Facebook continues to be one of the most powerful platforms for businesses to connect with customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales. With over 2 billion users and tools that support everything from video marketing to community building, it remains a key part of many business marketing strategies. And that’s why it’s important to keep an eye on it.

Two big pieces of news about the platform just hit (one planned, one not so much). Every business should be aware of:

1. Facebook is merging all video uploads into Reels, streamlining the posting process and pushing businesses toward short-form, mobile-friendly content.

2. A sudden and unexplained deletion of thousands of Facebook Groups shows that access to your audience on social media is never guaranteed—even if you haven’t violated any rules.

This news carries big implications for businesses, not only how you create content, but how you protect your access to your customers and followers.

Keep reading for what these updates mean, how to adapt, and why now is the time to get serious about owning your audience through email.

With over 1 billion users worldwide and a rapidly growing e-commerce ecosystem, TikTok has become a powerful platform for small businesses and solopreneurs to reach new audiences and boost sales. Whether you’re a boutique owner, a skincare brand, or a service provider, or someone with an under 40 audience, TikTok offers a unique way to connect through short-form, engaging video content.

Let’s be real. Elevator pitches can feel like a late-night infomercial–a robotic recitation of what your business does with an added exclamation point at the end. But for business owners and sales professionals, every interaction is an opportunity. A truly effective elevator pitch transcends mere information delivery.

Let’s face it, our daily habits often run on autopilot. We grab coffee from the same place, click the same websites when we shop, and call the same service providers without a second thought. Loyalty is great but what if, just for a moment, we paused and considered the impact of those everyday purchases?

You know the old adage, “It takes money to make money”? While that may be true, marketing and advertising don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, some of the most effective ways to get your business noticed are either free or surprisingly affordable (especially with the technology available). Whether you’re just getting started or trying to grow on a tight budget, here are 15 creative and cost-effective ideas to boost your visibility and draw in customers.

Since this is Small Business Month, we thought it would be the ideal time to call attention to some of the resources out there for the small business. With an increase in awareness of how important small businesses are to the local and national economies, large businesses are getting into the groove and pledging their support to help small businesses too.

For many small businesses, email marketing is all about promotions and sales. But the most successful businesses know that an email list is more than just a sales tool—it’s a way to build relationships, create trust, and foster a sense of community without the concerns of a platform shutdown.

By shifting your focus from transactions to connections, you can turn one-time customers into long-term brand advocates. 

Some people think chambers of commerce work magic—and in many ways, they do. But to see real results and get the most from your membership, you need to be involved. Joining is a smart move, but the true value comes when you actively engage.

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re making the most of your membership—or if you’re just starting out and you’re not sure how to get the most out of it—here are ten practical ways to tap into the value the Grandview Chamber offers.

Lately, something interesting is happening. The most effective posts aren’t the polished ones with perfect lighting or studio-level graphics. They’re the real, raw, behind-the-scenes moments that tell the true story of what it’s like to run a small business.

From TikToks to Instagram Reels, business owners are discovering that authenticity—sharing the ups, the downs, and everything in between—helps them connect with customers in a meaningful way.

Winning customers isn’t just about having a great product or service—it’s about making people feel something. The best brands don’t just sell; they connect, entertain, and even challenge their audiences.

If you want to turn heads and build a loyal customer base, you don’t need to have Jeep’s ad spend. You can use these five powerful marketing techniques in your email, video, and social media campaigns.

Growth isn't a passive process; it doesn’t just happen. Unfortunately, you don’t open a business and sit back and wait for it to grow. Businesses rarely go viral overnight and planning on doing so is like funding your retirement by playing the lottery every week.

Business growth is a dynamic journey fueled by strategic thinking and insightful questions that help you see things in new ways. As a business owner, you're constantly navigating challenges and opportunities, not to mention the competition.

But are you asking the right questions to propel your business to the next level?

Has this ever happened to you? A brilliant idea sparks, you meticulously plan every detail, create beautiful spreadsheets, and envision the triumphant launch. Maybe you even practice a little Law of Attraction in your meditative practices each morning.

But then…<insert sad trombone sound>.

The plan sits there, gathering dust, because life has gotten busy, you’ve been plagued by self-doubt, or you moved on to the next exciting concept.

Sound familiar?

So, how do we bridge the gap and turn those well-laid plans (or exuberant energy) into tangible results?

What do Han Solo (Star Wars et al), Walter White (Breaking Bad), and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) have in common? They’re terribly flawed and we love them for it.

Imperfection can also be a powerful asset for businesses when approached with the right mindset. So stop trying your best to be perfect and embrace imperfection as a way to connect with your customers.

First it was pet insurance and foosball tables. Then it was Friday kegs in the office and goat yoga. While those benefits seemed like frivolous ways to bring fun to the office, the current benefit trend that everyone is talking about actually improves productivity and employee well-being (at least as reported by the employees).

Have you heard of automatic concepts on YouTube? If not, and you’re using the second largest search engine in the world to share business content, you need to know about this. It could be impacting your content through clicks and views.

The new year is an ideal time to get clear about your goals. Many people set incredibly inspiring resolutions and plot pathways to their best selves. If you’re one of those people—kudos to you. But if you don’t get straight on one thing, your intentions are going to fall flat.

Here’s the one thing you need to know about goal attainment.

Every yes is a no and every no is a yes.

The new year often brings a renewed focus on fresh starts and improved efficiency. Many of us are wondering how we might earn more, be more productive, and enjoy a better work/life balance. But as you’re committing to goals for the new year, consider that what your business may need is some decluttering. It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and tackle not just physical spaces, but also digital files, outdated processes, and even stagnant strategies.

Just like a cluttered home can lead to stress and lost productivity, a cluttered business environment can hinder growth and innovation. 

Here's how you can embrace decluttering for a more successful year.

The new year is the perfect time for beginnings and setting goals. It also makes for good marketing campaigns and changes to your business. There are so many things you can do to provide value for customers and potential customers. If you don’t use this time to try something new, you're leaving money on the table.