Archive for March, 2009
Recession Marketing All About Connections
Experiential marketing helps you connect with customers on an emotional level–for less than you think.
This spring, acquiring new customers presents a whole different set of challenges. We’ve entered an era of relationship marketing thanks to the recession, and customers are putting their limited dollars behind the products and services they know, trust and believe [...]
How to Make Your Message Stick
Memorable marketing leads to sales. Follow these 4 essential tips to make your message unforgettable
Do you ever find yourself humming an old advertising jingle you remember from childhood? It’s a common occurrence for all of us. Some things just stick in our minds, seemingly forever. But what makes one marketing message stick while hundreds or [...]
Become a Fan of Facebook Pages With a Text Message
This is potentially huge news for brands that are using Facebook Pages. You can now promote your Page using text messaging – or rather, by simply asking people to text the name of your page (www.facebook.com/yourname) – to Facebook’s shortcode, 32665, to become fans.
For example, text “fan Mashable ” to 32665 (which spells out ‘FBOOK’ [...]
21 Ways to Bring in the Business
Despite your desperate hopes and prayers, business isn’t just going to wander into your business. You need to get out there and hustle, and we’ve got the tips to help you do it.
We’ve found the perfect marketing solution for you. First, close your eyes. Now hug your computer monitor. Using top-secret technology developed at [...]
Top 10 Reasons to Start a Business in a Recession
More publicity. Less competition. Talent waiting to be scooped up. Here’s why starting in a recessed economy may give your business a better shot.
Do you have one good reason to start your business right now?
How about 10?
Regardless of what people around you (including the media) may say, right now is the best time to [...]
SBA raises surety bond ceilings for small business
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is giving small businesses a financial leg up, via the Recovery Act.
The SBA said Friday it is raising the guarantee ceiling on contractor surety bonds. The new ceiling is $5 million – more than double the previous limit of $2 million.
Under the SBA-participating surety company partnership, the SBA provides [...]
Before You Start a Business, Do an Internship
One inexpensive way to avoid mistakes when you launch your own venture? Intern at a company in the industry you’re heading for
I’m a business major, and my ultimate goal is to own and operate a paper and stationery products business. I’ve researched the four largest companies in the sector. Should I intern at one [...]
Millions cheated out of small business program
SBA failed to verify that recipients in $8 billion project reached poor areas
Because of lax oversight, undeserving companies collected millions in federal contracts from an $8 billion government program designated for small businesses in poor neighborhoods, congressional investigators charge.
The Small Business Administration repeatedly failed to verify paperwork and conduct audits to weed out sham firms [...]
When career turns down, franchising is option
Ready-made business can pay off but requires hard work, money, caution
Taso Louloudis knew the construction industry he and his wife Kim worked in was suffering, but neither expected they’d both lose their jobs in the same year.
Kim was laid off from her job at Engineered Homes in Orlando in May, and Taso lost his [...]
When career turns down, franchising is option
Ready-made business can pay off but requires hard work, money, caution
Taso Louloudis knew the construction industry he and his wife Kim worked in was suffering, but neither expected they’d both lose their jobs in the same year.
Kim was laid off from her job at Engineered Homes in Orlando in May, and Taso lost his [...]
The 7 new rules of financial security
In a world turned upside down, you must re-examine some basic assumptions. A good place to start: understanding the true nature of risk.
Rule No. 1: Risk
Old thinking: If you can stomach the ups and downs that come with risk, you’ll be rewarded.
New rule: Risk isn’t about your stomach. It’s about making or missing an important [...]
Justin.TV Is Bigger Than Hulu Overseas
Live video on the Web is starting to take off, judging by the massive jump in traffic that Justin.tv is witnessing. According to comScore, the live video site’s global audience saw a massive jump from 9.3 million unique visitors in January to 15 million in February, which is about the same number of people who [...]
Google Tweaks Search, Keeps Getting Better (GOOG)
Two new tweaks to Google (GOOG) search we’ve road tested and already like:
Google now provides some “searches related to:” at the bottom of search pages. For example, search on “silicon alley insider” and Google now suggests a few alternate searches like “henry blodget”, “techmeme”, or a few other tech blogs.
* Run a search with a [...]
The Pros and Cons of Easing Access to Credit
President Obama recently unveiled plans to spur lending to small businesses. Experts detail the benefits and drawbacks of taking on debt
Over the past few weeks, President Obama has unveiled multiple plans for aid to small businesses, including lowering loan fees, increasing guarantees on government-backed loans, and buying up to $15 billion in Small Business [...]
Loan Rates Rocket
The last month has not exactly been a bed of roses for any sector of financial services, but the mortgage market has dominated the headlines. However, it’s not just the homeloan sector where it is difficult to borrow competitively — the credit crunch has been crunching all types of credit, and unsecured personal loans were [...]
Ten Easy Ways To Make Money
I’ve come up with my fair share of crazy moneymaking schemes in my time.
When I was eight years old, I even became a tiny entrepreneur, buying bouncy balls for 10p each at my local newsagents and selling them for a quid in the playground.
It remains my most profitable venture by far, and I still resent [...]
10 Things the IRS Won’t Tell You
10 Things the IRS Won’t Tell You
1. “Like it or not, you may need help with your taxes.”
When Cindy Hockenberry and her husband sent in a tax-penalty payment in 2007, they knew there was a chance their math might not jibe with the IRS’s. When that turned out to be true and the amount was [...]
The Slow Move to Mobile VoIP
25+ Celebrity Twitter Users
