In the last few years, the world of generative AI has evolved rapidly, and this has had a profound impact on the content creation landscape. As AI tools become increasingly accessible, small business content creators are witnessing a new era in video production. From the explosion of AI image generation tools like Midjourney to the latest advancements in video AI tools like Sora and Google Veo 3, the future of content creation is changing fast. But what does this mean for small businesses?

The Generative AI for Video Story

The journey began with tools like DeepDream and other image manipulation programs that used neural networks to generate art. However, generative AI truly hit the mainstream with image tools like DALL·E and Midjourney. These platforms, powered by vast amounts of data and deep learning algorithms, enabled anyone to generate high-quality images based on simple text prompts.

For small businesses, these tools represented a huge opportunity to create custom visuals on-demand, often for a fraction of the cost of hiring a designer. However, the real game-changer for content creators has been the recent explosion of AI in video production.

Enter Sora: The First Game-Changer for Video Creation

Sora, a newer entrant into the generative AI video space, is based on the same principles as Midjourney but adapted for video production. With tools like Sora, content creators can input a prompt and have an AI generate entire video sequences, complete with transitions, sound effects, and even music. It allows businesses to create customized promotional videos, social media content, and educational material with minimal effort.

Previously, video creation required high-end hardware, a team of professionals, and a hefty budget. But with AI-driven video generation tools like Sora, small business owners can produce high-quality video content in minutes, even if they have no experience with video editing software. This is particularly beneficial for businesses operating with limited resources, allowing them to keep up with larger competitors in terms of content quality and frequency.

Google Veo 3: Bringing AI Video to the Masses

Google’s Veo 3 represents the next leap in AI-powered video production. Building on years of advancements in machine learning and computer vision, Veo 3 uses AI to streamline every part of the video creation process. It can analyze footage, generate voiceovers, edit clips together, and even optimize the video for specific platforms, all while maintaining a level of detail and creativity that was previously unimaginable for non-professionals.

This new generation of video AI tools is powered by more sophisticated models, capable of understanding context, emotions, and audience behavior. For a small business, this means AI can help tailor videos to target the right demographic, all while ensuring the content is aligned with the brand’s message. Additionally, it offers a level of personalization that allows for dynamic content creation—something that previously required extensive human input.

The Role of AI Video in Small Business Content Strategy

The advancements in AI video production, especially tools like Veo 3, present small businesses with incredible opportunities to level up their content marketing. Here’s how small businesses can harness this new AI-driven technology:

1. Cost-Effective Video Production

With AI video tools, businesses can drastically reduce the cost of video production. Instead of paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for high-quality videos, AI tools allow for the creation of professional-grade content at a fraction of the cost. Small business owners can now create everything from social media ads to full-length promotional videos, all without the need for an in-house team of videographers, editors, or voice actors.

2. Time-Saving

The speed at which AI can generate video content is staggering. What once took hours or days to plan, shoot, and edit can now be accomplished in a matter of minutes. For busy entrepreneurs, this means more time to focus on strategy, customer engagement, and growing the business rather than being bogged down by the complexities of video production.

3. Customization and Personalization

As generative AI for video tools evolve, they become increasingly adept at tailoring content to specific audiences. In the case of Google Veo 3, for example, AI can suggest the best editing style, color scheme, and even music based on the brand’s voice and target audience. Personalization at this level was previously reserved for large businesses with sophisticated marketing teams.

4. Enhanced Engagement and Reach

AI-generated video content can be tailored for different platforms, whether it’s YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. The AI can help optimize the video’s dimensions, pacing, and length to match the specific requirements of each platform, ensuring maximum engagement. For small business owners, this means they can ensure that their content resonates with their audience, no matter where they consume it.

A Year of Rapid Advancement: What’s Next for AI Video Production?

The rapid advancements we’ve seen in generative AI tools for video production are just the beginning. Over the next year, we can expect several key developments that will further enhance the capabilities of small business content creators.

1. More Realistic and Dynamic Content Creation

Expect even more realistic AI-generated video with enhanced capabilities for dynamic content creation. AI will be able to adapt in real-time to feedback, refine its creative decisions, and better understand human interaction within the video. This could mean AI-generated characters or even live-action content that feels more natural, engaging, and emotionally compelling.

2. Improved AI Editing Tools

While AI-generated videos are already impressive, the editing process can still use some human intervention to get things just right. However, future AI models will be even better at understanding how to make subtle adjustments to tone, pacing, and visual elements without human oversight, resulting in videos that require less fine-tuning.

3. Increased Integration with Social Media

AI tools will become better integrated with social media platforms. They will not only create content but will be able to optimize it for specific audiences and posting times. This could result in automatic content generation and publication, saving small businesses even more time and effort in their marketing campaigns.

4. AI-Generated Video with Voice and Emotional Nuance

Future AI will improve its understanding of voice modulation, emotion detection, and other human nuances. This means the AI could produce voiceovers that sound more human-like, creating deeper emotional connections with viewers. Small businesses could see enhanced customer engagement as they craft more compelling narratives through video.

5. Advanced Customization for Niche Markets

As AI technology becomes more advanced, we can expect even more tailored and niche content. This means that small businesses with very specific target audiences will have the ability to generate hyper-targeted content to increase their brand reach and improve conversion rates.

AI’s Transformative Impact on Small Business Video Content

The rapid advancements in generative AI for video production, from Midjourney to Sora to Google Veo 3, are revolutionizing how small businesses create and engage with their audience. With these tools, small business owners can level the playing field with larger competitors by producing high-quality, personalized content at a fraction of the cost and time.

As these tools continue to evolve, small businesses can expect even greater customization, deeper audience insights, and more engaging content. The next year of advancements in AI video production promises to be even more transformative, enabling small business content creators to push the boundaries of creativity while focusing on growth and success. The future of video content is AI-powered, and for small businesses, that means endless possibilities.

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Have you ever wondered about how Canadian’s use social media?  Or, how Facebook can benefit your business?  Well, you are not alone, and the results are just plain exciting.  Below are some statistics from DigitalReportal’s 2019 Stats.

33.84 million internet users in Canada
25 million social media users 22 million on social mobile

Facebook
23 Million users in Canada – 55% female, 45% male
71% of adults 13+ that can be reached with Facebook advertising

Instagram
13 million users in Canada – 56% female, 44% male
40% of adults 13+ that can be reached with Instagram advertising

Twitter
5.37 million users in Canada – 42% female, 58% male
17% of adults 13+ that can be reached with Twitter advertising

Snapchat
7.70 million users in Canada – 55% female, 44% male
24% of adults 13+ that can be reached with Snapchat advertising

LinkedIn
16 million users in Canada – 49% female, 51% male
53% of adults 18+ that can be reached with LinkedIn advertising

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]There is little doubt, businesses benefit from a social media presence.  Even if your social media strategy is simply to have a Facebook business page and post update information periodically. It is definitely better than having no social presence at all.

It is surprising to find small businesses that believe that it is more bother than its worth to have a social media page.

Recently, I presented recommendations to a prospect that included social media pages and social advertising.  They shared with us their frustration seeing their business slow and many of their customers move to their main competitor.  After analysis, we discovered that although our prospect had no social media presence, their competitor has an integrated social campaign.

Here are some interesting and exciting statistics about social media usage.  The information is mainly about Facebook as they currently dominate in social paid advertising.  Some info is general for context but I wanted to give some Canadian numbers.

Facebook has 1.32 billion daily active users, 23.8 million in Canada.

That is a huge number of people actively on Facebook.  That is about the same population that lived on Earth in 1804.  This number is not the total number of Facebook profiles.  This is the number of people actively on Facebook on an average day.  Can someone say, “yea!”

Facebook has approximately 80 million small and medium sized business pages.

This, for every prospecting intent and purpose is an awesome number.  This means that for B2B companies, Facebook is the place to be.  A recent survey also points out that Canadian entrepreneurs use Facebook 77% over other social networks.

78% of American consumers have discovered retail products to buy on Facebook.

Although this is not open to brands to sell, Facebook Marketplace is a great place to post items for sale.  On Facebook’s website the say “more than one in three people on Facebook in the US use Marketplace every month for everything from new shoes to baby gear to cars and apartments.”

16.6 Billion in advertising revenue according to Facebook’s 2018 Q4 report.

Facebook is a powerhouse for online marketing.  It is a digital mall and people use this platform for many things.  It makes Facebook a good place to advertise.

3.91% is the average engagement rate for a post.
6.01% is the engagement rate for Facebook video posts.

We recommend video posting on Facebook not simply because they get more exposure.  Your audience may be on Facebook and expects access to video content.  Make your video engaging and share it on your Facebook page.

Facebook owns 24.5% of all digital video ad spending in 2018.

This again is huge as Facebook digital video advertising is up against like YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

According to Digiday, 85% of Facebook video is watched without sound.

A challenge for many is getting a message across with no sound.  Your video may have sound, but the visuals should aim to convey your message.

24.2% of Facebook Pages use paid media.

Facebook advertising for business is barely tapped.  This is exciting news!

The average Facebook user clicks on 8 ads per month. Women click on the most. 10 per month on average.

A user chooses eight ads to engage with each month on average.  When a user chooses to respond to a paid ad in this way, it is a good thing for the advertiser.

E-Commerce click through rates are at 3%, an increase of 300%.

This is a low percentage that represents tremendous growth opportunity for e-commerce sales through Facebook.

Sources: HootSuite,  Data Reportal[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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For the most part, marketers are able to rely on Google accepting meta information and using at least the first 165 characters of it in the snippet. It was only when you didn’t specifically set a snippet that they would do something funky to pick one from your page. A lot of tools would actually have a 165 character limit on their meta description field just to prevent you from truncating yourself.

Google has now doubled the character limit for the snippet in their search results pretty much across the board. At 320 characters, it’s slightly longer than the new Tweet format. Interestingly, 165 characters was also slightly longer than the previous Tweet format. I wonder, actually, whether or not the Twitter character limit had any influence on this decision. Don’t count this as a quote or anything, I don’t think Google actually made their decision based on Twitter’s actions. That gives Twitter far too much importance in the grand scheme of things.

Essentially doubling the character limit for search result snippets is actually pretty important.That’s a lot of extra room to work in keywords and make human-readable descriptions. Some content will be pretty hard to describe while taking advantage of the space, but a lot of content could easily have used at least 250, so a bump up to 320 is very welcome.

How does this new longer character limit affect your marketing?

Longer Limits Allow More Information

Perhaps the most immediately impactful consequence of the change is that longer snippets allow for more information in the snippet. This is both good and bad. On the one hand, it allows users to answer informational queries without ever visiting the site in question. For example, if you were to Google “What is Net Neutrality”, you’ll see the top result from SaveTheInternet.com with a solid description of Net Neutrality in the snippet. This is distinct from the usual Google informational boxes, like their Wikipedia snippet off to the site in the same query.

On the one hand, this is likely to reduce traffic to your site from very basic informational queries. Anything that can be answered in a single sentence or short paragraph is likely to be answered without visiting your page. On the other hand, this is beneficial to your bounce rates. All of those satisfied users who bounce because their questions are answered never actually arrive, so they aren’t counted as bounces. Whether that’s beneficial or not is up to you, though I would say it’s probably a small detriment. After all, if they don’t show up, they don’t have the opportunity to click to other pages at all. There are also event-based ways to minimize those non-bounces as well.

I would anticipate this to have a negative effect on click-through rates from the search results pages, but at the same time, a positive effect on conversion rates. After all, the people with a conversion intent aren’t going to be satisfied with a snippet; they’ll be clicking on your page regardless. Those who would be fine reading a page and bouncing aren’t going to click through quite as often, so your conversion rates will increase implicitly.

In a way, this also competes against Google’s own information boxes. If your snippet description is better than the basic Wikipedia description Google would choose, your site will get more attention than the basic wiki link. Conversely, if your description doesn’t appropriately use the new space, you’ll be out-done by the search results alone, not even your competitors.

Longer Limits Make the Search Results Longer, Hurting Lower Sites

Another interesting side effect of having longer snippets is just the physical – well, digital – space they take up. Longer snippets mean taller search results pages. It might not seem like much difference, but when each search result is an additional 1-2 lines, it pushes the bottom couple of results even lower on the page.

Now, it’s not really a problem to scroll down a page and look at all the results on the first page, but what if you’re on mobile? You have a more limited amount of screen real estate, and you have to swipe-scroll even lower to get to lower search results. For most people, that won’t be a big deal, but for some percent of the population, it’s just tedious and they won’t do it.

Overall, this will likely result in slightly lower traffic to the people ranking #9 or #10 on the first page, which are already pretty thin pickings for the first page of Google. I don’t imagine it’s going to be a hugely noticeable difference, but you never know; if you’re positioned low on the first page for some queries, it might be worth keeping an eye out to see how it does.

View rest of the article here.

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Many businesses in this area chose their location because they seen a community that they wanted to be a part of and wanted to help this area flourish within the city of Brantford. This area sits close to all the amenities of downtown but it is also a growing neighbourhood within itself and has much to offer. You could easily spend an afternoon strolling the area with a coffee and treat from Three Blind Mice perusing the shops, with 2 hour parking along the street!

So what does a florist, coffee & specialty goods, thrift store, heath shop and bridal shop all have in common? They are all working on strengthening the image of these few blocks between Clarence and Murray on Colborne.

Why here?

Emelines Cashe has only been open a month but the owner, Lesley, had wanted to open a store in the downtown area for some time. Lesley enjoys this area a lot and pointed out the food, art and churches as some of her favorite aspects. Lesley was sitting at Maria’s Pizza, when she looked across the street and decided she wanted to see something beautiful there too. Like the other business owners I spoke with, she wanted to add to the neighbourhood something good. Olga, owner of Brantford Blooms, also noticed something missing from the area and started a floral business that really brightens up the street. Olga believes the “town will grow someday into a better place” and that this area could still use some improvements and support before it will fully bloom. When the Source closed down Taryn opened Tip Top Health Shoppe for “a whole population who no longer had access to healthy food or vitamins. Taryn also noticed that, “downtown is starting to revitalize and I wanted to be part of that turning downtown, wanted to be part of the process.

Although these three businesses decided to open their stores here, Lily, from Bridal Boutiques, explains that several years into business they decided to move to their current location on Colborne. With the traffic coming in for the Casino and events, it brings many people by their shop and she is happy with the new location. She also enjoys the student population being so close by and believes that being a destination shop makes location a little less relevant because people will come to you for their occasion.

Lindsay, owner of Three Blind Mice, also chose to relocate her business to this neighbourhood, but for more personal reasons. They established the shop in Paris but moved to their current location to be closer to home. They had watched the changes start to spread around the area in the last 8 years and they wanted to “make improvements on area we live in (and) do something for our neighbourhood.”

What next?

With uncertainty a big part of any small business, most businesses simply plan on making it to next year and, hopefully, with an increase in profit. Some businesses are definitely planning to stay in the area and maintain, such as Bridal Boutique, which bought the building to show they weren’t kidding about staying. Tip Top Health Shop would like to keep growing, informing the community about healthy alternatives through classes and products. Three Blind Mice is also looking to stay in the area and expand their services. They would like to create a small outdoor café to create more seating and be able to hire from the surrounding area. Emelines Cashe sees their location as the “birthplace of this business” but also feel that it would like to “go on to help people that are unemployed or non-skilled.” Although they have only been open 3 weeks, Lesley is hoping to get involved in using her business as a step for training and skills for those who need it most.

With a number of thoughtful community-oriented businesses in the area it will be exciting to see who comes into the area in the future and how they will fit into the current dynamics, values and directions these business owners have envisioned. Although there are a variety of services in this area, there are also a number of empty lots and broken links that could be improved upon. I asked these business owners what they thought the area needed most and they offered several interesting and noteworthy ideas.

Everyone agreed that the area could use more attention on aesthetics. Trees along the road, more flowerpots, and garbage cans were just some of the ideas to “beautify” the area. Emelines Cashe’s owner also thought the railroads could be made more attractive if we highlighted them as an important aspect of Brantford and created “signs bigger than life, think Disney.” Although already running a thrift store, Lesley would like to see more thrift stores in the area. She pointed out that “everyone is carrying something different” and “it is good to have options.” A museum or mini-museums could also enhance the good Brantford already has to offer.

There were also a couple concerns about the types of businesses in the area and the perception the general public has about these locations. As Olga from Brantford Blooms points out, we need “more decent small businesses that are public oriented.” She would like to see more families enjoy the area but there needs to be an attraction for them to do so. There are a number of specialty stores such as, a florist, bridal store, specialty gifts, sports equipment, music center and hairstylists, but, the area could still use more general goods and services. Lindsay would like to see “more eateries and artisans.” Most businesses in the area are happy with the amount of parking but also realize that if there were the desired increase in business they would certainly need more. Taryn is
already feeling the need for more parking, although she also notes that most her current customers are pedestrians who live close by.

They have certainly noticed the increase in attention already beginning here and they hope to keep the momentum going. A few business owners mentioned that they felt the city of Brantford had confidence in the area as they have already improved the roads and added some street parking along the side roads. Supporting one another has been key for many of these owners and they know that public support and shopping locally could ensure their business lives in the area.

Becca Godbout
Metro Interactive Agency
a Brantford marketing company[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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I recently attended a trade show just outside Toronto.  It was bustling with small and medium sized companies displaying their products and offering incentives on their services.  It seemed everyone there was selling.  Not just the vendors that paid four hundred dollars  and more for a display booth, but also the attendees that paid twenty dollars to get in.  Standing back and watching the back and forth I was reminded that business isn’t necessarily easy.  If you build it, they wont necessarily come.

Forbes Magazine in January 2014 posted an article, “7 Big Things a Startup Must Have To Succeed.”  Of course most people in business can recite these off the top of our heads; a sense of timing, simple budget, money, great social skills, follow-through (Stick-to-it-iveness), self discipline and flexibility.   Although these make sense and are a must for just starting, many business owners and sales people are struggling to compete.

At the trade show, the conversation seemed to go like this:

Vendor: “Hello, would you like to try our service?”
Visitor: “Sure maybe but why don’t you try my service?”

Then cards are exchanged and perhaps there is a connection, but perhaps not.

So I have put together my list of 5 Musts for Business Success in 2017.

1. Remember The Basics:  Sometimes the pressures of business make you forget the basics.  You are in business to make your customers happy and to earn a living.  So strive to be the best.  It is ok to want to be the best.  Keep your service offering simple.  Charge enough so you can always provide the best service to your customers.  Remember you are running a business. Hire the right staff.  Lastly, it is ok to use old technology.  Sometimes people love getting mail.  Yup, just regular mail that is not an invoice or an ad.  A simple thank you letter or card.
2. Attitude of Gratitude:  Most in business can think of one customer we took for granted and realized the relationship was deteriorating in the background.  Show appreciation to your clients and staff.  Remember, no-one has to do business with you.  There are other companies like yours so have an attitude or appreciation and see how your relationships in business are strengthened.  Try this – Next time you go to a trade show or networking event, walk around smiling as if you appreciate and love being there and see how magnetic it is.
3. Grow as a leader:  Businesses grow and evolve and so should you.  This may require skills training or learning certain aspects of your business at a higher level.  Do not put it off in 2017.  Remain your businesses greatest asset and stay ahead of technology and trends.  Remember your mentors and reach out to them.  Grow or die is my favorite saying. If you are not growing, your competition is in the process of taking you out.  So grow as a leader as if your business life depends on it.
4. Build an EcoSystem:  A business can only scale if there is more than just you.  Many people start businesses as single entrepreneurs or with a small group of partners.   At some point, inspiration lags and the business may start to sputter.  Especially if you see areas of desired growth but you put off that step until you or your existing partners have time to allocate to rolling out the new service.  Inevitably this gets pushed until the energy for the project is gone.   Consider accomplishing your goals using third party partners.  This may allow you to offer services to your customers that are delivered through your partner company.
5. Understand Money:  A question I had when starting out in business is how do I best manage my money?  How do I pay myself?  What is the best way to depreciate an asset?  Are there grants available for me and my company?  Does the government have technology and innovation grants?  What about right-offs and taxes?  It may not be necessary for you to know what an accountant knows, but it can’t hurt to know more than you know now.  When an accountant explains something to you, be sure to know fully what they are talking about.

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One day, after months have flown by you realize that you have become a
work-a-holic.  And you justify it by saying that family will
understand because you are bringing home the bacon (or tofu burgers).

Work is essential for living and helps define our identity.

Recently, in a discussion with a colleague, we explored the life
centered approach to success and the task centered approach.  When
we are obsessive about filling our waking hours with tasks and
compulsive about our pursuit of financial wealth, it is easy to fool ourselves
into believing that if I could just do more work, or get more done in a
day I will be closer to success.  We can focus so much on the daily
list of tasks that we neglect to stop, step back for fresh perspective
and spend time with family and friends. We forget the importance of balance.

The pursuit for success and recognition can affect some people like
gambling, hoping that just put in a little more time and you may hit the
jackpot.

Here are my personal suggestions that are guides and not rigid rules.
Understand that things always come up and growing a business is
often unpredictable.

1. Set and review your task list the evening before.
2. Wake one hour earlier than normal and use that time to have breakfast with your partner or family and do some light exercise
3. Stop doing non-productive things during the productive hours of the
   day between 9-5.  Yes, that means no unnecessary Facebook and
   definitely no Candy Crush.
4. Recognize unproductive behavior and stop it.  I have a
   productivity reset that I implement when I become aware that I am
   slowing down during productive hours.
5. Stop working one hour before dinner and be part of the dinner
   making.  This prepares your appetite and body for best digestion. (http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/digestion/6-tips-to-improve-your-digestion)
6. Take time for yourself and family

There are many stories about entrepreneurs that set out to provide a
better life for themselves and their family only to loose their families
through separation or divorce because poor communication and a shift in
priorities from life centered to task centered.  Think of all the
ways you can add better balance to they way you approach success.

The post Work To Success – Fact or Illusion appeared first on MiAgency Digital Marketing Agency - Hamilton.

Brantford Downtown: The place to be for Opportunity

Born, raised and schooled here, I have developed a special relationship with Brantford. I was excited when my boss asked me to go into the heart of Brantford, the downtown core, and ask some of the local business owners a couple questions. With so many changes, especially in the last decade, there is no doubt an array of opinions. Some positive and, yes, a couple negative too! Overall though, one thing stood out; Brantford downtown is a place of opportunity.

After brief discussions with three of the local business owners, I gained some insights about the past and future of this great city and I would like to share it with you. Bob Warmington, of Warmington’s Bistro, offered some of his opinions; Bob being the owner of the established and respected Bistro for 11 years now. Cobby’s owner, Trevor, also spent a quick few moments detailing his views on Brantford while juggling a handful of hungry customers. Lastly, I was off to Sophia’s Bakery to have a heartfelt discussion with owner Laure Duguid while her Husband “Mr, Downtown” dished out coffees and delicious treats for all. So what did I get the chance to talk about with these three local business owners?

What made you choose this spot? Why downtown Brantford?

There are many reasons a business might choose a particular location over another. Warmington’s Bistro, having been established for 11 years, started their business before the upswing began in the downtown district. Owner, Bob Warmington said that his business has “been through the downfalls of downtown and the rejuvenation of the downtown with the universities.” He chose this location simply because him and his wife, the cook Jolene, liked it. Good enough reason as any and we are happy they chose it!

Cobby’s and Sophia’s Bakery, both being more recently established, chose their locations based on timing and opportunity. Cobby’s located on the Market street walkway, seen this location as a “good opportunity to get in and get started.” With so much being built up around this location, he felt it was the perfect timing to start a fast-paced diner with a large variety of items to choose from. Now, three years into business, Trevor is excited to see what will happen next with the Laurier Brantford purchase of the Market Square mall.

Laura Duguid, owner of Sophia’s Bakery, also expressed similar reasoning for her corner location where King street meets Colborne. In her words, “downtown is on an upswing and can only get better. (We) want to be on the ground floor when it happens.” Of course, downtown has a variety of currently unused building looking for life and rejuvenation and they certainly had their pick. However, this corner location has family history and fond memories for Duguid and her husband.  When they found out the Ford Plant was closing its doors everything started to fall into place. Hard work and much research went into the 18-month renovations and the result is outstanding.

What do you think has made you successful, not successful?

Since students predominantly populate the downtown core for two-thirds of the year, it is hard to ignore their presence when considering economic development and future city planning. However, where does that leave business for the other four months?

For Warmington’s Bistro, success has been two-fold. For one, lasting 11 years has allowed them to build a return client relationship, especially with professionals and workers looking for a filling and delicious homemade lunch. On the other hand, the universities bring business for seven to eight months of the years, but, he believes, they also take their business with them when they leave for summers and vacations. Luckily, the businesses remain and the workers need lunch.

Cobby’s decided to offer a wide variety of items to reach a wide variety of people, and it works! As one of the only places students and professors can run into on their 10-minute break and grab a wrap and some fries, it is conveniently located, competitively priced and downright delicious.  Although summers can become tough on business, owner Trevor still has a positive outlook for the future of his business.

Laura Duguid and her husband certainly did their research before moving their bakery in and it seems to have paid off. Spending 2 years shadowing, 18 months renovating and taking the time to build a strong social media connection with clients, Sophia’s Bakery brings in business from all over Brantford and enjoys connecting with people from all over Southern Ontario. This allows them a little less concern when the summer months come around. Duguid adds that “students aren’t leaving, they’re staying” and they “bring (a) huge populous of intelligent” workers. By connecting with students through the school year, they create return clients for the summer months as well.

Where do you see the future of downtown? What does Brantford downtown need next?

There appears to be a consensus that the rebirth of the downtown core is far from over, and there were a couple suggestions these owners were more than happy to share. All agree that the students bring business and there are things these students would not only like, but could benefit from. All three felt there was a need for more diverse restaurants and clothing stores. There have been attempts to establish such places in the last decade and with proper research into what people want there is certainly room for growth here.

Two interesting suggestions came from Laura Duguid: a hotel and a cinema. A hotel would be able to house out-of-town guests that are coming for entertainment. With the Sanderson Center, Brantford Casino, and multiple talented local bands, people need a place to rest their head at the end of the night and an affordable hotel could provide such services. A cinema would also be great for economic development. As the universities continue to increase enrollment rates we now have enough of a client base to ask for such entertainment facilities. Students need a break too and a theatre would provide such downtime.

There are, of course, two big changes already in the works: the building of the new YMCA and Laurier’s new ownership of the Market Square mall. Although not everyone was happy to see the heritage buildings demolished, the business owners do feel that this brings new opportunity and excitement. Duguid pointed out that she seen how “people came to watch the demolition of Colborne” and believes that “3 times as many are going to be interested in the rebirth”

What do you think?

• Whether you are from Brantford, just visiting or looking to come by for a visit there appears to be a lot of opportunity and room for development. What do you think about the rejuvenation of the downtown core?
• Of course, here we have only represented a very small sample size of business owners with specks of my own opinion so, what do you think? Do you think these three local businesses have it right?
• What are your favorite local businesses?

Becca Godbout
Metro Interactive Agency
a Brantford marketing company

The post Downtown Brantford Flourishes appeared first on MiAgency Digital Marketing Agency - Hamilton.

Nothing beats the enthusiasm of entrepreneurs when they first start their business.  Over the past few months, I have been blessed to meet people, young and old that have recently started their businesses.  You can almost spot them a mile away.  The laser sharp eye contact, the fluidity of the pitch, dare I say, the “swaggar”.  There is something magical about their child-like optimism and the “if you create it, they will flock” mentality.

For many entrepreneurs, this energy is sufficient to ignite everyone they meet and to propel their start-up to success.  But for some, other circumstances make a predicted rise to success difficult.

I was at a networking event in Burlington recently and had a chance to discuss the challenges of start-ups with some of the attendees.  One point that struck me that came up over and over was that the message or advertisement, no matter how well crafted, disintegrates into white noise quickly after being deployed.  Furthermore, if you don’t keep shouting the same message over and over, louder than all of the others that are shouting at the same market, your message is lost and your results are lackluster at best.

So, I have come up with some suggestions for entrepreneurs on how to increase your chances of success for your business.  Most of the ideas are focused on widening your warm market.

1. Move your online social strategy to the front burner.  Many businesses do not use available social networks like Facebook or LinkedIn to gain maximum benefit.  A client of mine told me at the beginning of January that 80 percent of his new business comes from either LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

2. Be friends with your friends.  We all have them, the friends that contact us when they need something or are selling something.  Part of your social strategy should be to deliberately carve out time in your month to spend with friends.  Recently, I started a guys cook off every other Sunday.  It has now grown to include wives and partners, but originally, the guys would meet at my place and bring all the ingredients for their favorite dish, or experimental dishes and we would spend the entire afternoon cooking and sharing a drink.  At 5:30 we would all sit at the table and have a wonderful feast.  Many times we sit and chat till after 9pm.  My friends are often now the first to support me if I need support and I am eager to assist them as often as needed.

3. Its time to Meetup.  I am surprised to hear people still unaware of the Meetups in their area.  It doesn’t matter what your business is.  We all have hobbies.  Visit www.meetup.com, create an account and join meetups in your area that appeal to you.  For instance, a friend of mine loves photography although she admits she is not good at it.  But she joined a photography Meetup in Calgary and enjoys the time she gets to apply to her hobby, but also appreciates the ease in which she is meeting new people who are interested in what she does for a living.  For me, I joined three business networking meetups; two in in Brantford and the Business In Burlington Meetup.  I also joined a Vegetarian/Vegan meetup and an active social group Meetup.  The caution is that these meetups are NOT for you to use as a business pitch session, it IS to meet new people and widen your warm market.  Balance your day-to-day business conversation with non-business social interactions.  The results will surprise you.

4. Exercise your body.  Starting and operating a business is mentally challenging.  To have balance in your life, you must also challenge your body.  I am not talking about a daily walk around the neighborhood, or the hours you spend on the golf course, although these too are good to do often.  I suggest that you commit to a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day.  This exercise should make you sweat and you should be sweating for at least 30 minutes daily.  So 30 sweaty minutes on the treadmill, or bike, or weights.  Just 30 minutes or 150 minutes a week.  Guaranteed, in 2 weeks, you will feel great, and more focused.  I always remind entrepreneurs that more than their product or service, they are the most important element in their success.  Therefore dedicate time for mind, body and spirit growth and strengthening.

5.  Lastly, always be learning.  Specifically, always be learning about business.  Sign up for business or marketing newsletters.  Read them daily.  Grow in your understanding of how business works, new social marketing strategies and options, marketing.  Here are a few suggestions for your reading pleasure:

• Social Media Today – This can be found at http://socialmediatoday.com.  Be sure to sign up for their newsletter
• EMarketer – This is full of interesting current marketing news and facts including reports and demographic info. https://www.emarketer.com/Newsletter
• Inc.com Small Business Success Newsletter.  Nuff said.  http://www.inc.com/newsletter

I hope you find this helpful.  Please send me your feedback to the contact email on this website.

The post Start-Up Tips – Successful Entrepreneurs appeared first on MiAgency Digital Marketing Agency - Hamilton.