April 2011 Archives - SBDCNet - SBDC Clearinghouse

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Where Not to Look for Money — And Where You’re More Likely to Find It

money

Download article as PDF Entrepreneurs can save time and angst by looking beyond banks and other mythical sources of startup capital. One of the major obstacles entrepreneurs face in starting a business is raising the money they need. It can be the most time-consuming, frustrating and disheartening factor in launching a new venture. Save yourself [...]

Web-based Business Tools

Download article as PDF We had an opportunity to speak with Jake Villareal, Chief Marketing Officer of Apptivo. We interviewed him to find out about the advantages of web based business management tools for small businesses. We also spoke with Robert Ardell, CEO of Unclevic.com to find out what his experience was like using such [...]

Sales Reps and How They Benefit Small Businesses

Download article as PDF What’s the Opportunity? Sales is the lifeblood of any successful business, as Sales bring you customers who give you Orders, without which you have no business. Many Small Business owners think they can secure these coveted orders by using the latest tech tool. This may work to an extent in some [...]

Disaster Preparedness

Flooded Street

Download article as PDF Compiled by Stace Sorrells, SBDCNet Researcher Click here to suggest a resource link to be added to this page Getting back to business after a disaster depends on preparedness planning done today. Small business owners invest a tremendous amount of time, money and resources to make their ventures successful, and yet, [...]

Finance

Cash Machine Sign

Download article as PDF Compiled by Ambrose Turkson, SBDCNet Researcher Online Training Finance Primer: A Guide to SBA’s Loan Guaranty Programs – SBA How to Prepare a Loan Package – SBA Assessing Financial Needs – South-West Texas SBDC Buying or Selling a Business Checklists, articles and guides about buying or selling a small business: The [...]

Franchise

McDonald's Golden Arches

Download article as PDF Use these Franchise Links and Resources to learn how to get started with franchising — either buying a franchise, starting a new franchise or selling a franchise. Don’t forget you can receive free or low-cost training and free professional business advice, from your local Small Business Development Center! Get started with [...]

Home Business

homebiz

Download article as PDF Use these official links and resources to learn how to start a home business — one possible way to start on your path to independence and financial security. Don’t forget you can receive free or low-cost training and free professional business advice, from your local Small Business Development Center! Get started [...]

Inventing & Innovation

Innovation Graphic

Download article as PDF Compiled by Kelly Walser, SBDCNet Researcher Click here to suggest a resource link to be added to this page Inventing Inventor Forms – Government forms from PatentCafe. Inventor’s Log Book – From the National Congress of Inventor Organizations, a nonprofit umbrella organization to assist inventors. Inventors Digest – Online version of [...]

Small Business Marketing Tips

marketing

Download article as PDF Marketing Plans mplans.com Sample marketing plans online. Building Your Marketing Plan See the in depth series on “How Marketing Plans Work” INC.com Provides insights from industry experts on how to stretch your small business marketing dollars. Marketing Plan SBA’s course on how to develop a marketing plan. How to Write a [...]

Government Procurement

procurement

Download article as PDF Compiled by Stace Sorrells, SBDCNet Researcher Click here to suggest a resource link to be added to this page Federal Government Central Contractor Registration – primary vendor database for the Federal government Department of Defense (DoD) Procurement Gateway – information on DoD needs and how to register as a vendor to [...]

Resources for Veterans

Color Guard, Future Veteran Small Business Owners

Download article as PDF Veterans Small Business Owner General Information Center for Veterans Enterprise – Contains information on starting a business, management, financing, conferences and marketing for small businesses. Department of Labor Veterans Employment & Training Service – Programs that assist veterans in gaining employment. Department of Labor Veterans Employment & Training Service – A [...]

7 Ways to Get Good Word of Mouth

Red Megaphone

Download article as PDF The most effective advertising a company can get is more difficult to achieve but much more effective and lasting than traditional media advertising. It is word of mouth advertising, and it is earned rather than purchased. It is your customers’ opinion of your product, which at times can be very vocal [...]

Small Business Trends

trends

Download article as PDF General Information Small Business Administration General information about small businesses and government small business programs. Programs of Special Note: Being called up to active duty is a huge sacrifice for you, your family and your business. The SBA offers programs to help relieve your burden whether you are an Active Duty [...]

Social Media & Internet Marketing

web

Download article as PDF Compiled by Shuchi Nagpal, SBDCNet Researcher Click here to suggest a resource link to be added to this page Internet Advertisement A form of promotion that uses the Internet and World Wide Web for the expressed purpose of delivering marketing messages to attract customers. Examples of online advertising include contextual ads [...]

Starting a Business

startabiz

Download article as PDF Compiled by Veronica Rodriguez, SBDCNet Researcher Click here to suggest a resource link to be added to this page Entrepreneur Readiness Gaebler.com – a great starting a business page with many articles to help you get started. SBA Business primer – find out if your ready to start your own business Do [...]