Small Business Success Strategies

What You Need to Know Before Registering a Domain Name

Domain names are much the same as they make it easier to remember than the IP address they are associated with, i.e. 264.568.12.3.

Which is easier to remember, the IP address above or OrderYourDomain.com?

This is one reason, choosing a domain name is important. You want a name that reflects your business entity as well as easy to remember. Notice, OrderYourDomain.com states exactly what you will find when you go there, a website which allows you to register your domain name.

Read Bruce's entire article What You Need to Know Before Registering a Domain Name

Bruce Galle, our official Domain Expert

7 Hot Home Business Ideas

1. Virtual Assistant – Virtual Assistants provide administrative services to small businesses that don’t have a staff to handle these duties. VAs can perform a variety of tasks for clients including contact database management, writing and sending business letters, designing brochures, and creating newsletters.

2. After School Care – Instead of operating a full-time daycare service, offer before and after school care. Many parents would rather pay to have someone watch their kids for a couple of hours each day and avoid turning them into latch key kids.

Read Stephanie's entire article 7 Hot Home Business Ideas

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

Fascinating Ways to Make a Living Doing What You Love May Be Closer

Fascinating Ways to Make a Living Doing What You Love May Be Closer Than You Think: Start Your Own Opportunity File and Open Your Mind to Endless Possibilities

You don't have to look very far to find fascinating ways to make a living. Opportunities are literally everywhere . . . if you're looking, that is. It seems I can't turn on the television or radio or open a magazine or newspaper without seeing at least one good business idea.

Read Valerie's entire article Fascinating Ways to Make a Living Doing What You Love May Be Closer

Valerie Young, our official Career Change Expert

How to Get More Gas for Your Dollar

Presently, the national average for gasoline is $3.28 per gallon. Diesel is even higher, reaching in some places such as here in Florida, more than $4.00 per gallon. Is it possible to get more gallons for your money's worth? Yes, it is ... you just have to understand how petroleum products "work" and utilize little tricks to make it come out to your advantage.

Eventually, I believe gasoline will reach $5.00 per gallon and diesel will see a price range between $6.00 and $6.25 per gallon. In order to receive more gallons for your buck, you need to be aware of atmospheric conditions. In the petroleum industry, the temperature and specific gravity plays an important factor.

Read Allen's entire article How to Get More Gas for Your Dollar

Allen Smith, our official Trucking/Truck Driver Training Expert

Solo Entrepreneur Skill: Saying 'No' Gracefully to Customers and Colleagues

Envision the scenario: You've just been asked at the last minute by Chris, the organizer of your local networking group, to replace the scheduled speaker at next month's meeting. You already have too many commitments on your plate. Imagine your response:

    You: "Well, I don't think I'd have enough time to prepare. I'm awfully sorry--I wish I could help you!"

    Chris: "Your last speech was super--maybe you could just talk some more about that topic? I'd really appreciate it!"

Read Terri's entire article Solo Entrepreneur Skill: Saying 'No' Gracefully to Customers and Colleagues

Terri Zwierzynski, Our official Solo-Entrepreneur Expert

How to Generate Leads and Make More Money with Social Networking

Using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In to boost your business gives service professionals the unprecedented opportunity to get in front of new and bigger audiences in relatively short amounts of time. With such easy access to leads and prospects, it's important to have a clear understanding of why you're there and how you'll accomplish your goals. Before you post another Tweet or wall comment, take time to review your overall social media marketing goals.

Understand Why You're There

Read Nancy's entire article How to Generate Leads and Make More Money with Social Networking

Nancy Marmolejo, our official Visibility Expert

The Hidden Dangers of Achievement -- How Getting Ahead Can Put You Behind

I hear it in business everyday, though couched in different terms and expressions, the essence is the same, "We need to do more." That "more" may be in the form of more sales, more profit, more growth, more stores, but the common denominator is the ever-present, ever-nagging need for "more." The inference is that the "more" will bring some sort of relief, some respite from the present miseries being afflicted upon us by uncontrollable outside influences. The great fix that's missing is right there, right in front of our noses, in the form of that elusive little "more." "If we just could accomplish a little more," the thinking goes, "our problems would be solved."

Read Phil's entire article The Hidden Dangers of Achievement -- How Getting Ahead Can Put You Behind

Phil Davis, our official Branding and Naming Expert

Don't 'Let it Be, Let it Be,' Let it GO!

Do you sometimes feel like you live in a combination of a museum and an every-day tag sale? Have you and your family been "stuffed" to the gills? Stuff here, stuff there, stuff everywhere! Imagine creating and living a life where you had tons of room to move, breathe and GROW.

As women, we have an invitation to live great lives. Quite simply, we don't have to be content being the "supporting cast" in our own show. Sometimes we fill our homes, our wardrobes, our cars, etc., with distractions and stuff so that we may avoid the big picture -- that we are vibrant and we have very real dreams waiting to be realized, but we don't go for it. We're "on hold."

Read Debbye's entire article Don't 'Let it Be, Let it Be,' Let it GO!

Debbye Cannon, our official BusinessMom Mentor Expert

Is a Home Business Right for You?

Every morning as people wake up and make the commute to work, many dream of the day when they will finally work for themselves. Every time the boss lets someone know that they must give up their weekend plans for the good of the company, people contemplate the benefits of being the owner of their own business.

Are you one of these people?

If you are, it is important to ask yourself some very important questions before you make the uncertain leap into self-employment.

Read Stone's entire article Is a Home Business Right for You?

Stone Evans, our official Home Business Expert

Gateways to Wisdom

I often wonder why the field of coaching has burgeoned so in the last five years. While supporting others is a great honor and a meaningful livelihood, I have a theory that it is the opportunity that coaching brings to coaches themselves that has made this field blossom in the 21st century. To survive and thrive again, our world requires us to evolve more completely as individuals now. Being a coach uncovers prime territory to be worked

Read Rhonda's entire article Gateways to Wisdom

Rhonda Hess, our official Coaching Business Expert