Greetings!
This is not an ADVERTISEMENT or SOLICITATION!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our monthly newsletter "SmallBiz Tidbits for the busy Small Business Owner" brought to you by Small Business Expo. On the first Thursday of each month, you will receive incredibly useful tips on a wide-variety of topics that will help your Small Business.
These TIDBITS are pure content to help your business - not solicitations.
Please be sure to enable images for all of our emails & add us to your address book so you receive our emails!
|
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Creating a new business page, whether it's for Facebook or Google+, can be a hassle. Thankfully, Google has simplified the process for many small and local businesses. If your business has a Google Places listing, half the work is already done for you.
Once you've logged into your Google account, navigate to https://plus.google.com/u/0/ pages/create to create your business page. This is where having a Google Places page is really going to simplify the page creation process. When you choose to create your Google+ business page as a "Local Business or Place," Google will ask you to enter your business phone number. At this point, Google will find your Places listing to and its information to auto-fill a lot of the information for your new business page.
For now, this doesn't directly link or connect your Google Places listing with your Google+ business page, but we can only expect Google will eventually create a link between the Places listings and Google+ business pages in the future. This makes it that much more important to have a Google+ business page, as well as a Google Places listing for your business.
For more information about Google+ pages, visit http://support.google.com/ plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en& answer=1713911 .
|
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
 Getting more visitors to your website is the key to success. Search Engine Optimization, popularly known as SEO, is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your site.
When search engines first appeared, it was very easy to rank for keywords. All that a website owner had to do was identify the keywords they want to rank for and add them to the meta tagging on their site. Within a few days after submitting your site, the site would then rank.
Today, due to better search technology, spam-fighting and increased competition for keywords, it has become more complicated to rank for keywords.
However, just because SEO is more sophisticated today does not mean that your website cannot rank for your desired keywords. The first step to making sure that you rank highly is to gain the good graces of the search engines. This means avoiding techniques like spamming or stuffing keywords into your site and all other shady "Black Hat" SEO practices.
Rather, you want to focus on providing good, fresh, unique high quality content that people actually want to see, read and share, thereby adding practical value to your site. Search Engines like Google reward sites that have high value to users.
In brief, SEO is all about the old adage 'what goes around comes around'. When you do something good on your site to increase its value to visitors, you will be rewarded with good search engine karma
|
BUSINESS SUCCESS
Why Social Media?
In every corner of the world individuals are logging into Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
or some other global active community. If you are not participating in Social Media today
you or your company is missing out on the opportunity to market to millions of people everyday for FREE! The future of commerce will be primarily on social networks! Today would be a great day to take 1-2 hours and begin to find out if your perfect customer is using Facebook?
Here is the bottom line: you can now use Facebook to get the best demographics and analytics in the world about your customer. In addition they allow you advertise direct to your perfect customer and only pay for those that click on your link. If you are not sure how to do it - check out a website called odesk.com and outsource the task to an expert that can manage your social media. If your company does not have a presence on Social Media it looks like your company is not in the KNOW!
If you look at the case studies of companies small and large and the success they have had with Social Media is astounding! Ford was the only car company not to take money from the government during the bailout and did you know that 25% of there marketing budget was on Social Media! If you want to read a great book check out "Crush It" by Gary Vanderchuk and learn how he took a small wine company form 2M to over 50M all through Social Media! It is not that traditional advertising is dead but it is very clear that customers love to buy through active communities!
The easy way to catch up on the Social Media band wagon is to make sure that your company is present on the major networks and that you add content daily that is relevant to your community! Every few days after you have given lot's of value create unique offers that are only available through your network. It is amazing what will happen when you give your customers tons of value! They will love it and share your message with everyone they know! I hope this article has given you some great ideas that you can put into action today!
|
WEBSITE
Want to attract visitors to your website? Keep it simple.
When potential clients come to your website, they have a goal in mind. Whether they're searching for your contact information or purchasing a product, your website must be simple. If clients don't immediately find what they're looking for, they'll look elsewhere.
That's why it's important to stick to the basics:
- Choose a domain name that's short and easy to remember.
- Make it easy for customers to get in touch. Display your contact info prominently, not only on the contact page, but on the home page as well.
- Take it easy with fancy fonts and Flash. They're distracting and not viewable on all browsers.
- Avoid heavy text. Few clients will read every word on your website, which means your website should be easy to scan.
There are many important considerations when creating a website for your business. For this reason, it's sometimes best to leave designing your website up to the professionals, like the Go Daddy Dream Design Team®. They know what it takes to build an eye-catching, effective website and can help you grow your business online. Visit GoDaddy.com or call 480-463-8835 to learn more.
|
SELL YOUR BIZ
Selling a profitable business is based on three proven rules. First, there needs to be assets, then good will. But the thing that really sells a business is good cash flow which tells the buyer what he can expect as a return on investment. When putting a value on a business we also look at comps in that industry and region. The value of a business is rarely what the owner thinks its worth but too often, businesses for sale are priced using this very method.
When putting your business up for sale, use a professional business broker to help you value the business and market it correctly. An experienced broker will bring you qualified buyers who will not waste your time. Your business will be sold in a timely manner at a price satisfactory to both parties.
|
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
One of the most important legal steps you can take in launching a new business is to protect yourself personally by operating through a limited liability entity. Now is the time to stop running your business - even informally - as a sole proprietorship in your own name!
The most common choices of limited liability entities are: the LLC, C-corporation and S-Corporation. While all three of these entities shield their principals from personal liability, there are significant differences in how they are taxed. A C-Corporation is taxed both on income at the corporate level when monies are received by the company, and again when distributions are made to shareholders. LLCs and S-Corporations, on the other hand, are both deemed to be pass-through entities for tax purposes (which means that only the principals, and not the company itself, are taxed on profits). However, S-Corporations do have certain limitations; for instance, they can only issue one class of stock and cannot have another company as a shareholder.
In general, you should discuss the various options with your tax advisor before determining which type of limited liability entity to form, since miscalculating about this choice can result in significant negative tax ramifications with long-term effects.
|
EMPLOYMENT LAW
 Hiring unpaid interns this summer? Watch out!
No matter how well intentioned, exchanging free labor for experience is illegal unless the unpaid internship satisfies the following six requirements:
(i) the internship is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment; (ii) the internship is for the benefit of the intern, not the business; (iii) the intern does not displace regular employees and works under close supervision of existing staff; (iv) the employer derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern and, on occasion, its operations may actually be impeded; (v) the intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship (the internship cannot be a trial period for a prospective employee); (vi) the intern understands that s/he or he is not entitled to wages for interning. In short, to be legally unpaid, the internship must be an extension of the intern's educational experience, not free summer help for the employer. (There may be additional requirements in your state. New York, for example, has an eleven-factor test.) Small business owners who misclassify employees as unpaid interns face liability in a number of areas, including wages and overtime, unemployment insurance, and taxes.
|
OFFICE SPACE
Value is Key when searching for the best office space for your small business. Spend your hard earned money where it matters. Shared office environments, aka Business Centers or Executive Suites have been a trending option for many years and are only growing in popularity because of the extreme value they offer small businesses. Your office space has to deliver a lot more than just "Location Location Location".
Here are our first "tidbits" to share with you"
1.Only Accommodate Current Office Space Needs....Today's market, largely because of Executive Suite Operators allow you to expand and contract as you need. Therefore, you should only lease the amount of space you need today, not for people you may or may not hire tomorrow.
2.Indulge Not! - The days of fancy offices with leather couches and 18 year old scotch bars are long gone. Efficiency is what is admired today and valued to investors and of course beneficial to your bottom line. Don't waste $ per square foot on the extra space for elbow room that you don't need. If you're wondering where you will put all your file cabinets, get rid of them! It's 2012. Take advantage of the programs available that allow you to e-file almost everything you need.
3. Opt for "Wow" Selectively
- If you tend bring clients to your space then look for an Executive Suite Operator that offers a "wow" factor in the lobby and reception area. If you don't host many meetings, then secure a virtual office at a prime office building with an impressive address. Virtual Offices, allow you to spend around $100 bucks a month and they will let you use their address and forward you the mail to wherever you chose!
|
START-UP / ENTREPRENEUR
 I'm a marketing gal. I know pretty pictures, strong messaging and how to make people buy things they never knew existed. I had never engaged in an acquisition before, and I didn't realize that it could mean a forced partnership and giving up more than I was gaining.
One of the best things I did early on was have a third-party strategist manage negotiations separately from my attorney. No offense to the lawyers out there-we love you and need you-but in my experience, things tend to get tied up a bit longer and negotiations can feel more heated with legal involved. My strategist was able to diffuse situations that arose in the course of negotiations ... and keep me in the driver's seat as much as possible. I think of it like this: The strategist is there to help you play a strong game of chess when you're a little too excited to make the right moves, and the lawyer is there to make sure everyone plays by the rules. All in all, hiring a third-party strategist was a smart move for my business, as it ensured the acquisition went smoothly.
By Jenn Greacen, Executive Director of The Clear Agency and Entrepreneurs' Organization member)
|
SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING
 While networking events generally have a business angle to them, they really are no different than a singles mixer. Everyone in attendance is there looking to meet others to make connections and start some type of business relationship. The relationship starts at the event, there is a follow up "date" and then a relationship is built. Obviously most networking events are not about finding the most attractive person, but they are about meeting and interacting with some great people that can help you with your business. Your "pickup line" at these events will often be the key to your success or failure. Getting someone to want to engage and network is critical. Reading a name tag and saying "So what do you do for Microsoft" is usually not very engaging and seems like you have nothing better to offer than listening to their story and deciding if it can help you. Networking is tough and not everyone is good at it. But by attending an event, everyone is putting themselves out there so be prepared with your pitch. You will look back in a few years and realize that like most people, you networked your way to success.
|
TRAVEL
Five Etiquette Tips to Travel Like a Road Warrior
A little civility goes a long way. Here are my top travel etiquette tips.
- Don't hog seats in the boarding area. Be kind and leave the seat next to you free of luggage so someone else can sit there.
- Use the space under the seat in front of you for small bags. You'll have easier access to your items, your fellow passengers can store their large carry-ons, and we'll all avoid flight delays caused by last minute checked bags.
- Check before you recline. Yes, you have a right to recline. But give the person behind a chance to close up the laptop before you crush it.
- Walk on the left, stand on the right. Every moving sidewalk has a sign. Step aside and let people pass. And for folks whizzing by on the left - watch that roller bag so you don't club people as you whisk by.
- Don't slam the hotel room door. Few hotel rooms are soundproofed enough to keep loud noises from penetrating, and the worst offender is the slamming door. When you enter and exit your room, why not close it gently?
|
SAVING & FINANCIAL PLANNING
Secret Strategy to Generate Wealth and Save for the Future
Many small business owners are not aware that IRS code regulations were designed specifically for small business owners to have substantial tax advantages, asset protection, greater investment opportunities, and the ability to turbo charge their retirement accounts. A Qualified Retirement Plan encompasses all of these code regulations that allow small business owners to capitalize on huge tax and non-tax benefits such as:
- Contribution limit is $50,000 per year and are tax deferred. Many small business owners take advantage of this and take large tax deductions each year!
- Assets are protected from bankruptcy, IRS, and creditors.
- Access to non-traditional investments that allow you to increase your portfolio's value.
- Ability to borrow from the plan without adverse tax consequences.
- Hardship withdrawals allowed for medical and other unforeseen events.
- Contributions and profits grow tax deferred.
- Debt financing on real estate without adverse tax consequences.
- No custodian fees.
A Qualified Retirement Plan puts IRA investing to shame. In comparison, an IRA does not offer any of the benefits listed above. It is estimated that the average person will need between $1.2 - $1.5 million in a retirement plan to provide for a reasonable lifestyle after retirement. This year, an IRA only allows a person to contribute $5,000 annually. Even if you max out your IRA every year for 30 years, you will still only have about $150,000 before earnings. This is hardly enough money to afford to retire.
Most experts agree that a small business owner will spend more money on taxes than on food, shelter, transportation, and clothing combined!!! One of the quickest ways to accumulate wealth is to minimize your tax costs, which means running a financially efficient company and having a Qualified Retirement Plan that allows you to take HUGE tax deductions.
No matter how big or small your business is, YOU can start today and make the right financial choice for your business, yourself, and your loved ones. With just a few simple techniques, you can begin to accumulate wealth, maximize your tax deductions, capitalize on non-traditional investments, and protect your assets for a secure future.
|
About Us
SmallBiz Tidbits is brought to you by Small Business Expo. Small Business Expo is THE most anticipated networking event, trade show & conference of the year for business owners, C-Level Executives & company decision-makers. For more information, visit TheSmallBusinessExpo.com.
|
|
|
|
A ministra do Meio Ambiente, Izabella Teixeira, anunciou na última terça-feira, 05, a redução na taxa de desmatamento da Amazônia Legal. Dados consolidados do Projeto de Monitoramento do Desmatamento na Amazônia Legal (Prodes) indicam, entre agosto de 2010 e julho de 2011, uma redução de 8% no desmatamento em comparação com o período anterior.
Deputado tucano coordenará Grupo de Trabalho do Novo Código FlorestalO parlamentar tucano destaca a importância de se discutir o tema abertamente com a sociedade
Rio + 20, Paragominas +2, artigo do deputado Rodrigo de CastroArtigo do secretário-geral do PSDB, deputado federal Rodrigo de Castro (MG) publicado no Jornal Estado de Minas
Enquete: Mensalão do PTVocê acha que Lula deve ser investigado por tentar chantagear o ministro do STF Gilmar Mendes e adiar o julgamento do mensalão? Vote!
Presidente Sérgio Guerra
