How to Make Your Small Business Look Big

                            

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As a small business owner, you have passion for what you do, and the confidence that you can do it well. But it’s also important to have certain key markers of professionalism in place, so customers can have equal confidence in your work (and you can start growing your client base as a result).
At SurePayroll, many of our customers run businesses with as few as one to 10 employees. Some have small offices; others work from home. Sometimes, the owner is the only employee.
So, how do they compete in a tough economy and crowded marketplace? The answer is that they don’t have to look small just because they only have a few employees. Here are some simple ideas gleaned from our customers that can help your own small business instill big business confidence:

Use Technology Wisely

If you’re considering outsourcing, consider only those services that aren’t core to your business. Whether it’s tracking shipments, getting contracts signed, managing customers or running payroll, most of these services can be handled safely and efficiently online.

Make Your Website Count

A professional, easy-to-navigate website is no longer a luxury. It’s expected. But when customers come to your site and see that it’s clean and well designed, they’re not going to question where your business is located (perhaps in a home office) or how many employees you have (maybe only one).
When hiring a web designer, be sure that you look at work done for other companies, and make sure it holds up to what you envision for your own.

Be Social

Part of this is social media. It’s become fairly standard to have Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and even Google+ pages. They’re easy to set up and can provide a nice outlet to promote your business and also connect with customers. It’s free advertising, really.
The only thing to keep in mind is that, once you create a social media presence, it won’t look good if it suddenly drops off. So make sure you’re ready to start, and that you can put forth the time to manage the pages like any big business would.
The second part of being social is actually getting out and meeting people. Whether it’s at a trade show, seminar, or charity event, get out and actually shake some hands. It lends a face to your business, sets the stage for potential partnerships with other businesses and frequently spurs that word-of-mouth endorsement small business owners crave.

Keep the Home Part at Home

If you do run a home-based business, there’s no need to make that known. The likelihood is most of your client interactions will be at remote locations, over the phone or online. Unless you’re asked directly, it’s not information you have to share. As long as you treat your customers and vendors well, they’re not going to know the difference.
Now, none of this means you can’t run your business wearing a pair of slippers and a tracksuit if you’re so inclined. As long as you’re good at what you do, no one has to be the wiser. In fact, it’s probably never been easier to run a business efficiently without the help of a large staff.
With technology, social media and the Web, you can accomplish almost anything.
The author, Scott Brandt, is vice president of marketing at SurePayroll, Inc. For more small business and payroll tips, visit our blog at http://blog.surepayroll.com.  

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Hard work goes into every success. Talk to an agent about small business insurance to help protect all that you’ve earned.

 

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Minimize Your Gas Bill with 5 Toasty Alternatives

Wednesday, February, 27th, 2013 at 6:00 am

Tags: Condo, House, Savings, Winter

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My almost-2-year-old son is a fabulous singer. His new favorite song is the Christmas classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” He likes to belt it out whenever we’re walking out to the car because it’s winter in Michigan and, baby, it IS cold outside.
The other problem with Michigan winter is that it’s pretty darn cold inside, too. And since we’re not millionaires, raising the temperature via central heating isn’t always the best option. If you’re in the same boat and you’d like to stay warm without going into debt, consider some alternative measures to keep yourself warm. Before you touch that thermostat, here’s how you can stay a little warmer without cranking up the heat.

Bake Something

Winter and fresh chocolate chip cookies go together like campfires and s’mores. A chilly day isn’t complete until you’ve baked up a batch of gooey chocolate chip cookies, mouthwatering brownies, cheerful confetti cake, rich red velvet cheesecake… oh sorry, where was I? Oh yes — if you’re considering hibernation to cope with the cold, you’ll need to stock up on calories! Heavenly treats can warm the soul. (One thing to remember, though: While using the oven to bake may naturally help warm up your kitchen, don’t ever consider using the oven as a space heater. It can pose a carbon monoxide hazard.)

Get Moving

Now that you’ve gobbled your fresh-from-the-oven baked goods, you’ll need to get some exercise. The best way to free your veins of ice is to get your heart pumping. Clean the house. Pop in an exercise DVD. Play “freeze tag” with the kids (freeze tag, get it?). Getting out from under the blankets when it’s cold in the house is a bit like jumping into an unheated pool, but once you’re in motion, chilly limbs will be a thing of the past.

Let the Sunshine In

Sunshine can improve your metabolism, up your energy levels, lower your blood pressure, and even warm your house! A room full of natural light can make the coldest home look and feel much, much warmer. Interior blinds are the perfect way to make the winter sun work for you. When the sunshine hits the window, open the slats to let the heat and light stream in. When the sun is gone, close the blinds to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans: Not just for summer. Once cooler temperatures hit, flip the reverse switch on your ceiling fan so that it moves clockwise. This way, your fan will force the hot air down to the floor. Your heater may therefore work more efficiently because the room will be more evenly heated. Just make sure to use a low fan speed to avoid drafts.

Stop Cold at the Source

You should’ve winterized your home months ago, but the good news is, it’s not too late. You can start by using caulking and weather stripping around your windows and doors to seal off leaks and prevent drafts. Check out my article on the Quicken Loans Zing Blog for more detailed information on winterizing your home. You’ll be amazed at how much warmer your home feels after just a few minutes’ worth of work.
Saving on your heating bill doesn’t mean that you have to open yourself up to the possibility of frostbite. With a few simple changes, and a little bit of action, you can make it through the coldest of winters without letting your gas bill skyrocket.

Christine Bilger is a writer at Quicken Loans and she loves blogging about family, personal finance, and mortgage tips on the Quicken Loans Zing Blog.

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5 Tips to Protect Your Identity at Tax Time

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Whether you owe money or are expecting a refund, preparing your tax return on your own or hiring a professional, tax time can be, well, taxing. The last thing you probably want to worry about is identity thieves tapping into your financial accounts, opening new lines of credit or committing other types of theft or fraud.

But according to Identity Theft 911, tax season is a prime opportunity for identity thieves. W-2s and other Internal Revenue Service tax forms contain a wealth of information–everything from Social Security numbers to financial account information–that can be a target for resourceful criminals.
Protecting your identity, however, doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these simple steps to help safeguard your personal information from hackers and identity thieves during tax season.

1. Be vigilant with your information online. According to the IRS, impersonation schemes thrive during tax season. This is when thieves claiming to represent the IRS send emails, make phone calls or send traditional mail in an attempt to steal people’s Social Security numbers or other sensitive personal information. However, it’s important to remember that the IRS says it does not contact people by email or social media, so, if you’re the recipient of any electronic messages, you should know that they are fraudulent. If you suspect that a piece of mail you’ve received is part of a scam, you can visit IRS.gov for information on how to determine whether it is authentic.
2. Keep an eye on your mailbox. While cyber-crime has become many thieves’ preferred method of obtaining personal information, it’s still important to closely monitor your mailbox. All official tax forms are delivered by mail, and some thieves find it easier to simply open someone’s mailbox and steal their forms than figure out Internet passwords in order to reap personal information.
3. Leave your Social Security card at home. According to the IRS, you should not, at any time, carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse. The card should be kept in a safe place, preferably in a safe-deposit box or another secure location. If your Social Security card is in your wallet and your wallet is stolen, then it’s possible your personal information can fall into the hands of identity thieves. With your Social Security number, a thief can compromise your bank account and open new lines of credit.
4. Be crafty with your password. Refunds from electronically filed tax returns are typically direct-deposited into financial accounts, which can help protect a refund check from being stolen from your mailbox. However, if you e-file, you need to know how to do so safely. One way to protect yourself is by creating a strong user password on the website through which you file your tax return. To ensure Internet security, incorporate a series of numbers, letters and punctuation marks into your password.
5. Know your tax preparer. Fraud rings have been known to front as tax preparation centers. Scam artists prey on the unsuspecting customers of these centers, stealing personal information and sometimes redirecting their tax refunds. According to Forbes, there have also been instances when a corrupt tax preparer has sold a client’s information to a criminal, who then used the information to file for a fraudulent tax return. The bottom line? It’s a good idea to research your tax preparer or accountant and make sure he or she is legitimate and ethical.
In addition to taking steps to thwart tax-time identity thieves, you may also want to consider purchasing identity theft restoration coverage, which can alert you to potential fraud and help you repair any damage to your identity in case you do become a victim.