When the going gets tough, small businesses fail: 10 common mistakes

This article, written by Jean-Pierre Ruiz and posted on Biznik.com, outlines the top 10 business mistakes small businesses make when starting out. If you have started your own business or are thinking about starting one, this article is a "must read." Ruiz points out how important it is to have a plan, know your market and to be prepared financially (think "cash on hand").

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis

IRS Offers Free Bookkeeping Phone Seminar - 10/22

Recordkeeping for Small Business/Self Employed Individuals - National Phone Forum - FREE

October 22, 2008

Learn about recordkeeping for small business/self-employed individuals:

• What books and records are
• Why books and records are needed
• Who should have books and records
• How good books and records can shorten an audit
• How long books and records should be kept

Sign up now (and no later than October 17, 2008). Select the time below that works best for you.

Note: Time zones shown are Daylight Saving Time.

CONFERENCE ACCESS CODE
393508 - 10:00 a.m. (EDT); 9:00 a.m. (CDT); 8:00 a.m. (MDT); 7:00 a.m. (PDT)
125274 - 1:00 p.m. (EDT); 12:00 p.m. (CDT); 11:00 a.m. (MDT); 10:00 a.m. (PDT)
725297 - 4:00 p.m. (EDT); 3:00 p.m. (CDT); 2:00 p.m. (MDT); 1:00 p.m. (PDT)

Register at the AT&T TeleConference Services Web site (www.attevent.com) by October 17, 2008. Reservations are limited, so register at the earliest date possible. You will receive a Personal Identification Number that you must use to join the conference. If you have never registered with AT&T for a prior phone forum, you will first need to click on create a profile.

If you require special accommodations (for example, Braille, large print or interpreter services) please contact Shane Ferguson at nationalphoneforum@irs.gov. We will e-mail presentation materials on October 20, 2008. If you do not receive this e-mail by noon on October 21, 2008, e-mail us at nationalphoneforum@irs.gov to request the materials. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. However, due to the public nature of the call, we will not be able to address specific client issues.

Click here for more info.

Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis

New Tagline

As a growing business, it is important that I market myself properly so prospective clients have a clear view of who I am and what I can do to help their businesses succeed. To that end, I have created a new tagline which will appear on my business cards and website soon:

Virtually Yourz - The marketing and PR solution for small business

I hope this tagline will make it easier for people to understand what it is I do that benefits them. What do you think?

Virtually Yourz,
Dana

Coloring Outside the Lines - Working in Parternship with My Clients

[Note: I am so tired of the phrase "thinking outside the box" that I am naming this post "coloring outside the lines." It means the same thing, but it sounds fresher to me.]

I was recently asked by a prospective client how I can help her get more visibility for her retail business. She owns a darling, niche-based yarn and knitting shop in downtown Kent called Renaissance Yarns. She seems to be doing all of the right things right, but wants to know how to further grow her business both online and off.

My niche is marketing small businesses in the service sector, though I've done some retail marketing. Rather than say "I can't help," I'm taking this project on as a challenge. What can I learn that can help her to gain visibility? How can I draw more loyal customers to her business? That's the beauty - and challenge - of marketing. It is an art, not a science, and what works for one business might not work for another...but I'm excited about the possibilities. She has a wonderful product, a gorgeous store and a talented staff. I want to help her succeed, while at the same time learning more about marketing retail companies. In this way, we are working together in partnership.

Have a great idea to share? Please post it. I'm open to suggestions!


Virtually Yourz,

Dana