Small Biz Diamonds

Micro Loans: Your 2013 Solution to Fast Small Business Financing

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:03:13 -0500

In today’s economy it harder then ever to secure a small business loan…or is it? Trying to obtain a traditional loan for your small business can be difficult or hands down impossible, the good news is there are several other options. This article will detail the benefits of utilizing a Sunovis Financial Micro Loan to grow your small business.

If you are like many small business owners in America, you need access to capital to grow your small business but have been turned down by your banks due to extremely rigid lending policies. During this financial crunch times many small business owners are wondering where to turn financing. Heck, even if you are able to qualify for a traditional bank loan there is a lot of time and waiting period spent on that process that differs greatly from that of a securing a micro loan, let’s take a look…

Documents Needed for Submission of a Traditional Small Business Loan

Personal Background
Resume
Business Plan
Personal Credit Report
Business Credit Report
Income Tax Returns
Financial Statements
Bank Statements
Collateral
Legal Documents

Document Needed for Submission of a Sunovis Financial Micro Loan

One page fast and easy online application

After the required documents are submitted for review, a bank can take up to 30 days or more to make a decision on your loan application. Sunovis Financial on the other hand can approve Micro Loans in as little as 2 to 3 business days, and funded in as little as 7 to 10 days. Sunovis Micro loans range range from $5,000 to $150,000; with loan repayment terms of 3 to 18 months.

What are the minimum requirements for a Sunovis Financial Micro Loan?

Business has been in operation for at least 1 year.
Business is located in the United States or Puerto Rico.
Business annual revenue is at least $100,000
Minimum FICO credit score of 500.
Average bank balance should be a minimum of $3,000.
No bankruptcies in the last 2 years.
No foreclosures in the last 2 years.
Any lien or judgement filed over 5 years ago and less than $50,000 will be considered.
Make sure your small business is NOT on the Disqualified Industries list.

The Key Benefits of a Sunovis Financial Micro Loan

Micro loans are underwritten with a strong emphasis on cash flow and business health NOT credit scores.
There are NO collateral requirements.
Loan repayments are reported to the credit agencies, helping to build a small business credit history and/or strengthen it.
Interest payments are tax deductible.
Small businesses with higher FICO scores, bank balances, and annual revenue (as previously mentioned for minimum requirements) are positioned well for longer terms or higher maximum amounts.

What other documents should I have ready when applying for a Sunovis Financial Micro Loan?

In general your Micro loan referral agent or Underwriter will let you know what additional documentation is needed, but it wise to have the following documents prepared to submit for review in order to help streamline the application process:

3 months of your small business bank statements;
Profit and loss statement;
Business credit card statements.

What can I use a Sunovis Financial Micro Loan for?

There are no restrictions for the money usage from the loan but it is wise to be able to show the lender that you will be using the loan money to make more money at your small business. Below are some examples of the most ideal usages for the micro loan;

Buying, leasing, or renting equipment
Facility expansion
General working capital
Hiring additional employees
Launching a marketing campaign
Purchasing inventory

“We have built our business around providing small businesses with access to SBA loans. Seeing the potential that microlending presents, we also offer small business owners access to this dynamic lending model as well,” commented Terry Robinson, president of Sunovis Financial in a statement. “We have embraced microlending because we feel that it fits well with our mission to rebuild the American economy one loan and one business at a time.”

How do I get started?

Contact Sunovis Financial Micro Loan Referral Agent and small business advocate Ashley Neal to start your fast and easy pre-screening process. Contact info: phone 678-835-8442 or email ashley.sunovis@gmail.com. Visit http://sunovisfinancial.com for additional information.

Ashley Neal is an entrepreneur and small business advocate that enjoys writing about topics pertaining to small business. She is the owner of Small Biz Writer, where she specializes in providing quality content online for small business owners which in turn increases visibility and sales. Additionally, Ashley is the editor/writer and publisher of her own award-winning small business resource blog Small Biz Diamonds . She also writes for Examiner.com as the Atlanta Small Business Examiner, CBS Local Atlanta, and Future Simple’s small business blog: Growth University. Ashley is also a proud Micro Loan Referral Agent for Sunovis Financial, a small business micro loan lender that focuses on business cash flow NOT credit scores or collateral. Contact Ashley today for a fast and easy pre-screen for capital that can help grow your small business 678-835-8442 or email ashley.sunovis@gmail.com.

Images: Hand lending money,money stack, lady with loan approval

Make Your Business Goals “Unrealistic”: Why it’s Easier to Achieve Harder Targets

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:43:20 -0500

This may seem like a ridiculous philosophy. When attempting to build a business you want to feel like you’re progressing forward and therefore having safe, reachable goals in a manageable and rewarding course of action.

However, Tim Ferriss, bestselling author of the #1 book ‘The 4-Hour Workweek’ and advisor to companies such as Facebook and StumbleUpon, proves time and time again that this is simply not the case. Mediocre goals will produce mediocre results. It’s only when you reach for the seemingly unreachable that you find yourself with it in your hand.

The Philosophical Experiment

When Tim Ferriss was lecturing in Stanford University in 2005, he put a challenge to his class. He offered the prize of a round-the-world trip to anyone who could complete his as-of-yet undefined challenge. 20 people out 60 stayed after class and accepted the challenge of attempting to contact three seemingly impossible people to contact, and have one of them answer three questions.

Nobody did it. Not one.

Among the cacophony of flying excuses of ‘not enough time’ and ‘I had a paper due’, Ferriss found the common excuse time and time again was that the challenge was so difficult that people gave up. The students believed that someone else would do better than them anyway, so they didn’t even give it a go.

But How Does This Affect Your Business?

Don’t Overestimate the Competition

The point that Ferriss was trying to make was that the large majority of people in society just give up. They don’t even try for the top goals because they believe they’ll never reach them. Most people aim for mediocrity

because they know they can achieve that and feel some level of reward, rather than having greater potential for failure and disappointed. They opt for the safe option because they think they’re not good enough.

What this means for you and your goal setting, is that you should be challenging yourself to reach those unreachable goals. The vast majority of businesses around you are taking baby steps to be safe and secure, leaving that top spot open for you.

Unrealistic Goals Affect You

The other important thing that Ferriss mentions is that unrealistic goals are labelled such because the risk is huge, but so is the pay-off if you succeed. On a basic level, the national lottery is going to have a bigger pay-off but less than chance of winning than a raffle at your local market.

When you look at your average business goal, say reaching 100 Facebook followers in a month, yes that’s achievable and when it’s done you will have 100 Facebook followers for your business. Mediocre goals provide mediocre results.

However, say you aimed for 100 Facebook followers a week, you’re getting the ball rolling with a snowball effect on people. 100 followers a week may seem unrealistic but the payoffs are much higher because suddenly you’ve opened up an enormous audience to tout your Ferrari chronograph watch, or industrial cleaning services to.

But the thing at hand here is that when the reward of achieving an unrealistic goal is so desirable, and you tune yourself into believing you can achieve it, you work much harder to push yourself up the ladder to grab the golden goose.

If the reward is of average value, you’re only going to put in average effort to get it. If the goal is boring, you’re going to be bored. This always comes across in your work.

Therefore, the conclusion that Ferriss draws on the subject is that you’re more likely to achieve the unrealistic goal because you’ll put the effort in to get there. With the ‘realistic’ goal, you’re not as bothered, you don’t put in the effort, and the whole thing falls through. So paradoxically, the ‘unrealistic’ goal is actually far more of a reality.

In conclusion, aim high. If you’re looking for a run of the mill business that all you have to do is give yourself easy-to-chew goals which you can swallow whole if you need to. If you’re looking to be the next Google, or Nike, or Mercedes, you need to bite off more than you can chew and work at it.

We should change the old adage: shoot for the moon, and you’ll get the moon.

Freelance writer Emily Jenkins loves to buy gifts for her family. When she’s not writing, she’s chained to her laptop searching for the best seasonal gifts, this year priding herself on her Ferrari laptop find at www.enzolifestyle.com. Her Dad will be over the moon!

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4 Tips in Increasing Your Profit with an Online Presence

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:11:24 -0500

As a business owner, you are probably always searching for ways to increase your profit. This is true of any type of business. But, for this article, I am mainly going to concentrate on how to do this through the use of the Internet, and for online businesses in general.

If your business is strictly online, then you probably have already cut a lot of overhead cost by not having to have staff on site, office space, and even payroll if you work with freelancers rather than hire employees with payroll expenses. This in itself increases your profit. However, there are also ways to bring new traffic to your site. Of course, I need to give credit, where credit is due. I learned a lot of this by listening to James Martell and Rusty Wood, on a Coffee Talk podcast. James is an online mega success through affiliate marketing and training others how to be successful. Rusty is an online success story himself in the office supply industry. But, let’s get to what I learned…

1. Affiliate Marketing for Passive Growth

James and Rusty spoke of Amazon and how they are a giant in the online retail industry, and really the first affiliate marketing company. They sell just about anything you can imagine…but, do they really? I mean sell, that is. If you notice, many of the products available on Amazon are actually being sold through various companies, and Amazon is the link between the buyer…and them. And Amazon is the affiliate who makes a commission off these sales. This is affiliate marketing at its best, especially when you consider they do an average of 78 million a day in sales. Yes, I said a day. That is affiliate marketing, and also a golden opportunity for some passive growth in any online business, even the smallest. I should say relative passive growth and income, because the affiliates don’t necessarily all come running to you. No, you have to make them want to work with you by having a website with high traffic. So, let’s discuss some ways to increase your traffic.

2. Utilizing Social Media

Social Medias are not just for socializing anymore. In fact, they can be very helpful in getting new customers directed to your site. The more popular Social Media sites are:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

One way to utilize these sites is to entice readers to click on a link, one that leads them back to your site. You can do this by placing enough photos or information on these social media sites to grab their attention to click on the link. For example if your business is an order checks by mail company, place photos of your most popular or intriguing designs on Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter pages…your own pages, and others that allow for it.

3. Internet Marketing for Growth

James and Rusty spoke of a chiropractor they know who chooses to do all her marketing online now. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on Yellow Page ads and other printed forms of advertising, Dr. Jeri Anderson focuses on using Google+ Local, Facebook, Twitter, and even Youtube to speak for her. It’s all free, and more frequented than the traditional form of advertising. In fact, in the 20+ years she has been in business, since she has changed over to this method, she has seen far more new patients come through her door than ever…4 new patients per week, which is incredible growth. Dr. Anderson places photos, fresh content, and even some videos on her own site, Social Medias, and Google+ Local. She also makes sure that she updates all information and content to keep her customers interested, and grabbing the attention of potential new customers.

4. Google Rankings Matter

In order to have maximum exposure for your website and ultimately, your business, a good ranking with Google would be a great goal to strive for…and reach. You can do this by developing great content on your site, with relative keywords. In other words, if your business deals with online check orders, then make sure keywords relating to that are written into the content. Do some research to find what people are putting into search engines in order to know the best keywords and phrases to use. Images are also ranked by Google when you place relative keywords as the tag. When people use Google’s search engine, the higher you are ranked with them, the more traffic you will get.

In Closing

As you can see, there are ways to drive more traffic to your business, through your website and social media pages, which can significantly increase your profit. And, it’s up to you to make sure everything remains updated and current.

Benjamin Baker will be the first to admit he is addicted to writing, as well as search. In fact, he just recently was visiting www.buychecksbymail.com when he decided to do a series on making money online. When Benjamin is not working, he enjoys strumming his guitar around the campfire, fishing, and spending time with his wife and 3 teenagers. The Bakers reside in Denver, Colorado.

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Protect Your Business with a New Employee Checklist

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:10:03 -0500

The first week on the job tends to set the tone for employees. Based on their experiences during the first week, they will either be on the road to a great career with your company or on the road to becoming apathetic, frustrated and depressed. Disorganization and unclear instructions are among the chief causes of new employee dissatisfaction. There is no greater nightmare than working a job without knowing what is expected. Another cause for job dissatisfaction is lack of incentive to excel. Often simple praise for a job well done is incentive enough to create a loyal employee. Recognition, potential for advancement and company growth rate are all of interest to a new employee. Of course the bottom line is salary and benefits, but often job security, great working conditions and a good relationship with the boss and coworkers weigh into job satisfaction even more.

In addition to encouraging your new employee, there are many forms and records to fill out. If done correctly and with the right sense of professionalism, even this procedure will build confidence in the company. Good employers help their new employees fill out necessary tax forms. They are quick to offer written and verbal instructions and detailed training. They supervise that first week with great diligence to insure the employee is well treated by other staff. They make sure the new hire isn’t getting overwhelmed by the job. Make sure these items are on your checklist and check with your local labor board to ensure any specific local requirement are covered as well.

Employer Checklist Items

Apply for an EIN Number from the IRS if you do not already have one. Business owners can apply for this online.
Keep a copy of the employee’s resume and job application on file.
Download the I-9 form from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency website. Help your employee fill this out and keep a copy of the I-9 Form on file throughout employment and for at least a year after, for employment eligibility verification.
IRS W-4 form must be obtained from the IRS, filled out correctly, signed by the employee and returned to the IRS by the Employer. It is a good idea to keep a copy for your records as well.
Fill out the proper forms for your State’s Employee taxes and withholding.
Report your new hire to the state’s new hire reporting program within 20 days.
Obtain Workers Compensation Insurance from your state.
Obtain suitable health care insurance after a 90 day probation period. Make sure that the employee fills out the necessary forms and that these forms are filed properly with the insurance company.
Employers must file IRS form 941 in their quarterly tax return to record Social Security and Medicare taxes.
It is important to keep painstaking records of wages paid to the employee and taxes withheld. Use these records to fill out a W-2 for each employee and mail copy A to the IRS in January or February. Another copy should be sent to the employee before Jan. 31.

Employee Checklist Items

Present your employee with an employee handbook outlining company policy. Also keep copies of the handbook and post them at work stations for quick reference. A neat and comprehensive handbook always makes a good impression on new hires.
Consider giving all employees a company logo imprinted ring binder or folder to keep all their company literature in neatly.
Give your new employee a written job description detailing the employee’s specific duties. Retain a copy of this for your records as well.
Include a written document about safety procedures that is specific to his or her job description and outlining safety in the overall workplace environment.
Provide your employee with any necessary literature about equipment, merchandise, procedures or other items pertaining to his or her employment.
Provide suitable and exhaustive training, including sufficient repetition and reminders over the coming days or weeks to prepare him or her for the job.
Instruct the new employee in safe practices and various safety precautions. Explain any unusual or hidden dangers involved in his job so that he may exercise due care in handling certain materials, supplies and equipment.
Explain all dress code regulations as they relate to safety requirements or proper work attire. For example, explaining the safety rationale behind such rules as why waitresses should not wear open toed shoes, or why a factory worker should wear safety eyewear. Often, understanding the principles behind a safety rule helps employees stay safe.
Provide safety goggles, protective shoes, gloves, hard hats and other protective gear, or explain to your employee exactly where these supplies can be purchased and the specific type of items required. Explain exactly when and how this equipment is used.
Be sure that your employee receives all the literature for insurance, retirement and other benefits your company provides.
Provide goals and milestones along the way to the employee’s success. Explain any production requirements carefully so that he or she can fulfill your expectations.

Appropriate praise, rewards for a job well done, clear guidelines and a sense of being a part of the team are all very significant factors in job satisfaction. Several times during the first week, ask the new employee to speak with you about any questions or concerns they may have. Take extra time and encourage them to ask questions. Clarifying confusion during the first week on the job can resolve future problems before they arise.

With so many important details to cover, it helps to have a second set of eyes reviewing the procedures. Invoice books printing can offer you checklists with carbon copies to help with oversight of these important checklist items.

Images: lady and man, checklist

Entrepreneur of the Year: Shawn Amerlinck

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:34:00 -0500

Shawn Amerlinck, is a Registered Vet Technician (RVT) and owner of My Pet’s Butler located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I tracked him down for a feature here in Small Biz Diamonds back in April after finding an amazing response of his about how he strategically utilized a press release to grow his then four month old business. His efforts got him press on TV, local newspapers, blogs, and other print publications. Shawn has now been in business for 11 months and has managed to snag a 2012 Biz X award in the category of ‘Pet Owner’s Best Friend’. The Biz X awards are hosted by Biz X magazine the only international border city publication for businesses and people in the Windsor, Ontario (Canada) and Detroit, Michigan (USA) border.

In under a year, Shawn Amerlinck has grown his business exponentially and proven his business model. He is also very active in his local community he currently sponsors local a volleyball team. Simply stated, Shawn had a plan and executed. He is proof that even with a smaller budget, a little creativity paired with a lot of focus and determination will yield success. I asked Shawn back in our initial interview, what is in the future for his brand? His response:

My business will be a success. With a lot of hard work, perseverance and excellent social skills, I can see My Pet’s Butler becoming a household name. My Pet’s Butler will acquire more than 1 vehicle reaching out to areas outside of Windsor, Canada. The brand will have a good reputation for outstanding customer service and will have created a trusting bond with clients and their pets. It will become a name that one will think of first and continue to use as a source to call when they are in need of pet related services. Because my business is three fold (Pet-Sitting, In-Home Medical Care and Pet Shuttle), it will continue to grow and competitors will be left wondering,… ‘How did he do that?’

Congrats Shawn for being a trailblazer in small business, Small Biz Diamonds crowns you Entrepreneur of the Year!!!

The Biz X Awards event will be aired for two weeks on Cogeco cable, starting January 15th at 5 pm and 6:30 pm. Read more about Shawn and his successful business, My Pet’s Butler.

Shawn has really hit the ground running with the launch of his small business. What strategies have proven to work for your business model? What hasn’t worked? Share your small biz diamonds in the comments section below.

3 Ways Christmas Cards Can Create a Lifelong Customer

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:51:00 -0500

A few years ago, I had only been in business for a couple of months when Christmas rolled around. I had about a dozen clients I had worked with in the few short months I had been in business. It was mid-December and I was kind of scrambling for a way to send something to them for the holidays. I decided to send some custom Christmas cards with a promotional message for a discount on my services. I rushed to create the cards, get them in the mail, and get them to my clients before December 25th. I figured I would give them a few weeks before I would start hearing back from them on the wonderful sale I offered. By the end of January I hadn’t heard back from anyone. I told myself that they were probably waiting for some opportunistic time to come back and take advantage of my promotion.

Honestly I waited until April before I gave up hope. In the end, no one that received a Christmas card from me responded. It was a little heartbreaking, personally I don’t take rejection well, and I thought I had a great relationship with my past clients. Through this experience I learned a few valuable lessons about creating Christmas cards in a business setting. I want to share some of the things I’ve learned so others don’t make the same mistakes I did.

Personal not Promotional

From my experience I learned that making a personal card geared toward strengthening the relationship is better than sending a promotional card. In my naivety, I thought that if I just signed the card by hand it would make it personal enough for my clients. I was wrong. Personalized Christmas cards sets many businesses apart from their competition. Why not take the same strategy when sending out holiday cards. Take the time to personally hand write a message to each client. It doesn’t need to be lengthy but it does need to be heartfelt. Don’t forget to address the envelope by hand. Those little touches make a difference. When someone knows they are receiving a personal note directly from you, rather than a mass letter, it makes a much deeper impact. Don’t promote products or services in your Christmas card. It is much better to simply let your client know you’re thinking about them.

Keep it Classy

If you want your card to stand out from the crowd, take time to create something of value. You don’t need to be a professional graphics artist to do this. Check out some examples of well-made cards that you can mimic in order to get the style you want. Don’t skimp on paper quality or premium colors in your cards. Think of how many Christmas cards and holiday reminders you get from businesses. Poorly made cards are a dime a dozen. Premium card stock, beautiful colors, and a personal message go along way to create an impression.

Prepare Your Order Early

Chances are you won’t be hand making each card. That means you will use a card service to get the cards printed and shipped to you. During the holiday rush it’s easy for orders to be delayed for one reason or another. To avoid delays, order your cards a few months ahead of time. It may seem too early to order your cards in September or October, but it will avoid any unnecessary delays. Remember, you’re going to write a personal message on each card. That’s not something you want to do at the last minute in a rushed state of mind. Order early, take your time, and create a personal and lasting memory for the client.

On a final note, not everyone celebrates Christmas. Consider sending a card wishing someone a “happy holidays” or “seasons greetings”. Considering the beliefs of other people can help build trust and lasting relationships. I wouldn’t call it “politically correct” as much as I would call it “culturally sensitive”. If you’re sure a client would appreciate a “Merry Christmas” card, then send it. But it if you’re not sure try another message, one that is less likely to offend. I wish all business owners the best of luck this season sending out holiday cards. In case you’re wondering, in recent years, I’ve had more success sending out cards from the heart rather than trying to promote my services. By following these simple strategies I know you’ll have success too.

Mikkie Mills is a Chicago native. She is involved in business and fashion and a mix between the two. Connect with her on Google + or on Twitter (@DollarHacks).

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Obama Small Business Policies: Tax Reforms and Increased Investments

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:08:00 -0500

Obama’s recent victory secured his second term as the President of the United States, and as with the start of any new Presidential term, businesses and the general public are eager to see how policy reforms will affect them directly. The Obama small business policies reiterated in his campaign called for action and not politics, which is comforting for entrepreneurs and small business owners. According to the Obama campaign spokesperson Adam Fetcher, there are many specific small business policy reforms planned for the United States over the next four years, which are outlined below.

Tax Cuts

Obama’s small business policies during his first Presidential term saw the introduction of eighteen small business tax credits, which he plans to expand upon during his second term. Furthermore, tax deductions for start-ups will be doubled and small business investments will enjoy zero capital gains. To add, a new ten percent income tax credit will be introduced to counteract the cost of hiring and increased wages.

Access to Loans

The Obama policies on small businesses intend to make access to capital easier and more efficient. The President supports the US Small Business Administration, which has raised the maximum loan amount in its lending schemes. The Obama small business policies also support the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS), which was passed in April this year. This law assists small businesses in sourcing finance whilst keeping investor interests safe. JOBS also provides for crowdfunding, i.e. selling equity to individuals with finance, no matter how small, and not just to large investors.

Boosting Export and Trade

Obama small business policies include provisions for trade. According to the President, his administration will make sure that foreign companies do not have an unfair advantage over American companies offering the same products or services. This will be achieved by the Export-Import Bank offering generous financing to American companies. Last year, the Export-Import Bank paid out a record $6 billion in finance and small business insurance. Obama’s small business policies will also expand the current Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is a trade pact between countries such as Australia, Singapore and Mexico.

Small Business Investing

One of the most important Obama small business policies is geared towards small business investments. In 2009, around $300 million worth of federal-prime contracts were delivered to small businesses. Another Obama small business policy is his call for massive infrastructural developments, which could help boost construction and engineering jobs across the country.

Penny Munroe is an avid writer in business related news and tips. Articles include sourcing the best Brisbane serviced office to search marketing tips.

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Image credit: President Obama is seen delivering a speech to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington D.C. (Kevin Lamarque / Associated Press / September 8, 2011)

Top 5 Financial Apps for Small Business

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 10:49:56 -0500

You’ve heard it time and time again, “there’s an app for that.” In this case it holds true, there’s an app for just about everything – including apps that help busy business owners manage their business’ finances. Make the day-to-day operation of your business, tax time and expense management a breeze by using the top five financial apps highlighted below.

Square

Square is a mobile application that allows you to receive and process credit card payments on-the-go. Square register charges a flat fee of 2.75% per transaction for processing payments. It’s an ideal financial application for service-based businesses such as plumbers, consulting firms or small-volume product businesses. It can even be suitable as a backup payment processor at a retail location in the event that your main payment processor is down. Square is available for the iPad and iPhone, which operate on the iOS platform, as well as phones that operate on the Android platform.

InDinero

Accounting apps are a dime a dozen, but few actually make keeping tabs on your business’ finances easier. InDinero is a web-based financial application that offers small business owners an up-to-the-minute picture of their finances. It eliminates the need for timely and costly manual data entry by updating your books automatically, streamlines payroll and even takes the reign on filing taxes. A free mobile version is available on the iOS platform.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is the granddaddy of all financial apps for self-employed workers or service-based businesses. It allows you to track the time that you’ve spent on a project down to the second. The time tracker can be paused to account for interruptions, which is an exceptional feature, especially for those that work at home or in a co-working environment. Inputting expenses takes just a few seconds and can be done with just a few flicks of a finger. FreshBooks also makes the much dreaded task of invoicing a painless process. Plans range from free to $39.95 per month. The app is available for the iPad, iPhone and Android.

Expensify

The paper clutter created by receipts can be overwhelming. This is especially true on business trips when every expense, big or small, must be tracked in order to be reimbursed or appropriately filed for tax purposes. Expensify allows you and your employees to get rid of the receipt clutter by simply using the technology already built into your smartphone – the camera. Using your smartphone, upload a photo of your receipt to the free Expensify app and you can toss those paper receipts immediately. Expensify also has the ability to make full expense reports and even tracks analytics. The app is free and is available for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android.

Outright

Outright organizes your business’ financial accounts on a daily basis in order to lessen your paperwork workload. Like InDinero, the app also gives a bit of tax time help. The unique aspect about Outright, however, is that the program creates profit and loss statements, automatically organizes your income and expenses into IRS-ready categories and estimates your quarterly taxes, making it the ideal app for those without a knack for accounting. Outright is free to use and is available for the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone.

Being a business owner requires you to wear many hats. The inexperienced account hat, however, is one that you can now hang up thanks to the ease of use of Square, InDinero, FreshBooks, Expensify and Outright.

Leslie Wagner is a corporate accountant and guest author at Accounting Degree Review, a site with guides and resources to help you evaluate top-rated online accounting degree programs.

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12 Innovative Uses of Print Marketing Materials

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:34:59 -0500

Print marketing materials have different uses aside from their normal function. Business cards, known as identity cards of professionals, can also be produced as discount or label cards by various establishments. The unconventional applications of print materials are useful when you you’re looking for more affordable substitutes for your needed print products. Listed below are print materials widely used for business and events and the unique ways you can use these for specific situations.

As mentioned above, business cards are versatile prints. The dimensions of traditional business cards can be practically used as:

BUSINESS CARDS

RSVP cards: If you think that RSVP cards are just additional cost to your events budget, business cards are practical substitutes to these prints.

Label cards or Hang Tags The size of standard business cards (2”x3.5”) is similar or close to the dimensions of label cards. Check if the cost of business cards is cheaper than label cards; if so, you may choose the former to tag jars and bags. These are especially helpful to food entrepreneurs or mothers who are dying to put orders in their kitchens. These prints can also be used as gift cards during holidays. You can create your own design instead of settling for generic cards found in stores.

Discount cards You may be familiar that the privilege cards offered in restaurants and retail stores to patrons. These often come in the size of business cards to make them handy for customers. Die-cut options are also available if you want to have creative shapes and sizes for your loyalty cards.

Reference/Cue cards This alternative can be used for old or outdated business cards. If the paper of your business cards are able to be written on, you can use these as cue cards or reference cards for project proposals or presentations.

Inspirational Message Cards Using your old business cards, you can create your own set of prints that has an inspirational message at the back of each card. Stack them on your desk for daily dose of motivational quotes.

STICKERS

Stickers are fun to work with and can be used for different purposes as well. The adhesive at the back of the prints makes these easy to stick onto containers, bags, notebooks, etc. Although there are ready-made sticker labels, you can personalize a layout to fit your preferences. Here are suggestions for alternative sticker uses:

Souvenir Items Stickers can be souvenirs for events, campaigns and product launches. For example, people can show support to breast cancer awareness campaign by using sticker logos on vehicles.

Store Freebie If you own a shop or brick and mortar store, you don’t need an event to be able to give away stickers. Print your logo or business name on stickers and give one to each of your customers. It is an affordable freebie that can increase brand recognition among your clients.

POSTCARDS

Postcards aren’t just prints sent out to loved ones who live far away. Likewise, these have more purposes than direct mail marketing materials of businesses. Postcards are useful to different fields and professions:

Greeting cards Postcards are sturdy prints that can substitute greeting cards. If you find an affordable printing deal for postcards, grab that chance to create cards for the holidays or other occasions.

Comp Cards Models use comp cards (or zed cards) as their ‘business cards’ in looking for agency representation. These contain full-body pictures and head shots of models. Basically, comp cards are postcards with a different name. The good thing is postcards are usually more affordable than comp cards. So if you are under a tight budget, you can order postcards instead.

Save the Date Cards Design your save-the-date cards for that special occasion and let your chosen printing company print those as postcards. You can have your cards in traditional 5”x7” prints or a customized smaller or bigger size.

BROCHURES

Brochures are popular marketing materials used to inform customers about a business or institution. But below are a couple of other applications of brochures:

Take Out Menu Check the prices of brochures and take-out menus from your chosen printing company. If brochures cost cheaper than take-out menus, you can use them instead. These two materials are usually printed on a similar kind of paper and will probably have the same quality.

Handouts Brochures can be used as handouts for seminars or lectures. These prints are designed to have large amount of details without cluttering text and images. Event organizers can also print their program on folded brochures for an organized list of speakers and flow of topics. You can avoid producing multi-page handouts which is more costly compared to brochures.

The alternative uses of these are not limited to the examples listed above. Be resourceful in applying these materials to your respective work or projects. Lastly, look for the best deals from printing resources to make the most out of your money.

Michelle writes for PrintRunner about marketing of and design inspiration for print brochures, posters and other print materials. Off field, she’s a self-proclaimed photographer, chef and movie critique. She plans on taking over the world by taking photos of remarkable places and indigenous people.

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Images {from top to bottom}: RSVP, brown label card, Souvenir ALT1040, Save the Date cards, take out menus

Celebrity Hair Stylist @IamMingLee is Beauty, Brains, and Businesswoman

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:23:00 -0500

Ming Lee knows what it’s like to go from nothing to something. From a young age she always knew that she wanted to ‘take over the world’. To carry out her mission Ming relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, USA from Detroit, Michigan to focus on her life long passions: hair, fashion, and glamour. With strong influences from her father Ming knew that she had to have a vision and a plan and not be afraid to execute it. She decided to take her $500 furniture savings to start her Hair Snobs empire. Ming is the mastermind of a brand that has been created for women around the world. She prides herself on being one of the best hair stylist in the business, providing the best quality hair that money can buy.

Social media has been the tool to help Ming bring awareness to her brand. On her Youtube channel find step-by-step hair tutorials where Ming not only shows you how to achieve a certain hair style she also educates her viewers.On Twitter @IamMingLee engages with her steadily growing following of Hair Snobs fans. In addition to being a celebrity stylist, the young mogul also owns an online boutique Snob Closet and she is a philanthropist. Ming Lee takes Small Biz Diamonds on her journey of entrepreneurship.

What resources did you use to start your own business?

The resources I started with were very few. Believe it or not, I started my business with $500. Not much, but that’s all I had to spare at the time. And that $500 was the money I really was saving to buy a couch, since I had just moved and only had a bed in my apartment. I started small but instead of spending my profit I invested it in the company. In fact, I didn’t even see a profit from my company for the first 4 months! The money I made in the shop [doing actual hair], I also saved. During that time, I only spent enough money to cover rent. Not even food really. I use to share food at the salon with my co-workers and at night I worked as a waitress so I would eat at work. Though I struggled financially in the beginning, it didn’t take long to see progress.”

Ming Lee Hair Snob Model

When you first launched did you experience ‘naysayers’ or ‘haters’ that said your idea was crazy or it would never sell? If so how did you handle their negativity?

I didn’t really experience the whole ‘it would never sell thing’ because everybody wears weave. I more so experienced the everybody sells hair and it’s just the new little thing to do. So I received the ‘what makes you so different from everybody else’, and how I handled the negativity or ‘everybody does it’ thing was by just creating a brand so that when you mentioned hair my name should come up, I should be in that conversation.

How does social media impact the way that you do business? Which social media platforms do you prefer?

Social media has basically been my go to marketing. It’s free and you can reach millions and millions and millions of people and companies and everybody through social media. I started off on Twitter and I would just tweet pictures and kept putting out quality hair, and of course my hair wasn’t the most cost efficient but it was a good product and I always stood behind it. Twitter helped me gain momentum for my brand and recognition, so did Youtube. I put out Youtube videos, and so did Instagram. Instagram and Youtube are probably my favorite, instagram because it’s pictures, its candid photos so you get to see the hair. It’s one things to go on the website and see hair from a photo shoot and its a whole other thing to actually be able to see candid photos, like the hair when somebody is just waking up, or when its fresh out of the pack, or freshly installed or just rolling out of the bed. So my favorite social media platform would have to be Instagram. Only because you can get raw footage of the actual product, and it reaches so many people so fast and so easy.

I network on Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. I’m known for doing trial runs or testers, I’ll post a picture and ask ‘If I did a sale tomorrow, who would buy this product?’ As soon as I get so many different responses, then I’ll normally do it, because my phone starts blowing up, my email starts blowing up, the picture I put up is going viral and everyone is re-tweeting, so that’s how I use online to help my business.

Celebrity Hair Stylist and Entrepreneur Ming Lee

Where and how do you network offline?

I’ve done panels in the past, I recently did one back in August. I have a t-shirt line, so most of the time I go out, about 90 percent of the time I wear my t-shirts. I wear my t-shirts to work, I have like 5 different designs that I wear to work, so of course people are going to ask me where I got my t-shirts from and I always make sure that when I do go out that my hair is done, that I’m cute, and that I’m presentable. I do this to make people wonder oh who does your hair? Where do you get your hair done? And sometimes I get super cute and put on loud, lavish stuff, like stand out stuff, and just go and pass out flyers and cards and network and talk to people… Kind of like the president, kissing babies and shaking hands. *laughs*

What is the toughest part about running your own business?

The toughest part about running your own business is finding good help. That is probably the toughest part because its so hard to find people that care as much as you care about your business. If my business fails, that is on me and a lot of people don’t understand that if you make a mistake I can’t tell somebody that my assistant sent out the wrong thing, they don’t care you know what I mean? My name is on the product. So the toughest part will probably be finding good help and to trying to stay relevant. It’s always somebody gunning for your position, its always somebody younger, somebody more talented, somebody with more drive, somebody with more energy trying to take your place. So that is one of the other hard things about running your business. But I guess that’s the way I stay above water is because I feel like can’t nobody out pray me and can’t nobody out hustle me.

What is the best thing about being a small business owner?

The best thing about being a small business owner is actually being your own boss. By being your own boss, you’re actually able to see your dream come into reality in front of your eyes. You’ll be amazed!!! For instance, I started with 500 dollars, and then you see your company grow, like when you look at your numbers you’re going from 500 dollars to a thousand dollars, to $3,000 to $10,000 to $20,000 to $90,000 to $100,000 to $200,000 to $300,000 and you’re like oh my goodness I did all of this with $500 and Twitter and Instagram and Google. That’s crazy!!!

Ming Lee and her Hair Snobs

Do you have a business plan? If so, how did you go about gathering the information contained it and how do you use your plan?

No, I didn’t have a business plan, and that might have been one of my biggest downfalls because I did everything trial and error. Which I can’t say I regret it, but I learned a lot of lessons. I mean you live and you learn.

If you were granted $100,000 for your business, how would you use the money?

If I were granted $100,000 for my business I would probably use it for marketing. I would of course give some back, but focus would be on marketing. I’m actually going to visit China to visit factories, but there are factories all over, so I’m going to be doing a lot of marketing and research and trying to find the best quality product for the best price.

What three adjectives accurately describe your experience as a small business owner?

Hustler. Driven. Passionate.

Ming Lee

Are you/Hair Snobs directly involved with any charitable giving or events?

Yes, I feed the homeless out here in the city of Atlanta. I try to do it once every month, once every other month and I’m also actively involved in a woman and children’s shelter which we make sure we mentor. I have little sisters and little brothers that I mentor and spend time with. We recently had a Halloween party for kids. We bought all of the kids costumes and had it catered with a DJ. Earlier this year for back to school, we gave children book bags, school supplies, and stuff like that. We also did a photo shoot for all the mothers and gave them gift baskets and took them to the spa. During prom season, I had the ‘Snob Prom Affair’ where I sent 2 girls to prom that couldn’t financially afford it, and we got their hair done and we had a makeup artist come out, we took them shoe shopping and dress shopping, we got them a limo and we bought their prom tickets and they had a really good time.

What is in the future for the Hair Snobs brand?

The future is for the brand to be a household name!!! I’m actually working on a product line, and I kind of just want it to be a household name like Johnson & Johnson or something. I definitely want the snob brand to be an empire and for when you talk about beauty or hair, its definitely in the conversation.”

Please share a small biz diamond that you would like to pass on to other entrepreneurs and small business owners?

You can always be better. Play like you’re losing even if you’re winning. And stand behind your product 100 percent. Ask yourself daily, what can I do to make my company better?

See Ming Lee in action!!!

Ming Lee’s #snoblife photo shoot behind the scenes

Ming Lee’s New Eurasian Weave

How to do a quick weave pronto!

Be sure to connect with Ming Lee and her growing Hair Snob Empire:

www.iamminglee.com

www.snobcloset.com

www.twitter.com/iamminglee

www.twitter.com/snobcloset

youtube.com/iamminglee86

To book an appointment call Ming Lee @ 404-263-4636.

5 Ways To Make Money Online By Providing a Service To Other Businesses

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:36:28 -0500

It’s easy to provide services these days to companies from your own home. The Internet is fast becoming the way a new group of people are making their living. Have you thought about joining them? It means you can get up from your bed and start working within 2 minutes. It sure beats having to spend an hour in traffic before you get to the office. It’s a great way to work, but you can’t just switch on your computer and expect people to give you a job. In order to provide a service over the Internet you obviously need to have the skills to provide that service. Maybe you already have them, in which case you’re lucky. If you don’t have them it’s not too late to learn. With more and more companies taking their business online it’s going to be an increasingly popular way to make money in the future. This article will detail a few services that can be offered to thousands of businesses that need skilled home based workers or business owners.

Article writing

Online businesses need content. They also need to run their business, so that means they don’t always have the time to write their own articles. They employ you, the freelance writer, to write for them. Depending on the type of business they run it’s possible they will need new articles every day. To get a job as a writer you obviously need to write well, with no mistakes. It’s a pretty straightforward job, and if you love writing it means you get to spend your days doing what you love.

Software developer

To become a successful freelance software developer you will need a lot more than the ability to write well. You actually need to write well in a specific computer language. This is something you can learn yourself, but if you’re looking for sustainable jobs you should probably study it at college. Once you are fluent in the right language you should easily pick up work developing software for Internet start-ups and you can do it from your own home.

Designer

People need things designed all the time and it’s an amazing skill to have. It’s not everyone that can take an idea and turn it into a visual masterpiece. To get good design jobs you’ll need to build up a great portfolio. It’s going to show people what you’re capable of and what you will be able to do for them. You might get a job for the same company, but more likely you will have dozens of clients that come to you whenever they want something done. If you do great work the word will spread far and wide.

Search engine optimization

When someone has an online business the most likely way they will get the biggest amount of traffic is through the search engines. An SEO specialist will take someone’s website and make it magically appear on page 1 of the search results. In order to get work as an SEO specialist you might have to build up a good reputation. The hardest part is keeping clients because they won’t pay you if you can’t deliver what you promise. The most important thing is that you are great at what you do.

Business consultant

Maybe you’ve been in the game a while and you’re just looking to help someone build their business. Not everyone who runs a business will be an expert and they might want to hire the services of a business consultant to help them out. This is where you would come in if it’s the route you want to go down. You can make good money sharing your wisdom with someone and helping them take their business to the next level.

Robbert Connor is a freelance writer, professional blogger and is currently doing a part time job at Comstat Office .

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A Big Problem Means an Equally Big Business Opportunity

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:28:00 -0500

In today’s world of instant gratification it is vital that small business owners have a mobile-friendly website to better serve their clients’. According to HubSpot, 91 percent of adults have their mobile phone within arms reach, but how many businesses are effectively reaching them? By having a mobile-friendly website businesses can increase sales and profits; engage with current and potential customers; and build and maintain strong brands. Google recently released a study where 61 percent of U.S. adult smartphone Internet users confirmed that they quickly migrate to another website if they were unable to find what they are looking for immediately on a mobile website. So essentially if a small business does not have a mobile friendly website they will lose out to their competitors that do. With 67 percent of mobile users willing to make a purchase directly from a mobile website, not having a mobile website can be very detrimental to a business’s health. The big problem is less than 2 percent of all businesses have a mobile optimized website. The solution? Become a mobile marketing consultant and help small business owners drum up more business.

The Opportunity

Before Mobile Strategy After Mobile Strategy

For those that are willing to educate small business owners about how building and maintaining a mobile presence will greatly impact their bottom line, becoming a mobile marketing consultant can be both rewarding and profitable. Web.com recently released a survey where 69 percent of small business owner respondents recognize that mobile marketing is essential to their growth over the next five years and will consider increasing their mobile spending. Additionally, mobile marketing is cost effective, measurable, and an excellent add-on to other marketing campaigns (i.e. print, radio, TV, etc). Google notes that 80 percent of mobile website visits result in some form of action (i.e, store visit, phone call, webiste visit, purchase, etc).

How to succeed as a mobile marketing consultant

Cater to a specific niche

While it is true that a large number of small business owners are in desperate need of a mobile website, it may be wiser and more profitable to cater to a specific industry. By doing so you will have a very in depth understanding of your customers’ needs which can lead to a steady stream of referrals from those within the same industry. Catering to a specific industry also gives a mobile marketing consultant the opportunity to build a large portfolio to attract new clients.

Pair with other services

Do you currently already offer other services to small business owners? Than add mobile marketing to your current offerings. Here are some examples of other services that can be paired with mobile marketing services:

Content writing {blogging, ebooks, infographic design, newsletters, white papers}
Graphic design
SEO
Social media management
Website design
Video production
Etc

Target businesses that are currently advertising

Businesses that advertise already understand the value of advertising. For this reason many of them will be more receptive to your message. Educate the business owner on how they can add mobile marketing to their current media mix as well as introduce new ways that will get more business into their doors with mobile marketing. Also by adding mobile marketing options, businesses can successfully track and monitor other advertising campaigns at a very affordable cost. Begin your search for them in local magazines, newspapers, direct mailers. Also look for them in the yellow pages, bill boards, buses, etc.

Target upscale/luxury boutiques and shops

Upscale shops understand the importance of having a strong presence in the marketplace. They pay careful and close attention on how their brand is presented and many spend top dollar to do so. Additionally, Mobile Commerce Daily notes that many mobile shoppers are more valuable to retailers because the are less price sensitive than traditional shoppers. Mobile shoppers are also more likely to act as product evangelists, 49 percent regularly write reviews about their overall experience with a product or service. Reviews aid with increased SEO, which translates to higher ranking on popular search engines like Google.

Seek out businesses with a Flash website or no website

Flash websites do not convert to mobile which means a business is losing customers to their competitors that do have a mobile optimized website. Comparatively, if a business has no website, they too are losing out to their competitors. Having a mobile website truly is an affordable way for businesses to get found easily by their customers as well as market to and engage them effectively.

Stay on top of industry news and trends

To be a successful mobile marketing consultant it is important to become an expert. Subscribe to blogs, newsletters, forums, etc that will keep you in the know about industry news and trends. This will make you a more valuable resource to your clients. It will also help you gather information for keep selling points and overcoming objections. Here are some great mobile marketing resources:

CMO.com (mobile)
Google Mobile Blog
Google Mobile Ads Blog
International Mobile Marketing Business Network
Mashable (mobile marketing)
Mobile Commerce Daily
MobiHealthNews
Mobile Marketer
Mobile Marketing Association
Mobile Marketing Magazine
Mobile Marketing Magazine UK
Mobile Marketing Watch
Official Android Blog
SMS Marketing Blog
SMS Marketing News

Network

Join your local Chamber of Commerce and/or other professional organizations. Also attend other business events in order to get prospects for your business. Offer to speak at business events and organizations that can benefit from upgrading to mobile.

How much does it cost to get started as a mobile marketing consultant?

The cost can vary according to the mobile vendor. At the time of this writing Motiply Partners, a leading provider in mobile business solutions, has a very low-cost, high return business opportunity. The set up fee of ~~$399~~ is being waived and the monthly fee of ~~$200~~ has been reduced to $100 for a limited amount of time. So the expense to own and operate your own business is $100 per month {plus phone, gas, and networking events} ~Not bad, for a much needed product and service!!! As a mobile marketing consultant Motiply also provides a high quality user friendly website that can be customized with a company logo {Take a look}.

How much can I make as a mobile marketing consultant?

As with most businesses the earning potential for a mobile marketing business is unlimited. With Motiply Partners, you can set your own plans and prices. Customers pay you directly and you keep 100% of your profits (minus the $100 monthly fee mentioned above). So charge your customers a set up fee (use any amount you want but I suggest $99 - $350). Then charge a monthly fee ranging from $25 - $150 per month (again this is just a suggested price point —charge what your market can stand). So essentially, one business can yield:

One-time set up fee: $300

1 mobile app/ website $50 per month x 12 months = 600

Total: $900 for the year and $600 each subsequent year you keep that business as a client!

50 mobile apps/websites using the same numbers as above can yield:

$900 {mobile app/website + one-time set up fee} x 50 businesses = $45,000/yr

150 mobile apps/websites using the same numbers as above can yield:

$900 {mobile app/website + one-time set up fee} x 150 businesses =$135,000/yr

200 mobile apps/websites using the same numbers as above can yield:

$900 {mobile app/website + one-time set up fee} x 200 businesses =$180,000/yr

This is just a few examples you can use whatever numbers that you want to make even more money!!!

What businesses should I market to?

As a mobile marketing consultant, you can market to ANY business owner that you see fit. But as I mentioned previously it is wise to carve out a niche for yourself to serve. You will become the go to girl or guy for mobile marketing services within an industry. In my opinion it is a good idea to pick an industry that you know a lot about and are passionate about it too. So if you like hair and beauty target spas and beauty/nail salons. Or opt for restaurants if you are a foodie. If you have a lot of knowledge about attorneys or doctors target them. Consider writing informative blog posts and engage in social media to spread awareness about your mobile marketing consultancy. Define and target your niche and excel beyond belief!

Become a mobile marketing consultant and prepare your $golden nest$ for the future!

With the problem being that most businesses websites are not available {or optimized} on mobile devices, that means there is a huge opportunity for mobile marketing consultants. The bottom line —there are more mobile shoppers now than ever and the number is climbing steadily. Potential customers use their phones and mobile devices to quickly find places to eat, local retail stores, and other local businesses. Any business that does not have an optimized mobile website will lose business to their competitors that do! A mobile marketing consultant educates business owners about the money they are missing if they are not available on mobile, they also introduce ways that a business can increase their profits using other mobile functions.

What are you waiting for? Control your financial destiny today! Own A Local Mobile App/ Website Business CLICK HERE. Anyone from ANYWHERE in the world can become a mobile solutions consultant!!! Get started TODAY!

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5 Signs That Your Most Recent Hire Is Not Working Out

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:16:00 -0500

It doesn’t matter how much effort you put into your hiring efforts, you may still occasionally hire an employee who is a poor fit for your business. You can do a great job analyzing resumes, asking the most probing interview questions, and calling references, but you may still make a hiring choice that is not right for your company. It happens.

So how do you know that your hiring choice isn’t going to work for you? According to career coaching experts, here are five signs that your employee is not a good fit:

The new employee is way too high-maintenance: If your new hire makes all sorts of demands right from the beginning, like wanting his or her own office or working from home, you may have a big problem on your hands. Not only may the demands be unreasonable, but it could cause a ripple effect among your other staffers if you give in.
The staffer is not putting in the hours: Many new employees make it a point of coming in early and working late when they first start at a job. So if you have a staffer who is showing up late and/or leaving early right from the beginning, what are their work habits going to be like when they are at your company for a year or two?
The new hire is already taking sick leave or vacation time: Sure, it may be understandable if your new employee has a previously-scheduled vacation that he or she tells you about before taking the job. But if the staffer starts asking for a week off after only putting in a few weeks of work, that is a bad sign. The same goes if he or she is calling in sick for minor ailments, like a bad cough, especially if the sick leave happens to coincide with a weekend.
The employee doesn’t get along with people: Maybe your new staffer is talented, and putting in the hours, but his attitude puts off customers or the rest of your employees. Unless he or she is the second coming of Steve Jobs, you can’t afford to have an employee who does not play well with others.
The staffer seems disinterested in the job: Sure, not many employees spend 100% of their focus on the job, but if you catch your employee mailing it in right from the beginning, doing the bare minimum and spending too much time updating his or her Facebook page or making personal phone calls, that is something to be very concerned about.

In order to help prevent such things from happening, you should tell employees right from the beginning what is expected, and give them clear standards to follow. You should also have a probationary period at your job (some companies have a 90-day timeframe; others six months) in which you can let people go with no hassle if they don’t meet your standards.

Lisa Swan writes for a variety of career sites, including InstituteforCoaching.com.

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Breaking Point: Are The Little Things You Do Killing Your Small Business?

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:30:31 -0500

Every customer has a breaking point when it comes to being charged for something. Often, it is not what you would’ve predicted. I’m sure Bank of America did not see the $5.00 debit card charge as their customers’ breaking point. But indeed, this little charge was the proverbial straw that broke the backs of the card holder.

Years ago, when I directed the marketing for corporate clients, my breaking point with ad agencies was the “small” fees like, photocopying, copy changes, delivery services, and meeting fees that were added into the fine print of the contracts. Every month, I would receive a couple of hundred dollars in additional fees. My reaction was visceral, emotional and pronounced. In fact, the initial contracts were often in the six figures and it seemed to me that the agencies I worked with were “nickel and diming” my clients, and it made me mad. When I complained about these charges, I was told this was their “policy” and everything I had been additionally billed for was outside of the contract. They would direct me to the “fine print” for clarification of my misunderstanding.

Even today, working in the tech world, I can’t seem to get away from extra charges. Maybe I’m old, but I have this crazy idea that when I talk to my (outside) tech firm, they are benefiting from the relationship build – but apparently not. They charge me by the minute to talk to them about my project. It absolutely drives me nuts because it limits the idea exchange, the spark of genius that could occur because all I am thinking about is the ka-ching of the bill I’m going to be getting. So I have to ask, is getting an additional 50 or 60 bucks worth the relationship capital you just lost.

This brings me to two points. One is the idea of “policies.” Why is it that “policies” seem to be in the best interest of the company and not the customer? “This works best for us.” “We need these policies so we are consistent within our company.” Believe me, I’ve heard all the rationalizations. But why not have policies that say, “Let’s do everything to make the customer excited to be working with us. EVERYTHING.” Pretty simple. Fifteen words.

My second point; understand that things like add-on charges (particularly for service companies) like high shipping and handling fees, user fees, and consulting fees for meetings, could be your Bank of America’s debit card fiasco. When putting together a contract for services, put in a 5% contingency that covers that crap.

Or, if you feel compelled to show the customer you are doing additional work, include the details in the invoice, but put a N/C (No Charge) beside the item.

It builds enormous goodwill capital and your customers will think it’s remarkable. (Think of Seth Godin’s definition of remarkable – something to remark on).

Zappos understands this. Their policy? A 365-day return window with free shipping BOTH ways. Yes, ten words - simple and remarkable!

Do you have policies that you have implemented in your business that are remarkable? When you changed a policy did that made a difference to your company?

Elaine Joli is a happy entrepreneur, an extraordinary marketing expert, an engaging speaker, a four star author and currently founder and curator at indieAWESOMEness.com, the independent business resource for small business, entrepreneurs and freelancers. Elaine authored the first and only book on shared ownership titled, Vacation Nation; has run her own marketing consulting firm for 20 years; owned and operated a spa resort in the wilderness; owned a direct mail company, a corporate gift company and chose the gift presented to Lady Diana when the Royal Couple came to Vancouver for Expo 86. She is an advocate and living example to start the process not knowing where it’s going to take you and to disrupt the expectational process. She has had an extraordinarily varied and long career challenging herself, her own ideas and never failing to stop when people told her it couldn’t be done. Contact her directly at Elaine@indieawesomeness.com

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Using a Calendar as a Marketing Tool

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:10:50 -0500

Keeping your product name in front of customers is always an effective marketing strategy for any business. A simple and well organized wall or desktop calendar featuring high quality photo shots of your products can easily market your company more effectively, as compared to other direct marketing strategies. As one marketing strategist pointed out “people are prone to throwing business cards, but few throw away calendars.” They usually hang them on their office walls, every day getting a subtle reminder of your business and what you offer. Since we have established the importance of calendars as an effective marketing tool, it is important to be informed how calendar printing can assist you in fulfilling your marketing objectives.

Creativity Grabs Attention

Typical, most calendars are made of twelve pages which should be uniquely and creatively designed to grab the attention of viewers. People are more willing to place items on their desks or walls if they beautify their surroundings. Ensure that the calendars are well designed and are as creative and beautiful as possible to make clients want to have a copy without you insisting to give it to them.

Professional Printing is a Must!

This cannot be over emphasized. Since the calendars are supposed to last at least a year, you have to ensure high quality material is used. It is important that each page should be as durable and vibrant as possible. Low quality calendars are easily discarded since no one wants to be associated with inferior products. The printing company you select should be reputable to deliver the desired quality and quantity without unnecessary delays.

Incorporate Product Information and Exclusive Promos on Each Page

Shoppers are easily attracted to discount offers or other product freebies that could help them get deals or save costs. Illustrating product information and specifications not only gives your business credibility in the eyes of customers, but also informs customers of the products you offer. However, the product description should not be too wordy to disinterest the reader. Catchy phrases and simple lists are best suited for this case.

Desk calendars come in handy especially when you want customers to remember your business name, contacts, and location. They assist your customers to keep track of important dates, events, appointments and meetings. The desk calendars should always have your company logo visible, usually at the top, to ensure customers are able to identify with you. Depending on your printing agency, desktop calendars can be imprinted in multiple colors. They can also be engraved with gold-imprint and shaped to meet your specifications. A lot of other features can be added depending on your specifications, with the intention of making them more useful to the customer. However, even if you opt for a smaller version with fewer features but the company logo well placed, customers will keep your company firmly grounded in their minds.

Calendars are also effective in encouraging referrals as customers can easily direct other clients to your business. Information will always be with them and they can easily answer questions regarding your products without hesitation. Calendars help to show both your customers and employees how much you value them. They emphasize that their loyalty to your company is what makes your business flourish. Sharing this handy marketing tool keeps your company name and product on their mind all year round.

David Dobson - Calendar Printing

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Images provided by David Dobson

Using Plastic Gift Cards for Better Business

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:36:15 -0500

Gift cards have always been effective marketing tools especially in the restaurant business. By selling gift cards, you’re not only giving something that can be used as a present but you’re restaurant is assured of making a profit every time the card is used at your establishment.Initially, merchants and retailers offered gift certificates to customers and potential clients. Profits were earned whenever these certificates were redeemed or lost. However, one drawback of paper gift certificates is the length of time it takes for issuing, tracking and redeeming them. Only a selected few had access to the certificates such as the manager or business owner so whenever one was sold, it would take time to issue a certificate.

The number codes on gift certificates were used to track the amount of certificates sold and the transactions that were made in the restaurant without the use of cash. Unfortunately, gift certificates were usually stolen to make counterfeit versions and their redemption meant the loss of profit. This led most restaurants to eventually choose plastic gift cards rather than the traditional paper gift certificates. One of the biggest advantages that plastic gift cards have over paper gift certificates is the capability to save information in a database. The magnetic stripe on each plastic card allows it to be linked to the database. This means the balances and transactions are conveniently stored and retrieved. And unlike the paper gift certificates which are disposable, plastic cards are reusable. The magnetic stripes allow the cards to be reloaded if the amount on them runs out.

The best part about the plastic gift cards is you can print your company name and logo on the card to market your brand. Theses cards serve as your handy advertisements to customers whenever they are used. To make them even more appealing, you can present your gift cards in gift packages. You may even try to work with affiliate companies or even non-profit organizations to help promote your business by asking them to put your gift cards on display. Plastic gift cards hold no value until a customer purchases them. This means, even if a gift card is stolen and faked, it may not be used for redemption at the restaurant. And since plastic cards are reusable, your customers can keep adding to the balance and they become your restaurant’s personal debit cards.

Keeping Track of Gift Cards

As several merchants and retailers have employed plastic cards with magnetic cards, many point-of-sale (POS) products manufactured are capable of tracking both paper gift certificates and plastic cards. This gives you the chance to maximize your marketing ability since you can go with either option.The POS products used by single store operators usually maintain the records of their balances in-house. The balances on the plastic gift cards are only adjusted after each transaction made on the card. This type of data storage also eliminates the need to charge for transaction fees.

On the other hand, it is common for multiple store operators to record their plastic gift card balances in one main database. With the help of a good internet connection, all other branches of that brand can then access this database to check information or update the balance on a card. For this type of data storage, some systems do require transaction fees.

What are the Benefits of Plastic Gift Cards for the Restaurants?

Customers are not the only ones who get to enjoy the benefits of having gift cards. They are able to maximize their gift cards through the discounts for certain items on the menu. The restaurants themselves gain a lot of profits once they introduce gift cards to their customers. Offering gift cards to customer will lead to increased repeat customers who want to earn points through the rewards card. Eventually, this will improve your relationship with your customers and establish loyalty. Your restaurant will then have multiple sales which translate to better revenue.

Even if your customers do decide to stop using the plastic gift cards, you will still gain profit. Most customers abandon their cards when the balance becomes too low. If you consider the large number of cards that are left behind by customers with left over balance in them, their total would sum up to a large amount of money. For larger companies, these give them millions of dollars in return. Start-up restaurants can also capitalize on the benefits of plastic gift cards. To attract customers, cards containing small balances may be distributed to people to encourage them to come to your restaurant. If you distribute reusable gift cards, there’s a higher possibility of repeated sales when guests add more balance to their cards. You may shell out more money but in the end, it’s a great marketing strategy.

For more information on gift cards - see our infographic on gift cards CardPrinting.us offers a wide range of high quality plastic cards, perfect as customized rewards cards, key tags, hanging tags, loyalty cards or ID cards! Click here to order specialty CardPrinting.us plastic products.

Laura Brentley is an avid guest blogger who is also a manager at Cardprinting.us. Get “Design Inspiration From Music Album Covers” from her latest article which can be seen on ABloggingSpot.com.

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How Small Businesses Protect Their Investment and Future Profits

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:51:47 -0500

Have you considered the grand scope of your business when it comes to risk management? You may be at a competitive disadvantage if something occurs that closes you down temporarily, or if you experience a loss due to theft or fire. Another consideration is if someone gets hurt, the principal passes away, or if a lawsuit occurs due to circumstances that may have been prevented with a sound risk management program in place. Risk management programs and business insurance goes hand-in-hand. They may sound like something only large companies need, but this is not true. Small companies in many ways have more to lose, are less elastic and sustainable, and consequently need that much more protection. Following is a brief outline of what a risk management program might look like for a small company. As you read, consider how this fits into your business. When done, ask yourself if your company is in need of such a program, and what your employees, investors, vendors, and customers might think about having one implemented.

Risk Management for Small Businesses

Small businesses need to make sure they have the right risk management processes in place. While some of you may be concerned over the cost of implementing a risk management program, the cost not to may be more devastating to your success. Following are the various elements of a small business risk management program. Be careful not to be overwhelmed – your risk management provider will carry you through the process and take much of the burden so you can continue focusing on running your business.

1) Identify Exposure

Facilities Tour/Employee Interviews
Policy Review/Job Safety Analysis
Loss Control Survey
Claims/Reserve Analysis Procedures
Experience Modification Review
Employment Practices
Emergency Planning
Accident Analysis & Injury Causation
Contract Reviews
Risk Management Program Design
Review

2) Define Strategies

Risk Minimization
Contractual Transfer of Risk
Risk Avoidance
Retention of Risk
Policies, Procedures, & Controls
Insurance

3) Implement Programs

Action Plans
Tailored Programs
Marketing
Insurance
Loss Control/Life Safety
Claims Management
Results-Oriented Strategies

4) Monitor and Adjust

Risk Assessments
Claims Reviews
Stewardship Reviews
Risk Management Service Plans
Pre-Renewal Strategy Sessions
Human Resources/Employment Practices Audits

Small Business Risk Management Insurance

In addition to thinking through risk management program, it is also imperative that small businesses consider the following insurances to help them in time of need.

1) Business Partner Death Insurance – What happens to your business if your partner dies? This is an important question for both your family and the family of the deceased, at the very least for financial reasons and the future sustainability of your company. Certainly, with foresight, you must prepare for either the eventuality or for a sudden, unexpected passing. You and your partner will want to consider a buy/sell agreement funded by a life insurance policy. The insurance policy is a legal document which spells out the agreement you and your partner has upon death of either, and how the life insurance proceeds will be used to buy out the deceased partner’s widow or family at an agreed upon price. The value of your company can change dramatically, so, your policy should be reviewed on a regular basis to make sure that the buy-out remains at a fair market price.

2) Small Business Property Insurance – Property insurance covers everything related to the loss and damage of company property due to a variety of circumstances, such as fire, flooding, vandalism, and civil disobedience. The definition of “property” is broad and may include lost income, business-interruption, computers, stock, and more. Your small business insurance agent will help dial down to the details you need covered in your policy.

3) Small Business Professional Liability Insurance – Also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance, protects you and your business from errors, negligence, and malpractice in the provision of services to your customers. Some states require this, but it depends on the type of business you operate.

4) Small Business General Liability Insurance – Accidents, injuries, and claims of negligence fall under this category of business insurance. It is designed to protect against payments due to bodily injury, legal and medical expenses, libel and slander, plus the cost of lawsuits, including during appeal.

These are the basics of small business risk management and insurance. Many companies now combine both services as they are synergistic, and can often be coupled together to save you more money. Risk management resources from Peoples First Insurance and other similar companies are easy to acquire. You control the process from start to finish, but be prepared for the worst, and educate yourself in case of tragedy or before other preventable business problems arise.

This is a guest post contributed by Charlotte Business Reviews, promoting Charotte’s business community.

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The Importance of First Impressions: An Etiquette Guide for Business

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:36:19 -0500

What’s the most critical factor to make an excellent impact on prospective clients or first-time customers? Bowling them over with your terrific personality may create a wonderful impression, but may not necessarily convert to a sale in the business world. You clinch the deal by presenting a solid case from the get-go. Convince them that you understand their needs and can offer the right solutions. Shift the focus from you to them.

Due Diligence and Personalized Attention

Sincere entrepreneurs who genuinely care about their clients’ interests win more customers than slick salespeople obsessed with sales quotas and volumes. Experienced clients and savvy businesspeople can instantly spot the difference. Before making the initial phone call or face-to-face meeting, research about the prospective client’s business operations. Prepare a clear agenda on how your products and services can definitively address their business requirements. Anticipate concerns that they may put forward and be ready with your answers. Upon introductions, offer a firm handshake. Smile warmly during the meeting. Establish eye contact. Address the person or panel by their names.

Prove Your Worth Right Away

After the initial pleasantries, segue into serious business by delivering brief but substantive punch lines. Three or four key points are enough to prove that you are fully aware of the client’s needs and have the capability to resolve their issues. Listen attentively and respond appropriately. Give assurances that you are there for them every step of the way, and show in plain terms how you intend to do so. Nail your presentation with a realistic commitment to deliver the goods or services on schedule and on budget.

Sales Talk with Integrity

Don’t overwhelm clients with a rapid-fire sales spiel or turn them off with a glibly delivered memorised script. Be assertive without being overtly aggressive. Present the merits of your products or services but don’t be long-winded. Encourage clients to ask questions, then answer them truthfully. Address their concerns honestly, without exaggeration or over-the-top promises. Then step back to give them space and time to arrive at a decision. Defer to their judgment, and give them due respect if they say no. There’s always another time. If you make a positive first impression, you’ll increase the chances of clients doing future business with you. They may even give you potential contacts or refer you to colleagues and business associates.

Value-Added Package

You may recommend upfront a few alternatives, but only if they add real value to your client’s business. Upsell or cross-sell your products and services if they benefit the customer. Don’t be pushy, but briefly enumerate the advantages of full-service options, and the resulting savings on the client’s time and money. If you can offer a customised business solution that tailor-fits a client’s business requirements, you score plus points over competitors.

Deliver What Your Tagline Says and More

So you’ve wowed a first-time customer with an impressive business proposal. The positive vibes you project create an equally high level of expectation on your performance. Be prepared to meet and exceed expectations. Better still, underpromise and overdeliver. For example, give enough leeway in lead time so the job order is completed ahead of the promised date. Add a “Thank you, we value your business” note to express your appreciation to your new client. This creates a reciprocal effect that earns you repeat business and customer loyalty.

The first seven seconds of initial contact with the client are crucial. The next 10 minutes are significant as well and carry enough weight to make or break a deal. Sustain that positive first impression for the duration of the meeting with substance and credibility. You may only have 15 minutes to present your business proposal, so state your case confidently and convincingly. Establish good will and cap the meeting on an upbeat tone, reiterating the top reasons why and how your services can help their business succeed. End with a gracious “Thank you for your time” and leave your business card.

This article was created by De Vere Venues, a meeting rooms and conference venue specialist with meeting rooms in London.

Sources

137 Tips to Make a Great First Impression in Business, Carol Roth.
Make the Right First Impression as a Small Business, Dequiana Brooks Jackson.
Making the Most of First Impressions, Lydia Ramsey.

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Hire Promotional Staff to Help Market Your Small Business Effectively

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 10:11:17 -0500

When the public are dealing with a living personality, they are far more inclined to be moved or convinced than when they are watching an advertisement or reading a billboard. This is what you can come to expect from an expert team of marketing personnel. An attractive, friendly representative will gain the maximum amount of positive awareness and reputation. When they are dealing with converting a potential client, their comprehensive information, friendly communication and appealing, smiling face will leave a pleasant memory in the public eye.

Hiring Promotional Staff is an Economically Savvy Decision

Making use of a high quality, talented promotional staff is a well-known cost effective medium. In these trying, economically difficult times, this is an invaluable resource within your marketing strategy. Some of the reasons why include:

Affordable - whilst it may not touch as many people as television, newspapers or radio, it is far less expensive than all traditional advertising mediums. In addition, unlike conventional media, those who do come into contact with your smiling promotional models are far more likely to be profoundly affected.
Attention brought to brand – when you have experienced, professional marketing models working to bring public focus to your brand, your business will inevitably make more sales and generate more profit. The more people that are buzzing about your product or service, the more you will experience economic benefits. As promo personnel are normally quite reasonable and affordable, you will make much more than you spend.
Drive consumer demand – by having promotional models directly interacting with all potential consumers, you can boost the demand for your brand as well as awareness. With a thorough knowledge of the product or service, they can inform, engage and leave a positive image with the public.
Constructive reputation management – having a pleasing promotional workforce guarantees you a positive effect on consumers. Should potential clients interact with people bearing your brand logo, and have a good experience dealing with them, they are more inclined to remember your product in a good light.

Important Qualities a Promotional Workforce Should Possess

In the beginning, the process of building up your brand is a critical point in your business’s success. Hiring the most appropriate promotional personnel to represent that trademark is a vital element in achieving this objective.

Highly professional and learned - you will ideally want professionals with an intimate understanding of your corporation and the service, brand, concept or product you are trying to promote. They should be well informed regarding every aspect of your business, in order to properly promote. You should ensure they are capable of answering any queries an interested party might pose.
Sex appeal and/or attractive and appealing - equally important when considering a selection of staff members is their appearance and attitude. They will be the public face of your product and you will want them to embody your brand with a beautiful, memorable image, without overshadowing your product. This has the advantage of ensuring that people who come into contact with your representatives will associate your brand with beauty.
A perky personality and welcoming stance - a promotional workforce agency is a great way of hand-selecting the perfect candidates, as they usually have an innovative, skilled selection. When a potential customer is considering your product or service, it is important that they be met with good manners, a helpful disposition, patience and friendliness. Investors are always more likely to be impressed by a company with like-able staff members and thus your business will have a higher chance of flourishing and making more conversions.
Experienced – for the best results, you will need a team of promotional models who have done this line of work before and know the drill. Their responsibilities include giving out pamphlets, free samples, complementary gifts, as well as remembering relevant facts and information. You don’t want to have any mistakes made, giving your brand a fumbling, and negative image.
Charismatic and well-spoken – as your models will be engaging with consumers, it is vital they sound as well as look pleasing. Customers will become annoyed with a staff member who mumbles, is difficult to decipher or loses thread of the conversation. On the other end of the scale, however, people will be impressed with a loquacious, audible, smooth talker.

Find a Promotional Staffing Agency That Works for You

Quality is contagious. It is advisable that should you find an agency that works for your needs and requirements that you continue to utilize their services. You may not always receive the same marketing models but if you have invested in an excellent promotional staff company you like, you will always possess an attractive team fitting the same quality standards. Being represented by a well-reflecting team of professionals is a tried and tested method of exposing one’s brand. It is an assured method of pleasing business results.

Ngageltd.com promotional staff could be just what you need to market effectively. Don’t put it off, visit their website today.

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Newbie Tweetie: The Do's and Don'ts of Social Media

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:35:39 -0500

Social media networking is probably one of the greatest things that happened with the advent of the Internet a couple of decades ago. Social media networking revolutionized the way people communicate with each other by tearing down geological walls and making the world even smaller than before. You only need a PC and an Internet connection to communicate with your loved ones and business partners in the other parts of the world.

But like any other cultural phenomenon, social media networking has both positive and negative impact on society. While the social media phenomenon brings people closer and more easily accessible to each other, it also makes them more exposed to risks. There are a lot of people whose ignorance of social media etiquette results in the spread of hate and division in the Internet.

We have heard of people fighting in social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook. Friends, relatives, office mates, rival political parties and other groups take their differences to the Internet, exchanging nasty messages that only muddle the issues at hand instead of resolving them, to the delight and consternation of other users watching the events unfolding.

This has resulted in the restriction and banning of social networking sites, like Twitter and Facebook, during big events in some countries. A case in point was the 2012 European Championships, where some national teams participating banned their players from using Twitter and Facebook while the tournament was going on. Denmark is one of the countries that strictly required its national team to avoid Twitter and Facebook. The reason cited by their managers was that there had been too much information about the tournament that was going on which might confused both the players and their fans.

That’s why there is a need for social media users to be educated on how to conduct themselves online. There is etiquette to follow when you communicate with other people in social media. Failure to behave appropriately online can have devastating consequences to all parties involved. Here are some of the most basic Do’s and Don’ts to follow when doing social networking, especially for newbies.

DO Respond to Messages Promptly

It is part of social media etiquette to promptly respond to any message that is sent to you and reply to the comments on your blog posts. This will show the sender of the message that you consider him or her important. Imagine yourself in the shoes of the message sender. Won’t you get offended if you don’t receive any reply? Of course you will feel bad about it, especially if your message is well intentioned. But it doesn’t mean you have to respond to all messages and comments that you received. It’s your obligation to also determine if the messages are not spam. There are many tools online that filter spam messages and comments.

DO Censor and Edit Yourself

Social networking sites, like Twitter and Facebook, are great opportunities to project a positive image of yourself and of a product that you are promoting. If you post comments that are inappropriate, it will create an impression on people about you. You can avoid this by editing your messages before posting them. The first draft is not always the most polite version of what you want to say. Censor yourself, edit your comments and polish your writing before clicking post.

DO Respect Digital Content Ownership

Don’t think that since everything that is posted online is seen and read by Internet users all over the world it is already a public property. Like any property, digital content has an owner. Stealing content on social media is not only unethical, it is also criminal. Whether online or offline, stealing is always against the law. Digital content theft involves copy-pasting a material and attaching your name on it as if it’s your own. Content may be in any form, including articles, paintings, sketches, movies, songs, graphic arts and many others.

DON’T Push Yourself Too Hard

Social media is a great place to tell the world about yourself or the products and services that you are selling. But if you do nothing but sell and sell and sell, you will lose followers and viewers. There is always a way to sell yourself and your products without being irritating. There’s nothing more annoying than being bombarded by hard-sell advertisements and promo offerings. Be creative and subtle in your approach. You can even add humor to your content, if you are skilled at it. Make people laugh and they will endear themselves to you.

DON’T be an Irritant, Contribute Something Useful in the Conversation

People love social media users who have something important and significant to contribute to the discussion. Don’t be like some Twitter and Facebook users who post nothing but where they are now and what they are eating and how they hate their hair and how heartbroken they are after a breakup. While these are legitimate self-expressions, who cares about how your pet dog is doing now? People are more interested about what you have to say on more socially relevant issues. If you have pasta for dinner right now, the world wouldn’t want to know, that’s for sure.

These are just some of the most basic social media etiquette that you can use to project a better image of yourself and your products and services online. If you follow these rules faithfully, you’ll never go wrong.

Lorenzo Ninal is a toy enthusiast and business blogger. He writes for Officekonsulenterne, a Danish site that focuses on equipping business owners with business software knowledge.

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