Personal Business Cards » New Business

Building a Brand – Business Identity

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:51:20 +0000

The importance of a professional logo design for a business is often over looked. If you are planning to build a strong business identity or brand then you will need a solid foundation to build from.

A logo is this very foundation for a business identity / brand. If you want to portray a professional identity through your marketing material such as letterheads, business cards, brochures, leaflets and a website then you will need a professional foundation to build from to begin this branding.

Your business stationery and marketing items will be designed around your logo design so as to build a stronger identity for your business that is to become recognisable by your clients and customers. If you have a poor logo design then it is very difficult and sometimes close to impossible to create a professional business identity in the eyes of your intended market.

A logo design is a symbol, a visual representation of your business that should communicate something informative and meaningful. An experienced Logo Designer can even communicate through a logo design your business ethos or an individuals personality, which can help to win business from individuals and organisations that share the same beliefs. It is a good idea to consider your Logo Design budget within your business plan as a logo design should be seen as an investment for your business that will help to win new business through your Company’s enhanced identity. It is all too often the case though that smaller businesses cut this very important corner and begin their own branding with a poor logo design which only leads to the realisation that it will cost far more to upgrade their Company’s identity now that the logo branding has begun.

If you do have a lower budget then it would be best to reduce the amount invested in other areas of design work such as leaflets and brochures which will need changing from time to time anyway. The best advice when it comes to building a visual identity / brand for your business is to begin with a solid foundation so that the necessaries are there at a later time to build from.

By: Sam J Logan

Moms Business – 3 Key Secrets of Creating a Successful Home Based Business

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:43:24 +0000

Moms Business – is there really a way to do it successfully? After all, motherhood is a full time occupation already. If you try to create a new business venture, oftentimes while still holding a regular full time job, it’s easy to get overwhelmed before you even start!

But it is possible. And not just to survive, but to thrive doing so. Off the top of my head, I can think of 5 women, many of whom are home schooling their kids, who have created successful mom businesses from home making over 100,000/year. And the truly amazing part is that their businesses are at the point where they only work a few hours a day to maintain that kind of income.

It can be done!

So what’s their secret?

Here’s what these amazing women have taught me about creating a successful moms business.

1. Believe in yourself. Before any of these women became successful, they had to truly believe in the vision of their success. They had to see it, prepare for it, and know with all their heart, that it could be theirs.

Self-limiting doubts and beliefs can cripple your moms business! For example, if you have a belief that you’re not worth very much, you’ll find it hard to charge what you should for your services, thus stifling your growth. There are so many little ways that lack of self confidence and doubts can creep up in your business – it’s vital that you get your mental game straight before you open your doors. You’ll be amazed at the speed in which cash will start pouring into your business when you do!

2. Maintain focus. Time is your most precious commodity. You must create tunnel vision when working on your business. Create to do lists the night before of what you’re going to tackle the next day. Start with the ones that will create income the fastest. Money is a great way to keep you motivated and excited about your business! Don’t overload your list but try and find three marketable things you can do to grow your business each day.

For example, writing an article, calling a prospective client, attending a network-marketing event – all of these have the potential to lead directly to a sale. Non-marketable activities – checking email, filing, paying bills, etc – can be done after your marketing activities.

3. Don’t work harder, work smarter instead. Especially for moms, business time is very limited. It’s vital that you learn the fastest way to accelerate your success, and miss all the mistakes and dead ends along the way. Basically, you don’t have time for the typical learning curves of a new business – you need to get in the express lane now!

Let me give you an example of this outside the business world – cleaning your microwave. You have 2 choices. You can spend a lot of time and energy scrubbing it out. Or you can put in a cup of water to boil, and then spend a few seconds wiping out the microwave once it’s loosened all the crumbs. The end result is the same. It’s simply the time and energy you have to exert that’s different.

One way to achieve this kind of shortcut in the business world is to find a mentor who is ahead of you on the journey. Someone who has worked through the mistakes, knows the short cuts and is willing to share them with you. Many successful business owners have mentoring programs but often they have a very expensive price tag. You could look for some reasonably priced ones or join forums and connect with other moms in business that way. The time and money you’ll save doing this, will pay off very quickly for you.

By: April Vereen

Checklist for Going Into Business for Yourself

admin — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:39:53 +0000

If you are considering going into business for yourself, it makes absolute sense to be as prepared as possible. Here is a checklist of things you need to consider.

1. Living Funds – Unless you are one of the very lucky few, your business will not be profitable from the word go. Remember, it took even mighty Google a couple years to even find funding to make a serious effort at becoming an Internet giant. How much money do you have set aside for living expenses? Six months to a year is a good range if you will be working full time on your new business.

2. Time – Running your own business can be incredibly rewarding. That being said, it is going to take a lot of your time. Do you have a family? Kids? Other time obligations? You can expect to spend 10 to 12 hours a day during the first year getting up and running, so make sure you have the wiggle room to handle it.

3. Business Form – When starting out, you need to determine what form your business will take. Will it be a corporation, limited liability company or just a sole proprietor. The decision is primarily one of risk. The bigger the chance of getting sued, the more you should consider undertaking the expense of a corporation or limited liability company.

4. Taxes – Uncle Sam wants and gets his money. Every business plan needs to account for tax issues. You might live in a state that has a favorable tax climate for business, but then again you may not. Some of the best money you can spend when starting out is to find a good accountant. They can save you a bundle. The best accountant is a proactive one. By proactive, I mean they work with you to put together plans on how to save on your taxes at the beginning of each year. Find one and spend the time to get it right.

5. Passion vs Profit – People are often looking for the “best” business idea. This is a mistake. The best business idea is the one you are very interested in. If you love fishing, start a business that has something to do with fishing. You should generally avoid starting a business because you think you can make a lot of money. It is going to take a ton of work, so go with something you are passionate about so you can get through the tough times.

If you take these factors into account, you will be well ahead of many people that start their own businesses. Find something you are passionate about, be prepared and your chances of success will be much better.

By: Richard Chapo

Vending Machine Business – Avoid Being Scammed

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:04:51 +0000

The vending machine business is a multi-billion dollar industry where the opportunity for fraud abounds. Fraudulent businesses, run by smooth talking con artists, sell vending machine business opportunities with claims of highly exaggerated income potential to the unsuspecting and uninitiated entrepreneur. Not only do the entrepreneurs fail to realize the promised income but they also risk losing substantial portions of their investments in the process.

Not all vending opportunities are fraudulent and not all involved in the promotion of vending businesses are operating a scam. However, for those who are, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been actively involved in investigating complaints against deceptive and dishonest vending business promoters. The FTC has charged some companies with misrepresenting the earnings potential; misrepresenting the ease and speed to which machines can be delivered, maintained, located and repaired; providing phony references and failing to provide key pre-investment information required by the FTC’s Trade Regulation on Franchise and Business Opportunity Ventures.

If you’re thinking about investing in a vending machine business opportunity, check the reputation of the business by requesting a list of previous investors as well as their addresses and phone numbers. If possible, visit a few of the investors on the list at the locations provided by the vending promoter. Do not just depend on acquiring this information by telephone as the person you talk to could very well be in cahoots with the promoter. You can also check on the reputation of the seller/promoter by contacting the offices of the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau where the business is located and where you live to see if there are any unresolved complaints on file. Keep in mind, however, that the absence of unresolved complaints could simply mean that the promoter may be operating under a new business name and even under a new personal name.

If the seller makes earnings claims, ensure that written substantiation be provided. If the seller/promoter recommends a locator, ask for a copy of the market survey in your area. If you are contemplating buying an existing vending route, talk with the owner of the route and make it a point to accompany him or her on the route so that you can check the condition of the machines and observe first hand the amount of revenue generated. Also, talk with the people at the establishment where the machines are located or will be located to determine how many people will use the machine and what they might like to see in the machines as well as any complaints or concerns they might have about the machines already there or machines that will be placed there.

Finally, before signing any agreement or paying any upfront money, consult an attorney, an accountant or a trusted financial advisor for another opinion as to the efficacy of the business proposition. If the promoter/seller requires a deposit, an attorney can review the contract and establish an escrow account where your money can be maintained by a neutral third party. If the seller/promoter has problems with the arrangement, then it might be best to walk away rather than risk losing your hard earned cash.

By: Daniel Lambert

Exchanging Business Cards: Etiquette Tips

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:58:39 +0000

Some people think you should give your business card to anyone that will take it. Others say to only give it to people who ask for it. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your business card printing budget on people who are just going to throw your card away anyway.

The key to getting people to want your business card is to ask them for theirs first. Most likely, that person will ask for your business card in return. Then your card can get to work for you and you can work on making a new business contact.

Once you get a business card, there are some etiquette rules you should follow. Read on to learn how to take and give a business card with style and grace.

After engaging in small talk with someone new, ask them for their business card. Most people are pleased when asked for their business card and they’ll be happy to give it to you. This opens up the opportunity for them to ask you for yours in return. If they don’t ask you for yours though, don’t be pushy. After all, you still have their contact information now so you have an open door of communication.

Thank the other person for giving you her card. When you get a business card, say thanks and take time to read it – front and back. It’s nice to comment on the card; you can comment about the card design, beautiful colors used or the logo. If the business card is less than stellar, and you can’t make a comment, ask a question instead. No, not “Why did you pick this hideous green?” But ask them how long they’ve been in their position or with their particular company. If something is missing from the card, like an email address or Web site, ask for it then and there and add it to the card.

Ask if you can contact that person. Even though you assume it’s okay to contact the other person since they just gave you their card, it’s professional etiquette to ask to contact them. You don’t need to ask that directly though; one good way of asking for permission is to ask for the best way to contact that person – phone, email – or what time is best to contact. This way you’re showing respect and you’ll be remembered for that respect.

Don’t launch into your sales pitch when they ask for your card. Asking for your card is not asking about your latest and greatest product. Never try to sell something while exchanging business cards unless you’ve been specifically asked for more information about your product.

Send a note within two days. You can either mail them a card or send them an email to say you enjoyed meeting them. Jot down something you talked about to jog their memory. If the person didn’t ask for your business card, you can send it to them in the note. Sending an actual card or note through snail mail is more personal than email, and the person is more likely to remember you because of it.

Keep all business cards you collect in a Rolodex or file. You can even buy a business card album that has business-card–sized pockets. You never know when you’re going to need their business! You can file them in alphabetical order by name, or you can file by occupation or industry. This makes it easier to contact someone in the future.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Business Card Printing

By: karen grahams

Small Business Credit Cards in Today’s Recession

admin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:45:21 +0000

Today’s recession has had an impact on personal and business credit cards. Over the past 1-2 years many any people are receiving letters from their credit card lenders informing them of an increase in interest rates or a decrease in the credit limit.

Small business credit cards can be an additional source of financial income. They also help in keeping other lines of credit open. Using this type of credit card can ensure that suppliers are paid on time while giving the business an interest-free period (float) in order to obtain enough money to pay off the credit card debt. As the recession has begun to deepen, businesses have found that obtaining credit cards for their business has become much more difficult.

The worst thing a new business owner can do is to use their own personal credit card to finance their business purchases. This makes it very difficult to separate business and personal finances, but also makes the individual responsible for the debt of the business. Not a good thing!

Some businesses are using business even credit cards to pay their tax bill, which is tempting as it avoids any fines for late payment. There is however a fee for doing so. Usually, this fee is significantly lower than the penalty would be for not paying taxes on time.

There are still plenty of opportunities out there for small businesses who have good credit record to take advantage of their business’ credit cards. Even though lenders are stricter in their acceptance criteria than in previous years, you should not give up. Before applying for credit make sure that you meet all the requirements for acceptance. Every time your credit is check, the credit score goes down. As a result, only apply for cards when you feel confident that you will be accepted.

By: Ron Lerman

Business Credit Card Dirty Tricks

admin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:30:58 +0000

My system teaches people that the proper use
of credit is the fastest way to speed up your profits
in real estate investing.

And you can use this system no matter what your
own credit score is.

What you must understand is how to use a newly
created business name to go out and get business
credit cards and lines of credit for your real estate
investing activities.

My step by step program shows you exactly how
to do this the right way. So you can get the cash
you need to buy and flip property for a quick profit.

Some people wonder why it is so good to get cash
for real estate investing with this trick.

Well here are a few reasons -

1. No matter how much cash I get with these business
cards, this debt has no impact on my credit score. It
is invisible and will not show up on anyone’s personal
credit report.

2. Low cost to access cash from business lines of credit,
unlike your typical refinance charges.

3. I want to defer any expense I can with a business
credit card until the property is sold, even if that is not
for 5 years.

4. Everyone gets a much better cash on cash return
when you defer expenses with business credit.

5. In many cases my mortgage forces me to make a
principal payment every month. So now I can return
that cash flow back into my pocket without costly
refinance charges every 2 years.

6. And finally, I can triple my cash flow every
month, which lets me purchase more great real estate
3 times faster, and retire in luxury 20 years faster
than the average american!

HERE ARE THE TRICKS —————————

But, you need to know some of the dirty tricks
the credit card companies try to pull on you when
you are following this system.

—some business lenders will randomly pull credit
to see if you are personally carrying a lot of debt as
it relates to your available credit. If you do not
keep most of your debt shifted to the name of a new
business you create you can get a nasty surprise.

The bank will sometimes raise your interest rate when
you begin to carry a lot of debt in your own name. This
is another great reason to keep debt out of your own
name when possible.

—some business credit cards will lock down your line
of credit during the first month you start using it while
they wait for you to make the first payment. So if you
think you will need all the cash before the first monthly
payment is made, just take all the cash out at once
when you get the card.

—and my favorite way to use these cards that no
one else talks about is to transfer an existing personal
credit card balance onto a new business card you just
received.

You can call up the bank that issues you a brand new
business credit card and tell them you want to make a
balance transfer. Then you can give them the account
number for one of your maxed out personal credit cards
and they will put that debt into the business credit card.

This is the best way to make your personal debt
disappear from public records and improve your personal
credit score!!!

Of course you must still pay this debt back the same
as if it was still in your personal name. But when it’s
on your business credit card it’s invisible and your credit
score will jump up!

——————- ——————–

And see why my HOW TO BEAT THE SYSTEM in
real estate investing, is the ultimate NO MONEY
DOWN system that will make you rich quickly.

When you buy real estate with cash from a business
line of credit you are a CASH BUYER, but you have
not used any of your own money for the down payment.

My system shows you how to do this no matter WHAT
YOUR CREDIT SCORE is!

Don’t limit your real estate investing to gimmicks
like creative financing.

Buy anything you want with real CASH. Just go out and
get it using my HOW TO BEAT THE SYSTEM in real
estate investing.

Sincerely, Thomas Kish

President of CashFlowExperts.Biz

By: Thomas Kish

Credit Card Processing – Discount Rates and Transaction Fees

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:24:49 +0000

In the competitive business environment that exists today, it is critical you give your customers many options to pay you for your products and or services.

Setting up a merchant account so you can accept credit cards from your customers is one of the most, if not the most, important initial decisions you’ll make when you start a new business. The following article will explain discount rates and transaction fees so you are better prepared when it comes time to pick a company for credit card processing services.

Discount rates and transaction fees go hand in hand. These are the fees you pay to process a credit card transaction. The discount rate is a percentage that is deducted from the total amount of the sale. For example: If your qualified discount rate is 2.20% and you charge a customer’s credit card $100, then you would pay $2.20 to process that transaction. But that is not all – you also pay a transaction fee as well. If you have a transaction fee of 25 cents, then your total cost to process that $100 dollar credit card transaction would be $2.45.

What do you mean by qualified discount rate? The discount rate you pay will not always be the same percentage. It will change based on a number of factors, such as card type and how you actually process the card. Most personal debit and credit cards will fall into the qualified rate category. However, if you take a corporate, business, government, international, or personal rewards card, you will pay a higher discount rate on these types of cards. The discount rate on these types of cards can range from 1% to 2% over the qualified rate. This means that if your qualified rate is 2.20% and you accept an international card, your rate could be as high as 4.20%. Over time this can add up, so it is very important you factor this into your pricing when deciding how much you are going to charge for your product or service, especially if your plans include doing a lot of business to business transactions or selling internationally.

Another factor that influences the discount rate you pay when credit card processing is how you process the credit card. Merchants that swipe credit cards usually pay a lower discount rate than merchants that key in credit cards using an internet merchant account. The qualified rate for a merchant that swipes credit cards will usually be close to 1.80% but a merchant that keys in their transactions will pay a qualified rate of 2.40%. The reason for this is risk. Visa/MasterCard feel there is less risk of the transaction being fraudulent or disputed if the customer is present during the transaction and the merchant is able to swipe their card through credit card processing hardware or software.

Most credit card processing companies will only refer to their qualified rate when they advertise or try to sell you over the phone – so it is important you ask about qualified, mid qualified, and non qualified rates too when choosing a company for credit card processing services.

By: Michael Rupkalvis

Business Greeting Cards – 5 Cards That Will Increase Your Profits

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:49:08 +0000

In this climate of economic downturn, great customer service has presented itself as a must have in order to survive. A smile and a thank you are wonderful but to generate new business and retain current customers, Business Greeting Cards have become a customer service and sales trade secret.

Corporate Greeting Cards come in many shapes and sizes and are designed to appeal to a wide range of customers and business associates. Customer service and sales professionals use them as a follow-up to a big sale to say thanks, or just as a way to stay in touch. Ordered in bulk quantities and personalized, they are an unexpected surprise that offers a personal touch sure to be remembered the next time your services are needed.

Here are 5 Business Greeting Cards that will enrich a sales experience:

1) Corporate Thank You Cards can be used in a number of ways. The obvious is to thank those that have purchased something from you, but cards that say thanks are also appropriate for business associates that helped make the sale possible and vendors who also may have played a part. Sending a Business Thank You Card says more than a phone call or quick email can convey. It says you took the time to sign, address and mail your appreciation.

2) Business Referral Cards are more targeted Thank You Cards that clearly send appreciation to those that have sent business your way. Once you have made your sale it is easy to forget how it became possible. Remember those that helped you along the way by thanking them for their referral and they will remember you again when opportunities arise.

3) Business Anniversary Cards don’t have to be just about wedding anniversaries. A Business Anniversary Card can send congratulations on the anniversary of a big sale or to denote a special event in a corporation’s life. Use them as well to commemorate the date an employee arrived at your company. They will be surprised you remembered and will remain loyal employees.

4) Business Happy Birthday Cards are great for business employees but you may want to consider sending them to important business customers as well. They will certainly be surprised to find out you know their special birth date and that extra special gesture will make them feel they’re part of your corporate family.

5) Corporate Welcome Cards can delight and surprise. They can be used to welcome new employees or for welcoming new business partners. Help improve business relationships by strengthening the partnership bonds you build with cards welcoming those that will help your business grow.

Just remember to personally sign and hand address the envelope on your greeting cards so that it doesn’t look like a mass mailing. Jot a quick note if you can and keep a roll of stamps on hand instead of running it through the company postage meter. Just a bit of special attention now will increase profits in the near future!

By: Linda Cress Dowdy

Keep it Business, Not Personal

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:17:02 +0000

Managing a small corporation, as well as having a home-based business myself, I have learned how important it is to keep personal and business matters separate. Not only does it make life less confusing, it can also save you money on your taxes.

The first thing I recommend is to open a separate checking account just for your business. Use this account to deposit all self-employment income. Do NOT use this account for wages received from an employer. This account needs to be totally separate. You will pay all your business related expenses solely from these funds. When you pay business expenses from your personal account, it is much more difficult to accurately track how much money you are spending for your business. And, missed expenses could mean missed tax deductions!

The other suggestion I have is to open a credit card specifically for your business expenses. Make sure you choose a card that suits you and your business well: i.e. cash back, travel rewards, etc. Use this card for all your business purchases and of course, make payments to it with your new business checking account. For more detailed benefits on a dedicated business credit card, I highly recommend reading Charles Clar’s article at http://creditcards.youngparentsmagazine.com/A-Dedicated-Credit-Card.htm

Last but not least, I recommend purchasing some form of accounting software. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive, just a place for you to enter your income and expenses for your business. Even a very simple program can provide you with financial reports demonstrating your company’s profitability, as well as help you to set a budget. Most programs also give you the option to print reports that aid in tax preparation.

As with any other financial decision, I highly recommend you meet with an accountant or tax preparer on an annual basis at the very least. He/She will be able to direct you in the best ways to make the most of your hard earned money. But remember, the harder you work at keeping your business and personal records separate, the easier it will be for your accountant to help you. Best of luck in your business.

By: Jennifer Tarzian