Small Business Marketing Tips

Small Business Quotes To Publish

2005-09-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

The following small business quote may be freely published with the authors name and website address left in tact.

Small Business Quote: Employee Mindset

“Most formal schooling prepares us to work for others. If we are good at following school rules and what the teacher says, then we will probably do okay in the job world too.”

Noel Peebles, Author “Sell Your Business The Easy Way”
http://www.instantsellbusiness.com

This small business quote may be freely published with the authors name and website address left in tact. If published on a website the hyperlink to the website must be active.

Small Business Quotes To Publish

2005-09-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

The following small business quote may be freely published with the authors name and website address left in tact.

Small Business Quote: Experience Quote

“I believe we can learn more from the experience of others than we have time on this earth to discover for ourselves. The trick is to learn from those who have already been there. Trust their experience above those who haven't done what you want to do.”

Noel Peebles, Author “Sell Your Business The Easy Way”
http://www.instantsellbusiness.com

This small business quote may be freely published with the authors name and website address left in tact. If published on a website the hyperlink to the website must be active.

Selling A Business A Long Drawn-Out Process?

2005-09-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

When selling your business you may want to cut your ties as quickly as possible after take-over day. Afterall, selling the business could represent the end of a long drawn-out sales process. That's why you may just want to cut your ties and move on.

However, it doesn't always work out like that. The new owner may want your help. The new owner may want your experience and full support during the changeover period. The buyer may even want you to stick-around for a while until they come to grips with their new venture. You would be like an 'on-call' business consultant. That's why the level of support you offer will need to be negotiated as part of the sale contract.

So, before selling your business, you’ll need to think about the likely needs of the buyer and mentally prepare yourself for the different scenarios that could follow.

And remember, your level of on-going support may be another bargaining chip for you to play when selling your business.

I wrote the "Sell Your Business The Easy Way" ebook, because I want small business owners to have more chance of coming out on top, both financially and personally. To do this, before starting down the business selling path, I suggest that you think carefully - should you sell your own small business or should you employ the services of a business broker? My ebook can help you to make the best decision.

'Sell Your Business The Easy Way' can be downloaded almost instantly at http://www.instantsellbusiness.com

What The Bank Manager Said When Buying A Business

2005-09-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

I sold one of my small businesses to a senior banking executive. I remember the comment he made just before signing the contract. It was something like this:

"I have seen so many people buy a successful business, rush in and change everything and then lose everything."

He went on to add "You are running an extremely profitable business, so you must be doing something right. I am not going to change anything, probably for at least a year, or until I find better way to do things."

He kept his word and the business continued to perform exceptionally well. Eventually he did make changes, but he did it from a position of knowledge... and with understanding of the market requirements. A smart cookie!

The truth is; most people don’t like change and the Bank Manager understood this from experience. When selling a business, the transition from existing owner to new owner is critical. It is always important to make sure that customers and clients remain with the new owners. No customers...no business!

I wrote the "Sell Your Business The Easy Way" ebook, because I want small business owners to have more chance of coming out on top, both financially and personally. To do this, before starting down the business selling path, I suggest that you think carefully - should you sell your own small business or should you employ the services of a business broker? My ebook can help you to make the best decision.

'Sell Your Business The Easy Way' can be downloaded almost instantly
at http://www.instantsellbusiness.com

A Top Dollar Selling A Business

2005-09-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Will You Get Top Dollar When You Sell Your Small Business?

Selling your business will probably be your biggest sale ever. But, to get the best price you'll need to satisfy your buyer on two points. Firstly, your small business should be showing good returns. Secondly, there needs to be a strong likelihood that this trend will continue.

This is why you (as current owner), have an important part to play in the transition period during and after the sale.

Your customers and clients may be watching the changeover very closely. If you have a successful small business, then it is fair to assume that your customers have grown to like you and the way you run your small business.

Remember, most people don’t like change, so the transition is critical to make sure that your customers and clients remain with the new owners. No customers...no business!

I wrote the "Sell Your Business The Easy Way" ebook, because I want small business owners to have more chance of coming out on top, both financially and personally. To do this, before starting down the business selling path, I suggest that you think carefully - should you sell your own small business or should you employ the services of a business broker? My ebook can help you to make the best decision.

'Sell Your Business The Easy Way' can be downloaded almost instantly
at http://www.instantsellbusiness.com

Why Some Small Businesses Struggle

2005-09-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

A small business can struggle to get ahead for any number of reason including:

1. The small business entrepreneur may not be taking enough risks.

2. The small business entrepreneur may be trying to do too many things themselves without delegating appropriately.

3. The small business entrepreneur may not be hiring people who are smarter than they are in certain areas. This could mean that they are not surrounding themselves with a good team of people with the required skills.

4. The small business entrepreneur may not be fully ultilizing the resources available to them.

Many small business entrepreneur's have the skills to get started and to grow a business to a certain point. But, that's where the progress often stops. The small business entrepreneur often lacks the required resources and/or skills to take the business to the next level. Every small business entrepreneur should periodically take a step back and have a good hard look at where his or her business is at and where the business is headed.

Click here for more information on marketing a small business.

Small Business Awards

2005-09-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Recognize that outstanding small business entrepreneur or the person who tirelessly gives to small businesses by nominating him or her for the U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Awards. The SBA Pittsburgh District Office, in conjunction with the Western Pennsylvania Small Business Network, will honor the winners at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. This annual event attracts in excess of 500 attendees. The link www.sba.gov/nominationsguideline.html will take you directly to all the information you need to complete a nomination.

Click here for more information on marketing a small business.

1936 Book Still Good Read For Small Business Entrepreneurs

2005-09-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

Although written in 1936 the Dale Carnegie book "How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment" is still a good read for any small business entrepreneur. It includes some suggestions for changing people's attitudes and behavior like:

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

A Small Business Plan For Action

2005-09-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

Preparing a business plan can pay dividends for a small business entrepreneur for a number of reasons including:

1. A small business plan can help the small business entrepreneur evaluate the feasibility of the business enterprise.

2. A small business plan can help the small business entrepreneur develop a "roadmap" document and strategy to acquire needed resources.

3.A small business plan can help the small business entrepreneur adopt sound business planning that will become part of a management style.

The time and effort invested in developing a complete and detailed small business plan and clear marketing strategy will usually benefit any small business many times over.

Mixed Emotions Selling A Business

2005-09-04T02:11:00.000-07:00

For most small business owners, the decision to sellout is usually a combination of personal and financial reasons. The chances are, the business owner will have a personal attachment to the small business. It’s been part of his or her life for some time now. The business owner, (maybe with some input from friends and family), is the only person capable of making the ultimate decision to sell.

The same applies to the buyer. It won’t just be a financial decision, it will also be about life-style, personal independence, freedom to express themselves, maybe an escape from the corporate "rat race", or the satisfaction of being in charge of his or her own little empire.

The price the buyer ultimately pays is important, as it will need to stack-up financially, if they are to convince someone to lend them money. But, financial considerations alone, will not drive their decision to purchase the business.

7 Suggestions What to Sell On Ebay

2005-09-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

Fact: Sixteen million items are up for sale every day on ebay!

Fact: eBay currently has over 86,000,000 registered users!

(Yes, 86 MILLION.) Ebay online auctions has over 27,000 categories for items. The ebay marketplace is allowing THOUSANDS of people to make their living from home by selling items on eBay's online auctions web site. For the beginner to Ebay, the big question is usually what to sell? Here are 7 suggestions to get your Ebay business started:

1. Sell what you know first and get to understand how the system works and what people want to buy. If you're into fashion, sell fashion; if you're into golf, sell golf equipment, and so on.

2. Be observant and look for opportunities. Look to buy products (in quantity if possible) at a low price for resale. Bargains can be right under your nose. For example; a local retailer might have unwanted inventory that needs to be liquidated. Make an offer to clear out the retailer's old or damaged stock.

3. Surf eBay browsing outside your normal categories. Research what's hot at www.ebay.com/sellercentral

4. Sell other people's products for a commission by becoming a Trading Assistant. As an Ebay Trading Assistant, you won't have the expense of building inventory and it can reduce the risk when getting started. Many Ebay Trading Assistants build their businesses at a fast pace without having to invest a much money in capital. Take a good look at the ideas on http://www.online-auctions-make-money.com/

5. Do your research on Ebay and then take action. Don't gamble but do take some calculated risks. Being too cautious can work against you. Trust your gut when you find potentially salable items.

6. Consider more than one product or product line. Sometimes it pays to cross promote and drive customers from one product line to the another product line.

7. Write a good product description. Describe the product correctly and enthusiastically. It is important that you understand about what you're selling. Credibility is important for ongoing success on Ebay.

Strength And Weakness Going Into Business

2005-09-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

When going into business for yourself, you as a small business entrepreneur, will be your most important employee. It is more important that you rate yourself objectively than how you rate any prospective employee. Analyize your strengths and your weaknesses.

To be successful as a small business entrepreneur, you especially need to know your limitations. As a prospective operator of your own small business, acknowledge that you are weak in certain areas and cover those deficiency by either retraining yourself or hiring someone with the necessary skill.

Content Is King For Small Business Website

2005-09-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

Content, Content, Content!

The first rule of any web presence for any small business, blog or otherwise, is content. Lots of high quality content. Content is king, because not only is it a way of providing your customers (and potention customers) with useful information, it also adds to credibility. The content, does however, need to be of good quality, rather than just a mass of endless ads.

The other advantage of putting good content on a small business website, is that the search engines prefer sites that offer good content. Content good could help get your small business website ranked by the search engines.

If you have a small business and would like to use content from this small business marketing tips blog in your marketing there are some basic conditions. You are free to publish indiviual postings from this blog provided you give credit for the posting and provided you publish a link back to this small business marketing tips blog. If you publish a posting on a website then the link to this blog must be an active link. Also the content cannot be changed in any way.

Another option is to use our small business marketing tips blog RSS feed. See details top right.

PR Important To Small Business Marketing Mix

2005-09-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

A good, low-cost way to increase your business is through a public relations campaign. This can be very expensive and time-consuming for a small business. Therefore, if your company is too small to hire a PR firm, you need to create your own personalized PR program. PR can be an important and effective ingredient in any marketing mix, especially for a small business on a tight budget.

Marketing Trends - Ready To Cook Meal Take Outs

2005-09-03T02:53:00.000-07:00

One of the emerging trends in take out food is the ready to cook service kitchen. Busy people can make an appointment at the kitchen and, in two hours, assemble 12 entrees that are ready for the freezer.

The kitchen's 12 stations are set up for a different recipe. Ingredients are laid out, ready to be put together. Any prep work, such as chopping vegetables, is done by staff ahead of time. Now there's an interesting idea for business.

Use Publicity To Launch A Small Business

2005-09-03T01:46:00.000-07:00

When starting a business, a limited operating budget can be a big drawback for marketing and introducing the new business into a competitive market. With no or limited funds available for various forms of marketing activities like advertising and promotional activities, the new small business entrepreneur must make use of publicity tools which can give the business the much needed exposure at relatively low cost.

One of the most effective tool for the least amount of money in marketing a small business is to use the press to talk positively about the small business. It also gives the small business a touch of credibility and can project a highly professional image.

Marketing Essential For Any Small Business

2005-09-03T01:38:00.000-07:00

For most small businesses, highly effective marketing is essential for not only business success, but also for survial, in todays competitive marketplace. It's really impossible for a small business to be successful without good marketing and sales techniques. Every small business needs to let people know about all the wonderful things the small business can provide for them. To do this a small business must first provide those wonderful things that people are willing to pay for. And that, in turn, means knowing who the potential customers are and getting so close to them that the small business can virtually anticipate their needs and desires.

Retail Sales In Question

2005-09-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

Rising fuel costs had already curbed consumer spending during the summer, but with Hurricane Katrina pushing gasoline prices past $3 in some parts of the country, retail experts worry that even fewer people will show up in stores and spend their dollars.

Louisiana and Mississippi Business May Be Slow To Recover

2005-09-02T17:53:00.000-07:00

Fast jobs and business bouncebacks are common after U.S. natural disasters but things may be different for the Gulf States directed affected by the impact of Hurricane Katrina. A shadow may hang for years over the economies of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Population growth in Louisiana and Mississippi has been slow with the populations having relatively low levels of income and education. Both poor states on the Gulf of Mexico are reliant on energy, leisure, ports, agriculture and manufacturing for jobs and tax revenues.

US Unemployment Rate Down

2005-09-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

The unemployment rate fell unexpectedly to its lowest level in four years with U.S. employers creating a solid 169,000 jobs in August 2005.

The August employement increase fell short of the 190,000 gain expected by Wall Street.

Word-Of-Mouth Marketing For Small Business

2005-09-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

Word-of mouth can be a powerful marketing tool for any small business, but it should be only one of many tools in the small business marketing mix. Marketing is also about doing a great job, offering excellent service, and having a great product that people want to buy. When those and other ingredients in the marketing mix come together, then word-of-mouth marketing can become particularly effective. Word-of-mouth referrals and personal endorsement from satisfied customers can prove to be more powerful (and less expensive) than any form of paid advertising.

17 Common Mistakes To avoid When Starting A Business

2005-09-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

A small business can start out as a lemon from day one, or it can quickly develop into one. Let me explain.

Most people dream of being their own boss and one day working for themselves in their own small business. But, for most people it remains just a dream. Let's face it - if you are not motivated enough, you will probably never start a business. Sometimes people are motivated into action because of negative circumstances. They may be tired of the corporate "rat race", or they may have a boring job.

Given those possibilities, starting a business might be the perfect escape to "perceived" freedom. What is it that motivates you to want to start a business and work for yourself? I ask this question because it is important to go into business for the right reasons.

Let's then assume you know why you are going into business and you know what you want to achieve. Now consider these 17 common mistakes and what you will do differently:

17 Common Mistakes To avoid When Starting A Business

1. Rushing things (do it right the first time!)

2. Lack of focus (specialize, specialize, specialize!)

3. Inadequate market research (test market first!)

4. Lack of on-the-job experience (upskill!)

5. A poorly thought-out business plan (think things through and write things down!)

6. Opening too soon without first without knowing what could happen (learn from your small mistakes!)

7. Unprofessional brand name, decor, theme, logo, dress-code, stationery, packaging, advertising etc (marketing is everything in business!)

8. Poor branding and signage (signs should be big, clear and readable and in an identifiable color theme!)

9. Untrained employees (train your staff and set non-negotiable standards!)

10. Poor relationship with customers (they can make or break your business!)

11. Poor relationship with vendors (they can make it easy or difficult for you!)

12. Unfocused marketing plan (have a roadmap and be diciplined!)

13. Not using the advertising media that works best for your specific business (ineffective advertising is money down the toilet!)

14. Lack of working capital (do your math carefully and remember cash flow is king!)

15. Poor accounting (spend wisely and keep good records!)

16. Ignoring possible problems (solve problems before that get out of hand!)

17. Not recognizing your limitations (play to your strengths and seek help to minimize your weaknesses!)

Business Cards A Powerful Small Business Marketing Tool

2005-09-02T02:35:00.000-07:00

Distributing well designed business cards can be an effective and low-cost form of marketing for any small business. A business card is sometimes the first impression somebody has of a small business. That is why it is important to design business cards carefully. They should, not only communicate clearly, but also fit with the overall marketing strategy of the small business.

Business cards are relatively inexpensive. Low-cost, full color, digital printing can make any business card look very professional, especially when photographs are used. Having a clearly branded color scheme with a great logo is important in any professional business card design. When designed and used effectively, business cards can be an pwerful marketing tool for any small business.

Product Renting - The Biggest Scam To Hit Small Business

2005-09-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

What is product renting? It is when a customer buys a product from a retail business on a Friday, uses the product on Saturday, and returns the product on Sunday for a cash refund. Product renting is when the purchaser (renter) never intended to keep the product in the first place. They simply "use" the product.

The problem for retailers, is that it's not always clear if a customer is doing that intentionally. Trouble is; a retailer doesn't know when someone is making returns 20 times in one day at 15 different stores.

Fashion retailers continue to be a prime target for "renters." However, recent trends show an increase in the "renting" of consumer electronics. It is not unheard of for someone to "rent" a digital video camera for a special occasion such as a graduation, birthday, anniversery or wedding. The "renter" pays for the camera on a Friday, uses it to record the special occasion, and then returns to the store a day or so later requesting a full refund.

Small Business Hit By Gas Hike

2005-09-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

Crude oil prices, which have tripled in the past three years, climbed 4 percent this week to $69.03 a barrel. They hit an all-time high of $70.85 on Tuesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Rising gasoline prices have a flow-on impact on businesses be they large or small. Gasoline prices soared to well over $3 a gallon in many parts of the United States after Hurricane Katrina slammed the New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The hurricane shut down most of the region's oil production and refineries. Gasoline had sold for about $2.60 a gallon before the hurricane hit.

For all the outrage from U.S. drivers are still paying much less than drivers in Europe. Smaller cars and shorter commutes are the norm in Europe with petrol prices roughly $6 a gallon in Britain.

Katrina Impact On Economy

2005-09-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

Total damage from Hurricane Katrina, including uninsured items, could be as high as $40 billion, according to some Economists.

Hurricane Katrina closed down 95 percent of Gulf Coast crude oil production and 88 percent of the Gulf Coast natural gas output. Eight refineries, producing more than 10 percent of U.S. refining capacity, were shut down.

There are also some concerns that a fresh, even temporary, spike in energy costs as a result of damage to the Gulf region's oil infrastructure may be one shock too many.
Crude oil prices had already doubled in 18 months prior to Hurricane Katrina, which only adds to growing fears of a housing bubble, rising short-term interest rates and swelling trade deficits which could affect the wider economy.

How To Get The Most From Business Cards

2005-09-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

The surprising thing is that most business cards are only printed on one side. You always hear about adding color to make cards stand out, and that is good, but one way to really improve the effectiveness of your business card is to also print on the back. It is so much cheaper and easier to print both sides of a business card these days.

I recently ordered 500 business cards that were digitally printed. They were printed on both sides in full color and cost me about half the price of the last batch I had printed with old technology. Digital printing is not only inexpensive, but it is also very fast. My business cards arrived a couple of days after placing the order.

Small Business Marketing In Good Times

2005-09-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Most small business owners hate to waste money on ineffective marketing and hate writing the checks. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact, big business could learn a lot from small business on how NOT to waste money.

The problem however, is that small businesses often lack clearly defined and deciplined marketing strategies. They tend not to spend enough money on marketing when they are busy and doing well. That can be a big mistake. Markets can change, competitors can change, the economy can change and business can dry up. Every small business should therefore have clearly defined marketing strategy and a plan of action.

Changeover Not Always Smooth When selling A Business

2005-09-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

The new owner of your small business may not want you involved after both parties sign the sales contract. This is something you (as current owner), needs to be mentally prepared for. Don’t automatically assume there will be a place for you, even in a part-time or business consulting role. Regardless of your ability, or knowledge of the business, the new owner may not want you to be involved. A new broom sweeps clean. The new owner could see you as a threat to the vision that he or she has for the business.

Naturally, when things go wrong, it is likely you will be blamed for selling them "a dog."

Click here for more information on selling a business with proven-to-work tips, ideas and techniques for a smooth sales process.

Retail Sales Receipts Tampered With

2005-09-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Retail return fraud has existed for years with people trying to alter sales receipts and claiming fraudulent cash refunds from small businesses. The schemes are still around and small business owners and employees should be continually vigilent. However, the big worry for small business, is that these fraud schemes are now more sophisticated.

The latest scam involves journal tape, the paper that runs through cash registers, being taken out of store rooms and cash registers and then sold. Small business retailers might ask what use the tapes would be to anyone. Well, there are now printers and scanners available from almost any electronics store that can reprint, duplicate and recast sales receipts. The digits on sales receipts can be altered.

Here is an example: A customer could have a sales receipt for $100 for a shirt. That sales receipt could then be copied giving a fraudster the opportunity to return as many of those shirts as the fraudster can get his or her hands on. It could mean shoplifting the goods and then returning to the store requesting a cash refund.

Some fraudster would simply take the same item off the shelf, remove the tags and put the item in a shop bag and take it to the sales desk (without leaving the store) with the fake receipt and request a cash refund.

People also get receipts from the trash or reuse their own receipts multiple times. The message in all this is, that every small business needs to have policies and controls in place, to protect the small business from refund/return fraud.

Small Business Marketing Tips

2005-09-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Marketing is an important factor in the success and growth of any small business. But many small business entrepreneurs do not sell themselves as effectively as they could. Constrained by size and budgetary concerns, small businesses often miss big opportunities to position themselves. This small business marketing tips blog is designed to help small business entrepreneurs succeed in this increasingly competitive small business environment.

A Digital Camera Can Be A Powerful Small Business Marketing Tool

2005-09-01T02:36:00.000-07:00

Depending on what business you are in, a digital camera can be a useful tools in marketing a business. One idea is to take "before" and "after" shots of the job you are doing.

As an example; a landscape gardener could take a shot of a garden before landscaping, and then digitally alter the photograph using a home computer, to show the prospective client what the completed job will look like.

There would be several advantages in offering this service:

One advantage is that it would help clients to visualize the completed job. It could eliminate any sudden shocks and resulting desputes if the client didn't get what they were expecting.

Another advantage is that the "before" and "after" shots could be used when quoting for jobs. A prospective client will see exactly what they are getting, as opposed to just providing a written quote, like a competitor might do. The landscape gardener could send a letter to the prospective client, thanking them as well as enclosing the set of "before" and "after" photos with the quotation. Many times when a prospective client is trying to choose which service is best for their needs. Using this method, the prospective client would have proof positive of the landscapers work.

The other advantage is that "before" and "after" photos could be shown to several clients. The landscape gardener could make another set of prints. When a new prospective client wants to meet with them for an interview, the landscape gardener could show them a portfolio of several "before" and "after" photos of previously completed jobs.

This idea could be used in a number of different industries and could make the difference between getting the business or missing out to a competitor.

"A picture is worth a thousand words" Imagine what several pictures are worth!

A Small Business Plan To Succeed

2005-09-01T02:34:00.000-07:00

It is important for the small business entrepreneur to have a business plan, a marketing strategy and to set goals. These could be one, two, or three year goals of what they want the small business to look like at the start and at the end in terms of money, sales, clients, or whatever is important to the business. Begin with the end in mind.

Having a small business plan, marketing strategies and defined goals makes for clearer thinking. It becomes easier to figure out what needs to change and to strategize about how to best reach those goals. It is often good to have an outside sounding board to talk through ideas with. The person could be another small business entrepreneur, a small business consultant, or a even a knowledgeable accountant.

Small Business Millionaire Reveals Secret

2005-08-31T20:29:00.000-07:00

Self-made millionaire entrepreneur Mal Emery, has bought, developed and sold 14 small businesses. Mal had this to say: 'Before I even consider buying a small business, I must be able to visualise or articulate a clear and concise picture of what that small business will look like when I sell out. You see, I design all my small businesses to sell. I call the buyer of my business, my ultimate customer... the one who puts me out of business.'

Even if you are many years away from selling your small business, it still pays to plan an exit strategy, because that time will eventually come. What would happen if you died unexpectedly?

If you haven’t got a workable exit strategy in place, your heirs may have no choice but to place the business with an agent or business brokerand say 'get what you can for it.' The business assets may be liquidated and sold off piecemeal, getting virtually nothing for the goodwill you’ve built up over the course of many years in business.

Plan for the big change well before the signs of burn-out, boredom or apathy start to show in your balance sheet. A decline in the financial results will, more than likely, scare buyers (and their lenders) away. You could get less for your small business than what it’s really worth.

You’ll have more chance of coming out on top, both financially and personally, if you make an effort to understand the steps to selling a business. You need to spend time on careful planning and marketing, so that when you’re ready, you can take the time to negotiate a price and terms that will satisfy your reasons for selling your business.

Click here for more information on preparing a small business for sale.

Small Business Entrepreneurs Struggle With Marketing.

2005-08-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

Small business owners often fail to fully appreciate that if they are in business, then they are also in the business of marketing. Most people start a small business because they like what they do. But, very few people have a clear understanding of how to market the product or a service that they may provide. Marketing is seeing an opportunity where other people don't. Marketing needs to be the number one priority for any small business, because without customers and sales there is no business.

Having A Website To Support Your Small Business

2005-08-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Before deciding to put your small business on the net, it is important to decide exactly why you are doing it and what you want to achieve. You don't have to be an E-Bay or Amazon to have a website, but you do need to have clear marketing strategies in place. Usually it is best to tailor your website to your small business, not tailor your small business to your website. Determining why you want a website and what you expect it to accomplish will dictate the marketing direction you ultimately take.

Don't get misled by all the marketing hype. Some small business owners are led to believe that if they don't have a website then they are not up with the times. Depending on the nature of your business this might be true, but is not always the case. You may actually be suprised and find out that a website will not help you at all. It may be a total waste of money. This would seem to go against the current beliefs that every small business must have a website. Successful small business marketing is all about doing what is best for your small business, not what is best for some other small business. You decide your own marketing strategy.

Small Business In The Drivers Seat

2005-08-31T00:40:00.000-07:00

Most small business entrepreneurs would rather be in the drivers seat than to be driven. Yet, surprisingly enough, many small business owners put little effort into planning and marketing to sell to their biggest and ultimate customer... the person (or company) that buys their small business.

I've seen genuine hardworking people struggle and persevere to build up a successful small business, only to watch them fail to reap their deserved rewards when they come to cash-out. They don't know what to do, or where to go. They lack the required marketing skills to present their business effectively to potential buyers. The end result; they get stressed-out and bitterly disappointed with the outcome.

Don't fall into the same trap. The day will come when you want to (or have to) sell your small business and cash-out. That might not be in the near future, but now is the time to start planning the marketing of your ultimate sale.

Click here for more information on preparing a small business for sale.

Retail Scams Up 23%

2005-08-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

The most recently available data shows that stores lost $16 billion to bogus returns in 2003, up 23% from 2002. Mass-merchandising, food and drug stores were particularly vulnerable. Geographically, stores off the major thruways of I-95 and I-5 (especially in Florida, New York and California) were also popular targets.

Finding Small Business Revenue Sources

2005-08-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Business revenue is important to any small business entrepreneur, whether he or she is new to small business, or is a long time established small business owner. No revenue from the small business means... no income... and no business.

Having multiple streams of income can help any small business reduce the business risk and help the business to prosper. Most small businesses will have one or more major sources of revenue, and some other minor income streams.

An over reliance on one major revenue stream can leave a small business vulnerable to unexpected changes in the market or economy. It is therefore important for a small business entrepreneur to carefully examine the income side of his or her small business, and find ways to enhance the company's cash flow. Revenue sources could include product sales income, cash from affiliate programs, revenue from consulting services, and even income from a rental property.

A successful small business entrepreneur will usually seek out new and exciting ways to add revenue to the small business. Expanding some of the smaller revenue generators can help a business survive and grow. The key is to abandon products and services that are poor profit performers, or that use too many business resources...and to replace them with new revenue streams.

Over 50,000 make a living from Ebay UK

2005-08-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

Over 50,000 people draw a significant portion of their income by selling goods on the internet, according to a new report.

Internet auction sites such as eBay are proving popular ways for consumers to boost their wealth as small, part-time entrepreneurs. The study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) shows that the average household will boost its earnings by £3,000 through such online trading.

Small Business Franchise Tips

2005-08-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Before buying a franchise business do lot of research and examine several different franchisors. Check the references of the franchisor before signing any legally binding contract. It is important that you know exactly what is expected of you and what I was getting into. The franchisor needs to have the systems in place to offer the support you deserve once you have made the decision to invest. A good franchisor won’t have anything to hide.

Small Business Wins Over Big Business

2005-08-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

It can be easy for small business owners to become downhearted when faced with big competition, endless red tape, taxes and regulations. But, there are advantages in being a small business.

A small business can be quick-footed, have low overheads and get into markets that are not viable for large businesses. When it comes to exploiting new high-margin niche markets, small businesses often have an edge over much larger competitors.

A big business might decide it's not worth investing in a market because the market is too small, or too specialized and the returns would be too low to justify the effort. Whereas a small business will generally have a lower cost structure and be profitable in a smaller niche market.

Hurricane Katrina Impact On Oil Price

2005-08-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

News Affecting Small Business: August 29, 2005

Oil climbed back above $68 on Tuesday as traders waited nervously for news of damage in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's rampage through the Gulf of Mexico, where most oil and gas production was at a standstill.

Small Business Advice From Who?

2005-08-29T23:51:00.000-07:00

As the owner of a small business, who should you listen to and get advice from? Who can give you the help, small business advice and the emotional support you need in achieving your goals? Who should you let influence your thinking? After all, you can't do everything yourself, so you will need help from others.

The important thing is to listen to the right people. If your goal is to become financially independent, then is it best to rely on the advice of someone who has never achieved that goal? Think about that for a moment.

Friends and family are often well intentioned, but have they aspired to much, or do they spend their lives watching instead of doing? Some of them may never have paid the price to achieve success...and they probably never will. Can they give you help, give you good small business advice and the emotional support you need to achieve your success goals? Can they teach all the skills, knowledge and give you the guidance you need to become financially independent and succeed in a small business?

Think about this honestly. If you turn to them for small business advice, what can they tell you? How can they help? Is their experience what you need to succeed in a small business?

The point I'm making is; your friends and family all want the best for you. Their motives and intentions are good, but like all of us, they see the world through their own fears, faults, and failures... they are guided by their feelings.

No man is an island. There will be times when friends and family can be of great help, but be careful taking small business advice if they have not already achieved what you are setting out to achieve.

A Small Business Entrepreneur - What It Takes

2005-08-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

If you were good at playing follow the leader at school, you'll probably be good
at playing follow the leader in the job world too. I am not knocking it, but I do stress that to be successful in the job world you need to be a good follower and a good team player.

Working for someone else is nothing like being a small business entrepreneur and the boss of your own small business. To become a small business entrepreneur requires a different plan or map, because you are taking a different road, to a different destination.

To become a successful small business entrepreneur you will have to be a self-starter and not rely on others. For example, when you work a 'regular job' your boss feeds you work and you have to do whatever job you are given even if you hate doing
it. Your reward... a salary or wage.

Being a small business entrepreneur means finding WHAT to do, HOW to do it and WHERE to market your ideas. It requires a different mindset of focusing on opportunity rather than security.

Small Business Return Frauds

2005-08-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Small Business Marketing News:

Return fraud has existed for years with people trying to alter sales receipts and claiming fraudulent cash refunds from small businesses. The schemes are still around and small business owners and employees should be continually vigilent. However, the big worry for small business, is that these fraud schemes are now more sophisticated. The quality of scanners and printers has increased, which has allowed the same kind of scams to be replicated in new ways.

The days where you used to cross out numbers on a receipt and fill them in with a typewriter are gone. Small business owners need to be aware that receipts are now being scanned, altered and reprinted. The speed in which these crimes can happen has also changed. Portable devices make it possible for criminals to print receipts in a parking lot and return to a small business within minutes to demand a cash refund.

Manage Sales Leads The Key To Effective Small Business Marketing

2005-08-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Sales leads can originate in a variety of ways. However, for many small businesses, there is often only a very loose structure in place to manage and react to those sales leads. The steady flow of sales and the ability of a small business to hit revenue targets often begins with good sales lead management. A small business looking for ways to increase sales revenue and profits may need to review its sales lead management program.

Thinking Billboards A Clever Marketing Idea

2005-08-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

Mirage Motion Media, a Toronto-based startup, has a new billboard technology that could reinvent outdoor advertising. The business has "interactive motion panels" that play "video" clips. As someone walks by the panel the picture moves but when the person stops, the picture stops too. If the person starts walking again the picture picks up where it left off. This new billboard technology has marketing potential in locations like airports, shopping malls and even in retail stores.

Small Business Marketing Welcomes You!

2005-08-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Fellow Small Business Entrepreneur!

We hope to bring you the best news and information about the wonderful world of small business. We would love to hear from you. Just press the comment button below and introduce yourselves!

Noel Peebles