Category Archives: Business Advice

Eight Marketing Resolutions for 2020

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resolutions

According to a report from Mailchimp, 31 percent of small business owners say marketing is their number-one challenge. Here are marketing resolutions for 2020 to help you find the solutions. Resolution #1: Resolve to integrate your marketing. Far too many small business segregate their marketing into siloes and don’t cross-promote within their various channels. Instead connect your marketing methods (search engine marketing, mobile, email, content, voice, direct mail, public relations,…

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Rules Franchisees Must Follow

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franchisee rules

In franchising it’s all about the rules. That’s how the business model was setup. And because of that, it works. To that end, it’s fair to say that if you become the owner of a franchise, it would behoove you to follow the rules. Because doing so is a proven way to increase your chances of success. That said, if you’re thinking about buying a franchise, you need to ask yourself…

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10 Things to Do to Close Out Your Year

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During the holiday season, it’s all too easy to focus on sales to customers (for many businesses this is the peak selling season) and spending time with family and friends. However, taking some time to address certain business matters can help make 2019 an even better year and help you start the new year off right. In the final days of December, here are some actions that can help you…

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Deck the Walls for Holiday Shoppers

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Add the holidays by creating a "holiday ambiance" in your store.

For small businesses, increased competition can make this time of year more challenging. However, there are plenty of ways for you to attract holiday shoppers to your store and website. Décor of Your Store Consumer surveys have shown the primary reason customers shop in stores rather than online during the holidays is they want to see the products in person. But nearly half are shopping because of the “holiday ambiance.”…

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Working From Home Is More Possible

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work from home

In contrast to the ever-present “Make Money Online” types of “opportunities” you can find on the web, there are hundreds of legitimate business and franchise opportunities available. You just have to know where to find them. In this post, I’m going to tell you where to find businesses that may allow you to achieve your dream of being your own boss from the comfort of your own home. Working From Home…

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10 Small Business Functions to Outsource

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outsource

More than a third of small businesses currently outsource at least some of their operations. And even more plan on exploring this option. Outsourcing describes when a business obtains a product or service from an outside provider, rather than handling it in-house. As a small business, outsourcing allows you to get more done and trust important tasks and processes to professionals, without having to actually grow your full-time team in a…

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10 Tips for Small Business Saturday Success

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Small Business Saturday

For millions of small businesses across the United States, it’s getting close to the most wonderful time of the year: Small Business Saturday! Celebrated two days after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday is a way for consumers to usher in the busy holiday shopping season and make an impact in their community by supporting independently owned businesses. According to a National Federation of Independent Business survey, consumer spending at independent retailers and restaurants…

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SBA Hosts Holiday Marketing Twitter Chat

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Holiday Season, holiday marketing

Are you looking for holiday marketing tips for your small business? The U.S. Small Business Administration and industry experts will host a Twitter chat Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. @SBAgov. During this time, they will discuss holiday marketing. The discussion includes tips and tricks to help businesses succeed during the holiday shopping season. Also, find out how to make the most of Small Business Saturday. Participate and follow along with…

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Take Advantage Now of Expiring Provisions

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tax credit

Several tax breaks that are available in 2019 are set to expire soon. Businesses face a use-it-or-lose-it opportunity, suggesting that you act now if the tax breaks make sense for your company. Work opportunity tax credit If you’re considering hiring a new employee, there’s a federal tax incentive to hire a person who falls within a targeted group (defined by the tax law). This incentive is the work opportunity tax…

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