Home Business: August 2008 Archives

Small Business Thought of The Day - Start Your Own Internet Business Today!

An internet business is a great way to become an entrepreneur without high start-up costs. It can be started quickly and easily by nearly anyone.
Success on the internet does not come instantly. However, starting out with some basic skills, or knowing what skills to hire, will considerably smooth the way to success.

Start out by understanding your product or service thoroughly. You cannot market what you do not know. Make it your business to know everything about what you are providing. Write convincingly and authoritatively about your business. If writing is not your area of expertise, hire a writer.

Learn about the internet. Familiarize yourself with some basic internet concepts, like how users navigate through web sites and what the different sections of a web site are. You don't have to be an expert, but you do need to know a little more than the average user.

Think long-term. Build your web site with an eye towards future expansion. Do not skimp on your budget when it comes to creating an eye-catching, thoughtfully designed site. If you don't know how to optimize your site for search engines, hire an expert. It takes time to build internet business, so you have to be willing to sacrifice now for big returns later.

Cultivate an investment mindset. Invest in your reputation by making integrity a foundation of your business. Choose your marketing strategy with care. Persevere as you wait for your business to grow. Surround yourself with people who can expand beyond your own set of skills.

Be prepared when you launch your internet business, and the road to success will be considerably shorter. You can make your first impression sensational, if you have, or can hire, the right skills.

See Also:
Your Internet Business - 7 Skills You Need Before You Start

Small Business Thought of The Day ­: Business Card Essentials

A Business Card is One Key to Success When It Comes to Gaining Clients

The business card is the ultimate networking tool. It should instantly tell the receiver who you are and what you are about. It should also remind the receiver about you months after he or she has met you. Pay close attention to the design of your card to maximize its effectiveness.

The standard size for a business card is 3.5 x 2 inches. Rolodexes and wallets accommodate this size, so don't get creative with this. Easy access to your contact information is the whole point of the card.

Make your card attractive by using smaller fonts and white space. Limit your use of color, unless color is instrumental to your profession.  Don't let your business card look cluttered, but be sure it includes your essential contact information.

Align your images with your message. A strong logo combined with a creative slogan helps the recipient of your card remember you and your company.  Make the slogan short, but give it lots of impact. A memorable business card will continue cultivating your customers months after you see them last.

Use high-quality materials. Have your card printed on heavy stock. Textured or glossy paper is especially elegant. Test the ink on the card to make sure it doesn't run when it gets damp or lift off when saved in a plastic sleeve.  Your business card will do you no good if it can't be read in three months.

Take a second right now and look at your business card as if you've never seen it before.  If it doesn't capture your attention, or if the contact information doesn't leap off of the card at you, consider redesigning it.  Make your business card work for you.

For More On Business Cards See:
A Business Card is One Key to Success When it Comes to Gaining Clients

Small Business Thought of The Day - Home Office Growing Pains

Working from home has many perks. It reduces the amount of money spent on gas. It provides more schedule flexibility. It is more comfortable.

Working from home requires dedicated space and excellent organization, however. Without these, work can quickly take over the entire house, making working and living in your home complicated and frustrating.

Reevaluate your home work space. Are you wasting valuable time searching for documents or supplies? Is your desktop so cluttered that you can't see the top of it? Do you have to move piles of paper or stacks of disks to get to your printer? Are you working in other rooms of the house so you won't be distracted by the unfinished projects around you?

If yes is your answer, take time to reorganize your office. Find a file for each document, a home for each pen, and put them there. Open up your desk space. Throw away everything you don't need. Condense your supplies.

Reorganizing is not always the solution, however. Is your space crowded by filing cabinets and boxes? Are you meeting clients at the local coffee shop because your chairs are overflowing? Are you storing work items in your kitchen or den?

Answering yes to these questions means that it is time to find a bigger space. You may find that space within your home, or you may have to find an outside location. Either way, having the space you need will lift your spirits and make you much more productive and successful.

For more on out growing your home office see:
Home Office Growing Pains Here's What You Can Do

Small Business Thought of The Day - Home Business Deduction - Tips

If you are not deducting the costs of your home business at tax time, you may be losing a lot of money. Don't let the seemingly tedious process of claiming your expenses stop you from keeping your hard-earned money. Prepare throughout the year, and tax time will be no problem.

An accountant can help you determine what is deductible and what is not. Talk to several accountants to find one who can save you money without costing you more than you are saving. Do some basic research on small business tax deductions before meeting with your accountant so that you can better judge the accuracy of his or her advice.

Keep solid records of what you pay all year long, either in a designated notebook or on your computer. Create a simple spreadsheet or database, or even use a table in a word processing program. Schedule time to update your records regularly.

Keep your receipts. On each receipt, jot a quick note to remind you about the reason for the expense. For example, if you had lunch with a potential client named John Jones, write "Jones meeting" across the top of the receipt.

All expenses you incur while doing business are possible deductions, including meals and transportation. Consider your medical and professional development expenses as well, if they are related to your business. Think beyond office supplies.

Remember that small savings turn into big savings over time. Make it a habit to continuously track what you spend and to file your receipts as soon as possible after expenditure. Don't give your money away; claim your deductions.

For More on Home Business Deductions See
Home Business Deductions - Are You Taking All of Them?