I have been reading articles on increasing sales using search engine optimisation as well as writing them for a very long time and I have not seen many which point out the best way to increase sales.

The answer is obvious yet often overlooked; you just have to be as good to your customers as you would expect any other site owner to treat you.

The World Wide Web is vast and the choices are many, it doesn’t matter what you want you have probably got a choice of 30,000 to 3,000,000 sites to pick from. Our customers will become repeat customers if they are provided a personal service that exceeds their expectations.

The Internet has been a boom for many people, businesses have sprung up and their owners have managed to make a living from them, some more than others.

The Internet has also taken away the contact we used to have with shop assistants, we no longer see shopping as a personal experience and I think this is a real shame. You can’t ask questions, you can’t see the goods you are buying and you don’t get a feel for the person you are dealing with.

It is down to us, the seller, the owner, the customer service manager to provide a personal service to these people who entrust us with their hard earned cash to provide not only value for money but also a service that will leave them with a warm glow in their heart and a need to return to us for further purchases.

We will also get the benefit of the most valued advertising; FREE word of mouth recommendations are invaluable and must never be underestimated. One person shows off their newly acquired goods and says how fabulous your site is to 2 or 3 people and then those people tell 2 or 3 people so on and on it goes. Before soon you have loyal customer base.

Remember that it takes a long time to build a solid reputation but only one mistake to destroy it. It takes a lot of hard work and sometimes you have to swallow your pride and say " the customer is always right", we all know that is not always the case but even an awkward customer has mellow moments and friends (well most of them do).

Mark White has worked in I.T. for the last 15 years and currently runs 3 websites.

http://sunspeks.com/

http://tendollardownloads.com/

http://phone-bits.com/

And administrates for http://freetraffictip.com/members

The Ultimate, “Must-Have” Home-Based Business for YOU a Underemployed, Unemployed, or Industrial Age Individual

Allow me to educate you on the issue of job security and paint you a picture of what the aftermath can be if you remain comfortable at your regular job. Job security is an old-fashioned term that claims the longer an employee worked for a particular company, the more precious that person became. The employee was once valuable to the company because they graduated from college, got a degree, and/or had determination for hard labor.

In the past, it was all right to become comfortable with your position. In today’s society, being comfortable is the wrong thing to do and actually, it’s a trap. This trap is the reason why people with college degrees are without jobs and the good workers are always the first ones released from a professional setting. I am a Housekeeper for the Home at Hearthstone, a nursing home in Cincinnati, Ohio. I work from 7 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. for $8.40 per hour. The wages that I make alone, tells you that I am working at a dead-end job and receiving paychecks that don’t reflect a thorough performance. I am an underemployed 19 year old-male who attends college and makes good grades. Graduating from college might raise my income level slightly, but it will not secure me a job.

I am among millions of individuals who like their jobs and work very hard at their occupations. I am also among many Americans who believe that in order to maintain my job; I must show up to work everyday on time, listen to my supervisor and do a complete and thorough job. These three things combined will not keep you your job. If you continue to hold that belief, you’ll find yourself in debt, have bad credit, and lose your house and other financial obscurities. Losing what you have worked hard for all your life is not a great feeling! What I am about to tell you is very important and will save you time or otherwise, reality will slap you in the face! Job Security has departed from this world permanently.

Knowing that job security is dead, what can YOU do to create a substantial income? YOU need to do two things:

First, decide that you want to work for yourself. Second, take the initiative to start your own business. Either you can work for someone else or you can work for yourself.

The second choice is better than the first one. At 16, I thought that I can do whatever I want on the job as long is my work is done. In other words, I like to do things my way. I continue to feel like that today in the workforce. When working for a corporate employer, you must follow job policy at all times. Conflict will arise when your rules don’t match policy rules and you’re in jeopardy of losing your quicker than you expected. If you hold similar beliefs such as mine, then a home-based business if for YOU, which leads to the biggest hurdle of the two steps, taking the initiative.

If you don’t take the initiative to start your own business, then you’re making a foolish decision. Millions of people are without jobs or working for awful wages. This is due to a bad economy. The government will continue to show their lack of sympathy by taking many taxes out of the checks of lower and middle class citizens, while the rich continue to get tax breaks. (There is a solution to that problem if you click on the link in the resource box and click on the Taxwayz link inside my website.) On August 25, 2004, I joined the Moneywayz program because my goal is to make more money with a home-based business within a few months than I make with my regular job in an entire year. Within minutes of reading the brochure, I decided to put my skepticism to the side and take a chance because if you do not take chances, your income will become stagnant and you will still be a subordinate to your supervisor. Can you afford to live without money?

If you plan to start a home-based business, but don’t have an idea on exactly what you want to do, then the following may be the most important. Would you like to become a part of a business that provides you with power-packed tools to become a business success on the Internet? Would you like to join a business who believes, “The Greatest Music Is Money”? Would you like to end financial depression? If this is correct, then read on further to the resource box. Educate yourself and develop your skills so you can be a demand for financial success!

Paul Wilson II, a second-year college student, business owner will take you by the hand and paint YOU a picture of the exact results achieved with the Moneywayz program! Discover how you can achieve an explosive income with six profitable businesses, starting today: http://pwil.moneywayz.com/ FREE.

New advertising ideas and techniques most always get the quick attention of the optimistic small business owner.

The first time you hear about something new to use or adapt, your mind races to fast forward, especially if the testimonials are realistic and seem to relate to what you are doing.

To illustrate, picture that ad salesperson standing right there in your business. Temptation is staring you in the face. "It’s a great deal," they tell you.
Do you go for it or not?

Here are three sets of realistic questions to ask yourself as you evaluate the proposal:
****************************************
1. Take a step to the side and consider this. Is your current advertising already covering the basics? Is this new temptation part of your basic advertising plan or does it fall in the "next level" category? Remember that you’ve got to do the basics first, just as you have to open a showroom before you can decorate it. So make sure you are doing the basics well before you move to the next level.
****************************************
2. Will the new idea or technique stand on its own as a profit generator? Can the new idea or technique be integrated into your basic advertising thrust so it can compliment what you are already doing? Will it contribute to building a cumulative advertising effect?
****************************************
3. Can you afford it? Is your advertising budget already strained? Will this advertising method pay for itself? Or will it break the bank?
****************************************
Background: The informed small business owner keeps good records of all promotions and advertising. You want to develop enough information to figure out what works and what doesn’t. It’s called learning from your experiences of being in the trenches.

Temptation stares you in the face at the least expected times.
Temptation can come from hearing or reading about super results others have gotten with their advertising.

Often it appears when a salesperson tells you about the "great deal" they are offering.
Temptation can come from looking forward to how great it would be if you could get similar results. It always sounds so easy.

Is temptation worth listening to? By giving yourself honest answers to the three questions above, you’ll know if it’s time to move ahead to the next level and succumb to your latest advertising temptations.

© 2006 Jon Sinish

This article may be reprinted and redistributed as long as the resource box remains intact.

Jon Sinish is a 30-year champion of advertising for small businesses, whose clients range from international corporations to private professional practices.

Now, at his web site, you can discover more exciting articles that reveal practical tips, tactics and strategies to help the small businessperson manage and improve their advertising and marketing programs. Please visit http://www.advertising-for-small-businesses.com

When you’re all alone in the privacy of your home office, surrounded by your computer, your phone and your business idea, have you ever asked yourself, "Where’s the line between me in my business and the business in me"?

With hundreds of thousands of home-based businesses starting every year, and few ever flourishing, the topic of branding has become hot, hot, hot. And thanks to experts touting the need for a personal brand in sole proprietor businesses the confusion is growing. It’s no wonder.  Business… personal… personal… business– what IS the big difference any way?

Last week, I was guiding a client (a service-based sole practioner) through the same step-by-step process that I take every company (sole practioner, entrepreneur or a business of any size) through to develop their brand and I noticed that as we got deeper and deeper into the process, she was having more and more trouble coming up with answers.   The very answers that would separate her from other people engaged the same exact business and distinctly establish her brand.

In the middle of working on the most important step in the branding process– the brand statement–I asked her the simple question, "Why does she do business she does?" she burst into tears. Halfway into the box of Kleenex she finally, revealed the most amazing answer as to why she was in her chosen field in the first place. Honestly, I think she stunned herself. We both sat silent for over a minute in awe of the power she had tapped into with her discovery. (Don’t let anyone fool you, this is from where the true power of branding comes.)

Then doubt reared its ugly head and like a butterfly emerging from a new cocoon, a series of questions poured out of her: "Is this my business or is it me?" "Is why I do what I do really that important?" "Why is it so hard for me to stand in the power of my business and really make something of it?"

You get the picture? You may even be standing in a similar picture, even wrestling with the same questions yourself. Bless you if you’re not.  Let’s look at the difference between ‘your business’ and ‘you the person’ and see if we can clear up this question once and for all.

A business: (be it Niketown or Bob’s Shoe Bonanza) Delivers a product or service to fulfill a customer need. You: Deliver a product or service to fulfill a customer need.

A business: Establishes a certain value that a customer can rely on from every contact with their product or service. You: Establish a certain value that a customer can rely on from every contact with your product or service. (If not, get on it immediately!)

A business: Communicates consistently to reach the customers that have a need for their product or service. You: Communicate consistently to reach the customers that have a need for your product or service. (If not, what are you waiting for?)

A business: Enjoys a financial reward equal to the amount of customers that it serves, AND a personal reward for the creator/C.E.O. You: Enjoy a financial reward equal to the amount of customers that you serve AND YOU get to experience the personal reward yourself.

If you look at just these four basic, bottom-line points, the difference between a business and you as a sole business owner is… nothing; unless you count the added bonus of you getting a financial AND personal reward.

At the start of every single business, throughout history, there has never been a separation between the person starting it and the business itself. If you asked any business figure-head today, Bill Gates of Microsoft, or Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com, or if they took over a company like Meg Whitman for Ebay, or Carly Fiorina for Hewlett- Packard, they would tell you that there is no difference in who ‘they are’ and what ‘they bring’ to their business. Why? Because there’s no room for a difference.  It’s the alignment that makes it possible to reach the highest of the heights.

It’s challenging enough to make any business succeed. It’s tough enough to make any business reside in the mind of a customer. Why would you remove the very power of ‘you’ in every shape and form from your business?! Why not every day do the thing that moves you the most?   You are the only thing that sets your business apart– you just need a process of tapping into your power, connecting it  to your business, and a systematic way of communicating it to your customers over and over and over again.

When developing your amazing business as a brand, throw the doors wide open. Create it as you would if you were reaching millions.   You can always decide exactly how many millions later. Thinking of your brand as just a ‘personal’ one will do the opposite.  Keep it small.

If you work for yourself, be it your own business, network marketing, or even an agent/broker condition under a corporate umbrella, you are the CEO of your business. Every CEO brings themselves personally to their business. The great ones bring every thing they are to their creation, every moment.

The majority of our lives are spent doing what we call work. As an entrepreneur or business owner, you have the wonderful opportunity to make it more. Make it your creation. Think of yourself as the Creator of an Entrepreneur Organization. When you wake up tomorrow, instead of saying to yourself, "I’m going to work" say "I’m going to create." And the operative word is I’m. The true power of really making something in your business will come from investing in it the most valuable commodity you have– you.

There is no separation on the road to big business success: just because you’re personally on it. True big business success comes to those who know, it’s not just business– it’s personal too.

Written by Kim Castle, the Co-founder of BrandU™ — the home of only step-by- step process for developing your business as a brand from the inside out!

To get information on upcoming BrandU one-day workshops: http:// www.whybrandu.com/Public/events/workshop/index.cfm?semID=13

Get your Why You?!(sm) monthly ezine for easy-to-read tips and informative insights on branding. To subscribe: http://www.whybrandu.com/

“BrandU™ — Big Business Success No Matter Your Size”

Recently, I was reviewing our website statistics. One of the sites that had a link to mine caught me by surprise. Since this is a family publication, I won’t include the name of the website. But, let’s just say it contains a four-letter word that people do not use in most business circles.

The website was basically a bulletin board for people to rant about other companies. The posting about my website started out with the subject, ‘Is this website just a little too slick?’ The postings went on to say that my website had a lot of sizzle, but no steak.

My first thought was, ‘How dare they say something so rude after I worked so hard on my site. Are they trying to say that my business has no substance? They know nothing about me and what I do. I can’t believe they would attack MY business image.’

You see, those of you who have met me know that I am a small business image consultant. I work on everything from customer service to documentation and training. Basically, all the behind-the-scenes things that affect the business image. How could MY website have a bad image?

Then I took a step back. And, with a huge gulp of reluctance, I admitted to myself that they were right. Earlier that week, I had started to redefine my business services. Small business image consulting no longer ‘fit’ the real me. And somehow that was showing through on my website. It WAS a bit too slick. It was not getting to the essence of what I wanted to say.

Instead of just changing my website, I decided to take on a more important endeavor. I took a look at my identity and my brand. I found this amazing book called Make A Name For Yourself by Robin Fisher Roffer. This was the wake-up call that I needed. After pouring over the book, I began to get in touch with my natural gifts.

While documentation has always been a part of my business, it wasn’t the part that I ‘played up’ at networking meetings. Small business image consulting sounded exotic and sexy. It got people talking about customer service and the importance of it. It got me speaking engagements. It got me lots of press. This was all of the sizzle that they mentioned on that bulletin board. But, it didn’t get me what I needed most. The steak - more phone calls and emails requesting my services, and ultimately, more satisfaction.

I decided to put my writing services in the forefront. In addition to my technical writing, I now specialize in lengthy documentation and press releases. The process of redefining my business was a scary one. All these feelings of fear and inadequacy appeared. I started to wonder what people would think of the change. Would they think that this was bad for my business image?

Then, I started to wonder how many other business owners are just offering what sounds good. How many of them aren’t expressing their natural gifts through their business. How many are afraid to make a change?

None of us should be afraid to redefine our services or to create a brand where there wasn’t one before. Now I am more secure in what I do. I am true to myself, my passion, and my gifts. It’s a freedom and a liberation that I’ve never felt before.

My services no longer have an exotic and sexy sound to them. But, at least now I can offer the sizzle AND the steak.

—

Leila Johnson owns Johnson Solutions Group in Rio Rancho, NM. She acts as Your Virtual Documentation Department. Leila is a versatile writer who works with those small businesses that don’t have the time or expertise to handle their documentation. Leila can be reached at 505-896-9379 or through her "new and improved" website at http://www.johnsongroups.com

Many businesses of today are often driven to compete striclty on price, quality, and features of their products and services.  Companies who prosper over the long term don’t simply offer the best deals, the best quality, or the most impressive bells and whistles.  If you want to win big in today’s cutting edge world of business, you have to begin by thinking differently and by challenging the status quo.  Whether you are a new or an established business owner, these ten powerful strategies will position your company for big success.

(1) Adopt the philosophy of “Givers Gain.”

In 2003, the members of Business Network International (BNI) passed over 2 million referrals to each other.  Founded by CEO Ivan Misner, BNI is a business and professional networking organization that offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, referrals.  Misner founded BNI based on the philosophy of “Givers Gain,” which is the belief that in order to get business, it is important to first give business.  One of the critical factors in achieving success rests in the ability to develop reciprocal relationships where two parties naturally refer business to each other on a consistent basis.  “It’s not what you know but who you know” has never been so true as it is in today’s competitive world of business.  For more information on Ivan Misner and his philosophy of “Giver’s Gain,” access an interview here:

http://www.cvcommunity.com/utility/showArticle/?objectID=1452

(2) Focus on Soft Innovations

In today’s competitive marketplace, the old equation of spending more on advertising to increase profits it not working as it once did.  In his latest book, Free Prize Inside, author Seth Godin, makes a strong case for using soft innovations as a way to get noticed in this crowded and noisy world.   Soft innovations are the small yet insightful ideas that can take your product or service from good to remarkable.  They are often hidden, and they usually solve a problem that is “ peripheral to what your product is ostensibly about.”   At first glance, you think the soft innovation does not mean much, but once you have it in place, it becomes an essential part of your product or service.   Examples of soft innovations include Starbuck’s Cards, Dinosaur-shaped pasta for kids, and Amazon.com cutting its ad spend and offering free shipping with the money saved.  For more information, read an interview with Seth Godin in Today’s Coach here: 

http://www.cvcommunity.com/utility/showArticle/index.cfm?objectID=1524

(3) Re-groove!

How do you operate when the heat is on?  How do you respond to chaos?  When new skills or new behaviors are needed, how do you respond?  Knowing what to do and how to do it is one thing but being able to respond effectively and to keep your cool under pressure and on a consistent basis is a very different ballgame.  As leaders in today’s world, it is crucial to learn how to work differently and how to be able to shift and bend to meet expectations which here one day and gone the next.  The half-life of a great idea or a new product or service has never been shorter, and it is up to you as a business owner to become masterful with reshaping strategies, adding new perks to old products, and to stay on top of your game in the face of dramatically changing circumstances.  You may find that your strength of achievement was required to get your company up and running but that same strength is now squelching the creativity of your team.  It’s time to Re-Groove!  It’s time to unlock the incredible potential that is inside of you that is required to get the job done under present day demands.    If you are dedicated to re-grooving (getting past the old worn out grooves of your past conditioning,) it is essential to work with a coach or trainer who can coach you through the new behaviors quickly and in real time.  By learning to re-groove, you will be able to create incredible opportunities for your company and for yourself.

(4) Make your brand a “state of mind”

Are you winning when it comes to style, a smart and accessible mix of products and services, and first rate customer service?   If so, Bravo!  However, this is just a part of the equation of what it takes to truly succeed.  In order to create a brand that is truly memorable, it is crucial for you to live an inspired life and to make your brand a “state of mind” for your customers.  This state of mind could be a feeling of trust and confidence, a sense of well being, or a state of knowing that you are buying from a company who has your best interests at heart.   This state of mind cannot develop behind the confines of the walls  of your business.   It grows and develops when you are in the middle of  your potential buyers…in restaurants, traveling, checking out the competition, playing sports, tinkering with a hobby, having fun and lots of it!  If you are living fully and in relationship with others, you will be re-energized every day and you will give your customers a vision of what an inspired life actually looks like, because you are living one!  Your brand will become much more than your trimmings…it will become the connection that others feel when they think of you as a valued person in their lives.

(5) Become masterful at mobilizing resources

The ability to galvanize resources, both human and monetary, and to build  effective and efficient projects with them is a critical component of success in today’s marketplace.  We are quick to look first at the monetary costs of a project and quickly get cold feet, when the reality is that we have valuable resources hidden in our personal and professional lives which may not cost a dime.  Social capital is one resource that is one of the most valuable assets available to business owners of today.  The term social capital emphasizes that very specific benefits are made available from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks. The value of social capital is that people can draw on the wisdom of each other to solve common problems, especially as it relates to money, time, and resources.

(6) Buck conventional wisdom

In 1971, Rollin King and Herb Kelleher decided to start an airline that you might say…was different and a little bit quirky.  They began with one simple notion:  If you get your passengers to their destinations on time, at the lowest fare possible, and make sure they have a fantastic time doing it, people will choose you over a competing airline.  This is the story of Southwest Airlines, who chose to move beyond the status quo by offering services and a sense of style that bucked conventional wisdom.  With their focus on fun, games, and "Love Southwest Style,”  Southwest  has made its mark with its strong focus on stellar customer service and conveniences such as allowing customers to proceed to their departure gate without stopping at the ticket counter, skycap, or self-service kiosk.  Most importantly, Southwest has honed in on searching for important personal qualities in those they hire– the perfect blend of energy, humor, team spirit, and self-confidence to match its famously offbeat culture.  Southwest was once dismissed as a maverick, as their strategies seemed strange to the “airline powerhouses.”  These same powerhouses are now looking in awe at what this “maverick” has built.  The strategy of originality worked…It had the sticking power required for success.

(7) Become a Talent Farm

When recruiting new employees, what are you looking for? Raw talent?  Raw communication skills?  Intellect?  Athletic ability? Commitment?  Skills?  Flexbility?  What about all of this and more?  If you are a company who wants to operate at the leading edge, where change is the greatest and success is the goal, you will want to recruit the most talented group of people you can find…those people who are self- starters and who are living boldly in the world.  By developing a “talent farm” culture, you can instill a  mindset of excellence from the top to the bottom of your organization.  This culture encompasses a deeply held belief that having high caliber people is crucial to your success.  With this “talent farm” approach to recruiting, your company will also be required to recruit great talent every day.  Successful businesses and organizations have a strong sense of what they are looking for, and they are always on the look for new talent and ways to retain them for a lifetime.

(8) Embrace your core values

What is it in life that you most value?  Do you value beauty, leadership, creativity, stability, or family?  You can choose to orient your life around your wants and needs or the list of things you feel you “should” be doing, but if you embrace your core values and build your life around them, you will find experience inspiration and joy at a level you never thought was possible.  Whole Foods Market is one of the fastest growing supermarkets of today, because its commitment to fresh, nutritious products is a value that keeps customers coming back for more and employees happy, hard working, and committed.  When you focus your business on doing what feels right and what fulfills you, you will have no regrets, because you have been true to the very core of your being.

(9) Become a "white hot center" of influence

A “white hot center” of influence is an organization or group that you most want your company to be aligned with tightly and in a relationship which is reciprocal. One connection into a strong center of influence can position your company to attract a stream of qualified opportunities.  (Example: You are an interior designer, and you want to be in the middle of Southern Accent or Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.)  In order to attract a “white hot center” of influence, you have to become what you want to attract.   Be well educated, highly skilled, experienced, trained and innovative in your product development.  Fill your network with other business owners who are up to big things in the world and who are experts in their respective fields.  Attract talented people into your company, and tap each and every talent and skill available in your company.  As you begin to raise your bar in all areas of your business and enhance your network, you will eventually become a “white hot center” that will attract others by the thousands.

(10) Just Begin!

Start where you are, and begin today to create success in your life.   Drop the excuses, reasons or people to blame, dis-empowering attitudes and behaviors and get on with the business of living the life you know you were born to live.  Do what you know you want to do, and do it with passion.  Begin today to create the tomorrow you want.  As Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it”

This piece was originally submitted by Bea Fields and Kimberly George, Business Coaches, who can be reached at bea@coachville.com and kim@coachville.com, or visited on the web at www.CoachVille.com. www.FiveStarLeader.com or www.RebelBusiness.com.

Larger companies have learned that collecting art adds something special to its overall corporate image. An art collection may include art on display in waiting, or general areas. Larger collections may focus on education programs for the employees of the company and partnerships with area museums or art spaces.

Unfortunately the kind of art programs and collections afforded by multi-billion dollar companies, are not usually within reach for companies without an extensive art budget, if it’s even considered at all. However, if you are ready to use some creative thinking you can create an art program, add new art to your workspace, and increase employee satisfaction. If you’re interested, keep reading and get started with Artistic Lifestyling at work.

As business owners, one of the first design decisions we make are for our business cards. They are your client’s very first impression of your company. A well-designed card should convey both a text message and a feeling. People really do pick up and collect business cards they are attracted to – even if they don’t need the services right away. If you take the time to have the card designed by a true artist, chances are you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.

I stumbled on what I consider to be a couple of great business card design companies owned by Daniel Will-Harris http://www.will-harris.com/design/bizcards2.htm and Victoria Arico at http://www.lookslikejoy.com/BusinessCards.html. I prefer designers rather than mass-produced templates for many reasons, but primarily because I don’t want to see my ‘logo’ on someone else’s card. The image conveyed on your business cards, should match your work environment in terms of appearance and energy. A modest art program at work can help to unify your corporate image for your clients and employees.

Even if your company already has an art collection, it often doesn’t include art for personal workspaces. People spend so much time at work that it is important to encourage them to create a sense of individuality with personal art that appeals to them. Shared or open spaces might be perfect for a small water feature to help keep competing noises down. It’s best not to be too extreme in choices of art on these walls, but a couple of modest pieces, a collection of small art postcards or even a small sculpture can bring instant interest to a workspace. Because selecting art can be a bit tricky, guidelines or policies created for the company help people keep their art selections appropriate for the workspace.

If you are lucky enough to have room in your workplace for public art, you can use the space for rotating art shows by artists from across the country. You can also commission murals, sculpture or faux finishes to add creative and artistic touches to your space. Remember there is no need to over do it at work, but do consider the feeling you want to express. If you are in a hectic work environment choose art that makes you feel instantly calm in the midst of chaos.

There are so many ways to artistically enhance your workspace. Hold some after-hours art classes or host an exhibit that features art created by your employees. It’s a modest investment that gives back over and over again, and also helps support local arts in your community. Use your imagination and put together a great arts program at work that will encourage employee creativity, interest in your company, and add to your overall company image.

About The Author

Lise Richards is an Artistic Lifestylist and owner of The Creativity Center, Inc and Red Door Gallery. Her Artistic Lifestyling program helps all people live more creatively in artistically designed spaces. Visit the company online at www.centerofcreativity.com; director@centerofcreativity.com

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from hearing about the deconstruction of other company’s names. For you, I am happy to share how I came up with "Slice A Day :: your slice on marketing"…

1. First the purpose and vision of my site was to have people volunteer some marketing stories…true case studies of business owners and how they promote business.
    
2. Then gathered the supplies for brainstorming. I had a sheet of paper, pencil and a dictionary/thesaurus.
    
3. Let the brainstorming begin!

   I love really clever, catchy and visual names. It comes from having a web design and creative background. The AIGA.org hosts a local networking event called "Brew" with the tagline "where ideas perculate". I loved it! And to mimic it’s genius, here is where that spark of inspiration took me.

   ::: Start List :::

   • "grill - where ideas sizzle"
    
   • "water cooler" 
      …sidenote: i thought that’s where people really talk openly
    
   • "feedbag - serving up ideas"
    
   • "your market draw" 
      …sidenote: i don’t know how i got here
    
   • "evoke" 
     …sidenote: now i’m just writing words, synonyms
    
   • "persuade"
      …sidenote: this is where the dictionary & thesaurus come in

   • "convince"

   • "share"

   … a few minutes pass by
   … a few more minutes pass by

   • "Slice-A-Day.com" 
      …sidenote: visual images of pie and cake
      …sidenote: slice is a portion of a bigger piece…hmm

   • "Share Your Slice On Marketing" 
      …sidenote: tagline that explains and supports vision
    
   ::: End Brainstorming List :::

I like "slice" because you just get quick and small chunks to read… just enough to evoke a thought, to make you think, or to leave you wanting more.

———————————————–
Maya Sunpongco
Slice-A-Day.com
your slice on marketing

These days, everyone’s looking to save a buck. But if you plan to cut corners by using a fledgling copywriter or marketer, expect to put the money you just saved towards a really good lawyer. Because you may just find yourself in court.

Lawsuits abound in today’s world. Lots of people are more than willing to sue at the drop of a hat. No one wants to think that they "know" anyone like this, but the truth is, this planet is crawling with lawsuit-happy consumers who can make your life a living hell. You may think, "Oh, I’m just a small start-up; no one would bother trying to get money out of me!" But do you know this for a fact? Even if you’re miniscule now, you want to grow your business. With any luck, one day you’ll be earning more than just a comfortable living. The best way to ensure your legal protection in the future is to start practicing caution today.

How does this relate to your advertising, and who you hire to work for you? Every bit of written material put out by your company is a statement issued by you. If you hire someone who has little to no experience in the real world, you’d better be on top of them at all times. You’d better make sure that what they’re creating for your company doesn’t contain any legal "loopholes" or claims you can’t fulfill. Because as soon as your advertising makes a statement about anything, someone will try and hold you responsible. They might even seek legal counsel on the matter. Yes, what you say can and will be held against you in a court of law.

I worked for the "R"Us family of stores for seven years, writing and editing everything from catalog copy to sales promotions to coupons to informative marketing mailers. Nearly everything said in our ads was supported by a legal disclaimer that prevented the company from being held responsible for any "unforseen events" that might occur as an indirect result of our statements. At the time, these legalities posed a great annoyance to our department, slowing down progress and hampering creativity. But today, I’m incredibly grateful for the "extensive legal training" I received while working there.

What are some examples of loose-lipped writing that can land you in legal hot water? What situations might you get yourself into in today’s fast-paced, maximum-output world of marketers?

E-books are hot right now. Everyone wants one, and they want it yesterday. But beware the trouble of an untrained eye taking control of your e-book content! Last year, I worked for a small start-up company. They wanted an e-book written fast, so they hired an unpaid intern. Although the e-book served its purpose well, it was riddled with statements that could get us in trouble! Why? Our e-book was for children. In it, we had included a long list of ways kids could spread holiday cheer. One entry was something to the effect of, "Offer to help your neighbor carry in the groceries." Innocuous as it may seem, the end result of this remark could be some parent taking us to court because their child went out and tried to assist some unsavory character, and was abducted in the process! Heaven forbid, but nothing’s impossible. In our e-book, we took care to state "Never do anything without first asking permission from your parents" - many times, and in many ways.

Article content: seems like everyone wants it in mass quantities. But how smart is it to hire a wet-behind-the-ears intern to write pages and pages of information and then publish it under your company name? One little slip-up, and guess who’s getting a subpoena in the mail. Not the intern! I recently wrote an article on credit card debt elimination. As I was crafting my copy, I kept stumbling over "red flag" statements that could prove troublesome. "Some debt consolidation companies may even be able to erase the interest fees you’ve accrued." Was that true?? If it wasn’t, somebody might be getting an earful down the road. It’s difficult to know what information found on the internet is accurate, or just somebody’s assertion. If you’re not sure - disclaim! Or, simply avoid commenting.

Coupons and limited time offers that aren’t properly disclaimed can cost you money. Say you run a sale on your website, but you forget to include start and end dates. If the sale prices are valid in January but you don’t tell your customers, someone could very well come along and demand a discount in May! Or what if you post an ad for your business offering 50% off all design jobs but you forget to exclude the really high-end projects? You could find yourself working on an extensive web-design job that’s only bringing in five hundred dollars when it could have made you a thousand!

What about your return policy? You want to be known as a company with its customers’ best interest in mind - but what if your return policy is so open-ended, it leaves you vulnerable to excessive returns, when in fact there is really nothing wrong with what you offer? I worked for an e-greeting company this summer. How is an e-greeting company supposed to guarantee "customer satisfaction?" It’s not possible! So, in such a case, a statement like this has to go. Would a newborn to the industry have the foresight to make such decisions? My guess is no.

Do you sell products via the web? Anything that poses a safety threat should be disclaimed to avoid future legal headaches and thousands of dollars lost. Everything from over-the-counter drugs to children’s products to baby clothes to automobile parts to finances must be shielded from potential legal action. Never thought about legal ramifications? Best to get an expert’s advice before going forward with your business plan.

Still thinking of hiring a novice to help you run your business? Think again. A little extra money spent now can mean a ton of money saved later. Hire a copywriter or marketer with corporate experience, who will exercise legal caution in your business writing and provide financial security for your future. Who knows… you may never even need that lawyer.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with nine years’ industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples

Starting Business Secrets will help you to start your own business successfully.

The American Dream is, and always will be, to come up with an idea, start a business and become rich from your own efforts. Based upon this motivation, thousands of businesses fail each year, due primarily to not being familiar with the basics involved in running a business.

This report will enlighten you, and give you a number of suggestions you can use to better guarantee your chances for success. This report is written with the warning that any and every business venture contains certain inherent risks, and any number of alternatives. We do not espouse that any one way is the right way or that our suggestions are the only way. On the contrary, we advise that before investing any money in a business venture, you seek counselling and help from a qualified accountant and/or attorney.

Just about the first thing you should consider before deciding to start or purchase a business is the legal form you’ll be operating under. There are basically four choices: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, and/or corporation.

Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages. We’ll try to enumerate some of them for you.

As much as anything else, for many people starting a business is a form of ego-gratification, and they form a corporation for some sort of prestige gain - just to say, "I own a corporation."

With just a little bit of observation, you’ll find that one of the major causes of business failures is due to the founder wasting start-up capital on frills, such as an impressive store- front office, expensive furnishings, and corporate legal costs.

One of the basic traits you must develop it you’re going to be successful in business, is a tight hold on your expenditures. In fact, a good rule of thumb is that anything that does not make money for yo or protect your investment, should not be purchased at this time. Very definitely, this applies to the expense of setting up your own corporation.

Unless you have a partnership and start your business as such, the only real advantage to forming a corporation would appear to be that a corporate structure will semi-protect the property you personally own.

As an example, you own a home and car. You form a corporation to protect these possessions from business losses. Yet, if you can be found guilty of misusing corporate funds, your business creditors can pierce the corporate shield and come after your possessions.

Basically, if you invest everything you have in your business, as most newcomers do, you don’t usually need a corporation because you have nothing to protect. Your household possessions, personal belongings, generally your car, and even a portion of the equity in your home is protected by the homestead provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and cannot be taken away from you.

As a sole proprietor or partner of a business you’ll be paying taxes on your overall earnings, much the same as if you were holding down a salaried or hourly paid job. Whether you do or don’t take out money as a salary will have no bearing on the earnings of your business and tax return.

The often advertised advantage of incorporating, that you can manipulate your salary in order to save on tax dollars, is real because of corporation laws. However, the IRS frowns on this practice. When your business is successful and making a lot of money, definitely check with your accountant on the advantages of incorporating.

As a corporation, you’ll be subject to a number of other drawbacks as well: generally higher state taxes, stricter laws concerning the operation of your business, more elaborate accounting procedures, and legal papers that are required just about every time you make a major move or sign almost any contract. Thus, your legal and accounting fees will be much higher as a corporation than will those required for a sole proprietorship type of business.

As a sole proprietor or partnership, you’ll find many areas require the registration of your business name. The cost however, is minimal, ranging from $5 to $100. About the best way to find out what laws apply in your area, is to call your bank and ask if they need a fictitious name registration card or certificate in order for you to open a business account.

Selecting a name for your business is quite important to you and particularly relative to advertising. Your business name should describe the product or services you offer. Fancy names such as, Linda’s Clipping Service will lose potential "walk-in and passing" customers to the beauty shop across the street that calls itself, Patti’s Beauty Salon or Jane’s Hair Styling Shop.

The advantage of using your full name in the title of your business, such as Johnny Jones’ Meat Lockers, has the advantage of making credit somewhat easier to come by - provided you pay your bills on time - but it also includes the disadvantage of confining your services to a local or at most, a regional area.

Should you buy, lease, or rent a space for your business? think twice before you make any decision along these lines. Most businesses tend to grow quickly or they never get off the ground.

There are a few exceptions, but only a very few, that tend to grow at a modified rate.

So, buying a piece of property and setting up your business on or within that property, obligates you to ownership regardless of what happens to your business.

Leases are almost always very strong contracts written by attorneys to the advantage of the property-owner. When you sign an agreement to pay someone for the use of their space over any length of time, you’re "nailed in" to paying for that space regardless of what happens to your business.

In the beginning, it’s wise to either get the shortest-term lease possible, or arrange to rent with an option to lease at a later date. This does not apply to a retail business, unless your particular business happens to be an untried one.

Definitely, you should open a business bank account. In selecting a bank for your business, scout around and look for one that can, and will help you. Determine what your banking needs will be, and then via telephone, interview the managers of the banks in your area. The important convenient bank to your business location.

A point to remember: the closer you can make the relationship between you and the bank manager, the better your chances are going to be for approval on loans and/or special favors you may need at a later date.

Try to become acquainted with as many of the bank employees as possible. The better you know them, the more courtesies they’ll be extending especially to you in the course of your association.

Just as a doctor is a specialist in his field, and you go to him for medical problems, your banker is a specialist in his field and you should go to him for your money problems. In business, you’ll have to learn that everyone is an expert in his own line of work, and in your associations with other business people, refrain from acting like a "sharpie" and/or pretending that you know exactly how everything works in someone else’s specialty.

You’ll find that very often, different banks specialize in different types of businesses. As an example, you’re sure to find banks that specialize in real estate transactions, export- import businesses, and even manufacturing operations only.

What I’m saying here is that if you’re planning to sella fairly expensive item, your customers will probably need and/or want financing. It will behoove you to select a bank familiar with your type of product that will afford your customers, through you, contract financing.

Some of the questions you should ask of your banker include the following:

Is it necessary to maintain a certain balance in your account before the bank will approve a loan for you? What qualifications must you have in order to obtain a line of credit with the bank?

Does the bank limit the number of loans, or types of loans it will approve for small businesses?

What is the bank’s policy regarding the size of a check you might deposit that requires holding for collection?

And what about checks less than that amount - will they be immediately credited to your account?

In almost all types of businesses, it will be to your benefit to set up with your bank, a method of handling VISA, Master Charge, and regional credit cards. The important thing here is to ultimately set up your account in the bank that will service all of these credit transactions for you - one stop for all your banking needs. In most instances, you’ll find that having the capability to fill orders/make sales via credit card transactions, will increase your volume of sales appreciatively.

Once you’ve made the decision as to which bank is going to handle your account, you’ll need your Social Security Number or your Federal Employer’s Identification Number, your driver’s license, the fictitious name certificate, and if you’re requesting a VISA or Master Charge franchise, you’ll also need a financial statement.

For corporations, you’ll also need a corporate resolution approving of the opening of your business account.

There are different policies exercised in just about every state regarding installation/hook-up charges by the telephone and utility companies. Some require a deposit, and some don’t.

You’ll find that a great number of city business license departments are there solely for the purpose of collecting another tax. Depending on the type of business you’re asking a license for, the building and zoning people may inspect your premises for soundness of structure and safety. Generally, you won’t encounter any difficulties - you simply pay your fee to operate your business in that city, and the clerk types your name onto a city license certificate.

Relative to sales tax permits and licenses, each state’s rules and regulations very widely. The best thing to do is call your state offices and ask for information concerning registry and collection procedures. Many states require an advance deposit or bond, and you’ll find that some wholesalers or manufacturers will not sell to you at wholesale prices until you can show them your sales tax permit or number.

Should your business entail selling your products or services across state lines, in another state, you’re not required to collect taxes except in those where you have offices or stores.

You may find also that your particular business requires the collection of Federal Excise Taxes. For information along these lines, check in with your local office of the Internal Revenue Service.

Some states also require certain businesses to hold state licenses, such as those required in many states for TV Repairmen.

These are known as "occupational permits" and are most often required of barbers, hair stylists, real estate people and a number of other consumer oriented businesses. If you have any doubts, check with your state offices for a list of those occupations that require licensing.

Any business doing business in any type of interstate commerce is subject to federal regulations, usually through the Federal Trade Commission. This means that any business that shops, sells or advertises in more than one state is subject to such regulation, and this includes even the smallest of mail order operations.

Normally, very few business people ever have and contact with the federal regulatory agencies. The only exceptions being when there is a question of your operating your business unethically or illegally.

Any business that sells or distributes food in any manner almost always requires a county health department permit. If your business falls into this category, simply call the county health department and invite them out to your place of business for an inspection. The fees generally range from about $25, depending on the size of your business when they first inspect it for permit approval.

There are also a number of businesses that require inspection by a fire marshall, and fire department approval. Generally, these are those that handle flammable materials or attract large numbers of people, such as a theater. Overall, the local fire department has to be allowed to inspect your premises whenever they desire to do so.

You may also run into a requirement for an air and/or water pollution control permit. These specifically apply to any business that burns anything, discharges anything into the sewers or waterways, or use any gas-producing product, such as a paint sprayer.

Without a doubt, you’ll need to check on local regulations relating to advertising display signs. Each city or township makes its own rules and then enforces those rules according to its own thinking -check before you contract to have a sign made for your business.

The design and placement of your sign is very important to your business - specifically to retail establishments - but let me remind you that your business sign is usually the first thing a potential customer sees and as such, it should catch his eye and leave an impression that lasts. It would be a good idea to ride around your town and take a look at the signs that catch your eye, and try to determine the impression of the business that sign leaves on you. This is a basic learning formula for determining the design, size and placement of your business sign.

Some of the other things to consider before opening for business - If you intend to employ one or more employees, you’ll be required to deduct Federal Income Taxes, and Social Security payments from their checks. This will involve your filing for a Federal Tax Number and necessitates contact with your local IRS Office.

Most states have "unemployment taxes" which will have to be deducted from the paychecks of any employees you hire. And there are a number of states that have income taxes - disability insurance - and any number of other taxes. Again, the best thing to do is check with your local office of the IRS. And above all else, don’t forget to ask for the rules of the minimum wage law, and comply.

When your business grows to the point of needing additional help, don’t be afraid to look for and hire the help you need. when you’re ready to hire someone, simply run an ad in your local paper and/or register your needs with the local office of your state’s employment service. Businesses either grow or die, and those that grow eventually need more people in order to continue growing.

When that time comes, hire the additional people you need, and your business will continue growing. If you don’t, for whatever reason, you’ll find yourself married to your business and your business growth stymied.

Regardless of how small your business is when you begin, never walk in with the thought in mind that it’s something to keep you busy. Anyone with an attitude of that kind is a fool. You begin and make a business successful in order to realize financial freedom. Establish your business. Put it on its feet, and then hire other people to do the work for you. And those businesses that require an operations manager, or someone to run a phase of the business you’re too busy to handle, hire the person needed or the business will surely suffer.

To protect the investment of your business, you need business insurance. If you’ve never had any experience with business insurance, simply look under the heading of "business insurance" in your phone directory. Ask for bids from several different companies or agents…Primarily, you should have a policy that gives you general liability, fire, workmen’s compensation, business interruption, and vehicle coverage. You amy also want coverage against possible losses related to burglary, robbery, Life & Accident, Key Man, and Fidelity Bonds.

As the sole proprietor of a business, you won’t be paid as an employee, so there will be no income tax deducted from whatever you withdraw from the company’s earnings. What you’ll have to do is a gain check with the IRS Office for a Tax Guide For Small Businesses Handbook, and probably end up filing an estimated tax return on a quarterly basis.

The minute you open your doors for business, you’ll have to spend some time engaged in the work of bookkeeping. Exactly how, and using what forms, you keep books, should be on the recommendations of a good tax counselor…The same holds true for your overall business and/or payroll accounting system. Look for an experienced CPA that knows the accounting problems to your particular kind of business, and solicit his advise/counseling.

If your business is going to involve the possible purchase or lease of operating equipment, again seek the help of your tax counselor for the most advantageous method of obtaining the needed equipment.

Basically, arranging for your suppliers to give you materials on credit will depend upon your honesty and personal financial statement. The best way is usually a personal visit to the person with the power to approve or disapprove of credit at the company where you want to set up a credit account. Show him your financial statement, and explain your prospects for success. Then assure him that you’ve always honored all of your obligations, and that if ever there’s a question or problem, you’d like for him to call you at home. And of course, give him your home phone number.

We won’t go into the exigencies of advertising your products, services or business here, but there is something along these lines you should always keep in mind. The best kind of advertising your business can receive is that you don’t really pay for - publicity.

When something unusual happens to you, your business, or your employees - that’s news, so be sure to tell the news media in your area about it.

The most important ingredient of your eventual success will be the soundness of the planning you did before you started your business. Any number of bad things can really throw your business into a tailspin, but it you’ve done your homework well - really set up a detailed business plan before starting - your losses or setbacks will be minimal. Success takes planning, and within this report, you’ve got a basic checklist…The rest is up to you…Good luck, and may your life overflow with success in all that you undertake from this moment forward.

———————————————————
Julia Tang publishes Smart Online Business Tips, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you! To find out the best online business opportunities,
and to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
———————————————————-

Note: Feel free to publish it with the resource box and content unchanged