Welcome
to Business-Small.biz !!!
Small
Business Owners Resource Site - USA, UK and Worldwide !!!
The
aim of this website is to provide information and advice to
small business owners throughout the english speaking world
(I tried to get all the main flags on the logo, but there's
soo many countries that speak english that I had to leave more
than a few out). Many of the small business tips provided are
just good general advice for small business owners, and can
be applied in most countries. If he advice is specific to small
business owners in the USA or UK etc I'll clearly state it.
Also,
don't forget to subscribe to my free small business newsletter
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Business Small Advice #1
Make
a business plan and stick with it. Most small business owners
start up their business without a "business plan",
especially if their bank or financial backers didn't ask to
see one. Your business plan should take into account your target
customers, your financial outlays and a down to earth evaluation
of the likely income you're expecting. They are great tools
for spotting that your small business is reliant on too few
streams of incomes, and then fixing the mistakes that could
potentially cause trouble later on. Just because you're business
is small, doesn't mean you have to think small!
Business Small Advice #2
Please
be realistic with your small business opportunity. Many people
email me asking for help with their "paid for reading email"
small business, or a small business based on those "Earn
$50,000 a year from home" opportunities. For some small
businesses these affiliate programs can generate some income
by building them into your existing business, but basing a small
business 100% on them alone is not likely to succeed.
Business Small Advice #3
Learning
how to effectively and cheaply promote your small business takes
time. Don't think that you can quit your day job tomorrow and
the next day, after placing an advert in the local business
directory, or setting up a basic 2 page website, you will have
enough business to support you. It doesn't work like that. When
starting up a small business, its always a good idea to work
part-time and have another steady job as you learn what advertising
works and what doesn't.
Business Small Advice #4
To
get regular work from local businesses usually required you
to first build up a relationship with the business owner who
passes you that work. Unless you're skills are in extreme demand,
a sales letter to a local business won't produce mountains of
regular work. In my experience it usually takes more than one
letter to get their attention, and you have to talk to the business
owner or meet with them to get any work at all.
Business Small Advice #5
Is
your small business part of an association? Most industries
have unions and associations you can join. Many now have email
groups and website directories that allow their members to exchange
business nationwide, some even worldwide! Joining an association
also allows you to put their logo on your business cards and
letter heads which will make you look more professional.
Business Small Advice #6
Email marketing is a great way to promote your small business website. Set up a mailing list people can subscribe to, offer them free bonuses and continually promote your service to them. Avoid sending spam emails to people who didn't subscribe to your newsletter. Sending a few emails to businesses who maybe interested in your service or product is okay, just don't over do it.
Business Small Advice #7
The name of your business is important, it must describe what you do. Most people use their names in their business or register a business name. Avoid things like "Jones Consulting" as it tells people nothing about your business, instead use "Jones Advertising Consulting! or " A.J. Advertising".
Business Small Advice #8
The internet is liberating lots of small business owners. For example, Skype.com will allow you to sit at your PC anywhere in the world and call any landline worldwide for $0.04 (£0.02) a min and call mobiles at local rates. All you need is a $20 headset with microphone and you can sit in Hawaii and make business calls. You can even buy your own phone number and answering machine! It's becoming possible for small business owners to run their businesses from other countries!
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