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Small Business Matters

This blog provides helpful and easy-to-understand tips for small and home businesses, including direct links to resources that help business owners to navigate the government maze.
Latest Posts

From W-2 to Schedule 1040 C: Uncle Sam Has a One-Stop Shop for All Your Business Forms
November 23, 2009, 5:40 AM
Whatever stage your business is at - from hiring your first employee, filing your first W-2, or applying for a loan - a barrage of forms will require your attention. And as a small business owner, it's more than likely ...

Getting your Customers to Pay-Up: Part 2 - Tips for Collecting from Non-Paying Clients
November 19, 2009, 7:10 AM
At some or several points in every business owners life, you can expect to deal with a non-paying or slow-paying customer. In my earlier post - Getting your Customers to Pay-Up - Part 1: Tips for Protecting Yourself from Non-Paying ...

Getting Your Customers to Pay: Part 1 - Tips for Protecting Yourself from Nonpaying Clients
November 17, 2009, 7:15 AM
As sure as eggs are eggs every business owner can expect to deal with a non-paying or slow-paying customer at least once in their business lives. The trouble is that many of us, eager for new business and income, overlook ...

Selling Imported Goods inthe U.S.: Get Started with this Small-Business Checklist
November 12, 2009, 7:05 AM
Selling imported goods within the U.S. can be a lucrative business opportunity. High demand imported products such as artisan crafts, furniture and even food and beverage products such as olive oils, wine, etc. represent a significant market opportunity for savvy ...

Going Beyond the Shot Gun Approach – 5 Tips for Optimizing Your Non-Profit’s Fundraising Efforts
November 10, 2009, 6:50 AM
Raising funds to support the philanthropic mission of any non-profit organization can be a time consuming chore often fraught with trial and error. While splashy one-off fundraisers (otherwise known as "episodic funding") can generate a large chunk of charitable change ...

Five Holiday Season Marketing Tips to Help your Small Business Stay Profitable & Top of Mind this Year!
November 05, 2009, 6:25 AM
Whether your business depends on the fall/winter holiday season for a substantial part of your annual revenues or you find it to be a slow time of year - remaining engaged and connected with your prospect and customer base is ...

Thinking of Starting a Blog? Tips to Help You Start, Maintain & Grow a Successful Small Business Blog!
November 03, 2009, 6:55 AM
The online social media revolution that has bought us Facebook and Twitter actually started back in the late 90’s when the term “blog”, short for “weblog”, entered the lexicon. Blogs provide business owners with unprecedented ways of reaching and engaging ...

Why Your Business Needs an Elevator Pitch (and Tips on How to Target it to your Audience)
October 29, 2009, 6:55 AM
Whether you are on a trade show floor, making a sales pitch, or seeking investment, perfecting your elevator pitch can be one of the most important things your business can do. From the moment you start-up (when no one has ...

Need Help Starting a Business? Tips for Getting the Right Kind of Advice and Taking Control of Your Start-Up!
October 27, 2009, 7:10 AM
“I need help starting my business!” – is a common cry from many budding small business owners. And it’s no wonder. Starting a business is a huge step for any entrepreneur to undertake, and requires careful planning as well as ...

Surviving the Recession and Planning for a Rebound – How Small Businesses are Doing It!
October 22, 2009, 7:10 AM
No doubt about it, the current economic recession has hurt small businesses as well as the people they employ. But despite the reduction in consumer spending, dried up credit, ongoing debt and continued uncertainty about the timing of a bounce ...



Latest Comments in Small Business Matters posts

If your small business resells a product or service, ask that vendor for help. Often they'll have additional marketing resources (people, pre-planned campaigns, funds and how-to guides) that can help promote your business. They may even be able to consult with you and help build your marketing plan.
By: Paula on 10/20/09 at 3:45 PM
Developing a Marketing Budget for Your Small Business: Going Beyond the Spreadsheet
Great list, Caron. Planning ahead and using the resources already out there is a smart move. When I was in public accounting I always recommended the SBDC publications on business planning and applying for a loan.

Another of my favorite resources is a trade or professional association. For example, someone considering becoming a professional speaker can't do better than to find the nearest chapter of the National Speakers Association. Attend meetings and get to know those already in the business. Ask questions and volunteer to help.

You can shorten your learning curve or even figure out the business you thought you wanted to start is not the business for you.

Linda Keith
...
By: Linda Keith on 10/8/09 at 11:33 PM
How to Start a Retail Business – A Step-by-Step Guide
This is a great jumping off point for people serious about working from home. We keep hearing talk about how the office is being outsourced to the home. Whether or not that's really true, I do think home-based businesses and franchises (http://www.franchisedirect.com/homebasedfranchises/16)present a bold opportunity for people looking to supplement their income --- and more.
By: Donald Cranford on 9/29/09 at 6:27 AM
Starting and Growing a Home-Based Business – Uncle Sam has some Props that can help!
hi caron, your articles is very good for young business owners and i appreciate it they way you have brought it out well. i would like to say some thing about the regulations that they differ in each country. in my country uganda, we might not follow all that you mentioned because we can even sell without formal procedures as long as the buyer is interested on the busines. Good day. James ...
By: James odongo on 9/23/09 at 7:37 AM
Selling Up and Moving On – Preparation Tips for Making Your Business Sale a Success
Choosing a domain name based on your business name is not always the answer. A domain name should be based on the most popular keyword that describes your business niche.

After all who searches for your business name on Google, practically no one unless you are the Home Depot or other popular store.

Choose a name that reflects what your visitors are looking for, it will attract traffic to your new website.

Adrian D.
http://how-to-start-a-small-business.ning.com/ ...
By: Adrian Dunevein on 8/26/09 at 2:17 PM
Tips for Choosing a Business Name that is Unique, Web-Ready, and Legally Yours! – Part 1

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