Brands and Advertisers Want Data. Tumblr Plans to Give It |  |
- Brands and Advertisers Want Data. Tumblr Plans to Give It
- Use Financing To Solve Your Cash Flow Problem
- Our Latest List of Small Business Contests and Awards
- The Rebel Entrepreneur Rewrites The Rulebook
| Brands and Advertisers Want Data. Tumblr Plans to Give It Posted: 14 Oct 2012 03:00 PM PDT Social media blogging site Tumblr just announced that advertisers and brands using the site will have access to a new third-party analytics dashboard, which can help users track overall engagement with other users over time, identify key influencers, and analyze posts and tags to learn what type of content most resonate with their network. The site partnered with Union Metrics, which was founded in 2009 and until now was known mainly for its Twitter analytics product TweetReach, to allow brand to measure popular content trends and reach on the site. Tumblr named the company as a preferred third-party analytics provider. It didn't indicate whether it plans to create its own analytics dashboard at some point or if other third-party providers will be given access to Tumblr's data to create other analytics services in the future. Though Tumblr may not be the most popular site for brands to promote their content, it can be quite useful for those that rely on visual media or even audio and video to reach consumers. Tumblr, which was founded in February 2007, currently has 54 million users, 76.5 million blogs and about 70 million posts per day. Tumblr offers a couple of advertising products for brands, including Pinned Posts, which lets users pin a particular post to the top of their followers' dashboards; Tumblr Spotlight, which features particular Tumblr blogs; and Tumblr Radar, which showcases a sample of interesting media each day including some from sponsors. One thing that advertisers always want more of is data. This new analytics dashboard, which is invite-only until November, will likely be welcomed by advertisers and brands. The post Brands and Advertisers Want Data. Tumblr Plans to Give It appeared first on Small Business Trends.      |
| Use Financing To Solve Your Cash Flow Problem Posted: 14 Oct 2012 01:00 PM PDT Let’s be honest about cash-flow for your business. It’s not always something to brag about. We all hear people say cash-flow is king [and it is]. After all, without it you basically have a hobby rather than a business. Or if you have cash-flow but it’s not good then that probably means your expenses are greater than your revenues. But if cash-flow is king, then are we prepared for the times when our cash-flow isn’t so awesome? Before we dive in let’s see if we can agree on something. Financing is always a means to an end. In other words, nobody gets a loan for no reason and for no purpose. We use it to buy properties, equipment, and for working capital among other things. If we had the cash reserves that Apple has then we probably wouldn’t be trying to figure out how to get an SBA loan or how to get a working capital line of credit. At its best we use financing as a tool to start, build, and grow our businesses and at its worst we use it to stay afloat when times are tough. Below are four key ingredients that will not only have you prepared for slow times and unexpected cash-flow crisis, but they will also help you be prepared to obtain your financing in the future as your business grows and has additional financing needs to support that growth: When Possible, Get Your Financing “Before” You Need It It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s simple. You can’t get a real estate loan or equipment financing “before” you need it. However, you can [and should] get your working capital line or lines of credit before you need them. If you’re like most people you’re familiar with the loan process because you’ve probably bought homes and cars and got loans to pay them off over time. If you’re obtaining a loan then you’ll normally want to wait until you “need” the funding because loans require you to make monthly payments regardless of what the money is being used for. Whereas a line of credit has no monthly payments until you draw on the funds and begin using them. There’s a big difference between loans and lines of credit. Be Sure You Understand The Options That YOU Can Employ We all have different options based on things like our industry, geographic location, collateral, business seasoning, personal and business credit, etc. Do you know what you can and can’t do? This is important or you’ll make one of two mistakes. You’ll either get the wrong type of financing or your confusion will lead to fear and paralysis. Doing nothing is worse than making the wrong decision because there’s no action when you do nothing. Action at least means you’re moving and you can change course or learn from mistakes but never getting into the game and making decisions is a crime punishable by you never reaching your goals and dreams. Learn your options and take advantage of them. Use Your Credit Cards The Right Way This may seem odd but it’s one of those things that nobody really talks about. Statistically, according to NFIB, 79% of small business owners use credit cards (PDF). Meredith Whitney says that 82% of small business owners use credit cards as a “vital part” of their overall funding strategy. The problem is that most small business owners use credit cards the wrong way. That means they don’t separate their personal and business credit with their credit cards, they hurt their personal credit profiles and FICO scores, and they limit their ability to obtain additional financing in the future. Credit cards are definitely a tool to help with some cash-flow issues but you’ll obviously have to cover that additional debt service in the future if you use it today to get out of a cash-flow crunch. I’ve done it, as have many others, but do it responsibly. Protect, Preserve And Build Your Personal And Business Credit We all know that credit is important for mortgages, car loans, business loans, and many other areas of our lives but, what are you doing to either preserve it or improve it? Are you treating your credit as an asset and protecting and preserving it? Do you know “how” to do that? Monitoring your credit, cleaning up errors, and not over-utilizing your credit cards (the ones that show up on your personal credit report) are all ways to start treating your personal credit as an asset. Business credit is a different animal and will likely require a strategic build. Business credit doesn’t “just happen” the same way your personal credit does. It’s usually a process of strategically acquiring a series of vendor lines of credit for things like office supplies, computers, gas, etc. It takes time and the rewards rarely come quickly but you’ll be glad you did it if you stick with it. We recently bought a new phone system and, because of our good business credit, I didn’t have to personally guarantee the loan and they only looked at our business credit in order for us to get approved – they did not review my personal credit as part of their underwriting process. Businesses have cash-flow cycles – and it’s not just the “seasonal” businesses. It comes with the territory and especially as you are building the organization. Use some of these strategies to be prepared to deal with that slow month (or more). It’s never fun to deal with the curve balls that running a business throws at us but if you do these things and execute them properly you’ll set yourself up to hit the curve balls and stay in the game rather than striking out. If cash-flow is king, what are you going to do about managing the tough times when the cash-flow is slow? Key to Solution Photo via Shutterstock The post Use Financing To Solve Your Cash Flow Problem appeared first on Small Business Trends.     |
| Our Latest List of Small Business Contests and Awards Posted: 14 Oct 2012 10:54 AM PDT Looking for a small business contest or competition? Check out our hand-picked list . Check it out! ****
Entrants must create their sites using vFlyer Sites. The first phase of voting will take place on Facebook to select the ten finalists, and then three guest judges will select the winners. Websites will be judged on their effectiveness, ease of use and overall look and feel. The Grand Prize winner will receive $2,500, and the first and second runner-ups will receive $500 and $250, respectively. All entrants will receive a service credit on vFlyer's website service.
Dell has launched a $100 million Innovators Credit Fund, with the purpose of helping entrepreneurs "maximize potential for innovation, speed to market and job creation." The credit fund will offer both funding and technology resources with IT support, depending on what each start-up needs. To be eligible, you must have already received some angel funding or venture capital before you can apply. Start-ups can get up to 10% of its current funding or up to $150,000 with limited credit terms. See website for details and application.
Toshiba, Intel and Staples have teamed up to help small businesses share their stories and win thousands of dollars in new technology. Throughout 2012, they will award $10,000 technology makeovers to American businesses and free Intel-powered Ultrabooks to the people who support them. Categories include Powering Knowledge, Powering Innovation, Powering Service, Powering Products, and Powering Good. See website for details and entry guidelines.
The 2012-2013 MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES) business plan competition is now open and accepting entries. Since 1999, MillerCoors has invested more than $1.7 million in the dreams of entrepreneurs. This year brings new opportunities for entrepreneurs like you. Enter your business plan for a chance to vie for a $50,000 business grant and potentially become a MillerCoors supplier.
The fifth annual StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition is now open and accepting entries. The Competition is a ranking of outstanding home businesses and the amazing people behind them. With more than 18 million home-based businesses in the United States, StartupNation's competition is aimed at celebrating the most successful businesses in this important segment of the market. Entries are accepted until the end of October. The 100 winners will be published in mid-December 2012. Winners can receive priceless exposure in the media and be positioned to take their business to the next level.
The Small Business Challenge is a way for companies to compete for up to $50,000 in cash & prizes, while creating new jobs in the USA. Starting September 1st, you can register, nominate or vote for your favorite small business & help create new jobs in America. Eligible Small Businesses can compete for $25k prize value (1st Place), $15k prize value (2nd Place), and $10k prize value (3rd Place) to help create new jobs in America.
Grow your business with a small business grant of up to $25,000.
The recession has claimed thousands of small businesses in recent years. Valpak plans to do its part in fueling local business growth with the Dough to Grow Award. The winner will receive $10,000 to help grow their business. Entrants do not need to be Valpak customers to nominate their business.
Do you have a great idea for an Infusionsoft App, integration or plug-in that will enhance the Infusionsoft user experience? Then you have a shot at being crowned the Kick Apps Champion in the Battle of the Apps 2013. First prize is $10,000. See website for details.
Shopify has teamed up with four world-class entrepreneurs to The list of awards and competitions is brought to you by Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com. To find more small business events, contests and awards, visit our Small Business Events Calendar. Please note: The descriptions provided here are for convenience only and are NOT the official rules. ALWAYS read official rules carefully at the site holding the competition, contest or award. The post Our Latest List of Small Business Contests and Awards appeared first on Small Business Trends.     |
| The Rebel Entrepreneur Rewrites The Rulebook Posted: 14 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT
We may not wear expensive suits. We may not be comfortable at a cocktail party or at the country club. And we may not be people who everyone in town knows. But we are the people who make this country strong. We are the driving force to the economy. When it comes to entrepreneurship, the rules of good business are the same but also different. To be a successful entrepreneur, there's got to be some rebel inside of you. So needless to say the book, The Rebel Entrepreneur: Rewriting the Business Rulebook by Jonathan Moules (@Jonathan_Moules), got my attention when the book publicist contacted me. As I began to read the book, I found the book to be right up my alley with its direct and candid approach about how to run to a successful business in the post Great Recession era. The book would be a good business read for anyone thinking of going into business, just starting out on their rebel entrepreneur journey but also any longtime rebel entrepreneurs with any sort of a business track record. The Rebel Entrepreneur is filled with examples of entrepreneurial success citing companies new and old, big and small, familiar and those not quite so familiar, plus companies of this global, Internet age we currently do business in. Some well-known entrepreneurs are mentioned too such as James Dyson, Richard Branson, Walt Disney and Steve Jobs. But beyond the names of companies and entrepreneurs who have made it big in business, the book has a lot of practical advice for business people. As I was reading the book I found myself often relating to and agreeing with the information in each chapter. It's business advice I have given to CEOs, business owners and entrepreneurs over the years. Here's a summary of what's in the book:
In Chapter 8, there is a quote from Samuel Goldwyn, the famous American film producer:
How true. Being an entrepreneur takes will, drive and determination. Plus a lot of long days and late nights. Constant dedication to your goal of business success. The Rebel Entrepreneur offers good, sound, practical business advice to help you build a better company no matter what is happening in the economy. Now go out and sell something. Make it happen. Be a rebel entrepreneur! The post The Rebel Entrepreneur Rewrites The Rulebook appeared first on Small Business Trends.     |
StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition
To the mainstream business world we entrepreneurs are extremely unusual. The mainstream business world doesn't understand us. They don't understand how we do business. They don't understand our creativity. Our drive. Our ambition. The risks we take every day. And how in the world could we be successful doing some of the things we do?!| You are subscribed to email updates from Small Business Trends To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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