After years of economic hardship and uncertainty, American small businesses are increasingly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. As 2012 continues, that optimism will slowly continue to snowball, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
"Companies are more confident about 2012 and more inclined to hire as revenue grows," Pamela Springer, CEO of the online business community Manta Media told the publication.
Manta Media recently conducted a survey of 1,000 small business owners and found that 72 percent revered 2011 as a successful twelve months, 90 percent are optimistic about their respective businesses' potential for growth in the new year and 70 percent believe the overall business landscape will improve in 2012.
However, not every outlook is as particularly rosy. Ron Stake, executive director of the Ohio Small Business Association, told the news source that the entrepreneurs he has encountered recently are not as optimistic.
"They have lower expectations than in the past," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying. "It's still tough out there, and they're not seeing increased customers."
The best way to brace for the difficult times or sunny skies ahead is to create a budget-conscious marketing plan. Direct mailing lists offer an affordable way to target consumers with timely and actionable materials that will bring them through a company's door.