This is a topic that’s got to drive most small businessmen nuts.
SEM, or search engine marketing, is one area where small businesses can compete. Bob Sturges has done an interesting post on this in smallbiztrends.com.
Essentially, the point is that small business can use its speed and nimbleness in outmarketing a large firm, who might be resting on its brand too much. And, in spending money smartly on online marketing through pay-per-click and social media, neither of which needs much money, the playing field can be levelled.
Something else we’ve noted lately among two large restaurant chains (Mimi’s and Cheesecake Factory) is that it’s hard to communicate with the corporate offices. That’s another area….make it easy to communicate with your company.
Here’s the link to Bob’s post: http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/02/search-engine-marketing-snall-business-big-brands-in-sem