Few Important Reads on Doing Business and Making it Profitable

I am glad to share some useful reads I happened to catch lately. Though I read a lot more, following are the ones I feel are truly share worthy.

• Content marketing; on recycling content and avoiding digital content rot. http://www.convinceandconvert.com/content-marketing/recycle-old-content/
• What you need to focus on in order to make your website perform great https://www.catswhocode.com/blog/12-points-to-improve-your-website-in-2018
• On improving Facebook ad results https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-improve-facebook-ads-results/
• Increasing online sales https://www.inc.com/john-lincoln/how-to-use-broad-match-modifier-to-increase-your-online-sales.html
• Just interesting read on how much one can make from uber and other similar services. http://www.equitybusiness.us/business-service/how-much-can-an-uber-driver-make.html
• Quick guide for students to start their own business http://www.smallbusinessclan.com/6-steps-for-students-to-start-their-own-business/
• Small business loans and grants guide for female entrepreneurs. http://www.laudablebits.com/small-business-loan-tips-resources-for-female-entrepreneurs/

Even if just one of the above is useful to you too, do share it with others.

Errand Services; a Micro Business Idea for Enthusiasts in Chicago

While living in Chicago, it’s a must that you consider starting your own business. Whether you are a fresh grad looking for an opportunity or you have just retired from those long office hours job, own business will not just keep you busy in constructive way, but will also let you have financial freedom in a better way!

If you’re actually interested in such a venture, you must already have explored tons of small business ideas for Chicago.

In a situation when abundance of ideas create confusions, choose one that delivers better value to the target market, i.e. errand services business.

The growing population, emergence of new businesses, higher tourists and business travelers in the city and ever increasing traffic is making life of many people tougher than before and they need someone to help them with these nonproductive tasks.

You don’t need to invest a penny on setup, except marketing your service which you can also do on budget with some strategic moved. So, step in, and ease the pain of all those who need help and make your profits!

Do check this resource before you actually start setting up your errand services business.

And yes, here I wrote about translation services business in Chicago, which is also a lucrative option.

Writing a Business Plan: When & Where to Start

Business plan is not just a simple document that you may need to attract investors, but a clear roadmap to start and run your business in the right direction.

Being a roadmap to success, business plan is considered to be an essential development before starting s of time, when you have a business idea and plans ready in the minds.

Well, business plan is never a waste of time, but yes at times your idea is so much vulnerable to theft and is time sensitive that getting yourself into writing a business plan may not be the right idea.

In that case, you can start with business plan outline and let the expert business plan writer expand the document as needed. Since, a thorough research  is needed to identify the potential weaknesses, opportunities, and threats your business is likely to have, make sure your writer follows a careful policy in this regard.

Here are some useful links for developing a good business plan. Check if you need to follow any of these:

Writing business plan for non profits.

Top resources for business plan writing.

Guide on writing business plan.

Transforming Your SEO Expertise into a Successful Online Marketing Business

There are tons of SEO experts who claim to bring any business on first page in Google, but the bitter truth about online marketing is that, it's not just about pleasing Google.

There is more to it than just knowing how to please Google and so, whether or not your job is just about SEO, you should explore other arenas of online marketing too.

Once, you have hands on experience of multiple dimensions of online marketing, you can start your own online marketing company by offering a full range of value-added service to your clients. To get a detailed insight on how to start online marketing business, you will, however, need to do lot of research.

Most of the online marketing business owners have started with very low budget, so think of ideas and actions that do not require major investment but can generate good profits.
Some ideas can be:

• Start a home based business.
• If you have a circle of friends who can offer web design, hosting, copywriting etc, do take them onboard as strategic partners. 
• Offer referral discount to get more clients.

To read more about starting online marketing business on budget, check out this guide on How to Start an Internet Marketing Business on a Budget.

How to Develop a Recession Proof Marketing Plan for Salon Business

Unlike a bakery business and a laundry business, salons are more vulnerable to recession. Salon businesses, face the direct impact of economic behavior prevailing in the country.

But, being more vulnerable to recessions doesn't mean you should not get into the industry. Rather it means to have a recession proof marketing plan that is part of your beauty or hair salon business plan.

See, when the economy is riding high, people are willing and able to buy more or your services and they don't care if they are bit expensive;  so offering and highlighting services like luxury spa services like detailed hair treatments, relaxing massages etc during these times can work like a charm.

On the other hand, special discount packages during low times can work great. One way to create a great marketing plan for your salon is to research your target market's economic base carefully.

Knowing the income slabs, you can easily design all in one services plan that caters the need of each slab. This way just in case the economy fluctuates, the high end customers have the option to find an alternate on budget.

Financial Independence; a Great Entrepreneurial Motivator

Financial Independence is probably the biggest and most common reason people start their own business for. And that’s a good thing!

Everyone has the right to struggle for financial independence in their own way.  If you are really serious about becoming wealthy and financially independent,  the number one road to success is entrepreneurship.

Starting up and building a successful business will not only make you financially independent, but will also reward you with skills, recognition and many other benefits that you may have not thought about. So, don't waste time and start with 2015 small business ideas today!

The Keys to Success:

• The succeed you must be goal oriented and have the ability to overcome your fear of failure. 
• The second major reason for financial underachievement and failure is just plain ignorance. Most people do not know how to start and build a business, so stay updated with latest trends and have hands on on everything needed.
• The third reason why people don’t start and succeed in their own businesses is because they think that they don’t have enough money. Forget about money, and create some value for people. Money will come itself!

Overcoming the challenges is necessary as you may face a new challenge on each stage of your business development and growth, so be ready and you will be successful!

Is Passion Not Enough to Start a Laundry? Then What Else?

Many entrepreneurs, who consider opening a laundry, have little or no prior formal training in the business.

Well, as a fact of the matter many laundry owners simply run the numbers, but it doesn't mean you just decide that starting a laundry equals a good business opportunity.

Since, the business scenario around the world is getting competitive, it's good conduct thorough research into the industry first and then analyze whether or not there's an opportunity for you. Innovating the existing solutions like mobile laundry, pick and deliver laundry and so on can be a better option rather than just starting a simple laundry shop.

So, go out in the market, start talking to laundry owners, consider reading trade literature and also keep a close eye on the problems of customers. All this can lead you towards a better business idea for your laundry shop. Once, you have the idea, documenting things into a laundry business plan is the road map to success.

While formal experience may not be necessary, you may have sufficient knowledge of the operations, so you can monitor the staff at least. In addition, a solid understanding of financial, sales, marketing and management principles can be a big plus. Don't worry if you are not at that level for now, starting today can lead you there tomorrow!

11 Ideas to Grow Your Small Business Startup

The biggest challenge for any startup is to survive and those who successfully make it happen comes another big challenge, i.e. growth.

If you have survived startup and built successful business; the only thing covering your mind at this stage is how to grow small business faster. Looking for business growth is a requirement and growing it faster is your ultimate goal.

There are numerous possibilities to grow your business, some a faster ways and some are comparatively slow and steady. I am going to list a few I know well about.

1. Opening another location: Aiza discusses, Opening Another Location: Is It the Right Way of Business Expansion?
2. Franchising: Sundus has word on it, Franchising; Is that the Right Way for My Business Growth?
3. License your product. This can be an effective, low-cost growth medium, particularly if you have a service product or branded product.  Unlike complete franchise rights, you can license individual products whereby you can receive upfront money and royalties from the continued sales or use of your software.
4. Affiliate Program: It's very popular in online sales of services and non-tangible or digital goods. You have to pay to the affiliate only when he makes sale.
5. Strategic Partnerships: Sarah outlines details as Strategic Partnership: A Virtually No Cost Startup Growth Option.
6. Diversifying: Bianca explains how Diversifying Your Business Can Let it Grow Faster.
7. Targeting other markets: If your consumer market ranges from teenagers to college students, think about where these people spend most of their time and take your business there. By offering special discounts you can grab a share of other markets too.
8. Winning a government contract: Well, it's not that easy, but if your business can serve a government department in anyway, that's a big plus.
9. Mergers and Acquisitions: Sam details some Success Factors for Business Growth Through Mergers & Acquisitions.
10. Global Expansion: Starting export can be really beneficial, if you think you can remain cost effective in production and transportation.
11. Expanding Over the Internet:  Probably cheapest and the fastest way to reach customers in any corner of the world, however, you need highly professional online marketing experts for this option.

The above list is just my brainstorming; you can come up with more ideas by simply twealqc4

Home Based Business Allows Reduction in Overhead Costs

If you have decided to start a home based business it’s surely a great move and if you have not thought to do so till now, this is the time you must take a step now. Here are some of the most useful and highly profitable home based business ideas.

On part of benefits of home based business, as they are many, saving overhead costs is the prominent one. Working from a home-based office keeps your overhead costs as low as you desire. See, you are not renting office space, not using a new phone line and of course not paying for office utilities.

On the other hand the commute is zero and you save enough time and money from there too. It’s not just saving overhead costs, but you have flexible working hours with home based business as well. So a home based business brings financial freedom with lot of other freedoms!