E-Books: Great Online Marketing Tool

The reason why Internet users love blogs is because they want to learn more about their special interests or share with other people who like the same thing. They also want to get the latest information from an expert–the person writing the blog, who may or may not be selling products or offering services. 

This is Why People Love E-books, too!

Here’s Ten–10–Reasons to Write Your E-Book Now

1) Driving Traffic: Your present or potential customers or clients are hungry for information on the subject you know best. If you offer this information, they will come to your site to obtain it.  This is a perfect way to encourage people to your Web site.

2) Building Lists : All web sites need to grow a list of people who are interested in their products or services. These are individuals who want to hear from you about new items, information and news about their product or service of interest. When you offer a free e-book, you capture the name of these people for future marketing.

3) Fighting Competition:   You need to distinguish yourself from your many competitors. What better way than offering free information?  When they have a choice, Internet users will go to the location with free valuable information rather than just a product or service listing.

4) Establishing Expertise: When you provide up-to-date, relevant information, you are building a reputation for being an expert in the field. People want to buy from individuals who are in the know.

5) Returning Customers: Internet users will go to sites where they find information and will return to these sites again and again. If you have e-books to download, they will keep coming back for more.

6) Growing SEO: Many of these e-books can be accessed by search engines, offering key words and extensive material to help with ranking.

7) Offering Flexibility: Do you know that you can now put your e-books on your own web site as well as book sites such as Amazon.com, free e-book sites, e-readers, electronic devices and other web sites? You can get a lot of exposure just with one book.

8 ) Growing Income: Once you establish a list that is interested in your topic, you can sell more in-depth and specific e-books to them. These can also be sold on other locations.

9) Making Contacts: Send a link to your e-books to potential customers or clients, the media, organizations who may need your services, consumers, legislators, professionals, and anyone else who would be interested in downloading them.

10)Publishing Ease: The best thing about e-books is that they can be done quickly, effectively and for a very reasonable cost.

**You have all the information in your head. You are the expert. You just need to get the information on paper. That’s easy with a few telephone interviews.

**An e-report of about 25 pages or an e-book of about 100 pages can be completed and on your site in a couple of weeks–cover and all.

**Just set aside several hours to establish the e-book’s theme, topics and chapter order, and a few times to be interviewed, and it will be done before you know it.

**Forget the high costs of ghostwriting a book from scratch. You are “writing” the book, but just with verbal versus written words.

Get Your Online Business Already! BBB Says

It’s a no brainer. Online businesses are here to stay. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, you need some kind of Web presence. It can even be a site that refers customers right back to the main store.

Even the Better Business Bureau is pushing businesses to get online.  A release came out from BBB today that says that most small businesses still have not taken the time or money to create a site. The BBB recommends that small business owners ask themselves four questions to decide if they should build a site:

Can customers find you online already?  How many people still use the print yellow and white directories? Fewer and fewer. You need to at least have a Web site that lists your business’ name, phone number and address. A list of your products or services is a big plus.

Is your competition online? If so, you have to be there right along with them. More and more potential customers are starting their search online and will go with the business they find on the Web. It that is your competition, then you may have lost a sale.

How is social network? You do not have to spend hundreds of hours on Face Book, Twitter, etc. etc., but you do need to keep your social network going. Your Web site will give people a way to reach you other than calling or going to your store. It will also give you a quick way to reach them, instead of costly print marketing and advertising.

Could you expand your sales online?  You may feel that you reach everyone you want through your brick-and-mortar store. Just ask yourself, “What do you have to lose by putting up a Web site?” You can have a Web site in place in an hour and for only $100.00 a year. That’s sure worth it to see if you can get more sales.

Starting E-store: LLC, Sole, Partnership, Corp

 Before you start your online business and write your Internet business plan and online marketing plan, you will need to determine your status as a business owner. Here are the choices you have:

–Sole Proprietorship:This is an unincorporated business that is owned by one person. A large majority of small businesses are sole proprietorships, but give their business a name different from their own.   For example, Robert McManus may name his business as Around The town.  His business would be officially registered as Robert McManus d/b/a (“doing business as”) Around the Town.

– Partnership:  This is established when two or more individuals agree to enter into a business together with each person contributing a share of money, property, and/or labor or skill to the business as well as a proportionate level of the business’ profits or losses.

 –Corporation:  With this structure, the shareholders contribute money and/or property in exchange for a proportionate share of the company’s capital stock. A corporation can be privately held or traded on a public stock market following an initial public offering (IPO). ABC Corporation, Inc. is an example of a corporate name.

–S Corporation:  Eligible domestic corporations can elect to become an S corporation, which is taxed more favorably than a regular corporation. 

–Limited Liability Company:  This is also known as an LLC, a relatively new business entity. Like a corporation, the owners have a reduced risk of liability for the company’s losses and actions, but other features are similar to partnerships (e.g., management flexibility and pass-through taxation). Most LLCs use that moniker in their name:  Around the Town, LLC.

When you start your business, you must register your type of business and get a business license.  You will choose one of the legal types noted above and then get a tax identification form and license for that type of  business.  If you use a name other than your own, you must file a DBA or incorporate.

 A DBA, which is also called a fictitious, trade, or assumed business name, is the least expensive and easiest structure to form, but it does not protect your personal assets.  It is usually recommended for small Internet businesses to establish an LLC  or corporation, because it provides legal protection from liability transactions that develop out of business dealings. Establishing an LLC or corporation is an important step in creating a stable business structure.

 As a sole proprietor or a partnership you are liable for any taxes and civil wrongs suits against you.  There is the risk of losing your personal assets in addition to those of the business. An LLC and corporation protect you since they are independent legal entities.  When filing as an LLC, you indirectly own the company and are a shareholder instead of the owner.    

There is no difference between an LLC and a corporation.  The LLC is a newer legal entity, which is easier to run and provides more options and flexibility. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages, so ask your attorney or accountant which is best for you.

Social Media Markets Online Fashion Sites

If you are starting an online business in the fashion field do not leave out social media from your Internet marketing plan. According to an article by Macala Wright Lee of Fashion Marketing.me on Mashable Social Media Guide, social media changed the fashion industry five ways in 2009.

1) Nearly all brands from Sears and  JC Penny to Oscar De La Renta and Louis Vuitton are creating a presence in varied social communities, most notably Facebook.

2) Luxury brands are introducing their own social communities, such as Modepass.

3) Fashion brands are going mobile, with iPod rated top choice. Apps offer style trends, tips, important dates…

4) Style bloggers have an enormous impact on buyers.

5) Fashion sites are relying more on information from users. 

What does this mean for you?  Starting an online business in the fashion field is not easy, especially if you do not have a niche that differentiates you from the competitors. Social media has to be part of your marketing mix to promote and establish your Internet site.

Here is an online business guide to using social media for marketing your fashion business:

1) Carefully pay attention to what people are saying on forums. The users’ input can be an invaluable asset to you on product choice, marketing , pricing and competition.

2) Use the social media to build your brand name and credibility as a reliable source. Do not sell product, provide information.

3) Start a Business Fan Page on FaceBook, so customers can let you and others know what they appreciate about your products or services.

4) Join Twitter and leverage it to establish and promote your business. Make sure that you reach out to your specific niche target audience. Also, check out the competitors and see their Twitter strategy.

5) If you have not yet started your blog, then get going. Use it for a two-way communication vehicle with present and potential customers.

6) As noted elsewhere on Online-business-guide, use a variety of different ways to gain input from your Web site visitors, such as surveys, e-mail, forums and product reviews.

Small Business Assessment Tool

Is starting an Online Business for You?

Here’s the test from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help determine whether you are ready to start a business. To have the SBA automatically tally your score, visit http://web.sba.gov/sbtn/sbat/index.cfm?Tool=4. This interactive tool will review your answers and make suggestions as to how to turn your answers from “No” to “Yes.”

 Answer “Yes” or “No” to the following questions:

 General

• Do you think you are ready to start a business?
• Have you ever worked in a business similar to what you are planning to start?
• Would people who know you say you are well suited to be self-employed?
• Do you have support for your business from family and friends?
• Have you ever taken a course or seminar designed to teach you how to start and manage a small business?
• Have you discussed your business idea, business plan, or proposed business with a business coach or counselor, such as a faculty advisor, SCORE counselor, Small Business Development Center counselor, or other economic development advisor?
• Do you have a family member or relative who owns a business?

Personal Characteristics

• Do you consider yourself to be a leader and a self-starter?
• Would other people consider you to be a leader?
• Are you willing to invest a significant portion of your savings or net worth to get your business started if you need to purchase inventory and equipment?
• Do you have enough confidence in yourself and your abilities to sustain yourself in business, if or when things get tough?
• Do you like to make your own decisions?
• Are you prepared, if needed, to temporarily lower your standard of living until your business is firmly established?
• Do others turn to you for help in making decisions?
• Are you willing to commit long hours to making your business work?
• Would others consider you a team player?

Skills, Experience, and Training

• Do you have a business plan for the business you are planning to start?
• Do you know and understand the components of a business plan?
• Do you know what form of legal ownership (sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation) is best for your business?
• Do you know why some consider business planning to be the most important factor in determining your business success?
• Do you know whether your business will require a special license or permit and how to obtain it?
• Do you know where to find demographic data and information about your customers?
• Do you know how to compute the financial break-even point for your business?
• Do you know how to compute the start-up costs for your business?
• Do you know about the various loan programs that are available from banks in your area and the SBA if you need money to get your business started?
• Do you understand how a business loan can impact your credit?
• Do you know how to prepare and/or interpret a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement?
• Do you know why small business loans are considered more risky than loans made to large businesses?
• Are you sure your planned business fills a specific market need?
• Do you know your target market?
• Do you understand the tax requirements associated with your business?
• Do you know how to prepare a marketing strategy for your business?
• Do you know how to learn about your business competitors?
• Do you understand marketing trends in your business industry?
• Do you feel comfortable using a computer or other technology to improve business operations?
• Do you have a payroll process planned for your business?
• Do you have a customer service strategy in mind or in place?
• Do you know how to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business?
• Do you know whether your business should have some form of intellectual property protection?
• Do you know where to obtain information about regulations and compliance requirements that impact your business?

10 Benefits Of an Online Business

Should you start an online business? That’s a question that you seriously need to ask yourself .  An e-store or e-service offers many benefits compared to the conventional job.

Here are ten benefits:

1) You are your own boss, manager, and supervisor. You only answer to yourself. You decide your hours and the goals you want to reach. You can work out of a home office or rent an office in another building.

2)  Your store is always open, so you decide your best hours.  Get up real early in the morning before the household wakes up or work at night when everyone is asleep. Or, put in the traditional 9-to-5 hours.

3) You have to put in considerable work, but the rewards are all yours. You do not share the income with anyone or only get so much out of each sale made — with the exception of Uncle Sam, that is.

4) No more commuting back and forth —  or waiting in long hours of traffic. You cannot take off every day, but when something special comes up,  you can rearrange your schedule.

5) You can take your time building the business. An online business is not something you must achieve overnight. Start working part-time while still in your regular day job. When your income grows enough to meet your expenses, then leave your full-time position.

6) You do not need a huge investment.  Your overhead is the cost of equipment you probably already have, as well as your marketing.  You do not even need inventory if you drop ship.

7)  The business never closes. Even when you are sleeping, the business is up and running around the world. Just let the auto responders, e-mail systems, and automated credit card businesses run your store. This is one of the most attractive aspects of owning an Internet business. It takes over for you when you are offline.

8 ) You are selling worldwide. There are millions of people looking for products or services online, and they live almost everywhere in the world. Who knows who wants your gadget? Someone from Peru perhaps?

9) E-commerce grows even in economic down times.  This year online sales do not have as much growth as earlier years, but there’s growth nonetheless.  And all studies show that e-commerce will continue this trend for another decade.

10) Information at a click of a link. The Internet is bursting with experts who have free or low-cost advice on how they became successful. If you spend time with others in the field on forums, blogs, e-zines, and e-books, you can get valuable help with your business.

Starting a Web Site? A Business Plan is Vital

If you tried opening a regular brick-and-mortar store without developing a business plan, the chances for success are minimal. You would not have any specifics about inventory, costs, marketing, financing or target market. Then why do so many people try to start a Web site business without doing their homework and planning? Somehow a myth arose that anyone can put up a Web site and immediately begin making money without any forethought or future planning. Every day that myth becomes more untrue. There are millions of businesses selling similar or the same products, scores of them with major marketing programs.  If you put up a Web site and wait for people to find you, you could be waiting forever. When you decide to sell products or services on the Internet, you must:

1) Specifically delineate your product or service. What is the exact product or service you plan on marketing?

2) Research the competition. Who are your competitors? What is their success rate? Can you break into this field?

3) Define a way to differentiate your Web site. Can you find a niche or unique way to make your business stand out from the competition?

4) Clarify your target audience(s). Who will be buying your product or service?

5) Decide on how you will procure, store and ship inventory. Are you making your own product, using drop ship suppliers, storing and shipping yourself?

6) Determine how to finance the business. Do you have enough money put aside to start your business, or do you need to get a loan? How long can you support yourself without making a profit?

7) Develop a marketing plan. How are you going to make yourself known to buyers? How will motivate them to use your products or services?

8)  Create a mission and vision and goals. What is the ultimate purpose of your business?

9) Build a long-range strategy. How will you continue to build your business?

10) Honestly assess your abilities and desires to succeed. Do you have the knowledge, fortitude and patience to start and grow your business?

Choose Your Type of Online Business

5 Ways to Start Internet Money Makers

The Web has come along way since it first started in the 1990s. Now, you have a variety of choices when developing your online business plan:

1) Sell a Product

Have you always dreamed about opening a retail store? Do you have a unique, or niche, product that interests you? Do you have expertise in this product that you can share with others?  You can sell homemade items, such as clothing or wedding cakes.  You can make arrangements with drop ship companies that will fulfill and ship your products for you.  Or, you can hook up with a company like Amazon.com and put all their products on your site.

2) Sell a Service

Instead of a tangible product, you may have a service to sell. For example, you may be a freelance Web blog writer or a business consultant. Your Web site can be tied in with your brick-and-mortar offsite business or just for online marketing and sales.

3)  Sell Information

“How To” books are always big sellers offline, and they they are big sellers online as well. People come to the Web to search and find information, especially unusual information that they will not find other places. They are always looking for experts in a field that interests them. You can sell downloadable e-books and e-reports or print-on-demand (POD) materials.

4) Sell Memberships

This type of business can combine products, services and information or just one of these items. For example, you may charge for a dating service or a list of area childcare providers. Or, you may have aWeb site that provides additional hard-to-find  information and products to paid members, such as Webinars.  You could have a membership that includes a Web site as well as offline activities, such as monthly meetings in different cities.

5) Sell Affiliate Products/Services

With associate or affiliate programs, you sell another company’s products or services and get a commission based on the number of people you send to the affiliate’s site or how many individuals buy a product or service or perform another type of activity, such as sign up for a newsletter or membership.

Each one of these types of businesses has its advantages and disadvantages and depend on your particular interests, online and business experience and resources.

Is an Online Business Right for You?

TAKE THE TEST

You are thinking about starting a business online, but you do not know if this is the right thing for  you. Here are some serious questions to ask yourself:

1) Are You Passionate About E-Commerce?

The most successful e-commerce businesses are owned by individuals who are passionate about their work and are willing to put in long hours and “blood, sweat and tears.”  They view their business as an expression of their capabilities and gain a great deal of self-satisfaction from their work. When successful online merchants pursue an e-commerce business for the first time, it becomes a number-one effort. The ultimate goal is to make this venture take hold.

2) Are You Willing to Make the Commitment?

You understand that this will take a great deal of time, energy, and dedication. When you started other activities and ventures, were you able to stay on point? How about at your regular nine-to-five job? How was your performance record? When asked to do a job, even those that you did not particularly like or enjoy, did you do it anyway the best you could? This commitment is necessary. Also, be prepared for your life to be different. Talk with your close family members, so they know that you probably will not be available as much as usual and could be more stressed than normal. Your personal life will not be as flexible as it has been in the past.

3) Are You Always Looking to the Future?

Because the Internet changes so quickly, you must be the type of person who continually looks for new opportunities and recognizes them when they present themselves. Some people like the status quo and let others come up with the ideas and changes. Then, they follow suit. Others see a headline in a magazine and suddenly start thinking about the impact it will make. You do not have to be a Thomas Edison or Benjamin Franklin and always come up with millions of new ideas.

4) Will You Try New Approaches? Then Try Again?

It is not always necessary to wait for an idea or opportunity to present itself to you. Successful e-commerce merchants will try different approaches on their own. Originality means continually searching for creative and different ways to solve new and existing problems. You need to think outside the box and consider the problem from a completely unique perspective. This requires looking at an issue from all different directions. Even when something works, why not find an alternative that may work even better?

5) Are You Personally Motivated?

With an area of expertise or interest and a great proven idea for a Web site, anyone can open an online business in a matter of hours. That does not mean you are the right person to start an online business, nor that you would want to open a store without doing all the necessary prep work beforehand. You need to acquire the skills to develop, build, market, and continuously update an online store. Beyond this, you have to go into this venture with a strong “I can do it” mentality, and also with an understanding that all businesses have a risk.

6) Can You Be a Jack/Jill of All Trades?

Running any kind of business, off- or online, also necessitates multi-tasking. Frequently, you may find yourself involved in multiple roles or tasks at the same time. You will have to wear many hats and be responsible for a lot of different functions, especially if working alone. At any time during the day, you can be on the phone ordering product from a drop-ship vendor, writing new copy for the Web site or blog, analyzing the store’s analytics, and packaging up a product to send out to a customer. As your business grows, you will be able to add on help, but at the beginning the buck stops with no one but you.

7) Will You Be Available When Needed?

You say that you want to do this part time or as a hobby. There is no problem with that. It is another way that the Internet is flexible. When you have a brick-and-mortar store, you have to literally open the doors every day at scheduled hours. Online it does not matter when you open. However, you need to be careful about being available, if you have included your phone number on the site. Remember, however, that what you get out of this venture is what you put in. If you only work a few hours each day, it will take you much longer to grow your site. You also will have to be good at setting priorities, so the business operations continue uninterrupted.

8 ) Do You Have the Necessary Business Skills?

You don’t have to be a business genius, but it is essential for you to think clearly, logically, out of the box, and have strong management and organizational skills. Naturally, it is helpful to have a strong sense of customer service, facility with basic mathematics and accounting skills, interest in marketing, and ability for record keeping.  An interest and ability in Internet technology is important, as well.

9) Are You Willing to Keep On Learning?

When running your own online store, you will learn a great deal of new information needed to be a successful online merchant. If you are new to e-commerce, you will discover that you are the one individual who continuously must make the decisions on arising issues. When inventory needs to be found, when taxes must be paid, when ads have to be written and posted, when the Web site has to be redesigned, you are the one who will be responsible. If you already have an established brick-and-mortar business, some of these will not be new skills, but then there will be a host of new areas that you have to add to your repertoire.

10) Will You Continually Put Out Effort?

There is a major danger that many new merchants encounter that keeps them from attaining a successful business: A belief that an online business is an easy way to make money without much work. Do not fool yourself into believing that starting an online business is any easier or any less demanding than it would be to open a traditional brick-and-mortar operation. Far too often individuals start an online store because they truly feel or hope that it will make them wealthier than ever and with much less work than with an offline business. Starting an e-commerce business does have its benefits and can be easier to get going than an offline store, yet you need to be practical about what you are getting into and what you will personally gain, or not gain, by the degree of your participation.