Articles Index
Getting a Business Line of Credit
Entrepreneurs frequently encounter difficulties managing their cash flow as a result of seasonal credit demands and time gaps between capital needs and revenue realization. Lines of credit accommodate the seasonal credit demands of your business along with ups and downs in your cash flow. They also enable you to purchase inventory in anticipation of future sales.
Starting Your Own Business - Do You Have What It Takes?
Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes and personality types. Some are full of big ideas while others are better at execution. Some take big risks while others play it more safe. But there are a few things most successful entrepreneurs have in common.
How to Design a Direct Mail Package for Response
With the growing popularity of the internet, it's all too easy to forget about other forms of reaching customers directly. But surprisingly, direct mail response rates are actually increasing, thanks to better list maintenance and targeting. And while a compelling offer is a must, without the right design and copy, your piece will never get opened and your offer won't even be considered. Here are nine essential design tips to maximize response with the right offer to the right audience.
10 Direct Mail Order Ideas to Boost Your Response
A lot of direct mail pieces get thrown straight in the trash. Making yours stand out in the right way can help prevent that and improve your response rate.
Getting Found
It seems to be getting harder and harder to achieve visibility for your company without spending a lot of money, but it can be done. The trick is knowing how to “get found”.
Entrepreneur’s Guide to Successful Trade Press Publicity
There are many benefits to hiring professionals to help you develop effective PR and marketing campaigns; however, if you lack cash, you don’t have to choose between hiring an outside firm or doing nothing at all. Instead, do some of the work yourself. By following a few useful tips, you can go a long way toward gaining the valuable visibility you’ll need to be successful.
Getting PR in Your Town: Realities to Remember
Media coverage is some of the best free advertising you can get, but there are risks and challenges involved. Learn how to leverage local media for publicity for your business.
Product's Ready! Now What?
The moment of truth has arrived. You and your team have spent months – possibly years – researching, prototyping, and testing. Your innovation is finally ready for market. Now what?
Business Ideas on a Budget
Whether you're starting a side business while still employed elsewhere, a student or homemaker looking for extra income, or unemployed and trying to figure out what to do, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start up a side business inexpensively. It's unlikely any of these will make you a living in the first few months, but they all have the potential to grow into full-time careers. We'll take a look at 10 such opportunities and, most importantly, tell you what to do with the $20!
Make Money Online (Without Spending a Dime)
Making money online used to pretty much require you to have your own Web site, products to sell, and some marketing savvy. But a whole new generation of dot-coms have arisen that will pay you for what you know (and who you know) without you having to be a web designer or a marketing genius.
Business Legal Organizational Structures
This article describes the differences among the six basic business organizational structures used by for-profit businesses in the United States.
Direct Mail Marketing Continues to Grow
Some people call it "junk", but savvy business owners know that direct mail marketing is money in the bank. Even in this down economy, marketers continue to direct funds to direct mail marketing because of its high ROI.
How to Stay Motivated Working from Home
One of the biggest challenges you'll face when working from home is motivation. If you find yourself slacking from time to time, here are some tips to help you stay motivated.
2009 Venture Technology Investment Outlook
January 2009. The world economic conditions have changed the investment and venture environment significantly. What are the trends you need to be aware of when seeking venture funding?
Growing Pains
When an organization has not been fully successful in developing the internal systems it needs at a given stage of growth, it begins to experience "growing pains." Growing pains are symptoms that an organization needs to make a transition. This article examines in detail the most common organizational growing pains.
First Impressions
Within the first three seconds of a new encounter, you are evaluated… even if it is just a glance.
The Toilet Paper Entepreneur - An Interview with Mike Michalowicz
Mike Michalowicz is the author of "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur", which he describes as "the tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up your business, even if you're at the end of your roll." His "get real" approach is targeted at the millions of entrepreneurs who believe they can succeed, even if they don't fit the mold of the "media darling entrepreneur." In this interview, Mike highlights some of the key lessons from the book, as well as his own experience as a toilet paper entrepreneur.
Virtual Business Development
Business networking serves many purposes: sales, general marketing, recruiting, job-hunting, knowledge exchange, and business development (in the sense of strategic alliances, joint ventures and channel sales). Of all these, business development is the one that it supports best. In fact, business development and business networking are closely related. Online networking sites offer unprecedented ways for entrepreneurs to identify and connect with potential partners.
Secretary of State Office Web Sites for All U.S. States and Territories
Links and phone numbers for the Secretary of State offices of all U.S. states and territories. Secretary of State offices register corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, business mergers and acquisitions, and articles of dissolution.
Networking Like a Pro: Three Easy Questions to Help You Stand Out
Networking is less about meeting new people than having them remember you after the fact. So how do get someone to remember you from the other ten people he met that very same night? Try these three simple questions to make a lasting impression.
Private Lending: An Alternative Funding Source
It happens everyday. Well-prepared entrepreneurs are walking into the banks with brilliant business ideas with well developed business plans — and are walking out empty-handed. For individuals who do not want to give up a certain percentage ownership in the business as is often required by venture capitalist and deal with the angel investors who may demand a board position or significant day-to-day control, the private lender may be an alternative worth considering.
Virtual Volunteering
One of the best places to network is in volunteer organizations. Besides putting your skills to good use at a cause you believe in, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to other like-minded individuals, who may become, or refer you to, prospective clients, partners, or employers for you.
Online Business Networking Tip: Make the Right First Impression
Developing and maintaining a good reputation is essential for any networking, but especially for online networking. It takes time to develop a solid reputation, but only an instant to lose it, so you must take care in how you participate in networking communities. Developing a systematic approach to how you initiate your participation is one way to consistently create a good first impression.
Online Business Networking Tip: Be Prepared
The purpose of networking is to connect with people. One of the key differences between traditional networking and online networking is the ability to have a robust personal profile that is publicly accessible. That profile is a 24/7/365 invitation for other people to connect to you, and you want to do everything you can to make yourself "attractive" online.
What's In A Name?
PR firm loses name lawsuit