for finding partnership opportunities through competitor research

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Guest Bio:

Stephanie Love is a representative from Thryv, a company that provides software and services to help small businesses succeed.

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses inexpensive marketing tactics for small businesses with Stephanie Love from Thryv.

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Best Moments:

(01:51) The importance of having a complete and updated Google Business Profile

(03:14) Providing value on social media by sharing tips and advice related to your business

(04:28) The benefits of email marketing and sending frequent, even short, email campaigns

(05:38) Taking advantage of ad credits offered by platforms like LinkedIn and Meta

(07:04) Building a referral network with complementary businesses

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Guest Bio:

Stephanie Love is a representative from Thryv, a company that provides software and services to help small businesses grow and manage their operations.

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson talks to Oscar Subirats, sales expert and author of "Closing Intelligence," about how to improve sales and get more people to say "yes."

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Best Moments:

(03:07) The importance of having a sales structure and scripting in place

(06:45) Using an "intent statement" to set the tone for a sales conversation

(07:40) Asking the right discovery questions to uncover the customer's needs

(10:09) Getting customers engaged by having them talk and share information

(11:10) Believing that everyone can be a salesperson with the right training

(15:13) The importance of reacting quickly to leads and follow-up opportunities

(16:12) Categorizing leads and assigning them to the right salespeople

(18:31) How to follow Oscar Subirats and get his book "Closing Intelligence"

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Guest Bio:

Oscar Subirats is the founder and president of Closing Intelligence, and the author of the Amazon top ten bestseller book "Closing Intelligence: How to Get Others to Say Yes in Life and Business." With over two decades of experience in various sales situations, Oscar has become an expert in teaching people how to structure their sales process and ask the right questions to get more yes's from customers.

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Teddy Cheek, the marketing leader at The Escape Game, a national escape room company with over 30 locations across the country.

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Best Moments:

(01:56) How Teddy ended up in marketing

(04:15) The best use of marketing dollars for local businesses: start with SEO and Google Business Profile

(07:00) What makes a great Google Business Profile and why reviews are so important

(08:04) Tips for getting more reviews, like having staff ask directly and using QR codes

(10:24) Strategies for new businesses to build initial reviews

(12:23) Handling negative reviews and trying to redeem bad experiences

(14:33) Marketing tactics that didn't work for Teddy, like brand name ads and direct mail

(16:21) How well Teddy performs in escape rooms himself (spoiler: he asks for clues!)

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Guest Bio:

Teddy Cheek is the marketing leader at The Escape Game, a national escape room company that has served over 5 million guests across its 30+ locations. With a background in music and digital marketing, Teddy has been instrumental in driving The Escape Game's local marketing efforts for the past 8 years.

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Kevin Ring, the lead workers' compensation analyst at the Institute of Work Comp Professionals, to dispel myths and provide insights on workers' compensation insurance for YOUR small business.

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Best Moments:

(03:16) Do you really need workers' compensation insurance if you have a small staff?

(05:00) Addressing the myth that workers' compensation insurance is super expensive

(06:36) Exploring the misconception that workers' comp is only needed for dangerous jobs

(08:04) Understanding the process of reporting an incident and its impact on premiums

(10:43) Clarifying the need for coverage when hiring contractors or independent workers

(13:11) How to connect with Kevin Ring and access resources on workers' compensation

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Guest Bio:

Kevin Ring is the lead workers' compensation analyst at the Institute of Work Comp Professionals. With extensive experience and multiple certifications in the field, Kevin is an expert in workers' compensation and provides training and mentoring for independent insurance agents.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses effective pricing strategies for YOUR small business. He shares insights and research-backed tips on how you can better frame discounts, offering multiple pricing tiers, and using the "pennies per day" approach to increase conversions and sales.

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Best Moments:

(01:45) Displaying discounts by crossing out the original price can increase conversions by 200%

(02:42) Offering three pricing options (high, medium, and low) can boost conversions by over 100%, with customers often choosing the middle option

(04:18) Framing prices as "pennies per day" instead of a lump sum can increase conversion rates by over 25%

(06:38) Discounts of 15-25% have a 30% higher click-through rate than offers with discounts over 50%, due to perceived value

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson chats with Steve Jones from Microsoft about how small businesses can effectively harness AI to boost efficiency and enhance customer experiences. They explore practical, accessible AI tools and strategies that don’t require extensive technical expertise.

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Best Moments:

(02:51) How AI can augment human capabilities, making business processes more efficient

(04:28) How AI chatbots can revolutionize customer service and sales for small businesses

(06:10) How AI can help create personalized marketing campaigns that resonate with customers

(07:37) Steve gives an overview of Microsoft's Copilot and how it integrates with Office tools to streamline operations

(10:37) Understanding the significance of prompt engineering in optimizing AI interactions

(12:44) Exploring AI applications in managing inventory and improving operational efficiency

(13:52) How AI can be used for tasks like logo creation and email writing, making these tools accessible for small business owners

(16:17) Jay announces an upcoming webinar focused on AI tools and strategies for small businesses

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Guest Bio:

Steve Jones is a Principal Group Engineering Manager at Microsoft with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is passionate about AI and its potential to transform businesses. Steve has been with Microsoft for the last 4 years and is deeply involved in the company's AI initiatives, particularly with Microsoft's Copilot. He also has a side business in real estate investing, where he applies AI tools to enhance his entrepreneurial endeavors.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

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Free Webinar?!?

AI can feel like a buzzword that’s just not meant for small businesses. But what if it could actually make your life easier? Join the experts from Microsoft and Cyclotron for a free webinar on September 18th at 1:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm CT. They'll unpack artificial intelligence and teach you how it can fit into your small business plan. Save your spot today!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson sits down with Brian Luciani, Chief Growth Officer at SMB Franchise Advisors and Stadium Ventures. They dive into the world of franchising and explore its potential for small businesses, covering everything from business readiness to trending franchise categories.

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Best Moments:

(01:35) Brian shares his journey into franchising, starting from his teenage years and evolving into a career in investment banking and venture capital

(03:36) Who franchising is suitable for and what business readiness looks like

(05:52) How to evaluate whether a business is ripe for franchising

(08:25) Current trends in the franchising world and which categories are gaining popularity

(10:22) Economics of Franchise Ownership: The financial dynamics of owning single vs. multiple franchise units

(11:03) The importance of franchisee profitability to the overall success of the franchisor

(12:25) Exploring the complexities and opportunities in operating multiple units and brands within the franchising ecosystem

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Guest Bio:

Brian Luciani is the Chief Growth Officer at SMB Franchise Advisors and Stadium Ventures. He brings a wealth of experience in franchising, investment banking, and venture capital, having been involved in the industry since he was 14 years old. Brian and his team at SMB Franchise Advisors have successfully helped over 550 brands franchise their businesses, providing invaluable expertise in growing franchise systems across various industries.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson discusses referral marketing with Stephanie Love from Thryv.

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Best Moments:

(00:56) Jay and Stephanie discuss the importance of referral marketing and its benefits

(02:04) Stephanie explains what referral program marketing is and its effectiveness

(03:04) The first step to setting up a referral program is understanding the incentive

(04:23) The second step is ensuring a way to track referrals

(06:43) The third step is clearly communicating the referral program to customers

(09:03) The lifetime value of a referred customer is 16% higher than a non-referred customer

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews TJ Cantwell, owner of Studio 28, a fine jewelry, piercings, and custom tattoo studio in New York City. They discuss the importance of customer reviews for small businesses and TJ's unique approach to handling both positive and negative feedback.

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Best Moments:

(01:56) TJ's background and transition from finance to tattoo studio owner

(03:15) The importance of prioritizing customer reviews for small businesses

(05:46) TJ's approach to gathering and managing reviews

(08:24) The philosophy that "bad reviews are not bad"

(10:38) The importance of responding to every review, especially negative ones

(14:10) How quickly to react to and respond to reviews

(18:24) TJ's advice for first-time tattoo customers

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Guest Bio

TJ Cantwell is the owner of Studio 28, a fine jewelry, piercings, and custom tattoo studio in New York City. With over 14 years of experience in the industry, TJ transitioned from a career in finance to become a successful small business owner. He is known for his innovative approach to customer service and his expertise in leveraging customer reviews to grow his business.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Craig Jooste, president of Genie Senior Services, about effective demand generation tactics and strategies for driving business awareness in the senior services industry. They explore the importance of marketing technology, CRM systems, and the "foundational 4" system for business success.

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Key Discussion Points:

(00:01:56) Introduction to Craig Jooste and Genie Senior Services: Craig shares the story behind Genie Senior Services and how the business helps seniors during the relocation process.

(04:03) Overview of Genie Senior Services' Business Model: Craig dives into the business model and the key areas that make the franchise successful.

(08:24) Importance of Bedside Manner in Hiring: The role of compassion and communication when hiring for senior services.

(10:39) Marketing Strategies for Genie Senior Services: Craig discusses how they raise awareness and generate demand for their services.

(15:54) Leveraging Marketing Technology and CRM Systems: The role of technology and CRM systems in driving business efficiency and growth.

(17:20) The "Foundational 4" System for Business Success: Craig explains the foundational pillars that contribute to long-term business success.

(19:32) How to Connect with Craig Jooste: Where listeners can learn more about Genie Senior Services and connect with Craig.

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Guest Bio:

Craig Jooste is the president of Genie Senior Services, a franchise specializing in senior relocation services. Originally from South Africa, Craig moved to Canada and has a background in franchising, having worked with 1-800-Got-Junk? and launching Wow 1 Day Painting. He co-founded The Local Handyman Group and now leads Genie Senior Services, focusing on helping seniors relocate with care and professionalism.

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Nick Friedman, co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving. They discuss building a successful business, creating a strong company culture, and the importance of core values in attracting and retaining talent.

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Best Moments:

(02:06) The origin story of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

(06:48) The importance of core values in business

(09:05) Daily stand-up huddles and their impact on company culture

(11:07) Hiring practices and aligning with company values

(13:54) The importance of being selective with franchisees and clients

(16:13) Nick's personal experiences as a mover and transitioning to leadership

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Guest Bio:

Nick Friedman is the co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, a franchise-based moving and junk removal company. He has been featured on Shark Tank, Millionaire Matchmaker, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. His company has been recognized on the Inc. 500 list, and he has been named in the 30 under 30 and 40 under 40 lists. Nick is known for his expertise in building company culture and growing successful businesses.

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson discusses the impact of the upcoming presidential election on small business marketing efforts and provides strategies for navigating this challenging period.

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Best Moments:

(01:01) Impact of presidential election on marketing effectiveness

(02:35) Expected drop in email open rates and click-through rates

(03:29) Three options for communication during election season

(04:36) Avoiding mentions of 2024 in marketing materials

(05:10) Leveraging 2025 in marketing messages for better performance

(06:04) Timeline for marketing performance normalization post-election

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Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Adam Roth, a digital marketing expert from Thryv, about search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) strategies tailored for small businesses. They discuss practical tips on improving online presence, attracting more customers, and making the most of limited marketing budgets.

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Best Moments:

(01:20) Introduction to Adam Roth's expertise in search engine marketing

(02:05) The importance of having a website for small businesses

(02:41) Creating separate pages for each service on your website

(04:24) The significance of getting listed in online directories

(05:57) How directory listings can improve website ranking on Google

(06:31) Paid search tactics for small businesses with limited budgets

(07:37) Whether to bid on your own company name in Google Ads

(09:13) Final thoughts and where to find Adam Roth on LinkedIn

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Guest Bio:

Adam Roth is a lead digital marketing professional at Thryv, an all-in-one platform for small businesses. With extensive experience in search engine marketing, Adam has helped companies spend over $250 million on SEM campaigns throughout his career. He specializes in providing actionable SEO and SEM strategies for small business owners to improve their online presence and attract more customers.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Amanda Zantal-Wiener, head of content at Thryv, about creating engaging content for small businesses. They discuss practical strategies for content creation, understanding your audience, and leveraging authentic storytelling to connect with potential customers.

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Best Moments:

(01:14) Creating engaging content for small businesses

(04:27) Three core pillars for creating interesting content

(05:29) Identifying where potential customers spend time online

(07:43) The importance of not assuming customer knowledge

(08:18) The value of authentic, lo-fi content over polished production

(09:47) Being yourself and understanding your professional capacity

(11:37) Remembering why you started your business when creating content

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Guest Bio:

Amanda Zantal-Wiener is the head of content at Thryv, a platform for small businesses. She has an extensive background in content creation, having previously led content at Search Engine Journal and served as a deputy editor at HubSpot. Amanda's experience spans various industries, including food writing and coverage of the indie rap and hip-hop scene. With a passion for storytelling and helping small businesses succeed, Amanda brings valuable insights to content creation strategies for entrepreneurs and business owners.

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Amanda's Playlist:

Listen to Amanda's Spotify playlist here.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson discusses three silent killers of small businesses that owners might not be aware of. He provides actionable tips to address these issues and improve customer engagement and sales opportunities.

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Best Moments:

(01:31) The importance of quick follow-up after collecting customer information

(03:27) The impact of form complexity on customer engagement

(05:02) Website loading speed and its effect on customer retention

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!

In this episode of Small Business Quick Wins, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Gary Milkwick, CFO of 1-800Accountant, about end-of-year tax planning strategies for small businesses. They discuss practical tactics to optimize tax liabilities, including accelerated depreciation, home office deductions, and the importance of year-round tax planning.

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Best Moments:

(01:13) Introduction of Gary Milkwick, CFO of 1-800Accountant

(03:22) End-of-year tax planning tactics for small businesses

(05:15) Accelerated depreciation benefits for equipment purchases

(07:54) Home office deductions for small business owners

(09:48) Overview of 1-800Accountant's services

(11:43) The importance of year-round tax planning

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Guest Bio:

Gary Milkwick is the Chief Financial Officer at 1-800Accountant, a company that has helped over 100,000 small businesses across all 50 states in the United States. As a CPA, Gary grew up in an accounting household and has experience working with both large corporations like PricewaterhouseCoopers and small businesses. He is passionate about helping small business owners with tax planning and financial strategies to optimize their businesses.

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Try Thryv For $1?!?

Click HERE to get this $1 offer for 1 month using Thryv's Business Center!