Archive for January, 2010
January 31st, 2010 | 
Author: Increase Sales In Your Home Business With These 10 Simple Ideas
Every home business has the same problem of how to increase sales without a hugely expensive marketing campaign. By utilising the following simple ideas you will be able to do just that.
1) Use your invoices as an advertising tool.
Whether you get your invoices printed professionally or use the invoicing function on your bookkeeping software ensure that you place some type of advertising on the form. This method provides positive reinforcement of what your business offers. An attractive invoice gives two huge benefits: your customers are more likely to remember you next time they require that product/service and they will pay the invoice more quickly.
2) Have a business card.
Many small business owners think that they don’t need a business card because that is something for the “big boys”. Having your own card will present an impression of being professional in your approach. Even if you rarely deal with your customers facetoface it is a good way to promote said professionalism to other businesses. An example would be a meeting with a new supplier. When asked for your business name and address simply hand over your card. (Bonus tip: only look smug on the inside.)
3) Use name tags.
Buy some name tags for you and you employees to wear. They are cheap to buy and can include the persons name their position in the business and of course the business name. Consider having clothing with the business name on it. If you or your staff is in regular contact with customers it makes sense to push your name forward at every opportunity.
4) Get a free ‘phone number.
Most major telephone companies offer a free ‘phone service. If your main source of new customers is by telephone it can provide a significant increase in sales. Customer perception of your business is also improved.
5) Write a business newsletter.
This is a good way to let your customers know of any special offers or promotions you may be running. Don’t focus too highly on making it a sales letter though. You should include advice not directly linked to sales. For example if you sell garden products or services include an article on how and when to properly prune roses. Your customers will appreciate your expertise.
6) Have an attractive window display.
If your sales outlet is a shop it is important to be able to attract customers through the front door. Even if you can’t afford the services of a professional window dresser take a bit of time when you are next at a shopping centre and look at what the major chains are doing. They spend a fortune on getting it right so you are bound to pick up a few tips.
7) Offer free samples.
Everyone likes a freebie. Give your customers something for nothing. Don’t just offer something cheap as if you got it for free but provide something of true value. Put a bit extra into the order box you send out or pop a couple of extra apples into the bag AFTER it has been weighed and paid for. People remember these little touches.
Use business vehicles as a mobile advertising poster.
Whether you have a van car or a small fleet make sure you have your business name and logo clearly displayed on your vehicles. You may not want to have a huge banner on the side of your car but you could consider the likes of a bumper sticker or a small sign in the back window.
9) Advertise on your faxes and emails.
Similar to your invoices in this regard. Most small businesses will have a letterhead on their stationery but will forget that a lot of customer contact nowadays is done by fax and email. Ensure that every communication you have with your customers has details of your business included on it.
10) Include a brochure in your letters to customers.
This is similar to a newsletter but what it allows you to do is much more “hard sell”. A newsletter gives a general feel of what you are providing whereas a brochure should be used to directly sell your business. Include details of prices new lines or services and how to get in touch.
All of the above have one main purpose to increase your credibility with all you come into contact with in your business life customers and suppliers alike. Try using some or all in your business and you will find that they make a measurable difference.
About the writer:
Allan Cowley is a Life Coach working with clients throughout the world. He provides online coaching in self improvement goal setting time management and small business development. You can contact Allan on his website at: http://www.uksuccesscoach.com/.
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Identifying Your Niche
The Internet has become a valuable source of information and purchasing tool for today8217;s consumer. With the click of a mouse you can find almost anything from products to services on the web and you can shop for the best prices and values all hours of the day from the convenience of your own home. For some of these same reasons mail order businesses are also on the rise with consumers finding better values from companies that don8217;t have the overhead associated with a storefront.
With everything at the consumers8217; fingertips the home business owner can also benefit from today8217;s market culture. Just as consumers can shop from their living rooms and kitchens business owners can conduct business in the convenience of their own homes. If you are looking to set your own hours have less commuting time and enjoy the general freedoms of working for yourself starting a home business may be right for you.
One important business plan to attend to when you first start developing a home business is to invest time in finding your niche.
So what does this mean finding your niche? Identifying a niche is about finding a distinct segment of consumer interest then capitalizing on it. It means finding that particular spot in the business world where you can stand out amongst others. For example there may be hundreds of booksellers out there but how many specialize in books on a particular interest of yours? If your home business focuses on selling books you may be competing with the hundreds of other sellers. But if your home business focuses on selling books about outdoor sports you may find yourself in direct competition with fewer businesses.
Now that you know what a niche is how do you go about identifying yours? You can start by asking your self a few important questions:
What am I good at?
Take an inventory of your skills. Are you a good mechanic? Are you a wiz with home decorating? Do your friends all come to you when they have computer problems to fix? Do you know almost everything there is to know about a particular topic? Find the things you already have some skill in and start a list. You may be surprised where your talents lie.
What do I enjoy doing?
What things do you love to do so much that you would probably do them whether there was a profit involved or not? The best place to start with this question is to look at your hobbies. These are often the things you pay a fairly significant amount of money to be involved in. Why not check it out to see if you can make a profit at these very same things? Starting a home business can take a lot of time and effort and having a passion for the focus of your business can be a great source of the stamina necessary to make it through the difficulties in the beginning.
What is there a need for?
After you jot down what you are good at and what you love to do it8217;s time to assess the market for these things. Are you always looking for supplies for your hobby but can8217;t ever seem to find what you need? It8217;s very likely others are having the same difficulty and a home business that supplies this need would be very well received by this segment of the market. Or maybe you love to decorate your kids8217; birthday cakes and your neighbors would rather pick theirs up at the local grocery store but can8217;t stand the small selection. This is a market for which you already have the skills and interest to meet the needs.
Side Bar
If you are planning to do your business entirely on the Internet one great tool you can use to check whether there is market for your idea is the Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool: http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/
You simply enter the keyword that people might use to search for your product and it8217;ll return the number of times that term was searched on last month. Amazing isn8217;t it?
Side Bar
But don8217;t be afraid of markets where you may have some skill but have a lot to learn. As long as you have the willingness to put time and effort into becoming an expert in your niche you will be able to develop the specialization you need to be a leader in the market.
Once you answer these questions and find the distinct area that will set your business apart from others you have identified your niche and are ready to develop your home business.
About the writer:
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of Home Based Business Opportunities A website dedicated to opportunities ideas and resources for starting a home based business. Visit him at: http://www.homebasedbusinessopportunities.com
Hurricane Katrina How To Use Your Business Loss To Get A Refund On 2004 Taxes
With the massive losses caused by Katrina the economy of the Gulf Coast region is in extremely bad shape. Fortunately there is a quirk in the tax code that can help you generate a large refund from your 2004 taxes.
Apply Losses to 2004 Taxes
When a large geographic area suffers a disaster the President can declare it a federal disaster area. President Bush has made such a declaration for the Gulf Coast area.
While youve probably heard such declarations occur over the years I doubt it means much to you. The declaration however has major implications for recovery efforts. Initially the declaration of a federal disaster area means the federal government is going to provide disaster relief loans special grants that dont have to be repaid unemployment benefits and a variety of other assistance. It also signifies a major tax break for impacted businesses.
When a business suffers a loss the deduction must typically be made in the year the loss occurred. With Hurricane Katrina the deduction would typically occur when you file taxes in 2006. The problem of course is 2006 is a very long time from now if your business is destroyed. You will find this hard to believe but the IRS is here to help.
The IRS is going to give you cash. Under current tax law you may make a special election to deduct your business losses caused by Katrina on your 2004 taxes. By doing this you do not have to wait till 2006 to get a tax refund. You dont have to do this but it may be the key to getting necessary cash.
To make the special election you must claim it on your 2004 taxes. If you have already filed taxes for 2004 you can file an amended tax return claiming the deduction.
In Closing
Using this tax strategy can help generate badly needed cash. Make sure you pursue the strategy with the help of your tax professional. If all your records are destroyed you can order copies of past tax returns from the IRS.
About the writer:
Richard A. Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com recovering overpaid business taxes for small businesses. Visit our article page http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles to read more tax articles.