This document outlines a 7 step plan to help small businesses succeed. The steps are: 1) write an elevator pitch, 2) look professional, 3) use social media, 4) seek help from experts, 5) avoid procrastination and other distractions, 6) stay grounded and focused on long-term goals, and 7) take action now to implement the plan. Additional advice includes defining your brand, building your online presence, finding mentors, and continually learning. The overall message is that small business owners should not try to do everything alone and should take immediate steps to market and grow their business strategically.

1. A Seven Step Plan To Get Your
Small Business Flying…
RIGHT NOW!

2. twitter.com/mike_said_what
#nedbankSBS
slideshare.com/mikesaidwhat
Action Now!

3. Mike & His Mechanics
Michael Said
brandStrategy

4. Mike & His Mechanics
Michael Said
brandStrategy

5. brandStrategy.co.za
Help, It Sometimes Feels
Like I Am Drowning!

6. Help, It Sometimes Feels
Like I Am Drowning!
7 Mistakes All Small
Business Owners Make

7. Mistakes That All Small
Businesses Make
1 “I am not very good at marketing”
2 Going in without a business plan
3 Doing things the wrong way round
4 Thinking it’s all about you
5 The worst number in the world
6 Ingratitude
7 Following the herd

8. Help, It Sometimes Feels
Like I Am Drowning!

9. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“I had a great idea and so
I started a business.”
“Yes, but can you tell me
in 60 seconds or less
exactly what it is you do?
And more importantly,
what you can do for ME?”

10. Write Your Elevator Pitch
To: People who need to be able to
speak in public or at work
Seeking: To improve their
speaking and presentation
skills
I Offer: A professional
assessment and ongoing skills
training
Reason To Believe: I have over 10
years' experience in coaching &
mentoring of speakers

11. Write Your Elevator Pitch
To: People who need to be able to
speak in public or at work
Seeking: To improve their
speaking and presentation
skills
I Offer: A professional
assessment and ongoing skills
training
Reason To Believe: I have over 10
years' experience in coaching &
mentoring of speakers

12. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“How am I going to make
myself look professional?”
“Register that domain, get
yourself some hosting,
build a website, get a logo,
print a business card…
Look Professional!”

13. Make Yourself Look Professional!
Get A Logo: Four concepts R295
Domain Reg: R150 once off
Hosting: One year's hosting R295
Build A DIY Website: Basic R295
Personal Twitter Page: R245
Corp Facebook Page: R295
www.underR300.co.za

14. “There is no use in
looking professional if you
are not going to behave
like a professional?”
“Integrity & Your Brand
Promise!”
Define Integrity…

16. Offer
Perceived As
Trust Products Or
An Expert
Services
Outstanding
Familiarity
Visibility
Makes You Increases New Demand
Credible Referrals Relationships Higher Prices
If you are not going to be Top Of Mind..
You might as well be nowhere!

17. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“What about ‘Social
Media Marketing’?”
“You need to know where
to start and what to do…
But don’t worry it is not as
complicated at it first
appears.”

19. Get Sociable!
Your Site: Search Engine
Optimized! (Google etc.)
Wonder Wheel: Finding your key
words
Your Blog: Think with your head,
write with your heart!
LinkedIn: Build your online CV
immediately, ask for ref.
Twitter: The cocktail party side.
Facebook: The Inside look.
Foursquare: Location Based.

20. Secrets even your web
designer doesn’t know!

24. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“Surround Yourself!”
“Don’t try and do this
alone… Seek Help Fast.
A persons success can be
measured by how easily
they ask for assistance”

25. Surround Yourself!
Money: Go to your bank!
(Nedbank Small Bus Services)
Expertise: Go to the library!
(Call in a consultant)
Company: Buy a dog.
(Join a business community)
All Three: Find a partner who
compliments your style, make
sure you both share the same
belief system.
Build Your Own Community

27. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“Killing Time & The
NOT-To-Do List”
“How to prevent yourself
from doing the things you
know you shouldn’t be
doing!”

28. The Not To Do List!
Curse Number One!
Giving away too much time!
Curse Number Two!
Not sending out invoices on
time!
Curse Number Three!
Not following up on outstanding
money!
Curse Number Four!
Procrastination!

29. The Not To Do List!
Curse Number One!
Giving away too much time!
Curse Number Two!
Not sending out invoices on
time!
Curse Number Three!
Not following up on outstanding
money!
Curse Number Four!
Procrastination!

30. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“Keeping Your Feet Firmly
On The Ground”
“Don’t get carried away by
the early success, this is a
marathon and not a
sprint!”

31. Your Feet On The Ground!
Invest In Yourself!
Audible.com Amazon.com! Learn,
learn, learn!
Invest In Your Business!
No, you do not need a FASTER
car!
Invest In Your Staff!
What if I train them and they
leave?
Invest In Your Family!
They have earned it!

32. Your Feet On The Ground!
Invest In Yourself!
Audible.com Amazon.com! Learn,
learn, learn!
Invest In Your Business!
No, you do not need a FASTER
car!
Invest In Your Staff!
What if I train them and they
leave?
Invest In Your Family!
They have earned it!

33. Let’s Get This Thing Back On
The Road Already!
“Get Started Now”
“The best time to start
doing things right was
always last year, the
second best time
is NOW!”

34. Get Started Now!
Make A List!
Keep a journal of your activity!
Find A Mentor!
Listen to your conscience!
It’s About Habit!
Ordinary people doing extra-
ordinary things!
Make A Decision!
Insanity – Doing the same thing
over and over and expecting a
different result!

35. Actions Steps
You Can Start Today!
1 Write Your Elevator Pitch
2 Make Yourself Professional
3 Get Sociable With Social Media
4 Seek Help Fast
5 The Not To Do List
6 Keep Your Feet On The Ground
7 Get Started Now!

36. Yes You Can!

37. Wishing You Every Success

38. Twitter: mike_said_what
Facebook: mikesaidwhat
Slideshare: slideshare.com/mikesaidwhat
LinkedIn: mikesaidwhat
YouTube: mikesaidwhat
Web: www.brandstrategy.co.za
Email Me: info@mikesaid.co.za
Call Me: 082 449 7367