How to Advertise a Small Business on a Budget

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advertise on a budget--
Image by Svilen001.

Advertising your small business on a budget is an effective and affordable way to get new customers.   Advertising is a challenge and you can do it without spending a lot of money. Focus on satisfying your current customers and focus on encouraging referrals and attracting new business.

Postcards

Postcards are a great way to advertise. The advertisement is written on one side of the card which allows the prospect to read it even briefly.  You have a better chance of getting the postcard read because it has no envelope. They are easy to create too.

Email Advertising

Email advertising involves directly marketing a message through electronic mail to a group of people or a mailing list.  This does not involve spam. This form of marketing is for an opt-in list of people that have told you they want to receive email messages from you.  Sending an online newsletter is a great form of promotion because it keeps your name and message in front of your prospect and when they decide to buy they may think of your small business. Capture your prospects email address on your website and then send your online newsletter by email.

Direct Mail

Direct mail is good at keeping your name in front of prospects so when they are ready to buy they might call your company.  It is effective in helping to keep in touch with former customers.  You can obtain better qualified leads and when someone sends you a reply form back they will be expecting you to call them. 

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How Start a Public Relations Business

By Lanee’ Blunt

Start a PR company with
minimum investment--
Image by Arina74.

A public relations business can be started on a part-time or full-time basis and with little money down.Public relation consultants create and maintain a favorable public image for their clients.  Their clients have companies in entertainment, finance, fashion, health care, publishing, sports, retail, and computers.  You should be skilled in advertising, and journalism. You should be able to communicate well.

Location for a Public Relations Business

Choose a business location that is right for your business.  Are your customers going to come to you? Do you have employees? Do you have to go to your customers? If you are going to hire employees and have customers come to you a home based business is probably not the best location and you may need to lease or rent office space.

Apply for Business License

Acquire a “Doing Business As,” DBA. Register a legal name for your business if you are going to use a name other than your own name. Apply for the DBA with a registration form with your state and local government.

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the US Internal Revenue Service if you have hired employees. Open a business bank account so that you can keep your personal finances separate from your business finances.

Set up your Office

Set up your office. Buy office equipment, computer, printer, fax machine, internet connection and get an 800 number. Create a website to advertise your public relation business. Include your company background, the services you provide, the benefits and features of the company, and how they can hire you.  Design logo and letterhead stationery. You will need business cards and brochures.

Marketing

List your business in online directories and in the yellow pages. Use direct mail and send to a mailing list.  Join freelance online job sites. Advertise and send postcards. Write sample press releases and send to prospects that want a sample of your work.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics:  Public Relations Managers and Specialists

FabJob.com: Get a Public Relations Job or Start a Public Relations Business

Home Business Center: How to Start a Public Relations Business 1-2-3

SBA.Gov: Follow These 10 Steps to Starting a Business

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What Are the Benefits of an E-Business?

By Lanee’ Blunt

Develop an eCommerce site--
Image by Enimal.

Small businesses that have made the decision to extend their operations online believed that it was one of the best productive and competitive steps that they have taken. Most customers prefer to find information on the internet instead of calling on the phone. You may be wondering if an e-commerce web site is right for your small business.

Expand Customers

By going online your small business has the opportunity to reach more customers by expanding your reach to a national or even international base. It allows small businesses and even consultants to reach global prospects with their messages about their product or service.

Offer Interactive Online Support

By going online you can create customer support that will develop into customer loyalty by providing a live chat with the experts in your company.  Respond to customer feedback which will show them that you are listening and will set you apart from your competition.

Expand Service

Another benefit is that your website can supplement the sales you already established in your retail store.  You can sell supplemental unique products online for example; crochet dresses, or gourmet chocolates that you may have had a harder time selling in your store.  The success may be that you have a wider customer base which is global and may be interested in these products because they can't get them in their home town.

Reference:

Entrepreneur.com: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Doing Business Online

My Own Business: E-Commerce

Bloomberg Businessweek: Use Online Service to Stand Out From the Crowd

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How to Write a Residential Painting Bid Letter

By Lanee’ Blunt

Write a residential painting
bid letter and win the bid--
Image by Deafstar.

Writing a professional residential painting bid is important for winning the bid.  In some instances the contractor with the strongest technical proposal are interviewed to be considered for the list of finalists.  It is important that you write a strong bid letter so get the measurements and details for the paint job before you write the painting bid. 

Knowledge of the requirements 

Before you prepare the bid make sure that you have a full understanding of the SOW or RFP by studying the specifications of the job.  Measure everything so you can calculate how much materials you will need.  Talk about the colors and make sure that you get the clients input about the job.  Estimate your manpower and how many workers you will need to complete the job. Examine all of the specifications and read the RFP several times.

Write your Bid Response

Start the first paragraph about your company, your experience, expertise, and your work references.

Second Paragraph

Tell the client or evaluator how you plan to deliver, how your firm will perform what rooms will get custom painting, or if cabinets will be removed and stripped and stained.

Cost

The price you are offering in the bid should come out of the budget detail, the materials, and labor. 

Professional Packaging

Use your company letterhead stationery. The painting bid should look professional on good quality paper. Use a glossy cover. Include sample color schemes, computer generated photos of how the finished turnout of the room will look after painting. Include your contact information, brochure and business card.

Reference:

GSA: Bidding on Federal Construction Projects

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Affordable Online Advertising Methods for Your Small Business

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advertise on the internet--
Image by Binsurf.

Advertising your small business on the internet is an affordable way to get new customers. More people are shopping online for the convenience of not having to leave their homes. If you are going to start advertising online you need to build an online presence, a web page or a web site.  Most of your internet advertising will involve getting people to visit your site, "generating traffic."

Email Advertising

Email advertising involves directly marketing a message through electronic mail to a group of people or a mailing list.  This does not involve spam. This form of marketing is for an opt-in list of people that have told you they want to receive email messages from you.  Sending an online newsletter is a great form of promotion because it keeps your name and message in front of your prospects and when they decide to buy they may think of your small business. Capture your prospects email address on your website and then send your online newsletter by email.

Google Places

It is a free way to advertise your business. Set up an account by submitting your company information, photos and video. You have to verify your listing by phone or by postcard. Google places will list your small business. After the listing is setup, fill out the information about your company, phone, fax, email. Include your payment options and your categories for your business. Most consumers search for local businesses online.

Banner Ads

Banner advertising is an affordable way to advertise online.  Small rectangular advertisements that range in appearance and size that can be used for products or a service business. When a prospect clicks on it their internet browser will take them to your website and advertisement. You can use link exchange or cooperative advertising with another business with complementary products and services. 

Reference:

Inc: Advertising Media--Internet

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Tips on Running a Property Management Business

By Lanee’ Blunt

Start up a property management
business--Image by Mjamesno.

When property investors of office buildings, apartments, retail or industrial properties, and home owners don't have time or expertise for day-to-day management of their real estate properties they often hire a property management firm. A property management business is a low cost business to start up and it requires minimal experience.

Set up your business

Set up a limited liability company or LLC.  Set up your office and buy equipment. You will need a computer, printer, fax machine and copier. Get business cards printed and letterhead stationery. You will need an internet connection and an email account. Set up a website. 

Locate Prospects

Contact real estate investors and landlords at local real estate investment offices or associations.  Network aggressively.  Use a directory of real estate investing clubs and send direct mail or postcards introducing your business. You can cold call or send an email marketing letter.  Talk to real estate agents that specialize in investment properties because many have new clients that ask for their recommendations for a property management firm.

Management

Show properties to prospective renters. Make sure that you have done all of the necessary back ground checks on potential tenants. Obtain a credit report through sites such as PublicData.com and Equifax.com. Collect monthly fees from tenants. Hire contractors and arrange for repairs as needed to keep the property up. Pay bills such as mortgages, taxes, insurance, payroll and cleaning.  Hire landscapers, security and other services.  Prepare reports and budgets, and keep records of rental activity.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics:  Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers

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Small Business Start-Up Requirement

By Lanee’ Blunt

How to register a small
business--Image by Ilco.

When you start your own business you need to make key financial decisions and complete a series of legal activities before you can open the business. The start-up requirements will depend on the type of business you are going in. You may be required to get a business license or tax registration certificate, register a DBA, or comply with zoning ordinances, or the local Health department.

Determine Legal Ownership

You must set up your business as a legal entity. Decide which form of ownership is best for your particular business: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or S corporation.

Tax Registration Certificate

Register with your state to obtain a tax identification number, unemployment, disability insurance, and worker's compensation.  Apply for an employee identification number (EIN) with the federal government.

Office Space

The right location is the most important factor in the determination of a new site.  Look at neighborhood traffic and what draws people to the area, schools, colleges, or a retail mall? Select the best location for your business.

Business Plan

Writing a business plan is beneficial. If you are planning to secure funding from a bank you will need a business plan.  A business plan also serves as a roadmap because it includes market analysis and projections.

Reference:

Entrepreneur; Five Steps for Getting Your Business Up and Running; 2011

SBA; Follow These 10 Steps to Starting a Business

Nolo; Local Start-Up Requirements for Small Businesses 

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How to Write a Professional Proposal for a Service Business

By Lanee’ Blunt

Demonstrate your company's capabilities--
Image by Lupoinfla.

A service business proposal is used when you’re trying to win a contract or you are being considered along with other companies, or you are bidding on a request for proposal (RFP). Gather the brochures and management resumes that you need to submit with the proposal. Demonstrate your company’s capabilities in the proposal, and define what your business is about.

Executive Summary

Tell your evaluators why they should use your service. This section summarizes the key information and is designed to convince the reader to use your company. Write an excellent reason why they should choose your company over your competitors. Give a short description of how you will do the requested job.

Statement of Work

Write what your company is going to do and how you are going to approach the work. Include a schedule of implementation and description of deliverables. If a product is introduced you will need to write product descriptions.

Management

Write about your experience with similar jobs. Write about the responsibilities of key personnel, and subcontractors. List your achievements. List the qualifications and responsibilities of key personnel.

Cost Estimate

The estimated costs directly related to the proposed project. If you charge the client a flat fee over $1000 you need to include a breakdown as to what this fee includes.  If you charge an hourly rate include and estimation of how many hours the project should take you.

Reference:

Fedmarket: Solving the Proposal Writing Dilemma

Onvia: First Steps to a Winning Proposal

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What are the Benefits of Writing a Business Plan?

By Lanee’ Blunt

Advantages of a business plan--
Image by ljleavell.

Having a well prepared and written business plan is key to your business success. When you begin writing the plan, make sure that you have defined your business purpose, conduct market and competitive analysis, and developed your business strategy. A business plan should describe the major aspects of your business, such as products or services, staffing, facilities, and marketing.

Identify Problems

One benefit of writing a business plan is that it will help you identify your problems by helping you look at your idea tangibly and if it is feasible or not to forge ahead with the idea.  It determines if your product or service is marketable and if it will be profitable.

Road Map

Another advantage of writing a business plan is that it provides an estimate of what your start-up cost will be.  You can use it as a guide for operations, management and measure actual financial performance.

Funding

Convinces lenders or investors to fund your business, it gives funding requirements and any future funding requirements over the next five years.  You can outline your funding requirements how you intend to use the funds you receive. Business plans are good summaries of operations and lenders and investors request them as a tool when you are seeking funding for your business venture.

Reference:

SBA: Funding Request

Dummies.com: Benefits of Writing a Business Plan; Steven D Peterson, Peter Jaret, Barbara Findlay Schenck

Wiki Answer: Benefits of Having a Business Plan; Crystal

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How to Advertise Your Small Business by Mail

By Lanee’ Blunt

Direct mail marketing is effective--
Image by Jcroatto.

Marketing your business by mail is effective. The advantage of using direct mail to market your business is that you can alert customers to your product or service at a low cost to you because you can send out as many letters as you want. Send out one letter or send thousands it is up to you and whatever budget you are on. Sales letters are very powerful and outperform postcards and brochures.

Mailing List

Get a mailing list. It is the most important factor in a successful direct mail campaign. Your letters will be going to qualified leads. One of the best lists available is your house list which is a list of customers that have already responded to your ads or have bought from you before.

Sales Letter

Write your sales letter. If you are going to write the content yourself make sure that you write the letter like you are speaking one-to-one. Imagine the prospect is sitting directly across from your desk. Stress the benefits of using your product or service.  The marketing communication must grab the interest immediately or it will be overlooked.  If you are worried about your writing ability you can hire a copywriter from sites like elance.com and freelancer.com to write the sales letter for you.

Free

Free is a powerful word that you can use in your mailing. Offer a free sample, consultation, newsletter, or download.  Include the offer in the beginning of the message. Sign the letter yourself because it adds a personal touch to the sales letter.

Reference

SBA; Marketing 201

Entrepreneur; Get Your Copy Write; Kim T. Gordon; 2008

Inc.; Writing a Sales Letter; Kimberly McCall

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The Benefits of Businesses Using Groupon

By Lanee’ Blunt

How can a business benefit
from using Groupon--Image
by Cherrychil.

Businesses benefit by immediate revenue generated by Groupon’s promotion from email networks and online market places. Groupon works by helping service providers and merchants promote their services by offering customers significant coupons or discounts to use their business. Groupon offers consumers daily deals, great discounts at restaurants, retail stores, spas, theaters and much more.

Groupon offers a range of deals each day for goods, services or events in a city where it operates. The discount ranges from 50 to 90 percent off and is valid if a certain amount of customers purchase the deal with 24 hours.

New Customers

A Minimum number of people must buy for the offer to be valid, so Groupon guarantees paying customers. New customers that are looking for inexpensive deals and want to try something new and they may become repeat customers.

Low Cost Marketing

There is low cost to you. There are no out of pocket costs for your business to advertise with Groupon. When you sell something then Groupon will get their money.

Promote Your Business

Your business has the opportunity to be in front of thousands of subscriber’s in every city. You can use price promotion deals to build relationships with new customers. Groupon deals can help to generate extra money by offering coupons to get people into your place of business.

Reference:

Groupon Works: What Do You Get with Groupon that You Don’t Get Anywhere Else?

Inc.; 10 Pros and Cons of Using Groupon; Carolyn M. Brown; 2011

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How to Write a Consultant Proposal

By Lanee’ Blunt

Present your proposal and
win the job--Image by Henkster.

A consultant will have to have a proposal when the customer asks for one, when bidding on a RFP, or when trying to get a new client. A proposal can win you the bid or can be decisive in winning a project.  Collect all of the information on your service from brochures, your website and ensure that graphs that will be included are relevant.  

Executive Summary

Write an executive summary which is a brief summary of the project. Tell the evaluators or client why your consulting firm is the best for the contract. Assume that your reader knows nothing about what the project when writing the executive summary.

Qualifications Information

Your resume and qualifications should be customized for the project you are proposing. What are the qualifications that are relevant to the job? Write about the number of similar types of jobs that you have had in the past. State the size of each job.  Give references from similar types of jobs that you have done.

Cost

How much will it cost? Address the cost estimate and explain the price you are proposing. List a final price for the project.  Include each service that is proposed with a detailed fee schedule.

Write all expected completion dates. Provide a methodology for documenting the completion dates. Double check typos, use high-quality materials, and make sure that you present the proposal on time and that it is not sloppy or misleading.

Reference:

Microsoft Office: 12 Tips for Writing a Winning Proposal; Michael W. McLaughlin

Capture Planning: How to Write a One-Person Proposal

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How to Start Up a Temporary Agency

By Lanee’ Blunt

Open a temp service--
Image by Ante3.

Starting your temporary agency can be rewarding because when businesses and organizations need temporary or seasonal help they may use your company to fulfill their manpower needs. Your temporary employment service will undertake the hiring and firing decisions, you will issue paychecks, withhold payroll taxes, pay unemployment insurance, and worker’s compensation.

A business client will need an employee for a specific time frame, pay a set hourly rate to the temporary employment agency for the services of the temporary employee.

Determine Legal Ownership

You must set up your business as a legal entity. Decide which form of ownership is best for your particular business: sole proprietorship, partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), corporation, or S corporation. Complete all the paperwork at the local, state, and federal to establish your business.

Obtain Business Insurance

Get insurance that will protect your business. Talk to an insurance agency. The minimum insurance that you will need will be for general liability, workers’ comp., and profession liability insurance.  Contact your state's Insurance Fund for your Workers Comp. policy. 

Equipment

Purchase payroll software.  Purchase computers, printers, fax machine, and internet. You will need office furniture and enough furniture for a lobby area.

Advertise

Put ads in the classified section of your local newspaper and online. Create flyers and postcards. Create an information package that describes the service you offer and distribute it to corporations and businesses.

Reference:

Inc: Temporary Employment Services

Entrepreneur: Business Ideas Center: Temporary Help Agency

WikiHow: How to Start a Temp Agency 

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How to Write a Proposal for an Investor for Small Business

By Lanee’ Blunt

Get investors interested--
Image by Lupoianfla.

To obtain financial backing your proposal must persuade a lender that your small business or product idea is worth investing in. Make sure that all of the required forms are submitted with your proposal for example, product brochures, and company balance sheets. Demonstrate your company’s capabilities in the proposal, and define what your business is about.

Executive Summary

In the executive summary provide the reader with a snapshot of the key information.  Write about your company and what you plan to do for your customers, or how your customers can benefit from using your product. Tell the evaluators what your plans are for funding.

Statement of Work

Write what you will do to help the customer. Include a schedule of implementation and description of deliverables. If a product is introduced you will need to write product descriptions.

Management

List your management team. Include the CEO and their experience, and achievements. List the qualifications and responsibilities of key personnel.

Goals and Objectives

List your financial projections for a 3 to 5 year timeframe, summarize your forecast, and include measurable and concrete methods of reaching them.

Financial Section

Investors will want to closely scrutinize their ROI. Make a list of all of the cost that relates to the operation of the project; list not only new cost that will be incurred if the project is funded, but also ongoing expenses. Explain your financial model, pricing and expected annual sales and profits.

Reference:

Microsoft: 3 Ways to Get Investors Interested in Your New Business

Capture Planning: What Should Go Into a Business Proposal?

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Examples of Company Newsletters

By Lanee’ Blunt

Make a company newsletter--
Image by Mattox

Newsletters are highly targeted public relations material. They will bring more repeat customers, and turn prospects into clients. It is a challenge keeping your business name in front of your prospect, but if you want to be successful it has to be done.  You also have to get former customers to use your business again and give you repeat business.

Write Helpful Articles

Offer your potential customers’ information that they can use.  Write your articles in an easy-to-read format, and avoid technical jargon.  To create an interesting newsletter your articles should be informative. Revise your articles before you set them into print.  Read them out loud.

Newsletter Template

There are many desktop publishing programs that produce professional looking newsletters. You can download a simple, functional newsletter template that is already formatted, cut and paste your own photos, and add your logo. Some programs are easy to learn and inexpensive.

Build a Subscribers List

Making a subscriber list can start by asking yourself, who should get your newsletter? It should be targeted to any customer that has an interest in your business.

Offer More Details

Give the prospect a lot of useful information.  It is not the place to be boring so offer the customer detailed information about your business.  You can have helpful articles about your line of business that will help them, or you can interview some of your employees. You can get a lot of information into your newsletter, far more than you can a brochure.

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Tips on Starting a Vending Machine Business

By Lanee’ Blunt

A vending machine business can be started on a large scale or on a small scale it is up to you. You can start small by having one or two machines and keep them stocked once or twice a week when they need restocking. One advantage of running a vending machine is that after installation you will not require a big investment and your maintenance for the machine is minimal.

Location

Setup your vending machine in a good location that is highly populated and where people prefer to buy things from vending machines. Vending machines are best if they match up with peoples needs also for example; match the product with the customer. Busy offices can sale coffee, and snacks, and soda.

Safety

If you can afford the investment you can install a security camera to watch the machines to avoid theft. A good idea is to do a little research before placing your machine in a location to avoid theft and vandalism problems. Place the machine in a well lit populated area.

Stocking the Vending Machine

Keep your machines clean and well stocked. Everyone hates when vending machines aren’t working correctly and either don’t deliver the merchandise or the give proper change. Take your time and stock the machine so items won’t get stuck or jammed.

Buying Machines

Amazon sells vending machines that you can order and buy online, you can get them on sale on Amazon through this link. 11 Column Snack Vending Machine   If you are a member at Sam’s Club you can buy the vending machine there and buy the items for your vending machine in bulk also. If you are on a budget you can purchase used vending machines. Look in the classified section of your newspaper on online.

Reference:

Jobs and Retirement the Fun Times Guide: How to Start a Vending Machine Business

Vending Business: Vending Machine Business-6 Tips on How to Start

[Image of a vending machine].  (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.oregonvendingmachines.com/

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Microsoft Outlook Contact Manager for Business Review

By Lanee’ Blunt

Microsoft Outlook Business Contact Manager is great. It is specially designed to combine everything you need to consolidate your email conversations with a single click and manage your feeds from social networks for example Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and etc.

Using the same familiar user interface, the software is easy to learn and requires a small amount of training.

Another cool feature is that it keeps all of your contact information including email, appointments, and documents in one place so you can create email messages that get attention.

Update: This software is currently on sale through this link on Amazon

Microsoft Outlook 2010

Let’s take a look at all of the contact manager’s features.

• Manage large volumes of email with ease
• Customize common tasks into single-click commands
• Make scheduling a breeze
•  Access your information anywhere and anytime
• Configure new and existing accounts, clean up your inbox and see how much space is left in your mailbox
• If you want to buy this software, you can get it through this link. 
Microsoft Outlook 2010

Overall, for the price that they charge it is worth it, if you are sending out direct mail or email marketing it will simplify your business.

Let me show you what a current owner said about it.

Dave J.,

I think Outlook 2010 does a better job than what I had before. I bought it for the use on my new laptop which was running on new Windows 7, since Outlook Express didn't work on Windows 7. I have no problem at all with it and it was easy to install. 

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