LOS ANGELES – Carol Cornell has joined the nation’s 7th largest funded Small Business Development Center Network as the new Associate Regional Director overseeing 7 service centers and more than 30 satellite offices, throughout Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Cornell will be based at the Lead Center, which is hosted by the Long Beach Community College District. The Lead Center holds the contract with the SBA and administers and operates the region’s SBDC program.

“Carol’s expertise, career experience and background with the SBDCs will definitely be an asset to the team. We welcome her to Long Beach City College.” said Lou Anne Bynum, Vice-President, Office of Economic & Resource Development at Long Beach City College.

“We are excited to bring Carol back to Southern California as part of the leadership team for the Los Angeles SBDC Regional Network,” said Jesse Torres, Regional Director, Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network.  “Her extensive and hands-on experience in working with business owners and in developing strong systems and processes for small business assistance is a boon for the Network.” added Torres.

Cornell joins the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network after serving as Director for Northern Kentucky University SBDC. Carol has senior management experience of 20+ years offering strategic value creation through the design, communication and implementation of integrated growth and/or change at the business unit, division and corporate levels. She has a proven track record with the development and execution of annual and long-term revenue plans in for-profit and not-for-profit entities, small and large businesses, private and public sectors and government contract activities. Her expertise includes related work in the following fields: engineering, automotive, retail, medical and pharmaceuticals, and various government agencies.

Cornell holds a M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management from the Anderson School at UCLA. She is also an alumnus of California State University Fullerton where she received a Joint Studies B.A. with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Advocacy. She is the recipient of the 1999 National Small Business Institute Director’s Case of the Year Award from the Small Business Institute Director’s Association (SBIDA).

“Empowering small businesses and supporting effective entrepreneurship is at the heart of the work of the SBDC program. Our ability to help small business owners increase their capacity for success excites me daily – it is a challenge that I take very personally.” says Carol Cornell, Associate Regional Director, Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network.

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Since January 1, 2006, Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) has been the host for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network servicing the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara communities. The SBDC program is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) most extensive economic development program, helping small businesses create jobs and strengthen local economies. LBCCD as the Lead Center holds the contract with the SBA and contracts with a diverse group of six educational and community development organizations to deliver services to small businesses.

First, let’s talk about the importance of small business to the nation. I’ve heard you speak at several events in the past year, and you seem to be adamant that without the contributions of small businesses, our economy would be in even worse shape.

Small businesses cannot be more important to the nation. President Obama has been very clear that he believes small businesses are the foundation of the economy. Small business owners are the job creators — 67 percent of new private sector jobs over the last 20 years were created by small businesses. And 50 percent of people in the workforce today are employed by a small business. assist you with preparation of a plan and access to research information.”

We’re here at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for the Urban Economic Forum, which is a series of events the SBA is putting on all across the country. Can you tell me more about these events?

The Urban Economic Forum is a multi-city series [taking place in New York City; Birmingham, Alabama; Los Angeles; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Chicago; Kansas City; Las Vegas; and Phoenix] designed to help urban business owners create an economy built to last. The purpose is to create a bridge connecting the SBA and local communities, and to raise awareness of the SBA among the people in these communities. Through the Forums, we’re connecting entrepreneurs to local resources, and connecting entrepreneurs to one another. We want to create stronger, deeper relationships across the board. Mentoring is an important part of that. It’s exciting to see young people coming to events like this and being so focused on learning. We’re helping create the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we’re tapping into the energy these young people have. It’s heartening to see young people doing such incredible things. Theirs is a generation of digital kids; they’re comfortable with the [technology] infrastructure, and at ease in digital platforms.

You just talked about mentoring. How important do you think is it to find a mentor and maintain that relationship?

The importance of mentoring cannot be measured. When starting a business, most [entrepreneurs] think about “What should I do to get money?” Don’t think about the money first. Your first thought should be “Where can I find a good mentor?” The answer, and an important first step, is to start with the SBA and our resource partners—the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE and the Women’s Business Centers. Mentoring is not just about teaching. It’s about showing [entrepreneurs] the tools that will boost their business efforts and teaching them how crucial it is to look at the big picture first, before they go granular.

The Forum events are geared toward helping minority entrepreneurs. You spoke today about how important minority and urban business owners are as we emerge from the recession, so I know that’s an important issue to you.

Small businesses are leading the way out of the recession, and minority-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing businesses in the country. But we [at the SBA] noticed that though a recovery was underway, it was uneven. We realized we needed to focus on underserved markets like urban communities, rural communities, veterans and minority-owned businesses, which include the African American community, the Hispanic community, woman-owned small businesses and young entrepreneurs.

In addition to mentoring, what do these business owners need to help them succeed? I was at an event last year where you were speaking, and you mentioned the “three C’s.” Can you explain the “three C’s?”

The “three C’s” are vital to a small business owner’s success. They are access to capital, helping businesses learn more about federal government contracting, and access to the counseling and technical assistance that, as we talked about earlier, businesses need in order to be successful.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her blog, SmallBizDaily.com, to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

CAMARILLO, Calif. – Secretary of Commerce John Bryson recently appointed international trade expert Ray Bowman, director of EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center, to the prestigious national District Export Council, Southern California Chapter.

As a DEC member, Bowman will counsel small- to medium-size businesses on the exporting process, and provide trade education and community outreach.

“The DEC is fortunate to have members with such a broad knowledge of international business as demonstrated by Ray,” said Gerald Vaughn, Director of Commercial Service, Ventura County ITA/US Department of Commerce, who nominated Bowman for the position. “Ray has accumulated extensive knowledge of international trade, which makes him a valuable asset for companies in the U.S. wanting to find new markets globally. His experience in all facets of the exporting process makes him an excellent counselor for exporters who need help with all their export-related needs.”

There are 40 business executives in the DEC Southern California Chapter and approximately 1,800 members nationwide. Each member undergoes a vetting process of up to a year before being appointed.

Bowman has more than 24 years of experience in international trade and logistics, and has worked with some of the world’s largest banks and freight forwarders. He has developed courses on international trade for Santa Barbara City College, EDC-VC’s SBDC, Centers for International Trade Development, Economic Vitality Corporation, the Export Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Bowman has an MBA from Thomas Edison State College and is certified in NX-Level training, BIS export licensing, team building and online education.

The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and business started.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, the Manufacturing Outreach Program, Global Entrepreneur Training in Trade (G.E.T. Trade) program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.

1. Consult a professional. The CROWDFUND Act seeks to lower the cost of raising capital by exempting companies raising $1 million or less from registering their offering with the SEC. But although you are exempt from registration, you’re not exempt from regulation. Always consult with a professional investment consultant or attorney versed in securities law before embarking on any crowdfunding venture.

2. Understand the two types of crowdfunding. Previously, crowdfunding sites could be used only to get donations (or pledges). The CROWDFUND Act expands the options by allowing entrepreneurs to solicit investments of up to $1 million annually via crowdfunding websites. Unlike donors, these investors actually own a piece of the company and can realize a return on their investment if the company succeeds.

3. Don’t jump the gun. The process for crowdfunding donations hasn’t changed, but the SEC regulations regarding crowdfunding investments and nonaccredited investors won’t be set until January 2013. You will be able to crowdfund from accredited investors (those whose net worth, excluding the value of their primary residence, is over $1 million) beginning July 4, 2012, but you will have to wait until after January 2013 to solicit nonaccredited investors.

4. Research your options. Make sure the crowdfunding site you choose meets the requirements of the CROWDFUND Act. Crowdfunding investments must be solicited through sites that are registered with the SEC, conduct background checks on companies seeking investments, and screen investors to confirm that they understand the risks involved.

5. Beware of scams. Interest in crowdfunding is high, and the CROWDFUND Act is not yet implemented, which means the market is ripe for scam artists. Be very cautious about anyone claiming they can help you raise capital online for a fee.

6. Create a compelling pitch. If you’re crowdfunding donations, your fund-raising pitch should focus on emotions and get donors excited about your business, your product or service and your entrepreneurial passion. If you’re crowdfunding investments, your approach should focus on the bottom line and the potential for investors to make money.

7. Offer rewards. For investors, the reward is the profit they make from your company, but for donors, you’ll need to offer rewards such as product samples, T-shirts or promotional items, or discounts. Develop different rewards for donors depending on how much they contribute.

8. Spread the word using social media, marketing and PR. Don’t limit your search for funds to the people who frequent the crowdfunding site you choose. Create an integrated marketing campaign that tells everyone you are looking for financing—and makes it simple for them to tell others.

9. Create a video. Make your company stand out from the pack by creating compelling pitch videos—one for donors and one for investors. Post them on your website, the crowdfunding site and YouTube—and increase your chances of going viral.

10. Share information. If you crowdfund investments, the SEC regulates how you communicate with investors. Even if you crowdfund donations, you’ll want to regularly update donors on how your company is doing, the progress of your product or service, and any other news that makes them feel part of your success.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., April 25, 2012 – According to the 2011 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, approximately 440 out of every 100,000 adults in California start new businesses, making California the third most entrepreneurial state in the country. To help small business owners like these, Kimco Realty Corporation (NYSE: KIM) has created Kimco Entrepreneurs Year Start (KEYS), an innovative incubator program for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to launch their first retail venture, service operation or restaurant. With entrepreneurship up 13 percent in California in the past decade, the largest increase among the five most entrepreneurial states, Kimco will initially focus the KEYS program here. Kimco owns 125 shopping centers comprising more than 3,200 stores in California, and has more than 100 small retail spaces available for KEYS participants.

“We’re going to do so much more than just place tenants in spaces and say, ‘Good luck,’” said Conor Flynn, Kimco’s Western Region president. “We’re going to work with them every step of the way,” he continued, “from the initial planning concepts, selecting locations, obtaining occupancy permits from the city, and advising them on the different stages of building a business.”

In addition, Kimco has developed relationships with established educational organizations such as SCORE, formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the California Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Kauffman FastTrac and others that will offer business resources and networking support. Dedicated Kimco advisors will meet with prospective tenants to analyze their potential businesses, examine their growth plans, and explore how they can best succeed.

KEYS program participants will benefit from:

• One year of free rent
• Affordable property charges (NNN) to minimize initial overhead
• Access to personal Kimco retail business counselors
• A flexible four-year lease option after the first year
• Access to shop space in established retail centers

Each interested KEYS applicant will provide a written business plan with specific goals and objectives, and demonstrate adequate funding for their venture. Applicants must be able to articulate their plan for success in an interview. An endorsement, certificate, degree, or letter of completion from small business educational classes or a college or university is also recommended.

The KEYS program launches today in California, where there are currently more than 100 retail and restaurant locations under 2,500 square feet available to entrepreneurs in Kimco centers.

For more information on the Kimco KEYS program or to obtain an application, please visit www.KimcoKeys.com or call 1-888-668-1690.

About Kimco

Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE: KIM) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in New Hyde Park, N.Y., that owns and operates North America’s largest portfolio of neighborhood and community shopping centers. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned interests in 946 shopping centers comprising 138 million square feet of leasable space across 44 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and South America. Publicly traded on the NYSE since 1991, and included in the S&P 500 Index, the company has specialized in shopping center acquisitions, development and management for more than 50 years. For further information, please visit www.kimcorealty.com, the company’s blog at blog.kimcorealty.com, or follow Kimco on Twitter at twitter.com/kimcorealty.

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Contact:

David F. Bujnicki

Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Kimco Realty Corporation

1-866-831-4297

You’ve seen the commercials that claim it’s easy to get free money from Uncle Sam to start your own business. You’ve heard people saying there are federal government grants available to help grow your business. But have you ever heard of anyone actually getting such a grant? There’s a reason for that: “The federal government does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business,” says SBDC Business Advisor Mary Anne Rooney.

What kinds of government grants do exist?
Rooney explains that grants from the federal government are only available to noncommercial organizations, such as nonprofits and educational institutions in areas such as medicine, education, scientific research and technology development. “The federal government also provides grants to state and local governments to assist them with economic development,” she says; perhaps this is one reason the myth of federal government grants for business persists.

Why is it such a pervasive belief among small business owners that there is “free money” out there to start or grow a business?
Some private companies have an effective marketing effort to promote “free money” (grants) to help small businesses, Rooney explains. In reality, these websites offer confusing messages and guide you to information that generally leads to loans to businesses. “Many times the words grants and loans are used in a synonymous way when they have different meanings,” says Rooney. (Unlike grants, loans must be repaid.) When in doubt, Rooney advises reminding yourself of the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

What alternative sources of funds should small business owners consider?
“The most common means of financing a business are personal savings, family, friends, traditional financing, loans, grants and venture capital,” says Rooney. The Small Business Administration (SBA) participates in several loan programs designed for business owners who may have trouble qualifying for a traditional bank loan. The SBA’s basic 7(a) loan program provides loans for starting, acquiring or expanding a small business; its Certified Development Company (CDC) 504 Loan Program provides growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings; and its Microloan Program provides very small loans to startup and growing businesses through nonprofit community-based lenders. The SBA also offers specialized loans including export assistance loans, disaster recovery loans, loans for veterans and members of the military and more. Rooney recommends using the SBA.gov’s Loans and Grants Search Tool at www.sba.gov to find out more and learn which banks or lenders near you participate in SBA programs.

Are there other sources of grants for small businesses?
“Some business grants are available through state and local programs, nonprofit organizations and other groups,” says Rooney. “For example, some states provide grants for expanding child-care centers, creating energy-efficient technology or developing marketing campaigns for tourism.” There are also some local agencies that offer revolving loan fund programs or other specialized funding programs. The amount of grant money available depends on the business and the grantor. “Keep in mind that these grants are not necessarily free money,” says Rooney. “They usually require the recipient to match funds or combine the grant with other forms of financing such as a loan.”

Where can an entrepreneur find these grants?
Depending on your community, Rooney says, grants and other funding may be administered through the local economic development agency, women’s business centers, cities, counties and nonprofit agencies that assist businesses. She also recommends visiting kiva.org for more information. Finally, large corporations sometimes offer grants, typically tied to a marketing promotion. For instance, Rooney says Intuit offers a “Love a Local Business” grant where the winner receives $5,000.

What steps are typically involved in applying for private grants?
“Each grant opportunity will differ, and the business should take caution to comply with the instructions,” Rooney says. The initial steps could include submitting a letter of interest, writing a proposal based on the grant criteria or completing an application.

What can entrepreneurs do to improve their chances of getting private grants?
Whatever type of funding you’re seeking—whether a loan, grant or investment—Rooney says a well-developed business plan with detailed financial projections, a well-defined marketing plan, and detailed industry research information are critical to success: “SBDC Business Advisors can assist you with preparation of a plan and access to research information.”

April 18, 2012

“If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.” — Benjamin Franklin

In almost every survey, access to capital shows up as one of small-business owners’ top needs. But capital is not a singular item;  indeed there are a wide variety of capital sources potentially available to small businesses.

In my next two columns, I want to talk about the various types of capital in the market, along with information about what sources are available to entrepreneurs today.

Ten years ago, entrepreneurs had access to a variety of capital sources. One of the most common sources was home equity lines of credit. Los Angeles home prices soared an astonishing (and unsustainable) 173 percent between 2000 and 2006, and lenders were rushing to lend money against those ever-increasing values.

At their heart, HELOCs are a form of asset-based lending, and provided a great deal of liquidity for those looking for capital to start or expand their businesses.

Another long-standing source of capital, for startups in particular, is family and friends, often referred to F&F (or sometimes FF&F). During that same period, incomes in a variety of industries were strong. This created opportunities for family and friends to invest $5,000 or $10,000 in a friend’s business to help them get going and allow them to be part of a new business.

To read the full article, please click on link: http://bit.ly/IXbXQ6

LOS ANGELES –The Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has reported their 2011 annual economic impact numbers and many SBDCs surpassed their goals and helped their clients’ businesses grow.  The SBDC Network assisted 300 new business start-ups, helped create or retain over 3,800 jobs, and helped increase sales by over $100 million for small businesses.

“As a Network, we were able to help start 315 new businesses and assisted our clients achieve $103 million in sales increases. These numbers represent the spirit of entrepreneurship and businesses flourishing with success,” stated Victor Parker, Los Angeles SBA District Director. “Small business owners in the Los Angeles area are fortunate to have eight separate centers where ‘game changing’ SBDC advisors leverage their business experience to give useful and tangible advice.”

The Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network received $3.5 million in federal funds in 2011. The SBDC program is designed to match dollar for dol­lar every federal dollar that it receives with state, community or private funds, creating a program with over $7million in funding to serve small businesses in the Los Angeles region.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and Long Beach City College is honored to support them in any way we can,” said LBCC President Eloy Ortiz Oakley. “Our SBDC Network is doing an incredible job of supporting these innovative business owners.”

The Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network includes six primary service centers hosted by College of the Canyons, Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County, EI Camino College, Long Beach City College, Pacific Coast Regional and Santa Monica College. In addition, the Network operates a Technology Specialty Center at the California State University, Los Angeles College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology that focuses upon SBIR/STTR and commercializa­tion, as well as an International Trade Center at LBCC that provides import and export services, trade leads, trade missions and trade show assistance. The Network also works with a number of corporate and community partners to offer small business owners and entrepreneurs with access to innovative entrepreneurial programs, such as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, HP LIFE and the Young Entrepreneurs Program (Y.E.P.).

Jesse Torres, Regional Director for the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network hosted by Long Beach Community College District, highlighted the Network’s 2011 success. “Through the dedicated work of our eight service and specialty centers and network of 130+ business advisors, we were able to address the needs of small business owners” stated Torres.

2011 Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network Economic Impact Data:

• Business Start-Ups (315)
• Jobs Created and Retained (3,835)
• Increase in Sales ($103,824,285)
• Total Advising Hours (24,602)
• Number of Entrepreneurs assisted with loan preparation (402)
• Amount of Capital Infusion ($70,074,015)
• Entrepreneurs Advised and Trained (12,368)
• Training Events (553)

Since January 1, 2006, Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) has been the host for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network servicing the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara communities. The SBDC program is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) most extensive economic development program, helping small businesses create jobs and strengthen local economies. LBCCD as the Lead Center holds the contract with the SBA and contracts with a diverse group of seven educational and community development organizations to deliver services to small businesses.

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CONTACT: Israel Serna
Regional Marketing and Events Coordinator
(562) 938‐5019

With YouTube now the second-largest search engine, 70 percent of Internet users regularly watching online video, and Web video viewing projected to increase at a rate of 78 percent this year, it’s clear that online video has the power to attract a lot of attention to your business.

What are the benefits of using online video to market your business?
“Including video as part of your website strategy can generate more business by improving your site’s search engine optimization, increasing web traffic and driving lead generation programs,” says SBDC Business Advisor Antonio Ruiz. “Any company can use videos; the challenge is how to engage the audience in an entertaining and informative way.”

What is the first step in creating videos for your business?
“Begin with the script; that will determine your technical needs,” says Ruiz. “The simpler, the better.” Don’t think you have to accomplish everything in one video. “Instead of one 20-minute video, think 10, two-minute videos you can post over a period of time,” says Ruiz. “You can shoot it all in one session, but edit them into smaller segments.” Instructional videos and customer testimonials are easiest to produce, he says; avoid lengthy dramatic or comedic videos that involve actors, public places or copyrighted music.

What kind of equipment do small business owners need to create videos, edit them and post them?
“You’d be surprised what you can do with simple technology,” says Ruiz, adding that most of today’s home video cameras, digital cameras and even computer and smartphone cameras record high-quality video and have built-in microphones (if not, you can purchase a good handheld microphone for under $25). Editing is simple, too: Today’s PCs come with Microsoft Moviemaker software installed, and Macs come with iMovie. You can also edit videos directly on YouTube, which has online tutorials to help. Posting is as simple as accessing a broadband Internet connection.

What are some low-cost options for getting outside help?
“If you keep it simple, you’d be surprised what you can produce yourself,” says Ruiz, who feels most small business owners don’t need outside assistance. He recommends searching online for videos that provide step-by-step instructions, and says ReelSEO (http://www.reelseo.com), Mashable (http://mashable.com), About.com: Desktop Videos (http://desktopvideo.about.com), YouTube.com and Vimeo.com are good resources.

How much should a small business owner expect to spend on a video marketing campaign?
If you produce the videos yourself using equipment you already own, your costs will be minimal or none, says Ruiz. At most, if you have to buy a camera, a computer and a broadband Internet connection, you’ll have one-time costs of $2,000 to $3,000.

What are some do’s and don’ts for creating effective videos?
“Before you worry about technical equipment, lighting or audio, think about the message,” Ruiz advises. “The message is the story you want to tell about yourself, your business, and your products or services.” Whether it’s an instructional/training video or testimonial, the key is to keep it simple and direct. “The videos that go viral are the human ones—funny, cute and from the heart,” says Ruiz, who recommends studying other businesses’ videos to learn what works and what doesn’t.

Where should small business owners post their videos?
Ruiz cautions against storing videos on your website host’s server. “Video takes up a lot of storage space, which is why so many people upload to sites like YouTube and Vimeo,” he explains. Link to your video on your website and on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

How can small business owners drive awareness of their videos?
Ruiz recommends a diverse strategy that includes the tags you enter in the description of your video when you upload it (“These are the one-word descriptions you see under the video on YouTube, for example”), your social media networks, your email newsletter, your blog and search engine optimization on your website.

Are there certain elements that should always be included in a video?
“The most important element is the call to action,” says Ruiz. “At the end of the video, what do you want the viewer to do?” That could be exploring your website, watching more videos, contacting you for more information or visiting your business. To encourage action, Ruiz says, you should verbally say the name, location and hours of your business, the specific services or products you sell, and contact information including your website address. “Reinforce the verbal mentions with titles—text on the screen or at the bottom of the screen.”

What common mistakes do small business owners make when marketing with video?
Entrepreneurs frequently try to cram everything about their business into one video, says Ruiz. “Instead, think of the video as a trailer at the movies. The point is to grab attention and drive curiosity to find out more about your business.”

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva, read her blog at SmallBizDaily.com, and visit her website SmallBizTrendCast.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

1. Give a speech. Find organizations that your target customers belong to—whether the local marathon runners’ training group, PTA or Rotary club—and offer to speak at their meetings.Create a relevant handout to leave behind, and bring business cards and brochures, too.

2. Start a blog. Adding a blog to your business website is a smart tactic for companies that provide information and expertise, such as accounting or consulting firms. Blog about industry news, timely advice for your customers, or new developments in your business.

3. Comment on other blogs. If you don’t have the time or skill to blog, build your reputation by commenting on your industry’s leading blogs. Make sure your comments are thoughtful and add to the conversation. Don’t be overly promotional, but do include your name and business name.

4. Use Twitter. Use Twitter not just to promote your business, but also to share interesting links and retweet useful information. Focus on quality, not quantity. By consistently sharing good information, you’ll build a reputation as a knowledgeable source.

5. Get LinkedIn. If you own a business-to-business company, LinkedIn Groups and Answers are great ways to share your expertise. Join Groups related to your industry and participate in discussions. Look for LinkedIn Questions related to your business and answer them.

6. Write articles. Blogs and online publications are influential, but print media still carries more weight with most people. Contact trade publications and local newspapers and ask if you can contribute articles related to your industry, or even write a regular column.

7. Become a trusted source. Being quoted in print or online cements your reputation as an expert. Seek out journalists who cover your industry, then make yourself a resource by commenting on their articles and sending them information related to their “beat”…and your business.

8. Lead the way. To become an industry expert, you’ve got to be active in your industry. But don’t just attend industry events and conferences—take a leadership role by offering to head committees, speak at events or develop programs.

9. Network. Be an active networker, both online and offline. Focus not on what you can gain, but on how you can help others by connecting them and sharing valuable information. People will come to view you as a reliable and trustworthy resource.

10. Get involved in your community. Keep a high profile in your community by participating in local events. For instance, if you own a health club, you could sponsor a fitness fair or get a booth. The more active you are in your community, the more business will come your way.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder CEO and President of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit SmallBizDaily.com to sign up for her free TrendCast reports.