As a small business, we face certain challenges that can add stress and anxiety to our daily lives. It is not always easy meeting payroll, hiring, figuring out what platform to market on and managing the finances. But, millions of small business owners do these things every day and their businesses thrive.Here are 5 Tips for Small Business SuccessWrite Down Why You StartedAs a small business owner, you may find yourself living on a rollercoaster. Some days you feel like you are going to take over the entire universe while other days you fire yourself and walk off the job. And, early on in the small business process, you have more firing and walking off the job kind of days. It is in these days that you must remember your “why.” Why are you doing this? Why are you so passionate?During the days that you are “taking over the universe” and are more clear minded, write down the answers to those question so when you get discouraged you will remember why you started and you will be less likely to give up. List out support systems and create vision boards so that when times feel dark, you know who you can reach out to and have a physical vision of the direction you want to go.Step AwayAs a small business owner, you probably take your work home, talk to your partner about it, and answer calls on the weekends. But never taking a step away can lead to burnout. The last thing a business owner should do is make decisions based on feelings like stress, frustration and impulsivity. Working on you and/or your family independently of your business is a great way to refresh and gain clarity so you can be even stronger in your business. Successful people take breaks.Give yourself at least one day a week where you step away completely. Set boundaries with clients or customers and they will respect your time even more. If you really feel that you cannot take one day, start small with time away. Take 30-60 minutes at least one time per day to do something that clears your mind. Do not answer business calls during this time, instead, try something like getting in touch with nature, taking a bath, or working-out. The better you are to your mind and body, the clearer decisions you will make for your business, clients and customers.Hurdle the Tough Times Quickly & Learn From ThemAs a small business owner, you are learning something new every day. Business owners switch hats all the time; from finances to legal to day to day operations to HR. And, it is no secret that mistakes will be made.If you want to be successful in business, don’t ruminate, internalize and dwell on those mistakes. Instead, chop it up to a learning lesson and press forward being cautious not to make that mistake a second time. Hurdling barriers and setbacks quickly will help you to minimize your stress and preserve energy in order to continue growing your business.Get a MentorSo many people have been in your shoes before you. They know the puddles you should not even try to step in and they can also give insight into decisions you are facing.Reach out to these people and ask them for their mentorship. If you do not have a mentor, try networking to meet likeminded people that can share ideas with you. However, as your business grows, if you do not have a mentor, keep your eyes open for someone that you can call on for support. Most successful people want to help you grow and develop and will be glad to guide you. Just make sure that you are open-minded when your mentor talks with you and that you come with questions or a direction to the meeting as to not waste their time.Make Sure You Have Financial OptionsWhile you switch hats, ride the rollercoaster, take calls from customers on days off, and try to somehow maintain life balance, the one thing a business owner must have peace of mind and security with is finances (personally and professionally).As a small business, make sure you work with a banker or company that is transparent and that you can trust. As your business grows, there will be growing pains, and that is a good thing, especially if you have a banker or lender who supports small businesses and simplifies things. Be sure to speak up to your lender about various types of resources, loans, business credit cards, and cash advances that best fit your niche.
5 Tips for Small Business Success
Advantages of Advertising on the Internet
Everyone understands that the purpose of advertising is to raise the profile of your business and to draw in those elusive potential customers. While methods of advertising need only be limited by your own imagination, it seems obvious that choosing the correct method can make a world of a difference to the impact on your business. When considering this crucial decision of how and where you should advertise, there are 3 key points to consider:
Will this form of advertising reach my target client group?
How much will this advertisement cost me?
Will I see a return on my investment?
When considering these key points, it’s impossible to ignore the potential advantages of advertising online. Internet advertising has become the first choice for many businesses due to the potentially significant benefits it can afford. Here are just some of the reasons why advertising online could be the right choice for you:
Be Kind to your Wallet
Your advertising and marketing budget will dictate how much you can afford to spend on adverts for your business; television, radio and perhaps even print advertisements may be out of your reach. The good news, however, is that many business owners are discovering that internet advertising is an affordable option. When you see colourful, dynamic, eye-catching advertisements online, don’t assume they’re out of your price range. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get for your money when you advertise online.
Ready, Aim, Fire!
Just as print advertisements are aimed at a specific target client group (you’re unlikely to see an advert for the latest mascara in Men’s Health), internet advertising is targeted towards those who are potential customers for your product or service. You have ultimate control over when and where your articles will be displayed meaning that you can manage your advertising effectively for maximum exposure and impact.
The World is Your Oyster
Your website is like your virtual shop window. It allows you to have that shop window viewed around the clock in every country in the world. The potential to get your business noticed above and beyond your expectations is simply staggering! Where the limitations of a print or a television advert are obvious, equally obvious is the limitless potential of putting your business on a global stage and then showcasing your products and services to a potential audience of billions.
Track your Success
One of the main advantages of online advertising as against traditional print adverts is the ability to track your conversion rates. This means that you can find out exactly how many people have viewed your advert and how many people come to your website as a result of a specific advert. The benefit of this is clear; if you know an advert is working for you, you’ll want to continue with it. If, on the other hand an online advert is failing to bring you any return you can discontinue it and switch to another more beneficial strategy.
Stay Flexible
One of the difficulties posed by using printed leaflets and pamphlets to advertise your business is that once they’re printed up, you’re stuck with them. Advertising online gives you the flexibility to make changes periodically and this can save you money (no expensive re-print), whilst continuing to create and maintain interest in your business by highlighting specific events, special offers and perhaps items or services that are particularly relevant at any given time. You’re likely to find that minor alterations to your advert will incur very modest charges and in some cases, no charge at all.
Online Education Master’s Degrees
A master’s degree gives students training and education in a specialized field of expertise with greater depth than studying for a bachelors degree. Students pursuing a master’s degree traditionally need to hold a bachelors degree and commit to one to six years of study in a particular field. Online education masters degree programs make it easier for working business professionals to complete their education and attain advanced positions in their field.
Masters degrees definitely afford individuals an opportunity to increase their earning potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average weekly earnings for a masters degree holder are $1,102, which is $200 more than people holding a bachelors degree. These statistics further reveal that only 5.9 percent of adults in America hold a masters degree.
Online education masters degree programs may consist of any combination of advanced study courses, internships and independent research, such as a thesis. Some master’s degree programs enable students to go directly into a career, others require internships or additional credentials and some prepare students to enter doctoral degree programs. To fulfill the requirements of a masters degree program, students must attend between 30 to 60 semester hours, which may be completed online between 15 and 36 months.
Masters degrees are differentiated by post-nominal letters that indicated the level of academic achievement, honor or office a student has earned. The most common areas of online education masters degree study are:
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study determined that about one in five students seeking to earn a master’s degree pursue an M.B.A. The masters degree in business administration is research-oriented and involves independent study and achievement. Online education masters degree programs give business executives the ability to fit educational advancement into their schedules at their convenience. Further, according to “Taking the E-Train” by Douglas Bartholomew there are quite a few opportunities for business networking and making professional connections through online education.
Master of Education (MEd, MAT, MSEd). According to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, about 28 percent of students study for a masters degree with a focus on education. There are several specialization that students can choose, including elearning, corporate training, teaching and administration. Graduates can pursue careers as teachers, in technology or as principals and administrators or pursue doctoral degrees to seek positions as education experts in their field. Online education masters degree programs provide educators with the opportunity to seek advanced education while maintaining their current positions and tenure in the field.
Master of Science (M.S.). A master of science can be earned in a variety of research, education and health care fields. Pursuing an M.S. degree usually involves independent study as well field work. Graduates are employed in careers such as research, health care, education and more. Certain M.S. Programs prepare students to enter doctorate study to become employed in positions such as physicians and health care administrators. Online education masters degree programs give busy doctors, nurses and scientists the chance to practice in the field while attaining higher degrees.
Master of Arts (M.A.). A masters degree in the arts is often considered to be a terminal degree. This means that graduates are prepared to enter their chosen field and no further degree is needed to advance professionally. For example, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) enables graduates to enter directly into careers such as a photographers, sculptor, creative writer and painter. An M.A. gives a greater level of distinction, expertise accomplishment to those working in the fine arts and can even qualify people to educate others on artistic pursuits.
Financial aid is readily available for all types of online education masters degree programs. Students can find out about tuition reimbursement from their employers, especially in fields such as health care that need more certified people in certain professions. Federal and state grants and loans may be available, such as Stafford Loans. There are also private students loans through entities such as Citibank. Certain online education programs offer payment plans to students who are unable to pay a lump sum at the beginning of the semester. Finally, there are a wealth of scholarships available to students willing to apply and pursue them. Financial assistance is readily available for students who want to attend online education masters degree programs.
The increased availability of financial aid coupled with the convenience and flexibility of online education masters degree programs have made it easier for more people to earn advanced degrees. “Earned Degrees Conferred by Gender, 1870 to 2000″ revealed that between 1970 and 2000, the number of masters degrees earned by women increased over 220 percent. The number of masters degrees awarded to men increased 53 percent. According to the College Board 2006, these graduates are certain to benefit from obtaining an advanced degree as only 6% of the population have one.