homebiznotes.com

November 7th, 2007

Home Biz Suggests You Check Out Contests at b5’s Sports Channel

If you like to participate in contests, check out three at b5media’s Sports Cannel, in other words, Play and Win at the Sports Channel.

 Three of the blogs are participating, Rackets and Balls, Hockey Beat, and World Poker Tour.  Each has a different set of rules.  Prizes include teddy bears and other great stuff.

It becoming more and more common for business to offer some kind of contest or prize drawing to encourage customers to stop by, whether it’s a walk-in business or an online one. 

*Leaving your business card in a fish bowl for a monthly drawing of free meal, free parking, free car wash, free quilting tool…or whatever is associated with your business…has become quite common.

*Leaving comments on a blog post for a drawing has gained in popularity.

*Writing a slogan for a product or promotion interests some.

*Naming a new product, animal, picture, etc. is another.

*Guessing the number of jelly beans, candy corn, candy hearts or something similar in a jar has been used, too.

What can you come up with to promote interest in your business and create fun at the same time?

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By Mary Emma -- 5 comments

November 6th, 2007

Mystery Shopping Scam Alert

Laura, at Work from Home Momma, mentioned in her comment on Yvonne’s post, Mystery Shopping Scams - Consumer Affairs Caution - Video , that she’d written today about a mystery shopping scam that’s making the rounds, especially to appeal to those working at home.  So I checked out her blog and thought some of our Home Biz Notes readers might like to read Laura’s post, Mystery Shopping Scam; Work-at-home Scam Alert.

It’s interesting when we find information that reinforces something we’ve written.  Yvonne’s post must be a timely one.  She also wrote about mystery shopping itself, Mystery Shopping - Home Business Savvy.

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By Mary Emma -- 2 comments

September 22nd, 2007

Writing Jobs for Freelance Writers…a Type of Home Business

Are you a freelance writer, working mainly from home, who’s looking for information on job availability?  Check out The Golden Pencil at b5media’s Arts and Design Channel.  Anne Wayman regularly posts writing, editing and translation jobs.

She’s posted 157 jobs this week alone.  If you don’t see anything that interests you here, keep checking because Anne continues to publish her jobs listing and much other great advice for freelance writers.  Anne also publishes two free e-newsletters for writers. 

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By Mary Emma -- 1 comment

September 3rd, 2007

“Jump Start Your Business” Contest at b5media’s Business Channel

Check out the details for this Business Channel contest open to those considering starting a small business or who have just begun one.  Details are available at Jump Start Your Business at b5media’s Business Channel.

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By Mary Emma -- 3 comments

August 22nd, 2007

Insurance, Taxes & Licensing Issues for a Home Business

This article in Business Week, Before Setting Up Shop on eBay, by Karen E. Klein, provides tips to consider about insurance, taxes, licensing, permits and other similar issues before setting up your Home Business.  Even though it may be an online business, rather than one with customers coming to a shop in your home, you may find several legal and regulatory matters to take care of first.

These regulations may vary from state to state, county to county, and even town to town.  However, it’s better to be aware of them before you begin.

Ms. Klein mentions the book, eBay for Dummies, by Marsha Collier and quotes advice from her.

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By Mary Emma -- 2 comments

July 30th, 2007

Wariness Grows About Using E-Cards for Home Business Greetings

E-cards or postcards proved a handy way to send a greeting or thank-you to online customers or those with e-mail.  However, business owners have become increasingly wary of using them, as Des Walsh explains at Thinking Home Business in his post, Email Greeting Cards R.I.P.

Because spammers have begun using e-cards or postcards, business owners as well as the general public have become wary of this great way to remember friends, relative, and customers.

“Sadly, I suspect that the days of sending and receiving email cards might be numbered,” states Des, then goes on to explain why.

I realized, after I read Des’s post, that the e-mail cards I once received from friends have become minimal.  In fact, because of warnings, I don’t open e-cards or postcards unless I know the sender.    What about you?

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By Mary Emma -- 6 comments