THE ART OF BUSINESS BLOGGING It is important to understand the difference between an article, an advertorial and a business blog.
How can a business blog help?
Avoid these mistakes:
When should you begin your business blogging adventure? There's no time like the present. GO WRITE WIN
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7 FIRST QUESTIONS FOR START-UPS The thought of starting your own business is intriguing. It's easy to visualize a perfect world where YOU are your own boss, make your own hours and reap huge profits. Unfortunately, more often than not, reality does NOT match up with the vision. Answer the questions below to see if you are you ready to take the leap? 1. Reason Why do you want to start a business? The main reason should be that you have a passion for the business you are starting. Yes, you will need to eventually make a profit, but understand that making a profit can take time. Having a solid plan and sound reasons for starting a business will help get you through the long hours, financially lean months and the stress. 2. The Difference What is different about my business and sets it apart from the competition? If you cannot answer this question, you need to rethink your idea. If nothing is different or better than the business down the road, you're just creating competition. 3. Revenue What amount of revenue is needed to start and to sustain the business? Do you have a revenue cushion besides budgets costs? Calculating all costs including an allowance for "unexpected" expenses is vital. A Business Plan is necessary and should account for the first five years. (Keep in mind a business plan is a fluid document that must be changed and updated periodically) 4. Investment Funds Do you have the investment funds necessary to launch a business? Angel and Venture Capital Investors are extremely limited and business loans through a bank or the Small Business Administration are not always easy to secure either. The application process will most likely require your personal credit history, assets and available funds for consideration and security. Do not be misled, there are NO GRANTS for individual small businesses. 5. Location Where will the business be located? In-Home, Online or Brick & Mortar building? Location, Location, Location, the success or failure of your business may very well depend on it! 6. Regulations Educate yourself about City, State and Federal laws, tax laws and employment laws. These vary from state to state. Be aware of required licenses, permits and so-forth. 7. Client Base Do you have a solid marketing strategy in place? Build and they will come is not a marketing strategy, it's wishful thinking! Next Steps: Develop a Business Plan Build a Business Team Write a Press Release Business Networking Social Media and Business No time like the present to begin! GO WRITE WIN
Business networking provides a platform where businesses can introduce themselves, their product or service and share their expertise with other business professionals. Networkers exchange business cards, form business relationships, and provide business referrals. In today’s business world, particularly small to medium sized businesses, networking in person and/or via social media is vital for success. Unfortunately, many businesses simply do not understand the value of networking, fail to recognize the benefits of networking and sadly, never take advantage of the many business connections (and friendships) that can be made. Business networking groups are NOT all alike. There are many business networking groups and choosing one or two can be difficult. Therefore, visit many groups before you make a decision, and then carefully select a networking group that is a good fit for you, your business and your schedule. Do not over extend yourself by spending too much time in several groups. Time is money and belonging to too many groups can be counter productive. Some networking groups are free to attend and have few rules and restrictions. Other groups may charge membership fees, mandated attendance requirements, and more. Again, test the waters, before jumping in with both feet. Visit a number of groups and see which one is the best fit with your product, service and schedule. Networking is an obvious fit for B2B companies, but is often overlooked by B2C businesses and non-profit organizations. It's important to recognize that business owners are also consumers, volunteers and donors.
Starting a business can be a risky venture. Success is dependent upon a number of factors such as the demand for the product or service, general economy and YOU! Starting your own business may initially sound exciting. Your mind swirls with thoughts of setting your own hours, being your own boss and, of course, reaping huge profits. Unfortunately, the desire and vision of Entrepreneurship often fails to match reality. Whether you’re considering starting a business, or have already taken a leap of faith and jumped right in, the fact remains that starting and running a business can be intimidating and scary. Are you prepared to work long hours and live without a vacation for two-five years? What steps are necessary? What questions should be asked? How much money will be needed? New business budgets are usually limited and first time business owners often take on the responsibility of tackling every aspect of the business from sales to management. The result can be overwhelming, detrimental and expensive. Starting a business is a big decision, one that requires planning, research and dedication. Seeking expert advice BEFORE hanging the proverbial Open For Business sign, can help prevent many critical and costly mistakes. It is a good idea for a start-up businesses to consider hiring qualified, independent professionals to provide the necessary services. In the beginning it may not be feasible to hire permanent employees for these positions; however, there are many good independent businesses that can help fill the gap. Advertising/Marketing Specialist A professional advertising and marketing specialist will develop a marketing strategy that incorporates a variety of methods based on the products/services offered, target audience and geographic area. This is not an area to pinch pennies. Getting the word out about your business is vital for success. Business Attorney A Business Attorney provides guidance, ensures that you and your business interests and transactions are protected, creates company specific contracts, ensures that your business has all of the necessary licenses and serves as legal representation. CPA/Accountant A Certified Public Accountant can provide a variety of services such as: Business Plan Development, Business Structure Determination (i.e. sole proprietorship, LLC, Corporation, or Partnership), Tax Planning, Detailed Financial/Cash Flow Analysis, End of Year Reporting, Employee Tax Classification, W-2’s, 1099’s, Bookkeeping and more. IT/Computer Specialist An IT/Computer Specialist can help with everything from website design and maintenance to updates and troubleshooting. A business cannot afford for computer systems to go down, or have their systems compromised by a data breach. Human Resource Consultant An Independent Human Resource Consultant serves as a Human Resource Department for businesses who do not have an HR professional on staff. A new business cannot afford mistakes in this area. The road to ENTREPRENEURSHIP is rough, the nights are long and the words “I Quit” will become a mantra of sorts. It is important to understand that patience is required, along with remembering WHY you started a business in the first place. Keep moving forward, persevere through the tough times, NEVER give up and you WILL succeed!
Business Correspondence - Make a Great First Impression No doubt you've heard the phrase, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression"; but how seriously do you take it? Written correspondence and communication can open doors, serve as an introduction and foster business relationships. Business correspondence, internal and external, should be free of sloppy structure, improper grammar, slang, inappropriate verbiage, text speak, industry jargon and acronyms. Business Correspondence Tips
A great first impression can be the beginning of a long, prosperous business relationship RESPECT THE PROCESS GO WRITE WIN You've probably heard the term Micro-Business and Small Business, but do you know the difference? Micro-business is defined as less than five employees, including self-employed. Small-business is defined as a business with revenues between $750,000 and $35.5 million between or below 100 and 1,500 employees which can vary depending on the industry. Micro businesses face numerous challenges with lack of capital being number one! Many people believe that government grants are available to start a small business, this is false information. Capital funding will most likely come from personal loans, possibly lower interest loans with help from the SBA (Small Business Administration) or Venture Capital. Let’s talk Venture Capital. What is it? Venture Capital is a type of financing that helps fund entrepreneurs and is provided from high net worth individuals (Angel Investors) and Venture Capital firms. These investors usually require a high rate of return and you can’t simply pick up the phone and make an appointment with a Venture Capitalist or an Angel Investor. Most likely you will need a direct connection to even be considered for this type of funding. Beware of business sharks! Sadly, there are organizations that promote themselves as advocates for small businesses, and these "advocates" will gladly take your money and leave you very little or nothing. Recognize that starting a business is tough. You must understand that you will, most likely, be funding your own start-up, your hours will be long, and your nerves will be strained. More than half of all new business survive five years. Avoiding some of the following pitfalls may help you survive your first five business years: Understand that you opened a business, not a charity. A business is designed to make a living and, if you can explain the benefits of your product or service, demonstrate consumer advantage and have researched your pricing, then don’t defend it and certainly don’t apologize for it. Beware of comments such as, "We need to see what kind of work you do” or “I can’t refer you unless I know what type of work you do”. Explain that you guarantee your work, but your fee’s stand. You can't expect anyone else to place value on your product or service if you don't. Charitable donations are great, but as a micro business, donations are probably not in your initial budget. It is okay to say no. Be courteous and let the asking organization know that you will certainly consider their request in the future. Business networking is vital for micro businesses; however, an individual could spend every day at a networking event and this is not productive. Networking doesn’t replace grassroots marketing. Membership fees can drain your budget quickly. Discern whether or not the memberships are a must; if not, forego them for a while.
Before you Cut Profits and yes, losses are part of the reality of running a business. Losses can be blamed on a variety of uncontrollable factors, such as economic downturns, competition, seasonal products, and negative reviews. Cutting staffing hours and lay-offs may seem logical, but is it the best approach? Hasty Decisions are Rarely Productive When the profit line begins to decrease, many business owners panic and often react by eliminating positions, merging job duties, decreasing wages or reducing hours. Often, these decisions are made in haste and can negatively affect the long term fiscal health of the business. There is no disputing, certain circumstances may require these strategies; however, they should be a last resort, rather than a defensive maneuver. Avoid Merging Job Responsibilities In a misguided attempt to cut costs, merging job responsibilities has become common practice. It is imperative that businesses recognize and analyze the benefits of certain skill sets, experience and productivity of each employee, before implementing such drastic cost cutting measures. Recognize Employee Value Employees bring with them distinct and respective talents that may or may not be listed under a computer generated “job description”. Merging job responsibilities typically means more work for the same pay, which may result in employee "burn-out". Is it worth the risk of losing a great employee to another company, maybe a competitor? Suffice it to say that all jobs are not interchangeable. Employees are your Best Resource for Ideas Business owners should be visible, approachable and open to suggestions. The value of dedicated employees cannot be underestimated. Your employees are your best, in-house resource for ideas and improvements. In today’s business environment, a successful business owner must invest valuable time cultivating and maintaining business relationships with peers and staff, just as they do with clients. A Proactive Approach Reaps Huge Rewards All options must be carefully weighed. A proactive approach serves the best interest of the business, the employees, the morale and the customer base. The Solution There is no "one solution fits all scenario"; however, answering this one simple question may help make the decision easier. “Will the solution I am proposing address this situation from a proactive approach or a reactive state”? If the response is the latter, more evaluation is required. |
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