Are you a small business owner who runs an online business? If you are, are you currently satisfied with your business’s profits? Even if you are happy with the money that you are currently making, you may be looking to make even more. If you are, you may want to examine the marketing tactics that you are using, if you are even marketing your business at all.
When it comes to marketing an online business, you will often find that it is easier to market an online business than it is a storefront business. One of the reasons for that is because of the internet. There are a number of different ways that the internet can help you with the marketing of your online business. A few of those ways are briefly touched on below.
One of the many ways that you can go about marketing your business online is by using online message boards, which are also commonly referred to as online forums. Online message boards or online forums are communities where internet users are able to come together and discuss activities or interests they may share. There are many online message boards or forums that allow participating members to have what is referred to as a signature. A signature is a block of print that always appears at the end of a member’s posts. It is not uncommon for an online message board moderator to allow signatures to include business links, like a link to your online store or online website. With using online message boards or forums, the more you post the more exposure your online store gets.
Another way that you can market your small online business is by joining a pay per click advertising program, like Google Adwords. What is nice about pay per click advertising programs is that, just as the name sounds, you only have to pay when one of your advertisements gets clicked on. This type of advertising arrangement may be able to save you a considerable about of money, when compared to paying a flat rate fee for an advertisement that may never even be seen, let alone clicked on. Also, by doing business with a well-known pay per click advertising program, like Google Adwords, you are less likely to experience problems associated with malicious clicks, as the programs tend to be carefully monitored, to ensure that you don’ t end up wasting money on the marketing for your small business.
In addition to paying for advertising, you may also be able to get free advertising by doing what is known as a link exchange. A link exchange is when one website owner, like you, agrees to display the online website link or banner for another website owner, free of charge, as long as they do the same for you. If you are looking for free or low-cost ways to market your small online business, a link exchange may be the perfect option for you. The only thing that you want to make sure you do is not exchange links with your competition. You want to try and make sure that all links can be connected or related to each other, in one way or another, but you don’t want to end up generating income for your competition.
When it comes to running a small online business, standard internet searches may also pay a large role in the traffic that you and your website receives. That is why it is important that your website, whether it is used to sell products or services, is optimized for the search engines. This process is commonly referred to as search engine optimization. When it comes to search engine optimization, content is important. Your website needs to be filled with content that the search engines will pick up, as well as content that your visitors can read. If you need assistance with this, you may want to think about hiring the services of a SEO specialist or a professional content writer.
The above mentioned marketing approaches are just a few of the many that you may want to use to help increase your small online business’s profits. For the best chance of success, you are advised to implement more than just one of the above mentioned approaches.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pros and Cons of Starting a Business
Are you interested in starting your own small business? If you are, you may already have your mind made up. If you are still toying with the idea of starting your own small business, you may be wondering whether or not your dream is one that should stay a dream or one that could actually become a profitable reality.
To get a good idea as to whether or not you should start a small business, you may want to examine the pros and cons of doing so. These pros and cons may help make it easier for you to decide whether or not a small business is right for you. A few of the most important small business pros and cons are touched on below.
Perhaps, the biggest pro or plus side to starting your own small business is the fact that you will be achieving a dream of yours. There are many individuals who have a dream to start their own business, but many rarely end up doing so. One of the reasons for that is fear. Many are afraid of failure. Yes, you and your small business venture may fail, but many say the ride was worth taking, no matter how good or bad the outcome turned out to be.
Another pro or plus side to starting your own small business is type of businesses that you could start. For instance, did you know that you could open up your craft store, run a payroll processing company, start a dog grooming salon, or start your own hair salon? When it comes to starting your own small business, you will find that the possibilities are literally endless.
In connection with the types of businesses that you can start, did you also know that those businesses can be run in different ways? For instance, if you are interested in opening up a dog grooming salon or even a hair salon, did you know that you could rent your own commercial building space or even run the business out of your home for a while? Also, depending on the type of business you run, you may even be able to have an online store. In fact, it is not uncommon for many small business owners, who sell products, to have storefront retail stores, as well as online retail stores. Once again, the possibilities are basically endless.
Although there a number of pros or plus sides to starting your own small business, you will also find that there a number of downsides or cons to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the fact that there are not really any guarantees. Sometimes even the best small business plans fail. There a lot of factors that go into determining whether or not a business can be a profitable one, like the ability to reach the targeted market, startup costs, monthly expenses, and location. While there are steps that you can take to help improve your chances of success, there are still no guarantees.
Another one of the cons or downsides to starting a small business is the startup money needed. Yes, there are some businesses that have smaller startup costs than others, but almost all small businesses do have startup costs. The good news though is that if you don’t have the required funds, you may be able to obtain financing for your small business project. The only thing is that you need to have good credit to do so. So, if your credit currently isn’t in good standing, you may want to think about working on it now. The sooner you get your credit repaired, if it needs to be, the sooner, you can start opening up your small business.
The above mentioned pros and cons are just a few of the many associated with trying to start your own small business. In all honesty, you may want to think about creating your own pros and cons list. If the pros outweigh the cons, starting your own small business may be something that you should look into doing.
To get a good idea as to whether or not you should start a small business, you may want to examine the pros and cons of doing so. These pros and cons may help make it easier for you to decide whether or not a small business is right for you. A few of the most important small business pros and cons are touched on below.
Perhaps, the biggest pro or plus side to starting your own small business is the fact that you will be achieving a dream of yours. There are many individuals who have a dream to start their own business, but many rarely end up doing so. One of the reasons for that is fear. Many are afraid of failure. Yes, you and your small business venture may fail, but many say the ride was worth taking, no matter how good or bad the outcome turned out to be.
Another pro or plus side to starting your own small business is type of businesses that you could start. For instance, did you know that you could open up your craft store, run a payroll processing company, start a dog grooming salon, or start your own hair salon? When it comes to starting your own small business, you will find that the possibilities are literally endless.
In connection with the types of businesses that you can start, did you also know that those businesses can be run in different ways? For instance, if you are interested in opening up a dog grooming salon or even a hair salon, did you know that you could rent your own commercial building space or even run the business out of your home for a while? Also, depending on the type of business you run, you may even be able to have an online store. In fact, it is not uncommon for many small business owners, who sell products, to have storefront retail stores, as well as online retail stores. Once again, the possibilities are basically endless.
Although there a number of pros or plus sides to starting your own small business, you will also find that there a number of downsides or cons to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the fact that there are not really any guarantees. Sometimes even the best small business plans fail. There a lot of factors that go into determining whether or not a business can be a profitable one, like the ability to reach the targeted market, startup costs, monthly expenses, and location. While there are steps that you can take to help improve your chances of success, there are still no guarantees.
Another one of the cons or downsides to starting a small business is the startup money needed. Yes, there are some businesses that have smaller startup costs than others, but almost all small businesses do have startup costs. The good news though is that if you don’t have the required funds, you may be able to obtain financing for your small business project. The only thing is that you need to have good credit to do so. So, if your credit currently isn’t in good standing, you may want to think about working on it now. The sooner you get your credit repaired, if it needs to be, the sooner, you can start opening up your small business.
The above mentioned pros and cons are just a few of the many associated with trying to start your own small business. In all honesty, you may want to think about creating your own pros and cons list. If the pros outweigh the cons, starting your own small business may be something that you should look into doing.
Small Business Owners: Should Your Business Be Storefront, Online, or Both?
Are you in the process of trying to start your own business or are you already a small business owner who would like to expand? If you are, how is your business currently being operated? Is your business in a storefront location, one where your customers can come and visit you, or is your businesses address primarily a .com one? How your business is run may have an important impact on its success and the profits that you are able to make. That is why it is extremely important that you thoroughly research all of your small business decisions, especially this one, before making them.
When it comes to deciding if you should start a storefront business or an online business, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration. One of those factors is your local economy. There are some areas of the United States, where unemployment rates are high. These are the types of areas where it may be somewhat difficult for you to start a storefront business. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t try though. Other factors that should also be examined include the competition and the available commercial space; are there any affordable spaces available in or around your intended location?
In addition to examining starting a storefront business, from a local standpoint, it is also important to examine starting an online business. What you may not necessarily know is that just about anyone can create an online store, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will end up making money with it. To have a profitable online store, you need to have a freshly designed website, particularly one that is easy to navigate. You also have to have a sellable product, particularly one that is easy to sell online and easy to transport to your customers. As with starting a storefront business, the less online competition you have, the better your chances of being successful are.
If this is your first time starting a small business, you may want to take the time to thoroughly research and examine your two above mentioned options, having your business have an online address or a physical one. This is because it is often advised that small business owners start out small and then gradually expand their business. This often reduces the likelihood of failure from trying to expand to quickly, which is actually a common mistake that many small business owners make, but it is a mistake that you will not want to make. Once you find that your small business is doing well, it may be a good idea to consider expanding your small business to the point where it is able to service more customers.
When expanding your business so that it can serve more customers, you will want to examine your current business situation. For instance, if your business is being operated out of a storefront location, you may want to think about supplementing that with an online store. If your business is solely online, you may want to think about opening up a physical store. Waiting until your business is proven to be profitable or at least successful is a great way to reduce or minimize your risks of failure.
The decision as to whether or not you want to have your small business be a storefront business or an online business or both is yours to make, but it is one that should be carefully decided on. How your business is operated will plan an important role, perhaps actually be the deciding factor, in whether or not your small business is a successful, profitable one.
When it comes to deciding if you should start a storefront business or an online business, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration. One of those factors is your local economy. There are some areas of the United States, where unemployment rates are high. These are the types of areas where it may be somewhat difficult for you to start a storefront business. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t try though. Other factors that should also be examined include the competition and the available commercial space; are there any affordable spaces available in or around your intended location?
In addition to examining starting a storefront business, from a local standpoint, it is also important to examine starting an online business. What you may not necessarily know is that just about anyone can create an online store, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will end up making money with it. To have a profitable online store, you need to have a freshly designed website, particularly one that is easy to navigate. You also have to have a sellable product, particularly one that is easy to sell online and easy to transport to your customers. As with starting a storefront business, the less online competition you have, the better your chances of being successful are.
If this is your first time starting a small business, you may want to take the time to thoroughly research and examine your two above mentioned options, having your business have an online address or a physical one. This is because it is often advised that small business owners start out small and then gradually expand their business. This often reduces the likelihood of failure from trying to expand to quickly, which is actually a common mistake that many small business owners make, but it is a mistake that you will not want to make. Once you find that your small business is doing well, it may be a good idea to consider expanding your small business to the point where it is able to service more customers.
When expanding your business so that it can serve more customers, you will want to examine your current business situation. For instance, if your business is being operated out of a storefront location, you may want to think about supplementing that with an online store. If your business is solely online, you may want to think about opening up a physical store. Waiting until your business is proven to be profitable or at least successful is a great way to reduce or minimize your risks of failure.
The decision as to whether or not you want to have your small business be a storefront business or an online business or both is yours to make, but it is one that should be carefully decided on. How your business is operated will plan an important role, perhaps actually be the deciding factor, in whether or not your small business is a successful, profitable one.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Help Your Startup Home Business with Creative Marketing Strategies
Your low startup home business may not have as much resources as your bigger competitors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn as much profit as they do. Use the creative marketing strategies below to make your business generate gigantic returns.
Take advantage of the holidays.
Holidays give people a valid reason to spend more than usual and it’s a reason that most grasp eagerly with both hands. You need to take advantage of this by offering special products, services, or promos.
Christmas, for instance, is the season of giving and as such, if your home business can offer products that make perfect Christmas gifts, your business is sure to enjoy fantastic sales during the holidays.
Valentine’s Day, on the other hand, is a time for romance so you need to focus on pleasing customers not as individuals but as couples. Your strategies will be even more effective if your low startup home business can offer products with distinctive offers for boyfriends and girlfriends, engaged couples, and married couples. Consider as well those who are still in the dating stage as well as those who are planning to get back together.
Interact with your customers.
You need to strengthen and deepen the relationship between your business and its customers.
Many businesses use blogs to interact with their customers, but you can make your blog more effective by giving it a creative layout. Creativity can also be seen in the purposes it serves. Instead of merely posting entries and encouraging readers to post comments how about including polls in your entries?
Blogs are an avenue for you and your customers to bond. Scour the news for relevant reports that will be of interest to your target market. Post them on your blog then ask them the usual if-you’re-in-their-shoes questions.
Hold contests.
Don’t be lazy and make do with raffles and the usual question-and-answer contests. Make things more creative and your readers will be excited to join them not just for the prizes alone but also for the entertainment value.
Storytelling contests are fun and wildly entertaining. If you have an online jewelry shop, for instance, you can ask your readers to create the most romantic or adventurous legend for famous gems like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
Design contests are just as popular. Going back to the online jewelry sample, you can ask customers to contribute their own jewelry designs.
Prizes for the competition don’t have to be exceptionally expensive. In most cases, anything would do as long as it’s free and attractive to your customers.
Make a program.
There are two ways for you to create a program for your low startup home business: firstly, you can create a show by regularly uploading videos on YouTube. Secondly, you can have your own “radio” show by regularly uploading podcasts online.
Uploading videos in YouTube is for free. Video marketing is extremely effective for all kinds of businesses because customers can see, read, and listen to your message. You must, however, make sure that your content takes advantage of the extensive AV effects offered by videos. As for podcasts, you simply need to prioritize both content and sound quality.
Talk show format is the most popular reporting style used for marketing videos and podcasts. You don’t need to invite famous personalities as guests. You just need to discuss the most interesting and popular topics and your shows can help make your low startup home business profit!
Take advantage of the holidays.
Holidays give people a valid reason to spend more than usual and it’s a reason that most grasp eagerly with both hands. You need to take advantage of this by offering special products, services, or promos.
Christmas, for instance, is the season of giving and as such, if your home business can offer products that make perfect Christmas gifts, your business is sure to enjoy fantastic sales during the holidays.
Valentine’s Day, on the other hand, is a time for romance so you need to focus on pleasing customers not as individuals but as couples. Your strategies will be even more effective if your low startup home business can offer products with distinctive offers for boyfriends and girlfriends, engaged couples, and married couples. Consider as well those who are still in the dating stage as well as those who are planning to get back together.
Interact with your customers.
You need to strengthen and deepen the relationship between your business and its customers.
Many businesses use blogs to interact with their customers, but you can make your blog more effective by giving it a creative layout. Creativity can also be seen in the purposes it serves. Instead of merely posting entries and encouraging readers to post comments how about including polls in your entries?
Blogs are an avenue for you and your customers to bond. Scour the news for relevant reports that will be of interest to your target market. Post them on your blog then ask them the usual if-you’re-in-their-shoes questions.
Hold contests.
Don’t be lazy and make do with raffles and the usual question-and-answer contests. Make things more creative and your readers will be excited to join them not just for the prizes alone but also for the entertainment value.
Storytelling contests are fun and wildly entertaining. If you have an online jewelry shop, for instance, you can ask your readers to create the most romantic or adventurous legend for famous gems like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
Design contests are just as popular. Going back to the online jewelry sample, you can ask customers to contribute their own jewelry designs.
Prizes for the competition don’t have to be exceptionally expensive. In most cases, anything would do as long as it’s free and attractive to your customers.
Make a program.
There are two ways for you to create a program for your low startup home business: firstly, you can create a show by regularly uploading videos on YouTube. Secondly, you can have your own “radio” show by regularly uploading podcasts online.
Uploading videos in YouTube is for free. Video marketing is extremely effective for all kinds of businesses because customers can see, read, and listen to your message. You must, however, make sure that your content takes advantage of the extensive AV effects offered by videos. As for podcasts, you simply need to prioritize both content and sound quality.
Talk show format is the most popular reporting style used for marketing videos and podcasts. You don’t need to invite famous personalities as guests. You just need to discuss the most interesting and popular topics and your shows can help make your low startup home business profit!
Private Investors for Startup Small Business
Private investors for startup small businesses may not be a dime in a dozen these days, but if you’ve truly a worthwhile idea for business to propose then there’s nothing to worry about. Speak the right words at the right time and place to the right person and you can get yourself some takers!
How to Find Potential Private Investors for Small Businesses
When looking for potential investors, it’s important to remember how critical each and every opportunity is that comes your way. Also, don’t underestimate but don’t take unreasonable risks either. If you know you’ve got a genuine money-making opportunity in your hands, there’s no need to be desperate.
Personal Network
Your personal network is made up of family, friends, and close colleagues. All these may be able to refer a name or two so take the time to explain your situation and ask for their help. This isn’t the time for stubborn pride or inhibitions.
News
Scour the business news for mentions of well-known entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, and the likes. The type of business you’d propose may not be in league with the kind of projects they commonly involve their selves in, but there’s no harm in trying, is there?
Advertise
If there’s no way for you to reach potential private investors then try doing it the other way around. Make them come to you instead by advertising. Of course, you’ll need to pick the right vehicles for approaching them. Mere classifieds won’t be enough. Give a hint or two to your bank manager, offer compensation in exchange for a little help, and there’s sure to be a little bird able to whisper to the right ears about your business proposal.
What to Say to Potential Private Investors for Startup Small Businesses
Getting an appointment with a potential private investor is just the beginning. The next step is harder…and more important. You need to convince them to risk their money by investing in your proposed business. To do that, you need to focus on the factors listed below.
Products or Services
To know thy product (service) is to know thy business. Ultimately, everything will come down to what you’re selling. You need to know every feature of your product or service, how it fares against the competition, what its main attraction is to your market, and what could enable your products or services to triumph.
Give them proof. Let them know why you’re convinced people will buy them and you’re sure to win them over!
Target Market
Of course, having excellent products or services to sell won’t be enough to make your business survive, much less profit. You’re sure to impress potential private investors more if you come prepared with a list of well-thought-of strategies and tactics for marketing your products and services. They want to see how well you comprehend your target market and how effective and efficient you are at applying your knowledge to generate profit for your business.
ROI
Think rate and term. Firstly, they want to know exactly how long it would take them to recoup their investment. Secondly, they want to know how much more they can earn from their investment. Approximate figures won’t do. You need to calculate the odds, provide projected figures, and tell them simply if they can become richer – or poorer – because of your startup business.
How to Find Potential Private Investors for Small Businesses
When looking for potential investors, it’s important to remember how critical each and every opportunity is that comes your way. Also, don’t underestimate but don’t take unreasonable risks either. If you know you’ve got a genuine money-making opportunity in your hands, there’s no need to be desperate.
Personal Network
Your personal network is made up of family, friends, and close colleagues. All these may be able to refer a name or two so take the time to explain your situation and ask for their help. This isn’t the time for stubborn pride or inhibitions.
News
Scour the business news for mentions of well-known entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, and the likes. The type of business you’d propose may not be in league with the kind of projects they commonly involve their selves in, but there’s no harm in trying, is there?
Advertise
If there’s no way for you to reach potential private investors then try doing it the other way around. Make them come to you instead by advertising. Of course, you’ll need to pick the right vehicles for approaching them. Mere classifieds won’t be enough. Give a hint or two to your bank manager, offer compensation in exchange for a little help, and there’s sure to be a little bird able to whisper to the right ears about your business proposal.
What to Say to Potential Private Investors for Startup Small Businesses
Getting an appointment with a potential private investor is just the beginning. The next step is harder…and more important. You need to convince them to risk their money by investing in your proposed business. To do that, you need to focus on the factors listed below.
Products or Services
To know thy product (service) is to know thy business. Ultimately, everything will come down to what you’re selling. You need to know every feature of your product or service, how it fares against the competition, what its main attraction is to your market, and what could enable your products or services to triumph.
Give them proof. Let them know why you’re convinced people will buy them and you’re sure to win them over!
Target Market
Of course, having excellent products or services to sell won’t be enough to make your business survive, much less profit. You’re sure to impress potential private investors more if you come prepared with a list of well-thought-of strategies and tactics for marketing your products and services. They want to see how well you comprehend your target market and how effective and efficient you are at applying your knowledge to generate profit for your business.
ROI
Think rate and term. Firstly, they want to know exactly how long it would take them to recoup their investment. Secondly, they want to know how much more they can earn from their investment. Approximate figures won’t do. You need to calculate the odds, provide projected figures, and tell them simply if they can become richer – or poorer – because of your startup business.
Startup Business Sample Plans
Startup business sample plans are essential if it’s your first time to submit a business proposal to a bank, loan company, or future investor. There is generally no required number of pages for business plans, but they do have to comprehensive all pertinent aspects of your proposal. Use the sample and guidelines below to come up with your own startup business plan.
Introduction
Provide a brief background of your business if existing but if not then give a brief explanation as to why you intend to start up the proposed business. Make sure you mention some of your qualifications for running such a business.
Management Aspect
Potential lenders and investors are always interested in how you propose to manage your business. As such, your plan must include specific points regarding your management goals and strategies.
You need to indicate, for instance, whether you wish to set up a business as a sole proprietor or using a partnership or corporation. You also need to create an organizational chart in order to let investors or lenders know how many employees are going to work for you as well as what their job specifications and descriptions are.
Marketing Aspect
This is one of the most important parts of the business plan because it’s here you’ll have to prove the strengths and weaknesses of your business. This is where you’ll have to submit proof that your business will be profitable and able to match, if not surpass, competition.
In this part of your business plan, you’ll have to give a list of your company’s products and services. You need to compare it with those offered by your competition in terms of attractiveness, affordability, and value.
You need to do extensive research as well to indicate the size and nature of your competition in your business plan. Who are your competitors and where do you currently stand against them?
Naturally, the marketing aspect of your business plan will also include details regarding your industry and market. What industry barriers do you expect to be a problem for your business and how do you propose to overcome them? Can you create a profile for your target market? What strategies will you use in order to attract the attention of your target market?
Technical Aspect
This is where you have to indicate the pre-operational and startup costs of your proposed business. Pre-operational costs include but aren’t limited to legal expenses, down payment for rent and acquisition of the required equipment, supplies, and inventory for doing business.
If you cannot supply the necessary funds for your business, your business plan must establish the amount of money you will have to borrow as well as possible sources of external financing. You also need to list the requirements you’ll have to comply with in order to become eligible for financing.
Financial Aspect
The final part of your business plan will provide the necessary figures for your proposed business’s liquidity and profitability. Return on investment or ROI is one of the most important financial ratios that your potential investors will look for; it lets them know how soon they’ll be able to recoup their investment. Finally, you need to include projected income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for your proposed business.
If you feel less confident about writing your business plan, consider availing the services of a professional business plan writer.
Introduction
Provide a brief background of your business if existing but if not then give a brief explanation as to why you intend to start up the proposed business. Make sure you mention some of your qualifications for running such a business.
Management Aspect
Potential lenders and investors are always interested in how you propose to manage your business. As such, your plan must include specific points regarding your management goals and strategies.
You need to indicate, for instance, whether you wish to set up a business as a sole proprietor or using a partnership or corporation. You also need to create an organizational chart in order to let investors or lenders know how many employees are going to work for you as well as what their job specifications and descriptions are.
Marketing Aspect
This is one of the most important parts of the business plan because it’s here you’ll have to prove the strengths and weaknesses of your business. This is where you’ll have to submit proof that your business will be profitable and able to match, if not surpass, competition.
In this part of your business plan, you’ll have to give a list of your company’s products and services. You need to compare it with those offered by your competition in terms of attractiveness, affordability, and value.
You need to do extensive research as well to indicate the size and nature of your competition in your business plan. Who are your competitors and where do you currently stand against them?
Naturally, the marketing aspect of your business plan will also include details regarding your industry and market. What industry barriers do you expect to be a problem for your business and how do you propose to overcome them? Can you create a profile for your target market? What strategies will you use in order to attract the attention of your target market?
Technical Aspect
This is where you have to indicate the pre-operational and startup costs of your proposed business. Pre-operational costs include but aren’t limited to legal expenses, down payment for rent and acquisition of the required equipment, supplies, and inventory for doing business.
If you cannot supply the necessary funds for your business, your business plan must establish the amount of money you will have to borrow as well as possible sources of external financing. You also need to list the requirements you’ll have to comply with in order to become eligible for financing.
Financial Aspect
The final part of your business plan will provide the necessary figures for your proposed business’s liquidity and profitability. Return on investment or ROI is one of the most important financial ratios that your potential investors will look for; it lets them know how soon they’ll be able to recoup their investment. Finally, you need to include projected income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for your proposed business.
If you feel less confident about writing your business plan, consider availing the services of a professional business plan writer.
Federal Grants for Disabled Startup Business
Although there are numerous funding opportunities available for helping disabled individuals to pursue their educational goals, there are unfortunately a pitiful few available that the federal government can offer to help disabled individuals startup their own businesses.
8(a) Business Development Program from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Strictly speaking, there are no grants offered by the federal government that are specially designed to offer funding assistance for disabled individuals to start up their own businesses. The 8(a) Business Development Program, however, could be of help in certain circumstances.
The 8(a) Business Development Program, together with the Small Disadvantaged Business Certificate Program, are designed by the SBA to offer business assistance not only to disabled individuals but also to those are disadvantaged in other ways.
Benefits of 8(a) Business Development Program
If you are deemed eligible to receive assistance from this program, you can look forward to enjoy various benefits, some of which are listed below.
Improved Regulation Permits
Applicants will now find it easier to obtain startup business grants through this program thanks to its new and improved regulation permits. Now, the SBA is working with other companies as well as various federal agencies in order to expedite the application process and make funds available more quickly for grantees.
If you are not disabled, you need not worry because the new rules also allow people suffering from other types of disadvantages to apply.
Mentor-Protégé Program
The 8(a) Business Development Program will not only offer business grants to disabled individuals but it also gives you the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from the very best in the field.
The Mentor-Protégé program gives disabled individuals the rare chance to become a protégé of the most well-known and experienced mentors in their chosen fields. Thanks to the 8(a) Business Development Program, you’ll not only have the funds to start your own business but you’ll also learn the best way to make your business grow and how to maximize your profits.
Contracting and Subcontracting
When you become eligible for the 8(a) Business Development Program, the SBA will also make it a point to give you substantial advice as to how to best win federal contracts. Federal contracting is a lucrative arena that few people are aware of, much less with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary for competing in it.
Not only that but you’ll also learn how to take advantage of other subcontracting prospects from other and bigger companies. They’ll teach you how to offset the inferior size of your company with other assets of your business.
Are You Eligible for the 8(a) Business Development Program?
Here are quick guidelines to help determine if you are eligible to join this program.
Groups with Presumed Disadvantage
The Small Business Act can make you eligible immediately to join based on your race alone. This includes but is not limited to Subcontinent Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans.
Groups Requiring Preponderance of Evidence for Disadvantage
If you do not belong to any minority group that comes with a presumed disadvantage, there are still two other ways for you to meet the program’s eligibility requirements. You need to provide substantial evidence, however, that you are suffering from either social or economic disadvantage.
Social disadvantage would encompass issues arising from your location, physical handicap, gender, ethnicity, and race. You would be considered economically disadvantaged, on the other hand, if you are earning less than $250,000 net.
8(a) Business Development Program from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Strictly speaking, there are no grants offered by the federal government that are specially designed to offer funding assistance for disabled individuals to start up their own businesses. The 8(a) Business Development Program, however, could be of help in certain circumstances.
The 8(a) Business Development Program, together with the Small Disadvantaged Business Certificate Program, are designed by the SBA to offer business assistance not only to disabled individuals but also to those are disadvantaged in other ways.
Benefits of 8(a) Business Development Program
If you are deemed eligible to receive assistance from this program, you can look forward to enjoy various benefits, some of which are listed below.
Improved Regulation Permits
Applicants will now find it easier to obtain startup business grants through this program thanks to its new and improved regulation permits. Now, the SBA is working with other companies as well as various federal agencies in order to expedite the application process and make funds available more quickly for grantees.
If you are not disabled, you need not worry because the new rules also allow people suffering from other types of disadvantages to apply.
Mentor-Protégé Program
The 8(a) Business Development Program will not only offer business grants to disabled individuals but it also gives you the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from the very best in the field.
The Mentor-Protégé program gives disabled individuals the rare chance to become a protégé of the most well-known and experienced mentors in their chosen fields. Thanks to the 8(a) Business Development Program, you’ll not only have the funds to start your own business but you’ll also learn the best way to make your business grow and how to maximize your profits.
Contracting and Subcontracting
When you become eligible for the 8(a) Business Development Program, the SBA will also make it a point to give you substantial advice as to how to best win federal contracts. Federal contracting is a lucrative arena that few people are aware of, much less with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary for competing in it.
Not only that but you’ll also learn how to take advantage of other subcontracting prospects from other and bigger companies. They’ll teach you how to offset the inferior size of your company with other assets of your business.
Are You Eligible for the 8(a) Business Development Program?
Here are quick guidelines to help determine if you are eligible to join this program.
Groups with Presumed Disadvantage
The Small Business Act can make you eligible immediately to join based on your race alone. This includes but is not limited to Subcontinent Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans.
Groups Requiring Preponderance of Evidence for Disadvantage
If you do not belong to any minority group that comes with a presumed disadvantage, there are still two other ways for you to meet the program’s eligibility requirements. You need to provide substantial evidence, however, that you are suffering from either social or economic disadvantage.
Social disadvantage would encompass issues arising from your location, physical handicap, gender, ethnicity, and race. You would be considered economically disadvantaged, on the other hand, if you are earning less than $250,000 net.
Management Tips for Free Startup Home Business Success
A free startup home business may seem inferior to other types of businesses at first glance but if you use the management tips below, you can prove to everyone that it’s possible to earn lots of money even if you’ve started with nothing!
Scheduling
Mixing business with pleasure is never advisable and this is true even if you have the best intentions and you’re working from home. You’ll be able to think more clearly, complete tasks more quickly, and you’ll definitely earn more money if you have an exclusive schedule for your home business.
Determine the number of hours you can afford to set aside each day for your free startup home business. Afterwards, set a schedule for the appropriate hours and stick to it!
Budgeting
Just because you started out free doesn’t mean you won’t have any expenses to worry about forever. It’s impossible for a business to stay cost-free but it is very much possible to ensure that each month your income is greater than your expenses. To do that, however, you’ll need to learn how to budget.
Start by determining your sources of income. Next, make a list of your expenses. See which ones are directly incurred by your business and are therefore unavoidable. Determine which ones are optional and see what you can do to reduce their amount. It’s important to know which expenses are fixed and variable so that you’ll know how much you need to set aside as contingency.
You must always prepare your monthly budget plans in advance. At the very least, it must be ready a week prior to the start of the month as this will give you enough time to modify your plan whenever necessary. Again, your business plan will amount to nothing if you don’t stick to it. No excuses!
Staying Legitimate
Many free startup home businesses earn less than they should be because of the many penalties they end up paying, penalties that they could have avoided if they had just paid attention to the legal requirements of their business.
Be meticulous with bookkeeping. Record each and every transaction faithfully as the IRS tends to be stricter with online businesses. File your income tax returns on time to avoid penalties. Be aware of the expiration dates of your licenses so that you can apply on time as well.
Providing Customer Service
Don’t dedicate all of your business hours to selling the products or services of your business. If you want your home business to succeed, you must remember to work on keeping them happy, too.
To do that, you need to reserve a portion of your working hours on addressing the needs of your customers. Make sure you provide them with an email address and phone number to contact to and guarantee a 24-hour response time for all their inquiries and concerns.
It’s important to evaluate your website regularly and ask constantly for feedback. The demands of your customers will change from time to time and you need to keep up with them.
Last but not the least, remember to show your appreciation not just by giving them freebies and special discounts but also by taking time to taking their wants in needs into account every time you introduce or develop new features or services.
Keep these suggestions in mind the next time you do business!
Scheduling
Mixing business with pleasure is never advisable and this is true even if you have the best intentions and you’re working from home. You’ll be able to think more clearly, complete tasks more quickly, and you’ll definitely earn more money if you have an exclusive schedule for your home business.
Determine the number of hours you can afford to set aside each day for your free startup home business. Afterwards, set a schedule for the appropriate hours and stick to it!
Budgeting
Just because you started out free doesn’t mean you won’t have any expenses to worry about forever. It’s impossible for a business to stay cost-free but it is very much possible to ensure that each month your income is greater than your expenses. To do that, however, you’ll need to learn how to budget.
Start by determining your sources of income. Next, make a list of your expenses. See which ones are directly incurred by your business and are therefore unavoidable. Determine which ones are optional and see what you can do to reduce their amount. It’s important to know which expenses are fixed and variable so that you’ll know how much you need to set aside as contingency.
You must always prepare your monthly budget plans in advance. At the very least, it must be ready a week prior to the start of the month as this will give you enough time to modify your plan whenever necessary. Again, your business plan will amount to nothing if you don’t stick to it. No excuses!
Staying Legitimate
Many free startup home businesses earn less than they should be because of the many penalties they end up paying, penalties that they could have avoided if they had just paid attention to the legal requirements of their business.
Be meticulous with bookkeeping. Record each and every transaction faithfully as the IRS tends to be stricter with online businesses. File your income tax returns on time to avoid penalties. Be aware of the expiration dates of your licenses so that you can apply on time as well.
Providing Customer Service
Don’t dedicate all of your business hours to selling the products or services of your business. If you want your home business to succeed, you must remember to work on keeping them happy, too.
To do that, you need to reserve a portion of your working hours on addressing the needs of your customers. Make sure you provide them with an email address and phone number to contact to and guarantee a 24-hour response time for all their inquiries and concerns.
It’s important to evaluate your website regularly and ask constantly for feedback. The demands of your customers will change from time to time and you need to keep up with them.
Last but not the least, remember to show your appreciation not just by giving them freebies and special discounts but also by taking time to taking their wants in needs into account every time you introduce or develop new features or services.
Keep these suggestions in mind the next time you do business!
Startup Jewelry Business
My husband is starting to make jewelry at home.
Starting your own jewelry business may seem an intimidating prospect but with a bit of online marketing know-how, hard work, and lots of creativity, your fledgling business can easily turn into a highly profitable venture.
Choose the right business image.
Jewels are essentially beautiful regardless of what they’re made of, what their size is, or how they’re styled. Jewelries are usually expensive and considered works of art. As such, customers tend to have higher expectations than usual from those selling them.
For the right business image, you’ll need to come up with a distinctive but stylish name, logo, and website for your jewelry business. It may be elegant, funky, or cute. Stylishness, after all, is entirely subjective. But above all things, it must be attractive to your target market.
Choose a niche.
Speaking of your target market, it’s important to choose a niche for your jewelry business. Niche marketing will require you to cater to a smaller market with specific needs. Doing so will make it unnecessary for you to go head to head against bigger jewelry businesses. You will also have an easier time making your business’s name grow.
There are many ways to determine the ideal niche for your market. You may start, for instance, with the types of jewelries you’re selling. Are they suitable for career-oriented women or do they look better on teenagers? Or perhaps they’re more suited for women in high society?
Think variety and specialty.
They can come hand in hand. Variety for your jewelry business means offering them all kinds of jewelry your target might need: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, maybe even dress watches, rings, and anklets. You can even expand to the lesser-known varieties like nose rings and stomach rings if it’s applicable.
Variety ensures that your target market won’t have to look to other shops for any jewelry preferences they may have. Specialty, on the other hand, is purely on the account of taste and style: it’s what makes you different from your competitors.
Specialty for your jewelry business can be achieved in various ways. You could, for instance, make a name for yourself by creating a unique line of jewelries made of a combination of alexandrite and onyx. Its pink and black color tandem is startling and offers lots of creative potential.
Accepting custom orders can be considered a specialty in itself. Your jewelry business could be famous with its engraved lockets, name bracelets, and personalized necklaces.
Prioritize customer service.
As mentioned earlier on, customers of jewelry businesses tend to be more demanding and meticulous than usual. Consequently, they place greater value on customer service, maybe even more than affordability and product variety.
If you want to start up your jewelry business right then you need to focus on customer service. Firstly, give your customers the assurance of secure and convenient transactions; give them all the payment options you need and make sure you employ every possible precaution to prevent them from becoming a victim of ID theft while they’re shopping in your virtual store.
Offer round-the-clock customer support. They must have an email address and hotline to contact for any inquiries they may have. Show your appreciation for their continued patronage by regularly offering special promos and discounts for loyal customers. If you treat your customers well then they’re sure to hold your jewelry business in high regard!
Starting your own jewelry business may seem an intimidating prospect but with a bit of online marketing know-how, hard work, and lots of creativity, your fledgling business can easily turn into a highly profitable venture.
Choose the right business image.
Jewels are essentially beautiful regardless of what they’re made of, what their size is, or how they’re styled. Jewelries are usually expensive and considered works of art. As such, customers tend to have higher expectations than usual from those selling them.
For the right business image, you’ll need to come up with a distinctive but stylish name, logo, and website for your jewelry business. It may be elegant, funky, or cute. Stylishness, after all, is entirely subjective. But above all things, it must be attractive to your target market.
Choose a niche.
Speaking of your target market, it’s important to choose a niche for your jewelry business. Niche marketing will require you to cater to a smaller market with specific needs. Doing so will make it unnecessary for you to go head to head against bigger jewelry businesses. You will also have an easier time making your business’s name grow.
There are many ways to determine the ideal niche for your market. You may start, for instance, with the types of jewelries you’re selling. Are they suitable for career-oriented women or do they look better on teenagers? Or perhaps they’re more suited for women in high society?
Think variety and specialty.
They can come hand in hand. Variety for your jewelry business means offering them all kinds of jewelry your target might need: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, maybe even dress watches, rings, and anklets. You can even expand to the lesser-known varieties like nose rings and stomach rings if it’s applicable.
Variety ensures that your target market won’t have to look to other shops for any jewelry preferences they may have. Specialty, on the other hand, is purely on the account of taste and style: it’s what makes you different from your competitors.
Specialty for your jewelry business can be achieved in various ways. You could, for instance, make a name for yourself by creating a unique line of jewelries made of a combination of alexandrite and onyx. Its pink and black color tandem is startling and offers lots of creative potential.
Accepting custom orders can be considered a specialty in itself. Your jewelry business could be famous with its engraved lockets, name bracelets, and personalized necklaces.
Prioritize customer service.
As mentioned earlier on, customers of jewelry businesses tend to be more demanding and meticulous than usual. Consequently, they place greater value on customer service, maybe even more than affordability and product variety.
If you want to start up your jewelry business right then you need to focus on customer service. Firstly, give your customers the assurance of secure and convenient transactions; give them all the payment options you need and make sure you employ every possible precaution to prevent them from becoming a victim of ID theft while they’re shopping in your virtual store.
Offer round-the-clock customer support. They must have an email address and hotline to contact for any inquiries they may have. Show your appreciation for their continued patronage by regularly offering special promos and discounts for loyal customers. If you treat your customers well then they’re sure to hold your jewelry business in high regard!
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