Could Affiliate Marketing Work for Me?
Business opportunities come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One that you may have heard a lot about, especially nowadays, is affiliate marketing. Whether you’re looking to expand your current business, or you’re looking to get your start as an entrepreneur, affiliate marketing is something that you need to know about and understand.So, what is affiliate marketing, exactly? We’re going to be breaking it down to the basics so that you have a starting-…
Emerging Trends for Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Explore
One of the best ways that you can start seeking out new business opportunities is by envisioning where the future is heading. Now, you don’t need to be a crackpot futurologist to figure out the latest trends, but you should, at the very least, be keeping a close eye on what new businesses and technologies are beginning to emerge.Just ask yourself from time to time what’s capturing the public consciousness? What is it that people are wondering about more and more, and how can…
Should You Start Your Next Business With a Friend?
It’s a situation that many young entrepreneurs find themselves in — surrounded by other likeminded individuals, often friends, who want to go into business with them. Of course, in many cases these individuals have never worked together before. They only know one another through different social settings, and may, in some cases, simply be lifelong friends.At first, it seems like a great idea, going into business with people you already consider friends. But, is it really? In your professional life, you’ve probably already realized that friendship and business do not always go hand in hand. In fact, the pressures of business can often put a…
The Shoe That Grows Is Making a Difference
Not every invention can lay claim to changing millions of lives for the better. But there is a very special one that has done just that.The Shoe That Grows in the brainchild of Founder and Executive Director Kenton Lee. While living and working in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007, one day he noticed a little girl who had shoes that were way too small for her feet. That’s when it hit him. What about a shoe that could adjust and expand – so children…
What to Consider When Hiring Staff
Is your startup beginning to get some wind behind its sails? Is it getting harder and harder for you and the other founders to stay on top of everything? Then it’s time to bring on staff.Depending upon your previous professional experience, it’s entirely possible that you may have a very limited understanding of what goes into the hiring process. This can cause problems with startups, as brining on the right people at the business’ nascent stages is critically important.RELATED: SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY HIRING TIPSWhile there’s plenty to …
Red Flags That Your Cofounder Isn’t Right for the Business
When you have a startup, the people that make up the founding team are just as important as the actual product or service itself. To no small extent, your startup’s future success will depend largely upon the personalities of its founders, as well as how well those personalities come together. When it comes time to seek out investors, you can bet that those investors will pay close attention to the founders and how well they work together. So, what are some signs that one cofounder might not be a good match for the startup? That’s what we’re going to examine.RELATED: SHOULD YOU START YOUR NEXT BUSINESS WITH A FRIEND?Not Contributing AnythingIn certain situations…
Become an Expert Merchandise Demonstrator
Still searching for an idea for your next business opportunity? Merchandise demonstrators, also called “product specialists” teach potential customers about various products including food, cosmetics, electronics and appliances. They set up a display, greet customers, demonstrate a product and answer questions – the goal being to increase branding and sell merchandise.Most merchandise demonstrators start out small, like handing out samples at a grocery store for anywhere from $25-$50 a day. From that point, it’s a matter of working your way up through networking. Eventually, start establishing relationships with large corporations for a chance to represent …
Tips to Avoid the Work from Home Doldrums
If you’ve been working from home for any length of time, you’ve likely discovered what many others who do the same have also discovered. It’s a lot more difficult than you initially thought it would be.Of course, it’s great to not have to deal with a commute or to deal with office drama, but the home/work environment isn’t without its drawbacks. When you’re commuting from your bed to your desk, it can be hard to stay motivated. It can also be hard to establish home/work separation.RELATED: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR RUNNING A BUSINESS OUT OF YOUR HOMESo, what can you do to make sure that working from home doesn’t become more of a problem…
Best Pizza Franchises To Own
The pizza industry is booming to the tune of $40 billion annually, and you can join the boom with one of these best pizza franchises.A whopping 93 percent of Americans eat pizza at least once per month. When it comes to choosing a franchise business to jump into, it would be hard to go wrong with America’s favorite food.RELATED: TOP RESTAURANT FRANCHISES TO OWNBrowse our listing of the top pizza franchises to help narrow your search. All of these chains are…
Need a Small Business Loan? Try an Online Lender
As a small business owner, have you had to pull cash and credit from every available source just to keep your business up and running? If so, you’re not alone.Obtaining a bank loan or credit line is difficult and can be a long, drawn-out process. For banks, small-dollar loans aren’t economical, and therefore, aren’t worth the time or hassle. Yet they are exactly the type of loans that most small businesses need. That’s a formula that for years hasn’t added up, as many failed entrepreneurs know…
Is an Incubator Right for Your Startup?
For many startups, getting involved with an incubator can be a great move. However, not every startup should become involved with one, and the ones that do shouldn’t simply sign up with the first incubator that shows interest.If your startup is considering an incubator, and you’re just getting started in the process of finding one, then here’s what you should be doing.Decide What You Want to GainAt the outset, you’re probably thinking only of the capital that an incubator is going to invest in your startup. That’s a huge mistake. The real benefit of an incubator doesn’t come from the capital that you get; it comes from everything else.For one, any incubator is going …
Top Cleaning Franchises to Own
Starting a business does not have to cost you a fortune. Save time and money investing in one of this year’s top cleaning franchises.A cleaning business might be an ideal way to realize your entrepreneurial dreams. Why a cleaning franchise? For starters, it’s low cost of entry. Still need convincing? According to The Wall Street Journal, home services are a multi-billion dollar industry enjoying double-digit growth. That means a steady market with consistent demand.RELATED: TOP LOW COST FRANCHISESBelow you …
Top 10 Franchises of 2015
If you’ve been thinking about opening your own franchise, this list of the top 10 franchises is a great place to start. If the franchises on this list don’t appeal to you, you might find that the list will spark some ideas about what franchise might.Anytime FitnessThis is a large health and fitness club business with a multinational presence that currently has approximate 2400 franchises in operation. As you may well know, the health and fitness boom is alive and well across the globe, and this is part of what makes these franchises an attractive option. An Anytime Fitness franchise typically has startup costs…
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Franchise
You know what they say about real estate, right? It’s all location, location, location. That’s something you’ll hear again and again, and it’s something you’ll hear even more about starting a business as a prospective franchisee.No doubt, your future success as a franchisee depends in no small part on your ability to select an appropriate locations for the franchise that you own. So what goes into choosing that perfect location? That’s what we’ll be exploring …
Cybersecurity Startups Are In Demand
Cyber attacks are dangerous and can be crippling. And unfortunately, they’re growing in number, affecting businesses and government agencies nationwide.This increase in cyber attacks has made cybersecurity and in-demand profession. Experts in cybersecurity are now among the most sought-after professionals in the tech sector. The timing is right to consider a new career as a cybersecurity professional.Most positions in the cybersecurity sector require at least a bachelor’s degree. Check into programs offering this specialized education. Your newfound knowledge will quickly pay off. Based on…
7 Startup Incubators to Check Out
One way that many are attempting to get their startup businesses off the ground is by entering into a relationship with an incubator. Startup incubators provide an easy way for fledgling businesses to get the support they need as they try to get up and running, helping with everything from financing to networking. If you think an incubator might be the best choice for your startup business, here are seven that you should look into:i/o VenturesWe might as well begin in the city that’s perhaps best known for incubators and the tech industry: San Francisco, Calif. As you might expect, some …
Grow a Green Concepts Business
Indoor plants add a beautiful touch of nature to otherwise sterile environments. Think about it. You see them everywhere, yet have you ever wondered who takes care of them all? Now, you can do just that with Green Concepts.Green Concepts rents fresh plants to offices, lobbies, hotels, banks, restaurants and more. As a home-based business, it’s the perfect opportunity for an entrepreneur looking for flexible hours.Green Concepts partners receive:a free websiteunlimited phone and email support15 hours of DVD trainingdesign software,trademark logosmonthly newsletters andaccess to the “Photo Club” where you get to share before and after photosand moreFor more
How to Vet a Business Opportunity
So, someone’s offered you a cherry-sounding business opportunity, but you’re not sure whether or not you should pull the trigger. Before you throw caution to the wind and jump headfirst into anything, you’ve got to do your homework.Sure, sometimes it can seem fun to take a devil-may-care attitude toward your business, after all, no risk no reward, right? Wrong. Failing to do the homework on a business opportunity that’s been presented to you can have dire consequences, ones that have the potential to follow you throughout your…
Next Week Is National Small Business Week
Monday marks the start of National Small Business Week (May 4-8), a week-long event put on by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in celebration of entrepreneurs and small business owners all across the country. This year’s theme will be “SBA: Dream Big, Start Small.”Every year since 1963, SBA takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week.Not only is the U.S. Small Business Administration hosting a series of events, but many other businesses and organizations are joining in as well. This year’s events will take place in Miami, Los Angeles, San Antonio, New York City and culminating in Washington, D.C. where national winners…
The 5 Richest Entrepreneurs in the World
When you’re an entrepreneur, you start at the bottom, with an idea, hard work and determination. The goal is, obviously, to become rich beyond your wildest dreams while doing something that you love. When you’re mired in the day-to-day operation of your small business, though, it can be difficult to keep your mind focused on the goal that could be just over the horizon. Therefore, we thought we’d take a peek at the 5 richest entrepreneurs in the world, as they’ll give you something to aspire toward. Sheldon AdelsonSheldon would be able to tell you that there’s a lot of money to be made from gambling, particularly if you’re the house. …
How to Create your Own Membership Site and Premium Content
If you provide specialized knowledge and content about any specific content, you could make a lot of money with building membership sites. Membership sites are websites that provide access to premium content to members who in turn pay a monthly fee for the access. The premium content is usually a lot of resourceful information compiled in one place and can consist of access to ebooks and tools, or monthly contents such as newsletters, reports, services, etc.. Membership sites provide a reliable income stream because members pay a recurring fee every month to maintain their access. The best way …
Private Advertising vs Google Adsense
Private Advertising vs Google AdSense – which is best? Lately more and more bloggers are starting to sell private ad space on their blogs and have stopped using Google AdSense altogether – some because they feel that they are not earning a lot of money from AdSense; others because they feel that the ads being displayed on their site isn’t relevant to their content; some for completely other reasons. But there are also a lot of people that just make use of Google AdSense and think that private advertising is too much of a hassle and that you can’t make as much money…
The Guide You’ll Need to Make Money with Advertising (if you’ve got your own blog, this is for you)
If you already have your own blog, or if you are planning on starting your own blog, you could easily make money with advertising. You could make use of Google Adsense, Bidvertiser or private advertising. I will be exploring all three options in this post, so keep reading! Google AdSense This is probably the best and most popular option. It’s easy to sign up, easy to configure the ads and easy to implement the ads on your site. AdSense is provided by Google so it’s reliable and trustworthy. The ads will also be relevant to your site, so you don’t need to be worried about offending your visitors and chasing them away. In a Nutshell An advertiser goes to Google’s AdWords website, signs up, designs…
New Employment Rules
Hahahaha, here’s something I found that is sure to make you laugh – imagine your workplace were to change their rules like this?! SICK DAYS We will no longer accept a doctor’s sick note as proof of sickness. If you are able to get to the doctor, you are able to come into work. SURGERY Operations are now banned. As long as you are an employee here, you need all your organs. You should not consider having anything removed. We hired you intact…