Your Small Business Advice

Inexpensive free marketing ideas can be just as effective as expensive ones and are a real Godsend when your marketing budget is small or non-existent. I've put together a collection in Ten Low-Cost Ways to Promote Your Business but what inexpensive and free marketing ideas have really worked well for you?

DianeCoville says: "When I attended the Self Employment Assistance program, one of the first rules for marketing your business was to get the word out to your friends, family and personal business contacts..." Read more small business advice from readers.

What’s Your Small Business Tip?

Sometimes referred to a snapshot of your business' future, a vision statement not only shows you where you want to go but provides direction for getting there. Readers' vision statements so far include goals from becoming a multinational corporation through becoming a platform for character formation for young adults.

Farag says, "To be a multi national corporation offering extensive marketing activities to our clients in the Middle East, globally recognized and consequently become business partners with them." Read more small business advice from readers.

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(Here's how to write a vision statement if you need instruction.)

No one wants to make mistakes when they're starting a business. But pretty well everyone does, probably because there are so many things that can go wrong. What are the most common business startup mistakes that people make though? Focusing on the product instead of the customer is one.

Quotations says, "I find that some entrepreneurs are so captivated by their "idea" that they focus entirely on the product and the enterprise. Later they are forced to learn that people do not automatically buy products that the entrepreneur expected them to love!" Read more small business advice from readers.

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As I say in 11 Time Management Tips, one of the first things we have to do is come to grips with the time management myth. No matter how organized we are, there are always only 24 hours in a day! Still, there are practical things we can do to fit more into those hours and feel better about it.

Joanne says, "I work at home and find that I can get terribly distracted especially if I have to run errands or go to the store, doctor or gym. So, I designate a couple of mornings each week for just those activities...shopping, errands, appointments, etc." Read more small business advice from readers.

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The more we know about ergonomics the better, I say, especially if our work involves hours of standing or sitting. My 7 Computer Ergonomics Tips are just scratching the surface of how we can work in ways that are less stressful on the body. What are your tips for ways of working that allow us to work longer and more productively?

Gina says, "I find that using an ergonomic keyboard really helps. I used to have a lot of trouble with my wrists but since I got a split keyboard, I have a lot less wrist pain." Read more small business advice from readers.

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The typical office makes a pretty big environmental footprint - and a big opportunity to make a difference by Going Green in the Office. Pick up tips for everything from recycling packing material through printing to PDF rather than on paper in these reader responses.

French says, "When you have paper that can't run through the printer a second time (crumpled, torn, wrong size), instead of sending it to the recycling bin, make a pile and use it as "scratch" paper for taking notes and making lists instead of purchasing notepads or using virgin paper." Read more small business advice from readers.

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I've shown you my picks in Top Digital Voice Recorders Under $100, but what are the best digital voice recorders that cost less than $100 USD and have, at a minimum, the ability to upload files to a computer?

Tam says, "I'd put the Sony ICD-PX720 at #1 too. I got mine for about $60 bucks - pretty amazing price for a digital recorder that records in MP3 format." Read more small business advice from readers.

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When you're trying to use Facebook to do business, it can be really hard to find the Facebook applications that will do what you want them to do and do them well. What have you found to be the best Facebook applications for doing business?

Rebecca says, "I've been hearing a lot of good things about Fan Appz. It's basically a few different apps, all rolled into one program. Fan Appz offers users the ability to create polls, quizzes, top 5 lists, sweepstakes, promotions, coupons, a virtual gift store, and more."

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Facebook marketing is touted as being a great way for businesses to promote their products and services. But just throwing up a Facebook Fan Page and hoping people visit isn't going to do much to help your bottom line. How do you move from being on Facebook to actually marketing on Facebook?

Barb T. says, "One thing I think works really well is having some kind of contest going on on your Facebook page. People love contests and you can have them post their contest entries right on your page. And then if you set it up so fans get to vote on who wins, you've got two chances to get them to post and get involved."

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The physical appearance of your website is just one aspect of how to start an online business - and probably not one of the most important aspects you need to pay attention to when you're first starting out. What one piece of advice would you give anyone on how to start an online business to increase their chances of success?

Terry says, "Make sure that you get a real domain name such as yourbusiness.com rather than one of those extension domain names like domainnamesareus/yourbusiness.com. They may be cheaper but they make you look like an amateur."

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