ASBDC Biz Blog

Entrepreneurship and Wounded Warriors

2012-03-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

In the current economy where unemployment rates are already elevated for people in their twenties, the rate for Veterans sits at approximately 5% higher than the population as a whole. At the same time the SBA reports that veterans are more likely to start a business than the general population. Some reasons for this include the discipline and risk-taking they might have experienced in the field- when you’ve risked your life, taking a risk to start a business is put into an easier perspective. When you’ve been trained to get back up and keep going in the field, and to work precisely and closely with others, well, those are extremely useful entrepreneurial traits.

Because of the internet, the options for creating business and services create opportunities exist that weren’t imagined by veterans of previous eras. Even severely impacted people who might have needed in the past to be supported to live, are now often likely to need support to start something.

A welter of loans and grant programs for people with disabilities can be researched through the SBA and the Defense Department. But first it helps to know what one is doing and have a sense of the desired destination.

The Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities is a primary resource, supported by at least eight business schools at such institutions as UCLA, Syracuse University, Texas A&M, Florida State, Purdue, UConn and LSU.

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities

http://whitman.syr.edu/ebv/

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities resulting from their service to our country.

In the current era, technical sophistication counts for a lot in starting and maintaining a business. If a veteran doesn’t yet have the basic knowledge, hardware and software to take advantage of virtual resources, here is an essential head start:

Wounded Warrior Path to Strength (America's Adopt a Soldier)

www.americasadoptasoldier.org

WWPTS is a partnership developed over a four year period with Dell, Microsoft, Sprint, Verizon and AT&T. Through the maturity of this program we are able to provided Hardware Capital (Dell Laptop-with MS Office 2007 and Windows 7), Knowledge Capital (Four Days of MS Office 2007 classes from certified Microsoft Instructions) and Social Capital (Active broadband-Verizon).These are critical tools for our Soldiers to continue their training and education stay connected with family, social and professional networks/organizations.

The economic impact of each succeeding wave veterans starting new businesses has remade the American economy since World War II. The veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are poised to create even more fundamental growth with the unprecedented tools and support at their disposal.

“We couldn't have imagined that the online launch of the Funding Roadmap TM would coincide with the most profound economic crisis of our lifetime, but here we are, and as a world full of investors and lenders look to reboot, we’re here to provide an innovative, networked business planning and due diligence reporting system for funding professionals and entrepreneurs alike. It also includes a video pitching platform, a document repository and deal flow marketplace so entrepreneurs will have an online medium to brilliantly communicate all the essential data – along with their personal passion and commitment.”

Ruth. E. Hedges is the creator and CEO of Fundingroadmap.com. and Startups Across America. She has been featured in the New York Times, on ABC’s Home Show, and the Financial News Network did a two-part series on her for their show entitled ‘American Entrepreneur’.

For more information please visit http://fundingroadmap.com and http://www.startupsacrossamerica.com/SAA/

The Importance of Including Google+ In Your Social Media Strategy

2012-03-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, there’s yet another social network, and this time what you post directly correlates to the search results Google returns.

In early 2012, Google expanded the focus of its search results from great content, links, keywords and site architecture to include three new areas:

1. Personal results, such as Google+ photos and posts created by or shared specifically with the search user.

2. Profiles in search, meaning Google will display relevant people based on the search term.

3. People and Pages, including people profiles and Google+ pages Google thinks match the search query.

When Google users see fun pictures, people and profiles listed above your search results, you’ll probably notice a significant decrease in hits to your website.

To ensure your business isn’t left out of the mix, you’ll need to create a Google+ Business Page and post to it with some frequency.

Six Quick Steps to Launching Your Google+ Business Page

Visit Google+ for Business to start. To make the process a little easier on you, we’ve created this simple guide that sticks to the basics of Google+ Business Pages.

1. Choose the correct category. You’ll be presented with five category choices. Making sure you select the correct category now saves a lot of headaches down the line.

2. Enter your phone number, or add it to Google. If Google can’t match your business phone number with your business, you can easily add your business to Google’s directory in this step.

3. Change the profile photo. Personal pictures are for personal pages. Of course, every rule has its exceptions, and a personal picture is fine if you’re a professional like an insurance agent, financial planner, doctor, etc.

4. Spread the word from your personal Google+ account. You can promote your new Google+ Business page from your personal Google+ account. If you haven’t created a personal account, it’s a good idea considering customers love to hear from small business owners.

5. Post on your brand new Google+ Business Page. Congratulations, you’ve completed your Google+ page! Like Facebook, it’s essentially an info page until you start making posts and engaging with other users.

6. Link your business website. Click the “Get the badge >>” link to add a badge to your website that links directly to your Google+ page.

Keeping Google+ in Perspective

Google+ may feel like the new toy you can’t stop playing with, but realize its role in the grand scheme of things. Facebook reaches about 800 million users, and Twitter lays claim to more than 300 million tweeters. At this time, Google+ only reaches 62 million users. Google+ will have to fit into—not dominate— your overall social media plan, even though it plays a role in your Google search results.

But make no mistake: As Google controls what’s displayed in search results, using Google+ is critical. Until, of course, Google changes everything yet again.

About Business Owner’s Toolkit
With an emphasis on problem-solving dating back to 1995, Business Owner’s Toolkit™ (www.toolkit.com) offers more than 5,000 pages of free cost-cutting tips, step-by-step checklists, real-life case studies, startup advice, and business templates to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The site also offers a monthly newsletter, up-to-date news topics, and Ask Alice!, a column that closely follows industry trends and provides trusted advice to inquiring site visitors.

Is your SMB seeking greater productivity? Consider the cloud

2012-02-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

In our strained economy, it’s essential for small business owners to be able to do more with less, while maximizing productivity as much as possible. The advent of cloud computing has ushered in a host of ways small and midsized businesses (SMBs) can maintain and even increase productivity among workers. Here are a few areas in which cloud computing can help:

· Collaboration and communication – It can be challenging to build a team of employees that work seamlessly together, with trust, transparency and teamwork as the foundation. Add to that the need to invest in and maintain technologies that facilitate effective collaboration - and you’ve got an even bigger hurdle.

Fortunately, the cloud makes it easy for SMBs to provide workers with integrated, intuitive ways to collaborate and remain productive in the process. Cloud productivity solutions that combine programs employees use the most – e-mail, document creation, messaging, conferencing, etc. – deliver enterprise-class capabilities at prices smaller organizations can afford, such as Office 365, which starts at just $6 per user per month.

· Mobility – Cloud computing solutions are available anywhere employees have secure Internet connections helping keep workers productive in and out of the office. This bodes well for companies with field workers who work primarily from mobile devices as well as companies that wish to offer remote work opportunities.

According to a survey commissioned by Microsoft, many of the main reasons information workers at SMBs preferred to work remotely had to do with productivity – no commute, fewer distractions and the ability to complete unfinished work at home.

· Security – Remaining abreast of the latest security threats and measures for protection requires a significant amount of time and energy, especially for SMBs that lack trained in-house IT staff.

When leveraging cloud computing solutions, SMBs can reduce some of the stress that comes from trying to independently maintain rigorous security standards. A qualified cloud services vendor should be able to provide users with enterprise-class security protocols founded on an ongoing understanding of the latest threats and how to address them. Choosing a vendor with high standards when it comes to security will free workers up to focus more on adding value to the business, and also will reduce the risk of security breaches that inevitably hamper employee productivity.

While there’s no silver bullet for increased productivity in the workplace, certain technologies like cloud computing solutions can go a long way toward helping businesses operate more efficiently and see significant improvements in how employees spend their time.

Click here for a free guide to learn more about cloud computing and if it is right for your business. For more tips and information on how the cloud can boost productivity, follow me on Twitter (@Cindy_Bates) or follow Microsoft SMB on Twitter (@MicrosoftSMB) and Faceb

Evaluating the new virtual tools for start-ups and small business management, financing and communications.

2012-02-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Launching a new business in a 21st century digital world requires using a lot of new and innovative financial tools, not only to plan, but to be able to keep track of the growth and financial success of your business. Almost every day we are introduced yet another great tool that streamlines complicated processes and procedures that just a few years ago would have taken weeks or months to complete or achieve. Millions of U.S. small-business owners are spending a lot of time reviewing and screening the digital bazaar of these new tools.

As technology gets cheaper and easier to use, small firms and Startups take advantage of financial tools more than ever before to run and track their small businesses. And today’s proliferating selection of smartphone and Tablet app's are providing advantages and conveniences that wouldn't’ have been imagined only a few years ago.

This year, we’ll introduce you to some of the exciting and innovative new cloud-based financial, project management and communications tools, and offer advice on how to determine which ones would best help you get your business either up and running, or set for further growth and efficiency.

Before considering a new digital tool, you should:

1. Take time to read the fine print. Determine there is no fine print clauses that make canceling a subscription difficult.

2. Do an online search about the product you are considering subscribing to and see if there are lots of bad reviews on that company and its product.

3. On the other hand, see if you can find good press and positive, verifiable testimonials for that company.

4. Consider and compare how long it might take to get your company integrated into different systems and what the actual costs would be over the long run.

5. Look for systems that are compatible with other platforms you have already invested lots of time and money in if possible.

6. On the other hand, don't overlook the long-term benefits of switching if a system is far superior and has the potential to completely streamline a process. Short term inconvenience might pay off in the long term.

7. The world is moving onto the cloud and financial tools need to be collaborative and available anytime from anywhere, so make sure you’re looking at companies who have virtual solutions.

8. Find products that are easy to understand and that you and your team can use even if you don't have access to an accountant or other professionals.

9. Make sure the annual cost is in line with your overall cash flow and fits into a budget you have established for yearly technology, work-flow or accounting expenses.

According to American Express “76% of consumers say they have better control of their finances as a result of using online financial tools."

In the comments section, readers are invited to recommend new solutions that they are pleased with or curious about, and to further critique any products that might be discussed.

We couldn't’ have imagined that the online launch of the Funding Roadmap TMwould coincide with the most profound economic crisis of our lifetime, but here we are, and as a world full of investors and lenders look to reboot, we’re here to provide an innovative, networked business planning and due diligence reporting system for funding professionals and entrepreneurs alike.
It also includes a video pitching platform, a document repository and deal flow marketplace so entrepreneurs will have an online medium to brilliantly communicate all the essential data – along with their personal passion and commitment.”

Ruth. E. Hedges is the creator and CEO of Fundingroadmap.com. and Starups Across America. She has been featured in the New York Times, on ABC’s Home Show, and the Financial News Network did a two-part series on her for their show entitled ‘American Entrepreneur’.
For more information please visit http://fundingroadmap.com and http://www.startupsacrossamerica.com/SAA/

3 Easy Fixes to Triple Your Website Leads

2012-02-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

If you’ve heard me speak before, you know that I feel strongly that a website should never be just a virtual pamphlet or online billboard. It must DO something. In more than 90% of the cases, that “do” can be defined as “generating leads.”

But how do you get a website to drive leads, or more importantly, qualified leads to your business? The key is to understand online user behavior and build your site to not only accommodate your site visitors, but prompt them to action!

I’ve noticed three big mistakes most websites make when trying to meet the goal of lead generation:

Hiding Phone Numbers
When needing a phone number, very few people pull out their phonebooks. In fact, today, the number one use of the yellow pages is to prop up computer monitors! Most people simply “google” a business to find a number.

How many times have you searched for a business just so you can find their phone number only to have to “hunt” through numerous pages? It’s almost as if they don’t want you to contact them! I know the telephone may seem low-tech, but if someone wants to contact me, I want them to be able to use whatever method they prefer. So, put your phone number on EVERY page.

Weak Contact Incentives
Most websites have a “Contact Us” page, a simple form, that if filled out, will email the contents to the site owner. How many of those type forms have you ever filled out? Yeah, me neither.

Remember this: You have no way of knowing who is visiting your site unless you convince them to contact you. And, in the case of lead generation, that is the whole goal! The secret to lead generation is to remember that a person’s personal information has a value associated with it. They will not just give it to you because you asked. BUT, they will trade for it.

In other words, if you offer them something of greater value than the privacy of their information, they will happily give it to you. This concept is not new. It has been implemented at tradeshows for years every time you put your business card in a fish bowl to enter a drawing.

In a future post, I’ll share the secret giveaway that guarantees a lead and costs you NOTHING.

Asking For Too Much Information
Once you have a proper incentive, make sure you are only asking for the most important information. Here’s the rule: Only collect enough information to make an initial contact with the prospect. The more data you ask for, the fewer people will fill it out. My rule is to only ask for Name, Email, Phone, and then give them a space to ask questions or write comments. I ask for email AND phone only as a backup precaution, in case they mistype one.

I welcome your comments below!

Eric Spellmann continues to be one of the highest rated speakers at our national ASBDC conferences. His unique view that small business websites should “do” something pushes against the standard “online pamphlet” view of most web design companies. He believes your customer’s websites should be driving qualified leads and sales on a weekly basis. Eric speaks at a number of other national and state conferences nationwide, but enjoys running one of the most successful web design companies in the country. He truly believes in the SBDC mission as it helped him start his own company many years ago. To contact him, visit his website at EricSpellmann.com.

5 Simple Ways Your Nonprofit Can Use LinkedIn to Find More Donors

2012-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

With all the social networking sites available today, you may wonder which is best for your nonprofit organization. More importantly, you may be wondering which site is best for your organization in terms of finding more donors. The answer may surprise you: It's LinkedIn.

Why LinkedIn? Well, according to the site's own statistics, LinkedIn boasts more than 120 million affluent, influential professionals from over 200 countries and territories.

In 2010, HubSpot and LinkedIn teamed up to create an infographic that showed members are highly educated (more than 70% have a bachelor's or graduate degree), affluent (close to 50% of users have an income of more than $100,000 per year), and they hold influential positions -- more than 30% are senior-level executives and managers, while 50% are decision makers in the companies/organizations.

LinkedIn’s power comes from getting connected with the right people. How do you get your nonprofit connected with these potential donors? Here are 5 simple tips to build these connections fast:

1. Get your team connected. Make sure every employee, board member, and volunteer has a profile that links to your website and references that they work for your organization. These profiles will then get linked to your organization’s LinkedIn page, helping you build your LinkedIn presence.

2. Search for similar organizations. Find out who is affiliated with what organizations and who those people are connected to. When you find relevant people, see if you’re connected somehow through existing relationships. Then you can ask for a LinkedIn introduction to get connected yourself.

3. Find and join relevant groups. Once you’re a member of a group you’ll be able to connect with the other members with the click of a button.

4. Join relevant discussions. Add to discussions whenever possible. Share your organization’s story where appropriate and let people know about the work your organization is doing. This will help you build interest for your organization and its cause.

5. Promote your LinkedIn page. Extend your network by making sure people know about your LinkedIn presence. Send an email to your email subscribers and post links to your organization’s page on your website.

Want to find out more ways that your organization can use LinkedIn to connect with potential donors? Visit Constant Contact’s blog, Constant Commentary: http://conta.cc/rR18su.

Gina Watkins is a leading expert on e-marketing for small business – and has a real passion for helping businesses to succeed. Her ongoing series of dynamic lectures are filled with real-world examples, humor and results-driven wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sales, business development and marketing experience. In addition to owning her own business, she is an award-winning direct marketer, has been featured on WUSA Channel 9's Mind Over Money show, Dr. Gayle Carson’s Women In Business radio show, Morgan State’s Briefcase Radio program, and in numerous other media. In her role as Constant Contact Regional Development Director, she’s presented to more than ten thousand seminar attendees about the keys to success with easy, affordable, highly effective technology tools that grow trusted business relationships.

Three Opportunities for Veterans Eager To Start, Run or Grow a Small Business

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

For those actively serving, returning home from duty or looking to leverage skills gained as veterans from different service eras, we’d like to thank you for your service—and help you on your tour of duty in the private sector.

You’re likely already familiar with the 100,000 Jobs Mission, a military-private sector initiative to place veterans and military personnel into full-time employment. In addition, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act offers tax credits for employers that hire unemployed and service-disabled veterans. So finding a job in corporate America is, hopefully, becoming less difficult for former military personnel.

But what if you have that insatiable itch to strike out on your own? If you’re a burgeoning entrepreneur, check out these three opportunities unique to veterans, all designed to help you start your new business or grow its operations.

1. SBA loans guaranteed by the VA

Before you can open shop, you’ll need financing to get your business running. Even if you’ve saved a considerable amount, keeping those funds as a cash reserve and securing financing to start your business may be a wise option.

Through the SBAExpress and Patriot Express programs, you can secure loans at lower interest rates than offered by most banks and credit unions. In some instances, you will even receive a response to your application within 36 hours.

The Patriot Express program is available to all veterans, active-duty service members eligible for the Transition Assistance Program, reservists, National Guard members. . . and even current spouses. It can help with financing startup or expansion costs.

2. Preferred contracting with the government

Previous employers can be your best customers. They already know your talents and appreciate your knowledge of their operations. Be sure to check out your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center for more information on how to effectively compete for government contracts. Many PTACs offer access to special veterans’ services.

To explore contracting opportunities available through the Veterans Administration (VA), visit the VA Forecast of Contracting Opportunities Website.

Even better than working for your old boss, you can obtain seed money from Uncle Sam. The Department of Labor may be able to help through its VETS’ Guide to Competitive and Discretionary Grants (PDF). Although this guide clocks in at nearly 150 pages, as your drill instructor might have said, “No pain, no gain.”

3. Exclusive franchising discounts

Many entrepreneurs choose franchises for the brand stability and support for the day-to-day and administrative operations offered by the larger organization.

VetFran has located more than 400 International Franchise Association (IFA) franchisors offering discounts, trainings and more to veterans who want start their own franchises. For example, 7-Eleven cuts 10 percent off its franchise fee for honorably discharged veterans, in addition to providing up to 65 percent of the financing for startup.

According to VetFran’s statistics, over 2,100 veterans have used this service to become franchisees.

With these programs and your unique talents obtained during your military tenure, you can make your mark as a battle leader-turned-business leader.

Why Social Media Engagement and Customer Intelligence Go Hand In Hand

2012-02-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know you get social media (or at least you’re trying). You try to post on a regular basis to Twitter. You try your best to create a great Facebook page. On the other hand, you know that you’ve got to be very focused on your customers. What you might not know is why it’s important to blend your customer service tools with social media intelligence.

Maybe you sell carpet. Before your sales teams calls upon your dental client, Dr. Marvin Drillman, wouldn’t it be great to know that he just Tweeted something about his wife’s upcoming birth day and you could suggest he re-carpet their den for her birthday. This is “social crm”.

As your business grows it’s critical that you not only invest the time and resources to build a database of your customers and know about their past sales trends and purchase preference, but that you and your team also know what your customers are saying in social media.

If you are deaf to your customer, they’ll be deaf to you as well.

You’ll be marketing to them but the response won’t be as great as it could be or it will be simply a miserable failure. Building LONG term customer relationships is beyond a CPC campaign or TV commercial – it’s being in TUNE with each and other customer. The only way to do that is by leveraging social crm and executing on a content production strategic.

Part of this social crm is also analyzing your keywords, your analytics – gaining as much intelligence about your customer – aggregately and individually as you can.

Still don’t believe me:

· The competition today is stronger than it was 10 or 20 or 50 years ago
· Your customer has access to more information about the products you sell
· Your customers can easily speak to other customers about they’re good or bad experiences with you
· Customers want to feel special (social CRM is the new mint on the pillow)
· Face to face customer lunches are great, but MUST be complimented with social media listening – 24/7
· Issuing press releases and getting media attention is not enough. You must create your own content, that is found by customers and others and be your own media.

If you’re curious how social crm looks check out BatchBlue and Nimble – two simple and low cost tools where you can manage your customer contacts and also see what they’re saying on social media.

Ramon is a journalist, technology evangelist, speaker, editor of Smallbiztechnology.com and author of “Technology Solutions for Growing Businesses” (Amacom) and most recently “Technology Resources for Growing Businesses“. Ramon has written thousands of technology articles and news items for Smallbiztechnology.com and other media including: Open Forum, Inc. Magazine, New York Enterprise Report, Black Enterprise Magazine, CNet, Var Business, TechTarget, Entrepreneur.com, Small Business Resources and others. He has also written for technology vendors including Microsoft, FileMaker, and Everest. He is often quoted in the media, including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, WCBS Radio, Crains New York, National Federal of Independent Business, Small Business Advocate Radio Show, Wells Fargo Small Business Roundup, Tech Talk with Craig Peterson and Smart Money.

5 Simple Ways to Get More Engagement on Your Facebook Page

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's a question almost as old as Facebook itself: Once people have "Liked" your Page, how do you keep them engaged? One of the best ways is to use the right kind of content -- the kind that will elicit a response and get your fans to take action.

Ready to engage some more on Facebook? Here are five simple ways:

1. Use photos. According to a recent report from digital marketing agency Web Liquid, Facebook posts with photos are the most likely to engage users. These posts showed a .37% engagement rate, compared to a .27% rate for text-only posts and a .15% rate for just links. If you think about it, this shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Photos, obviously, grab attention visually and people must click them to get a closer look. So use an intriguing photo to get people’s attention. Be sure to say something about the photo, too. We’ve seen people using this space to write more without having to link off Facebook.

2. Use video. Use video. Video can be richly engaging, allowing viewers to see and hear the speaker or view the action far more richly than words alone. Like photos, people must click to get a closer look. Videos also take up more real estate in a newsfeed, making them easier to notice. In fact, in the Web Liquid study, video posts had the second-highest engagement rate (.31%). Remember to make them short & sweet, 30-90 seconds, for the greatest impact.

3. Ask questions to increase comments. Ask questions to increase comments. Encourage people to engage with you - and each other - by regularly asking questions. Readers will know you value their opinions, and while not everyone will comment, questions will encourage many more to participate than statements alone. Just be sure to ask your fans explicitly for a comment (see the next tip).

4. Use clear calls to action. Would you like someone to comment, share, or “Like” your update? All you have to do is ask. Another recent report, this time from Momentus Media, showed that posts asking users to “like” them had an engagement rate of .38%, compared to an .11% rate for posts without that call to action.

5. Write longer updates. You may think short and sweet is the way to go, but you shouldn’t be afraid to share longer stories with your fans. Longer Facebook status updates show higher interaction than shorter ones. So when you need to, elaborate! This may give readers a better chance to connect with your update.

What have you seen in regards to engagement on your Facebook Page? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/constantcontact.

Business plans…for better for worse, for richer for poorer

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of the debates I hear most often revolves around the need for a Business Plan. Love them or hate them…everyone has an opinion. I’ve heard VC’s say they never do anything without one, and I’ve heard them say they are a waste of time.

My opinion? Yes. No. Absolutely. No way. Without a doubt. Maybe.

I think it all depends on what you are going to use it for. I’ve seen hundreds (and written dozens) of business plans over the years and I can’t think of one where everything went according to the plan that was so carefully written. So why bother with them? Simple. I think the highest value to be gained from putting thoughts to paper lies in helping the writer think through their models.

Top 5 Reasons to Write Them

1. Make mistakes on paper before you make them with dollars. It’s a really good exercise to really think through your business model.

2. Prove to potential investors, and to yourself, that you’ve really thought this through.

3. Ability to forecast multiple “what if” scenarios, that you are realistic in your anticipations and goals.

4. A road map to see if you are staying on task with your goals.

5. Benchmarks for investors and stakeholders.

Top 5 Reasons Not to Write Them

1. Very time consuming. A good model can take weeks or months to do the research and document properly. How will this impact your launch?

2. It could box you into only thinking one way. Starting and building a business demands you to be nimble and fast on your feet.

3. Could prevent you from taking advantage of an unforeseen opportunity. Business takes odd twists and turns and the right path for your business could be around one of them.

4. Don’t rely on it to keep you from making mistakes…perhaps the plan was not right.

5. They are an absolute pain in the neck to write.

The real answer is…there is no one clear path to building your business successfully. The right path for you will be driven by a combination of luck, timing, opportunity and expertise. Do what is right for you….what your heart tells you is the right path. At the end of the day…it’s your business to succeed or fail. And that level of control of our own destiny is what makes us entrepreneurs.

Peter Justen is the Founder of FivePlus, a cloud based financial dashboard for small businesses (www.fiveplus.co) He is considered a subject matter expert in small business, and has been interviewed by leading publications including Forbes.com, WSJ, INC, Entrepreneur, PC Magazine, PC World, and FOX News Radio. Peter was profiled by Smart CEO Magazine as one of the “20 Leaders We Admire in Washington, D.C.”, and was singled out by the Government of Finland in their study on innovation as a “Shining example of US Innovation”.

Starting a business is not an easy decision.

2012-02-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

The risk and stress involved can be overwhelming and can take it’s toll on the entrepreneur. At the end of the day, if all goes well it will be the most rewarding decision an entrepreneur will ever make.

Giving up a comfortable corporate job with excellent benefits and perks is truly a tough decision. A decision not to be lightly.

Transitioning out of the military and not having a job lined up can be extremely stressful. For many Veterans this is the reality. Especially for an Army Reserve or National Guard soldier that has just returned from a long deployment.

Many of the soldiers today find it hard to maintain long term employment because they don’t know if/when their next deployment is going to happen. A lot of young soldiers have taken on the role of a part time Active Duty soldier bouncing from deployment to deployment. Eventually they tire of the life or the deployments dry up and they are forced to seek full time employment.

When they reach that point, it is time to consider becoming an entrepreneur.

Military Veterans embody many of the characteristics of entrepreneurs simply from the background, training, experience and risk taking lifestyle they have become accustomed to.

One of the biggest reasons people DO NOT start a business is FEAR. I think that is one of the primary reasons that Veterans make incredible business owners. We have been trained to overcome fear and accept the challenge. Fear is not an obstacle to most Veterans and they realize they have no one to blame for failure but them self. They are willing to take that risk.

Fear is an inhibitor in everybody. It makes us cautious and it makes adverse to taking risks. Fear of failure, fear of loss of financial stability, fear of criticism, fear of success in some instances.

Courage is the ability to recognize the fear and confront it head on. Overcome the fear and triumph. Veterans are extremely good at showing courage and poise in times of stress and strife. Veterans know they can plan for and push through the bad times, suck it up and still emerge victorious.

Blue Pen Success is an Entrepreneur training program based on the tried and true My Own Business Inc. (MOBI) training. MOBI allows certified graduates to teach the course. I decided to "teach it by creating an online video series of the courses for FREE!!www.bluepensuccess.com

Why young entrepreneurs don’t have to start with BIG loans

2012-02-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

In a recent study published by the Kauffman Foundation http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedfiles/millennials_study.pdf,young people listed two main challenges in becoming entrepreneurs: access toentrepreneurial training and access to capital.

There are many resources for young entrepreneurs to gain knowledgeabout starting their own business. The idea of funding your enterprise throughsales is “The Lemonade Stand”approach. This idea can also be applied to funding entrepreneurial learning. Hereare seven ways to get affordable entrepreneurial enlightenment without riskingit all.

1. Work for another entrepreneur to learn the ropes.

2. Read as many books and publications about entrepreneurship, start-ups and business as possible.

3. Volunteer for a company that needs extra assistance. See if there is a problem you can solve in a unique way, and take action.

4. Leverage the entrepreneurial organizations that provide free thought leadership papers online. Subscribe to their newsletters and updates.

5. Identify people in your family and network of friends that are entrepreneurs. Ask them if you can interview them about the lessons they have learned.

6. Visit your local Small Business Development Center.

7. Get a PhD. Be “poor, hungry and driven” during the first years. It makes entrepreneurs even more creative and resourceful.

Another resource produced recently from the KauffmanFoundation through their Sketchbook tool talks about the entrepreneurial “MoneyGame”. The video details the different ways that entrepreneurs find money tosupport their vision. It does not advocate large loans to get started as well.

Many young people think they have to borrow tons of cash tofund their education and their first business. It is just not smart, and mostof all, it is just not true.

Amy P. Kelly is an entrepreneur that specializes in ways thatbusinesses can support causes that improve communities and lives. She is VicePresident of ClearPath where her teamhelps entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Amy started her first business at nineselling hair barrettes and is currently working on several new ventures whileleading The Lemonhead Movement www.lemonheadsrule.com. Some of her projects include: BodyRejoice,The MomVest, Strategies for Life and YipDeals www.yipdeals.com. Amy has a particular affinity for youthentrepreneurship and is a wife and mother of four. Contact her atamypkelly@live.com.

Tech Tools with Ramon's Taste of Tech

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Free E-Guide to Help Your Business Prepare for Disaster

2012-01-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

What runs through your mind when you flip on the evening news or catch the headlines on your mobile device and see that another tornado or hurricane has devastated town “X”, leaving countless businesses, not to mention residents, in dire straits? I’m guessing you feel empathy, perhaps followed by the question, “Wow, if that happened to me, would my business survive?”

Well, these are actually really important questions to be asking yourself, regardless of whether you live in an area prone to natural disasters. Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and they’re not just physical. Virtual disasters that wreak havoc on IT networks can be just as destructive as physical catastrophes, paralyzing businesses and threatening their survival.

In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates more than 40 percent of businesses never reopen following a disaster and, of the remaining companies, at least 25 percent will close in two years. Furthermore, with fewer resources than larger corporations, SMBs have a harder time recovering from virtual and physical disasters than their larger counterparts.

I don’t bring all of this up just to make you afraid, but rather to make you aware and point you to a great resource that can help get your business get ready for “the worst,” should it happen. Click here for a free disaster preparedness e-guide, specifically tailored to SMBs. I encourage you to set aside some time as soon as possible to check out the guide and determine what steps your business needs to take to be able to withstand the unexpected.

I’m Cindy Bates, vice president ofMicrosoft’s U.S. SMB organization; and I’m very excited to be a regularcontributor to the ASBDC Biz Blog to connect with the ASBDC community, discussrelevant technology trends and provide some advice for anyone looking toleverage technology for business success.

I’m excited to report that there’stechnology movement making waves among businesses these days: “the cloud.” I’m looking forward to sharing insightson SMB technology trends, tips and tricks for your business on the ASBDC Biz Blog.In the meantime, follow me on Twitter (@Cindy_Bates) or followMicrosoft SMB on Twitter (@MicrosoftSMB) and Facebook (Microsoft SMB).

Veteran Entrepreneurs: Demonstrating Our Gratitude Through Acts of Support.

2012-01-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

They served and fought on our behalf. They devoted years of their lives and many endured repeated deployments. Now is our opportunity to help them in return. 26% of returning veterans are not looking for a job or a degree: they’re looking to get into business for themselves, and we should all be contributing in one way or another to help. We can help returned vets build new lives and thrive as they launch new business and grow their piece of the "American dream" in these tough economic times.

Imagine the impact it would have if millions of experienced business people individually stepped up and did just one thing, like mentoring, coaching, investing, creating strategic partnerships, making introductions to contacts and connections to help further an enterprise, donating or discounting equipment or materials, office space, and so much more that might be needed. What a powerful thing it would be to show our gratitude in this way and pay it forward to help support local veteran entrepreneurs in our towns and neighborhoods all across the country. Imagine if the rest of us were to make a point of buying their products and services and do whatever we can to help give them a leg up.

This is a serious problem and we can't wait for policies to solve it. Every month thousands of returning veterans arrive stateside to confront a stressed economy and meager job prospects. Veterans have a 25% higher unemployment rate than the general population, and it’s trending in the wrong direction. It’s our responsibility to foster the success of these people who have subjected themselves to the rigors and sacrifices of military service on our behalf. And when things are not going well, it’s our duty to do more. Many Vets come home to personal financial troubles. Those who owned homes often have fallen behind in their mortgage payments. In the current era, policy makers in many respects sacrifice the nation’s warriors to “benign neglect.” “Thank you for your service” is not enough, we can all do our part to create a successful and secure future for veterans and their families. Helping them to start businesses not only helps veterans but helps increase job growth and spur further economic recovery for us all.

The perfect Win-Win!

So as we continue to write about entrepreneurial veterans over the next year for the ASBDC, we’ll focus on how ordinary people are reaching out to help veterans launch and grow their businesses. If you’re an entrepreneurial veteran who’s been helped, or a citizen with a success story to share about how you are helping out, please leave a short comment below. We would love to hear your story. It may also help inspire others to pay it forward in ways they may not have ever thought of.

This is a golden opportunity to build not only a more successful and prosperous country, but also to weave closer communities through gratitude and support.

We couldn't’ have imagined that the online launch of the Funding Roadmap TM would coincide with the most profound economic crisis of our lifetime, but here we are, and as a world full of investors and lenders look to reboot, we’re here to provide an innovative, networked business planning and due diligence reporting system for funding professionals and entrepreneurs alike. It also includes a video pitching platform, a document repository and deal flow marketplace so entrepreneurs will have an online medium to brilliantly communicate all the essential data – along with their personal passion and commitment.”

Ruth. E. Hedges is the creator and CEO of Fundingroadmap.com. and Starups Across America. She has been featured in the New York Times, on ABC’s Home Show, and the Financial News Network did a two-part series on her for their show entitled ‘American Entrepreneur’.
For more information please visit http://fundingroadmap.com and http://www.startupsacrossamerica.com/SAA/

Dragon Brings Good Luck for Entreprenuers

2012-01-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

Luck. Money. Ambition. Initiative. Success.

Who wouldn’t want all that? Well, if Chinese astrology is right, they’re coming your way as we enter the lunar – or Chinese – New Year. It’s the Year of the Dragon – considered the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac, and it should be a great year for entrepreneurs and small business owners!

The Chinese New Year began on January 23 and festivities continue for two weeks. So “Gung hay fat choy!” (Loosely translated, that’s “happy new year.”) It’s time for my annual Chinese New Year’s column – giving you a glimpse of what’s predicted to affect you and your small business in the coming year.

Now, I’m not a believer in astrology, but why not have some fun with this tradition that more than a billion people around the globe share? Of course, it’s a great time time to have a delicious Chinese meal with colleagues or friends; we have an annual Chinese New Year lunch in my company.

Moreover, it’s an opportunity to reflect on how you can choose to embody some of the traits that are associated with the coming year as you plan to grow your business in 2012

Chinese astrology is based on a 12 year cycle – each year named for one of the animals that supposedly responded when Buddha called. Each animal is associated with certain traits, generally ones you can figure out: the ox for hard work, the tiger for aggressiveness. In a large part of the world, personal and business decisions are influenced by which year it is in the Chinese zodiac.

We’re now entering the year of the Dragon – an incredibly auspicious year, the most fortunate of all, according to tradition. Dragon years are associated with good luck, money, accomplishment, celebrations, longevity, success. If, in fact, that’s what this year brings, it should be a terrific time for business owners or to start a new business! People born in the year of the dragon are likely to be leaders, active, powerful, who take initiative and are creative. Good traits for entrepreneurs!

The Dragon is considered the most special of all the symbols and the most powerful. It’s the only symbol that is not a real animal and has mystical qualities. In China, many people want children who embody Dragon traits, and births in China rise by about 5% in Dragon years. Likewise, it is a good year to give “birth” to a new business.

According to the “Economist” magazine, the stock market likes Dragon years too. From 1900-2011, the Dow Jones Index has increased an average of 7.7% in Dragon Years – the second best record of any animal of the Chinese zodiac.

So what is forecasted for this coming Dragon year and what does that mean for you and your business?
* Wealth – It should be a good year for making money, and hopefully this means an increasingly strong overall economy. So don’t be afraid to aggressively pursue financial goals this year – you’re more likely to succeed. But as the cash rolls in, be sure to put some aside for a rainy day.
* Ambition – Have you been afraid to live your dreams, follow your passion? Now’s the time to go for it!
* Innovativeness – A good year for trying new approaches, introducing new products or services, reinvigorating your company with creative ideas.
* Virtue - As you grow your business this year, remember your social responsibility to others – your employees, society, environment.
* Harmony – Find ways to communicate better with your employees and customers and create a harmonious workplace.
* Big changes – Dragon years can be tumultuous, so be prepared for the unexpected. But it can be a time to shake yourself up too, so it can be a terrific year to try new things, take big chances, make significant change.

As you grow your company this year, remember to harness the strength and power of a dragon and try to attract the good luck dragons bring. Dragon years are associated with people who take initiatives – “do-ers.” So don’t wait for good fortune to come to you, go out and make your own fortune. Be bold, be brave. Make your mark. After all, a fire-breathing, tail-wagging dragon would likely carve quite a path wherever it goes. Happy new year!

Copyright Rhonda Abrams, 2012
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Rhonda Abrams is the author of “Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies.” Rhonda is the President of PlanningShop, creator of content for entrepreneurs. Register for her free business tips newsletter at www.PlanningShop.com, “like” PlanningShop's Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter @RhondaAbrams.

7 Ways to Make Your Kick-Off Gathering a Successful One

2012-01-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

Hostingan event is a great way to kick off the New Year. No matter the type, an event gives yourbusiness or organization an opportunity to make a more personal connection withthe people you meet. This can give you a hugeadvantage, especially in a tough economy. Here are 7 ways to make your event a successful one and start 2012 offon the right foot:

1. Get the word out early. Sending a save-the-date email as soon as you firm up your event details allows invitees to reserve the time. You can follow up later and ask people to RSVP and register in advance. If you're charging, ask people to pay in advance as well-- they'll be more likely to be there.

2. Create a sense of excitement and exclusivity. Everyone wants to feel like a VIP. Email a coupon to attendees that they can redeem at the door, or if there will be a cash bar, send a free drink ticket that attendees can redeem if they bring the coupon.

3. Increase the urgency when needed. As the registration deadline nears, send a reminder email to anyone you've invited who hasn't signed up yet. For example, "Only 5 spots left. Register today!"

4. Encourage guests to bring their friends. If you're hosting a fundraiser, incentivizing people to bring a friend can mean double the donations, or if you're a consumer-oriented business, rewarding customers if they bring additional guests could mean even more purchases.

5. Involve the community. Want to spice up your event with a little entertainment? Look no further than the local schools. Invite a school group to sing or play at your event. They're cute, free, and they'll bring their parents.

6. Put all event details on your event homepage. Don't make your guests work to find your event. Put all the pertinent details about your event on a special event homepage and be sure to include a link to a map for directions.

7. Use multi-channel marketing to promote your event. Don't just use email or event marketing tools for planning and promoting your events. Use all of the tools in your marketing toolkit. For example:

· Provide a link to your event homepage on all of your social networks.

· Use social syndication tools to allow invited guests to promote your event for you.

· If you're co-hosting with other businesses or organizations, share the cost by cross-promoting the event on each of your websites, via social media, and in other outlets, such as community newspapers (which often place nonprofit bulletin board ads for free).

Start the year on a memorable note

Running a great event doesn’t have to cost a lot (particularly if you team up with your business neighbors). With some thought, planning, and promotion, you can begin the year on a high note—and hopefully pick up some great new prospects during the process.

Want to learn more about how you can run a successful event? Join the conversation with Event Marketing from Constant Contact on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ctcteventmarketing.

Gina Watkins is a leading expert on e-marketing for smallbusiness – and has a real passion for helping businesses to succeed. Herongoing series of dynamic lectures are filled with real-world examples, humorand results-driven wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sales,business development and marketing experience. In addition to owning her ownbusiness, she is an award-winning direct marketer, has been featured on WUSA Channel9's Mind Over Money show, Dr. Gayle Carson’s Women In Business radio show,Morgan State’s Briefcase Radio program, and in numerous other media. In herrole as Constant Contact Regional Development Director, she’s presented to morethan ten thousand seminar attendees about the keys to success with easy,affordable, highly effective technology tools that grow trusted businessrelationships.

Small Business…the Hope for America’s Future.

2012-01-23T13:30:00.000-05:00

When I’m asked to speak on small business, it always amazesme how few people realize the role small business plays in our economy. Here are some interesting stats from theSmall Business Administration.

Small businesses Generate $5 Trillion inbusiness in the US
Represent 99% of all employer firms
Pay 44% of total US payroll
68% of employment
Employ 50% of private sector employees

These are the numbers that helped build our country, thatkeep our economy running strong, that create the jobs. We don’t need bailouts or governmentassistance…all we need is the opportunity and the drive to make it happen.

And we have that…

There has never been a better time to start your ownbusiness. The proliferation of theinternet has been a great equalizer, knocking down traditional barriers toentry, making it easier, faster and cheaper to start and build your ownbusiness than ever before.

Let’s think aboutsome of the tools, what they can do for you and their costs.

How to incorporate your great idea? Try the Company Corporation (http://www.incorporate.com/). Their prices to incorporate start at $79 andthey will walk you through the entire process
Website. Itstill amazes me that some of the businesses I speak with don’t have awebsite! The cost of putting up a decentsite has dropped dramatically over the last few years, with many sites offeringlow cost templates to get you started. Try Network Solutions (http://www.networksolutions.com)where you can register a domain name for under $10 bucks and you can build awebsite for free…no geek skills required!

Now that we are incorporated and have asite that tells the world what we do, it’s time to tell them!

Media. From Twitter (www.twitter.com) toFacebook (www.facebook.com) it’s easierand cheaper than ever to get the word out. Build a base of potential buyers using the strength and power of theirmillions of users.
Marketing. Groupon (www.groupon.com) and Living Social (www.livingsocial.com) are only two examplesof the dozens of sites that will take your product to market for free and sharethe revenue with you.
Employees. Gone are the days when you had to hire full time employees to help buildyour Company. A much better and verycommon practice is to use part time or contract employees to do specifictasks. You can have one person workingon the marketing on your site, another working on the social media, anotherworking with on you on tweaking your message. Craigslist (www.craigslist.com)and Fiverr (www.fiverr.com) are both greatresources for finding immediate talent to use when you need them.
Office space. Almost a thing of the past. Outsource your marketing, staffing, web development and webpresence. Who needs an office? You need a computer, an internet connectionand the drive and desire to succeed. Bricks and mortar are no longer a requirement, but in many cases ahindrance.

So what are you waiting for? America was built by people who had a dream…and the desire to make it areality. It’s time to get started.

Peter Justen is the Founder of FivePlus, a cloud basedfinancial dashboard for small businesses (www.fiveplus.co)He is considered a subject matter expert in small business, and has beeninterviewed by leading publications including Forbes.com, WSJ, INC,Entrepreneur, PC Magazine, PC World, and FOX News Radio. Peter was profiled bySmart CEO Magazine as one of the “20 Leaders We Admire in Washington, D.C.”,and was singled out by the Government of Finland in their study on innovationas a “Shining example of US Innovation”.

Essential Apps Every Small Business Should Use

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Success in the small business arena can be measured manyways. However, one of my favoritebarometers is tied to the speed at which a business owner can adjust hisbusiness to the ever-changing needs of his customers. And making those decisions quickly isdirectly tied to having the right information at the right time.

Today’s smartphones empower business owners with real-timeaccess to this information. But, withliterally millions of apps competing for space on your phone, which programsshould earn a spot? Following, are myfour favorites that I use every day.

Toodledo.com

I used to keep a small slip of paper in my pocket, my to-do list. However, at the end of the day, it woulddisappear along with all of my undone tasks. Now, I don’t have that problem anymore. With toodledo, I can access my list from anywhere and any device. Their incredible iPad and smartphone appssync, so every task is only a click away. All tasks are organized in folders of your choice to help separate, say,home tasks from office errands. This oneapp keeps me focused!

Dropbox.com
Having access to every document anywhere on any device is no longer a pipedream. With Dropbox, all files on mywork PC automatically sync with my home PC, and even my iPhone! I can now view any contract with a clientfrom home, without having to drive to the office on a weekend. I can view my vacation photos at work eventhough I copied them off my camera at home! It’s amazing, and well worth your time to install.

Pulse.me
News overload. It’s so easy to spend toomuch time following the subjects you are interested in online. Pulse.me is not a website, per se. It is an app for your tablet or smartphone. You tell it your favorite news sites(including those in your industry). Itwill give you a page that contains short snippets of every article. You can easily peruse this list withouthaving to go to the actual site. It cutmy research time in half!

EverNote.com
Have you ever needed to jot something down “on the go?” Or have you wanted to make note of a websitefor later research? Evernote is foryou. Think of it as an incrediblysynchronized sticky note system. If I amat a client’s office and need to check my price list, it is only a clickaway. Or, if I discover a cool website,I can quickly mark it and access it later. You will find yourself using Evernote for everything!

What are your must-have apps? Drop me note and let me know, or commentbelow.

Eric Spellmann continues to be one of the highest ratedspeakers at our national ASBDC conferences. His unique view that small business websites should “do” somethingpushes against the standard “online pamphlet” view of most web designcompanies. He believes your customer’swebsites should be driving qualified leads and sales on a weekly basis. Eric speaks at a number of other national andstate conferences nationwide, but enjoys running one of the most successful webdesign companies in the country. Hetruly believes in the SBDC mission as it helped him start his own company many yearsago. To contact him, visit his websiteat EricSpellmann.com.

America The Land of Opportunity

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

America is the land of opportunity and nobody knows thatbetter than the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces protectingour Freedom both here at home and in foreign lands. We understand it because wehave seen what it is like when people don’t have Freedom, Liberty and thePursuit of Happiness.

Personally, I've served in both Bosnia and Afghanistan. In Bosnia I witnessed as people who had lived under a communist dictator for decades, suffered through a brutal civil war and then tried to learn the values of Freedom and capitalism. Fast forward 5 years and I found myself in Afghanistan which, while completely different culture, terrain and ethnic background, was undergoing the same transition after we ousted the Taliban.

Witnessing and enabling the transition to a FREE society is an amazing experience and I believe that without it success is not possible.

The first step in Success stems from the three important factors that I believe are critical for success. First, as I mentioned, you need FREEDOM. Freedom is essential to allowing people the opportunity to be successful. The day I realized what freedom meant was a very hot day in Afghanistan. I was pulling security on the street while my team was inside a building. A small girl probably 5-6 years old approached with an older gentleman. Every bad thought was running through my head. Like does she have a bomb strapped to her? And for the first time in my military career I didn't know how to react. The older gentlemen nudged her forward and she extended her hand up to me. I was one of the scary looking bearded guys [flash a picture of me with my beard] so I was amazed that she came up to me. When I took her hand she looked up at me and she said, Thank you for freeing my country. That was a powerful moment for me because I understood Freedom and what it would mean for that little girl. Cherish your Freedom.

Second, you need a good moral foundation. Do the right thing and good things happen for you. Follow your moral compass.

Third, you need other people. People are everywhere and you can't go through life without affecting other people's lives or being affected by other people. Always keep your faith in people.

Military Veteran Entrepreneurs have a number of unique qualities that give us a distinct advantage over non Veterans. Our leadership training, combat experience, decision making ability, our ability to plan and execute and our risk taking genetics. The list is truly much longer than those few items. That’s not to say non Veterans cannot be successful, because I know a lot of them (they do outnumber us 99 to 1), but we are unique and know how to win and be successful.

Veterans know and understand teamwork, they stand by one another and help each other when we need it and that makes all of us more successful.

Want more Fans and Followers? Start by Looking at Your Email List

2012-01-18T16:30:00.002-05:00

If you are using social media to market your business, you are alwayson the hunt for more Facebook fans, Twitter followers and LinkedIn connections,but how and where do you get them? Theanswer may be sitting right in front of you. Your email list can be one of thebest resources to help build your social following, and here are six easy waysto do just that:

1. Send a dedicated email. Send a special email to your subscribers announcing your social media presence every now and then. But don’t stop there. Make sure to tell these people why they should connect with you on social media in addition to email. For example, it’s because they’ll get additional tips/advice, be the first to hear about exclusive promotions/deals, or whatever else you decide to share. We are a big fan of telling subscribers that social media is where they can join you in a conversation. After all, email is a one-way “push” from you, so your customers will want somewhere where they can interact with you.

2. Include links in your email newsletter. Make your social media presence a regular part of your normal mailing by adding links to your social network profiles within the emails you already send. This will provide your customers with a constant reminder that they can connect with you in multiple places.

3. Encourage discussion. In your email newsletters, ask people what they think of the topics you discuss and direct them to your Facebook Page or to Twitter and encourage them to share their thoughts. These kinds of strong social calls to action will provide a link between the two channels, just make sure you are monitoring the discussion so you can reply and keep it rolling.

4. Enable social sharing. Incorporating sharing features into your email marketing gets your email out onto social networks where it will be seen by people beyond your mailing list. This can be as easy as adding the “Like” and “Tweet” buttons in the body of the email. Your audience will share the message with their networks as long as you provide solid content and make it easy for them to do so.

5. Feature an exclusive offer. Why not make Facebook or Twitter the place to be by featuring an offer that people can only see if they Like your Facebook Page or follow you on Twitter? Promote this offer to your email subscribers and encourage them to connect with you on social media.

6. Incentivize your subscribers. One national maker of dog bones and chews we know ran a campaign to increase its number of Facebook Likes by offering a $20 coupon to email subscribers once it reached 5,000 Likes. Your goal doesn't have to be as ambitious, but you can still reward your email subscribes if they help you get to your desired number.

Looking for more great ideas onhow you can use email to grow your social media following? Check out ConstantContact’s blog, Constant Commentary.

Ramon's Taste of Tech - Dell M110 Data Projector

2012-01-18T16:30:00.001-05:00

Youth Entrepreneurship: The Equation for Success

2012-01-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

(O + R)∞ + Pr – F + Ac= Ye

Peoplealways ask, "What is youth entrepreneurship? Is it just some kid thatstarts a business?”

During 2012,this column will explore various topics in relation to youth entrepreneurship. Itwill be analyzed through an equation that applies to all the successful youthentrepreneurs in recent history.

“Youth” is aconcept defined by the observer. If someone thinks you are young, then you areyouthful to them. This means you could be 9 or 29 – but either way, motivatedto start your own business. Therefore, a “youth entrepreneur” is someone thatis considered a youth and is an entrepreneur.

The key tobeing a successful youth entrepreneur is the equation above, and youngentrepreneurs have never been more important to the world. So let’s break itdown, and start actualizing this equation today.

The mainingredient that makes the young so perfect for entrepreneurship is optimism.Believing that something is possible must be an element of any entrepreneurialendeavor, or it doesn’t have a chance. The next element is resourcefulness. Thisinvolves creativity and not running to get borrow money every time you hit a roadblock.

One of thetwo main barriers for young entrepreneurs listed in the “Young Invincibles” brief from the Kauffman Foundation waslack of financial resources (the other was training). Financial resources canbe subsidized through infinite optimism added to infinite resourcefulness. Manymajor business expenses can be reduced or eliminated entirely by applying a perspectivethat combines resourcefulness and optimism.

The nextelement of any enterprise is the need for problems. You have to have a lemon tomake lemonade, and you certainly have to make lemonade in order to open up alemonade stand and turn a profit. Without the ability to identify, analyze andembrace problems as opportunities, there cannot be entrepreneurship on anylevel. Problems will occur in business,but the individuals with the youthful mindset of “anything is possible”implement the most creative solutions. The way this looks to a consumer is:“Wow, a unique and effective way to solve one of my big problems…I will gladlyspend money on that!”

Onceinfinite optimism and resourcefulness have been combined and focused on aproblem, there are two critical components necessary to achieve a youngentrepreneur’s goals: resisting fear and taking action. Taking action even whenyou might be afraid is courage.

After all, whatusually happens when people get a great idea? They let fear and inaction robthem of the opportunity to solve a problem, make money from the solution andchange the world.

These twoare the most difficult - even for young people. We start our lives withoutfear. We learn to worry about what others think, losing money and our creaturecomforts being taken away. Learned fear has conquered many would-berevolutionary inventors, societal innovators and empirical entrepreneurs.

In 2012,follow the equation of youth entrepreneurship, and share it with everyone youknow. The next generation depends on it!

Amy P. Kelly is an entrepreneur that specializes in ways thatbusinesses can support causes that improve communities and lives. She is VicePresident of ClearPath where her team helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals.Amy started her first business at nine selling hair barrettes and is currentlyworking on several new ventures while leading The Lemonhead Movement www.lemonheadsrule.com. Some of her projects include: BodyRejoice, TheMomVest, Strategies for Life and YipDeals www.yipdeals.com. Amy has a particular affinity for youthentrepreneurship and is a wife and mother of four. Contact her atamypkelly@live.com.