Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Trade Shows

A trade show can give the small business owner a chance to get together with other vendors in a setting that will be filled with potential customers, all interested in your product or service.

Before the trade show, comes the research, and before that comes the question of why you want to set up an exhibition booth at a trade show.

Why are you exhibiting? What do you want to achieve by your participation in a particular trade show? Are you looking to expand your customer base? To introduce a new product or service? Has your company suffered from some bad PR that you want to get a chance to face and respond to with potential customers?

What kind of message do you want to convey? What do you want the impression of show attendees to be when they see your booth?

What are you hoping for at the end of the trade show? New leads? To have a set number of sales on a certain new product or service? To have your brand distributed through trade show giveaway merchandise?

As I prepare for the coming summer season of craft fairs and trade shows I am doing research into exactly what one should know before they approach such venues with their merchandise and services.




Sunday, February 14, 2010

Tracking Receipts

Those of us that work from home are already very aware of the approach of tax season. As I get ready for this tax season I have come to realize that I really do need a better way to keep track of my old receipts. Especially now that I am going to be running two small businesses from home (three if you count my work as a family caregiver). At the moment my filing system is pretty much tuck the receipts into a pencil box. That is not working.

I am not sure just what method I will be using, but I know I need a new method, so am looking for any suggestions anyone might have on how to keep track of work receipts.

I’m not so much interested in advice on the entry into a spreadsheet type of tracking, although I welcome that as well. What I need help with is what to do with the actual physical receipt to file it away after it has been entered into a spreadsheet.

How do you store your old business receipts?

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Precious Metal Investing

Being self employed, I am the only one that will be there to invest in my own future. So, I have been doing a bit of dabbling in the stock market for the past few weeks.

One investment I have been particularly interested in adding to my portfolio is precious metals. I was not sure, however, that it would be possible to buy gold bullion in the same way you can buy stock in a company. I have discovered not only is it possible to invest in precious metals, but there are several different kinds of metals, including platinum and palladium in which investors can invest.

Investors that are looking to invest in platinum and palladium should look into the recently launched Securities Physical Platinum Shares (PPLT) and Physical Palladium Shares (PALL), physically backed exchange-traded funds that allow investors to invest in physically backed holdings that are equal to one share equals one tenth of an ounce of metal.

This post was sponsored by USGoldBureau.com

Quilting Business

So, I had great plans last year to make quilting a second business for getting a bit of an income doing something I love. Took some small business courses, joined a few organizations, even started attending a local weekend craft fair to start selling things. I had great plans and was really starting to see where things were heading, had sold a quilt already and had a website and everything…. then your basic life stuff threw all the plans out the side window.

Well, after a while of “what use is there in that? I have decided that I need to get back into it and get things sorted out so I can start making quilts that I can sell over the summer. So, I have began working on a Tree of Life lap size quilt based on the old Progress pattern. It’s going pretty good so far.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Freelancers Union

I was watching the news the other night with my dad and they had a woman on one of the news programs that was talking about the Freelancers Union. I really liked some of the things that she had to say, so went out and took a look at what the site is.

From their About Us information:
Freelancers Union is a national membership organization that's free to join. We offer benefits like insurance and retirement to our members and provide political advocacy for all independent workers.
From what little I have been able to look around on the site so far, it looks like a don't miss site for anyone that works as a freelancer. Check them out.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Romantic Vacation

Valentine's Day approaches, and that brings to mind all kinds of romantic ideas for getting away with your significant other. During this romantic time of the year, post sponsor Karisma Hotels would like to invite you to look at the possibilities of enjoying a romantic vacation riviera maya vacation at one of their five luxury hotels.

The El Dorado Seaside Suites, an adults only resort on the Riviera Maya, is just one of the resorts they have to offer those looking for a romantic getaway. A secluded resort on the Kantenah is graced with white sand beaches and offers a relaxed casual atmosphere that still maintains a touch of rich design and amenities that cater to those seeking a sensual experience.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Can't work while waiting

Something that I learned about working at home yesterday. It does not extend to the waiting rooms of doctor's offices. After three hours of waiting I got no work at all done, even though I had taken my work with me to try to get it done.

I think it is the constant "Are they going to call me yet?" stress that prevents working.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Investing

As of tomorrow I will officially be in the nail biting world of stock investing. I decided that it was time to take a bit of a leap and get started, It is not too big of a leap. Only $20 is being invested so far, but it is still a step into very unfamiliar territory that will be a slightly scary venture to learn about on the fly.
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