If you want to sell your house, or any piece of real estate property for that matter, the first thing that you should do is to come up with a great real estate advertisement. An effective advertisement will drum up interest for your property and entice people to visit the spot to appreciate the place better. On the flip side, a poorly-written real estate advertisement could not only turn away potential buyers but could also lower the value of your property. Writing a great ad goes beyond putting together a string of good adjectives to describe your property. Providing too much info can actually scare or intimidate buyers. Providing too little could make your buyer think that you are hiding something. Here are some steps and tips to remember in writing your own real estate advertisement.
* Do some research and read other property advertisements. Open the newspaper and read through the house listings. Is there an advertisement that quickly grabbed your interest? Think of the reason why you were attracted by the ad. Go online and look for professionally written advertisements. This should help you come up with the structure of the advertisement that you will write for your own property.
* Write down all the features of your house or real estate property. Since you are the owner, you will now what qualities and features of your house that you like best. These are the ones that you need to highlight in your ad. List all the other features that you can think of. Once you are done, go over your list and weed out the ones that are not so important.
* Think of a catchy headline and start your advertisement with the special or unique features of your home. Just like any other form of advertisement, getting people interested in reading your ad is the first step in selling it. Do you have a pool? Has your kitchen been recently remodeled to fit a chef’s needs? Use adjectives in describing your property and furnishings. “Oak flooring,” “granite countertops,” These are the things that you need to mention in the first few lines of the advertisement.
* Provide the basic information regarding the place. People on the lookout for real estate properties will always ask about location, number of rooms and bathrooms, size of the lot and the floor area of the house, and the price that you are asking for. After you have provided these, give the other features that you think will be relevant to a buyer. Give a general idea of the condition of the house and specify any renovations or remodeling conducted on the property. Avoid lines that profile buyers such as, “Great for a small family”. If possible, describe the neighborhood as well. Try to keep your description to about a hundred words.
* If you are posting the ad on a website, try to include photographs of your property in its best state. Newspapers generally do not allow for pictures to go along with advertisements unless you are willing to pay for extra charges. If, however, you will be putting your ad up on a website, these typically have features for you to upload some pictures of the property. Make sure to clean up the area first before you take pictures. Make sure that you do not have toys and clothes lying on the floors or piled up in a corner. Make sure that the pictures are clear.
* Finally, write down the information of the person who the buyers should contact. If you plan on handling any inquiries yourself, provide your name, email address, and phone number. If necessary, indicate on your ad the time when buyers could contact you.
Once you are done writing your ad, show it to a friend or relative and ask for an honest appraisal. Get their feedback and use this to improve your advertisement. Once you finish your final draft and choose the best photos to go with the ad, send it to the office of your local newspaper or post it on a community website.
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 May 2011
How To Write a New Employee Press Release
If you have a new employee in your company, you should take the time to make a press release for him. This is a smart move not just to let other employees know of him (which is important specially if the new employee’s tasks will bring him to close association with his co-workers), but to boost employee morale as well.
* Determine whether the press release will be strictly professional and formal, or very laidback. This will depend on the overall atmosphere of your company. Take your cue from previous newsletters and press releases. You might even want to create two types of employee press release: a formal one for wider release, including to the bosses and managers, and an informal one for your department, to foster camaraderie and good fun among the employees.
* Begin by stating the new employee’s work and task responsibilities in the company. This is actually what’s most important for the other employees to know.
* Include a short bio about the new employee. The most important details to include here are his previous training and work experience. You could also include details such as his place of origin, the name of his college/ university and his birthday (excluding the year, if this is his choice; see next tip).
* Acquire permission to report all the information. This is very important: for his own good reasons, he may not desire the entire company to know about his birthday or other personal details about him. While you’re talking with him, you should also take the time to confirm with him if all the details that you have about him are accurate.
* Obtain a quote from him about how it’s like to work for the company. This is great for either opening your press release, or closing it. Plus, the other employees will probably be interested to know about the impression they are making on the new guy.
* Obtain a quote from upper management about their impression on the new employee. This could be a great way to boost the morale of the new employee and make him feel like he is part of the work family already.
* Know of other information that you may include. Again, this will largely depend on the degree of formality/ informality that your press release will take. If you work at a small, local business with few employees, for example, it may be more important to make the new employee feel at home in your company. You could include more personal information such as his favorites, his hobbies, and data about his family. Again, it’s very important that you seek his approval before you publish any of this information.
* Follow the format of previous press releases. To reduce any possibility of going against company procedures, it’s best that you format your press release according to previous ones. If other press releases have pictures, then you should add one to this new press release, as well. You could also consider sending out an email to every employee instead of a printed memo-type press release; this way, you could save up on resources and not add on to anyone’s clutter, too.
Remember, writing a new employee press release is all a matter of finding how formal or informal you should make it to be, and ensuring that every piece of information that you report is accurate.
* Determine whether the press release will be strictly professional and formal, or very laidback. This will depend on the overall atmosphere of your company. Take your cue from previous newsletters and press releases. You might even want to create two types of employee press release: a formal one for wider release, including to the bosses and managers, and an informal one for your department, to foster camaraderie and good fun among the employees.
* Begin by stating the new employee’s work and task responsibilities in the company. This is actually what’s most important for the other employees to know.
* Include a short bio about the new employee. The most important details to include here are his previous training and work experience. You could also include details such as his place of origin, the name of his college/ university and his birthday (excluding the year, if this is his choice; see next tip).
* Acquire permission to report all the information. This is very important: for his own good reasons, he may not desire the entire company to know about his birthday or other personal details about him. While you’re talking with him, you should also take the time to confirm with him if all the details that you have about him are accurate.
* Obtain a quote from him about how it’s like to work for the company. This is great for either opening your press release, or closing it. Plus, the other employees will probably be interested to know about the impression they are making on the new guy.
* Obtain a quote from upper management about their impression on the new employee. This could be a great way to boost the morale of the new employee and make him feel like he is part of the work family already.
* Know of other information that you may include. Again, this will largely depend on the degree of formality/ informality that your press release will take. If you work at a small, local business with few employees, for example, it may be more important to make the new employee feel at home in your company. You could include more personal information such as his favorites, his hobbies, and data about his family. Again, it’s very important that you seek his approval before you publish any of this information.
* Follow the format of previous press releases. To reduce any possibility of going against company procedures, it’s best that you format your press release according to previous ones. If other press releases have pictures, then you should add one to this new press release, as well. You could also consider sending out an email to every employee instead of a printed memo-type press release; this way, you could save up on resources and not add on to anyone’s clutter, too.
Remember, writing a new employee press release is all a matter of finding how formal or informal you should make it to be, and ensuring that every piece of information that you report is accurate.
How To Write a Persuasive Business Message
When you are writing for a business, the key word is persuasion. Indeed, advertising is regarded as the art of persuasion, for the simple and obvious reason that you are selling your product, business, idea, and service to prospective consumers. Hence, when you are writing a business message, it has to be persuasive. To write a persuasive business message, here are some steps that you can follow.
* Know what you are talking about. The first step in writing a persuasive business message is to know what you are talking about. Do you know sufficient information about the product or business? If not, then you have to learn more before you can write about it. Do not bluff your way in writing a persuasive business message because it will sooner or later haunt you. First of all, before you can persuade somebody else, you must be convinced yourself. If you are not convinced, then you have a problem with your business and product. Once your consumers buy into your message and find out what a fraud you are, then they would turn into an angry mob that could be a bigger problem for you down the line. So be honest. Keep in mind that you just have to be persuasive, you do not have to lie.
* Know who you are talking to. There are different ways of being persuasive, and a large part of that depends on who you are talking to. Hence it is very important that you know who you are talking to, what their sensibilities and concerns are, why they would be interested in what you have to say, and why you will be worth their time. Frame your message according to the best possible way that it would make sense for them to buy your product.
# Be creative. Do not just say please try our product. Say it in different ways creatively. Inject some humor, employ some real-life testimonies, do something radical that will get people’s attention. Do not be plain.
# No hard sell please. Persuasion means making the other person do something out of their own accord that they would otherwise not do without your persuasive message. Selling your products outright and directly would tend to put off some people, and they would not be engaged to know more about your product unless they are already interested in your product I the first place. To get people interested in your product, hook them with witty lines and relevant message, but not with forceful messaging.
# Get them to try. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, get potential customers to try your business and product. If you have to say anything, just get them to try your product. The whole test of a persuasive business message is to get the people to try your product and what you are offering. Once they try your product or business they will be able to make a decision for them to love your product and to make a place for it in their lives if it is truly a great and relevant product.
* Know what you are talking about. The first step in writing a persuasive business message is to know what you are talking about. Do you know sufficient information about the product or business? If not, then you have to learn more before you can write about it. Do not bluff your way in writing a persuasive business message because it will sooner or later haunt you. First of all, before you can persuade somebody else, you must be convinced yourself. If you are not convinced, then you have a problem with your business and product. Once your consumers buy into your message and find out what a fraud you are, then they would turn into an angry mob that could be a bigger problem for you down the line. So be honest. Keep in mind that you just have to be persuasive, you do not have to lie.
* Know who you are talking to. There are different ways of being persuasive, and a large part of that depends on who you are talking to. Hence it is very important that you know who you are talking to, what their sensibilities and concerns are, why they would be interested in what you have to say, and why you will be worth their time. Frame your message according to the best possible way that it would make sense for them to buy your product.
# Be creative. Do not just say please try our product. Say it in different ways creatively. Inject some humor, employ some real-life testimonies, do something radical that will get people’s attention. Do not be plain.
# No hard sell please. Persuasion means making the other person do something out of their own accord that they would otherwise not do without your persuasive message. Selling your products outright and directly would tend to put off some people, and they would not be engaged to know more about your product unless they are already interested in your product I the first place. To get people interested in your product, hook them with witty lines and relevant message, but not with forceful messaging.
# Get them to try. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, get potential customers to try your business and product. If you have to say anything, just get them to try your product. The whole test of a persuasive business message is to get the people to try your product and what you are offering. Once they try your product or business they will be able to make a decision for them to love your product and to make a place for it in their lives if it is truly a great and relevant product.
How To Throw a Direct Sales Online Party
Direct sales often depends on your having a large network of associates and contacts in order to succeed. While a direct sales business works well in face-to-face encounters, direct sales can also work well in an online setting. The concept of the “Tupperware party” has extended to a new dimension, which is online.
Throw a direct sales party online and see your direct sales grow. You can even focus on recruiting your friends and acquaintances to join your direct selling network. Going online is an easy and innovative means of reaching out to potential customers and clients. It will involve a lot of planning, logistics and coordination, though.
* Look for an online chat room. There are numerous online chat rooms that you can use to hold your online party. You can actually opt to go for a public chat room, or a private conference in one of the more popular VoIP or text chat network, such as Skype.
* Prepare the invitations. Since this will be an online meet up, your invitations should also be online. Prepare an email to send out to your virtual guests. Make sure that you include the time and date, the web address of the chat room, and the products and incentives being offered. Include your contact details for any inquiries and outside orders.
* Familiarize yourself with the chat room. Since the will be held online, you will need to familiarize yourself first with the features of the chat room. You would not want to give your guests the impression that you cannot navigate your way through your own online facility. Try to explore the different features and functions of the chat room. You might want to practice with a few associates and friends.
Some chat rooms include video conferencing (such as Skype). This will be ideal if you will be showing actual products to your attendees.
* Be prompt. If the party starts at 7:00 p.m., open the chat room at least 15 minutes ahead of time. Greet the early comers and spend some time knowing them more.
* Start the party. Every time a guest enters the chat room, greet by name to let them know that you recognize each guest accordingly. The presentation must not be lengthy so that the guests will not get tired easily. Make sure your product website is online, and always direct your guests to the website if they want to order. If you have a co-host, make sure you coordinate with each other so that you can highlight the advantages of your products, and so you both know how to reply to inquiries.
* Start some games with prizes. Fun games will make the party more interesting and entertaining. Give some incentives to winning participants, such as discounts and freebies.
When the time comes for the closing, be sure to thank your guests for coming to the party. Give everyone your contact information, and inform them briefly about the overall offer. Make sure you follow up with each and every individual attendee. Earn the trust and confidence of your guests, and your offers will definitely be noticed.
Throw a direct sales party online and see your direct sales grow. You can even focus on recruiting your friends and acquaintances to join your direct selling network. Going online is an easy and innovative means of reaching out to potential customers and clients. It will involve a lot of planning, logistics and coordination, though.
* Look for an online chat room. There are numerous online chat rooms that you can use to hold your online party. You can actually opt to go for a public chat room, or a private conference in one of the more popular VoIP or text chat network, such as Skype.
* Prepare the invitations. Since this will be an online meet up, your invitations should also be online. Prepare an email to send out to your virtual guests. Make sure that you include the time and date, the web address of the chat room, and the products and incentives being offered. Include your contact details for any inquiries and outside orders.
* Familiarize yourself with the chat room. Since the will be held online, you will need to familiarize yourself first with the features of the chat room. You would not want to give your guests the impression that you cannot navigate your way through your own online facility. Try to explore the different features and functions of the chat room. You might want to practice with a few associates and friends.
Some chat rooms include video conferencing (such as Skype). This will be ideal if you will be showing actual products to your attendees.
* Be prompt. If the party starts at 7:00 p.m., open the chat room at least 15 minutes ahead of time. Greet the early comers and spend some time knowing them more.
* Start the party. Every time a guest enters the chat room, greet by name to let them know that you recognize each guest accordingly. The presentation must not be lengthy so that the guests will not get tired easily. Make sure your product website is online, and always direct your guests to the website if they want to order. If you have a co-host, make sure you coordinate with each other so that you can highlight the advantages of your products, and so you both know how to reply to inquiries.
* Start some games with prizes. Fun games will make the party more interesting and entertaining. Give some incentives to winning participants, such as discounts and freebies.
When the time comes for the closing, be sure to thank your guests for coming to the party. Give everyone your contact information, and inform them briefly about the overall offer. Make sure you follow up with each and every individual attendee. Earn the trust and confidence of your guests, and your offers will definitely be noticed.
The Average Salary of a Dental Therapist
Dental therapists are often found in rural settings or other places where there aren't many dentists. They offer affordable dental treatment where it is hard to find dental help. Their medical equivalent would be a medical assistant. Therapists can perform more services than a dental hygienist, but they can't do everything that a dentist can do.
Salaries by State
1. A sampling of the average salaries from various states shows that a dental therapist can expect to earn anywhere from $54,635 a year in Florida in 2010 to $71,482 a year in Arizona, according to SalaryExpert.com. States in the East, particularly the Southeast (Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina) tend to pay dental therapists the least. Western states like Colorado, Texas and Arizona are on the higher end of the pay range.
Salaries by City
2. Differences in pay by city show an even greater range of average salaries. Miami, Florida, dental therapists made an average of $48,549 a year in 2010 while the average pay in Phoenix, Arizona, was $71,926 a year, according to SalaryExpert.com. Other cities that pay more than $60,000 a year on average are: Houston, Texas ($61,201); New York, New York ($71,793); Atlanta, Georgia ($62,901); Charlotte, North Carolina ($62,719) and Indianapolis, Indiana ($68,467).
Services Offered
3. While dental therapists cannot perform a full range of dental services, they can fill cavities, provide instruction on oral hygiene, screen patients for oral cancer and do dietary evaluations. They are not required to work in a dentist's office, but a dentist will be responsible for overseeing their work. Given that they are needed in more rural areas, they may work from part-time clinics so that they can provide services over a larger area.
Licensing
4. Minnesota was the first state to require that dental therapists be licensed, in 2009. This meant that dental therapists needed to meet educational requirements and pass an exam in order to practice in the state. The state licenses therapists as either dental therapists or advanced dental therapists. The licenses set the type of supervision the dental therapist works under and requires them to work in an area where there are not enough dentists.
Salaries by State
1. A sampling of the average salaries from various states shows that a dental therapist can expect to earn anywhere from $54,635 a year in Florida in 2010 to $71,482 a year in Arizona, according to SalaryExpert.com. States in the East, particularly the Southeast (Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina) tend to pay dental therapists the least. Western states like Colorado, Texas and Arizona are on the higher end of the pay range.
Salaries by City
2. Differences in pay by city show an even greater range of average salaries. Miami, Florida, dental therapists made an average of $48,549 a year in 2010 while the average pay in Phoenix, Arizona, was $71,926 a year, according to SalaryExpert.com. Other cities that pay more than $60,000 a year on average are: Houston, Texas ($61,201); New York, New York ($71,793); Atlanta, Georgia ($62,901); Charlotte, North Carolina ($62,719) and Indianapolis, Indiana ($68,467).
Services Offered
3. While dental therapists cannot perform a full range of dental services, they can fill cavities, provide instruction on oral hygiene, screen patients for oral cancer and do dietary evaluations. They are not required to work in a dentist's office, but a dentist will be responsible for overseeing their work. Given that they are needed in more rural areas, they may work from part-time clinics so that they can provide services over a larger area.
Licensing
4. Minnesota was the first state to require that dental therapists be licensed, in 2009. This meant that dental therapists needed to meet educational requirements and pass an exam in order to practice in the state. The state licenses therapists as either dental therapists or advanced dental therapists. The licenses set the type of supervision the dental therapist works under and requires them to work in an area where there are not enough dentists.
How To Write a Television Promo Script
Television promo scripts are short blurbs of promotions that are often read out during a television program. These scripts should last not more than a couple of seconds since there is an ongoing program or the director will be shortly cueing for a commercial. Writing a short, concise and yet effective promo script takes a bit of skill and talent. However anyone, even with no experience in writing one, can easily learn to do it. If you need to learn how to do this, then read the outlined steps below to serve as a guide when writing your own script.
* Knowing what your promo is all about. The first thing you need to do is to know the purpose of the promo script you need to write. Ask the product or brand manager what exactly needs to be said, especially if there are contact numbers that need to be broadcasted. Know the mechanics of the promo and at the same time, if the product has any tag line, make sure you get that right.
* Making a draft. Once you know the basic details of the promo, start writing a draft of what needs to be said. When you have all of the basics written down, that’s when you start putting in the promo and catchy words that will make your audience listen. A sample draft for a travel promo can read like this, “Expert Travel announces their 25th year in providing fun and easy packaged tours by having a ‘Fly one, Fly all’ promo! All you need to do is to book a flight from April 1 to June 30 and you instantly get a chance to win an unlimited flight pass for 6 months!”
* Making another draft. Unfortunately, great scripts do not come from one draft alone. You will be writing several drafts, all with a slightly different approach to make sure you get what the product manager needs. Be prepared to write at least 5 different kinds and there will be several revisions on each kind. This is normal in script writing.
* Injecting other materials such as audio clips and visuals. Depending on the type of promo and the amount of time you would have, you can insert brief audio clips like the product jingle to further enhance the recall factor of your commercial script. You can also inject some visual props especially if you know you will be on camera while reading the script. If you have a product sample with you, that’s even better so that the camera can zoom on it or if you are promoting a concert tour, then a sample poster would be great.
Once you have all of your materials positioned and your draft is approved, try doing a mock run of the commercial and record that while you are rehearsing so that you can catch any inappropriate words or actions while reading the script. This is the equivalent of proofreading your work for a commercial script. Remember to keep the brand in mind as you deliver since this is all about the product.
* Knowing what your promo is all about. The first thing you need to do is to know the purpose of the promo script you need to write. Ask the product or brand manager what exactly needs to be said, especially if there are contact numbers that need to be broadcasted. Know the mechanics of the promo and at the same time, if the product has any tag line, make sure you get that right.
* Making a draft. Once you know the basic details of the promo, start writing a draft of what needs to be said. When you have all of the basics written down, that’s when you start putting in the promo and catchy words that will make your audience listen. A sample draft for a travel promo can read like this, “Expert Travel announces their 25th year in providing fun and easy packaged tours by having a ‘Fly one, Fly all’ promo! All you need to do is to book a flight from April 1 to June 30 and you instantly get a chance to win an unlimited flight pass for 6 months!”
* Making another draft. Unfortunately, great scripts do not come from one draft alone. You will be writing several drafts, all with a slightly different approach to make sure you get what the product manager needs. Be prepared to write at least 5 different kinds and there will be several revisions on each kind. This is normal in script writing.
* Injecting other materials such as audio clips and visuals. Depending on the type of promo and the amount of time you would have, you can insert brief audio clips like the product jingle to further enhance the recall factor of your commercial script. You can also inject some visual props especially if you know you will be on camera while reading the script. If you have a product sample with you, that’s even better so that the camera can zoom on it or if you are promoting a concert tour, then a sample poster would be great.
Once you have all of your materials positioned and your draft is approved, try doing a mock run of the commercial and record that while you are rehearsing so that you can catch any inappropriate words or actions while reading the script. This is the equivalent of proofreading your work for a commercial script. Remember to keep the brand in mind as you deliver since this is all about the product.
Copier Sales Tips
The advances in office equipment technology have created a wide variety of office copiers for consumers to choose from. In order to be successful in copier sales, the sales professional needs to know her customer and understand how to apply copier technology towards solving the client's needs. In the copier world, there are several options a sales associate can use to get the customer the product he needs.
Options
1. A business owner or office manager is going to need options to choose from in order to help close a copier sale. Copier sales options can include offering a factory refurbished unit over a brand new one, having financing options such as leasing or renting and having a variety of manufacturers to choose from. There needs to be a warranty on the refurbished product and it needs to be refurbished by the manufacturer or a manufacturer certified service company. Be prepared to compare features on the variety of manufacturers you represent, and choose the option that best suits the client's needs.
Service and Maintenance
2. Copiers require annual maintenance to run properly, and clients should have service plans in place to repair copiers as quickly as possible and avoid costly downtime. When you are trying to add service and maintenance contracts to your copier sale, remember that you are offering to help the customer. Unless the copier that the client is buying comes with an on-site warranty, the client could be without a copier for a while if something happens to it. When you schedule maintenance for a client through a maintenance contract, you relieve the customer of that responsibility. Always use a positive approach when selling service and maintenance contracts for copiers.
Build a Case
3. Focusing on the client is the mantra for almost every sales professional in the world. In copier sales, focusing on the needs of the client becomes very important to getting the sale. Clients that are trying to get by with old copiers that continue to break down are losing money in repairs and employee productivity. By pointing out the benefits that a new copier with a maintenance plan will have for the client's bottom line and employee productivity, you make the copier purchase a business necessity.
Pricing Vs Solutions
4. Copiers are one of the more common pieces of office equipment available. If you try to compete strictly based on price, you may have to lower your profit margin so much that you are not able to stay in business. Differentiate yourself from the competition by offering competitive prices and focusing more on the solution aspect of your presentation. The difference between you and your competition, in the eyes of your customer, is you. Understand how the different copier products you have solve different customer issues. Take the time to help customers secure financing for the copier projects you discuss with them. The more you work on the customer's solution, the better your chances are of getting the sale.
Options
1. A business owner or office manager is going to need options to choose from in order to help close a copier sale. Copier sales options can include offering a factory refurbished unit over a brand new one, having financing options such as leasing or renting and having a variety of manufacturers to choose from. There needs to be a warranty on the refurbished product and it needs to be refurbished by the manufacturer or a manufacturer certified service company. Be prepared to compare features on the variety of manufacturers you represent, and choose the option that best suits the client's needs.
Service and Maintenance
2. Copiers require annual maintenance to run properly, and clients should have service plans in place to repair copiers as quickly as possible and avoid costly downtime. When you are trying to add service and maintenance contracts to your copier sale, remember that you are offering to help the customer. Unless the copier that the client is buying comes with an on-site warranty, the client could be without a copier for a while if something happens to it. When you schedule maintenance for a client through a maintenance contract, you relieve the customer of that responsibility. Always use a positive approach when selling service and maintenance contracts for copiers.
Build a Case
3. Focusing on the client is the mantra for almost every sales professional in the world. In copier sales, focusing on the needs of the client becomes very important to getting the sale. Clients that are trying to get by with old copiers that continue to break down are losing money in repairs and employee productivity. By pointing out the benefits that a new copier with a maintenance plan will have for the client's bottom line and employee productivity, you make the copier purchase a business necessity.
Pricing Vs Solutions
4. Copiers are one of the more common pieces of office equipment available. If you try to compete strictly based on price, you may have to lower your profit margin so much that you are not able to stay in business. Differentiate yourself from the competition by offering competitive prices and focusing more on the solution aspect of your presentation. The difference between you and your competition, in the eyes of your customer, is you. Understand how the different copier products you have solve different customer issues. Take the time to help customers secure financing for the copier projects you discuss with them. The more you work on the customer's solution, the better your chances are of getting the sale.
How To Start a Computer Delivery and Setup Service
Though there is an infinite pool of information on that Net which gives instructions on how to set up a computer, most users are still hesitant to set up their own desktop computer. They are afraid of accidentally destroying the computer before they even have the chance to use it. Take advantage of this opportunity and offer your services to deliver and set up computers for users. Here’s how to start your own computer delivery and set up service.
* Operations. First you will need to set up a “headquarters” for your computer delivery and setup service. If your business is a small operation – serving a small and manageable area of business – a quaint office would suffice. But if you are considering expanding to encompass several states and towns, you may want to establish a head office and satellite offices.
If you are purely offering a computer delivery and setup service, you may want to approach neighboring computer shops and partner with them. They sell; you deliver. Both of your businesses will greatly benefit from the partnership.
* Vehicles. Depending on the size of your operations, you may need one or more pickup trucks or cars for your delivery service. It may not be advisable to use scooters, motorcycles or bikes for this type of delivery service as the items being delivered may be too big and too heavy - unless of course you are delivering laptops. Scooters and motorcycles may be more advisable if the pick-up points are not too far away from your computer centers.
If you cannot afford to buy your own vehicles yet, you may want to work out a partnership with delivery services around your area. You can package their services into your computer delivery and setup.
* House calls. Instead of having the laptops or computers picked up, sent to the centers for repair and then delivered back to the home, why not provide the option of having the computer technician go to the client’s home. You can add a fee to have the computer technician teach the clients on how to reboot and fix common computer problems.
* Computerized schedule. To ensure a smooth operation, update your delivery systems by going electronic. Track the delivery and synchronize timing by logging in the schedules on a computer program. You don’t need any expensive or complicated programs for this. Microsoft Excel will do. Logging the schedules and deliveries in a software program will help you get a better grasp of your operations and see what areas need improvement. You can also fix the schedules of deliveries easily on a computer.
* Communication. To help track the deliveries, you will also need a radio system to help in the communication between satellite stores and drivers. Since radios are passé, you may want to buy a few mobile phones for the delivery drivers to help ensure that deliveries are made on time.
* Promotion. Promote your business by posting flyers on community billboards, setting up an official website and forwarding advertisements/ emails to potential clients. You may also want to reach clients by approaching certain business offices and schools. You can also spread the good news by word of mouth. Launch your new business by offering promotions and discounts to attract new customers.
Good luck!
* Operations. First you will need to set up a “headquarters” for your computer delivery and setup service. If your business is a small operation – serving a small and manageable area of business – a quaint office would suffice. But if you are considering expanding to encompass several states and towns, you may want to establish a head office and satellite offices.
If you are purely offering a computer delivery and setup service, you may want to approach neighboring computer shops and partner with them. They sell; you deliver. Both of your businesses will greatly benefit from the partnership.
* Vehicles. Depending on the size of your operations, you may need one or more pickup trucks or cars for your delivery service. It may not be advisable to use scooters, motorcycles or bikes for this type of delivery service as the items being delivered may be too big and too heavy - unless of course you are delivering laptops. Scooters and motorcycles may be more advisable if the pick-up points are not too far away from your computer centers.
If you cannot afford to buy your own vehicles yet, you may want to work out a partnership with delivery services around your area. You can package their services into your computer delivery and setup.
* House calls. Instead of having the laptops or computers picked up, sent to the centers for repair and then delivered back to the home, why not provide the option of having the computer technician go to the client’s home. You can add a fee to have the computer technician teach the clients on how to reboot and fix common computer problems.
* Computerized schedule. To ensure a smooth operation, update your delivery systems by going electronic. Track the delivery and synchronize timing by logging in the schedules on a computer program. You don’t need any expensive or complicated programs for this. Microsoft Excel will do. Logging the schedules and deliveries in a software program will help you get a better grasp of your operations and see what areas need improvement. You can also fix the schedules of deliveries easily on a computer.
* Communication. To help track the deliveries, you will also need a radio system to help in the communication between satellite stores and drivers. Since radios are passé, you may want to buy a few mobile phones for the delivery drivers to help ensure that deliveries are made on time.
* Promotion. Promote your business by posting flyers on community billboards, setting up an official website and forwarding advertisements/ emails to potential clients. You may also want to reach clients by approaching certain business offices and schools. You can also spread the good news by word of mouth. Launch your new business by offering promotions and discounts to attract new customers.
Good luck!
How To Start an Online Grocery Delivery Business
Online grocery delivery businesses have been attempted in the past, but with unfavorable results. Some people, however, think that the failures of past online grocery delivery businesses are due to lack of business planning. If you want to give online grocery delivery a try, here are some steps to help you start this kind of business.
* Research. The market for delivery grocery businesses is rather slim, and it is a very specialized niche market at most. There are some people who are very busy and who would like to have their groceries delivered right to their own doorsteps, but most people are actually quite willing to set a couple of hours each week to do their grocery shopping. This does not mean, however, that setting up an online grocery delivery business is impossible. This just means that you need to make sure that you do your research well, and that you select your audience or market demographic very carefully.
* Website. You will need to create a website. Because you are basically launching an online business, one of the most important things is for you to create a good website. Creating websites today is quite a complex process, because they are so much more sophisticated and complex, and now allow for user interactivity. Because you will likely conduct most of your business online, make sure that you hire a good web designer who will make a sleek and professional looking website for you. Also make sure that there is a shopping cart in your website so that visitors can do their grocery shopping online.
* Marketing. Next, you will need to form some marketing strategies to promote your website. This involves advertising your services. There are many ways to do this. The best way is to start small by advertising in local television stations and radio stations, and by running print ads in the local newspaper. Also make sure that you leave fliers and in car windshields, and add posters in bulletin boards around town. Remember, the grocery delivery business is best when it starts small-scale first.
* Shipping and sourcing. Make sure that you have contacts with some of the local grocery stores in town. Ask if there are any discounts for you if you purchase their products in bulk, or if you purchase the grocery that you deliver solely from them. There are some groceries that offer this, and most mom and pop grocery stores are easy enough to talk into it. This way, you will be able to earn more money by finding cheaper goods to deliver to your clients. Source out a good shipper that can do the delivery for you. Or if you are working only in town, you can deliver the goods yourself.
Running a grocery delivery business has its share of risks, but if you live in a town where people are busy and need someone to do their groceries for them, it is possible for this type of online business to take off, and with success.
* Research. The market for delivery grocery businesses is rather slim, and it is a very specialized niche market at most. There are some people who are very busy and who would like to have their groceries delivered right to their own doorsteps, but most people are actually quite willing to set a couple of hours each week to do their grocery shopping. This does not mean, however, that setting up an online grocery delivery business is impossible. This just means that you need to make sure that you do your research well, and that you select your audience or market demographic very carefully.
* Website. You will need to create a website. Because you are basically launching an online business, one of the most important things is for you to create a good website. Creating websites today is quite a complex process, because they are so much more sophisticated and complex, and now allow for user interactivity. Because you will likely conduct most of your business online, make sure that you hire a good web designer who will make a sleek and professional looking website for you. Also make sure that there is a shopping cart in your website so that visitors can do their grocery shopping online.
* Marketing. Next, you will need to form some marketing strategies to promote your website. This involves advertising your services. There are many ways to do this. The best way is to start small by advertising in local television stations and radio stations, and by running print ads in the local newspaper. Also make sure that you leave fliers and in car windshields, and add posters in bulletin boards around town. Remember, the grocery delivery business is best when it starts small-scale first.
* Shipping and sourcing. Make sure that you have contacts with some of the local grocery stores in town. Ask if there are any discounts for you if you purchase their products in bulk, or if you purchase the grocery that you deliver solely from them. There are some groceries that offer this, and most mom and pop grocery stores are easy enough to talk into it. This way, you will be able to earn more money by finding cheaper goods to deliver to your clients. Source out a good shipper that can do the delivery for you. Or if you are working only in town, you can deliver the goods yourself.
Running a grocery delivery business has its share of risks, but if you live in a town where people are busy and need someone to do their groceries for them, it is possible for this type of online business to take off, and with success.
How to Conduct an Effective Job Interview
Job interviews are high stakes and high stress situations -- and not just for the people being interviewed. As the interviewer, you put a lot at stake, including the money your company can waste by hiring the wrong person for the job. Conducting an effective interview, then, is vital to sifting through candidates and making the right choice. For you, the interview process needs to start long before the first candidate steps into your office -- you must properly prepare for each interview before it begins so that you can maximize your time and that of your interviewee.
Instructions
1. Determine the qualifications you are looking for in a candidate. This will help you find the right person for the job, instead of just choosing the best person out of the candidates interviewing, according to Inc. magazine.
2.Look over the candidate's resume, cover letter and qualifications. Remind yourself of important biographical information, and jot down any candidate-specific questions you want to ask.
3.Avoid making snap judgments when the interviewee arrives. Stay objective, and remember that you are looking for an employee, not a friend.
4.Make your interviewee comfortable before the interview begins. Make two or three minutes of small talk to put him at ease and develop a rapport.
5.Ask the candidate behavioral questions. These are questions such as, "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a bad customer." Questions like this make your candidate not just describe herself but her process and how she works in concrete terms, according to Inc.
6.Take notes throughout the interview so that you don't confuse candidates with one another later on.
7. Ask unconventional questions that bring out the candidate's personality. For example, ask about hobbies or skills. Turn the interview into a conversation from which you can cull information about the candidate, recommends the website B-Net.
8.Give the interviewee time near the end of the interview to ask any questions hhe may have about the position. Tell him about your hiring timeline and what he can expect regarding future
Instructions
1. Determine the qualifications you are looking for in a candidate. This will help you find the right person for the job, instead of just choosing the best person out of the candidates interviewing, according to Inc. magazine.
2.Look over the candidate's resume, cover letter and qualifications. Remind yourself of important biographical information, and jot down any candidate-specific questions you want to ask.
3.Avoid making snap judgments when the interviewee arrives. Stay objective, and remember that you are looking for an employee, not a friend.
4.Make your interviewee comfortable before the interview begins. Make two or three minutes of small talk to put him at ease and develop a rapport.
5.Ask the candidate behavioral questions. These are questions such as, "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a bad customer." Questions like this make your candidate not just describe herself but her process and how she works in concrete terms, according to Inc.
6.Take notes throughout the interview so that you don't confuse candidates with one another later on.
7. Ask unconventional questions that bring out the candidate's personality. For example, ask about hobbies or skills. Turn the interview into a conversation from which you can cull information about the candidate, recommends the website B-Net.
8.Give the interviewee time near the end of the interview to ask any questions hhe may have about the position. Tell him about your hiring timeline and what he can expect regarding future
How To Take Inventory using the LIFO Method
LIFO stands for “Last-In-First-Out” in an inventory costing method. It is one of the most popular methods for keeping tabs on the progress of an inventory. The premise of this process is that the last item you have encoded in your inventory is the first item that you have sold in that year. If you are running a big business with several products, you might want to consider using this method for your inventory. This is very handy if you need to compute for the cost of goods sold in a year.
To use the LIFO method, follow the simple steps below.
* Organize your product list. Refrain from maintaining a single list for all of your different products. Do not mix bananas with apples. Organize your product list into separate sheets. Group similar products together and record sales separately.
* Use “batches” to record the inventory. As products usually come in groups, it is best to record them per batch. This should also give you a high-level overview of the products delivered. In addition, it will be easier for you to track down which batch comes in last as this is important for the LIFO method. For example, record “Batch 1 – Cost: $1000, Quantity: 20 pieces”, “Batch 2 – Cost: $1800, Quantity: 30 pieces” and so on.
* Compute for the cost per batch. Take the example from the previous step. Compute for the cost of goods for each batch. For batch 1, get the cost by dividing 1,000 by 20 and batch 2 by dividing 1,800 by 30. This gives the values of 500 for batch 1 and 600 for batch 2. If you end up selling 35 units at the end of the year out of the 50 products delivered, then, the 30 out of the 35 units that were sold for the year is at $600 per piece and the 5 others are at $500 per piece. The remaining 15 units in your inventory are to be sold at the same rate as batch 1, which is at $500 per piece.
How the LIFO method works is best described in the same manner as how you would fill a can with coins and use its contents later on. If you are to place a few coins in a can regularly and the time comes that you need to get some coins from it, the last ones you put in are the first ones you will be taking out. The coins that are added last are easier to access, thus they are the first ones to be consumed.
Double check the values you indicate in your inventory as a slight typo error can cause a lot of confusion. Also, have a certified accountant check your record for tax calculations at the end of each year.
To make the computations easier, you can use basic spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel. Create a template for your LIFO method using this software to create a faster and more accurate inventory process in the future.
To use the LIFO method, follow the simple steps below.
* Organize your product list. Refrain from maintaining a single list for all of your different products. Do not mix bananas with apples. Organize your product list into separate sheets. Group similar products together and record sales separately.
* Use “batches” to record the inventory. As products usually come in groups, it is best to record them per batch. This should also give you a high-level overview of the products delivered. In addition, it will be easier for you to track down which batch comes in last as this is important for the LIFO method. For example, record “Batch 1 – Cost: $1000, Quantity: 20 pieces”, “Batch 2 – Cost: $1800, Quantity: 30 pieces” and so on.
* Compute for the cost per batch. Take the example from the previous step. Compute for the cost of goods for each batch. For batch 1, get the cost by dividing 1,000 by 20 and batch 2 by dividing 1,800 by 30. This gives the values of 500 for batch 1 and 600 for batch 2. If you end up selling 35 units at the end of the year out of the 50 products delivered, then, the 30 out of the 35 units that were sold for the year is at $600 per piece and the 5 others are at $500 per piece. The remaining 15 units in your inventory are to be sold at the same rate as batch 1, which is at $500 per piece.
How the LIFO method works is best described in the same manner as how you would fill a can with coins and use its contents later on. If you are to place a few coins in a can regularly and the time comes that you need to get some coins from it, the last ones you put in are the first ones you will be taking out. The coins that are added last are easier to access, thus they are the first ones to be consumed.
Double check the values you indicate in your inventory as a slight typo error can cause a lot of confusion. Also, have a certified accountant check your record for tax calculations at the end of each year.
To make the computations easier, you can use basic spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel. Create a template for your LIFO method using this software to create a faster and more accurate inventory process in the future.
How To Write a Marketing Research Report
Reporting the results of marketing research is an essential step in formulating a marketing strategy. Comprehensive and insightful marketing research will only be wasted if the final report is inadequate, or worse, erroneous. The reader requires definite findings that are backed up by numbers and facts in order to make a decision that will affect the product. A well-written marketing research report not only translates the data obtained, but also provides a recommendation based on the results.
Here are the steps to writing a marketing research report.
* Start with a summary of the research findings. Use definite terms when describing the results and lean towards action words to grab the reader's attention. A lot of research will revolve around dry facts that can turn off many decision makers who have to go through a lot of reports every day. Structure the first paragraph with the idea that this alone should guide the executives in forming a strategy.
* Proceed with the questions that led to the research. This background statement will remind readers of the research's original purpose and set them in the proper frame of mind.
* Expound on the results. Use as many pages as necessary to explain the results of the research in detail. On the other hand, eliminate unnecessary information that may divert attention to the original objective of the research. You may include key diagrams within these pages, but reserve the bulk of the tables and charts at the end of the report.
* Provide a recommendation. Tie in the results with the company's objectives to create a series of actions designed to act on the research. Use your understanding of the research when coming up with a recommendation. Back up your proposal with historical data from similar events as well as your understanding of the company’s objectives and current resources.
* Give alternatives to the recommendation you made. You should provide other responses to the research result, in case the reader disagrees with your recommendation. You may need to think out of the box for the alternatives, which may include maintaining the status quo or doing the opposite of the main recommendation. Provide advantages and disadvantages for each response to allow comparisons to each other.
* Add the necessary diagrams, tables and charts at the end. This should give readers a visual idea to the data generated by the research. Provide the reference label for these diagrams on the relevant text in the report. Finally, make sure to include the essential information from reference materials that you have used in your report.
* Prepare your report in conjunction for a possible presentation. Design the master copy of your research report such that it includes notations and links to allow you to create a slide presentation out of it with ease. Take note that such presentations are heavy on the diagrams, images and key phrases that take secondary place in your text report. You may use the comments feature of your word processor to leave notes to yourself that will not appear in the main report, allowing you to refresh your memory when you revisit the report anytime in the future.
Marketing research reports need not be remarkable by themselves. By providing both instant and comprehensive insights from given research, decision-makers can use them to support their own ideas for a marketing strategy.
Here are the steps to writing a marketing research report.
* Start with a summary of the research findings. Use definite terms when describing the results and lean towards action words to grab the reader's attention. A lot of research will revolve around dry facts that can turn off many decision makers who have to go through a lot of reports every day. Structure the first paragraph with the idea that this alone should guide the executives in forming a strategy.
* Proceed with the questions that led to the research. This background statement will remind readers of the research's original purpose and set them in the proper frame of mind.
* Expound on the results. Use as many pages as necessary to explain the results of the research in detail. On the other hand, eliminate unnecessary information that may divert attention to the original objective of the research. You may include key diagrams within these pages, but reserve the bulk of the tables and charts at the end of the report.
* Provide a recommendation. Tie in the results with the company's objectives to create a series of actions designed to act on the research. Use your understanding of the research when coming up with a recommendation. Back up your proposal with historical data from similar events as well as your understanding of the company’s objectives and current resources.
* Give alternatives to the recommendation you made. You should provide other responses to the research result, in case the reader disagrees with your recommendation. You may need to think out of the box for the alternatives, which may include maintaining the status quo or doing the opposite of the main recommendation. Provide advantages and disadvantages for each response to allow comparisons to each other.
* Add the necessary diagrams, tables and charts at the end. This should give readers a visual idea to the data generated by the research. Provide the reference label for these diagrams on the relevant text in the report. Finally, make sure to include the essential information from reference materials that you have used in your report.
* Prepare your report in conjunction for a possible presentation. Design the master copy of your research report such that it includes notations and links to allow you to create a slide presentation out of it with ease. Take note that such presentations are heavy on the diagrams, images and key phrases that take secondary place in your text report. You may use the comments feature of your word processor to leave notes to yourself that will not appear in the main report, allowing you to refresh your memory when you revisit the report anytime in the future.
Marketing research reports need not be remarkable by themselves. By providing both instant and comprehensive insights from given research, decision-makers can use them to support their own ideas for a marketing strategy.
How To Start a Handyman Service - Classified Advertising
It’s not unusual for people skilled in repairs to adopt a full-time livelihood as a handyman. If you’re interested in this kind of job, remember that your goal should be to score enough clients so that you will be able to generate a comfortable income. Set a target monthly income and determine the prices you will charge for your services; these figures will help you derive an estimate of the number of the number of customers you should get. Once you’ve got this settled, the next question is how you will be able to attract at least this number of clients.
* Create your own website. Creating a website can be pretty difficult if you want to make it from scratch. You will need to know how to do HTML encoding at the very least. If you can’t make your own website, however, you can hire other people who can do web design for you. There are plenty of freelance web designers and developers who can help you out here. Make sure that you make a website that looks professional and trustworthy.
Another option for you is to use existing platforms like social networking sites and free blog sites so you could create a standard page to advertise your services. At the very least you will be able to let your friends and contacts know of your business.
* Add your contact details. Next, you will need to make sure that you add your contact information to your website, as well as a list of the various types of handyman services that you offer. In fact, your website should contain all the information that a potential client needs to know about you, including your fees, the areas that you service, and your past relevant work. This is because your website will basically work as your ‘office’ in cyberspace which you can link people to when you start posting in online classifieds and forms.
* Create your own website. Creating a website can be pretty difficult if you want to make it from scratch. You will need to know how to do HTML encoding at the very least. If you can’t make your own website, however, you can hire other people who can do web design for you. There are plenty of freelance web designers and developers who can help you out here. Make sure that you make a website that looks professional and trustworthy.
Another option for you is to use existing platforms like social networking sites and free blog sites so you could create a standard page to advertise your services. At the very least you will be able to let your friends and contacts know of your business.
* Add your contact details. Next, you will need to make sure that you add your contact information to your website, as well as a list of the various types of handyman services that you offer. In fact, your website should contain all the information that a potential client needs to know about you, including your fees, the areas that you service, and your past relevant work. This is because your website will basically work as your ‘office’ in cyberspace which you can link people to when you start posting in online classifieds and forms.
How To Start a Computer Repair Shop that Attracts Great Clients
Fortunately for you, computers are a booming business and it will stay that way for a long time. The majority of households and all businesses have computers. This is highly advantageous for you, especially if you’re running a computer repair shop. Everyone is a potential client. If you don’t have your own computer repair shop yet and are considering opening one, then today is the perfect day to start. Here’s how to start a computer repair shop and attract great clients.
* Education. Get the necessary skills and education to run a computer shop. You must know the basics of computer systems and how to repair them. You may want to enroll in a few short courses at the nearby university or community college or you may even learn online for an affordable amount.
If you lack the necessary knowledge about computers, you may opt to hire an IT or computer professional and have him manage the technical computer aspects of the business. You, on the other hand, can manage the overall operations and management of the repair shop. It is still advisable though that you equip yourself with at least the basic knowledge about computers.
Computers and programs are constantly updated and new programs are always being marketed, so keep yourself in the know by reading up on the latest trends. Subscribe to a few computer magazines or join online forums to keep yourself updated.
Apart from your computer expertise and your business’ exceptional service, in order for your computer repair shop to be successful, you have to market it accordingly. Attract great clients by promoting your business in different media forms and venues.
* Flyers. Post flyers, brochures and posters at the town’s most frequented spots like the mall, local deli, church, school, community hall and such. Include the name of your business, contact numbers and the list of services you offer. It is up to you if you would like to include details such as costs. To build a client pool, you may want to launch your business/ computer repair shop by offering special discounts and packages to clients.
You can get extra mileage by posting online. Create a working site and send mail to potential clients. There are numerous venues where you can post ads like Craigslist and eBay. You may also take advantage of networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and even Friendster. It does not cost anything to post on these sites.
* Phone calls. For a more personalized form of promotion, you can do a telephone campaign. Call households within your area and inform them of your winning services. This may be a tedious job but it is nonetheless a good means to connect with future customers.
* Ads. If the budget permits, you may want to post an ad in the local newspaper or even produce your own commercial to be shown on cable TV and radio. But you may not need to resort to expensive means as you can also promote your business through word of mouth. Satisfied customers will be happy to share their reviews with their friends and family.
Attract clients by giving them great service and promotions. To gain a wider and stable client pool, you may want to approach neighboring businesses that use computers. Create a package for them that they cannot resist. For example, for a suggested sum, your computer repair shop can do the repairs of all their computers for the whole year. Good luck!
* Education. Get the necessary skills and education to run a computer shop. You must know the basics of computer systems and how to repair them. You may want to enroll in a few short courses at the nearby university or community college or you may even learn online for an affordable amount.
If you lack the necessary knowledge about computers, you may opt to hire an IT or computer professional and have him manage the technical computer aspects of the business. You, on the other hand, can manage the overall operations and management of the repair shop. It is still advisable though that you equip yourself with at least the basic knowledge about computers.
Computers and programs are constantly updated and new programs are always being marketed, so keep yourself in the know by reading up on the latest trends. Subscribe to a few computer magazines or join online forums to keep yourself updated.
Apart from your computer expertise and your business’ exceptional service, in order for your computer repair shop to be successful, you have to market it accordingly. Attract great clients by promoting your business in different media forms and venues.
* Flyers. Post flyers, brochures and posters at the town’s most frequented spots like the mall, local deli, church, school, community hall and such. Include the name of your business, contact numbers and the list of services you offer. It is up to you if you would like to include details such as costs. To build a client pool, you may want to launch your business/ computer repair shop by offering special discounts and packages to clients.
You can get extra mileage by posting online. Create a working site and send mail to potential clients. There are numerous venues where you can post ads like Craigslist and eBay. You may also take advantage of networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and even Friendster. It does not cost anything to post on these sites.
* Phone calls. For a more personalized form of promotion, you can do a telephone campaign. Call households within your area and inform them of your winning services. This may be a tedious job but it is nonetheless a good means to connect with future customers.
* Ads. If the budget permits, you may want to post an ad in the local newspaper or even produce your own commercial to be shown on cable TV and radio. But you may not need to resort to expensive means as you can also promote your business through word of mouth. Satisfied customers will be happy to share their reviews with their friends and family.
Attract clients by giving them great service and promotions. To gain a wider and stable client pool, you may want to approach neighboring businesses that use computers. Create a package for them that they cannot resist. For example, for a suggested sum, your computer repair shop can do the repairs of all their computers for the whole year. Good luck!
How to Get Small Business Credit As a Startup
Starting a small-business venture is one of pride, excitement and risk. What can make this even riskier is if you put your personal assets at stake. To help eliminate this risk, small-business owners should start building business credit separate from their own personal credit line. Getting small-business credit takes small steps when trying to achieve bigger lines of credit, which can take a few months. The wait is worth it because your small-business startup's financial status will not reflect on your own personal credit and vice versa.
Instructions
1. Incorporate your business or form a limited liability company (LLC). This will establish your business as an entity separate from your personal finances so you can get small-business credit.
2. Write a business plan. Doing this will show you are planning to pursue your venture for the long term and that you have a well thought-out plan. A business plan is also helpful when applying for small-business loans, which will help you get credit as a startup.
3.Apply for a nine-digit Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number through Dun & Bradstreet and a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service. You will need to use your EIN number instead of your personal Social Security number on credit applications.
4. Separate your startup and personal funds. One way to do this is by opening a bank account for your small business.
5. Register with small-business credit bureaus. Under your company's name, report all your startup transactions and payment history with bureaus such as DUNS, Experian and Business Credit USA to build your credit score so you can get small-business credit.
6.Apply for a small-business loan if you need funds for your startup. You can apply for a small-business loan through a bank, credit union or the U.S. government's Small Business Association. Each type of lending institution has a different application process, so talk to a lender about the specifics.
7.Link business credit cards to your small business, not your personal line of credit. You should first look for credit cards though creditors that are friendly to new small businesses, such as Net-30 companies. Net-30 companies include big-chain office supply stores.
8. Pay the debt balances you have with Net-30 companies in full so your small-business credit matures. This will make you eligible for larger lines of credit. Additionally, always pay your business credit card bills on time.
Instructions
1. Incorporate your business or form a limited liability company (LLC). This will establish your business as an entity separate from your personal finances so you can get small-business credit.
2. Write a business plan. Doing this will show you are planning to pursue your venture for the long term and that you have a well thought-out plan. A business plan is also helpful when applying for small-business loans, which will help you get credit as a startup.
3.Apply for a nine-digit Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number through Dun & Bradstreet and a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service. You will need to use your EIN number instead of your personal Social Security number on credit applications.
4. Separate your startup and personal funds. One way to do this is by opening a bank account for your small business.
5. Register with small-business credit bureaus. Under your company's name, report all your startup transactions and payment history with bureaus such as DUNS, Experian and Business Credit USA to build your credit score so you can get small-business credit.
6.Apply for a small-business loan if you need funds for your startup. You can apply for a small-business loan through a bank, credit union or the U.S. government's Small Business Association. Each type of lending institution has a different application process, so talk to a lender about the specifics.
7.Link business credit cards to your small business, not your personal line of credit. You should first look for credit cards though creditors that are friendly to new small businesses, such as Net-30 companies. Net-30 companies include big-chain office supply stores.
8. Pay the debt balances you have with Net-30 companies in full so your small-business credit matures. This will make you eligible for larger lines of credit. Additionally, always pay your business credit card bills on time.
How To Write a Testimonial
Testimonials are made for a number of things – as a college recommendation letter, to a reference from a former co-worker or even as just a brief testimonial about a specific product. Regardless of where it will be used, testimonials need to be factual and concise since you need to convince the reader why you recommend the person or the product. There are some basic dos and don’ts when writing testimonials, and you can see them listed in the article below.
* Writing a testimonial for a former co-worker. One of the most common testimonials you need to provide is an anecdotal report of your former co-worker. This may be needed if he is applying to a new company and they want to run a background check on him to see if he will fit their company. One thing to remember is that you need to be very specific when you mention his good and negative points. A testimonial will not have great value if you just say that your former partner is dependable. You need to state that he always plans ahead and has several back up plans in parallel to a current plan just to make sure that he has a failsafe measure for all cases. Instead of just saying that he is professional, you can say that you can count on him to be always on time and always sends out meeting agendas and minutes.
* Writing a testimonial for your favorite product. Another common use of a testimonial is if you have been requested to provide a short testimonial for your favorite product. Whether it will be posted in the company website or be printed out in the store premises, your testimonial should be no more than two lines long and yet very factual. For example, instead of saying “I love the coffee and ambience here!” you can say, “This is my favorite place because I love sipping their white mocha Americano on these plush sofas!”. This way, you give the reader a visual image of why you love it in the coffee shop instead of just saying you love it. Another way to say good testimonials is by saying how a product affects you. For example, instead of saying “This herbal supplement made me healthier!” you can say “In just 3 cycles of the supplement, I was able to sleep earlier and at the same time, my skin cleared up!”.
* Writing a testimonial for other reasons. When writing testimonials, think of it as you are being tried in court for that person or product. You need to make sure that what you are saying is something that you can defend just so that the testimonial is real. You can also be specific about concrete improvements or even site specific anecdotes to put more credit to your testimonial. For example, if you were being asked for feedback about a certain professor then you can say “Mr. Smith was able to help me improve my skills in creative writing by allowing me to immerse myself completely on the subject and then had one-on-one sessions on how to translate my emotions into a screenplay.”
Do not scrimp on words when writing a testimonial since you are essentially marketing a product. Think in reverse – what if you were asking someone else to write a testimonial for your product? What would you want him to say?
* Writing a testimonial for a former co-worker. One of the most common testimonials you need to provide is an anecdotal report of your former co-worker. This may be needed if he is applying to a new company and they want to run a background check on him to see if he will fit their company. One thing to remember is that you need to be very specific when you mention his good and negative points. A testimonial will not have great value if you just say that your former partner is dependable. You need to state that he always plans ahead and has several back up plans in parallel to a current plan just to make sure that he has a failsafe measure for all cases. Instead of just saying that he is professional, you can say that you can count on him to be always on time and always sends out meeting agendas and minutes.
* Writing a testimonial for your favorite product. Another common use of a testimonial is if you have been requested to provide a short testimonial for your favorite product. Whether it will be posted in the company website or be printed out in the store premises, your testimonial should be no more than two lines long and yet very factual. For example, instead of saying “I love the coffee and ambience here!” you can say, “This is my favorite place because I love sipping their white mocha Americano on these plush sofas!”. This way, you give the reader a visual image of why you love it in the coffee shop instead of just saying you love it. Another way to say good testimonials is by saying how a product affects you. For example, instead of saying “This herbal supplement made me healthier!” you can say “In just 3 cycles of the supplement, I was able to sleep earlier and at the same time, my skin cleared up!”.
* Writing a testimonial for other reasons. When writing testimonials, think of it as you are being tried in court for that person or product. You need to make sure that what you are saying is something that you can defend just so that the testimonial is real. You can also be specific about concrete improvements or even site specific anecdotes to put more credit to your testimonial. For example, if you were being asked for feedback about a certain professor then you can say “Mr. Smith was able to help me improve my skills in creative writing by allowing me to immerse myself completely on the subject and then had one-on-one sessions on how to translate my emotions into a screenplay.”
Do not scrimp on words when writing a testimonial since you are essentially marketing a product. Think in reverse – what if you were asking someone else to write a testimonial for your product? What would you want him to say?
How to Decipher a Social Security Number
Each Social Security number has three parts, though the first is the most informative. The first three digits can tell you what geographical area the person had a connection to and when he received his number. The last two parts can help you judge whether a Social Security number is a real, valid number. While a person is still living, the Social Security Administration keeps other information confidential, but after a person dies, you can also find out a little more.
1
Compare the first three digits to the "Chart of SSN Assignments by State" on the Social Security Administration's website. If the person received her number before 1972, the state indicates the location of the office that issued her card. After 1972, the area number reflects the mailing address that the person used when he applied for his card.
2
Check the Social Security Administration's current "High Group List" to see the highest group numbers issued for each area number. The two-digit group number follows the three-digit area number. However, group numbers don't run in normal numerical order. The Social Security Administration issues odd group numbers for each area from 01 to 09, then switches to even numbers starting with 10 and ending with 98. Then they start over with 02 and use the even numbers to 08, switching again to the odd numbers from 11 to 99.
The Social Security website shows the highest group numbers currently being issued for each area, so if someone gives you a Social Security number that's sequentially beyond that, you know it's fake. The final four digits are the serial numbers. They run in numerical order beginning with 0001. When someone in an area receives 9999, that area begins a new group number and begins again with a serial number of 0001.
3
Check the Social Security Death Index if you suspect the number belongs to someone who died after 1962. The list is incomplete for people who died before 1962, but some numbers for those people may appear on the index as well. If the person has died, you can find her name, birth date, death date and place of death in the Social Security Death Index.
1
Compare the first three digits to the "Chart of SSN Assignments by State" on the Social Security Administration's website. If the person received her number before 1972, the state indicates the location of the office that issued her card. After 1972, the area number reflects the mailing address that the person used when he applied for his card.
2
Check the Social Security Administration's current "High Group List" to see the highest group numbers issued for each area number. The two-digit group number follows the three-digit area number. However, group numbers don't run in normal numerical order. The Social Security Administration issues odd group numbers for each area from 01 to 09, then switches to even numbers starting with 10 and ending with 98. Then they start over with 02 and use the even numbers to 08, switching again to the odd numbers from 11 to 99.
The Social Security website shows the highest group numbers currently being issued for each area, so if someone gives you a Social Security number that's sequentially beyond that, you know it's fake. The final four digits are the serial numbers. They run in numerical order beginning with 0001. When someone in an area receives 9999, that area begins a new group number and begins again with a serial number of 0001.
3
Check the Social Security Death Index if you suspect the number belongs to someone who died after 1962. The list is incomplete for people who died before 1962, but some numbers for those people may appear on the index as well. If the person has died, you can find her name, birth date, death date and place of death in the Social Security Death Index.
How To Talk to Potential Clients during a Social Event
Social events are perfect ways to meet and mingle with potential clients. In fact, the groundwork for many business deals is subtly arranged during social gatherings. It’s a great way to meet potential clients and establish some rapport with them so that when you make a business call, you will be better received. The key to building a future business relationship with potential clients is to learn the art of talking to them during social events.
* Find out who is in attendance. When you’re at a social gathering, work the room so you can find out who is there. If you have a mutual friend, ask to be introduced. Everyone is a potential client, so be friendly and polite to all. However, don’t just try to single out a particular person because you have business interests in mind. It’s better that you mingle with everyone so you can really put yourself out there.
* Introduce yourself. Whether you wait for a formal introduction or simply decide to come up to someone and strike a conversation, you need to let the other person know who you are.
* Provide a brief overview about what you do but don’t go into the details. Most conversations start with your name and what you do. When you talk about yourself, you can say the name of your company and say what department you are in. Avoid going into a lengthy monologue about your job title and what your company does.
* Keep it casual. The rule of thumb to remember is to keep things lighthearted and stay away from business when you are in a social gathering. Ask about his family or his recent vacation. Try to find common topics of interest.
* Don’t talk about business. If you bring up trying to set up a meeting or pushing your products, you will turn people off. You don’t want to develop a reputation of trying to mix business with pleasure. Otherwise, you’ll stop getting invited to social gatherings, or people won’t want to talk to you. Keep in mind that it’s easier to discuss business matters later on once you have established rapport and a friendship with a potential client.
* Exchange business cards before you part. When you are talking to the other person, ask for his business card. You can also present yours so you can do an exchange. You can end the conversation by saying you’ll be in touch soon or that you hope to see each other again soon.
* Stay professional. Even if you are in a social setting, you should refrain from engaging in bad behavior. For example, it’s not a good idea to get drunk or to make a pass at other women. You still want to present yourself as a friendly yet professional person. You will turn off potential clients if you are rip roaring drunk. Outside of the social setting, they may have second thoughts about using your services if you conduct yourself in such a manner. If the potential client is the one that is getting drunk, that’s ok.
Have fun and relax when you are at social gatherings. Parties, cocktails and dinners are a great way to unwind and network at the same time. You can meet a lot of potential clients at places outside of work. The trick is to learn how to balance it and work the room properly.
* Find out who is in attendance. When you’re at a social gathering, work the room so you can find out who is there. If you have a mutual friend, ask to be introduced. Everyone is a potential client, so be friendly and polite to all. However, don’t just try to single out a particular person because you have business interests in mind. It’s better that you mingle with everyone so you can really put yourself out there.
* Introduce yourself. Whether you wait for a formal introduction or simply decide to come up to someone and strike a conversation, you need to let the other person know who you are.
* Provide a brief overview about what you do but don’t go into the details. Most conversations start with your name and what you do. When you talk about yourself, you can say the name of your company and say what department you are in. Avoid going into a lengthy monologue about your job title and what your company does.
* Keep it casual. The rule of thumb to remember is to keep things lighthearted and stay away from business when you are in a social gathering. Ask about his family or his recent vacation. Try to find common topics of interest.
* Don’t talk about business. If you bring up trying to set up a meeting or pushing your products, you will turn people off. You don’t want to develop a reputation of trying to mix business with pleasure. Otherwise, you’ll stop getting invited to social gatherings, or people won’t want to talk to you. Keep in mind that it’s easier to discuss business matters later on once you have established rapport and a friendship with a potential client.
* Exchange business cards before you part. When you are talking to the other person, ask for his business card. You can also present yours so you can do an exchange. You can end the conversation by saying you’ll be in touch soon or that you hope to see each other again soon.
* Stay professional. Even if you are in a social setting, you should refrain from engaging in bad behavior. For example, it’s not a good idea to get drunk or to make a pass at other women. You still want to present yourself as a friendly yet professional person. You will turn off potential clients if you are rip roaring drunk. Outside of the social setting, they may have second thoughts about using your services if you conduct yourself in such a manner. If the potential client is the one that is getting drunk, that’s ok.
Have fun and relax when you are at social gatherings. Parties, cocktails and dinners are a great way to unwind and network at the same time. You can meet a lot of potential clients at places outside of work. The trick is to learn how to balance it and work the room properly.
How To Take Advantage of a Layaway Plan Program in your Local Pawnshops or Online Store
You’d be surprised by the quality stuff you can find in your local pawnshop. Long maligned and burdened with a criminal reputation, pawnshops are the last refuge of the desperate. But pawnshops provide a good service to the community in that they allow layaway on some of the items they’re selling. Layaway allows you the convenience of making monthly payments on items you want to buy but are short on funds for. This will give you enough time to properly finance the merchandise for relatively low rates. This gives you enough financial flexibility to get the things you want but not skimp out on the essentials of life. This is a service offered by some stores that carry high end merchandise that middle class working Joes can’t afford to pay straight up. Sometimes, these stores have agreements with banks so that the monthly payment is automatically deducted from an existing bank account or a payroll account for employees.
* Pawnshops. Given their clientele, pawnshops are the leading purveyors of layaway plans for items in their stores. But this is not a standard for all pawnshops everywhere, as pawnshops are independently owned businesses. How one pawnshop conducts business may be completely different from another. For example, regarding layaway plans, some pawnshops will require a down payment for the item while another may just rely on good faith that you’ll be paying for it eventually. There may be a layaway fee in one shop while another will offer a percentage off if you meet all the monthly payments for the layaway.
* Check the reputation. Unfortunately some pawnshops live up to the stereotype. Some of them have criminal entanglements and are notorious for fencing stolen goods. The best thing to do before dealing with pawnshops is to be aware of their reputation in your neighborhood. You can also talk to your local law enforcement division to check for any cases that the pawnshops in your neighborhood have been linked to. Before getting into any layaway agreement with any pawnshop, you should know what you’re getting into first.
* Online sellers. Layaway is another payment option offered by online sellers for their merchandise. Usually the terms of their layaway plans are detailed in their website or you can email the site’s webmaster for detailed instructions on the site’s layaway policies. Make sure that you read and understand the print correctly because there may be some clauses that allow for hidden charges.
* Check the seller’s reputation. Always check the user’s reputation regarding their deliverables. The main problem with e-business is that you are buying an object sight unseen and what you see featured in the site will be drastically different once it comes to your door. Always read the user’s review regarding the products or the online seller, consistent poor ratings regarding the seller may mean that you could be taken for a ride when getting into a layaway agreement with that seller.
Buying items on layaway is a great way to keep yourself financially flexible and, at the same time, able to afford high end merchandise. Just make sure you’re protected from any kind of malfeasance online or in the pawnshops.
* Pawnshops. Given their clientele, pawnshops are the leading purveyors of layaway plans for items in their stores. But this is not a standard for all pawnshops everywhere, as pawnshops are independently owned businesses. How one pawnshop conducts business may be completely different from another. For example, regarding layaway plans, some pawnshops will require a down payment for the item while another may just rely on good faith that you’ll be paying for it eventually. There may be a layaway fee in one shop while another will offer a percentage off if you meet all the monthly payments for the layaway.
* Check the reputation. Unfortunately some pawnshops live up to the stereotype. Some of them have criminal entanglements and are notorious for fencing stolen goods. The best thing to do before dealing with pawnshops is to be aware of their reputation in your neighborhood. You can also talk to your local law enforcement division to check for any cases that the pawnshops in your neighborhood have been linked to. Before getting into any layaway agreement with any pawnshop, you should know what you’re getting into first.
* Online sellers. Layaway is another payment option offered by online sellers for their merchandise. Usually the terms of their layaway plans are detailed in their website or you can email the site’s webmaster for detailed instructions on the site’s layaway policies. Make sure that you read and understand the print correctly because there may be some clauses that allow for hidden charges.
* Check the seller’s reputation. Always check the user’s reputation regarding their deliverables. The main problem with e-business is that you are buying an object sight unseen and what you see featured in the site will be drastically different once it comes to your door. Always read the user’s review regarding the products or the online seller, consistent poor ratings regarding the seller may mean that you could be taken for a ride when getting into a layaway agreement with that seller.
Buying items on layaway is a great way to keep yourself financially flexible and, at the same time, able to afford high end merchandise. Just make sure you’re protected from any kind of malfeasance online or in the pawnshops.
How To Take eBay Photos that Sell
It’s easy to assume that a photo may not make much of a difference when you’re selling products on eBay. You’d be surprised, however, at how you can significantly increase the chances of selling your product with the mere addition of a photograph. Products that have photos also tend to get higher bids, and are usually more in demand. Remember, people are visual creatures. Take this fact to your advantage by taking great photographs of your product to ensure that it sells.
* Determine the color. Make sure that you add color to the photos that you take. This is very important, especially if you are selling older books that have black and white pictures. If you have photo editing skills, you can add in color by using programs such as Photoshop. Colored pictures stand out more easily, especially when the product is displayed as a small thumbnail on the screen.
* Know what details to consider. One important consideration is the resolution of your photograph. Pictures that have very low resolution will tend to create blurry photos that will not attract a lot of attention. Photographs that are highly detailed and life-like garner the most attention, because it gives the viewer the feeling that he can actually touch the object.
* Be very specific when taking pictures. Remember: the challenge with selling things on eBay is that customers won’t be able to pick up your product and inspect it for themselves. Your job as the seller is to help them do their inspection even if they can’t actually touch your product. To do this, try to limit the scope of the photographs that you are taking. If you are taking a photograph of a laptop, for instance, make sure that you focus on its different parts. You can take a separate photo that shows only the front view, a separate photo for the side view, and another photo for the back view. You can even take individual photos for the keyboard, the screen, the camera, and the ports on the computer. The more detailed your subject is, the clearer the image is in the viewer’s mind.
* Portray action. Choose objects that have a little bit of action to them. This is why even products that do not move are usually portrayed standing up or at an angle. If you have ever seen mobile phone ads, you will notice that most of them are standing up as if they are moving. With this in mind, try to prop up your products on a stand to make them look more interesting.
* Work on nostalgia. EBay is also great for collectors. If you are selling collector’s items, make sure that you post older photographs which will make collectors feel nostalgic and even more eager to add your item to their collection. Keep in mind, however, that this only works if you are selling older collectibles. If you are selling gadgets, on the other hand, then you need photos that look very modern and sleek.
Using photographs to make a sell in eBay is easy. With these in mind, you should be able to find the appropriate pictures to accompany the products that you sell on eBay.
* Determine the color. Make sure that you add color to the photos that you take. This is very important, especially if you are selling older books that have black and white pictures. If you have photo editing skills, you can add in color by using programs such as Photoshop. Colored pictures stand out more easily, especially when the product is displayed as a small thumbnail on the screen.
* Know what details to consider. One important consideration is the resolution of your photograph. Pictures that have very low resolution will tend to create blurry photos that will not attract a lot of attention. Photographs that are highly detailed and life-like garner the most attention, because it gives the viewer the feeling that he can actually touch the object.
* Be very specific when taking pictures. Remember: the challenge with selling things on eBay is that customers won’t be able to pick up your product and inspect it for themselves. Your job as the seller is to help them do their inspection even if they can’t actually touch your product. To do this, try to limit the scope of the photographs that you are taking. If you are taking a photograph of a laptop, for instance, make sure that you focus on its different parts. You can take a separate photo that shows only the front view, a separate photo for the side view, and another photo for the back view. You can even take individual photos for the keyboard, the screen, the camera, and the ports on the computer. The more detailed your subject is, the clearer the image is in the viewer’s mind.
* Portray action. Choose objects that have a little bit of action to them. This is why even products that do not move are usually portrayed standing up or at an angle. If you have ever seen mobile phone ads, you will notice that most of them are standing up as if they are moving. With this in mind, try to prop up your products on a stand to make them look more interesting.
* Work on nostalgia. EBay is also great for collectors. If you are selling collector’s items, make sure that you post older photographs which will make collectors feel nostalgic and even more eager to add your item to their collection. Keep in mind, however, that this only works if you are selling older collectibles. If you are selling gadgets, on the other hand, then you need photos that look very modern and sleek.
Using photographs to make a sell in eBay is easy. With these in mind, you should be able to find the appropriate pictures to accompany the products that you sell on eBay.
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