The Importance of Websites

For those who might think social media is better than websites, along comes an article that debunks that idea. "5 Solid Reasons Why Facebook Does Not Matter More Than Your Company Website" talks about how a website relating to your company helps your business more than a social media presence.

The writer's main point is that Facebook and other social media enhances your online presence but shouldn't take the place of a website. Even if your business is yourself (i.e., you're a freelancer or contract worker for hire), having a professional website is a must.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Get Your Business On the Web

It's more important than ever to have an online presence for your at-home business. Whether it's a dedicated website or an store in Etsy.com, having your business available on the Internet is essential given today's tech-savvy consumer.

A recent article in the Commercial Appeal (Tenn.) found that "online sales will reach $248.7 billion in the next five years, accounting for 8 percent of total U.S. retail sales by 2014." However, the article also pointed out that half of small businesses did not have a website or other online presence.

Using the Internet to talk about your business via a website, online store (like Etsy or eBay), or social media (Facebook) can build your brand and increase your outreach to clients both near and far. Don't neglect this vital aspect of your at-home business.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Revisiting Tax Returns of Yesteryear

A recent Wall Street Journal article suggests revisiting old tax returns to see if there were any deductions or other business-related items you missed. The returns also can remind you of deductions and carryovers for this tax year.

Personally, I find using Turbo Tax for Home and Business extremely helpful in ferrating out deductions I can take for my home-based freelance writing business.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Fall in Love With Social Media

Think you don’t have time for Facebook and Twitter? You should make the time because building your brand (i.e., business) via the social web can bring huge dividends in the long run, according to a recent blog on Small Business Trends called “Why The Social Web Is Like Falling in Love.”

The author recommends viewing brand-building as a long-term relationship. Put the effort in and receive the fruits of your labor later. See the value of social media and embrace that as part of your marketing plan.

I plan on tackling how to use social media as a marketing tool in an upcoming issue of At Home News. Sign up for this free monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the newsletter tab.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Promotions With Other Businesses

As an at-home business owner, you can take advantage of marketing opportunities by partnering with similar businesses for the mutual benefit of both. Read more about how to cross promote in my September issue of At Home News. Sign up for the free monthly newsletter under the Newsletter tab.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Starting Startups

A new study looks at how startup formations follow consistent patterns, the Kansas City Business Journal reports.

“This study reveals an important structural context in which firm formation and job creation occur that helps explain why new and young companies dominate net job creation,” said Robert Litan, Kauffman’s vice president of research and policy. “We need to understand the structural features of entrepreneurial capitalism — the why of firm formation and job creation — so we can take steps that support and encourage those features and not unknowingly undermine them.”

Of interest to at-home businesses because the easier it is for new companies to form, the better the survival rate could become. For now, “formation and survival rates for new companies end up being fairly consistent through time, boosting the number of U.S. companies each year. Those 5 years old or younger make up the largest chunk each year, adding the most net new jobs,” the newspaper reported.

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Self Employment Numbers Drop

The recession is hitting the self-employed hard, new numbers from the Department of Labor reveal, Bloomberg reports. Last month, 8.68 million people worked for themselves, the fewest since January eight years ago. Those numbers fell a whopping 13 percent from December 2006 numbers of 9.98 million.

Some experts point to a lack of credit as one reason small businesses are failing. Scott Shane, a professor of economics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said that "the failure rate of self-employment picked up a lot during the recession. ... I think the indications are not good at all.”

“This is not a good environment for starting a business,” said Jonathan Basile, an economist at Credit Suisse. “Look at the headwinds the household sector faces. These are headwinds that are going to be in place for some time.”

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