homebiznotes.com

January 19th, 2008

You May Be The Expert!

HomeBizNotes.com

  Are You The Expert?

In a previous post, Do You Enlist the Assistance of Experts in Your Home Business?, I talked about inviting outside experts in your business area to provide programs, workshops, entertainment, etc. at your business. In other words, you’re working together for your mutual benefit.

However….you may be the expert…and can offer your expertise to aid other businesses while getting your name (and your business name) out there.

For instance, I’ve been involved in the blogging world for more than three years…here at b5media (Home Biz Notes, Quilting and Patchwork, Alzheimer’s Notes) and with my author and family history blogs elsewhere. I approached the librarian at our local library and asked if she’d like me to give a presentation on blogging.

She was delighted and we’re in the midst of organizing this. The library isn’t specifically a business, but my presentation will be to our mutual benefit because I can bring my books for sale, too. (I write about topics related to my blogs at b5…The Magic of Patchwork, When We Become the Parent to Our Parents, as well as children’s books.)

So…..where does your expertise lie?

• Can you partner with another business, online or off?
• Can you give a workshop or talk for a group/organization?
• Perhaps you can give a demonstration of a craft for another business?
• Join in an event sponsored by a number of businesses?

What have you done with your expertise? Let’s chat!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment

January 17th, 2008

Home Business Travel - Routine Or Chaotic?

HomeBizNotes.com 

My husband and I travel frequently by plane so have to develop ways to get our luggage from place to place efficiently. Also, we’ve had to become adept with our carry-on bags. 

I’d begun to notice that many men and women use fanny packs. I realized if I use one, I don’t have to panic, “Where’s my purse?” Also, my hands are free to grab my roller suitcase and computer bag.

What did we do before the advent of the roller bags? They are so handy as we race through airports trying to catch a plane with tight connections. Jim uses a strap to attach his computer bag. I like looping mine over my handle and letting it rest on the top of my roller bag.

If you’re not traveling with business paraphernalia, a back pack or rolling duffel might suffice.

Take Essentials With You

We’ve learned, from sad experience, to take basic essentials with us…like a change of clothing, toothbrush, deodorant, make-up (for me), skin care, etc. Then if your shipped luggage doesn’t make it to your destination the same time you do, you still can go on with your business.

Have you arrived for a presentation and discover your materials are making a detour in your shipped luggage? Make sure your essential business materials are with you. We pack the main items we need for presentations in our suitcases or computer briefcase.

This is not to say we don’t have some mishaps, sometimes don’t have everything with us.  However, by minimizing the chaos potential, we arrive at our destination ready for business.

What are your best travel tips? What works for you?  Let’s chat about it!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment

January 12th, 2008

Social Security & The Home Business Owner…What Should We Do?

HomeBizNotes.com

   Odd Couple Project

Bob Turek, at ProjectManagement411, is partnering with me in a b5media Business Channel Odd Couple project. Our assignment is to consider:  At current rates, Social Security payouts will exceed payments made into the system within the next ten years. What should we do about Social Security?

He mentions possible solutions as he considers two extremes advocated by political candidates Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in his post, Counting on Social Security? Your Next Project Better Be Your Retirement Plan.

Social Security and the Home Business Owner

My object is to consider this topic from the viewpoint of the home business owner or self-employed person.

Social Security breaks into the news as political candidates present their policies. Social Security also is on the mind of recipients as a new year begins and they find cost of living increases may be obliterated by increases in Medicare premiums and deductibles. Those who have Social Security taken out of their pay checks are aware that this affects their pocketbooks, too.

Home business owners soon realize they pay more into the Social Security fund than do employees. If home business owners have employees, they’re also paying (”contributing” makes it sound voluntary) a portion of the employees’ Social Security. Then we hear that all the contributions by employees and business owners won’t be enough in future years to keep the Social Security system going, at least as it is.

What’s the home business owner or self-employed person to do?

As you, the Home Business Owner, considers your future and that of Social Security, you have some decisions to make. No, you can’t decide you won’t contribute for yourself or your employees. But you’ll have to think of the future and realize that Social Security never was meant to be a full retirement, but a stop gap measure during the end of the Depression years.

Generally the Home Business Owner is better served to set up their own retirement plan and would benefit from privatized Social Security. Candidates who advocate increased money for recipients usually present vague, “feel good” ideas where it’s coming from. Ultimately, this generally means those who are still working will be paying more and more for those drawing Social Security, as well as trying to put something into the “kitty” for themselves…a “kitty” which the government continues to dip into.

If Home Business Owners decide their own plans for the future, maintaining the self-discipline to carry these out often is difficult, unless mandated. Too many people have gotten into the mode of “the government will provide,” and political candidates lull us into thinking this is the ideal solution. However, someone will pay. Will it be you by not having a retirement plan when Social Security runs out?

Do you have any suggestions?

What are you doing for your future? Which of Bob’s candidates do you think has the solution? Increase the maximum amount of earnings covered, institute a Fair Tax, or somewhere in between? Do you think a privatized Social Security plan will work? Should we cut out any type of Social Security or government retirement plan and let everyone “fend for himself” like they did in “the good ole days”?

Let us know what YOU think.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 12 comments

January 11th, 2008

Home Businesses Gear Up For Valentine’s Day

 HomeBizNotes.com

Valentine’s Day already!

Yes, businesses must be thinking about this occasion.  Actually we must do more than think….we must have the products and promotions in place.

Don’t wait till the week before to start letting people know you’re ready for them to do their Valentine’s Day shopping with you.

What have you been doing for Valentine’s Day with your business?

*Do you make products/gifts that relate to this holiday?

*Do you help businesses promote this holiday?  Then you should have had your act together with their promotion plans before this.

*Do you perform services and make deliveries connected with this day?

Why not share how you’re getting ready to make this a big day with your business?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

October 20th, 2007

It Feels A Lot Like Christmas - Pre Christmas Home Business Marketing Ideas

For home business owners and other small business owners, Christmas celebrations start early.

If you are a home business owner selling Christmas themed products, planning ahead is key. If you sell products, you probably attended trade fairs in July or earlier to order your Christmas stock.

Freelance writers who submit Christmas articles to magazines started sending their queries at least 6 to 8 months ago. Home business owners who offer services, will also be impacted by Christmas, in terms of scheduling, at least.

Pre Christmas Marketing Ideas
Products & Sales

• Do you have enough stock?
• What stock do you need to clear to make way?
• What do you need to sell to maintain cash flow?
• Are discount sales the best approach or are there other options?

Value Adding & Promotion

• Can you buy some inexpensive products for value adding, prizes or giveaways?
• How will you display the items with a Christmas theme, if applicable?
• How will you promote your Christmas range?
• Do you have regular products you can add a seasonal touch to?
• Can you value add by repackaging your regular products as gift boxes or gift baskets?

Community Networking

• Can you offer local businesses a gift basket service for corporate Christmas gifts?
• Approach the local school and libraries to supply their Christmas competition prizes?
• Touch base with the social convenor of community or hobby groups to supply end of year Secret Santa gifts.
• Plan your Christmas advertising flyers or other promotional material.

Communication & Awareness

• What hours will you open or be accessible during the pre Christmas period?
• If you have an online business, make your deadline for last orders clear.
• Clearly state expected delivery times.

How are your pre Christmas home business preparations going? Do you have any other pre Christmas ideas or marketing tips to share?

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By Yvonne Russell -- 1 comment

September 21st, 2007

Deadline for “Jump Start Your Business” Contest Looming

    Do you have your entry finished for the “Jump Start Your Business” contest?  The deadline is Tuesday, September 25.  There will be a Grand Prize winner with two runner-ups. Prizes and consulting total more than $2,000.

This is a great way to get your small business off the ground or to give your new (within the past year) one momentum.  Check out the details here…..

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

August 25th, 2007

Look Before You Leap into a Home Business

We’ve mentioned here several times the need to check out zoning regulations pertaining to your home before you decide to set up a home business, particularly one that involves customers/clients coming to your home.   (However, online business might be affected, too, in some areas.)

 I just read a news item, License Denied for Existing Home Business, that concerned this topic.

The aldermen decided, according to the mayor’s statement ” they’re running a business in a residential area and we can’t approve that.”  He did say if the owners moved their lawn mower service business to a commercially zoned area, the license would be approved.

There were very few details in this news story, so we don’t know:

*how long this business existed at the owner’s home

*why they didn’t check out zoning and licensing

*are there other home businesses in that area

*is the business an obvious eye-sore, with lawn mowers and parts all over the place

*have licensing and zoning regulations always been followed strictly or are the aldermen suddenly becoming more stringent

However, no matter what has happened in the past or what the owners did or didn’t do, it points out that you should check out zoning and licensing requirements before becoming involved in a home business.  If your business has been operating from your home and new regulation are placed into effect, a “grandfathering clause” regarding existing businesses usually is in effect.  In other words, those in existence, can continue to operate.  However, the business, if sold, could not stay there.  If you stop operating the business for some time, then decided to start up again, the grandfathering clause probably would not be in place.

So…before starting a business, find out the regulations for your area, your town, county/provomce, state and country.

Resources: 

Yvonne Russell also mentioned this in her guest post about establishing an online bookstore, Start Your Own Specialist Home Based Bookstore.

I refer to this topic in Insurance, Taxes & Licensing Issues for a Home Business an mention Karen E. Klein’s article, Before Setting Up Shop on eBay that talks about this topic, too.)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

August 9th, 2007

Does “Back-to-School” Affect Your Home Business?

  This time of year, throughout the month of August, the “back-to-school” idea is in many people’s minds….students who will be going back to school of some type, parents who will be involved in getting them ready, grandparents who may be helping raise grandkids, and businesses that provide products and services in some way connected with school.

Even if you don’t think you’re involved, you can’t help seeing all the back-to-school advertising and displays, even in the supermarkets.  (The one where I shop most frequently has a large display of school supplies along the wall as you enter the store.)

If you don’t sell school related items, you may have employees in your home business who will be going back to school and either will be leaving you entirely or will need their hours adjusted around their school schedule.  Also, the labor laws in most states that limit the number of hours youngsters under age 18 can work when in school.  Moms who work for you or assist you in some way may need their hours changed.

If you have younsters going back to school, how will it affect your home business schedule?  Granted, you may have more time during the day to work, uninterrupted, at whatever you do.  If you have a shop in your home, you’ll have these hours more free from home responsibilities and interruptions.

However, will there be school activities that require getting youngsters to and from school or these?  Plan ahead so you won’t have too many unexpected interruptions.

Brainstorm (paper and pen in hand) about how “back-to-school” will affect your home business and what plans you have to make to accommodate this.  

If you haven’t begun your ”back-to-school” promotions, do them NOW.  Some schools don’t start until after Labor Day in the US.  However, more and more are beginning before that holiday weekend and some are starting this coming week.  

  How is “back-to-school” affecting your business (positive and negative) and how are you adjusting?   

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment

March 22nd, 2007

Expand Your World…and Your Home Business

David Krug makes a very interesting point a post on his b5media blog, Work Boxers. “Spend 30 minutes each day interacting with people you’d normally not interact with.” He mentions this as a way to expand your influence and to get your name [and your business name] out there.

Yes, this is something to consider. Within your niche, your circle of customers and friends, you may be well known. However, don’t you want to expand your “circle of influence” and become better known…have your products and/or services better known?

So…spend some extra time each day (David suggests 30 minutes) to meet new people. This could be online or in person. When you’re in the grocery, talk to people instead of rushing through. Introduce yourself to the person behind, if you find yourself waiting in line. Chat with someone in the doctor’s or dentist’s office instead of sitting with your face in the magazine. (And I’m guilty of this, too!)

Jot an e-mail to someone whose blog or web site you enjoy. Did you find their book interesting? E-mail the author.

The list goes on…the ways you can expand your world and your home business.

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment

March 2nd, 2007

Choosing a Name for Your Home Business

“What’s in a name?”

When you consider a name for your home business, determine what you want to achieve, the customers you desire to serve, and the products/services you offer.  Nowadays, choosing a name for the image or impression you wish to project also might be included in the idea of  branding your business.

*A unique name will catch attention.  However, if it’s too far out, it may have the adverse effect.  If it’s mundane, it won’t capture your customer’s imagination.

*In addition to being unique, will your name adequately describe your business?

*Is someone else using that same name?  If your business name is exactly the same as someone else’s, you may be asked to stop using it.  This can be costly if you have signs, business cards, advertising, web site, etc. designed and printed with this name. 

*Do some research. You could start by checking the phone book and Better Business Bureau, then your state agency for registering business names.  Generally if the name reflects your name and/or initials, you can use it.  Those are “yours.”

When I operated a dressmaking/alteration business from my home, I used part of my sewing room for displaying and selling readymade original clothing and accessories.  What should I use for a name that incorporated all aspects of my home business?

I chose “MEA’s Boutique,” utilizing my initials.  I didn’t realize at the time how well this captivated customers and how well it stuck in their minds for years…even after we moved from that location to another home.  Also by using my initials, the name was mine.  For my home publishing company, MEA Productions, I’ve used my initials again. 

*Sometimes you can use a play on words that will catch attention, such as The Dirty Worm for a greenhouse or gardening operation, The Dusty Mop for a cleaning business, Wedding Wonders for a wedding planning business.

What name can you come up with for your business that will catch attention or “brand” it?

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 3 comments