The Richard Smith - small business development for the real world. Podcast By The Richard Smith - small business development for the real world. cover art

The Richard Smith - small business development for the real world.

The Richard Smith - small business development for the real world.

By: The Richard Smith - small business development for the real world.
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Small business, sales, marketing, how to get stuff done. Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • APRIL PODCAST – Stop Treating Social Media Like a Megaphone

    APRIL PODCAST – Stop Treating Social Media Like a Megaphone
    Apr 6 2026
    And Start Using It Like a Conversation Hi, welcome back. Today I want to talk about two things most small businesses get wrong: Social mediaExisting customers Let’s keep this simple. Social Media Is Not the Answer But It Is a Tool Social media is not magic. It will not fix a broken business.It will not replace proper marketing.And it will not turn rubbish into results. But it is free access to attention. You have platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). They cost nothing to use. And they give you direct access to: Potential customersReferrersPartnersPeople already interested in what you do That is powerful. Most people waste it. Why Most Businesses Get It Wrong They treat social media like a loudspeaker. “Buy this.”“Look at me.”“Here’s another offer.” Noise. That’s why people switch off. What Actually Works Use what is already happening in the world. Example: A story appears on the BBC about faulty kitchen units. If you’re a kitchen fitter, that’s your moment. You say: “You may have seen this issue.Here’s how we do it differently so it doesn’t happen.” Now you are not selling. You are explaining. You are solving. You are positioning yourself as the person who knows. That works whether you are: A builderAn accountantA solicitorA consultant Same principle. The Shift You Need to Make From this: “Look at me.” To this: “Here’s something useful.” When you do that: Your content gets shared moreThe algorithm finds the right peopleYou stop being a nuisanceYou become relevant That’s marketing. Not selling. Now Let’s Talk About Your Existing Customers This is where most businesses are just… lazy. You already have people who: Know youLike youTrust youCall you when they’re stuck But you never contact them. Why? You message your mates.You send them links.You share things you find interesting. But your customers? Silence. Makes no sense. Your Customers Are Already Your Audience If someone has used you before, you are their go-to. If something breaks, they call you. So why wouldn’t you: Send them a useful articleShare a video you madeFlag a common problemOffer a simple solution Email.Text.WhatsApp.Even a letter. Yes, a letter. Remember those? No one gets anything in the post anymore except bills. So when they get something useful from you, it stands out. How to Do It Without Being Annoying Don’t sell. Just say: “Saw this. Thought of you.If it’s relevant, give me a shout.” That’s it. No pressure. No pitch. You stay visible.You stay useful.You stay top of mind. This Is the Bit Most People Miss You don’t need more leads. You need to: Talk properly on social mediaStay connected to existing customers That alone will grow most small businesses. Do Something With This If you are sitting there thinking: “I should probably be doing this…” You’re right. But thinking doesn’t pay the bills. Action does. If you want help putting this into place: Go to https://richardsmith.com if you run a larger businessGo to https://smallbusinessninja.co.uk if you are a small or micro business Or just get in touch and we’ll sort it out. Because right now, you are sat on customers, content, and opportunity. And doing precisely nothing with it. Which is a bold strategy, if your goal is to stay exactly where you are. Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *WebsiteSend Message
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    8 mins
  • Get out of the office. Podcast

    Get out of the office. Podcast
    Mar 8 2026
    Podcast Summary – Stop Hiding Behind the Screen

    Welcome to today’s episode.

    I work with small businesses. Strategy. Sales. E-commerce. Marketing. Customer retention. That last one is my weapon of choice. Getting existing customers to come back is cheaper and more powerful than chasing strangers all day.

    But here’s what I’m seeing in early 2026.

    Everything is being pushed onto a screen.

    Zoom meetings. LinkedIn “connections”. Webinars instead of conferences. Entire businesses run from a spare bedroom in slippers.

    We are being sold the idea that you can build a serious company without leaving the house. Click a few buttons. Post a few videos. Watch the money roll in.

    It’s nonsense.

    Yes, online tools matter. Of course they do. Email, WhatsApp, social media. They are efficient.

    But they are not a substitute for human contact.

    Small businesses, especially those under £1m turnover, grow through trust. And trust grows faster face to face.

    Eye contact matters. Sitting across a table matters. Having a coffee. Reading the room. Picking up on tone. Having a proper conversation about what your client actually wants.

    That nuance does not live inside a screen.

    When you meet people in person, something shifts. You get momentum. Ideas flow. Decisions happen. That is where real business gets done.

    So I am not saying ditch digital.

    I am saying stop hiding behind it.

    If you are a small business owner, look at your diary. How many real meetings are you having? How many proper conversations are you starting?

    If everything is online, your growth will be limited.

    Blend it. Use digital for reach. Use face to face for depth.

    That is where the money is.

    Call to Action

    If you run a small business under £1m and you want practical, hands on help with retention, sales and real world growth, go to:

    www.therichardsmith.com

    Or if you want structured support and sharp thinking applied directly to your business, visit:

    www.smallbusinessninja.co.uk

    Stop building your business through a webcam.

    Go and shake a hand.

    Final thought: if running a million-pound business in your underwear was that easy, Primark would be sponsoring the FTSE 100.

    Get In Touch

    Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *PhoneSend Message
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    5 mins
  • Small Business : Before the Phone Rings: How Customers Decide to Trust You

    Small Business : Before the Phone Rings: How Customers Decide to Trust You
    Mar 3 2026
    The Zero Moment of Truth (And Why Your Online Presence Actually Matters) If you run a small business, this one is for you. What I Do Before I Meet a Client Before I ever sit down with a client, I do two simple things. First, I Google them. I look at their website. I see how they present themselves. I get a feel for how they do business. Second, I look at their wider online presence. Reviews. Mentions. What other people say about them. This is not clever. It is exactly what your customers do. Your Customers Are Already Checking Before someone works with you, they look you up. They want reassurance. They want confirmation. They want to know they are making the right choice. If your website does not explain how you work and why you work that way, you are missing a trick. If your social media says nothing useful, you are missing another one. The Zero Moment of Truth Google used to call this the Zero Moment of Truth. It happens when someone gets a quote from you. Then they open Google. They search your name. Your business. Your reviews. They are not being difficult. They are being sensible. You need to show up at that moment. Reviews Are Not Enough on Their Own Star ratings matter. But they are not the whole story. People also look for supporting signals. A website that feels realA YouTube channelA TikTok or Facebook presenceEvidence that you exist beyond a logo These channels are free to use. But only if you actually use them. This Also Applies to Your Suppliers This is not just about customers. It applies to the people you work with. Your kitchen supplier. Your accountant. Your solicitor. Your software provider. You should be leaving feedback for them too. Why? Because it shows you are a serious business. It shows who you choose to work with. It shows the quality of your supply chain. And you can talk about that publicly. Symbiosis in Business There is a biological term for this. It is called symbiosis. Two organisms working together. Both benefit. Neither survives as well alone. Trees and ivy. Humans and gut bacteria. Business works the same way. When you support your suppliers publicly, they support you. When you link to each other, visibility increases. Algorithms like connectivity. So do humans. What This Looks Like in Practice Reviews for customersReviews for suppliersMentions on your websiteSocial posts showing how you workClear signals that you are real and trusted This builds confidence before anyone ever calls you. The Core Message People are checking you out anyway. You can either control the story. Or leave it to chance. The Zero Moment of Truth is happening whether you like it or not. You might as well turn up for it. Need a Way Forward? If you are stuck with any of this and want a clear plan, you know what to do. You can find out more about me at: https://www.therichardsmith.com If you need hands-on help for your small business, visit: https://smallbusinessninja.co.uk Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *NameSend Message
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    5 mins
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