Worried about the economy? Survey results signal positive outlook for small businesses

Consumers and small businesses around the country have been reluctant to make major financial moves because of the state of the economy, but a recent survey from American Airlines showed that small business leaders are feeling more confident about their financial standings.

The survey, which included responses from more than 1,100 managers at small and medium sized businesses in the United States, found that 71 percent of respondents estimate the economic outlook of their companies will improve over the next 12 to 18 months.

Ninety-three percent of respondents reported that face-to-face meetings are more helpful to the success of their business, and 86 percent of those who responded projected that their company's travel will either stay the same or increase as much as 24 percent over the next year.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses made up 65 percent of the new jobs over the past 17 years.

American Airlines revealed the top 10 domestic cities most traveled to by small businesses included New York, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Atlanta and Boston, with four of the top five cities were found to be key financial and business centers.

Businesses looking to expand their reach and increase small business marketing efforts should digest this new found confidence and consider campaigns that target traveling consumers. Staying abreast of the latest economic news is an effective way for small business marketers to find new strategies for connecting with their target market.