Does the thought of trying to get publicity for your business seem like something that you can't do yourself, and would have to hire a professional for? Do you think that writing a press release is totally outside your ability to do? Does the thought of talking to the media about your business make your mouth go dry and your stomach clench? If so, take heart, because you're about to learn how you can take care of your own publicity, simply and easily.
Getting publicity for your business can seem like an impossible task -- something that only happens for "big" companies that can afford to hire publicists.
The reality is, getting free publicity for your business isn't that difficult. By the time you finish reading this article, you'll not only understand the basics, you'll know what goes into the process, and what you have to do to get started writing your own press release.
First of all, let's go over some basic terminology you need to be familiar with.
Press Release: A statement with useful and relevant information that is written for distribution to the media.
Hook: The information or larger story that you can use to attach your press release to. Using the right "hook" in the right way can help you to get more publicity for your business.
Spin: Telling your story your way.
The good news about learning to write a Press Release is that there is an established format that you need to follow. And once you've learned the basics, writing a press release is a kind of "cookie cutter" process. Here are some basic ideas to keep in mind:
Make your news "newsworthy". A press release is not a sales advertisement. A good press release answers all of the "W" questions (who, what, where, when and why), and sometimes "how." Your purpose in writing it is twofold: to provide the media with useful and relevant information about your organization, product, service or event and to get your name out to your target market.
Begin with a strong headline. Your headline and first paragraph need to grab the reader’s attention. Without being flowery or overly dramatic, you have only the first few seconds to grab your reader’s attention and get them to read your story, and decide if it’s worth running. So don’t blow it by being vague or weak. The rest of your press release can give them the nitty-gritty details.
Tailor your story to your Primary audience – the media. Your secondary audience is your target market, but if the media doesn't decide that your story is newsworthy and runs it, your potential customers will never know about it!
Pay attention to your writing. Sometimes, especially in rural areas and online, the media will run your press release in their publications with little or no modification, so make sure you’ve used your spelling and grammar check before sending it, and keep to the facts. Most of the time, journalists will use your press release as a stepping off place for a larger feature story, especially if you can show larger relevance to other current events. Always develop your story as you want to have it told – put YOUR spin on it. Even if your story is not reprinted verbatim, always remember what YOUR purpose is in writing it – to provide exposure for you, and to help brand you as an expert in your field.
Not everything is news. Just because you are excited that you made your first big sale, or started a new product line, or wrote your first article, doesn’t necessarily mean that the press are going to think you have a newsworthy story. Identify a problem, and show how you’re solving it. Use real life examples about how your company or organization solved or is solving a problem. Give examples of how your service or product fulfills needs or satisfies desires. What benefits can be expected? Use real life examples to powerfully communicate the benefits of using your product or service.
Stick to the facts. Always. Tell. The. Truth. Find your “hook”. Try to make your press release timely. Keep informed about what’s going on in your community, in your state, region, the country or the world. Is there a local, regional or national news story that somehow ties in to your industry or your business? If you can hook your press release to current events or social issues, you increase your chances of having it picked up. If not, then make sure your story is relevant to the needs, wants or problems of your community or target audience.
Use an active, not passive, voice. Use strong verbs that will bring your press release to life. If there is controversy, describe it. There is an old adage in the news business: “If it cries it flies, and if it bleeds, it leads.” (Not very nice, but it’s often true.) So, while you may not be crying or bleeding, make what you’re writing about stand out. Use active verbs. Write “partnered” rather than "entered into a partnership" or “engaged” rather than “interested”, etc. Writing in this manner will help guarantee that your press release will be read.
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Monday, 25 June 2007
Entrepreneurial Lessons from Willy Wonka
What can you learn about business from a children's movie? You can learn some great entrepreneurial lessons from the recent film "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Johnny Depp.
Marketing
"Find 1 of 5 Golden Tickets in a Willy Wonka product and be one of the first people in a long time to visit the magical chocolate factory. Also, one kid will win a special prize that will exceed your wildest imagination."
This is an excellent promotion. It sparks interest in Willy Wonka products, builds brand awareness, and most importantly; it significantly increases sales.
Positive Thinking
There are many "naysayers" who discourage the main character, Charlie, from getting his hopes up about finding one of the lucky Golden tickets. Negative thinking can be devastating, especially to a child. However, Charlie does not take heed of the negativity. Supported by his Grandmother's constant reassurance, Charlie keeps a positive outlook and believes that he has as good a chance as any other kid to find one of the five tickets.
Don't Quit
Charlie refuses to give up on his dream of finding a ticket. After he doesn't find one on his first, and probably only, attempt - he doesn't quit. Charlie believes that he will get one of those tickets.
A Good Support Network
Charlie has an excellent support network. Although very poor in financial terms, Charlie is very rich in family. He lives in a loving environment and appreciates every member of his household. He selflessly offers to sell his ticket to provide some much needed cash for his family, instead of taking the special chocolate factory tour. His family will have nothing of it and encourages him to pursue this once in a lifetime opportunity.
When Willy Wonka offers to make Charlie his heir, Charlie refuses because accepting the offer would mean that he probably would never see his family again.
Four Good Lessons
If you are an entrepreneur or are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, remember these lessons from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". It takes good marketing, positive thinking, and a good support network to get started. Most importantly, don't quit - your success may be only one candy bar away.
Marketing
"Find 1 of 5 Golden Tickets in a Willy Wonka product and be one of the first people in a long time to visit the magical chocolate factory. Also, one kid will win a special prize that will exceed your wildest imagination."
This is an excellent promotion. It sparks interest in Willy Wonka products, builds brand awareness, and most importantly; it significantly increases sales.
Positive Thinking
There are many "naysayers" who discourage the main character, Charlie, from getting his hopes up about finding one of the lucky Golden tickets. Negative thinking can be devastating, especially to a child. However, Charlie does not take heed of the negativity. Supported by his Grandmother's constant reassurance, Charlie keeps a positive outlook and believes that he has as good a chance as any other kid to find one of the five tickets.
Don't Quit
Charlie refuses to give up on his dream of finding a ticket. After he doesn't find one on his first, and probably only, attempt - he doesn't quit. Charlie believes that he will get one of those tickets.
A Good Support Network
Charlie has an excellent support network. Although very poor in financial terms, Charlie is very rich in family. He lives in a loving environment and appreciates every member of his household. He selflessly offers to sell his ticket to provide some much needed cash for his family, instead of taking the special chocolate factory tour. His family will have nothing of it and encourages him to pursue this once in a lifetime opportunity.
When Willy Wonka offers to make Charlie his heir, Charlie refuses because accepting the offer would mean that he probably would never see his family again.
Four Good Lessons
If you are an entrepreneur or are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, remember these lessons from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". It takes good marketing, positive thinking, and a good support network to get started. Most importantly, don't quit - your success may be only one candy bar away.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Opportunities Offered by PLR Products
Do you know that some people purchase PLR (Private Label Rights) products and don't take advantage of all of the income opportunities that may be lurking inside those products? It's true. Some PLR products have income opportunities hidden inside their pages and many people fail to realize it.
Don't waste a golden opportunity you may have by not taking full advantage of the PLR products that may be collecting digital dust on your hard drive. If you have obtained PLR rights to an ebook filled with affiliate links, and have not changed the links to reflect your affiliate information, then you are giving away a potential steady stream of additional income.
Many people are aware that it is permissible to use their own name as the author of works derived from PLR products, so they go ahead and list their name as the author of the work. Unfortunately for them, that's all they do. Some people even know that it is best to change the product in some way to make it unique. That's an important part of marketing with PLR products, but it's not enough. If you have private label rights, you may change anything inside that product including affiliate links to other products and services. If your PLR license has limitations on what you may change, then it is not really a PLR license and you should avoid that product.
Inside of many PLR products are pages of content containing links to affiliate programs of all kinds. If these links are not changed to reflect your own affiliate information, you will not be able to collect any commission due if the link is clicked and a sale is made. Can you guess who will collect the commission on the sale of any products or services referred? You guessed it! The commission will go to the original creator of the PLR product. This is not to imply that there is something unethical going on here. On the contrary, the creator of the original PLR product was writing about a particular product or service. To include a link to that product or service is an act providing convenience for the reader. Someone will get credit if that link is clicked. It might as well be you, so make sure that if there are affiliate links in the PLR product that you are modifying, you remember to change those links.
You simply need to be aware that it is not enough to just slap your name on a PLR product without changing anything else. If you modify the content to make it unique and change the affiliate links to reflect your affiliate information you will get the full value potential of your PLR products.
Don't waste a golden opportunity you may have by not taking full advantage of the PLR products that may be collecting digital dust on your hard drive. If you have obtained PLR rights to an ebook filled with affiliate links, and have not changed the links to reflect your affiliate information, then you are giving away a potential steady stream of additional income.
Many people are aware that it is permissible to use their own name as the author of works derived from PLR products, so they go ahead and list their name as the author of the work. Unfortunately for them, that's all they do. Some people even know that it is best to change the product in some way to make it unique. That's an important part of marketing with PLR products, but it's not enough. If you have private label rights, you may change anything inside that product including affiliate links to other products and services. If your PLR license has limitations on what you may change, then it is not really a PLR license and you should avoid that product.
Inside of many PLR products are pages of content containing links to affiliate programs of all kinds. If these links are not changed to reflect your own affiliate information, you will not be able to collect any commission due if the link is clicked and a sale is made. Can you guess who will collect the commission on the sale of any products or services referred? You guessed it! The commission will go to the original creator of the PLR product. This is not to imply that there is something unethical going on here. On the contrary, the creator of the original PLR product was writing about a particular product or service. To include a link to that product or service is an act providing convenience for the reader. Someone will get credit if that link is clicked. It might as well be you, so make sure that if there are affiliate links in the PLR product that you are modifying, you remember to change those links.
You simply need to be aware that it is not enough to just slap your name on a PLR product without changing anything else. If you modify the content to make it unique and change the affiliate links to reflect your affiliate information you will get the full value potential of your PLR products.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Taming Your To-Do List
The worst thing about to-do lists is they seem to breed every time you look away. Just as you think you're getting somewhere, another task needs to be added. It's downright depressing. You might be forgiven for wondering if there is anyone on earth who actually manages to tick off all the items on a to-do list before the end of the day.
Take heart. It is possible to tame your to-do list - and not by taking a pair of scissors to it to cut it in half. What you need to do is look beyond the list, at the way you handle your time.
Don't worry. This is not just another 'time management' lecture that you've heard a thousand times before. It's a simple, workable approach to taking back a measure of control. Think in Terms of Tasks, Not Hours
In an effort to control the way we use time, most of us allocate a certain number of hours to our 'working week'. If you work outside the home, this may be imposed upon you. In a home business, you decide your own hours.
Then what happens? In comes the out-of-control 'to do' list. You make a list of all the things you have to do. Then you add more. You try ranking them in order of importance, and the lesser things never get done. Worse, some of the semi-important things keep getting bumped down the list. You work all the hours you have set yourself, and more - but the list just keeps growing.
Start thinking in terms of tasks to be done, rather than total hours to be worked. You'll find that some tasks can be grouped under a general 'project' heading. You might end up with two or three projects to be completed. (Leave yourself some time for repetitive everyday tasks - email, customer service etc.)
Take heart. It is possible to tame your to-do list - and not by taking a pair of scissors to it to cut it in half. What you need to do is look beyond the list, at the way you handle your time.
Don't worry. This is not just another 'time management' lecture that you've heard a thousand times before. It's a simple, workable approach to taking back a measure of control. Think in Terms of Tasks, Not Hours
In an effort to control the way we use time, most of us allocate a certain number of hours to our 'working week'. If you work outside the home, this may be imposed upon you. In a home business, you decide your own hours.
Then what happens? In comes the out-of-control 'to do' list. You make a list of all the things you have to do. Then you add more. You try ranking them in order of importance, and the lesser things never get done. Worse, some of the semi-important things keep getting bumped down the list. You work all the hours you have set yourself, and more - but the list just keeps growing.
Start thinking in terms of tasks to be done, rather than total hours to be worked. You'll find that some tasks can be grouped under a general 'project' heading. You might end up with two or three projects to be completed. (Leave yourself some time for repetitive everyday tasks - email, customer service etc.)
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Four Tips to Get New MLM Distributors Set Up Right
As a leader in your MLM organization, you know that your work is only beginning when a prospect joins and becomes a new distributor on your team. One of your tasks is to assist him or her in getting set up right.
Now, since we all know it is impossible to sell anything from a cart that is empty, we want to make sure our new team member do not start off handicapped! Here are four tips to help your new MLM distributors launch and build their teams, based on the four different areas of the business.
1. Personal Use: The quickest way to learn the business as well as be sold on it is for new distributors to actually use the company's products. If the person doesn't make an effort to use any products and does not believe in them, should you have even sponsored him or her in the first place? So, make sure your new folks are not only sold on at least 2-3 products, but also actually use them.
2. Retail Sales: It will be hard for a new distributor to make any sales if he or she has zero products to retail. Don't you think it will look bad when your new recruit approaches a customer to make a sale, and doesn't even have any product on hand? Therefore, it is important to remind your new MLM distributors to be supplied with some products when he or she starts their new home business.
3. Samples: Most companies have products that can be given as samples to potential customers. As a true leader, it is important that you lead your new team members by example. So, show them how to give away the free product samples to customers.
4. New Distributor Start-Up: This is similar to number three. When you start a new distributor in your MLM business, if he or she is a local person, the individual will need products as soon as he or she joins. If you plan on starting more than one person at a time, you need to have enough supply on hand to give to each of them. This is necessary because your new team members needs something to carry them until their first product shipment comes in. This approach also helps motivate your new distributor to keep their new home business in the forefront, to focus on getting the word out, and to start building their own teams. This step is crucial to getting your new team members started off right.
In summary, as a team leader, you want to do all you can to assist new distributors in starting their MLM home business right. They need to earn money by moving products, and, in return, to become even more motivated to be successful when sales are made. So, follow these tips and your new team members will be so thankful to you and your help!
Now, since we all know it is impossible to sell anything from a cart that is empty, we want to make sure our new team member do not start off handicapped! Here are four tips to help your new MLM distributors launch and build their teams, based on the four different areas of the business.
1. Personal Use: The quickest way to learn the business as well as be sold on it is for new distributors to actually use the company's products. If the person doesn't make an effort to use any products and does not believe in them, should you have even sponsored him or her in the first place? So, make sure your new folks are not only sold on at least 2-3 products, but also actually use them.
2. Retail Sales: It will be hard for a new distributor to make any sales if he or she has zero products to retail. Don't you think it will look bad when your new recruit approaches a customer to make a sale, and doesn't even have any product on hand? Therefore, it is important to remind your new MLM distributors to be supplied with some products when he or she starts their new home business.
3. Samples: Most companies have products that can be given as samples to potential customers. As a true leader, it is important that you lead your new team members by example. So, show them how to give away the free product samples to customers.
4. New Distributor Start-Up: This is similar to number three. When you start a new distributor in your MLM business, if he or she is a local person, the individual will need products as soon as he or she joins. If you plan on starting more than one person at a time, you need to have enough supply on hand to give to each of them. This is necessary because your new team members needs something to carry them until their first product shipment comes in. This approach also helps motivate your new distributor to keep their new home business in the forefront, to focus on getting the word out, and to start building their own teams. This step is crucial to getting your new team members started off right.
In summary, as a team leader, you want to do all you can to assist new distributors in starting their MLM home business right. They need to earn money by moving products, and, in return, to become even more motivated to be successful when sales are made. So, follow these tips and your new team members will be so thankful to you and your help!
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Fabulous Ways to Manage Time In Your Business
There are many tips on how to create time for yourself and to manage your time in your business. Here are several items that may just help you remember the basics.
Do not allow someone else's lack of planning destroy your time plan. Many people find it hard to turn someone down especially if it is a customer or a good friend. You more than likely have your day planned as to what needs to get done in your business and then along comes someone and wants you to "help" them in whatever problem they are having with their website, etc. Most of the time, the reason they are having trouble is lack of planning on their part or lack of understanding of some basic rules of software or programming. If you stop and interrupt what you are doing, it will impede your progress in your own business. Learn to just say "no" when the time is not right for you. Of course, if you are free to help, then that is fine as well. But, make sure that you are not being "used".
Make time to train - If you have assistants or others that help you in your business, take the time to train them in specific tasks that will free up your time. This way, you will spend less time taking over tasks that they cannot complete and interrupting your productivity flow. Keep the things you need to work and to train in places where you can find them rapidly. Keep your filing system organized and don't just file haphazardly, but logically and systematically and you will find that the work flows a lot smoother. Teach your assistants to do the same so that you can access what they do as well.
Switch tasks when you get stumped and cannot come up with the right solution to a problem - This makes your mind relax and stop concentrating on the problem. Somehow the mind, however, continues to work on the problem. When you go back to the problem, relaxed and refreshed, the mind jumps back in and the solution is usually revealed. Putting off a decision sometimes is the best path if you are not sure you do not have the right solution.
See if you can make routine tasks automatic - Do you have letters that need to be sent many times to clients? Do you have questions that are asked over and over again? Are there special situations that are resolved in the same way many times? Try to think through your business and the time being spent and put a series of autoresponder messages together that you can send when necessary. This will free you up tremendously for time to spend on tasks that are more creative and challenging.
Make appointments with yourself to do the important steps in your business - In other words, take the time to analyze what you need to do to grow or to keep control of your business in a better manner. There may be tons of pressing situations that are demanding attention, but you also need to have some time to be able to make important decisions and to think and plan on the important, rather than the mundane, items of everyday business.
If you take control of your time and your management skills you will find that your business continues to grow and prosper. You will be a much more relaxed and creative person and have a lot more fun working your business.
Do not allow someone else's lack of planning destroy your time plan. Many people find it hard to turn someone down especially if it is a customer or a good friend. You more than likely have your day planned as to what needs to get done in your business and then along comes someone and wants you to "help" them in whatever problem they are having with their website, etc. Most of the time, the reason they are having trouble is lack of planning on their part or lack of understanding of some basic rules of software or programming. If you stop and interrupt what you are doing, it will impede your progress in your own business. Learn to just say "no" when the time is not right for you. Of course, if you are free to help, then that is fine as well. But, make sure that you are not being "used".
Make time to train - If you have assistants or others that help you in your business, take the time to train them in specific tasks that will free up your time. This way, you will spend less time taking over tasks that they cannot complete and interrupting your productivity flow. Keep the things you need to work and to train in places where you can find them rapidly. Keep your filing system organized and don't just file haphazardly, but logically and systematically and you will find that the work flows a lot smoother. Teach your assistants to do the same so that you can access what they do as well.
Switch tasks when you get stumped and cannot come up with the right solution to a problem - This makes your mind relax and stop concentrating on the problem. Somehow the mind, however, continues to work on the problem. When you go back to the problem, relaxed and refreshed, the mind jumps back in and the solution is usually revealed. Putting off a decision sometimes is the best path if you are not sure you do not have the right solution.
See if you can make routine tasks automatic - Do you have letters that need to be sent many times to clients? Do you have questions that are asked over and over again? Are there special situations that are resolved in the same way many times? Try to think through your business and the time being spent and put a series of autoresponder messages together that you can send when necessary. This will free you up tremendously for time to spend on tasks that are more creative and challenging.
Make appointments with yourself to do the important steps in your business - In other words, take the time to analyze what you need to do to grow or to keep control of your business in a better manner. There may be tons of pressing situations that are demanding attention, but you also need to have some time to be able to make important decisions and to think and plan on the important, rather than the mundane, items of everyday business.
If you take control of your time and your management skills you will find that your business continues to grow and prosper. You will be a much more relaxed and creative person and have a lot more fun working your business.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Get Prepared to Work At Home
When most people decide to work at home, they have visions of how easy and convenient it is going to be, rolling out of bed and rolling up to the computer in your home clothes, or being able to work and still never missing any of their favorite soap operas and talk shows during the day. Unfortunately, there is a lot more to contend with after making the decision to work at home than no more suits and no more commuting.
To work at home successfully, a person needs a great deal of personal motivation and self-discipline. After all, there is no train you are going to miss and no boss you are going to tick off by showing up late if you can't get yourself out of bed by eight in the morning. Instead, people who work at home have to be their own boss and monitor their own schedule in this regard, which can be difficult if you're used to being motivated by the strict schedule imposed by your office environment.
On the other hand, for many individuals who don't necessarily function optimally during "normal" working hours and who prefer a more alternative approach, the work at home option can be a blessing because it allows them to work at home when it is convenient for them. In many cases, this arrangement will make someone more productive, not less. Having a flexible working schedule is a home business advantage but it can also lead to failure if not managed properly.
If you are planning to work at home, the best thing you can do is to set yourself a few ground rules and make sure you stick to them. Plan your workdays in advance - know when you are going to get up and start work, when you will break for lunch and when you will quit for the day, just as you would at office.
If you work at home, your schedule doesn't have to be the same as it would at the office, but it needs to exist in order for you to be productive. Set yourself a designated work area where you will work at home and try to keep it as separate from your non-work life as you can.
After all, one thing many people who work at home learn quickly is that you don't always appreciate being at home as much when you're not working if you're also at home when you are working.
To work at home successfully, a person needs a great deal of personal motivation and self-discipline. After all, there is no train you are going to miss and no boss you are going to tick off by showing up late if you can't get yourself out of bed by eight in the morning. Instead, people who work at home have to be their own boss and monitor their own schedule in this regard, which can be difficult if you're used to being motivated by the strict schedule imposed by your office environment.
On the other hand, for many individuals who don't necessarily function optimally during "normal" working hours and who prefer a more alternative approach, the work at home option can be a blessing because it allows them to work at home when it is convenient for them. In many cases, this arrangement will make someone more productive, not less. Having a flexible working schedule is a home business advantage but it can also lead to failure if not managed properly.
If you are planning to work at home, the best thing you can do is to set yourself a few ground rules and make sure you stick to them. Plan your workdays in advance - know when you are going to get up and start work, when you will break for lunch and when you will quit for the day, just as you would at office.
If you work at home, your schedule doesn't have to be the same as it would at the office, but it needs to exist in order for you to be productive. Set yourself a designated work area where you will work at home and try to keep it as separate from your non-work life as you can.
After all, one thing many people who work at home learn quickly is that you don't always appreciate being at home as much when you're not working if you're also at home when you are working.
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Your Coffee Shop Dream
The first requirement for a potential coffee shop owner is to have the passion for coffee. Sure, any top graduate from a business school who has more passion for business than coffee can put up a coffee shop, but it is often the personal touch of a coffee fanatic that can spell the difference among customers.
It is important to remember, however, that a coffee shop business does not run on passion alone. It seems that a perfect shop owner is one who is both passionate over coffee and has natural business acumen at the same time. One important consideration before getting into the coffee business is to have a concrete business plan. A plan will help you clarify to yourself and to your financial backer why you want to have your own shop and where you want to go. Your plan will also help identify your possible market and their needs. A good business plan should spare no details. This is because it is the business plan in the first place that could help you secure financial aid. If you can't convince the bank why you need a loan and how you are going to pay for it, your coffee shop business will be doomed from the very beginning.
When you have settled the preliminary business details, you need to shift from business concerns to functional aesthetic considerations. What are you going to do with all that money when you have no idea what a coffee shop should look like? A coffee shop can't just be any place or any room. It would help if you had an architect who has some experience with coffee shops. Without such an expert on your side, you may have to study and think up the physical placement of your furniture and equipment yourself. You should consider such things as counter placement, dimensions and space allotment for your equipment. It may help to do some research and to observe actual coffee shop set-ups.
The next step after securing the financial and physical aspect of your coffee shop business is to intensify your coffee fanaticism. It's not enough to train hired help to be your crew. You need to get yourself elbow deep into the details of everything about coffee. As a coffee shop owner, you shouldn't just love the taste of coffee; you should also be an expert in coffee beans, coffee mixtures and novelty coffee products. If you want to be the big boss, you have to know better than your people and your competition.
Well, it's not that easy, but no business, no earnest passion really is. If you're a coffee lover and you want your own coffee shop, make sure to be prepared so that you will be up to the challenge.
It is important to remember, however, that a coffee shop business does not run on passion alone. It seems that a perfect shop owner is one who is both passionate over coffee and has natural business acumen at the same time. One important consideration before getting into the coffee business is to have a concrete business plan. A plan will help you clarify to yourself and to your financial backer why you want to have your own shop and where you want to go. Your plan will also help identify your possible market and their needs. A good business plan should spare no details. This is because it is the business plan in the first place that could help you secure financial aid. If you can't convince the bank why you need a loan and how you are going to pay for it, your coffee shop business will be doomed from the very beginning.
When you have settled the preliminary business details, you need to shift from business concerns to functional aesthetic considerations. What are you going to do with all that money when you have no idea what a coffee shop should look like? A coffee shop can't just be any place or any room. It would help if you had an architect who has some experience with coffee shops. Without such an expert on your side, you may have to study and think up the physical placement of your furniture and equipment yourself. You should consider such things as counter placement, dimensions and space allotment for your equipment. It may help to do some research and to observe actual coffee shop set-ups.
The next step after securing the financial and physical aspect of your coffee shop business is to intensify your coffee fanaticism. It's not enough to train hired help to be your crew. You need to get yourself elbow deep into the details of everything about coffee. As a coffee shop owner, you shouldn't just love the taste of coffee; you should also be an expert in coffee beans, coffee mixtures and novelty coffee products. If you want to be the big boss, you have to know better than your people and your competition.
Well, it's not that easy, but no business, no earnest passion really is. If you're a coffee lover and you want your own coffee shop, make sure to be prepared so that you will be up to the challenge.
Friday, 8 June 2007
How to Magnify 401(k) Retirement Account Returns
If you have ever cracked open a financial magazine, you have surely heard you should maximize your investment in the 401(k) retirement account if your employer offers one. There are four major reasons to do this: (1) employers normally match a portion of your contributions which means you immediately receive free money, (2) your earnings grow tax-deferred, (3) you reap the tremendous benefits of compounding over decades of reinvesting your earnings, and (4) the Government effectively subsidizes your contributions by reducing your taxable income for each dollar you contribute which reduces your tax bill. It's true; you will most likely never find a better investment for your future besides owning your own home. However, are you getting the full benefits of your 401(k) investments? This article will show you a simple technique you can use to increase your future wealth by tens of thousands of dollars or more.
The "magic of compounding" occurs when you invest money and reinvest the earnings from your investment each month, quarter, or year. By doing this, the next period you have a larger investment which generates higher income. Over the long term, your investment will compound and get larger and larger until you have an amazing balance. For example, if you invest $5,000 one time in an investment that yields 1% growth per month, the magic of compounding will turn your $5,000 into $98,942 in 25 years.
The "magic of compounding" occurs when you invest money and reinvest the earnings from your investment each month, quarter, or year. By doing this, the next period you have a larger investment which generates higher income. Over the long term, your investment will compound and get larger and larger until you have an amazing balance. For example, if you invest $5,000 one time in an investment that yields 1% growth per month, the magic of compounding will turn your $5,000 into $98,942 in 25 years.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Duplicate Content
The question of whether duplicate content can get you penalized in the search engines -- and how to avoid that if it can -- is a topic of hot debate these days.
Many webmasters live in fear, agonizing over questions like:
- What is duplicate content?
- Why do search engines care about duplicate content?
- Should they worry about duplicate content?
- What can they do to avoid a duplicate content penalty if there is one?
First, understand that there is no clear definition of duplicate content and it is not absolutely clear that there is any such thing as a duplicate content penalty. In general, however, the belief is that repetition of large blocks of the same content (such as an article or syndicated blog post) within either the same domain or across many different domains could trigger a penalty in search engines such as Google.
So why would search engines care about duplicate content?
If you think about how search engines work and how they make their
Many webmasters live in fear, agonizing over questions like:
- What is duplicate content?
- Why do search engines care about duplicate content?
- Should they worry about duplicate content?
- What can they do to avoid a duplicate content penalty if there is one?
First, understand that there is no clear definition of duplicate content and it is not absolutely clear that there is any such thing as a duplicate content penalty. In general, however, the belief is that repetition of large blocks of the same content (such as an article or syndicated blog post) within either the same domain or across many different domains could trigger a penalty in search engines such as Google.
So why would search engines care about duplicate content?
If you think about how search engines work and how they make their
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
