Small business is one that is organized for profit and also contributes to the economy by way of paying taxes and employment opportunities. A small business may be defined as a business with a small number of employees. The legal definition of small business often varies by country and industry, but is generally under 100 employees. These businesses are normally privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships.

Whether the business is small or big, it needs fund to carry on its operation, because the returns in business are not stable. Sometimes the company or a firm can have huge profits; at times, it can have losses too. Nevertheless, in the period of financial depression, every business needs a financial help to support in its working.

On comparing small business with big business we find that the need of funds more often arises in the former case as the returns are not constant. Financial crisis in the company can affect the working adversely. Therefore, to stop the effect of this financial crisis a small business can rely on loan for assisting them in need of funds. Small business loan helps them to come out of this situation of crisis. Small business loan can also be used for starting a new venture.

Although small business firms are considered backbone of the economy, but getting a loan for small business firm is not an easy task. Lenders think number of times before lending a loan to the borrower as risk involved in small business is huge. It involves numerous formalities such as giving proof of income that depicts your creditability. Your credit history also plays a crucial role in it. The person with good credit history is always benefited in applying for a loan.

The most important factor that the small business owner should consider before going for a loan is flexibility in repayment. As most small businesses would experience irregular income for some period, so the flexible payment will help in making those repayments easier.

There is also an increase in the number of sources available for funding the small business. Traditional lenders like banks and financial institution also provide loans. In addition to that, loan can also be applied online, which also provides you three benefits

Fast : you have to just fill a form and get an instant match
Easier : it makes comparison easier between various lenders available in the market
Flexible: choose the lender which suits your needs.

The rate of interest charged in small business loans is generally higher since there is threat to the lender about non-payment of installment on time. Therefore, one can trust small business loans for their dream project.

Opening a new business in the real world or online in cyberspace requires thinking beyond all the money you will make. Most small business owners are clear on their ultimate goal, yet often many fail to spend time planning their marketing image. To succeed, first impressions are critical, or you may violate what I call My 5 Second Rule:

When a new prospect finds your web site, you have 5 seconds to convince them to stay.

The rule applies in the physical world, also. Your printed materials may be dumped in the trash just as quickly, or a visitor to your company may browse briefly while in fact the no sale decision was made in those critical first few seconds.

Regardless of your business, your image as a professional and credible source for a product or service depends on making a positive first impression. While most people don’t realize the subconscious dynamics that occur during an introduction, how you are perceived is clouded with prejudice.

In a face to face meeting, subconsciously your prospect will categorize you immediately by sex, age, and race. This fact may be hard to believe, however, individual life experiences connect your combination of these 3 characteristics into a fixed profile based on past encounters. Overcoming any negatives begins when you speak. A warm and friendly approach while being prepared to offer the benefits of doing business will help you succeed.

In print, your business card, ad, or brochure tells a similar story without the subconscious human preconceptions. The message will still elicit a reaction, good or bad, so how you present your company in print needs to get past My 5 Second Rule. This is equally true for the home page of your web site. Here’s some advice.

Customers have a need (problem), and you provide a product or service (solution). Matching these 2 for a successful sale is easier than most people realize. Front door selling, printed ads, or online web offers should all address the benefits (solution, again) and not the features (it’s about the customer, not about you).

Your marketing materials need to project a mental image in the mind of the viewer. Stimulate their imagination so they picture themselves enjoying the benefits of your offer, and you can overcome My 5 Second Rule. Here’s an example that was created for a used car dealer. How do you glamorize a business that is the subject of so many disparaging jokes?

This client had a featured monthly special vehicle that they wanted to promote on their web site. The photos taken in a chain link enclosed parking lot didn’t convey the excitement or mental picture necessary to stimulate the viewer. The chosen vehicle was an upscale Jeep, and the client specialized in exports to Puerto Rico. To add pizzazz, I did an edit of the photo to remove the background, and placed 2 views of the monthly special on a bluff overlooking a gorgeous beach in Puerto Rico. If my descriptions succeeded creating your mental image referring to the chain link and gorgeous beach, the subtle difference in presentation should be apparent.

Bonus Tip: What to Say When a Customer is Wrong
As a small business owner, you know your business and as an expert, reacting to an email or face to face comment that you know is absolutely wrong will work wonders if you answer with two magic words: “You’re right!”. This works for several reasons. Most importantly, your customer may be expecting an argument, so they will only hear half of what you have to say if you reply saying they are wrong. The listener will be busy mentally sorting comebacks and supporting evidence, and may not hear any of your expert advice.

Telling someone “You’re right” will have them on the edge of their chair waiting for your next comment. Shifting your argument to what you know to be the truth is easy. With a brief pause after your magic two words, continue with “…and there are many people who feel the same way. From years of experience, I’ve found that in fact (insert the truth based on your expertise here)… etc.” and you give them the opportunity to accept your slant on the subject without having their opinion challenged. It works. For those concerned about ethics, the phrase “You’re right!” is simply an acknowledgement that they have one view, and it is valid because that’s how they feel.

In summary, a professional image includes a wide range of materials for making a positive first impression. Consider the feelings of your prospect and how your product or service will benefit them, and you’ll do well in converting first introductions into sales.

In last weeks article, we talked about why your small business needs a press kit. Because theyre not just for the press, I prefer to call them small business information package. To recap, you need a small business information package to augment your business card, which has only limited information about you and your company.
Your small business information package is the printed materials to give or send to prospective clients to tell them who you are, where you are, how to contact you, what you do, how to buy, and why to buy from you instead of your competition.

This week, were going to discuss what you should put inside your information package. For all intents and purposes, anything that promotes your company can go inside it. Some of the more common things include:

Business card
Small business brochure
Letter of introduction
Product or service review
Price list
Press releases
White papers
Recent articles written by you or about your company
Biography of key officers
Flyers, coupons or direct mail pieces
Information pamphlets

So, lets talk a bit about each. And lets start with the big oneyour small business brochure. Your small business brochure can stand alone. If you decide not to have a complete small business information package, at the very least, create a tri-fold brochure so you have detailed printed information to give clients.

If your prospective client reads only one thing in your whole information package, it will most likely be your brochure. Why? Because it captures the readers attention better than any other item in your information package. Most of your other items will be letters, articles or reviews. Theyll look good, and theyll all match because theyre on your letterhead, but they wont jump out at your readers like your full color tri-fold brochure will.

So, you want to make sure its the first thing people see when they open the front cover of your information package. If you can capture their interest with your brochure, theyre more likely to read the rest.

The first page of your small business brochure should have your business name and logo, and possibly a photo or some graphics. Make it colorful. Make it interesting. Add a slogan or motto on the front that will make people curious as to whats inside. You dont want them to just look at the front cover and put it aside!

Inside, try to introduce yourself and review your product or service briefly. If you can, keep the introduction and review to the length of the first inside page or so. Adding a few graphics or photos throughout the whole brochure, together with informative text helps keep your readers interest. And, make good use of your headings, remembering that most readers will scan from left to right, stopping at graphics and headings, and sometimes reading the last paragraph.

Now, this part is important, and is possibly the biggest mistake most small businesses make with their brochureat least some of the other two inside pages could be better used to show prospective buyers how your product or service can benefit them, rather than to describe your product or service features.

I cannot stress this enough. Too many times small business brochures are used simply to talk about you, your company or your productservice. Most of your readers simply wont care who you are, what you do or how you do it. What they really care about is how you can benefit them. How you can save them time or resources. How you can make their lives just a little bit easier.

Often, the last outside page of your brochure summarizes the inside pages, or lists products or services in point form. You could even add a price list, if you have one.

The next several items in your small business information package are all written on your letterhead, and the skys the limit as to what you can use.

You could put the letter of introduction just behind your brochure, or you could include it outside the information package cover if youre mailing it. Usually this is just a short, one-page letter introducing yourself and your company, and thanking the recipient for taking the time to look at your information package.

Your product or service review could be long or short, depending on what youre offering. This is not the place to stress benefits, but simply to list and describe your services or products. You can combine a product or service review with your price list very effectively.

Include any press releases about your company, and articles written by you or about your company. If you dont have any, dont worry. You can write some specifically for your information kit. Include announcements of your grand opening, for example, or a new line of products, or your new location. Or write an article about one of your products or services.

White papers are becoming increasingly popular. Are you an expert in a particular area? If you are, you might want to write a white paper to include with your information package. A white paper discusses specific business issues, products, technology or other such topics. It usually summarizes information about the topic, and then suggests a proposal for action, referencing research data to justify the reasons for the action. It explains your topic in terms most people can understand, with the goal of educating consumers and marketing your product or service. White papers help establish the writer as an authority.

The biography of your key officers is basically a resume. Include short one-page biographies of key officers to highlight areas of expertise and level of experience in your industry.

Fliers, coupons and direct mail pieces can also be included in your small business information package. Fliers and coupons emphasize current specials or discounts. Heres a few tips. When youre thinking about specials or discounts, try to create a sense of urgency with them by making them time- or quantity-limited. And, consider the 1010 rule, which theorizes that people are most likely to buy when they see discounts of 10% or 10. Or, better yet, offer something extra free.

Recent direct mail sales letters can also be included. Theres simply too much to say about them to really give justice in this short article, but some things to remember are: to stress benefits, create a sense of urgency, the 1010 rule and a bolded P.S. including a call to action.

Keep direct mail sales letter simple and relevant. Be enthusiastic, know your product, use your imagination and understand your target audience. Establish trust and credibility. Include testimonials. Give free nuggets of information. And, just like in your brochure, write your direct mail sales letter for how people will read it, scanning left to right, and stopping at graphics and headlines, and the P.S.

Now that youve gotten all your information package items written and printed, its time to put them all together. You can buy covers in your company colors and have your logo and business name printed on them. Put your business card in the front slot and your information in the inside pockets, making sure your brochure is the first item theyll see. Then send it out, and sit back and wait for responses youre sure to get!

If youre frustrated by the conflicting and inaccurate information youve found regarding grant money for a small business, then dont worry. This article is your best source for the most accurate and up to date data. Read on and find out why!

Many people today searching for small business grant money to start their own for profit business assume that grants are nothing more than free money. Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but small business grant money is hardly free money at all. In fact, these grants are more like contracts with their own set of obligations and restrictions that you must comply with or risk suffering sanctions imposed by your funding resource.

In the case of government grants, the rules are even stricter. One of the first places that people often turn to is the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, which is where all listings of government grants approved by Congress are announced. The problem with this resource is that there are very few programs available for small businesses.

These grants are usually awarded to deserving individuals or nonprofit organizations having some community-based project in mind. Rarely will you find a government grant awarded to help set up a for profit business. That is why when searching for a small business grant you should not turn only to the government for funding resources.

A good source of grant money is the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The AFP is considered the chief professional association for fundraisers. The association was formerly known as the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE). Their website at AFPnet.org offers sections on ethics, public policy, publications (including AFPs online bookstore), professional advancement, local chapters, jobs, and youth in philanthropy (along with a member gatewaydashboard).

Besides that, the AFP also provides a list of organizations (including their websites) that are among the top basic resources of grant money. Foremost on their list is the Foundation Center at FDNCenter.org, which publishes the revered Foundation Directory.

Consider contracts. Government money can sometimes come in the form of contracts. If you can demonstrate that your company can execute a budget line item, if you can shape part of your idea to what the government wants done for a particular project say something educational or construction-oriented if you can fill a need, you can compete, says Francie Ward, CEO of the Business Owners Idea Caf at BusinessOwnersIdeaCafe.com.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope that it has helped you and that you were able to find, through our research, the answers you were seeking.

When the experts tell you youre going to need a press kit for your small business Ill bet youre wondering why on earth youd need one. At least, I think youd wonder why if you think a press kit is just for the press. But the term press kit is misleading if you ask me because press kits arent just what their name implies.

I prefer to call them small business information kits or information packages instead because thats what they really are. They are meant to inform everyone, not just the press about you and your business.

Once you have a small business information kit, youll find youre often giving them when someone asks for information about your company–who you are, what you do, how you can benefit them. In fact, youll probably find youll give out almost as many of your information kits as your business cards.

Sometimes its more appropriate to simply hand out just your card, but other times, you might like to give someone more information than whats on your business card.

Say youre at a party and someone asks what you do. Youd probably just give them your business card. But your business card gives this business contact only the briefest information about your company.

So, you might also ask for their name and address, and send them an information kit the next day. Sending your information kit the next day also works as an important reminder of the evenings discussion.

On the other hand, if youre a plumbing company, you might want to contact construction companies in your area to see if theyre interested in subcontracting your company from time to time, or better yet all the time!

Sending them just a business card probably wont get you very far. Even sending a well-written letter introducing your company together with your business card probably wouldnt be as effective as a complete information kit.

You could think of your business card as the who and the where, and a little bit of the what of the 6 interview questionswho, what, where, when, why and how. Your card probably has your business name, contact information and possibly a slogan, motto or some saying suggesting what you do.

Your information kit on the other hand, answers all the questions. It tells people who and where you are, just like your business card does. But instead of one little line suggesting what you do, your information kit tells people exactly what you do. How well it tells them what you do depends on how good your copywriting is.

And it tells them how to buy, (with your convenient order form for example, or by phone or fax, with cash, check or credit card) and when to buy (today, right now, before the special offer expires).

Your business card doesnt have the room to tell people why they should buy from you, but your information package does. And not just by telling them youre the biggest, the best, and of course the most innovative either.

The real secret is convincing people they cant do without your product or service, remembering that along with a great description of your product or service, to consider your information kit from your clients perspective. Everyone wants to know how what you do can benefit them. How you can save them time or how you can save them money, or how you can make their life just a little bit easier.

One last word on presentation of your small business identity package. Its almost as important as what you say. A professional image can go a long way in assuring potential clients your small business is the one they want to do business with.

You cannot compete with big companies without one, and youll be miles ahead of the small businesses that dont have one. And while were talking about professional image, imagine how your small business will be perceived when you have the ultimate in professional image– a matching corporate identity package, information kit and small business web site.

When the experts tell you youre going to need a press kit for your small business Ill bet youre wondering why on earth youd need one. At least, I think youd wonder why if you think a press kit is just for the press. But the term press kit is misleading if you ask me because press kits arent just what their name implies.

I prefer to call them small business information kits or information packages instead because thats what they really are. They are meant to inform everyone, not just the press about you and your business.

Once you have a small business information kit, youll find youre often giving them when someone asks for information about your company–who you are, what you do, how you can benefit them. In fact, youll probably find youll give out almost as many of your information kits as your business cards.

Sometimes its more appropriate to simply hand out just your card, but other times, you might like to give someone more information than whats on your business card.

Say youre at a party and someone asks what you do. Youd probably just give them your business card. But your business card gives this business contact only the briefest information about your company.

So, you might also ask for their name and address, and send them an information kit the next day. Sending your information kit the next day also works as an important reminder of the evenings discussion.

On the other hand, if youre a plumbing company, you might want to contact construction companies in your area to see if theyre interested in subcontracting your company from time to time, or better yet all the time!

Sending them just a business card probably wont get you very far. Even sending a well-written letter introducing your company together with your business card probably wouldnt be as effective as a complete information kit.

You could think of your business card as the who and the where, and a little bit of the what of the 6 interview questionswho, what, where, when, why and how. Your card probably has your business name, contact information and possibly a slogan, motto or some saying suggesting what you do.

Your information kit on the other hand, answers all the questions. It tells people who and where you are, just like your business card does. But instead of one little line suggesting what you do, your information kit tells people exactly what you do. How well it tells them what you do depends on how good your copywriting is.

And it tells them how to buy, (with your convenient order form for example, or by phone or fax, with cash, check or credit card) and when to buy (today, right now, before the special offer expires).

Your business card doesnt have the room to tell people why they should buy from you, but your information package does. And not just by telling them youre the biggest, the best, and of course the most innovative either.

The real secret is convincing people they cant do without your product or service, remembering that along with a great description of your product or service, to consider your information kit from your clients perspective. Everyone wants to know how what you do can benefit them. How you can save them time or how you can save them money, or how you can make their life just a little bit easier.

One last word on presentation of your small business identity package. Its almost as important as what you say. A professional image can go a long way in assuring potential clients your small business is the one they want to do business with.

You cannot compete with big companies without one, and youll be miles ahead of the small businesses that dont have one. And while were talking about professional image, imagine how your small business will be perceived when you have the ultimate in professional image– a matching corporate identity package, information kit and small business web site.

Looking for a serious investment opportunity? You may want to consider buying a small business in the United Kingdom. There are several ways to turn a good profit in small business, but there are some important things to keep in mind if you are looking for an investment opportunity, especially if you are an investor from the United States, Canada, and elsewhere.

Any investment opportunity naturally comes with some risk. Foreign investors will need to calculate an additional variable when figuring up the possible amount of profit margin, loss ,and potential for both, as well as the exchange rate. How well is your currency doing against the British Pound? Be sure to include some wiggle room in your budgeting for fluctuations in the exchange rate.

For those already living in the UK, concerns such as taxation and local regulation are familiar topics. To those in overseas locations, its important to look up the laws of the land pertaining to your type of business, the taxes for which you will be liable, and how to properly account for them. This may seem elementary to those with experience in putting money into an overseas investment opportunity, but for the first-time investor in a UK small business, there are many laws and policies that might surprise you. The key is to do your homework, get the advice of a good UK legal expert, and be prepared for a new and different way of doing business.

If you want to buy a small business in the UK, its good to do a bit of research into the type of business you want to use as an investment opportunity. Are there ways that you can expand the business onto the Internet? Can the Internet be a help to you in increasing sales, market visibility, or media awareness? All of these factors are important to keep in mind. The most successful small businesses are the ones whose owners know how to take advantage of the Internet, while still meeting local needs and demands with speed and precision. Its not so different than doing business anywhere else in the Western world. Its important to understand how the buyers in your area of the UK respond to and utilize the Internet when it comes to commerce.

Youll also want to give your competing businesses a good hard look to see how they are using the Internet. Are you thinking of investing in an already crowded market? If so, youll need some fresh ideas to give your version of the business a new approach so that you can set it apart from the competition.

A UK investment opportunity in small business may bring some unexpected surprises if you are considering investing in a rising star business. For example, twenty years ago, nobody had ever heard of a cyber caf. Today, cities are full of places that offer Internet services, games, coffee, and more for a price. This concept has become a very important part of many communities. Those who took the initial risk a few years ago, putting money in what they saw as a good investment opportunity, are reaping their rewards today.

Those who buy a small business in the UK often find that the investment opportunity is well worth the risks. With some research, a bit of financial planning, and the expert advice of a UK legal advisor, you can turn a potential opportunity into a major success. If you are living in America, Canada, or elsewhere, you owe it to yourself to pay a visit to the United Kingdom to see for yourself just what kinds of investment opportunities await you there.

http:www.bizseller4u.com

Small business is a term that is used day-to-day. That is because in the past decade the rise of small business has been larger than in any other decade prior. This is largely due to the increasing number of services that are available to small business owners, to enable them to keep their business running.

There really isn’t any guidelines for when the term small business is used, however it is simply defined as a business which has a small number of employees. How few employees is debatable, and the definition of when a business changes from a small business to a larger corporation varies both by country and industry. This number is generally less then 100 employees.

As mentioned before small businesses due to their nature, are in most times sole proprietorships, partnerships, or privately owned. Common in may countries, small businesses, are most oftenly related to: accountants, restaurants, guest houses, photographers, small shops, hairdressers, tradesmen, solicitors, lawyers, small-scale manufacturing etc.

Small businesses in often cases are located in private homes, for two main reasons. The first is because it is economical and in most cases convenient. The second reason is that there are several benifits with tax,etc for having your business in your home.

Running a small business is an exciting venture, and a great way to introduce yourself into the business world, and to gain business sense. If you are interested in starting your own small business, I would recommend having a talk with a local lawyer or accountant, who will be able to answer questions that are specific to your local area. Good luck with your new venture!

All-in-one folder production companies effective for businesses: big or small

Working in an office environment makes the effectiveness of proper office supplies important. Whether a business is large or small, printing folders for presentations can be done in a cost effective manner. However, most companies make large quantities price cuts, which often has smaller businesses buying less so to stay on budget. While working for myself, the need for small runs of professional looking products is vital to my success.

When shopping for a printing company, I discovered that most often these other printers produce folders on low-quality stock that creases easily, leaving them looking non-professional. Some companies even have you doing some do it yourself assembly, which adds to the overall time frame of the work. However, one company seems to fit the mold to avoid all of these disadvantages for companies and offers an added bonus — free business cards.

With their help, cost-effective projects are completed, which promote the products and services of your company. They often are the proper solution for your printing problems, while being printed on 350gsm silk stock. In addition, all the assembly is done when you receive the job. Each folder includes a spot to place your business card, which adds to the overall professionalism involved with the folders.

The quantity you need will be printed — no minimum quantity orders are processed. Designs are also available to be created in case you do not have in-house designers or just dont have the time to put into it. A team of creative, talented and professional designers will create a design to fit your professional needs. Often times, printing projects are a stressful task for businesses. By leaving it to the printing company to design, print and assembly, businesses can relieve themselves of the stress involved with this work.

Most wonder how one company can work this way while others require minimum runs that most often discourage small businesses from doing business with them. However, with this work ethic, maximum efficiency occurs and overall customer satisfaction occurs. With professional presses, high quality prints are created even on low runs and leaves me satisfied with every order.

Overall customer satisfaction is important. When ordering because of their PDF workflow ethic, I was able to receive proofs of my design before it was printed. This added to my overall satisfaction with the company. Overall, with keeping all businesses in mind, the future success of their work will be continued to supply professional looking products for its customers big or small.

All-in-one folder production companies effective for businesses: big or small

Working in an office environment makes the effectiveness of proper office supplies important. Whether a business is large or small, printing folders for presentations can be done in a cost effective manner. However, most companies make large quantities price cuts, which often has smaller businesses buying less so to stay on budget. While working for myself, the need for small runs of professional looking products is vital to my success.

When shopping for a printing company, I discovered that most often these other printers produce folders on low-quality stock that creases easily, leaving them looking non-professional. Some companies even have you doing some do it yourself assembly, which adds to the overall time frame of the work. However, one company seems to fit the mold to avoid all of these disadvantages for companies and offers an added bonus — free business cards.

With their help, cost-effective projects are completed, which promote the products and services of your company. They often are the proper solution for your printing problems, while being printed on 350gsm silk stock. In addition, all the assembly is done when you receive the job. Each folder includes a spot to place your business card, which adds to the overall professionalism involved with the folders.

The quantity you need will be printed — no minimum quantity orders are processed. Designs are also available to be created in case you do not have in-house designers or just dont have the time to put into it. A team of creative, talented and professional designers will create a design to fit your professional needs. Often times, printing projects are a stressful task for businesses. By leaving it to the printing company to design, print and assembly, businesses can relieve themselves of the stress involved with this work.

Most wonder how one company can work this way while others require minimum runs that most often discourage small businesses from doing business with them. However, with this work ethic, maximum efficiency occurs and overall customer satisfaction occurs. With professional presses, high quality prints are created even on low runs and leaves me satisfied with every order.

Overall customer satisfaction is important. When ordering because of their PDF workflow ethic, I was able to receive proofs of my design before it was printed. This added to my overall satisfaction with the company. Overall, with keeping all businesses in mind, the future success of their work will be continued to supply professional looking products for its customers big or small.