No matter what industry you’re in, every startup business owner has the same burning question: “How will I get my first customers?” Here are some smart strategies you can use to identify and attract those critical first customers. 1. Make a list. As you’ve done the groundwork to launch your business, you’ve undoubtedly met some people who could be potential customers. For instance, these could include people you surveyed in…
According to the NFIB, 62 percent of small businesses recently reported hiring or trying to hire employees. Many small businesses stress about finding qualified job applicants and are scrambling to fill positions. If you are in the market for a new employee, there are many considerations: Does the applicant have the skills to do the job? Will he or she fit into your company culture? Can you afford the cost of…
The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance as a result of severe storms and flooding. Under Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4454-DR), workers who lost their jobs and self-employed individuals who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits. Individuals affected by the recent severe storms and flooding in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties can apply…
The economy is booming, especially in Texas, and it is creating great opportunities for entrepreneurs. According to WalletHub’s most recent report on the best and worst states to start a business, Texas ranked number one overall. The Lone Star State beat other high-profile states such as Silicon Valley’s California (ranked eighth), Amazon’s Washington (ranked 12th) and New York (ranked 42nd). The results were determined using 26 relevant metrics that focus across…
Are you getting good results from your small business marketing? If your results are falling short of your expectations, perhaps it’s because you’re not investing enough money in your marketing campaigns. How much money should a small business spend on marketing annually, and how can you make the most of your precious marketing budget? Here’s what you need to know. How much should a small business spend on marketing? If…
A virtual assistant is an employee who supports various business operations from a remote location. Startups can use VAs to help with inbox management, social media content, online customer support and basically any task that doesn’t require them to show up in person. Some VAs specialize in a specific task or industry. For example, there are VAs that focus specifically on marketing, and others that work only in the tech…
It’s common for businesses to borrow money for various reasons … to start up, expand to new locations, buy equipment, launch a marketing campaign. But borrowing usually isn’t without cost: interest payments. To the extent interest payments are tax deductible, they reduce the cost of borrowing. But tax rules on deductibility can be confusing. Business interest is broadly interpreted Business interest is treated differently than other types of interest. For…
If you know how to follow today’s rules for getting attention, press releases can still be an effective marketing tool for small businesses. Are press releases still an effective marketing tool for a small business? Yes, if you know how to follow today’s rules for getting attention. Here are the essential elements of a modern press release along with tips to help make yours stand out. Today, press releases are…
It’s a simple question, but one that is often hard for people to answer. Instead of asking someone what they do, I ask, “How do you help people?” It may seem confusing because most people assume I’m asking about volunteer efforts, as in, “Do you help little old ladies cross the street?” However, the question is aimed at getting to understand how the work we do helps someone else. Every…
Similar to personal credit reports and scores; business credit reports are constantly changing because of a variety of data. This ongoing change is based on a variety of factors such as the number of reported transactions, outstanding balances and payment activity to name a few. The accuracy of the data being reported about your business is crucial. It shows your company’s ability to meet its financial obligations with vendors, suppliers,…