Government Financial Assistance for Small Business Owners

Suzanne Wells — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:22:21 +0000

Small business owners and entrepreneurs can find government financial aid if you know where to look. This process can be confusing and exhausting since the programs are not advertised and the eligibility requirements are not clear. Here are a few ways to get government financial assistance for your small business.

1. Find a mentor. Find someone who knows how to work the system and guide you though the process. This is a case where who you know is more important than what you know.

2. Contact the Small Business Administration (SBA). This government agency exists to provide information, assistance, and help small businesses grow and prosper. Public and private organizations partner with the SBA. These agencies can helpful resources to entrepreneurs including information on Federal Assistance programs and grants. The SBA is not a lender, but assists small businesses in finding funding.

3. Join your local Chamber of Commerce and network with the members. You will make valuable contacts who can steer you in the right direction. You may find small business owners who have “been there, done that” and can hand you a road map. (Click here to find your local Chamber of Commerce.)

4. Be persistent. You won’t find funding overnight.

Small Business Marketing – Using Forums Effectively

Suzanne Wells — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:02:53 +0000

Using forums to promote your product, service, website, or blog, is a very effective way to promote your small business. Marketing on line can reach a large number of people with a small amount of effort in a short amount of time. Watch this video about small business marketing using groups and forums:

Summary:

Step 1 : Find appropriate forums that correspond with with your niche and contains your target audience assembled in one place..

Step 2 : Find opportunities to answer questions and be helpful. Do not blatantly post about “buy my product.” Be subtle.

Step 3 : Professionally reply to threads in a helpful way. (Do not just ask them to go to your site.) Add link anywhere in the middle of the thread or use signature link to let them visit your site.

Small business marketing can be effective if you choose your strategy carefully.

Make Money with Your Brain » Small business

Government Financial Assistance for Small Business Owners

Small Business Marketing – Using Forums Effectively