America’s SBDC Blog

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6 Truths You Must Know To Create Almost Perfect Subject Lines

September 26, 2012

It happens all the time: You’ve written the content for your newsletter. You have all the articles perfectly squared away and laid out. Then you’re faced with the task of writing a compelling subject line so irresistible that readers can’t help but open and read your email.

I wish I could tell you that somewhere out there is the perfect subject line, one that could send your open-rates skyrocketing and make opt-outs and spam reports ancient history, but I can’t.

I can tell you, however, that creating almost perfect subject lines is possible and it starts with understanding six simple truths about your readers: (more…)

Do You Have A Buy And Sell Agreement With Your Business Partner?

September 24, 2012

Many businesses that are owned and managed by multiple partners or family members do not have a plan in place should certain triggering events occur such as death or divorce. It is important to have a contingency plan to ensure a smooth transition at little or no expense to the existing owners.

What is a buy and sell agreement?

Think of it similar to a Will, but for a business. Essentially, it is a binding agreement between the owners or principals of the business (no matter the entity type) that determines what will happen in the event that a partner passes way, is held up in a divorce, files for bankruptcy or leaves the firm.

Many buy and sell agreements contain an insurance component which guarantees that in the event a partner is no longer with us, the other partner(s) will have the cash value to purchase the other share of the business. The clauses in the buy and sell agreements will dictate the outcome. This is why it is particularly important for all parties involved to pay close attention to every detail in the agreement. (more…)

The First 5 Things to Do When Getting Started on Twitter

September 21, 2012

For most things you want to accomplish in life, getting started is often the hardest part. The same is true for social media. If you are anxious about getting started it is easy to put off signing up for Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest until tomorrow… or next week… or next month.

To help you stop procrastinating and start achieving your social media goals, here’s a list of the first 5 things you should do to get started on Twitter.

1. Develop your identity.

After choosing a username, or as it’s called on Twitter your “handle,” you’ll want to create a bio that captures the spirit of your business. Keep in mind, more people will find you on Twitter that have no previous knowledge of who you are or what you do than on any other network. If you had just a few seconds (or in this case 160 characters) to explain your business to a complete stranger, what would you say? That will be your bio. (more…)

Internet Marketing for Beginners: Part 1 – The Goal

September 17, 2012

Are you a business owner? Listen up! Today, it is ESSENTIAL you have a concrete online marketing plan…and I’m here to show you how. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bury you in techy lingo, like “hits, bandwidth, and servers.” This article is your non-technical, business-owner friendly introduction to Internet marketing.

The goal of any good marketing plan is to generate business. A good Internet marketing plan should do the same. The website, while not the only piece of your online strategy, is the hub in the wheel of your Internet strategy.

A good website must generate at least one of the following: sales, leads, or customer support. Unfortunately, most people view a website as an online billboard or virtual pamphlet. A good website DOES something. Let me reiterate: A good website MUST generate sales, leads, or support for an existing group. Otherwise, in my opinion, you are wasting your money. (more…)

Never stop learning – tips for being a lifelong student

September 10, 2012

Businessman Henry L. Doherty once said, “Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.” We probably would all nod our heads in agreement over the truth of this statement, but if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us may also confess to not being the students we aspire to be.

Probably the biggest obstacle keeping us from prioritizing our continuing education is time. None of us seems to have enough of it and though we have all good intentions of getting back into reading notable biographies or taking that evening class at the local community college, it’s all too easy for the demands of life and work to interfere and for being a student to take a backseat until it’s more convenient.

However, as we find ourselves in the midst of back-to-school season, let’s use this as an impetus to actually take some action when it comes to lifelong learning. Doing so will benefit us not only personally but also professionally. For example, keeping our minds fit will help us be more inquisitive and open to new possibilities in the workplace and. As you consider ways you can take yourself “back-to-school,” here are a few ideas you might want to incorporate in your curriculum: (more…)