What is the “Right” Facebook Business Tool for your Online Marketing Strategy?

As Facebook has become one of the best platforms to promote a business in the world today, every small business owner should have a Facebook strategy.

Almost everyone has a Facebook account today. Are you using yours in a way that will help grow your sales or are you turning potential customers away? The big question is “Are you using the right Facebook marketing strategies that can significantly increase your online business?”


Marketing via social media where Facebook is used as an advertising tool needs to be precise. It isn’t expensive or time consuming. However, it may start off that way as you are learning the ropes but choosing the right, and the fastest, way will make it easier.


Most Facebook pages look the same. This can sometimes make it hard to advertise as you only have limited information to post. Usually, this will just create a boring homepage. That’s why branding yourself on Facebook can often be a difficult task. You m ust stand out above the crowd to get noticed.


The Good News is that an advanced business application has arrived. If there is a “right way” to brand yourself and create a custom business landing page on Facebook it is Social Outbreak.


Social Outbreak is a revolutionary new way to spread the word about your business virally on Facebook, enabling you to create a totally unique fan page. If you’re officially representing your business, whether it be a local Illawarra Business or any Wollongong business, then you should create an official page which can be customized through Social Outbreak. All you have to do is install the application and then just click on the section you want to edit.


If you want to apply marketing with video then drop a video into the spaces provided. It’s really simple. Upload your video to YouTube and just put the URL in the box and the video magically appears. Even the side bar and badge can be customized. The content of your customized fan page will be indexed by search engines. It’s even a good idea to include an Opt In box for your giveaway to encourage fans to subscribe to your mailing list.


Apart from Facebook fan pages, Social Outbreak also allows you to create and design your Facebook profile anyway you want it. You can add your own logo and add, or customize, your own video. It even provides you with the ability to send video emails and has a Conference facility to hold online meetings or train staff and salespeople.


Since it is an advanced application it will enable you send 3 notifications to any new Facebook user that “likes” your page. Therefore the number of people visiting your page will exponentially rise and your business will sky rocket! Advanced applications such as this truly mean that you will “Work smarter instead of harder!”


Social Outbreak opens the doors to the public. It revolutionizes the fan page and Facebook marketing industry. It may be new on the scene but this Facebook fan page builder is extremely simple, efficient and effective. It empowers the average person to quickly create and update their Facebook marketing campaign without having to rely on a web designer or programmer.


Social Outbreak is “the right Facebook tool” for your online marketing strategy.


You can learn more about Social Outbreak by visiting www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessAssistance

One Sure Fire Way to Make a Stack of Money on Facebook

What is the answer for small business owners who want to make a bundle of cash on Facebook?

One thing is certain. You will need an all-in-one Social Media System that allows your small business to leverage the amazing power of Facebook. The system must be affordable and able to be set up quickly. The application must be accessed directly through the Facebook platform. Anything less, and you will have wasted your time and money.

Incredible as it may seem, Facebook now has over 750 million active users. If it were a country, it would be the 3rd largest nation in the world behind China and India! An effective Social Media System will allow the “little guy” to get some of the action alongside the multinationals. Having a system that is integrated into the Facebook platform will provide options to professionally market your product or service from within your Fan Page.

The system should include tools to set up your Fan Page and create a professional customised Sidebar. Your sidebar serves as your online business card. It should include the business name, your personal photo or business image, a logo, and contact details. The system should also have an auto responder system that automatically sends a thank you e-mail to everyone that visits your site and then sends you one (including the visitor’s email address) to let you know who visited.

The System should also allow you to send video emails to customers, clients and prospects. A reliable conferencing facility should be included so you can train employees and stay in touch with business associates and field sales staff.

A great Social Media System is not just another business branding tool. It can be an income generator for your business.

Having sophisticated Fan Page technology that is fully interactive can send your online message viral. Whether you are operating a local or global business, you need a unique presence on Facebook that sets you apart from all other competitors.

So, how can a Social Media System help you to stand out from the crowd? For starters, if you can run the system directly through Facebook, it can be easily accessed on your iPhone. For any application to be used on Facebook, it has to be approved. This means that the user of the system does not need to leave the website or worry about setting up multiple domain names and hosting.

Sales people, artists, musicians, non-profit organizations, sole traders, home business operators and network marketers all want to use social media to promote their product, service and brand, but just don't know how. A sophisticated Social Media application can solve multiple marketing, branding, sales and cashflow problems.

This Social Media System is no longer an idea. It has recently been released and is now being sold and marketed through independent Media Consultants, The pricing model is very affordable and the market timing is ideal.

Once you see the power of this system, the vastness of this largely untapped market, and how simple it is to get started, you'll want to hit the ground running! For more information visit us at https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessAssistance.

Social Media Marketing - Marketing via Social Media

A recent article from www.hubspot.com claims that “Social media and blogs are a key part to any inbound marketing strategy.” The article goes on to list 6 reasons why you should not ignore social media as a marketing strategy.

• Setting up a Facebook page and a blog can take as little as a day or two.

• Very cost effective. Get started for zero outlay.

• Good, and rapid, reader feedback.

• Blog posts and social media will get you found in Google searches.

• Inbound marketing is cheaper and less intrusive than outbound marketing eg. telemarketing, direct mail, TV, print ads etc

• “First Mover Advantage”. Talking to your potential customers before your competition.


Are you using social media to get your message out there? Are you building your Brand or are you actively selling to your Target Market?
Hubspot says, “Some organizations are still unsure about the utility of social media and blogs. Are potential customers really reading Twitter? Does Facebook do anything more than build brand awareness? The answer is, "Yes!"

Hubspot research indicates that over 40% of businesses who are actively promoting through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are getting new customers. Most of these customers are acquired at little or no cost except for time spent engaging with prospects online.

So, what does this all mean and what does this research mean to you? Social Media is a game of patience. There is no doubting the power of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube marketing campaigns. They work....if done correctly.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/YGfSUN1bufI

Just take a look at the video below and you will see what I mean.

Now that you’ve seen the power of Social Media and you want to get moving with it, but don’t know where to start, begin by contacting us at: john@smallbusinessassistance.com.au

Record Keeping and Tax Issues

Starting a small business can be a little tricky at times. It requires inner strength, resilience and persistence. It is an exciting time but is sometimes a complicated and risky process. It is great to be your own boss but it often takes lots of cash to get started. Do your sums and make sure your venture is fully funded before you take the big leap.


The legal structure of the business plays a large role in determining funding and the level of taxation. The wrong legal structure can kill a business before the doors are even open. Always make sure you get good legal and tax advice before you get started.


Records are an essential element in claiming deductions on your taxes. Records help you document the deductions you've claimed on your return. However, records are no substitute for good management. They can only tell you what has happened, not why it happened. Records include supporting documents. Purchases, sales, payroll, and other transactions in a business will generate supporting documents. These might include sales slips, paid bills, deposit slips, invoices etc.


The Bottom Line is this…keep accurate records. They will show you where you were, where you are now and where you are going. Accurate records will keep the tax man at bay, will help you get finance and will help you sell up when the time comes.

Here is a link to this year’s Top 10 tax tips for Australians as we approach the end of the Financial Year.
 

Marketing with Video -The Power of Videos

Did you know that short promotional videos can help you get listed on Google Page One for your favourite keywords? People spend months, sometimes years and thousands of wasted dollars on Search Engine Optimisation tactics, trying to get listed on Google Page One. Yet,”the secret” is right before their eyes.

Short, sharp marketing videos with a strong “Call to Action”, when posted on You Tube, will often show up on Page One literally within hours of being published. Share them on other video sites like Flickr and on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and you have instant exposure. If the video is funny, unique or interesting your viewers, friends, fans and followers will often share it with others. Even an amateur video can potentially be seen by thousands of people. This is called viral marketing and is a very low cost, and extremely fast, way of getting noticed.

So, why does this happen? How can you get listed so quickly? Because, strangely enough, most businesses don’t use videos to promote themselves. Only expensive TV and magazine ads have the potential to reach so many people. For the price of a video creation, this is a wise investment.

Marketing videos are made to introduce potential buyers to what your business, service or product is all about. They can be created in 30 seconds or 5 minutes, but work best when kept from 60 to 90 seconds. They are a great tool to help your clients learn about you and your product. They can quickly explain the benefits of your product or service and are designed to direct the buyer to your website. This sales technique is called “preselling”. Once on your website, you can give the visitor more reasons to buy, ask for the sale and encourage them to pull out their credit card.

To summarise, Marketing Videos provide an effective, compelling and under utilised method of getting your message across quickly and effectively.

Advantages of Social Media Marketing For Business Growth

Social media marketing campaigns can be very powerful. Used intelligently, social media can rapidly boost traffic to your website. However, if you grew up before everyone had a PC or a laptop, the latest technology may have you confused.

Recent online promotional failures may have left you bewildered and dazed. You may have the ultimate marketing tool at your disposal but if you have no idea how to use it effectively, it is utterly useless to you. Learning how to use the internet and marketing via social media can be the difference between online success and total frustration.

Nowadays, using Facebook and Twitter as marketing tools can help any business reach goals they never thought possible. It may be tough to understand for those who are still using traditional methods of promotion. But as they familiarize themselves with the latest techniques, it is very realistic to achieve what was previously thought to be too difficult for the small business owner.

Social media is not just a tool to promote your local business. It should be an essential element in your Business Plan. You, as the business owner and most important person, must involve yourself and commit to an ongoing Social Media Campaign. It will strengthen your business in the short term and help to lengthen your business life in the long term. Remember that these days the masses “hang out” on social media sites. Therefore, you simply must be there too. As a new business owner, you must bear in mind that social media is the easiest and cheapest way to link with a steady stream of potential buyers.

Just think about it……will you wait for your next buyer to walk through your door when you can easily go and talk to him on Twitter or Facebook?
Another factor that plays an important role in marketing is video promotion. Any variable that moves such as text, images and graphics that are combined with audio can speak louder for you, and call the attention of most clients globally. You could run workshops and conduct business training seminars if you’d like to produce more influential videos. You can be very creative and instantly grab the interest of many people in a short period of time.

Accepting the reality that your business needs assistance in order to gain and maintain exceptional growth can sometimes be difficult. Cost is often a limiting factor in business decision making. However, we can help you find a hard working and talented computer based team of Virtual Assistants that can help you to promote your business….and, at the right price.

To learn more about the benefits of social media marketing or to ask questions about how our team can help you boost your profits, please visit http://www.small-business-assistance-guys.com/Contact-SBA-Guys.html

The New Silver Boom

Silver prices have doubled over the past 12 months. On 10 June 2010 you could buy silver at around $18.25 an ounce. One year later, silver is trading at $36.20 an ounce. Experts are predicting that the demand for physical silver bullion and rounds will continue to rise due to fears of hyperinflation and further economic downturns. Because silver is a scarce, and much needed, commodity it is expected by investors to continue to rise in price over the next few years.

Because supplies of silver are required for industrial purposes, and reserves are limited, silver is emerging as the place to invest. Over the past couple of years, silver has been performing very well as an investment vehicle and looks set to continue its rapid rise as the precious metal of choice by investors.

Professional investors and economists are stating that silver is extremely undervalued on a historical comparison basis to gold, its more favoured rival. So, just how high will it go? Many astute investors are predicting that silver may reach $100 an ounce or more by 2012. I’m taking the lead from savvy investors like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Robert Kiyosaki who have been putting their trust in silver for some time now.
For information on how the ordinary man or woman can invest in silver for as little as $57.50 a month follow this http://www.silversnowball.com/3734/

Silver is Too Cheap Compared to Gold

Silver usually moves in tandem with gold, but last year it fell more than gold. Now it’s leading gold on the way up. Silver still has a ways to go and the current silver to gold ratio stands at 61 to 1 and the ratio is too high. Silver is a buy.

Silver is too cheap compared to gold and is a buy. Eleven months ago it took 85 ounces of silver to buy an ounce of gold. Since then the ratio has come down in favor of silver. Now it only takes 61 ounces of silver to buy an ounce of gold. Silver is still too cheap compared to gold. At the end of 2007 it took only 45 ounces of silver to buy an ounce of gold. I think we are headed in that direction again.

Recently, the Chinese announced that they are buying silver, and they are very savvy investors. If China’s doing it, it won’t be long before all of Asia follows. Now is the time for you to buy your physical silver while the price is still low and while there is availability. Last year at this time the market was oversold and long delays and huge premiums were common. It was starting to happen again. It is a good idea to buy your silver now while you can still get it.

Take advantage today of a way to get lots of silver and earn free silver every single month. To learn more, go to http://silversnowball.com/3734

Will You Advertise on Facebook?

Well, will you? 

Facebook Advertising is becoming the way to reach the people. Facebook’s advertiser base is going ahead in leaps and bounds. Facebook ads are the Google AdWords of the future. In fact, Facebook Ads are likely to outstrip Google Adwords because Facebook can “out target” Google. For example, if you are a Bridal photographer you can target single women aged 20 to 28 who live within a 50Km radius of your home town. All their details are in their profile. It’s a smorgasbord for savvy marketers.

Industry experts report that the next generation of Facebook ads will be based on what pages you say you like. You'll see ads based on what you like and your friends will also see ads based on what or who you like. Advertisers believe that if you like a product, it’s likely that your friends probably will too.

Many businesses are targeting Facebook Fans and are happy to pick them up for $1 to $3 because they are highly qualified by the time they reach your Fan Page. They have already pre qualified themselves by clicking through from your Ad to your Page. What a great way to build a quality list!

But, has Facebook got it right? $355 million profit in the first 9 months of 2010 would suggest that they have. I’m predicting that if you’re business is not on Facebook by 2012, you will not really be in business.

Don’t believe me? Well, watch this video. It will change your mind. Then come and join me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sbaguys

Outsourcing

What is Outsourcing?

Outsourcing is a process in which a person or a company delegates a task, project or ongoing work to a third party. Often the third party is an individual or team of people located in another country. This is often referred to as “Offshoring”. Either way, the result is usually the same.

Basically, outsourcing is a contracting transaction which is undertaken by an “outside source” rather than work that is performed “in house”. It is an excellent way to reduce costs and increase productivity because the people doing the work usually live in a country where the standard of living is much lower than in western English speaking countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and England.

Outsourcing for Small Business

Recently, outsourcing has created immense interest amongst Business owners.....in particular, local Small Business operators, Internet Marketers, Network Marketers and Direct Sales people. However, the relative newness of the industry is reflected in the lack of knowledge or awareness by the Small Business community. Those who have used outsourcing services are usually positive about the benefits in cost savings and increased profits.

Offshore outsourcing in Asia has been utilised by the large multinationals, in particular the banking and insurance industry and telephone companies, for many years now. But, it has not been until recently, that the small business owners have been able to access these resources. In fact, most of us did not even know that outsourcing was available to “the little guy” until recently. And even if we did know, we didn’t realise how affordable it could be.

What Sort of Work is Outsourced by the Small Business Market?

Whilst the larger businesses will outsource technical support, telesales, IT, software development, data entry and recruitment services, the Small Business owner outsources tasks such as email support, web design, video production, SEO and Social Media Marketing. To hire a person to do this in England, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand would be out of reach of most of us. Yet, with the recent rise of the Virtual Assistant (VA) you can now compete with the multinationals. A good VA is cost effective, enthusiastic, friendly, helpful and very well trained. Of course, this is not to say that all of them are well trained and cost effective. You may need to test a few Virtual Assistants until you find “the right one”.

There is, however, an easier way to find a quality VA. Follow this link for more information on hiring a Virtual Assistant that is right for your business and the costs involved. Follow this link for more information on hiring a Virtual Assistant that is right for your business and the costs involved.

Personal Development

Personal Development – What Is It?

Personal development can be measured in a number of different ways. People often consider formal education to equate to growth and success. But it goes much deeper than that. It can often seem a little daunting because it can involve changes in values, self image, habits and lifestyle.

So, do you have to change everything? Well, no. Not necessarily. Personal development can help you succeed in many aspects of your life and business. It can also reduce stress.....something that business people know a lot about. You may have heard that having a Business Coach can help you to develop a Success Mindset.
People like Tony Robbins, Bob Proctor and T Harv Eker are the masters of success and their shows are always a sellout....and, for good reason. They are "The Masters Of Change."
But,don't wait for them to come to town. There are plenty of experienced local Business Coaches ready to train you at the right price.

Reflection Is Vital

Personal development focuses on reflection. Where you have come from, where you are now and where you want to go is just the starting point. What you are prepared to do about it is critical. Becoming the person you aspire to be takes self discipline. The ability to say “No” and mean it is essential. You must choose to learn and grow each day. Just imagine what your life would be like now if you had just changed the way you thought and acted in the past.
You must constantly strive to excel. This doesn’t mean that you must be perfect....just better than you were. Remember that your biggest limitation is yourself. Relax and don’t take yourself too seriously. Know that you can always improve your life.
Personal development can give you the success you deserve but you must want to improve your life and be willing to make the effort to get results. It can help you to understand how to cope with your emotions and how to think clearly and logically.
Negative thoughts cannot be totally blocked out, but you will be able to control your feelings to a large extent. It can change you for the better.....forever.
Development comes in many different forms. It can be personal growth and education.....or it can be coaching and improvement of employees, sports teams or your sales team. Common techniques include goal setting, faith, developing plans and taking action.
Personal development can help you obtain everything that you always dreamed of, as long as you have a clear goal and unwavering belief. It will enhance your business life if you let it. It will give you, and your workers, the self confidence and reliance to make decisions, learn new skills and become empowered.

So, Where Do I Start?

Personal development can start by simply reading an inspirational book, attending a seminar, listening to a CD or watching a DVD. Your growth can be accelerated with the assistance of a competent Life or Business Coach. Skills, attitudes, and habits can be changed over time. Personal and Business Success is a learning curve. Each task takes time, but it’s worth it. In the end, it’s all about Balance.

Where Can I Get a Coach?

You can look for a local Life, Success or Business Coach by entering a Google Search, OR....if you prefer an Online Business Coach, simply complete the form and one of the SBA Guys will contact you within 24-48 hours.

Sales Tips

Small Business Sales Tips

Sales are the life-blood of every business.
Keeping yourself up to date with modern sales tips and techniques is vital in the 21st century. Those tired and worn out sales strategies of the 80's and 90's will no longer cut it in this fast paced world.
However, some things remain unchanged.
If you are looking to grow your business (and if you are not, then you are going backwards!), you need to generate ongoing sales.
There are only two ways to get more sales:-
1. Sales from new customers
2. More sales from existing customers
Clearly, you must tailor your marketing and lead generation strategies to meet the different priorities of prospects and existing customers.
Once you have engaged with a new prospect, it is essential to have a sales process that focuses on generating trust and building a relationship.
The sales process for existing customers needs to be a little different, leveraging the existing relationship and focused on a better understanding of the customer’s situation and future needs and wants.
Furthermore, different processes are needed for face-to-face situations and web-based interactions. Attracting new customers via the web requires a “give before you get” attitude that builds trust and develops a relationship over a period of time.
A very significant proportion of businesses spend most, if not all of their time and money trying to attract new customers. In focusing everything on “new business”, they pay little or no attention to their existing customers. Are you one of them?
It costs between 5 and 10 times as much to gain a new customer as it does to grow an existing one. Existing customers continually “disappear” if they are not looked after.
Indifference (not price, not quality, not competitors) is the most commonly quoted reason given by customers, for changing supplier/service provider.
Furthermore, if you fail to take care of your existing customers, you are denying yourself the most cost-effective, high quality source of new customers – referrals.
Successful businesses are “systemised” businesses. They identify, design, document and implement effective systems to ensure consistent, high quality engagement with their markets, prospects and customers.
Here at Small Business Assistance, our mission is to provide you with access to thought leadership, ideas, tips, tools, processes, systems, software, case studies and resources to enable your small business to achieve peak performance in a highly competitive environment.
We believe that to be a success in sales, you need to be not just selling but..... Selling Effectively.
Your feedback, comments and contributions are actively encouraged, most welcome and much appreciated.

Marketing Tips

It has been said that if you are not marketing, then you are not in business. These days it is not sufficient to have just a shopfront and a flashy sign.
And if you are selling online, it is not all about a professional looking website loaded up with graphics and new products. You need to create an image that your visitor finds interesting and believable.......and that’s after they have found you.

Attracting Buyers

And, just how do they find you online? Most businesses have no idea how to attract online visitors.
You need to inform and educate first. The online visitor will only buy from those they trust and building trust takes time.
You simply must learn to stop selling from your website and start educating. Offer free advice and give away relevant newsletters, reports, eBooks and “how to” manuals.
Attract “raving fans” and they will spread the word for you.
Whether you are selling online or offline, you need a marketing strategy. You need to let the buying public know just who you are and why they should buy from you......Now!
What is the difference between you and the guy across the road? If both shops look alike and your products and pricing are similar, who will get the business?
All things being equal, you’d expect that each business would get an equal share. Yet, this rarely happens. The reality is that one business will get the majority of customers and the other one will eventually close down. Why?
Superior Marketing and Sales Techniques combined with a professional, friendly and honest approach to management and customer service will win out all the time.

Keys To Lasting Success In Business

One of the keys to lasting success in business is effective engagement with your customers. Target marketing, regular client contact and superb customer service will win customers, keep them and continue to attract others. Networking with other business people will help you to gain quality referrals and expand your customer base much quicker.
The most important tip I can give you here is to "stop selling". Instead, offer assistance, educate and solve problems. Do this and you will be a success in business.

"Buyer behaviour" can be a funny thing but there is a science to understanding what makes people tick.
For more information on his subject check out this article on the "Psychology Behind Buyer Behaviour".

For creative strategies and tips on creating a Marketing Plan
click here.

Profitable Business - The Key Mistakes

To construct a profitable business, during the initial start up phase you will need to plan, research and finance your business. You will also need to set up a record keeping system that complies with your country’s current business and tax legislation. Start up costs may include the purchase of computers, office equipment, furniture, tills, machinery, vehicles and tools. You must also consider what business structure is right for you. Will you be working alone as a Sole Trader? Will you register a business name? Will you operate as a partnership or company?
Each of these functions is very important when putting together a profitable business, yet at this point many new business owners fail to pay enough attention to planning and research.

Planning and Research

In the rush to “get started in business” most new business owners put advertising and promotion first. However, knowing your market, your competitors and your business goals before you start your business can never be overstated. In fact, research is absolutely critical in the early days of your business. Thorough research enables you to find your niche, target your true market and learn if you have a viable and profitable business idea that allows you to have confidence in your advertising and promotional strategies. Until you know what sort of demand that you have for your product or service, you are just flying blind.
Knowing your market and how to reach your customers is often the difference between success and failure in business. A profitable business relies on accurate information.

Effective Research

Effective research can tell you who your customers or clients are, where they live, their age bracket, sex, marital status, income and almost anything else that you need to know about them. Government Departments have demographic information on almost anything you can think of.
The advent of the internet has put all sorts of relevant statistics at our finger tips. Social Media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are now bringing us closer together and allowing us to engage with a wider audience.
In the 21st Century there can be no excuses for not conducting in depth research on your business idea. The trick, though, is to know what information is important and what isn’t.

Systematic Approach

We found that having a systematic approach to research, assisted us to launch our business easily and with confidence. We were lucky enough to find probably the most comprehensive online system in SiteBuildIt. SBI makes business research, web construction, marketing and sales really simple. It provides almost everything you need to get started in business all in the one package.....and at a price that everyone can afford. We absolutely love SBI. It keeps us focused, the owners forum is fantastic for learning tips and strategies, and the company is continually adding more business tools.
If you want a strong web presence and you want to make money on the Net, you must check out SBI now.

Your Website

Your website should tell the world who you are and how your business can help them solve a problem. Knowing your market can help you laser target your products or services to create solutions to the problems that they need help with right now.
For example, if you are selling a range of sporting goods and clothing, you may find that your primary market is the 18-30 year old single, professional males and females. These people generally have lots of disposable income and like to be seen in the best running shoes and apparel. They like the fact that you run a clean, well stocked shop with knowledgable staff.

Your website must reflect the "feel" of your shop. Give your website visitors quality information and reviews on new products and industry information. Produce a newsletter or a blog. Tell them that your business is now on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Take control of your business, keep your good customers to yourself and attract new customers at little or no cost. Learn to engage with current and prospective buyers through your website. If you haven’t got a website or if your website is pulling no traffic, you are not alone. This is the case for most business owners and often prevents them from have a profitable business.
While researching our business we checked out lots of options before we settled on SiteBuildIt (SBI) which offers an all-in-one online profitable business solution. If you have a website that you are not happy with, or if you don’t yet have a site of your own, it may help to check out the many useful features offered by SBI.
More information can be found here about SBI and choosing your profitable business.

Starting In Business

The First Five Important Steps

This article was originally written for the individual who is thinking of starting in business or the person who has just made the decision to get started. However, after writing it, I realised that it is just as relevant for the experienced business owners amongst us.
No matter what our level of experience, we need to be continually reviewing and revising our business plans. So.....here are the Five Basic Steps we all need to consider when going into business.
How many of these have you forgotten?

Step One: The Idea

• What sort of business do you want to start?
• Why did you choose this particular business?
• Will you buy an existing business or will it be built from the ground floor up?
• How will it make you feel?
• Why will it make you feel that way?
• Are you sure that this is what you really want?
• What hours will you need to put in?
• Is it a 'seasonal' business?

Step Two: Research your Idea

• Is there a market for your product/service?
• Is your product in demand? Are there more people demanding your product or service than there are providing it?
• Have you surveyed your target market to see what they really want or need?
• Who is your 'ideal' customer/client?

Step Three: Workout the start up costs

• Will you be working from home, an office or a shopfront?
• Will you need to buy a vehicle, a computer, furniture etc?

• What licences/accreditation/insurances will be required?

• Will you need employees? Do you know what your legal obligations are to your employees?
• Will you hire Contractors?
• What are the hidden costs eg. rent, electricity, phone bill, water, advertising, office or shop fitout?

Step Four: Write your Business Plan

Your Business Plan should focus on:
• business structure (eg. Sole Trader, Partnership, Company, Trust),
• your business name,
• what you want your business to do for you,
• your Unique Selling Proposition
• what price/s you will charge,
• how you will advertise/promote yourself,
• where your customers will come from,
• when you expect to start making a profit.

Step Five: Keep Good Records

• Do you know what business records you need to keep?
• Do you know what cash books or Record Keeping software you may need?
• Do you know what tax deductions you can claim?
• Will you use an Accountant/bookkeeper?

Summary

Until you have addressed these business basics, you really can't be sure that you have a viable business.
This does not mean that your business will fail. However, ignoring one or more of these steps reduces your chances of long term business success.