Self Employment: How to Translate Your Efforts Into Success |  |
- Self Employment: How to Translate Your Efforts Into Success
- 3 Things to Look for When Hiring an SEO Company
- How To Set Up and Structure Multiple Businesses
- 3 Ways to Design a Mobile Website for Your Business
- 13 Tips for Delivering a Memorable Keynote Speech
| Self Employment: How to Translate Your Efforts Into Success Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:00 PM PDT
Have you asked yourself, “Is it the right time to quit my job and start a business on my own?” The answer, as much as you hate it, is – it depends. Your circumstances are unique; they determine whether this is the right choice for you. While self employment seems to be a safer option than paid employment in present times, whether it suits you or not depends on a lot of factors. Before you try to determine which option is right for you, you need to understand the difference between employment and self employment. Employment Versus Self EmploymentEmployment is Like Renting, Self Employment is Like Owning The latter option gives you the flexibility to make alterations and modifications according to your wishes. Something you cannot do in the former case. Employment Gives You a Single Source of Income – Your Employer Whether you are earning a salary or incentives, all of these come from this single source. However, this is not a constraint if you choose self employment. You may be able to earn from different sources, such as product sales, client consultations, etc. Employment Can Never Guarantee Job Stability, Even When You’re a Star Performer Self employment, on the other hand, may take time to establish. However, it can guarantee stability after a specific period – and with considerable effort. Now that you are aware of the ways in which self employment differs from employment, the next question is: Why should you consider it? Reasons for Self EmploymentNo Considerable Difference in Income While it takes time to earn profits from a new business, once it is up and running, the income can be as much as employment. Moreover, the rewards you get are directly proportional to the efforts you put in. Something that may not be available in a corporate environment. Ease of Availability of Government Programs Your eligibility depends on a number of factors. However, if your business idea is viable, you may be able to find assistance from government programs aimed at entrepreneurs. Options Available Whatever Your Age It may be difficult to find a new job after a certain age, especially at times of economic crunch. There are no such limitations on opportunities when you work for yourself. Furthermore, you may continue working for as long as you wish when you own and operate your own business. Achieve a Work-Life Balance If your work is all that you have, you are losing out on precious “me-time.” When you opt for self employment, you can create a work-life balance and maintain it too. You Get to Chase Your Dream The most important reason for self employment is perhaps the fact that this gives you the way to chase your big dream and make something out of it. If you have a vision, but never try to realize it, you may have to live with this regret your entire life. Self employment gives you the chance to be your own boss. It seems that it truly is the right time to try your hand at your own business. However, it is more easily said than done. This is a big decision and it involves a lot of risks as well. Before you take the plunge, below are a few things you need to know to reduce the risks. Reduce the Risks of Self EmploymentMake Sure You Have Enough Security Money When starting a new business, the first thing you need to keep aside is ample security money. Nothing can guarantee the absolute success of a new venture. For this, you need to make sure that you have adequate funds to pay your bills for at least a few months. Make Sure You Have Work Experience in the Same Field If you are venturing out into a field you know nothing of, chances of failure increase. It is better to acquire some experience before you take any step in this regard. Make Sure You Have a Business Plan Creating a business plan can make or break your business. For this, you have to find answers to a number of questions regarding the viability of the idea, the availability of the market for your products or services, the position of your competitors, etc. Make Sure You Have a Plan of Only What You Can Afford Big plans may not mean anything if you do not have a sound basis for such plans. The finances you can arrange and attract play a significant role in the business plan you prepare. Make Sure You Have Additional Financial Resources Keep in mind that you have to spend more than you plan initially. The costs, almost always, are more than what you planned. In such a circumstance, you may have to arrange for more funds. It is, therefore, important that you have sources from which you can borrow. Assessing your circumstances is necessary for determining whether it is the right time for becoming an entrepreneur. Ample planning and research are necessary for starting a new business and making it a success. Self Employed Photo via Shutterstock The post Self Employment: How to Translate Your Efforts Into Success appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 3 Things to Look for When Hiring an SEO Company Posted: 14 Mar 2013 02:00 PM PDT
There are always things to ask SEO companies to see if they are qualified, but the big question is: Do they care or take an interest in what is best for the client? If they do the following 3 things will be important to them. When Hiring an SEO Company: 3 ThingsStrategies Based on Goals, Not Traffic NumbersAll SEO and Internet marketing strategies should start with the goals a business has for improving branding, sales, traffic and/or anything else. An SEO company that doesn't even ask what your goals are or what you are hoping to achieve is not focused on the right things. Their goals might not match your goals and if they are not asking about your goals, they are most likely focused on their own (which to me means they have little experience). Increased traffic cannot be the only goal an SEO company works towards. I know I can get people traffic all day long, but is it quality traffic? Quality traffic buys, invests, shares, begins the trust process and/or meets one or more of your goals. The strategies put into place must be focused on goals. Take away: If a SEO company doesn't bring up goals, they are not the company for you. You should not have to point out that goals are a priority. Educating the Client as Part of the ProcessEvery so often I hear people tell me that their SEO company cannot tell them what the company is doing because it is "secret." Okay. . .well, let's analyze this. I educate my clients, but I don't tell them everything. Nor do I tell things or answer detailed questions to people that are not paying me. However, if I have a potential client in front of me, I often educate them enough to understand what the issues are with their SEO and/or website. These are not secrets, but the basics of what an SEO company does. I tell a lot and I educate a lot. But even with the knowledge I give away, the client would still need my services. Even if I told a "secret" the person most likely wouldn't have the knowledge or experience to use the "secret" effectively. I can say a lot without rendering myself useless. Educated clients know they are not wasting their money with me and they know what to look for in regards to traffic, leads and goals. By educating, we become a "team" and long-lasting working relationships are formed. Take away: I think an SEO company that wants their clients to be educated (to a point) on the services they are offering is a good sign. Those that refuse to truly educate make me nervous. Understanding of User ExperienceAn SEO company has to understand how critical the user experience (UX) is for visitors to a website. SEO and great rankings are wonderful, but if a visitor comes in to a site and cannot find what they are looking for or the site is difficult to use then sales are lost. A good SEO company should be focused on everything from the beginning to the end: goal-oriented traffic that results in a conversion. When they are talking to you about your website, they should be able to point out things that could cause a problem or discuss things that could be improved to help meet the goals of the SEO strategies. Take away: If a company only discusses changes to meta tags and has nothing else to offer, then they are not the company you should be working with. They should be focused on the usability of the website, the user experience start to finish and most importantly, page content and features supporting SEO strategies and goals. Do They Want What is Best for YOU?There are lots of little questions to ask SEO companies, but I am encouraging you to look a bit further. A good SEO company will want what is best for you and what is best for you includes:
There are a lot of other factors to look at when hiring an SEO company, but as someone that owns their own SEO company, I encourage you to remember the three things I mentioned above. Optimization Photo via Shutterstock The post 3 Things to Look for When Hiring an SEO Company appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| How To Set Up and Structure Multiple Businesses Posted: 14 Mar 2013 11:00 AM PDT
If you're running multiple business projects, you've probably wondered what's the best way to structure all these ventures. Should you form one corporation to cover them all? Should you form an LLC for each one? You need to answer these questions from both a marketing and legal perspective. For marketing, you need to consider the markets and target customers for each venture. Are they synergistic? Are they relevant and will they appeal to the same customer? If so, it makes sense to market them under a shared brand. For example, it may make sense for a restaurant and side wine shop to share the same branding. In other cases, your businesses might target different customer types (for example, the copy editor and caterer). In this case, you want to use different websites, business names and branding for each venture. But how do you structure multiple business ventures from a legal perspective? How to Structure Multiple BusinessesThere are three ways to legally structure multiple businesses. Each option has a different set of advantages and disadvantages – and the "right" approach depends on your unique needs. Here's what to consider: Option 1: Create a Separate Corporation or LLC for Each VentureYou can form an LLC or corporation for each business venture. For example, you can form an LLC for a bookkeeping business and then form another LLC for selling homemade soaps. While this seems straightforward enough, be aware that this approach will result in considerable paperwork. You'll need to file separate forms (i.e. annual reports, meeting minutes) to the state for each structure. And if you've formed corporations, you'll need to file separate tax forms for each corporation. If you're looking to minimize your administrative requirements, consider another option. There's one exception to this rule and that's for real estate investors. If you're investing in rental properties or other real estate, you may want to consider forming an LLC for each property in order to protect each investment on its own. Then if property “A” is sued, only the assets belonging to LLC “A” are affected. Your own personal assets are shielded, as well as the assets belonging to Property B, Property C, etc. This is the best way to contain liability in potentially risky ventures. Option 2: Create One Corporation/LLC and Have Multiple DBAs Under the Main Corp/LLCYour second option is to create one main company as an LLC or corporation. Once that LLC or corporation has been established, it files multiple fictitious business names, also called DBA (doing business as) registrations, for each of the ventures within the same state/county. With this approach, each business can have the right name and branding for their specific market, while still enjoying the legal protection of the main holding company. When it's time to file your taxes, you can take the income earned from each DBA and report them in a single tax filing under the main LLC or corporation. Of course, situations vary and you should always consult with an attorney or tax advisor for individual advice regarding your particular situation. 3. Create One Corporation/LLC with Other Corporations or LLCs Under the Main Holding CompanyIn the third approach, a holding company will own individual Corporations/LLCs for your multiple businesses. This scenario often comes into play for companies that are looking to be acquired. It also applies for those cases where an established company is looking to start a new business (and the established or holding company will fund the new business). The particular tax and legal implications can become complex for this scenario. Consult with a tax advisor and/or attorney for the best way to structure your holding company and its subsidiaries. Final Thought Consider this overview of how to structure multiple businesses as just a starting point. And if you're working hard to build your businesses, make sure you're also doing everything you can to protect them. Multiple Businesses Photo via Shutterstock The post How To Set Up and Structure Multiple Businesses appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 3 Ways to Design a Mobile Website for Your Business Posted: 14 Mar 2013 08:00 AM PDT
Mobile website design is complicated, since one mobile version of a site may not be compatible with every device. The designers have to be aware of best design practices to make your mobile presence meaningful and worthwhile. There is a continuous debate among Web developers about which way of creating a mobile-optimized website is the best. There are three leading methods for developing a mobile website. These are:
Each method has its pros and cons. A Web developer has to be aware of each technique to implement the best one for the situation. 3 Ways to Design a Mobile WebsiteResponsive Web Design (RWD)RWD relies on CSS3 media queries to align the layout of a webpage with the size of the viewing area of a device. The same HTML code is used to present different webpage layouts for tablets, mobile devices, desktops and other gadgets. Benefits:
Drawbacks: It is not possible to separately optimize mobile content. Therefore, a designer using RWD cannot tailor content separately for mobile users. According to January 2013 data from HTTP archive, an average webpage is about 1.3 MB. However, most RWD sites are comparatively larger. This larger size decreases the performance of mobile sites, making them slower. Mobile users are more attuned to mobile-specific user interface design patterns. Moreover, mobile users are accustomed to multi-tasking. Unless the navigation structure is customized for specific devices, users can face problems when trying to accomplish several tasks simultaneously. Dedicated Mobile SitesThis method improves the experience of mobile users by creating an entirely separate website. Benefits:
Drawbacks: Sharing a webpage via social media becomes more difficult, since with dedicated mobile sites there are multiple URLs for pages. When desktop users click on mobile URLs shared on social media platforms, they may inadvertently receive the mobile version of the site rather than the desktop version. In order to avoid duplicate content issues, the Web developer has to use rel="alternative" and rel="canonical" meta tags. If a mobile user searches Google and clicks on a desktop URL, the user will either view the desktop version or will be redirected to the mobile version of the webpage. If the mobile version does not exist, the user will receive an error message. Creating a totally different website for mobile users means that the site will be tailored specifically for mobile users. However, to fulfill that purpose, Web developers have to cut out functionality and content, which turns out to be a nightmare for them. Responsive Web Design+ Server Side Components (RESS)This method depends on server-side programming to provide custom HTML and CSS for different devices. The code for mobile users will be different from that of desktop users. The main objective behind this implementation is to improve the website’s performance. This method works well when combined with responsive Web design. Therefore, this implementation can be referred to as Responsive Web Design+ server side components (RESS). Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Which Method to Choose?The decision to design a mobile-optimized site depends on the products you sell, your target audience, the investment required, your competition, conversion rates, etc. The design method that will work best depends largely on screen formats, operating systems, browsers and resolutions. Most responsive Web design sites are not implemented optimally and as a result, these sites take more time to load. Since competition is fierce, you may lose customers if your site performs more slowly. A user will simply switch to another website that takes less time to open. Although it is possible to create websites with shorter load times with dedicated mobile sites, there are various drawbacks attached to this implementation, too. RESS provides benefits of RWD overcoming its two main drawbacks. The main disadvantage of RESS is that device detection is unreliable. You have to test frequently for new devices to ensure that the process continues to work properly. There are services like DeviceAtlas, WURFL and others that can detect new devices. It will be a great help to update new devices in your database. Mobile Web design is successful only when a website is displayed properly on a mobile device. Although it’s a daunting task for designers to represent all the essential parts of a desktop site in a small, mobile window, every day new techniques emerge to make mobile websites better, faster and more fully-featured. Mobile Website Photo via Shutterstock The post 3 Ways to Design a Mobile Website for Your Business appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 13 Tips for Delivering a Memorable Keynote Speech Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:00 AM PDT
Certain speeches, from TED talks to commencement addresses, endure long after they’re delivered, thanks to the Internet. Although entrepreneurs are no strangers to speaking engagements, not every business owner is quite as persuasive on stage as they’d like to be. But that doesn’t mean you can’t at least tweak your speech and delivery to take your “just okay” speech to the next level. We asked members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs, the following question:
Here's what YEC community members had to say: 13 Public Speaking Tips1. Don’t Write a Speech“The best way to really motivate an audience is to connect with them. And the best way to connect with an audience is by not reading a printed piece of paper verbatim. It’s the extemporaneousness that will really get them. Through my company, I get to speak to a lot of larger groups of high school students and their parents. I always go in with a very detailed outline – but no sentences. ~ Jessica Brondo, The Edge in College Prep 2. Use the Fact-Example-Fact Method“I’m not all that funny, nor am I really a storyteller. I focus on providing insightful information — which makes you think people may not come away “moved.,” But at least it’s memorable. I use the Fact-Example-Fact method. Get an interesting fact, illustrate that fact with an actionable example, and restate the fact another way. Put three of these chains together – and you’re set.” ~ Liam Martin, Staff.com 3. Be Vulnerable“I think sharing vulnerability is one of the most important and powerful parts of leadership. It has to be genuine. That’s what makes it such an emotional, personal, effective speaking tool. Everyone has vulnerabilities and everyone has weaknesses – what are yours?” ~ Derek Flanzraich, Greatist 4. Hire a Brilliant Copywriter“I wouldn’t hire a copywriter to write a full speech at this point because it’s a process I enjoy. But I think hiring a copywriter to polish your key points is money well spent. I think the most value a copywriter can bring is to make sure you have sound bites and tweetables that people will want to share with their audiences.” ~ Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World 5. Make It Stick“Owning a speakers bureau, I listen to and give a lot of presentations a year. The most important book that I have read on the subject is “Made to Stick” by Chip & Dan Heath. Basically, you consolidate all of your points into a core message of 1-2 sentences. Then you use the SUCCES (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) to build out your message in an engaging way. “ ~ Lawrence Watkins, Great Black Speakers 6. Use Humor to Your Advantage“Combine climaxes with humor. I talk about starting my first company at 14. I needed a loan to buy a computer; after discussing the challenges I say, “I went home and, finally, founded my first business.” After the applause I follow with, “I called it Apache Ax Cybernetic Enterprises Limited.” Because the audience was emotionally attached, they laugh out loud when they hear the company's name.” ~ Alexander Torrenegra, VoiceBunny 7. Keep It Simple“I’ve given a TED talk and delivered 100+ keynote speeches. The most important thing for writing a great, memorable speech that moves the audience is to make sure that your message is understood by the audience. An audience can’t move if it doesn’t understand where to move to. In my experience, there’s no better tip than, “Tell them what you’re going to say. Say it. And tell ‘em what you said.” ~ Brett Farmiloe, Markitors 8. Combine Mediums“Any conversation with an audience has to keep their attention. I start by having new music playing when they come into the room — it sets the vibe. Then, I continue using different mediums throughout the conversation: video, voice, podcast clips, art, imagery/photography, etc. Making a point multiple times, in multiple ways, keeps the audience engaged and drives home the lesson.” ~ Susan Strayer LaMotte, exaqueo 9. Think in Pictures“These days, almost every talk will be accompanied by some sort of visual slide deck. To instantly differentiate yourself from the herd, banish all words from your presentation (seriously). People think in pictures. Use that to your advantage. Fill the screen with a compelling and beautiful image that deepens the point you’re making. People will focus on what you’re saying – instead of reading.” ~ Josh Allan Dykstra, Strengths Doctors 10. Write the Tweets for Your Audience“The best speeches capture soundbites that your audience can write down, recall and share quickly. Today, most audiences are sharing those soundbites in real time as you speak. So make it easy on them and write their tweets for them. Consider putting them on your slides. Think in soundbites and make it easy for your audience to consume your speech.” ~ Eric Koester, Zaarly 11. Get Inspired and Tell a Story“Look at a couple of speeches by people that you know are great speakers, like Arel Moodie or Rishi Shah. These examples can provide you with the inspiration to write something epic. Also, remember to tell a story. Even if you're presenting on something educational, you can transform it into a story to engage the audience.” ~ John Hall, Digital Talent Agents 12. Focus on the Audience“Think, “What does the audience want to hear from me? What can I provide that is of value to them?” When you learn to speak in terms of the wants and needs of your audience, you will become an effective, persuasive speaker.” ~ Richard Lorenzen, Fifth Avenue Brands 13. Come Out Strong and Have Fun“You have to realize that within 30 seconds, 35% of the people have decided they don't like you. You need a really good 30-second opener to grab their attention. Don't overburden it with too many slides or words. Weave in personal stories and a sense of humor (if you have one), and be engaging. My primary purpose in public speaking is to motivate. I come out strong and have a lot of fun.” ~ Adam DeGraide, Astonish Speaker Photo via Shutterstock The post 13 Tips for Delivering a Memorable Keynote Speech appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
In this article, we're going to explore the:
There have been plenty of articles out there about choosing or hiring the right SEO company, but I am going to offer 5 different suggestions based on my personal experience with clients.
Today's small business owners often earn income through a variety of ventures. For example, a restaurateur may open a wine shop or a caterer may also double as a part-time copy editor.
Smartphone and tablet adoption is accelerating worldwide, and it can be expected that mobile commerce (
Many remember their favorite TED talk (Technology Entertainment and Design), even if they only watched it online. For those of you who may not know, TED was founded in 1984 and is now an annual series of global conferences.| You are subscribed to email updates from Small Business Trends To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment