How Content Marketing Can Help Build Your Business

It's no secret that the internet has become the #1 source for information. The Web is the largest market for seekers of information and providers of information. No matter what your business, everyone must have a website. If you don't, you can be assured that you are a step behind your competition.

What should be included on your site? At a minimum, you must state who you are (About Us Page) and what you do (Home & Product/Services Page). This is all fine and dandy. But how do potential customers find you?

Two simple words can answer this question: "Content Marketing". The second word is easy to describe. Marketing is simply promoting/advertising your product or service. However, the traditional methods (brochures, TV ads, fliers) are being replaced by more cost effective methods. That leads us to the first word: content. Many of us have heard the term before. But what exactly does it mean?

According to the Content Marketing Institute, content marketing is defined as "a marketing technique of creating and distributing relevant, consistent, and valuable information to a defined audience." The key word here is valuable, meaning it is something the end user wants and would pay for. Compare that to and advertisement or junk mail (spam) that someone either turns off immediately or throws in the garbage because they find no value in it. Content marketing doesn't explicitly promote a brand like a commercial for Nike or Coke does. The information is targeted to a specific group who wants it or seeks it out. Thus you are building a long term, personal relationship with your (potential) customers versus treating them like a sale. No one likes to feel like they are being sold to. They want to feel like they are part of a story, and people love stories.

The next question is why would a business create content in the first place? The main answer is to build their BRAND. Your brand is your #1 asset. It can take years to build, but only minutes to destroy. Your brand shows you are an expert in your field. You also raise awareness to consumers about issues they may not have considered previously. Traditional marketing is only effective after the consumer has made the decision to buy. Content marketing moves them along the buying process.

Creating content is much more cost effective than traditional marketing, thus resulting in a greater ROI. What are some key characteristics of good content?

· It's FREE: users don't have to pay for it

· Attracts and retains audiences who will eventually become customers. Your typical :30 radio or TV add is forgotten almost immediately

· Contains backlinks to your website, thus creating a compound effect as your content is shared with your user's users and their user's users.

· Must be mobile friendly as many internet users browse on smartphones and tablets

· Must be keyword oriented for SEO algorithms used by Google and other search engines (a keyword is something you type in your browser when you want to look for something specific. I'm a writer so hopefully I'll show up when someone types in "freelance writer, copywriter, or simply writer"

· Finally, it must contain a call-to-action (prompt the user to do something)

What are some examples of content marketing?

· Blogs

· Success Stories

· Podcasts

· YouTube videos

· Whitepapers

· Articles

· Social Media posts

· E-books

· Newsletters

I hope you found this information useful, as I expect content marketing to replace traditional marketing in the not-to-distant future. I'm sure all of you will now become expert marketers and see your visitors multiply exponentially, thus resulting in more conversions.

Partner Dave is a freelance writer in Orlando, Florida. He specializes in content marketing, business plans, web copy, and building brand awareness. He is the author of the white paper "The Transaction Tax: Has the IRS Finally Met Its Match?", which discusses replacing the income tax with a transaction tax. Visit his website at http://www.partnerdavethewriter.com or email him at info@partnerdavethewriter.com.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Bialecki/2255361

10 Tips to Start a Service Business

Are you going to start a service business? Do you have no idea as to how to go about it? If so, we suggest that you check out the following tips from experts.

Set and define your goals

First of all, you should set your goals and define them. Typically, service businesses don't require as much capital as other businesses. Aside from this, they are not as scalable as other businesses. So, what you need to do is set your goals and then define them.

Business anchors

You may want to choose a good business anchor. Ideally, they should be a former employer or client.

First clients

You should understand that getting your first client is your first milestone. What you need to do is serve your first few clients very well. They should be happy. Moreover, if you want to develop a strong relationship with the clients, make sure you give them a discount.

Find a Focus

You should be different from other service providers who offer similar services. If you don't be different, you won't be able to make a difference. As a result, your product will not entice the potential buyers. Your clients should be able to differentiate your products from those of your competitors. This is what we mean by finding a focus.

Blogging and social media

For marketing, blogging and social media are your best tools. You should create and publish content that can validate your expertise. Today, your marketing is a lot cheaper than it was a few years ago. In the past, people had to get through strict editors and publishers in order to get the word out about their expertise. They had to write books and articles as well. Nowadays, you can post on Twitter, Facebook and your own blog. So, you don't have to rely so much on editors and publishers nowadays.

Logo and look

We suggest that you choose your logo wisely and spend on it after a lot of thinking. Actually, your website and logo should be professional and this is really important. Nowadays, it's not about stationary or business cards anymore. This is your representation.

Don't overspend

It's not a good idea to spend the money you don't have. As a matter of fact, you will get tons of suggestions that can help you make more money later on, such as marketing programs and mail lists.

Don't lose a client

For the success of your business, make sure you keep all of your clients. As a matter of fact, keeping existing clients is a lot cheaper than looking for new ones. It's a good idea to go the extra mile to keep your old clients satisfied.

Know your numbers

You should understand the difference between money in the bank, sales, cash and profits. This is very important.

Don't compromise on integrity

Compromising on your integrity is not a good idea. Your success or failure depends upon your reputation. You should try your level best to maintain your credibility.

Hopefully, these 10 tips will help you run your service business with success.

Have you been looking to start soft service business? If so, we suggest that you check out a good soft service machine.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shalini_Madhav/2396631

How to Gather Information for a Proposed Business

Sufficient Information is needed for business success. An organization or economic structure where goods and services are exchanged for one another or for money is referred to as business.

Most businesses requires ample form of investment and adequate customers to whom its products can be sold on a steady basis in order to regulate constant profit flow.

Businesses can be confidentially owned, not-for-profit or Government owned. A typical example of a commercial business is Goodneeed, whereas Jaykool foodies business is a private project. In order to gather information for a proposed business, the following steps must be followed according in no particular order.

1. Conduct market studies and surveys. You can do this yourself, either formally or informally to obtain feedback on your product or service, and if you have the money you can pay someone to do it for you.
2. Spy! That's perfectly right. If you want to know about prices/performance ratio at another store, outlets or the number of customers a competitor has, simply visit his visit empire/blog or store and walk around to know more about the tools your competitor is applying or using.
3. Attend trade shows, events, conference, expos and business fairs. These are excellent sources of information and personal contacts that can propel your business to a level of unconditional success.
4. Network with colleagues, friends, or associates. Everyone knows someone else who can help them with some aspects of their intended business. Use these friends, associates and their knowledge to the best of your possible advantage. some will be glad to give advice or help
5. Follow the local and National news. Keep abreast of trends and fads. Often, newspaper and online journals contain a wealth of small business information and possible ideas that can make the difference.
6. Don't be silent; silent kills.Talk to members of your local chamber of commerce or NGOs that are into employment issues. Again, they will probably be open to help you along since they were once in your situation.
7. The internet is always and readily available for access. Use the internet to open the door to business websites. The beauty of the internet is that one site often leads to another in terms of connected resources. There is virtually nothing that can't be located online. Make use of the internet and gather useful data's needed.
8. Do you know any successful entrepreneur within your community? Talk to entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses for advice, information, and even encouragement. Many small business owners will gladly tell what they went through. Their experiences matters a lot. Words of encouragement from their successes can catalyze your footsteps and guide you towards achieving success. Make friends with them and learn from their mistakes.
9. Write to companies and request information on how they started out. Most companies will help you out here. They have detailed information about their startups and how to achieve success faster.
10. Ensure to buy your competitors goods/products to compare with yours and make notes on how they advertise. Most of them have their key secrets. For you to achieve success and surpass them you need to carry out products comparison and possible ways of improvement. This can be achieved purely by effective business research.
11. Talk to competitors, friends, colleagues, your former employers, if you know any. They may give you insight into how your competitors operate. This is very important.
12. Use your own noggin and that of a business partner/investor, friend, or spouse to come up with your own unique answers and information.
13. Listen to radio and television shows and talks on business and attend business events. Never walk alone. Always enhance connection by interacting with the speakers on radios.

Final Word 
According to Collin Powell," There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure". Honestly comprehend that even after gathering useful information about your proposed business, you might discover that you still need more facts or answers. If ask why? You will realize that your research will inevitably raise fresh questions that requires adequate answers. My candid advice is not to be dispirited, this is normal. Starting a business can bring lots of headache and can also be time consuming as well, so you have to be flexible for maximum success.

Research Chemist and Tech blogger who makes money online from his blog and other investments. He runs his own Science and Tech website http://www.jaysciencetech.com and Teaches/Inspire Newbie Bloggers on how to Create & Make money Online at http://www.akwaonline.com.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ofonimeh_J_Joseph/2407179

Why Every Entrepreneur Needs to Take Entrepreneur Mentorship Programs

As a young entrepreneur, it is easy to fall into the trap of "I'm on the top of the world" or "I know everything about business" after getting first few tastes of success. However, you may feel stuck at times and may feel the need to reach out and connect with people for help.

Perhaps you need a "Mentor". But where do you find a mentor and how do you reach the right one who will help you take best business decisions. The answer is "Entrepreneur mentorship programs". Let's try to know more about these programs.

What Is Entrepreneur Mentoring Program?

The Entrepreneur Mentoring Programs are specifically designed for commercial and social entrepreneurs. The program provides you with trained mentors and facilitates the building of a long-term mutually beneficial trust-based relationships.

Besides offering one-to-one mentoring, the program also helps startups by providing a process to evaluate a business opportunity within the context of a Business model canvas. Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey and entrepreneurs often feel alone and look for support that can give guidance and provide an answer to the questions. The biggest benefit of such program is you get a mentor who provides you critical business insights.

Why Are Mentors Important?

For an entrepreneur, a mentor is like a compass, lighthouse, and drinking water while you are at sea. While there is no doubt about the importance of the technical know-how and the guidance the mentor provides; the most important role a mentor plays is to keep you charged especially when things are not happening as you have planned or expected.

A mentor not only guides you towards the right path but also acts as a source of inspiration and motivation. Here are some reasons why every entrepreneur needs a mentor.

Gain from Experience That Is Not Available in Books

There is a proverb "Experience is the best teacher" and it is a crucial element of success in business. You can gain so much from the experience of your mentor who has been there, seen it and done it all.

The knowledge you gain from mentor might not be available in books. It is an unstated truth that most authors are not comfortable sharing/revealing in their books. Some personal experiences of business leaders can be helpful while dealing with ups and down in business.

Mentorship allows you to connect with the person at a more intimate level where you can also gain knowledge from your mentor's personal experiences.

More Networking Opportunities

A successful mentor will have a wider network which you can also access. Since your mentor wants you to be successful, it only makes sense for the mentor to allow you to tap his/her network when the need arises. You will not have this opportunity without a mentor.

Provide Much Needed Encouragement

Failure can impact your productivity and morale. With mentor by your side, you will be in better position to deal with failures. The mentor has already experienced highs and lows in business and would provide you the much-needed encouragement to look beyond failures.

The importance of guidance and support of a mentor cannot be ignored. Entrepreneur mentoring programs offers you easy access to set of accomplished entrepreneurs as mentors who will take you towards the winning path.

Do you know other benefits of having a mentor? Let us know your comments below.

Vamaks offers a world class platform that enables people to convert bright ideas to business opportunities by providing the right environment for new and existing entrepreneurs to open a successful business with the help of entrepreneur mentorship programs and the right investors or business partners for funding the startup. To learn more, visit Vamaks/Blog.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/James_Marshall/2343370

How the Economy Will Impact Your Medical Staffing Business

You don't require any special knowledge, neither is it rocket science to know that you can't succeed in any business venture when the economic tides are against you, just the way it is today.

Most fortune 500 companies usually have economic guidance. As for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), they usually require the services of an economic analyst or a financial expert to aid in business growth.

Invariably, it doesn't mean a booming economy is a sure guarantee for business success and vice versa. It requires foresight and a visionary leader to ride the storm and stand tall.

In this article, I would highlight three important points you need to know about the economy today, they are;

1. We are currently in unknown territory and the usual boom - burst cycle is over. The economy is experiencing a slow growth process, and the probability of witnessing another shock is quite high, this is due to the fact that government no longer functions as optimally as it used to.

The examples are all around for us to see, from the Economic Cliff, to the Sequester, and the defaulting on National debt, these have created uncertainty that doesn't favor making business decisions. My advice would be for one to develop alternative methods to deal with opportunities or potential pit falls that may affect one's business immediately.

2. In order to gain a sizeable chunk of the market and also retain your clientele, you need to stay on top of your game. The competition is also feeling the pressure in the same way you are. So it's safe to assume they are thinking of ways to do things differently so as not to be left behind. In other for you not to be stagnant, you need to implement some of the following economic methods.

- Research markets that are immune to recession and go into business with those you think will survive.

- Provide services at price that would provide optimal value for clients.

- Develop special relationships so as to be a household name, and provide quality services to regular discounts.

- Venture into rising businesses. This way the only way you move is forward.

- Create value. This changes the perception from a cost driven business to profit driven.

- Make yourself irreplaceable to your clientele.

3. There are business environments that react in an unconventional way to economic change. These business models find ways to limit risk while demand premium fees for their services thereby making huge profits in return.

An example could be found in a company operating in a small market where the competition was leaving faster than the market was tumbling, they gained market share, raised prices and made a fortune. Another opportunity was found in a market no one ventured in because of a high risk of failure.

Any venture has risks and the medical staffing industry is no different. But, lowering the risks and understanding the industry and the economy certainly help in the success of your business. Having the right tools and the right guidance in today's economy is critical to your success.

The Workforce Staffing Network: It is the source for medical staffing entrepreneurs, recruiters and industry leaders. WSN focuses on education for all aspects of the medical staffing industry. For more information about WSN, visit us at http://www.workforcestaffingnetwork.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Roy_Vera/33413

4 Founder Mistakes That Make Most Startups Fail

1) Believing that revenue is optional This is indigenous to the tech startup scene, but it definitely crops up elsewhere too. There is a mythology, perpetuated almost entirely by the Silicon Valley VC set, that a startup is somehow a new and trendy concept whose primary model is basically "raise lots of money, acquire as many users as possible, and then figure out how to monetise them or sell to someone who can".

It's a seductive idea because, for the founder, it bypasses the daunting prospect of having to worry about revenue, sales and all those other scary things. This feels great of course, because it allows the founder to stay in their comfort zone and indulge the satisfaction of making the perfect product without having to rely on sales to get there. In reality, it's merely delaying the day when the company has to face rejection and criticism from potential customers.

It's an approach that taps deep into our human fear of rejection and failure and promises a comforting alternative where these fears can be avoided altogether. It's such a powerful fear for most that an enthusiastic, widespread and elaborate mythology has developed around this type of "business model", with the sole purpose of trying to affirm something that we want to be true. But it isn't true: a startup is a business, and sooner or later it needs to make money. Founders who realise this and have a plan to monetise from the start are far more likely to succeed.

2) Underestimating the importance of cashflow I learned this lesson the hard way when my first business was snuffed out almost instantly by a lack of cash. The rate at which the cash ran out was much faster than I expected, but the speed at which the rest of the business fell apart as a result of running out of cash was alarming. Thankfully I was only 24 and was able to recover fairly quickly, but I see the mistake being repeated over and over again with new startups.

Why does this happen? Similarly to the previous point, it's largely avoidance psychology: the prospect of running out of cash triggers the primal fear of failure so people will go to surprising lengths to avoid facing it. Naivety is also often a major factor: spending too much on the less important things such as big plush offices and equipment, hiring too many people too quickly, failing to hustle and negotiate better deals on costs, and other such missteps. Lack of information is a common problem too, as critical cash drains like tax, insurance and travel costs are often either underestimated or simply not accounted for in the early forecasts.

All of which is avoidable with some proper planning and research before you dive in. Founders who are willing to spend the time doing that (often tedious) groundwork are giving themselves a much better chance of success.

3) Focusing on the sexy stuff Being successful in business is hard work, everybody knows that. But what separates many successful founders from the rest is their ability and willingness to do the tedious, repetitive work that drives a business forward day in and day out. In other words, pushing through the grind instead of focusing entirely on the sexy and glamorous work.

The problem is that it's very easy to be extremely busy as a founder, as there are so many things to do at any given point. And as human beings we naturally gravitate towards the things we enjoy first, leaving the boring slog work until later. As a result, many founders who are guilty of ignoring the truly hard work probably don't even realise it, only to scratch their heads when it all goes wrong.

By grind work I am not specifically referring to admin - which can easily be automated or outsourced in a number of low cost ways today - but rather activities such as analysing your customer behaviours every day, trawling through social channels daily to build up momentum, writing regular blog posts that nobody seems to read, speaking to tax advisors about R&D credits, filling out patent and trademark forms, building and testing marketing and sales automations, and all the other energy-sucking bits of unsexy work that go into building a business's early momentum. These are all things that a founder must be willing to do themselves at first, knowing that the reward is much further down the line. Many founders make the mistake of believing that they are above this type of work from day one, and they are nearly always wrong.

4) Giving up too easily This is a big one, but I see it derail people so often (myself included, in my earlier ventures). At some point, the general struggles of starting a business up from scratch will become overwhelming, and some major problem will push the founder to the edge of wanting to quit. I refer to this as the wall, in reference to the wall that marathon runners hit when their body starts screaming at them to give up.

This is often a critical milestone in a business's development. Just as in a marathon, a person's ability to push through this wall is a huge determining factor in their likelihood of finishing the race, and business is no different. But really, this is the central essence of running any kind of business. The ability and fortitude to overcome difficult challenges is one of the foundational characteristics of any successful founder, and the struggle should be the fuel that drives them. Founders who expect, embrace and face challenges head-on will be amongst those left standing after the 90% have faded away.

Conclusion The 90% statistic is accurate, but it is also an oversimplification of the landscape. Succeeding at business is not a game of chance, it is a battle of will where the most realistic, durable and pragmatic individuals thrive. Founders who have, or are willing to build, these characteristics will have the best chance of being in the 10%. Those who don't or won't, will be found out quickly enough.

Firedrop is currently crowdfunding, don't miss an amazing opportunity to be part of the future of AI website builders: https://firedrop.ai/invest/ If you want to learn more about how our platform can help your company grow, make sure to go to our website where we are offering free access to our beta.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marc_Crouch/2301747

Faith in a Seed, Investment in the Roots: Cultivating the Garden of an Entrepreneurial Venture

Henry David Thoreau once stated, "Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders." While I appreciate this quote, I think that it perhaps puts too much emphasis on the seed (or idea) alone. While a seed is necessary, I feel that attention should turn towards the roots (processes, goals, human capital, etc.) that single seed can lead to developing.

In fact, this observation reminds me of the recent Western Carolina University Leadership Development tour of the Cradle of Forestry in Western North Carolina, where I learned of the approach to life (and development) that an oak tree will adopt. Interestingly, in its first approximately 20 - 25 years of life an oak tree will spend ~70% - 80% of its energy and resources developing a robust and pervasive root system. In this example, while the seed is the starting point, it is the root system of a future, mighty oak that serves as the real genius of its development.

I think it is important to reflect on the oak tree's approach to life. Instead of growing tall and strong first, the oak tree stays small and chooses initially to grow deep, deep into the earth. An oak tree grows with their long or end game in mind, not for the instant gratification and short-term results. This approach to life carries a lesson for all of us as human beings, but takes on a particularly relevant lesson for those of us who, as Machiavelli stated, "choose to take on a new order of things" in the form of innovation and entrepreneurship.

For example, when you think about an entrepreneurial venture, what you see standing above the surface is but a fraction of the energy and results of the effort invested in that organization or idea. For the purpose of this article, the primary components of a start-up's root system are as follows:

• Value Proposition - identifies an aspect of your product/service that makes your offering appealing to potential customers and helps sell and market that product. This serves as the cornerstone to your venture.
• Talent Development/Cultivation - a basic strategy for bringing in, developing, inspiring, and maintaining the best talent associated with your venture with the greater goal of sustainability. Additionally, talent development can help maintain consistency, trust, and more exceptional customer service or product development, while aligning with the application of your value proposition.
• Strategic/Business Plan - frames your venture in a standard way by providing objectives and methods/strategies for reaching them. This is a recognized document that potential funders can relate to and it serves as a more accurate and robust expansion of your idea/product, the value proposition, and the stakeholders involved.

Finally, as an entrepreneur, the most valuable lesson to take away from the mighty oak is to remember to stay true to your roots. By doing this, you will invest your time, energy, expertise, and resources into your roots. If you nurture your roots, they can support you as you continue to grow to new heights and new depths!

6 Awesome Tips for Starting a Business Overseas

Let's do this step-by-step. It's a challenging road to success. I ran an online business in Asia focusing on providing a platform for local and foreign businesses to integrate and automate paid advertisements on social media. The platform provided unique written, designed and tested campaigns, which could be tweaked accordingly. It was a very challenging task to meet all the demands of (potential) customers, but it was well worth it.

Before packing your bags, start reading these 6 awesome tips for starting a business overseas:

1. Local Culture

The local culture and habits are extremely important for any entrepreneur who's looking to start a business in another country. It is essential to know the ins- and outs of the local environment and how to get around. As hard as it might be, try to find a local investor or a business advisor who can inform and explain key factors of doing business in a specific area. Depending on your business and target market, get to know local consumer behavior. It's key for your potential business to have local partners who are trustworthy; this key point can make or break your business.

Local business events are a great way to meet new people in the area. In case you are looking to build a network before flying out, which is a smart thing to do, use your current network to see if you can connect to someone doing business in that area. Another possibility would be to join expat communities and ask questions there. Join Facebook groups! They are surprisingly effective.

2. Language

Studying a new language is hard and very time-consuming. It may even present a bigger barrier for you than running an actual business. However, learning the local language will prove to be a huge advantage when doing business with local people. Especially in Asian countries, people will show you more respect and trust when you speak the language. Besides the fact that communication will be easier, it's easier to meet new people and you'll most likely get better deals.

3. Way of Life

Integrate with the local community and neighbors through events and other get-togethers. This is a great way to meet new people, potential clients, potential business partners and besides that, a great way to learn more about the country and its culture. It's an awesome experience to see, understand and feel how the local people live their life. Learn about their values and vision in life. Study the local market and local economy and how that knowledge can profit your business.

4. Competition

It is critical for entrepreneurs, regardless of country or business industry, to fully understand the competition. However, entrepreneurs should not only focus on the current competition model. Have a look at what happened in the past, try to find companies in your industry or somewhat related who have failed to succeed. Examine their conditions and learn from the mistakes those companies made. After all, learning from mistakes is a highly valuable asset. Also, find companies that have succeeded in their market and compare them to the failed companies. Figure out the key differences and implement this in your own business plan.

5. Network

Networking is one of the most important key aspects of running a successful business. As you make the move to another country, the network you build in your home-country will become less valuable abroad. Therefore building an international network is increasingly important. Meeting the right people at the right time can make a huge difference in your business' growth. As mentioned earlier, try to connect with expats or already established communities in the local area. Many Asian countries have specific groups that organize events for members for a small monthly fee. Or join Facebook groups that are free and offer a community atmosphere.

When I moved to Asia to build my own startup, I tried to connect to many businesses at a very early stage by emailing or calling them. It was extremely beneficial to meet businesses and other entrepreneurs and resulted in a lot of new connections and trusted contacts. It turned out to be a valuable for both sides, short- and long-term.

6. Health Insurance

An obvious, but often overlooked, factor when moving to a different country is health insurance. Many expats don't necessarily recognize the importance of good international health insurance coverage. I highly recommend finding a health insurance plan that fits your personal needs and select the most suitable plan for you. For example, if you require routine visits to a therapist or chiropractor, finding a suitable doctor in another country can be difficult. Check with your insurance provider whether they keep a list or communities of the best doctors in your new country. This will take the stress out of searching for a doctor as you're simultaneously settling in.

Starting my own business abroad was single-handedly one of the most exciting things I've ever done in my life, but it was not an easy thing to do by any means. Don't just randomly choose an industry or country, but take your time, be patient and come prepared. Of course, keep in mind some of my tips, I'm positive it will contribute to your success and give you an experience of a lifetime, something you will never forget!

About Marcel de Jong - An entrepreneur living in Asia for the past 12 years and specialized in individual & business insurances. His passion is traveling and to deliver relevant information and easy-to- use online tools. Since 2013 he's blogging for Now Health. Check out more information at https://www.now-health.com/en/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marcel_De_Jong/2416413

2 Reasons Why Business Plans Will Never Disappear

After graduating with an MBA, I thought I had figured out the way to ensure entrepreneurial business success. Up to this time, I had failed twice in operating a pair of businesses (an online travel agency and a network marketing business). One of the things that I did not value during this time was having a clear and focused plan. The courses I took taught me about business plans, but did not make clear the value of having a comprehensive. Over ten years later and various opportunities of working with and for entrepreneurs in addition to operating a consulting business, I've come to realize that without a clear and focused business plan, the owner and / or investor is well on his or her way to a quick dissolution and a possible material decrease in personal net worth. The purpose of this article is to reinforce the importance of taking the time to create a solid business plan and initiating the action to make it a reality.

Reason 1: Is the Business Opportunity Valid?

Too many times I've had the unfortunate privilege of talking about entrepreneurial opportunities with aspiring business owners with the only goal being the desire to make money. Don't get me wrong, making money is great provided the motivation is right. Making money for the sake of having it only is a dead-end plan.

The business plan motivates one to give critical thought and time to a viable market opportunity that truly provides a solution to either a pain or need in the market. What judges whether a market opportunity is valid or not depends on the ability of the business owner to prove market demand. The best method of proving market demand is to disclose actual sales. The only way to prove a business's ability to maintain for the long-term is to disclose a sustainable sales track record.

Reason 2: Where is the Business Going?

In addition to being able to prove the business idea viability by having sustainable actual sales, the business owner needs to have an objective for operating the business. No one just starts and operates a business for the kicks and giggles of it. Either as a way to build and extract personal wealth or as a manifestation of a life long calling, the business represents a vehicle for one to achieve an ideal goal.

The business plan provides a framework for one to disclose to investors, employees, and other important components of the business why it exists and where it's going. I've learned that the business plan is a moving document in that it's always in a state of revision. As the business continues to operate, it will achieve and overcome its initial goals. As time progresses and the market changes, the business will revise and updates its reason for existence.

jerichobizfinance.com is an online platform that specializes in providing expert level advice and guidance to the micro entrepreneur in the areas of accounting / finance, operations, management, sales and marketing, human resources, and lending in order to help grow your business and maximize your cash flow.

Please visit http://www.jerichobizfinance.com to learn more.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Pierre_Pinkerton/1809337

How To Stay Alert And Aware As An Entrepreneur

What makes a successful entrepreneur? Of course, the answer to that is many different things but one of them is definitely their ability to know what is going on within their own industry, within the world of business in general and especially with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

Successful business owners keep up on what is going on and stay informed of the latest trends, market shifts and opportunities so that they can take any advantage they can get to make their business grow. So, how they stay in the loop so successfully?

#1 Successful Entrepreneurs Talk to Other Entrepreneurs

People there in business for themselves don't exist in a vacuum. Besides their customers, suppliers and all of the other support systems that they have around their business, they also have friends and colleagues that are also entrepreneurs and keeping up with these people is one of the best ways that they have a staying informed.

Whatever the virtual water cooler happens to be of these entrepreneurs - usually a forum or social media network - they share information, give advice and keep each other updated about entrepreneurship.

#2 Successful Entrepreneurs Read (A Lot!)

One thing that you will notice about those successful in the business world is they tend to read publications, websites or even social media posts about their business - and that includes books by some of the most successful motivational authors.

The successful people like to stay informed and they like to learn new things. There is so much information on the Internet that you could spend decades learning about a subject and still not know everything about it and being as informed as possible is equal to being as successful as possible.

#3 Successful Entrepreneurs Use The Insider Intel To Improve Their Business

All this information that they gather isn't just going to sit stagnant, either. They are going to use this information to improve their business, increase their revenue or bring in more customers. Successful entrepreneurs know when they learned something useful and work to implement it as quickly as possible.

#4 Successful Entrepreneurs Help Others Succeed Too

Another thing that you'll see is that the more successful entrepreneurs they become, the more willing they are to help other people succeed at the same time. They have been where the budding entrepreneurs currently are and remember what it was like to enter the fray with only the basics. Most successful entrepreneurs are more than willing to share their knowledge and mentor the newbies.

By the way, Keye Wu is on a mission to transform 1 million guys into the most productive, masculine and purposeful men. If you REALLY do not know the 5 Little Known Ways To Double Your Productivity For Men yet, we need to fix that. Join hundreds of other men already using it right now FREE in my value-packed productivity blog here. Alternatively, check out one of my most popular flowstate video here.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Keye_Wu/2314157

How To Be The Right Person For Entrepreneurial Success

So, who's the right person to be an entrepreneur? Is there such a thing at all? The truth is, just about anyone can be an entrepreneur if they put in the work.

But it does take a certain character of the person to become a successful entrepreneur.

The type of person that is the most successful at this can be found all over the world doing things in life that give them the skills that they need to be an entrepreneur. With attributes like drive, determination, patience, the ability to recognize a good idea and persistence many different types of people have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Below are a couple of examples of the wide range of entrepreneurs.

College Students: anyone who's attended college knows that being a student can be one of the toughest periods of your life. Of course, it can also be one of the most rewarding since young adults are exploring their independence for the first time.

But with all of the hard work that they have to put in with homework, attending classes and participating in school activities, college students have what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs.

Stay-at-Home Parents: another group that is perfect for the entrepreneurial is the stay-at-home parent. One thing that these people have going for them is the ability to sneak in some work when they aren't caring for children, doing housework or running errands.

A woman taking care of an infant might be able to get two hours of work in while the baby sleeping or other stay-at-home parents can work whether kids are in school.

Seniors: senior citizens are in a perfect position to become successful entrepreneurs. If they are retired, they have a lot of time on their hands, which combines perfectly with all of their skills and experience that they've gained throughout their life.

Seniors who become entrepreneurs find not only financial benefits but also a rewarding activity to keep them busy during retirement.

In short, anyone can be an entrepreneur if they want to.

Men and women both have an equal chance of becoming a successful entrepreneur, based upon their individual skills, and even children can start early and become entrepreneurs at any age - which can be seen in the occasional lemonade stand in your own neighborhood.

No matter who you are or what your particular skills and abilities are, you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur. You just need to implement your great idea as fast as possible while willing to take on a lot of hard work.

By the way, Keye Wu is on a mission to transform 1 million guys into the most productive, masculine and purposeful men. If you REALLY do not know the 5 Little Known Ways To Double Your Productivity For Men yet, we need to fix that. Join hundreds of other men already using it right now FREE in my value-packed productivity blog here. Alternatively, check out one of my most popular flowstate video here.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Keye_Wu/2314157

5 Ways To Be The Best Online Service Provider

If your online business venture is more focused on providing services, you definitely want to provide the best service possible and be the number one person that people go to when they need your particular service.

There are lots of service providers on the Internet these days, things like freelance writing and editing, grammar proofreading, voiceover services, graphic design, animation videos, programming, website creation, link building or any other service.

There are professionals with huge price tags and sites like Fiverr that make some services incredibly cheap but no matter which part of the spectrum you're at right now, there are a few ways to be the best service writer possible.

1. Don't charge prices based on the market, especially if you're trying to undercut the competition.

Price your services based on what you think they're worth and don't worry if some people are willing to pay the price because you'll find people looking for quality work like yours that are willing to pay good money for it.

2. Be consistent with all of your clients even if they don't know each other.

Charge the same basic prices to all of the clients that you have, promise the same deadlines and don't pick and choose policies based upon the client. If they ever do encounter each other, you may lose both of them.

3. Double and triple check your work before you send it out.

Even catching one or two minor mistakes could mean the difference between a client coming back or not, or telling other people about your services. Take a few extra minutes with every single project and make sure it is 100% what the client wanted and that it is your absolute best work.

4. Be okay with saying no.

There may be some projects that you don't want to work on and it doesn't really matter what the reason is. You could have a moral objection or could be just too much work for the price that the person is willing to pay.

The point is that you should be willing to say no to clients. They will respect you and not ask for unreasonable expectations in the future.

5. Figure out what people's problems are and then try to solve them.

If you can come up with solutions to people's problems other than your regular services, you could make a great deal more money and could spark a business idea that will take you to the big-time.

These are the 5 simple yet powerful ways when you start your service-based online entrepreneurial endeavor. Use them and differentiate yourself to be the best go-to expert in your industry today!

By the way, Keye Wu is on a mission to transform 1 million guys into the most productive, masculine and purposeful men. If you REALLY do not know the 5 Little Known Ways To Double Your Productivity For Men yet, we need to fix that. Join hundreds of other men already using it right now FREE in my value-packed productivity blog here. Alternatively, check out one of my most popular flowstate video here.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Keye_Wu/2314157

Should You Make The Decision To Start A Business And Retire Early?

Till about a decade ago, it was believed that 'Voluntary Retirement' was something that was applicable only to those who were doing some job with an employer. Retiring early was an option with the service class people only. Entrepreneurs were supposed to be goal oriented workaholic people who had no right to retire from what they were doing. And so, entrepreneurs moved progressively from their valuation dream of $1 million to $10 million and so on. An entrepreneur was not expected to draw a line and say, "This much and no more." He or she was expected to work as long as he or she possibly could.

Starting a business is not easy, and building one that will bring enormous cash to your pocket is even harder. However, you must do what is in your heart. If you feel that you want to start your own business then you should make that decision. However, I am about to share a story that may help you with that decision.

Here Is A Story About An Entrepreneur Named John:

Well, my school time friend and neighbor John was an exception to the above. John was not from a very rich family. But he was indeed very ambitious and daring. He was a thinker and planner, even in the school days. He had a knack for getting into any and every thing related to mechanics and technology. And yes, he dreamed real big!

John started out as an entrepreneur at the age of 20. He managed to get himself a hefty business loan from the neighboring bank. He soon expanded his export business exponentially. His success graph continued to move northwards at a fast pace. And at 39 years of age, he surprised his family and friends by announcing his decision to retire and leaped full time into his childhood passion of outdoor photography. John had already built a fortune for himself and his family by this time. Retiring early had been in his mind for decades.

John is now close to 65 years. We often have our afternoon coffee together and talk about almost anything under the sun. John is enjoying his life to the fullest. He now spends less money on drinking beer in a bar. But he enjoys just as many sessions of beer at home, just like the good old days. He loves to buy new clothes and also spends lavish amounts of money on his outdoor photography. He had planned his retirement well and never regrets his decision.

John always knew the power of compounding and had made good investments in his early days. They are paying hefty dividends now. John had achieved his financial independence early on his life. He never pays any investment fees. He spends less and enjoys more. A joyous retired life to John!

Should You Make The Decision To Start A Business And Retire Early?

The answer is yes. The reason why is because John was able to enjoy a higher quality lifestyle by starting his own investments. However, to be realistic, you must get educated. You must consult with experts on how to build your own business empire.

For more information on how to live a higher quality lifestyle like John for yourself by starting your own lucrative investment, check out Higher Quality Lifestyle

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marc-Eddy_Drouinaud_Jr/2289154

Entrepreneurs Are The Real Difference Makers

"Be not simply good; be good for something."
Henry David Thoreau

If you want to make a real difference in the world- - start a business; it is as simple as that. Have you ever heard people say how easy it is to make a difference in someone else's life? You hear all kinds of things like: smile; buy a stranger a cup of coffee, or pay for their meal; pay a compliment, give a helping hand, do some volunteer work, make a care package, and of course- donate.

But really, what kind of difference is any of that really making when you get down to it? Those gestures, no matter how genuine you are do not necessarily impact your community, city, nation or the world in a monumental way.

The dictionary defines difference as: a point or way in which people or things are not the same. A synonym of difference is: distinction, which means: excellence that sets someone or something apart from others.

Smiling, complimenting, helping, volunteering, paying for someone's meal and even donating are things not so distinct; but are things that most of us do regularly in our everyday lives'. Business is what sets others apart. Business is the way to make a difference in the lives of people.

Business raises society's awareness of their rights through advertisements. Business produces products and services to meet people's needs. Business provides employment opportunities. Businesses make cities, states and even the country money through the exporting of goods.

Businesses are concerned with profits; which is where more revenue is gathered than it costs in expenses. That in turn leaves a surplus that can be invested in making the world a better place. That is, business via the mechanism of profit can help increase available resources and help fulfill a greater number and a higher level of human needs by investing in housing, education and social matters which ultimately makes the world a better place.

And if you aren't confident that you have what it takes, then let me reassure you that you do. If you have an idea, vision, burning desire and dream of ways to solve problems that people or the planet faces, then you do have what it takes. That is your purpose. You were born to solve that particular problem and it might not ever go away or get better until you take action. As you pursue your purpose, the right resources and opportunities become available to you. One resource to get you started is business credit cards.

Business credit cards are based on a personal guarantee. So, there are several criteria that must be met to be approved: 720 credit score, 30% debt-to-credit ratio, no bankruptcies, no foreclosures, no missing payments in the past 24 months of making application, one or more credit cards with a $5,000 maximum limit and a 10 year personal credit history. And if you are short on any of these criteria mentioned, you can receive mentorship from business credit card consultants on how to meet those must-haves.

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
- Edward Everett Hale

Why sit back and watch the same problems continue because you don't feel equipped to handle them. Everyone starts at the same place: the beginning.

You have the ability and the opportunity to set yourself apart and make a tangible difference in your community, city, state and possibly the world; and in the process you can revamp your life and transform the lives of others! It's only an application away. Apply today and you will receive a funding estimate within 24 hours:

https://mwcc.wufoo.com/forms/janine-herrera-prequalification-form/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Janine_Herrera/2328775

What Is Bootstrapping?

What is it?

When an entrepreneur decides to create a new business, how to achieve financing for the business is one of the most important elements in their business plan. Over 80% of all new businesses are funded by personal finances or bootstrapping. (Investopedia) Bootstrapping is when a new company is funded by the entrepreneur's funds or with company revenues. Private funding comes from savings or credit cards. Bootstrappers may choose to use company revenue to support the business and grow at the rate possible with the revenue. There are many well known large corporations that started by bootstrapping. For example, DELL computers and the world's most popular soft drink started out with the bootstrapping method.

How do you do it?

To start, the company founder uses their own savings to create the business. Also, personal credit cards might be utilized. Once the company generates revenue, the revenue can be used to continue business growth. This allows the company to grow at a rate that makes needing outside funding unnecessary. $10,000 is reported to be the median for start-up capital. (Investopedia)

What are the advantages?

There are several advantages to bootstrapping. It allows the founder to have complete control of the company. They do not have to answer to investors or dilute their ownership in the enterprise. This allows creative freedom and for the owner to work at a comfortable pace. The founder can try out ideas without needing other's approval.

What are the disadvantages?

Bootstrapping may not be the best funding option for all entrepreneurs. A disadvantage is that the founder will need to be able to manage their personal funding being repaid as well as managing the company's finances. If an entrepreneur's business venture fails, they have the potential to have a massive personal financial loss. Also, when bootstrapping the company may have slower growth due to the start-up money being less than a company may have gotten with an injection of outside funding. Another disadvantage is that outside investors often bring experience and contacts that a founder may be lacking.

Why should you do it?

Bootstrapping is a great way to start a company if the following describes you:

You have personal funds readily available to use to start your new business.

You want to own 100% of your company and do not want to give up any of your equity.

You have time to let your business grow at a pace that is based on the company's revenue, which might take longer than if you received a greater amount of funding from an outside source.

You want creative freedom to try out ideas and work at your own pace without having to answer to other's expectations.

Bootstrapping is a common way to make an entrepreneur's dream a reality. If you have the time, money, and financial organizational skills needed to make it work, you too could be a big player in the computer market or the founder of the world's next most popular soft drink.

References

"Bootstrap." Investopedia. Investopedia, LLC. n.d. Web 1 Oct 2016. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bootstrap.asp

Amy Ruchte is an accomplished professional with years of experience in business, marketing, and management. She is currently enrolled in the Masters of Entrepreneurship Degree Program at Western Carolina University. Webmasters and other article publishers are hereby granted article reproduction permission as long as this article in its entirety, author's information, and any links remain intact. Copyright 2016 by Amy Ruchte.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Amy_Ruchte/2210745

Here Is What Being An Entrepreneur Really Means!

An entrepreneur is a person who takes it upon himself or herself to initiate a business strategy with the hopes of acquiring profit. He or she is the brain of the business organization. He or she is a person who takes risks and profits off of taking them. Entrepreneurs play a major role in a market-based economy. They are people who possess the skills and are willing to gamble and invest some of their own ideas which can lead to profitable opportunity in the business world.

Entrepreneurs are risk takers who create, construct and manage a business and are good at observing and perceiving a good investment that will bring considerable winnings to the business. But like any good business, there needs to be an individual who is willing to invest to gain profits. There are instances where these individuals become arrogant and are not willing to consider advice given by people who, "have been there and done that."

To become a successful entrepreneur in the business market there needs to be a purpose, a plan and a goal. An entrepreneur usually creates a business plan which contains documents that outline the operational and financial objectives that will be taken to achieve future goals. Having a real plan will do a great service for the business. The plan will act as a guide or a course of actions to take on and plans or methods that will be taken to achieve the objective. It's the provision of the business.

Just like any individual who is looking to start a business, you need to find people who think like you. You need to find the right business partners who share the same beliefs and goals you have. You will need to look for business partners with different skill sets to bring growth to the business. But before you break into the market there needs to be a brand and logo to identify your product or service to assist in bringing the business profits to achieve the desired goal.

Want to be an entrepreneur?

The next step you need to do is get educated. You need to do some real research. You must ask yourself these questions; Do you think you would be interested in a home business? What products or services would you enjoy selling? Who can be the best help to assist you in reaching the goals of your company?

Luckily for you, there are experts who can assist you in finding the answers to those questions.

For more information on being an entrepreneur and how to build a company you can be proud of, go to Financial Potential

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marc-Eddy_Drouinaud_Jr/2289154

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9584058

How To Start A Low Cost Business

To started a low cost business in the traditional world of bricks and mortar is very challenging. You need to make significant investments in recruiting, stock, apparatus and property to trade from. However, an online business is different. All you need is one person, one computer, limited capital and access to the internet.

You will need to spend some money purchasing a website domain name and hosting for your website. You can build your own website (it's not as complicated as you might think) or you can employ a freelancer to build it for you. But these are minimal costs as compared to the substantial costs of renting a physical building to operate from, buying stock or employing staff.

So what options do you have to start a low cost business online?

1. Sell Other People's Products

This online business model, known as affiliate marketing, is like being a commission paid sales person. You don't have to buy any stock, deal with any payment programs or arrange any deliveries. The product owner takes care of that. Your job is to find the customers and get them to visit the product sales page. You can sell tangible products that get shipped to the customer's front door or you can sell digital products which the customer downloads to their computer.

2. Freelance Your Services Online

If you have a specific level of knowledge or expertise there will be people looking online for them. Freelance websites like UpWork have countless numbers of customers looking for copy writers, creative designers, linguists, website developers, marketing and advertising staff, legal and financial specialists and more.

3. Create A Digital Product

The greatest advantage when you a create digital product is that once you have produced it, you can sell it online again and again. And you don't need to be an expert in a particular subject to create a digital product like an eBook, video tutorial, white paper, or report. You just need to know more than the average person on your chosen subject.

4. Build A Membership Website

A membership site is like being like a consultant in the traditional offline world. You help and advise clients with your knowledge about your specialist subject. Every month you provide new content for your paying subscribers. You can produce content in advance that drip feeds to your clients when they sign up.

5. Become An Online Teacher

If you have particular know-how about a certain subject, you can pass on your knowledge to students from all over the world. People may not have a teacher near to where they live and don't want to travel for long distances for their learning. But, the internet makes it easy for you and your students to use online video and audio connections. You can set up one-to-one classes or group classes.

When you start a low cost business online it can be both exciting and daunting. You may worry that you'll get caught up with technical issues or you might feel that you're too old, too young or too inexperienced for the online business world. But it's much more straight forward than you think. Just follow these 5 steps: http://jonallo.com/start-a-home-business-online/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jon_Allo/1079948