Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an incredibly exciting place to move and start a business. Just outside of the bustling downtown, it's easy to find yourself exploring amid lush green parks, sipping local craft beers and noshing on experimental cuisine - all while enjoying one of America's most vibrant and eclectic cities. Not only that, but Minneapolis also has some of the most affordable real estate in the country for startups looking for their space.
 
Want to learn more? Here are a few reasons from Spotlight Business Solutions why Minneapolis is the perfect spot for your business to find success.
 
Minneapolis Housing and Cost of Living are Affordable
 
Minneapolis isn’t the cheapest place to live, but it has a balance of financial benefits that make it decently affordable all around.  The cost of living varies depending on the neighborhood you want to live in, which makes housing estimates challenging. There is also a large selection of rental units in Minneapolis – over 900 in fact – so it’s important to do your research on neighborhoods before embarking on your house hunt.
 
However, according to Sperling’s Best Places, utilities and health costs are lower than the national average here. And groceries are right on point, which helps to balance out the affordability of Minneapolis life. Additionally, the town offers a number of free or low-cost recreation options, such as hiking trails, lakes, and parks. Lastly, Minneapolis is a safe community with a crime rate that’s dropping.
 
Support and Resources for Small Businesses
 
Once you’ve found a great place to settle, you can focus on getting to know the business community. In Minneapolis, there are resources available to small business owners that can help you get started. These resources are essential for entrepreneurs who want to thrive and maintain success.
 
For starters, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce can provide you with information about local businesses and connect you with other local business leaders. The Chamber also hosts regular networking events, which is a great way to meet other business owners and get advice. The State of Minnesota also offers a variety of grants and loans to help small business owners get on their feet.
 
It’s also a great idea to work with a local business for your marketing and promotion needs because they are intimately familiar with the city’s population. Reach out to Spotlight Business Solutions today for your digital marketing and branding needs!
 
Enjoy the Weirdness of Minneapolis
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, is bursting with interesting and unique activities! With its riverside trails, iconic parks, and craft breweries from every corner of the city, you're sure to find plenty of things to do in Minneapolis. From visiting the Bde Maka Ska loop for a hike with stunning views or going shopping for locally made items at the Saturday Market, you can experience the city’s vibrant culture in all its forms.
 
For a taste of something different, rent a bike and explore some of the more off-the-beaten-path attractions like Minnehaha Falls or the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The choices are many for taking in the beauty that Minneapolis has to offer. No matter what activity you choose, there's never a dull moment on a visit to this vibrant half of the Twin Cities!
 
Find Highly Educated Local Talent
 
Minneapolis not only has a great cultural atmosphere, but many of the locals are well educated, too. Recent US Census Bureau data showed that nearly 38% of residents 25 and older had at least a bachelor's degree. Perhaps this number is connected to the variety of colleges and universities in the state. Regardless of the reason, you’ll have a large number of skilled professionals to choose from when you’re ready to do your hiring.
 
Whether you’re looking for interns or experienced employees who can help you build your dream business, you’ll have no trouble finding them. You may even want to connect with a local college to set up an internship program. Here are a few colleges consider:

• University of Minnesota
• Minneapolis College 
• Minneapolis Community and Technical College

 
Start Your Minnesota-Based Business the Right Way
 
Once you’ve settled into Minneapolis and have a business plan written out, it’s time to think about the details of starting your business, which include registering, obtaining an Employer Identification Number and sales tax license, and applying for local licenses, which will vary depending on the type of business you’re starting. You’ll also want to consider the type of business structure you’ll require, such as a limited liability company. Although there are several options, setting up an LLC in Minnesota will help protect your assets and provide tax advantages at the same time.
 
Become an Minnesotaian
 
Starting a business in Minneapolis is a great move for those looking for a responsible cost of living, a diverse culture, beautiful landscaping, and a supportive community. By doing some research ahead of time, you can make the move with your family and set up shop in a way that makes everyone happy.
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Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ​ABLE USA.

Leaders have a difficult job because they not only have to manage the company as a whole, but they also have to keep their emotions in check. So, if you are a business leader and are wondering what negative patterns to avoid as a leader, Spotlight Business Solutions L.L.C. outlines some helpful pointers on what to do (and what not to do) to be even more effective in your position.
 
Paying attention to the broader pictureAs a business owner, you will need to pay attention to the finer details and the bigger picture if you are to get around to everything as far as meeting your legal requirements goes. Failure to do so could result in severe ramifications for your business, which you could avoid by enlisting the necessary help to ensure everything is on track from a legal perspective. For example, Achieva notes that you could use a formation service when it comes to registering your business. Moreover, an online service can help you expedite the registration process, especially where time is of the essence and you need to get things done quickly. Furthermore, you may choose to enlist the help of administrative consultants to help you iron out any administrative issues.
 
A lack of self-development As a leader, you should continually hone your skills for your professional growth and your business's benefit. Moreover, leaders should be making the time to invest in themselves due to the speed at which companies are evolving; hence, why enrolling in a bachelor’s of business program could be the perfect solution to this dilemma. With an available bachelor's degree in business, you get to not only learn about business-related subjects such as management, strategy, and leadership, but you also get a chance to work on those soft skills that help to develop your self-awareness through self-assessments.
 
Getting to grip with your business financesYou'll also need to stay on top of your business’s finances. For example, you’ll need an invoicing system that works smoothly without hiccups, so you don't have to worry about being paid on time. With a free invoice template, you can create a customized invoice that aligns with your brand by inserting your logo, brand colors, and other important information, such as your payment terms, to prevent any ambiguity on this matter.
 
Communicate your goals clearlyCommunicating your goals clearly and regularly with everyone in the organization will ensure that everyone remains on the same page as far as reaching your company objectives goes. Furthermore, staff tend to feel more valued and appreciated when they are recognized and included in an organization's mission.
 
Not delegating enoughNot everyone can be everything to everyone. The same applies to leaders who can't possibly be directly involved in every decision-making process, especially the smaller ones that occur on a day-to-day basis. AXDRAFT points out that this is where delegation comes into play to help spread the responsibility, in a sense. Where tasks can be handed over to those you've entrusted in a managerial position, this must be done to help mitigate those risks associated with poor decision-making or decision-making on the fly, which doesn't always pan out well due to a lack of planning.
 
Indeed, leaders are put in that position because they know what they're doing. However, it's important to remember that all leaders have weaknesses. And it is in acknowledging these 'blind spots’ that good leaders become excellent leaders.
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Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ​ABLE USA.

For small businesses looking for the best medium to promote their products in 2023, video marketing will certainly rank at the top of the list. In addition to helping you garner greater reach than text/image-based promotions, video marketing is cost-efficient as well. In this article by Spotlight Biz Solutions, we’ll explore the best strategies small businesses should implement to be successful in their video promotional activities and outperform competitors.
 
Best Types of Videos to Create
 
For businesses just starting with their video marketing activities, here’s a list of the go-to formats to consider:
 

• Brand Story Videos: As the name suggests, these videos are focused on communicating your brand story with customers. This will include your mission, motivations for starting the business, and brand promises customers can expect you to uphold. A brand story video is a great way to educate customers about your brand and develop a strong connection from the get-go.

 

• Product Offering Videos: Whether you sell products or services, create videos describing their best features and, more importantly, how they’ll help customers overcome their pain points. The goal of these videos is to communicate the value of your products to customers rather than simply advertising its features and pricing.

 

• Social Proof Videos: 84% of Gen Z customers purchase products based on suggestions from their favorite influencers, as reported by Cision. Hence, social proof videos — i.e., videos in which influencers/customers compliment and recommend your products will be the driving force for promotions in 2023.

 
Keep Video Production Costs in Check
 
While video marketing provides the benefit of higher content penetration on social media and customer engagement, it does come at a cost. As reported by Business.com, hiring a professional video marketing team can cost at least a few thousand dollars. Additionally, you’ll need to spend money on video promotions.
 
But there’s no need to fret, as here are a few ways you can drastically reduce video production costs:
 

• Royalty-free Videos: Shooting all shots from scratch can be costly. Video stock footage can help. You can find thousands of hours of free videos shot in HD quality with a simple online search. Additionally, you always have the option to pay for a subscription to access niche videos in line with your brand and industry.

 

• Shoot Videos on Mobile: Most new mobile phones have great cameras that are perfect for creating in-house video content. For instance, if you want to shoot a product unboxing video, all you need is a room with great lighting, a phone stand, and pressing record on your phone. New iPhones and other brands provide users the option to download a video in 1080p or even higher, which is ideal for sharing videos on social media, blogs, and websites.

 
By shooting organic videos, not only will you save thousands of dollars a year, but in time become proficient in video marketing. Rather than focusing on making each video perfect, the key will be to be consistent in your uploads and reach as many customers as possible daily.
 
Create Trackable Metrics for Campaigns
 
The only way to truly understand whether your business is reaping the benefits of video marketing is to establish trackable metrics, such as:
 

• Views: This metric tracks the number of times a video has been watched. Be mindful of separating unique (views from a new user) from repeat views (the same user watching the video multiple times).

 

• Engagement Rate: Liking the video, sharing, and leaving a comment are common engagement actions to track on all social media platforms. Your goal should be to generate as many of these metrics as possible, as it helps to organically promote the video and garner more eyeballs at zero cost.

 
Video marketing is an essential component for any small business looking to grow its brand awareness online. Now that you understand the best types of videos to create and how to keep costs in check, all that's left is consistently creating and publishing content across your socials and watching your brand grow.
 
Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ​ABLE USA. ​

Keeping in touch with your customers in the Twin Cities area is easier when you use the right methods. Email newsletters are one of the best ways to grow your customer base and keep in touch with everyone. 
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Why Send Newsletters?Newsletters are effective because you can customize them for any purpose. You can inform customers about your products and services or send special birthday offers, for instance. Another reason newsletters are a good investment is the low cost. You can write them yourself and send them out cheaply using an email marketing service.
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Encourage People to Read Your NewsletterMany experts agree that offering a newsletter is only one part of the task. For it to be effective, people need to read it. You can offer a discount on their first purchase or a free webinar that piques their interest. But a key way to get people to read your newsletter is to write an effective one.
To make sure you write a newsletter people want to read, keep these tips in mind:

• The best subject and opening lines are witty and direct. Avoid cliches. Incorporate power words and time-sensitive words in your opener. Research the best words to use in your industry.
• Watch your language. You want to be friendly and personable. Customers are more likely to open emails from someone they trust. Some email marketers achieve this by using their first name instead of the business name in the from field.
• Connect to your reader. It's okay to develop some rapport, but don't overdo it. You should get to the point in as few paragraphs as possible.

Using Data Visualization to Enhance Your ContentOnce you have subscribers, your next challenge is keeping them. First, what objective do you want your newsletter to achieve? Do you want your subscribers to flock to your new online course or store, or do you want them to subscribe to your social media pages? Regardless of what goal you have for your newsletter, try to visualize the result ahead of time.

Finding Professional HelpA newsletter is a powerful marketing tool, but only if it's engaging and well-written. If writing isn't your gig, consider hiring Spotlight Business Solutions to shape your ideas into compelling prose. If your newsletter includes graphics, you can find an illustrator or graphic designer online for a low price.

Locating Tools to Optimize Your NewsletterLuckily for everyone, the advantages of technology mean that people can learn a new skill quickly and from the comfort of their home. There are many tools available to help you with the creation and distribution of your newsletter. You can even find tools that help with the layout and design, too.

In fact, you can use an online logo maker to help you create a professional, chic logo for free. You’ll get a logo you can use anywhere, from social media to merchandise and business cards. Your  brand will look amazing, and the logo can work wonders for your marketing.
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Your Next StepsCreating a marketing strategy can be challenging, but luckily, there are many resources available in the Twin Cities area that can help. Reach out to Spotlight Business Solutions for your free 30-minute marketing consultation.

Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ​ABLE USA. 

Enjoy the latest Guest Blog from Kory Wermerskirchen, who is in my networking group! 

I have been in the insurance industry for 10+ years, and continually the biggest mistake I see people make is with their liability limits.  This is what protects you and your assets should you be liable (at-fault) in an accident.  As the publicly traded online insurers have pushed to commoditize the insurance industry, the push for saving money in as little of time as possible has increased drastically.  Besides the issue of spending less time on insurance than you do on your Amazon order, there is significant risk aligned with this quick decision. In MN if you don’t have sufficient coverage for an at-fault accident, nor the ability to pay out of pocket for damages exceeding your insurance coverage amount, they may garnish up to 25% of your wages until that debt has been repaid.  Could you afford a 25% pay cut in perpetuity until your debt is repaid? I know my family couldn’t.

Many companies advertise the price without much attention directed to what you are buying, and what money conscious person would select the $100/month option over the $90/month or $80/month option? Increasingly I see people selecting the $80 option, which often means they have the State Minimum Liability coverages of 30/60/10.  When I chat with these same people and ask how long it would take to accrue $30k in Medical Damages at the Hospital, or how many cars on the road are worth less than $10k, they all unanimously answer, not long and not many.  And they are right.  Yet usually unbeknownst to them, that is exactly how much coverage they have right now.
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So if you really only have 15 minutes to spend on determining your coverages, spend it with a local reputable agent that can inform you of what you are buying and the potential risks associated with it.  Or at the very minimum double check what you have, and determine if that is sufficient to protect you and your family.  Your financial future may depend on it.
 
Kory Wermerskirchen
Marty Bothwell Agency         
Ph:   (952) 937-5556
Fax: (952) 975-9217
kory.wermerskirchen.uvwt@statefarm.com

We work with many different industries throughout the U.S. to help with their digital marketing needs. From Realtors to Chiropractors, to local restaurants and museums, you will play a vital role in the content we provide for our customers and helping their businesses be seen online.

You will also serve as an internal advocate for client needs, helping to bring about better service to clients and contribute to the overall customer experience. This is a part-time, remote, entry-level position with room to grow. Communication and creativity are key with this position.
Duties Include, but are not limited to:

• Tracking growth across platforms for a wide variety of clients.
• Help prepare reports for analysis to present to clients.  
• Develop original and engaging text, image content to help promote client brands on social media, email marketing, and websites.  
• Assist with uploading already made content to YouTube channels for clients.
• This position requires great communication skills.  
• Other duties as assigned

 
This job starts at 5 to 10 hours per week at $25 an hour and is an independent contractor with room to grow. We are willing to train as well for the right person.
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Please submit a sample of writing when you apply. A sample should include one original social media post for a business of your choosing or a sample blog post.  
 
Please email us your resume!

Have you ever had a moment where things in your life just don't "fit" any more? Whether it's something you're doing, the places you go, or even your wardrobe...?

I've been experiencing that with the clothes I wear. Between health issues and working from home full time, it's real easy to get into a rut. It's even easier to not get out of leggings for three days. I'm not against leggings or being comfortable, but there are times when I've wished I could take things to the next level.

Part of the problem is that shopping has always scared me. I was always intimidated by the clerks in the stores, what to try on, what even looks good on me. So at some point, I sort of stopped trying. There is a silver lining.... when I joined my networking group 2 years ago, I was introduced to the fabulous Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting and she's made such an impact on my life. I never knew I could wear the things she's helped me try on. I always felt stuck in a rut. Stuck with what ever clothing fit the fruit my body resembled instead of finding pieces I love and being able to pair them together. What a concept!

If you are looking to gift yourself something amazing this February and give yourself a real boost of confidence, let a consult with Nancy be it! Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Not only is she amazing to work with, Nancy is also one of the nicest humans I've met on this planet. Plus, she helped me pick out this jacket.

Want to get in touch with Nancy? Visit her website. 
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