Small Business Trends

More and more small business is being conducted in the online world. But taking things online hasn’t changed the basics when doing business and online business isn’t necessarily immune to a tough global economic slowdown. If you are doing business online or thinking of going there, this May 5, 2010 Small Business Trends roundup contains some news and tips for you as well as other key news and information from the world of small business.

Online Marketing

Think online marketing is immune to tough economic times? Think again. As an independent study suggests, even the online B2B market may have shrunk and become more competitive…probably for the foreseeable future. On B2B Marketing

Internet marketing in three simple steps. Here is a basic overview of how to present your company along with a nifty graph. Sound Web Solutions Blog

How to track your brand online. Here’s a look at how to use Google Alerts as an important tool in brand monitoring on the Internet. The Less Annoying Blog

How to use your personal Facebook account to promote your fan page. And is it a good idea to mix business with personal when marketing with social media. Social@BloggingTracker

Business Blogging

Tips for the best business blogging. Here are five plus helpful suggestions on how to create the right blog to market your business. Les Proctor Direct

And do you really need a blog for your business at all? Chris Brogan argues that if you can you should…unless there’s something more important you could be doing. New Marketing Labs

Just because you can blog more, doesn’t mean you should. Why the blogging revolution should not lead to limitless posts. Seth Godin’s Blog

Tips and Trends

Is your business idea totally original? And how important is originality when it comes to developing a company that can be successful in the market. Here’s a discussion about how originality may not necessarily be at the top of the list of ingredients when launching a new venture. Tweak Your Biz

Are you doing more then just selling a product? Perhaps the best businesses, the really great ones, are about building a community. Better Closer

Is it time to “reset” your business? Redefining your company doesn’t simply mean expanding your products or services to survive harsh economic times. It’s about returning to the starting point and picking a new direction. WSJ

Recycling real estate. Small business owners are creative and flexible enough to reuse many things, even the locations of other businesses that have since closed or moved on. WSJ

Policy and Politics

Are big banks keeping their promises of more small business lending? A score card for four of the nation’s leading lenders gives some of the answers. Bloomberg Businessweek

Feds failing in commitment to veteran-owned business. Washington still provides too little work more than a decade after legislation sets requirement. Small Business Trends

Will a home energy efficiency bill spell salvation to struggling small contractors? Or will this prove to be another Washington waiting game? Bloomberg Businessweek

Products and Services

Communications solution offered for small business. Microsoft, other industry leaders partnering on new service to boost communications, productivity. Small Business Trends