The election is all over – so what’s it mean for the small business world? And should you even talk about politics on your company Facebook page? Hint: we vote “no!” All this and more in this week’s round-up!
Small Business News of the Week
Well, the election is finally over. If you live in a battleground state (or watch TV anywhere at all, really) then you’re probably particularly glad the season is over so you don’t have to change channels every time a commercial break hits! Whether your candidates won or lost, let’s all be glad we can finally go back on Facebook again.
Anyway, now that Obama won re-election, what does this mean for small business owners? According to the Christian Science Monitor, there will be more belt-tightening to get used to. Look for healthcare to be a big deal, as well as more regulation and a hurting economy.
CS Monitor also mention taxes, though it wasn’t anything new as both candidates had plans for raising taxes on small businesses. However, they also point out inflation will play a big part in the coming years.
What are your feelings on Obama’s second term when it comes to small business? Are you more or less confident about 2013?
Around the Entrepreneur Web
Selling to the Modern Individual – Selling to future customers takes a little more finesse than it used to!
Small Businesses Tap Into Cloud for Efficiency – If you want to improve your business, you have to use the tools available to you! Featuring a nice write-up about Outright.
IRS Extends Tax Deadlines for Businesses in Disaster Areas – Worried about your small business’ taxes in the upcoming year because of getting hit by Sandy? Fear no more, the IRS is giving you a small break.
Outright Community Speaks
Our users surprise us every day with questions and concerns. Here are some of the best from this week!
Linking up your Etsy account involves allowing Outright access. Here’s what it all entails!
When linking up your Freshbooks account, you may notice your “sales” and “sales tax collected” logs aren’t separated. Here’s what to do.
Have more questions or concerns? Stop by our Outright Customer Care forum!
Outright Pro Tip: Staying Positive Online
If there’s one thing the run-up to the election (and the immediate aftermath) proved to us all was social media can become a toxic place VERY quickly. You’ve undoubtedly had to block at least a handful of people from Facebook or Twitter because of hurtful and ridiculous things they’ve said, and you’re certainly not alone.
This is why it’s so important for your business to stay as positive as you can keep it. If you suddenly became embroiled in political discussion, you would undoubtedly anger at least half of your customers automatically. Once things get heated, it’s hard to calm them down and reset everything (and everybody) to zero.
It’s best just to avoid hostility like that altogether by sticking to what you know best: your business! If something controversial does come up, tend to it with positivity and try to redirect the conversation back to what’s really important. It’s not about not taking a stand and voicing your opinions – it’s just that you can’t win, and it may hurt your business in the long run.
That’s it for this week’s Round-Up!
