Ms. Sachkia Barnes of Barnes PR speaking to small business owners on marketing basics.

Keynote Speaker Sachkia Barnes of Barnes PR delivered a very informative session on marketing basics and highlighted several essential tips for good marketing including the importance of having a marketing plan.

Ms. Barnes told the small business owners that they must see marketing as an investment and it is something that has to be consistent within their business. At the same time, she made it clear that they must also be patient as marketing takes time to see the actual results.

Another important aspect of having a marketing plan, the Public Relations specialist told the group that it was essential that they decide what type of business they want to have, whether it was finding a niche in something that they can do better than anyone else or going into a business that already has several players where they have to compete to be the best.

She also told them the importance to develop a professional image for their businesses and a professional look.
“Choose your business colours carefully as colours have meaning,” she told them while urging that a standard dress code be developed for staff based on the appropriateness for their business.

While small businesses may not have the large budget to do marketing, Ms. Barnes urged the business owners to make use of free publicity through social media, press releases, interviews with media houses, emails among others.

Regarding social media, she urged them not to be overwhelmed but rather to choose one and ensure that their social media page is professional and reflects the business alone rather than having business and personal information together.

Ms. Barnes further encouraged the small business owners that they should measure their marketing plan to ensure it is working for them and to adjust their plan if they need to.

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online after the presentation, Rosemary Smith of Virgin Islands Environmental and Technical Solutions said the seminar was very important as it gave a very wide range of marketing tools.

“They explained them in depth and which ones are more relevant and useful to the BVI and to small businesses and there were strategies that small businesses can use without a large budget to do their marketing.”

Jennifer McSheene, owner of a classic boutique located in Prospect Reef, said she finds that the seminar was excellent and she took away several points from the seminar.

“One thing is that when I introduce myself I don’t usually introduce myself along with my boutique, that part of it I need to improve on by introducing myself and my boutique.”

Another small business owner Maggie Baltimore of Baltimore Reliable and Cleaning Services, said the seminar is like a refresher for her since she plans to expand her business.

Meanwhile, Scotiabank is encouraging small businesses to get on board with its mortgage loan with its rate now at 5.25 percent.